bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between serum soluble corin and hyperglycaemia: a cross-sectional study among Chinese adults
Authors: Liu Yan , Peng Hao , Zhang Qiu , Zhang Peipei , Tian Yunfan , Chao Xiangqin , Zhang Yonghong
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Decreased natriuretic peptides are risk factors for diabetes. As a physiological activator of natriuretic peptides, corin may play a role in glucose metabolism. Here, we aimed to test the hypothesis in a general population of China.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

A population study in Suzhou, China.

Participants

A total of 2498 participants aged above 30 years were included in the study.

Outcome measures

The association between serum soluble corin and hyperglycaemia was examined in men and women, using non-conditional logistic regression models, respectively.

Results

Serum soluble corin, in men and women, was significantly higher in participants with hyperglycaemia than in those without (all p<0.001). OR of hyperglycaemia positively and significantly increased with serum soluble corin quartiles, in men (p for trend <0.001) and in women (p for trend=0.050), even after multivariate adjustment. Participants with a serum soluble corin, in men (OR=1.66, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.23) and women (OR=1.27, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.61), over the median level, were more likely to have hyperglycaemia compared with the remaining participants, after controlling for confounding factors.

Conclusions

Hyperglycaemia was significantly and positively associated with increased serum soluble corin in men and women. Our findings suggest that serum soluble corin may be a risk factor or a biomarker of hyperglycaemia.
Decreasing the load? Is a Multidisciplinary Multistep Medication Review in older people an effective intervention to reduce a patient's Drug Burden Index? Protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: van der Meer Helene G , Wouters Hans , van Hulten Rolf , Pras Niesko , Taxis Katja
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Older people often use medications with anticholinergic or sedative side effects which increase the risk of falling and worsen cognitive impairment. The Drug Burden Index (DBI) is a measure of the burden of anticholinergic and sedative medications. Medication reviews are typically done by a pharmacist in collaboration with a general practitioner to optimise the medication use and reduce these adverse drug events. We will evaluate whether a Multidisciplinary Multistep Medication Review (3MR) is an effective intervention to reduce a patient's DBI.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial including 160 patients from 15 community pharmacies will be conducted. Per pharmacy, 1 pharmacist will perform a structured 3MR in close collaboration with the general practitioner, including the objective to reduce the DBI.

Analysis

Primary outcome—the difference in proportion of patients having a decrease in DBI≥0.5 in the intervention and control groups at follow-up. Secondary outcomes—anticholinergic and sedative side effects, falls, cognitive function, activities of daily living, quality of life, hospital admission, and mortality.

Ethics and dissemination

The burden of patients will be kept at a minimum. The 3MR can be considered as usual care by the pharmacist and general practitioner. Medical specialists will be consulted, if necessary. The intervention is specifically aimed at older community-dwelling patients in an attempt to optimise prescribing, in particular, to reduce medication with anticholinergic and sedative properties. Study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and will be distributed through information channels targeting professionals.

Trial registration number

NCT02317666; Pre-results.
Self-reported oral health among a community sample of people experiencing social and health inequities: cross-sectional findings from a study to enhance equity in primary healthcare settings
Authors: Wallace Bruce , Browne Annette J , Varcoe Colleen , Ford-Gilboe Marilyn , Wathen Nadine , Long Phoebe M , Parker Joanne
Published: December 2015

Objective

To describe the self-reported oral health issues among a community sample of primary care clients experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages.

Methods

As part of a larger mixed-methods, multiple case study evaluating an equity-oriented primary healthcare intervention, we examined the oral health of a sample of 567 people receiving care at four clinics that serve marginalised populations in two Canadian provinces. Data collected included self-rated oral health and experiences accessing and receiving healthcare, standard self-report measures of health and quality of life, and sociodemographic information.

Results

The prevalence of self-rated poor oral health was high, with almost half (46.3%) of the participants reporting poor or fair oral health. Significant relationships were observed between poor oral health and vulnerabilities related to mental health, trauma and housing instability. Our findings suggest that the oral health of some Canadian populations may be dramatically worse than what is reported in existing population health surveys.

Conclusions

Our findings reinforce the importance of addressing oral health as part of health equity strategies. The health and oral health issues experienced by this client cohort highlight the need for interdisciplinary, team-based care that can address the intersections among people's health status, oral health and social issues.
Quality care, public perception and quick-fix service management: a Delphi study on stressors of hospital doctors in Ireland
Authors: Hayes Blanaid , Fitzgerald Deirdre , Doherty Sally , Walsh Gillian
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To identify and rank the most significant workplace stressors to which consultants and trainees are exposed within the publicly funded health sector in Ireland.

Design

Following a preliminary semistructured telephone interview, a Delphi technique with 3 rounds of reiterative questionnaires was used to obtain consensus. Conducted in Spring 2014, doctors were purposively selected by their college faculty or specialty training body.

Setting

Consultants and higher specialist trainees who were engaged at a collegiate level with their faculty or professional training body. All were employed in the Irish publicly funded health sector by the Health Services Executive.

Participants

49 doctors: 30 consultants (13 male, 17 female) and 19 trainees (7 male, 12 female). Consultants and trainees were from a wide range of hospital specialties including anaesthetics, radiology and psychiatry.

