bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Representaciones del cuerpo oculto en 'Luna de lobos' de 'Julio Llamazares' y 'Los girasoles ciegos' de Alberto Méndez
Authors: Lastero Lucila Rosario
Published: March 2024

Este artículo explora las representaciones del cuerpo oculto –en fuga o en trincheras– en Luna de lobos (1985) de Julio Llamazares y en dos relatos pertenecientes a Los girasoles ciegos (2004) de Alberto Méndez. Nos interesa reflexionar sobre los vínculos entre el cuerpo y la memoria de la Guerra Civil y el franquismo. Para ello, recurriremos a algunos principios de Maurice Merleau-Ponty y, principalmente, al concepto “desterritorialización” propuesto por Gilles Deleuze y Félix Guattari.
Christina Bezari: 'Transnational Modernity in Southern Europe: Women’s Periodicals and Salón Culture (1860-1920)'
Authors: Romero Vallejo Alberto Custodio
Published: March 2024

Reseña de Christina Bezari: Transnational Modernity in Southern Europe: Women’s Periodicals and Salón Culture (1860-1920). Nueva York: Routledge, 2022, 208 pp.
Itinerancy. Dispersal, migration, diaspora
Authors: Desfilis Ester , Pujante González Domingo
Published: March 2024

Most animals move from one place to another at some time in their lives. These movements may be undertaken by individuals or by groups, and species may colonize new habitats or join new social groups or populations away from their birthplace. Indeed, humans are a highly mobile species, dispersed far and wide. The first migration led some groups away from the African continent to colonize the rest of the planet and, ever since, geographical displacement of individuals or groups has remained constant throughout history (despite the restrictions currently imposed by border-control policies). Although there are many causes of migration, the ultimate goal is to improve chances of survival and/or reproduction.
Editorial
Authors: Domínguez Martí
Published: March 2024

In 2013, Mètode started a new era with the publication of the English language Annual Review, which would later be named Mètode Science Studies Journal in order to advance the academic aspect of the documents within. It created a space open to scientists and researchers in science communication for the promotion of scientific knowledge and the critical debate around it. A new project was born with the vocation to go beyond the advancement of the understanding of science in our society. Now, three years later, our journal is included in the Scopus database, one of the world’s most prestigious indexes for scientific publications, and we continue working to increase the number of international databases in which it is included. It is rewarding to see one’s effort recognised and this pushes us to continue working. The new volume of Mètode Science Studies Journal presented herein offers a panoramic view of several scientific questions from diverse disciplines such as evolutionary biology, science communication, linguistics, sociology, the history of science or literature. The issue includes four monographs on climate change in our society, the rhetoric of science communication, the origin of life and health communication, coordinated by experts on each field. Surely they provide an interesting and enriching perspective of science. A multidisciplinary and cross-cutting issue, just science itself, which is less and less compartmentalised every day, more focused on the collaboration and convergence of teams and disciplines. Therefore, the publication you can now read is but a collection of documents to portray the powerful and diverse grid that is science.Martí Domínguez. Editor-in-Chief of Mètode SSJ. University of Valencia (Spain).
The value of knowledge
Authors: Campins Pilar
Published: March 2024

The European University Association (EUA) highlighted in its document Ambitious funding for excellent research in Europe post-2020 that «education, research and innovation are central to the development and growth of any society». And they added: «Universities remain critical to safeguarding a democratic, tolerant and progressive society.» Undoubtedly, reaching a knowledge-based society is a challenge with many responsible agents. Among them, universities play a fundamental role. It looks like Spain has finally beaten Unamuno’s paradox: «Let them invent»; according to current data, we occupy the ninth or tenth position in the world in scientific production. But we still need to increase the impact of our science in the international field and, essentially, to make it serve society as indicated by the EUA.
Pilar Campins. Vice-principal for Research and Science Policy of the University of Valencia (Spain).
The secrets of the brain. An evolutionary perspective on neuroscience
Authors: Desfilis Ester , Medina Loreta
Published: March 2024

Understanding the brain is one of the greatest scientific challenges, and a fundamental aspiration of human beings. Why is this organ, made of a little over a kilogram of fatty tissue, so special? The answer is obvious: our brain is the place where thoughts and emotions originate, where our behaviour is generated and our memory lives; that is to say, it is the place our identity inhabits. Our brain cannot be replaced (unlike our kidneys, liver or heart). You are your brain.
Violent Universe. High-energy astrophysics and cosmology in the twenty-first century
Authors: Perucho Pla Manel , Font Roda José Antonio
Published: March 2024

We see the sky and admire its regularity and stability, its apparent immutability. We have always done so; it does not come as a surprise, since humans have always been startled by any change in the sky, associating it with omens or the mood swings of gods. At that time, they might call these changes «new stars», even if they were, for example, a supernova explosion, as in the case of Tycho’s supernova in the sixteenth century.
Challenges and difficulties for a Vice-Principal for Research
Authors: Hermenegildo Carlos
Published: March 2024

