bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Techniques for Counseling Incarcerated Female Adolescents: A Case Illustration
Authors: Banks Breanna P. , Gibbons Melinda M.
Published: April 2016

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) may successfully address the needs of female juvenile offenders, but systemic barriers prohibit adherence to the full DBT protocol. The authors built a rationale for using select DBT techniques with female adolescent offenders and provided a case illustration.
Helping Gay and Lesbian Students Integrate Sexual and Religious Identities
Authors: Bayne Hannah Barnhill
Published: April 2016

This article explores the impact of sexual and religious identity on college student development, examining developmental models and discussing how counselors can assist gay and lesbian students with integrating these 2 personal identities. Treatment approaches are presented, and the article concludes with an examination of ethical and professional considerations.
Developmental programming: State‐of‐the‐science and future directions–Summary from a Pennington Biomedical symposium
Authors: Sutton Elizabeth F. , Gilmore L. Anne , Dunger David B. , Heijmans Bas T. , Hivert Marie‐France , Ling Charlotte , Martinez J. Alfredo , Ozanne Susan E. , Simmons Rebecca A. , Szyf Moshe , Waterland Robert A. , Redman Leanne M. , Ravussin Eric
Published: April 2016

Objective

On December 8–9, 2014, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center convened a scientific symposium to review the state‐of‐the‐science and future directions for the study of developmental programming of obesity and chronic disease. The objectives of the symposium were to discuss: (i) past and current scientific advances in animal models, population‐based cohort studies, and human clinical trials, (ii) the state‐of‐the‐science of epigenetic‐based research, and (iii) considerations for future studies.

Results

This symposium provided a comprehensive assessment of the state of the scientific field and identified research gaps and opportunities for future research in order to understand the mechanisms contributing to the developmental programming of health and disease.

Conclusions

Identifying the mechanisms which cause or contribute to developmental programming of future generations will be invaluable to the scientific and medical community. The ability to intervene during critical periods of prenatal and early postnatal life to promote lifelong health is the ultimate goal. Considerations for future research including the use of animal models, the study design in human cohorts with considerations about the timing of the intrauterine exposure, and the resulting tissue‐specific epigenetic signature were extensively discussed and are presented in this meeting summary.
Extract of metabolic products of Bacillus subtilis AK augments natural killer cell cytotoxic activity
Authors: Takeda Kazuyoshi , Sasaki Katsumi , Okumura Ko
Published: April 2016

Aim

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in immune surveillance against viral diseases and cancer. Probiotics, live bacteria beneficial to human health, and some bacterial metabolic products are reported to augment NK cell activity and possibly result in the prevention of tumor development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an extract of metabolic products of
Bacillus subtilis AK
(EMBSAK), a selected clone of
Bacillus subtilis natto, on NK cell activity in human volunteers and mice.

Methods

In the human study, healthy volunteers ingested an EMBSAK‐containing commercially available product, SARABAGAN, for 7 days. In the mice study, BALB/c wild‐type (WT), interferon (IFN)‐γ‐deficient (
IFN‐γ−/−) and RAG 2‐deficient (
RAG
−/−
) mice were given oral SARABAGAN 80 mg/kg/day for 7 days. Cytotoxic activity and NK cell number were then examined on
51Cr release assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

Results

Oral EMBSAK frequently increased NK cell cytotoxicity, but not NK cell population, in human volunteers in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, oral EMBSAK augmented NK cell cytotoxicity, but not NK cell number and population, in WT and RAG 2‐deficient, but not IFN‐γ‐deficient, mice. This suggests that supplemental intake of EMBSAK enhances NK cell cytotoxic activity, but not cell number, depending on IFN‐γ but not on acquired immune cells.

Conclusion

EMBSAK may be useful to prevent infectious and malignant disease via activation of NK cell cytotoxicity.
Psychological, Relational, and Biological Correlates of Ego-Dystonic Masturbation in a Clinical Setting
Authors: Castellini Giovanni , Fanni Egidia , Corona Giovanni , Maseroli Elisa , Ricca Valdo , Maggi Mario
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Attitudes toward masturbation are extremely varied, and this practice is often perceived with a sense of guilt.

Aim

To evaluate the prevalence of ego-dystonic masturbation (EM), defined as masturbation activity followed by a sense of guilt, in a clinical setting of sexual medicine and the impact of EM on psychological and relational well-being.

Methods

A series of 4,211 men attending an andrology and sexual medicine outpatient clinic was studied retrospectively. The presence and severity of EM were defined according to ANDROTEST items related to masturbation, determined by the mathematical product of the frequency of masturbation and the sense of guilt after masturbation.

Main Outcome Measures

Clinical, biochemical, and psychological parameters were studied using the Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction, ANDROTEST, and modified Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire.

Results

Three hundred fifty-two subjects (8.4%) reported any sense of guilt after masturbation. Subjects with EM were younger than the remaining sample (mean age ± SD = 51.27 ± 13.43 vs 48.31 ± 12.04 years, P < .0001) and had more psychiatric comorbidities. EM severity was positively associated with higher free-floating (Wald = 35.94, P < .001) and depressive (Wald = 16.85, P < .001) symptoms, and subjects with a higher EM score reported less phobic anxiety (Wald = 4.02, P < .05) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (Wald = 7.6, P < .01). A higher EM score was associated with a higher alcohol intake. Subjects with EM more often reported the partner's lower frequency of climax and more problems achieving an erection during sexual intercourse. EM severity was positively associated with worse relational and intrapsychic domain scores.

