bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One Week of Motor Adaptation Induces Structural Changes in Primary Motor Cortex That Predict Long-Term Memory One Year Later
Authors: Landi Sofia M. , Baguear Federico , Della-Maggiore Valeria
Published: August 2011

The neural bases of motor adaptation have been extensively explored in human and nonhuman primates. A network including the cerebellum, primary motor cortex, and posterior parietal cortex appears to be crucial for this type of learning. Yet, to date, it is unclear whether these regions contribute directly or indirectly to the formation of motor memories. Here we trained subjects on a complex visuomotor rotation associated with long-term memory (in the order of months) to identify potential sites of structural plasticity induced by adaptation. One week of training led to (1) an increment in local gray matter concentration over the hand area of the contralateral primary motor cortex and (2) an increase in fractional anisotropy in an area underneath this region that correlated with the speed of learning. Moreover, the change in gray matter concentration measured immediately after training predicted improvements in the speed of learning during readaptation 1 year later. Our study suggests that motor adaptation induces structural plasticity in primary motor circuits. In addition, it provides the first piece of evidence indicating that early structural changes induced by motor learning may impact on behavior up to 1 year after training.
Regulation of Temporal and Spatial Organization of Newborn GnRH Neurons by IGF Signaling in Zebrafish
Authors: Onuma Takeshi A. , Ding Yonghe , Abraham Eytan , Zohar Yonathern , Ando Hironori , Duan Cunming
Published: August 2011

When and how newborn neurons are organized to form a functional network in the developing brain remains poorly understood. An attractive model is the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron system, master regulator of the reproductive axis. Here we show that blockage of IGF signaling, a central growth-promoting signaling pathway, by the induced expression of a dominant-negative form of IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) or specific IGF1R inhibitors delayed the emergence of GnRH2 neurons in the midbrain and GnRH3 neurons in the olfactory bulb region. Blockage of IGF signaling also resulted in an abnormal appearance of GnRH3 neurons outside of the olfactory bulb region, although it did not change the locations of other olfactory neurons, GnRH2 neurons, or brain patterning. This IGF action is developmental stage-dependent because the blockade of IGF signaling in advanced embryos had no such effect. An application of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors phenocopied the IGF signaling deficient embryos, whereas the MAPK inhibitors had no effect, suggesting that this IGF action is mediated through the PI3K pathway. Real-timein vivoimaging studies revealed that the ectopic GnRH3 neurons emerged at the same time as the normal GnRH3 neurons in IGF-deficient embryos. Further experiments suggest that IGF signaling affects the spatial distribution of newborn GnRH3 neurons by influencing neural crest cell migration and/or differentiation. These results suggest that the IGF-IGF1R-PI3K pathway regulates the precise temporal and spatial organization of GnRH neurons in zebrafish and provides new insights into the regulation of GnRH neuron development.
Hong Kong's Role in Mainland China's Logistics Industry
Authors: Nor Linda Tjia Yin
Published: August 2011

The importance of Hong Kong's role as fnancier, coach, and physical gateway in the development of container ports and highways in China is diminishing. However, the development of the global supply chain transcends physical boundaries: Hong Kong adapts continuously, and is now taking on bridging and differentiating roles in third-party logistics services.
Value Changes and Legitimacy Crisis in Post-industrial Hong Kong
Authors: Ngok Ma
Published: August 2011

Social, political, and economic changes in post-industrial Hong Kong brought a less instrumental view of democracy, more skepticism against the neoliberal regime, and more support for post-materialist values. The changing values make the old legitimacy formula obsolete, creating a legitimacy crisis for the undemocratic, business-dominated, and low-interventionist government.
“Forward to Haydn!”: Schenker's Politics and the German Revival of Haydn
Authors: Proksch Bryan
Published: August 2011

While Heinrich Schenker consistently espoused the superiority of the German masterworks, his biases toward Haydn's works laid the groundwork for a reversal of nearly a century of neglect toward that composer's music in German-speaking lands. The circumstances of Schenker's personal life together with his reaction to the socioeconomic and political pressures created by the harsh terms imposed on Germany and Austria by the Treaties of Versailles and Saint-Germain led him to make the restoration of Haydn's stature as a compositional genius a crucial battle in his fight to reclaim German identity in the wake of the First World War. His mentorship of Anthony van Hoboken, who in turn underwrote Schenker's publications, created a partnership that redefined the cultural significance of Haydn's music and provided for the preservation of numerous Haydn autographs. Schenker's writings on Haydn refuted popular myths on the composer and replaced them with detailed arguments rooted in analysis in an effort to demonstrate the composer's musical significance to a nation in crisis specifically and the world at large.
Culture medium, gas atmosphere and MAPK inhibition affect regulation of RNA-binding protein targets during mouse preimplantation development
Authors: Calder Michele D , Watson Patricia H , Watson Andrew J
Published: August 2011

