bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is overweight and class I obesity associated with increased health claims costs?
Authors: Østbye Truls , Stroo Marissa , Eisenstein Eric L. , Peterson Bercedis , Dement John 
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesEvaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and health claims costs over the last decade, assess the strength and nature of the relationship between BMI and costs, and identify comorbidities that may drive any increased costs.MethodsUsing 2001‐2011 claims data for employees participating in annual health appraisals, annual paid claims costs were calculated. One‐part negative binomial models were fit to evaluate the relationship between BMI and costs, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and calendar year period.ResultsThe relationship between increasing BMI and increasing health claims costs is gradual and starts already at a BMI of 19. The nature of the relationship did not change notably over time. The most important obesity‐related comorbidities, expressed as percent increase in cost per BMI unit, was cardiovascular disease (males 10.53, 95% CI [6.46, 14.77], females 4.27, 95% CI [1.25, 7.38), while cardiovascular agents (7.23, 95% CI [6.08, 8.39]) were the most important driver of pharmacy costs.ConclusionIn contrast to recent evidence relating to effects on mortality, we observed a gradual increase in health claims costs starting at the low end of the recommended BMI range.
Eating on impulse: The relation between overweight and food‐specific inhibitory control
Authors: Houben Katrijn , Nederkoorn Chantal , Jansen Anita 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveConsistent with the idea that impulsivity increases vulnerability to temptations of tasty high caloric food, less effective response inhibition is associated with overeating, overweight, and obesity. However, inefficient response inhibition mainly affects eating behavior when strong motivational urges to consume palatable food are simultaneously present. This study, therefore, examined whether overweight is associated specifically with inefficient response inhibition of food‐related responses rather than with a general response inhibition deficiency.MethodsEighty‐seven female participants (age: M = 26.17, SD = 10.9; body mass index (BMI: kg/m2): M = 22.28, SD = 4.34, range 13.86‐39.86) performed both a Stop‐Signal task with general stimuli to measure general response inhibition ability, and a Stop‐Signal task with food‐related pictures to measure ability to inhibit responses to food pictures.ResultsAs expected, a higher BMI was associated with decreased inhibitory control over food‐related responses. There was no association between BMI and general response inhibition.ConclusionsOverweight is not characterized by a general tendency to react impulsively, but instead by impulsive responding toward palatable food. The implication is that weight loss interventions need to focus on decreasing food‐specific impulsivity rather than on reducing general impulsivity.
Recruitment of fat cell precursors during high fat diet in C57BL/6J mice is fat depot specific
Authors: Gawronska‐Kozak B. , Staszkiewicz J. , Gimble J. M. , Kirk‐Ballard H. 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveThe study aims to explore long‐term dietary effects on increases in body mass and fat depot enlargement through the recruitment of early in life labeled progenitor cells to the adipolineage.MethodsNeonate male C57BL/6J (B6) mice were injected intraperitoneally with BrdU. From 4 until 30 weeks of age they were fed either low fat diet (LFD) or high fat diet (HFD). BrdU‐labeled cells were analyzed by flow cytometric and immunohistochemical assays after 10 days and 4, 8, 16, and 30 weeks.ResultsMice fed HFD were heavier than mice fed LFD with the most dramatic disparity recorded between week 16 and 30. BrdU‐bearing cells showed the decrease in the percentage content of labeled cells in inguinal (iWAT), epididymal (eWAT) and bone marrow (BM) tissues, regardless diets. However, iWAT collected from animals on HFD showed significant increase in labeled‐cells at week 16th, which coincides with robust increase in inguinal but not epididymal fat weight between 16 and 30 weeks age.ConclusionsCells labeled with BrdU during neonate life of B6 mice persist in fat tissues for long period of time and are recruited to the adipocyte lineage in a favorable (obesogenic) environment in iWAT but not in eWAT.
