bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Poor mental health in severely obese patients is not explained by the presence of comorbidities
Authors: Somerville R. , McKenzie K. , Eslami S. , Breen C. , O'Shea D. , Wall P. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe prevalence of obesity, especially severe obesity where body mass index (BMI) exceeds 40 kg m−2 and where the physical risks are greatest, is increasing. However, little is known about the impact of severe obesity on psychological well‐being and self‐rated health (SRH). We aimed to investigate this relationship in patients attending an Irish weight management clinic. SRH was measured with a single‐item inventory (excellent = 1, poor = 5). Well‐being was measured with the validated World Health Organization‐Five Well‐being Index (WHO‐5), in which scores <13 indicate poor well‐being. Previous studies of the Irish population have reported mean SRH = 2.56 (males) and 2.53 (females) and mean well‐being = 16.96. One hundred eighty‐two (46.8%) completed questionnaires were returned. The sample was representative of the clinic population with a mean age of 47.1, mean baseline BMI of 51.9 kg m−2 and 64.3% females. Mean SRH was 3.73 in males and 3.30 in females; mean well‐being was 10.27 in males and 10.52 in females. In the final multivariable models, number of medications, depression and obstructive sleep apnoea, WHO‐5 and current BMI were significant predictors of SRH, and secondary level education, social support and mindfulness scores were significant predictors of psychological well‐being. Number of medications was not significant. The results suggest that the poor psychological well‐being seen is not explained by the presence of comorbidities and that social support and mindfulness may be important targets for improving psychological well‐being. Improving psychological well‐being in addition to weight loss and effective management of comorbidities may be important for improving SRH.
Effects of Causal Structure on Decisions About Where to Intervene on Causal Systems
Authors: Edwards Brian J. , Burnett Russell C. , Keil Frank C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe investigated how people design interventions to affect the outcomes of causal systems. We propose that the abstract structural properties of a causal system, in addition to people's content and mechanism knowledge, influence decisions about how to intervene. In Experiment 1, participants preferred to intervene at specific locations (immediate causes, root causes) in a causal chain regardless of which content variables occupied those positions. In Experiment 2, participants were more likely to intervene on root causes versus immediate causes when they were presented with a long‐term goal versus a short‐term goal. These results show that the structural properties of a causal system can guide the design of interventions.
How the Eyes Tell Lies: Social Gaze During a Preference Task
Authors: Foulsham Tom , Lock Maria 
Published: December 2014

AbstractSocial attention is thought to require detecting the eyes of others and following their gaze. To be effective, observers must also be able to infer the person's thoughts and feelings about what he or she is looking at, but this has only rarely been investigated in laboratory studies. In this study, participants' eye movements were recorded while they chose which of four patterns they preferred. New observers were subsequently able to reliably guess the preference response by watching a replay of the fixations. Moreover, when asked to mislead the person guessing, participants changed their looking behavior and guessing success was reduced. In a second experiment, naïve participants could also guess the preference of the original observers but were unable to identify trials which were lies. These results confirm that people can spontaneously use the gaze of others to infer their judgments, but also that these inferences are open to deception.
MicroRNA‐103a inhibits gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting c‐Myb
Authors: Liang Jinlong , Liu Xianfeng , Xue Hongpeng , Qiu Bing , Wei Bin , Sun Kan 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivesThere have been no previous reports concerning functions of miR‐103a in gastric cancer (GC) cells. Thus the aim of the study was to investigate its expression and role in development of this tumour.Materials and methodsReal‐time RT‐PCR was performed to detect expression of miR‐103a in GC cell lines and clinical cancer specimens. To further understand its role, we restored expression of miR‐103a in MGC‐803 cell line by transfection with miR‐103a mimics or inhibitors. Effects of miR‐103a on cell proliferation, migration and invasion on targets were also determined.ResultsmiR‐103a was down‐regulated in both GC cell lines and clinical cancer specimens. Meanwhile, its level was closely associated with pM or pTNM stage of GC. Overexpression of miR‐103a markedly suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells, while its inhibition significantly accelerated cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, c‐Myb was identified to be a functional downstream target of miR‐103a, ectopic expression of which partially reversed suppression of cell proliferation and invasion.ConclusionsThus our observations suggest that miR‐103a functioned as a tumour suppressor by targeting c‐Myb. These findings indicate that miR‐103a might play a significant role in pathogenesis of GC.