During oogenesis, mammalian oocytes accumulate maternal mRNAs that support the embryo until embryonic genome activation. RNA-binding proteins (RBP) may regulate the stability and turnover of maternal and embryonic mRNAs. We hypothesised that varying embryo culture conditions, such as culture medium, oxygen tension and MAPK inhibition, affects regulation of RBPs and their targets during preimplantation development. STAU1, ELAVL1, KHSRP and ZFP36 proteins and mRNAs were detected throughout mouse preimplantation development, whereasElavl2mRNA decreased after the two-cell stage. Potential target mRNAs of RBP regulation,Gclc,Slc2a1andSlc7a1were detected during mouse preimplantation development.GclcmRNA was significantly elevated in embryos cultured in Whitten's medium compared with embryos cultured in KSOMaa, andGclcmRNA was elevated under high-oxygen conditions. Inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway reducedSlc7a1mRNA expression while inhibition of ERK increasedSlc2a1mRNA expression. The half-lives of the potential RBP mRNA targets are not regulated in parallel;Slc2a1mRNA displayed the longest half-life. Our results indicate that mRNAs and proteins encoding five RBPs are present during preimplantation development and more importantly, demonstrate that expression of RBP target mRNAs are regulated by culture medium, gas atmosphere and MAPK pathways.
Production of live foals via intracytoplasmic injection of lyophilized sperm and sperm extract in the horse
Authors: Choi Y H , Varner D D , Love C C , Hartman D L , Hinrichs K
Published: August 2011

Work with lyophilized sperm helps delineate the factors required for successful fertilization. We investigated the use of lyophilized sperm in equine embryo production. In Experiment 1, sperm DNA fragmentation index was not affected by three freeze/thaw or lyophilization cycles. In Experiment 2, oocytes injected with lyophilized sperm or with sperm from a treatment in which lyophilized sperm were suspended in sperm cytoplasmic extract (SE) yielded blastocyst development rates of 0 and 28% respectively (P<0.05). In Experiment 3, blastocyst development rate was 6–11% after injection of sperm lyophilized from fresh or frozen–thawed semen, suspended in SE. In Experiment 4, sperm lyophilized 3.5 months or 1 week previously, suspended in SE, yielded similar blastocyst rates (6 and 3% respectively). Rates of normal pregnancy after transfer were 7/10 and 5/7 for embryos from control and lyophilized sperm treatments respectively. Three pregnancies from the lyophilized sperm treatments were not terminated, resulting in two healthy foals. Parentage testing determined that one foal originated from the lyophilized sperm; the other was the offspring of the stallion providing the sperm extract. Further testing indicated that two of five additional embryos in the lyophilized sperm treatment originated from the stallion providing the sperm extract. We conclude that both lyophilized stallion sperm and stallion sperm processed by multiple unprotected freeze–thaw cycles (as for sperm extract) can support production of viable foals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on production of live offspring by fertilization with lyophilized sperm in a non-laboratory animal species.
Survey of drug dispensing errors in hospital wards
Authors: Lám Judit , Rózsa Erzsébet , Kis Szölgyémi Mónika , Belicza Éva
Published: August 2011

Medication errors occur very frequently. The limited knowledge of contributing factors and risks prevents the development and testing of successful preventive strategies. Objective: To investigate the differences between the ordered and dispensed drugs, and to identify the risks during medication. Methods: Prospective direct observation at two inpatient hospital wards. Results: The number of observed doses was 775 and the number of ordered doses was 806. It was found that from the total opportunities of 803 errors 114 errors occurred in dispensed drugs corresponding to an error rate of 14.1%. Among the different types of errors, the most important errors were: dispensing inappropriate doses (25.4%), unauthorized tablet halving or crushing (24.6%), omission errors (16.4%) and dispensing an active ingredient different from the ordered (14.2%). 87% of drug dispensing errors were considered as errors with minor consequences, while 13% of errors were potentially serious. Conclusions: Direct observation of the drug dispensing procedure appears to be an appropriate method to observe errors in medication of hospital wards. The results of the study and the identified risks are worth to be reconsidered and prevention measures should be applied to everyday health care practice to improve patient safety. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1391–1398.
The Value of Microbiological Screening in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
Authors: Thomas Gregory P.L. , Sibley Jane , Goodacre Timothy E.E. , Cadier Michael M.
Published: August 2011

Objective

This study was performed to investigate whether nasal and oropharyngeal microbiological swabs taken prior to cleft lip and palate surgery correlated with the oronasal flora at the time of surgery and whether specific culture results affected surgical outcome.

Methods

Prospective audit set in two designated U.K. cleft centers each with a single surgeon. Nasal and oropharyngeal microbiological swabs were taken within 2 weeks prior to surgery and again on the operating table. Adverse outcome measures included postoperative pyrexia, wound dehiscence, or fistula formation.

Results

One hundred forty-four cases were recruited over 12 months. Nasal swabs cultured organisms significantly more often than oropharyngeal swabs (p < .0001). No significant difference was detected in the number of cases with a positive microbiology culture preoperatively compared with perioperative sampling (48% and 50%). The specific organisms cultured from preoperative swabs were the same as those cultured at surgery in only half of cases. Preoperative microbiology swabs were poorly predictive of the oronasal flora at surgery. Antibiotic treatment of patients with positive preoperative microbiology did not significantly reduce the incidence of bacterial colonization or significantly alter clinical outcome.

