bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Kan‐No‐Mushi: An Inner Externalization that Enables Compromise?
Authors: Tomm Karl , Suzuki Koji , Suzuki Kazuko
Published: September 2013

This new section is devoted to explorations — to work‐in‐progress, ideas, free associations, perplexities, insights/outsights, musings, searches and experiments — with an emphasis on practicalities. Above all, it is aimed at the family therapist on the job. We hope to develop a section that is lively, interesting and informative. where practitioners can talk with one another about work they've been doing or thinking of doing, in an immediate way using a variety of short formats.

will be led by David Epston (New Zealand), Sue Jackson (Victoria) and Andrew Relph (Western Australia). If you'd like to contribute to Explorations, please contact David. Sue or Andrew, or write direct to the Journal. — Editor.
Describing Australian Families to Themselves: An interview with Don Edgar
Authors: Holmes Sophia
Published: September 2013

As family therapists we focus on specific families and their ways of living together, but what of the broader social patterns of family life? Don Edgar has spent the last ten years as Director of The Australian Institute of Family Studies. He left his position as a University lecturer and researcher in Sociology to establish an Institute devoted entirely to research on factors affecting marital and family stability in Australia. Don Edgar's list of publications and conference papers is extensive. His audiences include social scientists, school children, lawyers, judges, social and political policy makers, parents, teachers and anyone who has any access to the media. Under Don Edgar's direction, the Institute of Family Studies has become a hub of family research in Australia.
A Systems‐Developmental Approach to Counselling Couples with Sexual Problems: Part II — Strategies for Intervention
Authors: Roughan Penny , Jenkins Alan
Published: September 2013

We present a two‐part model for the understanding and treatment of long‐standing sexual problems, especially those involving desire discrepancy between partners. In Part I, we described a theoretical model for understanding the development of sexual problems in terms of the normal developmental patterns of relationships in current Western culture and the balances and imbalances that develop as a consequence of differences in styles of loving. In this Part II, we examine and describe the implications of the theoretical model for therapeutic intervention.
Family Therapy and the Theory of Logical Types
Authors: Relph Andrew
Published: September 2013

This paper re‐examines the theory of logical types as it relates to family therapy. It examines the problems of Russell and Whitehead's original theory and the way in which it can provide an understanding of the nature of psychotherapy. Recent theoretical advances are discussed and some techniques specifically informed by the theory of logical types are discussed with reference to case material.
Tolstoy and The Heroes of Family Therapy
Authors: Larner Glenn
Published: September 2013

This paper presents Tolstoy's view of history in ‘War and Peace’ against the background of recent post‐modern developments in philosophy and family therapy. Family therapy, like philosophy, is now caught between a modernist and a post‐modernist outlook, between ‘systematising’ or traditional scientific tendencies, and ‘edifying’ or literary practices. The former is represented by the idea of the family as a system and the latter in a metaphor of therapy as conversation.

It is proposed that the edifying philosopher is sounding very much like the family therapist of the 1990s. Both share a newer metaphor of keeping the conversation going, and the idea that therapy is philosophy and philosophy a therapy. The discussion is grounded in Tolstoy's understanding of heroes in history and some implications for family therapy.
Cultural Issues in Therapy: On the Fringe
Authors: Ramondo Nick
Published: September 2013

This paper argues that issues of culture have occupied a fringe position in the thinking and practice of most Australian family therapists. Starting with a definition of culture as epistemology, it examines factors pertaining to government policy, demography and the experience of migration to argue the relevance of a cultural perspective in mainstream family therapy discourse. The paper then looks at two central consequences for family therapy and training — cultural oppression and maintaining the status quo — if a cultural perspective continues to be neglected. It then proposes ways that therapists can introduce a cultural perspective in their thinking and clinical work. The paper concludes with a case vignette which illustrates some of the ideas.
Social Justice
Authors: McIntyre Deborah
Published: September 2013

The nature of the connection between family therapy and issues of social justice is explored, using various metaphors from Salman Rushdie's novel Midnight's Children. The author cautions against the affirmative use of a phrase like “social justice” in the context of family therapy, arguing instead for the potential of its critical, negative employment. This may allow a productive disruption of the currently dominating theoretical perspectives.
Brief Family Therapies
Authors: Smyrnios Kosmas X. , Kirkby Robert J.
Published: September 2013

A modified version of Guerin's (1976) classification was used to categorise the principal models of brief family therapy according to theoretical and technical dimensions. While all models stemmed from common origins, either psychodynamic or systems theory, they differed in three particular areas: the premises regarding the origin of symptoms, the aims of therapy, and the major strategies employed. Nevertheless, all models were in agreement on several aspects, including the principles underlying brief family therapy techniques, the focus on the family's current level of functioning, the importance of clearly defining the problem (but not necessarily in terms of traditional psychiatric diagnoses), and other family variables. A survey of the literature indicated that there was a paucity of scientifically acceptable investigations of brief family therapy, and thus, a lack of valid evidence that any model provided an effective approach to therapy.
Macrophages behavior on different NIPAm‐based thermoresponsive substrates
Authors: Fan Xingliang , Nosov Mikhail , Carroll William , Gorelov Alexander , Elvira Carlos , Rochev Yury
Published: September 2013

