bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on heart rate variability during the night in patients with chronic heart failure and central sleep apnoea
Authors: Terziyski Kiril V , Draganova Aneliya I , Taralov Zdravko Z , Ilchev Ilcho S , Kostianev Stefan S 
Published: August 2016

SummaryContinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves autonomic activity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and central sleep apnoea (CSA), but its effect on heart rate variability (HRV) during therapy has not been reported. We hypothesized that CPAP may decrease HRV, despite its beneficial effects on sympathetic overactivation, due to the expected stabilization of breathing. Sixty‐seven CHF patients underwent polysomnography (PSG). Ten of them presented with CSA (age 66.1±8.5 years, apnoea‐hypopnea index [AHI]=57.6±23.3, central AHI [cAHI]=41.6±24.6 [mean±SD]) and were subjected to a second PSG with manual CPAP titration. Beat‐to‐beat heart intervals for a 6‐hour period of sleep were extracted from each recording and HRV was analysed. CPAP significantly reduced AHI (AHI=23.1±18.3 P=.004). Standard deviation of normal‐normal interbeat interval (SDNN) (61.5±29.0 vs 49.5±19.3 ms, P=.021), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) (21.8±9.2 vs 16.4±7.1 ms, P=.042), total power (lnTP=7.8±1.1 vs 7.4±0.8 ms2, P=.037), low frequency power (lnLF=5.5±1.5 vs 5.0±1.4 ms2, P=.003) and high frequency power (lnHF=4.6±1.0 vs 4.0±1.0 ms2, P=.024) were decreased. There was a strong correlation between the decrease in AHI and the decrease in lnHF (Spearman's ρ=.782). CPAP leads to a decrease in spectral and time domain parameters of HRV during therapy in CHF patients with CSA. These changes are best explained by the effect which CPAP‐influenced breathing pattern and lowered AHI exert on HRV.
New insights into molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in kidney disease
Authors: Mimura Imari , Tanaka Tetsuhiro , Nangaku Masaomi 
Published: August 2016

SummaryThe number of patients with kidney failure has increased in recent years. Different factors contribute to the progression of chronic kidney disease, including glomerular sclerosis, atherosclerosis of the renal arteries and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Tubulointerstitial injury is induced by hypoxia and other inflammatory signals, leading to fibroblast activation. Technological advances using high‐throughput sequencing has enabled the determination of the expression profile of almost all genes, revealing that gene expression is intricately regulated by DNA methylation, histone modification, changes in chromosome conformation, long non‐coding RNAs and microRNAs. These epigenetic modifications are stored as cellular epigenetic memory. Epigenetic memory leads to adult‐onset disease or ageing in the long term and may possibly play an important role in the kidney disease process. Herein we emphasize the importance of clarifying the molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetic modifications because this may lead to the development of new therapeutic targets in kidney disease.
Does tranexamic acid prevent postpartum haemorrhage? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Ker K , Shakur H , Roberts I 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundPostpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality. Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces surgical haemorrhage and the risk of death in bleeding trauma patients.ObjectivesTo assess the effects of TXA on risk of postpartum haemorrhage and other clinically relevant outcomes.Search strategyWe searched the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP electronic databases to May 2015.Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials comparing TXA with no TXA or placebo in women giving birth vaginally or by caesarean section.Data collection and analysisTwo authors extracted data and assessed the risk of bias for each trial. Because of data concerns we did not conduct a meta‐analysis.Main resultsWe found 26 trials including a total of 4191 women. Examination of the trial reports raised concerns about the quality of the data. Eight trial reports contained identical or similar text and there were important data inconsistencies in several trials. Two trials did not have ethics committee approval. Meta‐analysis of baseline variables suggested that randomisation was inadequate in many trials.ConclusionsThere is no reliable evidence that TXA prevents postpartum haemorrhage during childbirth. Many of the trials conducted to date are small, low quality and contain serious flaws.Tweetable abstractNo evidence that TXA prevents postpartum haemorrhage. Existing trials are unreliable, with serious flaws.
