bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibre brand promotion and consumer product awareness: case study of Tactel
Authors: Twine C. , Ruckman J.E. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThis case study investigates the consumer perception of Tactel that has resulted from Invista's marketing strategy of generating brand recognition for Tactel and considers whether the consumer understanding of the product and its benefits correlate to the intentions of Invista.Design/methodology/approachInterviews, questionnaire and consumer garment comparisons test.FindingsIt was found from interviews conducted with representatives of companies involved in a UK based supply chain producing Tactel lingerie during both the Autumn/Winter (A/W) 2000‐2001 and A/W 2003‐2004 seasons that all representatives agreed that consumers do not understand the meaning of Tactel and do not really understand its benefits. The results from the consumer questionnaire confirm this view as consumers were not able to identify key words associated with Tactel effectively. It was found from the consumer garment comparisons test, however, that although consumers may not be sure about the particular attributes of Tactel and its benefits awareness of the brand has increased following a very focused brand promotion since A/W 2000‐2001. Whilst Tactel may not mean anything to consumers, it is now becoming an integral part of consumers' vocabulary in the A/W 2003‐2004 season as Invista had intended.Originality/valueA useful insight into consumer recognition of a fibre brand.
A “square‐root rule” for reinsurance? Evidence from several national markets
Authors: Venezian Emilio C. , Viswanathan Krupa S. , Jucá Iana B. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeUsing a game‐theoretic model of insurance markets, Powers and Shubik in 2001 derived a mathematical expression for the optimal number of reinsurers for a given number of primary insurers. Subsequently in 2005, Powers and Shubik showed analytically that, for large numbers of primary insurers, this expression is effectively a “square‐root rule”, i.e. the optimal number of reinsurers in a market is given asymptotically by the square root of the total number of primary insurers. In this paper, we test the accuracy of the square‐root rule empirically.Design/methodology/approachThe numbers of primary insurers and reinsurers existing in a range of 18‐20 different national insurance markets over a period of 11 years are used.FindingsThe empirical results are consistent with the square‐root rule. In addition, we find that the number of reinsurers may also be associated with the market's willingness to pay for risk. When the market's perception of risk is high, there is a greater supply of reinsurance to provide capacity to primary insurers.Originality/valueAn empirical model is presented that deals explicitly with the number of insurers and reinsurers in a market. This is of value to government policymakers and insurance regulators.
Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories Among African Americans: A Comparison of Elites and Masses*
Authors: Simmons William Paul , Parsons Sharon 
Published: August 2005

Objective. Several studies have reported a widespread belief in conspiracy theories among African Americans. Such theories have been shown to have possible deleterious effects, especially when they deal with HIV/AIDS. It has been conjectured that African‐American elites could play a role in dispelling these beliefs, unless, of course, they believe in these theories themselves. To examine this possibility the present study examines the conspiratorial beliefs of African‐American locally elected officials in Louisiana and compares them with a previous study of African‐American churchgoers in the same state.Methods. A systematic sample of 400 African‐American locally elected officials was drawn from a list of all African‐American elected officials in the state and 170 officials completed and returned the mail survey. Confirmatory factor analysis and OLS regression were used to analyze the attitude structure and determinants of beliefs, respectively.Results. The locally elected officials believe in these theories as much as the churchgoers and the structures of their beliefs are also very similar. In some very important ways, however, the predictors of these beliefs differ between the two samples.Conclusions. Our findings suggest that beliefs in conspiracy theories are widespread and that African‐American locally elected officials will not seek to dispel these beliefs.
