bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraspecific variation in the pterosaur Rhamphorhynchus muensteri—implications for flight and socio-sexual signaling
Authors: Habib Michael B. , Hone David WE.
Published: July 2024

Pterosaurs were the first powered flying vertebrates, with a fossil record that stretches back to about 230 million years before present. Most species are only known from one to three specimens, which are most often fragmentary. However, Rhamphorhynchus muensteri is known from numerous excellent specimens, including multiple specimens with soft tissue preservation. As such, Rhamphorhynchus muensteri is one of the only pterosaurs amenable to analysis for intraspecific variation. It has been previously predicted that elements directly involved in the flight apparatus, such as those of the forelimb, will be more highly constrained in their proportions than other parts of the skeleton. We investigated the degree of variation seen in elements and body parts of Rhamphorhynchus, which represents the best model system among pterosaurs for testing these expectations of intraspecific variation. We recover evidence for high levels of constraint throughout the appendicular and axial elements (head, neck, torso, tail, forelimbs, hindlimbs), suggesting that all were important for flight. We further find that tail variation increases among the largest specimens, suggesting reduced constraint and/or stronger sexual selection on the tail in more mature individuals.
Práticas de tecnologia da informação verde: uma revisão sistemática da literatura
Authors: Mattos Neto Alfredo José de , Méxas Mirian Picinini , Vieira Neto Julio
Published: July 2024

As mudanças climáticas têm acendido um sinal de alerta nas comunidades científicas quanto à emissão de carbono no meio ambiente. Nota-se que o aumento da usabilidade das tecnologias da informação traz consigo o aumento da produção de resíduos eletrônicos e seu descarte indevido, a emissão de CO2, o aumento no consumo de energia elétrica, entre outros. As Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior (IFES) são grandes utilizadoras da TI no atendimento de seus pilares fundamentais, que são o ensino, a pesquisa e a extensão. Observa-se que algumas práticas sustentáveis, conhecidas como práticas de TI Verde, têm emergido com o intuito de tentar reduzir os impactos da TI no meio ambiente, havendo uma necessidade de identificar, na literatura, essas práticas na literatura. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste artigo é identificar, na literatura, as principais práticas de TI Verde. Como metodologia, foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura, que foi ilustrada através do fluxograma PRISMA composto das fases de identificação, seleção, elegibilidade e inclusão dos artigos utilizados. Como resultados, foram identificadas 18 práticas de TI Verde, tais como, virtualização de servidores, o descarte correto e a reciclagem de resíduos eletrônicos, a aquisição de equipamentos energeticamente mais eficientes, entre outras. Espera-se que esta pesquisa possa contribuir com o avanço dos conhecimentos sobre o tema em questão, destacando a contribuição das práticas de TI Verde na aplicação de novas abordagens e soluções a serem adotadas em ambientes organizacionais.
Tax-benefit Systems and Gender Gap. An Across-Europe Study
Authors: Fuenmayor Amadeo ,   Universidad de Valencia, Granell Rafael , Savall Teresa ,   Universidad de Valencia,   Universidad de Valencia
Published: July 2024

Important international organizations, such as the United Nations or the European Commission, have at the core of their agendas the objective of achieving gender equality in order to ensure fair social development through equity and, ultimately, stable economic growth. Our main objective is to broaden the perspective from which the gender pay gap is analysed by considering gender differences in disposable income, the gender income gap. We introduce the idea that public intervention through tax-benefit policies can contribute to a reduction in the gender income gap as well as providing empirical evidence that a decrease in this gap fosters the reduction of social inequality in general. The aim is to quantify the effect that each policy of the tax-benefit system has on the gender income gap. An analysis is done for all countries of the European Union. The database used is EUROMOD, a tax-benefit microsimulation model for the European Union. We have analysed how gender income gap changes by country, by type of benefit (contributory vs. non-contributory), by policy and according to sociodemographic characteristics. In addition, we aim to determine if the reduction of the gender income gap is related to a reduction in the levels of inequality in European countries. In short, the results obtained provide empirical evidence that public intervention through tax-benefit policies can contribute to a reduction in the gender income gap. They also endorse the idea that social inequality reduces with a decrease in the gender income gap.
Women’s Preferences for Social Spending: Theory and Evidence from Spanish Political Representatives
Authors: Andina-Díaz Ascensión ,   Universidad de Málaga, Penalva-Planelles Paula , Puy M. Socorro ,   IES Ben Gabirol,   Universidad de Málaga
Published: July 2024

We analyze whether political representatives have gendered preferences for social policies. We explore interview responses of one third of the Spanish legislators during the IX Spanish Legislature (20082011). The data reveal that gender differences arise in the national chambers and within the right-wing party, where female representatives report a stronger preference for social spending on pensions and education. There are no significant gender differences within left-wing representatives or among regional representatives. From a theoretical perspective, we study how differences in gender preferences may affect both the gender identity of the parties’ candidates and the parties’ policy platforms.
Development of Digital Surveillance for the COVID-19 and Dengue Co-Epidemic (SMART-CODEN) in Indonesia
Authors: Purnama Sang Gede , Subrata Made , Kardiwinata Pasek
Published: July 2024

