bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Early Repair of Cleft Lip Helps to Reduce the Cleft Alveolar and Palatal Gap in Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip - Palate Patients?
Authors: Noor-ul Ferdous Kazi Md , Haq Md Mafuzul , Rahman S M Mashfiqur , Karim Sabbir , Alam Md Mahabubul , Kabir Kh Ahasanul , Hossain Md Delwar , Ali Ayub , Moniruzzaman Md , Mahmud Khalid , Alam M Rashadul , Mahato Gajendra Nath , Akter Tuhin
Published: January 2015

Backgroud: Timing of surgery in the patients with cleft lip palate is an important factor of prognosis. Delaying in surgical repair of cleft lip and palate patient may lead to difficulty. It may causes wide, extensive and difficult dissection. There are always chances of wound infection, wound dehiscence, complete wound disruption, fistula formation, even there is also chance of maxillary hypoplasia and failure to articulate lifelong. The purpose of this study to observe the effects of cleft lip repair in early age on cleft alveolar and cleft palatal gap thus helps during cleft hard palate repair in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Methods: A retrospective study was done from January 2008 to July 2013. Patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate included in this study, who under went cleft lip at first admission and then and after 3 months of cleft palate was repaired. Patients with previous cleft lip-palate surgery were excluded. The gaps of cleft alveolus and posterior border of the cleft hard palate were recorded during 1st and 2nd operations. Age, gender, side of the cleft, associated anomalies, family history of cleft, cleft alveolar and cleft palatal gap noted, postoperative complications were also recorded. All the data were Results: A total of 63 patients included in this study. Age ranged from 4 months to 8 years. 38 patients were male and 25 were female. Right side was involved in 20 and 43 patients involved in left side. Eight patients had positive family history. Nine had associated congenital anomalies. Cleft alveolar and palatal gap reduced more in the patients who were below the age of 18 months. Postoperative complications were mild respiratory distress, notching of vermilion border developed oronasal fistula.Conclusion: In unilateral complete cleft lip palate patient, early cleft lip repair results, reduction of gaps of alveolar cleft and that of hard palate remarkably, especially in the patients who came for cleft lip surgery in appropriate time.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i3.21023
Iron Status in Malnourished Children : A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Ferdousi Shormin Ara , Biswas Rajat Sanker Roy , Paul Nayan Kanti , Karim Mohammed Rezaul
Published: January 2015

Objectives: Malnutrition is a common condition among children and iron status varies in different types of malnutrition. So the present study is aimed to find the different iron status among severe malnourished children in our context. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was done in the Paediatrics ward Chittagong Medical College Hospital in a period of 6 months from January to July 2013 among the 50 cases of malnourished children of age range between 1 to 5 years and Weight for Height Z score(WHZ) was <-2  SD. Sampling technique was continuous purposive sampling. Venous blood was collected to assay the different iron profile mainly serum iron level, total iron binding capacity(TIBC) and transferrin saturation(TSAT). Data was analyzed after correction by SPSS-19. Results: Among the 50 study children of different age groups 15 patients were 1 to 2 years, 18 patients were 2 to 3 years, 10 patients were 3 to 4 years and 7 patients were at 4-5 years of age groups. Among the patients, 29 (58%) of patients were female and 21(42%) of the patients were male. Most of the children were from the families of low socioeconomic status 38(76%). 2(4%) children were from upper middle class who had step mother. Among the selected patients the dominating clinical features were anemia was found among 45(90%) of patients which was mild(66.6%), moderate(26.6%) and severe(6.6%). Skin changes(32%), eye  changes (10%) and hair changes(48%) were also found. Among the 50 study subjects prelacteal feeding was given among 43(86%) children, breast feeding was given 45(90%), exclusive breast feeding was given to 24(48%) of children and complementary feeding after 6 months was given to 29(58%) patients. Among the 50 patients -2 to -3 SD weight for height was found in 20(40%) patients and <-3 SD was found in 30(60%) patients. Most of the children was found to have Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) 115-125 mm(50%). Iron status was measured among all patients where serum iron level was found 77.72 ± 11.22 mcgm/dl, TIBC was found 340.07 ± 22.67 mcgm/dl and transferrin saturation was found 22.38 ± 2.9 %. Iron status were measured among the different types of malnutrition where serum iron level and transferrin saturation was high among all patients with malnutrition while TIBC was lower than standard level in all patients. Different biochemical status were measured among the different types of malnutrition where serum total protein, serum albumin, Hb% were lower than standard level in all patients.Conclusion: Change in different iron status is a common findings in malnourished children. Screening of all children for anemia and providing iron and folic acid (IFA) or multiple micronutrients (MMN) supplements to children and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) should be addressed at all level to overcome the situation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i3.21024
Nutritional Status and Causes of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Relation with Exercise Habit Among Patients of a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Muktadir Khandker Masum , Haque Md Monoarul , Sultana Shuhana , Usmani Nadira , Sakib Md Nazmus , Zannath Mst Mostary
Published: January 2015

