bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acetylcholine excites neocortical pyramidal neurons via nicotinic receptors
Authors: Hedrick Tristan , Waters Jack
Published: January 2015

The neuromodulator acetylcholine (ACh) shapes neocortical function during sensory perception, motor control, arousal, attention, learning, and memory. Here we investigate the mechanisms by which ACh affects neocortical pyramidal neurons in adult mice. Stimulation of cholinergic axons activated muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors on pyramidal neurons in all cortical layers and in multiple cortical areas. Nicotinic receptor activation evoked short-latency, depolarizing postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) in many pyramidal neurons. Nicotinic receptor-mediated PSPs promoted spiking of pyramidal neurons. The duration of the increase in spiking was membrane potential dependent, with nicotinic receptor activation triggering persistent spiking lasting many seconds in neurons close to threshold. Persistent spiking was blocked by intracellular BAPTA, indicating that nicotinic ACh receptor activation evoked persistent spiking via a long-lasting calcium-activated depolarizing current. We compared nicotinic PSPs in primary motor cortex (M1), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and visual cortex. The laminar pattern of nicotinic excitation was not uniform but was broadly similar across areas, with stronger modulation in deep than superficial layers. Superimposed on this broad pattern were local differences, with nicotinic PSPs being particularly large and common in layer 5 of M1 but not layer 5 of PFC or primary visual cortex (V1). Hence, in addition to modulating the excitability of pyramidal neurons in all layers via muscarinic receptors, synaptically released ACh preferentially increases the activity of deep-layer neocortical pyramidal neurons via nicotinic receptors, thereby adding laminar selectivity to the widespread enhancement of excitability mediated by muscarinic ACh receptors.
Artocarpin Induces Apoptosis in Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma HSC-1 Cells and Its Cytotoxic Activity Is Dependent on Protein-Nutrient Concentration
Authors: Hu Stephen Chu-Sung , Lin Chi-Ling , Cheng Hui-Min , Chen Gwo-Shing , Lee Chiang-Wen , Yen Feng-Lin
Published: January 2015

Artocarpin, a natural prenylated flavonoid, has been shown to have various biological properties. However, its effects on human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have not been previously investigated. We set out to determine whether artocarpin has cytotoxic effects on SCC cells and whether its pharmacological activity is dependent on protein-nutrient concentration. Our results showed that treatment of HSC-1 cells (a human cutaneous SCC cell line) with artocarpin decreased cell viability and induced cell apoptosis by increasing caspase 3/7 activity. These effects were more pronounced at low fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentrations. Artocarpin induced an increase in the level of phospho-p38 and a decrease in the levels of phospho-ERK, phospho-JNK, phospho-Akt, phospho-mTOR, and phospho-S6K. High FBS concentrations in the culture media inhibited and delayed the uptake of artocarpin from the extracellular compartment (culture media) into the intracellular compartment, as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. In conclusion, artocarpin induces apoptosis in HSC-1 cells through modulation of MAPK and Akt/mTOR pathways. Binding of artocarpin to proteins in the FBS may inhibit cellular uptake and reduce the cytotoxic activity of artocarpin on HSC-1 cells. Therefore, artocarpin may have potential use in the future as a form of treatment for cutaneous SCC.
Image Reconstruction for Diffuse Optical Tomography Based on Radiative Transfer Equation
Authors: Bi Bo , Han Bo , Han Weimin , Tang Jinping , Li Li
Published: January 2015

