bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical Management of the Consequences of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Incident
Authors: Hachiya Misao , Tominaga Takako , Tatsuzaki Hideo , Akashi Makoto
Published: December 2013

A huge earthquake struck the northeast coast of the main island of Japan on March 11, 2011, triggering a tsunami with 14–15 meter‐high waves hitting the area. The earthquake was followed by numerous sustained aftershocks. The earthquake affected the nuclear power plant (NPP) in Fukushima prefecture, resulting in large amounts of radioactive materials being released into the environment. The major nuclides released on land were 131I, 134Cs, and 137Cs. Therefore, almost 170 000 people had to be evacuated or stay indoors. Besides the NPP and the telecommunications system, the earthquake also affected infrastructures such as the supplies of water and electricity as well as the radiation monitoring system. The local hospital system was dysfunctional; hospitals designated as radiation‐emergency facilities were not able to function because of damage from the earthquake and tsunami, and some of them were located within a 20 km radius of the NPP, the designated evacuation zone. Local fire department personnel were also asked to evacuate. Furthermore, the affected hospitals had not established their evacuation plans at that time. We have learned from this “combined disaster” that the potential for damage to lifelines as well as the monitoring systems for radiation in case of an earthquake requires our intense focus and vigilance, and that hospitals need comprehensive plans for evacuation, including patients requiring life support equipment during and after a nuclear disaster. There is an urgent need for a “combined disaster” strategy, and this should be emphasized in current disaster planning and response.
Molecular Dynamics Guided Design of Tocoflexol: A New Radioprotectant Tocotrienol with Enhanced Bioavailability
Authors: Compadre Cesar M. , Singh Awantika , Thakkar Shraddha , Zheng Guangrong , Breen Philip J. , Ghosh Sanchita , Kiaei Mahmoud , Boerma Marjan , Varughese Kottayil I. , Hauer‐Jensen Martin
Published: December 2013

Preclinical Research

There is a pressing need to develop safe and effective radioprotector/radiomitigator agents for use in accidental or terrorist‐initiated radiological emergencies. Naturally occurring vitamin E family constituents, termed tocols, that include the tocotrienols, are known to have radiation‐protection properties. These agents, which work through multiple mechanisms, are promising radioprotectant agents having minimal toxicity. Although α‐tocopherol (AT) is the most commonly studied form of vitamin E, the tocotrienols are more potent than AT in providing radioprotection and radiomitigation. Unfortunately, despite their very significant radioprotectant activity, tocotrienols have very short plasma half‐lives and require dosing at very high levels to achieve necessary therapeutic benefits. Thus, it would be highly desirable to develop new vitamin E analogues with improved pharmacokinetic properties, specifically increased elimination half‐life and increased area under the plasma level versus time curve. The short elimination half‐life of the tocotrienols is related to their low affinity for the α‐tocopherol transfer protein (ATTP), the protein responsible for maintaining the plasma level of the tocols. Tocotrienols have less affinity for ATTP than does AT, and thus have a longer residence time in the liver, putting them at higher risk for metabolism and biliary excretion. We hypothesized that the low‐binding affinity of tocotrienols to ATTP is due to the relatively more rigid tail structure of the tocotrienols in comparison with that of the tocopherols. Therefore, compounds with a more flexible tail would have better binding to ATTP and consequently would have longer elimination half‐life and, consequently, an increased exposure to drug, as measured by area under the plasma drug level versus time curve (AUC). This represents an enhanced residence of drug in the systemic circulation. Based on this hypothesis, we developed a new class of vitamin E analogues, the tocoflexols, which maintain the superior bioactivity of the tocotrienols with the potential to achieve the longer half‐life and larger AUC of the tocopherols.
Building the Strategic National Stockpile Through the NIAID Radiation Nuclear Countermeasures Program
Authors: Rios Carmen I. , Cassatt David R. , DiCarlo Andrea L. , Macchiarini Francesca , Ramakrishnan Narayani , Norman Mai‐Kim , Maidment Bert W.
Published: December 2013

The possibility of a public health radiological or nuclear emergency in the United States remains a concern. Media attention focused on lost radioactive sources and international nuclear threats, as well as the potential for accidents in nuclear power facilities (e.g., Windscale, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima) highlight the need to address this critical national security issue. To date, no drugs have been licensed to mitigate/treat the acute and long‐term radiation injuries that would result in the event of large‐scale, radiation, or nuclear public health emergency. However, recent evaluation of several candidate radiation medical countermeasures (MCMs) has provided initial proof‐of‐concept of efficacy. The goal of the Radiation Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (National Institutes of Health) is to help ensure the government stockpiling of safe and efficacious MCMs to treat radiation injuries, including, but not limited to, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cutaneous, renal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. In addition to supporting research in these areas, the RNCP continues to fund research and development of decorporation agents targeting internal radionuclide contamination, and biodosimetry platforms (e.g., biomarkers and devices) to assess the levels of an individual's radiation exposure, capabilities that would be critical in a mass casualty scenario. New areas of research within the program include a focus on special populations, especially pediatric and geriatric civilians, as well as combination studies, in which drugs are tested within the context of expected medical care management (e.g., antibiotics and growth factors). Moving forward, challenges facing the RNCP, as well as the entire radiation research field, include further advancement and qualification of animal models, dose conversion from animal models to humans, biomarker identification, and formulation development. This paper provides a review of recent work and collaborations supported by the RNCP.
Evaluating the Toxicity of Novel Zn‐DTPA Tablet Formulation in Dogs and Rats
Authors: Shankar Gita N. , Potharaju Suresh , Green Carol E.
Published: December 2013

