bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shoot competition, root competition and reproductive allocation in Chenopodium acuminatum
Authors: Wang Ping , Weiner Jacob , Cahill James F. , Zhou Dao Wei , Bian Hong Feng , Song Yan Tao , Sheng Lian Xi 
Published: August 2014

Summary

Root and shoot competition affect plant growth in different ways, but their effects on reproductive allocation have not been investigated. If root and shoot competition affect reproductive output in a population differently, this will influence the evolution of plant populations growing under various competitive regimes.

We conducted a field experiment to investigate the effects of root, shoot and full competition from naturally occurring surrounding vegetation on growth and reproduction of an annual plant, Chenopodium acuminatum, under low and high soil fertility. Root competition was eliminated by inserting a PVC pipe vertically into the soil around target individuals, and shoot competition was removed by installing inverted wire cones above‐ground. Plants were measured after 11 weeks of growth. The relationships between reproductive (R) and vegetative (V) biomass among treatments were compared.

Without fertilizer, the competitive response of target plants to root competition was greater than that to shoot competition, while in the fertilized treatment, the opposite was the case. Fertilization increased target plant size under no or root competition, but did not affect mean plant size for individuals experiencing shoot or full competition. Variation in size among target plants was highest under shoot competition at high fertility.

The slope of log R–log V relationship under fertilized conditions was significantly higher than without fertilizer addition. The slope was higher under shoot and full competition than under root or no competition at both fertility levels. There were many more small individuals when competition was for light than for soil resources. These small individuals developed more slowly and had fewer flowering branches and lower reproductive allocation at harvest than large individuals.

