bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal cardiac and obstetric performance in consecutive pregnancies in women with heart disease
Authors: Gelson E , Curry R , Gatzoulis MA , Swan L , Lupton M , Steer PJ , Johnson MR 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveSecond pregnancies are usually less complicated than first pregnancies, and have a better outcome in terms of fetal growth. We studied a group of women with heart disease to assess whether their second pregnancy was less complicated and resulted in a larger baby.DesignRetrospective case control study.SettingTertiary referral academic obstetric unit.PopulationFirst and second pregnancies in 77 women with congenital and acquired heart disease and in 154 control women were identified.MethodsData were collected from medical and obstetric records.Main outcome measuresCardiac complications, obstetric complications, intra‐partum events, birthweight and perinatal complications.ResultsThe rate of obstetric complication was greater in first pregnancies in both the heart disease and the control groups (38% versus 26%, cf. 20% versus 17%). In the heart disease group, the rate of cardiac complications was similar in first and second pregnancies (9% versus 6%). Overall, significantly more perinatal complications were seen in the heart disease group, with no significant difference between first and second pregnancies (36% versus 27%, cf. 14% versus 12%). Median birthweight was significantly higher in second pregnancies in the control group (3308 versus 3519 g P < 0.001), but not significantly different between pregnancies in the heart disease group (3014 versus 3133 g, P = 0.19).ConclusionsThis case control study demonstrates that women with mild to moderate heart disease have similar pregnancy outcomes in consecutive pregnancies. However, while the median birthweight was higher in the control second pregnancies, it was not increased in the women with heart disease.Tweetable abstractA study of women with heart disease to assess whether their second pregnancy was less complicated.
The Role of Patient Factors, Cancer Characteristics, and Treatment Patterns in the Cost of Care for Medicare Beneficiaries with Breast Cancer
Authors: Xu Xiao , Herrin Jeph , Soulos Pamela R. , Saraf Avantika , Roberts Kenneth B. , Killelea Brigid K. , Wang Shi‐Yi , Long Jessica B. , Wang Rong , Ma Xiaomei , Gross Cary P. 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveTo characterize Medicare expenditures on initial breast cancer care and examine variation in expenditures across hospital referral regions (HRRs).Data SourceWe identified 29,110 women with localized breast cancer diagnosed in 2005–2008 and matched controls from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare linked database.Study DesignUsing hierarchical generalized linear models, we estimated per patient Medicare expenditure on initial breast cancer care across HRRs and assessed the contribution of patient, cancer, and treatment factors to regional variation via incremental models.Principal FindingsMean Medicare expenditure for initial breast cancer care was $19,255 per patient. The average expenditures varied from $15,053 in the lowest‐spending HRR quintile to $23,480 in the highest‐spending HRR quintile. Patient sociodemographic, comorbidity, and tumor characteristics explained only 1.8 percent of the difference in expenditures between the lowest‐ and highest‐spending quintiles, while use of specific treatment modalities explained 14.5 percent of the difference. Medicare spending on radiation therapy differed the most across the quintiles, with the use of intensity modulated radiation therapy increasing from 1.7 percent in the lowest‐spending quintile to 11.6 percent in the highest‐spending quintile.ConclusionsMedicare expenditures on initial breast cancer care vary substantially across regions. Treatment factors are major contributors to the variation.
