bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Poor sleep quality and obstructive sleep apnea in patients with GERD and Barrett's esophagus
Authors: Vela M. F. , Kramer J. R. , Richardson P. A. , Dodge R. , El‐Serag H. B. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reduces sleep quality. Whether Barrett's esophagus (BE) affects sleep differently is unknown. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often coexists with GERD and may disrupt sleep; whether GERD reduces sleep quality independently of OSA is unknown. Our aims were to compare the effect of GERD and BE on sleep quality, and assess the impact of OSA on this association.MethodsValidated questionnaires for GERD symptoms, sleep quality, and OSA risk were prospectively administered to subjects undergoing upper endoscopy. GERD was defined by erosive esophagitis and/or reflux symptoms >1/week. BE was defined histologically. Controls had normal endoscopy and were asymptomatic. Poor sleep quality was defined by a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score >5. Risk of OSA was defined by a positive Berlin Questionnaire. The risk poor sleep quality in GERD, BE, and controls was evaluated in multivariate models.Key Results83 GERD, 63 BE, and 75 controls were included. OSA and poor sleep quality were significantly more frequent in GERD (65% and 60%) but not BE (52% and 46%) compared with controls (48% and 39%). Controlling for age, race, gender, smoking, body mass index, and hypertension, the risk of poor sleep quality was significantly increased in GERD compared with controls (odds ratio [OR] = 2.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–6.80), significance was lost after adding OSA to the model (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 0.87–5.85).Conclusions & InferencesGERD but not BE increases the risk of poor sleep quality. This association is not independent of OSA.
Perinatal factors and the risk of atopic dermatitis: A cohort study
Authors: Parazzini Fabio , Cipriani Sonia , Zinetti Cornelia , Chatenoud Liliane , Frigerio Luigi , Amuso Giuseppe , Ciammella Massimo , Di Landro Anna , Naldi Luigi 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze the effects of pregnancy and early events in the newborn on the risk of subsequent atopic dermatitis (AD) during the first year of life.Patients and MethodsThis is a prospective multicenter cohort study of newborns during the first year of life. Newborns identified on random days in three obstetrics departments in the area of Bergamo, Lombardy, Northern Italy, were eligible. At baseline, the mothers were interviewed by medical staff during their stay in hospital after delivery. At 6 and 12 months after delivery, a postal questionnaire was sent to the parents. Relative risks were calculated with and without adjustment by multiple regression analysis.ResultsA total of 1081 newborns entered the study: 796 (74%) parents answered the 12‐month questionnaire. Hundred and thirty‐eight (17%) reported a diagnosis of AD at 6 months and 222 (28%) at 12 months. Parental history of AD and/or asthma was associated with an increased risk of AD (RR 1.5, 95%CI 1.1–2.0). Birth weight was slightly associated with an increased risk of AD: RR 1.04, 95%CI 1.001–1.08 (continuous variable, increment of 100 grams). No association emerged between breast feeding, smoking, and risk of AD.ConclusionsThis study in an Italian offspring cohort points to family history of atopic diseases and body weight at birth as relevant risk factors. The study was unable to document associations with other perinatal factors particularly breast feeding and parental smoking in the perinatal period.
A Modified Delphi Survey on the Signs and Symptoms of Low Back Pain: Indicators for an Interventional Management Approach
Authors: Cid José , De La Calle José L. , López Esther , Del Pozo Cristina , Perucho Alfredo , Acedo María Soledad , Bedmar Dolores , Benito Javier , De Andrés Javier , Díaz Susana , García Juan Antonio , Gómez‐Caro Leticia , Gracia Adolfo , Hernández José María , Insausti Joaquín , Madariaga María , Moñino Pedro , Ruiz Manuel , Uriarte Estrella , Vidal Alfonso 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundLow back pain (LBP) symptoms and signs are nonspecific. If required, diagnostic blocks may find the source of pain, but indicators of suspect diagnosis must be defined to identify anatomical targets.ObjectiveTo reach a consensus from an expert panel on the indicators for the most common causes of LBP.Material and MethodsA 3‐round (2 telematic and 1 face‐to‐face) modified Delphi survey with a questionnaire on 78 evidence‐based indicators of 7 LBP etiologies was completed by 23 experts.Results98.7% of the questionnaire was consensuated. The most accepted indicators were for zygapophysial joint pain, painful ipsilateral paravertebral palpation, worsening with trunk extension, paravertebral musculature spasm on the affected articulation, and referred pain above the knee, without radicular pattern. For sacroiliac joint pain, unilateral pain when seating, with at least 3 described provoking tests: Approximation; gapping; Patrick's; Gaenslen's; thigh thrust; Fortin finger; and Gillet's tests. For discogenic pain, midline pain that may be provoked by pressure on the spinal processes at the affected level; for quadratus lumborum muscle, painful palpation on both the L1 level paravertebral region, referred to iliac crest, and the iliac crest, referred to greater trochanter. For iliopsoas muscle, pain elicited by thigh flexion, referred to buttock, inguinal region, and anterior thigh. For pyramidal muscle, pain while sitting on the affected side and positive Freiberg's test. For radicular pain, paresthesias and positive Lassègue's test at 60°.ConclusionSeventy‐seven diagnostic suspect indicators of LBP conditions were consensuated. These may facilitate conservative or interventional pain management decision‐making.
The protective effect of Kaempferia parviflora extract on UVB‐induced skin photoaging in hairless mice
Authors: Park Ji‐Eun , Pyun Hee‐Bong , Woo Seon Wook , Jeong Jae‐Hong , Hwang Jae‐Kwan 
Published: December 2013