Diffuse optical tomography is a novel molecular imaging technology for small animal studies. Most known reconstruction methods use the diffusion equation (DA) as forward model, although the validation of DA breaks down in certain situations. In this work, we use the radiative transfer equation as forward model which provides an accurate description of the light propagation within biological media and investigate the potential of sparsity constraints in solving the diffuse optical tomography inverse problem. The feasibility of the sparsity reconstruction approach is evaluated by boundary angular-averaged measurement data and internal angular-averaged measurement data. Simulation results demonstrate that in most of the test cases the reconstructions with sparsity regularization are both qualitatively and quantitatively more reliable than those with standardL2regularization. Results also show the competitive performance of the split Bregman algorithm for the DOT image reconstruction with sparsity regularization compared with other existingL1algorithms.
Nanoparticle Labeling of Bone Marrow-Derived Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Their Use in Differentiation and Tracking
Authors: Akhan Ece , Tuncel Donus , Akcali Kamil C.
Published: January 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for cellular therapies due to their ability to migrate to damaged tissue without inducing immune reaction. Many techniques have been developed to trace MSCs and their differentiation efficacy; however, all of these methods have limitations. Conjugated polymer based water-dispersible nanoparticles (CPN) represent a new class of probes because they offer high brightness, improved photostability, high fluorescent quantum yield, and noncytotoxicity comparing to conventional dyes and quantum dots. We aimed to use this tool for tracing MSCs’ fatein vitroandin vivo. MSC marker expression, survival, and differentiation capacity were assessed upon CPN treatment. Our results showed that after CPN labeling, MSC markers did not change and significant number of cells were found to be viable as revealed by MTT. Fluorescent signals were retained for 3 weeks after they were differentiated into osteocytes, adipocytes, and chondrocytesin vitro. We also showed that the labeled MSCs migrated to the site of injury and retained their labels in anin vivoliver regeneration model. The utilization of nanoparticle could be a promising tool for the tracking of MSCsin vivoandin vitroand therefore can be a useful tool to understand differentiation and homing mechanisms of MSCs.
Attracting and Quasi-Invariant Sets of Cohen-Grossberg Neural Networks with Time Delay in the Leakage Term under Impulsive Perturbations
Authors: Chen Guiying , Wang Linshan
Published: January 2015

A class of impulsive Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with time delay in the leakage term is investigated. By using the method ofM-matrix and the technique of delay differential inequality, the attracting and invariant sets of the networks are obtained. The results in this paper extend and improve the earlier publications. An example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of our conclusion.
Obstacle Detection in Hybrid Cross-Country Environment Based on Markov Random Field for Unmanned Ground Vehicle
Authors: Ding Feng , Zhao Yibing , Guo Lie , Zhang Mingheng , Li Linhui
Published: January 2015

In order to detect the obstacle from the large amount of 3D LIDAR data in hybrid cross-country environment for unmanned ground vehicle, a new graph approach based on Markov random field was presented. Firstly, the preprocessing method based on the maximum blurred line is applied to segment the projection of every laser scan line inx-yplane. Then, based onK-means clustering algorithm, the same properties of the line are combined. Secondly, line segment nodes are precisely positioned by using corner detection method, and the next step is to take advantage of line segment nodes to build an undirected graph for Markov random field. Lastly, the energy function is calculated by means of analyzing line segment features and solved by graph cut. Two types of line mark are finally classified into two categories: ground and obstacle. Experiments prove the feasibility of the approach and show that it has better performance and runs in real time.
Nominated Texture Based Cervical Cancer Classification
Authors: Mariarputham Edwin Jayasingh , Stephen Allwin
Published: January 2015

Accurate classification of Pap smear images becomes the challenging task in medical image processing. This can be improved in two ways. One way is by selecting suitable well defined specific features and the other is by selecting the best classifier. This paper presents a nominated texture based cervical cancer (NTCC) classification system which classifies the Pap smear images into any one of the seven classes. This can be achieved by extracting well defined texture features and selecting best classifier. Seven sets of texture features (24 features) are extracted which include relative size of nucleus and cytoplasm, dynamic range and first four moments of intensities of nucleus and cytoplasm, relative displacement of nucleus within the cytoplasm, gray level cooccurrence matrix, local binary pattern histogram, tamura features, and edge orientation histogram. Few types of support vector machine (SVM) and neural network (NN) classifiers are used for the classification. The performance of the NTCC algorithm is tested and compared to other algorithms on public image database of Herlev University Hospital, Denmark, with 917 Pap smear images. The output of SVM is found to be best for the most of the classes and better results for the remaining classes.
Evaluating the Cause of Death in Obese Individuals: A Ten-Year Medical Autopsy Study
Authors: Saab Jad , Salvatore Steven P.
Published: January 2015

