bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tolbutamide Controls Glucagon Release From Mouse Islets Differently Than Glucose
Authors: Cheng-Xue Rui , Gómez-Ruiz Ana , Antoine Nancy , Noël Laura A. , Chae Hee-Young , Ravier Magalie A. , Chimienti Fabrice , Schuit Frans C. , Gilon Patrick
Published: February 2013

We evaluated the role of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, somatostatin, and Zn2+ in the control of glucagon secretion from mouse islets. Switching from 1 to 7 mmol/L glucose inhibited glucagon release. Diazoxide did not reverse the glucagonostatic effect of glucose. Tolbutamide decreased glucagon secretion at 1 mmol/L glucose (G1) but stimulated it at 7 mmol/L glucose (G7). The reduced glucagon secretion produced by high concentrations of tolbutamide or diazoxide, or disruption of KATP channels (Sur1−/− mice) at G1 could be inhibited further by G7. Removal of the somatostatin paracrine influence (Sst−/− mice or pretreatement with pertussis toxin) strongly increased glucagon release, did not prevent the glucagonostatic effect of G7, and unmasked a marked glucagonotropic effect of tolbutamide. Glucose inhibited glucagon release in the absence of functional KATP channels and somatostatin signaling. Knockout of the Zn2+ transporter ZnT8 (ZnT8−/− mice) did not prevent the glucagonostatic effect of glucose. In conclusion, glucose can inhibit glucagon release independently of Zn2+, KATP channels, and somatostatin. Closure of KATP channels controls glucagon secretion by two mechanisms, a direct stimulation of α-cells and an indirect inhibition via somatostatin released from δ-cells. The net effect on glucagon release results from a balance between both effects.
Metabolite Profiles During Oral Glucose Challenge
Authors: Ho Jennifer E. , Larson Martin G. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Ghorbani Anahita , Cheng Susan , Rhee Eugene P. , Florez Jose C. , Clish Clary B. , Gerszten Robert E. , Wang Thomas J.
Published: February 2013

To identify distinct biological pathways of glucose metabolism, we conducted a systematic evaluation of biochemical changes after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in a community-based population. Metabolic profiling was performed on 377 nondiabetic Framingham Offspring cohort participants (mean age 57 years, 42% women, BMI 30 kg/m2) before and after OGTT. Changes in metabolite levels were evaluated with paired Student t tests, cluster-based analyses, and multivariable linear regression to examine differences associated with insulin resistance. Of 110 metabolites tested, 91 significantly changed with OGTT (P ≤ 0.0005 for all). Amino acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates decreased after OGTT, and glycolysis products increased, consistent with physiological insulin actions. Other pathways affected by OGTT included decreases in serotonin derivatives, urea cycle metabolites, and B vitamins. We also observed an increase in conjugated, and a decrease in unconjugated, bile acids. Changes in β-hydroxybutyrate, isoleucine, lactate, and pyridoxate were blunted in those with insulin resistance. Our findings demonstrate changes in 91 metabolites representing distinct biological pathways that are perturbed in response to an OGTT. We also identify metabolite responses that distinguish individuals with and without insulin resistance. These findings suggest that unique metabolic phenotypes can be unmasked by OGTT in the prediabetic state.
Dicer1 Is Required to Repress Neuronal Fate During Endocrine Cell Maturation
Authors: Kanji Murtaza S. , Martin Martin G. , Bhushan Anil
Published: February 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression programs in the pancreas; however, little is known about the role of miRNA pathways during endocrine cell specification and maturation during neonatal life. In this study, we deleted Dicer1, an essential RNase for active miRNAs biogenesis, specifically from NGN3+ endocrine progenitor cells. We found that deletion of Dicer1 in endocrine progenitors did not affect the specification of hormone-expressing endocrine cells. However, the islets in the mutant mice in the neonatal period exhibited morphological defects in organization and loss of hormone expression, and the mutant mice subsequently developed diabetes. Dicer1-deficient β-cells lost insulin expression while maintaining the expression of β-cell transcription factors such as Pdx1 and Nkx6.1 early in the postnatal period. Surprisingly, transcriptional profiling showed that that the Dicer1-deficient endocrine cells expressed neuronal genes before the onset of diabetes. The derepression of neuronal genes was associated with a loss in binding of the neuronal transcriptional repressor RE-1-silencing transcription factor to its targets in Dicer1-deficient β-cells. These studies suggest that miRNAs play a critical role in suppressing neuronal genes during the maturation of endocrine cells.
Oral treatment with etoposide in small cell lung cancer – dilemmas and solutions
Authors: Rezonja Renata , Knez Lea , Cufer Tanja , Mrhar Aleš
Published: February 2013

Background. Etoposide is a chemotherapeutic agent, widely used for the treatment of various malignancies, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive disease with poor prognosis. Oral etoposide administration exhibits advantages for the quality of life of the patient as well as economic benefits. However, widespread use of oral etoposide is limited by incomplete and variable bioavailability. Variability in bioavailability was observed both within and between patients. This suggests that some patients may experience suboptimal tumor cytotoxicity, whereas other patients may be at risk for excess toxicity.

