bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Prediabetes”: Are There Problems With This Label? No, We Need Heightened Awareness of This Condition!
Authors: Cefalu William T.
Published: July 2016

The category of “prediabetes” defined by the American Diabetes Association comprises a range of intermediate hyperglycemia based on fasting or 2-h postload glucose or on HbA1c. Over the recent past, the “cut points” identifying this stage have changed, i.e., a lower fasting glucose level is used. On one hand, it can be argued that the change to a lower cut point identifies a group of individuals still at higher risk and provides heightened awareness for a condition associated with higher risk for cardiovascular disease. In addition, identification of individuals at this stage may represent a chance of earlier intervention in the disease. However, the argument against this definition of prediabetes is that it disguises the differences in the three subcategories and creates problems in interpreting observations on interventions and outcomes. In addition, it can be argued that the enormous numbers of people identified with the criteria far exceeds the capacity of health care systems to respond through individual care, particularly without evidence that interventions benefit any category other than impaired glucose tolerance. Thus, there does not appear to be consensus on the definition using the cut points identified. Controversy also remains as to whether there are glycemic metrics beyond HbA1c that can be used in addition to HbA1c to help assess risk of an individual developing diabetes complications. Given the current controversy, a Point-Counterpoint debate on this issue is provided herein. In the preceding point narrative, Dr. Yudkin provides his argument that there are significant problems with this label. In the counterpoint narrative below, Dr. Cefalu argues that the cut points are appropriate and do provide useful and important information in trying to reduce the future burden of diabetes.

—William T. Cefalu

Editor in Chief, Diabetes Care
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry in Tertiary Level Hospital In Nepal
Authors: Ranjan Sanjeev , Poudel R , Pandey P
Published: July 2016

Background: Consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry has emerged as a separate specialty in psychiatry in developed countries. It is an important component of a multidisciplinary hospital. In developing countries, this specialty is being underused and less emphasized. The reason for this could also be due to scarcity of study in this field in developing countries.Objective: To assess the socio-demographic and clinical variables of patients referred for C-L psychiatry in a tertiary hospital in western region of Nepal.Methods: One hundred consecutive inpatients referred for C-L psychiatry were assessed for socio demographic referrals, reason for referral and their attitude towards psychiatric referral. Each patient was evaluated in detail by consultant psychiatrists and the psychiatric diagnosis made according to the International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD-10) criteria.Results: The mean age of the sample was 40.28 years (±18.76) with male to female ratio of 1.27:1. The department of internal medicine was the most referring department (56%) andmajority of the patients referred had positive attitude towards psychiatric referral (94%). Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) and intentional self harm (21% each) were the most common psychiatric diagnoses made. Conclusions: psychiatry consultation was done mostly by the department of internal medicine and majority of patient had positive attitude toward psychiatric referral.Health Renaissance 2014;12(3): 170-174
Cost Analysis of Insecticide Spraying For Malaria Control In A Terai District Of Eastern Nepal
Authors: GC Pramod Singh , Pokharel P K
Published: July 2016

Background: Malaria is one of the public health problems in Nepal. It is estimated that 25% of population of Nepal are infected by malaria at any time. Malaria control program was first initiated in 1954 with support of USAID through the Insect Born Disease Control Program. This program was changed into Malaria Eradication Program in 1958. The program was reverted to control program in 1978.Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the cost of insecticide spraying from the provider’s perspective in a Terai district of eastern Nepal.Methods: Morang District of eastern Terai was purposively selected. A pre-tested interview was used to collect data from program managers and government officers in the Malaria Control Program. The main categories of variables were manpower, insecticide, pump and others.Results: The cost for indoor residual spraying per person protected was calculated as Rs.24.70 (US$0.31). This cost was for one cycle and there were two cycles in a year. So the cost per year was Rs.49.40 (US$0.62). The cost per household was calculated as Rs. 129.56 (US$1.65) per cycle and Rs.259.12 and US$3.30 per year for residual spraying.Conclusion: In this cost analysis of indoor residual spraying, the cost per household per year was found Rs. 259.12 and US$3.30. The cost calculated per person protected per year was Rs. 49.40 and US$0.62. This analysis would be more complete if a comparative study of both costs and effectiveness of various vector control measures are undertaken in Nepal.Health Renaissance 2014;12(3): 175-179
Crystalloid Prehydration versus Cohydration for Prevention Of Hypotension during Spinal Anaesthesia For Elective Caesarean Section
Authors: Sharma Apurb , Gupta P K , Singh S N , Uprety D
Published: July 2016