In the onset of our journey as a governing team, many feelings and ideas intermingle. In my case, as the new Vice-Principal for Research of the University of Valencia, I enthusiastically take on the responsibility of coordinating and facilitating the work of the researchers of the University of Valencia. Evidently, many challenges exist and resources are limited, but in recent years we have also managed to maintain and even increase research activity in science and humanities.
Carlos Hermenegildo. Vice-Principal for Research of the University of Valencia (Spain).
Towards a new biological science of language
Authors: Bertranpetit Jaume
Published: March 2024

Science is the human activity aimed at acquiring knowledge by means of a very specific method, the scientific method, in which logical reasoning is put at the service of empirical and observable evidence. We perfectly understand what it means to be able to focus our scientific perspective on a problem: we want to understand it reasonably, according to the observation, and different observers will obtain an equivalent result. More and more fields of knowledge are diving into scientific analysis. Experimental sciences are based on it, but other fields of knowledge have also found themselves needing it in order to gain social acceptance and recognised explanatory possibilities.
Jaume Bertranpetit. Institute of Evolutionary Biology. Pompeu Fabra University. Barcelona (Spain).
Evolution of the forms of sources on classical dance technique in the methodological literature of the second half of the 15th – first half of the 20th centuries
Authors: Zhirova Violetta Vladimirovna
Published: March 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the evolution of the forms of literary works on classical dance technique of the second half of the 15th – first half of the 20th century, among which are educational and methodological manuals, dance notations, theoretical, historical and critical works, and classical dance curriculums. The creation of the first theoretical works on the art of choreography determines the upper temporal boundary of the chronological framework of the research. The development of the first classical dance curriculums determines the lower chronological limit. Until now, curriculums have not been regarded as an autonomous source, allowing to objectively assess the level of performing skills in their historical development. The research is aimed to identify the prerequisites for the emergence of this form of explanation and description of classical dance technique. It is hypothesized that already in the earliest theoretical works, the programmatic approach of the choreographic mindset can be traced. Using the historical method, the article makes a retrospective analysis of literary sources to reveal this pattern. The novelty of the research shows the importance of the classical dance curriculum not only in the evolution of professional ballet education but also in the development of the theory of choreographic art. It is concluded that there is a conventional form of classical dance curriculum in the content of the analyzed works. It was found that the methods of many outstanding teachers (P. Beauchamp, F. Taglioni, O. Vestris, E. Cecchetti) were described by their students, as they did not leave behind any published theoretical works. Other specialists in the field of choreographic art (R. Feuillet, A. Bournonville, E. Theleur, A. J. Zorn, V. I. Stepanov), on the contrary, combined several competences at once in writing methodology, theory, curriculums, and notations.
Neural activity ramps in frontal cortex signal extended motivation during learning
Authors: Regalado Josue M. , Corredera Asensio Ariadna , Haunold Theresa , Toader Andrew C. , Li Yan Ran , Neal Lauren A. , Rajasethupathy Priya
Published: March 2024

Learning requires the ability to link actions to outcomes. How motivation facilitates learning is not well understood. We designed a behavioral task in which mice self-initiate trials to learn cue-reward contingencies and found that the anterior cingulate region of the prefrontal cortex (ACC) contains motivation-related signals to maximize rewards. In particular, we found that ACC neural activity was consistently tied to trial initiations where mice seek to leave unrewarded cues to reach reward-associated cues. Notably, this neural signal persisted over consecutive unrewarded cues until reward associated cues were reached, and was required for learning. To determine how ACC inherits this motivational signal we performed projection specific photometry recordings from several inputs to ACC during learning. In doing so, we identified a ramp in bulk neural activity in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) -to-ACC projections as mice received unrewarded cues, which continued ramping across consecutive unrewarded cues, and finally peaked upon reaching a reward associated cue, thus maintaining an extended motivational state. Cellular resolution imaging of OFC confirmed these neural correlates of motivation, and further delineated separate ensembles of neurons that sequentially tiled the ramp. Together, these results identify a mechanism by which OFC maps out task structure to convey an extended motivational state to ACC to facilitate goal-directed learning.
Longitudinal Awake Imaging of Mouse Deep Brain Microvasculature with Super-resolution Ultrasound Localization Microscopy
Authors: Wang Yike , Lowerison Matthew R , Huang Zhe , You Qi , Lin Bing-Ze , Llano Daniel A , Song Pengfei
Published: March 2024

Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is an emerging imaging modality that resolves microvasculature in deep tissues with high spatial resolution. However, existing preclinical ULM applications are largely constrained to anesthetized animals, introducing confounding vascular effects such as vasodilation and altered hemodynamics. As such, ULM quantifications (e.g., vessel diameter, density, and flow velocity) may be confounded by the use of anesthesia, undermining the usefulness of ULM in practice. Here we introduce a method to address this limitation and achieve ULM imaging in awake mouse brain. Pupillary monitoring was used to support the presence of the awake state during ULM imaging. Vasodilation induced by isoflurane was observed by ULM. Upon recovery to the awake state, reductions in vessel density and flow velocity were observed across different brain regions. In the cortex, the effects induced by isoflurane are more pronounced on venous flow than on arterial flow. In addition, serial
in vivo
imaging of the same animal brain at weekly intervals demonstrated the highly robust longitudinal imaging capability of the proposed technique. The consistency was further verified through quantitative analysis on individual vessels, cortical regions of arteries and veins, and subcortical regions. This study demonstrates longitudinal ULM imaging in the awake mouse brain, which is crucial for many ULM brain applications that require awake and behaving animals.
The effect of flywheel complex training with eccentric-overload on muscular adaptation in elite female volleyball players
Authors: Wang Jiaoqin , Zhang Qiang , Chen Wenhui , Fu Honghao , Zhang Ming , Fan Yongzhao
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to compare the effects of 8 weeks (24 sessions) between flywheel complex training with eccentric overload and traditional complex training of well-trained volleyball players on muscle adaptation, including hypertrophy, strength, and power variables. Fourteen athletes were recruited and randomly divided into the flywheel complex training with an eccentric-overload group (FCTEO, n = 7) and the control group (the traditional complex training group, TCT, n = 7). Participants performed half-squats using a flywheel device or Smith machine and drop jumps, with three sets of eight repetitions and three sets of 12 repetitions, respectively. The variables assessed included the muscle thickness at the proximal, mid, and distal sections of the quadriceps femoris, maximal half-squats strength (1RM-SS), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and three-step approach jump (AJ). In addition, a two-way repeated ANOVA analysis was used to find differences between the two groups and between the two testing times (pre-test vs. post-test). The indicators of the FCTEO group showed a significantly better improvement (p < 0.05) in CMJ (height: ES = 0.648, peak power: ES = 0.750), AJ (height: ES = 0.537, peak power: ES = 0.441), 1RM-SS (ES = 0.671) compared to the TCT group and the muscle thicknes at the mid of the quadriceps femoris (ES = 0.504) after FCTEO training. Since volleyball requires lower limb strength and explosive effort during repeated jumps and spiking, these results suggest that FCTEO affects muscular adaptation in a way that improves performance in well-trained female volleyball players.
Does novelty influence the foraging decisions of a scavenger?
Authors: Bhattacharjee Debottam , Sau Shubhra , Das Jayjit , Bhadra Anindita
Published: March 2024

Acquiring knowledge about the environment is crucial for survival. Animals, often driven by their exploratory tendencies, gather valuable information regarding food resources, shelter, mating partners, etc. However, neophobia, or avoiding novel environmental stimuli, can constrain their exploratory behaviour. While neophobia can reduce potential predation risks, decreased exploratory behaviour resulting from it may limit the ability to discover highly rewarding resources. Dogs (Canis familiaris) living in semi-urban and urban environments as free-ranging populations, although subject to various selection forces, typically have negligible predation pressure. These dogs are scavengers in human-dominated environments; thus, selection against object-neophobia can provide benefits when searching for novel food resources. Although captive pack-living dogs are known to be less neophobic than their closest living ancestors, wolves (Canis lupus), little is known about free-ranging dogs’ behavioural responses to novel objects, particularly in foraging contexts. Using an object choice experiment, we tested 259 free-ranging dogs from two age classes, adult and juvenile, to investigate their object-neophobia in a scavenging context. We employed a between-subject study design, providing dogs with a familiar and a potentially novel object, both baited with equal, hidden food items. Adult and juvenile dogs significantly inspected the novel object first compared to the familiar one, even when the hidden food item was partially visible. To validate these findings, we compared novel objects with different strengths of olfactory cues (baited vs. false-baited) and found that they were inspected comparably by adults and juveniles. No significant differences were found in the latencies to inspect the objects, suggesting that free-ranging dogs may still be cautious when exploring their environments. These results indicate that free-ranging dogs, evidently from an early ontogenetic phase, do not show object-neophobia, as demonstrated by their preference for novel over familiar food sources. We conclude that little to no constraint of neophobia on exploratory behaviour in semi-urban and urban-dwelling animals can guide foraging decision-making processes, providing adaptive benefits.
Analysis of the influence of mechanical properties of cementitious composites using submerged arc welding (SAW) slag recycled aggregate
Authors: Moura Millena Varela de , Paiva Schneider Almeida , Rodrigues Viviane Drumond , Lopes Samuel Jônatas de Castro , Santos Tiago Felipe de Abreu , Berenguer Romildo Alves
Published: March 2024