Non‐activated protein C rescue treatment in Wilms tumour associated hepatic sinusoidal obstructive syndrome
Authors: De Leonardis Francesco , Koronica Roberta , Bruno Stefania D. , Santoro Nicola 
Published: November 2013

AbstractHepatic sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (HSOS) is a frequent complication in patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), and more rarely, in paediatric patients receiving conventional chemotherapy for solid tumours. Its diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical signs and symptoms such as hepatomegaly, jaundice, weight gain and fluid retention. HSOS treatment is primarily based on supportive care and anti‐fibrinolytic agents. Here we report two patients affected by Wilms tumour who developed life‐threatening HSOS that failed to respond to conventional treatment. Both patients recovered after receiving aggressive supportive treatment that included administration of non‐activated protein C (Ceprotin®—Baxter). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:940–941. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficiency of Different Solvents on the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from the Amazonian Fruit Caryocar villosum and the Effect on its Antioxidant and Colour Properties
Authors: Chisté Renan Campos , de Toledo Benassi Marta , Mercadante Adriana Zerlotti 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTIntroductionCaryocar villosum has been reported as a source of bioactive compounds that can be used as a potential product against oxidative damage in foods or biological systems.ObjectiveTo obtain extracts from fruit pulps of C. villosum with high levels of bioactive compounds that have both antioxidant and colour properties.MethodThe contents of bioactive compounds (total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids and tocopherols), the colour parameters, the scavenging capacity against peroxyl radicals (ROO•) and the quenching activity against singlet oxygen (1O2) were determined. All data were used for extract classification by applying principal components analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis.ResultsThe water and ethanol:water (1:1, v/v) extracts presented the highest levels of total phenolic compounds (9.2 and 6.3 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, respectively), total flavonoids (3.8 and 2.5 mg catechin equivalent/g extract, respectively) and total tannins (7.6 and 2.4 mg tannic acid equivalent/g extract, respectively). The ethanol:water (1:1, v/v) extract also showed the highest scavenging capacity against ROO• (0.3 mmol trolox equivalent/g extract) and the highest protection against 1O2 (12.5%). On the other hand, the ethanol extracts, which were the most vivid and yellow colour (C*ab = 13.7 and b* = 13.3), presented the highest level of total carotenoids (0.1 mg/g), but low scavenging capacity against ROO• (0.01 mmol trolox equivalent/g extract).ConclusionBased on these results and depending on the applicability, the ethanol:water, water and ethanol are the most promising solvents to obtain C. villosum extracts with high contents of bioactive compounds, ROO• scavenging capacity and protection against 1O2. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural isomer effects on the morphology of block copolymer/metal salts hybrids
Authors: Sageshima Yoshio , Noro Atsushi , Matsushita Yushu 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTThe structural isomer effects on phase behavior of block copolymer/FeCl3 hybrids were investigated by comparing structures of two series of blends based on polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐P4VP) and polystyrene‐b‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐P2VP), with the same molecular weight and the same composition. By conbining fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and differencial scaninng calorimetry, successful achievements of selective dispersion of FeCl3 into poly(vinylpyridine) phase via coordination were verified. Complementary morphological observation by transmission electron microscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), it has been clarified that phase behavior for two isomer series is considerably different. That is, neat PS‐P4VP formed thicker cylindrical domains than that of neat PS‐P2VP due to much stronger Flory‐Huggins interaction parameter χ, χPS‐P4VP » χPS‐P2VP. As for PS‐P2VP/FeCl3 hybrids, morphological transition can be taken place at the smaller amount of metal salt; furthermore, P2VP blend series form lamellar structures with evidently larger periodic length at the same amount of metal salt. This is probably caused by the event that excess metal salt also contributes to lamellar expansion by localizing at the center of P2VP lamellar phase. Moreover, the saturation limit of introduced metal salt in P2VP was smaller than that in P4VP due to the steric hindrance for a lone pair electrons on nitrogen atoms directed to the main chain of P2VP. These results can be explained by the structural isomer effects on the conformation of the P2VP chains at coordinated state with FeCl3, that is, P2VP chains prefer to form the intramolecular coordination due to the short range interaction so as to make themselves stiffer, whereas P4VP chains tend to adopt the long range interaction including intra‐ and intermolecular coordinations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 377–386
