bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conversion of gestational diabetes mellitus to future Type 2 diabetes mellitus and the predictive value of HbA1c in an Indian cohort
Authors: Gupta Y. , Kapoor D. , Desai A. , Praveen D. , Joshi R. , Rozati R. , Bhatla N. , Prabhakaran D. , Reddy P. , Patel A. , Tandon N. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimTo investigate the distribution of and risk factors for dysglycaemia (Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes) in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus in India.MethodsAll women (n = 989) from two obstetric units in New Delhi and Hyderabad with a history of gestational diabetes were invited to participate, of whom 366 (37%) agreed. Sociodemographic, medical and anthropometric data were collected and 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test were carried out.ResultsWithin 5 years (median 14 months) of the pregnancy in which they were diagnosed with gestational diabetes, 263 (72%) women were dysglycaemic, including 119 (32%) and 144 (40%) with Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, respectively. A higher BMI [odds ratio 1.16 per 1‐kg/m2 greater BMI (95% CI 1.10, 1.28)], presence of acanthosis nigricans [odds ratio 3.10, 95% CI (1.64, 5.87)], postpartum screening interval [odds ratio 1.02 per 1 month greater screening interval 95% CI (1.01, 1.04)] and age [odds ratio 1.10 per 1‐year older age 95% CI (1.04, 1.16)] had a higher likelihood of having dysglycaemia. The American Diabetes Association‐recommended threshold HbA1c value of ≥ 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) had a sensitivity and specificity of 81.4 and 90.7%, respectively, for determining the presence of Type 2 diabetes postpartum.ConclusionThe high post‐pregnancy conversion rates of gestational diabetes to diabetes reported in the present study reinforce the need for mandatory postpartum screening and identification of strategies for preventing progression to Type 2 diabetes. Use of the American Diabetes Association‐recommended HbA1c threshold for diabetes may lead to significant under‐diagnosis.
Lower verbal intelligence is associated with diabetic complications and slower walking speed in people with Type 2 diabetes: the Maastricht Study
Authors: Spauwen P. J. J. , Martens R. J. H. , Stehouwer C. D. A. , Verhey F. R. J. , Schram M. T. , Sep S. J. S. , van der Kallen C. J. H. , Dagnelie P. C. , Henry R. M. A. , Schaper N. C. , van Boxtel M. P. J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimsTo determine the association of verbal intelligence, a core constituent of health literacy, with diabetic complications and walking speed in people with Type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis study was performed in 228 people with Type 2 diabetes participating in the Maastricht Study, a population‐based cohort study. We examined the cross‐sectional associations of score on the vocabulary test of the Groningen Intelligence Test with: 1) determinants of diabetic complications (HbA1c, blood pressure and lipid level); 2) diabetic complications: chronic kidney disease, neuropathic pain, self‐reported history of cardiovascular disease and carotid intima‐media thickness; and 3) walking speed. Analyses were performed using linear regression and adjusted in separate models for potential confounders and mediators. Significant age‐ and sex‐adjusted associations were additionally adjusted for educational level in a separate model.ResultsAfter full adjustment, lower verbal intelligence was associated with the presence of neuropathic pain [odds ratio (OR) 1.18, 95% CI 1.02;1.36], cardiovascular disease (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01;1.30), and slower walking speed (regression coefficient −0.011 m/s, 95% CI −0.021; −0.002 m/s). These associations were largely explained by education. Verbal intelligence was not associated with blood pressure, glycaemic control, lipid control, chronic kidney disease or carotid intima‐media thickness.ConclusionsLower verbal intelligence was associated with the presence of some diabetic complications and with a slower walking speed, a measure of physical functioning. Educational level largely explained these associations. This implies that clinicians should be aware of the educational level of people with diabetes and should provide information at a level of complexity tailored to the patient.
