bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of LY2963016 insulin glargine compared with insulin glargine (Lantus®) in patients with type 1 diabetes in a randomized controlled trial: the ELEMENT 1 study
Authors: Blevins T. C. , Dahl D. , Rosenstock J. , Ilag L. L. , Huster W. J. , Zielonka J. S. , Pollom R. K. , Prince M. J.
Published: May 2015

Aims

To compare the efficacy and safety of LY2963016 insulin glargine (LY IGlar) and the reference product (Lantus®) insulin glargine (IGlar) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

This phase III, randomized, open‐label, 52‐week study enrolled patients with T1D [glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≤11%] being treated with basal (once‐daily) and bolus insulin. Patients were randomized to receive once‐daily LY IGlar (n = 268) or IGlar (n = 267) in combination with mealtime insulin lispro for 52 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was to test the non‐inferiority (0.4% and then 0.3% margin) of LY IGlar to IGlar as measured by change in HbA1c from baseline to 24 weeks.

Results

Both treatment groups had similar and significant (p < 0.001) within‐group decreases in mean HbA1c values from baseline. LY IGlar met the non‐inferiority criteria compared with IGlar for change in HbA1c from baseline to 24 weeks [−0.35 vs −0.46%, least‐squares mean difference 0.108% (95% confidence interval −0.002 to 0.219), p > 0.05]. There were no significant (p > 0.05) treatment differences in other efficacy measures, including proportion of patients reaching HbA1c <7%, daily mean blood glucose, and insulin dose at 24 and 52 weeks. At 52 weeks, similar findings were observed between LY IGlar and IGlar for safety outcomes, including adverse events, allergic reactions, hypoglycaemia, weight change and insulin antibodies.

Conclusions

Both LY IGlar and IGlar, when used in combination with mealtime insulin lispro, provided effective and similar glucose control and similar safety profiles.
Assembly mechanisms determining high species turnover in aquatic communities over regional and continental scales
Authors: Viana Duarte S. , Figuerola J. , Schwenk K. , Manca M. , Hobæk A. , Mjelde M. , Preston C. D. , Gornall R. J. , Croft J. M. , King R. A. , Green A. J. , Santamaría L.
Published: May 2015

Niche and neutral processes drive community assembly and metacommunity dynamics, but their relative importance might vary with the spatial scale. The contribution of niche processes is generally expected to increase with increasing spatial extent at a higher rate than that of neutral processes. However, the extent to what community composition is limited by dispersal (usually considered a neutral process) over increasing spatial scales might depend on the dispersal capacity of composing species. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the distribution and diversity of species known to have great powers of dispersal (hundreds of kilometres), we analysed the relative importance of niche processes and dispersal limitation in determining beta‐diversity patterns of aquatic plants and cladocerans over regional (up to 300 km) and continental (up to 3300 km) scales. Both taxonomic groups were surveyed in five different European regions and presented extremely high levels of beta‐diversity, both within and among regions. High beta‐diversity was primarily explained by species replacement (turnover) rather than differences in species richness (i.e. nestedness). Abiotic and biotic variables were the main drivers of community composition. Within some regions, small‐scale connectivity and the spatial configuration of sampled communities explained a significant, though smaller, fraction of compositional variation, particularly for aquatic plants. At continental scale (among regions), a significant fraction of compositional variation was explained by a combination of spatial effects (exclusive contribution of regions) and regionally‐structured environmental variables. Our results suggest that, although dispersal limitation might affect species composition in some regions, aquatic plant and cladoceran communities are not generally limited by dispersal at the regional scale (up to 300 km). Species sorting mediated by environmental variation might explain the high species turnover of aquatic plants and cladocerans at regional scale, while biogeographic processes enhanced by dispersal limitation among regions might determine the composition of regional biotas.
Multi‐scale analysis of electrical conductivity of peatlands for the assessment of peat properties
Authors: Walter J. , Lück E. , Bauriegel A. , Richter C. , Zeitz J.
Published: May 2015

Peatlands store large amounts of carbon. This storage function has been reduced through intensive drainage, which leads to the decomposition of peat, resulting in a loss of carbon. Measurements of the real (σ′) and imaginary part (σ″) of electrical conductivity can deliver information on peat properties, such as the pore fluid conductivity (σw), cation exchange capacity (CEC), bulk density (ρb), water content (WC) and soil organic matter (SOM) content. These properties change with the peat's degree of decomposition (DD). To explore the relationships between the peat properties, σ′, σ″ and DD, we focused on three different types of survey and scales. First, point measurements were made with a conductivity probe at various locations over a large area of northeast Germany to determine the degree of correlation between σ′ and DD. Second, nine of these locations were selected for sampling to determine which of the properties σw, CEC, ρb, WC and SOM predominantly influence σ′ and σ″. This multisite dataset includes the entire range of DD and was analysed in the laboratory. Third, one site was selected for a survey of σ′ including sampling, to identify which properties mainly control σ′ in a single‐site approach. Statistical analysis revealed that for the multisite laboratory dataset, σw has the strongest effect on σ′, followed by CEC, whereas σ″ is mainly determined by CEC. In a single‐site approach, WC followed by CEC had a dominant effect on σ′. No clear correlation could be observed between (i) DD and peat properties and (ii) DD and σ′ or σ″. This is because of the complex changes in properties with increasing DD.
Migration of titanium dioxide microparticles and nanoparticles through the body and deposition in the gingiva: an experimental study in rats
Authors: Guglielmotti María B. , Domingo Mariela G. , Steimetz Tammy , Ramos Emilio , Paparella María L. , Olmedo Daniel G.
Published: May 2015

