bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethnic disparities in relationships of obesity indices with telomere length in Asians with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gurung Resham Lal , M Yiamunaa , Liu Sylvia , Liu Jian‐Jun , Chan Si Min , Moh Mei Chung , Ang Keven , Tang Wern Ee , Sum Chee Fang , Tavintharan Subramaniam , Lim Su Chi ,   For The SMART2D Study
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundObesity and shorter telomeres increase the risk for diabetes complications and mortality. However, the relationship between obesity and telomere length in diverse Asian populations with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is not well understood. This study examined the association of baseline and changes in obesity indices with telomere length in multiethnic Asian populations with T2D.MethodsLeukocyte telomere length (LTL) was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in the SMART2D cohort (n = 1431 at baseline, n = 1039 after 3.2 years median follow‐up). Associations between obesity indices and LTL were assessed by linear regression.ResultsCompared with Chinese, LTL was longer in Malays (P < 0.0001) and similar in Indians. Cross‐sectionally, body mass index (BMI)‐adjusted (residual) visceral fat area (VFA; β = −0.004, P = 0.006), and waist‐to‐hip ratio (β = −1.95, P = 0.030) were significantly associated with LTL in Chinese but not in Malays and Indians. Changes in BMI (r = −0.080; P = 0.053) and VFA (r = −0.126; P = 0.002) were inversely correlated with changes in LTL only in Chinese. Furthermore, in Chinese, 1‐SD incremental changes in BMI (β = −0.070; P = 0.040) and VFA (β = −0.088, P = 0.028) were significantly associated with larger telomere attrition, independent of age, sex, diabetes condition, baseline LTL, obesity, and inflammation markers.ConclusionsThree‐year changes in BMI and VFA were associated with telomere dynamics in Chinese but not in Malays and Indians with T2D. Reducing obesity may reduce the risk of diabetes complications associated with shorter LTL in the Chinese population.
Dynamic price competition in auto insurance brokerage
Authors: Braido Luis H.B. , Ledo Bruno C.A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe analyze Brazilian data on auto insurance and document that (a) about 20% of policies are sold without brokerage commission; (b) over 40% are sold at the highest fee allowed; and (c) the remaining contracts are associated with a spread‐out distribution of fees. Static models cannot rationalize these findings. We develop a dynamic model of price competition with search and switching costs that reproduces them. We use the equilibrium structure to estimate the model parameters and infer the brokers' expected earnings, the frequency that insurees switch brokers, and the counterfactual effects of a price ceiling policy.
Development and validation of a model to predict tyrosine kinase inhibitor‐sensitive EGFR mutations of non‐small cell lung cancer based on multi‐institutional data
Authors: Chang Hui , Liu Yuan‐Bin , Yi Wei , Lu Jia‐Bin , Zhang Jie‐Xia 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundNon‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with different EGFR mutation types shows distinct sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This study developed a patho‐clinical profile‐based prediction model of TKI‐sensitive EGFR mutations.MethodsThe records of 1121 Chinese patients diagnosed with NSCLC from November 2008 to October 2014 (the development set) were reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify any association between potential predictors and the classic sensitive EGFR mutations (exon 19 deletion and exon 21 L858R point mutation). A prediction index was created by assigning weighted scores to each factor proportional to a regression coefficient. Validation was made in an independent cohort consisting of 864 patients who were consecutively enrolled between November 2014 and January 2017 (the validation set).ResultsSeven independent predictors were identified: gender (female vs. male), adenocarcinoma (yes vs. no), smoking history (no vs. yes), N stage (N+ vs. N0), M stage (M1 vs. M0), brain metastasis (yes vs. no), and elevated Cyfra 21‐1 (no vs. yes). Each was assigned a number of points. In the validation set, the area under curve of the prediction index appeared as 0.698 (95% confidence interval 0.663–0.733). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and concordance were 95.0%, 32.3%, 61.4%, 85.1%, and 65.6%, respectively.ConclusionWe developed a patho‐clinical profile‐based model for predicting TKI‐sensitive EGFR mutations. Our model may represent a noninvasive, economical choice for clinicians to inform TKI therapy.