Concern about the environment and the scarcity of natural resources has led to the search for more sustainable alternatives that minimize the environmental impact of all segments of society. Solid waste recycling has been presented as a good alternative to reduce the impacts generated by the disorderly use of raw materials and the reduction of disposal areas, caused by the large volume of waste disposal generated throughout the year throughout the world. In this context, waste from industries in Brazil is included, especially submerged arc welding (SAW) slag. Waste from these activities is generally solid, with dense materials and variable characteristics in terms of their chemical composition, as they contain different types of elements with a specific function as a load element. These characteristics often present an obstacle to being reused in new materials (flows). Among the various waste generated by various industries, we can mention submerged arc welding (SAW) slag, as being one of the greatest potentials for use, due to often having knowledge of its basic characteristics and properties and its lower degree of contamination by other materials, when compared to other waste, such as construction waste. The objective of this research is to evaluate the mechanical performance characteristics of cementitious matrices made with submerged arc welding (SAW) slag residue and their possible use on a large scale. Cementitious matrices for mortars were manufactured by replacing 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of the natural fine aggregate with submerged arc welding (SAW) slag residue and a water/cement ratio of 0.48. Through the compressive and tensile strength test, it was observed after 28 days that the cement matrices with replacements obtained increases in the mechanical properties of compressive and tensile strength, compared to the reference cement matrix.
Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor FokI, ApaI, and BsmI Gene Polymorphisms and their Relation with the Risk of Breast Carcinoma: A Case-control Study
Authors: Dogra Ashok Kumar , Prakash Archana , Gupta Sanjay , Gupta Meenu
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Breast cancer stands as the leading cause of mortality among women in developing nations. The potential role of Vitamin D in mitigating the incidence of breast cancer is thought to stem from its ability to impede cell proliferation by interacting with the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). The VDR gene is responsible for encoding the VDR, which plays a pivotal role in mediating the effects of vitamin D. Aim: To analyse vitamin D levels and the association of VDR FokI, ApaI, and BsmI genotypic distribution frequency with the risk of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The case-control study included 220 samples, including 110 breast cancer patients and 110 agematched control women aged 30-70 years. The Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) genotyping was performed using Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from blood, and the circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D by case/control were estimated by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: The 3’ VDR polymorphism BsmI sequence showed minimal association with breast cancer risk. The bb genotype had a significantly lower odds ratio of 0.056 (p-value<0.05). Conversely, the BB and Bb genotypes exhibited no statistically significant associations with odds ratios of 1.76 (95% CI: 0.36-8.54; p-value>0.05) and 1.30 (95% CI: 0.27- 6.25; p-value>0.05), respectively. Isolated analysis of the FokI variant revealed a significant association with increased breast cancer risk, with odds ratios of 5.49 (FF) and 6.00 (Ff), both demonstrating statistical significance (p-value<0.05), and a Chi-square value of 0.006. Additionally, the p-value for serum Vitamin D levels was found to be highly significant at p-value<0.001, indicating that the levels were significantly lower in individuals newly diagnosed with breast cancer compared to those in the healthy control group. Conclusion: The study found a significant link between breast cancer susceptibility and VDR (FokI) polymorphism FF and Ff genotypes, with minimal impact observed for (BsmI) polymorphism bb genotype. This implies that certain genetic variations, especially in the FokI polymorphism of the VDR gene, are associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer.
The Role of Teachers in Curriculum Management Implementation: A Narrative Literature Review on Challenges, Best Practices, and Professional Development
Authors: Hadisaputra Prosmala , Haryadi Lalu Fauzi , Zuhri M. , Thohri Muhammad , Zulkifli Muh.
Published: March 2024

Aims: This study aims to acquire comprehensive information regarding the role of teachers in curriculum management implementation. The focus of this study lies on the challenges, best practices, and professional development of teachers in the implementation of curriculum management within the educational context of Indonesia.
Study Design:  This study constitutes qualitative research employing a narrative literature review approach.
Duration of Study: This literature review was conducted over a two-month period, spanning from 1st September to 30th October 2023.
Methodology: As this study adopts a qualitative approach with a narrative literature review, the primary data sources include scholarly journal articles and seminar proceedings. These data were collected online through the Google Scholar database. In this study, a total of 22 articles were reviewed.
Results: The findings demonstrate that: 1) teachers face several challenges in the implementation of curriculum management, including: (1) Understanding Complex Curricula; (2) adapting to the interests and needs of students; (3) limited time; (4) comprehensive assessment; (5) continuous professional development, and (6) adequate resources. 2) As for best practices in curriculum management implementation, they include: (1) understanding and interpreting the curriculum; (2) structured lesson planning; (3) using varied teaching methods and strategies; 4) differentiated learning; (5) utilizing technology in teaching; (6) collaboration and knowledge exchange; (7) reflection and practice renewal; and (8) involving students in learning. 3) Regarding the professional development of teachers in curriculum management implementation, it encompasses: (1) training and workshops; (2) participation in certification programs; (3) mentoring and collaboration; (4) academic development programs; and (5) attending conferences and seminars.
Conclusion: The role of teachers in curriculum management implementation confronts intricate challenges. Furthermore, best practices in curriculum management implementation encompass numerous aspects that need to be addressed. Therefore, strategic steps in teacher professional development are imperative.
Salicylic Acid Alleviates the Adverse of Salinity Stress in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Authors: AL-Maqtary Emtiyaaz , AL-Madhagi Isam , AL-Mureish Khalid
Published: March 2024