Thermoresponsive materials and surfaces are widely used in cell culture applications. There is a lot of research work employing thermoresponsive materials with various structure and compositions. However, little is known about the immunological response to the thermoresponsive materials. Macrophage‐like transformed murine cell line RAW264.7 was selected as it is a widely used standard model for immune activation analysis. This study proposes to compare the effects of thermoresponsive films with various compositions on macrophage cells. Thermoresponsive materials are a useful utility as a non‐enzymatic harvesting system for tissue culture. As RAW264.7 cells are difficult to remove from the substrate by enzymatic methods we also explored the possibility to use thermoresponsive materials for the macrophage cultivation. Spin coating and solvent casting was used to produce films of N‐isopropylacrylamide‐based polymers from the nanometer to micrometer range. Successful cell adhesion and proliferation was highly dependent on the thickness and composition of the coating. RAW264.7 cells were successfully detached from the coatings upon temperature reduction. Furthermore, results indicate that the RAW264.7 cells remained inactivated as cell secreted cytokine remained at a low level and the surface receptor profile of RAW264.7 was not altered when cells were detached in this manner. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2901–2910, 2014.
Effects of borate‐based bioactive glass on neuron viability and neurite extension
Authors: Marquardt Laura M. , Day Delbert , Sakiyama‐Elbert Shelly E. , Harkins Amy B.
Published: September 2013

Bioactive glasses have recently been shown to promote regeneration of soft tissues by positively influencing tissue remodeling during wound healing. We were interested to determine whether bioactive glasses have the potential for use in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. In these experiments, degradable bioactive borate glass was fabricated into rods and microfibers. To study the compatibility with neurons, embryonic chick dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were cultured with different forms of bioactive borate glass. Cell viability was measured with no media exchange (static condition) or routine media exchange (transient condition). Neurite extension was measured within fibrin scaffolds with embedded glass microfibers or aligned rod sheets. Mixed cultures of neurons, glia, and fibroblasts growing in static conditions with glass rods and microfibers resulted in decreased cell viability. However, the percentage of neurons compared with all cell types increased by the end of the culture protocol compared with culture without glass. Furthermore, bioactive glass and fibrin composite scaffolds promoted neurite extension similar to that of control fibrin scaffolds, suggesting that glass does not have a significant detrimental effect on neuronal health. Aligned glass scaffolds guided neurite extension in an oriented manner. Together these findings suggest that bioactive glass can provide alignment to support directed axon growth. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2767–2775, 2014.
Fabrication of poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) scaffolds containing silk fibroin scaffolds for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Ju Hyung Woo , Sheikh Faheem A. , Moon Bo Mi , Park Hyun Jung , Lee Ok Joo , Kim Jung Ho , Eun Jang Ji , Khang Gilson , Park Chan Hum
Published: September 2013

The present study deals with the fabrication of poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds modified with silk fibroin for biomedical application. The PLGA solutions were added with salt particles and pressed with high pressures; which were further subjected to salt leaching resulting in the creation of large sized pores in the PLGA scaffolds. To fill up these pores, 2%, 4%, and 8% of silk solutions were added, however, the addition created extra small sized pores. The scaffolds were characterized by various state of techniques; the scanning electronic microscopy revealed the large sized pores in the pristine scaffold can be tailored into smaller architecture by the addition of silk fibroin. The contact angle measurements confirmed the introduction of silk helped to change the hydrophobic nature of PLGA into hydrophilic, which is the main constrain for PLGA. The mechanical properties of scaffold can be easily improved by applying the higher amounts of silk into the scaffolds. The thermal gravimetric analyses and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of silk fibroin in scaffolds. The cell viability and cell attachment was checked by culturing the scaffolds with NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and chondrocytes. Furthermore, these results revealed that the introduction of silk had significant impact on the viability of fibroblast also had a good affinity for cell attachment and infiltration of human chondrocytes in scaffolds after culturing the cells for 2 and 5 weeks of time. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2713–2724, 2014.
Chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 and hMSCs could be induced by a novel scaffold‐tricalcium phosphate‐collagen‐hyaluronan without any exogenous growth factorsin vitro
Authors: Meng Fangang , He Aishan , Zhang Zhiqi , Zhang Ziji , Lin Zihong , Yang Zibo , Long Yi , Wu Gang , Kang Yan , Liao Weiming
Published: September 2013