Preclinical Research

The purpose of this research work is to evaluate toxicity of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid zinc trisodium salt (Zn‐DTPA) tablets, a novel oral solid dosage form containing permeation enhancers in beagle dogs and Sprague Dawley rats. (Zn‐DTPA) in tablet dosage form was administered once daily for 7 days to beagle dogs at low (840 mg/dog/day), mid (2520 mg/dog/day), or high (7560 mg/dog/day). On day 8, all treated and control groups were necropsied. The novel Zn‐DTPA tablet formulation showed rapid absorption with the Tmax at 1 h. Plasma concentrations as high as 270 μg/mL were observed after 7 days of administration. Exposure to DTPA, based on area under the curve (AUClast) and maximum concentration (Cmax), was dose dependent but not dose proportional. No biologically relevant changes in hematology or clinical chemistry that were related to DTPA exposure were observed, and there were no changes in body weight in treated dogs compared with controls. Zn‐DTPA was well tolerated, with minor toxicological effects of emesis and diarrhea, following oral tablet administration for 7 consecutive days. Based on the endpoints evaluated in this study, the maximum tolerated dose is considered to be greater than 7560 mg/dog/day (2535 μmol/kg/day, 1325 mg/kg/day), and the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level (NOAEL) is considered to be approximately 1325 mg/kg/day per oral when given to male and female beagle dogs. For rats, the NOAEL was estimated to be greater than 1000 mg/kg/day when administered by oral gavage of the crushed Zn‐DTPA tablets as suspension once daily (qd) to male and female Sprague Dawley rats.
Cannabinoids, eating behaviour, and energy homeostasis
Authors: Romero‐Zerbo Silvana Y. , Bermúdez‐Silva Francisco J.
Published: December 2013

Soon after the discovery of cannabis by western societies, its psychotropic effects overshadowed its medical benefits. However, investigation into the molecular action of the main constituents of cannabis has led to the discovery of an intercellular signalling system, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS comprises a set of molecular components, including enzymes, signalling lipids and G‐protein coupled receptors, which has an outstanding role in modulating eating behaviour and energy homeostasis. Interestingly, evidence has shown that the ECS is present at the central and peripheral nervous system, modulating the function of the hypothalamus, the brain reward system and the brainstem, and coordinating the crosstalk between these brain structures and peripheral organs. Indeed, the ECS is present and functional in metabolically relevant peripheral tissues, directly modulating their physiology. In the context of a global obesity pandemic, these discoveries are highly suggestive in order to design novel pharmaceutical tools to fight obesity and related morbidities. In fact, a cannabinoid‐based first generation of drugs was developed and marketed. Their failure, due to central side‐effects, is leading to a second generation of these drugs unable to cross the blood–brain barrier, as well as other ECS‐focused strategies that are still in the pipeline. In the next few years we will hopefully know whether such an important player in energy homeostasis can be successfully targeted without significantly affecting other vital processes related to mood and sense of well‐being. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What is an expert? A systems perspective on expertise
Authors: Caley Michael Julian , O'Leary Rebecca A. , Fisher Rebecca , Low‐Choy Samantha , Johnson Sandra , Mengersen Kerrie
Published: December 2013

Expert knowledge is a valuable source of information with a wide range of research applications. Despite the recent advances in defining expert knowledge, little attention has been given to how to view expertise as a system of interacting contributory factors for quantifying an individual's expertise. We present a systems approach to expertise that accounts for many contributing factors and their inter‐relationships and allows quantification of an individual's expertise. A Bayesian network (BN) was chosen for this purpose. For illustration, we focused on taxonomic expertise. The model structure was developed in consultation with taxonomists. The relative importance of the factors within the network was determined by a second set of taxonomists (supra‐experts) who also provided validation of the model structure. Model performance was assessed by applying the model to hypothetical career states of taxonomists designed to incorporate known differences in career states for model testing. The resulting BN model consisted of 18 primary nodes feeding through one to three higher‐order nodes before converging on the target node (Taxonomic Expert). There was strong consistency among node weights provided by the supra‐experts for some nodes, but not others. The higher‐order nodes, “Quality of work” and “Total productivity”, had the greatest weights. Sensitivity analysis indicated that although some factors had stronger influence in the outer nodes of the network, there was relatively equal influence of the factors leading directly into the target node. Despite the differences in the node weights provided by our supra‐experts, there was good agreement among assessments of our hypothetical experts that accurately reflected differences we had specified. This systems approach provides a way of assessing the overall level of expertise of individuals, accounting for multiple contributory factors, and their interactions. Our approach is adaptable to other situations where it is desirable to understand components of expertise.
Heart failure highlights in 2012–2013
Authors: Liu Licette C. Y. , Damman Kevin , Lipsic Eric , Maass Alexander H. , Rienstra Michiel , Westenbrink B. Daan
Published: December 2013

