bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Menopausal Status and Abdominal Obesity Are Significant Determinants of Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in Women
Authors: Hodson Leanne , Banerjee Rajarshi , Rial Belén , Arlt Wiebke , Adiels Martin , Boren Jan , Marinou Kyriakoula , Fisher Ciaran , Mostad Ingrid L. , Stratton Irene M. , Barrett P. Hugh R. , Chan Dick C. , Watts Gerald F. , Harnden Karin , Karpe Fredrik , Fielding Barbara A.
Published: October 2015

Background

Android fat distribution (abdominal obesity) is associated with insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and greater secretion of large very low‐density lipoprotein (
VLDL
) particles in men. Since abdominal obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in women, we aimed to investigate the relationship between android fat and hepatic lipid metabolism in pre‐ and postmenopausal women.

Methods and Results

We used a combination of stable isotope tracer techniques to investigate intrahepatic fatty acid synthesis and partitioning in 29 lean and 29 abdominally obese women (android fat/total fat 0.065 [0.02 to 0.08] and 0.095 [0.08 to 0.11], respectively). Thirty women were premenopausal aged 35 to 45 and they were matched for abdominal obesity with 28 postmenopausal women aged 55 to 65. As anticipated, abdominal obese women were more insulin resistant with enhanced hepatic secretion of large (404±30 versus 268±26 mg/kg lean mass,
P
<0.001) but not small
VLDL
(160±11 versus 142±13). However, postmenopausal status had a pronounced effect on the characteristics of small
VLDL
particles, which were considerably triglyceride‐enriched (production ratio of
VLDL
2
‐ triglyceride:apolipoprotein B 30±5.3 versus 19±1.6,
P
<0.05). In contrast to postmenopausal women, there was a tight control of hepatic fatty acid metabolism and triglyceride production in premenopausal women, whereby oxidation (
r
s
=−0.49,
P
=0.006), de novo lipogenesis (
r
s
=0.55,
P
=0.003), and desaturation (
r
s
=0.48,
P
=0.012) were closely correlated with abdominal obesity‐driven large
VLDL
‐triglyceride secretion rate.

Conclusions

In women, abdominal obesity is a major driver of hepatic large
VLDL
particle secretion, whereas postmenopausal status was characterized by increased small
VLDL
particle size. These data provide a mechanistic basis for the hyperlipidemia observed in postmenopausal obesity.
The Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan: Episodes of Islamic Activism, Postconflict Accommodation, and Political Marginalization
Authors: Epkenhans Tim
Published: October 2015

The parliamentary elections on March 1, 2015, mark a caesura for postconflict Tajikistan. With the exclusion of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (irpt) from Tajikistan’s parliament, the political elite has finally abandoned the principles of the 1997 General Peace Accord, which had ended the country’s Civil War (1992–1997). Since then, the irpt has distinguished itself as a credible oppositional political party committed to democratic principles with an almost imperceptible religious agenda. By shifting the irpt’s attention to issues of democratization and socioeconomic development, its chairman, Muhiddin Kabirī, opened the irpt to a younger electorate. Continuous defamation campaigns and persecution, however, have worn down the irpt’s activists and its electorate. The party’s electoral defeat did not come as a surprise.
Power, “Original” Islam, and the Reactivation of a Religious Utopia in Kara-Suu, Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Biard Aurélie
Published: October 2015

This article focuses on the political uses of Islam in the Kyrgyzstani Fergana Valley, through case studies of the main Kyrgyzstani Uzbek theologians based in the city of Karu-Suu, who appear to be core actors in re-Islamization, and propagators of Saudi-style Salafi Islam. The article first argues that religious debates and postures concerning the relationship to secular power are inscribed in patronage and personal clientelist networks as well as local power struggles. Then it discusses the reactivation of a religious utopia that challenges the existing political and financial order through a local rhetoric on establishing an idealized caliphate, conveying a message not only of social justice but also of economic transparency and free trade.
Pollinarium morphology of Vincetoxicum (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) in Turkey
Authors: GÜVEN SEHER , MAKBUL SERDAR , COSKUNCELEBI KAMİL , PINAR NUR MÜNEVVER
Published: October 2015

In this study, the pollen morphology of 20 representatives of ten taxa of Vincetoxicum from Turkey was observed under a scanning electron microscope and light microscope. Observations showed that each flower contained five pollinaria, including a pair of pollinia and caudicles attached to a central corpusculum. In the investigated taxa, the shape of the pollinium varied from ovate, elliptical, and obovate, to clavate, pollen cell surfaces exhibited gemmate or rugulate ornamentation, and the shape of the corpuscula was ovate or oblong. Numerical analysis showed that the shape of pollinia and corpuscula, size and surface ornamentation of pollen cells, and size of corpuscula and caudicles are valuable traits in delimiting the examined taxa. A key to Turkish Vincetoxicum based on pollinarium morphology is presented.
Japanese Interrogation Techniques From Prisoners’ Perspectives
Authors: Wachi Taeko , Watanabe Kazumi , Yokota Kaeko , Otsuka Yusuke , Lamb Michael E.
Published: October 2015

