bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative Factors Associated with Improvement in Visual Acuity after Globe Rupture Treatment
Authors: Nishide Tadayuki , Hayakawa Natsuki , Nakanishi Misako , Ishii Mai , Kimura Ikuko , Shibuya Etsuko , Nomura Eiichi , Mizuki Nobuhisa
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Globe rupture is a serious condition. Despite advancements in vitrectomy, the postoperative prognosis for visual acuity remains poor in many cases. We conducted multiple regression analysis to identify preoperative factors associated with postoperative visual acuity.

Methods

Subjects comprised 24 patients with globe rupture in one eye who had 5 consecutive years of consultation and were followed up for 12 months or longer. Subjects comprised 13 males and 11 females with a mean age of 67.8 ± 17.4 years. Our methods involved performing multiple regression analysis with age, preoperative visual acuity, scope of injury, number of surgeries, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and subchoroidal hemorrhage as explanatory variables, and postoperative visual acuity as the response variable.

Results

Preoperative visual acuity and scope of retinal detachment were explanatory factors found to correlate significantly with postoperative visual acuity after globe rupture.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that postoperative visual acuity can be predicted to some degree by preoperative visual acuity and the scope of retinal detachment.
Experimental Application of Tissue Adhesives in Corneal Traumas
Authors: Papadopoulou Domniki N. , Sionga Antonia , Karayannopoulou Georgia , Natsis Konstantinos , Komnenou Anastasia , Mangioris Georgios , Kalpatsanidis Antonios , Manthos Anastasios , Georgiadis Nikolaos , Karampatakis Vasileios
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To evaluate intraoperative difficulties of the use of glues for corneal trauma.

Methods

Partial or full-thickness perpendicular corneal incisions (3–4 mm straight cuts) near the limbus (perpendicular or parallel to it) were made in 8 albino rabbits and were then sealed with fibrin or cyanoacrylate glue. Follow-up examinations were performed under the surgical microscope. Tissue specimens were also taken for light microscopic evaluation.

Results

The cyanoacrylate glue polymerized almost immediately after application on the tissue, limiting the ability of the surgeon to oppose the corneal incisions appropriately. The fibrin glue polymerized more gradually, giving enough time for manipulations to reconstruct the wound properly and for removal of excessive glue, especially when the 2 components were applied separately. Excessive glue and crust formation on the eye surface induced irritation.

Conclusions

Fibrin glue for the reconstruction of corneal wounds was easier to use than cyanoacrylate glue and caused less glue crust formation on the corneal surface. The speed of polymerization is an important factor. Excessive glue on the cornea was irritating.
Systematic Review of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients under 30 Years old
Authors: Gee Matthew J. , Ajuied Adil , Shah Zameer , George Marc , Bankes Marcus J.K.
Published: March 2013

We performed a systematic review to assess whether joint replacement in this very young patient group provides significant functional improvement and whether these procedures are associated with good implant survivorship. The studies included presented the results of 450 THA procedures. All patients showed an improvement in functional score and symptom relief. Unce-mented stems showed good integration with no signs of loosening. Cemented implants showed high rates of loosening. This study shows that THA in the very young patient can provide good functional improvement and relief of symptoms and that the more modern uncemented implant designs used with hard-on-hard bearings can be associated with improved implant survival. Long-term studies are necessary to confirm the superiority and improved survivorship of these newer implants.
Biofilm-Mediated Enhanced Crude Oil Degradation by Newly Isolated Pseudomonas Species
Authors: Dasgupta Debdeep , Ghosh Ritabrata , Sengupta Tapas K.
Published: March 2013

The bioavailability of organic contaminants to the degrading bacteria is a major limitation to efficient bioremediation of sites contaminated with hydrophobic pollutants. Such limitation of bioavailability can be overcome by steady-state biofilm-based reactor. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of such multicellular aggregation by naturally existing oil-degrading bacteria on crude oil degradation. Microorganisms, capable of utilizing crude oil as sole carbon source, were isolated from river, estuary and sea-water samples. Biochemical and 16S rDNA analysis of the best degraders of the three sources was found to belong to the Pseudomonas species. Interestingly, one of the isolates was found to be close to Pseudomonas otitidis family which is not reported yet as a degrader of crude oil. Biodegradation of crude oil was estimated by gas chromatography, and biofilm formation near oil-water interface was quantified by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Biofilm supported batches of the isolated Pseudomonas species were able to degrade crude oil much readily and extensively than the planktonic counterparts. Volumetric and topographic analysis revealed that biofilms formed in presence of crude oil accumulate higher biomass with greater thickness compared to the biofilms produced in presence of glucose as sole carbon source.
Negative Patterning and Biconditional Discriminations in Human Causal Reasoning: A Second Look
Authors: Whitlow J.W.
Published: March 2013

