bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policy myopia as a source of policy failure: adaptation and policy learning under deep uncertainty
Authors: Nair Sreeja , Howlett Michael
Published: November 2016

A critical challenge policy-makers deal with in responding to problems concerns gaps and reliability issues with respect to the information they are using as well as the difficulties and risks associated with accurately anticipating the future. Failing to correctly identify the bounds and range of these uncertainties and assuming a greater level of certainty in the short-term than may exist in the long – ‘policy myopia’ – is a major cause of policy failure. This paper reviews the literature on uncertainty and its implications for policy-makers, especially aspects of policy adaptation and learning which can help avoid myopic responses.
The Evidence Information Service as a new platform for supporting evidence-based policy: a consultation of UK parliamentarians
Authors: Lawrence Natalia S , Chambers Jemma C , Morrison Sinead M , Bestmann Sven , O’Grady Gerard , Chambers Christopher D , Kythreotis Andrew P
Published: November 2016

The value of evidence-based policy is well established, yet major hurdles remain in connecting policymakers with the wider research community. Here we assess whether a UK Evidence Information Service (EIS) could facilitate interaction between parliamentarians and research professionals. Fifty-six UK parliamentarians were interviewed to gauge the challenges of working with evidence and the potential utility of an EIS. Grounded theory analysis identified several barriers to evidence-based policymaking, however 85% of parliamentarians supported the EIS, preferring a rapid, impartial, concise, and optionally confidential service. We conclude that an EIS integrated with existing parliamentary systems could enhance dialogue between policymakers and researchers.
Evidence synthesis for knowledge exchange: balancing responsiveness and quality in providing evidence for policy and practice
Authors: Morton Sarah , Seditas Karen
Published: November 2016

Barriers to using research in practice are well documented. This paper describes an innovative process developed by the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships to address these barriers. We supported people to define what they needed to know; how existing evidence could help; and how to use evidence in practice. An action-focused evidence review process was developed to synthesise and appraise varied relevant literatures, and communicate this in meaningful, timely, relevant and action-focused ways. Both making evidence accessible and facilitating processes for deliberating evidence were essential in supporting evidence users to understand the extent and usefulness of evidence and identify implications for policy, practice and services.
How can research mediators better mediate?: the importance of inward-looking processes
Authors: Shaw Jessica
Published: November 2016

Science can provide empirically-informed strategies and resources to inform and improve policy and practice, though all too often science, policy, and practice operate independently from one another. Research mediators play a critical role by attempting to connect these different worlds. This practice paper presents lessons learned and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of research mediators in bridging the science–practice gap based on the experiences of a Visiting Fellow in a United States federal research agency. To support evidence-informed policy and practice, research mediators must engage in inward-looking processes – they must attend to their own internal science–practice gaps, commit to interdisciplinarity, and institutionalise such work.
Biochemistry, Therapeutics, and Biomarker Implications of Neprilysin in Cardiorenal Disease
Authors: Chen Yang , Burnett John C
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Neprilysin (NEP) is a membrane-bound neutral endopeptidase that degrades a variety of bioactive peptides. The substrates include natriuretic peptides (NPs), which are important regulating mediators for cardiovascular and renal biology. Inhibition of NEP activity and exogenous NP administration thus have emerged as potential therapeutic strategies for treating cardiorenal diseases. More recently, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP), 3′-5′ cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and soluble NEP as biomarkers have also been investigated in heart failure (HF) trials and their predictive value are beginning to be recognized.

CONTENT

The biological functions of NEP and NPs are discussed. Enhancing NPs through NEP inhibition combined with renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) antagonism has proved to be successful in HF treatment, although future surveillance studies will be required. Direct NP enhancement through peptide delivery may have fewer potentially hazardous effects compared to NEP inhibition. Strategies of combined inhibition on NEP with other cardiorenal pathophysiological pathways are promising. Finally, monitoring BNP/NT-proBNP/cGMP concentrations during NEP inhibition treatment may provide supplemental benefits to conventional biomarkers, and the identification of soluble NEP as a novel biomarker for HF needs further investigation.

In this review, the biology of NEP is summarized, with a focus on NP regulation. The degradation of NPs by NEP provides the rationale for NEP inhibition as a strategy for cardiorenal disease treatment. We also describe the current therapeutic strategies of NEP inhibition and NP therapeutics in cardiorenal diseases. Moreover, the discovery of its circulating form, soluble NEP, as a biomarker is also discussed.
Specificity of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Assays: Cross-Reactivity with Different BNP, NT-proBNP, and proBNP Peptides
Authors: Saenger Amy K , Rodriguez-Fraga Olaia , Ler Ranka , Ordonez-Llanos Jordi , Jaffe Allan S , Goetze Jens Peter , Apple Fred S
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs) are used clinically to diagnose and monitor heart failure and are present in the circulation as multiple proBNP-derived fragments. We investigated the specificity of BNP immunoassays with glycosylated and nonglycosylated BNP, N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP), and proBNP peptides to probe the cross-reactivity of each assay.

