bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do Market Dominant Fund Distributors Provide Better Performing Funds To Investors?
Authors: Baek Kang , Park Young S. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractUninformed investors preferentially select distribution companies to purchase funds that suit their investment objectives, as they cannot evaluate each product themselves. Thus, their performance depends significantly on the quality of their fund distributors' product portfolios. This study examines whether fund distributors provide better performing funds to investors in return for distribution fees and, whether market‐dominant companies outperform the others. It differs from previous studies by applying distributor‐level as well as fund‐level analyses by calculating the equal‐ and sales‐weighted averages of the funds sold by each distribution company for all performance measures. The results demonstrate that fund distributors do not generate positive abnormal returns against the market; moreover, distributors with superior market power are inferior, except in market timing abilities.
Estimation of Risk and Return of Venture Capital Investments in an Emerging Market: An Iterative Generalized Method of Moments Approach
Authors: Kim Myung‐Jig , Kim Sang‐Soo , Lee Sang‐Heon 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis paper examines the risks and returns of venture capital investments using the Fama–French (Journal of Financial Economics, 1993; 33: 3) factor model and cash flow data. In doing so, this paper extends the single‐stage generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation approach proposed by Driessen et al. (Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 2012; 47: 511) to iterative GMM estimation by explicitly introducing the heteroskedasticity consistent covariance estimator. The iterative GMM method is simpler and faster to implement, it allows for a formal test for over‐identifying restrictions, and it seems to perform well in the small sample herein. Using the venture capital cash flow data of all liquidated funds incepted from 1999 to 2006 compiled by the Korea Venture Capital Association (KVCA), this paper finds that both market and high‐minus‐low (HML) factors are important. Unlike experiences in the United States market, however, the contribution of market factors is small and positive, whereas the contribution of HML factors is large and negative in the emerging market in Korea. This means that Korean venture capital strategies take a short position in value stocks and a long position in growth stocks. Because growth stocks lag while value stocks perform well during the sample period herein, the cost of capital turns out to be nearly zero. This is compensated for by a large positive abnormal return, yielding the expected return of 11.05% per year on venture capital investments in the Korean market.
Clinical evaluation of a novel technology for non‐invasive and continuous measurement of plasma haemoglobin concentration
Authors: Broderick A. J. , Desmond F. , Leen G. , Shorten G. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryWe undertook the first clinical evaluation of a novel, non‐invasive device for the continuous measurement of plasma haemoglobin concentration in 25 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. At four pre‐determined intervals, samples of blood were taken for plasma haemoglobin estimation on a blood gas analyser and a laboratory device and were compared with the plasma haemoglobin estimation on the novel device using the Bland–Altman method. The 95% limits of agreement for estimation of plasma haemoglobin concentration for the device vs. laboratory, the device vs. the blood gas analyser and the blood gas analyser vs. the laboratory were 101.3 g.l−1, 103.1 g.l−1 and 14.5 g.l−1, respectively. The bias (mean difference) in each case was 27.4 g.l−1, 25.1 g.l−1 and 2.4 g.l−1, respectively. We conclude that the novel device in its current form is not a suitable replacement for more invasive methods of determining plasma haemoglobin concentration in patients in the setting of cardiac surgery; however, lessons learnt from the study will help to improve the device's future performance.
Psychological aspects in pre‐transplantation assessments of patients prior to entering the first uterus transplantation trial
Authors: Järvholm Stina , Johannesson Liza , Brännström Mats 
Published: June 2015

AbstractUterus transplantation is a treatment of uterine factor infertility. It raises questions of psychological aspects and well‐being among the participants, which is of great importance as this is a new type of a major surgical procedure. This commentary focuses on the psychology surrounding this novel type of transplantation and the importance of patient selection. In addition, psychological aspects of events during the first postoperative year and the follow‐up are discussed.
