bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Investigating the Effect of
Synbiotic Administration on Markers of Insulin Metabolism and Lipid Profiles in
Overweight Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Tajabadi-Ebrahimi M. , Sharifi N. , Farrokhian A. , Raygan F. , Karamali F. , Razzaghi R. , Taheri S. , Asemi Z. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Objective: The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of
synbiotic administration on metabolic profiles in overweight diabetic patients
with coronary heart disease (CHD).
Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done
among 60 diabetic patients with CHD. Participants were randomly divided into 2
groups: group A (n=30) received synbiotic supplements containing 3 probiotic
bacteria spices Lactobacillus acidophilus 2×109,
Lactobacillus casei 2×109, Bifidobacterium bifidum
2×109 CFU/g plus 800 mg inulin and group B (n=30) received
placebo for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after
12-week intervention to determine metabolic profiles.
Results: After 12 weeks of intervention, patients who consumed synbiotic
capsule had significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (− 19.6±74.6
vs.+19.2±66.9 mg/dL, P=0.03), serum insulin concentrations (− 0.7±5.1
vs.+3.3±6.3 µIU/mL, P=0.01), the homeostasis model of assessment-estimated b
cell function (− 3.4±19.5 vs.+11.5±21.0, P=0.006) and increased the quantitative
insulin sensitivity check index (+ 0.002±0.01 vs.−0.01±0.02, P=0.03) compared
with the placebo. In addition, changes in HLDL-cholesterol levels (+ 1.8±5.7
vs.−2.2±6.0 mg/dL, P=0.01) in supplemented patients were significantly different
from those of patients in the placebo group.
Conclusion: Synbiotic supplementation for 12 weeks among diabetic
patients with CHD had beneficial effects on markers of insulin metabolism and
HDL-cholesterol levels.
Der Stellenwert der bronchoalveolären Lavage bei der Diagnostik der idiopathischen Lungenfibrose – eine Analyse unter Berücksichtigung des Proteingehaltes
Authors: Schildge J. , Frank J. , Klar B. 
Published: May 2016

ZusammenfassungObwohl die bronchoalveoläre Lavage (BAL) bei der Diagnostik interstitieller Lungenkrankheiten (ILK) häufig zum Einsatz kommt, ist ihr Stellenwert insbesondere bei der idiopathischen Lungenfibrose (IPF) wissenschaftlich umstritten. Berücksichtigt werden in der klinischen Routine die Zellverteilungen in der BAL, nichtzelluläre Merkmale der BAL spielen keine Rolle. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht mit Hilfe mathematischer Datenmodellierung, in welchem Umfang BAL-Merkmale einen Rückschluss auf die zugrundeliegende ILK zulassen und/oder eine IPF ausschließen können. In die Berechnung einbezogen werden zelluläre Befunde der BAL, daneben der Protein- und Albumin-Gehalt der BAL, die Nikotinanamnese (pack years) und die Spirometrie (IVC, FEV1).Mittels linearer Diskriminanzanalyse und Erstellung von Klassifikationsbäumen wurde die Relevanz der Merkmale von 806 Patienten mit ILK untersucht (183 IPF, 191 kryptogen organisierende Pneumonie, 147 Lungenbeteiligung bei Autoimmunerkrankung, 97 respiratorische Bronchiolitis mit interstitieller Lungenkrankheit, 118 exogen allergische Alveolitis, 41 lymphozytische interstitielle Pneumonie (LIP), 23 nichtspezifische interstitielle Pneumonie (NSIP), 88 Kontrolle).Protein zeigte in der Gesamtgruppe eine enge positive Beziehung zu den Lymphozyten. Bei IPF und NSIP ist diese Korrelation nicht vorhanden. Albumin ist in allen Gruppen eng mit dem Protein korreliert.Die Lymphozyten sind am besten geeignet, die verschiedenen ILK voneinander abzugrenzen. Eine zuverlässige Kalkulation der ILK ist auf dem Boden der untersuchten Faktoren aber nicht möglich, der Klassifikationsfehler betrug zwischen 23,5 % (IPF) und 100 % (LIP, NSIP). Konstellationen, die mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit gegen eine IPF sprechen, sind eine Lymphozytose > 34 % oder ein Proteingehalt > 347 mg/l. Gleiches gilt für die Konstellation Lymphozyten > 25 % und Protein > 250 mg/l.Bei ILK können BAL-Befunde die Diagnose eingrenzen, sind aber selten diagnosesichernd. Zum Ausschluss einer IPF kann die BAL aber einen wichtigen Beitrag leisten.
Osmoregulatory inositol transporter SMIT1 modulates electrical activity by adjusting PI(4,5)P2levels
Authors: Dai Gucan , Yu Haijie , Kruse Martin , Traynor-Kaplan Alexis , Hille Bertil 
Published: May 2016

