bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
17-Hydroxyprogesterone responses to human chorionic gonadotropin are not associated with serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels among adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Hou Jingwen , Cook-Andersen Heidi , Su H. Irene , Shayya Rana , Maas Kevin H. , Burt-Solorzano Christine M. , Kumar Ajay , Chang R. Jeffrey
Published: May 2016

In adult women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 17-OHP responses to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation are highly variable and inversely correlated with serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels. The objective of this study was to determine whether adolescents with PCOS exhibit similar variable 17-OHP responsiveness to hCG and whether these responses are correlated to AMH levels.

In a prospective study, adolescent PCOS (n=14) and normal controls (n=10) received 25 μg of hCG, intravenously. Blood samples were obtained before and 24 h afterwards for measurement of 17-OHP and basal AMH.

Variable 17-OHP responses to hCG were observed among PCOS girls similar to that observed in adults. There was no correlation between AMH and 17-OHP responses to hCG.

Among adult and adolescent individuals with PCOS variable 17-OHP production appears to be characteristic of the disorder. In adolescent PCOS, 17-OHP responsiveness to hCG is not correlated to AMH.
A fixed point approach to the Mittag-Leffler-Hyers-Ulam stability of a fractional integral equation
Authors: Eghbali Nasrin , Kalvandi Vida , Rassias John M.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we have presented and studied two types of the Mittag-Leffler-Hyers-Ulam stability of a fractional integral equation. We prove that the fractional order delay integral equation is Mittag-Leffler-Hyers-Ulam stable on a compact interval with respect to the Chebyshev and Bielecki norms by two notions.
Economic Nationalism in Haughton’s „Englishmen for My Money” and Shakespeare’s „The Merchant of Venice”
Authors: Baldo Jonathan
Published: May 2016

Close to the time of Elizabeth’s expulsion of the Hanseatic merchants and the closing of the Steelyard (der Stahlhof) in the years 1597-98, two London plays engaged extensively with the business of trade, the merchant class, foreign merchants, and moneylending: early modern England’s first city comedy, William Haughton’s Englishmen for My Money, or A Woman Will Have Her Will (1598); and Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (registered 22 July 1598). Whereas Haughton’s play uses foreignness, embodied in a foreign merchant, three half-English daughters, and three foreign suitors, as a means of promoting national consciousness and pride, Shakespeare indirectly uses the foreign not to unify but to reveal the divisions within England’s own economic values and culture.
‘Blood as the Seat of Life’: The Blood Paradox among Afro-Christians
Authors: Machingura Francis , Museka Godfrey
Published: May 2016

The study is a response to the call for papers on African issues and it focuses on the theme of blood. The chapter seeks to answer the following questions: Why is blood, the sanctity of life, associated with defilement? How can the good and purity of life which blood symbolizes come out of impurities? How is the practice of blood manipulation represented in biblical texts? How can bodily refuse in this case blood be conceived as a symbol of purity, power and danger? How do readers of biblical texts understand the textual representations and interpretations of blood? Does each mode of blood manipulation rituals function as communicative symbols? Our response to these questions is threefold. First, we consider the sanctity of blood in relation to its purity and power. This is followed by an examination of danger beliefs associated with blood and lastly by an analysis of the sacred/taboo or purity/danger dichotomy within the context of the Old Testament and the New Testament as well as of the Shona Afro-Christians.
Religio-Culture, Fear, and Zimbabwe’s Leadership Perceptions
Authors: Bhebhe Muchumayeli
Published: May 2016

The study is a response to the call for papers on African issues and discusses the notion of leadership in the Zimbabwean context. Based on material drawn through an interdisciplinary research process, this article argues that the phenomenon of fear emanating from a Zimbabwean religio-culture cuts across the country’s socio-political structures and affects its different forms of leadership. Therefore, by drawing on primary and secondary as well as literary and non-literary, sources, the article examines how and why religio-culture and especially its elements, such as the phenomenon of fear, continue to influence the people’s understanding of leadership. The quest for a cross-cultural perspective leads to the consideration of both African and non-African scholarly views. In order to draw on concrete data, I focus on the perceptions and experiences of ordinary citizens whether professionals or non-professionals. Furthermore, the study considers arguments and propositions from disciplines such as history, political science, religious studies, anthropology, and African philosophy, among others.
Rethinking Christian Identity: African Reflections from Pauline Writings
Authors: Togarasei Lovemore
Published: May 2016

Despite its existence for over a century in Africa and statistics putting the Christian populations at average 80 percent mostly in sub-Saharan African countries, Christianity has not managed to provide an alternative identity to ethnicity as issues of identity continue dogging the continent. Many African societies remain divided and at war on the basis of identities, be they racial, tribal, creedal, gender, class, language or other identities. Surprisingly, this state of affairs is also found even within the precincts of the church. Many churches remain divided along racial, ethnic, tribal, and other identities. One does not need to look far and wide to acknowledge this reality. Does Christianity have an identity? Could the writings of Paul address the issues of Christian identity? Or do the writings address this problem at all? These are the questions at the heart of this paper. Making use of Pauline texts such as Galatians 3:28 and scholarly works such as those of Buell and Hodge (2004:237), I discuss Paul’s understanding of Christian identity and its implications for Christian identity in Africa today.
The Costs of Implementing a Unilateral One-Sided Exchange Rate Target Zone
Authors: Hertrich Markus
Published: May 2016

