bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of serum vaspin levels and vaspin expression in adipose tissue and smooth muscle tissue in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes
Authors: Tang Yuping , Qiao Ping , Qu Xiaoxian , Bao Yirong , Li Yuhong , Liao Yini , Ying Hao 
Published: June 2017

SummaryObjectiveVaspin is associated with metabolic parameters and insulin resistance. However, the expression of vaspin in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has not been fully explored, and the contribution of vaspin to the biological mechanisms underlying GDM remains unclear. This study aimed to compare circulating vaspin levels and its expression in different insulin target tissues including subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), VAT and smooth muscle tissue (SMT) in pregnant women with and without GDM.DesignA total of 37 women with GDM (GDM group) and 37 normal pregnant women (control group) were selected. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS) and serum vaspin levels were quantified at term, and homeostasis model of assessment2‐insulin resistance (HOMA2‐IR) values were calculated. RT‐qPCR and Western blotting were used to measure mRNA and protein levels of vaspin in VAT, SAT and SMT of 15 GDM women and normal pregnant women.ResultsIn the GDM group, serum vaspin concentrations were significantly higher than in the control group. Serum vaspin levels were positively correlated with HOMA2‐IR in the GDM group but not in the control group. In the GDM group, vaspin mRNA and protein expression levels in SAT and VAT were both significantly higher than in controls, but no difference was found in SMT. Moreover, relative mRNA but not protein expression levels of vaspin in SAT were highest among the three tissues in both groups.ConclusionsCirculating vaspin levels and expression of vaspin in SAT and VAT were higher in GDM women than in normal pregnant women. However, the specific role of vaspin from SAT and VAT in the pathogenesis of GDM needs further study.
Resolution of donor non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease following liver transplantation
Authors: Posner Andrew D. , Sultan Samuel T. , Zaghloul Norann A. , Twaddell William S. , Bruno David A. , Hanish Steven I. , Hutson William R. , Hebert Laci , Barth Rolf N. , LaMattina John C. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIntroductionTransplant surgeons conventionally select against livers displaying high degrees (>30%) of macrosteatosis (MaS), out of concern for primary non‐function or severe graft dysfunction. As such, there is relatively limited experience with such livers, and the natural history remains incompletely characterized. We present our experience of transplanted livers with high degrees of MaS and microsteatosis (MiS), with a focus on the histopathologic and clinical outcomes.MethodsTwenty‐nine cases were identified with liver biopsies available from both the donor and the corresponding liver transplant recipient. Donor liver biopsies displayed either MaS or MiS ≥15%, while all recipients received postoperative liver biopsies for cause.ResultsThe mean donor MaS and MiS were 15.6% (range 0%‐60%) and 41.3% (7.5%‐97.5%), respectively. MaS decreased significantly from donor (M=15.6%) to recipient postoperative biopsies (M=0.86%), P<.001. Similarly, MiS decreased significantly from donor biopsies (M=41.3%) to recipient postoperative biopsies (M=1.8%), P<.001. At a median of 68 days postoperatively (range 4‐384), full resolution of MaS and MiS was observed in 27 of 29 recipients.ConclusionsHigh degrees of MaS and MiS in donor livers resolve in recipients following liver transplantation. Further insight into the mechanisms responsible for treating fatty liver diseases could translate into therapeutic targets.
Pill testing or drug checking in Australia: Acceptability of service design features
Authors: Barratt Monica J. , Bruno Raimondo , Ezard Nadine , Ritter Alison 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. This study aimed to determine design features of a drug‐checking service that would be feasible, attractive and likely to be used by Australian festival and nightlife attendees. Design and Methods. Web survey of 851 Australians reporting use of psychostimulants and/or hallucinogens and attendance at licensed venues past midnight and/or festivals in the past year (70% male; median age 23 years). Results. A drug‐checking service located at festivals or clubs would be used by 94%; a fixed‐site service external to such events by 85%. Most (80%) were willing to wait an hour for their result. Almost all (94%) would not use a service if there was a possibility of arrest, and a majority (64%) would not use a service that did not provide individual feedback of results. Drug‐checking results were only slightly more attractive if they provided comprehensive quantitative results compared with qualitative results of key ingredients. Most (93%) were willing to pay up to $5, and 68% up to $10, per test. One‐third (33%) reported willingness to donate a whole dose for testing: they were more likely to be male, younger, less experienced, use drugs more frequently and attend venues/festivals less frequently. Discussion and Conclusions. In this sample, festival‐ or club‐based drug‐checking services with low wait times and low cost appear broadly attractive under conditions of legal amnesty and individualised feedback. Quantitative analysis of ecstasy pills requiring surrender of a whole pill may appeal to a minority in Australia where pills are more expensive than elsewhere. [Barratt MJ, Bruno R, Ezard N, Ritter A. Pill testing or drug checking in Australia: Acceptability of service design features. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;00:000‐000]
A neural network model for development of reaching and pointing based on the interaction of forward and inverse transformations
Authors: Takemura Naohiro , Inui Toshio , Fukui Takao 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPointing is one of the communicative actions that infants acquire during their first year of life. Based on a hypothesis that early pointing is triggered by emergent reaching behavior toward objects placed at out‐of‐reach distances, we proposed a neural network model that acquires reaching without explicit representation of ‘targets’. The proposed model controls a two‐joint arm in a horizontal plane, and it learns a loop of internal forward and inverse transformations; the former predicts the visual feedback of hand position and the latter generates motor commands from the visual input through random generation of the motor commands. In the proposed model, the motor output and visual input were represented by broadly tuned neural units. Even though explicit ‘targets’ were not presented during learning, the simulation successfully generated reaching toward visually presented objects at within‐reach and out‐of‐reach distances.
Isotretinoin and lymecycline treatments modify the skin microbiota in acne
Authors: Kelhälä Hanna‐Leena , Aho Velma T. E. , Fyhrquist Nanna , Pereira Pedro A. B. , Kubin Minna E. , Paulin Lars , Palatsi Riitta , Auvinen Petri , Tasanen Kaisa , Lauerma Antti 
Published: June 2017

