bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A narrative review of the evaluation and selection of instruments which assess self-efficacy amongst patients with essential hypertension
Authors: Lua Adela Yi Hui , Hong Liyue , Bong Shirley Huey Shin , Yeo Jocelyn Ling Sui , Tsang Marianne Li Ping , Ong Kai Zhi , Wong Samantha Sook Wai , Tan Ngiap Chuan 
Published: December 2015

Hypertension is a chronic disease that is mostly managed by the patients themselves inbetween consultation with their physicians. Self-efficacy, which is an individual’s belief in their capabilities to produce given attainments, is a desirable quality to enable the person to take charge of their health and any long-term illness. Assessment of self-efficacy is thus pivotal in developing a holistic patient-centric care plan to optimize their disease control. For hypertension, self-efficacy is associated with better self-care and outcomes of the disease. This literature review aims to identify self-efficacy assessment instruments, evaluate their origin, quality and development, compare their strengths and limitations, and applicability in specific target population. Searches performed using PubMed, Scopus and The Cochrane Library eventually yielded 34 relevant articles and 12 instruments. All instruments were validated in specific populations. Two instruments were specific to hypertension, two instruments measured multiple domains of self-management, while medication adherence was the most common single domain assessed. To select an appropriate instrument, one should take into consideration the clinical context and study design. An algorithm is proposed to facilitate the selection of instrument that is best suited for the specific purpose.
Plasma L5 levels are elevated in ischemic stroke patients and enhance platelet aggregation
Authors: Shen Ming-Yi , Chen Fang-Yu , Hsu Jing-Fang , Fu Ru-Huei , Chang Chia-Ming , Chang Chiz-Tzung , Liu Chung-Hsiang , Wu Jia-Rong , Lee An-Sheng , Chan Hua-Chen , Sheu Joen-Rong , Lin Shinn-Zong , Shyu Woei-Cherng , Sawamura Tatsuya , Chang Kuan-Cheng , Hsu Chung Y. , Chen Chu-Huang 
Published: December 2015

Key PointsL5 is elevated in ischemic stroke patients, and its receptor, LOX-1, plays a critical role in increasing stroke size. L5 induces platelet secretion of Aβ to potentiate platelet activation and aggregation via LOX-1 and IKK2.
Incidence of airflow limitation in subjects 65–100 years of age
Authors: Luoto Johannes A. , Elmståhl Sölve , Wollmer Per , Pihlsgård Mats 
Published: December 2015

The true incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is largely unknown, because the few longitudinal studies performed have used diagnostic criteria no longer recommended by either the European Respiratory Society or the American Thoracic Society (ATS).We studied the incidence and significance of airflow limitation in a population-based geriatric sample using both an age-dependent predicted lower limit of normal (LLN) value and a fixed-ratio spirometric criterion.Out of 2025 subjects with acceptable spirometry at baseline, 984 subjects aged 65–100 years completed a 6-year follow-up visit. Smoking habits were registered at baseline. Exclusion criteria were non-acceptable spirometry performance according to ATS criteria and inability to communicate. Airflow limitation was defined both according to forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity ratio <0.7 and <LLN.The incidence of airflow limitation per 1000 person-years was 28.2 using a fixed ratio and 11.7 with LLN, corresponding to a 1.41-fold higher incidence rate using a fixed ratio. The incidence increased dramatically with age when using a fixed ratio, but less so when using LLN. In addition, a sex effect was observed with the LLN criterion. LLN airflow limitation was associated with increased 5-year mortality. Presence of fixed-ratio airflow limitation in individuals classified by LLN as non-obstructive was not associated with increased mortality.
Pharmacists' interventions on clinical asthma outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Garcia-Cardenas Victoria , Armour Carol , Benrimoj Shalom I. , Martinez-Martinez Fernando , Rotta Inajara , Fernandez-Llimos Fernando 
Published: December 2015

