bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to be an effective dental implant nurse
Authors: Buffonge Isis
Published: June 2016

Isis Buffonge's career began as a dental nurse began when she was 19 years old at a private dental practice in London. Last month she delivered her presentation at the Dentistry Show on how to support any implant dental procedure. She shares her secrets here…
Self development
Authors: Hancock Dave
Published: June 2016

CPD activities are obligatory but staying informed in other ways can also be useful as Dave Hancock suggests
Changing faces and smiles!
Authors: Bissett Julie
Published: June 2016

We took five dental nurses at various stages of their career, asked them similar questions in a bid to discover what to expect along the way. They talk to Julie Bissett about their journeys
CV writing – getting it right
Authors: Craven Matt
Published: June 2016

CVs are an essential part of your toolkit when it comes to broadening your career horizons. Julie Bissett talks clarity in copy and Matt Craven takes a look at the patterns in people's attitudes and approaches towards your ‘shop window’
7 ways to jeopardise your registration
Authors: Barker Celeste
Published: June 2016

Dental nurse Celeste Barker, a member of the GDC Fitness to Practise panel, offers you an easy-to-reference ‘safety’ list. Test how much you know…
Ultimate outcomes
Authors: Dyas Robert
Published: June 2016

Why is CPD important and why does it matter? In the first of a new series, Robert Dyas investigates how to optimise your talent
What makes a good leader?
Authors: Rowland Nicki
Published: June 2016

Last month, Nicki Rowland described a modern practice manager (PM) as an ‘executive’ and explained what it means to work in an executive capacity. In this article, she explores the activities of ‘leading’ and ‘managing’ in greater detail
Some things are not for sharing
Authors: Talati Shilla
Published: June 2016

Shilla Talati considers this – and other dos and don'ts when it comes to hand hygiene
Are you social media savvy?
Authors: Briggs Leo
Published: June 2016

What can dental nurses do to ensure their behaviour online doesn't come under fire from the GDC or others in the profession? Leo Briggs offers some tips
Prescribing for children with atopic eczema in primary care
Authors: Penzer Rebecca
Published: June 2016

Atopic eczema affects around 1 in 5 children at some point in childhood, so it is important that primary-care clinicians can assess and manage this condition. Rebecca Penzer describes the available topical products and explains how you can develop a patient-centred plan

Atopic eczema is a common childhood condition. this article gives guidance on patient assessment; developing a patient-centred plan of care; the topical products most effective for managing the condition; how optimal adherence to the treatment may be achieved; and when referral to services in secondary care is appropriate.
Effect of Hydrolyzed Anchovy Products on Salty Taste of Dried Noodle
Authors: Lee Jiseon , Cho Hyung-Yong , Lee Mi-Yeon , Ko Eun-Young , Shin Jung-Kue , Choi Mi-Jung
Published: June 2016

The overconsumption of dietary salt is recognized to play a negative effect on human health such as increasing blood pressure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of hydrolyzed anchovy products (HAP) on the salty taste of dried noodle. The physicochemical properties and sensory test of dried noodle were determined at different concentrations of HAP. The lightness of the noodle samples was decreased with increasing levels of HAP whereas their redness and yellowness were increased. There were no significant changes in hardness and texture properties by HAP concentration, compared to those of the control. From the sensory evaluation, the 25% and 50% HAP samples showed a high score on saltiness, preferredness, and overall taste acceptability. Consequently, the HAP could be utilized in dried noodles or cooked noodles as a salt enhancer without significantly altering the charateristics of noodles.
Performance Evaluation for Removing Jujube Seed Using Jujube Seed Removal System During Storage
Authors: Lee Sun-Ho , Kim Young-Keun , Hong Seong-Gi , Park Jong-Ryul
Published: June 2016

Deseeded jujubes are commonly consumed as snacks. This study was conducted to develop a seed-removing machine for jujubes that relieves hard work in manual seed removal. The seed-removing machine consists of a jujube supplying unit, a punching unit, and a discharging unit. To test the performance of the machine, shape characteristics, seed removing rate, sarcocarp cracking rate, and flesh hardness were analyzed throughout the jujube storage period. The machine showed good seed removing and sarcocarp cracking rates at room temperature and cold temperature storage on days 2, 15, and 50. Seed removing rates were 80% at day 15 and 96% at day 50. The sarcocarp cracking rates were 33% for day 15 and 30% for day 50. Hardness started to decrease from day 8 to day 70 at both room temperature and cold temperature storage. The working capacity of the machine was 900 fruits/h. The results showed that the jujube seed removing machine is useful for reducing the labor requirements of postharvest jujube processing.
Improvement of Starch Extraction Efficiency From Potato with Cellulase Family
Authors: Seo Dong-Ho , Kim Mi-Seon , Choi Hyun-Wook , Sung Jung-Min , Choi Yun-Sang , Park Cheon-Seok , Baik Moo-Yeol , Kim Hyun-Seok
Published: June 2016

