bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mans mnemòniques en l’Ars demonstrativa de Ramon Llull
Authors: Serra Zamora Anna
Published: January 2015

Aquest article recupera el concepte d’art de la memòria aplicat a les obres de Ramon Llull a partir de la presentació i el comentari de figures de mans amb finalitats mnemotècniques, especulatives i predicadores, que es troben en els manuscrits lul·lians de l’Ars demonstrativa –escrita el 1283– datats entre el segle XIII i el XVI. En els manuscrits de Venècia (Bibl. Marciana, Lat. VI. 200), de Bèrgam (MA 365) i de San Candido (B. della Collegiata, VIII C.8), la mà està vinculada a la figura S de l’Ars demonstrativa. En el ms &.IV.6 de l’Escorial, en canvi, la mà representa la figura A. El precedent més rellevant d’aquesta iconografia manual és la mà guidoniana, en l’àmbit musical, juntament amb figures de mans emprades per al càlcul del calendari o per a la meditació.
Ressenya a Oscar I. Aparicio Ahedo, Santa Teresa de Jesús, compatrona de España, Burgos, Monte Carmelo, 2013
Authors: Toldrà Maria
Published: January 2015

Ressenya a Aparicio Ahedo, Óscar Ignacio, O.C.D., Santa Teresa de Jesús compatrona de España, Burgos, Monte Carmelo, 2013, 234 pp. Il. ISBN: 978-84-8353-593-6
A single pair of neurons links sleep to memory consolidation in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Haynes Paula R , Christmann Bethany L , Griffith Leslie C
Published: January 2015

Sleep promotes memory consolidation in humans and many other species, but the physiological and anatomical relationships between sleep and memory remain unclear. Here, we show the dorsal paired medial (DPM) neurons, which are required for memory consolidation in Drosophila, are sleep-promoting inhibitory neurons. DPMs increase sleep via release of GABA onto wake-promoting mushroom body (MB) α'/β' neurons. Functional imaging demonstrates that DPM activation evokes robust increases in chloride in MB neurons, but is unable to cause detectable increases in calcium or cAMP. Downregulation of α'/β' GABAA and GABABR3 receptors results in sleep loss, suggesting these receptors are the sleep-relevant targets of DPM-mediated inhibition. Regulation of sleep by neurons necessary for consolidation suggests that these brain processes may be functionally interrelated via their shared anatomy. These findings have important implications for the mechanistic relationship between sleep and memory consolidation, arguing for a significant role of inhibitory neurotransmission in regulating these processes.
A feedback loop between nonsense-mediated decay and the retrogene DUX4 in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Authors: Feng Qing , Snider Lauren , Jagannathan Sujatha , Tawil Rabi , van der Maarel Silvère M , Tapscott Stephen J , Bradley Robert K
Published: January 2015

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a muscular dystrophy caused by inefficient epigenetic repression of the D4Z4 macrosatellite array and somatic expression of the DUX4 retrogene. DUX4 is a double homeobox transcription factor that is normally expressed in the testis and causes apoptosis and FSHD when misexpressed in skeletal muscle. The mechanism(s) of DUX4 toxicity in muscle is incompletely understood. We report that DUX4-triggered proteolytic degradation of UPF1, a central component of the nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) machinery, is associated with profound NMD inhibition, resulting in global accumulation of RNAs normally degraded as NMD substrates. DUX4 mRNA is itself degraded by NMD, such that inhibition of NMD by DUX4 protein stabilizes DUX4 mRNA through a double-negative feedback loop in FSHD muscle cells. This feedback loop illustrates an unexpected mode of autoregulatory behavior of a transcription factor, is consistent with ‘bursts’ of DUX4 expression in FSHD muscle, and has implications for FSHD pathogenesis.
Curative Resection Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer With Preservation of a Right Gastroepiploic Artery Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Case Report
Authors: Suzuki Masaki , Ogata Kyoichi , Kogure Norimichi , Kimura Akiharu , Toyomasu Yoshitaka , Ohno Tetsuro , Mochiki Erito , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: January 2015

Recently, the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) has been used in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) as an alternative arterial graft. Because of the improvement of prognosis after CABG, malignant diseases are more common in older patients. However, there is a serious problem in patients with gastric cancer after CABG with RGEA graft. In these patients, an interruption of coronary blood supply through the RGEA may cause a life-threatening myocardial ischemia. Therefore, an appropriate strategy is very important to avoid risk while retaining the curability of the operation. We herein describe a 76-year-old Japanese man with advanced gastric cancer who underwent CABG using the RGEA. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed #6 lymph nodes (sub-pyloric lymph nodes) metastases surrounding the RGEA. We concluded that curative resection was impossible while preserving the RGEA and started combination chemotherapy using S-1 and cisplatin. After 2 courses of that, #6 lymph nodes were reduced extremely. Thereafter the patient underwent distal gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection around the RGEA without excision of the RGEA. Histologically, there were no metastases in #6 lymph nodes. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be effective for preserving the RGEA graft in a patient with advanced gastric cancer after CABG.
Evidence for generation of unstable suprathermal electron population in the auroral F region
Authors: Akbari H. , Semeter J. L. , Hirsch M. A. , Guio P. , Nicolls M. J.
Published: January 2015