Combined effects of sex hormone‐binding globulin and sex hormones on risk of incident type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hu Jinbo , Zhang Aiping , Yang Shumin , Wang Yue , Goswami Richa , Zhou Huang , Zhang Yi , Wang Zhihong , Li Rong , Cheng Qingfeng , Zhen Qianna , Li Qifu 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to investigate the combined effects of sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) and sex hormones on the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsA nested case‐control study of Chinese participants in the Environment, Inflammation and Metabolic Diseases Study (2008–13) was performed. Of the 3510 subjects free of diabetes, 145 men and 87 women developed diabetes over the 5‐year follow‐up. One age‐ and sex‐matched control subject was selected for each case. Baseline concentrations of SHBG, estradiol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) were divided into tertiles and subjects were classified as having low, intermediate and high levels accordingly.ResultsAfter multivariate adjustment, men with low SHBG levels had a fourfold greater risk of T2D than men with high SHBG levels. Conversely, men with high estradiol levels had a fourfold greater risk of T2D than men with low estradiol levels. Men with low SHBG + high estradiol had a 20‐fold greater risk of T2D than men with high SHBG + low estradiol (odds ratio [OR] 20.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.62–51.33). These risk associations in men were not observed for testosterone or DHEA‐S, alone or in combination with SHBG. Compared with low SHBG, the risk of T2D decreased with increasing SHBG tertile (OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.21–4.53], 0.14 [95% CI 0.10–0.74]; Ptrend = 0.043) after multivariate adjustment in women. Estradiol, testosterone, and DHEA‐S levels showed no association with T2D in women.ConclusionLow SHBG in conjunction with high estradiol has an additive detrimental effect on the risk of T2D in men.
Genetic markers of type 2 diabetes: Progress in genome‐wide association studies and clinical application for risk prediction
Authors: Wang Xueyin , Strizich Garrett , Hu Yonghua , Wang Tao , Kaplan Robert C. , Qi Qibin 
Published: June 2015

AbstractType 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a leading public health challenge worldwide. To date, a total of 83 susceptibility loci for T2D have been identified by genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). Application of meta‐analysis and modern genotype imputation approaches to GWAS data from diverse ethnic populations has been key in the effort to discover T2D loci. Genetic information is expected to play a vital role in the prediction of T2D, and many efforts have been made to develop T2D risk models that include both conventional and genetic risk factors. Yet, because most T2D genetic variants identified have small effect size individually (10%–20% increased risk of T2D per risk allele), their clinical utility remains unclear. Most studies report that a genetic risk score combining multiple T2D genetic variants does not substantially improve T2D risk prediction beyond conventional risk factors. In this article, we summarize the recent progress of T2D GWAS and further review the incremental predictive performance of genetic markers for T2D.
Were Information Intermediaries Sensitive to the Financial Statement‐Based Leading Indicators of Bank Distress Prior to the Financial Crisis?
Authors: Desai Hemang , Rajgopal Shiva , Yu Jeff Jiewei 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we address two questions that emerged in the aftermath of the 2008 financial/banking crisis. First, did the financial statements of bank holding companies provide an early warning of their impending distress? Second, were the actions of four key financial intermediaries (short sellers, equity analysts, Standard and Poor's credit ratings, and auditors) sensitive to the information in the banks’ financial statements about their increased risk and potential distress? We find a significant cross‐sectional association between banks’ 2006 Q4 financial information and bank failures over 2008–2010, suggesting that the financial statements reflected at least some of the increased risk of bank distress in advance. The mean abnormal short interest in our sample of banks increased from 0.66 percent in March 2005 to 2.4 percent in March 2007 and the association between short interest and leading financial statement indicators also increased. In contrast, we observe neither a meaningful change in analysts’ recommendations, Standard and Poor's credit ratings, and audit fees nor an increased sensitivity of these actions to financial indicators of bank distress over this time period. Our results suggest that actions of short sellers likely provided an early warning of the banks’ upcoming distress prior to the 2008 financial crisis.
A stakeholder analysis of employee disclosures in annual reports
Authors: Kent Pamela , Zunker Tamara 
Published: June 2015

AbstractLittle empirical research has identified what drives companies to voluntarily report employee‐related information. Ullmann's three‐dimensional stakeholder theory model is applied as a framework to analyse associations with corporate employee‐related disclosures. Measures are developed to estimate stakeholder power, strategic posture and economic performance associated with employee‐related disclosures. Results indicate that employee‐related disclosures increase with more employee share ownership, employee concentration, the quality of corporate governance, employee recognition in corporate mission statements, adverse publicity about employees and economic performance measured by profit per employee.
Consumers’ preferences for fresh broccolis: interactive effects between country of origin and organic labels
Authors: Xie Jing , Gao Zhifeng , Swisher Marilyn , Zhao Xin 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWhile international trade in organic products has grown significantly, understanding consumers’ preferences for imported organic foods has remained limited. This research examines the impact of country‐of‐origin labeling on US consumers’ choices of organic foods. Results show that consumer valuation of domestically produced organic broccoli was significantly higher than that of imported organic broccoli. Adding information about USDA organic certification standards/rules for imported products mildly increases consumer valuation of imported organic broccoli in some cases. These findings suggest that providing such information may have a positive impact on consumer willingness to purchase imported organic products.