Aims: To discover the resistance of the Yemeni genotype of fenugreek to salt stress and the impact of salicylic acid on alleviating salt stress.
Study Design: The experimental design adopted a completely randomized block design (RCBD), with pots filled with a 1:2 mixture of sand and soil serving as the experimental units.
Place and Duration of Study: in a mini greenhouse covered with white polyethylene plastic sheet at Taiz University during the spring season 2021. The average temperature ranged from 32 ℃ during the day to 29 ℃ at night. chemical analyses were performed at the pharmaceutical laboratory in Al-Saeed University.
Methodology: The fenugreek genotype was subjected to varying salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM) and the impact of salicylic acid (at concentrations of 0, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/l) in alleviating salt stress effects was examined at two time points: 15 and 30 days after 2 weeks of germination.
Results: Increasing salinity significantly reduced shoot and root length and exhibited slight fluctuations influenced by salinity levels above 100 mM. Salicylic acid (SA) significantly reduced shoot length but had no effect on root length. Salinity had no appreciable effect on shoot dry matter (SDM%), while the application of SA significantly decreased it. Root dry matter percentage (RDM%) showed a notable and sharp increase with salinity. However, no appreciable changes in RDM% were observed in response to the SA application. In response to salinity, the ratio of SDM% to RDM% in treated plants decreased sharply, with the lowest ratio achieved when 0.1 SA was used for treatment. There were no significant modifications observed in the amounts of photosynthetic pigments in fenugreek leaves, including chl a, chl b and total chl. Nevertheless, using high concentration of Nacl led to a signifcantly reduced in the carotenoids and the chl. b. The protein content of fenugreek plants treated with salt was much higher than that of control plants. Also, protein levels increased with SA treatment across all NaCl concentration. Proline levels sharply increased with rising salinity, reaching a peak in approximately 22.28 ug/g DW. Application of 0.1 SA led to the highest proline level in comparison to other treatments, which was the highest level of Nacl in the second measurement time. Proline levels in plants treated with 200 Nacl and 0.1 SA were the highest, averaging roughly recorded 49.95 ug/g DW. APX significantly affected on fenugreek plants, the highest APX content was found in plants treated with 50 mM NaCl, the application of 0.1 SA produced the highest level of APX (0.373nm/g protein/minuet) in fenugreek. Catalase (CA) levels significantly decreased, but SA application did not affect CA levels. The data obtained may help in determining fenugreek cultivation areas and in managing breeding programs.
The health behaviors of the older US worker
Authors: Fleming Lora E. , Lee David J. , Martinez Alberto J. Caban , LeBlanc William G. , McCollister Kathryn E. , Bridges Katherine Chung , Christ Sharon L. , Arheart Kristopher L. , Pitman Terry
Published: May 2007

Background

As the US workforce ages, lifestyle factors will increasingly affect their health, yet little information is available on their prevalence in older working populations.

Methods

Using the nationally representative 1997–2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), reported current smoking, risky drinking and leisure‐time physical activity behaviors of older workers (≥65 years) were compared with older non‐workers. These behaviors were evaluated by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and occupation, as well as prototype “healthy” and “risky” persons.

Results

The study population of 4,946 older US workers and 38,313 older non‐workers represented an estimated 3.9 million older workers and 28.9 million older non‐workers annually. Relative to older non‐workers, older workers reported more current smoking and risky drinking, but higher levels of leisure‐time physical activity with variations by subpopulations.

Conclusions

Less than 4% of the older US worker population reported overall healthy behaviors. Certain occupations and other subpopulations can be targeted for age‐appropriate behavioral interventions. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:427–437, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Choline acetyltransferase variants and their influence in schizophrenia and olanzapine response
Authors: Mancama D. , Mata I. , Kerwin R.W. , Arranz M.J.
Published: May 2007

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAt) is extensively distributed throughout the CNS where, by catalyzing acetylcholine synthesis, it participates in modulating wide‐ranging cholinergic‐dependent functions including cognitive performance, sleep, arousal, movement, and visual information processing. Recently, compelling evidence has mounted implicating ChAt in schizophrenia. In particular, studies have identified significant reductions in ChAt activity in the nucleus accumbens and pontine tegmentum of such patients, which furthermore correlate significantly with measures of cognitive performance in the disorder. Similarly, elevated levels of choline, the acetylcholine precursor, have been identified among patients, implicating altered ChAt activity in these individuals. We sought to investigate the potential contribution of three ChAt gene polymorphisms in schizophrenia, and uncovered evidence for significant association between one of these, rs1880676G/A, and disease susceptibility among Basque individuals (genotypewise χ2 = 20.7, P = 0.00003; allelewise χ2 = 10.1, P = 0.002). A similar trend for association with susceptibility was observed for a second SNP, rs3810950G/A, (genotypwise χ2 = 6.4, P = 0.05; allelewise χ2 = 3.75, P = 0.05). Evidence was also uncovered for a potential influence of these polymorphisms on olanzapine treatment outcome among Spanish patients (F‐statistic = 5.02, P = 0.03; F‐statistic = 6.53, P = 0.02 respectively), and on improvements in positive symptoms in the case of rs3810950 (F‐statistic = 5.3, P = 0.03) and general psychopathology in the case of rs1880676 and rs3810950 (F‐statistic = 5.24, P = 0.03; F‐statistic = 5.31, P = 0.03 respectively) during therapy. While more comprehensive studies are warranted to determine the precise contribution of ChAt mediated mechanisms in schizophrenia, our findings tentatively implicate a genetic influence of ChAt in the disorder's susceptibility and treatment. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The opioid system in alcohol and drug dependence: Family‐based association study
Authors: Xuei Xiaoling , Flury‐Wetherill Leah , Bierut Laura , Dick Danielle , Nurnberger John , Foroud Tatiana , Edenberg Howard J
Published: May 2007

