bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774): northeastern dispersal in the São Francisco basin, Brazil
Authors: Lima Laís Farias Oliveira , Brasil Bárbara Ihorrana Alves Lacerda , Martins-Silva Maria Júlia
Published: January 2015

Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda: Thiaridae) is the exotic species with the widest distribution among the freshwater macrobenthos in Brazil. The snail is a threat to native species and has medical and economical importance. In this study the occurrence of M. tuberculata is recorded and reported in the São Francisco River Basin, along a border area including three northeastern states of Brazil: Bahia, Sergipe and Alagoas. These data are especially important due to the new watercourses resulting from the integration of the São Francisco River to other regional basins.
New record and distribution extension of Baetodes huaico Nieto (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from the province of San Luis, Argentina
Authors: Nicola David , Gil Angélica , Tripole Susana
Published: January 2015

Distribution of Baetodes huaico extends up to the Province of San Luis (Argentina). This constitutes the southernmost record of this species. Morphologicla characteristics were used for the species recognition.
Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Atractus occipitoalbus: second record and distribution extension in Bolivia
Authors: Quinteros-Muñoz Oliver
Published: January 2015

One adult female of Atractus occipitoalbus (Jan, 1862) was collected in a mature secondary forest in Valle de Sacta, Province Chapare, Department of Cochabamba, Bolivia. This new record confirms the presence of the species in Bolivia, and provides a new locality in the country.
Ursachen, Diagnose und verhaltensmedizinische Therapie der Unsauberkeit von Katzen
Authors: Kuhne F.
Published: January 2015

Unsauberkeit von Katzen, d. h. das Absetzen von Urin und/oder Kot in der Wohnung außerhalb der Katzentoilette, stellt das häufigste Verhaltensproblem von Katzen dar, das Katzenbesitzer zu einer Konsultation des Tierarztes veranlasst. Nachdem primär abgeklärt ist, ob es sich um Eliminationsoder Markierverhalten handelt, müssen in einer umfassenden Anamnese, Ursache(n) und aktuelle Auslöser für das Verhaltensproblem gefunden werden. Da das Verhaltensproblem entweder territorial oder stressbedingt ist bzw. Umwelteinflüsse eine Aversion gegen die Katzentoilette hervorrufen oder einen anderen Platz attraktiver erscheinen lassen, sollten die primären Managementmaßnahmen allgemein zur Verbesserung des Wohlbefindens der Katze beitragen, beispielsweise durch ein optimiertes Management der Katzentoilette. Der entscheidende Ansatz in der Therapie hat zum Ziel, die Katze nicht mehr den Angst oder Stress auslösenden Stimuli auszusetzen, die Benutzung der Katzentoiletten attraktiver zu gestalten und eine gezielte Verhaltensmodifikation durchzuführen.
A new and openly accessible database of tests on piles driven in sands
Authors: Yang Z. X. , Jardine R. J. , Guo W. B. , Chow F.
Published: January 2015

This paper reviews the critical need to develop better load test databases for piles driven in sand before reporting on the significantly augmented, openly accessible, Zhejiang University/Imperial College London (ZJU-ICL) database. Key quality parameters, the population of current entries and the reporting format are described before offering preliminary results obtained from comparisons between axial capacities calculated by various predictive approaches and site measurements. The results confirm that the offshore industry-standard ‘Main Text’ American Petroleum Institute RP2GEO procedures are less reliable and have larger coefficients of variation than alternative cone penetration test (CPT) methods, among which the ICP (Imperial College piles) and UWA (University of Western Australia) procedures appear to give the least bias and scatter. It is also shown that the ‘simplified’ ICP variant proposed by some practitioners is over-conservative and that its use could be discontinued. The new pile capacity and stiffness database offers broad scope for evaluating potential prediction biases relating to a wide range of soil and pile parameters. The submission of further high-quality tests for inclusion in regularly updated versions of the ZJU-ICL database is encouraged.
Introduction to barodesy
Authors: KOLYMBAS D.
Published: January 2015

Barodesy is a frame for constitutive modelling of soils based on their asymptotic properties. This frame allows the constitutive relation to be derived by reasoning on the general properties of granular materials. The constitutive relation obtained in this way is a single tensorial equation of outstanding simplicity that expresses the evolution of stress in dependence of the deformation. More than a mere equation, barodesy is rather a constitutive theory to provide a frame for understanding the intricate mechanical behaviour of condensed granular matter. As compared with previous publications on barodesy, the present paper contains considerable improvements in terms of conceptual rigour, simplicity and performance.
Waynergy Vehicles: an innovative pavement energy harvest system
Authors: Duarte Francisco , Champalimaud João Paulo , Ferreira Adelino
Published: January 2015

This paper describes an innovative pavement energy harvest system, called Waynergy Vehicles, developed in Portugal by Waydip in partnership with the Pavement Mechanics Laboratory of the University of Coimbra. This system was installed in a university campus road pavement, which allowed the testing of a prototype. During a peak hour, between 1·00 p.m. and 2·00 p.m., the system was able to generate 37 800 J or 10·5 Wh. The electrical energy generated by several modules of the system located, for example, in speed humps and speed bumps, can be used not only to charge batteries for electric vehicles, but also for general consumption through injection into the electricity grid or direct use by electrical equipment, such as public lighting, traffic lights and outdoor advertising.
Ownership of fishing areas and use of fishing resources by artisanal fishermen in a pond in southern Brazil
Authors: Santos Jackes Mancke dos , Tavares Rafael Aldrigh , Fernandes João Morato , Souza Daiane Machado , Pouey Juvêncio Luiz Osório Fernandes , Piedras Sergio Renato Noguez
Published: January 2015

