bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexuality Education in Brazilian Medical Schools
Authors: Rufino Andrea Cronemberger , Madeiro Alberto , Girão Manoel João Batista Castello
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Sexuality education has been valued since the 1960s in medical schools worldwide. Although recent studies reaffirm the importance of incorporating sexuality into medical education, there are data gaps concerning how this happens in Brazil.

Aim

To understand how Brazilian medical school professors teach sexuality in undergraduate courses.

Methods

An exploratory, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. A total of 207 professors from 110 Brazilian medical schools responded to an online semistructured questionnaire about the characteristics of the sexuality-related topics offered.

Main Outcome Measures

The main variables assessed were contact hours devoted to sexuality, disciplines in which sexuality topics were taught, sexuality-related course titles, and sexuality-related topics addressed. Questionnaires were tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics for frequency distribution.

Results

The response rate to the questionnaire was 77.2%. Almost all professors (96.3%) addressed sexuality-related topics mainly in the third and fourth years as clinical disciplines, with a 6-hour load per discipline. Gynecology was the discipline in which sexuality-related topics were most often taught (51.5%), followed by urology (18%) and psychiatry (15%). Sexuality-related topics were addressed mainly in classes on sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS (62.4%) and on the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system (55.4%). About 25% of the professors reported teaching courses with a sexuality-related title. There was emphasis on the impact of diseases and sexual habits (87.9%) and sexual dysfunction (75.9%). Less than 50% of professors addressed nonnormative sexuality or social aspects of sexuality.

Conclusions

The teaching of sexuality in Brazilian medical schools occurred in a nonstandardized and fragmented fashion across several disciplines. The topic was incorporated with an organic and pathological bias, with a weak emphasis on the social aspects of sexuality and the variety of human sexual behaviors. The results point to the need for change in the provision of sexuality education in Brazilian medical schools.
Platelet Activation in Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Tablin F. , Schumacher T. , Pombo M. , Marion C.T. , Huang K. , Norris J.W. , Jandrey K.E. , Kittleson M.D.
Published: February 2014

Background

Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are at risk for development of systemic thromboembolic disease. However, the relationship between platelet activation state and cardiovascular parameters associated withHCMis not well described.

Objectives

To characterize platelet activation by flow cytometric evaluation of platelet P‐selectin and semiquantitative Western blot analysis of soluble platelet‐endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (sPECAM‐1).

Animals

Eight normal healthy cats (controls) owned by staff and students of the School of Veterinary Medicine and 36 cats from theUCDavis FelineHCMResearch Laboratory were studied.

Methods

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) was used for all flow cytometry studies. Platelet surfaceCD41 and P‐selectin expression were evaluated before and afterADPstimulation.sPECAM‐1 expression was evaluated by Western blot analysis of platelet‐poor plasma that had been stabilized with aprotinin. Standard echocardiographic studies were performed.

Results

Resting platelets from cats with severeHCMhad increased P‐selectin expression compared to controls, and expressed higher surface density of P‐selectin reflected by their increased mean fluorescence intensities (MFI). Stimulation withADPalso resulted in significantly increased P‐selectinMFIof platelets from cats with severeHCM. Increased P‐selectin expression andMFIcorrelated with the presence of a heart murmur and end‐systolic cavity obliteration (ESCO).sPECAM‐1 expression from cats with moderate and severeHCMwas significantly increased above those of control cats.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

P‐selectin andsPECAMexpression may be useful biomarkers indicating increased platelet activation in cats with HCM.
Fuzzy species distribution models: a way to represent plant communities spatially
Authors: Rocchini Duccio
Published: February 2014

Fuzzy set theory has generally been applied to smooth classification cut‐offs, with an unavoidable loss of information. In this commentary, I rely on both advantages and disadvantages of the methods proposed in Duff et al., in this issue of the Journal of Vegetation Science, to map the variability over space of vegetation classes based on fuzzy sets and species distribution models.
Schema modes in criminal and violent behaviour of forensic cluster B PD patients: A retrospective and prospective study
Authors: Keulen‐de Vos Marije E. , Bernstein David P. , Vanstipelen Silke , de Vogel Vivienne , Lucker Tanja P. C. , Slaats Mariët , Hartkoorn Marloes , Arntz Arnoud
Published: February 2014

Purpose

A clear understanding of an offender's criminal behaviour is a prerequisite for determining suitable treatment. In the literature, several specific frameworks or therapeutic approaches that aim to explicate criminal behaviour can be distinguished (e.g., cognitive analytic therapy, offence paralleling behaviour paradigm), but Schema Therapy (ST) is becoming an increasingly popular paradigm. According to forensic ST's theoretical framework, criminal and violent behaviour can be explained by an unfolding sequence of schema modes, or moment‐to‐moment states that represent emotions, cognitions, and behaviour. In this study, we examine the validity of this theory and the relationship between schema modes, psychopathy, and institutional violence.

Methods

Schema modes were assessed retrospectively from descriptions of patients’ crimes in a sample of 95 hospitalized cluster B personality disordered offenders. Psychopathy was rated with the Psychopathy Checklist‐Revised and institutional transgressions were coded from daily hospital reports.

