bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Melanocortin Signaling in Neuroendocrine and Metabolic Actions of Leptin in Male Rats With Uncontrolled Diabetes
Authors: Meek Thomas H. , Matsen Miles E. , Damian Vincent , Cubelo Alex , Chua Streamson C. , Morton Gregory J. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAlthough the antidiabetic effects of leptin require intact neuronal melanocortin signaling in rodents with uncontrolled diabetes (uDM), increased melanocortin signaling is not sufficient to mimic leptin's glucose-lowering effects. The current studies were undertaken to clarify the role of melanocortin signaling in leptin's ability to correct metabolic and neuroendocrine disturbances associated with uDM. To accomplish this, bilateral cannulae were implanted in the lateral ventricle of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, and leptin was coinfused with varying doses of the melanocortin 3/4 receptor (MC3/4R) antagonist, SHU9119. An additional cohort of streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats received intracerebroventricular administration of either the MC3/4R agonist, melanotan-II, or its vehicle. Consistent with previous findings, leptin's glucose-lowering effects were blocked by intracerebroventricular SHU9119. In contrast, leptin-mediated suppression of hyperglucagonemia involves both melanocortin dependent and independent mechanisms, and the degree of glucagon inhibition was associated with reduced plasma ketone body levels. Increased central nervous system melanocortin signaling alone fails to mimic leptin's ability to correct any of the metabolic or neuroendocrine disturbances associated with uDM. Moreover, the inability of increased melanocortin signaling to lower diabetic hyperglycemia does not appear to be secondary to release of the endogenous MC3/4R inverse agonist, Agouti-related peptide (AgRP), because AgRP knockout mice did not show increased susceptibility to the antidiabetic effects of increased MC3/4R signaling. Overall, these data suggest that 1) AgRP is not a major driver of diabetic hyperglycemia, 2) mechanisms independent of melanocortin signaling contribute to leptin's antidiabetic effects, and 3) melanocortin receptor blockade dissociates leptin's glucose-lowering effect from its action on other features of uDM, including reversal of hyperglucagonemia and ketosis, suggesting that brain control of ketosis, but not blood glucose levels, is glucagon dependent.
Genetic Risk Score for Prediction of Newborn Adiposity and Large-for-Gestational-Age Birth
Authors: Chawla Reeti , Badon Sylvia E. , Rangarajan Janani , Reisetter Anna C. , Armstrong Loren L. , Lowe Lynn P. , Urbanek Margrit , Metzger Boyd E. , Hayes M. Geoffrey , Scholtens Denise M. , Lowe William L. 
Published: August 2014

Context:Macrosomic infants are at increased risk for adverse metabolic outcomes. Improving prediction of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) birth may help prevent these outcomes.Objective:This study sought to determine whether genes associated with obesity-related traits in adults are associated with newborn size, and whether a genetic risk score (GRS) predicts LGA birth.Setting and Design:Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 40 regions associated with adult obesity-related traits were tested for association with newborn size. GRS's for birth weight and sum of skinfolds (SSF) specific to ancestry were calculated using the most highly associated SNP for each ancestry in genomic regions with one or more SNPs associated with birth weight and/or SSF in at least one ancestry group or meta-analyses.Participants:Newborns from the Hyperglycemia Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Study were studied (942 Afro-Caribbean, 1294 Northern European, 573 Mexican-American, and 1182 Thai).Outcome Measures:Birth weight &gt;90th percentile (LGA) and newborn SSF &gt;90th percentile were primary outcomes.Results:After adjustment for ancestry, sex, gestational age at delivery, parity, maternal genotype, maternal smoking/alcohol intake, age, body mass index, height, blood pressure and glucose, 25 and 23 SNPs were associated (P &lt; .001) with birth weight and newborn SSF, respectively. The GRS was highly associated with both phenotypes as continuous variables across all ancestries (P ≤ 1.6 × 10−19) and improved prediction of birth weight and SSF &gt;90th percentile when added to a baseline model incorporating the covariates listed above.Conclusions:A GRS comprised of SNPs associated with adult obesity-related traits may provide an approach for predicting LGA birth and newborn adiposity beyond established risk factors.
No Improvement of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Vasorelaxant Effect Despite Increase in HDL Cholesterol Concentration in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Treated With Glitazones
Authors: Perségol Laurence , Duvillard Laurence , Monier Serge , Brindisi Marie-Claude , Bouillet Benjamin , Petit Jean-Michel , Vergès Bruno 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Context:
High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) from type 2 diabetic patients are unable to counteract the inhibitory effect of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDLs) on vasorelaxation. We hypothesized that glitazones, which improve glycemic control and dyslipidemia, could correct this abnormality.

