bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ghrelin Attenuates cAMP-PKA Signaling to Evoke Insulinostatic Cascade in Islet β-Cells
Authors: Dezaki Katsuya , Damdindorj Boldbaatar , Sone Hideyuki , Dyachok Oleg , Tengholm Anders , Gylfe Erik , Kurashina Tomoyuki , Yoshida Masashi , Kakei Masafumi , Yada Toshihiko 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE
Ghrelin reportedly restricts insulin release in islet β-cells via the Gαi2 subtype of G-proteins and thereby regulates glucose homeostasis. This study explored whether ghrelin regulates cAMP signaling and whether this regulation induces insulinostatic cascade in islet β-cells.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Insulin release was measured in rat perfused pancreas and isolated islets and cAMP production in isolated islets. Cytosolic cAMP concentrations ([cAMP]i) were monitored in mouse MIN6 cells using evanescent-wave fluorescence imaging. In rat single β-cells, cytosolic protein kinase-A activity ([PKA]i) and Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were measured by DR-II and fura-2 microfluorometry, respectively, and whole cell currents by patch-clamp technique.

RESULTS
Ghrelin suppressed glucose (8.3 mmol/L)-induced insulin release in rat perfused pancreas and isolated islets, and these effects of ghrelin were blunted in the presence of cAMP analogs or adenylate cyclase inhibitor. Glucose-induced cAMP production in isolated islets was attenuated by ghrelin and enhanced by ghrelin receptor antagonist and anti-ghrelin antiserum, which counteract endogenous islet-derived ghrelin. Ghrelin inhibited the glucose-induced [cAMP]i elevation and [PKA]i activation in MIN6 and rat β-cells, respectively. Furthermore, ghrelin potentiated voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channel currents without altering Ca2+ channel currents and attenuated glucose-induced [Ca2+]i increases in rat β-cells in a PKA-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS
Ghrelin directly interacts with islet β-cells to attenuate glucose-induced cAMP production and PKA activation, which lead to activation of Kv channels and suppression of glucose-induced [Ca2+]i increase and insulin release.
Two-Step Approach for the Prediction of Future Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Authors: Abdul-Ghani Muhammad A. , Abdul-Ghani Tamam , Stern Michael P. , Karavic Jasmina , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Bo Insoma , DeFronzo Ralph A. , Groop Leif 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE
To develop a model for the prediction of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk on the basis of a multivariate logistic model and 1-h plasma glucose concentration (1-h PG).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The model was developed in a cohort of 1,562 nondiabetic subjects from the San Antonio Heart Study (SAHS) and validated in 2,395 nondiabetic subjects in the Botnia Study. A risk score on the basis of anthropometric parameters, plasma glucose and lipid profile, and blood pressure was computed for each subject. Subjects with a risk score above a certain cut point were considered to represent high-risk individuals, and their 1-h PG concentration during the oral glucose tolerance test was used to further refine their future T2DM risk.

RESULTS
We used the San Antonio Diabetes Prediction Model (SADPM) to generate the initial risk score. A risk-score value of 0.065 was found to be an optimal cut point for initial screening and selection of high-risk individuals. A 1-h PG concentration &gt;140 mg/dL in high-risk individuals (whose risk score was &gt;0.065) was the optimal cut point for identification of subjects at increased risk. The two cut points had 77.8, 77.4, and 44.8% (for the SAHS) and 75.8, 71.6, and 11.9% (for the Botnia Study) sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value, respectively, in the SAHS and Botnia Study.

