bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The inter-relationship among economic activities, environmental degradation, material consumption and population health in low-income countries: a longitudinal ecological study
Authors: Chuang Ying-Chih , Huang Ya-Li , Hu Ching-Yao , Chen Ssm-Ching , Tseng Kuo-Chien 
Published: July 2015

ObjectivesThe theory of ecological unequal exchange explains how trade and various forms of economic activity create the problem of environmental degradation, and lead to the deterioration of population health. Based on this theory, our study examined the inter-relationship among economic characteristics, ecological footprints, CO2emissions, infant mortality rates and under-5 mortality rates in low-income countries.DesignA longitudinal ecological study design.SettingSixty-six low-income countries from 1980 to 2010 were included in the analyses. Data for each country represented an average of 23 years (N=1497).Data sourcesData were from the World Development Indicators, UN Commodity Trade Statistics Database, Global Footprint Network and Polity IV Project.AnalysesLinear mixed models with a spatial power covariance structure and a correlation that decreased over time were constructed to accommodate the repeated measures. Statistical analyses were conducted separately by sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and other regions.ResultsAfter controlling for country-level sociodemographic characteristics, debt and manufacturing, economic activities were positively associated with infant mortality rates and under-5 mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa. By contrast, export intensity and foreign investment were beneficial for reducing infant and under-5 mortality rates in Latin America and other regions. Although the ecological footprints and CO2emissions did not mediate the relationship between economic characteristics and health outcomes, export intensity increased CO2emissions, but reduced the ecological footprints in sub-Saharan Africa. By contrast, in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, although export intensity was positively associated with the ecological footprints and also CO2emissions, the percentage of exports to high-income countries was negatively associated with the ecological footprints.ConclusionsThis study suggested that environmental protection and economic development are important for reducing infant and under-5 mortality rates in low-income countries.
A comparison study on the prevalence of obesity and its associated factors among city, township and rural area adults in China
Authors: Zou Yan , Zhang Ronghua , Zhou Biao , Huang Lichun , Chen Jiang , Gu Fang , Zhang Hexiang , Fang Yueqiang , Ding Gangqiang 
Published: July 2015

ObjectivesTo explore the association of dietary behaviour factors on obesity among city, township and rural area adults.SettingA stratified cluster sampling technique was employed in the present cross-sectional study. On the basis of socioeconomic characteristics, two cities, two townships and two residential villages were randomly selected where the investigation was conducted.ParticipantsA total of 1770 city residents, 2071 town residents and 1736 rural area residents participated in this survey.Primary and secondary outcome measuresDietary data were collected through interviews with each household member. Anthropometric values were measured. Participants with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥28.0 kg/m2were defined as obesity.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was 10.1%, 7.3% and 6.5% among city, township and rural area adults, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that for adults living in cities, the daily intake of rice and its products, wheat flour and its products, light coloured vegetables, pickled vegetables, nut, pork and sauce was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.112, 0.084, 0.109, 0.129, 0.077, 0.078, 0.125, p<0.05), while the daily intake of tubers, dried beans, milk and dairy products was negatively correlated with BMI (r=−0.086, −0.078, −0.116, p<0.05). For township residents, the daily intake of vegetable oil, salt, chicken essence, monosodium glutamate and sauce was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.088, 0.091, 0.078, 0.087, 0.189, p<0.05). For rural area residents, the daily intake of pork, fish and shrimp, vegetable oil and salt was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.087, 0.122, 0.093, 0.112, p<0.05), while the daily intake of dark coloured vegetables was negatively correlated with BMI (r=−0.105, p<0.05).ConclusionsThe prevalence of obesity was higher among city residents than among township and rural area residents. The findings of this study indicate that demographic and dietary factors could be associated with obesity among adults. Healthy dietary behaviour should be promoted and the ongoing monitoring of population nutrition and health status remains crucially important.
Ultrasonography for the prediction of urological surgical intervention in patients with renal colic
Authors: Taylor Mark , Woo Michael Y , Pageau Paul , McInnes Matthew D F , Watterson James , Thompson Jesse , Perry Jeffrey J 
Published: July 2015

