bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors and Psychological Status Among Arabs and Koreans in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Kim Hee Jun , Choi‐Kwon Smi , Kim Hyungjin , Park Yeon‐Hwan , Koh Chin‐Kang 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCultural variations among ethnic groups may differentially influence health and health behavior. We explored and compared health‐promoting lifestyle behaviors and psychological status, including depression, anxiety, and stress, among Korean migrants (n = 117) and Arab nationals (n = 103) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Pender's Health Promotion Model guided this research. The Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile was used to measure health‐promoting lifestyle behaviors and Lovibond and Lovibond's Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale to measure psychological status. The data were analyzed using bivariate procedures and multiple linear regression. No group differences were found in total scores for health‐promoting lifestyle behaviors or psychological status. Both groups scored high on self‐actualization and interpersonal support; Arabs scored low on exercise, and Koreans scored low on health responsibility. Across groups, psychological status (β = −.390, p < .001), education (β = .239, p < .001), and gender (β = .238, p < .001) were significant determinants of health‐promoting lifestyle behaviors in multivariate analysis. Ethnicity and religious attendance were not significant determinants. Education level had a moderating effect; for those with a lower educational level, psychological distress had a stronger negative effect on health behavior. Findings suggest considering cultural aspects, such as different values placed on physical fitness and social/interpersonal relationships, in developing and implementing health education and/or promotion programs. Assessment of psychological status (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) should also be included in health promotion programs and related health policies for Korean migrants and Arab nationals in the UAE. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular design of diene monomers containing an ester functional group for the synthesis of poly(diene sulfone)s by radical alternating copolymerization with sulfur dioxide
Authors: Matsumoto Akikazu , Lee Sungi , Okamura Haruyuki 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTFunctional poly(diene sulfone)s are prepared by the radical alternating copolymerization of 1,3‐diene monomers containing an ester substituent with sulfur dioxide. Methyl 3,5‐hexadienoate (MH) and methyl 5,7‐octadienoate (MO) with both an alkylene spacer and a terminal diene structure are suitable to produce a high‐molecular‐weight copolymer in a high yield, while the copolymerization of 5,7‐nonadienoic acid, ethyl 2,4‐pentadienoate, and ethyl 4‐methyl‐2,4‐pentadienoate including either an alkylene spacer or a terminal diene structure lead to unsuccessful results. The 13C NMR chemical shift values of MH and MO suggest a high electron density at their reacting α‐carbon for exhibiting a high copolymerization reactivity. Fluorene‐containing diene monomers, 9‐fluorenyl 3,5‐hexadienoate (FH) and 9‐fluorenyl 5,7‐octadienoate (FO), are also prepared and copolymerized with sulfur dioxide. The thermal and optical properties of the poly(diene sulfone)s containing the methyl and fluorenyl ester substituents in the side chain are investigated. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1000–1009
Nanomicellar TGX221 blocks xenograft tumor growth of prostate cancer in nude mice
Authors: Chen Ruibao , Zhao Yunqi , Huang Yan , Yang Qiuhong , Zeng Xing , Jiang Wencong , Liu Jihong , Thrasher J. Brantley , Forrest M. Laird , Li Benyi 
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUNDCombination of androgen ablation along with early detection and surgery has made prostate cancer highly treatable at the initial stage. However, this cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among American men due to castration‐resistant progression, suggesting that novel therapeutic agents are urgently needed for this life‐threatening condition. Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase p110β is a major cellular signaling molecule and has been identified as a critical factor in prostate cancer progression. In a recent report, we established a nanomicelle‐based strategy to deliver p110β‐specific inhibitor TGX221 to prostate cancer cells by conjugating the surface of nanomicelles with a RNA aptamer against prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) present in all clinical prostate cancers. In this study, we tested this nanomicellar TGX221 for its in vivo anti‐tumor effect in mouse xenograft models.METHODSProstate cancer cell lines LAPC‐4, LNCaP, C4–2 and 22RV1 were used to establish subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice. Paraffin sections from xenograft tumor specimens were used in immunohistochemistry assays to detect AKT phosphorylation, cell proliferation marker Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), as well as 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. Quantitative PCR assay was conducted to determine prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) gene expression in xenograft tumors.RESULTSAlthough systemic delivery of unconjugated TGX221 