Opioid receptors and their endogenous peptide ligands play important roles in neurotransmission and neuromodulation in response to addictive drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. In an earlier study, we reported that variation in the genes encoding the κ‐opioid receptor (OPRK1)and its peptide ligand (PDYN)were associated with the risk for alcoholism. We continued our investigation of the role of the opioid system in alcohol dependence by analyzing the genes encoding the µ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors and their peptide ligands. We analyzed 18OPRM1SNPs, 18OPRD1SNPs, 7PENKSNPs, and 7POMCSNPs in a sample of 1923 European Americans from 219 multiplex alcohol dependent families. Employing a family‐based test of association, we found no evidence that these four genes were significantly associated with alcohol dependence. We also did not find association between these genes and illicit drug dependence. Secondary analyses employing the narrower phenotype of opioid dependence (83 affected individuals) demonstrated association with SNPs inPENKandPOMC, but not inOPRM1orOPRD1. Haplotype analyses provided further support for the association ofPENKandPOMCwith opioid dependence. Therefore, our data provide no support for the idea that variations inOPRM1,OPRD1,PENKandPOMCare associated with alcohol dependence or general illicit drug dependence, but variations inPENKandPOMCappear to be associated with the narrower phenotype of opioid dependence in these families. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alzheimer's disease: Case‐control association study of polymorphisms in ACHE, CHAT, and BCHE genes in a Sardinian sample
Authors: Piccardi Mariapaola , Congiu Donatella , Squassina Alessio , Manconi Francesca , Putzu Paolo Francesco , Mereu Rosa Maria , Chillotti Caterina , Del Zompo Maria
Published: May 2007

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by an extensive loss of cholinergic neurons, and their cortical projections, from the basal forebrain area. The resulting reduction in cholinergic activity is associated with decreased levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), decreased activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and increased butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity. In the present study, we investigated whether the BCHE, ACHE, and CHAT genes were associated with AD and the possibility of a synergistic effect with APOE‐ε4 in a Sardinian sample. AD patients (n = 158), exclusively of Sardinian ancestry, were recruited from the Division of Geriatrics Local Health Agency 8 and Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Neurosciences, University of Cagliari. Patients were diagnosed according to DSM‐IV, and National Institute of Neurologic and Communicative Disorders and Stroke–AD and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS–ADRDA) criteria for possible or probable AD. Cognitive screening was performed by means of Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). Healthy controls (n = 118) of Sardinian ancestry were recruited from religious and sport associations. All patients and control subjects gave informed consent for participation in the study. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed by PCR/RFLP or the TaqMan 5′ exonuclease method. Our study confirms the association between APOE ε4 allele and AD (P < 0.000). No significant differences were observed in allele and genotype frequencies of BCHE, ACHE, and CHAT between AD and controls. Haplotype analysis of ACHE SNPs did not reveal a significant association between ACHE and AD. Our results suggest that the AChE, ChAT, and BChE polymorphisms do not constitute a major genetic risk factor for susceptibility to AD in a Sardinian population. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional morphology of the mangabey mandibular corpus: Relationship to dental specializations and feeding behavior
Authors: Daegling David J. , McGraw W. Scott
Published: May 2007

Recent molecular and morphological surveys suggest that mangabeys do not represent a monophyletic group. Specifically, Cercocebus is the sister taxon of Mandrillus, whereas Lophocebus forms an unresolved trichotomy with Papio and Theropithecus. The Cercocebus‐Mandrillus clade is characterized by skeletal and dental adaptations related to acquisition and processing of hard‐object foods that resist decomposition for months on the forest floor. Although species of both mangabey genera can be described as frugivorous seed predators with a strong reliance on hard‐object foods, a growing body of evidence indicates that Cercocebus (terrestrial) and Lophocebus (arboreal) mangabeys differ in the hardness of the seeds they consume and the manner in which seeds are processed. The taxa are also distinguished on the basis of dental morphology. Given the purported differences in feeding behaviors of the two mangabey genera, we consider whether there are predictable biomechanical consequences of these behaviors that are reflected in mandibular corpus dimensions. In addition, we present metric data summarizing functional aspects of mangabey mandibular corpus morphology. Mangabey genera are generally not distinguished by differences in relative corpus size, either in postcanine or symphyseal regions. Distinct symphyseal scaling patterns characterize the Papio‐Lophocebus clade and the Mandrillus‐Cercocebus clade, while the postcanine corpus scales similarly between them. The hypothesis that preferential use of the incisors vs. premolars to initially process these foods results in distinct stress environments is weakly supported, given circumstantial evidence that the relative importance of bending vs. torsion may differ between Cercocebus and Lophocebus. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Astrocytes are a specific immunological target in Rasmussen's encephalitis
Authors: Bauer Jan , Elger Christian E. , Hans Volkmar H. , Schramm Johannes , Urbach Horst , Lassmann Hans , Bien Christian G.
Published: May 2007

