bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of pituitary inhibin/activin subunits and follistatin gene expression by GnRH in female rats
Authors: Popovics Petra , Rekasi Zoltan , Stewart Alan J , Kovacs Magdolna
Published: April 2011

Pituitary inhibin B, activin B, and follistatin are local regulators of FSH. Activin B is a homodimeric molecule (βB–βB), while inhibin B contains an α and a βB subunit. The regulation of gene expression of α, βB, and follistatin by local and endocrine hormones was examined in pituitaries from female rats and in perifused pituitary cells by RT-PCR. Ovariectomy (OVX) induced an elevation in the mRNA level of α and βB subunits and follistatin. Short-term (4 h) treatment of pituitary cells with GnRH decreased both the inhibin α and the inhibin/activin βB subunit mRNA levels, while long-term treatment (20 h) with 100 nM GnRH stimulated the expression of both subunits. In contrast, the mRNA level of follistatin was elevated after the short-term GnRH treatment. Long-term exposure of pituitary cells to estradiol and inhibin B suppressed the mRNA expression of βB and had no effect on the expression of α subunit and follistatin. Our results demonstrate that the increased expressions of inhibin/activin subunits and follistatin in the post-OVX period can be induced by the lack of gonadal negative feedback, resulting in a high GnRH environment in the pituitary. This study reports for the first time that GnRH administered in high doses and for a long period stimulates the gene expression of inhibin/activin subunits and thereby may contribute to the stimulatory effect of OVX on the expression of these genes.
Molecular regulators of resolution of inflammation: potential therapeutic targets in the reproductive system
Authors: Hutchinson James L , Rajagopal Shalini P , Sales Kurt J , Jabbour Henry N
Published: April 2011

Inflammatory processes are central to reproductive events including ovulation, menstruation, implantation and labour, while inflammatory dysregulation is a feature of numerous reproductive pathologies. In recent years, there has been much research into the endogenous mechanisms by which inflammatory reactions are terminated and tissue homoeostasis is restored, a process termed resolution. The identification and characterisation of naturally occurring pro-resolution mediators including lipoxins and annexin A1 has prompted a shift in the field of anti-inflammation whereby resolution is now observed as an active process, triggered as part of a normal inflammatory response. This review will address the process of resolution, discuss available evidence for expression of pro-resolution factors in the reproductive tract and explore possible roles for resolution in physiological reproductive processes and associated pathologies.
Demographic drivers of successional changes in phylogenetic structure across life‐history stages in plant communities
Authors: Norden Natalia , Letcher Susan G. , Boukili Vanessa , Swenson Nathan G. , Chazdon Robin
Published: April 2011

To gain insight into the ecological processes driving community reassembly in disturbed ecosystems, we assessed the phylogenetic dispersion of early‐ and late‐successional tree species occurring in lowland forests of northeastern Costa Rica. Early‐successional species were more closely related than expected by chance, whereas late‐successional species tended to be less closely related than expected by chance. Then, we evaluated temporal changes in the phylogenetic structure of seedling and tree assemblages in four 1‐ha plots of secondary forests in this region. We found an increase in the phylogenetic evenness among tree individuals over time in all secondary tree assemblages, indicating that relatedness among tree individuals decreases as succession unfolds. This pattern was jointly promoted by recruitment and mortality processes, suggesting that increasing evenness was caused by the replacement of individuals of early‐successional species from closely related lineages by late‐successional species belonging to a wider diversity of lineages. Based on species occurrence, however, tree community reassembly did not show any significant phylogenetic trend over time. These results suggest that shifts in species abundance over succession have a greater impact on the phylogenetic structure of the community than the turnover of species. Seedling assemblages showed higher phylogenetic evenness than tree assemblages, suggesting that propagule colonization is an important process driving phylogenetic changes in species composition throughout succession. Overall, our findings showed that the phylogenetic structure of these successional communities varies at two temporal scales. At short timescales, decreased dominance by early‐successional species over succession leads to increased evenness among tree individuals. At longer timescales, colonization processes result in increased phylogenetic evenness in seedling communities compared to tree communities, forecasting increasing phylogenetic evenness among adult individuals at late‐successional stages.
A Novel Approach to the Use of Subgingival Controlled‐Release Chlorhexidine Delivery in Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Gonzales Jose R. , Harnack Lutz , Schmitt‐Corsitto Gabriella , Boedeker Rolf H. , Chakraborty Trinad , Domann Eugen , Meyle Joerg
Published: April 2011

Background: We aimed to analyze clinical, microbiologic, and serologic effects of chlorhexidine (CHX) chips used as a subgingival controlled‐release delivery device before and immediately after scaling and root planing (SRP).

Methods: Twenty‐four patients presenting with ≥12 teeth with probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm and bleeding on probing were assigned in test or control groups. After prophylaxis, CHX chips (test) or placebo chips (control) were placed in pockets with PD ≥5 mm. Ten days later, SRP was performed in all teeth with PD ≥4 mm in a single appointment. Immediately after SRP, new chips were inserted in all pockets with PD ≥5 mm. Parameters were assessed at baseline; beginning of SRP; and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Subgingival samples were obtained at baseline; beginning of SRP; and at 1 month after treatment. Periodontal pathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola were analyzed. Serum levels of high sensitive C‐reactive and lipopolysaccharide‐binding proteins were measured. The changes of the parameters between and within the groups were tested by Mann‐Whitney U test (P <0.05).

