bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicted responses of invasive mammal communities to climate‐related changes in mast frequency in forest ecosystems
Authors: Tompkins Daniel M. , Byrom Andrea E. , Pech Roger P.
Published: January 2013

Predicting the dynamics and impacts of multiple invasive species can be complex because ecological relationships, which occur among several trophic levels, are often incompletely understood. Further, the complexity of these trophic relationships exacerbates our inability to predict climate change effects on invaded ecosystems. We explore the hypothesis that interactions between two global change drivers, invasive vertebrates and climate change, will potentially make matters worse for native biodiversity. In New Zealand beech (Nothofagus spp.) forests, a highly irruptive invasive mammal community is driven by multi‐annual resource pulses of beech seed (masting). Because mast frequency is predicted to increase with climate change, we use this as a model system to explore the extent to which such effects may influence invasive vertebrate communities, and the implications of such interactions for native biodiversity and its management. We build on an established model of trophic interactions in the system, combining it with a logistic probability mast function, the parameters of which were altered to simulate either contemporary conditions or conditions of more or less frequent masting. The model predicts that increased mast frequency will lead to populations of a top predator (the stoat) and a mesopredator (the ship rat) becoming less irruptive and being maintained at appreciably higher average abundances in this forest type. In addition, the ability of both current and in‐development management approaches to suppress invasive mammals is predicted to be compromised. Because invasive mammals are key drivers of native fauna extinction in New Zealand, with the additional loss of associated functions such as pollination and seed dispersal, these predictions imply potentially serious adverse impacts of climate change for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem function. Our study also highlights the importance of long‐term monitoring data for assessing and managing future impacts of global change drivers.
How taxonomic diversity, community structure, and sample size determine the reliability of higher taxon surrogates
Authors: Neeson Thomas M. , Van Rijn Itai , Mandelik Yael
Published: January 2013

Ecologists and paleontologists often rely on higher taxon surrogates instead of complete inventories of biological diversity. Despite their intrinsic appeal, the performance of these surrogates has been markedly inconsistent across empirical studies, to the extent that there is no consensus on appropriate taxonomic resolution (i.e., whether genus‐ or family‐level categories are more appropriate) or their overall usefulness. A framework linking the reliability of higher taxon surrogates to biogeographic setting would allow for the interpretation of previously published work and provide some needed guidance regarding the actual application of these surrogates in biodiversity assessments, conservation planning, and the interpretation of the fossil record. We developed a mathematical model to show how taxonomic diversity, community structure, and sampling effort together affect three measures of higher taxon performance: the correlation between species and higher taxon richness, the relative shapes and asymptotes of species and higher taxon accumulation curves, and the efficiency of higher taxa in a complementarity‐based reserve‐selection algorithm. In our model, higher taxon surrogates performed well in communities in which a few common species were most abundant, and less well in communities with many equally abundant species. Furthermore, higher taxon surrogates performed well when there was a small mean and variance in the number of species per higher taxa. We also show that empirically measured species–higher‐taxon correlations can be partly spurious (i.e., a mathematical artifact), except when the species accumulation curve has reached an asymptote. This particular result is of considerable practical interest given the widespread use of rapid survey methods in biodiversity assessment and the application of higher taxon methods to taxa in which species accumulation curves rarely reach an asymptote, e.g., insects.
Constraints of No‐Till Dryland Agroecosystems as Bioenergy Production Systems
Authors: Miner Grace L. , Hansen Neil C. , Inman Daniel , Sherrod Lucretia A. , Peterson G. A.
Published: January 2013

Soil erosion and loss of soil organic C (SOC) may limit the sustainable harvest of crop residues for biofuels from dryland systems in the semiarid Great Plains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capabilities and constraints of harvesting residues from dryland systems. The study used observations from a long‐term experiment in Colorado to examine biomass production from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] at three no‐till sites in a winter wheat–corn–fallow (WCF) or winter wheat–sorghum–fallow cropping system. Modeling evaluated the impact of residue removal on erosion rates and SOC dynamics. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation and the Wind Erosion Equation were used to simulate erosion, and the DAYCENT model was used to estimate changes in SOC with residue removal. Biomass yield for WCF averaged 3.8 Mg ha−1, divided into stover and grain yields of 2.2 and 1.6 Mg ha−1. Water erosion was not shown to constrain residue harvest, but modeling indicated unsustainable wind erosion rates after removing 10 to 30% of corn residue. Simulations showed that up to 80% of wheat straw could be harvested without exceeding sustainable wind erosion rates. The major constraint to sustainable residue harvest is a residue return rate of 2.4 Mg ha−1 yr−1 of biomass to maintain SOC.
Comparison of Drought Probability Assessments Based on Atmospheric Water Deficit and Soil Water Deficit
Authors: Torres Guilherme M. , Lollato Romulo P. , Ochsner Tyson E.
Published: January 2013

