bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chinese Students' Perceptions of the Effects of Western University Examination Formats on their Learning
Authors: Tait Carolyn
Published: July 2010

The recruitment of Asian students into western universities has highlighted the debate about commercialisation of education, academic standards and the role of culture and language in approaches to learning. This article investigates Chinese students' perceptions of how two typical examination formats (multiple choice and essay) affect their learning. A survey with follow‐up interviews indicates that Chinese students generally approach assessment using deep approaches to learning regardless of examination format. Chinese students report using memorisation, not as a surface approach to learning but as a strategy for overcoming the challenges of assessments in English as a second language and for developing understanding. For Chinese learners, both essay and multiple‐choice examination questions have the potential to engage them in deep approaches to learning provided students are given the opportunity to align perceptions of assessment tasks with the complexity of the questions through practice and feedback. Implications for institutional assessment policy and for staff working with international students are discussed.
A Systemic Approach to Culturally Responsive Assessment Practices and Evaluation
Authors: Slee June
Published: July 2010

In an earlier paper, Slee and Keenan demonstrated that it was possible for tertiary education institutions to design culturally responsive assessment procedures that complied with standardised assessment policy. The authors' paper described Growing Our Own, an initiative between Charles Darwin University and Northern Territory Catholic Education, which in 2009 began preparing in situ Indigenous teacher assistants for teacher qualification in very remote schools in the Northern Territory, Australia. The paper demonstrated that the university assessment policy accommodated Indigenous learning, reflecting students' culture, remote learning context, world experience, primary language, family and community values and entry‐level competencies. This article is a systemic response to recommendations arising from a recent external evaluation of Growing Our Own and seeks to demonstrate how the project's approaches meet university assessment rules yet fit within a culturally valid framework.
Hyper internal phase W/O emulsion stabilized with a specific surfactant that forms an anomalous bicontinuous cubic liquid crystal
Authors: Watanabe K. , Ohmura T. , Ikeda T. , Miki A. , Teshigawara T.
Published: July 2010

Vol. 43, No.3 (2009) pp.185–191

The water in oil (W/O) emulsion is a crucial cosmetic base that makes oily constituents efficiently spread on the skin surface to provide high emollience, high SPF and other features. Despite the functionality that they offer, W/O emulsions require technical improvement. The conventional W/O emulsifiers, which stabilize the W/O emulsion at the oil‐water interface, tend to be dissolved as a mono‐dispersed molecule in oil bulk due to the lack of lipophobicity, resulting in inefficient stabilization. For that reason, the W/O emulsion requires a considerable amount of W/O emulsifier as well as gelling agents that add undesirable sticky and greasy textures to the finished product. In the present study, we focused on amphiphiles with multiple hydroxyl groups that should render temperature insensitive large lipophobicity to the molecule. As a result, it was found that hyper internal phase W/O emulsions can be prepared with phytantriol (3, 7, 11, 15 ‐ tetramethyl‐ 1, 2, 3 –hexadecanetriol) as an emulsifier. The emulsion showed excellent stability in spite of containing 97% aqueous substances with various oils such as non‐polar, polar, and silicone oils. Innovative basic research findings regarding high internal phase O/W or W/O emulsions have been reported; however, these emulsions are unsuitable for practical use due to insufficient stability derived from temperature‐sensitive lipophobicity. Phytantriol is known to form an anomalous bi‐continuous cubic liquid crystalline phase with water. To gain insight into the emulsification mechanism, extensive research has been conducted on the phase behavior of phytantriol in the presence of oil and water. Consequently, the emulsification mechanism of the present emulsion was revealed. Additionally, it was found that the present emulsion left a thin liquid crystalline film extended on the skin surface following evaporation of the solvents upon application. This technology provides important functionalities to emulsions such as high emollient effect and occlusive effect, as well as a preferable non‐sticky, non‐greasy texture, unobtainable through conventional technologies.
Fatigue testing of hair—A statistical approach to hair breakage
Authors: Evans T. A.
Published: July 2010

J. Cosmet. Sci.,
60, 599–616 (November/December 2009)

Synopsis

The objective of this work is to describe an alternative approach for assessing hair breakage. The methodology involves the repeated application of force, together with an evaluation of the number of cycles required before breakage—an approach often termed fatigue testing. The technique provides novel results, which appear to indicate more sizable differences between samples than arise from conventional constant‐rate extension experiments. For example, results illustrate a substantially higher tendency for breakage in Afro hair as compared to Caucasian hair—a conclusion that appears in line with consumer experiences. Also, findings suggest a substantially larger contribution from the relative humidity of the environment to the propensity for breakage under these conditions. The fatigue approach also lends itself to a novel means of data analysis in which breakage is treated as a statistical variable rather than as a mechanical parameter. By performing Weibull analysis of the data, a characteristic lifetime and a shape parameter are obtained to characterize the data, while survival probability plots can be generated to predict the propensity for breakage under a specific set of conditions.
Effect of cationic polymer treatment on adhesion of iron oxide to eyelashes
Authors: Ko S. , Roh Y. H. , Choo J. H. , Jang S. H. , Han S. H. , Jang H. G.
Published: July 2010