The Mangueira Lagoon located in southern Brazil, has its northern portion included in the Taim Ecological Station, a federal conservation unit. The fishing practice is among the activities at this region. It has its own characteristics due to environmental conditions and specific physiography of the area. A field protocol based on geographic information was used to characterize the occupation process and the use of fishing resources. Socio-economic information was collected through interviews of the fishermen and also based on fishing data. After compiling the data a statistical descriptive analyses was completed. The average catch per fisherman in the region is 4,766.5 kg per year. The Loricariichthys anus showed the highest catch volume, ensuring the economic viability of the local activity. The constant increase of the activity may be compromising the reproductive cycle of the local ichthyological fauna, thus compromising the fishery sustainability.
Utilization of cross-linked chitosan/bentonite composite in the removal of methyl orange from aqueous solution
Authors: Huang Ruihua , Liu Qian , Zhang Lujie , Yang Bingchao
Published: January 2015

A kind of biocomposite was prepared by the intercalation of chitosan in bentonite and the cross-linking reaction of chitosan with glutaraldehyde, which was referred to as cross-linked chitosan/bentonite (CCS/BT) composite. Adsorptive removal of methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solutions was investigated by batch method. The adsorption of MO onto CCS/BT composite was affected by the ratio of chitosan to BT and contact time. pH value had only a minor impact on MO adsorption in a wide pH range. Adsorption kinetics was mainly controlled by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption of MO onto CCS/BT composite followed the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum adsorption capacity of CCS/BT composite calculated by the Langmuir model was 224.8 mg/g. Experimental results indicated that this adsorbent had a potential for the removal of MO from aqueous solutions.
Population balance models: a useful complementary modelling framework for future WWTP modelling
Authors: Nopens Ingmar , Torfs Elena , Ducoste Joel , Vanrolleghem Peter A. , Gernaey Krist V.
Published: January 2015

Population balance models (PBMs) represent a powerful modelling framework for the description of the dynamics of properties that are characterised by distributions. This distribution of properties under transient conditions has been demonstrated in many chemical engineering applications. Modelling efforts of several current and future unit processes in wastewater treatment plants could potentially benefit from this framework, especially when distributed dynamics have a significant impact on the overall unit process performance. In these cases, current models that rely on average properties cannot sufficiently capture the true behaviour and even lead to completely wrong conclusions. Examples of distributed properties are bubble size, floc size, crystal size or granule size. In these cases, PBMs can be used to develop new knowledge that can be embedded in our current models to improve their predictive capability. Hence, PBMs should be regarded as a complementary modelling framework to biokinetic models. This paper provides an overview of current applications, future potential and limitations of PBMs in the field of wastewater treatment modelling, thereby looking over the fence to other scientific disciplines.
Radionuclides in wastewater treatment plants: monitoring of Sicilian plants
Authors: Cosenza Alida , Rizzo Salvatore , Sansone Santamaria Antonio , Viviani Gaspare
Published: January 2015

Three Sicilian wastewater treatment plants were monitored to assess the occurrence and the behaviour of radionuclides. Two sampling campaigns (screening and long-term) were carried out during which liquid and solid samples have been analysed. It was found that 131I mostly occurred in the samples analysed during the screening campaign (43% of the analysed samples contained 131I). High 131I specific activity was found in the mixed liquor, recycled sludge and dehydrated sludge samples. This finding was mainly due to the tendency of 131I to be associated with solid particles. During the long-term sampling campaign an influence of the sludge retention time (SRT) on the 131I behaviour was found. Increasing the SRT and consequently decreasing the fraction of active organic biomass inside the system, the specific activity of 131I decreases.
Heavy metals in plants in constructed and natural wetlands: concentration, accumulation and seasonality
Authors: Vymazal J. , Březinová T.
Published: January 2015

The accumulation of heavy metals in plants is a function of uptake capacity and intracellular binding sites. The concentrations of heavy metals in plants growing in constructed wetlands vary considerably between species and systems but in general, the concentrations are within the range commonly found in natural stands. The highest concentrations are mostly found in roots, followed by rhizomes, leaves and stems. Unfortunately, concentration values are commonly used to evaluate the ‘accumulation’ of heavy metals, but this approach is not correct. In order to evaluate heavy metal accumulation, the biomass of particular plant parts must be taken into consideration. In addition, there are two other factors, which need to be taken into consideration when accumulation is evaluated, namely seasonality and distribution within the plant shoot. It has been found that the seasonal distribution of heavy metals in the biomass varies between heavy metals and mostly does not follow the pattern known for nutrients. In addition, the concentration and accumulation of heavy metals vary considerably within the shoot and this fact should be taken into consideration when analyses are carried out.
Central Odontogenic Fibroma of the Gingiva: A Case Report
Authors: Soolari Ahmad , Khan Asghar
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we present a case of an uncommon and slow-growing tumor known as a central odontogenic fibroma (COF). The patient in question is a 53-year-old African-American man who was referred for periodontal evaluation of asymptomatic space formation between the mandibular central incisors. Clinical and radiological evaluations disclosed tumor-like tissue expanding the alveolar ridge in the buccolingual dimension, along with thinning of the cortical plates. Surgical excision was performed, and the specimen was sent for histopathology, which later confirmed that the lesion was a COF. Periodontal regenerative therapy was performed to rebuild the hard and soft tissue that had been compromised as a result of tumor expansion. The site was grafted, with excellent results.
Socio-Demographic and Behavioral Factors Associated with the Desire to Procreate Among Patients Living with HIV in Gabon
Authors: Okome-Nkoumou Madeleine , Guiyedi Vincent , Dzeing-Ella Arnaud , Komba-Boussaga Yvonne , Efire-Emagha Nora , Menguet-Abessolo Mireille Patricia , Ongali Brice , Akoume Marie-Yvonne , Bissagnene Emmanuel
Published: January 2015

