bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diet, physical activity and mental health status are associated with dysglycaemia in pregnancy: the Healthy Start Study
Authors: Sauder K. A. , Starling A. P. , Shapiro A. L. , Kaar J. L. , Ringham B. M. , Glueck D. H. , Leiferman J. A. , Siega‐Riz A. M. , Dabelea D. 
Published: February 2016

AimsTo examine the association between dysglycaemia and multiple modifiable factors measured during pregnancy.MethodsThe Healthy Start Study collected self‐reported data on modifiable factors in early and mid‐pregnancy (median 17 and 27 weeks gestation, respectively) from 832 women. Women received one point for each modifiable factor for which they had optimum scores: diet quality (Healthy Eating Index score ≥64), physical activity level (estimated energy expenditure ≥170 metabolic equivalent task‐h/week), and mental health status (Perceived Stress Scale score <6 and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score <13). Dysglycaemia during pregnancy was defined as an abnormal glucose challenge result, ≥1 abnormal results on an oral glucose tolerance test, or a clinical diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios for dysglycaemia as a function of each factor and the total score, adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, pre‐pregnancy BMI, history of gestational diabetes, and family history of Type 2 diabetes.ResultsIn individual analyses, only physical activity was significantly associated with a reduced risk of dysglycaemia (adjusted odds ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.44–1.00). We observed a significant, dose–response association between increasing numbers of optimal factors and odds of dysglycaemia (adjusted P=0.01). Compared with having no optimal modifiable factors, having all three was associated with a 73% reduced risk of dysglycaemia (adjusted odds ratio 0.27, 95% CI 0.08–0.95).ConclusionsAn increasing number of positive modifiable factors in pregnancy was associated with a dose–response reduction in risk of dysglycaemia. Our results support the hypothesis that modifiable factors in pregnancy are associated with the risk of prenatal dysglycaemia.
Association of hearing impairment with insulin resistance, β–cell dysfunction and impaired fasting glucose before onset of diabetes
Authors: Seo M. , Lee Y.‐S. , Moon S.‐S. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimDiabetes is a known risk factor for hearing impairment. No study regarding the association of insulin resistance (IR), β–cell dysfunction and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) with hearing impairment has been reported in the population without diabetes. We examined these associations using a representative sample of the Korean population.MethodsParticipants included 1589 males and 2496 females, who were ≥ 20 years of age and without diabetes from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys of the Korean population (2010). Audiometric tests and laboratory examinations were performed. Homeostasis model assessments of IR and β–cell function (HOMA–IR and HOMA–β) were calculated.ResultsThe prevalence of both high‐ and low‐/mid‐frequency hearing impairment among subjects with IFG was higher compared with those with normal glycaemia (42.2% vs. 24.5%, 14.7% vs. 7.8%, respectively). After adjustment for age, HOMA–IR and HOMA–β showed significant association with high‐frequency hearing impairment in males. In the multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting for confounding variables, the presence of IFG, higher HOMA–IR and lower HOMA–β remained as independent risk factors for high‐frequency mild hearing impairment in males < 70 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.441, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.056 to 1.967; OR, 1.448, 95% CI, 1.039 to 2.101; and OR, 0.447, 95% CI, 0.274 to 0.729, P < 0.05, respectively).ConclusionsIR, β–cell dysfunction and IFG are associated with high‐frequency mild hearing impairment in the male population < 70 years before the onset of diabetes.
Ecological interactions and the fitness effect of water‐use efficiency: Competition and drought alter the impact of natural MPK12 alleles in Arabidopsis
Authors: Campitelli Brandon E. , Des Marais David L. , Juenger Thomas E. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe presence of substantial genetic variation for water‐use efficiency (WUE) suggests that natural selection plays a role in maintaining alleles that affect WUE. Soil water deficit can reduce plant survival, and is likely to impose selection to increase WUE, whereas competition for resources may select for decreased WUE to ensure water acquisition. We tested the fitness consequences of natural allelic variation in a single gene (MPK12) that influences WUE in Arabidopsis, using transgenic lines contrasting in MPK12 alleles, under four treatments; drought/competition, drought/no competition, well‐watered/competition, well‐watered/no competition. Results revealed an allele × environment interaction: Low WUE plants performed better in competition, resulting from increased resource consumption. Contrastingly, high WUE individuals performed better in no competition, irrespective of water availability, presumably from enhanced water conservation and nitrogen acquisition. Our findings suggest that selection can influence MPK12 evolution, and represents the first assessment of plant fitness resulting from natural allelic variation at a single locus affecting WUE.
Cerebrospinal fluid chitinase‐3‐like 2 and chitotriosidase are potential prognostic biomarkers in early multiple sclerosis
Authors: Møllgaard M. , Degn M. , Sellebjerg F. , Frederiksen J. L. , Modvig S. 
Published: February 2016

