bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is associated with central obesity in persons with impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: Laitinen T. , Lindström J. , Eriksson J. , Ilanne‐Parikka P. , Aunola S. , Keinänen‐Kiukaanniemi S. , Tuomilehto J. , Uusitupa M. 
Published: March 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 699–704 (2011)AbstractAims  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in persons with previously diagnosed impaired glucose tolerance and to characterize associations between components of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study cohort.Methods  Two hundred and sixty‐eight individuals with impaired glucose tolerance at baseline in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study, but not diagnosed with diabetes during follow‐up, were studied for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. At the second annual follow‐up visit after the end of lifestyle intervention, we performed deep‐breathing and active orthostatic tests to detect possible parasympathetic and sympathetic dysfunction. To describe metabolic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, an oral glucose tolerance test and assessments for HbA1c, serum lipids and blood pressure were carried out.Results  Prevalence of parasympathetic dysfunction was 25% and prevalence of sympathetic dysfunction was 6%, with no difference between the former intervention and control group participants or between men and women. Subjects with parasympathetic dysfunction were older, more obese (weight, waist circumference, body mass index) and had higher triglyceride concentration compared with those with normal parasympathetic function (P < 0.01 for all). Parasympathetic dysfunction was not significantly associated with other characteristics of metabolic syndrome; for example, high cholesterol, glucose and insulin levels or HbA1c. Correlations between the Expiration/Inspiration (E/I) ratio (the longest heart beat duration in expiration divided by the shortest heart beat duration in inspiration) and measures reflecting obesity were statistically significant in the pooled population and in men but not in women.Conclusions  Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is common in persons with impaired glucose tolerance. Obesity, especially among men, seems to play an important role in the early pathogenesis of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy.
Consumption and Hedging in Oil‐Importing Developing Countries
Authors: Aldunate Felipe , Casassus Jaime 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe study the consumption and hedging strategy of an oil‐importing developing country that faces multiple crude oil shocks. In our model, developing countries have two particular characteristics: their economies are mainly driven by natural resources and their technologies are less efficient in energy usage. The natural resource exports can be correlated with the crude oil shocks. The country can hedge against the crude oil uncertainty by taking long/short positions in existing crude oil futures contracts. We find that both inefficiencies in energy usage and shocks to the crude oil price lower the productivity of capital. This generates a negative income effect and a positive substitution effect, because today’s consumption is relatively cheaper than tomorrow’s consumption. Optimal consumption of the country depends on the magnitudes of these effects and on its risk‐aversion degree. Shocks to other crude oil factors, such as the convenience yield, are also studied. We find that the persistence of the shocks magnifies the income and substitution effects on consumption, thus also affecting the hedging strategy of the country. The demand for futures contracts is decomposed in a myopic demand, a pure hedging term and productive hedging demands. These hedging demands arise to hedge against changes in the productivity of capital due to changes in crude oil spot prices. We calibrate the model for Chile and study to what extent the country’s copper exports can be used to hedge the crude oil risk.
Evidence‐based recommendations on conventional systemic treatments in psoriasis: systematic review and expert opinion of a panel of dermatologists
Authors: Paul C , Gallini A , Maza A , Montaudié H , Sbidian E , Aractingi S , Aubin F , Bachelez H , Cribier B , Joly P , Jullien D , Le Maître M , Misery L , Richard M‐A , Ortonne J‐P 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  There is a high level of heterogeneity regarding the practical use of conventional systemic treatment in psoriasis.Objectives  The aim of this study was to develop evidence‐based recommendations for the use of traditional systemic treatments in psoriasis in daily clinical practice: methotrexate (MTX), cyclosporin and retinoids.Methods  A scientific committee selected clinically relevant questions concerning the use of MTX, cyclosporin and retinoids in psoriasis. This selection was made using the Delphi method. A systematic literature search was performed in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library. The articles selected for analysis were reviewed and the level of evidence was appraised according to the Oxford Levels of Evidence. An Expert consensus meeting took place in June 2010, including 66 dermatologists. Recommendations for daily use of psoriasis systemic treatments were made during interactive workshops where the evidence was reviewed. Agreement among participants and the impact of the recommendations on clinical practice were systematically assessed using voting procedure in a plenary session.Results  A total of 2800 references were identified, among which 122 articles were included in the systematic reviews. Three key recommendations on the use of MTX in psoriasis were formulated, including optimal dosage and route, use of folic acid, risk factors for liver fibrosis and monitoring of hepatotoxicity. The recommendations for cyclosporin in psoriasis focused on the modalities of cyclosporin prescription: dosage, scheme of treatment, optimal duration of treatment, renal toxicity monitoring and evidence for use of cyclosporin in non‐plaque psoriasis (erythrodermic, pustular and ungueal). Recommendations were also made concerning the efficacy and safety of retinoids (mainly acitretin) in plaque and non‐plaque psoriasis.Conclusions  These recommendations for the use of traditional systemic therapies in psoriasis are evidence based and supported by a panel of dermatologists. The next step will be to disseminate these recommendations and assess the agreement of physicians who were not involved in generating the recommendations.