Background: Hypotension during spinal anesthesia is a well known problem.Traditionally prehydration before the spinal block is one of the strategies used toprevent hypotension. Recently the efficacy of prehydration has been questioned.Objective: To compare the incidence of hypotension and vasopressor requirementwith crystalloid prehydration and cohydration in women undergoing electivecaesarean section.Methods: The prospective randomized study was carried out in 120 patients undergoing elective lower segment caesarian section under spinal anaesthesia. They were allocated to receive either 20ml/kg of lactated ringer’s solution during 20 minutes prior to induction of spinal anaesthesia (prehydration group) or equivalent volume by rapid infusion immediately after administration of the local anaesthetic intrathecally (cohydration group). Vitals, incidence of hypotension, dose of mephenteramine used and complications were recorded.Results: Hypotension occurred in 19 of 60 patients (31.6%) in prehydration group whereas in 15 of 60 patients (25.0%) in cohydration group, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). But significantly less patients in the cohydration group (2 of 60 vs 18 of 60) developed hypotension and required vasopressor therapy before delivery of baby (P<0.001). Similarly, parturients in the cohydration group required significantly less dose of mephenteramine for treatment of hypotension.Conclusion: Rapid crystalloid administration after the induction of spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section prevents hypotension before delivery and decreases vasopressorrequirement.Health Renaissance 2014;12(3): 190-196
Multicystic Nephroma-Report of Two Rare Cases in a Span Of Seven Years
Authors: Paudyal Punam , Agarwal M , Pradhan A , Sinha A K , Karak A K , Agarwal R
Published: July 2016

Background: Multicystic nephroma (MCN) is an uncommon but distinctive benign pediatric renal neoplasm but may present clinically at any age. It is scantily reported in the literature. To the best of our knowledge it has not yet been reported from Nepal. It is characterized by a well circumscribed mass with nodular outer surface that contain multiple fluid filled locals. Microscopy show cystically dilated spaces lined by flattened to columnar epithelium and is separated by fibroblastic stroma. A hobnail pattern is common.Case description: Here we report two cases of multicystic nephroma in a span of seven years. The first case is of a one year old female child who was diagnosed of having huge left sided renal mass clinically and the second case is of a 35-year-old male revealing hydatid cyst in USG, CT scan and IVP. Both of them underwent nephrectomy and their microscopic examination revealed typical characteristics of a multicystic nephroma.Conclusion: Since MCN has a benign behaviour it must be differentiated from focal cystic neoplastic lesions, including cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma (CPDN), which has a low but distinct capability for local recurrence; from Wilm’s tumour with cystic change; and cystic renal cell carcinoma.Health Renaissance 2014;12(3): 227-229
The prognostic value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Katuwal Binit , Shilpakar Sushil Kumar
Published: July 2016

Introduction and objective: Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In approximately a third of the patient with acute pancreatitis, severe pancreatitis may develop, producing progressive organ dysfunction caused by a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). This study aimed to determine the correlation between Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and the severity of AP.Materials and Methods: All patients admitted in the Surgical Ward of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital with the diagnosis of AP were studied prospectively over a period of one year from January 2014 to January 2015. Total leucocyte count (TLC), neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at admission was recorded for each patient. Modified Marshall Score was determined at admission and at 48 hours. Severity of acute pancreatitis as defined by revised Atlanta Classification 2012 was taken into account.Results: A total of 79 patients of AP were included in the study. Among them, 38 % were categorized as having severe AP according to the revised Atlanta classification. There was a weak positive correlation of NLR to severity of AP which was statistically significant. The mean NLR was high in higher severity grades of AP (p-value < 0.05). The cutoff NLR of 8.02 showed sensitivity of 60 %, specificity of 60.4 %, PPV of 48.6 % and NPV of 70.7 %.Conclusion: NLR may be useful as an easy and reliable prognostic marker for the severity and complications of acute pancreatitis.
Pituitary adenomas - my personal experience
Authors: Jha R , Sharma GR , Bista P
Published: July 2016

Introduction: The pituitary gland is also called the master gland of the body and its tumours represent 10- 15% of all intracranial tumors, with an annual incidence of 0.2-2.8 cases per 100,000 persons.Most are benign adenomas arising from the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis), and most commonly present due to hormonal effects(includes hyperprolactinomia,Cushings Syndrome, acromegaly..),mass effect, as an incidental finding or infrequently with pituitary apoplexy.Objective: To describe the features of the patients with pituitary adenoma, different surgical approaches, and its outcome.Methodology: This is a prospective study of data of all patients operated from 2013 to 2015(3 years).The demographic factors of age, sex is studied along with the the size of adenoma, clinical symptoms before and after surgery, type of surgery, complications and final outcome.Result: The total number of cases was 18, with predominantly males (10 cases) than females (8 cases).The most common mode of presentation was with headache in 7 cases (39%), followed by visual changes in 6(33%). Hormonal changes was found in 10(56%) with pituitary apoplexy in 4 cases (22%). Tumour resection was complete in 92% of the cases and subtotal in the rest. There were no mortalities.Conclusion: Sublabial transphenoidal surgery is a effictive technique with low procedure related morbidity.
Aneurysmal bleed in traumatic SAH: are we missing something serious?
Authors: Waiba Suvechha , Joshi Archana , Lama Karjome , KC Bidur , Shakya Bikram , Thapa Amit
Published: July 2016