Results

Our findings show that criminal behaviour is often preceded by schema modes that refer to feelings of vulnerability and abandonment, loneliness, and states of intoxication. Criminal behaviour itself is characterized by schema modes that refer to states of impulsivity, anger, and the use of overcompensatory strategies involving threats, intimidation, and aggression. Schema modes involving bullying and manipulation were positively correlated with the interpersonal facet of psychopathy; the vulnerable child mode was negatively correlated with the affective facet of psychopathy. The schema modes in this study moderately predicted later institutional transgressions.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the schema mode concept is of explanatory value in understanding criminal and violent behaviour.
Popular culture in a digital media studies classroom
Authors: Schmier Stephanie
Published: February 2014

This article documents the ways in which one teacher incorporated student interests, including popular culture, into the curriculum of a digital media studies class in an urban public middle school in the United States. Drawing on data from an 18‐month‐long investigation, this research employs a connected learning perspective to address two research questions: (1) how might connecting the online social networking practices in which youth engage with classroom literacy instruction support students' growth as authors in a school with a mandated print‐based curricular focus? (2) What are the possibilities of allowing students to design texts that incorporate popular cultural artefacts and practices as part of the official school curriculum? To do so, I share portraits of three students in the digital media studies class, highlighting their experiences bringing their popular cultural practices to the design of school‐based texts. Findings highlight how inviting popular culture into the classroom not only increased students' abilities to think and write critically about the media they produce and consume both in and outside of school, but also positioned them as community activists who designed and published texts that gave voice to inequities in their community.
Popular culture, participation and progression in the literacy classroom
Authors: Parry Becky
Published: February 2014

In this paper, I share an account of what happens when a teacher values children's experiences of popular culture in a classroom activity. Drawing on a socio‐cultural approach to learning, I suggest that children are not simply enthused when their lived cultures are valued in the classroom but more fundamentally that they are motivated because they can participate in (and are not excluded from) the learning that is constructed. Drawing on data from a recent media literacy research project, I aim to demonstrate the necessity of including popular culture experiences in literacy teaching in order to ensure that children are able to articulate and develop key conceptual understandings. Furthermore, I suggest that interrogatory pedagogic strategies, including practical productions, are key to ensuring that children are able to make explicit, and then organise and develop their conceptual understandings.
Improvement of Overactive Bladder Symptoms and Bladder Ischemia with Dutasteride in Patients with Benign Prostatic Enlargement
Authors: WADA Naoki , MATSUMOTO Seiji , KITA Masafumi , HASHIZUME Kazumi , KAKIZAKI Hidehiro
Published: February 2014

Objectives

To evaluate the correlation of clinical and urodynamic parameters with bladder vascular resistance before and after dutasteride treatment in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic enlargement.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in 30 consecutive patients with benign prostatic enlargement who had not been satisfied with alpha‐adrenergic antagonist monotherapy. Before and 24 weeks after dutasteride add‐on treatment, we assessed International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate volume (PV), urodynamic study and contrast‐enhanced color Doppler ultrasonography to measure bladder vascular resistive index (RI).

Results

Twenty‐four weeks after dutasteride, PV significantly decreased from 68 ± 29 to 48 ± 28 mL (P < 0.001), and there was significant improvement of IPSS (from 18.8 ± 7.7 to 13.4 ± 7.2, P < 0.001). Urgency score of IPSS was also significantly improved from 2.3 ± 1.9 to 1.4 ± 1.4 (P < 0.01) after dutasteride. On pressure‐flow study, bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) (from 58 ± 36 to 38 ± 27, P < 0.001) and detrusor pressure at Qmax (PdetQmax) (from 73 ± 34 to 54 ± 25 cmH2O, P < 0.001) were significantly improved. RI significantly decreased after dutasteride (from 0.548 ± 0.069 to 0.486 ± 0.064, P < 0.001). In 20 patients with persistent urgency after dutasteride, RI was less improved than in another 10 patients without urgency (change of RI 0.045 ± 0.091 vs. 0.096 ± 0.042, P < 0.05). Post‐treatment BOOI and PdetQmax in patients with persistent urgency was significantly higher than in those without urgency after dutasteride (BOOI: 46 ± 28 vs. 24 ± 20, P < 0.05, PdetQmax: 62 ± 26 vs. 40 ± 17 cmH2O, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Reduction of obstruction and improvement of bladder ischemia might play an important role in a beneficial impact of dutasteride on overactive bladder symptoms.
Bladder Hyperactivity Induced by Chronic Variable Stress in Rats
Authors: HAN Dong Youp , JEONG Hee Jong , LEE Moon Young
Published: February 2014

Objectives

To investigate the effect of chronic stress on bladder function. We used awake cystometry and investigated the expressions of contractile‐associated proteins.

Methods

Sixteen adult female Sprague–Dawley rats, weighing approximately 220 g, were randomly assigned and divided into control (CON, n = 8) and chronic variable stress (CVS, n = 7) groups. The rats of the CVS group spent 6 weeks under the CVS protocol. After 6 weeks, continuous filling cystometry was performed on conscious animals. The basal pressure, maximal pressure, micturition duration, threshold pressure, micturition interval and micturition volume were measured in each rat. After measuring cystometric parameters, the rat was sacrificed. Western blotting of the entire urinary bladder was performed for detecting the changes in contractile‐associated protein expression.