Objectives and Design:
We compared the ability of HDL from controls (n = 12) and from type 2 diabetic patients before and after 6 months of treatment with either rosiglitazone (n = 11) or pioglitazone (n = 8) to counteract the inhibitory effect of ox-LDL on vasodilatation of rabbit aorta rings.

Results:
Rosiglitazone induced a decrease in hemoglobin A1c (7.7% ± 1.1% vs 9.8% ± 1.0%, P = .003) and an increase in HDL cholesterol (1.14 ± 0.32 vs 0.98 ± 0.24 mmol/L, P = .033). Pioglitazone induced a decrease in hemoglobin A1c (8.3% ± 2.5% vs 9.5% ± 3.2%, P = .068) and serum triglycerides (1.58 ± 0.89 vs 2.03 ± 0.70 mmol/L, P = .069) and an increase in HDL cholesterol (1.39 ± 0.22 vs 1.14 ± 0.22 mmol/L, P = .018). The triglyceride content of HDL was unchanged by rosiglitazone and was decreased by 25% (P = .068) by pioglitazone. HDL from controls counteracted the inhibitory effect of ox-LDL on vasodilatation (maximal relaxation [Emax] = 74.4% ± 3.5% vs 51.9% ± 3.3%, P = .0029), whereas HDL from type 2 diabetic patients did not (Emax = 51.7% ± 5.8% vs 52.3% ± 4.6% [P = .66] and 52.7% ± 5.5% vs 51.9% ± 4.5% [P = .78] for the rosiglitazone and pioglitazone group, respectively). Rosiglitazone or pioglitazone did not improve Emax (58.6% ± 5.9% vs 52.3% ± 4.6% [P = .15] and 49.3% ± 6.5% vs 51.9% ± 4.5% [P = .48], respectively).

Conclusion:
Glitazones increased the concentration of HDL cholesterol without restoring the ability of HDL particles to protect the endothelium from oxidative stress-induced dysfunction, meaning that HDL remained dysfunctional with impaired antiatherogenic properties.
Prospective Study of Surgical Treatment of Acromegaly: Effects on Ghrelin, Weight, Adiposity, and Markers of CV Risk
Authors: Reyes-Vidal Carlos , Fernandez Jean Carlos , Bruce Jeffrey N. , Crisman Celina , Conwell Irene M. , Kostadinov Jane , Geer Eliza B. , Post Kalmon D. , Freda Pamela U. 
Published: August 2014

Context:
Although epidemiological studies have found that GH and IGF-1 normalization reduce the excess mortality of active acromegaly to expected rates, cross-sectional data report some cardiovascular (CV) risk markers to be less favorable in remission than active acromegaly.

Objective:
The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that remission of acromegaly after surgical therapy increases weight and adiposity and some CV risk markers and these changes are paralleled by a rise in ghrelin.

Design:
Forty-two adults with untreated, active acromegaly were studied prospectively. Changes in outcome measures from before to after surgery were assessed in 26 subjects achieving remission (normal IGF-1) and 16 with persistent active acromegaly (elevated IGF-1) after surgery.

Setting:
The study was conducted at tertiary referral centers for pituitary tumors.

Main Outcome Measures:
Endocrine, metabolic, and CV risk parameters, anthropometrics, and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were measured.

Results:
Remission increased total ghrelin, body weight, waist circumference, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, high-density lipoprotein, and leptin and reduced systolic blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment score, triglycerides, and lipoprotein (a) by 6 months and for 32 ± 4 months after surgery. The ghrelin rise correlated with the fall in the levels of GH, IGF-1, and insulin and insulin resistance. Weight, waist circumference, and ghrelin did not increase significantly in the persistent active acromegaly group. Total body fat, trunk fat, and perentage total body fat increased by 1 year after surgery in 15 remission subjects: the increase in body fat correlated with the rise in total ghrelin.

