bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating Development Into Evolutionary Psychology
Authors: Bjorklund David F.
Published: October 2016

Developmental thinking is gradually becoming integrated within mainstream evolutionary psychology. This is most apparent with respect to the role of parenting, with proponents of life history theory arguing that cognitive and behavioral plasticity early in life permits children to select different life history strategies, with such strategies being adaptive solutions to different fitness trade-offs. I argue that adaptations develop and are based on the highly plastic nature of infants’ and children’s behavior/cognition/brains. The concept of evolved probabilistic cognitive mechanisms is introduced, defined as information processing mechanisms evolved to solve recurrent problems faced by ancestral populations that are expressed in a probabilistic fashion in each individual in a generation and are based on the continuous and bidirectional interaction over time at all levels of organization, from the genetic through the cultural. Early perceptual/cognitive biases result in behavior that, when occurring in a species-typical environment, produce continuous adaptive changes in behavior (and cognition), yielding adaptive outcomes. Examples from social learning and tool use are provided, illustrating the development of adaptations via evolved probabilistic cognitive mechanisms. The integration of developmental concepts into mainstream evolutionary psychology (and evolutionary concepts into mainstream developmental psychology) will provide a clearer picture of what it means to be human.
Deflection Analysis of Different Needle Designs for Prostate Biopsy and Focal Therapy
Authors: Stone Nelson N. , Mouraviev Vladimir , Schechter David , Goetz Josh , Lucia M. Scott , Smith E. Erin , Crawford E. David
Published: October 2016

Objective:

The biopsy needles currently used were designed for a transrectal biopsy and are known to experience significant deflection from the point of entry into the gland to the needle tip.

Methods:

Five designs were selected for testing: 18-gauge Bard, 15-gauge lancet tip needle with 12° vet-point cannula, and trocar tip needle with 12°, 15°, and 20° vet-point cannulas. The 15-gauge needle was designed to take a variable specimen sample between 20 and 60 mm, whereas the Bard needle specimen bed was fixed at 20 mm. The needles were bench tested on a spring-loaded platform and fired into gelatin matrix with modulus of elasticity similar to human prostate.

Results:

The Bard device with lancet tip needle deflected an average of 0.9 mm (range 0.3-1.3 mm) and 1.9° (range 0.6°-2.8°). Increasing needle diameter from 18-gauge Bard to 15-gauge variable with the same lancet tip needle design resulted in an average deflection across the 3 test lengths of 0.9 mm (range 0-2.0 mm) and 0.9° (range 0°-2.0°) with no significant difference. On the contrary, the use of the 3-point trocar tip needles with 12°, 15°, and 20° vet-point cannulas demonstrated significant reduction in the extent of deflection in both millimeters and degrees. There was no deflection at the 2- and 4-cm shots for both spring loads and preloads for the 3 vet tip angles tested. At 6 cm, the 20° vet tip performed the best.

Conclusion:

We proposed a mechanism that provides more accurate prostate sampling by combining a 3-point trocar tip on the needle with a 20° vet tip on the cutting cannula. Using the phantom, mimicking prostate gland tissue density, no deflection was revealed between 20- and 60-mm biopsy lengths, which should permit a straight sample in the majority of prostate glands and improve cancer localization for focal therapy planning.
Numerical and experimental study on cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine/aluminum explosives in underwater explosions
Authors: Zhao Qian , Nie Jianxin , Wang Qiushi , Zhou Zhengqing , Jiao Qingjie
Published: October 2016

Underwater explosion experiments were conducted to determine the optimal performance of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX)-based aluminized explosives with an aluminum content of 0%, 15%, and 30%. Free-field blast output energies of the three types of explosives were measured between 0.3 and 0.8 m. The shock wave energy, bubble energy, detonation energy, and energy heat release rate were measured. A new calculation method was based on the experimental results to simulate the bubble pulse process and pressure changes inside the bubbles of non-ideal explosives. The specific distance at which maximum total energy was achieved for the underwater explosion was determined.
Decoupling control of a 5-degree-of-freedom bearingless induction motor based on least squares support vector machine inverse
Authors: Wan Ling , Yang Zebin , Sun Xiaodong , Chen Zheng , Chen Lin
Published: October 2016

In order to realize the nonlinear dynamic decoupling control of a 5-degree-of-freedom bearingless induction motor which consists of a 3-degree-of-freedom magnetic bearing and a 2-degree-of-freedom bearingless induction motor, a decoupling control strategy based on least squares support vector machine inverse is proposed. First, on the basis of introducing the structure of 5-degree-of-freedom bearingless induction motor, the mathematical model is derived. At the same time, the reversibility of the mathematical model is analyzed. Second, the inverse model of 5-degree-of-freedom bearingless induction motor is identified using the regress capability for high-dimensional nonlinear least squares support vector machine within limited samples. In addition, the particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to optimize parameters of the least squares support vector machine, which improves the fitting and predictive precision of the model. Third, combining the least squares support vector machine inverse model with the original system constitutes the pseudo linear system and then proportional–integral–derivative closed-loop controllers are designed to realize the compound control for the 5-degree-of-freedom bearingless induction motor system. The dynamic decoupling control among the radial and axial displacements, speed, and flux linkage is achieved. The simulation and preliminary experiment results all verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Investigation of fluid delivery and trapped volume performances of Truninger gear pump by a discretization approach
Authors: Song Wei , Chen Yinglong , Zhou Hua
Published: October 2016

