bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of vitamins C and E on insulin resistance in diabetes: a meta‐analysis study
Authors: Khodaeian Mehrnoosh , Tabatabaei‐Malazy Ozra , Qorbani Mostafa , Farzadfar Farshad , Amini Peyvand , Larijani Bagher
Published: August 2015

Background

Data regarding the effect of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) supplementation on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are controversial. We aimed to systematically review the current data on this topic.

Materials and methods

All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted to assess the effect of VC and/or VE on insulin resistance in diabetes published in Google Scholar and PubMed web databases until January 2014 were included. Exclusion criteria were studies conducted in animal, type 1 DM, children or pregnant women. Main outcome measure was insulin resistance by homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. According to degree of heterogeneity, fixed‐ or random‐effect model was employed by stata software (11.0).

Results

We selected 14 RCTs involving 735 patients with T2DM. VE or mixture‐mode supplementation did not have any significant effect on HOMA with a standardized mean difference (SMD): 0·017, 95% CI: −0·376 to 0·411 (P = 0·932); and SMD: −0·035, 95% CI: −0·634 to 0·025 (P = 0·070), respectively, by random‐effect model. VC supplement alone did not improve insulin resistance with a SMD: −0·150, 95% CI: −0·494 to 0·194 (P = 0·391), by fixed‐effect model. Meta‐regression test demonstrated that HOMA index may have not been influenced by the year of publication, dosage or duration of treatment.

Conclusions

The sole intake of VC, VE or their combination with other antioxidants could not improve insulin resistance in diabetes.
Contrasting effects of two exotic invasive hemipterans on whole‐plant resource allocation in a declining conifer
Authors: Soltis Nicole E. , Gómez Sara , Gonda‐King Liahna , Preisser Evan L. , Orians Colin M.
Published: August 2015

Invasive herbivores can cause widespread dieback of naïve native hosts in the invaded range. Some consume leaves, some bore through wood, whereas others, such as piercing‐sucking insects, alter plant resource allocation through changes to source‐sink dynamics and depletion of long‐term stores. Invasive sap‐sucking herbivores that target cells critical to resource transport and storage may have particularly large effects. Herbivory by two exotic hemipterans, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA),Adelges tsugaeAnnand (Adelgidae), and elongate hemlock scale (EHS),Fiorinia externaFerris (Diaspididae), have very different effects on eastern hemlock,Tsuga canadensis(L.)Carrière (Pinaceae). Although these insects differ in both timing and feeding site on their hemlock host, the reasons for their differential effects are poorly understood. Here, using potted seedlings in a common garden, we examined the effects of these two herbivores on resource uptake and allocation immediately after an initial attack. We labeled the plants with a single pulse of13CO2and a supply of15NH415NO3every third day to obtain a whole‐plant perspective on resource uptake and allocation. After 10 weeks of controlled infestation, plants were measured and divided into tissue types (needles, branches, main stem, and roots). In each tissue we quantified biomass,13C,15N, total carbon (C), nitrogen (N), protein, and starch pools. Hemlock woolly adelgid feeding decreased new needle biomass by 34%, increased13C allocation to roots and main stems by 130%, and increased15N allocation to old foliage by 18%. Hemlock woolly adelgid infestation also resulted in increased starch storage in old branches over new needles, and marginally increased protein content plant‐wide. Elongate hemlock scale infestation resulted in a different growth pattern, with a 27% increase in biomass allocation to the main stem. Elongate hemlock scale also caused a 23% increase in N allocation to roots and main stem. Increases in resource allocation to main stem and belowground may indicate herbivore‐induced changes to storage patterns, or compensatory increased fine root growth to facilitate nutrient and water uptake. These resource allocation effects likely underlie the rapid and dramatic decline of hemlock in response toHWAfeeding, and the considerably milder effects ofEHSfeeding.
Apparency revisited
Authors: Strauss Sharon Y. , Cacho N. Ivalú , Schwartz Mark W. , Schwartz Ari C. , Burns Kevin C.
Published: August 2015

