bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER OF MAJOR DUODENAL PAPILLA BEFORE AND AFTER PANCREATICODUODENAL RESECTIONS
Authors: Lebedeva A. N. , Demidova V. S. , Kriger A. G.
Published: October 2015

56 patients with cancer of major duodenal papilla were examined before and after pylorus-saving pancreaticoduodenal resection. Carbohydrate metabolism was estimated before and after the operation, impact of the operation on diabetes mellitus progression was detected. If there were no carbohydrate metabolism abnormalities in 75% before the operation, then there were 55% of such patients after the operation. After the pylorus-saving pancreaticoduodenal resection the impaired glucose tolerance was detected in 4 (7%) of patients whose carbohydrate metabolism had corresponded to norms before the operation. 7 (13%) Of 17 (31%) patients had diabetes mellitus of mild severity after the pylorus-saving pancreaticoduodenal resection, the rest 10 (18%) had diabetes mellitus of moderate severity. In 7 (13%) patients after the pylorus-saving pancreaticoduodenal resection the diabetes mellitus of moderate severity was detected for the first time, at that in 4 patients diabetes mellitus of mild severity was detected, and in 3 patients — diabetes mellitus of moderate severity (everyone received insulin therapy in the long-term postoperative period) was detected. Checking protocol of the patients’ carbohydrate metabolism in the perioperative period was described in detail. The possibility of prognostication of carbohydrate metabolism abnormalities in the long-term postoperative period by indications of carbohydrate metabolism before the operation and in early postoperative period was studied. Middle blood glucose level in early postoperative period is an informative indication for prognostication of carbohydrate metabolism state in the long-term postoperative period. An algorithm of patients’ examination with cancer of major duodenal papilla before the operation and after it was offered; also checking protocol of carbohydrate metabolism indices and correction of the detected abnormalities in the early postoperative period were offered.
EVALUATION OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN 9 GENETIC POLYMORPHISM AND MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN THE SIBERIAN POPULATION
Authors: Maximov V. N. , Kulikov I. V. , Orlov P. S. , Gafarov V. V. , Malyutina S. K. , Romashchenko A. G. , Voevoda M. I.
Published: October 2015

Aim: to evaluate association between genetic polymorphism (SNPs) and myocardial infarction (identified in recent GWAS) as markers of high risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in Siberian population. Patients were divided into 2 groups — MI patients and control group (ratio 1:2) and presented the sapmle of population of Novosibirsk (9400 patients, 45–69 years) within international project HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe). 200 patients with MI (129 men, 71 women) were included. Control group — individuals without MI (420) matched for age and sex. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood by phenol-chloroform extraction. Gene polymorphism of genes tested by real-time PCR according to protocol (probes TaqMan, Applied Biosystems, USA) with the use of ABI 7900HT. The following SNPs were studied: rs28711149, rs499818, rs619203, rs10757278 and rs1333049 (hr. 9), rs1376251, rs2549513, rs4804611, rs17465637. The association of SNP and MI was confirmed for 4 of 9 studied SNPs: rs1333049 (hr. 9), rs10757278 (hr. 9), rs499818 (hr. 6), rs619203 gene ROS1. Heart rate was associated with rs1333049 and rs10757278. Glucose level was associated with rs619203, rs28711149 and rs1376251. Total cholesterol and atherogenic index was associated with rs28711149. For the first time in Russian population the associations of GWAS with myocardial infarction SNPs was detected for rs619203, rs499818, rs1333049 and rs10757278. These genetic markers can be used for assessing the risk of myocardial infarction in Russian population.
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF FORMATION OF BLOOD EOSINOPHILIA UNDER PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS
Authors: Kolobovnikova Yu. V. , Urazova O. I. , Novitskii V. V. , Mikheeva K. O. , Goncharov M. D.
Published: October 2015

Molecular factors of pathogenesis of the eosinophilic blood reaction under pulmonary tuberculosis are analyzed in the article. It has been established that the key cytokine providing the development of hemic eosinophilia in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis is IL-5. IL-5 plasma concentration turned out to be increased only in patients with eosinophilia. Increase of eotaxin was determined in patients with tuberculosis despite of the presense of eosinophilia. One-directional nature of the defined changes in eotaxin concentration might be explained by dual properties of this chemokine: on the one hand, eotaxin mediates long-term presence of eosinophils in blood; on the other hand, it initiates the process of adhesion of eosinophilic leucocytes to vascular endothelium with their further migration to the focus of granulomatous inflammation. The established increase in number of IL-5R-positive eosinophils presents one more mechanism which explains the basis of long-term presence of eosinophils in peripheral blood in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE AS A WAY FROM FUNDAMENTAL BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
Authors: Ipatova O. M. , Medvedeva N. V. , Archakov A. I. , Grigor'ev A. I.
Published: October 2015

