bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Positive association between serum thymic stromal lymphopoietin and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Koyama K , Ohba T , Haro H , Nakao A 
Published: March 2015

Summary
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has been suggested recently to play an important role in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there is little information on serum TSLP concentrations in RA and its clinical significance. The present study investigated whether serum TSLP concentrations were affected in patients with RA. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we measured TSLP concentrations in the serum obtained from 100 patients with RA, 60 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 34 healthy volunteers. We also investigated the correlation between serum TSLP concentrations and clinical parameters of disease activity in RA [disease activity score using 28 joint counts (DAS28)-C-reactive protein (CRP), DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI]), patient's/-physician's Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), swollen joints count, tender joints count, CRP, ESR and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) concentrations]. In addition, we investigated the correlation between serum TSLP concentrations and anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) and serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Serum TSLP levels in patients with RA were significantly higher than those in patients with OA and in healthy volunteers. Interestingly, serum TSLP concentrations were correlated significantly with ACPA titres, but not with other clinical parameters. There was a significant increase in serum TSLP concentrations in patients with RA, which was correlated positively with serum ACPA titres. These findings suggest that in patients with RA, TSLP may play a role in ACPA production by B cells.
Severe micrognathia with 21 trisomy assessed prenatally by performing three‐dimensional computed tomography
Authors: Shigeta Naoya , Kanagawa Takeshi , Mimura Kazuya , Kimura Tadashi 
Published: March 2015

AbstractSevere micrognathia can lead to death shortly after birth without a proper resuscitation. However, it is difficult to develop an effective resuscitation strategy without a prenatal diagnosis of the severity of micrognathia. In the present case, we used fetal three‐dimensional computed tomography (3D‐CT) to assess the severity of micrognathia. Its images clearly demonstrated bony framework of mandible and suggested that mandibular hypoplasia was too severe to allow for oral intubation. We therefore decided that the ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure would be more appropriate to establish the airway at birth. The prenatal 3D‐CT is useful to evaluate the mandibular anatomy in utero if the severity of the micrognathia is not confirmed by the ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Racial disparities in reaching the renal transplant waitlist: is geography as important as race?
Authors: Saunders Milda R. , Lee Haena , Alexander G. Caleb , Tak Hyo Jung , Thistlethwaite J. Richard , Ross Lainie Friedman 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundIn the United States, African Americans and whites differ in access to the deceased donor renal transplant waitlist. The extent to which racial disparities in waitlisting differ between United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) regions is understudied.MethodsThe US Renal Data System (USRDS) was linked with US census data to examine time from dialysis initiation to waitlisting for whites (n = 188 410) and African Americans (n = 144 335) using Cox proportional hazards across 11 UNOS regions, adjusting for potentially confounding individual, neighborhood, and state characteristics.ResultsLikelihood of waitlisting varies significantly by UNOS region, overall and by race. Additionally, African Americans face significantly lower likelihood of waitlisting compared to whites in all but two regions (1 and 6). Overall, 39% of African Americans with ESRD reside in Regions 3 and 4 – regions with a large racial disparity and where African Americans comprise a large proportion of the ESRD population. In these regions, the African American–white disparity is an important contributor to their overall regional disparity.ConclusionsRace remains an important factor in time to transplant waitlist in the United States. Race contributes to overall regional disparities; however, the importance of race varies by UNOS region.
Understanding and treating painful diabetic neuropathy: time for a paradigm shift
Authors: Gandhi R. A. , Selvarajah D. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy (DN) continues to be unclear and as a result, progress in developing effective therapies has been disappointing. In particular, there is only limited understanding of why some patients suffer severe chronic pain, whilst others have painless symptoms. Assessment of the peripheral nerves frequently shows no differences between painful and painless DN. There is growing evidence that the nerve damage in DN is more generalized, including the central nervous system, and these central changes are key to the development and persistence of pain in DN. The advent of new radiological techniques provides us with non‐invasive modalities to study central pathophysiological processes in greater detail. These insights are increasingly leading to the recognition that painful DN is a complex and heterogeneous disorder, which requires a multimodal approach to treatment.