Results: All clinical and serologic parameters improved in both groups over time. There was a significant difference in clinical attachment level (CAL) gain from baseline to 6 months between groups (1.17 mm in the test group versus 0.79 mm in the placebo group) (P <0.05). The treatment with CHX chips showed a greater reduction of the microorganisms of the “red complex” after 1 month (P = 0.02).

Conclusion: The use of CHX chips before and immediately after SRP improved CAL and reduced the subgingival microorganisms of the red complex in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.
Free radical-scavenging capacity, antioxidant activity and phenolic content of Pouzolzia zeylanica
Authors: Li Peiyuan , Huo Lini , Su Wei , Lu Rumei , Deng Chaocheng , Liu Liangquan , Deng Yongkun , Guo Nana , Lu Chengsheng , He Chunling
Published: April 2011

Pouzolzia zeylanica was extracted with different solvents (acetone, ethyl
acetate and petroleum ether), using different protocols (cold-extraction and
Soxhlet extraction). To evaluate the antiradical and antioxidant abilities of
the extracts, four in vitro test systems were employed, i.e., DPPH, ABTS and
hydroxyl radical scavenging assays and a reducing power assay. All extracts
exhibited outstanding antioxidant activities that were superior to that of
butylated hydroxytoluene. The ethyl acetate extracts exhibited the most
significant antioxidant activities, and cold-extraction under stirring seemed
to be the more efficacious method for acquiring the predominant antioxidants.
Furthermore, the antioxidant activities and total phenolic (TP) content of
different extracts followed the same order, i.e., there is a good correlation
between antioxidant activities and TP content. The results showed that these
extracts, especially the ethyl acetate extracts, could be considered as
natural antioxidants and may be useful for curing diseases arising from
oxidative deterioration.
The role of EPR spectroscopy in studies of the oxidative status of biological systems and the antioxidative properties of various compounds
Authors: Spasojevic Ivan , Mojovic Milos , Ignjatovic Aleksandar , Bacic Goran
Published: April 2011

In this era of intense study of free radicals and antioxidants, electron
paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is arguably the best-suited technique for such
research, particularly when considering biochemical and biological systems.
No attempt was made to cover all the topics of EPR application but instead
attention was restricted to two areas that are both novel and received less
attention in previous reviews. In the first section, the application of EPR
in assessing the oxidative status of various biological systems, using
endogenous stabile paramagnetic species, such as the ascorbyl radical,
semiquinone, melanin, and oxidized pigments, is addressed. The second section
covers the use of EPR in the emerging field of antioxidant development, using
EPR spin-trapping and spin-probing techniques. In both sections, in addition
to giving an overview of the available literature, examples (mostly from the
authors? recent work) are also presented in sufficient detail to illustrate
how to explore the full potential of EPR. This review aims at encouraging
biologists, chemists and pharmacologists interested in the redox metabolism
of living systems, free radical chemistry or antioxidative properties of new
drugs and natural products to take advantage of this technique for their
investigations.
Ciliated Hepatic Foregut Cyst: Four Case Reports with a Review of the Literature
Authors: Fujita Ayako W. , Steelman Charlotte K. , Abramowsky Carlos R. , Ricketts Richard R. , Durham Megan , Clifton Matthew , Pandya Samir , Shehata Bahig M.
Published: April 2011

Ciliated hepatic foregut cysts (CHFCs) are rare congenital legions that arise from the embryonic foregut. The cysts are formed during fetal development by evagination from their respective portions of the foregut, and are characterized by a ciliated epithelial lining. Approximately 100 cases of CHFC have been reported, of which only 13 were in children. Although CHFC is typically benign, malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been reported in 3 cases. Survival rate after progression to malignancy is poor, as SCC in this setting is biologically aggressive. We present 4 new cases of CHFC in children between 5 months and 17 years old. Our cases are unusual, as some of the cysts exhibit multilocularity and biliary communication, and 2 of our patients were diagnosed under the age of 1. Additionally, 1 of the cysts was 19.3 cm in diameter, making it the largest reported CHFC to our knowledge. Ciliated hepatic foregut cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of hepatic lesions.
Primary High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma of the Breast with Concurrent IGH-BCL2 and MYC-IGL Translocations in an Adolescent Patient
Authors: Liang Xiayuan , Jones Ashley , Giller Roger H. , Swisshelm Karen , McGavran Loris , Meltesen Lynne , Carstens Billie , McGranahan Amy N. , Albano Edythe A.
Published: April 2011