CONCLUSIONS
A two-step model, based on the combination of the SADPM and 1-h PG, is a useful tool for the identification of high-risk Mexican-American and Caucasian individuals.
Cluster-Randomized Trial of a Mobile Phone Personalized Behavioral Intervention for Blood Glucose Control
Authors: Quinn Charlene C. , Shardell Michelle D. , Terrin Michael L. , Barr Erik A. , Ballew Shoshana H. , Gruber-Baldini Ann L. 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE
To test whether adding mobile application coaching and patient/provider web portals to community primary care compared with standard diabetes management would reduce glycated hemoglobin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A cluster-randomized clinical trial, the Mobile Diabetes Intervention Study, randomly assigned 26 primary care practices to one of three stepped treatment groups or a control group (usual care). A total of 163 patients were enrolled and included in analysis. The primary outcome was change in glycated hemoglobin levels over a 1-year treatment period. Secondary outcomes were changes in patient-reported diabetes symptoms, diabetes distress, depression, and other clinical (blood pressure) and laboratory (lipid) values. Maximal treatment was a mobile- and web-based self-management patient coaching system and provider decision support. Patients received automated, real-time educational and behavioral messaging in response to individually analyzed blood glucose values, diabetes medications, and lifestyle behaviors communicated by mobile phone. Providers received quarterly reports summarizing patient’s glycemic control, diabetes medication management, lifestyle behaviors, and evidence-based treatment options.

RESULTS
The mean declines in glycated hemoglobin were 1.9% in the maximal treatment group and 0.7% in the usual care group, a difference of 1.2% (P = 0.001) over 12 months. Appreciable differences were not observed between groups for patient-reported diabetes distress, depression, diabetes symptoms, or blood pressure and lipid levels (all P &gt; 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The combination of behavioral mobile coaching with blood glucose data, lifestyle behaviors, and patient self-management data individually analyzed and presented with evidence-based guidelines to providers substantially reduced glycated hemoglobin levels over 1 year.
Genome-wide linkage scan of major depressive disorder in two Dagestan genetic isolates
Authors: Bulayeva Kazima , Lencz Todd , Glatt Stephen , Takumi Toru , Gurgenova Farida , Bulayev Oleg 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
We conducted a 10-cM genome-wide linkage scan in two extended pedigrees, ascertained from two diverse Dagestan genetic isolates with high aggregation of major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicides. Using genome wide multipoint parametric linkage analyses with short tandem repeat markers, we found two previously undetected genomic regions with significant linkage in isolate #6007 with LODs=3.1–3.4 at 2p13.2–p11.2 (and some signal in same region for #6008) and in 14q31.12–q32.13. We also obtained suggestive evidence for linkage with MDD at 9q33.3–q34.2 (#6008), 13q31.1–q31.2(#6007), 11p15(#6008), 17q25.3(#6007) and 19q13.31–q13.33 (#6008). Five regions (1p36.1–p35.2, 2p13.2–p11.2, 17q25.3, 18q22 and 22q12.3) demonstrated at least nominal linkage in both isolates’ pedigrees, while all other linkage regions demonstrated population-specific genetic heterogeneity.
Hepatitis C virus genotypes in injecting drug users from Romania
Authors: Sultana Camelia , Vagu Codruta , Temereanca Aura , Grancea Camelia , Slobozeanu Josefina , Ruta Simona 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Due to the increasing number of infections related to injecting drug use, both the pattern of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, and the circulating genotypes in Europe have changed. As there are little available data in this respect for Romania, the aim of our study was a preliminary analysis of the distribution of HCV genotypes circulating among injecting drug users (IDUs). Of the 45 IDUs evaluated (86.7% men, mean age − 27.6 ± 3.7 years, mean age at first drug use − 17.5 ± 3.9 years), 88.9% presented anti-HCV antibodies, with higher rates in those with an injecting history of more than 10 years; 57.8% of the subjects had detectable HCV viral load. Only 6.7% had markers of chronic hepatitis B infection, and none had anti-HIV antibodies. While HCV subtype 1b is still prevalent (in 50% of the viraemic subjects), other subtypes begin to emerge, especially in younger patients (1a — in 23.1%, 4 — in 11.5%, 3a — in 7.7% of the cases). These data indicate the possibility of major shifts in the distribution of the dominant subtype, underlining the need for close surveillance of HCV infections in IDUs, who can act as a bridging group toward the general population.
Power Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Hypertensive Male
Authors: Tabassum Rehnuma , Begum Noorzahan , Ferdousi Sultana , Begum Shelina , Ali Taskina 
Published: July 2011

