bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in the coding and 3′ untranslated regions of the porcine prolactin receptor short form modifies protein expression and function
Authors: Trott Josephine F. , Freking Bradley A. , Hovey Russell C. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe actions of prolactin (PRL) are mediated by both long (LF) and short isoforms (SF) of the PRL receptor (PRLR). Here, we report on a genetic and functional analysis of the porcine PRLR (pPRLR) SF. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within exon 11 of the pPRLR‐SF give rise to four amino acid haplotypes of the intracellular domain. We identified the dimorphic insertion of a short interspersed repetitive DNA element (PRE‐1) along with 32 SNPs and four other insertion/deletion sites within the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of pPRLR‐SF. The PRE‐1 element reduced protein translation in vitro by 75%, whereas the combination of 10 SNPs and one insertion/deletion decreased translation by 50%. Full‐length cDNAs for all four haplotypes of pPRLR‐SF were cloned behind the elongation factor 1‐alpha promoter and functionally analyzed in vitro. None of the haplotypes could initiate transcription from the ß‐casein promoter, whereas all four were dominant negatives against PRL‐activation of the pPRLR‐LF. Two of the haplotypes completely inhibited pPRLR‐LF activity at a four‐fold excess, whereas the others required a six‐fold excess to impart the same effect. The ligand binding affinities of the pPRLR‐SF haplotypes did not differ. Expression of the pPRLR‐SF increased linearly during gestation in the endometrium and was hormonally regulated in a tissue‐specific manner in the mammary glands and uterus. In conclusion, we identified a PRE‐1 and other SNPs in the pPRLR‐SF 3′ UTR that reduce protein expression and four haplotypes of the pPRLR‐SF that suppress pPRLR‐LF signaling and may differentially impact the phenotypic effects of PRL in vivo.
Structural transformation and smallholder agriculture: an information‐theoretic analysis of the Nicaraguan case
Authors: Henderson Heath 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn light of continued debate regarding the capacity of small‐scale agricultural producers to compete amidst globalization and/or liberalization, we examine recent trends in the distribution and use of agricultural landholdings in developing nations via refined exploration of the Nicaraguan case. With nationally‐representative, Living Standards Measurement Survey‐type data for the years 1998, 2001, and 2005, we employ Markov chain methods within an information‐theoretic framework in an attempt to advance the analysis of structural transformation in developing countries beyond the examination of trends in mean farm sizes or Gini coefficients, approaches ill‐suited to the detection of the apparent complexities of structural change. Further, while Markov chain analysis has witnessed relatively widespread application in the investigation of structural transformation in developed nations, we offer a novel methodological extension by allowing for the simultaneous exploration of structural transformation across multiple dimensions–namely, structural change in both the distribution and use of agricultural landholdings—as well as the incorporation of microlevel determinants of farm size and land use change. The results of the inquiry, above all, suggest that Nicaragua's agricultural and livestock sector is characterized by a definitive persistence of smallholders. While a moderate tendency toward bifurcation in the distribution of landholdings would appear to obscure any immediate relationship between operational landholdings and land productivity, we contend that such trends are, in fact, consistent with the often observed inverse farm size‐productivity relationship.
Association between nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug use and brain tumour risk: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Yanqiong , Lu Yu , Wang Jian , Xie Li , Li Taijie , He Yu , Peng Qiliu , Qin Xue , Li Shan 
Published: December 2013

AimsSeveral epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and brain tumour risk. However, results from these studies have been inconsistent. The aim of this detailed meta‐analysis is to review and summarize the evidence on this association.MethodsA comprehensive search for articles published up to September 2013 was performed. Studies evaluating the association between exposure to NSAIDs and risk of brain tumours were included. Random‐effects meta‐analytical models were used to calculate the relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analyses, Galbraith plots and subgroup analyses were also performed.ResultsTen studies (six case–control studies, three cohort studies and one randomized controlled trial), published between 2003 and 2013, were included in this analysis. Compared with non‐use, overall use of NSAIDs was not statistically significantly associated with brain tumour risk based on the random‐effects models (RR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.89, 1.15). No differences were observed when analyses were stratified by gender and brain tumour subtype. Specific analysis for aspirin and non‐aspirin NSAIDs yielded similar results. However, a slightly increased risk of brain tumour in NSAID users was observed in cohort studies (RR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.06, 1.64; P = 0.014). Furthermore, our analysis did not show a significant association between frequency and dose of aspirin use and brain tumour risk.ConclusionsUse of NSAIDs (aspirin and non‐aspirin NSAIDs) does not appear to be associated with brain tumour risk, but larger studies are needed to substantiate this relationship.