Background: The concurrent occurrence of COVID-19 and Dengue is a significant public health issue that requires attention. Developing a digital-based integrated surveillance system is crucial for data collection.
Objective: This project aims to create a digital surveillance system, SMART-CODEN, specifically designed for monitoring the co-epidemic of COVID-19 and Dengue. SMART-CODEN is a cutting-edge surveillance system that integrates real-time data analysis and case mapping to effectively and efficiently monitor and analyze the progress of these two illnesses.
Method: This study employs the SLDC framework, utilizing an Agile Model approach. The agile model is a versatile and incremental approach to software development. During the needs analysis stage, extensive interviews were carried out with healthcare professionals, technological innovators, and other relevant parties to comprehensively understand the requirements and difficulties in COVID-19 and Dengue surveillance. The acquired data is utilized to develop systems that can identify, monitor, and conduct precise analysis early.
Findings: The research findings demonstrate that SMART-CODEN can enhance the velocity and precision of early identification of COVID-19 and Dengue cases compared to conventional monitoring approaches. This approach also enables health authorities to take faster and more focused preventive measures and promotes decision-making based on data. Implementing SMART-CODEN can also foster active community engagement in reporting symptoms and cases, mitigating the disease transmission rate. SMART-CODEN specifically decreased the time it takes to identify anything by 40%, attained a detection accuracy rate of 95%, enhanced the speed at which health authorities respond by 35%, and raised community reporting by 50%.
Conclusion: In summary, this study determines that creating the SMART-CODEN design results in a successful and original surveillance system that may be used for controlling infectious diseases.
Structural and Functional Characterization of an Amino acid Transporter in Amaranthus hypochondriacus using Bioinformatics Tools
Authors: Chauhan Rashmi , Prabhakaran Sharat , Taj Gohar , Guru S.K. , Pandey Dinesh
Published: July 2024

Plants produce amino acids by utilizing metabolic pathways, which are essential for metabolism, temporary storage. Despite the existence of various transporter families, there is limited structural information available on the transporters. In the present study, bioinformatics based analysis was performed to decipher the role of amino acid transporter viz. amino acid permease which was observed to be associated with high protein content in grain of Amaranthus hypochondriacus through a genome wide association study (GWAS).The primary, secondary, and tertiary structure of the amino acid permease (an amino acid transporter) was modeled and validated using bioinformatics tools like ExPasy ProtParam, SOPMA, PSIPRED, and SWISS-MODEL. Results were further validated using MolProbity and PROCHECK programs. For phylogenetic tree construction, MEGA11 was used, and the STRING database was utilized to identify its interaction with other proteins. This study is first report of amino acid transporter of A. hypochondriacus which enhances our understanding about its structure and function which can be utilized in medical sector for humans benefit.
Evaluation of the Consistency of MALDI-TOF Results with Traditional Methods for the Identification of Urease-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Wastewater from Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Pascale Tetty Aya Marie , Fabrice Gnali Gbohounou , Rosine Yao Djeha , Eric Yao Kouamé , Mireille Dosso
Published: July 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance between Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and traditional biochemical methods for identifying urease-producing Enterobacteria in wastewater samples. This research was a comparative study assessing the efficacy of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry versus traditional biochemical methods for bacterial identification. The study was conducted in Abidjan over a period of five weeks. A total of 50 wastewater samples were collected for analysis. The samples underwent a two-step enrichment process: initial pre-enrichment in EPT broth at 37°C for 18-24 hours, followed by enrichment in RV10 broth at 42°C for 24 hours. Subsequently, isolates were cultured on Hektoen agar, observed for specific colony characteristics, and subjected to the urease test. Final identification was performed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Of the 50 samples, 46 produced identifiable colonies. The distribution of identified species was as follows: Proteus mirabilis in 22 samples (47.82%), Providencia stuartii in 16 samples (34.78%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 8 samples (17.39%). MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry demonstrated over 90% concordance with traditional biochemical methods, accurately identifying bacterial species with high precision. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry proved to be a rapid, precise, and efficient method for identifying urease-producing Enterobacteria in wastewater. Its high concordance with traditional methods suggests its potential to replace conventional techniques in microbiological laboratories, enhancing the speed and accuracy of bacterial identification in water quality management.
Determination of Heavy Metal Contamination of Some Commercially Available Herbal Preparations in Nigeria
Authors: Fawehinmi A. B. , Lawal Hassan , Chimezie E. U. , Ola-Adedoyin A. T. , Ahonsi C.O
Published: July 2024