Conclusion

Preoperative microbiological investigation is not helpful in predicting the nasal and oropharyngeal flora at the time of surgery. Further, culture results did not correlate with postoperative outcome, regardless of whether pre- or perioperative antibiotic therapy was instigated. This evidence suggests that microbiology screening swabs are an unnecessary investigation.
Parameters of Care for Craniosynostosis
Authors: McCarthy Joseph G. , Warren Stephen M. , Bernstein Joseph , Burnett Whitney , Cunningham Michael L. , Edmond Jane C. , Figueroa Alvaro A. , Kapp-Simon Kathleen A. , Labow Brian I. , Peterson-Falzone Sally J. , Proctor Mark R. , Rubin Marcie S. , Sze Raymond W. , Yemen Terrance A. ,   other members of the Craniosynostosis Working Group
Published: August 2011

Background

A multidisciplinary meeting was held from March 4 to 6, 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia, entitled “Craniosynostosis: Developing Parameters for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management.” The goal of this meeting was to create parameters of care for individuals with craniosynostosis.

Methods

Fifty-two conference attendees represented a broad range of expertise, including anesthesiology, craniofacial surgery, dentistry, genetics, hand surgery, neurosurgery, nursing, ophthalmology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, otolaryngology, pediatrics, psychology, public health, radiology, and speech-language pathology. These attendees also represented 16 professional societies and peer-reviewed journals. The current state of knowledge related to each discipline was reviewed. Based on areas of expertise, four breakout groups were created to reach a consensus and draft specialty-specific parameters of care based on the literature or, in the absence of literature, broad clinical experience. In an iterative manner, the specialty-specific draft recommendations were presented to all conference attendees. Participants discussed the recommendations in multidisciplinary groups to facilitate exchange and consensus across disciplines. After the conference, a pediatric intensivist and social worker reviewed the recommendations.

Results

Consensus was reached among the 52 conference attendees and two post hoc reviewers. Longitudinal parameters of care were developed for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of craniosynostosis in each of the 18 specialty areas of care from prenatal evaluation to adulthood.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first multidisciplinary effort to develop parameters of care for craniosynostosis. These parameters were designed to help facilitate the development of educational programs for the patient, families, and health-care professionals; stimulate the creation of a national database and registry to promote research, especially in the area of outcome studies; improve credentialing of interdisciplinary craniofacial clinical teams; and improve the availability of health insurance coverage for all individuals with craniosynostosis.
Improved lifetime of highly flexible OLEDs based on multilayered transparent electrodes with enhanced barrier performance
Authors: Park Soojin , Jung Kyungho , Yun Changhun , Cho Hyunsu , Bae Byeong‐Soo , Yoo Seunghyup
Published: August 2011

Abstract— Flexible organic light‐emitting diodes (FOLEDs) showing enhanced barrier properties under repeated mechanical stress are reported. By combining metal‐based multilayer transparent electrodes (MTEs) as highly flexible anodes replacing ITO electrodes and sol‐gel organic‐inorganic hybrimers which function as both planarizing films and barrier layers, the proposed FOLEDs not only exhibit a level of performance comparable to that of ITO‐based reference devices but also show a superior mechanical flexibility with “after‐bending” lifetime close to that of ITO‐based devices.
17β-Estradiol promotes cell proliferation in rat osteoarthritis model chondrocytes via PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Huang Jia , Xia Chun , Zheng Xin , Yi Ting , Wang Xiao , Song Gang , Zhang Bing
Published: August 2011

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability. The importance of chondrocytes in the pathogenesis of OA is unequivocal. 17β-estradiol (E2) has a potential protective effect against OA. However, the mechanism of E2 in OA chondrocytes remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulative effect of E2 on cell growth and the relationship between E2 and the PI3K/Akt pathway in rat OA model chondrocytes (pretreated with interleukin-1β). We found that E2 induced chondrocyte proliferation, and increased the expression level of Akt simultaneously, especially the expression level of P-Akt. Furthermore, the inhibition of P-Akt could block chondrocyte proliferation induced by E2. These results suggest that PI3K/Akt activation induced by E2 may be an important factor in the mechanism of E2 in cell proliferation in rat OA model chondrocytes, and help further understanding the role of E2 in OA progression.
Generalized stern models of the electric double layer considering the spatial variation of permittvity and finite size of ions in saturation regime
Authors: Gongadze Ekaterina , Rienen Ursula , Iglič Aleš
Published: August 2011

The interaction between a charged metal implant surface and a surrounding body fluid (electrolyte solution) leads to ion redistribution and thus to formation of an electrical double layer (EDL). The physical properties of the EDL contribute essentially to the formation of the complex implant-biosystem interface. Study of the EDL began in 1879 by Hermann von Helmholtz and still today remains a scientific challenge. The present mini review is focused on introducing the generalized Stern theory of an EDL, which takes into account the orientational ordering of water molecules. To ascertain the plausibility of the generalized Stern models described, we follow the classical model of Stern and introduce two Langevin models for spatial variation of the relative permittivity for point-like and finite sized ions. We attempt to uncover the subtle interplay between water ordering and finite sized ions and their impact on the electric potential near the charged implant surface. Two complementary effects appear to account for the spatial dependency of the relative permittivity near the charged implant surface — the dipole moment vectors of water molecules are predominantly oriented towards the surface and water molecules are depleted due to the accumulation of counterions. At the end the expressions for relative permittivity in both Langevin models were generalized by also taking into account the cavity and reaction field.
Preparation and characterization of V2O5 doped SiO2-TiO2 thin films
Authors: Nocuń Marek , Kwaśny Sławomir
Published: August 2011