METHODS

Nine B-type natriuretic peptides were studied,including synthetic and recombinant BNP (Shionogi, Scios, Mayo), human and synthetic glycosylated and nonglycosylated NT-proBNP (HyTest, Roche Diagnostics), and human glycosylated and nonglycosylated proBNP (HyTest, Scios). Five BNP [Abbott, Abbott POC, Alere, Beckman Coulter, Siemens (Centaur)], 9 NT-proBNP [Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Roche, Response, bioMerieux, Siemens (Dimension, Immulite, Stratus CS), Mitsubishi] and 3 research-use-only proBNP immunoassays [Biosite (Alere), Bio-Rad, Goetze] were evaluated. Specificity was assessed by calculating the recovery between baseline and peptide-spiked human plasma pools at target concentrations of 100 ng/L BNP, 300 ng/L proBNP, or 450 ng/L NT-proBNP. All assays were performed in duplicate.

RESULTS

BNP and NT-proBNP assays demonstrated substantial cross-reactivity with proBNP peptides. NT-proBNP assays do not detect glycosylated forms of either NT-proBNP or proBNP. proBNP assays preferentially detect the BNP 1–32 peptide and have minimal cross-reactivity with BNP peptides and glycosylated proBNP.

CONCLUSIONS

BNP or NT-proBNP results are not transferable among the current existing immunoassays owing to their differences in cross-reactivity and ability to detect various glycosylated forms of proBNP-derived fragments. Opportunities remain to standardize and harmonize BNP and NT-proBNP assays, as well as to develop specific proBNP assays, to widen their clinical scope of use.
Lipid metabolism and production of incretins in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus after biliopancreatic diversion in Hess-Marceau modification at the early stages of follow-up
Authors: Ershova Ekaterina , Troshina Ekaterina , Yashkov Yury
Published: November 2016

Objectives: To study the lipid metabolism and secretion of GLP-1 and GIP in obese patients with type 2 diabetes before and 3 months after biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) in Hess-Marceau modification.Materials and methods: 22 patients (44 [38.0; 55.0] years) with morbid obesity (BMI of 50.1 [41.3; 53.8]) and type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, GLP-1, GIP were evaluated before and 3 months after BPD.Results: At 3 months after BPD there were decreases in weight by 15.8% and a reduction in total cholesterol levels and LDL-C, an increase in the number of patients with a target value of total cholesterol and LDL-C (from 4/22 (18%) to 20/22 (91%, p = 0.0001)). TG levels during the first 3 months after BPD did not change, but there was a trend to an increase in the number of patients with TG target levels (from 8/22 (32%) to 15/22 (68%, p = 0.058)). Due to the reduction of total cholesterol intake after malabsorbtive surgery, we saw a regular decrease in HDL-cholesterol. 3 months after BPD there was an increase in basal secretion of GLP-1 and GIP as compared to preoperative levels, and a strong positive association of the basal GIP with the HDL-C (r = 0,8, p = 0.007) and a strong negative association – with the atherogenic index (r = – 0,7, p = 0.009) at 3 weeks after surgery.Conclusions: The majority of patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes as early as at 3 months after BPD in the modification by Hess-Marceau achieve a significant improvement in the parameters of lipid metabolism; expect positive impact of the GIP on lipid metabolism.
Genetic predictors of the effectiveness of the standard low-calorie diet in obese patients
Authors: Sentsova Tatyana , Chernyak Olga , Vorozhko Ilya , Gapparova Kamila , Grigoryan Olga , Chekhonina Yulya , Churycheva Alexandra
Published: November 2016

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the genetic predictors of standard low-calorie diet at different polymorphic variations ApoE and LPL genes in obese patients.Materials and methods: Our study involved 88 obese patients aged 19 to 67 years (27 men and 61 women, mean age 38.40 ± 2.82 years and the average BMI 41.71 ± 1.23). Study of lipid metabolism includes the determination of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein determined by spectrophotometry and immuno turbidimetry. Analysis of polymorphisms of LPL gene Ser447Ter (c.1595CG), Cys112Arg (c.388TC) and Arg158Cys (c.526CT) of ApoE gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction.Results: The results show significant differences in the efficacy of diet, depending on the genotype. We found that obese patients have significantly higher carrier genotypes c.388 T/T + c.526 C/C (by 20% reduced total cholesterol, by 19% – triglycerides, by20 % – low density lipoprotein, by 16% – high density lipoprotein, and by 9% – glucose), c.388 T/T + c.526 C/T ApoE gene (by 24% reduced total cholesterol, by 20% – triglycerides, and by 2% increased level of high-density lipoprotein) and C/C LPL gene (by 18% reduced total cholesterol concentration, by 17% – triglycerides, by 16% – high density lipoprotein, by 18% – low density lipoprotein, and by 9% – glucose).Conclusions: Thus, ApoE and LPL genes alleles can be used as biomarkers of prognosis of efficiency of a standard low-calorie diet therapy in obese patients.
Der ‚Blick hinter die Fassade‘
Authors: Baier Sebastian
Published: November 2016

