bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing American Plastic Surgery Residents Toward an Academic Career
Authors: Chetta Matthew D. , Sugg Kristoffer B. , Diaz-Garcia Rafael J. , Kasten Steven J.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Plastic surgery residency program directors have an interest in recruiting applicants who show an interest in an academic practice. Medical school achievements (ie, United States Medical Licensing Examination® scores, publications, and Alpha Omega Alpha status) are metrics assessed to grade applicants but may not correlate with ultimately choosing an academic career.

Objective:

This study was designed to investigate factors influencing residents’ choices for or against academic careers.

Methods:

A 25-item online questionnaire was designed to measure baseline interest in academic plastic surgery and factors that influence decisions to continue on or abandon that career path. This questionnaire was disseminated to the integrated/combined plastic surgery residents during the 2013 to 2014 academic year.

Results:

One hundred twenty-five respondents indicated that they were currently interested in pursuing academic practice (n = 78) or had lost interest in academic practice (n = 47). Among all respondents, 92.8% (n = 116) stated they were interested in academic careers at the time of residency application, but one-third (n = 41) subsequently lost interest. Those residents who retained interest in academic careers indicated resident/medical student educational opportunities (57%) and complexity of patients (52%) as reasons. Those who lost interest cited a lack of autonomy (43%), publishing requirements (32%), and income discrepancy (26%) as reasons.

Discussion:

Many residents report losing interest in academics during residency. Traditional metrics valued in the recruitment process may not serve as positive predictors of an academic career path.

Conclusion:

Reasons why residents lose interest are not easily correctable, but mentorship, adequate career counseling, and research opportunities during training remain factors that can be addressed across all residency programs.
The Legal Violence in the 2017 Executive Orders: The Expansion of Immigrant Criminalization in Kansas
Authors: Alvord Daniel R. , Menjívar Cecilia , Gómez Cervantes Andrea
Published: March 2018

In the past two decades, the trend toward immigrant criminalization has increased dramatically. Drawing on analysis of recent immigration-related Executive Orders as well as interviews with Latino immigrants in Kansas, we argue that these expanded forms of immigrant criminalization amount to legal violence, with an unprecedented reach. Our focus on Kansas, a state that has not been at the forefront of anti-immigration laws like other states have, demonstrates this new reach. Our research demonstrates that the hypercriminalized immigration regime has direct implications for the everyday lives of immigrants.
A finite-difference approach for solving pure quasi-P-wave equations in transversely isotropic and orthorhombic media
Authors: Li Xueyan , Zhu Hejun
Published: March 2018

Starting from the dispersion relation and setting S-wave velocity along symmetry axes to zero, pseudoacoustic-wave equations have been proposed to describe the kinematics of acoustic wavefields in transversely isotropic (TI) and orthorhombic media. To date, the numerical stability of the pseudoacoustic-wave equations has been improved by developing coupled systems of wave equations; however, most simulations still suffer from S-wave artifacts that are the fundamental solutions of the fourth- and sixth-order partial differential equations. Pure quasi-P-wave equations accurately describe the traveltimes of P-waves in TI and orthorhombic media and are free of S-wave artifacts. However, it is difficult to directly solve the pure quasi-P-wave equations using conventional finite-difference schemes due to the presence of pseudo-differential operators. We approximated these pseudo-differential operators by algebraic expressions, whose coefficients can be determined by minimizing differences between the true and approximated values of the pseudo-differential operators in the wavenumber domain. The derived new coupled systems involve modified acoustic-wave equations and a Poisson’s equation that can be solved by conventional finite-difference stencils and fast Poisson’s solver. Several 2D and 3D numerical examples demonstrate that the simulations based on the new systems are free of S-wave artifacts and have correct kinematics of quasi-P-waves in TI and orthorhombic media.
Aminophylline for treatment of postdural puncture headache
Authors: Wu Chuanjie , Guan Dongsheng , Ren Ming , Ma Zhengfei , Wan Changming , Cui Yinglin , Zhong Ping , Zhao Wenbo , Li Chuanhui , Yan Feng , Xie Jinqiu , Xue Fang , Lian Yajun , Liu Hongbo , Wang Cui , Ji Xunming , Xie Nanchang
Published: March 2018

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and safety of IV aminophylline for patients with postdural puncture headache (PDPH).

Methods

We randomly assigned patients to groups receiving either 250 mg IV aminophylline or a placebo within 3 hours of symptom onset once daily for 2 consecutive days. The primary endpoint was headache severity 8 hours after treatment. We assessed this using visual analog scale (VAS) scores taken from patients in a standing position. We also recorded posttreatment VAS score changes, Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scores, and adverse events. We performed an intention-to-treat analysis.

Results

We enrolled 126 patients with PDPH at 5 centers in China (62 assigned to the aminophylline group and 64 to the placebo group). The median age was 37 years, and 96 (76.2%) patients were women. Compared to the placebo-treated patients, the aminophylline-treated patients had significantly lower mean VAS scores 8 hours after treatment (5.34 vs 2.98, p < 0.001) and were significantly more likely to report improvements on the PGIC (39.1% vs 72.6%, p < 0.01). This therapeutic effect was already evident at the 30-minute time point and persisted for 2 days. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events (4.8% vs 1.6%, p = 0.589).

Conclusions

IV aminophylline is an effective and safe early-stage treatment for patients with PDPH.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier

NCT02522013.