Results

Consultants are most concerned with the quality of healthcare management and its impact on service. They are also concerned about the quality of care they provide. They feel undervalued within the negative sociocultural environment that they work. Trainees also feel undervalued with an uncertain future and they also perceive their sociocultural environment as negative. They echo concerns regarding the quality of care they provide. They struggle with the interface between career demands and personal life.

Conclusions

This Delphi study sought to explore the working life of doctors in Irish hospitals at a time when resources are scarce. It identified both common and distinct concerns regarding sources of stress for 2 groups of doctors. Its identification of key stressors should guide managers and clinicians towards solutions for improving the quality of patient care and the health of care providers.
Eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea and exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction
Authors: Turmel Julie , Gagnon Simon , Bernier Mélanie , Boulet Louis-Philippe
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a common condition in endurance athletes. Exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction (EIVCD) is a frequent confounder of EIB. The diagnosis of EIVCD may be challenging and can be missed as the problem is often intermittent and may only occur during intense exercise. Eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) is the best test to detect EIB. This pilot study aimed to assess if EVH could be helpful in the diagnosis of EIVCD associated or not to EIB in athletes.

Methods

A nasolaryngoscopy was performed during a 6 min EVH test, in 13 female athletes suspected to have VCD, aged 21±7 years. Image analysis was conducted by two Ear Nose and Throat surgeons in random order.

Results

During the EVH, three athletes showed incomplete paradoxical vocal cords movement, without inspiratory stridor. However, 12 athletes showed marked supraglottic movement without inspiratory stridor. In two athletes, this supraglottic movement was severe, one showing a marked collapse of the epiglottis with an almost complete obstruction of the larynx by the arytenoid cartilage mucosa. In 3 of the 12 athletes with supraglottic movement, severe vibration of the mucosa covering the arytenoid cartilages was also observed.

Conclusions

EVH challenge in athletes can provide information on various types of glottic and supraglottic obstruction in reproducing laryngeal movements during hyperventilation. Our findings make us suggest that exercise induced upper airway obstructions should be named: Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO). Then, EILO should be divided in three categories: supraglottic, glottic (EIVCD) and mixed (glottic and supraglottic) obstruction.
Prevalence of alcohol related attendance at an inner city emergency department and its impact: a dual prospective and retrospective cohort study
Authors: Parkinson Kathryn , Newbury-Birch Dorothy , Phillipson Angela , Hindmarch Paul , Kaner Eileen , Stamp Elaine , Vale Luke , Wright John , Connolly Jim
Published: December 2015

Background

Alcohol related hospital attendances are a potentially avoidable burden on emergency departments (EDs). Understanding the number and type of patients attending EDs with alcohol intoxication is important in estimating the workload and cost implications. We used best practice from previous studies to establish the prevalence of adult alcohol related ED attendances and estimate the costs of clinical management and subsequent health service use.

Methods

The setting was a large inner city ED in northeast England, UK. Data were collected via (i) retrospective review of hospital records for all ED attendances for four pre-specified weeks in 2010/2011 to identify alcohol related cases along with 12 months of follow-up of the care episode and (ii) prospective 24/7 assessment via breath alcohol concentration testing of patients presenting to the ED in the corresponding weeks in 2012/2013.

Results

The prevalence rates of alcohol related attendances were 12% and 15% for the retrospective and prospective cohorts, respectively. Prospectively, the rates ranged widely from 4% to 60% across week days, rising to over 70% at weekends. Younger males attending in the early morning hours at weekends made up the largest proportion of alcohol related attendances. The mean cost per attendance was £249 (SD £1064); the mean total cost for those admitted was £851 (SD £2549). The most common reasons for attending were trauma related injuries followed by psychiatric problems.

Conclusions

Alcohol related attendances are a major and avoidable burden on emergency care. However, targeted interventions at weekends and early morning hours could capture the majority of cases and help prevent future re-attendance.
Non-barrier contraceptive use and relation to condom use behaviour by partner type among female sex workers in Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Reed Elizabeth , Erausquin Jennifer Toller , Biradavolu Monica , Servin Argentina E , Blankenship Kim M
Published: December 2015

Objective

The study assessed non-barrier contraceptive use among female sex workers (FSW) in Andhra Pradesh, India and relation to inconsistent condom use among commercial and non-commercial male sexual partners.

Methods

FSW at least 18 years of age (n=2338) were recruited through respondent-driven sampling for an HIV risk survey. Analysis was restricted to women of childbearing age (n=2197). Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess non-barrier contraceptive use and relation to inconsistent condom use with husbands or regular male partners (i.e. non-clients), regular clients and occasional clients.

Results

Non-barrier methods of contraception included contraceptive pills (3.8%) and sterilisation (68.4%). In logistic regression models adjusted for relevant demographics, FSW using contraceptive pills were more likely to report inconsistent condom use with a regular client (past week) [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–4.0] and with an occasional client (past week) (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–5.3), as well as accepting more money for sex without a condom (past 30 days) (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5–4.3). No significant associations were found between pill use and inconsistent condom use among women's non-client partners, potentially related to small sample sizes within these subgroups. Reporting sterilisation, which was more common among FSW who were older in age, was not associated with inconsistent condom use with client or non-client sexual partners.