Conclusion

Clinicians should consider that some subjects seeking treatment in a sexual medicine setting might report compulsive sexual behaviors. EM represents a clinically relevant cause of disability, given the high level of psychological distress reported by subjects with this condition, and the severe impact on quality of life in interpersonal relationships.
Long Non-Coding RNA Databases in Cardiovascular Research
Authors: Rühle Frank , Stoll Monika
Published: April 2016

With the rising interest in the regulatory functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in complex human diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, there is an increasing need in public databases offering comprehensive and integrative data for all aspects of these versatile molecules. Recently, a variety of public data repositories that specialized in lncRNAs have been developed, which make use of huge high-throughput data particularly from next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches. Here, we provide an overview of current lncRNA databases covering basic and functional annotation, lncRNA expression and regulation, interactions with other biomolecules, and genomic variants influencing the structure and function of lncRNAs. The prominent lncRNA antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL), which has been unequivocally associated with coronary artery disease through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), serves as an example to demonstrate the features of each individual database.
Towards a new standardized method for circulating miRNAs profiling in clinical studies: Interest of the exogenous normalization to improve miRNA signature accuracy
Authors: Vigneron Nicolas , Meryet-Figuière Matthieu , Guttin Audrey , Issartel Jean-Paul , Lambert Bernard , Briand Mélanie , Louis Marie-Hélène , Vernon Mégane , Lebailly Pierre , Lecluse Yannick , Joly Florence , Krieger Sophie , Lheureux Stéphanie , Clarisse Bénédicte , Leconte Alexandra , Gauduchon Pascal , Poulain Laurent , Denoyelle Christophe
Published: April 2016

Circulating miRNAs are promising biomarkers in oncology but have not yet been implemented in the clinic given the lack of concordance across studies. In order to increase the cross‐studies reliability, we attempted to reduce and to control the circulating miRNA expression variability between patients. First, to maximize profiling signals and to reduce miRNA expression variability, three isolation kits were compared and the NucleoSpin® kit provided higher miRNA concentrations than the other widely used kits. Second, to control inter‐sample variability during the profiling step, the exogenous miRNAs normalization method commonly used for RT‐qPCR validation step was adapted to microarray experiments. Importantly, exogenous miRNAs presented two‐fold lower inter‐sample variability than the widely used endogenous miR‐16‐5p reflecting that the latter is subject to both biological and technical variability. Although Caenorhabditis elegans miRNAs isolation yields were heterogeneous, they correlated to each other and to their geometrical mean across samples. The normalization based on the geometrical mean of three exogenous miRNAs increased the correlation up‐to 0.97 between the microarrays and individual RT‐qPCR steps of circulating miRNAs expression. Overall, this new strategy open new avenue to identify reliable circulating miRNA signatures for translation into clinical practice.
Técnica de reinserción foveal artroscópica sin nudos del fibrocartílago triangular con visión directa de la articulación radiocubital distal
Authors: Baixauli V. , García F.J. , Jofré C.A. , Baixauli R. , Alepuz E.
Published: April 2016

El fibrocartílago triangular es una estructura de alta relevancia en la estabilidad de la articulación radiocubital distal. Su componente profundo es el más importante en esta función. Por ello, cuando clínicamente se precisa recuperar esta estabilidad, se debe apuntar a una técnica quirúrgica que permita reestablecer lo más anatómicamente este componente. Presentamos una técnica artroscópica, sin nudos, que mediante 2 portales accesorios a los radiocarpianos, el portal distal dorsal de la articulación radiocubital distal y el portal distal volar radioulnar, permite reinsertar el fibrocartílago triangular en su punto de origen, de forma anatómica mediante visión directa durante todo el procedimiento. Posibilita además cruentar la huella de inserción aportando factores biológicos autólogos, mejorando la interfase hueso-fibrocartílago y analizar el estado local del cartílago articular, lo que condicionará la posterior indicación quirúrgica.
Cómo escribir un artículo original en Cirugía de la Mano
Authors: Rosales R.S. , Gutiérrez R. , Hidalgo Y. , Morales L. , Atroshi I.
Published: April 2016

Considerar la calidad de la «escritura científica» a la hora de difundir nuevas ideas, resultados de tratamientos o nuevos descubrimientos, es un paso fundamental en la publicación científica. Pocos cirujanos de mano han recibido formación específica en este campo durante su residencia o entrenamiento. El propósito del presente artículo es presentar los principios fundamentales de la escritura científica a la hora de desarrollar un artículo original en investigación, fundamentalmente en la clínica, en el campo de la Cirugía de la Mano.
Uso de los MeSH: una guía práctica
Authors: Fernández-Altuna María De los Ángeles , Martínez del Prado Alejandra , Arriarán Rodríguez Elizabeth , Gutiérrez Rayón Diego , Toriz Castillo Héctor Armando , Lifshitz Guinzberg Alberto
Published: April 2016