The aim of this experimental work was to evaluate deposition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) microparticles and nanoparticles, which could originate from titanium bioimplants, in the gingiva. Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a suspension of TiO2 particles of different sizes (150, 10, or 5 nm). The rats were killed 12 months post‐injection, and the buccal and lingual gingivae were resected and evaluated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to confirm the presence of titanium in deposits of microparticles and nanoparticles, and the concentration of titanium in tissues was measured using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Histological examination showed that all experimental groups exhibited agglomerates, in the gingiva, of titanium particles of micrometer size range, with no associated inflammatory response. Higher concentrations of titanium traces were shown, by ICP‐MS, in both buccal and lingual tissues of all experimental groups compared with their matched controls. Titanium concentrations were significantly higher in the buccal gingiva than in the lingual gingiva, and after injection with 5‐nm particles than with 10‐nm particles in both localizations. Titanium microparticles and nanoparticles deposit in the gingiva, and mostly on the buccal side. Gingival deposition of titanium could be considered a tissue indicator of tribocorrosion processes of titanium bioimplants.
Z‐ligustilide ameliorated ultraviolet B‐induced oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production in human keratinocytes through upregulation of Nrf2/HO‐1 and suppression of NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Wu Zhouwei , Uchi Hiroshi , Morino‐Koga Saori , Shi Weimin , Furue Masutaka
Published: May 2015

Ultraviolet B (UVB), a harmful environmental factor, is responsible for a variety of skin disorders including skin inflammation through reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory mediator production. Here, we investigated the effect of Z‐ligustilide (Z‐lig), an active ingredient isolated from the medicinal plants Cnidium officinale and Angelica acutiloba, on UVB‐induced ROS generation and inflammatory mediator production in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) as well as its underlying mechanisms. Z‐lig significantly rescued UVB‐induced NHEKs damage in a dosage‐dependent manner. Pretreatment of NHEKs with Z‐lig inhibited UVB‐induced ROS production in NHEKs. Both silencing the nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the supplement of tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), a haeme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) inhibitor, cancelled the inhibitory effect of Z‐lig on UVB‐induced ROS upregulation in NHEKs. Moreover, pretreatment of NHEKs with Z‐lig reduced UVB‐induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB)‐dependent inflammatory mediators (IL‐6, IL‐8 and MCP‐1) production at both mRNA and protein level. In the presence of Z‐lig, UVB‐induced NF‐κB subunit p65 nuclear translocation was abolished, and the IκBα degradation was suppressed. Taken together, these findings suggest that Z‐lig can suppress UVB‐induced ROS generation through Nrf2/HO‐1 upregulation and inflammation by suppressing the NF‐κB pathway, suggesting that Z‐lig may be beneficial in protecting skin from UVB exposure.
Belief‐rule‐based expert systems for evaluation of e‐government: a case study
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Shahadat , Zander Pär‐Ola , Kamal Md Sarwar , Chowdhury Linkon
Published: May 2015

Little knowledge exists on the impact and results associated with e‐government projects in many specific‐use domains. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of e‐government systems. Because the development of e‐government is a continuous process of improvement, it requires continuous evaluation of the overall e‐government system as well as evaluation of its various dimensions such as determinants, characteristics and results. E‐government development is often complex, with multiple stakeholders, large user bases and complex goals. Consequently, even experts have difficulties in evaluating these systems, especially in an integrated and comprehensive way, as well as on an aggregate level. Expert systems are a candidate solution to evaluate such complex e‐government systems. However, it is difficult for expert systems to cope with uncertain evaluation data that are vague, inconsistent, highly subjective or in other ways, challenging to formalize. This paper presents an approach that can handle uncertainty in e‐government evaluation: the combination of Belief Rule Base knowledge representation and Evidential Reasoning. This approach is illustrated with a concrete prototype, known as the Belief Rule Based Expert System (BRBES) and implemented in the local e‐government of Bangladesh. The results have been compared with a recently developed method of evaluating e‐government, and it is demonstrated that the results of the BRBES are more accurate and reliable. The BRBES can be used to identify the factors that need to be improved to achieve the overall aim of an e‐government project. In addition, various ‘what if’ scenarios can be generated, and developers and managers can obtain a foretaste of the outcomes. Thus, the system can be used to facilitate decision‐making processes under uncertainty.
A simplified micromechanics model for predicting the stiffness degradation in symmetric composite laminates
Authors: Farrokhabadi A. , Mohammadi B. , Hosseini‐Toudeshky H.
Published: May 2015