Application of chondrogenic growth factors is a routine strategy to induce chondrogenesis of hMSCs, but they have economic and safety problems in the long term. It is expected that scaffold material itself could play an important role in chondrogenesis of hMSCs. In this study we tested whether a novel tricalcium phosphate‐collagen‐hyaluronan scaffold (TCP‐COL‐HA) had inherent chondro‐inductive capacity for chondrogenesis of both ATDC5 and hMSCs without any exogenous growth factors in vitro. hMSCs and ATDC5 were seeded onto TCP‐COL‐HA scaffolds and cultured in basal medium for 3 weeks to investigate whether the TCP‐COL‐HA scaffold itself had differentiation‐inductive capacity in basal culture. With hMSCs‐seeded scaffold in chondrogenic medium (including TGF‐β1) as positive control, we then compared the chondrogenic induction of TCP‐COL‐HA in basal culture and in chondrogenic culture. The chondrogenic differentiation was evaluated by sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) quantification, type II collagen immunohistochemistry, and RT‐PCR. Mechanical strength was evaluated by compression test and the cell death rate of hMSCs was assessed with TUNEL assay. The results showed TCP‐COL‐HA scaffold itself could efficiently induce chondrogenic differentiation of both ATDC5 and hMSCs after 3 weeks in basal culture. The accumulation of GAGs and the expression of chondrocyte marker genes were all significantly increased. In addition, hMSCs‐seeded scaffold showed a significantly higher mechanical strength after 3 weeks in basal culture. The chondrogenic induction of TCP‐COL‐HA scaffolds in basal medium were almost similar to that in chondrogenic medium on hMSCs. The chondrogenesis‐inducing capacity of TCP‐COL‐HA scaffold might help to improve cartilage tissue engineering with economic and safe benefits. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2725–2735, 2014.
Differentiation of embryonic stem cells to cardiomyocytes on electrospun nanofibrous substrates
Authors: Prabhakaran Molamma P. , Mobarakeh Laleh Ghasemi , Kai Dan , Karbalaie Khadijeh , Nasr‐Esfahani Mohammad Hossein , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: September 2013

The potential of pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) isolated from the inner mass of blastocysts are investigated for its ability to differentiate on biocompatible electrospun nanofibers, for regeneration of the myocardially infracted heart. Nanostructured poly(d,l‐lactide‐co‐glycolide)/collagen (PLGA/Col) scaffolds with fiber diameters in the range of 300 ± 65 nm, was fabricated by electrospinning to mimic the extracellular matrix of the native tissue. During the culture of embryoid bodies outgrowth on the scaffolds, and further differentiation of ESCs to cardiomyocytes, the PLGA/Col nanofibers was found better than that of the electrospun PLGA nanofibers, where a better interaction and growth of ESC differentiated cardiomyocytes was observed on the composite scaffolds. The phenotypical characteristics of ESC‐derived cardiomyocytes and molecular protein expression were carried out by scanning electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Our studies highlight the significance of a suitable material, its architecture, and cell–biomaterial interactions that is essential at a nanoscale level signifying the application of a bioengineered cardiac graft for stem cell differentiation and transplantation, which could be an intriguing strategy for cardiac regeneration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 447–454, 2014.
Reduction in bradykinin generation during leukocytapheresis using novel cellsorbaTM CS‐180S: Effects of changing the filling solution
Authors: Yamada Risa , Kusaoi Makio , Murayama Go , Yasui Misa , Hishinuma Ruka , Nemoto Takuya , Hohtatsu Katsura , Kageyama Michiaki , Kawamoto Toshio , Sugimoto Kaoru , Sekiya Fumio , Kon Takayuki , Ogasawara Michihiro , Kempe Kazuo , Yamaji Ken , Tsuda Hiroshi , Takasaki Yoshinari
Published: September 2013

We evaluated the bradykinin generation level during leukocytapheresis (LCAP) using novel CellsorbaTM CS‐180S, which has sodium pyrosulfite and sodium carbonate as a filling solution. Subjects of this study were 14 rheumatoid arthritis patients. Regardless of the type of anticoagulant used, bradykinin levels were lower with the novel CS‐180S than with the conventional CS‐180S (28.7 ± 53.3 vs. 8.0 ± 2.7 as the mean ± standard deviation). When anticoagulants other than nafamostat mesilate were used with the conventional CS‐180S, bradykinin levels increased at the column outlet compared with the column inlet, and adverse effects of bradykinin were seen in several cases. In contrast, bradykinin levels remained low and no bradykinin‐associated adverse events were observed with the novel CS‐180S. We recommend using the novel column instead of the conventional column in the treatment of LCAP. J. Clin. Apheresis 29:90–96, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial and temporal variations of new particle formation in East Asia using an NPF‐explicit WRF‐chem model: North‐south contrast in new particle formation frequency
Authors: Matsui H. , Koike M. , Takegawa N. , Kondo Y. , Takami A. , Takamura T. , Yoon S. , Kim S.‐W. , Lim H.‐C. , Fast J. D.
Published: September 2013