Introduction and Objective: Spontaneous Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is usually due to aneurysm rupture (85%) however SAH is far common in traumatic brain injury (TBI) (60%). We did an audit to see proportion of our patients with TBI with SAH and their outcomeMaterials and Methods: We did a retrospective study of patients admitted with Department of neurological surgery since April 2012 till Jan 2016. We included all patients with traumatic SAH and subjected patients with significant cisternal bleed or history of dizziness or headache prior to fall or injury to brain CT angiography. Patient who could not be properly evaluated despite suspicion were excluded. Endpoints studied were outcome, hospital stay and morbidity.Results: 112 patients were studied of which 63 were males and mean age was 48.2 years. Total of 5 cases (4.5%) had intracranial aneurysm. Of these, 3 were PCOM aneurysm and 2 from ACOM. These were successfully clipped and no significant difference in hospital stay or morbidity was seen. Of the other followed up patients, none had recurrent bleed. We discuss our approach and limitations of this study.Conclusion: 5% patients with traumatic SAH had aneurysm. A high index of suspicion and early clipping of aneurysm in such cases is associated with good outcome.
Brachial plexus injury: are we doing enogh?
Authors: Thapa Amit , KC Bidur , Shakya Bikram
Published: July 2016

Introduction and Objective: Repair of Brachial plexus injury is a neglected art in developing countries like ours. We discuss here various case scenarios managed at our centre and the challenges involved.Materials and Methods: Cases with brachial plexus injury attending our OPD were included in this study. Different neurotisation and repair techniques were used depending on the situations. Outcome in form of improvement in function and relief of pain were evaluated.Results: During last 5 year (July 2010 to September 2015), 100 patients with brachial plexus injury were evaluated in our outpatient OPD. Majority of them were too late to be offered any treatment. 20% patients had neuropraxia and were managed conservatively. 41 patients were operated. 19 were complete brachial plexus injury and underwent extraplexal neurotisation procedures. 11 were partial brachial plexus injury and had intraplexal neurotisation procedures. Neurolysis were done as required. 11 case of peripheral nerve injury was managed with direct repair and neurolysis. Almost all patients with neuropraxia had good recovery in follow up. Patients who underwent surgical intervention had good recovery in terms of recovery recovery of function and relief of pain.Conclusion: Due to lack of awareness and socioeconomic reasons, majority of nepalese people approach very late for surgical options. Benefit of the brachial plexus repair depends upon factors like type of injury, timing of intervention, surgical technique and post operative follow up. We had good outcome in our patients who came early and continued on follow up.
Future Liver remnant: A challenge in liver resection surgery
Authors: Regmee S , Tamang TY , Maharjan DK , Shrestha SK , Thapa PB
Published: July 2016

Introduction and Objective: The frontiers of liver resection are expanding. Future Liver Remnant; its volume, function and complication have a predictive value in post resection outcome including post resection liver failure. This study is directed to discuss the issues related to future liver remnant.Objective: To discuss issues related to Future Liver Remnant in patients planned for major liver resectionMaterials and Methods: Data of patients admitted for liver resection at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital, Surgical Unit III with varied diagnosis, were collected prospectively over a period of 1 year. In our non transplant center, Future Liver Remnant was managed with varying methods. Of the 12 liver resections, 3 prototype cases with different FLR issues are discussed in this study.Results: The first case had issue related to the volume of the liver remnant for which she underwent a portal vein ligation followed by resection (after adequate volume increase) in the second surgery. The second case was a Hepatocellular Carcinoma with CTP 8 cirrhosis. Despite adequate liver volume, decision for liver resection was delayed due to possible postoperative decompensation. The third patient was a Hilar cholangiocarcinoma with obstructive jaundice. Biliary decompression (PTBD) was performed. However, inadequate fall in bilirubin caused dilemma for liver resection. Despite the dilemma, all 3 cases underwent liver resection with no postoperative liver failure.Conclusion: Issues related to the volume and function of future liver remnant in patient undergoing liver resection should be adequately addressed by various pre operative, intra operative, and post operative measures.
Correlating complications of transurethral complications of prostate using the Charlson’s Comorbidity Index
Authors: Kumar Aditya , Luitel Bhoj Raj , Sharma Uttam Kumar
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Ageing is a continuous, universal and progressive process associated with an increasing incidence of comorbidities. Benign Enlargement of Prostate (BEP) is major cause of morbidity in the ageing men. Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP) is the Gold Standard for patients with BEP and delivers durable outcomes, however, is associated with morbidity and mortality.This study was conducted to analyze the correlation of these comorbidities in ageing men with the incidence of complications of TURP.Objective: To report and grade operative complications of TURP using Modified Clavien Classification System (MCCS) and analyze whether Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) predicts complications after TURP.Methods: This is a prospective analytical study of 77 patients diagnosed as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) undergoing TURP over one year at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Preoperative morbidity was classified using Charlsons Comorbidity and postoperative complications were graded according to Modified Clavien Classification System (MCCS) into five grades (Grades I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb and V) according to severity followed till 90 days after TURP.Results: Fourteen out of seventy seven (18.2%) patients developed postoperative complications. CCI Scores of <1 were observed in 73 (94.8%) and >2 in 4 (5.2%) patients, constituting the bulk of 93%, Grade IV complications were 7% and no mortality was observed. Patients with higher CCI scores showed statistically significant increase in the grade of postoperative complication and positively correlated to MCCS (ρ of .295; p value <0.009).Conclusion: Men with higher CCI scores have significantly higher grade of postoperative complications.
Design and Synthesis of Novel 2-Hydroxy-1,4-Benzoxazine Derivatives through Three-Component Petasis Reaction Catalysed by Pyridinium Toluene-Sulphonate
Authors: Mahdjoub Sara , Derabli Chamseddine , Boulcina Raouf , Kirsch Gilbert , Debache Abdelmadjid
Published: July 2016

