bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance elastography identifies fibrosis in adults with alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency liver disease: a prospective study
Authors: Kim R. G. , Nguyen P. , Bettencourt R. , Dulai P. S. , Haufe W. , Hooker J. , Minocha J. , Valasek M. A. , Aryafar H. , Brenner D. A. , Sirlin C. B. , Loomba R. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryBackgroundLimited data exist on the clinical presentation and non‐invasive detection of liver fibrosis in adults with homozygous Z genotype alpha‐1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency.AimsTo compare demographic, biochemical, histological and imaging data of AAT deficient patients to normal‐control and biopsy‐proven non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in detecting fibrosis in AAT deficiency.MethodsStudy includes 33 participants, 11 per group, who underwent clinical research evaluation, liver biopsy (AAT and NAFLD groups), and MRE. Histological fibrosis was quantified using a modified Ishak 6‐point scale and liver stiffness by MRE. Diagnostic performance of MRE in detecting fibrosis was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsMean (±s.d.) of age and BMI of normal‐control, AAT and NAFLD groups was 57 (±19), 57 (±18), and 57 (±13) years, and 22.7 (±2.5), 24.8 (±4.0) and 31.0 (±5.1) kg/m2 respectively. Serum ALT [mean ± s.d.] was similar within normal‐control [16.4 ± 4.0] and AAT groups [23.5 ± 10.8], but was significantly lower in AAT than NAFLD even after adjustment for stage of fibrosis (P < 0.05, P = 0.0172). For fibrosis detection, MRE‐estimated stiffness had an area under the ROC curve of 0.90 (P < 0.0001); an MRE threshold of ≥3.0 kPa provided 88.9% accuracy, with 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity to detect presence of any fibrosis (stage ≥1).ConclusionsThis pilot prospective study suggests magnetic resonance elastography may be accurate for identifying fibrosis in patients with alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency. Larger validation studies are warranted.
Opioid and cannabinoid synergy in a mouse neuropathic pain model
Authors: Kazantzis Nicholas P , Casey Sherelle L , Seow Patrick W , Mitchell Vanessa A , Vaughan Christopher W 
Published: June 2016

Background and PurposeClinical studies have reported that pan‐cannabinoid receptor agonists may have efficacy in neuropathic pain states and that this might be enhanced by co‐administration with opioids. While cannabinoid–opioid analgesic synergy has been demonstrated in animal models of acute pain, it has not been examined in neuropathic pain models. We examined the effect of combination treatment with cannabinoid and opioid receptor agonists on allodynia and side effects in a nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain model.Experimental ApproachC57BL/6 mice were subjected to chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. The effects of systemic administration of morphine and the pan‐cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55212, on allodynia and side effects were examined at 7–10 days post‐CCI surgery. Isobolographic analysis was used to determine whether the effects of the combination were synergistic.Key ResultsThe opioid agonist morphine reduced CCI‐induced mechanical and cold allodynia and produced motor incoordination, in a dose‐dependent manner. WIN55212 reduced CCI‐induced allodynia and produced motor incoordination, catalepsy and sedation, in a dose‐dependent manner, as we have observed previously. When administered together, WIN55212 and morphine reduced allodynia in a synergistic manner but had only an additive effect on motor incoordination.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese findings indicate that administration of a combination of a non‐selective opioid and cannabinoid receptor agonist synergistically reduces nerve injury‐induced allodynia, while producing side effects in an additive manner. This suggests that this combination treatment has an improved anti‐allodynic potency and therapeutic index in a neuropathic pain model.
Reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ‐SP) in school‐age children
Authors: Lucas‐de la Cruz L. , Martínez‐Vizcaino V. , Álvarez‐Bueno C. , Arias‐Palencia N. , Sánchez‐López M. , Notario‐Pacheco B. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundSleep disorders in schoolchildren are a common problem worldwide, and when are not adequately diagnosed and treated, their negative impact on daytime functioning may be significant.The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).MethodsParticipants were 286 school‐aged children from a community‐based sample, aged 4 to 7 years. The sleep behaviour was evaluated using the CSHQ and actigraphy (ActiSleep monitor). The CSHQ was adapted to the Spanish language. The internal consistency of the questionnaire and the test–retest reliability between scores at baseline and three‐weeks‐later were estimated. Associations between CSHQ items and accelerometer sleep quality indicators were used as indicators of concurrent validity.ResultsCronbach's alpha coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.60 to 0.81, and 0.81 for the full scale; the intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.56 to 0.81. A moderate correlation was observed in sleep latency and awakenings measurements using both parents' reported sleep habits (CSHQ‐SP) and sleep quality indicators (ActiSleep).ConclusionsThe CSHQ‐SP has demonstrated adequate psychometric properties, and it serves as a useful instrument for clinical and research setting.
Taking a Third‐Person Perspective Requires Inhibitory Control: Evidence From a Developmental Negative Priming Study
Authors: Aïte Ania , Berthoz Alain , Vidal Julie , Roëll Margot , Zaoui Mohamed , Houdé Olivier , Borst Grégoire 
Published: June 2016

To determine whether the growing ability to take a third‐person perspective (3PP) is explained in part by the growing ability to inhibit a first‐person perspective (1PP), 10‐year‐old children (n = 49) and 22‐year‐old adults (n = 52) performed a negative priming adaptation of the own body transformation task. Both children and adults were less efficient in adopting a 1PP after they adopted a 3PP—with a smaller amplitude of the negative priming effect with older age—and adults’ and children's performances in the own body transformation task were predicted in part by their Stroop interference scores. These results suggest that the growing efficiency to adopt a 3PP is rooted in part in the growing efficiency to inhibit the 1PP.
Distal lower limb strength is reduced in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and is related to elevated intramuscular fat level and vitamin D deficiency
Authors: Almurdhi M. M. , Reeves N. D. , Bowling F. L. , Boulton A. J. M. , Jeziorska M. , Malik R. A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimTo quantify muscle strength and size in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in relation to intramuscular non‐contractile tissue, the severity of neuropathy and vitamin D level.MethodsA total of 20 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and 20 control subjects underwent assessment of strength and size of knee extensor, flexor and ankle plantar and dorsi‐flexor muscles, as well as quantification of intramuscular non‐contractile tissue and detailed assessment of neuropathy and serum 25‐hydroxy vitamin D levels.ResultsIn subjects with impaired glucose tolerance, proximal knee extensor strength (P = 0.17) and volume (P = 0.77), and knee flexor volume (P = 0.97) did not differ from those in control subjects. Ankle plantar flexor strength was significantly lower (P = 0.04) in the subjects with impaired glucose tolerance, with no difference in ankle plantar flexor (P = 0.62) or dorsiflexor volume (P = 0.06) between groups. Intramuscular non‐contractile tissue level was significantly higher in the ankle plantar flexors and dorsiflexors (P = 0.03) of subjects with impaired glucose tolerance compared with control subjects, and it correlated with the severity of neuropathy. Ankle plantar flexor muscle strength correlated significantly with corneal nerve fibre density (r = 0.53; P = 0.01), a sensitive measure of small fibre neuropathy, and was significantly lower in subjects with vitamin D deficiency (P = 0.02).ConclusionsPeople with impaired glucose tolerance have a significant reduction in distal but not proximal leg muscle strength, which is not associated with muscle atrophy, but with increased distal intramuscular non‐contractile tissue, small fibre neuropathy and vitamin D deficiency.
