bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with telomere lengthening
Authors: Polonis Katarzyna , Somers Virend K. , Becari Christiane , Covassin Naima , Schulte Phillip J. , Druliner Brooke R. , Johnson Ruth A. , Narkiewicz Krzysztof , Boardman Lisa A. , Singh Prachi 
Published: August 2017

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cardiometabolic diseases. Telomere shortening is linked to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. Because these conditions are highly prevalent in OSA, we hypothesized that telomere length (TL) would be reduced in OSA patients. We identified 106 OSA and 104 non-OSA subjects who underwent polysomnography evaluation. Quantitative PCR was used to measure telomere length in genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood samples. The association between OSA and TL was determined using unadjusted and adjusted linear models. There was no difference in TL between the OSA and non-OSA (control) group. However, we observed a J-shaped relationship between TL and OSA severity: the longest TL in moderate-to-severe OSA [4,918 ± 230 (SD) bp] and the shortest TL in mild OSA (4,735 ± 145 bp). Mean TL in moderate-to-severe OSA was significantly longer than in the control group after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and depression (β = 96.0, 95% confidence interval: 15.4–176.6, P = 0.020). In conclusion, moderate-to-severe OSA is associated with telomere lengthening. Our findings support the idea that changes in TL are not unidirectional processes, such that telomere shortening occurs with age and disease but may be prolonged in moderate-to-severe OSA. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we show that moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with longer telomeres, independent of age and cardiovascular risk factors, challenging the hypothesis that telomere shortening is a unidirectional process related to age/disease. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying telomere dynamics may identify targets for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular aging/other chronic diseases.
Hypoxia promotes primitive glycosaminoglycan-rich extracellular matrix composition in developing heart valves
Authors: Amofa Dorothy , Hulin Alexia , Nakada Yuji , Sadek Hesham A. , Yutzey Katherine E. 
Published: August 2017

During postnatal heart valve development, glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-rich valve primordia transform into stratified valve leaflets composed of GAGs, fibrillar collagen, and elastin layers accompanied by decreased cell proliferation as well as thinning and elongation. The neonatal period is characterized by the transition from a uterine environment to atmospheric O2, but the role of changing O2 levels in valve extracellular matrix (ECM) composition or morphogenesis is not well characterized. Here, we show that tissue hypoxia decreases in mouse aortic valves in the days after birth, concomitant with ECM remodeling and cell cycle arrest of valve interstitial cells. The effects of hypoxia on late embryonic valve ECM composition, Sox9 expression, and cell proliferation were examined in chicken embryo aortic valve organ cultures. Maintenance of late embryonic chicken aortic valve organ cultures in a hypoxic environment promotes GAG expression, Sox9 nuclear localization, and indicators of hyaluronan remodeling but does not affect fibrillar collagen content or cell proliferation. Chronic hypoxia also promotes GAG accumulation in murine adult heart valves in vivo. Together, these results support a role for hypoxia in maintaining a primitive GAG-rich matrix in developing heart valves before birth and also in the induction of hyaluronan remodeling in adults. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Tissue hypoxia decreases in mouse aortic valves after birth, and exposure to hypoxia promotes glycosaminoglycan accumulation in cultured chicken embryo valves and adult murine heart valves. Thus, hypoxia maintains a primitive extracellular matrix during heart valve development and promotes extracellular matrix remodeling in adult mice, as occurs in myxomatous disease.
Lack of Constitutively Active DNA Repair Sensitizes Glioblastomas to Akt Inhibition and Induces Synthetic Lethality with Radiation Treatment in a p53-Dependent Manner
Authors: Palanichamy Kamalakannan , Patel Disha , Jacob John R. , Litzenberg Kevin T. , Gordon Nicolaus , Acus Kirstin , Noda Shin-ei , Chakravarti Arnab 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTreatment refractory glioblastoma (GBM) remains a major clinical problem globally, and targeted therapies in GBM have not been promising to date. The Cancer Genome Atlas integrative analysis of GBM reported the striking finding of genetic alterations in the p53 and PI3K pathways in more than 80% of GBMs. Given the role of these pathways in making cell-fate decisions and responding to genotoxic stress, we investigated the reliance of these two pathways in mediating radiation resistance. We selected a panel of GBM cell lines and glioma stem cells (GSC) with wild-type TP53 (p53-wt) and mutant TP53, mutations known to interfere with p53 functionality (p53-mt). Cell lines were treated with a brain permeable inhibitor of P-Akt (ser473), phosphatidylinositol ether lipid analogue (PIA), with and without radiation treatment. Sensitivity to treatment was measured using Annexin-V/PI flow cytometry and Western blot analysis for the markers of apoptotic signaling, alkaline COMET assay. All results were verified in p53 isogenic cell lines. p53-mt cell lines were selectively radiosensitized by PIA. This radiosensitization effect corresponded with an increase in DNA damage and a decrease in DNA-PKcs levels. TP53 silencing in p53-wt cells showed a similar response as the p53-mt cells. In addition, the radiosensitization effects of Akt inhibition were not observed in normal human astrocytes, suggesting that this treatment strategy could have limited off-target effects. We demonstrate that the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway by PIA radiosensitizes p53-mt cells by antagonizing DNA repair. In principle, this strategy could provide a large therapeutic window for the treatment of TP53-mutant tumors. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(2); 336–46. ©2017 AACR.See all articles in this MCT Focus section, “Developmental Therapeutics in Radiation Oncology.”
Association of Epicardial Adipose Tissue and High‐Risk Plaque Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Nerlekar Nitesh , Brown Adam J. , Muthalaly Rahul G. , Talman Andrew , Hettige Thushan , Cameron James D. , Wong Dennis T. L. 
Published: August 2017