Recently, the authors of this paper have developed a new micromechanics approach to evaluate the stress fields and material properties of an orthotropic composite ply containing specified matrix cracking density under multi‐axial loading condition. In this study, more complementary details of approach are obtained, and a closed form solution for evaluating the stress fields and stiffness degradation of a damaged ply will be presented and applied for analysing several composite laminate with general symmetric lay‐ups. The obtained results will be compared with the available experimental results. The major advantage of the mentioned micromechanics approach is its capability for analysing an arbitrary composite ply containing specified matrix crack independent of its adjacent plies. This preference can be applied for bridging the proposed micromechanics model into the finite element analysis for progressive modelling of matrix cracking in general symmetric laminates with the least computational effort and the most accuracy.
Forecasting of jack mackerel landings (Trachurus murphyi) in central‐southern Chile through neural networks
Authors: Naranjo Laura , Plaza Francisco , Yáñez Eleuterio , Barbieri María Ángela , Sánchez Felipe
Published: May 2015

In the present study, the performance of neuronal networks models in monthly landing forecasting of jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) in central‐southern Chile (32°S–42°S) was assessed. Thus, monthly estimations for 10 environmental variables, fishing effort (fe) and jack mackerel landings for the period 1973–2008 were used. A preliminary analysis was done in order to remove strongly correlated variables. Sea surface temperature (SST) and fe are established as input variables, then, a non‐linear cross correlation analysis was performed to estimate the lag between the input variables and jack mackerel landings. Two models were adjusted: model one includes both training and testing cases randomly selected using all data involved in the analysed period; for model 2, the data is divided into two time series: the first from 1973 to 2002 used for training and the second between 2003 and 2008 used for validation. The external validation process for model 1 showed an explained variance of 92%, with a standard forecasting error of 30%. The explained variance for model 2 was 81%, with a standard forecasting error of 38%. Finally, the sensitivity analysis for both models showed the fe as the most influential variable to jack mackerel landings, which presents functionality depending on anthropogenic effects rather than environmental conditions.
Where does environmental stochasticity most influence population dynamics? An assessment along a regional core‐periphery gradient for prairie breeding ducks
Authors: Feldman Richard E. , Anderson Michael G. , Howerter David W. , Murray Dennis L.
Published: May 2015

Aim

Geographical disparities in the effect of the environment on population dynamics have been shown to follow a core‐periphery gradient when peripheral populations are less abundant and occur in marginal habitat. Whether the gradient in environmental influence occurs in the absence of a gradient in abundance is not known. We tested whether duck populations on the periphery of their main breeding region were more strongly affected by environmental stochasticity and less abundant than at the core.

Location

The Prairie Pothole Region of central United States and Canada

Methods

We used the North American Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey to model the dynamics of 10 duck species at 1059 sites spanning 1961–2012. We used the North American Breeding Bird Survey to measure abundance at the same sites, averaged over the same time span. We used structural equation models to characterize relationships among a site's distance from the regional centre, a site's abundance, and the degree to which a site's ducks were affected by environmental stochasticity.

Results

Environmental stochasticity never strongly contributed to population dynamics in the region's core. However, we did not find a linear increase in environmental stochasticity with increasing distance from the core. For seven species, we found that environmental stochasticty was stronger in sites of lower abundance. For only two species did average abundance decline from the region's core to periphery.

Main conclusions

Variability in the magnitude of environmental stochasticity follows coarse spatial differences in wetland productivity. Yet, among peripheral sites, the contribution of the environment to population dynamics varies, possibly reflecting the importance of the local environment and dispersal.
A fast and direct spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous determination of methyl paraben and hydroquinone in cosmetic products using successive projections algorithm
Authors: Esteki M. , Nouroozi S. , Shahsavari Z.
Published: May 2015

Synopsis

Objective

To develop a simple and efficient spectrophotometric technique combined with chemometrics for the simultaneous determination of methyl paraben (MP) and hydroquinone (HQ) in cosmetic products, and specifically, to: (i) evaluate the potential use of successive projections algorithm (SPA) to derivative spectrophotometric data in order to provide sufficient accuracy and model robustness and (ii) determine MP and HQ concentration in cosmetics without tedious pre‐treatments such as derivatization or extraction techniques which are time‐consuming and require hazardous solvents.

Methods

The absorption spectra were measured in the wavelength range of 200–350 nm. Prior to performing chemometric models, the original and first‐derivative absorption spectra of binary mixtures were used as calibration matrices. Variable selected by successive projections algorithm was used to obtain multiple linear regression (MLR) models based on a small subset of wavelengths. The number of wavelengths and the starting vector were optimized, and the comparison of the root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) and cross‐validation (RMSECV) was applied to select effective wavelengths with the least collinearity and redundancy. Principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) were also developed for comparison. The concentrations of the calibration matrix ranged from 0.1 to 20 μg mL−1 for MP, and from 0.1 to 25 μg mL−1 for HQ. The constructed models were tested on an external validation data set and finally cosmetic samples.