Background: ACL injuries, is a serious problem in sports. Treatment of ACL injury is costly and it often takes 12 months or more to return to sports or in worst case and lead to early retirement. The long term outcome is also concerning issue. Objective: The goal of this study was to identify the nutritional status and causes of injury in relation with exercise habit among the patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in a super specialty modern tertiary care level hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Total 63 samples were collected purposively to conduct this study. Data were collected through face to face interview by pretested semi-structured questionnaire and anthropometry was measured by standard technique. Prior data collection written consent was taken from the respondents. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were used for data analysis.Results: The mean age (±SD) of the respondents was 27.52 (±7.59) years where 95.3% were male patients and 4.7% were female patients. Regarding their nutritional status, 23.8%, 55.6% and 20.6% were normal, over weight and obese respectively. Moreover 61.9% respondents had regular exercise habit whereas 38.1% respondents had no regular exercise habit. Besides there was no significant association (p>0.05) found between causes of injury and types of injury with exercise habit.Conclusion: Most of the patients were over nourished and no significant association was found between vehicle used and causes of injury. Further large scale study is needed to get actual picture.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i3.21026
Clobazam is a Better Option for Intermittent Prophylaxis of Febrile Convulsion
Authors: Iqbal Shahed , Ullah Monir , Sultana Razia , Chowdhury Mahmood Ahmed
Published: January 2015

Aims: To compare safety and efficacy of diazepam and clobazam. Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of intermittent clobazam versus diazepam therapy in preventing the recurrence of febrile convulsion and assess adverse effects of each drug.Methods: This is a hospital based randomized controlled trial was performed on neurologically normal children with the history of simple febrile convulsion and normal electroencephalogram without any evidence of acute central nervous system infection, done in Chattagram Maa Shishu-O-General Hospital/CMSOGH between November12 to April13. A total of 37 patients were randomly prescribed with oral clobazam and diazepam was given in 35 patients when they developed a febrile disease. All the patients were monitored regarding developing seizure and adverse effects of the drugs. All patients were followed for 12 months.Results: It was observed that 243 attacks of fever occurred during the period, including 116 attacks in the clobazam group and 127 episodes in the diazepam group. Recurrence of convulsion occurred in 2 (1.7%) subjects in the clobazam group, and in 4(3.1%) cases in the diazepam group. Twenty cases (54%) in the diazepam group and 5 (14.2% ) cases in the clobazam group developed drowsiness and sedation during the follow-up period.Conclusion: Intermittent clobazam therapy has better advantage over diazepam with similar efficacy but significantly lower adverse effects such as drowsiness and sedation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i3.21027
A Cross Sectional Study on Feeding Practice of New Born Babies in Selected Hospitals
Authors: Haque Md Monoarul , Uddin A K M Mejbah , Bhuiyan Md Rijwan , Islam A S M Mazharul , Masum Md Shah Billal , Haqe Monirul
Published: January 2015

Background: Exclusive Breast feeding is implies feeding of breast milk is enough for the baby up to six months of life and no other food is necessary during this time. Objective: The main objective of this study is to study the feeding practice of newborn babies in first week of life. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted on mothers who have done C-section. About 120 sample were interviewed in Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Pan Pacific Hospital Ltd, Dhaka. Pretested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The result showed that showed that one-third of the infants 84 (70%) were between the ages of 1 to 2 days and 29 (24.2%) were between the age of 3 to 4 days and the rest 7 (5.8%) were greater than 4 days and about half (53%) mothers initiate breast feeding within one hour after delivery. Besides study found that more than half of mothers 67(55.8%) were fed 5-8 time, 40 (33.4%) mother were fed 8-12 time and 13 (10.8%) mothers were fed per day 12-16 time and about 82% mothers use water as an extra feed of their child. Conclusion: The study result does not represent the country situation and should not generalize. Further study is needed for more specific information and generalization.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i3.21028
Foramen Magnum Meningioma: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Deb Nath Haradhan , Barua Kanak Kanti , Bari Shahnewaj , Amin Hafizul
Published: January 2015