Results

Compared to the control group, basal pressure and threshold pressure were significantly higher (P < 0.05) while micturition duration, micturition interval and micturition volume were significantly lower in the CVS group (P < 0.05). In the western blot study, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression was weaker and RhoA/Rho‐kinase alpha were stronger in the CVS group than those in the CON group.

Conclusions

These results suggest that chronic variable stress induces changes in bladder function lead to bladder hyperactivity and possibly related to the changes in RhoA/Rho‐kinase and nNOS.
Molecular analysis reveals high compartmentalization in aphid–primary parasitoid networks and low parasitoid sharing between crop and noncrop habitats
Authors: Derocles Stephane A. P. , Le Ralec Anne , Besson Mathilde M. , Maret Marion , Walton Alan , Evans Darren M. , Plantegenest Manuel
Published: February 2014

The ecosystem service of insect pest regulation by natural enemies, such as primary parasitoids, may be enhanced by the presence of uncultivated, semi‐natural habitats within agro‐ecosystems, although quantifying such host–parasitoid interactions is difficult. Here, we userRNA16S gene sequencing to assess both the level of parasitism by Aphidiinae primary parasitoids and parasitoid identity on a large sample of aphids collected in cultivated and uncultivated agricultural habitats in Western France. We used these data to construct ecological networks to assess the level of compartmentalization between aphid and parasitoid food webs of cultivated and uncultivated habitats. We evaluated the extent to which uncultivated margins provided a resource for parasitoids shared between pest and nonpest aphids. We compared the observed quantitative ecological network described by our molecular approach to an empirical qualitative network based on aphid–parasitoid interactions from traditional rearing data found in the literature. We found that the molecular network was highly compartmentalized and that parasitoid sharing is relatively rare between aphids, especially between crop and noncrop compartments. Moreover, the few cases of putative shared generalist parasitoids were questionable and could be due to the lack of discrimination of cryptic species or from intraspecific host specialization. Our results suggest that apparent competition mediated by Aphidiinae parasitoids is probably rare in agricultural areas and that the contribution of field margins as a source of these biocontrol agents is much more limited than expected. Further large‐scale (spatial and temporal) studies on other crops and noncrop habitats are needed to confirm this.
Robust RNA silencing‐mediated resistance to Plum pox virus under variable abiotic and biotic conditions
Authors: Di Nicola Elisa , Tavazza Mario , Lucioli Alessandra , Salandri Laura , Ilardi Vincenza
Published: February 2014

Some abiotic and biotic conditions are known to have a negative impact on post‐transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS), thus representing a potential concern for the production of stable engineered virus resistance traits. However, depending on the strategy followed to achieve PTGS of the transgene, different responses to external conditions can be expected. In the present study, we utilized the Nicotiana benthamiana–Plum pox virus (PPV) pathosystem to evaluate in detail the stability of intron‐hairpin (ihp)‐mediated virus resistance under conditions known to adversely affect PTGS. The ihp plants grown at low or high temperatures were fully resistant to multiple PPV challenges, different PPV inoculum concentrations and even to a PPV isolate differing from the ihp construct by more than 28% at the nucleotide level. In addition, infections of ihp plants with viruses belonging to Cucumovirus, Potyvirus or Tombusvirus, all known to affect PTGS at different steps, were not able to defeat PPV resistance. Low temperatures did not affect the accumulation of transgenic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), whereas a clear increase in the amount of siRNAs was observed during infections sustained by Cucumber mosaic virus and Potato virus Y. Our results show that the above stress factors do not represent an important concern for the production, through ihp‐PTGS technology, of transgenic plants having robust virus resistance traits.
Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent patient due to Cryptococcus gattii molecular type VGI in Brazil: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Nascimento Erika , Bonifácio da Silva Maria Emília Nadaletto , Martinez Roberto , von Zeska Kress Marcia Regina
Published: February 2014

Primary Cutaneous Cryptococcosis is an uncommon infection caused by the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii. Few case reports are available in the literature describing in detail primary cutaneous cryptococcosis due to C. gattii in immunocompetent patients. Herein, we present a case of a 68‐year‐old immunocompetent male patient with erythematous nodular lesions on the right forearm due to C. gattii mating‐type α and molecular type VGI. The virulence factors test was performed for capsule diameter, melanin production and phospholipase activity. In vitro fluconazole testing showed the sensitivity profile of this clinical isolate. In addition, a review of the literature on this subject was carried out and verified that this is the first reported case of VGI in the south‐east region of Brazil.
The protein expression profile of meningioma cells is associated with distinct cytogenetic tumour subgroups
Authors: Domingues Patrícia Henriques , Teodósio Cristina , Otero Álvaro , Sousa Pablo , Gonçalves Jesus Maria , Nieto Ana Belen , Lopes Maria Celeste , de Oliveira Catarina , Orfao Alberto , Tabernero Maria Dolores
Published: February 2014

Aims

Limited information exists about the impact of cytogenetic alterations on the protein expression profiles of individual meningioma cells and their association with the clinicohistopathological characteristics of the disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential association between the immunophenotypic profile of single meningioma cells and the most relevant features of the tumour.