Conclusions:
Although most markers of CV risk improve with acromegaly remission after surgery, some markers and adiposity increase and are paralleled by a rise in total ghrelin, suggesting that these changes may be related. Understanding the mechanisms and long-term implications of the changes that accompany treatment of acromegaly is important to optimizing management because some aspects of the postoperative profile associate with the increased metabolic and CV risk in other populations.
Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals New Prognostic Biomarkers of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Butz Henriett , Szabó Peter M , Nofech-Mozes Roy , Rotondo Fabio , Kovacs Kalman , Mirham Lorna , Girgis Hala , Boles Dina , Patocs Attila , Yousef George M 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The outcome of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is still unpredictable. Even with new targeted therapies, the average progression-free survival is dismal. Markers for early detection and progression could improve disease outcome.

METHODS
To identify efficient and hitherto unrecognized pathogenic factors of the disease, we performed a uniquely comprehensive pathway analysis and built a gene interaction network based on large publicly available data sets assembled from 28 publications, comprising a 3-prong approach with high-throughput mRNA, microRNA, and protein expression profiles of 593 ccRCC and 389 normal kidney samples. We validated our results on 2 different data sets of 882 ccRCC and 152 normal tissues. Functional analyses were done by proliferation, migration, and invasion assays following siRNA (small interfering RNA) knockdown.

RESULTS
After integration of multilevel data, we identified aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), grainyhead-like-2 (GRHL2), and KIAA0101 as new pathogenic factors. GRHL2 expression was associated with higher chances for disease relapse and retained prognostic utility after controlling for grade and stage [hazard ratio (HR), 3.47, P = 0.012]. Patients with KIAA0101-positive expression suffered worse disease-free survival (HR, 3.64, P &lt; 0.001), and in multivariate analysis KIAA0101 retained its independent prognostic significance. Survival analysis showed that GRHL2- and KIAA0101-positive patients had significantly lower disease-free survival (P = 0.002 and P &lt; 0.001). We also found that KIAA0101 silencing decreased kidney cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS
Using an integrative system biology approach, we identified 3 novel factors as potential biomarkers (AHR, GRHL2 and KIAA0101) involved in ccRCC pathogenesis and not linked to kidney cancer before.
Die Hermeneutik als traditionelle islamische Wissenschaft
Authors: Amirpur Katajun 
Published: August 2014

Zusammenfassung
In christlichen Kontexten wird gelegentlich kolportiert, dass der Koran im Islam unhinterfragt als nicht interpretierbares „Wort Gottes“ gilt, das hermeneutische Zugänge verwehrt. Die Autorin zeigt hingegen auf, dass sowohl in der Geschichte des Islam als auch in der gegenwärtigen Beschäftigung mit dem Koran namhafte islamische Denker seine Interpretierbarkeit begründen und entsprechende hermeneutische Konsequenzen ziehen.
Bibelhermeneutik – Von der Diastase zum Diskurs
Authors: Richter Cornelia 
Published: August 2014

Zusammenfassung
Der Beitrag benennt aus systematisch-theologischer Perspektive im Gespräch mit Jörg Lauster die Probleme, die sich vor dem Hintergrund der historischen Kritik für das protestantische Schriftprinzip ergeben, führt am Beispiel der Entwürfe von Michael Wolter und Christian Danz zur Christologie vor, wie Exegese und Dogmatik in einen produktiven Diskurs treten können, und plädiert am Ende für eine stärkere Berücksichtigung des Performanzbegriffs bei der Erschließung des Spannungsfelds zwischen Bibel und Systematischer Theologie.
Lebensrelevante Lektüre?
Authors: Pohl-Patalong Uta 
Published: August 2014