A recently developed new particle formation (NPF)‐explicit version of the Weather Research and Forecasting Chemistry (WRF‐chem) model can explicitly calculate the growth and sink of nucleated clusters with 20 aerosol size bins from 1 nm to 10 µm in diameter. In this study, the model was used to investigate spatial and temporal variations in NPF event frequency and the concentrations of aerosols (condensation nuclei, CN) and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) within the boundary layer in East Asia in spring 2009. We found a distinct north‐south contrast in the NPF frequency and mechanism in East Asia. NPF occurred mainly during limited periods over certain regions between 30° and 45°N (northeast China, Korea, and Japan, including regions around the active volcanoes Miyakejima and Sakurajima). In these latitudes, NPF was suppressed by high concentrations of preexisting particles under stagnant air conditions associated with high‐pressure systems, although nucleation occurred more extensively during most of the simulation period. In contrast, south of 30°N, nucleation and NPF were both infrequent because of low SO2 emissions and H2SO4 concentrations. The period‐averaged NPF frequency at 30°–45°N was three times that at 20°–30°N. This north‐south contrast in NPF frequency was validated by surface measurements in outflow regions of East Asia. The simulated period‐ and domain‐averaged contribution of secondary particles was estimated to be 44% for CN (>10 nm) and 26% for CCN at a supersaturation of 1.0%, though the contribution was highly sensitive to the amount and size distribution of primary aerosol emissions and the rate coefficient of the nucleation parameterization.
Evidence for water ice on the Moon: Results for anomalous polar craters from the LRO Mini‐RF imaging radar
Authors: Spudis P. D. , Bussey D. B. J. , Baloga S. M. , Cahill J. T. S. , Glaze L. S. , Patterson G. W. , Raney R. K. , Thompson T. W. , Thomson B. J. , Ustinov E. A.
Published: September 2013

The Mini‐RF radar instrument on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft mapped both lunar poles in two different RF wavelengths (complete mapping at 12.6 cm S‐band and partial mapping at 4.2 cm X‐band) in two look directions, removing much of the ambiguity of previous Earth‐ and spacecraft‐based radar mapping of the Moon's polar regions. The poles are typical highland terrain, showing expected values of radar cross section (albedo) and circular polarization ratio (CPR). Most fresh craters display high values of CPR in and outside the crater rim; the pattern of these CPR distributions is consistent with high levels of wavelength‐scale surface roughness associated with the presence of block fields, impact melt flows, and fallback breccia. A different class of polar crater exhibits high CPR only in their interiors, interiors that are both permanently dark and very cold (less than 100 K). Application of scattering models developed previously suggests that these anomalously high‐CPR deposits exhibit behavior consistent with the presence of water ice. If this interpretation is correct, then both poles may contain several hundred million tons of water in the form of relatively “clean” ice, all within the upper couple of meters of the lunar surface. The existence of significant water ice deposits enables both long‐term human habitation of the Moon and the creation of a permanent cislunar space transportation system based upon the harvest and use of lunar propellant.
Effects of dietary transgenic poplar leaf pellets on performance and tissues in rabbits
Authors: Yang Liyan , Sun Yi , Wang Yixue , Hao Yaoshan
Published: September 2013

BACKGROUND

Various studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of Bt crops on animals. Insect‐resistant bioassays have revealed that the chitinase–BmkIT combination could be used as a new pest‐resistant gene source and might be a complementary alien gene source to the Bt toxin gene. So it is necessary to assay the effects of chitinase–BmkIT plants on animals.

RESULTS

Forty 40‐day old New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were fed for 60 consecutive days with formulated feed containing dehydrated poplar (Populus cathayana Rehd) leaves harbouring chitinase–BmkIT gene combination or untransformed counterparts, and the potential toxicological effects of transgenic leaves on rabbits were explored. The results of the growth study revealed no significant differences for daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio where they were 101.6%, 99.2% and 97.8% of the treatment compared to the control, respectively. No obvious pathological change was observed in the small intestine, stomach, spleen, kidney, lung, heart, bladder, pancreas, prostate and ovary. Electron microscopy observations of liver cells and renal cells showed they were both normal in the two groups. No feed‐derived chitinase, BmkIT and NPTII genes were found in small intestine, blood, or leg muscle samples although they were detected in the formulated feed.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the processed poplar leaves with foreign chitinase–BmkIT genes had no obviously harmful effects on rabbits. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Stabile, Thermoresponsive Colloidal Clusters: An Unusual Morphology of Polymer Dispersions
Authors: Yu Ran , Hartmann Jürgen , Tauer Klaus
Published: September 2013

A new class of colloidal polymeric particles consisting of polystyrene spheres grown in a poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) precursor scaffold is synthesized via redox‐initiated heterophase polymerization. The morphology and thermoresponsiveness of these assemblies is proven by electron microscopy investigations and temperature‐dependent measurements of the change of both the speed of sound travelling through the dispersion and the hydrodynamic particle size. Electron microscopy (EM) micrographs (transmission and scanning EM as well cryo‐scanning EM) prove the existence of colloidal clusters when the freeze‐dried copolymer is redispersed in pure water. The clusters have a size of several micrometers, contain about 800 polystyrene particles with diameter below 100 nm, and show a highly reproducible thermoresponsive behavior with a lower critical solution temperature corresponding to that of pure poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide).

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Rooibos influences glucocorticoid levels and steroid ratios in vivo and in vitro: A natural approach in the management of stress and metabolic disorders?
Authors: Schloms Lindie , Smith Carine , Storbeck Karl‐Heinz , Marnewick Jeanine L. , Swart Pieter , Swart Amanda C.
Published: September 2013

Scope

To determine the effect of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on glucocorticoid biosynthesis and inactivation in vivo and in vitro.