Objective

The current histopathological criteria of Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE) include the presence of T‐cell–dominated inflammation, microglial activation, neuronal loss, and astrocytic activation. An in vitro study, however, suggested glutamate receptor 3 (GluR3) antibody–mediated astrocytic loss. Therefore, we investigated astrocytic apoptosis and loss in situ.

Methods

Histochemical, immunohistochemical, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase–mediated biotin‐dUTP nick end labeling and in situ hybridization techniques were applied to paraffin sections of 20 RE cases, 6 healthy control subjects, and 6 paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis, 10 Ammon's horn sclerosis, and 5 focal cortical dysplasia cases.

Results

Astrocytic apoptosis and subsequent loss of these cells is a specific feature of RE. Such lesions are not found in the control groups. In RE, astrocytic apoptosis and loss was present both in cortical and in white matter areas. Astrocytes in these tissues showed major histocompatibility complex class I expression. Furthermore, granzyme‐B+ lymphocytes were found in close apposition to astrocytes bordering astrocyte‐deficient lesions. Granzyme‐B+ granules in these lymphocytes were polarized and faced the astrocytic membranes. No evidence was found for an antibody‐mediated destruction.

Interpretation

We suggest a specific attack by cytotoxic T lymphocytes as a possible mechanism responsible for astrocytic degeneration in RE. The loss of astrocytes might play a role in neuronal dysfunction, seizure induction, and enhancement of neuronal cell death. Ann Neurol 2007
A new technique for preparing polyethylene/polystyrene blends with gradient structure
Authors: Ning Nan‐Ying , Zhu Yong‐Bin , Zhang Xiao‐Qing , He Zhou‐Kun , Fu Qiang
Published: May 2007

In this study, polyethylene (PE)/polystyrene (PS) polymeric gradient material with spatially gradient structure was prepared continuously by a new technique through coextrusion–gradient distribution–two‐dimensional mixing with conventional polymeric material processing facilities. The processing line from coextrusion, gradient distribution to two‐dimensional mixing was fulfilled by two extruders, gradient distribution unit, and two‐dimensional mixing units, respectively. The gradient distribution unit and two‐dimensional mixing units were designed separately in our group. The gradient variation of composition along the sample thickness direction was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DSC results indicated that a gradient variation of the content of PE was formed along the sample thickness direction. SEM results showed the direct evolution of morphology of each specimen along the sample thickness direction. The experimental results demonstrated that the processing method with coextrusion–gradient distribution–two‐dimensional mixing can be served as a new way to produce polymer blends with spatially gradient structure and worth to be further investigated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Neurophysiological effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on humans: A comprehensive review
Authors: Valentini E. , Curcio G. , Moroni F. , Ferrara M. , De Gennaro L. , Bertini M.
Published: May 2007

In recent years a growing number of people have begun to use mobile phone technology. This phenomenon has raised questions and doubts about possible effects on users' brains. This literature review focuses on the human electrophysiological and neuro‐metabolic effects of mobile phone (MP)‐related electromagnetic fields (EMFs) published in the last 10 years. To this end, all relevant papers have been reported and, subsequently, a literature selection has been carried out by taking several criteria into account, such as: blind techniques, randomization or counter‐balancing of conditions and subjects, detail of exposure characteristics and the statistical analyses used. As a result, only the studies meeting the selection criteria have been described, evaluated and discussed further. The main goal of this review is to provide a clear scenario of the most reliable experiments carried out over the last decade and to offer a critical point of view in their evaluation. It is concluded that MP‐EMFs may influence normal physiology through changes in cortical excitability and that in future research particular care should be dedicated to both methodological and statistical control, the most relevant criteria in this research field. Bioelectromagnetics 28:415–432, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Validation and application of capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of lidocaine in a skin tape stripping study
Authors: Chik Z. , Johnston A. , Tucker A. T. , Burn R. T. , Perrett D.
Published: May 2007

