bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methodological framework to identify possible adverse drug reactions using population-based administrative data
Authors: Sauer Brian C. , Nebeker Jonathan , Shen Shuying , Rupper Randall , West Suzanne , Shinogle Judith A. , Xu Wu , Lohr Kathleen N. , Samore Matthew
Published: October 2014

Purpose: We present a framework for detecting possible adverse drug reactions (ADRs) using the Utah Medicaid administrative data. We examined four classes of ADRs associated with treatment of dementia by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs): known reactions (gastrointestinal, psychological disturbances), potential reactions (respiratory disturbance), novel reactions (hepatic, hematological disturbances), and death.

Methods: Our cohort design linked drug utilization data to medical claims from Utah Medicaid recipients. We restricted the analysis to 50 years-old and older beneficiaries diagnosed with dementia-related diseases. We compared patients treated with AChEI to patients untreated with anti-dementia medication therapy. We attempted to remove confounding by establishing propensity-score-matched cohorts for each outcome investigated; we then evaluated the effects of drug treatment by conditional multivariable Cox-proportional-hazard regression. Acute and transient effects were evaluated by a crossover design using conditional logistic regression.

Results: Propensity-matched analysis of expected reactions revealed that AChEI treatment was associated with gastrointestinal episodes (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 2.02; 95%CI: 1.28-3.2), but not psychological episodes, respiratory disturbance, or death. Among the unexpected reactions, the risk of hematological episodes was higher (HR: 2.32; 95%CI: 1.47-3.6) in patients exposed to AChEI. AChEI exposure was not associated with an increase in hepatic episodes. We also noted a trend, identified in the case-crossover design, toward increase odds of experiencing acute hematological events during AChEI exposure (Odds Ratio: 3.0; 95% CI: 0.97 - 9.3).

Conclusions: We observed an expected association between AChEIs treatment and gastrointestinal disturbances and detected a signal of possible hematological ADR after treatment with AChEIs in this pilot study. Using this analytic framework may raise awareness of potential ADEs and generate hypotheses for future investigations. Early findings, or signal detection, are considered hypothesis generating since confirmatory studies must be designed to determine if the signal represents a true drug safety problem.
Residential Transitions Among Adults With Intellectual Disability Across 20 Years
Authors: Woodman Ashley C. , Mailick Marsha R. , Anderson Kristy A. , Esbensen Anna J.
Published: October 2014

The present study addresses critical gaps in the literature by examining residential transitions among 303 adults with intellectual disability (ID) over 10 years (Part 1) and 75 adults with Down syndrome over 20 years (Part 2). All adults lived at home at the start of the study, but many moved to a variety of settings. Several characteristics of the adults with ID differed across settings, most notably adaptive behavior and the number of residential transitions, whereas characteristics such as age, type of disability, and behavior problems were less predictive of residential placements. The number of moves over the course of the study varied widely, with critical links to earlier family dynamics, social relationships, and health and adaptive behavior.
Early Mastery Motivation as a Predictor of Executive Function in Young Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Hauser-Cram Penny , Woodman Ashley Cynthia , Heyman Miriam
Published: October 2014

The role of early childhood mastery motivation as a predictor of executive function 20 years later was examined in a sample of 39 individuals who had early diagnosed developmental disabilities. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze predictors of accuracy and response time on a Flanker task measuring executive function. As predicted, participants had relatively poorer performance on trials requiring inhibition and rule switches. Individuals with Down syndrome, in comparison to other participants, demonstrated longer response times. Young adults who had higher levels of persistence on mastery motivation tasks during early childhood displayed higher levels of accuracy and shorter response times on the executive function task. Possible mechanisms by which early mastery motivation relates to later executive function are discussed.
Immigration Policy Reform in the United States: Reframing the enforcement discourse to fight human trafficking and promote shared prosperity
Authors: Avendaño Ana , Fanning Charlie
Published: October 2014

At the time of this writing, the United States Senate has passed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744). The bill is the product of countless political compromises and would significantly transform the U.S. immigration system. This paper explores shortcomings in U.S. immigration policy, deconstructs provisions in the bill, and makes policy proposals that would protect and empower migrants who interface with the U.S. immigration system in dangerous and under-regulated environments at the border and in sending communities, in labour recruitment networks, and in the U.S. workforce. Ultimately, the paper seeks to continue an ongoing conversation that challenges the criminalisation of migration which perpetuates vulnerability, and instead forwards rights-based policies that would promote shared prosperity.
Joint Diseases in Animal Paleopathology: Veterinary Approach
Authors: Stevanović Oliver , Janeczek Maciej , Chrószcz Aleksander , Marković Nemanja
Published: October 2014

Animal paleopathology is not a very well known scientific discipline within veterinary science, but it has great importance for historical and archaeological investigations. In this paper, authors attention is focused on the description of one of the most common findings on the skeletal remains of animals - osteoarthropathies. This review particularly emphasizes the description and classification of the most common pathological changes in synovial joints. The authors have provided their observations on the importance of joint diseases in paleopathology and veterinary medicine. Analysis of individual processes in the joints of the animals from the past may help in the understanding of diseases in modern veterinary medicine. Differential diagnosis was made a point of emphasis and discussion, so that this work could have practical significance for paleopathology and veterinary medicine.
Effects of seed size and aging on field performance of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) under different irrigation treatments
Authors: GHASSEMI-GOLEZANI Kazem , CHADORDOOZ-JEDDI Afsaneh , ZEHTAB-SALMASI Saeid
Published: October 2014

