bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between dietary carbohydrates intake and circulating sex hormone‐binding globulin levels in postmenopausal women
Authors: Huang Mengna , Liu Jinjie , Lin Xiaochen , Goto Atsushi , Song Yiqing , Tinker Lesley F. , Chan Kei‐hang Katie , Liu Simin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundLow circulating levels of sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) have been shown to be a direct and strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hormone‐dependent cancers, although the relationship between various aspects of dietary carbohydrates and SHBG levels remains unexplored in population studies.MethodsAmong postmenopausal women with available SHBG measurements at baseline (n = 11 159) in the Women's Health Initiative, a comprehensive assessment was conducted of total dietary carbohydrates, glycemic load (GL), glycemic index (GI), fiber, sugar, and various carbohydrate‐abundant foods in relation to circulating SHBG levels using multiple linear regressions adjusting for potential covariates. Linear trend was tested across quartiles of dietary variables. Benjamini and Hochberg's procedure was used to calculate the false discovery rate for multiple comparisons.ResultsHigher dietary GL and GI (both based on total and available carbohydrates) and a higher intake of sugar and sugar‐sweetened beverages were associated with lower circulating SHBG concentrations (all P
trend < 0.05; Q
‐values = 0.04,0.01, 0.07, 0.10, 0.01, and <0.0001, respectively). In contrast, women with a greater intake of dietary fiber tended to have elevated SHBG levels (P
trend = 0.01, Q
‐value = 0.04). There was no significant association between total carbohydrates or other carbohydrate‐abundant foods and SHBG concentrations.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that low GL or GI diets with low sugar and high fiber content may be associated with higher serum SHBG concentrations among postmenopausal women. Future studies investigating whether lower GL or GI diets increase SHBG concentrations are warranted.
New approach shows no association between maternal milk fatty acid composition and childhood wheeze or asthma
Authors: Logan C. A. , Brandt S. , Wabitsch M. , Brenner H. , Wiens F. , Stahl B. , Marosvölgyi T. , Decsi T. , Rothenbacher D. , Genuneit J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundPrevious observational studies have implied breastmilk fatty acid composition may play a role in the development of atopic eczema or atopic sensitization in breastfed infants and toddlers. However, studies investigating associations with wheeze and asthma in later childhood are scarce and did not account for inherent correlation of compositional data. Our aim was to explore the association of maternal milk fatty acid composition with childhood wheezing phenotypes and asthma up to age 13 years using a new statistical approach.MethodsBreastmilk was collected 6 weeks and 6 months postdelivery in the Ulm Birth Cohort Study (n=720 and n=454, respectively). Concentrations of 28 fatty acids were measured by high‐resolution capillary gas‐liquid chromatography. To control for constant‐sum constraint, concentration data were transformed using the centered log ratio method. Compositional biplots and correlation matrices were used to group centered log ratio transformed fatty acids. Adjusted risk ratios with parent‐reported wheezing phenotypes and doctor‐diagnosed asthma were computed using a modified Poisson regression.ResultsWe observed no straightforward evidence of associations between overall breastmilk fatty acid composition and specific wheeze phenotypes or doctor‐diagnosed asthma.ConclusionUsing appropriate statistical methodology, we report null associations. These findings may partly be attributable to several cohort‐specific factors associated with breastfeeding and breastmilk collection. Further studies could improve on ours by analyzing samples of breastmilk and formula and by including all children for whom these are exclusively or together the major source of fatty acids in the first months of life.