Synthesis. Our results demonstrated that shoot competition affects the observed pattern of reproductive allometry among individuals in the field, and this has implications for the fitness of competing plants. The steeper log R–log V slope of populations competing above‐ground may intensify the role of directional selection under light competition, making the effects of shoot competition more important than those of root competition for the evolution of weeds in fertile environments.
Troponin Elevations Only Detected With a High‐sensitivity Assay: Clinical Correlations and Prognostic Significance
Authors: Korley Frederick K. , Schulman Steven P. , Sokoll Lori J. , DeFilippis Andrew P. , Stolbach Andrew I. , Bayram Jamil D. , Saheed Mustapha O. , Omron Rodney , Fernandez Christopher , Lwin Albert , Cai Stephen S. , Post Wendy S. , Jaffe Allan S. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectivesWith clinical use of high‐sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI), more frequent troponin elevations will occur. However, the burden and implications of these elevations are not well understood. The authors quantified the prevalence of elevated hsTnI in patients presenting with possible acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who do not have elevated troponin with a current generation assay (cardiac troponin I [cTnI]) and determined the association of these newly detected elevations with a composite of all‐cause mortality and subsequent cardiac hospitalization.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study of 808 subjects evaluated for possible ACS and followed for up to 1 year. Troponin values were measured with hsTnI (Abbott Laboratories) and cTnI (Abbott and Beckman Coulter). Cardiac hospitalization was defined as hospitalization for ACS, revascularization, acute heart failure (AHF), or tachy/brady arrhythmia that occurred after the index emergency department (ED) visit or hospital discharge.ResultsForty subjects (5%) were diagnosed with ACS (26 myocardial infarction and 14 unstable angina). On the initial sample, the prevalence of elevated hsTnI among subjects with nonelevated cTnI was 9.2% using a gender‐neutral cutoff (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.1% to 11.4%) and 11.1% using a gender‐specific cutoff (95% CI = 8.8% to 13.4%). Adjudicated diagnoses for subjects whose initial samples had elevated hsTnI but nonelevated cTnI (gender‐neutral cutoff) were as follows: three (4.6%) ACS, 15 (23.1%) AHF, three (4.6%) volume overload etiology unclear/noncardiac, three (4.6%) cardiac (non‐ACS), and 41 (63.1%) other. Of the 65 patients whose initial samples had hsTnI but nonelevated cTnI, eight developed cTnI elevation on subsequent serial sampling. After traditional cardiovascular risk factors and renal function were adjusted for, subjects with elevated initial hsTnI but nonelevated cTnI (initial and serial sampling) had a higher risk of all‐cause mortality and subsequent cardiac hospitalization than subjects with both nonelevated hsTnI and nonelevated cTnI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.14 to 3.19).ConclusionsOn the initial sample, 9% to 11% of subjects without cTnI elevation had hsTnI elevation. Although the majority of the patients with these newly detected hsTnI elevations did not have ACS, they had a higher risk for all‐cause mortality and subsequent cardiac hospitalization.
Reflux pattern and role of impedance‐pH variables in predicting PPI response in patients with suspected GERD‐related chronic cough
Authors: Ribolsi M. , Savarino E. , De Bortoli N. , Balestrieri P. , Furnari M. , Martinucci I. , Casale M. , Greco F. , Salvinelli F. , Savarino V. , Marchi S. , Cicala M. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryBackgroundGastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may contribute to the onset of chronic cough (CC); however, the multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH (MII‐pH) monitoring is often within the normal range and the response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) unsatisfactory. The measure of impedance baseline (IB) increases the sensitivity of MII‐pH in patients with typical symptoms.AimTo evaluate the role of MII‐pH variables, including IB, in predicting PPI response and to define the characteristics of the reflux pattern in CC patients.MethodsProspectively selected CC patients suspected GERD‐related underwent MII‐pH monitoring and, therefore, received a double dose of PPIs for at least 6 weeks. Patients filled symptom scores before MII‐pH and after PPI therapy. MII‐pH data were compared with those obtained in 60 non‐erosive reflux disease patients with typical symptoms.ResultsA total of 156 CC patients entered the study: 68 (43.5%) responders and 88 (56.5%) nonresponders to PPIs. The number of reflux episodes was significantly higher in CC compared with that in typical symptoms patients. Nonresponder CC patients with a pathological acid exposure time (AET) and/or IB value were 43/88 (49%), while 15/88 (17%) presented only pathological AET (P < 0.001). CC patients with a pathological AET or IB, or with both a pathological AET and IB, showed a probability of PPI response twofold greater than patients with normal AET and IB.ConclusionsThe presence of a pathological AET or pathological IB in CC patients is associated with a greater probability of PPI response. IB is a promising variable in patients with CC, as it increases the diagnostic yield of MII‐pH and allows confirmation of the GERD diagnosis in these patients.
Persistent inflammation and its relationship to leptin and insulin in phases of bipolar disorder from acute depression to full remission
Authors: Tsai Shang‐Ying , Chung Kuo‐Hsuan , Huang Shou‐Hung , Chen Pao‐Huan , Lee Hsin‐Chien , Kuo Chian‐Jue 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveA proinflammatory phase with various immunomodulatory mechanisms has been noted in bipolar mania and major depression. Weight gain and increased production of leptin may be associated with immunomodulation and insulin resistance in bipolar disorder. However, immunomodulation and its linkage with leptin and insulin in the depressive episode of bipolar disorder remain unclear. We investigated alterations in inflammatory markers and their relationship with leptin and insulin levels in patients with phases of bipolar disorder from acute depression to full remission.MethodsThirty‐two physically healthy bipolar I depressed patients aged <45 years and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls participated in this study. We measured their circulating levels of leptin, insulin, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), soluble interleukin‐2 receptor (sIL‐2R), soluble interleukin‐6 receptor (sIL‐6R), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF‐R1), and interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) in three phases, i.e., acute depression, subsequent partial remission, and full remission.ResultsIn acute depression, subsequent partial remission, and full remission, patients with bipolar disorder had significantly higher mean levels of hs‐CRP, IL‐1Ra, sTNF‐R1, and sIL‐2R compared with control subjects. The IL‐1Ra and sTNF‐R1 levels in various affective phases were significantly correlated to body mass index, leptin level, circulating lipids, and medication status. The sIL‐2R levels in the three affective phases were all independent of other inflammatory markers and clinical and laboratory variables. Patients showed no alteration of sIL‐6R levels through the depressive episode.ConclusionsPatients with bipolar disorder in depressive episodes may exhibit persistent inflammation with elevated levels of hs‐CRP, IL‐1Ra, sTNF‐R1, and sIL‐2R but not sIL‐6R from the acute phases to full remission. Only sIL‐2R production seems to be tightly linked with the pathophysiology of bipolar depression and is independent of insulin and leptin levels.
The genetic diversity of cystinuria in a UK population of patients
Authors: Wong Kathie A. , Mein Rachael , Wass Mark , Flinter Frances , Pardy Caroline , Bultitude Matthew , Thomas Kay 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo examine the genetic mutations in the first UK cohort of patients with cystinuria with preliminary genotype/phenotype correlation.Patients and MethodsDNA sequencing and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were used to identify the mutations in 74 patients in a specialist cystinuria clinic in the UK. Patients with type A cystinuria were classified into two groups: Group M patients had at least one missense mutation and Group N patients had two alleles of all other types of mutations including frameshift, splice site, nonsense, deletions and duplications. The levels of urinary dibasic amino acids, age at presentation of disease, number of stone episodes and interventions were compared between patients in the two groups using the Mann–Whitney U‐test.ResultsIn all, 41 patients had type A cystinuria, including one patient with a variant of unknown significance and 23 patients had type B cystinuria, including six patients with variants of unknown significance. One patient had three sequence variants in SLC7A9; however, two are of unknown significance. Three patients had type AB cystinuria. Three had a single mutation in SLC7A9. No identified mutations were found in three patients in either gene. There were a total of 88 mutations in SLC3A1 and 55 mutations in SLC7A9. There were 23 pathogenic mutations identified in our UK cohort of patients not previously published. In patients with type A cystinuria, the presence of a missense mutation correlated to lower levels of urinary lysine (mean [se] 611.9 [22.65] vs 752.3 [46.39] millimoles per mole of creatinine [mm/MC]; P=0.02), arginine (194.8 [24.83] vs 397.7 [15.32] mm/MC; P<0.001) and ornithine (109.2 [7.40] vs 146.6 [12.7] mm/MC; P=0.02). There was no difference in the levels of urinary cystine (182.1 [8.89] vs 207.2 [19.23] mm/MC; P=0.23).ConclusionsWe have characterised the genetic diversity of cystinuria in a UK population including 23 pathogenic mutations not previously published. Patients with at least one missense mutation in SLC3A1 had significantly lower levels of lysine, arginine, and ornithine but not cystine than patients with all other combinations of mutations.
Cardiopulmonary reserve as determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing correlates with length of stay and predicts complications after radical cystectomy
Authors: Tolchard Stephen , Angell Johanna , Pyke Mark , Lewis Simon , Dodds Nicholas , Darweish Alia , White Paul , Gillatt David 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo investigate whether poor preoperative cardiopulmonary reserve and comorbid state dictate high‐risk status and can predict complications in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC).Patients and MethodsIn all, 105 consecutive patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC; stage T1–T3) undergoing robot‐assisted (38 patients) or open (67) RC in a single UK centre underwent preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Prospective primary outcome variables were all‐cause complications and postoperative length of stay (LOS). Binary logistic regression analysis identified potential predictive factor(s) and the predictive accuracy of CPET for all‐cause complications was examined using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Correlations analysis employed Spearman's rank correlation and group comparison, the Mann–Whitney U‐test and Fisher's exact test. Any relationships were confirmed using the Mantel–Haenszel common odds ratio estimate, Kaplan–Meier analysis and the chi‐squared test.ResultsThe anaerobic threshold (AT) was negatively (r = −206, P = 0.035), and the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) positively (r = 0.324, P = 0.001) correlated with complications and LOS. Logistic regression analysis identified low AT (<11 mL/kg/min), high VE/VC02 (≥33) and hypertension as significant factors, such that, in their presence patients were 5.55‐times more likely to have complications at 90 days postoperatively [P = 0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2–13.9]. ROC analysis showed a high significance (area under the curve 0.78, 95% CI 0.69–0.87; P < 0.001). In addition, based on CPET criteria >50% of patients presenting for RC had significant heart failure, whereas preoperatively only very few (2%) had this diagnosis. Analysis using the Mann–Whitney test showed that a VE/VCO2 ≥33 was the most significant determinant of LOS (P = 0.004). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients in this group had an additional median LOS of 4 days (P = 0.008). Finally, patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists grade of 3 (ASA 3) and those on long‐term β‐blocker therapy were found to be at particular risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and death after RC with odds ratios of 4.0 (95% CI 1.05–15.2; P = 0.042) and 6.3 (95% CI 1.60–24.8; P = 0.008).ConclusionPatients with poor cardiopulmonary reserve and hypertension are at higher risk of postoperative complications and have increased LOS after RC. Heart failure is known to be a significant determinant of perioperative death and is significantly under diagnosed in this patient group.
PROPIT: A PROspective comparative clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of PITavastatin in patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Choi Sung Hee , Lim Soo , Hong Eun Shil , Seo Ji A , Park Cheol‐Young , Noh Jung Hyun , Mok Ji Oh , Lee Ki Young , Park Jong Sook , Kim Dae Jung , Lee Chang Beom , Kim Sung Rae , Jang Hak Chul 
Published: August 2014