Conclusions

Findings document potential unmet need for modern, spacing contraceptives (i.e. pill, intrauterine device), but also indicate the importance for family planning services, particularly those promoting modern contraceptive methods to be provided alongside HIV prevention among FSW in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Investigations of the mechanical properties of the Zr8Ti8 random alloy
Authors: Huang Sunchao , Zhang Xiaoli , Zhang Yongsheng , Hou Songjun , Yangi Xiaoyu , Zeng Zhi
Published: December 2015

The mechanical property of alloys plays a vital role in applications. In order to probe the mechanical property of the Zr–Ti alloy, we have successfully generated a 16-atom special quasi-random structure (SQS) at concentration 0.5 for the Zr–Ti alloy ([Formula: see text]) with supercell ([Formula: see text]) based on the hcp Bravais cell, which has the same shape with the hcp Bravais cell. Such an SQS can be used as a good template at the 0.5 concentration of all binary hcp random alloys as the initial step for the further description of their alloy properties. Our calculated bulk modulus of [Formula: see text] is 101.7[Formula: see text]GPa, falling within the region for the extreme two constituents [Formula: see text] B[Formula: see text] B[Formula: see text]). Obtained [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] (3.60) is significantly larger than those of Zr (2.75) and Ti (2.64), which means that the ductility of [Formula: see text] alloy is better than those of its constituents. The maximum Cauchy stress of [Formula: see text] is 20.53[Formula: see text]GPa at strain ([Formula: see text] in [0001] direction. In addition, this SQS template for [Formula: see text] has been proved to be mechanically stable.
Accurate Pupil Center Location with the SIFT Descriptor and SVM Classifier
Authors: Guo Zhizhi , Zhou Qianxiang , Liu Zhongqi , Liu Chunhui
Published: December 2015

Locating the center of the pupils is the most important foundation and the core component of gaze tracking. The accuracy of gaze tracking largely depends on the quality of images, but additional constraints and large amount of calculation make gaze tracking impractical on high-resolution images. Although some eye-gaze trackers can get accurate result, improving the accuracy of pupil feature on low-resolution images and accurately recognizing closed eye images are still common tasks in the field of gaze estimation. Our aim is to get the accurate localization of pupil center on low-resolution image. To this aim, we proposed a simple but effective method which can accurately locate pupil center in real time. The method first gets initial eye center based on improved scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) descriptor and support vector machine (SVM) classifier, and then gets final position of the pupil center through a size variable correction rectangular block. In this paper, comparing with the reported state-of-the-art methods,the experimental results demonstrate that our system can achieve a more accurate result on low-resolution images. On top of that, our approach shows robustness on closed eye images while some other methods would not recognize the closed eye images.
STUDY OF WRINKLE RESISTANT, BREATHABLE, ANTI-UV NANOCOATED WOVEN POLYESTER FABRIC
Authors: MEMON HAFEEZULLAH , YASIN SOHAIL , KHOSO NAZAKAT ALI , MEMON SAMIULAH
Published: December 2015

The multifunctional textiles are interesting areas to be researched on. In this paper, the effect of the fiber nanocoating on the wrinkle recovery, air permeability and anti-Ultraviolet (UV) property of different woven fabrics using sol–gel method has been studied. The sol–gel method has various advantages over other methods. Along with these properties, no change in visual appearance has also been discussed in this paper. The dispersion of nanoparticles of titanium was obtained into silica sol. The characterization of nanocoating was done using Field emission scanning electron micrograph (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. The fabric wrinkle recovery properties, air permeability and anti-UV performance were analyzed using three different immersion timings into the nanosol. The results revealed that both wrinkle recovery properties and anti-UV performance have increased with respect to immersing time of the nanocoating although a slight decrease in air permeability and whiteness index of the fabric was also observed.
THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS ADDITIVES ON THE PROPERTIES OF PEO COATINGS FORMED ON AZ31 Mg ALLOY
Authors: REHMAN ZEESHAN UR , AHN BYUNG-HYUN , JEONG YEONG SEUNG , SONG JUNG-IL , KOO BON-HEUN
Published: December 2015

In this work, plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) ceramic coatings were prepared on magnesium AZ31B alloy. Various electrolyte solutions including phosphate, aluminate and silicate as additives and NaOH [Formula: see text] Na2SiF6 as constant agent were used to prepare the coatings. Influence of the additives on chemical composition and structure of the PEO coatings were examined by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and XRD. From structural analysis it was found that coatings prepared in the aluminate-based electrolyte have the best structural features. Microhardness and tribological characteristics of the PEO coatings were investigated using Vickers hardness test and pin-on-disc test. Microhardness for aluminate-based coating was found to be 1169.63[Formula: see text]HV while those for silicate-and phosphate-based coatings were 1093.42[Formula: see text]HV and 285.91[Formula: see text]HV, respectively. Wear rate of the aluminate-based coating was found to be lowest than all other coatings having a value of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mg/Nm.
A Scalable Meta-Classifier Combining Search and Classification Techniques for Multi-Level Text Categorization
Authors: Tripathi Nandita , Oakes Michael , Wermter Stefan
Published: December 2015

