bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Longitudinal Joint Effect of Obesity and Major Depression on Work Performance Impairment
Authors: Nigatu Yeshambel T. , Reijneveld Sijmen A. , Penninx Brenda W. J. H. , Schoevers Robert A. , Bültmann Ute 
Published: March 2015

Objectives. We examined the longitudinal effect of obesity, major depression, and their combination on work performance impairment (WPI). Methods. We collected longitudinal data (2004–2013) on 1726 paid employees from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety at baseline and 2-, 4-, and 6-year follow-up. We defined obesity with body mass index and waist circumference. We diagnosed major depression with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1. We assessed work performance impairment with a questionnaire for illness-associated costs. We used generalized estimating equations for modeling, and estimated interaction on the additive scale. Results. Obesity, abdominal obesity, and major depression were longitudinally associated with increased risk of high WPI. The combinations of obesity and major depression, and of abdominal obesity and major depression were associated with increased risk of high WPI (odds ratios of 2.36 [95% confidence interval = 1.61, 3.44] and 1.88 [95% confidence interval = 1.40, 2.53], respectively), but the relative excess risks attributable to interaction were nonsignificant. Conclusions. The longitudinal joint effect of obesity and major depression on high WPI implies that obesity intervention may be more beneficial for individuals with major depression than those without regarding risk of high WPI, if confirmed in a large, representative sample.
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Effects on Behavior in Switzerland The Swiss Heart Foundation HerzCheck®/Cardio-Test®
Authors: Freund Niclas , Friedli Bernhard C. , Junker Therese , Zimmermann Martin , Zellweger Michael J. 
Published: March 2015

Background:
“CardioTest®” is a tool for cardiovascular risk assessment. The aim of this study was to evaluate if this test used in Swiss pharmacies provides risk stratification and if it had impact on individual behaviour.

Methods:
Individuals were evaluated (blood pressure, body waist circumference, random blood samples and coronary artery disease risk factors). The cardiovascular risk was calculated (AGLA Risk Score (ARS) a modified PROCAM Score) and participants were informed about their result. One year after the initial testing individuals were followed up by questionnaire with respect to the action they had taken based upon the ARS results. The relation between ARS results and events during follow-up were assessed. Events were defined as cardiovascular events due to chest pain, myocardial infarction or stroke.

Result:
A total of 1415 individuals were contacted for follow-up, 746 (53%) with a mean age of 62.7 (±12.8) years (60% were male) returned their questionnaire. The cardiovascular risk throughout the study-population turned out to be low: 73.9% had a low ARS <10%, 21.7% an intermediate ARS 10-20% and 4.4% had a high ARS >20%. Significantly more participants with ARS >20% consulted their family doctor (46.2%) than those with ARS 10-20% (25.2%) and ARS <10% (10.4%), respectively (p<0,01 for both comparisons). Sixty-four individuals (9%) suffered a cardiovascular event. The event rates increased as a function of ARS.

Conclusion:
The overall cardiovascular risk of individuals participating in a pharmacy based risk assessment program seems to be low. CardioTest ® provided risk stratification with respect to future cardio-vascular events. CardioTest ® seems to have impact on individual behavior and lifestyle modification. Other settings and locations for screening might be considered to reach higher risk individuals at an earlier stage.
Optical Microstructures Fabricated with Direct Laser Writing Technique
Authors: Kowalczyk M. , Nawrot M. , Zinkiewicz L. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Three-dimensional photolitography, also known as Direct Laser Writing (DLW), is a powerful technique for fabrication of photonic microstructures. In this paper we present the basics of the relevant technology and discuss some features of the fabrication process. We also describe the experimental setup designed for making colour filters based on diffraction gratings, fibre-tip-integrated lens and anti-reflective coating designed for telecom wavelength (1550 nm). The results obtained demonstrate the DLW technique to be a promising fast prototyping fabrication method that may allow manipulating the properties of optical materials.
Spontaneuos and Parametric Processes in Warm Rubidium Vapours
Authors: Dąbrowski M. , Parniak M. , Pęcak D. , Chrapkiewicz R. , Wasilewski W. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Warm rubidium vapours are known to be a versatile medium for a variety of experiments in atomic physics and quantum optics. Here we present experimental results on producing the frequency converted light for quantum applications based on spontaneous and stimulated processes in rubidium vapours. In particular, we study the efficiency of spontaneously initiated stimulated Raman scattering in the Λ-level configuration and conditions of generating the coherent blue light assisted by multi-photon transitions in the diamond-level configuration. Our results will be helpful in search for new types of interfaces between light and atomic quantum memories.
