bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The acceptability of case-finding questions to identify perinatal depression
Authors: Mann Rachel , Adamson Joy , Gilbody Simon
Published: September 2015

Background:

Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence advocates the use of two case-finding questions about depressed mood and loss of interest in activities to identify perinatal depression. However, there are no studies of their acceptability when administered in the antenatal and postnatal period.

Methods:

The study was an intra-mixed methods cohort study set in an antenatal clinic in an inner-city hospital in the North of England. Pregnant women attending a routine antenatal appointment at approximately 26 weeks' gestation completed a self-report survey at a routine hospital antenatal appointment and a postal survey between 5 and 13 weeks postnatal. Survey responses and free-text commentaries of women's views were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.

Results:

Ninety-three percent of participants felt it was desirable to ask about perinatal mental wellbeing, and 97% felt comfortable answering the questions. Free-text comments revealed depressed and non-depressed women found the questions easy, simple and straightforward to answer.

Conclusions:

Case-finding questions to identify perinatal depression were generally acceptable to depressed and non-depressed pregnant and newly delivered mothers. Health professionals should consider the acceptability and appropriateness of this strategy in order to facilitate identification of perinatal mental health issues in routine maternity care practice.
Research roundup: September 2015
Authors: Richens Yana
Published: September 2015

In this section, a range of brief synopses of recently published articles from around the world that may be of interest to midwives is presented. The aim of this roundup is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary, of the research papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
Common congenital ocular conditions
Authors: Mathieson Iona
Published: September 2015

This article reviews the more common congenital ocular conditions affecting the globe and adnexa. The aetiology and clinical appearance of the diseases are described, and treatment options are briefly discussed where they exist. The article discusses the importance of both a thorough ophthalmic examination and familiarity with the mechanisms of ocular development, to enhance our understanding of the ocular pathology of these conditions and to achieve accurate diagnoses.
Effects of vacuum compression therapy on lower limb vascular parameters in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Khadir AMK Sheik Abdul , Chatterjee Suneeti P
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims:

Vacuum compression therapy (VCT) is used as an adjunct to the treatment of diabetic ulcers. This study assessed the efficacy of VCT on lower limb vascular parameters in people with type 2 diabetes who do not have ulcers in comparison with conventional therapy for diabetes.

Methods:

Forty patients who had diabetes for at least 5 years were included in the study. Thorough foot evaluations, including assessments of motor, sensory and circulatory functions, were carried out. Over 4 weeks, those in the intervention group (n=20) received conventional diabetes care plus VCT and those in the control group (n=20) received conventional diabetes care alone. The circulatory function of all participants was assessed using the ankle–brachial index, skin temperature at the dorsum of the foot and capillary refill time measurements at the initial assessment, after 2 weeks of therapy, after the completion of treatment (after 4 weeks) and at 1 month follow-up post-treatment. Results were analysed using repeated ANOVA measures (CI 95%, p<0.05).

Results:

Statistically significant improvements were seen in foot circulation in participants in the intervention group compared with the control group, which was maintained at 1 month follow-up after therapy had been stopped.

Conclusion:

VCT is an effective treatment modality to improve lower limb vascular parameters in people with type 2 diabetes and may help to prevent ulcer formation.
Pain-management strategies for cosmetic injectable treatments: an overview
Authors: Baker Anna
Published: September 2015

Some of the most prevalent methods of reducing the discomfort associated with cosmetic injectable treatments include topical anaesthetic application and facial blocks. The clinician's choice of needle for both botulinum toxin and dermal filler injections is significant, as is the choice of cannula. Facial blocks and infiltration techniques appear to provide significant relief in terms of efficacy and safety, particularly in sensitive areas, such as the perioral region. However, the success of these methods rests on possessing a sound technique and an accurate knowledge of facial anatomy. A variety of topical anaesthetic creams offer an alternative means of alleviating discomfort. This article reinforces the need for aesthetic practitioners providing non-surgical procedures to be adept at delivering a number of pain-relieving strategies, dependent on patient preference, the anatomical area being treated, and the chosen product or treatment.
Thread lifting and medical aesthetics: implantation methods and efficacy
Authors: Collier Helena
Published: September 2015

Thread lifting is an evolving procedure that is finding a firm place within the armamentarium of the modern medical aesthetic practitioner. It is a procedure that appears to be gaining recognition as a credible treatment modality, with the potential to successfully lift, contour and suspend sagging tissue of the face and neck in appropriately assessed patients. Patients opting for thread lifting can avoid a conventional surgical facelift, which is associated with considerable health risks and downtime. In this article, the author will explore an array of thread materials and outline the properties of absorbable, non-absorbable and mixed-type threads. This article will also examine the morphology, efficacy and safety profile of the materials discussed.
Injectors should be readily introducing cannulas into their aesthetic practice
Authors: Landau Marina
Published: September 2015

Dermal fillers are one of the most important tools in facial beautification and anti-ageing. Although hypodermic needles have been traditionally used to inject dermal fillers, in recent years blunt-tip cannulas have been introduced as a safer device to deliver treatment. Marina Landau discusses the various advantages of using blunt cannulas to deliver cosmetic injectables in aesthetic practice
Living la dolce vita: the impact of Italian culture on ideals of beauty
Authors: Mendes Aysha
Published: September 2015

