bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in folliculostellate cells of rat anterior pituitary gland
Authors: Ilmiawati Cimi , Horiguchi Kotaro , Fujiwara Ken , Yashiro Takashi
Published: December 2011

Folliculostellate (FS) cells of the anterior pituitary gland express a variety of regulatory molecules. Using transgenic rats that express green fluorescent protein specifically in FS cells, we recently demonstrated that FS cellsin vitroshowed marked changes in motility, proliferation, and that formation of cellular interconnections in the presence of laminin, a component of the extracellular matrix, closely resembled those observedin vivo. These findings suggested that FS cells express matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which assists their function on laminin. In the present study, we investigate MMP-9 expression in rat anterior pituitary gland and examine its role in motility and proliferation of FS cells on laminin. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and gelatin zymography were performed to assess MMP-9 expression in the anterior pituitary gland and cultured FS cells. Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify MMP-9 expression in cultured FS cells under different conditions and treatments. MMP-9 expression was inhibited by pharmacological inhibitor or downregulated by siRNA and time-lapse images were acquired. A 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine assay was performed to analyze the proliferation of FS cells. Our results showed that MMP-9 was expressed in FS cells, that this expression was upregulated by laminin, and that laminin induced MMP-9 secretion by FS cells. MMP-9 inhibition and downregulation did not impair FS motility; however, it did impair the capacity of FS cells to form interconnections and it significantly inhibited proliferation of FS cells on laminin. We conclude that MMP-9 is necessary in FS cell interconnection and proliferation in the presence of laminin.
Shared Decision-Making and Health Care Expenditures Among Children With Special Health Care Needs
Authors: Fiks Alexander G. , Mayne Stephanie , Localio A. Russell , Alessandrini Evaline A. , Guevara James P.
Published: December 2011

Background And Objectives

To understand the association between shared decision-making (SDM) and health care expenditures and use among children with special health care needs (CSHCN).

Methods

We identified CSHCN <18 years in the 2002–2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey by using the CSHCN Screener. Outcomes included health care expenditures (total, out-of-pocket, office-based, inpatient, emergency department [ED], and prescription) and utilization (hospitalization, ED and office visit, and prescription rates). The main exposure was the pattern of SDM over the 2 study years (increasing, decreasing, or unchanged high or low). We assessed the impact of these patterns on the change in expenditures and utilization over the 2 study years.

Results

Among 2858 subjects representing 12 million CSHCN, 15.9% had increasing, 15.2% decreasing, 51.9% unchanged high, and 17.0% unchanged low SDM. At baseline, mean per child total expenditures were $2131. Over the 2 study years, increasing SDM was associated with a decrease of $339 (95% confidence interval: $21, $660) in total health care costs. Rates of hospitalization and ED visits declined by 4.0 (0.1, 7.9) and 11.3 (4.3, 18.3) per 100 CSHCN, and office visits by 1.2 (0.3, 2.0) per child with increasing SDM. Relative to decreasing SDM, increasing SDM was associated with significantly lower total and out-of-pocket costs, and fewer office visits.

Conclusions

We found that increasing SDM was associated with decreased utilization and expenditures for CSHCN. Prospective study is warranted to confirm if fostering SDM reduces the costs of caring for CSHCN for the health system and families.
Mortality and Adverse Neurologic Outcomes Are Greater in Preterm Male Infants
Authors: Kent Alison L. , Wright Ian M. R. , Abdel-Latif Mohamed E. ,   the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Neonatal Intensive Care Units Audit Group
Published: December 2011

Objective:

To determine whether male gender has an effect on survival, early neonatal morbidity, and long-term outcome in neonates born extremely prematurely.

Methods:

Retrospective review of the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Data Collection of all infants admitted to New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory neonatal intensive care units between January 1998 and December 2004. The primary outcome was hospital mortality and functional impairment at 2 to 3 years follow-up.

Results:

Included in the study were 2549 neonates; 54.7% were male. Risks of grade III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, and major surgery were found to be increased in male neonates. Hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.285, 95% confidence interval 1.035–1.595) and moderate to severe functional disability at 2 to 3 years of age (odds ratio 1.877, 95% confidence interval 1.398–2.521) were more likely in male infants. Gender differences for mortality and long-term neurologic outcome loses significance at 27 weeks gestation.

Conclusions:

In the modern era of neonatal management, male infants still have higher mortality and poorer long-term neurologic outcome. Gender differences for mortality and long-term neurologic outcome appear to lose significance at 27 weeks gestation.
A compression line for soils with evolving particle and pore size distributions due to particle crushing
Authors: RUSSELL A. R.
Published: December 2011

In this study it is supposed that energy is dissipated in two ways when particle crushing occurs. The first is the release of strain energy stored in the crushed particle and is analogous to the creation of surface. The second is due to the load redistribution and change of stored strain energy of the surrounding soil. Terms for these two mechanisms are included in a Cam-clay type energy equation. By defining particle and pore size distributions during the crushing process using fractals, and by equating particle and pore surface areas, a closed-form expression is obtained for a limiting compression line in the double logarithmic voids ratio–stress plane. The limiting compression line and the evolving particle size distribution are matched well by the theory for two silica sands loaded in oedometric compression to high stresses. Evidently, energy dissipation due to load redistribution is significantly larger than energy dissipation due to the creation of surface.
The Crisis and Fiscal Policies in the Peripheral Countries of the Eurozone
Authors: Navarro Vicente
Published: December 2011