SummaryObjectiveDyslipidaemia and central obesity are the major factors underlying the dramatic increase in metabolic syndrome (MS). We compared the effects of early combined therapy with pitavastatin and intensive lifestyle modification (LSM) on the amelioration of each component of MS with those of LSM only.Design/Participants/MeasurementsPROPIT (a PROspective comparative clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PITavastatin in patients with metabolic syndrome) was a prospective, randomized, multicenter open‐label 48‐week trial. We enrolled 187 patients with MS (central obesity and prediabetes) and randomized them into two treatment groups: 2 mg pitavastatin daily + intensive LSM or intensive LSM only. The primary outcome was the improvements in the components of MS and in the percentage of non‐MS converters.ResultsAfter 1 year treatment, the improvement of MS score was significantly higher in the pitavastatin + LSM group (P = 0·039). However, non‐MS converters (MS score ≤2) did not differ between the groups. The secondary outcomes, namely lipid profiles, the Apo B/A1 ratio, visceral fat/subcutaneous fat ratio and the Framingham risk score, were significantly improved in the pitavastatin group. There was no deterioration in glucose metabolism after treatment with pitavastatin for 1 year.ConclusionsEarly statin treatment can be an effective option in obese patients with MS, prediabetes and mild dyslipidaemia with further improvement of cardiovascular risk factors. We could not observe the increase rate of glucose intolerance in statin group. Future longitudinal studies are needed to test the benefits of early statin treatment compared with LSM.
Cell and molecular biology of intervertebral disc degeneration: current understanding and implications for potential therapeutic strategies
Authors: Wang SZ. , Rui YF. , Lu J. , Wang C. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIntervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a chronic, complex process associated with low back pain; mechanisms of its occurrence have not yet been fully elucidated. Its process is not only accompanied by morphological changes, but also by systematic changes in its histological and biochemical properties. Many cellular and molecular mechanisms have been reported to be related with IDD and to reverse degenerative trends, abnormal conditions of the living cells and altered cell phenotypes would need to be restored. Promising biological therapeutic strategies still rely on injection of active substances, gene therapy and cell transplantation. With advanced study of tissue engineering protocols based on cell therapy, combined use of seeding cells, bio‐active substances and bio‐compatible materials, are promising for IDD regeneration. Recently reported progenitor cells within discs themselves also hold prospects for future IDD studies. This article describes the background of IDD, current understanding and implications of potential therapeutic strategies.
Attenuated improvements in adiponectin and fat loss characterize type 2 diabetes non‐remission status after bariatric surgery
Authors: Malin S. K. , Bena J. , Abood B. , Pothier C. E. , Bhatt D. L. , Nissen S. , Brethauer S. A. , Schauer P. R. , Kirwan J. P. , Kashyap S. R. 
Published: August 2014