ContextThere are no clear indicators of which ultrasound findings in an emergency department (ED) renal colic population are predictive of urological surgical intervention.ObjectiveTo determine the sonographic findings of renal colic that predict surgical intervention.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 500 consecutive ED patients with a diagnosis of renal colic that had ultrasonography (performed by radiology) during their ED visit. Our main outcome was urological surgical intervention. This was defined as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrostomy or ureteroscopy performed within 16 weeks of the initial ED presentation.ResultsOf the 500 identified patients, 483 met our eligibility criteria. Of this group, 67 (13.9%) received a surgical intervention. Ultrasound (US) findings were 97% (95% CI 88.7% to 99.5%) sensitive and 28.1% (23.9% to 32.8%) specific in ‘diagnosing’ the requirement for surgery when the ultrasound (US) showed either at least a stone present or showed moderate to severe hydronephrosis. The presence of stone and moderate to severe hydronephrosis had a + likelihood ratio (LR) 3.86 (2.46 to 6.07) and a −LR 0.72 (0.60 to 0.86). Having a stone ≥6 mm had a sensitivity of 77.6% (65.5% to 86.5%), a specificity of 73.6% (69.0% to 77.7%), a +LR of 2.94 (2.39 to 3.6) and a −LR 0.30 (0.19 to 0.48).ConclusionsRadiology performed ultrasonography is a valuable tool for identifying renal colic that will go on to receive a surgical intervention in the 16 weeks following an ED visit. Further studies are needed to confirm the utility of ultrasound findings of stone visualisation, stone size and moderate to severe hydronephrosis in determining which patients need outpatient urology follow-up.
Social capital and common mental disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Ehsan Annahita M , De Silva Mary J 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveThis study aims to systematically review all published quantitative studies examining the direct association between social capital and common mental disorders (CMD). Social capital has potential value for the promotion and prevention of CMD. The association between different types of social capital (individual cognitive and structural, and ecological cognitive and structural) and CMD must be explored to obtain conclusive evidence regarding the association, and to ascertain a direction of causality.Design10 electronic databases were searched to find studies examining the association between social capital and CMD published before July 2014. The effect estimates and sample sizes for each type of social capital were separately analysed for cross-sectional and cohort studies. From 1857 studies retrieved, 39 were selected for inclusion: 31 cross-sectional and 8 cohort studies. 39 effect estimates were found for individual level cognitive, 31 for individual level structural, 9 for ecological level cognitive and 11 for ecological level structural social capital.Main resultsThis review provides evidence that individual cognitive social capital is protective against developing CMD. Ecological cognitive social capital is also associated with reduced risk of CMD, though the included studies were cross-sectional. For structural social capital there was overall no association at either the individual or ecological levels. Two cross-sectional studies found that in low-income settings, a mother's participation in civic activities is associated with an increased risk of CMD.ConclusionsThere is now sufficient evidence to design and evaluate individual and ecological cognitive social capital interventions to promote mental well-being and prevent CMD.
Searching for cavities of various densities in the Earth’s crust with a low-energy ν̄e β-beam
Authors: Argüelles C. A. , Bustamante M. , Gago A. M. 
Published: July 2015

