bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Body Weight From Young Adulthood to Middle Age and Its Association With Blood Pressure and Hypertension: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Hong Kong Chinese Women
Authors: Xie Yao Jie , Ho Suzanne C. , Su Xuefen , Liu Zhao‐min 
Published: January 2016

Background

Few studies have examined the associations of weight changes from young adulthood to middle age with blood pressure (
BP
) and hypertension among Hong Kong Chinese women.

Methods and Results

Weight at age 18 (W
18
), current weight (W
current
), height,
BP
, demographics, and lifestyle factors were obtained from 1253 female nurses (35–65 years) by a self‐administered questionnaire through mail survey in Hong Kong. The conditional relative weight (
CRW;
a residual of W
current
regressed on W
18
) was used to express the relative weight change from age 18 to current age. The study results show that from young adulthood to middle age, 76.9%, 15.1%, and 8.0% of women had weight gain, weight loss, and stable weight, respectively. Women in the weight loss group had heavier W
18
than those in the weight gain group (
P
<0.05). Higher weight gain was associated with higher
BP
(
P
for trend <0.01). Women who belonged to the heaviest 10% both at age 18 and at present had highest
BP
than women in other weight categories. By giving W
18
, a 1‐kg increase in weight change predicted 0.63 and 0.42 mm Hg increases in systolic and diastolic
BP
, respectively (both
P
<0.001) and 12% greater odds of being hypertension (95% confidence interval, 1.08, 1.17). The
CRW
was positively associated with
BP
and hypertension; no interaction was found between
CRW
and W
current
on
BP
/hypertension.

Conclusions

A majority of Chinese women tended to become heavier throughout adult life. More weight gain led to the higher
BP
. Weight change is an independent predictor for later‐life
BP
and hypertension.
Intrinsic versus Practical Limits of Atmospheric Predictability and the Significance of the Butterfly Effect
Authors: Sun Y. Qiang , Zhang Fuqing 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Limits of intrinsic versus practical predictability are studied through examining multiscale error growth dynamics in idealized baroclinic waves with varying degrees of convective instabilities. In the dry experiment free of moist convection, error growth is controlled primarily by baroclinic instability under which forecast accuracy is inversely proportional to the amplitude of the baroclinically unstable initial-condition error (thus the prediction can be continuously improved without limit through reducing the initial error). Under the moist environment with strong convective instability, rapid upscale growth from moist convection leads to the forecast error being increasingly less sensitive to the scale and amplitude of the initial perturbations when the initial-error amplitude is getting smaller; these diminishing returns may ultimately impose a finite-time barrier to the forecast accuracy (limit of intrinsic predictability and the so-called “butterfly effect”). However, if the initial perturbation is sufficiently large in scale and amplitude (as for most current-day operational models), the baroclinic growth of large-scale finite-amplitude initial error will control the forecast accuracy for both dry and moist baroclinic waves; forecast accuracy can be improved (thus the limit of practical predictability can be extended) through the reduction of initial-condition errors, especially those at larger scales. Regardless of the initial-perturbation scales and amplitude, the error spectrum will adjust toward the slope of the background flow. Inclusion of strong moist convection changes the mesoscale kinetic energy spectrum slope from −3 to ~−5/3. This change further highlights the importance of convection and the relevance of the butterfly effect to both the intrinsic and practical limits of atmospheric predictability, especially at meso- and convective scales.
Hypothermia Associated With Thioridazine Use in an Intellectually Disabled Patient
Authors: Goodbar Nancy H. , Foushee Jaime A. , Nash Kathryn , Connolly Lindsey A. , Webster L. Markie 
Published: January 2016