Methods and results

Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) analyses of in vivo studies showed that human Rooibos consumption increased cortisone plasma levels in males (p = 0.0465) and reduced cortisol:cortisone ratios in males and females (p = 0.0486) at risk for cardiovascular disease. In rats, corticosterone (CORT) (p = 0.0275) and deoxycorticosterone (p = 0.0298) levels as well as the CORT:testosterone ratio (p = 0.0009) decreased following Rooibos consumption. The inactivation of cortisol was investigated in vitro by expressing 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) and type 2 (11βHSD2) in CHO‐K1 cells. Rooibos inhibited 11βHSD1, which resulted in a significant reduction in the cortisol:cortisone ratio (p < 0.01). No significant effect was detected on 11βHSD2. In vitro studies in adrenal H295R cells showed that Rooibos and rutin, one of the more stable flavonoid compounds present in Rooibos, significantly reduced the levels of cortisol and CORT in cells stimulated with forskolin to mimic a stress response.

Conclusion

In vivo studies demonstrate that Rooibos significantly decreased glucocorticoid levels in rats and steroid metabolite ratios linked to metabolic disorders—cortisol:cortisone in humans and CORT:testosterone in rats. Results obtained at cellular level elucidate possible mechanisms by which these effects were achieved.
Rheidae Egg Human Exploitation and Stable Isotopes: Trends from West Central Argentina
Authors: Giardina M. A. , Neme G. A. , Gil A. F.
Published: September 2013

Rheidae eggshells are abundant in the archaeological record of west central Argentina. Eggs were more important in human diet than the bird meat itself, as with many other Ratite species around the world. Currently, two species inhabit the south and central areas of Argentina and Chile (Rhea pennata and Rhea americana), with different geographical distributions and diet but with similar behaviour. In this paper, we use δ13C and δ18O isotopes from Rheidae eggshells to explore the ratite diet, its spatial differences in the archaeological record, and their importance in human diet, and as a way to approach human mobility in hunter‐gatherer societies from west central Argentina. There was a significant correlation between both δ13C and δ18O isotope data and the Rheidae species' distribution in the landscape, showing differences in their past diet and territoriality. Additionally, the unexpected δ13C and δ18O isotope values in the Altoandina Desert area suggest human transport of the Rheidae eggs to these locations. The isotopic data from the eggshells need to be incorporated into the ecological history of the region in order to understand past human diet and mobility. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved dislocation model of silicon solar cells with the effect of front and back surface recombination velocity
Authors: Budhraja Vinay , Sopori Bhushan , Ravindra Nuggehalli , Misra Durgamadhab
Published: September 2013

We have extended a previous model for calculating the effects of dislocations on the characteristics of a Si solar cell to include the effects of front and back surface recombination. This improved dislocation model uses Green's function approach to solve the three‐dimensional continuity equation of the minority carriers with suitable boundary conditions corresponding to surface recombination at the n and p sides. The dislocations are considered to be localized lines, extending perpendicular to the front and back surfaces of the cell and having a recombination velocity. We discuss effect of several parameters such as bulk dislocation density, minority carrier diffusion length in p and n regions on the J‐V characteristics, and spectral response of the cell. It is shown that these results agree well with previously published, experimental data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aquatic Exercise is as Effective as dry Land Training to Blood Pressure Reduction in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Women
Authors: Arca Eduardo Aguilar , Martinelli Bruno , Martin Luis Cuadrado , Waisberg César Becalel , Franco Roberto Jorge da Silva
Published: September 2013

Background and Purpose

The evidence of the benefits from regular physical activity to hypertensives is based on dry land training studies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the effect of aquatic exercise with dry land training on hypertensive women.

Methods

This is a randomized controlled study with 52 post‐menopausal hypertensive women. The patients were randomly allocated in three groups: water aerobic training group (n = 19), dry land aerobic training group (n = 19) and a non‐intervention control group (n = 14). The training protocol was performed by 12 weeks.

Results

There were no differences among the three groups concerning basal blood pressure (BP) and biochemical variables. In water group, there was a statistically significant reduction of systolic BP from 136 ± 16 mm Hg at zero week to 124 ± 18 mm Hg at 11th week and 124 ± 15 mm Hg at 12th week.

In dry land training group, there was a statistically significant reduction of systolic BP from 138 ± 15 mm Hg at zero week to 125 ± 10 mm Hg at 7th week, 127 ± 10 mm Hg at 10th week and 126 ± 9 mm Hg at 12th week. The control group presented no change in any of the assessed variables. No changes were carried out in any antihypertensive medications during study.

