bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Depressive Symptoms and Anti-Depressants with Body
Mass Index and Waist Circumference in Elderly Men and Women: The
ARIC Carotid MRI Study
Authors: Golden Sherita Hill , Hsu Hui-Chun , Astor Brad C. , Malhotra Saurabh , Wand Gary , Wasserman Bruce A.
Published: June 2014

Background:

Depressive symptoms are associated with obesity, a precursor to type 2 diabetes and
cardiovascular disease, and might in part explain the association of depressive symptoms with adverse metabolic
outcomes. We determined the cross-sectional association between depressive symptoms and body mass index (BMI) and
waist circumference (WC) in 1,314 elderly men and women age 60 to 83 years in the Atherosclerosis Risk in
Communities (ARIC) Carotid MRI Study.

Methods:

Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale.
Elevated depressive symptoms were defined as CES-D score !16 and/or anti-depressant medication use. CES-D score was
also modeled continuously.

Results:

In unadjusted analyses, each 5-point higher CES-D score was associated with a 0.48 kg/m2 higher BMI (95% CI:
0.24 to 0.69) and a 1.23 cm higher WC (95% CI: 0.67 to 1.82). Adjustment for potential confounders, including physical
activity, attenuated the associations with BMI (0.16 kg/m2; 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.39) and WC (0.45 cm; 95% CI: -0.11 to
1.01). Compared to individuals without elevated depressive symptoms, those with elevated symptoms had significantly
greater BMI (0.99 kg/m2; 95% CI: 0.07 to 1.90) and WC (3.22 cm; 95% CI: 1.04 to 5.40), even after multivariable
adjustment. In a subsidiary analysis, compared to individuals not taking anti-depressants, those taking anti-depressants
had significantly higher waist circumference (1.54 cm; 95% CI: 0.18 to 2.90) and BMI (4.23 kg/m2; 95% CI: 0.90 to 7.55)
following multivariable adjustment. All results were similar when individuals with diabetes and coronary heart disease
were excluded and when waist to height ratio was used an alternative measure of body fat.

Conclusions:

We found a significant cross-sectional association between depressive symptoms and BMI and WC in
elderly individuals that was partially explained by health behaviors, particularly physical activity.
K-10 clay as a reusable catalyst for the solvent-free MW-induced synthesis of enaminones
Authors: Marvi Omid , Giahi Masoud , Ayub Pouran , Nikpasand Mohammad
Published: June 2014

A series of ?-amino-?, ?-unsaturated ketones and esters synthesized from the
reaction of different amines with 1,3- dicarbonyl compounds in solvent-free
media using montmorillonite K-10 clay as solid recyclable heterogeneous
acidic catalyst and microwave irradiation in good to excellent yields.
The influence of glass fibers on the morphology of β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Janevski Aco , Bogoeva-Gaceva Gordana
Published: June 2014

The presence of fillers/fibers can significantly affect the polymorphic
behavior of semi-crystalline polymers. The influence of glass fibers on
morphology of ?-nucleated iPP during isothermal and nonisothermal
crystallization was analyzed in detail by DSC, and the kinetics and
thermodynamic parameters were determined for the systems containing 10-60 %
glass fibers. The presence of glass fibers in model composites with ?-iPP
has insignificant effect on the morphology of the polymer. Thermodynamic and
kinetics parameters of crystallization of iPP in model composites are close
to those obtained for the nucleated polymer. The relative content of
?-crystalline phase is slightly affected by increasing glass fiber?s content
from 10 % mas to 60 % mas, due to appearance of ?-crystallites. However, the
stability of ?-crystalline phase is decreased by the increasing glass fibers
content and there appeared certain amount of ?1 and ?2 phases which are
known as disposed to recrystallization.
Bone turnover markers in medicamentous and physiological hyperprolactinemia in female rats
Authors: Radojkovic Danijela , Pesic Milica , Ristic Tatjana
Published: June 2014

Background/Aim. There is a lack of data on the effects of prolactin on
calcium metabolism and bone turnover in hyperprolactinemia of various
origins. The aim of this study was to compare the influence of medicamentous
and physiological hyperprolactinemia on bone turnover in female rats.
Methods. Experimental animals (18 weeks old, Wistar female rats) were divided
as follows: the group P - 9 rats, 3 weeks pregnant; the group M3-10 rats that
were intramuscularly administrated sulpirid (10 mg/kg) twice daily for 3
weeks, the group M6 - 10 rats that were intramuscularly administrated with
sulpirid (10 mg/kg) twice daily for 6 weeks, and age matched nulliparous rats
as the control group: 10 rats, 18-week-old (C1) and 7 rats, 24 weeks old
(C2). Laboratory investigations included serum ionized calcium and
phosphorus, urinary calcium and phosphorous excretion, osteocalcin and serum
procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP). Results. Experimental
animals in the group P compared to the control group, displayed lower mean
serum ionized calcium (0.5 ? 0.2 vs 1.12 ? 0.04 mmol/L; p < 0.001); higher
mean serum phosphorus (2.42 ? 0.46 vs 2.05 ? 0.2 mmol/L; p < 0.05); increased
urinary calcium (3.90 ? 0.46 vs 3.05 ? 0.58; p < 0.01) and significantly
increased P1NP (489,22 ? 46,77 vs 361.9 ? 53,01 pg/mL; p < 0.001).
Experimental animals in the group M3 had significantly decreased P1NP,
compared to the control group. Prolongated medicamentous hyperprolactinemia
(the group M6) induced increased serum ionized calcium (1.21 ? 0.03 vs 1.15 ?
0.02 mmol/L; p < 0.001); decreased serum phosphorus (1.70 ? 0.13 vs 1.89 ?
0.32 mmol/L; p < 0.001); decreased osteocalcin and P1NP. Conclusions.
Physiological hyperprolactinemia does not have such harmful effect on bone
metabolism as medicamentous hyperprolactinemia. Chronic medicamentous
hyperprolactinemia produces lower serum levels of bone formation markers.
Assessment of bone turnover markers in prolongated medicamentous
hyperprolactinemia provides an opportunity for earlier diagnosis of bone
metabolism disturbances and should be considered as mandatory.
Significance, aetiology and prevention of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and puerperium
Authors: Kutlesic Marija , Kutlesic Ranko , Koracevic Goran
Published: June 2014