Comparison of ketorolac 0.45% versus diclofenac 0.1% for macular thickness and volume after uncomplicated cataract surgery
Authors: Lee Tae Hee , Choi Won , Ji Yong Sok , Yoon Kyung Chul 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPurposeTo compare the effects of ketorolac 0.45% and diclofenac 0.1% on macular thickness and volume after uncomplicated cataract surgery.MethodsA total of 76 eyes of 76 patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery were included. Patients were treated with either diclofenac 0.1% (38 eyes) or ketorolac 0.45% (38 eyes) after surgery. The macular thickness and volume were obtained with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Central subfield thickness (CST, OCT 1 mm zone), total foveal thickness (TFT, OCT 3 mm zone), total macular thickness (TMT, OCT 6 mm zone), average macular thickness (AMT) and total macular volume (TMV) were compared between the two study groups.ResultsNo significant differences between groups were found in macular thickness or volume 1 month after cataract surgery. Two months after surgery, the ketorolac group had significantly lower CST, TFT, TMT and AMT than the diclofenac group (p < 0.05 for all). Additionally, 1 and 2 months after surgery, changes from preoperative values in CST (both p = 0.04), AMT (p = 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively) and TMV (both p = 0.04) were significantly less in the ketorolac group than in the diclofenac group.ConclusionsFollowing uncomplicated cataract surgery, topical ketorolac 0.45% was more effective than diclofenac 0.1% in preventing increases in macular thickness and volume.
Visual outcomes in relation to time to treatment in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Rasmussen Annette , Brandi Sara , Fuchs Josefine , Hansen Louise H , Lund‐Andersen Henrik , Sander Birgit , Larsen Michael 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPurposeTo study the relation between the interval from diagnosis to initiation of intravitreal injection therapy and visual outcome in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) and to report changes over time in fellow‐eye status.MethodsRetrospective chart review. The study included 1185 eyes in 1099 patients who began vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor treatment for nAMD during four separate periods in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012 using a fixed loading‐dose regimen of three ranibizumab injections.ResultsMean best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation remained within the range 0.23–0.24 Snellen and the median patient age within 79–80 years, whereas BCVA at first visit after the third injection increased from 0.24 to 0.31 (p < 0.0001) in concert with a shift in preferred practice from separate‐day injection to same‐day injection. This led to a reduction in the median time to treatment from 16 days to 1 day. The proportion of patients with fellow‐eye BCVA 0.05 or worse at presentation with newly diagnosed wet AMD in the incident eye decreased from 38% to 22% (p < 0.0018). The proportion of bilaterally treated patients increased during the study period.ConclusionIn this study, 2‐week‐earlier injection was associated with the equivalent of a 5‐Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letter‐gain in mean visual acuity at 3 months after presentation. The difference is larger than expected from the 2‐week‐longer duration of disease at the study end‐point. The study supports that early diagnosis and treatment of nAMD is of value for functional outcomes.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: the accuracy of diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome with symptoms, biomarkers and/or psychological markers
Authors: Sood R. , Gracie D. J. , Law G. R. , Ford A. C. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryBackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex, heterogeneous disease which can be challenging to diagnose. No study has identified and assessed the accuracy of all available methods of diagnosing IBS.AimTo conduct a systematic review of the literature to identify and assess accuracy of symptom‐based diagnostic criteria, biomarkers, psychological markers or combinations thereof.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE and EMBASE Classic were searched (until April 2015) to identify studies reporting accuracy of available methods to diagnose IBS in adult populations. Eligible studies assessed accuracy of these diagnostic tests against an accepted reference standard. Data were extracted to calculate positive and negative likelihood ratios, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), of the diagnostic test utilised. Where more than one study used the same test, data were pooled in a meta‐analysis.ResultsTwenty‐two studies (7106 patients) were eligible. Positive and negative likelihood ratios of the current gold standard, the Rome III criteria, were 3.35 (95% CI: 2.97–3.79) and 0.39 (95% CI: 0.34–0.46), similar to other symptom‐based criteria. Eleven biomarkers performed no better than symptom‐based criteria. Psychological markers performed well in one study. Five different combinations were assessed. The best in terms of positive likelihood ratio was faecal calprotectin, intestinal permeability and Rome I criteria (26.4; 95% CI: 11.4–61.9), and in terms of negative likelihood ratio serum‐based biomarkers and psychological markers (0.18; 95% CI: 0.12–0.25).ConclusionsSymptom‐based diagnostic criteria, biomarkers and psychological markers performed modestly in predicting IBS. Combining symptoms with markers appears more effective, and may represent the way forward in the diagnosis of IBS.
