bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A revision of the late Eocene snakeflies (Raphidioptera) of the Florissant Formation, Colorado, with special reference to the wing venation of the Raphidiomorpha
Authors: MAKARKIN VLADIMIR N. , ARCHIBALD S. BRUCE
Published: March 2014

The snakeflies (Raphidioptera) of the late Eocene Florissant Formation (Colorado, USA) are revised. Seven species of Raphidiidae are assigned to three genera, i.e., Megaraphidia Cockerell, 1907, Archiraphidia Handlirsch, 1910, and Florissantoraphidia gen. nov. Dictyoraphidia Handlirsch, 1910 is assigned to Baissopteridae, a first Cenozoic record of the family. Archiraphidia tumulata (Scudder, 1890), A. tranquilla (Scudder, 1890) and A.? somnolenta (Scudder, 1890), stat. res. are treated as distinct species, and A. eventa (Scudder, 1890) as a new synonym of A. tranquilla. The lectotype of A. eventa is designated. ‘Raphidia’ exhumata Cockerell, 1909 is transferred to Megaraphidia. ‘Raphidia’ mortua Rohwer, 1909 and ‘R.’ funerata Engel, 2003 constitute Florissantoraphidia gen. nov. Our findings support the treatment of the single Florissant species of Inocelliidae as preliminary assigned to Fibla Navás, 1915. We examine venational synapomorphies of Raphidiomorpha and provide a new diagnosis for it based on these characters. We evaluate putative derived venational character states of ‘Neoraphidioptera’ (Inocelliidae and Raphidiidae), finding no clear synapomorphy supporting its validity; these families may nest separately within a paraphyletic Mesoraphidiidae (s.l.). We provide diagnoses for the families occurring at Florissant (Baissopteridae, Inocelliidae and Raphidiidae) based on wing venation.
A Diagnosis of the Seasonally and Longitudinally Varying Midlatitude Circulation Response to Global Warming*
Authors: Simpson Isla R. , Shaw Tiffany A. , Seager Richard
Published: March 2014

Zonal-mean or basin-mean analyses often conclude that the midlatitude circulation will undergo a poleward shift with global warming. In this study, the models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project are used to provide a detailed examination of midlatitude circulation change as a function of longitude and season. The two-dimensional vertically integrated momentum budget is used to identify the dominant terms that maintain the anomalous surface wind stress, thereby allowing a distinction between features that are maintained by high-frequency eddies and those that involve changes in the lower-frequency or stationary flow.

In the zonal mean, in each season and hemisphere there is a poleward shifting of the midlatitude surface wind stress, primarily maintained by high-frequency transient eddies. This is not necessarily the case locally. In the Southern Hemisphere, for the most part, the interpretation of the response as being a high-frequency eddy-driven poleward shifting of the midlatitude westerlies holds true. The Northern Hemisphere is considerably more complex with only the fall months showing a robust poleward shift of both the Atlantic and Pacific jets. During the winter months the jet in the east Pacific actually shifts equatorward and the Atlantic jet strengthens over Europe. An important role for altered climatological stationary waves in these responses is found. This motivates future work that should focus on zonal asymmetries and stationary wave changes, as well as the changes in high-frequency transients that bring about the poleward shifting of the westerlies in the zonal mean.
Optical properties of Ag nanoparticle-polymer composite film based on two-dimensional Au nanoparticle array film
Authors: Wang Long-De , Zhang Tong , Zhang Xiao-Yang , Song Yuan-Jun , Li Ruo-Zhou , Zhu Sheng-Qing
Published: March 2014

The nanocomposite polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) films containing Ag nanoparticles and Rhodamine 6G are prepared on the two-dimensional distinctive continuous ultrathin gold nanofilms. We investigate the optical properties and the fluorescence properties of silver nanoparticles-PVP polymer composite films influenced by Ag nanoparticles and Au nanoparticles. Absorption spectral analysis suggests that the prominently light absorption in Ag nanowire/PVP and Ag nanowire/PVP/Au film arises from the localized surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanowire and Au nanofilm. The enhanced fluorescence is observed in the presence of Ag nanowire and Au nanofilm, which is attributed to the excitation of surface plasmon polariton resonance of Ag nanowire and Au nanofilm. The gold nanofilm is proven to be very effective fluorescence resonance energy transfer donors. The fabricated novel structure, gold ultrathin continuous nanofilm, possesses high surface plasmon resonance properties and prominent fluorescence enhancement effect. Therefore, the ultrathin continuous gold nanofilm is an active substrate on nanoparticle-enhanced fluorescence.
Laparoscopic patch repair of recurrent anterior diaphragmatic hernia in a child with SMA
Authors: Cantone Noemi , Destro Francesca , Libri Michele , Pavia Stefania , Lima Mario
Published: March 2014