Background and purposeThe role of chitinases and chitinase‐like proteins in multiple sclerosis (MS) is currently unknown; however, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of chitinase 3‐like 1 (CHI3L1) predict prognosis in early MS. Whether this applies to other chitinases and chitinase‐like proteins is yet to be established. Our objective was to investigate the potential of chitinase 3‐like 2 (CHI3L2) and chitotriosidase as prognostic biomarkers in optic neuritis (ON) as the first demyelinating episode and to evaluate the ability of CHI3L2 to predict long‐term MS risk and disability.MethodsIn a prospective cohort of 73 patients with ON as a first demyelinating episode and 26 age‐matched healthy controls levels of CHI3L2 and chitotriosidase in CSF were explored by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Associations with magnetic resonance imaging white matter lesions, CSF oligoclonal bands, immunoglobulin G index and leukocyte count were investigated. Long‐term MS risk and disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite components) were examined in a retrospective cohort of 78 patients with ON as the first demyelinating episode (mean follow‐up 14 years). The predictive ability of CHI3L2 was compared with CHI3L1.ResultsCerebrospinal fluid levels of CHI3L2 and chitotriosidase were significantly elevated in patients with ON and were associated with MS risk measures. CHI3L2 levels predicted MS development after ON (hazard ratio 1.95, P = 0.00039, Cox regression) and cognitive impairment by the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (P = 0.0357, linear regression) at follow‐up. In a multivariate analysis of MS risk, CHI3L2 performed better than CHI3L1.ConclusionsCHI3L2 and chitotriosidase are promising biomarkers in patients with a first demyelinating episode. Our findings thus support a role for these proteins as biomarkers in early MS.
Micromechanism of cyclic plastic deformation of alloy IN 718 at 600 °C
Authors: Banerjee A. , Sahu J. K. , Paulose N. , Fernando C. D. , Ghosh R. N. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn the present investigation, an attempt was made to understand the cyclic deformation micromechanism of gas turbine alloy Inconel 718 at 600 °C (i) by conducting low cycle fatigue and creep–fatigue interaction tests and (ii) by studying the microstructure evolution in the material during fatigue tests through extensive electron microscopy. Bilinear slope was obtained in the Coffin–Manson plot for all low cycle fatigue tests, and it was confirmed through transmission electron microscopic examination that microtwinning was the predominant mode of deformation at low plastic strain values, whereas slip and shearing of γ″ precipitates were the predominant mode of deformation at higher plastic strain values. Fatigue life was adversely affected when hold time was introduced at peak tensile strain during creep–fatigue interaction tests. Formation of stepped interface at microtwin boundaries and coarsening of niobium carbide precipitates were observed to be the major microsturctural changes during creep–fatigue interaction tests.
Verifier of the maximum sustainable yield estimates of the southern Atlantic albacore,Thunnus alalunga,stock
Authors: Liao B. , Liu Q. , Zhang K. , Wang X. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMaximum sustainable yield (MSY) has generally been accepted as one of the target biological reference points. Albacore,Thunnus alalungaBonnaterre, is a temperate tuna species widely distributed in marine waters. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) had reported the southern Atlantic albacore stock status with differentMSYreference points. In addition, the European Commission's Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (ACFA), on 15 September 2006, proposed to amend the Common Fisheries Policy according to theMSYprinciple, but there is little information on the verifier of theMSYestimates of this albacore stock. This study verifies theMSYestimates of this albacore (T. alalunga) stock to support the management (i.e. setting ofMSY) for the southern Atlantic albacore (T. alalunga) stock. TheMSYestimates of the albacore stock were evaluated and verified by different models (i.e. Bayesian surplus production model [BSPM], continuous time delay‐difference model [CD‐DM] and Fox surplus production model [SPM]). TheMSYestimates fromBSPMandCD‐DMwere lower than those from conventional estimates; the relative biomass ratio (B2011/BMSY) and relative fishing mortality ratio (F2011/FMSY) fromBSPMandCD‐DMwere higher than those fromICCAT, which showed that measures should be taken for the sustainable utilisation of this fish stock.
Food‐web structure and mercury dynamics in a large subarctic lake following multiple species introductions
Authors: Thomas Stephen M. , Kiljunen Mikko , Malinen Tommi , Eloranta Antti P. , Amundsen Per‐Arne , Lodenius Martin , Kahilainen Kimmo K. 
Published: February 2016