With both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures on the rise worldwide, aesthetic nursing is becoming an increasingly popular profession. In this series, Aysha Mendes examines aesthetic nursing practices and cultural perceptions of beauty across the globe by focusing on a different country every month. This article looks at Italy's ties with plastic surgery history and admiration for all things aesthetic
Adubação nitrogenada via substrato no cultivo de bromélia
Authors: Santos Fernanda Helena Souza , Almeida Elka Fabiana Aparecida , Frazão Jussara Ellen Morais , Reis Simone Novaes , Nascimento Ângela Maria Pereira
Published: September 2015

One of the reasons for the predatory extraction of bromeliads is the lack of information about the techniques of growing these plants, mainly in relation to fertilization. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen on substrate in vegetative growth and nutrient content in leaves of bromeliads Nidularium fulgens. Seedlings were submitted to six levels of nitrogen: 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/dm3. The experimental design used was the randomized block design with six treatments, five replications and three plants per plot. Plants were evaluated on the number of leaves, height, diameter of base, dry matter and foliar mineral composition. The results showed that there was a linear increase of the height, number of leaves and foliar dry matter with higher nitrogen rates. The increasing levels of nitrogen gave an increase in foliar nitrogen and manganese and reduce leaf content of calcium and copper. Nitrogen rates applied did not influence the contents of P, K, S, B, Zn and Mg. These results suggest that the addition of nitrogen fertilizer at 500 mg/dm3 in Nidularium fulgens provides greater vegetative development, increases the leaf N and Mn content and reduces the content of Ca and Cu.
Transformações físicas e apropriações sociais da Praça Tiradentes em Ouro Preto-MG
Authors: Silva Cavalcante Alves Schirley Fátima Nogueira da , Garcia Cecília Souza Gontijo , Paiva Patrícia Duarte de Oliveira
Published: September 2015

Tiradentes Square, an Ouro Preto’s importante place, has importance in the regional and national scenery. There are studies about its surroundings but no information concerning its historical evolution. In prospect to know its evolutionary process and identifying its landscape representation in the collective unconscious of the inhabitants from Ouro Preto-MG, it was analyzed the city’s urban development and the transformations undergone by this square. The applied method had an interface between inventive and subjective analyzes. This study focused its interest on its morphological transformations and its social representation. It was possible to identify the physical evolution processes and the place’s practices using inventive analysis, and esthetic and symbolic values using the subjective analysis. Tiradentes Square showed his vocation to represent the government, reaching its peak when it received the monument to Tiradentes, becoming a national symbol during the twentieth century.
Germinação in vitro de variedades de rosa-do-deserto
Authors: Varella Tatiane Lemos , Silva Gizelly Mendes , Maximiliano da Cruz Kaliane Zaira Camacho , Mikovski Andréia Izabel , Nunes Josué Ribeiro da Silva , Carvalho Ilio Fealho , Silva Maurecilne Lemes
Published: September 2015

The drought stress resistance is a characteristic of the desert rose and its estimable beauty flowers, which gave it great relevance in the ornamental market. However, the desert rose production and germination is hampered by possible sterility of their male and female flowers and frequent problems in pollination, so the tissue culture is a promising alternative to the propagation of these plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid on four commercial varieties of desert rose (Adenium obesum) cultivated in vitro. The seeds of the varieties ‘Orange Pallet’, ‘Carnation violet’, ‘Diamond ring’ and ‘Vermiliont’ were sterilized and inoculated on Water + Agar (T0), medium MS (T1), ½ MS (T2), MS + 0.25 mg L-1 GA3 (T3), MS + 0.5 mg L-1 GA3 (T4), ½ MS + 0.25 mg L-1 GA3 (T5), ½ MS 0.5 mg L-1 GA3 (T6). The seeds germination of A. obesum was initiated on the fourth day of cultivation and on the tenth day was possible to observe the expansion of the cotyledons and leaf expansion with subsequent development of early secondary root. The ‘Orange pallet’ variety germinated 100% of seeds on water + agar and MS ½ + 0.5 mg L-1 of GA3. For ‘Diamond Ring’ and ‘Carnation violet’ the highest rate of germination occurred in treatments MS ½; 0.25 mg L-1 GA3; MS + 0.5 mg L-1 GA3 MS ½ + 0.5 mg L-1 GA3 averaging 80% and 70%, respectively. For ‘Vermiliont’ the best response was in MS and MS ½ + 0.5 mg L-1 GA3 ranging between 70-90% germinated embryos. It was registered different malformations in all treatments like absence of roots and apexes during seedling development. The concentrations of GA3 did not affect significantly the seed germination.
Contribuição ao estudo de insetos (Arthropoda: Insecta) associados ao gênero Ixora L. (Angiospermae: Rubiaceae) no Brasil
Authors: Trindade Thiago Dias , Nascimento Liliane Kiffer Figueira do , Muniz Ana Carolina
Published: September 2015

