bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diabetes in Algeria and challenges for health policy: a literature review of prevalence, cost, management and outcomes of diabetes and its complications
Authors: Lamri Larbi , Gripiotis Erofile , Ferrario Alessandra 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Diabetes has become an increasingly prevalent and severe public health issue in Algeria. This article investigates the prevalence, the cost and the management of this disease. Its first objective is to better understand the burden (both from an epidemiological and economic perspective) and management of diabetes. The second objective is to understand the health policy strategy adopted by Algeria in order to respond to the disease.

Methods
We conducted a literature review of prevalence, costs, management and outcomes of diabetes and its complications. This was complemented by data compilations and results of expert consultations.

Results
The epidemiology of diabetes is continually evolving and is becoming more problematic. The national evidence suggests that the prevalence of diabetes in Algeria has increased from 6.8% in 1990 to 12.29% in 2005, but is quite higher among certain groups and areas of the country. This disease affects all population groups, especially 35–70 year olds, who constitute a large segment of the working population. There are very few estimates of the cost of diabetes. These include a 1998 study on the total cost of type 1 diabetes (USD 11.6 million, which, inflated to 2013 value, totals to USD 16.6 million), a study on the cost of complications in 2010 (at 2013 value, ranging from USD 141 for first-year treatment of peripheral vascular disease to USD 30,441 for first-year cost of renal transplantation) and the 2013 IDF estimates of total cost of type 1 and type 2 diabetes (USD 513 million).

Conclusions
As the prevalence of diabetes continues to increase, the financial burden will increasingly weigh heavily on social security resources and the government budget. Future priorities must focus on empowering general practitioners in treating type 2 diabetes, improving screening of diabetes and its complications, tackling the growing obesity epidemic, strengthening health information systems and implementing the national diabetes prevention and control plan.
Expression of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase pi in canine mammary tumors
Authors: Leonel Camila , Gelaleti Gabriela B , Jardim Bruna V , Moschetta Marina G , Regiani Vitor R , Oliveira Juliana G , Zuccari Debora APC 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Glutathione (GSH) is one of the most important agents of the antioxidant defense system of the cell because, in conjunction with the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione S transferase pi (GSTpi), it plays a central role in the detoxification and biotransformation of chemotherapeutic drugs. This study evaluated the expression of GSH and the GSH-Px and GSTpi enzymes by immunohistochemistry in 30 canine mammary tumors, relating the clinicopathological parameters, clinical outcome and survival of the bitches. In an in vitro study, the expression of the genes glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLC) and glutathione synthetase (GSS) that synthesize GSH and GSH-Px gene were verified by qPCR and subjected to treatment with doxorubicin, to check the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy.

Results
The immunohistochemical expression of GSH, GSH-Px and GSTpi was compared with the clinical and pathological characteristics and the clinical outcome in the bitches, including metastasis and death.
The results showed that high immunoexpression of GSH was correlated to the absence of tumor ulceration and was present in dogs without metastasis (P < 0.05). There was significant correlation of survival with the increase of GSH (P < 0.05). The expression of the GSH-Px and GSTpi enzymes showed no statistically significant correlation with the analyzed variables (p > 0.05). The analysis of the relative expression of genes responsible for the synthesis of GSH (GCLC and GSS) and GSH-Px by quantitative PCR was done with cultured cells of 10 tumor fragments from dogs with mammary tumors.
The culture cells showed a decrease in GCLC and GSS expression when compared with no treated cells (P < 0.05). High GSH immunoexpression was associated with better clinical outcomes.

Conclusion
Therefore, high expression of the GSH seems to play an important role in the clinical outcome of patients with mammary tumors and suggest its use as prognostic marker. The in vitro doxorubicin treatment significantly reduces the expression of GCLC and GSS genes so we can consider them to be candidates for predictive markers of therapeutic response in mammary cancer.
Gastric adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis are common, but subtle, and have a benign course
Authors: Ngamruengphong Saowanee , Boardman Lisa A , Heigh Russell I , Krishna Murli , Roberts Maegan E , Riegert-Johnson Douglas L 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are known to have an increased risk for gastric adenomas. The clinical features of gastric adenomas in FAP have not been well characterized, and there is a lack of standardized approaches to the management of these lesions.

Aims
To study the endoscopic appearance, risk factors, clinical course, and response to therapy of gastric adenomas in patients with FAP.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the records of 97 patients with FAP who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at Mayo Clinic (Florida, Rochester and Arizona) between 2004 and 2013.

