bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A theoretical study of the bowl-to-bowl inversion of sumanene derivatives
Authors: Amaya Toru , Sakane Hiroyuki , Nakata Takuto , Hirao Toshikazu
Published: March 2010

A theoretical study was conducted on the bowl-to-bowl inversion of sumanene: its benzylic mono-, di-, and trianion species and its mono-, di-, and trinaphthosumanenes. The use of B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) for the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)-optimized geometries approximately reproduced the experimental values for the bowl-to-bowl inversion of sumanene, and its benzylic mono- and dianion species. The value for the trianion was estimated to be around 21 kcal/mol using the above levels. The investigation of naphthosumanenes clearly indicated a noted increase in the inversion barrier with additional fused rings. The calculated inversion barrier for mononaphthosumanene also correctly reproduced the experimental value (32.2 kcal/mol) using the above levels (31.4 kcal/mol). The calculated barrier for trinaphthosumanene reached 63.8 kcal/mol, therefore, the bowl-to-bowl inversion is less likely to occur under realistic conditions.
Liquid Chromatography–Isotope Dilution–Mass Spectrometry as a New Basis for the Reference Measurement Procedure for Hemoglobin A1c Determination
Authors: Kaiser Patricia , Akerboom Theodorus , Ohlendorf Rüdiger , Reinauer Hans
Published: March 2010

Background: Standardization of hemoglobin (Hb)A1c measurements is a process of considerable interest for quality assurance in diabetes management. To contribute to continuous quality improvement and fulfillment of the requirements for reference measurement procedures according to the standards of the International Organization for Standardization, we developed a calibration system of highest metrological order using isotope dilution–mass spectrometry with a reference material.

Method: Samples were prepared by enzymatic cleavage based on the IFCC reference measurement procedure for LC-MS analysis. After digestion the samples were spiked with [D7]-labeled glycated and nonglycated hexapeptides as internal standards for quantification. LC-MS analysis was performed by using a C12 reversed-phase column and a gradient of acetonitrile/H2O containing 0.1% formic acid.

Results: Calibration systems for HbA1c determination based on liquid chromatography–isotope dilution–mass spectrometry (LC-ID-MS) and on the IFCC reference measurement procedure were compared. A linear regression analysis demonstrated a correlation of r2 = 1.00 between the 2 different calibration systems. Mean deviation was 5.5% for the calibration and 3.3% for hemolysate samples, with a mean expanded uncertainty of 4.9%.

Conclusions: This LC-ID-MS procedure allows the current IFCC reference measurement procedure for HbA1c to be raised to a higher order of accuracy.
Reproducibility in Serial C-Reactive Protein and Interleukin-6 Measurements in Post–Myocardial Infarction Patients: Results from the AIRGENE Study
Authors: Karakas Mahir , Baumert Jens , Greven Sonja , Rückerl Regina , Peters Annette , Koenig Wolfgang
Published: March 2010

Background: Among the numerous emerging biomarkers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have received widespread interest, and a large database has been accumulated on their potential role as predictors of cardiovascular risk. The concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers, however, are influenced, among other things, by physiological variation, which is the natural within-individual variation occurring over time. Implementation of hsCRP and IL-6 measurement into clinical practice requires data on the reliability of such measurements.

Methods: We serially measured hsCRP and IL-6 concentrations in up to 6 blood samples taken at monthly intervals from 200 post–myocardial infarction patients who participated in the AIRGENE study.

Results: The mean (SD) of the ln-transformed plasma concentrations (in milligrams per liter for hsCRP and nanograms per liter for IL-6) for all participants over all samples was 0.16 (1.04) for hsCRP and 0.76 (0.57) for IL-6, with no significant differences between men and women. The within-individual and analytical variance component for the ln-transformed hsCRP data was 0.37, and the between-individual variance component was 0.73. For the ln-transformed IL-6 data, these values were 0.11 and 0.22, respectively. A substantial part of the total variation in plasma hsCRP and IL-6 concentrations was explained by the between-individual variation (as a percentage of the total variance, 66.1% for the ln-transformed hsCRP data and 66.2% for the ln-transformed IL-6 data). For both markers, 2 measurements were needed to reach a sufficient reliability.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate considerable stability and good reproducibility for serial hsCRP and IL-6 measurements. Thus, there should be no major concern about misclassification in clinical practice if at least 2 subsequent measurements are taken.
Rhabdomyolysis: historical background, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features
Authors: Cervellin Gianfranco , Comelli Ivan , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: March 2010