Anomalous incoherent scatter radar (ISR) spectra confined to narrow altitude ranges near the F region peak and correlated with dynamic auroral precipitation have previously been identified and explained in terms of the cavitating beam‐driven Langmuir turbulence. In this work we used a one‐dimensional Zakharov simulation to constrain the range of physical mechanisms underlying these observational features. We find that although Langmuir wave collapse and caviton formation generated by electron beams with energies of 1 keV can give rise to similar radar echoes, the predicted spectral features and intensities of such echoes are inconsistent with experimental data acquired by various ISRs. Our results suggest that the free energy for the turbulence must be provided by unstable low‐energy (5 − 20 eV) electron populations and that such populations must be produced locally in the F region ionosphere.
Investigation of the atmospheric boundary layer depth variability and its impact on the 222Rn concentration at a rural site in France
Authors: Pal S. , Lopez M. , Schmidt M. , Ramonet M. , Gibert F. , Xueref‐Remy I. , Ciais P.
Published: January 2015

Continuous monitoring of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) depth (zi) is important for investigations of trace gases with near‐surface sources. The aim of this study is to examine the temporal variability of zi on both diurnal and seasonal time scales over a full year (2011) and relate these changes to the atmospheric 222Rn concentrations (CRn) measured near the top of a 200 m tower at a rural site (Trainou) in France. Continuous zi estimates were made using a combination of lidar and hourly four‐height carbon dioxide (CO2) profile measurements. Over the diurnal cycle, the 180 m CRn reached a maximum in the late morning as the growing ABL passed through the inlet height (180 m) transporting upward high CRn air from the nocturnal boundary layer. During late afternoon, a minimum in the CRn occurred mainly due to ABL‐mixing. We argue that ABL dilution occurs in two stages: first, during the rapid morning growth into the residual layer, and second, during afternoon with the free atmosphere when zi has reached its quasi‐stationary height (around 750 m in winter or 1700 m in summer). An anticorrelation (R2 of −0.49) was found while performing a linear regression analysis between the daily zi growth rates and the corresponding changes in the CRn illustrating the ABL‐dilution effect. We also analyzed the numerical proportions of the time within a season when zi remained lower than the inlet height and found a clear seasonal variability for the nighttime measurements with higher number of cases with shallow zi (<200 m) in winter (67.3%) than in summer (33.9%) and spring (54.5%). Thus, this pilot study helps delineate the impact of zi on CRn at the site mainly for different regimes of ABL, in particular, during the times when the zi is above the measurement height. It is suggested that when the zi is well below the inlet height, measurements are most possibly indicative of the residual layer 222Rn, an important issue that should be considered in the mass budget approach.
Formation of iron‐rich shelled structures by microbial communities
Authors: Fernández‐Remolar David C. , Santamaría Joan , Amils Ricardo , Parro Victor , Gómez‐Ortíz D. , Izawa Matthew R. M. , Banerjee Neil R. , Pérez Rodríguez Raúl , Rodríguez Nuria , López‐Martínez Nieves
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we describe the discovery and characterization of shelled structures that occur inside galleries of Pyrenees mines. The structures are formed by the mineralization of iron and zinc oxides, dominantly franklinite (ZnFe2O4) and poorly ordered goethite (α‐FeO(OH)). Subsurface oxidation and hydration of polymetallic sulfide orebodies produce solutions rich in dissolved metal cations including Fe2+/3+ and Zn2+. The microbially precipitated shell‐like structure grows by lateral or vertical stacking of thin laminae of iron oxide particles which are accreted mostly by fungal filaments. The resulting structures are composed of randomly oriented aggregates of needle‐like, uniform‐sized crystals, suggesting some biological control in the structure formation. Such structures are formed by the integration of two separated shells, following a complex process driven likely by different strategies of fungal microorganisms that produced the complex macrostructure.
Temporal Electret Behavior of Polymer Films Exposed to Cold Radiofrequency Plasma
Authors: Bormashenko Edward , Pogreb Roman , Chaniel Gilad , Multanen Victor , Malkin Alexander Ya.
Published: January 2015

The paper examines the electret response of cold plasma treated polypropylene and low‐density polyethylene films. Films were loaded with oscillating mechanical load; the output voltage was registered by a lock‐in amplifier. In parallel, hydrophobic recovery of the films was studied by the measurement of the apparent water contact angle. Time dependencies of electret response and hydrophobic recovery demonstrated qualitatively very similar behavior. Three distinct scale times of electric and hydrophobic restoring were extracted from the time dependencies of electric decay and hydrophobic recovery, extending from minutes to hundreds of minutes.
Multi‐Axial Incremental Forging and Shearing as a New Severe Plastic Deformation Processing Technique
Authors: Montazeri‐Pour M. , Parsa M. H. , Khajezade Ali , Mirzadeh H.
Published: January 2015