Medication Nonadherence: The Role of Cost, Community, and Individual Factors
Authors: Abbass Ibrahim , Revere Lee , Mitchell Jordan , Appari Ajit 
Published: August 2016

ObjectiveTo explain the association of out‐of‐pocket (OOP) cost, community‐level factors, and individual characteristics on statin therapy nonadherence.Data SourcesBlueCross BlueShield of Texas claims data for the period of 2008–2011.Study DesignA retrospective cohort of 49,176 insured patients, aged 18–64 years, with at least one statin refill during 2008–2011 was analyzed. Using a weighted proportion of days covered ratio, differences between adherent and nonadherent groups are assessed using chi‐squared tests, t‐tests, and a clustered generalized linear model with logit link function.Principal FindingsStatin therapy adherence, measured at 48 percent, is associated with neighborhood‐level socioeconomic factors, including race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and poverty level. Individual characteristics influencing adherence include OOP medication cost, gender, age, comorbid conditions, and total health care utilization.ConclusionsThis study signifies the importance of OOP costs as a determinant of adherence to medications, but more interestingly, the results suggest that other socioeconomic factors, as measured by neighborhood‐level variables, have a greater association on the likelihood of adherence. The results may be of interest to policy makers, benefit designers, self‐insured employers, and provider organizations.
Chemical and Cellular Antioxidant Activities of Chicken Breast Muscle Subjected to Various Thermal Treatments Followed by Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion
Authors: Sangsawad Papungkorn , Kiatsongchai Ratana , Chitsomboon Benjamart , Yongsawatdigul Jirawat 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe effect of thermal treatments on chemical and cellular antioxidant activities of chicken breasts subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was investigated. Breast of Korat crossbred chicken (KC) and commercial broiler (BR) were cooked under various conditions, namely heating at 70 °C for 30 min (H‐0.5) and 24 h (H‐24), autoclaving (AC) at 121°C for 15 min (AC‐15) and 60 min (AC‐60). Protein digestibility decreased upon the extreme thermal treatment of AC‐60. The H‐0.5 improved metal chelating activity of KC digesta, FRAP, and anti‐liposome oxidation of BR digesta. Digesta of BR/H‐0.5 and KC/AC‐15 at 50 μg/mL exhibited the highest cytoprotective effect against tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)‐induced oxidative damage of HepG2 cells. In addition, the KC/AC‐15 digesta at a concentration as low as 12.5 μg/mL inhibited intracellular TBHP‐induced reactive oxyfen species (ROS) production (P < 0.05). Thus, the digesta of KC breasts subjected to AC‐15 provides not only nutritional value but also antioxidant activity at the cellular level.
Prevalence of celiac disease in first‐degree relative of children in Sistan and Baluchestan province (Iran)
Authors: Shahraki Touran , Hill Ivor 
Published: August 2016

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of elevated antibodies and histological changes of celiac disease (CD) on intestinal biopsies among first‐degree relatives (FDR) of Iranian children with known CD and to describe the characteristics of the affected FDR.MethodThe FDR of 119 patients with CD in Iran were tested for tissue transglutaminase (TTG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels. Upper endoscopy and duodenal biopsy were recommended to those with elevated TTG‐IgA antibodies. The characteristics and clinical features of all CD patients were recorded.ResultsAltogether 480 FDR (52.7% females) participated in the study, of whom 63 had an elevated TTG‐IgA and 44 consented to undergo endoscopy with biopsies. Histology revealed Marsh 0 in six, Marsh I in seven, Marsh II in four and Marsh III in 27. Most of those with Marsh II or III changes were siblings (26/31). The prevalence of TTG‐IgA positivity among FDR was 13.1% and for biopsy‐confirmed CD (Marsh II and III) it was 6.5%. Most FDR with CD had symptoms, with the most common being abdominal pain (45.0%), followed by musculoskeletal pain (35.5%) and constipation (25.8%). FDR with Marsh III changes had significantly higher levels of TTG‐IgA.ConclusionsThe prevalence of CD in FDR in Iran is much higher compared with the general population (6.5% vs 0.5–0.6%). Testing should be considered for all FDR of Iranian patients with known CD and in particular in symptomatic cases.