Heart failure has become the cardiovascular epidemic of the century. The European Journal of Heart Failure is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge in the field of heart failure management. In 2012 and 2013, several pioneering scientific discoveries and paradigm‐shifting clinical trials have been published. In the current paper, we will discuss the most significant novel insights into the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of heart failure that were published during this period. All relevant research areas are discussed, including pathophysiology, co‐morbidities, arrhythmias, biomarkers, clinical trials, and device therapy, including left ventricular assist devices.
Portable paper‐based device for quantitative colorimetric assays relying on light reflectance principle
Authors: Li Bowei , Fu Longwen , Zhang Wei , Feng Weiwei , Chen Lingxin
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a novel paper‐based analytical device based on the colorimetric paper assays through its light reflectance. The device is portable, low cost (<20 dollars), and lightweight (only 176 g) that is available to assess the cost‐effectiveness and appropriateness of the original health care or on‐site detection information. Based on the light reflectance principle, the signal can be obtained directly, stably and user‐friendly in our device. We demonstrated the utility and broad applicability of this technique with measurements of different biological and pollution target samples (BSA, glucose, Fe, and nitrite). Moreover, the real samples of Fe (II) and nitrite in the local tap water were successfully analyzed, and compared with the standard UV absorption method, the quantitative results showed good performance, reproducibility, and reliability. This device could provide quantitative information very conveniently and show great potential to broad fields of resource‐limited analysis, medical diagnostics, and on‐site environmental detection.
Effects of age, sex, and persistent organic pollutants on DNA methylation in children
Authors: Huen Karen , Yousefi Paul , Bradman Asa , Yan Liying , Harley Kim G. , Kogut Katherine , Eskenazi Brenda , Holland Nina
Published: December 2013

Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation may be a molecular mechanism through which environmental exposures affect health. Methylation of Alu and long interspersed nucleotide elements (LINE‐1) is a well‐established measure of DNA methylation often used in epidemiologic studies. Yet, few studies have examined the effects of host factors on LINE‐1 and Alu methylation in children. We characterized the relationship of age, sex, and prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), with DNA methylation in a birth cohort of Mexican‐American children participating in the CHAMACOS study. We measured Alu and LINE‐1 methylation by pyrosequencing bisulfite‐treated DNA isolated from whole blood samples collected from newborns and nine‐year old children (n = 358). POPs were measured in maternal serum during late pregnancy. Levels of DNA methylation were lower in nine‐year olds compared to newborns and were higher in boys compared to girls. Higher prenatal DDT/E exposure was associated with lower Alu methylation at birth, particularly after adjusting for cell type composition (P = 0.02 for o,p' ‐DDT). Associations of POPs with LINE‐1 methylation were only identified after examining the co‐exposure of DDT/E with PBDEs simultaneously. Our data suggest that repeat element methylation can be an informative marker of epigenetic differences by age and sex and that prenatal exposure to POPs may be linked to hypomethylation in fetal blood. Accounting for co‐exposure to different types of chemicals and adjusting for blood cell types may increase sensitivity of epigenetic analyses for epidemiological studies. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 55:209–222, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The immunosuppressant tributyltin oxide blocks the mTOR pathway, like rapamycin, albeit by a different mechanism
Authors: Osman Ahmed M. , van Loveren Henk
Published: December 2013

We treated the thymoma cell line (EL4) with two model immunosuppressants, rapamycin and tributyltin oxide (TBTO), and compared their effects on the expression levels of proteins that are downstream targets of mTOR kinase 1 (mammalian target of rapamycin, known also as mechanistic target of rapamycin): p70 ribosomal S6 kinase1 and 4E‐binding protein 1, a repressor of the cap‐binding protein eIF4E. In addition, we evaluated the levels of ribosomal protein S6, p‐eIF4B, substrates of p70S6 kinase1, matrin 3 and ribonucleotide reductase, subunit RRM2. The levels of these proteins were evaluated in cell lysates by immunoblot. We found that both compounds inhibited the phosphorylation state of p70S6 kinase 1 and its substrates; however, TBTO, in contrast to rapamycin, reduced the level of the total p70S6k1. Besides, we detected a band with a molecular weight of c. 32 kDa only in the TBTO‐treated lysates. This band was detected with a monoclonal antibody specific for S6k1, suggesting that this band might be a degradation product of the kinase. Further, TBTO and rapamycin differentially affected 4E‐binding protein 1; the former compound stimulated its phosphorylation state whereas the latter inhibited it. The two immunosuppressants did not affect the level of ribonucleotide reductase, but TBTO downregulated matrin3, in agreement with a previous report, whereas rapamycin had no effect on the expression level of this latter protein. We conclude that TBTO inhibits, like rapamycin, the p70 S6 kinase 1 pathway, but with a different mechanism. However, in contrast to rapamycin, which inhibits the cap‐dependent translation, TBTO increases the phosphorylation of 4E‐binding protein1. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intergranular pitting corrosion of CoCrMo biomedical implant alloy
Authors: Panigrahi Pooja , Liao Yifeng , Mathew Mathew T. , Fischer Alfons , Wimmer Markus A. , Jacobs Joshua J. , Marks Laurence D.
Published: December 2013