Summary

The rate of non‐native fish introductions into freshwater ecosystems has more than doubled during the past three decades, posing a serious threat to native biodiversity. Despite potential benefits for fisheries, little is known about how introduced species interact with native communities at the food‐web level, or impact energy transfer dynamics and accumulation of contaminants in lake ecosystems.

Here, we explored the trophic structure of a large, oligotrophic subarctic lake and assessed the trophic niche use and potential ecosystem‐wide consequences of two introduced salmonid species: piscivorous lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and zooplanktivorous vendace (Coregonus albula). We used a combination of diet, stable isotope and total mercury concentration data to test the hypotheses that the introduced fishes: (i) show partial niche overlap with the native fish community; (ii) increase total isotopic food‐web size and dietary linkages by increasing the diversity of niches present within the system, in comparison to analyses where only the native species were considered; and (iii) have differing mercury bioaccumulation rates from native species due to differences in trophic ecology and habitat preferences, being higher in pelagic than in littoral species.

Trophic interactions between the introduced and native species were extensive, with evidence of reciprocal predation, resource competition and possible competitive exclusion apparent. Despite partial niche overlap with native species, the inclusion of introduced species in our analysis increased both total isotopic niche space and the number of dietary linkages present in the food web. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that introduced vendace may have led to a shift in system‐wide reliance on pelagically derived energy, whereas generalist foraging by piscivorous lake trout may have further integrated littoral and pelagic food‐web compartments. Mercury bioaccumulation rates were highly species‐specific and varied among habitats, but were generally higher in the pelagic food‐web compartment. However, contrary to expectations, vendace had lower mercury levels than native pelagic species, potentially reducing the extent of biomagnification within the lake.

Our study demonstrates how introduced fishes may elicit complex and unpredictable responses in food‐web structure and ecosystem function, and thus complicate contaminant bioaccumulation and transfer processes within freshwater ecosystems.
Slipping through the net: the paradox of nursing's electronic theses and dissertations
Authors: Macduff C. , Goodfellow L.M. , Nolfi D. , Copeland S. , Leslie G.D. , Blackwood D. 
Published: February 2016

AimThe study's main aim was to gain in‐depth understanding of how nurse scholars engage with electronic theses and dissertations. Through elicitation of opinions about challenges and opportunities, and perceptions of future development, the study also aimed to influence the design of a new international web‐based forum for learning and sharing information on this topic.BackgroundElectronic theses and dissertations provide an opportunity to radically change the way in which graduate student research is presented, disseminated and used internationally. However, as revealed by a multi‐national survey in 2011, many nurse scholars in vanguard universities have little awareness of how to find and exploit this ever‐expanding global knowledge resource that is increasingly available free in full text format. Within this context more detailed understandings of nurse scholars’ thinking and actions are required.MethodsA qualitative approach using a semi‐structured interview guide was utilized to elicit perceptions from 14 nurse scholars.ResultsThematic analysis of the interviewees’ responses identified six major themes: initial exposure and effect; searching; accessing; handling; using; and evaluation. Insights were gained about the value of these resources and behaviours in using them as exemplars for structure, format and methodology.Conclusion and implications for nursing and nursing policyDespite the small study size, the findings added valuable new insights to the overview gained from the 2011 survey. These have been used to inform development of a new global initiative: the International Network for Electronic Theses and Dissertations in Nursing. Featuring an educational website (www.inetdin.net), this initiative aims to support and challenge nursing's policy makers, practitioners and especially educators to utilize this neglected but exponentially increasing wellspring of international nursing knowledge.
Effective Altruism and its Critics
Authors: Gabriel Iason 
Published: February 2016