Zusammenfassung
Exegetische und erfahrungsbezogene Zugänge zur Bibel bilden Alternativen mit unterschiedlichen Akzentsetzungen, jedoch nicht (mehr) im Konflikt. Der Beitrag stellt erfahrungsorientierte Zugänge vor und fragt, welche hermeneutischen Annahmen die erfahrungsbezogenen Ansätze voraussetzen - gemeinsam mit der Exegese oder in Differenz zu ihr. Dies führt zu der Frage, wie die Behauptung einer Aktualität historischer Texte Jahrhunderte später hermeneutisch begründet werden kann: Wie fundiert die Praktische Theologie ihre Überzeugung von der Lebensrelevanz biblischer Texte?
On Two Optimal Control Problems for Magnetic Fields
Authors: Nicaise Serge , Stingelin Simon , Tröltzsch Fredi 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Two optimal control problems for instationary magnetization
processes are considered in 3D spatial domains that
include electrically conducting and nonconducting regions. The magnetic
fields are generated by induction coils. In the first model, the induction coil
is considered as part of the conducting region and the electrical current is taken
as control. In the second, the coil is viewed as part of the nonconducting region and the
electrical voltage is the control.
Here, an integro-differential equation accounts for the magnetic induction law that couples the given
electrical voltage with the induced electrical current in the induction coil.
We derive first-order necessary optimality conditions for the optimal controls of both problems. Based on them,
numerical methods of gradient type are applied. Moreover, we report on the application
of model reduction by POD that lead to tremendous savings. Numerical tests are
presented for academic 3D geometries but also for a real-world application.
Communication breakdowns and diagnostic errors: a radiology perspective
Authors: Murphy Daniel R. , Singh Hardeep , Berlin Leonard 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Timely and accurate communication is essential to safe and effective health care. Despite increased awareness over the past decade of the frequency of medical errors and greater efforts directed towards improving patient safety, patient harm due to communication breakdowns remains a significant problem. Communication problems related to diagnostic testing may account for nearly half of all errors made by typical primary care physicians in their medical practices. This article provides an overview of communication breakdowns in the context of radiology related diagnostic errors. In radiology, communication breakdowns between radiologists, referring clinicians, and patients can lead to failure of critical information to be relayed, resulting in delayed or missed diagnosis. New technologies, such electronic health records (EHRs), contribute to the increasing complexity of communication in health care, but if used correctly, they can provide several benefits to safe and effective communication. To address the complexity of communication breakdowns, a multifaceted sociotechnical approach is needed to address both technical and non-technical aspects of health care delivery. The article also provides some future directions in reducing communication breakdowns related to diagnostic testing, including proactive risk assessment of communication practices using recently released SAFER self-assessment guides.
Investigating the influence of temperature on electrospinning of polycaprolactone solutions
Authors: Ramazani Soghra , Karimi Mohammad 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe present work shows the effect of temperature on successfully obtained uniform electrospun poly-(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers, with specific attention to the molecular orientation and diameter of nanofibers. Experiments were performed at temperatures (T) of 25°, 35°, and 45°C, and at PCL concentrations (w) of 12, 16, and 20 wt.%. Scanning electron microscopy provided the morphology of electrospun fibers and quantified their diameters. Elevated temperature for all PCL concentrations yielded a viscosity that allows for easier stretching of the jet to obtain a smaller diameter for fibers. A minimum size of the fiber diameter (close to 100 nm) was achieved for the set point T=45°C and w=12 and 16 wt.%. Due to the easy stretching of the jet by controlling the elastic property of the solution, a dichroic ratio of 1.62 was accessible for the set point T=35°C and w=12 wt.% from polarized Fourier transform infrared spectra as a factor for the orientation of PCL chains.
Optical Solitons in Magneto-optic Waveguides with Spatio-temporal Dispersion
Authors: Savescu Michelle , Bhrawy A. H. , Hilal E. M. , Alshaery A. A. , Biswas Anjan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper obtains the exact solution for solitons propagating through magneto-optic waveguides. There are three forms of nonlinear media that are considered. They are Kerr law, power law and log-law nonlinearity. The ansatz approach retrieves bright, dark as well as singular soliton solutions. There are several constraint conditions that needs to be in place for the solitons and Gaussons to exist.
A Novel Nonlinear Companding Transform for PAPR Reduction in Lattice-OFDM System
