bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS PARTIALLY MEDIATES THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RACE AND PRENATAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN A SAMPLE OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN ALBERTA
Authors: Roy A , Patten SB , Thurston WE , Tough S
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Prenatal depression is a serious maternal-child health concern; risk factors and health consequences appear more prevalent in Aboriginal communities and ethnic minority groups. However, research on these populations is limited. We examined the following questions: A) How do pregnant Aboriginal women, ethnic minority women and White/Caucasian women compare on levels of depressive symptoms, and on major risk and protective factors? B) Is non-dominant race associated with higher depressive symptoms? C) Through what pathways may race operate to contribute to depressive symptoms?

Methods

Data were from theAll Our Babiesstudy (n=3354 pregnant women from Alberta recruited between 2008–2011). Depressive symptoms were measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression methods were used to assess the following hypotheses: We hypothesized that Aboriginal and ethnic minority women would have significantly higher mean EPDS score estimates relative to White/Caucasian women. The association between race and EPDS score was hypothesized to be partially mediated by risk factors such as socioeconomic factors, health background factors, discrimination, domestic violence, and psychosocial stress. Potential confounders were age, marital status, and parity. Diet and social support were hypothesized as protective buffers between stress and depressive symptoms.

Results

White/Caucasian women appeared to have higher income, better employment and higher social support, and have significantly lower depressive symptoms. The association between race and depressive symptoms appeared partially mediated by socioeconomic factors and psychosocial stress; the attenuation with addition of stress in the model was particularly striking. However, race remained highly statistically significant as a predictor. Social support appeared to moderate the association between stress and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Mental health disparities between pregnant White/Caucasian women and other women are driven by social disparities. A better understanding of the determinants of prenatal depression in specific populations may facilitate more effective public health and clinical interventions.
REVIEW OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
Authors: Park J , Oremus M
Published: December 2014

Background

The burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) has increased greatly. Primary prevention of CVD has been shown to work in developed countries, and is urgently needed in LMIC.

Objective

This literature review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of primary prevention strategies for CVD in LMIC.

Methods

Studies were obtained via a detailed search using Ovid MEDLINE©, EMBASE and Global Health databases, published in English between 1946 and 2013. Included studies were primary research articles aimed at the primary prevention of CVD in LMIC participants over age 15 years. We included studies of interventions targeted to the general population or to groups with specific levels of risk for CVD.

Results

Of 1002 studies that were identified through the initial search, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. The interventions at the general population level mainly consisted of health promotion and education through media, as well as policy implementation and community outreach. The risk-group focused interventions used pharmaceutical treatment of cardiovascular risk factors or CVD education and lifestyle counselling as preventive measures. All but two studies showed significant improvement in at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Primary prevention strategies used in high-risk groups showed greater benefits in reducing physiological cardiovascular risk factors when compared to population-based interventions.

Conclusion

Primary prevention interventions have been shown to be effective at lowering cardiovascular risk factors in LMIC. In general, the included studies indicate that health promotion and education are the most successful prevention strategies. However, due to heterogeneity between the included studies (e.g. different populations or treatment modalities), no valid conclusions on the comparative effectiveness of specific study interventions can be made.
The anti-arrhythmic effect of chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia in rats with metabolic syndrome induced with fructose
Authors: Zhou Jing-Jing , Ma Hui-Jie , Liu Yan , Guan Yue , Maslov Leonid N. , Li De-Pei , Zhang Yi
Published: December 2014

This study investigated the anti-arrhythmic effects from chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) and the cellular mechanisms in rats with metabolic syndrome. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly distributed among the control, fructose-fed (fed with 10% fructose in the drinking water to induce metabolic syndrome), CIHH (42 days of hypobaric hypoxia treatment simulating an altitude of 5000 m a.s.l.: PB = 404 mm Hg, PO2 = 84 mm Hg, 6 h per day), and the CIHH plus fructose (CIHH-F) groups. In anesthetized rats, the arrhythmia score was determined after 30 min of cardiac ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Action potentials (AP) were recorded from isolated ventricular papillary muscles. The arrhythmia score was much lower in CIHH-F rats than in the fructose-fed rats. Under basic conditions, AP duration (APD) was significantly shortened in fructose-fed rats, but obviously prolonged in CIHH rats compared with that of the control rats. During ischemia, the AP amplitude, the maximal rate of rise of phase 0, APD, and resting potential, were lower in the control, fructose-fed, and CIHH-F groups, but were not changed in the CIHH rats. The lower AP during ischemia did not recover after washout for the fructose-fed rats. In conclusion, CIHH protects the heart against ischemia–reperfusion induced arrhythmia in rats with metabolic syndrome. This effect of CIHH is possibly related to baseline prolongation of the AP and attenuation of AP reduction during ischemia–reperfusion.
Lorentz-violating effects on pair production of W bosons in photon collisions
Authors: Aranda J. I. , Ramírez-Zavaleta F. , Tlachino F. J. , Toscano J. J. , Tututi E. S.
Published: December 2014