In the aftermath of the recent financial crisis, the central banks of small open economies such as the Swiss National Bank (SNB) implemented a unilateral one-sided exchange rate target zone vis-à-vis the euro currency to counteract deflationary pressures. Recently, the SNB abandoned its minimum exchange rate regime, arguing that after having analyzed the costs and benefits of this non-standard exchange rate policy measure, it was no longer sustainable. This paper proposes a model that allows central banks and policymakers to estimate ex-ante the costs of implementing and maintaining a unilateral one-sided target zone (in terms of the expected size of foreign-exchange interventions) and to monitor these costs during the period in which it is enforced. The model also offers central banks a tool to identify the right timing for the discontinuation of a minimum exchange rate regime. An empirical application to the Swiss case shows the ex-ante estimated size of these costs and reveals that these costs might have been substantial without the abandonment of the minimum exchange rate regime, which accords with the official statements of the SNB.
Growth in European Crisis Countries: Cyclical Normality or the Result of Structural Reforms?
Authors: Hielscher Kai
Published: May 2016

In mid-2013 the macroeconomic situation in European crisis economies started to show signs of recovery. In the political debate, improving economic conditions were often attributed to recently enacted structural reforms. In this paper, we use empirical business cycle models to indirectly assess the short term impact of recent structural reforms on growth. Given the past deep recession, a typical cyclical movement would imply far higher growth rates than have been observed in such countries in the recent recovery. Short-term economic performance is rather a sign of a long-lasting and severe weakness in demand which can almost exclusively be explained by characteristics of business cycles following financial crises as well as the initial situation in European crisis economies prior to 2009. With different approaches we are not able to deliver evidence that structural reforms have yet had a significant impact on growth, neither a positive nor a negative one. It will still take time for growth effects to materialize.
Sparse factor model for co-expression networks with an application using prior biological knowledge
Authors: Blum Yuna , Houée-Bigot Magalie , Causeur David
Published: May 2016

Inference on gene regulatory networks from high-throughput expression data turns out to be one of the main current challenges in systems biology. Such networks can be very insightful for the deep understanding of interactions between genes. Because genes-gene interactions is often viewed as joint contributions to known biological mechanisms, inference on the dependence among gene expressions is expected to be consistent to some extent with the functional characterization of genes which can be derived from ontologies (GO, KEGG, …). The present paper introduces a sparse factor model as a general framework either to account for a prior knowledge on joint contributions of modules of genes to latent biological processes or to infer on the corresponding co-expression network. We propose an ℓ
1 – regularized EM algorithm to fit a sparse factor model for correlation. We demonstrate how it helps extracting modules of genes and more generally improves the gene clustering performance. The method is compared to alternative estimation procedures for sparse factor models of relevance networks in a simulation study. The integration of a biological knowledge based on the gene ontology (GO) is also illustrated on a liver expression data generated to understand adiposity variability in chicken.
Synthesis and characterisation of long wavelength-absorbing donor/acceptor-substituted methine dyes
Authors: Heichert Christoph , Hartmann Horst
Published: May 2016

By the reaction of aromatic or heteroaromatic formyl compounds or their corresponding iminium salts with active methylene compounds a series of new methine dyes with long-wavelength absorption in the near-infrared spectral range were prepared.
Sir2/Sirt1 Links Acute Inebriation to Presynaptic Changes and the Development of Alcohol Tolerance, Preference, and Reward
Authors: Engel Gregory L. , Marella Sunanda , Kaun Karla R. , Wu Julia , Adhikari Pratik , Kong Eric C. , Wolf Fred W.
Published: May 2016

Acute ethanol inebriation causes neuroadaptive changes in behavior that favor increased intake. Ethanol-induced alterations in gene expression, through epigenetic and other means, are likely to change cellular and neural circuit function. Ethanol markedly changes histone acetylation, and the sirtuin Sir2/SIRT1 that deacetylates histones and transcription factors is essential for the rewarding effects of long-term drug use. The molecular transformations leading from short-term to long-term ethanol responses mostly remain to be discovered. We find that Sir2 in the mushroom bodies of the fruit flyDrosophilapromotes short-term ethanol-induced behavioral plasticity by allowing changes in the expression of presynaptic molecules. Acute inebriation strongly reduces Sir2 levels and increases histone H3 acetylation in the brain. Flies lacking Sir2 globally, in the adult nervous system, or specifically in the mushroom body α/β-lobes show reduced ethanol sensitivity and tolerance. Sir2-dependent ethanol reward is also localized to the mushroom bodies, and Sir2 mutants prefer ethanol even without a priming ethanol pre-exposure. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that specific presynaptic molecules, including the synaptic vesicle pool regulator Synapsin, depend on Sir2 to be regulated by ethanol. Synapsin is required for ethanol sensitivity and tolerance. We propose that the regulation of Sir2/SIRT1 by acute inebriation forms part of a transcriptional program in mushroom body neurons to alter presynaptic properties and neural responses to favor the development of ethanol tolerance, preference, and reward.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe identify a mechanism by which acute ethanol inebriation leads to changes in nervous system function that may be an important basis for increasing ethanol intake and addiction liability. The findings are significant because they identify ethanol-driven transcriptional events that target presynaptic properties and direct behavioral plasticity. They also demonstrate that multiple forms of ethanol behavioral plasticity that are relevant to alcoholism are initiated by a shared mechanism. Finally, they link these events to theDrosophilabrain region that associates context with innate approach and avoidance responses to code for reward and other higher-order behavior, similar in aspects to the role of the vertebrate mesolimbic system.
Chronic Nicotine Mitigates Aberrant Inhibitory Motor Learning Induced by Motor Experience under Dopamine Deficiency
Authors: Koranda Jessica L. , Krok Anne C. , Xu Jian , Contractor Anis , McGehee Daniel S. , Beeler Jeff A. , Zhuang Xiaoxi
Published: May 2016

