bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two new species of the Simulium batoense species-group of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: TAKAOKA HIROYUKI , SOFIAN-AZIRUN MOHD , YA’COB ZUBAIDAH 
Published: March 2014

Two new black fly species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) tekamense and Simulium (Gomphostilbia) jerantutense, are described based on adult females emerged from pupae in Peninsular Malaysia, and assigned to the binuanense subgroup of the batoense species-group in the subgenus Gomphostilbia. Simulium (G.) tekamense sp. nov. is characterized in the female by the subcosta with 0–2 hairs, and presence of a deep notch on the apex of the mediolongitudinal ridge of the cibarium, and in the pupa by one of two paired gill filaments of the middle triplet much thicker than the counter filament. Simulium (G.) jerantutense sp. nov. is characterized in the female by the short claw tooth 0.46 times the length of the claw, and in the pupa by the gill filaments arranged as [2+1+(1+2)]+2 filaments from dorsal to ventral. Taxonomic notes are given to distinguish these new species from related species.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins in experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia: effects of serenoa repens, selenium and lycopene
Authors: Minutoli Letteria , Altavilla Domenica , Marini Herbert , Rinaldi Mariagrazia , Irrera Natasha , Pizzino Gabriele , Bitto Alessandra , Arena Salvatore , Cimino Sebastiano , Squadrito Francesco , Russo Giorgio Ivan , Morgia Giuseppe 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Background
The apoptosis machinery is a promising target against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) modulate apoptosis by direct inhibition of caspases. Serenoa Repens (SeR) may be combined with other natural compounds such as Lycopene (Ly) and Selenium (Se) to maximize its therapeutic activity in BPH. We investigated the effects of SeR, Se and Ly, alone or in association, on the expression of four IAPs, cIAP-1, cIAP-2, NAIP and survivin in rats with experimental testosterone-dependent BPH. Moreover, caspase-3, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have been evaluated.
Rats were administered, daily, with testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg/sc) or its vehicle for 14 days. Testosterone injected animals (BPH) were randomized to receive vehicle, SeR (25 mg/kg/sc), Se (3 mg/kg/sc), Ly (1 mg/kg/sc) or the SeR-Se-Ly association for 14 days. Animals were sacrificed and prostate removed for analysis.

Results
BPH animals treated with vehicle showed unchanged expression of cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 and increased expression of NAIP, survivin, caspase-3, IL-6 and PSMA levels when compared with sham animals. Immunofluorescence studies confirmed the enhanced expression of NAIP and survivin with a characteristic pattern of cellular localization. SeR-Se-Ly association showed the highest efficacy in reawakening apoptosis; additionally, this therapeutic cocktail significantly reduced IL-6 and PSMA levels. The administration of SeR, Se and Ly significantly blunted prostate overweight and growth; moreover, the SeR-Se-Ly association was most effective in reducing prostate enlargement and growth by 43.3% in treated animals.

Conclusions
The results indicate that IAPs may represent interesting targets for drug therapy of BPH.
Motivational component profiles in university students learning histology: a comparative study between genders and different health science curricula
Authors: Campos-Sánchez Antonio , López-Núñez Juan Antonio , Carriel Víctor , Martín-Piedra Miguel-Ángel , Sola Tomás , Alaminos Miguel 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
The students’ motivation to learn basic sciences in health science curricula is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of different components of motivation (intrinsic motivation, self-determination, self-efficacy and extrinsic -career and grade- motivation) on learning human histology in health science curricula and their relationship with the final performance of the students in histology.

Methods
Glynn Science Motivation Questionnaire II was used to compare students’ motivation components to learn histology in 367 first-year male and female undergraduate students enrolled in medical, dentistry and pharmacy degree programs.

Results
For intrinsic motivation, career motivation and self-efficacy, the highest values corresponded to medical students, whereas dentistry students showed the highest values for self-determination and grade motivation. Genders differences were found for career motivation in medicine, self-efficacy in dentistry, and intrinsic motivation, self-determination and grade motivation in pharmacy. Career motivation and self-efficacy components correlated with final performance in histology of the students corresponding to the three curricula.

