bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D Supplementation in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Kandula Praveen , Dobre Mirela , Schold Jesse D. , Schreiber Martin J. , Mehrotra Rajnish , Navaneethan Sankar D.
Published: September 2010

Background and objectives

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The benefits and harms of vitamin D supplementation (ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol) were assessed in patients with nondialysis-dependent CKD, dialysis-dependent CKD, and renal transplant recipients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

MEDLINE (1966 to September 2009), SCOPUS (September 2009), and nephrology conference proceedings were searched for relevant observational and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Treatment effects were summarized as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random effects model. Separate analyses were conducted for observational studies and RCTs.

Results

Twenty-two studies (17 observational and 5 RCTs) were included. There was a significant improvement in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (MD 24.1 ng/ml, 95% CI 19.6 to 28.6) and an associated decline in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (MD −41.7 pg/ml, 95% CI −55.8 to −27.7) among observational studies. PTH reduction was higher in dialysis patients. Among RCTs, there was a significant improvement in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (MD 14 ng/ml, 95% CI 5.6 to 22.4) and an associated decline in PTH levels (MD −31.5 pg/ml, 95% CI −57 to −6.1). A low incidence of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia was reported with vitamin D supplementation. Cardiovascular and skeletal effects of vitamin D supplementation have not been studied. Included studies were mostly of low to moderate quality.

Conclusions

Available evidence from low-to-moderate quality observational studies and fewer RCTs suggests that vitamin D supplementation improves biochemical endpoints. However, whether such improvements translate into clinically significant outcomes is yet to be determined.
Water Prescription in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Wang Connie J. , Creed Catherine , Winklhofer Franz T. , Grantham Jared J.
Published: September 2010

Background and objectives

In animal models of polycystic kidney disease, the ingestion of large amounts of water promotes diuresis by suppressing plasma levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and renal levels of cAMP, slowing cyst progression. Whether simple water ingestion is a potential therapeutic strategy for individuals with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is unknown. In this study, a simple method to quantify the amount of water to achieve a specific mean urine osmolality target in patients with ADPKD was developed and tested.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

In eight ADPKD patients eating typical diets, osmolality and volume were measured in 24-hour urine collections. The amount of additional ingested water required daily to achieve a mean urine osmolality of 285 ± 45 mosm/kg was determined. Participants were instructed to distribute the prescribed water over waking hours for each of 5 days. Blood chemistries, 24-hour urine collections, BP, and weight were measured before and after the period of supplemental water intake.

Results

Five patients achieved the 285 mosm/kg urine target without difficulty. Mean urine osmolality decreased and mean urine volume increased; serum sodium, weight, and BP were unchanged. Daily osmolar excretion remained constant, indicating a stable ad lib dietary intake of solutes and protein over the 2-week study period.

Conclusions

The amount of additional water needed to achieve a urine osmolality target can be approximated from the urine osmolar excretion in ADPKD patients eating typical diets, providing a quantitative method to prescribe supplemental water for such individuals.
Serum Iron Markers Are Inadequate for Guiding Iron Repletion in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Ferrari Paolo , Kulkarni Hemant , Dheda Shyam , Betti Susanne , Harrison Colin , St. Pierre Timothy G. , Olynyk John K.
Published: September 2010

Background and objectives

Iron (Fe) overload may complicate parenteral Fe therapy used to enhance the efficacy of erythropoietic-stimulating agents in the treatment of anemia of chronic kidney disease. However, serum Fe markers are influenced by inflammation or malignancy and may not accurately reflect the amount of body Fe.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We studied the relationship between parenteral Fe therapy, conventional serum Fe markers, and liver iron concentration (LIC) measured using magnetic resonance R2 relaxometry (FerriScan) in 25 Fe-deficient predialysis chronic kidney disease patients before and 2 and 12 weeks after single high-dose intravenous Fe and in 15 chronic hemodialysis patients with elevated serum ferritin (>500 μg/L).

Results

In predialysis patients, there was strong dose dependency between the administered Fe dose and changes in LIC at weeks 2 and 12; however, no dose dependency between Fe dose and changes in ferritin or transferrin saturation (TSAT) were observed. In hemodialysis patients, LIC correlated with the cumulative Fe dose and duration of dialysis but not with current ferritin or TSAT. The cumulative Fe dose remained a significant independent predictor of LIC in a multiple regression model. Two dialysis patients who received >6 g parenteral Fe had substantially elevated LIC >130 μmol/g, which is associated with hemochromatosis.