A variety of novel 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazines were synthesised through the Petasis multicomponent reaction of 2-[(arylmethyl)amino] phenols with arylboronic acids and glyoxal catalysed by pyridinium toluene- p-sulphonate. A plausible reaction mechanism has also been proposed.
Regiospecific Synthesis of 1,4,5-Trisubstituted 1,2,3-Triazoles via Enolate–Azide Cycloaddition between 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds and Aryl Azides
Authors: Nelson Ronald , Kesternich Víctor , Pérez-Fehrmann Marcia , Jaldin Sally , Marcourt Laurence , Christen Philippe
Published: July 2016

A cycloaddition reaction at room temperature between aryl azides and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of potassium carbonate in dimethylsulphoxide yielded 10 4-ethoxycarbonyl-1-aryl-5-methyl-1 H-1,2,3-triazoles and seven other closely-related compounds. The 1,2,3-triazoles, nine of which are new, were obtained in good to high yields and only the 1,4-regioisomers were formed.
Multicomponent Facile Synthesis of Highly Substituted [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-a] Pyrimidines
Authors: Adrom Belgheis , Hazeri Nourallah , Lashkari Mojtaba , Maghsoodlou Malek Taher
Published: July 2016

A simple and convenient method for one-pot synthesis of a series of potentially biologically active [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5- a]pyrimidine-6-carboxamide derivatives has been developed in solvent-free conditions using maltose as a commercially available, cheap and eco-friendly catalyst. The salient features of the present protocol are mild reaction conditions, good to excellent yields, high atom economy, benign environmental conditions, easy isolation of products without column chromatography and clean reaction profiles.
Synthesis of Novel Podocarpa-8,11,13-Triene-7- and 13-Nitriles and Evaluation of their Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Villamizar José E. , Angarita Ana Y. , Blanco Frank E. , Taylor Peter G. , Salazar Franklin J.
Published: July 2016

A series of novel podocarpa-8,11,13-triene-7- and 13-nitriles were prepared from the naturally occurring labdane diterpenoid (+)-manool, using podocarp-8(14)-en-13-one and 13-methoxypodocarpa-8,11,13-trien-7-one as key intermediates and TMSCN and acetonitrile as source of the nitrile. The synthesised compounds were screened for cytotoxicity against mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7), human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines (HT-29) and human prostate adenocarcinoma cell lines (PC3) and for anti-inflammatory, as measured by the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production by RAW cells. 7-Oxopodocarpa-8,11,13-triene-13-nitrile exhibited significant inhibition of NO production (IC50 = 6 μM) and was not cytotoxic.
A Novel and Efficient Synthesis of Momelotinib
Authors: Sun Tong , Xu Jiaojiao , Ji Min , Wang Peng
Published: July 2016

An improved route for the synthesis of momelotinib has been developed. A nucleophilic addition reaction between the starting material, 4-morpholinoaniline, and cyanamide gave the 1-(4-morpholinophenyl)guanidine. Simultaneously, methyl 4-acetylbenzoate was converted into methyl ( E)-4-[3-(dimethylamino)acryloyl]benzoate in the presence of N,N-dimethylformamide dimethylacetal. The enaminone intermediate was then condensed at elevated temperature in alcoholic alkali with the 1-(morpholinophenyl)guanidine to form the desired pyrimidine, which was hydrolysed to the corresponding acid. This procedure is simple in operation, without noble metal catalyst and suitable for industrial production. Finally, the desired compound momelotinib was acquired by an amidation reaction.
Impact of Sowing Date Induced Temperature and Management Practices on Development Events and Yield of Mustard
Authors: Khan MSA , Aziz MA
Published: July 2016

The experiment was conducted at the research field of the Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur, during rabi season of 2014-2015 to find out the relationship between different development events of mustard crop and sowing dates induced temperature as well as to minimize the yield reduction of the crop by adopting appropriate management practices. The mustard var. BARI Sarisha-15 was sown on 06, 25 November and 14 December 2014. Crop accumulated lower growing degree days (GDD) i.e., 72.15, 521.10 and 1070 to 1154 °C were observed for the events of emergence, 50 % flowering and maturity on 14 December sowing. Late sown plants took minimum time from flowering to maturity (36 days) due to increased temperature and high variability in both maximum and minimum temperature. The highest seed yield (1569 kg ha-1) was recorded from 06 November sowing with high management practices while the lowest seed yield (435 kg ha-1) from 14 December sowing with low management practices. At high management practices the crop yielded 1183 kg ha-1 at 14 December sowing. Yield reduction at late sowing condition was reduced to some extent with high management practices. The seed yield reductions at 14 December sowing as compared to high management practices at 06 November sowing were 72, 43 and 25% under low, medium and high management, respectively.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(2): 45-52
Physiological Basis of Water Stress Tolerance in Soybean
Authors: Sarkar KK , Mannan MA , Haque MM , Ahmed JU
Published: July 2016