Purpose: To report a case of hypothermia in a patient with intellectual disability treated with thioridazine. Summary: A 59-year-old female presented to the emergency department with altered mental status, generalized weakness, chills, and fatigue and was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. Upon completion of a history and physical examination, the patient was found to be hypothermic with a temperature of 91 F. A Bair Hugger protocol was initiated to manage hypothermia, and a taper schedule for thioridazine was initiated as it was identified as a possible culprit for the patient’s hypothermia. According to the Naranjo probability scale, thioridazine was a possible cause of this adverse effect. Other patient-specific risk factors for hypothermia were evaluated and ruled out. Conclusion: This case indicates a possible correlation between hypothermia and the use of phenothiazine antipsychotics such as thioridazine. Appropriate measures, including early detection and identification of possible causative agents, should be taken to prevent and treat this adverse event in patients taking these medications, specifically in patients with the inability to participate in self-care.
Integrating key competences in school physical education programmes
Authors: Lleixà Teresa , González-Arévalo Carles , Braz-Vieira Marcelo 
Published: January 2016

In 2006, the European Union published its recommendations on competences for lifelong learning. Since then, key competences have been integrated into the official curriculum in Spain. The objectives of the present study are: a) to describe the strategies used most frequently by physical education teachers to incorporate key competences in their programmes; and b) to identify the profiles of teachers and schools that promote the inclusion of key competences in their physical education programmes. Data were collected via a questionnaire administered to a sample of 2051 physical education teachers in primary and secondary schools in Spain. The results show that while teachers include key competences in their programmes, they do not usually do so explicitly. The competences most frequently included are: social and citizenship skills; autonomy and personal initiative; learning to learn; and knowledge of, and interaction with, the physical world. To develop these competences, lesson plans often aim to integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes, apply problem-solving approaches, and foster the transfer of learning to everyday life. The lack of interdisciplinarity emerges as a negative aspect. Factors favouring the inclusion of competences are the provision of competence-based training for teachers and the presence of a coordination system for dealing with competences in the school. The conclusion drawn is that merely including key competences in the official curriculum is not enough; reinforcement and correction of all the aspects mentioned are essential to ensure that adequate attention is paid to competences in physical education programmes.
Cost-effectiveness of an insertable cardiac monitor to detect atrial fibrillation in patients with cryptogenic stroke
Authors: Diamantopoulos Alex , Sawyer Laura M. , Lip Gregory YH , Witte Klaus K , Reynolds Matthew R , Fauchier Laurent , Thijs Vincent , Brown Ben , Quiroz Angulo Maria E , Diener Hans-Christoph 
Published: January 2016