Conclusions
Our results show that the overall motivational profile for learning histology differs among medical, dentistry and pharmacy students. This finding is potentially useful to foster their learning process, because if they are metacognitively aware of their motivation they will be better equipped to self-regulate their science-learning behavior in histology. This information could be useful for instructors and education policy makers to enhance curricula not only on the cognitive component of learning but also to integrate students’ levels and types of motivation into the processes of planning, delivery and evaluation of medical education.
A strategically designed small molecule attacks alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase in tumor cells through a redox process
Authors: Stuart Shawn D , Schauble Alexandra , Gupta Sunita , Kennedy Adam D , Keppler Brian R , Bingham Paul M , Zachar Zuzana 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Targeting cancer cell metabolism is recognized as a promising arena for development of cancer chemotherapeutics. Moreover, redox metabolism is also systematically altered in tumor cells. Indeed, there is growing reason to believe that tumor-specific alteration of redox control of metabolism will be central to understanding and attacking malignancy. We report here that lipoate analog CPI-613 attacks a gate-keeping, lipoate-using metabolic enzyme, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH), by a redox mechanism selectively in tumors cells.

Results
CPI-613 inhibited KGDH function strongly and rapidly, selectively in tumor cells. Moreover, CPI-613 induced a correspondingly rapid, powerful redox signal in tumor cell mitochondria. This signal was associated with redox modification of KGDH (including extensive enzyme glutathionylation and redox blockage of enzyme lipoate sulfhydryls), correlating with KGDH inactivation. The source of this tumor-specific mitochondrial redox modulatory signal was not electron transport complexes (I or III), but was largely or entirely the E3 (dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase) component of dehydrogenases, including KGDH. Finally, we demonstrated that KGDH activity was redox regulated (in tumor cells), as expected if a tumor-specific redox process (auto)regulates KGDH.

Conclusions
Our data demonstrate that lipoate analog CPI-613 attacks redox control of KGDH activity in tumor cells, perhaps by modulation of an existing lipoate-sensitive allosteric process normally governing tumor cell KGDH activity. Together with its previously reported, mechanistically distinct (non-redox) effects on the other major, lipoate-using mitochondrial metabolic enzyme, pyruvate dehydrogenase, CPI-613’s KGDH effects indicate that this agent simultaneously attacks multiple central, essential components of tumor cell metabolic regulation.
Acute and Short-term Chronic Testosterone Fluctuation Effects on Glucose Homeostasis, Insulin Sensitivity, and Adiponectin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study
Authors: Høst Christian , Gormsen Lars C. , Hougaard David M. , Christiansen Jens S. , Pedersen Steen B. , Gravholt Claus H. 
Published: March 2014

Context:Low levels of adiponectin and T in men have been shown to predict development of the metabolic syndrome, but the effects of T on glucose metabolism are incompletely understood and may be influenced either directly or indirectly through changes in body composition or in levels of adiponectin.Objective:The aim of the study was to test whether T exerts its effects on glucose metabolism directly or indirectly.Design, Setting, and Participants:In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 12 healthy young males were studied on four separate occasions. They received GnRH agonist treatment 1 month before 3 of 4 trial days to induce castrate levels of T. On trial days, T gel containing either high or low physiological T dose or placebo was applied to the body. On a fourth trial day, participants constituted their own eugonadal controls.Intervention:Each study comprised a 5-hour basal period and a 3-hour hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp.Main Outcome Measures:We measured the effect of acute T on peripheral glucose disposal, total adiponectin and subforms, and other indices of glucose metabolism.Results:Short-term hypogonadism was associated with increased high molecular weight adiponectin levels (P &lt; .03) and increased oxidative glucose disposal (P = .03) but not total glucose disposal (P = .07). Acute T treatment was an independent suppressor of high molecular weight adiponectin levels (P = .04) but did not affect total glucose disposal (P = .17).Conclusions:These data show that T can act through putative fast nongenomic pathways to affect adiponectin levels in humans. The early hypogonadal state is characterized by a marked shift in fuel oxidation from lipids toward glucose, which may rely partly on buffering capabilities of adiponectin.
High Maternal Serum Estradiol Environment in the First Trimester Is Associated With the Increased Risk of Small-for-Gestational-Age Birth
Authors: Hu Xiao-Ling , Feng Chun , Lin Xian-Hua , Zhong Zi-Xing , Zhu Yi-Min , Lv Ping-Ping , Lv Min , Meng Ye , Zhang Dan , Lu Xiu-E , Jin Fan , Sheng Jian-Zhong , Xu Jian , Huang He-Feng 
Published: March 2014