SummaryBackgroundChronic skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through c‐Jun and c‐Fos activation. These signaling cascades induce the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, resulting in photoaging.MethodsThis study evaluated the preventive effect of the ethanol extract of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker (black ginger) on UVB‐induced photoaging in vivo. To investigate the antiphotoaging effect of K. parviflora extract (KPE), UVB‐irradiated hairless mice administered oral doses of KPE (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) for 13 weeks.ResultsIn comparison to the UVB control group, KPE significantly prevented wrinkle formation and the loss of collagen fibers with increased type I, III, and VII collagen genes (COL1A1, COL3A1, and COL7A1). The decrease in wrinkle formation was associated with a significant reduction in the UVB‐induced expression of MMP‐2, MMP‐3, MMP‐9, and MMP‐13 via the suppression of c‐Jun and c‐Fos activity. KPE also increased the expression of catalase, which acts as an antioxidant enzyme in skin. In addition, expression of inflammatory mediators, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), was significantly reduced by KPE treatment.ConclusionThe results show that oral administration of KPE significantly prevents UVB‐induced photoaging in hairless mice, suggesting its potential as a natural antiphotoaging material.
Application of sunscreen − theory and reality
Authors: Petersen Bibi , Wulf Hans Christian 
Published: December 2013

SummaryWe present research on sunscreen use with possible pitfalls and discuss theory vs. reality. A literature review in PubMed was conducted using the terms ‘sunscreen application’, ‘sunscreen use’ and ‘sun protection factor’. The sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens are tested using a thickness of 2 mg/cm2, but investigations show that sunscreen under natural conditions is applied insufficiently with amounts about 0.39 to 1.0 mg/cm2, which decreases the protection factor considerably. It has been shown that early reapplication or use of very high SPF (70–100) may partly compensate for the discrepancy between the amounts of sunscreen applied during testing and in reality, and that sunscreen application can be improved by education of consumers. Missing areas and ultraviolet radiation exposure before sunscreen application are other pitfalls that reduce the protective effect of sunscreens considerably. Current sunscreen labelling overrates the protective effect of a given sunscreen when the reality of sunscreen use is taken into account. This may possibly mislead consumers to feel it is safe to extend sun exposure. Alternatively to educating people to use large amounts of sunscreen, we suggest a simple teaching strategy: (1) Apply before sun exposure and (2) Reapply once within 1 h.
Transformations and Invariance in the Sensitivity Analysis of Computer Experiments
Authors: Borgonovo E. , Tarantola S. , Plischke E. , Morris M. D. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryMonotonic transformations are widely employed in statistics and data analysis. In computer experiments they are often used to gain accuracy in the estimation of global sensitivity statistics. However, one faces the question of interpreting results that are obtained on the transformed data back on the original data. The situation is even more complex in computer experiments, because transformations alter the model input–output mapping and distort the estimators. This work demonstrates that the problem can be solved by utilizing statistics which are monotonic transformation invariant. To do so, we offer an investigation into the families of metrics either based on densities or on cumulative distribution functions that are monotonic transformation invariant and we introduce a new generalized family of metrics. Numerical experiments show that transformations allow numerical convergence in the estimates of global sensitivity statistics, both invariant and not, in cases in which it would otherwise be impossible to obtain convergence. However, one fully exploits the increased numerical accuracy if the global sensitivity statistic is monotonic transformation invariant. Conversely, estimators of measures that do not have this invariance property might lead to misleading deductions.
SIS8, a putative mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase, regulates sugar‐resistant seedling development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Huang Yadong , Li Chun Yao , Qi Yiping , Park Sungjin , Gibson Susan I. 
Published: December 2013