Results

The results indicated that successive projections algorithm–multiple linear regression (SPA‐MLR), applied on the first‐derivative spectra, achieved the optimal performance for two compounds when compared with the full‐spectrum PCR and PLS. The root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) was 0.083, 0.314 for MP and HQ, respectively. To verify the accuracy of the proposed method, a recovery study on real cosmetic samples was carried out with satisfactory results (84–112%).

Conclusion

The proposed method, which is an environmentally friendly approach, using minimum amount of solvent, is a simple, fast and low‐cost analysis method that can provide high accuracy and robust models. The suggested method does not need any complex extraction procedure which is time‐consuming and requires hazardous solvents.
Connecting narrative with mental health learning through discussion and analysis of selected contemporary films
Authors: McAllister Margaret
Published: May 2015

In a recently completed qualitative study of nursing leaders' views of requirements for practice, seven aspects of recovery practice were revealed as central for graduates to learn. It is challenging to provide an in‐depth understanding of recovery in a nursing curriculum because there are so many competing content areas and, as a result, time is constrained. However, because it is so vital to understand, educators would benefit from developing and sharing teaching strategies that explore recovery deeply, memorably, and engagingly, in order to encourage theory to be put into practice. Recent research into narrative pedagogy suggests that better use of stories, especially those that have strong emotional pull, such as well‐made films and memoirs, may offer solutions to creative educators. Stories can have transformative potential, because once heard and heeded, the person can never go back to exactly how they were before. Recovery learned in this way becomes a threshold concept for the mental health curriculum. This paper outlines an engaging and time‐efficient teaching strategy to develop these skills, drawing on the concept of narrative pedagogy.
L. plantarum ATCC 8014 Entrapment with Prebiotics and Lucerne Green Juice and Their Behavior in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions
Authors: Pop Oana L. , Vodnar Dan C. , Suharoschi Ramona , Mudura Elena , Socaciu Carmen
Published: May 2015

Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 was separately encapsulated with pectin and inulin as prebiotics, and lucerne green juice in alginate‐coated chitosan microcapsules. Further, they were tested for the efficiency of improving the viability compared to free cells under in vitro acidic conditions. Results indicated significant improvement (P < 0.05) in survival of co‐encapsulated cells when exposed to acidic (pH 1.5) and bile (4.5% bile salts) conditions. The encapsulated cells showed about 88.95% survivability in simulated gastric environment, while the samples where the prebiotics and lucerne green juice were used showed about 90.5% of survivability in the same conditions. Moreover, in these samples, the number of viable probiotic cells did not significantly decrease after the first 30 min in simulated gastric juice, but even more, a constantly increase was observed until the end of the 120 min in the same environment. The great potential of lucerne green juice is underlined.

Practical Applications

The probiotic cells are susceptible to loss of viability and death during processing and storage of food and during their passage through gastrointestinal tract. In order to gain the maximum capacity and optimal activity from these probiotic cells, it is compulsory that they are provided with appropriate conditions for growth and metabolism and at the same time protected from unfriendly environmental conditions to which they are exposed to. Precisely for this reason, in this research, more complex probiotic and prebiotic protective systems have been developed.
Tenofovir‐based rescue therapy for chronic hepatitis B patients who had failed treatment with lamivudine, adefovir, and entecavir
Authors: Kim Byung Gyu , Jung Seok Won , Kim Eun Hye , Kim Jae Hee , Park Ju Hwan , Sung Shi Jung , Park Bo Ryung , Kim Min‐Ho , Kim Chang Jae , Lee Byung Uk , Park Jae Ho , Jeong In Du , Bang Sung‐Jo , Shin Jung Woo , Park Neung Hwa
Published: May 2015

Background and Aim

In the past decade, many chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients have undergone sequential treatment with lamivudine (LAM), adefovir (ADV), and entecavir (ETV) to manage antiviral resistance or insufficient suppression of HBV‐DNA. Very limited data are available on the efficacy of tenofovir (TDF) rescue regimens in patients with multidrug resistance (MDR).

Methods

We investigated the antiviral efficacy of TDF/LAM combination therapy versus TDF/ETV combination therapy in 52 patients who failed three previous antiviral therapies.

Results

The study subjects were treated with TDF/LAM combination therapy (n = 25) or TDF/ETV combination therapy (n = 27) for more than six months. Virologic response (VR) occurred in 39 (75%) patients (19 patients belonged to the TDF/LAM group and 20 patients belonged to the TDF/ETV group). The VR rates were not different between the TDF/LAM and TDF/ETV groups (56.0% vs 51.9% at month 12, and 72.0% vs 78.8% at month 18; log rank P = 0.515). In addition, treatment efficacy of TDF/LAM combination or TDF/ETV combination was not statistically different according to types of MDR. In multivariate analysis, absolute HBV‐DNA level at the start of TDF rescue treatment (P < 0.001; OR, 0.452; 95% CI, 0.306–0.666) was only significantly associated with VR.