Methods that estimate the probability of agricultural drought using atmospheric data can be widely applied but have not been compared with actual drought occurrence indicated by soil moisture measurements. Our objectives were to develop a drought probability assessment method using long‐term measurements of soil water deficits (SWDs) and to compare the resulting probabilities with those of an existing method based on atmospheric water deficits (AWDs). Fifteen years of daily precipitation, air temperature, and soil moisture measurements for eight locations across Oklahoma were used to calculate the probability (P) of water deficits sufficient to cause plant water stress for each day of the growing season. For the SWD method, the drought threshold was set at 50% depletion of the soil’s total available water capacity. For the AWD method, the threshold was a 7‐d cumulative AWD of 50 mm. Values of AWD were similar to calculated SWD for the 0‐ to 40‐cm soil layer in the spring; however, AWD values seldom reached the drought threshold. Thus, drought P values calculated by the AWD method were unreasonably low and consistently lower than P estimated by the SWD method. The AWD method showed greater agreement with the SWD method when 37 mm was used as the AWD threshold or when the original 50‐mm threshold was applied for a 15‐d cumulative AWD. The new SWD method gave plausible and consistent results when applied to both the 0‐ to 40‐ and 0‐ to 80‐cm soil layers and should be utilized when long‐term soil moisture data are available.
Grain Yield and Plant Characteristics of Corn Hybrids in the Great Plains
Authors: Frank Brian J. , Schlegel Alan J. , Stone Loyd R. , Kirkham Mary Beth
Published: January 2013

Water supply for crop use is the primary factor controlling corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield in the west‐central Great Plains. With water supply varying as production systems range from dryland through irrigated, selecting hybrids for optimum yield in the anticipated water environment is vital for success. Our objective was to analyze a group of corn hybrids and determine: (i) if there are significant differences in identifiable plant characteristics among the hybrids and (ii) if there are significant associations between identifiable plant characteristics and grain yield. Corn was grown near Tribune, KS, for 3 yr in two fields, one dryland and one irrigated. Hybrids (18) replicated in four blocks were grown in each field, with dryland and irrigated results analyzed separately. From linear regression, no significant correlation existed between irrigated grain yield and days to initial silking of hybrids in any of the 3 yr. The correlation between dryland grain yield and days to initial silking of hybrids was significant (P < 0.05) in all 3 yr, with grain yield decreasing as days to initial silking increased. Dryland grain yield was also significantly and negatively correlated with dry stover mass in all 3 yr and with tiller population in 2 of 3 yr. Hybrids selected for dryland conditions in the west‐central Great Plains should be from the earlier third or half of the 98‐ to 118‐d relative maturity range of our study. In addition, hybrids selected for dryland conditions should have characteristics of smaller stature (less stover) and nontillering plants.
Mineral Composition of Cottonseed is Affected by Fertilization Management Practices
Authors: He Zhongqi , Shankle Mark , Zhang Hailin , Way Thomas R. , Tewolde Haile , Uchimiya Minori
Published: January 2013

Cottonseed and its products can be used as human food, animal feed, and industrial raw material. Chemical composition is one of the critical parameters to evaluate cottonseed’s quality and potential end use. Whereas there are reports on the improvement of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lint yield by poultry litter (PL) fertilization, there are no data about the impact of PL application on mineral composition of cottonseed. In this study, we collected seed samples in 2 yr from cotton fertilized with PL and chemical inorganic fertilizer (CIF) with or without winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cover crop (CC) at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station. Contents of 18 elements (Al, As, B, C, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, and Zn) and ash in these cottonseed samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma‐based or dry combustion methods. Cover crop did not significantly impact the chemical composition of cottonseed. Compared to no fertilizer control, both CIF and PL altered the levels of Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P (possibly Na and K), and ash contents but not C, N, Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb, Al, S, B and As. The impact of subsurface band vs. broadcast application methods or fall vs. spring application timing on mineral composition was not obvious. Cottonseed K, Mg, and P contents were higher with PL fertilization but lower with CIF than those of the control cottonseed (no fertilizer). The data of the three elements were highly correlated (α < 0.01), indicating the three elements were co‐accumulated in cottonseed.
Affirmation of the Classical Terminology for Experimental Design via a Critique of Casella’sStatistical Design
Authors: Hurlbert Stuart H.
Published: January 2013

In many disciplines, basic and applied, a high frequency of errors of statistical analysis has been documented in numerous reviews over the decades. One insufficiently appreciated source of this has been the failure of statisticians, individually and collectively, to provide clear definitions for many of the terms they use—and failure to adhere to those definitions across time and across disciplines. The field of experimental design is one area where such problems have become acute. This essay documents that phenomenon via analysis of the terminology used in a recent text in that field,Statistical Designby G. Casella, but the problems identified are widespread and of ancient lineage. There exists a clearer, more consistent terminology, most of it well established more than half a century ago. Key issues are the tripartite structure of the design of an experiment, the need for experimental units to be physically independent of each other, the definition ofpseudoreplication, and confusion about the meaning of split‐unit designs. The problems identified seem to reflect a long‐standing conflict between the classical, experiment‐focused approach to design and the model‐focused approach to the topic. Proponents of the latter have tended to stray from the classical terminology of experimental design, redefining terms in a somewhat casual fashion and thereby considerably confusing non‐statisticians in particular. Wider understanding of these matters should lead to better textbooks, better teaching, and better statistical practice.

