bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum hepcidin and growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15) levels in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Tarkun Pinar , Mehtap Ozgur , Atesoğlu Elif B. , Geduk Ayfer , Musul Mahmut M. , Hacihanefioglu Abdullah 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectivesHepcidin plays a regulatory role in systemic iron homeostasis. GDF‐15 has been found to be expressed from matured erythroblasts and very high levels of GDF‐15 suppresses hepcidin secretion. In this study, we evaluated hepcidin and GDF‐15 levels in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET).MethodsThe study included 29 patients and 21 healthy controls. The patient group included 13 patients with ET and 16 patients with PV. Serum hepcidin and GDF‐15 levels were measured at the time of diagnosis, before the initiation of any therapy.ResultsHepcidin levels did not differ significantly in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disease (CMPD) and healthy controls. However, GDF‐15 levels were significantly increased in patients with CMPD (P = 0.038). No difference could be found between patients with PV and ET in terms of hepcidin and GDF‐15 levels. Patients with JAK2‐V617F mutation had increased GDF‐15 levels when compared with patients without this mutation (P: 0.006).ConclusionsThe levels of GDF‐15 were higher in CMPD, which are characterized by increased erythropoiesis, and this effect was more pronounced particularly in individuals with JAK2‐V617F mutation. Hepcidin levels were not suppressed despite the increased erythroid activity and GDF‐15 levels may be protective against the clinical complications of the disease such as thrombosis. This study revealed that, hepcidin levels were not suppressed despite increased erythroid activity and high GDF‐15 levels in CMPD. We hypothesized that, this may be an attempt to prevent further amplification of erythropoietic activity by reducing iron utilization.
Transition in subicular burst firing neurons from epileptiform activity to suppressed state by feedforward inhibition
Authors: Sah Nirnath , Sikdar Sujit K. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe subiculum, a para‐hippocampal structure positioned between the cornu ammonis 1 subfield and the entorhinal cortex, has been implicated in temporal lobe epilepsy in human patients and in animal models of epilepsy. The structure is characterized by the presence of a significant population of burst firing neurons that has been shown previously to lead epileptiform activity locally. Phase transitions in epileptiform activity in neurons following a prolonged challenge with an epileptogenic stimulus has been shown in other brain structures, but not in the subiculum. Considering the importance of the subicular burst firing neurons in the propagation of epileptiform activity to the entorhinal cortex, we have explored the phenomenon of phase transitions in the burst firing neurons of the subiculum in an in vitro rat brain slice model of epileptogenesis. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp and extracellular field recordings revealed a distinct phenomenon in the subiculum wherein an early hyperexcitable state was followed by a late suppressed state upon continuous perfusion with epileptogenic 4‐aminopyridine and magnesium‐free medium. The suppressed state was characterized by inhibitory post‐synaptic potentials in pyramidal excitatory neurons and bursting activity in local fast‐spiking interneurons at a frequency of 0.1–0.8 Hz. The inhibitory post‐synaptic potentials were mediated by GABAA receptors that coincided with excitatory synaptic inputs to attenuate action potential discharge. These inhibitory post‐synaptic potentials ceased following a cut between the cornu ammonis 1 and subiculum. The suppression of epileptiform activity in the subiculum thus represents a homeostatic response towards the induced hyperexcitability. Our results suggest the importance of feedforward inhibition in exerting this homeostatic control.
Heritability of life‐history traits in the spruce budworm
Authors: Quezada‐García Roberto , Bauce Éric 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe heritability of life‐history traits is of particular importance for insects that are very dependent on host conditions. Severe defoliation caused by the spruce budworm negatively impacts its food source, which in turn imposes environmental constraints on the insect. The heritability of those traits can help elucidate this species' evolutionary process. Heritability also helps identify which traits exhibit significant additive variance and can be key to understanding natural selection effects. Individuals were reared under laboratory conditions over three generations on an artificial diet. Heritability was estimated by parent–offspring regression. Fertility and fecundity demonstrated significant heritability followed by larval development, while pupal mass showed minimal heritable variation. These results suggest an important percent of additive variance in life‐history traits. This study contributes to our understanding of the relationship of this forest pest to its environmental conditions. This study also reveals an important genetic architectural structure of life‐history traits in the spruce budworm.
Influence of warm air‐drying on enamel bond strength and surface free‐energy of self‐etch adhesives
Authors: Shiratsuchi Koji , Tsujimoto Akimasa , Takamizawa Toshiki , Furuichi Tetsuya , Tsubota Keishi , Kurokawa Hiroyasu , Miyazaki Masashi 
Published: June 2013