We examine Lorentz-violating effects that could appear through deviations of the Standard Model gauge couplings WWγ, WWγγ, Zγγ and γγγ. These new physics effects are explored on the γγ→WW reaction at possible future Linear Colliders. In particular, the associated helicity amplitudes are computed in the context of the Standard Model Extension (which is a model that includes Lorentz violation) and the Effective Lagrangian Model (which incorporates new physics effects that respect Lorentz symmetry). We perform an exhaustive study of the polarized differential cross-sections to stand out effects related to Lorentz symmetry violation, where it is evidenced that the effects of Lorentz symmetry violation are more sensitive to the presence of the e background field. We found that for the (±, ±, (L, T+T, L)) polarization state, only Standard Model Extension contributes at the lowest order. For this polarization state, with an integrated luminosity assumed to be 103 fb -1, we estimated up to 1 event for a Lorentz-violating energy scale of 44 TeV.
Enhanced Technology Mapping for FPGAs with Exploration of Cell Configurations
Authors: Zgheib Grace , Ouaiss Iyad
Published: December 2014

In the state-of-the-art field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), logic circuits are synthesized and mapped on clusters of look-up tables. However, arithmetic operations benefit from an existing dedicated adder along with a carry chain used to ensure a fast carry propagation. This carry chain is a dedicated wire available in the architecture of the FPGA and is as such independent of the external programmable routing resources.

In this paper, we propose a variable-structure Boolean matching technology mapper with embedded decomposition techniques to map nonarithmetic logic functions on carry chains. Previously synthesized and mapped logic functions are adapted so that their outputs are routed using the dedicated carry chains instead of the external programmable interconnects. The experimental results show a reduction in the used routing resources as well as the circuit area when using this Boolean matching-based mapper on the Altera Stratix-III FPGA.
THE UNIFORM ORIENTATION STEINER TREE PROBLEM IS NP-HARD
Authors: BRAZIL MARCUS , ZACHARIASEN MARTIN
Published: December 2014

Given a set of n points (known as terminals) and a set of λ ≥ 2 uniformly distributed (legal) orientations in the plane, the uniform orientation Steiner tree problem asks for a minimum-length network that interconnects the terminals with the restriction that the network is composed of line segments using legal orientations only. This problem is also known as the λ-geometry Steiner tree problem. We show that for any fixed λ > 2 the uniform orientation Steiner tree problem is NP-hard. In fact we prove a strictly stronger result, namely that the problem is NP-hard even when the terminals are restricted to lying on two parallel lines.
HARDNESS RESULTS FOR COMPUTING OPTIMAL LOCALLY GABRIEL GRAPHS
Authors: KHOPKAR ABHIJEET , GOVINDARAJAN SATHISH
Published: December 2014

Delaunay and Gabriel graphs are widely studied geometric proximity structures. Motivated by applications in wireless routing, relaxed versions of these graphs known as Locally Delaunay Graphs (LDGs) and Locally Gabriel Graphs (LGGs) were proposed. We propose another generalization of LGGs called Generalized Locally Gabriel Graphs (GLGGs) in the context when certain edges are forbidden in the graph. Unlike a Gabriel Graph, there is no unique LGG or GLGG for a given point set because no edge is necessarily included or excluded. This property allows us to choose an LGG/GLGG that optimizes a parameter of interest in the graph. We show that computing an edge maximum GLGG for a given problem instance is NP-hard and also APX-hard. We also show that computing an LGG on a given point set with dilation ≤ k is NP-hard. Finally, we give an algorithm to verify whether a given geometric graph G = (V,E) is a valid LGG.
Tensor force effect on incompressibility of bubble nucleus
Authors: Wang Yanzhao , Cao Ligang , Gu Jianzhong , Hou Zhaoyu
Published: December 2014

The tensor force effect on the isoscalar giant monopole resonance (ISGMR) of 46 Ar is investigated in the framework of Hartree–Fock (HF) + random phase approximation (RPA) approach with the Skyrme interactions SLy5, SLy5+T and SLy5+ T w. By using the ISGMR excitation energy, the incompressibility value of 46 Ar is extracted. It is shown that the incompressibility is enhanced with the SLy5+T interaction compared to the one with the SLy5 interaction. However, the SLy5+ T w interaction makes the incompressibility smaller because of the bubble structure of 46 Ar .
Single-photon emitters based on NIR color centers in diamond coupled with solid immersion lenses
Authors: Monticone D. Gatto , Forneris J. , Levi M. , Battiato A. , Picollo F. , Olivero P. , Traina P. , Moreva E. , Enrico E. , Brida G. , Degiovanni I. P. , Genovese M. , Amato G. , Boarino L.
Published: December 2014