Direction selectivity of neurons in the visual cortex is non‐linear and lamina‐dependent
Authors: Kim Taekjun , Freeman Ralph D. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractNeurons in the visual cortex are generally selective to direction of movement of a stimulus. Although models of this direction selectivity (DS) assume linearity, experimental data show stronger degrees of DS than those predicted by linear models. Our current study was intended to determine the degree of non‐linearity of the DS mechanism for cells within different laminae of the cat's primary visual cortex. To do this, we analysed cells in our database by using neurophysiological and histological approaches to quantify non‐linear components of DS in four principal cortical laminae (layers 2/3, 4, 5, and 6). We used a DS index (DSI) to quantify degrees of DS in our sample. Our results showed laminar differences. In layer 4, the main thalamic input region, most neurons were of the simple type and showed high DSI values. For complex cells in layer 4, there was a broad distribution of DSI values. Similar features were observed in layer 2/3, but complex cells were dominant. In deeper layers (5 and 6), DSI value distributions were characterized by clear peaks at high values. Independently of specific lamina, high DSI values were accompanied by narrow orientation tuning widths. Differences in orientation tuning for non‐preferred vs. preferred directions were smallest in layer 4 and largest in layer 6. These results are consistent with a non‐linear process of intra‐cortical inhibition that enhances DS by selective suppression of neuronal firing for non‐preferred directions of stimulus motion in a lamina‐dependent manner. Other potential mechanisms are also considered.
Investing in Systematic Factor Premiums
Authors: Koedijk Kees G. , Slager Alfred M.H. , Stork Philip A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn this paper we investigate and evaluate factor investing in the US and Europe for equities and bonds. We show that factor‐based portfolios generally produce comparable or better portfolios than market indices. We expand the analysis to other asset classes and factors, work with other optimisation methods and add a basic liability structure. The results do not depend on adding other asset classes or on the removal of a specific factor. Finally, we study the results for a worldwide investor who invests beyond the US and Europe. Over the longer term and with consistently applied factor diversification, factor investing appears to be advantageous.
Embedded Ni–Ti particles for the detection of fatigue crack growth in AA7050
Authors: Leser W P , Newman J A , Hochhalter J D , Gupta V K , Yuan F G 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA multi‐functional aluminium alloy 7050 (AA7050) containing embedded Ni–Ti shape memory alloy particles to detect fatigue crack growth is proposed. The regions of intense strain near the tip of a growing fatigue crack cause nearby Ni–Ti particles to undergo a solid‐state phase transformation from austenite to martensite, releasing a detectable acoustic emission signal that can be used to locate the crack in the monitored component. The AA7050/Ni–Ti composite was made by vacuum hot pressing Ni–Ti powder between rolled AA7050 plates. The effect of hot pressing temperature and subsequent heat treatments (solutionizing and peak ageing) on the Ni–Ti particles was studied. A successful proof‐of‐concept was demonstrated for AA7050 with embedded particles that emit a measureable and repeatable acoustic emission signal in the presence of a fatigue crack, allowing for quick diagnosis of fatigue crack damage in this material.
Drought survival is a threshold function of habitat size and population density in a fish metapopulation
Authors: White Richard S. A. , McHugh Peter A. , McIntosh Angus R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBecause smaller habitats dry more frequently and severely during droughts, habitat size is likely a key driver of survival in populations during climate change and associated increased extreme drought frequency. Here, we show that survival in populations during droughts is a threshold function of habitat size driven by an interaction with population density in metapopulations of the forest pool dwelling fish, Neochanna apoda. A mark–recapture study involving 830 N. apoda individuals during a one‐in‐seventy‐year extreme drought revealed that survival during droughts was high for populations occupying pools deeper than 139 mm, but declined steeply in shallower pools. This threshold was caused by an interaction between increasing population density and drought magnitude associated with decreasing habitat size, which acted synergistically to increase physiological stress and mortality. This confirmed two long‐held hypotheses, firstly concerning the interactive role of population density and physiological stress, herein driven by habitat size, and secondly, the occurrence of drought survival thresholds. Our results demonstrate how survival in populations during droughts will depend strongly on habitat size and highlight that minimum habitat size thresholds will likely be required to maximize survival as the frequency and intensity of droughts are projected to increase as a result of global climate change.