Physical activity as a determinant of fasting and 2‐h post‐challenge glucose: a prospective cohort analysis of the NAVIGATOR trial
Authors: Yates T. , Davies M. J. , Haffner S. M. , Schulte P. J. , Thomas L. , Huffman K. M. , Bales C. W. , Preiss D. , Califf R. M. , Holman R. R. , McMurray J. J. V. , Bethel M. A. , Tuomilehto J. , Kraus W. E. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimTo investigate whether previous physical activity levels are associated with blood glucose levels in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance in the context of an international pharmaceutical trial.MethodsData were analysed from the NAVIGATOR trial, which involved 9306 individuals with impaired glucose tolerance and high cardiovascular risk from 40 different countries, recruited in the period 2002–2004. Fasting glucose, 2‐h post‐challenge glucose and physical activity (pedometer) were assessed annually. A longitudinal regression analysis was used to determine whether physical activity levels 2 years (t‐2) and 1 year (t‐1) previously were associated with levels of glucose, after adjusting for previous glucose levels and other patient characteristics. Those participants with four consecutive annual measures of glucose and two consecutive measures of physical activity were included in the analysis.ResultsThe analysis included 3964 individuals. Change in physical activity from t‐2 to t‐1 and activity levels at t‐2 were both associated with 2‐h glucose levels after adjustment for previous glucose levels and baseline characteristics; however, the associations were weak: a 100% increase in physical activity was associated with a 0.9% reduction in 2‐h glucose levels. In addition, previous physical activity only explained an additional 0.05% of the variance in 2‐h glucose over the variance explained by the history of 2‐h glucose alone (R2 = 0.3473 vs. 0.3468). There was no association with fasting glucose.ConclusionsIn the context of a large international clinical trial, previous physical activity levels did not meaningfully influence glucose levels in those with a high risk of chronic disease, after taking into account participants' previous trajectory of glucose control.
Artificial Pancreas Project at Cambridge 2013
Authors: Hovorka R. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe development and clinical testing of closed‐loop systems (the artificial pancreas) is underpinned by advances in continuous glucose monitoring and benefits from concerted academic and industry collaborative efforts. This review describes the progress of the Artificial Pancreas Project at the University of Cambridge from 2006 to 2014. Initial studies under controlled laboratory conditions, designed to collect representative safety and performance data, were followed by short to medium free‐living unsupervised outpatient studies demonstrating the safety and efficacy of closed‐loop insulin delivery using a model predictive control algorithm. Accompanying investigations included assessment of the psychosocial impact and key factors affecting glucose control such as insulin kinetics and glucose absorption. Translation to other disease conditions such as critical illness and Type 2 diabetes took place. It is concluded that innovation of iteratively enhanced closed‐loop systems will provide tangible means to improve outcomes and quality of life in people with Type 1 diabetes and their families in the next decade.
Significant Reduction in Mitral Regurgitation Volume Is the Main Contributor for Increase in Systolic Forward Flow in Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Hemodynamic Analysis Using Echocardiography
Authors: Itabashi Yuji , Shibayama Kentaro , Mihara Hirotsugu , Utsunomiya Hiroto , Berdejo Javier , Arsanjani Reza , Siegel Robert , Chakravarty Tarun , Jilaihawi Hasan , Makkar Raj R. , Shiota Takahiro 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundReduction in mitral regurgitation (MR) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has previously been reported. However, the hemodynamic effects of TAVR in patients with MR have not been previously evaluated.MethodsWe analyzed 571 patients who underwent TAVR from December 2010 to December 2013. We studied 20 patients with moderate or severe preprocedural functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) who also had a follow‐up transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examination between 90 and 360 days (median 213 days) after TAVR (Significant FMR Group). We also studied age‐ and gender‐matched 20 patients with mild or lesser MR (Nonsignificant MR Group). Left ventricular functional measurements were assessed using echocardiography before and after TAVR. Left ventricular outflow tract stroke volume measurements using pulsed‐wave Doppler (SVLVOT) were calculated as a representative of systolic forward flow, and stroke volume by the Simpson's method (SVSimpson) was calculated as a parameter of degree of LV contraction.ResultsMR grade improved in 22 of 40 patients after TAVR. In both groups, BNP level decreased, left ventricular ejection fraction increased, and SVLVOT increased after TAVR. SVSimpson increased in the Nonsignificant MR Group and remained unchanged in the Significant FMR Group. Vena contracta width of MR (MRVC) decreased in the Significant FMR Group. Using multivariable analysis in the Significant FMR Group, the increase in SVLVOT significantly correlated with the decrease in MRVC (P < 0.05).ConclusionsSVLVOT increased significantly after TAVR in patients with FMR. In these patients, increase in SVLVOT after TAVR was associated with decrease in severity of MR.
Origin of termite eusociality: trophallaxis integrates the social, nutritional, and microbial environments
Authors: NALEPA CHRISTINE A. 
