bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of physical activity with glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk profile in 65 666 people with Type 2 diabetes from Germany and Austria
Authors: Hermann G. , Herbst A. , Schütt M. , Kempe H.‐P. , Krakow D. , Müller‐Korbsch M. , Holl R. W. ,   the Diabetes Patienten Verlaufsdokumentation (DPV)‐initiative and the BMBF Competence Network Diabetes Mellitus
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimsTo provide representative data from routine diabetes care concerning the physical activity levels of people with Type 2 diabetes, and to show the association of activity level with cardio‐metabolic risk profile in a gender‐specific analysis.MethodsThe anonymized data from 65 666 subjects with Type 2 diabetes, who have been receiving treatment in specialized diabetes institutions, were analysed using a large multi‐centre database. The population was categorized as physically inactive (PA0), active 1–2 times per week (PA1), active >2 times per week (PA2), and then stratified by age (20–59 and 60–80 years). BMI, glycaemic control (measured by HbA1c levels), blood pressure, lipid profile and therapeutic regimen were adjusted for age, gender and diabetes duration.ResultsMost subjects were inactive (PA0: 90%; PA1: 6%, PA2: 4%). BMI, HbA1c and lipid profiles were better in older subjects and hypertension rates were lower in younger subjects. In both age groups, BMI, HbA1c (both P < 0.0001) and triglycerides (P < 0.002) were lower in the most active group PA2 compared with the inactive group PA0. HDL was higher in elderly (P < 0.0001) and pulse pressure (P = 0.03) lower in younger most active subjects only. Insulin therapy was used more frequently by the physically inactive and by older people.ConclusionsThis survey indicates that glycaemic control and cardio‐metabolic risk profiles in people with Type 2 diabetes are positively related to physical activity. The effects of physical activity were beneficial in younger as well as in older people. The high number of inactive people with diabetes underlines the need to promote physical activity and sport.
Effect of a participant‐driven health education programme in primary care for people with hyperglycaemia detected by screening: 3‐year results from the Ready to Act randomized controlled trial (nested within the ADDITION‐Denmark study)
Authors: Maindal H. T. , Carlsen A. H. , Lauritzen T. , Sandbaek A. , Simmons R. K. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimTo assess whether a 12‐week participant‐driven health education programme offered to individuals with screening‐detected hyperglycaemia in Danish primary care would lead to improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, health behaviour and patient‐reported outcomes after 3 years.MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial in 509 patients with screening‐detected hyperglycaemia (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance or Type 2 diabetes) from 33 general practices in Denmark. Individuals were pre‐randomized to receive (i) routine care (n = 187), or (ii) an invitation to participate in the Ready to Act health education programme (n = 322). The programme was delivered over 12 weeks in primary care and focused on motivation, action experience, informed decision‐making and social involvement to promote health behaviour change. The primary outcome was 10‐year modelled cardiovascular risk.ResultsOf 322 individuals, 123 (38%) received the intervention and 436/509 individuals (86%) returned for follow‐up assessment. There was no difference between the trial groups in modelled cardiovascular risk at 3 years (relative difference: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.23). Total cholesterol was lower (−0.24mmol/l, 95% CI: −0.45 to −0.03, P = 0.027), and patient activation was higher in the intervention than in the control group (5.3, 95% CI: 0.97 to 9.7). No other between‐group differences were observed for any cardiovascular risk factor, health behaviour or patient‐reported outcome variables. Subgroup analyses suggested that the intervention was more beneficial in those with impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance than in those with Type 2 diabetes.ConclusionFor patients with screening‐detected hyperglycaemia, a participant‐driven health education programme was not associated with improvements in most clinical, behavioural and patient‐reported outcomes after 3 years of follow‐up.
Increasing host age does not have the expected negative effects on the fitness parameters of an egg parasitoid
Authors: Zhou Y. , Abram P. K. , Boivin G. , Brodeur J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractHost age is an important determinant of host acceptance and suitability for egg parasitoids. As host embryonic development advances, the quality of resources available to the parasitoid offspring typically declines, usually resulting in reduced acceptance levels by foraging females and lower offspring fitness. We examined the ability of the parasitoid Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to parasitize and develop in Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) eggs of different ages. In laboratory experiments, we measured the effect of host age (6, 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 h old) on parasitism rate and offspring fitness parameters such as survival, development time, sex ratio, and size. Contrary to our expectations, parasitism rate did not differ between host age treatments, nor did sex ratio allocation, offspring size, or the fecundity of newly emerged female offspring. However, parasitoid offspring had a longer development time with increasing host age. This trend was stronger for males than for females, which we suggest could reduce the degree of protandry among offspring emerging from older host eggs, thus increasing the rate of virginity upon leaving the emergence patch and resulting in more frequent off‐patch mating by female offspring in nature. Overall, our results suggest that all stages of P. maculiventris embryonic development are suitable for acceptance and development of T. podisi. Unlike most species of egg parasitoids, T. podisi has evolved mechanisms to utilize host resources, regardless of host developmental stage, with relatively minor fitness consequences.
