bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urinary proteomics in obstructive sleep apnoea and obesity
Authors: Seetho Ian W. , Siwy Justyna , Albalat Amaya , Mullen William , Mischak Harald , Parker Robert J. , Craig Sonya , Duffy Nick , Hardy Kevin J. , Burniston Jatin G. , Wilding John P. H. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common complication of obesity and can have a substantial negative impact on a patient's quality of life and risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this case–control study was to undertake discovery profiling of urinary peptides using capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry (CE‐MS) in obese subjects with and without OSA, without a history of coronary artery disease.Materials and methodsUrinary samples were analysed by CE‐MS. Body composition and blood pressure measurements were recorded. Overnight polysomnography was conducted to confirm or refute OSA. OSA patients were naïve to continuous positive airway pressure treatment.ResultsSixty‐one subjects with OSA (age 47 ± 9 years, BMI 43 ± 8 kg/m2) and 31 controls (age 49 ± 10 years, BMI 40 ± 5 kg/m2) were studied; P = ns for age and BMI. Apnoea–hypopnoea Index was higher in patients with OSA (24 ± 18·6) than controls without OSA (non‐OSA) (2·6 ± 1·1; P < 0·0001). Metabolic syndrome was present in 35 (57%) of those with OSA compared with 4 (13%) of controls (P < 0·0001). Twenty‐four polypeptides were candidates for differential distribution (P < 0·01), although these differences did not reach significance after multiple testing. Sequences were determined for eight peptides demonstrating origins from collagens and fibrinogen alpha.ConclusionsIn this study, we report for the first time, urinary proteomic profile analyses using CE‐MS in OSA and non‐OSA obese groups. The differences in urinary proteomic profiles prior to adjustment for multiple testing, with increased metabolic syndrome in obese OSA subjects, suggest that there may be a role for CE‐MS in characterising urinary profiles in severely obese populations with OSA.
A 36‐bp deletion in the alpha subunit of glutamate‐gated chloride channel contributes to abamectin resistance in Plutella xylostella
Authors: Liu Feng , Shi Xiuzhen , Liang Yanpo , Wu Qingjun , Xu Baoyun , Xie Wen , Wang Shaoli , Zhang Youjun , Liu Nannan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractDiamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is one of the most destructive pests in Brassicaceae crops, such as Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.). It is rapidly developing resistance to abamectin, the dominant insecticide utilized in controlling P. xylostella in China and other southeastern Asian countries. The target of abamectin, the alpha subunit of glutamate‐gated chloride channel (GluClα), is thought to be involved in the development of abamectin resistance in nematodes and insects. This study investigated variants of GluClα in both abamectin‐susceptible and resistant strains of P. xylostella. A comparison of the PxGluClα sequences revealed three variants, including a 63‐bp substitution, a 36‐bp deletion, and a 65‐bp insertion. The frequency of the 36‐bp deletion was much higher in the abamectin‐resistant strain compared to the susceptible strain, whereas the 63‐bp substitution and 65‐bp insertion showed no significant difference between the resistant and susceptible strains. The in vitro expression of PxGluClα (with or without the 36‐bp deletion) in Xenopus laevis (Daudin) oocytes indicated that PxGluClα with the 36‐bp deletion was less sensitive to both glutamate and abamectin compared to the wild‐type PxGluClα. These findings suggest that the variant 36‐bp deletion in PxGluClα may confer abamectin resistance in P. xylostella after continuous abamectin selection, providing new insights into the management of this pest and contributing to the development of new reagents for pest control.
