bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering Barriers to Teaching Assistants (TAs) Implementing Inquiry Teaching: Inconsistent Facilitation Techniques, Student Resistance, and Reluctance to Share Control over Learning with Students
Authors: Gormally Cara , Sullivan Carol Subiño , Szeinbaum Nadia
Published: May 2016

Inquiry-based teaching approaches are increasingly being adopted in biology laboratories. Yet teaching assistants (TAs), often novice teachers, teach the majority of laboratory courses in US research universities. This study analyzed the perspectives of TAs and their students and used classroom observations to uncover challenges faced by TAs during their first year of inquiry-based teaching. Our study revealed three insights about barriers to effective inquiry teaching practices: 1) TAs lack sufficient facilitation skills; 2) TAs struggle to share control over learning with students as they reconcile long-standing teaching beliefs with newly learned approaches, consequently undermining their fledgling ability to use inquiry approaches; and 3) student evaluations reinforce teacher-centered behaviors as TAs receive positive feedback conflicting with inquiry approaches. We make recommendations, including changing instructional feedback to focus on learner-centered teaching practices. We urge TA mentors to engage TAs in discussions to uncover teaching beliefs underlying teaching choices and support TAs through targeted feedback and practice.
Pandemics—A Scientific Guide for Use in Varied ClassesReview of:
Pandemics: What Everyone Needs to Know
; Peter C. Doherty; (2013). Oxford University Press, New York, NY. 272 pages.
Authors: Stadtländer Christian T.K.-H.
Published: May 2016

Review of: Pandemics: What Everyone Needs to Know; Peter C. Doherty; (2013). Oxford University Press, New York, NY. 272 pages.
The ASM-NSF Biology Scholars Program: An Evidence-Based Model for Faculty Development
Authors: Chang Amy L. , Pribbenow Christine M.
Published: May 2016

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) established its ASM-NSF (National Science Foundation) Biology Scholars Program (BSP) to promote undergraduate education reform by 1) supporting biologists to implement evidence-based teaching practices, 2) engaging life science professional societies to facilitate biologists’ leadership in scholarly teaching within the discipline, and 3) participating in a teaching community that fosters disciplinary-level science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) reform. Since 2005, the program has utilized year-long residency training to provide a continuum of learning and practice centered on principles from the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) to more than 270 participants (“scholars”) from biology and multiple other disciplines. Additionally, the program has recruited 11 life science professional societies to support faculty development in SoTL and discipline-based education research (DBER). To identify the BSP’s long-term outcomes and impacts, ASM engaged an external evaluator to conduct a study of the program’s 2010–2014 scholars (
n
= 127) and society partners. The study methods included online surveys, focus groups, participant observation, and analysis of various documents. Study participants indicate that the program achieved its proposed goals relative to scholarship, professional society impact, leadership, community, and faculty professional development. Although participants also identified barriers that hindered elements of their BSP participation, findings suggest that the program was essential to their development as faculty and provides evidence of the BSP as a model for other societies seeking to advance undergraduate science education reform. The BSP is the longest-standing faculty development program sponsored by a collective group of life science societies. This collaboration promotes success across a fragmented system of more than 80 societies representing the life sciences and helps catalyze biology education reform efforts.
CXCL10 Acts as a Bifunctional Antimicrobial Molecule against Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Margulieux Katie R. , Fox Jay W. , Nakamoto Robert K. , Hughes Molly A.
Published: May 2016

Bacillus anthracis
is killed by the interferon-inducible, ELR(−) CXC chemokine CXCL10. Previous studies showed that disruption of the gene encoding FtsX, a conserved membrane component of the ATP-binding cassette transporter-like complex FtsE/X, resulted in resistance to CXCL10. FtsX exhibits some sequence similarity to the mammalian CXCL10 receptor, CXCR3, suggesting that the CXCL10 N-terminal region that interacts with CXCR3 may also interact with FtsX. A C-terminal truncated CXCL10 was tested to determine if the FtsX-dependent antimicrobial activity is associated with the CXCR3-interacting N terminus. The truncated CXCL10 exhibited antimicrobial activity against the
B. anthracis
parent strain but not the Δ
ftsX
mutant, which supports a key role for the CXCL10 N terminus. Mutations in FtsE, the conserved ATP-binding protein of the FtsE/X complex, resulted in resistance to both CXCL10 and truncated CXCL10, indicating that both FtsX and FtsE are important. Higher concentrations of CXCL10 overcame the resistance of the Δ
ftsX
mutant to CXCL10, suggesting an FtsX-independent killing mechanism, likely involving its C-terminal α-helix, which resembles a cationic antimicrobial peptide. Membrane depolarization studies revealed that CXCL10 disrupted membranes of the
B. anthracis
parent strain and the Δ
ftsX
mutant, but only the parent strain underwent depolarization with truncated CXCL10. These findings suggest that CXCL10 is a bifunctional molecule that kills
B. anthracis
by two mechanisms. FtsE/X-dependent killing is mediated through an N-terminal portion of CXCL10 and is not reliant upon the C-terminal α-helix. The FtsE/X-independent mechanism involves membrane depolarization by CXCL10, likely because of its α-helix. These findings present a new paradigm for understanding mechanisms by which CXCL10 and related chemokines kill bacteria.

