bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adding liraglutide to the backbone therapy of biguanide in patients with coronary artery disease and newly diagnosed type-2 diabetes (the AddHope2 study): a randomised controlled study protocol
Authors: Anholm Christian , Kumarathurai Preman , Klit Malene S , Kristiansen Ole P , Nielsen Olav W , Ladelund Steen , Madsbad Sten , Sajadieh Ahmad , Haugaard Steen B
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) more than doubles the risk of death compared with otherwise matched glucose tolerant patients. The biguanide metformin is the drug of choice in treatment of T2DM and has shown to ameliorate cardiovascular morbidity in patients with T2DM and myocardial infarction (MI). The incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) improves β-cell function, insulin sensitivity and causes weight loss and has been suggested to have beneficial effects on cardiac function. The GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), liraglutide, is currently used for treatment of T2DM but its potential effect on cardiac function has not been investigated in detail. We hypothesised that liraglutide added to metformin backbone therapy in patients with CAD and newly diagnosed T2DM will improve β-cell function and left ventricular systolic function during dobutamine stress.

Methods and analyses

40 patients with CAD and newly diagnosed T2DM will receive the intervention liraglutide+metformin and placebo+metformin in this investigator-initiated, double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over 12 plus 12 weeks intervention study with a 2-week washout period. The primary cardiovascular end point is changes in left ventricular ejection fraction during stress echocardiography. The primary endocrine end point is β-cell function evaluated during a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Secondary end points include heart rate variability, diurnal blood pressure, glucagon suppression and inflammatory response (urine, blood and adipose tissue).

Ethics and dissemination

This study is approved by the Danish Medicines Agency, the Danish Dataprotection Agency and the Regional Committee on Biomedical Research Ethics of the Capital Region of Denmark. The trial will be carried out under the guidance from the GCP unit at Copenhagen University Hospital of Bispebjerg and in accordance with the ICH-GCP guidelines and the Helsinki Declaration.

Trial registrations number

Clinicaltrials.gov ID:NCT01595789, EudraCT: 2011-005405-78.
Wealth, income, and health before and after retirement
Authors: Geyer Siegfried , Spreckelsen Ove , von dem Knesebeck Olaf
Published: July 2014

Background

It was supposed that associations of wealth and health might be higher after retirement than in the economically active periods of life, but no comparisons were available. Most studies on wealth were based on net worth, a measure combining several elements of wealth into an index. We examined associations between different elements of wealth and health by comparing retired women and men with economically active ones.

Method

Data were drawn from the German Socio-Economic Panel, a nationwide longitudinal survey project. Two waves (2002 and 2007) included indicators of wealth in addition to household income and education. Wealth was not depicted by an index. Instead, debts, property of life insurances, home ownership and assets were considered separately with their associations with self-rated health. Two data sets were used to examine whether the results were occasional, or whether they can be replicated.

Results

Associations of income and education emerged in respondents in their active periods of life. In most cases indicators of wealth were associated with subjective health. In retired respondents home ownership was the only indicator yielding consistent associations with health, but their sizes turned out as rather moderate.

Conclusions

Contrary to expectation, the associations of wealth and health were inconsistent in the retired study population. These results were obtained in a country with national pension schemes, and it has to be examined whether the findings can be generalised to other countries. The inconsistent findings of indicators of wealth are calling the utility of net worth into question.
One Health in action: the work of the HAIRS group
Authors: Morgan Dilys
Published: July 2014

The Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group is a collaboration between a number of human and animal health organisations within the UK government. The group aims to provide a ‘joined‐up’ response to emerging diseases that threaten the health of people or animals. Here, Dilys Morgan, who chairs the group, discusses its work, highlighting its response to Schmallenberg virus, and shows how a One Health approach can improve government responses to potential crises
Oroxylin A exerts anti-inflammatory activity on lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse macrophage via Nrf2/ARE activation
Authors: Ye Ming , Wang Qing , Zhang Weifeng , Li Zhiyu , Wang Yajing , Hu Rong
Published: July 2014

Regulating inflammation could be an important measure for the effective treatment of cancer. Here we examine the mechanisms by which oroxylin A inhibits inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. The results demonstrate that pretreatment with oroxylin A (50, 100, and 150 μmol/L) inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mRNA and protein expression of COX-2 and iNOS. In addition, oroxylin A significantly increased the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and NADP(H):quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), induced Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus and up-regulated antioxidant response element (ARE)-luciferase reporter activity. Moreover, oroxylin A inhibited Nrf2 ubiquitination and proteasome activity. Transfection with Nrf2 siRNA knocked down Nrf2 expression and partially reversed oroxylin A-mediated inhibition of LPS-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression. Importantly, we showed for the first time that Nrf2 plays an important role in oroxylin A-suppressed inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. Uncovering the effect of oroxylin A on the regulation of Nrf2 signaling may be beneficial for developing new therapeutic strategies against inflammatory diseases.
Ser9-phosphorylated GSK3β induced by 14-3-3ζ actively antagonizes cell apoptosis in a NF-κB dependent manner
Authors: Gao Xuejuan , He Yujiao , Gao Ling-Mei , Feng Junxia , Xie Yingying , Liu Xiaohui , Liu Langxia
Published: July 2014