In our investigation, V doped SiO2/TiO2 thin films were prepared on glass substrates by dip coating sol-gel technique. Chemical composition of the samples was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Transmittance of the samples was characterized using UV-VIS spectrophotometry. Subsequently band-gap energy (Eg) was estimated for these films. Powders obtained from sols were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. It was found that vanadium decreases optical band gap of SSiO2/TiO2 films.
Staff Experience, Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Management of Adolescent Patients in Adult Mental Health Units
Authors: Curran Genevieve , Walter Garry , Soh Nerissa , Herman Michael , Baker Martin , Paton Michael , Newton Liz , Byrne Simon
Published: August 2011

Objective: Inpatient psychiatric care of adolescents should, where possible, be provided in specialized units. However, admission of adolescent patients to adult mental health units does occur. There is a paucity of data about this practice. This study collates information about the experience, attitudes and knowledge of clinical staff regarding the care of adolescent patients in adult psychiatry units within Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service (NSCCHS).

Method: A survey was emailed to all clinical staff with employer accessible email addresses in NSCCHS.

Results: The response rate was 29% (n = 108). The majority of respondents believed their wards were “not at all” (30.7%) or “only a little” (57.4%) equipped to care for adolescent patients. The majority felt “moderately” (39.6%) or “very” (16.8%) confident to care for these patients; however, a significant proportion (43.2%) lacked confidence. There was no significant difference across the responses of psychiatrists, psychiatry registrars and nursing staff to these questions. The majority felt the objectives of these admissions were met “only a little” (47.4%) or “not at all” (16.5%). Many concerns regarding the admission of adolescents to adult wards were reported.

Conclusions: Generally, staff were not in favour of admitting adolescent patients to adult mental health units apart from in exceptional circumstances. Staff harboured concerns about several aspects of care for adolescents in adult wards.
Doppler Indices in Prediction of Fetal Outcome in Hypertensive Pregnant Women
Authors: Khalid Mohd , Wahab Shagufta , Kumar Vijay , Khalid Saifullah , Haroon Soafia , Sabzposh Noor A
Published: August 2011

Aim: To determine the role of Color Doppler Sonography in evaluation of fetal outcome in normal and hypertensive pregnant females. Method: The study was carried out on 58 antenatal females (22 normotensive, 36 hypertensive) in their third trimester of pregnancy. After detailed history taking and physical examination, study of various arteries was performed using color Doppler ultrasound {TOSHIBA ECCO-CE CX} with 3.5 MHz curvilinear probe. Doppler measurements were taken with the mother in recumbent position during fetal inactivity and apnea. Arteries evaluated included – bilateral uterine arteries, umbilical artery, fetal middle cerebral and fetal aorta. Calculation of Systolic/Diastolic ratio(S/D), resistive (RI) and pulsality indices (PI) was done .The indices were correlated with fetal outcome. Results: In our study, 34(94.44%) out of 36 hypertensive patients showed abnormal uterine artery flow of which 11 {32.35%} had intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and 1 Intrauterine death of fetus ( IUD) as fetal outcome. 29 patients of 36 hypertensive patients had abnormal umbilical artery flow of which 11{30.5%} had IUGR as fetal outcome. Only one patient having severe hypertension had reversed end diastolic velocity (REDV) in umbilical artery and had sudden IUD. Another patient had absent end diastolic velocity (AEDV) and the baby expired 2 days after birth. 28 (77.78%) patients showed brain sparing effect {BSE} with reduced value of indices in fetal middle cerebral artery. Out of these, 11(30.5%) patients had small for gestational age (SGA) babies and 1(2.7%) had IUD. In hypertensive pregnancies 22 (61.1%) cases showed values of S/D, RI and PI above 2 SD, of which 11(50%) patients had SGA babies. Conclusion: Color Doppler can detect changes in fetomaternal and uteroplacental circulation accurately which seem to correlate strongly with the pregnancy outcome; abnormal indices showing strong correlation with adverse fetal outcome. It helps us to monitor fetal well being, take timely action, plan the treatment and prevent adverse fetal outcome in high risk pregnancies. Keywords: Color Doppler, hypertensive, normotensive DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v6i1.5249 NJOG 2011; 6(1): 28-34
Assessment of Cardiovascular Autonomic Functions to Predict Development of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
Authors: Kapoor Nandini , Sharma Rajeev , Ashat Munish , Huria Anju , Mishra Ghansham
Published: August 2011