J. Cosmet. Sci.,
60, 617–625 (November/December 2009)

Synopsis

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of iron oxide application on improving the volume of eyelashes. Iron oxide, having a negative surface charge in its natural form, was coated with commercial cationic polymers to increase its adhesion. The iron oxides coated with different types and concentrations of these polymers were incorporated into a basic mascara formula to test their volume effects by means of the weight difference of eyelashes. The results indicated that the type and concentration of coating materials affect the surface zeta potential and particle cluster size of iron oxides. The type of cationic polymer, especially, was shown to modify both factors of iron oxide. The obtained results also suggested that the volume effect of mascara increases with a higher positive surface zeta potential and a smaller particle cluster size of the coated iron oxides.
Changes in structure and geometric properties of human hair by aging
Authors: Nagase S. , Kajiura Y. , Mamada A. , Abe H. , Shibuichi S. , Satoh N. , Itou T. , Shinohara Y. , Amemiya Y.
Published: July 2010

J. Cosmet. Sci.,
60, 637–648 (November/December 2009)

Synopsis

To clarify hair changes by aging, the effect of age on hair properties was investigated from macro‐ to microscopic viewpoints. Sensory hair luster tests were performed on 230 Japanese females from 10 to 70 year of age, revealing that hair luster decreases with age. The age dependence of the hair diameter and the ellipticity of the hair cross section could not explain luster reduction by aging. It has been determined that an irregular increase in fiber curvature occurs with age and is a cause of luster reduction with aging. A detailed structural analysis by synchrotron radiation microbeam X‐ray diffraction revealed that the inhomogeneity in the lateral distribution of the hair microstructure increased with age and relates to the irregular increase in curvature. Such an increase in curvature is one of the important factors that leads to a poor alignment of hairs and luster reduction, and is related to the appearance of aging hair.
Superior effect of isostearyl isostearate on improvement in stratum corneum water permeability barrier function as examined by the plastic occlusion stress test
Authors: Pennick G. , Harrison S. , Jones D. , Rawlings A.V.
Published: July 2010

Synopsis

Dry skin is a major dermatological problem and consumer research indicates that although current moisturizers are effective they are not completely meeting consumer expectation. Several technological approaches have been taken but influencing stratum corneum (SC) lipid phase behaviour as a novel water permeability barrier‐enhancing and moisturizing mechanism has only been started to be investigated recently. Both the long periodicity SC lipid lamellar phase and the orthorhombic lipid packing state have been proposed to define optimal SC water permeability barrier properties. Several lipophillic moisturizers have been tested for their ability to modify SC lipid lateral packing namely glyceryl monoisostearate (GMIS), isopropyl isostearate (IPIS) and isostearyl isostearate (ISIS) of which IPIS and ISIS are reported to induce the orthorhombic phase. Despite the improvements in the lateral packing of SC lipids, these ingredients have been shown not to improve transepidermal water loss. However, using a novel skin surface water loss method we have observed for the first time significant improvements in SC water permeability barrier function for ISIS compared with IPIS, GMIS and petrolatum. However, using synthetic membranes and measuring water vapour transport rates we showed that the isostearyl esters were not occlusive like petrolatum. As the effects of ISIS were not because of what would be considered as true occlusion, we propose that the differences in the SC water permeability barrier properties from use of ISIS to the other ingredients tested are because of its reported effects on SC lipid phase behaviour. Further studies probably using spectroscopic approaches, however, will be needed to specifically test this hypothesis in vivo.
Clinical study of nail changes in leprosy and comparison with nail changes in diabetic patients
Authors: El Darouti MA , Hussein S , Al Tahlawy SR , Al Fangary M , Mashaly HM , El Nabarawy E , Al Tawdy A , Fawzi M , Abdel Hay RM
Published: July 2010

Background  Nail changes in leprotic patients are not specific to leprosy, and may be observed in other peripheral neuropathies. Diabetes is one of the diseases that present with nail dystrophy secondary to peripheral neuropathy, vasculopathy, trauma and infections. Therefore, nail changes in diabetic neuropathy are expected to be very similar to that of leprosy.

Objectives  To evaluate the frequency and pattern of nail changes in Egyptian leprotic patients with the different spectrums of the disease, and to compare nail changes in leprosy with those seen in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Methods  The study included 115 leprosy patients and 60 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Nail examination was thoroughly carried out and various nail changes were recorded including the location of the involved nails (fingers, toes).

Results  Our study detected similar incidence of nail changes in both multibacillary (MB) (86%) and paucibacillary (PB) patients (86%). Flag sign (alternating horizontal bands of whitish and pinkish discoloration of the nail) observed in our study was not reported before. It was more commonly seen in MB patients (21%) than in PB patients (14%). Our results also revealed that the nail changes were more commonly seen in leprosy patients (86%) than in diabetic patients (68%).