New Immigrants Seeking New Places: The Role of Policy Changes in the Regional Distribution of New Immigrants to Canada
Authors: Bonikowska Aneta , Hou Feng , Picot Garnett 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCanada, the U.S., and Australia have recently experienced an increased regional dispersion of entering immigrants. American research suggests that a mixture of economic push factors (away from states like California) and pull factors (toward states with growth of low‐wage jobs) and changing government policies and regulations contributed to the development of the New Gateways. Very few studies have been conducted to determine why the regional dispersion of entering immigrants occurred in Canada. This paper assesses the extent to which changes in immigration selection programs, notably, the Provincial Nominee Programs, contributed to the regional dispersion of entering immigrants. Using data from immigrant landing records, this study shows that different factors accounted for changes in the share of immigrants settling in different destinations. Changes in immigration selection programs played the primary role in the increasing numbers going to Saskatchewan and Manitoba, although improving economic conditions may have played an indirect role. Shifts in immigrant source regions were an important factor in the decrease in immigration to Toronto and in the increase to Montréal. Economic conditions likely played a significant role in the changes in the shares of new immigrants going to Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, and Edmonton.
A Survey of Headache Medicine Physicians on the Likeability of Headaches and Their Personal Headache History
Authors: Evans Randolph W. , Ghosh Kamalika 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundTwo prior studies have shown an increased prevalence of migraine among physicians who are headache medicine specialists (HMS). There have been no studies of the prevalence of other headache disorders among HMS. A prior survey showed that neurologists like to treat some headaches more than others but there has not been a similar survey of HMS.ObjectivesThe aim of the survey was to learn more about the prevalence of headaches among HMS and which headache disorders they like to treat.MethodsAn email survey was sent to 749 physician members of the American Headache Society who were asked to respond to the following statement using a 5‐point Likert scale (from 1, strongly disagree to 5, strongly agree): “I like to treat patients with the following types of headaches or syndromes.” They were asked, “Have you personally suffered from any of the following at any time during your life: episodic migraine (EM), chronic migraine (CM), refractory migraine (RM), episodic cluster (EC), chronic cluster (CC), new daily persistent headache (NDPH), and postconcussion syndrome (PCS).”ResultsThe response rate was 15.8% (n = 118) with a mean age of 51.4 years, 64.4% males, and 85.6% neurologists. HMS reported likeability for treating disorders in rank order as follows: EM (mean = 4.69, SD = 0.61); CM (mean = 4.20, SD = 0.94); RM (mean = 3.62, SD = 1.17); EC (mean = 4.37, SD = 0.80); CC (mean = 3.68, SD = 1.10); NDPH (mean = 3.52, SD = 1.21); and PCS (mean = 3.66, SD = 1.18). The lifetime prevalence of disorders was as follows: EM, 69.5% (85.7% in females and 60.5% in males); CM, 13.6% (19% in females and 10.5% in males); RM, .9% (2.4% females and 0% males); EC, 1.7% (0% females and 2.6% males); CC, 0%; NDPH, 0%, and PCS, 4.2% (7.1% females and 2.6% males). HMS with a personal history of EM (mean = 4.73, SD = 0.51) showed a significant preference (t130 = 7.30, P < .001) to treat episodic migraine more than other headaches (mean = 3.90, SD = 0.77).ConclusionsHMS preferred to treat some disorders more than others, with EM most liked and NDPH least preferred, which may reflect how well patients with those disorders respond to treatment. The lifetime prevalence of EM among HMS is significantly greater than among neurologists, both significantly greater than EM in the general population. An explanation for the higher prevalence among neurologists is not certain but perhaps migraine is associated with a choice to become an HMS during or after neurology residency. The lifetime prevalence among HMS of CM may be and EC is much greater than among the general population for uncertain reasons.