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of pharmacists' interventions on clinical asthma outcomes on adult patients and to identify the outcome indicators used.PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Scielo were searched. Studies addressing pharmacists' interventions on adult asthma patients reporting clinical asthma outcomes were incorporated.11 clinical outcomes were identified in 21 studies. 10 studies measured the impact of the intervention on asthma control. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) and non-RCTs found positive results in percentages of controlled patients and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) scores. Discordant results were found for Asthma Control Test results. Asthma severity was assessed in four studies. One RCT found a significant decrease in the percentage of severe patients; two non-RCTs found significant improvements in severity scores. 11 studies reported pulmonary function indicators, showing inconsistent results. Eight studies measured asthma symptoms; three RCTs and four non-RCTs showed significant improvements.RCTs and non-RCTs generated similar results for most outcomes. Based on the evidence generated by RCTs, pharmacists' have a positive impact on the percentage of controlled patients, ACQ scores, severity and symptoms. Future research should report using the core outcome set of indicators established for asthma (PROSPERO CRD42014007019).
Transcriptome profiling of bovine inner cell mass and trophectoderm derived from in vivo generated blastocysts
Authors: Hosseini S. M. , Dufort I. , Caballero J. , Moulavi F. , Ghanaei H. R. , Sirard M. A. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Background
This study describes the generation and analysis of the transcriptional profile of bovine inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE), obtained from in vivo developed embryos by using a bovine-embryo specific array (EmbryoGENE) containing 37,238 probes.

Results
A total of 4,689 probes were differentially expressed between ICM and TE, among these, 2,380 and 2,309 probes were upregulated in ICM and TE tissues, respectively (P ≤ 0.01, FC ≥ 2.0, FDR: 2.0). Ontological classification of the genes predominantly expressed in ICM emerged a range of functional categories with a preponderance of genes involved in basal and developmental signaling pathways including P53, TGFβ, IL8, mTOR, integrin, ILK, and ELF2 signalings. Cross-referencing of microarray data with two available in vitro studies indicated a marked reduction in ICM vs. TE transcriptional difference following in vitro culture of bovine embryos. Moreover, a great majority of genes that were found to be misregulated following in vitro culture of bovine embryos were known genes involved in epigenetic regulation of pluripotency and cell differentiation including DNMT1, GADD45, CARM1, ELF5 HDAC8, CCNB1, KDM6A, PRDM9, CDX2, ARID3A, IL6, GADD45A, FGFR2, PPP2R2B, and SMARCA2. Cross-species referencing of microarray data revealed substantial divergence between bovine and mouse and human in signaling pathways involved in early lineage specification.

Conclusions
The transcriptional changes occur during ICM and TE lineages specification in bovine is greater than previously understood. Therefore, this array data establishes a standard to evaluate the in vitro imprint on the transcriptome and to hypothesize the cross-species differences that allow in vitro acquisition of pluripotent ICM in human and mice but hinder that process in bovine.
A reference relative time-scale as an alternative to chronological age for cohorts with long follow-up
Authors: Hurley Margaret Anne 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Background
Epidemiologists have debated the appropriate time-scale for cohort survival studies; chronological age or time-on-study being two such time-scales. Importantly, assessment of risk factors may depend on the choice of time-scale. Recently, chronological or attained age has gained support but a case can be made for a ‘reference relative time-scale’ as an alternative which circumvents difficulties that arise with this and other scales. The reference relative time of an individual participant is the integral of a reference population hazard function between time of entry and time of exit of the individual. The objective here is to describe the reference relative time-scale, illustrate its use, make comparison with attained age by simulation and explain its relationship to modern and traditional epidemiologic methods.

Results
A comparison was made between two models; a stratified Cox model with age as the time-scale versus an un-stratified Cox model using the reference relative time-scale. The illustrative comparison used a UK cohort of cotton workers, with differing ages at entry to the study, with accrual over a time period and with long follow-up. Additionally, exponential and Weibull models were fitted since the reference relative time-scale analysis need not be restricted to the Cox model. A simulation study showed that analysis using the reference relative time-scale and analysis using chronological age had very similar power to detect a significant risk factor and both were equally unbiased. Further, the analysis using the reference relative time-scale supported fully-parametric survival modelling and allowed percentile predictions and mortality curves to be constructed.