Conclusions

TDF/ETV combination therapy was not associated with higher rate of VR compared with TDF/LAM combination therapy in MDR CHB patients. These results raise the suspicion about the superiority of the combination therapy over TDF monotherapy. The lower HBV‐DNA levels at the start of TDF‐based rescue therapy were associated with higher VR.
Comparison of clipping with and without epinephrine injection for the prevention of post‐polypectomy bleeding in pedunculated colon polyps
Authors: Park Yehyun , Jeon Tae Joo , Park Ji Young , Park Soo Jung , Cheon Jae Hee , Kim Tae Il , Kim Won Ho , Hong Sung Pil
Published: May 2015

Background and Aim

Post‐polypectomy bleeding (PPB) is the most common adverse event of colonoscopic polypectomy, especially in cases with large pedunculated polyps. To minimize the risk of PPB, several endoscopic preventive methods have been performed. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the rates of PPB following single (clipping alone) and combined (clipping plus epinephrine‐saline injection) methods in prevention of PPB in large pedunculated polyps.

Methods

Adult patients with pedunculated colorectal polyps with heads ≥ 10 mm were prospectively enrolled from March 2011 to January 2013. Patients were randomized to receive treatment of either clips alone (group A) or clips plus injection of epinephrine‐saline (group B) prior to a conventional polypectomy. PPB rate in both groups were compared.

Results

A total of 148 patients with 173 pedunculated colorectal polyps were enrolled. Groups A and B each had 74 patients, with 83 and 90 polyps, respectively. The mean head diameters were 17.2 ± 6.6 and 17.5 ± 6.7 mm in groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.748). Immediate PPB (IPPB) occurred in 10 cases (12.0%) from group A and 13 cases (14.4%) from group B (P = 0.64). There were no cases of delayed PPB or perforation. Multivariate analysis showed that inadequate bowel preparation and large head diameter of polyp were independent risk factors for IPPB.

Conclusions

The rate of IPPB is relatively high in cases with large pedunculated polyps, but these polyps can be successfully resected by snare polypectomy following use of the single prophylactic clipping method.
Ameliorating effects and autonomic mechanisms of needle‐less transcutaneous electrical stimulation atST36 on stress‐induced impairment in gastric slow waves
Authors: Zhang Nina , Song Gengqing , Chen Jianfeng , Xu Feng , Yin Jieyun , Wu Qiong , Lin Lin , Chen Jiande DZ
Published: May 2015

Background and Aim

Stress has long been documented to alter gastrointestinal motility. The effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on stress and gastric motility are relatively well known; however, whetherEAhas an ameliorating effect on stress‐induced dysmotility remained unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of needle‐less transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) on stress‐induced impairment in gastric slow waves.

Methods

A watch‐size digital stimulator was developed. Ten healthy volunteers were involved in a four‐session study (control, cold stress,TEA,and shamTEA). Electrogastrograpy was used to assess gastric slow waves, and electrocardiogram was recorded for the assessment of autonomic functions. The recordings were made in each session with/without stress and withTEAatST36 or sham points.

Results

The results are as follows: (i) Cold stress‐induced gastric dysrhythmia and impaired normal slow waves (P < 0.01).TEAshowed a preventive effect on cold stress‐induced impairment in gastric slow waves.TEAatST36, but not shamTEA, normalized slow waves (P = 0.03vsstress;P = 0.44vscontrol), attributed to the suppression of gastric dysrhythmia; (ii) Postprandially, there was a decrease in vagal activity in both control (P = 0.004) and stress (P = 0.002) sessions; this decrease was prevented withTEA(P < 0.05). Similarly, there was a postprandial increase in sympathetic activity in both control (P = 0.01) and stress (P = 0.002) sessions, and this increase was suppressed withTEA.

Conclusions

Needle‐lessTEAatST36 using a watch‐size stimulator is able to improve stress‐induced impairment in gastric slow waves, possibly mediated via the autonomic mechanism. Home‐based needle‐lessTEAmay be a viable therapy for stress‐induced impairment in gastric motility functions.
Intimate association of visceral obesity with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in healthy Asians: A case‐control study
Authors: Ha Yeonjung , Seo Nieun , Shim Ju Hyun , Kim So Yeon , Park Jin‐A , Han Seungbong , Kim Kyoung Won , Yu Eunsil , Kim Kang Mo , Lim Young‐Suk , Lee Han Chu , Chung Young‐Hwa , Lee Yung Sang
Published: May 2015

Background and Aim

To identify factors associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in healthy Asian subjects.

Methods

A propensity score‐matched case‐control study was designed. To investigate the effects of demographic and clinical factors on the presence of NAFLD, a baseline‐category logit model was used. Potential living liver donors with no hepatic steatosis (< 5%: n = 1353, group 1) were considered the baseline category, and subjects with mild (5–33%: n = 724, group 2) and moderate/severe (> 33%: n = 116, group 3) hepatic steatosis were defined as cases. Age and gender were matched between cases and controls, which resulted in 83 matched subjects in each of the three groups. The area of abdominal (visceral and subcutaneous) fat was directly measured in all subjects by unenhanced computed tomography.