Immunoadsorption patients with multiple sclerosis: an open‐label pilot study
Authors: Moldenhauer A. , Haas J. , Wäscher C. , Derfuss T. , Hoffmann K.‐T. , Kiesewetter H. , Salama A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  Immunoadsorption (IA) is occasionally applied in patients with acute relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS). This pilot study was undertaken to determine whether IA might help in secondary progressive and relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis.Design  IA was performed at 1‐week intervals in 12 patients with secondary progressive or relapsing‐remitting MS. These patients had an extended disability status scale (EDSS) score of 4·5–7 and an EDSS increase of 0·5 within 6 months before inclusion in the study despite conventional drug therapy. The change in the EDSS and that in the MS functional composite (MSFC) score, which consisted of quantitative tests of arm function, ambulation, visual acuity and cognition, served as the primary outcome variables, which were measured at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Changes in quality of life and cerebral lesions by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were also assessed at baseline and after the last immunoadsorption (month 3).Results  A significant reduction of the median EDSS change was observed after the treatment period, which reversed 3 months after the immunoadsorptions had been stopped. Ten of 12 patients remained stable during the first year of follow‐up with no significant changes of the MSFC scores. No significant changes in magnetic resonance imaging T2‐hyperintense brain lesions or in the number of gadolinium‐positive lesions and in the patients’ quality of life were observed. Western blot analyses demonstrated a reduction of serum myelin‐specific antibodies, which were collected in the adsorber eluates.Conclusions  Removal of immunoglobulins, including myelin‐specific antibodies by immunoadsorption, seems to delay disease progression as defined by EDSS, MSFC and MRI, while the patients’ quality of life did not deteriorate.
Gallbladder Na+/H+ exchange activity is up‐regulated prior to cholesterol crystal formation
Authors: Narins S. C. , Ramakrishnan R. , Park E. H. , Smith P. R. , Meyers W. C. , Abedin M. Z. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  Gallbladder Na+ and H2O absorption are increased prior to gallstone formation and may promote cholesterol nucleation. Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) isoforms NHE2 and NHE3 are involved in gallbladder Na+ transport in prairie dogs. We examined whether increased gallbladder Na+ absorption observed during early gallstone formation is the result of NHE up‐regulation.Materials and methods  Native gallbladder and primary cultures of gallbladder epithelial cells (GBECs) harvested from prairie dogs fed nonlithogenic (CON) or 1·2% cholesterol diet for varying lengths of time to induce cholesterol‐saturated bile (PreCRYS), cholesterol crystals (CRYS), or gallstones (GS) were used. NHE activity was assessed by measuring dimethylamiloride‐inhibitable 22Na+ uptake under H+ gradient in primary GBECs. HOE‐694 was used to determine NHE2 and NHE3 contributions. NHE protein and mRNA expression were examined by Western and Northern blots, respectively.Results  Gallbladder total NHE activity was 25·1 ± 1·3 nmol mg protein−1 min−1 in the control and increased during gallstone formation peaking at the PreCRYS stage (98·4 ± 3·9 nmol mg protein−1 min−1). There was a shift in NHE activity from NHE2 to NHE3 as the animals progressed from no stones through the PreCRYS and CRYS stages to gallstones. The increase in NHE activity was partly caused by an increased Vmax without any change in KNam. Both NHE2 and NHE3 protein increased moderately during the PreCRYS stage without increases in mRNA expression.Conclusions  Increased gallbladder Na+ absorption observed prior to crystal formation is in part caused by an increase NHE activity which is not fully accounted for by an increase in NHE proteins and mRNA levels but may be explained by enhanced localization in the membranes and/or altered regulation of NHE.
Association of furunculosis and familial deficiency of mannose‐binding lectin
Authors: Kars M. , Van Dijk H. , Salimans M. M. , Bartelink A. K. , Van De Wiel A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  Polymorphisms in the mannose‐binding lectin gene reduce serum mannose‐binding lectin levels and are associated with enhanced risk of infection. In a family with recurrent staphylococcal disease presenting as furunculosis or carbuncles, an association with mannose‐binding lectin deficiency was investigated.Materials and methods  Levels of functional mannose‐binding lectin were estimated and the genotypes of the mannose‐binding lectin gene were analysed on blood samples, collected from the members of one particular family with a high prevalence of furunculosis.Results  Functional mannose‐binding lectin levels in sera of 13 of the 28 members of one family showed deficiency. Furunculosis or carbuncles appeared to be present in nine of the 28 family members, seven of which showing the pBly allele and mannose‐binding lectin deficiency. Four young family members of the second generation were pBly positive and mannose‐binding lectin deficient, but had not shown furunculosis yet.Conclusion  Members of a particular family suffering from furunculosis differ from their ‘healthy’ relatives as to mannose‐binding lectin genotypes, indicating the relevance of normal mannose‐binding lectin levels in the defence against staphylococcal disease.
