bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diabetes in the Caribbean: results of a population survey from Spanish Town, Jamaica
Authors: Wilks R. , Rotimi C. , Bennett F. , McFarlane‐Anderson N. , Kaufman J. S. , Anderson S. G. , Cooper R. S. , Cruickshank J. K. , Forrester T. 
Published: July 2002

Summary Aims To characterize the prevalence of diabetes and associated risk attributes in the Jamaican population. Methods A random population sample was recruited by door‐to‐door canvassing (n = 1303). A final participation of 60% was achieved. Oral glucose tolerance testing was conducted after an overnight fast and standard anthropometric and demographic data were collected. Results The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus was 9.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.2–12.4) among men and 15.7% (95% CI 13.1–18.3) among women with an overall prevalence of 13.4% (95% CI 11.5–15.2). Impaired glucose tolerance was found among 12.3% of men and 14.7% of women. The sex patterns were consistent with a fourfold excess of obesity in women compared to men. The odds ratios for diabetes, fourth vs. first quartiles were 5.42 (95% CI 2.02–16.88) in men and 3.32 (95% CI 1.73–6.63) in women for body mass index (BMI) and 17.39 (95% CI 3.86–78.27) in men and 5.48 (95% CI 2.84–11.00) in women for WHR in a logistic model controlling for age. The population attributes risk percentage, for diabetes, of being overweight and having waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) greater than the median (0.80) were 66% and 80%, respectively. The contribution of central obesity, as characterized by WHR, was also significant in sex‐specific multivariate models that included age and BMI. Prevalent hypertension and family history of diabetes were likewise associated with increased odds of having the disease. Conclusions The prevalence of diabetes in Jamaica now exceeds that observed among European‐origin populations and reflects the emerging epidemic of obesity. The excess risk for this population could not be attributed entirely to relative weight. The pronounced sexual dimorphism in diabetes prevalence most likely reflects the substantial excess of obesity among women compared to men. Like many other island nations, Caribbean societies now appear to be at substantial risk of diabetes.
Natural history of echogenic foci within ventricles of the fetal heart
Authors: Petrikovsky B. M. , Challenger M. , Wyse L. J. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractEchogenic foci within the fetal heart have been reported in association with cardiac tumors and chromosomal abnormalities. They have been observed also as a normal variant of cardiac development. The goal of this study was to analyze the frequency, distribution and natural history of echogenic foci within the fetal heart. A total of 1139 patients referred for targeted ultrasound were studied. Patients with positive findings (presence of the echogenic foci) were referred for serial fetal echocardiographic examinations at 26–28 weeks and 34–36 weeks of pregnancy. Neonatal follow‐up examinations were performed within the first 3 months of life in 27 cases.Ventricular echogenic foci were seen in 3.6% of fetuses. The locations of the echogenic foci were as follows: left ventricle, 92.8%; right ventricle, 4.8%; both ventricles, 2.4%. All fetuses had a normal karyotype. Echogenic foci remained present in all infants who underwent echocardiographic examination within the first 3 months of life.Echogenic intracardiac foci probably represent a normal variant of the development of papillary muscles and chordae tendinae. Copyright © 1995 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
MEISSNER CORPUSCLES IN PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL AND ACQUIRED SENSORY NEUROPATHIES
Authors: Provitera V. , Nolano M. , Crisci C. , Stancanelli A. , Balbi P. , Lullo F. , Filla A. , Santoro L. , Caruso G. 
Published: July 2002