Background: Essential hypertension is associated with altered cardiovascular autonomic nerve function. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis is an important tool for quantitative measurement of autonomic nerve activity. Objective: To assess the cardiac autonomic nerve function status in essential hypertension by analyzing power spectral measures of heart rate variability. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University between July 2008 and June 2009. Sixty male hypertensive patients with age range 40-60 years (group B) were enrolled from the Out Patient Department of Cardiology, BSMMU, Dhaka. Thirty age and sex matched apparently healthy normotensive subjects (group A) were studied as control, Hypertensive patients were further divided into group B1 consisting of 30 untreated patients on their 1st day of diagnosis and group B2 consisting of 30 patients under antihypertensive therapy. Power Spectral measures of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) such as total power, low frequency (LF) and high frequency power (HF) LH/HF ratio were assessed by a digital Polygraph. For statistical analysis, Independent sample t-test, One-way ANOVA test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test were done as applicable. Results: Mean TP, LF, HF and HF norm was significantly (p<0.001) lower and LF/HF ratio and LF norm were significantly (p<0.001) higher in both untreated and treated hypertensive patients compared to those of normotensive subjects. Again, significant differences of LF norm and HF norm and LF/HF ratio were found between the two hypertensive groups. The LF/HF ratio and LF norm were positively and HF norm was negatively correlated with SBP and DBP in both the hypertensive groups. However, all these findings were more marked in untreated hypertensive patients than those of treated group. Conclusion: Sympathovagal balance in hypertensive patients is towards higher sympathetic and lower vagal modulation and effective treatment of the patients can return the balance towards normal. Key words: LF norm; HF norm; LF/HF ratio; hypertension DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbsp.v6i1.8082 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2011 June; 6(1): 32-38
Automated Classification of Free-text Pathology Reports for Registration of Incident Cases of Cancer
Authors: Defossez G. , Burgun A. , le Beux P. , Levillain P. , Ingrand P. , Claveau V. , Jouhet V. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryObjective: Our study aimed to construct and evaluate functions called “classifiers”, produced by supervised machine learning techniques, in order to categorize automatically pathology reports using solely their content.Methods: Patients from the Poitou-Charentes Cancer Registry having at least one pathology report and a single non-metastatic invasive neoplasm were included. A descriptor weighting function accounting for the distribution of terms among targeted classes was developed and compared to classic methods based on inverse document frequencies. The classification was performed with support vector machine (SVM) and Naive Bayes classifiers. Two levels of granularity were tested for both the topographical and the morphological axes of the ICD-O3 code. The ability to correctly attribute a precise ICD-O3 code and the ability to attribute the broad category defined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) for the multiple primary cancer registration rules were evaluated using F1-measures.Results: 5121 pathology reports produced by 35 pathologists were selected. The best performance was achieved by our class-weighted descriptor, associated with a SVM classifier. Using this method, the pathology reports were properly classified in the IARC categories with F1-measures of 0.967 for both topography and morphology. The ICD-O3 code attribution had lower performance with a 0.715 F1-measure for topography and 0.854 for morphology.Conclusion: These results suggest that free-text pathology reports could be useful as a data source for automated systems in order to identify and notify new cases of cancer. Future work is needed to evaluate the improvement in performance obtained from the use of natural language processing, including the case of multiple tumor description and possible incorporation of other medical documents such as surgical reports.
Bud production and dynamics of flowering and vegetative tillers in Andropogon gerardii (Poaceae): the role of developmental constraints
Authors: Ott Jacqueline P. , Hartnett David C. 
Published: July 2011

