bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of 467 Patients With a Clinically Recognized Eating Disorder Identified Among 52,215 Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: A Multicenter German/Austrian Study
Authors: Scheuing Nicole , Bartus Béla , Berger Gabriele , Haberland Holger , Icks Andrea , Knauth Burkhild , Nellen-Hellmuth Nicole , Rosenbauer Joachim , Teufel Martin , Holl Reinhard W. ,   on behalf of the DPV Initiative,   the German BMBF Competence Network Diabetes Mellitus
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical characteristics and outcome of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) between patients with and without a clinically recognized eating disorder (ED).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 52,215 T1DM patients aged 8 to <30 years from the prospective diabetes data acquisition system DPV were analyzed. A total of 467 patients had an additional diagnosis of ED according to DSM-IV criteria (anorexia nervosa [AN], n = 141 [female: 94.3%]; bulimia nervosa [BN], n = 62 [90.3%]; and EDs not otherwise specified, including binge-eating disorder [EDNOS], n = 264 [74.2%]). Groups were compared using multivariable regression. Cox proportional hazard ratios were calculated for the association between ED and retinopathy.

RESULTS

After adjustment for age, sex, and duration of diabetes, patients with ED revealed higher HbA1c (no ED vs. AN, BN, or EDNOS, respectively: 8.29 ± 0.01% [67.1 ± 0.1 mmol/mol] vs. 8.61 ± 0.15% [70.6 ± 1.6 mmol/mol], 9.11 ± 0.23% [76.1 ± 2.5 mmol/mol], or 9.00 ± 0.11% [74.9 ± 1.2 mmol/mol]) and a higher rate of pathological insulin injection sites (48.4 vs. 64.3, 64.1, or 62.1%). Furthermore, ketoacidosis (5.7 ± 0.1 vs. 12.1 ± 2.1, 18.0 ± 4.1, or 12.9 ± 1.6 events per 100 person-years) and hospitalization (54.9 ± 0.3 vs. 89.3 ± 6.0, 132.0 ± 12.7, or 91.0 ± 4.4 per 100 person-years) were more common, and duration of hospital stay was longer (4.81 ± 0.01 vs. 11.31 ± 0.21, 18.05 ± 0.48, or 8.44 ± 0.13 days per year). All P values were <0.05. Patients with BN and EDNOS had a 2.5-fold (95% CI 1.3–4.8) and a 1.4-fold (0.8–2.3) higher risk for retinopathy, whereas AN patients had no increased risk (0.9 [95% CI 0.4–2.3]).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes health care professionals should be aware of comorbid EDs in pediatric/young-adult T1DM patients. An ED diagnosis is associated with worse metabolic control and higher rates of diabetes complications.
Educational Sorting and Residential Aspirations Among Rural High School Students
Authors: Petrin Robert A. , Schafft Kai A. , Meece Judith L.
Published: March 2014

An extended body of research has documented the outmigration of the “best and brightest” youth from rural areas. Some of this scholarship has suggested that rural schools and educators may be complicit in this process as they devote extra attention and resources to the highest achieving students—those most likely to leave their rural communities after high school. Using data from a national multimethod study, we find mixed support for this hypothesis. To the contrary, our data suggest that the highest-achieving rural students are among those with the greatest community attachment, and that student perceptions of local economic conditions are far more influential in shaping postsecondary residential aspirations than the advice of educators, or the poverty level of the school.
Prevalence of Hyperuricemia among People of Morang District of Nepal
Authors: Yadav Shrawan Kumar , Nepal Nirag , Niroula DilliRam
Published: March 2014

Hyperuricemia refers to an elevation in the serum uric acid concentration. The blood levels of uric acid are a function of the balance between the breakdown of purines & the rate of uric acid excretion. Theoretically, alterations in this balance many account for hyperuricemia. Prolonged hyperuricemia often associated with gout, is an important risk factor for damaged joints. The present study is undertaken with the aim to find out the prevalence of hyperuricemia by age & sex, to establish the statistically significant correlation between serum creatinine & triglyceride concentration with uric acid concentration & to study the relation between alcohol drinking & hyperuricemia in Morang District, by routine health examinations in the out Patients Department (OPD) of Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar from January 2012 to January 2013. The study reveals that 28.57% (male – 30.06%., female -26.61%) of patients have been suffering from hyperuricemia. It indirectly indicates hyperuricemia is very frequent in developing country like Nepal. The present study denoted that hyperuricemia is directly related to alcohol consumption in both male & female. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v3i1.10048 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.3(1) 2014; 16-21
Indoor Air Pollution due to Inadequate Ventilation and its Impact on Health among Children of Less Than Five Years in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Thapa Bijay , Chaurasia Nitendra
Published: March 2014

