bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of separate and combined dietary weight loss and exercise on fasting ghrelin concentrations in overweight and obese women: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mason Caitlin , Xiao Liren , Imayama Ikuyo , Duggan Catherine R. , Campbell Kristin L. , Kong Angela , Wang Ching‐Yun , Alfano Catherine M. , Blackburn George L. , Foster‐Schubert Karen E. , McTiernan Anne 
Published: May 2014

SummaryObjectiveCompensatory metabolic changes that accompany weight loss, for example, increased ghrelin, contribute to weight regain and difficulty in long‐term weight loss maintenance; however, the separate effects of long‐term caloric restriction and exercise on total circulating ghrelin in humans are unknown.DesignA 12‐month randomized controlled trial comparing: i) dietary weight loss with a 10% weight loss goal (‘diet’; n = 118); ii) moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity aerobic exercise for 45 min/day, 5 days/week (‘exercise’; n = 117); iii) dietary weight loss and exercise (‘diet + exercise’; n = 117); or iv) no‐lifestyle‐change control (n = 87). Participants: 439 overweight or obese postmenopausal women (50–75 y).MeasurementsFasting total serum ghrelin was measured by radioimmunoassay at baseline and 12 months. Fasting serum leptin, adiponectin and insulin were also measured.ResultsFasting total ghrelin significantly increased in the diet + exercise arm (+7·4%, P = 0·008) but not in either the diet (+6·5%, P = 0·07) or exercise (+1·0%, P = 0·53) arms compared with control. Greater weight loss was associated with increased ghrelin concentrations, regardless of intervention. Neither baseline ghrelin nor body composition modified the intervention effects on changes in total ghrelin. The 12‐month change in total ghrelin was inversely associated with changes in leptin, insulin and insulin resistance, and positively associated with change in adiponectin.ConclusionsGreater weight loss, achieved through a reduced calorie diet or exercise, is associated with increased total ghrelin concentrations in overweight or obese postmenopausal women.
Children's cognitive representation of the mathematical number line
Authors: Rouder Jeffrey N. , Geary David C. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractLearning of the mathematical number line has been hypothesized to be dependent on an inherent sense of approximate quantity. Children's number line placements are predicted to conform to the underlying properties of this system; specifically, placements are exaggerated for small numerals and compressed for larger ones. Alternative hypotheses are based on proportional reasoning; specifically, numerals are placed relative to set anchors such as end points on the line. Traditional testing of these alternatives involves fitting group medians to corresponding regression models which assumes homogenous residuals and thus does not capture useful information from between‐ and within‐child variation in placements across the number line. To more fully assess differential predictions, we developed a novel set of hierarchical statistical models that enable the simultaneous estimation of mean levels of and variation in performance, as well as developmental transitions. Using these techniques we fitted the number line placements of 224 children longitudinally assessed from first to fifth grade, inclusive. The compression pattern was evident in mean performance in first grade, but was the best fit for only 20% of first graders when the full range of variation in the data are modeled. Most first graders' placements suggested use of end points, consistent with proportional reasoning. Developmental transition involved incorporation of a mid‐point anchor, consistent with a modified proportional reasoning strategy. The methodology introduced here enables a more nuanced assessment of children's number line representation and learning than any previous approaches and indicates that developmental improvement largely results from midpoint segmentation of the line.
Circadian rhythms have broad implications for understanding brain and behavior
Authors: Silver Rae , Kriegsfeld Lance J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractCircadian rhythms are generated by an endogenously organized timing system that drives daily rhythms in behavior, physiology and metabolism. In mammals, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the locus of a master circadian clock. The SCN is synchronized to environmental changes in the light:dark cycle by direct, monosynaptic innervation via the retino‐hypothalamic tract. In turn, the SCN coordinates the rhythmic activities of innumerable subordinate clocks in virtually all bodily tissues and organs. The core molecular clockwork is composed of a transcriptional/post‐translational feedback loop in which clock genes and their protein products periodically suppress their own transcription. This primary loop connects to downstream output genes by additional, interlocked transcriptional feedback loops to create tissue‐specific ‘circadian transcriptomes’. Signals from peripheral tissues inform the SCN of the internal state of the organism and the brain's master clock is modified accordingly. A consequence of this hierarchical, multilevel feedback system is that there are ubiquitous effects of circadian timing on genetic and metabolic responses throughout the body. This overview examines landmark studies in the history of the study of circadian timing system, and highlights our current understanding of the operation of circadian clocks with a focus on topics of interest to the neuroscience community.