Harris and Livesey (2008) reported that patterning discriminations were easier to learn than biconditional discriminations in a human causal reasoning task, consistent with the predictions of the attentional buffer model of Harris (2006) and inconsistent with the predictions of configural cue models. However, their evaluation of patterning and biconditional tasks also failed to find a positive patterning advantage, which has been a hallmark prediction of many configural cue theories. This failure raises the question of whether Harris and Livesey’s method was appropriate for a general evaluation of the role of configural cues in learning complex discriminations. Using a design that does produce a positive patterning advantage, the study reported here shows negative patterning discriminations to be at least as difficult to learn as biconditional discriminations, consistent with configural cue models.
Assessing Change in a Personality Profile
Authors: Gore Jonathan S. , Cross Susan E. , Russell Daniel W.
Published: March 2013

We tested the validity of 6 methods (mean difference, variance difference, bivariate, profile agreement, pattern similarity, and intraclass) to assess change in a personality profile. During their first 2 months of college, 372 students completed reactive and spontaneous measures of their personality. Eight weeks later, 300 returned to complete a second set of the same measures and noted change in their spontaneous personality list. Sixty participants returned during their second semester to complete a third set of assessments. The bivariate and intraclass change coefficients showed consistent convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity across time points. Recommendations and caveats for using these coefficients are discussed.
Efecto de la duración del período seco en la posterior producción y reproducción en vacas Holstein
Authors: Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh N. , Mohit A.
Published: March 2013

El registro de los partos de vacas Holstein desde enero 1983 a diciembre 2006 que comprende 1190 rebaños con 384717 partos, se utilizaron para evaluar los factores que afectan la duración del período seco y el efecto de los actuales días secos en las posteriores producciones y reproducciones de las vacas Holstein iraníes. Los análisis estadísticos de los días secos y características productivas y reproductivas en este estudio se realizaron con modelos lineales mixtos. La duración del período seco (DD) de las vacas se agrupa en 14 clases desde menos de 10 días hasta > 130 días. El promedio de DD fue de 100.46 días en vacas Holstein iraníes. Las vacas primíparas tuvieron el menor DD y la media de DD disminuyó a lo largo de los años de 1983 a 2006 y las de parición de verano tenían el DD más corto (p <0.001). Las vacas dentro de las clases DD de 51-60 y 61-70 tuvieron el mayor rendimiento real de leche, la producción de leche en equivalente-madura, producción de leche ajustada, producción de grasa ajustada, producción de proteína y el rendimiento ajustado a equivalente-madura de proteína (p <0.05 ). Además, las vacas dentro de la clase de 0-10 DD tuvo el mayor porcentaje de grasa ajustada, porcentaje de grasa en equivalente-madura y el porcentaje de proteína ajustado (p <0.05). Nuestros resultados actuales muestran una reducción en el intervalo entre partos y en la edad al parto en las vacas con menor longitud de días secos que en otras con una duración del period seco más largo (p <0.05). Teniendo en cuenta la reciente iniciativa de acortar los períodos secos, vale la pena destacar que con 51 a 70 DD se proporciona un rendimiento máximo en vacas Holstein iraníes.
Short communication. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ovine CSN1S2 gene for alphaS2–casein
Authors: Padilla J. A. , Corral J. M. , Quesada A. , Izuierdo M. , Parejo J. C. , Martínez-Trancón M. E.
Published: March 2013

This work describes eighteen SNPs (9 transitions and 9 transversions) found in the sequence spanning from exon 7 to 11 of the CSN1S2 ovine gene, thirteen located at the introns 7 (5 SNPs), 8 (2 SNPs), 9 (1 SNP), and 10 (5 SNPs), and five at the exons 10 (4 SNPs) and 11 (1 SNP). The allele frequencies of the SNPs have been obtained from seventeen animals of Merino breed. Among intronic polymorphisms, the two adjacent SNPs g.[435C>A; 436T>G] are located at the pyrimidine rich box near the 3' splice acceptor site of intron 10, which could potentially affect mRNA processing. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences from exons 10 and 11 showed that polymorphisms ex10-g.153G>T and ex10-g. 155C>T, which affect the same codon, and ex11-g. 504A>G, are non-synonymous substitutions producing the amino acid changes Asp75 to Tyr75 and Ile105 to Val105, respectively, giving rise to the A and B alleles previously found by direct sequencing of the mature protein. For these SNPs only six of the eight possible combinations were detected, GCA being the most frequent haplotype (0.323), corresponding to Asp75 – Ile105 in the mature protein. The new polymorphisms of the ovine CSN1S2 found in this paper are potential molecular markers that could be used to investigate its association with production traits.
Use of almond shell and almond hull as substrates for sweet pepper cultivation. Effects on fruit yield and mineral content
Authors: Valverde M. , Madrid R. , García A. L. , Del Amor F. M. , Rincón L. F.
Published: March 2013

