bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age Cohort Variation in Drinking Among People With Physical Impairments: Politically Oriented Coping in the Wake of the Great Recession
Authors: Richman Judith A. , Brown Robyn Lewis , Rospenda Kathleen M.
Published: March 2017

People with physical impairments are at greater risk of economic hardship and more alcohol-related problems compared with the general population. We address age cohort differences in modes of coping with economic adversity and the extent to which modes of coping explain the relationships between age cohort membership and drinking outcomes among people with physical impairments. One hundred seventy six respondents with physical impairments derived from a national sample completed a mail survey. Using structural equation model (SEM), we demonstrate that members of the Generation X age cohort manifest higher levels of alcohol consumption and problem-related drinking compared with baby boomers due to their lesser tendency to engage in politically oriented coping to deal with economic adversity. Within the context of social movements contesting the disadvantaged social status of people with disabilities, the Generation X age cohort manifests both more limited political engagement and higher levels of alcohol consumption and problem-related drinking among people with physical impairments.
Influence of nonwoven fabric pore sizes on water vapor resistance
Authors: Kopitar Dragana , Skenderi Zenun , Matijasic Gordana
Published: March 2017

The influence of nonwoven fabric pores using the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller method, dry sieving and capillary flow porometry on water vapor resistance were investigated. For a better understanding of the nonwoven thickness impact on pores and water vapor resistance (and therefore the influence on comfort), two types of samples were investigated: nonwoven fabric bonded with the needling and nonwoven fabric additionally bonded with the calendering process. Water vapor resistance increased with increasing nonwoven fabric thickness, whereby it ranged from 11.33 to 15.62 m2 Pa W−1 for the non-calendered samples and it ranged from 5.19 to 9.85 m2 Pa W−1 for the calendered ones. Water vapor resistance showed a good linear correlation with the specific surface area, pore volume, apparent opening size and mean flow pore diameter.
‘You don’t own money, you’re just the one who’s holding it’: Borrowing, lending and the fair person in North Manchester
Authors: Smith Katherine
Published: March 2017

Based on ethnographic research in Harpurhey, Manchester, in the northwest of England, this article addresses the emergence of a moral economy of personhood amongst some of the poorest people in Britain today. Specifically, the article studies how new conceptions of the viable and worthy person emerge in the practice of borrowing and lending money between neighbours, as a sort of ‘safety net’ in times of financial precarity and social stigma. The humiliation experienced regularly by people who need state support to make ends meet is responded to in the local prioritization of what it means to ‘be fair’ and to express and recognize the worthy self in negotiating the terms of a loan. It is in the process of negotiation that we can see in a new light what is being responded to and fought for in the face of stigma and precarity. Despite experiencing an ever-increasing threat of poverty and destitution, we see worthy selves, fair persons, and the creation of an alternative space of hope in which social and personal worth can be expressed and recognized.
Anthropocene East Anglia
Authors: Irvine Richard DG
Published: March 2017

As we find ourselves in a geological epoch of our own making, it becomes necessary to reconsider the temporal scale of ethnographic enquiry; the effect of human behaviour is shown as a mark in deep time. Focusing on the East Anglian fenland, UK, this article considers the importance of thinking about long-term environmental change for the understanding of human life. First, the article explores the way in which human geological agency has transformed the landscape. It then goes on to argue that while the scale of such changes can only be understood against the backdrop of geological time, social life in the region nevertheless demonstrates ‘temporal lock-in’, which is defined in the article as an increasing fixation with the landscape of a single point in history. The consequence of such temporal lock-in is that long-term environmental variability becomes, literally, unthinkable; yet surface-level certainties of the present are called into question when the timescale of deep history is brought into view.
Agreement Between Cytology and Histopathology for Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Dogs With Melanocytic Neoplasms
Authors: Grimes Janet A. , Matz Brad M. , Christopherson Pete W. , Koehler Jey W. , Cappelle Kelsey K. , Hlusko Katelyn C. , Smith Annette
Published: March 2017

Melanocytic neoplasms are common in dogs and frequently occur within the oral cavity or in haired skin. The behavior of melanocytic neoplasms is variable and depends on tumor location, size, and histopathologic features. This study compared cytopathology and histopathology of 32 lymph nodes from 27 dogs diagnosed with melanocytic neoplasms. Agreement between the original cytology report, cytology slide review, original histopathology report, and histopathology slide review was determined for each lymph node. A subset of lymph nodes was subjected to immunohistochemistry (Melan-A) and additional histochemical stains/techniques (Prussian blue, bleach) to assist in differentiation of melanocytes and melanophages. Agreement ranged from slight to fair for each of the variables evaluated with weighted kappa (κw) or kappa (κ) analysis (original cytology vs cytology review κw = 0.24; original cytology vs original histopathology κw = 0.007; original cytology vs histopathology review κw = 0.23; cytology review vs original histopathology κw = 0.008; cytology review vs histopathology review κw = 0.006; and original histopathology vs histopathology review κ = 0.18). The diagnoses (metastatic, equivocal, or negative for metastasis) of the original report and slide review for both cytology and histopathology were not significantly correlated with survival in this population of patients. Overall, agreement between cytology and histopathology was poor even with a single clinical or anatomic pathologist performing slide review. Consensus between routine cytology and histopathology for staging of lymph nodes in patients with melanocytic neoplasms is poor and does not correlate with survival.
Performing neoliberalization through urban infrastructure: Twenty years of privatization policies around Thessaloniki’s port
Authors: Karaliotas Lazaros
Published: March 2017