Rhabdomyolysis, a term used to describe the rapid breakdown of striated muscle, is characterized by rupture and necrosis of muscle fibers. This process results in the release of cell breakdown products into the bloodstream and extracellular space. Although direct muscle injury remains the most common cause of muscle injury, additional causes include hereditary enzyme disorders, drugs, toxins, endocrinopathies, malignant hyperthermia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, heatstroke, hypothermia, electrolyte alterations, diabetic ketoacidosis and non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma, severe hypo- or hyperthyroidism and bacterial or viral infections. The classic triad of symptoms includes muscle pain, weakness and dark urine, although more than 50% of the patients do not complain of muscle pain or weakness. Additional systemic symptoms include fever, general malaise, tachycardia, nausea and vomiting. The laboratory diagnosis is based essentially on the measurement of creatine kinase in serum or plasma. Plasma and urine myoglobin measurement might be useful in the early stages of the syndrome and for identifying a subset of patients with minor skeletal muscle injury. Patient monitoring is pivotal (the mortality rate is as high as 8%), and should be focused on preventing the detrimental consequences, that often include renal disease and coagulopathy. In the pre-hospital setting, forced hydration with 1.5–2 L of sterile saline solution should be started immediately, followed by 1.5–2 L/h. Following hospital admission, continuous hydration should be ensured, alternating the saline solution with a 5% glucose solution. In the presence of myoglobinuria, urine should be alkalinized by use of sodium bicarbonate solution.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:749–56.
Diagnostic performance of anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis: the relevance of likelihood ratios
Authors: Pietrapertosa Donatello , Tolusso Barbara , Gremese Elisa , Papalia Maria Concetta , Bosello Silvia Laura , Peluso Giusy , Petricca Luca , Michelutti Alessandro , Faustini Francesca , Fedele Anna Laura , Ferraccioli Gianfranco
Published: March 2010

Background: The goal of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (anti-CCP2) assay in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Methods: We tested the specificity and sensitivity of anti-CCP2 antibodies measured by ELISA in 787 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 1024 patients with other autoimmune/inflammatory rheumatic disease and 401 subjects without autoimmune rheumatic disease. The optimal cut-off value was defined as the value with the highest diagnostic accuracy (receiver operating characteristic curve analysis). Interval-specific likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated for each range bounded by defined anti-CCP2 values.

Results: To distinguish between patients with RA and controls, the cut-off value with the highest diagnostic accuracy for anti-CCP2 was 2.8 U/mL. Comparing the optimal cut-off value for anti-CCP2 to that recommended by the manufacturer (5.0 U/mL), an increase in prevalence between the proportions of test-positive patients was found for RA, undifferentiated connective tissue disease and undifferentiated arthritis. Evaluating interval-specific LRs for the selected ranges bound by two anti-CCP2 values, in RA and diseased controls, the LRs were 0.40 for values <5.0 U/mL, 6.66 for 5.0–15.0 U/mL, 27.01 for 15.1–30.0 U/mL and 28.89 for >30.0 U/mL.

Conclusions: The cut-off value of 2.8 U/mL for anti-CCP2 has the highest diagnostic accuracy. A value of anti-CCP2 >15 U/mL is associated with an increase in the likelihood of RA disease.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:829–34.
Interpretation of serum parathyroid hormone concentrations in dialysis patients: what do the KDIGO guidelines change for the clinical laboratory?
Authors: Souberbielle Jean-Claude , Cavalier Etienne , Jean Guillaume
Published: March 2010

The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) have recently replaced the K/DOQI guidelines to help nephrologists in diagnosing, treating and monitoring chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD). Here, we comment on the KDIGO recommendations concerning the interpretation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in dialysis patients: “In patients with CKD stage 5D, we suggest maintaining iPTH in the range of approximately two to nine times the upper normal limit of the assay. We suggest that marked changes in PTH concentrations in either direction within this range prompt an initiation or change in therapy to avoid progression to concentrations outside of this range”. Our comments concern the interpretation of PTH in dialysis patients, but also the more global problem of establishing normal values for PTH.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:769–74.
On Normal Numbers and Powers of Algebraic Numbers
Authors: Kaneko Hajime
Published: March 2010

Let

Our results show, for example, the following: Let

for all large
Convolution Identities for Stirling Numbers of the First Kind
Authors: Agoh Takashi , Dilcher Karl
Published: March 2010

We derive several new convolution identities for the Stirling numbers of the first kind. As a consequence we obtain a new linear recurrence relation which generalizes known relations.
Neuerscheinungen auf dem Fachwörterbuchmarkt
Authors: Lück Erich
Published: March 2010

Der Sprachkundige braucht Fachwörterbücher. Oft erscheinen sie in wenig bekannten Verlagen. Wir möchten unsere Leser auf Neuerscheinungen aufmerksam machen. Die bibliographischen Angaben sind den Nationalbibliographien, Verlagsprospekten oder anderen Quellen entnommen und werden ohne Gewähr wiedergegeben.
Hämnd, vedergällning och straff
Authors: Molander Joakim
Published: March 2010

I den moderna straffrättsliga diskussionen framhålls det ofta att straff ska utdömas på rationella och inte emotionella grunder. Rättssystemet ska sålunda inte hänge sig åt “primitiva hämndaktioner” utan systematiskt arbeta för att förebygga brott och mänskligt lidande. Förutom att ett sådant synsätt har tydliga utilitaristiska förtecken så innehåller det också starka retoriska inslag eftersom det sätts likhetstecken mellan brottsprevention och rationalitet, medan moralisk indignation och krav på rättvisa endast beskrivs i termer av primitiva, emotionella hämndbegär.