A sub-sample of lentil (Lens culinaris ‘Kimia’) seeds was kept as bulk (S1) and another sample was separated to large (S2) and small (S3) seeds. A sub-sample of each size was kept as control or high vigor seed lot (A1) and the two other sub-samples were artificially aged for 2 and 4 days (A2 and A3, respectively). Field performance of these seeds was evaluated during 2011 and 2012. Yield components and grain yield of lentil decreased with decreasing water availability. The highest yield components (except 1000 grain weight) and grain yield per unit area were obtained by plants from large seeds. The superiority of plants from large seeds in grain yield was more evident under limited irrigations than under well watering. Seed aging resulted in poor stand establishment and consequently low grain yield per unit area. Plants from aged large seeds showed the lowest reduction in grain yield per unit area, compared with those from aged small and bulk seeds. It seems that cultivation of large seeds somehow can reduce the deleterious effects of drought stress and seed aging on grain yield per unit area of lentil.
A Study of Entrepreneurial Intention of University Students
Authors: Zhang Pingying , Wang Dongyuan D. , Owen Crystal L.
Published: October 2014

Studying entrepreneurial intention has long been an important topic in the field of entrepreneurship. In this paper, we investigate entrepreneurial intention by applying the theory of planned behavior by
Formulation Process for Environmentally Considerate Lubricants
Authors: Sander John
Published: October 2014

Formulating lubricants can provide various challenges. Usually, lubricants are first and foremost formulated to reduce friction and wear in moving equipment. Next, they are formulated to coat and protect metal parts against rust and corrosion. Finally, they are formulated to resist heat and at the same time remove it by splashing on hot parts and transferring it to air- or water- cooled parts of the machine. Today, various other drivers end up dictating what ingredients the product formulator must use. For example, formulas for engine oils and automatic transmission fluids require tremendous amounts of testing and almost force most blenders have to use the approved base oils and additives at controlled levels recommended by the additive suppliers. The only way around this is to rerun the full barrage of expensive approval tests, which can limit companies who do not have the financial resources. Recently, certain safety and environmental regulations enacted by government regulators, such as the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH), are creating new constraints that are affecting formulator’s options. In recent years, products have begun to be marketed using terms such as environmentally friendly, environmentally acceptable, or environmentally considerate. These have largely been marketing terms, but there are now a few standards that are being used by formulators to design products that are considered to have a lesser affect on the environment than traditional mineral oil based lubricants. Is it possible to formulate products that provide traditional lubrication requirements yet have a low environmental impact? A system will be described, called an environmental product assessment, providing a logic path that can be used to formulate lubricants and takes into account environmental considerations.
Maturational Conversion of Dendritic Early Endosomes and Their Roles in L1-Mediated Axon Growth
Authors: Lasiecka Zofia M. , Yap Chan Choo , Katz Joshua , Winckler Bettina
Published: October 2014

The function of endosomes is intricately linked to cellular function in all cell types, including neurons. Intriguingly, neurons express cell type-specific proteins that localize to endosomes, but little is known about how these neuronal proteins interface with canonical endosomes and ubiquitously expressed endosomal components, such as EEA1 (Early Endosomal Antigen 1). NEEP21 (Neuronal Early Endosomal Protein 21 kDa) localizes to somatodendritic endosomes, and downregulation of NEEP21 perturbs the correct trafficking of multiple receptors, including glutamate receptors (GluA2) during LTP and amyloidogenic processing of βAPP. Our own work implicated NEEP21 in correct trafficking of the axonal cell adhesion molecule L1/neuron–glia cell adhesion molecule (NgCAM). NEEP21 dynamically localizes with EEA1-positive early endosomes but is also found in EEA1-negative endosomes. Live imaging reveals that NEEP21-positive, EEA1-negative endosomes arise as a consequence of maturational conversion of EEA1/NEEP21 double-positive endosomes. Interfering with EEA1 function causes missorting of L1/NgCAM, axon outgrowth defects on the L1 substrate, and disturbance of NEEP21 localization. Last, we uncover evidence that functional interference with NEEP21 reduces axon and dendrite growth of primary rat hippocampal neurons on L1 substrate but not on N-cadherin substrate, thus implicating endosomal trafficking through somatodendritic early endosomes in L1-mediated axon growth.
Sleep Restriction Impairs Blood–Brain Barrier Function
Authors: He Junyun , Hsuchou Hung , He Yi , Kastin Abba J. , Wang Yuping , Pan Weihong
Published: October 2014