A novel severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique entitled Multi‐Axial Incremental Forging and Shearing (MAIFS) has been introduced and the preliminary evaluation of this technique by characterizing the material flow has been described in this paper. The MAIFS process is the combination of incremental forging (or incremental back extrusion) followed by angular pressing. The streamline visualized data of a tin‐based alloy as the representative of the soft deformable metals was utilized to predict the strain distribution experienced by material during deformation induced by MAIFS process. It was demonstrated that acceptable deformation homogeneity can be achieved after pass two of the process, and the workpieces were deformed up to four passes of MAIFS without any crack or discontinuity. The first results of numerical simulations of proposed process after four consecutive passes proved its general feasibility, and comparison of acquired data with the simulation results of same specimen processed by four passes ECAP through route Bc confirmed the capability of MAIFS process. An attempt has also been made to primarily investigate the potential of the process for grain refinement.
Strukturelle Charakterisierung von O‐ und C‐glycosylierenden Varianten der Landomycin‐Glycosyltransferase LanGT2
Authors: Tam Heng Keat , Härle Johannes , Gerhardt Stefan , Rohr Jürgen , Wang Guojun , Thorson Jon S. , Bigot Aurélien , Lutterbeck Monika , Seiche Wolfgang , Breit Bernhard , Bechthold Andreas , Einsle Oliver
Published: January 2015

Strukturen der O‐Glycosyltransferase LanGT2 und der generierten C‐Glycosyltransferase LanGT2S8Ac zeigen, dass der Austausch eines kurzen Peptidfragments die Funktionalität eines Enzyms deutlich verändern kann. Eine synthetische TDP‐Carbaolivose wurde mit den Enzymen kokristallisiert. Es zeigte sich, dass die Bindung des Carbazuckers zu einer Konformationsänderung des Enzyms führt, die dann eine Bindestelle für ein Aglykonsubstrat erzeugt. Obwohl eine Bindung des Aglykons nicht experimentell nachgewiesen wurde, deuten Docking‐Studien auf unterschiedliche Bindungsmodi im Fall von O‐ bzw. C‐Glycosylierung hin.
Design and in vivo assessment of polyester copolymers based on trimethylene carbonate and ε‐caprolactone
Authors: Zhang Chong , Liu Danhua , Zhang Xiaowei , Wang Ping , Zhen Zhu , Li Jianxin , Yi Dongxu , Jin Ying , Yang Dan
Published: January 2015

Poly(trimethylene carbonate‐co‐caprolactone) (PTCL) copolymers with various trimethylene carbonate ratios were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization and were used to prepare implants for an in vivo experiment. Medical silicone rubber was used as the control. Implants were prepared by compression molding with a laboratory instrument. The properties of these copolymer implants were investigated. PTCL implants and silicone rubbers were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal region of New Zealand white rabbits. The assessment was performed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 months postoperatively by the determination of the weight loss, water uptake, thermal behavior, molecular weight of the explanted implants, and histological examination. During the 8‐month implantation, the value of maximum weight loss was found to be 25%. A continuous decrease in the molecular weight occurred. No remarkable tissue reactions were observed during degradation, and foreign‐body reactions were similar to those of silicone rubbers, which are commercially available materials. In this study, we aimed to indicate the likely clinical behavior but good biodegradable properties of PTCL copolymers compared to those of silicone rubber. This may open a new avenue of application for them in the drug industry. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41815.
Selective Oxidation of Alkyl‐Substituted Polyaromatics Using Ruthenium‐Ion‐Catalyzed Oxidation
Authors: Nowicka Ewa , Sankar Meenakshisundaram , Jenkins Robert L. , Knight David W. , Willock David J. , Hutchings Graham J. , Francisco Manuel , Taylor Stuart H.
Published: January 2015

Ruthenium‐ion‐catalyzed oxidation of a range of alkylated polyaromatics has been studied. 2‐Ethylnaphthalene was used as a model substrate, and oxidation can be performed in either a conventional biphasic or in a monophasic solvent system. In either case the reaction rates and product selectivity are identical. The reaction products indicate that the aromatic ring system is oxidized in preference to the alkyl chain. This analysis is possible due to the development of a quantitative NMR protocol to determine the relative amounts of aliphatic and aromatic protons. From a systematic set of substrates we show that as the length of the alkyl chain substituent on a polyaromatic increases, the proportion of products in which the chain remains attached to the aromatic system increases. Larger polyaromatic systems, based on pyrene and phenanthrene, show greater reactivity than those with fewer aromatic rings, and the alkyl chains are more stable to oxidation.
Application of endocrine disruptor screening program fish short-term reproduction assay: Reproduction and endocrine function in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) exposed to Bermuda pond sediment
Authors: Fort Douglas J. , Mathis Michael , Fort Chelsea E. , Fort Hayley M. , Bacon Jamie P.
Published: January 2015

A modified tier 1 Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) 21-d fish short-term reproduction assay (FSTRA) was used to evaluate the effects of sediment exposure from freshwater and brackish ponds in Bermuda on reproductive fecundity and endocrine function in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). Reproductively active male and female fish were exposed to control sediment and sediment from 2 freshwater ponds (fathead minnow) and 2 marine ponds (killifish) contaminated with polyaromatic hydrocarbons and metals via flow-through exposure for 21 d. Reproductive fecundity was monitored daily. At termination, the status of the reproductive endocrine system was assessed by the gonadosomatic index, gonadal histology, plasma steroids (estrogen [E2], testosterone [T], and 11-ketotestosterone [11-KT]), steroidogenic enzymes (aromatase and combined 3β/17β -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [3β/17β-HSD]), and plasma vitellogenin (VTG). Decreased reproductive fecundity, lower male body weight, and altered endocrinological measures of reproductive status were observed in both species. Higher plasma T levels in female minnows and 11-KT levels in both male and female minnows and female killifish exposed to freshwater and brackish sediments, respectively. Decreased female E2 and VTG levels and gonadal cytochrome P19 (aromatase) activity were also found in sediment exposed females from both species. No effect on female 3β/17β-HSD activity was found in either species. The FSTRA provided a robust model capable of modification to evaluate reproductive effects of sediment exposure in fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1283–1295. © 2015 SETAC
The physicochemical properties of microwave‐assisted encapsulated anthocyanins from Ipomoea batatas as affected by different wall materials
Authors: Mohd Nawi Norazlina , Muhamad Ida Idayu , Mohd Marsin Aishah
Published: January 2015