Context:
There are increasing concerns that a disrupted endocrine environment may disturb the growth of the fetus. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) situates gamete/embryo in a supraphysiological estradiol (E2) environment and, thus, provides an ideal model to investigate this problem.

Objective:
Our objective was to investigate whether the maternal high-E2 environment in the first trimester increases the risks of low birth weight (LBW) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth.

Methods:
In total, 8869 singletons born after fresh embryo transfer (ET) (n = 2610), frozen ET (n = 1039), and natural conception (NC) (n = 5220) and their mothers were included. Birth weight, LBW, SGA, and maternal serum E2 levels were investigated.

Results:
The mean serum E2 levels of women undergoing fresh ET at 4 and 8 weeks of gestation were significantly higher than those of the women undergoing frozen ET and the women with NC (P &lt; .01). Serum E2 levels of women undergoing fresh ET at 4 and 8 weeks of gestation were positively correlated to those on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (r = 0.5 and r = 0.4, respectively; P &lt; 0.01). The birth weight after fresh ET was significantly lower than that after frozen ET and NC (P &lt; 0.01), with increased incidence of LBW and SGA (P &lt; .05). Furthermore, in the fresh ET group, singletons of mothers with high E2 levels (≥10460 pmol/L on the day of hCG administration) had higher risks of LBW (P &lt; .01) and SGA (P &lt; .01) than those with low E2 levels, and maternal serum E2 level on the day of hCG administration negatively correlated with the birth weight (P &lt; .01).

Conclusions:
The maternal high-E2 environment in the first trimester is correlated with increased risks of LBW and SGA. Evaluation of serum E2 before ET should be adopted to reduce the possibility of high E2 exposure to gamete/embryo.
Oxytocin Secretion Is Related to Measures of Energy Homeostasis in Young Amenorrheic Athletes
Authors: Lawson Elizabeth A. , Ackerman Kathryn E. , Slattery Meghan , Marengi Dean A. , Clarke Hannah , Misra Madhusmita 
Published: March 2014

Context:
Oxytocin has been implicated in the modulation of energy metabolism in animals. Oxytocin knockout mice develop obesity without a change in food intake, suggesting that a lack of oxytocin may reduce metabolic rate. Furthermore, administration of oxytocin centrally reduces food intake in rats, an effect reversed by an oxytocin antagonist, implying that oxytocin may regulate appetite and energy intake. We have previously demonstrated that young female athletes (in a higher energy expenditure state than nonathletes) have low nocturnal oxytocin compared with nonathletes. Whether oxytocin is associated with measures of energy homeostasis in athletes is unknown.

Objective:
We hypothesized that oxytocin, a signal for energy availability, would be associated with other measures of energy homeostasis in young female athletes.

Design and Setting:
We performed a cross-sectional study of 45 females, aged 14–21 years [15 amenorrheic athletes (AA), 15 eumenorrheic athletes, and 15 nonathletes] of comparable body mass index.

Methods:
Dual x-ray absorptiometry was performed to assess body composition. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure resting energy expenditure (REE). Fasting levels of oxytocin, energy homeostasis hormones irisin and fibroblast growth factor-21, and appetite-regulating hormone peptide YY were obtained.

Results:
In AA, oxytocin secretion was positively correlated with surrogate measures of energy availability, including weight (r = 0.65, P = .009) and body mass index (r = 0.61, P = .016). Furthermore, oxytocin was associated with REE (r = 0.80, P = .0003), independent of lean mass, and with irisin (r = 0.74, P = .002) and fibroblast growth factor-21 (r = 0.58, P = .024). In eumenorrheic athletes, oxytocin was associated with REE (r = 0.59, P = .021), independent of lean mass. In nonathletes, oxytocin secretion was not significantly associated with measures of energy homeostasis.