This article explains the political causes of the current financial crisis of the eurozone peripheral countries (Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Ireland) and how the crisis affects their welfare states. It examines how their profoundly conservative governments (dictatorships in Spain, Portugal, and Greece and authoritarian regime in Ireland) during the post—World War II period and the dominance of their states by right-wing forces have made these countries very vulnerable to the speculations of the financial markets.
Debate on the Chernobyl Disaster: Response to Dr. Sergei V. Jargin
Authors: Sherman Janette D.
Published: December 2011

The stated purpose of Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and the Environment, published by the New York Academy of Sciences in 2009, was to challenge and answer publications on Chernobyl and its aftermath by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Until the independence of the WHO from the IAEA is assured, we can have little faith in their statements, whether it involves Chernobyl or Fukushima.
An Unexpected Mortality Increase in the United States Follows Arrival of the Radioactive Plume from Fukushima: Is There a Correlation?
Authors: Mangano Joseph J. , Sherman Janette D.
Published: December 2011

The multiple nuclear meltdowns at the Fukushima plants beginning on March 11, 2011, are releasing large amounts of airborne radioactivity that has spread throughout Japan and to other nations; thus, studies of contamination and health hazards are merited. In the United States, Fukushima fallout arrived just six days after the earthquake, tsunami, and meltdowns. Some samples of radioactivity in precipitation, air, water, and milk, taken by the U.S. government, showed levels hundreds of times above normal; however, the small number of samples prohibits any credible analysis of temporal trends and spatial comparisons. U.S. health officials report weekly deaths by age in 122 cities, about 25 to 35 percent of the national total. Deaths rose 4.46 percent from 2010 to 2011 in the 14 weeks after the arrival of Japanese fallout, compared with a 2.34 percent increase in the prior 14 weeks. The number of infant deaths after Fukushima rose 1.80 percent, compared with a previous 8.37 percent decrease. Projecting these figures for the entire United States yields 13,983 total deaths and 822 infant deaths in excess of the expected. These preliminary data need to be followed up, especially in the light of similar preliminary U.S. mortality findings for the four months after Chernobyl fallout arrived in 1986, which approximated final figures.
In Defiance of the Evidence: Conservatives Threaten to “Reform” Away England's National Health Service
Authors: Lister John
Published: December 2011

David Cameron's Conservative-led coalition government is pressing ahead with a highly controversial bill to “reform” the National Health Service (NHS), abolishing existing management structures, opening up provider services to private competition from “any qualified provider,” and establishing a competitive market system in place of planning. The proposals fragment the structures and run counter to the founding principles of the NHS, which in 1948 transcended the limitations of markets, delivering health care on the basis of maximum risk sharing and universal access to services, free at the point of use. Evidence shows markets are a costly and inadequate mechanism to deliver universal and comprehensive health care, and private providers will only bid for services where profits are guaranteed. Opposition to the proposals is strong among health professionals and informed opinion, and the bill has divided the coalition parties—but time is running out for those who reject the bill to mount a sustained and concerted resistance.
Best in class: Public finances in Sweden during the financial crisis
Authors: Bergman Michael
Published: December 2011

This paper studies why public finances in Sweden have remained very strong
during the current financial crisis. Unlike almost all other European
countries, Sweden has had budget surpluses and a government debt ratio around
40 percent of GDP during the recent crisis. We attribute this to two
important factors. First, Sweden entered the crisis with strong public
finances and second that unemployment did not rise as much as normally during
recessions. The Swedish fiscal framework that was introduced after the
banking crisis in the early 1990s with expenditure ceilings, a top-down
budget process, balanced budget requirement for local governments has played
an important role. We show that the behavior of budget deficits has changed
significantly recently, from a deficit bias to a surplus bias. Aggregate
demand remained strong during the crisis even though exports fell sharply. As
unemployment in the manufacturing sector increased, it was to a large extent
offset by increased employment in the service sector.
Cluster detection in laboratory auction data: A model-based approach
Authors: Romeu Andrés
Published: December 2011

The benchmark risk-averse equilibrium model does not explain some of the
outcomes obtained in experiments with first-price auctions. Nonetheless, the
presence of non-linear bidding and the wide dispersion of bids have received
little attention in the literature. I focus on these issues and revisit
previous laboratory evidence with the help of model-based clustering
techniques. The rejection of equilibrium models is found to be mostly due to
the significance of non-linear bidding rules and the unexplained
heterogeneity. With the use of a mixture model, the observations are
classified into four groups or clusters. Significant differences between
individuals and clusters are found, but so is a persistent within individual
variation, which leads us to conclude that subjects do not commit to one
particular bidding strategy and alternate across several processes.
The growing export performance of transition economies: EU market access versus supply capacity factors
Authors: Damijan Joze , Rojec Matija , Ferjancic Maja
Published: December 2011

The paper examines the reasons for the remarkable growth of transition
economies? export performance. We distinguish between foreign/EU market
access and internal supply capacity factors. EU market access has been of
great importance, while among supply capacity factors, stable institutional
setup, structural reforms, and targeted FDI are in the forefront.
Changes in stock markets interdependencies as a result of the global financial crisis: Empirical investigation on the CEE region
Authors: Tudor Cristiana
Published: December 2011