It is convenient to introduce a standard terminology.

–Cox (1958, p. 2)

The users of statistics encounter a frustrating problem: statisticians seem inconsistent in the definitions they attach to certain words and in their use of symbols.

–Urquhart (1981)

Is the subject of statistics to lead to different terminologies in different areas of application? This reviewer suggests not. If this be accepted then the onus is on the latter‐day workers, e.g., in psychology, to read the prior literature and try to follow usage or at the very least, give also the nomenclature that is standard to the statistics profession.

–Kempthorne (1982)

Conceptual and inferential errors may arise because of vague and imprecise definitions and formulations.

–Federer (1993)

Unfortunately, the terminology for error reduction designs using the split‐unit principle is not quite uniform.

–Hinkelmann and Kempthorne (2008)

In conclusion, reform and standardization of terminology in statistics, experimental design and sampling design is badly needed, is possible, and would improve statistical practice.

–Hurlbert (2009)
Electron backscatter diffraction in materials characterization
Authors: Stojakovic Dejan
Published: January 2013

Electron Back-Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) is a powerful technique that
captures electron diffraction patterns from crystals, constituents of
material. Captured patterns can then be used to determine grain morphology,
crystallographic orientation and chemistry of present phases, which provide
complete characterization of microstructure and strong correlation to both
properties and performance of materials. Key milestones related to
technological developments of EBSD technique have been outlined along with
possible applications using modern EBSD system. Principles of crystal
diffraction with description of crystallographic orientation, orientation
determination and phase identification have been described. Image quality,
resolution and speed, and system calibration have also been discussed. Sample
preparation methods were reviewed and EBSD application in conjunction with
other characterization techniques on a variety of materials has been
presented for several case studies. In summary, an outlook for EBSD technique
was provided.
Change in lattice parameter of tantalum due to dissolved hydrogen
Authors: Taxak Manju , Kumar Sanjay , Krishnamurthy Nagaiyar , Suri Ashok , Tiwari Gyanendra
Published: January 2013

The volume expansion of tantalum due to the dissolved hydrogen has been
determined using Bragg equation. The hydrogen was dissolved in the pure
tantalum metal at constant temperature (360?C) and constant pressure (132
mbar) by varying the duration of hydrogen charging. The amount of dissolved
hydrogen was within the solid solubility limit. The samples with different
hydrogen concentration were analyzed by X-ray diffraction technique. Slight
peak shifts as well as peak broadening were observed. The relative changes of
lattice parameters plotted against the hydrogen concentration revealed that
the lattice parameters varied linearly with the hydrogen concentration.
Structural role of Cu in the soil active glasses
Authors: Sułowska Justyna , Wacławska Irena
Published: January 2013

Glasses from the SiO2-P2O5-K2O-CaO-MgO-CuO system acting as slow release
fertilizers were synthesized by the melt-quenching technique. Influence of
copper addition on structure of the glasses was evaluated by XRD, SEM, FT-IR
and Raman spectroscopy. Chemical activity of the glasses in 2 wt.% citric
acid solutions was measured by ICP-AES method. It has been found that
increasing content of phosphorous increased solubility of copper in the
structure of the studied glasses which was the result of formation of P-O-Cu
bonds.
Nanometric solid solutions of the fluorite and perovskite type crystal structures: Synthesis and properties
Authors: Boskovic Snezana , Zec Slavica , Matovic Branko , Dohcevic-Mitrovic Zorana , Popovic Zoran , Zinkevich Matvei , Aldinger Fritz , Krstic Vladimir
Published: January 2013

In this paper a short review of our results on the synthesis of nanosized
CeO2, CaMnO3 and BaCeO3 solid solutions are presented. The nanopowders were
prepared by two innovative methods: self propagating room temperature
synthesis (SPRT) and modified glycine/nitrate procedure (MGNP). Different
types of solid solutions with rare earth dopants in concentrations ranging
from 0-0.25 mol% were synthesized. The reactions forming solid solutions were
studied. In addition, the characteristics of prepared nanopowders, phenomena
during sintering and the properties of sintered samples are discussed.
Impeded solid state reactions and transformations in ceramic catalysts supports and catalysts
Authors: Kiss Ernő , Boskovic Goran
Published: January 2013

Impeded chemical reactions and impeded polymorphous transformation in
materials are discussed, as desired effects, for stabilization of ceramic
catalyst supports and ceramic based catalysts. This paper gives a short
overview about the possibilities of slowing down the aging processes in
ceramic catalyst supports and catalysts. Special attention is given to
alumina and titania based catalysts.
Response surface method as a tool for heavy clay firing process optimization: Roofing tiles
Authors: Arsenovic Milica , Pezo Lato , Radojevic Zagorka
Published: January 2013