Results

Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma‐glutamyltranspeptidase, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and visceral fat amount were directly correlated with the grade of hepatic steatosis, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were inversely correlated with it (all P values < 0.05). In a multivariate model, visceral fat amount was significantly correlated with both mild (group 2) and moderate to severe (group 3) NAFLD, with respective odds ratios (ORs) of 1.03 relative to group 1 (Ps < 0.05). Body mass index (BMI), ALT, and subcutaneous fat were significant predictors of only moderate to severe NAFLD (ORs of 0.54, 1.20, and 1.02, respectively, for group 3 vs group 1; Ps < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that visceral adiposity makes non‐obese subjects more susceptible to NAFLD, compared with subcutaneous fat and BMI.
Finding the New Normal: Accepting Changes After Combat‐Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hyatt Kyong S. , Davis Linda L. , Barroso Julie
Published: May 2015

Introduction

More than 300,000 soldiers have returned from Southwest Asia (i.e., Iraq and Afghanistan) with combat‐related mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs). Despite less visible physical injuries, these soldiers demonstrate various physical and cognitive symptoms that impact their ability to reintegrate post‐mTBI. This study explores family reintegration experiences, as described by married dyads, following a combat‐related mTBI.

Methods

Nine soldiers with mTBI and their spouses participated, and a total of 27 interviews, both joint and individual, were conducted. Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology and semistructured interviews were used to collect participants’ perceptions and analyze the data.

Findings

The overarching theme of the reintegration experience is described as finding the “new normal.” A new normal was defined by participants as the couple's new, post‐mTBI expectation of the family unit or family routine. Some participants indicated that they had accepted the post‐mTBI changes and were working toward this new normal, whereas others indicated these changes were unacceptable and continued their efforts to return to pre‐injury functioning.

Conclusions

Individuals with mTBI and their families may benefit from interventions that directly address mismatched expectations and promote the acceptance of a new normal.
Ceramide metabolism regulates autophagy and apoptotic cell death induced by melatonin in liver cancer cells
Authors: Ordoñez Raquel , Fernández Anna , Prieto‐Domínguez Néstor , Martínez Laura , García‐Ruiz Carmen , Fernández‐Checa José C. , Mauriz José L. , González‐Gallego Javier
Published: May 2015

Autophagy is a process that maintains homeostasis during stress, although it also contributes to cell death under specific contexts. Ceramides have emerged as important effectors in the regulation of autophagy, mediating the crosstalk with apoptosis. Melatonin induces apoptosis of cancer cells; however, its role in autophagy and ceramide metabolism has yet to be clearly elucidated. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin administration on autophagy and ceramide metabolism and its possible link with melatonin‐induced apoptotic cell death in hepatocarcinoma (HCC) cells. Melatonin (2 mm) transiently induced autophagy in HepG2 cells through JNK phosphorylation, characterized by increased Beclin‐1 expression, p62 degradation, and LC3II and LAMP‐2 colocalization, which translated in decreased cell viability. Moreover, ATG5 silencing sensitized HepG2 cells to melatonin‐induced apoptosis, suggesting a dual role of autophagy in cell death. Melatonin enhanced ceramide levels through both de novo synthesis and acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) stimulation. Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) inhibition with myriocin prevented melatonin‐induced autophagy and ASMase inhibition with imipramine‐impaired autophagy flux. However, ASMase inhibition partially protected HepG2 cells against melatonin, while SPT inhibition significantly enhanced cell death. Findings suggest a crosstalk between SPT‐mediated ceramide generation and autophagy in protecting against melatonin, while specific ASMase‐induced ceramide production participates in melatonin‐mediated cell death. Thus, dual blocking of SPT and autophagy emerges as a potential strategy to potentiate the apoptotic effects of melatonin in liver cancer cells.
Melatonin reverses H2O2‐induced premature senescence in mesenchymal stem cells via the SIRT1‐dependent pathway
Authors: Zhou Long , Chen Xi , Liu Tao , Gong Yihong , Chen Sijin , Pan Guoqing , Cui Wenguo , Luo Zong‐Ping , Pei Ming , Yang Huilin , He Fan
Published: May 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent an attractive source for stem cell‐based regenerative therapy, but they are vulnerable to oxidative stress‐induced premature senescence in pathological conditions. We previously reported antioxidant and antiarthritic effects of melatonin on MSCs against proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, we hypothesized that melatonin could protect MSCs from premature senescence induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via the silent information regulator type 1 (SIRT1)‐dependent pathway. In response to H2O2 at a sublethal concentration of 200 μm, human bone marrow‐derived MSCs (BM‐MSCs) underwent growth arrest and cellular senescence. Treatment with melatonin before H2O2 exposure cannot significantly prevent premature senescence; however, treatment with melatonin subsequent to H2O2 exposure successfully reversed the senescent phenotypes of BM‐MSCs in a dose‐dependent manner. This result was made evident by improved cell proliferation, decreased senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity, and the improved entry of proliferating cells into the S phase. In addition, treatment with 100 μm melatonin restored the osteogenic differentiation potential of BM‐MSCs that was inhibited by H2O2‐induced premature senescence. We also found that melatonin attenuated the H2O2‐stimulated phosphorylation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, decreased expression of the senescence‐associated protein p16INK4α, and increased SIRT1. Further molecular experiments revealed that luzindole, a nonselective antagonist of melatonin receptors, blocked melatonin‐mediated antisenescence effects. Inhibition of SIRT1 by sirtinol counteracted the protective effects of melatonin, suggesting that melatonin reversed the senescence in cells through the SIRT1‐dependent pathway. Together, these findings lay new ground for understanding oxidative stress‐induced premature senescence and open perspectives for therapeutic applications of melatonin in stem cell‐based regenerative medicine.
Lifetime Lubricant Use among a Nationally Representative Sample of Lesbian- and Bisexual-Identified Women in the United States
Authors: Hensel Devon J. , Schick Vanessa , Herbenick Debby , Dodge Brian , Reece Michael , Sanders Stephanie A. , Fortenberry J. Dennis
Published: May 2015