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a large regulatory and exchange interface between the brain and peripheral circulation. We propose that changes of the BBB contribute to many pathophysiological processes in the brain of subjects with chronic sleep restriction (CSR). To achieve CSR that mimics a common pattern of human sleep loss, we quantified a new procedure of sleep disruption in mice by a week of consecutive sleep recording. We then tested the hypothesis that CSR compromises microvascular function. CSR not only diminished endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase, endothelin1, and glucose transporter expression in cerebral microvessels of the BBB, but it also decreased 2-deoxy-glucose uptake by the brain. The expression of several tight junction proteins also was decreased, whereas the level of cyclooxygenase-2 increased. This coincided with an increase of paracellular permeability of the BBB to the small tracers sodium fluorescein and biotin. CSR for 6 d was sufficient to impair BBB structure and function, although the increase of paracellular permeability returned to baseline after 24 h of recovery sleep. This merits attention not only in neuroscience research but also in public health policy and clinical practice.
Direct Bidirectional μ-Opioid Control of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons
Authors: Margolis Elyssa B. , Hjelmstad Gregory O. , Fujita Wakako , Fields Howard L.
Published: October 2014

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is required for the rewarding and motivational actions of opioids and activation of dopamine neurons has been implicated in these effects. The canonical model posits that opioid activation of VTA dopamine neurons is indirect, through inhibition of GABAergic inputs. However, VTA dopamine neurons also express postsynaptic μ-opioid peptide (MOP) receptors. We report here that in Sprague Dawley rat, the MOP receptor-selective agonist DAMGO (0.5–3 μm) depolarized or increased the firing rate of 87 of 451 VTA neurons (including 22 of 110 dopamine neurons). This DAMGO excitation occurs in the presence of GABAAreceptor blockade and its EC50value is two orders of magnitude lower than for presynaptic inhibition of GABA release on to VTA neurons. Consistent with a postsynaptic channel opening, excitations were accompanied by a decrease in input resistance. Excitations were blocked by CdCl2(100 μm,n= 5) and ω-agatoxin-IVA (100 nm,n= 3), nonselective and Cav2.1 Ca2+channel blockers, respectively. DAMGO also produced a postsynaptic inhibition in 233 of 451 VTA neurons, including 45 of 110 dopamine neurons. The mean reversal potential of the inhibitory current was −78 ± 7 mV and inhibitions were blocked by the K+channel blocker BaCl2(100 μm,n= 7). Blockade of either excitation or inhibition unmasked the opposite effect, suggesting that MOP receptors activate concurrent postsynaptic excitatory and inhibitory processes in most VTA neurons. These results provide a novel direct mechanism for MOP receptor control of VTA dopamine neurons.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex in Awake Nonhuman Primates Evokes a Polysynaptic Neck Muscle Response That Reflects Oculomotor Activity at the Time of Stimulation
Authors: Gu Chao , Corneil Brian D.
Published: October 2014

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has emerged as an important technique in cognitive neuroscience, permitting causal inferences about the contribution of a given brain area to behavior. Despite widespread use, exactly how TMS influences neural activity throughout an interconnected network, and how such influences ultimately change behavior, remain unclear. The oculomotor system of nonhuman primates (NHPs) offers a potential animal model to bridge this gap. Here, based on results suggesting that neck muscle activity provides a sensitive indicator of oculomotor activation, we show that single pulses of TMS over the frontal eye fields (FEFs) in awake NHPs evoked rapid (within ∼25 ms) and fairly consistent (∼50–75% of all trials) expression of a contralateral head-turning synergy. This neck muscle response resembled that evoked by subsaccadic electrical microstimulation of the FEF. Systematic variation in TMS location revealed that this response could also be evoked from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Combining TMS with an oculomotor task revealed state dependency, with TMS evoking larger neck muscle responses when the stimulated area was actively engaged. Together, these results advance the suitability of the NHP oculomotor system as an animal model for TMS. The polysynaptic neck muscle response evoked by TMS of the prefrontal cortex is a quantifiable trial-by-trial reflection of oculomotor activation, comparable to the monosynaptic motor-evoked potential evoked by TMS of primary motor cortex. Our results also speak to a role for both the FEF and dlPFC in head orienting, presumably via subcortical connections with the superior colliculus.
Oncogenic Signaling Is Dominant to Cell of Origin and Dictates Astrocytic or Oligodendroglial Tumor Development from Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells
Authors: Lindberg Nanna , Jiang Yiwen , Xie Yuan , Bolouri Hamid , Kastemar Marianne , Olofsson Tommie , Holland Eric C. , Uhrbom Lene
Published: October 2014

