bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Disparities in Cost of Care in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Gilligan Adrienne M. , Malone Daniel C. , Warholak Terri L. , Armstrong Edward P.
Published: November 2012

Objectives:

To investigate health disparities with respect to cost of care across 4 state Medicaid populations.

Methods:

Data were obtained from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for this retrospective study. Patients were enrolled in a California, Florida, New Jersey, or New York Medicaid programs during 2004, with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease ( International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision 331.0). Outcome of interest was cost of care. Decomposition of cost to calculate disparities was estimated using the Oaxaca-Blinder model. An a priori α level of .01 was used.

Results:

Approximately 158 974 individuals qualified for this study. Disparities were found to exist between blacks and whites (with blacks having higher costs; P < .0001), whites and others (with whites having higher costs; P < .0001), blacks and Hispanics (with blacks having higher costs; P < .0001), blacks and others (with blacks having higher costs; P < .0001), and Hispanics and others (with Hispanics having higher costs; P < .0001).

Conclusions:

Disparities in cost among minority-to-minority populations were just as prevalent, if not higher, than minority–white disparities.
ERP, Medication, and Brief Hospitalization in the Treatment of an Adolescent With Severe BDD
Authors: Burrows Rachel D. , Slavec Janine J. , Nangle Douglas W. , O’Grady April C.
Published: November 2012

This article describes the 2-year treatment of a 14-year-old girl suffering from severe body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD). Treatment consisted of twice-weekly sessions of exposure with response prevention (ERP), medication (fluoxetine), and a brief hospitalization for crisis stabilization. Continual (weekly) monitoring indicated significant reductions in daily obsessions and time spent in ritual. In addition, school attendance increased and scores on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS), Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination (BDDE), and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) decreased. Gains were maintained at follow-up. At termination, the client met criteria for partial remission status as defined by Phillips, Pagano, Menard, and Stout. This case adds to the BDD treatment literature by evaluating the long-term effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention, as implemented in a naturalistic setting with an adolescent, and suggests that combination treatment may be required to reduce distress and to produce lasting changes in functioning.
Usefulness of prestudy assessment of patient willingness to undergo tissue biopsy for correlative studies in a melanoma vaccine trial
Authors: Judge Joshua M , Chianese-Bullock Kimberly A , Schroen Anneke T , Slingluff Craig L
Published: November 2012

Background

Performing biopsies for correlative studies in cancer trials raises ethical and regulatory concerns and may impact trial accrual negatively. However, strategies to address these concerns remain largely unexplored.

Purpose

We sought to assess the perceived risk of mandatory tissue biopsies to be performed for research purposes as part of a clinical trial of a melanoma vaccine by administering a pretrial accrual assessment questionnaire in the population of interest. Furthermore, we explored how such survey data may be used to address potential concerns of regulatory and funding organizations that may not be able to assess the risks of those biopsies.

Method

A total of 91 melanoma patients, similar to potential participants in a melanoma vaccine pilot study, scored their willingness, on a 9-point Likert scale, to participate in vaccine trials involving no skin biopsy versus a skin biopsy resulting in a 3-, 6-, or 12-cm scar. The vaccine trial was performed with skin biopsies leaving a 6-cm scar. Accrual rate was assessed and that accrual was compared to the accrual of two similar vaccine trials without biopsy requirements.

Results

A total of 95% of the participants expressed willingness to enter a vaccine trial (likely to highly likely). This proportion decreased to 74%, 63%, and 59%, respectively, for vaccine trials requiring skin biopsy leaving a 3-, 6-, or 12-cm scar. The trial was designed with an estimated 40% decrease in accrual rate compared to prior studies (2 participants expected/month). The resulting trial with a 6-cm biopsy exceeded that accrual rate estimate and had a similar accrual rate to vaccine trials without a biopsy (4.1 vs 2.7–4.6 participants/month).

Limitations

Potential limitations of this study include the exclusion of some questionnaire responses and the post hoc nature of the analysis.

Conclusion

Willingness to participate in vaccine trials was decreased by the requirement for skin biopsy, but the size of the biopsy was less of a deterrent than expected. Findings from brief surveys may aid in risk assessment during regulatory review, predict acceptability of tissue collection for correlative studies, and support regulatory approval and meeting accrual goals of the study.
‘Reality must improve’: The perversity of expertise and the belatedness of Indian development television
Authors: Mazzarella William
Published: November 2012

This essay argues against reducing the recent history of global television to an oversimplified transition between ‘statist’ and ‘consumerist’ dispensations. As apparently irreconcilable ideologies of television, the statist and consumerist models represent two ways of imagining the relation between the deployment of media and the project of modernity. Despite their surface differences, both share a tendency to imagine television in primarily ‘representative’ rather than ‘constitutive’ terms: they both evaluate television according to its ability to represent or address supposedly pre-existing publics, as opposed to its power to help constitute those very publics. I develop the question of the constitutive potential of television by reconsidering a decade of Indian television history – the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s – that is generally dismissed as a transitional phase between statist and consumerist paradigms. Through a discussion that is empirically grounded in the Indian experience, I propose categories that might inform comparative explorations of media and modernity in an age of globalization.
Multiple modernities and mass communications in Muslim countries
Authors: Kamali Masoud
Published: November 2012

