bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lifestyle habits and fatigue among people with systemic lupus erythematosus and matched population controls
Authors: Pettersson S , Boström C , Eriksson K , Svenungsson E , Gunnarsson I , Henriksson E Welin 
Published: February 2015

Objective The objective of this paper is to identify clusters of fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and matched controls, and to analyze these clusters with respect to lifestyle habits, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety and depression. Methods Patients with SLE ( n = 305) and age- and gender-matched population controls ( n = 311) were included. Three measurements of fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Vitality (VT, from SF-36) and Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale (MAF) and hierarchic cluster analysis were used to define clusters with different degrees of fatigue. Lifestyle habits were investigated through questionnaires. HRQoL was assessed with the SF-36 and anxiety/depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results Three clusters, denominated “High,” “Intermediate” and “Low” fatigue clusters, were identified. The “High” contained 80% patients, and 20% controls (median; VT 25, FSS 5.8, MAF 37.4). These had the most symptoms of depression (51%) and anxiety (34%), lowest HRQoL ( p < 0.001) and they exercised least frequently. The “Intermediate” (48% patients and 52% controls) (median; VT 55, FSS 4.1, MAF 23.5) had similarities with the “Low” regarding sleep/rest whereas social status and smoking were closer to the “High.” The“Low” contained 22% patients and 78% controls (median; VT 80, FSS 2.3, MAF 10.9). They had the highest perceived HRQoL ( p < 0.001), least symptoms of anxiety (10%), no depression, smoked least (13%) and reported the highest percentage (24%) of exercising ≥3 times/week. Conclusion Fatigue is common, but not a general feature of SLE. It is associated with depression, anxiety, low HRQoL and less physical exercise. Patients with SLE and population controls with a healthy lifestyle reported lower levels of fatigue. Whether lifestyle changes can reduce fatigue, which is a major problem for a majority of SLE patients, needs to be further explored.
Effect of short message service as a reminder on breast self-examination in breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chung Il Yong , Kang Eunyoung , Yom Cha Kyong , Kim Dongwon , Sun Young , Hwang Yoonsun , Jang Jin Youn , Kim Sung-Won 
Published: February 2015

Summary This study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of SMS as a reminder for breast self-examination (BSE). Participants who underwent surgery for breast cancer were recruited and randomized to the intervention group or the control group. Subjects in the intervention group received one text message on the first day of every month that reminded them to complete monthly BSE and the other text message on the fifteenth day of every month that contained information about breast cancer. Primary and secondary outcomes were self-reported BSE adherence and the frequency of BSE over 6 months. Between August 2010 and December 2011, 216 patients were randomly assigned to the SMS group (n = 110) or the control group (n = 106). A total of 202 patients were included in the final analysis. Self-reported BSE adherence and the frequency of BSE over the past six months were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. Multivariate analysis showed that the SMS was the only significant factor for BSE adherence (p < 0.001). The short-term results of our study suggest that SMS is an effective and low-cost method to enhance adherence to BSE with existing information technology infrastructure.
Subcutaneous Injection Depth Does Not Affect the Pharmacokinetics or Glucodynamics of Insulin Lispro in Normal Weight or Healthy Obese Subjects
Authors: de la Peña Amparo , Yeo Kwee P. , Linnebjerg Helle , Catton Edward , Reddy Shobha , Brown-Augsburger Patricia , Morrow Linda , Ignaut Debra A. 
Published: February 2015

