bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inability of Turbidimetry Method in Detecting Glycated Hemoglobin to Select Diabetes Mellitus Patients According to Their Concentrations of Blood Glucose Levels
Authors: Abdallah Alessandra M. , Alves Beatriz C. A. , Gehrke Flávia S. , Sant´Ana Aleksandra V. L. , Azzalis Ligia A. , Junqueira Virginia B. C. , Adami Fernando , Pereira Edimar C. , Fonseca Fernando L. A.
Published: August 2014

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a chronicle illness in which there is a high blood glucose level defined as hyperglycemia, resulted by a deficiency in insulin secretion and/or in its action. Nowadays, it is being seen as a public health problem and is reaching increasing proportions with regard to the appearance of new cases. For diagnosis, sensible and accurate methods should be used to avoid complications of the sickness. The measure of glycated hemoglobin may not be used for diagnosis, but is the reference method to evaluate the grade of glycemic control in the long term, reflecting the blood glucose level in the latest 2–3 months. The aim of this study was to evaluate the grade of concordance between turbidimetry and liquid chromatography methods in the glycated hemoglobin determination and to estimate the sensibility and specificity values of turbidimetry.

Methods

This study included 133 blood samples obtained from patients and healthy donors, ageing between 18 and 80 years with glycemic values between 58 and 473 mg/dl.

Results and Conclusion

Turbidimetry is a useful method for determining glycemic levels above 100 and over 200 mg/dl, but does not have the ability to select samples with intermediary blood glucose concentrations.
Serum Cytokine Levels in Behçet's Disease
Authors: Akkurt Zeynep Meltem , Bozkurt Mehtap , Uçmak Derya , Yüksel Hatice , Uçak Haydar , Sula Bilal , Gürsel Özkurt Zeynep , Yildiz Mehmet , Akdeniz Dicle , Arica Mustafa
Published: August 2014

Background

The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the serum levels of various cytokines in patients with Behçet's Disease and healthy controls.

Methods

Thirty‐five patients with Behçet's disease and 29 age and sex‐matched healthy controls were included in the study. The patients were separated into groups with active and inactive disease. Serum IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐17A, and IFN‐γ levels were determined using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method. Cytokine levels of the two patient groups and healthy controls were compared using SPSS 15.0.

Results

Ten patients with active disease and 25 patients with inactive disease were present. Serum IL‐8 levels of active BD patients were higher compared to inactive patients (P = 0.048) and healthy controls (P = 0.02). IL‐8 levels were correlated with the duration of symptoms (r = 0.490, P = 0.003) and time passed since diagnosis (r = 0.579, P ˂ 0.001).

Conclusion

Behçet's disease involves complex interactions of cells of the immune system, mainly T lymphocytes and neutrophils. Further studies on the cytokine profile in Behçet's disease will aid in elucidation of its pathogenesis.
Marked Elevation of Excitatory Amino Acids in Cerebrospinal Fluid Obtained From Patients With Rotavirus‐Associated Encephalopathy
Authors: Kashiwagi Yasuyo , Kawashima Hisashi , Suzuki Shunsuke , Nishimata Shigeo , Takekuma Koji , Hoshika Akinori
Published: August 2014

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children; however, its pathogenesis and immunity are not completely understood. Even less well recognized is rotavirus‐induced central nervous system (CNS) involvement, which has been associated with seizure, encephalopathy and death, among others. To elucidate the host response to rotavirus infection, we retrospectively examined neurotransmitter amino acids in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 19 children with CNS involvement associated with rotavirus infection. Subjects were classified into two groups: those with encephalopathy followed by prolonged seizure (encephalopathy group) and those who had experienced afebrile, brief cluster of seizures without encephalopathy (cluster group). The levels of glutamate, glycine, and taurine in the encephalopathy group were significantly higher than those in the cluster group. Increased levels of excitatory amino acids in the CSF may induce neurological disorders and be related to disorder severity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding amino acids in the CSF obtained from patients with rotavirus‐induced CNS involvement. Further study is necessary to elucidate the role of CSF amino acid levels in rotavirus‐induced CNS involvement.
An Evaluation of Laboratory Efficiency in Shanghai Emergency by Turn Around Times Level
Authors: Lu Yiming , Leong Waiian , Wei Bohua , Yu Ping , Wang Cuicui , Ying Yilin , Wang Tingsong , Tong Jianjing , Zhu Dingliang , Ye Jing
Published: August 2014

Objective

China launched a health care reform policy due to the aging population and rapid urbanization. However, emergency overcrowding is not improved. We assessed the laboratory efficiency of emergency department (ED) in Shanghai hospitals.

Methods

We recorded the turn around times for processing laboratory biomarkers to assess laboratory efficiency at 17 EDs in national/regional hospitals. We compared TAT between national and regional hospitals and between central and ED laboratories to analyze the relationship between the laboratory efficiency and the ED overcrowding.