The use of almond by products as substrate in greenhouses for growing vegetables has a great economic interest. The objective of this work was to assess the use of two almond by-products (almond shell-AS and almond hull-AH), which had been previously conditioned without composting, as substrates for pepper (cv. Caprino F1) production and to study their effects on the yield, fruit size, and fruit mineral content. Physical, physico-chemical, and chemical characteristics of the almond by-products were determined both initially and during the pepper growing season. Initially, all values of the parameters studied ― except sulfur and iron ― differed significantly between the two substrates. During cultivation, the 18 substrate parameters and variables tested - except bulk density - exhibited significant variations with time for AS; the same occurred for AH, exceptions being pH, total nitrogen Nt, N-NH4, bulk density, and manganese. The changes in both substrates for the K, N, and S concentrations were significant. The nutrient levels in AH were higher than for AS. The almond shell and almond hull substrates produced slight decreases in total fruit yield with respect to the control (0.79 and 3.22 for AS and AH, respectively), with a lesser decrease for AS, due to reductions in the number of fruits per plant rather than to reductions in individual fruit weight. The plants grown on the AS and AH substrates showed a decrease in total fruit yield, due to reductions in the number of fruits per plant rather than reductions in individual fruit weight.
Insecticidal effects of Moroccan plant extracts on development, energy reserves and enzymatic activities of Plodia interpunctella
Authors: Bouayad N. , Rharrabe K. , Ghailani N. N. , Jbilou R. , Castañera P. , Ortego F.
Published: March 2013

The aim of this work was to study the effects of methanol extracts of ten plant species used in traditional medicine in Morocco (Peganum harmala, Ajuga iva, Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula dentata, Cistus ladanifer, Cistus salviaefolius, Cistus monspeliensis, Centaurium erythraea and Launaea arborescens) on Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae. Firstly, we studied the effects of the ingestion of these extracts at 500 ppm on post-embryonic development parameters. Most plant extracts provoked a notable decrease of larval weight 8 days after treatment (up to 33% weight loss with C. erythraea) and caused significant alterations on pupation (ranging from 5% to 85%) and adult emergence (below 2.5% with R. officinalis, C. erythraea and A. iva). The plant extracts that showed strongest effects on post-embryonic development were selected to test their effects on the following physiological parameters: larval reserve substances (at 500 ppm); and midgut activities of hydrolytic and detoxification enzymes (at 500, 750 and 1000 ppm). All treatments provoked a significant reduction of protein and carbon hydrate larval contents, the inhibition of proteases and α-amylase activities in a dose depended manner, and the induction of glutathione S-transferase and esterase (using MtB as substrate) activities, whereas the activity of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and esterases (using 1-NA as substrate) increase or decrease depending on the extract concentration and the plant analyzed.
Automation in haemostasis
Authors: Méndez A. , Brunner-Agten S. , Huber A. R.
Published: March 2013

Automatia, an ancient Greece goddess of luck who makes things happen by themselves and on her own will without human engagement, is present in our daily life in the medical laboratory. Automation has been introduced and perfected by clinical chemistry and since then expanded into other fields such as haematology, immunology, molecular biology and also coagulation testing. The initial small and relatively simple standalone instruments have been replaced by more complex systems that allow for multitasking. Integration of automated coagulation testing into total laboratory automation has become possible in the most recent years. Automation has many strengths and opportunities if weaknesses and threats are respected. On the positive side, standardization, reduction of errors, reduction of cost and increase of throughput are clearly beneficial. Dependence on manufacturers, high initiation cost and somewhat expensive maintenance are less favourable factors. The modern lab and especially the todays lab technicians and academic personnel in the laboratory do not add value for the doctor and his patients by spending lots of time behind the machines. In the future the lab needs to contribute at the bedside suggesting laboratory testing and providing support and interpretation of the obtained results. The human factor will continue to play an important role in testing in haemostasis yet under different circumstances.
Challenges of Women in Urban Agriculture in Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: A Adedayo , A. M. Tunde
Published: March 2013

Women play significant roles generally in urban agricultural production. In spite of their roles, women farmers are faced with myriads of challenges that affect their increased production in the urban areas. This study assessed the challenges of women farming in urban areas with reference to Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 1,801 women farmers were sampled from different urban areas in the state. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were organized for them in order to explore their minds on the challenges faced and opportunities available to them in urban agricultural production. The matrix ranking revealed lack of credit facilities as one of the most important challenges militating against increased production by women. Other challenges identified include restricted accessibility to land and lack of farm input among others. Appropriate recommendations were made that production resources should be made available especially for women farmers while women should also be part of decision making concerning agriculture.
Magnetohydrodynamic Peristaltic Flow of a Pseudoplastic Fluid in a Curved Channel
Authors: Noreen Saima , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: March 2013

A mathematical model is developed to examine the effects of an induced magnetic field on the peristaltic flow in a curved channel. The non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluid model is used to depict the combined elastic and viscous properties. The analysis has been carried out in the wave frame of reference, long wavelength and low Reynolds scheme are implemented. A series solution is obtained through perturbation analysis. Results for stream function, pressure gradient, magnetic force function, induced magnetic field, and current density are constructed. The effects of significant parameters on the flow quantities are sketched and discussed.
Young people’s creative online practices in the context of school community
Authors: Kupiainen Reijo
Published: March 2013