Aim: This study aimed at performing autonomic function tests to predict PIH at early stage of pregnancy. Methods: 200 pregnant women between 12 to 20 weeks of gestation were selected for study. Handgrip dynamometer test (HGT) and Cold pressor test (CPT) were performed to assess sympathetic cardiovascular functions. Result: It was observed that 31 women out of 200 pregnant women developed PIH subsequently. ROC curve analysis was done to find out cut off values of high sensitivity and specificity for rise in systolic blood pressure (_SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (_DBP) during CPT and HGT. It was observed that out of 31 women who developed PIH/PE, 87.1% had _SBP _14mm Hg (cut off value) and 83.9% had _DBP _10mm Hg (cut off value) during CPT, both of which were statistically significant (p<0.001). Similarly for HGT, 31 women who developed PIH, _SBP _16 mm Hg and _DBP _14 mm Hg (cut off values) was observed in 96.8% and 83.9% women respectively (p< 0.001). Discriminant analysis showed that the reliability of both the tests in predicting PIH was very high (p<0.001). Conclusion: Thus it can be concluded from the study that heightened blood pressure response to physiological stimuli like cold and isometric exercise early in pregnancy could be used as a suitable tool to predict development of PIH. Key words: Cold pressor test, early detection, Handgrip dynamometer test, PIH DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v6i1.5251 NJOG 2011; 6(1): 41-45
The Mass Marketing of the Colonial Captive Hannah Duston
Authors: Humphreys Sara
Published: August 2011

Abstract:

Literary artefacts are more than commemorations of beloved literary characters and scenes: they significantly help to shape our identities as national and cultural subjects. Hannah Duston's seventeenth-century captivity narrative offers a fascinating example of how one narrative can be reproduced in many shapes and forms in order to support concepts of cultural and national identity. Her two-page narrative was first published in 1697 by Cotton Mather but eventually spawned several print text versions, a shoe company, a commemorative Jim Beam whiskey decanter, and a plethora of dime-a-dozen artefacts. Despite this vast number of visual and print reproductions, only one aspect of her narrative is repeatedly generated: Duston's slaughter and subsequent scalping of her Indigenous captors. I argue that Duston's captivity narrative successfully travels from seventeenth-century Puritan print culture to contemporary mass culture because her narrative consistently supports colonial and neo-colonial ideals, respectively, concerning American identity and national duty.
Durable Public Feelings
Authors: Epp Michael
Published: August 2011

Abstract:

Exploring the durability of feelings, and the relationship of feelings to publics, the first part of this paper maintains that the multiplicity of contradictory means for engaging the terms “public” and “feelings” indexes precisely the conflicts that are constitutive of publics and feelings. The fights over terminology, I argue, are not something to resolve but something to understand, as part of what makes publics and feelings the important, exciting, and sometimes frustrating things they are to practise, experience, and study. In the second part of the paper, I ask questions about the durability of feelings in relation to one of the most durable, public, and disturbing feelings: that joy associated with blackface minstrelsy that is an expression of, and a practice of, white supremacy, which itself is, perhaps, the most enduring form of public feeling, cultural practice, and political aspiration in the history of the United States.
American Studies in Review: The Recuperative Trend in Hawthorne Studies: New or Improved?
Authors: Bresky Luke
Published: August 2011

Abstract:

This essay reviews two collections of essays (Hawthorne and the Real: Bicentennial Essays, edited by Millicent Bell, and The Cambridge Companion to Nathaniel Hawthorne, edited by Richard Millington) and Brenda Wineapple's Hawthorne: A Life. These books raise questions about the currency of late-twentieth-century reassessments of Hawthorne's significance: is “our” Hawthorne still to be read as an anxious conservative, tainted by sexist, racist, and nationalist ideologies? The collections offer various responses to this question but reveal a broadly recuperative tendency. Critics no longer blame Hawthorne for the way that modernist (especially New Critical) literary histories canonized him. Though the political topics that New Historicists first scrutinized in Hawthorne's fiction continue to preoccupy, they no longer point invariably to the limits of Hawthorne's moral, political, and cultural consciousness. Like the collections, Wineapple's biography complicates our picture of Hawthorne's politics (including gender politics) and values his earnest, often conflicted responses to social change.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood from Pregnant Hispanic Women Living in Brownsville, Texas
Authors: Sexton Ken , Salinas Jennifer J. , McDonald Thomas J. , Gowen Rose M. Z. , Miller Rebecca P. , McCormick Joseph B. , Fisher-Hoch Susan P.
Published: August 2011

Venous blood was drawn from 35 pregnant Hispanic women living in Brownsville, Texas, and matched cord blood was collected at birth. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to measure concentrations of 55 individual PAHs or groups of PAHs. Results indicate that these women and their fetuses were regularly exposed to multiple PAHs at comparatively low concentrations, with levels in cord blood generally exceeding levels in paired maternal blood. While the possibility of related adverse effects on the fetus is uncertain, these exposures in combination with socioeconomically-disadvantaged and environmentally-challenging living conditions raise legitimate public health concerns.
Sinanodonta woodiana (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae): Isolation and Characterization of the First Microsatellite Markers
Authors: Popa Oana Paula , Popa Luis Ovidiu , Krapal Ana-Maria , Murariu Dumitru , Iorgu Elena Iulia , Costache Marieta
Published: August 2011

Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) is a large Unionid species with a real invasion success. It colonized Europe, Central America, the Indonesian Islands and recently North America. The species life cycle involves a larval parasitic stage on freshwater fish species which contributes to the spread of the mussel. In this paper we describe, for the first time, eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the species Sinanodonta woodiana. The genetic screening of individuals confirmed that all loci were highly polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 14 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.650 to 0.950. These loci should prove useful to study the species population genetics which could help to infer important aspects of the invasion process.
New Aspects of Mitochondrial Uncoupling Proteins (UCPs) and Their Roles in Tumorigenesis
Authors: Robbins Delira , Zhao Yunfeng
Published: August 2011

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) belong to a family of mitochondrial carrier proteins that are present in the mitochondrial inner membrane. UCP1 was first identified followed by its two homologs, UCP2 and UCP3. The physiological functions of UCP include lowering mitochondrial membrane potential and dissipating metabolic energy as heat. However, UCP can be dysregulated and may contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders and obesity. Recent studies suggest that UCP also plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases and atherosclerosis. In addition, the widely expressed UCP, UCP2, has been shown to be upregulated in a number of aggressive human cancers. One mechanism of UCP2 upregulation in these cancers is due to oxidative stress, and elevated UCP2 in turn reduces oxidative stress, which provides a growth advantage for these cancers. Nevertheless, new studies suggest UCP2 may interact with oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, providing a potential new mechanism of how UCP2 contributes to cancer development. In this review, the evidence supporting the role of UCPs in diseases other than diabetes and obesity, the reports on how UCP is regulated in cancer cells, and how UCP may regulate p53 will be discussed.
Simple and Rapid Method for the Determination of Uric Acid-Independent Antioxidant Capacity
Authors: Duplancic Darko , Kukoc-Modun Lea , Modun Darko , Radic Njegomir
Published: August 2011

Determination of the relative contribution of uric acid level increases to the total measured antioxidative activity could be very useful for testing antioxidative products and their effect on human health. The aim of this report is to present a simple spectrophotometric method that combines the measurement of total antioxidative capacity of a sample by ferric reducing/antioxidative power (FRAP) assay, with the uricase-reaction (specific elimination of uric acid), in order to establish and correct for the contribution of uric acid in FRAP values. We measured FRAP values, with (uric acid-independent antioxidant capacity, TAC-UA) and without (total antioxidant capacity, TAC) uricase treatment, and expressed it as μmol/L of uric acid equivalents. In such way, it was possible to determine both total and uric acid-independent antioxidant capacity, plasma uric acid (UA, as the difference between TAC and TAC-UA), and the ratio of the uric acid in total antioxidant capacity (UA/TAC).
Female Clergy as Agents of Religious Change?
Authors: Niemelä Kati
Published: August 2011

This article focuses on female clergy as potential agents of change in the Church. I argue that the adoption of female clergy is one of the main factors that cause the Church to change its practices, policies and theological orientation. The first female ministers were ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland in 1988. This is fairly late compared to other Nordic countries. However, the number of female ministers and female students has been growing fast and nowadays about 70 percent of theology students are female.The paper is based on quantitative surveys conducted among the members of the Clergy Union in 2002, 2006 and 2010 (N = about 1,000 each) and among the applicants for university studies in theology in 2010. The research shows that clergywomen are changing the Church in a clearly more liberal direction. They do it in various areas of church life: they change the perception of faith and dogma, the policies of the Church as well as daily practices in parishes. Clergymen are notably more traditional in their orientation, even young clergymen. Therefore it is especially the female clergy who serve as agents of religious change in the Church.
Recombination between Poliovirus and Coxsackie A Viruses of Species C: A Model of Viral Genetic Plasticity and Emergence
Authors: Combelas Nicolas , Holmblat Barbara , Joffret Marie-Line , Colbère-Garapin Florence , Delpeyroux Francis
Published: August 2011

Genetic recombination in RNA viruses was discovered many years ago for poliovirus (PV), an enterovirus of the Picornaviridae family, and studied using PV or other picornaviruses as models. Recently, recombination was shown to be a general phenomenon between different types of enteroviruses of the same species. In particular, the interest for this mechanism of genetic plasticity was renewed with the emergence of pathogenic recombinant circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs), which were implicated in poliomyelitis outbreaks in several regions of the world with insufficient vaccination coverage. Most of these cVDPVs had mosaic genomes constituted of mutated poliovaccine capsid sequences and part or all of the non-structural sequences from other human enteroviruses of species C (HEV-C), in particular coxsackie A viruses. A study in Madagascar showed that recombinant cVDPVs had been co-circulating in a small population of children with many different HEV-C types. This viral ecosystem showed a surprising and extensive biodiversity associated to several types and recombinant genotypes, indicating that intertypic genetic recombination was not only a mechanism of evolution for HEV-C, but an usual mode of genetic plasticity shaping viral diversity. Results suggested that recombination may be, in conjunction with mutations, implicated in the phenotypic diversity of enterovirus strains and in the emergence of new pathogenic strains. Nevertheless, little is known about the rules and mechanisms which govern genetic exchanges between HEV-C types, as well as about the importance of intertypic recombination in generating phenotypic variation. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the mechanisms of evolution of PV, in particular recombination events leading to the emergence of recombinant cVDPVs.
Resistance and tolerance to herbivory in Solidago altissima (Asteraceae): Genetic variability, costs, and selection for multiple traits
Authors: Hakes Alyssa S. , Cronin James T.
Published: August 2011

• Premise of the study: Quantifying the genetic variability, fitness costs, and selection gradients associated with plant defense traits is necessary to understand their evolution and continued persistence in populations. Few studies have simultaneously examined the costs, benefits, and genetic variability in multiple traits related to plant resistance and tolerance to herbivory.