This study aimed to register insects (Arthropoda: Insecta) associated with genus Ixora L. (Angiospermae: Rubiaceae) and contribute the knowledge about this popular tropical ornamental plant in Brazil. For this study, we detected the presence of insects in solid or isolated plants of Ixora spp., and greenhouses, between the period 2004 and 2012. It was pointed out for the first time on I. chinensis Lam.: Syntermes dirus (Burmeister, 1839) (Isoptera: Termitidae), Aspidiotus destructor (Signoret, 1869) and Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Praelongorthezia praelonga (Douglas, 1891) (Hemiptera: Ortheziidae) and Camponotus sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Studies registered for the first time on I. coccinea L.: Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi, 1886) and Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Eucalymnatus sp., Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner, 1861) and Saissetia olae (Olivier, 1791) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), and Camponotus sp. It was observed first on I. macrothyrsa Teijsm. & Binn.) N. E. Br.: Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell, 1895), Aleurotrachelus sp. (Aleyrodidae), Aphis (Toxoptera) citricida (Kirkaldy, 1907) and Myzus (Nectarosiphon) persicae (Sulzer, 1778) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Harmonia sp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Camponotus sp. This paper contributes to the study of these important ornamental plants, presenting for the first time a list of associated insects. This work also creates conditions for future studies.
Germinação in vitro e criopreservação de sementes de Zinnia elegans
Authors: Prudente Débora De Oliveira , Nery Fernanda Carlota , Paiva Renato , Santos Paulo Augusto Almeida , Nery Marcela Carlota , Paiva Patrícia Duarte de Oliveira
Published: September 2015

Zinnia elegans Jacquim is a species of big cutting and ornamental potential, but its seeds have low germination percentage. This study aimed to establish a protocol for in vitro germination and water content for the cryopreservation of seeds. The length, width, thickness, and weight of one thousand seeds were determined. MS and WPM culture mediums, as well as the concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) were tested regarding in vitro culture. For cryopreservation, the seeds were subjected to drying on silica gel or laminar flow for different times. Then, the seeds were stored in liquid nitrogen (-196° C) for 24 hours. After this period, the seeds were thawed and inoculated into culture medium. The biometric results of seeds showed 8.6 mm average length, 4 mm width, and 0.9 mm thickness. The weight of one thousand seeds was 851 mg, characterizing them as small, lightweight, and easy to disperse. The use of MS medium with no addition of GA3 enhanced germination (67%). The initial moisture content of Z. elegans seeds was 9%. Seeds subjected up to 2 hours of drying in both treatments obtained 23% germination in silica gel and 19% in laminar flow. Z. elegans seeds may be desiccated by 4% moisture content and cryopreserved with no loss of germination potential.
Nutrition and growth of potted gerbera according to mineral and organic fertilizer
Authors: Santos Francielly Torres , Ludwig Fernanda , Costa Luiz Antonio de Mendonça , Costa Mônica Sarolli Silva de Mendonça
Published: September 2015

In order to meet the growing market of gerbera, it is necessary to develop studies that maximize its production, especially using organic fertilizer. In order to assess the nutrition and growth of potted gerbera conducted with mineral and organic fertilization, an experiment in a greenhouse was done, located at Western Paraná State University, Brazil. The experimental design was made in randomized blocks, with four replications and five treatments. The treatments were defined according to the source of fertilization, mineral (NPK) or organic. The organic fertilization were obtained by diluting in water four organic compost of poultry slaughter waste, obtained from in the composting process, in order to adjust electrical conductivity. The solution of the compost was used as organic fertigation, making the organic treatments. The liquid organic fertilizer, as well as irrigation of mineral treatment, was performed manually once a day. At the end of vegetative and reproductive periods, the levels of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe were quantified in the plant tissue. At the same time, biometric parameters were assessed (number of leaves, plant diameter, leaf area, dry matter of aerial parts, number of heads, inflorescence dry matter, stem height, head diameter and diameter stem). The liquid organic fertilizers, obtained by composting procession of poultry slaughter waste, can be used as alternative source for potted gerbera nutrition, since they provide better or higher culture growth than the mineral fertilizer.
Neural networks as a tool for modeling of biological systems
Authors: Tadeusiewicz Ryszard
Published: September 2015

Neural networks become very popular as a tool for modeling of numerous systems, including technological, economical, sociological, psychological, and even political ones. On the contrary, neural networks are models of neural structures and neural processes observed in a real brain. However, for modeling of real neural structures and real neural processes occurring in a living brain, neural networks are too simplified and too primitive. Nevertheless, neural networks can be used for modeling the behavior of many biological systems and structures. Such models are not useful for explanation, taking into account the biological systems and processes, but can be very useful for the analysis of such system behavior, including the prognosis of future results of selected activities (e.g. the prognosis of results of different therapies for modeled illnesses). In this paper, selected examples of such models and their applications are presented.
Modeling the Fischer–Tropsch Product Distribution and Model Implementation
Authors: Hillestad Magne
Published: September 2015