Conclusion  Nail changes in leprosy are multifactorial, and could be related to one or more of the following: neuropathy, endarteritis, trauma, drugs or superimposed infections. Nail changes in leprosy may be used as an additional clue that helps in the diagnosis.
Assessing uncertainties in a second‐generation dynamic vegetation model caused by ecological scale limitations
Authors: Fisher Rosie , McDowell Nate , Purves Drew , Moorcroft Paul , Sitch Stephen , Cox Peter , Huntingford Chris , Meir Patrick , Ian Woodward F.
Published: July 2010

Featured paper: See Editorial p553
Role of endoreduplication and apomeiosis during parthenogenetic reproduction in the model brown alga Ectocarpus
Authors: Bothwell John H. , Marie Dominique , Peters Akira F. , Cock J. Mark , Coelho Susana M.
Published: July 2010

Featured paper: See Commentary p1
Lateral diffusion of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor type 1 in Purkinje cells is regulated by calcium and actin filaments
Authors: Fukatsu Kazumi , Bannai Hiroko , Inoue Takafumi , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko
Published: July 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1720–1733.

Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R1) is an intracellular Ca2+ release channel that plays crucial roles in the functions of Purkinje cells. The dynamics of IP3R1 on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and the distribution of IP3R1 in neurons are thought to be important for the spatial regulation of Ca2+ release. In this study, we analyzed the lateral diffusion of IP3R1 in Purkinje cells in cerebellar slice cultures using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. In the dendrites of Purkinje cells, IP3R1 showed lateral diffusion with an effective diffusion constant of approximately 0.30 μm2/s, and the diffusion of IP3R1 was negatively regulated by actin filaments. We found that actin filaments were also involved in the regulation of IP3R1 diffusion in the spine of Purkinje cells. Glutamate or quisqualic acid stimulation, which activates glutamate receptors and leads to a Ca2+ transient in Purkinje cells, decreased the diffusion of IP3R1 and increased the density of actin in spines. These findings indicate that the neuronal activity‐dependent augmentation of actin contributes to the stabilization of IP3R1 in spines.
Ethanol‐induced methylation of cell cycle genes in neural stem cells
Authors: Hicks Steven D. , Middleton Frank A. , Miller Michael W.
Published: July 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1767–1780.

Ethanol inhibits the proliferation of neural precursors by altering mitogenic and anti‐mitogenic growth factor signaling and can affect global methylation activity in the fetus. We tested the hypothesis that epigenetic modification of specific cell cycle genes underlies the ethanol‐induced inhibition of growth factor‐regulated cell cycle progression. Monolayer cultures of neural stem cells (NSCs) were treated with fibroblast growth factor 2 or transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 in the absence or presence of ethanol. Ethanol increased the total length of the cell cycle by elongating the amount of time spent in the gap 1 (G1) and synthesis (S) phases of the cell cycle. Ethanol induced the hypermethylation of multiple cell cycle genes associated with the G1/S and gap 2/mitotic phase (G2/M) checkpoints and increased the expression and activity of DNA methyltransferases. These changes were most pronounced in the presence of TGFβ1. Epigenetic alterations paralleled the down‐regulation of associated transcripts and other checkpoint‐related mRNAs both in vitro (NS‐5 cell culture) and in vivo (fetal mouse cortex). Ethanol‐induced hypermethylation was accompanied by decreases in the proportion of NSCs expressing associated cell cycle proteins. Thus, ethanol disrupts growth factor‐related cell cycle progression by inducing checkpoint restriction at the G1/S transition through a feed‐forward system involving the methylation of G2/M regulators.
Quantitative role of COMT in dopamine clearance in the prefrontal cortex of freely moving mice
Authors: Käenmäki Mikko , Tammimäki Anne , Myöhänen Timo , Pakarinen Kaisa , Amberg Carolina , Karayiorgou Maria , Gogos Joseph A. , Männistö Pekka T.
Published: July 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 1745–1755.

Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) plays an active role in the metabolism of dopamine (DA) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Because of low levels of dopamine transporter (DAT), it is proposed that the majority of released DA is taken up by either norepinephrine transporter (NET) and subsequently metabolized by monoamine oxidize (MAO) or by uptake2(to glial cells and post‐synaptic neurons) and metabolized by COMT. However, a comprehensivein vivostudy of rating the mechanisms involved in DA clearance in the PFC has not been done. Here, we employ two types of microdialysis to study these pathways using DAT, NET and MAO blockers in conscious mice, with or withoutComtgene disruption. In quantitative no‐net‐flux microdialysis, DA levels were increased by 60% in the PFC of COMT‐knockout (ko) mice, but not in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. In conventional microdialysis studies, we showed that selective NET and MAO inhibition increased DA levels in the PFC of wild‐type mice by two‐ to fourfold, an effect that was still doubled in COMT‐ko mice. Inhibition of DAT had no effect on DA levels in either genotype. Therefore, we conclude that in the mouse, PFC COMT contributes about one half of the total DA clearance.
Anticipating maximal or submaximal exercise: no differences in cardiopulmonary responses
Authors: Kjelkenes Ida , Thorsen Einar
Published: July 2010

Background: Anticipation before the start of exercise may influence the cardiopulmonary responses during exercise. If anticipation influences the responses differently with maximal and submaximal exercises, normative values for submaximal responses will not be comparable unless exercise has been continued to the same end point.