Nowadays, documents are increasingly associated with multi-level category hierarchies rather than a flat category scheme. As the volume and diversity of documents grow, so do the size and complexity of the corresponding category hierarchies. To be able to access such hierarchically classified documents in real-time, we need fast automatic methods to navigate these hierarchies. Today’s data domains are also very different from each other, such as medicine and politics. These distinct domains can be handled by different classifiers. A document representation system which incorporates the inherent category structure of the data should also add useful semantic content to the data vectors and thus lead to better separability of classes. In this paper, we present a scalable meta-classifier to tackle today’s problem of multi-level data classification in the presence of large datasets. To speed up the classification process, we use a search-based method to detect the level-1 category of a test document. For this purpose, we use a category–hierarchy-based vector representation. We evaluate the meta-classifier by scaling to both longer documents as well as to a larger category set and show it to be robust in both cases. We test the architecture of our meta-classifier using six different base classifiers (Random forest, C4.5, multilayer perceptron, naïve Bayes, BayesNet (BN) and PART). We observe that even though there is a very small variation in the performance of different architectures, all of them perform much better than the corresponding single baseline classifiers. We conclude that there is substantial potential in this meta-classifier architecture, rather than the classifiers themselves, which successfully improves classification performance.
Using Sample Selection to Improve Accuracy and Simplicity of Rules Extracted from Neural Networks for Credit Scoring Applications
Authors: Setiono Rudy , Azcarraga Arnulfo , Hayashi Yoichi
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we present an approach for sample selection using an ensemble of neural networks for credit scoring. The ensemble determines samples that can be considered outliers by checking the classification accuracy of the neural networks on the original training data samples. Those samples that are consistently misclassified by the neural networks in the ensemble are removed from the training dataset. The remaining data samples are then used to train and prune another neural network for rule extraction. Our experimental results on publicly available benchmark credit scoring datasets show that by eliminating the outliers, we obtain neural networks with higher predictive accuracy and simpler in structure compared to the networks that are trained with the original dataset. A rule extraction algorithm is applied to generate comprehensible rules from the neural networks. The extracted rules are more concise than the rules generated from networks that have been trained using the original datasets.
Vibrational Analysis of a Single-Layered Nanoporous Graphene Membrane
Authors: Lee Haw-Long , Chang Win-Jin
Published: December 2015

In this study, we use the atomic-scale finite element method to investigate the vibrational behavior of the armchair- and zigzag-structured nanoporous graphene layers with simply supported-free-simply supported-free (SFSF) and clamped-free-free-free (CFFF) boundary conditions. The fundamental frequencies computed for the graphene layers without pores are compared with the results of previous studies. We observe very good correspondence of our results with that of the other studies in all the considered cases. For the armchair- and zigzag-structured nanoporous graphenes with SFSF and CFFF boundary conditions, the frequencies decrease with increasing porosity. When the positions of the pores are symmetric with respect to the center of the graphene, the frequency of the zigzag nanoporous graphene is higher than that of the armchair one. To the best of our knowledge, this is first study investigating the relation between the vibrational behavior and porosity of nanoporous graphene layers, which is essential for tuning the material/structural design and exploring new applications for nanoporous graphenes.
The limiting spectral distribution in terms of spectral density
Authors: Peligrad Costel , Peligrad Magda
Published: December 2015

For a large class of symmetric random matrices with correlated entries, selected from stationary random fields of centered and square integrable variables, we show that the limiting distribution of eigenvalue counting measure always exists and we describe it via an equation satisfied by its Stieltjes transform. No rate of convergence to zero of correlations is imposed, therefore the process is allowed to have long memory. In particular, if the symmetrized matrices are constructed from stationary Gaussian random fields which have spectral density, the result of this paper gives a complete solution to the limiting eigenvalue distribution. More generally, for matrices whose entries are functions of independent and identically distributed random variables the result also holds.
Local variation of hydrogeological characteristics in the Asmari karstic limestone at the Karun IV Dam, Zagros region, Iran
Authors: Assari Amin , Mohammadi Zargham , Ghanbari Reza Namdar
Published: December 2015

Data on hydrogeological and lithological characteristics of geological formations are obtainable at every dam site. In practice, it is essential to examine the data using an engineering-based approach such as geostatistical methods. Specifically, it is important to recognize the principal factors that significantly control hydrogeological characteristics, such as Rock Quality Designation (RQD) and average hydraulic conductivity of the rock mass (Lugeon value). In this study, the statistical properties of these parameters are examined as functions of depth, lithology and the spatial distribution of the data points. The results of this study show that the spatial distribution and lithology are the main controls. Using this approach one can determine the most permeable rock formations, potential karst locations and the areas that may warrant more extensive study. The results of stochastic simulation could be extensively enhanced by considering the spatial distribution of hydrogeological characteristics.
Biota and palaeoenvironment of a high middle-latitude Late Triassic peat-forming ecosystem from Hopen, Svalbard archipelago
Authors: McLoughlin S. , Strullu-Derrien C.
Published: December 2015