AimTo identify the metabolic determinants of type 2 diabetes non‐remission status after bariatric surgery at 12 and 24 months.MethodsA total of 40 adults [mean ± sd body mass index 36 ± 3 kg/m2, age 48 ± 9 years, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 9.7 ± 2%) undergoing bariatric surgery [Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG)] were enrolled in the present study, the Surgical Treatment and Medication Potentially Eradicate Diabetes Efficiently (STAMPEDE) trial. Type 2 diabetes remission was defined as HbA1c <6.5% and fasting glucose <126 mg/dl (i.e. <7 mmol/l) without antidiabetic medication. Indices of insulin secretion and sensitivity were calculated from plasma glucose, insulin and C‐peptide values during a 120‐min mixed‐meal tolerance test. Body fat, incretins (glucagon‐like polypeptide‐1, gastric inhibitory peptide, ghrelin) and adipokines [adiponectin, leptin, tumour necrosis factor‐α, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP)] were also assessed.ResultsAt 24 months, 37 patients had available follow‐up data (RYGB, n = 18; SG, n = 19). Bariatric surgery induced type 2 diabetes remission rates of 40 and 27% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Total fat/abdominal fat loss, insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and β‐cell function (C‐peptide0–120/glucose0–120 × Matsuda index) improved more in those with remission at 12 and 24 months than in those without remission. Incretin levels were unrelated to type 2 diabetes remission, but, compared with those without remission, hs‐CRP decreased and adiponectin increased more in those with remission. Only baseline adiponectin level predicted lower HbA1c levels at 12 and 24 months, and elevated adiponectin correlated with enhanced β‐cell function, lower triglyceride levels and fat loss.ConclusionsSmaller rises in adiponectin level, a mediator of insulin action and adipose mass, characterize type 2 diabetes non‐remission up to 2 years after bariatric surgery. Adjunctive strategies promoting greater fat loss and/or raising adiponectin may be key to achieving higher type 2 diabetes remission rates after bariatric surgery.
Dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitors and pancreatic cancer: a cohort study
Authors: Gokhale M. , Buse J. B. , Gray C. L. , Pate V. , Marquis M. A. , Stürmer T. 
Published: August 2014