Methods: Twelve healthy subjects (five men) aged 18–27 years had a maximal exercise test and a submaximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer on different days and in random order. They were not aware of the specific purpose of the study and were informed 15 min before the tests whether it should be maximal or submaximal. Workload increased with 15 W min−1until exhaustion or to 80% of predicted maximal heart rate (HR). HR, oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), minute ventilation (VE) and tidal volume (VT) were averaged over 20 s intervals. Linear regression of the HR–VO2relationship and quadratic regression of theVT–VErelationship were performed for each individual, and the regression coefficients for maximal and submaximal tests were compared.

Results: The regression models described theVT–VEresponses with aR2 > 0·85 in 23 of 24 tests, and the HR‐VO2responses with aR2 > 0·90 in all tests. The regression coefficients of the relationships were not significantly different with maximal and submaximal exercises.

Conclusion: Anticipation appears not to influence the responses to progressive maximal and submaximal exercise tests with the same rate of increase in load. Normative values at submaximal exercise levels are not influenced by the targeted end point of exercise.
Effects of low‐intensity bench press training with restricted arm muscle blood flow on chest muscle hypertrophy: a pilot study
Authors: Yasuda Tomohiro , Fujita Satoshi , Ogasawara Riki , Sato Yoshiaki , Abe Takashi
Published: July 2010

Single‐joint resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) results in significant increases in arm or leg muscle size and single‐joint strength. However, the effect of multijoint BFR training on both blood flow restricted limb and non‐restricted trunk muscles remain poorly understood. To examine the impact of BFR bench press training on hypertrophic response to non‐restricted (chest) and restricted (upper‐arm) muscles and multi‐joint strength, 10 young men were randomly divided into either BFR training (BFR‐T) or non‐BFR training (CON‐T) groups. They performed 30% of one repetition maximal (1‐RM) bench press exercise (four sets, total 75 reps) twice daily, 6 days week−1 for 2 weeks. During the exercise session, subjects in the BFR‐T group placed elastic cuffs proximally on both arms, with incremental increases in external compression starting at 100 mmHg and ending at 160 mmHg. Before and after the training, triceps brachii and pectoralis major muscle thickness (MTH), bench press 1‐RM and serum anabolic hormones were measured. Two weeks of training led to a significant increase (P<0.05) in 1‐RM bench press strength in BFR‐T (6%) but not in CON‐T (−2%). Triceps and pectoralis major MTH increased 8% and 16% (P<0.01), respectively, in BFR‐T, but not in CON‐T (−1% and 2%, respectively). There were no changes in baseline concentrations of anabolic hormones in either group. These results suggest that BFR bench press training leads to significant increases in muscle size for upper arm and chest muscles and 1‐RM strength.
Biceps brachii muscle oxygenation in electrical muscle stimulation
Authors: Muthalib Makii , Jubeau Marc , Millet Guillaume Y. , Maffiuletti Nicola A. , Ferrari Marco , Nosaka Kazunori
Published: July 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare between electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and maximal voluntary (VOL) isometric contractions of the elbow flexors for changes in biceps brachii muscle oxygenation (tissue oxygenation index, TOI) and haemodynamics (total haemoglobin volume, tHb = oxygenated‐Hb + deoxygenated‐Hb) determined by near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The biceps brachii muscle of 10 healthy men (23–39 years) was electrically stimulated at high frequency (75 Hz) via surface electrodes to evoke 50 intermittent (4‐s contraction, 15‐s relaxation) isometric contractions at maximum tolerated current level (EMS session). The contralateral arm performed 50 intermittent (4‐s contraction, 15‐s relaxation) maximal voluntary isometric contractions (VOL session) in a counterbalanced order separated by 2–3 weeks. Results indicated that although the torque produced during EMS was approximately 50% of VOL (P<0·05), there was no significant difference in the changes in TOI amplitude or TOI slope between EMS and VOL over the 50 contractions. However, the TOI amplitude divided by peak torque was approximately 50% lower for EMS than VOL (P<0·05), which indicates EMS was less efficient than VOL. This seems likely because of the difference in the muscles involved in the force production between conditions. Mean decrease in tHb amplitude during the contraction phases was significantly (P<0·05) greater for EMS than VOL from the 10th contraction onwards, suggesting that the muscle blood volume was lower in EMS than VOL. It is concluded that local oxygen demand of the biceps brachii sampled by NIRS is similar between VOL and EMS.
Case Series: Continuous electroencephalographic monitoring of status epilepticus in dogs and cats: 10 patients (2004–2005)
Authors: Raith Karina , Steinberg Tanja , Fischer Andrea
Published: July 2010

Objective
–
To describe the use of continuous electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring for management of status epilepticus (SE) in dogs and cats.

Design
–
Retrospective study.

Setting
–
University teaching hospital.

Animals
–
Ten patients (7 dogs, 3 cats) with SE of differing etiology (idiopathic epilepsy, n=3; toxicity, n=4; meningoencephalitis, n=2; undefined, n=1).