SummarySugar signaling pathways have been evolutionarily conserved among eukaryotes and are postulated to help regulate plant growth, development and responses to environmental cues. Forward genetic screens have identified sugar signaling or response mutants. Here we report the identification and characterization of Arabidopsis thaliana sugar insensitive8 (sis8) mutants, which display a sugar‐resistant seedling development phenotype. Unlike many other sugar insensitive mutants, sis8 mutants exhibit wild‐type responses to the inhibitory effects of abscisic acid and paclobutrazol (an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis) on seed germination. Positional cloning of the SIS8 gene revealed that it encodes a putative mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK; At1g73660). SIS8mRNA is expressed ubiquitously among Arabidopsis organs. A UDP‐glucosyltransferase, UGT72E1 (At3g50740), was identified as an interacting partner of SIS8 based on a yeast two‐hybrid screen and in planta bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Both SIS8–yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and UGT72E1–YFP fusion proteins localize to the nucleus when transiently expressed in tobacco leaf cells. T‐DNA insertions in At3g50740 cause a sugar‐insensitive phenotype. These results indicate that SIS8, a putative MAPKKK, is a regulator of sugar response in Arabidopsis and interacts with a UDP‐glucosyltransferase in the nucleus.
SMALL GRAIN 1, which encodes a mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 4, influences grain size in rice
Authors: Duan Penggen , Rao Yuchun , Zeng Dali , Yang Yaolong , Xu Ran , Zhang Baolan , Dong Guojun , Qian Qian , Li Yunhai 
Published: December 2013

SummaryAlthough grain size is one of the most important components of grain yield, little information is known about the mechanisms that determine final grain size in crops. Here we characterize rice small grain1 (smg1) mutants, which exhibit small and light grains, dense and erect panicles and comparatively slightly shorter plants. The short grain and panicle phenotypes of smg1 mutants are caused by a defect in cell proliferation. The smg1 mutations were identified, using a map‐based cloning approach, in mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 4 (OsMKK4). Relatively higher expression of OsMKK4/SMG1 was detected in younger organs than in older ones, consistent with its role in cell proliferation. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)–OsMKK4/SMG1 fusion proteins appear to be distributed ubiquitously in plant cells. Further results revealed that OsMKK4 influenced brassinosteroid (BR) responses and the expression of BR‐related genes. Thus, our findings have identified OsMKK4 as a factor for grain size, and suggest a possible link between the MAPK pathways and BRs in grain growth.
Trade and Innovation in Services: Evidence from a Developing Economy
Authors: Zahler Andrés , Iacovone Leonardo , Mattoo Aaditya 
Published: December 2013