nema
Meeting Individual Analyst Expectations
Authors: Kirk Marcus P. , Reppenhagen David A. , Tucker Jennifer Wu
Published: June 2014

The expectations management literature has so far focused on firms meeting the analyst consensus forecast—the expectations of analysts as a group—at earnings announcements. In this study we argue that investors may use individual analyst forecasts as additional benchmarks in evaluating reported earnings because the consensus forecast underutilizes private information contained in individual analyst forecasts. We predict that measures reflecting such private information have incremental explanatory power over the consensus forecast for the market's reaction to earnings news. We find results consistent with this prediction by examining two measures: (1) the percentage of individual forecasts met and (2) meeting the key analyst forecast. We extend the literature by documenting the role of individual analyst forecasts in investors' evaluations of reported earnings.

JEL Classifications: G10; G11; G17; G14; G24.

Data Availability: Data are publicly available from the sources identified in the paper.
Preparation of selectively protected protoescigenin derivatives for synthesis of escin analogs and neoglycoconjugates
Authors: Jatczak Kamil , Gruza Mariusz , Filip Katarzyna , Cmoch Piotr , Grynkiewicz Grzegorz
Published: June 2014

Protoescigenin, the main aglycone of horse chestnut saponin mixture known as escin, was selected as substrate for exploratory chemistry towards selective protection, followed by propargyl ether formation and subsequent condensation with azido-monosaccharides, to obtain novel triazole linked conjugates of the triterpene.
High-Resolution Spectroscopy of the Hayabusa Reentry Using a Fabry–Perot Interferometer
Authors: Löhle Stefan , Jenniskens Peter
Published: June 2014

Spectroscopic observations of the Hayabusa reentry are presented as obtained by an instrument combining Fabry–Perot interferometry and classical optical emission spectroscopy. The instrument was deployed onboard NASA’s DC-8 airborne laboratory as part of the Hayabusa Reentry Airborne Observation Campaign led by NASA, in close collaboration with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The covered wavelength range in the low-resolution mode is from 738.4 to 852.1 nm with the aim to acquire simultaneously the neutral atomic oxygen triplets at 777 and 844 nm and the nitrogen lines at 746 and 821 nm. The high-resolution mode reaches a wavelength resolution of [Formula: see text]. The intention of this instrument was to measure the translational temperature of the neutral atoms in the plasma flow ahead of the Hayabusa capsule. Air plasma emissions were detected at high resolution, but not at high enough signal to noise to measure the linewidth with sufficient accuracy. As expected, the measurements demonstrate the absence of significant pressure broadening in the lines compared with plasma wind-tunnel conditions.
Noise Source Identification During Rocket Engine Test Firings and a Rocket Launch
Authors: Panda J. , Mosher R. N. , Porter B. J.
Published: June 2014

A 70 microphone, [Formula: see text], microphone phased array was built for use in the harsh environment of rocket launches. The array was set up at NASA Wallops launch pad 0A during a static-test firing of Orbital Sciences’ Antares engines and again during the first launch of the Antares vehicle. It was placed 400 ft away from the pad and was hoisted on a scissor lift 40 ft above ground. The data sets provided unprecedented insight into rocket noise sources. The duct exit was found to be the primary source during the static-test firing; the large amount of water injected beneath the nozzle exit and inside the plume duct quenched all other sources. The maps of the noise sources during launch were found to be time dependent. As the engines came to full power and became louder, the primary source switched from the duct inlet to the duct exit. Further elevation of the vehicle caused spilling of the hot plume, resulting in a distributed noise map covering most of the pad. As the entire plume emerged from the duct, and the on-deck water system came to full power, the plume itself became the loudest noise source. These maps of the noise sources provide vital insight for optimization of sound suppression systems for future Antares launches.
Professionalism in a Digital Age: Opportunities and Considerations for Using Social Media in Health Care
Authors: Gagnon Kendra , Sabus Carla
Published: June 2014