This paper investigates causal relationships and short-term interaction
mechanisms among six Central and Eastern European stock markets and the USA
stock exchange, while paying special consideration to the effects of the
2007-2009 global financial crisis. We employ daily observations for the six
CEE stock indexes and also for the US market covering the period January
2006-March 2009, which is subsequently divided into two sub-periods
corresponding to the pre-crisis and crisis period. The study reveals that the
relationships among CEE stock markets are time varying. While before the
crisis stock market linkages are limited, we find that during crisis these
interactions become significantly stronger. Our results further suggest that
the potential for diversifying risk by investing in different CEE markets is
limited during financial turmoil. Other findings reveal the leading role of
the Russian market in the CEE region before the crisis. Also, before the
crisis CEE markets were significantly influenced by innovations in the USA
market, thus explaining why they were affected heavily by the crisis, which
has managed to spread immediately in the region.
The new political macroeconomics in modern macroeconomics and its appliance to transition processes in Serbia
Authors: Jaksic Miomir , Prascevic Aleksandra
Published: December 2011

This study deals with important issues related to the new political
macroeconomics and its appliance to the economic movements in Serbia, which
is a country of ?new democracy? as well as with transition economy. In
political macroeconomics, it is a known fact that the economic policy
instruments can be used for political purposes - simulated improvement of
economic indicators to win the elections. These options assume specific
features in transition economies, such as the Serbian economy. The political
instability in Serbia, reflected in frequent elections, as well as in the
diversity in political and economic goals of the key political parties
leading to increasing political uncertainty in both the pre-election and
post-election periods, weakened the economic system. Simultaneously, using
the economic policy for political purposes to support the ?pro-democratic?
and ?pro-European? parties proved to be paradoxically justified.
Is low efficacy of fungicides always a consequence of fungicide resistance development in pathogen populations?
Authors: Tanovic Brankica , Hrustic Jovana , Grahovac Mila , Mihajlovic Milica , Delibasic Goran , Vuksa Petar
Published: December 2011

Efficacy of four fungicides with different modes of action (vinclozolin,
pyrimethanil, benomyl and fenhexamid) in control of B. cinerea in raspberry,
was investigated in the paper. The trials were conducted at two localities in
commercial raspberry plantations. In the case of unsatisfactory fungicide
efficacy, qualitative and/or quantitative test of the susceptibility of the
isolates to particular fungicide was performed, to determine whether the low
efficacy is a consequence of resistance development in the pathogen
population. At both localities, pyrimethanil and fenhexamid demonstrated the
highest efficacy (73.2-89.6%), while the efficacy of vinclozolin was
statistically significantly lower (48.7-63.4%) at both localities. However,
qualitative and quantitative test of susceptibility to vinclozolin showed
that all the isolates were susceptible to vinclozolin and that the reason for
unsatisfactory efficacy should be primarily sought in inadequate fungicide
application.
Effects of bioinsecticides in control of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood) on tomato
Authors: Marcic Dejan , Prijovic Mirjana , Drobnjakovic Tanja , Peric Pantelija , Sevic Milan , Stamenkovic Svetomir
Published: December 2011

The effects of commercial products of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria
bassiana (Naturalis; 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%), azadirachtin (NeemAzal T/S; 1% and
2%) and oxymatrin (KingBo; 0.1% and 0.2%) in the control of greenhouse
whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood) on tomato were tested in
plastic covered greenhouse. The effects of the bioinsecticides, applied twice
at five-day interval, were compared to effects of abamectin (Abastate EW;
0.075%) and thiamethoxam (Actara 25-WG; 0.05%). Tested bioinsecticides
reduced the number of larvae by 82-97% (Naturalis), 90-99% (NeemAzal T/S) and
90-96% (KingBo), with the efficacy of >96% according to Henderson-Tilton, in
the assessment 16 days after treatment. In the same assessment, achieved
percentages in adults reduction and efficacy amounted 24-89% and 67-95%
(Naturalis), 85-93% and 93-97% (NeemAzal T/S), 86-96% and 94-98% (KingBo).
Percentages of abundance reduction and efficacy after treatment with Abastate
EW were 31% and 88% (larvae) and 64% and 84% (adults), while after treatment
with Actara 25-WG they amounted 96% and 99% (larvae) and 83% and 92%
(adults). The results obtained show that NeemAzal T/S, Naturalis and KingBo
can be an efficient alternative to current insecticides in control of T.
vaporariorum populations.
Effects of insecticides on strawberry aphid Chaetosiphon fragaefolii (Cockerell) on resistant and susceptible strawberry genotypes
Authors: Milenkovic Slobodan , Marcic Dejan , Peric Pantelija
Published: December 2011