The desire to procreate in patients living with HIV (PLHIV) has been seldom investigated in Africa, particularly in Gabon. The aim of this transversal and descriptive study was to analyze the socio-demographic and behavioral factors associated with a desire to have children in a cohort of PLHIV. The study included 442 patients, predominantly females [79.9% (337/422)], and those with a secondary school education [64.2% 271/422)]. The highest prevalence of HIV was found in patients aged 30-39 years old (44.3%), of which 59% (249/422) were unemployed. The desire to have children was noted in 78% (329/422) of patients, of which 82.4% (271/329) were treated with antiretroviral drugs; this was significantly higher in subjects under 40 years versus those over 40 years old [81% (268/329) versus 19% (61/329), p<0.001]. Sero-discordant couples represented 33.4% (110/329) of patients. The frequency of patients with the desire to have a child was significantly higher when patients wanted to hold the status of parent of a child [77% (255/329) versus 23% (74/329), p<0.001]; this was influenced by the partner's desire [60% 197/329 versus 40% (132/329), p< 0.001], as well as by the absence of weight loss [56% (185/329) versus 44% (144/329), p<0.001]. The average number of children was significantly lower in patients with the desire to procreate compared to those with no desire to have children [1.7 versus 3.2, p<0.001]. These first observations in Gabon highlight the importance of the desire to have children in PLHIV and sero-discordant couples, and they show the level of interest in developing assistance methods for procreation and family planning programs to help this population, as well as to reduce the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Hydrogeological Features and Environmental Impacts of Geothermal Waters in the Yıldız River Basin (Sivas, Turkey)
Authors: Keskin Tülay Ekemen , Kaçaroğlu Fikret
Published: January 2015

The study area, located in the Yıldız River Basin (Sivas), has eight geothermal waters, which are used for balneotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the natural and/or anthropogenic water pollution in terms of drinking and irrigation water in the Sıcak Çermik, Uyuz Çermiği, and Hamzaşeyh Çermiği geothermal areas. Na+, Cl–, SO4−2, B, Mn, Fe, As, and Se concentrations of the geothermal waters generally exceed the upper limits stated in the Turkish Standards for Water Intended for Human Consumption and World Health Organization regulations. Based on the irrigation water classification by the U.S. Salinity Laboratory Diagram, it is concluded that these waters may have hazardous levels of salinity and sodium when used as irrigation water. Wastewater from these health and tourism centers is discharged into the Yıldız River and to agricultural land. This procedure causes increase in the concentrations of major and minor elements and negatively affects the river water quality.
Application of Peleg model on mass transfer kinetics during osmotic dehydratation of pear cubes in sucrose solution
Authors: Pavelkic Vesna , Brdaric Tanja , Petrovic Marija , Sekularac Gavrilo , Kosevic Milica , Pezo Lato , Ilic Marija
Published: January 2015

The applicability of Peleg?s model was investigated for predicting mass
transfer kinetics during osmotic dehydration (OD) process of pears, at
different concentrations (40%, 60% and 70% w/w) and temperatures (20?C, 35?C
and 50?C) of sucrose solution. Increase in sucrose solution concentration
resulted in higher water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG) values through the
osmotic treatment period. After 360 minutes of osmotic treatment of pears, WL
ranges from 23.71 % to 31.68 % at 20?C, from 24.80 % to 40.38 % at 35?C and
from 33.30 % to 52.07 % at 50 ?C of initial weight of pears. The increase of
dry mass of the samples, SG, after 360 minutes of osmotic treatment ranges
from 3.02 % to 6.68 % at 20?C, from 4.15 % to 7.71 % at 35?C and from 5.00 %
to 8.92 % at 50?C. Peleg?s rate constants k1WL and k1SG, decreased with
increasing temperature, as well as decreased with increasing concentration of
osmotic solution at constant temperature. Both capacity constants k2WL and
k2SG also exhibits the inverse relationship between capacity constant and
temperature, as well as concentration of the osmotic solution. The Peleg?s
rate constants for WL and SG at all temperatures followed Arrhenius type
relationship. The model predicted equilibrium values were very close to
experimental ones, which is confirmed with high coefficients of determination
and by the residual analysis.
Testing the adaptive plasticity of gypsy moth digestive enzymes in response to tannic acid using phenotypic selection analysis
Authors: Mrdakovic Marija , Stojkovic Biljana , Ilijin Larisa , Vlahovic Milena , Peric-Mataruga Vesna , Lazarevic Jelica
Published: January 2015

