bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keeping safe. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in persons with Type 1 diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia: a qualitative study
Authors: Vloemans A. F. , van Beers C. A. J. , de Wit M. , Cleijne W. , Rondags S. M. , Geelhoed‐Duijvestijn P. H. , Kramer M. H. H. , Serné E. H. , Snoek F. J.
Published: July 2017

Aim

To further our understanding of individual use and experience of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in adults with Type 1 diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia, we conducted a qualitative study supplementary to a randomized controlled trial, using semi‐structured interviews.

Methods

Twenty‐three participants of the IN CONTROL trial were interviewed within 4 weeks after the last study visit. The interview centred around experiences of CGM, taking into account the person's expectations prior to the trial. The interview was semi‐structured, using open‐ended questions and, if needed, prompts were offered to elicit further responses. Using thematic analysis, the interview transcripts were coded independently by three members of the research team. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) were followed.

Results

Overall, CGM was experienced as helpful in gaining more insight into glucose variability, and temporarily improved sense of control, reduced distress and made participants less dependent on others. However, some participants experienced confrontation with CGM output as intrusive, while some reported frustration due to failing technique and difficulty trusting the device. Participants reported active and passive self‐management behaviours mirroring individual differences in attitudes and coping styles.

Conclusions

In adults with Type 1 diabetes at risk of recurrent hypoglycaemia due to impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia, CGM use enhances a sense of control and safety for most, but not all. Future studies should further explore differential use of CGM in this population in the context of active and passive self‐management styles.
Improving type 2 diabetes mellitus glycaemic outcomes is possible without spending more on medication: Lessons from the UK National Diabetes Audit
Authors: Heald Adrian H. , Livingston Mark , Malipatil Nagaraj , Becher Michal , Craig Joyce , Stedman Mike , Fryer Anthony A.
Published: July 2017

Aims

To determine the factors at general practice level that relate to glycaemic control outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods

Data were accessed from 4050 general practices (50% of total) covering 1.6 million patients with T2DM in the UK National Diabetes Audit 2013 to 2014 and 2014 to 2015. This audit reported characteristics, services and outcomes in the T2DM population, including percentage of patients who had total glycaemic control (TGC), defined as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≤7.5% (58 mmol/mol), and the percentage who were at higher glycaemic risk (HGR), defined as HbA1c >10% (86 mmol/mol); the respective figures were 67.2% and 6.2%. The medication data were examined in terms of annual defined daily doses (DDDs). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify associations between DDD and patient and practice characteristics.

Results

Over the period 2012/2013 to 2015/2016, patient numbers grew 4% annually and annual medication expenditure by 8%, but glycaemic control outcomes did not improve. The main findings were that practices with better outcomes: had a higher percentage of patients aged >65 years; provided more effective diabetes services (including case identification, care checks, patient education, percentage of patients with blood pressure and cholesterol under control and more patients with type 1 diabetes achieving target HbA1c levels); spent less overall on prescribing per patient with T2DM; and on average, prescribed fewer sulphonylureas, less insulin (for patients with T2DM), fewer glucagon‐like peptide‐1 agonists, more metformin, more dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors, and more blood glucose monitoring strips. Ethnicity and social disadvantage and levels of thiazolidinedione (glitazone) prescribing had no significant impact on outcomes. Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitor use was too low for an effect to be observed in the period examined.

Conclusions

If all practices brought their service and medication to the level of the top decile practices, they could achieve 74.7% compared with the median of 67.3% of patients achieving TGC, showing an increase of 213 000 in patients achieving TGC, while reducing the number at HGR to 3.8% compared with 6.1%, benefiting 62 000 patients. This could have a major impact on the overall consequent healthcare costs of managing diabetes complications with their attendant mortality risks.
Beneficial long‐term antidiabetic actions of N‐ and C‐terminally modified analogues of apelin‐13 in diet‐induced obese diabetic mice
Authors: Parthsarathy Vadivel , Hogg Christopher , Flatt Peter R. , O'Harte Finbarr P. M.
Published: July 2017

Aims

To investigate the chronic effects of twice‐daily administration of stable apelin analogues, apelin‐13 amide and pyroglutamyl (pGlu) apelin‐13 amide, on metabolic variables in glucose‐intolerant and insulin‐resistant diet‐induced obese mice fed a high‐fat diet for 150 days.

Methods

Groups of mice received twice‐daily (9 am and 5 pm) injections of saline vehicle, apelin‐13 amide, (pGlu)apelin‐13 amide or exendin‐4(1‐39) for 28 days (all at 25 nmol/kg). Energy intake, body weight, non‐fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, glucose tolerance, metabolic response to feeding and insulin sensitivity, together with pancreatic hormone content and biochemical variables such as lipids and total GLP‐1 were monitored. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry analysis and indirect calorimetry were also performed.

