bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probiotic supplementation in dental caries: is it possible to replace conventional treatment?
Authors: Coqueiro Audrey Yule , Bonvini Andrea , Raizel Raquel , Tirapegui Julio , Rogero Marcelo Macedo
Published: February 2018

Background

Probiotic supplementation alters oral microbiota composition and could reduce the risk or treat oral cavity diseases, such as dental caries, which are considered a public health problem.

Aim

To summarize the therapeutic effects of probiotics in caries and to verify whether this intervention is capable of replacing conventional treatment in human beings.

Methods

The search of the studies was carried out in the PubMed database in October 2017, without limiting the publication period. The keyword combination used was “Probiotics” and “Dental caries.” Forty-two original articles that evaluated the effect of probiotic supplementation on caries treatment in humans were included in the study.

Results

Most of the studies evaluated bacteria of the genusLactobacillus. The main therapeutic effects are related to the reduction of theStreptococcus mutansoral count, increasedLactobacillusoral count, and reduction in the incidence of caries. Evidence on the therapeutic effects of theBifidobacteriumandStreptococcusgenres is scarce and conflicting, making it difficult to recommend them for use in clinical practice. Only a few studies administered probiotics without conventional treatments, such as fluoride. Although probiotic supplementation presented interesting properties, the therapeutic effects are more pronounced when probiotic and fluoride are applied together.

Conclusion

Probiotics, especially of theLactobacillusgenus, can be used as adjuvants, but cannot replace the conventional treatments of caries.
Leukodystrophies
Authors: Waldman Amy T.
Published: February 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The leukodystrophies, typically considered incurable neurodegenerative disorders, are often diagnosed after irreversible central and peripheral nervous system injury has occurred. Early recognition of these disorders is imperative to enable potential therapeutic interventions. This article provides a summary of the symptoms of and diagnostic evaluation for leukodystrophies, along with the currently available therapies and recent advances in management.

RECENT FINDINGS

The leukodystrophies are a rapidly expanding field because of advances in neuroimaging and genetics; however, recognition of the clinical and biochemical features of a leukodystrophy is essential to accurately interpret an abnormal MRI or genetic result. Moreover, the initial symptoms of leukodystrophies may mimic other common pediatric disorders, leading to a delay in the recognition of a degenerative disorder.

This article will aid the clinician in recognizing the clinical features of leukodystrophies and providing accurate diagnosis and management.
Evaluation of the Child With Developmental Impairments
Authors: van Karnebeek Clara D. M.
Published: February 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article discusses the diagnostic evaluation of intellectual developmental disorder, comprising global developmental delay and intellectual disability in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

With a prevalence of 1% to 3% and substantial comorbidity, high lifetime costs, and emotional burden, intellectual developmental disorder is characterized by limitations in both intellectual functioning (IQ less than 70) and adaptive behavior starting before 18 years of age. Pinpointing the precise genetic cause is important, as it allows for accurate genetic counseling, avoidance of unnecessary testing, prognostication, and tailored management, which, for an increasing number of genetic conditions, targets the pathophysiology and improves outcomes.

The etiology of intellectual developmental disorder is heterogeneous, which mandates a structured approach that considers family situation, test costs, yield, and potential therapeutic tractability of the identified condition. Diagnosis of an underlying genetic cause is increasingly important with the advent of new treatments. Still, in many cases, the cause remains unknown, and research is needed to elucidate its complex molecular basis.
Pediatric Sleep Disorders
Authors: Maski Kiran , Owens Judith
Published: February 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article provides an overview of the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of insomnia, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movements of sleep, parasomnias, narcolepsy, and sleep-related breathing disorders among children and adolescents.

RECENT FINDINGS

Pediatric presentations of sleep disorders differ from adult presentations, making diagnosis challenging. Specific clinical syndromes, such as cataplexy in children with narcolepsy type 1, can have an altogether different presentation compared to adult-onset symptoms, contributing to diagnostic delays and potential misdiagnoses. More broadly, research shows strong associations between sleep and daytime cognition, mood, and behavior among children with and without neurologic conditions and thus suggests a need to identify and treat sleep problems to optimize daytime functioning.

Addressing sleep problems in children with neurologic conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders improves quality of life for patients and their families and, in many cases, reduces neurologic disease burden.
How the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification Affects Coding for Pediatric Diagnoses
Authors: Williams Korwyn
Published: February 2018

Accurate coding is important for proper reimbursement and documentation of care provided. Recent changes in disease classification systems have affected the coding for pediatric diagnoses. This article provides an overview of coding considerations for pediatric diagnoses, including coding for intellectual disabilities and congenital malformations.
Evaluation and Management of the Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Baumer Nicole , Spence Sarah J.
Published: February 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by deficits in social communication and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. This article provides the tools to diagnose and manage patients with autism spectrum disorder.