A siliceous permineralized peat block recovered from Hopen in the Svalbard archipelago hosts a low-diversity Late Triassic flora dominated by autochthonous roots and stems of bennettitaleans and lycophytes, and parautochthonous leaves, sporangia, spores and pollen from a small range of pteridophytes and gymnosperms. Some parenchymatous bennettitalean root cells show interactions with chytrid fungi and bacteria; the remains of other fungi and fungi-like organisms are dispersed within the peat's detrital matrix. Cavities excavated through some roots and compacted detritus contain abundant coprolites probably derived from sapro-xylophagous oribatid mites, although no body fossils have yet been identified. Sparse larger coprolites containing leaf fragments attest to the presence of invertebrate folivores in the ancient ecosystem. The low-diversity flora, relatively few trophic levels and simple nutritional web, together with sedimentological aspects of the host formation and the peat structure, collectively favour accumulation of the organic mass as a fibric (root-dominated) peat within a temperate (high middle-latitude), well-aerated mire.
A new method to determine dissolved CO
2
concentration of lakes Nyos and Monoun using the sound speed and electrical conductivity of lake water
Authors: Sanemasa Mitsuhisa , Saiki Kazuto , Kaneko Katsuya , Ohba Takeshi , Kusakabe Minoru , Ntchantcho Romaric , Fouepe Alain , Tanyileke Gregory , Hell Joseph V.
Published: December 2015

A new method to measure the CO
2
concentration in lakes Nyos and Monoun using sound speed (SS) and electrical conductivity (EC) of the lake water was developed. Limnic eruptions at lakes Monoun and Nyos in Cameroon, characterized by a risk related to possible sudden release of magmatic CO
2
gas dissolved in the lake water, occurred in 1984 and 1986 respectively, killing about 1800 residents. CO
2
monitoring of the lake waters was initiated to prevent further disasters. Classical methods of CO
2
measurement, which require chemical analysis of water samples, are not suitable for frequent and multi-point monitoring. Inspired by the method of measuring salt concentration using SS, we obtained data for dissolved CO
2
(CO
2
(aq)
) assuming the following formula

Δ
v
=

k
1

[

C

O

2
(

aq

)

]
+

k
2

[

HCO

3
−

]

, where Δ
v
is additional SS due to dissolved ions and
k
1
and
k
2
are coefficients determined through experiments. The coefficient
k
1
was determined with temperature
T
(°C) dependence as 0.0323–0.000523
T
[l m s
−1
mmol
−1
].
k
2
was estimated to be 0.132 at Lake Nyos and 0.0930 at Lake Monoun. Once
k
1
and
k
2
values are obtained, [CO
2(aq)
] and

[

HCO

3
−

]

are calculated using the SS,
T
and EC.
Decreasing removal rate of the dissolved CO
2
in Lake Nyos, Cameroon, after the installation of additional degassing pipes
Authors: Ohba T. , Ooki S. , Oginuma Y. , Kusakabe M. , Yoshida Y. , Ueda A. , Anazawa K. , Saiki K. , Kaneko K. , Miyabuchi Y. , Issa  , Aka F. , Fantong W. , Ako A. , Tanyileke G. , Hell J.V.
Published: December 2015

The amount of dissolved CO
2
(CO
2aq
) in Lake Nyos, Cameroon, has been measured annually since January 2011. First,

HCO

3
−

concentration was estimated by a chemical analysis with the assumption of equilibria between CO
2aq
,

HCO

3
−

and

CO

3

2
−

. The estimated

[

HCO

3
−

]

was correlated with the observed electrical conductivity of lake water. The profile of [CO
2aq
] was generated from the electrical conductivity, pH and temperature profiles. The [CO
2aq
] profile was integrated over the water column to obtain the total amount of CO
2aq
. The amounts were 8.4, 6.8, 5.5, 4.4 and 3.9 Gmol (=10
9
mol) in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The fast reduction between 2011 and 2013 was attributed to the installation of two additional degassing pipes in April 2011. However, the rate of reduction decreased between 2014 and 2015 due to the reduced [CO
2aq
] at the inlet of the degassing pipes.
Pre-rift and synrift exhumation, post-rift subsidence and exhumation of the onshore Namibe Margin of Angola revealed from apatite fission track analysis
Authors: Green Paul F. , Machado Vladimir
Published: December 2015

A series of cooling events in the development of the Namibe margin of Angola is defined by apatite fission track analysis data from samples of outcropping Cretaceous sandstones and crystalline Precambrian basement. Regional exhumation in the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian and Jurassic preceded Early Cretaceous rifting. Further episodes of uplift and erosion affected the margin in the Early and Late Cretaceous before it was buried by up to 2 km of post-break-up section, which was subsequently removed during Cenozoic uplift and erosion beginning between 35 and 20 Ma. This timing is consistent with published analyses of river profiles suggesting that uplift of the margin began at
c.
30 Ma. Estimates of between 1.5 and 2 km of section removed during Cenozoic exhumation are consistent with burial depths estimated from the diagenesis of former evaporite horizons now at outcrop. These results add further support to a growing body of evidence showing that the evolution of ‘passive’ margins is anything but passive. The key episodes of exhumation defined in this study are broadly synchronous with events identified in many areas of the West Africa margin from Namibia to Equatorial Guinea and are regarded as representing a continent-scale response to stresses related to tectonic plate movements.
Mesenchymal stem cells protect from hypoxia-induced alveolar epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Uzunhan Yurdagül , Bernard Olivier , Marchant Dominique , Dard Nicolas , Vanneaux Valérie , Larghero Jérôme , Gille Thomas , Clerici Christine , Valeyre Dominique , Nunes Hilario , Boncoeur Emilie , Planès Carole
Published: December 2015