The main purpose of this paper is to provide a framework to model a consistent product distribution from the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. We assume the products follow the Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution and that there is no chain limitation. Deviation from the ASF distribution is taken into account. In order to implement such a model it is necessary to aggregate reactions into a finite number of reactions and to group components into lumps of components. Here, the component distribution within each lump is described by three parameters, and it is shown how these parameters are modeled. The method gives a considerable reduction of dimensionality and it is demonstrated that the component distribution within the lumps can be reconstructed with accuracy.
Approximation properties for noncommutative Lp
-spaces of high rank lattices and nonembeddability of expanders
Authors: de Laat Tim , de la Salle Mikael
Published: September 2015

This article contains two rigidity type results for

SL
⁢

(
n
,
ℤ
)

{\mathrm{SL}(n,\mathbb{Z})}

for large n that share the same proof. Firstly, we prove that for every

p
∈

[
1
,
∞
]

{p\in[1,\infty]}

different from 2, the noncommutative

L
p

{L^{p}}

-space associated with

SL
⁢

(
n
,
ℤ
)

{\mathrm{SL}(n,\mathbb{Z})}

does not have the completely bounded approximation property for sufficiently large n depending on p.
The second result concerns the coarse embeddability of expander families constructed from

SL
⁢

(
n
,
ℤ
)

{\mathrm{SL}(n,\mathbb{Z})}

. Let X be a Banach space and suppose that there exist

β
<

1
2

{\beta<\frac{1}{2}}

and

C
>
0

{C>0}

such that the Banach–Mazur distance to a Hilbert space of all k-dimensional subspaces of X is bounded above by

C
⁢

k
β

{Ck^{\beta}}

. Then the expander family constructed from

SL
⁢

(
n
,
ℤ
)

{\mathrm{SL}(n,\mathbb{Z})}

does not coarsely embed into X for sufficiently large n depending on X.
More generally, we prove that both results hold for lattices in connected simple real Lie groups with sufficiently high real rank.
Enhancing effect of cimetidine on peroxidase activity of human erythrocyte hemoglobin
Authors: Delasoud Shabnam , Minai-Tehrani Dariush , Mollasalehi Hamidreza
Published: September 2015

Background: Hemoglobin is released to the serum after erythrocyte lyses. Haptoglobin is responsible for carrying hemoglobin into the serum. In hemolytic disease, the amount of hemoglobin which is released to the serum is high; however, the amount of haptoglobin is not enough for binding all the released hemoglobins. Free hemoglobin has peroxidase activity (a pseudoenzyme) and has been indicated to be harmful for patients. This study is focused on the effect of cimetidine on peroxidase activity of hemoglobin.

Methods: Erythrocytes were lysed to obtain hemoglobin. Peroxidase activity of hemoglobin was detected using o-dianisidine and H2O2 as substrates.

Results: Our results showed that the drug operated as an activator for the pseudoenzyme. Cimetidine bound to the pseudoperoxidase in an un-competitive manner and decreased the Km. Half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of cimetidine was determined to be about 12.5 mM. Alkaline pH increased the rate of reaction. Arrhenius plot showed that the activation energies of reactions in the absence and presence of drug were about 10.5 kJ/mol and 7.65 kJ/mol, respectively.

Conclusions: The results demonstrated that cimetidine activates the peroxidase activity of free hemoglobin. Hence, it is suggested that the prescription of cimetidine for the patients with hemolyses diseases may enhance the harmful effects of free hemoglobin in these patients.
Physical Layer Impairment Model for CO-OFDM System Considering Amplified Spontaneous Emission and Four-wave Mixing
Authors: Fu Minglei , Meng Ke , Chai Zhicheng , Liu Yuling , Le Zichun
Published: September 2015

It’s known that different physical impairments can occur in coherent optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CO-OFDM) system. Not only linear impairments but also nonlinear impairments can cause significant signal degradations. It is important to analyze the physical layer impairment (PLI) model which should consider these impairments. In this paper, a new PLI model is developed, where amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) categorized to linear impairments and four-wave mixing (FWM) categorized to nonlinear impairments are regarded as the main noise sources. The performance of developed PLI model in terms of Q factor versus number of subcarriers and Q factor versus fiber length are extensively simulated. Numerical results show that when the OFDM signal passes through fiber link, the noise power expansion occurs. This expansion which is related to the fiber length, number of subcarriers as well as input power, can cause higher degradation in OFDM signal. Through precise analysis, optimum parameters of the transmission system can be chosen. Simulations prove that Q factor of CO-OFDM, whose number of subcarriers is 128, fiber length is 90 km and input power is −2 dBm, is up to abound 10 dB. In addition, in order to verify the developed PLI model, comparisons of the situation with and without considering FWM effects have also been made respectively. Results show that the performance of the model conforms to the actual conditions.
Person markers in Gutob
Authors: Voß Judith
Published: September 2015