The concept of multiple modernities is increasingly influential in mainly Western academic circles. Although the multiple modernities thesis challenges established West-centric understandings of the modern world, it also risks praising ‘the modern’ as the end of history and our preordained destiny. Multiple modernities’ global history cannot be separated from the colonialism, slavery, wars and exploitation that have formed our modern world and its inequalities. The multiple modernities thesis also illuminates a cultural and religious battlefield in which a Western concept of linear modernity, with a ‘developmental path’ that should be followed by all countries, is highly contested. The division of societies into the dichotomous categories of modern versus traditional – a legacy of the ‘grand narratives’ of classical social theory – also creates the foundation for other divisions, including the dichotomy of the modern Christian ‘Us’ versus the traditional Muslim ‘Them’. Such West-centric history-telling is part of a field of cultural authority in which the battle over the right to shape the past and present of various societies is taking place. There is no singular model of modernity; global modernization programs and processes have taken place in a variety of cultural and political environments, creating multiple models of modernity. This article critically explores the shortcomings of the West-centric theory of singular modernity. By focusing on the modern transformation of mass communication in Muslim countries, it argues that both traditional means of mass communication, such as manbars, and modern media, such as newspapers and tape recorders, have been used effectively for mobilization of masses by revolutionary Muslim groups. It also argues that Islam is not incompatible with modernity or democracy, and that Islamic groups have been an integral part of modern democratic developments in Muslim countries.
Compressed modernity in South China
Authors: Kit-wai Ma Eric
Published: November 2012

This article examines the changing role of Hong Kong in what I propose as the formation of a compressed modernity in South China. In the 1980s through the 1990s, the Hong Kong liberal mediascape was over-spilling onto many developing cities in south China, fueling the desire for modernity among the people in the region. Since the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the Greater Pearl River Delta, in which Hong Kong is a small but influential city, has become increasingly interconnected socially, culturally and in terms of infrastructure. The formation of this ‘compressed modernity’ is illustrated by four case studies. In case one, a magazine had become the site of imagining modernity via the representations of Hong Kong society in the 1980s. In case two, a television drama in the 1990s vividly expressed the longing for knowledge of the capitalistic market. Case three is an ethnographic study of a toy factory in South China, which, in the 2000s, was managed by Hong Kong managers equipped with modern skills of marketing, logistics, and international trade. Case four is another ethnographic study, this time of a disco bar, which demonstrates the juxtaposition of the lifeworlds of the working class and the consumerist lifestyle of the rising middle class in the region. The ‘compressed modernity’, as illustrated by these cases and theorized in this article, has multiple socio-cultural layers juxtaposed against each other, rendering it a social formation very different from popular versions of modernity in developed countries.
Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Galante Julieta , Iribarren Sarah J. , Pearce Patricia F.
Published: November 2012

Objective

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a programme developed to prevent depression relapse, but has been applied for other disorders. Our objective was to systematically review and meta-analyse the evidence on the effectiveness and safety of MBCT for the treatment of mental disorders.

Methods

Searches were completed in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, PsychINFO, and PsycEXTRA in March 2011 using a search strategy with the terms ‘mindfulness-based cognitive therapy’, ‘mindfulness’, and ‘randomised controlled trials’ without time restrictions. Selection criteria of having a randomised controlled trial design, including patients diagnosed with mental disorders, using MBCT according to the authors who developed MBCT and providing outcomes that included changes in mental health were used to assess 608 reports. Two reviewers applied the pre-determined selection criteria and extracted the data into structured tables. Meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses were completed.

Results

Eleven studies were included. Most of them evaluated depression and compared additive MBCT against usual treatment. After 1 year of follow-up MBCT reduced the rate of relapse in patients with three or more previous episodes of depression by 40% (5 studies, relative risk [95% confidence interval]: 0.61 [0.48, 0.79]). Other meta-analysed outcomes were depression and anxiety, both with significant results but unstable in sensitivity analyses. Methodological quality of the reports was moderate.