The objective of this study was to increase starch extraction efficiency from domestic potato by five kinds of foodgrade cellulases (mixture of β-glucanases, pectinase, cellulase, hemicelullase, and β-glucosdiase). Cellulase-treated potato had a maximum of 40% higher starch extraction yield than non-enzyme treated potato. It turned out that the shape and structure of cellulose-treated and nonenzyme-treated potatoes were the same. The average particle size of cellulose-treated potato starch was smaller than non-enzyme treated potato. Interestingly, the small starch granular (<10 μm particle) was shown in extracted starch from cellulose-treated potato. Rapid viscosity analysis showed that starch from cellulase treated potato had lower pasting temperature than starch from nonenzyme-treated potato. The range of the gelatinization temperature (49-62°C) of starches from cellulose-treated potato was broader than that of starches from nonenzyme-treated potato. Therefore, the results of this study confirm that cellulase plays an important role in the extraction of starch from the potato and physicochemical characteristics of potato starch.
The influence of laser re-melting on microstructure and hardness of gas-nitrided steel
Authors: Panfil Dominika , Wach Piotr , Kulka Michał , Michalski Jerzy
Published: June 2016

In this paper, modification of nitrided layer by laser re-melting was presented. The nitriding process has many advantageous properties. Controlled gas nitriding was carried out on 42CrMo4 steel. As a consequence of this process, ε+γ’ compound zone and diffusion zone were produced at the surface. Next, the nitrided layer was laser remelted using TRUMPF TLF 2600 Turbo CO2 laser. Laser tracks were arranged as single tracks with the use of various laser beam powers (P), ranging from 0.39 to 1.04 kW. The effects of laser beam power on the microstructure, dimensions of laser tracks and hardness profiles were analyzed. Laser treatment caused the decomposition of continuous compound zone at the surface and an increase in hardness of previously nitrided layer because of the appearance of martensite in re-melted and heat-affected zones
Optimal resource allocation in industrial complexes by distributed optimization and dynamic pricing
Authors: Wenzel Simon , Paulen Radoslav , Stojanovski Goran , Krämer Stefan , Beisheim Benedikt , Engell Sebastian
Published: June 2016

We address the distributed hierarchical optimization of industrial production complexes where the individual plants
exchange resources via networks. Due to the site-wide couplings a centralized or a distributed hierarchical optimization
is needed to achieve the best overall performance of the site and to balance the networks of the shared resources. We
discuss market-like algorithms that set prices of the shared resources in order to influence the individual optimizers so
that the overall operation converges to the site-wide optimum. A novel algorithm for price adjustment based on the
quadratic approximation of the responses of the individual optimizers is presented. It shows convergence to the site-wide
optimum with significantly less iterations in comparison to the standard subgradient-based method for a set of case
studies, including a petrochemical complex.
On interval-data based Type-1 Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems for uncertain nonlinear dynamic system identification
Authors: Zaidi Salman , Kroll Andreas
Published: June 2016

A novel interval-data based Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy system is proposed to identify uncertain nonlinear dynamic systems by
endowing the classical TS fuzzy system with probability theory and symbolic data analysis. Such systems have variability
in their outputs, that is they produce varying responses each time when the same stimuli is applied to them under the same
condition. Interval data is generated by repeating the identification experiment multiple times and applying the
probabilistic techniques to get soft bounds of output. The interval data is then directly used in the TS fuzzy modelling,
giving rise to interval antecedent and consequent parameters. This method does not require any specific assumption on the
probability distribution of the random variable that models the uncertainty. The developed procedure is demonstrated for
a pneumatic drive system.
Why Don’t Prices Rise during Periods of Peak Demand? Synchronize Demand to Relax Competition
Authors: Miao Chun-Hui
Published: June 2016

During periods of peak demand, frequent markdowns present an empirical puzzle. Based on the idea that stores face capacity constraints in times of high shopping volume, we show that stores keep their off-season prices high in order to lure all consumers to shop around the same time. This relaxes competition and allows stores to raise prices. Due to binding capacity constraints, stores randomize their prices. Thus, our model offers a unified explanation for both the countercyclicality and the high frequency of price changes during periods of peak demand.
Geographic distribution and new localities for cryptic species of the Aneura pinguis complex and Aneura maxima in Poland
Authors: Bączkiewicz Alina , Gonera Patrycja , Buczkowska Katarzyna
Published: June 2016

The genus Aneura is represented in Poland by two species - A. pinguis and A. maxima. A. pinguis in contrast to A. maxima is a complex of cryptic species temporarily named A. pinguis species: A, B, C, and E. All species of the A. pinguis complex and A. maxima differ in their geographic distribution and habitat preferences. A. pinguis species A grows mainly on humus over limestone rocks in the Western Carpathians, A. pinguis species B occurs mainly on clay soil in Bieszczady Mts. and in clayish areas of lowlands, A. pinguis species C grows both in lowlands and mountains and it occupies mostly wet sandy soils, on the shores of oligotrophic lakes and river and mountain stream banks, A. pinguis species E is connected with calcareous rocks in flowing water in mountains. A. maxima grows over the country - both in lowlands and mountains, in marshes situated on the river banks.
Population dynamics of Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. in a new locality in Poland
Authors: Ciosek Marek Tadeusz , Piórek Katarzyna , Sikorski Roman , Trębicka Agata
Published: June 2016

