bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of neck circumference with general and abdominal obesity in children and adolescents: the weight disorders survey of the CASPIAN-IV study
Authors: Kelishadi Roya , Djalalinia Shirin , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaiel , Rahimi Ali , Bahreynian Maryam , Arefirad Tahereh , Ardalan Gelayol , Safiri Saeid , Hasani Motahare , Asayesh Hamid , Mansourian Morteza , Qorbani Mostafa 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the association of neck circumference (NC) with obesity to determine the sex-specific and age-specific optimal cut-off points of this measure in association with obesity in a national sample of the Iranian paediatric population.MethodsThis survey on weight disorders was conducted among a national sample of Iranian children and adolescents, aged 6–18 years. Using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic curves, we evaluated the association of NC with general and abdominal obesity.ResultsThis national survey was conducted among 23 043 school students (50.8% boys) with a mean age (SD) of 12.55 (3.31) years. A significant association was documented between NC and other anthropometric measures in both sexes and in the whole population. In all age groups and genders, NC performed relatively well in classifying participants to overweight (AUC: 0.67 to 0.75, p<0.001), general obesity (AUC: 0.81 to 0.85, p<0.001) and abdominal obesity (AUC: 0.73 to 0.78, p<0.001).ConclusionsNC can be considered as a simple time-saving clinical tool for obesity detection in large population-based studies in children and adolescents. It is significantly correlated with indices of adiposity and can reliably identify children with general and abdominal obesity in the Iranian paediatric population.
Identification and outcomes of clinical phenotypes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease: Australian National Motor Neuron Disease observational cohort
Authors: Talman Paul , Duong Thi , Vucic Steve , Mathers Susan , Venkatesh Svetha , Henderson Robert , Rowe Dominic , Schultz David , Edis Robert , Needham Merrilee , Macdonnell Richard , McCombe Pamela , Birks Carol , Kiernan Matthew 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveTo capture the clinical patterns, timing of key milestones and survival of patients presenting with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND) within Australia.MethodsData were prospectively collected and were timed to normal clinical assessments. An initial registration clinical report form (CRF) and subsequent ongoing assessment CRFs were submitted with a completion CRF at the time of death.DesignProspective observational cohort study.Participants1834 patients with a diagnosis of ALS/MND were registered and followed in ALS/MND clinics between 2005 and 2015.Results5 major clinical phenotypes were determined and included ALS bulbar onset, ALS cervical onset and ALS lumbar onset, flail arm and leg and primary lateral sclerosis (PLS). Of the 1834 registered patients, 1677 (90%) could be allocated a clinical phenotype. ALS bulbar onset had a significantly lower length of survival when compared with all other clinical phenotypes (p<0.004). There were delays in the median time to diagnosis of up to 12 months for the ALS phenotypes, 18 months for the flail limb phenotypes and 19 months for PLS. Riluzole treatment was started in 78–85% of cases. The median delays in initiating riluzole therapy, from symptom onset, varied from 10 to 12 months in the ALS phenotypes and 15–18 months in the flail limb phenotypes. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was implemented in 8–36% of ALS phenotypes and 2–9% of the flail phenotypes. Non-invasive ventilation was started in 16–22% of ALS phenotypes and 21–29% of flail phenotypes.ConclusionsThe establishment of a cohort registry for ALS/MND is able to determine clinical phenotypes, survival and monitor time to key milestones in disease progression. It is intended to expand the cohort to a more population-based registry using opt-out methodology and facilitate data linkage to other national registries.
Effects of a nutrition plus exercise programme on physical function in sarcopenic obese elderly people: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Shen Shan-Shan , Chu Jiao-Jiao , Cheng Lei , Zeng Xing-Kun , He Ting , Xu Li-Yu , Li Jiang-Ru , Chen Xu-Jiao 
Published: October 2016