BCL2 and MYC are oncogenes often deregulated in lymphomas. Concurrent IGH-BCL2 and MYC translocations result in a highly aggressive behavior of these tumors. Both primary breast lymphoma and lymphoma with concurrent BCL2-IGH and MYC translocations are rare and are primarily seen in adult patients. As a result of limited clinician experience and the condition's rarity, it poses a great challenge to pediatric pathologists and oncologists in terms of making an accurate diagnosis and choosing better treatment regimens. In this article, we report a case of an adolescent patient who presented with high-grade breast lymphoma with concurrent BCL2-IGH and MYC-IGL translocations, and we review the clinical, pathological, and genetic features; management strategies; and outcomes associated with this unusual neoplasm.
A rare case of intestinal obstruction due to ascariasis in Niš, south Serbia
Authors: Stojanovic Miroslava , Slavkovic Andjelka , Stojanovic Miroslav , Marjanovic Zoran , Bojanovic Milan
Published: April 2011

Ascariasis is a helminthic infection of global distribution, and intestinal obstruction is its most common gastrointestinal complication. This is a case of a 7-year-old boy admitted to Pediatric Surgery because of intestinal obstruction caused by ascariasis. On admission, the patient presented with colicky abdominal pain, bile-stained vomiting and meteorism. On physical examination, the patient was thin, pale, and dehydrated. An abdominal examination showed distention and diffuse tenderness. After admission, the patient had fecal vomiting and expulsion of worms through the mouth. Laboratory-test results showed leucocytosis, eosinophilia, hypoalbuminaemia, and hypochloremia. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasound studies were indicative of small-bowel obstruction due to roundworms, which led to the performance of an exploratory laparotomy. On bowel exploration, an intraluminal mass, 10 by 6 cm in diameter, consisting of roundworms in the middle third of the ileum was found. A longitudinal enterotomy was performed, and the worms were meticulously extracted manually. Postoperatively, broad-spectrum antibiotics and antihelminthic drugs were administered. Our case of intestinal obstruction caused by ascariasis is the first to be reported in Serbia, according to the Serbian literature.
Registration of ‘L 01–299’ Sugarcane
Authors: Gravois K. A. , Bischoff K. P. , Pontif M. J. , LaBorde C. M. , Hoy J. W. , Reagan T. E. , Kimbeng C. A. , Legendre B. L. , Hawkins G. L. , Sexton D. R. , Fontenot D. P.
Published: April 2011

‘L 01–299’ (Reg. No. CV‐141, PI 659071) sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum officinarum L., S. barberi Jeswiet, S. spontaneum L., and S. sinense Roxb. amend. Jeswiet) was released on 28 Aug. 2009 by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in cooperation with the USDA‐ARS and the American Sugarcane League, Inc. L 01–299 was released because of its high sugar and cane yields, erectness, and excellent ratooning ability. The cross for L 01–299 (XL96–402) was made on 22 Oct. 1996. Early‐stage clonal selection was done as single stools in 1998 followed by selection in the first clonal line trials in 1999, selection in the second clonal line trials in 2000, and permanent cultivar assignment in 2001. Testing in replicated yield trials was conducted throughout the sugarcane‐growing area in south Louisiana from 2002 to 2008. Cumulative data indicated that L 01–299 had a 14% higher sugar yield, 13% higher cane yield, and 1% higher sucrose content than ‘HoCP 96–540’ when averaged across all crops. The new cultivar is resistant to common brown rust disease (caused by Puccinia melanocephala Syd. & P. Syd.), susceptible to smut disease (caused by Ustilago scitaminea Syd. & P. Syd.), moderately resistant to leaf scald [caused by Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby) Dowson], resistant to mosaic strains, and moderately resistant to the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis F.).
Registration of ‘HoCP 91–552’ Sugarcane
Authors: Tew T. L. , Dufrene E. O. , Cobill R. M. , Garrison D. D. , White W. H. , Grisham M. P. , Pan Y.-B. , Legendre B. L. , Richard E. P. , Miller J. D.
Published: April 2011

‘HoCP 91–552’ (Reg. No. CV‐143, PI 659990) sugarcane (a complex hybrid ofSaccharum officinarumL.,S. spontaneumL.,S. barberiJeswiet, andS. sinenseRoxb. amend. Jeswiet) was released as a feedstock for an emerging bioenergy industry by the USDA‐ARS working cooperatively with the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, and the American Sugarcane League, Inc. HoCP 91–552 is a progeny of the cross LCP 81–10 × ‘CP 72–356’ made at Canal Point, FL in 1986; it was selected at Houma, LA; its permanent name was assigned in 1991. HoCP 91–552 was dropped from the sugarcane selection program in 1997 because its fiber content was unacceptable for the Louisiana sugarcane industry, but it was reevaluated as a feedstock for the bioenergy industry in three replicated yield trials harvested from 2003 to 2007. After 11 harvests, HoCP 91–552 produced 84, 11.3, and 14.3 Mg ha−1cane, sugar, and fiber, respectively, compared with 68, 9.5, and 10.3 Mg ha−1cane, sugar, and fiber, respectively for the commercial standard ‘LCP 85–384.’ When compared with ‘L 79–1002,’ HoCP 91–552 produced significantly more sugar, less fiber, and similar total biomass. HoCP 91–552 is resistant to brown rust (caused byPuccinia melanocephalaH. and P. Sydow), leaf scald [caused byXanthomonas albilineans(Ashby) Dowson], and mosaic diseases (caused bySugarcane mosaic virusandSorghum mosaic virus) and is moderately resistant to smut disease (caused byUstilago scitamineaH. and P. Sydow) and the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalisF.). Release of HoCP 91–552 gives growers a new choice as a feedstock for the production of biofuel.
Registration of Maize Inbred Line GT603
Authors: Guo B. Z. , Krakowsky M. D. , Ni X. , Scully B. T. , Lee R. D. , Coy A. E. , Widstrom N. W.
Published: April 2011

