bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Prepregnancy Care Program for Women With Diabetes: Effective and Cost Saving
Authors: Egan Aoife M. , Danyliv Andriy , Carmody Louise , Kirwan Breda , Dunne Fidelma P.
Published: February 2016

Context:

Only a minority of women with diabetes attend prepregnancy care service and the economic effects of providing this service are unclear.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to design, put into practice, and evaluate a regional prepregnancy care program for women with types 1 and 2 diabetes.

Design:

This was a prospective cohort and cost-analysis study.

Setting:

The study was conducted at antenatal centers along the Irish Atlantic Seaboard.

Participants:

Four hundred fourteen women with type 1 or 2 diabetes participated in the study.

Intervention:

The intervention for the study was a newly developed prepregnancy care program.

Main Outcome Measures:

The program was assessed for its effect on the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The difference between program delivery cost and the excess cost of treating adverse outcomes in nonattendees was evaluated.

Results:

In total, 149 (36%) attended: this increased from 19% to 50% after increased recruitment measures in 2010. Attendees were more likely to take preconception folic acid (97.3% vs 57.7%, P < .001) and less likely to smoke (8.7% vs 16.6%, P = .03) or take potentially teratogenic medications at conception (0.7 vs 6.0, P = .008). Attendees had lower glycated hemoglobin levels throughout pregnancy (first trimester glycated hemoglobin 6.8% vs 7.7%, P < .001; third trimester glycated hemoglobin 6.1% vs 6.5%, P = .001), and their offspring had lower rates of serious adverse outcomes (2.4% vs 10.5%, P = .007). The adjusted difference in complication costs between those who received prepregnancy care vs usual antenatal care only is €2578.00. The average cost of prepregnancy care delivery is €449.00 per pregnancy.

Conclusions:

This regional prepregnancy care program is clinically effective. The cost of program delivery is less than the excess cost of managing adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Guidelines for the functional annotation of microRNAs using the Gene Ontology
Authors: Huntley Rachael P. , Sitnikov Dmitry , Orlic-Milacic Marija , Balakrishnan Rama , D'Eustachio Peter , Gillespie Marc E. , Howe Doug , Kalea Anastasia Z. , Maegdefessel Lars , Osumi-Sutherland David , Petri Victoria , Smith Jennifer R. , Van Auken Kimberly , Wood Valerie , Zampetaki Anna , Mayr Manuel , Lovering Ruth C.
Published: February 2016

MicroRNA regulation of developmental and cellular processes is a relatively new field of study, and the available research data have not been organized to enable its inclusion in pathway and network analysis tools. The association of gene products with terms from the Gene Ontology is an effective method to analyze functional data, but until recently there has been no substantial effort dedicated to applying Gene Ontology terms to microRNAs. Consequently, when performing functional analysis of microRNA data sets, researchers have had to rely instead on the functional annotations associated with the genes encoding microRNA targets. In consultation with experts in the field of microRNA research, we have created comprehensive recommendations for the Gene Ontology curation of microRNAs. This curation manual will enable provision of a high-quality, reliable set of functional annotations for the advancement of microRNA research. Here we describe the key aspects of the work, including development of the Gene Ontology to represent this data, standards for describing the data, and guidelines to support curators making these annotations. The full microRNA curation guidelines are available on the GO Consortium wiki (http://wiki.geneontology.org/index.php/MicroRNA_GO_annotation_manual).
La relation pédagogique : de l’effet Pygmalion à la figure d’Antigone
Authors: Lerbet-Sereni Frédérique
Published: February 2016

La réflexion qui est proposée ici s’inscrit dans la continuité d’une histoire de chercheur centrée sur la relation comme objet heuristique. Elle prend également place dans les transformations de regards et de paradigmes qui ont soutenu cette réflexion jusqu’à ce jour. Ce parcours sera succinctement repris, avant d’être prolongé par le propos actuel qui, étayé par la figure d’Antigone, vise à construire la problématique de la relation pédagogique dans le contexte des théories de l’autonomie. On verra alors sous quelles conditions la relation pédagogique peut être envisagée comme une relation d’autorité qui à la fois limite et permet la pratique de ce métier impossible (Freud), que la visée d’autonomie au sens fort permettrait de reconnaître comme in-possible.
Οι επιπτώσεις της φτώχειας γενικότερα και στα παιδιά ειδικότερα και πιθανοί τρόποι παρεμβάσεων για την πρόληψη και τη μείωσή της
Authors: Ντολιοπούλου Έλση
Published: February 2016

Στο παρόν άρθρο εξετάζεται το φαινόμενο της φτώχειας, το οποίο έχει πολλαπλασιαστεί τα τελευταία χρόνια, τόσο σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο, όσο και σε τοπικό, με τη χώρα μας να εμφανίζει όλο και ψηλότερα ποσοστά μετά την έναρξη της οικονομικής κρίσης. Παρουσιάζονται πληροφορίες για το τι είναι η φτώχεια γενικά και η παιδική ειδικά, πώς την αντιλαμβάνονται τα παιδιά και πώς τα επηρεάζει, τι επιπτώσεις έχει στην εκπαίδευση, στους εκπαιδευτικούς και τους γονείς και προτείνονται ορισμένοι τρόποι για την πρόληψη και τη μείωσή της.
IL-21 Signaling in Immunity
Authors: Leonard Warren J. , Wan Chi-Keung
Published: February 2016

