bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intended or Unintended Doping? A Review of the Presence of Doping Substances in Dietary Supplements Used in Sports
Authors: Martínez-Sanz José , Sospedra Isabel , Ortiz Christian , Baladía Eduard , Gil-Izquierdo Angel , Ortiz-Moncada Rocio
Published: October 2017

Introduction: The use of dietary supplements is increasing among athletes, year after year. Related to the high rates of use, unintentional doping occurs. Unintentional doping refers to positive anti-doping tests due to the use of any supplement containing unlisted substances banned by anti-doping regulations and organizations, such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The objective of this review is to summarize the presence of unlabeled doping substances in dietary supplements that are used in sports. Methodology: A review of substances/metabolites/markers banned by WADA in ergonutritional supplements was completed using PubMed. The inclusion criteria were studies published up until September 2017, which analyzed the content of substances, metabolites and markers banned by WADA. Results: 446 studies were identified, 23 of which fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. In most of the studies, the purpose was to identify doping substances in dietary supplements. Discussion: Substances prohibited by WADA were found in most of the supplements analyzed in this review. Some of them were prohormones and/or stimulants. With rates of contamination between 12 and 58%, non-intentional doping is a point to take into account before establishing a supplementation program. Athletes and coaches must be aware of the problems related to the use of any contaminated supplement and should pay special attention before choosing a supplement, informing themselves fully and confirming the guarantees offered by the supplement.
Association of Sun Exposure, Skin Colour and Body Mass Index with Vitamin D Status in Individuals Who Are Morbidly Obese
Authors: Dix Clare , Bauer Judith , Martin Ian , Rochester Sharon , Duarte Romero Briony , Prins Johannes , Wright Olivia
Published: October 2017

Vitamin D deficiency is a common issue, particularly in obese populations, and is tested by assessing serum 25(OH)D concentrations. This study aimed to identify factors that contribute to the vitamin D status in fifty morbidly obese individuals recruited prior to bariatric surgery. Data collected included serum 25(OH)D concentrations, dietary and supplement intake of vitamin D, sun exposure measures, skin colour via spectrophotometry, and genotype analysis of several single nucleotide polymorphisms in the vitamin D metabolism pathway. Results showed a significant correlation between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and age, and serum 25(OH)D and ITAC score (natural skin colour). Natural skin colour accounted for 13.5% of variation in serum 25(OH)D, with every 10° increase in ITAC score (i.e., lighter skin) leading to a 9 nmol/L decrease in serum 25(OH)D. Multiple linear regression using age, ITAC score, and average UV index in the three months prior to testing, significantly predicted serum 25(OH)D concentrations (R2 = 29.7%). Single nucleotide polymorphisms for all vitamin D genes tested, showed lower serum 25(OH)D for those with the rare genotype compared to the common genotype; this was most pronounced for fok1 and rs4588, where those with the rare genotype were insufficient (<50 nmol/L), and those with the common genotype were sufficient (≥50 nmol/L). Assessing vitamin D status in individuals with morbid obesity requires testing of 25(OH)D, but potential risk factors for this population include natural skin colour and age.
Comparison of Gas Emission Crater Geomorphodynamics on Yamal and Gydan Peninsulas (Russia), Based on Repeat Very-High-Resolution Stereopairs
Authors: Kizyakov Alexander , Zimin Mikhail , Sonyushkin Anton , Dvornikov Yury , Khomutov Artem , Leibman Marina
Published: October 2017

Gas Emission Craters (GEC) represent a new phenomenon in permafrost regions discovered in the north of West Siberia. In this study we use very-high-resolution Worldview satellite stereopairs and Resurs-P images to reveal and measure the geomorphic features that preceded and followed GEC formation on the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas. Analysis of DEMs allowed us to: (1) distinguish different terrain positions of the GEC, at the foot of a gentle slope (Yamal), and on an upper edge of a terrace slope; (2) notice that the formation of both Yamal and Gydan GECs were preceded by mound development; (3) measure a funnel-shaped upper part and a cylindrical lower part for each crater; (4) and measure the expansion and plan form modification of GECs. Although the general characteristics of both craters are similar, there are differences when comparing both key sites in detail. The height of the mound and diameter of the resulting GEC in Yamal exceeds that in Gydan; GEC-1 was surrounded by a well-developed parapet, while AntGEC did not show any considerable accumulative body. Thus, using very-high-resolution remote sensing data allowed us to discriminate geomorphic features and relief positions characteristic for GEC formation. GECs are a potential threat to commercial facilities in permafrost and indigenous settlements, especially because at present there is no statistically significant number of study objects to identify the local environmental conditions in which the formation of new GEC is possible.
Automated Dielectrophoretic Tweezers-Based Force Spectroscopy System in a Microfluidic Device
Authors: Kim Min , Lee Jeongjick , Nam Kihwan , Park In , Son Myeonggu , Ko Hyunchul , Lee Sangyoup , Yoon Dae , Chang Woo-Jin , Lee Sei , Yoon Young , Lee Sang
Published: October 2017