significantly reduced xenograft tumor growth in nude mice compared to solvent control, the nanomicellar TGX221 conjugates completely blocked tumor growth of xenografts derived from multiple prostate cancer cell lines. Further analyses revealed that AKT phosphorylation and cell proliferation indexes were dramatically reduced in xenograft tumors received nanomicellar TGX221 compared to xenograft tumors received unconjugated TGX221 treatment. There was no noticeable side effect by gross observation or at microscopic level of organ tissue section.CONCLUSIONThese data strongly suggest that prostate cancer cell‐targeted nanomicellar TGX221 is an effective anti‐cancer agent for prostate cancer. Prostate 75: 593–602, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of pomegranate fruit extract on testosterone‐induced BPH in rats
Authors: Ammar Amr E. , Esmat Ahmed , Hassona Mohammed D.H. , Tadros Mariane G. , Abdel‐Naim Ashraf B. , Guns Emma S. Tomlinson 
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUNDBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects many men after the age of 50 years. Inflammation and oxidative stress along with apoptotic changes are thought to play an important role in the pathology of BPH. Pomegranate contains a variety of polyphenolic compounds that have been studied in a medley of diseases for their anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory and pro‐apoptotic properties. Therefore, this study examined the effect of Pomegranate Fruit Extract (PFE) on the development of BPH using a testosterone‐induced BPH model in rats.METHODSA total of 48 rats were randomly divided into six groups of eight, one group served as the control, BPH was induced by testosterone 3 mg/kg S.C. daily in four groups, three of them received PFE by oral gavage daily at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg respectively, while one group received PFE at a dose of 50 mg/kg without induction of BPH.RESULTSPFE at a dose of 100 mg/kg was the most effective in decreasing testosterone‐induced increase in prostate weight, prostate weight/body weight ratio, and PAP levels by 30.8%, 55%, and 68% respectively and in preventing the accompanying histological changes. In the BPH model, testosterone significantly decreased GSH, SOD, and CAT to 0.45, 0.64, and 0.88 of the control group values respectively, and significantly increased MDA by >6‐fold. In combination with testosterone, PFE dosed at 100 mg/kg significantly increased GSH, SOD, and CAT to 0.83, 0.92, and 0.93 of the control group values respectively, whereas MDA was significantly decreased by 72% compared with the testosterone treated group. In addition to this, at the range of doses studied, PFE lowered COX‐II, iNOS, Ki‐67 expression, and increased apoptotic index.CONCLUSIONThe current findings elucidate the effectiveness of PFE in preventing testosterone‐induced BPH in rats. This could be attributed, at least partly, to its anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and pro‐apoptotic properties. Prostate 75:679–692, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Racial disparities in prostate cancer incidence rates by census division in the United States, 1999–2008
Authors: Cook Michael B. , Rosenberg Philip S. , McCarty Frances A. , Wu Manxia , King Jessica , Eheman Christie , Anderson William F. 
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUNDBlack men have a higher incidence of prostate cancer than white men in the U.S., but little is known whether incidence or racial differences vary geographically. Understanding these differences may assist future studies on causes of prostate cancer. To address such, we leverage the unique resource of the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) combined with Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER).METHODSProstate cancer counts and population denominators by race (black, white), age, calendar year, and U.S. census division, for the period 1999–2008, were extracted from NPCR and SEER. We calculated age‐standardized incidence rates (ASR) and estimated annual percent changes (EAPC) by race and census division. We assessed black‐to‐white incidence rate ratios (BWIRR) by census division and by calendar period.RESULTSThis analysis included 1,713,471 prostate cancer cases and 1,217 million person‐years. Black ASRs ranged from 176 per 100,000 person‐years in Mountain division to 259 in Middle Atlantic. BWIRRs ranged from 1.20 in Western divisions to 1.72 in Southeastern divisions. EAPCs indicated that prostate cancer incidence is not decreasing in East South Central, unlike all other divisions. White EAPCs displayed similar variations by census division, resulting in modest temporal changes in BWIRRs.CONCLUSIONSWithin the U.S., there exists significant geographic variability in prostate cancer incidence rates. Although there are large geographic differences in BWIRRs, temporal trends are fairly stable. This may indicate that primary factors affecting prostate cancer incidence rates vary geographically but affect both black and white men to a similar degree. Prostate 75: 758–763, 2015. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
γ‐oryzanol reduces caveolin‐1 and PCGEM1 expression, markers of aggressiveness in prostate cancer cell lines
Authors: Hirsch Gabriela E. , Parisi Mariana M. , Martins Leo A.M. , Andrade Claudia M.B. , Barbé‐Tuana Florencia M. , Guma Fátima T.C.R. 