JAK inhibition induces silencing of T Helper cytokine secretion and a profound reduction in T regulatory cells
Authors: Keohane Clodagh , Kordasti Shahram , Seidl Thomas , Perez Abellan Pilar , Thomas Nicholas S. B. , Harrison Claire N. , McLornan Donal P. , Mufti Ghulam J. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryCD4+ T cells maintain cancer surveillance and immune tolerance. Chronic inflammation has been proposed as a driver of clonal evolution in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), suggesting that T cells play an important role in their pathogenesis. Treatment with JAK inhibitors (JAKi) results in improvements in MPN‐associated constitutional symptoms as well as reductions in splenomegaly. However, effects of JAKi on T cells in MPN are not well established and the baseline immune signature remains unclear. We investigated the frequency and function of CD4+ T cell subsets in 50 MPN patients at baseline as well as during treatment with either ruxolitinib or fedratinib in a subset. We show that CD4+ CD127low CD25high FOXP3+ T regulatory cells are reduced in MPN patients compared to healthy controls and that this decrease is even more pronounced following JAKi therapy. Moreover, we show that after 6 months of treatment the number of T helper (Th)‐17 cells increased. We also describe a functional ‘silencing’ of T helper cells both in vivo and in vitro and a blockade of pro‐inflammatory cytokines from these cells. This profound effect of JAKi on T cell function may underlay augmented rates of atypical infections that have been reported with use of these drugs.
Genetic predisposition to albuminuria is associated with increased arterial stiffness: role of elastin
Authors: Gil‐Ortega M , García‐Prieto C F , Ruiz‐Hurtado G , Steireif C , González M C , Schulz A , Kreutz R , Fernández‐Alfonso M S , Arribas S , Somoza B 
Published: June 2015

Background and PurposeThe Munich Wistar Frömter (MWF) rat strain represents an experimental model to study cardiovascular alterations under conditions of progressive albuminuria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between genetic predisposition to albuminuria and the development of arterial stiffness and/or vascular remodelling.Experimental ApproachExperiments were performed in mesenteric arteries from 12‐week‐old MWF, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and consomic MWF‐6SHR and MWF‐8SHR rats in which chromosomes 6 or 8 associated with albuminuria from MWF were replaced by the respective chromosome from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).Key ResultsIncremental distensibility, wall stress and strain were reduced, and arterial stiffness was significantly increased in albuminuric MWF compared with WKY. Albuminuria suppression in both consomic strains was associated with lower β‐values in MWF‐8SHR and MWF‐6SHR compared with MWF. Moreover, elastin content was significantly lower in MWF external elastic lamina compared with WKY and both consomic strains. In addition, a reduction in arterial external and internal diameter and cross‐sectional area was detected in MWF compared with WKY, thus exhibiting an inward hypotrophic remodelling. However, these alterations remained unchanged in both consomic strains.Conclusion and ImplicationsThese data demonstrate that albuminuria in MWF is associated with increased arterial stiffness due to a reduction of elastin content in the external elastic lamina. Moreover, inward hypotrophic remodelling in MWF is not directly associated with albuminuria. In contrast, we demonstrated that two major genetic loci affect both the development of albuminuria and arterial stiffness, thus linking albuminuria and impairment of mechanical properties of resistance arteries.