Since the beginning of the millennium, there has been a remarkable change in how people access and share information. Much of this information is user-generated content found on social media sites. As digital technologies and social media continue to expand, health care providers must adapt their professional communication to meet the expectations and needs of consumers. This adaptation may include communication on social media sites. However, many health care providers express concerns that professional social media use, particularly interactions with patients, is ethically problematic. Social media engagement does not create ethical dissonance if best practices are observed and online communication adheres to terms of service, professional standards, and organizational policy. A well-executed social media presence provides health care providers, including physical therapists, the opportunity—and perhaps a professional obligation—to use social media sites to share or create credible health care information, filling a consumer void for high-quality online information on fitness, wellness, and rehabilitation. This perspective article provides a broad review of the emergence of social media in society and health care, explores policy implications of organizational adoption of health care social media, and proposes individual opportunities and guidelines for social media use by the physical therapy professional.
Effect of Therapeutic Aquatic Exercise on Symptoms and Function Associated With Lower Limb Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Authors: Waller Benjamin , Ogonowska-Slodownik Anna , Vitor Manuel , Lambeck Johan , Daly Daniel , Kujala Urho M. , Heinonen Ari
Published: June 2014

Background

Current management of osteoarthritis (OA) focuses on pain control and maintaining physical function through pharmacological, nonpharmacological, and surgical treatments. Exercise, including therapeutic aquatic exercise (TAE), is considered one of the most important management options. Nevertheless, there is no up-to-date systematic review describing the effect of TAE on symptoms and function associated with lower limb OA.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the effect of TAE on symptoms and function associated with lower limb OA.

Data Sources

The data sources used in this study were: MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, and SPORTDiscus.

Study Selection

All studies selected for review were randomized controlled trials with an aquatic exercise group and a nontreatment control group. In total, 11 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the synthesis and meta-analysis.

Data Extraction

Data were extracted and checked for accuracy by 3 independent reviewers.

Data Synthesis

Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated for all outcomes. The meta-analysis showed a significant TAE effect on pain (SMD=0.26 [95% CI=0.11, 0.41]), self-reported function (SMD=0.30 [95% CI=0.18, 0.43]), and physical functioning (SMD=0.22 [95% CI=0.07, 0.38]). Additionally, a significant effect was seen on stiffness (SMD=0.20 [95% CI=0.03, 0.36]) and quality of life (SMD=0.24 [95% CI=0.04, 0.45]).

Limitations

Heterogeneity of outcome measures and small sample sizes for many of the included trials imply that conclusions based on these results should be made with caution.

Conclusions

The results indicate that TAE is effective in managing symptoms associated with lower limb OA.
Stepping Asymmetry Among Individuals With Unilateral Transtibial Limb Loss Might Be Functional in Terms of Gait Stability
Authors: Hak Laura , van Dieën Jaap H. , van der Wurff Peter , Houdijk Han
Published: June 2014

Background

The asymmetry in step length in prosthetic gait is often seen as a detrimental effect of the impairment; however, this asymmetry also might be a functional compensation. An advantage of a smaller step length of the nonprosthetic leg, and specifically foot forward placement (FFP), might be that it will bring the center of mass closer to the base of support of the leading foot and thus increase the backward margin of stability (BW MoS).

Objective

The purpose of this study was to characterize differences in step length, FFP, and the concomitant difference in BW MoS between steps of the prosthetic and nonprosthetic legs (referred to as prosthetic and nonprosthetic steps, respectively) of people after transtibial amputation.

Design

This was an observational and cross-sectional study.

Methods

Ten people after transtibial amputation walked for 4 minutes on a self-paced treadmill. Step length and FFP were calculated at initial contact. The size of the BW MoS was calculated for the moment of initial contact and at the end of the double-support phase of gait.

Results

Step length (5.4%) and FFP (7.9%) were shorter for the nonprosthetic step than for the prosthetic step. The BW MoS at initial contact was larger for the nonprosthetic step, but because of a significant leg × gait event interaction effect, BW MoS did not differ significantly at the end of the double-support phase.

Limitations

All participants were relatively good walkers (score of E on the Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine [SIGAM] scale).

Conclusions

The smaller step length and FFP of the nonprosthetic step help to create a larger BW MoS at initial contact for the nonprosthetic step compared with the prosthetic step. Hence, step length asymmetry in people after transtibial amputation might be seen as a functional compensation to preserve BW MoS during the double-support phase to cope with the limited push-off power of the prosthetic ankle.
Mapping Mental Representations of Industrial Risk: Illustrated with the Populations of the Estuary of the Seine River, France
Authors: Bonnet Emmanuel , Amalric Marion , Chevé Morgane
Published: June 2014

This article uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to study the representations of risk produced by the inhabitants of an area exposed to industrial risk. The methodologies used are intended to bring to light perceptions, thoughts, opinions, and sensitivities, whether conscious or subconscious, and thus are subject to the normal precautions of the human and social sciences. If interviews give the researcher information on respondents' knowledge of risk or degree of worry, other media can provide complementary and sometimes even contradictory information. Mental maps are a part of the methodological arsenal that goes beyond the medium of language and allows a spatial approach to the study of representations of risk. Using mental maps in association with geographic information systems allows us to understand the spatial differentiation of the representations of risk.
Implications of Web Mercator and Its Use in Online Mapping
Authors: Battersby Sarah E. , Finn Michael P. , Usery E. Lynn , Yamamoto Kristina H.
Published: June 2014