SignificanceCells living in variable environments evolve ways to adapt to altered extracellular conditions. During hypertonic stress, the expression of several human osmolyte transporters increases, thereby accumulating more osmolytes and elevating intracellular osmolarity. We focused on one of these osmolytes, myo-inositol, which is also the precursor of membrane phosphoinositide lipids. We found that intracellular accumulation of myo-inositol via its transporter SMIT1 is able to increase phosphoinositide levels and thereby modulate the activities of phosphoinositide-dependent ion channels. We provide evidence for a previously unidentified connection between the extracellular osmotic changes and the electrical properties of excitable cells. Our findings may help elucidate mechanisms underlying several diseases characterized by either perturbed myo-inositol levels or increased extracellular tonicity.
Interactions between CAP Agricultural and Agri‐Environmental Subsidies and Their Effects on the Uptake of Organic Farming
Authors: Jaime Mónica M. , Coria Jessica , Liu Xiangping 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe analyze the effects of the interactions that the two pillars of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy—market support and rural development—have on farmers' uptake of organic farming practices. Special attention is given to the 2003 reform, which substantially altered the relative importance of the two types of support by decoupling direct agricultural payments from the production of a specific crop. In our empirical analysis we study the case of Sweden, making use of the variation in the timing of farmers' decisions regarding participation in support programs. We estimate a dynamic non‐linear unobserved effects probit model to account for unobserved individual heterogeneity and state dependence. Our results indicate the existence of a negative effect of the market support system in place when organic farming techniques were adopted before the 2003 reform. However, this effect is reversed by the introduction of decoupling. Furthermore, the effects of support differ between certified and non‐certified organic production: both pillars have significant effects on non‐certified organic farming, whereas certified organic farming is exclusively driven by agro‐environmental subsidies.
Complex heatmaps reveal patterns and correlations in multidimensional genomic data
Authors: Gu Zuguang , Eils Roland , Schlesner Matthias 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Summary: Parallel heatmaps with carefully designed annotation graphics are powerful for efficient visualization of patterns and relationships among high dimensional genomic data. Here we present the ComplexHeatmap package that provides rich functionalities for customizing heatmaps, arranging multiple parallel heatmaps and including user-defined annotation graphics. We demonstrate the power of ComplexHeatmap to easily reveal patterns and correlations among multiple sources of information with four real-world datasets.
Availability and Implementation: The ComplexHeatmap package and documentation are freely available from the Bioconductor project: http://www.bioconductor.org/packages/devel/bioc/html/ComplexHeatmap.html.
Contact: m.schlesner@dkfz.de
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Hot flashes: emerging cardiovascular risk factors in recent and late postmenopause and their association with higher blood pressure
Authors: Silveira Juliano S. , Clapauch Ruth , Souza Maria das Graças C. de , Bouskela Eliete 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

Objective:
The aim of the study was to compare the endothelial function of symptomatic (self-reported hot flashes >3 on a scale of 0-10) versus asymptomatic (≤3) women in different postmenopause stages, and to examine if the association between hot flashes and endothelial function was independent of classical cardiovascular risk factors observed during the analysis.

Methods:
Noninvasive venous occlusion plethysmography within two groups: recent (recent postmenopause [RPM], <10 y, n = 63) and late (late postmenopause [LPM], ≥10 y, n = 67) postmenopause.