Results

Administration of apelin‐13 amide, (pGlu)apelin‐13 amide or exendin‐4 significantly decreased body weight, food intake and blood glucose and increased plasma insulin compared with high‐fat‐fed saline‐treated controls (P < .05 and P < .001), Additionally, all peptide‐treated groups exhibited improved glucose tolerance (oral and intraperitoneal), metabolic responses to feeding and associated insulin secretion. (pGlu)apelin‐13 amide also significantly improved glycated haemoglobin and insulin sensitivity after 28 days. Both (pGlu)apelin‐13 amide and exendin‐4 increased bone mineral content and decreased respiratory exchange ratio, whereas only (pGlu)apelin‐13 amide increased energy expenditure. All treatment groups displayed reduced circulating triglycerides and increased glucagon‐like peptide‐1 concentrations, although only (pGlu)apelin‐13 amide significantly reduced LDL cholesterol and total body fat, and increased pancreatic insulin content.

Conclusion

These data indicate the therapeutic potential of stable apelin‐13 analogues, with effects equivalent to or better than those of exendin‐4.
Evaluation of the specific effects of intranasal glucagon on glucose production and lipid concentration in healthy men during a pancreatic clamp
Authors: Dash Satya , Xiao Changting , Stahel Priska , Koulajian Khajag , Giacca Adria , Lewis Gary F.
Published: July 2017

Aim

To investigate the specific effects of intranasal glucagon (ING) on plasma glucose, endogenous glucose production (EGP) and lipid concentration.

Methods

We conducted a single‐blind, randomized, crossover study at our academic investigation unit. Under pancreatic clamp conditions with tracer infusion, 1 mg ING or intranasal placebo (INP) was administered to 10 healthy men. As pilot studies showed that ING transiently increased plasma glucagon, we infused intravenous glucagon for 30 minutes along with INP to ensure similar plasma glucagon concentrations between interventions. The main outcome measures were plasma glucose, EGP, free fatty acid (FFA) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations.

Results

In the presence of similar plasma glucagon concentrations, the increase in plasma glucose under these experimental conditions was attenuated with ING (mean plasma glucose analysis of variance P < .001) with reduction in EGP (P = .027). No significant differences were seen in plasma FFA and TG concentrations.

Conclusion

ING raises plasma glucose but this route of administration attenuates the gluco‐stimulatory effect of glucagon by reducing EGP. This observation invites speculation about a potential central nervous system effect of glucagon, which requires further investigation. If ING is developed as a treatment for hypoglycaemia, this attenuated effect on plasma glucose should be taken into account.
Oral lacerations during motocross: A case report
Authors: Hino Shunsuke , Takeda Akio , Kaneko Takahiro , Horie Norio , Shimoyama Tetsuo
Published: July 2017

Motocross is a high‐risk sport that can cause serious injuries including oral injuries. However, mouthguard use is not mandatory in motocross. This report describes a case of an oral laceration with exposure of bilateral inferior alveolar nerves as a result of a motocross accident in which the patient was not wearing a mouthguard.
Mating interference of glassy‐winged sharpshooters, Homalodisca vitripennis
Authors: Gordon Shira D. , Sandoval Nestor , Mazzoni Valerio , Krugner Rodrigo
Published: July 2017

Animal communication is a complex behavior that is influenced by abiotic and biotic factors of the environment. Glassy‐winged sharpshooters (GWSS), Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), primarily use vibrational signaling for courtship communication. Because GWSS is a major pest, transmitting the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al., interruption of communication is a possible avenue for control. Playback of white noise, pre‐recorded female signals, and artificial female noise (continuously overlapping female signals) significantly reduced mating of GWSS when compared to silent control mating trials. Furthermore, to begin to determine the mechanism underlying playback control, female signaling activity was recorded in the presence of stimuli. In response to playback of female signals, females signaled (duet‐like) more often than females tested in the absence of playback. After the first playback, almost two‐thirds of females signaled a response within 3 s. Additionally, one‐third of the females signaled within 1 s after cessation of white noise, and significantly more in the time periods following noise termination. Results highlight how GWSS responds to differing competitive disturbances in the environment and lays important ground work that possibly could be used to develop pesticide‐free control methods.
Improving the information content in soil pH maps: a case study
Authors: Robinson N. J. , Benke K. K. , Norng S. , Kitching M. , Crawford D. M.
Published: July 2017

Uncertainties associated with legacy data contribute to the spatial uncertainty of predictions for soil properties such as pH. Examples of potential sources of error in maps of soil pH include temporal variation and changes in land use over time. Prediction of soil pH can be improved with a linear mixed model (LMM) to analyse factors that contribute to uncertainty. Probabilities from conditional simulations in combination with agronomic critical thresholds for acid‐sensitive species can be used to identify areas that are likely, or very likely, to be below these critical thresholds for plant production. Because of rapid changes in farming systems and management practices, there is a need to be vigilant in monitoring changes in soil acidification. This is because soil acidification is an important factor in primary production and soil sustainability. In this research, legacy data from south‐western Victoria (Australia) were used with model‐based geostatistics to produce a map of soil pH that accommodates a variety of error sources, such as the time of sampling, seasonal variation, differences in analytical method, effects of changes in land use and variable soil sample depth in legacy data. Spatial covariates that are representative of soil‐forming factors were used to improve predictions. To transform spatial prediction and estimates of error in soil pH into more informative and usable maps with more information content, simulations from the conditional distribution were used to compute the probability of a soil's pH being less than critical agronomic production thresholds at each of the prediction locations. These probabilities were mapped to reveal areas of potential risk.