A multicentre demonstration project to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of the web‐based Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) programme with or without nurse support in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tutino G. E. , Yang W. Y. , Li X. , Li W. H. , Zhang Y. Y. , Guo X. H. , Luk A. O. , Yeung R. O. P. , Yin J. M. , Ozaki R. , So W. Y. , Ma R. C. W. , Ji L. N. , Kong A. P. S. , Weng J. P. , Ko G. T. C. , Jia W. P. , Chan J. C. N. ,   the China JADE Study Group
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimsTo test the hypothesis that delivery of integrated care augmented by a web‐based disease management programme and nurse coordinator would improve treatment target attainment and health‐related behaviour.MethodsThe web‐based Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) and Diabetes Monitoring Database (DIAMOND) portals contain identical built‐in protocols to integrate structured assessment, risk stratification, personalized reporting and decision support. The JADE portal contains an additional module to facilitate structured follow‐up visits. Between January 2009 and September 2010, 3586 Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes from six sites in China were randomized to DIAMOND (n = 1728) or JADE, plus nurse‐coordinated follow‐up visits (n = 1858) with comprehensive assessments at baseline and 12 months. The primary outcome was proportion of patients achieving ≥ 2 treatment targets (HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (7%), blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg and LDL cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/l).ResultsOf 3586 participants enrolled (mean age 57 years, 54% men, median disease duration 5 years), 2559 returned for repeat assessment after a median (interquartile range) follow‐up of 12.5 (4.6) months. The proportion of participants attaining ≥ 2 treatment targets increased in both groups (JADE 40.6 to 50.0%; DIAMOND 38.2 to 50.8%) and there were similar absolute reductions in HbA1c [DIAMOND −8 mmol/mol vs JADE −7 mmol/mol (−0.69 vs −0.62%)] and LDL cholesterol (DIAMOND −0.32 mmol/l vs JADE −0.28 mmol/l), with no between‐group difference. The JADE group was more likely to self‐monitor blood glucose (50.5 vs 44.2%; P = 0.005) and had fewer defaulters (25.6 vs 32.0%; P < 0.001).ConclusionsIntegrated care augmented by information technology improved cardiometabolic control, with additional nurse contacts reducing the default rate and enhancing self‐care. (Clinical trials registry no.: NCT01274364)
Effectiveness of intensification therapies in Danes with Type 2 diabetes who use basal insulin: a population‐based study
Authors: Thomsen R. W. , Baggesen L. M. , Søgaard M. , Pedersen L. , Nørrelund H. , Buhl E. S. , Haase C. L. , Johnsen S. P. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimsTo examine the usage and real‐life effectiveness of intensification therapies in people with Type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin.MethodsWe used population‐based healthcare databases in Denmark during 2000–2012 to identify all individuals with a first basal insulin prescription (with or without oral drugs), and evaluated subsequent intensification therapy with bolus insulin, premixed insulin or glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists. Poisson regression was used to compute the adjusted relative risks of reaching glycaemic control targets.ResultsWe included 7034 initiators of basal insulin (median age 64 years, diabetes duration 5.3 years, 84% with oral co‐medication and median (interquartile range) pre‐insulin HbA1c level 77 (65–92) mmol/mol [9.2% (8.1–10.6%)]. Of these, 3076 (43.7%) received intensification therapy after a median of 11 months: 58.5% with premixed insulin, 29.0% with bolus insulin, 10.6% with GLP‐1 receptor agonists, and 1.9% with more than one add‐on. Overall, 22% had attained an HbA1c level of < 53 mmol/mol (< 7%) by 3–6 months after intensification, while 38% attained an HbA1c < 58 mmol/mol (< 7.5%). Compared with premixed insulin intensification, attainment of HbA1c < 53 and < 58 mmol/mol was similar with bolus insulin add‐on [adjusted relative risk 1.03 (95% CI 0.86–1.24) and 1.02 (95% CI 0.91–1.15), and higher for GLP‐1 receptor agonist add‐on [adjusted relative risk 1.56 (95% CI 1.27–1.92) and 1.27 (1.10–1.47)].ConclusionsAmong people with Type 2 diabetes, 22 and 38% reached a target HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (< 7%) or < 58 mmol/mol (< 7.5%), respectively, after intensification of their basal insulin therapy. Compared with premixed insulin, target attainment was similar with bolus insulin and higher with GLP‐1 receptor agonists.