Conclusion

Based on this review and meta-analyses, MBCT is an effective intervention for patients with three or more previous episodes of major depression.
A new algorithm for variance-based importance measures and importance kernel sensitivity
Authors: Zhou Changcong , Lu Zhenzhou , Li Guijie
Published: November 2012

Variance-based importance measure has proven itself as an effective tool to reflect the effects of input variables on the output. Owing to the desirable properties, researchers have paid lots of attention to improving efficiency in computing a variance-based importance measure. Based on the theory of point estimate, this article proposes a new algorithm, decomposing the importance measure into inner and outer parts, and computing each part with a point estimate method. In order to discuss the impacts on the variance-based importance measure from distribution parameters of input variables, a new concept of kernel sensitivity of the variance-based importance measure is put forward, with solving algorithms respectively, based on numerical simulation and point estimate established as well. For cases where the performance function with independent and normally distributed input variables is expressed by a linear or quadratic polynomial without cross-terms, analytical results of the variance-based importance measure and the kernel sensitivity are derived. Numerical and engineering examples have been employed to illustrate the applicability of the proposed concept and algorithm.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Elbow
Authors: Sampath Srinath C. , Sampath Srihari C. , Bredella Miriam A.
Published: November 2012

Context:

The elbow is a complex joint and commonly injured in athletes. Evaluation of the elbow by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important adjunct to the physical examination. To facilitate accurate diagnosis, a concise structured approach to evaluation of the elbow by MRI is presented.

Evidence Acquisition:

A PubMed search was performed using the terms elbow and MR imaging. No limits were set on the range of years searched. Articles were reviewed for relevance with an emphasis of the MRI appearance of normal anatomy and common pathology of the elbow.

Results:

The spectrum of common elbow disorders varies from obvious acute fractures to chronic overuse injuries whose imaging manifestations can be subtle. MRI evaluation should include bones; lateral, medial, anterior, and posterior muscle groups; the ulnar and radial collateral ligaments; as well as nerves, synovium, and bursae. Special attention should be paid to the valgus extension overload syndrome and the MRI appearance of associated injuries when evaluating throwing athletes.

Conclusion:

MRI evaluation of the elbow should follow a structured approach to facilitate thoroughness, accuracy, and speed. Such an approach should cover bone, cartilage, muscle, tendons, ligaments, synovium, bursae, and nerves.
Morality in the Mountains
Authors: Laurendeau Jason , Moroz Sara
Published: November 2012

In this article, we analyze Canadian newspaper coverage of recent events in which backcountry adventurers have found themselves in need of assistance from rescue organizations. We interrogate discourses of risk and responsibility, exploring the ways in which the media constructs these backcountry enthusiasts as responsible to and for specific (e.g., family) and generalized (e.g., society) others. These discourses, we argue, produce and reproduce neoliberal notions of risk management, constructing citizens as responsible for managing their “risk profiles.”
SNPEVG: a graphical tool for GWAS graphing with mouse clicks
Authors: Wang Shengwen , Dvorkin Daniel , Da Yang
Published: November 2012

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generate large quantities of tests results. Global and local graphical viewing of the test results is an effective approach to digest and interpret GWAS results.

Results

SNPEVG is a set of graphical tools for instant global and local viewing and graphing of GWAS results for all chromosomes and for each trait. The current version includes three programs, SNPEVG1, SNPEVG2 and SNPEVG3. SNPEVG1 is a graphical tool for SNP effect viewing of P-values allowing multiple traits. The total number of graphs that can be generated by one ‘Run’ is n(c + 2), where n is number of ‘traits’ with 0 < n ≤ 100, and c is the number of chromosomes. SNP effect viewing and graphing is accomplished through a user friendly graphical user interface (GUI) that provides a wide-range of options for the user to choose. The GUI can produce the Manhattan plot, the Q-Q plot of all SNP effects, and graphs for SNP effects by chromosome by clicking one command. Any or all the graphs can be saved with publication quality by clicking one command. SNPEVG2 is for the viewing and graphing of multiple traits on the same graph with options to graph any or all of the traits, customizable colors and user specified Y1 or Y2 axis for each traits. The SNPEVG3 program uses the output file of single-locus test results from the epiSNP computer package as the input file. Each chromosome figure can display three genetic effects (genotypic, additive and dominance effects), and the number of observations.

Conclusions

The SNPEVG package is a versatile, flexible and efficient graphical tool for rapid digestion of large quantities of GWAS results with mouse clicks.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis of roots of contrasting Gossypium herbaceum genotypes revealing adaptation to drought
Authors: Ranjan Alok , Pandey Neha , Lakhwani Deepika , Dubey Neeraj Kumar , Pathre Uday V , Sawant Samir V
Published: November 2012

Background

Root length and its architecture govern the adaptability of plants to various stress conditions, including drought stress. Genetic variations in root growth, length, and architecture are genotypes dependent. In this study, we compared the drought-induced transcriptome of four genotypes of Gossypium herbaceum that differed in their drought tolerance adaptability. Three different methodologies, namely, microarray, pyrosequencing, and qRT–PCR, were used for transcriptome analysis and validation.