Biomarkers and anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery: C‐reactive protein trajectory is the gold standard
Authors: Smith Stephen R. , Pockney Peter , Holmes Ryan , Doig Fiona , Attia John , Holliday Elizabeth , Carroll Rosemary , Draganic Brian 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundAnastomotic leakage is a feared complication following colorectal surgery. Early prediction results in improved clinical outcome, but accurate predictive factors remain elusive. Many biomarkers have been studied with respect to diagnosis of anastomotic leakage but the concept of trajectory testing, using biomarkers, has not been assessed with regards to early diagnosis of anastomotic leak.MethodsC‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), white cell count (WCC) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase were assessed for predictive utility in diagnosing anastomotic leakage with emphasis on identifying an association with change in their levels or trajectory. Levels were collected preoperatively and daily for the first 5 post‐operative days on patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, involving an anastomosis. Anastomotic leakage was defined clinically by operative or radiological intervention. Comparison was made between biomarkers and clinical anastomotic leakage, using receiver operator characteristic curves for logistic models, based on trajectory of the four biomarkers.ResultsA total of 197 consecutive patients were analysed. Eleven patients developed clinical anastomotic leakage. An association of biomarker trajectory with anastomotic leakage was observed for WCC, PCT and CRP, but not for gamma‐glutamyl transferase. CRP was the superior biomarker based on trajectory, with area under the receiver operator curve of 0.961.ConclusionThis study identifies change in CRP, WCC and PCT as potential markers of anastomotic leakage following colorectal surgery and in particular highlights CRP trajectory as extremely accurate in diagnosing anastomotic leakage requiring intervention. External validation should be sought before incorporating this into routine clinical practice, given the numbers in this study.
House Price Dynamics with Household Debt: The Korean Case*
Authors: Kim Hyun Jeong , Son Jong Chil , Yie Myung‐Soo 
Published: March 2017

This paper revisits the long‐run determinants of house prices, and analyzes the house price dynamics using Korean data taking into account the close relationship between house prices and household debt. The results of cointegrating regression indicate that the major portion of the rise in house prices in Korea over the last 15 years can be explained by changes in macro variables such as household income, the demographic structure, the user cost of home ownership and the housing stock supply. The results also confirm that house prices are, indeed, closely linked to the steep increase in household debt seen over this period. Estimation of an error correction model shows that the extent of convergence of actual house prices to their long‐run equilibrium path has weakened somewhat since the global financial crisis while the speed of convergence has slowed, indicating structural changes in the Korean housing market. Finally, a forecast for house prices over the next several years suggests that they are unlikely to rise as sharply as they did in the 2000s, given the likely changes in the macro‐financial environment, and that their future path will be closely associated with that of the household debt‐to‐income ratio.
cAMP‐dependent regulation of RhoA/Rho‐kinase attenuates detrusor overactivity in a novel mouse experimental model
Authors: Akakpo William , Musicki Biljana , Burnett Arthur L. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate detrusor function and cAMP activation as a possible target for detrusor overactivity in an experimental model lacking a key denitrosylation enzyme, S‐nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR).Materials and MethodsGSNOR‐deficient (GSNOR−/−) (n = 30) and wild‐type (WT) mice (n = 26) were treated for 7 days with the cAMP activator, colforsin (1 mg/kg), or vehicle intraperitoneally. Cystometric studies or molecular analyses of bladder specimens were performed. Bladder function indices and expression levels of proteins that regulate detrusor relaxation (nitric oxide synthase pathway) or contraction (RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway) and oxidative stress were assessed. For statistical analysis the Student's t‐test and one‐way analysis of variance were used.ResultsGSNOR−/− mice had significantly higher (P < 0.05) voiding and non‐voiding contraction frequencies compared to WT mice (Cohen's effect size values d = 1.82 and 2.52, respectively). Colforsin normalised these abnormalities (Cohen's effect size values d = 1.85 and 1.28, respectively). Western blot analyses showed an up‐regulation of the RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway reflected by significantly higher (P < 0.05) phosphorylated myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (P‐MYPT‐1) expression in GSNOR−/− mouse bladders, which was reversed by colforsin treatment. There was a higher level (P < 0.05) of gp91phox expression in the bladders of GSNOR−/− mice without significant change after colforsin treatment. Neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation on Ser‐1412 and Ser‐1177, respectively, did not differ between GSNOR−/− and WT mouse bladders irrespective of colforsin treatment.ConclusionImpaired denitrosylation is associated with detrusor overactivity, which is linked with upregulated RhoA/Rho‐kinase signalling. Colforsin reverses physiological and molecular abnormalities. This study describes a novel model of detrusor overactivity and suggests a possible basis for its treatment.