I den här artikeln har jag för avsikt att genom en analys av vedergällningsbegreppet visa att vedergällningens logik är rotad i vårt sätt att förhålla oss moraliskt till varandra – att den är ett uttryck för vår livsform. Jag kommer vidare att försöka åskådliggöra att vedergällningen är moraliskt sofistikerad snarare än primitiv. Slutligen kommer jag att framhålla att vedergällningens logik är en viktig komponent i vårt straffbegrepp, men att vedergällning och straff ändå måste särskiljas.

Jag vill redan nu klargöra att jag i artikeln utgår från en analys av vår “vardagliga” användning av begreppsom ‘hämnd’, ‘vedergällning’ och ‘straff’. Det betyder att jag högst medvetet har valt att inte utgå från en teoretisk filosofisk diskussion om straffets rättfärdigande. Jag vill heller intepresentera någon ny form av retributivistisk teori, utan nöjer mig med att göra anmärkningar om hur vi faktiskt använder de begrepp som här särskådas.
Interpretability, Perceptual Sensibilities and Triangulation
Authors: Marvan Tomáš
Published: March 2010

The paper examines the question whether the perceptual and discriminatory capacities of a creature and its disposition to react to things and events determine the nature and limits of what it is able to communicate and understand. Does a significant divergence in perceptual and discriminatory sensibilities of two creatures threaten the possibility of their mutual comprehensibility? It is argued, with the help of Donald Davidson's recent idea of ‘triangulation’, that this is indeed the case. By introducing into his theoretical framework the notion of triangulation as a necessary precondition of mastering a language, Davidson is forced to admit the possibility of a breakdown of communication between creatures that do not have sufficiently similar evolutionary histories—his own claims to the contrary nothwithstanding. And this, in turn, seems to threaten his claims about the impossibility of the notion of a language that we could not interpret in our own terms.
Mündigkeit und Tugend. – David Hume, Immanuel Kant und Adam Smith über Dispositionen zu moralischem Handeln und Strategien, sich der moralischen Verpfl ichtung zu entziehen
Authors: Fricke Christel
Published: March 2010

Moral principles are universally valid, valid for all human beings in so far as they are mature, responsible and of a sound mind – this idea is an essential part of our understanding of morality. Moral principles do not allow for any exceptions. Therefore, we expect from every person we take for mature and responsible to do her or his moral duty. This does not mean that we are naive about the moral goodness of human beings. We just cannot give up this expectation without considering a person as immature and irresponsible, as not being provided with a sound mind so that we cannot blame her or him for any moral failure. Any analysis of moral motivation therefore has to explain both that all responsible persons can and must have a disposition to moral agency and that for all of them this disposition is somehow privileged so that, in a case of confl icting dispositions of volition and action, it is the moral dispositions that finally determine the aim or purpose of the action. On this background, the theories of moral motivation provided by David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and Adam Smith are compared. Whereas Hume seems to give up the whole idea of universal validity of moral principles and moral obligation, both Kant and Smith try to explain how dispositions to moral agency can be as omnipresent and motivationally strong as they should be – given the implication of our moral expectations. However, both theories meet with essential difficulties because they cannot exclude the influence of contingent factors on the moral motivation of a responsible person.
Kant and Plato
Authors: Serck-Hanssen Camilla , Emilsson Eyjólfur K.
Published: March 2010

It is commonly assumed that Kant is indebted to Aristotle not to Plato. In this paper we argue, however, that the following four central topics in Kant's philosophy must be recognized as having Platonic roots. 1. The idea that metaphysics is a system of synthetic apriori judgements and the idea that such judgments require pure intuition. 2. The idea that geometrical objects have a certain purposiveness. 3. The notion of dialectic. 4. The notion of ideas and their role in the sphere of cognition and morality.
Ethics in the Tractatus and Imaginative Understanding
Authors: Christensen Anne-Marie
Published: March 2010

This article investigates the resolute readings account of Wittgenstein's early remarks on ethics, especially the claim that there are no ethical sentences. According to Cora Diamond a Wittgensteinian ethics therefore relies on a particular type of imaginative understanding consisting in taking nonsense for sense. I argue that that there are some problems connected to Diamonds reading of the remarks on ethics in the Tractatus and that these mainly stem .from her not seeing the importance of a particular concept of showing for Wittgenstein's work.
Hydrogen Embrittlement in Metallic Amorphous Alloys: An Overview
Authors: Jayalakshmi S. , Fleury E.
Published: March 2010