RECENT FINDINGS

Autism spectrum disorder is a heterogeneous condition with varying presentations, multiple etiologies, and a number of comorbidities that impact the course and management of the disorder. This article defines the core features of social communication deficits, including problems with social reciprocity, decreased nonverbal communication, and difficulties in developing and maintaining relationships. The second domain of repetitive behaviors and restricted interests, which includes the presence of stereotyped behaviors or speech, insistence on sameness and behavioral rigidity, intense or out of the ordinary interests, and unusual responses to sensory stimulation, is also delineated. Comorbidities commonly seen with autism spectrum disorder include medical, neurologic, and psychiatric conditions. Despite intense research efforts, the etiology of autism spectrum disorder remains unknown in most cases, but it is clear that a strong genetic component exists that interacts with various environmental risk factors. Current research is identifying overlapping neurobiological pathways that are involved in pathogenesis. Treatment involves intensive behavioral therapy and educational programming along with traditional ancillary services, such as speech/language, occupational, and physical therapies. Psychopharmacologic treatments are also used to target certain symptoms and comorbid conditions.

Neurologists can play an important role in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder according to clinical criteria through a comprehensive evaluation that includes a thorough medical and developmental history, behavioral and play observations, and a review of standardized cognitive and language evaluations. Neurologists are also responsible for investigating etiologies, recommending and advocating for appropriate behavioral and educational interventions, and identifying and often managing comorbidities.
Improving Hip-Worn Accelerometer Estimates of Sitting Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: KERR JACQUELINE , CARLSON JORDAN , GODBOLE SUNEETA , CADMUS-BERTRAM LISA , BELLETTIERE JOHN , HARTMAN SHERI
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aimed to improve estimates of sitting time from hip-worn accelerometers used in large cohort studies by using machine learning methods developed on free-living activPAL data.

Methods

Thirty breast cancer survivors concurrently wore a hip-worn accelerometer and a thigh-worn activPAL for 7 d. A random forest classifier, trained on the activPAL data, was used to detect sitting, standing, and sit–stand transitions in 5-s windows in the hip-worn accelerometer. The classifier estimates were compared with the standard accelerometer cut point, and significant differences across different bout lengths were investigated using mixed-effect models.

Results

Overall, the algorithm predicted the postures with moderate accuracy (stepping, 77%; standing, 63%; sitting, 67%; sit-to-stand, 52%; and stand-to-sit, 51%). Daily level analyses indicated that errors in transition estimates were only occurring during sitting bouts of 2 min or less. The standard cut point was significantly different from the activPAL across all bout lengths, overestimating short bouts and underestimating long bouts.

Conclusions

This is among the first algorithms for sitting and standing for hip-worn accelerometer data to be trained from entirely free-living activPAL data. The new algorithm detected prolonged sitting, which has been shown to be the most detrimental to health. Further validation and training in larger cohorts is warranted.
A molecular phylogeny of the genus Diplusodon (Lythraceae), endemic to the campos rupestres and cerrados of South America
Authors: Inglis Peter W. , Cavalcanti Taciana B.
Published: February 2018

Diplusodon is the second–largest genus of the Lythraceae with 103 species of shrubs or subshrubs endemic to the Cerrado Domain. Many species are narrow endemics, restricted to campos rupestres on quartzite rocks, while others are found in cerrado and, more rarely, in gallery, or dry forest margins. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from nuclear ITS and ETS sequences strongly support the monophyly of Diplusodon. We found four major clades, three of which are strongly correlated with endemism and are centered in the Espinhaço Range (CEP), the Plateau Goiano (PG) and the Chapada Diamantina (CD). The fourth clade was designated the Cerrado clade (C), containing species from all three centers of diversity as well as widely distributed species and several species of lower–elevation cerrado. Species with the most plesiomorphic features occur in the clades east of the São Francisco River (C, CEP, CD), while the greatest morphological diversity is found in the PG. The crown node of the genus is estimated to date to the late Pliocene, likely diversifying in the campos rupestres, where most of the later Pleistocene speciation bursts also appear to have occurred. These patterns of diversification in Diplusodon appear to agree with old stable landscapes (OSL) theory, where high levels of in situ speciation in islands of campo rupestre, possibly isolated by more intense fire regimes of the surrounding cerrado vegetation, resulted in accumulation of high numbers of microendemic species. However, the adaptability of the genus is evidenced by multiple dispersal events to lower elevation cerrado, several long–distance dispersals, notably in the C clade, and the presence, in several clades, of species found both in campo rupestre and cerrado habitats.
The burden of ocular diseases in an underdeveloped village in Southwest Sumba, Eastern Indonesia, 2016
Authors: Sitompul Ratna , Lestari Yeni D. , Siregar Simon , Ayudianingrum Asti , Isfiyanto Isfiyanto , Kusumowidagdo Gladys , Sari Della P. , Matiur Eiko B. , Sungkar Saleha
Published: February 2018

