bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Combined Impacts of Aggregation and Spatial Non‐Stationarity: The Case of Migration‐Environment Associations in RuralSouthAfrica
Authors: Maclaurin Galen , Leyk Stefan , Hunter Lori 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSocio‐demographic data are typically collected at various levels of aggregation, leading to the modifiable areal unit problem. Spatial non‐stationarity of statistical associations between variables further influences the demographic analyses. This study investigates the implications of these two phenomena within the context of migration‐environment associations. Global and local statistical models are fit across increasing levels of aggregation using household level survey data from rural South Africa. We raise the issue ofoperational scale sensitivity, which describes how the explanatory power of certain variables depends on the aggregation level. We find that as units of analysis (households) are aggregated, some variables become non‐significant in the global models, while others are less sensitive to aggregation. Local model results show that aggregation reduces spatial variation in migration‐related local associations but also affects variables differently. Spatial non‐stationarity appears to be the driving force behind this phenomenon as the results from the global model mask this relationship. Operational scale sensitivity appears related to the underlying spatial autocorrelation of the non‐aggregated variables but also to the way a variable is constructed. Understanding operational scale sensitivity can help to refine the process of selecting variables related to the scale of analysis and better understand the effects of spatial non‐stationarity on statistical relationships.
Draft Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Strain P23, a Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium of Duckweed
Authors: Sugawara Masayuki , Hosoyama Akira , Yamazoe Atsushi , Morikawa Masaaki 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
strain P23 is a plant growth-promoting bacterium, which was isolated from the surface of duckweed. We report here the draft genome sequence of strain P23. The genome data will serve as a valuable reference for understanding the molecular mechanism of plant growth promotion in aquatic plants.
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY: IMPACT ON SERVICE USE IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Authors: Gardener Carole , Farquhar Morag , Butcher Hanne Holt , Moore Caroline , Ewing Gail , White Patrick , Howson Sophie , Mahadeva Ravi , Booth Sara , Burge Peter , Mendonca Silvia ,   on behalf of the Living with Breathlessness study team
Published: February 2015

IntroductionThere is a high prevalence of anxiety and depression among people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Anxiety and depression are associated with negative health outcomes and increased service use, particularly hospital admissions. Other demographic and health variables are also significant in this relationship. However, less is known about the nature of these relationships when COPD is advanced.Aim:To identify the relationship between anxiety and depression and service use in patients with advanced COPD, and the role of demographic and health variables.Methods:A population-based cohort of patients with advanced COPD recruited to the mixed–method Living with Breathlessness Study completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and reported hospital and community service use and experiences. Patient demographics and health variables were also collected. Quantitative analyses will explore relationships between anxiety and depression, service use, and demographic and health variables. Purposively sampled qualitative data analysed using a framework approach.Results235 patients recruited: mean age 71.6 (SD 10.3); 61% male; mean MMRC dyspnea scale 3.68 (SD 1.040); mean CAT score 23.4 9 (SD7.5). Anxiety and depression scores (HADS) were higher than population norms. Relationships between anxiety and depression, service use, demographic and health variables will be reported quantitatively and qualitatively.Conclusion(s)This analysis will provide new evidence on psychological health and service use in patients with advanced COPD. As part of an ongoing longitudinal study this data will inform trajectories of change in patient psychological health and service use to enable responsive service planning.
ENABLING PATIENT-CENTRED CARE IN ADVANCED COPD: IDENTIFYING CARE AND SUPPORT NEEDS
Authors: Farquhar Morag , Moore Caroline , Gardener Carole , Butcher Hanne Holt , Ewing Gail , White Patrick , Booth Sara , Howson Sophie , Mahadeva Ravi , Mendonca Silvia ,   on behalf of the Living with Breathlessness study team
Published: February 2015

IntroductionChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic progressive condition with high symptom-burden, accounting for one death every 20 minutes in England and Wales. Patient-centred care takes into account patient needs and preferences but we lack fundamental research on needs in advanced non-malignant disease and the clinical practice tools required to enable such care.AimTo describe unmet care and support needs in advanced COPD and identify mechanisms for need-identification to enable patient-centred care.MethodMixed-method interviews with the population-based Living with Breathlessness study cohort of patients with advanced COPD, their informal carers and key clinicians. Validated patient measures of function, need and service use analysed using descriptive statistics. Purposively sampled multiple-perspective qualitative data on needs and experiences of care analysed using a framework approach.Results235 patients recruited: mean age 71.6 years (SD 10.3), 61% male, mean MMRC dyspnoea scale 3.68 (SD 1.04) and CAT 23.4 (SD 7.5). Patients identified symptoms unreported to clinicians and unmet needs for support with practical tasks, personal care, psychological support and information. Patients' ability to spontaneously articulate need was limited. Descriptions of service contacts could be characterised as predominantly reactive: “care” was invisible to some. Service contacts appeared to be driven by organisational and medical agendas rather than patient-centred.Conclusion(s)Shifting the focus beyond organisational and medical agendas in advanced COPD to more patient-centred approaches requires the proactive identification of need, prompted by clinicians. This could be facilitated by a brief structured holistic tool, grounded in patient data, yet feasible for use in clinical practice.
CONDUCTING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH INTERVIEWS WITH PALLIATIVE AND END OF LIFE CARE PATIENTS IN THE HOME SETTING; REFLECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AN ACADEMIC PALLIATIVE CARE RESEARCH CENTRE
Authors: Sivell S , Prout H , Baillie J , Byrne A , Edwards M , Harrop E , Hopewell-Kelly N , Noble S , Sampson C , Nelson A 
Published: February 2015

IntroductionWithin palliative and end-of-life research, qualitative research interviews are often undertaken in the home. Despite practical and ethical challenges, little attention has been given in the literature to the impact of the home setting on both participants and researchers.Aim(s) and method(s)We present the views and experiences of researchers from an academic palliative care research centre on conducting qualitative research with vulnerable populations in the home. Our researchers come from a range of backgrounds (including nursing, occupational therapy, social science, psychology and palliative medicine) with varying degrees of experience.ResultsWe reflect on several important ethical and practical issues, including ways in which to build rapport in often singular encounters and applying sensitivity and flexibility in difficult circumstances. The research interview has the potential to become therapeutic for the participant. However, interviewers need to be aware of unintentional power relationships between the researcher and the patient, and the implications for data quality, as well as both patients' and interviewers' physical and emotional well-being.Conclusion(s)In this setting, and with this particular patient group, less attention should be paid to interviewers' professional stance of neutrality and non-disclosure and more to allowing appropriate social contact, and humanity. However, care needs to be taken to avoid creating a false rapport and therapeutic environment. We offer a list of recommendations to address both practical and ethical concerns for researchers working in this field.
Abstracts from the tri-service emergency medicine conference, 2014
Authors: Smith Jason E 
Published: February 2015