CoCrMo samples of varying microstructure and carbon content were electrochemically corroded in vitro and examined by scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction techniques. The rate of corrosion was minimized (80% reduction from icorr = 1396 nA/cm2 to icorr = 276 nA/cm2) in high‐carbon CoCrMo alloys which displayed a coarser grain structure and partially dissolved second phases, achieved by solution annealing at higher temperatures for longer periods of time. The mechanism of degradation was intergranular pitting corrosion, localized at phase boundaries and grain boundaries of high energy (high‐angle and low lattice coincidence, Σ11 or higher); grain boundaries of lower energy did not appear to corrode. This suggests the possibility of grain boundary engineering to improve the performance of metal implant devices. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 850–859, 2014.
Corrosion and tribocorrosion of hafnium in simulated body fluids
Authors: Rituerto Sin J. , Neville A. , Emami N.
Published: December 2013

Hafnium is a passive metal with good biocompatibility and osteogenesis, however, little is known about its resistance to wear and corrosion in biological environments. The corrosion and tribocorrosion behavior of hafnium and commercially pure (CP) titanium in simulated body fluids were investigated using electrochemical techniques. Cyclic polarization scans and open circuit potential measurements were performed in 0.9% NaCl solution and 25% bovine calf serum solution to assess the effect of organic species on the corrosion behavior of the metal. A pin‐on‐plate configuration tribometer and a three electrode electrochemical cell were integrated to investigate the tribocorrosion performance of the studied materials. The results showed that hafnium has good corrosion resistance. The corrosion density currents measured in its passive state were lower than those measured in the case of CP titanium; however, it showed a higher tendency to suffer from localized corrosion, which was more acute when imperfections were present on the surface. The electrochemical breakdown of the oxide layer was retarded in the presence of proteins. Tribocorrosion tests showed that hafnium has the ability to quickly repassivate after the oxide layer was damaged; however, it showed higher volumetric loss than CP titanium in equivalent wear‐corrosion conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1157–1164, 2014.
The spectacle of the ball python (Python regius): A morphological description
Authors: Da Silva Mari‐Ann O. , Heegaard Steffen , Wang Tobias , Nyengaard Jens R. , Bertelsen Mads F.
Published: December 2013

A detailed morphological description of the spectacle of the ball python (Python regius) is provided. The eyes of 21 snakes were examined by light microscopy and/or transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, eyes of nine live snakes were examined using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Scheimpflug scanning (Pentacam). The spectacle consists of three layers: outer epithelium, stroma and inner epithelium. The outer epithelium is made up of flat basal cells overlaid by keratin, the stroma consists of organized layers of collagen fibrils with interweaving nerve fibers and blood vessels, and the inner epithelium holds squamous cells containing vesicles and microvilli. At the rim of the spectacle, there is a transition zone, where the spectacle merges with the epidermis and dermis of the periocular scales. This zone is characterized by a greater height of the basal cells of the outer epithelium and a less orderly organization of the stroma compared with the spectacle proper. The thickness of the spectacle was uniform throughout. It averaged 96 ± 10 µm in histological specimens and 108 ± 13 µm using OCT. The subspectacular space was extremely narrow in the live snakes; however, the space was visible at the periphery of the spectacle with OCT. J. Morphol. 275:489–496, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impacts of comparative anatomy of electric rays (Batoidea: Torpediniformes) on their systematic hypotheses
Authors: Claeson Kerin M.
Published: December 2013