Although dopamine receptor antagonism has long been associated with impairments in motor performance, more recent studies have shown that dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) antagonism, paired with a motor task, not only impairs motor performance concomitant with the pharmacodynamics of the drug, but also impairs future motor performance once antagonism has been relieved. We have termed this phenomenon “aberrant motor learning” and have suggested that it may contribute to motor symptoms in movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we show that chronic nicotine (cNIC), but not acute nicotine, treatment mitigates the acquisition of D2R-antagonist-induced aberrant motor learning in mice. Although cNIC mitigates D2R-mediated aberrant motor learning, cNIC has no effect on D1R-mediated motor learning. β2-containing nicotinic receptors in dopamine neurons likely mediate the protective effect of cNIC against aberrant motor learning, because selective deletion of β2 nicotinic subunits in dopamine neurons reduced D2R-mediated aberrant motor learning. Finally, both cNIC treatment and β2 subunit deletion blunted postsynaptic responses to D2R antagonism. These results suggest that a chronic decrease in function or a downregulation of β2-containing nicotinic receptors protects the striatal network against aberrant plasticity and aberrant motor learning induced by motor experience under dopamine deficiency.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIncreasingly, aberrant plasticity and aberrant learning are recognized as contributing to the development and progression of movement disorders. Here, we show that chronic nicotine (cNIC) treatment or specific deletion of β2 nicotinic receptor subunits in dopamine neurons mitigates aberrant motor learning induced by dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) blockade in mice. Moreover, both manipulations also reduced striatal dopamine release and blunt postsynaptic responses to D2R antagonists. These results suggest that chronic downregulation of function and/or receptor expression of β2-containing nicotinic receptors alters presynaptic and postsynaptic striatal signaling to protect against aberrant motor learning. Moreover, these results suggest that cNIC treatment may alleviate motor symptoms and/or delay the deterioration of motor function in movement disorders by blocking aberrant motor learning.
Conscious Vision Proceeds from Global to Local Content in Goal-Directed Tasks and Spontaneous Vision
Authors: Campana Florence , Rebollo Ignacio , Urai Anne , Wyart Valentin , Tallon-Baudry Catherine
Published: May 2016

The reverse hierarchy theory (Hochstein and Ahissar, 2002) makes strong, but so far untested, predictions on conscious vision. In this theory, local details encoded in lower-order visual areas are unconsciously processed before being automatically and rapidly combined into global information in higher-order visual areas, where conscious percepts emerge. Contingent on current goals, local details can afterward be consciously retrieved. This model therefore predicts that (1) global information is perceived faster than local details, (2) global information is computed regardless of task demands during early visual processing, and (3) spontaneous vision is dominated by global percepts. We designed novel textured stimuli that are, as opposed to the classic Navon's letters, truly hierarchical (i.e., where global information is solely defined by local information but where local and global orientations can still be manipulated separately). In line with the predictions, observers were systematically faster reporting global than local properties of those stimuli. Second, global information could be decoded from magneto-encephalographic data during early visual processing regardless of task demands. Last, spontaneous subjective reports were dominated by global information and the frequency and speed of spontaneous global perception correlated with the accuracy and speed in the global task. No such correlation was observed for local information. We therefore show that information at different levels of the visual hierarchy is not equally likely to become conscious; rather, conscious percepts emerge preferentially at a global level. We further show that spontaneous reports can be reliable and are tightly linked to objective performance at the global level.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIs information encoded at different levels of the visual system (local details in low-level areas vs global shapes in high-level areas) equally likely to become conscious? We designed new hierarchical stimuli and provide the first empirical evidence based on behavioral and MEG data that global information encoded at high levels of the visual hierarchy dominates perception. This result held both in the presence and in the absence of task demands. The preferential emergence of percepts at high levels can account for two properties of conscious vision, namely, the dominance of global percepts and the feeling of visual richness reported independently of the perception of local details.
Megf10 Is a Receptor for C1Q That Mediates Clearance of Apoptotic Cells by Astrocytes
Authors: Iram Tal , Ramirez-Ortiz Zaida , Byrne Michael H. , Coleman Uwanda A. , Kingery Nathan D. , Means Terry K. , Frenkel Dan , El Khoury Joseph
Published: May 2016

