bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language Learner Motivational Types: A Cluster Analysis Study
Authors: Papi Mostafa , Teimouri Yasser
Published: August 2014

The study aimed to identify different second language (L2) learner motivational types drawing on the framework of the L2 motivational self system. A total of 1,278 secondary school students learning English in Iran completed a questionnaire survey. Cluster analysis yielded five different groups based on the strength of different variables within their motivational configurations. Further analyses revealed that the motivational groups have different motivational, emotional, and linguistic characteristics. In the second part of the study, the sample was divided into promotion‐focus and prevention‐focus groups based on the self‐regulatory focus theory. Partial correlation analysis showed that while the ideal L2 self and instrumentality promotion were associated with motivated learning behavior for both the promotion‐focus and prevention‐focus groups, only the ought‐to L2 self and instrumentality prevention were associated with motivated behavior for the prevention‐focus group. The study highlights the importance of considering motivational types in L2 motivation research.
Frequency Affects Object Relative Clause Processing: Some Evidence in Favor of Usage‐Based Accounts
Authors: Reali Florencia
Published: August 2014

The processing difficulty of nested grammatical structure has been explained by different psycholinguistic theories. Here I provide corpus and behavioral evidence in favor of usage‐based models, focusing on the case of object relative clauses in Spanish as a first language. A corpus analysis of spoken Spanish reveals that, as in English, the overwhelming majority of object relative clauses are pronominal. Spanish allows flexibility of order of surface constituents within the clause. The corpus data revealed significant asymmetries in the frequency of order of surface constituents in pronominal and nonpronominal object relative clauses. Two offline rating tasks and one self‐paced reading task were next conducted, showing that complexity judgments and reading processing data mirrored the fine‐grained distributional patterns revealed by the corpus analysis. I conclude that frequent object relative clauses may become easier to process as a consequence of use and repetition, and I discuss the implications of these findings for usage‐based models of language representation and access.
MicroRNA‐155 attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cell by simultaneously preventing EMT process and ERK1 signalling pathway
Authors: Dai Weiping , Zhao Juan , Tang Nan , Zeng Xin , Wu Kaiming , Ye Changhong , Shi Jian , Lu Cuihua , Ning Beifang , Zhang Junping , Lin Yong
Published: August 2014

Background & Aims

Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) signalling pathway play pivotal roles in hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, which is associated with the altered expression patterns of microRNAs (miRNAs). miR‐155 is considered a typical multifunctional miRNA to regulate many biological processes. However, little attention has been given to the contributions of miR‐155 to simultaneous regulation of EMT process and ERK1 pathway during HSC activation.

Methods

Differential expression of miR‐155 was assessed in activated HSC, sera and liver tissues from cirrhotic patients. Whether miR‐155 could directly interact with 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of T cell factor 4 (TCF4) and angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1) respectively was detected by luciferase reporter assay. The effects of enhanced miR‐155 on EMT process and ERK1 pathway, cell apoptosis in HSC activation were also evaluated.

Results

A significant decrease in miR‐155 expression was observed in activated HSC, sera or liver tissues of cirrhotic patients. MiR‐155 was found to simultaneously interact with 3′‐UTR of TCF4 and AGTR1 mRNAs, which are known as important regulators associated with EMT and ERK1 pathway repectively. Inhibiting miR‐155 expression could stimulate the EMT state and ERK1 pathway activity, thus contributing to HSC activation. Forced miR‐155 expression markedly decreased the mesenchymal markers and phosphorylated ERK1 level, and enhanced E‐cadherin expression, leading to the synchronous inhibitory effect on EMT and ERK1 pathway and inducing HSC apoptosis.

Conclusions

Our results implicate that miR‐155 plays an important role in regulating the pathological network involving EMT process and ERK1 pathway during HSC activation.
Differential accumulation of callose, arabinoxylan and cellulose in nonpenetrated versus penetrated papillae on leaves of barley infected with Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei
Authors: Chowdhury Jamil , Henderson Marilyn , Schweizer Patrick , Burton Rachel A. , Fincher Geoffrey B. , Little Alan
Published: August 2014

In plants, cell walls are one of the first lines of defence for protecting cells from successful invasion by fungal pathogens and are a major factor in basal host resistance. For the plant cell to block penetration attempts, it must adapt its cell wall to withstand the physical and chemical forces applied by the fungus.

Papillae that have been effective in preventing penetration by pathogens are traditionally believed to contain callose as the main polysaccharide component. Here, we have re‐examined the composition of papillae of barley (Hordeum vulgare) attacked by the powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh) using a range of antibodies and carbohydrate‐binding modules that are targeted to cell wall polysaccharides.

The data show that barley papillae induced during infection with Bgh contain, in addition to callose, significant concentrations of cellulose and arabinoxylan. Higher concentrations of callose, arabinoxylan and cellulose are found in effective papillae, compared with ineffective papillae. The papillae have a layered structure, with the inner core consisting of callose and arabinoxylan and the outer layer containing arabinoxylan and cellulose.