Results:
Symptomatic women showed lower forearm blood flow and lower percentage increment of it during the reactive hyperemia response; higher systolic (P < 0.0001 in RPM and P = 0.0008 in LPM) and diastolic (P = 0.0005 in RPM and P = 0.0219 in LPM) blood pressure; highest score for perimenopausal hot flashes (P = 0.0007 in RPM and P < 0.0001 in LPM), longer duration of prior oral contraceptive use (P = 0.009 in RPM and P = 0.0253 in LPM), and higher current sleep disorders (P < 0.0001 in RPM and P = 0.0281 in LPM) compared with asymptomatic ones. In the LPM group, symptomatic women also had higher prevalence of previous hypertension diagnosis (P = 0.0092). During multivariate analysis, blood flow during the reactive hyperemia response was associated with hot flashes after adjusting for age, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure (odds ratio 0.55 [0.36-0.84] in RPM and odds ratio 0.7 [0.5-0.97] in LPM).

Conclusions:
In both phases, recent and late post menopause, hot flashes were associated with endothelial dysfunction and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but the relationship between hot flashes and endothelial dysfunction was independent of blood pressure.
Predictors of Out-of-ACO Care in the Medicare Shared Savings Program
Authors: Han Maria A. , Clarke Robin , Ettner Susan L. , Steers William Neil , Leng Mei , Mangione Carol M. 
Published: May 2016

Importance:Patients treated outside of their Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) accountable care organization (ACO) likely benefit less from the ACO’s integration of care. Consequently, the MSSP’s open-network design may preclude ACOs from improving value in care.Objectives:Quantify out-of-ACO care in a single urban ACO and examine associations between patient-level predictors and out-of-ACO expenditures.Research Design:Secondary data analysis using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ACO Program Claim and Claim Line Feed dataset (dates of service January 1, 2013–December 31, 2013). Two-part modeling was used to examine associations between patient-level predictors and likelihood and level of out-of-ACO expenditures.Subjects:Patients were included if they were prospectively assigned to the MSSP in 2013. Patients were excluded if they declined to share data with the ACO, were not retrospectively confirmed to be in the ACO, or had missing data on covariates. Analytic sample included 11,922 patients.Measures:Total out-of-ACO expenditures and out-of-ACO expenditures by place of service.Results:Of total expenditures, 32.9% were paid to out-of-ACO providers, and 89.8% of beneficiaries had out-of-ACO expenditures. The presence of almost all medical comorbidities increased out-of-ACO expenditures ($800–$3000 per comorbidity) across the study population. Racial/ethnic minority groups spent between $1076 and $1422 less outside of the ACO than white patients, which was driven by less out-of-ACO outpatient office expenditures ($417–$517 less for each racial/ethnic minority group).Conclusions:Out-of-ACO expenditures represented a significant portion of expenditures for the study population. Medically complex patients spent more outside of the ACO and represent an important population to study further.
Increased Risk of Burnout for Physicians and Nurses Involved in a Patient Safety Incident
Authors: Van Gerven Eva , Vander Elst Tinne , Vandenbroeck Sofie , Dierickx Sigrid , Euwema Martin , Sermeus Walter , De Witte Hans , Godderis Lode , Vanhaecht Kris 
Published: May 2016

Background:
Human errors occur everywhere, including in health care. Not only the patient, but also the involved health professional is affected (ie, the “second victim”).

Objectives:
To investigate the prevalence of health care professionals being personally involved in a patient safety incident (PSI), as well as the relationship of involvement and degree of harm with problematic medication use, excessive alcohol consumption, risk of burnout, work-home interference (WHI), and turnover intentions.

Research Design:
Multilevel path analyses were conducted to analyze cross-sectional survey data from 37 Belgian hospitals.

Subjects:
A total of 5788 nurses (79.4%) and physicians (20.6%) in 26 acute and 11 psychiatric hospitals were included.

