bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity and hypertension: It's about more than the numbers
Authors: Ferdinand Keith C.
Published: March 2013

Objective:

This editorial comments on the recent Obesity Society and American Society of Hypertension joint position paper, justified by the substantial link between obesity and hypertension (HTN).

Design and Methods:

The editorial reviews the expert opinions. Other relevant clinical research is highlighted, such as an obesity paradox. Evidence‐based lifestyle changes, drugs, and behavorial modification and newer agents are highlighted.

Results:

Areas of controversy are noted. Despite the importance of renin angiotensin system blockage, future federal guidelines may maintain thiazides as first choice, even with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and diabetes (DM). Chlorthalidone, 12.5‐25 mg, has shown cardiovascular benefit, including with MetS and DM.

Conclusion:

The conclusion calls for more research. However, the identification and elimination of racial/ethnic disparities should be addressed more explicitly. To better understand the obesity–hypertension linkage, curtail costs, and decrease premature disease and death, this excellent position paper is essential.
The Macrophage‐Specific Serum Marker, Soluble CD163, Is Increased in Obesity and Reduced After Dietary‐Induced Weight Loss
Authors: Fjeldborg Karen , Christiansen Tore , Bennetzen Marianne , J. Møller Holger , Pedersen Steen B. , Richelsen Bjørn
Published: March 2013

Objective: Soluble CD163 (sCD163) is a new macrophage‐specific serum marker elevated in inflammatory conditions. sCD163 is elevated in obesity and found to be a strong predictor of the development of type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether dietary intervention and moderate exercise was related to changes in sCD163 and how sCD163 is associated to insulin resistance in obesity.

Design and Methods: Ninety‐six obese subjects were enrolled: 62 followed a very low energy diet (VLED) program for 8 weeks followed by 3‐4 weeks of weight stabilization, 20 followed a moderate exercise program for 12 weeks, and 14 were included without any intervention. Fasting blood samples and anthropometric measures were taken at baseline and after intervention. Thirty‐six lean subjects were included in a control group.

Results: sCD163 was significantly higher in obese subjects (2.3 ± 1.0 mg/l) compared with lean (1.6 ± 0.4 mg/l, P < 0.001). Weight loss (11%) induced by VLED resulted in a reduction and partial normalization of sCD163 to 2.0 ± 0.9 mg/l (P < 0.001). Exercise for 12 weeks had no effect on sCD163. At baseline, sCD163 was significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.46), waist circumference (r = 0.40), insulin resistance measured by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR; r = 0.41; all P < 0.001), and the leptin‐to‐adiponectin ratio (r = 0.28, P < 0.05). In a multivariate linear regression analysis with various inflammatory markers, sCD163 (β = 0.25), adiponectin (β = −0.24), and high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP; β = 0.20) remained independently and significantly associated to HOMA‐IR (all P < 0.05). After further adjustment for waist circumference, only sCD163 was associated with HOMA‐IR (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The macrophage‐specific serum marker sCD163 is increased in obesity and partially normalized by dietary‐induced weight loss but not by moderate exercise. Furthermore, we confirm that sCD163 is a good marker for obesity‐related insulin resistance.
Food reinforcement, dietary disinhibition and weight gain in nonobese adults
Authors: Carr Katelyn A. , Lin Henry , Fletcher Kelly D. , Epstein Leonard H.
Published: March 2013

Objective

Food reinforcement is cross‐sectionally related to BMI and energy intake in adults, and prospectively predicts weight gain in children, but there has not been any research studying food reinforcement as a predictor of adult weight gain.

Design and Methods

This study examined whether the relative reinforcing value of food versus sedentary activities, as measured on a progressive ratio schedule, predicts 12‐month weight gain in a sample of 115 nonobese (BMI < 30) adults. Dietary disinhibition and dietary restraint were also examined as potential moderators of this relationship.

Results

In a hierarchical regression controlling for baseline age and weight, dietary hunger, income, sex, and minority status, food reinforcement and predicted weight gain (P = 0.01) significantly increased the variance from 6.3% to 11.7% (P = 0.01). Dietary disinhibition moderated this relationship (P = 0.02) and increased the variance an additional 4.7% (P = 0.02), such that individuals with high food reinforcement had greater weight gain if they were also high in disinhibition.

Conclusions

These results suggest that food reinforcement is a significant contributor to weight change over time, and food reinforcement may have the biggest effect on those who are most responsive to food cues.
Insulin's microvascular vasodilatory effects are inversely related to peripheral vascular resistance in overweight, but insulin‐sensitive subjects
Authors: Hornstra J.M. , Serné E.H. , Eringa E.C. , Wijnker M.C. , de Boer M.P. , Yudkin J.S. , Smulders Y.M.
Published: March 2013

Objective

The mechanisms underlying obesity‐related hypertension are incompletely understood. Microvascular dysfunction might play a role by increasing peripheral vascular resistance (PVR). Metabolic and microvascular effects of insulin are impaired in obesity, but how these impairments contribute to disturbed blood pressure homeostasis is unclear. Specifically, it is unknown whether local microvascular vasoactive effects of insulin play a role in determining systemic vascular resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between PVR and local microvascular effects of insulin.