MicroRNA expression and its clinical implications in Ewing's sarcoma
Authors: Li Zheng , Yu Xin , Shen Jianxiong , Wu William Ka Kei , Chan Matthew T.V. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractEwing's sarcoma (EWS) is the second most common primary bone cancer, and is a predominant childhood malignant disease. Due to limited understanding of its pathogenesis and frequent occurrence of resistance to conventional types of treatment, its management remains difficult, and mortality is frequent. Development of EWS is a multistep process involving genetic and epigenetic alterations of protein‐coding proto‐oncogenes and tumour‐suppressor genes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been discovered as a new category of non‐protein coding; small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post‐transcriptional level. Substantial numbers of deregulated miRNAs have been documented in EWS and their biological significance has been confirmed in multiple functional experiments. Several studies have confirmed involvement of miRNAs in various steps of EWS pathogenesis, from occurrence to metastasis. Functionally, miRNA dysregulation may promote cell‐cycle progression, confer resistance to apoptosis, and enhance invasiveness and metastasis. These miRNAs have opened a novel field in cancer research with potential clinical utilization for screening, diagnosis, prognostics and prediction of response to treatment. Elucidating biological aspects of miRNA dysregulation may help better understand pathogenesis of EWS and promote development of miRNA directed‐therapeutics against it.
Predictors of poor outcome among older liver transplant recipients
Authors: Sonny Abraham , Kelly Dympna , Hammel Jeffrey P. , Albeldawi Mazen , Zein Nizar , Cywinski Jacek B. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWith the increasing age of recipients undergoing orthotopic liver transplant (OLT), there is need for better risk stratification among them. Our study aims to identify predictors of poor outcome among OLT recipients ≥60 yr of age. All patients who underwent OLT at Cleveland Clinic from January 2004 to April 2010 were included. Baseline patient characteristics and post‐OLT outcomes (mortality, graft failure, length of stay, and major post‐OLT cardiovascular events) were obtained from prospectively collected institutional registry. Among patients ≥60 yr of age, multivariate regression modeling was performed to identify independent predictors of poor outcome. Of the 738 patients included, 223 (30.2%) were ≥60 yr. Hepatic encephalopathy, platelet counts <45 000/μL, total serum bilirubin >3.5 mg/dL, and serum albumin <2.65 mg/dL independently predicted poor short‐term outcomes. The presence of pre‐OLT coronary artery disease and arrhythmia were independent predictors of poor long‐term outcomes. Cardiac causes represented the second most common cause of mortality among the elderly cohort. Despite that, this carefully selected cohort of older OLT recipients had outcomes that were comparable with the younger recipients. Thus, our results show the need for better pre‐OLT evaluation and optimization, and for closer post‐OLT surveillance, of cardiovascular disease among the elderly.
Habitat type shapes long‐term plant biodiversity budgets in two densely populated regions in north‐western Europe
Authors: Hautekèete Nina‐Coralie , Frachon Léa , Luczak Christophe , Toussaint Benoît , Van Landuyt Wouter , Van Rossum Fabienne , Piquot Yves 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimAt a global scale, biodiversity changes are mainly driven by extinction, resulting in an overall decrease in species richness. At regional and local scales, although immigration often (over)compensates for local extinction, biodiversity changes have no clear trends. We tested the hypotheses that (1) at both regional and local scales, biodiversity changes result from the differential dynamics of local extinction and immigration, ultimately leading to increases in biodiversity following periods of transient surplus or deficit and (2) habitats are differentially affected by human activities, resulting in contrasting trends and dynamics that together shape the regional biodiversity budget.LocationNorthern France and Belgian Flanders, north‐western Europe.MethodsWe analysed changes in plant species richness over one century in two adjacent and densely populated regions. Because local to regional changes are expected to be driven by species–environment interactions, and because species ecology and environmental change are largely embodied by the habitat, we assessed biodiversity budgets according to the type of habitat.ResultsWe observed major changes in species composition at the regional scale with about one of every five to six species becoming regionally extinct or newly naturalized. Immigration offset or exceeded losses, with local extinctions generally preceding gains. Overall, regional dynamics were driven by contrasting changes in a few habitat types, with either local extinction or immigration predominating. Transient biodiversity surpluses or deficits were observed at the regional scale and in certain habitat types.Main conclusionsIncluding habitat types bridges the gap between regional and local studies and provides a more accurate assessment of the biodiversity budget: integrating habitat type into regional analyses or meta‐analyses can lead future research towards the understanding of the determinisms of biodiversity change across spatial scales.