How easy a plant is to find, or its apparency, is thought to shape plant defenses. Recent meta‐analyses suggest that the types of plant defenses employed are not well‐predicted by apparency, or apparency can be confounded with life history traits like woodiness and stature. Here, we suggest that the searching environments in which plants grow also influence plant apparency and should thus affect investment in plant defense. Specifically, bare, unvegetated environments may result in greater apparency of inhabitants of all statures to enemies, as a result of loss of associational resistance. We make several predictions about plant defenses in simple searching environments. (1) Plants living in simple searching environments should be more highly defended than plants living in more vegetated, complex searching environments. (2) Plant defenses involving signals—both, signals serving to hide plants and aposematic signals—should be favored in simple searching environments. (3) Levels of damage from enemies in simple searching environments should be related to defensive strategy (resistance, aposematism, mimicry, or crypsis); apparent plants should have low damage, because, as they are easily found, they should be well‐defended though physical or chemical defense. In contrast, predictions about damage levels in cryptic plants are harder to make, as damage reflects both whether plants are encountered or not, as well as overall palatability. If crypsis is favored in more palatable species, as has been suggested previously, we predict that cryptic plants should have greater variance in damage and greater maximum damage, if, once found, plants are palatable. (4) Organisms from diverse evolutionary lineages inhabiting the same simple searching environments should adapt to selection from apparency by converging on similar background matching or aposematic defenses. We then test some of these predictions with descriptive data collections in two simple searching environments: largely unvegetated graywacke scree mountaintops ofNewZealand and serpentine barrens of northernCalifornia (USA). We find that plants that are more apparent (i.e., do not match local rock color as measured across 300–700 nm wavelengths) are more defended, as inferred from mean damage received. In contrast, cryptic species in the same habitats get 7× more heavily damaged, once found, suggesting overall greater palatability. There was no evidence of greater variation in damage, as measured by coefficient of variation, but maximum damage was much greater on cryptic species in both habitats. Convergence on gray substrate is found in diverse species of plants inNewZealand, as well as by scree‐living grasshoppers; in California, grasshoppers have also converged on substrate color, and seed color of a non‐cryptic plant also matches local outcrops. Considering searching environment and enemy searching abilities when evaluating plant apparency to enemies may shed more light on this challenge to plants.
Ameliorative effect of statin therapy on oxidative damage in heart tissue of hypercholesterolemic rabbits
Authors: Sozer Volkan
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high‐cholesterol diet in the presence and absence of statin on Cu‐Zn‐superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn‐SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO), and nitric oxide (NO) of blood and heart tissue, the antioxidant activity of serum paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1), and on the blood lipid profile of rabbits. The animals were divided into four groups each of which included 10 rabbits. Rabbits in group 1 received a regular rabbit chow diet (normal diet) for 8 weeks; those in group 2 received atorvastatin (0.3 mg atorvastatin per day/kg body weight) for 8 weeks; those in group 3 received high‐cholesterol diet for 8 weeks; and those in group 4 received high‐cholesterol diet for 4 weeks, a high‐cholesterol diet + atorvastatin (0.3 mg atorvastatin per day/kg body weight) for 8 weeks. The parameters were measured by spectrophotometric methods. As expected, the atherogenic diet caused a pronounced increase in lipid profile (notHDL) parameters. Rabbits in group 3 showed higherPCO,MDA, andNOlevels in circulating and heart tissue compared to the rabbits in group 1. Atorvastatin has prevented or limitedLDLoxidation and has showed constitutively beneficial effects in group 4. IncreasedLDL‐C,PCO,MDA, andNOlevels leading to decreasingPON‐1 activity thus create a predisposition to atherogenesis in this model. But atorvastatin administration partly ameliorated oxidative damage in heart injury of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Atorvastatin which functions as a potent antioxidant agent may inhibit thisLDL‐C oxidation by increasingPON‐1 activity in atherogenesis.
The prokaryotic zinc‐finger: structure, function and comparison with the eukaryotic counterpart
Authors: Malgieri Gaetano , Palmieri Maddalena , Russo Luigi , Fattorusso Roberto , Pedone Paolo V. , Isernia Carla
Published: August 2015

Classical zinc finger (ZF) domains were thought to be confined to the eukaryotic kingdom until the transcriptional regulator Ros protein was identified in Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The Ros Cys2His2 ZF binds DNA in a peculiar mode and folds in a domain significantly larger than its eukaryotic counterpart consisting of 58 amino acids (the 9–66 region) arranged in a βββαα topology, and stabilized by a conserved, extensive, 15‐residue hydrophobic core. The prokaryotic ZF domain, then, shows some intriguing new features that make it interestingly different from its eukaryotic counterpart. This review will focus on the prokaryotic ZFs, summarizing and discussing differences and analogies with the eukaryotic domains and providing important insights into their structure/function relationships.
Ordinary stoichiometry of extraordinary microorganisms
Authors: Neveu M. , Poret‐Peterson A. T. , Anbar A. D. , Elser J. J.
Published: August 2015

All life on Earth seems to be made of the same chemical elements in relatively conserved proportions (stoichiometry). Whether this stoichiometry is conserved in settings that differ radically in physicochemical conditions (extreme environments) from those commonly encountered elsewhere on the planet provides insight into possible stoichiometries for putative life beyond Earth. Here, we report measurements of elemental stoichiometry for extremophile microbes from hot springs of Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Phototrophic and chemotrophic microbes were collected in locations spanning large ranges of temperature (24 °C to boiling), pH (1.6–9.6), redox (0.1–7.2 mg L−1dissolved oxygen), and nutrient concentrations (0.01–0.25 mg L−1, 0.7–12.9 mg L−1, 0.01–42 mg L−1NH4+, 0.003–1.1 mg L−1P mostly as phosphate). Despite these extreme conditions, the microbial cells sampled had a major and trace element stoichiometry within the ranges commonly encountered for microbes living in the more moderate environments of lakes and surface oceans. The cells did have somewhat high C:P and N:P ratios that are consistent with phosphorus (P) limitation. Furthermore, chemotrophs and phototrophs had similar compositions with the exception of Mo content, which was enriched in cells derived from chemotrophic sites. Thus, despite the extraordinary physicochemical and biological diversity of YNP environments, life in these settings, in a stoichiometric sense, remains much the same as we know it elsewhere.
Sediment‐phosphorus dynamics can shift aquatic ecology and cause downstream legacy effects after wildfire in large river systems
Authors: Emelko Monica B. , Stone Micheal , Silins Uldis , Allin Don , Collins Adrian L. , Williams Chris H. S. , Martens Amanda M. , Bladon Kevin D.
Published: August 2015