GT603 (Reg. No. GP‐577, PI 659665) is an inbred line of yellow dent maize (Zea mays L.) developed and released in 2010 by the USDA‐ARS Crop Protection and Management Research Unit in cooperation with the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station. GT603 was developed through seven generations of self‐pollination from the maize population GT‐MAS:gk (PI 561859), which was released as a source of resistance to Aspergillus flavus Link:Fr. GT603 was initially selected from early self‐pollinated lines under the experimental name GT‐P50. Laboratory and field studies demonstrated that GT603 had aflatoxin levels similar to or lower than the related inbred lines GT601 (PI 644026) and GT602 (PI 644027) and the controls Mp313E (PI539859) and Mp715 (PI614819), but it matured earlier than Mp313E and Mp715. The line GT603 is phenotypically different (darker cob and kernel colors and better agronomic traits) from the related lines GT601 and GT602 although the source of resistance may be the same. In hybrid performance tests in 2005 and 2009, GT603 exhibited better combining ability and heterosis with the Stiff Stalk Synthetic (SSS) inbred (B73) than with the non‐SSS inbred (Mo17) for aflatoxin level and grain yield.
Effect of Different Rhizobium Strains on the Growth attributes of Black Gram
Authors: Nitu SK , Ud-Deen MM , Haider SA
Published: April 2011

Effects of three different Rhizobium strains on the growth attributes of two black gram varieties (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) revealed differential varietal response due to inoculation with two types of Rhizobium strains. Treatment T5 showed higher values compared to the rest of the treatments. Different growth parameters such as RGR, LAR, RLGR, LAD, LAI, SLA and LWR indicated better results with the inoculation of nodule organism. Key words: Growth attributes; black gram; Vigna mungo; Rhizobium strains DOI: 10.3329/jles.v3i0.7438 J. Life Earth Sci., Vols. 3-4: 7-11, 2009
Fraternal Relative Deprivation of a Tribal Population in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md Kamal
Published: April 2011

The study investigated fraternal relative deprivation of a tribal population (Chakma) in connection with their education, residence and gender difference in the socio-political and economic conditions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh. The study used a sample composed of 240 respondents. The Fraternal Relative Deprivation Scale (FRDS) was used for data collection. A 2????2????2 factorial design involving two levels of education (graduate vs. undergraduate), two levels of residence (urban vs. rural) and two levels of gender (male vs. female) was utilized. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for the analysis of data. Results show that undergraduate respondents expressed significantly higher intensity in perceived fraternal relative deprivation as compared to their graduate counterparts. Similarly, male respondents felt more relative deprivation as compared to the female respondents. Key words: Fraternal relative deprivatio;, tribal population; Chakma; egoistic relative deprivation; social identity DOI: 10.3329/jles.v3i0.7442 J. Life Earth Sci., Vols. 3-4: 29-32, 2009
Incidence of Airborne Fungi in Rajshahi Metropolitan City in Relation to Seasonal Fluctuations
Authors: Begum Most Ferdousi , Alam Shahidul , Alam Md Shah
Published: April 2011

Using PDA, Saboraud's, Czapek's and Richard's media and settling plate technique, a total of 16, 593 fungal colonies belonging to 28 genera were identified during November 2006 and October 2007 in the atmosphere of the Rajshahi Metropolitan City. Seasonal fluctuations in the incidence of airborne fungi and their relation to some meteorological parameters were noticed. The incidence varied significantly by seasons. Maximum incidence of air borne fungi was recorded from November to January, where as the minimum was found from August to October. The most prevalent fungal genera were Aspergillus, Candida, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Fusarium, Alternaria, Curvularia and Cladosporium in respect of seasons. Aspergillus was the most dominting fungi contributed 25.6, 26.3, 24.4 and 26.3% in PDA, Sabouraud's, Czapek's and Richard's media, respectively during the twelve months of observation. The percentage contributions of the most predominant 14 genera were 83.1, 84.1, 83.9 and 885.6 collected in PDA, Sabouraud's, Czapek's and Richard's media, respectively. Rest of the 14 genera were covering about 8.3, 8.0, 7.1 and 84.2% of the total aero-fungi and sterile mycelium and unidentified fungi were contributed 7.8, 7.4, 8.4 and 8.1%, respectively. Key words: Airborne fungi; incidence; culture media; season; fluctuation. DOI: 10.3329/jles.v3i0.7444 J. Life Earth Sci., Vols. 3-4: 37-41, 2009
Cultural Differences in Aggression: A Case Study in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman AKM Rezanur
Published: April 2011

