bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are Sulfonylurea and Insulin Therapies Associated With a Larger Risk of Cancer Than Metformin Therapy? A Retrospective Database Analysis
Authors: Kowall Bernd , Rathmann Wolfgang , Kostev Karel 
Published: October 2014

OBJECTIVE
Several meta-analyses of observational studies suggested that metformin use reduces cancer risk in type 2 diabetes. However, this result was not confirmed by the few available randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and many observational studies on metformin and cancer were potentially afflicted with time-related bias. We aimed to avoid this bias when comparing cancer incidence in users of sulfonylurea, insulin, and other diabetes medications, respectively, with cancer incidence in metformin users.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
In a retrospective observational study, we used the German Disease Analyzer database with patient data from general practices throughout Germany. The study sample included 22,556 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. During the median follow-up time of 4.8 years, 1,446 (6.4%) patients developed any cancer. In Cox regression analyses with either monotherapies or first diabetes medications as drug exposure, users of sulfonylurea (or insulin or other antidiabetes medications) were compared with metformin users.

RESULTS
In multivariable adjusted models, hazard ratios were 1.09 (95% CI 0.87–1.36) for sulfonylurea monotherapy, 1.14 (95% CI 0.85–1.55) for insulin monotherapy, and 0.94 (95% CI 0.67–1.33) for other diabetes medications compared with metformin monotherapy. Results were similar for comparison of first diabetes medications.

CONCLUSIONS
In a retrospective database analysis, taking into account potential time-related biases, no reduced cancer risk was found in metformin users. To clarify the association between diabetes medication and cancer risk, further well-designed observational studies and RCTs are needed.
Smoking and Long-Term Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: The EPIC-InterAct Study in European Populations
Authors:   The InterAct Consortium, Spijkerman Annemieke M.W. , van der A Daphne L. , Nilsson Peter M. , Ardanaz Eva , Gavrila Diana , Agudo Antonio , Arriola Larraitz , Balkau Beverley , Beulens Joline W. , Boeing Heiner , de Lauzon-Guillain Blandine , Fagherazzi Guy , Feskens Edith J.M. , Franks Paul W. , Grioni Sara , Huerta José María , Kaaks Rudolf , Key Timothy J. , Overvad Kim , Palli Domenico , Panico Salvatore , Redondo M. Luisa , Rolandsson Olov , Roswall Nina , Sacerdote Carlotta , Sánchez María-José , Schulze Matthias B. , Slimani Nadia , Teucher Birgit , Tjonneland Anne , Tumino Rosario , van der Schouw Yvonne T. , Langenberg Claudia , Sharp Stephen J. , Forouhi Nita G. , Riboli Elio , Wareham Nicholas J. 
Published: October 2014

OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to investigate the association between smoking and incident type 2 diabetes, accounting for a large number of potential confounding factors, and to explore potential effect modifiers and intermediate factors.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-InterAct is a prospective case-cohort study within eight European countries, including 12,403 cases of incident type 2 diabetes and a random subcohort of 16,835 individuals. After exclusion of individuals with missing data, the analyses included 10,327 cases and 13,863 subcohort individuals. Smoking status was used (never, former, current), with never smokers as the reference. Country-specific Prentice-weighted Cox regression models and random-effects meta-analysis were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS
In men, the HRs (95% CI) of type 2 diabetes were 1.40 (1.26, 1.55) for former smokers and 1.43 (1.27, 1.61) for current smokers, independent of age, education, center, physical activity, and alcohol, coffee, and meat consumption. In women, associations were weaker, with HRs (95% CI) of 1.18 (1.07, 1.30) and 1.13 (1.03, 1.25) for former and current smokers, respectively. There was some evidence of effect modification by BMI. The association tended to be slightly stronger in normal weight men compared with those with overall adiposity.