IMPORTANCE
Chemokines are a class of molecules known for their chemoattractant properties but more recently have been shown to possess antimicrobial activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The mechanism(s) by which these chemokines kill bacteria is not well understood, but it is generally thought to be due to the conserved amphipathic C-terminal α-helix that resembles cationic antimicrobial peptides in charge and secondary structure. Our present study indicates that the interferon-inducible, ELR(−) chemokine CXCL10 kills the Gram-positive pathogen
Bacillus anthracis
through multiple molecular mechanisms. One mechanism is mediated by interaction of CXCL10 with the bacterial FtsE/X complex and does not require the presence of the CXCL10 C-terminal α-helix. The second mechanism is FtsE/X receptor independent and kills through membrane disruption due to the C-terminal α-helix. This study represents a new paradigm for understanding how chemokines exert an antimicrobial effect that may prove applicable to other bacterial species.
Correlation of imaging and histopathology of thrombi in acute ischemic stroke with etiology and outcome: a systematic review
Authors: Brinjikji Waleed , Duffy Sharon , Burrows Anthony , Hacke Werner , Liebeskind David , Majoie Charles B L M , Dippel Diederik W J , Siddiqui Adnan H , Khatri Pooja , Baxter Blaise , Nogeuira Raul , Gounis Matt , Jovin Tudor , Kallmes David F
Published: May 2016

Background and purpose

Studying the imaging and histopathologic characteristics of thrombi in ischemic stroke could provide insights into stroke etiology and ideal treatment strategies. We conducted a systematic review of imaging and histologic characteristics of thrombi in acute ischemic stroke.

Materials and methods

We identified all studies published between January 2005 and December 2015 that reported findings related to histologic and/or imaging characteristics of thrombi in acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion. The five outcomes examined in this study were (1) association between histologic composition of thrombi and stroke etiology; (2) association between histologic composition of thrombi and angiographic outcomes; (3) association between thrombi imaging and histologic characteristics; (4) association between thrombi imaging characteristics and angiographic outcomes; and (5) association between imaging characteristics of thrombi and stroke etiology. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model.

Results

There was no significant difference in the proportion of red blood cell (RBC)-rich thrombi between cardioembolic and large artery atherosclerosis etiologies (OR 1.62, 95% CI 0.1 to 28.0, p=0.63). Patients with a hyperdense artery sign had a higher odds of having RBC-rich thrombi than those without a hyperdense artery sign (OR 9.0, 95% CI 2.6 to 31.2, p<0.01). Patients with a good angiographic outcome had a mean thrombus Hounsfield unit (HU) of 55.1±3.1 compared with a mean HU of 48.4±1.9 for patients with a poor angiographic outcome (mean standard difference 6.5, 95% CI 2.7 to 10.2, p<0.001). There was no association between imaging characteristics and stroke etiology (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.32 to 4.00, p=0.85).

Conclusions

The hyperdense artery sign is associated with RBC-rich thrombi and improved recanalization rates. However, there was no association between the histopathological characteristics of thrombi and stroke etiology and angiographic outcomes.
Instrumental meat quality characteristics associated with aged m. longissimus thoracis from the four Canadian beef quality grades
Authors: Puente Jose , Samanta Saranyu S. , Bruce Heather L.
Published: May 2016

Canadian beef is quality graded to characterize the potential eating quality of the cooked product. Instrumental meat quality characteristics of 48 m. longissimus thoracis (LT, rib eye) from four Canadian beef grades (Canada A, AA, AAA, and Prime, n = 12) before and after an additional 14-d aging were compared using a split plot design with grade, aging, and their interaction as fixed sources of variation. Mean percentage intramuscular fat was greatest in Canada Prime muscle and least in Canada A and AA muscles (P < 0.0001), whereas mean percentage drip loss was lower in Canada Prime muscle than in muscle from all other grades (P = 0.0348). Canada Prime and AAA muscles were redder and yellower than muscles from other grades even after aging (P < 0.03), which may be associated with increased fat content and indicative of accelerated myoglobin oxidation and increased myoglobin oxygenation. Shear force was not different among the Canada grades, although the differences between Canada AA cooked beef LT and that of Canada Prime and AAA carcasses approached significance (P = 0.0993). Results indicated that Canada quality grades did not differentiate beef on cooked product tenderness, substantiating that muscle compositional characteristics alone define beef grade advantages.
A simple length-structured model based on life history ratios and incorporating size-dependent selectivity: application to spawning potential ratios for data-poor stocks
Authors: Hordyk Adrian R. , Ono Kotaro , Prince Jeremy D. , Walters Carl J.
Published: May 2016