Ausgangspunkt und Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrags ist die Verknüpfung von weiten soziologischen und engen instrumentellen Perspektiven auf Evaluationen im Kulturbetrieb. Durch die Kombination von Einsichten einer ‚Soziologie der Bewertungen‘ und Konzepten des ‚Neo-Insititutionalismus‘ mit dem spezifischen empirischen Rahmen eines Zertifizierungssystems für Museen in Niedersachsen und Bremen, soll ein mögliches Forschungsdesign für tiefgehende Analysen von formalisierten Bewertungspraktiken im Kulturbereich skizziert werden. Die Wirkungsweisen von Evaluationen zeigen sich dann als weitaus vielfältiger als oftmals angenommen - statt erwünschter Professionalisierung oder gefürchteter Vereinheitlichung scheint vielmehr zu gelten: „We coexist in a world filled with standards but not in a standard world.“ In Anbetracht der gegenwärtigen Bemühungen hinsichtlich einer ‚konzeptbasierten Kulturpolitik‘ oder ‚kriteriengeleiteten Kulturförderung‘ erscheint eine differenzierte Auseinandersetzung mit Evaluationspraktiken im Kulturbereich als eine relevante Herausforderung der Kulturmanagementforschung.
Development of an educational programme to facilitate critical thinking of student nurses in Namibia
Authors: Pretoruis Louise , Van Dyk Agenes , Small Luis , Amukugo Hans Justus
Published: November 2016

The article focused on the development process of an educational programme to facilitate the development of critical thinking in the students. The study was conducted in four phases, beginning with the needs assessment in phase 1 through which the researcher determine the need of the students in terms of critical thinking. The deductive data analysis of phase 1 served as basis of the conceptual framework for the development of an educational programme. Phase 2 focused on the development of the conceptual framework and it was achieved by utilized a specific educational approaches and philosophical framework were employed. Phase 3 and 4 were conducted simultaneously. Phase 3 focuses on implementation while phase 4 focuses on evaluation. A quasi – experimental design was implemented which focused on active participation by the participants in the programme.
Management of chronic periodontitis: an interdisciplinary approach
Authors: Dani Sneha , A.N Savitha , Tan Kenneth , Naik Anand , Chhatrala Charan , Prabhu Ashwin
Published: November 2016

Objective: In recent years, advances in technique as well as a growing public interest in developing and maintaining a healthy and attractive smile, has resulted in a greater understanding of the interrelationships between periodontics and orthodontics. The primary objective of periodontal therapy is to restore and maintain the health and integrity of the attachment apparatus of teeth. In adults, the loss of teeth or periodontal support can result in pathological teeth migration involving either a single tooth or a group of teeth. This may result in the development of a diastema, incisal proclination, rotation with collapse of the posterior occlusion.Materials and methods: This case report is of a 32 year old female patient who reported with swollen gums, generalized spacing between the teeth and extruded upper anterior tooth. Periodontal therapy followed by fixed orthodontic therapy was planned.Results: At the end of 2 years a stable healthy periodontium was established that was both functional and esthetic.Conclusion: Adjunctive orthodontic therapy is often necessary for successful restoration of periodontal health. On the other hand, successful orthodontic treatment will depend on the periodontal preparation before and after treatment and the maintenance of periodontal health throughout all phases of mechano-therapy.
Russian crisis from the viewpoint of construction and tourism industries
Yapım ve turizm sektörlerinin bakış açısından Rusya krizi
Authors: Erbaş İkbal
Published: November 2016

In a country, political and economic stability is the primary condition for self-improvement in every area of that country. Although political or economic agitation sometimes create different opportunities for some sectors, most of the time it leads to serious losses. Losses, which manifest itself in the locomotive sector which can provide the foundation for a strong economy, are spreading rapidly to other sub-sectors of with the domino effect. The purpose of this study is to reveal the tourism and construction industries representatives` perspectives on the crisis between Turkey and Russia in November 2015. For this purpose, a survey conducted for comparing the tourism professionals` and architects` perspectives on crisis in Antalya province situated in first place in our country with the income tourism provides. Research results shows that Turkey-Russia crisis had affected negatively both of the sectors similarly as well in a different way from other crisis that are lived before. Both of the groups think that solution could be achieved only through government policies. ÖzetBir ülkedeki siyasi ve ekonomik istikrar o ülkenin her alanda kendini geliştirebilmesi açısından birincil koşuldur. Siyasi ya da ekonomik çalkalanmalar kimi zaman bazı sektörler için farklı fırsatlar yaratmasına rağmen çoğu zaman ciddi kayıplara neden olmaktadır. Güçlü bir ekonominin sağlanabilmesi için temel dayanak olan lokomotif sektörlerde kendini gösteren kayıplar, domino etkisiyle diğer alt sektörlere de hızla yayılmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı 2015 yılı Kasım ayında Türkiye ve Rusya arasında yaşanan politik krize turizm ve yapım sektörleri temsilcilerinin bakış açılarını ortaya koymaktır. Bu amaçla çalışmada uygulanan anket ile ülkemizde sağladığı turizm geliriyle ilk sıralarda yer alan Antalya ilinde turizmcilerin ve mimarların krize bakış açıları karşılaştırılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları göstermektedir ki Türkiye- Rusya krizi diğer krizlerden farklı bir şekilde her iki sektörü de benzer şekilde olumsuz yönde etkilemiştir. Her iki grup sektör temsilcileri de çözümün ancak devlet politikaları sayesinde sağlanabileceği görüşündedir.
A pathogenic role for the integrin CD103 in experimental allergic airways disease
Authors: Fear Vanessa S. , Lai Siew Ping , Zosky Graeme R. , Perks Kara L. , Gorman Shelley , Blank Fabian , von Garnier Christophe , Stumbles Philip A. , Strickland Deborah H.
Published: November 2016

