bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shaking table tests of a two-storey log house
Authors: Branco Jorge M. , Lourenço Paulo B. , Aranha Chrysl A.
Published: September 2014

This paper presents the findings of an experimental campaign that was conducted to investigate the seismic behaviour of log houses. A two-storey log house designed by the Portuguese company Rusticasa® was subjected to a series of shaking table tests at the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering in Lisbon, Portugal. The paper contains the description of the geometry and construction of the house and all the aspects related to the testing procedure, namely the pre-design, the set-up, instrumentation and the testing process itself. The shaking table tests were carried out with a scaled spectrum of the Montenegro (1979) earthquake, at increasing levels of peak ground accelerations, starting from 0·07g, moving on to 0·28g and finally 0·5g. The log house did not suffer any major damage and remained in good working condition throughout the entire process. The preliminary analysis of the overall behaviour of the log house has also been discussed.
Delivering Interventions to Young People Exposed to War-Related Violence and Sexual Exploitation: Longstanding Struggles but Lasting Successes
Authors: O’Callaghan Paul
Published: September 2014

This article outlines the impact of conflict and war-related sexual exploitation on young people’s mental health and explores some of the predisposing factors which contribute to this psychological distress. It then outlines how a lack of valid measures of psychological distress, limited research, diverse services, treatments and cultural practices, previous trauma, and a multitude of competing agencies can hamper mental health delivery in war-affected countries before explaining how using non-Western measures of distress, extensive preresearch preparation, cultural respect tinged with scepticism, a duty of care, and involving stakeholders in decision-making can mitigate these problems. Lastly, this article outlines one study that overcame the logistical, security, and educational challenges of service delivery and calls for further research on psychosocial interventions, dismantling studies of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions, and hybrid inventions which target both mental health and psychosocial need and fruitful partnerships between academic institutions and civil society organizations.
Participatory Processes Applied to Developing Culturally Appropriate Educational Material Among the Ngäbe-Buglé Women of Panama for Domestic Violence Prevention
Authors: Calvo Arlene , Hess-Holtz Morgan , Guardado Arturo Rebollón , Alguero Lourdes , Vega Silvio
Published: September 2014

The Ngäbe-Buglé is the largest underserved indigenous population in Panama facing extreme health disparities compounded by structural, social, and cultural factors. Contributing factors to the poor health outcomes in this region include extreme poverty, low education, high maternal and infant mortality, alcohol use, and an increasing trend of domestic violence. The present intervention used community participatory processes to develop tailored material within the Ngäbe-Buglé community and training health promoters to deliver health education to the most rural areas. There were 78 health promoters who were trained using the training-of-trainers approach. Promoters distributed the health messages to their communities using the tailored material, the main topic discussed being domestic violence. Almost 7,000 community members received health education, demonstrating increased knowledge and intent to act on information received. Future directions include further funding, research, and education of indigenous groups in Panama on domestic violence.
Where Are They Now? Cash and Counseling Successes and Challenges Over Time
Authors: Simon-Rusinowitz Lori , Schwartz Abby J. , Loughlin Dawn , Sciegaj Mark , Mahoney Kevin J. , Donkoh Yaw
Published: September 2014

The positive results of the Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE) led to the funding of a replication project that included 12 more states in 2008. Since then, the political and economic environments have changed. The authors sought to investigate how well the 3 original and 12 replication CCDE programs are coping with current challenges and how their experiences may inform the growth and sustainability of emerging participant-directed programs.

Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with the 15 Cash and Counseling state program administrators. Key topics addressed included successful aspects of state programs, biggest challenges for each program, and information program administrators would like to learn from state colleagues. Themes related to budget issues (e.g., staff shortages and program funding cuts) and non–budget-related issues (e.g., understanding of program operations) emerged from the interviews. State program administrators also discussed program successes. To promote the sustainability and growth of participant-directed programs, existing participant-directed programs should be tied to national policy trends as well as review whether or not the programs address participant-directed principles. The development of new participant-directed programs should be based on other states’ experiences as discussed in this article.
Health Conditions, Treatment, and Care of Residents With Dementia in Group Living–Based Care Facilities (Group Homes): Perspectives of Group Home Managers, Japan
Authors: Takada Junko , Sekita Yasuyoshi , Meguro Kenichi
Published: September 2014

Group living–based care facilities for patients with dementia (group homes [GH]) aim to support patients to live with dignity in a familiar environment in their community. However, although some residents may be cared for well, their dementing disease may be untreated because of insufficient differential diagnosis and a lack of consultation with specialists. We previously sent a questionnaire on the status of GH management to 550 facilities in Tohoku District to investigate the effects of the 2006 revision of Long-Term Care Insurance. This study is a secondary analysis performed to evaluate the relationship of health conditions in residents with treatment and care. The results showed that resident-related factors of “physical dysfunction” and “health care” were not related to medical factors of “working with a supporting physician” and “working with a supporting physician and nurse.” Similarly, the resident-related factor, “progression of dementia,” was not related to the medical factor, “working with a dementia specialist.” However, significant relationships were found between “progression of dementia” and a care-related factor, “support for going out”; between a resident-related factor, “progression of abnormal behavior,” and a medical factor, “hospital visit assistance”; and between care-related factors of “support of hobby activities” and “support for going out.” This analysis was performed based on data from a survey of GH managers. We conclude that it is important for GH managers and medical staff to understand each other and work together to strengthen the link between treatment and care of GH residents.
HIV Viral Load: A Concept Analysis and Critique
Authors: Gagnon Marilou , Guta Adrian
Published: September 2014