Based on the obtained mathematical models of straight-line gears, this article focuses on the investigation of fluid delivery and trapped volume performances of Truninger gear pumps. Considering the nonlinear relationship in mesh movement of straight-line gears, it is hard to derive explicitly solvable formulas of displacement and trapped volume with traditional methods. A discretization approach is proposed to obtain the numerical solutions. Then, the performances of fluid delivery and trapped volume are discussed. The results show that the trapped volume of Truninger gear pumps only has an expansion process, which avoids the pressure rise caused by the compression of trapped volume and has no contribution to the fluid delivery of pumps. To design Truninger gear pumps with a good delivery capacity, it is practical to choose a small tooth thickness, a large tooth number of the pinion, and a large profile angle with the proper choice of addendum coefficient and dedendum coefficient. Taking the example in this article for illustration, it may choose a tooth thickness of 3 mm, a tooth number of the pinion of 15, a tooth number of the internal gear of 18, a profile angle of 24°, an addendum coefficient of 0.66, and a dedendum coefficient of 0.9.
Evaluation of characteristics of fly ash-reinforced clay bricks as building material
Authors: Singh Harjinder , Brar GS , Mudahar GS
Published: October 2016

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the technical possibilities of incorporating fly ash in clay bricks to produce an industry-acceptable bricks. The effect of fly ash with high replacing ratio from (0% to 50%) of clay on properties of bricks was analyzed. The tests of bulk density, porosity, water absorption, compressive strength, and flexural strength were conducted in accordance with relevant Indian standards in order to estimate the effect of the fly ash content on the performance of the hardened bricks. Novel lightweight bricks have been produced by sintering mixes of fly ash and clay. The results show that fly ash addition up to 50% (in weight) can be beneficial for properties of sintered bricks at temperature 1000°C. Test results revealed that the combined use of clay and fly ash exhibited excellent performance due to efficient micro-filling ability and pozzolanic activity. These bricks give better compressive strength with additional advantage of being lightweight and more environmentally friendly. Effective utilization of fly ash additive is not only for conservation of natural clay resources but also an alternative solution to difficult and expensive waste disposal problems.
“The Question Exists, but You Don’t Exist With It”: Strategic Anonymity in the Social Lives of Adolescents
Authors: Ellison Nicole B. , Blackwell Lindsay , Lampe Cliff , Trieu Penny
Published: October 2016

Anonymous interactions may have important implications for adolescents’ social and psychological development. In this article, we use semi-structured interview data collected from US adolescents aged 13–18 years ( N = 22) to explore how the specific affordances of an online platform that enables selective anonymity shape adolescents’ practices and perceptions. We contribute to scholarship on the effects of anonymous interaction online by surfacing positive outcomes for young adults who choose to interact in anonymous contexts—specifically, a question-and-answer site popular with teenagers ( Ask.fm )—and explicating the ways in which these interactions assist in key developmental tasks during adolescence. We identify five primary themes: (1) perceived authenticity, (2) circumventing social expectations, (3) learning about the self, (4) managing identity and self-presentation, and (5) initiating and developing relationships. Across these themes, we find that users strategically employ anonymity to achieve their social goals. Use of the site was often deeply embedded in offline social structures, such that the platform was used to circumvent rigid norms around socialization (who can talk to whom) and information-seeking (who can ask what), enforced in educational institutions and elsewhere. We conclude that the strategic use of selective anonymity has the potential to scaffold social processes through which adolescents work toward critical developmental goals.
Changing Clinician Practices and Attitudes Regarding the Use of Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Treatment and Prevention
Authors: Buchacz Kate , Farrior Jennifer , Beauchamp Geetha , McKinstry Laura , Kurth Ann E. , Zingman Barry S. , Gordin Fred M. , Donnell Deborah , Mayer Kenneth H. , El-Sadr Wafaa M. , Branson Bernard ,   for the HPTN 065 Study Team
Published: October 2016

As part of the HPTN 065 study in the Bronx, New York and Washington, the authors, we surveyed clinicians to assess for shifts in their practices and attitudes around HIV treatment and prevention. Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-prescribing clinicians at 39 HIV care sites were offered an anonymous Web-based survey at baseline (2010-2011) and at follow-up (2013). The 165 respondents at baseline and 141 respondents at follow-up had similar characteristics—almost 60% were female, median age was 47 years, two-thirds were physicians, and nearly 80% were HIV specialists. The percentage who reported recommending ART irrespective of CD4 count was higher at follow-up (15% versus 68%), as was the percentage who would initiate ART earlier for patients having unprotected sex with partners of unknown HIV status (64% versus 82%), and for those in HIV-discordant partnerships (75% versus 87%). In line with changing HIV treatment guidelines during 2010 to 2013, clinicians increasingly supported early ART for treatment and prevention.
Cervical Cancer in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions of Ghana
Authors: Nartey Yvonne , Hill Philip C. , Amo-Antwi Kwabena , Nyarko Kofi M. , Yarney Joel , Cox Brian
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Cervical cancer is a common cancer among women worldwide. An estimated 528,000 new cases and 266,000 deaths occurred in 2012. More than 85% of invasive cervical cancer cases occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cervical cancer ranks as the most common cancer among women in Ghana. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the descriptive epidemiology of cervical cancer in Ghana. We describe cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates for the regions served by two large hospitals in Ghana.