Strawberry aphid, Chaetosiphon fragaefolii (Cockerell), is the most important
vector of strawberry virus. Breeding of genotypes resistant to this pest is
an important preventive control measure, which can be compatible with
rational insecticide application. The aim of the paper was to determine
effects of dimethoate and deltamethrin on C. fragaefolii populations reared
on two strawberry genotypes different in susceptibility: susceptible
strawberry cultivar Cacanska rana and medium resistant hybrid, zf/1/94/96
(Senga Fructarina x Del Norte). Lower toxicity of deltamethrin was observed
(laboratory assay) as well as lower biological efficacy of dimethoate at
lower concentrations (field trial) for specimens from C. fragaefolii
population reared on susceptible strawberry cultivar Cacanska rana.
Effects of spinosad and abamectin on different populations of rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.) in treated wheat grain
Authors: Andric Goran , Kljajic Petar , Prazic-Golic Marijana
Published: December 2011

In laboratory conditions (25?1.C and 60?5% r.h.) effects of natural
insecticides spinosad and abamectin on five S. oryzae populations
(laboratory, Sid, Gornji Milanovac, Zabari and Novi Pazar) were investigated.
Both insecticides for all tested populations were applied to untreated wheat
grain at following rates 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg AI/kg, subsequently 25
adults were added in each plastic vessels (V=200 cm3) containing 50 g of
treated wheat, in four replicates, for each population tested. Mortality of
weevils was determined after 2-, 7- and 14-days, and the effect on progeny
production was determined 8-weeks from parental exposure. Efficacy of
spinosad and abamectin after 2-days of weevil exposure for all tested
populations and all application rates was <15%. After 7-days of exposure, the
efficacy was ?95% for weevils from Zabari, in wheat treated with 2 mg/kg of
spinosad and abamectin, and for weevils from Gornji Milanovac, only in wheat
treated with 2 mg/kg of spinosad. After 14-days of exposure the efficacy ?95%
was found for laboratory weevils and weevils from Zabari and Gornji
Milanovac, in wheat treated with 1 and 2 mg/kg of spinosad, and for S. oryzae
from Novi Pazar and Sid, in wheat treated with 2 mg/kg of spinosad. At the
same time for all tested populations abamectin at rates of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0
mg/kg was 94-100% efficien t. No insecticide achieved total (100%) progeny
reduction in tested populations of S. oryzae, while high progeny reduction
(?95%) was found only in weevils which were in contact with wheat treated
with 1 and 2 mg/kg of abamectin. The results showed that for highly efficient
control of different populations of S. oryzae in wheat grain, ?2 mg/kg of
abamectin, and, particularly, spinosad should be applied.
Application of principal component analysis in assessment of relation between the parameters of technological quality of wheat grains treated with inert dusts against rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.)
Authors: Bodroza-Solarov Marija , Kljajic Petar , Andric Goran , Filipcev Bojana , Simurina Olivera , Prazic-Golic Marijana , Adamovic Milan
Published: December 2011

Quality parameters of several wheat grain lots (low vitreous and high
vitreous grains, non-infested and infested with rice weevils, (Sitophilus
oryzae L.) treated with inert dusts (natural zeolite, two diatomaceous earths
originating from Serbia and a commercial product Protect-It?) were
investigated. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate the
classification of treated grain lots and to assess how attributes of
technological quality contribute to this classification. This research showed
that vitreousness (0.95) and test weight (0.93) contributed most to the first
principal component whereas extensigraph area (-0.76) contributed to the
second component. The determined accountability of the total variability by
the first component was around 55%, while with the second it was 18%, which
means that those two dimensions together account for around 70% of total
variability of the observed set of variables. Principal component analysis
(PCA) of data set was able to distinguish among the various treatments of
wheat lots. It was revealed that inert dust treatments produce different
effects depending on the degree of endosperm vitreousness.
Identification of glyphosate resistance in Lolium rigidum Gaudin
Authors: Pavlovic Danijela , Reinhardt Charlie , Elezovic Igor , Vrbnicanin Sava
Published: December 2011

Glyphosate resistance was found in Lolium rigidum Gaudin (Rigid ryegrass,
LOLRI) in South Africa. Suspected glyphosate-resistant L. rigidum populations
were collected and grown under greenhouse conditions. The plants were sprayed
with a range of doses of glyphosate 35 days after planting and shoot dry
biomass was determined 17 days after herbicide treatment. Based on the
dose-response experiment conducted in the greenhouse, one population of L.
rigidum suspected to be resistant to glyphosate was approximately 5.3 fold
more resistant than susceptible population. The other population was 2.8 fold
more resistant than susceptible population. Difference between the two
suspected resistant populations was 1.9 fold. All plants were treated with
glyphosate (1000 g a.i. ha-1) and shikimic acid was extracted 2, 4 and 6 days
after treatment. The plants of susceptible populations accumulated more
shikimic acid than other two populations.
Efficacy of hyaluronic acid in the treatment of chronic gingivitis in children
Authors: Igic Marija , Mihailovic Dragan , Kesic Ljiljana , Apostolovic Mirjana , Kostadinovic Ljiljana , Trickovic-Janjic Olivera , Milasin Jelena
Published: December 2011