In this article, we examine the concept of HIV viral load and how it has evolved over time (1995–2013) in the field of HIV/AIDS. Although the termviral loadis used extensively in this field, few efforts have been directed toward the conceptualization of HIV viral load, which is often left unquestioned, undertheorized, and portrayed as a neutral and objective laboratory value that has remained relatively stable over time—with the exception of progressive advancements in technology, techniques, and sensitivity. The purpose of this article is to apply the evolutionary concept analysis method developed by Rodgers (1989, 2000a) to the concept of HIV viral load. To set the stage, we establish the need for a concept analysis of HIV viral load and provide an overview of the evolutionary view. Then, drawing on the steps proposed by Rodgers (2000a), we outline the process of data collection, management, and analysis. We then offer an in-depth discussion of the findings (attributes, antecedents, and consequences) informed by Wuest’s (2000) critical approach to concept analysis. We conclude by highlighting the implications of this analysis for clinical practice, research, and theory.
A Framework for Integration of Heterogeneous Medical Imaging Networks
Authors: Viana-Ferreira Carlos , Ribeiro Luís S , Costa Carlos
Published: September 2014

Medical imaging is increasing its importance in matters of medical diagnosis and in treatment support. Much is due to computers that have revolutionized medical imaging not only in acquisition process but also in the way it is visualized, stored, exchanged and managed. Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) is an example of how medical imaging takes advantage of computers. To solve problems of interoperability of PACS and medical imaging equipment, the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard was defined and widely implemented in current solutions. More recently, the need to exchange medical data between distinct institutions resulted in Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) initiative that contains a content profile especially conceived for medical imaging exchange: Cross Enterprise Document Sharing for imaging (XDS-i). Moreover, due to application requirements, many solutions developed private networks to support their services. For instance, some applications support enhanced query and retrieve over DICOM objects metadata.

This paper proposes anintegration framework to medical imaging networks that provides protocols interoperability and data federation services. It is an extensible plugin system that supports standard approaches (DICOM and XDS-I), but is also capable of supporting private protocols. The framework is being used in the Dicoogle Open Source PACS.
Each Degree of Glucose Intolerance in Pregnancy Predicts Distinct Trajectories of β-Cell Function, Insulin Sensitivity, and Glycemia in the First 3 Years Postpartum
Authors: Kramer Caroline K. , Swaminathan Balakumar , Hanley Anthony J. , Connelly Philip W. , Sermer Mathew , Zinman Bernard , Retnakaran Ravi
Published: September 2014

OBJECTIVE

Glucose intolerance in pregnancy predicts an increased risk of future type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that is proportional to the severity of antepartum dysglycemia (i.e., highest in women with gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM], followed by those with milder dysglycemia). However, the pathophysiologic changes driving this risk are not known. Thus, we evaluated the longitudinal changes in β-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and glycemia in the first 3 years postpartum after gestational dysglycemia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 337 women underwent glucose challenge test (GCT) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in pregnancy, followed by repeat OGTT at 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years postpartum. The antepartum GCT/OGTT identified four gestational glucose tolerance groups: GDM (n = 105); gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT; n = 60); abnormal GCT, followed by normal glucose tolerance (NGT) on the OGTT (abnormal GCT NGT; n = 96); and normal GCT with NGT (n = 76).

RESULTS

At each of 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years postpartum, the prevalence of glucose intolerance increased from normal GCT NGT to abnormal GCT NGT to GIGT to GDM (all P < 0.001), whereas β-cell function, assessed by the Insulin Secretion-Sensitivity Index-2 (ISSI-2), and insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index), progressively decreased across the groups (all P < 0.002). Each group predicted distinct trajectories of ISSI-2, Matsuda index, and fasting and 2-h glucose (all P < 0.001). Notably, GDM, GIGT, and abnormal GCT NGT predicted varying rates of declining β-cell function and insulin sensitivity, as well as rising glycemia, compared with normal GCT NGT.

CONCLUSIONS

Each degree of gestational glucose intolerance predicts distinct trajectories of β-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and glycemia in the first 3 years postpartum that drive their differential risk of future T2DM.
Specific difficulties in education and care process in single motherhood family
Authors: Cudak Sławomir
Published: September 2014

Family fulfills important functions of education and care. It fulfills the role of education and development of children. Contemporary, there are more and more singleparent families with a single mother. These families because of the incomplete structure (lack of the father) may have some problems in education and care. The severity of these problems is dependent on the type of the family and of the reason for the incompleteness of a family environment with a single mother
Foul Play in Sport as a Phenomenon Inconsistent with the Rules, yet Acceptable and Desirable: Ethical Conditions
Authors: Kosiewicz Jerzy
Published: September 2014

The article has strictly a theoretical and non-empirical character. The author presents examples resulting from various observations. The aim of the paper is to present the causes, functions, and results of fouls, fouling, and foul play. Although fouls do not comply with the rules of games, the paper demonstrates that fouls are often used; they enjoy a quiet acceptance of the sporting world; they are tolerated and accepted; even more, they are often - more or less explicitly - desirable.