Results
Nine patients (9%) had biopsy-proven gastric adenomas. Adenomas were located in the antrum (five patients), in the body and fundus in the setting of background fundic gland polyps (FGP) (three patients), and in the body not associated with FGP (one patient). Adenoma size was 3–40 mm and the number of adenomas per patient ranged from one to 20. Adenomas in the antrum were flat and subtle, whereas those in the gastric body or fundus were polypoid and difficult to differentiate from the cystic FGPs seen in patients with FAP. The performing endoscopists reported difficulty with identifying adenomas, and six patients had at least one EGD within the previous three years where gastric adenomas were not reported. Adenomas were classified as tubular in eight patients and tubulovillous in one patient. High grade dysplasia was noted in one patient. After a median follow-up of 63 months (interquartile range: 20–149 months), no patient in our entire cohort (with or without gastric adenomas) developed gastric cancer. The patients in whom gastric adenoma developed, compared to those without gastric adenoma, were more likely to be younger [36 ± 12 vs. 48 ± 15 years, p = 0.02], have concomitant chronic gastritis [22% vs. 0%, p = 0.008], and have desmoid tumors [5 (56%) vs. 19 (22%), p = 0.04].

Conclusions
Gastric adenomas are not uncommon in patients with FAP and are often difficult to identify endoscopically. Endoscopists should have a high degree of suspicion for gastric adenomas in these patients and a low threshold to biopsy. Given the benign clinical course, recommended initial management is conservative with endoscopic therapy and periodic surveillance.
Divergent dysregulation of gene expression in murine models of fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis
Authors: Kong Sek Won , Sahin Mustafa , Collins Christin D , Wertz Mary H , Campbell Malcolm G , Leech Jarrett D , Krueger Dilja , Bear Mark F , Kunkel Louis M , Kohane Isaac S 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis are genetic syndromes that both have a high rate of comorbidity with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several lines of evidence suggest that these two monogenic disorders may converge at a molecular level through the dysfunction of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity.

Methods
To explore the characteristics of transcriptomic changes in these monogenic disorders, we profiled genome-wide gene expression levels in cerebellum and blood from murine models of fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis.

Results
Differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways were distinct for the two murine models examined, with the exception of immune response-related pathways. In the cerebellum of the Fmr1 knockout (Fmr1- KO) model, the neuroactive ligand receptor interaction pathway and gene sets associated with synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation, gap junction, and axon guidance were the most significantly perturbed pathways. The phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway was significantly dysregulated in both cerebellum and blood of Fmr1-KO mice. In Tsc2 heterozygous (+/−) mice, immune system-related pathways, genes encoding ribosomal proteins, and glycolipid metabolism pathways were significantly changed in both tissues.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that distinct molecular pathways may be involved in ASD with known but different genetic causes and that blood gene expression profiles of Fmr1- KO and Tsc2+/− mice mirror some, but not all, of the perturbed molecular pathways in the brain.
ICMEg – the Integrated Computational Materials Engineering expert group – a new European coordination action
Authors: Schmitz Georg J , Prahl Ulrich 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIntegrated Computational Materials Engineering, or ICME, applies a range of software tools in simultaneous or consecutive combinations. Major successful developments in the area of ICME up to the present have been essentially driven by academic and industrial users of simulation software. Starting with a brief overview of the benefits provided by ICME, the present article will give a short outline of the ICMEg consortium, the I ntegrated C omputational M aterials E ngineering expert g roup, and the related European project. The vision and mission of this project is defined and its practical implementation detailed. The chief aim of ICMEg is to set up a global and open communication standard and protocols on the component scale, on the microstructural scale, as well as basic underlying thermodynamic models and discrete models on the electronic, atomistic and mesoscopic scales.
Soluble factors secreted by differentiating embryonic stem cells stimulate exogenous cell proliferation and migration
Authors: Ngangan Alyssa V , Waring James C , Cooke Marissa T , Mandrycky Christian J , McDevitt Todd C 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Stem cells are being investigated as catalysts of tissue regeneration to either directly replace or promote cellularity lost as a result of traumatic injury or degenerative disease. In many reports, despite low numbers of stably integrated cells, the transient presence of cells delivered or recruited to sites of tissue remodeling globally benefits functional recovery. Such findings have motivated the need to determine how paracrine factors secreted from transplanted cells may be capable of positively impacting endogenous repair processes and somatic cell responses.

Methods
Embryonic stem cells were differentiated as embryoid bodies (EBs) in vitro and media conditioned by EBs were collected at different intervals of time. Gene and protein expression analysis of several different growth factors secreted by EBs were examined by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis, respectively, as a function of time. The proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and endothelial cells treated with EB conditioned media was examined compared with unconditioned and growth media controls.