Single-photon sources represent a key enabling technology in quantum optics, and single color centers in diamond are a promising platform to serve this purpose, due to their high quantum efficiency and photostability at room temperature. The widely studied nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are characterized by several limitations, thus other defects have recently been considered, with a specific focus of centers emitting in the near-infra red (NIR). In the present work, we report on the coupling of native NIR-emitting centers in high-quality single-crystal diamond with solid immersion lens (SIL) structures fabricated by focused ion beam (FIB) lithography. The reported improvements in terms of light collection efficiency make the proposed system an ideal platform for the development of single-photon emitters with appealing photophysical and spectral properties.
Entanglement generation and dynamics for a Bose–Hubbard model in a double-well potential
Authors: Gentile F. , Montorsi A. , Roncaglia M.
Published: December 2014

The study of entanglement between bosonic systems is of primary importance for establishing feasible resources needed for implementing quantum information protocols, both in their interacting atomic or photonic realizations. Atomic systems are particularly efficient in the production of large amounts of entanglement, providing higher information density than conventional qubit entangled states. Such increased quantum resources pave the way to novel fundamental tests of nature and efficient applications in quantum information, metrology and sensing. We consider a basic setup made up of two parties A and B, each one populated by a single level bosonic variable. The bosons are interacting and can hop between A and B, thus describing a two-site Bose–Hubbard Hamiltonian. We consider the generation of quantum states in several situations that cover the majority of physical realizations: ground state, finite temperature, unitary dynamics, dissipation through dephasing and loss of particles. The system is analyzed through truncated exact diagonalization, as a function of the microscopic parameters. The nonseparability of the obtained quantum states is estimated by means of the negativity, which has recently been proven to be a suitable measure of entanglement [M. Roncaglia, A. Montorsi and M. Genovese, Phys. Rev. A 90 (2014) 062303]. Finally, we calculate lower bounds of the entanglement of formation (EOF), an indicator that quantifies the minimal amount of entanglement resources needed to build up such states.
Separating the Components of Default Risk: A Derivative-Based Approach
Authors: Le Anh
Published: December 2014

In this paper, I propose a general pricing framework that allows the risk neutral dynamics of loss given default (Lℚ) and default probabilities (λℚ) to be separately and sequentially discovered. The key is to exploit the differentials in Lℚ exhibited by different securities on the same underlying firm. By using equity and option data, I show that one can efficiently extract pure measures of λℚ that are not contaminated by recovery information. Equipped with this knowledge of pure default dynamics, prices of any defaultable security on the same firm with non-zero recovery can be inverted to compute the associated Lℚ corresponding to that particular security. Using data on credit default swap premiums, I show that, cross-sectionally, λℚ and Lℚ are positively correlated. In particular, this positive correlation is strongly driven by firms' characteristics, including leverage, volatility, profitability and q-ratio. For example, 1% increase in leverage leads to 0.14% increase in λℚ and 0.60% increase in Lℚ.
Elephant Natural History: A Genomic Perspective
Authors: Roca Alfred L. , Ishida Yasuko , Brandt Adam L. , Benjamin Neal R. , Zhao Kai , Georgiadis Nicholas J.
Published: December 2014

We review DNA-based studies of elephants and recently extinct proboscideans. The evidence indicates that little or no nuclear gene flow occurs between African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis), establishing that they comprise separate species. In all elephant species, males disperse, whereas females remain with their natal social group, leading to discordance in the phylogeography of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA patterns. Improvements in ancient DNA methods have permitted sequences to be generated from an increasing number of proboscidean fossils and have definitively established that the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is the closest living relative of the extinct woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius). DNA-based methods have been developed to determine the geographic provenance of confiscated ivory in an effort to aid the conservation of elephants.
Effector-Triggered Immunity: From Pathogen Perception to Robust Defense
Authors: Cui Haitao , Tsuda Kenichi , Parker Jane E.
Published: December 2014

In plant innate immunity, individual cells have the capacity to sense and respond to pathogen attack. Intracellular recognition mechanisms have evolved to intercept perturbations by pathogen virulence factors (effectors) early in host infection and convert it to rapid defense. One key to resistance success is a polymorphic family of intracellular nucleotide-binding/leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) receptors that detect effector interference in different parts of the cell. Effector-activated NLRs connect, in various ways, to a conserved basal resistance network in order to transcriptionally boost defense programs. Effector-triggered immunity displays remarkable robustness against pathogen disturbance, in part by employing compensatory mechanisms within the defense network. Also, the mobility of some NLRs and coordination of resistance pathways across cell compartments provides flexibility to fine-tune immune outputs. Furthermore, a number of NLRs function close to the nuclear chromatin by balancing actions of defense-repressing and defense-activating transcription factors to program cells dynamically for effective disease resistance.
Veritas per structuram
Authors: Harrison Stephen C.
Published: December 2014