An anterior congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a diaphragmatic defect that allows the passage of abdominal organs into the thorax. It is typically asymptomatic (the diagnosis is incidental) and it requires surgical correction. In this paper we present a 6 year-old girl affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who was diagnosed with anterior CDH. Four years after laparoscopic closure of the defect by interrupted suture the girl returned for hernia recurrence. Another laparoscopic procedure was performed and the defect was closed using a GORE-TEX patch. We postulate a mechanism of altered respiratory dynamic and increased abdominal pressure related to scoliosis favouring CDH recurrence in patients with neuromuscular pathologies such as SMA. In these patients patch interposition should be considered in the first place in order to reduce tension over margins. Laparoscopy is a safe and feasible procedure for CDH correction also in case of recurrence and when the interposition of a patch is required.
HMGB1 as a drug target in staphylococcal pneumonia
Authors: Fink Mitchell P
Published: March 2014

High mobility group box (HMGB)1 is a small DNA-binding protein. In the nucleus, HMGB1 plays a role in gene expression and DNA replication. When it is released or secreted into the extracellular milieu, HMGB1 functions as a pro-inflammatory cytokine-like mediator. Recently reported data support the view that treatment with a neutralizing anti-HMGB1 antibody ameliorated pulmonary damage in a murine model of pneumonia caused by a pathogenic strain of Staphylococcus aureus. These findings suggest that HMGB1 may be an important drug target as scientists, clinical investigators and pharmaceutical companies seek to develop better agents for the treatment of staphylococcal pneumonia. Unfortunately, however, encouraging results from murine models of human disease often fail to translate into positive findings in clinical trials. Thus, before moving from pre-clinical into clinical studies, it may be prudent to validate and extend the recent experimental findings by carrying out additional studies, using a large animal model of pneumonia.
Seeing is believing: new methods for in situsingle-cell transcriptomics
Authors: Avital Gal , Hashimshony Tamar , Yanai Itai
Published: March 2014

New methods employ RNA-seq to study single cells within complex tissues by in situ sequencing or mRNA capture from single photoactivated cells.
Disruption of pknG enhances production of gamma-aminobutyric acid by Corynebacterium glutamicum expressing glutamate decarboxylase
Authors: Okai Naoko , Takahashi Chihiro , Hatada Kazuki , Ogino Chiaki , Kondo Akihiko
Published: March 2014

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a building block of the biodegradable plastic polyamide 4, is synthesized from glucose by Corynebacterium glutamicum that expresses Escherichia coli glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) B encoded by gadB. This strain was engineered to produce GABA more efficiently from biomass-derived sugars. To enhance GABA production further by increasing the intracellular concentration of its precursor glutamate, we focused on engineering pknG (encoding serine/threonine protein kinase G), which controls the activity of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (Odh) in the tricarboxylic acid cycle branch point leading to glutamate synthesis. We succeeded in expressing GadB in a C. glutamicum strain harboring a deletion of pknG. C. glutamicum strains GAD and GAD ∆pknG were cultured in GP2 medium containing 100 g L−1 glucose and 0.1 mM pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. Strain GAD∆pknG produced 31.1 ± 0.41 g L−1 (0.259 g L−1 h−1) of GABA in 120 hours, representing a 2.29-fold higher level compared with GAD. The production yield of GABA from glucose by GAD∆pknG reached 0.893 mol mol−1.
Use of a Mouse In Vitro Fertilization Model to Understand the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Hypothesis
Authors: Feuer Sky K. , Liu Xiaowei , Donjacour Annemarie , Lin Wingka , Simbulan Rhodel K. , Giritharan Gnanaratnam , Piane Luisa Delle , Kolahi Kevin , Ameri Kurosh , Maltepe Emin , Rinaudo Paolo F.
Published: March 2014

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis holds that alterations to homeostasis during critical periods of development can predispose individuals to adult-onset chronic diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It remains controversial whether preimplantation embryo manipulation, clinically used to treat patients with infertility, disturbs homeostasis and affects long-term growth and metabolism. To address this controversy, we have assessed the effects of in vitro fertilization (IVF) on postnatal physiology in mice. We demonstrate that IVF and embryo culture, even under conditions considered optimal for mouse embryo culture, alter postnatal growth trajectory, fat accumulation, and glucose metabolism in adult mice. Unbiased metabolic profiling in serum and microarray analysis of pancreatic islets and insulin sensitive tissues (liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue) revealed broad changes in metabolic homeostasis, characterized by systemic oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Adopting a candidate approach, we identify thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), a key molecule involved in integrating cellular nutritional and oxidative states with metabolic response, as a marker for preimplantation stress and demonstrate tissue-specific epigenetic and transcriptional TXNIP misregulation in selected adult tissues. Importantly, dysregulation of TXNIP expression is associated with enrichment for H4 acetylation at the Txnip promoter that persists from the blastocyst stage through adulthood in adipose tissue. Our data support the vulnerability of preimplantation embryos to environmental disturbance and demonstrate that conception by IVF can reprogram metabolic homeostasis through metabolic, transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms with lasting effects for adult growth and fitness. This study has wide clinical relevance and underscores the importance of continued follow-up of IVF-conceived offspring.
Higher Estrogen Levels During Pregnancy in Andean Than European Residents of High Altitude Suggest Differences in Aromatase Activity
Authors: Charles Shelton M. , Julian Colleen G. , Vargas Enrique , Moore Lorna G.
Published: March 2014

Context:

Uteroplacental hypoxia has been reported to lower estrogen levels in preeclampsia as the result of reduced aromatase activity.