A new locality of Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. in the Wyszków-Jegiel Forest District, in the southern part of Puszcza Biała (ATPOL EC79) is described. This locality is situated on an escarpment, at the edge of Peucedano-Pinetum fresh pine forest with elements of Serratulo-Pinetum mixed pine forest and Potentillo albae-Quercetum steppe oak forest. Good light conditions prevail in the place of plant occurrence. Studies carried out in 2008-2015 showed an increasing trend of P. patens population, though, recently, this population seems to be stable. The number of species accompanying the pasque-flower also increased in this time period. It was found based on the analysis of flora directly neighbouring the clumps of the pasque-flower. During 7 years, the number of taxa increased by 31.5% on plot I and by 25% on plot II. In the years 2011-2013, the pasque-flower was represented both by flowering (1-2) and vegetative individuals. Afterwards, the plant was present only in vegetative stage. The number of its leaves varied in time. The highest number of leaves - 14 per individual - was noted in 2014, and the lowest number (1) - in 2012. The reason for a decline in the number of plant clumps in the site Dalekie and, at the same time, the greatest threat was the excavation of sand from the escarpment. In 2012, this escarpment slid down and several clumps of the pasque-flower were destroyed. Forest management and digging up by wild boars were additional factors limiting the population. To preserve the site of P. patens, measures of active protection should be applied.
Forest certification in Russia: development, current state and problems
Authors: Lukashevich Victor , Shegelman Ilya , Vasilyev Aleksey , Lukashevich Mariia
Published: June 2016

The article analyzes the development of voluntary forest certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) system in Russia. The article is based on the review of diverse information sources, analysis of the reports of timber processing enterprises, personal observations during certification audits, discussions in workgroups, and information collected at training courses. We evaluated the present state of voluntary forest certification in Russia, analyzed non-compliances of the activity of Russian wood processing enterprises with the national standard FSC-STD-RUS-V6-1-2012 and indicated possible reasons for non-fulfillment of the requirements. We also presented problems in the development of forest certification in Russia and possible ways for its further development.

By the end of 2015, about 40 million hectares were certified, approximately 160 certificates were issued on forest management and 440 certificates on chain of custody. The 6th principle of the national forest management standard is the most problematic for logging enterprises. The principle concerns the requirements on the evaluation of impact of enterprise’s activity on the environment. About 40% of non-compliances identified by auditors referred to the indicators of the 6th principle.

We argue that the main problems of forest certification development in Russia are contradictions between the principles and the criteria of FSC and the requirements of Russian forest legislation, retention of biodiversity and high conservation value forests, lack of economic incentives for introduction and implementation of certification requirements, and high cost of audits. Despite the existing problems, the certification remains one of the most important instruments for achieving sustainable forest management in Russia.
Species composition and diversity of non-forest woody vegetation along roads in the agricultural landscape
Authors: Tóth Attila , Kuczman Gabriel , Feriancová Ľubica
Published: June 2016

Non-forest woody vegetation represents an important component of green infrastructure in the agricultural landscape, where natural and semi-natural forest cover has only a low land use proportion. This paper focuses on linear woody vegetation structures along roads in the agricultural landscape and analyses them in three study areas in the Nitra Region, Slovakia. We evaluate species composition and diversity, species occurrence frequency or spatial distribution, their structure according to relatively achievable age and origin. For the evaluation of occurrence frequency, a Frequency Factor was proposed and applied. This factor allows a better comparison of different study areas and results in more representative findings. The study areas were divided into sectors based on visual landscape features, which are easily identifiable in the field, such as intersections and curves in roads, and intersections of roads with other features, such as cadastral or land boundaries, watercourses, etc. Based on the species abundance, woody plants present within the sectors were categorised into 1) predominant, 2) complementary and 3) mixed-in species; and with regard to their origin into 1) autochthonous and 2) allochthonous. Further, trees were categorised into 1) long-lived, 2) medium-lived and 3) short-lived tree species. The main finding is that among trees, mainly allochthonous species dominated. Robinia pseudoacacia L. was the predominant tree species in all three study areas. It was up to 4 times more frequent than other predominant tree species. Introduced tree species prevailed also among complementary and mixed-in species. Among shrubs, mainly native species dominated, while non-native species had a significantly lower proportion and spatial distribution. Based on these findings, several measures have been proposed to improve the overall ecological stability, the proportion and spatial distribution of native woody plant species. The recommendations and measures aim at enhancement of native species biodiversity, landscape identity and character, in order to meet the main landscape and biodiversity challenges identified in key biodiversity and landscape policies of Europe.
Diastereoselective synthesis of dispiro[indoline-3,1′-cyclobutane-2′,3″-indolines] via visible light catalyzed cyclodimerization of 3-phenacylideneoxindoles
Authors: Jiang Yan-Hong , Yang Ren-Yin , Sun Jing , Yan Chao-Guo
Published: June 2016