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUNDProstate cancer is a leading cause of death among men due to the limited number of treatment strategies available for advanced disease. γ‐oryzanol is a component of rice bran, rich in phytosterols, known for its antioxidant, anti‐carcinogenic and endocrinological effects. It is known that γ‐oryzanol may affect prostate cancer cells through the down regulation of the antioxidant genes and that phytosterols have anti‐proliferative and apoptotic effects. There are evidences showing that some of the components of γ‐oryzanol can modulate genes involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer, as caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1) and prostate specific androgen‐regulated gene (PCGEM1).METHODSTo determine the effects of γ‐oryzanol on prostate cancer cell survival we evaluated the cell viability and biomass by MTT and sulforhodamine B assays, respectively. Cell death, cell cycle and pERK1/2 activity were assessed by flow cytometry. The changes in gene expression involved in the survival and progression of prostate cancer cav‐1 and PCGEM1 genes were evaluated by quantitative real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and cav‐1 protein by immunofluorescence followed by confocal microscopy analysis.RESULTSWe found that γ‐oryzanol decreases cell viability and culture biomass by apoptosis and/or necrosis death in androgen unresponsive (PC3 and DU145) and responsive (LNCaP) cell lines, and signals through pERK1/2 in LNCaP and DU145 cells. γ‐oryzanol also appears to block cell cycle progression at the G2/M in PC3 and LNCaP cells and at G0/G1 in DU145 cells. These effects were accompanied by a down regulation in the expression of the cav‐1 in both androgen unresponsive cell lines and PCGEM1 gene in DU145 and LNCaP cells.CONCLUSIONIn summary, we used biochemical and genetics approaches to demonstrate that γ‐oryzanol show a promising adjuvant role in the treatment of prostate cancer. Prostate 75:783–797, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
X‐ray crystal structures of an orally available aminopeptidase inhibitor, Tosedostat, bound to anti‐malarial drug targets PfA‐M1 and PfA‐M17
Authors: Drinkwater Nyssa , Bamert Rebecca S. , Sivaraman Komagal Kannan , Paiardini Alessandro , McGowan Sheena 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTNew anti‐malarial treatments are desperately required to face the spread of drug resistant parasites. Inhibition of metalloaminopeptidases, PfA‐M1 and PfA‐M17, is a validated therapeutic strategy for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Here, we describe the crystal structures of PfA‐M1 and PfA‐M17 bound to chemotherapeutic agent Tosedostat. The inhibitor occupies the enzymes' putative product egress channels in addition to the substrate binding pockets; however, adopts different binding poses when bound to PfA‐M1 and PfA‐M17. These findings will be valuable for the continued development of selective inhibitors of PfA‐M1 and PfA‐M17. Proteins 2015; 83:789–795. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of covariate adjustment at randomization and analysis for binary outcomes: understanding differences between superiority and noninferiority trials
Authors: Nicholas Katherine , Yeatts Sharon D. , Zhao Wenle , Ciolino Jody , Borg Keith , Durkalski Valerie 
Published: February 2015

The question of when to adjust for important prognostic covariates often arises in the design of clinical trials, and there remain various opinions on whether to adjust during both randomization and analysis, at randomization alone, or at analysis alone. Furthermore, little is known about the impact of covariate adjustment in the context of noninferiority (NI) designs. The current simulation‐based research explores this issue in the NI setting, as compared with the typical superiority setting, by assessing the differential impact on power, type I error, and bias in the treatment estimate as well as its standard error, in the context of logistic regression under both simple and covariate adjusted permuted block randomization algorithms.In both