Introduction

The diversity in self-identified lesbian and bisexual women's sexual interactions necessitates better understanding of how and when they integrate personal lubricant into different experiences. However, little is known about lesbian and bisexual women's lifetime lubricant use, particularly at the population level.

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of lubricant use among adult lesbian and bisexual women in the United States.

Methods

Data were drawn from a subset of lesbian and bisexual participants who participated in the 2012 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, an online questionnaire administered to a nationally representative probability sample of U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

Main Outcome Measures

We examined socio-demographic characteristics, recent and lifetime lubricant use, lubricant use in associated with specific sexual behaviors and condom use, frequency of use, motivations for use, as well as perception of lubricant when used.

Results

A majority of lesbian- (60.1%) and bisexual-identified (77.1%) women reported ever using lubricant; 25.7% of lesbian women and 32.7% of bisexual women used it in the last 30 days. Across most age groups, lubricant was commonly used during partnered sexual play, partnered sexual intercourse, or when a vibrator/dildo was used. Lesbian and bisexual women reported using lubricants to increase arousal/sexual pleasure/desire, to make sex more fun, or to increase physical comfort during sex.

Conclusions

Lubricant use is identified as a part of lesbian and bisexual women's sexual experience across the life span, as a part of both solo and partnered experiences. As part of evolving sexual health assessments, clinicians and health educators may find value in integrating lubricant-focused conversation with their lesbian and bisexual patients and clients, particularly.
Changes in Vaginal Physiology of Menopausal Women with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Baldassarre Maurizio , Alvisi Stefania , Berra Marta , Martelli Valentina , Farina Antonio , Righi Alberto , Meriggiola Maria Cristina
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, have been associated with an increased risk of development of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). In experimental studies, vascular, neuronal, and hormonal responsiveness alteration at vaginal level were proposed as contributors to the onset of FSD in women with diabetes; however, conclusive data on humans are still lacking.

Aims

The study aimed to assess changes in vascularization, sex steroid receptors, nitric oxide synthase, and aquaporin-2 (AQP2) expression occurring at vaginal level in women with diabetes.

Methods

Vaginal biopsies were obtained from 21 postmenopausal women, 10 of whom were diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes mellitus. CD31, estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and androgen receptor (AR) expression and localization were analyzed by immunostaining. Expression of endothelial (eNOS) and neuronal (nNOS) nitric oxide synthase isoforms and AQP2 were also assessed in vaginal samples.

Main Outcomes Measures

Changes in vaginal vascularization, sex steroids receptor, eNOS, nNOS and AQP2 expression.

Results

Vaginal samples from women with diabetes showed an increased microvessel density in the lamina propria, which were morphologically disrupted suggesting an angiogenic compensatory mechanism. While no differences were seen in ERα, AR expression was significantly reduced in the vaginal epithelium and lamina propria of women with diabetes. Similarly, the gene and protein expressions of both nNOS and eNOS were significantly reduced in patients with diabetes, while AQP2 mRNAs level did not significantly differ between the two groups.

Conclusion

Diabetes greatly impacts vaginal physiology, being associated with alterations of the vaginal lamina propria vascular network, nitrergic signaling, and AR expression. These alterations may contribute to the increased risk of FSD development in women with diabetes.
Testing for Stationarity in Multivariate Locally Stationary Processes
Authors: Puchstein Ruprecht , Preuß Philip
Published: May 2015

In this article, we propose a nonparametric procedure for validating the assumption of stationarity in multivariate locally stationary time series models. We develop a bootstrap‐assisted test based on a Kolmogorov–Smirnov‐type statistic, which tracks the deviation of the time‐varying spectral density from its best stationary approximation. In contrast to all other nonparametric approaches, which have been proposed in the literature so far, the test statistic does not depend on any regularization parameters like smoothing bandwidths or a window length, which is usually required in a segmentation of the data. We additionally show how our new procedure can be used to identify the components where non‐stationarities occur and indicate possible extensions of this innovative approach. We conclude with an extensive simulation study, which shows finite‐sample properties of the new method and contains a comparison with existing approaches.
Dynamic Development in Speaking Versus Writing in Identical Twins
Authors: Chan HuiPing , Verspoor Marjolijn , Vahtrick Louisa
Published: May 2015