Patients and Methods

Information for women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer between 2010 and 2013 was collected from the Komfo Anokye and Korle Bu Teaching Hospitals through review of medical, computer, and pathology records at the oncology units and the obstetrics and gynecology departments. Telephone interviews were also conducted with patients and relatives. Data were analyzed using summary statistics.

Results

A total of 1,725 women with cervical cancer were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 11 to 100 years (mean, 56.9 years). The histology of the primary tumor was the basis of diagnosis in 77.5% of women and a clinical diagnosis was made in 22.5% of women. For the 1,336 women for whom tumor grade was available, 34.3% were moderately differentiated tumors. Late stage at presentation was common. The incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer increased with age up until the 75 to 79–year age group and began to decrease at older ages. The Greater Accra region had higher overall incidence and mortality rates than the Ashanti region.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that improvements in the application of preventive strategies could considerably reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries. The study provides important information to inform policy on cancer prevention and control in Ghana.
Impossible Closure: Realism and Durational Aesthetics in Susan Meiselas's Nicaragua
Authors: Weissman Terri
Published: October 2016

This article considers the relationship between lens-based (or photographic) realism and the narrative realism of literary texts with the aim of constructing a model of durational aesthetics that takes into account the simultaneous singularity and ongoingness of the photographic as well as historical event. Photographic “realism” has been diversely conceived, defined, and redefined since the medium's “invention” in the early nineteenth century. Yet to the various existing definitions and conceptions of the term, I seek to add a temporal dimension by looking at how durational experience is latent in the still image, or at least in some still photographs. This temporal quality, I argue, is productively imagined by relating still photography to what literary scholars think of as narrative. In this, I am guided by two questions: First, simply, in what respects might still photography be considered a narrative medium? And second, how might the surprising duration and narrativity of the ostensibly still image figure as a key component to a realist conception of the medium? I address these questions through a consideration of two projects: Susan Meiselas's photographs of the Nicaraguan Revolution, shot in 1978–79, and her film Pictures from a Revolution (1991), in which she reconsiders those earlier images.
Afterword: Realism's Futures
Authors: Lye Colleen
Published: October 2016

Not too long ago, nothing was deemed “real.” Now, however, everything seems to be. Why is that, and when did this shift occur? This afterword argues that the influence of an “Arrighian realism” is making itself felt in emergent historical materialist reassessments of how to measure properly historical motion. After the “end of history,” in other words, history went on anyway. This afterword explores the various ways in which this phenomenon has manifested itself and considers how our special issue contributors have questioned and enriched our understanding of realism(s).
Herd Behavior and Mutual Fund Performance
Authors: Koch Andrew
Published: October 2016

I develop fund-level measures of the similarity in trading of mutual fund managers, resulting in the identification of leaders, contemporaneously herding managers, and followers. I find evidence of a persistent group of funds whose trades lead the aggregate trades of the mutual fund industry; these leader funds exhibit strong subsequent performance, consistent with informed trading. By contrast, there is no evidence that managers that trade together, either contemporaneously or with a lag, outperform. These findings suggest that managers of leader funds receive in advance private signals regarding the information upon which other funds focus.

This paper was accepted by Lauren Cohen, finance.
Proper Efficiency and Tradeoffs in Multiple Criteria and Stochastic Optimization
Authors: Engau Alexander
Published: October 2016

The mathematical equivalence between linear scalarizations in multiobjective programming and expected-value functions in stochastic optimization suggests to investigate and establish further conceptual analogies between these two areas. In this paper, we focus on the notion of proper efficiency that allows us to provide a first comprehensive analysis of solution and scenario tradeoffs in stochastic optimization. In generalization of two standard characterizations of properly efficient solutions using weighted sums and augmented weighted Tchebycheff norms for finitely many criteria, we show that these results are generally false for infinitely many criteria. In particular, these observations motivate a slightly modified definition to prove that expected-value optimization over continuous random variables still yields bounded tradeoffs almost everywhere in general. Further consequences and practical implications of these results for decision-making under uncertainty and its related theory and methodology of multiple criteria, stochastic and robust optimization are discussed.
The upper Agri valley (in Basilicata): Geoarchaeology and Ancient Topography of an inland mountain landscape
Authors: Francesco Tarlano
Published: October 2016

Historically, the upper Agri valley is one of the most important connecting routes between the Ionian coast, the interior, and the Tyrrhenian coast. One of the aims of this project is to study the context extensively, in particular the landscape produced by a series of historical events. In addition we will aim to identify the reciprocal influences between geomorphology and ancient settlements, and to reconstruct the historical evolution of the landscape. Finally, we intend to create a ‘Map of Archaeological Potential’, which can be interpreted as an “Archaeological Risk Map”. This reconstruction has demonstrated that in the Lucanian period the distribution of settlements was very dense. A similar network of settlements was present during the Roman Republican period in relation to the establishment of Grumentum followed by the Gracchan centuriation. Finally, after the process of “Romanization” was complete, the modes of land use changed again.
Artistic paintings and drawings as a source for the ancient urban reconstruction of living towns: the cases of Panormus and Regium Lepidi
Authors: Paolo Storchi
Published: October 2016

