bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal changes in glucocorticoid metabolism are associated with later development of adverse metabolic phenotype
Authors: Crowley Rachel K , Hughes Beverly , Gray Joanna , McCarthy Theresa , Hughes Susan , Shackleton Cedric H L , Crabtree Nicola , Nightingale Peter , Stewart Paul M , Tomlinson Jeremy W 
Published: July 2014

ObjectiveDysregulation of enzymes that control local tissue steroid metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance; however, longitudinal changes in glucocorticoid metabolism have not been investigated. This study was performed to evaluate the role of glucocorticoid metabolism in the development of insulin resistance and obesity and to identify biomarkers for future development of metabolic disease.DesignThis was a prospective longitudinal observation study conducted over 5 years.MethodsA 24-h collection was used to serially analyze urinary glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid metabolites in 57 obese and overweight patients with no prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, recruited from the community.ResultsBaseline higher 5α-reductase (5αR) activity, but not 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity, was predictive of increased fasting insulin at final visit (11.4 compared with 7.4 mU/l in subjects with lower 5αR activity, P<0.05), area under the curve insulin response to oral glucose tolerance test (176.7 compared with 89.1 mU/l.h, P<0.01), and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA2-IR; 1.3 compared with 0.8, P<0.01). Higher total glucocorticoid production was associated with abnormal glucose tolerance and increased BMI. During this study, systolic blood pressure increased (equivalent to ∼1 mmHg/year), as did plasma sodium levels; this evidence of increased mineralocorticoid activity was associated with increased aldosterone metabolites and decreased 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity.ConclusionsIncreased 5αR activity and glucocorticoid secretion rate over time are linked with the development of metabolic disease, and may represent targets for therapeutic intervention, which merits further study.
Postprandial gallbladder emptying in patients with type 2 diabetes: potential implications for bile-induced secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1
Authors: Sonne David P , Rehfeld Jens F , Holst Jens J , Vilsbøll Tina , Knop Filip K 
Published: July 2014

ObjectiveRecent preclinical work has suggested that postprandial flow of bile acids into the small intestine potentiates nutrient-induced glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) secretion via bile acid-induced activation of the G protein-coupled receptor TGR5 in intestinal L cells. The notion of bile-induced GLP1 secretion combined with the findings of reduced postprandial gallbladder emptying in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) led us to speculate whether reduced postprandial GLP1 responses in some patients with T2DM arise as a consequence of diabetic gallbladder dysmotility.Design and methodsIn a randomised design, 15 patients with long-standing T2DM and 15 healthy age-, gender- and BMI-matched control subjects were studied during 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and three isocaloric (500 kcal) and isovolaemic (350 ml) liquid meals: i) 2.5 g fat, 107 g carbohydrate and 13 g protein; ii) 10 g fat, 93 g carbohydrate and 11 g protein; and iii) 40 g fat, 32 g carbohydrate and 3 g protein. Basal and postprandial plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, GLP1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), cholecystokinin and gastrin were measured. Furthermore, gallbladder emptying and gastric emptying were examined.ResultsGallbladder emptying increased with increasing meal fat content, but no intergroup differences were demonstrated. GIP and GLP1 responses were comparable among the groups with GIP levels being higher following high-fat meals, whereas GLP1 secretion was similar after both OGTT and meals.ConclusionsIn conclusion, patients with T2DM exhibited normal gallbladder emptying to meals with a wide range of fat content. Incretin responses were similar to that in controls, and an association with postprandial gallbladder contraction could not be demonstrated.
Nonconformity in the clinical practice guidelines for subclinical Cushing's syndrome: which guidelines are trustworthy?
Authors: Shen Jing , Sun Mingfang , Zhou Bo , Yan Juping 
Published: July 2014

ObjectiveThis study aimed to systematically evaluate the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and to compare their recommendations for managing subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) to assist practitioners in making rapid clinical decisions.Design and methodsSCS management guidelines were retrieved from electronic databases. The Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II (AGREE-II) tool and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) criteria were used to evaluate the quality of the selected guidelines. In addition, we further compared recommendations, cited references and levels of evidence between the SCS management guidelines.ResultsWe included five guidelines that were obtained through the literature selection process. On the basis of the AGREE-II and IOM criteria, none of the selected guidelines were satisfactory in all aspects. However, the Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (IACE) guidelines demonstrated slightly higher scores than did the other guidelines, so this guideline was recommended (with certain modifications for several domains). Regarding the content of the CPGs, we found considerable differences in the recommendations for managing SCS. These differences were derived from citation selection bias, evidence interpretation bias, differences in the composition of the guidelines' workgroups and the omission of guidelines for updating and externally reviewing the recommendations.ConclusionsThere is generally poor guideline quality among different organisations, and remarkable differences exist in the recommendations for the same clinical subject. Therefore, future guideline development should be performed in strict accordance with the AGREE-II and IOM criteria.