WHAT DETERMINES VACATION LEAVE? THE ROLE OF GENDER
Authors: Fakih Ali 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTVacation leave is introduced in workplaces to improve the working environment. Surprisingly, it has been observed that a large number of workers do not use all of their entitled vacation days. This paper provides a novel set of facts about the gender differences in taking vacation time using the Canadian Workplace Employee Survey, which is a linked longitudinal employer‐employee dataset. The results show considerable differences between men and women in the estimated effects of some demographic characteristics after controlling for job and workplace characteristics. However, they reveal significant implications of work arrangements (e.g., part‐time work, flexible work schedules, and home‐based work), job promotion, supervisory tasks, and union membership for vacation use, for both men and women. This paper provides further insights on the use of fringe benefits that may be useful to policymakers and businesses.
Anal function after endoluminal locoregional resection by transanal endoscopic microsurgery and radiotherapy for rectal cancer
Authors: Biviano I. , Balla A. , Badiali D. , Quaresima S. , D'Ambrosio G. , Lezoche E. , Corazziari E. , Paganini A. M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimIn patients with rectal cancer, surgery and chemoradiotherapy may affect anal sphincter function. Few studies have evaluated anorectal function after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (n‐CRT) and/or transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of n‐CRT and TEM on anorectal function.MethodThirty‐seven patients with rectal cancer underwent anorectal manometry and Wexner scoring for faecal incontinence at baseline, after n‐CRT (cT2‐T3N0 cancer) and at 4 and 12 months after surgery. Water‐perfused manometry measured anal tone at rest and during squeezing, rectal sensitivity and compliance. Twenty‐seven and 10 patients, respectively, underwent TEM without (Group A) or with n‐CRT (Group B).ResultsIn Group A, anal resting pressure decreased from 68 ± 23 to 54 ± 26 mmHg at 4 months (P = 0.04) and improved 12 months after surgery (60 ± 30 mmHg). The Wexner score showed a significant increase in gas incontinence (59%), soiling (44%) and urgency (37%) rates at 4 months, followed by clinical improvement at 1 year (41%, 26% and 18%, respectively). In group B, anal resting pressure decreased from 65 ± 23 to 50 ± 18 mmHg at 4 months but remained stable at 12 months (44 ± 11 mmHg, P = 0.02 vs preoperative values – no significant difference compared with evaluation at 4 months). Gas incontinence, soiling and urgency were observed in 50%, 50%, 25% and in 38%, 12% and 12% of cases, respectively, 4 and 12 months after treatment.ConclusionTEM does not significantly affect anal function. Instead, n‐CRT does affect anal function but without causing major anal incontinence.
Factors contributing to employment patterns after liver transplantation
Authors: Beal Eliza W. , Tumin Dmitry , Mumtaz Khalid , Nau Michael , Tobias Joseph D. , Hayes Don , Washburn Kenneth , Black Sylvester M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundMany liver transplant recipients return to work, but their patterns of employment are unclear. We examine patterns of employment 5 years after liver transplantation.MethodsFirst‐time liver transplant recipients ages 18‐60 years transplanted from 2002 to 2009 and surviving at least 5 years were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing registry. Recipients' post‐transplant employment status was classified as follows: (i) never employed; (ii) returned to work within 2 years and remained employed (continuous employment); (iii) returned to work within 2 years, but was subsequently unemployed (intermittent employment); or (iv) returned to work ≥3 years post‐transplant (delayed employment).ResultsOf 28 306 liver recipients identified during the study period, 12 998 survived at least 5 years and contributed at least 1 follow‐up of employment status. A minority of patients (4654; 36%) were never employed, while 3780 (29%) were continuously employed, 3027 (23%) were intermittently employed, and 1537 (12%) had delayed employment. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, predictors of intermittent and delayed employment included lower socioeconomic status, higher local unemployment rates, and post‐transplant comorbidities or complications.ConclusionNever, intermittent, and delayed employment are common after liver transplantation. Socioeconomic and labor market characteristics may add to clinical factors that limit liver transplant recipients’ continuous employment.