We reported an automated dielectrophoretic (DEP) tweezers-based force spectroscopy system to examine intermolecular weak binding interactions, which consists of three components: (1) interdigitated electrodes and micro-sized polystyrene particles used as DEP tweezers and probes inside a microfluidic device, along with an arbitrary function generator connected to a high voltage amplifier; (2) microscopy hooked up to a high-speed charge coupled device (CCD) camera with an image acquisition device; and (3) a computer aid control system based on the LabVIEW program. Using this automated system, we verified the measurement reliability by measuring intermolecular weak binding interactions, such as hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals interactions. In addition, we also observed the linearity of the force loading rates, which is applied to the probes by the DEP tweezers, by varying the number of voltage increment steps and thus affecting the linearity of the force loading rates. This system provides a simple and low-cost platform to investigate intermolecular weak binding interactions.
Shedding New Light on Project Portfolio Risk Management
Authors: Hofman Mariusz , Spalek Seweryn , Grela Grzegorz
Published: October 2017

This paper constitutes an innovative attempt to analyse the risks and negative phenomena dependencies within a project portfolio. Based on the available literature, the risks and negative phenomena (that is, the problems with the availability of resources, interpersonal conflicts, irregularities in the portfolio balance, etc.) specific to a project portfolio were identified. Theoretical constructs were then used to connect the identified risks with the negative phenomena. Structural equations were used to confirm the existence and quality of these constructs, as well as models describing connections between phenomena. The determination of the structural equations also provided a setting in which statistical methods (χ2, RMSEA and CFI) could be used to investigate the level of fit of the constructs and models to the empirical data.
Target-Specificity in Scorpions; Comparing Lethality of Scorpion Venoms across Arthropods and Vertebrates
Authors: Van der Meijden Arie , Koch Bjørn , Van der Valk Tom , Vargas-Muñoz Leidy J. , Estrada-Gómez Sebastian
Published: October 2017

Scorpions use their venom in defensive situations as well as for subduing prey. Since some species of scorpion use their venom more in defensive situations than others, this may have led to selection for differences in effectiveness in defensive situations. Here, we compared the LD50 of the venom of 10 species of scorpions on five different species of target organisms; two insects and three vertebrates. We found little correlation between the target species in the efficacy of the different scorpion venoms. Only the two insects showed a positive correlation, indicating that they responded similarly to the panel of scorpion venoms. We discuss the lack of positive correlation between the vertebrate target species in the light of their evolution and development. When comparing the responses of the target systems to individual scorpion venoms pairwise, we found that closely related scorpion species tend to elicit a similar response pattern across the target species. This was further reflected in a significant phylogenetic signal across the scorpion phylogeny for the LD50 in mice and in zebrafish. We also provide the first mouse LD50 value for Grosphus grandidieri.
Optimal Temporal Resolution of Rainfall for Urban Applications and Uncertainty Propagation
Authors: Cecinati Francesca , De Niet Arie , Sawicka Kasia , Rico-Ramirez Miguel
Published: October 2017

The optimal temporal resolution for rainfall applications in urban hydrological models depends on different factors. Accumulations are often used to reduce uncertainty, while a sufficiently fine resolution is needed to capture the variability of the urban hydrological processes. Merging radar and rain gauge rainfall is recognized to improve the estimation accuracy. This work explores the possibility to merge radar and rain gauge rainfall at coarser temporal resolutions to reduce uncertainty, and to downscale the results. A case study in the UK is used to cross-validate the methodology. Rainfall estimates merged and downscaled at different resolutions are compared. As expected, coarser resolutions tend to reduce uncertainty in terms of rainfall estimation. Additionally, an example of urban application in Twenterand, the Netherlands, is presented. The rainfall data from four rain gauge networks are merged with radar composites and used in an InfoWorks model reproducing the urban drainage system of Vroomshoop, a village in Twenterand. Fourteen combinations of accumulation and downscaling resolutions are tested in the InfoWorks model and the optimal is selected comparing the results to water level observations. The uncertainty is propagated in the InfoWorks model with ensembles. The results show that the uncertainty estimated by the ensemble spread is proportional to the rainfall intensity and dependent on the relative position between rainfall cells and measurement points.
Complexation of molecular clips containing fragments of diphenylglycoluril and benzocrown ethers with paraquat and its derivatives
Authors: Kikot' Leonid S , Kulygina Catherine Yu , Lyapunov Alexander Yu , Shishkina Svetlana V , Zubatyuk Roman I , Bogaschenko Tatiana Yu , Kirichenko Tatiana I
Published: October 2017

The complexation of molecular clips containing fragments of diphenylglycoluril and benzocrown ethers with paraquat and its derivatives has been studied both in solution and in the solid state. In this paper we studied the influence of the crown ether ring size and the nature of the substituents at the nitrogen atoms of the paraquat derivatives on the composition and stability of these complexes.
Detection of Oil Product on the Water Surface with Thermal Infrared Camera
Authors: Pilžis Kristina , Vaišis Vaidotas
Published: October 2017

From all existing remote detectors infrared sensors are the cheapest and most widely used. In this article described experiment was done to determine if it is possible to detected oil products on the water surface using thermal infrared camera. This hypothesis was confirmed – thickest layer of used oil product appeared hotter than water. Also, it was found that temperatures of oil product on the surface directly depend on the air temperature. However, clouds have a significant effect on efficiency of this remote sensing method.
La Corona, los moriscos granadinos y el servicio de 1603. Pacto fiscal y negociación política
Authors: Moreno Díaz del Campo Francisco J.
Published: October 2017