IL-21 is a type I cytokine produced by T cells and natural killer T cells that has pleiotropic actions on a wide range of immune and non-immune cell types. Since its discovery in 2000, extensive studies on the biological actions of IL-21 have been performed in vitro and in vivo. Recent reports describing patients with primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations of IL21 or IL21R have further deepened our knowledge of the role of this cytokine in host defense. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that mediate IL-21’s actions has provided the rationale for targeting IL-21 and IL-21 downstream mediators for therapeutic purposes. The use of next-generation sequencing technology has provided further insights into the complexity of IL-21 signaling and has identified transcription factors and co-factors involved in mediating the actions of this cytokine. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the biology and signaling of IL-21 and how this knowledge can be potentially translated into clinical settings.
Nursing at the centre of stroke recovery in the acute setting: prioritising early rehabilitation
Authors: Woon Caroline
Published: February 2016

Early stroke rehabilitation is fundamental and should begin in the acute setting. Patient outcome is enhanced through effective multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary teamwork. Rehabilitation activities can be prescribed by members of the multidisciplinary team and coordinated by nursing staff. Nurses play an essential role, as they are available 24 hours per day and are well placed to oversee rehabilitation activities. These activities are carried out by the patient with the support of his or her family and the multidisciplinary team. Activities should increase in intensity as the patient improves. Education about the benefits of early rehabilitation and their role should be provided for health professionals, health care assistants, patients and their families. This article stresses the importance of prioritising stroke rehabilitation in the acute setting and emphasises the nurse's role. A stroke rehabilitation prescription chart is discussed.
Dorsally displaced fractures of the distal radius
Authors: Fullilove S. , Gozzard C.
Published: February 2016

The results of the DRAFFT (distal radius acute fracture fixation trial) study, which compared volar plating with Kirschner (K-) wire fixation for dorsally displaced fractures of the distal radius, were published in August 2014. The use of K-wires to treat these fractures is now increasing, with a concomitant decline in the use of volar locking plates.

We provide a critical appraisal of the DRAFFT study and question whether surgeons have been unduly influenced by its headline conclusions.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:298–300.
Anther culture of local upland rice varieties from East Kalimantan: effect of panicle cold pre-treatment and putrescine enriched medium
Authors: NURHASANAH NURHASANAH , PRATAMA ANANDA N. , SUNARYO WIDI
Published: February 2016

Nurhasanah, Pratama AN, Sunaryo W. 2016. Anther culture of local upland rice varieties from East Kalimantan: effect ofpanicle cold pre-treatment and putrescine enriched medium. Biodiversitas 17: 148-153. Anther culture has been evaluated as aneffective method for homozygous plant production which is very important for the hybrid breeding program in rice. Low number ofgreen plantlets is a main obstacle in the application of this technique. Culture conditions increasing anther culture efficiency can beapplied to solve this problem especially for low regeneration frequency. This study aimed to investigate the effect of panicle cold pretreatmentÂ andÂ theÂ additionÂ ofÂ putrescineÂ intoÂ cultureÂ mediumÂ toÂ theantherÂ culturabilityÂ ofÂ localÂ uplandÂ riceÂ varietiesÂ originatedÂ fromÂ EastÂ Kalimantan.Â TwoÂ coldÂ pretreatmentÂ times,Â 8Â andÂ 10Â days,Â atÂ 4Â°CÂ andÂ antherÂ cultureÂ mediumÂ withÂ andÂ withoutÂ putrescineÂ wereÂ examinedÂ in this research. The result showed that cold incubation time effect was a genotype-dependent in influencing the ability of rice microspores to develop into callus and green plantlet regeneration. The longer cold incubation time, 10 days, resulted in the highest number of callus, plantlet as well as green plantlets in Serai Gunung cultivar but the opposite result was found in Geragai cultivar. The effect of putrescine addition in the culture medium was also observed as a genotyped-dependent. It can either increase number of calli, plantlets and green plantlets or decrease them on a specific genotype.
The Changing Contours of Minimum Deterrence in South Asia
Authors: Zafar Khan
Published: February 2016

Minimum deterrence is one of the important ingredients of the deterrent concept associated with nuclear weapons. Although neither the Soviet Union nor the US opted for minimum deterrence during the Cold War era since they were extremely involved in strategic overkill force competition, the concept originated when few critiqued the mad race between the two Cold War rivals and proposed an alternative that could serve the purpose of deterrence without risking nuclear war. This alternative conceptual policy posture paved the way as part of nuclear learning in South Asia where both India and Pakistan opted for minimum deterrence. The conceptualized policy option of minimum deterrence embedded well with the introduction of nuclear weapons in South Asia played an essential role in sustaining deterrence stability between the two countries. However, there is a fear that due to various factors, the contours of minimum deterrence in South Asia might change and minimum may no longer stay the minimum, which in turn could undermine the promising strategic stability passed by the Waltzian teaching of nuclear peace. This article conceptually discusses the changing contours of minimum deterrence in South Asia, its strategic treatment and the factors that could eventually undermine the dynamics of policy option conceptualized earlier. This article concludes that the unjust attitudes of international community favoring one side against the other, the absence of criteria based approach, and the strategic pressure on Pakistan pulling it into arms competition undermine the dynamics of minimum deterrence and strategic stability in South Asia.
Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs) or Flexible Response Choosing the Right Strategy
Authors: Asim Ahmed
Published: February 2016