Safety of Vaccines Used for Routine Immunization of US Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Maglione Margaret A. , Das Lopamudra , Raaen Laura , Smith Alexandria , Chari Ramya , Newberry Sydne , Shanman Roberta , Perry Tanja , Goetz Matthew Bidwell , Gidengil Courtney 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:Concerns about vaccine safety have led some parents to decline recommended vaccination of their children, leading to the resurgence of diseases. Reassurance of vaccine safety remains critical for population health. This study systematically reviewed the literature on the safety of routine vaccines recommended for children in the United States.METHODS:Data sources included PubMed, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices statements, package inserts, existing reviews, manufacturer information packets, and the 2011 Institute of Medicine consensus report on vaccine safety. We augmented the Institute of Medicine report with more recent studies and increased the scope to include more vaccines. Only studies that used active surveillance and had a control mechanism were included. Formulations not used in the United States were excluded. Adverse events and patient and vaccine characteristics were abstracted. Adverse event collection and reporting was evaluated by using the McHarm scale. We were unable to pool results. Strength of evidence was rated as high, moderate, low, or insufficient.RESULTS:Of 20 478 titles identified, 67 were included. Strength of evidence was high for measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and febrile seizures; the varicella vaccine was associated with complications in immunodeficient individuals. There is strong evidence that MMR vaccine is not associated with autism. There is moderate evidence that rotavirus vaccines are associated with intussusception. Limitations of the study include that the majority of studies did not investigate or identify risk factors for AEs; and the severity of AEs was inconsistently reported.CONCLUSIONS:We found evidence that some vaccines are associated with serious AEs; however, these events are extremely rare and must be weighed against the protective benefits that vaccines provide.
Increased Molybdenum Loading for Vitrified High Level Waste
Authors: Gribble Nick R. , Short Rick J , Dunnett Barbara F. , Steele Carl J. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTThe solubility of molybdenum in borosilicate glasses is low. The UK National Nuclear Laboratory has developed a new glass formulation containing calcium and zinc for the vitrification of high molybdenum containing waste arising from the Post Operational Clean Out of the Highly Active Storage Tanks at Sellafield that will decrease the number of product containers required, reducing both production and disposal costs. The new formulation increases the quantity of molybdenum that can be vitrified through the formation of a durable CaMoO4 phase once the solubility limit of molybdenum in the glass has been exceeded. Extensive laboratory trials confirmed the potential to increase the Mo loading significantly. Recently full scale testing has been performed on the Vitrification Test Rig using highly active liquor simulants to determine the maximum MoO3 loading that can be achieved. This paper explores the full scale testing and product quality of the glass manufactured during this study.
Estimation of the long term helium production in high burn-up spent fuel due to alpha decay and consequences for the canister
Authors: Valls Alba , Grivé Mireia , Riba Olga , Morales Maita , Spahiu Kastriot 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTIn the KBS-3 repository concept and safety analysis, the copper container with a cast iron insert plays a central role in assuring isolation of the waste from the surrounding during long periods of time. All processes that affect its stability are thoroughly analysed, including potential detrimental processes inside the canister. For this reason, an estimation of the helium produced during the long term decay of alpha emitters in the spent fuel is necessary to evaluate if the pressures generated inside can have consequences for the canister.The spent nuclear fuel to be disposed of in Sweden is mainly LWR fuel. The maximum burn-up expected is 60 MWd/kg U for BWR and PWR. A small quantity of BWR MOX is expected to be stored with a maximum burn-up of 50 MWd/kg U.This work has focused on carrying out calculations of the amounts of He generated during more than 1 million years in Swedish spent nuclear fuels with a benchmarking exercise by using both codes AMBER and Origen-ARP. The performance and agreement of the codes in the He generation from α-decay have been checked and validated against data reported in literature [1].In the calculation of the maximal pressure inside the canister, the quantity of helium used to pre-pressurise the fuel rods has been accounted for. The pressure inside the canister due to He generation is at all times much lower than the hydrostatic pressure and/or the bentonite swelling pressure outside the canister.