•Premise of the Study: Perennial grasses maintain aboveground tiller populations through vegetative reproduction via belowground buds and sexual reproduction via seed. The maintenance of a bud bank has important demographic consequences for perennial grasses. A tradeoff between these reproductive modes would be expected for a plant with limited resource availability. However, the ontogeny of the tiller could affect its ability to allocate between these two modes of reproduction.•Methods: Vegetative bud production and dynamics and tiller production were examined biweekly through an annual cycle on vegetative and flowering tillers of Andropogon gerardii.•Key Results: Andropogon gerardii maintains a large reserve of dormant buds. Although vegetative and flowering tillers had similar bud phenology, flowering tillers produced larger numbers of buds of larger size, and transitioned a larger proportion of their buds to tiller, than did vegetative tillers. Therefore, a negative consequence of sexual reproduction on vegetative reproduction was not evident at the tiller level. A size threshold for floral induction likely exists that results in flowering tillers having more buds per tiller than vegetative tillers. The increased bud outgrowth of flowering tillers could be a result of their larger bud size or weaker apical dominance as compared to vegetative tillers.•Conclusions: Plant development can place significant constraints on tradeoffs between the reproductive modes in perennial grasses and could affect their plasticity in plant reproductive allocation. Differences in developmental phenology and bud production between flowering and vegetative tillers may influence grass responses to environmental changes such as altered precipitation regimes or resource availability.
Transportation Policy: Precedent-Breaking Choices over Five Decades
Authors: Spychalski John C 
Published: July 2011

AbstractDramatic changes in transport policy have occurred since publication of the inaugural issue of Transportation Journal. Paramount among these changes is economic deregulation. It brought to a vestige the once-comprehensive structure of control over business behavior in transport markets that had endured since its 19th-century starting point. As economic regulation receded, environmental, safety, and security regulation of transport burgeoned, driven more strongly by political than by economic calculations. Determination of whether its benefits exceed its costs will require a longterm horizon rather than a short-run one. Emerging political currents portend contraction of both publicly funded transport services, and infrastructure quality and capacity. Looking ahead, crafting and implementation of means for adequate funding—and for economically rational safety, security, and environmental standards—stand as prime transport policy challenges between the Golden and Diamond Anniversaries of the Transportation Journal.
Historical Perspective of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Discipline
Authors: Southern R. Neil 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to examine the evolution of the study of business logistics and supply chain management from the perspective of one who has participated firsthand in the discipline in industry and academic positions over the past six decades. The subject matter is organized in chronological order by decade. The 1950s were primarily a decade of transportation. During the 1960s the study of transportation evolved into the study of physical distribution. During the early 1970s more attention was given to physical supply, the inbound side of logistics systems. Later in the 1970s, universities began to offer more courses in transportation, physical distribution, and logistics. The term physical distribution was phased out in the 1980s, and the term business logistics emphasized. During the 1990s, business logistics again was the emphasis, as many cost-oriented businesses became aware of the opportunities for cost savings through negotiations with carriers and implementation of the systems approach and the total cost concept. The first decade of the 21st century has been characterized by a slow evolution from logistics to supply chain management.
Long Form and Algorithm
Authors: Bosia Daniel 
Published: July 2011

AbstractComputer algorithms and scripting provide engineers and architects with the opportunities to design in a nonlinear way. This is a matter of learning from nature's evolutionary and nonlinear processes rather than mimicking them. Daniel Bosia describes how Arup's Advanced Geometry Group (AGU) has developed a method that uses abstract genetic algorithms to create rational and systematic organisations of space, which are structured and rational to construct and assemble. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐Step Fabrication of Multifunctional Core‐Shell Fibres by Co‐Electrospinning
Authors: Medina‐Castillo Antonio L. , Fernández‐Sánchez Jorge F. , Fernández‐Gutiérrez Alberto 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn the present study, multifunctional core‐shell fibre mats were designed by co‐electrospinning. These core‐shell fibre mats have three different functionalities: 1) they are magnetic, 2) they change their optical properties with the pH of the media, and 3) they are sensitive to O2. The shell is formed by a fluorescent pH‐sensitive co‐polymer which was previously synthesised and characterized by our research group. The core is a suspension formed by magnetic nanoparticles in a solution made up by a lipophilic indicator dye (oxygen indicator; PtOEP) and, poly‐methyl methacrylate, in THF. The magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by encapsulation of magnetite within a cross‐linked polymeric matrix (MMA‐co‐EDMA). To our knowledge, this is the first time that three functionalities (magnetic properties, sensitivity to pH, and response to O2 concentration) were successful conjugated on the same micro‐ or nano‐material via a facile one‐step process with high yield and cost effectiveness.The morphology of the well‐organized core‐shell fibres were characterized by high resolution scanning electron microcopy (HRSEM), transmission electron microcopy (TEM), and confocal laser microscopy. The luminescent properties of core‐shell fibre mats were analysed and successfully used for simultaneously monitoring pH (from 6 to 8) and O2, showing complete reversibility, high sensitivity (i.e., Ksv = 7.07 bar−1 for determining O2 in aqueous media), high magnetic susceptibility, and short response times.
Facile Physical Route to Highly Crystalline Graphene
Authors: Jin Meihua , Kim Tae Hyung , Lim Seong Chu , Duong Dinh Loc , Shin Hyeon Jin , Jo Young Woo , Jeong Hae Kyung , Chang Jian , Xie Sishen , Lee Young Hee 
Published: July 2011