The activity of glycogen synthase kinase beta (GSK3β) is mainly regulated by its Ser9 phosphorylation. It has been believed for a long time that Ser9 phosphorylation regulates the functions of GSK3β through inhibition of its kinase activity. In this study, we have confirmed the interaction of Ser9-phosphorylated GSK3β with 14-3-3ζ by using GST pull-down assays. We show that 14-3-3ζ enhances Ser9 phosphorylation of GSK3β by PKC. Surprisingly, using a NF-κB luciferase reporter system, we find that Ser9-phosphorylation of GSK3β promoted by 14-3-3ζ is critical for the activation of NF-κB pathway, which may thwart the pro-apoptotic activity of GSK3β. Inhibition of either NF-κB or GSK3β significantly abolishes the anti-apoptotic effect of 14-3-3ζ and Ser9-phosphorylated GSK3β, suggesting that Ser9-phosphorylated GSK3β actively antagonizes cell apoptosis in a NF-κB dependent manner.
Axial compressive response of large-capacity helical and driven steel piles in cohesive soil
Authors: Elkasabgy Mohamed , El Naggar M. Hesham
Published: July 2014

The axial compression performance of large-capacity helical piles is of significant interest because they can offer an efficient alternative to conventional piling systems in many applications such as in oil processing facilities, transmission towers, and industrial buildings. This paper presents the results of seven full-scale axial compression load tests conducted on 6.0 and 9.0 m large-capacity helical piles and a 6.0 m driven steel pile. The results are considered essential to qualify and quantify the performance characteristics of large-capacity helical piles in cohesive soils. The test piles were close-ended steel shafts with an outer diameter of 324 mm. The test helical piles were either single or double helix, with a helix diameter of 610 mm and interhelix spacing that varied between 1.5 and 4.5 times the helix diameter. The subsurface soil properties at the test site were determined using field and laboratory testing methods. The 6.0 m piles were tested 2 weeks after installation, while the 9.0 m piles were tested 9 months after installation. The load–settlement curves were presented to better understand the behaviour of test piles. An ultimate capacity criterion was proposed to estimate the ultimate load of large-capacity helical piles. The test helical piles developed ultimate resistances up to 1.2–1.8 times that of the driven pile. The load-transfer mechanisms of large-capacity helical piles were studied, and it was found that soil disturbance during pile installation had a significant effect on the pile failure mechanism regardless the value of the interhelix spacing to helix diameter ratio. The mobilized soil strength parameters were back-calculated and compared with the estimated intact soil strength parameters.
Effect of pressure on the gas-phase chemistry when using monomethylsilane and dimethylsilane in hot-wire chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Toukabri Rim , Shi Yujun
Published: July 2014

The effect of source gas pressure on the gas-phase reaction chemistry of dimethylsilane (DMS) and monomethylsilane (MMS) in the hot-wire chemical vapor deposition process has been studied by examining the secondary gas-phase reaction products in a reactor using a soft laser ionization source coupled with mass spectrometry. For DMS, the increase in sample pressure has resulted in the formation of small hydrocarbons, including ethene, acetylene, propene, and propyne. This leads to a switch from silylene dominant chemistry to a free radical dominant one with the pressure increase at low filament temperatures of 1200 and 1300 °C. At the lower pressure of 0.12 Torr, the formation of 1,1,2,2-tetramethyldisilane by dimethylsilylene insertion reaction into the Si–H bond in DMS is favored over trimethylsilane produced from a free radical recombination reaction for a short reaction time. However, when the pressure is increased by 10 times, the gas-phase chemistry becomes dominated by the formation of trimethylsilane. We have demonstrated that trapping of the corresponding active intermediates by the small hydrocarbons produced in situ is responsible for the observed switch. In the study with MMS, the gas-phase chemistry is dominated by the formation of 1,2-dimethyldisilane and 1,3-disilacyclobutane at both pressures of 0.48 and 1.2 Torr. Unlike DMS, the gas-phase reaction chemistry with MMS does not involve free radicals, which are the precursors to produce small hydrocarbons. The absence of small hydrocarbons formed in situ with MMS explains the preservation in chemistry upon the increase in pressure when MMS is used as a source gas.
Mycobacteria entry and trafficking into endothelial cells
Authors: Baltierra-Uribe Shantal Lizbeth , García-Vásquez Manuel de Jesús , Castrejón-Jiménez Nayeli Shantal , Estrella-Piñón Mayra Patricia , Luna-Herrera Julieta , García-Pérez Blanca Estela
Published: July 2014