Morphometric and Molecular Characterization of Anastrepha Species in the spatulata Group (Diptera, Tephritidae)
Authors: Bomfim Z V , Lima K M , Silva J G , Costa M A , Zucchi R A 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Seven species in the spatulata group were studied, namely Anastrepha alveata Stone, 1942, Anastrepha manihoti Lima, 1934, Anastrepha montei Lima, 1934, Anastrepha pickeli Lima, 1934, Anastrepha spatulata Stone, 1942, Anastrepha entodontaCanal, Uramoto & Zucchi, 2013, and AnastrephahadropickeliCanal, Uramoto & Zucchi, 2013. The molecular analysis was based on sequencing of a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I gene and morphometric studies were based on the aculeus (traditional morphometry) and wings (geometric morphometry). The aculeus tip length, the aculeus width at the end of the cloacal opening, and the serrate part length contributed significantly to the differentiation among species in the group. Based on multivariate tests, the canonical variables were statistically significant, indicating a difference in the wing shape among species. The landmarks related to intersection of veins R4+5 and C, intersection of vein M with apical margin, intersection of vein A1 + Cu2 with posterior margin, and intersection of vein Cu4 and M contributed most to the wing shape. The molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that A. entodonta was closer to the group comprising A. pickeli and A. manihoti. Specimens of A. alveata from Mexico and Brazil clustered together with 100% support. A. spatulata was recovered as a sister group of A. montei, despite the clear differences in the aculeus shape of these two species.
Central Vascular Catheter Insertion in the NICU: A Lean Approach
Authors: Liu Xinran , Suresh Gautham 
Published: July 2014

Purpose: To apply Lean principles to the process of inserting central lines into neonates in the NICU.Design: The authors used standard interviews and live observations to obtain concrete data on the current process of central line insertions. Recommendations for improvement were then suggested based on Lean principles.Sample: NICU care providers.Main Outcome Variable: Non-value-added time (waste), provider confidence, and variation in placing central lines.Results: There was large variation in how providers inserted central lines, and providers were least confident with placing peripherally inserted central catheter lines (55 percent confident). Live observations showed that 53 percent of the current process consisted of waste, with the line insertion and radiography phases of the process as the most wasteful. Lean principles can be applied to a neonatal clinical setting and can be an effective methodology for NICU care providers to improve the way that we care for our patients.
On linear programming duality and Landau’s characterization of tournament
Authors: Cruse Allan B. 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
H. G. Landau has characterized those integer-sequences S = (s1, s2, . . . , sn) which can arise as score-vectors in an ordinary round-robin tournament among n contestants [17]. If s1 ≤ s2 ≤ · · · ≤ sn, the relevant conditions are expressed simply by the inequalities:
Evaluation of fatigue in semi-professional football players:
association between overtraining and physical fitness
Authors: Nikolaidis Pantelis T. 
Published: July 2014

Summary
Study aim: overtraining (OT) has a detrimental effect on sport performance, but it is not clear to what extent it influences physical fitness. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between OT and physical fitness in football players.
Material and methods: a sample of semi-professional male football players (n = 124) performed a series of anthropometric and physical fitness measurements, and completed the 54-item OT questionnaire of the French Society of Sports Medicine.
Results: the OT score was significantly correlated with sit-and-reach test (SAR; rho = −0.20, p < 0.05), theoretical maximal velocity (v0; rho = −0.23, p < 0.05), theoretical maximal force (F0) of the force-velocity test (F-v test; rho = 0.25, p < 0.01) and mean power (Pmean) in W · kg−1 of the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT; rho = −0.20, p < 0.05). The comparison between OT quartiles revealed that the first quartile scored higher than the third quartile in SAR and in v0 (p < 0.05). The fourth quartile scored higher in F0 than the first, second and third quartiles (p < 0.05). The magnitude of these differences among groups was medium.
Conclusions: the negative correlations between OT and physical fitness and the highest scores in fitness for the first OT quartile indicate a negative effect of OT on physical fitness (anaerobic capacity, maximal velocity and flexibility) of football players. In addition, because there is very limited prior relevant research on football players’ OT, our data can be used as reference for future research.
PCR Detection Assay for Sex Determination in Papaya Using Scar Marker
Authors: Chaturvedi Kanupriya , Bommisetty Padmakar , Pattanaik Arpita , Chinnaiyan Vasugi , M. Ramachandra Dinesh , Chennareddy Aswath 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Papaya (Carica papaya L., 2n = 18), a polygamous angiosperm, is a major fruit crop in tropical and subtropical regions. It is trioecious with three sex forms: male, female, and hermaphrodite, where sex determination is controlled by the XY chromosome pair with two slightly different Y chromosomes i.e. Y for male and Y’1 for hermaphrodite. Sex type determination in papaya, which cannot be determined either by embryo shape or morphology at the juvenile developmental stage, is an essential pre-requisite for crop improvement processes as it helps in identification of fruitful plants. Hence, molecular profiling could be used as an alternative that provides a quick and reliable identification of sex types in plantlets at initial stages only. In the present study we have validated the sex-linked sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker W11 using PCR detection assay among different cultivars of papaya i.e. dioecious with either female or male and gynodioecious with either female or hermaphrodites and also performed a double-blind test for validating the seedlings of 84 F1 plants, which resulted in their sex determination. The assay clearly gives 800 bp band in male plants in dioecious types and hermaphrodite in gynodioecious plants.