The author employed the idiographic method (descriptive), that is, an approach typical for the general methodology applied in the nonempirical humanities and social sciences; the analytical method (referring to the British analytical philosophy);the nomothetic method (explanatory), the approach based on exegesis and hermeneutics of cultural texts utilized in order to create a closer understanding of the phenomenon of foul; the axiological method (evaluating of the use of foul);and the synthetic method, which was mainly used in the summary and the abstract. Author also applied a specific methodology typical for sociology, which refers to interpretationism based, in this case, on a genetic approach (referring to the sources and causes of phenomenon of foul), as well as on a realistic and empathetic approach
The Ethical and Legal Context of Justifying Anti-Doping Attitudes
Authors: Kosiewicz Jerzy
Published: September 2014

The reflections presented in the paper are not normative (in general, it can be said, that they do not create moral values and demands). The presented reflections particularly stress the sense, essence, meaning, and identity of sport in the context of moral demands. A disquisition pointing out that sports and sport-related doping can be situated beyond the moral good and evil must be considered precisely as metaethical, and leads in a consciously controversial way to fully defining the identity of sport in general, as well as the identity of particular sports disciplines.

These reflections also refer to the issue concerning the identity of sports philosophy, i.e. general deliberations and specific issues concerning, for example, the factual and cognitive status of normative ethics in sport.

It is impossible to overestimate the role and meaning of metaethical reflection in the context of substantiating moral demands in sports as well as in the context of practical results of expectations. This metaethical reflection not only extends self-knowledge, but also contributes to the metaphilosophy of sports. The degree of the development of self-knowledge - both the metaethics of sports and the metaphilosophy of sports - is also a very important declaration, and a sign of general maturity of the philosophy of sports (Kosiewicz 2008/2009, pp. 5-38)
Western Sport and Spiritualism
Authors: Kosiewicz Jerzy
Published: September 2014

Sport activity of achievement-oriented (professional, Olympic, spectacular character) is first of all exposition of rivalry and striving for variously understood sports success (resulting from measurable or discretionary criteria). It refers to winning a competition or taking another expected place as well as to other forms of satisfaction, such as financial gratification or social (political, ethnic, professional) recognition. Spirituality is here neither an aim, nor an expected value - it constitutes rather an additional or redundant quality. A competitor focuses his/her attention first of all on the main aim assumed in planned or current rivalry. Emotional sensations which are experienced by athletes before, during or after competitions testify to mental and emotional stress which accompanies sports combat.

It is also difficult to associate spirituality or spiritualism with sport for all - like, for example, that of health-oriented character - sport of the disabled, physical education, sport of playful character or physical recreation. That difficulty results from the fact that neither spiritualism, nor spirituality inspires for physical activity in the abovementioned fields; neither spiritualism, nor spirituality is the outcome of activity in the realm of sport for all.

Exceptions are constituted by ancient Olympic Games as well as by some experiences connected with recreational forms of tourism mediated through achievement-oriented sport (also by pre-Columbian Native American societies and Maoris aboriginal population of New Zealand).

For example Hellenic Olympic Games were a highly spiritualized form of sports rivalry - including also rivalry in the field of art, and especially in the field of theatre. They were one of numerous forms of religious cult - of worshipping chosen gods from the Olympic pantheon. On the other hand, during mountain hiking and mountain climbing there can appear manifestations of deepened spirituality characteristic for the object of spiritualization of non-religious, quasi-religious or strictly religious qualities.

I would like to explain - at the end of this short abstract - that spiritualism (which should not be confused with spiritism) is - generally speaking - first of all a philosophical term assuming, in ontological and axiological sense, that spiritual reality, self-knowledge, consciousness or mental experiences are components of the human being - components of a higher order having priority over matter. They constitute, in the anthropological context, beings of a higher order than the body.

Spiritualism according to its popular interpretation means spirituality. Qualities which are ascribed to that notion in particular societies can be determined on the basis of empirically oriented sociological research. They make it possible to determine various ways of interpreting and understanding that notion as well as views or attitudes connected with it.
Genetic variation in soluble epoxide hydrolase: association with outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Martini Ross P. , Ward Jonathan , Siler Dominic A. , Eastman Jamie M. , Nelson Jonathan W. , Borkar Rohan N. , Alkayed Nabil J. , Dogan Aclan , Cetas Justin S.
Published: September 2014

Object

Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are at high risk for delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and stroke. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) play an important role in cerebral blood flow regulation and neuroprotection after brain injury. Polymorphisms in the gene for the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), which inactivates EETs, are associated with ischemic stroke risk and neuronal survival after ischemia. This prospective observational study of patients with SAH compares vital and neurologic outcomes based on functional polymorphisms of sEH.