Monoglyceride lipase deficiency causes desensitization of intestinal cannabinoid receptor type 1 and increased colonic μ‐opioid receptor sensitivity
Authors: Taschler U , Eichmann T O , Radner F P W , Grabner G F , Wolinski H , Storr M , Lass A , Schicho R , Zimmermann R 
Published: June 2015

Background and PurposeMonoglyceride lipase (MGL) degrades 2‐arachidonoyl glycerol (2‐AG), an endogenous agonist of cannabinoid receptors (CB1/2). Because the CB1 receptor is involved in the control of gut function, we investigated the effects of pharmacological inhibition and genetic deletion of MGL on intestinal motility. Furthermore, we determined whether defective 2‐AG degradation affects μ‐opioid receptor (μ receptor) signalling, a parallel pathway regulating gut motility.Experimental ApproachGut motility was investigated by monitoring Evans Blue transit and colonic bead propulsion in response to MGL inhibition and CB1 receptor or μ receptor stimulation. Ileal contractility was investigated by electrical field stimulation. CB1 receptor expression in ileum and colon was assessed by immunohistochemical analyses.Key ResultsPharmacological inhibition of MGL slowed down whole gut transit in a CB1 receptor‐dependent manner. Conversely, genetic deletion of MGL did not affect gut transit despite increased 2‐AG levels. Notably, MGL deficiency caused complete insensitivity to CB1 receptor agonist‐mediated inhibition of whole gut transit and ileal contractility suggesting local desensitization of CB1 receptors. Accordingly, immunohistochemical analyses of myenteric ganglia of MGL‐deficient mice revealed that CB1 receptors were trapped in endocytic vesicles. Finally, MGL‐deficient mice displayed accelerated colonic propulsion and were hypersensitive to μ receptor agonist‐mediated inhibition of colonic motility. This phenotype was reproduced by chronic pharmacological inhibition of MGL.Conclusion and ImplicationsConstantly elevated 2‐AG levels induce severe desensitization of intestinal CB1 receptors and increased sensitivity to μ receptor‐mediated inhibition of colonic motility. These changes should be considered when cannabinoid‐based drugs are used in the therapy of gastrointestinal diseases.
Minister's Caucus Advisory Committees under the Harper government
Authors: Wilson R. Paul 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn 2010 Prime Minister Stephen Harper quietly created a system of Minister's Caucus Advisory Committees (MCACs), requiring ministers to consult with their backbench colleagues before taking policy proposals to cabinet. Based on interviews with Conservative MPs, ministers, political staffers and public servants, the paper argues that MCACs increase MPs' influence over government policy and enhance cohesion within the government's parliamentary caucus. By constraining ministers' policy freedom and providing the prime minister with regular political intelligence concerning policy proposals, MCACs reinforce his pre‐eminence within cabinet and represent a significant innovation in the relationship between the executive and government caucus.
Outdoor physical activity and its relation with self‐reported health in Japanese children: results from the Toyama birth cohort study
Authors: Liu J. , Sekine M. , Tatsuse T. , Fujimura Y. , Hamanishi S. , Lu F. , Zheng X. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have examined trends in engagement in outdoor physical activity as children grow and whether changes in physical activity at different ages affect children's health. This study determined the preference for and frequency of physical activity among Japanese children from ages 6 to 12 years and investigated the effect of physical activity and of change in physical activity on children's self‐reported health.MethodsData were from the prospective, longitudinal Toyama Birth Cohort Study, a total of 5238 children were followed at their age of 12 years. Preference for and frequency of outdoor physical activity were from the self‐administered questionnaire. Self‐reported health was from the Japanese version of Dartmouth Primary Care Co‐operative project charts.ResultsReporting liking and participating in outdoor physical activity at both ages 6 and 12 years were associated with higher likelihood of good self‐reported health (Odds ratio 1.24 [95% CI: 1.03–1.50] for liking activity and OR = 1.27[1.08, 1.50] for participating in activity) compared with those who did not like or participate in this at only one or at neither age, after adjustment for lifestyle factors and body pain. The adjusted OR was 1.23 (95% CI: 0.97–1.56) for girls whose preference for liking outdoor physical activity was not changed at both ages compared with those whose preference changed. The OR was 1.47 (95% CI: 1.14–1.89) for boys who persisted in participating in the outdoor physical activity than those who did not persist.ConclusionsThere is an association between a persistent expression of liking outdoor physical activity and self‐ reported health.