This article concentrates on young people’s creative online practices, such as making videos, writing lifestyle blogs, and engaging in online role-playing games. It also looks at their relations to different audiences, privacy, and the school community as a central social environment in young people’s everyday life.The research was conducted as an ethnographic study in one public secondary school in Finland during the academic year 2009–2010. The ethnography is preceded by a quantitative survey on media use among school students (N = 305). EU Kids Online research data (N = 1012) regarding Finland was used in the analysis of young people’s internet use as well.The internet offers different possibilities for young people to publish, share, and participate online. Although the study shows that the majority of young people are not especially eager to share their creative productions on the internet, some of the teens studied had a strong interest in creative media production and online activities. The case study shows that young people’s creative online activities vary from individual activities, such as school-community–based communal activities, to collaborative activities with peers.In order to control their privacy online, young people try to manage their self-presentations, their audiences, and their spaces where they share their productions. It also seems that active and creative internet users get more support for internet safety from their peers and teachers.
Mathematical Lens: Transformational Geometry at Guilin Garden, Shanghai
Authors: Munakata Mika , Cheteyan Leslie A.
Published: March 2013

The walls along the walkway leading to Shanghai's Guilin Garden are lined with geometric panels. The following questions refer to the wall panels shown in photographs 1–8. When answering these questions, assume that the patterns continue in all directions.
Target Zombies with Plants and Math
Authors: Kurz Terri L.
Published: March 2013

Plants vs. Zombies, a popular electronic game, is used to explore mathematics.
Boire et écrire chez Deleuze, Duras, Bukowski et Chinaski : entre création et transgression
Authors: Boukala Mouloud
Published: March 2013

Cet article interroge les liens entre l’acte de boire et celui d’écrire en philosophie (Gilles Deleuze), en littérature (Marguerite Duras et Charles Bukowski) et au cinéma (Barbet Schroeder). Son but est double : d’une part, montrer si la prise d’alcool met en oeuvre, catalyse ou favorise d’une quelconque manière l’acte de création et, d’autre part, examiner comment l’alcool, porté à l’écran, traduit à la fois un état du corps et un aspect d’une identité sociale – acceptée ou marginalisée – selon les contextes géographiques (France et États-Unis).

La démarche adoptée, résolument comparative, s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une anthropologie des médias. Cette dernière vise la description puis l’analyse de processus situés à l’intersection du ressenti (perçu, vécu) et du représenté. Cet article examine aussi bien les activités (créatrices et prises compulsives d’alcool) que leurs représentations lors d’une entrevue filmée (L’abécédaire de Gilles Deleuze, 1996), de deux émissions de télévision (Apostrophes, 1984 et 1988) et d’une adaptation cinématographique (Barfly, 1987).

Pour chaque auteur abordé, une réflexion autour de la dipsomanie est menée. Elle privilégie les activités créatrices par l’écriture en lien avec la prise d’alcool. Dans un premier temps, l’acte de boire est scruté avec minutie afin d’en dégager certaines spécificités (la quantité, l’évaluation, le sacrifice, l’illusion de la création, la résistance), puis l’étude de ces conduites addictives donne à comprendre comment elles affectent l’ensemble des relations sociales de ces auteurs. Pour chaque corpus étudié, des éléments saillants et des enjeux anthropologiques qui ressortent de ces pratiques éthyliques et créatrices sont mis en lumière en vue d’une analyse comparative.
« Ils ont voulu m’envoyer en cure. » De la bohème à l’artiste survivant, évolution de la figure du musicien drogué
Authors: Blaise Mario
Published: March 2013

De nombreux artistes musiciens sont connus pour leurs problèmes de drogue et leur in-carnation de la vie de bohème. À travers leurs discours et témoignages dans les médias et leurs oeuvres sur la drogue et leur vie, il est intéressant d’étudier la construction de la figure de la bohème et de l’artiste maudit dans ses interactions entre public, médias et artistes. Ces figures héritées du romantisme du XIXe siècle restent encore actives pour une nouvelle génération de musiciens, alors qu’apparaît avec les rock-stars rescapées des années 1960-1970 la figure du survivant ancien drogué, pour qui les drogues ont pu correspondre à un moment de son parcours créatif. Depuis, il s’en est sorti et n’a plus besoin des drogues pour créer. L’attrait de la cure de sevrage se trouve du même coup renforcé comme renouveau personnel et créatif et comme moyen d’expression et de prise en charge de problèmes de toutes sortes.
Conception africaine de la vie et du temps
Authors: Soede Nathanaël Yaovi
Published: March 2013

Cet article va au-delà des clichés afro-pessimistes. Sa réflexion anthropologique et théologique montre que la conception africaine de la vie et du temps, articulée autour de la catégorie de « l’être-vie », enrichit celle des autres peuples de l’humanité. Synonyme de la vie, le temps nous invite à l’espérance, à l’inventivité et à faire vibrer le monde au rythme de la vie, de la Vie faite chair…
AP2 hemicomplexes contribute independently to synaptic vesicle endocytosis
Authors: Gu Mingyu , Liu Qiang , Watanabe Shigeki , Sun Lin , Hollopeter Gunther , Grant Barth D , Jorgensen Erik M
Published: March 2013

The clathrin adaptor complex AP2 is thought to be an obligate heterotetramer. We identify null mutations in the α subunit of AP2 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. α-adaptin mutants are viable and the remaining μ2/β hemicomplex retains some function. Conversely, in μ2 mutants, the alpha/sigma2 hemicomplex is localized and is partially functional. α-μ2 double mutants disrupt both halves of the complex and are lethal. The lethality can be rescued by expression of AP2 components in the skin, which allowed us to evaluate the requirement for AP2 subunits at synapses. Mutations in either α or μ2 subunits alone reduce the number of synaptic vesicles by about 30%; however, simultaneous loss of both α and μ2 subunits leads to a 70% reduction in synaptic vesicles and the presence of large vacuoles. These data suggest that AP2 may function as two partially independent hemicomplexes.
Changes in Use of Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis in the United States During 1983–2009
Authors: Kim Seoyoung C. , Yelin Ed , Tonner Chris , Solomon Daniel H.
Published: March 2013

Objective

Use of nonbiologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and/or biologic DMARDs is generally recommended to improve the prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to describe the changing trends in DMARD use for RA over the past 2 decades.