Pregnancy outcomes in breech presentation analyzed according to intended mode of delivery
Authors: Mattila Mirjami , Rautkorpi Jatta , Heikkinen Tuija 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIntroductionOptimal mode of delivery in breech presentation has been widely examined and debated. The aim of this study was to compare perinatal and maternal outcomes with either a policy of planned vaginal delivery or planned cesarean section in breech presentation.Material and methodsThis was a registry‐based retrospective cohort study from Turku University Hospital, Finland with 1418 singleton breech deliveries at term over a period of 11 years (January 2002 to December 2012). Data were collected from the mothers' medical records.ResultsApgar scores at 5 min as well as umbilical artery pH values were significantly lower in the planned vaginal breech delivery group compared with the planned cesarean section group, suggesting a short‐lasting delayed recovery after birth. There were more puerperal infections in planned cesarean section group compared with the planned vaginal delivery group.ConclusionsThe results confirm that planned vaginal breech delivery results in short‐lasting delayed recovery after birth compared with planned cesarean section.
Randomised clinical trial: a placebo‐controlled study of intravenous golimumab induction therapy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Rutgeerts P. , Feagan B. G. , Marano C. W. , Padgett L. , Strauss R. , Johanns J. , Adedokun O. J. , Guzzo C. , Zhang H. , Colombel J.‐F. , Reinisch W. , Gibson P. R. , Sandborn W. J. ,   the PURSUIT‐IV study group
Published: June 2015

SummaryBackgroundTumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)‐antagonism effectively treats ulcerative colitis (UC). The golimumab clinical programme evaluated subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) induction, and SC maintenance regimens, in TNFα‐antagonist‐naïve patients with moderate‐to‐severe active UC despite conventional treatment.AimTo evaluate dose–response relationship, select IV golimumab induction doses for continued development, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of selected doses.MethodsAdults with Mayo scores of 6–12 and endoscopic subscores ≥2 were enrolled into this multicentre, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, integrated Phase 2/3 dose‐finding/dose‐confirming study. In Phase 2, 176 patients were randomised (1:1:1:1) to a single IV infusion of placebo, 1‐, 2‐ or 4‐mg/kg golimumab. While Phase 2 data were analysed to select doses for continued development, 71 additional patients were randomised. Phase 3 enrolment stopped after 44 additional patients were randomised (1:1:1) to placebo, 2‐ or 4‐mg/kg golimumab. Due to insufficient power for the Phase 3 primary endpoint analysis (clinical response at week 6), efficacy analyses are considered exploratory and include all randomised patients.ResultsNo dose–response was observed in Phase 2; however, higher serum golimumab exposure was associated with greater proportions of patients achieving more favourable clinical outcomes, clinical response and greater improvement in Mayo scores compared with placebo‐treated patients and those with lower serum concentrations. Among all randomised patients, numerically greater proportions were in clinical response at week 6 in the 2‐ and 4‐mg/kg golimumab groups compared with placebo [44.0% (33/75) and 41.6% (32/77) vs. 30.1% (22/73)].ConclusionsEfficacy with single‐dose golimumab IV induction was lower than expected and less than observed in the SC induction study. No new safety findings were observed. ClinicalTrials.gov Number, NCT00488774.
4β‐hydroxycholesterol as an endogenous CYP3A marker in cancer patients treated with taxanes
Authors: de Graan Anne‐Joy M. , Sparreboom Alex , de Bruijn Peter , de Jonge Evert , van der Holt Bronno , Wiemer Erik A. C. , Verweij Jaap , Mathijssen Ron H. J. , van Schaik Ron H. N. 