Conclusions. The article highlights dilemmas as well as solutions regarding oral treatment with etoposide by presenting and analyzing relevant literature data. Numerous studies have shown that bioavailability of etoposide is influenced by genetic, physiological and environmental factors. Several strategies were explored to improve bioavailability and to reduce pharmacokinetic variability of oral etoposide, including desired and undesired drug interactions (e.g. with ketoconazole), development of suitable drug delivery systems, use of more water-soluble prodrug of etoposide, and influence on gastric emptying. In addition to genotype-based dose administration, etoposide is suitable for pharmacokinetically guided dosing, which enables dose adjustments in individual patient.

Further, it is established that oral and intravenous schedules of etoposide in SCLC patients do not result in significant differences in treatment outcome, while results of toxicity are inconclusive. To conclude, the main message of the article is that better prediction of the pharmacokinetics of oral etoposide may encourage its wider use in routine clinical practice.
Strange bedfellows: The new neoliberalism of catholic schooling in the United States
Authors: Burke Kevin
Published: February 2013

The article utilizes critical social theory and critical religious theory to examine the emergent and historically aberrant alignment between Catholic schools and neoliberal market-based reforms in the United States. The author traces the historical split between Catholic and public schooling, attending to the role of the litigious in shaping American parochial contexts. In the face of declining enrollments and vocations as well as skyrocketing tuition and a contracting share of the educational ‘market,’ Catholic leadership has sought public support through market instruments (tax credits and vouchers) in order to preserve dying religious schools. Lost in this paradigm shift is the irony of the move from proud separatism to a governmental reliance that would have seemed abhorrent thirty years ago. Missing, too, in the rhetoric of ‘saving Catholic schools’ is concern for the harm done to education on a whole when religious schools are presented as competitors with, rather than alternatives to, a free public education. Examined through the lens of the largest provider of Catholic schoolteachers in the United States, the article ultimately concludes that the public good is being sacrificed at the altar of religious pride.
Trends in Technical and Tactical Modifications Among Competitors of Various Nationalities Based on Research Conducted During the 2009 World Youth Championship in Greco-Roman Style Wrestling in Turkey
Authors: Kruszewski Artur , Kuźmicki Stanisław , Kruszewski Marek , Jagiełło Władysław
Published: February 2013

Introduction
. This paper discusses the relationship between the technique implemented during competition and the end result including an attempt to evaluate the technical and tactical preparation of different nationality competitors in Greco- Roman wrestling. The research was conducted during the 2009 Junior World Cup in Turkey.
Material and methods.
The research material included a video recording posted by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) on their website. The material contained recordings of 240 matches. An analysis of 212 matches with competitors from 49 countries was conducted; each team selected one competitor in each weight category (up to 8 competitors in total).
Results and conclusions
. During the competition there was strong correlation between victory and the execution of the roll-through and the combat zone and result defence, also in the ground position. Competitors from Russia and Iran, who were most successful, winning 6 and 4 medals respectively, obtained an average of 3.18 technical points in each match. Among the sample analysed this was the lowest score, indicating the optimal use of technical and tactical skills by the competitors resulting in a victory.
Physical Education Classes with the Schoolgirls of Biała Podlaska Schools
Authors: Bergier Barbara , Flisiak Agata , Flisiak Magdalena
Published: February 2013

Introduction
. The neglect of the needs and potential of the schoolgirls and the dismissive attitude of the teachers towards the pupils and the PE classes are the main causes of the schoolgirls' reluctance to attend the classes and also their lack of propensity towards physical activity in general. Studies of child and youth opinions towards the PE classes show that a number of factors are to be taken into account. The aim of the paper was to ascertain the opinions of the survey participants towards the realized and model PE class and also to ascertain effective ways of pursuing the PE curricula for girls. The article reveals factors discouraging the schoolgirls and reducing their expectations as far as PE classes are concerned.
Material and methods
. The material for the study were 314 schoolgirls and 51 teachers from Biała Podlaska elementary, middle and high schools. The paper was based on the study conducted with analysis of a questionnaire form and a survey. The survey was conducted in April, 2011.
Results
. The information obtained from the questionnaires that were filled in by the schoolgirls were compiled and compared with the data from the surveys given by the teachers working with the schoolgirls.
Conclusions
. Both the girls and the teachers have a positive attitude towards the PE classes, whilst observing a number of perceived faults. Criticism was aimed at a lack of variety in the classes and that the needs, potential and interests of the girls were not taken into account and also the lack of involvement of the girls in the process of planning and pursuing the classes. The girls responded positively to the 2009 education reform proposals. The PE teachers also endorsed the proposals.
Prosodic and Semantic Properties of Intonational Phrases
Authors: Milićev Tanja , Milićević Nataša , Marković Maja
Published: February 2013

The aim of this paper is to investigate the relation between prosodic and semantic properties of Intonational Phrases, based on the facts from Serbian. The production tests and elicited judgements show that the prosodic integration of the embedded IPs (appositives, parentheticals, and the left-peripheral adverbs) has a distinct semantic effect, or is accompanied by the narrow focus interpretation within the proposition modified.
Cinematic Memory and The Americanization of The Holocaust
Authors: Nelson Barbara A.
Published: February 2013