Conclusions

In Fe-deficient predialysis patients, intravenous Fe therapy is associated with increases in LIC unrelated to changes in conventional Fe markers. In hemodialysis patients, TSAT and ferritin are poor indicators of body Fe load, and some patients have LICs similar to those found in hemochromatosis.
Circulating Endotoxemia
Authors: McIntyre Christopher W. , Harrison Laura E.A. , Eldehni M. Tarek , Jefferies Helen J. , Szeto Cheuk-Chun , John Stephen G. , Sigrist Mhairi K. , Burton James O. , Hothi Daljit , Korsheed Shvan , Owen Paul J. , Lai Ka-Bik , Li Philip K.T.
Published: September 2010

Background and objectives

Translocated endotoxin derived from intestinal bacteria has a wide range of adverse effects on cardiovascular (CV) structure and function, driving systemic inflammation, atherosclerosis and oxidative stress. This study's aim was to investigate endotoxemia across the spectrum of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Circulating endotoxin was measured in 249 patients comprising CKD stage 3 to 5 and a comparator cohort of hypertensive patients without significant renal impairment. Patients underwent extended CV assessment, including pulse wave velocity and vascular calcification. Hemodialysis (HD) patients also received detailed echocardiographic-based intradialytic assessments. Patients were followed up for 1 year to assess survival.

Results

Circulating endotoxemia was most notable in those with the highest CV disease burden (increasing with CKD stage), and a sharp increase was observed after initiation of HD. In HD patients, predialysis endotoxin correlated with dialysis-induced hemodynamic stress (ultrafiltration volume, relative hypotension), myocardial stunning, serum cardiac troponin T, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Endotoxemia was associated with risk of mortality.

Conclusions

CKD patients are characteristically exposed to significant endotoxemia. In particular, HD-induced systemic circulatory stress and recurrent regional ischemia may lead to increased endotoxin translocation from the gut. Resultant endotoxemia is associated with systemic inflammation, markers of malnutrition, cardiac injury, and reduced survival. This represents a crucial missing link in understanding the pathophysiology of the grossly elevated CV disease risk in CKD patients, highlighting the potential toxicity of conventional HD and providing a novel set of potential therapeutic strategies to reduce CV mortality in CKD patients.
Synthesis and curing of alkyd enamels based on ricinoleic acid
Authors: Jovicic Mirjana , Radicevic Radmila , Simendic Vesna
Published: September 2010

A combination of an alkyd resin with a melamine-formaldehyde resin gives a
cured enamel film with the flexibility of the alkyd constituent and the high
chemical resistance and hardness of the melamine resin at the same time. The
melamine resin is a minor constituent and plays the role of a crosslinking
agent. In this paper, alkyd resins of high hydroxyl numbers based on
trimethylolpropane, ricinoleic acid and phthalic anhydride were synthesized.
Two alkyds having 30 and 40 wt% of ricinoleic acid were formulated by
calculation on alkyd constant. Alkyds were characterized by FTIR and by the
determination of acid and hydroxyl numbers. Then synthesized alkyds were made
into baking enamels by mixing with melamine-formaldehyde resins (weight ratio
of 70:30 based on dried mass). Two types of commercial melamine resins were
used: threeisobutoxymethyl melamine-formaldehyde resin (TIMMF) and
hexamethoxymethyl melamine resin (HMMMF). Prepared alkyd/melamine resin
mixtures were cured in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) under
non-isothermal mode. Apparent degree of curing as a function of temperature
was calculated from the curing enthalpies. Kinetic parameters of curing were
calculated using Freeman-Carroll method. TIMMF resin is more reactive with
synthesized alkyds than HMMMF resin what was expected. Alkyd resin with 30
wt% of ricinoleic acid is slightly more reactive than alkyd with 40 wt% of
ricinoleic acid, probably because it has the high contents of free hydroxyl
and acid groups. The gel content, Tg, thermal stability, hardness, elasticity
and impact resistance of coated films cured at 150?C for 60 min were
measured. Cured films show good thermal stability since the onset of films
thermal degradation determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is
observed at the temperatures from 281 to 329?C. Films based on alkyd 30 are
more thermal stable than those from alkyd 40, with the same melamine resin.
The type of alkyd resin has no significant effect on the gel content and the
hardness of film. Hardness of cured film increases with increasing of Tg. The
values of the films elasticity are satisfied for all prepared samples and are
independent on the type of alkyd or melamine resin. The impact resistances of
coated films are very high.
Effects of Salsalate Therapy on Recovery From Vascular Injury in Female Zucker Fatty Rats
Authors: Murthy Subramanyam N. , Desouza Cyrus V. , Bost Neal W. , Hilaire Rose-Claire St. , Casey David B. , Badejo Adeleke M. , Dhaliwal Jasdeep S. , McGee Jennifer , McNamara Dennis B. , Kadowitz Philip J. , Fonseca Vivian A.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE

Salsalate is a dimeric form of salicylic acid that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity and to reduce glucose levels, insulin resistance, and cytokine expression. However, the effect of salsalate on vascular injury has not been determined. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of salsalate on vascular injury and repair in a rat model of carotid artery balloon catheter injury.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Salsalate treatment was started in female Zucker fatty rats (insulin resistant) 1 week before carotid artery balloon catheter injury and continued for 21 days, at which time the animals were killed and studied.