Introducción: Ante la gama de fuentes de información electrónicas es difícil encontrar la información pertinente. Si bien PubMed es uno de los recursos más eficientes y utilizados por la comunidad de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, aún resulta complicado acotar los resultados. Este trabajo propone el uso de los MeSH como herramienta alterna de búsqueda.
Objetivo: Identificar estrategias de búsqueda a través del uso de los MeSH; aplicar esas estrategias mediante un ejemplo para recuperación eficiente y más específica de información, usando como vía de acceso la Biblioteca Médica Digital.
Método: Se realizó un resumen del uso de los MeSH; se revisaron algunas propuestas de estrategias de búsquedas a partir de una pregunta de investigación e hicieron búsquedas y recuperación efectiva de información utilizando los MeSH disponibles, a través de la Biblioteca Médica Digital. Se analizaron los resultados determinando cuáles estrategias fueron más efectivas y útiles. También se realizó una búsqueda general en PubMed con la misma estrategia con base en la pregunta PICO cuyos resultados se compararon con los obtenidos con las búsquedas con MeSH. Se propone una guía práctica de búsqueda utilizando los MeSH. Resultados: Mediante el planteamiento de tres estrategias de búsqueda de información utilizando los MeSH, se obtuvo una cantidad reducida de material, que fue útil por ser más específica. A través de la Biblioteca Médica Digital se obtuvo entre el 75 y el 87% del material en texto completo. La búsqueda con MeSH resultó más eficiente que la búsqueda general con PubMed.
Conclusiones: Conocer y utilizar las tres estrategias de búsqueda con MeSH permitió una recuperación efectiva de información. Se consideró relevante aportar una serie de recomendaciones sobre el uso de los MeSH para hacer  búsquedas más precisas en menor tiempo, aprovechando las ventajas del vocabulario controlado y normalizado.
Growth kinetics of Al–Mg intermetallics during post-weld annealing treatment
Authors: Jin Y. H. , Gan R. G. , Li C. F. , Wang X. J.
Published: April 2016

We explored the growth kinetics of intermetallic compound (IMC) layers at the joint interface of the friction stir lap welded Mg alloy to Al alloy joint during post-weld annealing treatment. The intermetallic layer formed between the Al alloy and Mg alloy was composed of continuous β phase and γ phase; the β phase layer grows faster than the γ phase layer. A quantitative analysis of the IMC layer thickness as a function of aging time and temperature was performed. The diffusion coefficients were calculated from the parabolic relationship between the migration of the interface and the annealing time. The activation energies for IMC growth were determined as 113.5 and 69.3 kJ mol−1 for the γ and β phases, respectively.
Multi-pass large strain rolling of as-cast AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Fu X.-S. , Yang Q. , Sun W. , Lu S.-J. , Chen G.-Q. , Zhou W.-L.
Published: April 2016

As-cast AZ31 magnesium alloy subjected to multi-pass large strain rolling was investigated. A successive rolling process up to three passes was carried out at 370°C with a pass reduction of 30%. Deformation microstructure characteristics prove that the dynamic recrystallisation (DRX) mode changed with the increase of rolling passes. In the first pass, DRX related to twinning played a dominant role. But in the third pass, DRX grains mainly appeared around the pre-existing grain boundaries. The ultimate strength and elongation of rolled sheets after three passes rolling are enhanced by 37 and 39%, respectively, compared to the as-cast alloy. Meanwhile, the tensile fracture mode was ductile fracture which was different from the ductile–brittle fracture of as-cast.
The effect of temperature on the changes of precipitates in low-alloy steel
Authors: Zieliński A. , Miczka M. , Sroka M.
Published: April 2016

Investigations on the microstructure of low-alloy steel in the as-received condition and after 70 000 h ageing at 550 and 600°C were carried out. For the recorded images of the microstructure, a quantitative analysis of precipitates was performed. On that basis, a statistical analysis of collected data was made with the aim of estimating parameters of selected theoretical statistical distribution. Then, the forecast for average precipitate diameter and standard deviation of such a distribution for the time of 100 000 h at 550 and 600°C was calculated. The obtained results of investigations confirm the possibility of using, in evaluation of degradation degree for materials in use, the forecasting methods derived from mathematical statistics.
Orthostatic Circulatory Disorders: From Nosology to Nuts and Bolts
Authors: Gutkin Michael , Stewart Julian M.
Published: April 2016

When patients complain of altered consciousness or discomfort in the upright posture, either relieved by recumbency or culminating in syncope, physicians may find themselves baffled. There is a wide variety of disorders that cause abnormal regulation of blood pressure and pulse rate in the upright posture. The aim of this focused review is 3-fold. First, to offer a classification (nosology) of these disorders; second, to illuminate the mechanisms that underlie them; and third, to assist the physician in the practical aspects of diagnosis of adult orthostatic hypotension, by extending clinical skills with readily available office technology.
Attenuated Heart Rate Recovery After Exercise Testing and Risk of Incident Hypertension in Men
Authors: Jae Sae Young , Bunsawat Kanokwan , Fadel Paul J. , Fernhall Bo , Choi Yoon-Ho , Park Jeong Bae , Franklin Barry A.
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

Although attenuated heart rate recovery (HRR) and reduced heart rate (HR) reserve to maximal exercise testing are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, their relation to incident hypertension in healthy normotensive populations is unclear. We examined the hypothesis that both attenuated HRR and reduced HR reserve to exercise testing are associated with incident hypertension in men.