The adaptive significance of plasticity of digestive enzyme responses to
allelochemical stress was tested on 32 full-sib gypsy moth families from an
oak forest (the Quercus population) and 26 families from a locust-tree forest
(the Robinia population), reared on control or tannic acid-supplemented
diets. By using the relative growth rate as a fitness measure in phenotypic
selection analyses, we revealed that higher specific activity of leucine
aminopeptidase in Quercus larvae and lower specific activity of trypsin in
Robinia larvae were adaptive in the control environment. In Quercus larvae,
elevated specific activities of leucine aminopeptidase and lipase were
adaptive in the stressful environment. There were no plasticity costs for the
enzyme activities in either experimental group. The obtained results suggest
that adaptive plasticity of digestive enzyme activity in gypsy moth larvae
contributes to optimal growth rate under various environmental conditions.
Characterization of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) genotypes - genetic resources for food production in Czech Republic
Authors: Sochor Jiri , Jurikova Tunde , Ercisli Sezai , Mlcek Jiri , Baron Mojmir , Balla Stefan , Yilmaz Suzan , Necas Thomas
Published: January 2015

The aim of the study was to determine and compare both technological
properties and polyphenol content in fruits of eight cornellian cherry
(Cornus mas L.) cultivars from Czech Republic. The fruits of cultivar
?Vydubeckij? had the highest dry matter (17.4%) and soluble solid (15.8%)
content among searched cultivars. The highest crude protein and phosphorus
values were determined in the fruits of the ?Titus? cultivar as 10.9 g of
crude protein and 435 mg of phosphorus for per kg fresh weight (FW) base. The
?Elegantnyj? and ?Vydubeckij? cultivars are found to be more suitable for
canning industry. The fruits of the ?Vydubeckij? cultivar contained 10.8 g of
pectin and 22.4 g of citric acid per kg fresh weight base, and could be
important for technological use because of their excellent gelling ability.
?Devin?,?Vydubeckij? and ?Titus? cultivars had the most valuable source of
chlorogenic acid (135.6, 110.9 and 115.1 mg per 100 g FW, respectively) and
quercetin (24.9, 25.2 and 24.2 mg per 100 g FW, respectively). This work
should contribute to the popularization of this fruit specie as a valuable
source of technological parameters for human nutrition and the canning
industry.
Molecular analysis of solute carrier family 11 member a1 (Slc11a1) gene in ruminants and non-ruminants using computational method
Authors: Yakubu Abdulmojeed , Alade Daniels , Dim Ndubuisi
Published: January 2015

Solute carrier family 11 member a1 gene (Slc11a1) previously known as natural
resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1) is a gene of member of
family of metal ion-transport protein. The cellular expression is restricted
to phagocytic cells. Slc11a1 delivers bivalent metal cations from the cytosol
into acidic endosomal and lysosomal compartments where Fenon and Haber-Weiss
reaction generates toxic antimicrobial radicals for direct antimicrobial
activity against harmful microorganisms. The present study was undertaken
with the objective of analyzing Slc11a1 gene to gain insight into the
evolutionary proximity and divergence as well as the polymorphism of this
gene in ruminants and non-ruminants including the attendant effects of the
genetic variants on the function of the Slc11a1 protein. Thirty Slc11a1 gene
sequences of 6 mammalian species classified as ruminant (goat, sheep, cattle,
Bubalus bubalis and Bubalus carabanensis) and non-ruminant (swine and horse)
animals were investigated. The length of the Slc11a1 gene varied from
448-2,357. There was substantial genetic variation and polymorphism in the
aligned sequences of Slc11a1 gene within and across species. Functional
analysis of non-synonymous mutations in cattle revealed that twenty five of
the amino acid substitutions at the peptide binding region could be
beneficial, (E36G), (T52A), (N161S) and (V248I) were likely to be beneficial
while only (Q312K) was harmful. In horse, two of the amino acid mutations
were harmful, two were likely to be harmful, one was undecided, four were
likely beneficial and the rest twenty were beneficial. The phylogenetic trees
showed some form of proximity and differentiation in Slc11a1 sequences within
and across species. The present information on the polymorphism of Slc11a1
gene might be exploited in the search for association with disease resistance
in Nigerian livestock species.
Enetic diversity in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) using SSR markers
Authors: Ahsyee Ramadan , Sanjavasiljevic S , Calic Irena , Zoric Miroslav , Karagic Djura , Surlan-Momirovic Gordana
Published: January 2015