Cannibalism of parasitoid‐attacked conspecifics in a non‐carnivorous caterpillar
Authors: Wang Xin‐Geng , Daane Kent M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractCannibalism, the killing and consumption of conspecifics, can even occur in insect species typically considered to be non‐carnivorous. Of particular interest is the cannibalism of parasitoid‐attacked conspecifics, which could reduce parasitism levels in subsequent generations for that conspecific population. This study reports on the occurrence and some of the consequences of cannibalism in parasitoid‐attacked obliquebanded leafroller,Choristoneura rosaceana(Harris) (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae). We show that larvae ofC. rosaceana, which is considered to be an herbivorous caterpillar species, did not prey upon live conspecifics, but readily consumed conspecifics attacked byHabrobracon gelechiaeAshmead (Hymenoptera:Braconidae). Further examination found thatC. rosaceanalarvae feeding on parasitoid‐attacked conspecifics, since their fourth instar, suffered a higher mortality and reduction in body size than those fed on plant material only. The cannibalism of attacked conspecifics did not appear to offer any nutrient benefits for the cannibal. To our best knowledge, this is the first empirical example of the occurrence and some of the consequences of cannibalism by a non‐carnivorous insect on its parasitoid‐attacked conspecifics. We discuss the adaptive significance of such cannibalism on parasitoid‐attacked conspecifics with respect to a trans‐generational fitness gain for the population through the killing of the parasitoids, thereby reducing parasitism in subsequent generations.
Prenatal inhibition of the kynurenine pathway leads to structural changes in the hippocampus of adult rat offspring
Authors: Khalil Omari S. , Pisar Mazura , Forrest Caroline M. , Vincenten Maria C. J. , Darlington L. Gail , Stone Trevor W. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractGlutamate receptors for N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) are involved in early brain development. The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism includes the NMDA receptor agonist quinolinic acid and the antagonist kynurenic acid. We now report that prenatal inhibition of the pathway in rats with 3,4‐dimethoxy‐N‐[4‐(3‐nitrophenyl)thiazol‐2‐yl]benzenesulphonamide (Ro61‐8048) produces marked changes in hippocampal neuron morphology, spine density and the immunocytochemical localisation of developmental proteins in the offspring at postnatal day 60. Golgi–Cox silver staining revealed decreased overall numbers and lengths of CA1 basal dendrites and secondary basal dendrites, together with fewer basal dendritic spines and less overall dendritic complexity in the basal arbour. Fewer dendrites and less complexity were also noted in the dentate gyrus granule cells. More neurons containing the nuclear marker NeuN and the developmental protein sonic hedgehog were detected in the CA1 region and dentate gyrus. Staining for doublecortin revealed fewer newly generated granule cells bearing extended dendritic processes. The number of neuron terminals staining for vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT)‐1 and VGLUT‐2 was increased by Ro61‐8048, with no change in expression of vesicular GABA transporter or its co‐localisation with vesicle‐associated membrane protein‐1. These data support the view that constitutive kynurenine metabolism normally plays a role in early embryonic brain development, and that interfering with it has profound consequences for neuronal structure and morphology, lasting into adulthood.
The use of visible and near‐infrared spectroscopy for the analysis of soil water repellency
Authors: Kim I. , Pullanagari R. R. , Deurer M. , Singh R. , Huh K. Y. , Clothier B. E. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThis study investigated the potential of visible/near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (Vis‐NIRS) to predict soil water repellency (SWR). The top 40 mm of soils (n = 288) across 48 sites under pastoral land‐use in the North Island of New Zealand, which represented 10 soil orders and covered five classes of drought proneness, were analysed by standard laboratory methods and Vis‐NIRS. Soil WR was measured by using the molarity of ethanol droplet (MED) and the water drop penetration time (WDPT) tests. Soil organic carbon content (%C) was also measured to examine a possible relationship with SWR. A partial least squares regression (PLSR) model was developed by using Vis‐NIRS spectral data and the reference laboratory data. In addition, we explored the power of discrimination based on WDPT classes using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA). The PLSR of the processed spectra produced moderately accurate prediction for MED (R2val = 0.61, RPDval = 1.60, RMSEval = 0.59) and good prediction for %C (R2val = 0.82, RPDval = 2.30, RMSEval = 2.72). When the data from the 10 soil orders were considered separately and based on soil order rather than being grouped, the prediction of MED was further improved except for the Allophanic, Brown, Organic and Ultic soil orders. The PLS‐DA was successful in classifying 60% of soil samples into the correct WDPT classes. Our results indicate clearly that Vis‐NIRS has the potential to predict SWR. Further improvement in the prediction accuracy of SWR is envisaged by increasing the understanding of the relationship between Vis‐NIRS and the SWR of all New Zealand soil orders as a function of their physical properties and chemical constituents such as hydrophobic compounds.