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of water stress on physiological parameters associated to drought tolerance in soybean at the Department of Agronomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh during January to April, 2015. Four soybean genotypes namely i) BU Soybean 1 ii) Binasoybean 1 iii) Galarsum and iv) BARI Soybean 5 were grown in two watering regimes viz. control (80% of the field capacity) and water stress (50% of the field capacity). Genotypic variability was found in water stress tolerance in soybean. Highest accumulation of leaf proline, sugar and water content and lower accumulation of malondialdehyde were found in Binasoybean 1 compared to other genotypes. Lowest yield reduction was found in Binasoybean 1. Binasoybean 1 showed relatively higher drought tolerance whereas BARI Soybean 5 was found susceptible to yield. It was found that higher water stress tolerance in Binasoybean 1 was associated with better water relations and higher accumulation of sugar and proline and lower accumulation of malondialdehyde content in leaf.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(2): 71-78
Assessment of Soil Chemical Properties and Rice Yield in Tidal Submergence Ecosystem
Authors: Mamun MAA , Haque MM , Khaliq QA , Karim MA , Karim AJMS , Mridha Aj , Saleque MA
Published: July 2016

Spatial variability of soil chemical properties is critical for improving rice productivity and sustainable farming techniques. However, a systematic assessment on the spatial variability of tidal ecosystem has not been conducted. So, 144 soil samples were collected across Barisal, Borguna and Jalkhati districts and analyzed for six common chemical properties. Rice yield data was obtained by surveying farmers during crop harvest. Soil parameters and rice yield varied considerably throughout the study areas and their coefficients of variation ranged from 8.77 to 71.04%. Slight variability was observed for soil organic matter (SOM) and available K. The pH of the soils was slightly acidic to alkaline. These paddy fields were characterized by high concentrations of SOM, available P, K and S; but low total N. Rice yield was significantly and positively correlated with pH, available K and S, but negatively correlated with SOM.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(2): 79-87
Target Based Computational Drug Repositioning for Astrocytoma
Authors: Manzoor Maria , Aslam Irum , Azam Shumaila , Khan Zanib
Published: July 2016

Drug reposition is innovative method as it provides new ways to measure drug kinetics, multiplexed assays and others. In drug repositioning already approved drugs are used due to which time is not wasted on initial clinical trials. Market attainment cost for repositioned drugs is far less than the market attainment cost for new drugs. The secondary indications of most of the approved drugs and the availability of approved drug databases can provide an efficient way of searching safer drugs for new indications. Drug repositioning can provide an alternative method to explore the safe anti-cancer agents. Astrocytoma is the one type of Brain tumor. There are four types of Astrocytoma which arise in different part of the brain. The type IV that is Glioblastoma is very aggressive form of it. Many genes are involved in spreading of this disease but it is normally caused by Tp53. Mutations in the Tp53 gene are identified in about 28% of de novo GBM and 65% of secondary , thus indicating that Tp53 abnormalities are common in the progression of disease. The structure for Tp53 protein was obtained from RCSB PDB: RCSB Protein Data Bank. For repositioning Drugs are randomly selected from Drug Bank. Those drugs which have fewer side effects as compared to the drugs for Glioblastoma are selected as a candidate compounds for docking. Patch Dock server was used to perform molecular docking. Then among all selected drugs, some drugs are reposition on the basis of significant binding interactions with target protein TP53.Manzoor et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, July 2016, 5(8): 63-68http://www.icpjonline.com/documents/Vol5Issue8/01.pdf
The role of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum lipid profile measurements to detect cardiovascular diseases in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Naeem Muhammad , Khattak Rehman Mehmood , Rehman Mati Ur , Khattak Muhammad Nasir Khan
Published: July 2016

Patients with diabetes are considered to be at more risk of dyslipidemia and hypertension, hence targets for cardiovascular diseases. This study describes the possible role of Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum lipid profile as a biomarker in the detection of cardiovascular diseases. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 54 (33 males and 21 females) type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH), Abbottabad and Mardan Medical Complex (MMC), Mardan, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. The control group comprised of 20 (13 males and 7 females) healthy human samples. The patients had significantly higher (p<0.05) Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), HbA1c, Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG) compared to control subjects. Only High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) was found to be significantly (p<0.05) lower in the patients compared to controls. With regards to gender, in the female patients SBP, DBP, TC and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to males patients. The HbA1c was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in males. Results also revealed that patients having HbA1c>7.0%, had higher TG than those with HbA1c?7.0%. Furthermore, 14.2% patients with HbA1c>7.0% had cerebrovascular diseases and 28% have ischemic heart diseases. The findings of the current study suggests association of HbA1c with lipid profile in T2DM patients and both might be used as a predictor of cardiovascular diseases in such patients.South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.5(2) 2015: 30-34
The Many Encounters of Deleuze and Marxism
Authors: Sotiris Panagiotis
Published: July 2016