Is the intensity of the highest fat oxidation at the lactate concentration of 2 mmol L−1? A comparison of two different exercise protocols
Authors: Bircher S. , Knechtle B. , Knecht H. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  The exercise intensity eliciting highest fat oxidation is important for a variety of populations and its precise determination requires an adequate exercise protocol. The aim of this study was to compare fat oxidation, concentration of lactate and lactate threshold during an established exercise protocol using fixed workloads with a protocol based upon the subject's individual heart rate response to exercise.Materials and methods  Highest fat oxidation, concentration of lactate and lactate threshold were compared between two different exercise protocols in moderately trained men (n = 48) and women (n = 30). In randomized order subjects completed a standardized (STAND) and an individual (IND) submaximal exercise test. The increments during IND were adapted by the subjects’ individual heart rate response to exercise compared to STAND with defined steps.Results  In men, fat oxidation was significantly higher at the intensity eliciting highest fat oxidation in STAND than in IND (P = 0·019), but not in women. In both genders lactate concentration (P < 0·001) and heart rate (HR) (P < 0·001) were significantly higher in IND compared to STAND at this intensity. A significant correlation between O2 at lactate threshold and the intensity eliciting the highest fat oxidation was found in both genders in IND (women r = 0·73; men r = 0·43) and in STAND (women r = 0·57; men r = 0·56).Conclusion  Different exercise increments and stage durations have an influence on lactate concentration and HR at the intensity eliciting the highest fat oxidation. The shorter test duration of STAND favours this protocol to determine maximal fat oxidation. For the untrained, start of exercise should be at very low intensity.
Statin‐induced blockade of prenylation alters nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of GTP‐binding proteins γ2 and β2 and enhances their suppressive effect on glucocorticoid receptor transcriptional activity
Authors: Kino T. , Kozasa T. , Chrousos G. P. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  We previously reported that the guanine tri‐phosphate‐binding proteins (G) β and γ are both localized in the nucleus, in addition to their expected cytoplasmic/plasma membrane localization. These proteins, as a heterodimeric complex, suppress glucocorticoid response element‐mediated transcriptional activity of the glucocorticoid receptor through direct physical interactions between Gβ and the glucocorticoid receptor.Materials and methods  As Gγ is prenylated at a cysteine residue in its C‐terminal portion, and as this post‐translational modification is required for many of the known Gβ/Gγ activities, we examined the effect of its absence or diminution on Gβ/Gγ‐induced suppression of glucocorticoid receptor‐induced transcriptional activity.Results  In a functional reporter assay, Gγ2C68S, which is defective at the prenylation site, was more potent than the wild‐type Gγ2 at increasing Gβ2‐induced suppression of glucocorticoid receptor transactivation. Interestingly, the enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion of this mutant Gγ2 was localized preferentially in the nucleus, while it was absent from the plasma membrane. Lovastatin, a 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase inhibitor that abrogates the prenylation of Gγ, shifted the subcellular localization of enhanced green fluorescence protein‐fused Gγ2 and Gβ2 from the cytoplasm/plasma membrane to the nucleus and further suppressed glucocorticoid receptor‐induced transcriptional activity.Conclusions  These findings indicate that not only is the natural covalent addition of the prenyl residue to Gγ unnecessary for the transcriptional suppression induced by Gβ/Gγ on the glucocorticoid receptor, but rather helps retain the Gβ/Gγ complex away from the nucleus decreasing its antiglucocorticoid actions.