Authors: Peng Siming , Shen Yuehong , Yuan Zhigang , Jian Wei , Miao Yuwei 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn this paper, a novel companding scheme is proposed to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of lattice orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (LOFDM) system. By transforming the statistics of original signals into a specified distribution form, which is defined by a continuous sine function, this scheme can achieve a simple companding form as well as an improved PAPR and bit-error-rate (BER) performance. Moreover, by introducing the variable companding parameters in the desired probability density function (PDF), a great design flexibility in the companding form and an effective trade-off between the PAPR reduction and BER performance can be achieved to satisfy various system demands. The general formulas of the proposed scheme are derived and a theoretical analysis regarding the achievable transform gain and the selection criteria of companding parameters are also conducted. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can substantially outperform the conventional
High Directivity Microstrip Coupler with Asymmetric Structure
Authors: Maheswari S. , Jayanthy T. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractA method to improve the directivity of the microstrip coupler is presented. The pattern of the coupler is modified for phase velocity compensation, which results in high directivity. Using this procedure, two 15 dB couplers are designed and fabricated at 0.9 GHz. A high directivity of 35 dB and 39 dB are measured. The validity of the design concept is verified by simulations and measurements.
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using biotransformations by Saccharomyces boulardii
Authors: Korbekandi Hassan , Jouneghani Rasoul Mardani , Mohseni Soudabeh , Pourhossein Meraj , Iravani Siavash 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) using microorganisms is ecofriendly and gives researchers greater opportunities in sizes and shapes of the synthesized NPs. The aims of this research were the biosynthesis of silver NPs by biotransformations using Saccharomyces boulardii and analysis of the sizes and shapes of the produced NPs. Dried (commercially available) and freshly cultured S. boulardii were used as the biocatalyst. Dried yeast synthesized few NPs, but freshly cultured yeast produced a large amount of NPs. It was seen from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs that individual silver NPs as well as a number of aggregates with almost spherical shapes and sizes of about 8–26 nm were synthesized. It was shown that the NPs were mainly synthesized intracellularly, which might be due to the reductases inside the cells. Therefore, the biomass should be used in the synthesis, instead of discarding it. Previous researchers used only the supernatant and reported that the synthesis is extracellular.
Effects of concentration and temperature on the rheological behavior of concentrated sodium lignosulfonate (NaLS) solutions
Authors: Tang Qianqian , Zhou Mingsong , Yang Dongjie , Qiu Xueqing 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Concentrated sodium lignosulfonate (NaLS) solutions have wide industrial applications. Therefore, the viscoelastic properties of NaLS in concentrations of 55%–63% have been investigated between 5°C and 55°C by means of a dynamic rheological technique, namely, the oscillatory rheological experiments were conducted in a rheometer in the small amplitude oscillatory mode. All solutions showed “shear-thinning” behavior over frequency. The complex viscosity (η*) increased and the loss tangent (tanδ) decreased with increasing concentrations. Both the storage modulus (G′) and the loss modulus (G″) increased with increasing frequencies and concentrations. The change in viscoelastic behavior was probably caused by stronger aggregation effects. However, the effects of temperature on the viscoelastic properties are more complex. For 60% NaLS, G′, G″, and η* decreased, but tanδ increased with increasing temperatures. When the temperature exceeded 20°C, G′, G″, and η* increased, but tanδ decreased, and the relaxation times were increased as a function of temperature. The change in viscoelasticity as a function of temperature may also be related to intermolecular aggregation and the swelling of aggregates. The conductivity experiments indicated that the formation of a greater strength of network structures at higher levels of concentrations between 55% and 63% and temperatures between 20°C and 55°C was probably responsible for elasticity enhancement.
Role of lncRNAs in prostate cancer development and progression
Authors: Weiss Melanie , Plass Christoph , Gerhauser Clarissa 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Despite advances in the characterization of genomic and epigenetic aberrations contributing to PCa, the etiology of PCa is still far from being understood. Research over the past decade demonstrated the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in deregulation of target genes mainly through epigenetic mechanisms. In PCa, evidence accumulated that hundreds of lncRNAs are dysregulated. Functional analyses revealed their contribution to prostate carcinogenesis by targeting relevant pathways and gene regulation mechanisms including PTEN/AKT and androgen receptor signaling as well as chromatin remodeling complexes. Here we summarize our current knowledge on the roles of lncRNAs in PCa and their potential use as biomarkers for aggressive PCa and as novel therapeutic targets.