Published: March 2015

1. Numerous cladistic analyses have converged: termites are a monophyletic clade embedded within the paraphyletic cockroaches, and sister group to the biparental, wood‐feeding cockroach Cryptocercus. The latter is, therefore, an appropriate model for testing assumptions regarding early termite evolution.2. The ground plan of the termite ancestor is reviewed based on shared characters of ecology, life history, and behaviour in Cryptocercus and incipient termite colonies, and includes two levels of dependence: a reliance of all individuals on gut microbiota, and dependence of early instars on parental care. Both these conditions co‐evolved with parent‐to‐offspring proctodeal trophallaxis.3. The termite ancestor lived in a single log serving as food and nest. This ‘one‐piece’ nesting ecology prioritises nitrogen conservation and strongly influences interacting social, nutritional, and microbial environments. Each of these environments individually and in combination profoundly affect cockroach development.4. Proctodeal trophallaxis integrates the social, nutritional, and microbial environments. A change in trophallactic behaviour, from parental to alloparental, can, therefore, shift developmental trajectories, ultimately adding a third level of dependence. The death of gut protists during the host molting period and consequent interdependence of family members shifted the hierarchical level at which selection acted; fixation of eusociality quickly followed.5. The basic nesting ecology did not change when termites evolved eusociality, the change occurred in the allocation and use of existing resources within the social group, driven by nitrogen scarcity, mediated by trophallaxis, and made possible by a strongly lineage‐specific set of life history characteristics.
The Asian planthopper Ricania speculum (Walker) (Homoptera: Ricaniidae) on several crops in Italy: a potential threat to the EPPO region?
Authors: Rossi E. , Lucchi A. 
Published: March 2015

In August 2014, twenty adults of Ricania speculum (Walker) (Homoptera: Ricaniidae) were collected on plants of Citrus spp. in La Spezia province (Liguria, Italy). This planthopper, which is native to parts of China and other Asian countries, is highly polyphagous and a pest of several crops such as citrus, cotton, coffee, oil palm and tea. As a newly introduced pest in Europe, R. speculum needs to be monitored for its potential spread, especially in Southern European countries and for the damage it may cause to agriculture in the region.
Host plants record for tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Sudan
Authors: Mohamed E. S. I. , Mahmoud M. E. E. , Elhaj M. A. M. , Mohamed S. A. , Ekesi S. 
Published: March 2015

This paper presents the results from a survey that was carried out to determine the host plants of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in five States in Sudan. This survey was carried out in greenhouses and open‐field vegetable production areas between the years 2011 and 2014 using pheromone traps. The survey showed that the main host plant of T. absoluta is tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), but it also attacks potato (Solanum tuberosum), eggplant (S. melongena) Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) and S. dubium in the family Solanaceae, and broad bean (Vicia faba) and alfalfa plant (Medicago sativa) in the family Fabaceae. This paper is the first record of the following plans being hosts for T. absoluta: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in the family Cucurbitaceae, Physic nut (Jatropha curcas) in the family Euphorbiaceae, spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus) in the family Amaranthaceae, Ramtouk (Xanthium brasilicum) in the family Asteraceae and S. dubium. The study showed that the leafminer male numbers and the symptoms were significantly increased in S. melongena and S. dubium after severe damage and complete loss of the main host, the tomato crop and these two species may be the preferred alternative host plants.
Estimating kidney function and use of oral antidiabetic drugs in elderly
Authors: Douros Antonios , Ebert Natalie , Jakob Olga , Martus Peter , Kreutz Reinhold , Schaeffner Elke 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and renal impairment rises with age making regular estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in older diabetics necessary. This study investigated the differences among available estimating equations in assessing eGFR in older diabetics and examined the use of oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in relation to renal function. Patients with DM were participants of the Berlin Initiative Study (BIS), a population‐based cohort study initiated in 2009 in Berlin, Germany, to evaluate kidney function in people ≥70 years. GFR was estimated with the creatinine‐based CKD‐EPICREA (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration), the MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Diseases) and the BIS1 equation and was directly measured (mGFR) with iohexol clearance as a gold standard in a subgroup (n = 137). Creatinine clearance was estimated with the Cockcroft–Gault equation (CrCl). DM prevalence was 26% (539 of 2070 overall participants). The antidiabetic drugs most commonly used among OAD patients were metformin (67%), glimepiride (27%) and glibenclamide (14%). Three of ten metformin patients had a CrCl <60 mL/min. Compared to mGFR, the mean differences of filtration rates calculated by MDRD, CKD‐EPICREA and BIS1 were +8.9, +6.7 and −1.8 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Summing up, many patients with a CrCl <60 mL/min received metformin, although this represents a contraindication in Germany. Glibenclamide was commonly used despite its classification as potentially inappropriate medication in older adults. Finally, BIS1 performed better in estimating GFR in older diabetics than MDRD or CKD‐EPICREA.