Selectivity in fish is often size-dependent, which results in differential fishing mortality rates across fish of the same age, an effect known as “Lee’s Phenomenon”. We extend previous work on using length composition to estimate the spawning potential ratio (SPR) for data-limited stocks by developing a computationally efficient length-structured per-recruit model that splits the population into a number of subcohorts, or growth-type-groups, to account for size-dependent fishing mortality rates. Two simple recursive equations, using the life history ratio of the natural mortality rate to the von Bertalanffy growth parameter (M/K), were developed to generate length composition data, reducing the complexity of the previous approach. Using simulated and empirical data, we demonstrate that ignoring Lee’s Phenomenon results in overestimates of fishing mortality and negatively biased estimates of SPR. We also explored the behaviour of the model under various scenarios, including alternative life history strategies and the presence of size-dependent natural mortality. The model developed in this paper may be a useful tool to estimate the SPR for data-limited stock where it is not possible to apply more conventional methods.
Sugar beet response to rotation and conservation management in a 12-year irrigated study in southern Alberta
Authors: Larney Francis J. , Nitschelm Jennifer J. , Regitnig Peter J. , Pearson Drusilla C. , Blackshaw Robert E. , Lupwayi Newton Z.
Published: May 2016

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) has a long history as an option for irrigated crop rotations in southern Alberta. A 12-yr (2000–2011) study compared conservation (CONS) and conventional (CONV) management for sugar beet in 4- to 6-yr rotations which also included dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), and soft white spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Oat (Avena sativa L.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) were included in the longest 6-yr rotation. Conservation management incorporated reduced tillage, cover crops, feedlot manure compost addition, and solid-seeded dry bean. Compared with a 4-yr CONV rotation (52.2 Mg ha−1), sugar beet root yield (averaged over the second 6 yr of the study, 2006–2011) was significantly higher, by 11%, on 4- and 5-yr CONS rotations (57.7–57.9 Mg ha−1), and by 8% on a 6-yr CONS rotation (56.1 Mg ha−1). Sugar beet impurity parameters were significantly affected by rotation in, at most, 3 of 12 yr. However, averaged over the final 6 yr of the study (2006–2011), a significantly higher K concentration (impurity) was found with CONS (2108 mg kg−1) vs. CONV (1958 mg kg−1) management. Integrating CONS management practices into sugar beet rotations led to significant yield benefits while effects on sugar beet quality were minimal.
Model Selection Management Systems
Authors: Kumar Arun , McCann Robert , Naughton Jeffrey , Patel Jignesh M.
Published: May 2016

John Boyd recognized in the 1960's the importance of situation awareness for military operations and introduced the notion of the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act). Today we realize that many applications have to deal with situation awareness: Customer Relationship Management, Human Capital Management, Supply Chain Management, patient care, power grid management, and cloud services management, as well as any IoT (Internet of Things) related application; the list seems to be endless. Situation awareness requires applications to support the management of data, knowledge, processes, and other services such as social networking in an integrated way. These applications additionally require high personalization as well as rapid and continuous evolution. They must provide a wide variety of operational and functional requirements, including real time processing.

Handcrafting these applications is an almost impossible task requiring exhaustive resources for development and maintenance. Due to the resources and time involved in their development, these applications typically fall way short of the desired functionality, operational characteristics, and ease and speed of evolution. We - the authors - have developed a model enabling the development and maintenance of situation-aware applications in a declarative and therefore economical manner; we call this model KIDS - Knowledge Intensive Data-processing System.
Retinoic Acid and Retinoic Acid Receptors as Pleiotropic Modulators of the Immune System
Authors: Larange Alexandre , Cheroutre Hilde
Published: May 2016

Vitamin A is a multifunctional vitamin implicated in a wide range of biological processes. Its control over the immune system and functions are perhaps the most pleiotropic not only for development but also for the functional fate of almost every cell involved in protective or regulatory adaptive or innate immunity. This is especially key at the intestinal border, where dietary vitamin A is first absorbed. Most effects of vitamin A are exerted by its metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), which through ligation of nuclear receptors controls transcriptional expression of RA target genes. In addition to this canonical function, RA and RA receptors (RARs), either as ligand-receptor or separately, play extranuclear, nongenomic roles that greatly expand the multiple mechanisms employed for their numerous and paradoxical functions that ultimately link environmental sensing with immune cell fate. This review discusses RA and RARs and their complex roles in innate and adaptive immunity.
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Presenting as Pauci-Immune Crescentic Glomerulonephritis in Pregnancy
Authors: Kunjal Ryan , Makary Raafat , Poenariu Andreea
Published: May 2016

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis rarely affects females of reproductive age. A 28-year-old African American woman presented at 8 weeks of gestation with intractable vomiting attributed to hyperemesis gravidarum. She was found to have acute kidney injury that was unresponsive to vigorous fluid resuscitation and urine sediment examination was suggestive of an underlying glomerulonephritis. Serum c-ANCA and PR3 were elevated and there was no peripheral eosinophilia. During her course she also developed one episode of small volume hemoptysis with right upper lobe infiltrates on CT Chest. There were no cutaneous manifestations of vasculitis or upper respiratory symptoms. Renal biopsy revealed a pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (PICGN). The diagnosis was consistent with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Management initially comprised teratogen sparing agents; steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin; and plasma exchange. The response was suboptimal and she became dependent on daily renal replacement therapy. Ultimately the pregnancy was terminated allowing for traditional treatment approaches with dramatic effect. This is the first case of GPA presenting as PICGN in pregnancy and highlights the challenges of its management.
Acute Achilles Paratendinopathy following Major Injury of the Crural Fascia in a Professional Soccer Player: A Possible Correlation?
Authors: Mattiussi Gabriele , Turloni Michele , Baldassi Pietro Tobia , Moreno Carlos
Published: May 2016