El artículo analiza los pormenores que rodearon la negociación y recaudación del servicio fiscal de 1603, el último de los tres que los moriscos granadinos entregaron a la Corona tras su establecimiento en Castilla con posterioridad a la Guerra de las Alpujarras. Para su redacción se ha hecho uso de documentación conservada en el Archivo General de Simancas, aunque también se ha recurrido a informaciones procedentes de archivos de protocolos y municipales. Entre sus principales aportaciones caben destacar tres aspectos: da a conocer el contenido de las cláusulas que conformaron el asiento final firmado entre moriscos y Corona; contribuye a establecer una geografía precisa de las aljamas implicadas en el pago del impuesto y, finalmente, proporciona cifras concretas en torno a las cantidades comprometidas por cada comunidad. Junto a ello, se analizan las irregularidades, problemas y situaciones experimentadas en servicios anteriores, aspectos ya conocidos pero que, vistos en relación al texto del acuerdo de 1603, permiten observar cómo condicionaron la negociación y sirvieron para perfilar y perfeccionar el articulado del contrato final suscrito entre la minoría y el monarca.
La versión árabe del De divinatione per somnum de Aristóteles y su impacto en Avicena y su teoría de la profecía
Authors: López-Farjeat Luis Xavier
Published: October 2017

La Epístola sobre los sueños (Risala al-Manamiyya) es un breve tratado donde Avicena se ocupa de algunas consideraciones relevantes acerca del modo en que se suscitan la profecía y la adivinación a través de los sueños. La teoría que aparece en dicho tratado ilustra con precisión cuán intrincada es la teoría de la profecía de Avicena y, al mismo tiempo, aporta varias pistas para reconocer el origen de dicha teoría tal como aparece en tratados mayores como fī al-Nafs e Ilahiyat de la Šifa’. La Risala al-Manamiyya también nos permite reconocer el impacto de varias influencias provenientes de la tradición griega, principalmente de Aristóteles, Galeno, Plotino, y otros Neoplatónicos. Este artículo explica las teorías de la adivinación a través de los sueños y de la profecía tal como aparecen en la versión árabe del De divinatione per somnun, un tratado donde pueden encontrarse los orígenes de la teoría de la profecía de Avicena. Además, muestra el impacto que la teoría contenida en este trabajo tuvo en la Risala al-Manamiyya.
Finalmente, expone algunas consideraciones concernientes a la transmisión y adaptación de los planteamientos metafísicos que aparecen tanto en el De divinatione como en la Risāla al-Manāmiyya, aludiendo al impacto que ambas obras tuvieron en las teorías de la profecía que encontramos en los tratados mayores de Avicena.
Novedades sobre la datación de los manuscritos árabes de la Escuela de Estudios Árabes de Granada a partir de su estudio codicológico
Authors: González-García Sonsoles , Campillo-García Domingo , Espejo-Arias Teresa
Published: October 2017

La datación de los manuscritos es una tarea ardua, en especial cuando carecen de data expresa o –incluso si esta aparece de manera expresa- cuando entran en juego factores como la posibilidad de hallarnos ante copias sucesivas que continúan y repiten modos de ejecución y modelos establecidos. Este trabajo se enmarca dentro de una investigación extensa e integral sobre la materialidad de los manuscritos datados y encuadernados de la Escuela de Estudios Árabes (CSIC) de Granada. La aplicación de un protocolo de estudio ha permitido detectar y corregir errores y proponer una datación alternativa en la datación de los manuscritos ms6, ms10, ms26 y ms29.
La nascita del teatro ebraico
Authors: Esposito Raffaele
Published: October 2017

Con questo volume dedicato al teatro ebraico dalle origini al 1948 si viene a colmare una grave lacuna della pubblicistica non solo italiana. Secondo un luogo comune assai diffuso, l’antropologia e la cultura ebraiche sarebbero caratterizzate da un interdetto assoluto nei confronti del teatro. Qui si dimostra ampiamente che un’attenzione nei confronti del teatro – o per meglio dire dell’espressione performativa – tanto intensa quanto peculiare abbia caratterizzato tutta la storia dell’ebraismo. Dall’episodio biblico di Ester alle rappresentazioni carnevalesche del Purim e poi, a partire dalla metà dell’Ottocento, al teatro yiddish, la cultura ebraica è stata costantemente in dialogo con le varie forme della teatralità, sia adattando ai propri scopi modelli delle culture nazionali sia elaborandone di propri.
L’excursus di questo volume si ferma all’altezza del 1948, spartiacque di una storia diversa, quella del nuovo Stato d’Israele, uno dei più importanti “esperimenti di modernità” del XX e XXI secolo. Verso la fine di questa prima parte il teatro ebraico incrocia il proprio destino con quello del teatro yiddish. Qui si dà il caso singolare di una civiltà che si è espressa, al momento dell’ingresso nella modernità, in due sistemi teatrali molto differenti, a partire dalla lingua, e spesso in contrasto tra loro. Ed è proprio in questo momento che – nell’intreccio tra impresa sionista, recupero dell’antica lingua e costruzione identitaria dell’Ebreo Nuovo – prende vita il teatro nazionale di Israele.
Guidelines of the Italian Society of Videosurgery in Infancy for the minimally invasive treatment of the ureteropelvic-junction obstruction
Authors: Chiarenza Salvatore Fabio , Bleve Cosimo , Esposito Ciro , Escolino Maria , Beretta Fabio , Cheli Maurizio , Di Benedetto Vincenzo , Scuderi Maria Grazia , Casadio Giovanni , Marzaro Maurizio , Fascetti Leon Francesco , Bagolan Pietro , Vella Claudio , Conighi Maria Luisa , Codric Daniela , Nappo Simona , Caione Paolo
Published: October 2017