the superiority and NI settings, failure to adjust for covariates that influence outcome in the analysis phase, regardless of prior adjustment at randomization, results in treatment estimates that are biased toward zero, with standard errors that are deflated. However, as no treatment difference is approached under the null hypothesis in superiority and under the alternative in NI, this results in decreased power and nominal or conservative (deflated) type I error in the context of superiority but inflated power and type I error under NI. Results from the simulation study suggest that, regardless of the use of the covariate in randomization, it is appropriate to adjust for important prognostic covariates in analysis, as this yields nearly unbiased estimates of treatment as well as nominal type I error. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of cell‐free DNA in maternal blood in screening for fetal aneuploidies: updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Gil M. M. , Quezada M. S. , Revello R. , Akolekar R. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo review clinical validation or implementation studies of maternal blood cell‐free (cf) DNA analysis and define the performance of screening for fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and sex chromosome aneuploidies.MethodsSearches of PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library were performed to identify all peer‐reviewed articles on cfDNA testing in screening for aneuploidies between January 2011, when the first such study was published, and 4 January 2015.ResultsIn total, 37 relevant studies were identified and these were used for the meta‐analysis on the performance of cfDNA testing in screening for aneuploidies. These studies reported cfDNA results in relation to fetal karyotype from invasive testing or clinical outcome. Weighted pooled detection rates (DR) and false‐positive rates (FPR) in singleton pregnancies were 99.2% (95% CI, 98.5–99.6%) and 0.09% (95% CI, 0.05–0.14%), respectively, for trisomy 21, 96.3% (95% CI, 94.3–97.9%) and 0.13% (95% CI, 0.07–0.20) for trisomy 18, 91.0% (95% CI, 85.0–95.6%) and 0.13% (95% CI, 0.05–0.26%) for trisomy 13, 90.3% (95% CI, 85.7–94.2%) and 0.23% (95% CI, 0.14–0.34%) for monosomy X and 93.0% (95% CI, 85.8–97.8%) and 0.14% (95% CI, 0.06–0.24%) for sex chromosome aneuploidies other than monosomy X. For twin pregnancies, the DR for trisomy 21 was 93.7% (95% CI, 83.6–99.2%) and the FPR was 0.23% (95% CI, 0.00–0.92%).ConclusionScreening for trisomy 21 by analysis of cfDNA in maternal blood is superior to that of all other traditional methods of screening, with higher DR and lower FPR. The performance of screening for trisomies 18 and 13 and sex chromosome aneuploidies is considerably worse than that for trisomy 21. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Quantifying the sensitivity of G. oxydans ATCC 621H and DSM 3504 to osmotic stress triggered by soluble buffers
Authors: Luchterhand B , Fischöder T , Grimm A R , Wewetzer S , Wunderlich M , Schlepütz T , Büchs J 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
In Gluconobacter oxydans cultivations on glucose, CaCO3 is typically used as pH-buffer. This buffer, however, has disadvantages: suspended CaCO3 particles make the medium turbid, thereby, obstructing analysis of microbial growth via optical density and scattered light. Upon searching for alternative soluble pH-buffers, bacterial growth and productivity was inhibited most probably due to osmotic stress. Thus, this study investigates in detail the osmotic sensitivity of G. oxydans ATCC 621H and DSM 3504 using the Respiratory Activity MOnitoring System. The tested soluble pH-buffers and other salts attained osmolalities of 0.32–1.19 osmol kg−1. This study shows that G. oxydans ATCC 621H and DSM 3504 respond quite sensitively to increased osmolality in comparison to other microbial strains of industrial interest. Osmolality values of &gt;0.5 osmol kg−1 should not be exceeded to avoid inhibition of growth and product formation. This osmolality threshold needs to be considered when working with soluble pH-buffers.
