bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin monotherapy in people with Type 2 diabetes: a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled 102‐week trial
Authors: Bailey C. J. , Morales Villegas E. C. , Woo V. , Tang W. , Ptaszynska A. , List J. F. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimsTo assess initial pharmacotherapy of Type 2 diabetes with the sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor dapagliflozin.MethodsThis double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, randomly allocated people with Type 2 diabetes aged 18–77 years and inadequate glycaemic control on diet and exercise [HbA1c 53–86 mmol/mol (7.0–10.0%)] to receive placebo (n = 75) or dapagliflozin monotherapy 2.5 mg (n = 65), 5 mg (n = 64) or 10 mg (n = 70) once daily in the morning. After 24 weeks, low‐dose double‐blind metformin 500 mg/day was added to the placebo group regimen (placebo+low‐dose metformin group). Changes in HbA1c level, fasting plasma glucose and body weight, as well as adverse events, were assessed over 102 weeks.ResultsOf the 274 participants randomized, 167 completed the study (60.9%). At 102 weeks, significant differences vs placebo+low‐dose metformin with dapagliflozin 5 and 10 mg were observed for HbA1c (−5.8 mmol/mol [−0.53%], P = 0.018; and −4.8 mmol/mol [−0.44%], P = 0.048), respectively); and for FPG (−0.69 mmol/L, P = 0.044; and −1.12 mmol/l, P = 0.001, respectively). For body weight, the difference between the dapagliflozin 10‐mg group and the placebo+low‐dose metformin group was significant (−2.60 kg; P = 0.016). Hypoglycaemic events were uncommon, with rates of 5.3% for placebo+low‐dose metformin group and 0–4.6% for the dapagliflozin groups. Genital infections and urinary tract infections were more common in the dapagliflozin groups than in the placebo+low‐dose metformin group.ConclusionsDapagliflozin as monotherapy in treatment‐naïve people with early Type 2 diabetes improved glycaemic control and reduced weight without increasing hypoglycaemia over 102 weeks. Dapagliflozin may provide an alternative initial pharmacotherapy in such people.
Does exposure to hyperglycaemia in utero increase the risk of obesity and diabetes in the offspring? A critical reappraisal
Authors: Donovan L. E. , Cundy T. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe idea that exposure to hyperglycaemia in utero is an important factor in the development of obesity and diabetes in the offspring has become entrenched as popular belief.AimTo appraise the literature supporting this hypothesis in the light of recent studies that have clarified the main drivers of obesity in children and adolescents.MethodsA review of published evidence from animal studies, human observational studies, systematic reviews and experimental trials that address the impact of diabetes (Types 1 and 2, genetic or gestational) on the future risk of obesity and/or glucose intolerance in the offspring.ResultsSome animal studies support a relationship between exposure to hyperglycaemia in utero and future development of obesity and diabetes, but the results are inconsistent. Most of the human studies claiming to show a relationship have not taken into account important known confounders, such as maternal and paternal BMI. Evidence supporting a dose–response relationship between maternal hyperglycaemia exposure and obesity and diabetes in the offspring is weak, and there is no convincing evidence that treating gestational diabetes reduces the later risk of offspring obesity or glucose intolerance.ConclusionsExposure to hyperglycaemia in utero has minimal direct effect on the later risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The increased risk of obesity in the offspring of women with Type 2 or gestational diabetes can be explained by confounding factors, such as parental obesity.
Age‐related changes in neural gap detection thresholds in the rat auditory cortex
Authors: Zhao Yin , Xu Xiaoxiao , He Juan , Xu Jinghong , Zhang Jiping 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe ability of the auditory system to resolve sound temporal information is crucial for the understanding of human speech and other species‐specific communications. Gap detection threshold, i.e. the ability to detect the shortest duration of a silent interval in a sound, is commonly used to study the auditory temporal resolution. Behavioral studies in humans and rats have shown that normal developing infants have higher gap detection thresholds than adults; however, the underlying neural mechanism is not fully understood. In the present study, we determined and compared the neural gap detection thresholds in the primary auditory cortex of three age groups of rats: the juvenile group (postnatal day 20–30), adult group I (8–10 weeks), and adult group II (28–30 weeks). We found age‐related changes in auditory temporal acuity in the auditory cortex, i.e. the proportion of cortical units with short neural gap detection thresholds (< 5 ms) was much lower in juvenile groups compared with that in both adult groups at a constant sound level, and no significant differences in neural gap detection thresholds were found between the two adult groups. In addition, units in the auditory cortex of each group generally showed better gap detection thresholds at higher sound levels than at lower sound levels, exhibiting a level‐dependent temporal acuity. These results provided evidence for neural correlates of age‐related changes in behavioral gap detection ability during postnatal hearing development.