Gutob is notorious for its variable placement of agreement markers. Gutob has independent pronouns and, for first and second persons, postverbal pronominal clitics which function as subject agreement markers. The placement of the pronominal clitics is quite complex, and has not been studied extensively. Pronominal clitics cannot only attach to verbs, but also to certain adverbs preceding the predicate. Furthermore, the placement of pronominal clitics within the verb complex varies considerably between different auxiliary constructions. The aim of this article is to present a new analysis of person markers in Gutob. Firstly, a discussion of the placement of person markers in sentences with different types of predicates will be given. Secondly, person markers at different positions will be compared on the basis of co-occurrence possibilities and morphosyntactic criteria. It will be argued that person markers in sentence-initial and postverbal position fall into two separate categories: independent pronouns and agreement markers. However, preverbal person markers cannot be assigned to either category, as they share features of both.
Designing active vehicle suspension system using critic-based control strategy
Authors: Akraminia Mahdi , Tatari Milad , Fard Mohammad , Jazar Reza N.
Published: September 2015

In this paper, an adaptive critic-based neurofuzzy controller is presented for a 2 DOF active vehicle suspension system with a servo hydraulic actuator. Fuzzy critic-based learning is a reinforcement learning method based on dynamic programming. The only information available for the critic agent is the system feedback, which is interpreted as the last action performed by the controller in the previous state. The signal produced by the critic agent is used alongside the algorithm of error back propagation to tune online conclusion parts of the fuzzy inference rules of the adaptive controller. Simulation results demonstrate the superior performance of this control method in terms of well disturbance rejection, improved ride comfort, robustness to model uncertainty and lower controller cost.
Exact traveling wave solutions of partial differential equations with power law nonlinearity
Authors: Aminikhah H. , Pourreza Ziabary B. , Rezazadeh H.
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we applied the functional variable method for four famous partial differential equations with power lawnonlinearity. These equations are included the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili, (3+1)-Zakharov-Kuznetsov, Benjamin-Bona-Mahony-Peregrine and Boussinesq equations. Various exact traveling wave solutions of these equations are obtained that include the hyperbolic function solutions and the trigonometric function solutions. The solutions shown that this method provides a very effective, simple and powerful mathematical tool for solving nonlinear equations in various fields of applied sciences.
Energy Release Rate of Piezoelectric Laminated Cylindrical Shell with Delamination under Circumferential Concentrated Load
Authors: Jinhua Yang , Wenliang Fan
Published: September 2015

The delamination growth may occur in piezoelectric laminated shell with delamination under a combined electro-thermo-mechanical loading. Based on the piezoelectric theory, the variational principle of moving boundary and considering the contact effect between delamination regions, the nonlinear governing equations for the piezoelectric laminated shell with delamination under hygrothermal condition are derived, and the corresponding boundary and matching conditions are given as well. At the same time, according to the Griffith criterion, the formula of energy release rate along the delamination front is obtained and the delamination growth is studied. In the numerical calculation, the energy release rate and delamination growth of axisymmetrical piezoelectric cylindrical shell are analyzed, and a parametric study is conducted, showing the effects of geometric nonlinear, voltage, temperature and humidity, mechanical load, delamination length and depth, geometrical parameter and material property on energy release rate.
Archäologie eines Textes: Die Menander-Sentenzen in syrischen Spruchsammlungen
Authors: Arzhanov Yury
Published: September 2015

The preserved palimpsests give evidence for the presence of the texts of Menander in the Syriac school tradition in Late Antiquity. Two Syriac gnomologies under the name of Menander develop the Hellenistic tradition of combining Greek moral philosophy with Jewish wisdom literature. Thus they reflect the process of the Jewish and Christian reception of the Late Antique παιδεία, where the texts of Menander were used for educational purposes. The Syriac collections, like ancient hills in archeology, preserve several cultural strata that come to light through source analysis and could be traced back to the Greek moral philosophy, Jewish wisdom literature, and Christian ascetic writings preserved or written in Syriac
Selbstverständnis und Bildungsauftrag der Schule von Nisibis
Authors: Possekel Ute
Published: September 2015

The School of Nisibis was a prominent center of Christian learning in the Sasanid Empire. It inspired the foundation of schools elsewhere in the Persian realm and also influenced intellectuals in the Graeco-Roman world. This article outlines the school’s history from the fifth through the early seventh century, highlights its contribution to church life and monasticism, and describes the life at the school based on the Statutes and other contemporary documents. Particular attention is given to the Preface of the Statutes, which reflects the community’s self-understanding in the early seventh century, a time when the school reconstituted itself after a divisive dispute surrounding its director Ḥenana. The article argues that the school should not be regarded as a kind of monastery (as has sometimes been suggested), but is better understood as an institution of Christian higher education. The school’s motivation ultimately was a theological one: to exemplify and contribute to the salvation historical process, which was envisioned as an ongoing process of learning, directed by God as divine pedagogue
Visual Experience Is Required for the Development of Eye Movement Maps in the Mouse Superior Colliculus
Authors: Wang Lupeng , Liu Mingna , Segraves Mark A. , Cang Jianhua
Published: September 2015