Interventions
–
The EEG was recorded continuously from 5 stainless‐steel needle electrodes inserted SC. Animals were treated with diazepam and phenobarbital followed by either propofol (n=3) or pentobarbital (n=7) as a continuous rate of infusion.

Measurements and Main Results
–
Clinical seizures stopped after induction of anesthesia in each animal. The EEG, however, still showed distinct epileptiform patterns (spikes, polyspikes) in all animals. Paroxysms were suppressed by increasing the infusion rate of either pentobarbital or propofol. A burst‐suppression pattern was achieved in 5 animals. EEG epileptiform activity reappeared in 4 animals when attempting to taper the dose after >6 hours of anesthesia. This was interpreted as ongoing EEG seizure activity and an increased risk for clinical seizures, and the anesthetic dosage was adjusted accordingly.

Conclusion
–
Continuous EEG monitoring appears to be a useful tool for therapeutic monitoring of SE in dogs and cats. It allows the detection of EEG seizures without the appearance of clinical seizures. Further investigations with blinded investigators and homogeneous animal groups to define therapeutic endpoints are warranted.
New Histories of British Imperial Communication and the ‘Networked World’ of the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
Authors: O’Hara Glen
Published: July 2010

A number of recent histories of Britain’s late‐19th century telegraph network have taken inspiration from many sources, not least historians’ concern to test and delineate the contemporary and modern world of transnational policymaking, the return of maritime history to the forefront of historical studies, and the desire to understand the late 19th century empire that seemed to be drawing strength from technological progress. But another key reason for this new interest in the electric telegraph is clearly the communications revolution of the last 20 years, and the internet’s development as the main means of dealing with information in the modern world. This article demonstrates just how important this present‐mindedness has been, but it also shows just how unlike the internet was the Victorian telegraph system, for it was expensive, patchy and often unreliable, encouraging letter‐writing and ship‐borne commerce just as much as electronic communication. The telegraph’s inauguration reinforced local and imperial nationalisms and rivalries, and arms races, whatever the liberal hopes invested in it; its arrival often led to the concentration of press ownership and a sense of intra‐imperial, rather than global or trans‐continental, links. The example of the telegraph, it is contended, should form a cautionary example of how problematical it is to take present‐day developments and apply them – even as organising concepts – to the past.
Interlaboratory variability in assessment of the model of end‐stage liver disease score
Authors: Lisman Ton , Van Leeuwen Yvonne , Adelmeijer Jelle , Pereboom Ilona T. A. , Haagsma Elizabeth B. , Van Den Berg Arie P. , Porte Robert J.
Published: July 2010

Background: The model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score is nowadays widely used to prioritize patients for liver transplantation.

Aims: To assess the contribution of the individual components of the MELD score in interlaboratory variability.

Methods: We sent 15 samples from patients listed for liver transplantation to seven different European laboratories who were asked to measure all three variables. In addition, 10 samples from patients on oral anticoagulant treatment were sent to the same labs for the international normalised ratio (INR) measurement.

Results and Conclusions: In all 15 samples, a substantial and clinically relevant variation in the calculated MELD score was observed between laboratories. The mean difference in the MELD score between the highest‐ and the lowest‐scoring laboratory was 4.8. The variation in creatinine measurements resulted in differences of up to three MELD points in a single patient when comparing the highest and the lowest scoring lab. The variation in bilirubin measurements only accounted for a difference of one point between the highest‐ and the lowest‐scoring laboratory, but the variation in INRs resulted in differences of 2 to 12 MELD points. MELD scores or INR values were not substantially different in laboratories that used the Owren instead of the more widely used Quick methodology for INR measurements. The variability in the INR in patients on oral anticoagulants was substantially less as compared with the variability in patients with liver disease. In conclusion, we observed a large interlaboratory variation in the MELD score. This variation in the MELD score is primarily caused by the INR.
The effect of liposome‐delivered prednisolone on collagen density, myofibroblasts, and fibrous capsule thickness around silicone breast implants in rats
Authors: Moreira Marcio , Fagundes Djalma José , Simões Manuel de Jesus , Taha Murched Omar , Perez Luciene Meri Neves , Bazotte Roberto Barbosa
Published: July 2010

Capsular contracture is a potential adverse effect of breast implants. An inflammatory reaction is most likely the origin of fibrosis around the implant. It is possible that some substances may act to prevent this inflammatory reaction. Thus, our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of local depot prednisolone phosphate‐liposomes (PPL) on fibrous capsule formation around textured silicone breast implants. Shell prostheses (2 mL) were implanted in the right (plus PPL group) and left (plus saline solution, saline group) subcutaneous dorsum of 18 rats. In another 18 rats, the implants were positioned in the left of the back without any drug instillation (control group). In the PPL group, the capsule thickness (μm) and density (%) of collagen were significantly (p<0.0001) lower compared with the control group on days 35 and 90 postsurgery. Furthermore, in the PPL group, a significant reduction in myofibroblast count was observed on day 90 postsurgery (p<0.0001). In conclusion, a single dose of depot liposome‐delivered prednisolone was effective at impairing capsule formation around the silicone implant. The results suggest a strong local and weak systemic effect of PPL on the fibrous tissue around silicone implants. To our knowledge, no study has yet assessed the effect of PPL on silicone breast implants.
Beetle horns are regulated by the Hox gene, Sex combs reduced, in a species‐ and sex‐specific manner
Authors: Wasik Bethany R. , Rose Debra J. , Moczek Armin P.
Published: July 2010