Introduction/Aim. Gingivitis is a common occurrence in children and may well
be thought as a risk factor for the appearance and progression of the
diseases of parodontal tissues. It is thus necessary to react in a timely
and adequate fashion to prevent the disease to become serious and produce
parodontopathy. The aim of the study was to establish the efficacy of
hyaluronic acid in the treatment of chronic gingivitis in children. Methods.
The study enrolled 130 children with permanent dentition. All of the
examinees were divided into three groups: group I - 50 patients with chronic
gingivitis in which only the basic treatment was applied; group II - 50
patients with chronic gingivitis in which hyaluronic acid was applied in
addition to basic treatment; group III - 30 examinees with healthy gingiva
(control group). Assessment of oral hygiene and status of the gingiva and
parodontium was done using the appropriate indexes before and after the
treatment. Inflammation of the gingiva was monitored by way of
cytomorphometric studies. Results. The pretreatment values of the plaque
index (PI) were high: in the group I PI was 1.94; in the group II PI was
1.68. After the treatment, the PI value was reduced to null in both groups
(PI = 0). In the group III PI was 0.17. The bleeding index (BI) in the group
I was 2.02 before and 0.32 after the treatment; the BI value in the group II
was 1.74 before and 0.16 after the treatment. In the group III BI was 0. In
the group I, the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) was
1.66 before and 0.32 after the treatment; in the group II, the CPITN value
was 1.5 before and 0.24 after the treatment. In the group III, the CPITN
value was 0. In the group I, the size of the nuclei of the stratified
squamous epithelium of the gingiva was reduced, although not so much as the
nuclear size in the group II of examinees. Conclusion. Basic treatment is
able to successfully treat chronic gingivitis in children. The use of
hyaluronic acid together with the basic treatment can markedly improve the
treatment effect.
Cervical, vaginal and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasms
Authors: Mitrovic-Jovanovic Ana , Stanimirovic Branko , Nikolic Branka , Zamurovic Milena , Perisic Zivko , Pantic-Aksentijevic Snezana
Published: December 2011

nema
Significance and the role of EEG in the diagnosis and treatment of febrile seizures
Authors: Djuric Milena , Kravljanac Ruzica
Published: December 2011

nema
Mounier-Kuhn syndrome
Authors: Pesut Dragica , Stevic Ruza , Milosavljevic Jelica , Popevic Spasoje , Cvok Tijana
Published: December 2011

Background. Mounier-Kuhn syndrome or tracheobronchomegaly is a rare disorder
characterized by marked dilatation of the trachea and main bronchi,
bronchiectasis, and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Its clinical
presentation may vary and mimick a variety of disorders. Case report. A
43-year-old female patient, non smoker, complained of intermittent mild
dyspnea. Lung function tests and cardiologic findings were within normal
limits. The diagnosis was established by computed tomography, which was
undertaken due to recurrent lower respiratory tract infections suggestive of
bronchiectasis. The transversal tracheal diameter was 2.8 cm that was the
criteria for making the diagnosis. In this sporadic case, no association with
other disease or condition known to cause secondary tracheobronchomegaly was
established. Conclusion. Although rare in clinical practice, Mounier-Kuhn
syndrome is an important differential diagnosis in cardio-pulmonary medicine
due to a variety of its clinical manifestations. Nowadays, it is easy to
diagnose it owing to advanced imaging techniques.
Pulmonary involvement in siblings with Gaucher disease type III
Authors: Djordjevic Maja , Minic Predrag , Sarajlija Adrijan , Djuricic Slavisa , Djokic Dragomir , Markovic Obren
Published: December 2011

Introduction. Pulmonary involvement has been described in all types of
Gaucher disease (GD) but it is considered as relatively rare manifestation.
There are reports suggesting that homozygosity for L444P mutation in GBA gene
is associated with a substantial risk for developing primary pulmonary
disease in GD. Case report. We reported sisters with pulmonary involvement in
GD type III. Respiratory failure with fatal outcome at 3 years and 4 months
of age occurred in K.K. due to pulmonary complications of GD. At the time
enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) was not available in Serbia. J.K.,
homozygous for L444P mutation, developed asymptomatic pulmonary involvement
at the age of 6 after 2.5 years of ERT. Pulmonary disease in J.K. was
verified by high resolution computerized tomography, cytology of
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and histopathology of transbronchial lung
biopsy. Conclusion. Primary lung disease in children homoallelic for L444P
mutation in GBA gene emerges as a significant clinical manifestation of GD
with unclear response to ERT.
Bleeding to death because of hemorrhage into soft tissues as a cause of death in a beaten battered child
Authors: Cukic Dragana
Published: December 2011

Introduction. Bleeding to death is one of the leading causes of death
speaking about violent death in general. Bleeding to death mostly happens
through hurt organs or blood vessels of thorax, abdomen and neck or because
of destruction of extremities or the whole body. Bleeding to death is very
often the consequence of blood pouring, rarely of simultaneous pouring and
suffusing of blood, and it is extremely rarely the result of blood suffusing
solely and especially due to subcutaneous, retoperitoneal and
intramediastinal blood suffusing. Fatal bleeding into soft tissues solely is
very rare. During a 10- year- period among 3 000 performed autopsies in the
Department of Forensic Medicine in Podgorica, the presented case was the
unique one. Case report. The paper presents a 5-year-old boy who was beaten
to death by his mother and step-father and died because of massive bleeding
into soft tissues. Conclusion. In order to establish a cause of death in
cases of exsanguination in soft tissues, a series of postmortem diagnostic
procedures should be performed, like those presented in this paper.
Remodeling of Hepatic Metabolism and Hyperaminoacidemia in Mice Deficient in Proglucagon-Derived Peptides
Authors: Watanabe Chika , Seino Yusuke , Miyahira Hiroki , Yamamoto Michiyo , Fukami Ayako , Ozaki Nobuaki , Takagishi Yoshiko , Sato Jun , Fukuwatari Tsutomu , Shibata Katsumi , Oiso Yutaka , Murata Yoshiharu , Hayashi Yoshitaka
Published: December 2011