Steven Soderbergh’s The Good German (2006), while grounding itself in WWII, casts a wide net as it attempts to examine the role of memory, the difficulty of assigning guilt, determining justice, defining the past, and writing history. Its nuanced treatment of these issues is enhanced by its complex ethnic characterizations and its contextualization among a group of WWII American cinematic classics. This ultimately leads to a shift in viewer reception aimed at creating greater understanding and empathy.
A Return to Senses: The Healthy Self in Nadine Gordimer’s Writings
Authors: Caraivan Luiza Maria
Published: February 2013

The paper analyses some aspects of healthy and diseased bodies presented in Nadine Gordimer’s latest writings that mark the writer’s return to senses. Some of Susan Sontag’s considerations on‘illness and its metaphors’ are introduced in order to accentuate the significance of the healing proces in the circle of health, disease and recovery.
Revengeful Violence – Hannah Duston’s Captivity Narative and the Puritan Paradox
Authors: Mingiuc Andreea
Published: February 2013

The story of Hannah Duston brings forth a new image of the captive Puritan woman, one that is bearing the horrifying specter of violent revenge. The essay dwells on the captive’s way of dealing with the experience of captivity by touching upon Walter Benjamin’s approach on the matter and also by analyzing the moral paradox that arises.
Integration of Critically Appraised Topics Into Evidence-Based Physical Therapist Practice
Authors: Crowell Michael S. , Tragord Bradley S. , Taylor Alden L. , Deyle Gail D.
Published: February 2013

Synopsis

Physical therapists frequently encounter situations that require complex differential-diagnosis decisions and the ability to consistently screen for serious pathology that may mimic a musculoskeletal complaint. By applying the evidence-based-practice process to diagnosis, screening, and referral, physical therapists can identify diagnostic and screening strategies that positively influence clinical decisions. A critically appraised topic document (a standard 1-page summary of the literature appraisal and clinical relevance in response to a specific clinical question) is a valuable tool in evidence-based practice. The creation of a critically appraised topic makes the educational process cumulative instead of duplicative, allowing the individual clinician to assimilate and consolidate knowledge after a search effort and improving search and appraisal skills. The purpose of this clinical commentary is as follows: (1) to describe the clinical reasoning process of 3 orthopaedic physical therapists that led to the development of specific clinical questions related to screening for nonmusculoskeletal pathology, (2) to describe the search and triage strategy that led each physical therapist to the current best evidence needed to rule out nonmusculoskeletal pathology in the patient, and (3) to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a critically appraised topic, the implementation of this process, and the tailoring of search strategies to find diagnostic and screening strategies.

Level of Evidence

Diagnosis, level 5. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(10):870–879, Epub 19 July 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.4265
Clinical Measurement of Scapular Upward Rotation in Response to Acute Subacromial Pain
Authors: Wassinger Craig A. , Sole Gisela , Osborne Hamish
Published: February 2013

Study Design

Block-counterbalanced, repeated-measures crossover study.

Objectives

To assess scapular upward rotation positional adaptations to experimentally induced subacromial pain.

Background

Existing subacromial pathology is often related to altered scapular kinematics during humeral elevation, such as decreased upward rotation and posterior tilting. These changes have the potential to limit subacromial space and mechanically impinge subacromial structures. Yet, it is unknown whether these changes are the cause or result of injury and what the acute effects of subacromial pain on scapular upward rotation may be.

Methods

Subacromial pain was induced via hypertonic saline injection in 20 participants, aged 18 to 31 years. Scapular upward rotation was measured with a digital inclinometer at rest and at 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of humeral elevation during a painful condition and a pain-free condition. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were conducted for scapular upward rotation position, based on condition (pain or control) and humeral position. Post hoc testing was conducted with paired t tests as appropriate.

Results

Scapular upward rotation during the pain condition was significantly increased (range of average increase, 3.5°–7.7°) compared to the control condition at all angles of humeral elevation tested.

Conclusion

Acute subacromial pain elicited an increase in scapular upward rotation at all angles of humeral elevation tested. This adaptation to acute experimental pain may provide protective compensation to subacromial structures during humeral elevation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(4):199–203. Epub 14 January 2013. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.4276
The Dynamic Arctic Snow Pack: An Unexplored Environment for Microbial Diversity and Activity
Authors: Larose Catherine , Dommergue Aurélien , Vogel Timothy
Published: February 2013

The Arctic environment is undergoing changes due to climate shifts, receiving contaminants from distant sources and experiencing increased human activity. Climate change may alter microbial functioning by increasing growth rates and substrate use due to increased temperature. This may lead to changes of process rates and shifts in the structure of microbial communities. Biodiversity may increase as the Arctic warms and population shifts occur as psychrophilic/psychrotolerant species disappear in favor of more mesophylic ones. In order to predict how ecological processes will evolve as a function of global change, it is essential to identify which populations participate in each process, how they vary physiologically, and how the relative abundance, activity and community structure will change under altered environmental conditions. This review covers aspects of the importance and implication of snowpack in microbial ecology emphasizing the diversity and activity of these critical members of cold zone ecosystems.
Verde Macael: A Serpentinite Wrongly Referred to as a Marble
Authors: Navarro Rafael , Pereira Dolores , Gimeno Ana , Barrio Santiago
Published: February 2013