When I entered graduate school in 1963, the golden age of molecular biology had just begun, and myoglobin was the only protein with a known high-resolution structure. The romance of working out the structure of a virus by X-ray crystallography nonetheless captured both my imagination and the ensuing 15 years of my scientific life, during which “protein crystallography” began to morph into “structural biology.” The course of the research recounted here follows the broader, 50-year trajectory of structural biology, as I could rarely resist opportunities to capitalize on new technologies when they opened some interesting part of biology to three-dimensional rigor. That fascination shows no sign of subsiding.
Structure, Dynamics, Assembly, and Evolution of Protein Complexes
Authors: Marsh Joseph A. , Teichmann Sarah A.
Published: December 2014

The assembly of individual proteins into functional complexes is fundamental to nearly all biological processes. In recent decades, many thousands of homomeric and heteromeric protein complex structures have been determined, greatly improving our understanding of the fundamental principles that control symmetric and asymmetric quaternary structure organization. Furthermore, our conception of protein complexes has moved beyond static representations to include dynamic aspects of quaternary structure, including conformational changes upon binding, multistep ordered assembly pathways, and structural fluctuations occurring within fully assembled complexes. Finally, major advances have been made in our understanding of protein complex evolution, both in reconstructing evolutionary histories of specific complexes and in elucidating general mechanisms that explain how quaternary structure tends to evolve. The evolution of quaternary structure occurs via changes in self-assembly state or through the gain or loss of protein subunits, and these processes can be driven by both adaptive and nonadaptive influences.
Programmed Necrosis in the Cross Talk of Cell Death and Inflammation
Authors: Chan Francis Ka-Ming , Luz Nivea Farias , Moriwaki Kenta
Published: December 2014

Cell proliferation and cell death are integral elements in maintaining homeostatic balance in metazoans. Disease pathologies ensue when these processes are disturbed. A plethora of evidence indicates that malfunction of cell death can lead to inflammation, autoimmunity, or immunodeficiency. Programmed necrosis or necroptosis is a form of nonapoptotic cell death driven by the receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and its substrate, mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). RIPK3 partners with its upstream adaptors RIPK1, TRIF, or DAI to signal for necroptosis in response to death receptor or Toll-like receptor stimulation, pathogen infection, or sterile cell injury. Necroptosis promotes inflammation through leakage of cellular contents from damaged plasma membranes. Intriguingly, many of the signal adaptors of necroptosis have dual functions in innate immune signaling. This unique signature illustrates the cooperative nature of necroptosis and innate inflammatory signaling pathways in managing cell and organismal stresses from pathogen infection and sterile tissue injury.
Inflammasome-Independent Regulation of IL-1-Family Cytokines
Authors: Netea Mihai G. , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , van der Meer Jos W.M. , Dinarello Charles A. , Joosten Leo A.B.
Published: December 2014

Induction, production, and release of proinflammatory cytokines are essential steps to establish an effective host defense. Cytokines of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) family induce inflammation and regulate T lymphocyte responses while also displaying homeostatic and metabolic activities. With the exception of the IL-1 receptor antagonist, all IL-1 family cytokines lack a signal peptide and require proteolytic processing into an active molecule. One such unique protease is caspase-1, which is activated by protein platforms called the inflammasomes. However, increasing evidence suggests that inflammasomes and caspase-1 are not the only mechanism for processing IL-1 cytokines. IL-1 cytokines are often released as precursors and require extracellular processing for activity. Here we review the inflammasome-independent enzymatic processes that are able to activate IL-1 cytokines, paying special attention to neutrophil-derived serine proteases, which subsequently induce inflammation and modulate host defense. The inflammasome-independent processing of IL-1 cytokines has important consequences for understanding inflammatory diseases, and it impacts the design of IL-1-based modulatory therapies.
Quantitative Sum-Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy of Molecular Surfaces and Interfaces: Lineshape, Polarization, and Orientation
Authors: Wang Hong-Fei , Velarde Luis , Gan Wei , Fu Li
Published: December 2014

Sum-frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) can provide detailed information and understanding of the molecular composition, interactions, and orientational and conformational structure of surfaces and interfaces through quantitative measurement and analysis. In this review, we present the current status of and discuss important recent developments in the measurement of intrinsic SFG spectral lineshapes and formulations for polarization measurements and orientational analysis of SFG-VS spectra. The focus of this review is to present a coherent description of SFG-VS and discuss the main concepts and issues that can help advance this technique as a quantitative analytical research tool for revealing the chemistry and physics of complex molecular surfaces and interfaces.
Coherence in Energy Transfer and Photosynthesis
Authors: Chenu Aurélia , Scholes Gregory D.
Published: December 2014

Ultrafast energy transfer is used to transmit electronic excitation among the many molecules in photosynthetic antenna complexes. Recent experiments and theories have highlighted the role of coherent transfer in femtosecond studies of these proteins, suggesting the need for accurate dynamical models to capture the subtle characteristics of energy transfer mechanisms. Here we discuss how to think about coherence in light harvesting and electronic energy transfer. We review the various fundamental concepts of coherence, spanning from classical phenomena to the quantum superposition, and define coherence in electronic energy transfer. We describe the current status of experimental studies on light-harvesting complexes. Insights into the microscopic process are presented to highlight how and why this is a challenging problem to elucidate. We present an overview of the applicable dynamical theories to model energy transfer in the intermediate coupling regime.
Effects of hydration in rats and mice with polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Hopp Katharina , Wang Xiaofang , Ye Hong , Irazabal María V. , Harris Peter C. , Torres Vicente E.
Published: December 2014