Role of phenazines and cyclic lipopeptides produced by pseudomonas sp. CMR12a in induced systemic resistance on rice and bean
Authors: Ma Zongwang , Hua Gia Khuong Hoang , Ongena Marc , Höfte Monica 
Published: August 2016

SummaryPseudomonas sp. CMR12a produces two different classes of cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) (orfamides and sessilins), which all play a role in direct antagonism against soilborne pathogens. Here we show that Pseudomonas sp. CMR12a is also able to induce systemic resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae on rice and to the web blight pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG2‐2 on bean. Plant assays with biosynthesis mutants of Pseudomonas sp. CMR12a impaired in the production of phenazines and/or CLPs and purified metabolites revealed that distinct bacterial determinants are responsible for inducing systemic resistance in these two pathosystems. In rice, mutants impaired in phenazine production completely lost their ability to induce systemic resistance, while a soil drench with pure phenazine‐1‐carboxamide (PCN) at a concentration of 0.1 or 1 μM was active in inducing resistance against M. oryzae. In bean, mutants that only produced phenazines, sessilins or orfamides were still able to induce systemic resistance against Rhizoctonia web blight, but a balanced production of these metabolites was needed. This study not only shows that Pseudomonas sp. CMR12a can protect rice to blast disease and bean to web blight disease, but also displays that the determinants involved in induced systemic resistance are plant, pathogen and concentration dependent.
Electrophysiological and Behavioral Effects of Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Alcohol Approach Bias Retraining in Hazardous Drinkers
Authors: den Uyl Tess E. , Gladwin Thomas E. , Wiers Reinout W. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundCognitive bias modification (CBM) can be used to retrain automatic approach tendencies for alcohol. We investigated whether changing cortical excitability with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could enhance CBM effects in hazardous drinkers. We also studied the underlying mechanisms by including behavioral (craving, implicit associations, approach tendencies) and electrophysiological (event‐related potentials) measurements.MethodsThe analytical sample consisted of 78 hazardous drinkers (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test >8) randomly assigned to 4 conditions in a 2‐by‐2 factorial design (control/active CBM and sham/active tDCS). The intervention consisted of 3 sessions of CBM, specifically alcohol approach bias retraining, combined with 15 minutes 1 mA tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. There was a pre‐ and postassessment before and after the intervention that included experimental tasks (Approach Avoidance Task, Implicit Association Task) and an electroencephalogram with an oddball and cue‐reactivity task.ResultstDCS decreased cue‐induced craving (but not overall craving) on postassessment. CBM did not induce an avoidance bias during assessment. During the training, active and control‐CBM only differed in bias score during the first session. We found no enhancement effects of tDCS on CBM. Electrophysiological data showed no clear effects of active tDCS or CBM on the P300.ConclusionsThere were no electrophysiological or behavioral effects of repeated CBM and/or tDCS, except for an effect of tDCS on craving. Applied in these specific ways these techniques appear to have limited effects in a hazardous drinking population.