AbstractStudies on innovation and international trade have traditionally focused on manufacturing because neither was seen as important for services. Moreover, the few existing studies on services focus only on industrial countries, even though in many developing countries services are already the largest sector in the economy and an important determinant of overall productivity growth. Using a recent firm‐level innovation survey for Chile to compare the manufacturing and ‘tradable’ services sector, this paper reveals some novel patterns. First, even though services firms have on average a much lower propensity to export than manufacturing firms, services exports are less dominated by large firms and tend to be more skill intensive than manufacturing exports. Second, services firms appear to be as innovative as – and in some cases more innovative than – manufacturing firms, in terms of both inputs and outputs of ‘technological’ innovative activity, even though services innovations more often take a ‘non‐technological’ form. Third, services exporters (like manufacturing exporters) tend to be significantly more innovative than non‐exporters, with a wider gap for innovations close to the global technological frontier. These findings suggest that the growing faith in services as a source of both trade and innovative dynamism may not be misplaced.
Do Domestic Firms Benefit from Foreign Presence and Import Competition in Irish Services Sectors?
Authors: Haller Stefanie A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis paper examines whether domestic firms benefit from the pro‐competitive effects of imports from abroad and from the presence of foreign‐owned firms in the host country in three Irish market‐services sectors between 2001 and 2007. Grouping the three sectors together masks opposing effects in individual sectors. Where significant, the effect of foreign presence on domestic firms tends to be negative, this is mainly the case in wholesale and retail trade. Despite it being of lesser importance than foreign presence in these sectors, import competition from abroad is negatively associated with domestic firms' productivity in wholesale and retail trade, but positively in transport, storage and communication. There is no significant effect of foreign presence or import competition in real estate, rental and business activities. Using capital‐labour ratios as an input‐based indicator related to productivity suggests that domestic firms adapt to increased foreign competition by adjusting their inputs.
Exports and Property Prices in France: Are They Connected?
Authors: Égert Balázs , Kierzenkowski Rafaƚ 
Published: December 2013

AbstractFrance has seen a marked deterioration in its export performance in the last 10 years or so. Previous empirical research pointed out that weak export performance was due to (i) vigorous domestic demand, (ii) lower markups due to head‐to‐head competition with Germany, (iii) low non‐price competitiveness of French export goods, (iv) offshoring of entire production processes (especially in the automobile sector), and (v) difficulties of French manufacturing firms to reach critical size for exporting. This paper adds an additional explanation to this list. We argue that resource reallocation from the exporting to the construction sector triggered by fast rising property prices hindered France to meet world export demandvis‐à‐visits products. Our econometric analysis shows that the resource reallocation argument helps explain French export performance between the early 2000s and 2007, unexplained by traditional models. This result is confirmed for a set of OECD countries that experienced a marked decline in their export performance and sustained real estate boom after 2000.
Approximate, Computationally Efficient Online Learning in Bayesian Spiking Neurons
Authors: Kuhlmann Levin , Hauser-Raspe Michael , Manton Jonathan H. , Grayden David B. , Tapson Jonathan , van Schaik André 
Published: December 2013

Bayesian spiking neurons (BSNs) provide a probabilistic interpretation of how neurons perform inference and learning. Online learning in BSNs typically involves parameter estimation based on maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization (ML-EM) which is computationally slow and limits the potential of studying networks of BSNs. An online learning algorithm, fast learning (FL), is presented that is more computationally efficient than the benchmark ML-EM for a fixed number of time steps as the number of inputs to a BSN increases (e.g., 16.5 times faster run times for 20 inputs). Although ML-EM appears to converge 2.0 to 3.6 times faster than FL, the computational cost of ML-EM means that ML-EM takes longer to simulate to convergence than FL. FL also provides reasonable convergence performance that is robust to initialization of parameter estimates that are far from the true parameter values. However, parameter estimation depends on the range of true parameter values. Nevertheless, for a physiologically meaningful range of parameter values, FL gives very good average estimation accuracy, despite its approximate nature. The FL algorithm therefore provides an efficient tool, complementary to ML-EM, for exploring BSN networks in more detail in order to better understand their biological relevance. Moreover, the simplicity of the FL algorithm means it can be easily implemented in neuromorphic VLSI such that one can take advantage of the energy-efficient spike coding of BSNs.
IgG4 Related disease – a retrospective descriptive study highlighting Canadian experiences in diagnosis and management
Authors: Patel Harshna , Khalili Korosh , Kyoung Kim Tae , Yazdi Leyla , Lee Eric , May Gary , Kortan Paul , Coltescu Catalina , Hirschfield Gideon M 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Appreciating the utility of published diagnostic criteria for autoimmune pancreatitis, when compared to the characteristics of patients clinically managed as having disease, informs and refines ongoing clinical practice.