Background: Prevalence estimates of ocular diseases in a given district are important to plan the programs of eye care services. This study aimed to describe the burden of ocular diseases as an initial step in improving eye care services in underdeveloped areas in Indonesia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among residents of Perobatang Village in Southwest Sumba district in July 2016. Eye examinations were conducted by ophthalmologists, and visual acuity was measured by optometrists. Participants were provided with appropriate treatment according to diagnosis. Surgical services were offered two months after the examination.Results: After eximining a total of 667 of 1,459 (46%) residents, the result showed that the most frequent ocular problems were presbyopia (30.8%), cataract (12.8%), refractive error (11.3%), and pterygium (10.7%). The proportion of myopia was 5.9%, hyperopia was 5.0%, and astigmatism was 2.2%. Moreover, the proportion of blindness was 10%. Cataract caused blindness in 44 participants. Other causes of blindness included age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy, optic atrophy, glaucoma, retinal detachment and trauma.Conclusion: The burden of ocular problems in Perobatang Village, Southwest Sumba, Eastern Indonesia was high. These findings showed the importance of public health action from local government and non-governmental organizations to improve eye care services in Southwest Sumba district.
Association between parental socio-demographic factors and declined linear growth of young children in Jakarta
Authors: Gunardi Hartono , Soedjatmiko Soedjatmiko , Sekartini Rini , Medise Bernie E. , Darmawan Anthony C. , Armeilia Rilie , Nadya Ruth
Published: February 2018

Background: In Indonesia, approximately 35.5% of children under five years old were stunted. Stunting is related to shorter adult stature, poor cognition and educational performance, low adult wages, lost productivity, and higher risk of nutrition-related chronic disease. The aim of this study was to identify parental socio-demographic risk factors of declined linear growth in children younger than 2 years old.Methods: This was a cohort-prospective study between August 2012 and May 2014 at three primary community health care centers (Puskesmas) in Jakarta, Indonesia, namely Puskesmas Jatinegara, Mampang, and Tebet. Subjects were healthy children under 2 years old, in which their weight and height were measured serially (at 6–11 weeks old and 18–24 months old). The length-for-age based on those data was used to determine stature status. The serial measurement was done to detect growth pattern. Parental socio-demographic data were obtained from questionnairesResults: From the total of 160 subjects, 14 (8.7%) showed declined growth pattern from normal to stunted and 10 (6.2%) to severely stunted. As many as 134 (83.8%) subjects showed consistent normal growth pattern. Only 2 (1.2%) showed improvement in the linear growth. Maternal education duration less than 9 years (RR=2.60, 95% CI=1.23–5.46; p=0.02) showed statistically significant association with declined linear growth in children.Conclusion: Mother with education duration less than 9 years was the determining socio-demographic risk factor that contributed to the declined linear growth in children less than 2 years of age.
The production of SPusp45-MSP-119 gene construct and its recombinant protein in Lactococcus lactis to be used as a malaria vaccine
Authors: Kusuma Amino V.A. , Mustopa Apon Z. , Mustafawi Wike Z. , Suharsono Suharsono
Published: February 2018

Background: Merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) is a major protein used by the Plasmodium during red blood cells invasion in malaria. MSP-119, one of MSP-1 is highly conserved, and  it is a potential malaria vaccine candidate because the monoclonal antibodies are capable blocking erythrocyte invasion in vitro. The aim of this study was to produce MSP-119 gene construct and the recombinant protein in Lactococcus lactis.Methods: Usp45-MSP-119, derived from codon optimization and the synthetic gene, was inserted into the pMAT cloning vector. A vector expressing MSP-119 included usp45 has been constructed by the manipulation of recombinant DNA using restriction enzymes. The MSP-119 protein was expressed to 45% ammonium sulfate precipitation and purified using Sephadex-G50 gel filtration chromatography. The expressed protein was characterized by SDS-PAGE and dot blot.Results: usp45-MSP-119 gene was amplified using specific primers and inserted into the multiple cloning sites in the expression vector pNZ8148 with size 3,538 bp as a recombinant vector. The protein of  MSP-119 was successfully expressed in L. lactis with molecular weight of 10.45 kDa. The dot blot was tested in 3 different comparisons between the host cells, non-induced cells, and induced cells with 10 ng/ml nisin. The results showed that 10 ng/ml nisin gave a positive reaction as detected by dot blot assay.Conclusion: This study confirmed that the usp45-MSP-119 gene was successfully inserted into the multiple cloning sites of the pNZ8148 expression vector and the MSP-119 protein expressed in the NICE system of the L. lactis host cell.
Quarter century of Medical Journal of Indonesia: Between national and international publications for building capacity building
Authors: Nafrialdi Nafrialdi , Widjaja Felix F.
Published: February 2018

[no abstract available]
Rural Drag: Fashioning Rurality and Privilege
Authors: Nichols Garrett W.
Published: February 2018

“Rural drag” is the appropriation, arrangement, and deployment of rural fashion, objects, practices, and aesthetics in order to assert membership in and support for white, settler heteropatriarchy. This rhetorical practice draws from a cultural repository of rural symbols and tropes called the “rural imaginary” to establish a rhetorical link between rural space and the privileges of white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and settler colonialism.
Non-surgical endodontic treatment of maxillary first molar with large size and curved canal: a case report
Authors: Habib Adnan , Doumani Mazen , Almutairi Muteb
Published: February 2018