Serpentinites are used in both exterior and interior locations, but not all serpentinites are equal: they vary in physical-mechanical behavior and are not all suitable for similar uses. The serpentinites most commonly used worldwide come from India, Pakistan or Egypt. Spain has traditionally quarried two ultramafic massifs, one in Galicia (Verde Pirineos) and one in Andalucía (Verde Macael). Some of these quarries were small family-run businesses. In both cases, these rocks are commercially available as “green marble.” These serpentinites commonly have a high degree of carbonation, but the process does not always take place with the same intensity. Carbonate can act as a cementing agent of the other phases, increasing the mechanical strength parameters. As a result, an improvement in the strength conditions is achieved, but a misinterpretation of the suitability of the rock may occur because a perception among users that “green marble” is similar to geologically defined marble. This may lead to inappropriate applications as an ornamental stone. At a time of economic crisis in Europe, the natural stone sector is encouraged to invest in research to identify the best quality products that can compete profitably with those currently being imported from other countries. This paper provides a comparison of properties of the Verde Macael serpentinite with a true marble in the hope of contributing to improving the natural stone industrial sector.
Evolution of Endemic Species, Ecological Interactions and Geographical Changes in an Insular Environment: A Case Study of Quaternary Mammals of Sicily (Italy, EU)
Authors: Marra Antonella
Published: February 2013

The Quaternary mammals of Sicily are well known, and five faunal complexes have been distinguished on the basis of bioevents (extinctions and new arrivals) and evolution of endemic species. It is clear that the composition of mammal faunas is strictly related to the dispersal ability of each species and to the paleogeography of the area. Until now, researches have chiefly attributed paleogeographical changes as controlling these dispersals: the sea strait between the island and the Italian peninsula has had different widths and depths over time, operating different kinds of filters on the spreading of terrestrial mammals. Moreover, Sicily and its nearby mainland underwent changes in paleogeography. Some incongruence in bioevents has been attributed to the filter operated by the marine strait, which could have acted in differential ways on large and small mammals. However, the roles of ecological interactions among vertebrate species and their control on bioevents have been greatly underestimated. In this critical review, changes in mammals’ associations are reconsidered not only in terms of biochronology and dispersal ability of taxa through the marine strait, evolution of endemic features, in addition to the paleogeography of the island, but also considering the ecological role of each species and the interactions among the species with each faunal complex.
Transcriptional Analysis of Hair Follicle-Derived Keratinocytes from Donors with Atopic Dermatitis Reveals Enhanced Induction of IL32 Gene by IFN-γ
Authors: Yoshikawa Yoshie , Sasahara Yusuke , Takeuchi Katsuyuki , Tsujimoto Yoshimasa , Hashida-Okado Takashi , Kitano Yukio , Hashimoto-Tamaoki Tomoko
Published: February 2013

We cultured human hair follicle-derived keratinocytes (FDKs) from plucked hairs. To gain insight into gene expression signatures that can distinguish atopic dermatitis from non-atopic controls without skin biopsies, we undertook a comparative study of gene expression in FDKs from adult donors with atopic dermatitis and non-atopic donors. FDK primary cultures (atopic dermatitis, n = 11; non-atopic controls, n = 7) before and after interferon gamma (IFN-γ) treatment were used for microarray analysis and quantitative RT-PCR. Comparison of FDKs from atopic and non-atopic donors indicated that the former showed activated pathways with innate immunity and decreased pathways of cell growth, as indicated by increased NLRP2 expression and decreased DKK1 expression, respectively. Treatment with IFN-γ induced the enhanced expression of IL32, IL1B, IL8, and CXCL1 in the cells from atopic donors compared to that in cells from non-atopic donors at 24 h after treatment. IL1B expression in FDKs after IFN-γ treatment correlated with IL32 expression. We hypothesized that overexpression of IL32 in hair follicle keratinocytes of patients with atopic dermatitis would lead to the excessive production of pro-IL1β and that the activation of IL1β from pro-IL1β by inflammasome complex, in which NLRP2 protein might be involved, would be augmented. This is the first report to show enhanced induction of cytokine/chemokine genes by IFN-γ in atopic dermatitis using cultured FDKs.
Non-Enzymatic Modification of Aminophospholipids by Carbonyl-Amine Reactions
Authors: Naudí Alba , Jové Mariona , Ayala Victòria , Cabré Rosanna , Portero-Otín Manuel , Pamplona Reinald
Published: February 2013