Heavy clay samples collected in close vicinity of Toplicka Mala Plana,
Serbia, were surveyed to examine their possible use in heavy clay industry.
The representative raw material, which contained the lowest content of clay
minerals and the highest content of carbonates, was enriched with two more
plastic clays. Chemical and mineralogical composition, as well as particle
size distribution, were determined to distinct the samples. The samples in
the form of tiles, hollow blocks and cubes were prepared following the usual
practice in ceramic laboratories. The effect of process parameters, such as
temperature (850-950 ?C) and concentration of the added clays (both in the
range of 0-10 wt.%), were investigated in terms of compressive strength,
water ab?sorption, firing shrinkage, weight loss during firing and volume
mass of cubes. The optimal conditions were determined by the response surface
method, coupled with the fuzzy synthetic evaluation algorithm, using
mem?bership trapezoidal function, and showed that these materials can be used
for roofing tiles production.
Effect of solid content variations on PZT slip for tape casting
Authors: Jian Gang , Qingxian Hu , Sheng Lu , Zhou Dongxiang , Qiuyun Fu
Published: January 2013

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles with pure tetragonal structure were
synthesized by solid-state reaction method and used for preparation of
slurries with different solid contents (34-80 wt.%). Then, PZT thick films
were fabricated by the nonaqueous tape casting method. It was shown that the
slurry prepared from ball-milled particles exhibited better rheology
properties than slurry from particles which were not ball-milled. Measurement
of sedimentation volumes and zeta potentials indicated particle aggregation,
resulting in weak stability of the slurries with high solid contents. The
microstructure, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of PZT sintered
films were investigated in terms of solid contents. Ceramic films prepared
from the slurry with solid contents of 73 wt.% had the optimal structure and
properties. After poling at 200 ?C with an applied field of 1.2 kV/cm, a d33
of 294 pC/N was achieved; typical ferroelectric properties were also observed
with a Ps of 38 ?C/cm2.
Long-term graft occlusion in aortobifemoral position
Authors: Vasic Novak , Davidovic Lazar , Markovic Dragan , Sladojevic Milos
Published: January 2013

Background/Aim. Aortobifemoral (AFF) bypass is still the most common surgical
procedure used in treatment of aortoiliac occlusive disease. One of the most
common complications of AFF bypass procedure is long-term graft occlusion.
The aim of this study was to determine the cause of long-term graft occlusion
in AFF position, as well as the results of early treatment of this
complication. Methods. This retrospective study, performed at the Clinic of
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade,
involved 100 patients treated for long-term occlusion of bifurcated Dacron
graft which was ensued at least one year after the primary surgical
procedure. Results. The most common cause of the longterm graft occlusion was
the process at the level of distal anastomosis or below it (Z = 3.8, p =
0.0001). End-to-end type of proximal anastomosis has been associated with a
significantly increased rate of long-term graft occlusion (Z = 2.2, p =
0.0278). Five different procedures were used for the treatment of long-term
graft occlusion: thrombectomy and distal anastomosis patch plasty (46% of the
cases); thrombectomy and elongation (26% of the cases); thrombectomy and
femoropopliteal bypass (24% of the cases); crossover bypass (2% of the cases)
and a new AFF bypass (2% of the cases). The primary early graft patency was
87%. All 13 early occlusions occurred after the thrombectomy associated with
patch plasty of distal anastomosis. Thrombectomy with distal anastomosis
patch plasty showed a statistically highest percentage of failures in
comparison to thrombectomy with graft elongation, or thrombectomy with
femoro-popliteal bypass (Z = 2 984, p = 0.0028). Redo procedures were
performed in all the cases of early occlusions. In a 30-day follow-up period
after the secondary surgery, 90 (90%) patients had their limbs saved, and
above knee amputation was made in 10 (10%) patients. Conclusion. Long-term
AFF bypass patency can be obtained by proximal end-to-end anastomosis on the
juxtarenal part of aorta and distal anastomosis on the bifurcation of the
common femoral, or on the deep femoral artery.
Zuclopenthixol decanoate in pregnancy: Successful outcomes in two consecutive off springs of the same mother
Authors: Janjic Vladimir , Milovanovic Dragan , Ruzic-Zecevic Dejana , Loncar Dragan , Laban Olivera , Stepanovic Marija , Varjacic Mirjana , Obradovic Slobodan , Djukic-Dejanovic Slavica , Jankovic Slobodan
Published: January 2013

Introduction. Almost all individual antipsychotics are classified into the
intermediate pregnancy risk category as no or limited data exist about human
pregnancy outcomes. We presented the case of zuclopenthixol decanoate using
in two successive pregnancies of the same woman, which had not been published
in the available peer-reviewed literature. Case report. A middle-age female
subject who suffered from schizophrenia received zuclopenthixol decanoate
injection during her two consecutive pregnancies. About four and a half
months before diagnosis of the first pregnancy (~3.5 years after psychosis
emergence), zuclopenthixol decanoate (400 mg every other week, im injection)
was introduced to the treatment protocol (due to previous non-compliance with
haloperidol and risperidone). A significant clinical improvement was achieved
and the dose during pregnancy was reduced to 200 mg once monthly and
maintained to date. In both pregnancies the women gave birth to healthy girls
who have been developing normally until now, at their ages of 6 months and of
3.5 years. During pregnancy and after giving birth to children the mothers?
psychiatric status and her social functioning were significantly improved and
are still stable. Close monitoring of the mother?s health, a
multidisciplinary approach to both her treatment and the monitoring of
pregnancies as well as the complete compliance with the prescribed drug
protocol were likely to be crucial for the therapeutic success. Conclusion. A
favorable outcome of the present case suggests that the zuclopenthixol
decanoate is a rational therapeutic option for pregnant women suffering from
psychosis when the expected benefit exceed the potential risk, but a
definitive evidence for its safety requires large, controlled studies.
Evaluation of Current Eligibility Criteria for Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Sjöholm Kajsa , Anveden Åsa , Peltonen Markku , Jacobson Peter , Romeo Stefano , Svensson Per-Arne , Sjöström Lars , Carlsson Lena M.S.
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE

Patients with a BMI <35 kg/m2 and patients with a BMI between 35 and 40 kg/m2 without comorbidities are noneligible by current eligibility criteria for bariatric surgery. We used Swedish obese subjects (SOS) to explore long-term outcomes in noneligible versus eligible patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The SOS study involved 2,010 obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery (68% vertical-banded gastroplasty, 19% banding, and 13% gastric bypass) and 2,037 contemporaneously matched obese controls receiving usual care. At inclusion, the participant age was 37–60 years and BMI was ≥34 kg/m2 in men and ≥38 kg/m2 in women. The effect of surgery was assessed in patients that do (n = 3,814) and do not (n = 233) meet current eligibility criteria. The date of analysis was 1 January 2012. The follow-up time was up to 20 years, with a median of 10 years.

RESULTS

Cardiovascular risk factors were significantly improved both in noneligible and eligible individuals after 10 years of follow-up. Surgery reduced the diabetes incidence in both the noneligible (adjusted hazard ratio 0.33 [95% CI 0.13–0.82], P = 0.017) and eligible (0.27 [0.22–0.33], P < 0.001) groups. We could not detect a difference in the effect of surgery between the groups (adjusted interaction P value = 0.713).

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery drastically reduced the incidence of type 2 diabetes both in noneligible and eligible patients and improved cardiovascular risk factors in both groups. Our results show that strict BMI cutoffs are of limited use for bariatric surgery prioritization if the aim is to prevent diabetes and improve cardiovascular risk factors.
GLP-1 Action and Glucose Tolerance in Subjects With Remission of Type 2 Diabetes After Gastric Bypass Surgery
Authors: Jiménez Amanda , Casamitjana Roser , Viaplana-Masclans Judith , Lacy Antonio , Vidal Josep
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE

Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been suggested as a major factor for the improved glucose tolerance ensuing after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) surgery. We examined the effect of blocking endogenous GLP-1 action on glucose tolerance in subjects with sustained remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) present before RYGBP.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, GLP-1, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide levels were measured after a meal challenge with either exendin-(9–39) (a GLP-1r antagonist) or saline infusion in eight subjects with sustained remission of T2DM after RYGBP and seven healthy controls.

RESULTS

Infusion of exendin-(9–39) resulted in marginal deterioration of the 2-h plasma glucose after meal intake in RYGBP subjects [saline 78.4 ± 15.1 mg/dL compared with exendin-(9–39) 116.5 ± 22.3 mg/dL; P < 0.001]. Furthermore, glucose response to meal intake was similarly enlarged in the two study groups [percent change in the area under the curve of glucose exendin-(9–39) infusion versus saline infusion: controls 10.84 ± 8.8% versus RYGBP 9.94 ± 8.4%; P = 0.884]. In the RYGBP group, the blockade of the enlarged GLP-1 response to meal intake resulted in reduced insulin (P = 0.001) and C-peptide (P < 0.001), but no change in glucagon (P = 0.258) responses.

CONCLUSIONS

The limited deterioration of glucose tolerance on blockade of GLP-1 action in our study suggests the resolution of T2DM after RYGBP may be explained by mechanisms beyond enhancement of GLP-1 action.
Four-Year Analysis of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Depression Symptoms, and Antidepressant Medicine Use in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) Clinical Trial of Weight Loss in Diabetes
Authors: Rubin Richard R. , Peyrot Mark , Gaussoin Sarah A. , Espeland Mark A. , Williamson Don , Faulconbridge Lucy F. , Wadden Thomas A. , Ewing Linda , Safford Monika , Evans-Hudnall Gina , Wing Rena R. , Knowler William C. ,   the Look AHEAD Research Group
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of depressive symptoms or antidepressant medicine (ADM) use with subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor status in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial of weight loss in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants (n = 5,145; age [mean ± SD] 58.7 ± 6.8 years; BMI 35.8 ± 5.8 kg/m2) in two study arms (intensive lifestyle [ILI], diabetes support and education [DSE]) completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), reported ADM use, and were assessed for CVD risk factors at baseline and annually for 4 years. Risk factor–positive status was defined as current smoking, obesity, HbA1c >7.0% or insulin use, and blood pressure or cholesterol not at levels recommended by expert consensus panel or medicine to achieve recommended levels. Generalized estimating equations assessed within-study arm relationships of elevated BDI score (≥11) or ADM use with subsequent year CVD risk status, controlled for demographic variables, CVD history, diabetes duration, and prior CVD risk status.