Cutaneous innervation and particularly Meissner Corpuscles have been studied in glabrous skin of subjects with congenital and acquired sensory neuropathies.We performed 3‐mm punch skin biopsies from fingertips of 14 patients with Friedreich's Ataxia (FA), 6 young subjects with diabetes mellitus without symptoms and clinical or electrophysiological signs of sensory neuropathy, and in 4 subjects with acquired sensory neuropathy of undefined origin. An age‐ and sex‐matched control group of ten healthy subjects underwent the same procedures. All subjects included in the study signed an informed consent form.Once fixed and cryoprotected, the skin specimens were cut in 100‐micron‐thick sections and immunostained using primary antibodies specific for collagen (Col IV), nerve fibers (PGP 9.5), myelin sheet (MBP), and Meissner corpuscle capsula (S100), and linked to secondary antibodies labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 fluorophores. Digitized, completely in‐focus 3D images were obtained from z‐series of 2‐μm‐thick optical sections acquired with a confocal microscope.We found a reduction of Meissner corpuscle total number, area, and density of innervation that appeared marked in patients with FA and moderate in diabetic patients. The third group of patients showed anomalies ranging from a mild reduction of the Meissner corpuscle area and density of innervation to a complete loss of the receptors.Punch biopsy turned out to be an accurate tool to study the cutaneous innervation in glabrous skin and to assess the nervous structures health status also in the very early stages of the sensory neuropathies.
CONGENITAL HYPOMYELINATION NEUROPATHY WITH A NOVEL MUTATION OF PMP22
Authors: Rigatelli F. , Fabrizi G.M. , Simonati A. , Cavallaro T. , Ferrarini M. , Taioli F. , Mostacciuolo M.L. , Rizzuto N. 
Published: July 2002

Congenital hypomyelination neuropathy (CHN) has been related with mutations of the MPZ gene that codes for P0, the major structural protein of the peripheral myelin and of EGR2/Krox20 gene that codes for a transcription factor essential for the normal development of myelinating Schwann cell. More recently, we reported the association between CHN and a Ser72Leu mutation of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22), a quantitatively minor component of the compact myelin of peripheral nerves, whose functions are still debated. Here we describe a second patient with CHN associated with a novel mutation of PMP22.The patient is the 4‐year‐old daughter of healthy nonconsanguineous parents and is affected with early delay of motor development. At seven years she could not walk without support; examination disclosed muscle weakness and atrophy, foot drop, pes cavus, scoliosis, areflexia, and impairment of all sensory modalities. MNCV at the median nerve was 3.6 m/s. Nerve biopsy disclosed marked loss of fibers; residual fibers were devoid of myelin or encircled by extremely thin myelin sheaths and were surrounded by basal laminae onion bulbs. Clinical follow up demonstrated no progression of the disease. Molecular analysis disclosed a novel heterozygous T‐to‐C transition at nucleotide 374 of PMP22, that is predicted to cause a nonconservative substitution of cysteine109 (a phylogenetically conserved residue) with arginine, in the third transmembrane domain.The duplication of PMP22 causes the common demyelinating form of Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy type 1 (CMT1). Our reports indicate that missense mutations of the same protein may cause dysmyelination rather than demyelination, and prompt to investigate the function of PMP22 in myelinogenesis as well as in Schwann cell differentiation.
Modernization, globalization and the welfare state: a comparative analysis of old and new convergence of social insurance since 1930