Background. Obesity is a growing public health problem associated with increased morbidity and rate of death. Postmortem examination is imperative to determine the cause of death, to detect clinically unsuspected disease entities, and consequently to determine the actual impact of obesity on patient mortality.Methods. A total of 849 adult autopsies were retrospectively reviewed. Obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and nonobese patients were separately studied. The primary cause of death in each group was categorized into malignancy, infection, stroke, ischemic and nonischemic heart disease, pulmonary embolism, hemorrhage, and primary nonneoplastic diseases of different organ systems.Results. Of 849 autopsies, 32.3% were obese. The leading causes of death in the obese population were malignancy (31.4%), infection (25.9%), ischemic heart disease (12.8%), and pulmonary embolism (6.2%). Obese individuals were statistically more likely to die from pulmonary embolism and liver disease and less likely to die from neurologic diseases and nonischemic heart disease.Conclusion. Autopsies on obese individuals constitute a third of all adult medical autopsies in our center. Increased death rates in the obese due to pulmonary embolism and liver disease should receive special clinical attention. Autopsy findings in the obese population should contribute to overall premortem disease detection, prevention, and management.
Garlic and Onions: Their Cancer Prevention Properties
Authors: Nicastro Holly L. , Ross Sharon A. , Milner John A.
Published: January 2015

The Allium genus includes garlic, onions, shallots, leeks, and chives. These vegetables are popular in cuisines worldwide and are valued for their potential medicinal properties. Epidemiologic studies, while limited in their abilities to assess Allium consumption, indicate some associations of Allium vegetable consumption with decreased risk of cancer, particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Limited intervention studies have been conducted to support these associations. The majority of supportive evidence on Allium vegetables cancer-preventive effects comes from mechanistic studies. These studies highlight potential mechanisms of individual sulfur-containing compounds and of various preparations and extracts of these vegetables, including decreased bioactivation of carcinogens, antimicrobial activities, and redox modification. Allium vegetables and their components have effects at each stage of carcinogenesis and affect many biologic processes that modify cancer risk. This review discusses the cancer-preventive effects of Allium vegetables, particularly garlic and onions, and their bioactive sulfur compounds and highlights research gaps. Cancer Prev Res; 8(3); 181–9. ©2015 AACR.
Modulation of SIRT1-Foxo1 Signaling axis by Resveratrol: Implications in Skeletal Muscle Aging and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Sin Thomas K. , Yung Benjamin Y. , Siu Parco M.
Published: January 2015

Aging individuals and diabetic patients often exhibit concomitant reductions of skeletal muscle mass/strength and insulin sensitivity, suggesting an intimate link between muscle aging and insulin resistance. Foxo1, a member of the FOXO transcription factor family, is an important player in insulin signaling due to its inhibitory role in glucose uptake and utilization in skeletal muscle. Phosphorylation of Foxo1 is thought to mitigate the transactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase lipoamide kinase 4 (PDK4), which is a negative regulator of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). In contrast, how aging would regulate acetylation/deacetylation machineries and glucose utilization in skeletal muscle through the Foxo1/PDH axis remains largely undetermined. Accumulating body of evidence have shown that resveratrol, a natural polyphenol in grapes and red wine, activates the longevity-related protein sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and augments insulin sensitivity in addition to its well-documented effects on mitochondrial energetics. The present review summarizes the role of Foxo1/SIRT1 in insulin signaling in skeletal muscle and proposes the insight that activation of SIRT1 deacetylase activity to deacetylate and suppress the Foxo1-induced transactivation of PDK4 may represent an anti-hyperglycemic mechanism of resveratrol in aging skeletal muscle.
Effects of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase on PANC-1 Cells Proliferation, Metastatic Potential and Survival Under Metabolic Stress
Authors: Yu Tao , Wang Yong-Tao , Chen Pan , Li Yu-Hua , Chen Yi-Xin , Zeng Hang , Yu Ai-Ming , Huang Min , Bi Hui-Chang
Published: January 2015

