bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity in Older Men: Longitudinal Associations with Inflammatory and Hemostatic Biomarkers, N‐Terminal Pro‐Brain Natriuretic Peptide, and Onset of Coronary Heart Disease and Mortality
Authors: Jefferis Barbara J. , Whincup Peter H. , Lennon Lucy T. , Papacosta Olia , Goya Wannamethee S. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo examine associations between habitual physical activity (PA) and changes in PA and onset of coronary heart disease (CHD) and the pathways linking PA to CHD.DesignBritish Regional Heart Study population‐based cohort; men completed questionnaires in 1996 and 1998 to 2000, attended rescreen in 1998 to 2000, and were followed up to June 2010.SettingCommunity.ParticipantsOf 4,252 men recruited from primary care centers (77% of those invited and eligible) who were rescreened in 1998 to 2000, 3,320 were ambulatory and free from CHD, stroke, and heart failure and participated in the current study.MeasurementsUsual PA (regular walking and cycling, recreational activity and sport). Outcome was first fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction.ResultsIn 3,320 ambulatory men, 303 first and 184 fatal CHD events occurred during a median of 11 years of follow‐up; 9% reported no usual PA, 23% occasional PA, and 68% light or more‐intense PA. PA was inversely associated with novel risk markers C‐reactive protein, D‐dimer, von Willebrand Factor and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP). Compared with no usual PA, hazard ratios (HRs) for CHD events, adjusted for age and region, were 0.52 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.34–0.79) for occasional PA, 0.47 (95% CI = 0.30–0.74) for light PA, 0.51 (95% CI = 0.32–0.82) for moderate PA, and 0.44 (95% CI = 0.29–0.65) for moderately vigorous or vigorous PA (P for linear trend = .004). Adjustment for established and novel risk markers somewhat attenuated HRs and abolished linear trends. Compared with men who remained inactive, men who maintained at least light PA had an HR for CHD events of 0.73 (95% CI = 0.53–1.02) and men whose PA level increased had an HR of 0.86 (95% CI = 0.55–1.35).ConclusionEven light PA was associated with significantly lower risk of CHD events in healthy older men, partly through inflammatory and hemostatic mechanisms and cardiac function (NT‐proBNP).
Use of electronic healthcare records in large‐scale simple randomized trials at the point of care for the documentation of value‐based medicine
Authors: van Staa T.‐P. , Klungel O. , Smeeth L. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractA solid foundation of evidence of the effects of an intervention is a prerequisite of evidence‐based medicine. The best source of such evidence is considered to be randomized trials, which are able to avoid confounding. However, they may not always estimate effectiveness in clinical practice. Databases that collate anonymized electronic health records (EHRs) from different clinical centres have been widely used for many years in observational studies. Randomized point‐of‐care trials have been initiated recently to recruit and follow patients using the data from EHR databases. In this review, we describe how EHR databases can be used for conducting large‐scale simple trials and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of their use.
Epigenetic stochasticity, nuclear structure and cancer: the implications for medicine
Authors: Feinberg A. P. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe aim of this review is to summarize an evolution of thinking about the epigenetic basis of human cancer, from the earliest studies of altered DNA methylation in cancer to the modern comprehensive epigenomic era. Converging data from epigenetic studies of primary cancers and from experimental studies of chromatin in development and epithelial–mesenchymal transition suggest a role for epigenetic stochasticity as a driving force of cancer, with Darwinian selection of tumour cells at the expense of the host. This increased epigenetic stochasticity appears to be mediated by large‐scale changes in DNA methylation and chromatin in domains associated with the nuclear lamina. The implications for diagnosis include the potential to identify stochastically disrupted progenitor cells years before cancer develops, and to target drugs to epigenetic drivers of gene expression instability rather than to mean effects per se.
Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model of the antihypertensive interaction between telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Hao Kun , Chen Yuancheng , Zhao Xiaoping , Liu Xiaoquan 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Objectives
The goal of this study was to establish an integrated indirect response pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model between telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide to describe the antihypertensive interaction of these two drugs in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Methods
The blood pressure and plasma concentrations were measured by the tail-cuff test and high performance liquid chromatographyߝmass spectrometry, respectively, in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The current pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic model was based on the non-competitive pharmacodynamic interaction of two drugs acting on different physiological processes.

