bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of the maxillary dentition to a statically determinate one-couple system with tip-back mechanics: A prospective clinical trial
Authors: Janakiraman Nandakumar , Gill Pawandeep , Upadhyay Madhur , Nanda Ravindra , Uribe Flavio
Published: May 2015

Objective: 

To quantify the effects of tip-back mechanics on the maxillary first molars and incisors.

Materials and Methods: 

Sixteen subjects with Class II end-on malocclusion were treated with an intrusion arch to achieve distalization of the maxillary molar through tip-back mechanics. Lateral cephalograms were taken prior to molar tip-back (T1), after molar tip-back (T2), and after molar root uprighting (T3). Data were analyzed using the Friedman’s and Wilcoxon signed rank tests to evaluate differences in time points (P ≤ .016).

Results: 

The maxillary first molar distalized 1.53 mm (P = .001) with 6.65° (P = .001) of distal tipping and 0.86 mm (P = .001) of extrusion at T2. Minor relapse of the first molar (mesial direction) was seen at T3. The maxillary incisors flared labially 0.4 mm, and the incisor root apex moved palatally 1.19 mm (P = .005) at T2. At T3, the incisor root apex moved palatally 1.5 mm (P = .003) from T1. An angular change from T1 of 3.31° (P = .008) and 3.53° (P = .014) was seen at T2 and T3, respectively, as a result of palatal root movement of the maxillary incisors.

Conclusions: 

A significant amount of distalization of maxillary molars was attained at the crown level with tip-back mechanics. Palatal root angulation change was significant in the incisors with minimal anteroposterior movement of the incisal edge.
Translating an Evidence-Based Diabetes Education Approach Into Rural African-American Communities: The “Wisdom, Power, Control” Program
Authors: Peña-Purcell Ninfa C. , Jiang Luohua , Ory Marcia G. , Hollingsworth Ryan
Published: May 2015

Purpose. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the efficacy of the “Wisdom, Power, Control” diabetes self-management education (DSME) program with regard to diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, self-care, distress level, and A1C in an African-American population.

Methods. A prospective, quasi-experimental, repeated-measure design was employed to measure these outcomes. Study participants were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks post-intervention, and at a 3-month A1C follow-up.

Results. A total of 103 participants were recruited from the intervention counties, and 14 were identified from the control counties. At the post-test, participants in the intervention group reported a significantly higher level of diabetes knowledge (Δ = 9.2%, P <0.0001), higher self-efficacy (Δ = 0.60, P <0.0001), more self-care behaviors (Δ = 0.48, P <0.0001), lower distress level (Δ = –0.15, P = 0.05), and higher health status (Δ = 0.49, P = <0.0001). About 56% of the intervention group completed all six classes, and 25% attended five classes.

Conclusions. Findings from this study demonstrate the initial success of translating a culturally adapted DSME program into rural African-American communities. The study highlights important lessons learned in the process of implementing this type of program in a real-world setting with a minority population.
Targeted Recruitment of Adults With Type 2 Diabetes for a Physical Activity Intervention
Authors: Johnson Elizabeth J. , Niles Barbara L. , Mori DeAnna L.
Published: May 2015

Recruiting sufficient numbers of participants for physical activity trials for individuals with diabetes can be difficult because there are often many behavioral demands for participants, and inclusion and exclusion criteria can be extensive. This study examined the recruitment strategies used for a randomized, controlled trial designed to investigate the efficacy of an automated telephone intervention to promote physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes in an urban Veterans Administration health care system. Traditional recruitment approaches of posting flyers and obtaining referrals from clinicians did not yield sufficient numbers of interested patients. Using the electronic medical record system to identify patients with uncontrolled diabetes allowed staff to send targeted mailings to participants, and 77% of participants were recruited using this method. The targeted mailing approach elicited a positive response rate of 12% (328 of 2,764 potential participants identified) and appeared to produce a more representative and appropriate sample than other recruitment methods used. Lessons learned in this study may be helpful to researchers in future trials who attempt to recruit participants with diabetes for physical activity protocols.
Sources of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon in Two Small Streams with Different Bedrock Geology: Insights from Carbon Isotopes
Authors: Ishikawa Naoto F , Tayasu Ichiro , Yamane Masako , Yokoyama Yusuke , Sakai Saburo , Ohkouchi Naohiko
Published: May 2015