Topographic maps are a fundamental feature of the brain's representations of the sensory environment as well as an efficient way to organize motor control networks. Although great progress has been made in our understanding of sensory map development, very little is known about how topographic representations for motor control develop and interface with sensory maps. Here we map the representation for eye movements in the superior colliculus (SC) in awake mice. As stimulation sites were sampled along the anterior–posterior axis, small amplitude, nasally directed (ipsiversive) saccadic eye movements were evoked by microstimulation in anterior SC, followed by a smooth progression to large, temporally directed (contraversive) movements in posterior SC. This progressive change of movement amplitude and direction is consistent with the global polarity of the retinotopic map in the superficial SC, just as in primates and cats. We then investigated the role of visual experience in the development of eye movement map by studying mice reared in complete darkness. Saccades evoked by SC stimulation as well as spontaneous saccadic eye movements were larger in the dark-reared mice, indicating that visual experience is required to fine-tune the gain of saccades and to establish normal eye movement maps in the SC. Our experiments provide a foundation for future studies to investigate the synaptic organization and developmental mechanisms of sensorimotor transformations in mice.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe superior colliculus (SC) is a midbrain structure important for multisensory integration and sensorimotor transformation. Here we have studied eye movement representations in the SC of mice, a species that has become a popular model in vision research because of available genetic tools. Our studies show mice make saccadic eye movements spontaneously and in response to SC stimulation. The mouse SC contains an eye movement map that has the same global polarity as the overlaying visual map, just like in cats and primates. Furthermore, we show that visual experience is required for establishing the normal eye movement map. Our study provides a necessary basis for future mechanistic studies of how SC motor maps develop and become aligned with sensory maps.
Representation of Color Surfaces in V1: Edge Enhancement and Unfilled Holes
Authors: Zweig Shay , Zurawel Guy , Shapley Robert , Slovin Hamutal
Published: September 2015

The neuronal mechanism underlying the representation of color surfaces in primary visual cortex (V1) is not well understood. We tested on color surfaces the previously proposed hypothesis that visual perception of uniform surfaces is mediated by an isomorphic, filled-in representation in V1. We used voltage-sensitive-dye imaging in fixating macaque monkeys to measure V1 population responses to spatially uniform chromatic (red, green, or blue) and achromatic (black or white) squares of different sizes (0.5°–8°) presented for 300 ms. Responses to both color and luminance squares early after stimulus onset were similarly edge-enhanced: for squares 1° and larger, regions corresponding to edges were activated much more than those corresponding to the center. At later times after stimulus onset, responses to achromatic squares' centers increased, partially “filling-in” the V1 representation of the center. The rising phase of the center response was slower for larger squares. Surprisingly, the responses to color squares behaved differently. For color squares of all sizes, responses remained edge-enhanced throughout the stimulus. There was no filling-in of the center. Our results imply that uniform filled-in representations of surfaces in V1 are not required for the perception of uniform surfaces and that chromatic and achromatic squares are represented differently in V1.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe used voltage-sensitive dye imaging from V1 of behaving monkeys to test the hypothesis that visual perception of uniform surfaces is mediated by an isomorphic, filled-in representation. We found that the early population responses to chromatic and achromatic surfaces are edge enhanced, emphasizing the importance of edges in surface processing. Next, we show for color surfaces that responses remained edge-enhanced throughout the stimulus presentation whereas response to luminance surfaces showed a slow neuronal ‘filling-in’ of the center. Our results suggest that isomorphic representation is not a general code for uniform surfaces in V1.
Medial–Frontal Stimulation Enhances Learning in Schizophrenia by Restoring Prediction Error Signaling
Authors: Reinhart Robert M.G. , Zhu Julia , Park Sohee , Woodman Geoffrey F.
Published: September 2015

Posterror learning, associated with medial–frontal cortical recruitment in healthy subjects, is compromised in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we report novel evidence for the mechanisms underlying learning dysfunctions in schizophrenia. We show that, by noninvasively passing direct current through human medial–frontal cortex, we could enhance the event-related potential related to learning from mistakes (i.e., the error-related negativity), a putative index of prediction error signaling in the brain. Following this causal manipulation of brain activity, the patients learned a new task at a rate that was indistinguishable from healthy individuals. Moreover, the severity of delusions interacted with the efficacy of the stimulation to improve learning. Our results demonstrate a causal link between disrupted prediction error signaling and inefficient learning in schizophrenia. These findings also demonstrate the feasibility of nonpharmacological interventions to address cognitive deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWhen there is a difference between what we expect to happen and what we actually experience, our brains generate a prediction error signal, so that we can map stimuli to responses and predict outcomes accurately. Theories of schizophrenia implicate abnormal prediction error signaling in the cognitive deficits of the disorder. Here, we combine noninvasive brain stimulation with large-scale electrophysiological recordings to establish a causal link between faulty prediction error signaling and learning deficits in schizophrenia. We show that it is possible to improve learning rate, as well as the neural signature of prediction error signaling, in patients to a level quantitatively indistinguishable from that of healthy subjects. The results provide mechanistic insight into schizophrenia pathophysiology and suggest a future therapy for this condition.
The Mediator subunit MED23 couples H2B mono‐ubiquitination to transcriptional control and cell fate determination
Authors: Yao Xiao , Tang Zhanyun , Fu Xing , Yin Jingwen , Liang Yan , Li Chonghui , Li Huayun , Tian Qing , Roeder Robert G , Wang Gang
Published: September 2015