Methods

Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) was used to evaluate the immunophenotypic profile of tumour cells (n = 51 patients) and the Affymetrix U133A chip was applied for the analysis of the gene expression profile (n = 40) of meningioma samples, cytogenetically characterized by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Results

Overall, a close association between the pattern of protein expression and the cytogenetic profile of tumour cells was found. Thus, diploid tumours displayed higher levels of expression of the CD55 complement regulatory protein, tumours carrying isolated monosomy 22/del(22q) showed greater levels of bcl2 and PDGFRβ and meningiomas carrying complex karyotypes displayed a greater proliferation index and decreased expression of the CD13 ectoenzyme, the CD9 and CD81 tetraspanins, and the Her2/neu growth factor receptor. From the clinical point of view, higher expression of CD53 and CD44 was associated with a poorer outcome.

Conclusions

Here we show that the protein expression profile of individual meningioma cells is closely associated with tumour cytogenetics, which may reflect the involvement of different signalling pathways in the distinct cytogenetic subgroups of meningiomas, with specific immunophenotypic profiles also translating into a different tumour clinical behaviour.
Demonstrating for a Kosovo Republic in Switzerland: emotions, national identity and performance
Authors: Farquet Romaine
Published: February 2014

National ceremonies are often designated as a means of crafting or strengthening the ‘national identity’ of the participants, thanks to their potentially emotional effects. This article seeks to examine in greater detail the relationship between emotions, ‘national identity’ and performance. First, it presents evidence from the literature to demonstrate the crucial role played by emotions in the process of national identification, then highlights the conditions responsible for generating these. Second, it explores these issues by adopting an oral history approach in relation to the demonstrations organised by Albanian‐speaking migrants from Yugoslavia in Switzerland in the 1980s. This approach makes it possible to explore issues from the participants' own perspective. The marchers' narratives not only provide a taste of the demonstrations' excitement but also provide clues about the conditions that lead to the emotions they experienced. They are particularly insistent about locating the demonstrations within a much broader life picture.
Paroxysmal dysarthria and ataxia in chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids
Authors: Ueno Hiroki , Tomimura Hikaru , Yoshimoto Takeshi , Ochi Kazuhide , Nomura Eiichi , Maruyama Hirofumi , Matsumoto Masayasu
Published: February 2014

We describe the clinical and imaging features of a unique case of chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids. A 58‐year‐old man presented with development of mild ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed punctate enhancement in the pons, brachium pontis, midbrain and cerebral white matter. Midbrain lesions involved the bilateral red nuclei with ring‐like enhancement. Treatment with steroids resulted in improvements in mild ataxia and brain lesions. However, several days after steroid therapy, the patient presented with paroxysmal dysarthria, and limb ataxia recurred a couple of dozen times each day. Single photon emission computed tomography showed hypoperfusion in the bilateral parietal lobes. After treatment with carbamazepine, symptoms and parietal hypoperfusion improved. Late‐onset paroxysmal dysarthria‐ataxia and parietal hypoperfusion might have been caused by interruption of the cerebellothalamocortical tract at the level of the ring‐like enhancing red nuclei lesions in chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids.
Bitemporal hemianopia; its unique binocular complexities and a novel remedy
Authors: Peli Eli , Satgunam PremNandhini
Published: February 2014

Bitemporal hemianopic visual field impairment frequently leads to binocular vision difficulties. Patients with bitemporal hemianopia with pre‐existing exophoria complain of horizontal diplopia, sometimes combined with vertical deviation (with pre‐existing hyperphoria). The symptoms are a result of the phoria decompensating into a tropia (hemi‐slide) due to the lack of retinal correspondence between the remaining nasal fields of both eyes. We measured these effects using a dichoptic perimeter. We showed that aligning the eyes with prisms could prevent diplopia if the bitemporal hemianopia is incomplete. We also describe the successful use of a novel fusion aid – the ‘stereo‐typoscope’ – that utilizes midline stereopsis to prevent diplopia resulting from hemi‐sliding in patients with complete bitemporal hemianopia.
Responses to interocular disparity correlation in the human cerebral cortex
Authors: Ip Ifan Betina , Minini Loredana , Dow James , Parker Andrew J. , Bridge Holly
Published: February 2014

Purpose

Perceiving binocular depth relies on the ability of our visual system to precisely match corresponding features in the left and right eyes. Yet how the human brain extracts interocular disparity correlation is poorly understood.

Methods

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to characterize brain regions involved in processing interocular disparity correlation. By varying the amount of interocular correlation of a disparity‐defined random‐dot‐stereogram, we concomitantly controlled the perception of binocular depth and measured the percent Blood‐Oxygenation‐Level‐Dependent (%BOLD)‐signal in multiple regions‐of‐interest in the human occipital cortex and along the intra‐parietal sulcus.