Artistic paintings and drawings as a source for reconstructing the ancient urban environments of present-day towns: the cases of Panormo and Regium Lepidi. The reconstruction of the ancient appearance of present-day cities is particularly complicated. In this project, to understand ancient Panormo (Palermo) and Regium Lepidi (Reggio Emilia), all available sources have been utilised, an approach that can be applied to every living city in Italy or elsewhere. Drawings, views and engravings of either particular monuments or entire cities are particularly important sources for the reconstruction of ancient towns; they let us see a city much closer to the Roman one than that of today. In this paper we analyse the case studies of the ancient theatre of Palermo and of the amphitheatre of Reggio Emilia.
The potential of the typological study of ceramics. The example of “Etruria Padana”
Authors: Chiara Mattioli
Published: October 2016

The desire to create a general typology of the ceramics produced locally in ‘Etruria Padana’ came out of the need to for systematic study the ceramics from the excavation of the ancient Etruscan town of Marzabotto (Bologna), abandoning the previous approach of sub-dividing materials according to the individual areas of excavation. Once the type was established, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of the ceramic forms found, with the intention of determining whether such production was sufficiently homogeneous to allow us to define "Etruscan regional production”. At the same time, particular attention was paid to anomalies and morphological differences in order to ascertain the existence of local characteristics, exclusive to certain territories.
Improved Diagnostic Performance of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays Is an Artifact of Censored Data
Authors: Pretorius Carel J , Ungerer Jacobus P J
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays with improved analytical performance at low concentrations are credited with increased diagnostic sensitivity in acute coronary syndrome patients. We investigated the relationship between analytical sensitivity (detection capability) and diagnostic accuracy and tested the effect of censoring data with a software model.

METHOD

We generated 4 sets of results with decreasing detection capability and compared the ROC curves with and without censored data.

RESULTS

There was no relationship between diagnostic performance and detection capability. When data were censored the diagnostic accuracy decreased progressively with an increase in the threshold concentration for censoring. The ROC curves constructed with censored data have a characteristic appearance with a straight line between the censoring point and the top right hand corner.

CONCLUSIONS

There is not a direct relationship between the diagnostic accuracy and the detection capability of cardiac troponin assays. The artifactual decrease in diagnostic accuracy can be added to the list of reasons why data should not be censored and this practice should be disclosed in studies on diagnostic accuracy.
A polymorphic marker Val109Asp in the omentin gene are associated with abdominal obesity in the Kyrgyz population
Authors: Isakova Zhainagul T. , Talaibekova Elnura T. , Asambaeva Diana A. , Kerimkulova Alina S. , Lunegova Olga S. , Aldasheva Nazira M. , Aldashev Almaz A.
Published: October 2016

Aim — in this study, we investigated whether polymorphisms Val109Asp in the omentin gene are associated with abdominal obesity in the Kyrgyz population.Material and methods. We genotyped 297 nonrelated adults Kyrgyz individuals. 127 patients (male — 46, female — 81, average age — 53±7,0) with abdominal obesity (elevated waist circumferences ≥102 cm for male subjects and ≥ 88 cm for female) and 170 non-obese control subjects (male — 107, female — 63, average age 51±9). Val109Asp polymorphisms analysis in the omentin gene were performed by PCR-RFLP method.Results. There were significant differences in genotype distributions of rs2274907 between the obese and control cohorts (p=0.01). Frequencies of Asp109Asp, Val109Asp and Val109Val genotypes among patients with abdominal obesity were 48, 40 and 12%, respectively, that differed from those among controls (Asp109Asp — 53%, Val109Aspl — 43% and Val109Val — 4%); there was significant difference in genotype frequencies between two groups (χ²=6,29; p=0,043). Homozygous genotype Val109Val was more frequent in the obese than non-obese group. The genotype Val109Val of omentin gene is associated with a high risk of developing abdominal obesity in the Kyrgyz population (OR=3,12; 95% CI 1,23—7,90). Homozygous genotype Asp109Asp, reduces the risk of developing abdominal obesity (OR=0,82; 95% CI 0,53—1,30). The allelic variants of the polymorphisms Val109Asp in the omentin gene were not found to be associated with abdominal obesity.Conclusion. There is significant association between Val109Asp polymorphism in omentin gene and abdominal obesity in the Kyrgyz Population. An increased risk of abdominal obesity associated with homozygous genotype — Val109Val in omentin gene.
Incidence and prevalence of growth hormone deficiency in the russian federation according to the official medical statistics data and the growth hormone deficiency patients registry
Authors: Vorontsova Maria V.
Published: October 2016