Baby‐Friendly Hospital Practices and Birth Costs
Authors: Allen Jessica A , Longenecker Holly B , Perrine Cria G , Scanlon Kelley S 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundHospital practices supportive of breastfeeding can improve breastfeeding rates. There are limited data available on how improved hospital practices are associated with hospital costs. We describe the association between the number of breastfeeding supportive practices a hospital has in place and the cost of an uncomplicated birth.MethodsData from hospitals in 20 states that participated in the 2007 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey and Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's (HCUP) State Inpatient Databases (SID) were merged to calculate the average median hospital cost of uncomplicated vaginal and cesarean section births by number of ideal practices from the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate change in birth cost for each additional ideal practice in place.ResultsSixty‐one percent of hospitals had ideal practice on 3–5 of the 10 steps, whereas 29 percent of hospitals had ideal practice on 6–8. Adjusted analyses of uncomplicated births revealed a higher but nonsignificant increase in any of the birth categories (all births, $19; vaginal, $15; cesarean section, $39) with each additional breastfeeding supportive maternity care practice in place.ConclusionsOur results revealed that the number of breastfeeding supportive practices a hospital has in place is not significantly associated with higher birth costs. Concern for higher birth costs should not be a barrier for improving maternity care practices that support women who choose to breastfeed.
Safety and efficacy of 90Yttrium‐Ibritumomab‐Tiuxetan for untreated follicular lymphoma patients. An Italian cooperative study
Authors: Ibatici Adalberto , Pica Gian Matteo , Nati Sandro , Vitolo Umberto , Botto Barbara , Ciochetto Chiara , Petrini Mario , Galimberti Sara , Ciabatti Elena , Orciuolo Enrico , Zinzani Pier Luigi , Cascavilla Nicola , Guolo Fabio , Fraternali Orcioni Giulio , Carella Angelo M. 
Published: December 2013

Summary90Yttrium (90Y)‐Ibritumomab‐Tiuxetan combines the targeting advantage of a monoclonal antibody with the radiosensitivity of Follicular Lymphoma (FL). Previous studies showed that 90Y‐IT is safe and effective in relapsed/refractory indolent FL, irrespective of prior treatment with rituximab. This multicentre trial aimed to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of “upfront” single‐agent (90Y)‐Ibritumomab‐Tiuxetan in advanced‐stage FL. The primary objective was the incidence of responses in terms of complete (CR) and partial remission (PR). Fifty patients with stage II “bulky”, III or IV FL received a single treatment course with (90Y)‐Ibritumomab‐Tiuxetan as initial therapy. The median age was 60 years. Bone marrow involvement (<25%) was observed in 24 patients (48%) and 7 (14%) had an elevated lactate dehydrogenase level. The overall response (ORR) and CR rates were 94% and 86%, respectively with a median follow‐up of 38·8 months. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was not reached, whereas the 3‐year estimated PFS and overall survival (OS) rate was 63·4% and 90%, respectively. Grade 3/4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 30% and 26% of patients respectively; none experienced grade 3/4 non‐haematological toxicity. No cases of secondary haematological malignancies were observed. (90Y)‐Ibritumomab‐Tiuxetan was demonstrated to be highly effective and safe as first‐line treatment for advanced‐stage FL.
Interindividual variability in social insects – proximate causes and ultimate consequences
Authors: Jeanson Raphaël , Weidenmüller Anja 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTIndividuals within social groups often show consistent differences in behaviour across time and context. Such interindividual differences and the evolutionary challenge they present have recently generated considerable interest. Social insects provide some of the most familiar and spectacular examples of social groups with large interindividual differences. Investigating these within‐group differences has a long research tradition, and behavioural variability among the workers of a colony is increasingly regarded as fundamental for a key feature of social insects: division of labour. The goal of this review is to illustrate what we know about both the proximate mechanisms underlying behavioural variability among the workers of a colony and its ultimate consequences; and to highlight the many open questions in this research field. We begin by reviewing the literature on mechanisms that potentially introduce, maintain, and adjust the behavioural differentiation among workers. We highlight the fact that so far, most studies have focused on behavioural variability based on genetic variability, provided by e.g. multiple mating of the queen, while other mechanisms that may be responsible for the behavioural differentiation among workers have been largely neglected. These include maturational, nutritional and environmental influences. We further discuss how feedback provided by the social environment and learning and experience of adult workers provides potent and little‐explored sources of differentiation. In a second part, we address what is known about the potential benefits and costs of increased behavioural variability within the workers of a colony. We argue that all studies documenting a benefit of variability so far have done so by manipulating genetic variability, and that a direct test of the effect of behavioural variability on colony productivity has yet to be provided. We emphasize that the costs associated with interindividual variability have been largely overlooked, and that a better knowledge of the cost/benefit balance of behavioural variability is crucial for our understanding of the evolution of the mechanisms underlying the social organization of insect societies. We conclude by highlighting what we believe to be promising but little‐explored avenues for future research on how within‐colony variability has evolved and is maintained. We emphasize the need for comparative studies and point out that, so far, most studies on interindividual variability have focused on variability in individual response thresholds, while the significance of variability in other parameters of individual response, such as probability and intensity of the response, has been largely overlooked. We propose that these parameters have important consequences for the colony response. Much more research is needed to understand if and how interindividual variability is modulated in order to benefit division of labour, homeostasis and ultimately colony fitness in social insects.