Impulsive choice predicts short-term relapse in substance-dependent individuals attending an in-patient detoxification programme
Authors: Stevens L. , Goudriaan A. E. , Verdejo-Garcia A. , Dom G. , Roeyers H. , Vanderplasschen W. 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundImpulsivity is a hallmark characteristic of substance use disorders. Recently, studies have begun to explore whether increased impulsivity in substance-dependent individuals (SDIs) is associated with a greater propensity to relapse following treatment. Despite growing recognition of its multidimensional nature, however, most studies have treated impulsivity unilaterally. Accordingly, it remains unclear whether certain facets of impulsivity are more relevant to relapse than others. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between multiple facets of impulsivity and short-term relapse in SDIs. As a secondary aim, we explored the role of treatment retention in this relationship.MethodA personality-based impulsivity questionnaire (UPPS) and three neurocognitive tasks of impulsivity [stop-signal task (SST), delay discounting task (DDT) and Iowa gambling task (IGT)] were administered in a heterogeneous sample of 70 SDIs shortly following their entry in an in-patient detoxification programme. Mediation analyses were performed to explore whether the effects of impulsivity on relapse were mediated by treatment retention.ResultsPerformance on two neurocognitive indices of impulsive choice (i.e. delay discounting and impulsive decision-making) significantly predicted short-term relapse. The effects of delay discounting and impulsive decision-making on relapse propensity were mediated by treatment retention.ConclusionsNeurocognitive indices of impulsivity may be more sensitive to the prediction of relapse than trait-based self-report questionnaires. Post-treatment relapse in SDIs may be reduced by targeting the processes involved in impulsive choice and by improving treatment retention in SDIs with inflated impulsivity.
Dealing with bad guys: actor- and process-level determinants of the “devil shift” in policy making
Authors: Fischer Manuel , Ingold Karin , Sciarini Pascal , Varone Frédéric 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPolicy actors tend to misinterpret and distrust opponents in policy processes. This phenomenon, known as the “devil shift”, consists of the following two dimensions: actors perceive opponents as more powerful and as more evil than they really are. Analysing nine policy processes in Switzerland, this article highlights the drivers of the devil shift at two levels. On the actor level, interest groups, political parties and powerful actors suffer more from the devil shift than state actors and powerless actors. On the process level, the devil shift is stronger in policy processes dealing with socio-economic issues as compared with other issues. Finally, and in line with previous studies, there is less empirical evidence of the power dimension of the devil shift phenomenon than of its evilness dimension.
Community dynamics over 14 years along gradients of geological substrate and topography in tropical montane forests on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
Authors: Sawada Yoshimi , Aiba Shin-ichiro , Takyu Masaaki , Repin Rimi , Nais Jamili , Kitayama Kanehiro 
Published: February 2015

Abstract:To understand the variation in community dynamics of tropical montane forests along gradients of soil fertility, death, recruitment and growth of trees (≥5 cm diameter) were monitored over 14 y (1997–2011) in nine plots placed in a matrix of three geological substrate types (Quaternary sediments, Tertiary sedimentary rocks and ultrabasic rocks) and three topographical units (ridge, middle and lower slopes) on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo. The plot area was 0.05 ha for ridge, 0.1 ha for middle slope and 0.2 ha (on ultrabasic rocks) and 1 ha (on the other substrates) for lower slope. Recruitment rates did not show a consistent pattern across geological substrates or topographies. Mortality rates were relatively high in almost all plots during the 1997–1999 period, including the El Niño drought, and in three plots on ultrabasic rocks during 2001–2005. Binomial logistic regression analyses showed that mortality during 1997–1999 increased with soil fertility (soluble phosphorus). Background mortality, excluding these periods, did not differ across geological substrates or topographies. The average growth rate during 1997–2011 was higher on more fertile soils and positively correlated with mortality during 1997–1999. We suggest that a high mortality rate during the drought period was related to high species diversity on more fertile soils, whereas a lower growth rate was related to stunted structures on poorer soils.