bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of Ocean Simulations in the Coupled HWRF–HYCOM Model
Authors: Kim Hyun-Sook , Lozano Carlos , Tallapragada Vijay , Iredell Dan , Sheinin Dmitry , Tolman Hendrik L. , Gerald Vera M. , Sims Jamese
Published: November 2013

This paper introduces a next-generation operational Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) system that was developed at the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The new system, HWRF–Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM), retains the same atmospheric component of operational HWRF, but it replaces the feature-model-based Princeton Ocean Model (POM) with the eddy-resolving HYCOM. The primary motivation is to improve enthalpy fluxes in the air–sea interface, by providing the best possible estimates of the balanced oceanic states using data assimilated Real-Time Ocean Forecast System products as oceanic initial conditions (IC) and boundary conditions.

A proof-of-concept exercise of HWRF–HYCOM is conducted by validating ocean simulations, followed by the verification of hurricane forecasts. The ocean validation employs airborne expendable bathythermograph sampled during Hurricane Gustav (2008). Storm-driven sea surface temperature changes agree within 0.1° and 0.5°C of the mean and root-mean-square difference, respectively. In-storm deepening mixed layer and shoaling 26°C isotherm depth are similar to observations, but they are overpredicted at similar magnitudes of their ICs. The forecast verification for 10 Atlantic hurricanes in 2008 and 2009 shows that HWRF–HYCOM improves intensity by 13.8% and reduces positive bias by 43.9% over HWRF–POM. The HWRF–HYCOM track forecast is indifferent, except for days 4 and 5, when it shows better skill (8%) than HWRF–POM. While this study proves the concept and results in a better skillful hurricane forecast, one well-defined conclusion is to improve the estimates of IC, particularly the oceanic upper layer.
The Metrics of Workforce Planning
Authors: Anderson Martin W.
Published: November 2013

A key feature of any workforce planning effort is the need to project workforce requirements and then design strategies to meet those requirements. The problem is how to do this accurately and effectively. The particulars of workforce planning as a strategic and practical activity are addressed in various publications and reflect the many unique philosophies behind them. This paper presents a select review of the metrics that have gone into workforce planning with an emphasis on the experiences and approaches used in the public sector.
Case Study: The City of Virginia Beach's Innovative Tool for Workforce Planning
Authors: Miracle Kris
Published: November 2013

The City of Virginia Beach's Human Resources and Communications and Information Technology Departments collaborated to develop Workforce Planning and Development (WorkPAD) software. WorkPAD, winner of the 2003 E-Town State and Local Government Award for government agency best practices in E-Town, enables planners to pull data from the Human Resources Information System (HRIS) database, the Virginia Retirement System, and numerous other resources to enhance workforce planning efforts. Managers can query this system to produce reports detailing projected retirement statistics, workforce demographics, vacancy reports, and much more. This innovative software also features an online KSA and Competency Assessment piece that enables employees and supervisors to tailor career development paths. To introduce this innovative tool to the city's leadership, Human Resources realized that an effective communications strategy could make or break their Workforce Planning and Development initiative.
Leadership Capacity Building Model: Developing Tomorrow's Leadership in Science and Technology
Authors: Roddy Nancy
Published: November 2013

This article discusses the need for succession planning and management particularly as it relates to the science and technology community. The author developed a Leadership Capacity Building Model for use by a specific population associated with the National Science Foundation. The model and example provided could easily be adapted by other organizations that want to be proactive in building the leadership component of their human capital assets.
Animating the City: Street Art, Blu and the Poetics of Visual Encounter
Authors: Chang Vanessa
Published: November 2013

Street artist Blu creates remarkable wall-painted animations, in which he depicts cartoon figures cavorting along, around and through actual urban surfaces. Through this activity, his film Muto (2008) pictures a fraught relationship between urban space and its dwellers. In some way, the film seems to epitomize contemporary thinking about urban space. Emphasizing the primarily visual and spectacular character of the modern city, such thinking casts it as a space where a totalizing gaze elides the embodied experience of the individual. Yet, in Muto, Blu deploys this visual aspect to conceive of the metropolis as a complex ballet of individual choreographies. Envisioning the city as paradox, Muto casts urban space as both highly spectacular and embodied multiplicity. As a work of animation, Muto also encodes this contradiction formally; even as it depicts the city as a capitalistic sphere of exhaustion, it imbues its morphing bodies with the capacity to redefine place. Connecting the shapeshifting bodies of its beings, the bodies of its spectators and the body of the artist, Muto invests urban space with a sense of plurality. Incarnating urban movement as inscription, and urban inscription as movement, his artistic practice recognizes how bodies shape the spaces in which they dwell.
Biosynthesis and release of pheromonal bile salts in mature male sea lamprey
Authors: Brant Cory O , Chung-Davidson Yu-Wen , Li Ke , Scott Anne M , Li Weiming
Published: November 2013

Background

In vertebrates, bile salts are primarily synthesized in the liver and secreted into the intestine where they aid in absorption of dietary fats. Small amounts of bile salts that are not reabsorbed into enterohepatic circulation are excreted with waste. In sexually mature male sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus L.) a bile salt is released in large amounts across gill epithelia into water where it functions as a pheromone. We postulate that the release of this pheromone is associated with a dramatic increase in its biosynthesis and transport to the gills upon sexual maturation.