AimTo compare pancreatic cancer incidence and diagnostic evaluation among patients initiating dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor treatment with those initiating sulfonylureas (SU) and thiazolidinediones (TZD).MethodsMedicare claims data were examined in a new‐user active‐comparator cohort study. Patients >65 years with no prescriptions for DPP‐4 inhibitors, SU or TZD at baseline were included if they had at least two claims for the same drug within 180 days. Using an as‐treated approach and propensity score‐adjusted Cox models, we estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pancreatic cancer. Diagnostic evaluations were compared using risk ratios.ResultsIn the DPP‐4 inhibitor versus SU comparison, there were 18 179 patients who initiated treatment with DPP‐4 inhibitors, of whom 26 developed pancreatic cancer (interquartile range follow‐up 5–18 months). In the DPP‐4 inhibitor versus TZD comparison there were 29 366 people initiating DPP‐4 inhibitor treatment and 52 of these developed pancreatic cancer. The risk of pancreatic cancer with DPP‐4 inhibitor treatment was lower relative to SU treatment (HR: 0.6, CI: 0.4–0.9) and similar to TZD treatment (HR: 1.0, 95% CI: 0.7–1.4). After the first 6 months of follow‐up were excluded to reduce the potential for reverse causality, the results were not altered. The probability of diagnostic evaluation after commencing DPP‐4 inhibitor treatment (79.3%) was similar to that for TZD (74.1%, risk ratio 1.06, 95% CI: 1.05–1.07) and SU (74.6%) (risk ratio 1.06, 95% CI: 1.05–1.07). The probability of diagnostic evaluation before the index date (date of initiating treatment) was ∼80% for all cohorts.ConclusionAlthough the present study was limited by sample size and the observed duration of treatment in the USA, our well‐controlled population‐based study suggests there is no higher short‐term pancreatic cancer risk with DPP‐4 inhibitor treatment relative to SU or TZD treatment.