The entry of Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs) and Nasr missile into Pakistan military armoury and the development of military strategy thereafter have been considered a major breakthrough to counter India's Cold Start Doctrine or Proactive Military Strategy. The Cold Start Doctrine of India as a Limited Warfare Concept gestates on countering sub-conventional war emanating from Pakistan while remaining below the nuclear threshold. In an effort to regain the balance and offset the doctrinal as well conventional asymmetry available to India, Pakistan considers employment of TNWs to counter India's Cold Start Doctrine. However, the strategic thinking prevailing in India as well as in Pakistan considered to have effectively countered each other's strategies and have conceptual shortfalls. There is a stability/instability paradox and the presupposition that initiation of hostilities by one side may lead towards a nuclear exchange and destruction of both states. In this background, the study evaluates TNWs on a conceptual platform, examines the role of India's Cold Start Doctrine/Proactive Military Strategy and Pakistan's embryonic concept of TNWs in deterrence stability and instability in South Asia, in order to draw pertinent lessons for Pakistan to ensure deterrence stability in the region.
Crescimento de cultivares de cenoura em diferentes ambientes
Authors: Pereira Gustavo Antônio Mendes , Oliveira Maxwel Coura , Braga Renan Rodrigues , Silva Daniel Valadão , Oliveira Altino Júnior Mendes , Fernandes José Sebastião Cunha , Andrade Júnior Valter Carvalho de
Published: February 2016

The carrot (Daucus carota) is the fifth most widely grown vegetable crop in Brazil, with an average yield of only 32.1 t ha-1 with productive potential to reach 80 t ha-1. One reason cited for this low productivity is planting varieties not adapted to the environments found in Brazil. Knowing the importance of genotype and environment interaction, aimed to evaluate the growth of carrot cultivars in autumn-winter crop in two counties with different soil and climatic characteristics of the Upper Valley Jequitinhonha, MG. Six carrot cultivars (Brasilia, Nantes, Kuronan, Esplanade, Plateau and Tornado) were grown in two environments (Couto de Magalhães of Mines and Diamantina). Plants were sampled weekly and regression equations were adjusted from time. For plant height set to linear Couto de Magalhães de Diamantina Minas and quadratic models, as in root length models the behavior was reversed. This difference shows that different environments alter the pattern of growth. The distinct environments resulted in different behaviors of cultivars of carrot, and in Couto de Magalhães de Minas productivity was higher. Regardless of the growing environment to Nantes variety showed lower productivity. The Plateau cultivar is best suited for planting in the Diamantina and Kuronan and Plateau to Couto Magalhães de Minas.
STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF FATIGUE DATA OF COMPONENTS
Authors: Chung Chi Nghia , Major Zoltan
Published: February 2016

A variety of steels, cast iron grades and other metals have long been used for the production of machine components. In recent years, however, new materials such as sintered materials and plastics become increasingly important. Because of the large number of different fibers, matrices, stacking sequences, processing conditions and processes and the variety of resulting material configurations it is not possible to rely on proven fatigue models for conventional materials. Moreover, the development of models, which are valid for all composites are generally extremely difficult. In this work, a possible application of high-performance composites as materials for machine elements are investigated. This study attempts to predict the fatigue behavior and the consequent durability, based on laboratory measurements. Using the statistics program JMP, the aquired data was subjected to a reliability analysis in order to ensure the plausibility, validity and accuracy of the measured values.
EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF CUMULATIVE SURFACE LOCATION ERROR FOR TURNING PROCESSES
Authors: Kiss Adam K. , Bachrathy Daniel
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study is to create a mechanical model which is suitable to investigate the surface quality in turning processes, based on the Cumulative Surface Location Error (CSLE), which describes the series of the consecutive Surface Location Errors (SLE) in roughing operations. In the established model, the investigated CSLE depends on the currently and the previously resulted SLE by means of the variation of the width of cut. The phenomenon of the system can be described as an implicit discrete map. The stationary Surface Location Error and its bifurcations were analysed and flip-type bifurcation was observed for CSLE. Experimental verification of the theoretical results was carried out.
STRUCTURAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF DEFORMED POLYMER USING CONFOCAL RAMAN MICROSCOPY AND DSC
Authors: Neitzel Birgit , Aschermayer Florian , Kracalik Milan , Hild Sabine
Published: February 2016