Endothelial cells are susceptible to infection by mycobacteria, but the endocytic mechanisms that mycobacteria exploit to enter host cells and their mechanisms of intracellular transport are completely unknown. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we determined that the internalization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), Mycobacterium smegmatis (MSM), and Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB) is dependent on the cytoskeleton and is differentially inhibited by cytochalasin D, nocodazole, cycloheximide, wortmannin, and amiloride. Using confocal microscopy, we investigated their endosomal trafficking by analyzing Rab5, Rab7, LAMP-1, and cathepsin D. Our results suggest that MSM exploits macropinocytosis to enter endothelial cells and that the vacuoles containing these bacteria fuse with lysosomes. Conversely, the entry of MTB seems to depend on more than one endocytic route, and the observation that only a subset of the intracellular bacilli was associated with phagolysosomes suggests that these bacteria are able to inhibit endosomal maturation to persist intracellularly. The route of entry for MAB depends mainly on microtubules, which suggests that MAB uses a different trafficking pathway. However, MAB is also able to inhibit endosomal maturation and can replicate intracellularly. Together, these findings provide the first evidence that mycobacteria modulate proteins of host endothelial cells to enter and persist within these cells.
Magnetic properties of small ruthenium clusters in fullerene cage — A DFT study
Authors: Srivastava Sunita , Pahuja Akshu
Published: July 2014

Encapsulation of small clusters in fullerene cages provides a stable environment for their application in nanoscale functional devices. In this paper, first principles study of Ruthenium as an endohedral dopant in buckminsterfullerene has been carried out using density functional theory. Ruthenium atom has three stable dopant sites inside C 60, with three possible values of magnetic moment (4, 2 and 0 μB). The doping position of Ru atom can be seen to have an effect on HOMO–LUMO gap, formation energy, binding energy and magnetic moment of the fullerene cage. The interaction between Ru and C atoms in different conformations can be explained in terms of Mulliken analysis and density of states analysis. It is also possible to encapsulate more than one Ru atoms in the C 60 cage ( Ru n@ C 60, n = 2–6); encapsulation up to six atoms has been analyzed, after which the process is energetically unfavorable. The geometry of the lowest energy structures, compared to the isolated Ru n clusters, is found to change as a result of encapsulation (e.g., in Ru 3@ C 60 and Ru 5@ C 60). A reduction in magnetic moment of Ru clusters inside fullerene cage as compared to isolated clusters also occurs due to hybridization and confinement effects. The varied magnetic moments of Ru -encapsulated C 60 molecules reveal its applications in molecular magnetic devices and quantum peapods.
Effect of Crystal Plasticity Parameters on Microscopic Stress Distribution in Polycrystalline Aggregate Model
Authors: Mikami Yoshiki , Oda Kazuo , Mochizuki Masahito
Published: July 2014

Crystal plasticity parameters for numerical simulations are difficult to experimentally measure on the microscopic scale. One possible approach to avoid the difficulty is to determine the parameters that can be used to reproduce the stress–strain curve by employing a polycrystalline aggregate model. In this study, the effect of crystal plasticity parameters on stress–strain curves on a macroscopic scale and on stress distribution on a microscopic scale was investigated by using polycrystalline aggregate simulation. The parameters investigated were initial slip strength (τ0), initial hardening modulus (h0) and saturation slip strength (τs). The effect of these parameters on macroscopic stress–strain curves was found to be the followings: τ0 controls the yield stress or proof stress, and both h0 and τs control the strain-hardening behavior. The effect of these parameters on microscopic stress distribution was also investigated because similar stress–strain curve can be obtained by using different sets of crystal plasticity parameters. Consequently, even if these parameters are slightly different, a similar microscopic stress distribution can be obtained by properly reproducing the macroscopic stress–strain curve.
Meta-Analysis in Human Neuroimaging: Computational Modeling of Large-Scale Databases
Authors: Fox Peter T. , Lancaster Jack L. , Laird Angela R. , Eickhoff Simon B.
Published: July 2014

Spatial normalization—applying standardized coordinates as anatomical addresses within a reference space—was introduced to human neuroimaging research nearly 30 years ago. Over these three decades, an impressive series of methodological advances have adopted, extended, and popularized this standard. Collectively, this work has generated a methodologically coherent literature of unprecedented rigor, size, and scope. Large-scale online databases have compiled these observations and their associated meta-data, stimulating the development of meta-analytic methods to exploit this expanding corpus. Coordinate-based meta-analytic methods have emerged and evolved in rigor and utility. Early methods computed cross-study consensus, in a manner roughly comparable to traditional (nonimaging) meta-analysis. Recent advances now compute coactivation-based connectivity, connectivity-based functional parcellation, and complex network models powered from data sets representing tens of thousands of subjects. Meta-analyses of human neuroimaging data in large-scale databases now stand at the forefront of computational neurobiology.
Reassessing Models of Basal Ganglia Function and Dysfunction
Authors: Nelson Alexandra B. , Kreitzer Anatol C.
Published: July 2014

The basal ganglia are a series of interconnected subcortical nuclei. The function and dysfunction of these nuclei have been studied intensively in motor control, but more recently our knowledge of these functions has broadened to include prominent roles in cognition and affective control. This review summarizes historical models of basal ganglia function, as well as findings supporting or conflicting with these models, while emphasizing recent work in animals and humans directly testing the hypotheses generated by these models.
Basal Ganglia Circuits for Reward Value–Guided Behavior
Authors: Hikosaka Okihide , Kim Hyoung F. , Yasuda Masaharu , Yamamoto Shinya
Published: July 2014