The Comparative anatomy of the 11 recognized genera within Torpediniformes is described, systematically categorized, and illustrated in a comprehensive photo‐atlas. Data are compiled into a character matrix and cladistically analyzed using parsimony to test hypotheses about the previously recognized subfamilies, while reconstructing the possible evolutionary history of Torpediniformes. Results are consistent with the previous rank‐based classifications, regardless of the parsimony criteria used to generate the phylogenetic hypothesis, with one notable exception: a monophyletic Narcininae was never recovered. Torpedinoidea (=Hypnos + Torpedo) is supported by the presence of long, slender, flexible jaw cartilages, absence of a large rostral fontanelle, presence of suprascapular antimeres that are each shorter than the scapular process of the scapulocoracoid, antorbital cartilages that articulate on the anterior aspect of the nasal capsules and absence of a frontoparietal fontanelle. Subfamilial names Hypninae and Torpedininae are redundant with the genus namesHypnosandTorpedoand are not adopted here. Narcinoidea (=nontorpedinoid torpediniforms) is supported by unambiguous character transformations to the presence of a divided lower lip, labial cartilages, laterolingually compressed palatoquadrates, bifurcated antorbital cartilages, a rostral fontanelle, ventrally projecting nasal capsules, a dorsal rim of the synarcual mouth posterior to occipital condyle, posteriorly positioned lateral stays, and obtuse anterior margins of lateral stays. Narkidae is supported by unambiguous character transformations to the presence of an uncovered eye that protrudes above dorsal surface, a shared rim between the spiracle and the eye, an anterior nasal turret that projects ventrally, a nasal curtain that covers the upper lip and dentition when the mouth is closed, tab‐like prepelvic processes, a mesopterygium that is shorter than propterygium but longer than metapterygium, a slender median rostral cartilage, and a basibranchial cartilage with an anterior margin that is depressed medially and a posterior margin that tapers. J. Morphol. 275:597–612, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radioguided localisation of impalpable breast lesions using 99m‐Technetium macroaggregated albumin: Lessons learnt during introduction of a new technique to guide preoperative localisation
Authors: Landman Joanne , Kulawansa Sagarika , McCarthy Michael , Troedson Russell , Phillips Michael , Tinning Jill , Taylor Donna
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Preoperative wire‐guided localisation (WGL) of impalpable breast lesions is widely used but can be technically difficult. Risks include wire migration, inaccurate placement, and inadequate surgical margins. Research shows that radioguided occult lesion localisation (ROLL) is quicker, easier, and can improve surgical and cosmetic outcomes. An audited introduction of ROLL was conducted to validate the technique as a feasible alternative to WGL.

Methods

Fifty patients with single impalpable lesions and biopsy proven malignancy or indeterminate histology underwent WGL followed by intralesional radiopharmaceutical injection of 99m‐Technetium macroaggregated albumin. Postprocedural mammography was performed to demonstrate wire position, and scintigraphy to evaluate radiopharmaceutical migration. Lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative sentinel node biopsy were performed if indicated, followed by lesion localisation and excision using a gamma probe. Specimen imaging was performed, with immediate reexcision for visibly inadequate margins.

Results

Accurate localisation was achieved in 86% of patients with ROLL compared to 72% with WGL. All lesions were successfully removed, with clear margins in 71.8% of malignant lesions. Reexcision and intraoperative sentinel node localisation rates were equivalent to preaudit figures for WGL. ROLL was easy to perform and problems were infrequent. Inaccurate radiopharmaceutical placement necessitating WGL occurred in four patients. Minor radiopharmaceutical migration was common, but precluded using ROLL in only two cases.

Conclusions

ROLL is effective, simple, inexpensive, and easily learnt; however, preoperative confirmation of correct radiopharmaceutical placement using mammography and the gamma probe is important to help ensure successful lesion removal. Insertion of a backup hookwire is recommended during the initial introduction of ROLL.
Assessment of work‐integrated learning: comparison of the usage of a grading rubric by supervising radiographers and teachers
Authors: Kilgour Andrew J. , Kilgour Peter W. , Gerzina Tania , Christian Beverly
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Professional work‐integrated learning (WIL) that integrates the academic experience with off‐campus professional experience placements is an integral part of many tertiary courses. Issues with the reliability and validity of assessment grades in these placements suggest that there is a need to strengthen the level of academic rigour of placements in these programmes. This study aims to compare the attitudes to the usage of assessment rubrics of radiographers supervising medical imaging students and teachers supervising pre‐service teachers.

Methods

WIL placement assessment practices in two programmes, pre‐service teacher training (Avondale College of Higher Education, NSW) and medical diagnostic radiography (Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW), were compared with a view to comparing assessment strategies across these two different educational domains. Educators (course coordinators) responsible for teaching professional development placements of teacher trainees and diagnostic radiography students developed a standards‐based grading rubric designed to guide assessment of students’ work during WIL placement by assessors. After ~12 months of implementation of the rubrics, assessors’ reaction to the effectiveness and usefulness of the grading rubric was determined using a specially created survey form. Data were collected over the period from March to June 2011. Quantitative and qualitative data found that assessors in both programmes considered the grading rubric to be a vital tool in the assessment process, though teacher supervisors were more positive about the benefits of its use than the radiographer supervisors.

Results

Benefits of the grading rubric included accuracy and consistency of grading, ability to identify specific areas of desired development and facilitation of the provision of supervisor feedback. The use of assessment grading rubrics is of benefit to assessors in WIL placements from two very different teaching programmes.