Trends and Correlates of Disparities in Alcohol‐Related Mortality Between Hispanics and Non‐Hispanic Whites in the United States, 1999 to 2014
Authors: Mejia de Grubb Maria C. , Salemi Jason L. , Gonzalez Sandra J. , Zoorob Roger J. , Levine Robert S. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundAmong Hispanics, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are among the leading causes of death despite generally lower alcohol consumption rates. Moreover, recent national studies have suggested temporal changes in Hispanic consumption and alcohol mortality, which raises the question of whether Hispanic white disparities in alcohol‐related mortality are also changing over time. This study aimed to describe temporal trends of alcohol‐related mortality between Hispanics and non‐Hispanic (NH) whites in the United States from 1999 to 2014 and to assess county‐level sociodemographic characteristics that are associated with racial/ethnic disparities in age‐adjusted alcohol‐related mortality.MethodsWe conducted a population‐based, cross‐sectional, ecologic study using multiple cause‐of‐death mortality data linked, at the county level, to census data from the American Community Survey.ResultsOverall, 77% of alcohol‐related deaths were among men, and Hispanic men had the highest age‐adjusted alcohol‐related mortality rate (41.6 per 100,000), followed by NH white men (34.8), NH white women (10.8), and Hispanic women (6.7). Whereas the relative gap in alcohol‐related mortality between NH white and Hispanic women increased from 1999 to 2014, the disparity between NH white and Hispanic men that was pronounced in earlier years was eliminated by 2012. From 2007 to 2014, when the race/ethnic disparity among men was decreasing, county‐specific Hispanic:NH white age‐adjusted mortality ratios (AAMRs) ranged from 0.29 to 2.64. Lower Hispanic rates were associated with large metropolitan counties, and those counties that tended to have Hispanic populations were less acculturated, as evidenced by their higher rates of being foreign‐born, non‐U.S. citizens or citizens through naturalization, and a higher proportion that do not speak English “very well.”ConclusionsSince 1999, whereas the increasing mortality rate among whites is leading to a widening gap among women, mortality differences between Hispanic and white men have been eliminated. The understanding of contextual factors that are associated with disparities in alcohol‐related mortality may assist in tailoring prevention efforts that meet the needs of minority populations.
The Australian experience following plain packaging: the impact on tobacco branding
Authors: Greenland Steven J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAimsBrands are critical to tobacco marketing. Industry stakeholders predicted that plain packaging, by removing key tangible branding dimensions, would restrict new products and brand differentiation. However, manufacturers respond innovatively to limit regulatory impact. This study investigates brand strategy following plain packaging's introduction to Australia.MethodsBrand portfolios were determined using 2006–15 tobacco ingredient reports. These detail the brand and variant names sold and are provided annually as part of a voluntary agreement between the Australian Government and leading manufacturers. Post‐plain packaging brand ranges were verified using retail price lists and a supermarket retail audit using a method used previously to verify a period of pre‐plain packaging data.ResultsThe verification process identified some data inaccuracies from one manufacturer which resulted in the issuing of corrected data. After plain packaging the leading manufacturers continued with extensive brand ranges differentiated by price. All launched new products. While total brand numbers fell from 29 to 24, the mean number of variants for the leading 12 brands grew from 8.9 to 9.7. Substantial variant name modifications occurred with 50 new or modified names in 2012–13. Among leading brands, the incidence of variant colour names increased from 49.5 to 79.3%.ConclusionsNew brands and variants were not inhibited by the introduction of plain packaging in Australia. After plain packaging, leading brand variant numbers expanded by 9 to 116 and colour variant names increased by 73.6% and became the norm—lighter colours (blue, gold and silver) dominated, perpetuating notions of less harmful cigarettes. [Correction added on 09 September 2016, after first online publication: The figures in the last sentence of the Abstract are now corrected from ‘expanded by 116’ to ‘expanded by 9 to 116’.]