Glucagon is believed to be one of the most important peptides for upregulating blood glucose levels. However, homozygous glucagon–green fluorescent protein (gfp) knock-in mice (Gcggfp/gfp: GCGKO) are normoglycemic despite the absence of proglucagon-derived peptides, including glucagon. To characterize metabolism in the GCGKO mice, we analyzed gene expression and metabolome in the liver. The expression of genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes for gluconeogenesis was only marginally altered. On the other hand, genes encoding enzymes involved in conversion of amino acids to metabolites available for the tricarboxylic acid cycle and/or gluconeogenesis showed lower expression in the GCGKO liver. The expression of genes involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and nicotinamide was also altered. Concentrations of the metabolites in the GCGKO liver were altered in manners concordant with alteration in the gene expression patterns, and the plasma concentrations of amino acids were elevated in the GCGKO mice. The insulin concentration in serum and phosphorylation of Akt protein kinase in liver were reduced in GCGKO mice. These results indicated that proglucagon-derived peptides should play important roles in regulating various metabolic pathways, especially that of amino acids. Serum insulin concentration is lowered to compensate the impacts of absent proglucagon-derived peptide on glucose metabolism. On the other hand, impacts on other metabolic pathways are only partially compensated by reduced insulin action.
Nerve Growth Factor Gene Therapy Using Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors Prevents Cardiomyopathy in Type 1 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Meloni Marco , Descamps Betty , Caporali Andrea , Zentilin Lorena , Floris Ilaria , Giacca Mauro , Emanueli Costanza
Published: December 2011

Diabetes is a cause of cardiac dysfunction, reduced myocardial perfusion, and ultimately heart failure. Nerve growth factor (NGF) exerts protective effects on the cardiovascular system. This study investigated whether NGF gene transfer can prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy in mice. We worked with mice with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes and with nondiabetic control mice. After having established that diabetes reduces cardiac NGF mRNA expression, we tested NGF gene therapies with adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) for the capacity to protect the diabetic mouse heart. To this aim, after 2 weeks of diabetes, cardiac expression of human NGF or β-Gal (control) genes was induced by either intramyocardial injection of AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) or systemic delivery of AAV serotype 9 (AAV9). Nondiabetic mice were given AAV2–β-Gal or AAV9–β-Gal. We found that the diabetic mice receiving NGF gene transfer via either AAV2 or AAV9 were spared the progressive deterioration of cardiac function and left ventricular chamber dilatation observed in β-Gal–injected diabetic mice. Moreover, they were additionally protected from myocardial microvascular rarefaction, hypoperfusion, increased deposition of interstitial fibrosis, and increased apoptosis of endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes, which afflicted the β-Gal–injected diabetic control mice. Our data suggest therapeutic potential of NGF for the prevention of cardiomyopathy in diabetic subjects.
Banting Lecture 2011
Authors: Corkey Barbara E.
Published: December 2011

The Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement Award is the American Diabetes Association's highest scientific award and honors an individual who has made significant, long-term contributions to the understanding of diabetes, its treatment, and/or prevention. The award is named after Nobel Prize winner Sir Frederick Banting, who codiscovered insulin treatment for diabetes. Dr. Barbara E. Corkey received the American Diabetes Association's Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement at the Association's 71st Scientific Sessions, 24–28 June 2011, San Diego, California. She presented the Banting Lecture, “Hyperinsulinemia: Cause or Consequence?” on Sunday, 26 June 2011.
Binuclear copper complexes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Kowcun Kaja , Frańska Magdalena , Frański Rafał
Published: December 2011

The solutions containing one of the copper salts (CuCl2, Cu(ClO4)2, Cu(NO3)2, and CuSO4) and one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, ibuprofen, ketoprofen or naproxen) were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Three of the salts, namely CuCl2, Cu(ClO4)2 and Cu(NO3)2, yielded binuclear complexes of drug:metal stoichiometry 1:2. Existence of the complexes of such stoichiometry has not been earlier observed. For copper(II) chloride the complexes (ions of the type [M-HCOOH+Cu2Cl]+ and [M+Cu2Cl]+, M stands for the drug molecule) were formed in the gas phase. When copper(II) perchlorate or copper(II) nitrate was used, the observed binuclear copper complexes (ions of the type [M-H+Cu2(ClO4)2+CH3OH]+, [M-H+Cu2(ClO4)2]+ and [M-H+Cu2(NO3)2+CH3OH]+, [M-H+Cu2(NO3)2]+) were observed at low cone voltage, thus these complexes must have already existed in the solution analysed. Therefore, such complexes may also exist under physiological conditions.
Recentchiral selectors for separation in HPLC and CE
Authors: Kalíková Květa , Riesová Martina , Tesařová Eva
Published: December 2011