Classification of evidence

This study provides Class I evidence that for people with PDPH, IV aminophylline reduces headache severity.
The Rest of It
Authors: Duberman Martin
Published: March 2018

For many, the death of a parent marks a low point in their personal lives. For Martin Duberman—a major historian and a founding figure in the history of gay and lesbian studies—the death of his mother was just the beginning of what became a twelve-year period filled with despair, drug addiction, and debauchery. From his cocaine use, massive heart attack, and immersion into New York's gay hustler scene to experiencing near-suicidal depression and attending rehab, The Rest of It is the previously untold and revealing story of how Duberman managed to survive his turbulent personal life while still playing leading roles in the gay community and the academy. Despite the hardships, Duberman managed to be incredibly productive: he wrote his biography of Paul Robeson, rededicated himself to teaching, wrote plays, and coedited the prize-winning Hidden from History. His exploration of new paths of scholarship culminated in his founding of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies, thereby inaugurating a new academic discipline. At the outset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Duberman increased his political activism, and in these pages he also describes the tensions between the New Left and gay organizers, as well as the profound homophobia that created the conditions for queer radical activism. Filled with gossip, featuring cameo appearances by luminaries such as Gore Vidal, Norman Mailer, Vivian Gornick, Susan Brownmiller, Kate Millett, and Néstor Almendros, among many others, and most importantly, written with an unflinching and fearless honesty, The Rest of It provides scathing insights into a troubling decade of both personal and political history. It is a stimulating look into a key period of Duberman's life, which until now had been too painful to share.
Neuromuscular Adaptations to Work-matched Maximal Eccentric versus Concentric Training
Authors: MAEO SUMIAKI , SHAN XIYAO , OTSUKA SHUN , KANEHISA HIROAKI , KAWAKAMI YASUO
Published: March 2018

It is unclear whether the superiority of eccentric over concentric training on neuromuscular improvements is due to higher torque (mechanical loading) achievable during eccentric contractions or due to resulting greater total work.

Purpose

This study aimed to examine neuromuscular adaptations after maximal eccentric versus concentric training matched for total work.

Methods

Twelve males conducted single-joint isokinetic (180°·s−1) maximal eccentric contractions of the knee extensors in one leg (ECC-leg) and concentric in the other (CON-leg), 6 sets per session (3–5 sets in the initial 1–3 sessions), 2 sessions per week for 10 wk. The preceding leg performed 10 repetitions per set. The following leg conducted the equivalent volume of work. In addition to peak torque during training, agonist EMG and MRI-based anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) and transverse relaxation time (T2) at midthigh as reflective of neural drive, hypertrophy, and edema, respectively, were assessed weekly throughout the training period and pre- and posttraining. Whole muscle volume was also measured pre- and posttraining.

Results

Torque and EMG (in trained contraction conditions) significantly increased in both legs after week 1 (W1) and week 4 (W4), respectively, with a greater degree for ECC-leg (torque +76%, EMG +73%: posttraining) than CON-leg (+28%, +20%). ACSA significantly increased after W4 in ECC-leg only (+4%: posttraining), without T2 changes throughout. Muscle volume also increased in ECC-leg only (+4%). Multiple regression analysis revealed that changes (%Δ) in EMG solely explained 53%–80% and 30%–56% of the total variance in %Δtorque through training in ECC-leg and CON-leg, respectively, with small contributions (+13%–18%) of %ΔACSA for both legs.

Conclusion

Eccentric training induces greater neuromuscular changes than concentric training even when matched for total work, whereas most of the strength gains during 10-wk training are attributable to the increased neural drive.
Distal limb perfusion with amikacin in two horses
Authors: ZAMBOULIS (Δ.Α. ΖΑΜΠΟΥΛΗ) D. A. , DIAKAKIS (Ν. ΔΙΑΚΑΚΗΣ) N.
Published: March 2018

Distal Limb Perfusion (DLP) involves the administration of a drug into the vasculature of a selected portion of thelimb that has been isolated from the systemic circulation by the application of a tourniquet (Rubio-Martinez and Cruz 2006). It is used to achieve high tissue concentrations of an antimicrobial in septic sites, while reducing undesirable systemic effects (Errico et al. 2008). DLP has been used as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of sepsis improving greatly the outcome (Kramer 2006). In the present study, two cases of elimination of musculoskeletal sepsis are being presented. The first case is about a horse with chronic, partial hoof avulsion injury and infection of soft tissues. The second case is about a foal that presented with osteomyelitis of the third metatarsus bone. Both cases where treated with surgical debridment of the affected areas in conjuction with DLP and systemic therapy. For the first case, DLP targeted the hoof and it was performed through the lateral palmar digital vein with a solution of 125 mg of amikacin (Briklin®, Bristol-Myers Squibb) in 30 mL of 0,9% NaCl solution. For the second case, DLP targeted the metatarsus and it was performed through the medial saphenous vein with a solution of 250 mg of amikacin (Briklin®, Bristol-Myers Squibb) in 60 mL of 0,9% NaCl solution. The outcome of both patients was good despite their bad prognosis. DLP is a simple and effective method for treatment of septic conditions of the horse's distal limb, which is nowadays growing in popularity with promising results.
Impact of thyroid status on the response to ram effect in ewes
Authors: MENEGATOS (Ι. ΜΕΝΕΓΑΤΟΣ) J. , CHADIO (Σ. ΧΑΔΙΩ) S. , KALOGIANNIS (Δ. ΚΑΛΟΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ) D. , BAMBIDIS (Β. ΜΠΑΜΠΙΔΗΣ) V. , VALASI (Ε. ΒΑΛΑΣΗ) I. , CHRISTODOULOU (Β. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΔΟΥΛΟΥ) V. , KANTAS (Δ. ΚΑΝΤΑΣ) D.
Published: March 2018