The present study was to examine gender and cultural differences in aggressive behaviour in the context of Bangladesh. Sample was selected from two cultural backgrounds such as Bengali culture and Santal culture in different areas of Rajshahi District. A total of 160 respondents were randomly selected from Santal and Bengali culture populations. A 2×2×2 factorial design representing two levels of cultural group (Bengali / Santal), two levels of residential background (urban / rural) and two levels of sex (male / female) was used in the study. The Measure of Aggressive Behaviour was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance. It was found that Bengali respondents expressed more aggression than Santal respondents. Residential background and sex differences were also observed. Thus culture emerged as an important factor in aggression. Key words: Aggression; antisocial behaviour; gender differences; residential background; culture DOI: 10.3329/jles.v3i0.7445 J. Life Earth Sci., Vols. 3-4: 43-46, 2009
Adaptation of an Occupational Stress Index
Authors: Latif Md Abdul , Sultana Sabina
Published: April 2011

Key words: Occupational stress index (OSI); reliability; test-retest method; correlation of coefficientDOI: 10.3329/jles.v3i0.7448 J. Life Earth Sci., Vols. 3-4: 55-57, 2009
A Humanistic Approach to iʿjāz in the Qur'an: The Transfiguration of Language
Authors: Johns A.H.
Published: April 2011

The Qur'an is a sequence of locutions to the Prophet Muḥammad. It is a Book of multiple aspects. In exploring them, it may be helpful to postulate two modes of its presence in the world, as ‘process’, and as ‘event’. These two modes of its presence are part of the internal dynamic of the Qur'an, and create a tension that is both part of its meaning, and the way it communicates its meaning. This contextual repositioning of the locutions from the stages of its revelation to the Prophet, and through him the Companions, guiding their lives throughout a range of circumstances under his leadership to their place in the muṣḥaf, reveals emphases and resonances that generate multiple levels of meaning. These modes are as two lungs. To be fruitful, every encounter with the Qur'an benefits from an awareness of the breath supplied by each to experience the levels of meaning it generates. There is a contrapuntal relationship between them that contributes to the vitality and vibrancy of the language, serving to enhance the universalistic relevance of the lessons it teaches, while mediated through a single individual. Such considerations offer the possibility of fresh and intriguing perspectives of the Qur'an's literary structure, and the insights these gave into the concept of iʿjāz.
Long Shadow: Victorian Themes and Forms in the Edwardian Provincial Novel – Arnold Bennett and D.H. Lawrence
Authors: Robbins Ruth
Published: April 2011

Anxious as it was to distance itself from the Victorian period, the Edwardian novel in fact makes extensive use of the themes and forms of the nineteenth-century novel. It draws on realist conventions of the previous period, even as it also adapts them. And novelists remained concerned with the legendary limitations on sexual mores and their expression in their writing. In two very different novelists, Arnold Bennett and D.H. Lawrence, the same concerns with form and theme can be traced, showing the extent to which the Edwardian novel remained haunted by the long shadow of its Victorian forebear.
The Unfinished Historicist Project: In Praise of Suspicion
Authors: Kucich John
Published: April 2011

Historicism remains relatively robust in Victorian Studies, but it has developed rather quietly in two contrary directions – synchronic and diachronic – that have long constituted an important theoretical fault line. The first half of this essay surveys these two ongoing types of Victorian historicism and urges the importance of integrating them; the second defends historicism from a recent theoretical movement that deflects attention from that potential integration: the critique of ‘suspicious reading’. The essay focuses on general methodological issues that affect how we defend humanistic scholarship, since historicism's continued development remains vital not only to Victorianists but to the discipline as a whole. While historicism has been both enormously reinvigorating and much contested, by friend and foe alike, the tectonic shift in our critical practice that it represents has never crystallized a simple, coherent set of principles that might define the mission of literary studies within the humanities. Although there are many ways to justify literary criticism, historicism will always be centrally entwined with them. Affirming the role suspicious reading plays in historical contextualization and clarifying the methodologies and objectives of historicism are thus tasks that still lie urgently before us.
Competing discourses and the positioning of students in an adult basic education programme
Authors: Winther Jensen Anne
Published: April 2011

This article presents a case study of the learning processes of students enrolled in an adult basic education programme in the social and health care sector in Denmark. Theoretically the project draws on 'positioning theory', i.e. a poststructuralist approach. The issues being researched are how the students are positioned and position themselves in relation to the discourses mobilised in the programme. A qualitative inquiry, the empirical aspects consist of observations, interviews and studying documents. In addition to suggesting that competition exists between the opposing discourses mobilised in the programme, the preliminary constructions presented in this article point to processes that involve the inclusion and exclusion of students.
Heterofucan from Sargassum filipendula Induces Apoptosis in HeLa Cells
Authors: Silva Costa Leandro , Silva Telles Cinthia Beatrice , Medeiros Oliveira Ruth , Duarte Barreto Nobre Leonardo Thiago , Dantas-Santos Nednaldo , Barros Gomes Camara Rafael , Santana Santos Pereira Costa Mariana , Almeida-Lima Jailma , Melo-Silveira Raniere Fagundes , Lopes Albuquerque Ivan Rui , Leite Edda Lisboa , Oliveira Rocha Hugo Alexandre
Published: April 2011