Novel Y‐chromosome short tandem repeats in Sus scrofa and their variation in European wild boar and domestic pig populations
Authors: Iacolina L. , Brajković V. , Canu A. , Šprem N. , Cubric‐Curik V. , Fontanesi L. , Saarma U. , Apollonio M. , Scandura M. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryY‐chromosome markers are important tools for studying male‐specific gene flow within and between populations, hybridization patterns and kinship. However, their use in non‐human mammals is often hampered by the lack of Y‐specific polymorphic markers. We identified new male‐specific short tandem repeats (STRs) in Sus scrofa using the available genome sequence. We selected four polymorphic loci (5–10 alleles per locus), falling in one duplicated and two single‐copy regions. A total of 32 haplotypes were found by screening 211 individuals from eight wild boar populations across Europe and five domestic pig populations. European wild boar were characterized by significantly higher levels of haplotype diversity compared to European domestic pigs (HD = 0.904 ± 0.011 and HD = 0.491 ± 0.077 respectively). Relationships among STR haplotypes were investigated by combining them with single nucleotide polymorphisms at two linked genes (AMELY and UTY) in a network analysis. A differentiation between wild and domestic populations was observed (FST = 0.229), with commercial breeds sharing no Y haplotype with the sampled wild boar. Similarly, a certain degree of geographic differentiation was observed across Europe, with a number of local private haplotypes and high diversity in northern populations. The described Y‐chromosome markers can be useful to track male inheritance and gene flow in wild and domestic populations, promising to provide insights into evolutionary and population genetics in Sus scrofa.
Prevalence of maternal chronic diseases during pregnancy – a nationwide population based study from 1989 to 2013
Authors: Jølving Line Riis , Nielsen Jan , Kesmodel Ulrik Schiøler , Nielsen Rasmus Gaardskær , Beck‐Nielsen Signe Sparre , Nørgård Bente Mertz 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIntroductionThere is substantial evidence of a negative impact of maternal chronic disease during pregnancy on reproductive outcomes. Knowledge of the prevalence of chronic diseases during pregnancy is limited, but essential for a focused preventive effort regarding optimal disease control during pregnancy. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of chronic diseases during pregnancy.Material and MethodsThis register‐based cohort study included all women giving birth in Denmark between 1989 and 2013 based on data from Danish health registers. Maternal chronic diseases included 23 disease categories of both physical and mental health conditions recorded within a period of 10 years before childbirth.ResultsWe included 1 362 200 childbirths during the study period. The overall prevalence of maternal chronic disease increased from 3.71% in 1989 to 15.76% in 2013. The most frequently registered chronic diseases were chronic lung diseases/asthma (1.73%), thyroid disorders (1.50%) and anxiety and personality disorders (1.33%). Taking increasing maternal age at birth into account, the relative risk for women to have a chronic disease from 2009 to 2013 was 4.14 (95% CI 4.05–4.22), compared with mothers giving birth from 1989 to 1993.ConclusionsWe found an increasing prevalence of maternal chronic disease during pregnancy and more than a four‐fold increased risk of maternal chronic disease during pregnancy for childbirths in the period 2009 through 2013, compared with 1989 through 1993. The main limitation of our study is related to a potentially greater awareness and hence more careful registration of maternal chronic disease over time and thereby an increased tendency to register diseases.
Biomarkers in acute kidney injury – pathophysiological basis and clinical performance
Authors: Schrezenmeier E. V. , Barasch J. , Budde K. , Westhoff T. , Schmidt‐Ott K. M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractVarious biomarkers of acute kidney injury (AKI) have been discovered and characterized in the recent past. These molecules can be detected in urine or blood and signify structural damage to the kidney. Clinically, they are proposed as adjunct diagnostics to serum creatinine and urinary output to improve the early detection, differential diagnosis and prognostic assessment of AKI. The most obvious requirements for a biomarker include its reflection of the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. Hence, a biomarker of AKI should derive from the injured kidney and reflect a molecular process intimately connected with tissue injury. Here, we provide an overview of the basic pathophysiology, the cellular sources and the clinical performance of the most important currently proposed biomarkers of AKI: neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule‐1 (KIM‐1), liver‐type fatty acid‐binding protein (L‐FABP), interleukin‐18 (IL‐18), insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP‐2) and calprotectin (S100A8/9). We also acknowledge each biomarker's advantages and disadvantages as well as important knowledge gaps and perspectives for future studies.