Background: Aberrant expression of Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) has been reported in pancreatic cancer. However, the role of NNMT in pancreatic cancer development remains elusive. Therefore, the present study was to investigate the impact of NNMT on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, metastatic potential and survival under metabolic stress. Methods: Pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 was transfected with NNMT expression plasmid or small interfering RNA of NNMT to overexpress or knockdown intracellular NNMT expression, respectively. Rate of cell proliferation was monitored. Transwell migration and matrigel invasion assays were conducted to assess cell migration and invasion capacity. Resistance to glucose deprivation, sensitivity to glycolytic inhibition, mitochondrial inhibtion and resistance to rapamycin were examined to evaluate cell survival under metabolic stress. Results: NNMT silencing markedly reduced cell proliferation, whereas NNMT overexpression promoted cell growth moderately. Knocking down NNMT also significantly suppressed the migration and invasion capacities of PANC-1 cells. Conversely, NNMT upregulation enhanced cell migration and invasion capacities. In addition, NNMT knockdown cells were much less resistant to glucose deprivation and rapamycin as well as glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose whereas NNMT-expressing cells showed opposite effects although the effects were not so striking. Conclusions: These data sugguest that NNMT plays an important role in PANC-1 cell proliferation, metastatic potential and survival under metabolic stress.
Contrast Volume/Raw eGFR Ratio for Predicting Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Park Hoon Suk , Kim Chan Joon , Yi Jeong-Eun , Hwang Byung-Hee , Kim Tae-Hoon , Koh Yoon Seok , Park Hun-Jun , Her Sung-Ho , Jang Sung Won , Park Chul-Soo , Lee Jong Min , Kim Hee Yeol , Jeon Doo Soo , Kim Pum-Joon , Yoo Ki-Dong , Chang Kiyuk , Jin Dong Chan , Seung Ki-Bae
Published: January 2015

Background: Considering that contrast medium is excreted through the whole kidney in a similar manner to drug excretion, the use of raw estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) rather than body surface area (BSA)-normalized eGFR is thought to be more appropriate for evaluating the risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). Methods: This study included 2,189 myocardial infarction patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors. We used receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves to compare the ratios of contrast volume (CV) to eGFR with and without BSA normalization in predicting CI-AKI. Results: The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve for the model including all the significant variables such as diabetes mellitus, left ventricular ejection fraction, preprocedural glucose, and the CV/raw modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) eGFR ratio was 0.768 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.720-0.816; p < 0.001]. When the CV/raw MDRD eGFR ratio was used as a single risk value, the AUC of the ROC curve was 0.650 (95% CI, 0.590-0.711; p < 0.001). When the CV/MDRD eGFR ratio with BSA normalization ratio was used, the AUC of the ROC curve further decreased to 0.635 (95% CI, 0.574-0.696; p < 0.001). The difference between the two AUCs was significant (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Raw eGFR is a better predictor for CI-AKI than BSA-normalized eGFR.
Age-Specific Performance of the Revised Cardiac Risk Index for Predicting Cardiovascular Risk in Elective Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Andersson Charlotte , Wissenberg Mads , Jørgensen Mads Emil , Hlatky Mark A. , Mérie Charlotte , Jensen Per Føge , Gislason Gunnar H. , Køber Lars , Torp-Pedersen Christian
Published: January 2015

Background—

The revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) holds a central role in preoperative cardiac risk stratification in noncardiac surgery. Its performance in unselected populations, including different age groups, has, however, not been systematically investigated. We assessed the relationship of RCRI with major adverse cardiovascular events in an unselected cohort of patients undergoing elective, noncardiac surgery overall and in different age groups.