Introduction: According to WHO, half of the developing world’s population depend on biomass (wood, dung and agricultural residues) and coal for such basic needs as cooking and heating. The smoke produced from the burning of these solid fuels on open fires or traditional stoves is referred to as indoor air pollution. IAP increases the risk of COPD and of acute respiratory illness in childhood, the most important cause of death among children less than 5 years of age in developing countries. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of IAP in terms of housing, overcrowding & ventilation. To assess the frequency, extent of biomass exposure and hazards on child health. Materials and methods: The cross sectional study was carried out in the Urban area of Katahari V.D.C. 4,6,7,8 for the duration of 6 months from February to August 2013 among 200 households. Lottery method was used to choose the wards and households. Data were analyzed using percentages, proportions and statistical test (chi-square test). Results: Due to excessive production of smoke and inadequate ventilation/chimney in the kitchen, such houses showed more prevalence of respiratory problems. Fifty percent of children were ill more than four times and 46% were seen at least twice. Almost all of them had experienced respiratory problems and 20% children were diagnosed with pneumonia in health facilities and treated. Ill ventilated kitchen, rooms along with dampness and absence of day light were the main factors contributing to the diseases comprising of 56%. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v3i1.10052 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.3(1) 2014; 35-39
Prediction of Stature Based on Foot Length
Authors: Pandey Nivedita , Roshan Suresh , Kharate Rahul , Sonawane Monali , Bhivate Varsha , Ujwal Narpat Singh
Published: March 2014

Background Estimation of body height from its segments or dismember parts has important considerations for identifications of living or dead human body or remains recovered from mass disaster or other similar conditions. Objective Stature is an important consideration in determining the identity. Our aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between foot length and body height and to derive a regression equation for stature estimation from foot length and to find out the correlation between body height and foot length. Methods The present study was conducted on 200 medical students of age group 18 to 23 years studying in MGM Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. India. Body height and foot length were measured in centimeter. All the measurements were taken by using standard measuring devices and standard anthropometric techniques. Results Correlation coefficients between stature and foot dimensions were found to be positive and statistically highly significant. Prediction of stature was found to be most accurate by multiple regression analysis. Conclusions In population similar to our subjects, stature and gender estimation can be done by using foot measurements and it will be helpful for Anatomists, Anthropologists and forensic experts to calculate stature based on foot length. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v3i1.10058 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.3(1) 2014; 66-70
Bilateral Thalamic Glioma –A Rare Tumour
Authors: Rauniyar Vivek , Qin Bing , Yang Huan
Published: March 2014

We report a case of 48-year old woman who presented with dementia, progressive mental decline, personality change, paresis of the right lower extremity, and gait ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1-weighted image revealed bilateral thalamic swelling with homogenous low signal intensity and mild contrast enhancement with gadolinium. The T2- weighted image showed high intensity lesions in the bilateral thalamus, septum pellucidum and fornix. A CT-guided stereotactic biopsy of the lesion revealed fibrillary astrocytoma grade III as per WHO classification. Bilateral thalamic gliomas are very rare tumours and when present may resemble other benign diseases having similar clinical presentations DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v3i1.10059   Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.3(1) 2014; 71-73
Calvin's Interpretation of Christ's Agony at Gethsemane: An Erasmian Reading?
Authors: Essary Kirk
Published: March 2014

Abstract:

This paper considers the prospects of Erasmus's De taedio Iesu—an embellished recreation of a debate between Erasmus himself and John Colet at Oxford in 1499 over the question whether Christ truly feared for his own death in the Garden of Gethsemane—as an influence on John Calvin's interpretation of Matthew 26:37–39 and parallels in his Commentary on the Gospel Harmony (1555). It examines three aspects that Calvin's commentary shares with Erasmus's De taedio: (1) the use of a passage from Ambrose's Expositio in Lucam, (2) the problem of monothelitism and the two wills of Christ, and (3) the difference between Christ's passions and ours in light of original sin.
Global Sensitivity Analysis of Mechanistic–Empirical Performance Predictions for Flexible Pavements
Authors: Schwartz Charles W. , Li Rui , Ceylan Halil , Kim Sunghwan , Gopalakrishnan Kasthurirangan
Published: March 2014

The new AASHTO Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) provides pavement analysis and performance predictions for various feasible design scenarios. The MEPDG performance predictions for the anticipated climatic and traffic conditions depends on the values of the input parameters that characterize the pavement materials layers, design features, and condition. This paper focuses on comprehensive global sensitivity analyses of flexible pavement performance predictions to MEPDG design inputs under five climatic conditions and three traffic levels. Design inputs evaluated in the analyses include traffic volume, layer thicknesses, material properties, and groundwater depth. Correlations between design inputs were considered as appropriate. The global sensitivity analysis varied all inputs simultaneously across the problem domain for each of the 15 base cases (five climates and three traffic levels). Two response surface modeling approaches—multivariate linear regressions and artificial neural networks—were developed for modeling the analysis results for evaluation of MEPDG input sensitivities across the problem domain. The response surface modeling approaches based on artificial neural networks were particularly effective in providing robust and accurate representations of the complex relationships between MEPDG inputs and distress outputs. The design limit normalized sensitivity index adopted in the study provided a practical interpretation of sensitivity by relating a given percentage change in an MEPDG input to the corresponding percentage change in predicted distress relative to its design limit value. The design inputs most consistently in the highest sensitivity categories across all distresses were the hot-mix asphalt dynamic modulus master curve, hot-mix asphalt thickness, surface shortwave absorptivity, and Poisson's ratio of hot-mix asphalt. Longitudinal and alligator fatigue cracking were also very sensitive to granular base thickness and resilient modulus and subgrade resilient modulus.
Assessment of Reliability and Load Factor Design Approach against Fatigue Cracking in Flexible Pavements
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sudip
Published: March 2014