Administration of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) reduces lung inflammation, fibrosis, and mortality in animal models of lung injury, by a mechanism not completely understood. We investigated whether hMSC would prevent epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by hypoxia in primary rat alveolar epithelial cell (AEC). In AEC cultured on semipermeable filters, prolonged hypoxic exposure (1.5% O2 for up to 12 days) induced phenotypic changes consistent with EMT, i.e., a change in cell morphology, a decrease in transepithelial resistance (Rte) and in the expression of epithelial markers [zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), E-cadherin, AQP-5, TTF-1], together with an increase in mesenchymal markers [vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)]. Expression of transcription factors driving EMT such as SNAIL1, ZEB1, and TWIST1 increased after 2, 24, and 48 h of hypoxia, respectively. Hypoxia also induced TGF-β1 mRNA expression and the secretion of active TGF-β1 in apical medium, and the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), two inducers of EMT. Coculture of AEC with hMSC partially prevented the decrease in Rte and in ZO-1, E-cadherin, and TTF-1 expression, and the increase in vimentin expression induced by hypoxia. It also abolished the increase in TGF-β1 expression and in TGF-β1-induced genes ZEB1, TWIST1, and CTGF. Finally, incubation with human recombinant KGF at a concentration similar to what was measured in hMSC-conditioned media restored the expression of TTF-1 and prevented the increase in TWIST1, TGF-β1, and CTGF in hypoxic AEC. Our results indicate that hMSC prevent hypoxia-induced alveolar EMT through the paracrine modulation of EMT signaling pathways and suggest that this effect is partly mediated by KGF.
Aging-related impairment of urine-concentrating mechanisms correlates with dysregulation of adrenocortical angiotensin type 1 receptors in male Fischer rats
Authors: Ji Hong , Zheng Wei , Wu Xie , Speth Robert C. , Verbalis Joseph G. , Stein Lauren M. , Yosten Gina L. C. , Samson Willis K. , Sandberg Kathryn
Published: December 2015

To investigate age-associated impairments in fluid homeostasis, 4-mo (young) and 32-mo (old) Fischer 344/BN male rats were studied before and after a dietary sodium load. Transferring young rats from a low-sodium (LS) to a high-sodium (HS) diet increased water intake and urine volume by 1.9- and 3.0-fold, respectively, while urine osmolality and plasma aldosterone decreased by 33 and 98%. Concomitantly, adrenocortical angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) density decreased by 35%, and AT1bR mRNA decreased by 39%; no changes were observed in AT1aR mRNA. In contrast, the increase in water intake (1.4-fold) was lower in the old rats, and there was no effect of the HS diet on urine volume or urine osmolality. AT1R densities were 29% less in the old rats before transferring to the HS diet, and AT1R densities were not reduced as rapidly in response to a HS diet compared with the young animals. After 6 days on the HS diet, plasma potassium was lowered by 26% in the old rats, whereas no change was detected in the young rats. Furthermore, while plasma aldosterone was substantially decreased after 2 days on the HS diet in both young and old rats, plasma aldosterone was significantly lower in the old compared with the young animals after 2 wk on the LS diet. These findings suggest that aging attenuates the responsiveness of the adrenocortical AT1R to a sodium load through impaired regulation of AT1bR mRNA, and that this dysregulation contributes to the defects in water and electrolyte homeostasis observed in aging.
Properties of Zip4 accumulation during zinc deficiency and its usefulness to evaluate zinc status: a study of the effects of zinc deficiency during lactation
Authors: Hashimoto Ayako , Nakagawa Miki , Tsujimura Natsuki , Miyazaki Shiho , Kizu Kumiko , Goto Tomoko , Komatsu Yusuke , Matsunaga Ayu , Shirakawa Hitoshi , Narita Hiroshi , Kambe Taiho , Komai Michio
Published: December 2015

Systemic and cellular zinc homeostasis is elaborately controlled by ZIP and ZnT zinc transporters. Therefore, detailed characterization of their expression properties is of importance. Of these transporter proteins, Zip4 functions as the primarily important transporter to control systemic zinc homeostasis because of its indispensable function of zinc absorption in the small intestine. In this study, we closely investigated Zip4 protein accumulation in the rat small intestine in response to zinc status using an anti-Zip4 monoclonal antibody that we generated and contrasted this with the zinc-responsive activity of the membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase (ALP). We found that Zip4 accumulation is more rapid in response to zinc deficiency than previously thought. Accumulation increased in the jejunum as early as 1 day following a zinc-deficient diet. In the small intestine, Zip4 protein expression was higher in the jejunum than in the duodenum and was accompanied by reduction of ALP activity, suggesting that the jejunum can become zinc deficient more easily. Furthermore, by monitoring Zip4 accumulation levels and ALP activity in the duodenum and jejunum, we reasserted that zinc deficiency during lactation may transiently alter plasma glucose levels in the offspring in a sex-specific manner, without affecting homeostatic control of zinc metabolism. This confirms that zinc nutrition during lactation is extremely important for the health of the offspring. These results reveal that rapid Zip4 accumulation provides a significant conceptual advance in understanding the molecular basis of systemic zinc homeostatic control, and that properties of Zip4 protein accumulation are useful to evaluate zinc status closely.
Paricalcitol modulates ACE2 shedding and renal ADAM17 in NOD mice beyond proteinuria
Authors: Riera Marta , Anguiano Lidia , Clotet Sergi , Roca-Ho Heleia , Rebull Marta , Pascual Julio , Soler Maria Jose
Published: December 2015