Polymers have various interesting properties, which depend largely on their inner structure. One way to influence the macroscopic behaviour is the deformation of the polymer chains, which effects the change in microstructure. For analyzing the microstructure of non-deformed and deformed polymer materials, Raman spectroscopy as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used. In the present study we compare the results for crystallinity measurements of deformed polymers using both methods in order to characterize the differences in micro-structure due to deformation. The study is ongoing, and we present the results of the first tests.
Performance of the XN-2000 WPC channel-flagging to differentiate reactive and neoplastic leukocytosis
Authors: Schuff-Werner Peter , Kohlschein Peter , Maroz Aliaksandra , Linssen Joachim , Dreißiger Katrin , Burstein Christine
Published: February 2016

The distinction between reactive and neoplastic leukocytes, especially atypical lymphocytes suspected to be reactive or neoplastic, is a particular challenge in automated hematological cell differentiation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of the XN analyzer supplemented with the WPC channel for differentiating between reactive and neoplastic leukocytosis.

Blood samples of 253 patients with viral infections, lymphoma or leukemia were analyzed by the Sysmex XN-2000 analyzer equipped with the WPC channel. The results were compared to routine leukocyte differentiation using the routine Sysmex XE-2100 analyzer and automated digital microscopy (DM96). The combined information from standard morphology, immune phenotyping and clinical diagnosis served as a reference.

The XN WPC channel demonstrated an excellent performance for differentiating neoplastic (AUC=0.933) and reactive leukocytosis (AUC=0.900) as compared to morphological smear examination (AUC=0.949 and AUC=0.968, respectively) or to the differentiation results of our routine hematology analyzer (AUC=0.630 and AUC=0.635, respectively).

Our data show that the combined WDF/WPC of the Sysmex XN-Series analyzer is advantageous in the automated differentiation of neoplastic and reactive leukocytosis, thus supporting the correct diagnostic decision in the daily laboratory routine.
Numerical Study on Concentration Polarization for H2-N2 Separation through a Thin Pd Membrane by Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Mansourpour Zahra , Sharafpoor Abdolmajid , Ghaee Azadeh
Published: February 2016

In this paper, a 3D modeling of Hydrogen separation from H2/N2 mixture by pd/α-Al2O3 hollow fiber membrane in steady and unsteady state using computational fluid dynamic was considered. The effect of operating condition such as temperature, pressure and feed flow rate on concentration polarization was examined. Using concept of concentration polarization, controlling mass transfer in membrane module was determined. Also by applying sensitivity factor of flux that is used for analysis of concentration polarization, the best performance of membrane was found. The CFD results show good agreement with experimental data.
An ARL-Unbiased n
p-Chart
Authors: Morais Manuel Cabral
Published: February 2016

We usually assume
that counts of nonconforming items have a binomial distribution with parameters (n,p), where n and p represent the sample size and the fraction nonconforming, respectively.
The non-negative, discrete and usually skewed character and the target mean

(
n

p
0

)

${(np_0)}$

of this distribution may prevent the quality control engineer to deal with a chart to monitor p with:
a pre-specified in-control average run length (ARL), say

α

-
1

${\alpha ^{-1}}$

;
a positive lower control limit;
the ability to control not only increases but also decreases in p in an expedient fashion.
Furthermore, as far as we have investigated, the n
p- and p-charts proposed in the Statistical Process Control literature are ARL-biased, in the sense that they take longer, in average, to detect some shifts in the fraction nonconforming than to trigger a false alarm.
Having all this in mind, this paper explores the notions of uniformly most powerful unbiased tests with
randomization probabilities to eliminate the bias of the ARL function of the n
p-chart and to bring its in-control ARL exactly to

α

-
1

${\alpha ^{-1}}$

.
Voter Turnout in Presidential Nominating Contests
Authors: McDonald Michael P. , Merivaki Thessalia
Published: February 2016

Presidential elections are conducted in two stages. The November general election is proceeded by a series of contests where delegates are selected to national party conventions, which is where the parties select their candidates for the fall election. These nominating contests’ political environments vary: the rules regarding who can participate; the levels of electoral competition, which are related to when they are held; and that other offices present on the ballot, if any. We explore the effects of these conditions on voter participation in recent presidential contests and generally find turnout highest in competitive and inclusive contests where other offices are on the ballot. Examining the 2008 American National Election Panel Study, we find primary voters are more ideologically extreme than general election voters, but there is little difference between voters in closed and open primary states. We suggest primary type has little effect on the ideological composition of the electorate because modern nomination contests are low turnout elections that draw only the most politically interested.
iBH3: simple, fixable BH3 profiling to determine apoptotic priming in primary tissue by flow cytometry
Authors: Ryan Jeremy , Montero Joan , Rocco James , Letai Anthony
Published: February 2016