Background

Epicardial adipose tissue (
EAT
) is hypothesized to alter atherosclerotic plaque composition, with potential development of high‐risk plaque (
HRP
).
EAT
can be measured by volumetric assessment (
EAT
‐v) or linear thickness (
EAT
‐t). We performed a systematic review and random‐effects meta‐analysis to assess the association of
EAT
with
HRP
and whether this association is dependent on the measurement method used.

Methods and Results

Electronic databases were systematically searched up to October 2016. Studies reporting
HRP
by computed tomography or intracoronary imaging and studies measuring
EAT
‐v or
EAT
‐t were included. Odds ratios were extracted from multivariable models reporting the association of
EAT
with
HRP
and described as pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals (
CIs
). Analysis was stratified by
EAT
measurement method. Nine studies (n=3772 patients) were included with 7 measuring
EAT
‐v and 2 measuring
EAT
‐t. Increasing
EAT
was significantly associated with the presence of
HRP (odds ratio:
1.26 [95%
CI,
1.11–1.43];
P
<0.001). Patients with
HRP
had higher
EAT
‐v than those without (weighted mean difference: 28.3 mL [95%
CI,
18.8–37.8 mL];
P
<0.001).
EAT
‐v was associated with
HRP (odds ratio:
1.19 [95%
CI,
1.06–1.33];
P
<0.001); however,
EAT
‐t was not (odds ratio: 3.09 [95%
CI,
0.56–17];
P
=0.2). Estimates remained significant when adjusted for small‐study effect bias
(odds ratio:
1.13 [95%
CI,
1.03–1.28];
P
=0.04).