The role of thyroid hormones on the transition to anestrous has been well established in ewes, but their possible involvement in the induction of reproductive activity remains obscure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of thyroid hormones in the induction of the first ovulation in relation to "ram effect" in ewes. Fourty-four ewes of the Greek Zackel mountain type breed were used. The ewes were housed separately from the rams until day 0 (entrance of rams). Blood samples were collected weekly for 4 weeks until 11 weeks after the ram entrance for the determination of thyroxin and progesterone levels. Thirty-five out of 44 ewes (group A) had a silent heat, while the rest 9 ewes (group B) exhibited a delayed estrus. Thyroxin levels rose immediately after ram entrance in animals of group A, but in group Β the increase in thyroid hormone levels was evident only after the first week. The difference in T4 levels between week 0 and 1 for ewes of group A was significantly higher than that observed for animals of group Β (p<005). The pattern of progesterone release was similar between the two groups, but a two week delay in the increase of progesterone concentration was observed in animals of group Β compared to group A. It is concluded that thyroid hormones may act at the beginning of the breeding season to cause a modification in gonadotrophin secretion leading to early ovulation.
Pituitary adenoma in aged rats. A case report
Authors: KATSIMPOULAS M , FOTEINOU M , PARONIS E , ALEXAKOS P , KOSTOMITSOPOULOS N
Published: March 2018

The prevalence of neoplastic disease in the rat is well defined, because this species has been routinely used for decades in large-scale carcinogenic, aging and toxicological studies. Stock and strain-specific differences in the prevalence of some types of tumors are well documented. Pituitary adenoma is a neoplastic lesion which can be observed in older or aged rats of both sexes. In addition to sex, strain, diet, genetic factor, breeding history and accommodation may also play a role. Pituitary adenoma can also affect hamster, guinea pig and mice. The aim of this article is to report an incidence of pituitary adenomas, which was observed in a rat breeding colony of the Center for Experimental Surgery of the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens. During the clinical examination five female Wistar rats, at the age of 18 to 24 months old, expressed anorexia, weight loss, ataxia and bilateral blindness. At necropsy, the pituitary gland was enlarged with lobulations, often dark red to brown and hemorrhagic in appearance. In some cases there was a marked compression of the overlying mesencephalon. Histological examination with haematoxylin-eosin were observed cords and nests of glandular cells bound by strands of connective tissue, with an abundant capillary network. On immunohistochemical examination were observed strong positive reaction of synaptophysin. Findings were similar to pituitary adenoma. Pituitary adenoma is a serious non-reversible disease leading to the death of the animal. Laboratory animals with pituitary adenomas can be used as models in research of human pituitary adenoma.
The polymorphisms of MyoD1 gene in Manych Merino sheep and its influence on body conformation traits
Authors: TRUKHACHEV V , DZHAILIDY G , SKRIPKIN V , KULICHENKO A , KOVALEV D , SELIONOVA M , AYBAZOV M , TELEGINA E , YATSYK O , KRIVORUCHKO A
Published: March 2018

Candidate genes associated with meat productivity often affect the performance of myostatin and muscle development in general. The MyoD1 gene is a member of the myogenic regulatory factor (MRF) family and plays a key role in the differentiation of skeletal muscle cells in vertebrates. We investigated the structure of the MyoD1 gene. The effect of polymorphisms on meat production was studied in the Russian sheep breed Manych Merino. To detect alleles, we used NimbleGen sequencing technology (Roche, USA). In the Manych Merino breed, we found 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with substitutions, all in the second exon, namely, c.244C>T, c.246G>T, c.253G>T, c.259G>C, c.261C>T, c.269C>G, c.274C>A, c.276C>G, c.277C>A, c.279C>T, c.281C>A, c.287C>A, c.325T>C, and c.483C>T. All of these SNPs, except from c.325T>C, were detected here for the first time. The Manych Merino breed had 13 substitutions that were present as homozygous type. Only SNP c.325T>C occurred as the wild type of homozygotes and heterozygotes in the ratio 2:1. We found that SNP c.325T>C was associated with some vital body parameters, including parameters of height and croup measurement. Thus, the determination of allelic variants of the MyoD1 gene may be used in marker assisted genetic selection schemes.
Department of Microbiology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Authors: MOOMIVAND H , POURBAKHSH SA , JAMSHIDIAN M
Published: March 2018