This paper mobilizes the trajectory of privatization policies around Thessaloniki’s port as an entry point to explore the neoliberalization of urban infrastructure politics in Greece since the late 1990s. It asks how neoliberalization policies around the port were conceptually legitimized and traces their implications for urban infrastructure governance. In doing so, it draws from a reading of neoliberalism as a performative discourse. This understanding allows analyzing the contingent and situated articulation of neoliberalization discourses as well as the context-specific implications of neoliberalization. The paper suggests that since the late 1990s neoliberalization discourses in Greece were articulated with discourses of modernization. This coupling was mutually reinforcing for the two rationalities. On the one hand, successive rounds of neoliberal policies around the port were conceptually legitimized through functionalist references to the modern. On the other, performing neoliberalization constituted a key strategy in maintaining state legitimacy. Within such a configuration, successive failures and limitations of neoliberal polic(y)ing were (re-)inscribed in discourses of neoliberalization. Tracing the emergence and workings of this articulation in the case of Thessaloniki’s port, the paper also examines how successive rounds of neoliberalization consolidated, through failing forward, forms of governance beyond democratic accountability geared around consensus formation.
Anxiety and Depression as Longitudinal Predictors of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
Authors: Freire Antônio Carlos Cruz , Pondé Milena Pereira , Liu Aihua , Caron Jean
Published: March 2017

Introduction:

Few studies have dealt with the potential correlation between anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults.

Method:

This longitudinal study was conducted in the city of Montreal, Canada, with 352 older adults aged 55 years or more. The participants were interviewed at baseline and again 2 years later. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score was estimated and compared between the 2 time points, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to assess major depression and anxiety, and the K10 measured high psychological distress. Likewise, major depression, anxiety disorders, and psychological distress were evaluated at the 2 study time points.

Results:

In older adults with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety at baseline, no significant reduction in the MoCA score indicating deterioration in cognitive function was found 2 years later. Nevertheless, in individuals with a high level of psychological distress at baseline, there was a significant reduction in MoCA scores 2 years later, indicating deterioration in cognition. The findings of the present study suggest that a high level of psychological distress in addition to environmental factors may constitute important predictors for cognitive health.
Underlying Motivations of Volunteering Across Life Stages: A Study of Volunteers in Nonprofit Organizations in Nevada
Authors: Yamashita Takashi , Keene Jennifer R. , Lu Chi-Jung , Carr Dawn C.
Published: March 2017

Volunteering is beneficial not only for individuals’ well-being but also for society’s well-being; yet only a fraction of U.S. citizens regularly engage in volunteer activities. This study examined how underlying motivations are associated with interest in volunteering for individuals in three major life phases: early, middle, and later adulthood. Data were collected from 1,046 adults who volunteered through nonprofit organizations in Nevada (USA). Exploratory factor analysis revealed that community service, career advancement, and well-being were common underlying motivations for individuals across life stages. However, generativity among the later adulthood group, and social networking among the early and middle adulthood groups were unique motivations for volunteering. Regression analysis showed that the community service motivation was significantly associated with individuals’ interest in volunteering among all life stages. Simultaneously, generativity for the later adulthood group, and career advancement for the early adulthood group were unique motivations linked to their actual interest in volunteering.
Site Sampling and Snowball Sampling - Methodology for Accessing Hard-to-reach Populations
Authors: TenHouten Warren D.
Published: March 2017

After reviewing limitations of residential and ‘reputational’ samples of hard-to-reach populations, an alternative methodology is described. An initial sample is obtained through “site sampling”, involving finding respondents in eight settings based on the three criteria commercial/residential, inside/outside, and day/night. Once this zero-stage sampling is carried out, single- or multi-criterion snowball sampling in all eight sites can be carried out.
Is Therapeutic Hypothermia for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome the Future?
Authors: Hayek Adam J. , White Heath D. , Ghamande Shekhar , Spradley Christopher , Arroliga Alejandro C.
Published: March 2017

Introduction:

Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has a high mortality, and there is limited knowledge about management of severe ARDS refractory to standard therapy. Early evidence suggests that therapeutic hypothermia (TH) could be a viable treatment for acute respiratory failure. We present 2 cases where TH was successfully used to manage refractory ARDS on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and a review of the literature around TH and acute respiratory failure.