RESULTS

Treatment with salsalate significantly decreased the intima-to-media ratio and upregulated the expression of aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS) (ser 1177), and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and reduced serum interleukin (IL)-6 with concomitant downregulation of nuclear factor (NF) κB subunit p65 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the balloon-injured carotid artery of female Zucker fatty rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that salsalate treatment decreases vascular damage caused by balloon catheter injury in female Zucker fatty rats. The beneficial effect of salsalate on vascular injury was associated with upregulation of eNOS, p-eNOS, and MnSOD, which reduce oxidative stress and have anti-inflammatory properties, as evidenced by reduction in serum IL-6 and the downregulation of VEGF and NFκB, which promote inflammation without changing glucose levels. These results suggest that salsalate may be useful in reducing vascular injury and restenosis following interventional revascularization procedures.
Disruption of Hepatic Leptin Signaling Protects Mice From Age- and Diet-Related Glucose Intolerance
Authors: Huynh Frank K. , Levi Jasna , Denroche Heather C. , Gray Sarah L. , Voshol Peter J. , Neumann Ursula H. , Speck Madeleine , Chua Streamson C. , Covey Scott D. , Kieffer Timothy J.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE

The liver plays a critical role in integrating and controlling glucose metabolism. Thus, it is important that the liver receive and react to signals from other tissues regarding the nutrient status of the body. Leptin, which is produced and secreted from adipose tissue, is a hormone that relays information regarding the status of adipose depots to other parts of the body. Leptin has a profound influence on glucose metabolism, so we sought to determine if leptin may exert this effect in part through the liver.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

To explore this possibility, we created mice that have disrupted hepatic leptin signaling using a Cre-lox approach and then investigated aspects of glucose metabolism in these animals.

RESULTS

The loss of hepatic leptin signaling did not alter body weight, body composition, or blood glucose levels in the mild fasting or random-fed state. However, mice with ablated hepatic leptin signaling had increased lipid accumulation in the liver. Further, as male mice aged or were fed a high-fat diet, the loss of hepatic leptin signaling protected the mice from glucose intolerance. Moreover, the mice displayed increased liver insulin sensitivity and a trend toward enhanced glucose-stimulated plasma insulin levels. Consistent with increased insulin sensitivity, mice with ablated hepatic leptin signaling had increased insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt in the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

These data reveal that unlike a complete deficiency of leptin action, which results in impaired glucose homeostasis, disruption of leptin action in the liver alone increases hepatic insulin sensitivity and protects against age- and diet-related glucose intolerance. Thus, leptin appears to act as a negative regulator of insulin action in the liver.
Enhanced Energy Expenditure, Glucose Utilization, and Insulin Sensitivity in VAMP8 Null Mice
Authors: Zong Haihong , Wang Cheng-Chun , Vaitheesvaran Bhavapriya , Kurland Irwin J. , Hong Wanjin , Pessin Jeffrey E.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have demonstrated that the VAMP8 protein plays a complex role in the control of granule secretion, transport vesicle trafficking, phagocytosis, and endocytosis. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of VAMP8 in mediating GLUT4 trafficking and therefore insulin action in mice.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Physiological parameters were measured using Oxymax indirect calorimetry system in 12-week-old VAMP8 null mice. Dynamic analysis of glucose homeostasis was assessed using euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamp coupled with tracer radioactively labeled 2-deoxyglucose. Insulin stimulated GLUT4 protein expressions on muscle cell surface were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

VAMP8 null mice display reduced adiposity with increased energy expenditure despite normal food intake and reduced spontaneous locomotor activity. In parallel, the VAMP8 null mice also had fasting hypoglycemia (84 ± 11 vs. 115 ± 4) and enhanced glucose tolerance with increased insulin sensitivity due to increases in both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle (0.19 ± 0.04 vs. 0.09 ± 0.01 mmol/kg/min during basal, 0.6 ± 0.04 vs. 0.31 ± 0.06 mmol/kg/min during clamp in red-gastrocnemius muscle, P < 0.05). Consistent with a role for VAMP8 in the endocytosis of the insulin-responsive GLUT4, sarcolemma GLUT4 protein levels were increased in both the basal and insulin-stimulated states without any significant change in the total amount of GLUT4 protein or related facilitative glucose transporters present in skeletal muscle, GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT11.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that, in the absence of VAMP8, the relative subcellular distribution of GLUT4 is altered, resulting in increased sarcolemma levels that can account for increased glucose clearance and insulin sensitivity.
Both Polymorphic Variable Number of Tandem Repeats and Autoimmune Regulator Modulate Differential Expression of Insulin in Human Thymic Epithelial Cells
Authors: Cai Chuan Qi , Zhang Tao , Breslin Mary B. , Giraud Matthieu , Lan Michael S.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE

Polymorphic INS-VNTR plays an important role in regulating insulin transcript expression in the human thymus that leads to either insulin autoimmunity or tolerance. The molecular mechanisms underlying the INS-VNTR haplotype-dependent insulin expression are still unclear. In this study, we determined the mechanistic components underlying the differential insulin gene expression in human thymic epithelial cells, which should have profound effects on the insulin autoimmune tolerance induction.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A repetitive DNA region designated as a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) is located upstream of the human insulin gene and correlates with the incidence of type 1 diabetes. We generated six class I and two class III VNTR constructs linked to the human insulin basal promoter or SV40 heterologous promoter/enhancer and demonstrated that AIRE protein modulates the insulin promoter activities differentially through binding to the VNTR region.