Radiocarbon natural abundances (Δ14C) are being increasingly used to trace carbon cycling in stream ecosystems. To understand the ultimate sources of carbon, we determined the stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) and Δ14C values of dissolved inorganic and organic carbon (DIC and DOC, respectively) and of particulate organic carbon (POC) in two small streams in central Japan, one of which flows over limestone bedrock (Seri) and the other does not (Fudoji). Investigations over four seasons revealed that the Δ14C values of the DIC (from −238‰ to −174‰ for Seri and −23‰ to +10‰ for Fudoji) were less variable than those of the other carbon fractions (DOC: from −400‰ to −138‰ for Seri and −2‰ to +103‰ for Fudoji; POC: from −164‰ to −60‰ for Seri and −55‰ to +37‰ for Fudoji). Based on mass balance calculations using the δ13C and Δ14C values, the proportions of carbon in the DIC originated from (1) atmospheric CO2 were 47% to 57% for Seri and 74% to 90% for Fudoji, (2) organic matter degradation were 29% to 35% for Seri and 4% to 21% for Fudoji, and (3) carbonate rock were 14% to 22% for Seri and 4% to 6% for Fudoji. We compared the results with previous studies that had been conducted in larger rivers and showed that in small streams, the dissolution of atmospheric CO2 and weathering of carbonate rock are more important factors in the carbon cycling than the biological degradation of organic matter.
Clinical benefits of diffusion tensor imaging in hydrocephalus
Authors: Ben-Sira Liat , Goder Noam , Bassan Haim , Lifshits Shlomi , Assaf Yaniv , Constantini Shlomi
Published: May 2015

OBJECT

The object of this study was to use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate and characterize white matter changes in hydrocephalus.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of DTI in a cohort of patients with hydrocephalus (n = 35), 19 of whom had both pre- and postsurgical imaging studies. These patient’s DTI values were compared with values extracted from age-dependent trend lines computed from a healthy subject group (n = 70, age span 14 months-14 years). Several DTI parameters in different regions of interest (ROIs) were evaluated to find the most sensitive parameters for clinical decision making in hydrocephalus.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, patients with active hydrocephalus had a statistically significant change in all DTI parameters. The most sensitive and specific DTI parameter for predicting hydrocephalus was axial diffusivity (λ1) measured at the level of the corona radiata. Diffusion tensor imaging parameters correlated with several conventional radiological parameters in the assessment of hydrocephalus but were not superior to them. There was no convincing correlation between clinical disease severity and DTI parameters. When examining the pre- and postsurgical effect, it was found that DTI may be a sensitive tool for estimating tissue improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

This large-cohort study with a multidisciplinary approach combining clinical, neurological, radiological, and multiple DTI parameters revealed the most sensitive DTI parameters for identifying hydrocephalus and suggested that they may serve as an important tool for the disorder’s quantitative radiological assessment.
Defining the inherent stability of degenerative spondylolisthesis: a systematic review
Authors: Simmonds Andrea M. , Rampersaud Y. Raja , Dvorak Marcel F. , Dea Nicolas , Melnyk Angela D. , Fisher Charles G.
Published: May 2015

OBJECT

A range of surgical options exists for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). The chosen technique inherently depends on the stability of the DLS. Despite a substantial body of literature dedicated to the outcome analysis of numerous DLS procedures, no consensus has been reached on defining or classifying the disorder with respect to stability or the role that instability should play in a treatment algorithm. The purpose of this study was to define grades of stability and to develop a guide for deciding on the optimal approach in surgically managing patients with DLS.

METHODS

The authors conducted a qualitative systematic review of clinical or biomechanical analyses evaluating the stability of and surgical outcomes for DLS for the period from 1990 to 2013. Research focused on nondegenerative forms of spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis without associated DLS was excluded. The primary extracted results were clinical and radiographic parameters indicative of DLS instability.

RESULTS

The following preoperative parameters are predictors of stability in DLS: restabilization signs (disc height loss, osteophyte formation, vertebral endplate sclerosis, and ligament ossification), no disc angle change or less than 3 mm of translation on dynamic radiographs, and the absence of low-back pain. The validity and magnitude of each parameter’s contribution can only be determined through appropriately powered prospective evaluation in the future. Identifying these parameters has allowed for the creation of a preliminary DLS instability classification (DSIC) scheme based on the preoperative assessment of DLS stability.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal stability is an important factor to consider in the evaluation and treatment of patients with DLS. Qualitative assessment of the best available evidence revealed clinical and radiographic parameters for the creation of the DSIC, a decision aid to help surgeons develop a method of preoperative evaluation to better stratify DLS treatment options.
Ectopic cilia associated with an orbital dermoid cyst and sinus tract: case report
Authors: Krahulík David , Karhanová Marta , Vaverka Miroslav , Brychtová Světlana , Pospíšilová Dagmar
Published: May 2015

Ectopic cilia are extremely rare congenital anomalies in which eyelash follicles appear in an abnormal place on the eyelid, most typically on the lateral quadrant of the anterior surface of the upper eyelid. In the majority of cases, simple surgical excision of ectopic cilia is indicated because of its cosmetic aspect. There is usually no associated medical co-morbidity with this anomaly. The authors report an unusual case of ectopic cilia associated with an orbital dermoid cyst and sinus tract. A 3-year-old boy was initially diagnosed with ectopic cilia on the left upper eyelid. There was no history of inflammation or swelling of the eyelid. An ophthalmological examination revealed only 1 mm of ptosis; no proptosis, inferior displacement, or palpable orbital mass was present. During surgical excision of the ectopic cilia, a thin sinus tract was identified, leading posteriorly to the orbit. Magnetic resonance imaging performed after the excision showed a supraorbital extraconal mass just below the roof of the left orbit. A supraorbital 2-piece craniotomy was performed with total extirpation of the dermoid cyst. The cyst was removed en bloc without damage to the extraocular muscles, but the sinus tract could no longer be identified. Follow-up MRI was performed 6 months after surgery and showed no evidence of recurrence. A follow-up ophthalmological examination showed no signs of inferior displacement or proptosis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this case is the first reported instance of ectopic cilia associated with a dermoid cyst and sinus tract in which no typical clinical signs and symptoms of possible orbital pathology were present. This case highlights the value of radiological examination in all cases of ectopic cilia prior to surgical excision.
Baclofen overdose from possible intrinsic malfunction of SynchroMed II pump
Authors: Davanzo Justin R. , Rizk Elias
Published: May 2015