Dysregulation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, controlled by the BCL-2 family of proteins, leads to disease states including cancer. Rapid analysis of a cell’s dependency on the BCL-2 family of proteins is hindered by the complex interactions of more than a dozen proteins. Transcript or even protein levels are therefore generally insufficient to predict a cell’s response to perturbations like chemotherapy. Previously, we developed the JC-1 BH3 method to provide a same day functional assay to assess a cell’s propensity to undergo apoptosis and demonstrated its utility in predicting response to chemotherapy. We have now improved upon these methods to create a robust assay amenable to high throughput platforms using cytochrome c retention in formaldehyde fixed cells to remove the time sensitivity of JC-1 potential measurements. BH3 profiling by intracellular staining (iBH3) is suitable for 96- and 384-well formats, and can be used to directly screen candidate BH3-mimetic compounds for activity. When used as the final component of dynamic BH3 profiling (DBP), which uses a drug pretreatment prior to iBH3 to assess the change in profile due to treatment, it can predict the response of cells to chemotherapy days before they show signs of death.
On the Predictive Content of Nonlinear Transformations of Lagged Autoregression Residuals and Time Series Observations
Authors: Rossen Anja
Published: February 2016

Although many macroeconomic time series are assumed to follow nonlinear processes, nonlinear models often do not provide better predictions than their linear counterparts. Furthermore, nonlinear models easily become very complex and difficult to estimate. The aim of this study is to investigate whether simple nonlinear extensions of autoregressive processes are able to provide more accurate forecasting results than linear models. Therefore, simple autoregressive processes are extended by means of nonlinear transformations (quadratic, cubic, sine, exponential functions) of lagged time series observations and autoregression residuals. The proposed forecasting models are applied to a large set of macroeconomic and financial time series for 10 European countries. Findings suggest that these models, including nonlinear transformation of lagged autoregression residuals, are able to provide better forecasting results than simple linear models. Thus, it may be possible to improve the forecasting accuracy of linear models by including nonlinear components. This is especially true for time series that are positively tested for nonlinear characteristics and longer forecast horizons.
Variables as Contextual Constraints in Translating Irony
Authors: Babîi Oana
Published: February 2016

The translator’s role and responsibility are high in any act of interlingual communication, and even higher when irony, an indirect and deliberately elusive form of communication, is involved in the translation process. By allowing more than one possible interpretation, irony is inevitably exposed to the risk of being misunderstood. This paper attempts to capture the complexity of translating irony, making use of theoretical frameworks provided by literary studies and translation studies. It analyses if and how the types of irony, the literary genres and the cultural, normative factors, perceived as potential contextual constraints, have an impact on the translator’ choices in rendering irony in translation, taking illustrative examples from Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Aldous Huxley and David Lodge’s works.
Design Optimization Method for Composite Components Based on Moment Reliability-Sensitivity Criteria
Authors: Sun Zhigang , Wang Changxi , Niu Xuming , Song Yingdong
Published: February 2016

In this paper, a Reliability-Sensitivity Based Design Optimization (RSBDO) methodology for the design of the ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) components has been proposed. A practical and efficient method for reliability analysis and sensitivity analysis of complex components with arbitrary distribution parameters are investigated by using the perturbation method, the respond surface method, the Edgeworth series and the sensitivity analysis approach. The RSBDO methodology is then established by incorporating sensitivity calculation model into RBDO methodology. Finally, the proposed RSBDO methodology is applied to the design of the CMCs components. By comparing with Monte Carlo simulation, the numerical results demonstrate that the proposed methodology provides an accurate, convergent and computationally efficient method for reliability-analysis based finite element modeling engineering practice.
Using WISE Materials to Design an Inquiry-Based Curriculum with the 5E Instructional Model
Authors: Fu Xin , Liu Enshan
Published: February 2016

We designed a course based on inquiry learning using WISE, an online inquiry-based science environment platform, and the 5E instructional model. This article summarizes guidelines used in designing the course, analyses of student needs and school environment, setting of course objectives, modification of materials, and evaluation of student performance. A “Healthy Life” course based on those guidelines was implemented, along with a teacher-training workshop, in two schools, and pretests and posttests were administered to evaluate the achievements of the project participants. The results showed that the participants had constructed scientific concepts and improved their level of cognitive knowledge. An efficiency questionnaire and semistructured interviews demonstrated the effectiveness of the course, thus indicating that we should share the guidelines and features of the Healthy Life course with other course designers and teachers.
Transposing Devotion
Authors: Krebs Jill
Published: February 2016

This article extends recent scholarship on new religious movements that has stressed newness, tension, and social alignment. New Catholic communities that have grown around contemporary Marian apparitions allow the application of theoretical models and add nuance to understandings of new movements in the Catholic context. Drawing from fieldwork since 2010 at two apparition sites, rural Emmitsburg, Maryland and suburban Gaithersburg, Maryland, I find that apparitional movements—often marginalized within their parishes—lead to internal tension for individuals involved. The ways that these individuals resolve this tension problematize notions of conflict and alignment, tradition, and innovation. I propose that philosopher Rosi Braidotti’s metaphor of transpositions offers an apt approach to apparitional movements.
Novel mechanisms for DHEA action
Authors: Prough Russell A , Clark Barbara J , Klinge Carolyn M
Published: February 2016