Vasopressin and V2 receptor signaling promote polycystic kidney disease (PKD) progression, raising the question whether suppression of vasopressin release through enhanced hydration can delay disease advancement. Enhanced hydration by adding 5% glucose to the drinking water has proven protective in a rat model orthologous to autosomal recessive PKD. We wanted to exclude a glucose effect and explore the influence of enhanced hydration in a mouse model orthologous to autosomal dominant PKD. PCK rats were assigned to normal water intake (NWI) or high water intake (HWI) groups achieved by feeding a hydrated agar diet (HWI-agar) or by adding 5% glucose to the drinking water (HWI-glucose), with the latter group used to recapitulate previously published results. Homozygous Pkd1 R3277C ( Pkd1RC/RC) mice were assigned to NWI and HWI-agar groups. To evaluate the effectiveness of HWI, kidney weight and histomorphometry were assessed, and urine vasopressin, renal cAMP levels, and phosphodiesterase activities were measured. HWI-agar, like HWI-glucose, reduced urine vasopressin, renal cAMP levels, and PKD severity in PCK rats but not in Pkd1RC/RC mice. Compared with rat kidneys, mouse kidneys had higher phosphodiesterase activity and lower cAMP levels and were less sensitive to the cystogenic effect of 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin, as previously shown for Pkd1RC/RC mice and confirmed here in Pkd2WS25/− mice. We conclude that the effect of enhanced hydration in rat and mouse models of PKD differs. More powerful suppression of V2 receptor-mediated signaling than achievable by enhanced hydration alone may be necessary to affect the development of PKD in mouse models.
Visuomotor adaptation to a visual rotation is gravity dependent
Authors: Toma Simone , Sciutti Alessandra , Papaxanthis Charalambos , Pozzo Thierry
Published: December 2014

Humans perform vertical and horizontal arm motions with different temporal patterns. The specific velocity profiles are chosen by the central nervous system by integrating the gravitational force field to minimize energy expenditure. However, what happens when a visuomotor rotation is applied, so that a motion performed in the horizontal plane is perceived as vertical? We investigated the dynamic of the adaptation of the spatial and temporal properties of a pointing motion during prolonged exposure to a 90° visuomotor rotation, where a horizontal movement was associated with a vertical visual feedback. We found that participants immediately adapted the spatial parameters of motion to the conflicting visual scene in order to keep their arm trajectory straight. In contrast, the initial symmetric velocity profiles specific for a horizontal motion were progressively modified during the conflict exposure, becoming more asymmetric and similar to those appropriate for a vertical motion. Importantly, this visual effect that increased with repetitions was not followed by a consistent aftereffect when the conflicting visual feedback was absent (catch and washout trials). In a control experiment we demonstrated that an intrinsic representation of the temporal structure of perceived vertical motions could provide the error signal allowing for this progressive adaptation of motion timing. These findings suggest that gravity strongly constrains motor learning and the reweighting process between visual and proprioceptive sensory inputs, leading to the selection of a motor plan that is suboptimal in terms of energy expenditure.
Optimal Design of PID Controller for the Speed Control of DC Motor by Using Metaheuristic Techniques
Authors: Sabir Mirza Muhammad , Khan Junaid Ali
Published: December 2014

DC motors are used in numerous industrial applications like servo systems and speed control applications. For such systems, the Proportional+Integral+Derivative (PID) controller is usually the controller of choice due to its ease of implementation, ruggedness, and easy tuning. All the classical methods for PID controller design and tuning provide initial workable values for Kp, Ki, and Kd which are further manually fine-tuned for achieving desired performance. The manual fine tuning of the PID controller parameters is an arduous job which demands expertise and comprehensive knowledge of the domain. In this research work, some metaheuristic algorithms are explored for designing PID controller and a comprehensive comparison is made between these algorithms and classical techniques as well for the purpose of selecting the best technique for PID controller design and parameters tuning.
A Fractional Factorial Design to Study the Effect of Process Variables on the Preparation of Hyaluronidase Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles
Authors: Narayanan K. , Subrahmanyam V. M. , Venkata Rao J.
Published: December 2014

The present study was initiated to understand the effect of PLGA concentration, PVA concentration, internal-external phase ratio, homogenization speed, and homogenization time on mean particle size, zeta potential, and percentage drug encapsulation using fractional factorial design. Using PLGA (50-50) as the carrier, hyaluronidase loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using double emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The particle size was analyzed by dynamic light scattering technique and protein content by Lowry method. The study showed that homogenization speed as an independent variable had maximum effect on particle size and zeta potential. Internal-external phase volume ratio had maximum effect on drug encapsulation. Mean particle size also had high dependency on the combined effect of PVA concentration and phase volume ratio. Using fractional factorial design particle size of <400 nm, zeta potential of <−30 mV, and percentage encapsulation of 15–18% were achieved.
Risk of Second Cancers in Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis of Population Based Cohort Studies
Authors: Saxena Anshul , Rubens Muni , Ramamoorthy Venkataraghavan , Khan Hafiz
Published: December 2014