Increasing distance between practical public health services and collecting of theoretical information in the field of biomedical researches reflects the necessity of professional contact between clinicians and scientists in many areas associated with medicine for active carrying over («translation») of the modern basic researches in which mechanisms of basic metabolic processes and possibilities of their correction are detected, to effective medical help to individual patient, i.e. personified medicine. Such approach was called transmitting medicine. Examples of the personified medicine in which biomedical researches together with the anamnesis morbi of individual patient that are responsible for treatment strategy including doses and regimens are discussed.
DEVELOPMENT OF NEUROCRITICAL CARE
Authors: Piradov M. A. , Moroz V. V.
Published: October 2015

In this review we provide the definition, goals and objectives of neurocritical care, evaluation of brief history of its development. Mechanical ventilation, intracranial hypertension, neuromonitoring as underlying basics of neurocritical care approaches are discussed. The main types of pathology and specific methods used in neurocritical care units are discussed. The results of our own research on brain death — the development of national criteria; for Guillain-Barre syndrome — a double decrease in the length of mechanical ventilation and in 2.5 times of the recovery time for independent walking ability; on diphteric polyneuropathy — reduced by 11 times mortality compared with nation-wide indicators of non-traumatic persistent vegetative state — the development of diagnostic and predictive neurophysiologic criteria are demonstrated. Research data of multiple organ disfunction syndrome in severe stroke are described. Further development of neurocritical care is being discussed.
CHRONIC PAIN: MEDICO-BIOLOGIC AND SOTSIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS
Authors: Yakhno N. N. , Kukushkin M. L.
Published: October 2015

In this article the role of neurobiological, psychological and social factors in pathogenesis of chronic pain is analyzed. The chronic pain is considered not as a symptom of damage of tissue and as independent illness due to non-adequate neuroplasticity of systems involved into regulation of pain sensitivity. The major role in development and maintenance of chronic pain is devoted to the primary genetically determined and/or secondary disturbance of interaction between nociceptive and antinociceptive systems at various levels - from peripheral neuron to central structures – that provides pain perception and painful behaviour development.
SCIENTIFIC, PRACTICAL AND EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
Authors: Briko N. I.
Published: October 2015

This article defines clinical epidemiology and describes its goal and objectives. The author claims that clinical epidemiology is a section of epidemiology which underlies the development of evidence-based standards for diagnostics, treatment and prevention and helps to select the appropriate algorithm for each clinical case. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine. Epidemiological research is shown to be methodological basis of clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine with randomized controlled trials being the “gold standard” for obtaining reliable data. The key stages in the history of clinical epidemiology are discussed and further development of clinical epidemiology and the integration of courses on clinical epidemiology in education is outlined for progress in medical research and health care practice.
The Equity Premium, Long-Run Risk, & Optimal Monetary Policy
Authors: Diercks Anthony M.
Published: October 2015

In this study I examine the welfare implications of monetary policy by constructing a novel New Keynesian model that properly accounts for asset pricing facts. I find that the Ramsey optimal monetary policy yields an inflation rate above 3.5% and inflation volatility close to 1.5%. The same model calibrated to a counterfactually low equity premium implies an optimal inflation rate close to zero and inflation volatility less than 10 basis points, consistent with much of the existing literature. Relatively higher optimal inflation is due to the greater welfare costs of recessions associated with matching the equity premium. Additionally, the second order approximation allows monetary policy to have positive welfare effects on the labor share of income. I show that this channel is generally absent in standard macroeconomic models that do not take risk into account. Furthermore, the interest rate rule that comes closest to matching the dynamics of the optimal Ramsey policy puts a sizable weight on capital growth along with the price of capital, as it emphasizes stabilizing the medium to long term over the very short run.
Methodology for the Calculation of Functional Elements in Warehouses of Public Intermodal Logistics Centers
Authors:   Department of Transport and Logistics, Institute of Technology and Business  České Budějovice, Czech Republic, Ližbetin Ján , Caha Zdeněk
Published: October 2015

This article deals with the design of functional elements in the warehouses of public logistics centers. The methodology focuses on the determination of the minimum area required for operating a warehouse, the resulting dimensions and internal organization of the warehouse (especially individual sectors within warehouses) and the calculation of the operational requirements for the handling means to be used in a warehouse.
Passengers’ Evaluation of the Integrated Transport Systems
Authors:   Department of Transport and Logistics, Institute of Technology and Business  České Budějovice, Czech Republic, Stopka Ondrej , Bartuška Ladislav , Kampf Rudolf
Published: October 2015