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is one of the main forage species from
temperate regions and it's originated in Eurasia where wild-type populations
are found in the Caucasus Mountains. Considerable variation for this crop has
been recorded for few molecular variations. The identification and
understanding of molecular genetic diversity in red clover accessions will
help in effective genetic conservation along with efficient breeding programs
in this crop. This study has shown molecular diversity using microsatellite
markers in red clover accessions from around of the world. In this
investigation, 40 genotypes have been selected and analyzed using 15 SSR
primers. These primer pairs amplified 1146 polymorphic loci among the
genotypes screened. The number of fragments amplified by each SSR primer
combination varied from 24 for RCS3681 to 109 for RCS1729 with an average
value of 80.78 per primer combination. The SSR marker data was further
analyzed using cluster algorithms and Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA).
The results indicated that the considerable genetic variations were
discovered among the analyzed genotypes. The SSR based clustering could
identify the putative pedigree types of the present red clover types of
diverse origins.
Optimization of ammonia removal by natural zeolite from aqueous solution using response surface methodology
Authors: Mokhtari-Hosseini Zahra , Kazemiyan Ehsan , Tayebee Reza , Shenavaei-Zare Toktam
Published: January 2015

Ammonium removal from aqueous solution was investigated using natural
zeolite. Operating variables were optimized by statistical design for this
process. Eight variables including pH, contact time, dose and size of
adsorbent, initial ammonia concentration, temperature, agitation and
concentration of other adsorbate were screened by Placket-Burman design. The
results indicated particle size, contact time, dose of zeolite and initial
ammonia concentration are effective on removal efficiency with p-value<0.02.
Optimizations of three important factors were conducted by response surface
method. The optimal condition of ammonia removal in terms of removal
efficiency was found to be at 0.18-0.4 mm particle size, 4 min contact time
and 111 g L-1 dose of zeolite. The removal efficiency was found to be 98.25%
at optimal condition. The maximum adsorption capacity of ammonium was 1.276
mg g-1 that was obtained at 0.18-0.4 mm zeolite size, 60 min contact time and
20 g L-1 zeolite dosage. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms adequately
described the adsorption of ammonium ions by HCl-modified natural zeolite.
Activist Academics: What Future?
Authors: Grey Sandra J.
Published: January 2015

Four decades on from the Year of the Student, when university campuses were sites of protest and dissent, it is crucial to consider how the involvement of university academics in activist causes has changed. Using social movement frameworks this article examines how organisational, political and cultural contexts have hindered social and political activism by New Zealand academics. Declining resources and increased accountability mechanisms in the tertiary education sector have intersected with a cultural context dominated by pragmatism and instrumentalism to constrain activism by academics. Despite these constraints, the author argues that it is crucial for academics to be involved in forms of day-to-day resistance and to establish ongoing connections to activist organisations in order to challenge the hegemonic narratives of marketisation and managerialism which are impacting on all parts of New Zealand society, including universities.
Training Teacher-Scholars: A Mentorship Program
Authors: Schnader Anne L. , Westermann Kimberly D. , Hanes Downey Denise , Thibodeau Jay C.
Published: January 2015

This article describes the details of a mentorship program implemented by one university to train accounting doctoral candidates as educators, thus responding to calls by the Pathways Commission (2012), prior research (Gribbin, Sobery, and Braswell 2002; Brink, Glasscock, and Wier 2012), and the AACSB (2013) for thoughtful training of our future teacher-scholars. The two-semester program enables doctoral program directors to meet each doctoral candidate at his/her point of need, includes recommendations for supporting international doctoral candidates, and advocates for an appreciation of the synergies between research and teaching. As such, this study should be of interest to doctoral program directors, doctoral candidates, and administrators.
The City of Providence, RI: A Case Examining the Financial Condition of a U.S. Municipality
Authors: Earley Christine E. , Feng Nancy Chun , Kelly Patrick T.
Published: January 2015

This case is intended for use in a wide variety of learning contexts, including undergraduate and graduate government and not-for-profit accounting courses, advanced accounting courses, public policy courses, along with courses that address municipal pensions at the college or university level, or other training programs. The case achieves four primary objectives: developing proficiency in ratio analyses for a municipality, conducting research related to the financial status of a municipality, improving critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and developing an awareness of potential public interest issues facing municipal leaders. We find that students benefit from analyzing the financial condition of the City of Providence, RI and develop critical thinking skills through their analyses.
Evidence That in Uncontrolled Diabetes, Hyperglucagonemia Is Required for Ketosis but Not for Increased Hepatic Glucose Production or Hyperglycemia
Authors: Meek Thomas H. , Dorfman Mauricio D. , Matsen Miles E. , Fischer Jonathan D. , Cubelo Alexis , Kumar Monica R. , Taborsky Gerald J. , Morton Gregory J.
Published: January 2015

