bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Heideggerian phenomenology to mentorship of nursing students
Authors: Wilson Anthea M.E.
Published: June 2014

Aim

To discuss interpretations of the lived experience of mentoring based on Heidegger's concept of dasein. The focus is on one main theme identified in an in‐depth study of the lived experience of nurses mentoring students in their workplace: a world of hope for the nursing profession.

Background

This article focuses on dasein's ‘existence’, which is temporally aligned with having a future. Data relating to this theme are presented and interpreted with respect to the temporal aspect of dasein pertaining to ‘having a future’ and the Heideggerian existentials of existence and verstehen (understanding).

Design

The research design was based on hermeneutic phenomenology, exploring the mentors' ‘being’.

Methods

Data were gathered during 2008 through hermeneutic interviews, event diaries and participant drawings. Analysis occurred through sustained hermeneutic engagement with the data and application of an interpretive lens provided by Heidegger's care structure.

Results

Three sub‐themes are identified: ‘being a gatekeeper’, ‘sustaining a professional will’, and ‘passing on the special things’.

Conclusions

Mentors can and need to engage on a deep personal level with their students if they are to intervene appropriately as gatekeepers to the profession.
A Longitudinal View of the Association Between Therapist Warmth and Couples' In‐Session Process: An Observational Pilot Study of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
Authors: Schade Lori C. , Sandberg Jonathan G. , Bradford Angela , Harper James M. , Holt‐Lunstad Julianne , Miller Richard B.
Published: June 2014

This longitudinal dyadic clinical process study used coded data from eleven couples to determine the influence of therapist warmth behaviors on couples' warmth behaviors over time in therapy. A mixed effects model was used to examine within‐ and between‐individual variability. Men and women were modeled separately. A series of two‐level multilevel models of change were examined, where Time is Level 1 and Individual is Level 2. Findings were mixed. There was no significant relationship between therapist warmth toward wife and wife warmth toward husband; however, there was a significant relationship between therapist warmth toward husband and husband warmth toward wife. Findings demonstrated that 62.9% of the variance in husband warmth toward wife was accounted for by therapist warmth to husband across time in therapy. Specifically, therapist warmth toward husband was significantly and positively related to husband warmth toward wife over time in therapy. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Functional characterization of the S41Y (C2755A) polymorphism of tryptophan hydroxylase 2
Authors: Carkaci‐Salli Nurgul , Salli Ugur , Tekin Izel , Hengst Jeremy A. , Zhao Moe K. , Gilman T. Lee , Andrews Anne M. , Vrana Kent E.
Published: June 2014

Human TPH2 (hTPH2) catalyzes the rate‐limiting step in CNS serotonin biosynthesis. We characterized a single‐nucleotide polymorphism (C2755A) in the hTPH2 gene that substitutes tyrosine for serine at position 41 in the regulatory domain of the enzyme. This polymorphism is associated with bipolar disorder and peripartum depression in a Chinese population. Recombinant h TPH2 human proteins were expressed in bacteria and also stably expressed in PC12 cells. Following bacterial expression and purification, the tyrosine for serine substitution at position 41 (S41Y) polymorphic enzyme displayed increased Vmax with unchanged Km values. By contrast, enzyme stability was decreased in vitro from 32 min to 4 min (37°C) for the S41Y enzyme (as compared to the wild‐type enzyme). The S41Y polymorphism decreased cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase A‐mediated phosphorylation ~ 50% relative to wild‐type hTPH2, suggesting that the S41Y mutation may disrupt the post‐translational regulation of this enzyme. Transfected PC12 cells expressed hTPH2 mRNA, active protein, and synthesized and released serotonin. Paradoxically, while S41Y‐transfected PC12 cells expressed higher levels of hTPH2 than wild type, they synthesized less serotonin. These findings suggest a modified regulation of the S41Y gene variant leading to altered regulation and reduced neurotransmitter synthesis that may contribute to association of the polymorphism with bipolar disorder and depression.

image

We report the functional implications of a polymorphic human tryptophan hydroxylase‐2 gene associated with depression and bipolar disorder. The polymorphic enzyme (serine‐41 converted to tyrosine) has increased activity, but decreased enzyme stability and serotonin production. Moreover, cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA)‐mediated phosphorylation of the mutant enzyme is decreased suggesting modified regulation of the S41Y variant leading to altered serotonin.
Reverse Price Discrimination with Bayesian Buyers
Authors: Bang Se Hoon , Kim Jaesoo , Yoon Young‐Ro
Published: June 2014

This paper studies price discrimination under the situation in which buyers' prior valuations are initially observable by a seller but buyers receive further information about a product or service which remains private thereafter. The buyers interpret new information via Bayes' rule. We show that, in this environment, prices are not monotone in buyers' prior valuations. Interestingly, this results in the possibility that a seller intentionally offers a higher price to a low valuation buyer rather than a high valuation buyer (Reverse Price Discrimination). We derive this result in both monopoly and duopoly markets.
Competition & Innovation: Evidence from U.S. Patent and Productivity Data
Authors: Correa Juan A. , Ornaghi Carmine
Published: June 2014