We propose searching for deep underground cavities of different densities in the Earth’s crust using a long-baseline [Formula: see text] disappearance experiment, realized through a low-energy [Formula: see text]-beam with highly-enhanced luminosity. We focus on four cases: cavities with densities close to that of water, iron-banded formations, heavier mineral deposits, and regions of abnormal charge accumulation that have been posited to appear prior to the occurrence of an intense earthquake. The sensitivity to identify cavities attains confidence levels (C.L.s) higher than [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for exposure times of three months and 1.5 years, respectively, and cavity densities below [Formula: see text] or above [Formula: see text], with widths greater than 200 km. We reconstruct the cavity density, width, and position, assuming one of them known while keeping the other two free. We obtain large allowed regions that improve as the cavity density differs more from the Earth’s mean density. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the knowledge of the cavity density is important to obtain O(10%) error on the width. Finally, we introduce an observable to quantify the presence of a cavity by changing the orientation of the [Formula: see text] beam, with which we are able to identify the presence of a cavity at the [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] C.L.
Real-Life Distribution of KRAS and NRAS Mutations in Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma from French Routine Genotyping
Authors: Piton Nicolas , Lonchamp Etienne , Nowak Frédérique , Sabourin Jean-Christophe 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
In metastatic colorectal cancer, KRAS and NRAS genotyping is mandatory before prescription of panitumumab or cetuximab. In order to perform such molecular tests, the French National Cancer Institute has set up a nationwide network of molecular centers. We report here the percentage of these mutations according to a prospective nonselected cohort of incident metastatic colorectal carcinoma patients. A total of 6,803 patients were tested between July 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013. Overall, 49.06% of patients harbored a mutation in either KRAS or NRAS. Mutations of NRAS exons 3 and 4 were very rare. No NRAS exon 3 at c.59 or exon 4 at c.117 mutations were retrieved, and only 1 NRAS exon 4 at c.146 mutation was detected. This present cohort is likely to represent most of the incident cases of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas arising in France over 6 months and is to our knowledge the largest population set genotyped for these genes in this condition. This is a unique opportunity to observe the frequency of RAS mutations regardless of most inclusion bias. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(9); 1416–8. ©2015 AACR.
Causes of the 2011–14 California Drought*
Authors: Seager Richard , Hoerling Martin , Schubert Siegfried , Wang Hailan , Lyon Bradfield , Kumar Arun , Nakamura Jennifer , Henderson Naomi 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
The causes of the California drought during November–April winters of 2011/12–2013/14 are analyzed using observations and ensemble simulations with seven atmosphere models forced by observed SSTs. Historically, dry California winters are most commonly associated with a ridge off the west coast but no obvious SST forcing. Wet winters are most commonly associated with a trough off the west coast and an El Niño event. These attributes of dry and wet winters are captured by many of the seven models. According to the models, SST forcing can explain up to a third of California winter precipitation variance. SST forcing was key to sustaining a high pressure ridge over the west coast and suppressing precipitation during the three winters. In 2011/12 this was a response to a La Niña event, whereas in 2012/13 and 2013/14 it appears related to a warm west–cool east tropical Pacific SST pattern. All models contain a mode of variability linking such tropical Pacific SST anomalies to a wave train with a ridge off the North American west coast. This mode explains less variance than ENSO and Pacific decadal variability, and its importance in 2012/13 and 2013/14 was unusual. The models from phase 5 of CMIP (CMIP5) project rising greenhouse gases to cause changes in California all-winter precipitation that are very small compared to recent drought anomalies. However, a long-term warming trend likely contributed to surface moisture deficits during the drought. As such, the precipitation deficit during the drought was dominated by natural variability, a conclusion framed by discussion of differences between observed and modeled tropical SST trends.
Is There a Relationship Between Snoring Sound Intensity and Frequency and OSAS Severity?
Authors: Acar Mustafa , Yazıcı Demet , Bayar Muluk Nuray , Hancı Deniz , Seren Erdal , Cingi Cemal 
Published: July 2015

Objectives: We investigated the relationship between snoring sounds and severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods: A total number of 103 snoring patients (60 males and 43 females) were evaluated by means of polysomnographic findings and snoring sound recordings. Snoring sound intensity was assessed using fast Fourier transform (FFT) method by measuring maximal frequency (Fmax) and average snoring sound intensity level (SSIL). Results: Maximal frequency and SSIL are correlated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), REM AHI, and severity of the OSAS. So, as the severity of the OSAS increased, so did the Fmax and SSIL of the snoring recordings, meaning patients started snoring louder with more frequency. In older patients, in females, in severe OSAS group, and in patients with higher body mass index (BMI), AHI and AHI REM values and SSIL and Fmax values increased. As mean oxygen (O2) saturation and lowest O2 saturation decreased, SSIL and Fmax values increased. Conclusion: Maximal frequency and SSIL analysis of the snoring sound increased in severe OSAS patients. People should be aware of the importance of snoring sounds. In particular, patients with snoring sounds increasing in intensity and of higher frequency should discuss with their physicians the possibility of OSAS.
Professional Burnout among Public School Teachers
Authors: Hock Roger R. 
Published: July 2015