Authors: Montanari Ingalill 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTConvergence of policies and institutions across countries has been a recurrent theme within social sciences. ‘Old’ and ‘new’ convergence hypotheses have been associated with changing concepts and catchwords, such as modernization, logic of industrialism, post‐industrialism, post‐Fordism and globalization, but share some underlying theoretical perspectives. The purpose of this paper is to analyse tendencies towards convergence of social insurance systems in 18 OECD countries between 1930 and 1990, a period which has seen our sample of countries develop from predominantly agricultural societies to industrial or post‐industrial market democracies. Data from the Social Citizenship Indicator Program (SCIP) are used to examine the development of institutional variables within the various national social insurance systems. Sub‐samples of larger and smaller countries are examined separately, in order to test the open‐economy hypothesis that smaller countries, being more exposed to international pressures than larger ones, could be expected to show higher degrees of social protection and also more convergence.Hypotheses on differentiated institutional barriers against pressures from the processes of transnationalization of the economy, as well as possible convergence effects of the supra‐national policy making within the European Union, are dis‐cussed in the last section.
The use of AUDIT as a screening tool for alcohol use in the police work‐place
Authors: DAVEY JEREMY D. , OBST PATRICIA L. , SHEEHAN MARY C. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThere has been little research examining the use of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) as a work‐place screening tool. In the current study a large scale sample (n = 4193) of police personnel completed the 10 AUDIT questions and two readiness‐to‐change questions. The sample represented 67% of all members of an Australian State Police organization. Analysis of AUDIT scores showed that 65% of the sample scored in the low risk of hazardous alcohol consumption range, 32% (33% of males and 24% of females) scored in the at risk for harmful alcohol consumption range and 3% scored in the range indicating risk of alcohol dependence. Age emerged as a clear risk factor of hazardous drinking patterns. The 18–25‐year age group recorded higher average alcohol consumption, higher rates of risk of abnormal drinking behaviour, higher rates of adverse consequences from drinking alcohol and higher total AUDIT scores than other age groups. This was consistent for both males and females. Of those scoring in the at‐risk range, 72.5% reported that they did not have a drinking problem. Sixty percent also reported that it would be easy to stop drinking. This study exemplifies how the AUDIT can be used to provide strong evidence for the need for work‐based intervention programmes. Further, it can be used to target particular groups within the organization at risk of harmful alcohol use.
Maternal action and ethnicity in the prevention of adolescent smoking in south eastern Sydney
Authors: TANG K.C. , RISSEL C. , ROWLING L. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractParents have a significant role in the prevention of smoking among their children, yet there is scarce research into what parents actually do to encourage non‐smoking. This paper examines the actions that a sample of mothers of grades 7 and 8 students in southern Sydney have taken with regard to smoking prevention and the factors associated with taking action. Data were collected from 1113 mothers through a self‐completed questionnaire sent home and returned by students. About four out of five mothers had had an open discussion about the importance of not smoking and 28% had enforced non‐smoking rules. Non‐smoking mothers, mothers with a more positive attitude towards their role in preventing their child from smoking and mothers who were worried about their child smoking were more likely to have enforced rules. After adjusting for maternal smoking, level of worry about their child smoking and attitude towards smoking, mothers speaking a language other than English at home were significantly less likely to have discussed not smoking, but tended to have enforced non‐smoking rules. When an associated study of the children of these mothers is considered, where students speaking a language other than English at home smoked less than those speaking English, it suggests that enforcing non‐smoking rules is an effective strategy for at least delaying smoking among grades 7 and 8 students.
Effects of the cationic protein poly‐L‐arginine on airway epithelial cells in vitro
Authors: Shahana Shahida , Kampf Caroline , Roomans Godfried M. 
Published: July 2002

Background: Allergic asthma is associated with an increased number of eosinophils in the airway wall. Eosinophils secrete cationic proteins, particularly major basic protein (MBP).Aim: To investigate the effect of synthetic cationic polypeptides such as poly‐L‐arginine, which can mimic the effect of MBP, on airway epithelial cells.Methods: Cultured airway epithelial cells were exposed to poly‐L‐arginine, and effects were determined by light and electron microscopy.Results: Poly‐L‐arginine induced apoptosis and necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage and changes in the nucleus. The tight junctions were damaged, as evidenced by penetration of lanthanum. Scanning electron microscopy showed a damaged cell membrane with many pores. Microanalysis showed a significant decrease in the cellular content of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine, and an increase in calcium. Plakoglobin immunoreactivity in the cell membrane was decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of desmosomes.Conclusions: The results point to poly‐L‐arginine induced membrane damage, resulting in increased permeability, loss of cell‐cell contacts and generalized cell damage.
Effects after inhalation of (1 → 3)‐β‐D‐glucan and relation to mould exposure in the home
Authors: Beijer Lena , Thorn Jörgen , Rylander Ragnar 
Published: July 2002

Background: Damp conditions indoors favour the growth of microorganisms, and these contain several agents that may cause inflammation when inhaled. Moulds contain a polyglucose in their cell wall, defined as (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan, exhibiting effects on inflammatory cells.Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether an inhalation challenge to purified (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan (grifolan) in humans could induce effects on inflammatory markers in blood, and to evaluate whether the reactions were related to the home exposure to (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan.Methods: Seventeen subjects in homes with high levels of airborne (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan (G‐high) and 18 subjects in homes with low levels of (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan (G‐low) underwent two randomised, double‐blind inhalation challenges, one to (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan suspended in saline and one to saline alone. A blood sample was taken before and after the challenges, and differential cell count, granulocyte enzymes in serum and the secretion of cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were measured.Results: Inhalation challenge with (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan induced a decrease in the secretion of tumour necrosis factor α from endotoxin‐stimulated PBMC in the G‐high group as well as in the G‐low group. In the G‐high group, the inhalation of (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan induced an increase in blood lymphocytes that was significantly different from the saline‐induced effect.Conclusions: The results suggest that an inhalation challenge to (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan has an effect on inflammatory cells and this effect may be related to a chronic exposure to moulds at home.
Cocaine‐like effects of intravenous procaine in cocaine addicts
Authors: ADINOFF BRYON , BRADY KATHLEEN , SONNE SUSAN , MIRABELLA ROBERT F. , KELLNER CHARLES H. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractPharmacological treatments that alter dopaminergic functioning have not lessened cocaine use in addicted patients. Non‐dopaminergic mechanisms may therefore be important in the chronic use of cocaine. Procaine, like cocaine, is a local anesthetic, but has only 1% of cocaine's affinity for the dopamine reuptake receptor. In order to assess the subjective effects of procaine and its similarity to cocaine, we administered procaine to nine cocaine‐dependent subjects. Patients 2‐3 weeks abstinent were administered placebo, low dose procaine (0.46 mg/kg), and high dose procaine (1.84 mg/kg procaine) over a single 2‐hour session. Patients were assessed for craving and similarity to cocaine experience and were administered the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL90R). High dose procaine was identified as similar to cocaine and induced significant cocaine craving. High dose procaine also induced significant elevations in somatization, obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, phobic anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, positive symptoms and global severity (from the SCL90R). Our findings suggest that procaine shares subjective effects similar to cocaine, despite a much lower affinity for the dopamine reuptake receptor. Procaine may be a useful tool to explore non‐dopaminergic mechanisms of cocaine's reinforcing and addictive properties.
Different school placements following language unit attendance: Which factors affect language outcome?
Authors: Conti‐Ramsden Gina , Botting Nicola , Knox Emma , Simkin Zoë 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe study compared the outcomes of two groups of children who were attending language unit provision at 7 years of age. Of 242 children in the original study, 62 (28%) transferred to mainstream school placements at age 8 years. These children were then closely matched to children still attending language unit provision at this age using measures of non‐verbal IQ, expression and comprehension. These two groups of children were compared on outcome at 11 years in the areas of language skill, non‐verbal IQ and social behaviour. Teacher/speech‐language therapist opinions of placement were also examined as factors affecting outcome. Results show that children who moved to mainstream provision at 8 years were more likely to be attending mainstream at 11 years, although the majority received extra support. No further differences were evident in outcome according to placement type. However, there was a main effect of teacher/therapist opinion on outcome–children whose teachers were not entirely happy with the 8−year placement performed more poorly at 11 years on language measures. There were no differences on any other measures. The findings suggest that follow‐on placements for children attending language units need to be more closely in line with teacher's opinions and that more flexibility needs to be evident in school placement policy in order that appropriate educational settings can be arranged.
Is it appropriate to use structured abstracts in social science journals?
Authors: Hartley James 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDStructured abstracts (which use sub‐headings like this one) have now become widespread in medical research journals.AIMThe aim of this paper is to consider whether or not such structured abstracts can be used effectively in social science journals.METHODThe paper reviews a selection of studies of carried out by the author and his colleagues to see if structured abstracts written for social science journals are more informative, easier to read, and easier to search than are their traditional equivalents.RESULTSThe results suggest that structured abstracts do, indeed, have these virtues, and that they are thus appropriate for social science journals.CONCLUSIONThe author therefore recommends that the editors of social science journals consider adopting structured abstracts.
On upper bounds of Chalk and Hua for exponential sums
Authors: Cochrane Todd , Zheng Zhiyong 
Published: July 2002

Let

f
f

be a polynomial of degree

d
d

with integer coefficients,

p
p

any prime,

m
m

any positive integer and

S
(
f
,

p
m

)

S(f,p^m)

the exponential sum

S
(
f
,

p
m

)
=

∑

x
=
1

p
m

e

p
m

(
f
(
x
)
)

S(f,p^m)= \sum _{x=1}^{p^m} e_{p^m}(f(x))

