bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Readability, suitability, and writing for clients with limited literacy skills
Authors: Ames Natalie
Published: March 2018

This study evaluated 56 documents developed by 11 nonprofit and public social service agencies to provide information to clients. The author used the Flesch Reading Ease, Simple Measure of Goobledegook (SMOG), and Gunning Fog Index formulas to assess reading grade levels and the Suitability Assessment of Material to evaluate overall suitability for readers with limited literacy skills.

Findings

All documents but one were above the recommended fifth grade level for low-literacy materials. Suitability Assessment of Material scores indicated 44.6% ( n = 26) were not appropriately formatted for readers with limited literacy skills.

Applications

Findings suggest a need for improving social service agencies’ and practitioners’ knowledge and awareness of the importance of assessing the readability and suitability of print materials, especially those intended for clients.
The self-legitimacy of prison staff in Slovenia
Authors: Hacin Rok , Fields Chuck , Meško Gorazd
Published: March 2018

This paper focuses on the self-legitimacy of prison staff in Slovenia. The primary aim of this study is to identify possible differences between those factors that influence the self-legitimacy of prison officers in different periods, which would confirm the applicability of some of the theoretical assumptions on the unstable nature of self-legitimacy. Possible differences between groups of prison workers will be explored. The results show that perceptions of supervisors’ procedural justice, relations with colleagues, audience legitimacy and age are the best predictors of self-legitimacy. These findings highlight the unstable nature of self-legitimacy and, moreover, the perceptions of self-legitimacy vary over time and in different groups of prison workers. The implications of these findings will be discussed.
Featured Article: AMPKα2 deficiency enhanced susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias in mice by the role of β-adrenoceptor signaling
Authors: Cao Hong , Wang Xin , Ying Shaozheng , Huang Congxin
Published: March 2018

AMP-activated protein kinase-α2 is the main catalytic subunit of the heart, which is mainly located in cardiac myocytes. The effect of AMP-activated protein kinase-α2 on the cardiac electrophysiology is barely studied. From the previous study, it is possible that AMP-activated protein kinase-α2 may have some effect on the electrophysiology of the heart. To prove the hypothesis, we used the AMP-activated protein kinase-α2 knockout (AMPKα2−/−) mice to estimate the electrophysiological characteristics of AMPKα2−/− mice and try to find the mechanism between them. We used AMP-activated protein kinase-α2 gene knockout (AMPKα2−/−) mice and control wild-type mice as the experimental animals. In the experiment, we measured the monophasic action potential duration and test the inducibility to ventricular arrhythmia in isolated mice heart with and without β-adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol. Meanwhile, plasma concentration of catecholamine was collected. We found that AMPKα2−/− significantly shortened 90% repolarization of monophasic action potential (MAP) (MAPD90) than wild-type (47.4 ± 2.6 ms vs. 55.5 ± 2.4 ms, n = 10, P < 0.05) and were more vulnerable to be induced to ventricular arrhythmias (70% (7/10) vs. 10% (1/10), P < 0.05), accompanied by the higher concentration of catecholamine (epinephrine: 1.75 ± 0.18 nmol/L vs. 0.68 ± 0.10 nmol/L n = 10, P < 0.05; norepinephrine: 9.56 ± 0.71 nmol/L vs. 2.52 ± 0.31 nmol/L n = 10, P < 0.05). The shortening of MAPD90 and increased inducibility to ventricular arrhythmias of AMPKα2−/− could almost be abolished when perfusion with β-adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol. It indicated that the β-adrenoceptor activation resulting from catecholamine release was mainly responsible for the relating changes of electrophysiology of AMPKα2−/−. It had great clinical significance, as in patients who had problem with AMP-activated protein kinase-α2 gene, we might use β-adrenoceptor antagonists as the prevention of arrhythmias in future.

Impact statement

As far as we know, this is the first time the role of AMP-activated protein kinase-α2 (AMPKα2) on the cardiac electrophysiology is explored, and we found that the β-adrenoceptor activation resulting from catecholamine release was mainly responsible for the changes of electrophysiology related to the absence of AMPKα2. This has great clinical significance, as in patients who have problems with AMPKα2 gene, we may use β-adrenoceptor antagonists for the prevention of arrhythmias in future.
Aerobic With Resistance Training or Aerobic Training Alone Poststroke: A Secondary Analysis From a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Marzolini Susan , Brooks Dina , Oh Paul , Jagroop David , MacIntosh Bradley J. , Anderson Nicole D. , Alter David , Corbett Dale
Published: March 2018