773. GINKGO BILOBA – Connections with people and art across a thousand years
Authors: Crane Peter R. , Nagata Toshiyuki , Murata Jin , Ohi‐Toma Tetsuo , DuVal Ashley , Nesbitt Mark , Jarvis Charles 
Published: December 2013

SummaryWe review the representation of Ginkgo biloba L., a quintessentially Chinese plant, in the art of those Western botanists who first encountered it in China and Japan. We also show how several later representations of Ginkgo, in both the West and the East, were inspired and made possible by specimens of Ginkgo in cultivation.
Cardiovascular disease risk factors in the South Asian population living in Kuwait: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Elkum N. , Al‐Arouj M. , Sharifi M. , Behbehani K. , Bennakhi A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundHigh rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease have been reported in South Asian immigrants in many countries. However, the prevalence and characteristics of cardiovascular disease risk factors among a South Asian population living in Kuwait have not yet been investigated. This study was therefore designed to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors and determine whether they are independently associated with diabetes in such a population.MethodsA population‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted on 1094 South Asians (781 men and 313 women), mainly Indian and Pakistani (≥ 18 years of age), of whom 75.1% were Indians. Interviews were carried out, during which socio‐demographic and anthropometric data were collected, followed by a physical examination and collection of fasting blood samples for laboratory investigations. Diabetes was defined by fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7 mmol/l, or being on treatment, and/or self‐reported previously diagnosed Type 2 diabetes.ResultsThe prevalence of diabetes was 21.1%, with 3.4% of that percentage of people being newly diagnosed. Using BMI measurements, 24.0% of those who participated in the study were obese and 46.1% were overweight. Dyslipidaemia was found in 77.6% and hypertension in 44.8%. Advancing age (≥ 40 years), male gender, high LDL, high total cholesterol, hypertension and positive family history of diabetes were significantly associated with increased risk of diabetes.ConclusionOur study shows that the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in South Asian expatriates in Kuwait exceeds prevalence rates reported in their homeland and other countries. This may suggest the added stress of environmental factors on the development of cardiovascular disease risk factors in such populations. Specialized prevention programmes targeting such high‐risk ethnic populations are paramount and need to be implemented.
Pre‐hospital delay in patients with diabetic foot problems: influencing factors and subsequent quality of care
Authors: Yan J. , Liu Y. , Zhou B. , Sun M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimsTo assess pre‐hospital patient delay and its associated variables in patients with diabetic foot problems.MethodsWe classified 270 patients with diabetic foot problems retrospectively based on the distribution of pre‐hospital delay. Clinical, demographic and socio‐economic data were collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine independent associations with patient delay.ResultsThe median pre‐hospital delay time was 46.49 days. Patients reported short (≤ 1 week; 77 patients, 28.5%), moderate (> 1 week and ≤ 1 month; 106 patients, 39.3%) and long delays (> 1 month; 87 patients, 32.2%). In a univariate analysis, nine variables were associated with a longer delay (P < 0.05): (1) no previous ulcer; (2) no health insurance; (3) poor housing conditions; (4) low income level; (5) low educational level; (6) infrequent foot inspection; (7) few follow‐up medical visits; (8) absence of diabetic foot education; (9) lack of knowledge of foot lesion warning signals. A multivariate analysis showed that absence of diabetic foot education (odds ratio 2.70, 95% CI1.03–7.06,P = 0.043) and lack of knowledge of foot lesion warning signals (odds ratio 2.14, 95% CI1.16–3.94,P = 0.015) were independent predictors of long patient delay. Long delay increased the risk of amputation (odds ratio 2.22, 95% CI1.36–3.64,P = 0.002) and mortality (odds ratio 2.69, 95% CI1.35–5.33,P = 0.005).ConclusionsA number of factors were involved in pre‐hospital delay among patients with diabetic foot problems and contributed to poor outcomes. We recommend developing a community intervention programme that targets at‐risk communities to encourage earlier multidisciplinary team assessment to reduce disparities and improve foot outcomes in patients with diabetes.