The 2014 Tri-Service Emergency Medicine Conference was held at the Royal Air Force, Linton on Ouse, from 14 October to 16 October 2014. Abstracts were invited from military trainees in emergency medicine, and subjected to standardised assessment and scoring. The authors of the eight highest scoring abstracts were invited to present their abstracts in the final conference session.The top eight scoring abstracts that were presented in the session are included below. The prize for the best abstract was awarded to Captain Pip Lewis, Royal Army Medical Corps, for her work on intraosseous access.
High-Mobility Group Box 1 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression through miR-21–Mediated Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity
Authors: Chen Man , Liu Yao , Varley Patrick , Chang Ying , He Xing-xing , Huang Hai , Tang Daolin , Lotze Michael T. , Lin Jusheng , Tsung Allan 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Liver inflammation plays a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) etiology. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMP), such as high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and dysregulated miRNAs involved in inflammatory disease states, such as miR-21, may participate in the link between inflammation and cancer. We sought to determine the role of HMGB1 signaling in HCC tumor progression. We first document the concordant expression increase of HMGB1 and miR-21 in HCC cell lines and primary HCC tumor samples and subsequently show that HMGB1 stimulation results in overexpression of miR-21. These changes were found to be dependent on the IL6/STAT3 signaling axis. Invasion and migration of HCC cells in vitro were inhibited by both STAT3 and miR-21 antagonists, suggesting a role for this pathway in HCC tumor progression. We verified that HMGB1-induced expression of miR-21 in HCC provides a posttranscriptional repression of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors RECK and TIMP3, which are known to impact HCC progression and metastases. Finally, we found that inhibition of miR-21 in murine HMGB1-overexpressing HCC xenografts led to reduced tumor MMP activity through released repression of the miR-21 targets RECK and TIMP3, which ultimately impeded tumor progression. The prototypical DAMP, HMGB1, is released during liver inflammation and provides a favorable environment for HCC growth. HMGB1 signaling increases miR-21 expression to mediate the enhanced activity of MMPs through RECK and TIMP3. These findings provide a novel mechanism for HMGB1-mediated HCC progression through the IL6/Stat3-miR-21 axis. Cancer Res; 75(8); 1645–56. ©2015 AACR.
Breast Cancer–Specific miR Signature Unique to Extracellular Vesicles Includes “microRNA-like” tRNA Fragments
Authors: Guzman Nicole , Agarwal Kitty , Asthagiri Dilip , Yu Lianbo , Saji Motoyasu , Ringel Matthew D. , Paulaitis Michael E. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EV), including exosomes and shed vesicles, have been implicated in intercellular communication; however, their biomarker potential is less clear. Therefore, EVs derived from MCF7 and MCF10A cells were analyzed to identify unique miRNA (miR) profiles that distinguish their origin. One characteristic common to the miR profiles of MCF7 EVs and their parent cells is the high abundance of miR-21, let-7a, miR-100, and miR-125b, and low levels of miR-205. A second characteristic is the high abundance of “miRNA-like” tRNA fragments, which is unique to the MCF7 EVs, and is not found in comparing the cellular profiles. In addition, correlations were examined in the MCF7 cellular expression levels of these five miRs and two tRNA-derived miRNAs, miR-720 and miR-1274b, and compared with the correlations in MCF7 EV levels. Interestingly, correlations in the cellular expression of miR-125b, miR-100, and let-7a are mirrored in the EVs. In contrast, correlations in tRNA-derived miRNA levels are found only in the EVs. The findings suggest that EV miR clusters can be defined based on functional miR interactions related to correlated cellular expression levels or physical miR interactions, for example, aggregation due to comparable binding affinities to common targets.
Implications: These results point to using high levels of tRNA-derived small RNA fragments in combination with known miR signatures of tumors to distinguish tumor-derived EVs in circulation from EVs derived from other cell sources. Such biomarkers would be unique to the EVs where high abundances of tRNA fragments are amplified with respect to their cellular levels. Mol Cancer Res; 13(5); 891–901. ©2015 AACR.
Menopause Is a Determinant of Breast Adipose Inflammation
Authors: Iyengar Neil M. , Morris Patrick G. , Zhou Xi Kathy , Gucalp Ayca , Giri Dilip , Harbus Michael D. , Falcone Domenick J. , Krasne Margaret D. , Vahdat Linda T. , Subbaramaiah Kotha , Morrow Monica , Hudis Clifford A. , Dannenberg Andrew J. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Chronic inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for the development of several malignancies. Local white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation, defined by the presence of dead or dying adipocytes encircled by macrophages that form crown-like structures (CLS), occurs in the breasts (CLS-B) of most overweight and obese women. Previously, we showed that the presence of CLS-B is associated with elevated tissue levels of proinflammatory mediators and aromatase, the rate-limiting enzyme for estrogen biosynthesis. The associated increased levels of aromatase in the breast provide a plausible mechanistic link between WAT inflammation and estrogen-dependent breast cancers. Thus, breast WAT inflammation could be relevant for explaining the high incidence of estrogen-dependent tumors with aging despite diminished circulating estrogen levels after menopause. To explore this possibility, we determined whether menopause in addition to body mass index (BMI) is associated with breast WAT inflammation among 237 prospectively enrolled women. The presence of CLS-B and its severity (CLS-B/cm2) as indicators of WAT inflammation correlated with menopausal status (P = 0.008 and P &lt; 0.001) and BMI (P &lt; 0.001 for both). In multivariable analyses adjusted for BMI, the postmenopausal state was independently associated with the presence (P = 0.03) and severity of breast WAT inflammation (P = 0.01). Mean adipocyte size increased in association with CLS-B (P &lt; 0.001). Our findings demonstrate that breast WAT inflammation, which is associated with elevated aromatase levels, is increased in association with the postmenopausal state independent of BMI. Breast WAT inflammation, a process that can potentially be targeted, may help to explain the high incidence of estrogen-dependent tumors in postmenopausal women. Cancer Prev Res; 8(5); 349–58. ©2015 AACR.
MicroRNA-22 Regulates Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation From Stem Cells by Targeting Methyl CpG–Binding Protein 2
Authors: Zhao Hanqing , Wen Guanmei , Huang Yuan , Yu Xiaotian , Chen Qishan , Afzal Tayyab Adeel , Luong Le Anh , Zhu Jianhua , Ye Shu , Zhang Li , Xiao Qingzhong 
Published: February 2015