Accurate prediction of interfacial residues in two‐domain proteins using evolutionary information: Implications for three‐dimensional modeling
Authors: Bhaskara Ramachandra M. , Padhi Amrita , Srinivasan Narayanaswamy 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTWith the preponderance of multidomain proteins in eukaryotic genomes, it is essential to recognize the constituent domains and their functions. Often function involves communications across the domain interfaces, and the knowledge of the interacting sites is essential to our understanding of the structure–function relationship. Using evolutionary information extracted from homologous domains in at least two diverse domain architectures (single and multidomain), we predict the interface residues corresponding to domains from the two‐domain proteins. We also use information from the three‐dimensional structures of individual domains of two‐domain proteins to train naïve Bayes classifier model to predict the interfacial residues. Our predictions are highly accurate (∼85%) and specific (∼95%) to the domain–domain interfaces. This method is specific to multidomain proteins which contain domains in at least more than one protein architectural context. Using predicted residues to constrain domain–domain interaction, rigid‐body docking was able to provide us with accurate full‐length protein structures with correct orientation of domains. We believe that these results can be of considerable interest toward rational protein and interaction design, apart from providing us with valuable information on the nature of interactions. Proteins 2014; 82:1219–1234. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Up‐regulation of Gadd45α after exposure to metal nanoparticles: The role of hypoxia inducible factor 1α
Authors: Feng Lingfang , Zhang Yue , Jiang Mizu , Mo Yiqun , Wan Rong , Jia Zhenyu , Tollerud David J. , Zhang Xing , Zhang Qunwei 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTThe increased development and use of nanoparticles in various fields may lead to increased exposure, directly affecting human health. Our current knowledge of the health effects of metal nanoparticles such as cobalt and titanium dioxide (Nano‐Co and Nano‐TiO2) is limited but suggests that some metal nanoparticles may cause genotoxic effects including cell cycle arrest, DNA damage, and apoptosis. The growth arrest and DNA damage‐inducible 45α protein (Gadd45α) has been characterized as one of the key players in the cellular responses to a variety of DNA damaging agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the alteration of Gadd45α expression in mouse embryo fibroblasts (PW) exposed to metal nanoparticles and the possible mechanisms. Non‐toxic doses of Nano‐Co and Nano‐TiO2 were selected to treat cells. Our results showed that Nano‐Co caused a dose‐ and time‐dependent increase in Gadd45α expression, but Nano‐TiO2 did not. To investigate the potential pathways involved in Nano‐Co‐induced Gadd45α up‐regulation, we measured the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) in PW cells exposed to Nano‐Co and Nano‐TiO2. Our results showed that exposure to Nano‐Co caused HIF‐1α accumulation in the nucleus. In addition, hypoxia inducible factor 1α knock‐out cells [HIF‐1α (−/−)] and its wild‐type cells [HIF‐1α (+/+)] were used. Our results demonstrated that Nano‐Co caused a dose‐ and time‐dependent increase in Gadd45α expression in wild‐type HIF‐1α (+/+) cells, but only a slight increase in HIF‐1α (−/−) cells. Pre‐treatment of PW cells with heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, 17‐(Allylamino)−17‐demethoxygeldanamycin (17‐AAG), prior to exposure to Nano‐Co significantly abolished Nano‐Co‐induced Gadd45α expression. These results suggest that HIF‐1α accumulation may be partially involved in the increased Gadd45α expression in cells exposed to Nano‐Co. These findings may have important implications for understanding the potential health effects of metal nanoparticle exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 490–499, 2015.