METHODS

A total of 1,855 participants were selected comprising of healthy, initially normotensive men who underwent peak or symptom-limited treadmill testing at baseline. HRR was calculated as the difference between peak HR during exercise testing and the HR at 2 minutes after exercise cessation. HR reserve was calculated as the percentage of HR reserve (peak HR − resting HR)/(220 − age − resting HR) × 100.

RESULTS

During an average 4-year follow-up, 179 (9.6%) men developed hypertension. Incident hypertension was associated with HRR quartiles (Q1 (<42 (bpm)) 12.5%, Q2 (43–49 bpm) 8.5%, Q3 (50–56 bpm) 9.3%, and Q4 (>57 bpm) 8.3%; P = 0.05 for trend). The relative risk (RR) of the incident hypertension in the slowest HRR quartile vs. the fastest HRR quartile was 1.78 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14–2.78) after adjustment for confounders. Every 1 bpm increment in HRR was associated with a 2% (RR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97–0.99) lower risk of incident hypertension after adjusting for potential confounders. In contrast, reduced HR reserve did not predict the risk of incident hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Slow HRR after exercise testing is independently associated with the development of hypertension in healthy normotensive men.
Low parental melatonin levels increases autism spectrum disorder risk in children
Authors: Braam Wiebe , Ehrhart Friederike , Evelo Chris T. , Maas Anneke P.H.M. , Smits Marcel G. , Curfs Leopold
Published: April 2016

Low melatonin levels are a frequent finding in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients.
Melatonin is important for normal neurodevelopment and embryonic growth and highly effective in protecting DNA from oxidative damage. Melatonin deficiency, possibly due to low CYP1A2 activity, could be an etiologic factor. As the fetus does not produce melatonin, low maternal melatonin levels should be involved. We measured 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in urine of 60 mothers of a child with ASD that attended our sleep clinic for people with an intellectual disability (ID), and asked for coffee consumption habits, as these are known to be related to CYP1A2 activity. 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin levels were significantly lower in mothers than in controls (p = 0.005), as well as evening coffee consumption (p = 0.034).

Abbreviations

ASD

Autism spectrum disorder

ID

intellectual disability

6-SM

6–sulfatoxymelatonin
Allosteric inhibition of Aurora-A kinase by a synthetic VNARnanobody
Authors: Burgess Selena G. , Oleksy Arkadiusz , Cavazza Tommaso , Richards Mark W. , Vernos Isabelle , Matthews David , Bayliss Richard
Published: April 2016

The vast majority of clinically-approved protein kinase inhibitors target the ATP binding pocket directly. Consequently, many inhibitors have broad selectivity profiles and most have significant off-target effects. Allosteric inhibitors are generally more selective, but are difficult to identify because allosteric binding sites are often unknown or poorly characterized, and there is no clearly preferred approach to generating hit matter. Aurora-A is activated through binding of TPX2 to an allosteric site on the kinase catalytic domain, and this knowledge could be exploited to generate an inhibitor. However, it is currently unclear how to design such a compound because a small molecule or peptide mimetic of TPX2 would be expected to activate, not inhibit the kinase. Here, we generated an allosteric inhibitor of Aurora-A kinase based on a synthetic, VNARsingle domain nanobody scaffold, IgNARV-D01. Biochemical studies and a crystal structure of the Aurora-A/IgNARV-D01 complex show that the nanobody overlaps with the TPX2 binding site. In contrast with the binding of TPX2, which stabilizes an active conformation of the kinase, binding of the nanobody stabilizes an inactive conformation, in which the αC-helix is distorted, the canonical Lys-Glu salt bridge is broken, and the regulatory (R-) spine is disrupted by an additional hydrophobic side chain from the activation loop. These studies illustrate how nanobodies can be used to characterize the regulatory mechanisms of kinases and provide a rational basis for structure-guided design of allosteric Aurora-A kinase inhibitors.

Significance

Protein kinases are commonly dysregulated in cancer and inhibitors of protein kinases are key therapeutic drugs. However, this strategy is often undermined by a lack of selectivity since the ATP binding pocket that kinase inhibitors usually target is highly conserved. Inhibitors that target allosteric sites are more selective but more difficult to generate. Here we identify a single domain antibody (nanobody) to target an allosteric pocket on the catalytic domain of Aurora-A kinase and demonstrate that the mechanism is antagonistic to a physiologically-relevant allosteric activator, TPX2. This work will enable the development of allosteric Aurora-A inhibitors as potential therapeutics, and provide a model for the development of tools to investigate allosteric modes of kinase inhibition.
Spontaneous Blink Rate Correlates With Financial Risk Taking
Authors: Sherman Emily , Wilson Robert C
Published: April 2016