Background. The anatomy and mechanical properties of the Crural Fascia (CF), the ubiquitous connective tissue of the posterior region of the leg, have recently been investigated. The most important findings are that (i) the CF may suffer structural damage from indirect trauma, (ii) structural changes of the CF may affect the biomechanics of tissues connected to it, causing myofascial pain syndromes, and (iii) the CF is in anatomical continuity with the Achilles paratenon. Consistent with these points, the authors hypothesize that the onset of acute Achilles paratendinopathy may be related to histological and biomechanical changes of the CF.Case Presentation. A professional male football player suffered an isolated injury of the CF, interposed between the soleus and medial gastrocnemius (an atypical site of injury) with structural connective integrity of the muscles. After participating in the first official match, two and a half months after the trauma, he has unexpectedly demonstrated the clinical picture of acute Achilles paratendinopathy in the previously injured limb.Conclusions. Analysis of this case suggests that the acute Achilles paratendinopathy may be a muscle injury complication from indirect trauma of the calf muscle, if a frank and extensive involvement of the CF were to be ascertained.
Lanthanide Coordination Polymer Nanosheet Aggregates: Solvothermal Synthesis and Downconversion Luminescence
Authors: Su Rui-Rui , Tao Peng , Han Yi , Zeng Cheng-Hui , Zhong Sheng-Liang
Published: May 2016

A lanthanide coordination polymers (CPs) nanostructure (1) has been synthesized via a facile template-free solvothermal strategy using DMF as solvent and 2-methyl benzoic acid (2-MeBAH) as ligands. The products are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analyses (EA), and downward luminescence. Product1built from Tb3+and 2-MeBAH has one-dimensional structure which is connected by trinuclear second building units (SBUs). Downward luminescence shows that sample1exhibits characteristic transitions of the Tb3+ion at 489, 544, 583, and 621 nm, and the strongest peak is at 544 nm ascribed to the transition ofD45→F57of Tb3+.
Mycobacterium tuberculosisContaminant Risk on Bone Marrow Aspiration Material from Iliac Bone Patients with Active Tuberculous Spondylitis
Authors: Rahyussalim Ahmad Jabir , Kurniawati Tri , Rukmana Andriansjah
Published: May 2016

There was a concern onMycobacterium tuberculosisspreading to the bone marrow, when it was applied on tuberculous spine infection. This research aimed to study the probability of using autologous bone marrow as a source of mesenchymal stem cell for patients with tuberculous spondylitis. As many as nine patients with tuberculous spondylitis were used as samples. During the procedure, the vertebral lesion material and iliac bone marrow aspirates were obtained for acid fast staining, bacteria culture, and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests forMycobacterium tuberculosisat the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia. This research showed that there was a relationship between diagnostic confirmation of tuberculous spondylitis based on the PCR test and bacterial culture on the solid vertebral lesion material with the PCR test and bacterial culture from the bone marrow aspirates. If the diagnostic confirmation concluded positive results, then there was a higher probability that there would be a positive result for the bone marrow aspirates, so that it was not recommended to use autologous bone marrow as a source of mesenchymal stem cell for patients with tuberculous spondylitis unless the PCR and culture examination of the bone marrow showed a negative result.
The Effect of Artichoke Leaf Extract on Alanine Aminotransferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase in the Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Rangboo Vajiheh , Noroozi Mostafa , Zavoshy Roza , Rezadoost Seyed Amirmansoor , Mohammadpoorasl Asghar
Published: May 2016

Background. Based on recent basic and clinical investigations, the extract of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf has been revealed to be used for hepatoprotective and cholesterol reducing purposes. We aimed to assess the therapeutic effects of artichoke on biochemical and liver biomarkers in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).Methods. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 60 consecutive patients suffering NASH were randomly assigned to receiveCynara scolymusextract (as 6 tablets per day consisting of 2700 mg extract of the herb) as the intervention group or placebo as the control group for two months.Results. Comparing changes in study markers following interventions showed improvement in liver enzymes. The levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly reduced in the group treated withCynara scolymuswhen compared to placebo group. To compare the role ofCynara scolymususe with placebo in changes in study parameters, multivariate linear regression models were employed indicating higher improvement in liver enzymes and also lipid profile particularly triglycerides and total cholesterol following administration ofCynara scolymusin comparison with placebo use.Conclusion. This study sheds light on the potential hepatoprotective activity and hypolipidemic effect ofCynara scolymusin management of NASH. This clinical trial is registered in the IRCT, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, by numberIRCT2014070218321N1.
Preterm Birth and Associated Factors among Mothers Who Gave Birth in Gondar Town Health Institutions
Authors: Gebreslasie Kahsay
Published: May 2016