Background: Foramen magnum meningiomas are challenging tumors, requiring special considerations because of the vicinity of the medulla oblongata, the lower cranial nerves, and the vertebral artery. After detailing the relevant anatomy of the foramen magnum area, we will explain our classification system based on the compartment of development, the dural insertion, and the relation to the vertebral artery. Method: A 35 years age lady with foramen magnum meningioma was operated at the Department of Neurosurgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University 6 months back. A case report was taken before surgery and 6 month follow up was done after operation. Conclusion: As foramen magnum meningioma is very difficult to approach, with the help of microscope with proper training. We can remove completely without any deficit.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i3.21031
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft in a Patient with Markedly Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Adhikary Asit Baran , Ahsan Kamrul , Husain Sabrina Sharmeen , Saha Sanjoy Kumar , Sohan Arif Mohammad , Hasan Md Nazmul
Published: January 2015

Coronary artery bypass grafting has always given advantage over medical management in treating ischaemic heart disease when 5 years survival is concerned. But, surgery is usually avoided in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy with low ejection fraction due to perioperative mortality .Here, we are presenting a case of first successfully performed CABG in Bangladedesh in a patient with ejection fraction of 19%. A 58 years old diabetic and hypertensive male patient, having history of myocardial infarction was suffering from ischaemic cardiomyopathy. He presented with compressive central chest pain, dyspnoea and fatigue and was in NYHA functional class IV. His coronary angiogram revealed tripple vessel coronary artery disease and there was severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction on Echocardiography. On 11th June, 2013 he underwent off pump coronary artery bypass graft where 3 grafts were anastomosed on beating heart. There was no peroperative complication and no need for perioperative IABP. Weaning time from ventilation and period of inotropic support were not longer than usual that is required for a patient with normal ejection fraction. Patients postoperative period was unremarkable. After six months follow up, his ejection fraction had improved to 26% and on nine months follow up his ejection fraction was 35%. The patient is apparently symptom less, resumed his job and leading an almost normal life. Therefore, surgery in a skilled hand can combat perioperative mortality and morbidity and gives better result in patient with low ejection fraction.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i3.21036
Management of Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Authors: Ahmed Shaheda , Alam A S M Towhidul
Published: January 2015

Objective: To review current concepts in the management of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in patients with non-specific symptoms.Data sources: A review of articles reported on overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism. Summary of review: In a patient with primary overt hypothyroidism, management is usually straightforward: treatment with thyroxine should be offered to anyone with characteristic clinical features, a raised serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration and a low serum thyroxine (T4) concentration. More difficult is the management of a patient with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), in whom serum TSH is slightly raised (5-20 mIU/L) but T3, T4 levels are normal, and who is either asymptomatic or has only non-specific symptoms. Left untreated, some of these patients will eventually develop overt hypothyroidism. This review will address the use of thyroxine in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i3.21045
Protective Expenses Orders and public interest litigation
Authors: Mullen Tom
Published: January 2015

This article concerns the practice of excluding or limiting the liability in expenses of public interest litigants, a comparatively recent development in the United Kingdom legal systems. Such orders are called protective expenses orders (PEOs) in Scotland and protective costs orders (PCOs) in England and Northern Ireland, and in all three jurisdictions have been developed by the judges in the exercise of the wide discretion they have traditionally enjoyed in relation to awards of expenses. During 2013, new rules of court on PEO/PCOs were adopted in all three jurisdictions applying specifically to public interest environmental law litigation. This article provides an analysis of PEOs in Scotland in the light of the introduction of the new rules for environmental cases and of the English experience.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Antibodies in 2014
Authors: Antibodies Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Antibodies would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Variations in PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 in an Urban Area of the Sichuan Basin and Their Relation to Meteorological Factors
Authors: Li Yang , Chen Quanliang , Zhao Hujia , Wang Lin , Tao Ran
Published: January 2015

Daily average monitoring data for PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 and meteorological parameters at Chengdu from 2009 to 2011 are analyzed using statistical methods to replicate the effect of urban air pollution in Chengdu metropolitan region of the Sichuan Basin. The temporal distribution of, and correlation between, PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 particles are analyzed. Additionally, the relationships between particulate matter (PM) and certain meteorological parameters are studied. The results show that variations in the average mass concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 generally have the same V-shaped distributions (except for April), with peak/trough values for PM average mass concentrations appearing in January/September, respectively. From 2009 to 2011, the inter-annual average mass concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 fall year on year. The correlation coefficients of daily concentrations of PM10 with PM2.5, PM10 with PM1.0, and PM2.5 with PM1.0 were high, reaching 0.91, 0.83 and 0.98, respectively. In addition, the average ratios of PM2.5/PM10, PM1.0/PM10 and PM1.0/PM2.5 were 85%, 78% and 92%, respectively. From this, fine PM is determined to be the principal pollutant in the Chengdu region. Except for averaged air pressure values, negative correlations exist between other meteorological parameters and PM. Temperature and air pressure influenced the transport and accumulation of PM by affecting convection. Winds promoted PM dispersion. Precipitation not only accelerated the deposition of wet PM, but also inhibited surface dust transport. There was an obvious correlation between PM and visibility; the most important cause of visibility degradation was due to the light extinction of aerosol particles.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Biomedicines in 2014
Authors: Biomedicines Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Biomedicines would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Climate Based Façade Design for Business Buildings with Examples from Central London
Authors: Napier John
Published: January 2015