Published: June 2015

AimTaxanes are anti‐cancer agents used to treat several types of solid tumours. They are metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A, displaying a large pharmacokinetic (PK) variability. In this study, we evaluated the endogenous CYP3A4 marker 4β‐hydroxycholesterol (4β‐OHC) as a potential individual taxane PK predictor.MethodsSerum 4β‐OHC and cholesterol concentrations were determined in 291 paclitaxel and 151 docetaxel‐treated patients, and were subsequently correlated with taxane clearance.ResultsIn the patients treated with paclitaxel, no clinically relevant correlations between the 4β‐OHC or 4β‐OHC : cholesterol ratio and paclitaxel clearance were found. In the patients treated with docetaxel, 4β‐OHC concentration was weakly correlated with docetaxel clearance in males (r = 0.35 P = 0.01, 95% CI 0.08, 0.58). Of the 10% patients with taxane outlier clearance values, 4β‐OHC did correlate with docetaxel clearance in males (r = 0.76, P = 0.03, 95% CI 0.12, 0.95).ConclusionThere was no clinical correlation between paclitaxel clearance and the CYP3A4 activity markers 4β‐OHC or the 4β‐OHC : cholesterol ratio. A weak correlation was observed between 4β‐OHC and docetaxel clearance, but only in males. This endogenous CYP3A4 marker has limited predictive value for taxane clearance in patients.
Personalized peptide vaccination for cervical cancer patients who have received prior platinum‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Kawano Kouichiro , Tsuda Naotake , Waki Kayoko , Matsueda Satoko , Hata Yoshiro , Ushijima Kimio , Itoh Kyogo , Yamada Akira , Kamura Toshiharu 
Published: June 2015

A feasibility study was performed to evaluate the immunological efficacy and safety of a personalized peptide vaccine (PPV) for cervical cancer patients who have received platinum‐based chemotherapy. A total of 24 patients with standard chemotherapy‐resistant cervical cancer, including 18 recurrent cases, were enrolled in this study and received a maximum of 4 peptides based on HLA‐A types and IgG levels to the vaccine candidate peptides in pre‐vaccination plasma. The parental protein expression of most of the vaccine peptides was confirmed in the cervical cancer tissues. No vaccine‐related systemic grade 3 or 4 adverse events were observed in any patients. Due to disease progression, 2 patients failed to complete the first cycle of vaccinations (sixth vaccination). Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) or IgG responses specific for the peptides used for vaccination were augmented in half of cases after the first cycle. The median overall survival was 8.3 months. The clinical responses of the evaluable 18 cases consisted of 1 case with a partial response and 17 cases with disease progression; the remaining 6 cases were not evaluable. Performance status, injection site skin reaction and circulating PD‐1+CD4+ T‐cells were significantly prognostic of overall survival, and multivariate analysis also indicated that the performance status and circulating PD‐1+CD4+ T‐cells were prognostic. Because of the safety and immunological efficacy of PPV and the possible prolongation of overall survival, further clinical trials of PPV at a larger scale in advanced or recurrent cervical cancer patients who have received prior platinum‐based chemotherapy are recommended.
Inhibition of microRNA‐214 ameliorates hepatic fibrosis and tumor incidence in platelet‐derived growth factor C transgenic mice
Authors: Okada Hikari , Honda Masao , Campbell Jean S. , Takegoshi Kai , Sakai Yoshio , Yamashita Taro , Shirasaki Takayoshi , Takabatake Riuta , Nakamura Mikiko , Tanaka Takuji , Kaneko Shuichi 
Published: June 2015

Differentially regulated microRNA (miRNA) are associated with hepatic fibrosis; however, their potential usefulness for blocking hepatic fibrosis has not been exploited fully. We examined the expression of miRNA in the liver of a transgenic mouse model in which platelet‐derived growth factor C (PDGF‐C) is overexpressed (Pdgf‐c Tg), resulting in hepatic fibrosis and steatosis and the eventual development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Robust induction of miR‐214 correlated with fibrogenesis in the liver of Pdgf‐c Tg mice, atherogenic high‐fat diet‐induced NASH mice, and patients with chronic hepatitis B or C. Pdgf‐c Tg mice were injected with locked nucleic acid (LNA)‐antimiR‐214 via the tail vein using Invivofectamine 2.0 and the degree of hepatic fibrosis and tumor incidence were evaluated. Pdgf‐c Tg mice treated with LNA‐antimiR‐214 showed a marked reduction in fibrosis and tumor incidence compared with saline or LNA‐miR‐control‐injected control mice. In vitro, LNA‐antimiR‐214 significantly ameliorated TGF‐β1‐induced pro‐fibrotic gene expression in Lx‐2 cells. MiR‐214 targets a negative regulator of EGFR signaling, Mig‐6. Mimic‐miR‐214 decreased the expression of Mig‐6 and increased the levels of EGF‐mediated p‐EGFR (Y1173 and Y845) and p‐Met (Tyr1234/1235) in Huh‐7 cells. Conversely, LNA‐antimiR‐214 repressed the expression of these genes. In conclusion, miR‐214 appears to participate in the development of hepatic fibrosis by modulating the EGFR and TGF‐β signaling pathways. LNA‐antimiR‐214 is a potential therapy for the prevention of hepatic fibrosis.