Global increases in the occurrence of large, severe wildfires in forested watersheds threaten drinking water supplies and aquatic ecology. Wildfire effects on water quality, particularly nutrient levels and forms, can be significant. The longevity and downstream propagation of these effects as well as the geochemical mechanisms regulating them remain largely undocumented at larger river basin scales. Here, phosphorus (P) speciation and sorption behavior of suspended sediment were examined in two river basins impacted by a severe wildfire in southern Alberta, Canada. Fine‐grained suspended sediments (<125 μm) were sampled continuously during ice‐free conditions over a two‐year period (2009–2010), 6 and 7 years after the wildfire. Suspended sediment samples were collected from upstream reference (unburned) river reaches, multiple tributaries within the burned areas, and from reaches downstream of the burned areas, in the Crowsnest and Castle River basins. Total particulate phosphorus (TPP) and particulate phosphorus forms (nonapatite inorganic P, apatite P, organic P), and the equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC0) of suspended sediment were assessed. Concentrations of TPP and the EPC0 were significantly higher downstream of wildfire‐impacted areas compared to reference (unburned) upstream river reaches. Sediments from the burned tributary inputs contained higher levels of bioavailable particulate P (NAIP) – these effects were also observed downstream at larger river basin scales. The release of bioavailable P from postfire, P‐enriched fine sediment is a key mechanism causing these effects in gravel‐bed rivers at larger basin scales. Wildfire‐associated increases in NAIP and the EPC0 persisted 6 and 7 years after wildfire. Accordingly, this work demonstrated that fine sediment in gravel‐bed rivers is a significant, long‐term source of in‐stream bioavailable P that contributes to a legacy of wildfire impacts on downstream water quality, aquatic ecology, and drinking water treatability.
Application of a two‐pool model to soil carbon dynamics under elevated CO2
Authors: van Groenigen Kees Jan , Xia Jianyang , Osenberg Craig W. , Luo Yiqi , Hungate Bruce A.
Published: August 2015

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase plant productivity and affect soil microbial communities, with possible consequences for the turnover rate of soil carbon (C) pools and feedbacks to the atmosphere. In a previous analysis (Van Groenigen et al., 2014), we used experimental data to inform a one‐pool model and showed that elevated CO2 increases the decomposition rate of soil organic C, negating the storage potential of soil. However, a two‐pool soil model can potentially explain patterns of soil C dynamics without invoking effects of CO2 on decomposition rates. To address this issue, we refit our data to a two‐pool soil C model. We found that CO2 enrichment increases decomposition rates of both fast and slow C pools. In addition, elevated CO2 decreased the carbon use efficiency of soil microbes (CUE), thereby further reducing soil C storage. These findings are consistent with numerous empirical studies and corroborate the results from our previous analysis. To facilitate understanding of C dynamics, we suggest that empirical and theoretical studies incorporate multiple soil C pools with potentially variable decomposition rates.
The diffusion of grassroots innovations for sustainability in Italy and Great Britain: an exploratory spatial data analysis
Authors: Feola Giuseppe , Butt Anisa
Published: August 2015

Little research so far has been devoted to understanding the diffusion of grassroots innovation for sustainability across space. This paper explores and compares the spatial diffusion of two networks of grassroots innovations, the Transition Towns Network (TTN) and Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale (Solidarity Purchasing Groups – GAS), in Great Britain and Italy. Spatio‐temporal diffusion data were mined from available datasets, and patterns of diffusion were uncovered through an exploratory data analysis. The analysis shows that GAS and TTN diffusion in Italy and Great Britain is spatially structured, and that the spatial structure has changed over time. TTN has diffused differently in Great Britain and Italy, while GAS and TTN have diffused similarly in central Italy. The uneven diffusion of these grassroots networks on the one hand challenges current narratives on the momentum of grassroots innovations, but on the other highlights important issues in the geography of grassroots innovations for sustainability, such as cross‐movement transfers and collaborations, institutional thickness, and interplay of different proximities in grassroots innovation diffusion.
Effect of health Baduanjin Qigong for mild to moderate Parkinson's disease
Authors: Xiao Chun‐Mei , Zhuang Yong‐Chang
Published: August 2015

Aim

The present study investigated the effectiveness of Baduanjin Qigong on symptoms related to gait, functional mobility and sleep in Parkinson disease (PD) patients.

Methods

A total of 100 patients (age 67.53 ± 8.56 years, range 55–80 years) with mild to moderate PD were randomly assigned to two groups. Participants in the Baduanjin Qigong group (BQG) received a Baduanjin Qigong program, consisting of four 45‐min sessions each week and daily walking 30 min for 6 months. Participants in the control group were carried out daily walking for 30 min. Pre‐ and post‐intervention testing was carried out to assess sleep quality, fatigue, functional mobility and gait performance in these participants.