Non-enzymatic modification of aminophospholipids by lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes and reducing sugars through carbonyl-amine reactions are thought to contribute to the age-related deterioration of cellular membranes and to the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Much evidence demonstrates the modification of aminophospholipids by glycation, glycoxidation and lipoxidation reactions. Therefore, a number of early and advanced Maillard reaction-lipid products have been detected and quantified in different biological membranes. These modifications may be accumulated during aging and diabetes, introducing changes in cell membrane physico-chemical and biological properties.
Polymorphisms in DNA Repair Genes and Susceptibility to Glioma in a Chinese Population
Authors: Pan Wei-Ran , Li Gang , Guan Jun-Hong
Published: February 2013

The excision repair cross-complementing rodent repair deficiency complementation group 1 (ERCC1), and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) genes appear to protect mammalian cells from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. We conducted a large case-control study to investigate the association of polymorphisms in ERCC1 C118T, ERCC1 C8092A, XRCC1 A194T, XRCC1 A194T, and XRCC3 C241T, with glioma risk in a Chinese population. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped, using the MassARRAY IPLEX platform, in 443 glioma cases and 443 controls. Association analyses based on an χ2 test and binary logistic regression were performed to determine the odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for each SNP. For XRCC1 Arg194Trp, the variant genotype T/T was strongly associated with a lower risk of glioma cancer when compared with the wild type C/C (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.43–4.45). Individuals carrying the XRCC1 399A allele had an increased risk of glioma (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.02–1.64). The XRCC3 241T/T genotype was associated with a strong increased glioma risk (OR = 3.78, 95% CI = 1.86–9.06). Further analysis of the interactions of two susceptibility-associated SNPs, XRCC1 Arg194Trp and XRCC3 Thr241Met, showed that the combination of the XRCC1 194T and XRCC3 241T alleles brought a large increase in glioma risk (OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.54–4.04). XRCC1 Arg194Trp, XRCC1 Arg399Gln, and XRCC3 C241T, appear to be associated with susceptibility to glioma in a Chinese population.
Quantum Dots as Multifunctional Materials for Tumor Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Liu Longfei , Miao Qingqing , Liang Gaolin
Published: February 2013

The rapidly developing field of quantum dots (QDs) provides researchers with more options for imaging modalities and therapeutic strategies. In recent years, QDs were widely used as multifunctional materials for tumor imaging and therapy due to their characteristic properties such as semiconductive, zero-dimension and strong fluorescence. Nevertheless, there still exist the challenges of employing these properties of QDs for clinical diagnosis and therapy. Herein, we briefly review the development, properties and applications of QDs in tumor imaging and therapy. Future perspectives in these areas are also proposed as well.
The Degradation Mechanism of Toxic Atractyloside in Herbal Medicines by Decoction
Authors: Chen Liang-Yu , Hu Anren , Chang Chih-Jui
Published: February 2013

Atractyloside (ATR) is found in many Asteraceae plants that are commonly used as medicinal herbs in China and other eastern Asian countries. ATR binds specifically to the adenine nucleotide translocator in the inner mitochondrial membrane and competitively inhibits ADP and ATP transport. The toxicity of ATR in medical herbs can be reduced by hydrothermal processing, but the mechanisms of ATR degradation are not well understood. In this study, GC-MS coupled with SPE and TMS derivatisation was used to detect ATR levels in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Our results suggest that ATR molecules were disrupted by decomposition, hydrolysis and saponification after heating with water (decoction) for a long period of time. Hydrothermal processing could decompose the endogenous toxic compounds and also facilitate the detoxification of raw materials used in the Chinese medicine industry.
Molecules Best Paper Award 2013
Authors: McPhee Derek
Published: February 2013

Molecules has started to institute a "Best Paper" award to recognize the most outstanding papers in the area of natural products, medicinal chemistry and molecular diversity published in Molecules. We are pleased to announce the second "Molecules Best Paper Award" for 2013. Candidates were chosen by the Editor-in-Chief and selected editorial board members from among all the papers published in 2009. [...]
Bellagio Report on Healthy Agriculture, Healthy Nutrition, Healthy People
Authors: Simopoulos Artemis , Bourne Peter , Faergeman Ole
Published: February 2013

The Bellagio Report on Healthy Agriculture, Healthy Nutrition, Healthy People is the result of the meeting held at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center in Lake Como, Italy, 29 October–2 November 2012. The meeting was science-based but policy-oriented. The role and amount of healthy and unhealthy fats, with attention to the relative content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, sugar, and particularly fructose in foods that may underlie the epidemics of non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) worldwide were extensively discussed. The report concludes that sugar consumption, especially in the form of high energy fructose in soft drinks, poses a major and insidious health threat, especially in children, and most diets, although with regional differences, are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and too high in omega-6 fatty acids. Gene-nutrient interactions in growth and development and in disease prevention are fundamental to health, therefore regional Centers on Genetics, Nutrition and Fitness for Health should be established worldwide. Heads of state and government must elevate, as a matter of urgency, Nutrition as a national priority, that access to a healthy diet should be considered a human right and that the lead responsibility for Nutrition should be placed in Ministries of Health rather than agriculture so that the health requirements drive agricultural priorities, not vice versa. Nutritional security should be given the same priority as food security.
A Cognitive Mobile BTS Solution with Software-Defined Radioelectric Sensing
Authors: Muñoz Jorge , Alonso Javier , García Francisco , Costas Secundino , Pillado Marcos , Castaño Francisco , Sánchez Manuel , Valcarce Roberto , Bravo Cristina
Published: February 2013