Results

All the participating hospitals have an emergency laboratory. The median TAT for c‐TNT was 61 min (46–76 min) at regional EDs compared with 64 min (46–87 min) at national EDs; therefore, the TAT at regional EDs were more efficient (P < 0.05). The TAT were longer (65 min (53–85 min)) at ED labs than (60 min (42–83 min)) at central labs (P < 0.05), independent of the hospital tier and working period. We discovered that only 9% of investigated samples at Tier II EDs and 5% at Tier III EDs were assayed by point‐of‐care (POC) instruments.

Conclusion

Our TAT level is approaching the recommended international standard. However, the TAT evaluation from ED laboratories demonstrates that their existence does not decrease the waiting time for laboratory reports compared to central laboratory. Thus, they have not yet approached a level to share the burden of the ED overcrowding. Further arrangement should be assigned to separate the function of emergency laboratory and central laboratory. It is worth deploying the POC assay in the ED, which will save twice the TAT level. The idea of evaluating routine laboratory efficiency by TAT at ED is fast, convenient, although it does not represent the general level of laboratory efficiency.
Inability to Measure M‐Protein With Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CAPPILLARYS 2) in Tracings With NonDiscernable Peaks
Authors: Huang Richard S. P. , Dasgupta Amitava , Nguyen Andy N. D. , Wahed Amer
Published: August 2014

Background

We performed a retrospective study to illustrate the challenges with quantifying monoclonal (M)‐protein in the cases of serum protein capillary zone electrophoresis (SPCZE) where no discernable peak is apparent.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 160 serum immunofixation electrophoresis (SIFE) that were performed at Memorial Hermann Hospital‐Texas Medical Center between October 2013 and November 2013 and we identified the positive SIFE results. The corresponding SPCZE of the positive SIFE were retrieved and evaluated for the ability to quantify M‐proteins in them. We define the ability to quantify M‐protein as the ability for the operator of the SPCZE to identify a discernable peak and to be able to manually gate the area under the peak.

Results

Twenty‐two cases of SIFE detected a monoclonal immunoglobulin. Of the corresponding 22 SPCZE, we could not quantify the M‐protein in 6 (27.3%) of the cases.

Conclusion

We have shown several cases where we were not able to quantify the M‐protein with SPCZE. This poses a challenge in the diagnosis and management of these patients.
Impact of Body Mass Index on Progression of IgA Nephropathy Among Japanese Patients
Authors: Shimamoto Mamiko , Ohsawa Isao , Suzuki Hiyori , Hisada Atsuko , Nagamachi Seiji , Honda Daisuke , Inoshita Hiroyuki , Shimizu Yoshio , Horikoshi Satoshi , Tomino Yasuhiko
Published: August 2014

Background

The impact of being overweight remains unclear in Asian populations that tend to be lean. The objective of this study is to clarify the impact of body mass index (BMI) and metabolic factors on the prognosis of Japanese patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods

A total of 193 patients with IgAN were divided into three groups equally according to BMI: Group L (lean group, BMI: 15.6–20.1 kg/m2), Group M (middle group, BMI: 20.2–23.0 kg/m2), and Group O (obesity group, BMI: 23.1–31.9 kg/m2). Clinical data at the time of renal biopsy and the progression of the patients after renal biopsy were analyzed.

Results

At the time of renal biopsy, hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and hypercomplementemia in Group O were more significant compared with those in Group L and/or Group M. Uric acid, triglyceride, C3, C4, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum creatinine, systolic blood pressure (BP), and diastolic BP were significantly correlated with BMI. In Group O, the remission of urinary protein over 5 years was significantly delayed using a log‐rank test. At the final observation, the BMI of each group was as similar as that at renal biopsy. The patients with aggressive therapy, such as steroid therapy and/or tonsillectomy in Group O did not have major side effects, except for a slight elevation of total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusion

Even slightly high BMI seems to be a risk factor for progress in Japanese patients with IgAN.
In Vivo Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Eight Types of Urinary Calculi Using Spiral Computerized Tomography in a Chinese Population
Authors: Huo Jun , Liu Zhong‐Yuan , Wang Ke‐Feng , Xu Zhen‐Qun
Published: August 2014

Background

This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition of eight types of urinary calculi using spiral computerized tomography (CT) in vivo.

Methods

From October 2011 to February 2013, upper urinary tract calculi were obtained from 122 patients in the department of urinary surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. All patients were scanned with a 64‐detector row helical CT scanner using 6.50 mm collimation before ureterorenoscopy. Data from the preoperative spiral CT scans and postoperative chemical composition of urinary calculi were collected.

Results

The chemical composition analysis indicates that there were five types of pure calculi and three types of mixed calculi, including 39 calcium oxalate calculi, 12 calcium phosphate calculi, 10 calcium carbonate calculi, 8 magnesium ammonium phosphate calculi, 6 carbonated apatite, 21 uric acid/ammonium urate calculi, 10 uric acid/calcium oxalate calculi, and 16 calcium oxalate/calcium phosphate calculi. There were significant differences in the mean CT values among the five types of pure calculi (P < 0.001). Furthermore, we also observed significant differences in the mean CT values among three types of mixed calculi (P < 0.001). Significant differences in the mean CT values were also found among eight types of urinary calculi (P < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the mean CT values of magnesium ammonium phosphate calculi and uric acid/calcium oxalate calculi (P = 0.262).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that spiral CT could be a promising tool for determining the chemical composition of upper urinary tract calculi.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Secreted Proteins As Potential Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Active Tuberculosis and Latent Tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Zhang Caiqin , Song Xiaoqin , Zhao Yong , Zhang Hai , Zhao Shanmin , Mao Fengfeng , Bai Bing , Wu Shaoping , Shi Changhong
Published: August 2014