Discussion

This is a randomized controlled study that demonstrates the antihypertensive efficacy of aerobic aquatic exercise. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extensive proteomic remodeling is induced by eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1Bγ deletion in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: O'Keeffe Grainne , Jöchl Christoph , Kavanagh Kevin , Doyle Sean
Published: September 2013

The opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is ubiquitous in the environment and predominantly infects immunocompromised patients. The functions of many genes remain unknown despite sequencing of the fungal genome. A putative translation elongation factor 1Bγ (eEF1Bγ, termed elfA; 750 bp) is expressed, and exhibits glutathione S‐transferase activity, in A. fumigatus. Here, we demonstrate the role of ElfA in the oxidative stress response, as well as a possible involvement in translation and actin cytoskeleton organization, respectively. Comparative proteomics, in addition to phenotypic analysis, under basal and oxidative stress conditions, demonstrated a role for A. fumigatus elfA in the oxidative stress response. An elfA‐deficient strain (A. fumigatus ΔelfA) was significantly more sensitive to the oxidants H2O2, diamide, and 4,4′‐dipyridyl disulfide (DPS) than the wild‐type. This was further supported with the identification of differentially expressed proteins of the oxidative stress response, including; mitochondrial peroxiredoxin Prx1, molecular chaperone Hsp70 and mitochondrial glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase. Phenotypic analysis also revealed that A. fumigatus ΔelfA was significantly more tolerant to voriconazole than the wild‐type. The differential expression of two aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases suggests a role for A. fumigatus elfA in translation, while the identification of actin‐bundling protein Sac6 and vacuolar dynamin‐like GTPase VpsA link A. fumigatus elfA to the actin cytoskeleton. Overall, this work highlights the diverse roles of A. fumigatus elfA, with respect to translation, oxidative stress and actin cytoskeleton organization. In addition to this, the strategy of combining targeted gene deletion with comparative proteomics for elucidating the role of proteins of unknown function is further revealed.
Kondo effect in the Kohn–Sham conductance of multiple‐level quantum dots
Authors: Stefanucci Gianluca , Kurth Stefan
Published: September 2013

At zero temperature, the Landauer formalism combined with static density functional theory is able to correctly reproduce the Kondo plateau in the conductance of the Anderson impurity model provided that an exchange‐correlation potential is used which correctly exhibits steps at integer occupation. Here we extend this recent finding to multi‐level quantum dots described by the constant‐interaction model. We derive the exact exchange‐correlation potential in this model for the isolated dot and deduce an accurate approximation for the case when the dot is weakly coupled to two leads. We show that at zero temperature and for non‐degenerate levels in the dot we correctly obtain the conductance plateau for any odd number of electrons on the dot. We also analyze the case when some of the levels of the dot are degenerate and again obtain good qualitative agreement with results obtained with alternative methods. As in the case of a single level, for temperatures larger than the Kondo temperature, the Kohn–Sham conductance fails to reproduce the typical Coulomb blockade peaks. This is attributed to dynamical exchange‐correlation corrections to the conductance originating from time‐dependent density functional theory.
The properties of copper foams with negative Poisson's ratio via resonant ultrasound spectroscopy
Authors: Li Dong , Dong Liang , Lakes Roderic S.
Published: September 2013

The Poisson's ratios of re‐entrant Cu foams with different initial relative densities were studied by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS). Slight anisotropy in foam was detected by RUS and removed by a small unidirectional compression. The transformation into the re‐entrant foam was accomplished by applying a sequence of permanent triaxial compression deformations. The Poisson's ratio first decreases and then increases with increasing compression strain. A minimum in Poisson's ratio of approximately −0.7 for all initial densities was achieved with an appropriate permanent compression strain, compared with −0.6 at similar density determined earlier via optical methods. Foams with higher values of initial density attained minima in Poisson's ratio at lower permanent volumetric compression. The shear modulus increased with increasing volumetric compression ratio, and showed a small hump near the point corresponding to Poisson's ratio minimum.
Exploring the sociocultural determinants ofde novoversusde alioentry in emerging industries
Authors: York Jeffrey G. , Lenox Michael J.
Published: September 2013

The influence of institutional factors on firm entry has long interested strategy scholars. However, we have limited understanding of how the sociocultural environment, defined as the unwritten, decentralized “rules of the game,” influences founding rates in emergent industries; we know even less about how these noneconomic factors differentially influence entry by new entrepreneurial (de novo) firms versus diversifying incumbent (de alio) firms. Utilizing a unique dataset on entry in the green building supply industry, we find that, while economic and policy factors are highly correlated withde alioentry, the sociocultural environment exerts a greater influence onde novofirms. Our findings contribute to the literature on corporate demography, institutions and entrepreneurship, and industry emergence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brief Report: The lincRNA Hotair Is Required for Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Stemness Maintenance of Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Pádua Alves Cleidson , Fonseca Aline Simoneti , Muys Bruna Rodrigues , Barros e Lima Bueno Rafaela , Bürger Matheus Carvalho , Souza Jorge E. S. , Valente Valeria , Zago Marco Antonio , Silva Wilson Araújo
Published: September 2013