Not available.
Bioinformatics as a Tool for Assessing the Quality of Sub-Cellular Proteomic Strategies and Inferring Functions of Proteins: Plant Cell Wall Proteomics as a Test Case
Authors: Clemente Hélène San , Pont-Lezica Rafael , Jamet Elisabeth
Published: October 2017

Bioinformatics is used at three different steps of proteomic studies of sub-cellular compartments. First one is protein identification from mass spectrometry data. Second one is prediction of sub-cellular localization, and third one is the search of functional domains to predict the function of identified proteins in order to answer biological questions. The aim of the work was to get a new tool for improving the quality of proteomics of sub-cellular compartments. Starting from the analysis of problems found in databases, we designed a new Arabidopsis database named ProtAnnDB ( http://www.polebio.scsv.ups-tlse.fr/ProtAnnDB/ ). It collects in one page predictions of sub-cellular localization and of functional domains made by available software. Using this database allows not only improvement of interpretation of proteomic data (top-down analysis), but also of procedures to isolate sub-cellular compartments (bottom-up quality control).
Predicting Consensus Structures for RNA Alignments via Pseudo-Energy Minimization
Authors: Spirollari Junilda , Wang Jason T.L. , Zhang Kaizhong , Bellofatto Vivian , Park Yongkyu , Shapiro Bruce A.
Published: October 2017

Thermodynamic processes with free energy parameters are often used in algorithms that solve the free energy minimization problem to predict secondary structures of single RNA sequences. While results from these algorithms are promising, an observation is that single sequence-based methods have moderate accuracy and more information is needed to improve on RNA secondary structure prediction, such as covariance scores obtained from multiple sequence alignments. We present in this paper a new approach to predicting the consensus secondary structure of a set of aligned RNA sequences via pseudo-energy minimization. Our tool, called RSpredict, takes into account sequence covariation and employs effective heuristics for accuracy improvement. RSpredict accepts, as input data, a multiple sequence alignment in FASTA or ClustalW format and outputs the consensus secondary structure of the input sequences in both the Vienna style Dot Bracket format and the Connectivity Table format. Our method was compared with some widely used tools including KNetFold, Pfold and RNAalifold. A comprehensive test on different datasets including Rfam sequence alignments and a multiple sequence alignment obtained from our study on the Drosophila X chromosome reveals that RSpredict is competitive with the existing tools on the tested datasets. RSpredict is freely available online as a web server and also as a jar file for download at http://datalab.njit.edu/biology/RSpredict .
Identifying Stress Transcription Factors Using Gene Expression and TF-Gene Association Data
Authors: Wu Wei-Sheng , Chen Bor-Sen
Published: October 2017

Unicellular organisms such as yeasts have evolved to survive environmental stresses by rapidly reorganizing the genomic expression program to meet the challenges of harsh environments. The complex adaptation mechanisms to stress remain to be elucidated. In this study, we developed Stress Transcription Factor Identification Algorithm (STFIA), which integrates gene expression and TF-gene association data to identify the stress transcription factors (TFs) of six kinds of stresses. We identified some general stress TFs that are in response to various stresses, and some specific stress TFs that are in response to one specific stress. The biological significance of our findings is validated by the literature. We found that a small number of TFs may be sufficient to control a wide variety of expression patterns in yeast under different stresses. Two implications can be inferred from this observation. First, the adaptation mechanisms to different stresses may have a bow-tie structure. Second, there may exist extensive regulatory cross-talk among different stress responses. In conclusion, this study proposes a network of the regulators of stress responses and their mechanism of action.
Article Commentary: Graphical User Interfaces for Molecular Dynamics—Quo Vadis?
Authors: Knapp B. , Schreiner W.
Published: October 2017

In the past years an increasing number of graphical user interfaces for Molecular Dynamics (MD) were presented and concomitantly, more and more Molecular Dynamics studies were published. With the easier application of MD software packages the field runs the risk however, of being pervaded with unreliable results. Therefore, possible benefits and caveats have to be carefully balanced. Here we outline in which respects a broader access of MD via graphical user interfaces may help to increase the usability of Molecular Dynamics simulations while maintaining their quality.
Domain Organization of Long Autotransporter Signal Sequences
Authors: Hiss Jan A. , Schneider Gisbert
Published: October 2017