Background. Growth hormone (GH) therapy for growth hormone deficient (GHD) children in Russia is funded by the state. This warrants the need for a full understanding of the disease and its treatment with recombinant GH (rGH) including its clinical, epidemiological and economical aspects. Aims — to estimate the incidence and the prevalence of GHD in children and adults in the Russian Federation.Material and methods. In Russia, GHD patients are registered in both the official medical statistics (MS) and a special registry for patients suffering of «high expenditure dieseases». Both the official MS data and the GHD patients’ registry is used for analysis.Results. According to MS the prevalence of GHD in Russia among children is 14,38 per 100 000. Including the adult population and adult patients with GHD, the prevalence is calculated at 4,94 per 100 000 total population. Calculations based on the registry show similar, yet not identical results: 14,57 per 100 000 children and 4,56 per 100 000 total population. The incidence of GHD among children results at 2,45 per 100 000 children/year according to MS, according to the registry — 2,06 per 100 000 children/year. Several regions of Russia demonstrate an extremely high or low prevalence/incidence of GHD among children. The prevalence of GHD among adults is much lower (statistics — 2,68 per 100 000 adults, registry — 2,16 per 100 000 adults). These circumstances warrant closer investigations and possible corrections of both diagnostics of GHD and patient monitoring.Conclusions. The differences between the MS and the registry revealed here show the necessity for correcting the rules of conducting the registry. Today there are no clear exclusion criteria. Considering the epidemiology of GHD shown by the official MS, the dependence of GH therapy outcome on a timely diagnosis we suggest to widen the functional use of the federal registry, which has the potential to become a useful tool in GH therapy control and patient monitoring.
Serum levels of fibronectin in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Liliya Mogylnytska A.
Published: October 2016

Aim — to investigate serum level of fibronectin in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a marker of endothelial dysfunction, and the relationship of that factor to the endothelium-dependent dilatation and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.Material and methods. We study 62 women: 45 — with PCOS (23 obese women, 22 — non-obese) and 20 — a control group. Serum level of fibronectin was determined by ELISA. Endothelium-dependent dilatation was measured by test of Celermajer. Data was presented as mean ± SD.Results. We found an elevation of serum level of fibronectin in obese women with PCOS compared to control (258,12±48,47 and 196,34±46,68 pmol/ml respectively; р<0,05), in non-obese women compared to control (227,62±35,36 and 196,34±46,68 pmol/ml respectively, р<0,05). Serum level of fibronectin in obese was higher than non-obese women (258,12±48,47 и 227,62±35,36 pmol/ml respectively, р<0,05). Also, there are a correlation between the serum levels of fibronectin and BMI, HOMA index, lipid metabolism, androgens in PCOS women obese and non-obese (p<0,05).Conclusion. Serum level of fibronectin is elevated in obese and non-obese women with PCOS. Hyperandrogenemia, dyslipidemia, insulin resistence, obesity appears to be significant factor to contributing elevation of fibronectin. The revealed change of fibronectin could reflect an endothelial dysfunction in PCOS.
Phenocopies of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: role of the genes, associated with the development of pituitary adenomas
Authors: Mamedova Elizaveta O. , Mokrysheva Natalya G. , Pigarova Ekaterina A. , Przhiyalkovskaya Elena G. , Vasilyev Evgeny V. , Petrov Vasiliy M. , Dzeranova Larisa K. , Molitvoslovova Natalya N. , Rozhinskaya Liudmila Ya. , Tiulpakov Anatoly N. , Melnichenko Galina A.
Published: October 2016

Background. Absence of detectable MEN1 mutations in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) phenotype may disprove the hereditary predisposition and the necessity of a lifelong regular screening for detecting the remaining components of the syndrome, and the examination of the first-degree relatives. Nevertheless, there may be other genes involved in the co-occurrence of several MEN1-associated tumors. Aim — to determine the role of genes, associated with the development of familial pituitary adenomas (PA), and genes, presumably involved in pathogenesis of sporadic PA, in the development of MEN1 phenocopies with PA as one of components.Material and methods. 23 patients with MEN1 phenocopy were included in the study. The patients underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) (Ion TorrentTM PGMTM, Thermo Fisher Scientific — Life Technologies, USA) using a panel of candidate genes (MEN1, CDKN1B, PRKAR1A, AIP, SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, GNAS, PRKCA, CDKN2A, CDKN2C, POU1F1, PTTG2).Results. In 1 (4%) female patient with acromegaly and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) a germline heterozygous change in exon 6 of AIP gene c.911G>A (p.R304Q) was revealed. In four female patients with acromegaly and PHPT we revealed polymorphisms whose pathological significance is not defined: heterozygous change in exon 1 of PTTG2 gene c.134G>A (p.R45H), heterozygous change in intron 1 of PRKAR1A gene (c.–10G>C), heterozygous change in exon 5 of SDHB gene c.487T>C (p.S163P), heterozygous change in 3’-UTR of CDKN1B gene g.3897G>T (c*8G>T).Conclusions. The results of our study show that mutations in the majority of the examined genes associated with the development of hereditary and sporadic PA, do not cause the development of MEN1 phenocopies. The necessity to study AIP gene in all patients with MEN1 phenocopies needs further research. It is recommended to search for new genes, mutations in which could be the cause of the development of MEN1 phenocopies.
Evaluation of vibration sensitivity violation as early diagnosis of diabetic distal polyneuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Sosedkova Alexandra , Dydyshka Yulia
Published: October 2016

Distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is a severe complication and the most common form of peripheral neuropathies in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Nowadays, interest in the DSPN has increased significantly due to the increase of incidence of T2D, as well as the severity of its clinical manifestations.This study aimed to assess the prevalence of DSPN in patients with T2D using Vibratip device as an alternative test for early diagnosis of vibration perception disorders.Design and methods. This study was a cross sectional observational design. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured according to standard protocol. The information about T2D duration and treatment, diabetic complications, concomitant diseases and its treatment, data about laboratory parameters (level of HbA1c during the last six months, total cholesterol and triglycerides) collected from local database. All participants examined with Vibratip on both feet. Vibratip is new device using standardized vibration for DSPN detection. Vibratip is applied to the patients feet, testing two sites on both feet (1st metatarsal head on the plantar surface and hallux pump) - once whilst non-vibrating and once whilst vibrating and the patients (with their eyes closed) is asked to indicate when they feel the vibration.Results. 2757 women and 1546 men aged 22-89 years selected from the six regions of the Republic of Belarus and Minsk-city. Among the 4303 subjects 7.78% (n=335) took place in this study aged less than 45 years (young patients), 65.4 % (n=2814) aged 45-65 years and 26.49 % (n=1140) aged more than 65 years old. Average age was 59 ±10.4; average body mass index (BMI) – 32.2±5.6 kg/m2. Participants with normal body mass index composed 9.02% (n=388), participants with superfluous body mass and obesity – 91% (n=3915). 710 (16.5%) participants were smoking, 2649 (61 %) suffered from high blood pressure. The most participants 1428 (33%) were treated by statins compared with fibrates 131 (3%). In patients with clinical symptoms of DSPN more often was pain (in 775 cases - 18.0%), burning (in 775 cases - 16.4%), numbness (in 1144 cases - 26.6%), feeling of pins and needles (in 921cases - 21.4%) and feeling of electric shock (in 235 cases - 5.5%). In patients with vibration sensitivity disorders were subjects with previous diagnosis of DSPN 1813 (42.13%) and subjects without previous diagnosis of DSPN 850 (19.75%). Amount subjects with asymptomatic vibration sensitivity disorder without clinical symptoms DSPN was 1640 (38.12%).Conclusions. In 20% of patients T2D with impaired vibration sensitivity, established with the device Vibratip, defined pre-clinical stage of DSPN. Given the ease of use of the device Vibratip advisable its use as a screening method for early diagnosis of DSPN in clinical practice.
Serum but not salivary cortisol levels are influenced by daily glycemic oscillations in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Scappaticcio Lorenzo , Ida Maiorino Maria , Ida Maiorino Elisabetta , Casciano Ofelia , Cirillo Paolo , Caputo Mariangela , Esposito Katherine , Giugliano Dario , Bellastella Giuseppe
Published: October 2016

Diurnal salivary and plasma cortisol variations are considered valid expression of circadian cortisol rhythmicity. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of salivary and plasma cortisol evaluating if glycemia and glycemic oscillations may interfere with their concentration.Methods: Forty-seven type 2 diabetic patients and 31 controls were studied for glycemic profile and diurnal salivary and plasma cortisol variations on two contemporary samples taken at 08:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m (Late Night, LN). Glucose variability was evaluated in diabetic patients by considering the standard deviation of blood glucose (BGSD) readings, by calculating the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGEs) and continuous overlapping net glycemic action (CONGA).Results: A significant correlation between LN serum cortisol and morning fasting glycemia (r = 0.78; p = 0.004) was observed in T2DM group but not in the control group (r = 0.09; p = 0.74). While LN serum cortisol significantly correlated with CONGA in diabetic patients (r = 0.50; p < 0.001), LN salivary cortisol did not correlate with any indices of glucose variability. Moreover, a highly significant correlation between LN salivary and LN serum cortisol concentrations was found in control group (r = 0.80; p < 0.001) but not in diabetic patients (r = 0.07; p = 0.62) .Conclusions: This study shows for the first time that late night salivary cortisol may give more information than late night plasma cortisol on the dynamic of adrenal function of type 2 diabetic patients, as it is not significantly influenced by glycemic variations.
Effects of chronic administration of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor Vardenafil on serum levels of adrenal and testicular steroids in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Santi Daniele , Granata Antonio , Pignatti Elisa , Trenti Tommaso , Roli Laura , Bozic Roberto , Zaza Stefano , Carani Cesare , Magnani Elisa , Simoni Manuela , Rochira Vincenzo
Published: October 2016