Methods and Results—

We followed up all individuals ≥25 years who underwent major elective noncardiac surgery in Denmark (January 1, 2005, to November 30, 2011) for the 30-day risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death). There were 742 of 357 396 (0.2%), 755 of 74 889 (1.0%), 521 of 11 921 (4%), and 257 of 3146 (8%) major adverse cardiovascular events occurring in RCRI classes I, II, III, and IV. Multivariable odds ratio estimates were as follows: ischemic heart disease 3.30 (95% confidence interval, 2.96–3.69), high-risk surgery 2.70 (2.46–2.96), congestive heart failure 2.65 (2.29–3.06), cerebrovascular disease 10.02 (9.08–11.05), insulin therapy 1.62 (1.37–1.93), and kidney disease 1.45 (1.33–1.59). Modeling RCRI classes as a continuous variable, C statistic was highest among age group 56 to 65 years (0.772) and lowest for those aged >85 years (0.683). Sensitivity of RCRI class >I (ie, having ≥1 risk factor) for capturing major adverse cardiovascular events was 59%, 71%, 64%, 66%, and 67% in patients aged ≤55, 56 to 65, 66 to 75, 76 to 85, and >85 years, respectively; the negative predictive values were >98% across all age groups.

Conclusions—

In a nationwide unselected cohort, the performance of the RCRI was similar to that of the original cohort. Having ≥1 risk factor was of moderate sensitivity, but high negative predictive value for all ages.
lncRNA-MIAT Regulates Microvascular Dysfunction by Functioning as a Competing Endogenous RNA
Authors: Yan Biao , Yao Jin , Liu Jing-Yu , Li Xiu-Miao , Wang Xiao-Qun , Li Yu-Jie , Tao Zhi-Fu , Song Yu-Chen , Chen Qi , Jiang Qin
Published: January 2015

Rationale:

Pathological angiogenesis is a critical component of diseases, such as ocular disorders, cancers, and atherosclerosis. It is usually caused by the abnormal activity of biological processes, such as cell proliferation, cell motility, immune, or inflammation response. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of these biological processes. However, the role of lncRNA in diabetes mellitus–induced microvascular dysfunction is largely unknown.

Objective:

To elucidate whether lncRNA-myocardial infarction–associated transcript (MIAT) is involved in diabetes mellitus–induced microvascular dysfunction.

Methods and Results:

Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we demonstrated increased expression of lncRNA-MIAT in diabetic retinas and endothelial cells cultured in high glucose medium. Visual electrophysiology examination, TUNEL staining, retinal trypsin digestion, vascular permeability assay, and in vitro studies revealed that MIAT knockdown obviously ameliorated diabetes mellitus–induced retinal microvascular dysfunction in vivo, and inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro. Bioinformatics analysis, luciferase assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, and in vitro studies revealed that MIAT functioned as a competing endogenous RNA, and formed a feedback loop with vascular endothelial growth factor and miR-150-5p to regulate endothelial cell function.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the involvement of lncRNA-MIAT in pathological angiogenesis and facilitates the development of lncRNA-directed diagnostics and therapeutics against neovascular diseases.
Freedom Tide? Ideology, Politics, and the Origins of Democracy Promotion in U.S. Central America Policy, 1980–1984
Authors: McCormick Evan
Published: January 2015

The Reagan administration came to power in 1981 seeking to downplay Jimmy Carter's emphasis on human rights in U.S. policy toward Latin America. Yet, by 1985 the administration had come to justify its policies towards Central America in the very same terms. This article examines the dramatic shift that occurred in policymaking toward Central America during Ronald Reagan's first term. Synthesizing existing accounts while drawing on new and recently declassified material, the article looks beyond rhetoric to the political, intellectual, and bureaucratic dynamics that conditioned the emergence of a Reaganite human rights policy. The article shows that events in El Salvador suggested to administration officials—and to Reagan himself—that support for free elections could serve as a means of shoring up legitimacy for embattled allies abroad, while defending the administration against vociferous human rights criticism at home. In the case of Nicaragua, democracy promotion helped to eschew hard decisions between foreign policy objectives. The history of the Reagan Doctrine's contentious roots provides a complex lens through which to evaluate subsequent U.S. attempts to foster democracy overseas.
Taxonomic review of Hydrolithon samoënse (Corallinaceae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta) and other taxa found to be conspecific
Authors: Maneveldt Gavin William , Van der Merwe Elizabeht , Keats Derek
Published: January 2015