AbstractEffective altruism is a philosophy and a social movement that aims to revolutionise the way we do philanthropy. It encourages individuals to do as much good as possible, typically by contributing money to the best‐performing aid and development organisations. Surprisingly, this approach has met with considerable resistance among activists and aid providers who argue that effective altruism is insensitive to justice insofar as it overlooks the value of equality, urgency and rights. They also hold that the movement suffers from methodological bias, reaching mistaken conclusions about how best to act for that reason. Finally, concerns have been raised about the ability of effective altruism to achieve systemic change. This article weighs the force of each objection in turn, and looks at responses to the challenge they pose.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder in a person with an Autism Spectrum Condition and Intellectual Disability: A Case Study
Authors: Carrigan Neil , Allez Kate 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundOne of the difficulties in assessing and treating PTSD in people with intellectual disability is that it may not present with the typical symptoms associated with the disorder. This may be why there is a dearth of literature on the treatment of PTSD using cognitive behavioural approaches for people with intellectual disability (e.g. Ehlers et al. Behav Res Ther, 43, 2005, 413–431). This paper reports the treatment for PTSD in a young man diagnosed with autism and a mild intellectual disability.MethodTreatment involved 12 sessions of cognitive therapy for PTSD using the approach developed by Ehlers et al.ResultsThere was an overall reduction in symptoms and a self‐reported elevation in mood. With careful questioning, adaptation of language and elucidation of concepts, the patient was able to fully engage in therapy.DiscussionThis case suggests that cognitive approaches to treating PTSD can be successful in people with intellectual disability and autism.
Facing the Unknown: Intolerance of Uncertainty in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Hodgson Anna R. , Freeston Mark H. , Honey Emma , Rodgers Jacqui 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundAnxiety is a common problem for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent research indicates that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) may be an important aspect of anxiety for this population. IU is the belief that uncertainty is upsetting, and not knowing what is going to happen is negative. There is little known about the phenomenology of IU in children with ASD. We therefore present data from parent focus groups exploring this concept in children with ASD.MethodsParticipants were asked to differentiate IU from dislike of change and fear, and to discuss examples of IU and the strategies they use to manage it. Their experiences of IU and strategies are presented.ResultsIU was evident across novel and familiar situations and parents used a variety of strategies to manage IU. Their experiences of IU and strategies used are presented.ConclusionsParticipants were able to identify and provide examples of IU suggesting that it is a recognizable construct among children with ASD.
Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress‐induced apoptosis in a streptozotocin‐induced diabetes rat model
Authors: Yu Haitao , Zhen Juan , Yang Yang , Gu Jinning , Wu Suisheng , Liu Quan 
Published: February 2016