The basal ganglia are equipped with inhibitory and disinhibitory mechanisms that enable a subject to choose valuable objects and actions. Notably, a value can be determined flexibly by recent experience or stably by prolonged experience. Recent studies have revealed that the head and tail of the caudate nucleus selectively and differentially process flexible and stable values of visual objects. These signals are sent to the superior colliculus through different parts of the substantia nigra so that the animal looks preferentially at high-valued objects, but in different manners. Thus, relying on short-term value memories, the caudate head circuit allows the subject's gaze to move expectantly to recently valued objects. Relying on long-term value memories, the caudate tail circuit allows the subject's gaze to move automatically to previously valued objects. The basal ganglia also contain an equivalent parallel mechanism for action values. Such flexible–stable parallel mechanisms for object and action values create a highly adaptable system for decision making.
Vitamin D as a Neurosteroid Affecting the Developing and Adult Brain
Authors: Groves Natalie J. , McGrath John J. , Burne Thomas H.J.
Published: July 2014

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent throughout the world, and growing evidence supports a requirement for optimal vitamin D levels for the healthy developing and adult brain. Vitamin D has important roles in proliferation and differentiation, calcium signaling within the brain, and neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions; it may also alter neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Recent experimental studies highlight the impact that vitamin D deficiency has on brain function in health and disease. In addition, results from recent animal studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency during adulthood may exacerbate underlying brain disorders and/or worsen recovery from brain stressors. An increasing number of epidemiological studies indicate that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Vitamin D supplementation is readily available and affordable, and this review highlights the need for further research.
Water and electrolyte homeostasis brings balance to physiology
Authors: Pollock Jennifer S. , Ryan Michael J. , Samson Willis K. , Brooks David P.
Published: July 2014

The American Physiological Society officially recognized the area of research in Water and Electrolyte Homeostasis (WEH) over 30 years ago when the Section of WEH was established. This minireview illuminates the importance of WEH research to the physiology community. By the narrowest definition, WEH research studies the regulation of body fluids; however, this research area is much broader and more relevant today than when this subdiscipline was first recognized because of the translational and systemic “point of view” of WEH research. This minireview highlights how WEH research serves as a balanced force between the full range of other more traditional organ-based physiological and pathophysiological concepts. The breadth of research in which WEH investigators engage is on full display with the publication of minireviews from the annual Data Diuresis session at Experimental Biology.
Modulation of phase durations, phase variations, and temporal coordination of the four limbs during quadrupedal split-belt locomotion in intact adult cats
Authors: D'Angelo Giuseppe , Thibaudier Yann , Telonio Alessandro , Hurteau Marie-France , Kuczynski Victoria , Dambreville Charline , Frigon Alain
Published: July 2014

Stepping along curvilinear paths produces speed differences between the inner and outer limb(s). This can be reproduced experimentally by independently controlling left and right speeds with split-belt locomotion. Here we provide additional details on the pattern of the four limbs during quadrupedal split-belt locomotion in intact cats. Six cats performed tied-belt locomotion (same speed bilaterally) and split-belt locomotion where one side (constant side) stepped at constant treadmill speed while the other side (varying side) stepped at several speeds. Cycle, stance, and swing durations changed in parallel in homolateral limbs with shorter and longer stance and swing durations on the fast side, respectively, compared with the slow side. Phase variations were quantified in all four limbs by measuring the slopes of the regressions between stance and cycle durations (rSTA) and between swing and cycle durations (rSW). For a given limb, rSTA and rSW were not significantly different from one another on the constant side whereas on the varying side rSTA increased relative to tied-belt locomotion while rSW became more negative. Phase variations were similar for homolateral limbs. Increasing left-right speed differences produced a large increase in homolateral double support on the slow side, while triple-support periods decreased. Increasing left-right speed differences altered homologous coupling, homolateral coupling on the fast side, and coupling between the fast hindlimb and slow forelimb. Results indicate that homolateral limbs share similar control strategies, only certain features of the interlimb pattern adjust, and spinal locomotor networks of the left and right sides are organized symmetrically.
Contribution of PKC to the maintenance of 5-HT-induced short-term facilitation at sensorimotor synapses ofAplysia
Authors: Zhou Lian , Baxter Douglas A. , Byrne John H.
Published: July 2014