Results:

We present 2 cases of ARDS secondary to H1N1 influenza and human metapneumovirus. Both patients were treated with the current evidence-based therapy for ARDS. Venovenous ECMO was used in both patients for refractory hypoxemia. Therapeutic hypothermia was applied for 24 hours with improved oxygenation. We did a review of the literature summarizing 38 patients in 10 publications where TH was successfully utilized in the treatment of acute respiratory failure.

Conclusion:

Therapeutic hypothermia may be a viable salvage therapy for ARDS refractory to the current evidence-based therapy but needs further evaluation.
Experimental investigation of the combustion characteristics and the emission characteristics of biogas–diesel dual fuel in a common-rail diesel engine
Authors: Qian Yong , Zhang Yahui , Wang Xiaole , Lu Xingcai
Published: March 2017

An experimental study on biogas–diesel dual-fuel compression ignition was conducted in which biogas and diesel are used as the port-injected fuel and the directly injected fuel respectively. The effects of the total lower heating values QLHVs per cycle and the premixed ratio on the combustion characteristics and the emission characteristics are discussed in detail. The results show that, for constant QLHVs, the peak values of the heat release rate curves first decrease and then increase with increasing premixed ratio. Furthermore, the combustion phase is delayed. For a constant premixed ratio, with increasing QLHVs, the heat release rate curves change from a unimodal distribution to a bimodal distribution, and the ignition delay decreases constantly. With higher QLHVs, the nitrogen oxide emissions and the smoke emissions are relatively higher. In addition, the impacts of biogases with different components on the combustion and emissions were also researched. With increasing hydrogen, the combustion becomes increasingly concentrated, which leads to higher nitrogen oxide emissions. The proportion of carbon monoxide in the biogas has a great effect on the carbon monoxide emissions. Also, the influence of exhaust gas recirculation was also studied. With 60% exhaust gas recirculation, the nitrogen oxide emissions can be inhibited effectively.
Genome-wide profiling of micro-RNA expression in gefitinib-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma using microarray for the identification of miR-149-5p modulation
Authors: Hu Yong , Qin Xiaobing , Yan Dali , Cao Haixia , Zhou Leilei , Fan Fan , Zang Jialan , Ni Jie , Xu Xiaoyue , Sha Huanhuan , Liu Siwen , Yu Shaorong , Wu Jianzhong , Ma Rong , Feng Jifeng
Published: March 2017

To understand the mechanism involved in gefitinib resistance, we established gefitinib-resistant human HCC827/GR-8-1 cell line from the parental HCC827 cell line. We compared the micro-RNA expression profiles of the HCC827 cells HCC827/GR-8-1 using Agilent micro-RNA microarrays. The micro-RNAs, such as the miR-149-5p, were up- or downregulated and associated with acquired gefitinib resistance. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was then performed to verify the expression patterns of different micro-RNAs. The result showed that miR-149-5p was upregulated in the HCC827/GR-8-1 cell line. To investigate the biological function of miR-149-5p in non–small cell lung cancer cells acquired gefitinib resistance, we examined cell proliferation using a cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell viability was evaluated after the miR-149-5p mimics, inhibitors, and negative control were separately transfected into the non–small cell lung cancer cells. The results showed that the non–small cell lung cancer cells transfected with miR-149-5p mimics exhibited reduced cell motility. The drug-sensitivity assay results revealed that the overexpression of miR-149-5p effectively evaluates the half maximal inhibitory concentration values of the cell in response to gefitinib, and the downregulation of miR-149-5p can attenuate the half maximal inhibitory concentration values of the cell lines in response to gefitinib. Furthermore, the levels of miR-149-5p in the HCC827 and HCC827/GR-8-1 cells were inversely correlated with caspase-3 expression. In conclusion, this study revealed that miR-149-5p is upregulated in the HCC827/GR-8-1 cells and involved in the acquired gefitinib resistance.
Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 regulates neovascularization of non-small-cell lung cancer via activating ERK1/2 signaling pathway
Authors: Guo Xiaobin , Zhu Xiaoming , Zhao Limin , Li Xiao , Cheng Dongjun , Feng Keqing
Published: March 2017