Methods

Allelic discrimination based on quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to differentiate wild-type sEH from K55R heterozygotes (predictive of increased sEH activity and reduced EETs) and R287Q heterozygotes (predictive of decreased sEH activity and increased EETs). The primary outcome was new stroke after SAH. Secondary outcomes were death, Glasgow Outcome Scale score, and neurological deterioration attributable to DCI.

Results

Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age at admission and Glasgow Coma Scale scores revealed an increase in the odds of new stroke (OR 5.48 [95% CI 1.51–19.91]) and death (OR 7.52 [95% CI 1.27–44.46]) in the K55R group, but no change in the odds of new stroke (OR 0.56 [95% CI 0.16–1.96]) or death (OR 3.09 [95% CI 0.51–18.52]) in patients with R287Q genotype, compared with wild-type sEH. The R287Q genotype was associated with reduced odds of having a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of ≤ 3 (OR 0.23 [95% CI 0.06–0.82]). There were no significant differences in the odds of neurological deterioration due to DCI.

Conclusions

Genetic polymorphisms of sEH are associated with neurological and vital outcomes after aneurysmal SAH.
Electromagnetic ice absorption rate at Dome C, Antarctica
Authors: Zirizzotti A. , Cafarella L. , Urbini S. , Baskaradas J.A.
Published: September 2014

Radio-echo sounding (RES) is a radar technique widely employed in Antarctica and Greenland to define bedrock topography but, over the last decade, it has also played an important role in subglacial lake exploration and hydrogeological studies at the bedrock/ice interface. In recent studies, bedrock characterization has been improved through analysis of radar power echoes to evaluate the electromagnetic (EM) properties of the interface and allow the distinction between wet and dry interfaces. The RES received signal power depends on ice absorption and bedrock reflectivity, which is closely linked to the specific physical condition of the bedrock. In this paper, an evaluation of EM ice absorption was conducted starting from RES measurements collected over subglacial lakes in Antarctica. The idea was to calculate ice absorption starting from the radar equation in the case of subglacial lakes, where the EM reflectivity value is considered a known constant. These values were compared with those obtained from analysis of ice-core dielectric profiles from EPICA ice-core drilling data. Our analysis reveals that the ice absorption rate calculated from RES measurements has an average value of 7.2 dB km−1, and it appears constant, independent of the subglacial lake depth in different zones of the Dome C area.
Sensitivity of mass balance and equilibrium-line altitude to climate change in the French Alps
Authors: Six Delphine , Vincent Christian
Published: September 2014

Assessment of the sensitivity of surface mass balance and equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) to climate change is crucial for simulating the future evolution of glaciers. Such an assessment has been carried out using an extensive dataset comprising numerous measurements of snow accumulation and snow and ice ablation made on four French glaciers over the past 16 years. Winter mass balance shows a complicated pattern with respect to altitude, with no clear linear relationship. Although the ratios of winter mass balance to valley precipitation differ considerably from site to site, they are relatively constant over time. Relationships between snow/ice ablation and temperature are stable, with no link with altitude. The mean snow and ice positive degree-day (PDD) factors are 0.003 and 0.0061 m w.e. °C−1 d−1. This analysis shows that, at a given site, ablation depends mainly on the amount of snow precipitation and on cumulative PDDs. The sensitivity of annual ablation to temperature change increases almost linearly from 0.25 m w.e. °C−1 at 3500 m to 1.55 m w.e. °C−1 at 1650 m. ELA sensitivity to temperature change was found to range from 50 to 85 m °C−1.
The Ameliorating Effects of Garlic (Allium sativum) against Lead (Pb) Intoxication on Body Weight, Dressing Percentages, Feed Consumption and Feed Conversion Ratio in Lead Induced Broiler Chickens
Authors: Hossain MA , Mostofa M , Alam MN , Sultana MR , Rahman MM
Published: September 2014

Lead (Pb) has extensive commercial and industrial use despite of its recognized as health hazard. The therapeutic application of garlic (Allium sativum) was investigated for preventing the toxic effect of lead (Pd) in lead exposed chickens. 350 commercial broiler chickens were grouped into five such as T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4consisting of 70 birds each where T0 served as control. T1 was provided with lead acetate at 100mg/kg body weight, T2 had 100mg/kg lead acetate + 1% garlic supplement, T3 was fed with 100mg/kg lead acetate + 2% garlic supplement and T4 had 100mg/kg lead acetate + 4% garlic supplement for 42 days. Garlic was found to be capable of elimination of lead (Pb). Analysis of variance statistically revealed that significant (P<0.01) lower level of live weight (g), carcass weight (g) and eviscerated fresh carcass weight (%) were 2015.26±49.73, 1124.45±11.67 and 60.63±3.18, respectively in the chickens in group T1 at 42nd day of treatment in comparison to other groups. All garlic treatment groups satisfactorily increased live weight and carcass weight. Following the application of dietary garlic, mean values of live weight (g), carcass weight (g) and eviscerated fresh carcass weight (%) were significantly (P<0.01) increased at 2156.63±74.52, 1455.85±9.21 and 63.96±2.18 in group T3. Feed conversion ratio showed non-significant differences between different groups, but the most significant (P<0.01) FCR values were recorded in T3 among the treatment groups. It can be recommended from the present study that garlic might be played an active role to antagonize lead (Pb) toxicity.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i1.20453 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2014). 12 (1): 1-7
Stability of Water Soluble Antioxidants in Cattle Blood Collected in Different Media
Authors: Hayajneh FMF , Abdellatif NA
Published: September 2014