Methods

We analyzed data from an open longitudinal cohort of RA patients recruited from rheumatologists' practices in northern California. We examined baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants and their long‐term DMARD use through annual comprehensive structured telephone interviews.

Results

A total of 1,507 established RA patients were recruited through 5 enrollment periods between 1983 and 2009. Between 1983 and 2009, the use of any DMARD increased from 71% of all patients to 83% (P for trend < 0.0001). In 2009, 43% received a biologic DMARD, 34% were on both nonbiologic and biologic DMARDs, and 40% were treated with only nonbiologic DMARDs. The 4 most commonly used nonbiologic DMARDs in 2009 were methotrexate (49%), hydroxychloroquine (30%), leflunomide (13%), and sulfasalazine (7%). Etanercept (20%) was the most commonly used biologic DMARD in 2009, followed by infliximab (10%), adalimumab (9%), and abatacept (6%). Use of oral steroids was common (40–50%) and remained similar throughout the study period.

Conclusion

There has been a significant increase in the use of DMARDs for RA over the past 2 decades. However, 15% of the individuals with a clinical diagnosis of RA were not receiving DMARDs in 2009. Future research should focus on sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with DMARD use for RA.
Mortality Among Workers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Authors: Richardson David B. , Wing Steve , Keil Alexander , Wolf Susanne
Published: March 2013

Background

Workers employed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) were potentially exposed to a range of chemical and physical hazards, many of which are poorly characterized. We compared the observed deaths among workers to expectations based upon US mortality rates.

Methods

The cohort included 22,831 workers hired between January 1, 1943 and December 31, 1984. Vital status and cause of death information were ascertained through December 31, 2008. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed separately for males and females using US and Tennessee mortality rates; SMRs for men were tabulated separately for monthly‐, weekly‐, and hourly‐paid workers.

Results

Hourly‐paid males had more deaths due to cancer of the pleura (SMR = 12.09, 95% CI: 4.44, 26.32), cancer of the bladder (SMR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.71), and leukemia (SMR = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.93) than expected based on US mortality rates. Female workers also had more deaths than expected from cancer of the bladder (SMR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.20, 3.69) and leukemia (SMR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.36). The pleural cancer excess has only appeared since the 1980s, approximately 40 years after the start of operations. The bladder cancer excess was larger among workers who also had worked at other Oak Ridge nuclear weapons facilities, while the leukemia excess was among people who had not worked at other DOE facilities.

Conclusions

Occupational hazards including asbestos and ionizing radiation may contribute to these excesses. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:725–732, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Upper airway inflammation exacerbates bronchial hyperreactivity in mouse models of rhinosinusitis and allergic asthma
Authors: Liang Kai‐Li , Jiang Rong‐San , Wang Ren‐Ching , Koo Malcolm , Chen Shyh‐Chang , Huang Wan‐Chun , Yeh Yueh‐Chiao
Published: March 2013

Background

Recent studies have suggested that upper airway inflammation has a strong impact on lower airway diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess whether nasal inflammation could exacerbate allergic asthma in a mouse model.

Methods

Mice were assigned to 4 groups: control (Cont), either rhinosinusitis (R) or allergic asthma (A) alone, and both rhinosinusitis and allergic asthma (R&A). Mice underwent induction of nasal inflammation (R and R&A) or sham surgery (Cont and A) on day 1. Mice in the A and R&A groups were sensitized to ovalbumin on days 1, 7, and 14, followed by aerosol challenge on days 18 to 20, whereas in the Cont and R groups only saline was administered. All mice were assessed for airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and were euthanized on day 21. The sera, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs), and nasal and lung tissues were collected for further analyses.

Results

Histology findings confirmed upper and lower airway inflammation in experimental mice. Significantly increased AHR and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) were observed in the R&A group when compared with those of the Cont, R, and A groups. Responses to IgG2a induction were also found in sera and BALFs from mice with rhinosinusitis (R and R&A). Higher levels of interleukin 4 (IL‐4) and IL‐13, and increased eosinophilic inflammation were detected in BALFs and lung tissues from the experimental groups when compared with those from the Cont group.

