bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNAs in personalized cancer therapy
Authors: Sethi S. , Ali S. , Sethi S. , Sarkar F.H. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous noncoding single‐stranded RNAs. They critically regulate the post‐transcriptional activity of several key physiological and pathological cell processes including cancer. Through their transcriptional regulatory functions, miRNAs control tumor proliferation, invasion and metastasis. The expression of miRNAs is altered in malignancies. It could be either upregulated or downregulated depending upon the role of a particular miRNA in the pathogenetic development of the tumor. The upregulated miRNAs exert an ‘oncogenic’ effect leading to tumor proliferation and metastasis. The downregulated miRNAs have ‘tumor suppressor’ effects. Recent studies have demonstrated that miRNAs have a role in the early diagnosis, prognosis and treatment outcome assessment of cancers. Every tumor has specific miRNA alterations, i.e. some are overexpressed and others are downregulated. These altered miRNAs can be used as a tumor‐specific ‘signature’ for potential clinical use in improving the accuracy of diagnosis, determining prognosis and as therapeutic targets for therapy. Specific miRNAs can be targeted using oligonucleotide sequences corresponding to the altered miRNAs. These are referred to as ‘antagomirs’. Depending upon the miRNA alterations in the tumor of an individual patient, one could design targeted therapies for personalized medicine in patients. Hence, miRNAs have an immense role in personalized cancer therapy.
Different acute cardiovascular stress in response to resistance exercise leading to failure versus not to failure in elderly women with and without hypertension – a pilot study
Authors: Tajra Vitor , Vieira Denis C. L. , Tibana Ramires A. , Teixeira Tatiane G. , Silva Alessandro O. , Farias Darlan L. , Nascimento Dahan da C. , de Sousa Nuno M. F. , Willardson Jeffrey , Prestes Jonato 
Published: February 2014

SummaryObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of resistance exercise (RE) leading to failure versus not to failure on 24‐h blood pressure (BP) and rate‐pressure product (RPP) responses in normotensive and hypertensive trained elderly women.MethodologySeven normotensive women and seven women with medically documented hypertension randomly performed three experimental sessions: (i) a non‐exercise control session that involved 30 min of seated rest, (ii) whole body RE leading to failure that involved three sets with an eight repetitions maximum (8RM) load and (iii) whole body RE not to failure that involved three sets with 70% of an 8RM load. Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and mean BP (MBP) responses during each hour of sleep and awake states were measured.ResultsResults of all subjects revealed that the RPP was higher (P≤0·05) during afternoon and night hours after the RE session leading to failure versus not to failure and the non‐exercise control session. For the hypertensive group during the night hours, SBP remained higher after the RE session not to failure (P = 0·047) versus non‐exercise control session. For the normotensive group, DBP remained higher after the RE session leading to failure over the 24‐h period (approximately 8 mmHg h−1, P = 0·044) and the period upon awaking (approximately 5 mmHg h−1, P = 0·044) versus the hypertensive group.ConclusionsThe normotensive elderly women of this pilot study presented a greater cardiovascular response to RE leading to failure, as a consequence of the higher training intensity.
Effect of positive end‐expiratory pressure on acoustic wave propagation in experimental porcine lung injury
Authors: Räsänen Jukka , Nemergut Michael E. , Gavriely Noam 
Published: February 2014

SummaryTo evaluate the effect of positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) on sound propagation through injured lungs, we injected a multifrequency broad‐band sound signal into the airway of eight anesthetized, intubated and mechanically ventilated pigs, while recording transmitted sound at three locations bilaterally on the chest wall. Oleic acid injections effected a severe pulmonary oedema predominately in the dependent lung regions, with an average increase in venous admixture from 19 ± 15 to 59 ± 14% (P<0·001), and a reduction in dynamic respiratory system compliance from 34 ± 7 to 14 ± 4 ml cmH2O−1 (P<0·001). A concomitant decrease in sound transit time was seen in the dependent lung regions (P<0·05); no statistically significant change occurred in the lateral or non‐dependent areas. The application of PEEP resulted in a decrease in venous admixture, increase in respiratory system compliance and return of the sound transit time to pre‐injury levels in the dependent lung regions. Our results indicate that sound transmission velocity increases in lung tissue affected by permeability‐type pulmonary oedema in a manner reversible during alveolar recruitment with PEEP.