RESULTS

Prior year elevated BDI was associated with subsequent CVD risk factor–positive status for the DSE arm (A1C [odds ratio 1.30 (95% CI 1.09–1.56)]; total cholesterol [0.80 (0.65–1.00)]; i.e., protective from high total cholesterol) and the ILI arm (HDL [1.40 (1.12–1.75)], triglyceride [1.28 (1.00–1.64)]). Prior year ADM use predicted subsequent elevated CVD risk status for the DSE arm (HDL [1.24 (1.03–1.50)], total cholesterol [1.28 (1.05–1.57)], current smoking [1.73 (1.04–2.88)]) and for the ILI arm (A1C [1.25 (1.08–1.46)], HDL [1.32 (1.11–1.58)], triglycerides [1.75 (1.43–2.14)], systolic blood pressure [1.39 (1.11–1.74)], and obesity [1.46 (1.22–2.18)]).

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive monitoring of CVD risk in diabetic patients with depressive symptoms or who are treated with ADM may be warranted.
Addendum to “Ring elements as sums of units”
Authors: Lanski Charles , Maróti Attila
Published: January 2013

We give a comment to Theorem 1.1 published in our paper “Ring elements as sums of units” [Cent. Eur. J. Math., 2009, 7(3), 395–399].
The effect of July admission on inpatient outcomes following spinal surgery
Authors: McDonald Jennifer S. , Clarke Michelle J. , Helm Gregory A. , Kallmes David F.
Published: January 2013

Object

The presence of a “July effect,” where the influx of new residents and fellows at teaching hospitals every July may negatively affect patient care and outcomes, is widely debated. The authors used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify all cases of spinal surgery and examine outcomes among patients who underwent surgery in July compared with those who underwent surgery in other months.

Methods

Spinal surgery hospitalizations from 2001 to 2008 were identified in the NIS by extracting relevant ICD-9 codes. Rates of in-hospital mortality, discharge to a long-term care facility, and postoperative complications were compared between admission months and between teaching and nonteaching hospitals using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Fisher exact test, and multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Compared with patients admitted in other months, patients who were admitted to teaching hospitals in July for spinal surgery showed a similar likelihood of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.94 [95% CI 0.78–1.11], p = 0.46), reaction to implanted device/instrumentation (OR 0.88 [95% CI 0.77–1.02], p = 0.09), and postoperative wound dehiscence (OR 1.12 [95% CI 0.94–1.33], p = 0.25). A significantly higher likelihood of discharge to a long-term care facility (OR 1.03 [95% CI 1.00–1.07], p = 0.0467) and postoperative infection (OR 1.11 [95% CI 1.05–1.17], p = 0.0341) was observed in teaching hospitals in July compared with other months; however, incidence rates were similar regardless of admission month. Higher-risk patients (Charlson score ≥ 2) admitted to teaching hospitals in July had a similar likelihood of all outcomes regardless of admission month.

Conclusions

This study of nationwide hospitalizations demonstrates that the influx of new residents and fellows in July has a negligible effect on periprocedural outcomes following spinal surgery.
Symphysio Fundal Height (SFH) Measurement as a Predictor of Birth Weight
Authors: Parvin Zebunnessa , Shafiuddin Sonia , Uddin Mohammad Ahsan , Begum Feroza
Published: January 2013

Fetal weight is a very important factor to make a decision about labor and delivery. Assuming that in large fetuses, dystocia and other complications like cerebral edema, neurological damage, hypoxia and asphyxia may result during or after the delivery. On the other hand, one of the causes of high perinatal mortality in our country is high rate of low birth weight. Rural people may not have access to ultrasonography which is one of the methods to predict birth weight. For these people alternative easy method is necessary. So we can assess fetal birth weight by measuring symphysio-fundal height. Total 100 consecutive pregnant women of gestational age more than 32 weeks admitted for delivery in the Obstetric and Gynaecology department of Faridpur General Hospital were the subject of this study. After selection of cases, a thorough clinical history was taken and elaborate physical examination was done. Common criteria for collection of data were followed in every case. The fetal weight estimated by Johnson's formula was recorded in the predesigned data sheet and then was compared with birth weight following delivery of the fetus. Collected data were compiled and relevant statistical calculations were done using computer based software. Statistical tests (Correlation) were done between actual birth weight (taken as dependant variable) and fetal weight (found by Johnson's Formula), symphysio fundal height (SFH), pre-delivery weight and height of the patients (taken as independent variables) and the tests revealed that actual birth weight was significantly correlated with fetal weight (found by Johnson's Formula), SFH, pre-delivery weight and height of the patients. Among these fetal weight and SFH had shown highest correlation. Regression analysis showed that SFH, maternal height and maternal weight explained respectively 59%, .011% and .009% of observed variation of birth weight. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v7i2.13498 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2012;7(2): 54-58
Relaparotomy in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Faridpur Medical College Hospital - Experience in One Year
Authors: Alam Irin Parveen , Mahbuba Dr. , Das Shila Rani
Published: January 2013