Is there any evidence that innovation and technological progress are constrained by competition and fostered by monopoly power? Our results, based on a constructed dataset of U.S. manufacturing industries observed over more than two decades, suggest that this is not the case. On the contrary, using both patent statistics and productivity growth as alternative measures of innovation and technological change, we observe faster technological advances in more competitive markets. These results are robust to changes in the econometric techniques used to model nonlinearity in the competition‐innovation relationship and to alternative methods of computing market power.
Differentiated Standards and Patent Pools
Authors: Schiff Aaron , Aoki Reiko
Published: June 2014

We consider patent pool formation by owners of essential patents for differentiated standards that may be complements or substitutes in use. Pooling improves coordination in terms of royalty setting within a standard but provokes a strategic response from licensors in the competing standard. We characterise the incentives to form and defect from pools within standards and show how pool formation and stability depend on competition between standards. We also examine strategic patent pool formation by consortium standards and show that policies promoting compatibility of standards may increase or decrease welfare depending on the effects on the incentives to form pools.
In vitro comparison of output fluid temperatures for room temperature and prewarmed fluids
Authors: Soto N. , Towle Millard H. A. , Lee R. A. , Weng H. Y.
Published: June 2014

Objective

To determine if prewarmed intravenous fluids produce superior fluid output temperatures compared with room temperature fluids at common anaesthetic fluid rates for small animal patients.

Methods

A prospective, randomised, in vitro fluid line test‐vein study was performed. Nine flow rates were analysed (10, 20, 60, 100, 140, 180, 220, 260 and 300 mL/hour) for room temperature fluids (21°C) and for five prewarmed fluids (40, 45, 50, 55 and 60°C).

Results

For each flow rate tested, room temperature fluids never exceeded 25°C at any time point for each trial (range 18 to 25°C). For each flow rate tested, prewarmed fluids never exceeded 25 · 5°C at any time point for each trial (range 18 to 25 · 5°C). The mean output fluid temperature of prewarmed fluids was significantly warmer than room temperature fluids only at 300 mL/hour for 40°C (P = 0 · 0012), 45°C (P = 0 · 004), 50°C (P = 0 · 0002), 55°C (P = 0 · 0001) and 60°C (P < 0 · 0001).

Clinical Significance

There was no thermodynamic benefit to utilising prewarmed intravenous fluids (up to 60°C) compared with room temperature intravenous fluids at common anaesthetic fluid rates for small animals.
Stress Symptoms and Frequency of Sexual Intercourse Among Young Women
Authors: Hall Kelli Stidham , Kusunoki Yasamin , Gatny Heather , Barber Jennifer
Published: June 2014

Introduction

We have previously documented the relationships between stress and depression symptoms and adolescent women's nonuse and misuse of condoms and other contraceptive methods and on their unintended pregnancy rates.

Aim

Here, we examine relationships between mental health symptoms and another understudied adolescent reproductive health behavior—frequency of sexual intercourse.

Main Outcome Measure

Our outcome was weekly sexual intercourse activity.

Methods

We used panel data from a longitudinal, population-based cohort study of 992 women ages 18–20. Weekly journals measured sociodemographic, relationship, reproductive, and mental health characteristics, sexual and contraceptive behaviors, and pregnancy history. We examined 27,130 surveys from 952 women during the first study year. Predictors of weekly sexual intercourse were moderate to severe stress (Perceived Stress Scale-4) and depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-5) symptoms measured at baseline. Multilevel, mixed-effects logistic regression models estimated the relationships between stress and depression symptoms and the weekly odds of sexual intercourse while adjusting for covariate fixed effects and random woman effects.

Results

Nearly a quarter of the sample had moderate to severe stress (23%) and depression (24%) symptoms at baseline. Women reported sexual intercourse in 36% of weeks. Proportions of sexually active weeks were higher among women with stress (43%) and depression (40%) compared with those without symptoms (35% and 35%, respectively; P values < 0.001). Controlling for covariates, women with baseline stress symptoms had 1.6 times higher weekly odds of sexual intercourse compared with women without stress (adjusted odds ratio 1.6, confidence interval [1.1, 2.5]; P = 0.04). Depression symptoms were not associated with sexual intercourse frequency in adjusted models.

Conclusions

Stress symptoms were positively associated with sexual intercourse frequency among these young women. Research and practice efforts are needed to identify effective sexual health promotion and risk-reduction strategies, including contraceptive education and counseling, in the context of mental health symptoms and unintended pregnancy.
Effects of Hydraulic Dredging for Mercenaria mercenaria, Northern Quahog, on Sediment Biogeochemistry
Authors: Meseck Shannon L. , Mercaldo‐Allen Renée , Rose Julie M. , Clark Paul , Kuropat Catherine , Pereira Jose J. , Goldberg Ronald
Published: June 2014

A before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) experiment was conducted to examine the effects of hydraulic clam dredging on sediment biogeochemistry of a leased shellfish bed of Mercenaria mercenaria, northern quahog, over the course of an entire growing season. Six study plots (0.67 ha each), three dredged and three not dredged, off of Milford, Connecticut, in Long Island Sound, were sampled from May to October 2009 for porewater fluxes of total ammonia, oxygen, and hydrogen. Particulate samples were also analyzed for grain size, total nitrogen, total carbon, total sulfur, and organic carbon. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference between dredged and not dredged sites. Grain size and oxygen flux explained 22% of the variation in the total benthic species assemblages; grain size and either total carbon or organic nitrogen explained 18% of the variation in molluscan abundance. Our study demonstrates that one‐time hydraulic shellfish harvesting had minor effects on the sediment chemistry of a leased clam bed.
Investigation in Reuse of Decommissioned Wastewater Facility and Reclaimed Water for Culturing Paddlefish Fingerlings
Authors: Cuevas‐Uribe Rafael , Mims Steven D.
Published: June 2014