Oral cyclosporin in psoriasis: a systematic review on treatment modalities, risk of kidney toxicity and evidence for use in non‐plaque psoriasis
Authors: Maza A , Montaudié H , Sbidian E , Gallini A , Aractingi S , Aubin F , Bachelez H , Cribier B , Joly P , Jullien D , Le Maître M , Misery L , Richard M‐A , Ortonne J‐P , Paul C 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Although cyclosporin (CyA) has been in use in psoriasis for more than 20 years, there is still controversy regarding treatment strategy, monitoring of kidney function and utility in non‐plaque psoriasis.Objectives  To prepare for evidence‐based recommendations concerning the practical use of CyA in psoriasis, we performed a systematic review to better define treatment strategy, risk of kidney toxicity and evidence for use in non‐plaque psoriasis.Methods  A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases, using the key‐words ‘psoriasis’, ‘CyA’, ‘nephrotoxicity’ during the period from 1980 to June 2010.Results  The initial literature search identified 428 articles. The final selection included 16 randomized controlled trials (RCT) for treatment strategy, 25 articles (histological studies and RCT) for risk of kidney toxicity and 10 articles (RCT, prospective studies and case series) for use in non‐plaque psoriasis. Higher doses of CyA of 5 mg/kg produced Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 75 response in between 50 and 97% of patients, whereas lower doses of 2.5 mg/kg yielded PASI 75 in between 28 and 85%. CyA could maintain remission at doses of at least 3 mg/kg/day. Low calory diet in obese patients was shown to improve CyA efficacy. More than 50% of the patients treated with CyA may have an increase in serum creatinin value over 30% of baseline if treatment is prolonged for 2 years. CyA at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day was effective for 89% of patients with palmoplantar pustulosis. More than 50% of the patients with erythrodermic psoriasis obtained a significant improvement at doses between 3 and 5 mg/kg/day at 2–4 months. CyA was more effective than etretinate on nail psoriasis.Conclusion  Oral CyA is indicated for patients with plaque psoriasis, pustular psoriasis or erythrodermic psoriasis. The starting dose of 5 mg/kg is associated with a higher degree of clearance. The benefit‐risk appears to be better for patients without risk factors for nephrotoxicity: non‐obese patients without hypertension and aged below 60. Although CyA is ideally suited for crisis intervention, continuous maintenance treatment with CyA may be envisaged in some patients provided serum creatinin is regularly monitored and the cumulative treatment duration is preferably limited to 2 years or less.