Dopamine has long been thought to play a role in risky decision-making, with higher tonic levels of dopamine associated with more risk seeking behavior. In this work, we aimed to shed more light on this relationship using spontaneous blink rate as an indirect measure of dopamine. In particular we used video recording to measure blink rate and a decision-making survey to measure risk taking in 45 participants. Consistent with previous work linking dopamine to risky decisions, we found a strong positive correlation between blink rate and the number of risky choices a participant made. This correlation was not dependent on age or gender and was identical for both gain and loss framing. This work suggests that dopamine plays a crucial and quite general role in determining risk attitude across the population and validates this simple method of probing dopamine for decision-making research.
Lethal Gene Drive Selects Inbreeding
Authors: Bull J J
Published: April 2016

The use of ‘selfish’ gene drive systems to suppress or even extinguish populations has been proposed on theoretical grounds for almost half a century. Creating these genes has recently become possible with CRISPR technology. One seemingly feasible approach, originally proposed by Burt, is to create a homing endonuclease gene (HEG) that inserts into an essential gene, enabling heterozygote viability but causing homozygote lethality. With 100% segregation distortion in gametes, such genes can cause profound population suppression if resistance does not evolve. Here, population genetic models are used to consider the evolution of inbreeding (specifically selfing) as a possible response to a recessively lethal HEG with complete segregation distortion. Numerical analyses indicate a rich set of outcomes, but selfing often evolves in response to the HEG, with a corresponding partial restoration of mean fitness. Whether selfing does indeed evolve and its effect in restoring fitness depends heavily on the magnitude of inbreeding depression. Overall, these results point toward an underappreciated evolutionary response to block the harmful effects of a selfish gene. They raise the possibility that extreme population suppression may be more difficult to achieve than currently imagined.
Fascism 2
Authors: Holmes Douglas R.
Published: April 2016

This guest editorial implores anthropologists to take a stance against the strengthening of fascism in Europe.
Daily report cards as a school‐based intervention for children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Moore Darren A. , Whittaker Sarah , Ford Tamsin J
Published: April 2016

This paper describes daily report cards and the evidence relating to their use in schools for children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This intervention typically involves teachers evaluating a student's behaviour at school against pre‐determined targets and parents subsequently providing reinforcement at home for positive reports. Research suggests that the daily report card has been effective in treating a range of ADHD symptoms and improving school outcomes, including academic achievement in some cases. The daily report card also encourages collaboration between teachers and parents, and evidence suggests that the intervention benefits from the inclusion of reinforcement at home. Daily report cards are easy to implement and research finds that teachers consider them an acceptable intervention for ADHD. This paper also considers challenges in using daily report cards, including barriers to their use over the long‐term and the risk of stigma for children with a report card. Ideas to address these issues are suggested.
Oral Conditioned Cues Can Enhance or Inhibit Ethanol (EtOH)‐Seeking and EtOH‐Relapse Drinking by Alcohol‐Preferring (P) Rats
Authors: Knight Christopher P. , Hauser Sheketha R. , Deehan Gerald A. , Toalston Jamie E. , McBride William J. , Rodd Zachary A.
Published: April 2016

Background

Conditioned cues can elicit drug‐seeking in both humans and rodents. The majority of preclinical research has employed excitatory conditioned cues (stimuli present throughout the availability of a reinforcer), but oral consumption of alcohol is similar to a conditional stimuli (presence of stimuli is paired with the delivery of the reinforcer) approach. The current experiments attempted to determine the effects of conditional stimuli (both excitatory and inhibitory) on the expression of context‐induced ethanol (EtOH)‐seeking.

Methods

Alcohol‐preferring (P) rats self‐administered EtOH and water in standard 2‐lever operant chambers. A flavor was added to the EtOH solution (CS+) during the EtOH self‐administration sessions. After 10 weeks, rats underwent extinction training (7 sessions), followed by a 2‐week home cage period. Another flavor was present during extinction (CS−). Rats were exposed to a third flavor in a non‐drug‐paired environment (CS0). EtOH‐seeking was assessed in the presence of no cue, CS+, CS−, or CS0 in the dipper previously associated with EtOH self‐administration (no EtOH available). Rats were maintained a week in their home cage before being returned to the operant chambers with access to EtOH (flavored with no cue, CS+, CS−, or CS0).

Results

The results indicated that the presence of the CS+ enhanced EtOH‐seeking, while the presence of the CS− suppressed EtOH‐seeking. Similarly, adding the CS− flavor to 15% EtOH reduced responding for EtOH while the CS+ enhanced responding for EtOH during relapse testing.

Conclusions

Overall, the data indicate that conditional stimuli are effective at altering both EtOH‐seeking behavior and EtOH‐relapse drinking.
Melatonin intake since weaning ameliorates steroidogenic function and sperm motility of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: da Costa C. F. P. , Gobbo M. G. , Taboga S. R. , Pinto‐Fochi M. E. , Góes R. M.
Published: April 2016

