bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Takei Yoshiyuki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTreatment of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease involves not only the management of the liver disease itself but the associated metabolic risk factors as well. However, no single treatment has been shown to be universally efficacious. Effective treatment regimens directed at both decreasing insulin resistance as well as the processes of necroinflammation have been investigated and include lifestyle intervention, surgical treatment, and pharmacotherapy. Lifestyle modification, weight loss, and physical activity represent the cornerstone of treatment. Given the important role of insulin resistance in the pathophysiology of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, thiazolidinediones are used to improve insulin resistance. Ongoing large multicenter studies will provide information about long‐term efficacy and safety of pioglitazone in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis. Many other medications have shown promising results in the investigations using animal models and in preliminary pilot studies. Because the sample sizes of these studies were relatively small and the durations were short, further validation is required.
Role of the gut microbiota in human nutrition and metabolism
Authors: Ramakrishna Balakrishnan S 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe human gastrointestinal tract harbors trillions of bacteria, most of which are commensal and have adapted over time to the milieu of the human colon. Their many metabolic interactions with each other, and with the human host, influence human nutrition and metabolism in diverse ways. Our understanding of these influences has come through breakthroughs in the molecular profiling of the phylogeny and the metabolic capacities of the microbiota. The gut microbiota produce a variety of nutrients including short‐chain fatty acids, B vitamins, and vitamin K. Because of their ability to interact with receptors on epithelial cells and subepithelial cells, the microbiota also release a number of cellular factors that influence human metabolism. Thus, they have potential roles in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cognition, which extend well beyond their traditional contribution to nutrition. This review explores the roles of the gut microbiota in human nutrition and metabolism, and the putative mechanisms underlying these effects.
The effect of simvastatin on systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction induced by periodontitis
Authors: Machado W. M. , Prestes A. P. , Costa T. P. , Mendes R. T. , Olchanheski L. R. , Sordi R. , Otuki M. F. , Fávero G. M. , Vellosa J. C. R. , Santos F. A. , Fernandes D. 
Published: November 2013

Background and ObjectiveIt has been demonstrated that periodontitis induces systemic inflammation, which may impair endothelial function leading to increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of simvastatin on systemic inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction induced by periodontitis.Material and MethodsWistar rats were subjected to ligature‐induced experimental periodontitis. Eight days after the procedure, the ligature and sham groups were randomly assigned to receive simvastatin or vehicle once a day until the 14th day, when the effects of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside on blood pressure were evaluated. Blood samples were collected and evaluated for plasma interleukin‐6C, ‐reactive protein and lipids. The maxilla and mandible were removed for bone loss analysis.ResultsSimvastatin treatment reduced systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction induced by periodontitis. Furthermore, simvastatin improved the blood lipid profile and reduced alveolar bone loss.ConclusionSimvastatin treatment, in addition to the improvement on serum lipid profile, may reduce other predictors of cardiovascular events associated with periodontitis.
The Efficacy and Safety of Ospemifene in Treating Dyspareunia Associated with Postmenopausal Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cui Yuanshan , Zong Huantao , Yan Huilei , Li Nan , Zhang Yong 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Ospemifene, a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator, has been developed for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy and dyspareunia in postmenopausal women.

Aim
We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of the drug for treating dyspareunia associated with postmenopausal vulvar and vaginal atrophy.

Methods
A literature review was performed to identify all published randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of ospemifene for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy and dyspareunia. The search included the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The reference lists of the retrieved studies were also investigated. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.

Main Outcome Measures
Six publications involving a total of 1,772 patients were used in the analysis, including three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were short-term (12 weeks) comparisons of ospemifene with placebo and three RCTs that were long-term (1 year) comparisons of ospemifene with placebo.

Results
For the comparison of short-term ospemifene with placebo, parabasal cells (the standardized mean difference [SMD] = −37.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −41.83 to −33.17, P &lt; 0.00001), superficial cells (SMD = 9.24, 95% CI = 7.70 to 10.79, P &lt; 0.00001), vaginal PH (SMD = −0.89, 95% CI = −0.98 to −0.80, P = 0.00001), and dyspareunia (SMD = −0.37, 95% CI = −0.43 to −0.30, P = 0.00001) indicated that ospemifene was more effective than the placebo. For the comparison of long-term ospemifene with placebo, endometrial thickness (SMD = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.58 to 1.23, P = 0.00001), treatment emergent adverse event, discontinuations due to adverse event, and serious adverse event indicated that ospemifene was generally safe.