Results

We show an 8000-fold increase in transcription of cyp7a1, a three-fold increase in transcription of cyp27a1, and a six-fold increase in transcription of cyp8b1 in the liver of mature male sea lamprey over immature male adults. LC–MS/MS data on tissue-specific distribution and release rates of bile salts from mature males show a high concentration of petromyzonol sulfate (PZS) in the liver and gills of mature males. 3-keto petromyzonol sulfate (3kPZS, known as a male sex pheromone) is the primary compound released from gills, suggesting a conversion of PZS to 3kPZS in the gill epithelium. The PZS to 3kPZS conversion is supported by greater expression of hsd3b7 in gill epithelium. High expression of sult2b1 and sult2a1 in gill epithelia of mature males, and tissue-specific expression of bile salt transporters such as bsep, slc10a1, and slc10a2, suggest additional sulfation and transport of bile salts that are dependent upon maturation state.

Conclusions

This report presents a rare example where specific genes associated with biosynthesis and release of a sexual pheromone are dramatically upregulated upon sexual maturation in a vertebrate. We provide a well characterized example of a complex mechanism of bile salt biosynthesis and excretion that has likely evolved for an additional function of bile salts as a mating pheromone.
Morphological, cytological and metabolic consequences of autopolyploidization in Hylocereus (Cactaceae) species
Authors: Cohen Hagai , Fait Aaron , Tel-Zur Noemi
Published: November 2013

Background

Genome doubling may have multi-level effects on the morphology, viability and physiology of polyploids compared to diploids. We studied the changes associated with autopolyploidization in two systems of somatic newly induced polyploids, diploid-autotetraploid and triploid-autohexaploid, belonging to the genus Hylocereus (Cactaceae). Stomata, fruits, seeds, embryos, and pollen were studied. Fruit pulp and seeds were subjected to metabolite profiling using established gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) Q-TOF-MS/MS (time of flight)-protocols.

Results

Autopolyploid lines produced lower numbers of tetrads, larger pollen grains with lower viability, larger stomata with lower density, and smaller fruits with lower seed numbers and decreased seed viability. The abundance of sugars was lower in the fruits and seeds of the two duplicated lines than in their donor lines, accompanied by increased contents of amino acids, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, organic acids and flavonoids. Betacyanins, the major fruit pigments in diploid and triploid donors, decreased following genome doubling. Both autopolyploid Hylocereus lines thus exhibited unfavorable changes, with the outcome being more dramatic in the autohexaploid than in the autotetraploid line.

Conclusion

Induced autotetraploid and autohexaploid lines exhibited morphological and cytological characteristics that differed from those of their donor plants and that were accompanied by significant metabolic alterations. It is suggested that a developmental arrest occurs in the fruits of the autohexaploid line, since their pericarp shows a greater abundance of acids and of reduced sugars. We conclude that genome doubling does not necessarily confer a fitness advantage and that the extent of alterations induced by autopolyploidization depends on the genetic background of the donor genotype.
Triggering of suicidal erythrocyte death by uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed Siyabeldin E , Abed Majed , Voelkl Jakob , Lang Florian
Published: November 2013

Background

Anemia in end stage renal disease is attributed to impaired erythrocyte formation due to erythropoietin and iron deficiency. On the other hand, end stage renal disease enhances eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death characterized by cell shrinkage and phosphatidylserine-exposure at the erythrocyte surface. Eryptosis may be triggered by increase of cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) and by ceramide, which sensitizes erythrocytes to [Ca2+]i. Mechanisms triggering eryptosis in endstage renal disease remained enigmatic. The present study explored the effect of indoxyl sulfate, an uremic toxin accumulated in blood of patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods

Cell volume was estimated from forward scatter, phosphatidylserine-exposure from annexin V binding, ceramide abundance by specific antibodies, hemolysis from hemoglobin release, and [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence.

Results

A 48 hours exposure to indoxyl sulfate significantly increased [Ca2+]i (≥ 300 μM), significantly decreased forward scatter (≥ 300 μM) and significantly increased annexin-V-binding (≥ 50 μM). Indoxyl sulfate (150 μM) induced annexin-V-binding was virtually abolished in the nominal absence of extracellular Ca2+. Indoxyl sulfate (150 μM) further enhanced ceramide abundance.