Conclusions

Increasing
EAT
is associated with the presence of
HRP,
and patients with
HRP
have higher quantified
EAT
‐v. The association of
EAT
‐v with
HRP
is significant compared with
EAT
‐t; however, a larger scale study is still required, and further evaluation is needed to assess whether
EAT
may be a potential therapeutic target for novel pharmaceutical agents.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/
. Unique identifier:
CRD
42017055473.
Ice Fog: The Current State of Knowledge and Future Challenges
Authors: Gultepe Ismail , Heymsfield Andrew J. , Gallagher Martin , Ickes Luisa , Baumgardner Darrel 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Ice fog is a natural, outdoor cloud laboratory that provides an excellent opportunity to study ice microphysical processes. Ice crystals in fog are formed through similar pathways as those in elevated clouds; that is, cloud condensation or ice nuclei are activated in an atmosphere supersaturated with respect to liquid water or ice. The primary differences between surface and elevated ice clouds are related to the sources of water vapor, the cooling mechanisms and dynamical processes leading to supersaturation, and the microphysical characteristics of the nuclei that affect ice fog crystal physical properties. As with any fog, its presence can be a hazard for ground or airborne traffic because of poor visibility and icing. In addition, ice fog plays a role in climate change by modulating the heat and moisture budgets. Ice fog wintertime occurrence in many parts of the world can have a significant impact on the environment. Global climate models need to accurately account for the temporal and spatial microphysical and optical properties of ice fog, as do weather forecast models. The primary handicap is the lack of adequate information on nucleation processes and microphysical algorithms that accurately represent glaciation of supercooled water fog. This chapter summarizes the current understanding of ice fog formation and evolution; discusses operating principles, limitations, and uncertainties associated with the instruments used to measure ice fog microphysical properties; describes the prediction of ice fog by the numerical forecast models and physical parameterizations used in climate models; identifies the outstanding questions to be resolved; and lists recommended actions to address and solve these questions.
Efficacy and safety of adalimumab by intra-articular injection for moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis: An open-label randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Jianping 
Published: August 2017

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab (ADA) versus hyaluronic acid (HA) by intra-articular injection for moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis. Methods Fifty-six consecutive patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to either the ADA group or HA group. On day 0, patients in the ADA group received 10 mg of ADA by intra-articular injection, while those in the HA group received 25 mg of HA. All patients received celecoxib at 200 mg/day for 4 weeks. The pain visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Patient Global Assessment (PGA), and Physician Global Assessment (PhGA) scores were assessed. Results At baseline, the pain VAS, WOMAC, PGA, and PhGA scores were similar between the two groups. The decrease in the pain VAS score, WOMAC pain score, WOMAC physical function score, and WOMAC total score from baseline to week 4 were greater in the ADA than HA group. A greater decrease in the PGA and PhGA scores from baseline to week 4 was noted in the ADA than HA group. No difference in adverse events was observed between the two groups. Conclusion ADA by intra-articular injection was effective and tolerated for moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.
The prognostic value of histology in ulcerative colitis in clinical remission with mesalazine
Authors: Frieri Giuseppe , Galletti Brigida , Di Ruscio Mirko , Tittoni Rachele , Capannolo Annalisa , Serva Donatella , Latella Giovanni , Sollima Laura , Leocata Pietro , Necozione Stefano , Frieri Rosamarie , Viscido Angelo 
Published: August 2017

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the prognostic value of histological and endoscopic activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: Patients in clinical remission for 1 year under treatment with mesalazine underwent a planned colonoscopy with biopsies. Histological activity was scored using the histological activity index (HAI). Endoscopic activity was scored using the Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES). The clinical course was evaluated measuring relapses needing steroids during a follow up of 3 years. Results: A total of 52 patients were enrolled into the study and followed up for 3 years. At baseline 29 patients (55.77%) had no endoscopic lesions, and 17 patients (32.69%) showed no histological alteration. At 3 years of follow up, overall, 26 patients (50%) were still in steroid-free remission. Using univariate logistic regression analysis, both histological (HAI ⩾ 1) and endoscopic activity (MES ⩾ 1) were significantly associated with outcome, showing, respectively, a relapse risk (odds ratio [OR]) 16.4 times higher than histological remission (HAI 0) (96% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2–84.3) and 6.3 times higher with respect to endoscopic remission (MES 0) (96% CI: 1.9–21.3). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, histological activity was the only factor significantly associated with outcome (OR 10.2; 95% CI: 1.7–59.4). Conclusions: Histological activity has the most powerful prognostic value in predicting the need for steroids in patients with UC in stable clinical remission on mesalazine. It could be considered as a target of therapy in UC.
Attitudes and Opinions of Canadian Nephrologists Toward Continuous Quality Improvement Options
Authors: Iskander Carina , McQuillan Rory , Nesrallah Gihad , Rabbat Christian , Mendelssohn David C. 
Published: August 2017