Design and Methods

Thirty‐seven healthy, overweight subjects (age 25‐55 years, BMI 25‐30 kg/m2) were cross‐sectionally studied. Local insulin‐mediated vasodilation was measured using skin laser Doppler fluxmetry combined with transcutaneous iontophoresis of insulin. For comparison, local vasodilatory effects of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were measured. PVR was calculated from mean arterial pressure and cardiac output, assessed by pulse‐dye densitometry.

Results

PVR was inversely correlated with insulin‐mediated vasodilation (r = −0.50; P < 0.01). This finding was maintained after adjustment for age, sex, blood pressure, and smoking. PVR was not associated with local microvascular effects of acetylcholine.

Conclusions

Our study in overweight subjects suggests that insulin's role in the microvasculature may contribute to blood pressure control.
Long‐term treatment of hypogonadal men with testosterone produces substantial and sustained weight loss
Authors: Saad Farid , Haider Ahmad , Doros Gheorghe , Traish Abdulmaged
Published: March 2013

Objective

This study analyzed the effects of normalization of serum testosterone (T) levels on anthropometric parameters in hypogonadal men.

Design and Methods

Open‐label, single‐center, cumulative, prospective registry study of 255 men (aged 33–69 years, mean 58.02 ± 6.30 years), with T levels below 12.13 nmol/L (mean: 9.93±1.38). 215 men for at least 2 years, 182 for 3 years, 148 for 4, and 116 for at least 5 years were studied. They received parenteral T undecanoate 1,000 mg/12 weeks after an initial interval of 6 weeks.

Results

Body weight (BW) decreased from 106.22 ± 16.93 kg to 90.07 ± 9.51 kg. Waist circumference (WC) reduced from 107.24 ± 9.14 cm to 98.46 ± 7.39 cm. BMI (m/kg2) declined from 33.9 ± 5.51 m/kg2 to 29.13 ± 3.09 m/kg2. All parameters examined were statistically significant with P < 0.0001 versus baseline and versus the previous year over 5 years indicating a continuous weight loss over the full observation period. The mean per cent weight loss after 1 year was 4.16 ± 0.31%, after 2 years 7.54 ± 0.32%, after 3 years 9.23 ± 0.33%, after 4 years 11.42 ± 0.35% and after 5 years 13.57 ± 0.37%.

Conclusions

In an uncontrolled, observational cohort, normalizing serum T to normal physiological levels produced consistent loss of BW, WC, and BMI. These improvements were progressive over the full 5 years of the study.
Comparison of three weight maintenance programs on cardiovascular risk, bone and vitamins in sedentary older adults
Authors: Christensen Pia , Frederiksen Rikke , Bliddal Henning , Riecke Birgit F. , Bartels Else M. , Henriksen Marius , Juul‐S⊘rensen Tina , Gudbergsen Henrik , Winther Kaj , Astrup Arne , Christensen Robin
Published: March 2013

Objective

Obese patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) are encouraged to lose weight to obtain symptomatic relief. Risk of vascular events is higher in people with OA compared to people without arthritis. Our aim in this randomized trial was to compare changes in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk‐factors, nutritional health, and body composition after 1‐year weight‐loss maintenance achieved by [D]diet, [E]knee‐exercise, or [C]control, following weight loss by low‐energy‐diet.

Design and Methods

Obese individuals (n = 192, >50 years) with knee OA, 63 years (SD 6), weight 103.2 kg (15.0), body‐mass index 37.3 kg/m2 (4.8), were enrolled into a 68‐week weight‐loss trial.

Results

Mean changes in weight, in D, E, and C were −11.0, −6.3, and −8.3 kg (P = 0.002). Reduction in waist circumference in D, E, and C were −8.4, −4.6, and −7.0 cm (P = 0.007). D reduced waist circumference significantly more than E: −3.8 cm (95%CI −6.2 to −1.4; P = 0.0024). There was no difference between the groups in changes in CVD risk factors; blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Nutritional health was improved in all groups. For markers of bone, no statistical difference was found between the groups.

Conclusions

Dietary support, or control, maintained improvements in cardiovascular risk factors to the same extent and none of the interventions had a detrimental effect on bone.
Obesity increases risk of declining physical activity over time in women: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Tucker Jared M. , Tucker Larry A. , LeCheminant James , Bailey Bruce
Published: March 2013

Objective

Research indicates that risk of obesity increases as physical activity (PA) decreases; however, the reciprocal effect has been rarely studied. The present investigation was conducted to determine the contribution of obesity on objectively measured PA over 20 months.

Design and Methods

A prospective cohort design with 254 middle‐aged women was employed. Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured using Bod Pod, and obesity was defined as BF% ≥32%. PA was assessed objectively using 7‐day accelerometry at baseline and ∼20 months later at follow‐up.

Results

Of the 254 subjects, 124 were obese (49%) at baseline. Mean BF% was 32.1 ± 7.8 and average age was 41.7 ± 3.1 years. Mean weekly PA was 2.79 ± 0.85 million activity counts for all participants. Over the 20‐month period, PA decreased significantly more in obese women (−8.1% ± 27.1%) than in nonobese women (0.3% ± 31.7%) after adjusting for confounders (F = 5.3, P = 0.022). Moderate plus vigorous PA levels also decreased more in obese women (−28.1 ± 73.6 min/week) than in nonobese women (−5.9 ± 66.8 min/week), after adjusting for covariates (F = 7.84; P = 0.0055).

