bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of renal function on serum concentration of 1,5‐anhydroglucitol in type 2 diabetic patients in chronic kidney disease stages I–III: A comparative study with HbA1c and glycated albumin
Authors: Hasslacher Christoph , Kulozik Felix 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackground1,5‐Anhydroglucitol (1,5‐AG) is a new blood glucose control marker reflecting temporary glucose elevations. However, 1,5‐AG is of limited value in patients with advanced renal insufficiency. The aim of the present study was to assess the correlation between 1,5‐AG levels and renal function in patients with earlier stages of nephropathy compared with another two markers of diabetes control, namely HbA1c and glycated albumin (GA).MethodsThe following parameters were measured in 377 patients with type 2 diabetes: HbA1c, serum concentrations of 1,5‐AG, GA and creatinine, hemoglobin, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, and urinary excretion of α1‐microglobulin (A1M). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated according to the Cockgroft–Gault formula.ResultsThere was a negative correlation between 1,5‐AG and renal function (r = −0.18; P < 0.001). Concentrations of 1,5‐AG were, on average, 27.2% lower in patients with glomerular hyperfiltration (eGFR >120 mL/min) compared with patients with moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30–59 mL/min; P = 0.016). In contrast, HbA1c, GA levels and urinary A1M excretion did not differ between the two patient groups. The mean age of patients with eGFR 30–59 mL/min was substantially higher than that of patients with glomerular hyperfiltration (P < 0.001). Thus, an age‐related change in the renal glucose threshold could be the reason for the observed correlation between 1,5‐AG and renal function.ConclusionsIn clinical practice, age and renal function must be taken into consideration when interpreting 1,5‐AG levels, even in the absence of advanced renal impairment.
polypatex: an r package for paternity exclusion in autopolyploids
Authors: Zwart Alexander B. , Elliott Carole , Hopley Tara , Lovell David , Young Andrew 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMicrosatellite markers have demonstrated their value for performing paternity exclusion and hence exploring mating patterns in plants and animals. Methodology is well established for diploid species, and several software packages exist for elucidating paternity in diploids; however, these issues are not so readily addressed in polyploids due to the increased complexity of the exclusion problem and a lack of available software. We introduce polypatex, an r package for paternity exclusion analysis using microsatellite data in autopolyploid, monoecious or dioecious/bisexual species with a ploidy of 4n, 6n or 8n. Given marker data for a set of offspring, their mothers and a set of candidate fathers, polypatex uses allele matching to exclude candidates whose marker alleles are incompatible with the alleles in each offspring–mother pair. polypatex can analyse marker data sets in which allele copy numbers are known (genotype data) or unknown (allelic phenotype data) – for data sets in which allele copy numbers are unknown, comparisons are made taking into account all possible genotypes that could arise from the compared allele sets. polypatex is a software tool that provides population geneticists with the ability to investigate the mating patterns of autopolyploids using paternity exclusion analysis on data from codominant markers having multiple alleles per locus.
Involvement of Inhibitory Receptors in Modulating Dopamine Signaling and Synaptic Activity Following Acute Ethanol Exposure in Striatal Subregions
Authors: Clarke Rhona B. C. , Söderpalm Bo , Lotfi Amir , Ericson Mia , Adermark Louise 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundAlcohol acts on both inhibitory and excitatory receptor systems resulting in a net increase in dopamine output in the ventral striatum (nucleus accumbens [nAc]), which is implicated in drug reward. However, the dorsal striatum may also be involved in reward‐related behaviors. The objectives of this study were to investigate the role of inhibitory receptors in modulating the acute effects of ethanol (EtOH) on dopamine release and synaptic activity in the shell region of the nAc (nAcS) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS).MethodsEtOH (300 mM) was administered via reversed microdialysis in the nAcS or DLS of Wistar rats following pretreatment with glycine or GABAA receptor antagonist strychnine and bicuculline, respectively. Dopamine content in dialysate samples was quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography. In addition, local field potential recordings were performed in the nAcS and DLS in slices from Wistar rats. Population spike (PS) amplitude was measured following treatment with EtOH (50 mM) in slices pretreated with strychnine or bicuculline.ResultsLocal EtOH increased dopamine levels in both regions, an effect that strychnine pretreatment inhibited in the nAcS. EtOH‐induced increases in accumbal dopamine were not blocked by a low (5 μM) concentration of bicuculline, but were inhibited by pretreatment with higher bicuculline concentrations. None of the antagonists administered in the DLS prevented the EtOH‐induced dopamine increase. Field potential recordings in the nAcS showed that acute EtOH produced an increase in PS amplitude which was blocked by both strychnine and bicuculline. In the DLS, EtOH induced a decrease in PS amplitude which was not influenced by strychnine or bicuculline.ConclusionsThe current results show that changes in striatal dopamine output and synaptic activity induced by acute EtOH administration are modulated by inhibitory receptors in a subregion‐specific manner.
