bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired HDL function in obese adolescents: Impact of lifestyle intervention and bariatric surgery
Authors: Matsuo Yae , Oberbach Andreas , Till Holger , Inge Thomas H. , Wabitsch Martin , Moss Anja , Jehmlich Nico , Völker Uwe , Müller Ulrike , Siegfried Wolfgang , Kanesawa Norio , Kurabayashi Masahiko , Schuler Gerhard , Linke Axel , Adams Volker
Published: June 2013

Objective

HDL regulates endothelial function via stimulation of nitric oxide production. It is documented that endothelial function is impaired in obese adolescents, and improved by lifestyle interventions (LI).

Design and Methods

HDL function in obese adolescents and the impact of LI or Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) was assessed. HDL was isolated from 14 adolescents with normal body mass index (HDLcontrol), 10 obese (HDLobese) before and after 6 month LI, and five severe obese adolescents before and one year after RYGB. HDL‐mediated phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)‐Ser1177, eNOS‐Thr495, and PKC‐ßII was evaluated. In addition the HDL proteome was analyzed.

Results

HDLobese‐mediated eNOS‐Ser1177 phosphorylation was reduced, whereas eNOS‐Thr495 phosphorylation increased significantly when compared to HDLcontrol. No impact of obesity was observed on PKC‐ßII phosphorylation. LI and RYGB had no impact on HDL‐mediated phosphorylation of eNOS and PKC‐ßII. A principle component plot analysis of the HDL particle separated controls and severe obese, whereas the interventions did not trigger sufficient differences to the HDL proteome to permit distinction.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that HDL‐function is impaired in obese adolescents, and that LI or RYGB did not correct this dysfunction. This might be an argument for developing earlier prevention strategies in obese adolescents to avoid HDL dysfunction.
Relationship between epicardial adipose tissue and subclinical coronary artery disease in patients with extra‐cardiac arterial disease
Authors: den Dekker M. A. M. , Takashima R. , van den Heuvel E. R. , van den Dungen J. J. A. M. , Tio R. A. , Oudkerk M. , Vliegenthart R.
Published: June 2013

Objective

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and mediastinal adipose tissue (MAT) are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). The association between EAT, MAT, and severity of CAD in known extra‐cardiac arterial disease was investigated.

Design and Methods

Sixty‐five cardiac asymptomatic patients (mean age 65 ± 8 years, 69% male) with peripheral arterial disease, carotid stenosis, or aortic aneurysm underwent coronary computed tomography angiography. Patients were divided into non‐significant (<50% stenosis, N = 35), single vessel (N = 15) and multi‐vessel CAD (N = 15). EAT and MAT were quantified on computed tomography images using volumetric software.

Results

Subgroups did not significantly differ by age, gender, or cardiovascular risk factors. Median EAT was 99.5, 98.0, and 112.0 cm3 (P = 0.38) and median MAT was 66.0, 90.0, and 81.0 cm3 (P = 0.53) for non‐significant, single vessel, and multi‐vessel CAD, respectively. In age‐ and gender‐adjusted analysis, only EAT was significantly associated with CAD (odds ratio [OR] 1.12 [95% confidence interval, 1.01‐1.25] per 10 cm3 increase in EAT; P = 0.04). This remained in multivariate‐adjusted analysis (OR 1.21 [1.04‐1.39]; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

In patients with known extra‐cardiac arterial disease, CAD is correlated with EAT, but not with MAT. These results suggest that EAT has a local effect on coronary atherosclerosis, apart from the endocrine effect of visceral fat.
BALANCING RESEARCH AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING IN FRONT‐END PROJECT DESIGN: EXPERIENCES FROM DANIDA'S ENRECA PROGRAMME
Authors: Hjortsø Carsten Nico , Meilby Henrik
Published: June 2013

North–South research capacity building (RCB) partnerships have attracted considerable academic attention during the last two decades, especially with regard to issues related to partnership governance. Less attention has been given to the management aspects of partnership implementation, but in order for partnerships to comply with general governance‐level recommendations, a better understanding is needed of how specific context‐dependent factors influence the development and execution of projects. In this article, we aim to contribute to the understanding of factors influencing the design phase of RCB partnerships and examine how they influence the balance between performing collaborative research and developing general organizational capacity. Data collection was based on a survey (n = 25), and individual interviews and focus group discussions with 17 Danish project managers from the Danish Bilateral Programme for Enhancement of Research Capacity in Developing Countries. Our results lead to rejection of the proposition that RCB projects are either focused on building capacity for research or conducting merit‐based research. Because of the ‘politics’ of the front‐end process, reality is more complex. We identify 11 specific factors influencing front‐end project management related to structure, process and relationship, and we theorize about how these factors influence the choice between research and more general capacity development activities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The emerging utility of ketenes in polymer chemistry
Authors: Leibfarth Frank A. , Hawker Craig J.
Published: June 2013