Fucan is a term used to denominate a family of sulfated polysaccharides rich in sulfated L-fucose. Heterofucan SF-1.5v was extracted from the brown seaweed Sargassum filipendula by proteolytic digestion followed by sequential acetone precipitation. This fucan showed antiproliferative activity on Hela cells and induced apoptosis. However, SF-1.5v was not able to activate caspases. Moreover, SF-1.5v induced glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) activation, but this protein is not involved in the heterofucan SF-1.5v induced apoptosis mechanism. In addition, ERK, p38, p53, pAKT and NFκB were not affected by the presence of SF-1.5v. We determined that SF-1.5v induces apoptosis in HeLa mainly by mitochondrial release of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) into cytosol. In addition, SF-1.5v decreases the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased expression of apoptogenic protein Bax. These results are significant in that they provide a mechanistic framework for further exploring the use of SF-1.5v as a novel chemotherapeutics against human cervical cancer.
Screening for Compounds with Aromatase Inhibiting Activities from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz
Authors: Jiang Hai , Shi Jing , Li Yuanyuan
Published: April 2011

Ten compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of Atractylodes macrocephala and their aromatase inhibiting activities were tested using an in vitro fluorescent-based aromatase assay. The results indicated that atractylenolide I (1), atractylenolide II (2) and atractylenolide III (3) had inhibition ratios of 94.56 ± 0.70%, 90.93 ± 1.41% and 86.31 ± 8.46%, respectively, at a concentration of 10 μM. We conclude from our results that atractylenolide and its derivates may serve as potential aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and thus merit continued study in the future.
A New HLA-Based Distributed Control Architecture for Agricultural Teams of Robots in Hybrid Applications with Real and Simulated Devices or Environments
Authors: Nebot Patricio , Torres-Sospedra Joaquín , Martínez Rafael J.
Published: April 2011

The control architecture is one of the most important part of agricultural robotics and other robotic systems. Furthermore its importance increases when the system involves a group of heterogeneous robots that should cooperate to achieve a global goal. A new control architecture is introduced in this paper for groups of robots in charge of doing maintenance tasks in agricultural environments. Some important features such as scalability, code reuse, hardware abstraction and data distribution have been considered in the design of the new architecture. Furthermore, coordination and cooperation among the different elements in the system is allowed in the proposed control system. By integrating a network oriented device server Player, Java Agent Development Framework (JADE) and High Level Architecture (HLA), the previous concepts have been considered in the new architecture presented in this paper. HLA can be considered the most important part because it not only allows the data distribution and implicit communication among the parts of the system but also allows to simultaneously operate with simulated and real entities, thus allowing the use of hybrid systems in the development of applications.
The North American Listening in Spatialized Noise—Sentences Test (NA LiSN-S): Normative Data and Test-Retest Reliability Studies for Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Brown David K. , Cameron Sharon , Martin Jeffrey S. , Watson Charlene , Dillon Harvey
Published: April 2011

Background:The Listening in Spatialized Noise—Sentences test (LiSN-S; Cameron and Dillon, 2009) was originally developed to assess auditory stream segregation skills in children aged 6 to 11 yr with suspected central auditory processing disorder. The LiSN-S creates a three-dimensional
auditory environment under headphones. A simple repetition-response protocol is used to assess a listener's speech reception threshold (SRT) for target sentences presented in competing speech maskers. Performance is measured as the improvement in SRT in dB gained when either pitch, spatial,
or both pitch and spatial cues are incorporated in the maskers. A North American-accented version of the LiSN-S (NA LiSN-S) is available for use in the United States and Canada.Purpose:To develop normative data for adolescents and adults on the NA LiSN-S, to compare these data with
those of children aged 6 to 11 yr as documented in Cameron et al (2009), and to consolidate the child, adolescent, and adult normative and retest data to allow the software to be used with a wider population.Research Design:In a descriptive design, normative data and test-retest reliability
data were collected.Study Sample:One hundred and twenty normally hearing participants took part in the normative data study (67 adolescents aged 12 yr, 1 mo, to 17 yr, 10 mo, and 53 adults aged 19 yr, 10 mo, to 30 yr, 30 mo). Forty-nine participants returned between 1 and 4 mo after
the initial assessment for retesting. Participants were recruited from sites in Cincinnati, Dallas, and Calgary.Results:When combined with data collected from children aged 6 to 11 yr, a trend of improved performance as a function of increasing age was found across performance measures.
ANOVA (analysis of variance) revealed a significant effect of age on performance. Planned contrasts revealed that there were no significant differences between adults and children aged 13 yr and older on the low-cue SRT; 14 yr and older on talker and spatial advantage; 15 yr and older on total
advantage; and 16 yr and older on the high-cue SRT. Mean test-retest differences on the various NA LiSN-S performance measures for the combined child, adult, and adolescent data ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 dB. Paired comparisons revealed test-retest differences were not significant on any measure
of the NA LiSN-S except low-cue SRT. Test-retest differences across measures did not differ as a function of age. Test and retest scores were significantly correlated for all NA LiSN-S measures.Conclusions:The ability to use either spatial or talker cues in isolation becomes adultlike
by about 14 yr of age, whereas the ability to combine spatial and talker cues does not fully mature until closer to adulthood. By consolidating child, adolescent, and adult normative and retest data the NA LiSN-S can now been utilized to assess auditory processing skills in a wider population.
Use of Hearing Aids and Assistive Listening Devices in an Older Australian Population
Authors: Hartley David , Rochtchina Elena , Newall Philip , Golding Maryanne , Mitchell Paul
Published: April 2011