Results

A linear support vector machine classification analysis applied to cortical responses showed patterns of activation that represented different disparity correlation levels within regions‐of‐interest in the visual cortex. These also revealed a positive trend between the difference in disparity correlation and classification accuracy in V1, V3 and lateral occipital cortex. Classifier performance was significantly related to behavioural performance in dorsal visual area V3. Cortical responses to random‐dot‐stereogram stimuli were greater in the right compared to the left hemisphere.

Conclusions

Our results show that multiple regions in the cerebral cortex are sensitive to changes in interocular disparity correlation, and that dorsal area V3 may play an important role in the early transformation of binocular disparity to depth perception.
The case from animal studies for balanced binocular treatment strategies for human amblyopia
Authors: Mitchell Donald E. , Duffy Kevin R.
Published: February 2014

Although amblyopia typically manifests itself as a monocular condition, its origin has long been linked to unbalanced neural signals from the two eyes during early postnatal development, a view confirmed by studies conducted on animal models in the last 50 years. Despite recognition of its binocular origin, treatment of amblyopia continues to be dominated by a period of patching of the non‐amblyopic eye that necessarily hinders binocular co‐operation. This review summarizes evidence from three lines of investigation conducted on an animal model of deprivation amblyopia to support the thesis that treatment of amblyopia should instead focus upon procedures that promote and enhance binocular co‐operation. First, experiments with mixed daily visual experience in which episodes of abnormal visual input were pitted against normal binocular exposure revealed that short exposures of the latter offset much longer periods of abnormal input to allow normal development of visual acuity in both eyes. Second, experiments on the use of part‐time patching revealed that purposeful introduction of episodes of binocular vision each day could be very beneficial. Periods of binocular exposure that represented 30–50% of the daily visual exposure included with daily occlusion of the non‐amblyopic could allow recovery of normal vision in the amblyopic eye. Third, very recent experiments demonstrate that a short 10 day period of total darkness can promote very fast and complete recovery of visual acuity in the amblyopic eye of kittens and may represent an example of a class of artificial environments that have similar beneficial effects. Finally, an approach is described to allow timing of events in kitten and human visual system development to be scaled to optimize the ages for therapeutic interventions.
Binocular vision in amblyopia: structure, suppression and plasticity
Authors: Hess Robert F , Thompson Benjamin , Baker Daniel H
Published: February 2014

The amblyopic visual system was once considered to be structurally monocular. However, it now evident that the capacity for binocular vision is present in many observers with amblyopia. This has led to new techniques for quantifying suppression that have provided insights into the relationship between suppression and the monocular and binocular visual deficits experienced by amblyopes. Furthermore, new treatments are emerging that directly target suppressive interactions within the visual cortex and, on the basis of initial data, appear to improve both binocular and monocular visual function, even in adults with amblyopia. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of recent studies that have investigated the structure, measurement and treatment of binocular vision in observers with strabismic, anisometropic and mixed amblyopia.
The Benefits of Using a Bismuth‐Containing, Radiation‐Absorbing Drape in Cardiac Resynchronization Implant Procedures
Authors: JONES MICHAEL A. , COCKER MARY , KHIANI RAJ , FOLEY PAUL , QURESHI NORMAN , WONG KELVIN C.K. , RAJAPPAN KIM , BETTS TIMOTHY R.
Published: February 2014

Background

Radiation exposure is a major concern in cardiac device implantation, especially cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) procedures. The RadPad™ (Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc., Kansas City, MO, USA), a radiation‐attenuating adhesive drape, has been shown to be beneficial in several clinical settings involving fluoroscopy, but less is known about the actual benefits in CRT procedures.

Methods

Consecutive CRT implants performed with and without a RadPad™ drape over a 10‐month period were analyzed. Two thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were attached to each implanting physician at several locations (adjacent to eyes, center abdomen [outside lead apron], left and right index fingers, and dorsum of the right foot). Results were corrected for background using control TLDs, and normalized to dose‐area product (DAP).

Results

Thirty‐six patients (31 male), 16 with and 20 without the RadPad™, were included in the study. No technical problems were caused by the presence of the radiation‐absorbing drape. Time required to position the drape never exceeded 30 seconds, no acute skin reactions were noted, and no radiation‐absorbing drape became displaced. Despite a trend toward longer fluoroscopy times and higher DAPs in the radiation‐absorbing drape group, radiation exposure was significantly reduced: 65% in the case of the hands and body (P < 0.001), and 40% the eyes (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The use of a radiation‐absorbing drape results in a significant reduction in radiation dose to the implanting physician during CRT procedures. Not only is the dose to the hands reduced, but also the eye and body doses are significantly reduced. The routine use of radiation‐absorbing drapes should be considered for all CRT implant procedures in the light of these findings.
Static and dynamic bending has minor effects on xylem hydraulics of conifer branches (Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris)
Authors: MAYR STEFAN , BERTEL CLARA , DÄMON BIRGIT , BEIKIRCHER BARBARA
Published: February 2014