This study focuses on the impact of different wall materials on the physicochemical properties of microwave‐assisted encapsulated anthocyanins from Ipomoea batatas. Using the powder characterization technique, purple sweet potato anthocyanin (PSPAs) powders were analysed for moisture content, water activity, dissolution time, hygroscopicity, color and morphology. PSPAs were produced using different wall materials: maltodextrin (MD), gum arabic (GA) and a combination of gum arabic and maltodextrin (GA + MD) at a 1:1 ratio. Each of the wall materials was homogenized to the core material at a core/wall material ratio of 5 and were microencapsulated by microwave‐assisted drying at 1100 W. Results indicated that encapsulated powder with the GA and MD combination presented better quality of powder with the lowest value of moisture content and water activity. With respect to morphology, the microcapsule encapsulated with GA + MD showed several dents in coating surrounding its core material, whereas other encapsulated powders showed small or slight dents entrapped onto the bioactive compound. Colorimetric analysis showed changes in values of L, a*, b*, hue and chroma in the reconstituted powder compared to the initial powder.
Oxygenic photosynthesis‐specific subunits of cyanobacterial NADPH dehydrogenases
Authors: Ma Weimin , Ogawa Teruo
Published: January 2015

Cyanobacterial NADPH dehydrogenase (NDH‐1) or NDH‐1‐like complex is localized in the thylakoid membrane and participates in a variety of bioenergetic reactions, including respiration, cyclic electron transport around photosystem I and CO2 uptake. Over the past decade, a significant achievement has been made in identifying seven oxygenic photosynthesis‐specific (OPS) subunits of NDH‐1 enzyme, NdhL to NdhQ and NdhS, in several cyanobacterial strains. Six of them are also found in higher plants but not in nonphototrophs. This indicates an exclusive existence of these OPS Ndh subunits in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms and suggested certain role of cyanobacterial and chloroplastic NDH‐1 in photosynthetic reactions. In this review, we describe these seven OPS subunits of cyanobacterial NDH‐1, focusing on their identification, localization, function, and evolution from cyanobacteria to higher plants. A crucial role of these OPS subunits on the function of cyanobacterial NDH‐1 is proposed. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(1):3–8, 2015
Effects of the Student Success Skills Program on Executive Functioning Skills, Feelings of Connectedness, and Academic Achievement in a Predominantly Hispanic, Low‐Income Middle School District
Authors: Lemberger Matthew E. , Selig James P. , Bowers Hannah , Rogers Jennifer E.
Published: January 2015

The authors examined the effects of the Student Success Skills program on executive functioning, feelings of connectedness, and academic achievement of a sample of 193 middle school students in a predominantly Hispanic and economically challenged school district in the southwestern United States. Using multilevel regression analyses in a two‐level randomized design, the authors found treatment effects for multiple executive functioning scales, feelings of connectedness to classmates, and mathematics and reading achievement.
Breakup Adjustment in Young Adulthood
Authors: Barutçu Yıldırım Funda , Demir Ayhan
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of young adults to adjust to the breakup of a romantic relationship by examining the possible predictors. The sample comprised 140 women and 143 men. Simultaneous regression analysis indicated that initiator status, existence of a new partner, certainty of the reasons for the breakup, and perceived social support were significant predictors and accounted for 18% of the variance in the measure of adjustment to breakup.
A Meta‐Analytic Review of Child‐Centered Play Therapy Approaches
Authors: Lin Yung‐Wei , Bratton Sue C.
Published: January 2015

The authors explored the overall effectiveness of child‐centered play therapy (CCPT) approaches through a meta‐analytic review of 52 controlled outcome studies between 1995 and 2010. Hierarchical linear modeling techniques estimated a statistically significant moderate treatment effect size (.47) for CCPT, as well as statistically significant relationships between effect size and study characteristics, including child's age, child's ethnicity, caregiver involvement, treatment integrity, publication status, and presenting issue.
Counseling Students' Perceptions of Religious/Spiritual Counseling Training: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Henriksen Richard C. , Polonyi Monica A. , Bornsheuer‐Boswell Jennifer N. , Greger Rena G. , Watts Richard E.
Published: January 2015

Students' perceptions of their training to incorporate religious and spiritual issues into counseling sessions have received little attention in the counselor education literature. This descriptive phenomenological qualitative study provided counseling students with the opportunity to share their perceptions of their preparation to incorporate religious and spiritual issues into counseling.
Addressing Mental Health Disparities With Asian American Clients: Examining the Generalizability of the Common Factors Model
Authors: Dewell John A. , Owen Jesse
Published: January 2015