In hydrogen-related energy technologies, the selection of materials is critical since hydrogen can modify the initial microstructure and induce damage that could result in the reduction of mechanical properties and embrittlement. In this context, metallic amorphous alloys are viable candidates due to their high hydrogen solubility. Earlier studies demonstrated the positive interaction of hydrogen with amorphous alloys. However, similar to crystalline metals, embrittlement by hydrogen was also reported. In order to clarify the role of hydrogen in this class of alloys, we present an overview on the hydrogen interaction and embrittlement, encompassing results from published studies and from our own investigations on several Zr-, Ni-, and Ti-based amorphous alloy systems. The importance of the constituent elements and composition in determining the structure, hydrogenation kinetics, and hydrogen absorption capacity were brought out. The resistance to embrittlement varies upon the alloy system, constituent elements, and atomic packing of the amorphous alloy. In metalloid-free amorphous alloys, the bending ductility and tensile fracture strength of thin ribbons could be preserved up to a critical concentration beyond which hydrogen degradation occurs. The value of this critical concentration was found to vary from a few percent to about 45 at. % H. The mechanism of embrittlement induced by hydrogen was identified from the correlation of the observed changes in structural, thermal, and mechanical properties. It was found that hydrogen plays a prime role in altering the local atomic structure by reordering the nearest neighbor atomic configuration. The structural dilatation so produced was found to be the source of hydrogen-induced failure in these amorphous alloys. Also a “hydrogen concentration versus dilatation” map has been proposed, which would serve as a tool to predict the hydrogen-induced ductile-to-brittle transition in these alloys.
The Potential of Biodiesel Production from Fatty Acid Methyl Esters of Some European/Mediterranean and Cosmopolitan Halophyte Seed Oils
Authors: Sotiroudis Vassilios T. , Sotiroudis Theodore G. , Kolisis Fragiskos N.
Published: March 2010

Biodiesel fuel, mainly produced from edible vegetable oils, has been proposed as a renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. However, there is growing concern about its role in rising food prices, accelerating deforestation, and displacing existing agricultural production. Moreover, given the progressive shortages of freshwater resources and arable land, a major target of investigations is to evaluate the potential utilization of promising salt-tolerant halophytic non-food crops for the sustainable production of oil-rich biomass, which will be converted to fuel. In this paper, an attempt has been made to look into the potential of the exploitation of native halophytic plants in European and Mediterranean arid or semi-arid lands that can prosper in seawater or brackish waters for diesel production in Europe. Fatty acid (FA) profiles of seed oils of 37 European and Mediterranean halophytic plant species including some of cosmopolitan distribution were examined. The saponification number, iodine value (IV), cetane index (CI), and gross heat of combustion of FA methyl esters (FAMEs) of oils were calculated from reported FAMEs compositions, and they varied from 165.3 to 193.3, from 71.8 to 173.7, from 35.9 to 60.0, and from 39.86 to 40.41 MJ/kg, respectively. FA seed oil content and composition, IV, CI, linolenic acid ME, and polyunsaturated ME (with ≥4 double bonds) contents were used to predict the quality of FAME of oil for use as biodiesel, according to EN 14214 European standard. Crithmum maritimum and Crambe maritima, having more than 30 % fixed oil in their seeds, were found most suitable as alternative vegetable oil sources for the production of biodiesel.
Measurement of Micro Region Creep Deformation in the Multi-Layer Coating with Digital Speckle Correlation System
Authors: Chen Jianjun , Zhang Hongyu , Tu Shantung , Xuan Fuzhen , Wang Zhengdong
Published: March 2010

A micro region measuring system has been developed to achieve the time-dependent deformation of multi-layer coating at high temperature. The proposed system uses a long-distance microscope and digital speckle correlation method to evaluate the full creep strain fields, which is especially suited for the long-term measurement of the nonuniform deformation. The creep tension tests are performed to obtain the creep strain distribution and evolution inside the thermal barrier coating specimen. According to the deformation measured from different micro regions, we obtained some fundamental knowledge about the time-dependent behavior of the failure mechanism in multi-layer coatings. The accuracy of the new measuring system and the corresponding error analyses are also discussed in this paper.
A Full Scale In Situ Evaluation of Strain Characteristics at Highway Flexible Pavement Sections
Authors: Seo Youngguk
Published: March 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate the strain characteristics in asphalt pavements with respect to five in situ factors: Layer thickness, vehicle speed, axle weight, pavement temperature, and lateral distance between loading tire and sensor (i.e., loading offset). Two sets of moving load tests have been performed at three asphalt sections (A14, A5, and A8) selected from the Korea Highway Corporation Test Road. Design variables for those sections included base thickness (80, 180, and 280 mm) and base type (BB1, BB3, and aggregate). A three-axle (single-tandem) dump truck was adopted as a loading source, and steel plates were added to simulate heavy axle loads. Each pavement section was loaded at different speeds ranging from 20 to 80 km/h and was tested in different seasons from 2003 to 2004. In addition, the effect of loading offset was investigated with seven loading courses in one of the sections in 2006. This study first demonstrated that the rank between longitudinal and transverse strains can be changed as pavement ages under different temperatures. With multiple regression analysis on 123 data collected, a relation between field testing variables and the maximum strains in both directions was created to further understand statistical contributions of individual variables to stain anisotropy characteristics. As a result, both pavement temperature and layer thickness were found to be the most significant field variables.
On the Evaluation of Setting Time of Cement Paste Based on ASTM C403 Penetration Resistance Test
Authors: Chung Chul-Woo , Mroczek Maciej , Park In-Young , Struble Leslie J.
Published: March 2010