Background. The birth of a preterm infant has a greater risk of developmental disabilities, health, and growth problems than infants born at full term. The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of preterm birth Northwest Ethiopia, Gondar town health institutions. Methods. Facility based cross section study was undertaken. Systematic sampling was used to select 540 study participants. Both bivariate and multiple logistic regression were fitted. Variables with p value < 0.05 and 95% CI in multivariate were considered statistically significant. Result. This study showed that 4.4% from the total 540 mothers gave a preterm birth. The covariates of pregnancy induced hypertension (AOR 5.36 (95% CI 1.8, 15.96)) and being HIV positive (AOR 3.4 (95% CI 1.25, 9.2)) were found to be significantly associated with preterm birth. Conclusion. The main factors for preterm birth were pregnancy induced hypertension and being HIV positive. Therefore, still efforts have to be made to decrease the prevalence of preterm birth and for timely management of pregnancy induced hypertension and identifying pregnant women at the risk of preterm delivery like HIV positive women and proving quality of healthcare may decrease the rate of preterm birth and its consequences.
The Optimization Model of Earthquake Emergency Supplies Collecting with the Limited Period and Double-Level Multihub
Authors: Xing Huang
Published: May 2016

This paper constructed a multiobjective programming model and designed Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm for earthquake emergency to solve the optimal decision-making question of Multihub emergency supplies collection network with constrained demand period and collection time as fuzzy interval numbers and capacity limit to hub nodes. As for algorithm design, a two-stage parallel solution mode was employed to achieve the global optimal solution in the solution space. At first, the paper is based on the constraint to the total time of emergency supplies collection system and the capacity limited to Multihub; this paper allocated the emergency supplies at each demand point to Multihub from which the emergency supply would be transferred. Secondly, this paper searched for the optimal plans from some feasible plans to determine the distribution directions and emergency supplies collection amount at emergency supplies provision points as well as the optimal collection cost that meet the constraint of demand time. Finally, the result of case verification showed that, compared with simulated annealing (SA) and sequential enumeration method (SEM), Multihub emergency supply collection model based on PSO parallel algorithm made a great improvement in the number of iterations and the optimal collection time, indicating that this model is feasible and effective and can be used in decision-making for earthquake emergency supply collection.
Protein Remote Homology Detection Based on an Ensemble Learning Approach
Authors: Chen Junjie , Liu Bingquan , Huang Dong
Published: May 2016

Protein remote homology detection is one of the central problems in bioinformatics. Although some computational methods have been proposed, the problem is still far from being solved. In this paper, an ensemble classifier for protein remote homology detection, called SVM-Ensemble, was proposed with a weighted voting strategy. SVM-Ensemble combined three basic classifiers based on different feature spaces, including Kmer, ACC, and SC-PseAAC. These features consider the characteristics of proteins from various perspectives, incorporating both the sequence composition and the sequence-order information along the protein sequences. Experimental results on a widely used benchmark dataset showed that the proposed SVM-Ensemble can obviously improve the predictive performance for the protein remote homology detection. Moreover, it achieved the best performance and outperformed other state-of-the-art methods.
Micropropagation, Micromorphological Studies, andIn VitroFlowering inRungia pectinataL.
Authors: Shekhawat Mahipal S. , Manokari M. , Ravindran C. P.
Published: May 2016

A tissue culture protocol was developed for an important medicinal plantRungia pectinataL. in the present study. Nodal shoots were used as explants and surface-sterilized with 0.1% HgCl2solution. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium was used to establish the cultures ofR. pectinata. The bud break was reported on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L−16-benzylaminopurine (BAP). About 98% response was observed with this media combination and maximum 3.2 shoots per explant with 4.3 cm length were recorded. The shoots were further multiplied using MS medium augmented with 0.5 mg L−1each of BAP and kinetin (Kin) + 0.1 mg L−1indole-3 acetic acid (IAA). Maximum 13.2 shoots per explant with 5.2 cm length were observed. All the shoots were rooted (4.9 roots per shoot with 3.5 cm length) on half strength MS medium fortified with 2.0 mg L−1indole-3 butyric acid (IBA).In vitroflowering was induced from the shoots on half strength MS medium supplemented with same concentrations and combinations of growth regulators used for shoot multiplication under 12/12 hr light/dark photoperiod. The plantlets were hardened in the greenhouse for two months and finally transferred to the field. The foliar micromorphological studies revealed the developmental changes in stomata, vein density, and trichomes during the culture of shoots underin vitroconditions.
Posterior Mediastinal Adenomatoid Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Parekh Vishwas , Winokur Thomas , Cerfolio Robert J. , Stevens Todd M.
Published: May 2016

Adenomatoid tumor is an uncommon benign neoplasm of mesothelial differentiation that distinctively arises in and around the genital organs. In rare instances, it has been described in extragenital locations. There have been only two reports documenting its occurrence in the anterior mediastinum, and no reports documenting its occurrence in the posterior mediastinum. We report the first case of posterior mediastinal adenomatoid tumor. A 37-year-old Caucasian woman presented with symptoms of bronchitis. Imaging studies identified a 2.0 cm posterior mediastinal mass abutting the T9 vertebral body, clinically and radiologically most consistent with schwannoma. Histologic sections revealed a lesion composed of epithelioid cells arranged in cords and luminal profiles embedded in a fibrotic to loose stroma and surrounded by a fibrous pseudocapsule. Lesional cells showed vacuolated eosinophilic cytoplasm and peripherally displaced nuclei with prominent nucleoli. There was focal cytologic atypia but no mitotic figures or necrosis was identified. The lesional cells expressed cytokeratin, calretinin, and nuclear WT1 but were negative for PAX8, TTF1, p53, chromogranin, CD31, and CD34, and Ki67 showed <2% proliferation rate, diagnostic of adenomatoid tumor. Three years after resection, the patient is in good health without tumor recurrence. Thus, our encounter effectively expands the differential diagnosis of posterior mediastinal neoplastic entities.
The Efficacy of Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation for Improving Function in People with Chronic Pain
Authors: Kurklinsky Svetlana , Perez Rachel B. , Lacayo Elke R. , Sletten Christopher D.
Published: May 2016