A simple synthetic protocol was developed for the efficient synthesis of functionalized dispiro[indoline-3,1′-cyclobutane-2′,3″-indolines] with high diastereoselectivity. The reaction proceeds by cyclodimerization reaction of 3-phenacylideneoxindoles in the presence of a catalytic amount of photosensitizer Ru(bpy3)Cl2 and visible light.
The reasons for the different nest shapes of Megapis bees
Authors: Woyke Jerzy , Wilde Jerzy , Wilde Maria
Published: June 2016

Over a 37-year period, we observed 1011 active bee nests and abandoned combs of Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa in Nepal, India, the Philippines, and Bhutan. This article focuses on the reasons for the different shapes of the nests. We discovered that differing ambient conditions were the reasons for the following three shapes of symmetrical nests: vertical semi-ellipse, semicircle, and the horizontal semi-ellipse. We noted that asymmetrical nests were constructed when there was lack of space to extend the comb equally in both external directions. An asymmetrical nest also appeared when remnants of a previous comb remained on one edge of the nest. Convex nests were constructed to avoid excess sun exposure. Concave nests appeared as a result of low temperatures during the night and part of the day (Nepal). An L-shape nest was constructed when there was lack of space available to extend the nest in a straight direction. The shape of the nests also determines the way the combs fall.
Croatian produced unifloral honey characterized according to the protein and proline content and enzyme activities
Authors: Flanjak Ivana , Strelec Ivica , Kenjerić Daniela , Primorac Ljiljana
Published: June 2016

In honey, the content of proteins, including the enzymes, is relatively low and has a minor nutritive significance. On the other hand, the proteins, including the enzymes, are usually used as honey quality evaluation parameters. This is because protein content and enzyme activities vary regarding the botanical origin of the honey. Since the results of protein content, glucose-oxidase, and acid phosphatase, for honeys produced in Croatia, are not available, four of the most abundant honey types produced in Croatia (black locust, sage, chestnut, and honeydew honey) are characterised according to the protein and proline content and enzyme activities. The characterisation was done to determine specificities and contribute to the characterisation of unifloral honeys. Dark honey types (honeydew and chestnut honey) had a higher proline content, and diastase, invertase, and glucose-oxidase activity than lighter sage and black locust honey. Black locust honey has a naturally low enzyme activity and showed the highest acid phosphatase activity among the analysed honey types, while honeydew honey, otherwise known to possess high proline content and enzyme activity, had a low protein content comparable to black locust honey. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between all analysed parameters, with the exception of acid phosphatase activity.
Impact of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) density on wild bee foraging behaviour
Authors: Goras Georgios , Tananaki Chrysoula , Dimou Maria , Tscheulin Thomas , Petanidou Theodora , Thrasyvoulou Andreas
Published: June 2016

Honey bees are globally regarded as important crop pollinators and are also valued for their honey production. They have been introduced on an almost worldwide scale. During recent years, however, several studies argue their possible competition with unmanaged pollinators. Here we examine the possible effects of honey bees on the foraging behaviour of wild bees on Cistus creticus flowers in Northern Greece. We gradually introduced one, five, and eight honey-bee hives per site, each containing ca. 20,000 workers. The visitation frequency and visit duration of wild bees before and after the beehive introductions were measured by flower observation. While the visitation frequencies of wild bees were unaffected, the average time wild bees spent on C. creticus increased with the introduction of the honey-bee hives. Although competition between honey bees and wild bees is often expected, we did not find any clear evidence for significant effects even in honey-bee densities much higher than the European-wide average of 3.1 colonies/km2.
A Massive Aortic Intramural Haematoma – an Aortic Emergency
Authors: Jakó Beáta , Jani Laura , Opincariu Diana , Mester András , Kovács István , Chițu Monica
Published: June 2016

Aortic intramural haematoma (AIH) is a rarely recognized disease characterized by a sudden haemorrhage into aortic media in the absence of any intimal tear. The clinical evolution and mortality rates of AIH are similar to those of acute aortic dissection. However, in the acute clinical care of patients presenting with chest pain of aortic origin, it is important to differentiate intramural haematoma from aortic dissection. A case of an elderly patient with an intramural hematoma (IMH), which progressed to very large dimensions and involved the entire aortic wall, resulting in fatal complications is presented here.
Treatment Difficulties in High Risk Pulmonary Embolism. A Case Report
Authors: Bajka Balázs , Benedek Edvin , Stănescu Alexandra , Rapolti Emese , Chițu Monica , Kovács István
Published: June 2016

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a common and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular emergency. Systemic thrombolysis with intravenous infusion of a thrombolytic agent is generally recommended for treatment of high risk PE. However, this method has known limitations in the presence of high bleeding risk. Catheter-directed thrombolysis has the potential to achieve the same benefits as systemic thrombolysis, with a lower risk of haemorrhage. The case presented is of a 67-year-old male patient with a high risk of pulmonary embolism and contraindications for systemic thrombolysis, in whom the presence of severe comorbidities presented an increased risk of surgical embolectomy, who was successfully treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis.
Does Africa’s LIS Education Address New Forms of Digital Content and Related Right?
Authors: Kawooya Dick
Published: June 2016