Daily Drinking Is Associated with Increased Mortality
Authors: Hartz Sarah M. , Oehlert Mary , Horton AC , Grucza Richard A. , Fisher Sherri L. , Culverhouse Robert C. , Nelson Karl G. , Sumerall Scott W. , Neal Paul C. , Regnier Patrice , Chen Guoqing , Williams Alexander , Bhattarai Jagriti , Evanoff Bradley , Bierut Laura J. 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundThere is evidence that low‐level alcohol use, drinking 1 to 2 drinks on occasion, is protective for cardiovascular disease, but increases the risk of cancer. Synthesizing the overall impact of low‐level alcohol use on health is therefore complex. The objective of this paper was to examine the association between frequency of low‐level drinking and mortality.MethodsTwo data sets with self‐reported alcohol use and mortality follow‐up were analyzed: 340,668 individuals from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and 93,653 individuals from the Veterans Health Administration (VA) outpatient medical records. Survival analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between low‐level drinking frequency and mortality.ResultsThe minimum risk drinking frequency among those who drink 1 to 2 drinks per occasion was found to be 3.2 times weekly in the NHIS data, based on a continuous measure of drinking frequency, and 2 to 3 times weekly in the VA data. Relative to these individuals with minimum risk, individuals who drink 7 times weekly had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of all‐cause mortality of 1.23 (p < 0.0001) in the NHIS data, and individuals who drink 4 to 7 times weekly in the VA data also had an adjusted HR of 1.23 (p = 0.01). Secondary analyses in the NHIS data showed that the minimum risk was drinking 4 times weekly for cardiovascular mortality, and drinking monthly or less for cancer mortality. The associations were consistent in stratified analyses of men, women, and never smokers.ConclusionsThe minimum risk of low‐level drinking frequency for all‐cause mortality appears to be approximately 3 occasions weekly. The robustness of this finding is highlighted in 2 distinctly different data sets: a large epidemiological data set and a data set of veterans sampled from an outpatient clinic. Daily drinking, even at low levels, is detrimental to one's health.
Ethnic variations in the childhood prevalence of Hirschsprung disease in New Zealand
Authors: Taghavi Kiarash , Goddard Lucy , Evans Stephen M. , Hobson Andrew , Beasley Spencer W. , Sankaran Sasikumar , Kukkady Askar , Stevenson Jonathan , Stringer Mark D. 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundEpidemiological studies have suggested that there may be ethnic variations in the prevalence of Hirschsprung disease (HD) but no study has systematically investigated this issue or potential ethnic variations in the extent of aganglionosis in HD. This study aimed to investigate this in a childhood population in New Zealand.MethodsA multicentre national retrospective review was undertaken of all newly diagnosed cases of HD at each of the four paediatric surgical centres in New Zealand over a 16‐year period (January 2000 to December 2015). Original histological, radiological and operative reports were obtained and analysed. Self‐identified ethnicity was recorded from admission documents. Birth statistics were obtained from Statistics New Zealand.ResultsA total of 246 cases of HD were identified. The prevalence of HD was 1:3790 live births for European, 1:6610 among Māori, 1:1834 among Pacific Peoples, 1:3847 among Asian and 1:5694 among Middle Eastern. The prevalence of HD was statistically significantly greater in Pacific Peoples (P < 0.0005). The proportion of children with long‐segment HD was also significantly greater in Pacific and Asian populations than others (P = 0.04). These findings were not due to differences in the proportion of familial cases of HD among the different populations.ConclusionsThe prevalence and phenotype of HD varies significantly between different ethnic groups within New Zealand. This may well be related to variations in the frequencies of HD‐associated gene mutations within these populations.
Bursting the Bubble: Spatialising Safety for Privileged Migrant Women in Singapore
Authors: Cranston Sophie , Lloyd Jenny 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis paper develops geographical work that is attentive to, and critical of, how safety is lived and narrated. In contrast to previous work on safety that focuses on fear, the paper looks at safety as something more than aspiration for women. To do so, the paper utilises the metaphor of the “expatriate bubble” to explore how safety is constructed and experienced by privileged migrants in Singapore. Utilising research from two projects, we argue that we need to think about how gender and Othering intersect to construct safety. In doing so, we explore how we can use conceptualisations of privileged migrants to research how safety can be understood and therefore practised more widely.