Conclusion

Indoxyl sulfate stimulates suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, an effect in large part due to stimulation of extracellular Ca2+entry with subsequent stimulation of cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling.
Placental growth factor, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products, extracellular newly identified receptor for receptor for advanced glycation end products binding protein and high mobility group box 1 levels in patients with acute kidney injury: a cross sectional study
Authors: Zakiyanov Oskar , Kriha Vitezslav , Vachek Jan , Zima Tomas , Tesar Vladimir , Kalousova Marta
Published: November 2013

Background

Placental growth factor (PlGF), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), extracellular newly identified receptor for RAGE binding protein (EN-RAGE) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) are novel biomarkers in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, their clinical significance in acute kidney injury (AKI) is unknown. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether selected biomarkers are changed in AKI patients.

Methods

Serum PlGF, PAPP-A, sRAGE, EN-RAGE and HMGB-1 levels were assessed in 40 patients with AKI, 42 CKD 5 patients, 31 haemodialysis patients (HD) and 39 age-matched healthy controls.

Results

PAPP-A was elevated in AKI (20.6 ± 16.9 mIU/L) compared with controls (9.1 ± 2.3 mIU/L, p < 0.001). PlGF was not increased in AKI (11.7 ± 7.4 pg/mL) versus controls (8.5 ± 2.4 pg/mL, n.s.), as well as sRAGE was not elevated in AKI (2400 ± 1400 pg/mL) compared with controls (1760 ± 730 pg/mL, n.s), but was lower compared with CKD 5 (3200 ± 1500 pg/mL, p < 0.05); EN-RAGE was elevated in AKI 480 ± 450 ng/mL in comparison with controls (60 ± 62 ng/mL), CKD 5 (190 ± 120 ng/mL), and HD (120 ± 100 ng/mL), all p < 0.001. Similarly, HMGB-1 was increased in AKI (5.8 ± 7.5 ng/mL) versus controls (1.7 ± 1.4 ng/mL), CKD 5 (3.2 ± 3.1 ng/mL) and HD (2.5 ±2.1 ng/mL), all p < 0.001.

In AKI group, in multivariate regression analysis: PAPP–A levels were associated with transferrin (p <0.001), negatively with albumin (p < 0.01) and prealbumin (p < 0.05); PlGF levels were associated with C - reactive protein (p < 0.001). EN-RAGE levels were associated with ferritin (p < 0.01) and orosomucoid (p = 0.02), and HMGB-1 levels with leukocyte count (p < 0.01) and negatively with proteinuria (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

In AKI patients, PAPP-A, EN-RAGE and HMGB1 are elevated, but sRAGE and PlGF are not increased. Whereas PAPP-A correlates with markers of nutrition; PlGF, EN-RAGE and HMGB-1 are related to inflammatory parameters.
Socioeconomic status, financial hardship and measured obesity in older adults: a cross-sectional study of the EPIC-Norfolk cohort
Authors: Conklin Annalijn I , Forouhi Nita G , Suhrcke Marc , Surtees Paul , Wareham Nicholas J , Monsivais Pablo
Published: November 2013

Background

Socioeconomic status is strongly associated with obesity. Current economic circumstances are also independently associated with self-reported weight status in Finnish civil servants. We aimed to examine three types of financial hardship in relation to measured general and central obesity in a general population of older adults, while considering conventional socioeconomic indicators.

Methods

Data from 10,137 participants (≥50 years) in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort who responded to a postal Health and Life Experiences Questionnaire (1996–2000) and attended a clinical assessment (1998–2002). Multivariable logistic regression models assessed likelihood of general obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and central obesity (women: ≥88 cm; men: ≥102 cm) calculated from measured anthropometrics.

Results

Obesity prevalence was consistently patterned by standard socioeconomic indicators, with over-50s in the lowest social class being twice as likely to be obese than those in the highest class (women OR 2.10 [CI95: 1.41—3.13]; men OR 2.36 [1.44—3.87]). After adjustment for socioeconomic status, reporting having less than enough money for one’s needs (compared to more than enough) was associated with obesity in women (OR 2.04 [1.54—2.69]) and men (OR 1.83 [1.34—2.49]). Similar associations were demonstrated between obesity and always or often not having enough money for food/clothing (women OR 1.40 [1.03—1.90]; men OR 1.81 [1.28—2.56]), compared to reporting this never occurred. The strongest independent associations were seen for obesity and reported greatest level of difficulty paying bills (women OR 2.20 [1.37—3.55]; men 2.40 [1.38—4.17]), compared to having no difficulties. Findings for central obesity were slightly higher in women and lower in men.

Conclusions

Obesity in British over-50s was more likely in study participants who reported greater financial hardship, even after education, social class and home ownership were taken into account. Public health policies need to consider the hitherto neglected role of financial hardship in older people, especially difficulty paying bills, as part of strategies to prevent or reduce obesity.
Heme iron intake and risk of new-onset diabetes in a Mediterranean population at high risk of cardiovascular disease: an observational cohort analysis
Authors: Fernandez-Cao Jose Candido , Arija Victoria , Aranda Nuria , Bullo Monica , Basora Josep , Martínez-González Miguel Angel , Díez-Espino Javier , Salas-Salvadó Jordi
Published: November 2013

Background

Several epidemiological studies have observed an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among subjects with a higher consumption of red and processed meat. Heme iron intake has been directly associated with a higher risk of T2DM in healthy adult Chinese and U.S populations. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between heme iron intake and the incidence of T2DM in a Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk.