Conclusions

It appears that obese women tend to reduce PA over time at a faster rate than nonobese women. Evidently, obesity is a risk factor for decreasing PA over time in middle‐aged women.
Illicit online marketing of lorcaserin before DEA scheduling
Authors: Liang Bryan A. , Mackey Tim K. , N. Archer‐Hayes Ashley , Shinn Linda M.
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Antiobesity drugs have been marketed illicitly by “no prescription” online pharmacies after approval and scheduling by the drug enforcement agency. We assess whether antiobesity drug Belviq® (lorcaserin HCl) was available from illicit online vendors before DEA‐scheduling when sales are unauthorized.

Design and Methods:

Online searches of “buy Belviq no prescription” examining first five result pages marketing the drug. Searches were performed from 11/5/2012‐12/8/2012, prior to DEA scheduing.

Results:

Belviq® is actively marketed by “no prescription” online vendors despite official unavailability and prescription requirements. Approaches included direct‐to‐consumer advertising using descriptive website URLs; linking to illicit marketers; and directing customers to other weight‐loss websites for additional marketing. Finally, large quantities were marketed by business‐to‐business vendors.

Conclusion:

Illicit online “no prescription” pharmacies are marketing unauthorized, suspect antiobesity drugs before DEA scheduling and permitted marketing. Regulators must legally intercede to ensure patient safety, and providers must educate patients about online‐sourcing risks.
Physical Activity Patterns Over 10 Years in Relation to Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference: The Whitehall II Cohort Study
Authors: Hamer M. , Brunner E.J. , Bell J. , Batty G.D. , Shipley M. , Akbaraly T. , Singh‐Manoux A. , Kivimaki M.
Published: March 2013

Objective

Physical activity patterns over 10‐years in relation to changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were examined.

Design and Methods

Participants (4,880, mean age 49.3 years at baseline) from the Whitehall II cohort study were included. Self‐reported physical activity and anthropometric data were collected at baseline (1991) and twice during follow‐up (1997 and 2002).

Results

At baseline, meeting established guidelines for physical activity, particularly through vigorous activity, was associated with lower WC (multivariable adjusted B compared to not meeting the guidelines −2.08 cm, 95% CI, −1.39, −0.75) and BMI (−0.34 kg/m2 , −0.10, −0.59). Based on repeat data, “high adherence” to the guidelines compared to “rare adherence” over follow‐up was associated with lower BMI (adjusted difference, −0.43 kg/m2, 95% CI, −0.79, −0.08) and WC (−2.50 cm, 95% CI, −3.46, −1.54) at follow‐up. Compared to participants that remained stable between 1997 and 2002 (change of <2.5 h/week), those that reported an increase in moderate‐vigorous physical activity of at least 2.5 h/week displayed lower BMI (−0.40 kg/m2, 95% CI, −0.71, −0.08) and WC (−1.10 cm, 95% CI, −1.95, −0.75).

Conclusion

Regular physical activity, confirmed by repeated assessments, is associated with relatively favorable levels of adiposity markers after 10 years follow‐up.
Amniopatch procedure after previable iatrogenic rupture of the membranes: a two‐center review
Authors: Richter Jute , Henry Amanda , Ryan Greg , DeKoninck Philip , Lewi Liesbeth , Deprest Jan
Published: March 2013

Objective

This study aimed to analyze success rates and pregnancy outcomes of amniopatch procedures for previable iatrogenic preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes (PPROM) with associated oligohydramnios.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of amniopatch procedures performed at the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium, and the Mount Sinai Hospital Toronto, Canada. Cases were analyzed overall and in two sub‐groups: PPROM after a needle‐based procedure (NP group, n = 13) or after fetoscopic intervention (FI group, n = 11). Complete technical success was defined as cessation of leakage and normalization of amniotic fluid volume, partial success as cessation of leakage, or re‐establishment of volume. Further outcomes were pregnancy duration and outcome, fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality, and maternal morbidity.

Results

Gestational age at amniopatch was comparable in both groups (NP: 20.1, FI: 21.0 weeks). Amniopatch was completely and partially successful in 29% (NP: 31%; FI: 27%) and 29% (NP: 15%; FI: 45%), respectively. Mean gestational age at delivery was 27.5 weeks (NP: 25.5; FI: 29.4 weeks). Overall neonatal survival was 17/31 (55%) (NP: 4/13 (31%), FI: 13/18 (72%); p = .02). Chorioamnionitis occurred in three cases, two associated with maternal sepsis. Severe neonatal morbidity occurred in two survivors.

Conclusion

Amniopatch for iPPROM was successful in 58%, with an overall live birth rate of 68% and survival to discharge of 55%. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of maternal weight discrepancies on prenatal screening results for Down syndrome
Authors: Huang Tianhua , Meschino Wendy S. , Okun Nan , Dennis Alan , Hoffman Barry , Lepage Nathalie , Rashid Shamim , Aul Ritu , Farrell Sandra A.
Published: March 2013

Objective

This study aimed to assess the quantitative impact of maternal weight discrepancy on the screen result for Down syndrome when using Integrated Prenatal Screening and First Trimester Combined Screening.

Methods

The study population consisted of 78 165 women undergoing prenatal screening in Ontario, Canada, and 158 pregnancies affected with Down syndrome at one Ontario center. The study assessed quantitative alterations of the multiple of the median values of first and second‐trimester serum markers and the risks of Down syndrome at a set of theoretical weight discrepancies.