Nanotechnologies in Latvia: Commercialisation Aspect
Authors: Geipele I. , Staube T. , Ciemleja G. , Ekmanis J. , Zeltins N. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The authors consider the possibilities to apply the nanotechnology products of manufacturing industries in Latvia for further commercialisation. The purpose of the research is to find out the preliminary criteria for the system of engineering economic indicators for multifunctional nanocoating technologies. The article provides new findings and calculations for the local nanotechnology market research characterising the development of nanotechnology industry. The authors outline a scope of issues as to low activities rankings in Latvia on application of locally produced nanotechnologies towards efficiency of the resource use for nanocoating technologies. For the first time in Latvia, the authors make the case study research and summarise the latest performance indicators of the Latvian companies operating in the nanotechnology industry.
Microalbumin Status in Relation to Glycated Haemoglobin and Duration of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Acharya Kumananda , Regmi Sangita , Sapkota Alina Shri , Raut Mithileshwer , Jha Bharat 
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common endocrine disorders, characterized by hyperglycemia. Diabetic nephropathy is a consequence of long- standing diabetes and urinary microalbumin (Uma) status predicts progression to diabetic nephropathy. This study was conducted to know the status of Uma in relation to duration of diabetes and HbA1c level in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from July 1, 2014 to January 15, 2015 at TUTH, Kathmandu. Ninety-six known T2DM patients with age 35– 83 years were included in the study. EDTA venous blood and spot urine sample were collected for analysis of HbA1c and Uma respectively. Only those patients having HbA1c concentration ≥ 6.3% and duration of diabetes ≥ 6 months were included under the study. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of microalbuminuria (MAU) was 39.6 %. MAU had a highly significant correlation with duration of diabetes (r =0.471, p<0.05). Present study has shown positive correlation of MAU with HbA1c level, although statistically insignificant (r=0.245, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged exposure to hyperglycemia-induced advanced glycosylation end products accumulations contributes for the development of MAU. So, duration of diabetes mellitus is main contributing factor for the development of MAU rather than HbA1c level alone. Screening for MAU to prevent renal impairment and measuring HbA1c level on a regular basis for good glycemic control are important in diabetic patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/acclm.v1i1.12310 Ann. Clin. Chem. & Lab. Med. 1(1) 2015: 21-24
Grease ice in basin-scale sea-ice ocean models
Authors: Smedsrud Lars H. , Martin Torge 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe first stage of sea-ice formation is often grease ice, a mixture of sea water and frazil ice crystals. Over time, grease ice typically congeals first to pancake ice floes and then to a solid sea-ice cover. Grease ice is commonly not explicitly simulated in basin-scale sea-ice ocean models, though it affects oceanic heat loss and ice growth and is expected to play a greater role in a more seasonally ice-covered Arctic Ocean. We present an approach to simulate the grease-ice layer with, as basic properties, the surface being at the freezing point, a frazil ice volume fraction of 25%, and a negligible change in the surface heat flux compared to open water. The latter governs grease-ice production, and a gradual transition to solid sea ice follows, with ∼50% of the grease ice solidifying within 24 hours. The new parameterization delays lead closing by solid ice formation, enhances oceanic heat loss in fall and winter, and produces a grease-ice layer that is variable in space and time. Results indicate a 10-30% increase in mean winter Arctic Ocean heat loss compared to a standard simulation, with instant lead closing leading to significantly enhanced ice growth.
The benthic macro-invertebrate diversity in relation to water quality of a stream habitat at Dediyagala, Sri Lanka
Authors: Madhushankha H.M.T.C. , Asanthi H.B. , Maithreepala R.A. 
Published: March 2015

The streams collect sediment and other fine and particulate material from their watersheds and transport them downstream as fluvial material. Macro-benthos is the most important secondary producers in stream ecosystem and their diversity explains the water quality of a stream to a greater extent. The present study determines the water quality and macro-benthos diversity at five sites of the 180m stream stretch at Dediyagala for a period of three months from February to April in 2012. Random samples were collected using a Surber sampler for benthos, and a Ruttner sampler for water samples.