Key findings
This model was able to acquire the temporal changes in drug concentration and blood pressure after administration of telmisartan or hydrochlorothiazide. The noncompetitive pharmacodynamic interaction assumed that the decreased blood pressure was attributed to the inhibitory function of telmisartan and stimulatory function of hydrochlorothiazide after administration of these two drugs. There was no significant pharmacokinetic change of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide in the different groups tested. The model predicted a synergistic pharmacodynamic interaction when telmisartan was administered in combination with hydrochlorothiazide, which was notably stronger than if the effects were additive.

Conclusion
The results showed that the presented pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model was suitable for describing the antihypertensive interaction between telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide.
Polymorphisms in the circadian expressed genes PER3 and ARNTL2 are associated with diurnal preference and GNβ3 with sleep measures
Authors: Parsons Michael J. , Lester Kathryn J. , Barclay Nicola L. , Archer Simon N. , Nolan Patrick M. , Eley Thalia C. , Gregory Alice M. 
Published: March 2014

SummarySleep and circadian rhythms are intrinsically linked, with several sleep traits, including sleep timing and duration, influenced by both sleep homeostasis and the circadian phase. Genetic variation in several circadian genes has been associated with diurnal preference (preference in timing of sleep), although there has been limited research on whether they are associated with other sleep measurements. We investigated whether these genetic variations were associated with diurnal preference (Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire) and various sleep measures, including: the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index score; sleep duration; and sleep latency and sleep quality. We genotyped 10 polymorphisms in genes with circadian expression in participants from the G1219 sample (n = 966), a British longitudinal population sample of young adults. We conducted linear regressions using dominant, additive and recessive models of inheritance to test for associations between these polymorphisms and the sleep measures. We found a significant association between diurnal preference and a polymorphism in period homologue 3 (PER3) (P < 0.005, recessive model) and a novel nominally significant association between diurnal preference and a polymorphism in aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator‐like 2 (ARNTL2) (P < 0.05, additive model). We found that a polymorphism in guanine nucleotide binding protein beta 3 (GNβ3) was associated significantly with global sleep quality (P < 0.005, recessive model), and that a rare polymorphism in period homologue 2 (PER2) was associated significantly with both sleep duration and quality (P < 0.0005, recessive model). These findings suggest that genes with circadian expression may play a role in regulating both the circadian clock and sleep homeostasis, and highlight the importance of further studies aimed at dissecting the specific roles that circadian genes play in these two interrelated but unique behaviours.
The deposition of Notch1 in hepatitis B virus‐associated nephropathy and its role in hepatitis B virus X protein‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transdifferentiation and immunity disorder in renal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Wang X. , Zhou Y. , Zhu N. , Wang L. , Gu L.‐J. , Yuan W.‐J. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryNotch1 plays an important role in the regulation of immune responses and epithelial–mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT). Previous studies have observed inflammatory cell infiltration and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the renal biopsies from patients with HBV‐associated glomerulonephritis (HBV‐GN). We hypothesized that Notch1 may be involved in the progression of HBV‐GN. In this study, we evaluated the distribution of Notch1 in patients with HBV‐GN. Our results showed that Notch1 was mainly distributed in renal tubules and the interstitial area, and the expression levels of Notch1 had a positive correlation with the renal tubular pathology. In this respect, we used human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK‐2) as target cells, which were transiently transfected with the hepatitis B virus X (HBx) gene using a eukaryotic vector. HBx expression resulted in significantly increased detection of Notch1, alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), major histocompatibility complex‐II (MHC‐II), CD40 