This paper presents the outcomes of the research focused on the passengers’ subjective point of view on the Integrated Transport Systems (ITS) comparing with the separate non-integrated traffic lines. The research, within project realized in the Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, was performed in several cities located in the central part of the EU where the establishing the ITS has been planned. The introductory parts of the paper contain the theoretical approaches of the given issue. Particularly, the issue of ITS such as, the review of performed ITS studies, information on the realized surveys and the draft of the used model are outlined in these parts. The used model includes two variants of the problem solving: ITS and individual bus. The surveyed criteria include: unproductive time, time of drive and travel fee.In the next two parts of the paper, the application of the model to real traffic conditions is presented and the outcomes of the research problem are emphasized.
Traffic Service Solution for Rural Settlements by Means of Tertiary Country Roads
Authors:   Department of Economics and Management, Institute of Technology and Business České Budějovice, Czech Republic, Vochozka Marek , Pártlová Petra , Mayer Zdeněk
Published: October 2015

The article focuses on the issue of traffic service for rural settlements and related production, tourist and recreation activities in rural areas in the conditions of the Czech Republic by means of rural tertiary roads. The article declares their critical importance for assurance of traffic service and penetrability of the Czech rural areas. Theoretical grounds have been specified for their designing , as well as basic criteria and parameters. A selected territorial segment is used to demonstrate a system approach to this issue and traffic flows are classified in terms of the type, direction and intensity. In conclusion, the article summarizes benefits of the solution defined by the described method.
Error Analysis of Inertial Navigation Systems Using Test Algorithms
Authors:   Faculty of Aeronautics, Slovakia, Vaispacher Tomáš , Bréda Róbert , Adamčík František
Published: October 2015

Content of this contribution is an issue of inertial sensors errors, specification of inertial measurement units and generating of test signals for Inertial Navigation System (INS). Given the different levels of navigation tasks, part of this contribution is comparison of the actual types of Inertial Measurement Units. Considering this comparison, there is proposed the way of solving inertial sensors errors and their modelling for low – cost inertial navigation applications. The last part is focused on mathematical testing and simulations of the inertial navigation. Given issue is a partial result, which is part of dissertation thesis Integration architectures of navigation systems.
Model to Predict Survival of Transportation and Shipping Companies
Authors:   Department of Economics and Managment, Institute of Technology and Business  České Budějovice, Czech Republic, Vochozka Marek , Straková Jarmila , Váchal Jan
Published: October 2015

The article focuses on the issue of evaluation of economic sustainability of transportation and shipping companies. The economic crisis, which is currently abating in many world’s countries, has affected all industries, including transportation and shipping. This important sector of national economy with a multifunctional character has been influenced by the economic recession very significantly and its consequences are visible even now. For this reason there is a growing demand for methods allowing comprehensive evaluation of businesses. This article contributes to the topic by describing a procedure for development of a model for comprehensive evaluation of transportation and shipping companies. The model makes it possible to monitor, to evaluate and to signal financial health and performance of such companies. Finally, the model is validated and its predictive power is assessed. The proposed model is an output from research conducted by the Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
A Study on the Reading Habits of Branch Libraries in Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu
Authors: Natarajan N. O.
Published: October 2015

Reading has been and still a powerful means of communication. It can form part of an individual to the extent that it becomes a habit which once developed becomes very difficult to change. This paper discusses the result of a study based on the reading habits of the branch public libraries in Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu. The focus of this study is upon reading habits of the users of the branch libraries in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. It identifies the purpose of reading books of the respondents. It also aims to identify the respondents' preferred time, subject, and language and time spent on reading. The result of the present study revealed that a majority of the respondents' reading motives are for getting the information. The result of the present study revealed that a large majority of the respondents spent 3-4 hours daily. The result of the present study revealed that a majority of the respondents prefer Tamil as the language for reading. Some measures have been suggested for improving reading habits.
Consumer Preference towards Retail Stores for Food and Grocery in Evolving Retail Market
Authors: Yadav Rajesh K. , Verma Manoj
Published: October 2015

The study reveals that young and high income consumer preferences for grocery shopping are gradually shifting from local kirana stores to organized retail stores. The study was carried out in the market of Indore. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyze the data collected with the help of a structured questionnaire. The main objective of the study is to understand whether Indian consumers are likely to move from conventional kirana stores to organised retail grocery stores while shopping for groceries. The study found that the customer perceived to be more satisfied with organised retail store when compared with conventional kirana stores in relation with price and benefits in shopping.
A Framework for Identifying the Competencies of Senior Production Managers of Holding Companies (The Case of Golrang Industrial Group)
Authors: Jandaghi Gholamreza , Babashahi Jabbar , Kavoosi Roya
Published: October 2015

Today the need of identify ways for increasing competitive advantage is more tangible because the business world have been increasingly changed. A successful organization is an organization where human resources have the required competencies to achieve business success and the strategic objectives of the organization. so the competency-based human resource management becomes important.The first step in this area is to identify key competencies of managers .Many studies have been done in this area to provide a human resource competency model for organization. National prospect of Iran is having important goals, such as becoming the first power of economic, science and technology in the region and to engage constructively and effectively in international relations, for achieving these goals we requires competent managers in the public and private sector organizations.Competency models, which should be designed for all key positions in the company, show what competencies are necessary for individual position(s). The question is what the key competencies for each position are. Main objective of this paper is to offers a framework to identify and prioritize Senior Product Managers competencies at Golrang Industrial Group.
Don DeLillo’s Cosmopolis: Conceptualizing of Zygmunt Bauman’s Liquid Modernity
Authors: Najjarzadeha Mohammad Sadegh
Published: October 2015