Results

After the 6‐month Baduanjin Qigong intervention, the BQG showed sleep quality improvements in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score (P = 0.049), Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale‐2 (PDSS‐2) total score (P = 0.039), Motor Symptoms at Night (PDSS‐2) score (P = 0.039), PD Symptoms at Night (PDSS‐2) score (P = 0.029), Disturbed Sleep (PDSS‐2) score (P = 0.037). The BQG showing functional mobility capacity greater improvements in the Berg Balance Scale (P = 0.041) and 6‐minute walk test (P = 0.042), and greater decrease in the Timed Up & Go (s; P = 0.046). The BQG showing gait function increased in the gait speed (m/s; P = 0.011). However, this was not the case for the control group, which remained at the same level as pretest performance.

Conclusions

BQG improved the gait performance, functional mobility and sleep quality in older adults with PD at the 6‐month follow up. It is as an alternative home exercise program for older adults in rehabilitation for PD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 911–919.
Differences of oral health conditions between adults and older adults: A census in aSouthernBrazilian city
Authors: Boscato Noeli , Schuch Helena S , Grasel Claudia E , Goettems Marilia L
Published: August 2015

Aim

To assess differences in the oral diseases/conditions between adults and older adults.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out with all adults and older adults inLuzerna,SouthBrazil (n = 569). Clinical data included use of and need for dental prostheses; number of decayed, missing and filled teeth; and temporomandibular disorder. Differences between adults and older adults were evaluated using χ2‐tests. Associations between independent variables and the use of and need for dental prostheses were determined using Poisson regression analyses (P < 0.05).

Results

Increased number of decayed, missing and filled teeth, use of and need for dental prostheses, higher use of complete dentures, and fewer temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms were observed in older adults. After adjustments, lower social class (P = 0.001) and unmarried status (P = 0.05) were associated with greater need for prosthetic rehabilitation. Women (P = 0.02), older individuals (P < 0.001) and those of lower socioeconomic status (P = 0.001) had a higher risk of using prostheses.

Conclusion

A significant difference of oral conditions between adults and older adults was observed. The frequency of use of and need for dental prostheses was higher for older adults, although they had reported lower frequency of temporomandibular disorder. Women, married and individuals of higher socioeconomic status showed better oral health conditions.Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1014–1020.
Chemical Considerations for an Updated National Assessment of Brackish Groundwater Resources
Authors: McMahon P.B. , Böhlke J.K. , Dahm K.G. , Parkhurst D.L. , Anning D.W. , Stanton J.S.
Published: August 2015

Brackish groundwater (BGW) is increasingly used for water supplies where fresh water is scarce, but the distribution and availability of such resources have not been characterized at the national scale in the United States since the 1960s. Apart from its distribution and accessibility, BGW usability is a function of the chemical requirements of the intended use, chemical characteristics of the resource, and treatment options to make the resource compatible with the use. Here, we discuss relations between these three chemical factors using national‐scale examples and local case studies. In a preliminary compilation of BGW data in the United States, five water types accounted for the major‐ion composition of 70% of samples. PHREEQC calculations indicate that 57–77% of samples were oversaturated with respect to barite, calcite, or chalcedony. In the study, 5–14% of samples had concentrations of arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, or uranium that exceeded drinking‐water standards. In case studies of the potential use of BGW for drinking water, irrigation, and hydraulic fracturing, PHREEQC simulations of a hypothetical treatment process resembling reverse osmosis (RO) showed that BGW had the potential to form various assemblages of mineral deposits (scale) during treatment that could adversely affect RO membranes. Speciation calculations showed that most boron in the irrigation example occurred as boric acid, which has relatively low removal efficiency by RO. Results of this preliminary study indicate that effective national or regional assessments of BGW resources should include geochemical characterizations that are guided in part by specific use and treatment requirements.
Synthesis and Characterization of ZnCr2O4 Nanospinel Prepared via Homogeneous Precipitation Using Urea Hydrolysis
Authors: Tajizadegan Hamid , Heidary Azam , Torabi Omid , Golabgir Mohammad‐Hosein , Jamshidi Amin
Published: August 2015

In situ and homogeneous hydrolysis of urea was utilized to design a homogeneous precipitation method to synthesize the ZnCr2O4 functional material. The as‐prepared nanospinel was systematically studied in terms of crystal structure, morphology, texture, and light absorption. A well‐crystalline single phase of ZnCr2O4 nanospinel with a spongy network structure was obtained. Transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction observations confirmed the formation of monocrystalline nanoparticles of ZnCr2O4 with the nanosize of 13 nm. The synthesized nanospinel showed a low direct band gap value of 1.8 eV with appropriate absorption in the visible light region, which was a remarkable result for this route.
On the Anomalously Strong Dependence of the Acoustic Velocity of Alumina on Temperature in Aluminosilicate Glass Optical Fibers—Part I: Material Modeling and Experimental Validation
Authors: Dragic Peter D. , Martin Steve W. , Ballato Arthur , Ballato John
Published: August 2015