The risk of second cancers in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) remains uncertain since risk estimates vary worldwide. The global MCC population is growing and there is a demand for better knowledge of prognosis of this disease. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, and EMBASE search engines were searched for the relevant literature between January 1999 and September 2014 by use of explicit search criteria. The main outcome was second malignancies associated with MCC patients measured by standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) or other estimates of risks. Five papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria and reported SIRs of second cancer in MCC which varied from 1.07 to 2.80. Performing meta-analysis using random effects model revealed that there was an increased risk for second malignancies due to MCC (SIR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.10–2.11). There was a significant increase in risk for malignant melanoma (SIR, 3.09; 95% CI, 2.02–4.73) as compared to all common second malignancies among the studies. Updated knowledge about risk of second malignancies in MCC will help in better assessment of the disease prognosis and will help in optimizing the medical and surgical treatment, radiotherapy, follow-up, and surveillance procedures.
Reliability Model Construction for Complex System Based on Common Cause Failure Network
Authors: Li Lijie , Jia Limin , Wang Yanhui
Published: December 2014

A new construction method of system reliability was proposed in this paper based on network and relevant failure. Taking the component units as the nodes and the interaction relationships between the nodes as the side lines, a new directional network reliability model with certain network topology characteristics was constructed. It can indicate the complex topology relationship, interaction mechanism, and the transmission mechanism of failure affect between mechanical integration and electrical integration of system components. Compared with the traditional research methods, the relevant failure was considered during this process. Through the application of the fault data in the bogie system of high-speed train, it was shown that a new network reliability model which considered the relevant failure can be constructed by the method proposed in this paper and the result can be more accurate, especially for the complex mechanical and electrical integration systems.
Use of Auricular Acupressure to Improve the Quality of Life in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Shaoqing , Chen Zhaohui , Fu Ping , Zang Li , Wang Li , Zhai Xi , Gao Fang , Huang Aijing , Zhang Yao
Published: December 2014

Background. Diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suffer from low quality of life (QOL). We aim to assess the effectiveness of auricular acupressure for QOL improvement in these patients. Materials and Methods. Sixty‐two participants were randomly assigned to an auricular or a control arm in a randomized controlled trial. Participants in the auricular arm were instructed to perform auricular acupressure 3–5 times per day for 3 months, when they were receiving conventional treatments. Participants in the control arm received conventional treatments only. The primary outcome was the summarized score of Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short‐Form (KDQOL‐SF) at 3 months after randomization. The secondary outcomes included the 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results. The summarized KDQOL differed significantly between the acupressure (76.6, 95% CI, 72.2 to 81.0) and the control group (61.8, 95% CI, 57.7 to 65.9). Similar results were found in the SF‐36 scores. HbA1c and eGFR were not found to be significantly different between the arms and neither were the adverse events. Conclusion. Auricular acupressure was well tolerated in diabetic patients with chronic kidney diseases receiving hemodialysis. Future research is needed to confirm these results.
Past Cigarette Smoking Is More Common among Those with Cholinergic Than Noncholinergic Dementias
Authors: Dalrymple Kyle , Saito Erin K. , Diaz Natalie , Morrow Julia , Nakamoto Beau , McMurtray Aaron M.
Published: December 2014

Background. Patients with progressive dementing disorders associated with cortical cholinergic dysfunction gradually develop cholinergic deficits many years before symptom onset and may begin to smoke cigarettes during midlife as a form of self-medication. The aim of this study was to compare self-reported past smoking rates between those with and without cholinergic dementias, to determine if those who developed cholinergic dementias were more likely to smoke during midlife than those who did not.Methods. Retrospective cross-sectional study of past smoking status among patients treated at an outpatient clinic during a three-year period.Results. A total of 440 patients were evaluated during the study period, including 224 with cholinergic dementias and 216 with noncholinergic dementias and controls. Past smoking rates were greater among those with cholinergic dementias compared to those without cholinergic dementias (43.92% versus 26.96%,P=0.012). Additionally, smokers with cholinergic dementias reported significantly greater mean pack-years of smoking (P=0.038).Conclusions. Greater midlife smoking rates and greater pack-years of smoking were associated with cholinergic dementias. These results suggest midlife smoking may be an early indicator for those developing brain cholinergic deficits related to progressive dementing disorders and support initiating treatment prior to symptom onset in cholinergic dementias.
Spinal Cord Glioneuronal Tumor with Rosetted Neuropil-Like Islands in Pediatric Age Group
Authors: Comunoglu Nil , Kilickesmez Ozgur , Oz Buge
Published: December 2014