Objective—
In this study, we attempted to uncover the functional impact of microRNA-22 (miR-22) and its target gene in smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation and delineate the molecular mechanism involved.

Approach and Results—
miR-22 was found to be significantly upregulated during SMC differentiation from embryonic stem cells and adventitia stem/progenitor cells. Enforced expression of miR-22 by its mimic, while knockdown of miR-22 by its antagomiR, promotes or inhibits SMC differentiation from embryonic stem cells and adventitia stem/progenitor cells, respectively. Expectedly, miR-22 overexpression in stem cells promoted SMC differentiation in vivo. Methyl CpG–binding protein 2 (MECP2) was predicted as one of the top targets of miR-22. Interestingly, the gene expression levels of MECP2 were significantly decreased during SMC differentiation, and MECP2 was dramatically decreased in miR-22 overexpressing cells but significantly increased when miR-22 was knockdown in the differentiating stem cells. Importantly, luciferase assay showed that miR-22 substantially inhibited wild-type, but not mutant MECP2-3′ untranslated region-luciferase activity. In addition, modulation of MECP2 expression levels affects multiple SMC-specific gene expression in differentiated embryonic stem cells. Mechanistically, our data showed that MECP2 could transcriptionally repress SMC gene expression through modulating various SMC transcription factors, as well as several proven SMC differentiation regulators. Evidence also revealed that enrichment of H3K9 trimethylation around the promoter regions of the SMC differentiation regulators genes were significantly increased by MECP2 overexpression. Finally, miR-22 was upregulated by platelet-derived growth factor-BB and transforming growth factor-β through a transcriptional mechanism during SMC differentiation.

Conclusions—
miR-22 plays an important role in SMC differentiation, and epigenetic regulation through MECP2 is required for miR-22 mediated SMC differentiation.
Measurement of Perihematomal Edema in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Urday Sebastian , Beslow Lauren A. , Goldstein David W. , Vashkevich Anastasia , Ayres Alison M. , Battey Thomas W.K. , Selim Magdy H. , Kimberly W. Taylor , Rosand Jonathan , Sheth Kevin N. 
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose—
Perihematomal edema (PHE) is a marker of secondary injury in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). PHE measurement on computed tomography (CT) is challenging, and the principles used to detect PHE have not been described fully. We developed a systematic approach for CT-based measurement of PHE.

Methods—
Two independent raters measured PHE volumes on baseline and 24-hour post-ICH CT scans of 20 primary supratentorial ICH subjects. Boundaries were outlined with an edge-detection tool and adjusted after inspection of the 3 orthogonal planes. PHE was delineated with the additional principle that it should be (a) more hypodense than the corresponding area in the contralateral hemisphere and (b) most hypodense immediately surrounding the hemorrhage. We examined intra- and interrater reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman plots for interrater consistency. CT-based PHE was also compared using magnetic resonance imaging–based PHE detection for 18 subjects.