Deleuze's and Guattari's work on schizoanalysis represented an important shift towards a dialogue with Marx and his critique of political economy but in the 1970s prominent Marxists attacked Deleuze (and Guattari) as anti-Marxist. This attitude marked one of the most important missed encounters between Marxism and other theoretical currents. However, there have been important recent contributions that bring forward not only the political character of Deleuze's theoretical endeavour, his critique of capitalist social forms, his conception of social practice and struggle, but also the linkages with the Marxian and Marxist concepts. The aim of this article is to highlight some aspects of the many dialogues between Deleuze and Marxism.
The Production of Indebted Subjects: Capitalism and Melancholia
Authors: Jeong Boram
Published: July 2016

In the essay ‘Postscript on the Societies of Control’, Deleuze discusses the differences between nineteenth-century capitalism and contemporary capitalism, characterising the former as the spaces of enclosure and the latter as the open circuits of the bank. In contemporary capitalism, ‘[m]an is no longer man enclosed, but man in debt’ ( Deleuze 1992 : 6). Deleuze claims that under financial capitalism, where the primary use of money is self-generation, economic relations are thought in terms of an asymmetrical power relationship between debtor and creditor, rather than an exchange between commodities. Taking up Deleuze's claim, this paper analyses how time functions in the formation of subjectivity under financial capitalism, by focusing on the temporal structure of debt. The indebted are expected to bind themselves to the past, not only in the moment they make a promise to pay back, but from that moment onwards; in this process, a subject finds himself passively subjected to the temporality determined by the condition of indebtedness, and yet he also actively reproduces and imposes the fact of indebtedness on himself by the feeling of guilt. Guilt, arising from the irreversibility of what has been done and resulting in the inability to proceed into the future, is central both to the indebted and the melancholic. Thus a melancholic subject emerges: a subject conditioned by the dominance of the past and the impossibility of the future.
The Evaluation of Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid on Physiological Characteristics, Proline and Essential Oil Content of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under Normal and Heat Stress Conditions
Authors: Ghasemi Mojtaba , Modarresi Mohammad , Babaeian Jelodar Nadali , Bagheri Nadali , Jamali Abbas
Published: July 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid concentrations on the physiological and biochemical traits and essential oil content of chamomile under normal and heat stress conditions as induced by delayed sowing. The experiments were conducted during 2011–2012 as a factorial using a randomized complete block design with three replications, in a very hot region. The factors included five salicylic acid concentrations (0 (control), 1, 10, 25 and 100 mg·L−1) and three chamomile cultivars (Bushehr, Bona, Bodegold). The seeds of chamomile were sown on two different sowing dates including an optimum planting date and a late planting date. The physiological traits (plant height, capitol diameter, 1000 grain weight, fresh and dried flower weight), total chlorophyll, proline and essential oil content were investigated. Analysis of variance showed that the effect of the environmental conditions (normal and heat stress) was significant on all physiological and biochemical traits with the exception of the essential oil content. The heat stress decreased physiological traits and total chlorophyll in comparison with the normal conditions but it had no significant effect on the essential oil content. Findings indicated that the application of exogenous salicylic acid improves essential oil content in chamomile cultivars under environmental heat stress conditions.
Complex Fluids in Energy Dissipating Systems
Authors: Galindo-Rosales Francisco
Published: July 2016

The development of engineered systems for energy dissipation (or absorption) during impacts or vibrations is an increasing need in our society, mainly for human protection applications, but also for ensuring the right performance of different sort of devices, facilities or installations. In the last decade, new energy dissipating composites based on the use of certain complex fluids have flourished, due to their non-linear relationship between stress and strain rate depending on the flow/field configuration. This manuscript intends to review the different approaches reported in the literature, analyses the fundamental physics behind them and assess their pros and cons from the perspective of their practical applications.
Characteristics of Ultrafine Particles and Their Relationships with Meteorological Factors and Trace Gases in Wuhan, Central China
Authors: Zhang Tianhao , Zhu Zhongmin , Gong Wei , Xiang Hao , Li Ying , Cui Zhenzhen
Published: July 2016

Ultrafine particles with a diameter below 1 μm are strongly linked to traffic and industrial emissions, causing a growing global health concern. In order to reveal the characteristics of ultrafine particles in central China, which makes up the sparse research in industrial cities of a developing country, particle number concentrations (PNC) together with meteorological parameters and concentrations of trace gases were measured over one year in Wuhan. The number concentration of ultrafine particles peaked in winter and was the lowest in summer across the entire size range monitored. Further, particles with a diameter smaller than 30 nm increased dramatically in concentration with decreasing diameter. The monthly averaged number concentrations of particles discriminated in three size ranges formed a near- inverse parabolic distribution peaking in January. This trend is supported by a negative correlation between PNC and precipitation, temperature, and mixing layer height, which emphasizes the effect of these meteorological parameters on scouring, convection, and diffusion of particles. However, since wind not only disperses particulate matter but also brings in exogenous particles, wind speed plays an equivocal role in particle number concentrations. The diurnal analysis indicates that hourly measurements of trace gases concentrations could be used as a proxy for dense industrial activities and to reveal some complex chemical reactions. The results of this study offer reasonable estimations of particle impacts and provide references for policymaking of emission control in the industrial cities of developing countries.
Overview of Skin Whitening Agents: Drugs and Cosmetic Products
Authors: Couteau Céline , Coiffard Laurence
Published: July 2016