In ostriches, mycoplasmas are generally associated with respiratory diseases and causes rhino-tracheitis, airsacculitis and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. The aim of current study was the isolation and identification of pathogenic mycoplasmas in ostrich farms of Iran by the use of PCR and culture methods. In this study, mycoplasmas were isolated from ostrich slaughterhouse; 114 samples were collected from ostriches with respiratory signs and were cultured and PCR methods along with alignment were used to detect the mycoplasmas. For this purpose lung, trachea and air sacs were evaluated. The results indicated that 21.05% of samples were positive in PCR assayand from them 7.89% and 14% was M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae, respectively. The highest rate of M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae was detected in lung, airsacs and trachea. Alignment analysis demonstrated that the M. gallisepticum strains detected in our study have 97% homology to 06/14, 05/14 and 16S strains. In addition, M. synoviae strains have 99% and 98% homology to MSR-812, MSR-795 and MSR-1019 strains. One of the M. synoviae strains has 82% homology to ABSfsdMS2011 strain. The results of our study showed that ostriches in Iran were infected with chicken mycoplasmas but the pathogenesis of them in ostrich respiratory should be further evaluated.
Characterization of a novel recombination event in the Deformed wing bee virus polymerase gene
Authors: GORAS G , RUETHER IGA , TANANAKI CH , GOUNARI S , LIOLIOS V , KANELIS D , ARGENA N , RODOPOULOU M , KARAZAFIRIS EM , THRASYVOULOU A
Published: March 2018

Honeybee populations are known to be infected by numerous viruses. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) of regions of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is often used to diagnose the presence in apiaries and also to classify the type of virus detected. In this report, through analysis of the RdRp gene, we describe a novel recombination event in the DWV genome. Similarity plot analysis amplified from hundred positive individuals identified a previously undescribed recombination point in the 5’ region of the polymerase gene. To our knowledge this is the first description of recombination in the DWV polymerase gene and highlights the continuous genetic evolution of these viruses.
DEPENDENCE OF BEEF CATTLE BODY CONDITION ON ALIVE WEIGHT AND ITS ADJUSTMENT BY FEEDING LEVEL
Authors: Хакимов Исмагиль , Khakimov Ismagil , Мударисов Ринат , Mudarisov Rinat , Акимов Александр , Akimov Aleksandr
Published: March 2018

The purpose of the research is to increase the economic efficiency of beef production by the system of cow – calf by adjusting the feeding taking into account the point assessment of fatness of meat cows. For the effective production of beef is not enough to have highly productive animals and high quality feed. It is necessary to organize their rational use of feed. In technological groups animals have different live weight, and norms of feeding of meat cattle are calculated, generally, depending on live weight of animals. This is the wrong approach, because in the group (in the herd) animals can have the same living mass and have different energy requirements depending on the state of fatness. Adjusting the level of feeding depending on the fatness of animals will save expensive feed, as in the structure of the cost of beef a large share of the cost falls on feed (about 60%). In the course of the research, a high positive relationship between the live mass and the point assessment of the cows fatness (r=0.93 for Hereford and r= 0.95 for the Kazakh white-headed breed) was established, which allowed to determine the regression coefficients between the features. It is found that increasing body condition by 1 point increases the live weight of Hereford cattle 40.4 kg and in cows of Kazakh white-headed breed of 48.1 kg. This allowed us to determine the required changes in the feeding level for 90-100 days prior to calving to increase for cows with a body condition score of 1 by 3.02; 2 points – 2.67 to 3.02; 3 points on 1.70-2.55; 4 points at 1.32-1.70; 5-6 points to 0.85-0.91 EKE, for cows with a body condition score of 8 to reduce the level of feeding of 0.47-0.85 and EKE with fatness 9 points lower on 0,85-1,70 ECE. Thus, studies show that the organization of feeding depending on the condition, is a necessary tool for achieving economic efficiency of beef production on the system cow-calf.
Russian-Latin American Relations in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia as a Predictor for Successful Scientific, Educational, Cultural And Business Cooperation
Authors: Максимцев И. , Maksimcev I. , Кривоносов А. , Krivonosov A. , Семенова Л. , Semenova L.
Published: March 2018

In this article we consider the questions of the Russian-Latin American relations in Saint-Petersburg and the Northwestern Federal District of Russia in the scientific, educational, cultural and business field. We analyzed the work of the Scientific and Educational Center for cooperation with Latin America countries at the St. Petersburg State University of Economics in five years, what could show us positive dynamics in the Russian-Latin American relations. As a result of a research the thesis that the strengthened relations between Russia and Latin America in the Northwestern Federal District are a predictor for successful scientific, educational, cultural and business cooperation is confirmed.
Pamięć i trauma dziedziczona w Krajobrazie z dzieckiem Romana Grena, Oskarżam Auschwitz Mikołaja Grynberga oraz Pensjonacie Piotra Pazińskiego
Authors: Majdosz Sylwia
Published: March 2018

The Memory and Inherited Trauma in The Landscape with a Child by Roman Gren, I Accuse Auschwitz by Mikołaj Grynberg and The Guesthouse by Piotr Paziński

On the basis of three literary texts quoted in the title of the article, the author analyses and interprets the categories of postmemory and inherited trauma. Roman Gren and Piotr Paziński create fictious nostalgic prose, whereas Mikołaj Grynberg uses a feature genre, i.e. recorded conversations with the Auschwitz survivors’ children. The focal idea and a starting point of the discourse is Marianne Hirsch’s concept of postmemory. The authors of the selected texts attemptto face those experiences. Though differently emotionally and artistically loaded, the texts focus on searching for the traces of ancestors and reconstructing family stories, frequently shrouded in a veil of mystery. Recalling childhood memories,the characters reveal family secrets (Jewish ancestry, the Holocaust experience and repercussions) and gradually begin to understand vague and problematic family relations. All three texts aim at reconstructing the identity of the descendants of the salvaged from Extermination, which allows them to recognize themselves in social, psychological and historical dimensions.
Różne oblicza pamięci historycznej i jej społeczno‑polityczne uwarunkowania w dyskursie o przemocy frankistowskiej wobec dzieci republikańskich, z powieścią Mala gente que camina Benjamína Prady w tle
Authors: Kobiela‑Kwaśniewska Marta
Published: March 2018