The association of arabinoxylan and cellulose with penetration resistance suggests new targets for the improvement of papilla composition and enhanced disease resistance.
Programmed cell death during development of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) seed coat
Authors: LIMA NATHÁLIA BASTOS , TRINDADE FERNANDA GOMES , DA CUNHA MAURA , OLIVEIRA ANTÔNIA ELENIR AMÂNCIO , TOPPING JENNIFER , LINDSEY KEITH , FERNANDES KÁTIA VALEVSKI SALES
Published: August 2014

The seed coat develops primarily from maternal tissues and comprises multiple cell layers at maturity, providing a metabolically dynamic interface between the developing embryo and the environment during embryogenesis, dormancy and germination of seeds. Seed coat development involves dramatic cellular changes, and the aim of this research was to investigate the role of programmed cell death (PCD) events during the development of seed coats of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. We demonstrate that cells of the developing cowpea seed coats undergo a programme of autolytic cell death, detected as cellular morphological changes in nuclei, mitochondria, chloroplasts and vacuoles, DNA fragmentation and oligonucleosome accumulation in the cytoplasm, and loss of membrane viability. We show for the first time that classes 6 and 8 caspase‐like enzymes are active during seed coat development, and that these activities may be compartmentalized by translocation between vacuoles and cytoplasm during PCD events.
Who Cares What They Wear? Media, Gender, and the Influence of Candidate Appearance
Authors: Hayes Danny , Lawless Jennifer L. , Baitinger Gail
Published: August 2014

Objectives

This article seeks to determine whether candidate appearance influences election outcomes, and if so, whether the effect depends on the politician's sex. For all of the scholarly attention these questions have received in recent years, the way that media coverage of candidate appearance shapes voters’ evaluations remains unclear.

Methods

We report the results of an experiment designed to shed light on these questions. We exposed a national sample of subjects to news coverage of candidates for a seat in the U.S. Congress. We varied whether the candidate was a man or a woman, and whether the candidate's appearance was covered positively, negatively, neutrally, or not mentioned at all.

Results

Our analysis reveals that only negative appearance coverage has an effect, driving down evaluations by lowering voters’ assessments of candidates’ professionalism. Critically, though, the effect is identical for male and female candidates. Regardless of whether we examine overall candidate favorability, assessments of traits, or perceptions of issue‐handling ability, female politicians do not pay a disproportionate price when the media focus on how they look.

Conclusions

Ultimately, even though candidate sex and physical appearance can matter to voters, these factors are unlikely to displace incumbency, partisanship, and ideology as principal drivers of election outcomes.
Soil properties after change to conservation agriculture from ridge tillage in sandy clay loams of mid‐altitude Central Malawi
Authors: Mloza‐Banda M. L. , Cornelis W. M. , Mloza‐Banda H. R. , Makwiza C. N. , Verbist K.
Published: August 2014

A comparative study was carried out of annual ridge tillage (RT) and short‐term effects of conservation agriculture (CA) on soil properties in fields of small‐scale farmers. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm from a total of 12 fields which had been under CA for two and four seasons, respectively, and from adjacent RT fields for direct comparisons. CA fields were converted from fields previously under continuous RT. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus were greater in CA fields while extractable potassium, pH and salt content were moderated under CA. Conversion of long‐term RT to CA did not significantly influence bulk density and aggregate stability (geometric mean diameter) although structural stability was greater under CA practices. Total porosity, macroporosity and matrix porosity, and volumetric water content at saturation, field capacity and permanent wilting point did not substantively respond to tillage effects. Relative water capacity and air–water storage parameter, θfc/PORt, were significantly greater after 4 yr of CA. Soils under CA showed greater values for field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity compared with RT fields. With the highest loadings in a principal component analysis, this work suggests that variables related to volumetric water content and aeration of the soil matrix, organic carbon, available phosphorus and soil texture were the most useful indices for future field comparison of RT and CA practices.
Surgical versus conservative treatment for high-risk stress fractures of the lower leg (anterior tibial cortex, navicular and fifth metatarsal base): a systematic review
Authors: Mallee Wouter H , Weel Hanneke , van Dijk C Niek , van Tulder Maurits W , Kerkhoffs Gino M , Lin Chung-Wei Christine
Published: August 2014

Aim

To compare surgical and conservative treatment for high-risk stress fractures of the anterior tibial cortex, navicular and proximal fifth metatarsal.

Methods

Systematic searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and PEDro were performed to identify relevant prospective and retrospective studies. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality. Main outcomes were return to sport and complication rate.

Results

18 studies were included (2 anterior tibia (N=31), 8 navicular (N=200) and 8 fifth metatarsal (N=246)). For anterior tibial fracture, no studies on initial surgery were eligible. Conservative treatment resulted in high complication rates and few cases returned to sport. For navicular fracture, a weighted mean return to sport of 22 for conservative and 16 weeks for surgical treatment was found. Six weeks of non-weightbearing cast was mostly used as conservative treatment. Surgical procedures varied widely. For the fifth metatarsal fracture, weighted mean return to sport was 19 for conservative and 14 weeks for surgical treatment. Surgery consisted of intramedullary screw fixation or tension band wiring. For conservative methods, insufficient details were reported. Overall, there was a high risk of bias; sample sizes were small and GRADE level of evidence was low.