The standard setting test for setting of cement paste, ASTM C191, uses a very stiff dough with a low water content and does not give information about the gradual microstructural development over time due to hydration; but the standard test for concrete, ASTM C403, can be used on cement paste, is not limited to paste with low water content, and does give information about microstructural development. In this study, the C403 test procedure was modified to provide more reproducible data for cement paste, with the most important modification being to not remove bleed water. Since the purpose of ASTM C403 is to measure time of setting of mortar extracted from concrete, the values of penetration resistance in paste that correspond to initial and final set in concrete were determined: These values were 2 MPa for initial set and 14 MPa for final set.
Characterization of the Tensile Properties of Open Graded Friction Course Mixtures Based on Direct and Indirect Tension Tests
Authors: Koh Chulseung , Roque Reynaldo
Published: March 2010

There are several issues of concern regarding indirect tension testing systems to evaluate and characterize tensile properties of open graded friction course (OGFC) mixture. It is necessary to evaluate the Superpave Indirect Tension Test (IDT) in terms of its ability to accurately determine tensile properties of OGFC mixture with an independent testing system. For this purpose, Superpave IDT and Dog-Bone Direct Tension Test (DBDT) were performed in resilient and creep loading modes to determine tensile properties of dense graded and OGFC mixture. It is also necessary to further verify with asphalt mixture, previously established correction factors based on three-dimensional finite element analysis to determine mixture properties accurately from the DBDT testing system. Prior verification was based only on polymer specimen of known properties. The tensile properties of dense graded and OGFC mixtures were successfully obtained with both testing systems employed in this study. Both Superpave IDT and DBDT provided reasonable and consistent test results with respect to test temperature, aging, and binder modification. Observed differences in creep response between the two were explained by well known phenomena involving effects of stress state on mixture properties (lower creep rate were obtained in Superpave IDT where the mixture is subjected to greater confinement). Thus, continued use of the Superpave IDT is recommended because it provides reasonable properties and is much more practical than DBDT. However, relationships to account for stress state effects need to be considered for mechanisms involving uniaxial stress states. DBDT creep compliance is more appropriate for uniaxial stress states (surface tension away from tires), while Superpave IDT creep compliance is more appropriate for stress states involving confinement (bottom or near-surface tension between tires).
Haydn, meter, and listening in transition
Authors: Grant Roger
Published: March 2010

In recent years, music theorists and analysts have devoted a great deal of attention to the phenomenon of hypermeter, drawing some of their most representative examples from the late works of Haydn. Although this recent trend in analysis has shed much light on Haydn’s music, it has left questions of history distinct from the mode of listening it engages. This article argues that the way we understand conceptualizations of listening and aesthetic experience can greatly inform the way that we understand hypermeter and the question of style in history. Drawing on eighteenth-century theories of music and literature, it recontextualizes Haydn’s hypermetric style with respect to a larger world of aesthetic experience.
Mid-section cadences in Haydn’s sonata-form movements
Authors: Burstein Poundie
Published: March 2010

Although a half cadence marks the end of the transition section in most sonata-form expositions and recapitulations, in many of Haydn’s sonata-form movements — especially those from around the 1760s — the end of the transition is instead articulated by a firm perfect authentic cadence. This establishes a point of harmonic resolution, rather than momentum, at this crucial formal juncture. As such, it yields an overall formal shape that departs from “textbook” sonata-form descriptions, which are based largely on later stylistic norms. The practice of having a strong tonic arrive in the middle of the exposition or recapitulation is a strategy that Haydn shared with other composers who flourished in the mid-eighteenth century, and it well accords with the descriptions of formal procedures found in Heinrich Christoph Koch’s
Versuch einer Anleitung zur Composition
.
Use of a Smokers' Quitline by Asian Language Speakers: Results From 15 Years of Operation in California
Authors: Zhu Shu-Hong , Wong Shiushing , Stevens Colleen , Nakashima David , Gamst Anthony
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We examined state quitline utilization by smokers who called Chinese-, Vietnamese-, or Korean-language lines, and compared their usage rates to those of Asians and Whites calling the English-language line.

Methods. Using data from 15 years (1993–2008) of operation of the California quitline (which included data on 22 061 callers to Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese lines) and from multiple California Health Interview Surveys, we computed the call rates for Whites, English-speaking Asians, and the 3 Asian-language groups. We also examined callers' demographics and where they heard about the quitline.

Results. Asian smokers who spoke English were significantly less likely than English-speaking White smokers to call the quitline (odds ratios range from 0.36 to 0.62). Smokers speaking 1 of the 3 Asian languages were no less likely than White smokers to call (odds ratios range from 0.82 to 3.25). More than 80% of those calling the Asian-language lines reported hearing about the quitline through mass media.