Lung cancer, especially the non-small-cell lung cancer, is a highly aggressive vascular cancer with excessively activated signaling pathways. Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2, also known as trop2, was identified to be correlated with tumor proliferation and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer; however, the biological role of trop2 in neovascularization of non-small-cell lung cancer remained elusive. In this study, we first verified that trop2 was overexpressed in non-small-cell lung cancer tissues as well as cell lines and that the increased expression of trop2 promoted non-small-cell lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Then, we expanded the biological role of trop2 by in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis assay. The tubular formation analysis revealed that trop2 promoted non-small-cell lung cancer angiogenesis in vitro, and the immunohistochemistry staining of vascular markers (CD31 and CD34) provided evidences that trop2 promoted in vivo neovascularization. The results of polymerase chain reaction array revealed that trop2 promoted the expression level of two well-known angiogenesis factors MMP13 and PECAM1. By screening the trop2-related signaling pathways, we observed that excessive angiogenesis was correlated with activation of ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) could suppress the tubular formation ability induced by trop2 expression. These results suggested that trop2 facilitated neovascularization of non-small-cell lung cancer via activating ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Targeting trop2 might provide novel anti-angiogenesis strategy for non-small-cell lung cancer treatment.
Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 promotes tumor growth and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ma Jun , Wu Kaiming , Zhao Zhenxian , Miao Rong , Xu Zhe
Published: March 2017

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most aggressive malignancies worldwide. Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 is a nuclear matrix attachment region binding protein which participates in higher order chromatin organization and tissue-specific gene expression. However, the role of special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remains unknown. In this study, western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis were performed to identify differentially expressed special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 in a series of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples. The effects of special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 silencing by two short-hairpin RNAs on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed by the CCK-8 assay and transwell assays in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in vitro. Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 was significantly upregulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples and cell lines. Silencing of special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 inhibited the proliferation of KYSE450 and EC9706 cells which have a relatively high level of special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1, and the ability of migration and invasion of KYSE450 and EC9706 cells was distinctly suppressed. Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 could be a potential target for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and inhibition of special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 may provide a new strategy for the prevention of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invasion and metastasis.
Overexpression of miR-10b in colorectal cancer patients: Correlation with TWIST-1 and E-cadherin expression
Authors: Abdelmaksoud-Dammak Rania , Chamtouri Nour , Triki Mouna , Saadallah-Kallel Amena , Ayadi Wajdi , Charfi Slim , Khabir Abdelmajid , Ayadi Lobna , Sallemi-Boudawara Tahia , Mokdad-Gargouri Raja
Published: March 2017

MicroRNAs are emergent players of epigenetics that function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors and that have been implicated in regulating diverse cellular pathways. MiR-10b is an oncogenic microRNA involved in tumor invasion and metastasis in various cancers. Our data have shown that miR-10b is overexpressed in colorectal cancer samples in comparison with non-tumorous adjacent mucosa (p = 0.0025) and that it is associated with severe features such as tumor size >5 cm (p = 0.023), distant metastasis (p = 0.0022), non-differentiated tumors (p = 0.016), and vascular invasion (p = 0.01). Regarding the regulation of its expression, positive correlation between the loss of miR-10b and aberrant DNA methylation (p = 0.02) as well as a loss of TWIST-1 messenger RNA (p = 0.018) have been observed. Furthermore, expression analysis of the downstream miR-10b targets has shown that there are associations between low HOXD10 messenger RNA and E-cadherin protein levels (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0008, respectively) and overexpression of miR-10b. Our data suggests that overexpression of miR-10b results from high levels of TWIST-1 and may induce a decrease of E-cadherin membranous protein levels, thus contributing to the acquisition of metastatic phenotypes in colorectal cancer.
Computational and mechanistic studies on the effect of galactoxyloglucan: Imatinib nanoconjugate in imatinib resistant K562 cells
Authors: James Alphy Rose , Unnikrishnan BS , Priya R , Joseph Manu M , Manojkumar TK , Raveendran Pillai K , Shiji R , Preethi GU , Kusumakumary P , Sreelekha TT
Published: March 2017

Imatinib mesylate, a BCR/ABL fusion protein inhibitor, is the first-line treatment against chronic myelogenous leukemia. In spite of its advantageous viewpoints, imatinib still has genuine impediments like undesirable side effects and tumor resistance during chemotherapy. Nanoparticles with sustainable release profile will help in targeted delivery of anticancer drugs while minimizing deleterious side effects and drug resistance. The use of biopolymers like galactoxyloglucan (PST001) for the fabrication of imatinib mesylate nanoparticles could impart its use in overcoming multidrug resistance in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients with minimal side effects. This study involved in the synthesis of PST-Imatinib nanoconjugates with appreciable drug payload and excellent cytotoxicity against drug-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line (K562) in comparison with free drug. The use of bioinformatics tool revealed better binding affinity for the drug–polysaccharide complex than the drug alone with three proteins: 3QX3 (Topoisomerase), 1M17 (EGFR tyrosine kinase domain), and 3QRJ (ABL1 kinase domain). Assessment of the biochemical, hematological, and histopathological parameters in mice upheld the security and adequacy of the nanoconjugate compared to free drug. Although perspective investigations are warranted, in a condition like drug resistance in leukemia, this nanoconjugate would display a productive approach in cancer therapeutics.
N6-Isopentenyladenosine promoted HeLa cell apoptosis through inhibitions of AKT and transforming growth factor β–activated kinase 1 activation
Authors: Li Miao , Qi Yonghao , Wei Jing , Lu Lulu , Zhao Xuan , Zhou Lijun
Published: March 2017