Based on new studies of the type and of specimens from various localities in the Indian and Pacific oceans, Hydrolithon samoënse was reaffirmed as a distinct species. The following taxa were found to be heterotypic synonyms thereof: Neogoniolithon caribaeum, N. erosum and N. rugulosum. Based on morphological and anatomical data H. samoënse not only occurs extensively throughout the Indo-Pacific and northern, southern and subtropical eastern Atlantic oceans, but as a result of the present study, is now known to occur throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the western Atlantic Ocean.
Review of the genus Pteranabropsis Gorochov (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatoidea: Anostostomatidae: Anabropsinae) from China
Authors: WANG MENGMENG , LIU XIANWEI , LI KAI
Published: January 2015

A review of the genus Pteranabropsis Gorochov is presented. Five new species are described, namely Pteranabropsis tenchongensis Wang, Liu, Li sp. nov., Pteranabropsis infuscatus Wang, Liu, Li sp. nov., Pteranabropsis karnyi Wang, Liu, Li sp. nov., Pteranabropsis parallelus Wang, Liu, Li sp. nov. and Pteranabropsis tibenensis Wang, Liu, Li sp. nov.. A key to the species of Pteranabropsis is provided.
Pediatric Cochlear Implantation in Residual Hearing Candidates
Authors: Gratacap Maxime , Thierry Briac , Rouillon Isabelle , Marlin Sandrine , Garabedian Noel , Loundon Natalie
Published: January 2015

Objectives:

To propose categories for the various types of residual hearing in children and to review the outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) in children with these different hearing conditions.

Methods:

We identified 53 children with residual hearing who had received a cochlear implant. Five groups were arbitrarily defined based on auditory features: G1, characterized by low-frequency residual hearing (n = 5); G2, characterized by severe sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and low speech discrimination (n = 12); G3, characterized by asymmetric SNHL (n = 9); G4, characterized by progressive SNHL (n = 15); and G5, characterized by fluctuating SNHL (n = 12). The main audiometric features and outcomes of the groups were analyzed.

Results:

The mean age at implantation was 10.15 years (range, 2.5-21 years). The mean preoperative score for the discrimination of open-set words was 48%; this score increased to 74% at 12 months and 81% at 24 months after the CI procedure (G1 to G5, respectively: 79/62/77%, 50/81/88%, 59/75/86%, 35/74/67%, and 39/69/80%). Children who were implanted after 10 years of age did not improve as much as those who were implanted at a younger age (open-set word list speech perception [OSW] score at 12 months: 62% vs 83%; P = .0009). Shorter delays before surgery were predictive of better performance ( P = .003). Inner ear malformation and SLC26A4 mutations were not predictive of the outcome.

Conclusions:

CIs provide better results compared with hearing aids in children with residual hearing. Factors that may impact the benefits of CIs in patients with residual hearing are age, delay in performing the CI procedure, which ear is implanted, and initial underestimation of the patient’s hearing difficulties.
Reliability of the Penetration Aspiration Scale With Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing
Authors: Butler Susan G. , Markley Lisa , Sanders Brian , Stuart Andrew
Published: January 2015

Objectives:

The Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), although designed for videofluoroscopy, has been utilized with flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in both research and clinical practice. The purpose of this investigation was to determine inter- and intrarater reliability of the PAS with FEES as a function of clinician FEES experience and retest interval.

Methods:

Three groups of 3 clinicians (N = 9) with varying FEES experience (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) assigned PAS scores to 35 swallows. Initial ratings were repeated following short-term (ie, 1 day) and long-term (ie, 1 week) retest intervals.

Results:

Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess interrater reliability on the first rating for each group. The coefficients were .91, .82, and .89 for the beginning, intermediate, and advanced clinicians, respectively. Overall interrater reliability across all 9 clinicians, irrespective of experience, was .85. Intraclass correlation coefficients were also calculated to assess intrarater reliability. The intrarater reliability for short- and long-term ratings was .90, .94, and .96 and .96, .97, and .94 for the beginning, intermediate, and advanced clinicians, respectively. Overall intrarater reliability across all 9 clinicians and all 3 ratings was .94.