The gliding speed of migrating birds: slow and safe or fast and risky?
Authors: Horvitz Nir , Sapir Nir , Liechti Felix , Avissar Roni , Mahrer Isaac , Nathan Ran 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAerodynamic theory postulates that gliding airspeed, a major flight performance component for soaring avian migrants, scales with bird size and wing morphology. We tested this prediction, and the role of gliding altitude and soaring conditions, using atmospheric simulations and radar tracks of 1346 birds from 12 species. Gliding airspeed did not scale with bird size and wing morphology, and unexpectedly converged to a narrow range. To explain this discrepancy, we propose that soaring‐gliding birds adjust their gliding airspeed according to the risk of grounding or switching to costly flapping flight. Introducing the Risk Aversion Flight Index (RAFI, the ratio of actual to theoretical risk‐averse gliding airspeed), we found that inter‐ and intraspecific variation in RAFI positively correlated with wing loading, and negatively correlated with convective thermal conditions and gliding altitude, respectively. We propose that risk‐sensitive behaviour modulates the evolution (morphology) and ecology (response to environmental conditions) of bird soaring flight.
Above‐ and belowground biotic interactions facilitate relocation of plants into cooler environments
Authors: Spasojevic Marko J. , Harrison Susan , Day Howard W. , Southard Randal J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractOne important but largely unanswered question about floristic responses to climate change is how interactions such as competition, facilitation and plant–soil feedbacks will influence the ability of species to track shifting climates. In a rugged and moisture‐limited region that has recently warmed by 2° (Siskiyou Mountains, OR, USA), we planted three species into cooler aspects and elevations than those they currently inhabit, with and without removal of neighbouring plants, and tracked them over 2 years. Two species had higher success in cooler topographic locations, and this success was enhanced by neighbouring plants, which appeared to modulate minimum growing season temperatures. One species' success was also facilitated by the higher soil organic matter found in cooler sites. These results are a novel experimental demonstration of two important factors that may buffer climate change impacts on plants: rugged topography and plant–plant facilitation.
Quantitative gene analysis of methylation and expression (Q‐GAME) in fresh or fixed cells and tissues
Authors: Wu Jianqiang , Salva Katrin A. , Stutz Nathalie , Longley B. Jack , Spiegelman Vladimir S. , Wood Gary S. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractEpigenetic regulation of gene expression by DNA methylation is a central mechanism governing the silencing of tumor suppressor genes in many forms of cancer. Current methods have not proven optimal for the quantitative analysis of DNA methylation and corresponding in situ protein expression within cells in small specimens like skin biopsies. We have overcome this limitation by combining and modifying several techniques: target cell enrichment, DNA micro‐isolation, one‐step denaturation/bisulphite conversion/in‐column desulphonation, specially designed PCR amplification, pyrosequencing and multispectral image analysis. Using this approach optimized for small samples, we can quantify minor alterations in gene methylation and protein expression using minimal amounts of tissue. Comparative studies of fresh and processed cells showed that our method is valid for DNA in both fresh and formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded specimens. We can measure the effects of DNA methylation inhibitors, administered in vitro or in vivo, on the promoter methylation and protein expression of selected genes in specific cells. This novel approach should prove useful for a wide variety of investigative and clinical applications in dermatology and other specialties where the collection of small, routinely processed biopsy specimens is common. We refer to this method as Q‐GAME (quantitative gene analysis of methylation and expression).