Circulating and renal activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is increased in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Because paricalcitol has been reported to protect against diabetic nephropathy, we investigated the role of paricalcitol in modulating ACE2 in these mice. In addition, renal ADAM17, a metalloprotease implied in ACE2 shedding, was assessed. NOD female and non-diabetic control mice were studied for 21 days after diabetes onset and divided into various treatment groups. Diabetic animals received either vehicle; 0.4 or 0.8 μg/kg paricalcitol, aliskiren, or a combination of paricalcitol and aliskiren. We then studied the effect of paricalcitol on ACE2 expression in proximal tubular epithelial cells. Paricalcitol alone or in combination with aliskiren resulted in significantly reduced circulating ACE2 activity in NOD mice but there were no changes in urinary albumin excretion. Serum renin activity was significantly decreased in mice that received aliskiren but no effect was found when paricalcitol was used alone. Renal content of ADAM17 was significantly decreased in animals that received a high dose of paricalcitol. Renal and circulating oxidative stress (quantified by plasma H2O2levels and immunolocalization of nitrotyrosine) were reduced in high-dose paricalcitol-treated mice compared with non-treated diabetic mice. In culture, paricalcitol incubation resulted in a significant increase in ACE2 expression compared with nontreated cells. In NOD mice with type 1 diabetes, paricalcitol modulates ACE2 activity, ADAM17, and oxidative stress renal content independently from the glycemic profile and urinary albumin excretion. In tubular cells, paricalcitol may modulate ACE2 by blocking its shedding. In the early stage of diabetic nephropathy, paricalcitol treatment counterbalances the effect of diabetes on circulating ACE2 activity. Our results suggest that additional use of paricalcitol may be beneficial in treating patients with diabetes under standard therapeutic strategies.
Impaired excitability of renal afferent innervation after exposure to the inflammatory chemokine CXCL1
Authors: Ditting Tilmann , Freisinger Wolfgang , Rodionova Kristina , Schatz Johannes , Lale Nena , Heinlein Sonja , Linz Peter , Ott Christian , Schmieder Roland E. , Scrogin Karie E. , Veelken Roland
Published: December 2015

Recently, we showed that renal afferent neurons exhibit a unique firing pattern, i.e., predominantly sustained firing, upon stimulation. Pathological conditions such as renal inflammation likely alter excitability of renal afferent neurons. Here, we tested whether the proinflammatory chemokine CXCL1 alters the firing pattern of renal afferent neurons. Rat dorsal root ganglion neurons (Th11-L2), retrogradely labeled with dicarbocyanine dye, were incubated with CXCL1 (20 h) or vehicle before patch-clamp recording. The firing pattern of neurons was characterized as tonic, i.e., sustained action potential (AP) firing, or phasic, i.e., <5 APs following current injection. Of the labeled renal afferents treated with vehicle, 58.9% exhibited a tonic firing pattern vs. 7.8%, in unlabeled, nonrenal neurons ( P < 0.05). However, after exposure to CXCL1, significantly more phasic neurons were found among labeled renal neurons; hence the occurrence of tonic neurons with sustained firing upon electrical stimulation decreased (35.6 vs. 58.9%, P < 0.05). The firing frequency among tonic neurons was not statistically different between control and CXCL1-treated neurons. However, the lower firing frequency of phasic neurons was even further decreased with CXCL1 exposure [control: 1 AP/600 ms (1–2) vs. CXCL1: 1 AP/600 ms (1-1); P < 0.05; median (25th-75th percentile)]. Hence, CXCL1 shifted the firing pattern of renal afferents from a predominantly tonic to a more phasic firing pattern, suggesting that CXCL1 reduced the sensitivity of renal afferent units upon stimulation.
Sexual dimorphism in skeletal muscle protein turnover
Authors: Smith Gordon I. , Mittendorfer Bettina
Published: December 2015

Skeletal muscle is the major constituent of lean body mass and essential for the body's locomotor function. Women have less muscle mass (and more body fat) than men and are therefore not able to exert the same absolute maximal force as men. The difference in body composition between the sexes is evident from infancy but becomes most marked after puberty (when boys experience an accelerated growth spurt) and persists into old age. During early adulthood until approximately the fourth decade of life, muscle mass is relatively stable, both in men and women, but then begins to decline, and the rate of loss is slower in women than in men. In this review we discuss the underlying mechanisms responsible for the age-associated sexual dimorphism in muscle mass (as far as they have been elucidated to date) and highlight areas that require more research to advance our understanding of the control of muscle mass throughout life.
Prognostic value of somatosensory evoked potentials, neuron-specific enolase, and S100 for short-term outcome in ischemic stroke
Authors: Haupt Walter F. , Chopan Ghesal , Sobesky Jan , Liu Wei-Chi , Dohmen Christian
Published: December 2015