The continued evolution of functional materials that contribute to pressing societal challenges requires the development of powerful synthetic methodologies in polymer systems. Since their discovery by Staudinger in the early 20th century, the unique chemistry of ketenes have fascinated synthetic chemists and been the driver of revolutionary applications in photolithography, medicinal chemistry, and commodity materials. The versatile chemistry of ketenes, specifically their ability to act as an electrophile and/or undergo cycloaddition reactions, has recently been shown to provide a powerful platform for the design of next‐generation materials. This Highlight focuses on the history of ketenes in materials science and their recent renaissance in polymer chemistry, with specific focus being given to methodologies that provide reliable access to this important functional group in polymer systems. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3769–3782
Assimilation of surface‐sensitive infrared radiances over land: Estimation of land surface temperature and emissivity
Authors: Pavelin E. G. , Candy B.
Published: June 2013

Whilst the assimilation of radiances from infrared sounding spectrometers such as the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) and the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) over the sea is well established, observations over land have, until recently, only been assimilated at wavelengths insensitive to the surface. This was due to uncertainties in the infrared emissivity and skin temperature of the land. A method is described for analyzing the land surface emissivity spectrum in terms of its principal components in order to allow the assimilation of land‐sensitive IASI channels and the results of the implementation of this scheme in an operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) system are presented. The use of additional IASI data over land resulted in small improvements in global NWP skill, mainly affecting near‐surface temperature and mid‐tropospheric water vapour fields.
Potential energy and dipole moment of the Na2+ ionic molecule
Authors: Berriche Hamid
Published: June 2013

The potential energy curves of 26 electronic states of 2Σ+g, u, 2Πg, u, and 2Δg, u symmetries of the alkali dimer Na2+, dissociating up to Na(4d) + Na+, are investigated using an ab initio approach involving a nonempirical pseudopotential for the Na+(1s22s22p6) core and core‐valence correlation corrections. Furthermore, the transition dipole functions between many electronic states and vibrational energy spacings are presented. The spectroscopic constants of these electronic states are extracted and compared with the available theoretical and experimental results. A very good agreement is observed, especially, for the ground and the first excited states. However, the comparison between our study and the model potential (MP) calculations (Magnier and Masnnou‐Seeuws Mol. Phys. 1996, 89, 711) for several states has shown a clear disagreement. The MP well depths of the 3‐42Σ+g, 12Πg, 3‐42Πg, and 22Πu electronic states are largely underestimated. In addition, the 5‐72Σ+g, 3‐72Σ+u, 22Πg, 42Πg, and 1‐22Δu MP electronic states are repulsive, although in this work, they are attractive with potential well depths of some hundreds of cm−1. The data presented in this study are very useful for studies on ion–atom interaction and cold collision in the presence of electromagnetic fields. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Knudsen effusion mass spectrometric determination of the complex vapor composition of samarium, europium, and ytterbium bromides
Authors: Sergeev D. N. , Butman M. F. , Motalov V. B. , Kudin L. S. , Krämer K. W.
Published: June 2013

RATIONALE

The vaporization of Sm, Eu, and Yb tri‐ and dibromides is accompanied by decomposition and disproportionation reactions. These result in complex vapor compositions whose analysis is an intricate problem for experimentalists. Approaches have been developed to interpret mass spectra and accurately determine the vapor composition of thermally unstable compounds.

METHODS

A sector type magnet instrument was used. A combined ion source allowed the study of both the molecular and ionic vapor compositions in the electron ionization (EI) and the thermionic emission (TE) modes. The methodological approaches were based on a joint analysis of the ionization efficiency functions, the temperature and time dependences of the ion currents, and special mathematical data evaluation.

RESULTS

The vaporization of SmBr3, YbBr3, SmBr2, EuBr2, and YbBr2 was studied in the temperature range of 850–1300 K. An initial stage of incongruent vaporization was observed in the case of the tribromides, SmBr2, and YbBr2. This eventually changed to a congruent vaporization stage. Various neutral (Ln, Br, Br2, LnBr, LnBr2, LnBr3, Ln2Br4, Ln2Br5, and Ln2Br6) and charged (Br–, LnBr3–, LnBr4–) species were detected at different vaporization stages.

CONCLUSIONS

The quantitative vapor composition of Sm, Eu, and Yb tri‐ and dibromides was determined. It was found that only EuBr2 was stable in the studied temperature range. The developed approaches can be useful in the case of other thermally unstable compounds. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ambient laser ablation sampling for capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry
Authors: Park Sung‐Gun , Murray Kermit K.
Published: June 2013

RATIONALE

Ambient laser ablation with mass spectrometric detection is a powerful method for direct analysis of biological samples in their native environment. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) can separate complex mixtures of biological molecules prior to mass spectrometry (MS) analysis and an ambient sampling interface for CE/MS will allow the detection of minor components.

METHODS

An infrared (IR) laser ablated and transferred sample materials under ambient conditions for direct loading onto the CE separation column. Samples were deposited on a transparent target and ablated in transmission geometry using a pulsed mid‐IR laser. The ablated materials were captured in the exposed sampling solvent and then loaded into a capillary by electrokinetic injection for separation and analysis by electrospray ionization (ESI)‐MS.