RESULTS

Here we show that in the presence of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE), the class III VNTR haplotype is responsible for an average of three-fold higher insulin expression than class I VNTR in thymic epithelial cells. In a protein-DNA pull-down experiment, AIRE protein is capable of binding to VNTR class I and III probes. Further, the transcriptional activation of the INS-VNTR by AIRE requires the insulin basal promoter. The VNTR sequence loses its activation activity when linked to a heterologous promoter and/or enhancer.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate a type 1 diabetes predisposition encoded by the INS-VNTR locus and a critical function played by AIRE, which constitute a dual control mechanisms regulating quantitative expression of insulin in human thymic epithelial cells.
First-Trimester Prediction of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Examining the Potential of Combining Maternal Characteristics and Laboratory Measures
Authors: Savvidou Makrina , Nelson Scott M. , Makgoba Mahlatse , Messow Claudia-Martina , Sattar Naveed , Nicolaides Kypros
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE

Predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been widely studied, but few studies have considered multiple measures. Our objective was to integrate several potential GDM predictors with consideration to both simple and novel measures and to determine the extent to which GDM can be predicted in the first trimester.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We identified first-trimester maternal samples from 124 women who developed GDM and 248 control subjects who did not. We gathered data on age, BMI, parity, race, smoking, prior GDM, family history of diabetes, and blood pressure. Using retrieved samples, we measured routine (lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and γ-glutamyltransferase) and novel (adiponectin, E-selectin, and tissue plasminogen activator [t-PA]) parameters. We determined independent predictors from stepwise regression analyses, calculated areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC-ROC), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) for relevant models.

RESULTS

Compared with control subjects, women who subsequently developed GDM were older, had higher BMIs, were more likely to be of Asian origin, had a history of GDM or family history of type 2 diabetes, and had higher systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05 for all). With regard biochemical measures, stepwise analyses identified only elevated t-PA and low HDL cholesterol levels as significant (P ≤ 0.015) independent predictors of GDM beyond simple non–laboratory-based maternal measures. Their inclusion improved the AUC-ROC from 0.824 to 0.861 and IDI by 0.052 (0.017–0.115).

CONCLUSIONS

GDM can be usefully estimated from a mix of simple questions with potential for further improvement by specific blood measures (lipids and t-PA).
Diminished Superoxide Generation Is Associated With Respiratory Chain Dysfunction and Changes in the Mitochondrial Proteome of Sensory Neurons From Diabetic Rats
Authors: Akude Eli , Zherebitskaya Elena , Chowdhury Subir K. Roy , Smith Darrell R. , Dobrowsky Rick T. , Fernyhough Paul
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE

Impairments in mitochondrial function have been proposed to play a role in the etiology of diabetic sensory neuropathy. We tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction in axons of sensory neurons in type 1 diabetes is due to abnormal activity of the respiratory chain and an altered mitochondrial proteome.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Proteomic analysis using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) determined expression of proteins in mitochondria from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of control, 22-week-old streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats, and diabetic rats treated with insulin. Rates of oxygen consumption and complex activities in mitochondria from DRG were measured. Fluorescence imaging of axons of cultured sensory neurons determined the effect of diabetes on mitochondrial polarization status, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial matrix-specific reactive oxygen species (ROS).

RESULTS

Proteins associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative phosphorylation, ubiquinone biosynthesis, and the citric acid cycle were downregulated in diabetic samples. For example, cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COX IV; a complex IV protein) and NADH dehydrogenase Fe-S protein 3 (NDUFS3; a complex I protein) were reduced by 29 and 36% (P < 0.05), respectively, in diabetes and confirmed previous Western blot studies. Respiration and mitochondrial complex activity was significantly decreased by 15 to 32% compared with control. The axons of diabetic neurons exhibited oxidative stress and depolarized mitochondria, an aberrant adaption to oligomycin-induced mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization, but reduced levels of intramitochondrial superoxide compared with control.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal mitochondrial function correlated with a downregulation of mitochondrial proteins, with components of the respiratory chain targeted in lumbar DRG in diabetes. The reduced activity of the respiratory chain was associated with diminished superoxide generation within the mitochondrial matrix and did not contribute to oxidative stress in axons of diabetic neurons. Alternative pathways involving polyol pathway activity appear to contribute to raised ROS in axons of diabetic neurons under high glucose concentration.
Why the first laser worked as designed (and is still kicking today)
Authors: Rawicz Andrew H.
Published: September 2010

Theodore Maiman, the inventor of the laser, was both a physicist and an engineer. One can speculate that this combination of backgrounds was the main reason for the successful design, construction, and demonstration of the ruby laser in May 1960. The reasons for this success – as stated by Maiman in discussions with the present author – include some basic rules of elegant engineering design: understand what you want to make, understand the physics behind it, understand the nature of the materials to be used for fabrication, and finally, be a minimalist – simplify. Even now, the elegance and simplicity of the design of the first laser is evident upon viewing. The following text will try to gather and clarify all the components necessary for an invention such as the laser, classified by Nature magazine as one of twenty one most important inventions of twentieth century.
Methods of Instructional Improvement in Algebra
Authors: Rakes Christopher R. , Valentine Jeffrey C. , McGatha Maggie B. , Ronau Robert N.
Published: September 2010