Discovering the mechanisms that underlie the origin of novel features represents a major frontier in developmental and evolutionary biology. Here we begin to characterize the role of the Hox gene Sex combs reduced (Scr) during the development and evolution of a morphologically novel trait: beetle horns. Beetle horns develop as epidermal outgrowths from the prothorax and/or head, and size and location vary dramatically across species and between sexes. Using both comparative gene expression and larval RNA interference in two species of the horned beetle genus Onthophagus, we show that Scr functions in patterning adult labial mouthpart identity and suppressing wing development in the prothorax. At the same time, however, our results illustrate that Scr has acquired, within its ancestral domain of expression, additional new functions including the regulation of prepupal growth and pupal remodeling of pronotal horn primordia. Furthermore, comparative analyses of our results across both Onthophagus species, which differ in location of horn development (thoracic horns vs. thoracic and head horns) as well as patterns of sexual dimorphism (traditional vs. reversed sexual dimorphism), reveal surprising differences in exactly when, where, and to what degree Scr regulates horn formation in different sexes. These observations suggest that the interactions between Scr and its targets in the regulation of horn development can diversify quickly over remarkably short phylogenetic distances. More generally, our results suggest that the Hox complex can play an integral role in the development and evolution of novel complex traits while maintaining traditional patterning responsibilities.
Splitting placodes: effects of bone morphogenetic protein and Activin on the patterning and identity of mouse incisors
Authors: Munne Pauliina M. , Felszeghy Szabolcs , Jussila Maria , Suomalainen Marika , Thesleff Irma , Jernvall Jukka
Published: July 2010

SUMMARY
The single large rodent incisor in each jaw quadrant is evolutionarily derived from a mammalian ancestor with many small incisors. The embryonic placode giving rise to the mouse incisor is considerably larger than the molar placode, and the question remains whether this large incisor placode is a developmental requisite to make a thick incisor. Here we used in vitro culture system to experiment with the molecular mechanism regulating tooth placode development and how mice have thick incisors. We found that large placodes are prone to disintegration and formation of two to three small incisor placodes. The balance between one large or multiple small placodes was altered through the regulation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Activin signaling. Exogenous Noggin, which inhibits BMP signaling, or exogenous Activin cause the development of two to three incisors. These incisors were more slender than normal incisors. Additionally, two inhibitor molecules, Sostdc1 and Follistatin, which regulate the effects of BMPs and Activin and have opposite expression patterns, are likely to be involved in the incisor placode regulation in vivo. Furthermore, inhibition of BMPs by recombinant Noggin has been previously suggested to cause a change in the tooth identity from the incisor to the molar. This evidence has been used to support a homeobox code in determining tooth identity. Our work provides an alternative interpretation, where the inhibition of BMP signaling can lead to splitting of the large incisor placode and the formation of partly separate incisors, thereby acquiring molar‐like morphology without a change in tooth identity.
Technical Standards of a Foldable Capsular Vitreous Body in Terms of Mechanical, Optical, and Biocompatible Properties
Authors: Liu Yaqin , Jiang Zhaoxin , Gao Qianying , Ge Jian , Chen Jiajia , Cao Xianwu , Shen Qingxiang , Ma Ping
Published: July 2010

We previously proposed a new strategy to fabricate a novel foldable capsular vitreous body (FCVB) as a vitreous substitute and found that the FCVB was a very good replacement for closely mimicking the morphology and restoring the physiologic function of the rabbit vitreous body. The aim of this article was to assess the mechanical, optical, and biocompatible properties of a FCVB made from liquid silicone rubber. The mechanical properties show that the shore hardness is 37.80 degrees, the tear strength is 47.14 N/mm, the tensile strength is more than 7.28 MPa, and the elongation ratio is more than 1200%; in addition, the FCVB has 300 nm mili apertures in the capsule. The optical properties reveal that transmittances are 92%, hazes are 5.74%, and spectral transmittance is 97%. The transmittance mission is 2.3% and can sustain a 1500 mW, 0.2 s, 532 nm green laser. The biocompatible properties are shown in the stable extracts experiment, no significant fever, good genetic safety, and no structural abnormality or apoptosis in the cornea, ciliary body, and retina over a 6‐month observation period. These results indicate that the FCVB has good mechanical, optical, and biocompatible properties, and the assessment results can be recommended as the FCVB technical standards for industrial manufacturing and inspection.
New therapeutic targets to develop molecules active in drug‐resistant epilepsies
Authors: SidAhmed‐Mezi Mounia , Pumain René , Louvel Jacques , Sokoloff Pierre , Laschet Jacques
Published: July 2010