This is a case report illustrating an overdose of baclofen in a 10-year-old boy due to a likely malfunction of a SynchroMed II pump. This ultimately necessitated a pump replacement. One-year follow-up showed no further incidents of baclofen overdose, with multiple pump refills.
Prevalence of dengue fevers among the patients of different economic status attended at local hospital in Dhaka
Authors: Farhana Rimi , Awatef Khan Fatema , Khanum Hamida , Akter Tangin
Published: May 2015

Blood samples were collected from patients experiencing a febrile illness clinically consistent with dengue infection in IBN SINA hospital, Dhaka. Dengue specific antibodies were detected by using SD Bioline IgM and IgG Rapid Test. Out of suspected cases, 300 patients were confirmed as serologically positive for dengue fever (DF) and 60 patients for dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Larger proportions of serologically positive cases were observed among the females 54% in DF and 60% in DHF than the males 46% in DF and 40% DHF. The highest DF and DHF infected age groups were in between 21 and 30 years, and the common symptoms were fever (100%) and skin rash (100%). The duration of the fever was 5 days which was 26% in DF and 35% DHF.Bangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 161-168, 2014
Breeding biology of Bengal eyed turtle Morenia petersi (Anderson 1879) in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md Lokman , Sarker Shorab Uddin , Sarker Noor Jahan
Published: May 2015

This study was conducted to determine the breeding season, gonad development, egg laying period, clutch size and other biological aspects of Bengal Eyed Turtle, Morenia petersi of Bangladesh. The egg-laying period was found between November and February. The nesting sites were elevated fallow lands in secluded areas. The female turtle laid all the mature eggs at a time for each clutch at night. A gravid female turtle laid two clutches of eggs in each breeding season and the mean clutch size was 9.7 ± 1.5 eggs and mean weight of each egg was 8.9 ± 1.3 g. The eggs are elongated in shape and whitish in colour. The mean incubation period was 119 ± 30 days. The incubation period of first clutch was the longer than the second clutch. The hatchlings emerged out between April and May. Hatchery success was found 56.8%. The percentage of weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) by weight of hatchlings in the first year was greater than second and third year. Present investigation was made to explore the possibility to raise turtle farming in captive condition.Bangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 169-181, 2014
Activity patterns of pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) and stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) at the Chittagong university campus, Bangladesh
Authors: Biswas JK , Sarker NJ , Ahsan MF , Rahman MM
Published: May 2015

The activity patterns of pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis Linnaeus, 1758) and stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis Linnaeus, 1766) were studied in the Chittagong University Campus, Chittagong, Bangladesh, during January 2011 to December 2013. Eight activities (resting/perching, bathing, flying, feeding, calling, preening, hovering and diving) were observed in this study, of which pied kingfisher performed all eight activities and stork-billed kingfisher performed all except bathing and hovering. Both kingfisher species spent the maximum (pied kingfisher: 31.87%; stork-billed kingfisher: 45.82%) time in resting/perching and the minimum (pied kingfisher: 4.83%; stork-billed kingfisher: 1.90%) in preening. Pied kingfishers were mostly (28.3%) active during 0700 and 0900 h and stork- billed kingfishers were more (31.17%) active in between 0901-1100 h. Pied kingfishers spent their highest (9.01%) time in different activities in August and the lowest (7.68%) in February, whereas storkbilled kingfishers spent the maximum (8.69%) time in March and the minimum (7.80%) in May.Bangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 191-203, 2014
Social interactions of Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus) at Keshabpur and Manirampur of Jessore district of Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Md Mahabub , Jaman M Firoj , Hasan Md Mahedi , Rahman Md Mokhlesur , Alam Shayer Mahmood Ibney , Khatun Ummay Habiba
Published: May 2015

Social interactions of Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) were studied from August, 2013 to July, 2014 at Keshabpur and Manirampur Upazila, Jessore, Bangladesh. The study was mainly based on direct field observations from dawn to dusk and data was collected through focal animal sampling in 10- minutes duration. During the study period seven groups of Hanuman langurs were found in urban and rural habitats. Eight behavioral activities like resting, feeding, grooming, moving, parental care, playing, submission and aggression were recorded. They interacted with each other through grooming, parental care, playing, submission and aggression. Social interactions varied in urban and rural habitats. Aggression was mostly observed in rural habitat and generally showed by the males. Adults were engaged in playing to encourage infants, juveniles and sub-adults. Significant seasonal variation of grooming was observed between age classes. Females were engaged more in grooming and parental care than males. Allomothering was also observed within a group. More submission was received by dominant males within a group. Langurs of focal groups spent 41.04% of their total activity budget in resting which was the highest activity followed by 33.75% in feeding, 11.73% in grooming, 4.87% in moving and 8.61% time for other activities.Bangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 217-225, 2014
Microbial and proximate composition of fresh and salted Hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha
Authors: Rohomania Tahara , Saha Mihir Lal , Hossain Anwar , Mandal Shankar Chandra , Rahman Mohammad Shamsur
Published: May 2015