Results

The variations in root length and growth were found among four genotypes of G.herbaceum when exposed to mannitol-induced osmotic stress. Under osmotic stress, the drought tolerant genotypes Vagad and GujCot-21 showed a longer root length than did by drought sensitive RAHS-14 and RAHS-IPS-187. Further, the gene expression patterns in the root tissue of all genotypes were analyzed. We obtained a total of 794 differentially expressed genes by microarray and 104928 high-quality reads representing 53195 unigenes from the root transcriptome. The Vagad and GujCot-21 respond to water stress by inducing various genes and pathways such as response to stresses, response to water deprivation, and flavonoid pathways. Some key regulatory genes involved in abiotic stress such as AP2 EREBP, MYB, WRKY, ERF, ERD9, and LEA were highly expressed in Vagad and GujCot-21. The genes RHD3, NAP1, LBD, and transcription factor WRKY75, known for root development under various stress conditions, were expressed specifically in Vagad and GujCot-21. The genes related to peroxidases, transporters, cell wall-modifying enzymes, and compatible solutes (amino acids, amino sugars, betaine, sugars, or sugar alcohols) were also highly expressed in Vagad and Gujcot-21.

Conclusion

Our analysis highlights changes in the expression pattern of genes and depicts a small but highly specific set of drought responsive genes induced in response to drought stress. Some of these genes were very likely to be involved in drought stress signaling and adaptation, such as transmembrane nitrate transporter, alcohol dehydrogenase, pyruvate decarboxylase, sucrose synthase, and LEA. These results might serve as the basis for an in-depth genomics study of Gossypium herbaceum, including a comparative transcriptome analysis and the selection of genes for root traits and drought tolerance.
Disruption of the alox5ap gene ameliorates focal ischemic stroke: possible consequence of impaired leukotriene biosynthesis
Authors: Ström Jakob O , Strid Tobias , Hammarström Sven
Published: November 2012

Background

Leukotrienes are potent inflammatory mediators, which in a number of studies have been found to be associated with ischemic stroke pathology: gene variants affecting leukotriene synthesis, including the FLAP (ALOX5AP) gene, have in human studies shown correlation to stroke incidence, and animal studies have demonstrated protective properties of various leukotriene-disrupting drugs. However, no study has hitherto described a significant effect of a genetic manipulation of the leukotriene system on ischemic stroke. Therefore, we decided to compare the damage from focal cerebral ischemia between wild type and FLAP knockout mice. Damage was evaluated by infarct staining and a functional test after middle cerebral artery occlusion in 20 wild type and 20 knockout male mice.

Results

Mortality-adjusted median infarct size was 18.4 (3.2-76.7) mm3in the knockout group, compared to 72.0 (16.7-174.0) mm3in the wild type group (p < 0.0005). There was also a tendency of improved functional score in the knockout group (p = 0.068). Analysis of bone marrow cells confirmed that knockout animals had lost their ability to form leukotrienes.

Conclusions

Since the local inflammatory reaction after ischemic stroke is known to contribute to the brain tissue damage, the group difference seen in the current study could be a consequence of a milder inflammatory reaction in the knockout group. Our results add evidence to the notion that leukotrienes are important in ischemic stroke, and that blocked leukotriene production ameliorates cerebral damage.
Transcriptome analysis of intraspecific competition in Arabidopsis thalianareveals organ-specific signatures related to nutrient acquisition and general stress response pathways
Authors: Masclaux Frédéric G , Bruessow Friederike , Schweizer Fabian , Gouhier-Darimont Caroline , Keller Laurent , Reymond Philippe
Published: November 2012

Background

Plants are sessile and therefore have to perceive and adjust to changes in their environment. The presence of neighbours leads to a competitive situation where resources and space will be limited. Complex adaptive responses to such situation are poorly understood at the molecular level.

Results

Using microarrays, we analysed whole-genome expression changes in Arabidopsis thaliana plants subjected to intraspecific competition. The leaf and root transcriptome was strongly altered by competition. Differentially expressed genes were enriched in genes involved in nutrient deficiency (mainly N, P, K), perception of light quality, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Interestingly, performance of the generalist insect Spodoptera littoralis on densely grown plants was significantly reduced, suggesting that plants under competition display enhanced resistance to herbivory.

Conclusions

This study provides a comprehensive list of genes whose expression is affected by intraspecific competition in Arabidopsis. The outcome is a unique response that involves genes related to light, nutrient deficiency, abiotic stress, and defence responses.
Association between unemployment rates and prescription drug utilization in the United States, 2007–2010
Authors: Kozman Daniel , Graziul Christopher , Gibbons Robert , Alexander G Caleb
Published: November 2012

Background

While extensive evidence suggests that the economic recession has had far reaching effects on many economic sectors, little is known regarding its impact on prescription drug utilization. The purpose of this study is to describe the association between state-level unemployment rates and retail sales of seven therapeutic classes (statins, antidepressants, antipsychotics, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, opiates, phosphodiesterase [PDE] inhibitors and oral contraceptives) in the United States.

Methods

Using a retrospective mixed ecological design, we examined retail prescription sales using IMS Health Xponent™ from September 2007 through July 2010, and we used the Bureau of Labor Statistics to derive population-based rates and mixed-effects modeling with state-level controls to examine the association between unemployment and utilization. Our main outcome measure was state-level utilization per 100,000 people for each class.