We have shown that the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is the kinase involved in the endogenous phosphorylation of the α1 subunit of the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor (GABAAR), maintaining GABAA‐R function. GABAAR endogenous phosphorylation is opposed by one or several atypical phosphatases. We have shown in addition, using cerebral tissue obtained during epilepsy surgery and control tissue from patients undergoing brain tumor surgery, that both endogenous phosphorylation and GABAAR function are significantly reduced in the “epileptogenic” cerebral cortex when compared to control. This dysfunction likely contributes to seizure generation and/or transition from the interictal to the ictal state. The therapeutic challenge is to alleviate the endogenous phosphorylation deficiency of GABAAR in the epileptogenic cortical tissue, either through activating the endogenous kinase activity, or inhibiting dephosphorylation of the α1 subunit. Following the first trail, we have shown that spermine (the most effective polyamine) increases the GAPDH kinase activity on GABAAR and that subsequently such modulation potentiates its function as assessed by rundown studies on isolated neurons. Following the second trail, we have developed methods to identify these atypical membrane‐bound phosphatases. Their activities were detected using two synthetic phosphopeptides corresponding to the α1 regions of phosphorylation by GAPDH. After purification, the active fractions are submitted to proteomic analysis by nanoLC‐Maldi‐TOF/TOF for protein identification. Two candidate proteins have been identified, which will be used as targets for high‐throughput screening in order to develop original antiepileptic molecules.
Brain stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy
Authors: Jobst Barbara C. , Darcey Terrance M. , Thadani Vijay M. , Roberts David W.
Published: July 2010

Direct brain stimulation is an emerging treatment of epilepsy. Scheduled or responsive stimulation has been applied. The most explored targets for scheduled stimulation are the anterior nucleus of the thalamus and the hippocampus. The anterior nucleus of the thalamus was studied in a large multicenter trial. There was a significant seizure reduction with the stimulator “on” versus “off” during several months after stimulator implantation. The hippocampus as stimulation target has not yet been studied in a large randomized trial. Responsive stimulation applies a stimulus whenever epileptiform activity occurs. It requires on‐line detection of epileptiform activity. This concept is based on the observation that epileptiform activity during functional mapping can be aborted by brief pulses of cortical stimulation. Current technology is able to detect seizure activity intracranially on‐line and delivers a high frequency stimulus if epileptiform activity is detected. A large randomized multicenter trial has been conducted testing this system for focal epilepsy.
Inverse relationship between seizure expression and extrasynaptic NMDAR function following chronic NMDAR inhibition
Authors: Bausch Suzanne B. , He Shuijin , Dong Yu
Published: July 2010

We showed previously that electrographic seizures involving dentate granule cells in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures were dramatically reduced following chronic treatment with the NR2B‐selective antagonist, Ro25,6981, but were increased following chronic treatment with the high‐affinity competitive antagonist, D(‐)‐2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid (D‐APV). To begin to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the differential effects of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists on seizures, electrophysiologic experiments were conducted in dentate granule cells in hippocampal slice cultures treated for the entire 17–21 day culture period with vehicle, Ro25,6981 or D‐APV. Initial experiments revealed a lack of an association between miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) measures and seizures suggesting that shifts in mEPSC were unlikely to account for the differential effects of D‐APV and Ro25,6981 on seizures. However, the amplitude of tonic NMDAR‐mediated currents was reduced in cultures treated chronically with D‐APV and dramatically enhanced in cultures treated chronically with Ro25,6981. Because tonic NMDAR currents are mediated primarily by extrasynaptic NMDAR, these data show an inverse relationship between changes in extrasynaptic NMDAR function and alterations in seizure expression.
Comorbidity between epilepsy and depression: Experimental evidence for the involvement of serotonergic, glucocorticoid, and neuroinflammatory mechanisms
Authors: Pineda Eduardo , Shin Don , Sankar Raman , Mazarati Andrey M.
Published: July 2010

Depression represents one of the most common comorbidities of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and has profound negative impact on the quality of life of patients with TLE. However, causes and mechanisms of depression in TLE remain poorly understood, and effective therapies are lacking. We examined whether a commonly used model of TLE in rats could be used as a model of comorbidity between epilepsy and depression suitable for both mechanistic studies and for the development of mechanism‐based antidepressant therapies. We established that animals that had been subjected to lithium chloride and pilocarpine status epilepticus (SE) and developed spontaneous recurrent seizures, exhibited a set of impairments congruent with a depressive state: behavioral equivalents of anhedonia and despair, dysregulation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and compromised raphe‐hippocampal serotonergic transmission. Pharmacologic studies have suggested that depressive impairments following SE develop as a result of enhanced interleukin‐1β signaling in the hippocampus, which leads to depression via inducing perturbations in the HPA axis and subsequent deficit in the raphe‐hippocampal serotonergic transmission.
The effect of the cannabinoid‐receptor antagonist, SR141716, on the early stage of kainate‐induced epileptogenesis in the adult rat
Authors: Dudek F. Edward , Pouliot Wendy A. , Rossi Christina A. , Staley Kevin J.
Published: July 2010