Objective:

We asked whether the chronic hypoxia of residence at high altitude in the absence of preeclampsia lowered estrogen, whether such effects differed in Andean vs European high-altitude residents, and whether such effects were related to uterine artery diameter or blood flow.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

Studies at weeks 20 and 36 of pregnancy were conducted in 108 healthy Bolivian low- (400 m, n = 53) or high-altitude (3600 m, n = 55) residents of European (n = 28 low and 26 high altitude) or Andean (n = 25 low and 29 high altitude) ancestry. All groups were similar in age, nonpregnant body mass index, and pregnancy weight gain.

Results:

High-altitude residence increased circulating progesterone, cortisol, estrone, 17β-estradiol, and estriol levels (all P < .01). High-altitude Andeans vs Europeans at week 36 had higher progesterone, estrone, 17β-estradiol, and estriol levels as well as product to substrate ratios for the reactions catalyzed by aromatase, whereas week 36 cortisol levels were greater in the European than Andean women (all P < .05). Lower cortisol, higher estriol (both P < .01), and trends for higher progesterone and 17β-estradiol levels were associated with greater uterine artery diameters and blood flow at high altitude.

Conclusions:

Chronic hypoxia does not lower but rather raises estrogen levels in multigenerational Andeans vs shorter-term Europeans, possibly as the result of greater aromatase activity. Because hypoxia alone does not lower estrogen, other attributes of the disease may be responsible for the lower estrogen levels seen previously in preeclamptic women.
Computational Methods for Risk-Averse Undiscounted Transient Markov Models
Authors: Çavuş Özlem , Ruszczyński Andrzej
Published: March 2014

The total cost problem for discrete-time controlled transient Markov models is considered. The objective functional is a Markov dynamic risk measure of the total cost. Two solution methods, value and policy iteration, are proposed, and their convergence is analyzed. In the policy iteration method, we propose two algorithms for policy evaluation: the nonsmooth Newton method and convex programming, and we prove their convergence. The results are illustrated on a credit limit control problem.
Metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus at the onset of primary adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Larina A A , Troshina E A
Published: March 2014

Primary adrenal insufficiency is a rare disorder but it is more common in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or autoimmune thyroid diseases than in the general population. T1DM may precede the development of adrenocortical insufficiency. Addison’s disease can influence the glycemic control in patients with T1DM worsening glucose metabolism. It causes the decrease of gluconeogenesis, reduction in total insulin requirement and rather often «unexplained» recurrent hypoglycemia. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency and T1DM increases the insulin requirement. The article presents the development of primary adrenal insufficiency in a patient with type 1 DM and autoimmune hypothyroidism, accompanied with incidents of recurrent hypoglycemia.
Prospects for the use of selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen
Authors: Bykanova N S , Pigarova E A , Dzeranova L K
Published: March 2014

The review presents a contemporary data concerning the use of tamoxifen in wide range of pathological conditions: central nervous system diseases and mechanisms of neuroprotective action of estrogen receptors, pituitary tumors with the accent on the treatment of prolactinomas, infertility treatment. We also discuss the risks of tamoxifen treatment for pregnancy induction in women including complications of pregnancy, fetus malformations.
The role of the sympathoadrenal system and adipokines in the development of arterial hypertension in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity
Authors: Pashentseva A V
Published: March 2014

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Risk factors of disturbances in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and some pleiotropic effects of antihypertensive therapy in pregnant women
Authors: Padyganova A V
Published: March 2014

The any kind of hypertension developing during the pregnancy, associated with high cardiovascular risk in the future. At the pregnancy complicated by development by arterial hypertension, there are more expressed changes of a carbohydrate and lipide metabolism, than it is peculiar to normally proceeding pregnancy, were by important pathogenetic links of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular complications. Identification of new mechanisms of action of antihypertensive means associated with positive influences on exchange processes, is represented very demanded, considering pandemic nature of prevalence of metabolic violations in modern population.
Primary idiopathic hyperaldosteronism in clinical practice
Authors: Molashenko N V , Troshina E A
Published: March 2014

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) is a clinical syndrome that develops as a result of excess production of aldosterone by adrenal glomerular zone, where aldosterone secretion is completely or partially autonomous in relation to the renin-angiotensin system. This factor leads to the development low renin arterial hypertension (AH). Primary idiopathic hyperaldosteronism is one of the forms of PHA. The prevalence of this form is variously estimated from 20 to 55% of patients with PHA. Morphological substrate primary idiopathic hyperaldosteronism is a bilateral micro- or macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. This article summarizes the contemporary view of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic hyperaldosteronism.
Experience of using long-acting testosterone undecanoate in hypogonadism, obesity and metabolic syndrome in men
Authors: Rozhivanov R V
Published: March 2014

The article presents the results of clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of androgen therapy for metabolic syndrome and obesity in men with hypogonadism. The study is focused on the use of testosterone undecanoate for reduction of body fat and the severity of other components of the metabolic syndrome, improvement of sexual function without causing severe side effects. In a number of patients treated we observed suppression of spermatogenesis, which prevents the use of the drug in the reproductive rehabilitation.
Continuous monitoring of blood glucose in the practice of endocrinologist
Authors: Philippov Yu I
Published: March 2014