Online interactive maps have become a popular means of communicating with spatial data. In most online mapping systems, Web Mercator has become the dominant projection. While the Mercator projection has a long history of discussion about its inappropriateness for general-purpose mapping, particularly at the global scale, and seems to have been virtually phased out for general-purpose global-scale print maps, it has seen a resurgence in popularity in Web Mercator form. This article theorizes on how Web Mercator came to be widely used for online maps and what this might mean in terms of data display, technical aspects of map generation and distribution, design, and cognition of spatial patterns. The authors emphasize details of where the projection excels and where it does not, as well as some of its advantages and disadvantages for cartographic communication, and conclude with some research directions that may help to develop better solutions to the problem of projections for general-purpose, multi-scale Web mapping.
Methods for Curbing Exemption Bias in Ground Delay Programs through Speed Control
Authors: Jones James C. , Lovell David J.
Published: June 2014

Ground delay programs allow flights originating beyond a specified distance to become exempt from any delay imposed by the program. This exemption leads to a biased allocation that favors longer flights over shorter ones and alters an otherwise fair allocation. This paper presents two algorithms to reduce this exemption bias through speed control. The first algorithm attempts to assign the maximum possible delay achievable through speed control to the exempt flights. The second algorithm begins by prescribing the maximum possible delay to exempt flights but works to improve on this allocation by acting to fill holes in the schedule with speed-controlled exempt flights whenever possible. Both algorithms demonstrate considerable delay transfer relative to distance-based ration-by-schedule; however, the second one also reveals some ability to improve throughput.
Costs and Benefits of Reducing Fuel Burn and Emissions from Taxiing Aircraft
Authors: Vaishnav Parth
Published: June 2014

While taxiing, aircraft are powered by their main engines. This paper estimates the potential reductions in costs and emissions that could be achieved with tugs or an electric motor embedded in the landing gear to propel aircraft on the ground. The use of tugs would result in the avoidance of $20/ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions if the measure were adopted for all domestic flights. Estimates of average net savings for airlines vary from $100 per flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City to a loss of $160 per flight in Honolulu, Hawaii. Electric taxiing would save between $30 and $240/ton of CO2 emissions avoided. Either approach could reduce CO2 emissions from domestic flights in the United States by about 1.5 million tons each year, or about 1.1% of the total emissions in 2006. If the switch were limited to large narrow-body aircraft on domestic service at the busiest airports in the United States, the total reduction in emissions would be 0.5 million tons of CO2 annually, accompanied by savings of $100/ton. Air quality benefits associated with lower main engine use were monetized by using the air pollution emission experiments and policy model and ranged from more than $500 per flight in the New York City area to just more than $20 per flight in the Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, area. The analysis also demonstrates that emissions reductions from different interventions (e.g., single-engine taxiing and the use of tugs) are often not independent of each other and therefore cannot be combined in a simple way.
Perioperative outcomes, complications, and costs associated with lumbar spinal fusion in older patients with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis
Authors: Ong Kevin L. , Auerbach Joshua D. , Lau Edmund , Schmier Jordana , Ochoa Jorge A.
Published: June 2014

Object

The purpose of this study was to quantify the perioperative outcomes, complications, and costs associated with posterolateral spinal fusion (PSF) among Medicare enrollees with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and/or spondylolisthesis by using a national Medicare claims database.

Methods

A 5% systematic sample of Medicare claims data (2005–2009) was used to identify outcomes in patients who had undergone PSF for a diagnosis of LSS and/or spondylolisthesis. Patients eligible for study inclusion also required a minimum of 2 years of follow-up and a claim history of at least 12 months prior to surgery.

Results

A final cohort of 1672 patients was eligible for analysis. Approximately half (50.7%) had LSS only, 10.2% had spondylolisthesis only, and 39.1% had both LSS and spondylolisthesis. The average age was 71.4 years, and the average length of stay was 4.6 days. At 3 months and 1 and 2 years postoperatively, the incidence of spine reoperation was 10.9%, 13.3%, and 16.9%, respectively, whereas readmissions for complications occurred in 11.1%, 17.5%, and 24.9% of cases, respectively. At 2 years postoperatively, 36.2% of patients had either undergone spine reoperation and/or received an epidural injection. The average Medicare payment was $36,230 ± $17,020, $46,840 ± $31,350, and $61,610 ± $46,580 at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery, respectively.

Conclusions

The data showed that 1 in 6 elderly patients treated with PSF for LSS or spondylolisthesis underwent reoperation on the spine within 2 years of surgery, and nearly 1 in 4 patients was readmitted for a surgery-related complication. These data highlight several potential areas in which improvements may be made in the effective delivery and cost of surgical care for patients with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.
Cost-effectiveness analysis in minimally invasive spine surgery
Authors: Al-Khouja Lutfi T. , Baron Eli M. , Johnson J. Patrick , Kim Terrence T. , Drazin Doniel
Published: June 2014

Object

Medical care has been evolving with the increased influence of a value-based health care system. As a result, more emphasis is being placed on ensuring cost-effectiveness and utility in the services provided to patients. This study looks at this development in respect to minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) costs.