As the case is elsewhere in the world, Library and Information Science (LIS) education in Africa is largely lagging behind industry developments with reference to the legal and policy framework regulating digital content and technology. Notwithstanding the importance of information ethics, LIS programmes in Africa tend to predominantly focus on ethical issues at the expense of legal issues. For most LIS programmes, the national legal and policy infrastructure regulating digital technology and content is simply missing in the curriculum. Others only have sprinklings of legal knowledge in the curriculum. Digital technology and content is fundamentally changing the way people in Africa access and consume information. The fundamental question is how prepared are librarians for the ever-changing digital rights associated with digital technology and content? In this paper digital rights refer to the application of traditional human rights to digital technology or digital environments. Second, are LIS programmes in Africa preparing professionals that are capable of navigating the difficult terrain of digital rights as well as engaging in legal and policy discourse on digital rights that affect LIS institutions? The paper is the first step in understanding what is taught by LIS programmes in Africa based on the analysis of course titles and descriptions from 11 programmes. Courses reviewed generally touched on some of the legal and technological issues associated with digital content. However, several of the contemporary issues associated with digital content and rights are missing from the courses and curriculum.
Geodiversity and Biodiversity of the Postglacial Landscape (Dębnica River Catchment, Poland)
Authors: Najwer Alicja , Borysiak Janina , Gudowicz Joanna , Mazurek Małgorzata , Zwoliński Zbigniew
Published: June 2016

The preparation of a proper zoning plan or landscape-ecological plan requires taking into account recognition of the natural values of an area covered by the plan and evaluating its abiotic and biotic diversities. The aim of the paper is to present the new approach to the procedure of geodiversity and biodiversity assessment. This procedure is used to characterise abiotic and biotic heterogeneity of the postglacial landscape modified by a man, tested on Dębnica River catchment (Western Pomerania, Poland). This catchment is a representative example illustrating the landscape of Central European Plain. The analytical algorithm of the geodiversity assessment is based on appropriate selection of the evaluation criteria: lithological, relative heights, landform fragmentation, hydrographical elements and mesoclimatic conditions. Biodiversity was assessed on the basis of real vegetation, potential natural vegetation and the degree of anthropisation of the natural vegetation with respect to syngenesis of plant associations. Seven factor maps were obtained: five for the diversity of abiotic elements, and two for the diversity of biotic elements, which became the basis for the creation of total geodiversity and biodiversity maps. Maps produced in accordance with given methodology may find a wide range of applications.
Thermal Conditions Relative to Atmospheric Circulation in the Christmas Period in Poland
Authors: Tomczyk Arkadiusz M.
Published: June 2016

The main objective of this article was to determine thermal conditions in the Christmas period and the impact of atmospheric circulation on their formation. The article is based on data on the mean daily air temperature for 16 stations in Poland for the 1966-2014 multiannual period. In this period, no statistically significant changes of air temperature were observed, neither in December, nor the Christmas period. The occurrence of averagely warmer holidays was associated with the inflow of maritime polar air masses from the western sector, while colder holidays occurred with the inflow of continental polar air masses from the eastern sector.
Educational Tourism in Protected Natural Areas in South-East of the Baikal Region
Authors: Chizhova Vera , Kirillov Sergey , Slipenchuk Mikchail
Published: June 2016

The paper presents the implementation of the strategy of development of tourism in the south-east of the Baikal region on the territory of the Baikal Biosphere reserve and its subordinate federal sanctuaries. as a result of the field research conducted in the summer of 2014 by a group of staff and students of the Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State university, a project of a tour route for the development of ecotourism and environmental education in the territory of Altacheysky sanctuary has been proposed.
Hyponatremia – unfavourable prognostic factor in hepatic cirrhosis
Authors: Enescu Aurelia , Petrescu F. , Mitruţ P. , Pădureanu V. , Petrescu Octavia Ileana , Albu Valeria Carmen , Moraru Andreea Larisa , Enescu Anca Ştefania
Published: June 2016

Hyponatremia is defined by a level of Na in serum below or equal to 136 mEq/L while in hepatic cirrhosis it is classically considered as relevant only at a level of Na below 130 mEq/L.

Hyponatremia frequently occurs in patients with end-stage hepatic disease. The frequency and severity are variable but it has been estimated that it occurs with a frequency of 57% in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and in those on waiting lists for hepatic transplants. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia are related to dysfunctions of the central nervous system, due to migration of the water from intravascular space to the brain cells, resulting in the occurrence of cerebral edema. Therapeutic options in hyponatremia are limited and are based on restriction of water consumption, exclusion of diuretics and vaptans. Hepatic transplant remains the only definitive treatment for end-stage hepatic diseases in which hyponatremia has occurred.
Prevalence of Asymptomatic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Patients with Carotid Stenosis
Authors: Toncev Slavco , Aleksic Dejan , Toncev Gordana
Published: June 2016