Objective. To examine the efficacy of interdisciplinary rehabilitation for improving function in people with chronic pain. Design. Retrospective Chart Review. Setting. The Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC) at a medical center. Participants. Individuals admitted to the PRC. Interventions. The PRC operates a 3-week outpatient program that utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to treat people with chronic pain. The main treatment elements include physical therapy, occupational therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication management. Physical therapy groups focus on moderate exercise despite symptoms. Occupational therapists teach moderation, time management, and activity modification. CBT groups, led by a pain psychologist, address the psychosocial comorbidities of chronic pain. Medical staff oversee the tapering of opiate analgesics and other symptom targeted treatments. This integrated approach is indicated when conventional treatments have been ineffective. Outcome Measures. The objective outcome was the 6-minute walk test (6 mWT) distance. The subjective outcomes were performance (COPM-PER) and satisfaction (COPM-SAT) as measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Results. Average 6 mWT distances improved by 39% from 375 m to 523 m. Average COPM-PER scores increased from 3.4 to 7.5. Average COPM-SAT scores increased from 2.4 to 7.5. Conclusions. Comprehensive interdisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation can significantly improve function in people with chronic pain.
Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells: A Reliable, Challenging Tool for In Vitro Osteogenesis and Bone Tissue Engineering Approaches
Authors: Hempel Ute , Müller Katrin , Preissler Carolin , Noack Carolin , Boxberger Sabine , Dieter Peter , Bornhäuser Martin , Wobus Manja
Published: May 2016

Adult human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) are important for many scientific purposes because of their multipotency, availability, and relatively easy handling. They are frequently used to study osteogenesis in vitro. Most commonly, hBMSC are isolated from bone marrow aspirates collected in clinical routine and cultured under the “aspect plastic adherence” without any further selection. Owing to the random donor population, they show a broad heterogeneity. Here, the osteogenic differentiation potential of 531 hBMSC was analyzed. The data were supplied to correlation analysis involving donor age, gender, and body mass index. hBMSC preparations were characterized as follows: (a) how many passages the osteogenic characteristics are stable in and (b) the influence of supplements and culture duration on osteogenic parameters (tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), octamer binding transcription factor 4, core‐binding factor alpha‐1, parathyroid hormone receptor, bone gla protein, and peroxisome proliferator‐activated protein γ). The results show that no strong prediction could be made from donor data to the osteogenic differentiation potential; only the ratio of induced TNAP to endogenous TNAP could be a reliable criterion. The results give evidence that hBMSC cultures are stable until passage 7 without substantial loss of differentiation potential and that established differentiation protocols lead to osteoblast‐like cells but not to fully authentic osteoblasts.
2-Methoxyestradiol Alleviates Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis by Inhibiting Lymphocytes Proliferation and T Cell Differentiation
Authors: Xu Linxinyu , Yang Tianshu , Su Shaobo , Wang Fang
Published: May 2016

Purpose. To investigate the effect of 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) and the mechanism.Method. C57BL/6 male mice were used to establish the EAU model. 2ME2 was abdominal administrated in D0–D13, D0–D6, and D7–D13 and control group was given vehicle from D0–D13. At D14, pathological severity was scored. Lymphocyte reaction was measured using MTT assay. T cell differentiation in draining lymph nodes and eye-infiltrating cells was tested by flow cytometry. Proinflammatory cytokines production from lymphocytes was determined by ELISA.Result. The disease scores from 2ME2 D0–D13, 2ME2 D0–D6, 2ME2 D7–D13, and vehicle groups were0.20±0.12,1.42±0.24,2.25±0.32, and2.42±0.24. Cells from all 2ME2 treated groups responded weaker than control (p<0.05). The inhibitory effect of 2ME2 on lymphocyte proliferation attenuated from 2ME2 D0–D13 to 2ME2 D0–D6 and to 2ME2 D7–D13 groups (p<0.05). 2ME2 treated mice developed fewer Th1 and Th17 cells both in draining lymph nodes and in eyes than control (p<0.05). Lymphocytes from 2ME2 group secreted less IFN-γand IL-17A than those from control (p<0.05).Conclusion. 2ME2 ameliorated EAU progression and presented a better effect at priming phase. The possible mechanism could be the inhibitory impact on IRBP specific lymphocyte proliferation and Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation.
Ovatodiolide of Anisomeles indica Exerts the Anticancer Potential on Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines through STAT3 and NF‐κB Regulation
Authors: Hsieh Ya-Ju , Tseng Sung-Pin , Kuo Yu-Hsuan , Cheng Tain-Lu , Chiang Chiao-Yu , Tzeng Yew-Min , Tsai Wan-Chi
Published: May 2016