CONCLUSIONS
Former and current smoking was associated with a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes compared with never smoking in men and women, independent of educational level, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and diet. Smoking may be regarded as a modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and smoking cessation should be encouraged for diabetes prevention.
Changes in Adipose Tissue Depots and Metabolic Markers Following a 1-Year Diet and Exercise Intervention in Overweight and Obese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Gallagher Dympna , Heshka Stanley , Kelley David E. , Thornton John , Boxt Lawrence , Pi-Sunyer F. Xavier , Patricio Jennifer , Mancino Juliet , Clark Jeanne M. ,   the MRI Ancillary Study Group of the Look AHEAD Research Group
Published: October 2014

OBJECTIVE
We aim to characterize the effects on total body fat and distribution of a 1-year intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) for weight loss in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes and to examine whether changes in adipose tissue (AT) depots were associated with changes in metabolic biomarkers.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Participants were 54 females and 38 males (age 57.8 ± 6.7 years [mean ± SD]; BMI 31.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2) enrolled in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial randomized to ILI or diabetes support and education (DSE) from whom baseline and 1-year MRI measures of total AT (TAT) and regional (arm, trunk, leg) AT, including subcutaneous AT (SAT), visceral AT (VAT), and intermuscular AT (IMAT), were acquired. We tested whether mean changes in ILI and DSE were equal and, within groups, whether changes were different from zero. Regression models tested whether changes in AT compartments were associated with metabolic variable changes.

RESULTS
Body weight changed −0.52 ± 3.62 kg (P = 0.31) in DSE and −7.24 ± 5.40 kg (P &lt; 0.0001) in ILI. Mean ILI changes were different from DSE (P &lt; 0.001 for TAT, SAT, and IMAT and P &lt; 0.01 for VAT in females). Within ILI, SAT and VAT decreased in males and females (P &lt; 0.0001), but IMAT was unchanged (0.00 ± 0.54 kg; P = 0.99). In DSE, SAT and VAT did not change, but IMAT increased by 0.46 ± 0.55 kg (P &lt; 0.001). Controlling for weight loss, reduction of specific AT depots was associated with improvement in metabolic biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS
Weight loss of 7–10% from an ILI over 1 year reduced SAT and VAT and prevented an increase in IMAT. Reductions in AT depots were associated with improvements in biomarkers.
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults With Low-Titer GAD Antibodies: Similar Disease Progression With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Liu Lingjiao , Li Xia , Xiang Yufei , Huang Gan , Lin Jian , Yang Lin , Zhao Yunjuan , Yang Zhifang , Hou Can , Li Yijun , Liu Jie , Zhu Dalong , Leslie R. David , Wang Xiangbing , Zhou Zhiguang 
Published: October 2014

OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the relationship between GAD autoantibody (GADA) titers and changing of β-cell function in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This 3-year prospective study enrolled 95 subjects from 15 Chinese cities including 25 high-titer (GADA ≥180 units/mL) LADA patients, 42 low-titer (GADA &lt;180 units/mL) LADA patients, and 28 type 2 diabetic patients, the latter two groups as controls of similar age, sex, and BMI. Clinical characteristics were determined annually, including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting C-peptide (FCP), and 2-h postprandial C-peptide (PCP).