Results

Monthly unemployment levels and rates of use of each class varied substantially across the states. There were no statistically significant associations between use of ACE inhibitors or SSRIs/SNRIs and average unemployment in analyses across states, while for opioids and PDE inhibitors there were small statistically significant direct associations, and for the remaining classes inverse associations. Analyses using each state as its own control collectively exhibited statistically significant positive associations between increases in unemployment and prescription drug utilization for five of seven areas examined. This relationship was greatest for statins (on average, a 4% increase in utilization per 1% increased unemployment) and PDE inhibitors (3% increase in utilization per 1% increased unemployment), and lower for oral contraceptives and atypical antipsychotics.

Conclusion

We found no evidence of an association between increasing unemployment and decreasing prescription utilization, suggesting that any effects of the recent economic recession have been mitigated by other market forces.
Validation of the functional assessment of cancer therapy-gastric module for the Chinese population
Authors: Zhou Hui Jun , So Jimmy BY , Yong Wei Peng , Luo Nan , Zhu Feng , Naidoo Nasheen , Li Shu Chuen , Yeoh Khay Guan
Published: November 2012

Background

Quality of life (QoL) assessment has become an important aspect of the clinical management of gastric cancer (GC), which poses a greater health threat in Chinese populations around the world. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gastric Module (FACT-Ga), a questionnaire developed specifically to measure QoL of patients with GC, has never been validated in Chinese subjects. The current study was designed to examine the psychometric properties of FACT-Ga as a GC specific QoL instrument for its future use in Chinese populations.

Methods

A sample of 67 Chinese patients with GC in the National University Hospital, Singapore was investigated cross-sectionally. The participants independently completed either English or Chinese versions of the FACT-Ga and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). Reliability was measured as the Cronbach’s α for EQ-5D, and five subscale scores and two total scores of FACT-Ga. The sensitivity to patients’ clinical status was evaluated by comparing EQ-5D and FACT-Ga scores between clinical subgroups classified by Clinical Stage and Treatment Intent. The construct validity of FACT-Ga was assessed internally by examining the item-to-scale correlations and externally by contrasting the FACT-Ga subscales with the EQ-5D domains.

Results

For both FACT-Ga and EQ-5D, patients treated with curative intent rated their QoL higher than those treated for palliation, and early stage patients scored higher than those in the late stage. The sensitivity to clinical status of FACT-Ga scores were differential as four of seven FACT-Ga scores were significant for Treatment Intent while only one subscale score was significant for Clinical Stage. Six FACT-Ga scores had Cronbach’s α of 0.8 or above indicating excellent reliability. For construct validity, 45 of 46 items converged about their respective subscales. The monotrait-multimethod correlations between QoL constructs of FACT-Ga and EQ-5D were stronger than the multitrait-multimethod correlations as theoretically hypothesized, suggesting good convergent and discriminant validities.

Conclusions

Given the excellent reliability and good construct validity, FACT-Ga scores are able to distinguish patient groups with different clinical characteristics in the expected direction. Therefore FACT-Ga can be used as a discriminative instrument for measuring QoL of Chinese patients with GC.
Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on sleep quality in high voltage substations
Authors: Barsam Tayebeh , Monazzam Mohammad Reza , Haghdoost Ali Akbar , Ghotbi Mohammad Reza , Dehghan Somayeh Farhang
Published: November 2012

This study aims to investigate the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on sleep quality in high voltage substations (132, 230 and 400 KV) in Kerman city and the suburbs. For this purpose, the electric field intensity and magnetic flux density were measured in different parts of substations, and then the occupational exposure was estimated by averaging electric field intensity and magnetic flux density in a shift work. The cases comprised 67 workers who had been exposed to electromagnetic fields in age range of 24–57 and the controls were 110 persons the age ranged 24–50 years. Sleep quality of both groups was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI). Finally, these data were subjected to statistical analysis. The results indicated that 90.5% of cases and 85.3% of controls had the poor quality sleep according to PSQI (P-value=0.615). Total sleep quality score mean for the case and control groups were 10.22 ± 3.4 and 9.74 ± 3.62 (P-value=0.415) ,respectively. Meantime to fall asleep for cases(35.68 ± 26.25 min) was significantly higher than for controls (28.89 ± 20.18 min) (P-value=0.002). Cases had average sleep duration of 5.49 ± 1.31 hours, which was lower ascompared with control subjects (5.90 ± 1.67hours). Although there was a higher percentage for the case group with poor sleep quality than the control group, but no statistically significant difference was observed.
The pupylation pathway and its role in mycobacteria
Authors: Barandun Jonas , Delley Cyrille L , Weber-Ban Eilika
Published: November 2012

Pupylation is a post-translational protein modification occurring in actinobacteria through which the small, intrinsically disordered protein Pup (prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein) is conjugated to lysine residues of proteins, marking them for proteasomal degradation. Although functionally related to ubiquitination, pupylation is carried out by different enzymes that are evolutionarily linked to bacterial carboxylate-amine ligases. Here, we compare the mechanism of Pup-conjugation to target proteins with ubiquitination, describe the evolutionary emergence of pupylation and discuss the importance of this pathway for survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the host.
Comparison of efficacy between incretin-based therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nisal Kaustubh , Kela Ram , Khunti Kamlesh , Davies Melanie J
Published: November 2012