Conclusions. Contrary to general expectation, smokers speaking Asian languages were just as likely to call the quitline as English-speaking White smokers. State quitlines should consider adding Asian-language lines to help address disparities in access to cessation services.
Health Status and Health Services Access and Utilization Among Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, and Vietnamese Children in California
Authors: Yu Stella M. , Huang Zhihuan Jennifer , Singh Gopal K.
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We examined health status and health services access and utilization of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, Vietnamese, and non-Hispanic White children in California.

Methods. We analyzed aggregated data from the 2003 and 2005 California Health Interview Survey (648 Chinese, 523 Filipino, 235 Japanese, 308 Korean, 314 South Asian, 264 Vietnamese, and 8468 non-Hispanic White children aged younger than 12 years), examining the relationship between Asian ethnicities and outcomes.

Results. Compared with non-Hispanic White children, Korean children were 4 times more likely to lack health insurance; Filipino children were twice as likely to not have had recent contact with a doctor; Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese children were less likely to have visited an emergency room in the past year; and Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese children were more likely to be in fair or poor health. Age, gender, poverty, citizenship–nativity status, health insurance, and parental marital and child health statuses were related to most outcomes.

Conclusions. Asian ethnicities have heterogeneous health care access and utilization patterns, suggesting the need for targeted outreach to different Asian ethnic groups.
Ke ‘Ano Ola: Moloka‘i's Community-Based Healthy Lifestyle Modification Program
Authors: Gellert Kapuaolaokalaniakea S. , Aubert Ronald E. , Mikami Judith S.
Published: March 2010

We evaluated a community-based 12-week healthy lifestyle program in Moloka‘i, HI, called Ke ‘Ano Ola, which was developed to decrease chronic disease risk through health education emphasizing weight loss, exercise, and risk factor reduction. Program leaders' strong commitment and positive role modeling, along with social and group support and community involvement, were key elements. A pre–post evaluation of weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and blood sugar showed significant improvements for weight (mean change [Δ] = −7.4 lbs; P < .001), systolic blood pressure (Δ = –3.8 mm Hg; P = .027), diastolic blood pressure (Δ = –4.6 mm Hg; P < .001), and total cholesterol (Δ = –9.7 mg/dL; P < .001). Attrition was low, with 89% of participants attending all 12 sessions. Our findings show that lifestyle improvements in a predominantly Native Hawaiian community are achievable in a support group setting.
Discrimination and Mental Health–Related Service Use in a National Study of Asian Americans
Authors: Spencer Michael S. , Chen Juan , Gee Gilbert C. , Fabian Cathryn G. , Takeuchi David T.
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We examined the association between perceived discrimination and use of mental health services among a national sample of Asian Americans.

Methods. Our data came from the National Latino and Asian American Study, the first national survey of Asian Americans. Our sample included 600 Chinese, 508 Filipinos, 520 Vietnamese, and 467 other Asians (n=2095). We used logistic regression to examine the association between discrimination and formal and informal service use and the interactive effect of discrimination and English language proficiency.

Results. Perceived discrimination was associated with more use of informal services, but not with less use of formal services. Additionally, higher levels of perceived discrimination combined with lower English proficiency were associated with more use of informal services.

Conclusions. The effect of perceived discrimination and language proficiency on service use indicates a need for more bilingual services and more collaborations between formal service systems and community resources.
Comparison of Disability Rates Among Older Adults in Aggregated and Separate Asian American/Pacific Islander Subpopulations
Authors: Fuller-Thomson Esme , Brennenstuhl Sarah , Hurd Marion
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We assessed the prevalence and adjusted odds of 4 types of disability among 7 groups of older Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) subpopulations, both separately and aggregated, compared with non-Hispanic Whites.

Methods. Data were from the nationally representative 2006 American Community Survey, which included institutionalized and community-dwelling Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (n = 524), Vietnamese (n = 2357), Korean (n = 2082), Japanese (n = 3230), Filipino (n = 5109), Asian Indian (n = 2942), Chinese (n = 6034), and non-Hispanic White (n = 641 177) individuals aged 55 years and older. The weighted prevalence, population estimates, and odds ratios of 4 types of disability (functional limitations, limitations in activities of daily living, cognitive problems, and blindness or deafness) were reported for each group.

Results. Disability rates in older adults varied more among AAPI subpopulations than between non-Hispanic Whites and the aggregated Asian group. Asian older adults had, on average, better disability outcomes than did non-Hispanic Whites.