Background and aims Documentation of atrial fibrillation is required to initiate oral anticoagulation therapy for recurrent stroke prevention. Atrial fibrillation often goes undetected with traditional electrocardiogram monitoring techniques. We evaluated whether atrial fibrillation detection using continuous long-term monitoring with an insertable cardiac monitor is cost-effective for preventing recurrent stroke in patients with cryptogenic stroke, in comparison to the standard of care. Methods A lifetime Markov model was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of insertable cardiac monitors from a UK National Health Service perspective using data from the randomized CRYSTAL-AF trial and other published literature. We also conducted scenario analyses (CHADS2 score) and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. All costs and benefits were discounted at 3.5%. Results Monitoring cryptogenic stroke patients with an insertable cardiac monitor was associated with fewer recurrent strokes and increased quality-adjusted life years compared to the standard of care (7.37 vs 7.22). Stroke-related costs were reduced in insertable cardiac monitor patients, but overall costs remained higher than the standard of care (£19,631 vs £17,045). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £17,175 per quality-adjusted life years gained, compared to standard of care in the base-case scenario, which is below established quality-adjusted life years willingness-to-pay thresholds. When warfarin replaced non-vitamin-K oral anticoagulants as the main anticoagulation therapy, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £13,296 per quality-adjusted life years gained. Conclusion Insertable cardiac monitors are a cost-effective diagnostic tool for the prevention of recurrent stroke in patients with cryptogenic stroke. The cost-effectiveness results have relevance for the UK and across value-based healthcare systems that assess costs relative to outcomes.
Modeling autosomal dominant optic atrophy using induced pluripotent stem cells and identifying potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Chen Jing , Riazifar Hamidreza , Guan Min-Xin , Huang Taosheng 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundMany retinal degenerative diseases are caused by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Autosomal dominant optic atrophy is the most common hereditary optic atrophy disease and is characterized by central vision loss and degeneration of RGCs. Currently, there is no effective treatment for this group of diseases. However, stem cell therapy holds great potential for replacing lost RGCs of patients. Compared with embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be derived from adult somatic cells, and they are associated with fewer ethical concerns and are less prone to immune rejection. In addition, patient-derived iPSCs may provide us with a cellular model for studying the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic agents for optic atrophy.MethodsIn this study, iPSCs were obtained from patients carrying anOPA1mutation (OPA1+/−-iPSC) that were diagnosed with optic atrophy. These iPSCs were differentiated into putative RGCs, which were subsequently characterized by using RGC-specific expression markers BRN3a and ISLET-1.ResultsMutantOPA1+/−-iPSCs exhibited significantly more apoptosis and were unable to efficiently differentiate into RGCs. However, with the addition of neural induction medium, Noggin, or estrogen,OPA1+/−-iPSC differentiation into RGCs was promoted.ConclusionsOur results suggest that apoptosis mediated byOPA1mutations plays an important role in the pathogenesis of optic atrophy, and both noggin and β-estrogen may represent potential therapeutic agents forOPA1-related optic atrophy.
Iterative algorithm for a family of split equilibrium problems and fixed point problems in Hilbert spaces with applications
Authors: Wang Shenghua , Gong Xiaoying , Abdou Afrah AN , Cho Yeol Je 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we propose an iterative algorithm and, by using the proposed algorithm, prove some strong convergence theorems for finding a common element of the set of solutions of a finite family of split equilibrium problems and the set of common fixed points of a countable family of nonexpansive mappings in Hilbert spaces. An example is given to illustrate the main result of this paper. As an application, we construct an algorithm to solve an optimization problem.
A new iterative algorithm for the sum of infinite m-accretive mappings and infinite $\mu_{i}$-inversely strongly accretive mappings and its applications to integro-differential systems
Authors: Wei Li , Agarwal Ravi P 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA new three-step iterative algorithm for approximating the zero point of the sum of an infinite family of m-accretive mappings and an infinite family of $\mu_{i}$

μ
i

-inversely strongly accretive mappings in a real q-uniformly smooth and uniformly convex Banach space is presented. The computational error in each step is being considered. A strong convergence theorem is proved by means of some new techniques, which extend the corresponding work by some authors. The relationship between the zero point of the sum of an infinite family of m-accretive mappings and an infinite family of $\mu_{i}$

μ
i

-inversely strongly accretive mappings and the solution of one kind variational inequalities is investigated. As an application, an integro-differential system is exemplified, from which we construct an infinite family of m-accretive mappings and an infinite family of $\mu_{i}$

μ
i

-inversely strongly accretive mappings. Moreover, the iterative sequence of the solution of the integro-differential systems is obtained.
Whole exome sequencing identifies novel candidate genes that modify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease susceptibility
Authors: Bruse Shannon , Moreau Michael , Bromberg Yana , Jang Jun-Ho , Wang Nan , Ha Hongseok , Picchi Maria , Lin Yong , Langley Raymond J. , Qualls Clifford , Klesney-Tait Julia , Zabner Joseph , Leng Shuguang , Mao Jenny , Belinsky Steven A. , Xing Jinchuan , Nyunoya Toru 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an irreversible airflow limitation in response to inhalation of noxious stimuli, such as cigarette smoke. However, only 15–20 % smokers manifest COPD, suggesting a role for genetic predisposition. Although genome-wide association studies have identified common genetic variants that are associated with susceptibility to COPD, effect sizes of the identified variants are modest, as is the total heritability accounted for by these variants. In this study, an extreme phenotype exome sequencing study was combined with in vitro modeling to identify COPD candidate genes.