Requirements and Pitfalls of Dialyzer Sieving Coefficients Comparisons
Authors: Hulko Michael , Haug Ulrike , Gauss Julia , Boschetti‐de‐Fierro Adriana , Beck Werner , Krause Bernd 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSieving coefficients reported in dialyzer data sheets and instructions for use (IFUs) indicate the potential of different solutes to pass across a particular membrane. Despite being measured in vitro, sieving coefficient data are often used as a predictor of the clinical performance of dialyzers. Although standards for the measurement of sieving coefficients exist, the stated methodologies do not offer sufficient guidance to ensure comparability of test results between different dialyzers. The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between sieving coefficients and published clinical performance indicators for two solutes, albumin loss and beta‐2 microglobulin (β2M) reduction ratio (RR), and to assess the impact of different in vitro test parameters on sieving coefficient values for albumin, β2M, and myoglobin. Clinical albumin loss and β2M RR for commercially available dialyzers used in hemodialysis (HD) and post‐dilution hemodiafiltration (HDF) were extracted from the literature and plotted against sieving coefficients reported in data sheets and IFUs. Albumin, β2M, and myoglobin sieving coefficients of a selection of dialyzers were measured per the ISO 8637 standard. The impact of in vitro testing conditions was assessed by changing blood flow rate, ultrafiltration (UF) rate, sampling time, and origin of test plasma. Results showed variation in albumin loss and β2M RR for the same sieving coefficient across different dialyzers in HD and HDF. Changes in blood flow rates, UF rates, sampling time, and test plasma (bovine vs. human) caused marked differences in sieving coefficient values for all investigated solutes. When identical testing conditions were used, sieving coefficient values for the same dialyzer were reproducible. Testing conditions have a marked impact on the measurement of sieving coefficients, and values should not be compared unless identical conditions are used. Further, variability in observed clinical data in part reflects the lack of definition of test conditions.
Postoperative management in cataract surgery: nepafenac and preservative‐free diclofenac compared
Authors: Ylinen Petteri , Taipale Claudia , Lindholm Juha‐Matti , Laine Ilkka , Holmström Emil , Tuuminen Raimo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeCurrent cataract surgery guidelines recommend routine use of topical nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in preventing pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCME). Here, we compare the clinical efficacy and tolerability of two potent NSAIDs, nepafenac and preservative‐free diclofenac following cataract surgery.MethodsRandomized, double‐blind, prospective single‐centre study. Ninety‐six eyes of 95 patients undergoing routine cataract surgery were randomized 1:1 either to nepafenac (Nevanac, 1 mg/ml) or diclofenac (Dicloabak, 1 mg/ml) for 3 weeks. Seventy‐three patients accounting for 73 eyes completed the entire follow‐up. Aqueous flare and central retinal thickness (CRT) analysis were conducted preoperatively and at control visits 28 days and 3 months after surgery. A structured home questionnaire and interview were used to record any adverse effects of the topical medications, subjective visual recovery and the dispenser's ease of use.ResultsNo differences were observed between the groups for aqueous flare, CRT, speed of recovery or visual acuity gain. Seven patients (16%) on nepafenac and 20 patients (48%) on preservative‐free diclofenac reported symptoms related to topical use of NSAID medications (p = 0.001).ConclusionNo differences in clinical efficacy were found between potent NSAIDs, while tolerability might be an issue.