Bacterial and nutritional quality of fresh and salted hilsa collected from four markets of Dhaka city were investigated. Five different culture media viz. nutrient agar, EMB agar for coliform, SS agar for Salmonella-Shigella, MSA agar for Staphylococcus and TCBS for Vibrio were used. The highest heterotrophic bacterial count 1.22 ± 0.12 × 106 cfu/g was recorded in the fresh fish sample of Karwan Bazar. Maximum coliform count, 1.20 ± 0.10 × 106 cfu/g was detected in the fresh fish sample of the same market. No bacterial colony was found on SS agar and TCBS agar plate in salted fish. Proximate composition of raw hilsa of dorsal and ventral part was 56.49 ± 0.13% and 55.45 ± 0.06% moisture, 23.62 ± 0.28% and 22.99 ± 0.36% protein, 18.01 ± 0.39% and 18.96 ± 0.43% fat and 1.71 ± 0.04% and 2.26 ± 0.09% ash, respectively. In salted T. ilisha, the proximate composition of dorsal and ventral part was 45.13 ± 0.54% and 40.20±0.20% moisture, 20.79 ± 0.17% and 21.48 ± 0.15% protein, 16.89 ± 0.47% and 19.54 ± 0.26% lipid and 16.65 ± 0.41% and 18.35 ± 0.08% ash. The fresh fish samples were associated with high bacterial loads than that of salted fish. The protein, lipid, moisture contents decreased and ash content increased after salting condition.Bangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 227-236, 2014
Protective effect of brine-salt curing on physico-chemical attributes on the taki fish (Channa punctatus) and the tengra fish (Mystus tengra) at room temperature
Authors: Farid Farzana Binte , Latifa Gulshan Ara , Nahid Mosarrat Nabila , Begum Mohajira
Published: May 2015

Brine salt curied (BS) Taki fish and the small Tengra fish were studied to observe such salting procedure on their bio-chemical composition stored at room temperature (26-320C). In fresh-processed condition, moisture, protein, fat, ash, pH and free fatty acid were 62.28%, 18.02%, 2.76%, 17.24%, 6.8 and 0.5% in BS taki fish and 57.35%, 15.3%, 6.84%, 20.8%, 5.9 and 0.9%, respectively in tengra. The value of moisture, pH and FFA increased significantly (p<0.05) with the time of storage and these values rapidly increased in cured taki than BS tengra and at the end of 75 days BS taki became spoiled whereas BS tengra still remained in fresh condition. It was observed that BS tengra fish-product had longer shelf life (120 days) and was found better for preservation in laboratory condition. This work also showed that the effect of the treatment on a fish sample dependent on the fish species.Bangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 271-276, 2014
Captive breeding of mud crab Scylla serrata (Forskål, 1975) in Bangladesh
Authors: Hoq Md Enamul , Sein Aung , Khan Md Shahzad Kuli , Debnath Partho Pratim , Kudrat E Kabir Quazi AZM
Published: May 2015

Abstract not availableBangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 295-299, 2014
An Information-Theoretic Perspective on Coarse-Graining, Including the Transition from Micro to Macro
Authors: Lindgren Kristian
Published: May 2015

An information-theoretic perspective on coarse-graining is presented. It starts with an information characterization of configurations at the micro-level using a local information quantity that has a spatial average equal to a microscopic entropy. With a reversible micro dynamics, this entropy is conserved. In the micro-macro transition, it is shown how this local information quantity is transformed into a macroscopic entropy, as the local states are aggregated into macroscopic concentration variables. The information loss in this transition is identified, and the connection to the irreversibility of the macro dynamics and the second law of thermodynamics is discussed. This is then connected to a process of further coarse-graining towards higher characteristic length scales in the context of chemical reaction-diffusion dynamics capable of pattern formation. On these higher levels of coarse-graining, information flows across length scales and across space are defined. These flows obey a continuity equation for information, and they are connected to the thermodynamic constraints of the system, via an outflow of information from macroscopic to microscopic levels in the form of entropy production, as well as an inflow of information, from an external free energy source, if a spatial chemical pattern is to be maintained.
Nonlinear Stochastic Control and Information Theoretic Dualities: Connections, Interdependencies and Thermodynamic Interpretations
Authors: Theodorou Evangelos
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we present connections between recent developments on the linearly-solvable stochastic optimal control framework with early work in control theory based on the fundamental dualities between free energy and relative entropy. We extend these connections to nonlinear stochastic systems with non-affine controls by using the generalized version of the Feynman–Kac lemma. We present alternative formulations of the linearly-solvable stochastic optimal control framework and discuss information theoretic and thermodynamic interpretations. On the algorithmic side, we present iterative stochastic optimal control algorithms and applications to nonlinear stochastic systems. We conclude with an overview of the frameworks presented and discuss limitations, differences and future directions.
How Offshoring Can Affect the Industries’ Skill Composition
Authors: Horgos Daniel , Tajoli Lucia
Published: May 2015