The integrin CD103 is the αE chain of integrin αEβ7 that is important in the maintenance of intraepithelial lymphocytes and recruitment of T cells and dendritic cells (DC) to mucosal surfaces. The role of CD103 in intestinal immune homeostasis has been well described, however, its role in allergic airway inflammation is less well understood. In this study, we used an ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced, CD103‐knockout (KO) BALB/c mouse model of experimental allergic airways disease (EAAD) to investigate the role of CD103 in disease expression, CD4+ T‐cell activation and DC activation and function in airways and lymph nodes. We found reduced airways hyper‐responsiveness and eosinophil recruitment to airways after aerosol challenge of CD103 KO compared to wild‐type (WT) mice, although CD103 KO mice showed enhanced serum OVA‐specific IgE levels. Following aerosol challenge, total numbers of effector and regulatory CD4+ T‐cell subsets were significantly increased in the airways of WT but not CD103 KO mice, as well as a lack of DC recruitment into the airways in the absence of CD103. While total airway DC numbers, and their in vivo allergen capture activity, were essentially normal in steady‐state CD103 KO mice, migration of allergen‐laden airway DC to draining lymph nodes was disrupted in the absence of CD103 at 24 h after aerosol challenge. These data support a role for CD103 in the pathogenesis of EAAD in BALB/c mice through local control of CD4+ T cell and DC subset recruitment to, and migration from, the airway mucosa during induction of allergic inflammation.
Intravital imaging of mouse urothelium reveals activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase by stretch‐induced intravesical release of ATP
Authors: Sano Takeshi , Kobayashi Takashi , Negoro Hiromitsu , Sengiku Atsushi , Hiratsuka Takuya , Kamioka Yuji , Liou Louis S. , Ogawa Osamu , Matsuda Michiyuki
Published: November 2016

To better understand the roles played by signaling molecules in the bladder, we established a protocol of intravital imaging of the bladder of mice expressing a Förster/fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor for extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), which plays critical roles not only in cell growth but also stress responses. With an upright two‐photon excitation microscope and a vacuum‐stabilized imaging window, cellular ERK activity was visualized in the whole bladder wall, from adventitia to urothelium. We found that bladder distention caused by elevated intravesical pressure (IVP) activated ERK in the urothelium, but not in the detrusor smooth muscle. When bladder distension was prevented, high IVP failed to activate ERK, suggesting that mechanical stretch, but not the high IVP, caused ERK activation. To delineate its molecular mechanism, the stretch‐induced ERK activation was reproduced in an hTERT‐immortalized human urothelial cell line (TRT‐HU1) in vitro. We found that uniaxial stretch raised the ATP concentration in the culture medium and that inhibition of ATP signaling by apyrase or suramin suppressed the stretch‐induced ERK activation in TRT‐HU1 cells. In agreement with this in vitro observation, pretreatment with apyrase or suramin suppressed the high IVP‐induced urothelial ERK activation in vivo. Thus, we propose that mechanical stretch induces intravesical secretion of ATP and thereby activates ERK in the urothelium. Our method of intravital imaging of the bladder of FRET biosensor‐expressing mice should open a pathway for the future association of physiological stimuli with the activities of intracellular signaling networks.
A Nonhomogeneous Fractional p-Kirchhoff Type Problem Involving Critical Exponent in ℝ
N
Authors: Xiang Mingqi , Zhang Binlin , Zhang Xia
Published: November 2016

This paper concerns itself with the nonexistence and multiplicity of solutions for the following fractional Kirchhoff-type problem involving the critical Sobolev exponent:

[

a
+

b
⁢

(

∬

ℝ

2
⁢
N

|

u
⁢

(
x
)

-

u
⁢

(
y
)

|

p

|

x
-
y

|

N
+

p
⁢
s

⁢

𝑑

x

⁢

𝑑
y

)

θ
-
1

]

⁢

(

-
Δ

)

p
s

⁢
u

=

|
u
|

p
s
*

-
2

⁢
u

+

λ
⁢
f
⁢

(
x
)

 

in 
⁢

ℝ
N

,

\Biggl{[}a+b\biggl{(}\iint_{\mathbb{R}^{2N}}\frac{\lvert u(x)-u(y)\rvert^{p}}{% \lvert x-y\rvert^{N+ps}}\,dx\,dy\biggr{)}^{\theta-1}\Biggr{]}(-\Delta)_{p}^{s}% u=\lvert u\rvert^{p_{s}^{*}-2}u+\lambda f(x)\quad\text{in }\mathbb{R}^{N},

where

a
≥
0

{a\kern-1.0pt\geq\kern-1.0pt0}

,

b
>
0

,

θ
>
1

{b\kern-1.0pt>\kern-1.0pt0,\theta\kern-1.0pt>\kern-1.0pt1}

,

(

-
Δ

)

p
s

{(-\Delta)_{p}^{s}}

is the fractional p-Laplacian with

0
<
s
<
1

{0\kern-1.0pt<\kern-1.0pts\kern-1.0pt<\kern-1.0pt1}

and

1
<
p
<

N
/
s

{1\kern-1.0pt<\kern-1.0ptp\kern-1.0pt<\kern-1.0ptN/s}

,

p
s
*

=

N
⁢
p

/

(

N
-

p
⁢
s

)