Efficacy and safety of oral retinoids in different psoriasis subtypes: a systematic literature review
Authors: Sbidian E , Maza A , Montaudié H , Gallini A , Aractingi S , Aubin F , Cribier B , Joly P , Jullien D , Le Maître M , Misery L , Richard M‐A , Paul C , Ortonne J‐P , Bachelez H 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  There is limited evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of retinoids in different psoriasis subtypes.Objective  To systematically review the available literature on: (i) modalities of administration and prescription of oral retinoids as single agent or combined therapy for the treatment of plaque‐type psoriasis (PV), nail psoriasis and localized and generalized pustular psoriasis : initial and optimal dosage; (ii) skeletal toxicity of retinoid for the treatment of psoriasis.Methods  A systematic literature search was carried out in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from 1975 to 2010 searching for randomized controlled trials and observational studies evaluating 1) various dosages of retinoid in psoriasis and 2) skeletal toxicity of retinoid in psoriasis. Articles were limited to human subjects and English/French languages.Results  Efficacy of retinoids in psoriasis. Among 1348 identified references, 44 published studies were included. Starting daily dosages between 10 and 25 mg and stepwise escalation were associated with higher clinical efficacy and lower incidence of adverse events in comparison with higher doses and regimens rapidly reaching optimal dose. Retinoids as single agent therapy appeared to show limited efficacy in PV, while the good clinical efficacy reported in pustular forms should be cautiously considered, given the spontaneously remitting course of the disease. Combining retinoids with phototherapy appeared to be highly effective in patients with PV.Potential skeletal toxicity of retinoids. 15 published studies out of 105 identified references were included. There is no strong evidence of an increased risk of skeletal abnormalities in psoriasis patients treated with retinoids.Conclusion  Acitretin appears to provide better efficacy in pustular psoriasis than in PV as a single agent treatment. There is no evidence for skeletal toxicity of retinoids in the setting of psoriasis, and accordingly monitoring this risk through X‐ray is not warranted.
Skin pain and skin discomfort is associated with quality of life in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Ljosaa T.M. , Mork C. , Stubhaug A. , Moum T. , Wahl A.K. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Patients with psoriasis commonly report severe sensory skin symptoms, sleep disturbance, psychological distress and impaired health related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the complex associations among these factors are poorly investigated in this patient group.Objectives  The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between skin pain or skin discomfort and HRQoL, and explore whether sleep disturbance and psychological distress were mediators of these associations.Methods  A total of 139 psoriasis patients from a university hospital setting participated in this exploratory, cross‐sectional study. Data were obtained through interviews and questionnaires (Dermatology Life Quality Index, General Sleep Disturbance Scale, Illness Perception Questionnaire) and analysed using a series of multiple regression analyses. HRQoL was the dependent variable. Independent variables and assumed mediators were entered into the model in a predefined order.Results  Skin pain, skin discomfort, sleep disturbance and psychological distress were significantly associated with HRQoL (all P < 0.05). Sleep disturbance was a partial mediator for the association between skin pain and HRQoL. No such mediation effect was found in terms of psychological distress. The total model explained 40% of the variance in HRQoL.Conclusion  In this study, skin pain and skin discomfort were significantly related to HRQoL when controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. In addition, sleep disturbance mediated the association between skin pain and HRQoL. An understanding of the complex association among physiological and psychological factors, and HRQoL is clinically important in order to provide proper treatment and care of patients with psoriasis.
Strigolactones are regulators of root development
Authors: Koltai Hinanit 
Published: March 2011

SummaryStrigolactones (SLs) have been defined as a new group of plant hormones or their derivatives that suppress lateral shoot branching. Recently, a new role for SLs was discovered, in the regulation of root development. Strigolactones were shown to alter root architecture and affect root‐hair elongation. Here, I review the recent findings regarding the effects of SLs on root growth and development, and their association with changes in auxin flux. The networking between SLs and other plant hormones that regulate root development is also presented. Strigolactone regulation of plant development suggests that they are coordinators of shoot and root development and mediators of plant responses to environmental conditions.
Learning to multitask: Effects of video game practice on electrophysiological indices of attention and resource allocation
Authors: Maclin Edward L. , Mathewson Kyle E. , Low Kathy A. , Boot Walter R. , Kramer Arthur F. , Fabiani Monica , Gratton Gabriele 
Published: March 2011

AbstractChanges in attention allocation with complex task learning reflect processing automatization and more efficient control. We studied these changes using ERP and EEG spectral analyses in subjects playing Space Fortress, a complex video game comprising standard cognitive task components. We hypothesized that training would free up attentional resources for a secondary auditory oddball task. Both P3 and delta EEG showed a processing trade‐off between game and oddball tasks, but only some game events showed reduced attention requirements with practice. Training magnified a transient increase in alpha power following both primary and secondary task events. This contrasted with alpha suppression observed when the oddball task was performed alone, suggesting that alpha may be related to attention switching. Hence, P3 and EEG spectral data are differentially sensitive to changes in attentional processing occurring with complex task training.