Conclusion

Our results confirm that upper airway inflammation could exacerbate allergic asthma, and provide support to the concept of “one airway, one disease.
Frontal polymerization preparation of poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)/activated carbon composite hydrogels for dye removal
Authors: Li Shengfang , Huang Hongping , Tao Min , Liu Xianli , Cheng Tao
Published: March 2013

A series of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) (PAA)/activated carbon (AC) composite hydrogels were rapidly prepared via frontal polymerization (FP). It was found that an increase in the concentration of AC caused an increase in the front velocity (Vf) and the highest front temperature (Tmax). It may be attributed to that AC particles could increase the liquid viscosity of reaction mixture and remain the reaction heat during FP. The Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that AC particles had entered the hydrogel network, and many spherical AC particles with an average diameter of 0.5–1 μm had been dispersed homogeneously in the PAA hydrogel matrix. The swelling behavior showed that the equilibrium swelling values of hydrogels increased when the concentration of AC particles increased. Adsorption studies showed that incorporation of AC particles into PAA hydrogel matrix could increase the sites of interaction between the hydrogels and crystal violet molecules and result in an increase of adsorption capacities of hydrogels toward dyes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Evaluation of virtual microscopy in medical histology teaching
Authors: Mione Sylvia , Valcke Martin , Cornelissen Maria
Published: March 2013

Histology stands as a major discipline in the life science curricula, and the practice of teaching it is based on theoretical didactic strategies along with practical training. Traditionally, students achieve practical competence in this subject by learning optical microscopy. Today, students can use newer information and communication technologies in the study of digital microscopic images. A virtual microscopy program was recently introduced at Ghent University. Since little empirical evidence is available concerning the impact of virtual microscopy (VM) versus optical microscopy (OM) on the acquisition of histology knowledge, this study was set up in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. A pretest‐post test and cross‐over design was adopted. In the first phase, the experiment yielded two groups in a total population of 199 students, Group 1 performing the practical sessions with OM versus Group 2 performing the same sessions with VM. In the second phase, the research subjects switched conditions. The prior knowledge level of all research subjects was assessed with a pretest. Knowledge acquisition was measured with a post test after each phase (T1 and T2). Analysis of covariance was carried out to study the differential gain in knowledge at T1 and T2, considering the possible differences in prior knowledge at the start of the study. The results pointed to non‐significant differences at T1 and at T2. This supports the assumption that the acquisition of the histology knowledge is independent of the microscopy representation mode (VM versus OM) of the learning material. The conclusion that VM is equivalent to OM offers new directions in view of ongoing innovations in medical education technology. Anat Sci Educ 6: 307–315. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.
Intensive mode delivery of a neuroanatomy unit: Lower final grades but higher student satisfaction
Authors: Whillier Stephney , Lystad Reidar P.
Published: March 2013

In 2011, Macquarie University moved to a three‐session academic year which included two 13‐week sessions (traditional mode) and one seven‐week session (intensive mode). This study was designed to compare the intensive and traditional modes of delivery in a unit of undergraduate neuroanatomy. The new intensive mode neuroanatomy unit provided the same quantity and quality of material to the same standard, delivered by the same teachers and over the same total hours, but in a shorter timeframe. All students enrolled in session 2 (traditional mode) and session 3 (intensive mode) were invited to participate in this study. The main outcome measures were the final course grades and level of satisfaction with the course. Although there was no significant difference between the two cohorts in self‐rated level of knowledge (P = 0.148), the traditional mode cohort achieved significantly higher final grades compared to the intensive mode cohort (P = 0.001). Similarly, the distribution of final grades was also different between the two cohorts. The two cohorts were equally satisfied with the unit overall, and with the lectures and tutorials. However, the intensive mode cohort was more satisfied with the laboratory practical classes compared to the traditional mode cohort (P < 0.001). Thus this study demonstrates that in the case of neuroanatomy, which is high in content, when the course is taught to the same standards as exist in the traditional mode of delivery, the students do not do as well even though they enjoy the course equally. Anat Sci Educ 6: 286–293. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.
Philosophie der Wissenschaftskunst. Philosophiehistorische Beobachtungen zur Bedeutung von Regeln des wissenschaftlichen Sprechens
Authors: Kupka Thomas
Published: March 2013

Philosophy of the Art of Science. Historical Remarks on the Significance of Rules in Scientific Language. This paper undertakes first steps toward a ‘Philosophy of the Art of Science’ from a History of Science and Philosophy of Language perspective. Traditionally it is understood that Philosophy of Science assesses science as to the validity of its methods and to the question of how it is that we hold its claims to be true. However, the range of presuppositions here is considerable: Roughly, it spans from Gottlob Frege's ‘The True’ (das Wahre) as the aim of scientific inquiry on the one end, to Paul Feyerabend's pluralistic understanding of science in a democratic society on the other. Despite this profound difference, however, we can nonetheless detect some similarity between them. Both hold science to be a normative endeavor: Frege thinks we ought to strive for true thoughts as somewhat independent ontological entities; Feyerabend thinks we ought to strive for a pragmatic humanism that takes the historicity of our knowledge into account. But while Frege ventured to show that natural language can benefit from insights drawn from the normative logic of formalized languages, Feyerabend discounted the idea of formalized language altogether, but with no less normative verve in regard to our scientific concept formation. Hence the combining question is whether scientific concept formation is indeed a rule‐governed behavior, or, put more generally, whether semantic content as such is normative. Guided by this question, the present paper draws a line from Frege through Russell, Wittgenstein, Carnap, and Quine, to those authors who follow or refute Saul Kripke's Wittgensteinian notion of semantic normativity in the most recent discussion of today. However, the paper does not proceed chronologically, but rather thematically along the major lines of argument. Hence after a brief survey of Feyerabend's philosophy of scientific concept formation (I), we explore Frege and his legacy on semantic normativity (II), and investigate the route that eventually led to present day semantic rule‐skepticism (III). We conclude with Carnap's ‘Principle of Tolerance’ combined with Feyerabend's notion of Science as an Art, parallels of which we can even find in Kant's third Critique (IV).
Highly luminescent hybrid SiO2‐coated CdTe quantum dots: synthesis and properties
Authors: Liu Ning , Yang Ping
Published: March 2013