Highlights

Can maps of soil pH be improved by accounting for temporal variation and change in land use?

First example of taking account of temporal variability in sampling for pH in spatial models.

Key factors for uncertainty in spatial prediction include time of sampling and sample depth.

Accuracy improved by accounting for additional sources of error combined with conditional simulations.
Does a Prior Alliance with the Target Affect Acquisition Performance? The Dangers of a Honeymoon before Marriage
Authors: Meschi Pierre‐Xavier , Metais Emmanuel , Shimizu Katsuhiko
Published: July 2017

Drawing from organizational learning theory, extant literature argues that a pre‐acquisition alliance between an acquirer and its target is usually expected to have a positive impact on subsequent acquisition performance. Yet, since alliances and acquisitions are partially dissimilar events, negative transfer effects can bias inter‐partner learning and negatively affect acquisition performance. To fill this gap, our paper explores pre‐acquisition alliance duration and examines its effects on acquisition outcomes. We argue that a pre‐acquisition alliance can have either beneficial or detrimental effects on subsequent acquisition performance, depending on the duration of the pre‐acquisition alliance. We examine our hypotheses using a (1988–2008) panel database covering acquisitions by French firms in the US. We show an inverted U‐shaped relationship between the duration of a pre‐acquisition alliance and the probability of acquisition failure. Our results also indicate that this non‐monotonic relationship is partially moderated by the degree of partner commitment to the alliance.
Following or Running Away from the Market Leader? The Influences of Environmental Uncertainty and Market Leadership
Authors: Giachetti Claudio , Torrisi Salvatore
Published: July 2017

Competitive dynamics theory suggests that rival firms imitate other competing firms with similar resources to maintain competitive parity while are likely to differentiate from the market leader to avoid its dangerous retaliation. According to neo‐institutional theory, in highly uncertain environments, rivals are likely to imitate the market leader because they assume it possesses superior market knowledge. Combining these two lines of argument, we argue that a rival's decision whether to follow or run away from the market leader depends on environmental uncertainty and market leadership, the latter expressing the extent to which the market leader owns a larger market share vis‐à‐vis the other rivals. The empirical analysis relies on data about the product line strategies of 66 mobile phone vendors in the 1994–2010 period. The results show that when environmental uncertainty is low, the relationship between a firm's market leadership and imitation by its rivals is negative, whereas in conditions of high environmental uncertainty, imitation of the market leader increases with its market leadership.
Role of Marital Adjustment in Associations Between Romantic Attachment and Coparenting
Authors: Young Michelle , Riggs Shelley , Kaminski Patricia
Published: July 2017

Objective

A family systems framework was used to examine the reciprocal influences of parents' romantic attachment security, marital adjustment, and the coparenting alliance.

Background

Research indicates that adult attachment strategies are predictive of adult romantic relationships, but there is less evidence linking adult romantic attachment to the ability to effectively coparent. Furthermore, much of the prior coparenting literature has focused on direct paths and has not accounted for mutual influence within parental dyads, despite an increased awareness of the interdependence among familial roles and a push to understand familywide dynamics.

Method

A community sample of 86 heterosexual couples with a residential child between 8 and 11 years of age completed the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and the Coparenting Scale as part of a larger study on family processes in middle childhood. Multilevel models were conducted utilizing the actor‐partner interdependence model.

Results

Compared to their low attachment anxiety counterparts, spouses with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance reported lower levels of marital adjustment, less coparenting cooperation, and more coparenting conflict. Findings indicated that marital adjustment mediates the relationship between romantic attachment style and perceptions of coparenting.

Conclusion

Results highlight the benefit of conceptualizing parental attachment, marital, and coparental subsystems within a systemic framework and suggest that a healthy marital relationship is an important intervening factor that helps explain links between attachment security and the coparenting alliance.