Immediate and Complex Cardiovascular Adaptation to an Acute Alcohol Dose
Authors: Buckman Jennifer F. , Eddie David , Vaschillo Evgeny G. , Vaschillo Bronya , Garcia Aaron , Bates Marsha E. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundThe detrimental effects of chronic heavy alcohol use on the cardiovascular system are well established and broadly appreciated. Integrated cardiovascular response to an acute dose of alcohol has been less studied. This study examined the early effects of an acute dose of alcohol on the cardiovascular system, with particular emphasis on system variability and sensitivity. The goal was to begin to understand how acute alcohol disrupts dynamic cardiovascular regulatory processes prior to the development of cardiovascular disease.MethodsHealthy participants (N = 72, age 21 to 29) were randomly assigned to an alcohol, placebo, or no‐alcohol control beverage condition. Beat‐to‐beat heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were assessed during a low‐demand cognitive task prior to and following beverage consumption. Between‐group differences in neurocardiac response to an alcohol challenge (blood alcohol concentration ~ 0.06 mg/dl) were tested.ResultsThe alcohol beverage group showed higher average HR, lower average stroke volume, lower HR variability and BP variability, and increased vascular tone baroreflex sensitivity after alcohol consumption. No changes were observed in the placebo group, but the control group showed slightly elevated average HR and BP after beverage consumption, possibly due to juice content. At the level of the individual, an active alcohol dose appeared to disrupt the typically tight coupling between cardiovascular processes.ConclusionsA dose of alcohol quickly invoked multiple cardiovascular responses, possibly as an adaptive reaction to the acute pharmacological challenge. Future studies should assess how exposure to alcohol acutely disrupts or dissociates typically integrated neurocardiac functions.
Emotion Regulation in Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Petit Géraldine , Luminet Olivier , Maurage François , Tecco Juan , Lechantre Stéphane , Ferauge Marc , Gross James J. , de Timary Philippe 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundThe main aim of this study was to investigate, in alcohol‐dependent (AD) patients, the use of the 5 emotion regulation strategies specified in Gross's (1998, Rev Gen Psychol, 2, 271) process model of emotion regulation with the use of a semi‐structured interview allowing a detailed and high‐quality assessment of emotion regulation strategies. A secondary aim was to examine the possible influence of protracted abstinence and detoxification on emotion dysregulation. Finally, the association between the level of craving and the types of regulation strategies was investigated.MethodsForty‐four treatment‐seeking AD patients with varying time spent in rehabilitation, and 26 healthy controls were interviewed using a version of the Emotion Regulation Interview (Werner et al., 2011, J Psychopathol Behav Assess, 33, 346) adapted to alcohol dependence.ResultsCompared to controls, AD patients reported significantly greater use of response modulation and attentional deployment, but lesser use of cognitive change. Among patients, (1) rehabilitation duration was positively correlated with the use of cognitive change and (2) the use of response modulation was positively associated with the level of craving.ConclusionsThese findings clarify the specific pattern of emotion dysregulation associated with alcohol dependence. They also suggest that (1) abstinence is associated with a shift toward more adaptive emotion regulation patterns and that (2) inefficient regulation strategies may lead to craving and the maintenance of alcohol use. If these findings are confirmed through longitudinal and mediation designs, they will have important clinical implications.