• Methods: Using 103 Solidago altissima (Asteraceae) genets from two populations previously studied in situ, we conducted a common garden experiment to assess genetic variability, costs, selection gradients, and correlations among resistance, tolerance, and various resistance and tolerance traits (i.e., lateral branching, relative growth rate, leaf addition and senescence rate, specific leaf area, and leaf toughness).

• Key results: We report evidence for significant genetic variability in resistance and various tolerance‐related traits but low broad‐sense heritability (H2 < 0.14) for all traits. For all traits examined, no correlation existed between trait levels of parent ramets (measured in their field of origin) and daughter ramets (measured in the common garden), suggesting plasticity in goldenrod traits. We found a strong cost of resistance and selection gradient against high resistance. Conversely, we found no evidence of costs but did find significant selection gradients favoring increased tolerance and many tolerance trait levels.

• Conclusions: Our study suggests that herbivores impose selection favoring increased tolerance and reduced resistance in goldenrods. In this environment, we expect that over time, resistant genets will decrease in frequency. Despite strong selection pressures, the evolution of tolerance in this environment may be constrained by the low broad‐sense heritability in tolerance traits.
Isolation and characterization of 19 new microsatellite loci in Colocasia esculenta (Araceae)
Authors: Lu Zhonglei , Li Wansha , Yang Yongping , Hu Xiangyang
Published: August 2011

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for taro (Colocasia esculenta) to investigate its population genetics and evolutionary history through germplasm improvement.

• Methods and Results: Nineteen microsatellite loci were identified in three populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to seven, with a mean of 4.68. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.231 to 0.820 and from 0.126 to 0.742, respectively.

• Conclusions: These new genetic markers will be useful for the study of taro germplasm management and population evolution in southwestern China.
Late Presenters in New HIV Diagnoses from An Italian Cohort of HIV-Infected Patients: Prevalence and Clinical Outcome
Authors:   for the Icona Foundation Study Group, Monforte Antonella d'Arminio , Cozzi-Lepri Alessandro , Girardi Enrico , Castagna Antonella , Mussini Cristina , Giambenedetto Simona Di , Galli Massimo , Cassola Giovanni , Vullo Vincenzo , Quiros-Roldan Eugenia , Caputo Sergio Lo , Antinori Andrea
Published: August 2011

Background

To study the prevalence, predictors and outcome of late HIV diagnosis in the Icona cohort, according to the new European consensus definition of late diagnosis.

Methods

In this observational cohort study we investigated patients diagnosed with HIV over 3 months preceding enrolment who were defined as diagnosed late if they presented with AIDS or a CD4+ T-cell count ≤350/mm3 (European consensus definition). We estimated the prevalence of late diagnosis, identified factors associated with being diagnosed late and looked at the prognostic value of the European consensus definition of late presentation to predict subsequent clinical progression (new AIDS events or death).

Results

In total, 1,438/2,276 patients (63%) were defined as diagnosed late using the new European Consensus definition. Of these, 387 (16%) were AIDS-presenters. Predictors of being diagnosed late were older age, non-Italian origin, high HIV RNA and unemployment (versus retirement). A total of 293 patients showed clinical progression (3 events/100 person-years of follow-up, 95% CI: 2.7–3.4). Presenting late was strongly associated with a >5-fold increased risk of disease progression.

Conclusions

In our observational setting with free access to care, more than 60% of new HIV diagnoses occurred below the recommended threshold for initiating anti-retroviral treatment. Presenting late for care was associated with a high risk of clinical progression.
Internal Carotid Artery Pseudo Occlusion with Embolic Cerebral Ischemia and Low Flow in the Central Retinal Artery: A Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Roehrer Christoph , Ertl Michael , Altmann Mathias , Kasprzak Piotr , Bogdahn Ulrich , Schuierer Gerhard , Schlachetzki Felix
Published: August 2011

We present a rare case of internal carotid artery pseudoocclusion (ICAPO) in a 60-yearold male Caucasian patient who experienced a reversible sudden loss of vision of the right eye for 10 min followed by recurrent blurring of vision as well as dysarthria and numbness in the left face. The referring ophthalmologist admitted the patient for suspicious occlusion of the internal carotid artery causing anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION).
Surgical Perspective of Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Rib
Authors: Ibrahim Magdi , Allam Abdulla
Published: August 2011