Background

The detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) specific human antibodies has been an important diagnostic aid in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) cases with smear‐negative sputum samples, especially for the screening of high‐risk population. This study focused on the analysis and comparison of the four potential Mtb‐secreted proteins (ESAT6, CFP10, Ag85B, Hsp16.3) and the fusion protein Ag85B‐Hsp16.3 as new markers in the serodiagnosis between active TB and latent TB infection (LTBI).

Methods

These five recombinant proteins were produced and used in optimized ELISA to detect IgG serum antibodies against the four secreted proteins. The capacity of identifying infection was evaluated either in active TB patients or LTBI individuals, which was compared with the control groups consisting of hospitalized non‐TB individuals.

Results

The results showed that Ag85B‐Hsp16.3/ESAT6 and Hsp16.3/ESAT6 were the best‐associated antigens for serology diagnosis of the active TB and LTBI individuals because of their specificity, sensitivity, YI values, and positive rates, respectively. ELISA test demonstrated that 41.67% (25/60) of blood donors respond to Ag85B‐Hsp16.3/ESAT6. The consistency of this positive respond with clinical diagnosis almost reached 84% (21/25).

Conclusion

Thus, a combined test of multiple Mtb‐secreted proteins Ag85B, Hsp16.3, and ESAT6 may be the ascendant preliminary screening antigens for active TB or LTBI patients.
Enhanced RBC Aggregation in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: Li Qing , Li Li , Li Yong
Published: August 2014

Background

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between HbA1c and RBC aggregation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients by analysis of data from routine clinical tests and from in vitro experiments.

Methods

A total of 2,111 inpatients with type 2 diabetes were selected and among them, 364 patients (Group A) had limited influence of plasma proteins on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and was compared with the rest of the 1,747 inpatients (Group B). ESR, HbA1c, WBC, CRP, Fbg, and HCT were measured in all samples. Sixty samples were also collected from T2DM patients and used for in vitro ESR studies. Spearman's correlation coefficients were employed to reflect the correlation between ESR and other parameters. Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the study parameters.

Results

The test results for Group A were lower than Group B with respect to ESR, age, HCT, HbA1c, CRP, WBC, and Fbg. Only the difference in HbA1c, CRP, and Fbg values had statistical significance (P < 0.05). In addition, HbA1c correlated better with ESR for Group A (R = 0.622) than Group B (R = 0.563), whereas CRP and Fbg were contrary to this. In the in vitro studies, the HbA1c values were classified into the subgroups of 6.5–8.0%, 8.1–10%, and >10%. The corresponding ESR values were 28 ± 5.1 mm/h, 33 ± 2.7 mm/h, and 40 ± 4.1 mm/h, respectively.

Conclusion

ESR results of T2DM patients were elevated that was mainly caused by Fbg levels, and in addition HbA1c in part contributed to RBC aggregation.
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase Activity is Associated With Both Paraoxonase Activity and Aortic Stiffness in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Gözükara Mehmet Yavuz , Börekçi Abdurrezzak , Gür Mustafa , Aksoy Nurten , Şeker Taner , Kaypaklı Onur , Uçar Hakan , Türkoğlu Caner , Koç Mevlüt , Makca İlyas , Akyol Selahattin , Selek Şahbettin , Çaylı Murat
Published: August 2014

Background

We aimed to investigate relationship between gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity with paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and aortic stiffness (AS) parameters such as pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx).

Methods

Measurements were obtained from 324 patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension (mean age: 55.0 ± 8.2 years). The patients were divided into two groups according to their median GGT values. PWV and AIx were calculated using the single‐point method via the Mobil‐O‐Graph® ARCsolver algorithm.

Results

PWV, Aix, and high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) values were higher and PON1 activity values were lower in GGThigh group compared with GGTlow group (P < 0.05, for all). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that GGT activity was independently associated with PWV (β = 0.496, P < 0.001) and PON1 activity (β = −0.343, P < 0.001) as well as hs‐CRP (β = 0.334, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

These results may support that increased GGT activity would be associated with both impaired antioxidant system and increased AS in hypertensive patients.
Automated Competitive Protein‐Binding Assay for Total 25‐OH Vitamin D, Multicenter Evaluation and Practical Performance
Authors: Wielders Jos PM , Carter Graeme F. , Eberl Heike , Morris Gary , Jürgen Roth Heinz , Vogl Christian
Published: August 2014

Background

The Roche Elecsys Vitamin D Total competitive protein‐binding assay uses recombinant vitamin D binding protein for measuring 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25‐OHD), which is different from commonly used antibody assays.

Methods

The assay, standardized against LC‐MS/MS, was tested at four sites. Evaluation included precision; between‐laboratory variability; functional sensitivity; correlation to LC‐MS/MS, HPLC, and immunoassays; as well as robustness, traceability, and EQAS performance.