Habitat availability for amphibians and extinction threat: a global analysis
Authors: Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Rondinini Carlo , Bonardi Anna , Baisero Daniele , Padoa‐Schioppa Emilio 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimHabitat loss and degradation are the factors threatening the largest number of amphibian species. However, quantitative measures of habitat availability only exist for a small subset of them. We evaluated the relationships between habitat availability, extinction risk and drivers of threat for the world's amphibians. We developed deductive habitat suitability models to estimate the extent of suitable habitat and the proportion of suitable habitat (PSH) inside the geographic range of each species, covering species and areas for which little or no high‐resolution distribution data are available.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe used information on habitat preferences to develop habitat suitability models at 300‐m resolution, by integrating range maps with land cover and elevation. Model performance was assessed by comparing model output with point localities where species were recorded. We then used habitat availability as a surrogate of area of occupancy. Using the IUCN criteria, we identified species having narrow area of occupancy, for which extinction risk is likely underestimated.ResultsWe developed models for 5363 amphibians. Validation success of models was high (94%), being better for forest specialists and generalists than for open habitat specialists. Generalists had proportionally more habitat than forest or open habitat specialists. The PSH was lower for species having small geographical ranges, currently listed as threatened, and for which habitat loss is recognized as a threat. Differences in habitat availability among biogeographical realms were strong. We identified 61 forest species for which the extinction risk may be higher that currently assessed in the Red List, due to limited extent of suitable habitat.Main conclusionsHabitat models can accurately predict amphibian distribution at fine scale and allow describing biogeographical patterns of habitat availability. The strong relationship between amount of suitable habitat and extinction threat may help the conservation assessment in species for which limited information is currently available.
Short‐ and long‐term effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on healthcare cost: a cross‐sectional comparative study in the ATLANTIC DIP cohort
Authors: Danyliv A. , Gillespie P. , O'Neill C. , Noctor E. , O'Dea A. , Tierney M. , McGuire B. , Glynn L. G. , Dunne F. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimsThis paper examines the association between gestational diabetes mellitus and costs of care during pregnancy and 2–5 years post pregnancy.MethodsHealthcare utilization during pregnancy was measured for a sample of 658 women drawn from the Atlantic Diabetes in Pregnancy (ATLANTIC DIP) network. Healthcare utilization 2–5 years post pregnancy was assessed for a subsample of 348 women via a postal questionnaire. A vector of unit costs was applied to healthcare activity to calculate the costs of care at both time points. Differences in cost for women with gestational diabetes mellitus compared with those with normal glucose tolerance during the pregnancy were examined using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.ResultsGestational diabetes mellitus was independently associated with an additional €817.60 during pregnancy (€1192.1 in the gestational diabetes mellitus group, €511.6 in the normal glucose tolerance group), in the form of additional delivery and neonatal care costs, and an additional €680.50 in annual healthcare costs 2–5 years after the index pregnancy (€6252.4 in the gestational diabetes mellitus group, €5434.8 in the normal glucose tolerance group).ConclusionsThese results suggest that gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with increased costs of care during and post pregnancy. They provide indication of the associated cost that can be avoided or reduced by the screening, prevention and management of gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnancy. These estimates are useful for further studies that examine the cost and cost‐effectiveness of such programmes.
New insights on chromatin modifiers and histone post‐translational modifications in renal cell tumours
Authors: Vieira‐Coimbra Márcia , Henrique Rui , Jerónimo Carmen 
Published: December 2014

AbstractRenal cell tumours (RCTs) are the most common neoplasms affecting the kidney. They are clinically, pathologically and genetically heterogeneous, comprises four major histological subtypes [clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC), which are malignant tumours, and oncocytoma, a benign tumour], as well as an increasing number of less common entities. Epigenetics has emerged as an important field in oncology due to the critical role it plays in neoplastic transformation and progression. Among epigenetic mechanisms, the modulation of chromatin packaging through covalent modifications is fundamental for gene transcription regulation and its deregulation is involved in carcinogenesis. Recently, deregulation of chromatin machinery in RCTs has increasingly acknowledged as an important mechanism for renal neoplastic transformation. The aim of this review is to summarize the most relevant alterations in histone post‐translational modifications and chromatin modifiers, which have been implicated in renal tumorigenesis. The recognition of those modifications might provide new biomarkers for diagnosis and prognostication as well as novel targets for personalized therapeutic intervention.
The deep end of the metabolite pool: influences on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in cancer
Authors: Nordgren Kendra K. , Skildum Andrew J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundEpigenetic control of gene expression is mediated by cytosine methylation/demethylation and histone modifications including methylation, acetylation and glycosylation. The epigenetic programme is corrupted in cancer cells to maintain a pattern of gene expression that leads to their de‐differentiated, rapidly proliferating phenotype. Enzymes responsible for modifying histones and cytosine are sensitive to the cellular metabolite pool and can be activated by an increase in their substrates or inhibited by an increase in their products or competitors for substrate binding.MethodsThis review is based on publications identified on PubMed using a literature search of cytosine methylation, histone methylation, acetylation and glycosylation.ResultsIn cancer, changes in glycolytic enzymes lead to increased production of serine, increasing the pool of S‐adenosylmethionine (the major methyl donor for methylation reactions) and UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine (a substrate for O‐linked glycosylation of histones and cytosine methyltransferases). Mutations in tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes lead to accumulation of fumarate, succinate and hydroxyglutarate, all of which inhibit demethylation of cytosine and histones. In contrast, proline catabolism produces α‐ketoglutarate and reactive oxygen, both of which promote the activity of enzymes that remove methyl groups from cytosine and histones, and the key enzyme in proline catabolism acts as a tumour suppressor.ConclusionsOur emerging understanding of how the epigenetic profiles are metabolically reprogrammed in cancer cells will lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for treatment of patients.