There is a disconnection between commercial architecture and environmental thinking, where green features can be included as part of a strategy for gaining approvals and marketing projects, but those features are not reviewed after completion and occupation of the building and knowledge is not shared. High levels of air conditioning are still considered unavoidable. Elaborate double skin façades and complex motorized shading systems are adopted; often masking an underlying lack of basic environmental thinking. This article returns (in principle) to the physics of comfort in buildings and the passive strategies which can help achieve this with a low energy and carbon footprint. Passive and active façade design strategies are outlined as the basis of a critical tool and a design methodology for new projects. A new architectural sensibility can arise based on modeling the inputs of sunlight, daylight and air temperature in time and space at the early stages of design. Early but sound strategies can be tested and refined using advanced environmental modeling techniques. Architecture and environmental thinking can proceed hand in hand through the design process.
High Reproducibility of ELISPOT Counts from Nine Different Laboratories
Authors: Sundararaman Srividya , Karulin Alexey , Ansari Tameem , BenHamouda Nadine , Gottwein Judith , Laxmanan Sreenivas , Levine Steven , Loffredo John , McArdle Stephanie , Neudoerfl Christine , Roen Diana , Silina Karina , Welch Mackenzie , Lehmann Paul
Published: January 2015

The primary goal of immune monitoring with ELISPOT is to measure the number of T cells, specific for any antigen, accurately and reproducibly between different laboratories. In ELISPOT assays, antigen-specific T cells secrete cytokines, forming spots of different sizes on a membrane with variable background intensities. Due to the subjective nature of judging maximal and minimal spot sizes, different investigators come up with different numbers. This study aims to determine whether statistics-based, automated size-gating can harmonize the number of spot counts calculated between different laboratories. We plated PBMC at four different concentrations, 24 replicates each, in an IFN-γ ELISPOT assay with HCMV pp65 antigen. The ELISPOT plate, and an image file of the plate was counted in nine different laboratories using ImmunoSpot® Analyzers by (A) Basic Count™ relying on subjective counting parameters set by the respective investigators and (B) SmartCount™, an automated counting protocol by the ImmunoSpot® Software that uses statistics-based spot size auto-gating with spot intensity auto-thresholding. The average coefficient of variation (CV) for the mean values between independent laboratories was 26.7% when counting with Basic Count™, and 6.7% when counting with SmartCount™. Our data indicates that SmartCount™ allows harmonization of counting ELISPOT results between different laboratories and investigators.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Computers in 2014
Authors: Computers Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Computers would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
The Impacts of Recently Established Fish Populations on Zooplankton Communities in a Desert Spring, and Potential Conflicts in Setting Conservation Goals
Authors: Henkanaththegedara Sujan , Fisher Justin , McEwen Daniel , Stockwell Craig
Published: January 2015

Desert springs, which harbor diverse and endemic invertebrate assemblages, are often used as refuge habitats for protected fish species. Additionally, many of these springs have been colonized by invasive fish species. However, the potential impacts of recently established fish populations on invertebrate communities in desert springs have been relatively unexplored. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to assess the impact of both protected and invasive fish on community structure of spring-dwelling invertebrates focusing on zooplankton. Experimental populations of spring zooplankton communities were established and randomly assigned to one of three treatments, (1) invasive western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis); (2) endangered Mohave tui chub (Siphateles bicolor mohavensis); and (3) fishless control. Final populations of zooplankton and fish were sampled, sorted, identified and counted. The treatment differences of zooplankton communities were analyzed by comparing the densities of six major zooplankton taxa. Further, we performed nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) to visualize the patterns of zooplankton community assemblages. Four zooplankton taxa, crustacean nauplii, cladocera, calanoid and cyclopoid copepods had significantly lower densities in fish treatments compared to fishless control. Overall, invasive mosquitofish caused a 78.8% reduction in zooplankton density, while Mohave tui chub caused a 65.1% reduction. Both protected and invasive fish had similar effects on zooplankton except for cladocerans where tui chub caused a 60% reduction in density, whereas mosquitofish virtually eliminated cladocerans. The presence of fish also had a significant effect on zooplankton community structure due to population declines and local extirpations presumably due to fish predation. This work shows that conservation-translocations undertaken to conserve protected fish species may impact spring-dwelling invertebrate communities, and such impacts are similar to impacts due to colonization by invasive fish species.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Dieseases in 2014
Authors: Diseases Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Diseases would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
An 18 Moments Model for Dense Gases: Entropy and Galilean Relativity Principles without Expansions
Authors: Carrisi M. , Pennisi Sebastiano
Published: January 2015