Methods

We assessed a subset of participants in the PREDIMED trial as an observational cohort, followed up for a maximum of eight years. We initially included 1073 non-diabetic subjects (57.1% women) aged 67.3 ± 6.0 years, at high cardiovascular risk. Diet was assessed at the study baseline using a validated, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.

Results

During the follow-up period 131 diabetics were newly diagnosed. The risk of developing T2DM was assessed using baseline heme iron intake and proportional hazard models, first unadjusted, then adjusted for energy, and finally adjusted for dietary, anthropometric, socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. Significant direct associations with the incidence of T2DM were found for heme iron (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.66). Secondarily, we have also observed that coffee (HR:0.93, 95% CI, 0.89 to 0.98) and alcoholic beverages (HR: 1.02, 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.04) were also found to reduce and increase the risk of T2DM, respectively.

Conclusion

High dietary intake of heme iron was associated with an increased risk of developing T2DM in a Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk.

Trial registration

Identifier: ISRCTN35739639.
Total nasal resistance among Sasang constitutional types: a population-based study in Korea
Authors: Yoon Dae Wui , Lee Seung Ku , Yi Hyeryeon , Hong Jeong Hwa , Soichiro Miyazaki , Lee Si Woo , Kim Jong Yeol , Shin Chol
Published: November 2013

Background

There have been many attempts to find an objective phenotype by Sasang constitutional types (SCTs) on an anatomical, physiological, and psychological basis, but there has been no research on total nasal resistance (TNR) among SCTs.

Methods

We assessed the value of the TNR in the SCTs classified by an integrated diagnostic model. Included in the study were 1,346 individuals (701 males, 645 females) who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). The TNR was measured by active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR) at transnasal pressures of 100 and 150 Pascal (Pa).

Results

The average TNR was 0.186 ± 0.004 Pa/cm3/second at 100 Pa in the Tae-eum (TE), 0.193 ± 0.007 in the So-eum (SE), and 0.208 ± 0.005 in the So-yang (SY) types. Under condition of 150 Pa the TE type had a TNR value of 0.217 ± 0.004, the SE type was 0.230 ± 0.008, and the SY type was 0.243 ± 0.005. Higher values of TNR were more likely to be reported in the SY type at 100 Pa and 150 Pa. In the stratified analysis by sex, the SY type in males and females tended to have higher TNR value than the TE and SE types at transnasal pressure of both 100 Pa and 150 Pa.

Conclusions

These results provide new approaches to understand the functional characteristics among the SCTs in terms of nasal physiology. Further studies are required to clarify contributing factors for such a difference.
Pharmacist care and the management of coronary heart disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cai Hongwen , Dai Haibin , Hu Yangmin , Yan Xiaofeng , Xu Huimin
Published: November 2013

Background

Secondary prevention is important for reducing both mortality and morbidity of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Pharmacists can provide medication and also work on disease management for patients with CHD. This review has been carried out to evaluate the role of pharmacist care on mortality, morbidity, and the CHD management.

Methods

The PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the impact of pharmacist care interventions on patients with CHD (in both community and hospital settings). Primary outcomes of interest were mortality, cardiovascular events and hospitalizations. Secondary outcomes were medication adherence, blood pressure control, and lipid management.

Results

Five RCTs (2568 patients) were identified. The outcomes were mortality, cardiovascular events, and hospitalizations in one study (421 patients), medication adherence in five studies, blood pressure in two studies (1914 patients), and lipid management in three studies (932 patients). The interventions of pharmacists included patient education, medication management, feedback to health care professionals, and disease management. There was no significant effect of pharmacist care on mortality, recurrent cardiac events or hospitalization of CHD patients. Significant positive effects of pharmacist care were shown on medication adherence in three studies, on blood pressure control in one study and on lipid management in one study.

Conclusion

In this study, we concluded that pharmacists have a beneficial role in the care of CHD patients, although the evidence supporting positive impacts on mortality and morbidity remains uncertain due to the unavailability of data in these areas. Further research is needed to discern the contribution of pharmacist care on hard endpoints of CHD.
Effects of combination therapy with vildagliptin and valsartan in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Miyagawa Katsutoshi , Kondo Tatsuya , Goto Rieko , Matsuyama Rina , Ono Kaoru , Kitano Sayaka , Kawasaki Shuji , Igata Motoyuki , Kawashima Junji , Matsumura Takeshi , Motoshima Hiroyuki , Araki Eiichi
Published: November 2013

Background

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors modulate incretin hormones and exert anti-diabetic effects in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment with angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARB) is a proven successful intervention for hypertension with type 2 diabetes. The present study investigated the combined effects of the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin and the ARB valsartan in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes.