Methods

A literature review using PubMed, the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) Registry, and the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED) was performed. Papers were included in the study if they reported costs associated with minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). If there was no mention of cost, CEA, cost-utility analysis (CUA), quality-adjusted life year (QALY), quality, or outcomes mentioned, then the article was excluded.

Results

Fourteen studies reporting costs associated with MISS in 12,425 patients (3675 undergoing minimally invasive procedures and 8750 undergoing open procedures) were identified through PubMed, the CEA Registry, and NHS EED. The percent cost difference between minimally invasive and open approaches ranged from 2.54% to 33.68%—all indicating cost saving with a minimally invasive surgical approach. Average length of stay (LOS) for minimally invasive surgery ranged from 0.93 days to 5.1 days compared with 1.53 days to 12 days for an open approach. All studies reporting EBL reported lower volume loss in an MISS approach (range 10–392.5 ml) than in an open approach (range 55–535.5 ml).

Conclusions

There are currently an insufficient number of studies published reporting the costs of MISS. Of the studies published, none have followed a standardized method of reporting and analyzing cost data. Preliminary findings analyzing the 14 studies showed both cost saving and better outcomes in MISS compared with an open approach. However, more Level I CEA/CUA studies including cost/QALY evaluations with specifics of the techniques utilized need to be reported in a standardized manner to make more accurate conclusions on the cost effectiveness of minimally invasive spine surgery.
Intracranial infantile hemangiopericytoma
Authors: McHugh Brian J. , Baranoski Jacob F. , Malhotra Ajay , Vortmeyer Alexander O. , Sze Gordon , Duncan Charles C.
Published: June 2014

Intracranial infantile hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are exceedingly rare lesions. Only 11 cases have been previously reported in the literature. As such, little is known about the etiology, long-term prognosis, and optimal treatment paradigm. Clinically, they are consistently less aggressive than those in adults. The authors present the case of a 2-month-old boy with an intracranial HPC, review the available literature, discuss the evolving concepts of what defines an HPC, and offer a potential explanation to how HPC histology might relate to the clinical behavior of these lesions.
Teriparatide increases the insertional torque of pedicle screws during fusion surgery in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis
Authors: Inoue Gen , Ueno Masaki , Nakazawa Toshiyuki , Imura Takayuki , Saito Wataru , Uchida Kentaro , Ohtori Seiji , Toyone Tomoaki , Takahira Naonobu , Takaso Masashi
Published: June 2014

Object

The object of this study was to examine the efficacy of preoperative teriparatide treatment for increasing the insertional torque of pedicle screws during fusion surgery in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods

Fusion surgery for the thoracic and/or lumbar spine was performed in 29 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis aged 65–82 years (mean 72.2 years). The patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether they were treated with teriparatide (n = 13) or not (n = 16) before the surgery. In the teriparatide-treated group, patients received preoperative teriparatide therapy as either a daily (20 μg/day, n = 7) or a weekly (56.5 μg/week, n = 6) injection for a mean of 61.4 days and a minimum of 31 days. During surgery, the insertional torque was measured in 212 screws inserted from T-7 to L-5 and compared between the 2 groups. The correlation between the insertional torque and the duration of preoperative teriparatide treatment was also investigated.

Results

The mean insertional torque value in the teriparatide group was 1.28 ± 0.42 Nm, which was significantly higher than in the control group (1.08 ± 0.52 Nm, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the daily and the weekly teriparatide groups with respect to mean insertional torque value (1.34 ± 0.50 Nm and 1.18 ± 0.43 Nm, respectively, p = 0.07). There was negligible correlation between insertional torque and duration of preoperative teriparatide treatment (r2 = 0.05, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Teriparatide injections beginning at least 1 month prior to surgery were effective in increasing the insertional torque of pedicle screws during surgery in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Preoperative teriparatide treatment might be an option for maximizing the purchase of the pedicle screws to the bone at the time of fusion surgery.
Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2014
Authors: DeSantis Carol E. , Lin Chun Chieh , Mariotto Angela B. , Siegel Rebecca L. , Stein Kevin D. , Kramer Joan L. , Alteri Rick , Robbins Anthony S. , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: June 2014

The number of cancer survivors continues to increase due to the aging and growth of the population and improvements in early detection and treatment. In order for the public health community to better serve these survivors, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute collaborated to estimate the number of current and future cancer survivors using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program registries. In addition, current treatment patterns for the most common cancer types are described based on information in the National Cancer Data Base and the SEER and SEER‐Medicare linked databases; treatment‐related side effects are also briefly described. Nearly 14.5 million Americans with a history of cancer were alive on January 1, 2014; by January 1, 2024, that number will increase to nearly 19 million. The 3 most common prevalent cancers among males are prostate cancer (43%), colorectal cancer (9%), and melanoma (8%), and those among females are cancers of the breast (41%), uterine corpus (8%), and colon and rectum (8%). The age distribution of survivors varies substantially by cancer type. For example, the majority of prostate cancer survivors (62%) are aged 70 years or older, whereas less than one‐third (32%) of melanoma survivors are in this older age group. It is important for clinicians to understand the unique medical and psychosocial needs of cancer survivors and to proactively assess and manage these issues. There are a growing number of resources that can assist patients, caregivers, and health care providers in navigating the various phases of cancer survivorship. CA Cancer J Clin 2014;64:252–271. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Relative Entropy, Interaction Energy and the Nature of Dissipation
Authors: Gaveau Bernard , Granger Léo , Moreau Michel , Schulman Lawrence
Published: June 2014