Results

Precision testing showed within‐run coefficient of variations (CVs) of ≤7%, within‐laboratory CVs of <9.5%, between‐laboratory precision CVs of ≤10.1%, and a functional sensitivity below 9.8 nmol/l (at CV 12.9%). The assay showed equivalent 25‐OHD levels for matched serum and plasma samples, good reagent lot‐to‐lot consistency in pooled sera over time, and good agreement with HPLC (relative bias −8.8%). Comparison with LC‐MS/MS methods yielded relative biases of −15.4, −13.5, −10.2, and 3.2%. Comparison against immunoassays showed a relative bias of 14.5% (DiaSorin Liaison) and −58.2% (IDS‐iSYS). The overall mean results in 2 years DEQAS was 102% of the ALTM. In a certified reference patient panel, the average bias was <4% for the sum of 25‐OHD2 and 25‐OHD3.

Conclusion

The Elecsys Vitamin D Total assay demonstrated good overall performance and is, according to present standards, very suitable for automated measurement of 25‐OHD.
Comparison of Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for the Evaluation of MDM2 Amplification in Adipocytic Tumors
Authors: Mardekian Stacey K. , Solomides Charalambos C. , Gong Jerald Z. , Peiper Stephen C. , Wang Zi‐Xuan , Bajaj Renu
Published: August 2014

Background

Atypical lipomatous tumor/well‐differentiated liposarcoma (ALT‐WDLPS) and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) are characterized cytogenetically by a 12q13–15 amplification involving the mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) oncogene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is used frequently to detect this amplification and aid with the diagnosis of these entities, which is difficult by morphology alone. Recently, bright‐field in situ hybridization techniques such as chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) have been introduced for the determination of MDM2 amplification status.

Methods

The present study compared the results of FISH and CISH for detecting MDM2 amplification in 41 cases of adipocytic tumors. Amplification was defined in both techniques as a MDM2/CEN12 ratio of 2 or greater.

Results

Eleven cases showed amplification with both FISH and CISH, and 26 cases showed no amplification with both methods. Two cases had discordant results between CISH and FISH, and two cases were not interpretable by CISH.

Conclusion

CISH is advantageous for allowing pathologists to evaluate the histologic and molecular alterations occurring simultaneously in a specimen. Moreover, CISH is found to be more cost‐ and time‐efficient when used with automation, and the signals do not quench over time. CISH technique is a reliable alternative to FISH in the evaluation of adipocytic tumors for MDM2 amplification.
Modeling the effects of sensory reinforcers on behavioral persistence with alternative reinforcement
Authors: Sweeney Mary M. , Moore Keira , Shahan Timothy A. , Ahearn William H. , Dube William V. , Nevin John A.
Published: August 2014

Problem behavior often has sensory consequences that cannot be separated from the target response, even if external, social reinforcers are removed during treatment. Because sensory reinforcers that accompany socially mediated problem behavior may contribute to persistence and relapse, research must develop analog sensory reinforcers that can be experimentally manipulated. In this research, we devised analogs to sensory reinforcers in order to control for their presence and determine how sensory reinforcers may impact treatment efficacy. Experiments 1 and 2 compared the efficacy of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) versus noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) with and without analog sensory reinforcers in a multiple schedule. Experiment 1 measured the persistence of key pecking in pigeons, whereas Experiment 2 measured the persistence of touchscreen responses in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Across both experiments, the presence of analog sensory reinforcers increased the levels, persistence, and variability of responding relative to when analog sensory reinforcers were absent. Also in both experiments, target responding was less persistent under conditions of DRA compared to NCR regardless of the presence or absence of analog sensory reinforcers.
Impulsivity, risk‐taking, and distractibility in rats exhibiting robust conditioned orienting behaviors
Authors: Olshavsky Megan E. , Shumake Jason , Rosenthal Alek A. , Kaddour‐Djebbar Amine , Gonzalez‐Lima F. , Setlow Barry , Lee Hongjoo J.
Published: August 2014

When a neutral cue is followed by a significant event such as food delivery, some animals become engaged with the cue itself and acquire cue‐directed behaviors. One type of cue‐directed behavior is observed following insertion of a lever used as a conditioned stimulus (CS). Rats showing robust approach behavior to the lever also display impulsivity and altered attention, as compared to rats showing behavior directed toward the reward delivery location. The current study used a light CS to categorize rats' propensity for cue‐directed behavior, and assessed whether individual differences in impulsivity and related behaviors still emerged. During the light–food pairings, some rats displayed enhanced rearing or orienting to the light (Orienters) prior to showing food cup approach behavior, while other rats only showed food cup approach behavior (Nonorienters). Our results showed that Orienters made more impulsive and risky decisions in two different choice tasks, and were quicker to leave a familiar dark environment to enter a novel bright field. Orienters also showed less accurate target detection when a visual distractor was introduced during an attentional challenge. Our current study suggests that light CS‐induced rearing/orienting behavior might not necessarily share an identical mechanism with lever CS‐approach behavior in predicting impulsivity‐related behaviors.
Cerebral blood flow measurements in infants using look–locker arterial spin labeling
Authors: Varela Marta , Petersen Esben T. , Golay Xavier , Hajnal Joseph V.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) using Look–Locker arterial spin labeling (ASL) in children under 1 year of age and to investigate the advantages of using subject‐specific estimates of ASL model parameters in this population.