Continuous glucose monitoring - an important diagnostic, teaching and treatment tool for patients with diabetes mellitus, which is increasingly becoming a part of routine clinical practice in endocrinology. This article presents an overview of modern techniques, their advantages and disadvantages, evidence basis and place in everyday clinical practice. The article discusses the key factors affecting the efficiency, indications, contraindications, conditions of use of the continuous glucose monitoring systems in patients with diabetes mellitus, gives an algorithm for the application of this technique in clinical practice.
Vitamin D 3, osteoprotegerin and other hormonal and metabolic parameters in female patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Verbovoi A F , Sharonova L A , Kapishnikov A V , Demidova D V
Published: March 2014

The article presents the results of evaluation of vitamin D3, osteoprotegerin, carbohydrate and fat metabolic parameters in women with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The study subjects showed an increase of osteoprotegerin, decrease of vitamin D3, insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia.
Medical and social characteristics of persons with adverse cardiometabolic risk profile
Authors: Avdeeva M V , Shcheglov L V , Grigorieva O M
Published: March 2014

The study evaluated the effectiveness of screening tests performed on the basis of functioning centers of Health, to identify individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors. Materials and methods: A total of 2007 men (mean age 50,80±16,54 years) were evaluated. The results of physical and psychological tests, express-analysis of functional state of heart via ECG, express-analysis of cholesterol and glucose blood levels, vascular screening, and concentration of carbon monoxide, carboxyhemoglobin and human body composition by bioimpedance were estimated. Results: During the screening we revealed 62.33% men with BMI≥25 kg/m2. BMI≥25 kg/m2 was associated with an increase in the average levels of cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, as well as signs of myocardial electrical instability and autonomic dysfunction. Progressive increase in BMI≥25 kg/m2 was associated with the presence of combined cardiometabolic risk factors and the presence of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. All patients with a BMI≥25 kg/m2 received individual recommendations about a mode of work, physical activity and diet, and were also invited for group training in «Weight reduction school»
Pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma: clinical and genetic aspects
Authors: Iukina M Iu , Troshina E A , Bel'tsevich D G , Tiul'pakov A N , Lysenko M A
Published: March 2014

The present retrospective descriptive and analytical study included 167 patients divided into three groups. Two groups were comprised of the patients with genetically predetermined pheochromocytoma (type 2 MEN syndrome and von Hippel-Lindau disease respectively), the third croup consisted of the patients presenting with sporadic pheochromocytoma. The median age at which pheochromocytoma was diagnosed was 25 years in group 1, 18 years in group 2, and 47 years in group 3. Adrenalin-type secretion was predominated in group 1 in contrast to the noradrenalin-type and mixed-type secretion in the patients of groups 2 and 3 respectively. The patients of group 1 showed positive correlation between the tumour size and excretion of methylated catecholamines. 82% of these patients exhibited bilateral adrenal lesions and 58% suffered multifocal lesions; no cases of extra-adrenal localization of the tumour were documented. The extra-adrenal localization of pheochromocytomas was observed in 16.4% of the patients in group 2, where 6.6% of the patients had metastases. No metastases of pheochromocytoma were found in the patients of groups 1 and 3. It is concluded that the patients under the age of 40 presenting with bilateral and multicentral pheochromocytoma with the aggravated familial history need the genetic predetermination of the disease to be excluded taking into account syndromal symptoms. Examination for the detection of type 2 MEN is not required in the patients showing isolated normetanephrin excretion. Nor is the search for metastases of pheochromocytoma and its extra-adrenal localization is necessary in the patients presenting with type 2 MEN syndrome and/or exhibiting isolated metanephrin excretion.
Risk factors of impaired fertility in the patients presenting with congenital adrenal cortical hyperplasia
Authors: Kopylova I V , Kareva M A
Published: March 2014

The analysis of publications concerning the impairment of fertility in the patients presenting with congenital adrenal cortical hyperplasia was focused on the reduction of the degree of estrogenization. It included the data on the course of sexual development and the outcomes of feminizing plastic procedures in the girls suffering this disease depending on the degree of its compensation and the date of onset of the treatment.
The levels of leptin, adiponectin, and free fatty acids in the patients of different body weight presenting with myocardial infarction and elevated ST segment
Authors: Kvitkova L V , Borodkina D A , Gruzdeva O V , Barbarash O L , Silonova A A , Terletskaia O S
Published: March 2014