To predict short-term outcome in acute ischemic stroke, we analyzed somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and biochemical parameters [neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 protein] in a prospective study with serial measurement. In 31 patients with 1st middle cerebral artery infarction, serum NSE and S100 protein were measured daily between days 1 and 6 poststroke. The N20 and N70 components of the SEP (SEP20 and SEP70) were determined on days 1 and 6. SEP and biochemical markers in stroke patients were compared with a control group. Short-term outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at days 7-10 and was dichotomized between good (mRS 0–2) and poor (mRS ≥3) outcome. Specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were high at day 1 for SEP (SEP20: 100% for both; SEP70: 93 and 88%, respectively) compared with lower values for NSE (67 and 50%) and S100 (23 and 57%). In contrast, S100 showed the highest sensitivity at day 1 with 77% compared with a relatively low sensitivity of NSE (31%) and SEP (SEP20: 35%, SEP70: 47%). The biochemical markers showed an improving sensitivity over time with best values (>90%) between days 3 and 4 at the expense of a lower specificity. Specificity and PPV of SEP on day 6 was still 100% with sensitivity increasing up to 53% (SEP20) and 60% (SEP70). SEP could early differentiate between good and poor outcome and reliably predict poor outcome. Since biochemical markers and SEP complement each other in the prognosis of stroke, a combined application of these markers seems promising.
Perinatal Depression and Patterns of Attachment: A Critical Risk Factor?
Authors: Meuti Valentina , Aceti Franca , Giacchetti Nicoletta , Carluccio Giuseppe Mattia , Zaccagni Michela , Marini Isabella , Giancola Orazio , Ciolli Paola , Biondi Massimo
Published: December 2015

Background. This study aims to verify if the presence and severity of perinatal depression are related to any particular pattern of attachment.Methods. The study started with a screening of a sample of 453 women in their third trimester of pregnancy, who were administered a survey data form, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Experience in Close Relationship (ECR). A clinical group of subjects with perinatal depression (PND, 89 subjects) was selected and compared with a control group (C), regarding psychopathological variables and attachment patterns.Results. The ECR showed a prevalence of “Fearful-Avoidant” attachment style in PND group (29.2% versus 1.1%,p<0.001); additionally, the EPDS average score increases with the increasing of ECR dimensions (Avoidance and Anxiety).Conclusion. The severity of depression increases proportionally to attachment disorganization; therefore, we consider attachment as both an important risk factor as well as a focus for early psychotherapeutic intervention.
Hopf Bifurcation Analysis for a Stochastic Discrete-Time Hyperchaotic System
Authors: Ran Jie , Li Yu-Qin , Ma Shao-Juan , Wu Juan
Published: December 2015

The dynamics of a discrete-time hyperchaotic system and the amplitude control of Hopf bifurcation for a stochastic discrete-time hyperchaotic system are investigated in this paper. Numerical simulations are presented to exhibit the complex dynamical behaviors in the discrete-time hyperchaotic system. Furthermore, the stochastic discrete-time hyperchaotic system with random parameters is transformed into its equivalent deterministic system with the orthogonal polynomial theory of discrete random function. In addition, the dynamical features of the discrete-time hyperchaotic system with random disturbances are obtained through its equivalent deterministic system. By using the Hopf bifurcation conditions of the deterministic discrete-time system, the specific conditions for the existence of Hopf bifurcation in the equivalent deterministic system are derived. And the amplitude control with random intensity is discussed in detail. Finally, the feasibility of the control method is demonstrated by numerical simulations.
Sequence, Structure, and Binding Analysis of Cyclodextrinase (TK1770) fromT. kodakarensis(KOD1) Using anIn SilicoApproach
Authors: Ali Ramzan , Shafiq Muhammad Imtiaz
Published: December 2015

Thermostable cyclodextrinase (Tk1770 CDase) from hyperthermophilic archaeonThermococcus kodakarensis(KOD1) hydrolyzes cyclodextrins into linear dextrins. The sequence of Tk1770 CDase retrieved from UniProt was aligned with sequences of sixteen CD hydrolyzing enzymes and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using Bayesian inference. The homology model of Tk1770 CDase was constructed and optimized with Modeller v9.14 program. The model was validated with ProSA server and PROCHECK analysis. Four conserved regions and the catalytic triad consisting of Asp411, Glu437, and Asp502 of GH13 family were identified in catalytic site. Also an additional fifth conserved region downstream to the fourth region was also identified. The structure of Tk1770 CDase consists of an additional N′-domain and a helix-loop-helix motif that is conserved in all archaeal CD hydrolyzing enzymes. The N′-domain contains an extended loop region that forms a part of catalytic domain and plays an important role in stability and substrate binding. The docking of substrate into catalytic site revealed the interactions with different conserved residues involved in substrate binding and formation of enzyme-substrate complex.