AbstractOral retinoids and tetracyclines have a major role in acne treatment. Here, we report for the first time the effect of isotretinoin and lymecycline therapy on the skin microbiota in cheek, back and armpit swab samples of acne vulgaris patients using 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing. Propionibacterium acnes was the most common in sebaceous areas of healthy and untreated acne skin and more abundant in back than cheek samples. Five taxa, including a Streptococcus taxon, differed significantly between the cheek samples of healthy controls and acne patients, and acne severity was positively correlated with the abundance of Propionibacterium. Both treatments reduced clinical acne grades and the abundance of Propionibacterium, while the abundance of several other taxa was significantly higher in treated cheek samples compared with untreated ones. Less variation was observed in back samples and none in armpit samples. There were no differences in alpha diversity between control and acne patients in any of the sampled skin areas, but the diversity of the microbiota on the cheek and the back was significantly increased after acne treatments. This study provides insight into the skin microbiota in acne and how it is modulated by systemic acne treatment.
Rosacea and its association with enteral microbiota in Korean females
Authors: Nam Jae‐Hui , Yun Yeojun , Kim Han‐Saem , Kim Han‐Na , Jung Ho Joo , Chang Yoosoo , Ryu Seungho , Shin Hocheol , Kim Hyung‐Lae , Kim Won‐Serk 
Published: June 2017

AbstractRosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis affecting the face and eyes. An association between systemic comorbidities and rosacea has been reported, but the link to enteral microbiota is uncertain. We aimed to investigate the link between rosacea and enteral microbiota. A cross‐sectional study was performed in a sample of Korean women who participated in a health check‐up programme at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Health Screening Center between 23 June 2014 and 5 September 2014. The gut microbiome was evaluated by 16S rRNA gene and metagenome sequence analyses. A total of 12 rosacea patients and 251 controls were enrolled. We identified links between rosacea and several changes in gut microbiota: reduced abundance of Peptococcaceae family unknown genus, Methanobrevibacter (genus), Slackia (genus), Coprobacillus (genus), Citrobacter (genus), and Desulfovibrio (genus), and increased abundance of Acidaminococcus (genus), Megasphaera (genus), and Lactobacillales order unknown family unknown genus. A link between rosacea and enteral microbiota was observed in this metagenomic study. A large and elaborate study is needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.
Atorvastatin attenuates testosterone‐induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats: role of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ and cyclo‐oxygenase‐2
Authors: Ishola Ismail O. , Tijani Habeeb K. , Dosumu Olufunke O. , Anunobi Charles C. , Oshodi Tolulope O. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDiabetes and obesity have been reported to alter sex steroid hormone metabolism. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the protective effect of atorvastatin (ATR) in combination with celecoxib (CEL) or pioglitazone (PIO) on testosterone‐induced BPH in rats. Male Wistar rats (200–250 g) were randomly divided into nine groups (n = 8) and orally treated as follows for 28 consecutive days: group 1: vehicle control (10 mL/kg); group 2: vehicle testosterone (10 mL/kg); groups 3 ‐ 5: ATR (0.5, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg, respectively); group 6: CEL (20 mg/kg); group 7: PIO (20 mg/kg); and groups 8–9: ATR 0.5 mg/kg, and 15 min later, animals were given CEL (20 mg/kg) or PIO (20 mg/kg), respectively. One hour post‐treatment, animals in groups 2–9 were given testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg, s.c.). Twenty‐four hours after last treatment on day 28, blood was collected for serum testosterone and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) analysis. Prostate was harvested for biochemical and histological assays. Subcutaneous injection of testosterone increased serum levels of testosterone and PSA which was ameliorated by pretreatments of rat with ATR, celecoxib, or pioglitazone. Similarly, testosterone‐induced increase in MDA and reduction in the activity of GSH, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase were attenuated by ATR. Conversely, celecoxib or pioglitazone treatment failed to affect the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The histology of the prostate showed significant improvement in prostatic cells of ATR, celecoxib, or pioglitazone treated. Findings from the study showed that atorvastatin attenuated testosterone‐induced BPH. Moreover, synergistic effect was observed when atorvastatin was combined with celecoxib.
Impact of diagnosis of von Willebrand disease on patient outcomes: Analysis of medical insurance claims data
Authors: Sidonio R. F. , Haley K. M. , Fallaize D. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe inherited bleeding disorder von Willebrand disease (VWD) is challenging to diagnose owing to disease heterogeneity, lack of a definitive laboratory test and variations in diagnostic criteria. We evaluated the impact of diagnosis and diagnostic delay on patient outcomes. The PharMetrics Plus Database was interrogated for medical claims for VWD (ICD‐9 286.4) and bleeding events between 1 January 2006 and 30 June 2015. Longitudinal analysis was performed of patients newly diagnosed with VWD (≥9 months' continuous enrolment before first VWD claim) through 24 months following diagnosis. In total, 32 028 diagnosed, including 18 182 newly diagnosed, patients were identified. Most patients (72%) were female. Prediagnosis, bleeding symptoms were most commonly managed by a hospitalist/emergency room physician. Misrecognition of VWD was common, with 25% of patients visiting the same specialist type at least twice for an episodic bleed before diagnosis. Thirty‐seven percentage of patients had no diagnostic laboratory test within 24 months of their initial diagnostic claim. Bleed claims reduced following diagnosis: 41% and 26% of female and male patients, respectively, had claims in the year prediagnosis, falling to 21% and 9% of patients at 1‐2 years postdiagnosis. The proportion of patients with multiple bleed claims also decreased, from 17% to 6% (females) and 7% to 3% (males). Serially misrecognized patients continued to have more bleeding episodes than other patients, although bleed frequency was lower than before diagnosis. There is a need for improved patient management from bleeding presentation onward to reduce the time to VWD diagnosis and to enhance patient outcomes.
Clinical development of immunotherapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Noguchi Masanori , Koga Noriko , Igawa Tsukasa , Itoh Kyogo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractProstate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and the second leading cause of cancer‐related death in Western countries. Prostate cancer‐related death occurs in patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer. Although several new drugs for castration‐resistant prostate cancer have been approved, each of these has prolonged survival by just a few months. Consequently, new therapies are sorely needed. Recently, it has been recognized that immunotherapy is an effective treatment for prostate cancer patients. Several strategies, such as cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors, have been investigated in clinical studies for prostate cancer patients. In the present review, the results of the most recent clinical studies investigating immunotherapy in prostate cancer patients are reported, and the future clinical development of immunotherapy for prostate cancer is discussed.