Low serum testosterone is associated with impaired graft function early after heart transplantation
Authors: Poglajen Gregor , Jensterle Mojca , Kravos Nika , Janež Andrej , Vrtovec Bojan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundWe sought to investigate a correlation between serum testosterone levels and graft function early after heart transplantation.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional study, we measured serum testosterone levels 4 weeks after heart transplantation in 49 consecutive male recipients. Echocardiography was carried out to evaluate graft function. Low serum testosterone was defined as <11 nmol/L.ResultsLow serum testosterone was present in 21 (43%) recipients (Group A), and 28 (57%) had normal testosterone levels (Group B). The two groups did not differ in age and presence of renal dysfunction, arterial hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia. Donor age and allograft ischemic time were not different between the two groups. Both groups had comparable tacrolimus through levels, dose of mycophenolate mophetil, and methylprednisolone. Patients in Group A had significantly lower LVEF (58±5% vs 65±6% vs Group B, P=.001) and TAPSE (1.3±0.3 cm vs 1.6±0.3 cm in Group B, P=.01). In comparison with Group B, more patients in Group A were found to have low grade (1R) rejection (25% vs 3%; P=.02).ConclusionLow serum testosterone levels appear to be associated with impaired graft function and an increased incidence of low‐grade rejection episodes early after heart transplantation.
Impact of atrial fibrillation on platelet gene expression
Authors: Wysokinski Waldemar E. , Tafur Alfonso , Ammash Naser , Asirvatham Samuel J. , Wu Yanhong , Gosk‐Bierska Izabella , Grill Diane E. , Slusser Joshua P. , Mruk Jozef , McBane Robert D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimsPlatelets retain cytoplasmic messenger RNA and are capable of protein biosynthesis. Several diseases are known to impact the platelet transcriptome but the effect of non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) on platelet RNA transcript is essentially unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of NVAF on platelet RNA transcript by measuring platelet genes expression in consecutive NVAF patients before and 3‐4 months after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and compared to normal sinus rhythm controls (NSR).Methods and ResultsRNA from isolated platelets were reverse transcribed, assayed against 15 genes using real‐time qPCR, and expressed as mean cycle threshold (ΔCt) using beta‐2‐microglobulin as endogenous control. Expression of all evaluated genes, except cathepsin A gene, was significantly lower (higher ΔCt) in 103 NVAF patients compared to 55 NSR controls. Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein acid labile subunit gene (IGFALS) had expression more than 16 fold‐lower (17.0±2.8 vs 12.5±3.8, P<.001), follow by genes encoding for prostacyclin receptor, and for von Willebrand factor which had fourfold lower expression compared to NSR controls. Gender, type of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, hypertension, prior stroke, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis were associated with different gene expression. Following PVI, expression of four genes significantly increased, particularly IGFALS gene (increased 256‐fold) and ADAMT gene increased 16‐fold); expression of three genes significantly decreased, and expression of eight genes has not changed.ConclusionsPlatelets are capable to respond to the circulatory environment of NVAF by altering transcript and changing prothrombotic status. This shows platelet potential for molecular “reprogramming” possibly induced by flow disturbances of NVAF.