The thermo‐acoustic coefficient (TAC, or the change of acoustic velocity with a change in temperature) of the alumina (Al2O3) component in aluminosilicate core silica clad glass optical fibers is anomalously large. It has been speculated previously that this anomaly is not due to a large alumina TAC, but instead due to the thermal expansion mismatch between the aluminosilicate core glass and the pure silica cladding glass. In this new work, it is shown that the acoustic velocity of the aluminosilicate core glass changes much differently than that for a bulk aluminosilicate glass. In the high alumina content compositional range, it is found that the larger core‐region thermal expansion results in a net positive pressure imparted on the silica component in the core. As the acoustic velocity of silica has a strong negative dependence on any applied pressure, this offsets the bulk positive‐valued thermal response of silica. Utilizing a modified form of the Winkelmann–Schott additivity model, the effect of the thermal expansion mismatch between the core and clad glasses is incorporated, and the resultant TAC determined for alumina is fully consistent with data found in the literature for bulk alumina. The consideration and incorporation of the thermal expansion of the core and clad glasses adds another degree of freedom to the design of specialty optical fibers for distributed sensor applications. Complementary to this article, Part II describes an efficient computational route for determining selected physical properties of an amorphous analog to a given crystalline form whose physical properties are known.
Posterior vs. Anterior Circulation Infarction: Demography, Outcomes, and Frequency of Hemorrhage after Thrombolysis
Authors: Dorňák Tomáš , Král Michal , Hazlinger Martin , Herzig Roman , Veverka Tomáš , Buřval Stanislav , Šaňák Daniel , Zapletalová Jana , Antalíková Kristýna , Kaňovský Petr
Published: August 2015

Background

Intravenous thrombolysis is considered to be the standard specific reperfusion therapy in acute ischemic stroke in both anterior and posterior cerebral circulation.

Aims

Our aim was to evaluate the 90-day outcome and rate of intracranial hemorrhage after recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration in posterior circulation stroke and to compare the intracranial hemorrhage risk for posterior circulation stroke and anterior circulation stroke.

Methods

The set consisted of 877 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients (777 anterior circulation stroke; 100 posterior circulation stroke) who underwent intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in a standard dose of 0·9 mg/kg. The role of following factors was assessed: presenting characteristics, intracranial hemorrhage classification according to ECASS I, mortality, and 90-day clinical outcome assessed using the modified Rankin scale.

Results

Good clinical outcomes (modified Rankin scale 0–2) were noted in 59% of posterior circulation stroke patients, with a mortality rate of 19%. Intracerebral hemorrhage was significantly less frequent in posterior circulation stroke than in anterior circulation stroke patients (5·1 vs. 17·2%; P = 0·002). The risk of large hemorrhage (parenchymal hematoma 1 and 2) was 5·2 times higher in anterior circulation stroke patients ( P = 0·007). The following additional statistically significant differences were found between posterior circulation stroke and anterior circulation stroke patients: median age, male gender, presence of atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, median time to treatment, and median blood glucose level on admission.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that posterior circulation stroke is associated with a lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage than anterior circulation stroke is.
Novel agents for castration‐resistant prostate cancer: Early experience and beyond
Authors: Fujimoto Naohiro
Published: August 2015

Androgen deprivation therapy is the initial treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer. Almost all these patients eventually develop progressive castration‐resistant prostate cancer despite an initial favorable response. Docetaxel was the first agent to show a survival benefit in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer. After cancer progression on docetaxel, patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer had few therapeutic options. A better understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to androgen deprivation therapy has led to the development of novel agents with distinct mechanisms of action. Prospective, large‐scale clinical trials have shown overall survival benefits with the hormonal agents abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide, the immunotherapeutic agent sipuleucel T, the chemotherapeutic agent cabazitaxel, and bone‐targeted Ra‐223. Although these agents provided clinical benefit, treatment for castration‐resistant prostate cancer remains a major clinical challenge. We recognize many questions, such as methods to select patients for specific treatments, optimal sequencing and drug combinations, and means to overcome drug resistance. There is an urgent need to answer these questions and to establish better treatment strategies. The development of biomarkers that are predictive of treatment results is also required. The present article reviews new castration‐resistant prostate cancer treatments, and discusses possible resistant mechanisms as well as potential drug combinations and optimal sequencing.
Highly Dense Amorphous Si2BC3N Monoliths with Excellent Mechanical Properties Prepared by High Pressure Sintering
Authors: Liang Bin , Yang Zhihua , Rao Jiancun , Cai Delong , Duan Xiaoming , Jia Dechang , Zhou Yu , Yu Dongli , Tian Yongjun
Published: August 2015

