bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic analysis of factors associated with progression and regression of ulcerative colitis in 918 patients
Authors: Safroneeva E. , Vavricka S. , Fournier N. , Seibold F. , Mottet C. , Nydegger A. , Ezri J. , Straumann A. , Rogler G. , Schoepfer A. M. ,   the Swiss IBD Cohort Study Group
Published: July 2015

SummaryBackgroundStudies that systematically assess change in ulcerative colitis (UC) extent over time in adult patients are scarce.AimTo assess changes in disease extent over time and to evaluate clinical parameters associated with this change.MethodsData from the Swiss IBD cohort study were analysed. We used logistic regression modelling to identify factors associated with a change in disease extent.ResultsA total of 918 UC patients (45.3% females) were included. At diagnosis, UC patients presented with the following disease extent: proctitis [199 patients (21.7%)], left‐sided colitis [338 patients (36.8%)] and extensive colitis/pancolitis [381 (41.5%)]. During a median disease duration of 9 [4–16] years, progression and regression was documented in 145 patients (15.8%) and 149 patients (16.2%) respectively. In addition, 624 patients (68.0%) had a stable disease extent. The following factors were identified to be associated with disease progression: treatment with systemic glucocorticoids [odds ratio (OR) 1.704, P = 0.025] and calcineurin inhibitors (OR: 2.716, P = 0.005). No specific factors were found to be associated with disease regression.ConclusionsOver a median disease duration of 9 [4–16] years, about two‐thirds of UC patients maintained the initial disease extent; the remaining one‐third had experienced either progression or regression of the disease extent.
Marginal Genetic Effects Estimation in Family and Twin Studies Using Random-Effects Models
Authors: Tsonaka Roula , van der Woude Diane , Houwing-Duistermaat Jeanine 
Published: July 2015

Summary
Random-effects models are often used in family-based genetic association studies to properly capture the within families relationships. In such models, the regression parameters have a conditional on the random effects interpretation and they measure, e.g., genetic effects for each family. Estimating parameters that can be used to make inferences at the population level is often more relevant than the family-specific effects, but not straightforward. This is mainly for two reasons: First the analysis of family data often requires high-dimensional random-effects vectors to properly model the familial relationships, for instance when members with a different degree of relationship are considered, such as trios, mix of monozygotic and dizygotic twins, etc. The second complication is the biased sampling design, such as the multiple cases families design, which is often employed to enrich the sample with genetic information. For these reasons deriving parameters with the desired marginal interpretation can be challenging. In this work we consider the marginalized mixed-effects models, we discuss challenges in applying them in ascertained family data and propose penalized maximum likelihood methodology to stabilize the parameter estimation by using external information on the disease prevalence or heritability. The performance of our methodology is evaluated via simulation and is illustrated on data from Rheumatoid Arthritis patients, where we estimate the marginal effect of HLA-DRB1 and shared epitope alleles across three different study designs and combine them using meta-analysis.
Pattern Mixture Models for the Analysis of Repeated Attempt Designs
Authors: Daniels Michael J. , Jackson Dan , Feng Wei , White Ian R. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryIt is not uncommon in follow-up studies to make multiple attempts to collect a measurement after baseline. Recording whether these attempts are successful or not provides useful information for the purposes of assessing the missing at random (MAR) assumption and facilitating missing not at random (MNAR) modeling. This is because measurements from subjects who provide this data after multiple failed attempts may differ from those who provide the measurement after fewer attempts. This type of “continuum of resistance” to providing a measurement has hitherto been modeled in a selection model framework, where the outcome data is modeled jointly with the success or failure of the attempts given these outcomes. Here, we present a pattern mixture approach to model this type of data. We re-analyze the repeated attempt data from a trial that was previously analyzed using a selection model approach. Our pattern mixture model is more flexible and is more transparent in terms of parameter identifiability than the models that have previously been used to model repeated attempt data and allows for sensitivity analysis. We conclude that our approach to modeling this type of data provides a fully viable alternative to the more established selection model.