The more we move onward in America’s history, the more the effect of technology and science can be felt quite tangible. To live in the present era makes this even more notable since the age is going through and begetting such pervasive phenomenon like consumerism .The fact is that this notion is strongly propagated in the postmodern era. Families in this era can be vividly identified as the mere slaves of technology and its omnivorous progeny, consumerism. Donald Richard DeLillo as a postmodern author paid a comprehensive attention to this issue of technology and consumerism in his novels. One of the theorists who has extensively written in the field of consumerism is the polish sociologist , Zygmunt Bauman (1929) who in his book Liquid Modernity asserts a new term for the present condition of the world as it is the antithesis of the preceded solid modernity.Surely, the postmodern world owes a great deal of its liquidity to the prevalence and perfection of consumerism. Cosmopolisdepicts a society or even more limited, a family or a youngster that is not deliberately, entangled in the ruling of technology and consumerism. What is depicted in Comopolis is a combination of the role and dominance of technology and consumerism to form the sociology of a postmodern individual, family, and society.Also, the primary determinant that is technology,is explored in its relation to the other factors. Due to the candidness of most of his futuristic novels, Don DeLillo’s views show little optimism for success within his fictional postmodern world. He has always been blunt at telling us where American postmodern society is going. This paper aims to expose the America’s society in Cosmopolis which is the materialization of a well-developed consumer society, into the theories and concepts by Zygmunt Bauman.
Response of a mixed grass prairie to an extreme precipitation event
Authors: Concilio Amy L. , Prevéy Janet S. , Omasta Peter , O'Connor James , Nippert Jesse B. , Seastedt Timothy R.
Published: October 2015

Although much research has been conducted to measure vegetation response to directional shifts in climate change drivers, we know less about how plant communities will respond to extreme events. Here, we evaluate the response of a grassland community to an unprecedented 43 cm rainfall event that occurred in the Front Range of Colorado in September, 2013 using vegetation plots that had been monitored for response to simulated precipitation changes since 2011. This rain caused soils to stay at or above field capacity for multiple days, and much of the seed bank germinated following the early autumn event. Annual introduced grasses, especially cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and several introduced forbs demonstrated strong positive increases in cover the following growing season. Native cool season grasses and native forbs showed limited changes in absolute cover despite continued high soil water availability, while native warm season grasses increased in cover the following summer. Treatments that previously altered the amounts and seasonality of rainfall during the 2011–2013 interval showed legacy effects impacting cover responses of introduced species and warm‐season native grasses. Resin bag estimates of inorganic nitrogen flux resulting from the event indicated twice as much nitrogen movement compared to any previous collections during the 2011–2013 interval. Nitrogen additions to a subset of plots made in spring of 2014 demonstrated that the relative cover of introduced species could be further increased with additional soil nitrogen. Collectively, these results support the contention that extreme precipitation events can favor species already benefiting from other environmental change drivers.
Genetics of Endometriosis
Authors: Rahmioglu Nilufer , Montgomery Grant W , Zondervan Krina T
Published: October 2015

Endometriosis is a heritable complex disorder that is influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Identification of these genetic factors will aid a better understanding of the underlying biology of the disease. In this article, we describe different methods of studying genetic variation of endometriosis, summarize results from genetic studies performed to date and provide recommendations for future studies to uncover additional factors contributing to the heritable component of endometriosis.
Si-modified BHA bioceramics as a drug delivery system: Effect of modification method on structure and Rifampicin release
Authors: Sych Olena , Pinchuk Nataliia , Klymenko Valentyna , Uvarova Iryna , Budilina Olga , Procenko Ludmila
Published: October 2015

The work is devoted to the investigation of two different methods for
introduction of silicon into ceramics, based on biogenic hydroxyapatite
(BHA), on the structure and properties. Thus, porous samples of Si-modified
BHA-based ceramics containing 2 or 5 wt.% Si were prepared by using two
different precursors, i.e. polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate and fine silica
(Aerosil? 200) powder. After the modification with silicon a marked change in
the structure of material was observed. The use of Aerosil? 200 permits
preparation of a more uniform structure as compared to that obtained by using
polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate. However, the latter promotes an increase in
both the porosity of samples (from 43 to 62.3%) and their solubility in
saline (from 0.18 to 1.20wt.%/day) as compared to the results obtained after
the modification with Aerosil? 200, where maximal porosity and solubility
were 48.5% and 0.23wt.%/day, respectively. At the same time, the modification
of hydroxyapatite ceramics with silicon using silica makes it possible to
prolong release of a drug (e.g. Rifampicin) out of sample pores for the first
24 h as compared to the ceramicsmodified with polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate.
Synthesis, extrusion processing and ionic conductivity measurements of sodium β-alumina tubes
Authors: Avinash Karanja , Suresh Madireddy , Khanra Asit , Johnson Roy
Published: October 2015