Methamphetamine‐associated cardiomyopathy: patterns and predictors of recovery
Authors: Voskoboinik A. , Ihle J. F. , Bloom J. E. , Kaye D. M. 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundMethamphetamine abuse is a growing public health problem, and increasing numbers of patients are admitted with methamphetamine‐associated cardiomyopathy (MAC).AimWe sought to characterise the patterns of this disease and identify predictors of recovery.MethodsWe retrospectively studied consecutive patients diagnosed with MAC between January 2006 and July 2015.ResultsWe identified 20 patients (14 males, 6 females) with mean age 35 ± 9 years. Most had very severe systolic dysfunction (mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 19.7 ± 11.4%) at presentation with 14 requiring inotropes and 5 requiring mechanical support. The pattern of systolic dysfunction was global in 14 patients, while 6 patients had a ‘reverse Takotsubo’ (RT) pattern with severely hypokinetic basal‐mid segments and apical preservation. RT patients were predominantly female, had a short history of methamphetamine abuse and had higher cardiac enzyme levels. Patients with global dysfunction tended to have mid‐wall fibrosis on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. On follow‐up transthoracic echocardiography, 6 out of 19 (32%) had normalisation of LVEF (LVEF ≥ 50%) within 6 weeks. Smaller left ventricular and left atrial size, shorter duration of methamphetamine use and RT pattern appeared to predict early recovery.ConclusionA subset of MAC patients, particularly those with a RT pattern and lesser ventricular dilatation have the potential for early recovery of ventricular function. By contrast, those with evidence of myocardial fibrosis and ventricular enlargement have limited scope for recovery.
O‐GlcNAcylation: a bridge between glucose and cell differentiation
Authors: Sun Chao , Shang Jin , Yao Yuan , Yin Xiaohong , Liu Minghan , Liu Huan , Zhou Yue 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGlucose is the major energy supply and a critical metabolite for most cells and is especially important when cell is differentiating. High or low concentrations of glucose enhances or inhibits the osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation of cell via the insulin, transforming growth factor‐β and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ pathways, among others. New evidence implicates the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway as a mediator of crosstalk between glucose flux, cellular signalling and epigenetic regulation of cell differentiation. Extracellular glucose flux alters intracellular O‐GlcNAcylation levels through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. Signalling molecules that are important for cell differentiation, including protein kinase C, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, Runx2, CCAAT/enhancer‐binding proteins, are modified by O‐GlcNAcylation. Thus, O‐GlcNAcylation markedly alters cell fate during differentiation via the post‐transcriptional modification of proteins. Furthermore, O‐GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation show complex interactions during cell differentiation: they can either non‐competitively occupy different sites on a substrate or competitively occupy a single site or proximal sites. Therefore, the influence of glucose on cell differentiation via O‐GlcNAcylation offers a potential target for controlling tissue homoeostasis and regeneration in ageing and disease. Here, we review recent progress establishing an emerging relationship among glucose concentration, O‐GlcNAcylation levels and cell differentiation.
Interaction of extracellular S100A4 with RAGE prompts prometastatic activation of A375 melanoma cells
Authors: Herwig Nadine , Belter Birgit , Wolf Susann , Haase‐Kohn Cathleen , Pietzsch Jens 
Published: March 2016

AbstractS100A4, a member of the S100 protein family of EF‐hand calcium‐binding proteins, is overexpressed in various tumour entities, including melanoma, and plays an important role in tumour progression. Several studies in epithelial and mesenchymal tumours revealed a correlation between extracellular S100A4 and metastasis. However, exact mechanisms how S100A4 stimulates metastasis in melanoma are still unknown. From a pilot experiment on baseline synthesis and secretion of S100A4 in human melanoma cell lines, which are in broad laboratory use, A375 wild‐type cells and, additionally, newly generated A375 cell lines stably transfected with human S100A4 (A375‐hS100A4) or human receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (A375‐hRAGE), were selected to investigate the influence of extracellular S100A4 on cell motility, adhesion, migration and invasion in more detail. We demonstrated that A375 cells actively secrete S100A4 in the extracellular space via an endoplasmic reticulum‐Golgi‐dependent pathway. S100A4 overexpression and secretion resulted in prometastatic activation of A375 cells. Moreover, we determined the influence of S100A4‐RAGE interaction and its blockade on A375, A375‐hS100A4, A375‐hRAGE cells, and showed that interaction of RAGE with extracellular S100A4 contributes to the observed activation of A375 cells. This investigation reveals additional molecular targets for therapeutic approaches aiming at blockade of ligand binding to RAGE or RAGE signalling to inhibit melanoma metastasis.