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is widely prevalent and is often coexistent with obesity. Many of the available treatment options have side effects such as weight gain which often affect patient's willingness to continue the treatment. Effective weight loss, lack of significant hypoglycaemia, and favourable cardiometabolic profile make Incretin based therapies an attractive treatment option for type 2 diabetes. Incretin based therapies are available as either incretin mimetics (also called GLP-1 agonists) or incretin enhancers (DPP-4 inhibitors). Although agents in both these classes of incretin based therapy are effective through a common GLP-1 pathway, there are many differences amongst them including the route of administration, frequency of administration, effects on body weight, extent of glycaemic improvement. There are several trials evaluating these individual incretin based agents either as monotherapy or in combination with other anti-diabetic agents, however very few have looked into direct comparison amongst the agents in these two classes. This review is aimed to look at important mechanistic differences between incretin mimetics and enhancers through direct comparison trials and impact of these differences on biochemical, metabolic and patient satisfaction parameters.
A teenager with uncontrolled hypertension: a case report
Authors: Chowdhury Abdul Wadud , Hasan ATM Hasibul , Kabir SME Jahan , Sabah KM Nurus
Published: November 2012

Background

Takayasu Arteritis is a vasculitis occurring mostly in young females which may present in diverse ways. Here we report a teenager with Takayasu Arteritis who presented with uncontrolled hypertension. This case depicts an atypical presentation of this disease where the girl visited many physicians for controlling the level of hypertension and put a diagnostic dilemma about the underlying etiology of young hypertension.

Case presentation

A 13 year old girl presented with epistaxis, persistent headache and uncontrolled hypertension. Her clinical examination revealed normal radial, very feeble femoral and absent other lower limb pulses. There was a blood pressure discrepancy of 50/40 mm of Hg between two arms. There were bruits over multiple areas including the abdominal aorta. She had features of left ventricular hypertrophy. Her Arch aortogram showed hugely dilated arch of aorta which became abruptly normal just after origin of left subclavian artery. There was ostio-proximal stenosis of right bracheocephalic artery, left common carotid and left subclavian artery with post stenotic dilatation of all the vessels. Abdominal aortogram revealed critical stenosis of abdominal aorta above the origin of renal arteries with a pressure gradient of 80/11 mm of Hg.

Conclusion

Takayasu’s Arteritis should also be kept in mind while searching for the cause of uncontrolled hypertension in the young age group.
Assessment of maximal lactate steady state during treadmill exercise in SHR
Authors: Almeida Jeeser Alves , Petriz Bernardo de Assis , da Costa Gomes Clarissa Pedrosa , Pereira Rinaldo Wellerson , Franco Octávio Luiz
Published: November 2012

Background

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are one of the main animal models used for studying the effects of exercise on hypertension. Therefore, the determination of adequate intensity has been essential for secure and optimized exercise prescriptions concerning hypertensive subjects. This study aimed to identify the MLSS in SHR by using a treadmill test to improve the protocols and further prescriptions of exercise intensity.

Findings

In order to carry out this determination, SHR (n = 10) animals (~17.5 weeks; 227.4 ± 29.3 g; 172.4 ± 8.1 mmHg systolic blood pressure) were divided into two groups (G1 n = 5; G2 n = 5). Rats underwent a test with three different velocities to determine the MLSS. The MLSS was considered as the highest effort intensity where the blood lactate did not vary more than 1 mmol.L-1 from the 10th to the 25th minute. The MLSS was reached at a velocity of 20 m.min-1 with 3.8 ± 0.5 mmol.L-1 of lactate for G1. Additionally, the results were validated in G2. However, when the test was applied at 25 m.min-1, there was no stabilization of BLC in G1 and G2.

Conclusions

In this study it was possible to identify the MLSS in SHR rats, which is an excellent evaluation tool to control exercise intensity. These data are of considerable importance in studies using physical exercise as a means of research in hypertension and may lead to the intensity of exercise being prescribed more appropriately.
Assessing the metabolic effects of prednisolone in healthy volunteers using urine metabolic profiling
Authors: Ellero-Simatos Sandrine , Szymańska Ewa , Rullmann Ton , Dokter Wim HA , Ramaker Raymond , Berger Ruud , van Iersel Thijs MP , Smilde Age K , Hankemeier Thomas , Alkema Wynand
Published: November 2012

Background

Glucocorticoids, such as prednisolone, are widely used anti-inflammatory drugs, but therapy is hampered by a broad range of metabolic side effects including skeletal muscle wasting and insulin resistance. Therefore, development of improved synthetic glucocorticoids that display similar efficacy as prednisolone but reduced side effects is an active research area. For efficient development of such new drugs, in vivo biomarkers, which can predict glucocorticoid metabolic side effects in an early stage, are needed. In this study, we aim to provide the first description of the metabolic perturbations induced by acute and therapeutic treatments with prednisolone in humans using urine metabolomics, and to derive potential biomarkers for prednisolone-induced metabolic effects.