The teeth are subjected to considerable variation for the number, size, form and structure of dental tissues. In this rare case report, a 30-year-old male patient was referred for root canal treatment of his right maxillary first molar because of deep caries in this tooth. During radiographic examination for determining the working length of this tooth, the peri-apical radiographs revealed the unfamiliar size of the maxillary first molar, in addition to severe curvature in mesiobuccal root. To achieve a successful treatment instrumentation of the canals completed with a crown-down technique, and obturation was done with lateral condensation technique.
Performance evaluation of Weibull function for wind data analysis in two selected locations in North-Western, Nigeria
Authors: Olomiyesan Boluwaji
Published: February 2018

In this study, the predictive ability of two-parameter Weibull distribution function in analyzing wind speed data was assessed in two selected sites with different mean wind speeds in the North-Western region of Nigeria. Twenty-two years wind speed data spanning from 1984 to 2005 was used in the analysis. The data were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in Lagos. The results of the analysis show that Weibull function is suitable for analyzing measured wind speed data and in predicting the wind-power density in both locations and that Weibull function is not discriminative between locations with high and low mean wind speeds in analyzing wind data. The annual mean wind speeds for the two sites (Sokoto and Yelwa) are 7.99 ms-1 and 2.59 ms-1 respectively, while the annual values of the most probable wind speed and the maximum, energy-carrying wind speeds are respectively:3.52 and 4.34 ms-1 for Yelwa and 8.33 and 9.02 ms-1 for Sokoto. The estimated annual wind power densities for Yelwa and Sokoto are respectively 36.91 and 359.96 Wm-2. Therefore, Sokoto has a better prospect for wind power generation.
Student Perceptions of Plagiarism Avoidance Competencies: An Action Research Case Study
Authors: MacLennan Helen
Published: February 2018

Abstract: Student plagiarism in higher education is widespread and presents a growing concern for faculty and administrators who are intent on upholding academic integrity. However, a myopic view of plagiarism as a purely ethical issue is misguided. It is not always simply a deliberate attempt to deceive. Through the involvement of students in an introductory MBA course, this case study uses an action research approach to explore student perceptions of the challenges of avoiding plagiarism in academic writing, the appropriateness of plagiarism penalties, and the value of corrective feedback on penalty-free writing assignments. It also offers a practical example of how discipline-based faculty can incorporate plagiarism education into their curriculum.
Reseña
Authors: Moreno Sierra Diana Fabiola
Published: February 2018

Martínez, L.; Parga, D. y Garzón, I. (2015). Formación de profesores y cuestiones sociocientíficas: experiencias y desafíos en la interfaz universidad-escuela. Bogotá: Universidad Pedagógica Nacional. 336p. Edición colombiana.Martínez, L.; Parga, D. e Garzón, I. (2016). Formação de Professores e Questões Sociocientíficas. Experiências e Desafios na Interface Universidade-Escola. Ijui: Inujui. 319p. Edición brasileña.
Entrevista con Antonio García-Carmona
Authors: Carmona Antonio Garcia , Castiblanco Olga
Published: February 2018

Entrevista de la Dra. Olga Castiblanco al Dr. Antonio García-Carmona.
O universo de coisas de Apichatpong Weerasethakul: A fenomenologia para além da relação entre o humano e o mundo
Authors: Bezerra Julio
Published: February 2018

De Misterioso objeto ao meio dia (2000) a Cemitério do Esplendor (2015), Apichatpong Weerasethakul faz cinema como quem intui uma melodia ou um tom. Ele dilata o tempo presente em uma sucessão de eventos e sensações simultâneos, instalando seus personagens e nós, espectadores, em um estado de perplexidade diante do mundo. Ele transforma os objetos e paisagens mais comuns em imagens inefáveis e enigmáticas, em zonas espectrais onde tudo é passageiro, fugaz e mutante, onde todos seres existem em um mesmo status ontológico. A fenomenologia nos ajuda a explorar este cinema, a responder às demandas que esses filmes parecem nos impor. No entanto, para atender plenamente aos mistérios de Apichatpong, temos de ir ainda mais longe na descentralização da humanidade. Temos de entrar em territórios não humanos. A fenomenologia precisa de ajuda quando ultrapassamos a questão do humano e do mundo. Nosso objetivo é propor um diálogo entre Maurice Merleau-Ponty e Alfred North Whitehead. Pensar com eles e Apichatpong é afirmar um ponto de partida diferente da teoria do cinema clássico e, ao fim, explorar sua aposta ontológica.
Casa tomada: o medo em El hombre de al lado (Gastón Duprat e Mariano Cohn, 2009)
Authors: Christofoletti Barrenha Natalia
Published: February 2018