Reclaimed water is treated wastewater that has received at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection and is reused for beneficial purposes. The goal of this study was to develop a safe and reliable sustainable aquaculture system for producing stocker fish using reclaimed water in decommissioned wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Kentucky. The specific objectives were (1) to monitor paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, growth and survival and water quality in experimental tanks with static or flow‐through reclaimed water, (2) to evaluate the use of decommissioned tanks for large‐scale production of phase II paddlefish, and (3) to biomonitor paddlefish grown in reclaimed water for contaminants. Phase I paddlefish (11 ± 2.6 g) were produced by feeding live Daphnia collected daily from the clarifier tanks with hand‐pulled nets for 27 d. Phase II paddlefish were produced in four replicated 5600‐L experimental tanks with static and flow‐through reclaimed water. Paddlefish from the flow‐through system were significantly larger (199.2 ± 61 g) and had better feed conversion ratios (2.8 ± 2.1) than those from the static system (135.5 ± 51 g; 4.1 ± 1.6). For the large‐scale trial, two 1125 m3 decommissioned digester tanks were stocked with 50,000 paddlefish larvae per tank. One tank was treated as a flow‐through system with reclaimed water flowing at a rate of 280 L/min, while the other tank was treated as a static system where water was just added to replace that lost by evaporation. Survival rate (40%) and weight (194.1 ± 25.4 g) from the flow‐through system were significantly different from those of the static system (31%; 147.1 ± 6.5 g). This difference could be linked to better water quality in the flow‐through systems. Analyses for 38 contaminants were conducted on Daphnia, prepared diets, and paddlefish. All the concentration levels detected were at levels well below the FDA action limits and their permissible limits in edible food. The result from this project showed that paddlefish can be successfully produced in large-scale as stocker fish using reclaimed water in decommissioned tanks at WWTP.
Tetracycline Immersion Tagging of Cuttlefish, Sepiella japonica, Larvae
Authors: Jiang Lihua , Zhu Aiyi , Wu Changwen , Su Yongquan , Zhang Jiangse , Dong Zhiyong
Published: June 2014

This paper describes the results of tetracycline immersion as a means to tag Sepiella japonica larvae, as well as the toxicity of this approach. The purpose of this study was to differentiate wild and artificially bred cuttlefish using tetracycline marking. We studied the effects of tetracycline immersion and marking on cuttlefish larvae with mantle length of 0.45–0.8 cm. To use the optimum concentration of tetracycline for tagging, the toxicity of tetracycline immersion was determined prior to the tagging experiments. All the cuttlebones were successfully marked in yellow and the tag was clearly visible without any assistive tools after the beginning of the experiment. A positive correlation was found between immersion time and depth of tag color. We conclude that tetracycline immersion marking is an effective mass‐tagging method for S. japonica.
Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Barodon on Growth Performance, Innate Immunity and Disease Resistance of Juvenile Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, Against Streptococcus iniae
Authors: Shin Chang‐Hoon , Bui Hien Thi Dieu , Rahimnejad Samad , Cha Ji‐Hoon , Yoo Byung‐Woo , Lee Bo‐Kyeun , Ahn Hyung‐Jin , Choi Soo‐Il , Choi Yun‐Jeong , Park Yong‐Ho , Kim Jeong‐Dae , Lee Kyeong‐Jun
Published: June 2014

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Barodon, an anionic alkali mineral complex, on growth, feed utilization, humoral innate immunity and disease resistance of olive flounder. A basal experimental diet was used as a control and supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5% Barodon. Triplicate groups of fish (26.4 ± 0.2 g) were fed one of the diets to apparent satiation twice daily for 10 wk. The growth performance was enhanced (P < 0.05) linearly and quadratically in fish fed diets containing Barodon compared with that in fish fed the control. Feed utilization was significantly improved by Barodon supplementation. Serum lysozyme and antiprotease activities were increased quadratically in Barodon fed groups. Also, significantly higher superoxide dismutase activity was found in Barodon‐fed fish. Dietary supplementation of 0.1–0.3% Barodon resulted in significant enhancement of fish disease resistance against Streptococcus iniae. The findings in this study indicate that dietary supplementation of Barodon can enhance growth, feed utilization, innate immunity, and disease resistance of olive flounder and that the optimum level seems to be 0.1% in diets.
A Technical Efficiency Analysis of Hawaii's Aquaculture Industry
Authors: Arita Shawn , Leung PingSun
Published: June 2014