Pilot study of liraglutide effects in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease with glucose intolerance in Japanese patients (LEAN‐J)
Authors: Eguchi Yuichiro , Kitajima Yoichiro , Hyogo Hideyuki , Takahashi Hirokazu , Kojima Motoyasu , Ono Masafumi , Araki Norimasa , Tanaka Kenichi , Yamaguchi Miyuki , Matsuda Yayoi , Ide Yasushi , Otsuka Taiga , Ozaki Iwata , Ono Naofumi , Eguchi Takahisa , Anzai Keizo ,   Japan Study Group for NAFLD (JSG‐NAFLD)
Published: May 2014

AimNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, is associated with an increased risk of developing lifestyle‐related diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cerebral vessel disease. No current drug therapy provides the ideal effects of decreasing hepatic inflammation while simultaneously improving liver fibrosis. Liraglutide is a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist that affects the histological findings in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This study was conducted to evaluate the effect and action of liraglutide for biopsy‐proven NASH.MethodsAfter lifestyle modification intervention for 24 weeks, subjects whose hemoglobin A1c levels failed to improve to less than 6.0% and/or whose alanine aminotransferase levels were not lower than baseline, received liraglutide at 0.9 mg/body per day for 24 weeks.ResultsOf 27 subjects, 26 completed the lifestyle modification intervention. Nineteen subjects received liraglutide therapy for 24 weeks. Body mass index, visceral fat accumulation, aminotransferases and glucose abnormalities improved significantly. Repeated liver biopsy was performed in 10 subjects who continued liraglutide therapy for 96 weeks. Six subjects showed decreased histological inflammation as determined by NASH activity score and stage determined by Brunt classification. We saw no significant adverse events during therapy with liraglutide.ConclusionOur pilot study demonstrated that treatment with liraglutide had a good safety profile and significantly improved liver function and histological features in NASH patients with glucose intolerance.
Spiradenocarcinoma, cylindrocarcinoma and spiradenocylindrocarcinoma: a clinicopathological study of nine cases
Authors: Dai Bo , Kong Yun‐Yi , Cai Xu , Shen Xu‐Xia , Kong Jin‐Cheng 
Published: May 2014

AimsTo elucidate diagnostic criteria for spiradenocarcinoma, cylindrocarcinoma and spiradenocylindrocarcinoma, and to emphasize correlations between clinical behaviour and variable morphological patterns.Methods and resultsWe investigated the clinicopathological and immunophenotypic features of nine cases. There were five men and four women, with ages ranging from 58 years to 82 years. The tumour size varied from 10 mm to 50 mm. The head and neck were most commonly involved. Three cases of spiradenocarcinoma and three cases of cylindrocarcinoma showed a salivary gland‐type basal cell adenocarcinoma‐like pattern, low‐grade (BCAC‐LG) and/or high grade (BCAC‐HG). The remaining three cases of spiradenocarcinoma showed adenocarcinoma in situ, with invasive adenocarcinoma being seen in one of these cases. PAS staining revealed loss of the PAS‐positive hyaline sheath in malignant zones of cylindrocarcinoma. p53 staining was variably positive in the malignant components of all cases. Follow‐up was available for all patients, ranging from 5 months to 107 months. Two patients died of disease, one experienced recurrence, and one died of an unrelated cause.ConclusionsPatients with BCAC‐LG have a better prognosis. BCAC‐HG is more likely to be found in cylindrocarcinoma, and its clinical behaviour seems to be more aggressive. Close follow‐up for early detection of recurrence and metastases is strongly recommended.