Hugo Hortiguera (2014) nota que a situação de deterioração ou lassidão dos laços sociais é, talvez, um dos elementos que mais significativa e insistentemente vem se projetando no discurso cinematográfico argentino da última década. Além de uma “fuga da cidade”, o autor observa um recolhimento na casa, que aparece nos filmes como último refúgio onde se proteger e escapar. Mas os conflitos também alcançam essa zona íntima: uma divisão parece ter possuído os espaços mais recônditos. El hombre de al lado (Duprat e Cohn, 2009) toca de maneira contundente a questão da casa como espaço íntimo fraturado – revela-se um tecido de desconfianças que a atinge, passando do lugar que provê proteção a seus habitantes para se transformar em mais um espaço instável da cidade. O filme constata e desdobra um problema de comunicação e negociação na diferença que provoca uma mudança radical na forma de morar na casa Curutchet (projeto de Le Corbusier). Propomos analisar como o filme concebe esse espaço em desintegração através das correspondências e dissonâncias entre a casa e seus moradores, pensando como estão suspensos na diegese valores que guiaram a construção da Curutchet e como constantes ressignificações desses valores promovem a emergência do que Freud conceituou como estranho. Ademais, a forma de localizar os personagens, articulada à suspeita que rege a relação que o protagonista estabelece com o “vizinho”, nos leva a fazer conexões com clássicos da literatura argentina que implantaram conceitos fundamentais para se pensar o país e suas divisões, como o conto “Casa tomada”, de Julio Cortázar, e “Cabecita negra”, de Germán Rozenmacher.
“Não ouço nada... ouço o vento lá fora”: A música e o som enquanto lugar do mistério em Benilde ou a Virgem Mãe (1975) de Manoel de Oliveira
Authors: Silva Manuel Deniz
Published: February 2018

A associação entre Manoel de Oliveira e João Paes, que teve o seu início com O Passado e o Presente em 1972 e culminou no filme-ópera Os Canibais, em 1988, constituiu um exemplo único de colaboração entre um realizador e um compositor no contexto cinematográfico português. Ao longo dos sete filmes em que trabalharam em conjunto, exploraram de forma particularmente criativa a articulação entre as imagens em movimento, o som e a música. Neste artigo, pretendemos examinar a segunda colaboração de João Paes com Oliveira, Benilde ou a Virgem Mãe (1975), a partir da descrição detalhada dos elementos sonoros presentes na peça de José Régio, na planificação original de Oliveira, conservada no Centro de Documentação da Cinemateca Portuguesa, e na banda sonora do filme. Em Benilde, é a música e o som que permitem estabelecer, e ao mesmo tempo dissolver, as fronteiras entre o interior e o exterior, entre o real e o irreal, abrindo assim a possibilidade de uma representação cinematográfica do “mistério divino”. Procuraremos, dessa forma, assinalar a importância que Benilde teve na trajectória creativa de Oliveira, não apenas como o filme em que se consolidou a relação entre o seu cinema e o género teatral, mas também como um momento fundamental para o desenvolvimento da sua particular concepção do filme enquanto objecto audio-visual, que continuaria depois a explorar nos seus filmes do “período da maturidade”.
“The Sounds of Silent Films”: an interview with Claus Tieber and Anna K. Windisch
Authors: Silva Manuel Deniz
Published: February 2018

Over the last few years, sound and music practices during the silent film period have received an increasing attention from the academic community, both in film studies and musicology. In the context of the thematic issue on “Music, sound and the moving image”, Aniki interviewed Claus Tieber and Anna K. Windish, researchers at the University of Salzburg and editors of The Sounds of Silent Films: New Perspectives on History, Theory and Practice, the proceedings of an international conference held in 2013 at Kiel University. Tieber and Windish are, respectively, principal investigator and research assistant of the project “The Sound of Silents. Sound and Music in Viennese Cinemas, 1896-1930”, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).
Effects of various glutamine concentrations on gene expression and steviol glycosides accumulation in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
Authors: Esmaeili Fatemeh , Ghaheri Matin , Kahrizi Danial , Mansouri Mohsen , Safavi Seyed Mehdi , Ghorbani Tayebeh , Muhammadi Sarre , Rahmanian Elham , Vaziri Siavash
Published: February 2018

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is one of the most important biologically sourced and low-calorie sweeteners that contains a lots of Steviol glycosides. Tissue culture is the best method for propagation of stevia and micro nutrients can affect both morphological traits and steviol glycosides production. In the present study, we investigated the effect of different concentrations of glutamine (10, 20, 30 and 40 g/l) on expression of UGT74G1 and UGT76G1 genes and stevioside and rebaudioside A accumulation in the leaves of stevia under in vitro conditions. The highest level of expression for UGT74G1 (1.000 Total lab unit) was seen at plants grown in MS media without glutamine and the highest gene expression level for UGT76G1 (1.321 Total lab unit) was observed at plants grown in 2% glutamine. Based on HPLC results, the highest amount of stevioside (22.74) was accumulated in plants which were under 3% glutamine treatment and the lowest production level of stevioside (16.19) was resulted under MS (0 glutamine) medium. The highest rebaudioside A (12.19) accumulation was observed under 2% glutamine treatment and the lowest accumulation of rebaudioside A (8.41) was seen at plants grown in MS medium.
Effect of decapitation and exogenous application of gibberellic acid (GA3) and cytokinin (CK) on some physiological characteristics of stevia
Authors: Akbari Mehrangiz , Ghobadi Mohammad Eghbal , Ghobadi Mokhtar , Jalali-Honarmand Said , Saeidi Mohsen
Published: February 2018