This was a questionnaire study designed to address the problem of professional burnout among elementary, junior high, and high school teachers in a large metropolitan public school system. Subjects were 939 teachers in the San Diego Unified School District who responded to a new questionnaire that assessed various aspects of teachers and their jobs including demographic variables, teaching climate, job stress, and dissatisfaction, psychological effects of burnout, and related physical symptoms. The questionnaires were distributed and collected by the San Diego Teachers Association. Results indicated that there is wide variation in the degree of burnout teachers experience. No differences were found in susceptibility to burnout due to demographic variables such as age, sex, grade level, subject taught, or years of experience. Certain characteristics of teaching climate associated with high and low levels of burnout were identified. Those specific stressors that most affected teachers and those that were most highly associated with burnout were delineated. Additional analyses clarified the psychological and physical effects of burnout for the sample of teachers studied. Burnout as a useful construct for studying individuals in large organizations was discussed and suggestions were offered for future research possibilities.
Scalable efficient expansion of mesenchymal stem cells in xeno free media using commercially available reagents
Authors: Riordan Neil H , Madrigal Marialaura , Reneau Jason , de Cupeiro Kathya , Jiménez Natalia , Ruiz Sergio , Sanchez Nelsy , Ichim Thomas E , Silva Francisco , Patel Amit N 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Background
The rapid clinical translation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) has resulted in the development of cell-based strategies for multiple indications. Unfortunately one major barrier to widespread implementation of MSC-based therapies is the limited supply of fetal calf serum (FCS) used to expand cells to therapeutic numbers. Additionally, the xenogeneic element of fetal calf serum has been previously demonstrated to stimulate antibody mediated reactions and in some cases sensitization leading to anaphylaxis.

Method
XcytePLUS™ media, a human platelet lysate based product, was used to supplement the culture medium at 5, 7.5 and 10% and compared to fetal calf serum at 10%, for human umbilical cord MSC expansion. Properties of the expanded cells were investigated.

Results
This study demonstrated equivalent or superior effects of human platelet lysate compared to standard FCS supplemented media, based on doubling rate, without loss of identity or function, as demonstrated with flow cytometry characterization. Differentiation into osteocytes, adipocytes and chondrocytes was comparable from cells expanded in either media supplement.

Conclusions
These data support the implementation of human platelet lysate supplemented media as an alternative to xenogeneic containing preparations which may lead to safer MSC products with therapeutic uses.
Ubc9 Impairs Activation of the Brown Fat Energy Metabolism Program in Human White Adipocytes
Authors: Hartig Sean M. , Bader David A. , Abadie Kathleen V. , Motamed Massoud , Hamilton Mark P. , Long Weiwen , York Brian , Mueller Michaela , Wagner Martin , Trauner Michael , Chan Lawrence , Bajaj Mandeep , Moore David D. , Mancini Michael A. , McGuire Sean E. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) result from an inability to efficiently store and catabolize surplus energy in adipose tissue. Subcutaneous adipocytes protect against insulin resistance and T2DM by coupling differentiation with the induction of brown fat gene programs for efficient energy metabolism. Mechanisms that disrupt these programs in adipocytes are currently poorly defined, but represent therapeutic targets for the treatment of T2DM. To gain insight into these mechanisms, we performed a high-throughput microscopy screen that identified ubiquitin carrier protein 9 (Ubc9) as a negative regulator of energy storage in human sc adipocytes. Ubc9 depletion enhanced energy storage and induced the brown fat gene program in human sc adipocytes. Induction of adipocyte differentiation resulted in decreased Ubc9 expression commensurate with increased brown fat gene expression. Thiazolidinedione treatment reduced the interaction between Ubc9 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, suggesting a mechanism by which Ubc9 represses PPARγ activity. In support of this hypothesis, Ubc9 overexpression remodeled energy metabolism in human sc adipocytes by selectively inhibiting brown adipocyte-specific function. Further, Ubc9 overexpression decreased uncoupling protein 1 expression by disrupting PPARγ binding at a critical uncoupling protein 1 enhancer region. Last, Ubc9 is significantly elevated in sc adipose tissue isolated from mouse models of insulin resistance as well as diabetic and insulin-resistant humans. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a critical role for Ubc9 in the regulation of sc adipocyte energy homeostasis.
SwissPalm: Protein Palmitoylation database
Authors: Blanc Mathieu , David Fabrice , Abrami Laurence , Migliozzi Daniel , Armand Florence , Bürgi Jérôme , van der Goot Françoise Gisou 
Published: July 2015