Stem cells, believed to be the cellular origin of glioma, are able to generate gliomas, according to experimental studies. Here we investigated the potential and circumstances of more differentiated cells to generate glioma development. We and others have shown that oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) can also be the cell of origin for experimental oligodendroglial tumors. However, the question of whether OPCs have the capacity to initiate astrocytic gliomas remains unanswered. Astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors represent the two most common groups of glioma and have been considered as distinct disease groups with putatively different origins. Here we show that mouse OPCs can give rise to both types of glioma given the right circumstances. We analyzed tumors induced by K-RAS and AKT and compared them to oligodendroglial platelet-derived growth factor B-induced tumors inCtv-amice with targeted deletions ofCdkn2a(p16Ink4a−/−, p19Arf−/−, Cdkn2a−/−). Our results showed that glioma can originate from OPCs through overexpression of K-RAS and AKT when combined with p19Arfloss, and these tumors displayed an astrocytic histology and high expression of astrocytic markers. We argue that OPCs have the potential to develop both astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors given loss of p19Arf, and that oncogenic signaling is dominant to cell of origin in determining glioma phenotype. Our mouse data are supported by the fact that human astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma display a high degree of overlap in global gene expression with no clear distinctions between the two diagnoses.
Stimulus Dependence of Local Field Potential Spectra: Experiment versus Theory
Authors: Barbieri Francesca , Mazzoni Alberto , Logothetis Nikos K. , Panzeri Stefano , Brunel Nicolas
Published: October 2014

The local field potential (LFP) captures different neural processes, including integrative synaptic dynamics that cannot be observed by measuring only the spiking activity of small populations. Therefore, investigating how LFP power is modulated by external stimuli can offer important insights into sensory neural representations. However, gaining such insight requires developing data-driven computational models that can identify and disambiguate the neural contributions to the LFP. Here, we investigated how networks of excitatory and inhibitory integrate-and-fire neurons responding to time-dependent inputs can be used to interpret sensory modulations of LFP spectra. We computed analytically from such models the LFP spectra and the information that they convey about input and used these analytical expressions to fit the model to LFPs recorded in V1 of anesthetized macaques (Macaca mulatta) during the presentation of color movies. Our expressions explain 60%–98% of the variance of the LFP spectrum shape and its dependency upon movie scenes and we achieved this with realistic values for the best-fit parameters. In particular, synaptic best-fit parameters were compatible with experimental measurements and the predictions of firing rates, based only on the fit of LFP data, correlated with the multiunit spike rate recorded from the same location. Moreover, the parameters characterizing the input to the network across different movie scenes correlated with cross-scene changes of several image features. Our findings suggest that analytical descriptions of spiking neuron networks may become a crucial tool for the interpretation of field recordings.
The effect of weight reduction on antioxidant enzymes and their association with dietary intake of vitamins A, C and E
Authors: Ramezanipour Masoud , Jalali Mahmood , Sadrzade-Yeganeh Haleh , Keshavarz Seyed Ali , Eshraghian Mohammad Reza , Bagheri Minoo , Emami Sara Seyed
Published: October 2014

Objective Our goal was to assess the effects of weight loss on antioxidant enzymes of red blood cells and it’s relation with vitamins A, E and C intake in 30 obese women. Subjects and methods General information, anthropometric measurements, 3-day food recall, and fasting blood samples were collected from 30 obese women at the beginning of the study and after 3 months intervention. Weight loss was set at about 10% of their weight before the intervention. Results Glutathione reductase and catalase activities showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) after weight reduction, but no significant changes were seen in the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. There was a positive linear correlation between daily vitamin C intake with superoxide dismutase enzyme after intervention (P = 0.004, r = 0.507). There was a negative linear correlation between vitamin E intake and glutathione peroxidase activity before intervention (P = 0.005, r = -0.5). A negative correlation was found between daily vitamin A intake and glutathione reductase enzyme before and after intervention (r = -0.385, r = -0.397, P < 0.05) respectively. No significant correlation was observed between vitamins A, C, E amounts and catalase activity. Conclusions Ten percent weight reduction can have a significant role in increasing antioxidant enzymes activities, especially glutathione reductase, and catalase enzymes in obese women. However, it is important to take into consideration a balanced amount of certain nutrients while administering a diet with limited energy.
Atitudes de usuários de restaurante "self-service": um risco a mais para a contaminação alimentar
Authors: Henriques Patricia , Barbosa Roseane Moreira Sampaio , Freitas Flávia Cristina Petrillo Won-Held , Lanzillotti Haydée Serrão
Published: October 2014

Objetivo: Avaliar as atitudes de risco dos usuários no momento em que se servem em restaurantes com distribuição "self-service" classes A e B. Métodos: Estudo exploratório realizado com técnica de observação não participante. Para seleção dos restaurantes utilizou-se dois critérios, o primeiro determinado pela variável valor do kg e o segundo utilizando atributos que podem classificar o tipo de serviço. Para avaliar as atitudes de risco dos usuários foi aplicado um instrumento de observação com 13 itens, no momento que os mesmos estavam se servindo. Resultados: Foram observadas as atitudes de risco de 373 usuários de restaurantes da classe A e 402 da classe B. Os itens que mais exprimem a atitude de risco no restaurante da classe A foram relativos a: "não higienizar as mãos antes de utilizar o 'self-service'", "conversar enquanto se servem", "utilizar utensílios de servir para arrumar os alimentos no prato". No restaurante da classe B observou-se que o percentual da atitude "não lavar as mãos" foi maior do que no restaurante da classe A. Em relação ao sexo, verificou-se que o item 1 ("não higienizar as mãos") apresentou percentual mais elevado no sexo masculino. Conclusão: As atitudes de risco dos usuários independem da classificação do restaurante, quando considerados o preço da refeição e o sexo, reforçando a necessidade de estratégias educativas para minimizar o risco de contaminação dos alimentos.
O poder de acessar a saúde: uma análise do acesso à saúde na etnia indígena Xukuru do Ororubá, Pesqueira (PE)
Authors: Azevedo Ana Lucia Martins de , Gurgel Idê Gomes Dantas , Tavares Maurício Antunes
Published: October 2014