Background: Stroke is associated with muscle atrophy and weakness, mobility deficits, and cardiorespiratory deconditioning. Aerobic and resistance training (AT and RT) each have the potential to improve deficits, yet there is limited evidence on the utility of combined training. Objective: To examine the effects of AT+RT versus AT on physiological outcomes in chronic stroke with motor impairments. Methods: Participants (n = 73) were randomized to 6 months of AT (5 d/wk) or AT+RT (3 and 2 d/wk, respectively). Outcomes included those related to body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, mobility (6-minute walk distance [6MWD], sit-to-stand, and stair climb performance), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold [VO2VT]), and muscular strength. Results: A total of 68 (93.2%) participants (age, mean ± SD = 63.7 ± 11.9) completed the study. AT+RT and AT yielded similar and significant improvements in 6MWD (39.9 ± 55.6 vs 36.5 ± 63.7 m, P = .8), VO2peak (16.4% ± 43.8% vs 15.2% ± 24.7%, P = .9), sit-to-stand time (−2.3 ± 5.1 vs 1.02 ± 9.5 s, P = .05), and stair climb performance (8.2% ± 19.6% vs 7.5% ± 23%, P = .97), respectively. AT+RT produced greater improvements than AT alone for total body lean mass (1.23 ± 2.3 vs 0.27 ± 1.6 kg, P = .039), predominantly trunk ( P = .02) and affected-side limbs ( P = .04), VO2VT (19.1% ± 26.8% vs 10.5% ± 28.9%, P = .046), and upper- and lower-limb muscular strength ( P < .03, all except affected-side leg). Conclusion: Despite being prescribed 40% less AT, AT+RT resulted in similar and significant improvement in mobility and VO2peak, superior improvements in VO2VT and muscular strength, and an almost 5-fold greater increase in lean mass compared with AT. RT is the most neglected exercise component following stroke but should be prescribed with AT for metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and strength recovery.
Localization of Intracranial Lesions Using Superficial Stereotaxic Cranial Lesion Locator Based on Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Gökyar Ahmet , Cokluk Cengiz
Published: March 2018

Background. Detection of a deep-seated lesion located in the brain parenchyma and major neuroanatomical sites is a critical issue in neurosurgery. Some neurosurgical cranial navigation systems have been developed that are available; however, some preparation is necessary, including the installation of complex computer software programs and obtaining specific neuroradiological images. Objective. The purpose of this experimental study was to design and evaluate a superficial stereotaxic frameless lesion locator in order to localize mass lesions within the brain. Methods. A superficial stereotaxic frameless lesion locator system was designed using cardboard and the Cartesian coordinate system as a reference framework. This material was used in a model creating printed magnetic resonance images in the superficially marking of the lesion. This material easily located the lesion placement and superficially projected the lesion location. Results. The results of this study revealed that the superficial stereotaxic frameless lesion location procedure using a coordinate cardboard locator is a safe, fast, and simple procedure. This procedure provides an accurate means of locating the target lesion seated within the brain parenchyma. When compared with other models, we found that this device is reliable and has a high rate of superficial lesion detection. Conclusion. A superficial lesion locator may be used in clinical practice. This experimental study demonstrated the usability and reliability of the procedure. Additional detailed investigations are necessary to improve the procedure.
The influence of coach turnover on student-athletes' affective states and team dynamics: An exploratory study in collegiate sports
Authors: Shipherd Amber M , Wakefield Joann C , Stokowski Sarah , Filho Edson
Published: March 2018

Coach turnover is frequent, especially in collegiate sports in the United States. To date, however, there is limited research on how coach turnover might affect student-athletes. Accordingly, we aimed to qualitatively explore how coach turnover might influence student-athletes’ psychosocial states and team dynamics in collegiate sports. Eleven athletic teams at a Midwestern Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association institution having undergone coach turnover during the past four years participated in the study. Four coaches and 21 student-athletes representing both individual and team sports, as well as two administrative staff members, participated in semi-structured interviews (coaches and administrators) and focus groups (student-athletes). Inductive data analysis revealed four first level themes: coach style and background, athlete affective states, team dynamics, and program culture. Our analysis suggested that, depending on their gender and coaching style, coaches might have a positive or negative impact on athletes’ affective states (e.g. positive and negative affect), team dynamics (e.g. cohesion; athlete leadership), and the program culture. Thus, practitioners might facilitate the positive impact of coaching turnover by assessing whether the new coach is a ‘good fit’ at the individual (micro), team (meso), and environmental (macro) level of analysis.
Neo Left Main Channel Creation Using Double Stenting Alongside a Sapien 3 Aortic Valve Bioprosthesis for Left Main Coronary Obstruction Following Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Case Report With Review of Literature
Authors: Patel Apurva D. , Haldis Thomas , Al Balbissi Kais , Paul Timir
Published: March 2018

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the setting of failed surgical bioprosthesis (valve-in-valve) is a valuable option for patients with bioprosthetic aortic stenosis or regurgitation who are deemed high risk for repeat open heart surgery. Although the procedure is successful with proper preprocedural assessment, instances of left main (LM) coronary artery ostium obstruction have been documented. We present a case of LM coronary obstruction in the immediate postoperative period following implantation of a 20-mm Edwards Sapien 3 valve inside the degenerated 21-mm Mitroflow bioprosthesis stenosis, which was treated with double stenting alongside the Edwards Sapien 3 valve creating a channel (“neo left main”) that extended from mid-LM to the upper margin of the Edwards Sapien 3 valve. Although valve-in-valve in a Mitroflow degenerated bioprosthesis is a relatively safe procedure, 2 or more stents may be necessary to scaffold a channel to the coronary arteries between Edwards Sapien 3 prosthesis and aorta in the event of a coronary obstruction.
Measurable Residual Disease at Induction Redefines Partial Response in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Stratifies Outcomes in Patients at Standard Risk Without NPM1 Mutations
Authors: Freeman Sylvie D. , Hills Robert K. , Virgo Paul , Khan Naeem , Couzens Steve , Dillon Richard , Gilkes Amanda , Upton Laura , Nielsen Ove Juul , Cavenagh James D. , Jones Gail , Khwaja Asim , Cahalin Paul , Thomas Ian , Grimwade David , Burnett Alan K. , Russell Nigel H.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

We investigated the effect on outcome of measurable or minimal residual disease (MRD) status after each induction course to evaluate the extent of its predictive value for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) risk groups, including NPM1 wild-type (wt) standard risk, when incorporated with other induction response criteria.