We examined the effect of warm air‐drying on the enamel bond strengths and the surface free‐energy of three single‐step self‐etch adhesives. Bovine mandibular incisors were mounted in self‐curing resin and then wet ground with #600 silicon carbide (SiC) paper. The adhesives were applied according to the instructions of the respective manufacturers and then dried in a stream of normal (23°C) or warm (37°C) air for 5, 10, and 20 s. After visible‐light irradiation of the adhesives, resin composites were condensed into a mold and polymerized. Ten samples per test group were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 h and then the bond strengths were measured. The surface free‐energies were determined by measuring the contact angles of three test liquids placed on the cured adhesives. The enamel bond strengths varied according to the air‐drying time and ranged from 15.8 to 19.1 MPa. The trends for the bond strengths were different among the materials. The value of the component increased slightly when drying was performed with a stream of warm air, whereas that of the component decreased significantly. These data suggest that warm air‐drying is essential to obtain adequate enamel bond strengths, although increasing the drying time did not significantly influence the bond strength.
A novel phospholipase B from Streptomyces sp. NA684 – purification, characterization, gene cloning, extracellular production and prediction of the catalytic residues
Authors: Matsumoto Yusaku , Mineta Shingo , Murayama Kazutaka , Sugimori Daisuke 
Published: June 2013

A novel metal ion‐independent phospholipase B (PLB684) from Streptomyces sp. strain NA684 was purified 264‐fold from the culture supernatant with 2.85% recovery (6330 U·mg protein−1). The enzyme functions as a monomer with a molecular mass of 38.9 kDa. Maximum activity was found at pH 8.4 and 50 °C. The substrate specificity was in the order: phosphatidylcholine ≥ phosphatidic acid ≥ lysophosphatidylcholine > phosphatidylserine > phosphatidylinositol > phosphatidylglycerol. The enzyme did not hydrolyze phosphatidylethanolamine, tristearin and dipalmitin. PLB684 hydrolyzed lysophosphatidylcholine and diacylphosphatidylcholine, and lysophosphatidylcholine was primarily produced during the early stages of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis. The apparent Km, Vmax and kcat for hydrolysis of dimyristoyl phosphatidic acid were 14.5 mm, 15.8 mmol·min−1·mg protein−1 and 1.02 × 104 s−1, respectively. The positional specificity of 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine hydrolysis was investigated using GC. In the reaction equilibrium, the molar ratio of released fatty acids (sn‐1 : sn‐2) was 45 : 55. The ORF of the gene is 1239 bp in length and codes for a 30‐amino acid signal peptide and a 382‐amino acid mature enzyme. The deduced amino acid sequence of PLB684 shows 60% identity to a uncharacterized protein of Streptomyces auratus AGR0001 (UniProt accession number: J1RQY0). The extracellular production of PLB684 was achieved using a pUC702 expression vector and Streptomyces lividans as the host. Mutagenesis analysis showed that Ser12 is essential for the catalytic function of PLB684 and that the active site may include residues Ser330 and His332.
Validation and limitation of age–period–cohort model in simulating mortality due to hepatocellular carcinoma from 1940 to 2010 in Japan
Authors: Akita Tomoyuki , Ohisa Masayuki , Kimura Yuki , Fujimoto Mayumi , Miyakawa Yuzo , Tanaka Junko 
Published: June 2013