Background. Steroidogenesis is a complex enzymatic process in which cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) play an important role. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors(PDE5i) increase cGMP, improving NO availability.Objective. to investigate whether long-term, chronic treatment with the PDE5i Vardenafil affects adrenal and testicular steroidogenesis in diabetic men, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Design. A longitudinal, prospective, investigator-started, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical-trial was carried out.Setting and Participants. 54 male patients affected by T2DM diagnosed within the last 5 years were enrolled. 26 and 28 patients were assigned to the verum and placebo-group, respectively.Interventions. The study consisted of an enrolment phase, a treatment phase (24weeks) (Vardenafil/placebo 10mg twice-daily), and a follow-up phase (24weeks).Outcome measurements: progesterone (P), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulphate (DHEAS), corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol and cortisol (C), were evaluated using LC-MS/MS.Results. No differences were seen in sex testicular steroids between study and control group. For the adrenal gland, steroids were considered according to the zona in which they are produced. Considering steroids produced in the zona fasciculata, no significant differences were seen in 11-deoxycortisol and C among visits, both in the study and in the control group. For the zona reticularis, DHEA significantly decreased during treatment only in the study group (p=0.007). At post-hoc test DHEA showed higher levels at visit 2 and 8 than in other visits. The DHEAS/DHEAS ratio significantly increased during treatment only in the verum group. Considering the adrenal zona glomerulosa, corticosterone significantly changed among visits both in the study and in the control group (p<0.001). At post-hoc test, in both groups, corticosterone was significantly higher at visit 2 (p=0.028), 8 (p=0.003), and 10 (p=0.044), i.e. in coincidence with the complete clinical and instrumental examination performed only at these visits according to the study protocol.Conclusions. This is the first double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical-trial in which steroidogenesis is extensively investigated by LC-MS/MS in T2DM men chronically treated with Vardenafil for 6 months, and followed-up for 6 months after therapy-withdrawal. Chronically administered Vardenafil reduces DHEA levels and increases DHEAS/DHEA ratio as possible consequences of modulation of steroidogenic enzymes by tissue changes in cGMP and/or cAMP availability. A possibly stress-related increase in corticosterone is suggested for the first time.
Can obestatin modulate the GnRH neurons activity?
Authors: Szlis Michal , Polkowska Jolanta , Wójcik-Gładysz Anna
Published: October 2016

Obestatin, an anorexigenic peptide acting at the central nervous system and on the periperial level, can co-create neuroendocrine network, which modulate the gonadotrophic axis activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of intracerebroventricular obestatin infusion on the activity of the gonadoliberine (GnRH) neurons activity.The experiment was performed on peripubertal Polish Merino sheep (n=24). Animals were divided into 2 groups: control (Ringer-Lock solution infusions; n=12) and experimental (obestatin infusion, 25μl/120μl/h; n=12). Infusions were performed over three consecutive days; blood samples were collected on day 0 and day 3. After the experiment, the animals were slaughtered, and the chosen brain tissue was preserved for IHC and Real Time RT-qPCR analysis.It was also shown that exogenous obestatin changes the selected gene expression of GnRH pulse generator, decreases the secretory activity of GnRH neurons, resulting from the inhibition of GnRH release from median eminence terminal nerves, and also decreases the GnRH receptor gene expression in pituitary. On the basis of the obtained results it can be concluded that obestatin may be involved in the modulation of reproduction processes in animals at the level of the central nervous system. However, the mechanism of its action requires further research, especially identifying the obestatin receptor itself.
The choice of the optimal secondary adrenal insufficiency screening method
Authors: Yudina Alla E. , Tselovalnikova Tatyana Y. , Pavlova Maria G. , Mazerkina Nadezhda A. , Arefyeva Irina A. , Zheludkova Olga G. , Gerasimov Andrey N.
Published: October 2016

Background. The insulin tolerance test (ITT) is the “gold standard” of the secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) diagnosis but it is rather difficult to carry out, has some contraindications and requires patient’s hospitalization. The availability of a reliable screening method could reduce the necessity of using ITT.Aim: to compare different methods of screening with ITT and to work out an optimal diagnostic algorithm of SAI.Methods. 40 patients (20 women) after craniospinal (CSI) irradiation in a doze 35 Gy were examined. The average age at the time of the observation was 19,5±3 years, at the time of treatment 12,5±3,5 years. Patient’s blood samples were collected for basal cortisol (BC), DHEA-S. ITT was performed for all patients, glucagon stimulation test (GST) was for 27 persons. Patients were divided into groups: SAI and without SAI (W-SAI) after ITT. ROC- analysis was conducted to identify the thresholds for BC, DHEA-S and GST. Cut-off points for BC and DHEA-S levels corresponding to 100% sensitivity (Se) for SAI group and 100% specificity (Sp) for W-SAI patients were estimated to select a group of patients which do not require stimulative tests. Linear regression was used to construct a predictive model (PM) of SAI occurrence after CSI.Results. 22/40 subjects failed ITT, 13/27 passed GST. 3 patients failed ITT but passed GST. Their level of neutrophils and monocytes was higher than the other patients'. SAI-patients had BC and DHEA-S lower than W-SAI (321±102 vs 516± 183; p=0,003 and 2,6±1,4 vs 5,1±2,1, p=0,003). ROC-analysis showed area under curve (AUC) for GST=0,91 with optimal cut-off for cortisol=489 which corresponds to 100% Sp and 62% Se. AUC was 0,83 for BC and 0,84 for DHEA-S.In 70% patients' BC was in a “grey zone” (32% of them passed ITT), 8% had BC lower than 200 (which corresponds to 100% Se) and 22% more than 499 (100% Sp). 50% of patients were in a “grey zone” for DHEA-S (50% of them had SAI), 18% had DHEA-S level below 2,0 and 32% above 4,7. A combination of BC and DHEA-S in the PM of SAI (0,592+0,001*BC+0,11*DHEA-S) had AUC 94%. This PM didn’t give the prognosis of SAI for 32% (CI: 18-49%) of patients. The addition of maximal cortisol (MC) level during GST (0,53+0,01*BC+0,066*DHEA-S+0,001*MC) increased AUC to 99% and didn’t allow to predict SAI in 8% (3,2% - 24,9%) of patients only.Conclusions. When the screening methods were used separately, they showed comparable accuracy and it was not high. The PM may be used as optimal screening method for SAI and may allow to use ITT more rarely. But further studies are required to validate the PM proposed in this study.
Aggressive Cushing disease five years after the treatment of a nonfunctional pituitary adenoma
Authors: Betivoiu Minodora , Martin Sorina , Soare Iulia , Nila Alexandra , Fica Simona
Published: October 2016