This study examined responses to a self-report questionnaire on interviewing techniques administered to 291 incoming adult male prison inmates across Japan who were convicted of murder, robbery, arson, rape, forcible indecency, or kidnapping. The questionnaire focused on interrogations that led to confessions. Four interview styles (Evidence-confrontational, Relationship-focused, Undifferentiated-high, and Undifferentiated-low) were identified. For prisoners who had already decided to confess before their interrogation, interview styles had no effect on the tendency to confess. However, when prisoners were undecided about confessing or had previously decided to deny allegations, the Relationship-focused and Undifferentiated-high interview styles were associated with confessions. Furthermore, prisoners who experienced Relationship-focused interviews were more likely to provide previously undisclosed information to the police.
Factors influencing junior doctors’ choices of future specialty: trends over time and demographics based on results from UK national surveys
Authors: Smith Fay , Lambert Trevor W , Goldacre Michael J
Published: October 2015

Objective

To study trends in factors influencing junior doctors’ choice of future specialty.

Design

Respondents were asked whether each of 15 factors had a great deal of influence on their career choice, a little influence or no influence on it. Percentages are reported of those who specified that a factor had a great deal of influence on their career choice.

Setting

UK.

Participants

A total of 15,765 UK-trained doctors who graduated between 1999 and 2012.

Main outcome measures

Questions about career choices and factors which may have influenced those choices, in particular comparing doctors who qualified in 2008–2012 with those who qualified in 1999–2002.

Results

Enthusiasm for and commitment to the specialty was a greater influence on career choice in the 2008–2012 qualifiers (81%) than those of 1999–2002 (64%), as was consideration of their domestic circumstances (43% compared with 20%). Prospects for promotion were less important to recent cohorts (16%) than older cohorts (21%), as were financial prospects (respectively, 10% and 14%). Domestic circumstances and working hours were considered more important, and financial prospects less important, by women than men. Inclination before medical school was rated as important by 41% of doctors who were over 30 years old, compared with 13% of doctors who were under 21, at the time of starting medical school.

Conclusions

The increasing importance of both domestic circumstances and enthusiasm for their specialty choice in recent cohorts suggest that today’s young doctors prize both work-life balance and personal fulfilment at work more highly than did their predecessors. The differences in motivations of older and younger generations of doctors, men and women, and doctors who start medical school relatively late are worthy of note.
Climate change, conflict and health
Authors: Bowles Devin C , Butler Colin D , Morisetti Neil
Published: October 2015

Summary

Future climate change is predicted to diminish essential natural resource availability in many regions and perhaps globally. The resulting scarcity of water, food and livelihoods could lead to increasingly desperate populations that challenge governments, enhancing the risk of intra- and interstate conflict. Defence establishments and some political scientists view climate change as a potential threat to peace. While the medical literature increasingly recognises climate change as a fundamental health risk, the dimension of climate change-associated conflict has so far received little attention, despite its profound health implications. Many analysts link climate change with a heightened risk of conflict via causal pathways which involve diminishing or changing resource availability. Plausible consequences include: increased frequency of civil conflict in developing countries; terrorism, asymmetric warfare, state failure; and major regional conflicts. The medical understanding of these threats is inadequate, given the scale of health implications. The medical and public health communities have often been reluctant to interpret conflict as a health issue. However, at times, medical workers have proven powerful and effective peace advocates, most notably with regard to nuclear disarmament. The public is more motivated to mitigate climate change when it is framed as a health issue. Improved medical understanding of the association between climate change and conflict could strengthen mitigation efforts and increase cooperation to cope with the climate change that is now inevitable.
Patient perceptions and recall of consent for regional anaesthesia compared with consent for surgery
Authors: Zarnegar Roxaneh , Brown Matthew RD , Henley Matthew , Tidman Victoria , Pathmanathan Ahilan
Published: October 2015

Objective

In Britain, consent for surgery is documented using a Department of Health form signed by the surgeon and the patient. In contrast, anaesthetic procedures have no formalised consent process. Evidence on the process of consent for regional anaesthesia, and patient perceptions of this, is scarce outside obstetric practice. We aimed to determine patient recall and perceptions of consent for interscalene brachial plexus block and compared this to surgical consent for shoulder arthroplasty.

Design

Prospective observational survey.

Setting

A specialist musculoskeletal centre, UK.

Participants

Forty-six patients (female:male 30:16, mean age 61 years) undergoing shoulder arthroplasty with interscalene brachial plexus block.

Main outcome measures

Recall and understanding of consent for regional anaesthesia and surgery was examined using a semi-structured questionnaire 1–2 days after arthroplasty. Surgical consent forms and discussions recorded by the anaesthetist were examined in participants’ medical notes to compare against the level of recall. Analysis to determine statistical significance was conducted using McNemar’s test.

Results

Recall of surgical risks was overall significantly better than recall of brachial plexus block risks. Compared to their recollections of surgical risk, patients remembered fewer specific risks for brachial plexus block ( p < 0.001). There were more patients unable to recall any risks when questioned about brachial plexus block than about their surgery ( p < 0.05). One-third of patients did not regard the consent discussion about regional anaesthesia as important as consent for surgery and over one-quarter had not recognised the preoperative discussion about the brachial plexus block as a consent process similar to that conducted for surgery.