Background: An 8-mm needle length is commonly used for insulin injections; however, recent recommendations suggest shorter needles may help patients avoid intramuscular injections and reduce pain, while maintaining adequate glucose control. The goal of these analyses was to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) and glucodynamics (GD) of insulin lispro after a 5-mm or an 8-mm injection depth administration in 2 populations: normal weight (study 1) or obese (study 2). Methods: In both open-label, randomized, 2-period crossover euglycemic clamp studies, subjects received single 0.25 U/kg insulin lispro doses on 2 occasions (at 5-mm and 8-mm injection depths); samples for PK and GD analyses were collected up to 6 hours postdose. Noncompartmental PK parameters AUC0-tlast, AUC0-∞, Cmax and GD parameters Gtot, Rmax, tRmax were log-transformed prior to analysis using a mixed effects model. Results: There were no apparent differences between PK profiles at the 5-mm or 8-mm injection depth in either study, demonstrated by the ratios of geometric means of AUC0-tlast, AUC0-∞, and Cmax being close to 1, with 90% confidence intervals (CI) within (0.80, 1.25). There were no apparent differences between GD profiles at either injection depth with the ratios of Gtot and Rmax near unity and 90% CIs that included 1. In both studies, the tRmax values were similar between injection depths, with a small median of pairwise differences and a 90% CI that included zero. Conclusions: Injection depths in the 5-8 mm range did not affect the PK or GD of insulin lispro in normal weight or obese subjects.
Prognostic stromal gene signatures in breast cancer
Authors: Winslow Sofia , Leandersson Karin , Edsjö Anders , Larsson Christer 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Global gene expression analysis of tumor samples has been a valuable tool to subgroup tumors and has the potential to be of prognostic and predictive value. However, tumors are heterogeneous, and homogenates will consist of several different cell types. This study was designed to obtain more refined expression data representing different compartments of the tumor.

Methods
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded stroma-rich triple-negative breast cancer tumors were laser-microdissected, and RNA was extracted and processed to enable microarray hybridization. Genes enriched in stroma were identified and used to generate signatures by identifying correlating genes in publicly available data sets. The prognostic implications of the signature were analyzed.

Results
Comparison of the expression pattern from stromal and cancer cell compartments from three tumors revealed a number of genes that were essentially specifically expressed in the respective compartments. The stroma-specific genes indicated contribution from fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune/inflammatory cells. The gene set was expanded by identifying correlating mRNAs using breast cancer mRNA expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. By iterative analyses, 16 gene signatures of highly correlating genes were characterized. Based on the gene composition, they seem to represent different cell types. In multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, two immune/inflammatory signatures had opposing hazard ratios for breast cancer recurrence also after adjusting for clinicopathological variables and molecular subgroup. The signature associated with poor prognosis consisted mainly of C1Q genes and the one associated with good prognosis contained HLA genes. This association with prognosis was seen for other cancers as well as in other breast cancer data sets.

Conclusions
Our data indicate that the molecular composition of the immune response in a tumor may be a powerful predictor of cancer prognosis.
The relationship of weight change trajectory with medial temporal lobe atrophy in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease: results from a cohort study
Authors: Droogsma Erika , van Asselt Dieneke , Bieze Hanneli , Veeger Nic , De Deyn Peter Paul 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Weight loss has been described in 20% to 45% of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and has been associated with adverse outcomes. Various mechanisms for weight loss in AD patients have been proposed, though none has been proven. This study aimed to elucidate a mechanism of weight loss in AD patients by examining the hypothesis that weight loss is associated with medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA).

Methods
Patients from the Frisian Alzheimer’s disease cohort study (a retrospective, longitudinal study of 576 community-dwelling AD patients) were included when a brain MRI was performed on which MTA could be assessed. To investigate the hypothesis that weight loss is associated with MTA, we investigated whether the trajectory of body weight change depends on the severity of MTA at the time of diagnosis (that is baseline). We hypothesized that patients with more severe MTA at baseline would have a lower body weight at baseline and a faster decrease in body weight during the course of the disease. The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used to determine the relationship of weight change trajectory with MTA severity.

Results
In total, 214 patients (median age 79 years, median MMSE 23, mean weight 73.9 kg) were included. Patients with moderate, severe or very severe MTA at baseline weighed 3.2 to 6.8 kg more than patients with no or mild MTA. During the 3.5 years, patients gained on average 1.7 kg in body weight, irrespective of the severity of their MTA at baseline.