The 14 moments model for dense gases, introduced in the last few years by Arima, Taniguchi, Ruggeri and Sugiyama, is here extended up to 18 moments. They have found the closure of the balance equations up to a finite order with respect to equilibrium; it is also possible to impose for that model the entropy and Galilean relativity principles up to whatever order with respect to equilibrium, but by using Taylor’s expansion. Here, the exact solution is found, without expansions, but a bigger number of moments has to be considered and reasons will be shown suggesting that this number is at least 18.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Economies in 2014
Authors: Economies Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Economies would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Education Sciences in 2014
Authors: Education Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Education Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Environments in 2014
Authors: Environments Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Environments would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
A Methodological Framework for Assessing Agents, Proximate Drivers and Underlying Causes of Deforestation: Field Test Results from Southern Cameroon
Authors: Carodenuto Sophia , Merger Eduard , Essomba Eric , Panev Metodi , Pistorius Till , Amougou Joseph
Published: January 2015

The international debates on REDD+ and the expectations to receive results-based payments through international climate finance have triggered considerable political efforts to address deforestation and forest degradation in many potential beneficiary countries. Whether a country will receive such REDD+ payments is largely contingent on its ability to effectively address the relevant drivers, and to govern the context-dependent agents and forces responsible for forest loss or degradation. Currently, many REDD+ countries are embarking on the necessary analytical steps for their national REDD+ strategies. In this context, a comprehensive understanding of drivers and their underlying causes is a fundamental prerequisite for developing effective policy responses. We developed a methodological framework for assessing the drivers and underlying causes of deforestation and use the Fako Division in Southern Cameroon as a case study to test this approach. The steps described in this paper can be adapted to other geographical contexts, and the results of such assessments can be used to inform policy makers and other stakeholders.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Future Internet in 2014
Authors: Future Internet Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Future Internet would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) Oil: A Natural Preservative to Control Meat Spoilage
Authors: Del Serrone Paola , Toniolo Chiara , Nicoletti Marcello
Published: January 2015

Plant-derived extracts (PDEs) are a source of biologically-active substances having antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of neem oil (NO) as a preservative of fresh retail meat. The antibacterial activity of NO against Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Brochothrix thermosphacta, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Lactobacillus curvatus and L. sakei was assessed in a broth model system. The bacterial growth inhibition zone (mm) ranged from 18.83 ± 1.18 to 30.00 ± 1.00, as was found by a disc diffusion test with 100 µL NO. The bacterial percent growth reduction ranged from 30.81 ± 2.08 to 99.70 ± 1.53 in the broth microdilution method at different NO concentrations (1:10 to 1:100,000). Viable bacterial cells were detected in experimentally-contaminated meat up to the second day after NO treatment (100 µL NO per 10 g meat), except for C. maltaromaticum, which was detected up to the sixth day by PCR and nested PCR with propidium monoazide (PMA™) dye. In comparison to the previously published results, C. maltaromaticum, E. coli, L. curvatus and L. sakei appeared more susceptible to NO compared to neem cake extract (NCE) by using a broth model system.
Selection-Mutation Dynamics of Signaling Games
Authors: Hofbauer Josef , Huttegger Simon
Published: January 2015

We study the structure of the rest points of signaling games and their dynamic behavior under selection-mutation dynamics by taking the case of three signals as our canonical example. Many rest points of the replicator dynamics of signaling games are not isolated and, therefore, not robust under perturbations. However, some of them attract open sets of initial conditions. We prove the existence of certain rest points of the selection-mutation dynamics close to Nash equilibria of the signaling game and show that all but the perturbed rest points close to strict Nash equilibria are dynamically unstable. This is an important result for the evolution of signaling behavior, since it shows that the second-order forces that are governed by mutation can increase the chances of successful signaling.
The Effect of Smoke-Free Air Law in Bars on Smoking Initiation and Relapse among Teenagers and Young Adults
Authors: Shang Ce
Published: January 2015