Methods

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial consisting of two protocols was conducted in healthy men. In protocol 1, volunteers received placebo (n = 11) or prednisolone (7.5 mg (n = 11), 15 mg (n = 13) or 30 mg (n = 12)) orally once daily for 15 days. In protocol 2, volunteers (n = 6) received placebo at day 0 and 75 mg prednisolone at day 1. We collected 24 h urine and serum samples at baseline (day 0), after a single dose (day 1) and after prolonged treatment (day 15) and obtained mass-spectrometry-based urine and serum metabolic profiles.

Results

At day 1, high-dose prednisolone treatment increased levels of 13 and 10 proteinogenic amino acids in urine and serum respectively, as well as levels of 3-methylhistidine, providing evidence for an early manifestation of glucocorticoid-induced muscle wasting. Prednisolone treatment also strongly increased urinary carnitine derivatives at day 1 but not at day 15, which might reflect adaptive mechanisms under prolonged treatment. Finally, urinary levels of proteinogenic amino acids at day 1 and of N-methylnicotinamide at day 15 significantly correlated with the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and might represent biomarkers for prednisolone-induced insulin resistance.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that urinary metabolomics represents a noninvasive way of monitoring the effect of glucocorticoids on muscle protein catabolism after a single dose and can derive new biomarkers of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance. It might, therefore, help the development of improved synthetic glucocorticoids.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00971724
Persistence, reticence, and the management of multiple time memories by forager honey bees
Authors: Wagner Ashley E. , Van Nest Byron N. , Hobbs Caddy N. , Moore Darrell
Published: November 2012

Honey bee foragers form time-memories that enable them to match their foraging activity to the time of day when a particular food source is most productive. Persistent foragers show food-anticipatory activity by making reconnaissance flights to the previously productive food source and may continue to inspect it for several days. In contrast, reticent foragers do not investigate the source but wait for confirmation from returning persistent foragers. To determine how persistent and reticent foragers might contribute to the colony's ability to rapidly reallocate foragers among sources, we trained foragers to collect sucrose from a feeder at a restricted time of day for several days and then observed their behavior for three consecutive days during which the feeder was empty. In two separate trials, video monitoring of the hive entrance during unrewarded test days in parallel with observing reconnaissance visits to the feeder revealed a high level of activity, in both persistent and reticent foragers, thought to be directed at other food sources. This "extracurricular" activity showed a high degree of temporal overlap with reconnaissance visits to the feeder. In some cases, inspection flights to the unrewarded feeder were made within the same trip to an extracurricular source, indicating that honey bees have the ability to manage at least two different time memories despite coincidence with respect to time of day. The results have major implications for understanding flower fidelity throughout the day, flower constancy within individual foraging excursions, and the sophisticated cognitive management of spatiotemporal memories in honey bees.
Single perturbations cause sustained changes in searching behavior in stick insects
Authors: Berg Eva , Büschges Ansgar , Schmidt Joachim
Published: November 2012

Stick insects (Cuniculina impigra) possessing only a single front leg that cannot contact the ground perform untargeted stereotypical cyclic searching movements with that leg. When encountering an object animals grasp it. Here we removed the object immediately after contact with the leg's tibia. We hypothesized a change in searching strategy, i.e. searching movements confined to the former location of the object to regain contact. In our set-up, searching movements were restricted to up- and downward movements. After removal of the object searching movements were continued. However, in post-contact searching two movement parameters were usually changed. (1) Average positions of searching movements were shifted towards the former position of the object. (2) Movement amplitudes were considerably smaller and accompanied by a decrease in cycle period. This confinement of searching movements to the location of contact was interpreted as targeting behavior. All parameters regained initial values after about 6 seconds. Changes in position and amplitudes were independently controlled. Both changes were not under visual control but depended on the presence of the trochanteral hairplate, a sensory organ that measures the coxa-trochanter joint position. Changes in average leg position were linked to changes in the ratio of electrical activity in the levator and depressor trochanteris muscle that were based on altered activity in both or either one of the muscles. Our data demonstrate a switch in a simple behavior that is under local sensory control and may utilize a form of short term memory.
Slow but tenacious: an analysis of running and gripping performance in chameleons.
Authors: Herrel Anthony , Tolley Krystal , Measey John , da Silva Jessica , Potgieter Daniel , Boller Elodie , Boistel Renaud , Vanhooydonck Bieke
Published: November 2012