Conclusions

Strong conclusions for surgical or conservative therapy for these high-risk stress fractures cannot be drawn; quality of evidence is low and subjected to a high risk of bias. However, there are unsatisfying outcomes of conservative therapy in the anterior tibia. The role of initial surgery is unknown. For the navicular, surgery provided an earlier return to sport; and when treated conservatively, weightbearing should be avoided. For the fifth metatarsal, surgery provided the best results. Treatment decision-making would greatly benefit from further prospective research.

Study registration number

PROSPERO database of systematic reviews: CRD42013004201.
Association ofTCF7L2variation with single islet autoantibody expression in children with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Redondo Maria J , Muniz Jesse , Rodriguez Luisa M , Iyer Dinakar , Vaziri-Sani Fariba , Haymond Morey W , Hampe Christiane S , Metzker Michael L , Grant Struan F A , Balasubramanyam Ashok
Published: August 2014

Background

The transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene has the strongest genetic association with type 2 diabetes.TCF7L2also associates with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, which often presents with a single islet autoantibody, but not with classical type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We aimed to test ifTCF7L2is associated with single islet autoantibody expression in pediatric type 1 diabetes. We studied 71 prospectively recruited children who had newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes and evidence of islet autoimmunity, that is, expressed ≥1 islet autoantibody to insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase 65, islet cell autoantigen 512, or zinc transporter 8.TCF7L2rs7903146 alleles were identified. Data at diagnosis were cross-sectionally analyzed.

Results

We found that 21.1% of the children with autoimmune type 1 diabetes expressed a single islet autoantibody. The distribution ofTCF7L2rs7903146 genotypes in children with a single autoantibody (n=15) was 40% CC, 26.7% CT and 33.3% TT, compared with children with ≥2 islet autoantibodies (50% CC, 42.9% CT and 7.1% TT, p=0.024). Furthermore, compared with children with ≥2 autoantibodies, single-autoantibody children had characteristics reflecting milder autoimmune destruction of β-cells. Restricting to lean children (body mass index<85th centile; n=36), 45.5% of those expressing a single autoantibody were rs7903146 TT homozygotes, compared with 0% of those with ≥2 autoantibodies (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

These results suggest that, in children with only mild islet autoimmunity, mechanisms associated withTCF7L2genetic variation contribute to diabetogenesis, and this contribution is larger in the absence of obesity.
Adiponectin and IGFBP-1 in the development of gestational diabetes in obese mothers
Authors: Ramirez Vanessa I , Miller Evelyn , Meireles Christiane L , Gelfond Jonathan , Krummel Debra A , Powell Theresa L
Published: August 2014

Objective

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is more common in pregnancies complicated by obesity and both diseases increase the risk for fetal overgrowth and long-term adverse health consequences for the mother and child. Previous studies have linked low maternal serum adiponectin to GDM in normal and overweight women. We hypothesized that lower adiponectin, in particular the high-molecular-weight form, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and its binding protein (IGFBP-1) are associated with GDM in pregnant obese Hispanic women.

Methods

72 obese, predominantly Hispanic (92%), women were recruited at 24–28 weeks of gestation. Adiposity was assessed, fasting serum samples were collected, and glucose, insulin, triglyceride, cholesterol levels, adipokines, and hormones associated with obesity and insulin resistance were measured. 30 women had been recently diagnosed with GDM.

Results

Gestational weeks, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, serum leptin, IGF-I, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin-6 did not differ in the two groups. Obese women with GDM had significantly higher fasting glucose, A1C, triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin, and IGFBP-1 compared to obese women without GDM. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was positively correlated to IGF-I and negatively correlated to adiponectin.

Conclusions

Obese pregnant women with recently diagnosed GDM had a significantly exacerbated metabolic profile, low serum adiponectin and IGFBP-1 levels at 24–28 weeks of gestation, as compared to women with obesity alone. Because low adiponectin is well established to cause insulin resistance and decreased IGFBP-1 indicates increased IGF-I bioavailability, we propose that these changes are mechanistically linked to the development of GDM in obese Hispanic women.
Statins impair glucose uptake in human cells
Authors: Nowis Dominika , Malenda Agata , Furs Karolina , Oleszczak Bozenna , Sadowski Radoslaw , Chlebowska Justyna , Firczuk Malgorzata , Bujnicki Janusz M , Staruch Adam D , Zagozdzon Radoslaw , Glodkowska-Mrowka Eliza , Szablewski Leszek , Golab Jakub
Published: August 2014

Objective

Considering the increasing number of clinical observations indicating hyperglycemic effects of statins, this study was designed to measure the influence of statins on the uptake of glucose analogs by human cells derived from liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle.

Design

Flow cytometry and scintillation counting were used to measure the uptake of fluorescently labeled or tritiated glucose analogs by differentiated visceral preadipocytes, skeletal muscle cells, skeletal muscle myoblasts, and contact-inhibited human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. A bioinformatics approach was used to predict the structure of human glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and to identify the presence of putative cholesterol-binding (cholesterol recognition/interaction amino acid consensus (CRAC)) motifs within this transporter. Mutagenesis of CRAC motifs inSLC2A1gene and limited proteolysis of membrane GLUT1 were used to determine the molecular effects of statins.