Methods

C57BL/6 J mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD) or db/db mice were treated with placebo, phloridzin (PHZ), vildagliptin alone (ViL), valsartan alone (VaL) or ViL with VaL (ViLVaL) for 8 weeks.

Results

Glucose metabolism was improved in response to PHZ, ViL and ViLVaL in both HFD and db/db mice. Upon glucose challenge, ViLVaL showed the greatest suppression of blood glucose excursions, with increased insulin secretion, in db/db mice. ViLVaL treatment also showed an improvement of insulin sensitivity in db/db mice. Serum inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased, and adiponectin was highest, in the ViLVaL group. ViLVaL improved insulin signaling and attenuated stress signaling in liver with amelioration of hepatic steatosis due to activated fatty acid oxidation in db/db mice. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of the pancreas revealed that the combination treatment resulted in an increased expression of insulin and PDX-1, and increased insulin content.

Conclusions

The combination therapy of ViL and VaL improves both pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity, with a reduction of the inflammatory and cell stress milieu in mouse models of T2DM. Our results suggest that this combination therapy exerts additive or even synergistic benefits to treat T2DM.
Using search queries for malaria surveillance, Thailand
Authors: Ocampo Alex J , Chunara Rumi , Brownstein John S
Published: November 2013

Background

Internet search query trends have been shown to correlate with incidence trends for select infectious diseases and countries. Herein, the first use of Google search queries for malaria surveillance is investigated. The research focuses on Thailand where real-time malaria surveillance is crucial as malaria is re-emerging and developing resistance to pharmaceuticals in the region.

Methods

Official Thai malaria case data was acquired from the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2005 to 2009. Using Google correlate, an openly available online tool, and by surveying Thai physicians, search queries potentially related to malaria prevalence were identified. Four linear regression models were built from different sub-sets of malaria-related queries to be used in future predictions. The models’ accuracies were evaluated by their ability to predict the malaria outbreak in 2009, their correlation with the entire available malaria case data, and by Akaike information criterion (AIC).

Results

Each model captured the bulk of the variability in officially reported malaria incidence. Correlation in the validation set ranged from 0.75 to 0.92 and AIC values ranged from 808 to 586 for the models. While models using malaria-related and general health terms were successful, one model using only microscopy-related terms obtained equally high correlations to malaria case data trends. The model built strictly of queries provided by Thai physicians was the only one that consistently captured the well-documented second seasonal malaria peak in Thailand.

Conclusions

Models built from Google search queries were able to adequately estimate malaria activity trends in Thailand, from 2005–2010, according to official malaria case counts reported by WHO. While presenting their own limitations, these search queries may be valid real-time indicators of malaria incidence in the population, as correlations were on par with those of related studies for other infectious diseases. Additionally, this methodology provides a cost-effective description of malaria prevalence that can act as a complement to traditional public health surveillance. This and future studies will continue to identify ways to leverage web-based data to improve public health.
Rehabilitation for the management of knee osteoarthritis using comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine in community health centers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yan Hu , Su Youxin , Chen Lidian , Zheng Guohua , Lin Xueyi , Chen Baojun , Zhou Bihong , Zhang Qing
Published: November 2013

Background

It is becoming increasingly necessary for community health centers to make rehabilitation services available to patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. However, for a number of reasons, including a lack of expertise, the small size of community health centers and the availability of only simple medical equipment, conventional rehabilitation therapy has not been widely used in China. Consequently, most patients with knee osteoarthritis seek treatment in high-grade hospitals. However, many patients cannot manage the techniques that they were taught in the hospital. Methods such as acupuncture, tuina, Chinese medical herb fumigation-washing and t’ai chi are easy to do and have been reported to have curative effects in those with knee osteoarthritis. To date, there have been no randomized controlled trials validating comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine for the rehabilitation of knee osteoarthritis in a community health center. Furthermore, there is no standard rehabilitation protocol using traditional Chinese medicine for knee osteoarthritis. The aim of the current study is to develop a comprehensive rehabilitation protocol using traditional Chinese medicine for the management of knee osteoarthritis in a community health center.

Method/design

This will be a randomized controlled clinical trial with blinded assessment. There will be a 4-week intervention utilizing rehabilitation protocols from traditional Chinese medicine and conventional therapy. Follow-up will be conducted for a period of 12 weeks. A total of 722 participants with knee osteoarthritis will be recruited. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control. Primary outcomes will include range of motion, girth measurement, the visual analogue scale, and results from the manual muscle, six-minute walking and stair-climbing tests. Secondary outcomes will include average daily consumption of pain medication, ability to perform daily tasks and health-related quality-of-life assessments. Other outcomes will include rate of adverse events and economic effects. Relative cost-effectiveness will be determined from health service usage and outcome data.