Multiple EGF-like domains 10 (Megf10) is a class F scavenger receptor (SR-F3) expressed on astrocytes and myosatellite cells, and recessive mutations in humans result in early-onset myopathy, areflexia, respiratory distress, and dysphagia (EMARDD). Here we report that Megf10-deficient mice have increased apoptotic cells in the developing cerebellum and have impaired phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by astrocytesex vivo. We also report that cells transfected with Megf10 gain the ability to phagocytose apoptotic neurons and that Megf10 binds with high affinity to C1q, an eat-me signal for apoptotic cells. In contrast, cells expressing Megf10 with EMARDD mutations have impaired apoptotic cell clearance and impaired binding to C1q. Our studies reveal that Megf10 is a receptor for C1q and identify a novel role for Megf10 in clearance of apoptotic cells in the mammalian developing brain with potential relevance to EMARDD patients and other CNS disorders.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTApoptosis is a universal homeostatic process and occurs in many disease conditions. Multiple EGF-like domains 10 (Megf10) is emerging as an essential receptor for synaptic pruning, clearance of neuronal debris, and for muscle differentiation. Here we define a novel Megf10-dependent pathway for apoptotic cell clearance and show that Megf10 is a receptor for C1q, an eat-me signal, that binds phosphatidylserine expressed on the surface of apoptotic cells. Understanding the pathways by which apoptotic cells are cleared in the CNS is relevant to many physiological and pathological conditions of the CNS.
Selectivity of Neuromodulatory Projections from the Basal Forebrain and Locus Ceruleus to Primary Sensory Cortices
Authors: Kim Jae-Hyun , Jung A-Hyun , Jeong Daun , Choi Ilsong , Kim Kwansoo , Shin Soowon , Kim Sung June , Lee Seung-Hee
Published: May 2016

Acetylcholine and noradrenaline are major neuromodulators that affect sensory processing in the cortex. Modality-specific sensory information is processed in defined areas of the cortex, but it is unclear whether cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain (BF) and noradrenergic neurons in the locus ceruleus (LC) project to and modulate these areas in a sensory modality-selective manner. Here, we mapped BF and LC projections to different sensory cortices of the mouse using dual retrograde tracing. We found that while the innervation of cholinergic neurons into sensory cortices is predominantly modality specific, the projections of noradrenergic neurons diverge onto multiple sensory cortices. Consistent with this anatomy, optogenetic activation of cholinergic neurons in BF subnuclei induces modality-selective desynchronization in specific sensory cortices, whereas activation of noradrenergic LC neurons induces broad desynchronization throughout multiple sensory cortices. Thus, we demonstrate a clear distinction in the organization and function of cholinergic BF and noradrenergic LC projections into primary sensory cortices: cholinergic BF neurons are highly selective in their projections and modulation of specific sensory cortices, whereas noradrenergic LC neurons broadly innervate and modulate multiple sensory cortices.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNeuromodulatory inputs from the basal forebrain (BF) and locus ceruleus (LC) are widespread in the mammalian cerebral cortex and are known to play important roles in attention and arousal, but little is known about the selectivity of their cortical projections. Using a dual retrobead tracing technique along with optogenetic stimulation, we have identified anatomic and functional differences in the way cholinergic BF neurons and noradrenergic LC neurons project into primary sensory cortices. While BF projections are highly selective to individual sensory cortices, LC projections diverge into multiple sensory cortices. To our knowledge, this is the first definitive proof that BF and LC projections to primary sensory cortices show both anatomic and functional differences in selectivity for modulating cortical activity.
Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation of Visual Cortex: Stochastic Resonance Enhances Central Mechanisms of Perception
Authors: van der Groen Onno , Wenderoth Nicole
Published: May 2016