Pure and Li-doped sodium ?-alumina (NaMg0.67Al10.33O17) ceramics were
prepared from the stoichiometric mixture of raw powders. Pellets and tubes
were formed from the precursor (NBA-1S) and preformed sodium ?-alumina powder
through compaction and extrusion processing, respectively. The obtained
specimens were finally sintered to dense ceramics. The ceramics were
comparatively evaluated for their density, microstructure, phase formation
and electrical properties. Both tubes and pellets processed with the
preformed sodium ?-alumina powder (NBA-2S) showed enhanced densification
along with relatively better phase purity and crystallinity. The ceramics
prepared from the preformed powder exhibited higher density of 94-95% TD
(theoretical densities) in comparison to the ceramics processed from the raw
mixture (NBA-1S) with a density of 85-87%TD, which are complemented well
through fractographs and microstructures. The ceramics processed using the
preformed sodium ?-alumina (NBA-2S) also exhibited high room temperature AC
conductivity of 1.77?10-4 S/cm (1MHz) with an increasing trend with
temperature. The higher ionic conductivity at all temperatures in NBA-2S than
in NBA-1S ceramics can be attributed to the relatively high phase purity,
crystallinity and higher density values of NBA-2S ceramics.
Upper airway resistance during growth: A longitudinal study of children from 8 to 17 years of age
Authors: Laine-Alava Maija T. , Murtolahti Siiri , Crouse Ulla K. , Warren Donald W.
Published: October 2015

Objective: 

To study upper airway breathing in 115 children annually from 8 to 17 years of age with the hypothesis that upper airway respiratory needs increase steadily during growth and show sexual dimorphism.

Material and Methods: 

To calculate nasal resistance, airflow rate (mL/s) and oronasal pressures (cmH2O) were measured during rest breathing in a seated position using the pressure-flow technique.

Results: 

Median values of oronasal pressure ranged at different ages in girls from 0.88 to 1.13 and in boys from 0.92 to 1.44 cmH2O, being 0.95 and 0.93 cmH2O at the age of 17 years, respectively. The gender differences were statistically significant in four age groups (P < .05 by the Mann-Whitney test). Mean values of nasal resistance decreased from 8 to 17 years of age in girls from 4.0 (±3.27) to 2.4 (±2.30) and in boys from 3.3 (±2.48) to 1.5 (±0.81) cmH2O/L/s. However, there was an increase in resistance in 11-year-old girls and 12-year-old boys and at the age of 15 in both genders (P < .05 by paired t-test).

Conclusions: 

Respiratory efforts stabilize oronasal pressure to maintain vital functions at optimal level. Nasal resistance decreased with age but increased temporarily at the prepubertal and pubertal phases, in accordance with other growth and possibly hormonal changes. When measuring upper airway function for clinical purposes, especially in patients with sleep apnea, asthma, allergies, cleft palate, or maxillary expansion, the measurements need to be compared with age- and gender-specific values obtained from healthy children.
Relationship Between Left Ventricular Structural and Metabolic Remodeling in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Levelt Eylem , Mahmod Masliza , Piechnik Stefan K. , Ariga Rina , Francis Jane M. , Rodgers Christopher T. , Clarke William T. , Sabharwal Nikant , Schneider Jurgen E. , Karamitsos Theodoros D. , Clarke Kieran , Rider Oliver J. , Neubauer Stefan
Published: October 2015

Concentric left ventricular (LV) remodeling is associated with adverse cardiovascular events and is frequently observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Despite this, the cause of concentric remodeling in diabetes per se is unclear, but it may be related to cardiac steatosis and impaired myocardial energetics. Thus, we investigated the relationship between myocardial metabolic changes and LV remodeling in T2DM. Forty-six nonhypertensive patients with T2DM and 20 matched control subjects underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance to assess LV remodeling (LV mass–to–LV end diastolic volume ratio), function, tissue characterization before and after contrast using T1 mapping, and 1H and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy for myocardial triglyceride content (MTG) and phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio, respectively. When compared with BMI- and blood pressure–matched control subjects, subjects with diabetes were associated with concentric LV remodeling, higher MTG, impaired myocardial energetics, and impaired systolic strain indicating a subtle contractile dysfunction. Importantly, cardiac steatosis independently predicted concentric remodeling and systolic strain. Extracellular volume fraction was unchanged, indicating the absence of fibrosis. In conclusion, cardiac steatosis may contribute to concentric remodeling and contractile dysfunction of the LV in diabetes. Because cardiac steatosis is modifiable, strategies aimed at reducing MTG may be beneficial in reversing concentric remodeling and improving contractile function in the hearts of patients with diabetes.
Sulfonylurea Therapy Benefits Neurological and Psychomotor Functions in Patients With Neonatal Diabetes Owing to Potassium Channel Mutations
Authors: Beltrand Jacques , Elie Caroline , Busiah Kanetee , Fournier Emmanuel , Boddaert Nathalie , Bahi-Buisson Nadia , Vera Miriam , Bui-Quoc Emmanuel , Ingster-Moati Isabelle , Berdugo Marianne , Simon Albane , Gozalo Claire , Djerada Zoubir , Flechtner Isabelle , Treluyer Jean-Marc , Scharfmann Raphael , Cavé Helene , Vaivre-Douret Laurence , Polak Michel ,   on behalf of the GlidKir Study Group
Published: October 2015