The present study involed the patients (n=100) presenting with myocardial infarction (MI). Based on the body mass index, they were allocated to three groups: those with normal body mass index (BMI) (18.5≤BMI< 25 kg/m2; n=32; group 1), overweight patients (25≤BMI <30 kg/m2; n=42; group 2), and obese patients (BMI≤30 kg/m2; n=27; group 3). The laboratory studies included the measurement of serum adipocytokine levels (leptin, adiponectin, and free fatty acids (FFA)) in conjunction with the evaluation of insulin resistance (IR). All the patients regardless of BMI had the waist circumference in excess of the upper limit of the normal gender-specific values. Deviations from the reference values of leptin, adiponectin, and FFA levels were observed in 65.6% of the patients with normal BWI, in 69.0% of the overweight patients, and in 70.3% of the obese patients. In the patients of all the three groups, significant correlation was documented between waist circumference and the levels of leptin (group 1: r=0.3100, p=0.00; group 2: r=0.32, p=0.00; group 3: r=0.37, p=0.03) and adiponectin (group 1: r=-0.43, p=0.00; group 2: r=-0.35, p=0.04; group 3: r=-0.18, p=0.01). Moreover, the waist circumference significantly correlated with the occurrence of IR (group 1: r=0.11, p=0.04; group 2: r=0.45, p=0.00, group 3: r=0.34, p=0.03). It is concluded that the observed deviations of the parameters of interest from the respective reference values suggest disturbances in the metabolic and secretory functions of the visceral adipose tissue associated with the enlargement of its volume).
The role of prolactin gradient and normalized ACTH/prolactin ratio in the improvement of sensitivity and specificity of selective blood sampling from inferior petrosal sinuses for differential diagnostics of ACTH-dependent hypercorticism
Authors: Belaia Zh E , Rozhinskaia L Ia , Mel'nichenko G A , Sitkin I I , Dzeranova L K , Marova E I , Vaks V V , Vorontsov A V , Il'in A V , Kolesnikova G S , Dedov I I
Published: March 2014

The present study included patients with confirmed diagnosis of ACTH-dependent hypercorticism admitted to the Department of Neuroendocrinology and Osteopathies, Endocrinological Research Centre, between 2008 and 2012. Selective blood sampling from the inferior petrosal sinuses was performed with the stimulation by decompressin administered intravenously at a dose of 8 mcg. The normalized ACTH/prolactin ratio was calculated by dividing the maximum ACTH gradient following decompressin stimulation by the ipsilateral prolactin gradient. The cut off values were calculated from the operating characteristic curves as follows: 1.5 for the prolactin gradient (sensitivity 92.5%, specificity 100%) and 1.18 for the normalized ACTH/prolactin ratio (sensitivity 85.9%; 95% CI 76.8-93.4, specificity 100%; 95% CI 60.9-100). In the study cohort (n=70), the normalized ACTH/prolactin ratio proved to be a more specific but less sensitive parameter than the routine analysis of the ACTH gradient (sensitivity 98.4%, specificity 83.3%). Areas under the operating characteristic curves were on the whole identical. However, comparison of the diagnostic value of selective blood sampling from the inferior petrosal sinuses in combination of the determination of the prolactin gradient and normalized ACTH/prolactin ratio with the results obtained in the patients in whom the catheter position was not controlled (n=47) revealed the advantages of the former approach in terms of both the number of unverified causes of hypercorticism (1 versus 6) and the area under the operating characteristic curves 0.964 (95% CI 0.897-1.032) among 70 patients and 0.910 (95% CI 0.821-0.998) among the first 47 patients (included in the analysis confined to the confirmed cases). It is concluded that the determination of the prolactin gradient and calculation of the normalized ACTH/prolactin ratio allow to increase the diagnostic value of selective blood sampling from the inferior petrosal sinuses under decompressin stimulation. This inference is especially true of doubtful cases.
Prader-Willi syndrome: new possibilities for its treatment in the children
Authors: Bogova E A , Volevodz N N
Published: March 2014

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disease characterized by such symptoms as severe hyperphagia leading to marked obesity, growth retardation, peculiar outward appearance, cognitive disorders, behavioural and psyschiatric problems. At present, recombinant growth hormone (rGH) is the sole effective agent for the treatment of PWS; it significantly improves the quality of life of the patients with this pathology. Numerous beneficial effects and possible risks of rGH therapy of PWS are discussed.
LOTUS2: The observational study of the effectiveness and safety of insulin glargine (lantus) in the routine clinical practice for the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus failing to achieve the targeted glycemic control using insulin detemir
Authors: Glinkina I V
Published: March 2014

The present study included patients presenting with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) of less than 10 years in duration having the HbA1c levels between 7.0% and 10.0%. They were treated with insulin detemir (once or twice daily) in combination with oral hypoglycemic agents (OHGA) and transferred thereafter to therapy with insulin glargine (Lantus, SoloSTAR) administered once daily. The patients were advised to adjust the dose of insulin glargine in order to achieve the desired fasting blood glucose level (FBGL) below 5.6 mmol/l. The HbA1c levels and FBGL, insulin doses, body weight, frequency of hypoglycemic episodes and adverse reactions were measured within 3 and 6 months after inclusion in the study; simultaneously, the patients and doctors' satisfaction with the treatment was estimated. A total of 915 patients were available for the examination (mean age 57.9±9.2 years, mean duration of DM2 5.9±2.3 years, average BMI 31.0±5.1 kg/m2). The number of the patients presenting with the HbA1c levels below 7% within 6 months after the onset of therapy amounted to 46.5% of the total. During the same period, percentage of the patients experiencing nocturnal and daytime glycemic episodes decreased. No cases of severe hypoglycemia were documented. Moreover, the body weight of the patients somewhat decreased (by 0.9±2.9 kg; p<0.001) by the 6 month. The majority of the patients and their doctors reported the effects of described therapy as "good" or "very good". It is concluded that the substitution of the treatment with insulin detemir in combination with OHGA by therapy with insulin glargine in the patients with DM2 and suboptimal glycemic control under conditions of the routine clinical practice may improve the quality of glycemic control without a substantial body weight gain and with the low frequency of hypoglycemic episodes.
The potential of magnetic resonance visualization of the orbits for diagnostics of endocrine ophthalmopathy
Authors: Vorontsov A V , Chepurina A A , Sviridenko N Iu , Atarshchikov D S , Vladimirova V P
Published: March 2014