Evolutionary consequences of climate‐induced range shifts in insects
Authors: Sánchez‐Guillén Rosa A. , Córdoba‐Aguilar Alex , Hansson Bengt , Ott Jürgen , Wellenreuther Maren 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTRange shifts can rapidly create new areas of geographic overlap between formerly allopatric taxa and evidence is accumulating that this can affect species persistence. We review the emerging literature on the short‐ and long‐term consequences of these geographic range shifts. Specifically, we focus on the evolutionary consequences of novel species interactions in newly created sympatric areas by describing the potential (i) short‐term processes acting on reproductive barriers between species and (ii) long‐term consequences of range shifts on the stability of hybrid zones, introgression and ultimately speciation and extinction rates. Subsequently, we (iii) review the empirical literature on insects to evaluate which processes have been studied, and (iv) outline some areas that deserve increased attention in the future, namely the genomics of hybridisation and introgression, our ability to forecast range shifts and the impending threat from insect vectors and pests on biodiversity, human health and crop production. Our review shows that species interactions inde novosympatric areas can be manifold, sometimes increasing and sometimes decreasing species diversity. A key issue that emerges is that climate‐induced hybridisations in insects are much more widespread than anticipated and that rising temperatures and increased anthropogenic disturbances are accelerating the process of species mixing. The existing evidence only shows the tip of the iceberg and we are likely to see many more cases of species mixing following range shifts in the near future.
miR‐367 promotes proliferation and stem‐like traits in medulloblastoma cells
Authors: Kaid Carolini , Silva Patrícia B. G. , Cortez Beatriz A. , Rodini Carolina O. , Semedo‐Kuriki Patricia , Okamoto Oswaldo K. 
Published: July 2015

In medulloblastoma, abnormal expression of pluripotency factors such as LIN28 and OCT4 has been correlated with poor patient survival. The miR‐302/367 cluster has also been shown to control self‐renewal and pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, but there is limited, mostly correlational, information about these pluripotency‐related miRNA in cancer. We evaluated whether aberrant expression of such miRNA could affect tumor cell behavior and stem‐like traits, thereby contributing to the aggressiveness of medulloblastoma cells. Basal expression of primary and mature forms of miR‐367 were detected in four human medulloblastoma cell lines and expression of the latter was found to be upregulated upon enforced expression of OCT4A. Transient overexpression of miR‐367 significantly enhanced tumor features typically correlated with poor prognosis; namely, cell proliferation, 3‐D tumor spheroid cell invasion and the ability to generate neurosphere‐like structures enriched in CD133 expressing cells. A concurrent downregulation of the miR‐367 cancer‐related targets RYR3, ITGAV and RAB23, was also detected in miR‐367‐overexpressing cells. Overall, these findings support the pro‐oncogenic activity of miR‐367 in medulloblastoma and reveal a possible mechanism contributing to tumor aggressiveness, which could be further explored to improve patient stratification and treatment of this important type of pediatric brain cancer.
Susceptibility of pancreatic cancer stem cells to reprogramming
Authors: Noguchi Kozo , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Konno Masamitsu , Kawamoto Koichi , Nishida Naohiro , Koseki Jun , Wada Hiroshi , Marubashi Shigeru , Nagano Hiroaki , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki , Ishii Hideshi 
Published: July 2015

Previous reports have indicated that reprogramming technologies may be useful for altering the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. Although somatic stem cells in normal tissues are more sensitive to reprogramming induction than differentiated cells, it remains to be elucidated whether any specific subpopulations are sensitive to reprogramming in heterogeneous tumor tissues. Here we examined the susceptibility of pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSC) and non‐CSC to reprogramming. To characterize CSC populations, we focused on c‐Met signaling, which has been identified as a marker of CSC in mouse experiments in vivo. Cells that expressed high levels of c‐Met showed higher CSC properties, such as tumor‐initiating capacity, and resistance to gemcitabine. Real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction in cells expressing high levels of c‐Met revealed endogenous expression of reprogramming factors, such as OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4 and cMYC. Introduction of these four factors resulted in higher alkaline phosphatase staining in cells with high c‐Met expression than in controls. Therefore, the study results demonstrate that cellular reprogramming may be useful for extensive epigenetic modification of malignant features of pancreatic CSC.