RESULTS

The system was tested using mixtures of peptide and protein standards. It is estimated that tens of fmol of material was transferred from the ablation target for injection into the CE system and the theoretical plate number was between 1000 and 3000.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel interface for ambient sampling to CE/MS was developed. The interface is generally applicable and has potential utility for mass spectrometry imaging as well as the loading of microfluidic devices from untreated ambient samples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simplified and accurate method for the analysis of urinary metabolites of testosterone‐related steroids using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: Ouellet Alexandre , LeBerre Nicolas , Ayotte Christiane
Published: June 2013

RATIONALE

The analysis of urinary metabolites of testosterone‐related steroids through the measurement of their carbon isotopic signature (δ13C) by gas chromatography/combustion/mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) is a confirmation method employed in doping control analyses. Stringent analytical conditions are essential to an accurate and precise analysis as well as the proper selection of the metabolites, which forms the basis of the refined method presented in this paper.

METHODS

In a simplified approach, following enzymatic hydrolysis and extraction from a relatively low volume of urine sample, a one‐step high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification was developed for seven diagnostic urinary metabolites (TS) including testosterone itself, dehydroepiandrosterone, 5α‐ and 5β‐androstanediol, epitestosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone and two endogenous reference compounds (ERC), 5β‐pregnanediol and 5α‐androst‐16‐en‐3β‐ol. These steroids were pooled in three fractions and analyzed as such. With regards to the GC/C/IRMS analysis, a multi‐level isotopic calibration using the 'identical treatment' principle was created.

RESULTS

The proposed isotopic calibration yielded results for purified reference steroids with a precision ≤0.15 and accuracy of ≤0.30 ‰ (between‐assay, n = 26). Compared to other common endogenous reference compounds, those selected in this study had δ13C values close to the target metabolites which, along with the proposed isotopic calibration, produced narrow reference intervals within ± 3‰ for most diagnostic TS‐ERC pairs, in compliance with the requirements of the World Anti‐Doping Agency.

CONCLUSIONS

These carefully controlled analytical conditions are compatible with routine operations, affording accurate and precise results for the more diagnostically relevant metabolites such as testosterone itself and the 5α‐ and 5β‐androstanediols. The values of the TS‐ERC pairs measured in reference populations are described and the results from the routine testing of several hundreds of athletes' samples are discussed. Robust, this technique permitted the detection of adverse findings that would have been missed had these low level metabolites not been analyzed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of high‐resolution and tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of nerve agent metabolites in urine
Authors: Hamelin Elizabeth I. , Bragg William , Shaner Rebecca L. , Swaim Leigh L. , Johnson Rudolph C.
Published: June 2013

RATIONALE

Although use is prohibited, concerns remain for human exposure to nerve agents during decommissioning, research, and warfare. High‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was compared to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis for the quantitation of five urinary metabolites specific to VX, Russian VX, soman, sarin and cyclosarin nerve agents. The HRMS method was further evaluated for qualitative screening of metabolites not included in the test panel.

METHODS

Nerve agent metabolites were extracted from urine using solid‐phase extraction, separated using hydrophilic interaction chromatography and analyzed using both tandem and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. MS/MS results were obtained using selected reaction monitoring with unit resolution; HRMS results were obtained using a mass extraction window of 10 ppm at a mass resolution of 50 000. The benchtop Orbitrap HRMS instrument was operated in full scan mode, to measure the presence of unexpected nerve agent metabolites.

RESULTS

The assessment of two quality control samples demonstrated high accuracy (99.5–104%) and high precision (2–9%) for both HRMS and MS/MS. Sensitivity, as described by the limit of detection, was overlapping for both detectors (0.2–0.7 ng/mL). Additionally, the HRMS method positively confirmed the presence of a nerve agent metabolite, not included in the test panel, using the accurate mass and relative retention time.

CONCLUSIONS

The precision, accuracy, and sensitivity were comparable between the current MS/MS method and this newly developed HRMS analysis for five nerve agent metabolites. HRMS showed additional capabilities beyond the current method by confirming the presence of a metabolite not included in the test panel. Published in 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Confounding changes in averages with marginal effects: How anchoring can destroy economic value in strategic investment assessments
Authors: Shapira Zur , Shaver J. Myles
Published: June 2013

Profit maximization requires that decision makers assess marginal profits. We demonstrate that decision makers often confound marginal profits with changes in average profits (e.g., changes in return‐on‐investment). This results in systematic deviations from profit maximization where decision makers forgo profit‐enhancing investments that reduce average profits or engage in loss‐enhancing investments that decrease average losses. In other words, average profit becomes an anchor by which new investments are assessed. We conduct two decision‐making experiments that show this bias and demonstrate it is pronounced when average profit data are accessible or task‐relevant. Moreover, we find within‐subject effects across experiments, which helps demonstrate the mechanism that invokes the bias. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Independent boards and the institutional investors that prefer them: Drivers of institutional investor heterogeneity in governance preferences
Authors: Schnatterly Karen , Johnson Scott G.
Published: June 2013

Institutional investors report that they prefer to invest in firms with greater board independence despite the fact that researchers have been unable to demonstrate a link between board independence and firm performance. We investigate whether differences among institutional investors affect these preferences. We find that trading strategies have some effect but that mutual funds—facing the strongest institutional pressures—have significantly stronger preferences for firms with greater board independence than do other types of institutional investors. This suggests that institutional investor preferences for independent boards are at least partially driven by institutional pressures rather than anticipated reductions in agency costs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Embracing the C preprocessor during refactoring
Authors: Garrido Alejandra , Johnson Ralph
Published: June 2013