Although mental health disparities for Asian Americans are known, reasons for the disparities are not well understood within the counseling process. This study coded Asian American and White clients' reports of helpful counselor actions into empirically supported common factors to determine which within‐session processes might reduce mental health disparities for Asian American clients. Asian American clients' reports of helpful therapist actions did not differ from those of White clients, suggesting that disparities do not originate in differences in the foundational aspects of counseling. Implications for addressing disparities are discussed.
A Therapeutic Model of Self‐Forgiveness With Intervention Strategies for Counselors
Authors: Cornish Marilyn A. , Wade Nathaniel G.
Published: January 2015

Self‐forgiveness is associated with psychological and relational well‐being and may be a worthwhile treatment goal for clients who have hurt others. The authors utilized theoretical and empirical literature to describe a 4‐component therapeutic model of self‐forgiveness—responsibility, remorse, restoration, and renewal—and offer suggestions for promoting each component with clients. Finally, the authors explore potential contraindications and the applicability of self‐forgiveness for military veterans, clients in substance abuse treatment, and clients convicted of a crime.
Effects of International Student Counselors' Broaching Statements About Cultural and Language Differences on Participants' Perceptions of the Counselors
Authors: Choi Gahee , Mallinckrodt Brent , Richardson John D.
Published: January 2015

Undergraduates (N = 135) evaluated 1 of 4 simulated 1st counseling sessions. Two international counselors (Canadian and Korean) alternated between making or not making broaching statements about their language and cultural differences. Significant main effects for counselor nationality and interaction effects between counselor nationality and broaching were found. Participants perceived the Canadian counselor more positively and the Korean counselor less positively in the broaching condition. Participants' cognitive flexibility was a significant covariate of their perceptions.

Un grupo de estudiantes universitarios (N = 135) evaluó 1 de 4 sesiones iniciales de consejería simuladas. Dos consejeros internacionales (canadiense y coreano) alternaron entre hacer comentarios o no para abordar las diferencias entre sus idiomas y culturas. Se encontraron efectos principales significativos en relación a la nacionalidad del consejero y una interacción entre la nacionalidad y el abordamiento. Los participantes percibieron al consejero canadiense de forma más positiva y al consejero coreano de forma menos positiva en la situación de abordamiento. La flexibilidad cognitiva de los participantes fue una covariable significativa en su percepción.
Constructing Pandiagonal Latin Squares from Linear Cellular Automaton on Elementary Abelian Groups
Authors: Dabbaghian Vahid , Wu Tiankuang
Published: January 2015

The constructed pandiagonal Latin squares by Hedayat's method are cyclic. During the last decades several authors described methods for constructing pandiagonal Latin squares that are semi‐cyclic. In this article, we have applied linear cellular automaton on elements of permutation elementary abelian p‐groups, which are ordered by the lexicographic ordering, and we proposed an algorithm for constructing noncyclic pandiagonal Latin squares of order , for prime .
Endochondral Ossification Model System: Designed Cell Fate of Human Epiphyseal Chondrocytes During Long‐Term Implantation
Authors: Nasu Michiyo , Takayama Shinichiro , Umezawa Akihiro
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study is to establish a recapitulation system of human endochondral ossification as a paradigm of developmental engineering. Chondrocytes were isolated from the epiphyseal cartilage of the supernumerary digits of infants with polydactyly. In vivo studies showed that implanted chondrocytes exhibited cartilaginous regeneration over a short period of time and subsequent endochondral ossification with a marrow cavity. Tracing studies revealed that cells of donor origin at the periphery of the cartilage migrated into the center of the cartilage and transformed into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and endothelial cells. Bone marrow was formed through anastomosis with the recipient endothelial system at 13 weeks, and from the migration of recipient hematopoietic cells at 50 weeks. This study provides a human endochondral ossification model system with transdifferentiation of the donor cells at the periphery of the cartilage. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1376–1388, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
Imaging dose in breast radiotherapy: does breast size affect the dose to the organs at risk and the risk of secondary cancer to the contralateral breast?
Authors: Batumalai Vikneswary , Quinn Alexandra , Jameson Michael , Delaney Geoff , Holloway Lois
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Correct target positioning is crucial for accurate dose delivery in breast radiotherapy resulting in utilisation of daily imaging. However, the radiation dose from daily imaging is associated with increased probability of secondary induced cancer. The aim of this study was to quantify doses associated with three imaging modalities and investigate the correlation of dose and varying breast size in breast radiotherapy.

Methods

Planning computed tomography (CT) data sets of 30 breast cancer patients were utilised to simulate the dose received by various organs from a megavoltage computed tomography (MV‐CT), megavoltage electronic portal image (MV‐EPI) and megavoltage cone‐beam computed tomography (MV‐CBCT). The mean dose to organs adjacent to the target volume (contralateral breast, lungs, spinal cord and heart) were analysed. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between imaging dose and primary breast volume and the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of induced secondary cancer was calculated for the contralateral breast.

Results

The highest contralateral breast mean dose was from the MV‐CBCT (1.79 Gy), followed by MV‐EPI (0.22 Gy) and MV‐CT (0.11 Gy). A similar trend was found for all organs at risk (OAR) analysed. The primary breast volume inversely correlated with the contralateral breast dose for all three imaging modalities. As the primary breast volume increases, the likelihood of a patient developing a radiation‐induced secondary cancer to the contralateral breast decreases. MV‐CBCT showed a stronger relationship between breast size and LAR of developing a radiation‐induced contralateral breast cancer in comparison with the MV‐CT and MV‐EPI.