Conclusions
The reference relative time-scale was a viable alternative to chronological age, led to simplification of the modelling process and possessed the defined features of a good time-scale as defined in reliability theory. The reference relative time-scale has several interpretations and provides a unifying concept that links contemporary approaches in survival and reliability analysis to the traditional epidemiologic methods of Poisson regression and standardised mortality ratios. The community of practitioners has not previously made this connection.
Plasma levels of microRNA are altered with the development of shock in human sepsis: an observational study
Authors: Goodwin Andrew J. , Guo Changrun , Cook James A. , Wolf Bethany , Halushka Perry V. , Fan Hongkuan 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Background
Endothelial dysfunction plays a critical role in the development of sepsis-related organ failure; however, the mechanisms that govern its development are not fully understood. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reduce vascular leak and organ failure in experimental sepsis while modulating plasma expression of microRNA (miRNA). MicroRNAs are small, noncoding segments of RNA that regulate gene expression and are known to modulate endothelial cell function and inflammatory signaling pathways. We hypothesized that miRNA may play an etiologic role in the endothelial dysfunction of sepsis and that their extracellular expression levels would be altered in those with shock.

Methods
Thirteen miRNAs were identified by literature search and analysis of the contents of human EPC-derived exosomes using real-time PCR. Plasma samples were obtained from patients within 24 hours of their admission to ICUs with severe sepsis (n = 62) and from healthy controls (n = 32) and real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of the candidate miRNAs. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare expression levels of the 13 candidate miRNAs in septic patients with (n = 29) and without (n = 33) shock while logistic regression was used to determine the area under the curve for associations between miRNA expression and shock. Bioinformatic analyses using miRNA databases were performed to identify pathways and gene targets of differentially expressed miRNA with potential relevance to sepsis-related shock.

Results
MiRNA-34a expression was significantly increased in the group who developed shock (p = 0.03) while miR-15a and miR-27a expressions were significantly decreased in this group (p = 0.006 and 0.03, respectively). The combined expression of these three miRNAs predicted shock with an area under the curve of 0.78 (95 % CI 0.66–0.90). In silico analyses predict that these three miRNAs regulate genes involved in endothelial cell cycle, apoptosis, VEGF signaling, LPS-stimulated MAPK signaling, and nuclear factor kappa B signaling.

Conclusions
The plasma levels of miRNA are altered in patients with severe sepsis complicated by shock and may offer prognostic value as well as insights into the mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in sepsis.
“Mouse Clone Model” for evaluating the immunogenicity and tumorigenicity of pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Zhang Gang , Zhang Yi 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTo investigate the immune-rejection and tumor-formation potentials of induced pluripotent stem cells and other stem cells, we devised a model—designated the “Mouse Clone Model”—which combined the theory of somatic animal cloning, tetraploid complementation, and induced pluripotent stem cells to demonstrate the applicability of stem cells for transplantation therapy.
Damage function for historic paper. Part III: Isochrones and demography of collections
Authors: Strlič Matija , Grossi Carlota M. , Dillon Catherine , Bell Nancy , Fouseki Kalliopi , Brimblecombe Peter , Menart Eva , Ntanos Kostas , Lindsay William , Thickett David , France Fenella , De Bruin Gerrit 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

Background
In the context of evidence-based management of historic collections, a damage function combines aspects of material degradation, use, and consideration of material attributes that are important for satisfactory extraction of benefits from user interaction with heritage. In libraries and archives, it has been shown that users (readers and visitors) are mainly concerned with loss of textual information, which could lead to degradation being described as unacceptable, at which an object might become unfit for use and therefore damaged. The contribution explores the development of the damage function for historic paper based on data available in the literature.