C preprocessor directives are heavily used in C programs because they provide useful and even necessary additions to the C language. However, they are usually executed and discarded before any analysis is applied on C programs. In refactoring, preprocessor directives must be preserved through the whole process of parsing, analysis and transformation to retain editable yet correct source code. We propose a new preprocessing approach and special program representations that allow a program to be analyzed and transformed without losing its preprocessor directives, but treating them as first‐class program entities. These representations are essential for a correct refactoring tool. We also describe the challenges that preprocessor directives bring to refactoring and how the program representations that we propose solve those challenges. Finally, we give details of two refactorings and present some case studies with our successfully applied solution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Buying into Europe
Authors: Rosenbloom Arthur H.
Published: June 2013

Danger may lurk for the U.S. companies that simply think, “Well, here comes 1992. I guess we had better get a foothold somewhere in Europe.” A company that doesn't make sound choices based on the many complex factors involved will find only trouble—not more profits.
Enhanced constitutive invasion activity in human nontumorigenic keratinocytes exposed to a low level of barium for a long time
Authors: Thang Nguyen D. , Yajima Ichiro , Ohnuma Shoko , Ohgami Nobutaka , Kumasaka Mayuko Y. , Ichihara Gaku , Kato Masashi
Published: June 2013

We have recently demonstrated that exposure to barium for a short time (≤4 days) and at a low level (5 µM = 687 µg/L) promotes invasion of human nontumorigenic HaCaT cells, which have characteristics similar to those of normal keratinocytes, suggesting that exposure to barium for a short time enhances malignant characteristics. Here we examined the effect of exposure to low level of barium for a long time, a condition mimicking the exposure to barium through well water, on malignant characteristics of HaCaT keratinocytes. Constitutive invasion activity, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein expression and activity, and matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) protein expression in primary cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes, HaCaT keratinocytes, and HSC5 and A431 human squamous cell carcinoma cells were augmented following an increase in malignancy grade of the cells. Constitutive invasion activity, FAK phosphorylation, and MMP14 expression levels of HaCaT keratinocytes after treatment with 5 µM barium for 4 months were significantly higher than those of control untreated HaCaT keratinocytes. Taken together, our results suggest that exposure to a low level of barium for a long time enhances constitutive malignant characteristics of HaCaT keratinocytes via regulatory molecules (FAK and MMP14) for invasion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 161–167, 2015.
The combined effects of DEHP and PCBs on phospholipase in the livers of mice
Authors: Lin Yi , Min Lingli , Huang Qiansheng , Chen Yajie , Fang Chao , Sun Xia , Dong Sijun
Published: June 2013

Di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are two widely distributed pollutants that are of great concern due to their adverse health effects. However, few studies have investigated the combined effects of DEHP and PCBs. In this study, adult mice were continuously exposed to mixtures of DEHP (15 mg/kg bodyweight/day) and Aroclor 1254 (7.5 mg/kg bodyweight/day) for 12 days to investigate the combined effects of these compounds. The results showed that the ratio of the liver weight to the body weight was higher in the treated group than that in the control group. The effects of combined exposure on three important receptors, the proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR), estrogen receptor (ER), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), were investigated. The mRNA level of PPARγ was significantly up‐regulated after exposure. The expression level of ERα was decreased in the male treated group. In contrast, the expression levels of AHR and related genes (cyp1a1 and cyp1b1) were not markedly affected. The expression level of phospholipase A (PLA) was significantly down‐regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels in male mice after combined treatment. In all, our study demonstrated the combined effects of DEHP and PCBs on the expression levels of key receptors in mice. The combined exposure led to a decrease in phospholipase in male mice. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 197–204, 2015.
Initial Experiences of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol in Esophageal Surgery
Authors: Blom Rachel L. G. M. , van Heijl Mark , Bemelman Willem A. , Hollmann Markus W. , Klinkenbijl Jean H. G. , Busch Olivier R. C. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I.
Published: June 2013

Background

A recent development in gastrointestinal surgery is the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs. Evidence regarding the benefit of these programs in patients undergoing esophageal surgery is scarce. We investigated the feasibility and possible benefit of a perioperative ERAS program in patients undergoing esophagectomy for malignant disease.

Methods

The ERAS program was initiated in 2009. Patients who underwent esophagectomy and were treated according to the ERAS program were included. Items of ERAS included preoperative nutrition, early extubation, early removal of nasogastric tube, and early mobilization. Primary outcome parameters were hospital stay and the incidence of postoperative complications. Outcome parameters in the ERAS cohort were compared to a cohort of patients who underwent surgical resection in the year prior to the implementation of the ERAS protocol. A feasibility analysis was performed among a sample of ERAS patients to determine the number of achieved items per patient.

Results

Between 2008 and August 2010, 181 patients in our department underwent esophagectomy. Of these, 103 patients were included in the ERAS program (ERAS+ group) and were compared to 78 patients who had undergone an esophagectomy in 2008 (ERAS– group). Overall hospital stay was 14 days versus 15 days (ERAS+ and ERAS–, respectively; p = 0.013). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications in either group. The percentage of achieved items varied between 42 and 93 % per item.