{p_{s}^{*}\kern-1.0pt=\kern-1.0ptNp/(N-ps)}

is the critical Sobolev exponent,

λ
≥
0

{\lambda\geq 0}

is a parameter, and

f
∈

L

p
s
*

/

(

p
s
*

-
1

)

⁢

(

ℝ
N

)

∖

{
0
}

{f\in L^{p_{s}^{*}/(p_{s}^{*}-1)}(\mathbb{R}^{N})\setminus\{0\}}

is a nonnegative function. When

λ
=
0

{\lambda=0}

, we show that the multiplicity and nonexistence of solutions for the above problem are related with N, θ, s, p, a, and b. When

λ
>
0

{\lambda>0}

, by using Ekeland’s variational principle and the mountain pass theorem, we show that there exists

λ

*
*

>
0

{\lambda^{**}>0}

such that the above problem admits at least two nonnegative solutions for all

λ
∈

(
0
,

λ

*
*

)

{\lambda\in(0,\lambda^{**})}

. In the latter case, in order to overcome the loss of compactness, we derive a fractional version of the principle of concentration compactness in the setting of the fractional p-Laplacian.
Vancomycin-induced thrombocytopenia in a newborn
Authors: Kalra Kunal , Mittal Hema Gupta , Maria Arti
Published: November 2016

Neonatal thrombocytopenia is common and is frequently seen in neonatal sepsis. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is likely to be missed unless a high index of suspicion is present. Changing of antibiotics for assumed nonresolution of sepsis may lead to persistent thrombocytopenia in a neonate if drug-induced thrombocytopenia is missed. Vancomycin-induced neonatal thrombocytopenia is rarely described in scientific literature. We describe a newborn who was diagnosed with early onset sepsis and vancomycin-induced thrombocytopenia. Other causes of thrombocytopenia such as sepsis, alloimmune thrombocytopenia, thrombosis etc. were excluded. The platelet counts normalized within 72 h of stopping vancomycin. Vancomycin-induced IgM platelet antibodies could not be done in our case (due to financial constraints), but their absence does not exclude the diagnosis of vancomycin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Dendrochronological and radiocarbon analyses of subfossil oaks from the foothills of the Romanian Carpathians
Authors: Kern Zoltán , Popa Ionel
Published: November 2016

A set of subfossil macroremains, consisting of 118 oak (Quercus sp.) and 61 elm (Ulmus sp.) trees, was collected at five sites in the foothills of the Eastern Carpathians along the course of the Suceava river. The tree-ring widths of the subfossil samples were measured. Dendrochronological synchronization resulted in five oak chronologies, although each encompassed relatively few (2 to 4) reliably cross-dated series. Radiocarbon analysis was performed on samples from three of the floating chronologies and on an additional single oak sample. Double radiocarbon data from two of the floating chronologies allowed for improved calibration using the wiggle-match estimate of the subfossil oak remains. Radiocarbon evidence highlighted the fact that the subfossil material recovered from the fluvial deposits of the Suceava river may represent a substantial part of the Holocene, from ~700 to ~7000 years ago. When temporal distribution of 14C dated sequences from the Suceava black oaks were compared to the calibrated age ranges reported from nearby rivers (Siret, Moldova), deposition events were observed to coincide at around 0.8–0.9 ka cal BP and ~3.7–3.6 ka cal BP. The five presented floating chronologies, and especially the first 14C wiggle-matched tree-ring sequences of Ro-manian black oaks could become key building blocks in a longer regional oak tree-ring chronology for the Eastern Carpathian region.
Sorption/desorption hysteresis revisited. Sorption properties of Pinus pinea L. analysed by the parallel exponential kinetics and Kelvin-Voigt models
Authors: Simón Cristina , Esteban Luis García , Palacios Paloma de , Fernández Francisco García , García-Iruela Alberto
Published: November 2016

The hygroscopic properties of Pinus pinea L. wood at 35 and 50°C were investigated by the dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) technique. The sorption kinetic behaviour was studied through the parallel exponential kinetics (PEK) model, which is subdivided into a fast and a slow process. The parameters obtained by PEK were interpreted based on the Kelvin-Voigt (KV) model to determine elasticity and viscosity values of the wood cell wall. The PEK data perfectly fit the experimental data. The temperature-dependent transition between the fast and slow processes is fluent. The slow process contributes more to the total hysteresis of sorption. The kinetic properties varied in relation to the type of cycle and the temperature. The moduli of elasticity and viscosity were higher in the slow process than in the fast one. In both processes, the moduli showed a decreasing tendency in relation to relative humidity.
Novel mutations of the SRD5A2 and AR genes in Thai patients with 46, XY disorders of sex development
Authors: Ittiwut Chupong , Pratuangdejkul Jaturong , Supornsilchai Vichit , Muensri Sasipa , Hiranras Yodporn , Sahakitrungruang Taninee , Watcharasindhu Suttipong , Suphapeetiporn Kanya , Shotelersuk Vorasuk
Published: November 2016

Background:

Abnormalities of dihydrotestosterone conversion [5α-reductase deficiency: online Mendelian inheritance in man (OMIM) 607306] or actions of androgens [partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS): OMIM 312300] during the 8th–12th weeks of gestation cause varying degrees of undervirilized external genitalia in 46, XY disorders of sex development (DSD) with increased testosterone production. The objective of the study was to determine clinical and genetic characteristics of Thai patients with 46, XY DSD.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 46, XY DSD with increased testosterone production (n=43) evaluated by a human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation test or clinical features consistent with 5α-reductase deficiency or PAIS. PCR sequencing of the entire coding regions of the

Results:

Mutations were found in seven patients (16.3%): five (11.6%) and two (4.7%) patients had mutations in

Conclusions:

Around 16.3% of our patients with 46, XY DSD had 5α-reductase deficiency or PAIS. Two novel mutations of
Growth curves for congenital adrenal hyperplasia from a national retrospective cohort
Authors: Bretones Patricia , Riche Benjamin , Pichot Emmanuel , David Michel , Roy Pascal , Tardy Véronique , Kassai Behrouz , Gaillard Ségolène , Bernoux Delphine , Morel Yves , Chatelain Pierre , Nicolino Marc , Cornu Catherine , for the French Collaborative CAH Gr
Published: November 2016

Background:

In congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), adjusting hydrocortisone dose during childhood avoids reduced adult height. However, there are currently no CAH-specific charts to monitor growth during treatment. Our objective was to elaborate growth reference charts and bone maturation data for CAH patients.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study, in 34 French CAH centers. Patients were 496 children born 1970–1991 with genetically proven 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Their growth and bone maturation data were collected until age 18 together with adult height, puberty onset, parental height, and treatment. The mean (SD) heights were modeled from birth to adulthood. The median±1 SD and ±2 SDs model-generated curves were compared with the French references. A linear model for bone maturation and a logistic regression model for the probability of short adult height were built.

Results:

Growth charts were built by sex for salt wasting (SW) and simple virilizing (SV) children treated before 1 year of age. In girls and boys, growth was close to that of the general French population up to puberty onset. There was almost no pubertal spurt and the mean adult height was shorter than that of the general population in girls (−1.2 SD, 156.7 cm) and boys (−1.0 SD, 168.8 cm). Advanced bone age at 8 years had a strong impact on the risk of short adult height (OR: 4.5 per year advance).

Conclusions:

The 8-year bone age is a strong predictor of adult height. It will help monitoring the growth of CAH-affected children.
Efficacy of micellized vs. fat-soluble vitamin D3 supplementation in healthy school children from Northern India
Authors: Marwaha Raman K. , Yenamandra Vamsi K. , Ganie Mohammed Asraf , Sethuraman Gomathy , Sreenivas Vishnubhatla , Ramakrishnan Lakshmy , Mathur Sathish K. , Sharma Vinod K. , Mithal Ambrish
Published: November 2016

Background:

Vitamin D deficiency is a widely recognized public health problem. Efficacy of a recently developed micellized form of vitamin D3 has not been studied. Hence, we undertook this study to compare its efficacy with the conventionally used fat-soluble vitamin D3.

Methods:

In this open-labeled nonrandomized pilot study, we recruited 180 healthy children, aged 13–14 years in two groups and supplemented Group A (60 children) with 60,000 IU of fat-soluble vitamin D3/month with milk and Group B (120 children) with 60,000 IU/month of water miscible vitamin D3 under supervision for 6 months. Serum 25(OD)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were evaluated before and after supplementation in 156 children (54 in Group A and 102 in Group B) who completed the study.

Results:

We observed a significantly greater increase in the serum 25(OH)D levels in group B as compared to group A (31.8±9.1 ng/mL vs. 23.7±10.4 ng/mL; p<0.001). All children in group B achieved adequate levels of serum 25(OH)D (>20 ng/mL) as against 83.3% children in group A. Serum PTH and ALP levels declined considerably in both the groups following supplementation.

Conclusions:

Vitamin D supplementation significantly increased the serum 25(OH)D levels in both groups. Miscible form of vitamin D3 appears to be better in achieving higher levels of serum 25(OH)D than that observed with a similar dose of fat-soluble vitamin D3. Further studies with different dose regimens are required to establish its efficacy over the conventionally used fat-soluble vitamin D3.
Cortisol response to adrenocorticotropin testing in non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH)
Authors: Karachaliou Fotini-Heleni , Kafetzi Maria , Dracopoulou Maria , Vlachopapadopoulou Elpis , Leka Sofia , Fotinou Aspasia , Michalacos Stefanos
Published: November 2016

Background:

The adequacy of cortisol response in non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH) has not been fully elucidated. The aim was to evaluate cortisol response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulation test in children and adolescents with NCCAH and heterozygotes for

Methods:

One hundred and forty-six children and adolescents, mean age 7.9 (0.7–17.5) years with clinical hyperandrogenism, were evaluated retrospectively. Thirty-one subjects had NCCAH, 30 were heterozygotes for

Results:

Baseline cortisol levels did not differ among NCCAH, heterozygotes, and normal responders: 15.75 (5.83–59.6) μg/dL vs. 14.67 (5.43–40.89) μg/dL vs. 14.04 (2.97–34.8) μg/dL, p=0.721. However, NCCAH patients had lower peak cortisol compared to heterozygotes and control group: 28.34 (12.25–84.40) vs. 35.22 (17.47–52.37) μg/dL vs. 34.92 (19.91–46.68) μg/dL, respectively, p=0.000. Peak cortisol was <18 μg/dL in 7/31 NCCAH patients and in one heterozygote.