Enantiomers (stereoisomers) can exhibit substantially different properties if present in chiral environments. Since chirality is a basic property of nature, the different behaviors of the individual enantiomers must be carefully studied and properly treated. Therefore, enantioselective separations are a very important part of separation science. To achieve the separation of enantiomers, an enantioselective environment must be created by the addition of a chiral selector to the separation system. Many chiral selectors have been designed and used in various fields, such as the analyses of drugs, food constituents and agrochemicals. The most popular have become the chiral selectors and/or chiral stationary phases that are of general use, i.e., are applicable in various separation systems and allow for chiral separation of structurally different compounds. This review covers the most important chiral selectors / chiral stationary phases described and applied in high performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis during the period of the last three years (2008–2011).
The solubility of Ca(OH)2 in extremely concentrated NaOH solutions at 25°C
Authors: Pallagi Attila , Tasi Ágost , Gácsi Attila , Csáti Miklós , Pálinkó István , Peintler Gábor , Sipos Pál
Published: December 2011

The solubility of Ca(OH)2 in aqueous NaOH solutions up to 12.50 M at 25°C has been determined. The solubility data obtained for NaOH concentrations lower than 3 M was compared with those published in the literature. The solubility of Ca(OH)2 steadily decreases with the increasing NaOH concentration. The solubility data obtained at a constant ionic strength (I = 1 M Na(Cl,OH)) enabled the determination of the conditional solubility product of Ca(OH)2(s) (lgLCa(OH)2 = − 4.10 ± 0.02). Formation of the hydroxo complex CaOH+(aq) was invoked to describe the variation of [Ca2+]T with [OH−]T. Its conditional stability constant was found to be lgKCaOH+ = 0.97 ± 0.02. The experimental protocol employed was proven to be suitable for accurate solubility determinations in rapidly equilibrating systems comprising of highly concentrated, alkaline solutions and containing analytes in the ppm range.
Erratum to: “Syntheses and characterisation of chloro(η3-allyl) dicarbonylmolybdenum(II) complexes of chiral and achiral ditertiaryphosphines”
Authors: Jesu Raj Joe , Pathak Devendra , Kapoor Pramesh
Published: December 2011

The original version of the article was published in Cent. Eur. J. Chem. 10(1) (2012), pp 165–171. Unfortunately, the original version of this article contains mistakes in the affiliation section. Dr Devendra D. Pathak’s affiliation is Department of Applied Chemistry, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad 826 004, India. Dr Pramesh N. Kapoor’s affiliation is Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India.
Are proneness to forgive, optimism and gratitude associated with life satisfaction?
Authors: Szcześniak Małgorzata , Soares Esmeralda
Published: December 2011

Are proneness to forgive, optimism and gratitude associated with life satisfaction?

The main aim of the current study was to examine whether and how life satisfaction is related to propensity to forgive one's transgressor. Additionally, it also explored the relationship between life satisfaction and other chosen psychological variables, such as optimism and gratitude. The study involved 338 persons between 16 and 83 years of age. For the measurement of psychological variables the following research tools were used: Satisfaction With Life Scale, Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory, Gratitude Questionnaire, and Learned Optimism Test. Among the study participants satisfaction with life was positively correlated with the conviction about a permanent and ubiquitous nature of positive events, optimism and gratitude. The study also observed a negative correlation between satisfaction with life, the motivation for revenge and avoidance motivation, and the perception of a permanent and ubiquitous nature of adverse events.
How Do People Resolve Conflict Between Implicit and Explicit Attitudes?
Authors: Maliszewski Norbert
Published: December 2011

How Do People Resolve Conflict Between Implicit and Explicit Attitudes?

How do implicit attitudes influence behavior when they are in conflict with explicit attitudes? In Study 1, smokers' negative implicit attitudes and positive explicit attitudes towards smoking were activated. Then emotions were measured. The stronger the negative implicit attitudes that the smokers held, the stronger the conflict experienced. Study 2 showed that cognitive capacity allows for this conflict, as positive explicit and negative implicit attitudes may be applied simultaneously. The stronger the negative implicit attitudes the smokers held, the stronger the conflict experienced. Smokers resolved the conflict through the inhibition of implicit attitudes (by smoking cigarettes). Without cognitive capacity, only implicit attitudes were applied, and thus no conflict was aroused. Study 3 confirmed that smoking cigarettes inhibited negative implicit attitudes.
On Approximate Solutions of Certain Mixed Type Integrodifferential Equations
Authors: Pachpatte B.
Published: December 2011

On Approximate Solutions of Certain Mixed Type Integrodifferential Equations

The aim of the present paper is to study approximate solutions of mixed Volterra-Fredholm type integrodifferential equations in one and two independent variables. The analysis used in the proofs is based on the applications of new integral inequalities with explicit estimates.
Refinement of Hardy's Inequalities Involving Many Functions Via Superquadratic Functions
Authors: Oguntuase J. , Popoola B.
Published: December 2011

Refinement of Hardy's Inequalities Involving Many Functions Via Superquadratic Functions

Some new refined Hardy type integral inequalities involvingnfunctions (n∈ Z+) via superquadratic functions are established forp≥ 2 and their dual inequalities are also derived. In particular, the results obtained complement and improve some recent results of Oguntuase and Persson.
Alternative Spatial Growth and Decay Estimates for Constrained Motion in an Elastic Cylinder with Voids
Authors: Bulgariu Emilian
Published: December 2011