Taking a dynamic usage‐based perspective, this longitudinal case study compares the development of sentence complexity in speaking versus writing in two beginner Taiwanese learners of English (identical twins) in an extensive corpus consisting of 100 oral and 100 written texts of approximately 200 words produced by each twin over 8 months. Three syntactic complexity measures were calculated: mean length of T‐unit, dependent clauses per T‐unit, and coordinate phrases per T‐unit. The working hypothesis was that (a) the learners’ oral texts would become more complex sooner than their written texts and that (b) the two learners would show similar developmental patterns. We found that these two learners initially demonstrated syntactic complexity in their oral language rather than in their written language, yet over time they were found to exhibit inverse trends of development. This observation was confirmed with dynamic modeling by means of a hidden Markov model, which allowed us to detect moments of self‐organization in the learners’ spoken and written output (i.e., moments where the interaction among various measures changes and takes on a new configuration).
Geographic variation in the Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla andersonii): concordance of genetic, morphometric and acoustic signal data
Authors: Warwick Alexa R. , Travis Joseph , Lemmon Emily Moriarty
Published: May 2015

Delimiting species is important to every subfield in biology. Templeton's cohesion species concept uses genetic and ecological exchangeability to identify sets of populations that ought to be considered as the same species, and the lack of exchangeability helps determine which populations can be grouped as evolutionarily significant units (ESU) in conservation science. However, previous work assessing genetic and ecological interchangeability among populations has been limited in scope. Here, we provide a method for assessing exchangeability that incorporates multiple, independent lines of multivariate evidence in genetic, behavioural and morphological data. We use this approach to assess exchangeability across three disjunct groups of populations of the Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla andersonii) from the eastern United States. This species is considered threatened by each state in which it occurs and conservation management of this taxon requires a clearer understanding of how populations in these three regions may differ from one another. We find a strikingly concordant pattern in which the first axis of variation for each of the three types of data distinguishes populations along a latitudinal gradient and the second axis distinguishes the set of populations occurring in the Carolinas from those occurring in the New Jersey and Florida/Alabama regions. We know of no comparable data set that displays such concordance among different types of data across so large a geographic range. The overlap in trait values (i.e. exchangeability) between neighbouring regions, however, is substantial in all three types of data, which supports continued consideration of this taxon as a single species.
Seven common mistakes in population genetics and how to avoid them
Authors: Meirmans Patrick G.
Published: May 2015

As the data resulting from modern genotyping tools are astoundingly complex, genotyping studies require great care in the sampling design, genotyping, data analysis and interpretation. Such care is necessary because, with data sets containing thousands of loci, small biases can easily become strongly significant patterns. Such biases may already be present in routine tasks that are present in almost every genotyping study. Here, I discuss seven common mistakes that can be frequently encountered in the genotyping literature: (i) giving more attention to genotyping than to sampling, (ii) failing to perform or report experimental randomization in the laboratory, (iii) equating geopolitical borders with biological borders, (iv) testing significance of clustering output, (v) misinterpreting Mantel's r statistic, (vi) only interpreting a single value of k and (vii) forgetting that only a small portion of the genome will be associated with climate. For every of those issues, I give some suggestions how to avoid the mistake. Overall, I argue that genotyping studies would benefit from establishing a more rigorous experimental design, involving proper sampling design, randomization and better distinction of a priori hypotheses and exploratory analyses.
Glycated albumin is a more accurate glycaemic indicator than haemoglobin A1c in diabetic patients with pre‐dialysis chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kim Il Young , Kim Min Jung , Lee Dong Won , Lee Soo Bong , Rhee Harin , Song Sang Heon , Seong Eun Young , Kwak Ihm Soo
Published: May 2015

Aim

Glycated albumin (GA) has been reported to be a more reliable glycaemic indicator than haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients with diabetes on dialysis. However, the significance of these assays has been less evaluated in patients with diabetes and pre‐dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

GA, HbA1c and fasting serum glucose were measured simultaneously in 146 patients with diabetes. Based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the subjects were categorized into a pre‐dialysis CKD group (eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, n = 97) and a non‐CKD group (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, n = 49).

Results

The glucose/HbA1c and GA/HbA1c ratios were significantly higher in the CKD group than those in the non‐CKD group. The glucose/GA ratio did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the pre‐dialysis CKD group, eGFR was negatively correlated with the glucose/HbA1c ratio (r = −0.343, P = 0.001) and the GA/HbA1c ratio (r = −0.499, P < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was detected between eGFR and the glucose/GA ratio. In the non‐CKD group, eGFR was not correlated with the glucose/HbA1c ratio, the glucose/GA ratio, or the GA/HbA1c ratio. A multivariate regression analysis showed that eGFR had a significant impact on HbA1c but no effect on GA in the pre‐dialysis CKD group (β = 0.210, P = 0.005). In the non‐CKD group, eGFR did not affect HbA1c or GA.

Conclusion

Our results show that HbA1c significantly underestimated glycaemic control, whereas GA more accurately reflected glycaemic control in diabetic patients with pre‐dialysis CKD.