IntroductionWith a rapidly ageing population, sarcopenic obesity, defined as decreased muscle mass and function combined with increased body fat, is a complex health problem. Although sarcopenic obesity contributes to a decline in physical function and exacerbates frailty in older adults, evidence from clinical trials about the effect of exercise and nutrition on this complex syndrome in Chinese older adults is lacking.Methods and analysisWe devised a study protocol for a single-blind randomised controlled trial. Sarcopenia is described as age-related decline in muscle mass plus low muscle strength and/or low physical performance. Obesity is defined as a percentage of body fat above the 60th centile. Ninety-two eligible participants will be randomly assigned to a control group, nutrition group, exercise group and nutrition plus exercise group to receive an 8-week intervention and 12-week follow-up. The primary outcomes will be the change in short physical performance battery scores, grip strength and 6 m usual gait speed. The secondary outcomes will include basic activities of daily living scores, instrumental activity daily living scores, body composition and body anthropometric indexes. For all main analyses, the principle of intention-to-treat will be used.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the medical ethics committee of Zhejiang Hospital on 25 November 2015. The study will present data targeting the clinical effects of nutrition and exercise on physical function and body composition in a Chinese older population with sarcopenic obesity. The results will help to provide important clinical evidence of the role of complex non-pharmaceutical interventions for sarcopenic obese older people. The findings of this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed medical journals for publication and presented at relevant academic conferences.Trial registration numberChiCTR-IOR-15007501; Pre-results.
Effect of cricoid pressure on laryngeal view during prehospital tracheal intubation: a propensity-based analysis
Authors: Caruana Emmanuel , Chevret Sylvie , Pirracchio Romain 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundThe benefit of cricoid pressure during tracheal intubation is still debated and, due to its potential negative impact on laryngeal views, its routine use is questioned. The goal of this study was to estimate its impact on laryngeal view.MethodsAll patients intubated in the prehospital setting were included. Three different propensity score (PS) models were used and compared in terms of the balance achieved between those patients who received cricoid pressure and those who did not. The PS model that optimised the balance was retained in order to estimate the relationship between cricoid pressure and the following outcomes: difficult laryngoscopy, intubation-related complications and difficult intubation.ResultsAmong the 1195 patients included, 499 (41.7%) received cricoid pressure. The optimal PS included seven variables (cardiac arrest, altered neurological status, shock, respiratory distress, gender, obesity, patient's position). After PS matching, no significant risk difference (RD) in the rate of difficult laryngoscopy was found between the patients who received cricoid pressure and those who did not (RD=0.001, 95% CI −0.07 to 0.08, p=0.50). No significant difference was found in terms of difficult intubation (RD=0.06, 95% CI −0.13 to 0.25, p=0.28) and in terms of prevalence of complications, except for airway trauma that were more frequent in cricoid pressure group (RD=0.03, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.05, p=0.01).ConclusionsNo significant relationship was found between the use of cricoid pressure for prehospital intubation and difficult laryngoscopy. Cricoid pressure was found to be associated with more airway trauma. This finding could question its routine use.
Reduction in erythrocyte-bound complement activation products and titres of anti-C1q antibodies associate with clinical improvement in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Buyon Jill , Furie Richard , Putterman Chaim , Ramsey-Goldman Rosalind , Kalunian Kenneth , Barken Derren , Conklin John , Dervieux Thierry 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundThe relationship between cell-bound complement activation products (CB-CAPs: EC4d, EC3d), anti-C1q, soluble complement C3/C4 and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was evaluated.MethodsPer protocol, at baseline all SLE subjects enrolled in this longitudinal study presented with active disease and elevated CB-CAPs. At each monthly visit, the non-serological (ns) Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus: National Assessment (SELENA-SLEDAI) and the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG)-2004 index scores were determined as was a random urinary protein to creatinine ratio (uPCR). Short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires were also collected. All soluble markers were determined using immunoassays, while EC4d and EC3d were determined using flow cytometry. Statistical analysis consisted of linear mixed models with random intercept and fixed slopes.ResultsA total of 36 SLE subjects (mean age 34 years; 94% female) were enrolled and evaluated monthly for an average 11 visits per subject. Clinical improvements were observed during the study, with significant decreases in ns-SELENA-SLEDAI scores, BILAG-2004 index scores and uPCR, and increases in all domains of SF-36 (p<0.01). The longitudinal decrease in ns-SELENA-SLEDAI and BILAG-2004 index scores was significantly associated with reduced EC4d and EC3d levels, reduced anti-C1q titres and increased serum complement C3/C4 (p<0.05). The changes in uPCR significantly correlated with C3, C4, anti-C1q and EC4d, with EC4d outperforming C3/C4 by a multivariate analysis. The reduced EC4d or EC3d was associated with improvements in at least six out of the eight domains of SF-36 and outperformed C3/C4. Anti-dsDNA titres did not correlate with changes in disease activity.ConclusionsThese data indicate that CB-CAPs and anti-C1q are helpful in monitoring patients with SLE.
High Ki67/BCL2 index is associated with worse outcome in early stage breast cancer
Authors: Min Kyueng-Whan , Kim Dong-Hoon , Do Sung-Im , Pyo Jung-Soo , Chae Seoung Wan , Sohn Jin Hee , Kim Kyungeun , Lee Hyun Joo , Kim Dong Hyun , Oh Sukjoong , Choi Seon Hyeong , Park Yong Lai , Park Chan Heun , Kwon Mi Jung , Moon Kyoung Min 
Published: October 2016