Several lines of evidence implicate excess glucagon secretion in the elevated rates of hepatic glucose production (HGP), hyperglycemia, and ketosis characteristic of uncontrolled insulin-deficient diabetes (uDM), but whether hyperglucagonemia is required for hyperglycemia in this setting is unknown. To address this question, adult male Wistar rats received either streptozotocin (STZ) to induce uDM (STZ-DM) or vehicle and remained nondiabetic. Four days later, animals received daily subcutaneous injections of either the synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide in a dose-escalating regimen to reverse hyperglucagonemia or its vehicle for 10 days. As expected, plasma glucagon levels were elevated in STZ-DM rats, and although liraglutide treatment lowered glucagon levels to those of nondiabetic controls, it failed to attenuate diabetic hyperglycemia, elevated rates of glucose appearance (Ra), or increased hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression. In contrast, it markedly reduced levels of both plasma ketone bodies and hepatic expression of the rate-limiting enzyme involved in ketone body production. To independently confirm this finding, in a separate study, treatment of STZ-DM rats with a glucagon-neutralizing antibody was sufficient to potently lower plasma ketone bodies but failed to normalize elevated levels of either blood glucose or Ra. These data suggest that in rats with uDM, hyperglucagonemia is required for ketosis but not for increased HGP or hyperglycemia.
Pathophysiological Mechanism of Bone Loss in Type 2 Diabetes Involves Inverse Regulation of Osteoblast Function by PGC-1α and Skeletal Muscle Atrogenes: AdipoR1 as a Potential Target for Reversing Diabetes-Induced Osteopenia
Authors: Khan Mohd. Parvez , Singh Abhishek Kumar , Joharapurkar Amit Arvind , Yadav Manisha , Shree Sonal , Kumar Harish , Gurjar Anagha , Mishra Jay Sharan , Tiwari Mahesh Chandra , Nagar Geet Kumar , Kumar Sudhir , Ramachandran Ravishankar , Sharan Anupam , Jain Mukul Rameshchandra , Trivedi Arun Kumar , Maurya Rakesh , Godbole Madan Madhav , Gayen Jiaur Rahaman , Sanyal Sabyasachi , Chattopadhyay Naibedya
Published: January 2015

Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased fracture risk and delayed facture healing; the underlying mechanism, however, remains poorly understood. We systematically investigated skeletal pathology in leptin receptor–deficient diabetic mice on a C57BLKS background (db). Compared with wild type (wt), db mice displayed reduced peak bone mass and age-related trabecular and cortical bone loss. Poor skeletal outcome in db mice contributed high-glucose– and nonesterified fatty acid–induced osteoblast apoptosis that was associated with peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) downregulation and upregulation of skeletal muscle atrogenes in osteoblasts. Osteoblast depletion of the atrogene muscle ring finger protein-1 (MuRF1) protected against gluco- and lipotoxicity-induced apoptosis. Osteoblast-specific PGC-1α upregulation by 6-C-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S)-(+)-5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol (GTDF), an adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) agonist, as well as metformin in db mice that lacked AdipoR1 expression in muscle but not bone restored osteopenia to wt levels without improving diabetes. Both GTDF and metformin protected against gluco- and lipotoxicity-induced osteoblast apoptosis, and depletion of PGC-1α abolished this protection. Although AdipoR1 but not AdipoR2 depletion abolished protection by GTDF, metformin action was not blocked by AdipoR depletion. We conclude that PGC-1α upregulation in osteoblasts could reverse type 2 diabetes–associated deterioration in skeletal health.
Incretin-Based Therapy and Risk of Acute Pancreatitis: A Nationwide Population-Based Case-Control Study
Authors: Thomsen Reimar Wernich , Pedersen Lars , Møller Niels , Kahlert Johnny , Beck-Nielsen Henning , Sørensen Henrik Toft
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the use of incretin-based drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 [DPP4] inhibitors) is associated with acute pancreatitis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was a nationwide population-based case-control study using medical databases in Denmark. Participants were 12,868 patients with a first-time hospitalization for acute pancreatitis between 2005 and 2012 and a population of 128,680 matched control subjects. The main outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) for acute pancreatitis associated with different antihyperglycemic drugs. We adjusted for history of gallstones, alcoholism, obesity, and other pancreatitis-associated comorbidities and medications.

RESULTS

A total of 89 pancreatitis patients (0.69%) and 684 control subjects (0.53%) were ever users of incretins. The crude OR for acute pancreatitis among incretin users was 1.36 (95% CI 1.08–1.69), while it was 1.44 (95% CI 1.34–1.54) among users of other antihyperglycemic drugs. After confounder adjustment, the risk of acute pancreatitis was not increased among incretin users (OR 0.95 [95% CI 0.75–1.21]), including DPP4 inhibitor users (OR 1.04 [95% CI 0.80–1.37]) or GLP-1 receptor agonist users (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.54–1.23]), or among nonincretin antihyperglycemic drug users (OR 1.05 [95% CI 0.98–1.13]), compared with nonusers of any antihyperglycemic drugs. Findings were similar in current versus ever drug users and in patients with pancreatitis risk factors. The adjusted OR comparing incretin-based therapy with other antihyperglycemic therapy internally while also adjusting for diabetes duration and complications was 0.97 (95% CI 0.76–1.23).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the use of incretin-based drugs appears not to be associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis.
Normative Values for Corneal Nerve Morphology Assessed Using Corneal Confocal Microscopy: A Multinational Normative Data Set
Authors: Tavakoli Mitra , Ferdousi Maryam , Petropoulos Ioannis N. , Morris Julie , Pritchard Nicola , Zhivov Andrey , Ziegler Dan , Pacaud Danièle , Romanchuk Kenneth , Perkins Bruce A. , Lovblom Leif E. , Bril Vera , Singleton J. Robinson , Smith Gordon , Boulton Andrew J.M. , Efron Nathan , Malik Rayaz A.
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE

Corneal confocal microscopy is a novel diagnostic technique for the detection of nerve damage and repair in a range of peripheral neuropathies, in particular diabetic neuropathy. Normative reference values are required to enable clinical translation and wider use of this technique. We have therefore undertaken a multicenter collaboration to provide worldwide age-adjusted normative values of corneal nerve fiber parameters.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 1,965 corneal nerve images from 343 healthy volunteers were pooled from six clinical academic centers. All subjects underwent examination with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph corneal confocal microscope. Images of the central corneal subbasal nerve plexus were acquired by each center using a standard protocol and analyzed by three trained examiners using manual tracing and semiautomated software (CCMetrics). Age trends were established using simple linear regression, and normative corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve fiber branch density (CNBD), corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), and corneal nerve fiber tortuosity (CNFT) reference values were calculated using quantile regression analysis.