Private communications inside large vehicles such as ships may be effectively provided using standard cellular systems. In this paper we propose a new solution based on software-defined radio with electromagnetic sensing support. Software-defined radio allows low-cost developments and, potentially, added-value services not available in commercial cellular networks. The platform of reference, OpenBTS, only supports single-channel cells. Our proposal, however, has the ability of changing BTS channel frequency without disrupting ongoing communications. This ability should be mandatory in vehicular environments, where neighbouring cell configurations may change rapidly, so a moving cell must be reconfigured in real-time to avoid interferences. Full details about frequency occupancy sensing and the channel reselection procedure are provided in this paper. Moreover, a procedure for fast terminal detection is proposed. This may be decisive in emergency situations, e.g., if someone falls overboard. Different tests confirm the feasibility of our proposal and its compatibility with commercial GSM terminals.
Alkyne hydroarylation with Au N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts
Authors: Tubaro Cristina , Baron Marco , Biffis Andrea , Basato Marino
Published: February 2013

Mono- and dinuclear gold complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been employed as catalysts in the intermolecular hydroarylation of alkynes with simple unfunctionalised arenes. Both mono- and dinuclear gold(III) complexes were able to catalyze the reaction; however, the best results were obtained with the mononuclear gold(I) complex IPrAuCl. This complex, activated with one equivalent of silver tetrafluoroborate, exhibited under acidic conditions at room temperature much higher catalytic activity and selectivity compared to more commonly employed palladium(II) catalysts. Moreover, the complex was active, albeit to a minor extent, even under neutral conditions, and exhibited lower activity but higher selectivity compared to the previously published complex AuCl(PPh3). Preliminary results on intramolecular hydroarylations using this catalytic system indicate, however, that alkyne hydration by traces of water may become a serious competing reaction.
Le mariage a déjà changé
Authors: Théry Irène
Published: February 2013

Résumé S’il est concevable d’ouvrir le mariage aux couples de même sexe, c’est qu’il a déjà profondément changé de sens et se définit comme un engagement de vie commune. Les règles de la filiation, qui doivent être les mêmes pour tous les enfants, se délient du cadre matrimonial. Ce qui aura un impact sur l’adoption plénière et le secret sur lequel elle repose.
L'État ne doit pas rendre les armes
Authors: Foucher Michel
Published: February 2013

Résumé L’État articule divers niveaux d’interaction : avec ses citoyens, l’Union européenne et le monde. D’où la centralité retrouvée de son rôle. Différents modèles d’États, et de regroupements d’États, émergent au niveau mondial, et redonnent du sens à la puissance publique.
L'État à la lumière du Grand Paris
Authors: Mongin Olivier
Published: February 2013

Résumé Que reste-t-il du projet du Grand Paris ? Des noms de grands architectes, un nouveau métro et un pôle universitaire. Ce qui devait au départ faire émerger un espace métropolitain a été en grande partie repris en main par l’État, englué dans une vision datée de l’urbanisme et dans le millefeuille territorial.
Use of a Calcium Sulfate–Calcium Phosphate Synthetic Bone Graft Composite in the Surgical Management of Primary Bone Tumors
Authors: Evaniew Nathan , Tan Victoria , Parasu Naveen , Jurriaans Erik , Finlay Karen , Deheshi Benjamin , Ghert Michelle
Published: February 2013

Benign primary bone tumors are commonly treated with intralesional curettage with or without the use of surgical adjuvants. The reconstructive approach to the resulting contained bone defects is controversial, and clinical practice is varied. Synthetic bone substitutes may provide early mechanical support while minimizing the risks of disease transmission, nonunion, infection, and donor-site morbidity. Limited data exists regarding the use of calcium sulfate–calcium phosphate composite bone substitute for this purpose.

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of 24 patients with benign primary bone tumors who underwent intralesional curettage followed by reconstruction with a calcium sulfate–calcium phosphate composite bone substitute. Mean follow-up was 23 months. The most common diagnosis was giant cell tumor of bone. Six patients had upper-extremity tumors and 18 had lower-extremity tumors. Mean preoperative radiographic tumor volume was 41.0 cm
3
. Mean volume of PRO-DENSE (Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, Tennessee) used in each patient was 15.6 cm
3
. Mean time to full weight bearing for all patients was 7.3 weeks. Two patients sustained local tumor recurrences. No postoperative fractures occurred, and no complications occurred related to the use of the calcium sulfate–calcium phosphate composite. One case of deep infection occurred secondary to wound breakdown. The use of a calcium sulfate–calcium phosphate composite was associated with rapid biological integration and an early return to activities of daily living, with no composite-related complications.