The impact of consecutive freshwater trimix dives at altitude on human cardiovascular function
Authors: Lozo Mislav , Madden Dennis , Gunjaca Grgo , Ljubkovic Marko , Marinovic Jasna , Dujic Zeljko 
Published: February 2014

SummarySelf‐contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving is regularly associated with numerous asymptomatic changes in cardiovascular function. Freshwater SCUBA diving presents unique challenges compared with open sea diving related to differences in water density and the potential for dive locations at altitude. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of freshwater trimix diving at altitude on human cardiovascular function. Ten divers performed two dives in consecutive days at 294 m altitude with the surface interval of 24 h. Both dives were at a depth of 45 m with total dive time 29 and 26 min for the first and second dive, respectively. Assessment of venous gas embolization, hydration status, cardiac function and arterial stiffness was performed. Production of venous gas emboli was low, and there were no significant differences between the dives. After the first dive, diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced, which persisted up to 24 h. Left ventricular stroke volume decreased, and heart rate increased after both dives. Pulse wave velocity was unchanged following the dives. However, the central and peripheral augmentation index became more negative after both dives, indicating reduced wave reflection. Ejection duration and round trip travel time were prolonged 24 h after the first dive, suggesting longer‐lasting suppression of cardiac and endothelial function. This study shows that freshwater trimix dives with conservative profiles and low venous gas bubble loads can result in multiple asymptomatic acute cardiovascular changes some of which were present up to 24 h after dive.
Travel for transplantation and transplant commercialism in Argentina: a 4‐decade experience from a University Hospital
Authors: Rodríguez‐Reimundes Ezequiel , Soler‐Pujol Gervasio , Díaz Carlos H. , Dávalos‐Michel Mario , Jost Luis J. , Laham Gustavo , Vilches Antonio R. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTravel for transplantation and transplant commercialism have become major issues in the last years, generating a passionate medical, legal, and ethical debate. We evaluated the general characteristics of patients who received a kidney transplant abroad and were subsequently followed in our institution. Then, we carried out a retrospective analysis of travelers' outcomes and compared them with a matched cohort of patients transplanted in our center. Between 1971 and 2008, 58 kidney transplants were performed outside Argentina and were subsequently followed up at our institution. The main destinations were the USA (32.8%), Bolivia (29.3%), and Brazil (17.2%). Deceased donor transplants were the most common (53.4%) followed by unrelated living donors (32.8%). No difference was observed between travelers and controls in terms of one‐month and one‐yr renal function and one‐yr and five‐yr graft survival. Travelers had significantly less time on dialysis before transplantation than controls. The major destination among all travelers was the USA, and the main destination for commercial transplants was Bolivia. The destination countries involved in our study and the apparent non‐inferiority of travelers graft outcomes differ from those of previous reports.
Mycology – an update. Part 1: Dermatomycoses: Causative agents, epidemiology and pathogenesis
Authors: Nenoff Pietro , Krüger Constanze , Ginter‐Hanselmayer Gabriele , Tietz Hans‐Jürgen 
Published: February 2014

SummaryDermatomycoses are caused most commonly by dermatophytes. The anthropophilic dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum is still the most frequent causative agent worldwide. Keratinolytic enzymes, e.g. hydrolases and keratinases, are important virulence factors of T. rubrum. Recently, the cysteine dioxygenase was found as new virulence factor. Predisposing host factors play a similarly important role for the development of dermatophytosis of the skin and nails. Chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, disorders of cellular immunity, and genetic predisposition should be considered as risk factors for onychomycosis. A new alarming trend is the increasing number of cases of onychomycosis – mostly due to T. rubrum – in infancy.In Germany, tinea capitis is mostly caused by zoophilic dermatophytes, in particular Microsporum canis. New zoophilic fungi, primarily Trichophyton species of Arthroderma benhamiae, should be taken into differential diagnostic considerations of tinea capitis, tinea faciei, and tinea corporis. Source of infection are small household pets, particularly rodents, like guinea pigs. Anthropophilic dermatophytes may be introduced by families which immigrate from Africa or Asia to Europe. The anthropophilic dermatophytes T. violaceum, T. tonsurans (infections occurring in fighting sports clubs as “tinea gladiatorum capitis et corporis”) and M. audouinii are causing outbreaks of small epidemics of tinea corporis and tinea capitis in kindergartens and schools.Superficial infections of the skin and mucous membranes due to yeasts are caused by Candida species. Also common are infections due to the lipophilic yeast fungus Malassezia. Today, within the genus Malassezia more than 10 different species are known. Malassezia globosa seems to play the crucial role in pityriasis versicolor.Molds (also designated non‐dermatophyte molds, NDM) are increasingly found as causative agents in onychomycosis. Besides Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, several species of Fusarium and Aspergillus are found.