The role of atmospheric conditions in the seasonal dynamics of North American migration flyways
Authors: La Sorte Frank A. , Fink Daniel , Hochachka Wesley M. , Farnsworth Andrew , Rodewald Amanda D. , Rosenberg Kenneth V. , Sullivan Brian L. , Winkler David W. , Wood Chris , Kelling Steve 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimAvian migration strategies balance the costs and benefits of annual movements between breeding and wintering grounds. If similar constraints affect a large numbers of species, geographical concentrations of migration routes, or migration flyways, may result. Here we provide the first population‐level empirical evaluation of the structure and seasonal dynamics of migration flyways for North American terrestrial birds and their association with atmospheric conditions.LocationContiguous USA.MethodsWe modelled weekly probability of occurrence for 93 migratory species using spatio‐temporal exploratory models and eBird occurrence data for the combined period 2004 to 2011. We used hierarchical cluster analysis to identify species with shared migration routes based on normalized spatio‐temporal representations of autumn migration. We summarized atmospheric conditions within flyways using nocturnal wind velocity and bearing estimated at three isobaric levels (725, 825 and 925 mbar) for the combined period 2008 to 2011.ResultsWe identified three migration flyways: an eastern and western flyway whose paths shifted westwards in the spring, and a central flyway whose core boundaries overlapped with the eastern flyway and whose width was more constricted in the autumn. The seasonal shift of the eastern flyway created potentially longer migration journeys in the spring, but this longer route coincides with a low‐level jet stream that may enhance migration speeds. Atmospheric conditions appeared to have a more limited role in the seasonal dynamics of the western flyway.Main conclusionsMigration routes for terrestrial species in North America can be organized into three broadly defined migration flyways: a geographically distinct flyway located west of the 103rd meridian and two interrelated flyways located east of the 103rd meridian. Seasonal shifts in flyway locations reflect the influence of looped migration strategies that for the eastern flyway can be explained by the trade‐off between minimizing total migration distance while maintaining an association with favourable atmospheric conditions.
Reduced parasite diversity and abundance in a marine whelk in its expanded geographical range
Authors: Hopper Julie V. , Kuris Armand M. , Lorda Julio , Simmonds Sara E. , White Crow , Hechinger Ryan F. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimTo improve our understanding of how parasitism interacts with geographical range expansions by quantifying diversity and abundance of parasites in 25 populations of a large marine snail, Kellet's whelk (Kelletia kelletii), throughout its historical and recently expanded range, which are separated by a well‐known biogeographical boundary.LocationCalifornia coast (western North America).MethodsParasitological examinations were conducted on 199 whelks from 25 subtidal reefs throughout its expanded and historical ranges. We calculated infection risk, parasite intensity, and parasite species diversity. Abiotic (temperature, latitude, distance from range limit) and biotic (host density) variables were analysed as potential drivers of differential parasitism between expanded‐ and historical‐range populations.ResultsCompared with historical‐range whelks, expanded‐range whelks were 20% as likely to be infected by parasites, and those that were infected had 6% the number of individual parasites. On average, expanded‐range whelks had 14% the number of parasite species than the historical‐range whelks. The marked decrease in species richness of parasites infecting expanded‐range whelks was only partly explained by the low numbers of parasites. The reduced parasite abundance and diversity in the expanded‐range whelks was not explained by the examined abiotic factors or by whelk density.Main conclusionsExpanded‐range populations of Kellet's whelk experience substantially lower parasite abundance and diversity than the historical‐range populations, despite relatively poor demographic performance. The reduced parasitism observed resembles the enemy escape typically characterizing invasive species. A possible explanation for the observed ‘parasite escape’ is that the biogeographical boundary limits the movements or drives the low abundance of other host species (elasmobranchs) required to complete the life cycles of the ‘missing’ parasites. We suggest that parasite escape may generally characterize range‐margin expansions and be important in permitting expansions into what may otherwise be marginal habitats. This parasite escape may directly counter the spread of infectious diseases associated with global warming‐induced range shifts.