Results
The expression of several growth factors, including bone morphogenic protein-4, insulin-like growth factors and vascular endothelial growth factor-A, increased during the course of embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation as EBs. Conditioned media collected from EBs at different stages of differentiation stimulated proliferation and migration of both fibroblasts and endothelial cells, based on 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation and transwell assays, respectively.

Conclusions
Overall, these results demonstrate that differentiating ESCs express increasing amounts of various growth factors over time that altogether are capable of stimulating mitogenic and motogenic activity of exogenous cell populations.
Human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells promote skin wound healing through paracrine signaling
Authors: Arno Anna I , Amini-Nik Saeid , Blit Patrick H , Al-Shehab Mohammed , Belo Cassandra , Herer Elaine , Tien Col Homer , Jeschke Marc G 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Introduction
The prevalence of nonhealing wounds is predicted to increase due to the growing aging population. Despite the use of novel skin substitutes and wound dressings, poorly vascularized wound niches impair wound repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to provide paracrine signals to promote wound healing, but the effect of human Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs) has not yet been described in human normal skin.
The aim of this study is to examine the effects of human WJ-MSC paracrine signaling on normal skin fibroblasts in vitro, and in an in vivo preclinical model.

Methods
Human WJ-MSCs and normal skin fibroblasts were isolated from donated umbilical cords and normal adult human skin. Fibroblasts were treated with WJ-MSC-conditioned medium (WJ-MSC-CM) or nonconditioned medium.

Results
Expression of genes involved in re-epithelialization (transforming growth factor-β2), neovascularization (hypoxia-inducible factor-1α) and fibroproliferation (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) was upregulated in WJ-MSC-CM-treated fibroblasts (P ≤ 0.05). WJ-MSC-CM enhanced normal skin fibroblast proliferation (P ≤ 0.001) and migration (P ≤ 0.05), and promoted wound healing in an excisional full-thickness skin murine model.

Conclusions
Under our experimental conditions, WJ-MSCs enhanced skin wound healing in an in vivo mouse model.
When Kerry Met Sally: Politics and Perceptions in the Demand for Movies
Authors: Roos Jason M. T. , Shachar Ron 
Published: February 2014

Movie producers and exhibitors make various decisions requiring an understanding of moviegoer's preferences at the local level. Two examples of such decisions are exhibitors' allocation of screens to movies and producers' allocation of advertising across different regions of the country. This study presents a predictive model of local demand for movies with two unique features. First, arguing that consumers' political tendencies have an unutilized predictive power for marketing models, we allow consumers' heterogeneity to depend on their voting tendencies. Second, instead of relying on the commonly used genre classifications to characterize movies, we estimate latent movie attributes. These attributes are not determined a priori by industry professionals but rather reflect consumers' perceptions, as revealed by their moviegoing behavior. Box-office data over five years from 25 counties in the U.S. Midwest provide support for this model. First, consumers' preferences are related to their political tendencies. For example, we find that counties that voted for congressional Republicans prefer movies starring young, Caucasian, female actors over those starring African American, male actors. Second, perceived attributes provide new insights into consumers' preferences. For example, one of these attributes is the movie's degree of seriousness. Finally, and most importantly, the two improvements proposed here have a meaningful impact on forecasting error, decreasing it by 12.6%. This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Spatial Variability of the Dominant Climate Signal in <i>Cassiope tetragona</i> from Sites in Arctic Canada
Authors: Rayback Shelly A. , Lini Andrea , Henry Gregory H.R. 
Published: February 2014