The Alternative Forms of the Historical Memory and Its Socio‑political Considerations in the Discourse about Franco’s Dictatorship Violence Against Republican Children Accompanied by the Novel Mala gente que camina by Benjamín Prado

The paper is an attempt at shedding light on the different approaches towards the historical memory about Spanish Civil War and its socio‑political considerations taken by Spanish authorities since the Franco’s dictatorship was over. For this aim we propose to analyse one of the regime atrocities‑disappearance of republican children, also named stolen children– a crime that was a part of ideological and political repression committed in order to disarticulate republican families. This violence was both silenced and forgotten by the dictatorship regime and democratic governments, but finally it was recover as a part of missing history and memory. With this paper we attempt to highlight a problem of stolen children, not only from the socio‑political considerations, but also from the literary analysis of the novel Mala gente que camina written by Benjamín Prado; the novel that breaks taboo and hegemonic discourses.
Mongolskie oblicza postpamięci
Authors: Strzelecka Celina
Published: March 2018

The Faces of Mongolian Postmemory

This article applies the concept of postmemory to demonstrate the relation of modern Mongolia to its own past and history. The authors illustrate how the experience of trauma has influenced formation of Mongolian identity. The concept presented here emerged during the anthropological field research in Mongolia 2012. The article discusses dimensions of collective memory such as identity, trauma, and traditions. These elements create spiral concept of time. The postmemory of traumatic historical collective experience of Mongolia is possible because of nonlinear temporality. Time loop allows continues reference to the power of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire.
Research Commentary—From Net Neutrality to Data Neutrality: A Techno-Economic Framework and Research Agenda
Authors: Easley Robert F. , Guo Hong , Krämer Jan
Published: March 2018

The Internet has assumed a central role in the global economy facilitating commerce and communication and is thus central to many areas of information systems (IS) research. In particular, IS researchers played a critical role in the academic discourse on net neutrality, which has recently informed new regulatory frameworks in the United States and Europe. We discuss and categorize the various issues and key trade-offs that are still being debated in the context of net neutrality and identify open research questions in this domain. Based on these insights, we argue that net neutrality, which is concerned with a gatekeeper at the infrastructure level, may just be part of a larger debate on data neutrality where the gatekeeper may rather control a software platform. We provide several examples of potential data neutrality issues and generalize the key trade-offs in the context of a proposed four-step framework for identifying and organizing promising areas of IS research on data neutrality.
Raising university aspirations
Authors: Henderson Holly
Published: March 2018

Raising the university aspirations of high potential Pupil Premium students is a specific challenge for some schools. Holly Henderson discusses her approach to raising students' goals and aspirations
Using CPD to narrow the gaps
Authors: Cunningham Maria
Published: March 2018

The evidence is clear – the quality of teachers and teaching is one of the most important factors in raising outcomes, and disadvantaged pupils are disproportionally affected by the quality of teaching. Maria Cunningham looks at the role of CPD in narrowing the gaps
Intraperitoneal injection of the SIRT1 activator SRT1720 attenuates the progression of experimental osteoarthritis in mice
Authors: Nishida K. , Matsushita T. , Takayama K. , Tanaka T. , Miyaji N. , Ibaraki K. , Araki D. , Kanzaki N. , Matsumoto T. , Kuroda R.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the effects of SRT1720, a potent SIRT1 activator, on osteoarthritis (OA) progression using an experimental OA model.

Methods

Osteoarthritis was surgically induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus in eight-week-old C57BL/6 male mice. SRT1720 was administered intraperitoneally twice a week after surgery. Osteoarthritis progression was evaluated histologically using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score at four, eight, 12 and 16 weeks. The expression of SIRT1, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5), cleaved caspase-3, PARP p85, and acetylated nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 in cartilage was examined by immunohistochemistry. Synovitis was also evaluated histologically. Primary mouse epiphyseal chondrocytes were treated with SRT1720 in the presence or absence of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and gene expression changes were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

The OARSI score was signiﬁcantly lower in mice treated with SRT1720 than in control mice at eight and 12 weeks associated with the decreased size of osteophytes at four and eight weeks. The delayed OA progression in the mice treated with SRT1720 was also associated with increased SIRT1-positive chondrocytes and decreased MMP-13-, ADAMTS-5-, cleaved caspase-3-, PARP p85-, and acetylated NF-κB p65-positive chondrocytes and decreased synovitis at four and eight weeks. SRT1720 treatment partially rescued the decreases in collagen type II alpha 1 (COL2A1) and aggrecan caused by IL-1β, while also reducing the induction of MMP-13 by IL-1β in vitro.