Abstract

Aims
Breast cancers are heterogeneous, making it essential to recognise several biomarkers for cancer outcome predictions. Ki67 proliferation index and B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) proteins are widely used as prognostic indicators in many types of malignancies. While Ki67 is a marker of normal or tumour cell proliferation, BCL2 plays a central role in antiproliferative activities. A combination of these two biomarkers with contrary purposes can provide enhanced prognostic accuracy than an analysis using a single biomarker.

Methods
We evaluated Ki67 and BCL2 expression with 203 cases of breast cancer. The relative expression of each biomarker named as Ki67/BCL2 index was divided into two groups (low vs high) with the use of area under receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results
There were significant correlations between Ki67/BCL2 index and clinicopathological findings such as age, tumour stage, size and necrosis, histological grade, extensive intraductal component, lymphatic and vascular invasion, oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epithelial growth factor receptor 2 and p53 expression (all p&lt;0.05). In univariate and multivariate analyses, high Ki67/BCL2 index correlated with shorter disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with early stage invasive ductal carcinoma (all p&lt;0.05).

Conclusions
The Ki67/BCL2 index should be considered as a prognostic predictor in patients with early stage invasive ductal carcinoma.
Trap Analysis: an automated approach for deriving column height predictions in fault-bounded traps
Authors: Bretan Peter 
Published: October 2016