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">Our study investigates the nature of the climate signal in three populations of the Arctic dwarf-shrub <em>Cassiope tetragona </em>using dendrochronological and stable isotope analysis techniques. We present 15 new <em>C. tetragona </em>chronologies from three sites (Axel Heiberg, Bathurst, and Devon islands) in the eastern Canadian Arctic, of which three are the first continuous stable carbon isotope ratio (δ¹³C) time series developed for Arctic shrubs. Correlation and multivariate regression analyses revealed that multiple and different climate factors influenced the chronologies within and between the three sites. At the Axel Heiberg Island site, the dominant climatic influences over annual stem elongation were previous year (t-1) and current year (t) summer precipitation, while annual production of flower buds was influenced by (t) winter precipitation and spring temperature. At Bathurst Island, annual production of flower buds responded to (t-1) growing season sunshine hours and winter precipitation and to (t) late growing season temperature and moisture availability. Our analysis of the Axel </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;">H</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">eiberg and Bathurst Island models revealed the positive influence on δ</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">13</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">C values of (t-1) winter temperature—and on </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;">B</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">athurst Island only, of (t-1) spring sunshine hours. The combined influence of these parameters on spring moisture availability suggests that the δ</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">13</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">C ratios varied in response to stomatal conductance. At Devon Island, the δ</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">13</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">C values varied in response to (t) and (t-1) spring and summer temperature and spring and fall solar radiation, which in turn influence the rate of photosynthesis. Our study supports the emerging hypothesis that Arctic shrubs are sensitive to climate. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;">H</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">owever, strong spatial variation in plant-climate response characterized our sampling sites. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;">T</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #221e1f;">his variation may be linked to site sensitivity, or regional climate variability due to geographic and topographic differences, or both. </span>
Plastic scintillators for positron emission tomography obtained by the bulk polymerization method
Authors: Kapłon Łukasz , Kochanowski Andrzej , Molenda Marcin , Moskal Paweł , Wieczorek Anna , Bednarski Tomasz , Białas Piotr , Czerwiński Eryk , Korcyl Grzegorz , Kowal Jakub , Kowalski Paweł , Kozik Tomasz , Krzemień Wojciech , Niedźwiecki Szymon , Pałka Marek , Pawlik Monika , Raczyński Lech , Rudy Zbigniew , Salabura Piotr , Gupta-Sharma Neha , Silarski Michał , Słomski Artur , Smyrski Jerzy , Strzelecki Adam , Wiślicki Wojciech , Zieliński Marcin , Zoń Natalia 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
This paper describes three methods regarding the production of plastic scintillators. One method appears to be suitable for the manufacturing of plastic scintillators, revealing properties which fulfill the requirements of novel positron emission tomography scanners based on plastic scintillators. The key parameters of the manufacturing process are determined and discussed.
Study of the relationship between characteristics of aramid fibrids and mechanical property of aramid paper using DSC
Authors: Zhao Huifang , Zhu Yinbang , Sha Lizheng 
Published: February 2014

AbstractFiber classification of aramid fibrids was carried out using a Bauer-McNett fiber classifier, and the molecular weight and thermal properties of different sizes of aramid fibrids were determined with viscometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Aramid handsheets were made from different sizes of aramid fibrids and aramid short fibers, and the relationship between mechanical strength of aramid handsheets and thermal properties of aramid fibrids was examined. In addition, aramid papers from four different sources were also investigated to elucidate the relationship between their thermal properties and mechanical strength. It was found that aramid fibrids passing through 30-mesh screens and remaining on 50-mesh screens and aramid fibrids with narrower molecular weight distribution are suitable for the production of high-strength aramid papers. Lower crystallinity and wider molecular weight distribution are important contributors to the lower mechanical strength of domestic aramid paper when compared to that of Nomex paper.
Effect of specimen configuration on the measurement of off-axis logarithmic decrement of solid wood measured by longitudinal and flexural vibration tests
Authors: Yoshihara Hiroshi , Yoshinobu Masahiro 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) lumber was tested in terms of off-axis modulus of elasticity (MOEoff-axis) and off-axis logarithmic decrement (λ
off-axis) by longitudinal and flexural vibration (VTlong and VTflex) methods. Similar to the results obtained in a previous study, these results indicate that the values of MOEoff-axis are dependent on the length-to-width ratio of specimens when the value of off-axis angle (θ) is approximately 15°. Although the λ
off-axis values are also dependent on the length-to-width ratio, the dependence is not pronounced over a specific range of θ. To measure the λ
off-axis value accurately, as well as the MOEoff-axis value, the specimen should be sufficiently slender.
Locally Efficient Estimation of Marginal Treatment Effects When Outcomes Are Correlated: Is the Prize Worth the Chase?
Authors: Stephens Alisa , Tchetgen Tchetgen Eric , De Gruttola Victor 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSemiparametric methods have been developed to increase efficiency of inferences in randomized trials by incorporating baseline covariates. Locally efficient estimators of marginal treatment effects, which achieve minimum variance under an assumed model, are available for settings in which outcomes are independent. The value of the pursuit of locally efficient estimators in other settings, such as when outcomes are multivariate, is often debated. We derive and evaluate semiparametric locally efficient estimators of marginal mean treatment effects when outcomes are correlated; such outcomes occur in randomized studies with clustered or repeated-measures responses. The resulting estimating equations modify existing generalized estimating equations (GEE) by identifying the efficient score under a mean model for marginal effects when data contain baseline covariates. Locally efficient estimators are implemented for longitudinal data with continuous outcomes and clustered data with binary outcomes. Methods are illustrated through application to AIDS Clinical Trial Group Study 398, a longitudinal randomized clinical trial that compared the effects of various protease inhibitors in HIV-positive subjects who had experienced antiretroviral therapy failure. In addition, extensive simulation studies characterize settings in which locally efficient estimators result in efficiency gains over suboptimal estimators and assess their feasibility in practice.