Glioneuronal neoplasms are rare tumors. Recently, an unusual glioneuronal tumor histologically showing neuropil-like islands has been described. Here, we present such a tumor originating from spinal cord of a 14-year-old girl, who has scoliosis and urinary incontinence. Microscopically, the glial component was chiefly fibrillary astrocytic, punctuated by neuropil-like islands. Immunohistochemically, glial tissue was GFAP positive, and neuropil-like areas and big neurons were synaptophysin reactive. For astrocytic component Ki-67 proliferation index was 1% and p53 was immunonegative. This case is unique in that in the literature it is the second reported case in pediatric age group that is located at spinal cord.
Low Dose X-Ray Sources and High Quantum Efficiency Sensors: The Next Challenge in Dental Digital Imaging?
Authors: Mistry Arnav R. , Uzbelger Feldman Daniel , Yang Jie , Ryterski Eric
Published: December 2014

Objective(s). The major challenge encountered to decrease the milliamperes (mA) level in X-ray imaging systems is the quantum noise phenomena. This investigation evaluated dose exposure and image resolution of a low dose X-ray imaging (LDXI) prototype comprising a low mA X-ray source and a novel microlens-based sensor relative to current imaging technologies.Study Design. A LDXI in static (group 1) and dynamic (group 2) modes was compared to medical fluoroscopy (group 3), digital intraoral radiography (group 4), and CBCT scan (group 5) using a dental phantom.Results. The Mann-Whitney test showed no statistical significance(α=0.01)in dose exposure between groups 1 and 3 and 1 and 4 and timing exposure (seconds) between groups 1 and 5 and 2 and 3. Image resolution test showed group 1 > group 4 > group 2 > group 3 > group 5.Conclusions. The LDXI proved the concept for obtaining a high definition image resolution for static and dynamic radiography at lower or similar dose exposure and smaller pixel size, respectively, when compared to current imaging technologies. Lower mA at the X-ray source and high QE at the detector level principles with microlens could be applied to current imaging technologies to considerably reduce dose exposure without compromising image resolution in the near future.
Sustainable Design of a Nearly Zero Energy Building Facilitated by a Smart Microgrid
Authors: Habash Gandhi , Chapotchkine Daniel , Fisher Peter , Rancourt Alec , Habash Riadh , Norris Will
Published: December 2014

One of the emerging milestones in building construction is the development of nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs). This complex concept is defined as buildings that on a yearly average consume as much energy as they generate using renewable energy sources. Realization of NZEBs requires a wide range of technologies, systems, and solutions with varying degrees of complexity and sophistication, depending upon the location and surrounding environmental conditions. This paper will address the role of the above technologies and solutions and discusses the challenges being faced. The objective is to maximize energy efficiency, optimize occupant comfort, and reduce dependency on both the grid and the municipal potable water supply by implementing sustainable strategies in designing a research and sports facility. Creative solutions by the architectural and engineering team capitalize on the design of a unique glazing system; energy efficient technologies; water use reduction techniques; and a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) microgrid (MG) with integrated control aspects and renewable energy sources.
Epicardial Fat Thickness as Cardiovascular Risk Factor and Therapeutic Target in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Biological and Nonbiological Therapies
Authors: Lima-Martínez Marcos M. , Campo Ediris , Salazar Johanmary , Paoli Mariela , Maldonado Irama , Acosta Carlota , Rodney Marianela , Contreras Miguel , Cabrera-Rego Julio O. , Iacobellis Gianluca
Published: December 2014

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness may act as a therapeutic target during treatments with drugs modulating the adipose tissue. We evaluate EAT thickness in RA patients treated with biological and nonbiological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). A cross-sectional study was conducted with a cohort of 34 female RA patients and 16 controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Plasma glucose, basal insulin, plasma lipids, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed. EAT thickness and left ventricular mass (LVM) were measured by echocardiography. No significant differences in waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, basal insulin, and lipid parameters were found between the groups. The control group showed lower concentrations (P=0.033) of hs-CRP and LVM (P=0.0001) than those of the two RA groups. Patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors showed significantly lower EAT thickness than those treated with nonbiological DMARDs (8.56 ± 1.90 mm versus 9.71 ± 1.45 mm; P=0.04). Women with no RA revealed reduced EAT thickness (5.39 ± 1.52 mm) as compared to all RA patients (P=0.001). Results suggest that RA patients have greater EAT thickness than controls regardless of BMI and WC.
Trend and Pattern of Herb and Supplement Use in the United States: Results from the 2002, 2007, and 2012 National Health Interview Surveys
Authors: Wu Chung-Hsuen , Wang Chi-Chuan , Tsai Meng-Ting , Huang Wan-Ting , Kennedy Jae
Published: December 2014