Measures:
“Involvement in a patient safety incident during the prior 6 months,” “degree of harm,” and 5 outcomes were measured using self-report scales.

Results:
Nine percent of the total sample had been involved in a PSI during the prior 6 months. Involvement in a PSI was related to a greater risk of burnout (β=0.40, OR=2.07), to problematic medication use (β=0.33, OR=1.84), to greater WHI (β=0.24), and to more turnover intentions (β=0.22). Harm to the patient was a predictor of problematic medication use (β=0.14, OR=1.56), risk of burnout (β=0.16, OR=1.62), and WHI (β=0.19).

Conclusions:
Second victims experience significant negative outcomes in the aftermath of a PSI. An appropriate organizational response should be provided to mitigate the negative effects.
Transcranial brain stimulation: closing the loop between brain and stimulation
Authors: Karabanov Anke , Thielscher Axel , Siebner Hartwig Roman 
Published: May 2016

Purpose of review
To discuss recent strategies for boosting the efficacy of noninvasive transcranial brain stimulation to improve human brain function.

Recent findings
Recent research exposed substantial intra- and inter-individual variability in response to plasticity-inducing transcranial brain stimulation. Trait-related and state-related determinants contribute to this variability, challenging the standard approach to apply stimulation in a rigid, one-size-fits-all fashion. Several strategies have been identified to reduce variability and maximize the plasticity-inducing effects of noninvasive transcranial brain stimulation. Priming interventions or paired associative stimulation can be used to ‘standardize’ the brain-state and hereby, homogenize the group response to stimulation. Neuroanatomical and neurochemical profiling based on magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy can capture trait-related and state-related variability. Fluctuations in brain-states can be traced online with functional brain imaging and inform the timing or other settings of transcranial brain stimulation. State-informed open-loop stimulation is aligned to the expression of a predefined brain state, according to prespecified rules. In contrast, adaptive closed-loop stimulation dynamically adjusts stimulation settings based on the occurrence of stimulation-induced state changes.

Summary
Approaches that take into account trait-related and state-related determinants of stimulation-induced plasticity bear considerable potential to establish noninvasive transcranial brain stimulation as interventional therapeutic tool.
Gender discrimination and job characteristics
Authors: Dubbelt Lonneke , Rispens Sonja , Demerouti Evangelia 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between gender discrimination and the perceived job demands and job resources of women and men. This is important because it may provide insight into what factors contribute to women’s disadvantaged position at work.

Design/methodology/approach
– Two cross-sectional studies were conducted, Study 1 in a male-dominated organization and Study 2 in a gender-balanced organization.

Findings
– The results showed that in both organizations, gender discrimination was positively associated with women’s job demands and negatively associated with their job resources. Additionally, in the male-dominated organization the perceived gender discrimination was also negatively associated with men’s job resources. Overall, the results were more consistent across the two organizations for women’s job resources.

Originality/value
– This paper links gender literature with the job demands-resources model to translate gender discrimination into quantifiable job characteristics and may provide alternative explanations for previous found gender differences in well-being and career success.
Development and validation of a work motive measurement scale
Authors: Liu Yu-Shan , Wohlsdorf Arendt Susan 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement scale to assess work motives for hospitality employees utilizing McClelland’s theory of needs as the theoretical underpinning.

Design/methodology/approach
Both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to achieve the study purpose. First, individual interviews were conducted to explore employee work motives and develop work motive scale items. Second, data from a self-administered paper questionnaire, completed by 388 respondents, were used to validate the developed scale.

Findings
Four themes were identified which reflect employees’ perspectives of hospitality jobs and culture: the job itself, need for affiliation, need for achievement and need for power. The developed scale, consisting of 22 items, was found to be reliable and valid in assessing work motives.

Research limitations/implications
The majority of participants were entry-level employees; therefore, the developed scale may not be useful when assessing work motives of individuals not in front-line positions. Future research could extend the measurement model to investigate work motives of individuals in managerial positions. In addition, future research could assess work motives as antecedents of employee organizational behaviors and attitudes.