Echocardiographically Derived Pulse Wave Velocity and Diastolic Dysfunction Are Associated with an Increased Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Bonapace Stefano , Rossi Andrea , Cicoira Mariantonietta , Targher Giovanni , Marino Paolo , Benfari Giovanni , Mugnai Giacomo , Arcaro Guido , Vassanelli Corrado 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundChronic heart failure (CHF) is an established risk factor of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the prognostic value of cardiac and hemodynamic parameters in assessing the risk of developing AF among patients with CHF is less defined.Methods and resultsWe followed an outpatients cohort of CHF patients secondary to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, who were free of AF at baseline. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, comprehensive echocardiography, and blood drawing in the same morning. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), a measure of aortic stiffness, was determined by Doppler echocardiography. A total of 77 patients (age 63 ± 9 years; 79% male) with mean LVEF (34 ± 8%) formed the study population. Fifteen patients developed incidental AF. At baseline, CHF patients who developed AF during follow‐up had higher E‐wave velocity (75 ± 2 cm/sec vs. 60 ± 2 cm/sec; P = 0.02), higher difference duration between mitral and pulmonary vein A velocity (A′–A), (10 ± 35 msec vs. 43 ± 44 msec P = 0.02), aPWV (7.1 ± 2.6 vs. 5.3 ± 1.9 m/sec P = 0.004), and furosemide dosage (110 ± 145 mg vs. 49 ± 48 mg P = 0.01) than those remaining free from AF. The two groups of patients did not significantly differ in terms of NYHA, LV volumes, ejection fraction, left atrial volume, creatinine, hemoglobin, renin, epinephrine, amino‐terminal propeptide of type III and I procollagens, ACE inhibitor, and β‐blocker dose (P > 0.1 for all). Notably, higher aPWV (P = 0.01) and longer A–A′ duration (P = 0.04) were associated with an increased incidence of AF, independently of potential confounders.ConclusionsIncreased aortic stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction are strong predictors of new onset of AF among patients with systolic CHF.
Incorporating android conversational agents in m‐learning apps
Authors: Griol David , Molina José Manuel , Callejas Zoraida 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSmart mobile devices have fostered new learning scenarios that demand sophisticated interfaces. Multimodal conversational agents have became a strong alternative to develop human‐machine interfaces that provide a more engaging and human‐like relationship between students and the system. The main developers of operating systems for such devices have provided application programming interfaces for developers to implement their own applications, including different solutions for developing graphical interfaces, sensor control and voice interaction. Despite the usefulness of such resources, there are no strategies defined for coupling the multimodal interface with the possibilities that these devices offer to enhance mobile educative apps with intelligent communicative capabilities and adaptation to the user needs. In this paper, we present a practical m‐learning application that integrates features of Android application programming interfaces on a modular architecture that emphasizes interaction management and context‐awareness to foster user‐adaptively, robustness and maintainability.
Differential profile of letrozole and exemestane on bone turnover markers in vinylcyclohexene diepoxide treated ovotoxic female mice
Authors: Kalam Abul , Talegaonkar Sushama , Vohora Divya 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe third generation aromatase inhibitors are currently the drugs of choice for the treatment of early and advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. One of the significant limiting factor during therapy is their negative impact on bone health. In this study, we compared the effects of a nonsteroidal (letrozole) and a steroidal aromatase inhibitor (exemestane) on bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), hydroxyproline (HxP), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), sclerostin, and dickkopf‐1 (DKK‐1) in vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)‐induced ovotoxic female mice. VCD administration for 15 days mimicked a postmenopausal state with reduced serum estradiol levels. Ovotoxicity was accompanied by reduced ALP, HxP and enhanced TRAP, sclerostin and DKK‐1 activity in femoral epiphysis and lumbar vertebrae of mice. While letrozole (1 mg/kg) administration for 1 month enhanced bone turnover in ovotoxic mice, exemestane (3.25 mg/kg) was devoid of such effects in both normal and ovotoxic mice. The latter, however, reduced ALP in femoral epiphysis of ovotoxic mice. Letrozole depleted estradiol levels in ovotoxic mice and enhanced RANKL activity while exemestane neither affected estradiol nor RANKL in both normal and ovotoxic mice, and enhanced sclerostin and DKK‐1 in femoral epiphysis only. The study indicates that the two aromatase inhibitors possesses differential profile in terms of their effects on bone and that exemestane could be a better option for the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women at least in terms of its effects on bone.