Conclusions

Fundamental misunderstandings about the consent process are prevalent. Future work in this area should seek to investigate how documentation of the consent process and patients’ understanding of consent for regional anaesthesia can be improved.
Informality and the politics of temporariness: Ethnic migrant economies in Little Bangladesh and Little Burma in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Authors: Muniandy Parthiban
Published: October 2015

This article examines two ‘ethnic’ economies in Kuala Lumpur (KL) to study how transnational migrants build new communities in the city. These communities consist of largely temporary migrants formally in the country as guest workers. As part of a global shift towards transnational temporary labor migration regimes, these new migrants from countries like Bangladesh and Burma come to Malaysia in search of opportunities and work. Despite the precariousness of their legal statuses and restrictions on their rights, migrants build vibrant, busy and active economic and social hubs in KL. Migrant communities rely upon quiet encroachment practices to stake their claims as urban citizens. They engage in struggles over the right to use public spaces, practice religion and speak different languages. These are also highly gendered spaces marked by sex-segregation in terms of work and consumption, which is a product of the gendered nature of contemporary migration. The article suggests the need for migration research to pay closer attention to the role of informality as a resource for agency and resistance for temporary migrants, as well as how both gender and ethnicity influence these experiences for migrant communities in developing non-Western societies.
Do in-group and out-group forms of trust matter in predicting confidence in the order institutions? A study of three culturally distinct countries
Authors: Cao Liqun , Zhao Jihong , Ren Ling , Zhao Ruohui
Published: October 2015

This study brings trust into the study of confidence in the police and in the courts – two order institutions – and tests the utility of a statistical model developed in the West in two other culturally distinct countries (Taiwan and Turkey). The conceptual model is tested using structural equation modeling techniques. Results show that the data fit well with theory-based predictions for the US and Turkey. In-group trust is found to be associated with confidence in all three societies. Those who score high in in-group trust and those who believe in democracy have higher confidence in the order institutions. The findings cast doubt on the tendency to laud the positive effects of out-group trust while neglecting the study of in-group trust. The same model, however, does not fit well with data from Taiwan – a Confucian society. The implication of these results is discussed within the limitations of the study.
Intranasal exposure to silica nanoparticles induces alterations in pro-inflammatory environment of rat brain
Authors: Parveen Arshiya , Rizvi Syed Husain Mustafa , Sushma  , Mahdi Farzana , Ahmad Iqbal , Singh Prem Prakhash , Mahdi Abbas Ali
Published: October 2015

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are being used increasingly in biomedical and industrial fields; however, their adverse effects on human health have not been fully investigated. In this study, we focused on some of the toxicological aspects of SiNPs by studying oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses in the frontal cortex, corpus striatum and hippocampus regions of rat brain. Wistar rats were exposed to SiNPs of size 80 nm and 10 nm at a dose of 150 µg/50 µL phosphate-buffered saline/rat for 30 days. The results indicated a significant increase of lipid peroxide levels and hydrogen peroxide content in various regions of the treated rat brain. Moreover, these changes were accompanied with a significant decrease in the activities of manganese superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, catalase and reduced glutathione in different brain regions, suggesting impaired antioxidant defence system. Furthermore, SiNPs exposure not only increased messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) but also significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in different regions of rat brain. Cumulatively, these data suggest that SiNPs induced the activation of NF-κB and increased the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and MCP-1 in rat brain, possibly via redox-sensitive cellular signalling pathways.
Theory-of-Mind Training Causes Honest Young Children to Lie
Authors: Ding Xiao Pan , Wellman Henry M. , Wang Yu , Fu Genyue , Lee Kang
Published: October 2015

Theory of mind (ToM) has long been recognized to play a major role in children’s social functioning. However, no direct evidence confirms the causal linkage between the two. In the current study, we addressed this significant gap by examining whether ToM causes the emergence of lying, an important social skill. We showed that after participating in ToM training to learn about mental-state concepts, 3-year-olds who originally had been unable to lie began to deceive consistently. This training effect lasted for more than a month. In contrast, 3-year-olds who participated in control training to learn about physical concepts were significantly less inclined to lie than the ToM-trained children. These findings provide the first experimental evidence supporting the causal role of ToM in the development of social competence in early childhood.
Grey matter involvement by focal cervical spinal cord lesions is associated with progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kearney Hugh , Miszkiel Katherine A , Yiannakas Marios C , Altmann Daniel R , Ciccarelli Olga , Miller David H
Published: October 2015

Background:

The in vivo relationship of spinal cord lesion features with clinical course and function in multiple sclerosis (MS) is poorly defined.

Objective:

The objective of this paper is to investigate the associations of spinal cord lesion features on MRI with MS subgroup and disability.

Methods:

We recruited 120 people: 25 clinically isolated syndrome, 35 relapsing–remitting (RR), 30 secondary progressive (SP), and 30 primary progressive (PP) MS. Disability was measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. We performed 3T axial cervical cord MRI, using 3D-fast-field-echo and phase-sensitive-inversion-recovery sequences. Both focal lesions and diffuse abnormalities were recorded. Focal lesions were classified according to the number of white matter (WM) columns involved and whether they extended to grey matter (GM).