A reliability-based approach for designing flexible pavements that resist bottom-up and top-down fatigue cracking is developed. The approach uses load factors applied to the nominal fatigue cracking values to obtain failure values in the field. The uncertainty in input parameters is modeled with Weibull and lognormal distribution of the damage index with different values of skewness and coefficient of variation. Field data from the Long-Term Pavement Performance database are used to model the uncertainty in prediction between the nominal (predicted) and actual field cracking. The probability density function of fatigue cracking is found to be asymmetrical; the skewness of the distribution changes with the level of damage. The nonlinear limit state performance function is used to determine the reliabilities and the load factors through Monte Carlo simulation. Differences between the failure values obtained from the standard Gaussian assumption and the simulation are observed. Design charts and load factor tables are developed and can be used with the new Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide for designing new and rehabilitated pavements. Finally, the use of load factors in flexible pavement design is presented through practical examples.
Investigation and Modification of Available Mechanistic–Empirical Procedures for Reflective Cracking in Asphalt Overlays of Concrete Pavements
Authors: Khazanovich Lev , Tompkins Derek , Wu Rongzong , Harvey John T.
Published: March 2014

In recent decades, state, local, and federal use of asphalt concrete overlays to rehabilitate portland cement concrete pavements has increased significantly. This growth has increased the attention given to mechanistic– empirical modeling of reflective cracking. This paper describes recent research that assessed and modified the state of the art in mechanistic– empirical modeling of reflective cracking. The research reviewed the original Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide model and the CalME reflective cracking model. The paper also details research in which the CalME model was modified to facilitate its integration into the design guide for pavement projects of composite asphalt concrete over portland cement concrete.
Redefining the Failure Mode for Thin and Ultrathin Whitetopping with 1.8- × 1.8-m Joint Spacing
Authors: Li Zichang , Vandenbossche Julie M.
Published: March 2014

Bonded whitetopping is a thin concrete overlay on a distressed asphalt pavement. The existing design procedures for bonded whitetopping assume the failure mode is a function of the overlay thickness. It has been traditionally assumed that the failure mode for thin whitetopping [overlay thickness greater than 102 mm (4 in.) but less than 152 mm (6 in.)] is transverse cracking, and the failure mode for ultrathin white-topping [overlay thickness between 51 mm (2 in.) and 102 mm (4 in.)] is corner cracking. However, the performance of in-service whitetopping overlays indicates that the actual failure mode is dictated more by slab size than by overlay thickness. For both thin and ultrathin whitetopping with 1.8-m (6-ft) joint spacing, cracks initiate at the bottom of the overlay at the intersection of the transverse joint and the wheelpath and propagate longitudinally. At times, these cracks will continue to propagate in the longitudinal direction and intersect the adjacent transverse joint; at other times, they will turn on a diagonal and propagate toward the lane–shoulder joint. To verify this failure mechanism observed in the field further, a three-dimensional finite element model subjected to environmental and wheel loads was developed. The results support the proposed failure mode, showing that the critical tensile stress is indeed in the wheelpath and at the bottom of the portland cement concrete overlay. This type of failure results in a longitudinal crack.
Estimation of Arterial Travel Time from Automatic Number Plate Recognition Data
Authors: Kazagli Evanthia , Koutsopoulos Haris N.
Published: March 2014

Automatic vehicle identification (AVI) systems are increasingly used for the collection of traffic data in urban and freeway networks. Several methods have been proposed for the estimation of travel times from AVI data, mainly for freeways. The problem of estimation of travel times in urban networks was examined. The main difference between freeway and urban networks is that urban network AVI data are often extremely noisy. A major part of that noise is attributed to vehicles that do not traverse the monitored section directly but stop for various reasons. A mixture model was proposed to capture the underlying states of the measurements of AVI travel times in urban areas. The hypothesis was that travel times are drawn from two (or more) populations, one representing normal movement through the network and one representing vehicles that stop for whatever reason. The method was applied with AVI data (collected through a system for automatic recognition of number plates) from a number of corridors in central Stockholm, Sweden. The model was estimated as a mixture of two lognormal distributions, and bootstrap standard errors were calculated. The results illustrate the robustness of the method and its ability to identify the underlying distribution of the latent populations consistent with the characteristics of each route, while standard methods for outlier removal fail.
New Consistency Index Based on Inertial Operating Speed
Authors: García Alfredo , Llopis-Castelló David , Camacho-Torregrosa Francisco Javier , Pérez-Zuriaga Ana María
Published: March 2014