RESULTS
Despite similar initial FCP and PCP, FCP and PCP both decreased more in subjects with high GADA titer (FCP from mean 0.49 nmol/L at entry to 0.13 nmol/L at the third year; P &lt; 0.05) than with low GADA titer (FCP from mean 0.48 to 0.38 nmol/L) and type 2 diabetes (FCP from mean 0.47 to 0.36 nmol/L); the latter two groups being similar. After 3 years, residual β-cell function (FCP &gt;0.2 nmol/L) was detected in only 42% with an initial high GADA titer compared with 90% with a low GADA titer and 97% with type 2 diabetes (P &lt; 0.01 for both). GADA positivity at the third year persisted more in subjects with initially high GADA (92%) than with low GADA (26%) titers (P &lt; 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS
In selected LADA patients, initial GADA titers identified subjects with different degrees of persistent autoimmunity and disease progression. LADA patients with a low GADA titer had metabolic phenotypes and loss of β-cell function similar to type 2 diabetic patients.
Gas Emissions in Combustion of Biofuel
Authors: Vitázek Ivan , Klúčik Janko , Pinter Tomáš , Mikulová Zuzana 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Nowadays, biomass or more precisely biofuel is more and more being exploited as a substitute for fossil fuels for heating as well as for example for heating a drying environment. This contribution focuses on assessing a heat source by combusting various types of solid biofuels. It is a boiler VIGAS 25 with AK 2000 regulation for heating a family house. Gaseous emissions were measured using a device TESTO 330-2LL. Firewood, peat briquettes, bark briquettes and hardwood briquettes were burnt. Results of experimental measurements concerning the production of gaseous emissions are processed in tables and graphs depending on boiler performance and combustion time.
Geochemistry and Fuid-Inclusion Microthermometry of the Farsesh Barite Deposit, Iran
Authors: Zarasvandi Alireza , Zaheri Nazanin , Pourkaseb Houshang , Chrachi Abbas , Bagheri Hashem 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
The Permian carbonate-hosted Farsesh barite deposit is located southeast of the City of Aligudarz in the province of Lorestan, Iran. Structurally, this deposit lies in the Zagros metallogenic belt and the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone. Barite mineralisations occur as open-space flling veins, and as massive and replacement ores along fractures, faults and shear zones of the Permian carbonate host rocks. In order to determine the structure, in addition to pe-trographic and fuid-inclusions studies, an ICP-MS analysis was carried out in order to measure the major as well as the trace and rare earth elements. The Farsesh barite deposit has a simple mineralogy, of which barite is the main mineral, followed by calcite, dolomite, quartz, and opaque minerals such as Fe-oxides. Replacement of bar-ite by calcite is common and is more frequent than space-flling mineralisation. Sulphide minerals are minor and mainly consist of chalcopyrite and pyrite, which are altered by weathering to covellite, malachite and azurite. Petrographic analysis and micro-thermometry were carried out on the two-phase liquid/vapour inclusions in ellipsoidal or irregularly shaped minerals ranging in size from 5–10 µm. The measurements were conducted on fuid inclusions during the heating and subsequent homogenisation in the liquid phase. The low homogenisation temperatures (200–125°C) and low to moderate salinity (4.2–20 eq wt% NaCl) indicate that the barite had precipitated from hydrothermal basinal water with low to moderate salinity. It appears from the major and trace elements that geochemical features such as Ba and Sr enrichment in the barite samples was accompanied by depletion of Pb, Zn, Hg, Cu and Sb. The geochemistry of the rare earth elements, such as low σREE concentrations, LREE-enrichment chondrite-normalised REE patterns, the negative Ce and positive Eu anomalies, the low Ce/La ratio and the positive La and Gd anomalies, suggest that the Farsesh barite was deposited from hydrothermally infuenced sea water. The Farsesh deposit contains low-temperature hydrothermal barite. The scatter plots of the barite (close to sea water) in different areas on the CeN/SmN versus CeN/YbN diagram support the possibility that the barite was formed from seawater-bearing hydrothermal fuids.
Microsatellite primers in Agave utahensis (Asparagaceae), a keystone species in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Plateau
Authors: Byers Charlee , Maughan Peter J. , Clouse Jared , Stewart J. Ryan 
Published: October 2014

• Premise of the study: Utah agave (Agave utahensis) and its putative subspecies, A. utahensis subsp. kaibabensis and A. utahensis subsp. utahensis, are keystone species of the Mojave Desert and Colorado Plateau in the southwestern United States. Here we developed microsatellite markers to study population structure and genetic diversity of the two subspecies of A. utahensis.• Methods and Results: We analyzed 22,386 454‐pyrosequencing large contigs (>400 bp), derived from a genome reduction experiment consisting of A. utahensis accessions, for putative microsatellites. The use of unique multiplex barcodes for each of the Agave accessions allowed for the identification of putatively polymorphic microsatellites based solely on sequence alignment analysis. We report the characteristics of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci based on a panel of 104 individuals from the two subspecies. The number of alleles per locus varied from three to eight, with an average of 5.5 alleles per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.038 to 0.777 and 0.038 to 0.707, respectively.• Conclusions: The microsatellites identified here will be invaluable for future studies of population structure, polyploidy, and genetic diversity across the species.
La procédure collégiale en pratique en soins palliatifs au domicile à Saint-Laurent du Maroni, Guyane
Authors: Furstenberg Cécile 
Published: October 2014