Results
We have modelled the dose–response function taking into account 121 paper degradation experiments with known T, RH of the environment, and pH of paper. The function is based on the Arrhenius equation and published water absorption isotherm functions for paper. New isoperm plots have been calculated and isochrones have been developed. These are plots linking points of equal expected ‘lifetime’, i.e. time until an object is expected to reach the state of threshold fitness-for-use. We also modelled demographic curves for a well-characterised research collection of historic papers, exploring the loss of fitness for use with time.

Conclusions
The new tools enable us to evaluate scenarios of management of the storage environment as well as levels of access, for different types of library and archival paper. In addition, the costs and benefits of conservation interventions can be evaluated. The limitations of the function are the context of use (dark storage and reading), exclusive focus on the properties of an average paper type, and de-prioritised effect of pollutants; however, the latter can be considered separately. This work also demonstrates that transparent and publically accountable collection management decisions can be informed, and challenged by, effective interaction with a variety of stakeholders including the lay public.
Multimodal imaging biomarkers in premanifest and early Huntington's disease: 30-month IMAGE-HD data
Authors: Domínguez Juan F. , Stout Julie C. , Poudel Govinda , Churchyard Andrew , Chua Phyllis , Egan Gary F. , Georgiou-Karistianis Nellie 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundThe discovery of potential disease-modifying therapies in a neurodegenerative condition like Huntington's disease depends on the availability of sensitive biomarkers that reflect decline across disease stages and that are functionally and clinically relevant.AimsTo quantify macrostructural and microstructural changes in participants with premanifest and symptomatic Huntington's disease over 30 months, and to establish their functional and clinical relevance.MethodMultimodal magnetic resonance imaging study measuring changes in macrostructural (volume) and microstructural (diffusivity) measures in 40 patients with premanifest Huntington's disease, 36 patients with symptomatic Huntington's disease and 36 healthy control participants over three testing sessions spanning 30 months.ResultsRelative to controls, there was greater longitudinal atrophy in participants with symptomatic Huntington's disease in whole brain, grey matter, caudate and putamen, as well as increased caudate fractional anisotropy; caudate volume loss was the only measure to differ between premanifest Huntington's disease and control groups. Changes in caudate volume and fractional anisotropy correlated with each other and neurocognitive decline; caudate volume loss also correlated with clinical and disease severity.ConclusionsCaudate neurodegeneration, especially atrophy, may be the most suitable candidate surrogate biomarker for consideration in the development of upcoming clinical trials.
Innate immune responses to gut microbiota differ between oceanic and freshwater threespine stickleback populations
Authors: Milligan-McClellan Kathryn , Small Clayton M. , Mittge Erika K. , Agarwal Meghna , Currey Mark , Cresko William A. , Guillemin Karen 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT
Animal hosts must co-exist with beneficial microbes while simultaneously being able to mount rapid, non-specific, innate immune responses to pathogenic microbes. How this balance is achieved is not fully understood, and disruption of this relationship can lead to disease. Excessive inflammatory responses to resident microbes are characteristic of certain gastrointestinal pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The immune dysregulation of IBD has complex genetic underpinnings that cannot be fully recapitulated with single-gene-knockout models. A deeper understanding of the genetic regulation of innate immune responses to resident microbes requires the ability to measure immune responses in the presence and absence of the microbiota using vertebrate models with complex genetic variation. Here, we describe a new gnotobiotic vertebrate model to explore the natural genetic variation that contributes to differences in innate immune responses to microbiota. Threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, has been used to study the developmental genetics of complex traits during the repeated evolution from ancestral oceanic to derived freshwater forms. We established methods to rear germ-free stickleback larvae and gnotobiotic animals monoassociated with single bacterial isolates. We characterized the innate immune response of these fish to resident gut microbes by quantifying the