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.) has auxiliary buds that often remain dormant for a long time and sometimes remain dormant until the plants change at the reproductive stage. This study was designed out to investigate whether decapitation and exogenous application of plant growth regulators enhance the productivity of stevia through breaking the apical dominance and increasing physiological characteristics. Experiment was carried out as a factorial in randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors were consisted two agricultural practices (Decapitation and No-decapitation) and eight foliar spray including without spray as control, water spray, GA3 (300, 600 and 900 µm) and CK (100, 200 and 400 µm). The results of the present investigation indicated a positive response on number of branches and leaves, leaves and stem fresh weight and total dry weight, in both harvests not only from the decapitation of apical buds but also from foliar application of CK (400 µM). Thus, it can be concluded that the decapitation practices in conjunction with foliar application of CK (400 µM) could be used to increase the dry-leaf yield of stevia. However, further studies are required to standardize the dose of CK (400 µM) to improve the yield and quality of stevia.
Effects of life cycle and leaves location on gene expression and glycoside biosynthesis pathway in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
Authors: Ghaheri Matin , Adibrad Elaheh , Safavi Seyed Mehdi , Kahrizi Danial , Soroush Ali , Muhammadi Saare , Ghorbani Tayebeh , Sabzevari Ali , Ansarypour Zahra , Rahmanian Elham
Published: February 2018

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is One of the most important biologically sourced and low-calorie sweeteners that known as "Sweet Weed”. It contains steviol glycosides that they are about 200-300 times sweeter than sucrose. Tissue culture is the best method with high efficiency that can overcome to problems of traditional methods, and it is the most useful tools for studying stress tolerance mechanisms under in vitro conditions to obtain drought tolerance. In the present research, we investigated the impact of life cycle, leaves location and the harvesting time on expression of UGT74G1 and UGT76G1 as well as steviol glycosides accumulation. The highest gene expression of both UGT74G1 and UGT76G1 (207.677 and 208.396 Total Lab unit, respectively) was observed in young leaves in the second vegetative year. Also, the highest amount of stevioside accumulation (13.04) was due to the old leaves in vegetative stage which had significant differences with other effects whereas the lowest accumulation (7.47) was seen at young leaves at vegetative stage. Interestingly, the highest level of rebaudioside a production (15.74) was occurred at the young leaves at vegetative stage. There was significant differences between life cycle and leaves location on steviol glycoside production in stevia.
(I'm) Happy to Help (You): The Impact of Personal Pronoun Use in Customer–Firm Interactions
Authors: Packard Grant , Moore Sarah G. , McFerran Brent
Published: February 2018

In responding to customer questions or complaints, should marketing agents linguistically “put the customer first” by using certain personal pronouns? Customer orientation theory, managerial literature, and surveys of managers, customer service representatives, and consumers suggest that firm agents should emphasize how “we” (the firm) serve “you” (the customer), while de-emphasizing “I” (the agent) in these customer–firm interactions. The authors find evidence of this language pattern in use at over 40 firms. However, they theorize and demonstrate that these personal pronoun emphases are often suboptimal. Five studies using lab experiments and field data reveal that firm agents who refer to themselves using “I” rather than “we” pronouns increase customers’ perceptions that the agent feels and acts on their behalf. In turn, these positive perceptions of empathy and agency lead to increased customer satisfaction, purchase intentions, and purchase behavior. Furthermore, the authors find that customer-referencing “you” pronouns have little impact on these outcomes and can sometimes have negative consequences. These findings enhance understanding of how, when, and why language use affects social perception and behavior and provide valuable insights for marketers.
Circle of Incompetence: Sense of Understanding as an Improper Guide to Investment Risk
Authors: Long Andrew R. , Fernbach Philip M. , De Langhe Bart
Published: February 2018

Consumers incorrectly rely on their sense of understanding of what a company does to evaluate investment risk. In three correlational studies, greater sense of understanding was associated with lower risk ratings (Study 1) and with prediction distributions of future stock performance that had lower standard deviations and higher means (Studies 2 and 3). In all studies, sense of understanding was unassociated with objective risk measures. Risk perceptions increased when the authors degraded sense of understanding by presenting company information in an unstructured versus structured format (Study 4). Sense of understanding also influenced downstream investment decisions. In a portfolio construction task, both novices and seasoned investors allocated more money to hard-to-understand companies for a risk-tolerant client relative to a risk-averse one (Study 5). Study 3 ruled out an alternative explanation based on familiarity. The results may explain both the enduring popularity and common misinterpretation of the “invest in what you know” philosophy.
Cultural and Occupational Barriers Facing Women Professionals in the Field of Strength and Conditioning
Authors: Mullin Elizabeth M. , Bergan Maura E.
Published: February 2018