Background and objectives: A shift to holding individual physicians accountable for patient outcomes, rather than facilities, is intuitively attractive to policy makers and to the public. We were interested in nephrologists’ attitudes to, and awareness of, quality metrics and how nephrologists would view a potential switch from the current model of facility-based quality measurement and reporting to publically available reports at the individual physician level. Design, setting, participants, and measurements: The study was conducted using a web-based survey instrument (Online Appendix 1). The survey was initially pilot tested on a group of 8 nephrologists from across Canada. The survey was then finalized and e-mailed to 330 nephrologists through the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) e-mail distribution list. The 127 respondents were 80% university based, and 33% were medical/dialysis directors. Results: The response rate was 43%. Results demonstrate that 89% of Canadian nephrologists are engaged in efforts to improve the quality of patient care. A minority of those surveyed (29%) had training in quality improvement. They feel accountable for this and would welcome the inclusion of patient-centered metrics of care quality. Support for public reporting as an effective strategy on an individual nephrologist level was 30%. Conclusions: Support for public reporting of individual nephrologist performance was low. The care of nephrology patients will be best served by the continued development of a critical mass of physicians trained in patient safety and quality improvement, by focusing on patient-centered metrics of care delivery, and by validating that all proposed new methods are shown to improve patient care and outcomes.
The relationship between mucosal immunity, nasopharyngeal carriage, asymptomatic transmission and the resurgence of Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Gill Christopher , Rohani Pejman , Thea Donald M 
Published: August 2017

The incidence of whooping cough in the US has been rising slowly since the 1970s, but the pace of this has accelerated sharply since acellular pertussis vaccines replaced the earlier whole cell vaccines in the late 1990s. A similar trend occurred in many other countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and Spain, following the switch to acellular vaccines. The key question is why. Two leading theories (short duration of protective immunologic persistence and evolutionary shifts in the pathogen to evade the vaccine) explain some but not all of these shifts, suggesting that other factors may also be important.In this synthesis, we argue that sterilizing mucosal immunity that blocks or abbreviates the duration of nasopharyngeal carriage ofBordetella pertussisand impedes person-to-person transmission (including between asymptomatically infected individuals) is a critical factor in this dynamic. Moreover, we argue that the ability to induce such mucosal immunity is fundamentally what distinguishes whole cell and acellular pertussis vaccines and may be pivotal to understanding much of the resurgence of this disease in many countries that adopted acellular vaccines. Additionally, we offer the hypothesis that observed herd effects generated by acellular vaccines may reflect a modification of disease presentation leading to reduced potential for transmission by those already infected, as opposed to inducing resistance to infection among those who have been exposed.
The relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, marketing innovation and competitive marketing advantage of female entrepreneurs in Egypt
Authors: Adam Sara , Mahrous Abeer A. , Kortam Wael 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
This article builds on the dynamic capability view of the firm in order to examine the role of marketing innovation in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and competitive marketing advantage. The mixed-methodology approach was used and data were collected from 70 SMEs that are owned or managed by a female in Egypt. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research framework. The results reveal that both pricing and promotional innovation have a strong and positive association with competitive marketing advantage. The study is cross-sectional in nature. The results may have been different if the study had focused on specific industries. Therefore, extrapolations without proper caution are discouraged. The study provides female entrepreneurs with useful information on how to create and sustain marketing competitive advantage when resources are limited. In particular, it helps them to identify situations in which marketing innovation practices are potentially more useful.The results contribute to the understanding of the drivers of competitive marketing advantage of SMEs owned by female entrepreneurs in the context of an emerging market.
Hubungan Antara Perilaku Ibu dan Lingkungan Fisik Rumah dengan Kejadian Tuberkulosis Paru Anak di Kota Pekalongan
Authors: Mudiyono Mudiyono , Wahyuningsih Nur Endah , Adi M. Sakundarno 
Published: August 2017