Conclusions. This study provides the strongest evidence to date that exclusion of institutionalized older adults minimizes disparities in disabilities between Asians and Whites. The aggregation of Asians into one group obscures substantial subgroup variability and fails to identify the most vulnerable groups (e.g., Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders and Vietnamese).
Milled Rice Quality Assessment
Authors: Farahmandfar Reza , Farahmandfar Esfandiyar , Ghasemi Varnamkhasti Mahdi , Zarei Mahdi
Published: March 2010

Milling, an important processing step of rough rice, is usually done to produce white, polished grains. In this paper the quality of 22 milled rice varieties, common in Mazandaran, Iran, are investigated. These rice varieties included local varieties and breeding lines. Parameters assessed were head rice yield, degree of milling, husk removed percent, and total milling recovery. Results obtained revealed that the Tarom Mahali and Champa varieties have the highest head rice yield as 60.58 and 66.39 % and total milling recovery as 69.96 and 71.38 %, respectively. The greatest degree of milling value was found for the Haraz variety with a mean of 16.06 %. Also, it was found that the husk removed percent values were not statistically different among the varieties studied. Finally, considering all results obtained, the varieties of Tarom Mahali, Champa, and Neda showed to be more economical in the milling process.
Retention of Volatile Constituents in Dried Toona sinensis by GC-MS Analysis
Authors: Chen Mianhua , Wang Changlu , Li Lu , Wang Yurong , Jiang Shenhua
Published: March 2010

Toona sinensis, whose young leaves and shoots are edible and nutritious, is a perennial deciduous tree vegetable. In this paper, the volatile constituents of dehydrated fresh young leaves of Toona sinensis obtained by different drying methods were micro-extracted in solid-phase, and then analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major flavor components include caryophyllene, aromadendrene, nonadecane, and phytol. Comparing with convection oven drying and natural solar drying, vacuum drying and microwave drying can preserve most of the original flavors of Toona sinensis.
Naturally Arising Human CD4 T-Cells That Recognize Islet Autoantigens and Secrete Interleukin-10 Regulate Proinflammatory T-Cell Responses via Linked Suppression
Authors: Tree Timothy I.M. , Lawson Jennifer , Edwards Hannah , Skowera Ania , Arif Sefina , Roep Bart O. , Peakman Mark
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) recognizing islet autoantigens are proposed as a key mechanism in the maintenance of self-tolerance and protection from type 1 diabetes. To date, however, detailed information on such cells in humans, and insight into their mechanisms of action, has been lacking. We previously reported that a subset of CD4 T-cells secreting high levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) is significantly associated with late onset of type 1 diabetes and is constitutively present in a majority of nondiabetic individuals. Here, we test the hypothesis that these T-cells represent a naturally generated population of Tregs capable of suppressing proinflammatory T-cell responses.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We isolated and cloned islet-specific IL-10–secreting CD4+ T-cells from nondiabetic individuals after brief ex vivo exposure to islet autoantigens using cytokine capture technology and examined their phenotype and regulatory potential.

RESULTS

Islet-specific IL-10+ CD4 T-cells are potent suppressors of Th1 effector cells, operating through a linked suppression mechanism in which there is an absolute requirement for the cognate antigen of both the regulatory and effector T-cells to be presented by the same antigen-presenting cell (APC). The regulatory T-cells secrete perforin and granzymes, and suppression is associated with the specific killing of APCs presenting antigen to effector T-cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This hitherto undescribed population of islet autoantigen–specific Tregs displays unique characteristics that offer exquisite specificity and control over the potential for pathological autoreactivity and may provide a suitable target with which to strengthen β-cell–specific tolerance.
Prevention of Diabetes by FTY720-Mediated Stabilization of Peri-Islet Tertiary Lymphoid Organs
Authors: Penaranda Cristina , Tang Qizhi , Ruddle Nancy H. , Bluestone Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse is a well-established mouse model of spontaneous type 1 diabetes, which is characterized by an autoimmune destruction of the insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells. In this study, we address the role of tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) that form in the pancreas of NOD mice during disease progression.

METHODS

We developed a model designed to “lock” lymphocytes in the pancreatic lymph node (PLN) and pancreas by the use of FTY720, which blocks the exit of lymphocytes from lymph nodes. A combination of flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and analysis of clinical scores was used to study the effects of long-term FTY720 treatment on TLO development and development of diabetes.

RESULTS

Continuous treatment of NOD mice with FTY720 prevented diabetes development even at a time of significant insulitis. Treatment withdrawal led to accelerated disease independent of the PLN. Interestingly, naive T-cells trafficked to and proliferated in the TLOs. In addition, morphological changes were observed that occurred during the development of the disease. Remarkably, although the infiltrates are not organized into T/B-cell compartments in 8-week-old mice, by 20 weeks of age, and in age-matched mice undergoing FTY720 treatment, the infiltrates showed a high degree of organization. However, in naturally and FTY720-induced diabetic mice, T/B-cell compartmentalization was lost.

CONCLUSION

Our data show that TLOs are established during diabetes development and suggest that islet destruction is due to a loss of TLO integrity, which may be prevented by FTY720 treatment.
Alterations in Skeletal Muscle Fatty Acid Handling Predisposes Middle-Aged Mice to Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance
Authors: Koonen Debby P.Y. , Sung Miranda M.Y. , Kao Cindy K.C. , Dolinsky Vernon W. , Koves Timothy R. , Ilkayeva Olga , Jacobs René L. , Vance Dennis E. , Light Peter E. , Muoio Deborah M. , Febbraio Maria , Dyck Jason R.B.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Although advanced age is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, a clear understanding of the changes that occur during middle age that contribute to the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance is currently lacking. Therefore, we sought to investigate how middle age impacts skeletal muscle fatty acid handling and to determine how this contributes to the development of diet-induced insulin resistance.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Whole-body and skeletal muscle insulin resistance were studied in young and middle-aged wild-type and CD36 knockout (KO) mice fed either a standard or a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Molecular signaling pathways, intramuscular triglycerides accumulation, and targeted metabolomics of in vivo mitochondrial substrate flux were also analyzed in the skeletal muscle of mice of all ages.