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients with carotid disease and to analyse the influence of cardiovascular risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Methods: Ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm was performed in 200 patients (112 men and 88 women, mean age 65.72±7.71 years) with known carotid disease. The primary cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and smoking) were analysed. Results: We found that 15.5% of patients with carotid stenosis also had abdominal aortic aneurysm. The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm was higher in men (22.23%) than in women (6.81%). There was no correlation between the severity of carotid disease and the diameter of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (p>0.05). Advanced age and smoking were independent risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm is higher in patients with carotid disease than in the general population. Patients with known carotid disease may be candidates for selective screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm detection.
The Effects of High Doses of Nandrolone Decanoate on Cardiac Muscle Tissue
Authors: Sretenovic Jasmina , Zivkovic Vladimir , Srejovic Ivan , Milosavljevic Zoran
Published: June 2016

In recent decades, steroid abuse has become very popular and widespread among professional and recreational athletes. The aim of this study was to examine the chronic effects of training combined with high doses of nandrolone decanoate on cardiac muscle tissue. The study included 32 Wistar albino rats divided into 4 groups: control (T-N-), steroid (T-N+), exercisetraining (T+N-) and exercise plus steroid (T+N+) groups. The T+N- and T+N+ group swam for 4 weeks, 1 hour per day, 5 days per week. The N+ (nandrolone positive groups) received nandrolone decanoate (20 mg/kg) once per week, subcutaneously. After 4 weeks of training, the rats were sacrificed. Heart biopsy specimens were routinely fixed and embedded in paraffin. Fivemicrometre thick sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H/E) and Masson-Trichrome dyes. Captured microscopic images were processed by special software for image analysis to quantify results. Our results showed that the combination of nandrolone and training causes left ventricular wall thickening of 30%. Average cardiac muscle cell longitudinal diameter was increased by 6% in the T-N+ group, by 16% in the T+N- group and by 25% in the T+N+ group. The cross sectional muscle cell area was increased in the T+N+ group by 33%. Heart collagen content was increased in the nandrolone group compared to the control group by 261%. Collagen content was decreased in the T+N+ group by 34%. High doses of AAS induced left ventricle hypertrophy and excessive heart collagen deposition.
Fatigue in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases
Authors: Jovanovic Zorica , Miletic-Drakulic Svetlana , Toncev Gordana , Mihaljevic Olgica , Djukic Svetlana , Jevdjic Jasna , Zivancevic-Simonovic Snezana
Published: June 2016

Fatigue is a common feature in a wide variety of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, but fatigue in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) has not been investigated so far. The aim of this study was to examine fatigue in patients with AITD and to analyse the correlation between fatigue and the serum concentrations of thyroid antibodies, thyroid function and depression. This cross-sectional clinical study included 62 patients with increased concentrations of thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAbs) as confirmation of AITD and 52 healthy individuals who were negative for thyroid antibodies; all controls were euthyroid. Thyroid antibodies, free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were measured in the sera of all subjects. The Fatigue Severity Scale was used to measure the severity of fatigue; the level of depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory. Eight (12.9%) patients had evident fatigue, 7 (11.3%) patients had fatigue limit values, and 47 (75.8%) patients had no fatigue. The frequency of fatigue was highly significant and almost three times higher in the AITD patients compared to the control group, in which only 2 (3.8%) patients had evident fatigue. The majority of patients with fatigue had normal thyroid function, and only one (1.6%) patient had overt hypothyroidism. Seven (11.3%) patients had both fatigue and depression, whereas one (1.6%) patient had fatigue without depression. We did not find significant correlations between fatigue and the concentrations of thyroid antibodies, but we found statistically significant correlations between fatigue and depression in AITD patients.
Galectin-3 Deletion Enhances Visceral Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Dysregulates Glucose Metabolism in Mice on a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Jeftic Ilija , Miletic-Kovacevic Marina , Jovicic Nemanja , Pantic Jelena , Arsenijevic Nebojsa , Lukic Miodrag L. , Pejnovic Nada
Published: June 2016

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) constitute major health problems worldwide. Increased visceral adiposity enhances the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms involved in obesity-associated chronic inflammation in metabolic tissues (metaflammation) that lead to insulin resistance and dysregulated glucose metabolism are incompletely defined. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a β-galactoside-binding lectin, modulates immune/inflammatory responses and specifically binds to metabolic danger molecules. To dissect the role of Gal-3 in obesity and diabetes, Gal-3-deficient (LGALS3-/-) and wild-type (WT) C57Bl/6 male mice were placed on a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal fat) or a standard chow diet (10% kcal fat) for 6 months and metabolic, histological and immunophenotypical analyses of the visceral adipose tissue were performed. HFD-fed LGALS3-/- mice had higher body weights and more body weight gain, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia than diet-matched WT mice. Compared to WT mice, the enlarged VAT in obese LGALS3-/- mice contained larger adipocytes. Additionally, we demonstrate enhanced inflammation in the VAT of LGALS3-/- mice compared with diet-matched WT mice. The VAT of LGALS3-/- mice fed a HFD contained more numerous dendritic cells and proinflammatory F4/80+CD11c+CD11b+ and F4/80high macrophages. In contrast to WT mice, the numbers of CXCR3+ and CD8+ T cells were increased in the VAT of Gal-3-deficient mice after 6 months of high-fat feeding. We provide evidence that Gal-3 ablation results in enhanced HFD-induced adiposity, inflammation in the adipose tissue, insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia. Thus, Gal-3 represents an important regulator of obesity-associated immunometabolic alterations.
Unusual Respiratory Manifestations of Ankylosing Spondylitis – A Case Report
Authors: Cekerevac Ivan , Cupurdija Vojislav , Novkovic Ljiljana , Lazic Zorica , Petrovic Marina , Gajovic Olgica , Susa Romana
Published: June 2016