RD Lawrence Lecture 2013 Stratified approaches to the management of diabetes
Authors: Pearson E. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA stratified approach to medicine aims to identify subgroups of patients who should be managed differently from others. Diabetes is a condition that offers considerable potential for stratification, in areas of drug response, complication risk and rate of progression amongst others. Approaches to stratification can be simple, using clinical phenotyping, or more complex involving genomic and other ‘–omic’ technologies. In this review, I will highlight the utility of measuring endogenous insulin production to aid in diagnosis and appropriate treatment; outline key advances in monogenic diabetes where determining genetic aetiology can result in dramatic changes in treatment, and describe the developments in the field of pharmacogenetics in Type 2 diabetes.
Defining Characteristics of Early Adopters of Multimodality Cardiovascular Imaging
Authors: Velez Michael R. , Auseon Alex J. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundThe prototype for the cardiovascular imager has evolved to necessitate some degree of competency in multimodality imaging (MMI)—defined as expertise in at least 2 of the 4 modalities (echocardiography [ECHO], nuclear cardiology [NUC], cardiovascular computed tomography [CCT], and magnetic resonance [CMR]). Uncertainty exists about the effects of this change.MethodsInformation detailing the current totals of board‐certified practitioners in MMI was collected and organized into groups of 1, 2, and 3 modalities. A randomized stratified sample of names was obtained to identify a representative 10% of each group. Those names were cross‐referenced online with information from state medical boards, faculty rosters of academic medical centers, and physician tracking Websites.ResultsThere are a total of 2209 board‐certified MMI practitioners (2 modalities = 1885, 3 modalities = 324) and 6450 single‐modality imagers in the United States. Of those sampled, 98.9% were cardiologists, 31.3% were at academic medical centers and mean time from medical school graduation was 17.75 years. MMI practitioners were more likely to have graduated from medical school more recently (P < 0.0001) and to be trained cardiologists (P = 0.003) than those who practice in a single modality. There was a nonsignificant trend toward MMI being practiced more commonly in an academic setting (P = 0.38).ConclusionBoard‐certified specialists in MMI tend to be younger cardiologists than those engaged in single‐modality cardiac imaging. There are few advanced (3 modality) MMI practitioners in the United States.
Primary Cardiac Lymphoma Presenting as an Atypical Type of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kim Dong‐Hyeok , Kim Yong‐Hyun , Song Woo‐Hyuk , Ahn Jeong‐Cheon 
Published: December 2013

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is a very rare malignancy although cardiac involvement with the disseminated disease is not uncommon. We present a case of a 43‐year‐old man with PCL that initially presented as marked thickening of all cardiac walls and was mistakenly diagnosed as an atypical type of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The diagnosis of PCL was made with a delay of 9 months after the initial presentation, when atypical lymphocytes staining positive for CD79a and CD20 were demonstrated in the rapidly growing mediastinal and neck mass. Anthracycline‐based chemotherapy and anti‐CD20 immunotherapy resulted in a remarkable reduction in cardiac wall thickness and mediastinal mass. The first lesson to be learnt from this case is that PCL can present as a diffuse infiltrative disease without a mass. The second lesson is that prompt exploratory thoracotomy should not be delayed when the diagnosis is elusive.
Assessment of Two‐Component Ventricular Septum: Functional Differences in Systolic Deformation and Rotation Assessed by Speckle Tracking Imaging
Authors: Hayabuchi Yasunobu , Sakata Miho , Kagami Shoji 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to elucidate functional differences in the right and left components of the ventricular septum (Rt and Lt, respectively).MethodsStrain, strain rate, rotation, and rotation rate profile curves of Rt and Lt were obtained using speckle tracking echocardiography in 38 normal children and adolescents.ResultsThe echogenic bright line serving as the boundary separating Rt from Lt was consistently visible in the middle of the ventricular septum. There was no significant difference in peak strain or peak strain rate during systole between Rt and Lt. However, the time interval from the onset of QRS‐wave to peak strain and peak strain rate were significantly lower in Lt than in Rt in terms of radial and circumferential deformation (P < 0.005, all), whereas there was no significant difference in longitudinal deformation in the time to peak strain or peak strain rate between Rt and Lt. Lt showed counterclockwise rotation, whereas Rt showed clockwise rotation (10.4 ± 2.9° vs. –10.2 ± 2.6°, P < 0.0001). Time to peak rotation was significantly lower in Lt than in Rt (201.7 ± 32.7 msec vs. 370.4 ± 31.2 msec, P < 0.0001).ConclusionMorphologically and functionally the ventricular septum is a two‐component structure. Evaluation of deformation and rotation of the 2 components would help in evaluating septal performance.