Methods
Comparative retrospective descriptive evaluation of patients with autoimmune pancreatitis including dedicated radiology review.

Results
66 subjects with radiographic OR clinical features of autoimmune pancreatitis were initially identifiable (Male: n = 50), with 55 confirmed for evaluation. The most common presentation included pain (67%), weight loss (65%), and jaundice (62%). Diffuse enlargement of the pancreas was evident in 38%, whilst multifocal, focal, or atrophic changes were seen in 7%, 33% and 9% respectively. 13% had no pancreatic parenchymal involvement. Peripheral rim enhancement was seen in 23 patients (42%). Where discernible, disease was a) Sclerosing pancreatitis and cholangitis, n = 21; b) Sclerosing cholangitis, n = 9; c) Sclerosing pancreatitis, n = 4; d) Sclerosing pancreatitis and cholangitis with pancreatic pseudotumour, n = 7; e) Sclerosing cholangitis with hepatic pseudotumour, n = 3; f) Sclerosing pancreatitis with pancreatic pseudotumour, n = 1. 56% of the patients had systemic manifestations and the median serum IgG4 at diagnosis was 5.12 g/L. The Korean criteria identified most patients (82%) compared to HISORt (55%) or the Japan Pancreas Society (56%). The majority (HISORt 60%; Japan Pancreas Society 55%; Korean 58%) met diagnostic criterion by radiological findings and elevated serum IgG4. Treatment and response did not differ when stratified by diagnostic criteria.

Conclusion
Our descriptive and retrospective dataset confirms that in non-expert practice settings, autoimmune pancreatitis scoring systems with a focus on radiology and serology capture most patients who are clinically felt to have disease.
Contributions of major smoking-related diseases to reduction in life expectancy associated with smoking in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Han Wei , Jiang Jingmei , Li Junyao , Zeng Xianjia , Zou Xiaonong , Wu Yanping , Chen Yuanli , Zhao Ping , Hou Lei , Pang Haiyu , Liu Boqi 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Cigarette smoking is a prominent risk factor for a wide range of diseases. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of smoking on deaths from major smoking-related diseases (neoplasms, vascular diseases and respiratory diseases) in Chinese adults by estimating the potential gains in life expectancy (LE) that would accrue from eliminating deaths from these diseases, and to determine the contribution of each disease to the reduction in LE associated with smoking.

Methods
Two cohorts of Chinese smokers and non-smokers were constructed from a retrospective national mortality survey that had been conducted in 1989–1991 and included one million all-cause deaths among adults during 1986–1988 in 103 geographical regions. For each cohort, potential gains in LE by eliminating deaths from each major smoking-related disease were estimated. The contributions of each disease to smoking-associated reduction in LE were assessed using the LE decomposition approach.

Results
Among the major smoking-related diseases, it was estimated that elimination of vascular diseases would provide the greatest potential gain in LE (years), regardless of smoking status. The gains for smokers versus non-smokers in populations of urban men, urban women, rural men and rural women aged 35 years were 3.5 vs. 4.3, 3.8 vs. 4.1, 2.4 vs. 3.0, and 2.6 vs. 2.9 years, respectively. Respiratory diseases contributed most to smoking-associated LE reductions in urban women, rural men and rural women of 43.6%, 46.4%, and 62.9%, respectively. In urban men, neoplasms contributed most to smoking-associated LE reduction, their contribution being estimated as 45.8%.

Conclusions
Respiratory disease has the greatest influence on the LE reduction associated with smoking. Thus, smoking prevention could significantly reduce deaths from respiratory disease and improve LE.