The study was carried out to compare between different media used to preserve blood samples taken in the field, and to determine in which of these media is the water soluble antioxidative capacity (ACW) is most stable, because sometimes it takes long time for the blood samples taken in the field to be transported to the laboratory where different biochemical tests are made, in this time during transport the samples underly many factors that have an effect on the content of the samples under study like light, temperature, and time itself. Also the effect of centrifugation was tested to see weather direct or delayed centrifugation has an effect on the water soluble antioxidative capacity of the blood.There are no studies related directly to choosing the proper medium for preserving blood samples when the water soluble antioxidative capacity will be tested. In this study the highest values were achieved using serum samples, and this was the reason why serum tubes were chosen in the rest of the study.In this study four different media were tested, and compared with each other, the measured ACW values in the different media were arranged as follows:serum>NaF-LiH>LiH> EDTA.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i1.20461 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2014). 12 (1): 35-40
Clinical Diseases and Manifestations of Goats and Cattle Recorded at Teaching Veterinary Hospital in Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Authors: Parvez MA , Faruque MR , Sutradhar BC , Rahman MM , Mannan A , Khatun R
Published: September 2014

Teaching Veterinary Hospital (TVH) in Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) plays an important role of public service to animal welfare since the period of 1996. There are lots of goats and cattle are recorded in this hospital every year but previously no report published on it. So this research was conducted to determine the prevalence of clinical diseases and manifestations of goats and cattle recorded at TVH in CVASU during the period of January to December 2012. A total of 3090 clinical cases (goats 2778 and cattle 312) were registered. Diagnosis of these clinical diseases and disorders were based on clinical history, clinical sign and different lab test. Medicinal cases constituted highest percentage (goats 74.66% and cattle 66.35%) in comparison to surgical (goats 16.84% and cattle 24.04 %) cases and gynae-obstetrical (goats 8.50% and cattle 9.62%) cases. Among the (1) medicinal cases, highest percentage was recorded with the diseases of digestive system (goats 16.85% and cattle 20.83%) followed by parasitic diseases (goats 15.22% and cattle 12.82%), infectious diseases (goats 11.95% and cattle 12.18%), general systemic states (goats 7.91% and cattle 6.73%), disease of the respiratory system (goats 9.57% and cattle 4.16%), urinary system(goats 3.31% and cattle 1.28%), special sense organs (goats 3.99% and cattle 1.28%) and noninfectious diseases (goats 5.83% and cattle 4.17%). Among of the (2) surgical cases, general surgery (goats 11.77 and cattle 16.58%) was higher in percentage than special (goats 3.31% and cattle 3.20%) and orthopedic (goats 1.76% and cattle 3.85%) surgery. Among of the gynae-obstetrical cases, gynaecological disorders were recorded higher (goats 6.98% and cattle 8.33%) than obstetrical disorders (goats 1.51% and cattle 1.28%). Prevalence of clinical diseases and disorders were analyzed on the basis of age, sex, breed and season. P-value (P?0.05) was considered as significant. So that an appropriate control strategy has to be designed and applied, which helps to prevent of these disease conditions in study area.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i1.20467 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2014). 12 (1): 73-81
The Effect of Chondroitin Sulphate and Hyaluronic Acid on Chondrocytes Cultured within a Fibrin-Alginate Hydrogel
Authors: Little Christopher , Kulyk William , Chen Xiongbiao
Published: September 2014

Osteoarthritis is a painful degenerative joint disease that could be better managed if tissue engineers can develop methods to create long-term engineered articular cartilage tissue substitutes. Many of the tissue engineered cartilage constructs currently available lack the chemical stimuli and cell-friendly environment that promote the matrix accumulation and cell proliferation needed for use in joint cartilage repair. The goal of this research was to test the efficacy of using a fibrin-alginate hydrogel containing hyaluronic acid (HA) and/or chondroitin sulphate (CS) supplements for chondrocyte culture. Neonatal porcine chondrocytes cultured in fibrin-alginate hydrogels retained their phenotype better than chondrocytes cultured in monolayer, as evidenced by analysis of their relative expression of type II versus type I collagen mRNA transcripts. HA or CS supplementation of the hydrogels increased matrix glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production during the first week of culture. However, the effects of these supplements on matrix accumulation were not additive and were no longer observed after two weeks of culture. Supplementation of the hydrogels with CS or a combination of both CS and HA increased the chondrocyte cell population after two weeks of culture. Statistical analysis indicated that the HA and CS treatment effects on chondrocyte numbers may be additive. This research suggests that supplementation with CS and/or HA has positive effects on cartilage matrix production and chondrocyte proliferation in three-dimensional (3D) fibrin-alginate hydrogels.
Photochemistry and Radical Chemistry under Low Intensity Visible Light Sources: Application to Photopolymerization Reactions
Authors: Lalevée Jacques , Morlet-Savary Fabrice , Dietlin Céline , Graff Bernadette , Fouassier Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2014