Morphological changes in the diseased retina on a healthy choroid‐retinal pigment epithelial complex after full macular translocation for exudative age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: van Romunde Saskia Helena Margaretha , Polito Antonio , Peroglio Deiro Antonio , Bertazzi Laura , Guerriero Massimo , Pertile Grazia 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeTo describe the change in the retinal morphology after full macular translocation (FMT) for exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and identify predictive factors for the visual outcome.MethodsAll patients who underwent FMT from December 2008 through July 2013 were selected. Exclusion criteria were FMT for other disease than AMD, age <60 years, <12 months of follow‐up or no available images. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorangiography and indocyanine green angiography were evaluated.ResultsIn total, 51 patients were included with a mean follow‐up of 30 months. The presence of the external limiting membrane (ELM) was a significant predictor for a favourable visual outcome 1 year after FMT (OR = −0.30). Other significant predictive factors were the absence of intraretinal fluid (OR = 0.28) and the mixed choroidal neovascularization type (OR = −0.47), whereas nonresponders (OR = 0.41) and fibrotic lesions (OR = 0.35) were less likely to have a good visual function after surgery.ConclusionFull macular translocation (FMT), that permits to relocate the diseased macula onto an area of unaffected retinal pigment epithelial and choroid, can restore the anatomy and visual function in some patients with AMD when the outer retina layers are not irreversibly damaged. The presence of the ELM seems to be the most reliable factor in predicting the functional outcome.
Vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears: Favourable outcomes without adjuvant scleral buckling
Authors: Hocaoglu Mumin , Karacorlu Murat , Ersoz M. Giray , Sayman Muslubas Isil , Arf Serra 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in the management of retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears.MethodsWe reviewed 45 eyes of 42 patients with primary retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears over 10 years at a tertiary referral centre. Patients underwent 23‐gauge vitrectomy without adjuvant scleral buckling by a single surgeon and had follow‐up at least 6 months after silicone oil removal.ResultsMean follow‐up was 37 ± 35 months. Seven eyes (16%) had grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and 16 (36%) had a giant retinal tear ≥180° at baseline. The primary reattachment rate was 84%, and the overall final anatomical success rate was 98%. The mean Snellen visual acuity equivalent at the final visit was 20/58. Final visual acuity ≥20/40 was achieved in 64%. The mean duration of silicone oil tamponade was 10.5 ± 4 weeks. By the final visit, silicone oil had been removed from 44 eyes (98%).ConclusionThe high rates of anatomical and functional success support management of giant retinal tears‐associated retinal detachment with vitrectomy without adjuvant scleral buckling. Removal of silicone oil at the earliest possible time helps to avoid complications such as keratopathy, glaucoma and visual loss without apparent reason.
Superior outcome of corneal collagen cross‐linking using riboflavin with methylcellulose than riboflavin with dextran as the main supplement
Authors: Thorsrud Andreas , Hagem Anne Marie , Sandvik Gunhild Falleth , Drolsum Liv 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeTo compare the effect of corneal collagen cross‐linking (CXL) on progressive keratoconus using 0.1% riboflavin with either dextran or methylcellulose as the main supplement.MethodsIn a comparative case series, CXL was performed in 40 patients (40 eyes) using a riboflavin solution containing either dextran (dextran–riboflavin; n = 20) or methylcellulose (methylcellulose–riboflavin; n = 20). Changes in central corneal thickness (CCT), Scheimpflug tomography, maximal keratometry reading (Kmax), visual acuity (VA) and endothelial cell density (ECD) were recorded. Stromal changes one month after surgery were analysed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).ResultsThe CCT was significantly higher in the methylcellulose–riboflavin group during the CXL procedure. The IVCM demarcation line depth was 274 ± 80 (SD) μm in the dextran–riboflavin group and 442 ± 80 μm in the methylcellulose–riboflavin group (p < 0.001). Complete absence of keratocytes in the pre‐endothelial stroma was found in none of the corneas treated with dextran–riboflavin and in 42% of the corneas treated with methylcellulose–riboflavin. Visibility of the OCT demarcation line was significantly lower in the methylcellulose–riboflavin group. Kmax and corrected distance visual acuity were improved in the methylcellulose–riboflavin group and stable in the dextran–riboflavin group after 2 years. Endothelial cell density (ECD) was stable in both groups.ConclusionWe found deeper structural changes in the methylcellulose–riboflavin group than in the dextran–riboflavin group. This may be explained by different riboflavin solution properties and raises safety concerns. The study also indicates improved effect using methylcellulose–riboflavin than dextran–riboflavin, possibly explained by deeper stromal CXL effect.
Letter: screening for adrenal suppression in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease – authors’ reply
Authors: Philpott Hamish , Dougherty Michael K. , Dellon Evan S. 
Published: October 2018

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Philpott et al and Wood and Henderson papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14573 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14861.