Results

Weight discrepancies have the greatest impact on screening results when the initial risk is close to the risk cut‐off. When the weight discrepancy is 5 lb or greater and the denominator of the initial risk is within 50 of the risk cut‐off, the chance that a screen result will change from positive to negative or from negative to positive is 47–55% for women undertaking Integrated Prenatal Screening. This chance is 33–43% for women undertaking First Trimester Combined Screening.

Conclusion

A weight discrepancy of five or more pounds has a significant impact on the risk of Down syndrome; correction of maternal weight would improve the accuracy of the screening test. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable linear–hyperbranched barbell‐like poly(ethylene glycol)‐supported poly(lactic‐ran‐glycolic acid) copolymers through direct polycondensation
Authors: Lu Dedai , Duan Pengxue , Liu Tao , Li Juan , Li Ting'e , Lei Ziqiang
Published: March 2013

A series of biodegradable linear–hyperbranched barbell‐like poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐supported poly(lactic‐ran‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymers were synthesized with PEG, d,l‐lactic acid aqueous solution, glycolic acid and gluconic acid (Glu) under bulk conditions. The branching density of the hyperbranched section was varied by controlling the molar ratio of Glu to hydroxyl‐terminal groups of PEG ([Glu]/[OH] = 1, 3.5, 6.0, 8.5). Chemical structures of these copolymers were confirmed using NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weights were determined using 1H NMR group analysis and gel permeation chromatography, both results being consistent with one another. The results of hydrolytic degradation indicate that these copolymers can degrade completely in no more than three weeks. The thermal properties were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate that the glass transition temperatures and melt temperatures of these copolymers are not above 50 °C. The self‐assembly behavior of the copolymers on hydrophilic surfaces was also investigated. The morphology of self‐assembly films made of the copolymers was observed using atomic force microscopy, and the results indicate that these copolymers exhibit more inhomogeneous and rough structural orientated films on a silicon wafer substrate with increasing branching densities. Due to the favorable biodegradability and biocompatibility of the PLGA and PEG, the results suggest new possibilities for these novel structural amphiphilic linear–hyperbranched barbell‐like copolymers as potential biomaterials. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Exploring the influence of gender‐role socialization and objectified body consciousness on body image disturbance in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Boquiren Virginia M. , Esplen Mary Jane , Wong Jiahui , Toner Brenda , Warner Ellen
Published: March 2013

Objective

This study aimed to explore the relationships between gender‐role socialization, objectified body consciousness and quality of life in breast cancer (BC) survivors with body image (BI) disturbance post‐treatment.

Methods

A total of 150 BC survivors participating in an ongoing randomized clinical trial of a group psychotherapy intervention for BI‐related concerns completed a baseline battery of standardized measures including the following: Body Image Scale (BIS), Body Image after Breast Cancer Questionnaire (BIBCQ), Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) measuring Body Shame and Surveillance, Gender‐Role Socialization Scale (GRSS) measuring internalization of traditional gender roles and attitudes and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Breast Quality‐of‐Life Instrument (FACT‐B). Correlational analyses were conducted between the two BI questionnaires, the two primary psychosocial variables GRSS and OBCS, and FACT‐B. Path analysis was conducted on a proposed theoretical model delineating pathways between the two primary psychosocial variables and BI disturbance.

Results

Significant positive correlations were found between the two BI scales and (a) GRSS (average r = 0.53, p < 0.000), (b) Body Shame (average r = 0.53, p < 0.000) and Surveillance (average r = 0.48, p < 0.000). The BIS and BIBCQ were negatively associated with the FACT‐B (r = −0.62, −0.73, respectively; p < 0.000). Results from the path analysis demonstrated support for the proposed model.

Conclusion

Breast cancer survivors who endorsed greater internalization of traditional gender roles and attitudes, who engaged in greater self‐surveillance and experienced greater body shame, reported greater BI disturbance and poorer quality of life post‐treatment. Women with these predispositions are likely to be more vulnerable for psychological distress and may experience poorer adjustment after BC treatment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)/Gold Nanoparticle Hybrid System with an Enhanced Photoresponse for Light‐Controlled Electronic Devices
Authors: Han Su‐Ting , Zhou Ye , Yang Qing‐Dan , Lee Chun‐Sing , Roy V. A. L.
Published: March 2013

Light‐controlled electrical behavior of polymer/nanoparticle hybrid system in ambient condition is demonstrated. By embedding gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in a poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) matrix, the photoresponses of the nanocomposite films are enhanced. The electrical behavior of the P3HT/Au NPs nanocomposite transistors and inverters are tuned over a wide range in depletion mode. UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and steady‐state photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy are used to analyze the nanocomposite films. The findings provide a better understanding of light‐induced threshold voltage shifts of P3HT‐based field‐effect transistors and inverters and demonstrate their potential applications in electronic signal modulation for solution‐processed integrated circuits.
A Soft Chemistry Route to Selective Nickel‐Based Nanocatalysts with Faceted Morphologies
Authors: Aguilhon Julie , Thomazeau Cécile , Boissière Cédric , Durupthy Olivier , Sanchez Clément
Published: March 2013