Random noise enhances the detectability of weak signals in nonlinear systems, a phenomenon known as stochastic resonance (SR). Though counterintuitive at first, SR has been demonstrated in a variety of naturally occurring processes, including human perception, where it has been shown that adding noise directly to weak visual, tactile, or auditory stimuli enhances detection performance. These results indicate that random noise can push subthreshold receptor potentials across the transfer threshold, causing action potentials in an otherwise silent afference. Despite the wealth of evidence demonstrating SR for noise added to a stimulus, relatively few studies have explored whether or not noise added directly to cortical networks enhances sensory detection. Here we administered transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS; 100–640 Hz zero-mean Gaussian white noise) to the occipital region of human participants. For increasing tRNS intensities (ranging from 0 to 1.5 mA), the detection accuracy of a visual stimuli changed according to an inverted-U-shaped function, typical of the SR phenomenon. When the optimal level of noise was added to visual cortex, detection performance improved significantly relative to a zero noise condition (9.7 ± 4.6%) and to a similar extent as optimal noise added to the visual stimuli (11.2 ± 4.7%). Our results demonstrate that adding noise to cortical networks can improve human behavior and that tRNS is an appropriate tool to exploit this mechanism.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOur findings suggest that neural processing at the network level exhibits nonlinear system properties that are sensitive to the stochastic resonance phenomenon and highlight the usefulness of tRNS as a tool to modulate human behavior. Since tRNS can be applied to all cortical areas, exploiting the SR phenomenon is not restricted to the perceptual domain, but can be used for other functions that depend on nonlinear neural dynamics (e.g., decision making, task switching, response inhibition, and many other processes). This will open new avenues for using tRNS to investigate brain function and enhance the behavior of healthy individuals or patients.
High prevalence of abdominal aortic calcification in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism as evaluated by Kauppila score
Authors: Pepe Jessica , Diacinti Daniele , Fratini Emanuela , Nofroni Italo , D’Angelo Antonella , Pilotto Roberta , Savoriti Claudio , Colangelo Luciano , Raimo Orlando , Cilli Mirella , Cipriani Cristiana , Minisola Salvatore
Published: May 2016

Objective

The prevalence of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is unknown. We assessed both prevalence and severity of AAC in PHPT postmenopausal women.

Methods

In this study 70 PHPT postmenopausal women and 70 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Each participant underwent biochemical evaluation, lateral spine radiograph, bone mineral density (BMD) measurement (lumbar, femoral, radial sites), and kidney ultrasound. Lateral lumbar films were analyzed in the region of L1–L4 vertebrae and the Kauppila score (a semi-quantitative grading system) was used to assess the severity of AAC.

Results

There were no differences regarding demographic and cardiovascular risk factors in the two groups. PHPT patients had higher prevalence of kidney stones (30% vs 7%,P=0.0008) and lower radial BMD values (0.558±0.071 vs 0.588±0.082 g/cm2,P<0.05) compared with controls. PHPT patients showed higher prevalence of AAC (31 vs 18,P=0.03), with more severe calcifications (Kauppila score 7.35±6.1 vs 5.05±3.5,P=0.007). PHPT patients with AAC were older and had been suffering from the disease for a longer period compared with those without ACC. Moreover, PHPT patients with severe AAC had mean higher serum parathyroid hormone levels compared with patients with moderate or mild calcifications. In PHPT patients with AAC, multiple regression analysis, adjusted for age and years since diagnosis, showed that only parathyroid hormone significantly correlated with Kauppila score.

Conclusion

We found a higher prevalence and severity of AAC in PHPT related to parathyroid hormone effect.
Double adrenocortical adenomas harboring independent KCNJ5 and PRKACA somatic mutations
Authors: Nanba Kazutaka , Omata Kei , Tomlins Scott A , Giordano Thomas J , Hammer Gary D , Rainey William E , Else Tobias
Published: May 2016

Objective

Co-secretion of cortisol and aldosterone can be observed in adrenal adenomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular characteristics of a co-existing aldosterone- and a cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA) in the same patient.

Design and methods

Two different adenomas within the same adrenal gland from a 49-year-old female patient with primary aldosteronism (PA) and Cushing's syndrome (CS) were studied. Multiple formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor blocks were used for the analysis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed using a specific antibody against aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2). DNA and RNA were isolated separately from CYP11B2-positive and -negative tumor regions based on CYP11B2 IHC results.

Results

CYP11B2 IHC clearly demonstrated that three pieces from one adenoma were positive for CYP11B2 and the remaining three from the other adenoma were negative for CYP11B2. In quantitative real-time RT-PCR, CYP11B2 mRNA was upregulated in CYP11B2-positive tumor specimens (219-fold vs CYP11B2-negative tumor specimens). Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) detected novel KCNJ5 gene mutations (p.T148I/T149S, present in the same reads) and a PRKACA gene hotspot mutation (p.L206R) in the CYP11B2-positive and -negative tumors, respectively. Sanger sequencing of DNA from each tumor specimen (CYP11B2-positive tumor, n=3; CYP11B2-negative tumor, n=3) showed concordant results with targeted NGS.

Conclusion

Our findings illustrate the co-existence of two different adrenocortical adenomas causing the concurrent diagnosis of PA and CS in the same patient. Molecular analysis was able to demonstrate that the two diseases resulted from independent somatic mutations seen in double adrenocortical adenomas.
Breastfeeding and Risk of Kawasaki Disease: A Nationwide Longitudinal Survey in Japan
Authors: Yorifuji Takashi , Tsukahara Hirokazu , Doi Hiroyuki
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common cause of childhood-acquired heart disease in developed countries. However, the etiology of KD is not known. Aberrant immune responses are considered to play key roles in disease initiation and breastfeeding can mature immune system in infants. We thus examined the association between breastfeeding and the development of KD.

METHODS:

We used a nationwide population-based longitudinal survey ongoing since 2010 and restricted participants to a total of 37 630 children who had data on their feeding during infancy. Infant feeding practice was queried at 6 to 7 months of age, and responses to questions about hospital admission for KD during the period from 6 to 30 months of age were used as outcome. We conducted logistic regression analyses controlling for child and maternal factors with formula feeding without colostrum as our reference group.