The occurrence of road crashes depends on several factors, with design consistency (i.e., conformance of highway geometry to drivers' expectations) being one of the most important. A new consistency model for evaluating the performance of tangent-to-curve transitions on two-lane rural roads was developed. This model was based on the inertial consistency index (ICI) defined for each transition. The ICI was calculated at the beginning point of the curve as the difference between the average operating speed on the previous 1-km road segment (inertial operating speed) and the actual operating speed at this point. For the calibration of the ICI and its thresholds, 88 road segments, which included 1,686 tangent-to-curve transitions, were studied. The relationship between those results and the crash rate associated with each transition was analyzed. The results showed that the higher the ICI was, the higher the crash rate; thus, the probability of accidents increased. Similar results were obtained from the study of the relationship between the ICI and the weighted average crash rate of the corresponding group of transitions. A graphical and statistical analysis established that road consistency might be considered good when the ICI was lower than 10 km/h, poor when the ICI was higher than 20 km/h, and fair otherwise. A validation process that considered 20 road segments was performed. The ICI values obtained were highly correlated to the number of crashes that had occurred at the analyzed transitions. Thus, the ICI and its consistency thresholds resulted in a new approach for evaluation of consistency.
Microscopic Traffic Flow Properties in Emergency Situations
Authors: Hoogendoorn Raymond , Hoogendoorn Serge P. , van Arem Bart , Brookhuis Karel
Published: March 2014

Emergency situations (e.g., evacuations following a disaster) have been shown to affect traffic flow operations substantially. However, the best way to model the adaptation effects in longitudinal driving behavior underlying this impact had not been made clear. Furthermore, the macroscopic consequences of the adaptation effects in longitudinal driving behavior had also not been made clear. This study sought to clarify these modeling issues and macroscopic consequences by estimating parameter values and model performance of the intelligent driver model with the data obtained through a driving simulator study. In addition, this paper presents the results of a case study that used a microscopic simulation program and the parameter values obtained through the estimation of the intelligent driver model. Results show that emergency situations have a substantial influence on parameter values and performance of the intelligent driver model. Furthermore, results show that the adaptation effects represented in parameter values and model performance have a substantial influence on macroscopic flow characteristics. A discussion of results and recommendations for future research are provided.
Impact of Heavy Vehicles on Freeway Operating Characteristics under Congested Conditions
Authors: Ahmed Umama , Drakopoulos Alexander , Ng ManWo
Published: March 2014

The significant impact of heavy vehicles (HVs) on freeway operations has been identified since the first edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM). The HCM 2010 used passenger car equivalent (PCE) values and percentages of trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles to account for the effect of HVs on roadway performance. Unfortunately, the PCE values in the HCM 2010 relied on a limited field database and simulation runs that were calibrated for steady-flow traffic conditions, although the effect of HVs on traffic flow could reasonably have been expected to have varied with traffic conditions. Few studies have been conducted with extensive field data to examine impacts on traffic characteristics by HV presence under congested and forced-flow conditions. This paper presents such an effort by using urban freeway data containing 1.2 million individual vehicle observations. The results indicated a significant difference in lagging–leading behavior between vehicle pairs related to HV presence. Passenger car and HV headways were found to increase with HV presence in the traffic stream. A similar pattern was found for the PCE factor. The PCE value under congested conditions and more than 9% HV presence was found to be 1.76, which was higher than the 1.5 value recommended by the HCM 2010 for level freeway sections. The maximum throughput of the freeway was found to be affected by HV presence. The maximum throughput was observed at a truck presence of 3%, after which it became progressively lower. The results of this paper can be used as input for future simulation runs of congested freeway flow conditions.
Simulating High-Occupancy Toll Lane Operations
Authors: Michalaka Dimitra , Yin Yafeng , Hale David
Published: March 2014

Microscopic simulation is critical for evaluating the operation strategies of managed lanes. However, most existing tools are limited in their ability to simulate dynamic tolling strategies of managed lanes, particularly those with multiple segments. Three sets of modeling components are developed in this paper to demonstrate simulation of high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane operations. The first component implements three pricing strategies: responsive pricing; a closed-loop, control-based algorithm; and time-of-day pricing. The second component mimics drivers’ lane choice behaviors in the presence of tolls, and the third represents different toll structures for multisegment HOT lane facilities. An enhanced version of CORSIM, which contains these new modeling components, is validated by simulation experiments involving the 95 Express network in South Florida.
The cohesive and revitalizing nature of Maya dance, art, and oral history
Authors: Krogstad Allison D.
Published: March 2014

Rumam Chamalkan (Nietos de los Kaqchikeles, Grandchildren of the Kaqchikel) is a folkloric dance-drama group from San Jorge La Laguna, Guatemala. Like other Maya initiatives that have come out of the postwar years in Guatemala, this group strives to preserve and maintain the traditions, memory, and identity of the Maya by retelling the stories of their elders and bringing their heritage to new generations and to the world. They endeavor to unite their people around common images and symbols, binding them together, and strengthening their social connectivity. Efforts of the Maya in regard to artistic, literary, and other creative expressions of heritage as well as forays into the political, economic, cultural, linguistic, and environmental systems of the country and world have begun, collectively and cohesively, to make a dent in the wall of inequality, repression, and discrimination that the world has built around the Maya.
Diffraction Focal Position and Vector Diffraction Theory for Micro Holographic Storage Systems
Authors: Min Cheol-Ki , Moon Hyungbae , Kim Do-Hyung , Park No-Cheol , Park Kyoung-Su , Park Young-Pil
Published: March 2014