The xylem hydraulic efficiency and safety is usually measured on mechanically unstressed samples, although trees may be exposed to combined hydraulic and mechanical stress in the field. We analysed changes in hydraulic conductivity and vulnerability to drought‐induced embolism during static bending of Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris branches as well as the effect of dynamic bending on the vulnerability. We hypothesized this mechanical stress to substantially impair xylem hydraulics. Intense static bending caused an only small decrease in hydraulic conductance (−19.5 ± 2.4% in P. abies) but no shift in vulnerability thresholds. Dynamic bending caused a 0.4 and 0.8 MPa decrease of the water potential at 50 and 88% loss of conductivity in P. sylvestris, but did not affect vulnerability thresholds in P. abies. With respect to applied extreme bending radii, effects on plant hydraulics were surprisingly small and are thus probably of minor eco‐physiological importance. More importantly, results indicate that available xylem hydraulic analyses (of conifers) sufficiently reflect plant hydraulics under field conditions.
Wittgenstein on Showing What Cannot Be Said
Authors: Lugg Andrew
Published: February 2014

The distinction between saying and showing in Tractatus Logico‐Philosophicus is not self‐refuting, unbelievable or nonsensical. It makes good sense given Wittgenstein's equation of saying with communicable information and showing with necessarily true thought. The key to understanding his thinking is his claim in the Preface that unassailable and definitive truths are expressed in the book, and the subsidiary assumption that asserting empty truths is nonsensical. His conception of pictures, propositions, logic, mathematics, mathematical physics, mysticism, the inexpressible and solipsism as showing is of a piece with his conception of necessary/a priori truths as tautologies broadly understood.
Immunoregulatory networks in human Chagas disease
Authors: Dutra W. O. , Menezes C. A. S. , Magalhães L. M. D. , Gollob K. J.
Published: February 2014

Chagas disease, caused by the infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in all Latin America. Due to the increase in population migration, Chagas disease has spread worldwide and is now considered a health issue not only in endemic countries. While most chronically infected individuals remain asymptomatic, approximately 30% of the patients develop a potentially deadly cardiomyopathy. The exact mechanisms that underlie the establishment and maintenance of the cardiac pathology are not clear. However, there is consistent evidence that immunoregulatory cytokines are critical for orchestrating the immune response and thus influence disease development or control. While the asymptomatic (indeterminate) form represents a state of balance between the host and the parasite, the establishment of the cardiac form represents the loss of this balance. Analysis of data obtained from several studies has led to the hypothesis that the indeterminate form is associated with an anti‐inflammatory cytokine profile, represented by high expression of IL‐10, while cardiac form is associated with a high production of IFN‐gamma and TNF‐alpha in relation to IL‐10, leading to an inflammatory profile. Here, we discuss the immunoregulatory events that might influence disease outcome, as well as the mechanisms that influence the establishment of these complex immunoregulatory networks.
Age‐related decline in thermal adaptation capacities: An evoked potentials study
Authors: Kemp Jennifer , Després Olivier , Pebayle Thierry , Dufour André
Published: February 2014

Aging is associated with changes in thermosensitivity and decreases in the functionality of the autonomic thermoregulation. The underlying mechanisms are, however, not fully understood. Elderly subjects may undergo functional changes in the integration process of the thermal sensory system, especially in their thermal adaptation capacities. To verify this hypothesis, we compared thermal evoked responses in younger and older subjects exposed to thermoneutral (27°C) and warm (30°C) environments. In the warm environment, the amplitudes of thermal evoked potentials (EPs) were significantly lower in older than in younger subjects, whereas in the thermoneutral environment, the EP amplitudes were similar in both groups. These findings suggest that thermal adaptation capacities are reduced in elderly individuals, due to a dysfunction of C‐fibers with aging, particularly expressed by lowered adaptation capacities to temperature variations.
Factors influencing knowledge transfer between NPD teams: a taxonomic analysis based on a sociotechnical approach
Authors: Frank Alejandro Germán , Ribeiro José Luis Duarte , Echeveste Márcia Elisa
Published: February 2014

This paper sets out a taxonomy of the main factors influencing knowledge transfer (KT) between new product development (NPD) teams, based upon a sociotechnical approach whose framework consists of personnel, technological, work design, and external environment subsystems. The taxonomy was constructed from a literature survey combined with: (1) interviews and focus groups conducted with NPD experts and (2) a principal component analysis applied to a survey of 82 companies. Such steps were necessary because of the large amount of data collected from the literature review. They combine extensive explanatory descriptions from qualitative analysis together with strong confirmatory results given by multivariate quantitative analysis. The final set of 16 main factors summarized more than 100 elements of the NPD environment that influence KT between NPD teams. The key contributions of the proposed taxonomy are: (1) It is the first proposal of an organized understanding about KT influence factors based on a systemic and sociotechnical perspective; (2) New variables emerge from such analysis; and (3) It helps to understand better the elements needed for KT management in the NPD process.
Root caries among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients visiting a hospital
Authors: Soni Sugandhi , Mehta Mohit , M Aruna Devi , P Radha , Pallavi  , Kadanakuppe Sushi , Nagashree  , B Vijayalakshmi
Published: February 2014