Results:

The proportion of patients with focal lesions involving at least two WM columns and extending to GM was higher in SPMS than in RRMS ( p = 0.03) and PPMS ( p = 0.015). Diffuse abnormalities were more common in both PPMS and SPMS, compared with RRMS (OR 6.1 ( p = 0.002) and 5.7 ( p = 0.003), respectively). The number of lesions per patient involving both the lateral column and extending to GM was independently associated with disability ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

More extensive focal cord lesions, extension of lesions to GM, and diffuse abnormalities are associated with progressive MS and disability.
PML risk stratification using anti-JCV antibody index and L-selectin
Authors: Schwab Nicholas , Schneider-Hohendorf Tilman , Pignolet Béatrice , Spadaro Michela , Görlich Dennis , Meinl Ingrid , Windhagen Susanne , Tackenberg Björn , Breuer Johanna , Cantó Ester , Kümpfel Tania , Hohlfeld Reinhard , Siffrin Volker , Luessi Felix , Posevitz-Fejfár Anita , Montalban Xavier , Meuth Sven G , Zipp Frauke , Gold Ralf , Du Pasquier Renaud A , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Jacobi Annett , Comabella Manuel , Bertolotto Antonio , Brassat David , Wiendl Heinz
Published: October 2015

Background:

Natalizumab treatment is associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) development. Treatment duration, prior immunosuppressant use, and JCV serostatus are currently used for risk stratification, but PML incidence stays high. Anti-JCV antibody index and L-selectin (CD62L) have been proposed as additional risk stratification parameters.

Objective:

This study aimed at verifying and integrating both parameters into one algorithm for risk stratification.

Methods:

Multicentric, international cohorts of natalizumab-treated MS patients were assessed for JCV index (1921 control patients and nine pre-PML patients) and CD62L (1410 control patients and 17 pre-PML patients).

Results:

CD62L values correlate with JCV serostatus, as well as JCV index values. Low CD62L in natalizumab-treated patients was confirmed and validated as a biomarker for PML risk with the risk factor “CD62L low” increasing a patient’s relative risk 55-fold ( p < 0.0001). Validation efforts established 86% sensitivity/91% specificity for CD62L and 100% sensitivity/59% specificity for JCV index as predictors of PML. Using both parameters identified 1.9% of natalizumab-treated patients in the reference center as the risk group.

Conclusions:

Both JCV index and CD62L have merit for risk stratification and share a potential biological relationship with implications for general PML etiology. A risk algorithm incorporating both biomarkers could strongly reduce PML incidence.
Inhibiting myostatin signaling prevents femoral trabecular bone loss and microarchitecture deterioration in diet-induced obese rats
Authors: Tang Liang , Yang Xiaoying , Gao Xiaohang , Du Haiping , Han Yanqi , Zhang Didi , Wang Zhiyuan , Sun Lijun
Published: October 2015

Besides resulting in a dramatic increase in skeletal muscle mass, myostatin (MSTN) deficiency has a positive effect on bone formation. However, the issue about whether blocking MSTN can inhibit obesity-induced bone loss has not been previously investigated. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of MSTN blocking on bone quality in high-fat (HF), diet-induced obese rats using a prepared polyclonal antibody for MSTN (MsAb). Twenty-four rats were randomly assigned to the Control, HF and HF + MsAb groups. Rats in the HF + MsAb group were injected once a week with purified MsAb for eight weeks. The results showed that MsAb significantly reduced body and fat weight, and increased muscle mass and strength in the HF group. MicroCT analysis demonstrated that obesity-induced bone loss and architecture deterioration were significantly mitigated by MsAb treatment, as evidenced by increased bone mineral density, bone volume over total volume, trabecular number and thickness, and decreased trabecular separation and structure model index. However, neither HF diet nor MsAb treatment had an impact on femoral biomechanical properties including maximum load, stiffness, energy absorption and elastic modulus. Moreover, MsAb significantly increased adiponectin concentrations, and decreased TNF-α and IL-6 levels in diet-induced obese rats. Taken together, blocking MSTN by MsAb improves bone quality in diet-induced obese rats through a mechanotransduction pathway from skeletal muscle, and the accompanying changes occurring in the levels of circulating adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines may also be involved in this process. It indicates that the administration of MSTN antagonists may be a promising therapy for treating obesity and obesity-induced bone loss.
Inclusive education – a Christian perspective to an ‘overlapping consensus’
Authors: Pirner Manfred L
Published: October 2015

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has triggered endeavours in many countries to implement inclusive education at public schools. A Christian interpretation that concentrates on the anthropogical themes of fragmentarity, fragility and complementarity offers valuable impulses to the public discourse on inclusive education, including for people with a secular or different religious world view. It can thus contribute to an ‘overlapping consensus’ on inclusive education and help anchoring it in the very center of education and educational theory instead of just seeing it as one additional task of schools among others.
Cytokine overproduction and crosslinker hypersensitivity are unlinked in Fanconi anemia macrophages
Authors: Garbati Michael R , Hays Laura E , Rathbun R Keaney , Jillette Nathaniel , Chin Kathy , Al-Dhalimy Muhsen , Agarwal Anupriya , Newell Amy E Hanlon , Olson Susan B , Bagby Grover C
Published: October 2015