N6-Isopentenyladenosine, a member of the family of plant hormones, possesses anti-cancer activities on a number of cancer cell lines. However, its mode of action in cervical cancer cell remains poorly understood. Our computational docking studies showed that N6-Isopentenyladenosine could bind with the really interesting new gene domain of tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6, which is an ubiquitination E3 ligase. Tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6–mediated ubiquitination is known to activate both protein kinase B (also known as AKT) and transforming growth factor β–activated kinase 1, and the really interesting new gene domain comprises the core of the ubiquitin ligase catalytic domain. First, we evaluated the effects of iPA on cervical cancer cell line HeLa using MTT and flow cytometry. Second, we examined the effects of iPA on activation of tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6–mediated downstream targets using western blot or immunoprecipitation. iPA could reduce HeLa cell proliferation through apoptosis, and such anti-cancer activity is associated with inhibitions of both AKT and transforming growth factor β–activated kinase 1 signaling pathways. In addition, suppression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and elevation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax were also observed. Anti-proliferation properties of iPA are likely due to its binding at the really interesting new gene domain of tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6 and loss of AKT and transforming growth factor β–activated kinase 1 activities as a result of functional modulations of tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6. These results support the emerging notion that tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6 could serve as a viable target for developing new cancer therapeutics.
Functional interaction of fibroblast growth factor 8b and androgen in prostate cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Xiao Wen-jun , Zhang Gui-ming , Ye Ding-wei
Published: March 2017

Fibroblast growth factor 8b and androgen play important roles in cell proliferation of prostate cancer. We investigated the effects of fibroblast growth factor 8b and androgen on the proliferation of prostate cell lines and the corresponding intracellular mechanisms. It is found that dihydrotestosterone and fibroblast growth factor 8b stimulated Lncap cell mitosis in a concentration-responsive manner, with 30 ng/mL as the most suitable concentration, respectively. Dihydrotestosterone treatment alone did not enhance the expression and phosphorylation level of fibroblast growth factor receptor but significantly enhanced the level of fibroblast growth factor receptor phosphorylation elicited by fibroblast growth factor 8b. Phosphorylations of extracellular signal–regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase were stimulated by dihydrotestosterone or fibroblast growth factor 8b. Among these major downstream pathways for mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase signaling was most significantly enhanced. Protein kinase C phosphorylation was higher than AKT by the combined stimulation of dihydrotestosterone and fibroblast growth factor 8b. The phosphorylation of CDC2 was significantly induced by dihydrotestosterone and fibroblast growth factor 8b synergetically, and Smad underwent the same induction as CDC2. So the promoting effect of fibroblast growth factor 8b on cell cycle might contribute to the G2/M transition. This study indicated that the functional interaction between fibroblast growth factor 8b and androgen was essential for the prostate cancer cell proliferation.
Lifestyles and Mortality in Taiwan: An 11-Year Follow-up Study
Authors: Lin Yen-Huai , Ku Po-Wen , Chou Pesus
Published: March 2017

The associations of modifiable lifestyle-related factors with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality were examined in a population-based sample of older Taiwanese people. A total of 4176 individuals aged 50 years and older, with 11 years of follow-up, were analyzed. Current and former smokers had a higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with never smokers ([HR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.12, 1.58], [HR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.16, 1.68]). Low intake of vegetables and fruits was associated with a significantly higher risk of 1.43 (95% CI = 1.13, 1.81) for cardiovascular mortality and 1.22 (95% CI = 1.09, 1.38) for all-cause mortality. The low physical activity group at baseline who became part of the low, moderate, and high physical activity groups during follow-up had the following risks of cardiovascular mortality: ([HR = 2.89; 95% CI = 1.91, 4.36], [HR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.29, 3.63], [HR = 1.59; 95% CI = 0.90, 2.82]). Similarly, the moderate physical activity group at baseline who became part of the low, moderate, and high physical activity groups during follow-up had the following risks of cardiovascular mortality: ([HR = 3.52; 95% CI = 2.14, 5.80], [HR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.34, 3.80], [HR = 1.44; 95% CI = 0.78, 2.66]). The same tendencies were found in all-cause mortality. Smoking, diet, and physical activity were significantly modifiable lifestyle-related factors for mortality.Besides, individuals who decreased their physical activity had a significantly higher risk, whereas those who increased their physical activity had a significantly lower risk.
Benchmark solutions for the free vibration of layered piezoelectric plates based on a variational formulation
Authors: Kulikov Gennady M , Plotnikova Svetlana V
Published: March 2017