Materials and Methods

Of 12 scanned infants, we successfully acquired CBF maps in 7 (postmenstrual age: 32 to 78 weeks) using a Look–Locker ASL scheme and both adult literature‐derived and subject‐specific model parameters. ASL global CBF measurements were compared with independent global CBF measurements obtained in the same scanning session using phase‐contrast angiography.

Results

Measured global CBF values ranged from 24 to 56 mL/100g/min in the scanned infants, increasing significantly with postmenstrual age (ρSpearman = 0.89, P‐value = 0.01). Using subject‐specific model parameters yielded CBF estimates in significantly better agreement with phase‐contrast angiography values (P‐value: 0.80) than when standard adult parameters were used (P‐value: 0.04).

Conclusion

Look–Locker ASL can be used to measure CBF in infants and its accuracy is improved with the use of infant‐specific auxiliary parameters, particularly blood and tissue T1, which were much more variable in the imaged infants in than adults. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1591–1600. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of interleukin‐8 and neutrophils with nasal symptom severity during acute respiratory infection
Authors: Henriquez Kelsey M. , Hayney Mary S. , Xie Yaoguo , Zhang Zhengjun , Barrett Bruce
Published: August 2014

Using a large data set (n = 811), the relationship between acute respiratory infection illness severity and inflammatory biomarkers was investigated to determine whether certain symptoms are correlated more closely than others with the inflammatory biomarkers, interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and nasal neutrophils. Participants with community acquired acute respiratory infection underwent nasal lavage for IL‐8 and neutrophil testing, in addition to multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for the detection and identification of respiratory viruses. Information about symptoms was obtained throughout the duration of the illness episode using the well‐validated Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS‐21). Global symptom severity was calculated by the area under the curve (AUC) plotting duration versus WURSS total. Of the specimens tested, 56% were positively identified for one or more of nine different respiratory viruses. During acute respiratory infection illness, both IL‐8 and neutrophils positively correlate with AUC (rs = 0.082, P = 0.022; rs = 0.080, P = 0.030). IL‐8 and neutrophils correlate with nasal symptom severity: runny nose (r = 0.13, P = < 0.00001; r = 0.18, P = < 0.003), plugged nose (r = 0.045, P = 0.003; r = 0.14, P = 0.058), and sneezing (r = −0.02, P = < 0.0001; r = −0.0055, P = 0.31). Neutrophils correlate with some quality of life measures such as sleeping well (r = 0.15, P = 0.026). Thus, the study demonstrates that IL‐8 and neutrophils are correlated with severity of nasal symptoms during acute respiratory infection. Further research is necessary to determine if the concentration of these or other biomarkers can predict the overall duration and severity of acute respiratory infection illness. J. Med. Virol. 87:330–337, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Revealing interactions between polyaza pyridinophane compounds and DNA/RNA polynucleotides by SERS spectroscopy
Authors: Dijanošić Adriana , Miljanić Snežana , Piantanida Ivo , González‐García Jorge , García‐España Enrique
Published: August 2014

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS) in the near‐infrared region had been applied to study interactions of polyaza pyridinophanes with single stranded RNA and double stranded DNA and RNA polynucleotides. Studied compounds, PYPOD and PHENPOD, differed in the central aromatic moiety, pyridine and phenanthroline, respectively, which linked two cyclic amines. An intense scattering was obtained from molecules adsorbed onto the silver nanoparticles, showing nonlinear concentration dependence in the 6.5 × 10−8−6.5 × 10−5 M range. New bands in spectra of PYPOD/polynucleotide and PHENPOD/polynucleotide mixtures were assigned to vibrational modes of polynucleotide moieties involved in interactions. SERS spectra of both polyaza pyridinophanes with single stranded RNA polynucleotides indicated hydrogen bonding between the small molecules and the nucleic bases of poly A, poly C and poly U, whereas an interaction of only PYPOD with poly G was suggested. SERS spectra implied that both compounds bound into the minor groove of the helical poly dAdT–poly dAdT polynucleotide, while none of polyaza pyridinophanes interacted with the grooves of the poly dGdC–poly dGdC polynucleotide. Nevertheless, intensity ratios suggested intercalation of the phenanthroline moiety of the PHENPOD molecules into the double helix of the guanine‐cytosine polynucleotide. Spectral features also indicated binding of the PYPOD molecules within the major groove of the double stranded RNA analog. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Well‐Defined Glycopolymers via RAFT Polymerization: Stabilization of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Álvarez‐Paino Marta , Bordegé Vanesa , Cuervo‐Rodríguez Rocío , Muñoz‐Bonilla Alexandra , Fernández‐García Marta
Published: August 2014

Well‐defined glycopolymers of poly(2‐{[(d‐glucosamin‐2‐N‐yl)carbonyl]oxy}ethyl meth(acry­late)) (PHEMAGl and PHEAGl, respectively) are first synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in green solvents such as water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The biomolecular recognition of the synthesized glycopolymers bearing glucose residues toward Concanavalin A lectin is confirmed by turbidimetric assays. Subsequently, HEMAGl glycopolymer is mixed with gold nanoparticles in the presence of sodium borohydride, which reduces the terminal groups to thiol and yields the preparation of synthetic carbohydrate polymer‐stabilized gold nanoparticles showing enhanced colloidal stability. The resulting glyco‐nanoparticles are characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and field‐emission electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), whereas the molecular recognition abilities are investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy by analyzing the shift in the plasmon band as a consequence of the aggregation variation with the addition of Concanavalin A.