Results

Statins significantly inhibit the uptake of glucose analogs in all cell types. Similar effects are induced by methyl-β-cyclodextrin, which removes membrane cholesterol. Statin effects can be rescued by addition of mevalonic acid, or supplementation with exogenous cholesterol. Limited proteolysis of GLUT1 and mutagenesis of CRAC motifs revealed that statins induce conformational changes in GLUTs.

Conclusions

Statins impair glucose uptake by cells involved in regulation of glucose homeostasis by inducing cholesterol-dependent conformational changes in GLUTs. This molecular mechanism might explain hyperglycemic effects of statins observed in clinical trials.
Targeting intensive versus conventional glycaemic control for type 1 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review with meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses of randomised clinical trials
Authors: Kähler Pernille , Grevstad Berit , Almdal Thomas , Gluud Christian , Wetterslev Jørn , Vaag Allan , Hemmingsen Bianca
Published: August 2014

Objective

To assess the benefits and harms of targeting intensive versus conventional glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Design

A systematic review with meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses of randomised clinical trials.

Data sources

The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded and LILACS to January 2013.

Study selection

Randomised clinical trials that prespecified different targets of glycaemic control in participants at any age with type 1 diabetes mellitus were included.

Data extraction

Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion and extracted data.

Results

18 randomised clinical trials included 2254 participants with type 1 diabetes mellitus. All trials had high risk of bias. There was no statistically significant effect of targeting intensive glycaemic control on all-cause mortality (risk ratio 1.16, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.08) or cardiovascular mortality (0.49, 0.19 to 1.24). Targeting intensive glycaemic control reduced the relative risks for the composite macrovascular outcome (0.63, 0.41 to 0.96; p=0.03), and nephropathy (0.37, 0.27 to 0.50; p<0.00001. The effect estimates of retinopathy, ketoacidosis and retinal photocoagulation were not consistently statistically significant between random and fixed effects models. The risk of severe hypoglycaemia was significantly increased with intensive glycaemic targets (1.40, 1.01 to 1.94). Trial sequential analyses showed that the amount of data needed to demonstrate a relative risk reduction of 10% were, in general, inadequate.

Conclusions

There was no significant effect towards improved all-cause mortality when targeting intensive glycaemic control compared with conventional glycaemic control. However, there may be beneficial effects of targeting intensive glycaemic control on the composite macrovascular outcome and on nephropathy, and detrimental effects on severe hypoglycaemia. Notably, the data for retinopathy and ketoacidosis were inconsistent. There was a severe lack of reporting on patient relevant outcomes, and all trials had poor bias control.
Overall, gender and social inequalities in suicide mortality in Iran, 2006–2010: a time trend province-level study
Authors: Kiadaliri Aliasghar A , Saadat Soheil , Shahnavazi Hossein , Haghparast-Bidgoli Hassan
Published: August 2014

Objectives

Suicide is a major global health problem imposing a considerable burden on populations in terms of disability-adjusted life years. There has been an increasing trend in fatal and attempted suicide in Iran over the past few decades. The aim of the current study was to assess overall, gender and social inequalities across Iran’s provinces during 2006–2010.

Design

Ecological study.

Setting

The data on distribution of population at the provinces were obtained from the Statistical Centre of Iran. The data on the annual number of deaths caused by suicide in each province were gathered from the Iranian Forensic Medicine Organization.

Methods

Suicide mortality rate per 100 000 population was calculated. Human Development Index was used as the provinces’ social rank. Gini coefficient, rate ratio and Kunst and Mackenbach relative index of inequality were used to assess overall, gender and social inequalities, respectively. Annual percentage change was calculated using Joinpoint regression.

Results

Suicide mortality has slightly increased in Iran during 2006–2010. There was a substantial and constant overall inequality across the country over the study period. Male-to-female rate ratio was 2.34 (95% CI 1.45 to 3.79) over the same period. There were social inequalities in suicide mortality in favour of people in better-off provinces. In addition, there was an increasing trend in these social disparities over time, although it was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

We found substantial overall, gender and social disparities in the distribution of suicide mortality across the provinces in Iran. The findings showed that men in the provinces with low socioeconomic status are at higher risk of suicide mortality. Further analyses are needed to explain these disparities.
Multimorbidity in a marginalised, street-health Australian population: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Brett Tom , Arnold-Reed Diane E , Troeung Lakkhina , Bulsara Max K , Williams Annalisse , Moorhead Robert G
Published: August 2014

Objectives

Demographic and presentation profile of patients using an innovative mobile outreach clinic compared with mainstream practice.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Primary care mobile street health clinic and mainstream practice in Western Australia.

Participants

2587 street health and 4583 mainstream patients.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence and patterns of chronic diseases in anatomical domains across the entire age spectrum of patients and disease severity burden using Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS).