IL-1R1 is expressed on both Helios+ and Helios−FoxP3+CD4+ T cells in the rheumatic joint
Authors: Müller M , Herrath J , Malmström V 
Published: June 2015

SummarySynovial fluid from rheumatic joints displays a well-documented enrichment of forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)+ regulatory T cells (tissue Tregs). However, we have previously demonstrated that the mere frequency of FoxP3 expressing cells cannot predict suppressive function. Instead, extrinsic factors and the functional heterogeneity of FoxP3+ Tregs complicate the picture. Here, we investigated FoxP3+ Tregs from blood and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatic disease in relation to Helios expression by assessing phenotypes, proliferative potential and cytokine production by flow cytometry. Our aim was to investigate the discriminatory potential of Helios when studying FoxP3+ Tregs in an inflammatory setting. We demonstrate that the majority of the synovial FoxP3+CD4+ T cells in patients with inflammatory arthritis expressed Helios. Helios+FoxP3+ Tregs displayed a classical Treg phenotype with regard to CD25 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA)-4 expression and a demethylated Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR). Furthermore, Helios+FoxP3+ T cells were poor producers of the effector cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), as well as of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10. The less abundant Helios–FoxP3+ T cell subset was also enriched significantly in the joint, displayed a overlapping phenotype to the double-positive Treg cells with regard to CTLA-4 expression, but differed by their ability to secrete IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF upon T cell receptor (TCR) cross-linking. We also demonstrate a striking enrichment of IL-1R1 expression in synovial CD4+ T cells that was restricted to the CD25-expressing FoxP3 population, but independent of Helios. IL-1R1 expression appears to define a tissue Treg cell phenotype together with the expression of CD25, glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor family-related gene (GITR) and CTLA-4.
Oscillatory mTOR inhibition and Treg increase in kidney transplantation
Authors: Sabbatini M , Ruggiero G , Palatucci A T , Rubino V , Federico S , Giovazzino A , Apicella L , Santopaolo M , Matarese G , Galgani M , Terrazzano G 
Published: June 2015

Summary
Intracellular metabolic pathways dependent upon the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) play a key role in immune-tolerance control. In this study, we focused on long-term mTOR-dependent immune-modulating effects in kidney transplant recipients undergoing conversion from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) to mTOR inhibitors (everolimus) in a 1-year follow-up. The conversion to everolimus is associated with a decrease of neutrophils and of CD8+ T cells. In addition, we observed a reduced production of interferon (IFN)-γ by CD8+ T cells and of interleukin (IL)-17 by CD4+ T lymphocytes. An increase in CD4+CD25+ forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)+ [regulatory T cell [(Treg)] numbers was also seen. Treg increase correlated with a higher proliferation rate of this regulatory subpopulation when compared with the CD4+FoxP3− effector counterpart. Basal phosphorylation level of S6 kinase, a major mTOR-dependent molecular target, was substantially maintained in patients treated with everolimus. Moreover, oscillations in serum concentration of everolimus were associated with changes in basal and activation-dependent S6 kinase phosphorylation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Indeed, T cell receptor (TCR) triggering was observed to induce significantly higher S6 kinase phosphorylation in the presence of lower everolimus serum concentrations. These results unveil the complex mTOR-dependent immune-metabolic network leading to long-term immune-modulation and might have relevance for novel therapeutic settings in kidney transplants.
Enhanced bone regeneration by silicon‐substituted hydroxyapatite derived from cuttlefish bone
Authors: Kim Beom‐Su , Yang Sun‐Sik , Yoon Jung‐Hoon , Lee Jun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjectiveThere is growing interest in the use of cuttlefish bone (CB) as a bone graft material. Silicon (Si) plays an important role in bone formation and calcification. This study aimed to prepare Si‐substituted CB‐derived hydroxyapatite (Si‐CB‐HAp) using a natural CB to improve the bioactivity for bone formation.Materials and methodsWe prepared Si‐HAp from CB (Si‐CB‐HAp) using a hydrothermal and solvothermal method. The microstructure and chemical composition were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDS). The bioactivity of the Si‐CB‐HAp was evaluated using human mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, the in vivo bone regeneration efficiency was evaluated using a rabbit calvarial defect model.ResultsOur results show that the Si content was 0.77 wt% in Si‐CB‐HAp, and its original microstructure was conserved. The presence of Si was shown to enhance cell proliferation and early cellular attachment of human mesenchymal stem cells. Additionally, results of alkaline phosphatase activity and real‐time PCR for osteoblast marker genes show that Si substitution into CB‐HAp enhanced osteoblast differentiation. In addition, in vivo bone defect healing experiments show that the formation of bone with Si‐CB‐HAp is higher than that with CB‐HAp.ConclusionThese results indicate that Si‐CB‐HAp may potentially be used as a bone graft material to enhance bone healing.