Gaseous emissions from management of solid waste: a systematic review
Authors: Pardo Guillermo , Moral Raúl , Aguilera Eduardo , del Prado Agustín 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe establishment of sustainable soil waste management practices implies minimizing their environmental losses associated with climate change (greenhouse gases: GHGs) and ecosystems acidification (ammonia: NH3). Although a number of management strategies for solid waste management have been investigated to quantify nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) losses in relation to varied environmental and operational conditions, their overall effect is still uncertain. In this context, we have analyzed the current scientific information through a systematic review. We quantified the response of GHG emissions, NH3 emissions, and total N losses to different solid waste management strategies (conventional solid storage, turned composting, forced aerated composting, covering, compaction, addition/substitution of bulking agents and the use of additives). Our study is based on a meta‐analysis of 50 research articles involving 304 observations. Our results indicated that improving the structure of the pile (waste or manure heap) via addition or substitution of certain bulking agents significantly reduced nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions by 53% and 71%, respectively. Turned composting systems, unlike forced aerated composted systems, showed potential for reducing GHGs (N2O: 50% and CH4: 71%). Bulking agents and both composting systems involved a certain degree of pollution swapping as they significantly promoted NH3 emissions by 35%, 54%, and 121% for bulking agents, turned and forced aerated composting, respectively. Strategies based on the restriction of O2 supply, such as covering or compaction, did not show significant effects on reducing GHGs but substantially decreased NH3 emissions by 61% and 54% for covering and compaction, respectively. The use of specific additives significantly reduced NH3 losses by 69%. Our meta‐analysis suggested that there is enough evidence to refine future Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodologies from solid waste, especially for solid waste composting practices. More holistic and integrated approaches are therefore required to develop more sustainable solid waste management systems.
Fracturesis Jointitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment in Groundwater Communities
Authors: Manda Alex K. , Horsman Eric 
Published: November 2014

AbstractFracturesis Jointitis is a grammatical disorder characterized by failure or inability to understand the difference between overarching and specific terms of brittle deformation features. The disorder leads to the use of the word “fracture” as a specific type of discontinuity rather than as an overarching term for mechanical breaks in rocks. This condition appears to be prevalent among groundwater practitioners working with fractured rocks. Common signs and symptoms of Fracturesis Jointitis include the use of terms such as “joints and fractures” and “joints, faults and fractures” when describing fractures in rocks. At best, such terms imply that a “fracture” is one of many kinds of features like joints and faults, and at worst that joints and faults are not fractures but something else. Using proper terms to identify specific fracture types is critical because fractures may act as either barriers to groundwater flow (e.g., faults or deformation bands) or conduits for flow (e.g., faults and joints), The treatment for Fracturesis Jointitis involves an education campaign highlighting to the groundwater community the different fracture types that exist, the modes by which fractures propagate and the role that these fractures play in facilitating or hindering groundwater flow. Those afflicted by Fracturesis Jointitis can be cured of the condition by avoiding the word “fractures” in phrases such as “joints and fractures” or by adding descriptive words before the word “fractures” to specify fracture types (e.g., “foliation‐parallel” fractures). Only with a concerted education campaign can we rid our community of Fracturesis Jointitis.