This study examines the technical efficiency (TE) of aquaculture farms in Hawaii. Policy makers and industry participants interested in assessing the economic outlook of aquaculture production not only have to assess measures of profitability and financial health, but also measures of production efficiency. We estimate the TE of the state's aquafarms with a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model. Using data from the US Census of Agriculture, we examine TE measures of the population of Hawaii's aquafarms across different types of farms and over time. The results show that only 12% of the farms in 2007 may be classified as efficient, with a steady decline in efficiency over time. We find TE was related to the size of farm, full‐time farms were significantly more efficient than part‐time farms and that the average excess real inputs for land and labor have slightly fallen over time. The sub‐sector analysis revealed a strong variation of TE across different type of farms. With few farms operating on the frontier, the findings of this study suggest that the majority of the farms could improve their TE.
Short‐Term Flavoxate Treatment Alters Detrusor Contractility Characteristics: Renewed Interest in Clinical Use?
Authors: TANG Hong C. , LAM Wai P. , ZHANG Xin , LEUNG Ping C. , YEW David T. , LIANG Willmann
Published: June 2014

Objectives

Flavoxate has had a long history of use in the treatment of overactive bladder, despite the lack of documentation on its clinical efficacy and mechanism(s) of action. This study was conducted to understand how contractility characteristics of the detrusor are affected after a short period of flavoxate treatment.

Methods

Eight‐week‐old mice were treated with flavoxate for 5 days and detrusor contractile responses were examined ex vivo under different pharmacological and electrical stimuli.

Results

K+‐Krebs'‐induced contraction developed more slowly while 64 Hz electrical field stimulation‐induced contraction developed faster in flavoxate‐treated strips when compared to control. Amplitudes of maximal and steady‐state contraction induced by 3 µmol/L carbachol were also larger after flavoxate treatment. Control strips showed an overall greater dependence on stimulus strength in eliciting the responses.

Conclusions

These findings provided new information of how short‐term flavoxate treatment altered contractility characteristics at the bladder level, which may instill new interest in investigating the use of this drug in bladder disorders not responding well to conventional treatments.
Exposure history of the Sutter's Mill carbonaceous chondrite
Authors: Nishiizumi K. , Caffee M. W. , Hamajima Y. , Reedy R. C. , Welten K. C.
Published: June 2014

The Sutter's Mill (SM) carbonaceous chondrite fell in California on April 22, 2012. The cosmogenic radionuclide data indicate that Sutter's Mill was exposed to cosmic rays for 0.082 ± 0.008 Myr, which is one of the shortest ages for C chondrites, but overlaps with a small cluster at approximately 0.1 Myr. The age is significantly longer than proposed ages that were obtained from cosmogenic noble gas concentrations, which have large uncertainties due to trapped noble gas corrections. The presence of neutron‐capture 60Co and 36Cl in SM indicates a minimum preatmospheric radius of approximately 50 cm, and is consistent with a radius of 1–2 m, as derived from the fireball observations. Although a large preatmospheric size was proposed, one fragment (SM18) contains solar cosmic ray–produced short‐lived radionuclides, such as 56Co and 51Cr. This implies that this specimen was less than 2 cm from the preatmospheric surface of Sutter's Mill. Although this conclusion seems surprising, it is consistent with the observation that the meteoroid fragmented high in the atmosphere. The presence of SCR‐produced nuclides is consistent with the high SCR fluxes observed during the last few months before the meteorite's fall, when its orbit was less than 1 AU from the Sun.
Progressive deformation of feldspar recording low‐barometry impact processes, Tenoumer impact structure, Mauritania
Authors: Jaret Steven J. , Kah Linda C. , Harris R. Scott
Published: June 2014

The Tenoumer impact structure is a small, well‐preserved crater within Archean to Paleoproterozoic amphibolite, gneiss, and granite of the Reguibat Shield, north‐central Mauritania. The structure is surrounded by a thin ejecta blanket of crystalline blocks (granitic gneiss, granite, and amphibolite) and impact‐melt rocks. Evidence of shock metamorphism of quartz, most notably planar deformation features (PDFs), occurs exclusively in granitic clasts entrained within small bodies of polymict, glass‐rich breccia. Impact‐related deformation features in oligoclase and microcline grains, on the other hand, occur both within clasts in melt‐breccia deposits, where they co‐occur with quartz PDFs, and also within melt‐free crystalline ejecta, in the absence of co‐occurring quartz PDFs. Feldspar deformation features include multiple orientations of PDFs, enhanced optical relief of grain components, selective disordering of alternate twins, inclined lamellae within alternate twins, and combinations of these individual textures. The distribution of shock features in quartz and feldspar suggests that deformation textures within feldspar can record a wide range of average pressures, starting below that required for shock deformation of quartz. We suggest that experimental analysis of feldspar behavior, combined with detailed mapping of shock metamorphism of feldspar in natural systems, may provide critical data to constrain energy dissipation within impact regimes that experienced low average shock pressures.
Boomerang ecosystem fluxes: organic carbon inputs from land to lakes are returned to terrestrial food webs via aquatic insects
Authors: Scharnweber K. , Vanni M. J. , Hilt S. , Syväranta J. , Mehner T.
Published: June 2014