In situ assessment of PI3K and PTEN alterations in mycosis fungoides: correlation with clinicopathological features
Authors: Papadavid Evangelia , Korkolopoulou Penelope , Levidou Georgia , Saetta Angelica A. , Papadaki Theodora , Siakantaris Marina , Nikolaou Vassiliki , Oikonomidi Afroditi , Chatziandreou Ilenia , Marinos Leonidas , Kolialexi Aggeliki , Stratigos Alexandros , Rigopoulos Dimitrios , Psyrri Amanta , Patsouris Eftratios , Antoniou Christina 
Published: September 2014

AbstractDeregulated signalling through phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway plays a critical role in tumour initiation and progression. We have already shown that AKT is activated in skin lesions in Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and we herein further investigate the frequency and clinical significance of PTEN and PI3K at the protein and at the DNA level as well as the presence of AKT1 mutations in skin lesions from 50 patients with MF clinical stages I‐IV in relation to clinicopathological features. Increased p‐AKT expression correlated with poor prognosis in plaques (P = 0.0198), whereas p‐AKT was an independent predictor of poor survival in the entire cohort (P = 0.017, HR = 1.012). PTEN cytoplasmic expression was found low or absent in all 77.3% of cases and inversely correlated with advanced clinical stages (P = 0.0744). Molecular analysis showed no AKT1 mutation, no PI3KCA copy number gain, only 1 case with PI3KCA mutation in exon 9 and 3 cases with PTEN mutations (7%) in exons 7, 8 and 5. The latter correlated with disease (P = 0.0253) and progression (P < 0.0001) free survival in tumour stage. Although activation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway due to PTEN alterations is rarely attributed to abnormalities in PTEN, PI3K, and AKT1 genes, PTEN mutations exert a negative effect on patients’ prognosis with tumours.
Allergenic pollen season variations in the past two decades under changing climate in the United States
Authors: Zhang Yong , Bielory Leonard , Mi Zhongyuan , Cai Ting , Robock Alan , Georgopoulos Panos 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMany diseases are linked with climate trends and variations. In particular, climate change is expected to alter the spatiotemporal dynamics of allergenic airborne pollen and potentially increase occurrence of allergic airway disease. Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of changes in pollen season timing and levels is thus important in assessing climate impacts on aerobiology and allergy caused by allergenic airborne pollen. Here, we describe the spatiotemporal patterns of changes in the seasonal timing and levels of allergenic airborne pollen for multiple taxa in different climate regions at a continental scale. The allergenic pollen seasons of representative trees, weeds and grass during the past decade (2001–2010) across the contiguous United States have been observed to start 3.0 [95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.1–4.9] days earlier on average than in the 1990s (1994–2000). The average peak value and annual total of daily counted airborne pollen have increased by 42.4% (95% CI, 21.9–62.9%) and 46.0% (95% CI, 21.5–70.5%), respectively. Changes of pollen season timing and airborne levels depend on latitude, and are associated with changes of growing degree days, frost free days, and precipitation. These changes are likely due to recent climate change and particularly the enhanced warming and precipitation at higher latitudes in the contiguous United States.
Six years' follow‐up of multibacillary leprosy patients treated with uniform multi‐drug therapy in China
Authors: Shen Jianping , Yan Liangbin , Yu Meiwen , Li Jinlan , Yu Xiufeng , Zhang Guocheng 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of uniform multi‐drug therapy (UMDT) in patients with multibacillary (MB) leprosy.MethodsNewly detected MB leprosy patients were treated with six months of UMDT as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated by clinical status and skin smear tests.ResultsAt the start, 114 patients were recruited, examined, and treated. These patients were re‐examined and followed annually for up to six years. A total of 75 (65.8%) patients completed six years of follow‐up. Dropouts were attributable to death, severe drug reactions, and other reasons. The mean ± standard deviation bacteriological index (BI) of all patients decreased from 3.01 ± 1.50 before treatment to 0.02 ± 1.84 at the end of year 6, reflecting a mean annual decrease of 0.50. The rate of smear negativity in all patients was 98.7% at the end of year 6 of follow‐up. A total of 53 leprosy reactions were observed. One patient relapsed 13 months after the cessation of treatment.ConclusionsA 6‐month administration of UMDT is effective in MB leprosy patients. The changes in BI values and the frequency of leprosy reactions were similar to those cited in reports in the literature of patients treated with 1‐ or 2‐year regimens of MDT. However, further research should be conducted to confirm the present results.
Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients referred for transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Majeed K. , Hamer A. W. , White S. C. , Pegg T. J. , Wilkins G. T. , Williams S. M. , Chen Y. H. , Williams M. J. A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have documented the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) during transthoracic echocardiography, but the effect of such screening on subsequent vascular interventions remains unclear.AimThis study aimed to determine the utility of opportunistic selective screening for AAA in a contemporary large series of patients having transthoracic echocardiography.MethodsSubjects aged 50 years or older having transthoracic echocardiography had scanning of the infrarenal aorta in a consecutive series of 10 403 men and women.ResultsThe study subjects had a mean age of 70.2 ± 10.7 years, and 54.1% were men. There was a 3.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.2–3.9%) prevalence of AAA with a median diameter of 39 mm (interquartile range 32 mm–48 mm). In males ≥ 65 years the prevalence of newly diagnosed AAA was 6.2% (95% CI 5.5–7.0%). Of those with newly diagnosed AAA, 39.7% underwent AAA repair. Age and male gender were associated with AAA prevalence. After adjustment for age and gender, echocardiographic variables associated with AAA were left ventricular end diastolic dimension (odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95%CI 1.01–1.04), interventricular septum thickness (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06–1.17), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03–1.15), left atrial diameter (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.07) and aortic root diameter (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.06–1.11).ConclusionsThis study revealed a high prevalence of newly diagnosed AAA in a group of older men having cardiac evaluation. There was a relationship of increasing age with AAA, and a significant proportion of newly diagnosed subjects were not suitable for AAA repair.
Associations of Daytime, Nighttime, and 24‐Hour Heart Rate With Four Distinct Markers of Inflammation in Hypertensive Patients: The Styrian Hypertension Study
Authors: ó Hartaigh Bríain , Gaksch Martin , Kienreich Katharina , Grübler Martin R. , Verheyen Nicolas , März Winfried , Tomaschitz Andreas , Gill Thomas M. , Pilz Stefan 
Published: September 2014

The current study assessed which measure of heart rate (HR) is most associated with inflammatory activity. Among 368 hypertensive patients (mean age±standard deviation, 60.6±10.8; 52.9% women), mean daytime (from 6 am to 10 pm), nighttime (from 10 pm to 6 am), and 24‐hour HR were recorded using a continuous 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring portable device. Associations of daytime, nighttime, and 24‐hour HR with leukocytes, platelets, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D were calculated using multivariate linear regression, reporting unstandardized coefficients (B) with standard errors (SEs). Mean daytime, nighttime, and 24‐hour HR were 73, 64, and 71 beats per minute, respectively. All HR measures were positively associated with leukocytes after adjustment. Nighttime HR was additionally related with higher CRP. When all HR measures were simultaneously added to a single multivariate model, only the positive associations of nighttime HR with leukocytes (B [SE]=0.06 [0.03], P=.04), as well as with CRP (B [SE]=0.20 [0.07], P=.005), persisted. Nighttime HR was more closely associated with inflammatory activity. These observations lend some insight toward the pathophysiological mechanisms that implicate HR in cardiovascular risk and provide valuable direction for forthcoming investigations.
Fabp4‐CreER lineage tracing revealstwo distinctive coronary vascular populations
Authors: He Lingjuan , Tian Xueying , Zhang Hui , Wythe Joshua D. , Zhou Bin 
Published: September 2014

AbstractOver the last two decades, genetic lineage tracing has allowed for the elucidation of the cellular origins and fates during both embryogenesis and in pathological settings in adults. Recent lineage tracing studies using Apln‐CreER tool indicated that a large number of post‐natal coronary vessels do not form from pre‐existing vessels. Instead, they form de novo after birth, which represents a coronary vascular population (CVP) distinct from the pre‐existing one. Herein, we present new coronary vasculature lineage tracing results using a novel tool, Fabp4‐CreER. Our results confirm the distinct existence of two unique CVPs. The 1st CVP, which is labelled by Fabp4‐CreER, arises through angiogenic sprouting of pre‐existing vessels established during early embryogenesis. The 2nd CVP is not labelled by Fabp4, suggesting that these vessels form de novo, rather than through expansion of the 1st CVP. These results support the de novo formation of vessels in the post‐natal heart, which has implications for studies in cardiovascular disease and heart regeneration.
The quantified self: closing the gap between general knowledge and particular case?