Implications

Findings underscore the importance of evaluating and treating multiple levels of the family system and suggest that therapeutic treatment of the marital relationship may be associated with a healthier coparenting dynamic.
13C metabolic flux profiling of Pichia pastoris grown in aerobic batch cultures on glucose revealed high relative anabolic use of TCA cycle and limited incorporation of provided precursors of branched‐chain amino acids
Authors: Zhang Meng , Yu Xiao‐Wei , Xu Yan , Jouhten Paula , Swapna Gurla V. T. , Glaser Ralf W. , Hunt John F. , Montelione Gaetano T. , Maaheimo Hannu , Szyperski Thomas
Published: July 2017

Carbon metabolism of Crabtree‐negative yeast Pichia pastoris was profiled using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to delineate regulation during exponential growth and to study the import of two precursors for branched‐chain amino acid biosynthesis, α‐ketoisovalerate and α‐ketobutyrate. Cells were grown in aerobic batch cultures containing (a) only glucose, (b) glucose along with the precursors, or (c) glucose and Val. The study provided the following new insights. First, 13C flux ratio analyses of central metabolism reveal an unexpectedly high anaplerotic supply of the tricarboxylic acid cycle for a Crabtree‐negative yeast, and show that a substantial fraction of glucose catabolism proceeds through the pentose phosphate pathway. A comparison with previous flux ratio analyses for batch cultures of Crabtree‐negative Pichia stipitis and Crabtree‐positive Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicate that the overall regulation of central carbon metabolism in P. pastoris is intermediate in between P. stipitis and S. cerevisiae. Second, excess α‐ketoisovalerate in the medium is not transported into the cytoplasm indicating that P. pastoris lacks a suitable transporter. In contrast, excess Val is efficiently taken up and largely fulfills demands for both Val and Leu for protein synthesis. Third, excess α‐ketobutyrate is transported into the mitochondria for Ile biosynthesis. However, the import does not efficiently inhibit the synthesis of α‐ketobutyrate from pyruvate indicating that P. pastoris has not been optimized evolutionarily to take full advantage of this carbon source. These findings have direct implications for preparing uniformly 2H,13C,15N‐labeled proteins containing protonated Ile, Val, and Leu methyl groups in P. pastoris for NMR‐based structural biology.

Enzymes

Acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (EC 1.1.1.86), branched‐chain amino acid aminotransferase (BCAT, EC 2.6.1.42), fumarase (EC 4.2.1.2), malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.39/1.1.1.40), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.49), pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1), pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40), l‐serine hydroxymethyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.1), threonine aldolase (EC 4.1.2.5), threonine dehydratase (EC 4.3.1.19); transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1), transaldolase (EC 2.2.1.2).
Basin‐scale reproductive segregation of Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis)
Authors: Seitz A. C. , Farrugia T. J. , Norcross B. L. , Loher T. , Nielsen J. L.
Published: July 2017

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis (Schmidt) is presently considered to consist of a single spawning population extending from California through the Bering Sea. However, this satellite tagging investigation suggests that geographic landforms and discontinuities in the continental shelf appear to limit the interchange of mature Pacific halibut among large marine ecosystems and delineate the boundaries of potential spawning components in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, with smaller components along the Aleutian Islands. The geographic segregation of these spawning components may be reinforced by regional behavioural adaptations and different temperature regimes in each area. These results suggest that the Pacific halibut population may be segregated into somewhat discrete spawning units among which less mixing is likely than that which occurs within them. As such, future stock assessment metrics may be most effective in preserving population function if spawning ecology is treated as a basin‐scale process.
Relatedness and body size influence territorial behaviour in Salmo salar juveniles in the wild
Authors: Fernandes W. P. A. , Griffiths S. W. , Ibbotson A. T. , Riley W. D.
Published: July 2017

Wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., juveniles defend territories to enable exclusive access to food resources, and kin selection benefits may be accrued where territorial boundaries of relatives overlap. This study explored space sharing events between pairs of sibling and non‐sibling fish as a measure of territoriality and resource competition in a small chalk stream using passive integrated transponder (PIT) technology. The time period between fish detections in a shared space was closer between pairs of siblings (sibling pairs mean = 60.48 ± 51.84 min; non‐sibling pairs mean = 348.8 ±65.94 min). These results suggest that the territorial boundaries of related fish often overlap, thus increasing the likelihood of siblings accruing kin selection benefits. The findings from this study also suggest that outcomes of competitive interactions among dominant and subordinate fish are less pronounced when fish are related.
Benthic iron cycling in a high‐oxygen environment: Implications for interpreting the Archean sedimentary iron isotope record
Authors: McCoy V. E. , Asael D. , Planavsky N.
Published: July 2017

The most notable trend in the sedimentary iron isotope record is a shift at the end of the Archean from highly variable δ56Fe values with large negative excursions to less variable δ56Fe values with more limited negative values. The mechanistic explanation behind this trend has been extensively debated, with two main competing hypotheses: (i) a shift in marine redox conditions and the transition to quantitative iron oxidation; and (ii) a decrease in the signature of microbial iron reduction in the sedimentary record because of increased bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). Here, we provide new insights into this debate and attempt to assess these two hypotheses by analyzing the iron isotope composition of siderite concretions from the Carboniferous Mazon Creek fossil site. These concretions precipitated in an environment with water column oxygenation, extensive sediment pile dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR) but limited bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). Most of the concretions have slightly positive iron isotope values, with a mean of 0.15‰ and limited iron isotope variability compared to the Archean sedimentary record. This limited variability in an environment with high DIR and low BSR suggests that these conditions alone are insufficient to explain Archean iron isotope compositions. Therefore, these results support the idea that the unusually variable and negative iron isotope values in the Archean are due to dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR) coupled with extensive water column iron cycling.
Diversity in thermal affinity among key piscivores buffers impacts of ocean warming on predator–prey interactions
Authors: Selden Rebecca L. , Batt Ryan D. , Saba Vincent S. , Pinsky Malin L.
Published: July 2017