While most of the offshoring literature focuses on the effects on relative wages, other implications do not receive the necessary attention. This paper investigates the effects on the industries’ skill ratio. It summarizes the empirical literature, discusses theoretical findings, and provides empirical evidence for Germany. As results show, effects are mainly driven by the industry where offshoring takes place. If offshoring takes place in high-skill intensive industries, the high-skill labor ratio increases (vice versa if offshoring takes place in low-skill intensive industries). Results are in line with other empirical findings, however, they seem to contradict theoretical causalities. Thus, we additionally discuss possible explanations.
The Development of Cloud Energy Management
Authors: Cheng Chin-Chi , Lee Dasheng , Wang Ching Hung , Lin Shu Fen , Chang Hung-Peng , Fang Shang-Te
Published: May 2015

The energy management service (EMS) has been utilized for saving energy since 1982 by managing the energy usage of site or facilities through the microprocessor, computer, Ethernet, internet, and wireless sensor network. The development and represented function groups of EMS are illustrated in the supplementary file of this paper. Along with this tendency, a cloud EMS, named the intelligent energy management network (iEN), was launched by Chunghwa Telecom in 2011 and tested during a pilot run from 2012 to 2013. The cloud EMS integrated three service modes together, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). This cloud EMS could reduce the facility cost and enable a continuously improved service for energy conservation. From the literature review, 32 selected EMS cases of whole site and single facility were chosen for calculating the energy savings and payback rate. According to the literature, the average energy savings by applying EMS are 11.6% and 21.4% for the whole site and single facility, respectively. The iEN was applied on 55 demo sites with the similar scale, the same kind of machines and approaching conditions. The testing sites include a factory, a complex building, and a residual building, 12 lighting systems and 8 air conditioning systems. According to the testing results, the average energy savings by applying iEN are 10% and 23.5% for the whole site and single facility, respectively. Comparing with the reported EMS cases, it was found that the energy savings by adopting the cloud EMS were only 70%–80% compared with those using the traditional EMS. Although the cloud EMS presented less energy savings, it revolutionized the traditional EMS by its innovative business model. Compared with the averaged 1.7 years payback period of the traditional EMS, more than 70% of the cloud EMS cases could pay back immediately for the service fees and without the equipment investment.
Online Internal Temperature Estimation for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Kalman Filter
Authors: Sun Jinlei , Wei Guo , Pei Lei , Lu Rengui , Song Kai , Wu Chao , Zhu Chunbo
Published: May 2015

The battery internal temperature estimation is important for the thermal safety in applications, because the internal temperature is hard to measure directly. In this work, an online internal temperature estimation method based on a simplified thermal model using a Kalman filter is proposed. As an improvement, the influences of entropy change and overpotential on heat generation are analyzed quantitatively. The model parameters are identified through a current pulse test. The charge/discharge experiments under different current rates are carried out on the same battery to verify the estimation results. The internal and surface temperatures are measured with thermocouples for result validation and model construction. The accuracy of the estimated result is validated with a maximum estimation error of around 1 K.
Prevalence of Marijuana Use among University Students in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
Authors: Hynes Marya , Demarco Maria , Araneda Juan , Cumsille Francisco
Published: May 2015

Young adults 18 to 25 years old show the highest prevalence of marijuana use in Latin America. This study analyzes the changes in prevalence of marijuana use among university students in the Andean Community (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru) from two studies carried out in 2009 and in 2012. Data were collected through representative two-stage samples of universities and students in the Andean Community. An online survey was administered using a standardized questionnaire. Prevalence was calculated for lifetime, past year, and past month. Marijuana was the most widely used illicit substance consumed among university students, in 2009 and in 2012. Past month prevalence among university students in 2009 in Colombia was 5.27%, in Peru 1.00%, in Ecuador 1.68%, and in Bolivia 0.76%. Past month prevalence in 2012 in Colombia was 7.14%, in Ecuador 3.67%, in Peru 1.62%, and in Bolivia 1.45% in 2012. Among university students in the Andean Community, past month prevalence increased among both males and females between 2009 and 2012 in most countries. Marijuana continues to be the most commonly used illicit drug in Latin American countries. Increases in prevalence among young adults could have important implications for national drug policy.
Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics for Pre-Eclampsia and Preterm Birth
Authors: Law Kai , Han Ting-Li , Tong Chao , Baker Philip
Published: May 2015