A case–control study assessing bone mineral density in severe haemophilia A in the UK
Authors: Wells A. J. , McLaughlin P. , Simmonds J.V. , Prouse P. J. , Prelevic G. , Gill S. , Chowdary P. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryIt has been shown that bone mineral density (BMD) may be lower in patients with haemophilia (PWH). A comparison to control subjects is required to thoroughly assess current BMD in PWH in the UK. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that BMD is lower in PWH than in controls, and in patients with more severely affected joints or lower activity levels. In this case–control study, 37 patients with severe haemophilia A were recruited from two haemophilia centres in the UK. A group of 37 age, gender and ethnicity‐matched control participants were recruited. All participants had a bone density scan, a musculoskeletal assessment, a blood test for vitamin D and completed a functional activity questionnaire. Of the case group, 5% had osteoporosis and 24% had BMD lower than expected for age. No control participants had osteoporosis, 3% had osteopenia and 14% had BMD lower than expected for age. Ninety one per cent of case participants and 92% of control participants had reduced 25(OH)D levels. Case participants had significantly lower BMD than control participants, and case participants with more severely affected joints, lower activity levels, HIV, history of hepatitis C or lower BMI had significantly lower BMD. Patients with severe haemophilia have a higher risk of low BMD than men without haemophilia. Patients with more severely affected joints and lower activity levels have lower BMD. It remains unclear whether patients with low BMD reached adequate peak bone mass. Low vitamin D may be present in the majority of PWH.
Review: Efficacy and Safety of Hybrid Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Ben , Wang You‐Hua , Lv Zhi‐Fa , Xiong Hui‐Fang , Wang Hui , Yang Yang , Xie Yong 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and safety of hybrid therapy compared to other pre‐existing therapies and to new therapies.MethodsThrough a search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index, two independent reviewers systemically identified randomized, controlled trials that compared hybrid therapy to other pre‐existing and new therapies. Dichotomous data were pooled to obtain the relative risk (RR) of the eradication rate, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsWe identified 6 studies, 5 of which compared hybrid therapy and sequential therapy, and 3 of which compared hybrid therapy and concomitant therapy. Pooled estimates of the 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) revealed no significant differences between hybrid therapy and sequential therapy and no evidence of heterogeneity (I2 = 0%; p = .803), the pooled RRs were 1.02 (95% CI: 0.93–1.12) (intention‐to‐treat (ITT)), and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.94–1.13) (per protocol (PP)). Pooled estimates of the 3 RCTs showed no significant differences between hybrid therapy and concomitant therapy with no evidence of heterogeneity (I2 = 0%; p = .967), the pooled RRs were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.89–1.10) (ITT) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.89–1.10) (PP). No significant differences in adverse events were noted among hybrid therapy, sequential therapy, and concomitant therapy ((RR: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.87–1.48; I2 = 13.2%; p = .327), (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.73–1.08; I2 = 0%; p = .978) (ITT), respectively). After consideration of all treatment arms, the ITT eradication rates with hybrid therapy, concomitant therapy, and sequential therapy were 88.6, 86.3, and 84.7%, respectively. And the PP eradication rates were 92.1, 92.5, and 87.5%. No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of compliance.ConclusionsAll three of these therapies yielded good eradication rates. Hybrid therapy could be an alternative to sequential therapy and concomitant therapy, but additional RCTs are needed to confirm this finding.
The Helicobacter pylori L‐form: Formation and Isolation in the Human bile Cultures in vitro and in the Gallbladders of Patients with Biliary Diseases
Authors: Wang Dan N. , Ding Wen J. , Pan Yao Z. , Tang Ke L. , Wang Tao , She Xiao L. , Wang He 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe Helicobacter pylori is considered the important causative agent causing biliary diseases, but the H. pylori can be isolated from very few gallbladder specimens with diseases. We studied the formation of H. pylori L‐forms in bile in vitro and isolated the H. pylori L‐forms from gallbladder of patients with biliary diseases.MethodsWe inoculated the H. pylori into the human bile to induce the L‐form in vitro. The gallbladder specimens were collected from patients with biliary diseases to isolate the bacterial L‐forms by the nonhigh osmotic isolation technique, and the H. pylori L‐forms in the L‐form isolates were identified by the gene assay for the H. pylori‐specific genes 16S rRNA and UreA.ResultsThe H. Pylori cannot be isolated from the bile‐induced cultures, but the H. pylori L‐form can be isolated from the H. pylori‐negative bile‐induced cultures. The L‐form isolates of bile‐induced cultures showed a positive reaction of the H. pylori‐specific genes by PCR, and the coincidence ratio of the nucleotide sequences between the L‐forms and the H. pylori is 99%. The isolation rate of bacteria L‐form is 93.2% in the gallbladder specimens with bacteria‐negative isolation culture by the nonhigh osmotic isolation technique, and the positive rate of the H. pylori‐specific genes in the L‐form isolates is 7.1% in the bacterial L‐form‐positive isolation cultures by the PCR.ConclusionsH. pylori can be rapidly induced into the L‐form in the human bile; the L‐form, as the latent bacteria, can live in the host gallbladder for a long times, and they made the host became a latent carrier of the H. pylori L‐form. The H. pylori L‐form can be isolated by the nonhigh osmotic isolation technique, and the variant can be identified by the gene assay for the H. pylori‐specific genes 16S rRNA and reA.