The present study included a total of 22 patients (44 eyes/orbits) presenting with endocrine ophthalmopathy (EOP) and Graves' disease. All of them underwent routine ophthalmological examination. The activity and severity of EOP were verified in accordance with the EUGOGO recommendations. The MRI protocol included obtaining T1-, T2-weighted, and STIR sequence images of the orbits. quantitative measurement of signal intensity (SI) from extraocular muscles (EOM), and the signal intensity ratio of EOM to ipsilateral temporal muscle (SIR value). The study has revealed the relationship of the minimal, maximum, and average EOM SI with EOP activity and severity. Moreover, it demonstrated direct correlation between SIR and clinical activity of EOP. It is concluded that MRI of the orbits with STIR sequence in the patients suffering EOP provides the additional criteria for the verification of the activity and severity of the disease as well as for prognostication of the response to the immunosuppressive treatment.
Insulin resistance during pregnancy (a literature review)
Authors: Gordiunina S V
Published: March 2014

The author considers the mechanisms of development of insulin resistance during pregnancy.
DPP-4 inhibitors and hypoglycemia in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Khalimov Iu Sh
Published: March 2014

The incidence of hypoglycemia remains rather high among the population of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) especially in those treated with the traditional oral hypoglycemic agents. Hypoglycemia is one of the most frequent adverse events encountered by a physician dealing with diabetic (DM2) patients. At the same time, the novel approaches are currently available that allow this clinical condition to be avoided.
Non-Invasive Measurement of Brain Temperature with Microwave Radiometry: Demonstration in a Head Phantom and Clinical Case
Authors: Stauffer Paul R. , Snow Brent W. , Rodrigues Dario B. , Salahi Sara , Oliveira Tiago R. , Reudink Doug , Maccarini Paolo F.
Published: March 2014

This study characterizes the sensitivity and accuracy of a non-invasive microwave radiometric thermometer intended for monitoring body core temperature directly in brain to assist rapid recovery from hypothermia such as occurs during surgical procedures. To study this approach, a human head model was constructed with separate brain and scalp regions consisting of tissue equivalent liquids circulating at independent temperatures on either side of intact skull. This test setup provided differential surface/deep tissue temperatures for quantifying sensitivity to change in brain temperature independent of scalp and surrounding environment. A single band radiometer was calibrated and tested in a multilayer model of the human head with differential scalp and brain temperature. Following calibration of a 500MHz bandwidth microwave radiometer in the head model, feasibility of clinical monitoring was assessed in a pediatric patient during a 2-hour surgery. The results of phantom testing showed that calculated radiometric equivalent brain temperature agreed within 0.4°C of measured temperature when the brain phantom was lowered 10°C and returned to original temperature (37°C), while scalp was maintained constant over a 4.6-hour experiment. The intended clinical use of this system was demonstrated by monitoring brain temperature during surgery of a pediatric patient. Over the 2-hour surgery, the radiometrically measured brain temperature tracked within 1–2°C of rectal and nasopharynx temperatures, except during rapid cooldown and heatup periods when brain temperature deviated 2–4°C from slower responding core temperature surrogates. In summary, the radiometer demonstrated long term stability, accuracy and sensitivity sufficient for clinical monitoring of deep brain temperature during surgery.
Differential Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Dementias Using Metabolic Phenotypes on F-18 FDG PET/CT
Authors: Tripathi Madhavi , Tripathi Manjari , Damle Nishikant , Kushwaha Suman , Jaimini Abhinav , D'Souza Maria M. , Sharma Rajnish , Saw Sanjiv , Mondal Anupam
Published: March 2014

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) can be used as a downstream marker of neuronal injury, a hallmark of neurodegenerative dementias. Characteristic patterns of regional glucose metabolism have been used to classify the dementia subtypes, namely Alzheimer's dementia (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), diffuse Lewy body (DLBD) and vascular dementia (VD). We undertook this study to assess the utility of FDG-PET in the differential diagnosis of dementia subtypes. One hundred and twenty-five patients diagnosed with dementia were referred from cognitive disorders and memory clinics of speciality neurology centres for the FDG-PET study. Imaging-based diagnosis of dementia type was established in 101 patients by visual assessment of individual scans by a PET physician blinded to the clinical diagnosis. The results were compared with an 18-month follow-up clinical assessment made by the specialist neurologist. Concordance of visual evaluation of FDG-PET scans with clinical diagnosis of the dementia type was achieved in 90% of patients scanned. This concordance was 93.4% for AD, 88.8% for FTD, 66.6% for DLBD and 92.3% for the other dementia syndromes. FDG-PET performed after the initial work-up of dementias is useful for supporting the clinical diagnosis of dementia subtype.
Diffusion Tensor Tractography in the Presurgical Assessment of Cerebral Gliomas
Authors: Farshidfar Zahra , Faeghi Fariborz , Mohseni Mostafa , Seddighi Afsoun , Kharrazi Homayoun Hadizadeh , Abdolmohammadi Jamil
Published: March 2014