The relationship between diabetes and root caries has not received much attention in the literature; therefore the objectives of the present study were to assess the root surface caries among type 2 diabetic patients and the factors affecting root surface caries. A hospital based cross‐sectional study was done among type 2 diabetics visiting a medical hospital in Bangalore. Those who had been diagnosed from at least past 5 years and were above 35 years of age were included. Among the 400 study subjects, root caries were present among 42% of the subjects. There was a statistically significant association for the presence of root caries and age (p = 0.00023), presence of periodontal pockets (p = 0.0004) and presence of loss of attachment of more than 3 mm (p < 0.0001). These findings indicate that there is a need for implementation of caries preventive measures with increasing age, and among those with compromised periodontal status among those suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Thrombocytopenia in ESRD Patients: Epidemiology, Mechanisms and Interventional Nephrology Perspective
Authors: Shah Ravish , Haddad Nabil , Vachharajani Tushar J. , Asif Arif , Agarwal Anil
Published: February 2014

A well‐functioning vascular access is essential for provision of life‐sustaining dialysis treatment in patients with end‐stage renal disease. Arteriovenous accesses are preferred form of vascular access. Although significant advances have been made in the field of dialysis access, arteriovenous access dysfunction remains the single most important cause of morbidity in ESRD patients. While thrombosis and stenosis of AV access are more frequently seen, hemorrhage from AV access can be life threatening with or without risk of permanent access loss. Aside from anticoagulation for comorbidities, qualitative and/or quantitative platelet abnormalities are often the predisposing factors. We describe an ESRD patient who developed new onset but severe thrombocytopenia due to metastatic small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of lung. Given her persistent thrombocytopenia and presence of prolonged bleeding from the cannulation sites, a right internal jugular tunneled dialysis catheter was placed for continuation of maintenance dialysis. This review discusses the definition of thrombocytopenia, mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in patients with ESRD and with a special focus on implications of thrombocytopenia on dialysis access interventions. The review underscores the need for consensus with regard to cannulating AV access as well as guidelines specific to dialysis access‐related endovascular intervention in the setting of thrombocytopenia and other coagulation abnormalities.
Correlates of Suicidal Ideation in Physically Injured Trauma Survivors
Authors: O'Connor Stephen S. , Dinsio Kyl , Wang Jin , Russo Joan , Rivara Frederick P. , Love Jeff , McFadden Collin , Lapping‐Carr Leiszle , Peterson Roselyn , Zatzick Douglas F.
Published: February 2014

Epidemiologic studies have documented that injury survivors are at increased risk for suicide. We evaluated 206 trauma survivors to examine demographic, clinical, and injury characteristics associated with suicidal ideation during hospitalization and across 1 year. Results indicate that mental health functioning, depression symptoms, and history of mental health services were associated with suicidal ideation in the hospital; being a parent was a protective factor. Pre‐injury posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, assaultive injury mechanism, injury‐related legal proceedings, and physical pain were significantly associated with suicidal ideation across 1 year. Readily identifiable risk factors early after traumatic injury may inform hospital‐based screening and intervention procedures.
Reliable determination of training‐induced alterations in muscle fiber composition in human skeletal muscle using quantitative polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Ellefsen S. , Vikmoen O. , Zacharoff E. , Rauk I. , Slettaløkken G. , Hammarström D. , Strand T. A. , Whist J. E. , Hanestadhaugen M. , Vegge G. , Fagernes C. E. , Nygaard H. , Hollan I. , Rønnestad B. R.
Published: February 2014

Determination of muscle fiber composition in human skeletal muscle biopsies is often performed using immunohistochemistry, a method that tends to be both time consuming, technically challenging, and complicated by limited availability of tissue. Here, we introduce quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR)‐based Gene‐family profiling (GeneFam) of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) mRNA expression as a high‐throughput, sensitive, and reliable alternative. We show that GeneFam and immunohistochemistry result in similar disclosures of alterations in muscle fiber composition in biopsies from musculus vastus lateralis and musculus biceps brachii of previously untrained young women after 12 weeks of progressive strength training. The adaptations were evident as (a) consistent increases in MyHC2A abundance; (b) consistent decreases in MyHC2X abundance; and (c) consistently stable MyHC1 abundance, and were not found using traditional reference gene‐based qRT‐PCR analyses. Furthermore, muscle fiber composition found using each of the two approaches was correlated with each other (r = 0.50, 0.74, and 0.78 for MyHC1, A, and X, respectively), suggesting that GeneFam may be suitable for ranking of individual muscle phenotype, particularly for MyHC2 fibers. In summary, GeneFam of MyHC mRNA resulted in reliable assessment of alterations in muscle fiber composition in skeletal muscle of previously untrained women after 12 weeks of strength training.
HLA‐G 14 bp deletion/insertion polymorphism and mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV
Authors: Segat L. , Zupin L. , Kim H.‐Y. , Catamo E. , Thea D. M. , Kankasa C. , Aldrovandi G. M. , Kuhn L. , Crovella S.
Published: February 2014