Water discharge was significantly different from headwater (0.0198 m3s-1) to downstream (0.0456 m3s−1).Bottom substrate was non uniform according to Uniformity Coefficient analysis except at two sampling sites of cascade and riffle habitats. There was no significant site specific or time specific variations in water temperature, pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD3), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), and orthophosphate concentration. Nitrate concentration, dissolved oxygen (DO) and organic matter content of lithophytes varied significantly among the sampling sites (P
Molecular Evolution of Hypoallergenic Hybrid Proteins for Vaccination against Grass Pollen Allergy
Authors: Linhart Birgit , Focke-Tejkl Margarete , Weber Milena , Narayanan Meena , Neubauer Angela , Mayrhofer Hannes , Blatt Katharina , Lupinek Christian , Valent Peter , Valenta Rudolf 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
More than 10% of the population in Europe and North America suffer from IgE-associated allergy to grass pollen. In this article, we describe the development of a vaccine for grass pollen allergen-specific immunotherapy based on two recombinant hypoallergenic mosaic molecules, designated P and Q, which were constructed out of elements derived from the four major timothy grass pollen allergens: Phl p 1, Phl p 2, Phl p 5, and Phl p 6. Seventeen recombinant mosaic molecules were expressed and purified in Escherichia coli using synthetic genes, characterized regarding biochemical properties, structural fold, and IgE reactivity. We found that depending on the arrangement of allergen fragments, mosaic molecules with strongly varying IgE reactivity were obtained. Based on an extensive screening with sera and basophils from allergic patients, two hypoallergenic mosaic molecules, P and Q, incorporating the primary sequence elements of the four grass pollen allergens were identified. As shown by lymphoproliferation experiments, they contained allergen-specific T cell epitopes required for tolerance induction, and upon immunization of animals induced higher allergen-specific IgG Abs than the wild-type allergens and a registered monophosphoryl lipid A–adjuvanted vaccine based on natural grass pollen allergen extract. Moreover, IgG Abs induced by immunization with P and Q inhibited the binding of patients’ IgE to natural allergens from five grasses better than IgG induced with the wild-type allergens or an extract-based vaccine. Our results suggest that vaccines based on the hypoallergenic grass pollen mosaics can be used for immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy.
FOXO1 Regulates Dendritic Cell Activity through ICAM-1 and CCR7
Authors: Dong Guangyu , Wang Yu , Xiao Wenmei , Pacios Pujado Sandra , Xu Fanxing , Tian Chen , Xiao E , Choi Yongwon , Graves Dana T. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The transcription factor FOXO1 regulates cell function and is expressed in dendritic cells (DCs). We investigated the role of FOXO1 in activating DCs to stimulate a lymphocyte response to bacteria. We show that bacteria induce FOXO1 nuclear localization through the MAPK pathway and demonstrate that FOXO1 is needed for DC activation of lymphocytes in vivo. This occurs through FOXO1 regulation of DC phagocytosis, chemotaxis, and DC–lymphocyte binding. FOXO1 induces DC activity by regulating ICAM-1 and CCR7. FOXO1 binds to the CCR7 and ICAM-1 promoters, stimulates CCR7 and ICAM-1 transcriptional activity, and regulates their expression. This is functionally important because transfection of DCs from FOXO1-deleted CD11c.Cre+FOXO1L/L mice with an ICAM-1–expressing plasmid rescues the negative effect of FOXO1 deletion on DC bacterial phagocytosis and chemotaxis. Rescue with both CCR7 and ICAM-1 reverses impaired DC homing to lymph nodes in vivo when FOXO1 is deleted. Moreover, Ab production following injection of bacteria is significantly reduced with lineage-specific FOXO1 ablation. Thus, FOXO1 coordinates upregulation of DC activity through key downstream target genes that are needed for DCs to stimulate T and B lymphocytes and generate an Ab defense to bacteria.