This systematic review of algebra instructional improvement strategies identified 82 relevant studies with 109 independent effect sizes representing a sample of 22,424 students. Five categories of improvement strategies emerged: technology curricula, nontechnology curricula, instructional strategies, manipulatives, and technology tools. All five of these strategies yielded positive, statistically significant results. Furthermore, the learning focus of these strategies moderated their effects on student achievement. Interventions focusing on the development of conceptual understanding produced an average effect size almost double that of interventions focusing on procedural understanding.
Spirometric Standards for Healthy Children Aged 6-15 Years in a School of Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Authors: Mazumder JU , Ahmed S , Mollah AH , Kabir ARML , Nahar N
Published: September 2010

Background: Prevalence of Asthma in children is about 7% in Bangladesh but Spirometric value of children is not available. Objective: The study was conducted to find out the spirometric value of normal school going children and to compare the values with those of other countries. Methodology: Sprirometric evaluation of normal school going children was done by computerized spirometer (Ponygraphic of COSMED srl-ltaly) in a school of Dhaka city during the period of February 2002 to July 2002. Nine hundred twenty seven healthy children aged 6-15 years were selected for the study. Outcome variable were the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), the ratio of FEV1 to FVC and forced expiratory flow (FEF) between 25% & 75% of vital capacity (FEF 25% & 75% ). The pulmonary function data was separated by sex and categorized on the basis of height, weight, age and body surface area. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for every such variable. The results (FVC) of present study was compared with those of other countries (India, Nigeria, British and America). Results: The lung function variables showed a linear positive correlation with height, weight, age and body surface area (independent variables). Strong correlation was found between lung function values and independent variables. Height showed the maximum correlation in comparison with other variable. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1 showed a spurt after the height of 150 cm. Regression equations for lung function values were determined for boys and girls considering height as independent variable. Boys showed higher values for lung functions than those of girls. Lung function values of these studied children are nearly similar to Indian children and significantly lower than Nigerian, British (UK) and American (USA) peers. Conclusion: Spirometric values of our children are very much comparable with those of regional children (India) but values are lower than those of African (Nigeria), European (British) and American (USA) children. Recommendation: Further study should be done with larger sample size to have our own national data and to fill up the standard spirometric values for the children of our country. Key words: Spirometric standards; healthy children. DOI: 10.3329/bjch.v29i3.6187 Bangladesh J Child Health 2005; Vol 29 (3): 93-98
Pediatric Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy
Authors: Kabir ARM Luthful , Majumder Jashim Uddin , Mridha AL Amin , Rahman Majubur , Amin Md Ruhul
Published: September 2010

DOI: 10.3329/bjch.v29i3.6188Bangladesh J Child Health 2005; Vol 29 (3): 99-103
Xeroderma Pigmentosum with Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Moniruzzaman ASM , Absar MN , Sarker Shamsuzzaman , Sarker Mahmudul Haque , Sattar Md Abdus , Shaha Chandan Kumar , Basak Atanu Kumar , Khairuzzaman Md
Published: September 2010

DOI: 10.3329/bjch.v30i1.6189 Bangladesh J Child Health 2005; Vol 29 (3): 104-106
Congenital Choanal Atresia  A Case Report
Authors: Begum Tahmina , Shamsad Iffat Ara , Anwar Sayeeda , Afroza Syeda
Published: September 2010

DOI: 10.3329/bjch.v30i1.6190 Bangladesh J Child Health 2005; Vol 29 (3): 107-110
A Complete Theory of Everything (Will Be Subjective)
Authors: Hutter Marcus
Published: September 2010

Increasingly encompassing models have been suggested for our world. Theories range from generally accepted to increasingly speculative to apparently bogus. The progression of theories from ego- to geo- to helio-centric models to universe and multiverse theories and beyond was accompanied by a dramatic increase in the sizes of the postulated worlds, with humans being expelled from their center to ever more remote and random locations. Rather than leading to a true theory of everything, this trend faces a turning point after which the predictive power of such theories decreases (actually to zero). Incorporating the location and other capacities of the observer into such theories avoids this problem and allows to distinguish meaningful from predictively meaningless theories. This also leads to a truly complete theory of everything consisting of a (conventional objective) theory of everything plus a (novel subjective) observer process. The observer localization is neither based on the controversial anthropic principle, nor has it anything to do with the quantum-mechanical observation process. The suggested principle is extended to more practical (partial, approximate, probabilistic, parametric) world models (rather than theories of everything). Finally, I provide a justification of Ockham’s razor, and criticize the anthropic principle, the doomsday argument, the no free lunch theorem, and the falsifiability dogma.
A Microeconomic Interpretation of the Maximum Entropy Estimator of Multinomial Logit Models and Its Equivalence to the Maximum Likelihood Estimator
Authors: Donoso Pedro , Grange Louis de
Published: September 2010