The Mediator complex orchestrates multiple transcription factors with the Pol II apparatus for precise transcriptional control. However, its interplay with the surrounding chromatin remains poorly understood. Here, we analyze differential histone modifications between WT and MED23−/− (KO) cells and identify H2B mono‐ubiquitination at lysine 120 (H2Bub) as a MED23‐dependent histone modification. Using tandem affinity purification and mass spectrometry, we find that MED23 associates with the RNF20/40 complex, the enzyme for H2Bub, and show that this association is critical for the recruitment of RNF20/40 to chromatin. In a cell‐free system, Mediator directly and substantially increases H2Bub on recombinant chromatin through its cooperation with RNF20/40 and the PAF complex. Integrative genome‐wide analyses show that MED23 depletion specifically reduces H2Bub on a subset of MED23‐controlled genes. Importantly, MED23‐coupled H2Bub levels are oppositely regulated during myogenesis and lung carcinogenesis. In sum, these results establish a mechanistic link between the Mediator complex and a critical chromatin modification in coordinating transcription with cell growth and differentiation.
Nuclear receptor 4A1 as a drug target for breast cancer chemotherapy
Authors: Hedrick Erik , Lee Syng-Ook , Doddapaneni Ravi , Singh Mandip , Safe Stephen
Published: September 2015

The orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) is overexpressed in mammary tumors and breast cancer cell lines. The functional activity of this receptor was investigated by RNA interference with oligonucleotides targeted to NR4A1 (siNR4A1) and by treatment with NR4A1 antagonists. Breast cancer cells were treated with NR4A1 antagonists or transfected with siNR4A. Effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as specific genes associated with these responses were investigated in MCF-7, SKBR3, and MDA-MB-231 cells, and in athymic nude mice bearing MDA-MB-231 cells as xenografts. Transfection of MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and SKBR3 breast cancer cells with siNR4A1 decreased cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in these cell lines. Transfection of breast cancer cells with siNR4A1 also decreased expression of Sp-regulated genes includingsurvivin,bcl-2, and epidermal growth factor receptor, inhibited mTOR signaling in MCF-7 cells that express WT p53, and activated oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress through downregulation of thioredoxin domain-containing 5 and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1. 1,1-Bis(3′-indolyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl)methanes (C-DIMs) are NR4A1 ligands that act as NR4A1 antagonists. Treatment with selected analogs also inhibited breast cancer cell and tumor growth and induced apoptosis. The effects of C-DIM/NR4A1 antagonists were comparable to those observed after NR4A1 knockdown. Results with siNR4A1 or C-DIMs/NR4A1 antagonists in breast cancer cells and tumors were similar to those previously reported in pancreatic, lung, and colon cancer cells. They demonstrate the potential clinical applications of NR4A1 antagonists in patients with tumors that overexpress this receptor.
Comprehensive genetic assessment of the ESR1 locus identifies a risk region for endometrial cancer
Authors: O'Mara Tracy A , Glubb Dylan M , Painter Jodie N , Cheng Timothy , Dennis Joe , _ _ , Attia John , Holliday Elizabeth G , McEvoy Mark , Scott Rodney J , Ashton Katie , Proietto Tony , Otton Geoffrey , Shah Mitul , Ahmed Shahana , Healey Catherine S , Gorman Maggie , Martin Lynn , _ _ , Hodgson Shirley , Fasching Peter A , Hein Alexander , Beckmann Matthias W , Ekici Arif B , Hall Per , Czene Kamila , Darabi Hatef , Li Jingmei , Dürst Matthias , Runnebaum Ingo , Hillemanns Peter , Dörk Thilo , Lambrechts Diether , Depreeuw Jeroen , Annibali Daniela , Amant Frederic , Zhao Hui , Goode Ellen L , Dowdy Sean C , Fridley Brooke L , Winham Stacey J , Salvesen Helga B , Njølstad Tormund S , Trovik Jone , Werner Henrica M J , Tham Emma , Liu Tao , Mints Miriam , _ _ , Bolla Manjeet K , Michailidou Kyriaki , Tyrer Jonathan P , Wang Qin , Hopper John L , _ _ , Peto Julian , Swerdlow Anthony J , Burwinkel Barbara , Brenner Hermann , Meindl Alfons , Brauch Hiltrud , Lindblom Annika , Chang-Claude Jenny , Couch Fergus J , Giles Graham G , Kristensen Vessela N , Cox Angela , Pharoah Paul D P , Dunning Alison M , Tomlinson Ian , Easton Douglas F , Thompson Deborah J , Spurdle Amanda B
Published: September 2015

Excessive exposure to estrogen is a well-established risk factor for endometrial cancer (EC), particularly for cancers of endometrioid histology. The physiological function of estrogen is primarily mediated by estrogen receptor alpha, encoded byESR1. Consequently, several studies have investigated whether variation at theESR1locus is associated with risk of EC, with conflicting results. We performed comprehensive fine-mapping analyses of 3633 genotyped and imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 6607 EC cases and 37 925 controls. There was evidence of an EC risk signal located at a potential alternative promoter of theESR1gene (lead SNP rs79575945,P=1.86×10−5), which was stronger for cancers of endometrioid subtype (P=3.76×10−6). Bioinformatic analysis suggests that this risk signal is in a functionally important region targetingESR1, and eQTL analysis found that rs79575945 was associated with expression ofSYNE1, a neighbouring gene. In summary, we have identified a single EC risk signal located atESR1, at study-wide significance. Given SNPs located at this locus have been associated with risk for breast cancer, also a hormonally driven cancer, this study adds weight to the rationale for performing informed candidate fine-scale genetic studies across cancer types.
Dexrazoxane exacerbates doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity
Authors: Levi Mattan , Tzabari Moran , Savion Naphtali , Stemmer Salomon M , Shalgi Ruth , Ben-Aharon Irit
Published: September 2015