The Fanconi anemia proteins participate in a canonical pathway that repairs cross-linking agent-induced DNA damage. Cells with inactivated Fanconi anemia genes are universally hypersensitive to such agents. Fanconi anemia-deficient hematopoietic stem cells are also hypersensitive to inflammatory cytokines, and, as importantly, Fanconi anemia macrophages overproduce such cytokines in response to TLR4 and TLR7/8 agonists. We questioned whether TLR-induced DNA damage is the primary cause of aberrantly regulated cytokine production in Fanconi anemia macrophages by quantifying TLR agonist-induced TNF-α production, DNA strand breaks, crosslinker-induced chromosomal breakage, and Fanconi anemia core complex function in Fanconi anemia complementation group C-deficient human and murine macrophages. Although both M1 and M2 polarized Fanconi anemia cells were predictably hypersensitive to mitomycin C, only M1 macrophages overproduced TNF-α in response to TLR-activating signals. DNA damaging agents alone did not induce TNF-α production in the absence of TLR agonists in wild-type or Fanconi anemia macrophages, and mitomycin C did not enhance TLR responses in either normal or Fanconi anemia cells. TLR4 and TLR7/8 activation induced cytokine overproduction in Fanconi anemia macrophages. Also, although TLR4 activation was associated with induced double strand breaks, TLR7/8 activation was not. That DNA strand breaks and chromosome breaks are neither necessary nor sufficient to account for the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines by Fanconi anemia cells suggests that noncanonical anti-inflammatory functions of Fanconi anemia complementation group C contribute to the aberrant macrophage phenotype and suggests that suppression of macrophage/TLR hyperreactivity might prevent cytokine-induced stem cell attrition in Fanconi anemia.
At the Bench: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) highlight novel aspects of innate immune system involvement in autoimmune diseases
Authors: Grayson Peter C , Kaplan Mariana J
Published: October 2015

The putative role of neutrophils in host defense against pathogens is a well-recognized aspect of neutrophil function. The discovery of neutrophil extracellular traps has expanded the known range of neutrophil defense mechanisms and catalyzed a discipline of research focused upon ways in which neutrophils can shape the immunologic landscape of certain autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. Enhanced neutrophil extracellular trap formation and impaired neutrophil extracellular trap clearance may contribute to immunogenicity in systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases by promoting the externalization of modified autoantigens, inducing synthesis of type I IFNs, stimulating the inflammasome, and activating both the classic and alternative pathways of the complement system. Vasculopathy is a central feature of many autoimmune diseases, and neutrophil extracellular traps may contribute directly to endothelial cell dysfunction, atherosclerotic plaque burden, and thrombosis. The elucidation of the subcellular events of neutrophil extracellular trap formation may generate novel, therapeutic strategies that target the innate immune system in autoimmune and vascular diseases.
Dynamics of ADAM17-Mediated Shedding of ACE2 Applied to Pancreatic Islets of Male db/db Mice
Authors: Pedersen Kim Brint , Chodavarapu Harshita , Porretta Constance , Robinson Leonie K. , Lazartigues Eric
Published: October 2015

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene therapy aimed at counteracting pancreatic ACE2 depletion improves glucose regulation in two diabetic mouse models: db/db mice and angiotensin II-infused mice. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) can cause shedding of ACE2 from the cell membrane. The aim of our studies was to determine whether ADAM17 depletes ACE2 levels in pancreatic islets and β-cells. Dynamics of ADAM17-mediated ACE2 shedding were investigated in 832/13 insulinoma cells. Within a wide range of ACE2 expression levels, including the level observed in mouse pancreatic islets, overexpression of ADAM17 increases shed ACE2 and decreases cellular ACE2 levels. We provide a mathematical description of shed and cellular ACE2 activities as a function of the ADAM17 activity. The effect of ADAM17 on the cellular ACE2 content was relatively modest with an absolute control strength value less than 0.25 and approaching 0 at low ADAM17 activities. Although we found that ADAM17 and ACE2 are both expressed in pancreatic islets, the β-cell is not the major cell type expressing ACE2 in islets. During diabetes progression in 8-, 12-, and 15-week-old db/db mice, ACE2 mRNA and ACE2 activity levels in pancreatic islets were not decreased over time nor significantly decreased compared with nondiabetic db/m mice. Levels of ADAM17 mRNA and ADAM17 activity were also not significantly changed. Inhibiting basal ADAM17 activity in mouse islets failed to affect ACE2 levels. We conclude that whereas ADAM17 has the ability to shed ACE2, ADAM17 does not deplete ACE2 from pancreatic islets in diabetic db/db mice.
17β-Estradiol Enhances ASIC Activity in Primary Sensory Neurons to Produce Sex Difference in Acidosis-Induced Nociception
Authors: Qu Zu-Wei , Liu Ting-Ting , Ren Cuixia , Gan Xiong , Qiu Chun-Yu , Ren Ping , Rao Zhiguo , Hu Wang-Ping
Published: October 2015