AbstractGinsenoside Rg1 has been demonstrated to have cardiovascular protective effects. However, whether the cardioprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 are mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‐induced apoptosis remain unclear. In this study, among 80 male Wistar rats, 15 rats were randomly selected as controls; the remaining 65 rats received a diet rich in fat and sugar content for 4 weeks, followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg) to establish a diabetes model. Seven days after STZ injection, 10 rats were randomly selected as diabetic model (DM) controls, 45 eligible diabetic rats were randomized to three treatment groups and administered ginsenoside Rg1 in a dosage of 10, 15 or 20 mg/kg/day, respectively. After 12 weeks of treatment, rats were killed and serum samples obtained to determine cardiac troponin (cTn)‐I. Myocardial tissues were harvested for morphological analysis to detect myocardial cell apoptosis, and to analyse protein expression of glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and Caspase‐12. Treatment with ginsenoside Rg1 (10–20 mg/kg) significantly reduced serum cTnI levels compared with DM control group (all P < 0.01). Ginsenoside Rg1 (15 and 20 mg/kg) significantly reduced the percentage of apoptotic myocardial cells and improved the parameters of cardiac function. Haematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining indicated that ginsenoside Rg1 could attenuate myocardial lesions and myocardial collagen volume fraction. Additionally, ginsenoside Rg1 significantly reduced GRP78, CHOP, and cleaved Caspase‐12 protein expression in a dose‐dependent manner. These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 appeared to ameliorate diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting ER stress‐induced apoptosis in diabetic rats.
Simvastatin improves the homing of BMSCs via the PI3K/AKT/miR‐9 pathway
Authors: Bing Weidong , Pang Xinyan , QU Qingxi , Bai Xiao , Yang Wenwen , Bi Yanwen , Bi Xiaolu 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have great therapeutic potential for many diseases. However, the homing of BMSCs to injury sites remains a difficult problem. Recent evidence indicates that simvastatin stimulates AKT phosphorylation, and p‐AKT affects the expression of chemokine (CXC motif) receptor‐4 (CXCR4). Therefore, simvastatin may improve the expression of CXCR4 in BMSCs, and microRNAs (miRs) may participate in this process. In this study, we demonstrated that simvastatin increased both the total and the surface expression of CXCR4 in BMSCs. Stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‑1α)‐induced migration of BMSCs was also enhanced by simvastatin, and this action was inhibited by AMD 3100(a chemokine receptor antagonist for CXCR4). The PI3K/AKT pathway was activated by simvastatin in this process, and LY294002 reversed the overexpression of CXCR4 caused by simvastatin. MiR‐9 directly targeted CXCR4 in rat BMSCs, and simvastatin decreased miR‐9 expression. P‐AKT affected the expression of miR‐9; as the phosphorylation of AKT increased, miR‐9 expression decreased. In addition, LY294002 increased miR‐9 expression. Taken together, our results indicated that simvastatin improved the migration of BMSCs via the PI3K/AKT pathway. MiR‐9 also participated in this process, and the phosphorylation of AKT affected miR‐9 expression, suggesting that simvastatin might have beneficial effects in stem cell therapy.
Aberrant local striatal functional connectivity in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: von Rhein Daniel , Oldehinkel Marianne , Beckmann Christian F. , Oosterlaan Jaap , Heslenfeld Dirk , Hartman Catharina A. , Hoekstra Pieter J. , Franke Barbara , Cools Roshan , Buitelaar Jan K. , Mennes Maarten 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundTask‐based and resting‐state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies report attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)‐related alterations in brain regions implicated in cortico‐striatal networks. We assessed whether ADHD is associated with changes in the brain's global cortico‐striatal functional architecture, or whether ADHD‐related alterations are limited to local, intrastriatal functional connections.MethodsWe included a cohort of adolescents with ADHD (N = 181) and healthy controls (N = 140) and assessed functional connectivity of nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, anterior putamen, and posterior putamen. To assess global cortico‐striatal functional architecture we computed whole‐brain functional connectivity by including all regions of interest in one multivariate analysis. We assessed local striatal functional connectivity using partial correlations between the time series of the striatal regions.ResultsDiagnostic status did not influence global cortico‐striatal functional architecture. However, compared to controls, participants with ADHD exhibited significantly increased local functional connectivity between anterior and posterior putamen (p = .0003; ADHD: z = .30, controls: z = .24). Results were not affected by medication use or comorbid oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.ConclusionsOur results do not support hypotheses that ADHD is associated with alterations in cortico‐striatal networks, but suggest changes in local striatal functional connectivity. We interpret our findings as aberrant development of local functional connectivity of the putamen, potentially leading to decreased functional segregation between anterior and posterior putamen in ADHD.