Asymmetries in responses to climate change have the potential to alter important predator–prey interactions, in part by altering the location and size of spatial refugia for prey. We evaluated the effect of ocean warming on interactions between four important piscivores and four of their prey in the U.S. Northeast Shelf by examining species overlap under historical conditions (1968–2014) and with a doubling in CO2. Because both predator and prey shift their distributions in response to changing ocean conditions, the net impact of warming or cooling on predator–prey interactions was not determined a priori from the range extent of either predator or prey alone. For Atlantic cod, an historically dominant piscivore in the region, we found that both historical and future warming led to a decline in the proportion of prey species’ range it occupied and caused a potential reduction in its ability to exert top‐down control on these prey. In contrast, the potential for overlap of spiny dogfish with prey species was enhanced by warming, expanding their importance as predators in this system. In sum, the decline in the ecological role for cod that began with overfishing in this ecosystem will likely be exacerbated by warming, but this loss may be counteracted by the rise in dominance of other piscivores with contrasting thermal preferences. Functional diversity in thermal affinity within the piscivore guild may therefore buffer against the impact of warming on marine ecosystems, suggesting a novel mechanism by which diversity confers resilience.
Involving citizens in priority setting for public health research: Implementation in infection research
Authors: Rawson Timothy M. , Castro‐Sánchez Enrique , Charani Esmita , Husson Fran , Moore Luke S. P. , Holmes Alison H. , Ahmad Raheelah
Published: July 2017

Background

Public sources fund the majority of UK infection research, but citizens currently have no formal role in resource allocation. To explore the feasibility and willingness of citizens to engage in strategic decision making, we developed and tested a practical tool to capture public priorities for research.

Method

A scenario including six infection themes for funding was developed to assess citizen priorities for research funding. This was tested over two days at a university public festival. Votes were cast anonymously along with rationale for selection. The scenario was then implemented during a three‐hour focus group exploring views on engagement in strategic decisions and in‐depth evaluation of the tool.

Results

188/491(38%) prioritized funding research into drug‐resistant infections followed by emerging infections(18%). Results were similar between both days. Focus groups contained a total of 20 citizens with an equal gender split, range of ethnicities and ages ranging from 18 to >70 years. The tool was perceived as clear with participants able to make informed comparisons. Rationale for funding choices provided by voters and focus group participants are grouped into three major themes: (i) Information processing; (ii) Knowledge of the problem; (iii) Responsibility; and a unique theme within the focus groups (iv) The potential role of citizens in decision making. Divergent perceptions of relevance and confidence of “non‐experts” as decision makers were expressed.

Conclusion

Voting scenarios can be used to collect, en‐masse, citizens' choices and rationale for research priorities. Ensuring adequate levels of citizen information and confidence is important to allow deployment in other formats.
Traffic‐related air pollution associations with cytokeratin‐18, a marker of hepatocellular apoptosis, in an overweight and obese paediatric population
Authors: Hsieh S. , Leaderer B. P. , Feldstein A. E. , Santoro N. , McKay L. A. , Caprio S. , McConnell R.
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Traffic‐related air pollution causes fatty liver, inflammation and fibrosis in animal models, but there have been few studies in humans.

Objectives

To test the hypothesis that traffic‐related air pollution causes non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and increased markers for non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); and that NAFLD increases liver susceptibility to increased NASH risk.

Methods

Data collected prospectively from 74 overweight or obese children were obtained from the Yale Pediatric Obesity Clinic. Traffic‐related air pollution was characterized as vehicle traffic volume on major roads within a 1 km residential buffer, and as residential nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure. Outcomes were hepatic fat fraction (HFF) measured by magnetic resonance imaging, liver enzymes using standard assays and plasma cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18) by immunosorbent assays.

Results

Significant non‐linear relationships with air pollution and CK‐18 were found. Plasma CK‐18 at follow‐up increased from approximately 150 U/L to almost 200 U/L as residential traffic volume increased from 220 000 vehicle‐km to 330 000 vehicle‐km, after adjustment for baseline CK‐18, age and gender. Among patients with NAFLD at baseline, CK‐18 increased from 140 U/L to 200 U/L (a 1.5 standard deviation increase in CK‐18) as NO2 increased from 8 to 10 ppb.