and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4). At the same time, E‐cadherin and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) expression levels were significantly inhibited. These HBx‐induced phenotypes were exacerbated by upregulation of Notch1. Knock‐down of Notch1 by specific shRNA caused decreases of α‐SMA, MHC‐II, CD40 and IL‐4, and increases of E‐cadherin and IFN‐γ. These findings suggest that Notch1 is significantly associated with renal tubular and interstitial lesions. Notch1 can mediate HBx‐induced EMT of HK‐2 cells, promote HBx‐induced increases in immune molecule expression and exacerbation of cytokine disorders, which may contribute to the progression of HBV‐GN. Inhibitors of Notch1 signalling may be useful as new therapeutics for the treatment of HBV‐GN.
Distribution, feeding habits and morphology of killer whales Orcinus orca in the Caribbean Sea
Authors: Bolaños‐Jiménez Jaime , Mignucci‐Giannoni Antonio A. , Blumenthal Janice , Bogomolni Andrea , Casas José Julio , Henríquez Angiolina , Iñíguez Bessega Miguel , Khan Jalaludin , Landrau‐Giovannetti Nelmarie , Rinaldi Caroline , Rinaldi Renato , Rodríguez‐Ferrer Grisel , Sutty Lesley , Ward Nathalie , Luksenburg Jolanda Andrea 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Killer whales Orcinus orca are found in all oceans of the world, but most of our knowledge on the species comes from studies conducted at higher latitudes. Studies on killer whales in the Caribbean have been scarce.
We compiled 176 records of killer whales from the Caribbean, including 95 previously unreported records and 81 records recovered from the literature, consisting of 27 capture or kill records, 4 stranding records and 145 sighting records.
Our results indicate that killer whales are widespread in the Caribbean Sea and can be found year‐round in the region. Mean group size was 3.7 animals. A diversity of prey items was recorded, including sea turtles and marine mammals and possibly fish. We cannot exclude ecotype or morphotype‐specific dietary specialization in the Caribbean population. A preliminary morphological analysis of 10 characters in 52 individuals from 21 different groups suggests that Caribbean killer whales do not represent any of the four Antarctic and subantarctic types, type 1 from the northwest Atlantic, or ‘resident’ and ‘transient’ killer whales from the northwest Pacific. Some Caribbean killer whales share a combination of characters typical of type 2 in the North Atlantic, whereas others share those typical of ‘offshore’ killer whales in the northwest Pacific. The significance of this is unclear. Comparison of Caribbean killer whales to previously described morphotypes and ecotypes is hampered by the lack of detailed, quantitative data on variation within other types, as well as by the lack of comparisons of genetic diversity.
Our study adds to the growing knowledge of the diversity of killer whales worldwide but underscores that additional research is warranted in the tropics.
Redistribution in a Neo‐Kaleckian Two‐country Model
Authors: von Arnim Rudiger , Tavani Daniele , Carvalho Laura 
Published: March 2014

AbstractWe investigate the interaction between demand‐driven growth and income distribution in open economies, by combining expenditure‐switching and demand spillover effects in a neo‐Kaleckian two country model. First, we specify elasticities of wage share and real exchange rate to the money wage relative to labor productivity, in order to precisely describe the distributive pass‐through from money wages to the labor share and the real exchange rate. Second, we analyze the demand effects of an increase in the money wage for given labor productivity (a redistribution towards labor) in both Home and Foreign country, as well as globally. We derive closed form results for two identical countries. These results indicate that redistribution towards labor at Home: (i) always increases growth globally if Home is wage‐led, but can lead to lower growth at Home relative to Foreign; and (ii) will always imply lower growth at Home relative to Foreign if Home is profit‐led, but can still be growth‐enhancing at Home. Thus, to the extent that countries are concerned with their relative economic performance, a fallacy of composition can emerge. Numerical simulations suggest that these fallacies could indeed occur. As a consequence, ‘returns to coordination’ over international labor policies might be substantial.
Activation and regulation of endogenous retroviral genes in the human pituitary gland and related endocrine tumours
Authors: Buslei Rolf , Strissel Pamela L. , Henke Christine , Schey Regina , Lang Nadine , Ruebner Matthias , Stolt Claus C. , Fabry Ben , Buchfelder Michael , Strick Reiner 
Published: March 2014