neutrophil cells in conventionally reared monoassociated or germ-free stickleback from both oceanic and freshwater populations grown in a common intermediate salinity environment. We found that oceanic and freshwater fish in the wild and in the laboratory share many intestinal microbial community members. However, oceanic fish mount a strong immune response to residential microbiota, whereas freshwater fish frequently do not. A strong innate immune response was uniformly observed across oceanic families, but this response varied among families of freshwater fish. The gnotobiotic stickleback model that we have developed therefore provides a platform for future studies mapping the natural genetic basis of the variation in immune response to microbes.
Urine-sample-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells as a model to study PCSK9-mediated autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Si-Tayeb Karim , Idriss Salam , Champon Benoite , Caillaud Amandine , Pichelin Matthieu , Arnaud Lucie , Lemarchand Patricia , Le May Cédric , Zibara Kazem , Cariou Bertrand 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT
Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a critical modulator of cholesterol homeostasis. Whereas PCSK9 gain-of-function (GOF) mutations are associated with autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia (ADH) and premature atherosclerosis, PCSK9 loss-of-function (LOF) mutations have a cardio-protective effect and in some cases can lead to familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL). However, limitations of the currently available cellular models preclude deciphering the consequences of PCSK9 mutation further. We aimed to validate urine-sample-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (UhiPSCs) as an appropriate tool to model PCSK9-mediated ADH and FHBL. To achieve our goal, urine-sample-derived somatic cells were reprogrammed into hiPSCs by using episomal vectors. UhiPSC were efficiently differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs). Compared to control cells, cells originally derived from an individual with ADH (HLC-S127R) secreted less PCSK9 in the media (−38.5%; P=0.038) and had a 71% decrease (P&lt;0.001) of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake, whereas cells originally derived from an individual with FHBL (HLC-R104C/V114A) displayed a strong decrease in PCSK9 secretion (−89.7%; P&lt;0.001) and had a 106% increase (P=0.0104) of LDL uptake. Pravastatin treatment significantly enhanced LDL receptor (LDLR) and PCSK9 mRNA gene expression, as well as PCSK9 secretion and LDL uptake in both control and S127R HLCs. Pravastatin treatment of multiple clones led to an average increase of LDL uptake of 2.19±0.77-fold in HLC-S127R compared to 1.38±0.49 fold in control HLCs (P&lt;0.01), in line with the good response to statin treatment of individuals carrying the S127R mutation (mean LDL cholesterol reduction=60.4%, n=5). In conclusion, urine samples provide an attractive and convenient source of somatic cells for reprogramming and hepatocyte differentiation, but also a powerful tool to further decipher PCSK9 mutations and function.
Foci of Algebraic Curves
Authors: Гирш  , Girsh A. 
Published: December 2015

Curves have always been part geometry. Initially, there
were lines and circle, then it was added to a conic section and
later, with the advent of analytic geometry, they added more complex
curves. Particularly in a number of lines are algebraic curves
that are described by algebraic equations. Curves found application
mostly in mechanics. Today algebraic curves used in engineering
and in mathematics, in number theory, knot theory, computer science,
criminology, etc. With the bringing to account of complex
numbers became possible to consider curves in the complex plane.
It has expanded the horizons of geometry and enriched their knowledge
on curves, particularly on algebraic curves. Our goal is to give
a geometric picture of the foci of algebraic curves clearly show the
position of the foci in the plane, show how the number of foci associated
with a class curve. The solution of this problem we see in
the application we have developed ways to visualize imaginary
images to the study of foci and focal centers of algebraic curves.
This article explains the concept of the foci of algebraic curves
shows the basic principle of the curve-theory and offers a method
for the identification of the foci. The geometric picture of the foci
is shown in a diagram, which is putted together from two tables.
One table shows the real curve with her foci, the other table shows
an imaginary cut of the curve, on which the isotropic line contacts
the cut and under them intersects in a real point. The point is a
focal point of the real curve. This project shows 16 diagrams for
conic, cubes and quadrics.