Inhibition of CD40-Induced N-Ras Activation Reduces Leishmania major Infection
Authors: Chakraborty Sushmita , Srivastava Ankita , Jha Mukesh Kumar , Nair Arathi , Pandey Surya Prakash , Srivastava Neetu , Kumari Sangeeta , Singh Shailza , Krishnasastry Musti V. , Saha Bhaskar 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Leishmania major is a parasite that resides and replicates in macrophages. We previously showed that the parasite enhanced CD40-induced Raf-MEK-ERK signaling but inhibited PI3K-MKK-p38MAPK signaling to proleishmanial effects. As Raf and PI3K have a Ras-binding domain but exert opposite effects on Leishmania infection, we examined whether Ras isoforms had differential roles in Leishmania infection. We observed that L. major enhanced N-Ras and H-Ras expression but inhibited K-Ras expression in macrophages. L. major infection enhanced N-Ras activity but inhibited H-Ras and K-Ras activity. TLR2 short hairpin RNA or anti-TLR2 or anti-lipophosphoglycan Abs reversed the L. major–altered N-Ras and K-Ras expressions. Pam3CSK4, a TLR2 ligand, enhanced N-Ras expression but reduced K-Ras expression, indicating TLR2-regulated Ras expression in L. major infection. Whereas N-Ras silencing reduced L. major infection, K-Ras and H-Ras silencing enhanced the infection both in macrophages in vitro and in C57BL/6 mice. BALB/c-derived macrophages transduced with lentivirally expressed N-Ras short hairpin RNA and pulsed with L. major–expressed MAPK10 enhanced MAPK10-specific Th1-type response. CD40-deficient mice primed with these macrophages had reduced L. major infection, accompanied by higher IFN-γ but less IL-4 production. As N-Ras is activated by Sos, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, we modeled the N-Ras–Sos interaction and designed two peptides from their interface. Both the cell-permeable peptides reduced L. major infection in BALB/c mice but not in CD40-deficient mice. These data reveal the L. major–enhanced CD40-induced N-Ras activation as a novel immune evasion strategy and the potential for Ras isoform–targeted antileishmanial immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis.
Profiling of the Three Circulating Monocyte Subpopulations in Human Obesity
Authors: Devêvre Estelle F. , Renovato-Martins Mariana , Clément Karine , Sautès-Fridman Catherine , Cremer Isabelle , Poitou Christine 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Three subpopulations of circulating monocytes have been described: CD142+CD16− (classical monocytes [CM]), CD142+CD16+ (intermediate monocytes [IM]), and CD14+CD162+ (nonclassical monocytes [NCM]). We previously showed that obesity is associated with an increased proportion of IM and NCM. Our objective is to decipher the migratory and inflammatory functions of each monocyte subset in obesity-related low-grade inflammation. Twenty-six healthy, normal-weight and nondiabetic volunteers (C) and 40 obese nondiabetic (Ob) individuals were included in this study. We explored the gene expression profile of 18 inflammatory genes in each subset of C and Ob subjects and measured protein expression of the upregulated genes. We then tested their functional response to TLR signaling in both groups. We showed an increased expression of CX3CR1 in all monocyte subpopulations and of CCR2 and CCR5 in CM and IM in the Ob group. We found negative correlation between CCR2 and CX3CR1 expressions and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, whereas CCR5 expression was positively linked to obesity-related metabolic traits. Production of inflammatory proteins upon bacterial LPS and viral ssRNA stimulation was higher in CM and NCM of the Ob group compared with the C group. Our work highlights an enhanced inflammatory phenotype of monocytes with a higher response to TLR4 and TLR8 stimulations in obesity. Moreover, it suggests an increased migration capacity of CM and IM subpopulations.