Development of a direct observation Measure of Environmental Qualities of Activity Settings
Authors: King Gillian , Rigby Patty , Batorowicz Beata , McMain‐Klein Margot , Petrenchik Theresa , Thompson Laura , Gibson Michelle 
Published: February 2014

AimThe aim of this study was to develop an observer‐rated measure of aesthetic, physical, social, and opportunity‐related qualities of leisure activity settings for young people (with or without disabilities).MethodEighty questionnaires were completed by sets of raters who independently rated 22 community/home activity settings. The scales of the 32‐item Measure of Environmental Qualities of Activity Settings (MEQAS; Opportunities for Social Activities, Opportunities for Physical Activities, Pleasant Physical Environment, Opportunities for Choice, Opportunities for Personal Growth, and Opportunities to Interact with Adults) were determined using principal components analyses. Test–retest reliability was determined for eight activity settings, rated twice (4–6wk interval) by a trained rater.ResultsThe factor structure accounted for 80% of the variance. The Kaiser‐Meyer‐Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy was 0.73. Cronbach's alphas for the scales ranged from 0.76 to 0.96, and interrater reliabilities (ICCs) ranged from 0.60 to 0.93. Test–retest reliabilities ranged from 0.70 to 0.90.InterpretationResults suggest that theMEQAShas a sound factor structure and preliminary evidence of internal consistency, interrater, and test–retest reliability. TheMEQASis the first observer‐completed measure of environmental qualities of activity settings. TheMEQASallows researchers to assess comprehensively qualities and affordances of activity settings, and can be used to design and assess environmental qualities of programs for young people.
Does early intensive multifactorial therapy reduce modelled cardiovascular risk in individuals with screen‐detected diabetes? Results from the ADDITION‐Europe cluster randomized trial
Authors: Black J. A. , Sharp S. J. , Wareham N. J. , Sandbæk A. , Rutten G. E. H. M. , Lauritzen T. , Khunti K. , Davies M. J. , Borch‐Johnsen K. , Griffin S. J. , Simmons R. K. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimsLittle is known about the long‐term effects of intensive multifactorial treatment early in the diabetes disease trajectory. In the absence of long‐term data on hard outcomes, we described change in 10‐year modelled cardiovascular risk in the 5 years following diagnosis, and quantified the impact of intensive treatment on 10‐year modelled cardiovascular risk at 5 years.MethodsIn a pragmatic, cluster‐randomized, parallel‐group trial in Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK, 3057 people with screen‐detected Type 2 diabetes were randomized by general practice to receive (1) routine care of diabetes according to national guidelines (1379 patients) or (2) intensive multifactorial target‐driven management (1678 patients). Ten‐year modelled cardiovascular disease risk was calculated at baseline and 5 years using the UK Prospective Diabetes Study Risk Engine (version 3β).ResultsAmong 2101 individuals with complete data at follow up (73.4%), 10‐year modelled cardiovascular disease risk was 27.3% (sd 13.9) at baseline and 21.3% (sd 13.8) at 5‐year follow‐up (intensive treatment group difference –6.9, sd 9.0; routine care group difference –5.0, sd 12.2). Modelled 10‐year cardiovascular disease risk was lower in the intensive treatment group compared with the routine care group at 5 years, after adjustment for baseline cardiovascular disease risk and clustering (–2.0; 95% CI –3.1 to –0.9).ConclusionsDespite increasing age and diabetes duration, there was a decline in modelled cardiovascular disease risk in the 5 years following diagnosis. Compared with routine care, 10‐year modelled cardiovascular disease risk was lower in the intensive treatment group at 5 years. Our results suggest that patients benefit from intensive treatment early in the diabetes disease trajectory, where the rate of cardiovascular disease risk progression may be slowed.