Conclusion

Radiographers appear to need more training in the rubric's use, whereas teachers are found to generally use it appropriately. There are implications drawn from this finding that are applicable to health science and medical education in general.
Comparison of implementation techniques for Galerkin projection between different meshes
Authors: Wang Z. , Henneron T. , Dular P. , Mipo J‐C. , Piriou F.
Published: December 2013

To solve multiphysics problems, weak coupling of finite element calculations can be carried out: the subproblems of which the physical nature differs are solved separately on their own meshes. In this case, Galerkin projection provides useful tool to ensure the transfer of physical fields between different meshes. In terms of implementation, the Galerkin projection system can be either accurately assembled over the intersection of two meshes or approximately integrated over the target mesh. This paper describes and compares these two implementation techniques for the Galerkin projection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A reconstruction of the Asia‐Pacific Oscillation Index for the past 1500 years and its association with the Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Fang Keyan , Davi Nicole , D'Arrigo Rosanne
Published: December 2013

There is a need to understand the long‐term variability Asian‐Pacific Oscillation (APO) due to its close linkages with large‐scale ocean–atmosphere anomalies. The first principal component (PC) of a network of 130 temperature proxies covering East Asia and the northeastern Pacific Ocean was employed to reconstruct the instrumental APO index from 500 to 2006. It explains 46.7% of the instrumental APO variance and correlates significantly with middle to upper tropospheric temperatures. The reconstructed APO reaches its peak in the Little Ice Age (LIA) and is low during the Medieval Climate Anomalies (MCA) period and since the 1850. The APO variations are caused by the temperature difference between East Asia and north Central Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Decadal Oscillations (PDOs) and tropical ocean‐atmospheric features [the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)] are reversely connected to APO variations particularly on long timescale (e.g. centennial timescale) and short timescale (e.g. interannual), respectively, possibly via modulating the strength of the Asian summer monsoon. However, the relationship between the APO and both external forcings (e.g. solar irradiation) and the PDO are quite variable, which is significant only when the influences of the coupled ocean‐atmosphere patterns are weakened. The APO is positively correlated with indices of the hydroclimate of Monsoonal Asia, and is negatively associated with climatic indices for western North America.
Scaling up of Sustainable Land Management in the Western People's Republic of China: Evaluation of a 10‐Year Partnership
Authors: Tengberg Anna , Radstake Frank , Zhang Kebin , Dunn Bruce
Published: December 2013

The People's Republic of China‐Global Environment Facility Partnership to Combat Land Degradation in Dryland Ecosystems promotes an integrated ecosystem management (IEM) approach to restore, sustain and enhance the productive capacity of dryland ecosystems. This paper provides an analysis and synthesis of the funding strategies, methods and approaches that have been applied and tested under the Partnership to pilot and scale up IEM and sustainable land management (SLM) practices in the western People's Republic of China under its first 10 years. On the basis of a mix of methods using literature reviews, data collection at selected pilot sites through household questionnaire surveys, stakeholder workshops and field sampling, the following lessons were generated: (i) mainstreaming of IEM into relevant policy and development frameworks has been the most effective way of mobilizing funding for scaling up of SLM; (ii) SLM best practices need to be combined with economic incentives for land users, and pilot demonstrations of SLM need to be integrated into larger investment programmes to achieve impacts and economies of scale; (iii) market‐based approaches to scaling up of SLM, such as payment for ecosystem services and public–private partnerships, have a role to play, but cost–benefit analysis need to be better integrated into payment schemes; (iv) the economic benefits of carbon sequestration are too low to fund eco‐compensation schemes on their own but can provide supplementary funding; and (v) land degradation and SLM monitoring and assessment systems should be multiscale to support decision‐making on SLM and to monitor impact from the local to the national level. Copyright © 2014 Asian Development Bank
Subtilase SprP exerts pleiotropic effects inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Pelzer Alexander , Polen Tino , Funken Horst , Rosenau Frank , Wilhelm Susanne , Bott Michael , Jaeger Karl‐Erich
Published: December 2013

The open reading framePA1242in the genome ofPseudomonas aeruginosaPAO1 encodes a putative protease belonging to the peptidase S8 family of subtilases. The respective enzyme termed SprP consists of an N‐terminal signal peptide and a so‐called S8 domain linked by a domain of unknown function (DUF). Presumably, thisDUFdomain defines a discrete class ofPseudomonasproteins as homologous domains can be identified almost exclusively in proteins of the genusPseudomonas. ThesprPgene was expressed inEscherichia coliand proteolytic activity was demonstrated. AP. aeruginosa∆sprPmutant was constructed and its gene expression pattern compared to the wild‐type strain by genome microarray analysis revealing altered expression levels of 218 genes. Apparently, SprP is involved in regulation of a variety of different cellular processes inP. aeruginosaincluding pyoverdine synthesis, denitrification, the formation of cell aggregates, and of biofilms.
Alimentary, my dear Watson? The challenges of enteric α‐synuclein as a Parkinson's disease biomarker
Authors: Visanji Naomi P. , Marras Connie , Hazrati Lili‐Naz , Liu Louis W. C. , Lang Anthony E.
Published: December 2013