Conclusions

Traffic‐related air pollution was associated with CK‐18. Effects were larger in children with pre‐existing NAFLD at study entry.
Are the Consequences of Experiencing Discrimination the same for Immigrants of Differing Socio‐Economic Status in Japan?
Authors: Gong Shun
Published: July 2017

Scholars have identified the negative effects of discrimination on immigrants’ well‐being by focusing on the nature of discrimination. However, whether the social status of immigrants influences the effects of discrimination on well‐being remains unclear. To answer this question, this study extends current research by focusing on how immigrants’ occupational status moderates the effects of discrimination on well‐being. Based on two sets of survey data, the results show that skilled immigrants are more likely to be negatively affected by discrimination than are unskilled immigrants. This phenomenon might be explained by the immigrants’ comparisons of discrimination experiences prior to migration. The findings suggest that to explain the mechanism underlying discrimination's negative effect on immigrants’ psychological well‐being, researchers should pay more attention to immigrants’ characteristics and their experiences before migration. The results of this study have important implications for immigration policy in Japan and other ethnically homogeneous countries, such as South Korea.
Splitting upconversion emission and phonon‐assisted population inversion of Ba2Y(BO3)2Cl:Yb3+, Er3+ phosphor
Authors: Huang Anjun , Yang Zhengwen , Yu Chengye , Qiu Jianbei , Song Zhiguo
Published: July 2017

Upconversion (UC) peak of 4S3/2→4I15/2 transition of Er3+ is close to that of 2H11/2→4I15/2 transition. The UC emission splitting of Er3+ caused by coordination fields of host results in that it is difficult to confirm which transitions (4S3/2→4I15/2 or 2H11/2→4I15/2) are responsible for the splitting UC emission peaks. In this work, the UC luminescence peaks located at 524, 540, 551, 565, 662, 677, and 683 nm were observed in the Ba2Y(BO3)2Cl:Yb3+, Er3+ phosphor upon the 980 nm excitation. The 524 and 540 nm UC emissions intensity were increased, while the 551 and 565 nm UC emissions intensity were decreased with the temperature increasing from 323 to 573 K, which is attributed to the phonon‐assisted population inversion from the 4S3/2 to 2H11/2 level. The temperature dependence of UC emission spectra demonstrated that the 524 and 540 nm UC emissions are from 2H11/2→4I15/2 transition, and 551 and 565 nm UC emissions are from the 4S3/2→4I15/2 transition. Temperature sensing property was characterized by the UC intensity ratio of the 2H11/2→4I15/2 transition to 4S3/2→4I15/2 transition. The Ba2Y(BO3)2Cl:Yb3+,Er3+ phosphor has potential application as the non‐contact temperature sensor.
Management and prevalence of long‐term conditions in primary health care for adults with intellectual disabilities compared with the general population: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Cooper Sally‐Ann , Hughes‐McCormack Laura , Greenlaw Nicola , McConnachie Alex , Allan Linda , Baltzer Marion , McArthur Laura , Henderson Angela , Melville Craig , McSkimming Paula , Morrison Jill
Published: July 2017

Background

In the UK, general practitioners/family physicians receive pay for performance on management of long‐term conditions, according to best‐practice indicators.

Method

Management of long‐term conditions was compared between 721 adults with intellectual disabilities and the general population (n = 764,672). Prevalence of long‐term conditions was determined, and associated factors were investigated via logistic regression analyses.

Results

Adults with intellectual disabilities received significantly poorer management of all long‐term conditions on 38/57 (66.7%) indicators. Achievement was high (75.1%–100%) for only 19.6% of adults with intellectual disabilities, compared with 76.8% of the general population. Adults with intellectual disabilities had higher rates of epilepsy, psychosis, hypothyroidism, asthma, diabetes and heart failure. There were no clear associations with neighbourhood deprivation.

Conclusions

Adults with intellectual disabilities receive poorer care, despite conditions being more prevalent. The imperative now is to find practical, implementable means of supporting the challenges that general practices face in delivering equitable care.
From positive psychology to psychopathology: the continuum of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Greven Corina U. , Buitelaar Jan K. , Salum Giovanni A.
Published: July 2017

Background

Integration of positive psychology into clinical research and treatment has been slow. This integration can be facilitated by the conceptualisation of mental disorders as the high, symptomatic extreme of continuous normal variation. This assumes that there is also a low, positive extreme, which is, however, unchartered territory. This study aims to examine how well current measures capture the low extreme of mental disorder continua, using attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as an example.

Methods

The ability of three validated scales to capture ADHD as a continuous trait was examined using Item Response Theory in a sample of 9,882 adolescents from the UK population‐representative Twins Early Development Study. These scales were: the Strengths and Weakness of ADHD Symptoms and Normal behaviour scale (SWAN), Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ – hyperactivity subscale), and Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (Conners).