Conclusions
This meta-analysis indicates that ospemifene to be an effective and safe treatment for dyspareunia associated with postmenopausal vulvar and vaginal atrophy.
Determinants of Sexual Activity in Four Birth Cohorts of Swedish 70-year-olds Examined 1971–2001
Authors: Beckman Nils , Waern Margda , Östling Svante , Sundh Valter , Skoog Ingmar 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Knowledge about determinants of sexual activity in older adults in the general population is limited. Human senescence has been delayed by a decade, and people are reaching old age in better health.

Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate determinants of sexual activity in four birth cohorts of non-demented 70-year-olds examined in 1971–1977 and 1992–2001.

Main Outcome Measure
The main outcome measure was sexual activity (defined as intercourse) during the past year.

Methods
The study is based on cross-sectional data from four population samples of 70-year-olds from Gothenburg, Sweden (N = 1,407) systematically sampled from the Swedish population register.

Results
In the time periods 1971–1972 and 2000–2001, sexual activity among men increased from 47% to 66%, and in women from 12% to 34%. Sexual activity was related to positive attitude toward sexuality, sexual debut before age 20, having a very happy relationship, having a physically and mentally healthy partner, self-reported good global health, interviewer-rated good mental health, being married/cohabiting, satisfaction with sleep, and drinking alcohol more than three times a week. Having an older partner, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, higher physical health-sum score, and depression were related to less sexual activity. Interaction effects for birth cohort, with stronger positive associations in 1971–1972, were found for positive attitude toward sexuality, strong desire at age 20–30, premarital sexuality, having a younger partner, self-reported good global health, interviewer-rated good global mental health, overweight, and satisfaction with sleep. Having an older partner and depression showed stronger negative associations in the 1970s. Physical health-sum score showed a stronger negative association in 1992–2001.

Conclusions
We found that determinants of sexual activity in older people are numerous and varied, and change over time. It is thus important that health professionals and others take a holistic approach when dealing with sexual problems in older adults. Sexual aging should be part of health care and medical education. Clinicians should be trained to ask older patients about sexual concerns.
Long‐term experience of steroid‐free pediatric renal transplantation: Effects on graft function, body mass index, and longitudinal growth
Authors: Wittenhagen Per , Thiesson Helle C. , Baudier François , Pedersen Erik B. , Neland Mette 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIncreased focus on the potential negative side effects of steroid usage in pediatric transplantation has led to steroid minimization or steroid‐free transplantation. In this study, we report results after complete steroid avoidance in renal transplantation in the period 1994–2009. We evaluate the effects of complete steroid avoidance on allograft function, BMI, and linear growth. The majority of transplanted children were induced with antithymocyte globulin and immunosuppressed with a calcineurin inhibitor and mycophenolate mofetil. Steroids were given only when rejection occurred or due to comorbidities. Anthropometric data were collected from 65 transplantations in 60 children. Patient survival was 93%; graft survival was 81% after five yr (N = 42) and 63% after 10 yr (N = 16). Acute rejection within the first year of transplantation was 9%. The distribution of the children's BMI before transplantation was normal; the mean BMI‐SDS was 0.21 before transplantation, and this value remained stable during the next five yr. Post‐transplantation the children demonstrated significant improved growth as the mean height‐SDS increased significantly from −1.7 to −1.1. Catch‐up growth was most pronounced in the youngest (< six yr). Steroid‐free immunosuppression in pediatric renal transplantation is safe and protects against steroid‐induced obesity and short stature.
Theorizing the US Racial State: Sociology Since Racial Formation
Authors: Jung Moon‐Kie , Kwon Yaejoon 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThis article reviews theoretical developments in the sociology of the US racial state since the publication of Michael Omi and Howard Winant's groundbreaking Racial Formation in the United States. After briefly outlining their theory, it surveys the still diminutive literature and concludes by pointing to promising future directions, drawing on insights from other disciplines and incipient stirrings from within sociology. Destabilizing the unquestioned assumption that the United States is and has been a nation‐state, the article reconceptualizes it as an empire‐state. This turn establishes a firmer footing for the claim that the United States is intrinsically a racial state and yields a generative framework for reconsidering and stimulating scholarship toward more effective analysis and critique.
Studying Social Movements: Challenges and Opportunities for Participant Observation
Authors: Uldam Julie , McCurdy Patrick 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe research method of participant observation has long been used by scholars interested in the motivations, dynamics, tactics and strategies of social movements from a movement perspective. Despite participant observation being a common research method, there have been very few efforts to bring together this literature, which has often been spread across disciplines. This makes it difficult to identify the various challenges (and their interrelation) facing participant observers. Consequently, this article first reviews how participant observation roles have been conceptualised in general and then draws specific links to how the method has been used in the study of activism and social movements. In doing so, this article brings together key academic debates on participant observation, which have been considered separately, such as insider/outsider and overt/covert, but not previously been brought together.
Impact of Stroke Care Unit on Patient Outcomes in a Community Hospital
Authors: Tamm Alexander , Siddiqui Muzaffar , Shuaib Ashfaq , Butcher Ken , Jassal Rajive , Muratoglu Mikael , Buck Brian H. 
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose—
Geographically distinct multidisciplinary stroke care units (SCUs) have been shown by systematic reviews to have superior patient outcomes compared with conventional care in general medical wards. However, the effectiveness of SCUs in smaller North American community hospitals is less well defined. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of establishing a specialized SCU at a community hospital on patient outcomes.