RESULTS

There was a significant linear age-dependent decrease in CNFD (−0.164 no./mm2 per year for men, P < 0.01, and −0.161 no./mm2 per year for women, P < 0.01). There was no change with age in CNBD (0.192 no./mm2 per year for men, P = 0.26, and −0.050 no./mm2 per year for women, P = 0.78). CNFL decreased in men (−0.045 mm/mm2 per year, P = 0.07) and women (−0.060 mm/mm2 per year, P = 0.02). CNFT increased with age in men (0.044 per year, P < 0.01) and women (0.046 per year, P < 0.01). Height, weight, and BMI did not influence the 5th percentile normative values for any corneal nerve parameter.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides robust worldwide normative reference values for corneal nerve parameters to be used in research and clinical practice in the study of diabetic and other peripheral neuropathies.
Monitoring Landscape Changes in Japan Using Classification of Modis Data Combined with a Landscape Transformation Sere (LTS) Model
Authors: Harada Ippei , Hara Keitarou , Tomita Mizuki , Short Kevin , Park Jonggeol
Published: January 2015

Japan, with over 75% forest cover, is one of the most heavily forested countries in the world. Various types of climax forest are distributed according to latitude and altitude. At the same time, human intervention in Japan has historically been intensive, and many forest habitats show the influence of various levels of disturbance. Furthermore, Japanese landscapes are changing rapidly, and a system of efficient monitoring is needed. The aim of this research was to identify major historical trends in Japanese landscape change and to develop a system for identifying and monitoring patterns of landscape change at the national level. To provide a base for comparison, Warmth Index (WI) climatic data was digitalized and utilized to map potential climax vegetation for all of Japan. Extant Land Use Information System (LUIS) data were then modified and digitalized to generate national level Land Use/Land Cover (LU/LC) distribution maps for 1900, 1950 and 1985. In addition, MODIS data for 2001 acquired by the Tokyo University of Information Sciences were utilized for remote LU/LC classification using an unsupervised method on multi-temporal composite data. Eight classification categories were established using the ISODATA (cluster analyses) method; alpine plant communities, evergreen coniferous forest, evergreen broad-leaved forest, deciduous broad-leaved forest, mixed forest, arable land (irrigated rice paddy, non-irrigated, grassland), urban area, river and marsh. The results of the LUIS analyses and MODIS classifications were interpreted in terms of a Landscape Transformation Sere model assuming that under increasing levels of human disturbance the landscape will change through a series of stages. The results showed that overall forest cover in Japan has actually increased over the century covered by the data; from 72.1% in 1900 to 76.9% in 2001. Comparison of the actual vegetation and the potential vegetation as predicted by WI, however, indicated that in many areas the climax vegetation has been replaced by secondary forests such as conifer timber plantations. This trend was especially strong in the warm and mid temperate zones of western Japan. This research also demonstrated that classification of moderate resolution remote sensing data, interpreted within a LTS framework, can be an effective tool for efficient and repeat monitoring of landscape changes at the national level. In the future, the authors plan to continue utilizing this approach to track rapidly occurring changes in Japanese landscapes at the national level.
Multistate foodborne hepatitis A outbreak among European tourists returning from Egypt– need for reinforced vaccination recommendations, November 2012 to April 2013
Authors: Sane J , MacDonald E , Vold L , Gossner C , Severi E , on behalf of the International Outbreak Investigation Team collective
Published: January 2015

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Start of the 2014/15 influenza season in Europe: drifted influenza A(H3N2) viruses circulate as dominant subtype
Authors: Broberg E , Snacken R , Adlhoch C , Beauté J , Galinska M , Pereyaslov D , Brown C , Penttinen P ,   on behalf of the WHO European Region and the European Influenza Surveillance Network
Published: January 2015

The influenza season 2014/15 started in Europe in week 50 2014 with influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominating. The majority of the A(H3N2) viruses characterised antigenically and/or genetically differ from the northern hemisphere vaccine component which may result in reduced vaccine effectiveness for the season. We therefore anticipate that this season may be more severe than the 2013/14 season. Treating influenza with antivirals in addition to prevention with vaccination will be important.
Patient Safety Initiatives: Are We Ready For It?
Authors: Bhattarai Bal Krishna
Published: January 2015

Not available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v12i1.11978 Health Renaissance 2014;12(1):1-2
Encountering Dapsone Poisoning In a Child at the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Malla Gyanendra , Gauchan B , Chaudhary S , Bhandari R , Gupta P P
Published: January 2015