Conclusions

The implementation of an ERAS program in esophageal surgery was feasible and resulted in a small but significant reduction in overall hospital stay, whereas overall morbidity was not affected.
Characteristics and Risk Factors Associated with Permanent Stomas After Sphincter‐Saving Resection for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Seo Seok In , Yu Chang Sik , Kim Gwon Sik , Lee Jong Lyul , Yoon Yong Sik , Kim Chan Wook , Lim Seok‐Byung , Kim Jin Cheon
Published: June 2013

Background

The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors and patient characteristics associated with permanent stomas after sphincter‐saving resection for rectal cancer.

Method

Between 2000 and 2007, 2,362 patients underwent sphincter‐saving surgery [low anterior resection or ultra‐low anterior resection (uLAR)] for rectal cancer. These patients were divided into two groups: 71 patients with permanent stomas and 2,291 patients without permanent stomas after rectal cancer surgery.

Results

Of the 71 permanent stomas (3 % of the patients), 34 (48 %) were ileostomies, 11 (15 %) were loop colostomies, 10 (14 %) were treated by Hartmann’s operation, and 16 (23 %) were treated by abdominoperineal resection. Diverting stomas were created in 364 patients; 3 % (n = 11) of them could not be reversed due to anastomosis‐related complications. Permanent stomas were constructed at a median of 20 months after sphincter‐saving surgery for rectal cancer. The main causes of permanent stomas were local recurrence (n = 27), anastomotic leakage (n = 12), fistula (n = 9), and anastomosis site stricture (n = 7). The main causes of early permanent stomas (<1 year) were anastomosis‐related complications, whereas for late permanent stomas (≥1 year), the main cause was local cancer recurrence. The independent risk factors for permanent stomas were local recurrence, postoperative pelvic sepsis, male gender of the patient, the uLAR operation type, and perioperative radiation therapy.

Conclusions

In a high‐volume surgical center, sphincter‐saving surgery for rectal cancer is associated with a low incidence of permanent stoma.
Gender Differences in Prescribing Among Veterans Diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Bernardy Nancy C. , Lund Brian C. , Alexander Bruce , Jenkyn Aaron B. , Schnurr Paula P. , Friedman Matthew J.
Published: June 2013

OBJECTIVE

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) issued a revised posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) in 2010 with specific pharmacotherapy recommendations for evidence-based quality care. The authors examined prescribing frequencies over an 11-year period prior to the release of the new guideline to determine gender differences in pharmacotherapy treatment in veterans with PTSD.

METHOD

National administrative VA data from 1999 to 2009 were used to identify veterans with PTSD using ICD-9 codes extracted from inpatient discharges and outpatient clinic visits. Prescribing of antidepressants, antipsychotics and hypnotics was determined for each year using prescription drug files.

RESULTS

Women were more likely than men to receive medication across all classes except prazosin where men had higher prescribing frequency. The proportion of women receiving either of the first-line pharmacotherapy treatments for PTSD, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), increased from 56.4 % in 1999 to 65.7 % in 2009, higher rates than seen in men (49.2 % to 58.3 %). Atypical antipsychotic prescriptions increased from 14.6 % to 26.3 % and nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics increased from 3.8 % to 16.9 % for women, higher frequencies than seen in men for both medications (OR = 1.31, 1.43 respectively). The most notable gender discrepancy was observed for benzodiazepines where prescriptions decreased for men (36.7 % in 1999 to 29.8 % in 2009) but steadily increased for women from 33.4 % to 38.3 %.

CONCLUSION

A consistent pattern of increased prescribing of psychotropic medications among women with PTSD was seen compared to men. Prescribing frequency for benzodiazepines showed a marked gender difference with a steady increase for women despite guideline recommendations against use and a decrease for men. Common co-occurring disorders and sleep symptom management are important factors of PTSD pharmacotherapy and may contribute to gender differences seen in prescribing benzodiazepines in women but do not fully explain the apparent disparity.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Women Veterans
Authors: Rose Danielle E. , Farmer Melissa M. , Yano Elizabeth M. , Washington Donna L.
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, accounting for 24.5 % of all deaths among women. Earlier research has demonstrated racial/ethnic differences in prevalence of cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

To empirically examine the prevalence of CVD risk factors among a national sample of women Veterans by race/ethnicity, providing the first portrait of women Veterans’ cardiovascular care needs.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Cross-sectional, national population-based telephone survey of 3,611 women Veterans.

MEASUREMENTS

Women Veterans were queried about presence of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, tobacco use and physical activity. Four racial/ethnic categories were created: Hispanic, Non-Hispanic White (White), Non-Hispanic Black (Black), and Other. Logistic regressions were conducted for each risk factor to test for racial/ethnic differences, controlling for age (under 40 vs. 40 and over).