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Associations between Salivary Testosterone Levels, Androgen-Related Genetic Polymorphisms, and Self-Estimated Ejaculation Latency Time
Authors: Jern P. , Westberg L. , Ankarberg-Lindgren C. , Johansson A. , Gunst A. , Sandnabba N. K. , Santtila P.
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Recently, testosterone (T) has been shown to be associated with premature ejaculation (PE) symptoms in the literature. Furthermore, studies suggest that the etiology of PE is partly under genetic control.

Aim

The aim of this study was to reassess findings suggesting an association between testosterone (T) and a key symptom of PE, ejaculation latency time (ELT), as well as exploratively investigating associations between six androgen-related genetic polymorphisms and ELT.

Materials and Methods

Statistical analyses were performed on a population-based sample of 1,429 Finnish men aged 18–45 years (M = 26.9, SD = 4.7). Genotype information was available for 1,345–1,429 of these (depending on the polymorphism), and salivary T samples were available from 384 men. Two androgen receptor gene-linked, two 5-alpha-reductase type 2-gene-linked, and two sex hormone-binding globuline gene-linked polymorphisms were genotyped.

Main Outcome Measures

Ejaculatory function was assessed using self-reported ELT.

Results

We found no association between salivary T levels and ELT. We found a nominally significant association between a 5-alpha-reductase type 2-gene-linked polymorphism (rs2208532) and ELT, but this association did not remain significant after correction for multiple testing. One single nucleotide polymorphism in the sex hormone-binding globulin gene (rs1799941) moderated (significantly after correction for multiple testing) the association between salivary T and ELT, so that A:A genotype carriers had significantly lower salivary T levels as a function of increasing ELT compared with other genotype groups.

Conclusions

We were unable to find support for the hypothesis suggesting an association between T levels and ELT, possibly because of the low number of phenotypically extreme cases (the sample used in the present study was population based). Our results concerning genetic associations should be interpreted with caution until replication studies have been conducted.
Growth and survival: The moderating effects of local agglomeration and local market structure
Authors: Pe'er Aviad , Vertinsky Ilan , Keil Thomas
Published: August 2014

One of the central explanations of the high failure rates of de novo entrants is the liability of smallness. As a corollary, most prior literature has suggested that firms should experience survival benefits from growth. In this paper, we argue that survival benefits need to be balanced against the potential cost of rapid growth, and they are contingent upon the structure of the environment. We predict a curvilinear relationship between an entrant's growth rate and failure, and argue that the relationship is contingent upon the local agglomeration of economic activity and the local structure of competition. We test and find support for our predictions using firm‐level longitudinal data of all de novo entrants into theCanadian manufacturing sector between 1984 and 1998. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
CLP1 as a novel player in linking tRNA splicing to neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Weitzer Stefan , Hanada Toshikatsu , Penninger Josef M. , Martinez Javier
Published: August 2014

Defects in RNA metabolic pathways are well‐established causes for neurodegenerative disorders. Several mutations in genes involved in pre‐messenger RNA (pre‐mRNA) and tRNA metabolism, RNA stability and protein translation have been linked to motor neuron diseases. Our study on a mouse carrying a catalytically inactive version of the RNA kinase CLP1, a component of the tRNA splicing endonuclease complex, revealed a neurological disorder characterized by progressive loss of lower spinal motor neurons. Surprisingly, mutant mice accumulate a novel class of tRNA‐derived fragments. In addition, patients with homozygous missense mutations in CLP1 (R140H) were recently identified who suffer from severe motor‐sensory defects, cortical dysgenesis and microcephaly, and exhibit alterations in transfer RNA (tRNA) splicing. Here, we review functions of CLP1 in different RNA pathways and provide hypotheses on the role of the tRNA splicing machinery in the generation of tRNA fragments and the molecular links to neurodegenerative disorders. We further immerse the biology of tRNA splicing into topics of (t)RNA metabolism and oxidative stress, putting forward the idea that defects in tRNA processing leading to tRNA fragment accumulation might trigger the development of neurodegenerative diseases. WIREs RNA 2015, 6:47–63. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1255

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > 3' End Processing

RNA Processing > tRNA Processing

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Analyzing Test-Taking Behavior: Decision Theory Meets Psychometric Theory
Authors: Budescu David V. , Bo Yuanchao
Published: August 2014