Methods—

This is a retrospective cohort study of 805 patients with stroke admitted to 2 community hospitals in Edmonton, Canada, from 2003 to 2009 using an administrative database. Stroke was identified by
International Classification of Disease, 10th Edition
, codes. One of the community hospitals established a SCU on January 1, 2007. This date was used to subdivide the patient population into 2 cohorts: phase 1 from 2003 to 2006 and phase 2 from 2007 to 2009. Outcomes measured were mortality, discharge disposition, length of stay, and complications and were adjusted for age, sex, and medical comorbidities.

Results—

Patient mortality decreased significantly from 17.1% to 8.3% (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31–0.95) after SCU implementation, whereas it remained ≈19% at the control hospital. SCU also increased the odds that patients would be discharged home independently (adjusted OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.49–3.15;
P
<0.001] without increasing length of stay.

Conclusions—
Establishing a SCU in a community hospital not only increases the survival of stroke patients, but also the proportion of patients discharged home to live independently. The benefits of SCU reported in larger tertiary centers extend to smaller community hospitals with more limited resources.
Quality of Care and Outcomes for In-Hospital Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Cumbler Ethan , Wald Heidi , Bhatt Deepak L. , Cox Margueritte , Xian Ying , Reeves Mathew , Smith Eric E. , Schwamm Lee , Fonarow Gregg C. 
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose—
Analysis of quality of care for in-hospital stroke has not been previously performed at the national level. This study compares patient characteristics, process measures of quality, and outcomes for in-hospital strokes with those for community-onset strokes in a national cohort.

Methods—
We performed a retrospective cohort study of the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) database of The American Heart Association from January 2006 to April 2012, using data from 1280 sites that reported ≥1 in-hospital stroke. Patient characteristics, comorbid illnesses, medications, quality of care measures, and outcomes were analyzed for 21 349 in-hospital ischemic strokes compared with 928 885 community-onset ischemic strokes.

Results—

Patients with in-hospital stroke had more thromboembolic risk factors, including atrial fibrillation, prosthetic heart valves, carotid stenosis, and heart failure (
P
<0.0001), and experienced more severe strokes (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Score 9.0 versus 4.0;
P
<0.0001). Using GWTG-Stroke achievement measures, the proportion of patients with defect-free care was lower for in-hospital strokes (60.8% versus 82.0%;
P
<0.0001). After accounting for patient and hospital characteristics, patients with in-hospital strokes were less likely to be discharged home (adjusted odds ratio 0.37; 95% confidence intervals [0.35–0.39]) or be able to ambulate independently at discharge (adjusted odds ratio 0.42; 95% confidence intervals [0.39–0.45]). In-hospital mortality was higher for in-hospital stroke (adjusted odds ratio 2.72; 95% confidence intervals [2.57–2.88]).

Conclusions—
Compared with community-onset ischemic stroke, patients with in-hospital stroke experienced more severe strokes, received lower adherence to process-based quality measures, and had worse outcomes. These findings suggest there is an important opportunity for targeted quality improvement efforts for patients with in-hospital stroke.
Adrenal adenoma and metastasis from clear cell renal cell carcinoma: can they be differentiated using standard MR techniques?
Authors: Woo Sungmin , Cho Jeong Yeon , Kim Sang Youn , Kim Seung Hyup 
Published: November 2013