This article focuses on the implementation of the sampling surfaces method for the three-dimensional vibration analysis of layered piezoelectric plates. The sampling surfaces method is based on choosing inside the layers not equally spaced sampling surfaces parallel to the middle surface in order to introduce the displacements and electric potentials of these surfaces as basic plate variables. Such choice of unknowns with the consequent use of Lagrange polynomials in the assumed distributions of displacements, strains, electric potential, and electric field vector through the thicknesses of layers leads to the robust piezoelectric plate formulation. The sampling surfaces are located inside each layer at Chebyshev polynomial nodes that makes it possible to minimize uniformly the error due to the Lagrange interpolation. Therefore, the sampling surfaces formulation can be applied efficiently to the obtaining of benchmark solutions for the free vibration of layered piezoelectric plates, which asymptotically approach the three-dimensional solutions of piezoelectricity as the number of sampling surfaces tends to infinity.
Spinal Epidural Stimulation Strategies: Clinical Implications of Locomotor Studies in Spinal Rats
Authors: Shah Prithvi K. , Lavrov Igor
Published: March 2017

Significant advancements in spinal epidural stimulation (ES) strategies to enable volitional motor control in persons with a complete spinal cord injury (SCI) have generated much excitement in the field of neurorehabilitation. Still, an obvious gap lies in the ability of ES to effectively generate a robust locomotor stepping response after a complete SCI in rodents, but not in humans. In order to reveal potential discrepancies between rodent and human studies that account for this void, in this review, we summarize the findings of studies that have utilized ES strategies to enable successful hindlimb stepping in spinal rats. Recent clinical and preclinical evidence indicates that motor training with ES plays a crucial role in tuning spinal neural circuitry to generate meaningful motor output. Concurrently administered pharmacology can also facilitate the circuitry to provide near optimal motor performance in SCI rats. However, as of today, the evidence for pharmacological agents to enhance motor function in persons with complete SCI is insignificant. These and other recent findings discussed in this review provide insight into addressing the translational gap, guide the design of relevant preclinical experiments, and facilitate development of new approaches for motor recovery in patients with complete SCIs.
A comparison of toxicities in acute myeloid leukemia patients with and without renal impairment treated with decitabine
Authors: Levine Lauren B , Roddy Julianna VF , Kim Miryoung , Li Junan , Phillips Gary , Walker Alison R
Published: March 2017

Purpose

There are limited data regarding the clinical use of decitabine for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in patients with a serum creatinine of 2 mg/dL or greater.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 111 patients with acute myeloid leukemia who had been treated with decitabine and compared the development of toxicities during cycle 1 in those with normal renal function (creatinine clearance greater than or equal to 60 mL/min) to those with renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/min).

Results

Notable differences in the incidence of grade ≥3 cardiotoxicity (33% of renal dysfunction patients vs. 16% of normal renal function patients, p = 0.042) and respiratory toxicity (40% of renal dysfunction patients vs. 14% of normal renal function patients, p = 0.0037) were observed. The majority of heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation cases occurred in the renal dysfunction group. The odds of developing grade ≥3 cardiotoxicity did not differ significantly between patients with and without baseline cardiac comorbidities (OR 1.43, p = 0.43).

Conclusions

This study noted a higher incidence of grade ≥3 cardiac and respiratory toxicities in decitabine-treated acute myeloid leukemia patients with renal dysfunction compared to normal renal function. This may prompt closer monitoring, regardless of baseline cardiac comorbidities. Further evaluation of decitabine in patients with renal dysfunction is needed.
Optimization of mold wheat bread fortified with soy flour, pea flour and whey protein concentrate
Authors: Erben Melina , Osella Carlos A
Published: March 2017

The objective of this work was to study the effect of replacing a selected wheat flour for defatted soy flour, pea flour and whey protein concentrate on both dough rheological characteristics and the performance and nutritional quality of bread. A mixture design was used to analyze the combination of the ingredients. The optimization process suggested that a mixture containing 88.8% of wheat flour, 8.2% of defatted soy flour, 0.0% of pea flour and 3.0% of whey protein concentrate could be a good combination to achieve the best fortified-bread nutritional quality. The fortified bread resulted in high protein concentration, with an increase in dietary fiber content and higher calcium levels compared with those of control (wheat flour 100%). Regarding protein quality, available lysine content was significantly higher, thus contributing with the essential amino acid requirement.
A combined approach to decrease the technological and sensory defects caused by fat and sodium reduction in Bologna-type sausages
Authors: Campagnol Paulo Cezar Bastianello , dos Santos Bibiana Alves , Lorenzo José Manuel , Cichoski Alexandre José
Published: March 2017