RESULTS

Middle-aged mice fed a standard diet demonstrated an increase in intramuscular triglycerides without a concomitant increase in insulin resistance. However, middle-aged mice fed a high-fat diet were more susceptible to the development of insulin resistance—a condition that could be prevented by limiting skeletal muscle fatty acid transport and excessive lipid accumulation in middle-aged CD36 KO mice.

CONCLUSION

Our data provide insight into the mechanisms by which aging becomes a risk factor for the development of insulin resistance. Our data also demonstrate that limiting skeletal muscle fatty acid transport is an effective approach for delaying the development of age-associated insulin resistance and metabolic disease during exposure to a high-fat diet.
Chronic Rapamycin Treatment Causes Glucose Intolerance and Hyperlipidemia by Upregulating Hepatic Gluconeogenesis and Impairing Lipid Deposition in Adipose Tissue
Authors: Houde Vanessa P. , Brûlé Sophie , Festuccia William T. , Blanchard Pierre-Gilles , Bellmann Kerstin , Deshaies Yves , Marette André
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) pathway is a critical signaling component in the development of obesity-linked insulin resistance and operates a nutrient-sensing negative feedback loop toward the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)/Akt pathway. Whereas acute treatment of insulin target cells with the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitor rapamycin prevents nutrient-induced insulin resistance, the chronic effect of rapamycin on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in vivo remains elusive.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

To assess the metabolic effects of chronic inhibition of the mTORC1/S6K1 pathway, rats were treated with rapamycin (2 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 15 days before metabolic phenotyping.

RESULTS

Chronic rapamycin treatment reduced adiposity and fat cell number, which was associated with a coordinated downregulation of genes involved in both lipid uptake and output. Rapamycin treatment also promoted insulin resistance, severe glucose intolerance, and increased gluconeogenesis. The latter was associated with elevated expression of hepatic gluconeogenic master genes, PEPCK and G6Pase, and increased expression of the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) as well as enhanced nuclear recruitment of FoxO1, CRTC2, and CREB. These changes were observed despite normal activation of the insulin receptor substrate/PI 3-kinase/Akt axis in liver of rapamycin-treated rats, as expected from the blockade of the mTORC1/S6K1 negative feedback loop.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings unravel a novel mechanism by which mTORC1/S6K1 controls gluconeogenesis through modulation of several key transcriptional factors. The robust induction of the gluconeogenic program in liver of rapamycin-treated rats underlies the development of severe glucose intolerance even in the face of preserved hepatic insulin signaling to Akt and despite a modest reduction in adiposity.
Idd9.2andIdd9.3Protective Alleles Function in CD4+ T-Cells and Nonlymphoid Cells to Prevent Expansion of Pathogenic Islet-Specific CD8+ T-Cells
Authors: Hamilton-Williams Emma E. , Wong S.B. Justin , Martinez Xavier , Rainbow Daniel B. , Hunter Kara M. , Wicker Linda S. , Sherman Linda A.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Multiple type 1 diabetes susceptibility genes have now been identified in both humans and mice, yet mechanistic understanding of how they impact disease pathogenesis is still minimal. We have sought to dissect the cellular basis for how the highly protective mouse Idd9 region limits the expansion of autoreactive CD8+ T-cells, a key cell type in destruction of the islets.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We assess the endogenous CD8+ T-cell repertoire for reactivity to the islet antigen glucose-6-phosphatase–related protein (IGRP). Through the use of adoptively transferred T-cells, bone marrow chimeras, and reconstituted severe combined immunodeficient mice, we identify the protective cell types involved.

RESULTS

IGRP-specific CD8+ T-cells are present at low frequency in the insulitic lesions of Idd9 mice and could not be recalled in the periphery by viral expansion. We show that Idd9 genes act extrinsically to the CD8+ T-cell to prevent the massive expansion of pathogenic effectors near the time of disease onset that occurs in NOD mice. The subregions Idd9.2 and Idd9.3 mediated this effect. Interestingly, the Idd9.1 region, which provides significant protection from disease, did not prevent the expansion of autoreactive CD8+ T-cells. Expression of Idd9 genes was required by both CD4+ T-cells and a nonlymphoid cell to induce optimal tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

Idd9 protective alleles are associated with reduced expansion of IGRP-specific CD8+ T-cells. Intrinsic expression of protective Idd9 alleles in CD4+ T-cells and nonlymphoid cells is required to achieve an optimal level of tolerance. Protective alleles in the Idd9.2 congenic subregion are required for the maximal reduction of islet-specific CD8+ T-cells.