Conclusions:

Excellent inter- and intrarater reliability was evidenced with the application of the PAS for FEES regardless of clinician experience and retest interval.
Fluorosis and periostitis deformans as complications of prolonged voriconazole treatment
Authors: Rad Babak , Saleem Mohamed , Grant Susan , Florkowski Christopher , Coates Penelope , Gordon David , Rankin Wayne
Published: January 2015

We describe a case of development of painful periostitis deformans in a 39-year-old woman who was receiving long-term voriconazole treatment for Aspergillus infection as a complication of orthotopic liver transplant. Measurement of fluoride levels strongly supports fluorosis to be the mechanism of the voriconazole-induced periostitis deformans and supports the concept that such measurements might be of use in predicting this complication of long-term voriconazole treatment.
Plasma capric acid concentrations in healthy subjects determined by high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Shrestha Rojeet , Hui Shu-Ping , Imai Hiromitsu , Hashimoto Satoru , Uemura Naoto , Takeda Seiji , Fuda Hirotoshi , Suzuki Akira , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Hirano Ken-ichi , Chiba Hitoshi
Published: January 2015

Background

Capric acid (FA10:0, decanoic acid) is a medium-chain fatty acid abundant in tropical oils such as coconut oil, whereas small amounts are present in milk of goat, cow, and human. Orally ingested FA10:0 is transported to the liver and quickly burnt within it. Only few reports are available for FA10:0 concentrations in human plasma.

Methods

Fasting (n = 5, male/female = 3/2, age 31 ± 9.3 years old) and non-fasting (n = 106, male/female = 44/62, age 21.9 ± 3.2 years old) blood samples were collected from apparently healthy Japanese volunteers. The total FA10:0 in the plasma were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography after derivatization with 2-nitrophenylhydrazine followed by UV detection.

Results

Inter and intra-assay coefficient of variation of FA10:0 assay at three different concentrations ranged in 1.7–3.9 and 1.3–5.4%, respectively, with an analytical recovery of 95.2–104.0%. FA10:0 concentration was below detection limit (0.1  µmol/L) in each fasting human plasma. FA10:0 was not detected in 50 (47.2%) of 106 non-fasting blood samples, while 29 (27.4%) plasma samples contained FA10:0 less than or equal to 0.5 µmol/L (0.4 ± 0.1), and 27 (25.5%) contained it at more than 0.5  µmol/L (0.9 ± 0.3).

Conclusion

A half of the non-fasting plasma samples contained detectable FA10:0. This simple, precise, and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography method might be useful for monitoring plasma FA10:0 during medium-chain triglycerides therapy.
The impact of premorbid adjustment, neurocognition, and depression on social and role functioning in patients in an early psychosis treatment program
Authors: Minor Kyle S , Friedman-Yakoobian Michelle , Leung Y Jude , Meyer Eric C , Zimmet Suzanna V , Caplan Brina , Monteleone Thomas , Bryant Caitlin , Guyer Margaret , Keshavan Matcheri S , Seidman Larry J
Published: January 2015

Objective:

Functional impairments are debilitating concomitants of psychotic disorders and are present early in the illness course and, commonly, prior to psychosis onset. The factors affecting social and role functioning in early psychosis (EP) following treatment are unclear. We evaluated whether six months of participation in the PREPR, Boston, EP treatment program, part of a public-academic community mental health center, was related to improvements in social and role functioning and whether premorbid adjustment in adolescence, baseline neurocognition, and depression symptoms predicted functional improvement.

Method:

The Global Functioning Social and Role scales, MATRICS neurocognitive battery, and Calgary Depression Scale were assessed at baseline and six months during naturalistic treatment, while premorbid adjustment was measured at baseline. All participants were psychotic disorder patients in PREPR ( n = 46 with social functioning and 47 with role functioning measures at both time points).

Results:

Large improvements were observed in role functioning ( d = 0.84) and medium to large improvements were observed in social functioning ( d = 0.70). Models consisting of adolescent premorbid adjustment and change in depression symptoms predicted social and role functioning change, whereas neuropsychological functioning did not.