RESULTS:

A total of 232 hospital admissions were observed. Children who were breastfed exclusively or partially were less likely to be hospitalized for KD compared with those who were formula fed without colostrum; odds ratios for hospitalization were 0.26 (95% confidence interval: 0.12–0.55) for exclusive breastfeeding and 0.27 (95% confidence interval: 0.13–0.55) for partial breastfeeding. Although the risk reduction was not statistically significant, feeding colostrum only also provided a protective effect.

CONCLUSIONS:

We observed protective effects of breastfeeding on the development of KD during the period from 6 to 30 months of age in a nationwide, population-based, longitudinal survey in Japan, the country in which KD is most common.
Photofunctionalization of Dental Implants
Authors: Flanagan Dennis
Published: May 2016

After dental implants are manufactured there can be a loss of biological activity that may be reactivated by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, that is, photofunctionalization. The titanium surface is energy conditioned by UV radiation. This imparts a slight positive surface energy and hydrophilicity to the titanium dental implant surface. This conditioning renews biological activity lost after a shelf life of as little as 2 weeks. The UV radiation has chemical and biological effects on the osseous-implant interface. Photofunctionization for as little as 15 minutes accelerates healing and increases bone to implant contact. The most effective time exposure and UV wave length are in need of identification to produce a surface most conducive for osseointegration.
Ageing and Informal Support for the Elderly in Selected European Countries
Authors: Kurkiewicz Jolanta , Soja Ewa
Published: May 2016

The main aim of the article is to compare the scope of the informal support that older people with difficulties in everyday life receive from outside the family in chosen European Countries. Binomial logit models were used to verify the hypothesis that receiving informal help from outside the household depends on the living arrangements and socio-economic features of those who receive the assistance. The empirical analysis draws upon a new approach to population ageing presented in the Multilinks project. The results of the work allow us to demonstrate the characteristics of Central-Eastern Europe and to reveal how they differ from Northern, Western and Southern Europe. The general conclusions are compatible with results obtained by other researchers working on different databases and using different methods.
Material Deprivation in Poland and Slovakia – a Comparative Analysis
Authors: Šoltés Erik , Ulman Paweł
Published: May 2016

One of the key targets of the EU’s 2020 Strategy is to substantially reduce the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The EU seeks to reduce poverty by lifting at least 20 million people out of the risk of poverty or social exclusion by 2020. The monitoring of progress towards this target is based on the headline indicator AROPE – people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The indicator applies to people either at risk of poverty or severely materially deprived or living in a household with a very low work intensity. This article focuses on material deprivation, one of the three components monitored to evaluate the social situation in the EU. The article deals with material deprivation and severe material deprivation in Slovak and Polish households. The two main goals of this article are to examine which factors have a significant effect on material deprivation and to determine the influence of those relevant factors on material deprivation of Slovak and Polish households. The article provides a comparative analysis of the material deprivation of Slovak and Polish households.We used microdata from EU SILC 2012 from Poland and Slovakia and association analysis including logistic regression. These statistical methods were applied using SAS Enterprise Guide.
Classification of EU Countries according to Selected Indicators from the Field of Business Demography Using Self-organising Maps
Authors: Vojtková Mária , Sodomová Eva
Published: May 2016

Business Demography monitors the file of active enterprises – those actually doing business regardless of when they obtained the authorisation to operate, closed enterprises – those out of business regardless of when they were actually legally terminated, and enterprises surviving for a given time since their establishment. The result of this monitoring is a group of basic indicators used to characterise the number of newly established, closed and surviving businesses in the EU as well as indicators related to the number of people these enterprises employ.The main aim of this article is to classify EU countries by selected derived data focused on business demography using a neural network model – Kohonen self-organising maps for the last monitored period. This model involves creating homogeneous groups of countries to be characterised by demographic indicators associated with the birth, survival, and deaths of enterprises and the related employment, all of which are interconnected. This means the classic method of classification cannot be employed. Kohonen maps, however, can be, and may be enabled by various software. We decided to use the tools offered by the statistical analytical system SAS Enterprise Miner (SAS®EM).An additional objective was to introduce business demography and a description of selected indicators derived in the EU from 2008 to the last reporting period, with a focus on economic development in Slovakia and in the Visegrad Group (V4).
Analysis of the Dependence of the Gross Money Income of Single‑member Households in Slovakia
Authors: Dúžik Ondrej
Published: May 2016

The article focuses on modelling the dependence of the gross money income of Slovak single-member households using relevant factors. The main aim is to construct an appropriate regression model through which to quantify the influence of relevant factors on the gross money income of these households. The article shows the results of an analysis gained from the Household Budget Survey conducted by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic in 2012. The basic aim of family accounts is to provide information for the analysis and monitoring of the social situation of households, mainly the structure of their incomes and expenses. The 2012 survey looked at 4,704 Slovak households, 1,098 of which – or 23.3% – were single-member households. Multiple analysis of variance, tests for the equality of marginal means, regression and correlation analysis were all used with SAS Enterprise Guide.
Extraction of bioactive compounds and free radical scavenging activity of purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) leaf extracts as affected by temperature and time
Authors: PEDRO ALESSANDRA C. , MOREIRA FERNANDA , GRANATO DANIEL , ROSSO NEIVA D.
Published: May 2016