Glioma is the most common intra-axial brain tumor characterized by invasion into the surrounding white matter (WM) tracts. These tumors are usually diagnosed by conventional MRI, but this method is unable to describe the relationship between tumor and neighboring WM tracts. Diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) is a new imaging modality which can solve this problem. The current study evaluated the application of DTT imaging in the presurgical assessment of gliomas, and introduces this new modality and its importance to physicians and imaging centers in Iran. Ten patients with intra-axial brain tumor and suspicion of glioma underwent conventional brain MRI pulse sequences and DTT imaging between December 2011 and February 2013 with a 1.5 Tesla system using 64 independent diffusion encoding directions. Acquired images were assessed by the neuroradiologist and neurosurgeon. The treatment strategies were recognized and compared using data before and after the tractography. On the basis of DTT data, the treatment strategy changed from radiotherapy to the craniotomy in seven patients, and in one patient, the neurosurgeon preferred to avoid surgery. In one patient, the treatment technique did not change, and in the last one radiosurgery was replaced by craniotomy. As we can infer from this study, based on the tractography results, the treatment strategy may be changed, and the treatment technique could be devised more accurately and may lead to fewer postoperative neurological deficits and better outcomes.
Predictors of Total Obliteration in Endovascular Treatment of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Authors: Jordan José Antonio , Llibre Juan Carlos , Vazquez Frank , Rodríguez Raul Marino
Published: March 2014

Endovascular therapy is a therapeutic option that can achieve total obliteration of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The objective of this study was to determine the predictive factors of total obliteration in the endovascular treatment of AVMs. A prospective study was carried out in 71 patients with cerebral AVMs having undergone 147 embolization sessions with n-BCA, performed between 2006 and 2011. A univariate analysis was carried out, followed by a logistic regression analysis to determine the predictive factors of total obliteration. Total obliteration was achieved in 18.3% of the patients and angiographic control after 12 months showed the permanency of total occlusion in 100% of the AVMs with initial total obliteration. Angiographic characteristics found favorable for total eradication were: AVM size under 3 cm and the presence of a single arterial pedicle. Predictive factors of total obliteration were an AVM diameter smaller than 3 cm (OR: 50.9; IC: 7.41 − 349, 0; P = 0.000), and opposing factors, a 3–6 cm diameter (OR: 11.7; IC: 2.49 − 55, 4; P = 0.002) and afferences of more than two vessels of the Willis polygon (OR: 7.0; IC: 1.12–43.9; P = 0.038). An AVM diameter smaller than 3 cm is a predictive factor of total obliteration. Total postembolization obliteration persisted in 100% of the cases after 12 months.
Tissue fixation in the clinical praxis – the 120-year-old formalin
Authors: Méhes Gábor , Beke Lívia
Published: March 2014

Formalin, the saturated watery solution of formaldehyde is used in every health care institution worldwide as an effective and cheap tissue fixative. The beneficial effect of the formaldehyde solution was discovered and published exactly 120 years ago and, despite significant technological developments, the formula is still used in the same way. However, tissue based molecular techniques including multiple gene mutation testing from isolated DNA require a highly standardized tissue preservation procedure and the strict control of the composition of the fixative solution applied. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(14), 550–553.
Electronic Structure of CsBi4Te6
Authors: Larson P. , Mahanti S.D. , Chung D-Y , Kanatzidis M.G.
Published: March 2014

Recently, CsBi4Te6 has been reported as a high-performance thermoelectric material for low temperature applications with a higher thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT ∼ 0.8 at 225 Kelvin) than conventional Bi2-xSbzTe3-ySey alloys at the same temperature. First-principle electronic structure calculations within density functional theory performed on this material give an indirect narrow-gap semiconductor. Dispersions of energy bands along different directions in k-space display large anisotropy and multiple conduction band minima close in energy, characteristics of a good thermoelectric material.
Biotic potential, fertility and life table ofSpodoptera albula (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), under controlled conditions
Authors: MONTEZANO DÉBORA G. , SPECHT ALEXANDRE , SOSA-GÓMEZ DANIEL R. , ROQUE-SPECHT VÂNIA F. , BORTOLIN TARCISO M. , FRONZA EDEGAR , PEZZI PATRÍCIA , LUZ PRISCILA C. , BARROS NEIVA M.
Published: March 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the biotic potential, life table parameters and fertility of Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857) under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photo phase). The longevity, pre, post and oviposition periods, fecundity and fertility of 13 couples were evaluated. The longevity of females (13.500 days) was significantly higher than those of males (11.154 days). The mean durations of the pre, post and oviposition periods were 2.615, 1.769 and 9.385 days, respectively. The mean fecundity was 1.417.69 eggs and mean fertility was 1.340.401 larvae, per female. On average, females copulated 1, 231 times. A strong positive correlation was observed between the number of copulations and fecundity (r = 0.847, p <0.001), as well as a strong negative correlation between the number of copulations and the duration of the pre-oviposition period (r = -0.762, p = 0.002), and longevity (r = -0.788, p = 0.001). The biotic potential of S. albula was estimated at 8.768 x 1022 individuals / female / year. The net reproductive rate (Ro) was 353,904 times per generation and the mean generation time (T) was 37.187 days. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 1,105, with a finite rate of increase (λ) of 3,019.
Monazite ID-TIMS U-Pb geochronology in the LAGIR laboratory, Rio de Janeiro State University: protocols and first applications to the assembly of Gondwana supercontinent in SE-Brazil
Authors: C.A. NETO CARLA , VALERIANO CLAUDIO M. , PASSARELLI CLAUDIA R. , HEILBRON MONICA , LOBATO MARCELA
Published: March 2014