AimsAdenohypophysis (AH) hormone‐producing cells represent the origin of diverse groups of pituitary adenomas (PA). Deregulation of hypothalamic hormone receptors, growth factors and cAMP signalling have been implicated in the aetiology of PA. Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are derived from past exogenous retroviral infections and represent more than 8% of the human genome. Some ERV genes encode open reading frames and produce functional proteins, for example, the ERVW‐1 envelope gene Syncytin‐1, essential for placentogenesis, but also deregulated in human tumours. Data concerning ERV expression in the AH and related endocrine tumours are missing.MethodsSyncytin‐1 protein was analysed in normal AH (n = 15) and compared with five PA subtypes (n = 117) by immunohistochemistry. Absolute gene expression of 20 ERV functional envelope genes and ERVW‐5 gag was measured. PA tissues were examined for Syncytin‐1 and the cAMP signalling marker phospho‐CREB‐Ser133 using immunohistochemistry. Isolated primary human PA cells were treated with different hormones. Murine embryonic and adult pituitary gland ERV expressions were compared with human AH.ResultsSyncytin‐1 protein colocalized with corticotropic cells of AH. In contrast, all PA demonstrated significant Syncytin‐1 protein overexpression, supporting deregulation. All other ERV genes showed significant up‐regulations in different PA subtypes. Phospho‐CREB‐Ser133 and Syncytin‐1 colocalized in PA cells. Cultivated primary PA cells with ACTH or CRH induced their respective receptors and ERV genes. Syncytin‐A/‐B, murine orthologues to human Syncytin‐1/‐2, localized to embryonic and adult pituitary glands demonstrating functional mammalian conservation.ConclusionsDeregulated ERV genes may contribute to PA development via cAMP signalling.
The presence of post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms in earthquake survivors one month after a mudslide in southwest China
Authors: Chen Hong , Chen Yanling , Au Maylan , Feng Ling , Chen Qian , Guo Hongxia , Li Yun , Yang Xiaoling 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe psychological impact of a mudslide on survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake in China and the risk factors for development of disaster‐related post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were investigated. The study design was cross‐sectional and included 1321 survivors who had endured both an earthquake and a mudslide. Participants filled out a self‐report questionnaire. One month after the mudslide, the rate of PTSD symptoms was 18.7%. Females, the elderly, those with lower educational levels, those that lacked social support, those who did not take precautionary measures, those living with children below 6 years of age, and those who had higher exposure to traumatic events experienced a higher level of PTSD symptoms. Results indicated that timely rescue, abundant material help, and mental rehabilitation after a disaster play important roles in recovery, and that there are still some high‐risk groups that need attention, care, and effective intervention from healthcare professionals and society.
Nurses' experiences of ethical preparedness for public health emergencies and healthcare disasters: A systematic review of qualitative evidence
Authors: Johnstone Megan‐Jane , Turale Sue 
Published: March 2014

AbstractLittle is known about nurses' direct experiences of ethical preparedness for dealing with catastrophic public health emergencies and healthcare disasters or the ethical quandaries that may arise during such events. A systematic literature review was undertaken to explore and synthesize qualitative research literature reporting nurses' direct experiences of being prepared for and managing the ethical challenges posed by catastrophic public health emergencies and healthcare disasters. Twenty‐six research studies were retrieved for detailed examination and assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological validity prior to inclusion in the review. Of these, 12 studies published between 1973 and 2011 were deemed to meet the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised. The review confirmed there is a significant gap in the literature on nurses' experiences of ethical preparedness for managing public health emergencies and healthcare disasters, and the ethical quandaries they encounter during such events. This finding highlights the need for ethical considerations in emergency planning, preparedness, and response by nurses to be given more focused attention in the interests of better informing the ethical basis of emergency disaster management.
How differently we should prepare for the next disaster?
Authors: Yamashita Mineko , Kudo Chikako 
Published: March 2014