Results

Multimorbidity (2+ CIRS domains) prevalence was significantly higher in the street health cohort (46.3%, 1199/2587) than age–sex-adjusted mainstream estimate (43.1%, 2000/4583), p=0.011. Multimorbidity prevalence was significantly higher in street health patients <45 years (37.7%, 615/1649) compared with age–sex-adjusted mainstream patients (33%, 977/2961), p=0.003 but significantly lower if 65+ years (62%, 114/184 vs 90.7%, 322/355, p<0.001). Controlling for age and gender, the mean CIRS Severity Index score for street health (M=1.4, SD=0.91) was significantly higher than for mainstream patients (M=1.1, SD=0.80), p<0.001. Furthermore, 44.2% (530/1199) of street health patients had at least one level 3 or 4 score across domains compared with 18.3% (420/2294) for mainstream patients, p<0.001. Street health population comprised 29.6% (766/2587) Aboriginal patients with 50.4% (386/766) having multimorbidity compared with 44.6% (813/1821) for non-Aboriginals, p=0.007. There were no comprehensive data on Indigenous status in the mainstream cohort available for comparison. Musculoskeletal, respiratory and psychiatric domains were most commonly affected with multimorbidity significantly associated with male gender, increasing age and Indigenous status.

Conclusions

Age–sex-adjusted multimorbidity prevalence and disease severity is higher in the street health cohort. Earlier onset (23–34 years) multimorbidity is found in the street health cohort but prevalence is lower in 65+ years than in mainstream patients. Multimorbidity prevalence is higher for Aboriginal patients of all ages.
Evaluation of My Medication Passport: a patient-completedaide-memoiredesigned by patients, for patients, to help towards medicines optimisation
Authors: Barber Susan , Thakkar Kandarp , Marvin Vanessa , Franklin Bryony Dean , Bell Derek
Published: August 2014

Objectives

A passport-sized booklet, designed by patients for patients to record details about their medicines, has been developed as part of a wider project focusing on improving prescribing in the elderly (‘ImPE’). We undertook an evaluation of ‘My Medication Passport’ to gain an understanding of its value to patients and how it may be used in communications about medicines.

Setting

The Passport was launched in secondary care with the initial users being older people discharged home after an admission to one of the four North West London participating Trusts. The uptake subsequently spread to other (community) locations and other age groups.

Participants

We recruited more than 200 patients from a cohort who had been given a passport as part of the improvement projects at one of four sites. Of them, 63% (133) completed the structured telephone questionnaire including 27% for whom English was not their first language. Approximately half of the respondents were male and 40% were over 70 years of age.

Results

More than half of the respondents had found their medication passport useful or helpful in some way; 42% through sharing details from it with others (most frequently family, carer or doctor) or using it as a platform for conversations with healthcare professionals. One-third of those questioned carried the passport with them at all times.

Conclusions

My Medication Passport has been positively evaluated; we have a better understanding of how it is used by patients, what they are recording and how it can be an aid to dialogue about medicines with family, carers and healthcare professionals. Further development and spread is underway including an App for smartphones that will be subject to wider evaluation to include feedback from clinicians.
Relationship between socioeconomic status and type 2 diabetes: results from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010–2012
Authors: Hwang Jongnam , Shon Changwoo
Published: August 2014

Objective

To examine the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and type 2 diabetes using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010–2012.

Design

A pooled sample cross-sectional study.

Setting

A nationally representative population survey data.

Participants

A total of 14 330 individuals who participated in the KNHANES 2010–2012 were included in our analysis.

Primary outcome

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes.

Results

The relationship between SES and type 2 diabetes was assessed using logistic regression after adjusting for covariates including age, gender, marital status, region, body mass index, physical activity, smoking and high-risk drinking behaviour. After adjustment for covariates, our results indicated that individuals with the lowest income were more likely to have type 2 diabetes than those with the highest income (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.72). In addition, lower educational attainment was an independent factor for a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Korea.

Conclusions

These findings suggest the need for developing a health policy to ameliorate socioeconomic inequalities, in particular income and education-related disparities in type 2 diabetes, along with risk factors at the individual level. In addition, future investigations of type 2 diabetes among Koreans should pay more attention to the social determinants of diabetes in order to understand the various causes of the condition.
Decomposition of pointwise finite-dimensional persistence modules
Authors: Crawley-Boevey William
Published: August 2014

We show that a persistence module (for a totally ordered indexing set) consisting of finite-dimensional vector spaces is a direct sum of interval modules. The result extends to persistence modules with the descending chain condition on images and kernels.
SUMOylation protects against IL-1β-induced apoptosis in INS-1 832/13 cells and human islets
Authors: Hajmrle Catherine , Ferdaoussi Mourad , Plummer Gregory , Spigelman Aliya F. , Lai Krista , Manning Fox Jocelyn E. , MacDonald Patrick E.
Published: August 2014