Background: Existing evidence has shown that most smoking uptake and escalation occurs while smokers are teenagers or young adults. Effective policies that reduce smoking uptake and escalation will play an important role in curbing cigarette smoking. This study aims to investigate the effect of smoke-free air (SFA) laws in bars on smoking initiation/relapse while controlling for other confounders. Methods: The national longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) from 1997–2009 was linked to state-level scores for the strength of SFA laws in order to carry out the analysis. Results and Conclusion: We find that SFA laws in bars with exemptions significantly reduce (p ≤ 0.01) the probability of smoking initiation (one-puff, daily, and heavy smoking initiation). The 100% SFA law in bars without exemption significantly deters smoking relapse from abstinence into daily smoking (p ≤ 0.05) or relapse from abstinence into heavy smoking (p ≤ 0.01) among people age 21 or older. The reduction of one-puff and daily smoking initiation is larger among ages 20 or younger than ages 21 or older, while the reduction in relapse does not differ by whether respondents reach the drinking age. Results also indicate that higher cigarette taxes significantly reduce daily smoking initiation and relapse into nondaily and light smoking.
Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Impaired Fasting Glucose, Associated with Risk Factors in Rural Kazakh Adults in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Li Shugang , Guo Shuxia , He Fei , Zhang Mei , He Jia , Yan Yizhong , Ding Yusong , Zhang Jingyu , Liu Jiaming , Guo Heng , Xu Shangzhi , Ma Rulin
Published: January 2015

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in a Kazakh population aged ≥18 years living in the YiLi District of Xinjiang, China and to evaluate the associated risk factors of diabetes. Methods: Randomly selected adults, living for at least 6 months in the YiLi District in Xinjiang had their clinical characteristics and standard blood chemistries measured. DM and IFG were defined according to WHO 1999 criteria. The adjusted odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the association of diabetes risk factors in multivariate logistic regression models. Results: A total of 3919 subjects were randomly selected. The age-and gender-standardized prevalence of DM and IFG were 5.9% and 10.0%, respectively. The prevalence of DM and IFG increased with age and BMI. Prevalence of 7.4%, 12.2% in males and 4.9%, 8.6% in females for DM and IFG. Compared by sex, prevalence of DM and IFG was higher in males. Prevalence of 3.4%, 8.1% in normal, 6.7%, 11.9% in overweight and 12.0%, 13.0% in obesity for diabetes and IFG. In the multivariable logistic models, male sex, older age, unmarried, overweight, obesity, hypertension, triglycerides and smoking were all significantly associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Conclusions: The prevalence of DM and IFG among minorities was lower than the overall national level both in men and women (9.7% in total, 10.6% in males, 8.8% in females), and also lower than among the Han ethnicity (9.26%) which predominates in China today.
Hair Dyes Resorcinol and Lawsone Reduce Production of Melanin in Melanoma Cells by Tyrosinase Activity Inhibition and Decreasing Tyrosinase and Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor (MITF) Expression
Authors: Lee Shu-Mei , Chen Yi-Shyan , Lin Chih-Chien , Chen Kuan-Hung
Published: January 2015

Hair coloring products are one of the most important cosmetics for modern people; there are three major types of hair dyes, including the temporary, semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes. The selected hair dyes (such as ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, resorcinol and lawsone) are the important components for hair coloring products. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of these compounds on melanogenesis in B16-F10 melanoma cells. The results proved that hair dyes resorcinol and lawsone can reduce the production of melanin. The results also confirmed that resorcinol and lawsone inhibit mushroom and cellular tyrosinase activities in vitro. Resorcinol and lawsone can also downregulate the protein levels of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in B16-F10 cells. Thus, we suggest that frequent use of hair dyes may have the risk of reducing natural melanin production in hair follicles. Moreover, resorcinol and lawsone may also be used as hypopigmenting agents to food, agricultural and cosmetic industry in the future.
Defective Autophagosome Formation in p53-Null Colorectal Cancer Reinforces Crocin-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Amin Amr , Bajbouj Khuloud , Koch Adrian , Gandesiri Muktheshwar , Schneider-Stock Regine
Published: January 2015

Crocin, a bioactive molecule of saffron, inhibited proliferation of both HCT116 wild-type and HCT116 p53−/− cell lines at a concentration of 10 mM. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution revealed that there was an accumulation of HCT116 wild-type cells in G1 (55.9%, 56.1%) compared to the control (30.4%) after 24 and 48 h of crocin treatment, respectively. However, crocin induced only mild G2 arrest in HCT116 p53−/− after 24 h. Crocin induced inefficient autophagy in HCT116 p53−/− cells, where crocin induced the formation of LC3-II, which was combined with a decrease in the protein levels of Beclin 1 and Atg7 and no clear p62 degradation. Autophagosome formation was not detected in HCT116 p53−/− after crocin treatment predicting a nonfunctional autophagosome formation. There was a significant increase of p62 after treating the cells with Bafilomycin A1 (Baf) and crocin compared to crocin exposure alone. Annexin V staining showed that Baf-pretreatment enhanced the induction of apoptosis in HCT116 wild-type cells. Baf-exposed HCT116 p53−/− cells did not, however, show any enhancement of apoptosis induction despite an increase in the DNA damage-sensor accumulation, γH2AX indicating that crocin induced an autophagy-independent classical programmed cell death.
Rapid and Sensitive Identification of the Herbal Tea Ingredient Taraxacum formosanum Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
Authors: Lai Guan-Hua , Chao Jung , Lin Ming-Kuem , Chang Wen-Te , Peng Wen-Huang , Sun Fang-Chun , Lee Meng-Shiunn , Lee Meng-Shiou
Published: January 2015