Discussion

The primary aim of this trial is to develop a standard protocol for traditional Chinese medicine, which can be adopted by community health centers in China and worldwide, for the rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials Registration: ChiCTR-TRC-12002538
Medicinal plants used by women from Agnalazaha littoral forest (Southeastern Madagascar)
Authors: Razafindraibe Mendrika , Kuhlman Alyse R , Rabarison Harison , Rakotoarimanana Vonjison , Rajeriarison Charlotte , Rakotoarivelo Nivo , Randrianarivony Tabita , Rakotoarivony Fortunat , Ludovic Reza , Randrianasolo Armand , Bussmann Rainer W
Published: November 2013

Background

The country of Madagascar is renowned for its high level of biodiversity and endemism, as well as the overwhelming pressures and threats placed on the natural resources by a growing population and climate change. Traditional medicine plays an important role in the daily lives of the Malagasy for various reasons including limited access to healthcare, limited markets and traditional values. The objective of this study was to assess the modern utitilization of the Agnalazaha Forest by the local population in Mahabo-Mananivo, Madagascar, for medicinal plants used by women, and to establish a list of medicinal plants used by women sourced from Agnalazaha Forest.

Methods

Ethnobotanical studies were conducted over a period of five months in 2010 to determine the diversity of medicinal plants used by women in the commune of Mahabo-Mananivo. In all, 498 people were interviewed, both male and female ranging age from 15 to over 60 years old.

Results

152 medicinal plants used by local people were collected during the ethnobotanical studies. Among the recorded species, eight native species are widely used by women. These species are known for their therapeutic properties in treating placental apposition and complications during childbirth as well as tropical illnesses such as malaria, filariasis, and sexual diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis.

Conclusions

Littoral forests are rare ecosystems that are highly threatened on the island nation of Madagascar. Our investigation into the use of medicinal plants sourced from and around the Agnalazaha Forest by the women of Mahabo-Mananivo reinforces the need for this natural resource as a first line of health care for rural families.
Optimisation of engineered Escherichia coli biofilms for enzymatic biosynthesis of l-halotryptophans
Authors: Perni Stefano , Hackett Louise , Goss Rebecca JM , Simmons Mark J , Overton Tim W
Published: November 2013

Engineered biofilms comprising a single recombinant species have demonstrated remarkable activity as novel biocatalysts for a range of applications. In this work, we focused on the biotransformation of 5-haloindole into 5-halotryptophan, a pharmaceutical intermediate, usingEscherichia coliexpressing a recombinant tryptophan synthase enzyme encoded by plasmid pSTB7. To optimise the reaction we compared twoE. coliK-12 strains (MC4100 and MG1655) and theirompR234mutants, which overproduce the adhesin curli (PHL644 and PHL628). TheompR234mutation increased the quantity of biofilm in both MG1655 and MC4100 backgrounds. In all cases, no conversion of 5-haloindoles was observed using cells without the pSTB7 plasmid. Engineered biofilms of strains PHL628 pSTB7 and PHL644 pSTB7 generated more 5-halotryptophan than their corresponding planktonic cells. Flow cytometry revealed that the vast majority of cells were alive after 24 hour biotransformation reactions, both in planktonic and biofilm forms, suggesting that cell viability was not a major factor in the greater performance of biofilm reactions. Monitoring 5-haloindole depletion, 5-halotryptophan synthesis and the percentage conversion of the biotransformation reaction suggested that there were inherent differences between strains MG1655 and MC4100, and between planktonic and biofilm cells, in terms of tryptophan and indole metabolism and transport. The study has reinforced the need to thoroughly investigate bacterial physiology and make informed strain selections when developing biotransformation reactions.
Association of the lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2 gene with gout and non-additive interaction with alcohol consumption
Authors: Rasheed Humaira , Phipps-Green Amanda , Topless Ruth , Hollis-Moffatt Jade E , Hindmarsh Jennie Harré , Franklin Christopher , Dalbeth Nicola , Jones Peter B , White Douglas HN , Stamp Lisa K , Merriman Tony R
Published: November 2013

Introduction

The T allele of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP: rs2544390) in lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2 (LRP2) is associated with higher serum urate and risk of gout in Japanese individuals. SNP rs2544390 also interacts with alcohol consumption in determining hyperuricemia in this population. We investigated the association of rs2544390 with gout, and interaction with all types of alcohol consumption in European and New Zealand (NZ) Māori and Pacific subjects, and a Māori study cohort from the East Coast region of NZ’s North Island.

Methods

Rs2544390 was genotyped by Taqman®. From NZ a total of 1205 controls and 1431 gout cases clinically ascertained were used. Publicly available genotype and serum urate data were utilized from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Alcohol consumption data were obtained by consumption frequency questions in all study cohorts. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression was done using STATA.

Results

The T allele of rs2544390 was associated with increased risk of gout in the combined Māori and Pacific Island cohort (OR = 1.20, P = 0.009), and associated with gout in the European subjects, but with a protective effect (OR = 0.79, PUnadjusted = 0.02). Alcohol consumption was positively associated with risk of gout in Māori and Pacific subjects (0.2% increased risk/g/week, P = 0.004). There was a non-additive interaction between any alcohol intake and the risk of gout in the combined Māori and Pacific cohorts (PInteraction = 0.001), where any alcohol intake was associated with a 4.18-fold increased risk in the CC genotype group (P = 6.6x10-5), compared with a 1.14-fold increased risk in the CT/TT genotype group (P = 0.40). These effects were not observed in European subjects.