Hotair is a member of the recently described class of noncoding RNAs called lincRNA (large intergenic noncoding RNA). Various studies suggest that Hotair acts regulating epigenetic states by recruiting chromatin-modifying complexes to specific target sequences that ultimately leads to suppression of several genes. Although Hotair has been associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in different tumor types, a deep characterization of its functions in cancer is still needed. Here, we investigated the role of Hotair in the scenario of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and in the arising and maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs). We found that treatment with TGF-β1 resulted in increased Hotair expression and triggered the EMT program. Interestingly, ablation of Hotair expression by siRNA prevented the EMT program stimulated by TGF-β1, and also the colony-forming capacity of colon and breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we observed that the colon CSC subpopulation (CD133+/CD44+) presents much higher levels of Hotair when compared with the non-stem cell subpopulation. These results indicate that Hotair acts as a key regulator that controls the multiple signaling mechanisms involved in EMT. Altogether, our data suggest that the role of Hotair in tumorigenesis occurs through EMT triggering and stemness acquisition. Stem Cells  2013;31:2827–2832
Gold nanoclusters with enhanced tunable fluorescence as bioimaging probes
Authors: Palmal Sharbari , Jana Nikhil R.
Published: September 2013

Development of unique bioimaging probes offering essential information's about bio environments are an important step forward in biomedical science. Nanotechnology offers variety of novel imaging nanoprobes having high‐photo stability as compared to conventional molecular probes which often experience rapid photo bleaching problem. Although great advances have been made on the development of semiconductor nanocrystals‐based fluorescent imaging probes, potential toxicity issue by heavy metal component limits their in vivo therapeutic and clinical application. Recent works show that fluorescent gold clusters (FGCs) can be a promising nontoxic alternative of semiconductor nanocrystals. FGCs derived imaging nanoprobes offer stable and tunable visible emission, small hydrodynamic size, high biocompatibility and have been exploited in variety in vitro and in vivo imaging applications. In this review, we will focus on the synthetic advances and bioimaging application potentials of FGCs. In particular, we will emphasize on functional FGCs that are bright and stable enough to be useful as bioimaging probes. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2014, 6:102–110. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1245

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing

Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Chalcogenidoantimonates by Solvothermal Synthesis in Liquid Ammonia
Authors: Kysliak Oleksandr , Beck Johannes
Published: September 2013

A series of chalcogenidoantimonates, namely [Zn(NH3)6](SbIII4S7) (1), [Zn(NH3)6]{Zn(NH3)3SbVS4}2·NH3 (2), [Mn(NH3)6](SbIIISe2)2 (3) and [Zn(NH3)4]{Zn(NH3)SbIIISe3}2·3NH3 (4) are synthesized by solvothermal technique in liquid ammonia at 50 °C from elemental zinc or manganese, antimony and sulfur or selenium. 1 (space group P$\bar{1}$) and 2 (P$\bar{1}$) crystallize centrosymmetrically, whereas 3 (Pna21) and 4 (P21) represent polar structures. All compounds contain discrete cationic [Zn(NH3)4]2+, [Zn(NH3)6]2+, and [Mn(NH3)6]2+ ammine complexes. In the anionic structure parts, corner‐connected trigonal‐pyramidal SbS3 and SbSe3 are the characteristic building units. 1 and 4 contain 2D polymeric anions, in the latter case with Zn2+ cations incorporated in a selenidoantimonate(III) network. The polymeric anion in the structure of 3 is a helical chain. 2 is a molecular compound and contains dinuclear anions [S3Sb–S–Zn(NH3)3]2– with SbV. Raman measurements show the Sb–Ch valence vibrations in the expected region between 250–370 cm–1 for 1 and at 212 cm–1 for 4. According to the reflectance spectrum 4 is a semiconductor with an optical band gap of 2.05(5) eV.
Genomic Counseling: Next Generation Counseling
Authors: Mills Rachel , Haga Susanne B.
Published: September 2013

Personalized medicine continues to expand with the development and increasing use of genome‐based testing. While these advances present new opportunities for diagnosis and risk assessment, they also present challenges to clinical delivery. Genetic counselors will play an important role in ushering in this new era of testing; however, it will warrant a shift from traditional genetic counseling to “genomic counseling.” This shift will be marked by a move from reactive genetic testing for diagnosis of primarily single‐gene diseases to proactive genome‐based testing for multiple complex diseases for the purpose of disease prevention. It will also require discussion of risk information for a number of diseases, some of which may have low relative risks or weak associations, and thus, may not substantially impact clinical care. Additionally, genomic counselors will expand their roles, particularly in the area of health promotion to reduce disease risk. This additional role will require a style of counseling that is more directive than traditional counseling and require greater knowledge about risk reducing behaviors and disease screening.
The Nonsingularity of Γ in Covariance Structure Analysis of Nonnormal Data
Authors: Jennrich Robert , Satorra Albert
Published: September 2013