Results—

Median PHE volumes were 22.7 cc at baseline and 20.4 cc at 24 hours post-ICH. There were no statistically significant differences in PHE measurements between raters. Interrater and intrarater reliability for PHE were excellent. At baseline and 24 hours, interrater intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.98 (0.96–1.00) and 0.98 (0.97–1.00); intrarater intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.99 (0.99–1.00) and 0.99 (0.98–1.00). Bland–Altman analysis showed the bias for PHE measurements at baseline and 24 hours, −0.5 cc (SD, 5.4) and −3.2 cc (SD, 5.0), was acceptably small. PHE volumes determined by CT and magnetic resonance imaging were similar (23.9±16.9 cc versus 23.9±16.0 cc,
R
2
= 0.98,
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—
Our method measures PHE with excellent reliability at baseline and 24 hours post-ICH.
Evolution of Tsunami-Induced Internal Acoustic–Gravity Waves
Authors: Wei Chen , Bühler Oliver , Tabak Esteban G. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The authors present an idealized theoretical and numerical study of tsunami-induced internal waves in the atmosphere. These are gravity waves modified by acoustic effects that can propagate rapidly from the ocean surface up to the ionosphere, where they are well known to leave a detectable fingerprint in airglow patterns and other remote sensing observables. Accurate modeling of the wave propagation is a prerequisite for being able to detect and decode this transient observational fingerprint by remote sensing methods. The authors study this problem by formulating the initial-value problem for linear waves forced by an idealized tsunami at the lower boundary and then employing a semianalytic Fourier–Laplace method to solve it. This approach allows them to compute the detailed time evolution of the waves while ensuring that the correct radiation condition in the vertical is satisfied at all times, a nontrivial matter for these transient waves.
The authors also compare the predictions of an anelastic model with that of a fully compressible model in order to discern the importance of acoustic effects. The findings demonstrate that back-reflection at the tropopause is a significant factor for the structure of these waves and that the earliest observable signal in the ionosphere is, in fact, a fast acoustic precursor wave generated by the nearly impulsive formation of the tsunami itself.
Coupling of South and East Asian Monsoon Precipitation in July–August*
Authors: Day Jesse A. , Fung Inez , Risi Camille 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The concept of the “Asian monsoon” masks the existence of two separate summer rainfall régimes: convective storms over India, Bangladesh, and Nepal (the South Asian monsoon) and frontal rainfall over China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula (the East Asian monsoon). In addition, the Himalayas and other orography, including the Arakan Mountains, Ghats, and Yunnan Plateau, create smaller precipitation domains with abrupt boundaries. A mode of continental precipitation variability is identified that spans both South and East Asia during July and August. Point-to-point correlations and EOF analysis with Asian Precipitation–Highly-Resolved Observational Data Integration Toward Evaluation of the Water Resources (APHRODITE), a 57-yr rain gauge record, show that a dipole between the Himalayan foothills (+) and the “monsoon zone” (central India, −) dominates July–August interannual variability in South Asia, and is also associated in East Asia with a tripole between the Yangtze corridor (+) and northern and southern China (−). July–August storm tracks, as shown by lag–lead correlation of rainfall, remain mostly constant between years and do not explain this mode. Instead, it is proposed that interannual change in the strength of moisture transport from the Bay of Bengal to the Yangtze corridor across the northern Yunnan Plateau induces widespread precipitation anomalies. Abundant moisture transport along this route requires both cyclonic monsoon circulation over India and a sufficiently warm Bay of Bengal, which coincide only in July and August. Preliminary results from the LMDZ version 5 (LMDZ5) model, run with a zoomed grid over Asia and circulation nudged toward the ECMWF reanalysis, support this hypothesis. Improved understanding of this coupling may help to project twenty-first-century precipitation changes in East and South Asia, home to over three billion people.