Sociodemographic correlates of continuing tobacco use – a descriptive report from the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Authors: Uwakwe R. , Gureje O. 
Published: November 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate whether sociodemographic factors were associated with continuing tobacco use in a nationwide Nigerian sample.MethodThe World Mental Health Survey Schedule was used to interview 6752 Community dwelling participants 18 years and over, selected in a complex multistage sampling from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Ever and current smokers were identified with their sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsAbout 17% (1137/6752) of the participants were ever smokers, 24.8% of whom were current smokers. Participants who completed primary school, had some College education, were never married, or students were more likely to continue using smoke once they commenced its use. Being in the older age group or having had graduate college education was associated with much less likelihood of continuing to use tobacco among ever smokers.ConclusionIn general, tobacco smoking rate in Nigeria is lower compared to most developed countries. Younger participants, having some education, those who were never married were more likely to continue tobacco smoking. Determinants of factors associated with continuing tobacco use should be adequately investigated to permit appropriate interventions.
Population trends in smoking, alcohol use and primary prevention variables among adolescents in Iceland, 1997–2014
Authors: Kristjansson Alfgeir L. , Sigfusdottir Inga Dora , Thorlindsson Thorolfur , Mann Michael J. , Sigfusson Jon , Allegrante John P. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimsTo estimate linear time‐trends in substance use and primary prevention variables in adolescents in Iceland from 1997 to 2014.DesignRepeated, cross‐sectional population‐based school surveys with seven waves of pooled data.Setting: Iceland.ParticipantsAll accessible students enrolled in the 9th and 10th grades in the national Icelandic school system during the spring of 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2014 (n = 50 412, boys = 50%). Response rates ranged between 81 and 90% of the population.MeasurementsMeasures on substance use included smoking and alcohol use. Primary prevention measures included parental monitoring, parental social involvement, participation in organized sports and reduced participation in a party life‐style.FindingsSubstance use decreased consistently during the study period. For example, 30‐day drunkenness declined from 29.6 in 1997 to 3.6% in 2014 (linear trend: χ2(1) = 2846.8, P < 0.001), and daily smoking during the last 30 days declined from 17.0 to 1.6% during the same period (linear trend: χ2(1) = 1614.3, P < 0.001). Primary prevention factors strengthened over time. For example, the mean score for parents knowing where their children are in the evenings rose from 2.44 in 1997 to 3.08 in 2014 (Ftrend(1, 42635), 2538.3, P < 0.001), and mean scores for participation in party life‐style declined from 2.23 in 1997 to 1.71 in 2014 (Ftrend(1, 38773), 2033.1, P < .001).ConclusionsSubstance use among adolescents in Iceland has declined steadily from 1997 to 2014, while primary prevention factors for substance use have increased in strength during the same time‐period.