Conclusions

For breast patients, imaging dose to OAR depends on imaging modality and treated breast size. When considering the use of imaging during breast radiotherapy, the patient's breast size and contralateral breast dose should be taken into account.
Agarose‐Assisted Micro‐Contact Printing for High‐Quality Biomolecular Micro‐Patterns
Authors: Jang Min Jee , Nam Yoonkey
Published: January 2015

Micro‐contact printing has been developed to print biomolecules, such as cell adhesive molecules, proteins, or DNAs, on a substrate, which can serve as experimental platforms for investigating biological issues and engineering biosensors. Despite the popularity of this method, it has been technically challenging to use a conventional stamp made of a hydrophobic polydimethoxysilane (PDMS) elastomer that often requires surface treatments to facilitate the inking and stamping of biomolecules. In this work, we proposed a new surface modification method for a PDMS stamp using agarose hydrogel and demonstrated the applications to the design of micro‐patterned substrates with biomolecules. By using a simple bench‐top dip‐coating method with a commercial syringe pump to steadily pull out the stamp from boiled agarose solution, we coated an agarose layer on the stamp. It consequentially enhanced the transferability of ink molecules to the target substrate and the uniformity of printed patterns compared to the traditional methods for treating stamp surface such as surfactant coating and temporary oxidation with air plasma. In addition, this microstamping method was also used to produce patterns of proteins with the preservation of bioactivity, which could guide neuronal growth. Thus, we demonstrated the applicability to the interface designs of biochips and biosensors.
A functional lncRNA HOTAIR genetic variant contributes to gastric cancer susceptibility
Authors: Pan Wenting , Liu Lisheng , Wei Jinyu , Ge Yunxia , Zhang Jingfeng , Chen Hongwei , Zhou Liqing , Yuan Qipeng , Zhou Changchun , Yang Ming
Published: January 2015

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) acts as an oncogene in gastric cancer development. HOTAIR could induce genome‐wide retargeting of polycomb‐repressive complex 2, trimethylates histone H3 lysine‐27 (H3K27me3) and deregulation of multiple downstream genes. Additionally, as the ceRNA of miR‐331–3p, HOTAIR may modulate HER2 deregulation in gastric cancer cells. We hypothesized that the functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in HOTAIR may affect HOTAIR expression and/or its function and, thus, gastric cancer risk. We examined the association between three haplotype‐tagging SNPs (htSNP) across the whole HOTAIR locus and gastric cancer risk as well as the functional relevance of a gastric cancer susceptibility SNP rs920778. Genotypes were determined in two independent hospital‐based case‐control sets that consisted of 800 gastric cancer patients and 1600 controls. The allele‐specific regulation on HOTAIR expression by the rs920778 SNP was examined in vitro and in vivo. We found that the HOTAIR rs920778 TT carriers had a 1.66‐ and 1.87‐fold increased gastric cancer risk in Jinan and Huaian populations compared with the CC carriers (P = 4.2 × 10−4 and 6.5 × 10−5). During inspecting functional relevance of the rs920778 SNP, we observed an allelic regulation of rs920778 on HOTAIR expression in both gastric cancer cell lines and tissue samples, with higher HOTAIR expression among T allele carriers. These findings elucidate that functional genetic variants influencing lncRNA expression may explain a portion of gastric cancer genetic basis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Critical hypercalcemia following discontinuation of denosumab therapy for metastatic giant cell tumor of bone
Authors: Gossai Nathan , Hilgers Megan V. , Polgreen Lynda E. , Greengard Emily G.
Published: January 2015

We report a 14 year‐old female with Giant Cell Tumor of Bone, successfully treated with denosumab, who developed critical hypercalcemia after completion of therapy. Five months after her last denosumab treatment, serum calcium rose to 16.5 mg/dL (normal 8.7–10.8 mg/dL), nearly double her prior level of 8.4 mg/dL while receiving denosumab. She required emergent intervention to treat her hypercalcemia, which was attributed to rebound osteoclast activity and osteopetrotic bone. Denosumab is widely used in adults and increasingly in pediatric oncology populations and our experience demonstrates the need for close monitoring for electrolyte derangements following discontinuation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1078–1080. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Above 16% efficient sequentially grown Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2‐based solar cells with atomic layer deposited Zn(O,S) buffers
Authors: Merdes Saoussen , Ziem Florian , Lavrenko Tetiana , Walter Thomas , Lauermann Iver , Klingsporn Max , Schmidt Sebastian , Hergert Frank , Schlatmann Rutger
Published: January 2015

We report the development of Cd‐free buffers by atomic layer deposition for chalcopyrite‐based solar cells. Zn(O,S) buffer layers were prepared by atomic layer deposition on sequentially grown Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 absorbers from Bosch Solar CISTech GmbH. An externally certified efficiency of 16.1% together with an open circuit voltage of 612 mV were achieved on laboratory scale devices. Stability tests show that the behavior of the ALD‐Zn(O,S)‐buffered devices can be characterized as stable only showing a minor drift of the open circuit voltage and the fill factor. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abnormal shape of the cavum septi pellucidi: an indirect sign of partial agenesis of the corpus callosum
Authors: Shen O. , Gelot A. B. , Moutard M. L. , Jouannic J. M. , Sela H. Y. , Garel C.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To
describe and assess the presence of a new indirect sign of partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (pACC): an abnormally shaped cavum septi pellucidi (CSP).