Conclusions:
In AA, oxytocin secretion is associated with measures of energy availability and expenditure, suggesting that oxytocin may be involved in regulation of energy balance in energy deficient states. Further studies determining the role of oxytocin in appetite and energy homeostasis in athletes are warranted.
Preparation of Modified Mica as an Effective Adsorbent to Remove Cs+ from Water
Authors: Yamamoto Takahiro , Fujimura Takuya , Shimada Tetsuya , Takagi Shinsuke 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The adsorption behavior of Cs+ with the modified mica was investigated in aqueous suspension, quantitatively. Phlogopite was used as typical mica. We newly found out that phlogopite treated with BaCl2 for a short period (2 h) exhibits ability to adsorb Cs+, equivalent to phlogopite treated with a conventional reagent such as sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB). Since BaCl2 is a much cheaper reagent than NaTPB and the treatment period is very short, this finding would be valuable to provide a practical method to remove radioactive Cs+ from the environment.
Fabrication Process of Silica Hard-shell Microcapsule (HSMC) Containing Phase-change Materials
Authors: Toyoda Takafumi , Narisada Reishi , Suzuki Hiroshi , Hidema Ruri , Komoda Yoshiyuki 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
A fabrication process via the double-emulsion method is proposed for silica hard-shell microcapsules (HSMCs) that contain trimethylolethane (TME) hydrate. The TME-encapsulating silica-HSMCs are promising materials for reusable phase-change materials for latent-heat transportation systems. The obtained silica-HSMCs were visualized by a scanning electron microscope. The amount of TME hydrate inside the capsules was confirmed using a differential scanning calorimeter. The measured latent heat of the TME-encapsulating silica-HSMC was a reasonable fit to the predicted value.
Novel Inorganic Gatekeeper Strategy for Obtaining Controlled Release in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Peng Ce , Alec Nicol , Zhao Miaomiao , Cai Qiang , Yao Youwei , Wang Xiumei , Sun Xiaodan 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
A relatively facile and adjustable approach was investigated to synthesize mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with a thin controllable solid silica-cap (sSiO2) outer layer that prevented unwanted degradation for controlled drug release because the sSiO2 turned out to degrade gradually. Ibuprofen (IBU) and calcium ions were loaded to evaluate the efficiency of this system. This sSiO2-capped degradation strategy for controlled release could easily be extended to other pH- or temperature-responsive MSN systems and applications.
Tuning of automatic exposure control strength in lumbar spine CT
Authors: D'Hondt A , Cornil A , Bohy P , De Maertelaer V , Gevenois P A , Tack D 
Published: March 2014

Objective:
To investigate the impact of tuning the automatic exposure control (AEC) strength curve (specific to Care Dose 4D®; Siemens Healthcare, Forchheim, Germany) from “average” to “strong” on image quality, radiation dose and operator dependency during lumbar spine CT examinations.

Methods:
Two hospitals (H1, H2), both using the same scanners, were considered for two time periods (P1 and P2). During P1, the AEC curve was “average” and radiographers had to select one of two protocols according to the body mass index (BMI): “standard” if BMI &lt;30.0 kg m−2 (120 kV–330 mAs) or “large” if BMI &gt;30.0 kg m−2 (140 kV–280 mAs). During P2, the AEC curve was changed to “strong”, and all acquisitions were obtained with one protocol (120 kV and 270 mAs). Image quality was scored and patients' diameters calculated for both periods.

Results:
497 examinations were analysed. There was no significant difference in mean diameters according to hospitals and periods (p &gt; 0.801) and in quality scores between periods (p &gt; 0.172). There was a significant difference between hospitals regarding how often the “large” protocol was assigned [13 (10%)/132 patients in H1 vs 37 (28%)/133 in H2] (p &lt; 0.001). During P1, volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) was higher in H2 (+13%; p = 0.050). In both hospitals, CTDIvol was reduced between periods (−19.2% in H1 and −29.4% in H2; p &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion:
An operator dependency in protocol selection, unexplained by patient diameters or highlighted by image quality scores, has been observed. Tuning the AEC curve from average to strong enables suppression of the operator dependency in protocol selection and related dose increase, while preserving image quality.