Maximum entropy models are often used to describe supply and demand behavior in urban transportation and land use systems. However, they have been criticized for not representing behavioral rules of system agents and because their parameters seems to adjust only to modeler-imposed constraints. In response, it is demonstrated that the solution to the entropy maximization problem with linear constraints is a multinomial logit model whose parameters solve the likelihood maximization problem of this probabilistic model. But this result neither provides a microeconomic interpretation of the entropy maximization problem nor explains the equivalence of these two optimization problems. This work demonstrates that an analysis of the dual of the entropy maximization problem yields two useful alternative explanations of its solution. The first shows that the maximum entropy estimators of the multinomial logit model parameters reproduce rational user behavior, while the second shows that the likelihood maximization problem for multinomial logit models is the dual of the entropy maximization problem.
Information Driven Ecohydrologic Self-Organization
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Ruddell Benjamin L.
Published: September 2010

Variability plays an important role in the self-organized interaction between vegetation and its environment, yet the principles that characterize the role of the variability in these interactions remain elusive. To address this problem, we study the dependence between a number of variables measured at flux towers by quantifying the information flow between the different variables along with the associated time lag. By examining this network of feedback loops for seven ecosystems in different climate regions, we find that: (1) the feedback tends to maximize information production in the entire system, and the latter increases with increasing variability within the whole system; and (2) variables that participate in feedback exhibit moderated variability. Self-organization arises as a tradeoff where the ability of the total system to maximize information production through feedback is limited by moderate variability of the participating variables. This relationship between variability and information production leads to the emergence of ordered organization.
The Individual and Combined Effects of Deoxynivalenol and Aflatoxin B1 on Primary Hepatocytes of Cyprinus Carpio
Authors: He Cheng-Hua , Fan Yan-Hong , Wang Ying , Huang Chao-Ying , Wang Xi-Chun , Zhang Hai-Bin
Published: September 2010

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and deoxynivalenol (DON) are important food-borne mycotoxins that have been implicated in animal and human health. In this study, individual and combinative effects of AFB1 and DON were tested in primary hepatocytes of Cyprinus carpio. The results indicated that the combinative effects of AFB1 and DON (0.01 μg/mL AFB1 and 0.25 μg/mL DON; 0.02 μg/mL AFB1 and 0.25 μg/mL DON; 0.02 μg/mL AFB1 and 0.5 μg/mL DON) were higher than that of individual mycotoxin (P
Purification and Characterization of Organic Solvent and Detergent Tolerant Lipase from Thermotolerant Bacillus sp. RN2
Authors: Kanjanavas Pornpimon , Khuchareontaworn Sintawee , Khawsak Paisarn , Pakpitcharoen Arda , Pothivejkul Khajeenart , Santiwatanakul Somchai , Matsui Kenji , Kajiwara Tadahiko , Chansiri Kosum
Published: September 2010

The aim of this study was to characterize the organic solvent and detergent tolerant properties of recombinant lipase isolated from thermotolerant Bacillus sp. RN2 (Lip-SBRN2). The isolation of the lipase-coding gene was achieved by the use of inverse and direct PCR. The complete DNA sequencing of the gene revealed that the lip-SBRN2 gene contains 576 nucleotides which corresponded to 192 deduced amino acids. The purified enzyme was homogeneous with the estimated molecular mass of 19 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. The Lip-SBRN2 was stable in a pH range of 9–11 and temperature range of 45–60 °C. The enzyme was a non metallo-monomeric protein and was active against pNP-caprylate (C8) and pNP-laurate (C12) and coconut oil. The Lip-SBRN2 exhibited a high level of activity in the presence of 108% benzene, 102.4% diethylether and 112% SDS. It is anticipated that the organic solvent and detergent tolerant enzyme secreted by Bacillus sp. RN2 will be applicable as catalysts for reaction in the presence of organic solvents and detergents.
Fine-Tuning of Polymeric Resins and their Interfaces with Amorphous Calcium Phosphate. A Strategy for Designing Effective Remineralizing Dental Composites
Authors: Antonucci Joseph M. , Skrtic Drago
Published: September 2010

For over a decade our group has been designing, preparing and evaluating bioactive, remineralizing composites based on amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) fillers embedded in polymerized methacrylate resin matrices. In these studies a major focus has been on exploring structure-property relationships of the matrix phase of these composites on their anti-cariogenic potential. The main challenges were to gain a better understanding of polymer matrix/filler interfacial properties through controlling the surface properties of the fillers or through fine-tuning of the resin matrix. In this work, we describe the effect of chemical structure and composition of the resin matrices on some of the critical physicochemical properties of the copolymers and their ACP composites. Such structure-property studies are essential in formulating clinically effective products, and this knowledge base is likely to have strong impact on the future design of therapeutic materials, appropriate for mineral restoration in defective tooth structures.
INVESTIGATION INTO TRAFFIC FLOWS ON HIGH INTENSITY STREETS OF VILNIUS CITY
Authors: Žiliūtė Laura , Laurinavičius Alfredas , Vaitkus Audrius
Published: September 2010