Personal health communities: a phenomenological study of a new health‐care concept
Authors: Aarts Johanna Wilhelmina Maria , Vennik Femke , Nelen Willianne L. D. M. , van der Eijk Martijn , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Faber Marjan J. , Kremer Jan A. M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractContextFragmentation of care, complexity of diseases and the need to involve patients actively in their individual health care led to the development of the personal health community (PHC). In a PHC, patients can –regardless of the nature of their condition– invite all professionals that are involved in their health care process. Once gathered, the patient and health care team can exchange information about the patient's health and communicate through several functionalities, in a secured environment.ObjectivesExploring the use, first experiences and potential consequences of using PHCs in health care.DesignQualitative phenomenological study.ParticipantsEighteen respondents, consisting of women experiencing infertility (n = 5), persons with Parkinson's disease (n = 6), a gynaecologist, a fertility doctor, a fertility nurse, three Parkinson's specialist nurses and a neurologist.ResultsFirst experiences with PHCs showed that patients use their PHC differently, dependending on their condition and people involved. Various (potential) advantages for future health care were mentioned relating to both organizational aspects of care (e.g. continuity of care) and the human side of care (e.g. personal care). Patient involvement in care was facilitated. Disadvantages were the amount of work that it took and technological issues.ConclusionsUsing PHCs leads to promising improvements in both the organization of care and care experience, according to the participants in this study. They indicate that patients with different diseases and in different circumstances can benefit from these improvements. The PHC seem to be an online tool that can be applied in a personalized way. When (technically) well facilitated, it could stimulate active involvement of patients in their own health and health care. It warrants further research to study its effect on concrete health outcomes.
Effectiveness of a case‐based system in lesson planning
Authors: Saad A. , Chung P.W.H. , Dawson C.W. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractLesson planning imposes a significant burden on teachers as they need to prepare different lesson plans for different classes according to various constraints. SmartLP, a case‐based lesson planning system, has been implemented as a means of assisting teachers in constructing quality lesson plans more quickly. SmartLP enables teachers to retrieve previous lesson plans and customise them according to their constraints as they should be tailored to accommodate differences in students, teachers and the facilities available. An evaluation study was designed to examine the effectiveness of a Case Based Reasoning (CBR) approach through its cycle of retrieve, reuse, revise and retain in assisting teachers in constructing lesson plans and to assess the effects, in terms of time and quality, the system had on lesson plan preparation. This paper presents the results of the study. The study revealed that all the lesson plans constructed with SmartLP took significantly less time than lesson plans constructed without. In addition, where the planning tasks had greater similarities to the cases in the case base, they took even less time to be constructed. No significant difference in the quality of the plans, measured by a scoring system, was noticed between the control and experimental groups.
The addition of soft tissue replacement grafts in plastic periodontal and implant surgery: critical elements in design and execution
Authors: Zuhr Otto , Bäumer Daniel , Hürzeler Markus 
Published: March 2014

AbstractSoft tissue replacement grafts have become a substantial element to increase tissue volume in plastic periodontal and implant surgery. Autogenous subepithelial connective tissue grafts are increasingly applied in aesthetic indications like soft tissue thickening, recession treatment, ridge preservation, soft tissue ridge augmentation and papilla re‐construction. For the clinical performance of connective tissue graft harvesting and transplantation, a fundamental understanding of the anatomy at the donor sites and a sound knowledge of tissue integration and re‐vascularization processes are required. Possible donor sites are the anterior and posterior palate including the maxillary tuberosity, providing grafts of distinct geometric shape and histologic composition. The selective clinical application of different grafts depends on the amount of required tissue, the indication and the personal preference of the treating surgeon. One of the main future challenges is to volumetrically evaluate and compare the efficacy and long‐term stability of soft tissue autografts and their prospective substitutes. The aim of this review was to discuss the advantages and shortfalls of different donor sites, substitute materials and harvesting techniques. Although standardized recommendations regarding treatment choice and execution can hardly be given, guidelines for predictable and successful treatment outcomes are provided based on clinical experience and the available scientific data.
Soft tissue wound healing at teeth, dental implants and the edentulous ridge when using barrier membranes, growth and differentiation factors and soft tissue substitutes
Authors: Vignoletti Fabio , Nunez Javier , Sanz Mariano 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimTo review the biological processes of wound healing following periodontal and periimplant plastic surgery when different technologies are used in a) the coverage of root and implant dehiscences, b) the augmentation of keratinized tissue (KT) and c) the augmentation of soft tissue volume.Materials & MethodsAn electronic search from The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE‐PubMed) was performed: English articles with research focus in oral soft tissue regeneration, providing histological outcomes, either from animal experimental studies or human biopsy material were included.ResultsBarrier membranes, enamel matrix derivatives, growth factors, allogeneic and xenogeneic soft tissue substitutes have been used in soft tissue regeneration demonstrating different degrees of regeneration. In root coverage, these technologies were able to improve new attachment, although none has shown complete regeneration. In KT augmentation, tissue‐engineered allogenic products and xenogeneic collagen matrixes demonstrated integration within the host connective tissue and promotion of keratinization. In soft tissue augmentation and peri‐implant plastic surgery there are no histological data currently available.ConclusionsSoft tissue substitues, growth differentiation factors demonstrated promising histological results in terms of soft tissue regeneration and keratinization, whereas there is a need for further studies to prove their added value in soft tissue augmentation.