Column height predictions are often displayed as attributes on fault-plane profiles. However, fault-plane profiles are difficult to interpret when derived from multiple faults that bound a trap. An automated approach, termed Trap Analysis, permits the rapid analysis of column height predictions using the deterministic fault-seal analysis method.
For column height predictions to be meaningful, all faults that contribute to the sealing of hydrocarbons within a trap must be analysed as one coherent structural element. Hydrocarbon column height data at key reservoir juxtapositions on all faults that bound a trap are simultaneously interrogated to derive the unique location of the weakest point on the fault seal, termed Fault Leak Point (FLP). The FLP is trap-critical if it supports a column with a contact that is shallower than the trap's structural spill point.
The Trap Analysis approach enables sensitivity studies to be routinely undertaken. The predicted weakest point on a fault seal, and hence, the column height supported at that point, can depend on the calibration used to transform shale gouge ratio (SGR) to threshold capillary pressure, and on the density contrast between the buoyant and water phases.
The long (3.7–2.1 Ga) and multistage evolution of the Bug Granulite–Gneiss Complex, Ukrainian Shield, based on the SIMS U–Pb ages and geochemistry of zircons from a single sample
Authors: Lobach-Zhuchenko S. B. , Kaulina T. V. , Baltybaev S. K. , Balagansky V. V. , Egorova Yu. S. , Lokhov K. I. , Skublov S. G. , Sukach V. V. , Bogomolov E. S. , Stepanyuk L. M. , Galankina O. L. , Berezhnaya N. G. , Kapitonov I. N. , Antonov A. V. , Sergeev S. A. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Multidisciplinary studies of zircons, rock-forming minerals and the whole-rock composition of granulite samples from the Bug Granulite–Gneiss Complex, Ukraine (including ion microprobe REE analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U–Pb and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) Lu–Hf analysis of zircons from a single sample) have revealed three major stages in the geological evolution of the complex. (i) At 3.66 Ga, a mafic intrusion contaminated with felsic rocks formed, as evidenced by 3.74 Ga zircon xenocrysts with inclusions of plagioclase, K-feldspar and quartz. (ii) At 3.59–3.55 Ga, high-temperature and high- to moderate-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism accompanied by migmatization and deformation resulted in the formation of mafic granulites. (iii) At 2.1–2.0 Ga, metamorphic overprinting occurred, and metatrachybasaltic dykes intruded at approximately 2.0 Ga. The metamorphic mineral assemblages recorded in the dykes formed at temperatures similar to those of the 3.59–3.55 Ga metamorphism but at pressures 2–3 kbar lower. This metamorphism disturbed the Sm–Nd whole-rock system, altered the Hf isotope system of the older zircons and resulted in Pb loss in small zircon grains. This complex event history recorded in zircons from a single rock corresponds to major stages of the geological evolution of both the Dniester–Bug Province and the entire Ukrainian Shield.
Understanding Response Time in the Redundancy-d System
Authors: Gardner Kristen , Zbarsky Samuel , Velednitsky Mark , Harchol-Balter Mor , Scheller-Wolf Alan 
Published: October 2016

An increasingly prevalent technique for improving response time in queueing systems is the use of redundancy. In a system with redundant requests, each job that arrives to the system is copied and dispatched to multiple servers. As soon as the first copy completes service, the job is considered complete, and all remaining copies are deleted. A great deal of empirical work has demonstrated that redundancy can significantly reduce response time in systems ranging from Google's BigTable service to kidney transplant waitlists.
We propose a theoretical model of redundancy, the Redundancy- d system, in which each job sends redundant copies to d servers chosen uniformly at random. We derive the first exact expressions for mean response time in Redundancy-d systems with any finite number of servers. We also find asymptotically exact expressions for the distribution of response time as the number of servers approaches infinity.
Rapamycin Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis in Experimental Uremic Cardiomyopathy by Reducing Marinobufagenin Levels and Inhibiting Downstream Pro‐Fibrotic Signaling
Authors: Haller Steven T. , Yan Yanling , Drummond Christopher A. , Xie Joe , Tian Jiang , Kennedy David J. , Shilova Victoria Y. , Xie Zijian , Liu Jiang , Cooper Christopher J. , Malhotra Deepak , Shapiro Joseph I. , Fedorova Olga V. , Bagrov Alexei Y. 
Published: October 2016

Background

Experimental uremic cardiomyopathy causes cardiac fibrosis and is causally related to the increased circulating levels of the cardiotonic steroid, marinobufagenin (
MBG
), which signals through Na/K‐
ATP
ase. Rapamycin is an inhibitor of the serine/threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) implicated in the progression of many different forms of renal disease. Given that Na/K‐
ATP
ase signaling is known to stimulate the
mTOR
system, we speculated that the ameliorative effects of rapamycin might influence this pathway.