Many ecosystems are linked to their adjacent ecosystems by movements of organisms. For instance, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are linked via emerging aquatic insects that serve as prey for terrestrial consumers. However, the role of these organisms in returning recycled carbon to the ecosystem from which it originated is not well known. This is due to the fact that values of carbon isotope signatures from terrestrial leaves and aquatic resources are usually similar and hence results of isotope mixing models need to be considered with caution. We overcame this problem by adding isotopically distinct terrestrial particulate organic carbon (tPOC) as a tracer to the experimental sides of two lakes that were divided in two equal halves with plastic curtains. We focused on aquatic insect larvae (Chironomidae) that fed on maize Zea mays leaves experimentally added to the lakes, and subsequently became prey for terrestrial predators (spiders) after emergence. The carbon isotope values of Chironomidae and spiders were significantly elevated in the lake treatment sides as compared to reference sides, whereas the values of all autochthonous resources were not affected by maize additions. Estimates from stable isotope mixing models indicated a low but demonstrable contribution of maize leaves to the diet of Chironomidae. Overlap between the isotope values of alder leaves, the major natural tPOC source, and autochthonous resources prevented a reliable quantification of allochthony of Chironomidae. However, we qualitatively demonstrated the flow of terrestrial particulate organic carbon to lakes, as leaf fall, and back to terrestrial surroundings via emerging insects. This ‘boomerang’ carbon flux between land and lakes blurs the distinction between autochthonous and allochthonous carbon sources.
Assessing the Impact of Federal Funding on Faith‐Based and Community Organization Program Spending
Authors: Sloan Margaret F. , Grizzle Cleopatra
Published: June 2014

This study examines the impact of federal funding levels on the program spending of faith‐based and community organizations in Kentucky. Prior research indicates that organizations could increase spending on overall program expenses or decrease program spending relative to administrative costs as a result of greater reporting demands from federal funders. Three models of program spending are proposed: increased program spending relative to administrative costs (program enhancement effect), decreased program spending relative to administrative costs (administrative enhancement effect), and no net effect (neutral program‐spending effect). The analysis supports the program enhancement effect and estimates that federal funding has a positive relationship with increased program spending relative to other expenses in faith‐based and community organizations.
Papillon–Lefèvre Syndrome with Homozygous Nonsense Mutation of Cathepsin C Gene Presenting with Late‐Onset Periodontitis
Authors: Ragunatha Shivanna , Ramesh Mudalagirigowda , Anupama Panagar , Kapoor Meenakshi , Bhat Meenakshi
Published: June 2014

Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of keratinization caused by homozygous mutations in the gene encoding lysosomal protease cathepsin C (CTSC). It is clinically characterized by transgredient palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) and periodontitis. A 15‐year‐old boy presenting with PPK from the age of 6 months and late‐onset periodontitis that began at the age of 12 years is described. Mutation analysis revealed a homozygous nonsense mutation (p.Y304X) in exon 7 of the CTSC gene. Late‐onset periodontitis in a patient with Papillon‐Lefèvre syndrome is a rare phenotypic variation.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Shin Sung Hyun , Kim Young Mi , Kim Hye Young , Lee Yoon Jin , Nam Sang Ook
Published: June 2014

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is defined as increased intracranial pressure of unknown origin. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a rare condition in adolescence. We report the case of a 14‐year‐old girl with sudden onset of decreased visual acuity, headache and menstrual irregularity. Clinical neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbit were normal. Lumbar puncture demonstrated an increased opening pressure of 31 cmH2O. Gynecologic investigation indicated PCOS. Her symptoms improved with medical and surgical treatment for the underlying PCOS.
Extraordinary cause of complete colonic obstruction in children: Urinary retention
Authors: Kilincaslan Huseyin , Silay Mesrur Selcuk , Erdem Mehmet Remzi , Donmez Tugrul , Bilici Mustafa , Erenberk Ufuk
Published: June 2014

Complete colonic obstruction in children may occur secondary to congenital, and acquired factors related to the gastrointestinal system. Herein, we report an extraordinary presentation of complete colonic obstruction due to extensive urinary retention in a 3‐year‐old boy. The possible underlying mechanism was detected as urinary infection in a child with horseshoe kidney. The treatment of the bladder symptoms and urinary infection relieved the obstruction of the colon. To our knowledge, especially in children, colonic obstruction due to urinary retention has not been reported in the literature.
Glycemic control and motor development in a patient with intermediate DEND
Authors: Oka Hideharu , Suzuki Shigeru , Furuya Akiko , Matsuo Kumihiro , Amamiya Satoshi , Oshima Miho , Oka Toshiaki , Mukai Tokuo , Okayama Akie , Araki Akiko , Azuma Hiroshi , Tanahashi Yusuke
Published: June 2014

The most common cause of neonatal diabetes, KCNJ11 gene mutation, can manifest as a neurological disorder. The most severe form consists of a constellation of developmental delay, epilepsy, and neonatal diabetes (DEND). Intermediate DEND (iDEND) refers to a milder presentation without epilepsy. We present a child with iDEND, for whom insulin injections were replaced with glibenclamide therapy at 17 months of age because of poor glycemic control and delayed motor development. Three months after initiation of glibenclamide, HbA1c decreased from 10.2% to 5.6%. Continuous glucose monitoring indicated that blood glucose fluctuations were suppressed while on glibenclamide. Furthermore, after initiating glibenclamide therapy, the developmental quotient (DQ) for motor ability markedly improved from 60 to 91, whereas the DQ for language and adoptive ability remained as they had been before the sulfonylurea treatment. Sulfonylurea treatment improved glycemic control and motor development in the present patient.
Bone marrow transplant for a girl with bone marrow failure and cerebral palsy
Authors: Kodama Yuichi , Okamoto Yasuhiro , Shinkoda Yuichi , Tanabe Takayuki , Nishikawa Takuro , Yamaki Yuni , Kurauchi Koichiro , Kawano Yoshifumi
Published: June 2014