Aplysia sensorimotor synapses provide a useful model system for analyzing molecular processes that contribute to heterosynaptic plasticity. For example, previous studies demonstrated that multiple kinase cascades contribute to serotonin (5-HT)-induced short-term synaptic facilitation (STF), including protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC). Moreover, the contribution of each kinase is believed to depend on the state of the synapse (e.g., depressed or nondepressed) and the time after application of 5-HT. Here, a previously unappreciated role for PKC-dependent processes was revealed to underlie the maintenance of STF at relatively nondepressed synapses. This PKC dependence was revealed when the synapse was stimulated repeatedly after application of 5-HT. The contributions of the PKA and PKC pathways were examined by blocking adenylyl cyclase-coupled 5-HT receptors with methiothepin and by blocking PKC with chelerythrine. STF was assessed 20 s after 5-HT application. The effects of PKC were consistent with enhanced mobilization of transmitter, as assessed by application of hypertonic sucrose solutions to measure the readily releasable pool of vesicles and recovery of the readily releasable pool after depletion. A computational model of transmitter release demonstrated that a PKC-dependent mobilization process was sufficient to explain the maintenance of STF at nondepressed synapses and the facilitation of depressed synapses.
Remarks on the Unimodular Fourier Multipliers onα-Modulation Spaces
Authors: Zhao Guoping , Chen Jiecheng , Guo Weichao
Published: July 2014

We study the boundedness properties of the Fourier multiplier operatoreiμ(D)onα-modulation spacesMp,qs,α  (0≤α<1)and Besov spacesBp,qs(Mp,qs,1). We improve the conditions for the boundedness of Fourier multipliers with compact supports and for the boundedness ofeiμ(D)onMp,qs,α. Ifμis a radial functionϕ(|ξ|)andϕsatisfies some size condition, we obtain the sufficient and necessary conditions for the boundedness ofeiϕ(|D|)betweenMp1,q1s1,αandMp2,q2s2,α.
Distribution and Diversity of Oligochaetes in Selected Ponds of Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, South India
Authors: Ragi M. S. , Jaya D. S.
Published: July 2014

The present study was carried out to evaluate the distribution and diversity of oligochaete fauna in selected ponds of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala, South India. The sediment samples were collected from three ponds seasonally during the period December 2006 to November 2008. In the study, 10 oligochaete species which belong to 8 genera were identified in three selected ponds. These include Dero digitata, Dero nivea, Dero obtusa, Pristina longiseta, Aulophorus furcatus, Stylaria fossularis, Chaetogaster spp., Aeolosoma spp., Tubifex tubifex and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri. Tubifex tubifex and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri are the pollution-indicator oligochaete species identified in the fresh water ponds, which reveals that the studied ponds are subjected to pollution.
Entropy Generation Analysis of Power‐Law Non‐Newtonian Fluid Flow Caused by Micropatterned Moving Surface
Authors: Yazdi M. H. , Hashim I. , Fudholi A. , Ooshaksaraei P. , Sopian K.
Published: July 2014

In the present study, the first and second law analyses of power‐law non‐Newtonian flow over embedded open parallel microchannels within micropatterned permeable continuous moving surface are examined at prescribed surface temperature. A similarity transformation is used to reduce the governing equations to a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The dimensionless entropy generation number is formulated by an integral of the local rate of entropy generation along the width of the surface based on an equal number of microchannels and no‐slip gaps interspersed between those microchannels. The velocity, the temperature, the velocity gradient, and the temperature gradient adjacent to the wall are substituted into this equation resulting from the momentum and energy equations obtained numerically by Dormand‐Prince pair and shooting method. Finally, the entropy generation numbers, as well as the Bejan number, are evaluated. It is noted that the presence of the shear thinning (pseudoplastic) fluids creates entropy along the surface, with an opposite effect resulting from shear thickening (dilatant) fluids.
Common Behaviors of Spinor-Type Instantons in 2D Thirring and 4D Gursey Fermionic Models
Authors: Aydogmus Fatma , Tosyali Eren
Published: July 2014

We investigate two examples of conformal invariant pure spinor fermionic models, which admit particle-like solutions of the classical field equations. For different dimensions and quantum spinor numbers, the vector field visualizations of the models are constructed to provide a better understanding of the spinor-type instanton dynamics in phase space. The hierarchical cluster analysis method investigations of the models are also presented. Finally, the autocorrelation and power spectrum graphs of models are constructed and frequencies of motions are defined.
miRNA Signature in Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells Revealed by High-Throughput Sequencing
Authors: Tan Tao , Zhang Yanfeng , Ji Weizhi , Zheng Ping
Published: July 2014

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) play fundamental roles in spermatogenesis. Although a handful of genes have been discovered as key regulators of SSC self-renewal and differentiation, the regulatory network responsible for SSC function remains unclear. In particular, small RNA signatures during mouse spermatogenesis are not yet systematically investigated. Here, using next generation sequencing, we compared small RNA signatures of in vitro expanded SSCs, testis-derived somatic cells (Sertoli cells), developing germ cells, mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and mouse mesenchymal stem cells among mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to address small RNA transition during mouse spermatogenesis. The results manifest that small RNA transition during mouse spermatogenesis displays overall declined expression profiles of miRNAs and endo-siRNAs, in parallel with elevated expression profiles of piRNAs, resulting in the normal biogenesis of sperms. Meanwhile, several novel miRNAs were preferentially expressed in mouse SSCs, and further investigation of their functional annotation will allow insights into the mechanisms involved in the regulation of SSC activities. We also demonstrated the similarity of miRNA signatures between SSCs and ESCs, thereby providing a new clue to understanding the molecular basis underlying the easy conversion of SSCs to ESCs.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treated with Laser Photocoagulation and the Indirect Effect on Glycaemic Control
Authors: Praidou Anna , Androudi Sofia , Brazitikos Periklis , Karakiulakis George , Papakonstantinou Eleni , Tsinopoulos Ioannis , Dimitrakos Stavros
Published: July 2014