Life Cycle Assessment–based Comparative Evaluation of Originally Manufactured and Remanufactured Diesel Engines
Authors: Liu Zhichao , Li Tao , Jiang Qiuhong , Zhang Hongchao 
Published: May 2014

SummaryLife cycle assessment (LCA) enables us to estimate potential resource and energy consumption as well as environmental emissions resulting from various activities within our economy. The present LCA intends to analyze the energy consumption and environmental emissions of the entire life cycle of an originally manufactured diesel engine compared with its remanufactured counterpart. Further, the article attempts to identify the processes in diesel engine manufacturing and remanufacturing life cycles that contribute most to energy consumption and environmental impacts. Six environmental impacts were assessed in this study: global warming potential (GWP); acidification potential (AP); eutrophication potential (EP); ozone depletion potential (ODP); photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP); and abiotic depletion potential (ADP). The results show that diesel engine remanufacturing could reduce 66% of energy consumption, compared to original manufacturing. The greatest benefit related to environmental impact is with regard to ODP, which is reduced by 97%, followed by EP, GWP, POCP, AP, and ADP, which can be reduced by 79%, 67%, 32%, 32%, and 25%, respectively. In the life cycle of diesel engine manufacturing, production of materials brings about larger environmental impacts, especially with regard to EP and ODP, whereas transportation of materials contributes most to POCP. The situation is similar for diesel engine remanufacturing. Production of materials brings about larger environmental impacts with regard to AP, EP, and ODP, whereas components remanufacturing and production of materials exhibit the same amount of GWP impact. Further, in remanufacturing, the reverse logistics of old diesel engines brings about lesser environmental impacts than the other life cycle stages, except with regard to POCP.
Suicide: an existentialist reconceptualization
Authors: Roberts M. , Lamont E. 
Published: May 2014

Accessible summaryThe twentieth century intellectual Albert Camus, and specifically his philosophical essayThe Myth of Sisyphus, can be understood as providing a significant perspective on suicide.In particular, Camus situates the phenomena of suicide within the context of the uniquely human endeavour to make sense of the struggles and sorrows of life.In doing so, his work challenges both the manner in which suicide has been understood within the context of mental illness, and the custodial and defensive practices that are associated with such an understanding of suicide.AbstractThe phenomenon of suicide is one of the primary concerns for mental health professions. The health‐care literature is dominated by discussions that focus variously on local and national suicide prevention policies, on the assessment of those individuals judged to be at risk of committing suicide as well as the appropriateness and efficacy of interventions for those who express suicidal ideation and display suicidal behaviours. What appear less frequently in the literature, however, are critical analyses of the concept of suicide and, in particular, critical reflections on the manner in which the concept of suicide has been, and continues to be, understood or ‘framed’. In an attempt to respond to this apparent omission, this paper will suggest that the work ofAlbertCamus, and his philosophical workThe Myth of Sisyphusin particular, can be understood as providing a significant reconceptualization and reframing of suicide. In doing so, it will be suggested thatCamus's work not only challenges how the concept of suicide has traditionally been situated within the context of mental illness, but can also be understood as challenging the efficacy of the interventions that have been associated with an understanding of suicide within that context.
A refined method for estimating the size of the potential blood donor pool in Australia
Authors: Lucky Tarana T.A. , Keller Anthony J. , Seed Clive R. , Lee June , Styles Claire , Pink Joanne , Wilson David P. 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundTo be eligible to donate blood, potential donors must meet certain eligibility criteria to ensure safety to the donor and to the blood supply. In Australia, there is no reliable estimate of the size of the donor‐eligible population. This study uses a refinement to a published method to determine the population prevalence of donor‐exclusion factors and subsequently estimates the size of the potential donor pool in Australia.Study Design and MethodsA total of 70 donor‐exclusion factors (in addition to age) were identified. The donor‐eligible population was estimated by subtracting the prevalence of the exclusion factors from the total population. Prevalence of the donor‐exclusion factors was adjusted for age, deferral period, and overlap of multiple conditions. Overlap was adjusted by extending a published random‐probability model according to known association of epidemiologic data on overlapping conditions.ResultsThe most prevalent (deferral period–adjusted) donor‐exclusion factor among the 16‐ to 80‐year‐old Australian population was variant Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease–related travel risk (6.8%) followed by upper respiratory tract infections (6.4%). After exclusion of all factors, and accounting for overlapping factors, 62% of 16‐ to 80‐year‐olds or 47.3% of the total population were donor eligible in Australia.ConclusionWe developed a refined method for estimating the size of the donor‐eligible population. Applying this method to Australia, we estimate that approximately 10.7 million people (62% of the 16‐ to 80‐year‐olds) were eligible to donate blood in Australia in 2012.