A one pot synthesis of alumina supported faceted nickel nanoparticles is carried out following a simple, inexpensive, and sustainable pathway. Tailoring the different chemical steps of catalyst preparation allow the faceted morphology to be maintained while reducing the organic leftover. Moreover, this work shows the key role of the halide ions on the nanoparticles shaping that occurs during the reduction step under H2. The predominant role of the {111} facets on the performance of the resulting supported nanocatalysts is also demonstrated. Indeed, catalytic tests in selective hydrogenation of polyunsaturated hydrocarbons performed for both faceted nanocatalysts and reference Ni show a clear selectivity enhancement for the former. The positive impact of {111} faceted Ni catalysts on hydrogenation selectivity is of particular interest to reduce the purification steps after the catalyzed reaction.
Synthesis and Characterization of Pressure and Temperature Dual‐Responsive Polystyrene Microbeads
Authors: Zhu Cun , Deng Rui , Zeng Jie , Khalil Gamal E. , Dabiri Dana , Gu Zhongze , Xia Younan
Published: March 2013

A facile approach to the synthesis of pressure and temperature dual‐responsive polystyrene (PS) microbeads with controlled sizes via dispersion polymerization is described. Three different luminophors are selected and directly introduced into the reaction system and thus incorporated into the resultant PS microbeads during polymerization. By manipulating the reaction conditions, including concentrations of the initiator and monomer, polarity of the reaction medium, and injection rate for the monomer, uniform PS microbeads with sizes ranging from 1 to 5 μm are obtained. When a light source centered at 365 nm is used to excite all the luminophors in the PS beads, three distinct and resolvable emission peaks corresponding well with the luminophors are observed. By taking advantage of their sensitive responses to both pressure and temperature, the PS beads can be utilized for quantitative measurements of these two stimulations simultaneously. The PS beads loaded with multiple luminophors have the ability to serve as building blocks for the fabrication of novel sensing and imaging devices and therefore provide a promising strategy for the study of aerodynamics.
In Situ Synchrotron X‐Ray Techniques for Real‐Time Probing of Colloidal Nanoparticle Synthesis
Authors: Sun Yugang , Ren Yang
Published: March 2013

Solution‐phase synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles with precisely tailored properties is one of the fastest growing research topic and represents the most critical foundation to implant nanotechnology in a variety of areas to boost performance of traditional systems. Comprehensive understanding of the nucleation and growth mechanisms involved in the formation of colloidal nanoparticles is very important to realize rational design and synthesis of well‐tailored nanoparticles and requires appropriate in situ techniques to probe the kinetics of the synthetic reactions. Synchrotron hard X‐rays represent a class of promising probes for solution‐phase reactions due to their strong penetration in ambient environment and solutions. This review completely summarizes the in situ synchrotron X‐ray techniques emerged in the recent years for real‐time probing nanophase evolution of colloidal nanoparticles. Typical examples of colloidal nanoparticle syntheses are discussed in detail to shed the light on the advantages and disadvantages of individual techniques.
Disorder and order in unfolded and disordered peptides and proteins: A view derived from tripeptide conformational analysis. II. Tripeptides with short side chains populating asx and β‐type like turn conformations
Authors: Rybka Karin , Toal Siobhan E. , Verbaro Daniel J. , Mathieu Daniel , Schwalbe Harald , Schweitzer‐Stenner Reinhard
Published: March 2013

In the preceding paper, we found that ensembles of tripeptides with long or bulky chains can include up to 20% of various turns. Here, we determine the structural and thermodynamic characteristics of GxG peptides with short polar and/or ionizable central residues (D, N, C), whose conformational distributions exhibit higher than average percentage (>20%) of turn conformations. To probe the side‐chain conformations of these peptides, we determined the 3J(Hα,Hβ) coupling constants and derived the population of three rotamers with χ1‐angles of −60°, 180° and 60°, which were correlated with residue propensities by DFT‐calculations. For protonated GDG, the rotamer distribution provides additional evidence for asx‐turns. A comparison of vibrational spectra and NMR coupling constants of protonated GDG, ionized GDG, and the protonated aspartic acid dipeptide revealed that side chain protonation increases the pPII content at the expense of turn populations. The charged terminal groups, however, have negligible influence on the conformational properties of the central residue. Like protonated GDG, cationic GCG samples asx‐turns to a significant extent. The temperature dependence of the UVCD spectra and 3J(HNHα) constants suggest that the turn populations of GDG and GNG are practically temperature‐independent, indicating enthalpic and entropic stabilization. The temperature‐independent J‐coupling and UVCD spectra of GNG require a three‐state model. Our results indicate that short side chains with hydrogen bonding capability in GxG segments of proteins may serve as hinge regions for establishing compact structures of unfolded proteins and peptides. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Amelioration of Dextran Sulphate Sodium‐Induced Colitis in Mice by Echinacoside‐Enriched Extract of Cistanche tubulosa
Authors: Jia Yamin , Guan Qiunong , Jiang Yong , Salh Baljinder , Guo Yuhai , Tu Pengfei , Du Caigan
Published: March 2013