Pregnancy-related complications such as pre-eclampsia and preterm birth now represent a notable burden of adverse health. Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder unique to pregnancy. It is an important cause of maternal death worldwide and a leading cause of fetal growth restriction and iatrogenic prematurity. Fifteen million infants are born preterm each year globally, but more than one million of those do not survive their first month of life. Currently there are no predictive tests available for diagnosis of these pregnancy-related complications and the biological mechanisms of the diseases have not been fully elucidated. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics have all the necessary attributes to provide the needed breakthrough in understanding the pathophysiology of complex human diseases thorough the discovery of biomarkers. The mass spectrometry methodologies employed in the studies for pregnancy-related complications are evaluated in this article. Top-down proteomic and peptidomic profiling by laser mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry, and bottom-up quantitative proteomics and targeted proteomics by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry have been applied to elucidate protein biomarkers and biological mechanism of pregnancy-related complications. The proteomes of serum, urine, amniotic fluid, cervical-vaginal fluid, placental tissue, and cytotrophoblastic cells have all been investigated. Numerous biomarkers or biomarker candidates that could distinguish complicated pregnancies from healthy controls have been proposed. Nevertheless, questions as to the clinically utility and the capacity to elucidate the pathogenesis of the pre-eclampsia and preterm birth remain to be answered.
Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of Mannose Receptor in Zebra Fish (Danio rerio) during Infection with Aeromonas sobria
Authors: Zheng Feifei , Asim Muhammad , Lan Jiangfeng , Zhao Lijuan , Wei Shun , Chen Nan , Liu Xiaoling , Zhou Yang , Lin Li
Published: May 2015

Mannose receptor (MR) is a member of pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), which plays a significant role in immunity responses. Much work on MR has been done in mammals and birds while little in fish. In this report, a MR gene (designated as zfMR) was cloned from zebra fish (Danio rerio), which is an attractive model for the studies of animal diseases. The full-length cDNA of zfMR contains 6248 bp encoding a putative protein of 1428 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequences showed that zfMR contained a cysteine-rich domain, a single fibronectin type II (FN II) domain, eight C-type lectin-like domains (CTLDs), a transmembrane domain and a short C-terminal cytoplasmic domain, sharing highly conserved structures with MRs from the other species. The MR mRNA could be detected in all examined tissues with highest level in kidney. The temporal expression patterns of MR, IL-1β and TNF-α mRNAs were analyzed in the liver, spleen, kidney and intestine post of infection with Aeromonas sobria. By immunohistochemistry assay, slight enhancement of MR protein was also observed in the spleen and intestine of the infected zebra fish. The established zebra fish-A. sobria infection model will be valuable for elucidating the role of MR in fish immune responses to infection.
Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Transition Metal Complexes Derived from N, S Bidentate Ligands
Authors: Md Yusof Enis , Ravoof Thahira , Tiekink Edward , Veerakumarasivam Abhimanyu , Crouse Karen , Mohamed Tahir Mohamed , Ahmad Haslina
Published: May 2015

Two bidentate NS ligands were synthesized by the condensation reaction of S-2-methylbenzyldithiocarbazate (S2MBDTC) with 2-methoxybenzaldehyde (2MB) and 3-methoxybenzaldehyde (3MB). The ligands were reacted separately with acetates of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) yielding 1:2 (metal:ligand) complexes. The metal complexes formed were expected to have a general formula of [M(NS)2] where M = Cu2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and various spectroscopic techniques. The magnetic susceptibility measurements and spectral results supported the predicted coordination geometry in which the Schiff bases behaved as bidentate NS donor ligands coordinating via the azomethine nitrogen and thiolate sulfur. The molecular structures of the isomeric S2M2MBH (1) and S2M3MBH (2) were established by X-ray crystallography to have very similar l-shaped structures. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes were evaluated for their biological activities against estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and estrogen receptor-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cell lines. Only the Cu(II) complexes showed marked cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines. Both Schiff bases and other metal complexes were found to be inactive. In concordance with the cytotoxicity studies, the DNA binding studies indicated that Cu(II) complexes have a strong DNA binding affinity.
Molecular Connections between Cancer Cell Metabolism and the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Justus Calvin , Sanderlin Edward , Yang Li
Published: May 2015

Cancer cells preferentially utilize glycolysis, instead of oxidative phosphorylation, for metabolism even in the presence of oxygen. This phenomenon of aerobic glycolysis, referred to as the “Warburg effect”, commonly exists in a variety of tumors. Recent studies further demonstrate that both genetic factors such as oncogenes and tumor suppressors and microenvironmental factors such as spatial hypoxia and acidosis can regulate the glycolytic metabolism of cancer cells. Reciprocally, altered cancer cell metabolism can modulate the tumor microenvironment which plays important roles in cancer cell somatic evolution, metastasis, and therapeutic response. In this article, we review the progression of current understandings on the molecular interaction between cancer cell metabolism and the tumor microenvironment. In addition, we discuss the implications of these interactions in cancer therapy and chemoprevention.
Mitochondria-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species Play an Important Role in Doxorubicin-Induced Platelet Apoptosis
Authors: Wang Zhicheng , Wang Jie , Xie Rufeng , Liu Ruilai , Lu Yuan
Published: May 2015