Conclusions
We found no evidence that MTA is associated with weight loss in AD patients. Moreover, contrary to what was expected, AD patients did not lose but gained weight during follow-up.
An adaptive transmission protocol for exploiting diversity and multiplexing gains in wireless relaying networks
Authors: O El Astal Mohammed Taha , Abu-Hudrouss Ammar M , Salmon Brian P , Olivier Jan Corné 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Wireless relaying networks with distributed space-time block codes have been shown to provide high link reliability. This is because of the space diversity gain from multiple transmitting relays, which improves by adding more relays. The drawback of this approach is the overall reduction in throughput of the network. In this paper, we propose a method to construct a distributed space-time block code that is combined with spatial modulation to find a flexible trade-off between reliability and throughput. This proposed method is not restricted to a specific number of relays and can be constructed as necessary. The constructed code also uses a novel adaptive transmission protocol to achieve higher space diversity, even with relays equipped with a single antenna. This protocol assumes use of coherent detection, meaning that a perfect channel estimation is available at the destination. Lastly, a new decoder is proposed that offers significant reduction in complexity to maintain high data throughput. All claims in this work are supported with theoretical analysis and backed up with empirical results.
Do climate variations explain bilateral migration? A gravity model analysis
Authors: Backhaus Andreas , Martinez-Zarzoso Inmaculada , Muris Chris 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
This paper investigates to what extent international migration can be explained by climatic variations. A gravity model of migration augmented with average temperature and precipitation in the country of origin is estimated using a panel data set of 142 sending countries for the period 1995 to 2006. We find two primary results. First, temperature is positively correlated with migration. Second, stronger changes in precipitation are also associated with aligned, but small changes in migration. Both effects are robust to various model modifications. Furthermore, we present initial explorations into the channels relating climate changes with migration via agriculture and internal conflict.

JEL Codes
F22, Q54
Risk of stroke among patients with post-traumatic stress
disorder: nationwide longitudinal study
Authors: Chen Mu-Hong , Pan Tai-Long , Li Cheng-Ta , Lin Wei-Chen , Chen Ying-Sheue , Lee Ying-Chiao , Tsai Shih-Jen , Hsu Ju-Wei , Huang Kai-Lin , Tsai Chia-Fen , Chang Wen-Han , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Su Tung-Ping , Bai Ya-Mei 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundPrevious evidence has shown positive associations between post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) and hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes
mellitus, which are all risk factors for stroke, but the role of PTSD in
the subsequent development of stroke is still unknown.AimsTo investigate the temporal association between PTSD and the development
of stroke.MethodIdentified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database,
5217 individuals aged 18 years, with PTSD but with no history of stroke,
and 20 868 age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled between 2002
and 2009, and followed up until the end of 2011 to identify the
development of stroke.ResultsIndividuals with PTSD had an increased risk of developing any stroke
(hazard ratio (HR) 3.37, 95% CI 2.44–4.67) and ischaemic stroke (HR =
3.47, 95% CI 2.23–5.39) after adjusting for demographic data and medical
comorbidities. Sensitivity tests showed consistent findings (any stroke
HR = 3.02, 95% CI 2.13–4.28; ischaemic stroke HR = 2.89, 95% CI
1.79–4.66) after excluding the first year of observation.ConclusionsIndividuals with PTSD have an increased risk of developing any stroke and
ischaemic stroke. Further studies are required to investigate the
underlying mechanisms.
Elevated Serum Advanced Glycation Endproducts in Obese Indicate Risk for the Metabolic Syndrome: A Link Between Healthy and Unhealthy Obesity?
Authors: Uribarri Jaime , Cai Weijing , Woodward Mark , Tripp Elizabeth , Goldberg Laurie , Pyzik Renata , Yee Kalle , Tansman Laurie , Chen Xue , Mani Venkatesh , Fayad Zahi A. , Vlassara Helen 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Context:
Although obesity can predispose to the metabolic syndrome (MS), diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, not all obese subjects develop MS, hence the need for new indicators of risk for this syndrome. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) correlate with factors involved in the MS, including inflammation and insulin resistance (IR). Because AGEs can be derived from food and are modifiable, it is important to determine whether they are a risk factor for MS.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to assess the association of endogenous and exogenous AGEs with MS criteria.

Design:
The following data were collected in a cross-sectional study of subjects with and without the MS: serum AGEs (sAGEs) and mononuclear cell AGEs, metabolites, pro- and antiinflammatory markers, body fat mass measures, including abdominal magnetic resonance imaging, and caloric and dietary AGE (dAGE) consumption.