The search for radical initiators able to work under soft conditions is a great challenge, driven by the fact that the use of safe and cheap light sources is very attractive. In the present paper, a review of some recently reported photoinitiating systems for polymerization under soft conditions is provided. Different approaches based on multi-component systems (e.g., photoredox catalysis) or light harvesting photoinitiators are described and discussed. The chemical mechanisms associated with the production of free radicals usable as initiating species or mediators of cations are reported.
Coffee Consumption and Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Large Updated Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies
Authors: Xie Feiyue , Wang Dan , Huang Zhifang , Guo Yajun
Published: September 2014

The potential role of coffee consumption in the development of various types of cancer has been extensively investigated in epidemiologic studies. How coffee consumption may modulate risk of gastric cancer, however, remains a subject open for investigation. To better quantify this relation, we quantitatively summarized evidence from prospective studies. Eligible studies were identified on PubMed and Embase databases. The summary risk estimates were obtained using the random-effects model. Subgroup, sensitivity and dose-response analyses were conducted. The present meta-analysis included 12 prospective cohort studies. A pooled analysis of these studies suggested that coffee consumption (highest vs. lowest consumption) was not associated with risk of gastric cancer (RR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.93–1.36). In the subgroup analysis, significant increased risk was detected in the U.S. studies (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.06–1.74) and in the studies with <10 years of follow-up (RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.00–1.54), and the greatest increase in risk was observed in those studies without adjustment for smoking (RR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.13–1.93). There was some evidence of publication bias (P for Egger’s test = 0.03). Cumulative evidence from prospective studies suggests that coffee consumption is not associated with risk of gastric cancer. The observed positive results may be confounded by smoking and need further investigation.
The Noradrenergic System of Aged GDNF Heterozygous Mice
Authors: Zaman V. , Li Z. , Middaugh L. , Ramamoorthy S. , Rohrer B. , Nelson M. E. , Tomac A. C. , Hoffer B. J. , Gerhardt G. A. , Granholm A. Ch.
Published: September 2014

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a trophic factor for noradrenergic (NE) neurons of the pontine nucleus locus coeruleus (LC). Decreased function of the LC-NE neurons has been found during normal aging and in neurodegenerative disorders. We have previously shown that GDNF participates in the differentiation of LC-NE neurons during development. However, the continued role of GDNF for LC-NE neurons during maturation and aging has not been addressed. We examined alterations in aged mice that were heterozygous for the GDNF gene (Gdnf+/–). Wild-type (Gdnf+/+) and Gdnf+/– mice (18 months old) were tested for locomotor activity and brain tissues were collected for measuring norepinephrine levels and uptake, as well as for morphological analysis. Spontaneous locomotion was reduced in Gdnf+/– mice in comparison with Gdnf+/+ mice. The reduced locomotor activity of Gdnf +/– mice was accompanied by reductions in NE transporter activity in the cerebellum and brain stem as well as decreased norepinephrine tissue levels in the LC. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining demonstrated morphological alterations of LC-NE cell bodies and abnormal TH-positive fibers in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and frontal cortex of Gdnf+/– mice. These findings suggest that the LC-NE system of Gdnf+/– mice is impaired and suggest that GDNF plays an important role in continued maintenance of this neuronal system throughout life.
The Effects of Various Concentrations of FGF-2 on the Proliferation and Neuronal Yield of Murine Embryonic Neural Precursor Cells In Vitro
Authors: Kelly Claire M. , Zietlow Rike , Dunnett Steven B. , Rosser Anne E.
Published: September 2014

Embryonic neural precursors (ENPs), also termed neural stem cells or “neurospheres,” are an attractive potential source of tissue for neural transplantation, because of their capacity to expand in number in vitro while retaining the ability to develop into the major phenotypes of the CNS. ENPs are isolated from the developing brain and proliferate in the presence of mitogens such as FGF-2 and EGF. Subsequent withdrawal of these mitogens and exposure to a suitable substrate results in differentiation into the major cell types of the CNS. As well as its role in precursor cell expansion, FGF-2 also plays a key role in the division of astrocytes, and in neuronal differentiation. Thus, it is important to establish the optimal concentrations of this factor for expansion and differentiation of neuronal phenotypes. Here we explore the effect of FGF-2 concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 ng/ml on the expansion and differentiation capacity of ENPs isolated from the cortex and striatum of E14 mice. ENP expansion was seen under all conditions, but was greatest at 10 and 20 ng/ml and least at 1 ng/ml. The numbers of neurons (as a proportion of total cell number) differentiating from these ENP populations appeared to be greatest at 1 ng/ml. However, once adjustments were made for the amount of expansion at each dose, final neuronal yield was maximum at the highest concentration of FGF-2 used (20 ng/ml).
Axonal Regeneration across Long Gaps in Silicone Chambers Filled with Schwann Cells Overexpressing High Molecular Weight FGF-2
Authors: Timmer M. , Robben S. , Müller-Ostermeyer F. , Nikkhah G. , Grothe C.
Published: September 2014