WOMEN ARE SIZABLY OUTNUMBERED BY THEIR MALE PROFESSIONAL COUNTERPARTS IN THE FIELD OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING. CULTURAL BARRIERS RESULTING FROM HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY AND HETERONORMATIVITY CONTRIBUTE TO THE MARGINALIZATION OF WOMEN IN SPORT IN GENERAL, AND HINDER THE ENTRANCE, RETENTION, AND ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN STRENGTH COACHES SPECIFICALLY. WE EXPLORE HOW MENTORSHIP IS A VIABLE OPTION TO SUPPORT WOMEN PROFESSIONALS AND MAKE ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION.
Control of Homeostatic Synaptic Plasticity by AKAP-Anchored Kinase and Phosphatase Regulation of Ca2+-Permeable AMPA Receptors
Authors: Sanderson Jennifer L. , Scott John D. , Dell'Acqua Mark L.
Published: February 2018

Neuronal information processing requires multiple forms of synaptic plasticity mediated by NMDARs and AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). These plasticity mechanisms include long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), which are Hebbian, homosynaptic mechanisms locally regulating synaptic strength of specific inputs, and homeostatic synaptic scaling, which is a heterosynaptic mechanism globally regulating synaptic strength across all inputs. In many cases, LTP and homeostatic scaling regulate AMPAR subunit composition to increase synaptic strength via incorporation of Ca2+-permeable receptors (CP-AMPAR) containing GluA1, but lacking GluA2, subunits. Previous work by our group and others demonstrated that anchoring of the kinase PKA and the phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) to A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP) 150 play opposing roles in regulation of GluA1 Ser845 phosphorylation and CP-AMPAR synaptic incorporation during hippocampal LTP and LTD. Here, using both male and female knock-in mice that are deficient in PKA or CaN anchoring, we show that AKAP150-anchored PKA and CaN also play novel roles in controlling CP-AMPAR synaptic incorporation during homeostatic plasticity in hippocampal neurons. We found that genetic disruption of AKAP-PKA anchoring prevented increases in Ser845 phosphorylation and CP-AMPAR synaptic recruitment during rapid homeostatic synaptic scaling-up induced by combined blockade of action potential firing and NMDAR activity. In contrast, genetic disruption of AKAP-CaN anchoring resulted in basal increases in Ser845 phosphorylation and CP-AMPAR synaptic activity that blocked subsequent scaling-up by preventing additional CP-AMPAR recruitment. Thus, the balanced, opposing phospho-regulation provided by AKAP-anchored PKA and CaN is essential for control of both Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity mechanisms that require CP-AMPARs.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNeuronal circuit function is shaped by multiple forms of activity-dependent plasticity that control excitatory synaptic strength, including LTP/LTD that adjusts strength of individual synapses and homeostatic plasticity that adjusts overall strength of all synapses. Mechanisms controlling LTP/LTD and homeostatic plasticity were originally thought to be distinct; however, recent studies suggest that CP-AMPAR phosphorylation regulation is important during both LTP/LTD and homeostatic plasticity. Here we show that CP-AMPAR regulation by the kinase PKA and phosphatase CaN coanchored to the scaffold protein AKAP150, a mechanism previously implicated in LTP/LTD, is also crucial for controlling synaptic strength during homeostatic plasticity. These novel findings significantly expand our understanding of homeostatic plasticity mechanisms and further emphasize how intertwined they are with LTP and LTD.
Protein Kinase C Enhances Electrical Synaptic Transmission by Acting on Junctional and Postsynaptic Ca2+Currents
Authors: Beekharry Christopher C. , Gu Yueling , Magoski Neil S.
Published: February 2018

By synchronizing neuronal activity, electrical transmission influences the coordination, pattern, and/or frequency of firing. In the hemaphroditic marine-snail,Aplysia calfornica, the neuroendocrine bag cell neurons use electrical synapses to synchronize a 30 min afterdischarge of action potentials for the release of reproductive hormone. During the afterdischarge, protein kinase C (PKC) is activated, although its impact on bag cell neuron electrical transmission is unknown. This was investigated here by monitoring electrical synapses between paired cultured bag cell neurons using dual whole-cell recording. Voltage clamp revealed a largely voltage-independent junctional current, which was enhanced by treating with a PKC activator, PMA, before recording. We also examined the transfer of presynaptic action potential-like waveforms (generated in voltage clamp) to the postsynaptic cell (measured in current clamp). For control pairs, the presynaptic spike-like waveforms mainly evoked electrotonic potentials; however, when PKC was triggered, these stimuli consistently produced postsynaptic action potentials. To assess whether this involved changes to postsynaptic responsiveness, single bag cell neurons were injected with junctional-like current mimicking that evoked by a presynaptic action potential. Unlike control neurons, which were less likely to spike, cells in PMA always fired action potentials to the junctional-like current. Furthermore, PKC activation increased a postsynaptic voltage-gated Ca2+current, which was recruited even by modest depolarization associated with an electrotonic potential. Whereas PKC inhibits gap junctions in most systems, bag cell neurons are rather unique, as the kinase potentiates the electrical synapse; in turn, this synergizes with augmented postsynaptic Ca2+current to promote synchronous firing.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTElectrical coupling is a fundamental form of communication. For the bag cell neurons ofAplysia, electrical synapses coordinate a prolonged burst of action potentials known as the afterdischarge. We looked at how protein kinase C, which is upregulated with the afterdischarge, influences information transfer across the synapse. The kinase activation increased junctional current, a remarkable finding given that this enzyme is largely considered inhibitory for gap junctions. There was also an augmentation in the ability of a presynaptic neuron to provoke postsynaptic action potentials. This increased excitability was, in part, due to enhanced postsynaptic voltage-dependent Ca2+current. Thus, protein kinase C improves the fidelity of electrotonic transmission and promotes synchronous firing by modulating both junctional and membrane conductances.
Bottom-Up and Top-Down Factors Differentially Influence Stimulus Representations Across Large-Scale Attentional Networks
Authors: Long Nicole M. , Kuhl Brice A.
Published: February 2018