Bacterial autotransporters represent a diverse family of proteins that autonomously translocate across the inner membrane of Gram-negative bacteria via the Sec complex and across the outer bacterial membrane. They often possess exceptionally long N-terminal signal sequences. We analyzed 90 long signal sequences of bacterial autotransporters and members of the two-partner secretion pathway in silico and describe common domain organization found in 79 of these sequences. The domains are in agreement with previously published experimental data. Our algorithmic approach allows for the systematic identification of functionally different domains in long signal sequences.
Inferring Transcriptional Interactions by the Optimal Integration of ChIp-chip and Knock-out Data
Authors: Cheng Haoyu , Jiang Lihua , Wu Maoying , Liu Qi
Published: October 2017

How to combine heterogeneous data sources for reliable prediction of transcriptional regulation is a challenge. Here we present an easy but powerful method to integrate Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-chip and knock-out data. Since these two types of data provide complementary (physical and functional) information about transcription, the method combining them is expected to achieve high detection rates and very low false positive rates. We try to seek the optimal integration of these two data using hypergeometric distribution. We evaluate our method on yeast data and compare our predictions with YEASTRACT, high-quality ChIP-chip data, and literature. The results show that even using low-quality ChIP-chip data, our method uncovers more relations than those inferred before from high-quality data. Furthermore our method achieves a low false positive rate. We find experimental and computational evidence in literature for most transcription factor (TF)-gene relations uncovered by our method.
Semantic Web-Based Integration of Cancer Pathways and Allele Frequency Data
Authors: Holford Matthew E. , Rajeevan Haseena , Zhao Hongyu , Kidd Kenneth K. , Cheung Kei-Hoi
Published: October 2017

We demonstrate the use of Semantic Web technology to integrate the ALFRED allele frequency database and the Starpath pathway resource. The linking of population-specific genotype data with cancer-related pathway data is potentially useful given the growing interest in personalized medicine and the exploitation of pathway knowledge for cancer drug discovery. We model our data using the Web Ontology Language (OWL), drawing upon ideas from existing standard formats BioPAX for pathway data and PML for allele frequency data. We store our data within an Oracle database, using Oracle Semantic Technologies. We then query the data using Oracle's rule-based inference engine and SPARQL-like RDF query language. The ability to perform queries across the domains of population genetics and pathways offers the potential to answer a number of cancer-related research questions. Among the possibilities is the ability to identify genetic variants which are associated with cancer pathways and whose frequency varies significantly between ethnic groups. This sort of information could be useful for designing clinical studies and for providing background data in personalized medicine. It could also assist with the interpretation of genetic analysis results such as those from genome-wide association studies.
Using Semantic Web Technologies to Annotate and Align Microarray Designs
Authors: Szpakowski Sebastian , McCusker James , Krauthammer Michael
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we annotate and align two different gene expression microarray designs using the Genomic ELement Ontology (GELO). GELO is a new ontology that leverages an existing community resource, Sequence Ontology (SO), to create views of genomically-aligned data in a semantic web environment. We start the process by mapping array probes to genomic coordinates. The coordinates represent an implicit link between the probes and multiple genomic elements, such as genes, transcripts, miRNA, and repetitive elements, which are represented using concepts in SO. We then use the RDF Query Language (SPARQL) to create explicit links between the probes and the elements. We show how the approach allows us to easily determine the element coverage and genomic overlap of the two array designs. We believe that the method will ultimately be useful for integration of cancer data across multiple omic studies. The ontology and other materials described in this paper are available at http://krauthammerlab.med.yale.edu/wiki/Gelo .
ROC Estimation from Clustered Data with an Application to Liver Cancer Data
Authors: Kim Joungyoun , Yun Sung-Cheol , Lim Johan , Lee Moo-Song , Son Won , Park Dohwan
Published: October 2017

In this article, we propose a regression model to compare the performances of different diagnostic methods having clustered ordinal test outcomes. The proposed model treats ordinal test outcomes (an ordinal categorical variable) as grouped-survival time data and uses random effects to explain correlation among outcomes from the same cluster. To compare different diagnostic methods, we introduce a set of covariates indicating diagnostic methods and compare their coefficients. We find that the proposed model defines a Lehmann family and can also introduce a location-scale family of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The proposed model can easily be estimated using standard statistical software such as SAS and SPSS. We illustrate its practical usefulness by applying it to testing different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to detect abnormal lesions in a liver.
Reproducibility of SELDI Spectra across Time and Laboratories
Authors: Diao Lixia , Clarke Charlotte H. , Coombes Kevin R. , Hamilton Stanley R. , Roth Jack , Mao Li , Czerniak Bogdan , Baggerly Keith A. , Morris Jeffrey S. , Fung Eric T. , Bast Robert C.
Published: October 2017

The reproducibility of mass spectrometry (MS) data collected using surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (SELDI-TOF) has been questioned. This investigation was designed to test the reproducibility of SELDI data collected over time by multiple users and instruments. Five laboratories prepared arrays once every week for six weeks. Spectra were collected on separate instruments in the individual laboratories. Additionally, all of the arrays produced each week were rescanned on a single instrument in one laboratory. Lab-to-lab and array-to-array variability in alignment parameters were larger than the variability attributable to running samples during different weeks. The coefficient of variance (CV) in spectrum intensity ranged from 25% at baseline, to 80% in the matrix noise region, to about 50% during the exponential drop from the maximum matrix noise. Before normalization, the median CV of the peak heights was 72% and reduced to about 20% after normalization. Additionally, for the spectra from a common instrument, the CV ranged from 5% at baseline, to 50% in the matrix noise region, to 20% during the drop from the maximum matrix noise. Normalization reduced the variability in peak heights to about 18%. With proper processing methods, SELDI instruments produce spectra containing large numbers of reproducibly located peaks, with consistent heights.
CNS Genes Implicated in Relapse
Authors: Kuntz-Melcavage Kara L. , Freeman Willard M. , Vrana Kent E.
Published: October 2017