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) has been shown to enhance the survival and neurite extension of various types of neurons including spinal ganglion neurons. In addition, endogenous FGF-2 and FGF receptors are upregulated following peripheral nerve lesion in ganglia and at the lesion site. FGF-2 protein is expressed in different isoforms (18 kDa, 21 kDa, 23 kDa) and differentially regulated after nerve injury. In the rat we analyzed the regenerative capacity of the high molecular weight (HMW) FGF-2 isoforms (21/23 kDa) to support the regeneration of the axotomized adult sciatic nerve across long gaps. The nerve stumps were inserted into the opposite ends of a silicone chamber resulting in an interstump gap of 15 mm. Silicone tubes were filled with Matrigel or a mixture of Schwann cells (SC) and Matrigel. SC were prepared from newborn rats and transfected to overexpress HMW FGF-2. Four weeks after the operation procedure, channels were analyzed with regard to tissue cables bridging both nerve stumps and myelinated axons distal to the original proximal nerve stump. Peripheral nerves interposed with HMW Schwann cells displayed significantly enhanced nerve regeneration, with the greatest number of tissue cables containing myelinated axons and the highest number of myelinated axons. These results suggest that a cellular substrate together with a source of a trophic factor could be a promising tool to promote nerve regeneration and, therefore, become useful also for a clinical approach to repair long gaps.
Evaluation of 2-Year-Old Intrasplenic Fetal Liver Tissue Transplants in Rats
Authors: Lupp Amelie , Danz Manfred , Müller Dieter
Published: September 2014

Liver cell transplantation into host organs like the spleen may possibly provide a temporary relief after extensive liver resection or severe liver disease or may enable treatment of an enzyme deficiency. With time, however, dedifferentiation or malignant transformation of the ectopically transplanted cells may be possible. Thus, in the present study syngenic fetal liver tissue suspensions were transplanted into the spleen of adult male rats and evaluated 2 years thereafter in comparison to orthotopic livers for histopathological changes and (as markers for preneoplastic transformation) for cytochrome P450 (P450) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoform expression. Because inducibility of P450 and GST isoforms may be changed in preneoplastic foci, prior to sacrifice animals were additionally treated either with β-naphthoflavone, phenobarbital, dexamethasone, or the respective solvent. In the 2-year-old grafts more than 70% of the spleen mass was occupied by the transplant. The transplanted hepatocytes were arranged in cord-like structures. Also few bile ducts were present. Morphologically, no signs of malignancy were visible. With all rats, transplant recipients as well as controls, however, discrete nodular structures were seen in the livers. Due to age, both livers and transplants displayed only a low P450 2B1 and 3A2 and GST class α and μ isoform expression. No immunostaining for P450 1A1 was visible. At both sites, β-naphthoflavone, phenobarbital, or dexamethasone treatment enhanced P450 1A1, P450 2B1 and 3A2, or P450 3A2 expression, respectively. No immunostaining for GST class π isoforms was seen in the transplants. The livers of both transplant recipients and control rats, however, displayed GST π-positive foci, corresponding to the nodular structures seen histomorphologically. Compared to the surrounding tissue, these foci also exhibited a more pronounced staining for GST class α and μ isoforms and a stronger inducibility of the P450 1A1 expression due to β-naphthoflavone. In conclusion, in contrast to the livers, no preneoplastic foci seem to appear in the intrasplenic transplants even 2 years after transplantation. This may be due either to the protection of these transplants by the orthotopic livers or to the different humoral and nerval influences at the ectopic site.
Overexpression of Telomerase Confers a Survival Advantage through Suppression of TRF1 Gene Expression While Maintaining Differentiation Characteristics in K562 Cells
Authors: Yamada Osamu , Akiyama Masaharu , Kawauchi Kiyotaka , Adachi Tomoko , Yamada Hisashi , Kanda Naotoshi , Aikawa Eizo
Published: September 2014

Leukemic stem cells that expressed endogenous telomerase activity were induced to show overexpression of exogenous hTERT and were analyzed for biological changes in order to assess the possible influence of telomerase gene therapy on the transplantation of normal hematopoietic stem cells. Introduction of hTERT into K562, a telomerase-positive immortal cell line, resulted in a 2.5-fold elevation of telomerase activity and the lengthening of telomeres by 6 kb to 23 kb. Real-time fluorescent PCR, which could perform quantitative analysis of transcripts, revealed a 175-fold increase in hTERT expression, suggesting the posttranscriptional regulation of telomerase. Ectopic expression of hTERT in K562 cells showed a survival advantage during culture in the absence of serum. Expression of mRNA for the telomeric-repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1) and caspase-3 activity were both decreased in hTERT-transfected K562 cells. Transduced cells retained their usual phenotypic characteristics, differentiation ability, and signal transduction response to TPA. These data suggest that ectopic expression of hTERT by normal hematopoietic stem cells may confer a survival advantage without changing their innate biological characteristics.
Suppression of Allogeneic Response by Viral IL-10 Gene Transfer
Authors: Fujisawa Kenji , Saito Shinya , Okada Yutaka , Fujiwara Toshiyosi , Yagi Takahito , Iwagaki Hiromi , Tanaka Noriaki
Published: September 2014