In this study, we proposed a method to determine the optimal focal position for micro-holographic storage systems, using vector diffraction theory; the theory provides exact solutions when the numerical aperture (NA) exceeds 0.6. The best diffraction focus was determined by the position and wavelength corresponding to minimal spherical aberration. The calculated refractive index modulation, polarization illumination, and boundary conditions at the interface of different media were analyzed. From the results of our analysis, we could confirm the size of micrograting as a function of NA and wavelength, based on vector diffraction theory, compared with scalar diffraction theory which defines the micrograting by . To demonstrate our analysis, we adapted an optical alignment method using a Twyman-Green interferometer, and could obtain good agreement between analysis and experimental results.
Development of a Façade Assessment and Design Tool for Solar Energy (FASSADES)
Authors: Kanters Jouri , Wall Maria , Dubois Marie-Claude
Published: March 2014

Planning energy-efficient buildings which produce on-site renewable energy in an urban context is a challenge for all involved actors in the planning process. The primary objective of this study was to develop a façade assessment and design tool for solar energy (FASSADES) providing the necessary information for all stakeholders in the design process. The secondary objective was to demonstrate the tool by performing an assessment analysis of a building block. The FASSADES tool is a DIVA4Rhino script, combining Radiance/Daysim and EnergyPlus for simulating the annual production of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems on facades, the cost-effectiveness of the solar energy system, and the payback time. Different output methods are available; graphically within the 3D drawing environment and numerically within post-processing software. The tool was tested to analyse a building block within a city under Swedish conditions. Output of the developed tool showed that shading from nearby buildings greatly affects the feasibility of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems on facades.
Recent Advances in the Molecular Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Lowes Lori , Allan Alison
Published: March 2014

Although circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were first observed over a century ago, lack of sensitive methodology precluded detailed study of these cells until recently. However, technological advances have now facilitated the identification, enumeration, and characterization of CTCs using a variety of methods. The majority of evidence supporting the use of CTCs in clinical decision-making has been related to enumeration using the CellSearch® system and correlation with prognosis. Growing evidence also suggests that CTC monitoring can provide an early indication of patient treatment response based on comparison of CTC levels before and after therapy. However, perhaps the greatest potential that CTCs hold for oncology lies at the level of molecular characterization. Clinical treatment decisions may be more effective if they are based on molecular characteristics of metastatic cells rather than on those of the primary tumor alone. Molecular characterization of CTCs (which can be repeatedly isolated in a minimally invasive fashion) provides the opportunity for a “real-time liquid biopsy” that allows assessment of genetic drift, investigation of molecular disease evolution, and identification of actionable genomic characteristics. This review focuses on recent advances in this area, including approaches involving immunophenotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), multiplex RT-PCR, microarray, and genomic sequencing.
Modeling and Preventive Measures of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in China
Authors: Li Yong , Zhang Jinhui , Zhang Xinan
Published: March 2014

This paper concentrates on the HFMD data of China from March 2009 to December 2012. We set up a mathematical model to fit those data with the goodness of fit and obtain the optimal parameter values of the model. By the Chi-square test of statistical inference, the optimal parameter values of the model are reasonable. We obtained the basic reproductive number of the disease for each year, and it is larger than 1. Thus, we conclude that HFMD will persist in China under the current conditions, so we investigate the preventive measures to control the HFMD. If the preventive measures proposed in our paper were implemented, HFMD would be controlled quickly and the number of infections would decline rapidly over a period of time.
Cartilage Tissue Engineering with Silk Fibroin Scaffolds Fabricated by Indirect Additive Manufacturing Technology
Authors: Chen Chih-Hao , Liu Jolene , Chua Chee-Kai , Chou Siaw-Meng , Shyu Victor , Chen Jyh-Ping
Published: March 2014

Advanced tissue engineering (TE) technology based on additive manufacturing (AM) can fabricate scaffolds with a three-dimensional (3D) environment suitable for cartilage regeneration. Specifically, AM technology may allow the incorporation of complex architectural features. The present study involves the fabrication of 3D TE scaffolds by an indirect AM approach using silk fibroin (SF). From scanning electron microscopic observations, the presence of micro-pores and interconnected channels within the scaffold could be verified, resulting in a TE scaffold with both micro- and macro-structural features. The intrinsic properties, such as the chemical structure and thermal characteristics of SF, were preserved after the indirect AM manufacturing process. In vitro cell culture within the SF scaffold using porcine articular chondrocytes showed a steady increase in cell numbers up to Day 14. The specific production (per cell basis) of the cartilage-specific extracellular matrix component (collagen Type II) was enhanced with culture time up to 12 weeks, indicating the re-differentiation of chondrocytes within the scaffold. Subcutaneous implantation of the scaffold-chondrocyte constructs in nude mice also confirmed the formation of ectopic cartilage by histological examination and immunostaining.
Selective Interaction of a Cationic Polyfluorene with Model Lipid Membranes: Anionic versus Zwitterionic Lipids
Authors: Kahveci Zehra , Martínez-Tomé María , Esquembre Rocío , Mallavia Ricardo , Mateo C.
Published: March 2014