The fabrication of dense amorphous Si–B–C–N monoliths is a processing challenge given that it is hard to avoid crystallization at the sintering temperatures needed to attain full density up to 1900°C for conventional hot pressing and SPS methods. We report here successful densification of amorphous Si2BC3N monoliths achieved by heating at 1100°C and 5 GPa. The relationships between microstructure, types of chemical bonding, and mechanical properties were investigated. The strong amorphous 3‐D networks of Si–C, C–B, C‐N (sp3), N‐B (sp3), and C–B–N bonds provide high densities at high applied pressure and thus amorphous Si2BC3N monoliths show high hardness of 29.4 GPa and elastic modulus of 291 GPa. The amorphous structure is lost with crystallization of β‐SiC and BN(C) reducing contributions from Si–C, C‐N (sp3), and C–B–N bond networks thereby decreasing mechanical properties.
Why Keep a Dog and Bark Yourself? Making Choices for Non‐Human Animals
Authors: Yeates James W.
Published: August 2015

Animals are usually considered to lack the status of autonomous agents. Nevertheless, they do appear to make ostensible choices. This article considers whether, and how, I should respect animals' choices. I propose a concept of volitionality which can be respected if, and insofar as, doing so is in the best interests of the animal. Applying that concept, I (we) will argue that an animals' choices be respected when the relevant human decision maker's capacities to decide are potentially challenged or compromised. For example, it will be best to respect the animals' choice when the human decision maker: (1) lacks accurate knowledge of the animal's subjective experiences; (2) does not know what will lead to desirable experiences or allow for the avoidance of undesirable ones; (3) is biased; (4) is less aware of the animal's specific situation; (5) cannot appreciate all elements comprehensively, including considering any (content‐neutral) value to the animal being allowed to make and implement a choice, such as where a lack of control or liberty would be unpleasant or where an animal would usefully learn from the process of choice‐making; and (6) when the animal's choice is achievable. This additionally suggests that we may often beneficially choose to set up situations that empower animals to make better choices.
Recovery of Flavonoids from Walnuts De‐Pellicle Wastewater with Macroporous Resins and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities In Vitro
Authors: Zhu Yaxin , Song Hao , Zhang Xu , Chen Chaoyin , Zhao Shenglan , Ge Feng , Liu Diqiu
Published: August 2015

Walnut de‐pellicle wastewater is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids that are significant to resource and environment. Enrichment and purification of flavonoids from walnut de‐pellicle wastewater were investigated by five macroporous resins. As static tests shown, AB‐8 resin was the most appropriate, and the adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Meanwhile, dynamic adsorption and desorption tests on packed columns of AB‐8 resin were optimized. The optimal adsorption parameters were found to be 0.34 mg/mL, 2.67 bed volume (BV), 7.0, 2 BV/h and 25C for initial concentrations in sample solution, loading amount, pH, flow rate and temperature, respectively. At the same time, the optimal desorption parameters were 80% ethanol each 2 BV. The recovery yield and purity of flavonoids were 81.73 and 61.35%, respectively. The results also indicated that AB‐8 resin had pretty good ability to achieve the enrichment of flavonoids from walnut milk wastewater. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of purified flavonoids were evaluated in vitro, which revealed that the DPPH radical scavenging effect reached 83.47% at the concentration of 120 μg/mL, while the hydroxyl radical scavenging effect increased from 14.01 to 81.62% at different concentrations (0.2–1.6 mg/mL), and the superoxide anion scavenging effect changed from 14.81 to 85.03% at different concentrations (0.1–0.8 mg/mL). Moreover, the reducing ability appeared to be dose dependent of the flavonoids. In a word, the purified flavonoids could be used as a source of potential antioxidant.

Practical Applications

Traditionally, the walnut de‐pellicle wastewater (WDW) rich in a lot of bioactive components is often poured directly to river, which causes serious pollution and the waste of resource. The method of enrichment and separation of flavonoids from WDW can not only improve the utilization of WDW but also create greater economic benefits, which provide some financial support for enterprise wastewater treatment because of the high content of flavonoids extracted from WDW. Meanwhile, the method of enrichment and separation of flavonoids from WDW is in accordance with the principles of green extraction, which makes the best use of renewable walnut resources to achieve a nondenatured and biodegradable extract without contaminants.
Effect of resveratrol on experimental non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease depends on severity of pathology and timing of treatment
Authors: Heebøll Sara , El‐Houri Rime Bahij , Hellberg Ylva Erika Kristina , Haldrup David , Pedersen Steen Bønløkke , Jessen Niels , Christensen Lars Porskjær , Grønbæk Henning
Published: August 2015

Background and Aim

Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease with few therapeutic options. Resveratrol (RSV) prevents the development of steatosis in a number of experimental fatty liver (non‐alcoholic fatty liver [NAFL]) models, but the preventive or therapeutic effects on experimental NASH are not yet clarified, and clinical results on non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease are ambiguous. Thus, we aimed to compare the RSV‐mediated preventive and therapeutic effects on experimental NAFL and NASH.

Methods

We used a high‐fat (HF) diet to generate a rat NAFL model and a high‐fat, high‐cholesterol (HFC) diet to generate a rat NASH model. The preventive and therapeutic potential of RSV was tested by adding RSV to the HF and HFC diet from study start or after 1 week of the diets. Animals were sacrificed after 8 weeks with appropriate controls. Blood and liver were harvested for analysis, including measurement of RSV metabolites.