This technique is a viable option in the reconstruction of cavitary bone defects following intralesional curettage of primary benign bone tumors.
Biomechanical Study Comparing a New Combined Rod-plate System With Conventional Dual-rod and Plate Systems
Authors: Sha Mo , Ding Zheng-Qi , Ting Hu S. , Kang Liang-Qi , Zhai Wen-Liang , Liu Hui
Published: February 2013

Most anterior spinal instrumentation systems are designed as either a plate or dual-rod system and have corresponding limitations. Dual-rod designs may offer greater adjustability; however, this system also maintains a high profile and lacks a locking design. Plate systems are designed to be stiffer, but the fixed configuration is not adaptable to the variety of vertebral body shapes. The authors designed a new combined rod-plate system (D-rod) to overcome these limitations and compared its biomechanical performance with the conventional dual-rod and plate system.

Eighteen pig spinal specimens were divided into 3 groups (6 per group). An L1 corpectomy was performed and fixed with the D-rod (group A; n=6), Z-plate (Sofamor Danek, Memphis, Tennessee) (group B; n=6), or Ventrofix (Synthes, Paoli, Pennsylvania) (group C; n=6) system. T13-L2 range of motion was measured with a 6 degrees of freedom (ie, flexion–extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation) spine simulator under pure moments of 6.0 Nm. The D-rod and Ventrofix specimens were significantly stiffer than the Z-plate specimens (
P
<.05) based on results obtained from lateral bending and flexion–extension tests. The D-rod and Z-plate specimens were significantly stiffer than the Ventrofix specimens (
P
<.05) in axial rotation.

The D-rod combines the advantages of the plate and dual-rod systems, where the anterior rod exhibits the design of a low-profile locking plate, enhanced stability, and decreased interference of the surrounding vasculature. The posterior rods function in compression and distraction, and the dual-rod system offers greater adjustability and control over screw placement. The results indicate that it may provide adequate stability for anterior thoracolumbar reconstruction.
Pharmacoinformatics
Authors: Gasmelseid Tagelsir Mohamed
Published: February 2013

Healthcare organizations are facing serious internal and external challenges that affect their ability to provide quality pharmaceutical care and maintain patient safety. The dynamics of such challenges are affecting pharmaceutical processes, organizational and operating efficiencies, and patient outcomes. Pharmacoinformatics has been used as a term to reflect upon the use of information system technologies in the improvement of pharmaceutical care. However, despite its growing importance, it has been deployed in a limited scale. This chapter sheds light on the context of pharmacoinformatics, its conceptualization within the domain of decision support tools, and its role in the improvement of pharmaceutical care.
An Optimization to Protein Coding Regions Identification in Eukaryotes
Authors: Ahmad Muneer , Abdullah Azween , Zaman Noor
Published: February 2013

Significant improvement in coding regions identification was observed over many real datasets, which were obtained from the national center for bioinformatics. Quantitatively, the authors monitored a gain of 80.5% in coding identification with the Complex method, 42.5% with the Binary method, and 15% with the EIIP indicator sequence method over Mus Musculus Domesticus (House rat), NCBI Accession number: NC_006914, Length of gene: 7700 bp with number of coding regions: 4. Continuous improvement in significance with dyadic wavelet transforms will be observed as a future expectation.
In Silico Pharmaco-Gene-Informatic Identification of Insulin-Like Proteins in Plants
Authors: Jyothi Koona Saradha , Sridhar G. R. , Srinivas Kudipudi , Rao B. Subba , Apparao Allam
Published: February 2013

This chapter presents an extension of the authors’ earlier work, where they showed that nucleotide/amino acid sequences related to insulin occurred in the plant kingdom. It was believed that plants did not have, nor did they need insulin, a protein hormone considered to be restricted to the animal kingdom. In the current study, the human insulin sequence was initially obtained from UniProt/SwissProt (accession no. P01308). Plant genome sequences were obtained from NCBI PubMed (Bauhinia purpurea [Gi|229412], Vigna unguiculata [P83770], and Canavalia ensiformis [Gi|7438602]. Scores were obtained from ProtFun 2.2 [http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/ProtFun/]. At the next stage, functions of insulin and glucokinin (insulin like proteins in plants) were predicted by the Protein Function Prediction database (http://dragon.bio.purdue.edu/pfp/index.html), followed by functional site prediction from the ELM database (http://elm.eu.org/). ProtFun predicted the following functions: human insulin (Cell envelope), Jack bean (Energy metabolism), Bauhinia purpurea(Translation). The amino acid Glycine at 32 positions was most highly conserved. Present predictions advocate the use of these sequences (QHLCGS motif) as targets for probing the other plants with lesser homology. In summary our in silico studies have suggested that Bauhinia purpurea (Purple orchid tree-BP), Vigna unguiculata (Cow pea-CP) and Canavalia ensiformis (Jack bean-JB) have conserved the important regions of the human insulin protein.
Semantic Enrichment for Geospatial Information in a Tourism Recommender System
Authors: de la Flor Joan , Borràs Joan , Isern David , Valls Aida , Moreno Antonio , Russo Antonio , Pérez Yolanda , Anton-Clavé Salvador
Published: February 2013