Patient‐centred improvements in health‐care built environments: perspectives and design indicators
Authors: Douglas Calbert H. , Douglas Mary R. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractObjective  To explore patients’ perceptions of health‐care built environments, to assess how they perceived health‐care built facilities and designs. To develop a set of patient‐centred indicators by which to appraise future health‐care designs.Design  Qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including futures group conferencing, autophotographic study, novice‐expert exchanges and a questionnaire survey of a representative sample of past patients.Setting and participants  The research was carried out at Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust (SRHT), Greater Manchester, UK, selected for the study because of planned comprehensive redevelopment based on the new NHS vision for hospital care and service delivery for the 21st century. Participants included 35 patients who took part in an autophotographic study, eight focus groups engaged in futures conferencing, a sample of past inpatients from the previous 12 months that returned 785 completed postal questionnaires.Results  The futures group provided suggestions for radical improvements which were categorized into transport issues; accessibility and mobility; ground and landscape designs; social and public spaces; homeliness and assurance; cultural diversity; safety and security; personal space and access to outside. Patients’ autophotographic study centred on: the quality of the ward design, human interactions, the state and quality of personal space, and facilities for recreation and leisure. The novices’ suggestions were organized into categories of elemental factors representing patient‐friendly designs. Experts from the architectural and surveying professions and staff at SRHT in turn considered these categories and respective subsets of factors. They agreed with the novices in terms of the headings but differed in prioritizing the elemental factors. The questionnaire survey of past patients provided opinions about ward designs that varied according to where they stayed, single room, bay ward or long open ward. The main concerns were limitation of private space around the bed area, supportive of privacy and dignity, ward noise and other disturbances.Conclusions  Patients perceived sustainable health‐care environments to be supportive of their health and recovery. The design indicators developed from their perspectives and from their considerations for improvements to the health‐care built environment were based on their visions of the role of the health‐care facilities. These were homely environments that supported normal lifestyle and family functioning and designs that were supportive of accessibility and travel movements through transitional spaces.
House‐dust mites and summer cottages
Authors: Korsgaard J. , Harving H. 
Published: August 2005

Background:  Estimated indoor climate conditions in unheated summer cottages offers house‐dust mites unfavorable temperature and feeding conditions while giving them optimum humidity conditions. We aimed to estimate the exposure level of house‐dust mites in summer cottages.Methods:  A total of 37 summer cottages were sampled for house dust and storage mites in three locations and the results compared with samples from 33 patients suspected of house‐dust mite allergy and living in ordinary houses. The processed dust samples were investigated by microscopy and exposure levels given as number of mites per 0.1 g dust.Results:  The summer cottages were without exception all heavily infested with threefold or higher concentrations of both house dust and storage mites in comparison with ordinary houses. In unheated summer cottages were found tropical high concentrations of house dust and storage mites with a median concentration of house‐dust mites in mattress dust of 2000 house‐dust mites/g of dust which corresponds to an average of 40 μg allergen/g of mattress dust.Conclusions:  As a probable consequence of high indoor air humidity conditions in unheated summer cottages in winter, dust samples contained threefold or higher concentrations of house dust and storage mites. Indoor humidity conditions thus more than compensated for lack of continuous supply of skin scales from human beings and an unfavorable low indoor air temperature. The uniform high mite exposure in summer cottages is likely to imply disease deterioration in patients already allergic to mites.
Hypersensitivity reactions to paracetamol in children: a study of 25 cases
Authors: Boussetta K. , Ponvert C. , Karila C. , Bourgeois M. Le , de Blic J. , Scheinmann P. 