Transfusion‐associated hepatitis before the screening of blood for hepatitis risk factors
Authors: Engle Ronald E. , Bukh Jens , Alter Harvey J. , Emerson Suzanne U. , Trenbeath Joni L. , Nguyen Hanh T. , Brockington Alicia , Mitra Tanaji , Purcell Robert H. 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundThe true incidence of transfusion‐associated hepatitis (TAH) before blood screening is unknown. Our aims were to reevaluate blood recipients receiving unscreened blood and analyze hepatitis viruses circulating more than 45 years ago.Study Design and MethodsCryopreserved serum samples from 66 patients undergoing open heart surgery in the 1960s were reevaluated with modern diagnostic tests to determine the incidence of TAH and its virologic causes.ResultsIn this heavily transfused population receiving a mean of 20 units per patient of predominantly paid‐donor blood, 30 of 66 (45%) developed biochemical evidence of hepatitis; of these, 20 (67%) were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) alone, four (13%) with hepatitis B virus (HBV) alone, and six (20%) with both viruses. Among the 36 patients who did not develop hepatitis, four (11%) were newly infected with HCV alone, nine (25%) with HBV alone, and one (3%) with both viruses. Overall, 100% of patients with hepatitis and 39% of those without hepatitis were infected with HBV and/or HCV; one patient was also infected with hepatitis E virus. The donor carrier rate for HBV and/or HCV was estimated to be more than 6%; contemporaneously prepared pooled normal human plasma was also contaminated with multiple hepatitis viruses.ConclusionTAH virus infections were a larger problem than perceived 50 years ago and HCV was the predominant agent transmitted. All hepatitis cases could be attributed to HCV and/or HBV and hence there was no evidence to suggest that an additional hepatitis agent existed undetected in the blood supply.
Validation of a commercially available automated canine‐specific immunoturbidimetric method for measuring canine C‐reactive protein
Authors: Hillström Anna , Hagman Ragnvi , Tvedten Harold , Kjelgaard‐Hansen Mads 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundMeasurement of C‐reactive protein (CRP) is used for diagnosing and monitoring systemic inflammatory disease in canine patients. An automated human immunoturbidimetric assay has been validated for measuring canine CRP, but cross‐reactivity with canine CRP is unpredictable.ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to validate a new automated canine‐specific immunoturbidimetric CRP method (Gentian cCRP).MethodsStudies of imprecision, accuracy, prozone effect, interference, limit of quantification, and stability under different storage conditions were performed. The new method was compared with a human CRP assay previously validated for canine CRP determination. Samples from 40 healthy dogs were analyzed to establish a reference interval.ResultsTotal imprecision was < 2.4% for 4 tested serum pools analyzed twice daily over 10 days. The method was linear under dilution, and no prozone effect was detected at a concentration of 1200 mg/L. Recovery after spiking serum with purified canine CRP at 2 different concentrations was 123% and 116%, respectively. No interference from hemoglobin or triglycerides (10 g/L) was detected. CRP was stable for 14 days at 4°C and 22°C. In the method comparison study, there was good agreement between the validated human CRP assay and the new canine‐specific assay. Healthy dogs had CRP concentrations that were less than the limit of quantification of the Gentian cCRP method (6.8 mg/L).ConclusionsThe new canine‐specific immunoturbidimetric CRP assay is a reliable and rapid method for measuring canine CRP, suitable for clinical use due to the option for an automated assay.