Drug abuse is a condition that impacts not only the individual drug user, but society as a whole. Although prevention of initial drug use is the most effective way to prevent addiction, avoiding relapse is a crucial component of drug addiction recovery. Recent studies suggest that there is a set of genes whose expression is robustly and stably altered following drug use and ensuing abstinence. Such stable changes in gene expression correlate with ultrastructural changes in brain as well as alterations in behavior. As persistent molecular changes, these genes may provide targets for the development of therapeutics. Developing a list of well-characterized candidate genes and examining the effect of manipulating these genes will contribute to the ultimate goal of developing effective treatments to prevent relapse to drug use.
At-Risk Drinking among Diabetic Patients
Authors: Ramsey Susan E. , Engler Patricia A.
Published: October 2017

Diabetes Mellitus is a serious chronic disease, affecting an increasing number of individuals worldwide. Adherence to diabetes self-care behaviors is key to the successful management of the disease. At-risk drinking is common among diabetic patients and is associated with inferior diabetes treatment adherence and outcomes, resulting in increased mortality and morbidity. Furthermore, individuals with diabetes who engage in at-risk drinking are also in danger of incurring the negative consequences of at-risk drinking found in the general population. Research suggests that alcohol use screening and intervention do not commonly occur during the course of primary care treatment for diabetes. While methods for reducing alcohol use in this population have been largely unexplored to date, brief interventions to reduce at-risk drinking have been well-validated in other patient populations and offer the promise to reduce at-risk drinking among diabetic patients, resulting in improved diabetes treatment adherence and outcomes.
Examining the Interface between Substance Misuse and Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Stuart Gregory L. , O'farrell Timothy J. , Leonard Kenneth , Moore Todd M. , Temple Jeff R. , Ramsey Susan E. , Stout Robert L. , Kahler Christopher W. , Bucossi Meggan M. , Andersen Shawna M. , Recupero Patricia R. , Walsh Zach , Schonbrun Yael Chatav , Strong David R. , Rothman Emily F. , Rhatigan Deborah L. , Monti Peter M.
Published: October 2017

There is considerable theoretical and empirical support for a link between substance misuse and perpetration and victimization of intimate partner violence. This review briefly summarizes this literature and highlights current research that addresses the interface between treatment for substance abuse and intimate partner violence. Suggestions for future research and clinical implications are provided.
Impact of One-Year Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Heroin Users in Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Chen Guohong , Fujiwara Takeo
Published: October 2017

Context

Although the effectiveness of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is well-established in many countries, it is a relatively new therapy for heroin users in China. Jiangsu Province, a relatively wealthy province, set up 4 MMT clinics in February 2006. No previous studies have evaluated the impact of MMT in a wealthy Chinese province.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a 1-year MMT among heroin users in Jiangsu Province. We investigated the impact of the treatment by examining the following outcomes: 1) reduction of heroin use, 2) increase of appropriate sexual intercourse, 3) reduction of antisocial behavior, 4) increase of better social and family relationships, and 5) HIV prevalence among heroin users in MMT clinics.

Design and Setting

Repeated cross-sectional surveys were conducted before and after heroin users in Jiangsu Province received at least 1-year of treatment in the MMT clinics. A questionnaire survey was implemented for those who agreed to participate from March to April 2006, before the initiation of MMT (N = 554). The second survey was from August to September 2007 and was administered to those who received MMT for more than 1 year (N = 804). One hundred and ninety-six patients who were investigated in both surveys were included in a longitudinal study to evaluate the factors attributable to behavior change.

Results

MMT helped in reducing the percentage of heroin injection and also improved social and familial relationships. Antisocial behavior, including theft, prostitution, and dealing in heroin, decreased after 1-year treatment in the MMT clinics. However, the percentage of patients using condoms was not statistically significant. No case was found to be HIV-positive among those who received more than 1 year MMT. In the longitudinal study of 196 patients who participated in both surveys, no specific demographic variables were found to be associated with heroin use, anti-social behaviors after 1-year MMT.

Conclusions

MMT was thought to reduce heroin use, antisocial behaviors and HIV prevalence, and increased appropriate sexual intercourse behaviors and better social and family relationships among heroin users in a wealthy province in China, which was true regardless of gender, age, marital status, or working status.
Psychiatric Consultation and Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Specker Sheila , Meller William H. , Thurber Steven
Published: October 2017

Background

A substantial number of patients in general hospitals will evince substance abuse problems but a majority is unlikely to be adequately identified in the referral-consultation process. This failure may preclude patients from receiving effective interventions for substance use disorders.