Dapsone (4, 4’-diaminophenylsulfone), a sulfonamide derivative, was introduced in 1943 as an effective chemotherapeutic agent for leprosy and still is an important drug for the treatment of this disease. Because of its use in various conditions, its toxicity is commonly seen in adults but rare in children. Rapid clinical assessment, measurement of methemoglobin and institution of methylene blue where indicated decreases the morbidity and mortality of dapsone poisoning. We report a case of 2 year old female with accidental ingestion of 20 tablets (20gm) of dapsone.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v12i1.11988Health Renaissance 2014;12(1):52-54
Performing Virtuosity: Queer Embodiment and Administrative Violence at the US–Canadian Border
Authors: Gillespie Benjamin
Published: January 2015

While attempting to cross through the US customs checkpoint in October 2012, Canadian transsexual performance artist Nina Arsenault was detained and interrogated by border security. In addition to being targeted as a transgender woman, Arsenault was also forced to prove her validity as an artist before she was allowed passage into the US, and was subsequently subjected to an intensive artistic evaluation. This article recounts the details of this previously undocumented incident, exposing the scenario as a vivid example of administrative violence precisely because the proscriptive methodologies used by border security refuse to acknowledge Arsenault’s queer form of embodiment. Incorporating extensive interviews in order to recreate the scene from Arsenault’s perspective, Gillespie shows how queer bodies are forced to repeatedly perform virtuosity as a survival tactic at the borders and blockages of normativity. Gillespie argues that in questioning the validity of Arsenault’s queer artistic work, the agents were also inherently questioning her validity as a productive citizen and positioning her as a deviant body.
Performance as Treatment in the James Bay Treaty No. 9
Authors: Kovacs Sasha
Published: January 2015

In 2006 the diary of treaty commissioner George MacMartin was found in the Queen’s University Archives in Kingston, Ontario. In it MacMartin records how and under what terms Mushkegowuk and Anishinaabe communities made treaty in 1905—he records that agreement was “accepted” to the terms as “stated.” This primary source is now the central piece of evidence in the Mushkegowuk Council’s legal case that challenges the terms of Treaty No. 9 as written and suggests that what was “stated” never mentioned that these communities would have their land “taken up” for the purposes of development. It is this story of the treaty that playwright Falen Johnson “takes up” for her new play, Treaty no. 9. This article considers how Johnson, through restaging treaty, conceptualizes a new approach to it—one that foregrounds how performance was used and abused in the signing process to facilitate agreement, and one that should be taken account of in the treaty’s current legal case. This article outlines the pragmatic challenges that this approach to treaty might come up against in the court of law and considers how performance studies frameworks and approaches might legitimize the law’s engagement with the repertoire of this treaty as proof.
Reconciliation Relations
Authors: Robinson Dylan
Published: January 2015

This article asks how the focus on relationships within the emerging public discourse of reconciliation in Canada played out in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission national events (2010–2014). In particular, the article describes the relationships engendered by the structure and staging of one of the TRC’s central forums for survivor testimony: the Commissioners Sharing Panel. I here examine several “relational” performances of reconciliation, both those that script the international significance of Canada’s reconciliation leadership and those that break away from the predetermined role of victim that the TRC’s testimonial forum presupposes. In light of important criticisms of the TRC that acknowledge its compromised spaces of “truth-telling,” I argue that to view them as exclusively co-optive denies residential school survivors and intergenerational survivors agency as anything more than victims.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for spinal metastases with or without separation surgery
Authors: Bate Berkeley G. , Khan Nickalus R. , Kimball Brent Y. , Gabrick Kyle , Weaver Jason
Published: January 2015

OBJECT

In patients with significant epidural spinal cord compression, initial surgical decompression and stabilization of spinal metastases, as opposed to radical oncological resection, provides a margin around the spinal cord that facilitates subsequent treatment with high-dose adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). If a safe margin exists between tumor and spinal cord on initial imaging, then high-dose SRS may be used as the primary therapy, eliminating the need for surgery. Selecting the appropriate approach has shown greater efficacy of tumor control, neurological outcome, and duration of response when compared with external beam radiotherapy, regardless of tumor histology. This study evaluates the efficacy of this treatment approach in a series of 57 consecutive patients.

METHODS

Patients treated for spinal metastases between 2007 and 2011 using the Varian Trilogy Linear Accelerator were identified retrospectively. Each received SRS, with or without initial surgical decompression and instrumentation. Medical records were reviewed to assess neurological outcome and surgical or radiation-induced complications. Magnetic resonance images were obtained for each patient at 3-month intervals posttreatment, and radiographic response was assessed as stability/regression or progression. End points were neurological outcome and local radiographic disease control at death or latest follow-up.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients with 69 lesions were treated with SRS for spinal metastases. Forty-eight cases (70%) were treated with SRS alone, and 21 (30%) were treated with surgery prior to SRS. A single fraction was delivered in 38 cases (55%), while a hypofractionated scheme was used in 31 (45%). The most common histological entities were renal cell, breast, and lung carcinomas. Radiographically, local disease was unchanged or regressed in 63 of 69 tumors (91.3%). Frankel score improved or remained stable in 68 of 69 cases (98.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

SRS, alone or as an adjunct following surgical decompression, provides durable local radiographic disease control while preserving or improving neurological function. This less-invasive alternative to radical spinal oncological resection appears to be effective regardless of tumor histology without sacrificing durability of radiographic or clinical response.