Purpose. To identify any possible relation between glycaemic control and previous laser photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy.Methods. Seventy-two patients with diabetes were included in the study and were separated into 2 groups according to previous treatment (group A) or not (group B) with argon laser photocoagulation. Glycaemic control was estimated by measuring blood levels of HbA1c in four consecutive measurements.Results. Blood levels of HbA1c in group A were significantly lower 3, 6, and 12 months after laser treatment as compared to blood levels of HbA1c before laser treatment (7.1±0.4% versus7.6±0.9%,7.2±0.2% versus7.6±0.9%, and7.1±0.2% versus7.6±0.9%, resp., allP<0.05). Blood levels of HbA1c in group B did not differ significantly in four consecutive measurements.Conclusion. Our results suggest that we should anticipate a better glycaemic control in cases of patients with diabetes previously treated with laser photocoagulation.
Vascular Aging across the Menopause Transition in Healthy Women
Authors: Moreau Kerrie L. , Hildreth Kerry L.
Published: July 2014

Vascular aging, featuring endothelial dysfunction and large artery stiffening, is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). In women, vascular aging appears to be accelerated during the menopause transition, particularly around the late perimenopausal period, presumably related to declines in ovarian function and estrogen levels. The mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction and large artery stiffening with the menopause transition are not completely understood. Oxidative stress and the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α contribute to endothelial dysfunction and large artery stiffening in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women. Habitual endurance exercise attenuates the age-related increase in large artery stiffness in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women and can reverse arterial stiffening to premenopausal levels in estrogen-replete postmenopausal women. In contrast, estrogen status appears to play a key permissive role in the adaptive response of the endothelium to habitual endurance exercise in that endothelial improvements are absent in estrogen-deficient women but present in estrogen-replete women. We review here the current state of knowledge on the biological defects underlying vascular aging across the menopause transition, with particular focus on potential mechanisms, the role of habitual exercise in preserving vascular health, and key areas for future research.
Effects of Parity and Serum Prolactin Levels on the Incidence and Regression of DMBA-Induced Tumors in OFA hr/hr Rats
Authors: Sasso Corina V. , Santiano Flavia E. , López-Fontana Constanza M. , Pistone-Creydt Virginia , Ezquer Marcelo E. , Hapon María B. , Jahn Graciela A. , Carón Rubén W.
Published: July 2014

Prolactin (PRL) is a key player in the development of mammary cancer. We studied the effects of parity or hyperprolactinemia on mammary carcinogenesis in OFA hr/hr treated with 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene. They were divided into three groups: nulliparous (Null), primiparous (PL, after pregnancy and lactation), and hyperprolactinemic rats (I, implanted in the arcuate nucleus with 17β-estradiol). The tumor incidence was similar in the three groups. However, a higher percentage of regressing tumors was evident in the PL group. Serum PRL, mammary development, and mammaryβ-casein content were higher in I rats compared to Null. The expression of hormone receptors was similar in the different groups. However, mammary tissue from PL rats bearing tumors had increased expression of PRL and estrogen alpha receptors compared to rats free of tumors. Our results suggest that serum PRL levels do not have relevance on the incidence of tumors, probably because the low levels of PRL in OFA rats are not further decreased by PL like in other strains. However, supraphysiological levels of PRL affect carcinogenesis. PL induces regression of the tumors due to the differentiation produced on the mammary cells. Alterations in the expression of hormonal receptors may be involved in progression and regression of tumors.
Prevalence of Gene Rearrangements in Mexican Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Population Study—Report from the Mexican Interinstitutional Group for the Identification of the Causes of Childhood Leukemia
Authors: Bekker-Méndez Vilma Carolina , Miranda-Peralta Enrique , Núñez-Enríquez Juan Carlos , Olarte-Carrillo Irma , Guerra-Castillo Francisco Xavier , Pompa-Mera Ericka Nelly , Ocaña-Mondragón Alicia , Rangel-López Angélica , Bernáldez-Ríos Roberto , Medina-Sanson Aurora , Jiménez-Hernández Elva , Amador-Sánchez Raquel , Peñaloza-González José Gabriel , de Diego Flores-Chapa José , Fajardo-Gutiérrez Arturo , Flores-Lujano Janet , Rodríguez-Zepeda María del Carmen , Dorantes-Acosta Elisa María , Bolea-Murga Victoria , Núñez-Villegas Nancy , Velázquez-Aviña Martha Margarita , Torres-Nava José Refugio , Reyes-Zepeda Nancy Carolina , González-Bonilla Cesar , Mejía-Aranguré Juan Manuel
Published: July 2014