Prostate Cancer UK: the Blue Skies Forum
Authors: Kirby Roger , Eeles Ros , Neal David , Ahmed Hashim U. , Dearnaley David 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe second meeting of the Blue Skies Forum took place in Downing College, Cambridge, in April 2013, with the objective of focusing attention on new initiatives in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, in particular on areas of research that aim to identify aggressive disease. The meeting was hosted by Prostate Cancer UK and supported by The Howard Foundation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
Factors affecting sonographic preoperative local staging of endometrial cancer
Authors: Fischerova D. , Frühauf F. , Zikan M. , Pinkavova I. , Kocián R. , Dundr P. , Nemejcova K. , Dusek L. , Cibula D. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo identify major factors in the under‐ and overestimation of cervical and myometrial invasion by endometrial cancer at preoperative staging by ultrasound.MethodsThis prospective study involved all patients with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer referred consecutively for surgical staging between January 2009 and December 2011. All patients underwent transvaginal ultrasound examination, obtaining metric and perfusion data, and the results were compared with final histology: myometrial invasion was defined at histology in the final pathology report as being either < or ≥ 50%, while cervical stromal invasion was reported as being either present or absent, and sonographic over‐/underestimation was determined relative to these.ResultsEnrolled prospectively into the study were 210 patients. The proportion of cases with sonographic underestimation, relative to final histology, of myometrial invasion (i.e. false‐negative estimation of no or superficial invasion < 50%) and of cervical invasion (i.e. false‐negative finding of absence of stromal invasion) was comparable: 8.6% (n = 18) and 10.5% (n = 22), respectively. Myometrial invasion was overestimated by ultrasound (i.e. false‐positive estimation of deep invasion ≥ 50%) in 15.7% (n = 33) of cases, and cervical invasion was overestimated (i.e. false‐positive finding of presence of stromal invasion) in 4.8% (n = 10) of cases. These outcomes correspond to positive and negative predictive values of 67.6% (95% CI, 57.7–76.6) and 83.3% (95% CI, 74.9–89.8), respectively, for the subjective assessment of myometrial invasion, and 60.0% (95% CI, 38.2–79.2) and 88.1% (95% CI, 82.5–92.4), respectively, for that of cervical stromal invasion. The staging error in subjective assessment was not related to body mass index (BMI), to the position of the uterus in the pelvis or to image quality. Cervical and myometrial invasion were more often underestimated in well‐differentiated endometrial cancers that were smaller in size, with thick minimum tumor‐free myometrium and lower perfusion, and more often overestimated in moderately and poorly differentiated cancers that were larger in size, with thin minimum tumor‐free myometrium and richer perfusion.ConclusionThe accuracy of subjective assessment of myometrial and cervical invasion by ultrasound was significantly influenced by tumor size, density of tumor vascularization, tumor vessel architecture and histological grading, while it was not significantly affected by BMI, uterine position and image quality. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Design and high-level expression of a hybrid antimicrobial peptide LF15-CA8 in Escherichia coli
Authors: Feng Xing-Jun , Xing Li-Wei , Liu Di , Song Xue-Ying , Liu Chun-Long , Li Jing , Xu Wen-Shan , Li Zhong-Qiu 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been paid considerable attention owing to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and have great potential as novel antimicrobials. In this study, a novel hybrid peptide LF15-CA8 was designed on the basis of bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) and cecropin A. The gene segment encoding LF15-CA8 was synthesized and cloned into pGEX-4T-BH to form pGEX-4T-LC1 containing one copy of the LF15-CA8 coding region. A series of recombinant vectors containing up to six multiple-copy LF15-CA8 coding regions, i.e., pGEX-4T-LCn (n = 1–6), were subsequently constructed, and used for transformation in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). After induction with IPTG, pGEX-4T-LC1 and pGEX-4T-LC2 transformants successfully expressed fusion proteins GST-LF15-CA8 and GST-(LF15-CA8)2 in the form of inclusion bodies, respectively. The inclusion bodies were dissolved and the peptide was successfully released in 70 % formic acid in a single step. After purification, about 10.0 mg of the recombinant peptide LF15-CA8 with purity more than 97 % was obtained from 1 l of bacteria culture of pGEX-4T-LC2 transformants. LF15-CA8 caused an increase in antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) compared with the parent peptides and did not show obvious hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes in the range of effective antibacterial concentration. These results suggest that the peptide LF15-CA8 could be a promising candidate for therapeutic applications, and may lead to a cost-effective solution for the large-scale production of AMPs.