Many thermodynamic relations involve inequalities, with equality if a process does not involve dissipation. In this article we provide equalities in which the dissipative contribution is shown to involve the relative entropy (a.k.a. Kullback-Leibler divergence). The processes considered are general time evolutions both in classical and quantum mechanics, and the initial state is sometimes thermal, sometimes partially so. By calculating a transport coefficient we show that indeed—at least in this case—the source of dissipation in that coefficient is the relative entropy.
On the Fisher Metric of Conditional Probability Polytopes
Authors: Montúfar Guido , Rauh Johannes , Ay Nihat
Published: June 2014

We consider three different approaches to define natural Riemannian metrics on polytopes of stochastic matrices. First, we define a natural class of stochastic maps between these polytopes and give a metric characterization of Chentsov type in terms of invariance with respect to these maps. Second, we consider the Fisher metric defined on arbitrary polytopes through their embeddings as exponential families in the probability simplex. We show that these metrics can also be characterized by an invariance principle with respect to morphisms of exponential families. Third, we consider the Fisher metric resulting from embedding the polytope of stochastic matrices in a simplex of joint distributions by specifying a marginal distribution. All three approaches result in slight variations of products of Fisher metrics. This is consistent with the nature of polytopes of stochastic matrices, which are Cartesian products of probability simplices. The first approach yields a scaled product of Fisher metrics; the second, a product of Fisher metrics; and the third, a product of Fisher metrics scaled by the marginal distribution.
Narratives of Natural Recovery: Youth Experience of Social Inclusion through Green Care
Authors: Kogstad Ragnfrid , Agdal Rita , Hopfenbeck Mark
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study has been to investigate the effects of Green Care services for youth in vulnerable situations risking social exclusion. Green Care enterprises represent alternative arenas in which people can work with animals, agriculture and other tasks related to nature. We interviewed nine persons, aged 17–27, working in three different places, two or more times over a two-year period. We looked at essential beneficial factors in order to better understand how the “green” element could add to more traditional recovery factors. We found that the youth described core success factors corresponding to well-known recovery factors such as recognition, supportive relationships, motivation, meaning, positive coping, self-esteem, confidence and hope. The effective factors can be described as: (a) The leader’s ability to create a good group atmosphere, (b) the varied tasks which allow step-wise increases in self-efficacy, and (c) experiences with animals and in nature that provide comfort for youth who lack trust in people and need safe situations to recover a positive sense of self. We followed a process in which several persons gradually regained self-respect and the motivation for further education or a job outside the Green Care enterprise. The study illustrates that Green Care can be an important supplement in helping people back to a satisfying life and meaningful roles in society.
Pregnane-Type Steroids from the Formosan Soft Coral Scleronephthya flexilis
Authors: Kuo Chao-Ying , Juan Yung-Shun , Lu Mei-Chin , Chiang Michael , Dai Chang-Feng , Wu Yang-Chang , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: June 2014

Three pregnane-type steroids, including a new metabolite, 3β-methoxy-5,20-pregnadiene (1) along with two known analogues, 3β-acetoxy-5,20-pregnadiene (2) and 5α-pregna-1,20-dien-3-one (3) were isolated from the soft coral Scleronephthya flexilis. Standard spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the structure of new steroid 1. The absolute stereochemistry of steroid 2 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Steroid 3 exhibited potent activity against MOLT-4 tumor cells.
Total Protein Extraction for Metaproteomics Analysis of Methane Producing Biofilm: The Effects of Detergents
Authors: Huang Hung-Jen , Chen Wei-Yu , Wu Jer-Horng
Published: June 2014

Protein recovery is crucial for shotgun metaproteomics to study the in situ functionality of microbial populations from complex biofilms but still poorly addressed by far. To fill this knowledge gap, we systematically evaluated the sample preparation with extraction buffers comprising four detergents for the metaproteomics analysis of a terephthalate-degrading methanogenic biofilm using an on-line two-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (2D-LC-MS/MS) system. Totally, 1018 non-repeated proteins were identified with the four treatments. On the whole, each treatment could recover the biofilm proteins with specific distributions of molecular weight, hydrophobicity, and isoelectric point. The extraction buffers containing zwitterionic and anionic detergents were found to harvest the proteins with better efficiency and quality, allowing identification up to 76.2% of total identified proteins with the LC-MS/MS analysis. According to the annotation with a relevant metagenomic database, we further observed different taxonomic profiles of bacterial and archaeal members and discriminable patterns of the functional expression among the extraction buffers used. Overall, the finding of the present study provides first insight to the effect of the detergents on the characteristics of extractable proteins from biofilm and the developed protocol combined with nano 2D-LC/MS/MS analysis can improve the metaproteomics studies on microbial functionality of biofilms in the wastewater treatment systems.
The Cross Talk between cGMP Signal Pathway and PKC in Pulmonary Endothelial Cell Angiogenesis
Authors: Zeng Zhen , Li Ying-Chuan , Jiao Zhi-Hua , Yao Jun , Xue Ying
Published: June 2014