The chemical and spectrometric procedures of the U-Pb geochronology method on monazites, recently installed in the LAGIR laboratory, are described in detail. In addition, preliminary results on monazite samples from the Brasília and Ribeira belts are reported and discussed in the context of the regional geology. Several experiments for calibration of ion exchange chromatographic columns with the AG-1x8 resin, were performed with HCl, using dissolved natural monazite samples. The Pb blanks of reagents are ∼0.5 pg/g in acids and ∼1 pg/g in H2O. The total Pb blanks in chemical procedures were below 22 pg. Preliminary results are presented from three case studies related to Brasiliano orogenic belts of SE-Brazil, which correlate very well with previous age determinations from literature: two sub-concordant grains from an Araxá Group quartzite (southern Brasília belt) define a concordia age of 602.6 ±1.4 Ma; a -0.8% discordant grain from a quartzite of the São Fidelis Group (Costeiro Domain, central Ribeira belt) yielded a concordia age of 535.3 ± 2.4 Ma; two 0.4 % and 1.3 % discordant monazite grains from the post-collisional Itaoca Granite (Costeiro Domain, central Ribeira belt) define a concordia age of 476.4 ± 1.8 Ma.
Habitat Structural Effect on Squamata Fauna of the Restinga Ecosystem in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: DIAS EDUARDO J.R. , ROCHA CARLOS F.D.
Published: March 2014

In this work, we surveyed data on richness and composition of squamatan reptiles and habitat structural effect in nine areas of restinga ecosystem in the State of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. The “restinga” ecosystems are coastal sand dune habitats on the coast of Brazil. Our main hypothesis is that the Squamata fauna composition along these restinga areas would be modulated by habitat structural. After 90 days of field sampling we recorded approximately 5% of reptile species known in Brazil. The composition of Squamata assemblages varied mainly based on the presence or absence of lizards of the genera Ameivula and Tropidurus. Our data showed that habitat structure consistently affected the composition of local Squamata fauna, especially lizards.
The configuration of the Brazilian scientific field
Authors: BARATA RITA B. , ARAGÃO ERIKA , SOUSA LUIS E.P. FERNANDES DE , SANTANA TARIS M. , BARRETO MAURICIO L.
Published: March 2014

This article describes the configuration of the scientific field in Brazil, characterizing the scientific communities in every major area of knowledge in terms of installed capacity, ability to train new researchers, and capacity for academic production. Empirical data from several sources of information are used to characterize the different communities. Articulating the theoretical contributions of Pierre Bourdieu, Ludwik Fleck, and Thomas Kuhn, the following types of capital are analyzed for each community: social capital (scientific prestige), symbolic capital (dominant paradigm), political capital (leadership in S & T policy), and economic capital (resources). Scientific prestige is analyzed by taking into account the volume of production, activity index, citations, and other indicators. To characterize symbolic capital, the dominant paradigms that distinguish the natural sciences, the humanities, applied sciences, and technology development are analyzed theoretically. Political capital is measured by presidency in one of the main agencies in the S & T national system, and research resources and fellowships define the economic capital. The article discusses the composition of these different types of capital and their correspondence to structural capacities in various communities with the aim of describing the configuration of the Brazilian scientific field.
Maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy or lactation changes the somatic and neurological development of the offspring
Authors: Mendes-da-Silva Cristiano , Giriko Catherine Ássuka , Mennitti Laís Vales , Hosoume Lilian Fazion , Souto Tayane dos Santos , Silva Alexandre Valotta da
Published: March 2014

The maternal exposure to high fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy and breastfeeding have been considered an important inducer of alterations in offspring normal programming, both in animals and humans, and may disturb brain development. In the present study we investigated the somatic and sensory-motor development of the offspring from rat dams fed a HFD, compared with dams fed a control diet, during pregnancy or lactation. Indicators of the body growth, physical maturation, and reflex ontogeny were evaluated. Offspring of dams fed a HFD showed reduced weight and body growth, delayed physical maturation, and delayed maturation of the physiological reflexes, such as vibrissa placing, auditory startle response, and free-fall righting. Our findings suggest that maternal HFD during pregnancy or lactation modifies somatic and neurological development of the offspring, possibly increasing the risk of neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric disorders later in life.