Methods

As part of the NCRI AML17 trial, 2,450 younger adult patients with AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome had prospective multiparameter flow cytometric MRD (MFC-MRD) assessment. After course 1 (C1), responses were categorized as resistant disease (RD), partial remission (PR), and complete remission (CR) or complete remission with absolute neutrophil count < 1,000/µL or thrombocytopenia < 100,000/μL (CRi) by clinicians, with CR/CRi subdivided by MFC-MRD assay into MRD+ and MRD−. Patients without high-risk factors, including Flt3 internal tandem duplication wt/− NPM1-wt subgroup, received a second daunorubicin/cytosine arabinoside induction; course 2 (C2) was intensified for patients with high-risk factors.

Results

Survival outcomes from PR and MRD+ responses after C1 were similar, particularly for good- to standard-risk subgroups (5-year overall survival [OS], 27% RD v 46% PR v 51% MRD+ v 70% MRD−; P < .001). Adjusted analyses confirmed significant OS differences between C1 RD versus PR/MRD+ but not PR versus MRD+. CRi after C1 reduced OS in MRD+ (19% CRi v 45% CR; P = .001) patients, with a smaller effect after C2. The prognostic effect of C2 MFC-MRD status (relapse: hazard ratio [HR], 1.88 [95% CI, 1.50 to 2.36], P < .001; survival: HR, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.41 to 2.22], P < .001) remained significant when adjusting for C1 response. MRD positivity appeared less discriminatory in poor-risk patients by stratified analyses. For the NPM1-wt standard-risk subgroup, C2 MRD+ was significantly associated with poorer outcomes (OS, 33% v 63% MRD−, P = .003; relapse incidence, 89% when MRD+ ≥ 0.1%); transplant benefit was more apparent in patients with MRD+ (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.31 to 1.69) than those with MRD− (HR, 1.68 [95% CI, 0.75 to 3.85]; P = .16 for interaction).

Conclusion

MFC-MRD can improve outcome stratification by extending the definition of partial response after first induction and may help predict NPM1-wt standard-risk patients with poor outcome who benefit from transplant in the first CR.
Family Ruptures, Stress, and the Mental Health of the Next Generation: Reply
Authors: Persson Petra , Rossin-Slater Maya
Published: March 2018

Persson and Rossin-Slater (2018) find that prenatal exposure to family ruptures affects childhood and adult mental health, as well as infant physical health. We compare children whose relatives die within 280 days post-conception to children whose relatives die in the year after birth. Matsumoto correctly notes that defining the control group using actual birth dates can bias our estimates. Here, we redefine our control group using expected birth dates. The effects on mental health in childhood and adulthood are statistically indistinguishable from those in our original paper. The infant health impacts are attenuated, but statistically significant in our main specifications. (JEL I12, J12, J13)
Small Animal Review
Authors: Tennant Bryn
Published: March 2018

Introduction:

Gastrointestinal lymphoma is a not-uncommon enteropathy that generally carries a poor prognosis. Early recognition and typing of lymphoma may improve survival times; dogs with low grade lymphomas show survival times in excess of 400 days. As lymphoma does not affect all regions of the gastrointestinal tract, sampling from all regions is essential.
Managing allergic rhinitis in people with respiratory conditions
Authors: Scullion Jane , Holmes Steve
Published: March 2018

Allergic rhinitis is common in people with asthma. The link with COPD is less well known. Jane Scullion and Steve Holmes provide an overview of the condition and how it can be diagnosed and treated in people with respiratory conditions

Allergic rhinitis—a reaction to airborne allergens—is very common, affecting 10–15% of children and 26% of adults in the UK. Symptoms include sneezing, rhinorrhoea, and nasal obstruction, often accompanied by itching of the eyes, nose, and palate. Allergic rhinitis is well-known to co-exist with asthma. The link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allergic rhinitis is less well-known. Studies have shown the presence of allergic rhinitis increases the risk of asthma attacks and emergency hospitalisation in patients with asthma. The risks for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are less well researched. It is important to consider rhinitis in people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and, as far as possible, provide a robust diagnosis which will inform targeted treatment for our patients' symptoms. There are several medications that can be used to treat allergic rhinitis and improve quality of life for patients.
The safe storage and management of vaccines
Authors: Armstrong Kirsty
Published: March 2018

Vaccines need to be stored correctly to avoid wastage and promote efficacy. Kirsty Armstrong provides an overview of the available advice

After clean water, vaccination is the most effective intervention that health professionals can make to improve patient outcomes, but it is essential that vaccines are stored, administered and disposed of correctly. There are many elements of immunisation and vaccination that are beyond the control of immunisers, such as the correct strain selection, the manufacture of vaccines, patient metabolism of the vaccine and financial considerations. The correct storage and administration of vaccines, which practice nurses can control, maintains their efficacy and reduces the chances of lowered vaccine potency.
Research Roundup
Authors: Winter George
Published: March 2018