Covariance structure analysis of nonnormal data is important because in practice all data are nonnormal. When applying covariance structure analysis to nonnormal data, it is generally assumed that the asymptotic covariance matrix Γ for the nonredundant terms in the sample covariance matrix S is nonsingular. It is shown this need not be the case, which raises a question of how restrictive this assumption may be and how difficult it may be to verify it. It is shown that Γ is nonsingular whenever sampling is from a nonsingular distribution, including any distribution defined by a density function. In the discrete case necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the nonsingularity of Γ, and it is shown how to demonstrate Γ is nonsingular with high probability. Thus, the nonsingularity of Γ assumption is mild and one should feel comfortable about making it. These observations also apply to the asymptotic covariance matrix Γ that arises in structural equation modeling.
Grape seed proanthocyanidins and metformin act by different mechanisms to promote insulin signaling in rats fed high calorie diet
Authors: Yogalakshmi Baskaran , Bhuvaneswari Saravanan , Sreeja S. , Anuradha Carani Venkatraman
Published: September 2013

Key pathways like insulin signaling, AMP activated kinase (AMPK) activation and inflammatory signaling are involved in the complex pathological network of hepatic insulin resistance. Our aim is to investigate whether grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) and metformin (MET) target any of these pathways in insulin resistant rat liver. Albino Wistar rats were rendered insulin resistant by feeding a high fat‐fructose diet (HFFD). Either GSP (100 mg/kg b.w), MET(50 mg/kg b.w) or both were administered to insulin resistant rats as therapeutic options. HFFD‐feeding caused hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased gluconeogenesis, decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor‐β(IR‐β) and insulin receptor substrate‐1 (IRS‐1) and increased serine phosphorylation of IRS‐1. The association of p85α subunit of phosphotidyl inositol 3 kinase(PI3K) with IRS‐1 and subsequent Akt phosphorylation were reduced while the expression of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) were increased in HFFD rats. Both MET and GSP reduced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia and improved glycolysis, tyrosine phosphorylation of IR‐β and IRS‐1, IRS‐1‐PI3K association and Akt activation. However, activation of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6, leptin and suppressor of cytokine signaling‐3 and reduction in adiponectin caused by chronic HFFD feeding were reversed by GSP better than by MET. Activation of AMPK by GSP was much less compared to that by MET. These findings suggest that GSP might activate PI3K pathway and promote insulin action by reducing serine kinase activation and cytokine signaling and MET by targeting AMPK. The beneficial effects were enhanced during combination therapy. Thus, combination therapy with MET and GSP may be considered for the management of metabolic syndrome.
PIH1D1 interacts with mTOR complex 1 and enhances ribosome RNA transcription
Authors: Kamano Yuya , Saeki Makio , Egusa Hiroshi , Kakihara Yoshito , Houry Walid A. , Yatani Hirofumi , Kamisaki Yoshinori
Published: September 2013

PIH1D1 is the defining component of the R2TP complex. Recently, R2TP has been reported to stabilize mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), an important regulator of cell growth and protein synthesis. Two complexes of mTOR, mTORC1 and mTORC2, have been identified. We demonstrate that immunoprecipitation (IP) of PIH1D1 results in the co‐IP of Raptor (mTORC1 specific), but not Rictor (mTORC2 specific), and that knockdown of PIH1D1 decreases mTORC1 assembly, S6 kinase phosphorylation (indicator of mTORC1 activity), and rRNA transcription without affecting mTORC2 in human breast cancer MCF‐7 cells. In addition, we provide evidence that PIH1D1 is overexpressed in various breast cancer cell lines. These findings collectively suggest that PIH1D1 may have an important role in mTORC1 regulation in breast cancers.
Non-graduate and graduate entry medical students attitudes to psychiatry
Authors: Pillay S. M. , Sundram F. , Mullins D. , Rizvi N. , Grant T. , Boohan M. , Murphy K. C.
Published: September 2013

Objective

Graduate entry medical students’ views of psychiatry may differ from those of school leavers. This study hypothesised that (i) exposure to a psychiatry attachment is associated with a positive change in attitudes towards psychiatry in both graduate entry and non-graduate entry students, (ii) graduate entry students exhibit a more positive attitude to psychiatry compared to non-graduate entry students and (iii) graduate entry students are more interested in a career in psychiatry than non-graduate entry students.

Methods

In this study 247 medical students (118 females and 129 males) completing their psychiatry rotation were invited to complete questionnaires examining career choice, attitudes to psychiatry and career attractiveness for a range of specialties including surgery, medicine, general practice and psychiatry before and after their psychiatry attachment. Questionnaires were distributed prior to commencement of their attachment and redistributed on the final day of the attachment.

Results

Of the 165 participants in the study, 75 students entered medicine via the traditional route (without a primary degree), 49 entered via the graduate entry programme and 41 had a primary degree. Overall, medical students displayed positive attitudes towards psychiatry. However, while there was an improvement in attitudes towards psychiatry and the career attractiveness of psychiatry on completion of the rotation, no differences were found between graduate and non-graduate entry students. Psychiatry and general practice had lower ratings for career attractiveness than other specialities. No significant changes were found in the first and second choice of specialty.

Conclusion

Our results show that improvements in attitude and career attractiveness do not necessarily correlate with increased choice of psychiatry as a specialty. Graduate entry has been considered a possible opportunity for increasing recruitment in psychiatry but our results suggest that this may not be the case. Follow-up studies are required to determine whether career attractiveness correlates with future career choice.