Towards Detecting Bioclimatic Niche - Species Distribution Modelling in Four Maple Species (Acer Spp.)
Authors: Kabaš Eva , Batanjski Vera , Batanjski Vera , Glasnović Peter , Vicić Dražen , Tanasković Aljoša , Kuzmanović Nevena , Lakušić Dmitar , Šinžar-Sekulić Jasmina 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The aim of this paper was firstly to describe the ecological and geographical differentiation of the four maple species (Acer spp.) in Serbia and Kosovo based on floristic and phytocoenological data, and secondly, to model their distributions in order to predict which areas the species can be expected in. The intention was also to compare the resulting prediction maps with the available field records and see whether there are any differences between the actual and the predicted ranges. The data set included 1979 species records and each record was accompanied by geographic coordinates. The geographi-cal analysis was performed on the chorological data (latitude, longitude, altitude), while the ecological was based on vegetation data relating to the association, alliance, order and class as well as on 19 bioclimatic parameters. The data set was georeferenced using GIS tools. The results demonstrated that the distribution patterns of all the analyzed species are mostly affected by the limiting effects of the variables related to precipitation and temperature of the dry and also the warm period. Their synergic limiting effects are the most important force shaping distribution patterns within a territory. These findings highlight the importance of defining bioclimatic profiles of species using different techniques of distribution modelling.
The influence of initial spacing on growth and survival of Scots pine in 40 years period of cultivation in varied habitat conditions
Authors: Gil Wojciech 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The aim of the research was to determine the effect of initial spacing on the survival and growth of pine trees in dry coniferous and fresh coniferous forest habitats after nearly 40 years from the establishment of plantation.
The study presents an analysis of seven spacing variants in square, rectangular and triangular spacing patterns with the initial density ranging from 6 944 seedlings/ha to 15 625 seedlings/ha. The studies were conducted on two study sites. No tending treatments (selective thinning) were performed in the examined stands throughout the growing season.
It was shown that habitat conditions had a significant effect on the survival, diameter and height growth of trees in pine stands. In the less productive forest habitat, where the competition of trees is smaller, the survival was 1.5 to 2-fold higher compared to the more productive habitat. Pine trees growing in the fresh coniferous forest had substantially larger diameters at breast height (dbh) compared to the dry coniferous forest. The spacing effect depended on the habitat conditions. This influence was stronger in the less productive habitat compared to the more productive forest habitat which was reflected in the greater differences in the discussed parameters. The average dbh value of all trees on the Płock site increased with the increase of tree growing space (i.e. lower initial planting density) and ranged from 8.24 cm in variant A (15 625 seedlings/ha) to 9.79 cm in variant C (6 944 seedlings/ha). On the Łąck site, the trees growing at a low density (variants C and E) had significantly larger diameters compared to the trees growing at a density from 10 000 plants/ha to 15 625 plants/ha (spacing variants A, B, F, G). The studies also showed a significant effect of the habitat conditions and initial spacing on the diameter of pine trees in biosocial class I.
Triangular spacing in the fresh coniferous forest was found to have more positive effect on tree diameter growth. It is consistent with the findings of other authors that trees planted in triangular spacing make better use of space which is positively reflected in their growth. The results obtained from the research allow to formulate the conclusion that habitat conditions have a significant effect on the survival, diameter and height growth of trees in pine stands. The research also showed a significant effect of initial spacing on the diameter at breast height of pines at the end of age class II. No dependence was found of the initial planting density on the height growth rate of trees. In both forest habitats under consideration, trees planted at a density of approximately 11.5 thousand plants per hectare were the highest. The triangular initial spacing pattern had a positive effect on this characteristic.
Floristic and habitat diversity of the dunes in the Narew River Valley
Authors: Czubaszek Robert , Walentynowicz Ewa 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The aim of the research presented here was to determine and compare the habitat conditions of the two adjacent dune areas in the Narew River Valley. For the comparative studies we used the ecological indicator value method and the index of forest soil trophism (ITGL), both of which revealed differences between the investigated habitats. Values of ITGL indicate that in the case of the Uroczysko Serwańce dune, which is covered by a mixed coniferous forest (Serratulo-Piceetum), the habitat is oligotrophic, while the habitat on the Ławki Małe dune is dominated by a not yet fully developed Tilio-Carpinetum plant community which displays a mesotrophic character. Similar differences were observed using ecological indicator values. Soil indices calculated for the oak-hornbeam stand on the Ławki Małe dune indicate the presence of fresh, mesotrophic, humus-mineral soils made of sandy loam or silt substrate with a near-neutral pH. From these results we can deduce that climatic conditions, affected by peatlands, have a greater impact on the development of vegetation on inpeatland dunes than relatively poor soils.