Depigmentation and skin lightening products, which have been in use for ages in Asian countries where skin whiteness is a major esthetic criterion, are now also highly valued by Western populations, who expose themselves excessively to the sun and develop skin spots as a consequence. After discussing the various possible mechanisms of depigmentation, the different molecules that can be used as well as the status of the products containing them will now be presented. Hydroquinone and derivatives thereof, retinoids, alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, ascorbic acid, divalent ion chelators, kojic acid, azelaic acid, as well as diverse herbal extracts are described in terms of their efficacy and safety. Since a genuine effect (without toxic effects) is difficult to obtain, prevention by using sunscreen products is always preferable.
Efficiency Bound of Local Z-Estimators on Discrete Sample Spaces
Authors: Kanamori Takafumi
Published: July 2016

Many statistical models over a discrete sample space often face the computational difficulty of the normalization constant. Because of that, the maximum likelihood estimator does not work. In order to circumvent the computation difficulty, alternative estimators such as pseudo-likelihood and composite likelihood that require only a local computation over the sample space have been proposed. In this paper, we present a theoretical analysis of such localized estimators. The asymptotic variance of localized estimators depends on the neighborhood system on the sample space. We investigate the relation between the neighborhood system and estimation accuracy of localized estimators. Moreover, we derive the efficiency bound. The theoretical results are applied to investigate the statistical properties of existing estimators and some extended ones.
Study on the Criteria for the Determination of the Road Load Correlation for Automobiles and an Analysis of Key Factors
Authors: Kim Charyung , Lee Hyunwoo , Park Yongsung , Myung Cha-Lee , Park Simsoo
Published: July 2016

To determine the fuel economy and emissions of a vehicle using a chassis dynamometer, the load to which the vehicle is subjected when it actually runs on a road, or the road load specifications, must be simulated when the dynamometer is applied. The most commonly used method to measure road load specifications is coastdown testing. Currently, road load is measured and provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle. Verification of the accuracy of the manufacturer’s reported road load specifications by a third party may reveal that the specifications are inaccurate, possibly because of different testing locations, test drivers or test equipment. This study aims at identifying key factors that can affect a vehicle’s road load correlation by using experimental design and deriving criteria for determining the correlation based on the energy difference.
Analysis and Performance Improvement of WPT Systems in the Environment of Single Non-Ferromagnetic Metal Plates
Authors: Tan Linlin , Li Jiacheng , Chen Chen , Yan Changxin , Guo Jinpeng , Huang Xueliang
Published: July 2016

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is greatly affected when the transmission channel is surrounded by non-ferromagnetic metallic objects and the alternating magnetic field interacts with the metal conductor, which is more of an issue in wirelessly charged electric vehicle (EV) applications. This paper analyses the performances of a WPT system in an environment with a non-ferromagnetic metal plate. The impedance model of the WPT system in the metal environment is established. Moreover the variation law of a coil’s equivalent inductance and resistance is deduced when the coil is surrounded by the non-ferromagnetic metal plate. Meanwhile, simulations, theory and experiments all confirm that the model is correct. Finally, since the system performance of a wireless charging system is influenced by non-ferromagnetic metals, this paper puts forward a method to improve the performance, that is, to place ferrite cores between the receiving coil and a metal plate. Experiments are carried out to verify the method, and the desired results are achieved.
Timber Regulation and Value Chain in Community-Based Timber Enterprise and Smallholder Forestry in the Philippines
Authors: Pulhin Juan , Ramirez Mark
Published: July 2016

Forest tenure reform has no doubt attained significant gains in promoting social justice and equity in the forest sector, through legal recognition of the communities’ property rights over forest lands in many developing countries. This includes the right to harvest and market trees that the communities planted. Along these lines, the Philippines’ community-based forest management (CBFM) and smallholder forestry have the potential to meet the country’s wood demand and contribute to its poverty alleviation goal. Realities on the ground, however, make this lofty aspiration seems too far-fetched. Formal and informal barriers along the timber value chain restrict the growth and obstruct opportunities for community-based timber enterprises (CBTEs) and smallholder forestry. Using the case of CBFM and smallholder forestry in the Visayas and Mindanao Islands in the Philippines, respectively, this paper examines the hurdles posed by regulations and informal practices, such as restrictive policies and increased transaction costs, through a segment analysis of the timber value chain. It argues that failure to address these barriers would lead to the decline of CBTEs and smallholder enterprises, thus undermining the merits of the forest tenure reform.
Windmill Noise Annoyance, Visual Aesthetics, and Attitudes towards Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Klæboe Ronny , Sundfør Hanne
Published: July 2016