An accurate early diagnostic test for Parkinson's disease (PD) is a critical unmet need. Recently, independent groups using different histological techniques have reported that the presence of alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn) in colonic biopsy tissue is able to distinguish living patients with PD from those without the disease. In addition, a further study has suggested that the presence of α‐syn in colonic biopsy tissue may be evident in early or even prodromal PD. However, several questions remain regarding the translation of these findings into using the assessment of α‐syn deposition in the enteric nervous system as a diagnostic biomarker for prodromal PD. Here we address critical issues related to the location and quantification of enteric α‐syn, detection of α‐syn with currently available histological techniques, timing of detection of α‐syn deposition, and, most crucially, whether enteric α‐syn can distinguish those with PD from both healthy individuals and individuals with other related diseases. We conclude that, although enteric α‐syn is a very exciting prospect, further studies will be vital to determine whether enteric α‐syn deposition has the potential to be the biomarker for prodromal PD that the field so desperately seeks. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Genome‐wide association study in musician's dystonia: A risk variant at the arylsulfatase G locus?
Authors: Lohmann Katja , Schmidt Alexander , Schillert Arne , Winkler Susen , Albanese Alberto , Baas Frank , Bentivoglio Anna Rita , Borngräber Friederike , Brüggemann Norbert , Defazio Giovanni , Del Sorbo Francesca , Deuschl Günther , Edwards Mark J. , Gasser Thomas , Gómez‐Garre Pilar , Graf Julia , Groen Justus L. , Grünewald Anne , Hagenah Johann , Hemmelmann Claudia , Jabusch Hans‐Christian , Kaji Ryuji , Kasten Meike , Kawakami Hideshi , Kostic Vladimir S. , Liguori Maria , Mir Pablo , Münchau Alexander , Ricchiuti Felicia , Schreiber Stefan , Siegesmund Katharina , Svetel Marina , Tijssen Marina A.J. , Valente Enza Maria , Westenberger Ana , Zeuner Kirsten E. , Zittel Simone , Altenmüller Eckart , Ziegler Andreas , Klein Christine
Published: December 2013

Musician's dystonia (MD) affects 1% to 2% of professional musicians and frequently terminates performance careers. It is characterized by loss of voluntary motor control when playing the instrument. Little is known about genetic risk factors, although MD or writer's dystonia (WD) occurs in relatives of 20% of MD patients. We conducted a 2‐stage genome‐wide association study in whites. Genotypes at 557,620 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) passed stringent quality control for 127 patients and 984 controls. Ten SNPs revealed P < 10−5 and entered the replication phase including 116 MD patients and 125 healthy musicians. A genome‐wide significant SNP (P < 5 × 10−8) was also genotyped in 208 German or Dutch WD patients, 1,969 Caucasian, Spanish, and Japanese patients with other forms of focal or segmental dystonia as well as in 2,233 ethnically matched controls. Genome‐wide significance with MD was observed for an intronic variant in the arylsulfatase G (ARSG) gene (rs11655081; P = 3.95 × 10−9; odds ratio [OR], 4.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.66‐7.05). rs11655081 was also associated with WD (P = 2.78 × 10−2) but not with any other focal or segmental dystonia. The allele frequency of rs11655081 varies substantially between different populations. The population stratification in our sample was modest (λ = 1.07), but the effect size may be overestimated. Using a small but homogenous patient sample, we provide data for a possible association of ARSG with MD. The variant may also contribute to the risk of WD, a form of dystonia that is often found in relatives of MD patients. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
EMILIN2 down‐modulates the Wnt signalling pathway and suppresses breast cancer cell growth and migration
Authors: Marastoni Stefano , Andreuzzi Eva , Paulitti Alice , Colladel Roberta , Pellicani Rosanna , Todaro Federico , Schiavinato Alvise , Bonaldo Paolo , Colombatti Alfonso , Mongiat Maurizio
Published: December 2013

EMILIN2 is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that exerts contradictory effects within the tumour microenvironment: it induces apoptosis in a number of tumour cells, but it also enhances tumour neo‐angiogenesis. In this study, we describe a new mechanism by which EMILIN2 attenuates tumour cell viability. Based on sequence homology with the cysteine‐rich domain (CRD) of the Frizzled receptors, we hypothesized that EMILIN2 could affect Wnt signalling activation and demonstrate direct interaction with the Wnt1 ligand. This physical binding leads to decreased LRP6 phosphorylation and to the down‐modulation of β‐catenin, TAZ and their target genes. As a consequence, EMILIN2 negatively affects the viability, migration and tumourigenic potential of MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells in a number of two‐ and three‐dimensional in vitro assays. EMILIN2 does not modulate Wnt signalling downstream of the Wnt–Frizzled interaction, since it does not affect the activation of the pathway following treatment with the GSK3 inhibitors LiCl and CHIR99021. The interaction with Wnt1 and the subsequent biological effects require the presence of the EMI domain, as there is no effect with a deletion mutant lacking this domain. Moreover, in vivo experiments show that the ectopic expression of EMILIN2, as well as treatment with the recombinant protein, significantly reduce tumour growth and dissemination of cancer cells in nude mice. Accordingly, the tumour samples are characterized by a significant down‐regulation of the Wnt signalling pathway. Altogether, these findings provide further evidence of the complex regulations governed by EMILIN2 in the tumour microenvironment, and they identify a key extracellular regulator of the Wnt signalling pathway. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proline‐rich acidic protein 1 (PRAP1) is a novel interacting partner of MAD1 and has a suppressive role in mitotic checkpoint signalling in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sze Karen Man‐Fong , Chu Glanice Kin‐Yan , Mak Queenie Ho‐Yan , Lee Joyce Man‐Fong , Ng Irene Oi‐Lin
Published: December 2013