KEY RESULTS

Racial/ethnic differences in CVD risk factors persisted after adjusting for age. Black women Veterans were more likely to report a diagnosis of diabetes (OR: 2.58, 95 % CI: 1.07, 6.21) or hypertension (OR: 2.31, 95 % CI: 1.10, 4.83) and be obese (OR: 2.06, 95 % CI: 1.05, 3.91) than White women Veterans. Hispanic women Veterans were more likely than White women Veterans to report diabetes (OR: 4.20, 95 % CI: 1.15, 15.39) and daily smoking (OR: 3.38, 95 % CI: 1.01, 11.30), but less likely to report a hypertension diagnosis (OR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.64) or to be obese (OR: 0.39, 95 % CI: 0.18, 0.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Among women Veterans, CVD risks vary by race/ethnicity. Black women Veterans consistently face higher CVD risk compared to White women Veterans, while results are mixed for Hispanic women Veterans.
Sex Disparities in Overall Burden of Disease Among HIV-Infected Individuals in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
Authors: Blackstock Oni J. , Tate Janet P. , Akgün Kathleen M. , Crystal Stephen , Duggal Mona , Edelman E. Jennifer , Gibert Cynthia L. , Gordon Kirsha S. , Rimland David , Rodriguez-Barradas Maria C. , Wang Emily A. , Fiellin David A. , Justice Amy C.
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

Whether sex disparities exist in overall burden of disease among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system (VA) is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether sex differences exist in overall burden of disease after 1 year of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected individuals in VA.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Among patients in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Virtual Cohort (VACS-VC), all ART-naïve HIV-infected Veterans who received VA-based HIV care between 1996 and 2009.

MAIN MEASURES

Overall burden of disease was measured using the VACS Index, an index that incorporates HIV (e.g. CD4 cell count) and non-HIV biomarkers (e.g. hemoglobin) and is highly predictive of all-cause mortality. Possible scores range from 0 to 164, although scores typically range from 0 to 50 for 80 % of patients in VACS-VC. A higher score indicates greater burden of disease (each additional five points indicates approximately 20 % increased 5-year mortality risk). ART adherence was measured using pharmacy data.

KEY RESULTS

Complete data were available for 227 women and 8,073 men. At ART initiation, compared with men, women were younger and more likely to be Black, less likely to have liver dysfunction, but more likely to have lower hemoglobin levels. Median VACS Index scores changed from ART initiation to 1 year after ART initiation: women’s scores went from 41 to 28 for women (13 point improvement) and men’s from 42 to 27 for men (15 point improvement). In multivariable regression, women had 3.6 point worse scores than men after 1 year on ART (p = 0.002); this difference decreased to 3.2 points after adjusting for adherence (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

In VA, compared to men, women experienced less improvement in overall burden of disease after 1 year of HIV treatment. Further study is needed to elucidate the modifiable factors that may explain this disparity.
Factors Related to Attrition from VA Healthcare Use: Findings from the National Survey of Women Veterans
Authors: Hamilton Alison B. , Frayne Susan M. , Cordasco Kristina M. , Washington Donna L.
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

While prior research characterizes women Veterans’ barriers to accessing and using Veterans Health Administration (VA) care, there has been little attention to women who access VA and use services, but then discontinue use. Recent data suggest that among women Veterans, there is a 30 % attrition rate within 3 years of initial VA use.

OBJECTIVES

To compare individual characteristics and perceptions about VA care between women Veteran VA attriters (those who discontinue use) and non-attriters (those who continue use), and to compare recent versus remote attriters.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, population-based 2008–2009 national telephone survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Six hundred twenty-six attriters and 2,065 non-attriters who responded to the National Survey of Women Veterans.

MAIN MEASURES

Population weighted demographic, military and health characteristics; perceptions about VA healthcare; length of time since last VA use; among attriters, reasons for no longer using VA care.

KEY RESULTS

Fifty-four percent of the weighted VA ever user population reported that they no longer use VA. Forty-five percent of attrition was within the past ten years. Attriters had better overall health (p = 0.007), higher income (p < 0.001), and were more likely to have health insurance (p < 0.001) compared with non-attriters. Attriters had less positive perceptions of VA than non-attriters, with attriters having lower ratings of VA quality and of gender-specific features of VA care (p < 0.001). Women Veterans who discontinued VA use since 2001 did not differ from those with more remote VA use on most measures of VA perceptions. Overall, among attriters, distance to VA sites of care and having alternate insurance coverage were the most common reasons for discontinuing VA use.

CONCLUSIONS

We found high VA attrition despite recent advances in VA care for women Veterans. Women’s attrition from VA could reduce the critical mass of women Veterans in VA and affect current system-wide efforts to provide high-quality care for women Veterans. An understanding of reasons for attrition can inform organizational efforts to re-engage women who have attrited, to retain current users, and potentially to attract new VA patients.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Women Veterans at VA Medical Facilities
Authors: Vimalananda Varsha G. , Miller Donald R. , Christiansen Cindy L. , Wang Wenyu , Tremblay Patricia , Fincke B. Graeme
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and obesity in middle adulthood each elevate the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The prevalence of these conditions among women veterans is incompletely described.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence of CVD risk factors among women veterans in middle adulthood.

DESIGN

Serial cross-sectional studies of data from the Diabetes Epidemiologic Cohorts (DEpiC), a national, longitudinal data set including information on all patients in the Veterans Health Administration (VA).

PARTICIPANTS

Women veterans (n = 255,891) and men veterans (n = 2,271,605) aged 35–64 receiving VA care in fiscal year (FY) 2010.