Methods

We analyzed retrospectively images from all 71 cases of pACC seen at two referral centers between September 2006 and April 2014. Abnormally shaped CSP was diagnosed when its lateral dimension was greater than its anteroposterior dimension in the axial transthalamic plane, and the incidence of this sign was assessed. We also examined the following variables: gestational age at referral, indication for referral, which (if any) of the four corpus callosal segments were abnormal, presence of other, previously established, indirect signs of callosal agenesis (ACC) and presence of additional cerebral or extracerebral anomalies.

Results

In 56 of the 71 (79%) cases, the CSP was measurable; it was abnormally shaped in 19 (34%) of these cases, 15 (79%) of which had no other indirect signs of pACC. Of 23 cases with isolated pACC and no other indirect signs, 12 (52%) had an abnormally shaped CSP.

Conclusions

In a significant proportion of cases of pACC detected prenatally, the shape of the CSP is abnormal. This should be considered an additional indirect sign of pACC, and is frequently the only clue to the diagnosis. When observing this sign in a screening context, pACC should be considered, and an attempt to visualize the corpus callosum directly in the midsagittal plane is suggested. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection After Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Uruno Takashi , Masaki Chie , Suzuki Akifumi , Ohkuwa Keiko , Shibuya Hiroshi , Kitagawa Wataru , Nagahama Mitsuji , Sugino Kiminori , Ito Koichi
Published: January 2015

Background and Objective

The effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) in the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) following thyroid and parathyroid surgery remains uncertain. The objective of this prospective randomized controlled trial (Ito‐RCT1) was to assess the effectiveness of AMP in clean neck surgery performed to treat thyroid and parathyroid disease.

Methods

Participants comprised patients scheduled for clean neck surgery for thyroid and parathyroid disease at Ito Hospital. Patients whose surgery included sternotomy or resection of the trachea, larynx, pharynx, or esophagus were excluded. AMP consisted of 2 g of piperacillin (PIPC) (group A, n = 541) or 1 g of cefazolin (CEZ) (group B, n = 541) administered intravenously immediately after endotracheal intubation. Patients in the control group (Group C, n = 1,082) did not receive AMP.

Results

Statistical analysis was performed to compare the AMP group (Group A + Group B) with the control group (Group C). Drug‐induced acute reactions correlated to PIPC or CEZ did not occur in the AMP group. No significant differences in the postoperative incidence of liver or renal dysfunction were seen between the AMP and control groups. Postoperative incidence of urinary tract infection was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.002). The incidence of SSI events was very low, with only 1 event (0.09 %) in the AMP group and 3 events (0.28 %) in the control group, and this difference between groups was not significant (p = 0.371).

Conclusions

AMP is not necessary to prevent SSI after clean thyroid or parathyroid surgery.
Essential Surgery: The Way Forward
Authors: Henry Jaymie Ang , Bem Chris , Grimes Caris , Borgstein Eric , Mkandawire Nyengo , Thomas William E. G. , Gunn S. William A. , Lane Robert H. S. , Cotton Michael H.
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Very little surgical care is performed in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). An estimated two billion people in the world have no access to essential surgical care, and non‐surgeons perform much of the surgery in remote and rural areas. Surgical care is as yet not recognized as an integral aspect of primary health care despite its self‐demonstrated cost‐effectiveness. We aimed to define the parameters of a public health approach to provide surgical care to areas in most need.

Methods

Consensus meetings were held, field experience was collected via targeted interviews, and a literature review on the current state of essential surgical care provision in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) was conducted. Comparisons were made across international recommendations for essential surgical interventions and a consensus‐driven list was drawn up according to their relative simplicity, resource requirement, and capacity to provide the highest impact in terms of averted mortality or disability.

Results

Essential Surgery consists of basic, low‐cost surgical interventions, which save lives and prevent life‐long disability or life‐threatening complications and may be offered in any district hospital. Fifteen essential surgical interventions were deduced from various recommendations from international surgical bodies. Training in the realm of Essential Surgery is narrow and strict enough to be possible for non‐physician clinicians (NPCs). This cadre is already active in many SSA countries in providing the bulk of surgical care.

Conclusion

A basic package of essential surgical care interventions is imperative to provide structure for scaling up training and building essential health services in remote and rural areas of LMICs. NPCs, a health cadre predominant in SSA, require training, mentoring, and monitoring. The cost of such training is vastly more efficient than the expensive training of a few polyvalent or specialist surgeons, who will not be sufficient in numbers within the next few generations. Moreover, these practitioners are used to working in the districts and are much less prone to gravitate elsewhere. The use of these NPCs performing “Essential Surgery” is a feasible route to deal with the almost total lack of primary surgical care in LMICs.
Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy and Fundoplication in Patients with End‐Stage Achalasia
Authors: Herbella Fernando A. M. , Patti Marco G.
Published: January 2015