A fast and simple capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed and validated for the determination of lidocaine in skin using tape samples. Separation was performed in a 350 mm (265 mm to window) × 50 µm i.d. fused silica capillary using a background electrolyte of phosphoric acid–Tris pH 2.5. The extraction of lidocaine from tape samples was achieved using methanol, which was diluted to 50% with water before injection. Procaine was the internal standard. The migration times for procaine and lidocaine were 2.9 and 3.2 min, respectively. The limit of quantification for lidocaine was 50 µg, with signal to noise ratio greater than 10. The calibration curve was linear from 50 to 1000 µg with r2 greater than 0.99. The CV for both within‐ and between‐assay imprecision and the percentage of inaccuracy for the quality control samples including lower and upper limits of quantitation were ≤2% and ≤14%, respectively. The absolute recovery of lidocaine was >97%. The accuracy and selectivity of this method allowed the measurement of lidocaine in tape samples obtained from a skin tape stripping study of local anesthetics in healthy subjects. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility of transcatheter intervention for severe aortic stenosis in patients ≥90 years of age: Aortic valvuloplasty revisited
Authors: Pedersen Wes R. , Klaassen Paul J. , Boisjolie Charlene R. , Pierce Talia A. , Harris Kevin M. , Lesser John R. , Hara Hidehiko , Mooney Michael R. , Graham Kevin J. , Kshettry Vibhu R. , Goldenberg Irvin F. , Priztker Marc R. , Van Tassel Robert A. , Schwartz Robert S.
Published: May 2007

Objectives:

The goals of this study were to determine the feasibility, safety, and early outcomes of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) for severe aortic stenosis in a nonagenarian population.

Background:

This very elderly population is expanding rapidly, has a high incidence of aortic stenosis, and uncommonly undergoes surgical aortic valve replacement. These patients may best be treated with a transcatheter approach due to comorbidities, surgical risk, and personal preference.

Methods:

We reviewed 31 consecutive patients ≥≥90 years of age who underwent BAV at our institution from July 2003 to August 2006 for data pertinent to patient characteristics, procedural techniques, and 30‐day outcomes.

Results:

Our patients had a mean age of 93 ± 3.0 years (90–101). The society of thoracic surgery risk score was 18.5 (±10.2) and logistic Euroscore was 35.8 (±19.3). Twenty‐five patients (81%) underwent retrograde BAV and 6 (19%) antegrade BAV. Five patients (16%) underwent combined BAV and coronary stenting. Overall mean aortic valve area increased from 0.52 cm2 (±0.17) to 0.92 cm2 (±0.22) and mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class improved from 3.4 to 1.8. Intraprocedural mortality occurred in one patient (3.2%) and 30‐day mortality in three patients (9.7%).

Conclusions:

BAV can be carried out in high risk nonagenarian patients with an acceptable complication rate, low perioperative mortality, and early improvement in NYHA functional class. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthetic Models of the Active Site of Cytochrome c Oxidase: Influence of Tridentate or Tetradentate Copper Chelates Bearing a HisTyr Linkage Mimic on Dioxygen Adduct Formation by Heme/Cu Complexes
Authors: Liu Jin‐Gang , Naruta Yoshinori , Tani Fumito
Published: May 2007

Two synthetic models of the active site of cytochrome c oxidase–‐[(LN4‐OH)CuI‐FeII(TMP)]+ (1 a) and [(LN3‐OH)CuI‐FeII(TMP)]+ (2 a)—have been designed and synthesized. These models each contain a heme and a covalently attached copper moiety supported either by a tetradentate N4‐copper chelate or by a tridentate N3‐copper chelate including a moiety that acts as a mimic of the crosslinked His‐Tyr component of cytochrome c oxidase. Low‐temperature oxygenation reactions of these models have been investigated by spectroscopic methods including UV/Vis, resonance Raman, ESI‐MS, and EPR spectroscopy. Oxygenation of the tetradentate model 1 a in MeCN and in other solvents produces a low‐temperature‐stable dioxygen‐bridged peroxide [(LN4‐OH)CuII‐O2‐FeIII(TMP)]+ {νOO=799 (16O2)/752 cm−1 (18O2)}, while a heme superoxide species [(TMP)FeIII(O2−)⋅⋅⋅CuIILN3‐OH] {ν: 576 (16O2)/551 cm−1 (18O2)} is generated when the tridentate model 2 a is oxygenated in EtCN solution under similar experimental conditions. The coexistence of a heme superoxide species [(TMP)FeIII(O2−)⋅⋅⋅CuIILN3‐OH] and a bridged peroxide [(LN3‐OH)CuII‐O2‐FeIII(TMP)]+ species in equal amounts is observed when the oxygenation reaction of 2 a is performed in CH2Cl2/7 % EtCN, while the percentage of the peroxide (≈70 %) in relation to superoxide (≈30 %) increases further when the crosslinked phenol moiety in 2 a is deprotonated to produce the bridged peroxide [(LN3‐OH)CuII‐O2‐FeIII(TMP)]+ {νOO: 812 (16O2)/765 cm−1 (18O2)} as the main dioxygen intermediate. The weak reducibility and decreased O2 reactivity of the tricoordinated CuI site in 2 a are responsible for the solvent‐dependent formation of dioxygen adducts. The initial binding of dioxygen to the copper site en route to the formation of a bridged heme‐O2‐Cu intermediate by model 2 a is suggested and the deprotonated crosslinked His‐Tyr moiety might contribute to enhancement of the O2 affinity of the CuI site at an early stage of the dioxygen‐binding process.