George Winter provides an overview of recently published articles that may be of interest to practice nurses. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
How to manage bite wounds in veterinary practice
Authors: Curtis Amanda , Sherwood Amelia
Published: March 2018

Bite wounds can present in a variety of areas over the body and can prove challenging to treat. Poor management and the decision to surgically close these types of wounds too early in the healing process can result in the dehiscence of surgical sites, leading to a larger wound deficit than initially presented, and a more difficult wound to manage. This article aims to provide guidance on best practice for dealing with bite injuries and to help the reader to think more about creating an effective management plan when presented with a bite wound.
Spring poisons
Authors: Bates Nicola
Published: March 2018

The risks of exposure to some toxicological hazards varies with the season due to seasonal weather changes, people's behaviour or cultural festivals and celebrations.
Coaching and mentoring: beyond the role of the clinical coach in veterinary practice
Authors: Kerrigan Lynne
Published: March 2018

The role of the clinical coach is well established within UK veterinary nursing practice; however this is often where the application of techniques such as coaching and mentoring begin and end. Both techniques have wider-reaching roles beyond that of the student veterinary nurse. The focus of this article will therefore be on the discussion of such techniques, and the use of their application to enable some new practical perspectives and potential applications for clinical practice and leadership roles within a veterinary nursing context.
Clinical signs of parasitic disease in imported pets
Authors: Wright Ian
Published: March 2018

Increased pet travel, importation of pets and the expansion of European parasite distributions is increasing the risk of pets infected with exotic parasites entering the UK. Rapid recognition of clinical signs associated with disease in these pets is vital to improve prognostic outcomes, and limit parasite spread and zoonotic risk. Veterinary nurses play a vital role in early disease recognition during nurse clinics, postoperative checks and other pet interactions in practice. This article considers exotic parasites that have already entered the country and that are likely to be present in travelled pets, and their clinical presentations.
Factors contributing to fatalities in hospitalised rabbits
Authors: Green Hannah
Published: March 2018

The aim of this literature review is to examine the factors associated with fatalities in hospitalised rabbits. The review outlines the main issues relating to the high mortality rates in rabbits and explores methods which can be used to reduce these rates, allowing for an improved level of care to be provided for rabbits in practice. Anaesthesia, temperature, stress, anorexia and pain, all have the potental to increase mortality in rabbits, however it is possible to reduce their detrimental effects.
Thyroid Disorders and Semen Quality
Authors: Sengupta Pallav , Dutta Sulagna
Published: March 2018

Thyroid hormones and their impacts on male reproduction have been reported in numerous studies in past few decades. They are the crucial players in the regulation of male gonadal developments and reproductive functions. An excess or deficit of thyroid hormones not only alter the testicular functions but also interrupts neuroendocrine axis through the crosstalk between hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. These changes result in decreased testosterone level and altered seminal plasma components which affect semen quality. The reports on the direct effects of thyroid disorders on semen quality are scanty. Thus, this review scrutinizes the available literature and aims to elucidate (a) the normal thyroidal regulations of semen parameters, (b) effects of hypothyroidism on semen quality (c) effects of hyperthyroidism on semen quality, and (d) the possible mechanism of action of thyroid dysfunctions on the alterations of semen quality. This review also highlights the limitations of the studies carried out so far and accentuates the necessity of large-scale human studies and animal studies specifically focusing on the molecular events of thyroid disorder-induced alterations in semen quality.
Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells Protect against Haloperidol-Induced Brain and Liver Damage in Mice
Authors: Abdel-Salam Omar M. E. , Sleem Amany A. , Youness Eman R. , Mohammed Nadia A. , Omara Enayat A.
Published: March 2018

We studied the effect of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BM-SCs) on oxidative stress, inflammation and pathological changes induced in the brain and liver of mice by the antipsychotic drug haloperidol. Mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) treated with haloperidol at 5 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days followed by i.p. stem cell suspension and euthanized 24h later. Haloperidol resulted in increased brain and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide contents together with decreased reduced glutathione (GSH). There were also decreased paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity in brain and liver and increased interleukin-1β (IL-1 β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in brain tissue. Haloperidol produced neuronal necrosis and apoptosis and the appearance of esinophilic areas and strong TNF-α immunoreactivity in the cerebral cortex and striatum of treated mice. In the liver, centrilobular necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and sinusoidal haemorrhage were observed. In haloperidol-treated mice, stem cell injection had no significant effects on brain and liver levels of MDA, nitric oxide or GSH. Paraoxonase-1 activity in brain, however, decreased by stem cells application. In brain, there were decreased IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Brain neurodegenerative changes, brain TNF-immunoreactivity and histological liver damage were all markedly ameliorated after stem cell treatment. These results indicate that stem cells protect against brain and liver toxicity caused by short term haloperidol treatment in high dose. The protective effects of stem cell treatment is likely to result from interfering with cytokine release.
An In-Vivo Investigation of the Cardio-Protective Potential of Aspirin, β-oestradiol and Calcipotriol for Trastuzumab Treatment of Her-2 Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Outhoff Kim , Greeff Oppel B. W.
Published: March 2018