Dammed rivers: impoundments facilitate fish invasions
Authors: Liew Jia H. , Tan Heok H. , Yeo Darren C. J. 
Published: June 2016

Summary

River damming and other anthropogenic disturbances of natural habitats are among the main drivers of species loss through a range of direct and indirect effects. While the effects of river damming on aquatic species are relatively well studied, particularly with regard to their impacts on diadromous species and stenotopic riverine specialists, there is a paucity of studies quantifying the effects of dam construction on whole communities.

We conducted a global meta‐analysis focussed on fish communities, comparing species richness, abundance and proportion of alien species between dammed and undammed rivers. Both longitudinal and cross‐sectional studies were examined.

We found that construction of dams did not have a noticeable effect on fish richness and abundance, but the increase in proportion of alien species was significant (mean effect size of 0.62).

Our findings suggest that the conversion of lotic waterbodies into lentic habitats result in the extirpation of species unable to withstand a drastic change in environmental conditions, but the loss is compensated by colonising lacustrine or eurytopic species taking advantage of reduced competition and the availability of new niches specific to lentic habitats. However, when eurytopic natives are absent from waterbodies connected to the newly constructed reservoirs, vacant niches are instead exploited by alien species, resulting in impoverishment of native species richness although overall species richness may be maintained.
Climate‐driven vital rates do not always mean climate‐driven population
Authors: Tavecchia Giacomo , Tenan Simone , Pradel Roger , Igual José‐Manuel , Genovart Meritxell , Oro Daniel 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCurrent climatic changes have increased the need to forecast population responses to climate variability. A common approach to address this question is through models that project current population state using the functional relationship between demographic rates and climatic variables. We argue that this approach can lead to erroneous conclusions when interpopulation dispersal is not considered. We found that immigration can release the population from climate‐driven trajectories even when local vital rates are climate dependent. We illustrated this using individual‐based data on a trans‐equatorial migratory seabird, the Scopoli's shearwater Calonectris diomedea, in which the variation of vital rates has been associated with large‐scale climatic indices. We compared the population annual growth rate λi, estimated using local climate‐driven parameters with ρi, a population growth rate directly estimated from individual information and that accounts for immigration. While λi varied as a function of climatic variables, reflecting the climate‐dependent parameters, ρi did not, indicating that dispersal decouples the relationship between population growth and climate variables from that between climatic variables and vital rates. Our results suggest caution when assessing demographic effects of climatic variability especially in open populations for very mobile organisms such as fish, marine mammals, bats, or birds. When a population model cannot be validated or it is not detailed enough, ignoring immigration might lead to misleading climate‐driven projections.
The Residency Discount for Rents in Germany and the Tenancy Law Reform Act 2001: Evidence from Quantile Regressions
Authors: Fitzenberger Bernd , Fuchs Benjamin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMost countries show a residency discount in rents for sitting tenants. In the wake of strong rent increases and housing shortages, Germany implemented a reform in 2001 to curtail rent increases. Based on linked housing-tenant data for Germany, this paper estimates panel OLS and quantile regressions of rents within tenancies. The results show that rents deflated by the CPI increase strongly from 1984 until the reform in 2001, and there is a reversal in the trend afterwards. Before the reform, there is a significant residence discount which decreases in absolute value with tenure. The reform reduces rents, in particular for expensive apartments and for new leases. There is no residency discount after the reform.