Inspiration vs. perspiration in economic development of the Former Soviet Union and China (ca. 1920–2010)
Authors: van Leeuwen Bas , Didenko Dmitry , Földvári Péter 
Published: December 2014

AbstractHere, we discuss the role of both perspiration factors (physical and human capital) and inspiration factors (Total Factor Productivity) in the economic development of the Former Soviet Union area (FSU) and China, ca. 1920–2010. Using a newly created dataset, we find that during the Socialist central‐planning period, economic growth in both countries was largely driven by physical capital accumulation. This finding follows logically from the development policies in place at that time. During their transition periods, (i.e., starting from the late 1970s in China and the late 1980s in theFSU), China managed to keep technical inefficiency of production factors in check, largely by massively increasing its human capital, thereby lowering the physical‐to‐human capital ratio. In contrast, theFSUaccomplished a similar outcome largely through reducing its stock of physical capital. As a result, although there was little difference in technical efficiency between these two economies, China's emphasis on human capital formation made it easier for this country to improve its general productivity and to increaseper capitagrowth. This changed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when theFSUbegan to recover economically, regaining its 1990 levels of output and productivity.
A genetic comparison of sympatric anadromous and resident Atlantic salmon
Authors: Adams Blair K. , Cote David , Hutchings Jeffrey A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMany studies have identified the importance of local adaptation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and the strong genetic differences that exist between allopatric or parapatric resident and anadromous populations. However, as truly sympatric migratory phenotypes of Atlantic salmon have not been studied, it remains unclear whether distinct genotypes previously associated with life history differences are maintained through reproductive isolation and subsequent genetic drift or through natural selection induced by different life history requirements. In this study, sympatric anadromous and resident Atlantic salmon were sampled from three Newfoundland (Canada) watersheds to evaluate the genetic divergence of these life history forms. Eight microsatellite loci were used to quantify genetic variation within and among populations. Metrics of genetic differentiation (exact tests for population differentiation, pairwise θ values) provide no evidence of genetic differentiation between some sympatric anadromous and resident phenotypes within a system with no history of segregation. In the remaining two watersheds, the observed differentiation appears to be a consequence of historical segregation rather than life history form. Nonetheless, these differences have been maintained in contemporary times for several generations. At broader spatial scales, resident salmon were more genetically divergent from one another than anadromous life history forms and were more closely related to anadromous salmon from within their watershed than to resident salmon from other watersheds. The study indicates that both life history forms can be maintained within a single population, but that sympatric populations of different life histories can maintain genetic differences for at least several generations after being reconnected.
Management of basidiomycete root‐ and stem‐rot diseases in oil palm, rubber and tropical hardwood plantation crops
Authors: Mohammed C. L. , Rimbawanto A. , Page D. E. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryBasal stem‐rot and root‐rot diseases caused by basidiomycete fungal pathogens are naturally and widely occurring in a large range of hosts. However, they significantly reduce the productivity of several economically important plantation‐crop industries in tropical countries. Oil palm, rubber, acacias and eucalypts are all susceptible to basidiomycete rot pathogens to varying degrees and there is no absolute disease resistance. The causal pathogens are persistent as they remain present in wood or crop debris even in the absence of living members of the host species. Disease build‐up is often rapid and can reach economically unacceptable levels in the absence of interventions to contain the disease. This study reviews the biology and detection of root‐rot disease in oil palm, rubber and hardwood crops with a specific focus on management strategies undertaken in South‐East Asia. The diseases caused by basidiomycete rot pathogens in this region are intractable and require an integrated approach to disease management, as it is unlikely that any one control strategy will succeed. In contrast, there has been significant success in reducing losses from basidiomycete rot from pathogens in the northern hemisphere, especially with Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato in forest trees, research being often supported by the establishment of long‐term trials required to understand the origins and types of disease. In the tropics, progress has been more fragmented due to the low level of research funding, the problems involved with managing long‐term research trials in the tropics, the confidentiality requirements of competitive industries and the lack of literature available in the public arena. This review collates a large body of information from disparate and often obscure sources for oil palm, rubber, acacias and eucalypts, tropical plantation crops that face similar types of stem‐ and root‐rot disease problems. Lessons to be learned from the successes and failures of various management strategies with each type of crop are examined.