Conclusions

Association of the T-allele with gout risk in the Māori and Pacific subjects was consistent with this allele increasing serum urate in Japanese individuals. The non-additive interaction in the Māori and Pacific subjects showed that alcohol consumption over-rides any protective effect conferred by the CC genotype. Further exploration of the mechanism underlying this interaction should generate new understanding of the biological role of alcohol in gout, in addition to strengthening the evidence base for reduction of alcohol consumption in the management of gout.
Cholesterol accumulation caused by low density lipoprotein receptor deficiency or a cholesterol-rich diet results in ectopic bone formation during experimental osteoarthritis
Authors: de Munter Wouter , Blom Arjen B , Helsen Monique M , Walgreen Birgitte , van der Kraan Peter M , Joosten Leo AB , van den Berg Wim B , van Lent Peter LEM
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with the metabolic syndrome, however the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated whether low density lipoprotein (LDL) accumulation leads to increased LDL uptake by synovial macrophages and affects synovial activation, cartilage destruction and enthesophyte/osteophyte formation during experimental OA in mice.

Methods

LDL receptor deficient (LDLr−/−) mice and wild type (WT) controls received a cholesterol-rich or control diet for 120 days. Experimental OA was induced by intra-articular injection of collagenase twelve weeks after start of the diet. OA knee joints and synovial wash-outs were analyzed for OA-related changes. Murine bone marrow derived macrophages were stimulated with oxidized LDL (oxLDL), whereupon growth factor presence and gene expression were analyzed.

Results

A cholesterol-rich diet increased apolipoprotein B (ApoB) accumulation in synovial macrophages. Although increased LDL levels did not enhance thickening of the synovial lining, S100A8 expression within macrophages was increased in WT mice after receiving a cholesterol-rich diet, reflecting an elevated activation status. Both a cholesterol-rich diet and LDLr deficiency had no effect on cartilage damage; in contrast, ectopic bone formation was increased within joint ligaments (fold increase 6.7 and 6.1, respectively). Moreover, increased osteophyte size was found at the margins of the tibial plateau (4.4 fold increase after a cholesterol-rich diet and 5.3 fold increase in LDLr−/− mice). Synovial wash-outs of LDLr−/− mice and supernatants of macrophages stimulated with oxLDL led to increased transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling compared to controls.

Conclusions

LDL accumulation within synovial lining cells leads to increased activation of synovium and osteophyte formation in experimental OA. OxLDL uptake by macrophages activates growth factors of the TGF-superfamily.
Mammographic density and risk of breast cancer by age and tumor characteristics
Authors: Bertrand Kimberly A , Tamimi Rulla M , Scott Christopher G , Jensen Matthew R , Pankratz V Shane , Visscher Daniel , Norman Aaron , Couch Fergus , Shepherd John , Fan Bo , Chen Yunn-Yi , Ma Lin , Beck Andrew H , Cummings Steven R , Kerlikowske Karla , Vachon Celine M
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Understanding whether mammographic density (MD) is associated with all breast tumor subtypes and whether the strength of association varies by age is important for utilizing MD in risk models.

Methods

Data were pooled from six studies including 3414 women with breast cancer and 7199 without who underwent screening mammography. Percent MD was assessed from digitized film-screen mammograms using a computer-assisted threshold technique. We used polytomous logistic regression to calculate breast cancer odds according to tumor type, histopathological characteristics, and receptor (estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)) status by age (<55, 55–64, and ≥65 years).

Results

MD was positively associated with risk of invasive tumors across all ages, with a two-fold increased risk for high (>51%) versus average density (11-25%). Women ages <55 years with high MD had stronger increased risk of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) compared to women ages 55–64 and ≥65 years (Page-interaction = 0.02). Among all ages, MD had a stronger association with large (>2.1 cm) versus small tumors and positive versus negative lymph node status (P’s < 0.01). For women ages <55 years, there was a stronger association of MD with ER-negative breast cancer than ER-positive tumors compared to women ages 55–64 and ≥65 years (Page-interaction = 0.04). MD was positively associated with both HER2-negative and HER2-positive tumors within each age group.