La procédure collégiale en pratique en soins palliatifs au domicile à Saint-Laurent du Maroni, Guyane – La procédure collégiale est d’une précieuse aide dans le contexte particulier des soins palliatifs en HAD. Elle devient très intéressante et utile lorsque le contexte de soins, l’environnement culturel diffère de celui des soignants. A Saint-Laurent du Maroni les origines culturelles et ethniques sont profuses et variées... confrontée aux complexités des prises de décisions lors de situations palliatives de personnes bushinenguées, j’aborderai la réflexion dans ce contexte particulier. L’alimentation et l’hydratation, symboles de vie ou éléments de base qui permettent de soutenir la vie, quand deviennent-ils déraisonnables... ? Comment choisir quand les avis sont partagés ?
L'aristocratie, une nouvelle élite urbaine ?
Authors: Hassler Éric 
Published: October 2014

La Cour et la Ville paraissent deux mondes en grande partie opposés à l’époque moderne. La présence d’élites nobiliaires est pourtant une réalité dans les villes de résidence monarchique. L’analyse des modalités de l’implantation à Vienne d’un lignage, la maison comtale Harrach, entre 1550 et 1750 permet d’évaluer le degré d’urbanité d’un groupe aux appartenances plurielles, seigneuriales, provinciales autant qu’auliques : l’importance de la propriété nobiliaire urbaine et leur position socialement dominante, leur forte exposition paysagère et le développement de rapports particuliers à l’espace urbain posent la question de leur intégration parmi les élites urbaines.
Wag the Dog: A Study on Film and Reality in the Digital Age
Authors: Thanouli Eleftheria 
Published: October 2014

Wag the Dog is a film that became a media event and a cultural icon because it inadvertently short-circuited the distance that is supposed to separate reality and fiction. The film’s narration challenges the established boundaries between the fiction and nonfiction tradition, as Barry Levinson, the director, embeds his interest in documentary filmmaking and complicates the issue of narrative agency in the way he frames the story.
The examination of the historical and social context in which it was produced, exhibited and received worldwide enables the author to illuminate a series of changes in the way a fiction film reflects and interacts with reality, urging us to reconsider some of our central and long-standing concepts or even paradigms in film theory. Eleftheria Thanouli provides new insights into a series of issues from both classical and contemporary film theory, like the conceptual and ontological stakes in the use of digital technology, the impact of mass media on public memory and the political role of cinema in a globalized and conglomerated world.
Consumer Health Informatics: The Application Of ICT In Improving Patient-Provider Partnership For A Better Health Care
Authors: Abaidoo Benjamin , Larweh Benjamin Teye 
Published: October 2014

Background: There is a growing interest concerning the potential of ICT solutions that are customized to consumers. This emerging discipline referred to as consumer health informatics (CHI) plays a major role in providing information to patients and the public, and facilitates the promotion of self-management.The concept of CHI has emerged out of the desire of most patients to shoulder responsibilities regarding their health and a growing desire of health practitioners to fully appreciate the potential of the patient.Aim: To describe the role of ICT in improving the patient-provider partnership in consumer health informatics.Methods: Systematic reviewing of literature, identification of reference sources and formulation of search strategies and manual search regarding the significance of developed CHI applications in healthcare delivery.Results: New consumer health IT applications have been developed to be used on a variety of different platforms, including the Web, messaging systems, PDAs, and cell phones. These applications assists patients with self-management through reminders and prompts, delivery of real-time data on a patient’s health condition to patients and providers, web-based communication and personal electronic health information.Conclusion: New tools are being developed for the purposes of providing information to patients and the public which has enhanced decision making in health matters and an avenue for clinicians and consumers to exchange health information for personal and public use. This calls for corroboration among healthcare organizations, governments and the ICT industry to develop new research and IT innovations which are tailored to the health needs of the consumer.
Google and Women’s Health-Related Issues: What Does the Search Engine Data Reveal?
Authors: Abenhaim Haim Arie , Baazeem Mazin 
Published: October 2014