Melatonin may be used as an antioxidant in therapy against systemic sequelae caused by oxidative stress in diabetes. However, as melatonin has a major role in regulating reproductive activity, its consequence on reproductive parameters under diabetes needs to be better clarified. We have studied whether prior and concomitant treatment of juvenile Wistar rats with low doses of melatonin interferes in reproductive damage induced by experimental diabetes after 1 and 8 weeks. The consequences of melatonin administration since weaning on reproductive parameters of healthy rats at adulthood were also evaluated. Melatonin was provided in drinking water (10 μg/kg b.w./day) after weaning (5‐week‐old). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection (4.5 mg/100 g b.w.) at 13‐week‐old rats, and rats were euthanized 1 and 8 weeks after disease onset. Diabetes decreased circulating testosterone levels (~35% to 1 week; ~62% to 2 months; p < 0.01) but did not affect testes sperm counts. Two months of diabetes reduced the sperm reserve and led to atrophy of epididymal cauda. Both 1‐week and 2‐month diabetes impaired sperm motility, decreased the number of spermatozoa with progressive movement, and increased the number of immotile sperm. Melatonin intake reduced serum testosterone levels ~29% in healthy 14‐week‐old and ~23% in 21‐week‐old rats and reduced daily testicular sperm production ~26% in the latter disease stage, but did not interfere in sperm reserves and transit time for both experimental periods. Exogenous melatonin prevented the serum testosterone decrease and damage to sperm motility in diabetic rats and attenuated reduction in sperm counts and transit time induced by 1‐week diabetes but did not avoid this decrease at 2‐month diabetes. Low doses of melatonin administered prior to and during experimental diabetes attenuated damage to testicular steroidogenic activity and preserved sperm motility, but not sperm reserves in the rat. Our data indicated a differential action of melatonin in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic conditions, particularly in sperm motility and testosterone production by Leydig cells.
The importance of high‐quality algal food sources in stream food webs – current status and future perspectives
Authors: Guo Fen , Kainz Martin J. , Sheldon Fran , Bunn Stuart E.
Published: April 2016

While many streams and rivers are dominated by terrestrial inputs of organic carbon, algae are an important trophic base for stream food webs. However, the nutritional importance of algae for stream invertebrates only recently has been highlighted. Algae are acknowledged as higher quality food than terrestrial organic matter for the growth and reproduction of invertebrates. In part, this is because of higher algal polyunsaturated fatty‐acid (PUFA) content. Here, we review the important influence of algal food quality, as assessed byPUFA, in stream food webs.

Current field investigations have mainly focused on the fatty‐acid dynamics of macroinvertebrates, and indicate that algal eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), α‐linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acids (LIN) are present in all macroinvertebrates. However, fungal and bacterial tracers have also been observed in a range of macroinvertebrates. The omega‐3 (ω3)/omega‐6 (ω6) ratio >1 in most macroinvertebrates strongly indicates that dietary energy of algae is highly retained in stream food webs. Interspecific differences inPUFAcomposition seem to be affected by dietaryPUFAand consumer physiology.

Some studies have suggested that besides dietaryEPA, the shorter chain C18PUFA LINandALAalso can improve growth and reproduction of stream invertebrate consumers. Some macroinvertebrates may preferentially retain or synthesise long‐chainPUFAfrom C18PUFAwhen experiencing low‐quality food. However, this process is controversial since other species have shown very limited ability to synthesise long‐chainPUFA.

AlgalPUFAcomposition is strongly influenced by abiotic factors, particularly light, nutrients, and temperature. Human disturbance (i.e. riparian vegetation removal and nutrient inputs) on algalPUFAcontent and their consequent effects on macroinvertebrates and fish clearly warrant further scientific attention. Controlled feeding trials and manipulative studies are required to measurePUFAconversion capacities and reproductive investment of stream macroinvertebrates under different food quality conditions, which will provide insights into how freshwater species can cope with different nutritional food conditions due to human disturbance and climate change.
Filling the Gap for Early‐Stage Breast Cancer Follow‐Up: An Overview for Primary Care Providers
Authors: Bond‐Bero Stacy
Published: April 2016

Earlier detection and newer treatments now make breast cancer highly survivable, and breast cancer survivors are the largest female cancer survivor group in the United States. With earlier detection, more women are being diagnosed with early‐stage breast cancer and need follow‐up care. With the increasing number of breast cancer survivors, there is a projected shortage in the workforce of oncology specialists to care for these women. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that breast cancer follow‐up care can be provided by an oncologist or primary care provider, as long as the primary care provider has spoken to the oncologist about appropriate follow‐up care. Several studies have shown that primary care providers and oncologists have comparable outcomes for follow‐up care of women with early‐stage breast cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) are considered the gold standard for breast cancer treatment and follow‐up. These guidelines are clear and straightforward. Using knowledge of the NCCN Guidelines, primary care providers can fill the gap for follow‐up care of women with early‐stage breast cancer.
Gene Expression and Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in Liver of Hybrid Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus, Under Acute pH Stress
Authors: Han Chun‐Yan , Zheng Qing‐Mei , Sun Ze‐Tao
Published: April 2016

Gene expression levels and enzymatic activities of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn‐SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver of hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus were analyzed after 12–72 h exposure to acidic and alkaline pH. Results showed that, compared with the control pH (pH 6.8), acidic pH exposure (pH 4.8 and 5.8) induced the expression levels and enzymatic activities of antioxidant enzymes. Slight alkaline exposure (pH 7.8) increased the transcript levels of CAT and GPx and the activity of GPx. Strong alkalization (pH 8.8) presented an inhibition on the antioxidant enzyme system, suggesting alkaline exposure may be more harmful to antioxidant activity in liver of hybrid tilapia than acidic exposure. Moreover, under acidic and slight alkaline exposure, mRNA expressions and activities of Cu/Zn‐SOD were significantly induced after 12 h exposure, whereas CAT and GPx reached the highest levels later, indicating Cu/Zn‐SOD play the dominant role at the initial stage, whereas CAT and GPx work later.
Peripheral communities of the Eastern Lau Spreading Center and Valu Fa Ridge: community composition, temporal change and comparison to near‐vent communities
Authors: Sen Arunima , Kim Stacy , Miller Alex J. , Hovey Kyle J. , Hourdez Stéphane , Luther George W. , Fisher Charles R.
Published: April 2016