Pancreatic cancer is the eighth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Patients with pancreatic cancer are normally diagnosed at an advanced stage and present poor survival rate. Ovatodiolide (OV), a bioactive macrocyclic diterpenoid isolated from Anisomeles indica, showed cytotoxicity effects in pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Moreover, not only were cell adhesion and invasion markedly suppressed in a dose‐dependent manner, but the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was also significantly decreased. Western blot analysis indicated that OV potently suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT‐3 and its upstream kinase including ERK1/2, P38, and AKT Ser473. Meanwhile, OV inactivated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) by inhibiting IκB kinase (IKK α/β) activation and the subsequent suppression of inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) phosphorylation. These results demonstrated that OV could potentially inhibit Mia‐PaCa2 cancer cells proliferation and induce apoptosis through modulation of NF‐κB and STAT3 pathway. Moreover, OV suppressed cell invasiveness and interfered with cell‐matrix adhesion in Mia‐PaCa2 cancer cells by reducing MMP‐9 and FAK transcription through suppressing NF‐κB and STAT3 pathway. Taken together, our findings reveal a new therapeutic and antimetastatic potential of ovatodiolide for pancreatic cancer remedy.
Unusual Chromosomal Rearrangement Resulted in Interstitial Monosomy 9p: Case Report
Authors: Durmaz Ceren D. , Yararbaş Kanay , Kutlay Nüket Y. , Türedi Özlem , Akın İsmigül , Gürbüz Cansu , Karataş Günay , Tükün Ajlan
Published: May 2016

We report on a 4.5-year-old boy with interstitial monosomy 9p in a unique and complex de novo rearrangement. The patient had been referred for craniofacial dysmorphism, delayed psychomotor development, and various congenital malformations. We combined cytogenetic studies and FISH analyses to delineate the deletion. The result of our cytogenetic studies was 46,XY,der(9)(p22pter). In order to confirm the deletion, we also performed FISH analysis, which showed that the 9p subtelomeric region was inserted into chromosome 13. Molecular karyotyping was performed to describe the exact genomic breakpoints of the rearrangement. In conclusion, this case is a complex insertion/deletion abnormality which has not been reported before.
Identification of NR5A1 Mutations and Possible Digenic Inheritance in 46,XY Gonadal Dysgenesis
Authors: Mazen Inas , Abdel-Hamid Mohamed , Mekkawy Mona , Bignon-Topalovic Joëlle , Boudjenah Radia , El Gammal Mona , Essawi Mona , Bashamboo Anu , McElreavey Ken
Published: May 2016

The phenotypic spectrum of patients carrying NR5A1 mutations ranges from 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis to male infertility. Phenotypic variability could be due to digenic or oligogenic inheritance of pathogenic variants in other testis-determining genes. Here, exome sequencing identified 2 pathogenic de novo NR5A1 mutations in 2 patients with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, p.Q206Tfs*20 and p.Arg313Cys. The latter patient also carried a missense mutation in MAP3K1. Our data extend the number of NR5A1 gene mutations associated with gonadal dysgenesis. The combination of an NR5A1 mutation with a MAP3K1 variant may explain the phenotypic variability associated with NR5A1 mutations.
Developing New Treatments for Heart Failure
Authors: Gheorghiade Mihai , Larson Christopher J. , Shah Sanjiv J. , Greene Stephen J. , Cleland John G.F. , Colucci Wilson S. , Dunnmon Preston , Epstein Stephen E. , Kim Raymond J. , Parsey Ramin V. , Stockbridge Norman , Carr James , Dinh Wilfried , Krahn Thomas , Kramer Frank , Wahlander Karin , Deckelbaum Lawrence I. , Crandall David , Okada Shunichiro , Senni Michele , Sikora Sergey , Sabbah Hani N. , Butler Javed
Published: May 2016

Compared with heart failure (HF) care 20 to 30 years ago, there has been tremendous advancement in therapy for ambulatory HF with reduced ejection fraction with the use of agents that block maladaptive neurohormonal pathways. However, during the past decade, with few notable exceptions, the frequency of successful drug development programs has fallen as most novel therapies have failed to offer incremental benefit or raised safety concerns (ie, hypotension). Moreover, no therapy has been approved specifically for HF with preserved ejection fraction or for worsening chronic HF (including acutely decompensated HF). Across the spectrum of HF, preliminary results from many phase II trials have been promising but are frequently followed by unsuccessful phase III studies, highlighting a disconnect in the translational process between basic science discovery, early drug development, and definitive clinical testing in pivotal trials. A major unmet need in HF drug development is the ability to identify homogeneous subsets of patients whose underlying disease is driven by a specific mechanism that can be targeted using a new therapeutic agent. Drug development strategies should increasingly consider therapies that facilitate reverse remodeling by directly targeting the heart itself rather than strictly focusing on agents that unload the heart or target systemic neurohormones. Advancements in cardiac imaging may allow for more focused and direct assessment of drug effects on the heart early in the drug development process. To better understand and address the array of challenges facing current HF drug development, so that future efforts may have a better chance for success, the Food and Drug Administration facilitated a meeting on February 17, 2015, which was attended by clinicians, researchers, regulators, and industry representatives. The following discussion summarizes the key takeaway dialogue from this meeting.
Optical Touch Sensing on Nonparametric Rear-Projection Surfaces for Interactive Physical-Virtual Experiences
Authors: Hochreiter Jason , Daher Salam , Nagendran Arjun , Gonzalez Laura , Welch Greg
Published: May 2016