The measurements and analysis of traffic intensity were performed in the capital city – Vilnius, the largest urban area in Lithuania. Vilnius is a centre of business, industry and tourism, and therefore traffic intensity remains the highest in this part of the country. The intensity of vehicle traffic is not only generally calculated but also simultaneously classified which means is divided predefining vehicles into beforehand established categories. Data on traffic flows are used in a road maintenance program for calculating and assessing air pollution, ensuring traffic safety, regulating traffic flows etc. The article presents the methods for measuring traffic intensity which are and were used for calculating traffic intensity not only in the streets of Vilnius but also across Lithuania. Data on vehicle intensity and classification are collected either using technologies (loop and tube detectors, counters and video detectors) or expressing them visually. The article presents the dynamics of changes in the traffic volume on the roads of Lithuania for the period 2000–2009. Also, this article examines traffic intensity of all transport means, including trucks in the permanent traffic volume measuring stations that were installed near the roads in Vilnius zone (data on traffic for the period 2005–2009) and the streets of Vilnius city (data on traffic for the period 2007–2009). Data on traffic intensity were obtained by the Road Research Laboratory of the Road Department of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University in cooperation with the State Enterprise Transport and Road Research Institute (TRRI).
INVESTIGATION INTO THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND METAL CREAKS OF A DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE WHEEL
Authors: Jastremskas Virgilijus , Vaičiūnas Gediminas , Černašėjus Olegas , Rudzinskas Vitalijus
Published: September 2010

After JSC ‘Lithuanian Railways’ (AB ‘Lietuvos geležinkeliai‘) bought new Siemens ER20 CF locomotives produced in Western Europe and brought them into service, some of them have already done about 170–200 thousand km that caused the appearance of indentations of an inadmissible size (the depth is more than 3 mm, the length – 10 mm) the elimination of which turning cutting results in up to 20 mm loss of a wheel. Having grounded off the metal layer of indentation depth, indentation reappears (metal ‘flakes off') and needs to be removed by returning cutting the wheel. The purpose of the current investigation is to determine whether there is a reason to claim that the cause of wheel surface crumbling could be a chemical composition of the wheel or wheel‐to‐rail hardness ratio. The carried out investigations have revealed that there is no reason to claim that the cause of wheel surface crumbling could be the chemical composition of the wheel or wheel‐to‐rail hardness ratio.
PLANNING ORGANIZATION AND PRODUCTIVITY SIMULATION TOOL FOR MARITIME CONTAINER TERMINALS
Authors: Beškovnik Bojan , Twrdy Elen
Published: September 2010

The article describes a proposed planning organization and productivity simulation tool, with a special emphasis on orientations to the optimization of operations in a maritime container terminal. With the application of an adequate model frame for traffic and technical‐technologic forecasting, infrastructure and manpower planning and productivity simulation are possible to measure and increase the productivity in the whole subsystem of the maritime container terminal. The emphasis is mainly put on setting up planning organization in order to collect important information and consequently to raise productivity. This is the main task and goal of terminal management that must develop elements and strategies for optimal operational and financial production. An adequate planning structure must use simplified but efficient simulation tools enabling owners and management to take a vast number of adequate financial and operational decisions. Considering all important and very dynamic facts in container and shipping industry, the proposed simulation tool gives a helpful instrument for checking productivity and its time variation and monitoring a competitive position of a certain maritime terminal with the terminals from the same group. Therefore, the management of every maritime container terminal must establish an appropriate internal planning system as a mechanism for strategic decision support relating basically to the assessment of the best development and optimization solutions for the infrastructure and suprastructure of the entire system.
SOLVING THE NONLINEAR TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM BY GLOBAL OPTIMIZATION
Authors: Klanšek Uroš , Pšunder Mirko
Published: September 2010

The aim of this paper is to present the suitability of three different global optimization methods for specifically the exact optimum solution of the nonlinear transportation problem (NTP). The evaluated global optimization methods include the branch and reduce method, the branch and cut method and the combination of global and local search strategies. The considered global optimization methods were applied to solve NTPs with reference to literature. NTPs were formulated as nonlinear programming (NLP) optimization problems. The obtained optimal results were compared with those got from literature. A comparative evaluation of global optimization methods is presented at the end of the paper to show their suitability for solving NTPs.
Le blog d'adolescent : à la frontière de soi, du réel et du virtuel
Authors: Nicaise Emmanuel , Lefebvre Alex
Published: September 2010

Résumé Plus d’un quart des adolescents belges posséderaient un blog. À l’aide d’une étude psychosociale par questionnaire et entretiens, nous avons tenté de cerner les différentes fonctions que ces blogs peuvent avoir pour ces adolescents. Bien au-delà du simple partage d’information, le blog semble être un nouveau lieu de culture, d’échange et de présentation de soi. L’analogie prégnante du blog et de la peau, nous fait situer l’objet à la frontière du soi, du virtuel et du réel ; l’adolescent l’utilisant pour se présenter aux autres tout en se protégeant, amenant dans le « virtuel » des extraits de sa réalité quotidienne qu’il peut choisir, manipuler et rappeler, contrôlant ainsi son image virtuelle qui vient inévitablement se superposer à son image réelle. L’adolescent peut ainsi utiliser le blog comme une nouvelle forme d’espace de transition.
Féminisme, réforme législative et autonomisation des femmes au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord : l'articulation entre recherche, militantisme et politique
Authors: Moghadam Valentine M.
Published: September 2010