Angiogenic proliferation of vascular endothelial cells is believed to play an important role in pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension. In the present study, we found that c-GMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) inhibited the proliferation and tube formation of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells induced by TGF-β1, and that this process was reversed by PKG (protein kinase G) inhibitor and PKC (protein kinase C) inhibitor. In addition, small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting ERK also reduced cellular proliferation. Furthermore, western blotting showed that cGMP down-regulated the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2, which was reversed not only by PKG inhibitor but also by PKC inhibitor. Silencing different PKC isoforms showed that PKCΔ, PKCγ and PKCα were involved in ERK phosphorylation, suggesting that PKC kinases have a permissive action. Three subtypes, PKCΔ, PKCγ and PKCα are likely to be involved the phosphorylation suppression of ERK included cGMP. Taken together, these data suggest that ERK phosphorylation mediates the proliferation of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, and PKC kinases have a permissive action in this process.
Direct Interaction between Selenoprotein P and Tubulin
Authors: Du Xiubo , Qiu Shi , Wang Zhi , Wang Ruoran , Wang Chao , Tian Jing , Liu Qiong
Published: June 2014

Selenium (Se), an essential trace element for human health, mainly exerts its biological function via selenoproteins. Among the 25 selenoproteins identified in human, selenoprotein P (SelP) is the only one that contains multiple selenocysteines (Sec) in the sequence, and has been suggested to function as a Se transporter. Upon feeding a selenium-deficient diet, mice lacking SelP develop severe neurological dysfunction and exhibit widespread brainstem neurodegeneration, indicating an important role of SelP in normal brain function. To further elucidate the function of SelP in the brain, SelP was screened by the yeast two-hybrid system from a human fetal brain cDNA library for interactive proteins. Our results demonstrated that SelP interacts with tubulin, alpha 1a (TUBA1A). The interaction between SelP and tubulin was verified by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays. We further found that SelP interacts with the C-terminus of tubulin by its His-rich domain, as demonstrated by FRET and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) assays. The implications of the interaction between SelP and tubulin in the brain and in Alzheimer’s disease are discussed.
Easy Access to Evans’ Oxazolidinones. Stereoselective Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of a New 2-Oxazolidinone Derivative
Authors: Diaz Gaspar , De Freitas Michelle , Ricci-Silva Maria , Diaz Marisa
Published: June 2014

An interesting new approach was developed for the synthesis of Evans’ chiral auxiliaries with excellent yields. In turn, another new stereoselective and efficient strategy has also allowed for the preparation of a 2-oxazolidinone derivative in 34% overall yield from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adduct. The antibacterial activity of this oxazolidinone was tested against Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from animals with mastitis infections.
Complement Fixing Polysaccharides from Terminalia macroptera Root Bark, Stem Bark and Leaves
Authors: Zou Yuan-Feng , Zhang Bing-Zhao , Barsett Hilde , Inngjerdingen Kari , Diallo Drissa , Michaelsen Terje , Paulsen Berit
Published: June 2014

The root bark, stem bark and leaves of Terminalia macroptera were sequentially extracted with ethanol, 50% ethanol-water, and 50 °C and 100 °C water using an accelerated solvent extractor. Ten bioactive purified polysaccharide fractions were obtained from those crude extracts after anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The polysaccharides and their native extracts were characterized with respect to molecular weight, chemical compositions and effects in the complement assay. The chemical compositions showed that the polysaccharides are of pectic nature. The results indicated that there was no great difference of the complement fixation activities in the crude extracts from the different plant parts when extracting with the accelerated solvent extraction system. The purified polysaccharide fractions 100WTSBH-I-I and 100WTRBH-I-I isolated from the 100 °C water extracts of stem and root bark respectively, showed the highest complement fixation activities. These two fractions have rhamnogalacturonan type I backbone, but only 100WTSBH-I-I contains side chains of both arabinogalactan type I and II. Based on the yield and activities of the fractions studied those from the root bark gave highest results, followed by those from leaves and stem bark. But in total, all plant materials are good sources for fractions containing bioactive polysaccharides.
Sesamin Enhances Cholesterol Efflux in RAW264.7 Macrophages
Authors: Liu Nan , Wu Chongming , Sun Lizhong , Zheng Jun , Guo Peng
Published: June 2014