This paper explores the interaction mechanism between the conjugated polyelectrolyte {[9,9-bis(6'-N,N,N-trimethylammonium)hexyl]fluorene-phenylene}bromide (HTMA-PFP) and model lipid membranes. The study was carried out using different biophysical techniques, mainly fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. Results show that despite the preferential interaction of HTMA-PFP with anionic lipids, HTMA-PFP shows affinity for zwitterionic lipids; although the interaction mechanism is different as well as HTMA-PFP’s final membrane location. Whilst the polyelectrolyte is embedded within the lipid bilayer in the anionic membrane, it remains close to the surface, forming aggregates that are sensitive to the physical state of the lipid bilayer in the zwitterionic system. The different interaction mechanism is reflected in the polyelectrolyte fluorescence spectrum, since the maximum shifts to longer wavelengths in the zwitterionic system. The intrinsic fluorescence of HTMA-PFP was used to visualize the interaction between polymer and vesicles via fluorescence microscopy, thanks to its high quantum yield and photostability. This technique allows the selectivity of the polyelectrolyte and higher affinity for anionic membranes to be observed. The results confirmed the appropriateness of using HTMA-PFP as a membrane fluorescent marker and suggest that, given its different behaviour towards anionic and zwitterionic membranes, HTMA-PFP could be used for selective recognition and imaging of bacteria over mammalian cells.
Self-Healing Capability of Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites for Recovery of Watertightness and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Nishiwaki Tomoya , Kwon Sukmin , Homma Daisuke , Yamada Makoto , Mihashi Hirozo
Published: March 2014

Various types of fiber reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs) were experimentally studied to evaluate their self-healing capabilities regarding their watertightness and mechanical properties. Cracks were induced in the FRCC specimens during a tensile loading test, and the specimens were then immersed in static water for self-healing. By water permeability and reloading tests, it was determined that the FRCCs containing synthetic fiber and cracks of width within a certain range (<0.1 mm) exhibited good self-healing capabilities regarding their watertightness. Particularly, the high polarity of the synthetic fiber (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)) series and hybrid fiber reinforcing (polyethylene (PE) and steel code (SC)) series showed high recovery ratio. Moreover, these series also showed high potential of self-healing of mechanical properties. It was confirmed that recovery of mechanical property could be obtained only in case when crack width was sufficiently narrow, both the visible surface cracks and the very fine cracks around the bridging of the SC fibers. Recovery of the bond strength by filling of the very fine cracks around the bridging fibers enhanced the recovery of the mechanical property.
Potential Polyunsaturated Aldehydes in the Strait of Gibraltar under Two Tidal Regimes
Authors: Morillo-García Soledad , Valcárcel-Pérez Nerea , Cózar Andrés , Ortega María , Macías Diego , Ramírez-Romero Eduardo , García Carlos , Echevarría Fidel , Bartual Ana
Published: March 2014

Diatoms, a major component of the large-sized phytoplankton, are able to produce and release polyunsaturated aldehydes after cell disruption (potential PUAs or pPUA). These organisms are dominant in the large phytoplankton fraction (>10 µm) in the Strait of Gibraltar, the only connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. In this area, the hydrodynamics exerts a strong control on the composition and physiological state of the phytoplankton. This environment offers a great opportunity to analyze and compare the little known distribution of larger sized PUA producers in nature and, moreover, to study how environmental variables could affect the ranges and potential distribution of these compounds. Our results showed that, at both tidal regimes studied (Spring and Neap tides), diatoms in the Strait of Gibraltar are able to produce three aldehydes: Heptadienal, Octadienal and Decadienal, with a significant dominance of Decadienal production. The PUA released by mechanical cell disruption of large-sized collected cells (pPUA) ranged from 0.01 to 12.3 pmol from cells in 1 L, and from 0.1 to 9.8 fmol cell−1. Tidal regime affected the abundance, distribution and the level of physiological stress of diatoms in the Strait. During Spring tides, diatoms were more abundant, usually grouped nearer the coastal basin and showed less physiological stress than during Neap tides. Our results suggest a significant general increase in the pPUA productivity with increasing physiological stress for the cell also significantly associated to low nitrate availability.
Carotenoids of Sea Angels Clione limacina and Paedoclione doliiformis from the Perspective of the Food Chain
Authors: Maoka Takashi , Kuwahara Takashi , Narita Masanao
Published: March 2014

Sea angels, Clione limacina and Paedoclione doliiformis, are small, floating sea slugs belonging to Gastropoda, and their gonads are a bright orange-red color. Sea angels feed exclusively on a small herbivorous sea snail, Limacina helicina. Carotenoids in C. limacina, P. doliiformis, and L. helicina were investigated for comparative biochemical points of view. β-Carotene, zeaxanthin, and diatoxanthin were found to be major carotenoids in L. helicina. L. helicina accumulated dietary algal carotenoids without modification. On the other hand, keto-carotenoids, such as pectenolone, 7,8-didehydroastaxanthin, and adonixanthin were identified as major carotenoids in the sea angels C. limacina and P. doliiformis. Sea angels oxidatively metabolize dietary carotenoids and accumulate them in their gonads. Carotenoids in the gonads of sea angels might protect against oxidative stress and enhance reproduction.
Construction and Characterization of an Escherichia coli Mutant Producing Kdo2-Lipid A
Authors: Wang Jianli , Ma Wenjian , Wang Zhou , Li Ye , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: March 2014