Association Between Preadmission Functional Status and Use and Effectiveness of Secondary Prevention Medications in Elderly Survivors of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Chrischilles Elizabeth A. , Schneider Kathleen M. , Schroeder Mary C. , Letuchy Elena , Wallace Robert B. , Robinson Jennifer G. , Brooks John M. 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesTo determine whether function‐related indicators (FRIs), derived from preadmission claims data, help explain the frequent practice of forgoing secondary prevention medications observed in Medicare.DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingNational Medicare data.ParticipantsElderly Medicare beneficiaries discharged alive from an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) hospitalization in 2007–2008 (N = 184,156).MeasurementsStudy outcomes were number of guideline‐recommended secondary prevention medications (statins, beta‐blockers, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers) used after discharge and 12‐month survival. Preadmission data (FRIs, cardiovascular conditions, comorbid conditions), type of AMI (non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction, anterior, other), and procedures and complications during the hospitalization were from claims data.ResultsFunction‐related indicators (FRIs) were common before admission; 50% of individuals had at least one (range 0–11). After discharge, 85.8% used at least one class of guideline medication, and 30.2% used all three; 19.6% died within 12 months. Each additional FRI reduced the likelihood of receiving all three medication classes by 5% (adjusted odds ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.94–0.96) and increased 12‐month mortality by 20% (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.19–1.21). Individuals taking all three classes of medication were 30% less likely to die within 12 months than those not taking guideline medications (aHR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.67–0.73). Similar survival benefit was observed in individuals with and without functional impairments.ConclusionGreater impairment in preadmission functional status, using a measure derived from claims data, was associated with less use of secondary prevention medications after AMI. Survival benefits of taking these medications were consistent across functional impairment levels.
Slow Gait Speed and Risk of Mortality or Hospital Readmission After Myocardial Infarction in the Translational Research Investigating Underlying Disparities in Recovery from Acute Myocardial Infarction: Patients' Health Status Registry
Authors: Dodson John A. , Arnold Suzanne V. , Gosch Kensey L. , Gill Thomas M. , Spertus John A. , Krumholz Harlan M. , Rich Michael W. , Chaudhry Sarwat I. , Forman Daniel E. , Masoudi Frederick A. , Alexander Karen P. 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesTo determine the prognostic value of slow gait in predicting outcomes 1 year after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).DesignObservational cohort with longitudinal follow‐up.SettingTwenty‐four U.S. hospitals participating in the Translational Research Investigating Underlying disparities in recovery from acute Myocardial infarction: Patients' Health status Registry.ParticipantsOlder adults (≥65) with in‐home gait assessment 1 month after AMI (N = 338).MeasurementsBaseline characteristics and 1‐year mortality or hospital readmission adjusted using Cox proportional hazards regression in older adults with slow (<0.8 m/s) versus preserved (≥0.8 m/s) gait speed.ResultsSlow gait was present in 181 participants (53.6%). Those with slow gait were older, more likely to be female and nonwhite, and had a higher prevalence of heart failure and diabetes mellitus. They were also more likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital within 1 year than those with preserved gait (35.4% vs 18.5%, log‐rank P = .006). This association remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, and race (slow vs preserved gait hazard ratio (HR) = 1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.08–2.87, P = .02) but was no longer significant after adding clinical factors (HR = 1.23, 95% CI=0.74–2.04, P = .43).ConclusionSlow gait, a marker of frailty, is common 1 month after AMI in older adults and is associated with nearly twice the risk of dying or hospital readmission at 1 year. Understanding its prognostic importance independent of comorbidities and whether routine testing of gait speed can improve care requires further investigation.
The Price of Political Uncertainty: Theory and Evidence from the Option Market
Authors: KELLY BRYAN , PÁSTOR ĽUBOŠ , VERONESI PIETRO 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTWe empirically analyze the pricing of political uncertainty, guided by a theoretical model of government policy choice. To isolate political uncertainty, we exploit its variation around national elections and global summits. We find that political uncertainty is priced in the equity option market as predicted by theory. Options whose lives span political events tend to be more expensive. Such options provide valuable protection against the price, variance, and tail risks associated with political events. This protection is more valuable in a weaker economy and amid higher political uncertainty. The effects of political uncertainty spill over across countries.