Dehydroepiandrosterone (3β-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, DHEA), secreted by the adrenal cortex, gastrointestinal tract, gonads, and brain, and its sulfated metabolite DHEA-S are the most abundant endogeneous circulating steroid hormones. DHEA actions are classically associated with age-related changes in cardiovascular tissues, female fertility, metabolism, and neuronal/CNS functions. Early work on DHEA action focused on the metabolism to more potent sex hormones, testosterone and estradiol, and the subsequent effect on the activation of the androgen and estrogen steroid receptors. However, it is now clear that DHEA and DHEA-S act directly as ligands for many hepatic nuclear receptors and G-protein-coupled receptors. In addition, it can function to mediate acute cell signaling pathways. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which DHEA acts in cells and animal models with a focus on the ‘novel’ and physiological modes of DHEA action.
Letrozole vs estradiol valerate induced PCOS in rats: glycemic, oxidative and inflammatory status assessment
Authors: Dăneasă Alexandra , Cucolaş Cristina , Lenghel Lavinia Manuela , Olteanu Diana , Orăsan Remus , Filip Gabriela A
Published: February 2016

The objective of our study was to investigate glycemic, oxidative/antioxidative and inflammatory status in letrozole and estradiol valerate induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) models. Sixty adult female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: L (0.2 mg letrozole/0.5 ml carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), daily for 30 days), the control group CL, EV (one i.m. injection of 5 mg EV/0.5 ml sesame oil) and its corresponding control group CEV. After 30 days, ovarian morphology was assessed through ultrasound, serum free testosterone was determined, and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Blood, muscle, liver and periovarian adipose tissue (POAT) were collected for oxidative/antioxidative and inflammatory status evaluation. Free testosterone was increased only in the L group, while fasting glycemia was higher in the EV group. Both L and EV led to a significantly decreased level of muscle malondialehyde (MDA) and liver glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, while in POAT, MDA level diminished and GPx activity increased. The only difference between the two protocols was in muscle, where after L administration, GPx activity was significantly lower. Implementation of both protocols resulted in an increased expression of pNFKB in muscle, liver and POAT. The expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) increased in liver and POAT after L administration, while in the EV group, MCP1 and STAT3 decreased in POAT. Our study shows that both protocols are characterized by an inflammatory environment in the usually insulin resistant tissues of human PCOS, without generating oxidative stress. In addition, EV has mild metabolic effects and unexpected interference with MCP1 expression in POAT, which require further investigation.
CITED2 modulation of trophoblast cell differentiation: insights from global transcriptome analysis
Authors: Imakawa Kazuhiko , Dhakal Pramod , Kubota Kaiyu , Kusama Kazuya , Chakraborty Damayanti , Karim Rumi M A , J Soares Michael
Published: February 2016

Trophoblast stem (TS) cells possess the capacity to differentiate along a multi-lineage pathway yielding several specialized cell types. The regulatory network controlling trophoblast cell differentiation is poorly understood. Cbp/p300-interacting transactivator with Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain, 2 (CITED2) has been implicated in the regulation of placentation; however, we know little about how CITED2 acts to influence trophoblast cells. Rat Rcho-1 TS cells can be manipulated to proliferate or differentiate into specialized trophoblast lineages and are an excellent model for investigating trophoblast differentiation. CITED2 transcript and protein showed a robust induction during Rcho-1 TS cell differentiation. We used an shRNA knockdown approach to disrupt CITED2 expression in order to investigate its involvement in trophoblast cell differentiation. RNA-sequencing was used to examine the impact of CITED2 on trophoblast cell differentiation. CITED2 disruption affected the differentiating trophoblast cell transcriptome. CITED2 possessed a prominent role in the regulation of cell differentiation with links to several signal transduction pathways and to hypoxia-regulated and coagulation processes. In summary, our findings indicate that CITED2 contributes to the regulation of trophoblast cell differentiation.

Reproduction (2016) 151 1–8
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube in a Syncardia™ Total Artificial Heart
Authors: Prasad Amit , Singbartl Kai , Boone Jacqueline , Soleimani Behzad , Zeriouh Mohamad , Loebe M. , Koerner Michael , Oei J. Elisabeth , Brehm Christoph E , Ghodsizad Ali
Published: February 2016

As a bridge to transplant, the Syncardia™ total artificial heart (TAH) is an option for patients who are not candidates for left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) due to right ventricular failure. The need for nutritional support in these patients is essential for a favorable outcome. Low body mass indexes and albumin levels have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery patients [Alverdy 2003]. It is not uncommon for postoperative patients to have difficulty in consuming enough calories after surgery, which is further complicated by a hypermetabolic demand due to surgical stress. Enteral nutrition has typically been favored for gut mucosal integrity and bacterial flora [Alverdy 2003] [Engleman 1999]. We describe the need for prolonged enteral nutritional support in a TAH patient that was accomplished with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube.
Early Exposure to Nonnutritive Sweeteners and Long-term Metabolic Health: A Systematic Review
Authors: Reid Ashleigh E. , Chauhan Bhupendrasinh F. , Rabbani Rasheda , Lys Justin , Copstein Leslie , Mann Amrinder , Abou-Setta Ahmed M. , Fiander Michelle , MacKay Dylan S. , McGavock Jonathan , Wicklow Brandy , Zarychanski Ryan , Azad Meghan B.
Published: February 2016

CONTEXT:

Nonnutritive sweetener (NNS) consumption is increasing among children, yet its long-term health impact is unclear, particularly when exposure occurs during early life.