Malmö Treatment Referral and Intervention Study (MATRIS)—effective referral from syringe exchange to treatment for heroin dependence: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bråbäck Martin , Nilsson Suzan , Isendahl Pernilla , Troberg Katja , Brådvik Louise , Håkansson Anders 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimsSyringe exchange has been suggested as a potential conduit to treatment for drug dependence, but this has never been documented in Europe. The primary aim was to compare the effectiveness of strength‐based case management intervention (CMI) against referral only to facilitate treatment attendance in a syringe exchange programme. We also assessed the effectiveness of a syringe exchange programme for referral of heroin‐dependent patients to evidence‐based treatment with methadone or buprenorphine (buprenorphine–naloxone).DesignSingle‐site, two‐group randomized controlled trial.SettingThe syringe exchange programme in Malmö, Sweden and an out‐patient clinic (research treatment facility) for maintenance treatment, situated outside the hospital area and run by Malmö Addiction Centre.ParticipantsHeroin‐dependent patients willing to participate (n = 75) were referred to maintenance treatment and randomized to either a strength‐based case management intervention aiming to facilitate referral (n = 36) or to referral‐only (n = 39).InterventionThe intervention group received an appointment for maintenance treatment and a CMI adjusted to individual patient needs. The CMI was semi‐structured, assessing the patients’ strengths and needs and identifying what practical help they might need to get to the appointment for maintenance treatment. The control group received an appointment for maintenance treatment.MeasuresThe primary outcome was treatment entry.FindingsAmong patients who turned up for recruitment interview and randomization, the percentage of patients who started treatment was 95% in the intervention group and 94% in the control group. Treatment entry was unrelated to intervention status [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.92 (0.12–6.89), P = 1.00 and adjusted OR = 0.96 (0.12–7.83)].ConclusionsA randomized controlled trial in a syringe exchange programme showed no evidence that a strength‐based case management intervention improved attendance for treatment over referral alone. Attendance rates were high in both groups.
Development of a pharmacokinetic‐guided dose individualization strategy for hydroxyurea treatment in children with sickle cell anaemia
Authors: Dong Min , McGann Patrick T. , Mizuno Tomoyuki , Ware Russell E. , Vinks Alexander A. 
Published: November 2015

AIMSHydroxyurea has emerged as the primary disease‐modifying therapy for patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). The laboratory and clinical benefits of hydroxyurea are optimal at maximum tolerated dose (MTD), but the current empirical dose escalation process often takes up to 12 months. The purpose of this study was to develop a pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing strategy to reduce the time required to reach hydroxyurea MTD in children with SCA.MethodsPharmacokinetic (PK) data from the HUSTLE trial (NCT00305175) were used to develop a population PK model using non‐linear mixed effects modelling (nonmem 7.2). A D‐optimal sampling strategy was developed to estimate individual PK and hydroxyurea exposure (area under the concentration–time curve (AUC)). The initial AUC target was derived from HUSTLE clinical data and defined as the mean AUC at MTD.ResultsPK profiles were best described by a one compartment with Michaelis–Menten elimination and a transit absorption model. Body weight and cystatin C were identified as significant predictors of hydroxyurea clearance. The following clinically feasible sampling times are included in a new prospective protocol: pre‐dose (baseline), 15–20 min, 50–60 min and 3 h after an initial 20 mg kg–1 oral dose. The mean target AUC(0,∞) for initial dose titration was 115 mg l–1 h.ConclusionWe developed a PK model‐based individualized dosing strategy for the prospective Therapeutic Response Evaluation and Adherence Trial (TREAT, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02286154). This approach has the potential to optimize the dose titration of hydroxyurea therapy for children with SCA, such that the clinical benefits at MTD are achieved more quickly.
Social rhythm disrupting events increase the risk of recurrence among individuals with bipolar disorder
Authors: Levenson Jessica C , Wallace Meredith L , Anderson Barbara P , Kupfer David J , Frank Ellen 
Published: November 2015

ObjectivesAs outlined in the social zeitgeber hypothesis, social rhythm disrupting (SRD) life events begin a cascade of social and biological rhythm disruption that may lead to the onset of affective episodes in those vulnerable to bipolar disorder. Thus, the study of SRD events is particularly important in individuals with this chronic condition. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate (i) the extent to which SRD life events increased the risk of recurrence of a bipolar mood episode, and (ii) whether the social rhythm disruption associated with the event conferred an increased risk of recurrence, after accounting for the level of threat associated with the life event.MethodsWe examined the effect of SRD events on recurrence during preventative treatment in a sample of 118 patients with bipolar disorder who achieved remission from an acute episode after receiving psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Life events were measured with the Bedford College Life Events and Difficulty Schedule and were rated for degree of SRD and threat.ResultsTime‐dependent Cox proportional hazards models showed that having a higher SRD rating was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence, even when accounting for the threat effect of a life event and psychosocial treatment (hazard ratio = 1.33, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–1.70, p = 0.023). However, this finding fell below conventional levels of statistical significance when accounting for other covariates.ConclusionsOur findings lend partial support to the social zeitgeber hypothesis.