The C‐terminal peptide plays a role in the formation of an intermediate form during the transition between xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase
Authors: Nishino Tomoko , Okamoto Ken , Kawaguchi Yuko , Matsumura Tomohiro , Eger Bryan T. , Pai Emil F. , Nishino Takeshi 
Published: March 2015

Mammalian xanthine oxidoreductase can exist in both dehydrogenase and oxidase forms. Conversion between the two is implicated in such diverse processes as lactation, anti‐bacterial activity, reperfusion injury and a growing number of diseases. We have constructed a variant of the rat liver enzyme that lacks the carboxy‐terminal amino acids 1316–1331; it appears to assume an intermediate form, exhibiting a mixture of dehydrogenase and oxidase activities. The purified variant protein retained ~ 50–70% of oxidase activity even after prolonged dithiothreitol treatment, supporting a previous prediction that the C‐terminal region plays a role in the dehydrogenase to oxidase conversion. In the crystal structure of the protein variant, most of the enzyme stays in an oxidase conformation. After 15 min of incubation with a high concentration of NADH, however, the corresponding X‐ray structures showed a dehydrogenase‐type conformation. On the other hand, disulfide formation between Cys535 and Cys992, which can clearly be seen in the electron density map of the crystal structure of the variant after removal of dithiothreitol, goes in parallel with the complete conversion to oxidase, resulting in structural changes identical to those observed upon proteolytic cleavage of the linker peptide. These results indicate that the dehydrogenase–oxidase transformation occurs rather readily and the insertion of the C‐terminal peptide into the active site cavity of its subunit stabilizes the dehydrogenase form. We propose that the intermediate form can be generated (e.g. in endothelial cells) upon interaction of the C‐terminal peptide portion of the enzyme with other proteins or the cell membrane.DatabaseCoordinate sets and structure factors for the four crystal structures reported in the present study have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under the identification numbers 4YRW, 4YTZ, 4YSW, and 4YTY.
‘ABER DORT LEBEN, WO ANDERE SIND WIE ICH, DAS MÖCHTE ICH GERN.’1 RUSSIAN‐GERMAN MIGRATION, EXCLUSION AND IDENTITIES IN ELEONORA HUMMEL'S NOVELS
Authors: van den Brande Deborah 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThis article discusses the connections between Russian‐German migration processes and the characters’ self‐perception in two novels by the Russian‐German author Eleonora Hummel: Die Fische von Berlin (2005) and Die Venus im Fenster (2009). Both novels combine discrimination experienced in the Soviet Union with integration problems in Germany from a Russian‐German perspective. Although there are certainly parallels between Russian‐German literature and other migration texts, the specificity of Russian‐German migration processes and of their negotiation of identities calls for a cautious socio‐historical reading. By means of a close reading including insights from intercultural theories and Russian‐German history, this article analyses how the characters define themselves according to different cultural contexts and how these novels relate to extra‐textual Russian‐German history. Key concepts are ‘Heimat’, migration, language, family, identity, prejudices, the tension between assimilation and exclusion and the contrast between optimistic expectations and disillusionment.Dieser Beitrag untersucht die Verbindungen zwischen russlanddeutschen Migrationsprozessen und der Selbstwahrnehmung der Figuren in zwei Romanen der russlanddeutschen Autorin Eleonora Hummel: Die Fische von Berlin (2005) und Die Venus im Fenster (2009). In beiden Romanen wird die in der Sowjetunion erlebte Diskriminierung mit Integrationsschwierigkeiten in Deutschland aus russlanddeutscher Perspektive kombiniert. Obwohl sicherlich Parallellen zwischen russlanddeutscher Literatur und anderen Migrationstexten festgestellt werden können, erfordert die Spezifität russlanddeutscher Migrationsprozesse und Identitätsverhandlungen eine genaue sozio‐historische Lektüre. Ausgehend von einem Close‐Reading, das auf Einsichten aus interkulturellen Theorien beruht und auch die russlanddeutsche Geschichte berücksichtigt, analysiert dieser Aufsatz, wie die Figuren sich wechselnden kulturellen Kontexten entsprechend definieren und in welcher Beziehung diese Romane zu der extra‐textuellen russlanddeutschen Geschichte stehen. Wichtige Begriffe sind Heimat, Migration, Sprache, Familie, Identität, Vorurteile, die Spannung zwischen Assimilation und Ausgrenzung und der Kontrast zwischen optimistischen Erwartungen und Desillusionierung.