Pretreatment with the endocannabinoid‐receptor antagonist, SR141716, has been reported to suppress the long‐lasting hyperexcitability and increased seizure susceptibility present after 30 min of hyperthermia‐induced convulsions in immature rats, an animal model of complex febrile seizures in children, which may be a cause of temporal lobe epilepsy. The present experiments tested the hypothesis that SR141716 suppresses epileptogenesis in the adult kainate model, an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Adult male rats (n = 35), implanted for electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, were treated with kainate. Immediately after the first acute electrographic seizure during kainate‐induced status epilepticus, either vehicle or SR141716 (10 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. Chronic video‐EEG data were collected for the first 2‐week period after kainate‐induced status epilepticus. More than one‐half of both the vehicle‐ and drug‐treated animals showed spontaneous recurrent seizures. Similarly, mean seizure frequency did not differ significantly for the drug‐ and vehicle‐treated animals during the first 2 weeks (n = 9 and 8, respectively). Therefore, no significant differences were found between SR141716‐treated and control animals during the first 2 weeks of epileptogenesis. These results suggest that the endocannabinoid‐receptor antagonist, SR141716, had no detectable effect on the early stages of epileptogenesis in the adult kainate model. We discuss several potential explanations for the differences in the effects of SR141716 in the adult‐rat, kainate versus immature‐rat, hyperthermia models.
Implications of hormonal and neuroendocrine changes associated with seizures and antiepileptic drugs: A clinical perspective
Authors: Pack Alison M.
Published: July 2010

Epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) affect hormones and neuroendocrine systems, which may result in a change in the seizure threshold (catamenial epilepsy) or in comorbidities including sexual dysfunction, reproductive dysfunction, and abnormalities in bone health. Catamenial epilepsy occurs commonly in women with epilepsy. The most commonly reported and studied mechanism proposed to explain why some women have a catamenial seizure exacerbation relates to cyclic changes in reproductive steroid hormones. Women and men with epilepsy have a higher than expected prevalence of sexual dysfunction. The epilepsy syndrome and localization influence the presentation of sexual dysfunction. Reproductive dysfunction occurs in both men and women with epilepsy. As with sexual dysfunction both the epilepsy syndrome and specific AEDs influence the presentation of reproductive dysfunction. Persons with epilepsy have an increased risk of fracture secondary to decreased bone mineral density (BMD), altered bone quality, and a propensity to fall because of either seizures or side effects of medication. Some AEDs are associated with abnormalities in BMD and bone and mineral metabolism.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids and epilepsy
Authors: Taha Ameer Y. , Burnham W. McIntyre , Auvin Stéphane
Published: July 2010

Omega‐3 and omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are dietary fatty acids that are involved in a myriad of physiologic processes in the brain. There is some evidence suggesting that PUFAs—and particularly omega‐3 PUFAs—may have anticonvulsant effects, both in humans and in animals. In the present review, we assess the evidence related to the antiseizure properties of the n‐3 PUFAs, discuss their possible mechanism(s) of action, and make recommendations for future clinical trials. In general, the available data from cell cultures and whole animal studies support the idea that the n‐3 PUFAs have antiseizure properties. Future clinical trials involving the n‐3 PUFAs should involve higher doses and longer periods of administration in order to definitively assess their possible antiseizure effects.
Effect of a Disease‐Specific Planning Intervention on Surrogate Understanding of Patient Goals for Future Medical Treatment
Authors: Kirchhoff Karin T. , Hammes Bernard J. , Kehl Karen A. , Briggs Linda A. , Brown Roger L.
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a disease‐specific planning process can improve surrogate understanding of goals of patients with life‐limiting illnesses for future medical treatments.

DESIGN: A multisite randomized controlled trial conducted between January 1, 2004 and July 31, 2007.

SETTING: Six outpatient clinics of large community or university health systems in three Wisconsin cities.

PARTICIPANTS: Competent, English‐speaking adults aged 18 and older with chronic congestive heart failure or chronic renal disease and their surrogate decision‐makers.

INTERVENTION: Trained health professionals conducted a structured, patient‐centered interview intended to promote informed decision‐making and to result in the completion of a document clarifying the goals of the patient with regard to four disease‐specific health outcome situations and the degree of decision‐making latitude granted to the surrogate.

MEASUREMENTS: Surrogate understanding of patient goals for care with regard to four expected, disease‐specific outcomes situations and of the degree of surrogate latitude in decision‐making.

RESULTS: Three hundred thirteen patient–surrogate pairs completed the study. As measured according to kappa scores and in all four situations and in the degree of latitude, intervention group surrogates demonstrated a significantly higher degree of understanding of patient goals than control group surrogates. Intervention group kappa scores ranged from 0.61 to 0.78, whereas control group kappa scores ranged from 0.07 to 0.28.

CONCLUSION: Surrogates in the intervention group had a significantly better understanding of patient goals and preferences than surrogates in the control group. This finding is the first step toward ensuring that patient goals for care are known and honored.