In the current study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to assess the effects of extraction time and temperature on the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of purple basil leaf (Ocimum basilicum L.) extracts. The stability of anthocyanins in relation to temperature, light and copigmentation was also studied. The highest anthocyanin content was 67.40 mg/100 g extracted at 30 °C and 60 min. The degradation of anthocyanins with varying temperatures and in the presence of light followed a first-order kinetics and the activation energy was 44.95 kJ/mol. All the extracts exposed to light showed similar half-lives. The extracts protected from light, in the presence of copigments, showed an increase in half-life from 152.67 h for the control to 856.49 and 923.17 h for extract in the presence of gallic acid and phytic acid, respectively. These results clearly indicate that purple basil is a potential source of stable bioactive compounds.
Palynological analysis of Dennstaedtiaceae taxa from the Paranaense Phytogeographic Province that produce Trilete spores II: Microlepia speluncae and Pteridium arachnoideum
Authors: Yañez Agustina , Marquez Gonzalo J. , Morbelli Marta A.
Published: May 2016

The spore morphology and wall ultrastructure of Microlepia speluncae and Pteridium arachnoideum from the Paranaense Province were analyzed with LM, SEM and TEM and a comparative analysis was carried out. In both species the spores are covered by a three-dimensional network of threads branched and fused, tangentially arranged to the surface, and some free-end threads are also seen. The species were differentiated by morphology and the frequency of threads fusion and the networks distribution on the surface of the spores. In both species the exospore is two-layered in section, both layers are traversed by single or branched channels. The perispore is three-layered in section: the inner layer is adhered to the exospore, the middle layer is formed of a three-dimensional network of threads and the outer layer is discontinuous. The perispore ultrastructure of Microlepia speluncae was interpreted as formed of helical subunits displayed around a central channel. The spore morphology and perispore ultrastructure allow differentiating Microlepia from Pteridium but also to the other Dennstaedtiaceae genera that grow in the Paranaense Province. The results obtained allow establishing relationships that let us recognize different groups and gave a new reference to get a better knowledge of the family.
The effects of coconut oil supplementation on the body composition and lipid profile of rats submitted to physical exercise
Authors: RESENDE NATHÁLIA M. , FÉLIX HENRIQUE R. , SORÉ MURILLO R. , M.M. NETO ANÍBAL , CAMPOS KLEBER E. , VOLPATO GUSTAVO T.
Published: May 2016

This study aims to verify the effects of coconut oil supplementation (COS) in the body composition and lipid profile of rats submitted to physical exercise. The animals (n=6 per group) were randomly assigned to: G1=Sedentary and Non-supplemented (Control Group), G2=Sedentary and Supplemented, G3=Exercised and Non-supplemented and G4=Exercised and Supplemented. The COS protocol used was 3 mL/Kg of body mass by gavage for 28 days. The physical exercise was the vertical jumping training for 28 days. It was determined the body mass parameters, Lee Index, blood glucose and lipid profile. The COS did not interfere with body mass, but the lean body mass was lower in G3 compared to G2. The final Lee Index classified G1 and G2 as obese (>30g/cm). The lipid profile showed total cholesterol was decreased in G3, LDL-c concentration was decreased in G2, triglycerides, VLDL-c and HDL-c concentrations were increased in G2 and G4 in relation to G1 and G3. The COS decreased LDL-c/HDL-c ratio. In conclusion, the COS associated or not to physical exercise worsen others lipid parameters, like triglycerides and VLDL-c level, showing the care with the use of lipid supplements.
A contribution to the identification of charcoal origin in Brazil II - Macroscopic characterization of Cerrado species
Authors: GONÇALVES THAÍS A.P. , NISGOSKI SILVANA , OLIVEIRA JULIA S. , MARCATI CARMEN R. , BALLARIN ADRIANO W. , MUÑIZ GRACIELA I.B.
Published: May 2016

The Brazilian Cerrado is the richest savanna in the world. It is also one of the biomes more threatened in the country and a hotspot for conservation priorities. The main causes of deforestation in Cerrado are agricultural practices, livestock and charcoal production. Although charcoal has a minor impact, its consumption represents the deforestation of 16.000 Km² of the Cerrado. To contribute for the biomes's conservation it is very important to improve forestry supervision. Thus, in this work we present the macroscopic characterization of charcoal from 25 Cerrado's species. We simulate the real conditions of forest controllers by using the magnifications of 10x, 25x and 65x. Likewise, the charcoals micrographs are all of transverse sections due to the larger amount of anatomical information. We also analyzed texture, brightness, vitrification, ruptures and some special features. The species present several differences in their anatomical structure. Although some of them are very unique, this work does not intent to identify charcoals only by macroscopic analyses. But it might give directions to future identification of genera or species. It also provides knowledge for government agents to verify the documents of forestry origin by fast analyzing a sample of charcoal itself.
The convergence of the Central American countries to International Accounting Standards
Authors: Araya-Leandro Carlos , Caba-Pérez María Del Carmen , López-Hernandez Antonio M.
Published: May 2016