Conclusions:

A percentage of 21.2% NCCAH patients showed inadequate cortisol response to ACTH stimulation. In these subjects, the discontinuation of treatment on completion of growth deserves consideration.
Crystal structure of (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)palladium(II) tetracyanopalladate(II), C14H24N8Pd2
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: November 2016

C14H24N8Pd2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.075(2) Å, b = 8.3534(19) Å, c = 12.106(3) Å, β = 94.895(4)°, V = 914.3(4) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0220, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0654, T = 223(2) K.
Implementation of the Population Policy of Ethiopia: Achievements and Challenges
Authors: Hailemariam Assefa
Published: November 2016

Background: The Ethiopian government promulgated its first ever explicit, comprehensive and multisectoral population policy in 1993. The policy aimed at harmonizing population growth rate with that of the economy and the capacity of the country for sustainable socio-economic development. As with any population policy, there are important lessons to be learnt from the problems and challenges encountered during its implementation.

Objective: The paper assesses the extent to which the population policy objectives have been realized; highlights the successes registered and identifies challenges encountered in its implementation and proposes the way forward.

Methodology: Trend analysis using secondary data from censuses, surveys and UN sources were used and policy documents, research findings, development plan and program reports reviewed.

Results: Fertility, infant, under-five and maternal mortality have declined significantly. Female participation in education and labour force increased. A range of legal, policy and institutional frameworks have been developed and implemented on environmental security and on gender equity, equality and the empowerment of women. Legislative measures were also taken to remove harmful traditional practices. However, the pace of implementation has been slow and there are areas where not much progress was made.

Conclusion: Despite the progress made, there are critical challenges. Failure to establish the National Population Council; weak coordination and institutional arrangement due to absence of legally defined structure for implementation, lack of monitoring and evaluation system, absence of a comprehensive population program and financial constraints, among others are the major barriers. There is need to revise the policy and address these impediments and continuing and evolving challenges.
25 Years of Reports on Geodesy and Geoinformatics
Authors: Siemiątkowska Jadwiga
Published: November 2016

The article presents an outline of the 25-year history of the journal “Reports on Geodesy and Geoinformatics”. The source of information was mainly the journal issues themselves. Attention was drawn to changes that the journal underwent over a quarter of a century and its relationship with the Institute of Geodesy and Geodetic Astronomy and later the Department of Geodesy and Geodetic Astronomy. Many issues were dedicated to materials from Polish conferences - those organised by the Institute and the international ones attended by the employees of the Institute, which was indicated in the section on the history of the journal.

The second part of the article concerns the current activity and importance of the journal. Attention was paid to visibility of “Reports on Geodesy and Geoinformatics” in the domestic and foreign databases. Polish databases where the journal is indexed have been identified and briefly described. A separate issue is the evaluation of the journal, which forms a measure of its popularity among consumers. For this purpose, various parameters and biometrics indicators are used. The article used the Web of Science, Google Scholar and the Ministerial List databases for the assessment of the journal.
Laser Scanning in Engineering Surveying: Methods of Measurement and Modeling of Structures
Authors: Lenda Grzegorz , Uznański Andrzej , Strach Michał , Lewińska Paulina
Published: November 2016

The study is devoted to the uses of laser scanning in the field of engineering surveying. It is currently one of the main trends of research which is developed at the Department of Engineering Surveying and Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Mining Surveying and Environmental Engineering of AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow. They mainly relate to the issues associated with tower and shell structures, infrastructure of rail routes, or development of digital elevation models for a wide range of applications. These issues often require the use of a variety of scanning techniques (stationary, mobile), but the differences also regard the planning of measurement stations and methods of merging point clouds. Significant differences appear during the analysis of point clouds, especially when modeling objects. Analysis of the selected parameters is already possible basing on ad hoc measurements carried out on a point cloud. However, only the construction of three-dimensional models provides complete information about the shape of structures, allows to perform the analysis in any place and reduces the amount of the stored data. Some structures can be modeled in the form of simple axes, sections, or solids, for others it becomes necessary to create sophisticated models of surfaces, depicting local deformations. The examples selected for the study allow to assess the scope of measurement and office work for a variety of uses related to the issue set forth in the title of this study. Additionally, the latest, forward-looking technology was presented - laser scanning performed from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones). Currently, it is basically in the prototype phase, but it might be expected to make a significant progress in numerous applications in the field of engineering surveying.
Research and Development Work Carried out by the Chair of Engineering Geodesy and Measurement and Control Systems, Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography WUT – Thematic Scope and Achievements
Authors: Nowak Edward , Malarski Ryszard , Prószyński Witold , Sadowska Alicja , Woźniak Marek , Zaczek-Peplinska Janina
Published: November 2016

Geodetic engineering surveys are an important part of the works carried out by the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw University of Technology. These works concern measurement techniques as well as advanced result analysis methods applied in precise industrial surveys and in processes controlling object’s behaviour over time.