Effects of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Its Eradication on Lipid Profiles and Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Nam Su Youn , Ryu Kum Hei , Park Bum Joon , Park Sohee 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to examine the relationship of current Helicobacter pylori infection with lipid profile and cardiovascular disease and its eradication effect.MethodsHealthy subjects, who underwent routine checkup between October 2003 and December 2007, were followed up until June 2009. Helicobacter pylori and lipid profiles were measured both baseline and follow‐up. Multiple logistic regression models for odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the effects of H. pylori infection and its eradication, on lipids and cardiovascular disease.ResultsCurrent infection with H. pylori with 50.5% (6759/13383) at baseline increased low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and decreased high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) than H. pylori‐negative group. Successful eradication of H. pylori decreased the risk of high LDL compared with the persistent infection (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59–96), which was comparable to that of the persistent negative group (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70–0.97), and decreased the risk of low HDL (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.96). Current infection of H. pylori increased the risk of cardiovascular disease (OR 3.27, 95% CI 1.31–8.14) at baseline, but its eradication failed to decrease the risk at a 2‐year follow‐up. However, persistent negative infection decreased the risk (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.35–0.94) comparing to persistent positive infection at follow‐up.ConclusionsCurrent infection with H. pylori had a positive association with high LDL, low HDL, and cardiovascular disease. Successful H. pylori eradication decreased the risk of high LDL and low HDL, but did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Effects of JNK1/2 on the inflammation cytokine TNF‐α‐enhanced production of MMP‐3 in human dental pulp fibroblast‐like cells
Authors: Goda S. , Kato Y. , Domae E. , Hayashi H. , Tani‐Ishii N. , Iida J. , Ikeo T. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimTo investigate the effects of the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK1/2) on the inflammation cytokine tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α)‐enhanced production of matrix metalloproteinase‐3 (MMP‐3) in human dental pulp fibroblast‐like cells (HPFs).MethodologyHPFs were grown from pulp explants from healthy donors. Primary cultures were established by culturing the cells for 20 to 30 days. The experiments with HPFs were performed between passages 3 and 10. The HPFs were incubated in serum‐free medium containing TNF‐α for 24 h. The medium in each well was prepared in SDS sample buffer and was analysed for MMP‐3 by Western blotting.ResultsJNK inhibitor SP601245 markedly inhibited the production of MMP‐3 in TNF‐α‐stimulated human dental pulp fibroblasts. MMP‐3 production was enhanced by TNF‐α in HPFs; silencing JNK1 and JNK2 expression inhibited this activation. cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) was activated by TNF‐α in HPFs; silencing JNK1 and JNK2 expression inhibited this activation.ConclusionThe activation of CREB via JNK pathways in the presence of TNF‐α occurred with enhancement of MMP‐3 production in dental pulp fibroblasts.