OBJECTIVE

Neonatal diabetes secondary to mutations in potassium-channel subunits is a rare disease but constitutes a paradigm for personalized genetics-based medicine, as replacing the historical treatment with insulin injections with oral sulfonylurea (SU) therapy has been proven beneficial. SU receptors are widely expressed in the brain, and we therefore evaluated potential effects of SU on neurodevelopmental parameters, which are known to be unresponsive to insulin.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective single-center study. Nineteen patients (15 boys aged 0.1–18.5 years) were switched from insulin to SU therapy. MRI was performed at baseline. Before and 6 or 12 months after the switch, patients underwent quantitative neurological and developmental assessments and electrophysiological nerve and muscle testing.

RESULTS

At baseline, hypotonia, deficiencies in gesture conception or realization, and attention disorders were common. SU improved HbA1c levels (median change −1.55% [range −3.8 to 0.1]; P < 0.0001), intelligence scores, hypotonia (in 12 of 15 patients), visual attention deficits (in 10 of 13 patients), gross and fine motor skills (in all patients younger than 4 years old), and gesture conception and realization (in 5 of 8 older patients). Electrophysiological muscle and nerve tests were normal. Cerebral MRI at baseline showed lesions in 12 patients, suggesting that the impairments were central in origin.

CONCLUSIONS

SU therapy in neonatal diabetes secondary to mutations in potassium-channel subunits produces measurable improvements in neuropsychomotor impairments, which are greater in younger patients. An early genetic diagnosis should always be made, allowing for a rapid switch to SU.
Mental health issues in pregnant women in Nepal
Authors: Van Teijlingen Edwin , Simkhada Padam , Devkota Bhimsen , Fanning Padmadharini , Ireland Jillian , Simkhada Bibha , Sherchan Lokendra , Silwal Ram Chandra , Pradhan Samridhi , Maharjan Shyam K , Maharjan Ram K
Published: October 2015

Mental health of pregnant women and new mothers is a growing area of concern in both low- and high-income countries. Maternity services in the UK, for example, have focused more attention on maternal mental health. We recognise that pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period is a time of major psychological and social change for women.
ISOLATION OF QUERCETIN FROM FLOWER PETALS, ESTIMATION OF TOTAL PHENOLIC, TOTAL FLAVONOID AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF RHODODENDRON ARBOREUM SMITH
Authors: Bhandari Laxman , Rajbhandari Meena
Published: October 2015

The flowers of Rhododendron arboreum Smith is a source of polyphenolic compounds. A flavonol, quercetin, was isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract of flower petals of R. arboreum by repeated Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Isolated quercetin was characterized by comparing melting point, Rf values, UV and IR spectra with authentic quercetin. The isolated quercetin was used as a standard for the estimation of total flavonoids.  Total phenolic and total flavonoid content in different parts of R. arboreum was carried out spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and Aluminium chloride reagent respectively. Gallic acid and quercetin were used as standard for the construction of calibration curve of phenolic and flavonoid respectively. The results showed that the highest total phenolic content was detected in the 70% acetone extract of the flowers (600 mg GAE/g extract) and petals (600 mg GAE/g extract) and the lowest amount was detected in methanol extract of stem (188 mg GAE/g extract). Similarly, the highest total flavonoid was detected in the 70% acetone extract of the twigs (170 mg QE/g extract) and the lowest amount was detected in the methanol extract of stem (45 mg QE/g extract).  The antioxidant activity of the methanol extracts obtained from different parts of R. arboreum was determined by 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the radical scavenging activity (IC50) was calculated. The highest free radical scavenging effect was observed in leaves with IC50=8.34 ?g/ml and lowest was observed in stem with IC50=67.83 ?g/ml. The IC50 values, total phenolic and total flavonoid content (correlation coefficient R2= 0.923 for phenolic, R2= 0.965 for flavonoid) were correlated which showed strong correlation indicating that the major components responsible for antioxidant activity is phenolics. The highest the phenolic content, the lowest the IC50 value observed. The result indicated that R. arboreum is a rich source of high value polyphenols as natural antioxidant to use in preventive medicine as well as in food and pharmaceutical industry.Scientific World, Vol. 12, No. 12, September 2014, page 34-40
PLANT WATER RELATIONS AND DROUGHT ADAPTATIONS OF SCHIMA WALLICHII AT PHULCHOWKI HILL, NEPAL
Authors: Poudyal K
Published: October 2015