Objectives: Identifying the gaps in public knowledge of women’s health related issues has always been difficult. With the increasing number of Internet users in the United States, we sought to use the Internet as a tool to help us identify such gaps and to estimate women’s most prevalent health concerns by examining commonly searched health-related keywords in Google search engine. Methods: We collected a large pool of possible search keywords from two independent practicing obstetrician/gynecologists and classified them into five main categories (obstetrics, gynecology, infertility, urogynecology/menopause and oncology), and measured the monthly average search volume within the United States for each keyword with all its possible combinations using Google AdWords tool. Results: We found that pregnancy related keywords were less frequently searched in general compared to other categories with an average of 145,400 hits per month for the top twenty keywords. Among the most common pregnancy-related keywords was “pregnancy and sex’ while pregnancy-related diseases were uncommonly searched. HPV alone was searched 305,400 times per month. Of the cancers affecting women, breast cancer was the most commonly searched with an average of 247,190 times per month, followed by cervical cancer then ovarian cancer. Conclusion: The commonly searched keywords are often issues that are not discussed in our daily practice as well as in public health messages. The search volume is relatively related to disease prevalence with the exception of ovarian cancer which could signify a public fear.
Impact of Macroeconomics variable on the Stock Market index; A Study From Pakistan
Authors: Khan Waseem Ahmad , Javed Muhammad Arif , Shahzad Nimra , Sheikh Qandeel , Saddique Samina , Riaz Mariam , Batool Sania 
Published: October 2014

The focal point of this research article is to examine the possible impact of macroeconomic variable like fiscal policies and monetary policies (interest rate) and inflation rates on stock market performance in Pakistan. The Pearson correlation and regression analysis techniques were applied. For this purpose monthly data have been used. The paper finds that the Pakistan stock market index is significantly affected by the fiscal policy, monetary policy and inflation. The results have shown that the interest rate and government revenue have a significant negative relationship with the stock market index in Pakistan, whereas the inflation rate and the government expenditures have a significant positive relationship with the stock market Index in Pakistan.
Examining the Level of Financial Literacy among Saudi Investors and Its Impact on Financial Decisions
Authors: Mian Tariq Saeed 
Published: October 2014

Financial literacy and information requires that a person knows and understands the forms, functions and use of money and financial services. In today’s world financial literacy is important to every individual who wishes to select the best way to carry out payments and take care of banking issues. The current paper examines the impact of different demographic variables on the level of financial literacy among Saudi investors. Furthermore, the impact of financial literacy on different kinds of financial decision making is also investigated. The result of the current study confirms a significant impact from gender and age on financial literacy. Males are more financially literate than females, and older people also show a higher level of financial literacy compared with younger people. There is no significant impact from educational level and current work situation on financial literacy. Financial literacy is measured in reference to retirement planning and stock market participation. People with a higher level of financial literacy have a greater urge to engage in retirement planning and stock market participation. However, there is a negative relationship between financial literacy and the need for financial advice.
Volume Dependence of Thermodynamic Properties for Solids at high Temperatures
Authors: Cui Guanglei , Fan Bai , Zuo Zewen , Gu Min , Yu Ruilan 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
A new computing model on the volume dependence of the product αKT of the thermal expansion coefficient α and the isothermal bulk modulus KT is proposed straightforward in this paper. Based on this revised formula, the volume dependence of Grüneisen parameter, entropy, Anderson-Grüneisen parameter, and first pressure derivative of bulk modulus, respectively, are thus investigated. The calculated results agree well with the previous work for magnesium oxide, sodium chloride, lithium, sodium, and potassium.