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has been used with increasing frequency to treat congenital bone marrow failure syndrome (CBMFs) successfully. Decision to perform BMT, however, is difficult in the case of comorbidity because of regimen‐related toxicities. We describe here a child with CBMFs, severe cerebral palsy (CP) at Gross Motor Function Classification System level V and mental retardation (MR) who was transfusion dependent despite various medications. She underwent BMT from an HLA‐1 locus‐mismatched unrelated donor. Although engraftment was successful, no neurological improvement was seen 5 years after BMT. While CBMFs patients who have CP and MR could undergo transplantation safely, they may not benefit neurologically from BMT.
Utility of non‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to detect acute pyelonephritis
Authors: Aoyagi Jun , Odaka Jun , Kuroiwa Yuri , Nakashima Naomi , Ito Takane , Saito Takashi , Kanai Takahiro , Yamagata Takanori , Momoi Mariko Y
Published: June 2014

It has been established that enhanced computed tomography (CT) and 99mTc‐dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy (99mTc‐DMSA scintigraphy) used in conjunction with single‐photon emission CT is a useful tool for the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN). The utility of non‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), however, has not been investigated extensively for the diagnosis of APN or renal abscess in children. We describe the case of a 23‐month‐old boy with suspected APN who received non‐enhanced MRI. Whole body diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) was used, and a background body‐signal suppression sequence was applied. High‐intensity focal lesions were identified on DWI and low‐intensity lesions on the apparent diffusion coefficient map in the acute phase. This case suggested that non‐enhanced MRI could be a useful tool for the diagnosis of APN in children, because it can avoid the risks of not only radiation exposure but also nephrogenic systemic fibrosis associated with gadolinium‐based contrast agents, especially in infants.
Synovial sarcoma in a premature newborn
Authors: Köse Doğan , Annagür Ali , Erol Cengiz , Uğraş Serdar , Köksal Yavuz
Published: June 2014

Synovial sarcoma is rarely detected in infants, with an annual incidence of 0.5 per million. Synovial sarcoma occurs more frequently in adolescents and young adults, with the majority of patients presenting between 15 and 40 years of age. It is extremely rare, however, in pediatric patients under 2 years of age. In the present study we examined a 3‐day‐old male infant born at 32 weeks who had a mass on his left arm. Synovial sarcoma was identified on histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of biopsy material acquired from the mass. On whole body magnetic resonance imaging, diffuse metastases were detected in the bilateral lungs in the retroperitoneal zone, in bilateral suprarenal glands, the right liver lobe, the right kidney, and the brain. To our knowledge this is the youngest patient to be diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in the literature.
Datura stramonium intoxication in two children
Authors: Rakotomavo Falihery , Andriamasy Caroline , Rasamoelina Ndrantoniaina , Raveloson Nasolotsiry
Published: June 2014

Datura stramonium is a toxic plant member of the Solanaceae family. Its consumption may result in severe anticholinergic toxicity. We report the intoxication of 5‐ and 4‐year‐old brothers with Datura stramonium, which presented in two different manners. The first child presented agitation, hallucination and mydriasis that improved rapidly with benzodiazepine medication. The second presented comatose, mydriasis and Babinski signs. Gastric lavage and activated charcoal administration were performed. The child was intubated and mechanically ventilated until consciousness improvement. Datura stramonium poisoning may be considered by physicians in case of acute onset of decreased consciousness or behaviour trouble associated with anticholinergic signs and symptoms.
Photophysical Properties and Singlet Oxygen Generation Efficiencies of Water‐Soluble Fullerene Nanoparticles
Authors: Stasheuski Alexander S. , Galievsky Victor A. , Stupak Alexander P. , Dzhagarov Boris M. , Choi Mi Jin , Chung Bong Hyun , Jeong Jin Young
Published: June 2014

As various fullerene derivatives have been developed, it is necessary to explore their photophysical properties for potential use in photoelectronics and medicine. Here, we address the photophysical properties of newly synthesized water‐soluble fullerene‐based nanoparticles and polyhydroxylated fullerene as a representative water‐soluble fullerene derivative. They show broad emission band arising from a wide‐range of excitation energies. It is attributed to the optical transitions from disorder‐induced states, which decay in the nanosecond time range. We determine the kinetic properties of the singlet oxygen (1O2) luminescence generated by the fullerene nanoparticles and polyhydroxylated fullerene to consider the potential as photodynamic agents. Triplet state decay of the nanoparticles was longer than 1O2 lifetime in water. Singlet oxygen quantum yield of a series of the fullerene nanoparticles is comparably higher ranging from 0.15 to 0.2 than that of polyhydroxylated fullerene, which is about 0.06.
Motor abilities and anthropometrics in youth cross‐country skiing
Authors: Stöggl R. , Müller E. , Stöggl T.
Published: June 2014