The effect of the addition of fructooligosaccharides, transglutaminase, disodium inosinate, and disodium guanylate on some technological and sensory parameters of low-fat and low-salt Bologna-type sausages was evaluated. In the first experiment, sausages with a 25% and 50% fat reduction containing 0, 3%, or 6% fructooligosaccharides were manufactured. Fat reduction adversely affected the emulsion stability, hardness, and sensory properties; however, the addition of 6% fructooligosaccharides reduced the loss of quality associated with a lower fat content. In the second experiment, sausages with a 50% fat reduction containing 6% fructooligosaccharides were produced. Additionally, the salt content was reduced by 50% and transglutaminase, disodium inosinate, and disodium guanylate were added. The combination of transglutaminase (1%), disodium inosinate (0.03%), and disodium guanylate (0.03%) was efficient to supress the technological and sensory defects caused by NaCl reduction in low-fat Bologna-type sausages.
Nurse-Performed Endoscopy
Authors: Duffield Christine , Chapman Susan , Rowbotham Samantha , Blay Nicole
Published: March 2017

Increasing demands for health care globally often lead to discussions about expanding the involvement of nurses in a range of nontraditional roles. Several countries have introduced nurse endoscopists as a means of easing the burden of demand for a range of endoscopic procedures. A shortage of medical staff in Australia combined with increasing demand for endoscopy led to the implementation of nurse endoscopists as a pilot program in the state of Queensland, where a nurse practitioner model was implemented, and Victoria, where an advanced practice model was used. This article will discuss the implementation of and responses from the nursing, medical, and policy community to nurse-performed endoscopy in this country. Regarding health policy, access to cancer screening may be improved by providing nurses with advanced training to safely perform endoscopy procedures. Moreover, issues of nurse credentialing and payment need to be considered appropriate to each country’s health system model.
Hsa-miR-27b is up-regulated in cytomegalovirus-infected human glioma cells, targets engrailed-2 and inhibits its expression
Authors: Wang Linqian , Yang Ming , Liao Shijing , Liu Wei , Dai Gan , Wu Guojun , Chen Liyu
Published: March 2017

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) dormant infection can alter the expression of the hosts’ microRNAs (miRNAs) and impact on the regulation of target genes. To investigate the differentially expressed miRNAs induced by HCMV in human glioma U251 cells, a comprehensive miRNA screen was performed. As a result, 19 up-regulated and 14 down-regulated miRNAs were determined. Of these, hsa-miR-27b (miR-27b) attracted our attention. MiR-27b levels in U251 cells increased 7.70-fold, 8.64-fold, and 4.78-fold, respectively, post 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h HCMV infection, compared to those in the mimic-infected cells, and this up-regulation was further confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. The bioinformatic analyses show that miR-27b targets engrailed-2 (EN2) gene; however, the effect of miR-27b on EN2 is rarely encountered. In this study, we initially conducted dual luciferase assay to validate the target function of miR-27b on EN2. The results manifested that EN2 is a novel target of miR-27b, which could directly target the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the gene. We further found that the miR-27b transfected glioma U251 cells exhibited longer cell bodies with more synapses and multiple-angle shapes; moreover, Western blot detection revealed that the EN2 protein levels in these cells were significantly low. In conclusion, our study originally reports the up-regulation of miR-27b in HCMV-infected glioma cells. Our study also provides the first experimental evidence that miR-27b could affect glioma cells’ growth, target EN2 and inhibit its expression in glioma cells. Our data indicate that miR-27b may be related to the development of neurological disorders with HCMV infection. The newly identified miR-27b/EN2 signal pathway may provide new insights into the glioma pathogenesis and a novel target for glioma therapy.

Impact statement

Our study is the first to demonstrate that the HCMV infection could alter the expression of cellular microRNAs of the host glioma cells, which may develop an understanding of the pathogenesis of the HCMV infection in the microRNA level. Recently, HCMV infection and engrailed-2 have been reported to be related to the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we confirmed that engrailed-2 is the target of hsa-miR-27b. As far as we know, our findings of the hsa-miR-27b up-regulation in the HCMV-infected glioma cells, targeting engrailed-2 and inhibiting its expression have never been reported or documented. Our data indicate that miR-27b may be related to the development of neurological disorders with the HCMV infection. The newly identified miR-27b/EN2 signal pathway may provide new insights into the glioma pathogenesis and a novel target for glioma therapy.
Intestinal absorption and renal reabsorption of calcium throughout postnatal development
Authors: Beggs Megan R , Alexander R Todd
Published: March 2017