MAIN MEASURES

Prevalence of CVD risk factors in FY2010 by age and, for those aged 45–54 years, by race, region, period of military service, priority status, and mental illness or substance abuse; prevalence by year from 2000 to 2010 in women veterans receiving VA care in both 2000 and 2010 who were free of the factor in 2000.

KEY RESULTS

Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes were common among women and men, although more so among men. Hypertension was present in 13 % of women aged 35–44 years, 28 % of women aged 45–54, and 42 % of women aged 55–64. Hyperlipidemia prevalence was similar. Diabetes affected 4 % of women aged 35–44, and increased more than four-fold in prevalence to 18 % by age 55–64. The prevalence of obesity increased from 14 % to 18 % with age among women and was similarly prevalent in men. The relative rate of having two or more CVD risk factors in women compared to men increased progressively with age, from 0.55 (35–44 years) to 0.71 (45–54) to 0.73 (55–64). Most of the women with a factor present in 2010 were first diagnosed with the condition in the 10 years between 2000 and 2010.

CONCLUSIONS

CVD risk factors are common among women veterans aged 35–64. Future research should investigate which interventions would most effectively reduce risk in this population.
Three Dissimilar High Fat Diets Differentially Regulate Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Obesity‐Resistant Slc:Wistar/ST Rats
Authors: Hashimoto Yoko , Yamada Kazuyo , Tsushima Hiromi , Miyazawa Daisuke , Mori Mayumi , Nishio Koji , Ohkubo Takeshi , Hibino Hidehiko , Ohara Naoki , Okuyama Harumi
Published: June 2013

Epidemiologic and ecologic studies suggest that dietary fat plays an important role in the development of obesity. Certain Wistar rat strains do not become obese when fed high‐fat diets unlike others. In a preliminary study, we confirmed that Slc:Wistar/ST rats did not become obese when fed high‐fat diets. The mechanisms governing the response of hepatic lipid‐metabolizing enzymes to large quantities of dietary lipids consumed by obesity‐resistant animals are unknown. The aim of the present study is to examine how obesity‐resistant animals metabolize various types of high‐fat diets and why they do not become obese. For this purpose, male Slc:Wistar/ST rats were fed a control low‐fat diet (LS) or a high‐fat diet containing fish oil (HF), soybean oil (HS), or lard (HL) for 4 weeks. We observed their phenotypes and determined lipid profiles in plasma and liver as well as mRNA expression levels in liver of genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism using DNA microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain analyses. The body weights of all dietary groups were similar due to isocaloric intakes, whereas the weight of white adipose tissues in the LS group was significantly lower. The HF diet lowered plasma lipid levels by accelerated lipolysis in the peroxisomes and suppressed levels of very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion. The HS diet promoted hepatic lipid accumulation by suppressed lipolysis in the peroxisomes and normal levels of VLDL secretion. The lipid profiles of rats fed the LS or HL diet were similar. The HL diet accelerated lipid and glucose metabolism.
Headspace Volatile Oxylipins of Eastern Himalayan Moss Cyathophorella adiantum Extracted by Sample Enrichment Probe
Authors: Mitra Souvik , Burger Ben V. , Poddar‐Sarkar Mousumi
Published: June 2013

Cyathophorella adiantum (Griff.) M. Fleisch. (Division‐Bryophyta, Family‐Daltoniaceae), an Eastern Himalayan moss was studied for the first time to identify the volatiles derived from cellular and membrane bound fatty acids. A high capacity sample enrichment probe (SEP) was used for extraction of headspace volatile (HSV) molecules followed by GC–MS analysis. Different short‐chain oxylipins like alkenes, alkanes, saturated and unsaturated alcohols, saturated and unsaturated aldehydes, ketones were identified along with free and esterified fatty acids, cyclo compounds and some by‐products of secondary metabolites. Fatty acid analysis of neutral lipids (NL) and phospholipids (PL) of this plant exhibits the predominance of C16 and C18 fatty acids. It also reveals some interesting information that might indicate the possible fatty acid precursors for volatile generation and their sources in this plant.
K-rich Titanate from the Jharia Ultrapotassic Rock, Gondwana Coal Fields, Eastern India, and its Petrological Significance
Authors: Rao N. V. Chalapathi , Sinha Anup K. , Kumar Suresh , K.Srivastava Rajesh
Published: June 2013

We report a rare accessory groundmass mineral of K-rich titanate, having a composition close to that of potassium triskaidecatitanate (K2Ti13O27), from an underground drill-core sample of ultrapotassic rock from south-western part of the Jharia coal field in the Damodar valley, at the northern margin of the Singhbhum craton, Eastern India. Potassium triskaidecatitanate is regarded as a typomorphic mineral of orangeites (Group II kimberlites) of Kaapvaal craton, southern Africa, and its occurrence in the Jharia ultrapotassic rock is significant since ultrapotassic suite of rocks elsewhere from the Damodar valley have been recently suggested to be peralkaline lamproites based on mineral-genetic classification. The important role played by a unique geodynamic setting (involving a thinned metasomatised lithospheric mantle and inheritance of an Archaean subduction component) at the northern margin of the Singhbhum craton in deciding the petrological diversity of the early Cretaceous ultrapotassic intrusives from the Damodar valley is highlighted in this study.
First Finding of Native Gold from the Chromitites of the Mesoarchaean Tagadur Mines, Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Dharwar Craton, South India
Authors: Babu E. V. S. S. K. , Rao D. V. Subba
Published: June 2013