Setting:
The study was conducted in the general community.

Participants:
Participants included 130 MS and 139 non-MS subjects of both sexes, older than 50 years.

Results:
sAGEs (ϵN-carboxymethyllysine, methylglyoxal) were markedly elevated in obese persons with more than one other MS criteria but not in obese without MS criteria. sAGEs directly correlated with markers of IR (HOMA) and inflammation (leptin, TNFα, RAGE) and inversely with innate defenses (SIRT1, AGE receptor 1 [AGER1], glyoxalase-I, adiponectin). sAGEs correlated with dAGEs but not with calories, nutrient consumption, or fat mass measures. Consumption of dAGE, but not of calories, was markedly higher in MS than in non-MS.

Conclusion:
High sAGEs, a modifiable risk factor for IR, may indicate risk for the MS, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. High dietary AGE consumption and serum AGE levels may link healthy obesity to at-risk obesity.
Activation of Melatonin Signaling Promotes β-Cell Survival and Function
Authors: Costes Safia , Boss Marti , Thomas Anthony P. , Matveyenko Aleksey V. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by pancreatic islet failure due to loss of β-cell secretory function and mass. Studies have identified a link between a variance in the gene encoding melatonin (MT) receptor 2, T2DM, and impaired insulin secretion. This genetic linkage raises the question whether MT signaling plays a role in regulation of β-cell function and survival in T2DM. To address this postulate, we used INS 832/13 cells to test whether activation of MT signaling attenuates proteotoxicity-induced β-cell apoptosis and through which molecular mechanism. We also used nondiabetic and T2DM human islets to test the potential of MT signaling to attenuate deleterious effects of glucotoxicity and T2DM on β-cell function. MT signaling in β-cells (with duration designed to mimic typical nightly exposure) significantly enhanced activation of the cAMP-dependent signal transduction pathway and attenuated proteotoxicity-induced β-cell apoptosis evidenced by reduced caspase-3 cleavage (∼40%), decreased activation of stress-activated protein kinase/Jun-amino-terminal kinase (∼50%) and diminished oxidative stress response. Activation of MT signaling in human islets was shown to restore glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in islets exposed to chronic hyperglycemia as well as in T2DM islets. Our data suggest that β-cell MT signaling is important for the regulation of β-cell survival and function and implies a preventative and therapeutic potential for preservation of β-cell mass and function in T2DM.
Non-contact radiofrequency-induced reduction of subcutaneous abdominal fat correlates with initial cardiovascular autonomic balance and fat tissue hormones: safety analysis
Authors: Pumprla Jiri , Howorka Kinga , Kolackova Zuzana , Sovova Eliska 
Published: February 2015

Background and objective: The non-invasive reduction of subcutaneous abdominal fat became popular in the last decade. Radiofrequency (RF), non-contact, selective-field device Vanquish® has been developed to selectively induce deep fat tissue heating to reduce waist circumference. Our analysis evaluates immediate and sustained effects of this treatment on cardiovascular autonomic function and on selected metabolic parameters.Study design/patients and methods: A retrospective proof-of-concept analysis of RF treatment effects was conducted in 20 individuals with metabolic syndrome, to reduce the subcutaneous abdominal fat. Four 30-minutes treatment sessions (manufacturer´s standard protocol) were performed in 1-week intervals. Vital signs, ECG, lab screening, body composition, subcutaneous fat thickness and spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) have been examined before, after the 1st and 4th treatment, and at follow-up visits 1 month and 3 months after the treatment.Results: The RF treatment led to a significant reduction of abdominal circumference after the 4th session (p<0.001), and during follow-up after 1 and 3 months (p<0.001 and p<0.02, resp.). There was a significant correlation (r=-0.58, p=0.007) between reduction of abdominal circumference and initial very-low frequency (VLF) spectral power at 1 month follow-up. A significant increase of cumulative spectral power in low frequency (p=0.02) and reduction in high frequency (p=0.05) band have been observed immediately (20+14 minutes) after the treatment. On the contrary, no sustained impact on autonomic balance has been recorded 39+18 days after the treatment. A significant correlation between the initial adiponectin values and immediate autonomic response to one treatment was observed in VLF and total spectral bands (r>0.59, p<0.04).Conclusions: Our analysis shows that the selective-field RF treatment is safe and efficient for reduction of subcutaneous abdominal fat. While the treatment increases the immediate sympathetic response of the body to deep tissue heating, no sustained change in autonomic function could be recorded at 1 month follow-up. The observed correlation between initial VLF spectral power and waist circumference reduction at follow-up, as well as the association of initial adiponectin values and immediate autonomic response to the treatment might be instrumental for decisions on body contouring strategies.
UV-independent induction of beta defensin 3 in neonatal human skin explants
Authors: Wolf Horrell Erin , D'Orazio John 
Published: February 2015