Copeptin, a surrogate marker for arginine vasopressin secretion, is associated with higher glucose and insulin concentrations but not higher blood pressure in obese men
Authors: Asferg C. L. , Andersen U. B. , Linneberg A. , Goetze J. P. , Jeppesen J. L. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimTo explore the putative associations of plasma copeptin, the C‐terminal portion of provasopressin and a surrogate marker for arginine vasopressin secretion, with obesity‐related health problems, such as hyperlipidaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia, high blood pressure and an android fat distribution.MethodsIn 103 obese men (mean age ± standard deviation: 49.4 ± 10.2 years) and 27 normal weight control men (mean age: 51.5 ± 8.4 years), taking no medication, we measured 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure, fasting blood concentrations of copeptin, lipids, glucose and insulin, and determined body composition by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry scanning.ResultsThe obese men had higher [median (interquartile range)] plasma copeptin concentrations [6.6 (4.6–9.5) vs. 4.9 (3.5–6.8) pmol/l, P = 0.040] compared with the normal weight men. In the obese men, plasma copeptin was not related to 24‐h systolic blood pressure (r = 0.11, P = 0.29), 24‐h diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.11, P = 0.28), BMI (r = 0.09, P = 0.37), total body fatness percentage (r = 0.10, P = 0.33), android fat mass percentage (r = 0.04, P = 0.66) or serum triglyceride concentrations (r = 0.04; P = 0.68). In contrast, plasma copeptin was associated with higher serum insulin concentrations (r = 0.26, P = 0.0085) and insulin resistance as assessed by the homeostasis assessment model (r = 0.28, P = 0.0051).ConclusionsPlasma copeptin, a surrogate marker for arginine vasopressin secretion, is higher in obese men compared with normal weight men, and is associated with abnormalities in glucose and insulin metabolism, but not with higher blood pressure or an android fat distribution in obese men.
Erectile dysfunction is a strong predictor of poor quality of life in men with Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Malavige L. S. , Jayaratne S. D. , Kathriarachchi S. T. , Sivayogan S. , Ranasinghe P. , Levy J. C. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimsTo identify predictors of poor quality of life among men with diabetes from a comprehensive set of sexual, clinical, socio‐economic and lifestyle variables.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional observational‐study of 253 men with Type 2 diabetes, randomly selected from a clinic in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Erectile dysfunction was assessed using the five‐item International Index of Erectile Function and quality of life was assessed using the Sri Lankan version of the 36‐item short form health survey questionnaire and the disease‐specific Psychological Impact of Erectile Dysfunction scale. The presence of premature ejaculation, reduced libido, socio‐demographic and lifestyle data was obtained using an interviewer‐administered questionnaire. Significant predictors of quality of life were identified by stepwise multivariate linear regression models for short form‐36 subscales, summary scales and two scales of Psychological Impact of Erectile Dysfunction.ResultsSignificant predictors on the physical summary scale of the 36‐item short form were erectile dysfunction (β = 7.93, 95% CI 3.70–12.17, P < 0.001) and reduced libido (β = 5.20, 95% CI 0.82–9.59, P < 0.05). Predictors on the mental health summary scale of the 36‐item short form were erectile dysfunction (β = 5.82, 95% CI 2.26–9.37, P < 0.01), BMI > 27.5 kg/m2 (β = 9.12, 95% CI 1.38–17.44, P < 0.05), ischaemic heart disease (β = 6.39, 95% CI 0.74–12.04, P < 0.05) and insulin therapy (β = 5.28, 95% CI 0.34–10.22, P < 0.05). Significant predictors in the sexual experience scale of the Psychological Impact of Erectile Dysfunction were erectile dysfunction (β = 6.57, 95% CI 4.63–8.51, P < 0.001), reduced libido (β =4.33, 95% CI 2.34–6.32, P < 0.001) and postural hypotension (β = 3.99, 95% CI 0.13–7.85, P < 0.05). Predictors on the emotional life scale of the Psychological Impact of Erectile Dysfunction were erectile dysfunction (β = 2.96, 95% CI 1.37–4.58, P < 0.001), reduced libido 2.75 (β = 2.75, 95% CI 1.12–4.40, P < 0.01), younger age (β = 1.05, 95% CI 0.35–1.75, P < 0.01) and postural hypotension (β = 3.39, 95% CI 0.35–6.45, P < 0.05).ConclusionErectile dysfunction was a strong predictor of poor generic and disease‐specific quality of life among other sexual and clinical variables in men with diabetes.