There has been reported increase in the use of herbal medicine preparations in the management of diseases in Africa over the past few decades. However, some of these preparations are contaminated with heavy metals which are toxic to both man and animals even at low concentration. Some of these heavy metals include cadmium, lead, zinc, chromium, arsenic and mercury. Availability of heavy metals in herbal medicine products may sometimes be due to plant materials used for production which are obtained from soils heavily contaminated or from the atmosphere. This study aimed to measure the levels of Pb, Cd, As, Cu and Hg in commercially available herbal products. Twenty products were purchased from traditional herbal medicine outlets in Lagos. The samples solutions were used to determine concentration of the heavy metals making use of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results obtained indicated that some of the heavy metals were found in various percentages in the herbal products. Lead was found in 75% of the samples with concentrations range of 0.02 – 1.24ppm, cadmium (75%) with concentration range of 0.01 – 1.23ppm, arsenic (75%) with range between 0.01 – 0.08ppm, mercury (70%) with range between 0.08 – 1.32ppm and copper (80%) with range between 0.03 – 1.25ppm. The concentrations of heavy metals in few of the commercially available herbal remedies were well below the acceptable global recommendations, however our findings revealed that at present, the amount of heavy metals in most of the herbal preparations need to be reduced to acceptable limits so as to avoid heavy metal poisoning.
Elevated electron temperatures around twin sporadic E layers at low latitude: Observations and the case for a plausible link to currents parallel to the geomagnetic field
Authors: Barjatya A. , St‒Maurice J.‒P. , Swenson C. M.
Published: October 2013

We present data from nighttime sounding rocket flights in the low latitude E region. The payloads carried a sweeping Langmuir probe, a plasma impedance probe, and electric field probes. A detailed examination of the plasma density, temperature, and electric field measurements show two strong sporadic E (Es) layers with very high electron temperatures (∼1000 K) on each side of the upper layer. The lower layer was consistent with the presence of a strong zonal neutral wind shear. The upper layer was strongly influenced by the presence of a strongly negative vertical electric field, with zonal winds and their shears also contributing. A strong downward motion of the plasma from the combined action of the downward electric field and negative zonal wind advected the upper layer far below the region of maximum growth. We have attributed the more puzzling high electron temperatures to frictional heating from parallel currents and shown that the F region nighttime dynamo could easily generate the necessary parallel current densities (1 μA m−2) near the electron density troughs. The electron temperature was also elevated in the Es layers themselves, implying parallel current densities of the order of 15 μA m−2 around the Es peaks. Those parallel currents were attributed to strong Hall current divergences driven by the zonal electric field around the Es peaks.
Comparative Distribution of Ultrasound‐Detectable Forefoot Bursae in Patients With Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Hooper Lindsey , Bowen Catherine J. , Gates Lucy , Culliford David , Arden Nigel K. , Edwards Christopher J.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To investigate the prevalence and distribution of forefoot bursae (FFB) in individuals with osteoarthritis (OA), individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and healthy controls (HCs), and to identify mechanical or inflammatory factors predicting FFB count.

Methods

A cross‐sectional observational study was completed in 3 cohorts: OA (n = 50), RA (n = 56), and HC (n = 50). FFB were recorded as present if detectable in 2 ultrasound (US) scanning planes. The comparative probabilities of FFB presence between groups were expressed as odds ratios. Mechanical factors, including joint deformity, range of motion, and foot posture, were determined for both patient groups. Inflammatory factors, including serology, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, and US‐detected metatarsophalangeal joint hypertrophy and metatarsal head erosion, were determined for RA patients. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine factors related to FFB count in the patient groups.

Results

FFB were highly prevalent in both the OA and RA groups (94 per 100 patients and 88 per 100 patients, respectively) compared with the HC group (56 per 100 participants). FFB distribution significantly differed between the patient groups (RA‐OA: χ2 = 15.64, P ≤ 0.001). In OA patients, FFB were commonly located in the medial/lateral forefoot region, but were located across all regions for RA patients. In OA patients, reduced ankle joint range of motion predicted FFB count (R2 = 0.09, P = 0.037). In RA patients, erosion presence was related to FFB count (R2 = 0.18, P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

FFB were highly prevalent in patients with OA and RA. FFB distribution significantly differed between the patient groups. FFB in patients with OA may be related to mechanical factors.
Tightening Up? Impact of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Disease Activity Assessment on Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated Using a Treat to Target Strategy
Authors: Dale James , Purves David , McConnachie Alex , McInnes Iain , Porter Duncan
Published: October 2013

Objective

To determine the level of agreement and potential impact on disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) escalation decisions and of adding musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) assessment of disease activity to the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Data were gathered from 53 early RA patients randomized to the MSUS assessment group of the Targeting Synovitis in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis study. DAS28 scores were calculated every month. MSUS was performed on patients with low disease activity (DAS28 <3.2) and on those with moderate disease activity (3.2 ≤ DAS28 <5.1) without clinically swollen joints (swollen joint count [SJC] ≤1). Fourteen joints (bilateral proximal interphalangeal joints 2 and 3, metacarpophalangeal [MCP] joints 2 and 3, the radiocarpal, and metatarsophalangeal joints 2 and 5) were examined. Active disease was defined as ≥2 joints demonstrating any power Doppler (PD) signal. Data from 414 paired DAS28 and MSUS assessments were pooled to determine the level of agreement between each method.

Results

A total of 369 MSUS assessments were conducted on patients with DAS28 <3.2; 92 (25%) of these assessments identified active disease. A total of 271 MSUS assessments were performed on those with DAS28 <2.6; 66 (24%) of these identified active disease. Forty‐five MSUS assessments were conducted on patients with 3.2 ≤ DAS28 <5.1 and SJC ≤1; 15 (33%) of these assessments confirmed active disease. On 120 occasions (29%), MSUS findings contradicted the DAS28 and led to modified treatment decisions. The joints that most frequently exhibited PD signal were radiocarpal and index and middle MCP joints.