Sex differences have been reported in a number of pain conditions. Women are more sensitive to most types of painful stimuli than men, and estrogen plays a key role in the sex differences in pain perception. However, it is unclear whether there is a sex difference in acidosis-evoked pain. We report here that both male and female rats exhibit nociceptive behaviors in response to acetic acid, with females being more sensitive than males. Local application of exogenous 17β-estradiol (E2) exacerbated acidosis-evoked nociceptive response in male rats. E2 and estrogen receptor (ER)-α agonist 1,3,5-Tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-propyl-1H-pyrazole, but not ERβ agonist 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile, replacement also reversed attenuation of the acetic acid-induced nociceptive response in ovariectomized females. Moreover, E2 can exert a rapid potentiating effect on the functional activity of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), which mediated the acidosis-induced events. E2 dose dependently increased the amplitude of ASIC currents with a 42.8 ± 1.6 nM of EC50. E2 shifted the concentration-response curve for proton upward with a 50.1% ± 6.2% increase of the maximal current response to proton. E2 potentiated ASIC currents via an ERα and ERK1/2 signaling pathway. E2 also altered acidosis-evoked membrane excitability of dorsal root ganglia neurons and caused a significant increase in the amplitude of the depolarization and the number of spikes induced by acidic stimuli. E2 potentiation of the functional activity of ASICs revealed a peripheral mechanism underlying this sex difference in acetic acid-induced nociception.
External Cavity Diode Laser-Based Off-Axis Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy in the Spectral Range between 1000 nm and 1620 nm for Trace Gas Measurements
Authors: Bayrakli Ismail
Published: October 2015

A robust novel off-axis cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy instrument using three external cavity diode lasers operating between 1000 nm and 1620 nm was developed to analyse trace gas concentrations. A discrete wavelength tuning range of 620 nm (3828 cm−1) for the spectral range between 1000 nm (10,000 cm−1) and 1620 nm (6172 cm−1) was achieved by using three single-mode, narrow-linewidth, widely tunable external cavity lasers. The performance of the off-axis cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy system was evaluated using ammonia. Using the absorption lines of ammonia at 1531 nm, 1299 nm and 1040 nm, detection limits of approximately 40 ppb, 80 ppb and 250 ppb are demonstrated for 512 averages.
The Lives and Deaths of Jobs: Technical Interdependence and Survival in a Job Structure
Authors: Hasan Sharique , Ferguson John-Paul , Koning Rembrand
Published: October 2015

Prior work has considered the properties of individual jobs that make them more or less likely to survive in organizations. Yet little research examines how a job’s position within a larger job structure affects its life chances and thus the evolution of the larger job structure over time. In this article, we explore the impact of technical interdependence on the dynamics of job structures. We argue that jobs that are more enmeshed in a job structure through these interdependencies are more likely to survive. We test our theory on a quarter century of personnel and job description data for the nonacademic staff of one of America’s largest public universities. Our results provide support for our key hypotheses: jobs that are more enmeshed in clusters of technical interdependence are less likely to die. At the same time, being part of such a cluster means that a job is more vulnerable if its neighbors disappear. And the “protection” of technical interdependence is contingent: it does not hold in the face of strategic change or other organizational restructurings. We offer implications of our analyses for research in organizational performance, careers, and labor markets.
Junior doctors' perceptions of the specialist nurse role in acute cardiology
Authors: Callaghan Sarah
Published: October 2015

Advanced nursing roles have been developing in modern health care for many years, with evidence suggesting they offer a quality patient experience and equitable clinical standards of care to that of junior medical colleagues. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore junior doctors' perceptions of the specialist nurse (SpN) role in acute cardiology. A purposive sample of six doctors were interviewed using taped semi-structured interviews. The categories that emerged from the data covered role boundaries and crossover, the issue of qualifications, understanding of SpN roles, and finally how this impacts the junior medical team. The findings concluded that ongoing issues with role clarity, expectations and boundaries continue to be an area of concern within the clinical setting. The overall perceptions from the junior doctors of the specialist nurse role were positive with evidence of good collaboration but with some areas for improvement. Fears around future training and the impact SpN roles have on junior doctors were also apparent; however, they are acknowledged as a relevant addition to teams with the modern demand on health-care services.
Treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum using radiofrequency advanced electrolysis
Authors: Smith Victoria , Santos Scott Dos , Whiteley Mark
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of radiofrequency advanced electrolysis (RAE) for the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) and report the outcomes of treatment at 18 months. Fifty patients presenting to an aesthetic clinic with XP between 2011 and 2013 were identified. All patients underwent clinical examination and treatment with RAE. Records were retrospectively reviewed and questionnaires were sent via post (mean follow-up time 17.6 months; response rate 50%). Treatment was deemed to be successful or partially successful in all patients, with 22 of 25 respondents reporting an improvement to their quality of life. RAE was described as partially successful in five patients whose condition vastly improved, but was not eradicated. Five patients reported new xanthelasma at follow-up. The authors concluded that xanthelasmata have a profound impact on confidence and self-esteem but can be removed with RAE—an efficient treatment for visibly reducing the appearance of or removing plaques, with excellent patient– and observer-reported outcomes.
Prevalencia de hipotiroidismo y su asociación con factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos en mujeres adultas argentinas
Authors: Belén Lorena Rosalía , Maffei Laura , Alorda Beatriz , Squillace Celeste , Rossi Maria Laura , Oliva Maria Laura , Torresani Maria Elena
Published: October 2015