Rosiglitazone promotes pancreatic regeneration in experimental model of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Sidhu Shabir , Pandhi Promila , Malhotra Samir , Vaiphei Kim , Khanduja KL 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAcute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas caused by release of activated digestive enzymes in the pancreas. A number of therapeutic options have been explored for acute pancreatitis, but none has been unambiguously proven to be effective. Rosiglitazone has been shown to be efficacious in acute pancreatitis; thus, the present study was planned to evaluate the effect of rosiglitazone on pancreatic regeneration. Pancreatitis was induced by l‐arginine in rats which were divided into three groups: cholecystokinin (CCK‐8), rosiglitazone and vehicle. Rats were sacrificed at four time points after induction of pancreatitis i.e. 24 h, day 3, day 14 and day 28 for determination of biochemical parameters and histological examination. Rate of DNA synthesis, immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR were performed at day 3 and day 7. Drug administration was started 2 h after last L‐arginine injection and continued till the day of sacrifice. The lower levels of enzyme in rosiglitazone‐treated group compared to vehicle group proved the efficacy of rosiglitazone treatment in reducing severity of acute pancreatitis. The nucleic acid content and rate of DNA synthesis were significantly higher in rosiglitazone group indicating promotion of pancreatic regeneration. The histopathological score were lower in rosiglitazone group. Rosiglitazone treatment promoted pancreatic regeneration after acute injury. Currently, only symptomatic treatment is available, regeneration of pancreatic tissue can be a future strategy in the management of acute pancreatitis. Further studies are required to support the findings of the present study.
Candidate gene study of FOXO1, FOXO4, and FOXO6 reveals no association with human longevity in Germans
Authors: Kleindorp Rabea , Flachsbart Friederike , Puca Annibale A. , Malovini Alberto , Schreiber Stefan , Nebel Almut 
Published: March 2011

SummaryIn mammals, the forkhead box class O (FOXO) family of transcription factors consists of the four members FOXO1, FOXO3A, FOXO4, and FOXO6. The FOXO genes are homologues of daf‐16, a key regulator of the insulin‐IGF1 signaling pathway and a modulator of lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. Recently, variants in FOXO3A have consistently been associated with human longevity in various populations worldwide. Given this confirmed finding, it is conceivable that polymorphisms in the other FOXO genes might have a similar effect on human longevity. To evaluate whether allelic variation in FOXO1, FOXO4, and FOXO6 influences the ability to become long‐lived, we performed a comprehensive haplotype‐tagging analysis of the three genes in a group of 1447 centenarians/nonagenarians and 1029 younger controls from Germany. This is the first investigation to analyze a possible association of human longevity with FOXO4 and FOXO6, respectively, and the largest and most comprehensive study to date to assess the genetic contribution of FOXO1 to the phenotype. Our results suggest that in Germans, none of the three genes plays a significant role in the ability to reach old age. With regard to FOXO1, this observation is supported by data from an Italian sample and is consistent with several previous reports, but appears to be in contrast to a recent study of Han Chinese. The discrepant association findings in Europeans and Chinese may be explained by their different FOXO1 linkage disequilibrium structures and could indicate a Chinese‐ or Asian‐specific effect.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress in wake‐active neurons progresses with aging
Authors: Naidoo Nirinjini , Zhu Jingxu , Zhu Yan , Fenik Polina , Lian Jie , Galante Ray , Veasey Sigrid 
Published: March 2011

SummaryFragmentation of wakefulness and sleep are expected outcomes of advanced aging. We hypothesize that wake neurons develop endoplasmic reticulum dyshomeostasis with aging, in parallel with impaired wakefulness. In this series of experiments, we sought to more fully characterize age‐related changes in wakefulness and then, in relevant wake neuronal populations, explore functionality and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. We report that old mice show greater sleep/wake transitions in the active period with markedly shortened wake periods, shortened latencies to sleep, and less wake time in the subjective day in response to a novel social encounter. Consistent with sleep/wake instability and reduced social encounter wakefulness, orexinergic and noradrenergic wake neurons in aged mice show reduced c‐fos response to wakefulness and endoplasmic reticulum dyshomeostasis with increased nuclear translocation of CHOP and GADD34. We have identified an age‐related unfolded protein response injury to and dysfunction of wake neurons. It is anticipated that these changes contribute to sleep/wake fragmentation and cognitive impairment in aging.