Geographical variation in the evolutionary diversity of tree communities across southern South America
Authors: Rezende Vanessa L. , Dexter Kyle G. , Pennington R. Toby , Oliveira‐Filho Ary T. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimTo determine the principal drivers of variation in the evolutionary diversity of forest tree communities, with a focus on the temperate forests of South America.LocationForests across southern South America, extending from tropical forests in southern Brazil, to the temperate forests of southern Chile and Argentina.MethodsWe compiled a database of 742 forest tree community inventories spread over six countries and 12 biomes, or major vegetation types. In total, these inventories covered 3075 species of shrubs and trees. We combined this dataset with a temporally calibrated phylogeny that included all species. For each community, we evaluated multiple measures of evolutionary diversity, including phylogenetic diversity sensu stricto (PD), which is the sum of the branch lengths of a phylogeny that includes all species in a community, and its equivalent standardized for variation in species richness (ses.PD), which we refer to as lineage diversity.ResultsWe found that biome affiliation is the most important determinant of the evolutionary diversity of woody plant communities, with climate also showing a significant influence. Communities in wet evergreen tropical forest have the highest species richness and the highest PD, but the lowest lineage diversity, while temperate forests in southern South America show the lowest species richness and PD, but the highest lineage diversity.Main conclusionsOur results contradict the idea that temperate floras represent recently derived, evolutionarily poor subsets of tropical floras. Rather, the high lineage diversity we find in the temperate forest communities supports the ‘austral conservatism hypothesis’, which states that the flora of southern South america has evolved independently from the Neotropical Domain over tens of millions of years. Our identification of the evolutionary distinctness and richness of this flora suggests that it deserves as much conservation attention as the more species‐rich tropical forests of South America and that southern South American forests should not be lumped into the Neotropical Floristic Province.
Using Chief Complaint in Addition to Diagnosis Codes to Identify Falls in the Emergency Department
Authors: Patterson Brian W. , Smith Maureen A. , Repplinger Michael D. , Pulia Michael S. , Svenson James E. , Kim Michael K. , Shah Manish N. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesTo compare incidence of falls in an emergency department (ED) cohort using a traditional International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD‐9) code–based scheme and an expanded definition that included chief complaint information and to examine the clinical characteristics of visits “missed” in the ICD‐9‐based scheme.DesignRetrospective electronic record review.SettingAcademic medical center ED.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older seen in the ED between January 1, 2013, and September 30, 2015.MeasurementsTwo fall definitions were applied (individually and together) to the cohort: an ICD‐9‐based definition and a chief complaint definition. Admission rates and 30‐day mortality (per encounter) were measured for each definition.ResultsTwenty‐three thousand eight hundred eighty older adult visits occurred during the study period. Using the most‐inclusive definition (ICD‐9 code or chief complaint indicating a fall), 4,363 visits (18%) were fall related. Of these visits, 3,506 (80%) met the ICD‐9 definition for a fall‐related visit, and 2,664 (61%) met the chief complaint definition. Of visits meeting the chief complaint definition, 857 (19.6%) were missed when applying the ICD‐9 definition alone. Encounters missed using the ICD‐9 definition were less likely to lead to an admission (42.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 39.7–46.3%) than those identified (54.4%, 95% CI = 52.7–56.0%).ConclusionIdentifying individuals in the ED who have fallen based on diagnosis codes underestimates the true burden of falls. Individuals missed according to the code‐based definition were less likely to have been admitted than those who were captured. These findings call attention to the value of using chief complaint information to identify individuals who have fallen in the ED—for research, clinical care, or policy reasons.
Are CDS Auctions Biased and Inefficient?
Authors: DU SONGZI , ZHU HAOXIANG 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTWe study the design of credit default swaps (CDS) auctions, which determine the payments by CDS sellers to CDS buyers following defaults of bonds. Using a simple model, we find that the current design of CDS auctions leads to biased prices and inefficient allocations. This is because various restrictions imposed in CDS auctions prevent certain investors from participating in the price discovery and allocation process. The imposition of a price cap or floor also gives dealers large influence on the final auction price. We propose an alternative double auction design that delivers more efficient price discovery and allocations.
A retrospective analysis of the comparative effectiveness of smoking cessation medication among individuals with mental illness in community‐based mental health and addictions treatment settings
Authors: Okoli C. T. C. , Wiggins A. , Fallin‐Bennett A. , Rayens M. K. 
Published: June 2017