Enhanced osteoconductivity of polyethersulphone nanofibres loaded with bioactive glass nanoparticles inin vitroandin vivomodels
Authors: Ardeshirylajimi A. , Farhadian S. , Jamshidi Adegani F. , Mirzaei S. , Soufi Zomorrod M. , Langroudi L. , Doostmohammadi A. , Seyedjafari E. , Soleimani M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjectivesThere is growing need for new scaffold constructions for synthetic bone graft substitutes to repair large bone lesions. A very promising and important class of new implants for tissue engineering is based on three‐dimensional scaffolds and bioceramics.Materials and methodsIn this study, after investigation of mechanical properties of polyethersulphone (PES) nanofibres, fabricated by electrospinning methodology and coated with bioactive glass (BG), cells of theMG‐63 line were cultured on surfaces of these scaffolds. Their capacity to supportMG‐63 proliferation was also investigatedin vitrobyMTTassay. Osteoconductivity on these scaffolds was investigated by the common osteogenic markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium mineral deposition and bone‐related gene activation. Next, a bone reconstruction of rat critical‐size defects model was evaluated using radiographic imaging analysis (digital mammography), computed tomography and histological examination.ResultsIn vitroresults indicated that biocompatibility and osteogenic markers ofMG‐63 cells were significantly enhanced after coatingPESwithBG. Based onin vivoresults, new bone formation in the defect site was enhanced in implanted rats in comparison with a control group. The highest reconstruction was observed in animals implanted withBG‐coated nanofibres.ConclusionsOsteoconductivity ofPESnanofibres was markedly enhanced after coating them withBG, and introduction of this construct as new bone‐graft substitute for bone loss and defects is indicated.
Influences on the drinking of heavier drinkers: Interactional realities in seeking to ‘change drinking cultures’
Authors: Room Robin , Callinan Sarah , Dietze Paul 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIntroduction and Aims‘Changing drinking culture’ is a prominent goal in the Australian state of Victoria's current alcohol strategy—seeking a shift so that ‘excessive drinking isn't seen as the norm’. As a social activity, there is a strong collective aspect to drinking and associated behaviour: customs within the drinking group and at the level of social worlds of drinking operate both to increase and to control drinking patterns and associated behaviours. The paper considers how risky drinkers and those in social worlds of heavy drinking experience others' expectations about drinking.Design and MethodsUsing Victorian population survey responses (n = 2092 adults who had consumed alcohol in previous year) to identify those in a social world of group drinking, and a subcategory who are also risky drinkers, the paper explores pressures on those in these categories both to drink more and to drink less, whether from family members, from work colleagues, or from friends.ResultsThose who are both risky and social drinkers are much more likely than other drinkers to report pressures to drink more from friends and workmates, and even from family members, although they more often report pressures from family members to drink less than to drink more.Discussion and ConclusionsEfforts to change a drinking culture, it is argued, must take account of the collective nature of drinking and of the interplay of influences at interpersonal and subcultural levels if they are to be effective in reducing rates of heavy drinking and alcohol problems. [Room R, Callinan S, Dietze P. Influences on the drinking of heavier drinkers: Interactional realities in seeking to ‘change drinking cultures’. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015]