Fat maintenance is a predictor of the murine lifespan response to dietary restriction
Authors: Liao Chen‐Yu , Rikke Brad A. , Johnson Thomas E. , Gelfond Jonathan A. L. , Diaz Vivian , Nelson James F. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryDietary restriction (DR), one of the most robust life‐extending manipulations, is usually associated with reduced adiposity. This reduction is hypothesized to be important in the life‐extending effect of DR, because excess adiposity is associated with metabolic and age‐related disease. Previously, we described remarkable variation in the lifespan response of 41 recombinant inbred strains of mice to DR, ranging from life extension to life shortening. Here, we used this variation to determine the relationship of lifespan modulation under DR to fat loss. Across strains, DR life extension correlated inversely with fat reduction, measured at midlife (males, r = −0.41, P < 0.05, n = 38 strains; females, r = −0.63, P < 0.001, n = 33 strains) and later ages. Thus, strains with the least reduction in fat were more likely to show life extension, and those with the greatest reduction were more likely to have shortened lifespan. We identified two significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting fat mass under DR in males but none for lifespan, precluding the confirmation of these loci as coordinate modulators of adiposity and longevity. Our data also provide evidence for a QTL previously shown to affect fuel efficiency under DR. In summary, the data do not support an important role for fat reduction in life extension by DR. They suggest instead that factors associated with maintaining adiposity are important for survival and life extension under DR.
Prognostic implications of antibodies to Ro/SSA and soluble liver antigen in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Montano‐Loza Aldo J. , Shums Zakera , Norman Gary L. , Czaja Albert J. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Background: Antibodies to soluble liver antigen are frequently co‐expressed with antibodies to ribonucleoprotein/Sjögren's syndrome A (Ro/SSA) in autoimmune hepatitis.
Aims: Our goals were to evaluate the prognostic implications of antibodies to Ro/SSA in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis and to determine their independence from antibodies to soluble liver antigen.
Methods: Three hundred and seventy‐six serum samples from 170 patients were tested by enzyme immunoassays.
Results: Sixty‐five patients (38%) had antibodies to Ro52; 11 patients (6%) had antibodies to Ro60; and 27 patients had antibodies to soluble liver antigen (16%). Twenty‐six patients with antibodies to Ro52 had antibodies to soluble liver antigen (40%), and 26 patients with antibodies to soluble liver antigen had antibodies to Ro52 (96%). Patients with antibodies to Ro52 and antibodies to soluble liver antigen had a higher frequency of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1*03 (78 vs 50%, P=0.05) and lower occurrence of HLA DRB1*04 (22 vs 57%, P=0.01) than patients with antibodies to Ro52 alone. Antibodies to Ro52 alone [hazard ratio (HR), 2.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–7.14, P=0.02] and antibodies to Ro52 in conjunction with antibodies to soluble liver antigen (HR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.07–8.43, P=0.04) were independently associated with the development of cirrhosis and hepatic death or liver transplantation.
Conclusions: Antibodies to Ro52 alone and antibodies to Ro52 in conjunction with antibodies to soluble liver antigen are independently associated with a poor prognosis in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. The prognostic implications ascribed to antibodies to soluble liver antigen may reflect their almost invariable concurrence with antibodies to Ro52.