Background:Hearing loss is a common sensory impairment experienced by older persons. Evidence shows that the use of hearing aids and/or assistive listening devices (ALDs) can benefit those with a hearing loss but that historically the uptake and use of these technologies has
remained relatively low compared with the number of people who report a hearing loss.Purpose:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, usage, and factors associated with the use of hearing aids and ALDs in an older representative Australian population.Research Design:A
population-based survey.Study Sample:A total of 2956 persons out of 3914 eligible people between the ages of 49 and 99 yr (mean age 67.4 yr), living in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, completed a hearing study conducted from 1997 to 2003.Data Collection and Analysis:Hearing
levels were assessed using pure tone audiometry, and subjects were administered a comprehensive hearing survey by audiologists, which included questions about hearing aid and ALD usage. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with hearing aid and ALD usage.Results:Of
the surveyed population, 33% had a hearing loss as measured in the better ear. 4.4% had used an ALD in the past 12 mo, and 11% owned a hearing aid. Of current hearing aid owners, 24% never used their aids. ALD and hearing aid usage were found to be associated with increasing age, hearing loss,
and self-perceived hearing disability.Conclusions:These results indicate that hearing aid ownership and ALD usage remains low in the older population. Given the significant proportion of older people who self-report and have a measured hearing loss, it is possible that more could be
helped through the increased use of hearing aid and/or ALD technology. Greater efforts are needed to promote the benefits of these technologies and to support their use among older people with hearing loss.
A Clinical Protocol for Predicting Outcomes with an Implantable Prosthetic Device (Baha) in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness
Authors: Snapp Hillary A. , Fabry David A. , Telischi Fred F. , Arheart Kristopher L. , Angeli Simon I.
Published: April 2011

Background:The Baha implant is increasingly becoming a common form of treatment for individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD). However, evidence-based guidelines for determining candidacy in these patients are not yet established.Purpose:The purpose of this study was
to investigate the clinical utility of speech-in-noise testing as a part of the preoperative evaluation of the Baha device in patients with SSD.Research Design:The study design was a prospective cohort of 24 English-speaking adults comparing preoperative results on speech-in-noise measures
using the Baha Cordelle II headband stimulator to postoperative results using the patient's external Baha processor.Intervention:Outcome measures included signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss as measured by the QuickSIN™ and scores of self-reported disability questionnaires.Results:Wilcoxon
signed-rank test resulted in no significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative methods for measuring benefit on listening in noise tasks. Passing Bablok regression analysis showed the preoperative and postoperative results to be statistically equivalent, which suggests that
postoperative results can be predicted during preoperative testing. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed significant improvements in self-reported disability postoperatively.Conclusions:The results support the use of speech-in-noise measures as an accurate predictor of overall benefit in
patients with SSD prior to implantation.
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Canalith Repositioning Procedure for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Karatayli-Ozgursoy Selmin , Lundy Larry B. , Zapala David A. , Oken Keith R.
Published: April 2011

Background:Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, ampulla cardiomyopathy, or transient left ventricular dysfunction is characterized by chest pain, electrocardiographic changes, transient left ventricular apical aneurysm,
and normal coronary arteries. Tako-tsubo is a round-bottomed, narrow-necked Japanese octopus trap and lends its name to takotsubo cardiomyopathy because of its resemblance to echocardiographic and ventricular angiographic images of the left ventricle in this condition. This appearance
takes its source from peculiar, transient regional systolic dysfunction involving the left ventricular apex and mid-ventricle with hyperkinesis of the basal left ventricular segments. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo caused by peripheral vestibular
dysfunction. The symptoms of BPPV are attributed to intralabyrinthine particles, presumed displaced otoconia. Thus, the treatment recommended for BPPV is head repositioning maneuvers.Purpose:To present the first takotsubo cardiomyopathy case in the English literature related to BPPV
undergoing canalith repositioning procedure.Conclusion:This report will provide additional information for physicians encountering acute-onset chest pain and vertigo. It will also expand the spectrum of clinical correlates of the increasingly well recognized but poorly understood syndrome,
takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Effect of Age on Directional Microphone Hearing Aid Benefit and Preference
Authors: Wu Yu-Hsiang
Published: April 2011