Conclusion

The intraperitoneal injection of SRT1720 attenuated experimental OA progression in mice, indicating that SRT1720 could be a new therapeutic approach for OA. Cite this article: K. Nishida, T. Matsushita, K. Takayama, T. Tanaka, N. Miyaji, K. Ibaraki, D. Araki, N. Kanzaki, T. Matsumoto, R. Kuroda. Intraperitoneal injection of the SIRT1 activator SRT1720 attenuates the progression of experimental osteoarthritis in mice. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:252–262. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.73.BJR-2017-0227.R1.
Zwischen Tradition und Emanzipation
Authors: Grubišić Pulišelić Eldi
Published: March 2018

This paper analyses the criticism of the position of women, the existing gender relations and marriage in women’s literature at the end of the 19th century, taking the examples of the novel Plein air (1897) by Croatian author Jagoda Truhelka (1864–1957) and of the short story Wieder die Alte (1886) by Austrian writer Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1830–1916). These authors, from the area of the then Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, in spite of different ethnicity, but also of different social status, published stories in the late 19th century where they discussed a similar topic. Both authors are concerned with the issue of women’s work and existence outside or inside civil marriage, but the endings of their works are completely different. While Truhelka’s heroine manages to realize a marriage of love, the heroine of Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach becomes a victim of existing social relationships. Despite the sharp critique of patriarchy and the disruption of the stereotype of a woman as an angel in the home in Plein air, at the end of the novel there is a harmonization of interpersonal relations and the resolution of all existing conflicts, both at a personal and socio-political level. Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach does not show such optimism in Wieder die Alte and her emancipated women are left alone to build their moral integrity into a life without male love. However, we can conclude Truhelka’s, as well as Ebner-Eschenbach’s heroine remain trapped between tradition and emancipation because of, or despite the fact that love shows (no) power in the tyranny of society.
Differential Representation of a Samuelson Model with a Telegraph Drift
Authors: Melnyk Sergei A. , Kharkhota Anna A.
Published: March 2018

In this paper we construct a system of three stochastic differential equations, which has a solution composed of a generalized telegraph signal process and a basic process. This system enabled us to find the escape probability of the basic process from an interval through its endpoint.
Three Ways of Defining Owa Operator on the Set of All Normal Convex Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Takáč Zdenko
Published: March 2018

We deal with an extension of ordered weighted averaging (OWA, for short) operators to the set of all normal convex fuzzy sets in [0, 1]. The main obstacle to achieve this goal is the non-existence of a linear order for fuzzy sets. Three ways of dealing with the lack of a linear order on some set and defining OWA operators on the set appeared in the recent literature. We adapt the three approaches for the set of all normal convex fuzzy sets in [0, 1] and study their properties. It is shown that each of the three approaches leads to operator with desired algebraic properties, and two of them are also linear.
Convergence and Divergence of CRH Amacrine Cells in Mouse Retinal Circuitry
Authors: Park Silvia J.H. , Pottackal Joseph , Ke Jiang-Bin , Jun Na Young , Rahmani Pouyan , Kim In-Jung , Singer Joshua H. , Demb Jonathan B.
Published: March 2018

Inhibitory interneurons sculpt the outputs of excitatory circuits to expand the dynamic range of information processing. In mammalian retina, >30 types of amacrine cells provide lateral inhibition to vertical, excitatory bipolar cell circuits, but functional roles for only a few amacrine cells are well established. Here, we elucidate the function of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing amacrine cells labeled in Cre-transgenic mice of either sex. CRH cells costratify with the ON alpha ganglion cell, a neuron highly sensitive to positive contrast. Electrophysiological and optogenetic analyses demonstrate that two CRH types (CRH-1 and CRH-3) make GABAergic synapses with ON alpha cells. CRH-1 cells signal via graded membrane potential changes, whereas CRH-3 cells fire action potentials. Both types show sustained ON-type responses to positive contrast over a range of stimulus conditions. Optogenetic control of transmission at CRH-1 synapses demonstrates that these synapses are tuned to low temporal frequencies, maintaining GABA release during fast hyperpolarizations during brief periods of negative contrast. CRH amacrine cell output is suppressed by prolonged negative contrast, when ON alpha ganglion cells continue to receive inhibitory input from converging OFF-pathway amacrine cells; the converging ON- and OFF-pathway inhibition balances tonic excitatory drive to ON alpha cells. Previously, it was demonstrated that CRH-1 cells inhibit firing by suppressed-by-contrast (SbC) ganglion cells during positive contrast. Therefore, divergent outputs of CRH-1 cells inhibit two ganglion cell types with opposite responses to positive contrast. The opposing responses of ON alpha and SbC ganglion cells are explained by differing excitation/inhibition balance in the two circuits.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA goal of neuroscience research is to explain the function of neural circuits at the level of specific cell types. Here, we studied the function of specific types of inhibitory interneurons, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) amacrine cells, in the mouse retina. Genetic tools were used to identify and manipulate CRH cells, which make GABAergic synapses with a well studied ganglion cell type, the ON alpha cell. CRH cells converge with other types of amacrine cells to tonically inhibit ON alpha cells and balance their high level of excitation. CRH cells diverge to different types of ganglion cell, the unique properties of which depend on their balance of excitation and inhibition.
A Gain-of-Function Mutation in the α9 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Alters Medial Olivocochlear Efferent Short-Term Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Wedemeyer Carolina , Vattino Lucas G. , Moglie Marcelo J. , Ballestero Jimena , Maison Stéphane F. , Di Guilmi Mariano N. , Taranda Julian , Liberman M. Charles , Fuchs Paul A. , Katz Eleonora , Elgoyhen Ana Belén
Published: March 2018