Taraxacum formosanum (TF) is a medicinal plant used as an important component of health drinks in Taiwan. In this study, a rapid, sensitive and specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for authenticating TF was established. A set of four specific LAMP primers was designed based on the nucleotide sequence of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) of TF. LAMP amplicons were successfully amplified and detected when purified genomic DNA of TF was added in the LAMP reaction under isothermal condition (65 °C) within 45 min. These specific LAMP primers have high specificity and can accurately discriminate Taraxacum formosanum from other adulterant plants; 1 pg of genomic DNA was determined to be the detection limit of the LAMP assay. In conclusion, using this novel approach, TF and its misused plant samples obtained from herbal tea markets were easily identified and discriminated by LAMP assay for quality control.
Effects of Starvation on Deltamethrin Tolerance in Bed Bugs, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)
Authors: DeVries Zachary , Reid William , Kells Stephen , Appel Arthur
Published: January 2015

Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L., are a major pest in the urban environment. Their presence often results in physical, psychological, and financial distress of homeowners and apartment dwellers. Although many insecticide bioassays have been performed on this pest, little attention has been paid to bed bug feeding status, which is closely linked to metabolism, molting, and mass. Therefore, we evaluated the toxicity of topically applied deltamethrin on insecticide susceptible adult male bed bugs fed 2 d, 9 d, and 21 d prior to testing. When toxicity was evaluated on a “per-bug” basis, there was no difference between 2 d [LD50 = 0.498 (0.316 − 0.692) ng·bug−1] and 9 d [LD50 = 0.572 (0.436 − 0.724) ng·bug−1] starved bugs, while 21 d starved bugs had a significantly lower LD50 [0.221 (0.075 − 0.386) ng·bug−1]. When toxicity was evaluated in terms of body mass, 9 d starved bugs had the highest LD50 values [0.138 (0.102 − 0.176) ng·mg−1], followed by 2 d starved bugs [0.095 (0.060 − 0.134) ng·mg−1], and then 21 d starved bugs [0.058 (0.019–0.102) ng·mg−1]; the LD50 values of 2 d and 9 d starved bugs were significantly different from 21 d starved bugs. These results indicate that feeding status plays an important role in the toxicity of deltamethrin. In addition, the lack of differences between 2 d and 9 d starved bugs indicate that the blood meal itself has little impact on tolerance, but rather it is some physiological change following feeding that confers increased tolerance to bed bugs.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease in 2014
Authors: JCDD Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of the Journal of Intelligence in 2014
Authors: Journal of Intelligence Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of the Jounral of Intelligence would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014: [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of the Journal of Low Power Electronics and Applications in 2014
Authors:   Journal of Low Power Electronics Applications Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of the Journal of Low Power Electronics and Applications would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Mathematics in 2014
Authors: Mathematics Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Mathematics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review
Authors: Kyzas George , Bikiaris Dimitrios
Published: January 2015

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).
Preparation of Photocrosslinked Fish Elastin Polypeptide/Microfibrillated Cellulose Composite Gels with Elastic Properties for Biomaterial Applications
Authors: Yano Shinya , Mori Megumi , Teramoto Naozumi , Iisaka Makoto , Suzuki Natsumi , Noto Masanari , Kaimoto Yasuko , Kakimoto Masashi , Yamada Michio , Shiratsuchi Eri , Shimasaki Toshiaki , Shibata Mitsuhiro
Published: January 2015