Conclusion

Compared to the DAS28, global RA disease activity assessment using a limited MSUS joint set provided additional disease activity information and led to altered treatment decisions in a significant minority of occasions. This may allow further tailoring of DMARD therapy by supporting DMARD escalation in patients with continuing subclinical synovitis and preventing escalation in symptomatic patients with minimal clinical and/or ultrasonographic synovitis.
Trepanation in South‐Central Peru during the early late intermediate period (ca. AD 1000–1250)
Authors: Kurin Danielle S.
Published: October 2013

This study evaluates trepanations from five well‐contextualized prehistoric sites in the south‐central highlands of Andahuaylas, Peru. The emergence of trepanation in this region coincides with the collapse of the Wari Empire, ca. ad 1000. Thirty‐two individuals from Andahuaylas, AMS radiocarbon dated to the early Late Intermediate Period (ca. ad 1000–1250), were found to have 45 total trepanations. Various surgical techniques were being employed concurrently throughout the region. Scraping trepanations evinced the highest survival rate; circular grooving, drilling and boring, and linear cutting were far less successful. Evidence of perioperative procedures like hair shaving, poultice application, and possible cranioplasty use aimed to ensure the survival of a trepanation recipient. Postmortem trepanations, also present in Andahuaylas, were likely executed on corpses as a means of better understanding cranial anatomy and improving techniques. Similarities in trepanation patterns throughout the region attest to common motivations to engage in surgery. Although moderate physical head trauma seems to be the impetus for intervention in many cases of trepanation, other motivations included physiological and possibly psychosomatic factors. Nevertheless, treatment was not for everyone. In Andahuaylas, trepanations were withheld from subadults, females, and those individuals who practiced cranial modification. Am J Phys Anthropol 152:484–494, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evolution and human sexuality
Authors: Gray Peter B.
Published: October 2013

The aim of this review is to put core features of human sexuality in an evolutionary light. Toward that end, I address five topics concerning the evolution of human sexuality. First, I address theoretical foundations, including recent critiques and developments. While much traces back to Darwin and his view of sexual selection, more recent work helps refine the theoretical bases to sex differences and life history allocations to mating effort. Second, I consider central models attempting to specify the phylogenetic details regarding how hominin sexuality might have changed, with most of those models honing in on transitions from a possible chimpanzee‐like ancestor to the slightly polygynous and long‐term bonded sociosexual partnerships observed among most recently studied hunter‐gatherers. Third, I address recent genetic and physiological data contributing to a refined understanding of human sexuality. As examples, the availability of rapidly increasing genomic information aids comparative approaches to discern signals of selection in sexuality‐related phenotypes, and neuroendocrine studies of human responses to sexual stimuli provide insight into homologous and derived mechanisms. Fourth, I consider some of the most recent, large, and rigorous studies of human sexuality. These provide insights into sexual behavior across other national samples and on the Internet. Fifth, I discuss the relevance of a life course perspective to understanding the evolution of human sexuality. Most research on the evolution of human sexuality focuses on young adults. Yet humans are sexual beings from gestation to death, albeit in different ways across the life course, and in ways that can be theoretically couched within life history theory. Am J Phys Anthropol 57:94–118, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of quasi‐solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cell based on an electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride–polyacrylonitrile membrane electrolyte
Authors: Sethupathy Malaisamy , Pandey Priyanka , Manisankar Paramasivam
Published: October 2013

Dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been magnetizing more awareness in current research due to more efficiency. The foremost drawback of the solar cell is the evaporation of organic electrolyte. In order to address this problem, the polyvinylidene fluoride–polyacrylonitrile–Electrospinning Fibrous Membranes were prepared by electrospinning method and the photovoltaic performances were evaluated. The polyvinylidene fluoride and polyacrylonitrile were mixed in N,N′‐dimethylformamide and acetone at an applied potential of 15 kV. The surface morphology of membrane is interconnected with network structure and a large number of voids were observed from Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy images. The electrolyte uptakes up to 310% were observed and it shows an increase in the ionic conductivity up to 6.12 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 25°C. The fabricated DSSCs show open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.74 V, fill factor (FF) of 0.65 and short circuit current (Jsc) of 6.20 mA cm−2 at an incident light intensity of 100 mW cm−2. The photovoltaic efficiency also reached up to 3.09%. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 40022.
Enhanced degradation stability of poly(p‐dioxanone) under different temperature and humidity with bis‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) carbodiimide
Authors: Zhao Yin‐Qiao , Ding Song‐Dong , Yuan You , Wang Yu‐Zhong
Published: October 2013

The influences on the degradation of poly(p‐dioxanone) (PPDO) under different temperature and relatively humidity is initially investigated by adding bis‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) carbodiimide (commercial name: stabaxol®‐1). The changes of intrinsic viscosity, mechanical properties, crystallinity, surface morphologies, and microstructure of PPDO and PPDO containing stabaxol®‐1 for 6 weeks are monitored. With increasing the degradation time, the intrinsic viscosity and mechanical properties of PPDO decrease much faster than those of PPDO containing 0.6 wt % stabaxol®‐1. During the degradation, PPDO containing 0.6 wt % stabaxol®‐1 shows a better physical integrity than PPDO. It has been shown that stabaxol®‐1 can retard the hydrolysis degradation of PPDO and enhance its hydrolytic stability. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 40026.
Investigation on the morphology and tensile behavior of β‐nucleated isotactic polypropylene with different stereo‐defect distribution
Authors: Peng Hongmei , Wang Bin , Gai Jinggang , Chen Jinyao , Yang Feng , Cao Ya , Li Huilin , Kang Jian , Xiang Ming
Published: October 2013