Gain control of the auditory system operates at multiple levels. Cholinergic medial olivocochlear (MOC) fibers originate in the brainstem and make synaptic contacts at the base of the outer hair cells (OHCs), the final targets of several feedback loops from the periphery and higher-processing centers. Efferent activation inhibits OHC active amplification within the mammalian cochlea, through the activation of a calcium-permeable α9α10 ionotropic cholinergic nicotinic receptor (nAChR), functionally coupled to calcium activated SK2 potassium channels. Correct operation of this feedback requires careful matching of acoustic input with the strength of cochlear inhibition (Galambos, 1956; Wiederhold and Kiang, 1970; Gifford and Guinan, 1987), which is driven by the rate of MOC activity and short-term facilitation at the MOC–OHC synapse (Ballestero et al., 2011; Katz and Elgoyhen, 2014). The present work shows (in mice of either sex) that a mutation in the α9α10 nAChR with increased duration of channel gating (Taranda et al., 2009) greatly elongates hair cell-evoked IPSCs and Ca2+signals. Interestingly, MOC–OHC synapses ofL9′Tmice presented reduced quantum content and increased presynaptic facilitation. These phenotypic changes lead to enhanced and sustained synaptic responses and OHC hyperpolarization upon high-frequency stimulation of MOC terminals. At the cochlear physiology level these changes were matched by a longer time course of efferent MOC suppression. This indicates that the properties of the MOC–OHC synapse directly determine the efficacy of the MOC feedback to the cochlea being a main player in the “gain control” of the auditory periphery.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPlasticity can involve reciprocal signaling across chemical synapses. An opportunity to study this phenomenon occurs in the mammalian cochlea whose sensitivity is regulated by efferent olivocochlear neurons. These release acetylcholine to inhibit sensory hair cells. A point mutation in the hair cell's acetylcholine receptor that leads to increased gating of the receptor greatly elongates IPSCs. Interestingly, efferent terminals from mutant mice present a reduced resting release probability. However, upon high-frequency stimulation transmitter release facilitates strongly to produce stronger and far longer-lasting inhibition of cochlear function. Thus, central neuronal feedback on cochlear hair cells provides an opportunity to define plasticity mechanisms in cholinergic synapses other than the highly studied neuromuscular junction.
Wright Stain and Fluorescence-Based Methods in Tetrahymena for Phenotypic Analysis
Authors: Mata María del Rosario Ramírez , Kao Robert M.
Published: March 2018

In educational and research settings, Tetrahymena is an excellent model organismfor engaging students to investigate function, morphology, structure, phagocytosis, and ciliary motion. Here, we present applications of Wright stain and Sytox green as useful low-cost tools for phenotypic analysis. We used heat-fixed Tetrahymena followed by Wright-stain-labeled organelles at different stages of its life cycle. In addition, a low concentration of Wright stain, at 1 percent (vol/vol), enabled visualization of filled vacuoles with stain in live Tetrahymena. Furthermore, we identified that Sytox green fluorescence labels not only nuclei of pre-incubated cultures of Tetrahymena, but also nuclei and some notable cytoplasmic staining after heat fixation. These applications can be used alongside inverted, battery-operated, bright field, fluorescence microscopes (Miller et al., 2010), as well as Cellcams (Martin & Shin, 2016) for acquiring images and time-lapse movies. In the future, these useful approaches can be applied broadly in many lab inquiry settings, such as toxicology and molecular genetics.
Incidence of Comorbidities in Women with Breast Cancer Treated with Tamoxifen or an Aromatase Inhibitor: An Australian Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Ng Huah Shin , Koczwara Bogda , Roder David , Niyonsenga Theo , Vitry Agnes
Published: March 2018

Background

The development of comorbidities has become increasingly relevant with longer-term cancer survival.

Objective

To assess the pattern of comorbidities among Australian women with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.

Design

Retrospective cohort study using Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data (10% sample) from January 2003 to December 2014. Dispensing claims data were used to identify comorbidities and classified with the Rx-Risk-V model. The breast cancer cohort had tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor dispensed between 2004 and 2011 with no switching between types of endocrine therapy. Comparisons were made between the breast cancer cohort and specific control groups (age- and sex-matched at 1:10 ratio without any dispensing of anti-neoplastic agents during the study period) for the development of five individual comorbidities over time using Cox regression models.

Results

Women treated with tamoxifen had a higher incidence of cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and pain or pain-inflammation, but a lower incidence of hyperlipidaemia compared with non-cancer control groups, as indicated by PBS data. Women treated with aromatase inhibitors were more likely to develop cardiovascular conditions, osteoporosis, and pain or pain-inflammation compared with non-cancer control groups. The risks of hyperlipidaemia and osteoporosis were significantly lower among tamoxifen users compared with aromatase inhibitor users.