Introducción: El hipotiroidismo se asocia con factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos (FRC) además de la edad y del sexo femenino. El principal objetivo fue conocer la prevalencia de hipotiroidismo y su asociación con FRC en mujeres adultas concurrentes a un Centro de Endocrinología de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.Material y Métodos: Diseño transversal y observacional en muestra no probabilística de 316 mujeres adultas (40 a 65 años), categorizadas en hipotiroideas controladas con tratamiento farmacológico y eutiroideas. Variables: Se estudiaron los siguientes FRC: Índice Masa Corporal (IMC), <25kg/m2 y ≥25,0Kg/m2; circunferencia cintura (CC) ≤88cm y >88cm; etapa biológica (premenopausia y posmenopausia), tabaquismo, sedentarismo; perfil lipídico alterado (ColT>200mg/dl; LDL-c>130mg/dl; Tg>150mg/dl; HDL-c<40mg/dl); HTA≥120/80mmHg y glucemia basal aumentada >100mg/dl. Estadística con SPSS 15.0 estableciendo medidas de tendencia central, ANOVA y OR con intervalos de confianza 95% (IC) y diferencia de proporciones con valor p<0,05.Resultados: 46,2% hipotiroideas controladas y 53,8% eutiroideas; 64,2% posmenopáusicas; 68% con sobrepeso u obesidad y 45,2% con CC aumentada. La edad fue similar en ambos grupos: 53,3 (DS=6,4) años hipotiroideas y 53,9 (DS=6,6) años eutiroideas. Sedentarismo fue el FRC más prevalente en ambos grupos. Las hipotiroideas presentaron más riesgo de IMC aumentado (OR=0,36 IC95%=0,21-0,59; p=0,0001) y CC alterada (OR=0,53 IC95%=0,34-0,84; p=0,006) que las eutiroideas.Conclusiones: La prevalencia de hipotiroidismo se presentó aproximadamente en la mitad de la muestra. El estado nutricional alterado fue el único FRC asociado significativamente con el hipotiroidismo.
Um olhar sobre o olhar indígena e suas escol(h)as
Authors: Menezes Magali Mendes , Bergamaschi Maria Aparecida , Pereira Mateus da Silva
Published: October 2015

La mirada que surge como posibilidad de encuentro. Este ensayo poético, presenta imágenes creadas en el espacio de la Universidad, a partir de encuentros de formación realizados entre indígenas Kaingang y Guarany, y los no indígenas participantes del proyecto "Rede de Saberes Indígenas na Escola". El objetivo de este proyecto, es promover y afirmar las opciones de los actores indígenas en la conducción de las políticas públicas en el campo de la educación. La interculturalidad, como un proyecto ético-político y epistémico, es reflejada en las imágenes que presentan diversos momentos de estos encuentros. Las miradas revelan dudas, desconfianzas, pero al mismo tiempo, complicidad. Aparecen otras formas de comunicación: músicas, dibujos, historias, risas, el silencio. Todo habla en una lengua que no siempre necesita traducirse. En el encuentro también existe el desencuentro: son los espacios donde los indígenas hablan en su propia lengua, protegen sus secretos; elementos fundamentales para que se produzca una escuela que no sea extraña, abierta al tiempo de la memoria. Es de esta forma en que la escuela se va construyendo como opción/escuela de estos Pueblos.
Itinerario de una investigación sociolingüística en colaboración con niños y maestros en un contexto bilingüe guaraní-castellano en la provincia de Corrientes, Argentina
Authors: Gandulfo Carolina
Published: October 2015