Photocrosslinked hydrogels reinforced by microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were prepared from a methacrylate-functionalized fish elastin polypeptide and MFC dispersed in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). First, a water-soluble elastin peptide with a molecular weight of ca. 500 g/mol from the fish bulbus arteriosus was polymerized by N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), a condensation reagent, and then modified with 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (MOI) to yield a photocrosslinkable fish elastin polypeptide. The product was dissolved in DMSO and irradiated with UV light in the presence of a radical photoinitiator. We obtained hydrogels successfully by substitution of DMSO with water. The composite gel with MFC was prepared by UV irradiation of the photocrosslinkable elastin polypeptide mixed with dispersed MFC in DMSO, followed by substitution of DMSO with water. The tensile test of the composite gels revealed that the addition of MFC improved the tensile properties, and the shape of the stress–strain curve of the composite gel became more similar to the typical shape of an elastic material with an increase of MFC content. The rheology measurement showed that the elastic modulus of the composite gel increased with an increase of MFC content. The cell proliferation test on the composite gel showed no toxicity.
Preparative Separation of Sulfur-Containing Diketopiperazines from Marine Fungus Cladosporium sp. Using High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography in Stepwise Elution Mode
Authors: Gu Binbin , Zhang Yanying , Ding Lijian , He Shan , Wu Bin , Dong Junde , Zhu Peng , Chen Juanjuan , Zhang Jinrong , Yan Xiaojun
Published: January 2015

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was successively applied to the separation of three sulfur-containing diketopiperazines (DKPs) (including two new compounds cladosporin A (1) and cladosporin B (3), and a known compound haematocin (2)) from a marine fungus Cladosporium sp. The two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water at (1:1:1:1, v/v) and (2:1:2:1, v/v), in stepwise elution mode, was used for HSCCC. The preparative HSCCC separation was performed on 300 mg of crude sample yielding 26.7 mg of compound 3 at a purity of over 95%, 53.6 mg of a mixture of compounds 1 and 2, which was further separated by preparative-HPLC yielding 14.3 mg of compound 1 and 25.4 mg of compound 2 each at a purity of over 95%. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods. The sulfur-containing DKPs suppressed the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. The present work represents the first application of HSCCC in the efficient preparation of marine fungal natural products.
Neuroprotective and Neuroregenerative Effects of Nimodipine in a Model System of Neuronal Differentiation and Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Bork Kaya , Wurm Franziska , Haller Hannes , Strauss Christian , Scheller Christian , Gnanapragassam Vinayaga , Horstkorte Rüdiger
Published: January 2015

Nimodipine is a Ca2+-channel antagonist mainly used for the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) to prevent cerebral vasospasms. However, it is not clear if the better outcome of nimodipine-treated patients is mainly due to vasodilatation or whether other cellular neuroprotective or neuregenerative effects of nimodipine are involved. We analysed PC12 cells after different stress stimuli with or without nimodipine pretreatment. Cytotoxicity of 200 mM EtOH and osmotic stress (450 mosmol/L) was significantly reduced with nimodipine pretreatment, while nimodipine has no influence on the hypoxia-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. The presence of nimodipine also increased the NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. However, nimodipine alone was not able to induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. These results support the idea that nimodipine has general neuroprotective or neuregenerative effect beside its role in vasodilatation and is maybe useful also in other clinical applications beside aSAH.
Combined Pharmacophore Modeling, 3D-QSAR, Homology Modeling and Docking Studies on CYP11B1 Inhibitors
Authors: Yu Rui , Wang Juan , Wang Rui , Lin Yong , Hu Yong , Wang Yuanqiang , Shu Mao , Lin Zhihua
Published: January 2015

The mitochondrial cytochrome P450 enzymes inhibitor steroid 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) can decrease the production of cortisol. Therefore, these inhibitors have an effect in the treatment of Cushing’s syndrome. A pharmacophore model generated by Genetic Algorithm with Linear Assignment for Hypermolecular Alignment of Datasets (GALAHAD) was used to align the compounds and perform comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) with Q2 = 0.658, R2 = 0.959. The pharmacophore model contained six hydrophobic regions and one acceptor atom, and electropositive and bulky substituents would be tolerated at the A and B sites, respectively. A three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study based on the alignment with the atom root mean square (RMS) was applied using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) with Q2 = 0.666, R2 = 0.978, and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) with Q2 = 0.721, R2 = 0.972. These results proved that all the models have good predictability of the bioactivities of inhibitors. Furthermore, the QSAR models indicated that a hydrogen bond acceptor substituent would be disfavored at the A and B groups, while hydrophobic groups would be favored at the B site. The three-dimensional (3D) model of the CYP11B1 was generated based on the crystal structure of the CYP11B2 (PDB code 4DVQ). In order to probe the ligand-binding modes, Surflex-dock was employed to dock CYP11B1 inhibitory compounds into the active site of the receptor. The docking result showed that the imidazolidine ring of CYP11B1 inhibitors form H bonds with the amino group of residue Arg155 and Arg519, which suggested that an electronegative substituent at these positions could enhance the activities of compounds. All the models generated by GALAHAD QSAR and Docking methods provide guidance about how to design novel and potential drugs for Cushing’s syndrome treatment.