Western Pacific hydrothermal vents will soon be subjected to deep‐sea mining and peripheral sites are considered the most practical targets. The limited information on community dynamics and temporal change in these communities makes it difficult to anticipate the impact of mining activities and recovery trajectories. We studied community composition of peripheral communities along a cline in hydrothermal chemistry on the Eastern Lau Spreading Center and Valu Fa Ridge (ELSC‐VFR) and also studied patterns of temporal change. Peripheral communities located in the northern vent fields of the ELSC‐VFR are significantly different from those in the southern vent fields. Higher abundances of zoanthids and anemones were found in northern peripheral sites and the symbiont‐containing mussel Bathymodiolus brevior, brisingid seastars and polynoids were only present in the northern peripheral sites. By contrast, certain faunal groups were seen only in the southern peripheral sites, such as lollipop sponges, pycnogonids and ophiuroids. Taxonomic richness of the peripheral communities was similar to that of active vent communities, due to the presence of non‐vent endemic species that balanced the absence of species found in areas of active venting. The communities present at waning active sites resemble those of peripheral sites, indicating that peripheral species can colonize previously active vent sites in addition to settling in the periphery of areas of venting. Growth and mortality were observed in a number of the normally slow‐growing cladorhizid stick sponges, indicating that these animals may exhibit life history strategies in the vicinity of vents that differ from those previously recorded. A novel facultative association between polynoids and anemones is proposed based on their correlated distributions.
Bouncing cosmologies in Brans–Dicke theory
Authors: Singh T. , Chaubey R. , Singh Ashutosh
Published: April 2016

In this paper it is shown that in Brans–Dicke theory, if one considers a non-minimal coupling between the matter and scalar field, can give rise to a bouncing universe (i.e., an expanding universe preceded by a contracting universe). Two examples of such universes have been considered in a spatially flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker universe and their physical properties have been studied.
Complete Response of Severe, Refractory, Gastric, Stomal and Sclerotherapy-Induced Esophageal Ulcer Disease to Omeprazole Therapy
Authors: Morgan Earl P. , Williams C.N.
Published: April 2016

This report presents three unusual forms of resistant peptic ulcer disease, all healed completely with the use of a new class of anti-ulcer drug, a proton pump blocker, omeprazole. Each of these patients represents an unusual facet of acid-pepsin disease, namely, resistance to healing with current standard therapy, recurrence and rehealing with a second course of omcprazole, and a subsequent need for maintenance omeprazole to remain ulcer-free. The first patient had an unusual complication of a stomal ulcer after gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity. This ulcer proved to be intractable, not healing with standard therapy, but healing with omeprazole, and subsequently recurring. A second course of therapy resulted in complete rehealing, but maintenance therapy with omeprazole was necessary to prevent ulcer recurrence. The second patient had rheumatoid arthritis and an NSAID associated chronic gastric ulcer which did not heal with standard therapy. A course of omeprazole resulted in complete healing; however, the ulcer recurred. A second course of omeprazole was necessary which led to complete healing, and subsequent maintenance therapy has kept this patient ulcer-free for the past 18 months. The third patient had recurrent circumferential esophageal ulcers following esophageal variceal sclerotherapy along with primary biliary cirrhosis. These ulcers took five months to heal on conventional therapy, but treatment with omeprazole resulted in healing within a three month time frame, and maintenance omeprazole has since kept this patient free from esophageal ulcers.
Peanut Lectin Histochemistry of Barrett’s Esophagus
Authors: Freeman Hugh J.
Published: April 2016

Barrett’s epithelium refers to the replacement of the normal stratified squamous epithelium with columnar epithelial cells, possibly as a consequence of chronic reflux of gastric content into the esophagus, and is thought to be a pre-neoplastic disorder with the later development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. In this study, biopsy specimens from patients with Barrett’s esophagus were examined with fluorescein-linked peanut lectin to determine if lectin reactivity, indicative of a previously reported colon cancer-associated mucin in colonic polyps, was present in the columnar lined esophagus. In all of the patients studied, positive but variable labelling with this lectin was present, providing additional evidence that Barrett’s epithelium represents a heterogeneous preneoplastic change of the esophagus.
False Positive Anti-Hepatitis A Virus IgM Result in a Patient with Autoimmune Hepatitis
Authors: Gray James R. , Steinbrecher Urs P.
Published: April 2016

This report describes a patient with autoimmune hepatitis in whom a positive test result for hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM antibody led to diagnostic confusion until it was shown to be false positive by immunoprecipitation of IgG from serum. The mechanism for the false positive result may have been related to marked hypergammaglobulinemia, as serum obtained after normalization of immunoglobulin levels tested negative. However, several other mechanisms were also considered. This case illustrates that the possibility of false positive results with the anti-HAV lgM assay should be kept in mind when the clinical features of the illness are not suggestive of acute hepatitis A.
Long Acting Somatostatin Analogue: Clinical Potential for Gastrointestinal Disease
Authors: Fedorak Richard N.
Published: April 2016