A retrospective study of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABCs) of the rib was conducted to review their clinical, radiological and pathological features, as well as the early and long-term results of surgical management. From 2000 through 2010, 5 patients (3 male, 2 female, aged 17–40 years) with ABCs of the rib were treated in our department. All patients with aneurysmal bone cyst (ABCs) of the rib diagnosed radiologically and confirmed histologically. Surgical treatment consisted of wide resection in all patients with the use of synthetic mesh in two cases. There was no perioperative mortality. Follow-up at 1–10 years revealed no local recurrence. All aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) of the rib should be treated by wide resection with tumor-free margins in order to provide the best chance for cure.
Angiographic-CT-FDG-Pathologic Correlations of the Incidentally Discovered Adrenal Mass
Authors: Lee Bi-Fang , Chiu Nan-Tsing , Tsai Hong-Ming , Tsai Hung-Wen , Hung Chung-Jye
Published: August 2011

During abdominal ultrasonography of a 37-year-old man a 3.2 cm hypoechoic mass in the right hepatic lobe was found incidentally. This prompted an abdominal CT, an FDG PET/CT, and an angiography to evaluate the nature of the mass. Laboratory data showed positive anti-HBs/anti-HBe, and negative HCV antibody. The alfa-fetoprotein and liver function tests were within normal limits. Contrast-enhanced CT found an enhanced hepatic tumor and primary hepatocellular carcinoma was suspected. PET/CT revealed no abnormal FDG accumulation in the right hepatic mass. The digital subtraction angiographies of the right inferior phrenic artery and right renal artery revealed a hypervascular tumor in the right adrenal gland. Therefore, a diagnosis of a right adrenal tumor was made. Serum aldosterone, serum cortisol, and urine vanillylmandelic acid, and catecholamine were all within normal limits. Laparoscopic right adrenalectomy was performed and adrenal cortical adenoma was diagnosed on a histological study.
Integrating green manure and grazing systems: A review
Authors: Thiessen Martens Joanne , Entz Martin
Published: August 2011

Thiessen Martens, J. R. and Entz, M. H. 2011. Integrating green manure and grazing systems: A review. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 811–824. Green manuring, also referred to as cover cropping, is an ancient practice that is gaining popularity, especially in ecologically integrated farming systems. Much green manure research in Canada has focused on legumes, where green manure plant material is incorporated into soil. This review focuses on the role of livestock in utilizing traditional and novel green manure crops adapted to the Canadian prairies. Legume and non-legume green manure plant species are discussed in terms of suitability to grazing management by different livestock species. Integrating grazing livestock into green manure systems affects nutrient cycling and potential nitrogen (N) loss pathways. However, losses may not be substantially different from other production systems, especially when loss mitigation practices are employed. Grazing green manures may also affect soil biological and physical properties. We conclude that grazing green manures may provide economic as well as biological advantages over the traditional approach of soil incorporation. For example, a green manure biomass yield of 5000 kg ha−1is sufficient to produce 175 kg ha−1of animal live weight gain, providing a gross revenue of $385 to $770 ha−1at April 2011 prices, while returning at least 75% of N and other nutrients to the field. Barriers to farmer adoption of grazed green manure systems include a lack of livestock management knowledge and infrastructure.
Adaptation of male reproductive structures to wind pollination in gymnosperms: Cones and pollen grains
Authors: Lu Y. , Jin B. , Wang L. , Wang Y. , Wang D. , Jiang X.-X. , Chen P.
Published: August 2011

Lu, Y., Jin, B., Wang, L., Wang, Y., Wang, D., Jiang, X.-X. and Chen, P. 2011. Adaptation of male reproductive structures to wind pollination in gymnosperms: Cones and pollen grains. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 897–906. Wind pollination (anemophily) in gymnosperms is thought to be an ancestral state. Previous studies considered wind pollination to be a largely random phenomenon, but recent evidence suggests that wind-pollinated species have evolved different complex reproductive adaptations for controlling and maximizing the success of wind pollination. However, compared with angiosperms, wind pollination in gymnosperms is poorly understood. We investigated the male reproductive structures of 13 representative gymnosperm species using a scanning electron microscope and digital camera, and analyzed how the morphological characteristics of male cones and pollen facilitate pollination. These characteristics showed a surprising variation between different gymnosperm species in improving pollination success. For example, the relationship between the position of the male cone and the surrounding vegetative structures is adjusted to optimize pollen release. The pollen grains have sacs and papilla and exhibit particular shapes after release from microsporangia, including boat-like, saccate, papilla-like and spheroid shapes, which facilitate pollen dispersal in the air. Taken together, our results suggest that the extensive diversity of male reproductive structures within gymnosperms represents an evolutionary response to long-term selection and results in solutions to the physical restraints of anemophily.
Short Communication: A corn test crop confirms beneficial effects of crop rotation in three tillage systems
Authors: Légère Anne , Stevenson F. Craig , Vanasse Anne
Published: August 2011

Légère, A. Stevenson, F. C. and Vanasse, A. 2011. Short Communication:A corn test crop confirms beneficial effects of crop rotation in three tillage systems. Can J. Plant Sci. 91: 943–946. Glyphosate-tolerant corn was planted with minimal fertilization in an 18-yr-old tillage and crop rotation experiment. Silage yields were 24% greater following a cereal-oilseed rotation than a cereal monoculture, regardless of tillage, and in spite of greater weed biomass in no-till. The diversified crop rotation proved beneficial, even in mature conservation tillage systems.