Conclusion

MD is strongly associated with all breast cancer subtypes, but particularly tumors of large size and positive lymph nodes across all ages, and ER-negative status among women ages <55 years, suggesting high MD may play an important role in tumor aggressiveness, especially in younger women.
Prism adaptation does not alter object-based attention in healthy participants
Authors: Bultitude Janet H. , List Alexandra , Aimola Davies Anne M.
Published: November 2013

Hemispatial neglect (‘neglect’) is a disabling condition that can follow damage to the right side of the brain, in which patients show difficulty in responding to or orienting towards objects and events that occur on the left side of space. Symptoms of neglect can manifest in both space- and object-based frames of reference. Although patients can show a combination of these two forms of neglect, they are considered separable and have distinct neurological bases. In recent years considerable evidence has emerged to demonstrate that spatial symptoms of neglect can be reduced by an intervention called prism adaptation. Patients point towards objects viewed through prismatic lenses that shift the visual image to the right. Approximately five minutes of repeated pointing results in a leftward recalibration of pointing and improved performance on standard clinical tests for neglect. The understanding of prism adaptation has also been advanced through studies of healthy participants, in whom adaptation to leftward prismatic shifts results in temporary neglect-like performance. Here we examined the effect of prism adaptation on the performance of healthy participants who completed a computerised test of space- and object-based attention. Participants underwent adaptation to leftward- or rightward-shifting prisms, or performed neutral pointing according to a between-groups design. Significant pointing after-effects were found for both prism groups, indicating successful adaptation. In addition, the results of the computerised test revealed larger reaction-time costs associated with shifts of attention between two objects compared to shifts of attention within the same object, replicating previous work. However there were no differences in the performance of the three groups, indicating that prism adaptation did not influence space- or object-based attention for this task. When combined with existing literature, the results are consistent with the proposal that prism adaptation may only perturb cognitive functions for which normal baseline performance is already biased.
Novel Point Estimation from a Semiparametric Ratio Estimator (SPRE): Long-Term Health Outcomes from Short-Term Linear Data, with Application to Weight Loss in Obesity
Authors: Weissman-Miller Deborah
Published: November 2013

Point estimation is particularly important in predicting weight loss in individuals or small groups. In this analysis, a new health response function is based on a model of human response over time to estimate long-term health outcomes from a change point in short-term linear regression. This important estimation capability is addressed for small groups and single-subject designs in pilot studies for clinical trials, medical and therapeutic clinical practice. These estimations are based on a change point given by parameters derived from short-term participant data in ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. The development of the change point in initial OLS data and the point estimations are given in a new semiparametric ratio estimator (SPRE) model. The new response function is taken as a ratio of two-parameter Weibull distributions times a prior outcome value that steps estimated outcomes forward in time, where the shape and scale parameters are estimated at the change point. The Weibull distributions used in this ratio are derived from a Kelvin model in mechanics taken here to represent human beings. A distinct feature of the SPRE model in this article is that initial treatment response for a small group or a single subject is reflected in long-term response to treatment. This model is applied to weight loss in obesity in a secondary analysis of data from a classic weight loss study, which has been selected due to the dramatic increase in obesity in the United States over the past 20 years. A very small relative error of estimated to test data is shown for obesity treatment with the weight loss medication phentermine or placebo for the test dataset. An application of SPRE in clinical medicine or occupational therapy is to estimate long-term weight loss for a single subject or a small group near the beginning of treatment.
Multi-Objective Differential Evolution for Voltage Security Constrained Optimal Power Flow in Deregulated Power Systems
Authors: Roselyn J. Preetha , Devaraj D. , Dash Subhransu Sekhar
Published: November 2013

Voltage stability is an important issue in the planning and operation of deregulated power systems. The voltage stability problems is a most challenging one for the system operators in deregulated power systems because of the intense use of transmission line capabilities and poor regulation in market environment. This article addresses the congestion management problem avoiding offline transmission capacity limits related to voltage stability by considering Voltage Security Constrained Optimal Power Flow (VSCOPF) problem in deregulated environment. This article presents the application of Multi Objective Differential Evolution (MODE) algorithm to solve the VSCOPF problem in new competitive power systems. The maximum of L-index of the load buses is taken as the indicator of voltage stability and is incorporated in the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem. The proposed method in hybrid power market which also gives solutions to voltage stability problems by considering the generation rescheduling cost and load shedding cost which relieves the congestion problem in deregulated environment. The buses for load shedding are selected based on the minimum eigen value of Jacobian with respect to the load shed. In the proposed approach, real power settings of generators in base case and contingency cases, generator bus voltage magnitudes, real and reactive power demands of selected load buses using sensitivity analysis are taken as the control variables and are represented as the combination of floating point numbers and integers. DE/randSF/1/bin strategy scheme of differential evolution with self-tuned parameter which employs binomial crossover and difference vector based mutation is used for the VSCOPF problem. A fuzzy based mechanism is employed to get the best compromise solution from the pareto front to aid the decision maker. The proposed VSCOPF planning model is implemented on IEEE 30-bus system, IEEE 57 bus practical system and IEEE 118 bus system. The pareto optimal front obtained from MODE is compared with reference pareto front and the best compromise solution for all the cases are obtained from fuzzy decision making strategy. The performance measures of proposed MODE in two test systems are calculated using suitable performance metrices. The simulation results show that the proposed approach provides considerable improvement in the congestion management by generation rescheduling and load shedding while enhancing the voltage stability in deregulated power system.