Loss of mitotic checkpoint of cells contributes to chromosomal instability and leads to carcinogenesis. Mitotic arrest deficient 1 (MAD1) is a key component in mitotic checkpoint signalling. In this study, we identified a novel MAD1 interacting partner, proline‐rich acidic protein 1 (PRAP1), using yeast‐two hybrid screening, and investigated its role in mitotic checkpoint signalling in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We demonstrated the physical interaction of PRAP1 with MAD1 and of PRAP1 with MAD1 isoform MAD1β, using a co‐immunoprecipitation assay. Moreover, stable expression of PRAP1 in mitotic checkpoint‐competent HCC cells, BEL‐7402 and SMMC‐7721, induced impairment of the mitotic checkpoint (p < 0.01), formation of chromosome bridges (p < 0.01) and aberrant chromosome numbers (p < 0.001). Interestingly, ectopic expression PRAP1 in HCC cells led to significant under‐expression of MAD1. In human HCC tumours, 40.4% (23/57) of HCCs showed under‐expression of PRAP1 protein as compared with their corresponding non‐tumorous livers; up‐regulation of MAD1 protein was significantly associated with down‐regulation of PRAP1 (p = 0.030). Our data revealed that PRAP1 is a protein interacting partner of MAD1 and that PRAP1 is able to down‐regulate MAD1 and suppress mitotic checkpoint signalling in HCC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. www.pathsoc.org.uk
Thermal and mechanical properties of functionalized mullite reinforced unsaturated polyester composites
Authors: Kanimozhi K. , Prabunathan P. , Selvaraj V. , Alagar M.
Published: December 2013

This work studies the development of varying weight percentages (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt%) of surface functionalized mullite reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites and their thermal, dielectric, water absorption, and mechanical properties. The synthesized mullite was functionalized with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES). The introduction of vinyl groups on the surface of mullite was confirmed by FT‐IR, TGA, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Varying weight percentages (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt%) of vinyl functionalized mullite (VFM) were incorporated into UP resin with a benzoyl peroxide initiator to obtain composites. The resultant data obtained from thermal, mechanical, dielectric, and water absorption studies, indicate that incorporation of VFM, leads to a significant improvement in the thermo mechanical, dielectric, and moisture resistant properties of the UP composites, compared with those of neat UP matrices. The molecular dispersion of VFM fiber in reinforced UP matrix composites was confirmed by SEM analysis. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1663–1670, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Modification and characterization of the poly(vinyl chloride)/thermoplastic polyurethane foam composite material
Authors: Wu Kai , Wang Jikui , Lin Fangqin , Liu Yanchang , Yang Kun , Zhou Xu , Zhang Diqi
Published: December 2013

The polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam composite was modified by glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) innovative and prepared by sheet molding method with foaming agent azodicarbon amide (AC) and crosslinking agent bis‐tert‐butylperoxy diisopropylbenzene (BIPB). The properties of PVC/TPU foam composites effected by GMA content were investigated by the density, impact, tensile, and flexible test. The experiment indicated that with the addition of GMA, the impact strength tensile strength and flexible modulus were firstly rose to maximum at a fast rate and then decreased slightly. The properties significantly increased at a low content of modifier GMA. The results observed by differential scanning calorimetry indicated that new crosslinking network between PVC and TUP formed after the addition of GMA. The foam quality and cell morphology were studied by SEM and then statistics. With the addition of 0.6 phr BIPB and 0.5 phr GMA, the cell size of PVC/TPU composite is 80–130 μm and cell wall is 10–15 μm. Furthermore, the cells have more uniform distribution and fewer collapse when compared with the material without GMA. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1716–1722, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Radiation initiated synthesis of 2‐acrylamidoglycolic acid grafted carboxymethyl cellulose as pH‐sensitive hydrogel
Authors: El‐Mohdy H.L. Abd
Published: December 2013

This article exploits a new approach for synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose/poly 2‐acrylamidoglycolic acid by graft and crosslinked copolymerization in aqueous solution by a simple one‐step using γ‐radiation. The reaction parameters affecting the equilibrium swelling, i.e., mass ratio of AG to CMC and irradiation dose were systematically optimized to achieve a superabsorbent hydrogel with a maximum swelling capacity. The structure, crystallinity, thermal stability, and surface morphology were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and elemental analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. FTIR proved that the grafting reaction occurred between the hydroxyl group of CMC and PAG chain. The thermal analysis data show that the prepared hydrogel is more thermally stable than pure CMC. The swelling behaviors in distilled water in various pH solutions, temperature and various ionic salt solutions (NaCl as monovalent, CaCl2 as divalent and FeCl3 as trivalent) were investigated in detail. The effect of cationic salt solutions on the swelling had the following order: Na+ > Ca2+ > Fe3+. In addition, the pH‐reversibility was preliminarily investigated with alternating pH between 12 and 2. The equilibrium swelling of CMC/PAG was achieved in 70 min. The hydrogel was responsive to the pH and salts; it also has reversible swelling and deswelling character. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2753–2761, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers