bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibrocytes in pulmonary fibrosis: a brief synopsis
Authors: Maharaj Shyam , Shimbori Chiko , Kolb Martin
Published: November 2013

Fibrocytes are bone marrow-derived, circulating mesenchymal progenitor cells that play a role in several fibrotic disorders, including lung fibrosis. They are attracted to injured tissue by various chemokines. It is likely that fibrocytes play a detrimental role in tissue homeostasis and promote fibrosis, although this paradigm needs further confirmation. This would make fibrocytes a possible novel treatment target for fibrotic disorders. Fibrocytes also have some potential as a biomarker for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other diseases, but the promising preliminary data from single centre studies still require independent validation. Despite several, as yet, unresolved issues, it has become clear that fibrocytes are more than an incidental finding in lung injury and repair, and may hold great promise for the future of IPF management.
Interstitial lung disease associated with Equine Infectious Anemia Virus infection in horses
Authors: Bolfa Pompei , Nolf Marie , Cadoré Jean-Luc , Catoi Cornel , Archer Fabienne , Dolmazon Christine , Mornex Jean-François , Leroux Caroline
Published: December 2013

EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia) is a blood-borne disease primarily transmitted by haematophagous insects or needle punctures. Other routes of transmission have been poorly explored. We evaluated the potential of EIAV (Equine Infectious Anemia Virus) to induce pulmonary lesions in naturally infected equids. Lungs from 77 EIAV seropositive horses have been collected in Romania and France. Three types of lesions have been scored on paraffin-embedded lungs: lymphocyte infiltration, bronchiolar inflammation, and thickness of the alveolar septa. Expression of the p26 EIAV capsid (CA) protein has been evaluated by immunostaining. Compared to EIAV-negative horses, 52% of the EIAV-positive horses displayed a mild inflammation around the bronchioles, 22% had a moderate inflammation with inflammatory cells inside the wall and epithelial bronchiolar hyperplasia and 6.5% had a moderate to severe inflammation, with destruction of the bronchiolar epithelium and accumulation of smooth muscle cells within the pulmonary parenchyma. Changes in the thickness of the alveolar septa were also present. Expression of EIAV capsid has been evidenced in macrophages, endothelial as well as in alveolar and bronchiolar epithelial cells, as determined by their morphology and localization. To summarize, we found lesions of interstitial lung disease similar to that observed during other lentiviral infections such as FIV in cats, SRLV in sheep and goats or HIV in children. The presence of EIAV capsid in lung epithelial cells suggests that EIAV might be responsible for the broncho-interstitial damages observed.
Construction of high-density genetic linkage maps for orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioidesusing multiplexed shotgun genotyping
Authors: You Xinxin , Shu Liping , Li Shuisheng , Chen Jieming , Luo Jian , Lu Jun , Mu Qian , Bai Jie , Xia Qiuju , Chen Qingchun , Cai Yanjie , Zhang Haifa , Chen Guohua , Lin Haoran , Zhang Yong , Shi Qiong
Published: December 2013

Background

Orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, is one of the most valuable fish species in China. Commercial production of orange-spotted grouper could be increased by developing higher growth rates and improving commercially important traits. Information on genetic markers associated with quantitative trait loci (QTL) can be used in breeding programs to identify and select individuals carrying desired traits. A high-density genetic linkage map is the basis for QTL study, and multiplexed shotgun genotyping (MSG) facilitates the development of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genotyping. In this study, the first high-density genetic linkage maps for groupers were generated on the basis of the MSG method.

Results

The sex-averaged map contained a total of 4,608 SNPs, which spanned 1581.7 cM, with a mean distance between SNPs of 0.34 cM. The 4,608 SNPs were located in 2,849 unique locations on the linkage map, with an average inter-location space at 0.56 cM. There were 2,516 SNPs on the female map, and the number of unique locus was 1,902. However, the male map contained more numbers of SNP (2,939) and unique locations (2,005). The total length of the female and male maps was 1,370.9 and 1,335.5 cM, respectively.

Conclusions

The high-resolution genetic linkage maps will be very useful for QTL analyses and marker-assisted selection (MAS) for economically important traits in molecular breeding of the orange-spotted grouper.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in response to exogenous abscisic acid
Authors: Wang Yan , Tao Xiang , Tang Xiao-Mei , Xiao Liang , Sun Jiao-long , Yan Xue-Feng , Li Dan , Deng Hong-Yuan , Ma Xin-Rong
Published: December 2013

Background

Abscisic acid (ABA) can regulate the expressions of many stress-responsive genes in plants. However, in defense responses to pathogens, mounting evidence suggests that ABA plays variable roles. Little information exists about genome-wide gene expression in ABA responses in tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.), a model fruit crop plant.

Results

Global transcriptome profiles of tomato leaf responses to exogenous ABA were generated using Illumina RNA-sequencing. More than 173 million base pair reads were mapped onto the tomato reference genome and the expression pattern differences between treated and control leaves were assessed. In total, 50,616 transcripts were generated. Among them, 42,583 were functionally annotated in the NCBI non-redundant database and 47,877 in the tomato genome reference. Additionally, 31,107 transcripts were categorized into 57 functional groups based on Gene Ontology terms, and 14,371 were assigned to 310 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. In both the ABA treatment and control samples, 39,671 transcripts were available to analyze their expressions, of which 21,712 (54.73%) responded to exogenous ABA. Of these transcripts, 2,787 were significantly differently expressed genes (DEGs). Many known and novel ABA-induced and -repressed genes were found. Exogenous ABA can influence the ABA signaling pathway with PYR/PYL/RCARs-PP2Cs-SnRK2s as the center. Eighteen PYL genes were detected. A large number of genes related to various transcription factors, heat shock proteins, pathogen resistance, and the salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene signaling pathways were up-regulated by exogenous ABA.

Conclusions

The results indicated that ABA has the potential to improve pathogen-resistance and abiotic stress tolerance in tomato. This study presents the global expression analysis of ABA-regulated transcripts in tomato and provides a robust database for investigating the functions of genes induced by ABA.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Morus spp. and assessment of their transferability to other closely related species
Authors: Mathithumilan Balachandran , Kadam Niteen Narharirao , Biradar Jyoti , Reddy Sowmya H , Ankaiah Mahadeva , Narayanan Madhura J , Makarla Udayakumar , Khurana Paramjit , Sreeman Sheshshayee Madavalam
Published: December 2013

Background

Adoption of genomics based breeding has emerged as a promising approach for achieving comprehensive crop improvement. Such an approach is more relevant in the case of perennial species like mulberry. However, unavailability of genomic resources of co-dominant marker systems has been the major constraint for adopting molecular breeding to achieve genetic enhancement of Mulberry. The goal of this study was to develop and characterize a large number of locus specific genic and genomic SSR markers which can be effectively used for molecular characterization of mulberry species/genotypes.

Result

We analyzed a total of 3485 DNA sequences including genomic and expressed sequences (ESTs) of mulberry (Morus alba L.) genome. We identified 358 sequences to develop appropriate microsatellite primer pairs representing 222 genomic and 136 EST regions. Primers amplifying locus specific regions of Dudia white (a genotype of Morus alba L), were identified and 137 genomic and 51 genic SSR markers were standardized. A two pronged strategy was adopted to assess the applicability of these SSR markers using mulberry species and genotypes along with a few closely related species belonging to the family Moraceae viz., Ficus, Fig and Jackfruit. While 100% of these markers amplified specific loci on the mulberry genome, 79% were transferable to other related species indicating the robustness of these markers and the potential they hold in analyzing the molecular and genetic diversity among mulberry germplasm as well as other related species. The inherent ability of these markers in detecting heterozygosity combined with a high average polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.559 ranging between 0.076 and 0.943 clearly demonstrates their potential as genomic resources in diversity analysis. The dissimilarity coefficient determined based on Neighbor joining method, revealed that the markers were successful in segregating the mulberry species, genotypes and other related species into distinct clusters.

Conclusion

We report a total of 188 genomic and genic SSR markers in Morus alba L. A large proportion of these markers (164) were polymorphic both among mulberry species and genotypes. A substantial number of these markers (149) were also transferable to other related species like Ficus, Fig and Jackfruit. The extent of polymorphism revealed and the ability to detect heterozygosity among the cross pollinated mulberry species and genotypes render these markers an invaluable genomic resource that can be utilized in assessing molecular diversity as well as in QTL mapping and subsequently mulberry crop improvement through MAS.
Body image and eating patterns among adolescents
Authors: Bibiloni Maria del Mar , Pich Jordi , Pons Antoni , Tur Josep A
Published: December 2013

Background

Data on the association between body self-perception and eating patterns among adolescents are scarce. This study assessed the association between body image and eating patterns among normal-weight, overweight and obese adolescents.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey (n = 1231; 12–17 years old) was carried out in the Balearic Islands, Spain. Anthropometry, body image, socio-economic determinants, and food consumption were studied.

Results

Fifty-one percent of boys and sixty percent of girls that wished to be thinner had less than or equal to 3 eating occasions per day. Overfat girls that wish to be thinner skipped breakfast more frequently than normal-fat girls. Overfat boys and girls that wished a thinner body reported lower consumption of several food groups than normal-fat adolescents and overfat boys satisfied with their own body image (i.e. breakfast cereals, pasta and rice dishes, other oils and fats, high fat foods, soft drinks and chocolates in boys; and dairy products and chocolates in girls).A restriction of Western diet foods and energy intake was associated with a wish to be thinner among overfat adolescents.

Conclusions

Many overfat boys were satisfied with their body image while practically all overfat girls reported wishing a thinner body. Meal patterns and food consumption were associated with body dissatisfaction and overfat status among adolescents.
Invasively-treated incidence of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease and associated factors in Taiwan: 2000–2011 nationwide hospitalized data analysis
Authors: Chang Nien-Tzu , Chan Chien-Lung , Lu Yu-Tzuen , Hsu Jin-Chyr , Hsu Yuan-Nian , Chu Dachen , Yang Nan-Ping
Published: December 2013

Background

Lower extremity (LE) peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is associated with a reduced quality of life and increased mortality from atherosclerotic cardio-/cerebro-vascular occlusion, is a significant public health problem, especial for an aging society such as that of Taiwan.

Methods

Specific datasets of the 2000–2011 nationwide inpatient databases were analyzed. Two inclusion criteria, including one of the major diagnosis codes of PAD and one of three categorical invasive treatments of LE PAD, were used consecutively to select cases diagnosed as LE PAD and receiving invasive treatment. The epidemiology of invasively-treated PAD in Taiwan was estimated, and the influences of potential confounders on these invasively-treated methods were evaluated.

Results

In general, the invasively-treated incidence of PAD in Taiwan doubled, from 3.73/10,000 (in 2000) to 7.48/10,000 (in 2011). On average, the total direct medical cost of one hospitalized and invasively-treated PAD case ranged from $US 4,600 to $US 5,900. The annual cases of bypass surgery for the PAD cases averaged 1,000 and the cases for limb amputation ranged from 4,100 to 5,100 annually. However, the number of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) procedures remarkably increased by 15 times, from 600/year to 9,100/year, from 2000 to 2011. 51.3% of all the enrolled cases were treated with limb amputations, and female, young and middle-aged people (30–65 years of age), DM patients and those on a low income had a tendency to undergo amputation due to PAD. 37.6% of all the enrolled cases were treated with PTAs related to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia and catastrophic Illness. 2-year PTA failure rates of 22.13%, 11.91% and 10.61% were noted among the first (2000–2001), second (2004–2005) and the third (2008–2009) cohort groups, respectively.

Conclusions

In Taiwan, a gender difference and age and period effects on the invasively-treated incidence of LE PAD were observed. Female, young and middle-aged people (30–50 and 50–65 years of age), DM patients and those on a low income had a tendency to undergo amputation. The number of PTA procedures remarkably increased, but the 2-year failure rate of PTAs reduced from 2000 to 2011.
Safety reporting on implantation of autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cells with platelet-rich plasma into human articular joints
Authors: Pak Jaewoo , Chang Jae-Jin , Lee Jung Hun , Lee Sang Hee
Published: December 2013

Background

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), a type of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have great potential as therapeutic agents in regenerative medicine. Numerous animal studies have documented the multipotency of ADSCs, showing their capabilities to differentiate into tissues such as muscle, bone, cartilage, and tendon. However, the safety of autologous ADSC injections into human joints is only beginning to be understood and the data are lacking.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2010, 91 patients were treated with autologous ADSCs with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for various orthopedic conditions. Stem cells in the form of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) were injected with PRP into various joints (n = 100). All patients were followed for symptom improvement with visual analog score (VAS) at one month and three months. Approximately one third of the patients were followed up with third month magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the injected sites. All patients were followed up by telephone questionnaires every six months for up to 30 months.

Results

The mean follow-up time for all patients was 26.62 ± 0.32 months. The follow-up time for patients who were treated in 2009 and early 2010 was close to three years. The relative mean VAS of patients at the end of one month follow-up was 6.55 ± 0.32, and at the end of three months follow-up was 4.43 ± 0.41. Post-procedure MRIs performed on one third of the patients at three months failed to demonstrate any tumor formation at the implant sites. Further, no tumor formation was reported in telephone long-term follow-ups. However, swelling of injected joints was common and was thought to be associated with death of stem cells. Also, tenosinovitis and tendonitis in elderly patients, all of which were either self-limited or were remedied with simple therapeutic measures, were common as well.

Conclusions

Using both MRI tracking and telephone follow ups in 100 joints in 91 patients treated, no neoplastic complications were detected at any ADSC implantation sites. Based on our longitudinal cohort, the autologous and uncultured ADSCs/PRP therapy in the form of SVF could be considered to be safe when used as percutaneous local injections.
An unusual delayed complication of paraffin self-injection for penile girth augmentation
Authors: De Siati Mario , Selvaggio Oscar , Di Fino Giuseppe , Liuzzi Giuseppe , Massenio Paolo , Sanguedolce Francesca , Carrieri Giuseppe , Cormio Luigi
Published: December 2013

Background

Penile self-injection of various oils is still carried out among Eastern Europe people for penile girth augmentation despite the potential destructive complications of this practice are well known. Penile reactions to such foreign bodies include scarring, abscess formation, ulceration, and even Fournier’s gangrene; voiding problems due to mineral oil self-injection have been reported only once. To our knowledge, we describe the first case of paraffin self-injection for penile girth augmentation presenting with acute urinary retention.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old Romanian man presented with severe penile pain and acute urinary retention five years after having practiced repeated penile self-injections of paraffin for penile girth augmentation. The penile shaft was massively enlarged, fibrotic and phymotic; urethral catheterization failed due to severe stricture of the proximal pendulum urethra. The patients refused placement of a suprapubic catheter and underwent immediate penile surgical exploration. The scarred tissue between dartos and Buck’s fascia and a fibrotic ring occluding the urethra were removed and the penile skin reconstructed. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of paraffinoma. The patient resumed normal voiding immediately after catheter removal on second postoperative day; he was very pleased with cosmetic, sexual and voiding results at six weeks, six months and 1 year follow-up.

Conclusions

The present report describes a novel complication of penile self-injection for penile girth augmentation. Because of the increasing number of patients seeking penile augmentation, physicians dealing with sexual medicine should pay more attention to such request to prevent the use of non medical treatments that can turn into medical disasters.
Severe hematuria after transurethral electrocoagulation in a patient with an arteriovesical fistula
Authors: Zheng Xiangyi , Lin Yiwei , Chen Bin , Zhou Xianyong , Zhou Xiaofeng , Shen Yuehong , Xie Liping
Published: December 2013

Background

Arteriovesical fistulas are extremely rare. Only eleven cases were previously reported in the literature. They can occur iatrogenically, traumatically or spontaneously.

Case presentation

We report an unusual case of a 62-year-old woman with arteriovesical fistula that developed fatal hematuria after transurethral electrocoagulation. Computed tomography (CT) and selective angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the right superior vesical artery with arteriovesical fistula formation, which was managed by transarterial embolization.

Conclusions

Contrast enhanced CT or CT angiography should be performed when a pulsatile hemorrhage is revealed during cystoscopy. Therapeutic vesical arterial embolization should be considered as a safe and effective procedure for arteriovesical fistulas. Transurethral electrocoagulation may cause severe hematuria for pulsatile bladder bleeding in patients with pelvic vascular malformation.
Content analysis of medical students’ seminars: a unique method of analyzing clinical thinking
Authors: Takata Yukari , Stein Gerald H , Endo Kuniyuki , Arai Akiko , Kohsaka Shun , Kitano Yuka , Honda Hitoshi , Kitazono Hidetaka , Tokunaga Hironobu , Tokuda Yasuharu , Obika Mikako , Miyoshi Tomoko , Kataoka Hitomi , Terasawa Hidekazu
Published: December 2013

Background

The study of communication skills of Asian medical students during structured Problem-based Learning (PBL) seminars represented a unique opportunity to assess their critical thinking development. This study reports the first application of the health education technology, content analysis (CA), to a Japanese web-based seminar (webinar).

Methods

The authors assigned twelve randomly selected medical students from two universities and two clinical instructors to two virtual classrooms for four PBL structured tutoring sessions that were audio-video captured for CA. Both of the instructors were US-trained physicians. This analysis consisted of coding the students’ verbal comments into seven types, ranging from trivial to advanced knowledge integration comments that served as a proxy for clinical thinking.

Results

The most basic level of verbal simple responses accounted for a majority (85%) of the total students’ verbal comments. Only 15% of the students’ comments represented more advanced types of critical thinking. The male students responded more than the female students; male students attending University 2 responded more than male students from University 1. The total mean students’ verbal response time for the four sessions with the male instructor was 6.9%; total mean students’ verbal response time for the four sessions with the female instructor was 19% (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This report is the first to describe the application of CA to a multi-university real time audio and video PBL medical student clinical training webinar in two Japanese medical schools. These results are preliminary, mostly limited by a small sample size (n = 12) and limited time frame (four sessions). CA technology has the potential to improve clinical thinking for medical students. This report may stimulate improvements for implementation.
Knowledge brokers, companions, and navigators: a qualitative examination of informal caregivers’ roles in medical tourism
Authors: Casey Victoria , Crooks Valorie A , Snyder Jeremy , Turner Leigh
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Many studies examining the phenomena of medical tourism have identified health equity issues associated with this global health services practice. However, there is a notable lack of attention in this existing research to the informal care provided by the friends and family members who typically accompany medical tourists abroad. To date, researchers have not examined the care roles filled by informal caregivers travelling with medical tourists. In this article, we fill this gap by examining these informal caregivers and the roles they take on towards supporting medical tourists’ health and wellbeing.

Methods

We conducted 21 interviews with International Patient Coordinators (IPCs) working at medical tourism hospitals across ten countries. IPCs work closely with informal caregivers as providers of non-medical personal assistance, and can therefore offer broad insight on caregiver roles. The interviews were coded and analyzed thematically.

Results

Three roles emerged: knowledge broker, companion, and navigator. As knowledge brokers, caregivers facilitate the transfer of information between the medical tourist and formal health care providers as well as other staff members at medical tourism facilities. The companion role involves providing medical tourists with physical and emotional care. Meanwhile, responsibilities associated with handling documents and coordinating often complex journeys are part of the navigation role.

Conclusions

This is the first study to examine informal caregiving roles in medical tourism. Many of the roles identified are similar to those of conventional informal caregivers while others are specific to the transnational context. We conclude that these roles make informal caregivers an integral part of the larger phenomenon of medical tourism. We further contend that examining the roles taken on by a heretofore-unconsidered medical tourism stakeholder group sheds valuable insight into how this industry operates and that such knowledge is necessary in order to respond to the health equity debates that surround this particular global health services practice.
Prognostic and predictive value of Phospho-p44/42 and pAKT in HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Huang Liang , Chen Tianwen , Chen Canming , Chen Sheng , Liu Yin , Wu Jiong , Shao Zhiming
Published: November 2013

Background

To evaluate the predictive and prognostic value of various molecular factors associated with the Ras/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Methods

A total of 113 patients were recruited in this retrospective study. Core needle biopsies and excision samples were assessed through immunohistochemistry for various biomarkers, including IGF-1R, Phospho-p44/42, Ki67, pAKT, PTEN, p27, and cyclinD1. The changes in these biomarkers after NAC and their predictive and prognostic values were investigated.

Results

Significant decreases in Ki67, Phospho-p44/42, and pAKT expression were observed after treatment (30.7% vs. 18.1%, 36.4% vs. 18.9%, and 35.1% vs. 16.4%, respectively). The decreases in Phospho-p44/42, pAKT, and Ki67 expression were strongly associated with the response to anthracycline treatment (P = 0.027, P = 0.031, and P = 0.008, respectively). In a multivariate survival analysis, Phospho-p44/42 expression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and lymph node status were significant independent prognostic factors of both relapse-free survival and overall survival.

Conclusions

Reductions in Ki-67, Phospho-p44/42, and pAKT expression are related to the clinical response to anthracycline-based NAC in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. High pAKT expression prior to NAC had a better clinical response. Phospho-p44/42 expression and lymph node status after NAC could be useful for determining relapse-free survival and overall survival.
Surgical techniques and results of the pulmonary artery reconstruction for patients with central non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ma Qianli , Liu Deruo , Guo Yongqing , Shi Bin , Tian Yanchu , Song Zhiyi , Zhang Zhenrong , Ge Bingsheng , Wang Xiaofei , D’Amico Thomas A
Published: November 2013

Background

It is difficult to achieve a margin-negative resection (R0) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with infiltration of the pulmonary artery. We report our experience of the pulmonary artery reconstruction with regard to long-term survival.

Methods

Clinical records of 118 patients with NSCLC who underwent partial or circumferential pulmonary artery resection during a 21-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Techniques and survival outcomes were analyzed.

Results

We performed 22 pulmonary artery sleeve resections, 51 reconstructions by autologous pericardial patch, 36 tangential resections, 3 left main pulmonary artery (PA) angioplasties during pneumonectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass, and 6 by only preserving the apical and anterior (1st) branch of pulmonary arterial trunk. In 41 patients, bronchial sleeve resection was associated; in 7 cases, superior vena cava reconstruction was also required. Thirty-one patients received induction therapy. Thirteen patients had stage IB disease, 41 stage II, 53 IIIA, and 11 IIIB. Ninety-three patients had squamous cell carcinoma, 22 adenocarcinoma, 2 mixed and 1 large cell carcinoma. Negative vascular margins were achieved in all. 5 positive bronchial margins were due to limited lung function. The analysis of 118 cases yielded follow-up data in 94 cases. The mean follow-up was 70 months (range 1–156 months). There was no in hospital death, and the overall 5-year survival was 50.2%. Five-year survivals for stages I and II versus III were 63.9% versus 37.0% (p = 0.0059). Multivariate analysis yielded non-squamous cell carcinoma, stage III and patch pulmonary arterioplasty as negative prognosis factors. PA reconstruction associated with bronchial sleeve resection was the positive prognostic factor.

Conclusions

Pulmonary artery resection and reconstruction is feasible and safe, with favorable long-term survival. Our results support this technique as an effective alternative to selected patients with infiltration of the pulmonary artery, such as stage I and II and those who proved down-staged from stage III. Accurate preoperative evaluation, precise and suitable surgical techniques are crucial to achieve good results. Only preserving the anterior and apical pulmonary arteries and reconstruction of the main pulmonary artery by using the artery conduit technique without cardiopulmonary bypass in association with left pneumonectomy can be performed successfully. Postoperative anticoagulation is unnecessary.
Indoxyl sulfate promotes apoptosis in cultured osteoblast cells
Authors: Kim Young-Hee , Kwak Kyung-Ah , Gil Hyo-Wook , Song Ho-Yeon , Hong Sae-Yong
Published: December 2013

Background

Indoxyl sulfate (IS), an organic anion uremic toxin, promotes the progression of renal dysfunction. Some studies have suggested that IS inhibits osteoclast differentiation and suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated intracellular cAMP production, decreases PTH receptor expression, and induces oxidative stress in primary mouse calvaria osteoblast cell culture. However, the direct effects of IS on osteoblast apoptosis have not been fully evaluated. Hence, we investigated whether IS acts as a bone toxin by studying whether IS induces apoptosis and inhibits differentiation in the cultured osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1.

Methods

We assessed the direct effect of IS on osteoblast differentiation and apoptosis in the MC3T3-E1 cell line. We examined caspase-3/7 activity, apoptosis-related proteins, free radical production, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mRNA expression of type 1 collagen and osteonectin. Furthermore, we investigated the uptake of IS via organic anion transport (OAT).

Results

We found that IS increased caspase activity and induced apoptosis. Production of free radicals increased depending on the concentration of IS. Furthermore, IS inhibited the expression of mRNA type 1 collagen and osteonectin and alkaline phosphatase activity. The expression of OAT, which is known to mediate the cellular uptake of IS, was detected in in the MC3T3-E1 cell line. The inhibition of OAT improved cell viability and suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that IS is transported in MC3T3-E1 cells via OAT, which causes oxidative stress to inhibit osteoblast differentiation.

Conclusions

IS acts as a bone toxin by inhibiting osteoblast differentiation and inducing apoptosis.
Expression and localization of aromatase during fetal mouse testis development
Authors: Borday Caroline , Merlet Jorge , Racine Chrystèle , Habert René
Published: December 2013

Background

Both androgens and estrogens are necessary to ensure proper testis development and function. Studies on endocrine disruptors have highlighted the importance of maintaining the balance between androgens and estrogens during fetal development, when testis is highly sensitive to environmental disturbances. This balance is regulated mainly through an enzymatic cascade that converts irreversibly androgens into estrogens. The most important and regulated component of this cascade is its terminal enzyme: the cytochrome p450 19A1 (aromatase hereafter). This study was conducted to improve our knowledge about its expression during mouse testis development.

Findings

By RT-PCR and western blotting, we show that full-length aromatase is expressed as early as 12.5 day post-coitum (dpc) with maximal expression at 17.5 dpc. Two additional truncated transcripts were also detected by RT-PCR. Immunostaining of fetal testis sections and of gonocyte-enriched cell cultures revealed that aromatase is strongly expressed in fetal Leydig cells and at variable levels in gonocytes. Conversely, it was not detected in Sertoli cells.

Conclusions

This study shows for the first time that i) aromatase is expressed from the early stages of fetal testis development, ii) it is expressed in mouse gonocytes suggesting that fetal germ cells exert an endocrine function in this species and that the ratio between estrogens and androgens may be higher inside gonocytes than in the interstitial fluid. Furthermore, we emphasized a species-specific cell localization. Indeed, previous works found that in the rat aromatase is expressed both in Sertoli and Leydig cells. We propose to take into account this species difference as a new concept to better understand the changes in susceptibility to Endocrine Disruptors from one species to another.
Transcriptome and proteome quantification of a tumor model provides novel insights into post‐transcriptional gene regulation
Authors: Jüschke Christoph , Dohnal Ilse , Pichler Peter , Harzer Heike , Swart Remco , Ammerer Gustav , Mechtler Karl , Knoblich Juergen A
Published: November 2013

Background

Genome‐wide transcriptome analyses have given systems‐level insights into gene regulatory networks. Due to the limited depth of quantitative proteomics, however, our understanding of post‐transcriptional gene regulation and its effects on protein‐complex stoichiometry are lagging behind.

Results

Here, we employ deep sequencing and the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology to determine transcript and protein expression changes of a Drosophila brain tumor model at near genome‐wide resolution. In total, we quantify more than 6,200 tissue‐specific proteins, corresponding to about 70% of all transcribed protein‐coding genes. Using our integrated data set, we demonstrate that post‐transcriptional gene regulation varies considerably with biological function and is surprisingly high for genes regulating transcription. We combine our quantitative data with protein‐protein interaction data and show that post‐transcriptional mechanisms significantly enhance co‐regulation of protein‐complex subunits beyond transcriptional co‐regulation. Interestingly, our results suggest that only about 11% of the annotated Drosophila protein complexes are co‐regulated in the brain. Finally, we refine the composition of some of these core protein complexes by analyzing the co‐regulation of potential subunits.

Conclusions

Our comprehensive transcriptome and proteome data provide a valuable resource for quantitative biology and offer novel insights into understanding post‐transcriptional gene regulation in a tumor model.
NMR Investigation of the complexation of (S)-2-isopropyl- 1-(o-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl)aziridine with ï¢-cyclodextrin
Authors: Keniche Assia , Z. Slimani Mohamed , I. Miranda Jose , M. Aizpurua Jesus , Mulengi Joseph Kajima
Published: December 2013

Â Aziridines are known to undergo hydrolysis in the presence of cyclodextrins, whereas the latter are largely investigated as potential vectors of biologically active compounds. Despite this easy cyclodextrin-induced cleavage of aziridines in aqueous medium, it was of interest to find out a model aziridine derivative that would be sufficiently water-stable and form a stable complex with b-cyclodextrin in aqueous medium, so that it could be used as a reference in future formulations or vectorization work. Among compounds we have investigated, we found out that only (S)-2-isopropyl-1-(o-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl)aziridine complied with the above-mentioned solubility and stability requirements. NMR studies of the inclusion complex of this derivative with b-cyclodextrin provided useful parameters related to the stoichiometry of the complex and the association constant Ka. The geometry of the complex was assessed by 2D-ROESY experiments, suggesting a deep insertion of the aziridine into the cavity of b-cyclodextrin.
Encountering ethics in studying challenging family relations
Authors: Notko Marianne , Jokinen Kimmo , Malinen Kaisa , Harju-Veijola Minna , Kuronen Marjo , Pirskanen Henna
Published: November 2013

This article focuses on ethical considerations in the study of challenging family relations. Our perspective derives from multidisciplinary family studies, including social sciences, psychology and educational sciences. Our concerns include why and how to apply a sensitive approach in studying challenging family relations, and what the key ethical issues are in studies of this kind. We examine questions of multiplicity in family relations, the particularity of vulnerable family relations and the roles of researchers and gatekeepers in the research process. The article is based on a research project where informants were both children and adults, and both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. We argue that doing ethically appropriate research requires much more than formal assessments or ethical board reviews. We claim that rigid ethical regulations may even prevent studies from finding hard-to-reach families or impede the giving of a voice to those who would benefit most from being heard in family studies and in family politics.
The making of selfhood: naming decisions on marriage
Authors: Thwaites Rachel
Published: November 2013

This article outlines the ways in which British women make sense of and reconcile facets of their identities at the point of marriage through the naming decisions they make. Both name changing and name retaining are considered. The dialectic between self and others is considered, using Mead’s theories, as well the creation of gendered identity, using empirical evidence from a survey of 102 British women and 16 in-depth interviews with a smaller sample of this group.
Relationality and moral reasoning in accounts of fathering after separation or divorce: care, gender and working at ‘fairness’
Authors: Philip Georgia
Published: November 2013

Based on a qualitative, sociological study, this article presents fathering after divorce as a complex moral and relational process; a navigation of post-separation family life shaped by gendered patterns of caring for children. New contexts of fathering can bring transformative experiences of care, but fathers also encounter the ‘pull’ of a gendered model of parenting, which normalises different levels of caring responsibility without disrupting a sense of the equal moral status of fathers and mothers. The article highlights two central themes: fathering as ‘relational work’ and moral reasoning within fathering practices and identity. The idea of ‘fairness’ as part of capturing processes involved in fathers’ efforts to sustain relationships and caring arrangements that are ‘bearable’ is then discussed. The article argues for a gender-sensitive approach to understanding parenting after separation, which fully appreciates the deeply felt, embodied nature of fathering and mothering, and acknowledges their relational and moral dimensions.
Authenticity, work and change: a qualitative study on couple intimacy
Authors: Ferreira Luana Cunha , Narciso Isabel , Novo Rosa
Published: November 2013

Using the lenses of systemic family psychology and family sociology, this study explores the meanings of couple intimacy and the factors that have an impact on it. Through the qualitative analysis of 33 joint couple interviews, several links were found between current intimacy debates (ie, togetherness versus autonomy), which help to build a complex picture of relationship dynamics. The participants’ perspectives provided three important results. First, couple intimacy was perceived as encompassing authenticity, sharing and trust, along with privacy, understanding and autonomy. Second, factors that have a negative impact on couple intimacy were related to the calibration of boundaries with other subsystems (especially work). Third, changing the everyday routine of couple life is the factor that influences intimacy in a most positive manner. These results allow us to provide a theoretical complexification and an empirical update of couple intimacy, as well as to contribute with relevant clues for couple therapy and preventive systemic interventions.
The Allen Report: class, gender and disadvantage
Authors: Grover Chris , Mason Claire
Published: November 2013

In this article we focus on the Allen Report, which, along with other documents, is helping to guide the development of the United Kingdom’s coalition government’s policies in relation to child poverty and social mobility. Drawing on empirical research projects with social work service users and practitioners, we take a critical approach to the way in which the Allen Report locates the disadvantages faced by working-class children in the parenting practices and actions of their mothers. We argue that the Allen Report helps to encode working-class mothers as being problematic and is part of a long tradition in which elites link notions of respectability to the parenting and housekeeping skills of mothers. In this context, the article examines the ways in which the Allen Report fails to acknowledge the needs of income-poor working-class mothers and denies the importance of material conditions to mothering.
Effects of Expanded and Standard Captions on Deaf College Students’ Comprehension of Educational Videos
Authors: Stinson Michael S. , Stevenson Susan
Published: December 2013