Large amount of work has been published on the tacticity‐properties relationship of isotactic polypropylene (iPP). However, the stereo‐defect distribution dependence of morphology and mechanical properties of β‐nucleated iPP (β‐iPP) is still not clear. In this study, two different iPP resins (PP‐A and PP‐B) with similar average isotacticity but different uniformities of stereo‐defect distribution were selected, their β‐iPP injection molding specimens were prepared, and the morphology evolution and tensile behaviors were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 2D wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (2D‐WAXD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). DSC results showed that with the same concentration of β‐nucleating agent (0.3 wt % WBG‐II), PP‐B with more uniform stereo‐defect distribution exhibited more amount of β‐phase than that of PP‐A with less uniform stereo‐defect distribution, indicating that PP‐B is more favorable for the formation of β‐phase. SEM results showed that PP‐B formed more amount of β‐crystals with relatively high structural perfection, while in PP‐A a mixed morphology of α‐ and β‐phase with obviously higher amount of structural imperfection emerges. The results of room‐temperature tensile test indicated that the yield peak width of PP‐B was obviously wider, and the elongation at break of PP‐B was higher than that of PP‐A, showing a better ductile of PP‐B. The morphology evolution results of SEM, 2D‐WAXD and DSC suggest that, a combination of lamellar deformation and amorphous deformation occurred in PP‐A, while only amorphous deformation mainly took place in PP‐B, which was thought to be the reason for the different tensile behaviors of the samples. In the production of β‐PP products via injection molding, the uniformity of stereo‐defect distribution was found to be an important factor. PP with more uniform distribution of stereo‐defect favors the formation of large amount of β‐phase with high perfection, which exhibit superior ductile property. The related mechanism was discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 40027.
Use of Diuretics and Risk of Incident Gout: A Population‐Based Case–Control Study
Authors: Bruderer Saskia , Bodmer Michael , Jick Susan S. , Meier Christoph R.
Published: October 2013

Objective

Use of diuretics has been associated with an increased risk of gout. Data on different types of diuretics are scarce. We undertook this study to investigate the association between use of loop diuretics, thiazide or thiazide‐like diuretics, and potassium‐sparing agents and the risk of developing incident gout.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective population‐based case–control analysis using the General Practice Research Database established in the UK. We identified case patients who were diagnosed as having incident gout between 1990 and 2010. One control patient was matched to each case patient for age, sex, general practice, calendar time, and years of active history in the database. We used conditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and we adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

We identified 91,530 incident cases of gout and the same number of matched controls. Compared to past use of diuretics from each respective drug class, adjusted ORs for current use of loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, thiazide‐like diuretics, and potassium‐sparing diuretics were 2.64 (95% CI 2.47–2.83), 1.70 (95% CI 1.62–1.79), 2.30 (95% CI 1.95–2.70), and 1.06 (95% CI 0.91–1.23), respectively. Combined use of loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics was associated with the highest relative risk estimates of gout (adjusted OR 4.65 [95% CI 3.51–6.16]). Current use of calcium channel blockers or losartan slightly attenuated the risk of gout in patients who took diuretics.

Conclusion

Use of loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, and thiazide‐like diuretics was associated with an increased risk of incident gout, although use of potassium‐sparing agents was not.
End‐Stage Renal Disease in African Americans With Lupus Nephritis Is Associated With APOL1
Authors: Freedman Barry I. , Langefeld Carl D. , Andringa Kelly K. , Croker Jennifer A. , Williams Adrienne H. , Garner Neva E. , Birmingham Daniel J. , Hebert Lee A. , Hicks Pamela J. , Segal Mark S. , Edberg Jeffrey C. , Brown Elizabeth E. , Alarcón Graciela S. , Costenbader Karen H. , Comeau Mary E. , Criswell Lindsey A. , Harley John B. , James Judith A. , Kamen Diane L. , Lim S. Sam , Merrill Joan T. , Sivils Kathy L. , Niewold Timothy B. , Patel Neha M. , Petri Michelle , Ramsey‐Goldman Rosalind , Reveille John D. , Salmon Jane E. , Tsao Betty P. , Gibson Keisha L. , Byers Joyce R. , Vinnikova Anna K. , Lea Janice P. , Julian Bruce A. , Kimberly Robert P. ,   on behalf of the Lupus Nephritis–End‐Stage Renal Disease Consortium
Published: October 2013

Objective

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that exhibits familial aggregation and may progress to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). LN is more prevalent among African Americans than among European Americans. This study was undertaken to investigate the hypothesis that the apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) nephropathy risk alleles G1/G2, common in African Americans and rare in European Americans, contribute to the ethnic disparity in risk.