Conclusions

Women with hormone-dependent breast cancer treated with an endocrine therapy had a higher risk of developing specified comorbid conditions than women without cancer, with different comorbidity profiles for those on tamoxifen versus aromatase inhibitors. Further research into the causes and mechanism of development and management of comorbidities after cancer is needed.
Kemampuan Berpikir Relasional Siswa dalam Mengerjakan Soal Kontekstual dengan Pendekatan Realistik Pada Topik Fungsi Linear
Authors: Kurniawan A. Tatak Handaya , Rudhito M. Andy
Published: March 2018

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh kemampuan berpikir relasional siswa yang masih rendah. Berpikir relasional menjadi salah satu masalah yang menarik dalam pendidikan matematika. Di dalam penelitian ini akan dikaji kemampuan berpikir relasional siswa dalam mengerjakan soal matematika kontekstual pada Pembelajaran Matematika Realistik (PMR). Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini secara deskriptif kualitatif. Penelitian ini dilakukan terhadap siswa kelas VIII SMP Kanisius Sleman dengan topik materi pembelajaran Fungsi Linear. Data proses berpikir relasional siswa diperoleh melalui soal penyelesaian masalah dan analisis penyajian hasil kegiatan siswa. Dari hasil penelitian yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa siswa mengalami kesulitan untuk berpikir relasional dalam menghubungkan antara masalah kontekstual dalam PMR terhadap materi fungsi linear terlebih pada penyajian data menggunakan grafik fungsi. Siswa belum mampu menggunakan grafik untuk menentukan hasil fungsi pada permasalahan kontekstual. Saran yang dapat diberikan dari hasil penelitian ini adalah siswa lebih sering diberikan soal yang ng dapat merangsang siswa untuk dapat berpikir relasional, sehingga siswa mampu menyelesaikan masalah kontekstual dengan nalar dan membuat pembelajaran lebih bermakna.This research based on the students ability in relational thinking which is still low. Thinking relationaly become one of the interesting problems in learning mathematics. This research will discuss students relational thinking ability in doing contextual mathematics problem in Realistic Mathematics Learning. The method which is used in this research is descriptive qualitative. It is done toward 8th grade students of SMP Kanisius Sleman. The topic is Linear Function. The data of relational thinking is obtained through the students problem solving on mathematics and the analysis on students activities result presentation. This research shows that the students got difficulties to think relationaly to correlate contextual problems on learning toward the linear function material prior to data presentation using graph of function. Students are not able to use the graph to the determine the result of function oncontextual problem. From the research, it suggest that students should have been given more problems which stimulate to think relationaly, so that students are able to solve the contextual problem reasonably and make learning more meanigful.
Penalaran Proporsional Siswa SMP Kelas IX dalam Menyelesaikan Masalah Matematika ditinjau dari Gender
Authors: Permatasari Defi Indah
Published: March 2018

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif yang bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan penalaran proporsional siswa smp laki-laki dan perempuan dalam menyelesaikan masalah matematika. Subjek penelitian terdiri dari siswa laki-laki dan perempuan kelas IX SMPN 2 Bangsal Mojokerto. Penelitian ini dimulai dengan memberikan Tes Kemampuan Matematika (TKM) untuk mendapatkan dua subjek dengan kemampuan matematika yang setara. Kemudian dilanjutkan dengan pemberian Tugas Penalaran Proporsional (TPP) dan wawancara. Pengecekan keabsahan data menggunakan triangulasi waktu. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa siswa laki-laki dan perempuan menunjukkan aktivitas penalaran proporsional pada komponen 1) memahami kovariasi, 2) mengenali situasi proporsional dan non-proporsional, 3) mengaplikasikan strategi multiplikatif dan 4) memahami syarat penggunaan rasio, pada saat menyelesaikan masalah jenis missing value. Kemudian untuk jenis masalah numerical comparison diperoleh hasil bahwa hanya siswa laki-laki yang menunjukkan aktivitas penalaran proporsional sedangkan siswa perempuan mengenali bahwa jenis masalah tersebut merupakan situasi non-proporsional.This research is a qualitative research which aimed to describe the proportional reasoning of male and female students on solving mathematical problems. The subject of this research are two students, they are male and female students at IX grade of SMPN 2 Bangsal Mojokerto. This study begins by giving the Mathematical Ability Test (TKM) to get two subjects with similar mathematical abilities and then it continued with Proportional Reasoning Task (TPP) and interviews. The checking of the data validity using triangulation of time. The results of this study showed that in the reasoning of proportional component, there is activity of the male and female students in 1) understand covariation, 2) recognize proportional and non-proportional situations, 3) apply multiplicative strategies and 4) understand terms of use of ratios, when resolving type problems "missing value". For the type of "numerical comparison" problem, only male student showed proportional reasoning activities whereas female students recognize that the type of problem as a non-proportional situation.
Thyroid-disrupting chemicals and brain development: an update
Authors: Mughal Bilal B , Fini Jean-Baptiste , Demeneix Barbara A
Published: March 2018

This review covers recent findings on the main categories of thyroid hormone–disrupting chemicals and their effects on brain development. We draw mostly on epidemiological and experimental data published in the last decade. For each chemical class considered, we deal with not only the thyroid hormone–disrupting effects but also briefly mention the main mechanisms by which the same chemicals could modify estrogen and/or androgen signalling, thereby exacerbating adverse effects on endocrine-dependent developmental programmes. Further, we emphasize recent data showing how maternal thyroid hormone signalling during early pregnancy affects not only offspring IQ, but also neurodevelopmental disease risk. These recent findings add to established knowledge on the crucial importance of iodine and thyroid hormone for optimal brain development. We propose that prenatal exposure to mixtures of thyroid hormone–disrupting chemicals provides a plausible biological mechanism contributing to current increases in the incidence of neurodevelopmental disease and IQ loss.