Foam cells formation as a result of the uncontrolled cytophagy of modified cholesterol by macrophages plays a key role in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. Sesamin is an active constituent of Sesamum indicum which has been shown to possess multiple pharmacological activities. In this work, we investigated the effects of sesamin on foam cell formation and cholesterol efflux in RAW264.7 macrophages. Sesamin dose-dependently inhibited the enhanced cholesterol accumulation elicited by oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (oxLDL) in RAW264.7 cells. Treatment with sesamin (10 μM) significantly enhanced cholesterol efflux mediated by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Realtime quantitative PCR and luciferase assays showed that sesamin significantly increased the mRNA levels of PPARγ, LXRα, and ABCG1, and increased the transcriptional activity of PPARγ. The stimulating effect of sesamin on cholesterol efflux was substantially inhibited by the co-treatment with GW9662, a potent inhibitor of PPARγ. These results suggest that sesamin is a new inhibitor of foam cell formation that may stimulate cholesterol efflux through upregulation of the PPARγ-LXRα-ABCG1 pathway.
Effects of Fructus Psoraleae Extract on the Intestinal Absorption Kinetics of Geniposide and Geniposidic Acid in Rat
Authors: Huo Yan , Huang Yuxing , Hou Xiangmei , Han Lifeng , Wang Lei , Liu Erwei , Gao Xiumei
Published: June 2014

Cortex Eucommia has been used as a kidney-tonifying herbal medicine with a long history of compatibility with Fructus Psoraleae. Geniposide (GP) and geniposidic acid (GPA) are the two main chemical components in Cortex Eucommia. In the present study, the effects of Fructus Psoraleae extract (FPE) on intestinal absorption kinetics of GP and GPA in rat were investigated. Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups which were treated with GP, GPA, GP mixed with FPE and GPA mixed with FPE, respectively, by in situ intestinal perfusion for 3 h. The samples of intestinal perfusion solutions were collected every 30 min, and analyzed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The curves of time and residual quantities of GP and GPA (lnx) in the intestinal perfusion solution and the cumulative absorption rate were obtained. The results showed that FPE exhibited different effects on the intestinal absorption of GP and GPA in rat: it increased the intestinal absorption of GP (p < 0.05), while demonstrated no significant effect on the absorption of GPA.
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Triterpene Saponins from Tea Seed Pomace (Camellia oleifera Abel) and Their Activities against Bacteria and Fungi
Authors: Zhang Xin-Fu , Yang Shao-Lan , Han Ying-Ying , Zhao Lei , Lu Gui-Long , Xia Tao , Gao Li-Ping
Published: June 2014

A method using LC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS and LC/UV-ELSD was established to qualitatively analyze triterpene saponins obtained from the tea seed pomace (Camellia oleifera Abel). In addition, the quantitative analysis of oleiferasaponin A1 using LC/UV was developed. The purified total saponins did not exhibit any inhibitory effects at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 mg/mL against the tested bacteria, except for Staphyloccocus aureus and Escherichia coli. By contrast, higher inhibitory activity was seen against the tested fungi, especially against Bipolaris maydis. Following treatment with an MIC value of 250 μg/mL for 24 h, the mycelial morphology was markedly shriveled in appearance or showed flattened and empty hyphae, with fractured cell walls, ruptured plasmalemma and cytoplasmic coagulation or leakage. These structural changes hindered the growth of mycelia.
Microextraction Techniques Used in the Procedures for Determining Organomercury and Organotin Compounds in Environmental Samples
Authors: Rutkowska Małgorzata , Dubalska Kinga , Konieczka Piotr , Namieśnik Jacek
Published: June 2014

Due to human activities, the concentrations of organometallic compounds in all parts of the environment have increased in recent decades. The toxicity and some biochemical properties of mercury and tin present in the environment depend on the concentration and chemical form of these two elements. The ever-increasing demand for determining compounds at very low concentration levels in samples with complex matrices requires the elimination of interfering substances, the reduction of the final extract volume, and analyte enrichment in order to employ a detection technique, which is characterised by high sensitivity at low limits of quantification. On the other hand, in accordance with current trends, the analytical procedures should aim at the miniaturisation and simplification of the sample preparation step. In the near future, more importance will be given to the fulfilment of the requirements of Green Chemistry and Green Analytical Chemistry in order to reduce the intensity of anthropogenic activities related to analytical laboratories. In this case, one can consider the use of solvent-free/solvent-less techniques for sample preparation and microextraction techniques, because the use of the latter leads to lowering the quantity of reagents used (including solvents) due to the reduction of the scale of analysis. This paper presents an overview of microextraction techniques (SPME and LPME) used in the procedures for determining different chemical forms of mercury and tin.
An Efficient Synthesis of Pyridoxal Oxime Derivatives under Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Gašo-Sokač Dajana , Bušić Valentina , Cetina Mario , Jukić Marijana
Published: June 2014

Quaternary salts of pyridoxal oxime have been synthesized by the quaternization of pyridoxal oxime with substituted phenacyl bromides using microwave heating. Microwave-assisted rapid synthesis was done both in solvent (acetone) and under solvent-free conditions. Good to excellent yields (58%–94%) were obtained in acetone in very short reaction times (3–5 min) as well as in the solvent-free procedure (42%–78%) in very short reaction times (7–10 min) too. Effective metodologies for the preparation of pyridoxal oxime quaternary salts, having the advantagies of being eco-friendly, easy to handle, and performed in shorter reactions time are presented. The structure of compound 7, in which a 4-fluorophenacyl moiety is bonded to the pyridinium ring nitrogen atom, was unequivocally confirmed by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method.