Background:Despite the recognition that the directional microphone hearing aid (DMHA) is an important intervention aimed at helping older hearing-impaired adults understand speech in noisy environments, there is little evidence that older listeners can actually benefit from directional
processing.Purpose:The objective of this study was to determine if older and younger adults can obtain and perceive comparable benefit afforded by DMHAs.Study Sample:Twenty-four hearing-impaired adults aged 36 through 79 yr were fit with switchable-microphone hearing aids
and tested in the laboratory and the field.Data Collection and Analysis:In the laboratory, the listeners’ directional benefit and preferences for microphone modes (directional vs. omnidirectional) were assessed using various speech-recognition-in-noise tests. In the four-week
field trial, a paired-comparison technique and paper-and-pencil journals were used to determine the benefit provided by directional processing. The effects of age on directional benefit/preference were analyzed using generalized linear models with controlling for the effect of hearing loss.Results:The
results revealed that age did not have a significant effect on directional benefit and preference as measured in the laboratory. However, the field data showed that older age was significantly associated with a lower preference for the directional mode.Conclusion:These results indicate
that although listeners of different ages may obtain and perceive comparable benefit from DMHAs in laboratory testing, older users tend to perceive less benefit than do younger users in the real world. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Intelligibility of Foreign-Accented Speech for Older Adults with and without Hearing Loss
Authors: Ferguson Sarah Hargus , Jongman Allard , Sereno Joan A. , Keum Kyung Ae
Published: April 2011

Background:Numerous studies have demonstrated that the negative effect of noise and other distortions on speech understanding is greater for older adults than for younger adults. Anecdotal evidence suggests that older adults may also be disproportionately negatively affected
by foreign accent. While two previous studies found no interaction between foreign accent and listener age, these studies reported no audiometric data and assessed speech understanding in quiet only.Purpose:To examine the effects of foreign accent, listening condition, and listener
age and hearing status on word identification.Research Design:A cross-sectional descriptive study.Study Sample:Experiments 1 and 2 tested young adults with normal hearing (n = 20 and n = 5, respectively), older adults with essentially normal
hearing (n = 20 and n = 10, respectively), and older adults with sloping sensorineural hearing loss (n = 20 and n = 10, respectively).Data Collection and Analysis:The intelligibility of English words produced by a native
speaker of English and by a native speaker of Spanish was assessed. In Experiment 1, word intelligibility was measured in quiet, in noise (+3 dB signal-to-babble ratio, or SBR), and in a telephone filter condition. In Experiment 2, intelligibility was measured in three additional noise
conditions (+6, +9, and +12 dB SBR).Results:English words produced by the native speaker of English were significantly more intelligible than those produced by the native speaker of Spanish. While the negative effect of noise was significantly greater for older listeners than
for younger listeners, the effect of foreign accent was independent of listener age, listener hearing status, and listening condition.Conclusion:The results suggest that, unlike with other forms of distortion, older adults are not disproportionately affected by foreign accent. This
suggests, in turn, that talker-related distortions of the speech signal have a qualitatively different impact on speech perception than distortions that are applied to the signal after it has been produced. The nature of these different types of distortion may be a fruitful area for future
investigations of speech understanding in older adults.
Effects of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening on an Early Intervention Program for Children with Hearing Loss, Birth to 3 Yr of Age
Authors: Halpin Kathy S. , Smith Kay Y. , Widen Judith E. , Chertoff Mark E.
Published: April 2011

Background:Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) was introduced in Kansas in 1999. Prior to UNHS a small percentage of newborns were screened for and identified with hearing loss.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of UNHS on a local early
intervention (EI) program for young children with hearing loss.Research Design:This was a retrospective study based on the chart review of children enrolled in the EI program during target years before and after the establishment of UNHS.Study Sample:Charts for 145 children were
reviewed.Data Collection and Analysis:The chart review targeted the following aspects of the EI program: caseload size, percentage of caseload identified by UNHS, age of diagnosis, age of enrollment in EI, degree of hearing loss, etiology of hearing loss, late onset of hearing loss,
age of hearing aid fit, percentage of children fit with hearing aids by 6 mo, percentage of children with profound hearing loss with cochlear implants, and percentage of children with additional disabilities.Results:Changes in the EI program that occurred after UNHS were increases
in caseload size, percentage of caseload identified by UNHS, percentage of children fit with hearing aids by 6 mo of age, and percentage of children with profound hearing loss with cochlear implants. There were decreases in age of diagnosis, age of enrollment in EI, and age of hearing
aid fit. Before UNHS, the majority of children had severe and profound hearing loss; after UNHS there were more children with mild and moderate hearing loss. The percentage of known etiology and late-onset hearing loss was approximately the same before and after UNHS, as was the percentage
of children with additional disabilities.Conclusion:UNHS had a positive impact on caseload size, age of diagnosis, age of enrollment in EI, and age of hearing aid fit. The percentage of the caseload identified in the newborn period was about 25% before UNHS and over 80% after its implementation.
After UNHS, the EI caseload included as many children with mild and moderate hearing loss as with severe and profound loss. By the last reporting year in the study (academic year 2005‐2006) all children with profound hearing losses had cochlear implants.