Authors: Thornquist Eline , Kirkengen Anna Luise 
Published: September 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesThis paper addresses the movements ‘evidence‐based’ (EBM) and ‘personalized’ (PM) medicine. The former is being criticized for failing to do justice to clinical complexity and human individuality. The latter aims at tailoring medical knowledge for every patient in a personalized fashion. Instrumental to this effort is the technological development engendering unlimited amounts of data about bodily fragments. The aim of this article is to stimulate a debate about the notion of the body and knowledge in medicine.MethodsAn authentic sickness history is used as a vantage point for a more comprehensive account of biomedicine.ResultsThe analysis of the sickness history demonstrates how biomedical logic guided all approaches in the care for this particular patient. Each problem was identified and treated separately, whereby neglecting the interaction between body parts and systems, and between the woman's bodily condition and her experiences. The specialists involved seemed to look for phenomena that fit categories of disorders ‘belonging’ to their field. These approaches engendered unintended effects: chronification, poly‐pharmacy and multi‐morbidity, leading to an unsustainable increase in medical costs.ConclusionsThe article elucidates how the status that professionals ascribe to the body has vital implications for what they regard as relevant and how they interpret the information they have collected. On this ground, we challenge both the prevailing and tacitly accepted separation between the physical body and human experience and the view of knowledge underpinning EBM and PM. The growing molecularization of the body veils decisive sources of human illness.
Networking and data sharing reduces hospitalization cost of heart failure: the experience of GISC study
Authors: Pisanò Franco , Lorenzoni Giulia , Sabato Stefano S. , Soriani Nicola , Narraci Ottavio , Accogli Michele , Rosato Carlo , de Paolis Paola , Folino Franco , Buja Gianfranco , Tona Francesco , Baldi Ileana , Iliceto Sabino , Gregori Dario ,   GISC Study Group
Published: September 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesHeart failure (HF) is a concerning public health burden in Western society because, despite the improvement of medical treatments, it is still associated with adverse outcomes (high morbidity and mortality), resulting in one of the most expensive chronic disease in Western countries. Hospital admission particularly is the most expensive cost driver among the several resources involved in the management of HF. The aim of our study was to investigate the cost of hospitalization before and after the enrolment to a new strategy (GISC) in the management of patients with HF.MethodsWe enrolled a cohort of 90 patients. Patients were eligible to the study if they were hospitalized with a new diagnosis of HF or a diagnosis of decompensated HF. The enrolment to the study corresponded to the enrolment to the GISC intervention. We calculated the cost for every hospital admission at 6 and 12 months before and after the enrolment using the tariff paid for the diagnosis‐related group.ResultsComparing per‐patient cumulative cost before and after the enrolment, we showed that patient's hospitalization was less expensive after the enrolment to the GISC intervention. The strategy resulted in an average cumulative estimated saving of €439 322.00 (95% CI €413 890.70; €464 753.40) at 6 months and of €832 276.80 (95% CI €786 863.70; €877 690.00) at 12 months after the enrolment.ConclusionsWe found out that the intervention was a cost‐saving strategy for follow‐up of the patients suffering from HF at 6 and 12 months after the enrolment compared with hospitalizations' cost before the recruitment.
OsSERK1 regulates rice development but not immunity to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae or Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Zuo Shimin , Zhou Xiaogang , Chen Mawsheng , Zhang Shilu , Schwessinger Benjamin , Ruan Deling , Yuan Can , Wang Jing , Chen Xuewei , Ronald Pamela C. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSomatic embryogenesis receptor kinase (SERK) proteins play pivotal roles in regulation of plant development and immunity. The rice genome contains two SERK genes, OsSerk1 and OsSerk2. We previously demonstrated that OsSerk2 is required for rice Xa21‐mediated resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and for normal development. Here we report the molecular characterization of OsSerk1. Overexpression of OsSerk1 results in a semi‐dwarf phenotype whereas silencing of OsSerk1 results in a reduced angle of the lamina joint. OsSerk1 is not required for rice resistance to Xoo or Magnaporthe oryzae. Overexpression of OsSerk1 in OsSerk2‐silenced lines complements phenotypes associated with brassinosteroid (BR) signaling defects, but not the disease resistance phenotype mediated by Xa21. In yeast, OsSERK1 interacts with itself forming homodimers, and also interacts with the kinase domains of OsSERK2 and BRI1, respectively. OsSERK1 is a functional protein kinase capable of auto‐phosphorylation in vitro. We conclude that, whereas OsSERK2 regulates both rice development and immunity, OsSERK1 functions in rice development but not immunity to Xoo and M. oryzae.