Similar activation state of neutrophils in sputum of asthma patients irrespective of sputum eosinophilia
Authors: Tak T , Hilvering B , Tesselaar K , Koenderman L 
Published: July 2015

SummaryInflammatory phenotypes of asthma are associated with differences in disease characteristics. It is unknown whether these inflammatory phenotypes are reflected by the activation status of neutrophils in blood and sputum. We obtained peripheral blood and induced sputum from 21 asthma patients and stratified our samples based on sputum eosinophilia resulting in two groups (&gt;3% eosinophils: n = 13, &lt;3%: n = 8). Eosinophils and neutrophils from blood and sputum were analysed for expression of activation and degranulation markers by flow cytometry. Data were analysed by both classical, non-parametric statistics and a multi-dimensional approach, using principal component analysis (PCA). Patients with sputum eosinophilia were characterized by increased asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) scores and blood eosinophil counts. Both sputum neutrophils and eosinophils displayed an activated and degranulated phenotype compared to cells obtained from blood. Specifically, degranulation of all granule types was detected in sputum cells, combined with an increased expression of the activation markers (activated) Mac-1 (CD11b), programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) (CD274) and a decreased expression of CD62L. CD69 expression was only increased on sputum eosinophils. Surface marker expression of neutrophils was similar in the presence or absence of eosinophilia, either by single or multi-dimensional analysis. Sputum neutrophils were highly activated and degranulated irrespective of sputum eosinophilia. Therefore, we conclude that differences in granulocyte activation in sputum and/or blood are not associated with clinical differences in the two groups of asthma patients. The finding of PD-L1 expression on sputum granulocytes suggests an immunomodulatory role of these cells in the tissue.
Maternal depression and risk for antisocial behaviour in children
Authors: Gajos Jamie M. , Beaver Kevin M. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMaternal depression has consistently been found to be associated with child problem behaviours. In the current study, we examine the possibility of whether the association between maternal depression and child antisocial behaviour may be due to confounding. Data from waves 2, 5 and 7 of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study‐Kindergarten Cohort were analysed. Our analysis revealed a significant association between maternal depression and child antisocial behaviour prior to matching. After successfully matching the mothers on 29 key covariates, one of the cross‐sectional associations and the longitudinal association between maternal depression and child antisocial behaviour was no longer statistically significant. However, two cross‐sectional associations between maternal depression and child antisocial behaviour remained statistically significant. The results of the study are discussed in relation to the importance of the timing of maternal depression within different developmental time periods.
Executive Remuneration and the Payout Decision
Authors: Geiler Philipp , Renneboog Luc 
Published: July 2015

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThis paper investigates whether corporate payout policies (dividends, share repurchases, a combination of dividends and share repurchases, and full earnings retention) are set by CEOs who intend to maximize their personal wealth.Research Findings/InsightsFor all listed UK companies we study whether the payout channel choice is affected by investor sentiment, taxation, major shareholder ownership, and in particular the CEO's compensation package. The payout choice has an immediate effect on the value of the CEO's stock options and restricted stock, as anticipated dividends drive down the value of his equity‐based pay (if it is not dividend‐protected), and share repurchases have a positive impact on pay. By means of a quantile regression approach and nested logit models, we find that CEOs adopt a payout policy that increases the value of their equity‐based pay.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsTraditional research shows that corporate payout policies cater to shareholder clienteles who have preferences for specific types of payout induced by e.g. differences in taxation on dividends and capital gains, or market sentiment. We demonstrate that it is a CEO's personal wealth as reflected by his compensation package rather than shareholder preferences that has the strongest impact on the payout policy.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsThis research encourages firms/remuneration consultants to make top management's remuneration packages ‘dividend‐neutral’, in other words to remove the negative impact of the dividends on pay such that the payout and payout channel choice will not be influenced by the CEO's wealth. In addition, this research encourages shareholders to contemplate whether the payout is beneficial for them and to vote on the proposed payout policy at the annual general meetings.
Strategies used by individuals to prevent burnout
Authors: Demerouti Evangelia 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundBurnout represents a syndrome that is related to demanding job characteristics combined with the absence of resources or motivational job characteristics. The aim of this position study was to present strategies that individuals use to minimize burnout and its unfavourable effects.Materials and methodsThe study focuses explicitly on strategies that individuals use to (i) deal with diminished resources that come with burnout, (ii) change their job characteristics such that the job becomes less demanding and more motivating and (iii) manage the interplay between the work and nonwork domains.ResultsIndividuals seem to use coping, recovery and compensation strategies to reduce the impact of work stressors by changing the stressor or their responses to the stressor. Moreover, they use job crafting to alter the characteristics of the job such that it becomes less hindering and more motivating. Finally, individuals create boundaries between their work and nonwork domains to experience less work–family and family–work conflicts by actively detaching from work.ConclusionsFinding bottom‐up strategies that individuals use to minimize burnout or its unfavourable effects may be essential to complement the top‐down interventions initiated by organizations.