Achalasia may present in a non‐advanced or advanced (end stage) stage. The latter is characterized by massive esophageal dilatation and/or the loss of the esophageal straight axis (sigmoid‐shaped esophagus). The treatment for non‐advanced cases of achalasia is well defined while the therapy for end‐stage disease is still debatable. Laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy is an option in patients with end‐stage achalasia. Dysphagia is relieved in a significant number of patients, it is a simpler operation to be used in frail patients, and it does not preclude a latter esophagectomy if necessary.
Exploring the Genetic Counselor's Role in Facilitating Meaning‐Making: Rare Disease Diagnoses
Authors: Helm Benjamin M.
Published: January 2015

The main goal of the constructivist meaning‐making framework is to encourage grief adaptation through the search for meaning in loss. Strategies to help patients construct meaning from their experiences may lead to positive adaptation. This strategy has been used in contemporary grief counseling, but it may also be beneficial in the genetic counseling scenario. The diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder often has considerable psychosocial impact as patients and families describe feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Negative experiences with healthcare providers often reinforce these feelings. Genetic counselors continue to provide education and psychosocial support to patients and families with rare genetic disorders, and meaning‐making strategies may provide a framework for which to help patients and families adapt to these challenging diagnoses. In this paper I explore the background of meaning‐making counseling strategy and describe an experience in which it was used for counseling a family with a child with Mowat‐Wilson syndrome. I show how a meaning‐making framework can help families explore and construct meaning from their experiences and encourage positive adaptation. I also address the possible limitations of this strategy and the need to share additional experiences with this counseling framework. Meaning‐making can be another tool for genetic counselors to help guide families in their grief and adaptation to rare disease diagnoses. I also describe qualities and aspects of counseling through the lens of meaning‐making and stress the importance of addressing psychosocial dimensions of rare disease diagnoses.
Apparent grazing losses of Labyrinthulomycetes protists in oceanic and coastal waters: an experimental elucidation
Authors: Damare Varada S. , Raghukumar Seshagiri
Published: January 2015

Labyrinthulomycetes are unicellular eukaryotes known for their ability to synthesize polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential for growth and development of zooplankton. But relationship of these microorganisms with microzooplankton and their trophic status in food chain remains unexplored. Hence grazing losses of these protists were studied in coastal and oceanic waters. Traditional dilution plot experiments to study consumption of natural phytoplankton (herbivory) and bacteria (bacterivory) by microzooplankton were carried out, incorporating a modification to unravel their preying on Labyrinthulomycetes. It was incorporation of fluorescently‐labeled Labyrinthulomycetes cells. Experiments in oceanic waters displayed grazing on phytoplankton and bacteria at all the three times of study while that on Labyrinthulomycetes at only one time out of the three. There was no significant grazing on phytoplankton in coastal waters and microzooplankton grazed on Labyrinthulomycetes and bacteria. When grazing was studied with respect to time, significant grazing on bacteria occurred in the first 6 h and on Labyrinthulomycetes occurred towards the end of 24 h of incubation. Grazing on natural Labyrinthulomycetes population instead of fluorescently‐labeled cells also revealed that they were grazed. Overall, the grazing experiments demonstrated that microzooplankton can exert positive grazing pressure on Labyrinthulomycetes, though during certain times only, signalizing the probable ‘top‐down control’ of Labyrinthulomycetes by microzooplankton during those times. Labyrinthulomycetes may therefore constitute an important part of microbial loop in the marine ecosystem by utilizing dissolved and particulate organic matter due to osmoheterotrophic mode of nutrition and in turn supplying it to the next trophic level viz., the microzooplankton.
Determinants of tree frog calling ponds in a human‐transformed landscape
Authors: Fischer Klaus , Becker Marlen , Becker Bianca A. , Bensch Julia , Böckers Andre , Burmeister Martin , Dombrowski Janine , Donke Elisabeth , Ermisch Rebecca , Fritze Marcus , Fritzsch Anna , Hübler Nora , Ide Marina , Klockmann Michael , Mielke Melanie , Pfender David , Schiffler Maria , Schrödter Marlen , Sund Lars , Viertel Caroline , Weise Elisabeth , Werner Maike , Winter Martin
Published: January 2015

Facing increasing human demands on Earth, understanding how endangered species may survive in isolated remnants of natural habitat within heavily transformed landscapes is key to contemporary conservation biology. Against this background we here investigate the factors affecting pond occupancy in the endangered European tree frog (Hyla arborea L.) within an urban landscape, being located in north‐eastern Germany where the species is still fairly common. Our survey revealed that 58 out of 122 ponds were occupied by H. arborea. Ponds with a higher percentage of floating vegetation, being deeper and surrounded by higher percentages of crop fields and forests were more likely to be occupied, while factors associated with urbanization such as the percentage of built‐up area were strongly detrimental. Habitat requirements of H. arborea were complex as occurrence was simultaneously affected by different spatial scales, including the landscape scale, the immediate surroundings of ponds and the ponds themselves. H. arborea avoided highly urbanized areas, but occurred frequently in agricultural areas surrounding the city. The latter suggests that this species is fairly tolerant towards human‐induced transformations, and that vast arable fields yielded positive rather than negative effects on H. arborea occurrence. We conclude that the most important conservation issues for supporting H. arborea populations at the periphery of urbanized areas are (1) maintaining an open (agricultural) landscape structure, (2) providing undisturbed overwintering habitats, and (3) maintaining pond quality by halting shrub and tree encroachment.