EMERGENCE OF LEAPFROGGING FROM RESIDENTIAL CHOICE WITH ENDOGENOUS GREEN SPACE: ANALYTICAL RESULTS
Authors: Peeters Dominique , Caruso Geoffrey , Cavailhès Jean , Thomas Isabelle , Frankhauser Pierre , Vuidel Gilles 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTLeapfrog development is a typical form of sprawl. This paper aims at analyzing the existence, size, and persistence of leapfrogging in a dynamic urban economic model with endogenous green amenities. We analyze whether incoming households choose to settle at the fringe of the city or to jump further away depending on their preferences and the structure of the city. We first provide an analytical treatment of the conditions and characteristics under which a first leapfrog occurs and show how the optimal choice is affected by the size of the city, income, commuting costs, as well as the size of the area where green amenities are considered. We then study how further leapfrogging and multiple urban rings may appear and be maintained in the long‐run equilibrium, and how infill processes take place through time.
INTEGRATION OF IMMIGRANTS, BRIDGING SOCIAL CAPITAL, ETHNICITY, AND LOCALITY
Authors: Tselios Vassilis , Noback Inge , van Dijk Jouke , McCann Philip 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses a uniquely detailed data set of social integration characteristics of immigrants belonging to four non‐native ethnic groups (i.e., Turks, Moroccans, Surinamese, and Antilleans) living in Dutch neighborhoods. It is well known that an individual's level of social integration is related to the ethnic composition and economic development of an immigrant's residential locality, as well as the generation of the immigrant. Yet, what is not known is whether the social and economic characteristics of adjacent or neighboring localities also influence an individual's level of social integration. Using a multilevel hierarchical analysis with spatial interaction effects, we examine the extent to which four social integration aspects of the bridging social capital of these immigrant groups are related to their ethnicity, their generation, their immediate locality, and the effects of the neighboring localities. Our findings regarding the effects of the ethnic concentration and economic development of the immediate locality along with the immigrant's generation broadly concur with existing studies. At the same time, however, we also find that the features of neighboring localities exert an additional influence on an individual's social integration over and above those related to the immigrant's generation and immediate locality. These additional spatial spillover effects are broadly in line with those associated with the immediate locality, but they are also sensitive to particular proxies for social integration which are employed. These spatial spillover effects on social capital and social integration have not been observed before.
Comparing CRIB‐II and SNAPPE‐II as mortality predictors for very preterm infants
Authors: Reid Shelley , Bajuk Barbara , Lui Kei , Sullivan Elizabeth A ,   NSW and ACT Neonatal Intensive Care Units Audit Group, PSN
Published: September 2014

AimsThis article compares the severity of illness scoring systems clinical risk index for babies (CRIB)‐II and score for neonatal acute physiology with perinatal extension (SNAPPE)‐II for discriminatory ability and goodness of fit in the same cohort of babies of less than 32 weeks gestation and aims to provide validation in the Australian population.MethodsCRIB‐II and SNAPPE‐II scores were collected on the same cohort of preterm infants born within a 2‐year period, 2003 and 2004. The discriminatory ability of each score was assessed by the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, and goodness of fit was assessed by the Hosmer–Lemeshow (HL) test. The outcome measure was in‐hospital mortality. A multivariate logistic regression model was tested for perinatal variables that might add to the risk of in‐hospital mortality.ResultsData for both scores were available for 1607 infants. Both scores had good discriminatory ability (CRIB‐II area under the curve 0.913, standard error (SE) 0.014; SNAPPE‐II area under the curve 0.907, SE 0.012) and adequate goodness of fit (HL χ2 = 11.384, 8 degrees of freedom, P = 0.183 for CRIB‐II; HL χ2 = 4.319, 7 degrees of freedom, P = 0.742 for SNAPPE‐II). The multivariate model did not reveal other significant variables.ConclusionsBoth severity of illness scores are ascertained during the first 12 h of life and perform similarly. Both can facilitate risk‐adjusted comparisons of mortality and quality of care after the first post‐natal 12 h. CRIB‐II scores have the advantage of being simpler to collect and calculate.