Objectives

1. To evaluate all referred patients for possible substance use disorders. 2. To ascertain the degree of convergence between patients referred for chemical problems and the corresponding DSM diagnosis. 3. To compare demographic data for substance abusing patients and referrals not so classified. 4. To evaluate conditions concomitant with substance use disorders.

Method

Consecutive one-year referrals (524) to consultation-liaison psychiatric services were scrutinized for chemically-related problems by psychiatric consultants.

Results

Of the referrals, 176 met criteria for substance use disorders (SUD) (57% alcohol; 25% other drugs; 18% both alcohol and other drugs). Persons diagnosed with SUD tended to be younger, male, non-Caucasian, unmarried, and unemployed. They were more likely to be depressed, have liver and other gastrointestinal problems, and to have experienced traumatic events; they also tended to have current financial difficulties. Most were referred for SUD evaluation by personnel in general medicine and family practice. Following psychiatric consultation, SUD designated patients were referred mainly to substance abuse treatment programs. The only variable related to recommended inpatient versus outpatient services for individuals with SUD was the Global Assessment of Functioning Axis (GAF) with persons having lower estimated functioning more likely to be referred for inpatient interventions.

Conclusions

These data are similar to the results of past studies in this area. Unlike previous investigations in the domain of consultative-liaison psychiatry, financial stressors and specific consultant recommendations were included in data gathering. Although the results are encouraging in that individuals with SUD were identified and potentially sent for appropriate treatment, the likelihood is that many patients with SUD remain unrecognized and do not receive necessary consultative and treatment services.
Substance Use and Mental Health Outcomes for Comorbid Patients in Psychiatric Day Treatment
Authors: Magura Stephen , Rosenblum Andrew , Betzler Thomas
Published: October 2017

The study's purpose was to determine treatment outcomes for patients who present with drug use vs. those presenting with no drug use at admission to a psychiatric day treatment program. Consecutively admitted patients completed confidential interviews which included psychological distress and quality of life measures and provided urine specimens for toxicology at admission and six month follow-up. Subjects positive by past 30 day self-report or urinalysis were categorized as drug users. Major psychiatric diagnoses were: major depression 25%; bipolar, 13%; other mood 13%; schizoaffective 13%; schizophrenia 13%. Drug use at admission was: cocaine 35%; marijuana 33%; opiates 18%, (meth)amphetamines, 6% For each of these drugs, the percentage of patients positive at admission who remitted from using the drug significantly exceeded the percentage negative at baseline who initiated using the drug. Overall, there were significant decreases in psychological distress and significant improvement on quality of life, but no change on positive affect. There were no significant differences between drug users and non-drug users on symptom reduction and improvement in quality of life. Psychiatric day treatment appears to benefit comorbid patients by reducing the net number of patients who actively use certain common drugs and by improving psychological status and quality of life to the same degree as for non-drug using patients.
Potential for Tramadol Abuse by Patients Visiting Pharmacies in Northern Iran
Authors: Zabihi Ebrahim , Hoseinzaadeh Aateffeh , Emami Maryam , Mardani Mahdieh , Mahmoud Baradaran , Akbar Moghadamnia Ali
Published: October 2017

Background

It has been almost three decades since tramadol was introduced to the market as a centrally acting analgesic. It is claimed to have weak opioid properties and a low dependence potential in opioid-addicted patients. This study was designed to investigate the suspicion of potential tramadol abuse among patients visiting pharmacies in Babol, one of the major cities in northern Iran.

Methods

Under supervision by pharmacists, a questionnaire designed to monitor drug abuse was filled out for every patient who requested tramadol from Babol's pharmacies during 6 months (Aug. 2007 till Feb. 2008). The data obtained were used to derive descriptive statistics and to make a comparison with results from other countries.

Results

Of 162 patients (or someone on their behalf) who had sought tramadol from a pharmacy, 92 (56%) patients did not have a prescription. At least 103 (64%) patients reported criteria for addiction (ie, for feeling of psychological well being, unable to cease taking the drug, more than two weeks of tramadol use). In total, 145 (89%) patients were aged younger than 30 years, and 90 (55%) patients were aged younger than 18 years. More than 63% of patients reported a history of addiction or drug abuse. Most of the patients with no prescription (88%) had abuse/addiction criteria.

Conclusion

Patients who request tramadol from pharmacies in Babol seem to have a high potential for drug abuse, in particular those who do not have prescriptions. The high prevalence of people under 18 years of age seeking tramadol could be a worldwide trend. We recommend further governmental support for pharmacies to deal with tramadol abusers in northern Iran.
How Long Does Craving Predict Use of Methamphetamine? Assessment of Use One to Seven Weeks after the Assessment of Craving
Authors: Galloway Gantt P. , Singleton Edward G. ,   The Methamphetamine Treatment Project Corporate Authors, Anglin M. Douglas , Rawson Richard A. , Patricia Marinelli-Casey , Joseph Balabis , Richard Bradway , Alison Hamilton Brown , Cynthia Burke , Darrell Christian , Judith Cohen , Florentina Cosmineanu , Alice Dickow , Melissa Donaldson , Yvonne Frazier , Freese Thomas E. , Cheryl Gallagher , Galloway Gantt P. , Vikas Gulati , James Herrell , Kathryn Horner , Alice Huber , Iguchi Martin Y. , Lord Russell H. , McCann Michael J. , Sam Minsky , Pat Morrisey , Jeanne Obert , Susan Pennell , Chris Reiber , Norman Rodrigues , Janice Stalcup , Stalcup P.H.S. Alex , Stamper Ewa S. , Janice Stimson , Sarah Turcotte Manser , Denna Vandersloot , Ahndrea Weiner , Kathryn Woodward , Joan Zweben
Published: October 2017

Aims

This study lays the foundation for a clinical prediction model based on methamphetamine craving intensity and its ability to predict the presence or absence of within-treatment methamphetamine use.