Positive frequency dependence undermines the success of restoration using historical disturbance regimes
Authors: Crandall Raelene , Knight Tiffany M. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAnthropogenic alterations of historical disturbance regimes (e.g. suppressing floods and wildfires) is a primary mechanism by which exotic species can come to dominate native communities. Unfortunately, reinstating historical disturbance regimes to restore native communities has achieved mixed success. The presence of positive frequency dependence (PFD) is commonly invoked to explain why exotic plant invasions are so difficult to eradicate. However, models examining PFD have not considered the effect of reintroducing disturbances. Using a spatially explicit individual‐based model, we consider how magnitude and direction of frequency dependence of native and exotic species affects the success of reintroducing disturbances that favour fitness of natives over exotics. Our model illustrates why restoration is difficult; there is a narrow range of parameters that allows for native species to eliminate or coexist with exotics once they have established. Dominance by exotic invaders occurs with moderate initial frequencies of exotic individuals, aggregation of these individuals, or an exotic propagule production advantage. Reintroducing disturbances allows native dominance only when PFD of the exotic is weaker than that of the native species, disturbance intervals are short, and/or exotics are not initially frequent. Our framework provides guidelines for conditions in which the reintroduction of disturbances will effectively restore invaded habitats.
A cloud‐based responsive replenishment system in a franchise business model using a fuzzy logic approach
Authors: Lee C. K. H. , Choy K. L. , Ho G. T. S. , Lin Canhong 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn today's volatile markets, increasingly unpredictable customer demand is exerting great challenges to responsive replenishment. The complexity of responsive replenishment is higher when the business is global in which demand in both domestic and overseas markets has to be catered for. The emergence of cloud computing has eased the difficulties as it allows nearly real‐time access to a universal platform for information sharing between franchisors and franchisees, creating huge opportunities for understanding global market needs for responsive replenishment. Considering the existence of uncertainties due to the fluctuating demands, fuzzy logic is useful in providing decision support for replenishment in uncertain environments. This paper presents a cloud‐based responsive replenishment system to manage operation data of a franchise business using cloud computing, and for analysis using fuzzy logic in order to provide franchisors with the required inventory levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that applies cloud computing and artificial intelligence techniques in franchising. A pilot run of the system is conducted in an education company, which is considered to be a good representation of an industry operating with a franchise model. The results show that the system allows franchisors to formulate effective responsive replenishment strategies.
Prognostic factors and risk classifications for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Shinohara Nobuo , Abe Takashige 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe introduction of molecular‐targeted therapy has made dramatical changes to treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Currently, there are four vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors and two mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in Japan. For the appropriate clinical use of these molecular‐targeted drugs, the identification of prognostic and/or predictive factors in patients who received these drugs is required. Although molecular biological and genetic factors that determine the prognosis of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma have been reported, most of these factors are problematic in that the number of patients analyzed was small. In contrast, clinicopathological prognostic factors, including the practice of cytoreductive nephrectomy, pathological findings, metastatic sites and metastasectomy, and abnormal inflammatory response, have been identified by analyzing a relatively large number of patients. Several prognostic classification models that were developed by combining these clinicopathological factors are widely used in not only clinical trials, but also routine clinical practice. However, the quality of these prognostic models is considered to be insufficient regarding prognostic prediction of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients and, thus, requires further improvements. Recently, basic and clinical studies have been extensively carried out for the identification of promising informative markers and for understanding molecular mechanisms of resistance to molecular‐targeted drugs in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients. The present review considers ongoing translational research efforts on clinicopathological, molecular biological, and genetic prognostic and/or predictive factors for metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients in the era of molecular‐targeted therapy, and discusses the clinical implications of these findings.
Screening for incontinence in a secure psychiatric service for women
Authors: Long Clive G. , West Rachel , Siddique Rizwana , Rigg Samantha , Banyard Ellen , Stillman Swee‐Kit , Butler Sarah , Dolley Olga 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIncontinence is associated with mental illness and neuroleptic medications but diagnosis and treatment is often poor or non‐existent. Problems of incontinence are compounded in secure psychiatric services for women by poor health, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Addressing the physical health of this group necessitates a more accurate picture of the nature, incidence, and management of incontinence. A point‐in‐time survey of 108 women who agreed to be interviewed (93%) covered presence, frequency, and nature of incontinence, and information on management case note data was used to gather demographic and previous medical history, comparisons were made between patients with and without problems of incontinence. Findings indicate a problem of incontinence in 48% of women with a dominance of problems of stress and urge enuresis. Of modifiable factors that contribute to enuresis, the current study highlighted the contribution of obesity, smoking and clozapine medication. A further finding was the preference for managing rather than treating problems of incontinence. Actions to improve the detection and treatment of this problem are described.