Long‐term effects of prenatal allopurinol treatment on brain plasticity markers in low and normal birth weight piglets
Authors: Prickaerts Jos , Gieling Elise T. , Bruder Ann K. , van der Staay Franz J. , Vanmierlo Tim 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the effect of antenatal allopurinol (ALLO) treatment on levels and expression of plasticity markers in the dorsal hippocampus of low (LBW) and normal (NBW) birth weight piglets. ALLO treatment given daily in the last trimester to pregnant sows had a protective effect on neuronal plasticity markers in their piglets. ALLO increases protein levels of BDNF and the postsynaptic marker PSD95 in LBW and NBW piglets. ALLO treatment increases the pCREB/CREB ratio in LBW piglets to a similar level as that found in untreated NBW piglets. In conclusion, antioxidant treatment administered in the last trimester might be a promising treatment for LBW neonates.
Effectiveness of a Primary Health Care Program on Urban and Rural Community Disaster Preparedness, Islamic Republic of Iran: A Community Intervention Trial
Authors: Ardalan Ali , Mowafi Hani , Malekafzali Ardakani Hossein , Abolhasanai Farid , Zanganeh Ali-Mohammad , Safizadeh Hossein , Salari Sirous , Zonoobi Vahid 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the effectiveness of a capacity-building intervention administered through a primary health care (PHC) system on community disaster preparedness in Iran.MethodsA controlled community intervention trial with pre- and postassessments was conducted in 2011 in 3 provinces of Iran. In each province, 2 areas were chosen and randomly selected as an intervention or control group. A total of 9200 households were in the intervention area and 10 010 were in the control area. In each study group in each province 250 households were sampled for pre- and postassessment surveys. Community health volunteers led by PHC staff administered an educational intervention covering elements of hazard awareness and preparedness, with a focus on earthquakes and floods. Relative changes for awareness and readiness scores were assessed to demonstrate changes in outcome variables from pre- to postassessments in intervention and control groups. An effectiveness test of significance was based on interaction between time and area.ResultsHouseholds in intervention communities exhibited improved disaster awareness and readiness with respect to all outcome measures. Relative changes in awareness in intervention and control areas were 2.94 and -0.08, respectively (P < .001). Relative changes for readiness scores were 5.52 in intervention areas and 0.56 in control areas (P < .001). Relative changes for awareness and readiness were significantly correlated with a community's baseline risk perception and previous experience with natural disasters (P < .001).ConclusionsAn educational intervention administered through the PHC system effectively improved disaster awareness and readiness at a community level. For sustainability, community disaster reduction programs must be integrated into routine public health service delivery. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:481-490)
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness of Health Professions Students: A Multidisciplinary Assessment of Knowledge, Confidence, and Attitudes
Authors: Markenson David , Woolf Seth , Redlener Irwin , Reilly Michael 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectiveThis study assessed disaster medicine knowledge and competence and perceived self-efficacy and motivation for disaster response among medical, nursing, and dental students.MethodsSurvey methodology was used to evaluate knowledge, comfort, perceived competency, and motivation. Also, a nonresponder survey was used to control for responder bias.ResultsA total of 136 responses were received across all 3 schools. A nonresponder survey showed no statistical differences with regard to age, gender, previous presence at a disaster, and previous emergency response training. In spite of good performance on many knowledge items, respondent confidence was low in knowledge and in comfort to perform in disaster situations. Knowledge was strong in areas of infection control, decontamination, and biological and chemical terrorism but weak in areas of general emergency management, role of government agencies, and radiologic events. Variations in knowledge among the different health professions were slight, but overall the students believed that they required additional education. Finally, students were motivated not only to acquire more knowledge but to respond to disaster situations.ConclusionsHealth care students must be adequately educated to assume roles in disasters that are a required part of their professions. This education also is necessary for further disaster medicine education in either postgraduate or occupational education. As students’ performance on knowledge items was better than their perceived knowledge, it appears that a majority of this education can be achieved with the use of existing curricula, with minor modification, and the addition of a few focused subjects, which may be delivered through novel educational approaches. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:499-506)