Methods

APOL1 G1 and G2 nephropathy alleles were genotyped in 855 African American SLE patients with LN‐ESRD (cases) and 534 African American SLE patients without nephropathy (controls) and tested for association under a recessive genetic model, by logistic regression.

Results

Ninety percent of the SLE patients were female. The mean ± SD age at SLE diagnosis was significantly lower in LN‐ESRD cases than in SLE non‐nephropathy controls (27.3 ± 10.9 years versus 39.5 ± 12.2 years). The mean ± SD time from SLE diagnosis to development of LN‐ESRD in cases was 7.3 ± 7.2 years. The G1/G2 risk alleles were strongly associated with SLE‐ESRD, with 25% of cases and 12% of controls having 2 nephropathy alleles (odds ratio [OR] 2.57, recessive model P = 1.49 × 10−9), and after adjustment for age, sex, and ancestry admixture (OR 2.72, P = 6.23 × 10−6). The age‐, sex‐, and admixture‐adjusted population attributable risk for ESRD among patients with G1/G2 polymorphisms was 0.26, compared to 0.003 among European American patients. The mean time from SLE diagnosis to ESRD development was ∼2 years earlier among individuals with APOL1 risk genotypes (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

APOL1 G1/G2 alleles strongly impact the risk of LN‐ESRD in African Americans, as well as the time to progression to ESRD. The high frequency of these alleles in African Americans with near absence in European Americans explains an important proportion of the increased risk of LN‐ESRD in African Americans.
Quetiapine Fumarate Extended‐Release for the Treatment of Major Depression With Comorbid Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: McIntyre Alexander , Paisley David , Kouassi Edouard , Gendron Alain
Published: October 2013

Objective

Fibromyalgia and major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently co‐occur. Quetiapine fumarate extended‐release (quetiapine XR) has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of MDD and has been shown to have analgesic properties in patients with depression. The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of quetiapine XR on depressive and pain symptoms in patients with MDD and comorbid fibromyalgia, and to assess its safety and tolerability.

Methods

This was an 8‐week, single‐center, double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 120 nonpsychotic adult outpatients who fulfilled the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnostic criteria for MDD and whose diagnosis of fibromyalgia was confirmed according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria were enrolled. The primary end point was the mean change from baseline to week 8 on the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating (HAM‐D) scale. Secondary end points included other depression‐rating scores, pain scores, fibromyalgia scores, measures of quality of life and global functioning, and adverse events.

Results

The mean change in the HAM‐D score from baseline to week 8 was significantly greater in the quetiapine XR group compared with the placebo group (−10.0 versus −5.8; P = 0.001). Improvements in most secondary outcomes were also significantly greater in the quetiapine XR group. Quetiapine XR was generally well tolerated.

Conclusion

This study is the first to demonstrate that measures of depression, pain, and quality of life are significantly improved with quetiapine XR compared with placebo in patients with a dual diagnosis of MDD and fibromyalgia.
Excellent Performance of Few‐Layer Borocarbonitrides as Anode Materials in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sen Sudeshna , Moses Kota , Bhattacharyya Aninda J. , Rao C. N. R.
Published: October 2013

Borocarbonitrides (BxCyNz) with a graphene‐like structure exhibit a remarkable high lithium cyclability and current rate capability. The electrochemical performance of the BxCyNz materials, synthesized by using a simple solid‐state synthesis route based on urea, was strongly dependent on the composition and surface area. Among the three compositions studied, the carbon‐rich compound B0.15C0.73N0.12 with the highest surface area showed an exceptional stability (over 100 cycles) and rate capability over widely varying current density values (0.05–1 A g−1). B0.15C0.73N0.12 has a very high specific capacity of 710 mA h g−1 at 0.05 A g−1. With the inclusion of a suitable additive in the electrolyte, the specific capacity improved drastically, recording an impressive value of nearly 900 mA h g−1 at 0.05 A g−1. It is believed that the solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer at the interface of BxCyNz and electrolyte also plays a crucial role in the performance of the BxCyNz .
Transition‐Metal‐Free Synthesis of N‐(1‐Alkenyl)imidazoles by Potassium Phosphate‐Promoted Addition Reaction of Alkynes to Imidazoles
Authors: Lu Linhua , Yan Hong , Liu Defu , Rong Guangwei , Mao Jincheng
Published: October 2013

The addition reaction of alkynes to N‐heterocycles by simply heating in DMSO with potassium phosphate is reported. Good yields with high stereoselectivity could be achieved for a range of substrates. The scope is quite general for both amines and phenylacetylenes. In addition, internal alkynes and α‐bromostyrene were also examined in this reaction. This process is efficient and useful for the synthesis of (Z)‐N‐(1‐alkenyl)imidazoles and related Z products. Thus, the reaction is useful because of the importance of the imidazole scaffold.
Enhancing human‐like collagen accumulation by deleting the major glucose transporter ptsG in recombinant Escherichia coli BL21
Authors: Luo Yan'e , Zhang Tao , Fan Daidi , Mu Tingzhen , Xue Wenjiao , Hui Junfeng , Ma Xiaoxuan
Published: October 2013