Protein S-palmitoylation is a reversible post-translational modification that regulates many key biological processes, although the full extent and functions of protein S-palmitoylation remain largely unexplored. Recent developments of new chemical methods have allowed the establishment of palmitoyl-proteomes of a variety of cell lines and tissues from different species. As the amount of information generated by these high-throughput studies is increasing, the field requires centralization and comparison of this information. Here we present SwissPalm (http://swisspalm.epfl.ch), our open, comprehensive, manually curated resource to study protein S-palmitoylation. It currently encompasses more than 5000 S-palmitoylated protein hits from seven species, and contains more than 500 specific sites of S-palmitoylation. SwissPalm also provides curated information and filters that increase the confidence in true positive hits, and integrates predictions of S-palmitoylated cysteine scores, orthologs and isoform multiple alignments. Systems analysis of the palmitoyl-proteome screens indicate that 10% or more of the human proteome is susceptible to S-palmitoylation. Moreover, ontology and pathway analyses of the human palmitoyl-proteome reveal that key biological functions involve this reversible lipid modification. Comparative analysis finally shows a strong crosstalk between S-palmitoylation and other post-translational modifications. Through the compilation of data and continuous updates, SwissPalm will provide a powerful tool to unravel the global importance of protein S-palmitoylation.
Impact of the 2013 ASCO/CAP HER2 Guideline Updates at an Academic Medical Center That Performs Primary HER2 FISH Testing
Authors: Muller Kristen E. , Marotti Jonathan D. , Memoli Vincent A. , Wells Wendy A. , Tafe Laura J. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Objectives:
The 2013 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)/College of American Pathologists (CAP) guideline updates lowered the threshold for HER2 positivity and altered the equivocal category. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of these changes on the distribution of HER2 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) status. The utility of reflex HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) for FISH equivocal cases was also examined.

Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed all invasive breast cancers analyzed for HER2 via dual-probe FISH (PathVysion; Abbott Laboratories. Abbott Park, IL) 12 months before and after the HER2 guidelines updates were implemented. Reflex HER2 IHC results were recorded for HER2 FISH equivocal cases.

Results:
There was a significant increase in the number of HER2 FISH equivocal results after the guideline updates (4.9% vs 1.4%, P = .0087) that was independent of specimen type (core vs surgical, P = .6). All 17 FISH equivocal cases after the updates had reflex HER2 IHC: two (12%) of 17 were positive, 12 (71%) of 17 remained equivocal, and three (18%) of 17 were negative.

Conclusions:
Implementation of the 2013 ASCO/CAP HER2 guideline updates resulted in an increase in HER2 FISH equivocal results, which can be attributed to HER2 copy number, regardless of the HER2/CEP17 ratio. Reflex IHC for FISH equivocal cases is of limited utility; however, IHC does assign HER2 positivity or negativity in a small percentage of cases.