Advances in knowledge:
CT acquisition protocols based on weight are responsible for biases in protocol selection. Using an appropriate AEC strength curve reduces the number of protocols to one. Operator dependency of protocol selection is thereby eliminated.
Observation Bias: The Impact of Demand Censoring on Newsvendor Level and Adjustment Behavior
Authors: Rudi Nils , Drake David 
Published: March 2014

In an experimental newsvendor setting, we investigate three phenomena: level behavior—the decision maker's average ordering tendency; adjustment behavior—the tendency to adjust period-to-period order quantities; and observation bias—the tendency to let the degree of demand feedback influence order quantities. We find that, in three of four conditions, the portion of mismatch cost that results from adjustment behavior exceeds the portion of mismatch cost caused by level behavior. Observation bias is studied through censored demand feedback, a situation that arguably represents most newsvendor settings. When demands are uncensored, subjects tend to order below the normative quantity when they face high margin and above the normative quantity when they face low margin, but in neither case do they order beyond mean demand (the pull-to-center effect). Censoring in general leads to lower quantities, magnifying the below-normative-level behavior when they face high margin but partially counterbalancing the above-normative-level behavior when they face low margin, violating the pull-to-center effect in both cases. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2013.1825 . This paper was accepted by Christian Terwiesch, operations management.
Endocytosis and the Src family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases
Authors: Reinecke James , Caplan Steve 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe regulated intracellular transport of nutrient, adhesion, and growth factor receptors is crucial for maintaining cell and tissue homeostasis. Endocytosis, or endocytic membrane trafficking, involves the steps of intracellular transport that include, but are not limited to, internalization from the plasma membrane, sorting in early endosomes, transport to late endosomes/lysosomes followed by degradation, and/or recycling back to the plasma membrane through tubular recycling endosomes. In addition to regulating the localization of transmembrane receptor proteins, the endocytic pathway also controls the localization of non-receptor molecules. The non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src (Src) and its closely related family members Yes and Fyn represent three proteins whose localization and signaling activities are tightly regulated by endocytic trafficking. Here, we provide a brief overview of endocytosis, Src function and its biochemical regulation. We will then concentrate on recent advances in understanding how Src intracellular localization is regulated and how its subcellular localization ultimately dictates downstream functioning. As Src kinases are hyperactive in many cancers, it is essential to decipher the spatiotemporal regulation of this important family of tyrosine kinases.
Automated detection of circinate exudates in retina digital images using empirical mode decomposition and the entropy and uniformity of the intrinsic mode functions
Authors: Lahmiri Salim , Boukadoum Mounir 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis work presents a new automated system to detect circinate exudates in retina digital images. It operates as follows: the true color image is converted to gray levels, and contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) is applied to it before undergoing empirical mode decomposition (EMD) as intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The entropies and uniformities of the first two IMFs are then computed to form a feature vector that is fed to a support vector machine (SVM) for classification. The experimental results using a set of 45 images (23 normal images and 22 images with circinate exudates taken from the STARE database) and tenfold cross-validation indicate that the proposed approach outperforms previous works found in the literature, with perfect classification. In addition, the image processing time was <4 min, making the presented circinate exudate detection system fit for use in a clinical environment.
Endocrine disruptors and polycystic ovary syndrome: a focus on Bisphenol A and its potential pathophysiological aspects
Authors: Palioura Eleni , Kandaraki Eleni , Diamanti-Kandarakis Evanthia 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder of unknown etiology that may arise from a combination of a number of underlying genetic interactions and predispositions with environmental factors. Endocrine disruptors and, in particular, Bisphenol A may represent one of the many underlying causes of the syndrome as they are experimentally linked to metabolic and reproductive derangements resembling PCOS-related disorders. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may act as an environmental modifier to worsen symptoms of PCOS in affected females or to contribute to the final phenotype of the syndrome in genetically predisposed individuals.