Results
We performed whole exome sequencing of 62 highly susceptible smokers and 30 exceptionally resistant smokers to identify rare variants that may contribute to disease risk or resistance to COPD. This was a cross-sectional case-control study without therapeutic intervention or longitudinal follow-up information. We identified candidate genes based on rare variant analyses and evaluated exonic variants to pinpoint individual genes whose function was computationally established to be significantly different between susceptible and resistant smokers. Top scoring candidate genes from these analyses were further filtered by requiring that each gene be expressed in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). A total of 81 candidate genes were thus selected for in vitro functional testing in cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-exposed HBECs. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated gene silencing experiments, we showed that silencing of several candidate genes augmented CSE-induced cytotoxicity in vitro.

Conclusions
Our integrative analysis through both genetic and functional approaches identified two candidate genes (TACC2 and MYO1E) that augment cigarette smoke (CS)-induced cytotoxicity and, potentially, COPD susceptibility.
Foraging at wastewater treatment works affects brown adipose tissue fatty acid profiles in banana bats
Authors: Hill Kate , van Aswegen Sunet , Schoeman M. Corrie , Claassens Sarina , Jansen van Rensburg Peet , Naidoo Samantha , Vosloo Dalene 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTIn this study we tested the hypothesis that the decrease in habitat quality at wastewater treatment works (WWTW), such as limited prey diversity and exposure to the toxic cocktail of pollutants, affect fatty acid profiles of interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBrAT) in bats. Further, the antioxidant capacity of oxidative tissues such as pectoral and cardiac muscle may not be adequate to protect those tissues against reactive molecules resulting from polyunsaturated fatty acid auto-oxidation in the WWTW bats. Bats were sampled at two urban WWTW, and two unpolluted reference sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Brown adipose tissue (BrAT) mass was lower in WWTW bats than in reference site bats. We found lower levels of saturated phospholipid fatty acids and higher levels of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids in WWTW bats than in reference site bats, while C18 desaturation and n-6 to n-3 ratios were higher in the WWTW bats. This was not associated with high lipid peroxidation levels in pectoral and cardiac muscle. Combined, these results indicate that WWTW bats rely on iBrAT as an energy source, and opportunistic foraging on abundant, pollutant-tolerant prey may change fatty acid profiles in their tissue, with possible effects on mitochondrial functioning, torpor and energy usage.
Biosignature for airway inflammation in a house dust mite-challenged murine model of allergic asthma
Authors: Piyadasa Hadeesha , Altieri Anthony , Basu Sujata , Schwartz Jacquie , Halayko Andrew J. , Mookherjee Neeloffer 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
House dust mite (HDM) challenge is commonly used in murine models of allergic asthma for preclinical pathophysiological studies. However, few studies define objective readouts or biomarkers in this model. In this study we characterized immune responses and defined molecular markers that are specifically altered after HDM challenge. In this murine model, we used repeated HDM challenge for two weeks which induced hallmarks of allergic asthma seen in humans, including airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and elevated levels of circulating total and HDM-specific IgE and IgG1. Kinetic studies showed that at least 24 h after last HDM challenge results in significant AHR along with eosinophil infiltration in the lungs. Histologic assessment of lung revealed increased epithelial thickness and goblet cell hyperplasia, in the absence of airway wall collagen deposition, suggesting ongoing tissue repair concomitant with acute allergic lung inflammation. Thus, this model may be suitable to delineate airway inflammation processes that precede airway remodeling and development of fixed airway obstruction. We observed that a panel of cytokines e.g. IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, KC, TNF-α, IL-13, IL-33, MDC and TARC were elevated in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar fluid, indicating local lung inflammation. However, levels of these cytokines remained unchanged in serum, reflecting lack of systemic inflammation in this model. Based on these findings, we further monitored the expression of 84 selected genes in lung tissues by quantitative real-time PCR array, and identified 31 mRNAs that were significantly up-regulated in lung tissue from HDM-challenged mice. These included genes associated with human asthma (e.g. clca3, ear11, il-13, il-13ra2, il-10, il-21, arg1 and chia1) and leukocyte recruitment in the lungs (e.g. ccl11, ccl12 and ccl24). This study describes a biosignature to enable broad and systematic interrogation of molecular mechanisms and intervention strategies for airway inflammation pertinent to allergic asthma that precedes and possibly potentiates airway remodeling and fibrosis.
METACASPASE9 modulates autophagy to confine cell death to the target cells during Arabidopsis vascular xylem differentiation
Authors: Escamez Sacha , André Domenique , Zhang Bo , Bollhöner Benjamin , Pesquet Edouard , Tuominen Hannele 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
We uncovered that the level of autophagy in plant cells undergoing programmed cell death determines the fate of the surrounding cells. Our approach consisted of using Arabidopsis thaliana cell cultures capable of differentiating into two different cell types: vascular tracheary elements (TEs) that undergo programmed cell death (PCD) and protoplast autolysis, and parenchymatic non-TEs that remain alive. The TE cell type displayed higher levels of autophagy when expression of the TE-specific METACASPASE9 (MC9) was reduced using RNAi (MC9-RNAi). Misregulation of autophagy in the MC9-RNAi TEs coincided with ectopic death of the non-TEs, implying the existence of an autophagy-dependent intercellular signalling from within the TEs towards the non-TEs. Viability of the non-TEs was restored when AUTOPHAGY2 (ATG2) was downregulated specifically in MC9-RNAi TEs, demonstrating the importance of autophagy in the spatial confinement of cell death. Our results suggest that other eukaryotic cells undergoing PCD might also need to tightly regulate their level of autophagy to avoid detrimental consequences for the surrounding cells.
The provision of total hip replacement for displaced intracapsular hip fractures
Authors:   Collaborative Orthopaedic Research Network
Published: January 2016