Th1 cell activation and cytokine production shift the balance between Th1 and Th2, favoring the upregulation of proinflammatory activity that leads to destruction of allogeneic hepatocytes following transplantation. Th2-type cytokines, such as IL-10, have immune regulatory function. The aim of this study was to determine the antirejection efficacy of allogeneic hepatocytes with spheroidal shape (spheroids) genetically modified with viral IL-10 (vIL-10). Allogeneic hepatocyte spheroids, transferred vIL-10 gene by using adenovirus as the vector, were transplanted into the spleen of Nagase's analbuminemic rats (NAR). NAR transplanted with vIL-10-transfected hepatocytes showed an abrupt rise in serum albumin levels that peaked on day 7 and remained at high levels up to day 21 after transplantation. The peak level of albumin on day 7 in vIL-10-transfected NAR was eminently higher than that in nontransfected NAR. Histopathological analysis revealed that in nontransfected NAR hepatocyte spheroids were more or less rejected on day 4, and, in contrast, vIL-10-transfected spheroids were still not rejected on day 14. This protective effect correlated with sustained high vIL-10 level in the splenic vein in NAR transplanted with vIL-10-transfected hepatocyte spheroids, suggesting that vIL-10 secreted from the transplanted hepatocytes induced an active suppression of allogeneic response. This study provides evidence to support the possibility of using vIL-10 gene therapy to prevent allogeneic response in hepatocyte transplantation.
Transplants of Rat Chondrocytes Evoke Strong Humoral Response against Chondrocyte-Associated Antigen in Rabbits
Authors: Osiecka-Iwan Anna , Hyc Anna , Józwiak Jaroslaw , Komar Aldona , Niderla Justyna , Moskalewski Stanislaw
Published: September 2014

Rat chondrocytes transplanted intramuscularly in rabbits produced cartilage. In 1-day-old transplants chondrocytes remained viable. After 1 week peripheral chondrocytes of the transplant were dead and the cartilage was surrounded and resorbed by macrophages. In 2-week-old transplants cartilage deteriorated and was invaded by fibroblast-like cells and macrophages. Sera of rabbits that received two or three consecutive transplants of rat chondrocytes with 2-week intervals contained high titer of antichondrocyte cytotoxic antibodies. A part of the cytotoxic activity could be removed by absorption with rat splenocytes. Western blot analysis of lysates from fresh or 24-h cultured chondrocytes with absorbed sera detected antigen with Mrof ~74 and ~23 kDa. Only the latter remained after reduction in 2-mercaptoethanol. In lysates of fibroblasts and endotheliocytes the 23-kDa antigen was not found but the serum reacted with Mr39-kDa antigen. In lysates of thymocytes a weak band corresponding to Mrof 35 kDa was present. Serum from rabbits receiving transplants of living chondrocytes followed by chondrocytes suspended in complete Freund's adjuvant contained antibodies directed against components of crude collagenase used for cell isolation. Such antibodies could not be detected in sera of rabbits receiving transplants of living chondrocytes only. Molecular weight of detected antigen differs from that of collagen type II, core of aggrecan, link proteins, and several other macromolecules of cartilage matrix. It could represent either a component of chondrocyte membrane or a membrane-bound substance resistant to enzymes used for isolation. Availability of antibodies against presumably chondrocyte-specific antigen produced during transplant rejection may help to characterize it more precisely and to ascertain whether its presence may influence results of autogenous chondrocyte transplants in humans.
Fast Hematopoietic Recovery after Bone Marrow Engraftment Needs Physiological Proximity of Stromal and Stem Cells
Authors: Janczewska Slawa , Wisniewski Marcin , Stepkowski Stanislaw M. , Lukomska Barbara
Published: September 2014

Relatively slow hematopoietic recovery after isolated bone marrow (I-BM) engraftment is probably caused by a disrupted microenvironment of stromal and stem cells. Thus, we compared the kinetics of hematopoietic recovery of lethally irradiated rats that received I-BM versus vascularized BM (V-BM). Total body irradiated (TBI; 8 Gy) Lewis (LEW; RT11) rats were either injected IV with syngeneic sex-mismatched 80 × 106 I-BM or transplanted with 80 × 106 V-BM in orthotopic hind limb grafts. Ten days later, peripheral blood (PB) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of these recipients were examined for the presence of donor-derived hematopoietic cells with a panel of monoclonal antibodies by FACS. To detect male cells in sex-mismatched female recipients, PCR was performed using male Y chromosome primers. When examined in PB and MLN, recipients transplanted with V-BM displayed significantly faster recovery of leukocytes (CD43+), monocytes (CD14+), and T cells (CD5+) in comparison with I-BM recipients. In addition, only V-BM (but not I-BM) groups contained stroma-like male-positive cells in PB and MLN. Our results suggest that V-BM transplants provided superior hematopoietic recovery in comparison to I-BM transplants. We postulated that close proximity between stromal and stem cells in V-BM is essential for efficient repopulation with progenitors of different lines of leukocytes.