Novel hybrid SiO2‐coated CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were created using CdTe QDs coated with a hybrid SiO2 shell containing Cd2+ ions and a sulfur source via a sol–gel process in aqueous solution. Aqueous CdTe QDs with tunable emitting color created through a reaction between cadmium chloride and sodium hydrogen telluride was used as cores for the preparation of hybrid SiO2‐coated CdTe QDs. In our experiments we found that the surface state of the cores and preparation conditions that affect the formation of the hybrid SiO2 shell also greatly affect photoluminescence of the hybrid SiO2‐coated CdTe QDs. The generation of CdS‐like clusters in the vicinity of the CdTe QDs, caused the quantum size effect of the QDs to be greatly reduced, which changes photoluminescence properties of the hybrid QDs fundamentally. Namely, the novel hybrid SiO2 shell played an important role in generating a series of specific optical properties. In addition, the novel hybrid SiO2 shell can be created if no CdTe QD is added. In order to gain an insight into the inter structure of the hybrid shell, we characterized the hybrid SiO2‐coated CdTe QDs using X‐ray diffraction analysis and discuss the formation mechanism of such a hybrid structure. This work is significant because the novel hybrid SiO2‐coated CdTe QDs with its excellent properties can be used in many applications, such as biolabeling and optoelectronic devices. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three colorimetric and off–on fluorescent chemosensors for Fe3+ in aqueous media
Authors: Chai Meimei , Li Man , Zhang Di , Wang Cui‐cui , Ye Yong , Zhao Yufen
Published: March 2013

Three Rhodamine B derivatives were synthesized and characterized by ESI‐MS, NMR, HR‐MS and IR. The probes exhibit high selectivity and sensitivity towards Fe3+ over other metal ions in CH3CN–water. Upon the addition of Fe3+, the spirocyclic ring of the probe was opened and a significant enhancement of visible color and fluorescence within the range of 540–700 nm was observed. The colorimetric and fluorescent response to Fe3+ can be conveniently detected even by the naked eye, which provides a facile method for the visual detection of Fe3+. Job's plot, fluorescence titration and MS indicated the formation of 1:2 complexes between the probes and Fe3+. The reversibility of the reaction establishes the potential of these probes as chemosensors for Fe3+ detection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transforming growth factor type beta 1 increases the expression of angiotensin II receptor type 2 by a SMAD‐ and p38 MAPK‐dependent mechanism in skeletal muscle
Authors: Painemal Paula , Acuña María José , Riquelme Cecilia , Brandan Enrique , Cabello‐Verrugio Claudio
Published: March 2013

Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, a condition known as fibrosis, is a hallmark of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Among the factors that trigger muscle fibrosis are transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) and angiotensin II (Ang‐II). Ang‐II belongs to the renin‐angiotensin system, and its biological effects are exerted by Ang‐II receptors type 1 and type 2 (AT‐1 and AT‐2, respectively). This study aims to determine the effect of TGF‐β1 on the expression of AT‐1 and AT‐2 receptor in skeletal muscle. C2C12 myoblasts exposed to TGF‐β1 showed a dose‐dependent increase in AT‐2 expression but with no effect on AT‐1 levels. Injection of TGF‐β1 in the skeletal muscle of mice increased the levels of AT‐2 and ECM protein but unchanged AT‐1 levels. We also detected higher expression levels of AT‐2 receptor in dystrophic skeletal muscle of mdx mice than in normal mice. The induction of AT‐2 was mediated by the canonical TGF‐β pathway because under the inhibitory conditions of the kinase activity of TGFβ receptor I or the knockdown of Smad2/3 levels, TGF‐β‐induced AT‐2 receptor increase was strongly inhibited. Furthermore, we demonstrated that p38MAPK activity in response to TGF‐β is also required for AT‐2 increase as evaluated by a p38MAPK inhibitor. Our results show that the levels of AT‐2 but not AT‐1 receptor are modulated by the pro‐fibrotic factor TGF‐β1 in myoblasts and mouse skeletal muscle. This finding suggests that AT‐2 might be involved in the physiopathology of fibrosis in dystrophic skeletal muscle. © 2013 BioFactors, 39(4):467–475, 2013
A tissue‐engineered human dermal construct utilizing fibroblasts and transforming growth factor β1 to promote elastogenesis
Authors: Sommer Nadine , Sattler Martin , Weise Julia M. , Wenck Horst , Gallinat Stefan , Fischer Frank
Published: March 2013