Design

We used a random effects logistic approach for estimating repeated-measures, generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) using craving as the sole predictor of methamphetamine. A multivariate GLMM included craving, length of treatment, treatment assignment, and methamphetamine use the previous week as covariates to control for potential confounds. We performed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses to evaluate predictive accuracy. We investigated further whether methamphetamine craving predicted subsequent use more accurately at intervals more proximal to versus those more distal to assessment, examining one-week periods ending one to seven weeks after assessment of craving.

Setting

The study was part of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) Methamphetamine Treatment Project (MTP).

Subjects

Analyses were based on data from 691 methamphetamine dependent outpatients enrolled in the MTP.

Measurements

Craving was assessed by self-report on a 0–100 scale. Self-reported methamphetamine use was toxicologically verified. Craving and drug use were assessed weekly for 8 weeks.

Findings

In the univariate analysis craving predicted methamphetamine use in the week immediately following the craving report (p < 0.0001), with subject-specific use increasing 0.38% for each one-point increase in craving on a 0–100 scale. In the multivariate analysis the probability of use decreased by 2.45% for each week in treatment increased by 33.11% for previous methamphetamine use, and the probability of methamphetamine use still increased with craving, rising 0.28% for each one-point increase in craving score (all p < 0.0001). Predictive accuracy was strongest at the one-week time-lag and declined in magnitude the more distal the assessment period.

Conclusions

Craving is a predictor of within-treatment methamphetamine use. Intensity of craving is appropriate for use as a surrogate marker in methamphetamine dependence.
The Influence of Web- versus Paper-Based Formats on the Assessment of Tobacco Dependence: Evaluating the Measurement Invariance of the Dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale
Authors: Richardson Chris G. , Johnson Joy L. , Ratner Pamela A. , Zumbo Bruno D.
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of mode of administration (internet-based, web survey format versus pencil-and-paper format) on responses to the Dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale (DTDS). Responses from 1,484 adolescents that reported using tobacco (mean age 16 years) were examined; 354 (23.9%) participants completed a web-based version and 1,130 (76.1%) completed a paper-based version of the survey. Both surveys were completed in supervised classroom environments. Use of the web-based format was associated with significantly shorter completion times and a small but statistically significant increase in the number of missing responses. Tests of measurement invariance indicated that using a web-based mode of administration did not influence the psychometric functioning of the DTDS. There were no significant differences between the web- and paper-based groups' ratings of the survey's length, their question comprehension, and their response accuracy. Overall, the results of the study support the equivalence of scores obtained from web- and paper-based versions of the DTDS in secondary school settings.
Comparison of Microleakage of Class V Cavities restored with the Embrace WetBond Class V Composite Resin and Conventional Opallis Composite Resin
Authors: Tavangar Maryam , Zohri Zahra , Sheikhnezhad Hosein , Shahbeig Shahrzad
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study was undertaken to compare the microleakage of class V cavities restored with the newly introduced Embrace WetBond class V (EWC) composite resin and conventional Opallis composite resin.

Materials and methods

In this in vitro study, class V cavities were prepared on 30 extracted bovine incisors, with the gingival floor and the coronal margin of the cavities 1 mm apical and coronal to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) respectively. The cavities measured 3 mm in length, 2 mm in width, and 1.5 mm in depth. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups. In group I, the cavities were restored with Opallis composite resin in association with ExciTE adhesive system (total-etch); in group II, the EWC composite resin was used for restorations. After 500 thermocycling procedures, the teeth were immersed in 0.5% fuchsin solution for 24 hours. Then, the samples were placed within a polyester model and sectioned in the buccolingual direction. The samples were evaluated under a stereomicroscope at ×30 for the penetration of dye. The enamel and dentin margins were evaluated separately. To test ordinal results, we used nonparametric statistical methods. To find out whether each independent composite groups I and II came from the same populations, we used Mann–Whitney U test and to compare two related samples’ coronal margin and gingival margin, Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used.

Results

There was significantly more microleakage in group II at both the enamel and dentin margins (coronal margin: p = 0.04; gingival margin: p = 0.21). In both groups, microleakage gingival margins was significantly higher than that at coronal margins (group I: p = 0.008; group II: p = 0.26).

Conclusion

Despite the high speed and the short process of restoration with Embrace WetBond, it is not a reliable restorative material for class V cavities due to its inadequate marginal seal.

How to cite this article

Tavangar M, Zohri Z, Sheikhnezhad H, Shahbeig S. Comparison of Microleakage of Class V Cavities restored with the Embrace WetBond Class V Composite Resin and Conventional Opallis Composite Resin. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(10):867-873.