Echinacoside (ECH) is a major bioactive phenyethanoids in medicinal herba Cistanche and has been reported to have antiinflammatory activity and beneficial effect on wound healing in many experimental studies. This study was to test the efficacy of ECH‐enriched extract of Cistanche tubulosa in the treatment of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis, a preclinical model of ulcerative colitis. Oral administration of ECH extract significantly suppresses the development of acute colitis, indicated by lowering disease activity index (p < 0.0001, n = 8) and preventing colonic damage (p = 0.0336). Histological examinations showed that ECH extract treatment protected intestinal epithelium from inflammatory injury (p = 0.0249) but had less effect on inflammatory cellular infiltration (p = 0.1753). The beneficial effect of ECH extract treatment was associated with upregulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 as well as with an increase in the number of Ki67+ proliferating cells in diseased colons (p < 0.0001). In cultured MODE‐K cells, the addition of ECH extract enhanced in vitro wound healing that depended on TGF‐β1 expression. These data suggest that ECH extract possesses a greater efficacy in preventing DSS‐induced colitis in mice, implying the potential of ECH or its derivatives for clinically treating inflammatory bowel disease. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical characterization of hydrogen pentoxide, H2O5
Authors: Denis Pablo A.
Published: March 2013

Following our investigations on hydrogen polyoxides, herein we employed coupled cluster theory in conjunction with Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets and density functional theory to study HOOOOOH (H2O5). The infrared spectra of H2O5 and its three deuterated isotopologues, as well as those of the five single‐substituted 18O isotopologues are discussed in detail. Internal valence coordinates were employed to classify the vibrational modes. The Raman activity is reported to help in the identification of hydrogen pentoxide. The suggested enthalpy of formation is ΔHf,298° (HOOOOH) = 1.4 ± 1.5 kcal/mol. This value includes corrections for relativistic and core‐valence effects as well as anharmonic corrections to Zero‐point energy corrections. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fault‐tolerant control design to enhance damping of inter‐area oscillations in power grids
Authors: Segundo Sevilla F. R. , Jaimoukha I. , Chaudhuri B. , Korba P.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, passive and active approaches for the design of fault‐tolerant controllers (FTCs) are presented. The FTCs are used to improve the damping of inter‐area oscillations in a power grid. The effectiveness of using a combination of local and remote (wide area) feedback signals is first demonstrated. The challenge is then to guarantee a minimum level of dynamic performance following a loss of remote signals. The designs are based on regional pole placement using linear matrix inequalities. First, a passive FTC is proposed. It is shown that the computation of the controller reduces to the solution of bilinear matrix inequalities. An iterative procedure is then used to design the controller. Next, as an alternative to active, time‐varying controllers, one for each fault scenario, we propose an approach for the design of a ‘minimal switching’ FTC in which only one controller is designed, but where a simple switch is incorporated into the controller structure. A case study in a linear and nonlinear Nordic equivalent system is presented to show that the closed‐loop response using a conventional control design could deteriorate the performance or even destabilize the system if the remote signals are lost and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed FTC designs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Digital video broadcasting‐return channel via satellite linear modulation with turbo coding
Authors: Brandt Hartmut , Abdel Nour Charbel , Alagha Nader , Lexow Hans Peter
Published: March 2013

The digital video broadcasting, return channel via satellite second generation (DVB‐RCS2) linear modulation scheme offers significantly better performance than that of the first generation (DVB‐RCS) both at the physical layer and at the link layer. The DVB‐RCS2 design allows for optimizing the link margin by implementing adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) in the return link, controlled by the central system controller, resembling the ACM as supported for the DVB‐S2‐based forward link. The gain of the return link ACM complements performance improvements at layers 1 and 2. The performance enhancement of the DVB‐RCS2 comes with a higher computational complexity compared with that of the DVB‐RCS but mainly at the gateway, whereas the computational load increase of the terminal is minimal. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to Do Things with Prayer Utterances
Authors: Sharp Shane
Published: March 2013

While the social scientific study of prayer is growing, little work has investigated prayer utterances—or statements where social actors say the term “prayer” or various cognates—in everyday talk. Drawing on insights from ordinary language philosophy, I argue that prayer utterances are performative utterances that help social actors accomplish a variety of actions in social interactions. To illustrate the performative nature of prayer utterances, I describe three types of actions that prayer utterances can accomplish: (1) aligning potentially problematic or questionable conduct with cultural expectations, (2) signaling to others an intense yearning for an object or occurrence on the behalf of oneself or others, and (3) signaling to others authentic feelings of care for another person or group of people. I conclude with a discussion of the implications of the analysis.
Information structure: linguistic, cognitive, and processing approaches
Authors: Arnold Jennifer E. , Kaiser Elsi , Kahn Jason M. , Kim Lucy K.
Published: March 2013

Language form varies as a result of the information being communicated. Some of the ways in which it varies include word order, referential form, morphological marking, and prosody. The relevant categories of information include the way a word or its referent have been used in context, for example, whether a particular referent has been previously mentioned, and whether it plays a topical role in the current utterance or discourse. We first provide a broad review of linguistic phenomena that are sensitive to information structure. We then discuss several theoretical approaches to explaining information structure: information status as a part of the grammar; information status as a representation of the speaker's and listener's knowledge of common ground and/or the knowledge state of other discourse participants; and the optimal systems approach. These disparate approaches reflect the fact that there is little consensus in the field about precisely which information status categories are relevant, or how they should be represented. We consider possibilities for future work to bring these lines of work together in explicit psycholinguistic models of how people encode information status and use it for language production and comprehension.WIREs Cogn Sci2013, 4:403–413. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1234