Introduction The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) currently recommends the use of total hip replacement (THR) for displaced intracapsular hip fractures in patients who meet certain mobility, cognitive and health criteria. Methods A multicentre prospective audit was conducted within a defined geographic region to assess current practice and variation in provision of THR for displaced intracapsular hip fractures. Results A total of 879 patients with hip fractures, admitted to 8 acute trauma units, were included in this study. Of 462 patients with displaced intracapsular hip fractures, 169 fulfilled the NICE criteria for THR. THR was performed for only 49 of (29%) the eligible patients. There was significant variation in THR provision between the eight units (0% to 50% THR usage, p<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in age, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) grade, abbreviated mental test score and walking ability prior to the injury between patients who underwent fixation, THR or hemiarthroplasty (all p≤0.05). There was a significantly increased chance of not undergoing THR if a patient was older than 77 years (median age for the THR eligible cohort; relative risk [RR]: 7.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8–22.0, p<0.001). There was also a trend for this with patients who were ASA grade 3 compared with ASA grade 1 or 2 (RR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.0–7.3, p=0.06). The surgeons gave multifactorial reasons for not performing THR in eligible patients. Conclusions There is significant variation in the provision of THR for eligible hip fracture patients, which is influenced by both patient demographics and the unit to which a patient is admitted.
SOX17 promoter methylation in plasma circulating tumor DNA of patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Balgkouranidou Ioanna , Chimonidou Maria , Milaki Georgia , Tsaroucha Emily , Kakolyris Stylianos , Georgoulias Vasilis , Lianidou Evi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSOX17 belongs to the high-mobility group-box transcription factor superfamily and down-regulates the Wnt pathway. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic significance ofWe examined the methylation status ofIn operable NSCLC,Our results show that
Analytical and clinical evaluation of the new Fujirebio Lumipulse®G non-competitive assay for 25(OH)-vitamin D and three immunoassays for 25(OH)D in healthy subjects, osteoporotic patients, third trimester pregnant women, healthy African subjects, hemodialyzed and intensive care patients
Authors: Cavalier Etienne , Lukas Pierre , Bekaert Anne-Catherine , Peeters Stéphanie , Le Goff Caroline , Yayo Eric , Delanaye Pierre , Souberbielle Jean-Claude 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn this study, we provide a short analytical evaluation of the new Fujirebio LumipulseLumipulseThe LumipulseFujirebio Lumipulse