Mexico has one of the highest incidences of childhood leukemia worldwide and significantly higher mortality rates for this disease compared with other countries. One possible cause is the high prevalence of gene rearrangements associated with the etiology or with a poor prognosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The aims of this multicenter study were to determine the prevalence of the four most common gene rearrangements [ETV6-RUNX1, TCF3-PBX1, BCR-ABL1, andMLLrearrangements] and to explore their relationship with mortality rates during the first year of treatment in ALL children from Mexico City. Patients were recruited from eight public hospitals during 2010–2012. A total of 282 bone marrow samples were obtained at each child’s diagnosis for screening by conventional and multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to determine the gene rearrangements. Gene rearrangements were detected in 50 (17.7%) patients.ETV6-RUNX1was detected in 21 (7.4%) patients,TCF3-PBX1in 20 (7.1%) patients,BCR-ABL1in 5 (1.8%) patients, andMLLrearrangements in 4 (1.4%) patients. The earliest deaths occurred at months 1, 2, and 3 after diagnosis in patients withMLL, ETV6-RUNX1, andBCR-ABL1gene rearrangements, respectively. Gene rearrangements could be related to the aggressiveness of leukemia observed in Mexican children.
An Action-Based Fine-Grained Access Control Mechanism for Structured Documents and Its Application
Authors: Su Mang , Li Fenghua , Tang Zhi , Yu Yinyan , Zhou Bo
Published: July 2014

This paper presents an action-based fine-grained access control mechanism for structured documents. Firstly, we define a describing model for structured documents and analyze the application scenarios. The describing model could support the permission management on chapters, pages, sections, words, and pictures of structured documents. Secondly, based on the action-based access control (ABAC) model, we propose a fine-grained control protocol for structured documents by introducing temporal state and environmental state. The protocol covering different stages from document creation, to permission specification and usage control are given by using the Z-notation. Finally, we give the implementation of our mechanism and make the comparisons between the existing methods and our mechanism. The result shows that our mechanism could provide the better solution of fine-grained access control for structured documents in complicated networks. Moreover, it is more flexible and practical.
Two‐Dimensional Impact Reconstruction Method for Rail Defect Inspection
Authors: Zhao Jie , Lin Jianhui , Yao Jinbao , Ding Jianming
Published: July 2014

The safety of train operating is seriously menaced by the rail defects, so it is of great significance to inspect rail defects dynamically while the train is operating. This paper presents a two‐dimensional impact reconstruction method to realize the on‐line inspection of rail defects. The proposed method utilizes preprocessing technology to convert time domain vertical vibration signals acquired by wireless sensor network to space signals. The modern time‐frequency analysis method is improved to reconstruct the obtained multisensor information. Then, the image fusion processing technology based on spectrum threshold processing and node color labeling is proposed to reduce the noise, and blank the periodic impact signal caused by rail joints and locomotive running gear. This method can convert the aperiodic impact signals caused by rail defects to partial periodic impact signals, and locate the rail defects. An application indicates that the two‐dimensional impact reconstruction method could display the impact caused by rail defects obviously, and is an effective on‐line rail defects inspection method.
High Potential Source for Biomass Degradation Enzyme Discovery and Environmental Aspects Revealed through Metagenomics of Indian Buffalo Rumen
Authors: Singh K. M. , Reddy Bhaskar , Patel Dishita , Patel A. K. , Parmar Nidhi , Patel Anand , Patel J. B. , Joshi C. G.
Published: July 2014

The complex microbiomes of the rumen functions as an effective system for plant cell wall degradation, and biomass utilization provide genetic resource for degrading microbial enzymes that could be used in the production of biofuel. Therefore the buffalo rumen microbiota was surveyed using shot gun sequencing. This metagenomic sequencing generated 3.9 GB of sequences and data were assembled into 137270 contiguous sequences (contigs). We identified potential 2614 contigs encoding biomass degrading enzymes including glycoside hydrolases (GH: 1943 contigs), carbohydrate binding module (CBM: 23 contigs), glycosyl transferase (GT: 373 contigs), carbohydrate esterases (CE: 259 contigs), and polysaccharide lyases (PE: 16 contigs). The hierarchical clustering of buffalo metagenomes demonstrated the similarities and dissimilarity in microbial community structures and functional capacity. This demonstrates that buffalo rumen microbiome was considerably enriched in functional genes involved in polysaccharide degradation with great prospects to obtain new molecules that may be applied in the biofuel industry.
Early Prediction of Preeclampsia
Authors: Poon Leona C. , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: July 2014

Effective screening for the development of early onset preeclampsia (PE) can be provided in the first-trimester of pregnancy. Screening by a combination of maternal risk factors, uterine artery Doppler, mean arterial pressure, maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, and placental growth factor can identify about 95% of cases of early onset PE for a false-positive rate of 10%.
Secure eHealth‐Care Service on Self‐Organizing Software Platform
Authors: Jung Im Y. , Jang Gil-Jin , Kang Soon-Ju
Published: July 2014