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent; however; its use is limited by some side effects; such as cardiotoxicity and thrombocytopenia. DOX-induced cardiotoxicity has been intensively investigated; however; DOX-induced thrombocytopenia has not been clearly elucidated. Here we show that DOX-induced mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis and glycoprotein (GP)Ibα shedding in platelets. DOX did not induce platelet activation; whereas; DOX obviously reduced adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation; and impaired platelet adhesion on the von Willebrand factor (vWF) surface. In addition; we also show that DOX induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner. The mitochondria-targeted ROS scavenger Mito-TEMPO blocked intracellular ROS and mitochondrial ROS generation. Furthermore; Mito-TEMPO reduced DOX-induced platelet apoptosis and GPIbα shedding. These data indicate that DOX induces platelet apoptosis; and impairs platelet function. Mitochondrial ROS play a pivotal role in DOX-induced platelet apoptosis and GPIbα shedding. Therefore; DOX-induced platelet apoptosis might contribute to DOX-triggered thrombocytopenia; and mitochondria-targeted ROS scavenger would have potential clinical utility in platelet-associated disorders involving mitochondrial oxidative damage.
Altered Hemodynamics in the Embryonic Heart Affects Outflow Valve Development
Authors: Menon Vinal , Eberth John , Goodwin Richard , Potts Jay
Published: May 2015

Cardiac valve structure and function are primarily determined during early development. Consequently, abnormally-formed heart valves are the most common type of congenital heart defects. Several adult valve diseases can be backtracked to abnormal valve development, making it imperative to completely understand the process and regulation of heart valve development. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in the development of heart valves. Though hemodynamics is vital to valve development, its role in regulating EMT is still unknown. In this study, intracardiac hemodynamics were altered by constricting the outflow tract (OFT)/ventricle junction (OVJ) of HH16–17 (Hamilton and Hamburger (HH) Stage 16–17) chicken embryos, ex ovo for 24 h. The constriction created an increase in peak and time-averaged centerline velocity along the OFT without changes to volumetric flow or heart rate. Computational fluid dynamics was used to estimate the level of increased spatially-averaged wall shear stresses on the OFT cushion from AMIRA reconstructions. OFT constriction led to a significant decrease in OFT cushion volume and the number of invaded mesenchyme in the OFT cushion. qPCR analysis revealed altered mRNA expression of a representative panel of genes, vital to valve development, in the OFT cushions from banded hearts. This study indicates the importance of hemodynamics in valve development.
Assessing Site Availability of Aspen and Northern Hardwoods for Potential Feedstock Development in Michigan: A Case Study
Authors: Alian Sara , Maclean Ann
Published: May 2015

The importance of wood and wood byproducts as biomass feedstocks is of increasing interest as a source of ethanol and electricity. Second generation woody feedstock sources in Michigan, e.g., hybrid poplar and hybrid willow (Populus spp.), and native forests, particularly aspen and northern hardwoods, are a potential source of woody biomass for these uses. This study provides a geographic information system (GIS) framework for assessing the current spatial extent of aspen and northern hardwoods) and their proximity to roads. Additionally, the potential for expanding the area of these feedstock sources based on pre-European settlement vegetation cover is assessed. Utilizing GIS technology to compile, edit and analyze available geospatial data (e.g., present day and pre-European settlement land use/cover, soils, road infrastructure, and land ownership) for counties located in the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula and northern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan provides a robust framework for various management scenarios to be evaluated in a cost effective manner and foster better decision making.
The Spectral Connection Matrix for Any Change of Basis within the Classical Real Orthogonal Polynomials
Authors: Bella Tom , Reis Jenna
Published: May 2015

The connection problem for orthogonal polynomials is, given a polynomial expressed in the basis of one set of orthogonal polynomials, computing the coefficients with respect to a different set of orthogonal polynomials. Expansions in terms of orthogonal polynomials are very common in many applications. While the connection problem may be solved by directly computing the change–of–basis matrix, this approach is computationally expensive. A recent approach to solving the connection problem involves the use of the spectral connection matrix, which is a matrix whose eigenvector matrix is the desired change–of–basis matrix. In Bella and Reis (2014), it is shown that for the connection problem between any two different classical real orthogonal polynomials of the Hermite, Laguerre, and Gegenbauer families, the related spectral connection matrix has quasiseparable structure. This result is limited to the case where both the source and target families are one of the Hermite, Laguerre, or Gegenbauer families, which are each defined by at most a single parameter. In particular, this excludes the large and common class of Jacobi polynomials, defined by two parameters, both as a source and as a target family. In this paper, we continue the study of the spectral connection matrix for connections between real orthogonal polynomial families. In particular, for the connection problem between any two families of the Hermite, Laguerre, or Jacobi type (including Chebyshev, Legendre, and Gegenbauer), we prove that the spectral connection matrix has quasiseparable structure. In addition, our results also show the quasiseparable structure of the spectral connection matrix from the Bessel polynomials, which are orthogonal on the unit circle, to any of the Hermite, Laguerre, and Jacobi types. Additionally, the generators of the spectral connection matrix are provided explicitly for each of these cases, allowing a fast algorithm to be implemented following that in Bella and Reis (2014).
Data Integration for Microarrays: Enhanced Inference for Gene Regulatory Networks
Authors: Sîrbu Alina , Crane Martin , Ruskin Heather
Published: May 2015