3-deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo)2-lipid A is the conserved structure domain of lipopolysaccharide found in most Gram-negative bacteria, and it is believed to stimulate the innate immune system through the TLR4/MD2 complex. Therefore, Kdo2-lipid A is an important stimulator for studying the mechanism of the innate immune system and for developing bacterial vaccine adjuvants. Kdo2-lipid A has not been chemically synthesized to date and could only be isolated from an Escherichia coli mutant strain, WBB06. WBB06 cells grow slowly and have to grow in the presence of tetracycline. In this study, a novel E. coli mutant strain, WJW00, that could synthesize Kdo2-lipid A was constructed by deleting the rfaD gene from the genome of E. coli W3110. The rfaD gene encodes ADP-l-glycero-d-manno-heptose-6-epimerase RfaD. Based on the analysis by SDS-PAGE, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS), WJW00 could produce similar levels of Kdo2-lipid A to WBB06. WJW00 cells grow much better than WBB06 cells and do not need to add any antibiotics during growth. Compared with the wild-type strain, W3110, WJW00 showed increased hydrophobicity, higher cell permeability, greater autoaggregation and decreased biofilm-forming ability. Therefore, WJW00 could be a more suitable strain than WBB06 for producing Kdo2-lipid A and a good base strain for developing lipid A adjuvants.
Three New and Eleven Known Unusual C25 Steroids: Activated Production of Silent Metabolites in a Marine-Derived Fungus by Chemical Mutagenesis Strategy using Diethyl Sulphate
Authors: Xia Ming-Wen , Cui Cheng-Bin , Li Chang-Wei , Wu Chang-Jing
Published: March 2014

Three new (1–3) and 11 known (4–14) C25 steroids with an unusual bicyclo[4.4.1]A/B ring system were isolated by tracing newly produced metabolites in the EtOAc extract of an antitumor mutant AD-1-2 obtained by the diethyl sulphate (DES) mutagenesis of a marine-derived Penicillium purpurogenum G59. HPLC-PDAD-UV and HPLC-ESI-MS analyses indicated that the G59 strain did not produce these metabolites and the production of 1–14 in the mutant AD-1-2 extract was caused by the activation of silent metabolites in the original G59 strain by DES mutagenesis. The structures of the new compounds, named antineocyclocitrinols A (1) and B (2) and 23-O-methylantineocyclocitrinol (3), including their absolute configurations were determined by various spectroscopic methods, especially the NMR and Mo2-induced CD analyses. Compounds 1–3 provide the first examples of the C25 bicyclo[4.4.1]A/B ring steroids with the Z-configuration of 20,22-double bond. All of 1–14 weakly inhibited several human cancer cell lines to varying extents. These results provided additional examples for the successful application of the chemical mutagenesis strategy using DES to discover new compounds by activating silent metabolites in fungal isolates and supported also the effectiveness and usefulness of this new strategy.
5-Azacytidine Induces Anoikis, Inhibits Mammosphere Formation and Reduces Metalloproteinase 9 Activity in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Chang Hsueh-Wei , Wang Hui-Chun , Chen Chiau-Yi , Hung Ting-Wei , Hou Ming-Feng , Yuan Shyng-Shiou , Huang Chih-Jen , Tseng Chao-Neng
Published: March 2014

Cancer stem cells are a subset of cancer cells that initiate the growth of tumors. Low levels of cancer stem cells also exist in established cancer cell lines, and can be enriched in serum-free tumorsphere cultures. Since cancer stem cells have been reported to be resilient to common chemotherapeutic drugs in comparison to regular cancer cells, screening for compounds selectively targeting cancer stem cells may provide an effective therapeutic strategy. We found that 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) selectively induced anoikis of MCF-7 in suspension cultures with an EC50 of 8.014 µM, and effectively inhibited tumorsphere formation, as well as the migration and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) activity of MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, 5-AzaC and radiation collaboratively inhibited MCF-7 tumorsphere formation at clinically relevant radiation doses. Investigating the underlying mechanism may provide insight into signaling pathways crucial for cancer stem cell survival and pave the way to novel potential therapeutic targets.
Drugs and Polymers for Delivery Systems in OA Joints: Clinical Needs and Opportunities
Authors: Janssen Maarten , Mihov George , Welting Tim , Thies Jens , Emans Pieter
Published: March 2014