Background Chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been known to successfully differentiate adenomas from metastases. However, there has been concern that metastasis from extra-adrenal primary malignancies which contain high lipid content such as clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) could mimic adrenal adenomas. Purpose To evaluate the ability of MR to differentiate adrenal adenoma from metastasis using chemical-shift imaging and MR feature analysis in patients with clear cell RCC. Material and Methods This study was institutional review board-approved; informed consent was waived. Eleven patients with 13 metastases and 13 patients with 15 adrenal adenomas in patients with clear cell RCC for evaluation of an adrenal mass underwent MR. Signal intensity on in- and opposed-phases, signal intensity index (SII), size, T2 SI, cystic change, necrosis, and hemorrhage were evaluated. Statistical analyses included Student t-test and Fisher exact test. If available, precontrast CT attenuation of the adrenal adenomas was measured. SII was correlated with attenuation using Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Mean size of adenomas was smaller than that of metastases ( P < 0.002). Mean SII of adenomas (45.0% ± 24.6) was significantly greater than that of metastases (6.6% ± 4.7; P < 0.001). With a threshold of 16.5% for SII, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for adenomas were 80%, 100%, and 89.2%, respectively. All six lipid-rich adenomas were diagnosed as adrenal adenoma. Three of eight (37.5%) lipid-poor adenomas were misdiagnosed as metastases. While up to 53.8% (7/13) of the metastases demonstrated cystic change, necrosis, or hemorrhage, only one (6.7%) adenoma exhibited cystic change or necrosis ( P < 0.05 for all). Precontrast attenuation and SII were significantly correlated: r = –0.810 ( P < 0.001). Conclusion In patients with clear cell RCC who underwent MR for adrenal masses, SII and MR features such as cystic change, necrosis, and hemorrhage were helpful in differentiating adenomas from metastases.
Diverse T-cell responses characterize the different manifestations of cutaneous graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Brüggen Marie-Charlotte , Klein Irene , Greinix Hildegard , Bauer Wolfgang , Kuzmina Zoya , Rabitsch Werner , Kalhs Peter , Petzelbauer Peter , Knobler Robert , Stingl Georg , Stary Georg 
Published: November 2013

Key PointsDistinct T-cell patterns characterize the acute and chronic forms of cutaneous GVHD. Increased TSLP expression is an indicator of acute cutaneous GVHD development.
Reconciliation-based detection of co-evolving gene families
Authors: Chan Yao-ban , Ranwez Vincent , Scornavacca Celine 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Genes located in the same chromosome region share common evolutionary events more often than other genes (e.g. a segmental duplication of this region). Their evolution may also be related if they are involved in the same protein complex or biological process. Identifying co-evolving genes can thus shed light on ancestral genome structures and functional gene interactions.

Results
We devise a simple, fast and accurate probability method based on species tree-gene tree reconciliations to detect when two gene families have co-evolved. Our method observes the number and location of predicted macro-evolutionary events, and estimates the probability of having the observed number of common events by chance.

Conclusions
Simulation studies confirm that our method effectively identifies co-evolving families. This opens numerous perspectives on genome-scale analysis where this method could be used to pinpoint co-evolving gene families and thus help to unravel ancestral genome arrangements or undocumented gene interactions.
TTG2-regulated development is related to expression of putative AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR genes in tobacco
Authors: Zhu Qian , Li Baoyan , Mu Shuyuan , Han Bing , Cui Runzhi , Xu Manyu , You Zhenzhen , Dong Hansong 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
The phytohormone auxin mediates a stunning array of plant development through the functions of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORs (ARFs), which belong to transcription factors and are present as a protein family comprising 10–43 members so far identified in different plant species. Plant development is also subject to regulation by TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA (TTG) proteins, such as NtTTG2 that we recently characterized in tobacco Nicotiana tabacum. To find the functional linkage between TTG and auxin in the regulation of plant development, we performed de novo assembly of the tobacco transcriptome to identify candidates of NtTTG2-regulated ARF genes.

Results
The role of NtTTG2 in tobacco growth and development was studied by analyzing the biological effects of gene silencing and overexpression. The NtTTG2 gene silencing causes repressive effects on vegetative growth, floral anthocyanin synthesis, flower colorization, and seed production. By contrast, the plant growth and development processes are promoted by NtTTG2 overexpression. The growth/developmental function of NtTTG2 associates with differential expression of putative ARF genes identified by de novo assembly of the tobacco transcriptome. The transcriptome contains a total of 54,906 unigenes, including 30,124 unigenes (54.86%) with annotated functions and at least 8,024 unigenes (14.61%) assigned to plant growth and development. The transcriptome also contains 455 unigenes (0.83%) related to auxin responses, including 40 putative ARF genes. Based on quantitative analyses, the expression of the putative genes is either promoted or inhibited by NtTTG2.

Conclusions
The biological effects of the NtTTG2 gene silencing and overexpression suggest that NtTTG2 is an essential regulator of growth and development in tobacco. The effects of the altered NtTTG2 expression on expression levels of putative ARF genes identified in the transcriptome suggest that NtTTG2 functions in relation to ARF transcription factors.