The purposes were to validate whether general motor abilities and anthropometrics are determinants of youth cross‐country (XC) skiing performance; evaluate gender‐specific differences; and to establish noninvasive diagnostics. Fifty‐one youth XC skiers (34 boys; 13.8 ± 0.6 years and 17 girls; 13.4 ± 0.9 years) performed motor skill and laboratory tests, and anthropometric data were collected and correlated with XC skiing performance. Anthropometrics and maturity status were related to boys but not to girls XC skiing performance. Push‐ups and 20‐m sprint were correlated to XC skiing performance in both boys and girls. XC skiing performance of boys was predominantly influenced by upper body and trunk strength capacities (medicine ball throw, push‐ups, and pull‐ups) and jumping power (standing long and triple jump), whereas XC skiing of girls was mainly influenced by aerobic capacities (3000‐m run). Laboratory measures did not reveal greater correlations to XC skiing performance compared with simple test concepts of speed, strength, and endurance. Maturity was a major confounding variable in boys but not girls. Use of noninvasive simple test concepts for determination of upper body strength, speed, and endurance represent practicable support for ski clubs, schools, or skiing federations in the guidance and evaluation of young talent, being aware of the effect of maturity especially in boys.
The RHD(1227G>A) DEL‐associated allele is the most prevalent DEL allele in Australian D– blood donors with C+ and/or E+ phenotypes
Authors: Scott Stacy A. , Nagl Lisa , Tilley Louise , Liew Yew‐Wah , Condon Jenny , Flower Robert , Hyland Catherine A.
Published: June 2014

Background

Red blood cells (RBCs) with D antigen levels only detected by anti‐D adsorption‐elution and an antiglobulin test express a DEL phenotype. For two DEL types, including RHD(1227G>A), immunization of D– recipients has been reported. This study's aim was to measure the prevalence of DEL‐associated RHD alleles in a cohort of Australian D– donors to develop a model to estimate alloimmunization risk.

Study Design and Methods

D–, C+ and/or E+ blood donors were screened for RHD exons using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Donors with RHD signals were DEL phenotyped with MCAD6 anti‐D. RHD alleles were characterized via single‐nucleotide polymorphism array or sequencing. Extended DEL phenotyping was performed with an anti‐D panel.

Results

Among 2027 donors, 39 carried RHD alleles that have been previously reported to associate with either the DEL or the weak D phenotype. An additional five donors carried previously unreported RHD alleles and exhibited the DEL phenotype: RHD(IVS2‐2delA), RHD(IVS1+5G>C), RHD(ex9:del/CE), and RHD(ex8:del/CE) represented twice. In total, DEL/weak D–associated RHD alleles were detected in 44 of 2027 donors or 2.17% (95% confidence interval, 1.54%‐2.81%). The RHD(1227G>A) DEL allele was the most frequent (n = 16). The risk of transfusing D– females not more than 40 years of age with an RHD(1227G>A) DEL RBC unit (when managed as D–) is estimated to be one in 149,109 transfusions (range, 100,680‐294,490).

Conclusion

DEL/weak D–associated RHD alleles were found in 2.17% of Australian D–, C+ and/or E+ blood donors. This differs from previous European reports in that the clinically significant RHD(1227G>A) DEL allele is the most prevalent.
From gene action to reactive genomes
Authors: Keller Evelyn Fox
Published: June 2014

Poised at a critical turning point in the history of genetics, recent work (e.g. in genomics, epigenetics, genomic plasticity) obliges us to critically reexamine many of our most basic concepts. For example, I argue that genomic research supports a radical transformation in our understanding of the genome – a shift from an earlier conception of that entity as an effectively static collection of active genes to that of a dynamic and reactive system dedicated to the context specific regulation of protein‐coding sequences.
Physiology of the read–write genome
Authors: Shapiro James A.
Published: June 2014

Discoveries in cytogenetics, molecular biology, and genomics have revealed that genome change is an active cell‐mediated physiological process. This is distinctly at variance with the pre‐DNA assumption that genetic changes arise accidentally and sporadically. The discovery that DNA changes arise as the result of regulated cell biochemistry means that the genome is best modelled as a read–write (RW) data storage system rather than a read‐only memory (ROM). The evidence behind this change in thinking and a consideration of some of its implications are the subjects of this article. Specific points include the following: cells protect themselves from accidental genome change with proofreading and DNA damage repair systems; localized point mutations result from the action of specialized trans‐lesion mutator DNA polymerases; cells can join broken chromosomes and generate genome rearrangements by non‐homologous end‐joining (NHEJ) processes in specialized subnuclear repair centres; cells have a broad variety of natural genetic engineering (NGE) functions for transporting, diversifying and reorganizing DNA sequences in ways that generate many classes of genomic novelties; natural genetic engineering functions are regulated and subject to activation by a range of challenging life history events; cells can target the action of natural genetic engineering functions to particular genome locations by a range of well‐established molecular interactions, including protein binding with regulatory factors and linkage to transcription; and genome changes in cancer can usefully be considered as consequences of the loss of homeostatic control over natural genetic engineering functions.
The genome as a developmental organ
Authors: Lamm Ehud
Published: June 2014