Chameleons are highly specialized and mostly arboreal lizards characterized by a suite of derived characters. The grasping feet and tail are thought to be related to the arboreal life-style of chameleons. Yet, specializations for grasping are thought to trade-off with running ability. Indeed, previous studies have demonstrated a trade-off between running and clinging performance with faster species being poorer clingers. Here we investigate the presence of trade-offs by measuring running and grasping performance in four species of chameleon belonging to two different clades (Chamaeleo and Bradypodion). Within each clade we selected a largely terrestrial and a more arboreal species to test whether morphology and performance are related to habitat use. Our results show that habitat drives the evolution of morphology and performance but that some of these effects are specific to each clade. Terrestrial species in both clades show poorer grasping performance than more arboreal species and have smaller hands. Moreover, hand size best predicts gripping performance suggesting that habitat use drives the evolution of hand morphology through its effects on performance. Arboreal species also had longer tails and better tail gripping performance. No differences in sprint speed were observed between the two Chamaeleo species. Within Bradypodion, differences in sprint speed were significant after correcting for body size, yet the arboreal species were both better sprinters and had greater clinging strength. These results suggest that previously documented trade-offs may have been caused by differences between clades (i.e. a phylogenetic effect) rather than by design conflicts between running and gripping per se.
Reactions of Oxidobis(quinolin-8-olato)vanadium(IV) with Hydroxamate Ligands: A Route Providing Mixed Ligand and Quinolin-8-olato-Free Vanadium(IV) Complexes
Authors: Sharma Neeraj , Kanwar Shamsher Singh , Gupta Reena , Kumari Lata , Sharma Reena
Published: November 2012

Complexes of composition [VO(Q)2−n(HL1,2)n] (I–IV) (where Q: C9H6NO− (quinolin-8-olato ion); HL1: [C6H4(OH)CONHO]− (salicyloylhydroxamate ion); HL2: [C6H3(OH)(5-Cl)CONHO]− (5-chlorosalicyloylhydroxamate); n = 1 and 2) have been synthesized by the reactions of [VO(Q)2] with predetermined molar ratios of potassium salicyloylhydroxamate and 5-chlorosalicyloylhydroxamate in THF + MeOH solvent medium. The characterization of complexes has been accomplished by elemental analyses, molar conductivity, molecular weight determinations, magnetic measurements, electrochemical and IR, electronic, mass, and ESR spectral studies. The spectroscopic studies suggested bidentate nature of hydroxamate ligands involving O,O coordination. A square-pyramidal environment around vanadium has been proposed. The antimicrobial activity of newly synthesized complexes, ligands and precursor [VO(Q)2] have been assayed against some pathogenic bacteria E. coli, S. aureus, S. typhi, S. paratyphi, S. epidermidis, and K. pneumoniae and fungi A. niger, B. fulva, and M. circinelloides by MIC method. The complexes exhibited improved antimicrobial activity over the free ligands. Cytotoxicity of complexes was studied on mammalian transformed cell line Hep2C, a derivative of human cervix carcinoma HeLa cells by MTT assay.
Immobilization of Trypsin on Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for Increased Proteolytic Stability
Authors: Sakata Masayo , Funatsu Asami , Sonoda Shohei , Ogata Tatsuya , Taniguchi Takaaki , Matsumoto Yasumichi
Published: November 2012

To increase the thermal and chemical stabilities of trypsin-proteolysis activity, trypsin was immobilized on graphene oxide nanosheets (GONSs) by a one-step diimide-activated amidation. The trypsin-immobilized GONS (1.9 mg per mg-GONS) showed significantly higher thermal and chemical stabilities than the free form. After heat treatment at 50 °C for 6 h, the trypsin–GONS retained 80% of its initial activity, but free trypsin retained only 4% of its initial activity.
Selective Uptake of Lithium Ion from Brine by H1.33Mn1.67O4 and H1.6Mn1.6O4
Authors: Chitrakar Ramesh , Makita Yoji , Ooi Kenta , Sonoda Akinari
Published: November 2012

Uptake of lithium ion from brine on ion-sieve spinel-type adsorbents (H1.33Mn1.67O4 and H1.6Mn1.6O4) was studied batch-wise. The adsorbents exhibited extremely high affinity toward lithium ion in brine (NaHCO3 added to control pH) with lithium uptake capacity of 27–30 mg g−1 at pH 6.6.
Earnings Effects of Entrepreneurial Experience: Evidence from the Semiconductor Industry
Authors: Campbell Benjamin A.
Published: November 2012

Although previous studies have examined the rewards available to individuals inside entrepreneurial firms, entrepreneurial experience may provide rewards that are independent of the entrepreneurial context. Building on human capital theory, this study provides theoretical explanations for the effects of experience at a start-up on earnings across an individual's career and then examines these implications in the context of California's semiconductor industry. Comparing the career trajectories of employees who join start-ups with a matched control group of comparable workers without start-up experience, I perform a counterfactual analysis and find that start-up experience in this context has a persistent positive effect on earnings that extend outside the entrepreneurial environment. The results from the matched sample are consistent with the development and revelation of valuable general human capital through entrepreneurial experience and suggest that the rewards to entrepreneurship are not limited to just the rewards available inside entrepreneurial firms.

This paper was accepted by Lee Fleming, entrepreneurship and innovation.