Results

Only the SWAN reliably differentiated interindividual differences between participants lying at any level of the continuous ADHD latent trait, including the extreme low, positive end (z‐scores from −3 to +3). The SDQ showed low reliability across the ADHD latent trait. In contrast, the Conners performed best at differentiating individuals scoring at or above the mean to the high symptomatic range (z‐scores from 0 to +3). The SWAN was the only measure to provide indicators of ‘positive mental health’, endorsed in the presence of particularly good attentive abilities.

Conclusions

Scales such as the SWAN that reliably capture ADHD as a continuous trait, including the positive end, are important for not missing meaningful variation in population‐based studies. Indicators of positive mental health may be helpful in clinical practice, as positive attributes have been shown to directly influence as well as buffer negative effects of psychiatric symptoms.
Impact of simultaneous glutamate dehydrogenase and toxin A/B rapid immunoassay on Clostridium difficile diagnosis and treatment in hospitalized patients with antibiotic‐associated diarrhea in a university hospital of Brazil
Authors: Cançado Guilherme Grossi Lopes , Silva Rodrigo Otávio Silveira , Nader Amanda Pontes , Lobato Francisco Carlos Faria , Vilela Eduardo Garcia
Published: July 2017

Background and Aim

Clostridium difficile is a major cause of health care‐associated infection, but disagreement between diagnostic tests is an ongoing barrier to clinical decision‐making. Conventional enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for toxin detection is currently the most frequently used technique for C. difficile infection (CDI) diagnosis, but its low sensitivity makes the development of an alternative strategy necessary for improving the diagnosis in developing countries.

Methods

Between years 2011 and 2015, 154 stool samples from patients with antibiotic‐associated diarrhea were examined by toxigenic culture and EIA for the diagnosis of CDI. In the year 2015, when glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) test was first available in Brazil, 53 of those fecal specimens were also tested by the C. diff Quik Chek Complete rapid immunoassay. At this time, we prospectively assessed the impact of this test on CDI treatment rates before and after it was introduced in clinical practice.

Results

The GDH component of C. diff Quik Chek Complete test had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95.1% compared with toxigenic culture, with 89.8% concordance. The Tox A/B II EIA and the toxin portion of C. diff Quik Chek Complete yielded sensitivities between values of 50–58.3%, with 100% specificities. The introduction of GDH test increased the number of treated patients with CDI from 57.7% to 100%.

Conclusions

Glutamate dehydrogenase test is a reliable method for the diagnosis of CDI and greatly increases the number of properly treated patients with CDI. Therefore, this exam should be considered the mainstay for the laboratory diagnosis of CDI in developing countries.
Small RNAs in regulating temperature stress response in plants
Authors: Liu Qing , Yan Shijuan , Yang Tifeng , Zhang Shaohong , Chen Yue‐Qin , Liu Bin
Published: July 2017

Due to global climate change, temperature stress has become one of the primary causes of crop losses worldwide. Much progress has been made in unraveling the complex stress response mechanisms in plants, particularly in the identification of temperature stress responsive protein‐coding genes. Recently discovered microRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous small‐interfering RNAs (siRN
As) have also been demonstrated as important players in plant temperature stress response. Using high‐throughput sequencing, many small RNAs, especially miRNAs, have been identified to be triggered by cold or heat. Subsequently, several studies have shown an important functional role for these small RNAs in cold or heat tolerance. These findings greatly broaden our understanding of endogenous small RNAs in plant stress response control. Here, we highlight new findings regarding the roles of miRNAs and siRNAs in plant temperature stress response and acclimation. We also review the current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of small RNAs in temperature stress response, and explore the outlook for the use of these small RNAs in molecular breeding for improvement of temperature stress tolerance in plants.
Influence of minor deterioration of renal function after PCI on outcome in patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Kanic Vojko , Suran David , Vollrath Maja , Tapajner Alojz , Kompara Gregor
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Our aim was to assess the possible impact of a deterioration of renal function (DRF) not fulfilling the criteria for acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on outcome in patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on 30‐day and long‐term outcomes.

Background

Data is lacking on the influence of DRF after PCI on outcome in patients with STEMI.

Methods

The present study is an analysis of 2572 STEMI patients who underwent PCI. The group with DRF (1022 patients) and the group without DRF (1550 patients) were compared. Thirty‐day and long‐term all‐cause mortality were observed. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Similar mortality was observed in both groups at day 30 (4.2% patients with DRF died vs 3.2% without DRF; ns) but more patients had died in the DRF group (18.9% patients with DRF vs 14.0% without DRF; P = 0.001) by the end of the observation period. After adjustments, DRF did not independently predict long‐term mortality. Age more than 70 years, bleeding, hyperlipidemia, renal dysfunction on admission, anemia on admission, diabetes, PCI of LAD, the use of more than 200 mL contrast, but not DRF after PCI, were identified as independent prognostic factors for increased long‐term mortality. Renal dysfunction, bleeding, contrast >200 mL, hyperlipidemia, age >70 years, anemia, and PCI LAD predicted DRF.