A small focused socio-acoustic after-study of annoyance from a windmill park was undertaken after local health officials demanded a health impact study to look into neighborhood complaints. The windmill park consists of 31 turbines and is located in the South of Norway where it affects 179 dwellings. Simple exposure-effect relationships indicate stronger reactions to windmills and wind turbine noise than shown internationally, with the caveat that the sample size is small (n = 90) and responses are colored by the existing local conflict. Pulsating swishing sounds and turbine engine hum are the main causes of noise annoyance. About 60 per cent of those who participated in the survey were of the opinion that windmills degrade the landscape aesthetically, and were far from convinced that land-based windmills are desirable as a renewable energy source (hydropower is an important alternative source of renewables in Norway). Attitudes play an important role in addition to visual aesthetics in determining the acceptance of windmills and the resulting noise annoyance. To compare results from different wind turbine noise studies it seems necessary to assess the impact of important modifying factors.
Multilevel Analysis of Socioeconomic Determinants on Diabetes Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Self-Management in Ethnic Minorities of Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Su Rong , Cai Le , Cui Wenlong , He Jianhui , You Dingyun , Golden Allison
Published: July 2016

Objectives: The objective of this manuscript is to investigate socioeconomic differences in prevalence, awareness, treatment and self-management of diabetes among ethnic minority groups in Yunnan Province, China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a sample of 5532 Na Xi, Li Su, Dai and Jing Po ethnic minorities. Multilevel modeling was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for diabetes prevalence, as well as the other outcomes. Results: Higher individual educational level was associated with a higher rate of awareness, treatment, adherence to medicines and monitoring of blood glucose (OR = 1.87, 4.89, 4.83, 6.45; 95% CI: 1.26–2.77, 1.87–12.7, 1.95–11.9, 2.23–18.6, respectively). Diabetic respondents with better household assets tended to receive more treatment (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.11–7.12) and to monitor their blood glucose (OR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.48–7.30). Diabetic patients with better access to medical services were more likely to treat (OR = 7.09, 95% CI: 2.46–20.4) and adhere to medication (OR = 4.14, 95% CI: 1.46–11.7). Income at the contextual level was significantly correlated with diabetes prevalence, treatment and blood glucose monitoring (OR = 1.84, 3.04, 4.34; 95% CI: 1.20–2.83, 1.20–7.73, 1.45–13.0, respectively). Conclusions: Future diabetes prevention and intervention programs should take both individual and township-level socioeconomic factors into account in the study regions.
Extraction and Reconstruction of Zebra Crossings from High Resolution Aerial Images
Authors: Sun Yanbiao , Zhang Fan , Gao Yunlong , Huang Xianfeng
Published: July 2016

In this paper, an automatic approach for zebra crossing extraction and reconstruction from high-resolution aerial images is proposed. In the extraction procedure, zebra crossings are extracted by the JointBoost classifier based on GLCM (Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix) features and 2D Gabor Features. In the reconstruction procedure, a geometric parameter model based on spatial repeatability relationships is globally fitted to reconstruct the geometric shape of zebra crossings. Additionally, a group of representative experiments is conducted to test the proposed method under interfered conditions, such as zebra crossings covered by pedestrians, shadows and color fading. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed extraction method is compared with the template matching method. Finally, the results show the validation of our proposed method, both in the extraction and reconstruction of zebra crossings.
Comparative Analysis for the Presence of IgG Anti-Aquaporin-1 in Patients with NMO-Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Sánchez Gomar Ismael , Díaz Sánchez María , Uclés Sánchez Antonio , Casado Chocán José , Suárez-Luna Nela , Ramírez-Lorca Reposo , Villadiego Javier , Toledo-Aral Juan , Echevarría Miriam
Published: July 2016

Detection of IgG anti-Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in serum of patients with Neuromyelitis optica syndrome disorders (NMOSD) has improved diagnosis of these processes and differentiation from Multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent findings also claim that a subgroup of patients with NMOSD, serum negative for IgG-anti-AQP4, present antibodies anti-AQP1 instead. Explore the presence of IgG-anti-AQP1 using a previously developed cell-based assay (CBA) highly sensitive to IgG-anti-AQP4. Serum of 205 patients diagnosed as NMOSD (8), multiple sclerosis (94), optic neuritis (39), idiopathic myelitis (29), other idiopathic demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system (9), other neurological diseases (18) and healthy controls (8), were used in a CBA over fixed HEK cells transfected with hAQP1-EGFP or hM23-AQP4-EGFP, treated with Triton X-100 and untreated. ELISA was also performed. Analysis of serum with our CBA indicated absence of anti-AQP1 antibodies, whereas in cells pretreated with detergent, noisy signal made reliable detection impossible. ELISA showed positive results in few serums. The low number of NMOSD serums included in our study reduces its power to conclude the specificity of AQP1 antibodies as new biomarkers of NMOSD. Our study does not sustain detection of anti-AQP1 in serum of NMOSD patients but further experiments are expected.