Phonological Concept Learning
Authors: Moreton Elliott , Pater Joe , Pertsova Katya 
Published: November 2015

AbstractLinguistic and non‐linguistic pattern learning have been studied separately, but we argue for a comparative approach. Analogous inductive problems arise in phonological and visual pattern learning. Evidence from three experiments shows that human learners can solve them in analogous ways, and that human performance in both cases can be captured by the same models. We test GMECCS (Gradual Maximum Entropy with a Conjunctive Constraint Schema), an implementation of the Configural Cue Model (Gluck & Bower,) in a Maximum Entropy phonotactic‐learning framework (Goldwater & Johnson,; Hayes & Wilson,) with a single free parameter, against the alternative hypothesis that learners seek featurally simple algebraic rules (“rule‐seeking”). We study the full typology of patterns introduced by Shepard, Hovland, and Jenkins () (“SHJ”), instantiated as both phonotactic patterns and visual analogs, using unsupervised training. Unlike SHJ, Experiments 1 and 2 found that both phonotactic and visual patterns that depended on fewer features could bemoredifficult than those that depended on more features, as predicted by GMECCS but not by rule‐seeking. GMECCS also correctly predicted performance differences between stimulus subclasses within each pattern. A third experiment tried supervised training (which can facilitate rule‐seeking in visual learning) to elicit simple rule‐seeking phonotactic learning, but cue‐based behavior persisted. We conclude that similar cue‐based cognitive processes are available for phonological and visual concept learning, and hence that studying either kind of learning can lead to significant insights about the other.
Corporate Governance and Credit Access in Brazil: The Sarbanes‐Oxley Act as a Natural Experiment
Authors: Funchal Bruno , Monte‐Mor Danilo Soares 
Published: November 2015

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThis study seeks to examine the effect of changes in corporate governance levels on the choice of firms' debt financing in a relevant emerging economy, taking advantage of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act as a natural experiment.Research Findings/InsightsOur empirical method uses an experimental design in which we control for observed and unobserved firm heterogeneity via a difference‐in‐differences estimator. We show that firms subjected to this new regulation, which raised governance requirements, observed a positive effect on their access to the credit market, increasing their total debt significantly, via long‐term and private debt, and reducing the cost of debt, indicating that SOX produced economic gains in this aspect.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsThe main contribution of the present paper is to measure the corporate governance effects on firms' debt financing policies, isolated from other contemporaneous events. Furthermore, we develop a simple theoretical model to help in the understanding of the main sources of SOX's effects. Finally, the natural experimental approach deals with the endogenous relation between corporate governance and firms' choices on debt financing, and presents an alternative to instrumental variables techniques.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsThis paper offers insights to policymakers of emerging economies interested in the development of the credit market. Using laws and regulations like the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act, we show that it is possible to improve firms' governance, with a positive impact on firms' ability to access credit.
Testing enhances subsequent learning in older but not in younger elementary school children
Authors: Aslan Alp , Bäuml Karl‐Heinz T. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIn adults, testing can enhance subsequent learning by reducing interference from the tested information. Here, we examined this forward effect of testing in children. Younger and older elementary school children and adult controls studied four lists of items in anticipation of a final cumulative recall test. Following presentation of each of the first three lists, participants were immediately tested on the respective list, or the list was re‐presented for additional study. Results revealed that, compared to additional study, immediate testing of Lists 1–3 enhanced memory for the subsequently studied List 4 in adults and older elementary school children, but not in younger elementary school children. The findings indicate that the forward effect of testing is a relatively late‐maturing phenomenon that develops over middle childhood and is still inefficient in the early elementary school years. Together with the results of other recent studies, these findings point to a more general problem in young children in combating interference.