In the central Himalaya, plants are subjected to a prolonged dry period, thus developing moisture stress. Variations in water relations and their response to drought in a Himalayan tree species, Schima wallichii at 1400 m elevation were studied at Phulchowki Hill, Kathmandu, Nepal. To understand the adaptational strategy of this species through which it withstands water stress, different parameters such as soil water potential at 15 (Y15) and 30 (Y30) cm depths, tree water potential at predawn (Ypd) and midday (Ymd), leaf conductance during morning (gw AM) and afternoon (gw PM) and correlation between all these variables were measured from December 1998 to April 2001, except during monsoon months. There was significant variation among months and years in Ypd, Ymd, AM and gwPM. Mean Ypd and Ymd were -0.20 and –0.63 MPa, respectively. The minimum Y value was observed in March 1999, after 4 months of unusually no rainfall. Some patterns of Ypd were related to phenology and leaf damage as Ypd often increased during leafing. Mean gw AM and gw PM were 95 and 75 m molm–2s–1, respectively. Schima wallichii maintained high Y, with low stomatal conductance reflecting its inherent dehydration postponement adaptation..Scientific World, Vol. 12, No. 12, September 2014, page 79-84
Sensitivity study for a 4-electrode Focused Impedance Method (FIM) using Finite Element Method analysis
Authors: Abir Ahmed Raihan , Rabbani K Siddique e
Published: October 2015

Focused Impedance Method (FIM) is a recent technique, innovated by one of the authors at Dhaka, and shows a promise in providing practical results with a minimum of instrumentation complexity. Out of three version using 8, 6 and 4 electrodes, this paper concentrates on the 4-electrode FIM. Earlier work mainly used phantom experiments to verify the concept and analytical methods for a semi-infinite medium. The present work uses Finite Element Method (FEM), implemented by a software package named COMSOL to obtain various sensitivity graphs for 4-FIM. Firstly, it has verified the focusing effect for a homogenous medium using point sensitivity calculations. Secondly, it obtained simulated impedances for finite sized objects embedded in a medium of uniform conductivity considering five important variables namely, electrode spacing, object size, object resistivity, background resistivity and depth. In this paper the effect of each of these variables has been studied by keeping the other four constant. The obtained graphs give an insight which is expected to lead to quantitative assessment of target objects, needed in physiological study and diagnosis.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.7 No.1 2014 1-7
Identification of cervical radiculo-myelopathy using Distribution of F-Latency (DFL), a new nerve conduction parameter
Authors: Rabbani K Siddique-e , Yassin Norazeida , Lo Yew Long
Published: October 2015

Distribution of F-latency (DFL) is a new nerve conduction parameter conceived and developed at Dhaka University which appears to have the ability to detect cervical radiculo-myelopathy early. The present work was taken up to evaluate its performance against diagnosis made using MRI on 24 median nerves of 12 patients reporting cervical radiculo-myelopathy at the Singapore General Hospital. Predictive analyses were carried out using contingency tables to evaluate the classification ability of DFL as against MRI as the standard. For the first analysis only double peaks or distinct broad peaks of DFL were assumed to indicate pathology. However, the sensitivity and accuracy could be improved significantly through redefining a broad peak as the pattern where the frequency of occurrence of a bin adjacent to the peak was greater than one third of the peak value, which was shown by a second analysis. A third analysis was also performed where a case of sensori-motor neuropathy, not identified as radiculo-myelopathy by MRI, was also included as an abnormality. This gave 88% accuracy (correct prediction) and 90% sensitivity. The rather low specificity value, at 67%, was due to the fact that the number of negative cases in the study group was small (5 out of 24). DFL has the potential of identifying cervical radiculo-myelopathy besides certain other peripheral neuropathy and may be used as a first line diagnostic or screening technique.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.7 No.1 2014 34-45
A double blind study to evaluate the efficacy of Distribution of F-Latency (DFL) in the detection of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy
Authors: Chowdhury Ehsan Alam , Hussain Md Zakir , Rahman M Obaidur , Rabbani K Siddique-e
Published: October 2015