Posttranslational modification by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) peptides, known as SUMOylation, is reversed by the sentrin/SUMO-specific proteases (SENPs). While increased SUMOylation reduces β-cell exocytosis, insulin secretion, and responsiveness to GLP-1, the impact of SUMOylation on islet cell survival is unknown. Mouse islets, INS-1 832/13 cells, or human islets were transduced with adenoviruses to increase either SENP1 or SUMO1 or were transfected with siRNA duplexes to knockdown SENP1. We examined insulin secretion, intracellular Ca2+responses, induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and apoptosis by TUNEL and caspase 3 cleavage. Surprisingly, upregulation of SENP1 reduces insulin secretion and impairs intracellular Ca2+handling. This secretory dysfunction is due to SENP1-induced cell death. Indeed, the detrimental effect of SENP1 on secretory function is diminished when two mediators of β-cell death, iNOS and NF-κB, are pharmacologically inhibited. Conversely, enhanced SUMOylation protects against IL-1β-induced cell death. This is associated with reduced iNOS expression, cleavage of caspase 3, and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Taken together, these findings identify SUMO1 as a novel antiapoptotic protein in islets and demonstrate that reduced viability accounts for impaired islet function following SENP1 up-regulation.
Single tactile afferents outperform human subjects in a vibrotactile intensity discrimination task
Authors: Arabzadeh Ehsan , Clifford Colin W. G. , Harris Justin A. , Mahns David A. , Macefield Vaughan G. , Birznieks Ingvars
Published: August 2014

We simultaneously compared the sensitivity of single primary afferent neurons supplying the glabrous skin of the hand and the psychophysical amplitude discrimination thresholds in human subjects for a set of vibrotactile stimuli delivered to the receptive field. All recorded afferents had a dynamic range narrower than the range of amplitudes across which the subjects could discriminate. However, when the vibration amplitude was chosen to be within the steepest part of the afferent's stimulus-response function the response of single afferents, defined as the spike count over the vibration duration (500 ms), was often more sensitive in discriminating vibration amplitude than the perceptual judgment of the participants. We quantified how the neuronal performance depended on the integration window: for short windows the neuronal performance was inferior to the performance of the subject. The neuronal performance progressively improved with increasing spike count duration and reached a level significantly above that of the subjects when the integration window was 250 ms or longer. The superiority in performance of individual neurons over observers could reflect a nonoptimal integration window or be due to the presence of noise between the sensory periphery and the cortical decision stage. Additionally, it could indicate that the range of perceptual sensitivity comes at the cost of discrimination through pooling across neurons with different response functions.
Multi-omic integrated networks connect DNA methylation and miRNA with skeletal muscle plasticity to chronic exercise in Type 2 diabetic obesity
Authors: Rowlands David S. , Page Rachel A. , Sukala William R. , Giri Mamta , Ghimbovschi Svetlana D. , Hayat Irum , Cheema Birinder S. , Lys Isabelle , Leikis Murray , Sheard Phillip W. , Wakefield St. John , Breier Bernhard , Hathout Yetrib , Brown Kristy , Marathi Ramya , Orkunoglu-Suer Funda E. , Devaney Joseph M. , Leiken Benjamin , Many Gina , Krebs Jeremy , Hopkins Will G. , Hoffman Eric P.
Published: August 2014

Epigenomic regulation of the transcriptome by DNA methylation and posttranscriptional gene silencing by miRNAs are potential environmental modulators of skeletal muscle plasticity to chronic exercise in healthy and diseased populations. We utilized transcriptome networks to connect exercise-induced differential methylation and miRNA with functional skeletal muscle plasticity. Biopsies of the vastus lateralis were collected from middle-aged Polynesian men and women with morbid obesity (44 kg/m2± 10) and Type 2 diabetes before and following 16 wk of resistance ( n = 9) or endurance training ( n = 8). Longitudinal transcriptome, methylome, and microRNA (miRNA) responses were obtained via microarray, filtered by novel effect-size based false discovery rate probe selection preceding bioinformatic interrogation. Metabolic and microvascular transcriptome topology dominated the network landscape following endurance exercise. Lipid and glucose metabolism modules were connected to: microRNA (miR)-29a; promoter region hypomethylation of nuclear receptor factor ( NRF1) and fatty acid transporter ( SLC27A4), and hypermethylation of fatty acid synthase, and to exon hypomethylation of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase and Ser/Thr protein kinase. Directional change in the endurance networks was validated by lower intramyocellular lipid, increased capillarity, GLUT4, hexokinase, and mitochondrial enzyme activity and proteome. Resistance training also lowered lipid and increased enzyme activity and caused GLUT4 promoter hypomethylation; however, training was inconsequential to GLUT4, capillarity, and metabolic transcriptome. miR-195 connected to negative regulation of vascular development. To conclude, integrated molecular network modelling revealed differential DNA methylation and miRNA expression changes occur in skeletal muscle in response to chronic exercise training that are most pronounced with endurance training and topographically associated with functional metabolic and microvascular plasticity relevant to diabetes rehabilitation.
Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome: Reversible Paraplegia after Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Authors: Bredow J. , Oppermann J. , Keller K. , Beyer F. , Boese C. K. , Zarghooni K. , Sobottke R. , Eysel P. , Siewe J.
Published: August 2014