OBJECTIVE:

To synthesize evidence from prospective studies evaluating the association of early-life NNS exposure and long-term metabolic health.

DATA SOURCES:

Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library (inception to July 2015).

STUDY SELECTION:

We aimed to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating NNS-based interventions and prospective cohort studies reporting NNS exposure among pregnant women, infants, or children (<12 years of age), with a minimum study duration of 6 months.

DATA EXTRACTION:

The primary outcome was BMI; secondary outcomes included growth velocity, overweight/obesity, adiposity, and adverse metabolic effects. Study quality and risk of bias were evaluated using validated assessment tools.

RESULTS:

We identified 6 eligible cohort studies and 2 RCTs (n = 15 641 children). Half of the cohorts reported increasing weight gain or fat mass accumulation with increasing NNS intake, and pooled data from 2 cohorts showed a significant correlation with BMI gain (weighted mean correlation 0.023, 95% confidence interval 0.006 to 0.041). RCTs reported contradictory effects on weight change in children receiving NNSs. No eligible studies evaluated prenatal or infant NNS exposure.

LIMITATIONS:

Meta-analysis was limited because of the small number of eligible studies and heterogeneity of populations and outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is limited and inconsistent evidence of the long-term metabolic effects of NNS exposure during gestation, infancy, and childhood. Further research is needed to inform recommendations for the use of NNSs in this sensitive population.
Preliminary results on intersexual differences in gene expression of chemokine K203 in mononuclear cells of chicken
Authors: Kaňková Zuzana , Zeman Michal , Schwarz Susanne , Kaspers Bernd
Published: February 2016

Sex steroid levels increase during sexual maturation and cause alterations in many physiological and morphological traits. Some of these changes may be connected with age-dependent and intersexual differences in the immune system. This topic is still insufficiently understood, especially in avian species, partially due to methodological limitations. In this study we measured the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18) and chemokines [K60 (IL-8-like chicken chemokine — CXCLi1), CAF (IL-8-like chicken chemokine — CXCLi2), and K203] in mononuclear cells isolated from blood and spleen after in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Samples were collected from chickens at two ages (from pullets before sexual maturity and from sexually mature egglaying hens). After LPS stimulation, a substantial increase was recorded in the gene expression of IL-6 and K203. All other measured genes were expressed at low levels in mononuclear cells irrespective of cell sources. We found a trend toward intersexual differences in K203 expression, but the expression of other cytokines and chemokines did not differ between the two sexes. The effect of stimulation was more pronounced in monocytes than in spleen macrophages, mainly in IL-6, IL-1β and K203 gene expression. Our findings represent a basis for further studies on the effects exerted by sexual hormones on the immune phenotype of birds.
Molecular screening for Anaplasmataceae in ticks and tsetse flies from Ethiopia
Authors: Hornok Sándor , Abichu Getachew , Takács Nóra , Gyuranecz Miklós , Farkas Róbert , Fernández De Mera Isabel G. , De La Fuente José
Published: February 2016

Hard ticks and tsetse flies are regarded as the most important vectors of disease agents in Sub-Saharan Africa. With the aim of screening these blood-sucking arthropods for vector-borne pathogens belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae in South-Western Ethiopia, four species of tsetse flies (collected by traps) and seven species of ixodid ticks (removed from cattle) were molecularly analysed. DNA was extracted from 296 individual ticks and from 162 individuals or pools of tsetse flies. Besides known vector–pathogen associations, in Amblyomma cohaerens ticks sequences of Anaplasma marginale and A. phagocytophilum were detected, the latter for the first time in any ticks from cattle in Africa. In addition, part of the gltA gene of Ehrlichia ruminantium was successfully amplified from tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes). First-time identification of sequences of the above pathogens in certain tick or tsetse fly species may serve as the basis of further epidemiological and transmission studies.
Dynamic of girl students’ psycho-physiological indicators in process of their study at pedagogical higher educational establishment
Authors: Kolumbet A.N.
Published: February 2016

Purpose: to study dynamic of psycho-physiological indicators of pedagogic higher educational establishments’ girl students. Material: in the research 510 girl students participated. We assessed: responsive abilities, static and dynamic balance, orientation in space, quickness of operational thinking, volume of rote memorization, distribution of attention, accuracy level, quickness and re-switching of attention, accuracy of fulfillment of task. Results: we have found weakening of accuracy of movement’s amplitude and pre-set value of force reproduction; reduction of indicators of response to vertically falling object, static and dynamic balance. We also registered improvement of indicators of nervous processes’ dynamic and ability to constructive praxis. Conclusions: uneven reduction of most of psycho-physiological indicators negatively reflects in girl students’ motor fitness level and professional abilities.
Usage of geodetic materials in multistage landscape revitalization project process of Strzelce Wielkie village
Authors: Augustynek Edyta , Baster Przemysław , Doroż Arkadiusz , Klich Marcin , Piszcz Cezary
Published: February 2016