Results

Resveratrol reduced the development of histological steatosis (P = 0.03) and partly triglyceride accumulation (fold change reduced from 3.6 to 2.4, P = 0.08) in the male NAFL model, although effects were moderate. In NASH prevention, RSV reduced the accumulation of triglyceride in hepatic tissue (P < 0.01), while there was no effect on biochemical, histopathological, or transcriptional NASH changes. Further, RSV had no therapeutic effect on established NASH. We found RSV metabolites but no parent RSV in serum or liver tissue, confirming low bioavailability.

Conclusions

These experimental findings suggest that a weak hepatic benefit of RSV treatment is seen in prevention of steatosis only.
Levels of Acculturation of Chinese Older Adults in the Greater Chicago Area — The Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago
Authors: Dong XinQi , Bergren Stephanie M. , Chang E‐Shien
Published: August 2015

Acculturation is a difficult process for minority older adults for a variety of reasons, including access and exposure to mainstream culture, competing ethnic identities, and linguistic ability and preference. There is a paucity of research regarding overall level of acculturation for Chinese older adults in the United States. This study aimed to provide an overall estimate of level of acculturation of Chinese older adults in the United States and to examine correlations between sociodemographic characteristics, self‐reported health measures, and level of acculturation. Data were collected through the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) study. This community‐based participatory research study surveyed 3,159 Chinese older adults aged 60 and older. The PINE Study Acculturation Scale was used to assess level of acculturation in three dimensions: language preference, media use, and ethnic social relations. Mean acculturation level for all items was 15.3 ± 5.1, indicating low levels of acculturation. Older age, more offspring, lower income, fewer years living in the United States, lower overall health status, and lower quality of life were associated with lower levels of acculturation. Level of acculturation was low in Chinese older adults, and certain subsets of the population were more likely to have a lower level of acculturation. Future research should investigate causality and effects of level of acculturation.
Treated Behavioral Symptoms and Mortality in Medicare Beneficiaries in Nursing Homes with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Authors: Huang Ting‐Ying , Wei Yu‐Jung , Moyo Patience , Harris Ilene , Lucas Judith A. , Simoni‐Wastila Linda
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To assess changes in behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRDs) after antipsychotic (AP) or antidepressant (AD) treatment and to estimate the effect of treatment response on mortality risk.

Design

Retrospective cohort study using 2006–2009 Medicare administrative and prescription drug claims data linked to Minimum Data Set 2.0.

Setting

Long‐stay (≥101 days) nursing home residents.

Participants

Continuously enrolled fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries who had ADRDs, initiated (no use in prior 6 months) AP (n = 2,035) or AD (n = 1,661) treatment during or after one or more behavioral symptoms (verbally abusive, physically abusive, socially inappropriate or disruptive behavior) presented, and had reassessment of behavioral symptoms after 3 consecutive months of the initiated treatment.

Measurements

Behavioral symptom change was measured according to score (range 0–9, based on number and frequency of symptoms) change between baseline and reassessment (improved, <0; unchanged, 0; worsened, >0). Survival analyses were conducted on time to death after reassessment, comparing residents whose symptoms improved with those whose symptoms remained unchanged or worsened.

Results

APs and ADs were comparable in treatment effectiveness, as evidenced by more than 85% of the behavioral symptom episodes in each cohort improving or remaining stable. Mortality risk was lower in both cohorts (AP: adjusted hazard ratio (aHRAP) = 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI)  = 0.81–1.07; AD: aHRAD = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.70–0.97) for residents whose symptoms improved than for those whose symptoms unchanged or worsened.

Conclusion

ADs may be reasonable pharmacological alternatives to APs in clinical management of ADRD‐related behavioral symptoms. Initial treatment response may alter medication‐associated mortality risk. Further study is needed to confirm findings using other data and behavioral symptom–specific instruments.
Association Between Visuospatial Ability and Vestibular Function in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Bigelow Robin T. , Semenov Yevgeniy R. , Trevino Carolina , Ferrucci Luigi , Resnick Susan M. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Xue Qian‐Li , Agrawal Yuri
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between vestibular loss associated with aging and age‐related decline in visuospatial function.

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis within a prospective cohort study.

Setting

Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA).

Participants

Community‐dwelling BLSA participants with a mean age of 72 (range 26–91) (N = 183).

Measurements

Vestibular function was measured using vestibular‐evoked myogenic potentials. Visuospatial cognitive tests included Card Rotations, Purdue Pegboard, Benton Visual Retention Test, and Trail‐Making Test Parts A and B. Tests of executive function, memory, and attention were also considered.

Results

Participants underwent vestibular and cognitive function testing. In multiple linear regression analyses, poorer vestibular function was associated with poorer performance on Card Rotations (P = .001), Purdue Pegboard (P = .005), Benton Visual Retention Test (P = 0.008), and Trail‐Making Test Part B (P = .04). Performance on tests of executive function and verbal memory were not significantly associated with vestibular function. Exploratory factor analyses in a subgroup of participants who underwent all cognitive tests identified three latent cognitive abilities: visuospatial ability, verbal memory, and working memory and attention. Vestibular loss was significantly associated with lower visuospatial and working memory and attention factor scores.