Microarray technologies have been the basis of numerous important findings regarding gene expression in the few last decades. Studies have generated large amounts of data describing various processes, which, due to the existence of public databases, are widely available for further analysis. Given their lower cost and higher maturity compared to newer sequencing technologies, these data continue to be produced, even though data quality has been the subject of some debate. However, given the large volume of data generated, integration can help overcome some issues related, e.g., to noise or reduced time resolution, while providing additional insight on features not directly addressed by sequencing methods. Here, we present an integration test case based on public Drosophila melanogaster datasets (gene expression, binding site affinities, known interactions). Using an evolutionary computation framework, we show how integration can enhance the ability to recover transcriptional gene regulatory networks from these data, as well as indicating which data types are more important for quantitative and qualitative network inference. Our results show a clear improvement in performance when multiple datasets are integrated, indicating that microarray data will remain a valuable and viable resource for some time to come.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of N-Alkyl-3-(alkylamino)-pyrazine-2-carboxamides
Authors: Semelkova Lucia , Konecna Klara , Paterova Pavla , Kubicek Vladimir , Kunes Jiri , Novakova Lucie , Marek Jan , Naesens Lieve , Pesko Matus , Kralova Katarina , Dolezal Martin , Zitko Jan
Published: May 2015

A series of N-alkyl-3-(alkylamino)pyrazine-2-carboxamides and their N-alkyl-3-chloropyrazine-2-carboxamide precursors were prepared. All compounds were characterized by analytical methods and tested for antimicrobial and antiviral activity. The antimycobacterial MIC values against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv of the most effective compounds, 3-(hexylamino)-, 3-(heptylamino)- and 3-(octylamino)-N-methyl-pyrazine-2-carboxamides 14‒16, was 25 μg/mL. The compounds inhibited photosystem 2 photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach chloroplasts. This activity was strongly connected with the lipophilicity of the compounds. For effective PET inhibition longer alkyl chains in the 3-(alkylamino) substituent in the N-alkyl-3-(alkylamino)pyrazine-2-carboxamide molecule were more favourable than two shorter alkyl chains.
Nutritional Adequacy of Dietary Intake in Women with Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Raatz Susan , Jahns Lisa , Johnson LuAnn , Crosby Ross , Mitchell James , Crow Scott , Peterson Carol , Le Grange Daniel , Wonderlich Stephen
Published: May 2015

Understanding nutrient intake of anorexia nervosa (AN) patients is essential for the treatment. Therefore, estimates of total energy and nutrient consumption were made in a group of young women (19 to 30 years) with restricting and binge purge subtypes of AN participating in an ecological momentary assessment study. Participants completed three nonconsecutive 24-hour diet recalls. Mean nutrient intakes were stratified by subtype and by quartiles of energy intake and compared to the age specific Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) levels, as well as to the reported intakes from the What We Eat In America (WWEIA) dietary survey 2011–2012. Reported intake was determined for energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients. The mean body mass index (BMI) for all participants was 17.2 ± 0.1 kg/m2. Reported nutrient intake was insufficient for participants in quartiles 1–3 of both AN subtypes when compared to the DRIs. Intake reported by participants in quartile 4 of both subgroups met requirements for most nutrients and even met or exceeded estimated energy needs. Counseling of AN patients should be directed to total food consumption to improve energy intake and to reduce individual nutritional gaps.
No Positive Influence of Ingesting Chia Seed Oil on Human Running Performance
Authors: Nieman David , Gillitt Nicholas , Meaney Mary , Dew Dustin
Published: May 2015

Runners (n = 24) reported to the laboratory in an overnight fasted state at 8:00 am on two occasions separated by at least two weeks. After providing a blood sample at 8:00 am, subjects ingested 0.5 liters flavored water alone or 0.5 liters water with 7 kcal kg−1 chia seed oil (random order), provided another blood sample at 8:30 am, and then started running to exhaustion (~70% VO2max). Additional blood samples were collected immediately post- and 1-h post-exercise. Despite elevations in plasma alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) during the chia seed oil (337%) versus water trial (35%) (70.8 ± 8.6, 20.3 ± 1.8 μg mL−1, respectively, p < 0.001), run time to exhaustion did not differ between trials (1.86 ± 0.10, 1.91 ± 0.13 h, p = 0.577, respectively). No trial differences were found for respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (0.92 ± 0.01), oxygen consumption, ventilation, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and plasma glucose and blood lactate. Significant post-run increases were measured for total leukocyte counts, plasma cortisol, and plasma cytokines (Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Tumor necrosis factors-α (TNF-α)), with no trial differences. Chia seed oil supplementation compared to water alone in overnight fasted runners before and during prolonged, intensive running caused an elevation in plasma ALA, but did not enhance run time to exhaustion, alter RER, or counter elevations in cortisol and inflammatory outcome measures.