AimWe aimed to simulate the mortality due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the age–period–cohort (APC) model with use of sex‐ and age‐specific mortality data, for the purpose of validating the utility and assessing the limitation of this model.MethodsAge‐specific mortality due to HCC was gleaned from people aged 20–84 years during 1940 through 2010 in Japan.ResultsThe APC model had a high performance in reproducing HCC mortality (modified determination coefficient R2COR ≥ 0.99). Risk of HCC increased with age in both sexes, while risk of period barely changed in both sexes. The birth cohort factor in the APC model in males highlighted the maximum point within birth years 1931–1935. The observed HCC mortality in 2010 in males (19 444) was lower than the predicted, and corresponded to 72.3% of the predicted 26 883.4, and in all age groups by 5‐year increments (55.6–90.9%). In females, the observed mortality was lower than that predicted in those aged 64 years or less, but not in those aged 65 years or more.ConclusionWe applied the APC model to predict HCC mortality rate, and it reproduced the observed mortality rate faithfully. However, in the recent past, the observed morality rate in males was only 72.3% that of the predicted. Such differences would be attributed to combined effects of medical interventions, such as antiviral treatments and screening for hepatitis viruses implemented in the early 1990s in Japan.
Les régimes de retraite dans le monde et leurs réformes: facteurs déterminants, tendances et difficultés
Authors: Holzmann Robert 
Published: June 2013

RésuméLes régimes de retraite et leurs réformes sont en perpétuelle mutation en raison des changements de priorités, des besoins de réforme et de contextes qui reflètent des événements objectifs, mais aussi une évolution des mentalités et des perceptions. Du fait de la crise financière actuelle et de l'adaptation à un nouvel «
état normal» encore incertain, les futurs régimes de retraite différeront de ceux des années passées. Les objectifs du présent article sont les suivants: a) examiner rapidement les principaux changements qui nécessitent de mettre en œuvre des réformes; b) souligner les principales tendances suivies pour réformer les piliers des régimes de retraite au cours des vingt dernières années; et c) présenter les domaines politiques sur lesquels devront se concentrer les décideurs pour que les réformes induisent une réelle différence.
Dépendance à l'égard des prestations: avantages et inconvénients du recours aux données sur les effectifs de bénéficiaires pour effectuer des comparaisons nationales et internationales
Authors: De Deken Johan , Clasen Jochen 
Published: June 2013

RésuméLes gouvernements des Etats‐providence développés manifestant de plus en plus d'inquiétude face au nombre élevé de personnes en âge de travailler qui sollicitent des prestations sociales, les politiques visant à réduire le degré de «dépendance à l'égard des prestations» ont pris de l'importance. Toutefois, ces politiques sont élaborées sur la base de données empiriques peu fiables. En effet, rares sont les pays qui collectent de manière systématique des données nationales sur les effectifs de bénéficiaires. De surcroît, certains régimes de sécurité sociale se chevauchent et les catégories administratives évoluent au fil du temps. Enfin, le fait que le traitement des systèmes nationaux de transfert ne soit pas harmonisé à l'échelle internationale complique encore les comparaisons entre pays. Dans le présent article, nous commençons par identifier et analyser certains de ces problèmes et examinons les solutions qui pourraient leur être apportées. Nous nous appuyons ensuite sur des données administratives sur les effectifs recueillies dans six pays européens pour illustrer l'évolution de ces effectifs dans le temps et dans les différents pays. Nous cherchons ainsi à apprécier dans quelle mesure les données sur les effectifs de bénéficiaires de prestations pourraient constituer un indicateur scientifique de nature à apporter un éclairage sur l'évolution de l'Etat‐providence dans le temps et dans les différents pays.
Elargir la couverture des régimes de pension et d'épargne au secteur informel: le régime de pension Mbao du Kenya
Authors: Kwena Rose Musonye , Turner John A. 
Published: June 2013

RésuméLe régime de pension Mbao est un système de compte individuel d'épargne volontaire, auquel peuvent s’affilier tous les travailleurs kenyans, sans conditions de ressources ni d'âge. Il est conçu pour offrir un dispositif répondant aux particularités du secteur informel et pour encourager ces travailleurs à épargner. La principale innovation de ce régime porte sur le fait que les travailleurs gagnant peu de revenu peuvent facilement y participer, les cotisations et le solde des comptes pouvant être de faibles montants. Les participants peuvent en outre effectuer leurs cotisations à n'importe quel moment et depuis n'importe où, à l'aide de leur téléphone mobile. Ces innovations ont été rendues possibles grâce aux avancées technologiques, qui ont diminué le coût des téléphones mobiles et des communications, et à la mise en place par les entreprises des paiements mobiles. Le régime est administré par les entreprises privées.
Prestations de santé et de retraite pour les travailleurs migrants mexicains qui rentrent des Etats‐Unis
Authors: Aguila Emma , Zissimopoulos Julie 
Published: June 2013