We demonstrate a generalizable method for unified multitouch detection and response on various nonparametric and parametric surfaces to support interactive physical-virtual experiences. The method employs multiple infrared (IR) cameras, one or more projectors, IR light sources, and a rear-projection surface. IR light reflected off human fingers is captured by cameras with matched IR pass filters, allowing for the detection and localization of multiple simultaneous finger-touch events. The processing of these events is tightly coupled with the rendering system to produce auditory and visual responses displayed on the surface using the projector(s) to achieve a responsive, interactive, physical–virtual experience. We demonstrate the method on two nonparametric face-shaped surfaces and a planar surface. We also illustrate the approach's applicability in an interactive medical training scenario using one of the head surfaces to support hands-on, touch-sensitive medical training with dynamic physical–virtual patient behavior.
Dialogues about Emergence
Authors: Lestienne Rémy
Published: May 2016

What is Emergence? Some scientists nowadays have revitalized this already old idea, according to which, when one climbs the ladders of complexity, from elementary particles to galaxies and amebas to humankind, new properties appear. “The whole is more than the sum of its parts,” they say. Some among them even refer to a specific effect of the whole on the parts: Do not our conscious decisions change what the neurons in our brain do, thereby justifying our free will?

Going beyond the old scientific ideal of reductionism, this revival of emergence augurs a revolution to come, somewhat similar to that which occurred when Galileo argued for the inversion of the old cosmology to adopt the Copernican point of view. Here thus the return of the three protagonists of the famous book of Galileo, brought up to date: Sagredo, Simplicio, and Salviata. Each day during a certain spring in Paris, they go to Saint Germain des Près, the museum of the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers, and so forth. They meet there famous scientists, such as James Clerk Maxwell, Charles Darwin, Ilya Prigogine, or Roger Sperry. With them, they discuss emergence in their respective disciplines. By listening to them, one can measure the formidable challenges of this new debate for science and philosophy and better understand phenomena as various as the shape of molecules, the workings of the brain, or, perhaps more importantly, the nature of time.
Republicanism and the Irish Left
Authors: Finn Daniel
Published: May 2016

The Irish national revolution of 1916–23 left behind a partitioned island, with a northern segment that remained part of the United Kingdom and a southern ‘Free State’ – later to become a Republic – that was dominated by conservative forces. Most of those who had been involved in the struggle for national independence peeled off to form new parties in the 1920s, leaving behind a rump of militant Irish republicans. Sinn Féin and its military wing, the Irish Republican Army, would pose the greatest threat to political stability in the two Irish states. Although the Irish left has historically been among the weakest in Western Europe, repeated attempts have been made to fuse republicanism with socialism, from the Republican Congress in the 1930s to the Official Republican Movement of the 1970s and ’80s. At present, Sinn Féin poses the main electoral challenge to the conservative parties in the southern state, while holding office in a devolved administration north of the border. Eoin Ó Broin’sSinn Féin and the Politics of Left Republicanismoffers an assessment of these efforts from a leading Sinn Féin activist who maintains a certain critical distance from his own party’s approach, whileThe Lost Revolutionby Brian Hanley and Scott Millar andINLA: Deadly Divisionsgive comprehensive accounts of two earlier left-republican projects.
Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal a new species of Amauroderma (Basidiomycota) from China
Authors: SONG JIE , XING JIA-HUI , DECOCK CONY , HE XIAO-LAN , CUI BAO-KAI
Published: May 2016

The phylogeny of Amauroderma and related genera were studied using DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 28S nuclear ribosomal RNA gene regions. Amauroderma concentricum sp. nov. is described. The species is characterized by the yellowish brown to reddish brown pileal surface with concentric zones, a white pore surface unchanged when bruised, single to multiple stipes, small pores (4–5 per mm), and subglobose to globose and double-walled basidiospores, 8–9.2 × 7.2–8 µm. The phylogenetic analysis presented here confirmed that Amauroderma as traditionally accepted is not monophyletic.
New records of the squat lobster genus Munida Leach, 1820 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Munididae) from deep-water off Okinawa Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, with description of a new species
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI , HIGASHIJI TAKUO
Published: May 2016

Two species of the squat lobster genus Munida Leach, 1820, M. pollioculus n. sp. and M. zebra Macpherson, 1994, are recorded from deep-waters off Okinawa Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, at depths of 1000 m and 495 m, respectively. The new species closely resembles M. clevai Macpherson, 1999 and M. microps Alcock, 1894, but it differs from the latter two in the absence of a proximal spine on the mesial margin of the cheliped dactylus and the more stout dactylus of the second pereopod. Munida zebra is first recorded from the Northwest Pacific, as well as Japanese waters, with its geographical range extended to the north from the previously known southwestern Pacific localities.