Conclusion

Significant consistent associations between vestibular function and tests of visuospatial ability were observed in a sample of community‐dwelling adults. Impairment in visuospatial skills is often one of the first signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Further longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate whether the relationship between vestibular function and visuospatial ability is causal.
Dairy Consumption and Risk of Frailty in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Lana Alberto , Rodriguez‐Artalejo Fernando , Lopez‐Garcia Esther
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To examine the association between consumption of dairy products and risk of frailty in community‐dwelling older adults.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

General population from the older cohort of the Study on Nutrition and Cardiovascular Risk in Spain.

Participants

Community‐dwelling adults aged 60 and older free of frailty at baseline (N = 1,871).

Measurements

From 2008 to 2010, food consumption was assessed using a validated diet history. Participants were examined again in 2012 to assess incident frailty, defined as at least three of the five Fried criteria (exhaustion, weakness, low physical activity, slow walking speed, unintentional weight loss). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for the main confounders were obtained using logistic regression.

Results

During follow‐up, 134 new cases of frailty were identified. Participants consuming seven or more servings per week of low‐fat milk and yogurt had lower incidence of frailty (OR = 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.29–0.90; P for trend = .03) than those consuming less than one serving per week. Specifically, consumers of seven or more servings per week of low‐fat milk and yogurt had less risk of slow walking speed (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.44–0.92, P trend = .01) and of weight loss (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.33–0.87, P trend = .02). Consuming seven or more servings per week of whole milk or yogurt (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 0.90–2.60, P trend = .10) or of cheese (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.52–1.61; P trend = .61) was not associated with incident frailty.

Conclusion

Higher consumption of low‐fat milk and yogurt was associated with lower risk of frailty and, specifically, of slow walking speed and weight loss. Current recommendations to prevent frailty include protein supplementation; thus, although experimental research is needed, increasing the consumption of low‐fat yogurt and milk might prevent frailty in older adults.
A Novel Approach to Characterize Data Uncertainty in Material Flow Analysis and its Application to Plastics Flows in Austria
Authors: Laner David , Feketitsch Julia , Rechberger Helmut , Fellner Johann
Published: August 2015

Material flow analysis (MFA) is widely used to investigate flows and stocks of resources or pollutants in a defined system. Data availability to quantify material flows on a national or global level is often limited owing to data scarcity or lacking data. MFA input data are therefore considered inherently uncertain. In this work, an approach to characterize the uncertainty of MFA input data is presented and applied to a case study on plastics flows in major Austrian consumption sectors in the year 2010. The developed approach consists of data quality assessment as a basis for estimating the uncertainty of input data. Four different implementations of the approach with respect to the translation of indicator scores to uncertainty ranges (linear‐ vs. exponential‐type functions) and underlying probability distributions (normal vs. log‐normal) are examined. The case study results indicate that the way of deriving uncertainty estimates for material flows has a stronger effect on the uncertainty ranges of the resulting plastics flows than the assumptions about the underlying probability distributions. Because these uncertainty estimates originate from data quality evaluation as well as uncertainty characterization, it is crucial to use a well‐defined approach, building on several steps to ensure the consistent translation of the data quality underlying material flow calculations into their associated uncertainties. Although subjectivity is inherent in uncertainty assessment in MFA, the proposed approach is consistent and provides a comprehensive documentation of the choices underlying the uncertainty analysis, which is essential to interpret the results and use MFA as a decision support tool.
Life Cycle Water Use of Ford Focus Gasoline and Ford Focus Electric Vehicles
Authors: Kim Hyung Chul , Wallington Timothy J. , Mueller Sherry A. , Bras Bert , Guldberg Tina , Tejada Francisco
Published: August 2015

Literature data for vehicle life cycle water consumption are limited and contradictory; there are no published estimates of vehicle life cycle water withdrawal. To place future discussions of sustainable mobility on a firmer technical basis, we report the results of a cradle‐to‐grave assessment of water withdrawal and water consumption for the gasoline internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) variants of the 2012 Ford Focus. U.S. average life cycle water withdrawal and consumption of 531 and 131 cubic meters (m3), respectively, for a lifetime driving distance of 160,000 miles are estimated for the Focus ICEV using E10 gasoline. Employing our upper bound of water use in oil refinery operations and corn and ethanol production increases the life cycle withdrawal and consumption to 1,570 and 761 m3, respectively. The U.S. average life cycle water withdrawal for the Focus BEV is 3,770 m3 (7 times that for the ICEV, reflecting the large volume of cooling water required during electricity generation), whereas the water consumption is 170 m3 (comparable to that for the ICEV). Vehicle use is the most significant phase of the life cycle with fuel production, accounting for 49% of water withdrawal and 82% of water consumption for the ICEV. For the BEV, fuel (electricity) production accounts for 92% of life cycle water withdrawal and 85% of consumption. The results highlight the importance of renewable and sustainable fuels and increased vehicle energy efficiency in providing sustainable mobility.