Editorial: a baseline tool for predicting response to peginterferon alfa‐2a in HBeAg‐positive patients—same score, different outcomes. Author's Reply
Authors: Chan Henry Lik Yuen 
Published: October 2018

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Chan et al and Peng papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14862 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14921.
Letter: identifying coeliac disease among patients with bloating—Authors' reply
Authors: Hujoel Isabel A. , Rubio‐Tapia Alberto 
Published: October 2018

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Hujoel et al and Ellul papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14625 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14918.
Editorial: less acid, less cancer? Is this the question? Authors’ reply
Authors: Tan Mimi C. , Thrift Aaron P. 
Published: October 2018

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Tan et al and Triadafilopoulos and Singh papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14895 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14958.
Functional intronic variant of SLC5A10 affects DRG2 expression and survival outcomes of early‐stage non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Hong Mi Jeong , Yoo Seung Soo , Choi Jin Eun , Kang Hyo‐Gyoung , Do Sook Kyung , Lee Jang Hyuck , Lee Won Kee , Lee Jaehee , Lee Shin Yup , Cha Seung Ick , Kim Chang Ho , Lee Eung Bae , Cho Sukki , Jheon Sanghoon , Park Jae Yong 
Published: October 2018

RegulomeDB is a new tool that can predict the regulatory function of genetic variants. We applied RegulomeDB in selecting putative functional variants and evaluated the relationship between these variants and survival outcomes of surgically resected non‐small‐cell lung cancer. Among the 244 variants studied, 14 were associated with overall survival (P < 0.05) in the discovery cohort and one variant (rs2257609 C>T) was replicated in the validation cohort. In the combined analysis, rs2257609 C>T was significantly associated with worse overall and disease‐free survival under a dominant model (P = 2 × 10−5 and P = 0.001, respectively). rs2257609 is located in the SLC5A10 intron, but RegulomeDB predicted that this variant affected DRG2, not SLC5A10 expression. The expression level of SLC5A10 was not different with the rs2257609 genotype. However, DRG2 expression was different according to the rs2257609 genotype (Ptrend = 0.03) and was significantly higher in tumor than in non‐malignant lung tissues (P = 1 × 10−5). Luciferase assay also showed higher promoter activity of DRG2 in samples with the rs2257609 T allele (P < 0.0001). rs2257609 C>T affected DRG2 expression and, thus, influenced the prognosis of early‐stage non‐small‐cell lung cancer. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Broad of Kyungpook National University of Hospital (Approval No. KNUMC 2014‐04‐210‐003).
Imatinib inhibits CSF1R that stimulates proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes
Authors: Hu X , Tang J , Hu X , Bao P , Pan J , Ou Y , Deng W , Liang Y 
Published: October 2018

Summary
In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of imatinib on the proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis synovial cell (RA-FLS) and inflammatory responses by regulating CSF1R. Differential genes were screened via microarray analysis, followed by being analysed through the weighted co-expression network (WGCNA) network, that included module and cluster analysis. The relationship between imatinib and genes was visualized using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STITCH) database. Expressions of mRNA and protein were determined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Cell viability was examined via clone formation assay, while cell cycle and apoptosis were analysed through flow cytometry analysis. The hub gene CSF1R was ultimately determined by microarray analysis and WGCNA analysis. Colony-stimulating-factor receptor-1 (SF1R) was highly expressed in rheumatoid arthritis tissues and cells, and CSF1R over-expression could promote inflammatory responses. Moreover, CSF1R could promote RA-FLS proliferation, inhibit apoptosis and accelerate the cell cycle. The targeting relationship between imatinib and CSF1R was also validated in this study. Imatinib attenuated RA-FLS inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, imatinib could inhibit RA-FLS proliferation and promote apoptosis, ultimately reducing the damage of RA-FLS. Over-expression of CSF1R accelerated the cell cycle and proliferation of RA-FLS, while inhibiting cell apoptosis. Conversely, imatinib could significantly restrain the cell cycle and viability of RA-FLS and accelerated apoptosis via suppression of CSF1R expression. Further, histological and serological assay investigated and proved the proinflammatory effects of CSF1R in RA rabbits.