Name somatostatin is found throughout the gastrointestinal tract
and has a wide variety of biological actions. Nevertheless, its short biological
half‐life and limited stability necessitate its use via continuous parenteral infusion
and, thus, limits its therapeutic usefulness The development of long acting
somatostatin analogues have lead to a re‐examination of the therapeutic usefulness
of somatostatin in gastrointestinal disease. Somatostatin analogues appear
most beneficial tn preventing symptoms associated with neuroendocrine tumours.
In addition, case controlled studies exist to demonstrate somatostatin analogue
effectiveness in treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, pancreatic fistula, pancreatitis,
short bowel syndrome and dumping syndrome.
Cyclophosphamide: An Alternative Treatment in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Lapointe Gilles , Charbonneau Aubin
Published: April 2016

lmmunosuppressive therapy in the form of 6-mercaptopurine has shown a 66% efficacy in severe, debilitating, highly corticosteroid dependent Crohn’s disease. Nevertheless this medication has some important side effects such as nausea, vomiting, leukopenia and pancreatitis. Two patients are presented who, suffering from severe Crohn’s disease, were unable to tolerate 6-mercaptopurine but showed an amazing improvement with cyclophosphamide.
Night Blindness and Vitamin A Deficiency following Jejunoilieal Bypass Surgery
Authors: Adams Paul C. , Canny Christopher L.
Published: April 2016

A 42-year-old man who developed severe night blindness 15 years following jejunoileal bypass surgery for morbid obesity is described. Ophthamological testing, including dark adaptation, electroretinography and serum vitamin A levels, confirmed a diagnosis of vitamin A deficiency. Oral vitamin A 25,000 iu/day for two months resulted in a full recovery of visual deficits. Nutritional vitamin A deficiency is discussed in the context of intestinal bypass surgery.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Hepatitis: An Important Clinical Condition
Authors: French Samuel W. , Eidus Leslie B. , Freeman J.
Published: April 2016

The entity fatty hepatitis is defined and the literature characterizing the clinical settings in which it develops is reviewed. The pathogenesis is discussed with emphasis on the common denominators shared by the various clinical conditions with which it is associated. The roles of alcohol, obesity and type II diabetes are stressed where inhibition of fatty acid oxidation by the liver is the basic defect in metabolism leading to fatty change, balloon degeneration and Mallory body formation. It is concluded that this important entity is more common than is generally appreciated.
Antibodies to Cardiolipin in Patients with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Authors: Jones John Verrier , Mosher Dianne P. , Jones Edith , Williams C. Noel , Malatjalian Dickran , Carr Roland I. , Mansour Mervat
Published: April 2016

Antibodies to cardiolipin have been recognized in up to 65% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. It has been claimed that they are significantly associated with intravascular thrombosis and with obstetrical complications. Thus far they have been found to be less prevalent in other diseases. Because of the high concentration of cardiolipin in mitochondrial membranes and the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, the authors investigated the prevalence of antibodies to cardiolipin in a group of 31 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. lt was found that the prevalence and levels of anticardiolipin antibodies of lgG and lgA isotype are as high in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis as in 35 consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. None of the patients with primary biliary cirrhosis gave any history of venous or arterial thrombosis. The rate of miscarriage was less than that reported for the general population. The availability for study of a second group of patients with high levels of anticardiolipin antibodies should make it possible to determine whether the association of these antibodies with thrombosis and fetal wastage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is a direct relation ship or an epiphenomenon.
Hemothorax from External Rupture of Esophageal Varices: An Unusual Fatal Complication
Authors: Bramwell Nigel H. , Byard Roger W.
Published: April 2016

A case of sudden death caused by hemorrhage into the chest
cavity from a linear tear of the external esophageal wall following vomiting in a
20‐year‐old woman with congenital portal vein atresia is described. Compromise
of the underlying esophageal wall due to recent sclerotherapy for bleeding varices
predisposed ro this highly unusual ‘adventitial’ variant of the Mallory‐Weiss
syndrome.
Antral Brushings and Biopsies for GastricCampylobacter pylori: A Comparative Study of a Rapid Urease Test, Culture and Histology
Authors: Estrin Howard M. , Hassan Medhat O. , Carr Howard S. , Czinn Steven J.
Published: April 2016

A prospective study was conducted to assess the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests for Campylobacter pylori in 60 unselected patients referred for gastroscopy. Urease testing was performed on samples of gastric mucus obtained by a disposable cytology brush and on gastric mucosal biopsies. The combination of the brush urease test and biopsy urease test had a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 96%. The combination of the brush urease test and examination of gastric biopsies for curved bacilli had a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 96%. The combination of the brush urease and biopsy urease tests will rapidly identify the majority of patients withC pylori. This test is rapid, easy, sensitive and inexpensive. If a pathologist is available, the addition of histologic review forC pyloriin combination with the brush urease test, will identify virtually all patients withC pyloriwithout the need for culturing this fastidious organism.