. We establish that if

f
f

is nonconstant when read

(
mod

p
)

\pmod p

, then

|

S
(
f
,

p
m

)

|

≤
4.41

p

m
(
1
−

1
d

)

|S(f,p^m)|\le 4.41 p^{m(1-\frac 1d)}

. Let

t
=

ord
p

(

f
′

)

t=\text {ord}_p(f’)

, let

α
\alpha

be a zero of the congruence

p

−
t

f
′

(
x
)
≡
0

(
mod

p
)

p^{-t}f’(x) \equiv 0 \pmod p

of multiplicity

ν
\nu

and let

S
α

(
f
,

p
m

)

S_\alpha (f,p^m)

be the sum

S
(
f
,

p
m

)

S(f,p^m)

with

x
x

restricted to values congruent to

α

(
mod

p
m

)

\alpha \pmod {p^m}

. We obtain

|

S
α

(
f
,

p
m

)

|

≤
min
{
ν
,
3.06
}

p

t

ν
+
1

p

m
(
1
−

1

ν
+
1

)

|S_\alpha (f,p^m)| \le \min \{\nu ,3.06\} p^{\frac t{\nu +1}}p^{m(1-\frac 1{\nu +1})}

for

p
p

odd,

m
≥
t
+
2

m \ge t+2

and

d
p

(
f
)
≥
1

d_p(f)\ge 1

. If, in addition,

p
≥
(
d
−
1

)

(
2
d
)

/

(
d
−
2
)

p \ge (d-1)^{(2d)/(d-2)}

, then we obtain the sharp upper bound

|

S
α

(
f
,

p
m

)

|

≤

p

m
(
1
−

1

ν
+
1

)

|S_\alpha (f,p^m)| \le p^{m(1-\frac 1{\nu +1})}

.
Multiplicative 𝜂-quotients
Authors: Martin Yves 
Published: July 2002

Let

η
(
z
)

\eta (z)

be the Dedekind

η
\eta

-function. In this work we exhibit all modular forms of integral weight

f
(
z
)
=
η
(

t
1

z

)

r
1

η
(

t
2

z

)

r
2

…
η
(

t
s

z

)

r
s

f(z) = \eta (t_1z)^{r_1}\eta (t_2z)^{r_2}\dots \eta (t_sz)^{r_s}

, for positive integers

s
s

and

t
j

t_j

and arbitrary integers

r
j

r_j

, such that both

f
(
z
)

f(z)

and its image under the Fricke involution are eigenforms of all Hecke operators. We also relate most of these modular forms with the Conway group

2

C
o

1

2 \mathrm {Co}_1

via a generalized McKay-Thompson series.
Clustering of Procoagulation, Inflammation, and Fibrinolysis Variables with Metabolic Factors in Insulin Resistance Syndrome
Authors: Sakkinen Pamela A. , Wahl Patricia , Cushman Mary , Lewis Michael R. , Tracy Russell P. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
The known metabolic cardiovascular disease risk factors associated with insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) do not adequately explain the excess cardiovascular disease risk attributed to this syndrome, and abnormalities in hemostatic variables may contribute to this excess risk. Using data from 322 nondiabetic elderly men and women (aged 65–100 years) participating in the Cardiovascular Health Study during 1989–1990, the authors performed factor analysis on 10 metabolic risk factors associated with IRS and 11 procoagulation, inflammation, and fibrinolysis variables to examine the clustering of the metabolic and hemostatic risk markers. Factor analysis of the metabolic variables confirmed four uncorrelated factors: body mass, insulin/glucose, lipids, and blood pressure. Adding the hemostatic variables yielded three new factors interpreted as inflammation, vitamin K-dependent proteins, and procoagulant activity. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 clustered with the body mass factor, supporting the hypothesis that obesity is related to impaired fibrinolysis. Fibrinogen clustered with the inflammation summary factor rather than procoagulant activity, supporting the position that fibrinogen principally reflects underlying inflammation rather than procoagulant potential. The authors conclude that should hemostatic variables be shown to contribute to IRS-related cardiovascular disease, apart from plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, they may do so independently of the established metabolic abnormalities. Am J Epidemiol 2000;152:897–907.