O artigo analisou o acesso à saúde indígena em Pernambuco após a criação do Subsistema de Saúde Indígena, hoje gerido pela Secretaria Especial de Saúde Indígena do Ministério da Saúde (MS), tendo como foco o povo indígena Xukuru do Ororubá. A partir da sociologia de Pierre Bourdieu, foi realizado um estudo de caso buscando caracterizar as “relações de poder" como fator dinãmico associado ao acesso, utilizando-se entrevistas, grupos focais, análise documental e observação direta. Identificou-se que essas relações nos campos micro e macro da saúde indígena constituíram elementos importantes na garantia do acesso à saúde. A posição ocupada pelos indígenas nesse campo, resultado de longos anos de relações conflituosas com a sociedade e o Estado, alterna entre a subalternidade e a busca de autonomia, aspectos constituintes do habitus Xukuru que os orienta frente às necessidades de acessar a saúde. O exercício do poder no acesso à saúde foi associado aos diferentes tipos de capital ativos no campo da saúde indígena. O capital cultural étnico surgiu ora como elemento facilitador, ora dificultador do acesso, dependendo dos fatores dinãmicos e do espaço de relações que o requereram.
Resistance of Aedes aegypti to temephos and adaptive disadvantages
Authors: Diniz Morgana Michele Cavalcanti de Souza Leal , Henriques Alleksandra Dias da Silva , Leandro Renata da Silva , Aguiar Dalvanice Leal , Beserra Eduardo Barbosa
Published: October 2014

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the resistance of Aedes aegypti to temephos Fersol 1G (temephos 1% w/w) associated with the adaptive disadvantage of insect populations in the absence of selection pressure. METHODS A diagnostic dose of 0.28 mg a.i./L and doses between 0.28 mg a.i./L and 1.40 mg a.i./L were used. Vector populations collected between 2007 and 2008 in the city of Campina Grande, state of Paraíba, were evaluated. To evaluate competition in the absence of selection pressure, insect populations with initial frequencies of 20.0%, 40.0%, 60.0%, and 80.0% resistant individuals were produced and subjected to the diagnostic dose for two months. Evaluation of the development of aquatic and adult stages allowed comparison of the life cycles in susceptible and resistant populations and construction of fertility life tables. RESULTS No mortality was observed in Ae. aegypti populations subjected to the diagnostic dose of 0.28 mg a.i./L. The decreased mortality observed in populations containing 20.0%, 40.0%, 60.0%, and 80.0% resistant insects indicates that temephos resistance is unstable in the absence of selection pressure. A comparison of the life cycles indicated differences in the duration and viability of the larval phase, but no differences were observed in embryo development, sex ratio, adult longevity, and number of eggs per female. CONCLUSIONS The fertility life table results indicated that some populations had reproductive disadvantages compared with the susceptible population in the absence of selection pressure, indicating the presence of a fitness cost in populations resistant to temephos.
Proposal of a short-form version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale
Authors: Santos Leonardo Pozza dos , Lindemann Ivana Loraine , Motta Janaína Vieira dos Santos , Mintem Gicele , Bender Eliana , Gigante Denise Petrucci
Published: October 2014

OBJECTIVE To propose a short version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. METHODS Two samples were used to test the results obtained in the analyses in two distinct scenarios. One of the studies was composed of 230 low income families from Pelotas, RS, Southern Brazil, and the other was composed of 15,575 women, whose data were obtained from the 2006 National Survey on Demography and Health. Two models were tested, the first containing seven questions, and the second, the five questions that were considered the most relevant ones in the concordance analysis. The models were compared to the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, and the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy parameters were calculated, as well as the kappa agreement test. RESULTS Comparing the prevalence of food insecurity between the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale and the two models, the differences were around 2 percentage points. In the sensitivity analysis, the short version of seven questions obtained 97.8% and 99.5% in the Pelotas sample and in the National Survey on Demography and Health sample, respectively, while specificity was 100% in both studies. The five-question model showed similar results (sensitivity of 95.7% and 99.5% in the Pelotas sample and in the National Survey on Demography and Health sample, respectively). In the Pelotas sample, the kappa test of the seven-question version totaled 97.0% and that of the five-question version, 95.0%. In the National Survey on Demography and Health sample, the two models presented a 99.0% kappa. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that the model with five questions should be used as the short version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, as its results were similar to the original scale with a lower number of questions. This version needs to be administered to other populations in Brazil in order to allow for the adequate assessment of the validity parameters.
Steel and concrete bond stress: a contribution to the study of APULOT tests using concrete with rubber addition
Authors: Jacintho A. E. P. G. De Avila , Pimentel L. L. , Barbosa M. P. , Fontanini P. S. P.
Published: October 2014