Published: August 2005

Background:  Allergic‐like reactions to paracetamol (acetaminophen) are rare. Paracetamol allergic and nonallergic hypersensitivity (HS) has been diagnosed in a few patients with skin and/or respiratory symptoms, immediate and accelerated urticaria, and angioedema especially. Most patients with HS to paracetamol were also hypersensitive to anti‐inflammatory drugs (i.e. acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), suggesting that their reactions resulted from a nonallergic HS. However, anaphylactic reactions, and potentially harmful toxidermias, such as acute generalized exanthematic pustulosis and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been related to specific paracetamol allergic HS, with tolerance to anti‐inflammatory drugs.Patients and methods:  We report the results of a study performed in 25 children with suspected paracetamol HS. Diagnosis of paracetamol HS was based on a suggestive clinical history and a positive response in an oral challenge (OC) test.Results:  Paracetamol HS was diagnosed in only one child (4%). In this child, a positive response to an OC with ASA diagnosed HS to anti‐inflammatory drugs.Conclusions:  Our results in children agree with those of the literature, showing that paracetamol HS is rare, and is associated with HS to anti‐inflammatory drugs in most patients.
Does off‐pump coronary artery bypass grafting beneficially affect renal function?
Authors: Ogawa Mitsugu , Yaku Hitoshi , Doi Kiyoshi , Okano Takahisa , Yamada Yoshiaki , Hayashida Kyoko , Fukumoto Atsushi 
Published: August 2005

Background:  Off‐pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been reported to beneficially affect renal function, but this remains to be confirmed. The purpose of the present paper was to study the effects of off‐pump CABG on renal function and analyse predictors of postoperative renal impairment in patients who received off‐pump CABG.Methods:  A total of 451 patients who underwent isolated CABG between January 1999 and August 2003 were retrospectively studied. No patient was receiving dialysis. A total of 300 patients (228 men) underwent off‐pump CABG (off‐pump group) and 151 patients (104 men) underwent on‐pump CABG (on‐pump group). Perioperative serum creatinine levels and creatinine ratios (peak postoperative creatinine level/preoperative creatinine level) were compared between the groups.Results:  Renal impairment (serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL) developed postoperatively in 12.7% of the off‐pump group and 18.5% of the on‐pump group (P = 0.1). The creatinine ratio was significantly lower in the off‐pump group (1.2 ± 0.4) than in the on‐pump group (1.4 ± 0.7, P = 0.003). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the strongest predictors of postoperative renal impairment in off‐pump CABG were left ventricular dysfunction (odds ratio 10.8) and multivessel grafting (odds ratio 4.3).Conclusions:  Off‐pump CABG provides better renal protection than on‐pump CABG. However, perioperative renal function should be closely monitored in patients who have left ventricular dysfunction or who undergo multivessel grafting, even when off‐pump CABG is performed.
Stimulation of the retina with a multielectrode extraocular visual prosthesis
Authors: Chowdhury Vivek , Morley John W. , Coroneo Minas T. 
Published: August 2005

Background:  An extraocular approach to developing a retinal prosthesis for blind patients using electrodes placed on the outer surface of the eye is suggested. Experiments were carried out to determine the feasibility of this approach, and evaluate electrode configurations and parameters for stimulation.Methods:  In anaesthetized cats, a 21‐electrode extraocular retinal prosthesis (ERP) array was sutured to the sclera over the lateral surface of the eye. Electrically evoked potentials (EEP) were recorded at the visual cortex bilaterally in response to retinal stimulation with the electrode array. Bipolar stimulation of the ERP array electrodes in horizontal and vertical configurations and at different interelectrode separations was investigated with biphasic constant‐current pulses.Results:  Electrical stimulation of the lateral retina with an ERP elicited EEP that were higher in the ipsilateral visual cortex. The threshold for bipolar retinal stimulation was 500 µA. EEP amplitude increased with increases in stimulus pulse duration and current intensity. Retinal stimulation was slightly more effective with electrodes in a vertical as opposed to horizontal orientation. A larger interelectrode separation resulted in a higher EEP amplitude.Conclusions:  Retinal stimulation with a prototype ERP array is demonstrated. The thresholds for retinal excitation are below safe charge‐density limits for chronic neural stimulation. Ipsilateral localization of the EEP suggests that localized retinal stimulation is occurring. An ERP is a new approach to retinal prosthesis research, and might lead to the development of a low‐resolution visual prosthesis for blind patients.