Alternative Spatial Growth and Decay Estimates for Constrained Motion in an Elastic Cylinder with Voids

The aim of this paper is to study the alternative spatial growth and decay behavior for the motion of a finite or semi-infinite cylinder composed of a non-homogeneous anisotropic linear elastic material with voids, subject to null supply terms and null lateral boundary conditions. The motion induced by displacement and volume fraction field prescribed on the base is constrained to have the displacement, velocity, volume fraction and the derivative with respect to time of volume fraction at a given time proportional to their respective initial values. Neither initial data nor the asymptotic behavior at large axial distance are specified. The estimates that are either exponentially grow or decay are derived from a differential inequality depending on cross-sectional energy flux. An explicit bound, in terms of the problem data, is constructed for the amplitude in each decay estimate.
Banach Lie Algebroids
Authors: Anastasiei Mihai
Published: December 2011

Banach Lie Algebroids

First, we extend the notion of second order differential equations (SODE) on a smooth manifold to anchored Banach vector bundles. Then we define the Banach Lie algebroids as Lie algebroids structures modeled on anchored Banach vector bundles and prove that they form a category.
Fashion Zeitgeist
Authors: Vinken Barbara
Published: December 2011

Although it is appealing to think that fashion has taken a sharp turn away from conventions established in the industry over the past century and more, is this really the case? Or are 'pioneering' designs simply part of a cyclical revival of forgotten fashions? Looking at some of the most influential designers of the twentieth century, Vinken considers the politics and philosophies that have been the driving forces directing their sense of style.Vinken describes 'Fashion Zeitgeist' as a trend characterized by representations of traces of the past. She considers the key concepts behind designers such as Yamamoto, Gaultier, and Lagerfeld. The originality of Yamamoto's multi-layered look stems from his philosophy that it is the individual sum of experience that is important, not the collective consequences of history. Martin Margiela, although he himself refuses to be photographed or appear in the public eye, brings new individuality into fashion. Chanel, under the direction of Karl Lagerfeld, is viewed as the only fashion house to have remained fresh after 100 years, yet is this success essentially proof of the self-referential qualities fashion has adopted? What inspired the fetish for labels at the end of the twentieth century? Answering these questions and many more, this concise and thought-provoking book shows how beauty, gender, sexuality, commerce and dandyism have persisted in defining the fashion system.
Effects of Tillage and Crop Residue Application on Soybean Nitrogen Fixation in a Tropical Ferralsol
Authors: Kihara Job , Martius Christopher , Bationo Andre , Vlek Paul L. G.
Published: December 2011

This study was aimed at quantifying soybean (Glycine max) nitrogen fixation under reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) in a tropical Ferralsol of the sub-humid zone of western Kenya, using the isotope 15N dilution method. Crop residue (CR) management was a superimposed treatment in soybean-maize rotation and intercropping systems. This study quantified N in abscised soybean leaves. Soybean-N derived from the atmosphere (%NDfA) ranged between 41–65%; it was higher (P < 0.05) in RT (55.6%) than in CT (46.6%). Total fixed-N under ‘RT + CR’ was more than in the other treatments by at least 55% in intercropping and 34% in rotation system. Nitrogen fixed in soybean aboveground parts was 26–48 kg N ha−1 with intercropping and 53–82 kg N ha−1 with rotation. Seasonal litter fall contained about 15 kg N ha−1, with 54% NDfA. Annual nitrogen balances with soybean and maize grain removed were better in RT (−9 to −32 kg N ha−1) than in CT (−40 to −60 kg N ha−1). Application of P increased nodule weight (P < 0.05) by 3 to 16 times over the control. Soybean residues should be returned to the field after harvest to reduce soil N mining. We conclude that ‘RT + CR’ increases biological nitrogen fixation in soybean, over CT, and that phosphorus application is needed for better soybean nodulation in western Kenya.
Impact of Molecular Genetic Research on Peanut Cultivar Development
Authors: Holbrook C. Corley , Ozias-Akins Peggy , Chu Ye , Guo Baozhu
Published: December 2011

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) has lagged other crops on use of molecular genetic technology for cultivar development in part due to lack of investment, but also because of low levels of molecular polymorphism among cultivated varieties. Recent advances in molecular genetic technology have allowed researchers to more precisely measure genetic polymorphism and enabled the development of low density genetic maps for A. hypogaea and the identification of molecular marker or QTL’s for several economically significant traits. Genomic research has also been used to enhance the amount of genetic diversity available for use in conventional breeding through the development of transgenic peanut, and the creation of TILLING populations and synthetic allotetraploids. Marker assisted selection (MAS) is becoming more common in peanut cultivar development programs, and several cultivar releases are anticipated in the near future. There are also plans to sequence the peanut genome in the near future which should result in the development of additional molecular tools that will greatly advance peanut cultivar development.
Information Theory Consequences of the Scale-Invariance of Schröedinger’s Equation
Authors: Flego Silvana , Plastino Angelo , Plastino Angel Ricardo
Published: December 2011

In this communication we show that Fisher’s information measure emerges as a direct consequence of the scale-invariance of Schröedinger’s equation. Interesting, well-known additional results are re-obtained as well, for whose derivation only (and this is the novelty) the scale invariance property is needed, without further ado.