We investigate the implications of penalizing incorrect answers to multiple-choice tests, from the perspective of both test-takers and test-makers. To do so, we use a model that combines a well-known item response theory model with prospect theory (Kahneman and Tversky, Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk, Econometrica 47:263–91, 1979). Our results reveal that when test-takers are fully informed of the scoring rule, the use of any penalty has detrimental effects for both test-takers (they are always penalized in excess, particularly those who are risk averse and loss averse) and test-makers (the bias of the estimated scores, as well as the variance and skewness of their distribution, increase as a function of the severity of the penalty).
Progress in developments of dry coal beneficiation
Authors: Zhao Yuemin , Yang Xuliang , Luo Zhenfu , Duan Chenlong , Song Shulei
Published: August 2014

China’s energy supply heavily relies on coal and China’s coal resource and water resource has a reverse distribution. The problem of water shortages restricts the applications of wet coal beneficiation technologies in drought regions. The present situation highlights the significance and urgency of developing dry beneficiation technologies of coal. Besides, other countries that produce large amounts of coal also encounter serious problem of lack of water for coal beneficiation, such as American, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Turkey and India. Thus, dry coal beneficiation becomes the research hot-points in the field of coal cleaning worldwide in recent years. This paper systematically reviewed the promising research efforts on dry coal beneficiation reported in literature in last 5 years and discussed the progress in developments of dry coal beneficiation worldwide. Finally, we also elaborated the prospects and the challenges of the development of dry coal beneficiation.
Serum amyloid A-related inflammation is lowered by increased fruit and vegetable intake, while high-sensitive C-reactive protein, IL-6 and E-selectin remain unresponsive
Authors: Nadeem Nida , Woodside Jayne V. , Neville Charlotte E. , McCall Damian O. , McCance David , Edgar David , Young Ian S. , McEneny Jane
Published: August 2014

The present study assessed whether increased fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake reduced the concentrations of the inflammatory marker serum amyloid A (SAA) in serum, HDL2and HDL3and whether the latter reduction influenced any of the functional properties of these HDL subfractions. The present study utilised samples from two previous studies: (1) the FAVRIT (Fruit and Vegetable Randomised Intervention Trial) study – hypertensive subjects (systolic blood pressure (BP) range 140–190 mmHg; diastolic BP range 90–110 mmHg) were randomised to receive a 1-, 3- or 6-portion F&V/d intervention for 8 weeks, and (2) the ADIT (Ageing and Dietary Intervention Trial) study – older subjects (65–85 years) were randomised to receive a 2- or 5-portion F&V/d intervention for 16 weeks. HDL2and HDL3were isolated by rapid ultracentrifugation. Measurements included the following: serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) by an immunoturbidimetric assay; serum IL-6 and E-selectin and serum-, HDL2- and HDL3-SAA by ELISA procedures; serum-, HDL2- and HDL3-cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activity by a fluorometric assay. Although the concentrations of hsCRP, IL-6 and E-selectin were unaffected by increasing F&V intake in both studies (P>0·05 for all comparisons), those of SAA in HDL3decreased in the FAVRIT cohort (P= 0·049) and those in HDL2and HDL3decreased in the ADIT cohort (P= 0·035 and 0·032), which was accompanied by a decrease in the activity of CETP in HDL3in the FAVRIT cohort (P= 0·010) and in HDL2in the ADIT cohort (P= 0·030). These results indicate that SAA responds to increased F&V intake, while other inflammatory markers remain unresponsive, and this leads to changes in HDL2and HDL3, which may influence their antiatherogenic potential. Overall, the present study provides tangible evidence of the effectiveness of increased F&V intake, which may be of use to health policy makers and the general public.
Space Before God? A Problem in Newton's Metaphysics
Authors: Connolly Patrick J.
Published: August 2014

My goal in this paper is to elucidate a problematic feature of Newton's metaphysics of absolute space. Specifically, I argue that Newton's theory has the untenable consequence that God depends on space for His existence and is therefore not an independent entity. I argue for this conclusion in stages. First, I show that Newton believed that space was an entity and that God and space were ontologically distinct entities. Part of this involves arguing that Newton denies that space is a divine attribute. I then show that Newton endorsed a principle according to which the existence of space is a necessary condition for the existence of any other entity. Following this, I discuss the ways in which this makes God depend on space for His existence and the reasons why this is unacceptable for traditional conceptions of God. Specifically, I show that it is incompatible with the orthodox position that God be entirely independent and self-determining. Finally, I offer two considerations which, I hope, make the problem seem less serious than it first appears. The first consideration has to do with Newton's polemical context and the second has to do with the nature of his theological thought.
Professional Training in the Workplace: The Role of Achievement Motivation and Locus of Control
Authors: Suárez-Álvarez Javier , Campillo-Álvarez Ángela , Fonseca-Pedrero Eduardo , García-Cueto Eduardo , Muñiz José
Published: August 2014