After abdominal surgery some patient's needs relaparotomy for complications developed postoperatively. Aim of this study was to determine the risk factors causing re-laparotomy, the indications, management and outcomes of relaparotomy admitting in Obstetrics and Gynaecology department in Faridpur Medical College Hospital, a tertiary  referral hospital where all complicated patients are referred for management from surrounding districts hospital. It  was a cross sectional study done during the period of January 2011 to December 2011, All the cases among which relaparotomy were done after primary surgery were recorded using a protocol prepared for the study. Data was analyzed. Total 6304 patients were admitted in emergency way in Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Faridpur Medical College Hospital. Among them 1864 patients undergone emergency operations, here 15 patients  needed re-laparotomy. The incidence of re-laparotomy was 0.80%. Indications of relaparotomy included internal hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), retained foreign body, incorrect diagnosis at first laparotomy, intraabdominal collection of pus and urine, Rectus sheath haematoma and burst abdomen. Often more than one procedure  was needed to manage the cases. Re-laparotomy causes much morbidity & mortality with increase in hospital stay  and cost. Careful selection of cases for primary operation, expertise of the surgeon, good surgical technique and  careful postoperative follow-up can reduce the need for re-laparotomy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v7i2.13503 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2012;7(2):75-78
Pulmonary Hypertension: A Review
Authors: Chowdhury Md Ashraf Uddin , Rahman Md Mostafizur , Islam AEM Mazharul , Ali Sk Younus
Published: January 2013

Pulmonary hypertension is a relatively common disorder that leads to right heart failure if untreated. Symptoms and signs of pulmonary hypertensionare often subtle and nonspecific. As a result a significant delay between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension is common. Recently improved understanding of the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension leads to various treatment options that enable us to treat this disorder more efficiently. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v7i2.13506 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2012;7(2):82-87
A Case Report on Recurrent Lepra Reaction-Type 2
Authors: Ali Md Yusuf , Mahmood Reaz , Barman Rakhal Chandra , Islam M M Shahin Ul
Published: January 2013

Lepra Reactions (LR) comprises immunologically mediated inflammatory states that cause considerable morbidity. Type-2 LR occurs exclusively in patients with the lepromatous end of the leprosy spectrum (BL-LL). In 90% of the cases it follows during or after completion of chemotherapy, generally within 2 years. Here we report a case of type-2 LR. He is a twenty years old fisherman with history of hypopigmented skin lesion 3 years back and was treated as a case of lepromatous Leprosy (LL). After six months of completion of treatment he developed type-2 LR presenting with recurrent bouts of fever, polyarthritis, erythema nodusum, orchitis, mononeuritis multiplex and was treated in  Faridpur Medical College Hospital (FMCH) on three occasions within last one and half years. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v7i2.13524 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2012;7(2):93-97
The Interaction of Adrenomedullin and Macrophages Induces Ovarian Cancer Cell Migration via Activation of RhoA Signaling Pathway
Authors: Pang Xiaoyan , Shang Hai , Deng Boya , Wen Fang , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2013

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are correlated with poor prognosis in many human cancers; however, the mechanism by which TAMs facilitate ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion remains unknown. This study was aimed to examine the function of adrenomedullin (ADM) in macrophage polarization and their further effects on the migration of ovarian cancer cells. Exogenous ADM antagonist and small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for ADM expression were treated to macrophages and EOC cell line HO8910, respectively. Then macrophages were cocultured with HO8910 cells without direct contact. Flow cytometry, Western blot and real-time PCR were used to detect macrophage phenotype and cytokine production. The migration ability and cytoskeleton rearrangement of ovarian cancer cells were determined by Transwell migration assay and phalloidin staining. Western blot was performed to evaluate the activity status of signaling molecules in the process of ovarian cancer cell migration. The results showed that ADM induced macrophage phenotype and cytokine production similar to TAMs. Macrophages polarized by ADM promoted the migration and cytoskeleton rearrangement of HO8910 cells. The expression of RhoA and its downstream effector, cofilin, were upregulated in macrophage-induced migration of HO8910 cells. In conclusion, ADM could polarize macrophages similar to TAMs, and then polarized macrophages promote the migration of ovarian cancer cells via activation of RhoA signaling pathway in vitro.
Structural Characterization of an LPA1 Second Extracellular Loop Mimetic with a Self-Assembling Coiled-Coil Folding Constraint
Authors: Young John , Clayton Benjamin , Kikonyogo Alexandra , Pham Truc-Chi , Parrill Abby
Published: January 2013

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structures are of interest as a means to understand biological signal transduction and as tools for therapeutic discovery. The growing number of GPCR crystal structures demonstrates that the extracellular loops (EL) connecting the membrane-spanning helices show tremendous structural variability relative to the more structurally-conserved seven transmembrane α-helical domains. The EL of the LPA1 receptor have not yet been conclusively resolved, and bear limited sequence identity to known structures. This study involved development of a peptide to characterize the intrinsic structure of the LPA1 GPCR second EL. The loop was embedded between two helices that assemble into a coiled-coil, which served as a receptor-mimetic folding constraint (LPA1-CC-EL2 peptide). The ensemble of structures from multi-dimensional NMR experiments demonstrated that a robust coiled-coil formed without noticeable deformation due to the EL2 sequence. In contrast, the EL2 sequence showed well-defined structure only near its C-terminal residues. The NMR ensemble was combined with a computational model of the LPA1 receptor that had previously been validated. The resulting hybrid models were evaluated using docking. Nine different hybrid models interacted with LPA 18:1 as expected, based on prior mutagenesis studies, and one was additionally consistent with antagonist affinity trends.
Phospholipids in Milk Fat: Composition, Biological and Technological Significance, and Analytical Strategies
Authors: Contarini Giovanna , Povolo Milena
Published: January 2013

Glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids are quantitatively the most important phospholipids (PLs) in milk. They are located on the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and in other membranous material of the skim milk phase. They include principally phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine, while sphingomyelin is the dominant species of sphingolipids There is considerable evidence that PLs have beneficial health effects, such as regulation of the inflammatory reactions, chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity on some types of cancer, and inhibition of the cholesterol absorption. PLs show good emulsifying properties and can be used as a delivery system for liposoluble constituents. Due to the amphiphilic characteristics of these molecules, their extraction, separation and detection are critical points in the analytical approach. The extraction by using chloroform and methanol, followed by the determination by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), coupled with evaporative light scattering (ELSD) or mass detector (MS), are the most applied procedures for the PL evaluation. More recently, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR) was also used, but despite it demonstrating high sensitivity, it requires more studies to obtain accurate results. This review is focused on milk fat phospholipids; their composition, biological activity, technological properties, and significance in the structure of milk fat. Different analytical methodologies are also discussed.
In Vitro Acylation of Okadaic Acid in the Presence of Various Bivalves’ Extracts
Authors: Konoki Keiichi , Onoda Tatsuya , Watanabe Ryuichi , Cho Yuko , Kaga Shinnosuke , Suzuki Toshiyuki , Yotsu-Yamashita Mari
Published: January 2013

The dinoflagellate Dinophysis spp. is responsible for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP). In the bivalves exposed to the toxic bloom of the dinoflagellate, dinophysistoxin 3 (DTX3), the 7-OH acylated form of either okadaic acid (OA) or DTX1, is produced. We demonstrated in vitro acylation of OA with palmitoyl CoA in the presence of protein extract from the digestive gland, but not other tissues of the bivalve Mizuhopecten yessoensis. The yield of 7-O-palmitoyl OA reached its maximum within 2 h, was the highest at 37 °C followed by 28 °C, 16 °C and 4 °C and was the highest at pH 8 in comparison with the yields at pH 6 and pH 4. The transformation also proceeded when the protein extract was prepared from the bivalves Corbicula japonica and Crassostrea gigas. The OA binding protein OABP2 identified in the sponge Halichondria okadai was not detected in the bivalve M. yessoensis, the bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis and the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi, though they are known to accumulate diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins. Since DTX3 does not bind to protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, the physiological target for OA and DTXs in mammalian cells, the acylation of DSP toxins would be related to a detoxification mechanism for the bivalve species.
Anti-Mycobacterial Activity of Marine Fungus-Derived 4-Deoxybostrycin and Nigrosporin
Authors: Wang Cong , Wang Juan , Huang Yuhong , Chen Hong , Li Yan , Zhong Lili , Chen Yi , Chen Shengping , Wang Jun , Kang Juling , Peng Yi , Yang Bin , Lin Yongcheng , She Zhigang , Lai Xiaomin
Published: January 2013

4-Deoxybostrycin is a natural anthraquinone compound isolated from the Mangrove endophytic fungus Nigrospora sp. collected from the South China Sea. Nigrosporin is the deoxy-derivative of 4-deoxybostrycin. They were tested against mycobacteria, especially Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility test, they both had inhibition zone sizes of over 25 mm. The results of the absolute concentration susceptibility test suggested that they had inhibitory effects against mycobacteria. Moreover, 4-deoxybostrycin exhibited good inhibition which was even better than that of first line anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs against some clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) M. tuberculosis strains. The gene expression profile of M. tuberculosis H37Rv after treatment with 4-deoxybostrycin was compared with untreated bacteria. One hundred and nineteen out of 3,875 genes were significantly different in M. tuberculosis exposed to 4-deoxybostrycin from control. There were 46 functionally known genes which are involved in metabolism, information storage and processing and cellular processes. The differential expressions of six genes were further confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The present study provides a useful experiment basis for exploitation of correlative new drugs against TB and for finding out new targets of anti-mycobacterial therapy.
Microwave-Enhanced Cross-Coupling Reactions Involving Alkynyltrifluoroborates with Aryl Bromides
Authors: Coltuclu Vitali , Dadush Eric , Naravane Abhijit , Kabalka George
Published: January 2013

Palladium-catalyzed alkynylation has emerged as one of the most reliable methods for the synthesis of alkynes which are often used in natural product syntheses and material science. An efficient method for coupling alkynyltrifluoroborates with various aryl bromides in the presence of a palladium catalyst has been developed using microwave irradiation. The microwave reactions are rapid and efficient.