Regulation of Pulmonary Graft-versus-Host Disease by IL-26+CD26+CD4 T Lymphocytes
Authors: Ohnuma Kei , Hatano Ryo , Aune Thomas M. , Otsuka Haruna , Iwata Satoshi , Dang Nam H. , Yamada Taketo , Morimoto Chikao 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Obliterative bronchiolitis is a potentially life-threatening noninfectious pulmonary complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the only pathognomonic manifestation of pulmonary chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). In the current study, we identified a novel effect of IL-26 on transplant-related obliterative bronchiolitis. Sublethally irradiated NOD/Shi-scidIL2rγnull mice transplanted with human umbilical cord blood (HuCB mice) gradually developed clinical signs of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) such as loss of weight, ruffled fur, and alopecia. Histologically, lung of HuCB mice exhibited obliterative bronchiolitis with increased collagen deposition and predominant infiltration with human IL-26+CD26+CD4 T cells. Concomitantly, skin manifested fat loss and sclerosis of the reticular dermis in the presence of apoptosis of the basilar keratinocytes, whereas the liver exhibited portal fibrosis and cholestasis. Moreover, although IL-26 is absent from rodents, we showed that IL-26 increased collagen synthesis in fibroblasts and promoted lung fibrosis in a murine GVHD model using IL-26 transgenic mice. In vitro analysis demonstrated a significant increase in IL-26 production by HuCB CD4 T cells following CD26 costimulation, whereas Ig Fc domain fused with the N-terminal of caveolin-1 (Cav-Ig), the ligand for CD26, effectively inhibited production of IL-26. Administration of Cav-Ig before or after onset of GVHD impeded the development of clinical and histologic features of GVHD without interrupting engraftment of donor-derived human cells, with preservation of the graft-versus-leukemia effect. These results therefore provide proof of principle that cGVHD of the lungs is caused in part by IL-26+CD26+CD4 T cells, and that treatment with Cav-Ig could be beneficial for cGVHD prevention and therapy.
Case-Based Retrieval Framework for Gene Expression Data
Authors: Anaissi Ali , Goyal Madhu , Catchpoole Daniel R. , Braytee Ali , Kennedy Paul J. 
Published: March 2015

Background The process of retrieving similar cases in a case-based reasoning system is considered a big challenge for gene expression data sets. The huge number of gene expression values generated by microarray technology leads to complex data sets and similarity measures for high-dimensional data are problematic. Hence, gene expression similarity measurements require numerous machine-learning and data-mining techniques, such as feature selection and dimensionality reduction, to be incorporated into the retrieval process. Methods This article proposes a case-based retrieval framework that uses a k-nearest-neighbor classifier with a weighted-feature-based similarity to retrieve previously treated patients based on their gene expression profiles. Results The herein-proposed methodology is validated on several data sets: a childhood leukemia data set collected from The Children's Hospital at Westmead, as well as the Colon cancer, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Prostate cancer data sets. Results obtained by the proposed framework in retrieving patients of the data sets who are similar to new patients are as follows: 96% accuracy on the childhood leukemia data set, 95% on the NCI data set, 93% on the Colon cancer data set, and 98% on the Prostate cancer data set. Conclusion The designed case-based retrieval framework is an appropriate choice for retrieving previous patients who are similar to a new patient, on the basis of their gene expression data, for better diagnosis and treatment of childhood leukemia. Moreover, this framework can be applied to other gene expression data sets using some or all of its steps.
PTSD Symptoms in Afghan Refugees in the UK
Authors: Husni Mariwan , Rahim Ghafoor , Cernovsky Zack 
Published: March 2015

Objective: To evaluate anamnestic and sociodemographic correlates of PTSD symptoms in refugees from Afghanistan.Method: Fifty Afghan refugees in the UK (mean age 37.4 years, SD=12.1; 33 men, 17 women) underwent SCID interview for PTSD, administered in their native language (Pashtun or Dari).Results: Eighteen (36.0%) reported being tortured while in Afghanistan. More than half (54.0%) of these refugees met criteria for PTSD. While the diagnosis was not significantly related to age, gender, education, and history of torture, those free of PTSD rated their present occupation in UK as more satisfactory (r=.28, p=.048).Almost a half (46.0%) of these refugees reported nightmares about the circumstances of their escape from Afghanistan.Conclusions: Although PTSD symptoms were noted in more than a half of our sample, they were related neither to history of torture nor to sociodemographic variables (age, gender, education).
Investigating the Success Factors of Hotel Websites: The Case of Egyptian Hotels
Authors: Khalifa Gamal S. A. , Abou-Shouk Mohamed A. A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe use of web as a marketing channel is on the rise rapidly worldwide. The majority of businesses across all industries including hotels, adopt web usage in order to satisfy their customers. Hotels adopt this new environment to communicate directly with travellers and offer customers who are willing to search for information the opportunity to book accomodation online. The study used a questionnaire to collect data from 311 hotel customers about their perceptions on Egyptian hotel websites. It employed structural equation modelling, an advanced multivariate technique to measure the dimensions of e-service quality of hotel websites and their effect on website competitiveness. The study’s findings can help hotel marketing managers address defects in their websites and support their business competitiveness.