The human leukocyte antigen HLA‐G, highly expressed at the maternal–fetal interface, has a pivotal role in mediating immune tolerance. In this study we investigated the influence of HLA‐G 14 bp insertion polymorphism in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 mother‐to‐child HIV‐1 transmission. The 14 bp insertion polymorphism was analyzed among 99 HIV‐1 positive mothers and 329 infants born to HIV‐positive mothers in Zambia, among whom vertical transmission status and timing had been determined. HLA‐G 14 bp insertion polymorphism was detected using a custom TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyping assay. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the associations between HLA‐G alleles and the risk of HIV transmission. The 14 bp insertion allele was more frequent in HIV exposed‐uninfected (EU) infants than in infected infants, and was associated with reduced risk of both in utero (IU) and intrapartum (IP) HIV transmission, after adjusting for maternal cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cell count and plasma viral load. Maternal HLA‐G 14 bp insertion genotype and HLA‐G concordance between mother and child were not associated with the risk of perinatal HIV transmission. The presence of the 14 bp insertion associates with protection toward IU and IP HIV infection in children from Zambia, suggesting that HLA‐G could be involved in the vertical transmission of HIV.
Identification of a novel HLA‐DPB1 allele, HLA‐DPB1*167:01, in a Chinese individual
Authors: He Y.‐M. , He J. , Zhu F.‐M. , Lv H.‐J.
Published: February 2014

HLA‐DPB1*167:01 allele differs from HLA‐DPB1*10:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at codon 65 (ATC>CTC.
Occult hepatitis B virus infection among blood donors from the Brazilian Amazon: implications for transfusion policy
Authors: Moresco M. N. dos S. , Virgolino H. de A. , de Morais M. P. E. , da Motta‐Passos I. , Gomes‐Gouvêa M. S. , de Assis L. M. S. , Aguiar K. R. de L. , Lombardi S. C. F. , Malheiro A. , Cavalheiro N. de P. , Levi J. E. , Torres K. L.
Published: February 2014

Background

Brazil requires the performance of both a test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and a test for antibodies to the core of hepatitis B for blood donor screening. Blood centres in regions of high HBV endemicity struggle to maintain adequate stocks in face of the high discard rates due to anti‐HBc reactivity. We evaluated the potential infectivity of donations positive for anti‐HBc in search of a rational approach for the handling of these collections.

Study Design and Methods

We tested anti‐HBc reactive blood donations from the state of Amazonas for the presence of HBV DNA and for titres of anti‐HBs. The study population consists of village‐based donors from the interior of Amazonas state.

Results

Among 3600 donations, 799 were anti‐HBc reactive (22·2%). We were able to perform real‐time PCR for the HBV S gene on specimens from 291 of these donors. Eight of these samples were negative for HBsAg and positive for HBV DNA and were defined as occult B virus infections (2·7%). Six of those eight specimens had anti‐HBs titres above 100 mIU/ml, indicating the concomitant presence of the virus with high antibody titres.

Conclusion

A small proportion of anti‐HBc reactive donors carry HBV DNA and anti‐HBs testing is not useful for predicting viremia on them. This finding indicates the possibility of HBV transmission from asymptomatic donors, especially in areas of high HBV prevalence. Sensitive HBV DNA nucleic acid testing may provide another level of safety, allowing eventual use of anti‐HBc reactive units in critical situations.
ZYGON 'S DUAL MISSION
Authors: Barbour Ian G.
Published: February 2014

The first mission ofZygonhas been the exploration of the relation betweenReligionandScience. The second, I suggest, has been consideration of the relation betweenEthicsandTechnology. Some articles have given attention to the relation ofReligiontoEthics, or that ofSciencetoTechnology. The interaction ofEthicsandScience, and that ofReligionandTechnology, are also significant. I give examples of articles or symposia in each of these categories and close with great hope forZygon's future.
THE IMAGO DEI: EVOLUTIONARY AND THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
Authors: De Cruz Helen , De Maeseneer Yves
Published: February 2014

This short article provides an introduction to a special section, consisting of six papers on human evolution and the imago Dei. These papers are the result of dialogue between theologians and philosophers of religion at the University of Oxford and the Catholic University of Leuven. All contributors focus on the imago Dei, and consider how this theological notion can be understood from an evolutionary perspective, looking at a variety of disciplines, including the psychology of reasoning, cognitive science of religion, paleoanthropology, evolutionary psychology, and evolutionary ethics.
EXAMINING THE BODHISATTVA'S BRAIN
Authors: Finnigan Bronwyn
Published: February 2014

Owen Flanagan'sThe Bodhisattva's Brainaims to introduce secular‐minded thinkers to Buddhist thought and motivate its acceptance by analytic philosophers. I argue that Flanagan provides a compelling caution against the hasty generalizations of recent “science of happiness” literature, which correlates happiness with Buddhism on the basis of certain neurological studies. I contend, however, that his positive account of Buddhist ethics is less persuasive. I question the level of engagement with Buddhist philosophical literature and challenge Flanagan's central claim, that a Buddhist version of eudaimonia is a common core conception shared by all Buddhists. I argue that this view is not only a rational reconstruction in need of argumentation but is in tension with competing Buddhist metaphysical theories of self, including the one Flanagan himself endorses.