Geospatial information is commonly used in tourism to facilitate activity planning, especially in a context of limited information on the territory, as it is common in the case of complex and heterogeneous tourism destination regions where the constrained spatial activity of visitor is likely to generate inefficiencies in the use of assets and resources, and hinder visitor satisfaction. Because of the large amount of spatial and non-spatial data associated with different resources and activities, it is a logical choice to use geographic information systems (GIS) for storing, managing, analyzing, and visualizing the data. Nevertheless, in order to facilitate personalized recommendations to visitors, interaction with Artificial Intelligence is needed. This chapter presents SigTur/E-Destination, a tourism recommender system based on a semantically-enriched GIS that provides regional tourist organizations and the industry with a new powerful tool for the sustainable management of their destinations. The recommendation system uses innovative Artificial Intelligence techniques, such as a hybrid method that integrates content-based and collaborative filtering and clustering methodologies that improve computational time.
Distributed Geospatial Data Management for Entomological and Epidemiological Studies
Authors: Martins Hugo , Rocha Jorge G.
Published: February 2013

Since the authors were able to design all the supporting software, all syntactical interoperability was guaranteed by the use of Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards. The semantic interoperability was assured by design, by developing a unique data model. Data invariants are guaranteed either by the interface, with validation routines written in Javascript, or by the data constrains included in the database. Integration and interoperability with other BT programs might require some additional effort, but all the necessary semantic translation could be encapsulated into the WFS component.
Review of Open Source Software (OSS)
Authors: Mukerji Bhasker , Palanisamy Ramaraj
Published: February 2013

The popularity of Open Source Software (OSS) in developing countries is quiet evident from its widespread adoption across government departments and public sector organizations. The use of OSS saves economic resources of cash starved countries, provides an opportunity to promote e-government, and to utilize their resources in other sectors. Many developing countries have a large pool of skilled developers who can modify the source code of the OSS at a very low cost. Many governments in developing and developed countries have switched to OSS which probably encourages others to follow the trend. It was not possible to follow the adoption trend in all the developing countries but the usage of OSS in countries like India, Brazil, and Venezuela provides us an insight. The successful adoption of OSS requires thorough analysis of its advantages as well as the issues associated with it. This chapter will provide an overview of OSS, characteristics of OSS developers, and their motivation to volunteer by contributing in OSS projects, followed by the advantages and issues associated with OSS.
Survey of Citizens’ Perceptions in the Adoption of National Governmental Portals
Authors: Stamati Teta , Karantjias Athanasios , Martakos Drakoulis
Published: February 2013

?he transformational role of e-government can be achieved through engagement of the citizens in the e-government rollout and subsequent adoption. The present study integrates constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusions of Innovation Theory and Trust Models in order to propose a research model to guide future e-government initiatives. The critical acceptance factors, namely: trust, security, and regulation are analyzed for the citizens’ adoption process. The citizen’s perceptions of electronic services adoption are analyzed based on the case study of the National Governmental Portal.
Analyzing e-Government Research in Emerging Economies
Authors: Hernández Antonio Manuel López , Bolívar Manuel Pedro Rodríguez , Muñoz Laura Alcaide
Published: February 2013

The research field of e-Government is a broad one, and diverse methodologies have been used to analyse this subject. However, most such research has focused on developed countries, with the area of emerging economies being neglected. This chapter offers a framework to help public administrators and researchers evaluate the field of e-Government research in emerging economies, identifying the subjects examined, the research methodology applied and the compilation methods used in the e-Government research published in leading international journals, as well as the possible links between these questions. Knowledge gaps and research opportunities are identified from these observations. In addition, the authors highlight changes in the research methods employed, with a greater application of quantitative methods, thus reinforcing the development of a theoretical framework so that the application of e-Government may efficiently contribute to improving management in the public sector and examine the authors’ institutional affiliations.
Towards a Business Intelligence Governance Framework within E-Government System
Authors: Atieh Kamal , Farzali Elias
Published: February 2013

The need for such framework increase or decrease in each country depending on its status and on the relationship existed between business and IT teams.
Guidelines for Successful Public Internet Access Points (PIAPs) Implementation
Authors: Arifoglu Ali , Afacan Gülgün , Er Erkan
Published: February 2013

Keywords: Public Internet Access Points (PIAPs), digital divide, ICT services, e-transformation, e-government, telecenters, kiosk, mobile PIAP, multi-purpose PIAP, mini-PIAPs.
E-Frameworks to Optimize Public Administration Services
Authors: Popescu Decebal , Popescu Nirvana , Dobre Ciprian
Published: February 2013

Public administration is subject to major changes affecting many countries, such as the need to implement the European Union Services Directive within the entire EU area. This chapter presents theoretical and practical approaches to developing e-Services and e-Government solutions and real experiences in developing two successful projects with great potential to improve complex Government procedures. The Point of Single Contact is an electronic means through which service providers can find information and complete the formalities necessary to doing business there. Each EU member state must have its own PSC, which should be a reliable source of electronic processing of information that should facilitate the interaction of citizens with the public administration. The design and implementation details of an e-Framework for optimizing the relationship between Governments and citizens using eServices will be presented. Evaluation results obtained by integrating a real-life workflow for opening a business in the Romanian environment are shown. Also, in order to optimize automatic data transfers, document workflows, and business reporting of business organizations, an e-Services system is used.