A male patient, 54 years old, was initially admitted to the hospital because of fatigue he felt during the last month and swelling of the lower legs. Upon hospital admittance, gas exchange analysis showed global respiratory failure: pO2=6.1 kPa, pCO2=10.9 kPa, pH=7.35, A-a gradient = 1.0. Due to the existence of hypercapnia and decompensated respiratory acidosis, the patient was connected to a device for non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Reduced chest mobility was noticed, and the respiratory index value was decreased. Radiographs of the chest and thoracic and lumbo-sacral spine showed marked changes on the spine attributable to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Radiographs of the sacroiliac joints showed reduced sacroiliac joint intraarticular space with signs of subchondral sclerosis. The diagnosis of AS was set on the basis of New York Criteria (bilateral sacroiliitis, grade 3) and clinical criteria (back pain, lumbar spine limitation and chest expansion limitation). HLA typing (HLA B27 +) confirmed the diagnosis of AS. Pulmonary function test proved severe restrictive syndrome. Polysomnography verified the existence of severe obstructive sleep apnoea (AHI =73). This was a patient with newly diagnosed AS, with consequent severe restrictive syndrome and global respiratory failure with severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Thee patient was discharged from the hospital with a NIV (global respiratory failure) device for home use during the night.
A semiparametric nonlinear quantile regression model for financial returns
Authors: Avdulaj Krenar , Barunik Jozef
Published: June 2016

Accurately measuring and forecasting value-at-risk (VaR) remains a challenging task at the heart of financial economic theory. Recently, quantile regression models have been used successfully to capture the conditional quantiles of returns and to forecast VaR accurately. In this paper, we further explore nonlinearities in data and propose to couple realized measures with the nonlinear quantile regression framework to explain and forecast the conditional quantiles of financial returns. The nonlinear quantile regression models are implied by the copula specifications and allow us to capture possible nonlinearities, tail dependence, and asymmetries in the conditional quantiles of financial returns. Using high frequency data that covers most liquid US stocks in seven sectors, we provide ample evidence of asymmetric conditional dependence with different levels of dependence, which are characteristic for each industry. The backtesting results of estimated VaR favour our approach.
Unravelling the diffraction pattern of a twin. I. Fundamentals
Authors: Nespolo Massimo
Published: June 2016

Unravelling the diffraction pattern of a twin consists in assigning each observed intensity to the individuals they come from. The unravel process consists in (1) recognizing the presence of twinning; (2) identifying the twin operations; (3) re-indexing the diffraction pattern of the twin. In case of twin lattice quasi symmetry (TLQS) twinning, the presence of twinning appears in the splitting of the diffractions. For twin lattice symmetry (TLS) twinning, instead, the presence of twinning can be overlooked, but the large fraction of unobserved diffractions and the unusual and complex non-space group absences should draw the investigator’s attention to the possible presence of twinning. Some general criteria to identify the presence of twinning are presented and discussed with examples taken from the literature.
Adducts of urea with pyrazines
Authors: Döring Cindy , Taouss Christina , Strey Mark , Pinkert Lukas , Jones Peter G.
Published: June 2016

The adducts urea:2,3-dimethylpyrazine (1:1) (1), urea:2-methylpyrazine (2:1) (2), urea:2,6-dimethylpyrazine (2:1) (3), urea:2,5-dimethylpyrazine (2:3) (4) and urea:2,5-dimethylpyrazine (2:1) (5), together with the related adduct methylthiourea:2-methylpyrazine (1:1) (6), were prepared and their structures determined. In all cases, the basic motif of the packing is a urea (or thiourea for 6) ribbon consisting of linked

R
2
2

${\rm{R}}_2^2$

(8) rings, to which the pyrazines are often attached by bifurcated hydrogen bond systems. Adducts 1–3 present standard packing patterns of 1:1 or 2:1 urea solvates. Adduct 4 consists of layers of standard 1:1 ribbons, between which are regions of interspersed pyrazines, connected to the main layers by C–H⋯N interactions. Adduct 5 contains the standard ribbons linked by pyrazines in one direction and (urea⋯pyrazine⋯urea) spacers in the other direction. The methylthiourea adduct 6 consists of the usual ribbons with pyrazines attached by two-centre hydrogen bonds (the methyl substituent blocks the formation of bifurcated systems).
MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Imaging for the diagnosis of malignancy in incidentally discovered adrenal masses: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dinnes Jacqueline , Bancos Irina , Ferrante di Ruffano Lavinia , Chortis Vasileios , Davenport Clare , Bayliss Susan , Sahdev Anju , Guest Peter , Fassnacht Martin , Deeks Jonathan J , Arlt Wiebke
Published: June 2016

Objective

Adrenal masses are incidentally discovered in 5% of CT scans. In 2013/2014, 81 million CT examinations were undertaken in the USA and 5 million in the UK. However, uncertainty remains around the optimal imaging approach for diagnosing malignancy. We aimed to review the evidence on the accuracy of imaging tests for differentiating malignant from benign adrenal masses.