Background Context. Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty is an established minimally invasive technique to treat painful vertebral compression fractures, especially in the context of osteoporosis with a minor complication rate.Purpose. To describe the heparin anticoagulation treatment of paraplegia following balloon kyphoplasty.Study Design. We report the first case of an anterior spinal artery syndrome with a postoperative reversible paraplegia following a minimally invasive spine surgery (balloon kyphoplasty) without cement leakage.Methods. A 75-year-old female patient underwent balloon kyphoplasty for a fresh fracture of the first vertebra.Results. Postoperatively, the patient developed an acute anterior spinal artery syndrome with motor paraplegia of the lower extremities as well as loss of pain and temperature sensation with retained proprioception and vibratory sensation. Complete recovery occurred six hours after bolus therapy with 15.000 IU low-molecular heparin.Conclusion. Spine surgeons should consider vascular complications in patients with incomplete spinal cord syndromes after balloon kyphoplasty, not only after more invasive spine surgery. High-dose low-molecular heparin might help to reperfuse the Adamkiewicz artery.
Electrical Characterization of Sol-Gel Derived TiO2Film on c-Si Substrate by Admittance Measurement
Authors: Saatci Ayşe Evrim , Özdemir Orhan
Published: August 2014

Transport and storage properties of sol-gel synthesized, namely, dip coating technique, titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film over crystalline silicon (c-Si), has been investigated by means of current-voltage (I-V) and admittance analysis within different ambient. Considering the work function of anatase TiO2film, determined by both FTIR and TG/DTA analysis, silver (Ag) as front metal electrode was chosen to hinder a barrier for charge carriers. Electrical analysis implied that Ag/TiO2/c-Si structure was actually constituted by Ag/TiO2/native silicon dioxide (SiO2)/c-Si [SIS] structure, in which SiO2layer was identified by FTIR analysis. Consequently, the electrical features of the film were interpreted in terms of SIS diode that is capable of explaining C-V features.
Examination of the Anaerobic Growth ofCampylobacter concisusStrains
Authors: Lee Hoyul , Ma Rena , Grimm Michael C. , Riordan Stephen M. , Lan Ruiting , Zhong Ling , Raftery Mark , Zhang Li
Published: August 2014

Campylobacter concisusis an oral bacterium that is associated with intestinal diseases.C. concisuswas previously described as a bacterium that requires H2-enriched microaerobic conditions for growth. The level of H2in the oral cavity is extremely low, suggesting thatC. concisusis unlikely to have a microaerobic growth there. In this study, the anaerobic growth ofC. concisuswas investigated. The growth of fifty-seven oralC. concisusstrains and six entericC. concisusstrains under various atmospheric conditions including anaerobic conditions with and without H2was examined. The atmospheric conditions were generated using commercially available gas-generation systems.C. concisusputative virulence proteins were identified using mass spectrometry analysis. Under anaerobic conditions, 92% of the oralC. concisusstrains (52/57) and all six enteric strains grew without the presence of H2and the presence of H2greatly increasedC. concisusgrowth. An oralC. concisusstrain was found to express a number of putative virulence proteins and the expression levels of these proteins were not affected by H2. The levels of H2appeared to affect the optimal growth ofC. concisus. This study provides useful information in understanding the natural colonization site and pathogenicity ofC. concisus.
Study of Interface Charge Densities for ZrO2and HfO2Based Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Devices
Authors: Maity N. P. , Maity Reshmi , Thapa R. K. , Baishya S.
Published: August 2014

A thickness-dependent interfacial distribution of oxide charges for thin metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) structures using high-kmaterials ZrO2and HfO2has been methodically investigated. The interface charge densities are analyzed using capacitance-voltage (C-V) method and also conductance (G-V) method. It indicates that, by reducing the effective oxide thickness (EOT), the interface charge densities (Dit) increases linearly. For the same EOT,Dithas been found for the materials to be of the order of 1012 cm−2 eV−1and it is originated to be in good agreement with published fabrication results at p-type doping level of1×1017 cm−3. Numerical calculations and solutions are performed by MATLAB and device simulation is done by ATLAS.
The Effectiveness and Sustainability of the Sterilization Policy in China
Authors: Chung Chien-Ping , Hwang Jen-Te , Wang Chieh-Hsuan
Published: August 2014

The aim of this paper is to examine the sterilization policy in China. First, several indices are used to measure the status of China’s markets and to determine effectiveness and sustainability of the sterilization policy and the possible impacts it may have induced. Second, within a microeconomic framework, we incorporate the housing price variable into the target loss function of the monetary authority to explore its financial capabilities and evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of China’s sterilization policy. The empirical results show that Chinese monetary authorities sterilize almost all of the effects of international capital inflows and increase foreign exchange reserves on the monetary base. That is, increased capital mobility does not sabotage the independence of the Chinese monetary policy. Nevertheless, analyses of the sustainability of sterilization policy indicate that the sustainability of the monetary sterilization policy has been seriously challenged since March 2008, which suggests that Chinese monetary authority has endured tremendous pressure for unsustainable sterilization.
The Power of Synergy: An Academic/Clinical Partnership for Transformational Change
Authors: McKillop Ann , Atherfold Cheryl , Lees Gary
Published: August 2014