The core objective of the present work is to explore the reasons why workers from different employment sectors join training courses to improve their job. To this end we assessed achievement motivation, locus of control and professional qualifications according to the participants’ employment sector. The final sample consisted of 1460 active Spanish workers from four different employment sectors: services, catering, metal construction, and others. Of the sample, 40.1% were male and 59.9% female, with a mean age of 33.3 years (SD= 9.7). The results show that the new scale developed to assess achievement motivation, locus of control and workers’ qualifications presents adequate psychometric characteristics. Statistically significant differences were found in relation to employment sector. The areas studied showed satisfactory levels of workers’ effort and achievement motivation to perform their jobs, though their attitudes toward the training courses as a basis for improving their employability are varied. Workers in the catering sector had higher levels of external attribution and the lowest interest in training. Those in the service sector had higher levels of achievement motivation and effort at work. Future research should develop a joint program covering the public and private sectors for the modification of these beliefs, attitudes and attributions.
Predicting QTc Prolongation in Man From Only In Vitro Data
Authors: Leishman DJ
Published: August 2014

Mishra et al.1 in their article “Interaction between domperidone and ketoconazole: toward prediction of consequent QTc prolongation using purely in vitro information” describe the use of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and pharmacodynamic models of cardiac repolarization to predict clinical data from preclinical data. Eliminating the risk of cardiac arrhythmias through delayed repolarization often relies on preclinical data during compound selection. Although there are some limitations, there appears to be significant promise in using this modeling approach.

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e131; doi:10.1038/psp.2014.33; published online 20 August 2014
Preferential Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide in Hydrogen Stream over Gold Catalysts
Authors: Chen Yu-Wen , Sasirekha Natarajan
Published: August 2014

Catalysis by gold nanoparticles is a fascinating and a growing field of interest due to its wide range of application. The development of innovative supported gold catalysts is a crucial factor towards developing sustainable chemical processes. In the past three decades, scientific studies on gold nanoparticles have tuned their chemical and physical properties to meet the requirements of industrial and practical applications, especially in the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide, which plays a crucial role in cleaning up reformate hydrogen gas in polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Titanium dioxide has emerged as an excellent support for gold nanoparticles. In this review we discuss the preparation methods of gold nanoparticles supported on titania and the influence of various promoters in deciding its catalytic activity for the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide in a hydrogen-rich stream (PROX) reaction.
Model Catalysts for Au Catalysis: From Single Crystals to Supported Nanoparticles
Authors: Huang Weixin
Published: August 2014

This chapter summarized the fundamental understanding of the complex and structure-sensitive gold catalysis achieved by the model catalyst approach. Following a short overview of the core issues and challenges in fundamental gold catalysis, the model catalyst approach is introduced and experimental results from single crystals-based model catalysts are discussed. A novel strategy of model catalysts from single crystals to well-defined powder catalysts for a comprehensive fundamental study of gold catalysis is proposed and the progress achieved on understanding the origin of the high catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles at low temperatures, the structure-intrinsic activity relation of gold nanoparticles in low-temperature CO oxidation and the gold–oxide interaction is described. The chapter concludes with a short statement of the outlook for the future.
Insulator-to-semiconductor transition of nanocrystalline BaTiO3 at temperatures ≤200 °C
Authors: Guo Xin
Published: August 2014

Only by decreasing the grain size, one can transform BaTiO3 from an insulator to a semiconductor at room temperature.
One-pot fabrication of novel cuboctahedral Cu2O crystals enclosed by anisotropic surfaces with enhancing catalytic performance
Authors: Sun Shaodong , Zhang Hongjia , Tang LinLi , Zhang Xiaozhe , Yang Zhimao
Published: August 2014

One-pot solution-phase selective-etching to create cuboctahedral Cu2O crystals enclosed by both stepped {111} surfaces and smooth {100} surfaces has been demonstrated.
The effects of CO2pressure and pH on the Suzuki coupling of basic nitrogen containing substrates
Authors: Senter C. , Rumple A. , Medina-Ramos W. , Houle D. , Cheng Z. , Gelbaum C. , Fisk J. , Holden B. , Pollet P. , Eckert C. A. , Liotta Charles L.
Published: August 2014

The Suzuki coupling reaction of basic nitrogen containing substrates (2-bromo- and 2-chloro-4-aminopyridine, and 2-bromo and 2-chloropyridine) with phenylboronic acid using Pd(TPP)2Cl2/K3PO4in acetonitrile–water biphasic solvent systems under a CO2or a N2atmosphere is discussed.
Natural Speech and AAC Intervention in Childhood Motor Speech Disorders: Not an Either/Or Situation
Authors: Oommen Elizabeth R. , McCarthy John W.
Published: August 2014

The future of natural speech development is uncertain for children with motor speech disorders (MSD). There is a strong desire to put plans in place as early as possible to anticipate long-term needs. Simultaneously, the knowledge that natural speech development may take time and effort and the idea that augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can help to fill in the gap while such progress is being made makes sense on a foundational level. However, practical questions remain about the balance of natural speech intervention along with AAC use, particularly when both skills may require intervention and practice before functional benefits are realized. Although AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication, what the acronym does not provide is an indication of how balance between augmenting natural speech and seeking more of an alternative is to be obtained. In this article, we review impairments in natural speech in children with MSDs. Through this lens, we navigate a path to understanding how, on a practical level, AAC and natural speech strategies can be implemented simultaneously and in a complementary fashion. Following an overview of literature, we move to a discussion of the dual paradigm approach. Finally, we conclude with practical applications of principles through a case study.