Infertility induced by anti-cancer treatments pose a major concern for cancer survivors. Doxorubicin (DXR) has been previously shown to exert toxic effects on the testicular germinal epithelium. Based upon the cardioprotective traits of dexrazoxane (DEX), we studied its potential effect in reducing DXR-induced testicular toxicity. Male mice were injected with 5 mg/kg DXR, 100 mg/kg DEX, combination of both or saline (control) and sacrificed either 1, 3 or 6 months later. Testes were excised and further processed. Glutathione and apoptosis assays were performed to determine oxidative stress. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to study the effects of the drugs on testicular histology and on spermatogonial reserve. DXR and the combined treatment induced a striking decline in testicular weight. DEX prevented DXR-induced oxidative stress, but enhanced DXR-induced apoptosis within the testes. Furthermore, the combined treatment depleted the spermatogonial reserve after 1 month, with impaired recovery at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. This resulted in compromised sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal weights as well as significantly reduced sperm motility, all of which were more severe than those observed in DXR-treated mice. The activity of DEX in the testis may differ from its activity in cardiomyocytes. Adding DEX to DXR exacerbates DXR-induced testicular toxicity.
Arginine methyltransferases mediate an epigenetic ovarian response to endometriosis
Authors: Baumann Claudia , Olson Mark , Wang Kai , Fazleabas Asgerally , De La Fuente Rabindranath
Published: September 2015

Endometriosis is associated with infertility and debilitating chronic pain. Abnormal epigenetic modifications in the human endometrium have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of this condition. However, whether an altered epigenetic landscape contributes to pathological changes in the ovary is unknown. Using an established baboon endometriosis model, early-, and late-stage epigenetic changes in the ovary were investigated. Transcript profiling of key chromatin-modifying enzymes using pathway-focused PCR arrays on ovarian tissue from healthy control animals and at 3 and 15 months of endometriosis revealed dramatic changes in gene expression in a disease duration-dependent manner. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated that transcripts for chromatin-remodeling enzymes associated with reproductive system disease and cancer development were abnormally regulated, most prominently the arginine methyltransferases CARM1, PRMT2, and PRMT8. Downregulation of CARM1 protein expression was also detected in the ovary, fully-grown oocytes and eutopic endometrium following 15 months of endometriosis. Sodium bisulfite sequencing revealed DNA hypermethylation within the PRMT8 promoter, suggesting that deregulated CpG methylation may play a role in transcriptional repression of this gene. These results demonstrate that endometriosis is associated with changes of epigenetic profiles in the primate ovary and suggest that arginine methyltransferases play a prominent role in mediating the ovarian response to endometriosis. Owing to the critical role of CARM1 in nuclear receptor-mediated transcription and maintenance of pluripotency in the cleavage stage embryo, our results suggest that epigenetic alterations in the ovary may have functional consequences for oocyte quality and the etiology of infertility associated with endometriosis.
The St. Jude Toronto stentless bioprosthesis: Up to 20 years follow-up in younger patients
Authors: Christ Torsten , Claus Benjamin , Borck Robin , Konertz Wolfgang , Grubitzsch Herko
Published: September 2015

Background:A retrospective long-term evaluation of the St. Jude Toronto stentless bioprosthesis in patients aged 60 years or younger.

Methods:From 1994 to 1997, 50 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with the prosthesis. Patients mean age at surgery was 54.5±6.3 years. Follow-up data were acquired by patient file research and telephone interviews. Morbidity and mortality were evaluated with time-to-event analyses using the Kaplan-Meier-method. The log-rank test was used to determine influencing factors for long-term survival and reoperation.

Results:Mean follow-up was 13.5±6.3 years with a total follow-up of 661.8 patient-years and a maximum of 20.0 years. Follow-up was 97.8% complete. Associated procedures were performed in 12 patients (24%), including coronary artery bypass grafting, mitral valve replacement and replacement of the ascending aorta. Freedom from reoperation at 10 and 15 years was 76.0±6.7% and 44.1±8.9%, respectively. Reoperations (n=26) started 4.4 years after implantation and were necessary due to: valve degeneration with regurgitation in 79.2% and stenosis in 12.5%, endocarditis in 4.2% and sinus valsalva aneurysm in 4.2% of the cases. The log-rank test revealed that only body-mass-index>25 lowered freedom-from-reoperation, while renal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension were not. Overall long-term survival at 10 and 20 years was 82.3±5.7% and 49.9±8.9%, respectively.

Conclusion:In younger patients the Toronto-bioprosthesis provided reliable long-term survival despite limited durability.