Twenty-Two College Students who were deaf viewed one instructional video with standard captions and a second with expanded captions, in which key terms were expanded in the form of vocabulary definitions, labeled illustrations, or concept maps. The students performed better on a posttest after viewing either type of caption than on a pretest; however, there was no difference in comprehension between standard and expanded captions. Camtasia recording software enabled examination of the extent to which the students accessed the expanded captions. The students accessed less than 20% of the available expanded captions. Thus, one explanation for the lack of difference in comprehension between the standard and expanded captions is that the students did not access the expanded captions sufficiently. Despite limited use of the expanded captions, the students stated, when interviewed, that they considered these captions beneficial in learning from the instructional video.
Developing Preschool Deaf Children’s Language and Literacy Learning from an Educational Media Series
Authors: Golos Debbie B. , Moses Annie M.
Published: December 2013

With the Increase in research on multiliteracies comes greater interest in exploring multiple pathways of learning for deaf children. Educational media have been increasingly examined as a tool for facilitating the development of deaf children’s language and literacy skills. The authors investigated whether preschool deaf children ( N = 31) acquired targeted American Sign Language and literacy skills after viewing one video from an educational video series in ASL. Descriptive statistics were gathered and a split-plot ANOVA was conducted to determine whether targeted literacy scores increased from pretest to posttest and whether scores varied by baseline ASL skills. A significant improvement was found in the skills targeted in the video, which occurred regardless of the level of baseline ASL skills. The findings support the claim that learning ASL and literacy skills through educational media may benefit deaf children with varied levels of exposure to ASL.
Confessions of a Fellow Traveler
Authors: Anderson Margaret Lavinia
Published: December 2013

Margaret Anderson considers the interaction between scholarship and life, and the interventions of mentors and friends, in her continuing education as a teacher and scholar of European and Catholic history.
Anthropologies of Continuity: The Body and Soul in Tertullian, Perpetua, and Early Christianity
Authors: Gonzalez Eliezer
Published: December 2013

The importance of the physical body in early Christianity did not always imply bodily resurrection was the means of achieving continuity after death. Much recent scholarship in this area has been influenced by modern categories and by the resurgence of the significance of the body in ancient anthropological discourse and of resurrection in early Christianity. However, modern categories neither reflect the anthropological constructs of antiquity, nor a sufficiently variegated spectrum of views espoused by early Christians. The present article corrects prevailing generalizing tendencies in scholarship and presents a more nuanced picture. This is achieved via an analysis of key texts from third-century North Africa: the writings of Tertullian and the Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas . Important though it was, bodily resurrection was only one view of how material continuity could be achieved, even within texts traditionally denominated as “orthodox.”
A Scrutiny into Chinese Translations of Emily Dickinson’s Poetry (1984-2011)
Authors: Xu Cuihua
Published: December 2013

This essay examines Chinese translations of Emily Dickinson’s poetry in the period from 1984 to 2011 by twelve key translators who have published their translations in book form and four other major translators whose translations appear in monographs or anthologies. It includes the translators’ general concern for thematic subjects, challenges they encounter, and their translation efforts in disclosing the essence of her poetry and representing what she says. Examples are analyzed to display the challenges translators encounter in representing imagery, puns, polysemes, homonyms, and metaphorical words that look simple but prove rich in connotation. A close analysis is given to the translations of “I like a look of Agony” (Fr339), which has received considerable attention; writing style, punctuation marks, tricky words and word order, and elusive ideas can all be obstacles for translation. Despite inaccuracies and misinterpretations that occur at times, translations of her poetry into Chinese on the whole have brought to light a glowing image of the poet and provided a tube through which readers of Chinese can have a panoramic view of the world of Emily Dickinson and recognize her as a serious thinker, whose thought penetrates all fields of life and finds expression in insights on various subjects.
Emily Dickinson and Japanese Aesthetics
Authors: Takeda Masako
Published: December 2013

This essay addresses the ideas of brevity and ma in Dickinson’s poetry and Japanese culture. In both, brevity reflects intuitive insight; ma expresses the aesthetics of absence. Brevity is the essence of haiku , but it may be hasty to connect haiku with Dickinson simply because of the shortness of their forms. Instead, both haiku and Dickinson’s poems characterize brevity as instantaneous understanding. In Japanese culture and Dickinson’s poems, brevity is often expressed as the transient, fleeting quality of scent. For example, the Japanese art of koh-do retains fragrance through memory, the transformation of the real into the imagination, the presence of absence. Brevity is often expressed through absence: spatial emptiness in the visual arts and techniques like ellipsis and compression in poetry. In this sense, brevity is related to ma . To give meaning to ma or the emptiness of space lies at the center of all Japanese arts, cultural pursuits, and even the martial arts. Dickinson’s ma is most evident in her use of absence: for example, the blank spaces caused by the compression of language and the dash. As in Japanese culture, which encourages its participants to engage in experiencing ma , Dickinson’s poetry invites readers to participate by filling in the blank spaces in her poems. As in Japanese culture, especially in the case of haiku , Dickinson’s ideas of brevity and ma are found in the leap from the description of the real world to the imaginative, the very art of poetry.