RésuméEn l'absence de contrat bilatéral entre les Etats‐Unis et le Mexique sur la portabilité et la totalisation des cotisations de sécurité sociale, le présent article examine l'accès aux prestations d'assurance‐maladie et de retraite et le statut d'emploi des travailleurs migrants mexicains. Nous avons constaté que les migrants qui rentrent chez eux après avoir passé moins d'un an aux Etats‐Unis bénéficient du même accès aux prestations de sécurité sociale que les non‐migrants. Ceux qui ont passé au moins un an aux Etats‐Unis ont en revanche moins accès à l'assurance‐maladie publique ou aux prestations de sécurité sociale et pourraient être davantage touchés par la pauvreté en vieillissant. Ces résultats sont destinés à alimenter le débat sur l'instauration d'un accord de sécurité sociale entre les Etats‐Unis et le Mexique, qui améliorerait la sécurité sociale des migrants rentrés chez eux.
Robust Estimates of Changes in Poverty and Inequality in Post‐Independence Namibia
Authors: Levine Sebastian , Roberts Benjamin 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe estimate changes in the distribution of household consumption expenditure in Namibia since independence in 1990 and the effects on poverty. To produce comparability between two household surveys, we use survey‐matching techniques, and we apply the framework of stochastic dominance to test the robustness of our results. The results reveal a significant decrease in the poverty headcount over the period and small but insignificant decreases in the country's extremely high levels of inequality. Decomposition analysis shows that poverty reduction in Namibia is largely driven by growth in mean incomes rather than redistribution. Even so, there have been important changes in inequality among different social groups especially as educational attainment has replaced ethnicity as the main determinant of between‐group inequality.
Aqueous Chemical Synthesis of Ln2Sn2O7 Pyrochlore‐Structured Ceramics
Authors: Kong Linggen , Karatchevtseva Inna , Blackford Mark G. , Scales Nicholas , Triani Gerry 
Published: June 2013