Collagen has been proven to be a valuable biomedical material for many medical applications. Human‐like collagen (HLC) is a novel important biomedical material with diverse medical applications. In this work, recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 3.7 ∆ptsG was constructed, the characters of ptsG mutant strain were analyzed, and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to investigate the effect of ptsG gene deletion on the transcriptional level of the phosphotransferase system (PTS) genes responsible for glucose transport. The HLC production and cell growth ability were 1.33‐ and 1.24‐fold higher than those of its parent strain in the fermentation medium, respectively, and 1.16‐ and 1.17‐fold in the modified minimal medium individually. The acetate accumulation decreased by 42%–56% compared to its parent strain in the fermentation medium, and 70%–87% in the modified minimal medium. The results of RT‐qPCR showed that the transcriptional level of crr, ptsH, ptsI, and blgF in ptsG mutant all decreased dramatically, which inferred a decrease in the glucose uptake rate, but the transcriptional level of FruB and manX increased slightly, which demonstrated the activation of fructose‐ and mannose‐specific transport pathways in the ptsG mutant. This study demonstrates that ptsG deletion is an effective strategy to reduce acetate accumulation and increase biomass and HLC production.
Arterial supply of the lower cranial nerves: A comprehensive review
Authors: Hendrix Philipp , Griessenauer Christoph J. , Foreman Paul , Loukas Marios , Fisher Winfield S. , Rizk Elias , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: October 2013

The lower cranial nerves receive their arterial supply from an intricate network of tributaries derived from the external carotid, internal carotid, and vertebrobasilar territories. A contemporary, comprehensive literature review of the vascular supply of the lower cranial nerves was performed. The vascular supply to the trigeminal, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, spinal accessory, and hypoglossal nerves are illustrated with a special emphasis on clinical issues. Frequently the external carotid, internal carotid, and vertebrobasilar territories all contribute to the vascular supply of an individual cranial nerve along its course. Understanding of the vasculature of the lower cranial nerves is of great relevance for skull base surgery. Clin. Anat. 27:108–117, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acetazolamide triggers death inducing autophagy in T‐47D breast cancer cells
Authors: Mohammadpour Raziye , Safarian Shahrokh , Ejeian Fatemeh , Sheikholya‐Lavasani Zahra , Abdolmohammadi Mohammad Hossein , Sheinabi Nader
Published: October 2013

The inhibitory effects of acetazolamide on the growth and proliferation of epithelial breast cancer cells (T‐47D) were investigated. Analysis of morphological changes indicated little apoptosis in T‐47D cells incubated with acetazolamide, according to data from flow cytometry, DNA laddering, and expression of AIF. However, an increase in caspase‐3 activity was detected in cells. This was concomitant with an increase in DFF45/DFF40 ratio leading to inhibition of caspase‐3 activity, DNA fragmentation and progression of apoptosis. Flow cytometry also confirmed that acetazolamide had no significant effect on cell cycle progression. These results are consistent with lack of change in the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins p21, p27, cdc2 and cyclinD1. Increased expression of ATG5, p53 and DRAM, along with an increase in BCLN1/Bcl‐2 ratio, indicated that acetazolamide inhibited the proliferation of T‐47D cells by inducing autophagy. Increased expression of PTEN, along with decreased expression of Akt1, also showed that acetazolamide treatment resulted in death inducing autophagy. Collectively the results indicate that autophagy is an adequate mechanism mediating the anti‐cancer effects of acetazolamide in T‐47D cells through engagement of p53/DRAM pathway and attenuation of Akt survival signalling.
Breathing Effect in a Cobalt Phosphonate upon Dehydration/Rehydration: A Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Study
Authors: Zheng Tao , Clemente‐Juan Juan M. , Ma Jing , Dong Lin , Bao Song‐Song , Huang Jian , Coronado Eugenio , Zheng Li‐Min
Published: October 2013

Two cobalt phosphonates, [Co2(2,2′‐bpy)2(H2O)(pbtcH)] (1) and [Co2(H2O)(pbtcH)(phen)2] (2; pbtcH5=5‐phosphonatophenyl‐1,2,4‐tricarboxylic acid, 2,2′‐bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline), with layer structures are reported. Compound 1 contains O‐C‐O and O‐P‐O bridged tetramers of Co4, which are further connected by pbtcH4− units to form a layer. In compound 2, the cobalt tetramers made up of water‐bridged Co2 dimers and O‐P‐O linkages are connected into a layer by pbtcH4− units. Upon dehydration, compounds 1 and 2 experience single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SC–SC) structural transformations to form [Co2(2,2′‐bpy)2(pbtcH)] (1 a) and [Co2(pbtcH)(phen)2] (2 a), respectively. The process is reversible in each case. Notably, a breathing effect is observed for 1, accompanied by pore opening and closing due to the reorientation of the coordinated 2,2′‐bpy molecules. The transformation was also monitored by in situ IR measurements. Magnetic studies reveal that antiferromagnetic interactions are mediated between the magnetic centers in compounds 1 and 1 a, whereas ferromagnetic interactions are dominant in compound 2.
Nighttime and Seasonal variations of the Sodium Layer Measured by Lidar at Different Latitudes in China
Authors: Shao‐Hua GONG , Guo‐Tao YANG , Ji‐Yao XU , Xiang‐Hui XUE , Jing JIAO , Da‐Wei TIAN , Sai GUAN , Zheng‐Kuan LIU
Published: October 2013