En el presente ensayo se presenta una secuencia de fotografías que muestra el recorrido metodológico de un proceso de investigación en colaboración con niños y maestros en un contexto bilingüe guaraní – castellano de la provincia de Corrientes, Argentina. El objetivo de la investigación fue realizar una caracterización sociolingüística de la zona donde viven y está inserta la escuela. En una investigación previa planteamos que los usos lingüísticos se organizan a partir del “discurso de la prohibición del guaraní” y que los niños serían los destinatarios centrales de dicha prohibición. En este sentido, la participación de los niños como parte del equipo de investigación, tanto en el diseño del instrumento de la entrevista, como en la realización de las mismas, y en el análisis del material, posibilitó producir situaciones de interpelación intergeneracional poco habituales. Si bien la investigación no se centró en la relación entre las políticas públicas y las situaciones de bilingüismo en el marco educativo, este proyecto nos llevó al planteo de la urgencia de la definición de políticas públicas que consideren los rasgos del bilingüismo (guaraní castellano) que describe este estudio. Enmarcados en las perspectivas ecológicas de la política y planificación lingüística (PPL) hemos postulado que los participantes del proyecto aún sin advertirlo han realizado acciones de política lingüística respecto de los usos del guaraní y de la reflexión metalingüística producida colectivamente. Los niños son concebidos como sujetos políticos en el sentido de la transformación que han producido en su paraje a partir de la interpelación realizada a los adultos respecto del guaraní y del uso del guaraní. Finalmente proponemos la identificación de procesos incipientes de emergencia del bilingüismo en cuanto a nuevos usos del guaraní, como así también con respecto a la propia concepción de los hablantes en tanto comunidad o sujetos bilingües.…. Llamamos bilingüismo emergente al que los niños, maestros y pobladores fueron descubriendo en sí mismos durante el desarrollo de la investigación en colaboración. Postulamos, que si bien existe una ley provincial que oficializó al guaraní en el año 2004, no hay una política pública que contemple esta realidad sociolingüística. Por tanto, la formulación de una política pública de alcance provincial debiera considerar los rasgos del bilingüismo guaraní – castellano en Corrientes.
Relações teoria-prática na formação de professores de Ciências: um estudo das interações discursivas no interior de uma disciplina acadêmica
Authors: Viana Gabriel Menezes , Munford Danusa , Ferreira Márcia Serra , Fernandes Priscila Correia
Published: October 2015

No início dos anos 2000, no Brasil, normatizações oficiais que orientam os currículos dos programas de formação de professores passaram por uma reforma que, entre outros aspectos, buscou enfatizar o papel da vivência em escolas nesse processo de formação, aumentando o tempo de estágio nesses espaços. Além disso, a mesma legislação também exigiu que as universidades delimitassem espaços privilegiados para a construção de relações teoria-prática em disciplinas ministradas. Esse elemento do currículo foi denominado “prática como componente curricular” (PCC). Neste trabalho, investigamos processos de construção discursiva de relações teoria-prática, no nível das interações face-a-face, no cotidiano de uma sala de aula de uma disciplina do PCC. No diálogo com Stephen Ball e colaboradores, entendemos esse contexto específico – o cotidiano da sala de aula de uma disciplina universitária – como parte de um ciclo contínuo produtor de políticas de currículo, no qual diversos sujeitos e variados contextos se articulam de forma permanente e simultânea, elaborando discursos que circulam e que são ressignificados continuamente. Adotando uma abordagem naturalista de pesquisa nos orientamos por perspectivas da Etnografia em Educação. A principal fonte de dados foi a observação participante, com registro em caderno de campo e em vídeo. Nossos resultados apontam que as RTP são construídas em vários espaços/tempos da formação de professores, em especial, quando são estabelecidos debates em torno das atividades do professor na escola. Identificamos que na construção de RTP, os participantes mobilizam experiências, vivenciadas ou imaginadas. Discutimos algumas relações desses resultados com transformações nas políticas públicas para a formação de professores.
Introducción: Hacia una mirada interaccional y multimodal de las políticas públicas educativas
Authors: Heras Ana Inés , Unamuno Virginia
Published: October 2015

En  este artículo destacamos los ejes que guiaron el trabajo de edición de un número especial de Archivos Analíticos de Política Pública Educativa, orientado a indagar en la relación entre prácticas cotidianas y políticas públicas educativas a través de estudios provenientes de la etnografía y sociolingüística. Destacamos por ello que los escritos presentados toman en cuenta tres premisas fundantes que conforman un programa metodológico y conceptual de base compartida: 1) que con el lenguaje se dice y se hace (el lenguaje es acción social); 2) que las normas vigentes son interpretadas y significadas por los miembros de sus instituciones en forma permanente y 3) que a su vez la acción social y las normas que le dan marco se inscriben en contextos multinivel y de temporalidades diversas. Tomando en cuenta estas cuestiones básicas, este volumen reúne escritos que permiten visualizar los modos específicos en que las políticas públicas son constantemente re-significadas por los actores sociales involucrados en sus respectivas comunidades educativas en países como México, Argentina, Brasil y Reino Unido, a través de su acción cotidiana, inscripta en y con el lenguaje, en temporalidades que pueden analizarse a niveles sincrónicos y diacrónicos. Este artículo comenta qué permiten identificar para el campo específico los trabajos presentados, así como qué dejan planteado como ejes para continuar trabajando.
Early Modern “Citation Index”? Medical Authorities in Academic Treatises on Plague (1480–1725)
Authors: Černý Karel
Published: October 2015

The paper deals with the problem of early modern scientific citations. It attempts to establish a measure of scientific popularity in a specific area of the academic medicine in a way which resembles a modern evaluation of scientific activity (citation index). For this purpose an analysis of a series of plague treatises written between 1480 and 1725 in Europe was conducted. Citations for various historical medical authorities (Hippocrates, Galen, etc.) are given in Tables which reflect a long time development of popularity. The authorities from various groups (Ancient, Medieval, Arabic, Early Modern) are linked together, and “generic authorities” are explained and discussed.