The thematic scope of research realised by Chair of Engineering Geodesy and Control-Measuring Systems shows that article related to geodetic engineering measurements and geodetic monitoring is carried out with high intensity, resulting in technological advancement and implementation of new or improved measurement solutions and methods of measurement result development.
Novel tetrazole derivatives: synthesis, anticholinesterase activity and cytotoxicity evaluation
Authors: Yurttaş Leyla , Kaplancıklı Zafer Asım , Temel Halide Edip , Çiftçi Gülşen Akalın
Published: November 2016

Objective(s)

The synthesis of new N′-arylidene-4-[(1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-yl)thio]butanoylhydrazide derivatives (1–26) and investigation of their potential anticholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzyme inhibition activities and also cytotoxic properties on mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH/3T3) were aimed in this work.

Materials and methods

The target compounds were prepared by a three step synthetic procedure using 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol and ethyl 4-chlorobutanoate as starting materials. The structures of the obtained compounds were elucidated by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR spectra and elemental analysis data. The enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic activities were determined according to Ellman and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] methods, respectively.

Results

Compounds 14, 15 and compound 18 exhibited the highest inhibitory activity on AChE and BuChE enzymes. Additionally, compounds 4, 5, 8 and 16 exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity against NIH/3T3 cells.

Conclusion

Compounds 14, 15 and 18 bearing 2-nitro, 3-nitro and 3-hydroxy substituents have showed selective enzyme inhibitory activities.
Neurophysiological Organization of the Middle Face Patch in Macaque Inferior Temporal Cortex
Authors: Aparicio Paul L. , Issa Elias B. , DiCarlo James J.
Published: November 2016

While early cortical visual areas contain fine scale spatial organization of neuronal properties, such as orientation preference, the spatial organization of higher-level visual areas is less well understood. The fMRI demonstration of face-preferring regions in human ventral cortex and monkey inferior temporal cortex (“face patches”) raises the question of how neural selectivity for faces is organized. Here, we targeted hundreds of spatially registered neural recordings to the largest fMRI-identified face-preferring region in monkeys, the middle face patch (MFP), and show that the MFP contains a graded enrichment of face-preferring neurons. At its center, as much as 93% of the sites we sampled responded twice as strongly to faces than to nonface objects. We estimate the maximum neurophysiological size of the MFP to be ∼6 mm in diameter, consistent with its previously reported size under fMRI. Importantly, face selectivity in the MFP varied strongly even between neighboring sites. Additionally, extremely face-selective sites were ∼40 times more likely to be present inside the MFP than outside. These results provide the first direct quantification of the size and neural composition of the MFP by showing that the cortical tissue localized to the fMRI defined region consists of a very high fraction of face-preferring sites near its center, and a monotonic decrease in that fraction along any radial spatial axis.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe underlying organization of neurons that give rise to the large spatial regions of activity observed with fMRI is not well understood. Neurophysiological studies that have targeted the fMRI identified face patches in monkeys have provided evidence for both large-scale clustering and a heterogeneous spatial organization. Here we used a novel x-ray imaging system to spatially map the responses of hundreds of sites in and around the middle face patch. We observed that face-selective signal localized to the middle face patch was characterized by a gradual spatial enrichment. Furthermore, strongly face-selective sites were ∼40 times more likely to be found inside the patch than outside of the patch.
Deficiency of CPEB2-Confined Choline Acetyltransferase Expression in the Dorsal Motor Nucleus of Vagus Causes Hyperactivated Parasympathetic Signaling-Associated Bronchoconstriction
Authors: Lai Yen-Ting , Su Chun-Kuei , Jiang Si-Tse , Chang Ya-Jen , Lai Alan Chuan-Ying , Huang Yi-Shuian
Published: November 2016

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 2 (CPEB2) is an RNA-binding protein and translational regulator. To understand the physiological function of CPEB2, we generated CPEB2 knock-out (KO) mice and found that most died within 3 d after birth. CPEB2 is highly expressed in the brainstem, which controls vital functions, such as breathing. Whole-body plethysmography revealed that KO neonates had aberrant respiration with frequent apnea. Nevertheless, the morphology and function of the respiratory rhythm generator and diaphragm neuromuscular junctions appeared normal. We found that upregulated translation of choline acetyltransferase in the CPEB2 KO dorsal motor nucleus of vagus resulted in hyperactivation of parasympathetic signaling-induced bronchoconstriction, as evidenced by increased pulmonary acetylcholine and phosphorylated myosin light chain 2 in bronchial smooth muscles. Specific deletion of CPEB2 in cholinergic neurons sufficiently caused increased apnea in neonatal pups and airway hyper-reactivity in adult mice. Moreover, inhalation of an anticholinergic bronchodilator reduced apnea episodes in global and cholinergic CPEB2-KO mice. Together, the elevated airway constriction induced by cholinergic transmission in KO neonates may account for the respiratory defect and mortality.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis study first generated and characterizedcpeb2gene-deficient mice. CPEB2-knock-out (KO) mice are born alive but most die within 3 d after birth showing no overt defects in anatomy. We found that the KO neonates showed severe apnea and altered respiratory pattern. Such respiratory defects could be recapitulated in mice with pan-neuron-specific or cholinergic neuron-specific ablation of thecpeb2gene. Further investigation revealed that cholinergic transmission in the KO dorsal motor nucleus of vagus was overactivated because KO mice lack CPEB2-suppressed translation of the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of acetylcholine (i.e., choline acetyltransferase). Consequently, increased parasympathetic signaling leads to hyperactivated bronchoconstriction and abnormal respiration in the KO neonates.