Conclusion

DRF identified patients at increased risk of higher long‐term mortality but was not independently associated with mortality.
Acute hepatic porphyria and cancer risk: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Baravelli C. M. , Sandberg S. , Aarsand A. K. , Nilsen R. M. , Tollånes M. C.
Published: July 2017

Background

Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is considered to be a risk factor for primary liver cancer (PLC), but varying risk estimates have been published.

Objectives

Our aim was to investigate the risk of PLC and other cancers in persons with AHP using a nationwide cohort design. Given that greater numbers of women than men tend to have manifest and more severe AHP, a further aim was to investigate sex differences in this risk.

Methods

The study sample consisted of all Norwegian residents aged 18 years or older during the period 2000–2011. Persons with AHP (n = 251) were identified through the Norwegian Porphyria Centre, and patients with a cancer diagnosis were identified by linkage to the Cancer Registry of Norway.

Results

For persons with AHP, the annual incidence rate of PLC was 0.35%. PLC risk was substantially higher for individuals with an AHP diagnosis compared to the reference population [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 108, 95% confidence interval (CI) 56–207]. In a meta‐analysis of published studies on PLC and AHP, including ours, women had a higher risk than men. In addition, our results suggested that persons with AHP may have increased risks of kidney (aHR 7.4, 95% CI 2.4–23.1) and endometrial cancers (aHR 6.2, 95% CI 2.0–19.3).

Conclusions

Our findings confirmed a substantially higher risk of PLC associated with AHP compared to the general population. In a meta‐analysis, the risk was shown to be greater for women than men. The novel findings of a moderate to substantial association between AHP and kidney and endometrial cancers should be investigated further.
Chinese isms dimensions in mainland China and Taiwan: Convergence and extension of American isms dimensions
Authors: Chen Zhuo Job , Hsu Kung‐Yu , Zhou Xinyue , Saucier Gerard
Published: July 2017

Objective

Previous studies of American English isms terms have uncovered as many as five broad factors: tradition‐oriented religiousness (TR), subjective spirituality (SS), communal rationalism (CR), unmitigated self‐interest (USI), and inequality aversion (IA). The present studies took a similar lexical approach to investigate the Chinese‐language isms structures in both mainland China and Taiwan.

Method and Results

In Study 1, exploratory factor analyses with 915 mainland Chinese subjects uncovered four interpretable factors dimensionalizing 165 mainland Chinese dictionary isms terms. These factors represented contents of a combination of TR and SS, USI, CR, and a culturally unique Communist Party of China (CPC) ideology factor. In Study 2, exploratory factor analyses with 467 Taiwan Chinese subjects revealed four interpretable factors categorizing 291 Taiwan Chinese dictionary isms terms. These factors represented contents of a combination of TR and SS, USI, CR, and a culturally unique dimension expressing aspirations for happiness.

Conclusions

The results gave evidence for the existence of the isms factors TR and SS, USI, and CR in Chinese culture. Cultural uniqueness was reflected in the merging of TR and SS into the factor Syncretic Religiousness and the culture‐specific factors of CPC ideology in China and Happiness/Peace Promotion in Taiwan.
CEO Inside Debt and Risk Taking: Evidence From Property–Liability Insurance Firms
Authors: Milidonis Andreas , Nishikawa Takeshi , Shim Jeungbo
Published: July 2017

We examine the incentive effects of CEO inside debt holdings (pensions and deferred compensation) on risk taking using the sample of U.S. publicly traded property–liability insurers. To represent managerial risk taking, we employ value at risk (VaR) and expected shortfall (ES), which capture extreme movements in the lower tail of insurer stock return distribution. We also estimate firm default risk, equity volatilities, and insurance‐related risk as alternative measures of risk taking. We document that inside debt represents a significant component of CEOs’ compensation in the insurance industry. We find that there is a significant and negative relationship between CEO inside debt holdings and risk‐taking behavior. The results suggest that the structure of executive debt‐like compensation could be a potential method of reducing managers’ risk‐taking incentives.
Watchdogs in Our Midst: How Presidents Monitor Coalitions in Brazil's Multiparty Presidential Regime
Authors: Pereira Carlos , Batista Mariana , Praça Sérgio , Lopez Felix
Published: July 2017

When delegating governing tasks to a coalition partner, the president would like to give a minister ample administrative powers to be able to effectively accomplish the political mission. Due to information asymmetries, the president runs the risk that this discretion might be used to pursue policy outcomes that may harm the president's preferences. This trade-off between delegation and control is key to understanding governance strategies the president chooses to minimize agency risks and coordinate public policies. With Brazil as a case study, this article demonstrates that presidents have strategically made frequent use of junior ministers as watch-dogs of coalition partners, especially when coalition allies are ideologically distant from the president's preferences. Yet neither the portfolio salience nor the president's decision to share powers with coalition partners proportionally seems to interfere in such strategic decisions.