Calcium is vital for many physiological functions including bone mineralization. Postnatal deposition of calcium into bone is greatest in infancy and continues through childhood and adolescence until peek mineral density is reached in early adulthood. Thereafter, bone mineral density remains static until it eventually declines in later life. A positive calcium balance, i.e. more calcium absorbed than excreted, is crucial to bone deposition during growth and thus to peek bone mineral density. Dietary calcium is absorbed from the intestine into the blood. It is then filtered by the renal glomerulus and either reabsorbed by the tubule or excreted in the urine. Calcium can be (re)absorbed across intestinal and renal epithelia via both transcellular and paracellular pathways. Current evidence suggests that significant intestinal and renal calcium transport changes occur throughout development. However, the molecular details of these alterations are incompletely delineated. Here we first briefly review the current model of calcium transport in the intestine and renal tubule in the adult. Then, we describe what is known with regard to calcium handling through postnatal development, and how alterations may aid in mediating a positive calcium balance. The role of transcellular and paracellular calcium transport pathways and the contribution of specific intestinal and tubular segments vary with age. However, the current literature highlights knowledge gaps in how specifically intestinal and renal calcium (re)absorption occurs early in postnatal development. Future research should clarify the specific changes in calcium transport throughout early postnatal development including mediators of these alterations enabling appropriate bone mineralization.

Impact statement

This mini review outlines the current state of knowledge pertaining to the molecules and mechanisms maintaining a positive calcium balance throughout postnatal development. This process is essential to achieving optimal bone mineral density in early adulthood, thereby lowering the lifetime risk of osteoporosis.
Diabetes prevention: Reproductive age women affected by insulin resistance
Authors: Rezai Shadi , LoBue Stephen , Henderson Cassandra E
Published: March 2017

In the United States, 29.1 million people are affected by diabetes, of which 95% have type 2 diabetes. There has been a fivefold increase in type 2 diabetes in the latter half of the 20th century, an increase strongly linked to the obesity epidemic in the United States. In addition, insulin resistance affects 86 million Americans, or more than one-third of the adult population, as manifested by impaired fasting glucose tolerance with random glucose values ranging from ⩾100 to <126 mg/dL. In all, 90% of those affected by impaired fasting glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes are unaware of their metabolic derangement. Although impaired fasting glucose tolerance increases one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, once identified, application of lifestyle changes by affected individuals may avoid or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. For reproductive age women who are found to have impaired fasting glucose tolerance, lifestyle changes may be an effective tool to diminish the reproductive health consequences of insulin resistance related diseases.
Uterus transplantation: From animal models through the first heart beating pregnancy to the first human live birth
Authors: Ozkan Omer , Dogan Nasuh Utku , Ozkan Ozlenen , Mendilcioglu Inanc , Dogan Selen , Aydinuraz Batu , Simsek Mehmet
Published: March 2017

Absolute uterine factor infertility affects 3–5% of the general population, and unfortunately this condition is untreatable. There are some available options, including surrogacy or adoption, but neither of these suits each and every woman who desires to have her own genetic child. With recent advances in surgery and transplant immunology, uterus transplantation may be a source of hope for these women with uterine infertility. In the last decade, a number of animal species including rats, mice, rabbits, pigs, sheep, and primates have been used as experimental models, and pregnancies were achieved in some of these. Human data consist of 11 subjects yielding positive pregnancy results with no live births in the second trial from Turkey and, more fortunately, live births from the latest trial from Sweden. In the light of all these studies, uterus transplantation has been proven to be a viable option for women with uterine factor infertility.
Clinical implications of accessory fallopian tube ostium in endometriosis and primary infertility
Authors: Pereira Nigel , Kligman Isaac
Published: March 2017

Several variations in fallopian tube anatomy may be noted during the evaluation of infertility. Some anatomical variants such as accessory tubal ostia are rare. A 31-year-old woman presented to our center with a 2-year history of primary infertility. Given her history of dysmenorrhea, a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. Laparoscopy revealed a left utero-sacral endometriosis implant, which was resected. Although the left fallopian tube was normal, the right fallopian tube was noted to have two prongs with individual ostia. Tubal cannulation confirmed two separate ostia, with chromotubation showing free flow of dye through separate fimbrial ostia of the right fallopian tube. The current case highlights that accessory tubal ostia are rare müllerian duct anomalies seen during laparoscopy and can be associated with endometriois or primary infertility.
Dynamic performance evaluation of multi – state systems under non – homogeneous continuous time Markov process degradation using lifetimes in terms of order statistics
Authors: Iscioglu Funda
Published: March 2017

In multi-state modelling a system and its components have a range of performance levels from perfect functioning to complete failure. Such a modelling is more flexible to understand the behaviour of mechanical systems. To evaluate a system’s dynamic performance, lifetime analysis of a multi-state system has been considered in many research articles. The order statistics related analysis for the lifetime properties of multi-state k-out-of-n systems have recently been studied in the literature in case of homogeneous continuous time Markov process assumption. In this paper, we develop the reliability measures for multi-state k-out-of-n systems by assuming a non-homogeneous continuous time Markov process for the components which provides time dependent transition rates between states of the components. Therefore, we capture the effect of age on the state change of the components in the analysis which is typical of many systems and more practical to use in real life applications.