The 15-25% of breast cancers that overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (Her-2) are aggressive and more difficult to treat with conventional chemotherapy than their oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) counterparts. Adjuvant trastuzumab, a specific Her-2 targeting monoclonal antibody, has significantly improved the prognosis of women with metastatic and early Her-2 positive breast cancer. Yet clinically relevant cardio-toxicity continues to undermine its gains. This study investigated the unexplored potential of aspirin, β-oestradiol and calcipotriol to attenuate the antibody’s cardio-toxicity in an adult female Balb/c mouse model using serial echocardiography to assess left ventricular function at baseline and after treatment. Mean changes in left ventricular function were compared within and between treatment groups. Trastuzumab demonstrated statistically significant left ventricular dysfunction, detectable by reductions in speckle tracking echocardiographic parameters (global radial strain) from baseline. Calcipotriol did not abrogate these cardio-toxic effects. Conversely, β-oestradiol, high and low dose aspirin attenuated these early and subtle signs of trastuzumab-induced cardiac dysfunction. The findings of this pilot study suggest that β-oestradiol or aspirin may provide cardio-protection against trastuzumab in-vivo, and larger definitive studies are justified.
FTIR and GCMS Analysis of Bioactive Phytocompounds in Methonalic Leaf Extract of Cassia Alata
Authors: Kavipriya K. , Chandra M.
Published: March 2018

The methanolic extract of plant Cassia alata was prepared by using soxhlet apparatus. FTIR and GCMS analysis were done to this plant extract to find out the bioactive phytocompounds. The FTIR results of this plant extract showed 21 peaks indicate the presence of the bioactive compounds such as sulfates, sulfonamides, sulfones, sulfonyl chlorides, sulfates, sulfonamides, alkanes, aromatic, aromatic, alkenes, ester, alkenes, ketenes, isocyanates, isothiocyanates, acetylene, nitrile, phosphine, phosphine, aldehyde, alkane, amide, alcohol and alcohol. The GCMS results showed 13 peaks. The retention time (RT) of all these thirteen peaks indicate the presence of functional group such as 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-1,6-Anhydro-.beta.-D-glucopyranose (levoglucosan), 3-O-Methyl-d-glucose, Oxirane, 10-Methyl-E-11-tridecen-1-ol propionate, l-(+)-Ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate, (R)-(-)-14-Methyl-8-hexadecyn-1-ol, Oleic Acid , Vitamin E acetate and 1,2-Bis(trimethylsilyl) benzene.
An Update of Oocyte Vitrification: A Modification of Sucrose and Trehalose as Extracellular Cryoprotectant
Authors: W Lestari Silvia , Fitriyah Nurin N. , Margiana Ria
Published: March 2018

As well as the development of assisted reproductive technology (ART), as the current treatment of woman who failed in achieving pregnancy, the development of an advance vitrification method also grows rapidly. The successful of oocyte vitrification depends on the type and the concentration of cryoprotectant. This study was addressed to elaborate empirical evidence and recent studies of sucrose and trehalose as an extracellular CPA with the aim of achieving the success of oocyte vitrification. Several researchers in agreement that trehalose, as extracellular cryoprotectant, also has a role as intracellular cryoprotectant by microinjection with high survival rates as the outcome. Moreover, the combination of sucrose or trehalose as an extracellular cryoprotectant and others intracellular cryoprotectant have different survival rates which might occur because of the differences between the composition and concentration of sucrose or trehalose. The appropriate type and concentration of sugar as an extracellular cryoprotectant for oocyte cryopreservation are sucrose or trehalose in 0.5M concentration. Nevertheless, it requires further study to optimize oocyte vitrification process.
Camp revamped in pop culture icon Lady Gaga: The case of ‘Telephone’ and ‘Born this Way’
Authors: Yebra José M.
Published: March 2018

This article addresses the ultimate pop icon Lady Gaga; in particular I will analyse how camp sensibility informs her gender and sex discourses as well as her acts of transgression and commodification. Using as a framework Pamela Robertson’s feminist camp in the 1990s and its revision by Helen Shugart and Catherine Waggoner in the 2000s, it is my main contention that Gaga problematizes camp and its subversive potential yet again. Thus, drawing on and contesting J. Jack Halberstam’s queer reading of the artist in Gaga Feminism, this article proves how her campy outfits and her videos ‘Born this Way’ and ‘Telephone’ open feminist camp to new concerns, especially through her affective engagement with her fans, which converts the artist into a hypermodern product. In featuring herself as ‘Mother Monster’ followed by her ‘little monsters’, she updates Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto (Haraway 2004) to revamp Otherness and belongness as culturally significant concepts.
A trajetória de elaboração da noção saussuriana de sistema
Authors: Coelho Micaela Pafume
Published: March 2018

Neste artigo, buscaremos analisar a noção de sistema em três momentos das elaborações saussurianas: i) nos estudos comparatistas do linguista, especificamente entre 1878 e 1879, com o Mémoire sur le système primitif des voyelles dans les langues indo-européennes; ii) nos estudos sobre Linguística Geral efetuados no início da década de 1890, com o conjunto de manuscritos Da essência dupla da linguagem; iii) entre 1910 e 1911, na ocasião do último curso de Linguística Geral ministrado na Universidade de Genebra, com o conjunto de manuscritos Notas para o curso III. Com isso, poderemos conhecer a trajetória do processo de elaboração da noção de sistema de Saussure, bem como evidenciar de que maneira essa noção se relaciona com a busca do linguista pelas reformas metodológicas e terminológicas por ele reivindicadas para os estudos linguísticos.v
Macro e microestruturas de dicionários escolares português-inglês/ inglês-português
Authors: Zacarias Regiani Aparecida Santos
Published: March 2018