Country revitalization is a long-term multistage process which needs consideration of historic
and contemporary determinants. In the process of landscape revitalization in Strzelce Wielkie
village (Szczurowa commune) performed within the frames of a programme based on international cooperation, Polish and German experiences in such investments realization as well as
owned output in the range of theoretical elaborations were used.1
Revitalization of Młynówka
stream flowing previously through the whole place was accepted as the most important project
challenge and at the same time future investment purpose emphasizing among others diversity
of surrounding landscape in its upper, middle and lower flow. The first research already revealed
great variety of forms in the elaborated area and existence of numerous historical elements both
vegetal and architectural ones. Usage of geodetic materials contributed to localize and include
in documentation particular landscape forms, enabled to perform multi-range in situ researches
of country landscape and even recreating of 19th century spatial solutions.2
Such elaboration
made with use of maps and geodetic plans allowed to preserve elements that are important from
the cultural heritage point of view and also to use them in prepared project conception of the
place’s spatial development.3
1 In situ researches were performed within the frames of international programme – Polish-German
cooperation: „Integrated programming of rural areas development in Małopolska on the basis of
Bavaria standards”, on the basis of the Partnership Agreement: „Conception of Integrated Proceedings
in favour of Rural Areas Development” (2014–2015). Low-key tests and in situ tests in the range of
landscape: dr inż. arch. Przemysław Baster (cooperation in the German side: landscape arch. Thomas
Wurth), scientific care: prof. dr hab. inż. Urszula Litwin; plants analysis: dr inż. Zbigniew Koziara. 2 Elaboration of existing state, valorization and project directives for the whole tested area – including all project charts presented in the paper – were performed by students of the 3rd year of engineer studies of Geodesy and Cartography specialization within the subject entitled Projecting
of Urbanized Areas, under the guidance of dr inż. arch. Przemysław Baster. Scientific care: prof.
dr hab. inż. Urszula Litwin; plants analysis: dr inż. Zbigniew Koziara (Faculty of Environmental
Engineering and Land Surveying, University of Agriculture in Krakow). 3 Conceptual project of Młynówka stream and town’s centre revitalization was performed under the
guidance of prof. dr hab. inż. Urszula Litwin by the students of the 2nd year of master’s studies
Aportes de los estudios comparativos para la comprensión de las políticas y sistemas de salud en países de América Latina
Authors: Luzuriaga María José , Bahia Lígia
Published: February 2016

Resumen Introducción el objetivo del trabajo es realizar un mapeo en los estudios comparados para identificar las fortalezas y alcances que los mismos tienen en relación a su capacidad para explicar los factores que condicionaron/estimularon los procesos de reforma orientados por la lógica de mercado y de privatización en diversos países y aquellos factores que limitaron o contribuyeron a revertir dicho proceso. Métodos revisión bibliográfica. Resultados existe una extensa literatura que ha estudiado los procesos de reforma de salud desde una perspectiva comparada, en los cuales se destaca el peso de las instituciones, los procesos de toma de decisiones, los actores involucrados como las coyunturas críticas. La producción de estudios comparativos tanto de políticas y sistemas de salud de países europeos entre sí y de los mismos con las políticas y sistemas de salud de Canadá y Estados Unidos, ha permitido el desarrollo de debates y reformulaciones teóricas relevantes en términos de hallazgos así como de propuestas teóricas y políticas. En la producción académica de los países de la región no se observa el mismo nivel de desarrollo. Conclusión avanzar en esta línea de trabajos resulta fundamental para una mejor comprensión de los procesos actuales como para pensar en alternativas de cambio posibles.
Multiple risk behaviors for non-communicable diseases and associated factors in adolescents
Authors: RODRIGUES Paulo Rogério Melo , PADEZ Cristina Maria Proença , FERREIRA Márcia Gonçalves , GONÇALVES-SILVA Regina Maria Veras , PEREIRA Rosangela Alves
Published: February 2016

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of risk behaviors for non-communicable diseases and analyze their associated factors in adolescents. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008 with 1,139 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years attending public and private high schools in Cuiabá, Midwestern Brazil. Data were collected using a selfadministered questionnaire, including a semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. The prevalence of tobacco smoking, alcohol experimentation, physical inactivity, unsatisfactory meal pattern, and excessive intake of saturated fat and sodium were evaluated. The associations between risk behaviors and socioeconomic variables, weight status, and self-perceived health status were evaluated. Results: The most common risk behaviors were excessive sodium intake (88%), unsatisfactory meal pattern (72%), excessive intake of saturated fat (39%), and alcohol experimentation (39%). Four of 10 adolescents were exposed to two risk behaviors simultaneously. Among male adolescents, the main factors associated with risk behaviors were: type of school, class schedule, education level of the household head, weight status, and self-perceived health status. Among female adolescents, age, type of school, class schedule, and education level of the household head were the main factors associated with risk behaviors. Conclusion: The prevalence of exposure to risk behaviors for non-communicable diseases was high, highlighting the simultaneous presence of tobacco smoking and experimentation of alcoholic beverages. Special attention should be given to educational activities to minimize the effects of the simultaneous occurrence of multiple risk behaviors.