Does higher quality of primary healthcare reduce hospital admissions for diabetes complications? A national observational study
Authors: Calderón‐Larrañaga A. , Soljak M. , Cecil E. , Valabhji J. , Bell D. , Prados Torres A. , Majeed A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimTo determine if hospital admission rates for diabetes complications (acute complications, chronic complications, no complications and hypoglycaemia) were associated with primary care diabetes management.MethodsWe performed an observational study in the population in England during the period 2004–2009 (54 741 278 people registered with 8140 general practices). We used multivariable negative binomial regression to model the associations between indirectly standardized hospital admission rates for complications and primary healthcare quality, supply and access indicators, diabetes prevalence and population factors.ResultsIn multivariate regression models, increasing deprivation (incidence rate ratio: 1.0154; P < 0.001, 95% CI 1.0141–1.0166) and diabetes prevalence (incidence rate ratio: 1.0956; P < 0.001, 95% CI 1.0677–1.1241) were risk factors for admission, while most healthcare covariates, i.e. a larger practice population (incidence rate ratio 0.9999, P = 0.013, 95% CI 0.9999–0.9999), better patient‐perceived urgent and non‐urgent access to primary care (incidence rate ratio: 0.9989, P = 0.023; 95% CI 0.9979–0.9998 and incidence rate ratio: 0.9988; P = 0.003, 95% CI 0.9980–0.9996, respectively) and better HbA1c target achievement (incidence rate ratio: 0.9971; P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.9958–0.9984), were protective. Diabetes admissions decreased significantly during the period 2004–2009.ConclusionsAfter controlling for population factors, better scheduled primary care access and glycaemic control were associated with lower hospital admission rates across most complications. There is little rationale to restrict primary care‐sensitive condition definitions to acute complications. They should be revised to improve the usefulness of hospital admission data as an outcome measure, and to facilitate international comparisons. The risk of emergency hospital admission should be monitored routinely.
Stay cool, travel far: cold‐acclimated oriental fruit moth females have enhanced flight performance but lay fewer eggs
Authors: Ferrer Aurélie , Mazzi Dominique , Dorn Silvia 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAcclimation to a particular environment may provide organisms with advantages in that environment. In species with multiple generations per year, acclimation may cause life‐history traits to vary with season and between generations. We investigated flight performance, lifetime egg production, and longevity in relation to the temperature experienced during development and adulthood in the invasive moth pestGrapholita molesta(Busck) (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae). We found that females that developed at low temperature had good flight abilities when they were flown at low, intermediate, and high temperatures. At high temperature, females that developed at high temperature did not outperform females that developed at low temperature. Flight performance was generally poor at low ambient temperature. Our findings suggest a beneficial acclimation effect, occurring at low temperature. Nonetheless, there were potential costs of development at low temperature: development took longer, resulting in smaller females, which laid fewer eggs. Given temporal and spatial temperature variability in the field, dispersal potential should not be considered homogeneous within populations or across generations. Our results suggest that the most favourable time periods for female dispersal are at the beginning and towards the end of the host crop growing season, which has potential implications for monitoring the occurrence and range expansion of this invasive pest species.