Background: Children’s Tuberculosis (TB) in Indonesia at 2013 was fourth ranks in the world. The cases of children’s pulmonary tuberculosis in Pekalongan at 2013 be amounted 88 (32%) of the total cases of TB (271), greater than 8% of national cases. Children’s pulmonary tuberculosis is a disease that can be cured and are not duly claimed the lives of children. The purpose of this study is analyze the relationship between the mother's behavior and physical environment house of children with the incidence of children’s pulmonary tuberculosis in Pekalongan City.Methods: The study was observational with case control design. The cases are pulmonary tuberculosis patients and control are child is not a child’s pulmonary tuberculosis. The subjects were 50 cases and 50 controls. Results: The results of the bivariate analysis are associated with incidence population density with children’s pulmonary tuberculosis (p = <0.001), ventilation (p = 0.004), temperature of room (p = 0.036), density occupancy (p = <0.001) and natural lighting (p = 0.016). The results of multivariate analysis are risk factor for the incidence of children’s pulmonary tuberculosis with mother’s knowledge (p = 0.049; OR = 2.918; 95% CI = 1.005 to 8.472), density occupancy (p = 0.020; OR = 3.379; 95% CI = 1.212 to 9.417), humidity (p = 0.025; OR = 3.236; 95% CI = 1.156 to 9.058) and ventilation (p = 0.022; OR = 3.224; 95% CI = 1.182 to 8.797).Conclusion: The density occupancy, humidity, ventilation, mother’s knowledge are a risk factor pulmonary TB incidence of children in Pekalongan City. Keywords: Behavior Mother, the physical environment house, children’s pulmonary tuberculosis, Pekalongan City.
Faktor – Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Kejadian Penyakit Demam Berdarah Dengue (DBD) Dan Jenis Serotipe Virus Dengue Di Kabupaten Semarang
Authors: Sucipto Pramudiyo Teguh , Raharjo Mursid , Nurjazuli Nurjazuli 
Published: August 2017

Background: Dengue infection continues to present a seriuos public health problem.The cases of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in Semarang District has increased significantly and cause death. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that affect the incedence of dengue and dengue virus serotype in Semarang Distric.Method : This is case control study using 54 cases and 54 control are people who live around the case with the caracteristics of age one the same with case and sex of the case.The analysis methods applied were univariate and bivariates with chi-squre and multivariate with logistic regression. Results : Risk factors incidence of dengue in Semarang District were humidity in the room (OR = 5.8; 95% CI = 1.322 to 14.170), the eksistence larvae in the water container (OR = 6.6; 95% CI = 2.386 - 18.277), the habit of using anti-mosquito / repellent (OR = 4.4; 95% CI = 1.076 to 8.875), the habit of hanging clothes (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1018 to 9.861). Serotype of dengue virus dominant Den-1.Conclusion : The factors that influence the incidence of DHF are the eksistence larvae the water container, the habit of using anti-mosquito / repellent, the habit of hanging clothes and humidity in the room. Serotype of dengue virus dominant is Den-1. Suggestion necessary environmental management by changing physical environment and the DHF program vector Aedes aegypti intervention. Keywords : Dengue Haemorragic Fever, Serotype of dengue virus
Assessment of the clinical utility of adding common single nucleotide polymorphism genetic scores to classical risk factor algorithms in coronary heart disease risk prediction in UK men
Authors: Beaney Katherine E. , Cooper Jackie A. , Drenos Fotios , Humphries Steve E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground:Risk prediction algorithms for coronary heart disease (CHD) are recommended for clinical use. However, their predictive ability remains modest and the inclusion of genetic risk may improve their performance.Methods:QRISK2 was used to assess CHD risk using conventional risk factors (CRFs). The performance of a 19 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) gene score (GS) for CHD including variants identified by genome-wide association study and candidate gene studies (weighted using the results from the CARDIoGRAMplusC4D meta-analysis) was assessed using the second Northwick Park Heart Study (NPHSII) of 2775 healthy UK men (284 cases). To improve the GS, five SNPs with weak evidence of an association with CHD were removed and replaced with seven robustly associated SNPs – giving a 21-SNP GS.Results:The weighted 19 SNP GS was associated with lipid traits (p<0.05) and CHD after adjustment for CRFs, (OR=1.31 per standard deviation, p=0.03). Addition of the 19 SNP GS to QRISK2 showed improved discrimination (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve 0.68 vs. 0.70 p=0.02), a positive net reclassification index (0.07, p=0.04) compared to QRISK2 alone and maintained good calibration (p=0.17). The 21-SNP GS was also associated with CHD after adjustment for CRFs (OR=1.39 per standard deviation, 1.42×10Conclusions:The 19-SNP GS is robustly associated with CHD and showed potential clinical utility in the UK population.