Pyrochlore‐structured lanthanide stannate ceramic (Ln2Sn2O7) has been synthesized via a new complex precipitation method. A suite of characterization techniques, including FTIR, Raman, X‐ray, and electron diffraction as well as nitrogen sorption were employed to investigate the structural evolution of the synthesized and calcined powder. Raman, XRD, and selected area electron diffraction results confirm the presence of the pyrochlore structure after calcination of the powder above 1200°C. TEM imaging shows fine crystallites gradually increased in size from approximately 100 nm to about 500 nm with higher calcination temperatures. Grain growth and powder densification upon increasing the calcination temperature was confirmed by nitrogen sorption results. This aqueous synthetic method provides a simple pathway for the preparation of homogeneous lanthanide stannate ceramics.
Evidence for shared genetic risk between ADHD symptoms and reduced mathematics ability: a twin study
Authors: Greven Corina U. , Kovas Yulia , Willcutt Erik G. , Petrill Stephen A. , Plomin Robert 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundAttention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and mathematics ability are associated, but little is known about the genetic and environmental influences underlying this association.MethodsData came from more than 6,000 twelve‐year‐old twin pairs from the UK population‐representative Twins Early Development Study. Parents rated each twin's behaviour using a DSM‐IV‐based 18‐item questionnaire of inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive ADHD symptoms. Mathematics tests based on the UK National Curriculum were completed by each twin. The twins also completed standardised tests of reading and general cognitive ability. Multivariate twin model fitting was applied.ResultsInattentive and hyperactive–impulsive ADHD symptoms were highly heritable (67% and 73% respectively). Mathematics ability was moderately heritable (46%). Mathematics ability and inattentiveness showed a significantly greater phenotypic correlation (rp = −.26) and genetic correlation (rA = −.41) than mathematics ability and hyperactivity–impulsivity (rp = −.18; rA = −.22). The genetic correlation between inattentiveness and mathematics ability was largely independent from hyperactivity‐impulsivity, and was only partially accounted for by genetic influences related to reading and general cognitive ability.ConclusionsResults revealed the novel finding that mathematics ability shows significantly stronger phenotypic and genetic associations with inattentiveness than with hyperactivity–impulsivity. Genetic associations between inattentiveness and mathematics ability could only partially be accounted for by hyperactivity–impulsivity, reading and general cognitive ability. Results suggest that mathematics ability is associated with ADHD symptoms largely because it shares genetic risk factors with inattentiveness, and provide further evidence for considering inattentiveness and hyperactivity–impulsivity separately. DNA markers for ADHD symptoms (especially inattentiveness) may also be candidate risk factors for mathematics ability and vice versa.
Association of glycated albumin with the presence of carotid plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Sato Yuki , Nagao Mototsugu , Asai Akira , Nakajima Yasushi , Takaya Makiyo , Takeichi Naomi , Takemitsu Shuji , Sudo Mariko , Kano‐Wakakuri Toshiko , Ishizaki Akira , Harada Taro , Tanimura‐Inagaki Kyoko , Okajima Fumitaka , Tamura Hideki , Sugihara Hitoshi , Oikawa Shinichi 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionPostprandial hyperglycemia is a potent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Serum glycated albumin (GA) has been reported to reflect postprandial blood glucose fluctuations. In the present study, we assessed the possible correlation of GA with the presence of carotid plaque to evaluate the potential clinical usefulness of GA for predicting atherosclerotic cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and MethodsPatients with type 2 diabetes (n = 236) admitted to Nippon Medical School Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) for glycemic control (aged 19–86 years, 81 females and 155 males) were examined. Clinical measurements were taken on admission. The presence of carotid plaque was assessed by ultrasonography.ResultsIn patients with carotid plaque (n = 154), GA (P = 0.023) was higher than those without carotid plaque (n = 82). In contrast, neither fasting plasma glucose (P = 0.48) nor glycated hemoglobin (P = 0.41) was significantly different between the groups. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that GA (age‐ and sex‐adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.05 [1.01–1.09]; P = 0.017) and glycated hemoglobin (1.17 [1.01–1.37]; P = 0.036) were significantly associated with the presence of carotid plaque.ConclusionsThe positive correlation of serum GA with the presence of carotid plaque in type 2 diabetes suggests that GA will serve as a useful clinical marker for predicting diabetic cardiovascular complications.
Assessment of Driving‐Related Skills Prediction of Unsafe Driving in Older Adults in the Office Setting
Authors: Ott Brian R. , Davis Jennifer D. , Papandonatos George D. , Hewitt Scott , Festa Elena K. , Heindel William C. , Snellgrove Carol A. , Carr David B. 
Published: June 2013

ObjectivesTo examine the sensitivity and specificity of the Assessment of Driving‐Related Skills (ADReS), a clinical tool recommended by the American Medical Association for identifying potentially unsafe older drivers that includes tests of vision, motor function, and cognition.DesignCross‐sectional observation study.SettingMemory assessment outpatient clinic of a university hospital.ParticipantsDrivers with normal cognition (n = 47) and cognitive impairment (n = 75).MeasurementsA neurologist completed the ADReS during an office visit. Additional cognitive tests of executive, visuospatial, and visuomotor function were also performed. On a separate day, participants completed a standardized on‐road test, assessed by a professional driving instructor using a global safety rating and a quantitative driving score.ResultsIn this sample of currently active older drivers with and without cognitive impairment, measures of cognition—particularly the Trail‐Making Test Part B—were more highly correlated with driving scores than other measures of function. Using recommended scoring procedures, the ADReS had a sensitivity of 0.81 for detecting impaired driving on the road test, with a specificity of 0.32 and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.57. A logistic regression model that incorporated computerized maze task and Mini‐Mental State Examination scores improved overall classification accuracy, yielding a sensitivity of 0.61, a specificity of 0.84, and an AUC of 0.80.ConclusionIn its present form, the ADReS has limited utility as an office screen for individuals who should undergo formal driving assessment. Improved scoring methods and screening tests with greater diagnostic accuracy than the ADReS are needed for general office practice.