AbstractFollowing the Great East Japan earthquake (the Big Quake) that hit the northeastern parts of Japan on March 11, 2011, aid was dispatched from multiple levels of organizations including the Japanese Nurses Association (JNA). Evidence indicates that the JNA did not play an effective role in the aid efforts, since the professional organization had pulled out and stopped sending nursing personnel from the end of April 2011. In view of the way that things were handled in terms of aid efforts immediately, a year, or two years after the Big Quake occurred, the authors of this paper have identified issues related to nurse's role at the time of the disaster. By looking back at what happened, we have gained insights into how to prepare for future disasters.
Increased water‐use efficiency does not lead to enhanced tree growth under xeric and mesic conditions
Authors: Lévesque Mathieu , Siegwolf Rolf , Saurer Matthias , Eilmann Britta , Rigling Andreas 
Published: March 2014

Summary

Higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations (ca) can under certain conditions increase tree growth by enhancing photosynthesis, resulting in an increase of intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE) in trees. However, the magnitude of these effects and their interactions with changing climatic conditions are still poorly understood under xeric and mesic conditions.

We combined radial growth analysis with intra‐ and interannual δ13C and δ18O measurements to investigate growth and physiological responses of Larix decidua, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra and Pseudotsuga menziesii in relation to rising ca and changing climate at a xeric site in the dry inner Alps and at a mesic site in the Swiss lowlands.

iWUE increased significantly over the last 50 yr by 8–29% and varied depending on species, site water availability, and seasons. Regardless of species and increased iWUE, radial growth has significantly declined under xeric conditions, whereas growth has not increased as expected under mesic conditions. Overall, drought‐induced stomatal closure has reduced transpiration at the cost of reduced carbon uptake and growth.

Our results indicate that, even under mesic conditions, the temperature‐induced drought stress has overridden the potential CO2 ‘fertilization’ on tree growth, hence challenging today's predictions of improved forest productivity of temperate forests.
Higher latitude and lower solar radiation influence on anaphylaxis in Chilean children
Authors: Hoyos‐Bachiloglu Rodrigo , S. Morales Pamela , Cerda Jaime , Talesnik Eduardo , González Gilberto , Camargo Carlos A. , Borzutzky Arturo 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies suggest an association between higher latitude, a proxy of vitamin D (VD) status, and allergic diseases. Chile provides an ideal setting to study this association due to its latitude span and high rates of VD deficiency in southern regions. The aim of this study is to explore the associations of latitude and solar radiation with anaphylaxis admission rates.MethodsWe reviewed anaphylaxis admissions in Chile's hospital discharge database between 2001 and 2010 and investigated associations with latitude and solar radiation.Results2316 anaphylaxis admissions were registered. Median age of patients was 41 yr; 53% were female. National anaphylaxis admission rate was 1.41 per 100,000 persons per year. We observed a strong north–south increasing gradient of anaphylaxis admissions (β 0.04, p = 0.01), with increasing rates south of latitude 34°S. A significant association was also observed between solar radiation and anaphylaxis admissions (β −0.11, p = 0.009). Latitude was associated with food‐induced (β 0.05, p = 0.02), but not drug‐induced (β −0.002, p = 0.27), anaphylaxis. The association between latitude and food‐induced anaphylaxis was significant in children (β 0.01, p = 0.006), but not adults (β 0.003, p = 0.16). Anaphylaxis admissions were not associated with regional sociodemographic factors like poverty, rurality, educational level, ethnicity, or physician density.ConclusionsAnaphylaxis admission rates in Chile are highest at higher latitudes and lower solar radiation, used as proxies of VD status. The associations appear driven by food‐induced anaphylaxis. Our data support a possible role of VD deficiency as an etiological factor in the high anaphylaxis admission rates found in southern Chile.