Methods and Results

Biosynthesis of
MBG
by cultured human
JEG
‐3 cells is initiated by
CYP
27A1, which is also a target for rapamycin. It was demonstrated that 1 μmol/L of rapamycin inhibited production of
MBG
in human
JEG
‐2 cells. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to either partial nephrectomy (
PN
x), infusion of
MBG
, and/or infusion of rapamycin through osmotic minipumps.
PN
x animals showed marked increase in plasma
MBG
levels (1025±60 vs 377±53 pmol/L;
P
<0.01), systolic blood pressure (169±1 vs 111±1 mm Hg;
P
<0.01), and cardiac fibrosis compared to controls. Plasma
MBG
levels were significantly decreased in
PN
x‐rapamycin animals compared to
PN
x (373±46 vs 1025±60 pmol/L;
P
<0.01), and cardiac fibrosis was substantially attenuated by rapamycin treatment.

Conclusions

Rapamycin treatment in combination with
MBG
infusion significantly attenuated cardiac fibrosis. Our results suggest that rapamycin may have a dual effect on cardiac fibrosis through (1)
mTOR
inhibition and (2) inhibiting
MBG‐
mediated profibrotic signaling and provide support for beneficial effect of a novel therapy for uremic cardiomyopathy.
Dual-Polarized Radar and Surface Observations of a Winter Graupel Shower with Negative Zdr Column
Authors: Bringi V. N. , Kennedy P. C. , Huang G.-J. , Kleinkort C. , Thurai M. , Notaroš B. M. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractComprehensive analysis of an unusual graupel-shower event recorded by an S-band polarimetric radar and two optical-imaging surface instruments is presented. The primary radar characteristic was negative differential reflectivity Zdr values along a vertical column. During the afternoon hours of 16 February 2015, a sequence of three showers that were composed primarily of small (8–15-mm diameter) graupel affected the ground instrumentation site that was established for the Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera and Radar (MASCRAD) experiment in the high plains of Colorado. While these showers passed the instrumentation site, the CSU–CHILL radar conducted high-time-resolution (~2.5-min cycle time) range–height indicator (RHI) scans from a range of 13 km. The RHI data show that the negative Zdr values extended vertically through much of the reflectivity cores, implying that the reflectivity-weighted mean axis ratios of the graupel particles in this event remained somewhat prolate throughout their lifetime. To be specific, the cores of the convective showers only extended to heights of ~3.5 km AGL and had fractionally negative (from ~−0.3 to −0.7 dB) Zdr levels in those cores. Particle-image data obtained by the MASC system and by a collocated 2D video disdrometer measured the diameters, shapes, and fall speeds of the graupel particles as they reached the surface. The graupel particles were found to be primarily of the lump type with a slightly prolate mean shape (especially for the larger-diameter particles). Microwave backscatter calculations confirm that the graupel-particle shape and orientation characteristics are consistent with the observed slightly, but consistently, negative Zdr values.
Inverse associations between cord vitamin D and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms: A child cohort study
Authors: Mossin Mats H , Aaby Jens B , Dalgård Christine , Lykkedegn Sine , Christesen Henrik T , Bilenberg Niels 
Published: October 2016

Objective: To examine the association between cord 25-hydroxyvitamin D2+3 (25(OH)D) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in toddlers, using Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 1.5–5. Method: In a population-based birth cohort, a Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 1.5–5 questionnaire was returned from parents of 1233 infants with mean age 2.7 (standard deviation 0.6) years. Adjusted associations between cord 25(OH)D and Child Behaviour Checklist–based attention deficit hyperactivity disorder problems were analysed by multiple regression. Results The median cord 25(OH)D was 44.1 (range: 1.5–127.1) nmol/L. Mean attention deficit hyperactivity disorder problem score was 2.7 (standard deviation 2.1). In adjusted analyses, cord 25(OH)D levels >25 nmol/L and >30 nmol/L were associated with lower attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scores compared to levels ⩽25 nmol/L ( p = 0.035) and ⩽30 nmol/L ( p = 0.043), respectively. The adjusted odds of scoring above the 90th percentile on the Child Behaviour Checklist–based attention deficit hyperactivity disorder problem scale decreased by 11% per 10 nmol/L increase in cord 25(OH)D. Conclusion: An inverse association between cord 25(OH)D and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in toddlers was found, suggesting a protective effect of prenatal vitamin D.