Background. A programme of postgraduate study was developed in partnership between a health board and a university in New Zealand, having identified critical thinking and practice change as key determinants of good care delivery. Aim. To explore the impact after 12 months of a postgraduate programme for registered nurses on patient assessment and clinical reasoning, and the status of implementation plans for improved patient care. Design. Outcome evaluation using a survey and focus groups. Setting. On location at a hospital in a small city in New Zealand that provides healthcare services for 102,000 people across rural and urban areas. Participants. Registered nurses who had completed the programme (N=28) and seven clinical mentors. Methods. A survey, focus groups, and follow-up data about quality improvement projects were used to explore how the programme was experienced and its impact. Results. The survey revealed perceptions of improved knowledge and skills but a lack of confidence in communicating with medical staff. Of 28 quality improvement projects planned, all but three had been implemented and were still in use. Two themes were generated from focus group data: “new ways of thinking” and “doing things differently.” Conclusions. This academic/clinical partnership positively influenced nurses’ knowledge and skills, encouraged critical thinking and self-efficacy, and resulted in the sustained implementation of nurse-initiated projects intended to improve patient care.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Different Routes to Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy
Authors: Picone Pasquale , Nuzzo Domenico , Caruana Luca , Scafidi Valeria , Di Carlo Marta
Published: August 2014

Mitochondria are dynamic ATP-generating organelle which contribute to many cellular functions including bioenergetics processes, intracellular calcium regulation, alteration of reduction-oxidation potential of cells, free radical scavenging, and activation of caspase mediated cell death. Mitochondrial functions can be negatively affected by amyloidβpeptide (Aβ), an important component in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis, and Aβcan interact with mitochondria and cause mitochondrial dysfunction. One of the most accepted hypotheses for AD onset implicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are one of the primary events in the insurgence of the pathology. Here, we examine structural and functional mitochondrial changes in presence of Aβ. In particular we review data concerning Aβimport into mitochondrion and its involvement in mitochondrial oxidative stress, bioenergetics, biogenesis, trafficking, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) formation, and mitochondrial protein interaction. Moreover, the development of AD therapy targeting mitochondria is also discussed.
Synergistic Effect of Fermented Rice Extracts on the Probiotic and Laxative Properties of Yoghurt in Rats with Loperamide‐Induced Constipation
Authors: Choi Jae-Suk , Kim Joo Wan , Kim Ki-Young , Lee Jong-Kwang , Sohn Jae Hak , Ku Sae-Kwang
Published: August 2014

Aim. The objective was to evaluate the synergistic effects of fermented rice extracts (FRe) on the laxative and probiotic properties of yoghurt in rats with loperamide‐induced constipation. Methods. After constipation induction, yoghurt containing FRe (BFRe; 0.05%, 0.1%, or 1%) was administered orally once per day for 6 days. Results. Loperamide treatment caused marked decreases in fecal pellet numbers and water content discharged, as well as in the surface mucosal thickness of the colonic lumen, intestinal charcoal transit ratio, thickness, and number of mucous‐producing goblet cells in the colonic mucosa, whereas it increased the remnant fecal pellet number and the mean diameter of the colonic lumen. However, this loperamide‐induced constipation was ameliorated by treatment with FRe, yoghurt single formula, or 0.05%, 0.1%, or 1% BFRe (10 mL/kg). Additionally, the viable numbers of Lactobacillus in the cecal contents and feces were markedly higher than those in constipated rats. Moreover, greater probiotic and laxative effects were detected in BFRe‐treated rats than in rats treated with equivalent doses of yoghurt or FRe single formula. Conclusion. The results suggest that addition of FRe to liquid yoghurt will enhance the probiotic and beneficial laxative effects of yoghurt in the digestive tract, without causing side effects.
The Boundedness of Marcinkiewicz Integrals Associated with Schrödinger Operator on Morrey Spaces
Authors: Chen Dongxiang , Jin Fangting
Published: August 2014

LetL=-Δ+Vbe a Schrödinger operator, whereVbelongs to some reverse Hölder class. The authors establish the boundedness of Marcinkiewicz integrals associated with Schrödinger operators and their commutators on Morrey spaces.
Hydrogen-Rich Saline Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Attenuates Experimental Acute Pancreatitis in Mice
Authors: Ren Jian-Dong , Ma Jie , Hou Jun , Xiao Wen-Jin , Jin Wei-Hua , Wu Juan , Fan Kai-Hua
Published: August 2014

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces oxidative stress and plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS), a well-known ROS scavenger, has been shown to possess therapeutic benefit on AP in many animal experiments. Recent findings have indicated that the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, an intracellular multiprotein complex required for the maturation of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, may probably be a potential target of HRS in the treatment of AP. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and meanwhile assessed the degree of oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades, as well as the histological alterations in mice suffering from cerulein-induced AP after the treatment of HRS. The results showed that the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in AP mice was substantially inhibited following the administration of HRS, which was paralleled with the decreased NF-κB activity and cytokines production, attenuated oxidative stress and the amelioration of pancreatic tissue damage. In conclusion, our study has, for the first time, revealed that inhibition of the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome probably contributed to the therapeutic potential of HRS in AP.