This study is based on long‐term observations of the sodium layer by lidars at Beijing (40.47°N, 115.97°E), Hefei (31.87°N, 117.23°E) and Hainan (19.99°N, 110.34°E), which are part of the Meridian Project of China. The purpose is to reveal characteristics of nighttime and seasonal variations of the background sodium layer over China along 120°E. The observations from three lidar stations on Dec. 17, 2010 show that, the nighttime variations of the sodium layer are not correlated to each other. The fitted long‐term variations with annual plus semiannual changes reveal that the column abundance of the sodium layer over Beijing and Hefei varied annually, while that over Hainan changed semiannually. The seasonal variations of centroid heights and RMS widths of the sodium layer present apparent semiannual variation tendency, excluding the long‐term change of RMS width for Hainan. Statistics illustrate that the seasonal variations of column density of background sodium layer is correlated with the change of temperature near the mesopause. It has the maximum in winter and minimum in summer, respectively. With the growth of the latitude, the column abundance increases and the annual variation tendency becomes more obvious. There is no clear latitude dependence on the centroid height of the sodium layer, and it changes semiannually with seasons at three locations. The RMS width of the sodium layer is the largest at Beijing (middle and upper latitude) and the least at Hefei (middle latitude) in every month of one year, and it is the medium at Hainan (lower latitude).
Simulation of Number and Distribution of Compass Occultation Events
Authors: Xian‐Yi WANG , Yue‐Qiang SUN , Wei‐Hua BAI , Qi‐Fei DU , Dong‐Wei WANG , Di WU , Qing‐Long YU , Ying HAN
Published: October 2013

As a China's self‐developed satellite navigation system, Compass has broad application prospects in the field of radio occultation. Focused on the task of carrying out Compass occultation observations with a receiver set on LEO satellite, this work developed a simulation system of LEO orbit and Compass constellations, based on which the occultation events can be simulated taking into account different LEO orbit parameters. The effect of LEO satellite's orbit parameters on occultation events’ number and distributions are analyzed considering argument of perigee, right ascension of ascending node, orbit height and inclination. Occultation events for different types of Compass satellites, including GEO, IGSO and MEO, are discussed individually. The characteristics of all three kinds of Compass satellite occultation events were summarized. The results can be referenced when using the Compass navigation system for radio occultation.
Adsorption Behavior of DOM by PACs with Different Particle Sizes
Authors: Shi Baoyou , Fang Liping , Li Zhengjian , Wang Dongsheng
Published: October 2013

Particle size of powdered activated carbon (PAC) is an important factor influencing the adsorption behavior of organic matter, but the effect of PAC particle size on the removal of different fractions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is still not well understood. In this work, natural water from a site with anthropogenic influence was used as test water, and the adsorption behavior of different DOM fractions onto three PACs with different particle size was investigated. The results demonstrated that the DOM removal was enhanced 83.3% when the PAC particle size decreased from 76.0 to 19.1 µm. The majority of increased adsorption capacity could be ascribed to microbial by‐product and humic‐like fractions, or to mid‐molecular weight fraction DOM. With the decrease of PAC particle size, the adsorption kinetic constant of low‐molecular fraction was greatly enhanced, but the adsorption capacity was enhanced less significantly. By comparing the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and pore size distribution of PACs with different particle sizes, it was confirmed that the improvement of adsorption by reducing PAC particle size could be attributed to the increase of accessible PAC surface area and decrease of diffusion distance for DOM molecules.
TWIST1 is a molecular marker for a poor prognosis in oral cancer and represents a potential therapeutic target
Authors: da Silva Sabrina Daniela , Alaoui‐Jamali Moulay A. , Soares Fernando Augusto , Carraro Dirce Maria , Brentani Helena Paula , Hier Michael , Rogatto Silvia Regina , Kowalski Luiz Paulo
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Locoregional recurrence and distant metastases are ominous events in patients with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The objective of this study was to identify functional biomarkers that are predictive of OSCC progression to metastasis.

METHODS

The expression profile of a network of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes was investigated in a large cohort of patients with progressive OSCC using a complimentary DNA microarray platform coupled to quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analyses. Therapeutic potential was investigated in vitro and in vivo using an orthotopic mouse model of metastatic OSCC growing in the tongue microenvironment.

RESULTS

Among deregulated EMT genes, the Twist‐related protein 1 (TWIST1) transcription factor and several of its regulated genes were significantly overexpressed across advanced stages of OSCC. This result was corroborated by the clinical observation that Twist1 up‐regulation predicted the occurrence of lymph node and lung metastases as well as poor patient survival. In support of Twist1 as a driver of OSCC progression, the up‐regulation of Twist1 was observed in cells isolated from patients with metastatic OSCC. The inhibition of Twist1 in these metastatic cells induced a potent inhibition of cell invasiveness in vitro as well as progression in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results provide evidence for the prognostic value and therapeutic potential of a network of Twist genes in patients with advanced OSCC. Cancer 2014;120:352–362. © 2013 American Cancer Society.