Background. In 1990s, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including use of herbs and supplements, gained popularity in the United States. However, more recent surveys suggest that demand for herbs and supplements has stabilized. Objective. This study examined the prevalence, patterns, and changes in herb and supplement use among the US adults, using the 2002, 2007, and 2012 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS). Methods. Weighted population estimates were derived from three complementary and alternative medicine supplements to the NHIS. Prevalence rates for herb and supplement use were compared, using Wald chi‐square tests to measure changes between years. Results. An estimated 40.6 million US adults reported herb and supplement use in 2012. However, the rate of herb and supplement use dropped from 18.9% in 2002 to 17.9% in 2007 and 2012 (P <  0.05). This decline in use was more pronounced among women, racial or ethnic minorities, and adults with low incomes. Conclusion. Herb and supplements use remains common in the USA, but adult use rates are on the decline. It is still important for health care providers to ask patients about herb and supplement use.
Dental Management of a 14-Year-Old with Cockayne Syndrome under General Anesthesia
Authors: Gaddam Divya , Thakur Mukesh Singh , Krothapalli Niranjani , Kaniti Saujanya
Published: December 2014

Cockayne’s syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized clinically by cachectic dwarfism, cutaneous photosensitivity, loss of adipose tissue, mental retardation, skeletal and neurological abnormalities, and pigmentary degeneration of the retina. Dental caries is a common finding. Dental rehabilitation of a 14-year-old male with Cockayne’s syndrome is presented.
A Prospective Follow-up Study of the Relationship between C-Reactive Protein and Human Cancer Risk in the Chinese Kailuan Female Cohort
Authors: Wang Gang , Li Ni , Chang Sheng , Bassig Bryan A. , Guo Lanwei , Ren Jiansong , Su Kai , Li Fang , Chen Shuohua , Wu Shouling , Zou Yuhuan , Dai Min , Zheng Tongzhang , He Jie
Published: December 2014

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been associated with cancer risk in some prospective studies. However, the associations have not been entirely consistent and have not been evaluated in Chinese females. We conducted a large population-based cohort study to investigate whether elevated levels of CRP at baseline are associated with an increased risk of cancer among Chinese females.

Methods: A total of 19,437 women from the Chinese Kailuan Female Cohort were enrolled in the study in July 2006. Levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) were tested at baseline for all subjects. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association between levels of hsCRP and risk of all cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and other cancers.

Results: By December 31, 2011, a total of 322 incident cancer cases accrued. Compared with women with lower hsCRP levels (<1 mg/L), women with higher hsCRP (>3 mg/L) had a significantly increased risk of all incident cancers [HR, 1.62; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.23–2.14; Ptrend = 0.001] and breast cancer (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.01–2.97; Ptrend = 0.047). The significant association between hsCRP levels and breast cancer risk was apparent among younger women (<50 years; HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.18–6.48).

Conclusion: Elevated levels of hsCRP at baseline may be associated with an increased risk of cancer, especially breast cancer, and particularly in younger Chinese women.

Impact: Our findings provide additional evidence for a role of inflammation in carcinogenesis and suggest that CRP may be a potentially useful biomarker of cancer risk in this population. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(2); 459–65. ©2014 AACR.
ANG4043, a Novel Brain-Penetrant Peptide–mAb Conjugate, Is Efficacious against HER2-Positive Intracranial Tumors in Mice
Authors: Regina Anthony , Demeule Michel , Tripathy Sasmita , Lord-Dufour Simon , Currie Jean-Christophe , Iddir Mustapha , Annabi Borhane , Castaigne Jean-Paul , Lachowicz Jean E.
Published: December 2014

Anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been shown to reduce tumor size and increase survival in patients with breast cancer, but they are ineffective against brain metastases due to poor brain penetration. In previous studies, we identified a peptide, known as Angiopep-2 (An2), which crosses the blood–brain barrier (BBB) efficiently via receptor-mediated transcytosis, and, when conjugated, endows small molecules and peptides with this property. Extending this strategy to higher molecular weight biologics, we now demonstrate that a conjugate between An2 and an anti-HER2 mAb results in a new chemical entity, ANG4043, which retains in vitro binding affinity for the HER2 receptor and antiproliferative potency against HER2-positive BT-474 breast ductal carcinoma cells. Unlike the native mAb, ANG4043 binds LRP1 clusters and is taken up by LRP1-expressing cells. Measuring brain exposure after intracarotid delivery, we demonstrate that the new An2–mAb conjugate penetrates the BBB with a rate of brain entry (Kin) of 1.6 × 10−3 mL/g/s. Finally, in mice with intracranially implanted BT-474 xenografts, systemically administered ANG4043 increases survival. Overall, this study demonstrates that the incorporation of An2 to the anti-HER2 mAb confers properties of increased uptake in brain endothelial cells as well as BBB permeability. These characteristics of ANG4043 result in higher exposure levels in BT-474 brain tumors and prolonged survival following systemic treatment. Moreover, the data further validate the An2–drug conjugation strategy as a way to create brain-penetrant biologics for neuro-oncology and other CNS indications. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(1); 129–40. ©2014 AACR.