This paper applies the conceptual toolkit of Evolutionary Developmental Biology (evo‐devo) to the evolution of the genome and the role of the genome in organism development. This challenges both the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis, the dominant view in evolutionary theory for much of the 20th century, and the typically unreflective analysis of heredity by evo‐devo. First, the history of the marginalization of applying system‐thinking to the genome is described. Next, the suggested framework is presented. Finally, its application to the evolution of genome modularity, the evolution of induced mutations, the junk DNAversusENCODE debate, the role of drift in genome evolution, and the relationship between genome dynamics and symbiosis with microorganisms are briefly discussed.
The evolutionary origin of form and function
Authors: Baverstock Keith , Rönkkö Mauno
Published: June 2014

We regard the basic unit of the organism, the cell, as a complex dissipative natural process functioning under the second law of thermodynamics and the principle of least action. Organisms are conglomerates of information bearing cells that optimise the efficiency of energy (nutrient) extraction from its ecosystem. Dissipative processes, such as peptide folding and protein interaction, yield phenotypic information from which form and function emerge from cell to cell interactions within the organism. Organisms, in Darwin's ‘proportional numbers’, in turn interact to minimise the free energy of their ecosystems. Genetic variation plays no role in this holistic conceptualisation of the life process.
Endogenous bioelectrical networks store non‐genetic patterning information during development and regeneration
Authors: Levin Michael
Published: June 2014

Pattern formation, as occurs during embryogenesis or regeneration, is the crucial link between genotype and the functions upon which selection operates. Even cancer and aging can be seen as challenges to the continuous physiological processes that orchestrate individual cell activities toward the anatomical needs of an organism. Thus, the origin and maintenance of complex biological shape is a fundamental question for cell, developmental, and evolutionary biology, as well as for biomedicine. It has long been recognized that slow bioelectrical gradients can control cell behaviors and morphogenesis. Here, I review recent molecular data that implicate endogenous spatio‐temporal patterns of resting potentials among non‐excitable cells as instructive cues in embryogenesis, regeneration, and cancer. Functional data have implicated gradients of resting potential in processes such as limb regeneration, eye induction, craniofacial patterning, and head‐tail polarity, as well as in metastatic transformation and tumorigenesis. The genome is tightly linked to bioelectric signaling, via ion channel proteins that shape the gradients, downstream genes whose transcription is regulated by voltage, and transduction machinery that converts changes in bioelectric state to second‐messenger cascades. However, the data clearly indicate that bioelectric signaling is an autonomous layer of control not reducible to a biochemical or genetic account of cell state. The real‐time dynamics of bioelectric communication among cells are not fully captured by transcriptomic or proteomic analyses, and the necessary‐and‐sufficient triggers for specific changes in growth and form can be physiological states, while the underlying gene loci are free to diverge. The next steps in this exciting new field include the development of novel conceptual tools for understanding the anatomical semantics encoded in non‐neural bioelectrical networks, and of improved biophysical tools for reading and writing electrical state information into somatic tissues. Cracking the bioelectric code will have transformative implications for developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and synthetic bioengineering.
The concept of function in modern physiology
Authors: Roux Etienne
Published: June 2014

An overview of the scientific literature shows that the concept of function is central in physiology. However, the concept itself is not defined by physiologists. On the other hand, the teleological, namely, the ‘goal‐directed’ dimension of function, and its subsequent explanatory relevance, is a philosophical problem. Intuitively, the function of a trait in a system explains why this trait is present, but, in the early 1960s, Ernest Nagel and Carl Hempel have shown that this inference cannot be logically founded. However, they showed that self‐regulated systems are teleological. According to the selectionist theories, the function of an item is its effect that has been selected by natural selection, a process that explains its presence. As they restrict the functional attribution of a trait to its past selective value and not its current properties, these theories are inconsistent with the concept of function in physiology. A more adequate one is the causal role theory, for which a function of a trait in a system is its causal contribution to the functional capacity of the system. However, this leaves unsolved the question of the ‘surplus meaning’ of the teleological dimension of function. The significance of considering organisms as ‘purpose‐like’ (teleological) systems may reside not in its explanatory power but in its methodological fruitfulness in physiology. In this view, the teleological dimension of physiological functions is convergent to but not imported from, the teleological dimension of evolutionary biology.
Bioattractors: dynamical systems theory and the evolution of regulatory processes
Authors: Jaeger Johannes , Monk Nick
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we illustrate how dynamical systems theory can provide a unifying conceptual framework for evolution of biological regulatory systems. Our argument is that the genotype–phenotype map can be characterized by the phase portrait of the underlying regulatory process. The features of this portrait – such as attractors with associated basins and their bifurcations – define the regulatory and evolutionary potential of a system. We show how the geometric analysis of phase space connects Waddington's epigenetic landscape to recent computational approaches for the study of robustness and evolvability in network evolution. We discuss how the geometry of phase space determines the probability of possible phenotypic transitions. Finally, we demonstrate how the active, self‐organizing role of the environment in phenotypic evolution can be understood in terms of dynamical systems concepts. This approach yields mechanistic explanations that go beyond insights based on the simulation of evolving regulatory networks alone. Its predictions can now be tested by studying specific, experimentally tractable regulatory systems using the tools of modern systems biology. A systematic exploration of such systems will enable us to understand better the nature and origin of the phenotypic variability, which provides the substrate for evolution by natural selection.