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain

Psychology > Language
Music perception and cognition: development, neural basis, and rehabilitative use of music
Authors: Särkämö Teppo , Tervaniemi Mari , Huotilainen Minna
Published: March 2013

Music is a highly versatile form of art and communication that has been an essential part of human society since its early days. Neuroimaging studies indicate that music is a powerful stimulus also for the human brain, engaging not just the auditory cortex but also a vast, bilateral network of temporal, frontal, parietal, cerebellar, and limbic brain areas that govern auditory perception, syntactic and semantic processing, attention and memory, emotion and mood control, and motor skills. Studies of amusia, a severe form of musical impairment, highlight the right temporal and frontal cortices as the core neural substrates for adequate perception and production of music. Many of the basic auditory and musical skills, such as pitch and timbre perception, start developing already in utero, and babies are born with a natural preference for music and singing. Music has many important roles and functions throughout life, ranging from emotional self‐regulation, mood enhancement, and identity formation to promoting the development of verbal, motor, cognitive, and social skills and maintaining their healthy functioning in old age. Music is also used clinically as a part of treatment in many illnesses, which involve affective, attention, memory, communication, or motor deficits. Although more research is still needed, current evidence suggests that music‐based rehabilitation can be effective in many developmental, psychiatric, and neurological disorders, such as autism, depression, schizophrenia, and stroke, as well as in many chronic somatic illnesses that cause pain and anxiety. WIREs Cogn Sci 2013, 4:441–451. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1237

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Brain Function and Dysfunction

Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics

Neuroscience > Cognition
Decentralization and delivery of public services in Asia
Authors: Ghuman B S , Singh Ranjeet
Published: March 2013

Impact of decentralization on public service delivery is mixed. A meta-analysis of the studies suggests that impact of decentralization on public service delivery is contingent on factors such as the design of the decentralization policy; implementation bottlenecks and diluting the model of decentralization for accommodating the dissenting segments of stakeholders including employees; and participatory governance. In particular decentralization has resulted in improvements in delivery of local services where devolution as a mode of decentralization is accompanied by sound financial resource base of local governments, full autonomy to local governments in HRM matters, regular capacity building of local officials, performance based incentive structures, and participatory governance. In contrast where either truncated model of decentralization is adopted or the original model is diluted in favour of centralisation particularly in the form of imposition of central personnel policies, thus burdening local governments financially and in the process delivery of public services suffered. Rampant corruption and elite capture in the decentralized bodies have also hampered the equitable delivery of services.
Factors related to the prevalence of anterior disc displacement without reduction and bony changes of the temporomandibular joint in patients with facial asymmetry
Authors: Ooi Kazuhiro , Inoue Nobuo , Minowa Kazuyuki , Totsuka Yasunori
Published: March 2013

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the factors related to the prevalence of anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR) and bony changes of the mandibular condyle (bony changes) in temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of patients with dentofacial deformity exhibiting facial asymmetry.

Patients and methods: A total of 75 female patients (150 joints) with facial asymmetry, who had undergone orthognathic surgery, were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the TMJ and cephalometric analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether there was a statistically significant association between age, cephalometric measurements, and prevalence of ADDwoR and bony changes.

Results: Facial asymmetry, the prevalence of ADDwoR, and bony changes were more frequently found on the left side than that of the right side. Unilateral ADDwoR (n = 28) and unilateral bony changes (n = 14) were only found on the deviated side. The difference between the distance of upper incisal midpoints and lower incisal midpoints from the facial midline (U1–L1 distance) was significantly larger in 36 patients with ADDwoR and 52 patients with bony changes. According to logistic regression analysis, U1–L1 distance might be related to the prevalence of ADDwoR and bony changes in the TMJs with facial asymmetry.

Conclusion: U1–L1 distance related to the prevalence of ADDwoR and bony changes in TMJs of patients with dentofacial deformity exhibiting facial asymmetry.
Expression of antimicrobial peptides and E‐cadherin in periapical lesions
Authors: Ishihata Kiyohide , Kume Kenichi , Hijioka Hiroshi , Kibe Toshiro , Tanaka Shoko , Komatsuzawa Hitoshi , Harada Hidemitsu , Nakamura Norifumi
Published: March 2013

Objective: Radicular cysts and apical granulomas are inflammatory diseases that develop in association with an infected root canal. It is thought that persistent inflammation may stimulate proliferation of dental epithelial cells around the root to form a cyst. However, pathogenesis and the mechanism of epithelial proliferation have not been clarified. The purpose of this study is to examine the levels of chemical and physical antimicrobial activities of periapical lesions.

Methods: To explore the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and E‐cadherin in periapical lesions, 10 tissue specimens each of apical granulomas and radicular cysts were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti‐AMPs [human neutrophil defensin (HNP), LL37, human beta‐defensin (HBD)‐1 and ‐2] and anti‐E‐cadherin antibody. In vitro assay to assess the expression of LL37, HBD‐1, ‐2 and E‐cadherin in the immortalized rat dental epithelial cell line (HAT‐7) stimulated with/without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or bacterial cells were detected by immunocytochemistry, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation after incubation with/without LPS or LL37 was assayed by MTT assay.

Results: HNP and LL37 were observed mainly in the neutrophils of apical granulomas, while HBD‐1 and E‐cadherin showed higher expression in radicular cysts than in apical granulomas. In vitro assays showed that bacterial stimulation enhanced expression of HBD‐2, LL37, and E‐cadherin, but epithelial cell proliferation was not enhanced with LPS and LL37.

Conclusions: These observations suggest that dental epithelial cells can secrete AMPs and consolidate epithelial intercellular junctions when stimulated by bacterial infection, and radicular cysts may play an important role in defense mechanisms.
Flame wrinkle destruction processes in harmonically forced, turbulent premixed flames
Authors: Shin Dong-Hyuk , Lieuwen Timothy
Published: March 2013

This paper describes analyses of the nonlinear dynamics of harmonically forced, turbulent premixed flames. A key objective of this work is to analyse the ensemble-averaged dynamics of the flame front position, $\langle \xi \rangle $, excited by harmonic forcing of amplitude $\varepsilon $, in the presence of stochastic flow fluctuations of amplitude $\mu $. Low-amplitude and/or near-field effects are quantified by a third-order perturbation analysis, while the more general case is analysed computationally by solving the three-dimensional level-set equation, extracting the instantaneous flame position, and ensemble averaging the results. We show that different mechanisms contribute to smoothing of flame wrinkles, manifested as progressive decay in the magnitude of $\langle \xi \rangle $. Near the flame holder, random phase jitter, associated with stochastic velocity fluctuations tangential to the flame, is dominant. Farther downstream, propagation of the ensemble-averaged front normal to itself at the time-averaged turbulent burning velocity, $ \overline{{S}_{T, eff} } $, leads to destruction of wrinkles, analogous to the laminar case, an effect that scales with $\mu $. A second, new result is the demonstration that the ensemble-averaged turbulent burning velocity, ${S}_{T, eff} (s, t)$, is modulated by the harmonic forcing, i.e. ${S}_{T, eff} (s, t)= \overline{{S}_{T, eff} (s)} + { S}_{T, eff}^{\prime } (s, t)$, where ${ S}_{T, eff}^{\prime } $ has an inverse dependence upon the instantaneous, ensemble averaged-flame curvature, an effect that scales with $\varepsilon $ and $\mu $. We show that this curvature dependence follows from basic application of Huygens propagation to flames with stochastic wrinkling superimposed upon base curvature. This effect also leads to smoothing of flame wrinkles and is analogous to stretch processes in positive-Markstein-length, laminar flames.
Spontaneous layering in stratified turbulent Taylor–Couette flow
Authors: Oglethorpe R. L. F. , Caulfield C. P. , Woods Andrew W.
Published: March 2013

We conduct a series of laboratory experiments to study the mixing of an initially linear stratification in turbulent Taylor–Couette flow. We vary the inner radius, ${R}_{1} $, and rotation rate, $\Omega $, relative to the fixed outer cylinder, of radius ${R}_{2} $, as well as the initial buoyancy frequency ${N}_{0} = \sqrt{(- g/ \rho )\partial \rho / \partial z} $. We find that a linear stratification spontaneously splits into a series of layers and interfaces. The characteristic height of these layers is proportional to ${U}_{H} / {N}_{0} $, where ${U}_{H} = \sqrt{{R}_{1} { \mathrm{\Delta} }_{R} } \Omega $ is a horizontal velocity scale, with ${ \mathrm{\Delta} }_{R} = {R}_{2} - {R}_{1} $ the gap width of the annulus. The buoyancy flux through these layers matches the equivalent flux through a two-layer stratification, independently of the height or number of layers. For a strongly stratified flow, the flux tends to an asymptotic constant value, even when multiple layers are present, consistent with Woods et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 663, 2010, pp. 347–357). For smaller stratification the flux increases, reaching a maximum just before the layers disappear due to overturning of the interfaces.
CANADIAN CANCER RISK MANAGEMENT MODEL: EVALUATION OF CANCER CONTROL
Authors: Evans William K. , Wolfson Michael C. , Flanagan William M. , Shin Janey , Goffin John , Miller Anthony B. , Asakawa Keiko , Earle Craig , Mittmann Nicole , Fairclough Lee , Oderkirk Jillian , Finès Philippe , Gribble Stephen , Hoch Jeffrey , Hicks Chantal , Omariba D. Walter R. , Ng Edward
Published: March 2013

Objectives:The aim of this study was to develop a decision support tool to assess the potential benefits and costs of new healthcare interventions.

Methods:The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) commissioned the development of a Cancer Risk Management Model (CRMM)—a computer microsimulation model that simulates individual lives one at a time, from birth to death, taking account of Canadian demographic and labor force characteristics, risk factor exposures, and health histories. Information from all the simulated lives is combined to produce aggregate measures of health outcomes for the population or for particular subpopulations.

Results:The CRMM can project the population health and economic impacts of cancer control programs in Canada and the impacts of major risk factors, cancer prevention, and screening programs and new cancer treatments on population health and costs to the healthcare system. It estimates both the direct costs of medical care, as well as lost earnings and impacts on tax revenues. The lung and colorectal modules are available through the CPAC Web site (www.cancerview.ca/cancerrriskmanagement) to registered users where structured scenarios can be explored for their projected impacts. Advanced users will be able to specify new scenarios or change existing modules by varying input parameters or by accessing open source code. Model development is now being extended to cervical and breast cancers.