There are several applications connected to IT health devices on the self‐organizing software platform (SoSp) that allow patients or elderly users to be cared for remotely by their family doctors under normal circumstances or during emergencies. An evaluation of the SoSp applied through PAAR watch/self‐organizing software platform router was conducted targeting a simple user interface for aging users, without the existence of extrasettings based on patient movement. On the other hand, like normal medical records, the access to, and transmission of, health information via PAAR watch/self‐organizing software platform requires privacy protection. This paper proposes a security framework for health information management of the SoSp. The proposed framework was designed to ensure easy detection of identification information for typical users. In addition, it provides powerful protection of the user’s health information.
Mathematical Model and Analysis of the Water‐Lubricated Hydrostatic Journal Bearings considering the Translational and Tilting Motions
Authors: Feng Hui-Hui , Xu Chun-Dong , Wan Jie
Published: July 2014

The water‐lubricated bearings have been paid attention for their advantages to reduce the power loss and temperature rise and increase load capacity at high speed. To fully study the complete dynamic coefficients of two water‐lubricated, hydrostatic journal bearings used to support a rigid rotor, a four‐degree‐of‐freedom model considering the translational and tilting motion is presented. The effects of tilting ratio, rotary speed, and eccentricity ratio on the static and dynamic performances of the bearings are investigated. The bulk turbulent Reynolds equation is adopted. The finite difference method and a linear perturbation method are used to calculate the zeroth‐ and first‐order pressure fields to obtain the static and dynamic coefficients. The results suggest that when the tilting ratio is smaller than 0.4 or the eccentricity ratio is smaller than 0.1, the static and dynamic characteristics are relatively insensitive to the tilting and eccentricity ratios; however, for larger tilting or eccentricity ratios, the tilting and eccentric effects should be fully considered. Meanwhile, the rotary speed significantly affects the performance of the hydrostatic, water‐lubricated bearings.
An Extended Time Series Algorithm for Modal Identification from Nonstationary Ambient Response Data Only
Authors: Lin Chang-Sheng , Chiang Dar-Yun , Tseng Tse-Chuan
Published: July 2014

Modal Identification is considered from response data of structural systems under nonstationary ambient vibration. The conventional autoregressive moving average (ARMA) algorithm is applicable to perform modal identification, however, only for stationary‐process vibration. The ergodicity postulate which has been conventionally employed for stationary processes is no longer valid in the case of nonstationary analysis. The objective of this paper is therefore to develop modal‐identification techniques based on the nonstationary time series for linear systems subjected to nonstationary ambient excitation. Nonstationary ARMA model with time‐varying parameters is considered because of its capability of resolving general nonstationary problems. The parameters of moving averaging (MA) model in the nonstationary time‐series algorithm are treated as functions of time and may be represented by a linear combination of base functions and therefore can be used to solve the identification problem of time‐varying parameters. Numerical simulations confirm the validity of the proposed modal‐identification method from nonstationary ambient response data.
Spatial Information in Autonomous Modal Parameter Estimation
Authors: Allemang Randall J. , Phillips Allyn W.
Published: July 2014

Recent work with autonomous modal parameter estimation has shown great promise in the quality of the modal parameter estimation results when compared to results from traditional methods by experienced users. While autonomous modal parameter estimation means slightly different things to different researchers and practitioners, for the purpose of this discussion, autonomous will require an automated procedure which sorts and processes a large number of possible modal parameter solutions to yield one consistent estimate with no user interaction after initial thresholds are chosen. In the work discussed, this final, consistent set of modal parameters is identifiable due to the combination of temporal and spatial information in azdomain state vector of relatively high order (5–10). Since thiszdomain state vector has both complex modal frequency and modal vector information as embedded content, sorting consistent estimates from the multitude of possible solutions is relatively trivial. Because thiszdomain state vector can be developed from the results of any modal parameter estimation method, possible solutions from different traditional methods can be utilized in the autonomous procedure to yield one consistent set of modal parameters.
Effect of Recycling Protocol on Mechanical Strength of Used Mini-Implants
Authors: Estelita Sérgio , Janson Guilherme , Chiqueto Kelly , Ferreira Eduardo Silveira
Published: July 2014

Purpose. This study evaluated the influence of recycling process on the torsional strength of mini-implants.Materials and Methods. Two hundred mini-implants were divided into 4 groups with 50 screws equally distributed in five diameters (1.3 to 1.7 mm): control group (CG): unused mini-implants, G1: mini-implants inserted in pig iliac bone and removed, G2: same protocol of group 1 followed by sonication for cleaning and autoclave sterilization, and G3: same insertion protocol of group 1 followed by sonication for cleaning before and after sandblasting (Al2O3-90 µ) and autoclave sterilization. G2 and G3 mini-implants were weighed after recycling process to evaluate weight loss (W). All the screws were broken to determine the fracture torque (FT). The influence of recycling process on FT and W was evaluated by ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, and multiple linear regression analysis.Results. FT was not influenced by recycling protocols even when sandblasting was added. Sandblasting caused weight loss due to abrasive mechanical stripping of screw surface. Screw diameter was the only variable that affected FT.Conclusions. Torsional strengths of screws that underwent the recycling protocols were not changed. Thus, screw diameter choice can be a more critical step to avoid screw fracture than recycling decision.