Résumé Au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord (région moan ), les droits de la femme occupent une place importante dans la recherche, les débats politiques et le militantisme féministe. Les spécialistes affirment que le progrès de la région passe par l’attribution aux femmes d’un rôle plus important dans la vie économique et sociale. Mais celles-ci continuent de faire l’objet d’une discrimination qui les empêche de développer tout leur potentiel, et ce malgré les progrès impressionnants qu’elles ont accomplis dans les domaines de la santé et de l’éducation. À des degrés divers selon les pays de la région, la discrimination à l’égard des femmes est ancrée dans les attitudes culturelles, les politiques gouvernementales et les cadres législatifs. Les lois de la famille qui y sont en vigueur subordonnent femmes et filles aux hommes - cette position étant par la suite reproduite dans la sphère économique et dans la société. Dans cet article, j’aborde brièvement les tendances récentes du féminisme ainsi que les réformes de la législation familiale au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord en mettant l’accent sur le Maroc qui a adopté, en 2004, un code de la famille entièrement nouveau. La nouvelle législation marocaine prend en compte les normes internationales en matière de droits de la femme et de l’enfant, les impératifs de développement national, et l’esprit de justice et d’équité de l’Islam. Qu’une campagne féministe ait réussi à modifier la législation familiale dans une région où les lois ont pour fondement la charia , ou loi islamique, montre que des coalitions efficaces peuvent être mises en place dans la région moan en liant le développement économique et social aux droits des femmes. Le cas du Maroc met clairement en évidence l’articulation entre recherche, militantisme et politique.
L'émancipation économique des femmes. Réalités et défis pour l'avenir
Authors: Taborga Carolina
Published: September 2010

Résumé Malgré le consensus international sur l’importance de l’émancipation économique des femmes qui s’est exprimé au niveau mondial à la faveur d’accords comme le Programme d’action de Beijing ou l’accord sur les Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement, nous avons cessé de nous rapprocher d’un grand nombre de nos objectifs et nous nous en sommes même parfois éloignés. Une étude récente du Forum économique mondial a montré qu’aucun pays n’avait encore réussi à combler l’écart entre les niveaux d’activité économique des deux sexes. Même les pays les mieux classés suivant l’indice d’émancipation du Forum obtiennent généralement des scores plus élevés sur la santé et le bien-être, le niveau d’éducation et l’émancipation politique des femmes que sur leurs possibilités de participation et leur participation effective à l’activité économique. Si les premières variables sont des composantes essentielles de l’émancipation générale des femmes, il faut leur ajouter l’émancipation économique pour que le tableau soit complet. Les activités de recherche et de formation de l’ instraw en faveur de l’émancipation économique des femmes portent sur trois questions majeures : la perspective du genre et des problèmes économiques des femmes dans le champ de la politique et des décisions économiques générales ; l’analyse des programmes et des projets économiques pour déterminer et diffuser les bonnes pratiques ; la création d’une véritable mesure de l’émancipation économique des femmes, fondée sur des données relatives à l’influence des politiques économiques et des projets de développement économique sur les relations entre les sexes et la condition des femmes.
Justice sociale et droits liés au genre
Authors: Di Marco Graciela
Published: September 2010

Résumé Je m’appuie sur mes travaux universitaires récents concernant la démocratisation, les droits liés au genre et les mouvements sociaux et sur ma contribution au débat public relatif aux politiques sociales afin de présenter quelques réflexions sur la mise en place des politiques sociales et notamment de ce qu’on appelle à présent les « politiques du genre ». J’attire ainsi l’attention sur la justice sociale en tant que principe fondamental des politiques sociales, et sur le fossé qui sépare la conception juridique ou abstraite des droits liés au genre et leur application. En ce qui concerne la démocratisation, la citoyenneté et les droits de la personne humaine, je propose des réflexions sur la traduction du langage des besoins en droits invoqués par différents mouvements sociaux argentins qui contribuent à l’évolution du discours sociopolitique en inscrivant de nouvelles questions et de nouveaux problèmes au programme des acteurs publics. Le discours des mouvements sociaux qui se fonde sur le concept de droits s’étend à la pauvreté et au chômage, que les propos sur les politiques sociales dans les années 1990 évoquaient déjà. Mais, contrairement à ces discours ancrés dans des stratégies d’assistance, la parole actuelle reflète la politisation croissante des domaines de la production et de la reproduction sociale. Elle encourage la reconnaissance des différences, la quête de la dignité, la critique des relations de pouvoir existantes et l’établissement d’une relation d’interdépendance entre les acteurs et les organisations. J’avance aussi l’idée que les mouvements de femmes ont atteint un stade nouveau susceptible de contribuer au renforcement du féminisme populaire en Argentine, ainsi qu’à une alliance entre des femmes issues de différents segments de la société urbaine et rurale.