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a big burden of disease worldwide and one of the most common causes of disability in the adult population. Currently applied therapies consist of physical therapy, oral medication, intra-articular injections, and surgical interventions, with the main goal being to reduce pain and improve function and quality of life. Intra-articular (IA) administration of drugs has potential benefits in OA treatment because it minimizes systemic bioavailability and side effects associated with oral administration of drugs without compromising the therapeutic effect in the joint. However, IA drug residence time is short and there is a clinical need for a vehicle that is able to provide a sustained release long enough for IA therapy to fulfill its promise. This review summarizes the use of different polymeric systems and the incorporated drugs for IA drug delivery in the osteoarthritic joint with a primary focus on clinical needs and opportunities.
A Constant Speed Changing Rate and Constant Turn Rate Model for Maneuvering Target Tracking
Authors: Zhai Guan , Meng Huadong , Wang Xiqin
Published: March 2014

This paper addresses the problem of modeling maneuvering target motion in tracking applications. A target trajectory can typically be divided into segments with different dynamic motion modes, such as a constant velocity motion, a constant acceleration motion or a constant turn rate motion. To integrate the different motion modes into a uniform model, a Constant Speed Changing Rate and Constant Turn Rate (CSCRCTR) model is proposed. A new state vector is defined, and the state transition function is derived. Based on the CSCRCTR model, we present a tracking algorithm using a particle filter. The performances of the CSCRCTR model, the uniform model (UM) and the interacting multiple model (IMM) for tracking a simulated maneuvering target are compared and show that the CSCRCTR model maintains a good consistency for different types of motions and achieves better accuracy than UM and IMM when maneuvers occur.
Construction of Eukaryotic Expression Vector with mBD1-mBD3 Fusion Genes and Exploring Its Activity against Influenza A Virus
Authors: Li Wanyi , Feng Yan , Kuang Yu , Zeng Wei , Yang Yuan , Li Hong , Jiang Zhonghua , Li Mingyuan
Published: March 2014

Influenza (flu) pandemics have exhibited a great threat to human health throughout history. With the emergence of drug-resistant strains of influenza A virus (IAV), it is necessary to look for new agents for treatment and transmission prevention of the flu. Defensins are small (2–6 kDa) cationic peptides known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Beta-defensins (β-defensins) are mainly produced by barrier epithelial cells and play an important role in attacking microbe invasion by epithelium. In this study, we focused on the anti-influenza A virus activity of mouse β-defensin 1 (mBD1) and β defensin-3 (mBD3) by synthesizing their fusion peptide with standard recombinant methods. The eukaryotic expression vectors pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3 were constructed successfully by overlap-PCR and transfected into Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The MDCK cells transfected by pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3 were obtained by G418 screening, and the mBD1-mBD3 stable expression pattern was confirmed in MDCK cells by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay. The acquired stable transfected MDCK cells were infected with IAV (A/PR/8/34, H1N1, 0.1 MOI) subsequently and the virus titers in cell culture supernatants were analyzed by TCID50 72 h later. The TCID50 titer of the experimental group was clearly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, BALB/C mice were injected with liposome-encapsulated pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3 through muscle and then challenged with the A/PR/8/34 virus. Results showed the survival rate of 100% and lung index inhibitory rate of 32.6% in pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3group; the TCID50 titer of lung homogenates was clearly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that mBD1-mBD3 expressed by the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3 could inhibit influenza A virus replication both in vitro and in vivo. These observations suggested that the recombinant mBD1-mBD3 might be developed into an agent for influenza prevention and treatment.
Genetic and Epigenetic Instability of Stem Cells
Authors: Rajamani Karthyayani , Li Yuan-Sheng , Hsieh Dean-Kuo , Lin Shinn-Zong , Harn Horng-Jyh , Chiou Tzyy-Wen
Published: March 2014

Recently, research on stem cells has been receiving an increasing amount of attention, both for its advantages and disadvantages. Genetic and epigenetic instabilities among stem cells have been a recurring obstacle to progress in regenerative medicine using stem cells. Various reports have stated that these instabilities can transform stem cells when transferred in vivo and thus have the potential to develop tumors. Previous research has shown that various extrinsic and intrinsic factors can contribute to the stability of stem cells. The extrinsic factors include growth supplements, growth factors, oxygen tension, passage technique, and cryopreservation. Controlling these factors based on previous reports may assist researchers in developing strategies for the production and clinical application of “safe” stem cells. On the other hand, the intrinsic factors can be unpredictable and uncontrollable; therefore, to ensure the successful use of stem cells in regenerative medicine, it is imperative to develop and implement appropriate strategies and technique for culturing stem cells and to confirm the genetic and epigenetic safety of these stem cells before employing them in clinical trials.
A Technique to Exploit Free-Form Notes to Predict Customer Churn
Authors: Ramsey Gregory W. , Bapna Sanjay
Published: March 2014

As healthcare costs rise, hospitals are seeking ways to improve operations. This paper examines the usefulness of free-form notes to solve a classification problem commonly associated with customer churn. The authors show that classifiers which incorporate free-form notes, using natural language processing techniques, are up to 9% more accurate than classifiers that are solely developed using structured data. The authors suggest that hospitals and chronic disease management clinics can use structured data and free-form notes from electronic health records to predict which patients are likely to cease receiving care from their facilities. Classification tools for predicting patient churn are of interest to hospital administrators; such information can aid in resource planning and facilitate smoother handoffs between care providers.