RESUMO: A Lexicografia tem se preocupado com a necessidade de propor dicionários que forneçam as informações de que os consulentes precisam, privilegiando as estratégias de consulta que realizam. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma análise da macro e microestrutura de dois dicionários Bilíngues Escolares Inglês/Português - Português/Inglês, considerando-os não apenas como instrumentos de consulta, mas também como ferramentas pedagógicas de grande valor para a construção do conhecimento da língua-alvo. Escolhemos como objeto de estudo os dicionários Longman Dicionário Escolar para estudantes brasileiros (LDE) e o Dicionário Oxford Escolar (DOE). Estes dicionários buscam atender aos aprendizes brasileiros de inglês como língua estrangeira, por meio de algumas inovações em suas arquiteturas e na apresentação das informações de seus verbetes. Ao longo deste artigo, apresentaremos algumas considerações genéricas sobre os dicionários e, em especial, sobre os dicionários bilíngues. Apresentaremos aspectos inovadores, que ressaltam o comprometimento destas obras com o ensino e a aprendizagem da língua inglesa. Em seguida, destacaremos alguns detalhes da macroestrutura e da microestrutura dos dicionários bilíngues escolares inglês/ português-português/inglês mencionados, os quais, em sua essência, visam a facilitar a busca dos usuários-aprendizes a título de exemplificação. Concluiremos o trabalho apresentando argumentos que evidenciam que, embora os dicionários estejam adequando-se ao propósito pedagógico; o uso dos dicionários bilíngues escolares no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de LE deve ser incentivado e orientado pelos professores.
Análise do discurso literário
Authors: Mussalim Fernanda
Published: March 2018

Neste artigo, pretendo apresentar parte dos resultados de pesquisa obtidos por meio do desenvolvimento do projeto Análise do discurso literário: o funcionamento da autoria na produção epistolar de Mário de Andrade, desenvolvido no Instituto de Letras e Linguística da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, entre março de 2013 e fevereiro de 2016, e financiado pelo CNPq. No referido projeto, me propus, com base em fundamentos teóricos da Análise do discurso literário, postulados por Dominique Maingueneau em Discurso literário e em alguns outros textos, a analisar parte da produção epistolar de Mário de Andrade, mais especificamente, as cartas que escreveu a Manuel Bandeira entre os anos de 1922 e 1944. O intuito fundamental do projeto era, analisando o funcionamento da autoria nesse conjunto de textos, verificar os modos pelos quais se dá o imbricamento entre as três instâncias autorais postuladas por Maingueneau, a saber, a pessoa, o escritor e o inscritor.
Organizational silence behaviors of faculty members, their causes and consequences
Öğretim elemanlarında örgütsel sessizlik davranışı, nedenleri ve sonuçları
Authors: Bağ Derya , Ekinci C. Ergin
Published: March 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate faculty members’ organizational silence behaviors, the effects of reasons leading to silence, the consequences of silence behaviors and their relationships with some variables of gender and academic titles. Method: The study was conducted as a quantitative descriptive research. The sample of the study is comprised of 554 faculty members. The data of the study were collected through the administration of three questionnaires developed by the researchers to the sample group. In data analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test for independent groups, one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) were employed. Results: The major results of the study are: (1) The faculty members exhibit the silence behavior in three problem areas to a great extent (non-ethical behaviors and practices, administrative functioning and practices and academic structure and functioning) (2) Both the individual factors and factors related to administrative practices are effective over a moderate level in the faculty members’ exhibiting the silence behavior. (3) The faculty members are of the opinions that their organizational silence behaviors result in problems that can considerably affect individual and organizational efficiency. (4) Among all staff, the research assistants show the most silence behavior and observe the consequences of the silence behavior the most. In short, organizational silence is an important managerial proble.Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetAmaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı öğretim elemanlarının örgütsel sessizlik davranışına yol açan sorunları, nedenlerini ve sonuçlarını belirlemek ve cinsiyet ve akademik unvan değişkenleri ile ilişkisini incelemektir. Yöntem: Tarama modelinde betimsel bir çalışma olan araştırmanın örneklemini 554 öğretim elemanı oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın verileri araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen üç ölçeğin örnekleme uygulanmasıyla elde edilmiştir. Araştırma verilerinin çözümlenmesinde betimsel istatistikler, karşılaştırmalarda t-testi ve varyans analizi (ANOVA) kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar: Araştırmada şu temel sonuçlara ulaşılmıştır: (1) Öğretim elemanları üç sorun alanında (etik olamayan davranış ve uygulamalar, yönetsel işleyiş ve uygulamalar, akademik yapı ve işleyiş) önemli ölçüde sessizlik davranışı göstermektedirler. (2) Öğretim elemanlarının sessizlik davranışı göstermelerinde hem bireysel etmenler hem de yönetsel uygulamalarla ilgili etmenler orta düzeyin üstünde etkili olmaktadır. (3) Öğretim elemanları örgütsel sessizlik davranışlarının bireysel ve kurumsal etkililiği etkileyebilecek sorunlara yol açtığı düşüncesine oldukça yüksek düzeyde sahiptirler. (3) Araştırma görevlileri en fazla sessizlik gösteren ve sonuçlarından en fazla etkilenen akademik unvan grubu olarak görünmektedir. Kısaca örgütsel sessizlik üniversiteler için üstesinden gelmek için çaba gösterilmesi gereken önemli bir yönetsel sorun alandır.
Separation of cell types from embryonic chicken and rat spinal cord: characterization of motoneuron-enriched fractions
Authors: Schnaar RI , Schaffner AE
Published: March 2018