Accessible SummaryWhat is known on the subject?

Persons with different mental illnesses smoke for reasons based on their particular diagnosis.

As compared to those without, persons with mental illnesses are less able to quit smoking when using smoking cessation medications.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

This paper shows that there may be differences in the ability to quit smoking between persons with different mental illness diagnoses.

What are the implications for practice?

Clinicians should be aware that persons with anxiety disorders may find it more difficult to quit smoking as compared to those with other mental illnesses.

Clinicians should be aware that of all medications, varenicline seems to help those with mood disorders to quit the best.

Clinicians should be aware that persons with psychotic disorders likely need longer treatment durations for smoking cessation as compared to persons with other mental illnesses.

AbstractIntroductionIndividuals with mental illnesses (MI) have diagnosis‐specific reasons for smoking and achieve low smoking cessation when using cessation medications.AimTo assess differences in smoking cessation outcomes by MI diagnosis and cessation medications in outpatient mental health and addictions treatment settings in Vancouver, Canada.MethodThis is a retrospective analysis of tobacco treatment outcomes from 539 participants. The programme consists of cessation pharmacotherapy with 8 to 12 weeks of behavioural counselling and 12 weeks of support group. Smoking cessation was verified by expired carbon monoxide levels. Generalized estimating equations models assessed differences in cessation by type of medication in both total and stratified samples.ResultsThere were no significant differences in cessation by pharmacotherapy in the total sample. Individuals with a mood disorder were two times more likely to achieve cessation as compared to those with an anxiety disorder. Among individuals with mood disorders, receiving varenicline alone resulted in three times the likelihood of cessation as compared to receiving single NRT.DiscussionThe differences in outcomes by MI diagnosis suggest the need for more diagnosis‐specific approaches to optimize cessation.Implications for PracticeCompared with other diagnoses, persons with anxiety disorders may have a greater challenge quitting and those with a psychotic disorder may require longer treatment durations.
Anchoring on Self and Others During Social Inferences
Authors: Willard Daniel F. X. , Markman Arthur B. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWhen making inferences about similar others, people anchor and adjust away from themselves (Tamir & Mitchell, 2013). However, research on relational self theory (Andersen & Chen, 2002) suggests the possibility of using knowledge about others as an anchor when they are more similar to a target. We investigated whether social inferences are made on the basis of significant other knowledge through an anchoring and adjustment process, and whether anchoring on a significant other is more effortful than anchoring on the self. Participants answered questions about their likes and habits, as well as the likes and habits of a significant other, a target similar to their significant other, and a yoked control. We found that prediction differences between the significant other and similar target led to longer response times, and we found the opposite effect for self and target differences, suggesting anchoring and adjustment from the significant other rather than the self. These effects were moderated by the source‐relative salience of the dimension being evaluated. The evidence was mixed with respect to the question of whether anchoring on a significant other is more effortful than anchoring on the self.