Introduction. Cushing's disease (CD) represents 10%–12% of all pituitary adenomas and is seen predominantly in women, with a female-to-male ratio of 8:1. Although most patients with ACTH-secreting adenomas present with benign, small tumors, some have invasive macroadenomas. Rarely, nonfunctional pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) may gain secretory function, but there have been a few case reports of metamorphosis to CD.Case report. We report the case of a 59-year-old female diagnosed in 2007 with a NFPA and panhypopituitarism. She had two transsphenoidal surgeries and Gamma Knife therapy and started replacement treatment with levothyroxine 75mcg/day and prednisone 5mg/day. The postoperative course was favorable and imagistic follow-up between 2007-2014 showed progressive reduction of the residual tumor and empty sella. From personal history we note noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with bisphosphonates. In January 2015 she suffered visual loss on the right eye. Pituitary MRI showed supra and parasellar tumor recurrence of 27/24/17mm, infiltrating the right side of the cavernous sinus, extending around the right internal carotid artery and optic nerve, compressing the optic chiasm. In March 2015 a third transsphenoidal partial excision of the tumor was performed and in August Gamma Knife therapy was repeated. The histopathological examination was consistent with a pituitary adenoma but immunohistochemical staining for ACTH was positive, with Ki-67=25%. She had no non-specific cushingoid features. Laboratory test: glucose=116mg/dl, HbA1c=7.5%, FSH=3.34mIU/ml, LH=0.585mIU/ml TSH=0.044mcIU/ml, FT4=1.13ng/dl. Prednisone replacement therapy was stopped and CD was confirmed: 8AMcortisol=13.3mcg/dl, 23PMcortisol=11.3mcg/dl, ACTH=70.2pg/ml, 8AMcortisol after 1mg dexamethasone overnight=13.8mcg/dl. Ophthalmic exam: blindness in the right eye, slightly decreased visual field in the left eye. Pituitary MRI 8-month postsurgery revealed a 28/31/28mm invasive tumor. We started treatment with Cabergoline 3mg/week and recommended closely biological and imagistic follow-up, hoping for a good response to radiotherapy.Conclusions: Our case stresses the importance of regular, lifelong follow-up of patients with NFPAs. Chiloiro et al have reported that pituitary adenomas with Ki-67≥1.5% have a higher risk of recurrence. Although the characteristics of patients with CD have been well known for decades, the diagnosis and management of this disease are often challenging.
Krokot Extract (Portulaca Oleracea. L) as Natural Light-harvesting pigments for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) : Influence of Dye Acidity
Authors: Nurfaizah Cici , Krisdiyanto Didik , Khamidinal Khamidinal , Sudarlin Sudarlin
Published: October 2016

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was fabricated using natural dyes extracted from krokot (Portulaca Oleracea. L). The effect of dye acidity was investigated on natural pH extract, 5.00, 4.00 and 3.00 of pH. The efficiency and stability DSSCs as a function of the dye acidity was studied. The result of the UV-Vis shows that the absorption of wave-length from dye extract of krokot is located in the visible region with the absorbance peak in 410.5 nm and 664.5 nm which are the peak of chlorophyll. The efficiency of extract krokot dye sensitized solar cells was decreasing  6.88 x 10-3 %  to  0.42 x 10-3 % when pH of the dye was adjusted from 6.27 to 3.00. DSSCs stability was also decreased look for efficiency loss from 5.27% to 97.49% in the same conditions.
The Phytoestrogenic Potential of Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) on Ovarian and Uterine Tissue Structure of Premenopausal Mice
Authors: Primiani Cicilia Novi
Published: October 2016

The use of estrogen hormone by public has significantly been improved either as prevention or treatment of disease. Menopausal issues in women are often treated using hormone replacement therapy. In regard to this, yam bean is found to contain genistein and daidzein compounds with a chemical structure that resembles estrogen hormone, therefore yam bean is categorized in the phytoestrogen group. The purpose of this study was to identify the potential of yam bean on ovarian and uterine histology of mice. This research employed a Completely Randomized Design of experimental research approach of one factor namely yam bean in three different dosage treatment: 0.3 g/kg, 0.6 g/kg, and 0.9 g/kg of yam bean for 24 days. The surgery and organ harvesting of ovary and uterus were conducted on Day 25 along with the making of histological preparat using paraffin method and Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The data was then analyzed descriptively. This research found that there were both secondary and tertiary follicle proliferation as the antrum contains some estrogen level. Meanwhile, the endometrial tissue of the uterus experienced uterine glandular proliferation. To conclude, yam bean was found to be a natural estrogen source.