Occurrence of native gold in ultramafic rocks is rather rare. Such occurrences serve as snapshots of the underlying processes leading to their formation and modifications thereafter. Presence of native gold as flakes were earlier reported from the chromites of rock massifs of Kraka, southern Urals, Russia (Kovalev et al. 2007). Gold spherules also occur as tiny inclusions (5-30 µm) in olivine, pyrrohotite and magnetite grains from the ultrabasic rocks of Loveld deposit, South Africa (Rozhkov, 1967). Here we report, probably for the first time, occurrence of native gold from the chromitites of the Mesoarchaean Tagadur Mines of the Nuggihalli Schist Belt (NSB), Dharwar Craton, south India. Geological Survey of India (2006) has already reported significant gold content from the bulk ultramafic rocks of Kempinakote area far south of the current study area. A short discussion on the preliminary petrographic features of the gold grains and its significance is presented.
Subcrop Gondwana of Bengal Basin and their Reservoir Characteristics
Authors: Banerjee B. , Marak I. A. , Biswas A. K.
Published: June 2013

In Bengal basin the subcrop Gondwana sediments occur in N-S trending elongated grabens originated largely by the graben forming tectonisms of the Gondwanaland which overlie the crystalline basement in the sub-surface in an intra-cratonic setup. So far five wells in shelf part of Bengal Basin have penetrated Gondwana sediments, out of which three wells i.e., G1, G3 and G2 have been drilled up to Precambrian basement. In subcrop Gondwana graben, glacial to glacio-fluvial Talchir Formation of Early Permian age was deposited above the basement. Early Permian Barakar Formation overlies Talchir Formaion. Flood basin model of deposition is postulated for this coal rich unit. In the absence of Barren Measure Formation, coal bearing Raniganj Formation overlies Barakar Formation. The fluvial set up changed over to arid environment during deposition of Panchet/Supra Panchet Formation (undifferentiated). The deposition of Panchet Formation is followed by eruption of doleritic rocks in both subcrop and outcrop Bengal Gondwana whereas lamprophyres are absent in subcrop of Bengal Gondwana. Rifting as well as pull-apart basin model due to transtensional movement is postulated for Gondwana basins. Detailed lithostratigraphic analysis of the core / cutting samples of the Gondwana sediments reveal that the sediments are mainly fine to coarse grained, poorly sorted sandstone. These sediments are characterized as poor reservoir and needs some treatment for permeability enhancement for hydrocarbon production.
Petrology and Geochemistry of Metapelites and Basic Granulites from Sonapahar Region of Shillong Meghalaya Gneissic Complex, North East India
Authors: Dwivedi S. B. , Theunuo K.
Published: June 2013

The geochemistry of the metapelites and basic granulite of Sonapahar has been studied in order to assess the nature of the protolith and their likely tectonic environment. Metapelites contains SiO2 (av. 62.16wt %), K2O+Na2O (av. 4.57 wt%), Al2O3 (av. 16.69 wt%), MgO (av. 5.31 wt%), Mg# av. 0.60 and low TiO2 (av. 0.68 wt%) with low Y (av. 23.48 ppm) and Yb (av. 1.6 ppm) which point to their derivation from andesite source. Metapelites show prominent negative europium anomaly (EuN/Eu* = 0.38-0.54) and fractionated LREE to HREE pattern (LaN/LuN) 17.23 to 56.69. Basic granulites demonstrate low content of SiO2 (av50.95 wt%), Al2O3 (av13.67 wt%), K2O (av 0.58 wt%) and enriched in Fe2 O3t (av 11.42 wt%), MgO (av 7.29 wt%), CaO (av 10.60 wt %), Na2 O (av 2.26 wt%), Mg# av. 0.56 and range from calc-alkaline to tholeiitic in nature. The geochemistry of the metapelites and basic granulites advocate that metapelites are derived from arc related andesitic source due to subduction whereas protoliths of basic granulites was originated in rift related volcanism through diapiric movement of hot rising mantle derived basaltic magmas.
Seismic Microzonation Study in Doon Valley, Northwest Himalaya, India
Authors: Mundepi A. K.
Published: June 2013

Fundamental frequency map of site amplification at different sites in Doon valley, Uttarakhand, India is prepared from microtremor (ground ambient noise) using Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) technique. The fan deposited alluvium filled synclinal valley of Doon lies between Main Boundary Thrust (MFT) and Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) in the Himalayan active seismic belt and experienced many earthquakes in the past. The HVSR at different sites in the Doon valley ranges between the predominant frequencies 0.13 and 12.77 Hz. The HVSR in lower frequencies indicates that the site has either thick sediment covers or less compact rocks with fractures. Based on information on fundamental frequency and soft soil thickness, site classification map is generated. Results indicate that degree of compactness of rock types and presences of sediments vary significantly, which may play a major role in seismic hazard. The use of microtremor, therefore, constitutes an effective and inexpensive approach to site response and soft soil thickness estimation for preliminary microzonation.