In order to determine the effect of UV radiation on β-defensin 3 (BD3) expression in human skin, freshly-isolated UV-naïve skin was obtained from newborn male infants undergoing planned circumcision. Skin explants sustained ex vivo dermis side down on RPMI media were exposed to 0.5 kJ/m2UVB, and biopsies were taken from the explant through 72 hours after radiation. mRNA expression was measured by qRTPCR and normalized to TATA-binding protein. BD3 expression at each time point was compared with an untreated control taken at time 0 within each skin sample. Extensive variability in both the timing and magnitude of BD3 induction across individuals was noted and was not predicted by skin pigment phenotype, suggesting that BD3 induction was not influenced by epidermal melanization. However, a mock-irradiated time course demonstrated UV-independent BD3 mRNA increases across multiple donors which was not further augmented by treatment with UV radiation, suggesting that factors other than UV damage promoted increased BD3 expression in the skin explants. We conclude that BD3 expression is induced in a UV-independent manner in human skin explants processed and maintained in standard culture conditions, and that neonatal skin explants are an inappropriate model with which to study the effects of UV on BD3 induction in whole human skin.
A Maintenance of a Dominant Market Position – on the Example of the Polish Post Office
Authors: Bernat Tomasz 
Published: February 2015

The system changes of the Polish economy, which began in the 80s of the 20th century and were continued after the accession to the European Union in 2004, have caused significant transformations, not only in the economy and ownership relations, but also in single markets. What is more, some of the European Commission’s guidelines have introduced the market regulations which were dominated by natural monopolies. These changes were to cause the competitiveness on the market and to improve its functioning in an efficiency allocative sense in order to make the consumers’ situation better. However, it is often a kind of struggle without any visible effects in short or long term. One of such examples is the Polish Post Office as the national operator in the market of postal services. The scientific objective of this study is to answer the question whether the changes in the law regulating the postal market cause real changes in the market structure, resulting in a reduction in allocative inefficiency? The working hypothesis referring to such research problem is formulated as follows: large business entities operating in the monopolistic market structure until now use all of the tools – including changes in the law, to maintain their position. It causes an increase in allocative inefficiency of companies and market. The object of the research is Poczta Polska SA. The primary research method will be based on the analysis of the legal rules, the analysis of the activities and entities’ decisions and the comparative analysis. The active research is supported by the literature recognition.
Bio-Ethanol Production from Cornstalk Containing Wastewater
Authors: Akinola Temidayo O. , Erkurt Emrah A. 
Published: February 2015

Having identified poorly efficient pre-treatment methods as the rate limiting step to cellulosic ethanol production, combination of two or more pre-treatment methods are being examined. In this study, three stage alkaline-acid-enzyme pre-treatment was attempted in addition to using waste water containing organic matter. Optimum Reducing Sugar yield of 604.96mg/g cornstalk was obtained when 10% (w/v) NaOH and 5% (v/v) H2SO4 was used in succession at 120˚C for 60 minutes. The use of wastewater containing cornstalk for the production of cellulosic ethanol was found to have desirable effects on Reducing Sugar yields. Total Reducing Sugar yield was increased to 874.05mg/g cornstalk and fermentation efficiency of 89.44% for wastewater containing 40g/L cornstalk.