AbstractA physical route is proposed to obtain highly crystalline graphene sheets with minimal oxygen content similar to the precursor graphite. The functional graphene sheets obtained from graphite oxide by low temperature thermal exfoliation are annealed at high temperature (1900 °C) in a vacuum (10−6 torr). The D band intensity in Raman spectroscopy is reduced significantly, while the G band intensity is recovered, similar to the level of precursor graphite. No appreciable oxygen content is observed from X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and an electrical conductivity of ∼56 500 S m−1 is obtained, comparable to 100 900 S m−1 of the precursor graphite.
New Silicone Composites for Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Applications In Competition with Acrylic Foil
Authors: Opris Dorina M. , Molberg Martin , Walder Christian , Ko Yee Song , Fischer Beatrice , Nüesch Frank A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractSeveral polydimethylsiloxane elastomers were developed and investigated regarding their potential use as materials in dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA). A hydroxyl end‐functionalized polydimethylsiloxane was reacted with different crosslinkers and the electromechanical properties of the resulting elastomers were investigated. The silicone showing the best actuation at the lowest electric field was further used as matrix and compounded with encapsulated conductive polyaniline particles. These composites have enhanced properties including increased strain at break, higher dielectric constant as well as, gratifyingly, breakdown fields higher than that of the matrix. One of the newly synthesized composites is compared to the commercially available acrylic foil VHB 4905 (3M) which is currently the most commonly used elastomer for DEA applications. It was found that this material has little hysteresis and can be activated at lower voltages compared to VHB 4905. For example, when the newly synthesized composite was 30% prestrained, a lateral actuation strain of about 12% at 40 V μm−1 was measured while half of this actuation strain at the same voltage was measured for VHB 4905 film that was 300% prestrained. It also survived more than 100 000 cycles at voltages which are close to the breakdown field. Such materials might find applications wherever small forces but large strains at low voltages are required, in, for example, tactile displays.
Hierarchical Self‐assembly of Microscale Cog‐like Superstructures for Enhanced Performance in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Weixin , Li Mei , Wang Qiang , Chen Gongde , Kong Mei , Yang Zeheng , Mann Stephen 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAssembling complex nanostructures on functional substrates such as electrodes promises new multi‐functional interfaces with synergetic properties capable of integration into larger‐scale devices. Here, we report a microemulsion‐mediated process for the preparation of CuO/Cu electrodes comprising a surface layer of a densely packed array of unusual cog‐shaped CuO microparticles with hierarchical nanofilament‐based superstructure and enhanced electrochemical performance in lithium‐ion batteries. The CuO particles are produced by thermolysis of Cu(OH)2 micro‐cog precursors that spontaneously assemble on the copper substrate when the metal foil is treated with a reactive oil‐based microemulsion containing nanometer‐scale aqueous droplets. The formation of the hierarchical superstructure improves the coulombic efficiency, specific capacity, and cycling performance compared with anodes based on CuO nanorods or polymer‐blended commercial CuO/C black powders, and the values for the initial discharge capacity (1052 mA h g−1) and reversible capacity (810 m A h g−1) are higher than most copper oxide materials used in lithium‐ion batteries. The results indicate that a fabrication strategy based on self‐assembly within confined reaction media, rather than direct synthesis in bulk solution, offers a new approach to the design of electrode surface structures for potential development in a wide range of materials applications.