Abstract: In the last few decades, Central American countries are making a significant effort in order to modernize their governments' legislation both on financial management and systems of financial information. In this sense, these countries aim to enhance the quality of public financial information in order to improve decision-making processes, decrease the level of corruption, and keep citizens informed. In this context, the purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to assess the degree of similarity of the financial information that is being developed by Central American governments with regard to the recommendations set up by Ipsas, and secondly, to analyse the efforts and the strategies that those countries are carrying out in the process of implementing those standards. To determine the differences in the information containing the annual financial statements issued by national public authorities and the recommendations set up by Ipsas we conducted a deductive content analysis. In view of the results we can say that the quality of annual financial statements presented by the countries in Central America, in comparison to the recommendations by the Ipsas concerning Ifac information, is not enough. Hence, in order to operate significant changes, it is still necessary to create new strategies for the implementation of the Ipsas.
Objetivos e desafios da política de compras públicas sustentáveis no Brasil: a opinião dos especialistas
Authors: Couto Hugo Leonnardo Gomides do , Ribeiro Francis Lee
Published: May 2016

Resumo: O presente artigo investiga como os especialistas compreendem, refutam ou validam os objetivos e estabelecem os desafios prioritários à implementação da política pública de compras sustentáveis na esfera federal. Para tanto, foi utilizado um Delphi de políticas associado à análise de conteúdo, para explorar as variadas opiniões associadas à política pública e construir categorias para sua análise, sendo útil como ferramenta de apoio à decisão do governo brasileiro. Verifica-se que os especialistas compreendem essa política como de cunho ambiental em sentido estrito e ratificam a necessidade de integração das diferentes políticas públicas que atuam em prol da sustentabilidade. Adicionalmente, identifica-se que as barreiras envolvendo aspectos institucionais (cultura organizacional resistente a mudanças, ausência de capacitação etc.) e questões ligadas ao aprimoramento dos mecanismos de informação aos gestores públicos (elaboração de guias práticos, esquemas de rotulagem e certificação ambiental etc.) constituem os principais desafios à adequada efetivação da política pública.
JUVENILE-MATURE GENETIC CORRELATIONS IN Pinus taeda CLONES PROPAGATED VIA SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS
Authors: Dias Poliana Coqueiro , Xavier Aloisio , Resende Marcos Deon Vilela de , Biernaski Fabrício Antonio , Estopa Regiane Abjaud , Pires Ismael Eleotério
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT This study aimed to estimate the genetic correlation among selection ages (juvenile - adult) and efficiency of early selection for the height, diameter, and volume traits of individuals from Pinus taeda families propagated via somatic embryogenesis. This study was carried out by genetic-statistical analysis, estimation procedure of variance (Reml), and prediction components of breeding values (Blup), using the Selegen-Reml/Blup software. Genetic correlations among juvenile ages and rotation age were performed by applying the linear model developed by Lambeth (1980). In accordance with results of the established model, the early selection can be performed in clones of Pinus taeda with high selection efficiency. Ages from 4 to 6 years old are enough to select Pinus taeda clones propagated via somatic embryogenesis for harvesting at 8 and 12 years old; and 6 to 10 years old are enough to select them for harvesting at 20 years old. On the basis of the genetic correlations estimates from the environments, the clones' selection of Pinus taeda propagated via somatic embryogenesis should be developed specifically for each environment. The clones' selection can be performed considering the diameter due to the high correlation between volume and diameter.
MODELING AND SIMULATION OF RELIEF INFLUENCE ON EUCALYPTUS FORESTS: INTERACTION BETWEEN SOLAR IRRADIANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY
Authors: Rody Yhasmin Paiva , Ribeiro Aristides , Oliveira Aline Santana de , Leite Fernando Palha
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify the differences in radiation intensity as a function of distinct relief exposure surfaces and to quantify these effects on the leaf area index (LAI) and other variables expressing eucalyptus forest productivity for simulations in a process-based growth model. The study was carried out at two contrasting edaphoclimatic locations in the Rio Doce basin in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two stands with 32-year-old plantations were used, allocating fixed plots in locations with northern and southern exposure surfaces. The meteorological data were obtained from two automated weather stations located near the study sites. Solar radiation was corrected for terrain inclination and exposure surfaces, as it is measured based on the plane, perpendicularly to the vertical location. The LAI values collected in the field were used. For the comparative simulations in productivity variation, the mechanistic 3PG model was used, considering the relief exposure surfaces. It was verified that during most of the year, the southern surfaces showed lower availability of incident solar radiation, resulting in up to 66% losses, compared to the same surface considered plane, probably related to its geographical location and higher declivity. Higher values were obtained for the plantings located on the northern surface for the variables LAI, volume and mean annual wood increase, with this tendency being repeated in the 3PG model simulations.