Distribution of F-Latency (DFL) is a new parameter in peripheral nerve conduction measurement and an important application of this new technique is the detection of Cervical Radiculopathy and Myelopathy (CRM) at an early stage through an evaluation of its pattern. Typically a single sharp peak corresponds to normalcy while double peak or a broad peak represents pathology. The current study is an exercise in validating DFL as a screening tool for CRM by comparing the data obtained from an extended pool of subjects (56 median nerves of 28 persons) against corresponding MRI findings through a double blind study. Subject selection was done randomly A 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner and a home built Computerised EMG equipment were used for this study. Analysis of data gave a correct prediction or efficacy of 75%, sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 50%. The present study establishes DFL on a stronger footing for assessment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, whether due to spinal cord or nerve root compression. In combination with conventional simple clinical tests, DFL is expected to give better information for diagnosis of CRM. Being a non-invasive technique requiring virtually zero expenditure in consumables, it promises greater access to patients, and could be used for extensive prevalence study, which cannot be performed using MRI. The capability of DFL in detecting subclinical stages of CRM holds a promise as an awareness development tool alongside screening for neuropathy.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.7 No.1 2014 46-55
An Integrated Environmental Indicator for Urban Transportation Systems: Description and Application
Authors: Gennusa Maria , Ferrante Patrizia , Casto Barbara , Rizzo Gianfranco
Published: October 2015

A simplified version of the ecological footprint method is proposed for assessing the environmental performances of urban transportation systems. The method, starting from the knowledge of the composition of the running vehicular fleet, is here applied to a southern Italian province. It represents a synthetic indicator of the environmental pressure exerted by the system also matching the pollutant emissions with the carrying capacity of the site. Particularly, the forested area needed to absorb the CO2 emissions of the system is compared with the total forested area of the province. The results of the case-study indicates the yearly maximum distance that each vehicle of the fleet can cover in order for their emissions to be absorbed by the surrounding forested area. Specifically, if all cars of the fleet would travel for 10,000 km/year, 97% of the forested area would be involved. Thanks to its features, this indicator can be usefully adopted for ranking different transportation options. Therefore, it could allow local administrations to environmentally hierarchize alternative plans concerning urban transportation choices.
Multi-Scale Analysis of Regional Inequality based on Spatial Field Model: A Case Study of China from 2000 to 2012
Authors: Lu Shasha , Guan Xingliang , Yu Danlin , Deng Yu , Zhou Linjie
Published: October 2015

A large body of recent studies—from both inside and outside of China—are devoted to the understanding of China’s regional inequality. The current study introduces “the spatial field model” to achieve comprehensive evaluation and multi-scale analysis of regional inequality. The model is based on the growth pole theory, regional interaction theory, and energy space theory. The spatial field is an abstract concept that defines the potential energy difference that is formed in the process of a regional growth pole driving the economic development of peripheral areas through transportation and communication corridors. The model is able to provide potentially more precise regional inequality estimates and generates isarithmic maps that will provide highly intuitive and visualized presentations. The model is applied to evaluate the spatiotemporal pattern of economic inequality in China from 2000 to 2012 amongst internal eastern-central-western regions as well as north-south regions at three geographical scales—i.e., inter-province, inter-city, and inter-county. The results indicate that the spatial field model could comprehensively evaluate regional inequality, provide aesthetically pleasing and highly adaptable presentations based on a pixel-based raster, and realise the multi-scale analyses of the regional inequality. The paper also investigates the limitations and extensions of the spatial field model in future application.
MicroRNA-302b Enhances the Sensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines to 5-FU via Targeting Mcl-1 and DPYD
Authors: Cai Donghui , He Kang , Chang Su'e , Tong Dongdong , Huang Chen
Published: October 2015

MiR-302b is a member of miR-302-367 cluster. The miR-302-367 cluster played important roles in maintaining pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and has been proved to be capable of suppressing cell growth in several types of cancer cell lines including Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Cell lines. However, the role that miR-302b plays in the 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity of HCC has not been known. This study showed that miR-302b could enhance the sensitivity to 5-FU in HCC cell lines and verified its two putative targeted genes responsible for its 5-FU sensitivity.
Fried Food Consumption and Cardiovascular Health: A Review of Current Evidence
Authors: Gadiraju Taraka , Patel Yash , Gaziano J. , Djoussé Luc
Published: October 2015

Fried food consumption and its effects on cardiovascular disease are still subjects of debate. The objective of this review was to summarize current evidence on the association between fried food consumption and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and obesity and to recommend directions for future research. We used PubMed, Google Scholar and Medline searches to retrieve pertinent publications. Most available data were based on questionnaires as a tool to capture fried food intakes, and study design was limited to case-control and cohort studies. While few studies have reported a positive association between frequencies of fried food intake and risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes or hypertension, other investigators have failed to confirm such an association. There is strong evidence suggesting a higher risk of developing chronic disease when fried foods are consumed more frequently (i.e., four or more times per week). Major gaps in the current literature include a lack of detailed information on the type of oils used for frying foods, stratification of the different types of fried food, frying procedure (deep and pan frying), temperature and duration of frying, how often oils were reused and a lack of consideration of overall dietary patterns. Besides addressing these gaps, future research should also develop tools to better define fried food consumption at home versus away from home and to assess their effects on chronic diseases. In summary, the current review provides enough evidence to suggest adverse health effects with higher frequency of fried food consumption. While awaiting confirmation from future studies, it may be advisable to the public to consume fried foods in moderation while emphasizing an overall healthy diet.