Single cell suspensions prepared from embryonic chick or rat spinal cords were separated into morphologically and functionally distinct subpopulation based on their buoyant densities The lightest fraction (F- 1) was highly enriched for cells containing the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (CAT), a marker for developing motoneurons. The morphology biochemistry, and in vitro development of this and other spinal cord cell fractions isolated by the outlined procedure were investigated. Spinal cords, dissected from 6-day chick or 12-day rat embryos, were dissociated with trypsin and applied to iso-osmotic metrizamide density gradients. After brief centrifugation, biochemical analysis revealed that cholinergic cells migrated to lower densities than other spinal cord cells. The use of discontinuous density gradients allowed rapid and simple isolation of three fractions of viable cells (designated F-1 to F-3, lowest to highest density). Characterization of chicken and rat embryo cell fractions gave similar results. The cells in Fraction 1 were large with prominent nuclei and nucleoli, while those in F-2 and F-3 were distinctly smaller. Fraction 1 was highly enriched for cholinergic cells. The CAT specific activity (CAT/cell) was increased 400% in Fraction 1 compared to unfractionated cells, while CAT specific activity in F-2 and F-3 was reduced to 25% and less than 4% that of unfractionated cells, respectively. The recovery of cholinergic cells using this procedure was much better than with other published procedures; greater than half the spinal cord CAT activity was routinely recovered in the enriched fraction. The cholinergic-enriched cells (F-1) were unique in their in vitro growth characteristics. All fractions had neuronal cells, while non-neuronal cells were distributed primarily in F-3, fewer in F-2, and were essentially absent from F-1. Neurons in F-2 and F-3 remained viable under a variety of conditions, most of which were not supportive of F-1 cell survival. The cholinergic-enriched F-1 cells survived and developed only in the presence of muscle cells or in muscle-conditioned medium on highly adhesive substrata. Large, multipolar neurons predominated under these conditions. The method described provides a means of characterizing the factors involved in the development of distinct populations of cells from the embryonic spinal cord.
[3H]Diazepam binding in mammalian central nervous system: a pharmacological characterization
Authors: Gallager DW , Mallorga P , Oertel W , Henneberry R , Tallman J
Published: March 2018

Two types of benzodiazepine binding sites for [3H]diazepam in mammalian central nervous tissue were identified using selective in vitro tissue culture and in situ kainic acid lesion techniques. These two binding sites were pharmacologically distinguished by differential displacement of the [3H]diazepam radioligand using the centrally active benzodiazepine, clonazepam, and the centrally inactive benzodiazepine, RO5–4864. Clonazepam-displaceable binding sites were found to be located principally on neuronal membranes, while RO5–4864-displaceable binding sites were found to be located on non-neuronal elements. These pharmacological distinctions can be used to characterize the predominant cell types which bind benzodiazepines in nervous tissue. It is suggested that one quantitative measure of different cell populations is the ratio of clonazepam- to RO5–4864-displaceable [3H]diazepam binding within a single neuronal tissue simple.
Snake alpha-toxin effects on cholinergic and noncholinergic responses of Aplysia californica neurons
Authors: Ono JK , Salvaterra PM
Published: March 2018

The effects of alpha-toxins from Bungarus multicinctus (alpha BuTX) and Naja naja siamensis (alpha NTX) were studied on synaptic responses and on extrasynaptic responses to focally applied acetylcholine (ACh), histamine (Hm), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate (glu) in neurons of the marine mollusc, Aplysia californica. Binding of 125I- alpha BuTX to Aplysia ganglia homogenates was pharmacologically characterized and compared with the pharmacological sensitivity of 125I- alpha BuTX binding to rat brain membrane preparations. Both alpha BuTX and alpha NTX at 10(-5) M reversibly inhibited the ACh-induced increase in Cl- conductance (GCl) without affecting ACh responses mediated by an increase in Na+ conductance (GNa) or an increase in K+ conductance (GK). In addition, both alpha-toxin reversibly inhibited the GCl responses induced by Hm and, in some cases, glu. GABA-induced GCl responses were not affected by either toxin even at concentrations as high as 10(-3) M. Both toxins also inhibited synaptic cholinergic GCl responses as well as the GCl component of postsynaptic potentials mediated by noncholinergic presynaptic neurons. Studies of 125I-alpha BuTX binding to Aplysia ganglia homogenates demonstrated the presence of a single saturable, high affinity site with a dissociation constant (KD) of 3.6 X 10(-9) M. The pharmacological profile of agents which inhibit 125I-alpha BuTx binding to Aplysia ganglia was similar to the profile of vertebrate ganglionic and brain preparations; d- tubocurarine, nicotine, and carbamylcholine effectively and competitively inhibit binding, whereas hexamethonium and decamethonium are less effective and noncompetitive. Strychnine and bicuculline, agents known to block responses to a variety of agonists in Aplysia, were effective competitive inhibitors of toxin binding in Aplysia and in rat brain. Strychnine is not as potent in inhibiting toxin binding to electric organ preparations. Chloride channel blockers, such as penicillin and picrotoxin, and noncholinergic agonists, such as Hm and glu, had no effect on toxin binding. The alpha-toxins appear to inhibit noncholinergic GCl responses through a cholinergic receptor associated with the Cl- conductance mechanism for the noncholinergic agonist.
Clonal organization of the central nervous system of the frog. II. Clones stemming from individual blastomeres of the 32- and 64-cell stages
Authors: Jacobson M , Hirose G
Published: March 2018