Antigen‐induced regulation of T‐cell motility, interaction with antigen‐presenting cells and activation through endogenous thrombospondin‐1 and its receptors
Authors: Bergström Sten‐Erik , Uzunel Mehmet , Talme Toomas , Bergdahl Eva , Sundqvist Karl‐Gösta 
Published: November 2014

SummaryAntigen recognition reduces T‐cell motility, and induces prolonged contact with antigen‐presenting cells and activation through mechanisms that remain unclear. Here we show that the T‐cell receptor (TCR) and CD28 regulate T‐cell motility, contact with antigen‐presenting cells and activation through endogenous thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) and its receptors low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 (LRP1), calreticulin and CD47. Antigen stimulation induced a prominent up‐regulation of TSP‐1 expression, and transiently increased and subsequently decreased LRP1 expression whereas calreticulin was unaffected. This antigen‐induced TSP‐1/LRP1 response down‐regulated a motogenic mechanism directed by LRP1‐mediated processing of TSP‐1 in cis within the same plasma membrane while promoting contact with antigen‐presenting cells and activation through cis interaction of the C‐terminal domain of TSP‐1 with CD47 in response to N‐terminal TSP‐1 triggering by calreticulin. The antigen‐induced TSP‐1/LRP1 response maintained a reduced but significant motility level in activated cells. Blocking CD28 co‐stimulation abrogated LRP1 and TSP‐1 expression and motility. TCR/CD3 ligation alone enhanced TSP‐1 expression whereas CD28 ligation alone enhanced LRP1 expression. Silencing of TSP‐1 inhibited T‐cell conjugation to antigen‐presenting cells and T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokine responses. The Th1 response enhanced motility and increased TSP‐1 expression through interleukin‐2, whereas the Th2 response weakened motility and reduced LRP1 expression through interleukin‐4. Ligation of the TCR and CD28 therefore elicits a TSP‐1/LRP1 response that stimulates prolonged contact with antigen‐presenting cells and, although down‐regulating motility, maintains a significant motility level to allow serial contacts and activation. Th1 and Th2 cytokine responses differentially regulate T‐cell expression of TSP‐1 and LRP1 and motility.
Impact of the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Programme on patient functioning
Authors: Meehan Tom , Robertson Samantha 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe Mental Health Nurse Incentive Programme (MHNIP) was established across Australia during 2007. The programme enables mental health nurses to work alongside general practitioners (GPs) and other health professionals to assist in the assessment and treatment of people with mental illnesses. This paper reports on the outcomes for 309 patients referred by GPs to the programme in one region of Queensland. Standardized measures were completed pre‐ and post‐treatment to evaluate changes in symptoms and general functioning between baseline and follow up. Patient contact with the programme ranged from 3 weeks to 38 weeks, and the study group (n = 84) demonstrated significant improvement on all of the self‐report and clinician‐rated measures employed. Effect sizes ranged from 0.59 to 0.74. The findings suggest that the MHNIP is making a positive contribution, with a medium‐to‐large impact on the mental health and general functioning of individuals supported through the programme. Further evaluation work is required to determine if the findings from this study can be generalized more broadly.
Decreased levels of circulating CD34+ cells are associated with coronary heart disease in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Makino Hisashi , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Kikuchi‐Taura Akie , Soma Toshihiro , Taguchi Akihiko , Kishimoto Ichiro 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAims/IntroductionCirculating progenitor cells, including CD34 positive (CD34+) cells, play a key role in neovascularisation and the maintenance of vascular endothelial function. Several lines of evidence show an association between decreased levels of circulating CD34+ cells and cardiovascular disease. However, the contribution of circulating CD34+ cells to the occurrence of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients remains unclear.Materials and MethodsIn the present study with a median follow up of 4.6 years, we analyzed the level of circulating CD34+ cells in 192 patients with type 2 diabetes. The outcome variables were coronary heart disease (CHD) events (cardiovascular death, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting) and cerebrovascular disease events (cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage or transient ischemic attack).ResultsDecreased levels of circulating CD34+ cells were associated with a significantly higher incidence of CHD based on Kaplan–Meier analysis (P = 0.0052). After adjusting for age, sex, dyslipidemia, hypertension, glycated hemoglobin, history of cardiovascular disease, body mass index, and statin and renin angiotensin system inhibitors use, decreased levels of CD34+ cells were significantly associated with the incidence of CHD events (hazard ratio of low tertile 2.61, 95% confidence interval 1.22–5.96; P = 0.013, reference; high tertile).ConclusionsDecreased levels of circulating CD34+ cells might predict CHD events in patients with diabetes, and this could be useful for identifying patients with diabetes at high risk of cardiovascular events.