Antipredator responses to alarm pheromone in groups of young and/or old thrips larvae
Authors: de Bruijn Paulien J. A. , Sabelis Maurice W. , Egas Martijn 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMany prey species suffer from different predators in the course of their ontogeny. Hence, the alarm signal a small prey individual sends can have a different meaning than the signal a large prey individual sends, both for small and for large receivers. Larvae of Western Flower Thrips face predators that attack only small larvae, or predators that attack small larvae and large larvae. Furthermore, thrips larvae release a two‐component alarm pheromone, which varies in composition with larval age. Here, we study whether their response to alarm pheromone varies with composition of the pheromone. First, we confirmed that large and small larvae respond when nearby larvae of both sizes were prodded with a brush to induce alarm pheromone excretion. Subsequently, we tested whether thrips larvae of a given size respond differentially to alarm pheromone excreted by a small or large companion larva. We analyzed two types of behavior used in direct defense against a predator and one type of escape response. Only small (not large) larvae attempted to escape more frequently in response to excretions from a large larva. This difference in response could have been due to the alarm pheromone or to the companion larva in the vicinity. We subsequently tested for, but did not find, an effect of size of the companion larva on the behavior of the test larva when exposed to synthetic pheromone mimicking that of a large larva. Finally, we tested how pheromone composition affects antipredator behavior by exposing thrips larvae to synthetic pheromones differing in amount and ratio of the two components. Only for small larvae, we found significant changes in escape behavior with pheromone amount, and a trend with the ratio. Overall, we conclude that small thrips larvae respond differentially to alarm pheromones excreted by small and large larvae and that this differential response is due to differences in pheromone quantity and possibly also quality. Our results suggest that responses to alarm signals can vary with the chemical composition of those alarm signals.
The effects of paternal reproductive tactic and rearing environment on juvenile variation in growth as mediated through aggression and foraging behaviours of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Authors: Forest Adriana R. , Dender Mitchel G. E. , Pitcher Trevor E. , Semeniuk Christina A. D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn species with indeterminate growth, differential growth rates can lead to animals adopting alternative reproductive tactics such as sneak–guard phenotypes, which is partially predicted by variation in growth during the juvenile life‐history stage. To investigate sources of growth variation, we examined the independent and joint effects of paternal reproductive tactic (G) and rearing environment (E) on juvenile growth in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), hypothesizing G and E effects are partially mediated through differences in behaviour such as aggressive interactions and resulting foraging behaviours. We created maternal half‐sibling families with one‐half of the female's eggs fertilized by the milt of a sneaker “jack” and the other half by a guarder “hooknose”. At the exogenous feeding stage, each split‐clutch family was then divided again and reared in a rationed diet or growth‐promotion diet environment for approximately 6 months, during which growth parameters were measured. Before saltwater transfer at 9 months of age, social interactions were observed in groups of six fish of various competitor origins. We found ration restricts growth rate and juvenile mass, and evidence of genetic effects on growth depensation, where jack‐sired individuals grew less uniformly over time. These growth‐related differences influenced an individual's level of aggression, with individuals raised on a restricted diet and those whose families experienced greatest growth being most aggressive. These individuals were more likely to feed than not and feed most often. Jack‐sired individuals were additionally aggressive in the absence of food, and when raised on a rationed diet outcompeted others to feed most. These results show how individuals may achieve higher growth rates via intrinsic (G) or induced (E) aggressive behavioural phenotypes, and eventually attain the threshold body size necessary during the saltwater phase to precociously sexually mature and adopt alternative reproductive phenotypes.
Responses of male cricket frogs (Acris crepitans) to attenuated and degraded advertisement calls
Authors: Venator Kurt R. , Ryan Michael J. , Wilczynski Walter 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe examined the vocal and non‐vocal responses of male cricket frogs (Acris crepitans) to conspecific advertisement calls that had been attenuated or degraded by reducing the depth of amplitude modulation (AM). Both are characteristic of changes to the call as it is transmitted through natural habitats. As stimulus calls became more intense or less degraded, male cricket frogs gradually decreased their call rate and increased the number of call groups and pulse groups in their calls, changes indicative of increased aggressive interactions. At the higher intensities and lower degradation levels, the probability that males would shift to one of two non‐vocal behavioral responses, attacking the perceived intruder or ceasing calling and abandoning the call site, gradually increased. The results show that differences in signal attenuation and AM degradation levels are perceived by males and trigger both vocal and non‐vocal behavioral responses consistent with their use in evaluating the distance to a challenging male. Furthermore, the results indicate that the male responses are graded, increasing as intensity rises and degradation falls, and hierarchical, with vocal responses preceding behavioral responses over the range of intensities and degradation levels presented.