Horseradish peroxidase injected into individual blastomeres of 32- and 64-cell embryos of Xenopus laevis was identified in cells of the central nervous system (CNS) at larval stages 31 to 39. The CNS received contributions from 24 blastomeres of the 32-cell stage and 38 blastomeres of the 64-cell stage. The region of CNS in which all of the labeled descendants of a single blastomere were dispersed is called a clonal domain. Mingling of labeled and unlabeled cells always occurred in a clonal domain, but boundaries were seen between such a labeled region and completely unlabeled regions. These boundaries occurred at various places in the CNS but were most frequently seen in the transverse plane at the level of the isthmus between mesencephalon and rhombencephalon and in the horizontal plane between dorsal and ventral regions of the CNS. When the maternal clonal domain was partitioned between the descendants of the daughter cells, the partitioning occurred only at one or both of those boundaries. The constant relationship between the position of each of the initially labeled blastomeres and the final spatial distribution of the labeled descendants in the CNS provided a detailed fate map of the main regions of the CNS in the 32- and 64-cell embryo.
Opioid and non-opioid stress analgesia: assessment of tolerance and cross-tolerance with morphine
Authors: Lewis JW , Sherman JE , Liebeskind JC
Published: March 2018

Opioid and non-opioid mechanisms of analgesia elicited by two kinds of footshock stress that differ only in temporal characteristics previously have been inferred on the basis of susceptibility to naloxone blockade. The present study sought further evidence on this point by comparing these two kinds of footshock analgesia for possible tolerance development and cross-tolerance with morphine. It was found that, with repeated exposure to stress, tolerance developed to naloxone- sensitive, but not naloxone-insensitive, stress analgesia. Furthermore, morphine-tolerant rats displayed cross-tolerance to only the naloxone- sensitive form of footshock analgesia. Although prior exposure to both footshock paradigms potentiated morphine analgesia, less potentiation occurred in rats tolerant to the naloxone-sensitive footshock stress. Thus, cross-tolerance between morphine and this type of stress analgesia appears to occur in both directions. These findings are consistent with those using naloxone antagonism as a criterion for opioid mediation and support the conclusion that separate opioid and non-opioid mechanisms of stress analgesia exist.
Differentiation of autonomic neuron precursors in vitro: cholinergic and adrenergic traits in cultured neural crest cells
Authors: Fauquet M , Smith J , Ziller C , Le Douarin NM
Published: March 2018

The development of autonomic neuronal precursors was studied in cultures of microsurgically excised quail neural crest grown alone and associated with other young embryonic tissues. Biochemical differentiation in the cultures was followed by measuring their ability to synthesize acetylcholine (ACh) and catecholamines (CA) from radioactive precursors; cytochemical aspects of their differentiation were examined by techniques including electron microscopy, cholinesterase histochemistry, and CA cytofluorescence. Mesencephalic crest, which can make ACh before explantation, always synthesized ACh after 7 d in culture and often, but not invariably, elaborated small quantities of CA as well. Association with 2-d somite and notochord, 2-d heart, or 4-d hindgut, in medium supplemented with horse serum, resulted in the synthesis of increased amounts of both transmitters. ACh-synthesizing activity was lower and the cholinergic-stimulating effects of somite and heart were abolished in the presence of fetal calf serum. Cervicothoracic (trunk) crest, taken from the level where the dorsal mesoderm is still unsegmented, always produced ACh after culture, but CA was detectable only when the cultures were obtained by initially explanting the entire neural primordium. Co-culture of trunk crest with young embryonic tissue increased ACh-synthesizing ability and initiated CA production. Despite their capacity to elaborate neurotransmitter, cultures of either type of neural crest, alone or in association with the above-mentioned tissues, contained very few cells resembling neurons in their phase contrast appearance and none that reacted positively to any of the cytological tests applied. On the other hand, when the sclerotomic moiety of 3-d somite was cultured, trunk neural crest cells that had already migrated into the rudiment in vivo but which had not yet begun to produce detectable amounts of CA underwent rapid differentiation into neurons that synthesized and accumulated large quantities of CA. Stores of CA were detectable cytochemically as early as 24 hr after explantation and the presence of many small, dense core vesicles in neurons and processes was revealed by electron microscopy. ACh-synthesizing activity, demonstrable in freshly dissected sclerotomes, was also present in all of the cultures examined. These results show that (1) during ontogeny, cholinergic traits appear earlier than adrenergic ones in the neuronal precursors contained in the neural crest; (2) some decisive step in the differentiation of the precursor cells of the sympathetic ganglia takes place in vivo within a few hours of the onset of trunk neural crest migration. This coincides with a maturation of the somitic mesenchyme. A similar developmental process does not occur in vitro when 2-d somites and neural crest are associated in histiotypic cultures.