Numerous studies have shown that extracellular matrix (ECM)‐based scaffolds are suitable for dermal constructs for the differentiation of various cell types in vitro and for constructive tissue remodeling after implantation in vivo. However, a shortcoming of these ECM materials is its limited elastogenesis. Elastic fibers constitute an essential component of mammalian connective tissue and the presence of elastic fibers is crucial for the proper function of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and intestinal systems. Since it is still largely unknown how cells coordinate the molecular events of elastic‐fiber assembly, understanding the ability to regenerate elastic fibers in tissues remains a significant challenge. For this reason, human neonatal dermal fibroblasts (HDFneo) were analyzed for their potential to serve as a cell culture model for elastic fiber assembly. Using optical technologies such as multiphoton laser‐scanning microscopy (MPSLM) we demonstrate that HDFneo stimulated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) are able to produce a distinct and complex elastic fiber system in vitro. As shown by the desmosine and isodesmosine content, crosslinked elastic fibers were formed within the 3D ECM‐based scaffold. This tissue‐engineered dermal construct may prove to be an effective template for the development of medicinal approaches in regenerative soft skin tissue reconstruction through TGF‐β1 induction.
Deriving metabolic engineering strategies from genome‐scale modeling with flux ratio constraints
Authors: Yen Jiun Y. , Nazem‐Bokaee Hadi , Freedman Benjamin G. , Athamneh Ahmad I. M. , Senger Ryan S.
Published: March 2013

Optimized production of bio‐based fuels and chemicals from microbial cell factories is a central goal of systems metabolic engineering. To achieve this goal, a new computational method of using flux balance analysis with flux ratios (FBrAtio) was further developed in this research and applied to five case studies to evaluate and design metabolic engineering strategies. The approach was implemented using publicly available genome‐scale metabolic flux models. Synthetic pathways were added to these models along with flux ratio constraints by FBrAtio to achieve increased (i) cellulose production from Arabidopsis thaliana; (ii) isobutanol production from Saccharomyces cerevisiae; (iii) acetone production from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803; (iv) H2 production from Escherichia coli MG1655; and (v) isopropanol, butanol, and ethanol (IBE) production from engineered Clostridium acetobutylicum. The FBrAtio approach was applied to each case to simulate a metabolic engineering strategy already implemented experimentally, and flux ratios were continually adjusted to find (i) the end‐limit of increased production using the existing strategy, (ii) new potential strategies to increase production, and (iii) the impact of these metabolic engineering strategies on product yield and culture growth. The FBrAtio approach has the potential to design “fine‐tuned” metabolic engineering strategies in silico that can be implemented directly with available genomic tools.
LC‐MS/MS determination and pharmacokinetic study of lacidipine in human plasma
Authors: Chatki Pankaj Kisan , Hotha Kishore Kumar , Kolagatla Pandu Ranga Reddy , Bharathi D. Vijaya , Venkateswarulu V.
Published: March 2013

A robust, specific and fully validated LC‐MS/MS method as per general practices of industry has been developed for estimation of lacidipine (LAC) with 100 μL of human plasma using lacidipine‐13C8 as an internal standard (IS). The API‐4000 LC‐MS/MS was operated under the multiple reaction‐monitoring mode. A simple liquid–liquid extraction process was used to extract LAC and IS from human plasma. The total run time was 3.0 min and the elution of LAC and IS occurred at 1.96 and 1.97 min; this was achieved with a mobile phase consisting of 5 mm ammonium acetate buffer–acetontrile (15:85 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.60 mL/min on a Zorbax SB C18 (50 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column. A linear response function was established for the range of concentrations 50–15,000 pg/mL (r > 0.998) for LAC. The current developed method has negligible matrix effect and is free from unwanted adducts and clusters which are formed owing to system such as solvent or mobile phase. The developed assay method was applied to an oral pharmacokinetic study in humans and successfully characterized the pharmacokinetic data up to 72 h. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Massive aortic regurgitation following paravalvular balloon valvuloplasty of an edwards sapien valve treated by emergent corevalve implantation: Never cross a transcatheter aortic valve without a pigtail
Authors: Noble Stéphane , Cikirikcioglu Mustafa , Roffi Marco
Published: March 2013

A 72‐year‐old patient, with a history of coronary artery bypass and aorto‐bifemoral graft, was diagnosed with a symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis in the presence of moderately decreased left ventricular function. The Heart team decision was to implant an Edwards SAPIEN XT 26 mm valve by transapical approach, therefore avoiding access through the aorto‐bifemoral graft. At the end of the procedure, grades 2–3 aortic regurgitation was observed. Since each run of rapid pacing ended in ventricular fibrillation, it was decided to treat the aortic regurgitation conservatively with the option of post‐dilation in a second procedure if hemodynamic deterioration was observed. Six days later balloon valvuloplasty was performed because of heart failure requiring endotracheal intubation. Despite transesophageal echocardiography guidance the balloon was inadvertently advanced through the paravalvular space. As a consequence, balloon valvuloplasty was complicated by massive aortic regurgitation and severe hemodynamic instability which was resolved after emergency transfemoral implantation of a CoreValve. Without any further complications, the patient was discharged eight days later. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.