Visual attention is thought to be supported by three large-scale frontoparietal networks: the frontoparietal control network (FPCN), the dorsal attention network (DAN), and the ventral attention network (VAN). The traditional view is that these networks support visual attention by biasing and evaluating sensory representations in visual cortical regions. However, recent evidence suggests that frontoparietal regions actively represent perceptual stimuli. Here, we assessed how perceptual stimuli are represented across large-scale frontoparietal and visual networks. Specifically, we tested whether representations of stimulus features across these networks are differentially sensitive to bottom-up and top-down factors. In a pair of pattern-based fMRI studies, male and female human subjects made perceptual decisions about face images that varied along two independent dimensions: gender and affect. Across studies, we interrupted bottom-up visual input using backward masks. Within studies, we manipulated which stimulus features were goal relevant (i.e., whether gender or affect was relevant) and task switching (i.e., whether the goal on the current trial matched the goal on the prior trial). We found that stimulus features could be reliably decoded from all four networks and, importantly, that subregions within each attentional network maintained coherent representations. Critically, the different attentional manipulations (interruption, goal relevance, and task switching) differentially influenced feature representations across networks. Whereas visual interruption had a relatively greater influence on representations in visual regions, goal relevance and task switching had a relatively greater influence on representations in frontoparietal networks. Therefore, large-scale brain networks can be dissociated according to how attention influences the feature representations that they maintain.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTVisual attention is supported by multiple frontoparietal attentional networks. However, it remains unclear how stimulus features are represented within these networks and how they are influenced by attention. Here, we assessed feature representations in four large-scale networks using a perceptual decision-making paradigm in which we manipulated top-down and bottom-up factors. We found that top-down manipulations such as goal relevance and task switching modulated feature representations in attentional networks, whereas bottom-up manipulations such as interruption of visual processing had a relatively stronger influence on feature representations in visual regions. Together, these findings indicate that attentional networks actively represent stimulus features and that representations within different large-scale networks are influenced by different forms of attention.
Neural Decoding of Bistable Sounds Reveals an Effect of Intention on Perceptual Organization
Authors: Billig Alexander J. , Davis Matthew H. , Carlyon Robert P.
Published: February 2018

Auditory signals arrive at the ear as a mixture that the brain must decompose into distinct sources based to a large extent on acoustic properties of the sounds. An important question concerns whether listeners have voluntary control over how many sources they perceive. This has been studied using pure high (H) and low (L) tones presented in the repeating pattern HLH-HLH-, which can form a bistable percept heard either as an integrated whole (HLH-) or as segregated into high (H-H-) and low (-L-) sequences. Although instructing listeners to try to integrate or segregate sounds affects reports of what they hear, this could reflect a response bias rather than a perceptual effect. We had human listeners (15 males, 12 females) continuously report their perception of such sequences and recorded neural activity using MEG. During neutral listening, a classifier trained on patterns of neural activity distinguished between periods of integrated and segregated perception. In other conditions, participants tried to influence their perception by allocating attention either to the whole sequence or to a subset of the sounds. They reported hearing the desired percept for a greater proportion of time than when listening neutrally. Critically, neural activity supported these reports; stimulus-locked brain responses in auditory cortex were more likely to resemble the signature of segregation when participants tried to hear segregation than when attempting to perceive integration. These results indicate that listeners can influence how many sound sources they perceive, as reflected in neural responses that track both the input and its perceptual organization.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCan we consciously influence our perception of the external world? We address this question using sound sequences that can be heard either as coming from a single source or as two distinct auditory streams. Listeners reported spontaneous changes in their perception between these two interpretations while we recorded neural activity to identify signatures of such integration and segregation. They also indicated that they could, to some extent, choose between these alternatives. This claim was supported by corresponding changes in responses in auditory cortex. By linking neural and behavioral correlates of perception, we demonstrate that the number of objects that we perceive can depend not only on the physical attributes of our environment, but also on how we intend to experience it.