Practical implications
The developed scale could be used as a selection tool to assess applicants’ work motives, thereby assisting employers in making effective hiring decisions.

Originality/value
This study contributes a new reliable and valid measurement scale developed specifically to address the unique work motives desirable for individuals seeking employment in the hospitality industry.
The impact of other group members on tourists’ travel experiences
Authors: Yin Cheng-Yue , Poon Patrick 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the impact of other group members on the travel experiences of Chinese tourists participating in domestic package tours.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on the critical incident technique, usable responses were obtained from 253 tourists regarding the influence of other group members on their travel experiences in the same group package tour (GPT).

Findings
The results show that the travel experiences of Chinese tourists on a domestic package tour are affected by three general factors, namely, appearance, behaviors, and language of other group members.

Research limitations/implications
This research mainly involves samples of young tourists. The findings may not be able to generalize to elderly tourists. Future studies may involve samples from various age cohorts.

Practical implications
The findings offer new insights and directions for GPT operators and tour guides to improve tourism management and tourist experiences.

Social implications
This study contributes to tourism literature about customer-to-customer interaction by identifying the major categories of other customers’ characteristics or behaviors that may positively or negatively influence a GPT tourist’s travel experience.

Originality/value
This study enriches the existing literature by investigating the attributes of other group members that may affect the travel experiences of a domestic GPT participant. Tourism firms can formulate better strategies and staff training to enhance tourists’ travel experiences.
An integrated model of festival revisit intentions
Authors: Choo Hyungsuk , Ahn Kwangho , F. Petrick James 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the determinants of current visitors’ festival revisit intentions. The concepts of festival quality and satisfaction were adapted and integrated with the theory of planned behavior (TPB) from social psychology to theorize a model of festival revisit intentions. In addition, given the importance of social characteristics in festival visiting behavior, the relative impacts of three modes of social influences (i.e. subjective norms, group norms and social identity) were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach
Statistical analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling to examine the hypothesized relationships with the data collected onsite during the Nonsan Strawberry Festival, held in Nonsan, South Korea. The eleven constructs were incorporated into the structural model to examine the hypothesized relationships among the latent factors.

Findings
Results of the analyses indicated that the proposed model had an acceptable fit to the empirical data. The overall explanatory power of the model had an R2 of 84 per cent for revisit intention and an R2 of 60 per cent for satisfaction. Satisfaction was found to be the strongest predictor of visitors’ revisit intensions, followed by social identity, subjective norms and group norms.

Research limitations/implications
This study developed an integrated model to explain festival visitors’ revisit intentions by adopting not only visitors’ personal evaluation of the festival experience and but also a series of social influences.

Practical implications
Based on the results, festival managers should allocate their marketing resources for the festival program, environment and souvenirs to increase the visitors’ perception of quality. Particular attention should also be given to visitor groups and their travel companions’ influences on their intentions to revisit the festival.

Originality/value
The incorporation of festival quality and satisfaction and TPB extended with additional social influence variables provided a model with a theoretical basis to explain festival revisit intentions. This approach may provide an initial blueprint for further investigation of other theoretical revisit models.
Blood-borne viral co-infections among human immunodeficiency virus-infected inmates
Authors: Pontali Emanuele , Bobbio Nicoletta , Zaccardi Marilena , Urciuoli Renato 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the prevalence of HBV and/or HCV co-infection among HIV-infected inmates entering the correctional facility.

Design/methodology/approach
– Prospective collection of data of HIV-infected inmates entered the institution over a ten-year period.

Findings
– During study period 365 consecutive different inmates were evaluated. HCV co-infection was observed in more than 80 per cent of the tested HIV-infected inmates, past HBV infection in 71.6 per cent and active HBV co-infection was detected in 7.1 per cent; triple coinfection (HIV, HCV and HBs-Ag positivity) was present in 6 per cent of the total.

Originality/value
– This study confirms high prevalence of co-infections among HIV-infected inmates. Testing for HBV and HCV in all HIV-infected inmates at entry in any correctional system is recommended to identify those in need of specific care and/or preventing interventions.