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, Science Citation Index, Conference Proceedings Citation Index, and ZETOC (January 1990 to August 2015). We included studies evaluating the accuracy of CT, MRI, or18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG)-PET compared with an adequate histological or imaging-based follow-up reference standard.

Results

We identified 37 studies suitable for inclusion, after screening 5469 references and 525 full-text articles. Studies evaluated the accuracy of CT (n=16), MRI (n=15), and FDG-PET (n=9) and were generally small and at high or unclear risk of bias. Only 19 studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Limited data suggest that CT density >10HU has high sensitivity for detection of adrenal malignancy in participants with no prior indication for adrenal imaging, that is, masses with ≤10HU are unlikely to be malignant. All other estimates of test performance are based on too small numbers.

Conclusions

Despite their widespread use in routine assessment, there is insufficient evidence for the diagnostic value of individual imaging tests in distinguishing benign from malignant adrenal masses. Future research is urgently needed and should include prospective test validation studies for imaging and novel diagnostic approaches alongside detailed health economics analysis.
Imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in preeclampsia and gestational trophoblastic diseases
Authors: Rahat Beenish , Sharma Renuka , Bagga Rashmi , Hamid Abid , Kaur Jyotdeep
Published: June 2016

The invasion cascade exhibited by placental trophoblasts and cancerous cells bears many similarities, and it is attributed to extracellular matrix degradation mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Although proper and controlled invasion by trophoblasts into the maternal uterus is an essential requirement for maintenance of normal pregnancy, any abnormality in this phenomenon results in the development of invasion-related disorders such as gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTDs) and preeclampsia. We studied the epigenetic basis of differential expression of two placental MMPs (MMP2andMMP9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP2andTIMP1) during normal gestation and invasion-related disorders, i.e., preeclampsia and GTDs. Our study suggests the association of H3K9/27me3 with differential expression of these MMPs and their inhibitors, which regulate the placental invasion during normal pregnancy, whereas no role of CpG methylation was observed in the differential expression of MMPs/TIMPs. Further, development of GTDs was associated with abnormally higher expression of these MMPs and lower levels of their inhibitors, whereas the reverse trends were observed for MMPs and their TIMPs in case of preeclampsia, in association with abnormal changes in H3K9/27me3. These results suggest the involvement of higher levels of MMPs in an aggressive invasive behavior depicted by GTDs, whereas lower levels of these MMPs in shallow and poor invasive phenotype associated with preeclampsia. Thus, our study shows the significance of a proper balance regulated by histone trimethylation between differential expression of MMPs and their TIMPs for maintaining normal pregnancy and its deregulation as a contributing factor for pathogenesis of invasive disorders during pregnancy.
El realismo de la verdad: García Bacca lee a William James
Authors: Ferrer García Alberto
Published: June 2016

La afinidad entre el pensamiento americano y los pensadores españoles de finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX, es más clara de lo que en un principio pudiera parecer. En este ensayo analizo la relación entre el filósofo americano W. James (1842-1910) y el filósofo español del exilio J. D. García Bacca (1901-1992). Se muestra como de la lectura del pragmatismo jamesiano García Bacca extrajo una posición que explica varios aspectos de sus posteriores propuestas.http://dx.doi.org/10.15304/ag.35.2.2711
Debate actual sobre los géneros naturales desde una perspectiva lockeana
Authors: Amilburu Martínez Alba
Published: June 2016

El objetivo del presente trabajo es, por un lado, reivindicar la importancia e influencia del enfoque de Locke para la discusión sobre los géneros naturales y, por otro, mostrar cómo su visión y aportaciones en torno al sistema de clasificación natural resultan de gran utilidad para entender en profundidad la compleja geografía del debate contemporáneo sobre estos géneros. En particular, ofrecemos una interpretación según la cual las concepciones de género natural se comprenden como críticas realistas a la posición que sostiene Locke y mostramos cómo una importante tensión que aflora en la propuesta de Locke reaparece en el actual debate sobre los géneros naturales.http://dx.doi.org/10.15304/ag.35.2.2838
El concepto de sobredeterminación en Althusser
Authors: Ambriz Arévalo Gerardo
Published: June 2016

Debates en torno al marxismo se han dado muchos, pero no todos han generado tanta discordia como el que se dio respecto a las obras tempranas de Althusser, en las cuales se asegura que el pensamiento de Marx se divide tajantemente en una etapa de juventud que está fuertemente influida por Hegel y Feuerbach, y en otra de madurez que implica tanto una ruptura con dichas influencias, como una forma científica de entender y explicar los problemas político-sociales.  En este trabajo se analizarán algunos de los argumentos que presentó Althusser, pero poniendo énfasis en el concepto de sobredeterminación, por ser el concepto que mejor refleja el corte epistemológico que postuló sobre Marx.http://dx.doi.org/10.15304/ag.35.2.2847