The bond stress between steel and concrete is the essential condition to the good behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. To preview the use of concrete with waste incorporation for structural aims, the verification of its quality control is necessary, whether of compression strength and bond. This paper presents the study results about the viability use of APULOT tests, that is a bond tests, to prevent the compression strength of concrete with rubber addition. The purpose of APULOT tests become study in many laboratories in France and Brazil, where is to estimate the compression strength using the bond stress obtained in tests execute inside of building construction. Also the use of concrete with rubber addition to structural use has been made with safe because this kind of addition makes the concrete compression strength decrease. To study its compression strength behavior is also make part of this research. This work aims to contribute with standardization of APULOT tests, and also give conditions to use the concrete with rubber addition in structural elements with more safe.
Hypoxia Tolerance of Larvae and Pupae of the Semi-Terrestrial Caddisfly (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)
Authors: Cavallaro M C , Hoback W W
Published: October 2014

The caddisfly, Ironoquia plattensis Alexander and Whiles, is a benthic macroinvertebrate endemic to the backwater sloughs and prairie wetlands in central Nebraska. These areas are subject to spring rains which wane to subsequent drying, and I. plattensis larvae are adapted to this hydric cycle, partitioning time as larvae in water and on land. Flooding, especially soil flooding, causes severe hypoxia, and most terrestrial organisms that are trapped underwater drown in a short period of time. Shallow, warm waters (>30°C) and aquatic environments that receive high nutrients can also experience severe hypoxia as a result of algal blooms, decomposition, and high biological oxygen demand. We exposed aquatic larvae, terrestrial larvae, and pupae of I. plattensis to severely hypoxic water and found that pupae were most sensitive, having a lethal time to 50% mortality (LT50) of 3.14 and 7.67 h, at 20 and 10°C, respectively. Aquatic fifth instars had an LT50 of 44.17 and 74.21 h and terrestrial larvae survived 61.68 and 89.89 h, at 20 and 10°C, respectively. The hypoxia tolerance of terrestrial larval stages suggests an adaptation to flooding while the sensitivity of the pupal stage suggests that fall flooding could cause significant mortality.
Cyclosporine A Enhances Gingival β‐Catenin Stability via Wnt Signaling
Authors: Tu Hsiao‐Pei , Chen Yen‐Teen , Fu Earl , Shen E‐Chin , Wu Meng‐Hsun , Chen Yen‐Lin , Chiang Cheng‐Yang , Chiu Hsien‐Chung
Published: October 2014

Background: Cyclosporine A (CsA) increases β‐catenin messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression. The present study demonstrates that Wnt/β‐catenin signaling inhibits β‐catenin degradation in the gingiva.

Methods: Forty 5‐week‐old male Sprague‐Dawley rats were assigned to two study groups after healing from right maxillary molar extractions. The rats in the experimental group were fed 30 mg/kg CsA daily for 4 weeks, whereas the control rats were fed mineral oil. At the end of the study, all rats were sacrificed, and the gingivae were obtained. The gingival morphology after CsA treatment was evaluated by histology, and the genes related to Wnt/β‐catenin signaling were initially screened by microarray. Polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the mRNA and protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1, E‐cadherin, β‐catenin, Dvl‐1, glycogen synthase kinase‐3β, axin‐1, and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). Phosphoserine and ubiquitinylated β‐catenin were detected after immunoprecipitation.

Results: In rats treated with CsA, overgrowth of gingivae was observed, and altered expression of genes related to Wnt/β‐catenin signaling was detected by the microarray. The gingival mRNA and protein expression profiles for genes associated with Wnt/β‐catenin signaling further confirmed the effect of CsA: β‐catenin and Dvl‐1 expression increased, but APC and axin‐1 expression decreased. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry showed decreases in β‐catenin serine phosphorylation (33/37) and ubiquitinylation in the gingivae of CsA‐treated rats.

Conclusion: CsA‐enhanced gingival β‐catenin stability may be involved in gene upregulation or β‐catenin degradation via the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway.
Direct sewage filtration for concentration of organic matters by dynamic membrane
Authors: Gong Hui , Wang Xian , Zheng Mingxia , Jin Zhengyu , Wang Kaijun
Published: October 2014

Sewage treatment is experiencing a paradigm shift whereby sewage should be treated as a resource with maximum reuse of water, nutrients and energy. Concentration of sewage for organic matter enrichment is essential for improved energy recovery. In this study, the concentrating performance of direct sewage filtration by a dynamic membrane was investigated. A novel double-layer cloth-media membrane module was developed. A 50 μm Daron cloth was selected as inner layer and a 1 μm propene polymer cloth as outer layer. Quick formation of the dynamic membrane was observed and it agreed with the complete blocking model. The results of continuous-flow experiments showed that chemical oxygen demand (COD) was concentrated to about 4500 mg/L within nine operation cycles in 70 hours. Trans-membrane pressure increased quickly to 80 kPa at the end of each cycle. Theoretical concentrating efficiency (η) was 77% and the carbon balance calculation showed 70.7% COD was retained in the reactor during the concentrating process. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the cake layer was almost completely removed after physical cleaning and the gel layer was not remarkable. A sequencing sewage concentrating process was proposed for long-term operation.
Removal of sulfur compounds from petroleum reﬁnery wastewater through adsorption on modified activated carbon
Authors: Ben Hariz Ichrak , Al Ayni Foued , Monser Lotfi
Published: October 2014

The adsorption of sulfur compounds from petroleum refinery wastewater on a chemically modified activated carbon (MAC) was investigated. The modification technique (nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide and thermal modification) enhanced the removal capacity of carbon and therefore decreases cost-effective removal of sulfide from refinery wastewater. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetics data were determined for sulfur removal from real reﬁnery wastewater. The data were evaluated according to several adsorption isotherm and kinetics models. The Freundlich isotherm fitted well with the equilibrium data of sulfur on different adsorbents, whereas the kinetics data were best fitted by the pseudo-second-order model. Insights of sulfide removal mechanisms indicated that the sorption was controlled through the intraparticle diffusion mechanism with a significant contribution of film diffusion. The MAC adsorbent was found to have an effective removal capacity of approximately 2.5 times that of non-modified carbon. Using different MAC, sulfides were eliminated with a removal capacity of 52 mg g−1. Therefore, MAC can be utilized as an effective and less expensive adsorbent for the reduction of sulfur in refinery wastewater.
Characteristics of arsenate removal from water by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)
Authors: Li Jie , Wu Yi-nan , Li Zehua , Zhu Miao , Li Fengting
Published: October 2014

Contamination of arsenic in groundwater and surface water occurs frequently across the globe, requiring an effective purification technology. Among the common technologies, the adsorption method is widely used for the merits of low cost and easy operation. Nevertheless, the development of efficient adsorbents remains one of the central challenges in this field. In this article, one kind of typical porous metal–organic framework material (MIL-53(Al)) was explored for the removal of arsenate from water. MIL-53(Al) has a maximum removal capacity of 105.6 mg/g and a conditional capacity of 15.4 mg/g at a low equilibrium concentration (10 μg/L). The optimum initial pH value is 8.0. Except for PO43−, other coexisting anions do not show a notable influence on the adsorption capacity of MIL-53(Al). In general, MIL-53(Al) is a promising new material for arsenate removal from water. Investigation of the effects of electrical charges, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra revealed that electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bond might be involved in the adsorption process of arsenate onto MIL-53(Al).
The Awareness of Mortality: Continuing Kastenbaum's Developmental Legacy
Authors: Doka Kenneth J.
Published: October 2014

Kastenbaum's work had a strong developmental perspective. In fact, one of his first pieces explored the ways that adolescents experienced death. This article continues Kastenbaum's developmental perspective by considering the ways that a personal sense of mortality generally develops in adulthood as mid-life adults face the deaths of parents and peers as well as the inevitable signs of senescence.
Loss and Mourning in the Jewish Tradition
Authors: Rubin Simon Shimshon
Published: October 2014

Robert Kastenbaum was a man who helped reintroduce issues related to death, dying, and bereavement to academic, clinical, and general discourse. This article, devoted to an encounter with the observance of mourning custom and ritual in the Jewish tradition, continues the dialogue in this journal that Bob founded. The article utilizes the Two-Track Model of Bereavement to address the Jewish tradition's structuring of the loss experience. After a brief introduction, I present a schematic presentation of some of the issues operant in grief and mourning for the believer. This is followed by two responses to loss that portray the pain of loss in the tradition. The article goes on to consider the Jewish time cycle of response to loss—from preburial Aninut, to Shiva, the first week, to Shloshim, the first month, to Shanah, the first year, to the expectations for encounters across the life cycle. The Yizkor and Kaddish are also considered. In the Jewish tradition, alongside attention to what level of functioning to require of the bereaved, there are lifelong opportunities to rework and maintain connection to the memories, associations, narratives, and experiences that comprise the psychological organization of the continuing bond and relationship to the deceased.
Continuing Bonds, Society, and Human Experience: Family Dead, Hostile Dead, Political Dead
Authors: Klass Dennis
Published: October 2014

In most times and places, the focus of continuing bonds is on the well-being and activity of the dead that are linked to the well-being and activity of the living. In this article we describe continuing bonds across cultures by focusing on the dead. Three relationships between the living and the dead organize our thinking. First, the family dead in which living and dead offer help to each other. Second, the hostile dead that threaten the well being of the living. Third, the political dead in which the living enlisting the dead in political conflicts, and the dead motivate the living to battle on their behalf. Shifting the focus this way allows us to see that continuing bonds play important roles in larger narratives as well as in individual and family narratives.
Communicating with the Dead: Timeless Insights and Interventions from the Arts
Authors: Bertman Sandra L.
Published: October 2014

T. S. Eliot's profound poetic insight says it all: “We shall not cease from exploration/And the end of all exploring/Will be to arrive where we started/And know the place for the first time.” Nothing is static. Nothing is “new,” and yet “knowing it for the first time” as Eliot suggests, is the precious paradox that refutes the idea that we must break our bonds with the dead in order to heal. Long before the “continuing bonds” term was coined, the arts—literary, visual, musical—have been grappling with the ongoing relationships between the living and the dead. This article illuminates provocative examples of this communication from the expressive side of human nature and offers commentary intended to stimulate further observation and reflection.
Comparison of drug release and mechanical properties of tramadol-hydrochloride matrix tablets prepared with selected hydrophilic polymers
Authors: Nikolic Nenad , Medarevic Djordje , Djuris Jelena , Vasiljevic Dragana
Published: October 2014

This study investigates using of high molecular weight hydrophilic polymers,
hypromellose and hydroxypropylcellulose, for the preparation of sustained
release matrix tablets containing high dose, highly soluble drug, tramadol
HCl. Proportion of polymer, type of insoluble filler, proportion of tramadol
HCl, amount of drug in the tablet and compression pressure were recognized as
critical formulation and process parameters and their influence on drug
release and tablet mechanical properties was evaluated. Tensile strength was
used as indicator of mechanical properties of the tablets. Experiments were
performed with utilization of compaction simulator as a device which
simulates compaction profiles of large scale rotary tablet presses. In
formulations with both polymers proportion of tramadol HCl was the most
critical formulation parameter wherein increasing of the tramadol HCl
proportion increased its release rate in early stages of drug release.
Regarding the tablet mechanical characteristics, the influence of the filler
type has the most pronounced effect in formulations with both polymers.
Higher tensile strengths were obtained with Avicel PH 102 as filler in
formulations with both HPMC and HPC.
Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract from cultivated strawberries’ leaves (Fragariae folium)
Authors: Stanojevic Ljiljana , Stanojevic Jelena , Cvetkovic Dragan , Cakic Milorad , Ilic Dusica
Published: October 2014

Strawberry is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae,
tribe Potentilleae) in the genus Fragaria. The cultivated varieties of
commercial strawberries usually were designated as Fragaria ananassa. Root,
leaf, flower and fruit have the healing properties. The strawberry leaves
extract is used for blood cleaning, for treatment of oral inflammation,
diarrhea, various gastro-intestinal inflammation, and hemorrhoids, as well as
a diuretic. So far, many positive biological effects of strawberries
(anticancer, antioxidant and anticoagulant effect) have been proven. The
purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of ethanolic
extract from cultivated strawberries (Fragariae folium, varieties Senga
Sengana) by using different antioxidant assays (DPPH, FRAP, FIC, H2O2 and
TBA-MDA). Ethanolic extract from strawberry leaves was obtained by reflux
extraction at the boiling temperature. Total phenols and total flavonoids
content was determined spectrophotometrically by the method of
Folin-Ciocalteu and by method with AlCl3, respectively. In the extract was
determined high content of total phenols, while the total flavonoid content
is much lower. The concentrations of extract required to neutralize 50% of
the initial concentration of DPPH radicals (EC50) after 20 minutes incubation
and immediately after adding DPPH radical solution were 7,91 and 19,46
?gcm-3, respectively. Extract was achieved the maximum iron ions chelating
ability (67.89%) at a concentration of 2 mgcm-3. Inhibition of lipid
peroxidation of 70% was achieved by extract concentration of 0.03125 mgcm-3,
while the maximum neutralization of H2O2 (30.47%) was achieved by extract
concentration of 0.5 mgcm-3. FRAP value of the investigated extract is 284.51
mgFe/g of dry extract. Presented results of the antioxidant activity show
that the obtained extract from the cultivated strawberry leaves is a
potential source of natural antioxidants.
Targeted Disruption of the SUCNR1 Metabolic Receptor Leads to Dichotomous Effects on Obesity
Authors: McCreath Kenneth J. , Espada Sandra , Gálvez Beatriz G. , Benito Marina , de Molina Antonio , Sepúlveda Pilar , Cervera Ana M.
Published: October 2014

A number of metabolites have signaling properties by acting through G-protein–coupled receptors. Succinate, a Krebs cycle intermediate, increases after dysregulated energy metabolism and can bind to its cognate receptor succinate receptor 1 (Sucnr1, or GPR91) to activate downstream signaling pathways. We show that Sucnr1 is highly expressed in the white adipose tissue (WAT) compartment of mice and regulates adipose mass and glucose homeostasis. Sucnr1−/− mice were generated, and weight gain was monitored under basal and nutritional stress (high-fat diet [HFD]) conditions. On chow diet, Sucnr1−/− mice had increased energy expenditure, were lean with a smaller WAT compartment, and had improved glucose buffering. Lipolysis measurements revealed that Sucnr1−/− mice were released from succinate-induced inhibition of lipolysis, demonstrating a function of Sucnr1 in adipose tissue. Sucnr1 deletion also protected mice from obesity on HFD, but only during the initial period; at later stages, body weight of HFD-fed Sucnr1−/− mice was almost comparable with wild-type (WT) mice, but WAT content was greater. Also, these mice became progressively hyperglycemic and failed to secrete insulin, although pancreas architecture was similar to WT mice. These findings suggest that Sucnr1 is a sensor for dietary energy and raise the interesting possibility that protocols to modulate Sucnr1 might have therapeutic utility in the setting of obesity.