Conclusions:

Substantial improvements in social and role functioning were observed among this sample participating in a recovery-based EP program. The impact of clinical factors on social and role functioning was highlighted. Further studies of premorbid adjustment in adolescence and the treatment of depression in EP programs in controlled treatment trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Acculturation, Enculturation, Social Connectedness, and Subjective Well-Being Among Chinese International Students
Authors: Du Yi , Wei Meifen
Published: January 2015

The study examined links from acculturation experience (i.e., acculturation and enculturation) through coping strategies (i.e., social connectedness [SC]) to short-term outcomes (i.e., future subjective well-being [SWB]). Using a longitudinal design, 213 Chinese international students completed an online survey. Results partially supported two mediation hypotheses: Mainstream SC at Time 2 partially mediated the association between acculturation at Time 1 and life satisfaction and positive affect (but not negative affect) at Time 2; Ethnic SC at Time 2 partially mediated the association between enculturation at Time 1 and negative affect (but not life satisfaction and positive affect) at Time 2. Furthermore, unexpectedly, Mainstream SC at Time 2 partially mediated the association between enculturation at Time 1 and life satisfaction and positive affect (but not negative affect) at Time 2. Therefore, Mainstream SC and Ethic SC are both important coping resources for Chinese international students.
Social Factors in Cross-National Adjustment
Authors: Wang Kenneth T. , Wei Meifen , Chen Hsiu-Hui
Published: January 2015

We examined how social factors (i.e., social connection, social self-efficacy, and comfort with disclosing distress) and English proficiency predicted two subjective well-being trajectories (i.e., negative affect and satisfaction with life). The sample of this four-wave longitudinal study (across pre-arrival and first three semesters) included 411 Chinese international students studying in the United States. Four distinct trajectory classes were identified for negative affect and satisfaction with life. The classes generally included individuals who had (a) consistently high well-being, (b) experienced some degree of culture shock, (c) enhanced well-being, and (d) low well-being. Social connection with mainstream society was a better predictor of satisfaction with life trajectories than social connection with one’s ethnic community. Comfort with disclosing distress and self-perceived English proficiency were significant predictors only for the satisfaction with life trajectories. The important role of social factors and English proficiency in international students’ adjustment and practical implications are also discussed.
How trust functions in the context of identity work
Authors: Driver Michaela
Published: January 2015

The study develops a new perspective on trust in organizations by exploring trust in the context of identity work. An analysis of stories in which employees describe how they experienced when the employer violated their trust suggests that individuals draw on trust discourse to validate who they are. Using a psychoanalytically informed framework, the study examines the complexities of trust in the context of struggles with the conscious self and unconscious desire. Trust emerges as a placeholder for what is really wanted but impossible to attain. Based on this perspective, the study offers new insights on why individuals trust, why trust may be resilient, why trust may be engineered and how trust mirrors identity as an elusive and fleeting accomplishment.
Erythropoietin Promotes Bone Formation through EphrinB2/EphB4 Signaling
Authors: Li C. , Shi C. , Kim J. , Chen Y. , Ni S. , Jiang L. , Zheng C. , Li D. , Hou J. , Taichman R.S. , Sun H.
Published: January 2015

Recent studies have demonstrated that erythropoietin (EPO) has extensive nonhematopoietic biological functions. However, little is known about how EPO regulates bone formation, although several studies suggested that EPO can affect bone homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of EPO on the communication between osteoclasts and osteoblasts through the ephrinB2/EphB4 signaling pathway. We found that EPO slightly promotes osteoblastic differentiation with the increased expression of EphB4 in ST2 cells. However, EPO increased the expression of Nfatc1 and ephrinB2 but decreased the expression of Mmp9 in RAW264.7 cells, resulting in an increase of ephrinB2-expressing osteoclasts and a decrease in resorption activity. The stimulation of ephrinB2/EphB4 signaling via ephrinB2-Fc significantly promoted EPO-mediated osteoblastic differentiation in ST2 cells. EphB4 knockdown through EphB4 shRNA inhibited EPO-mediated osteoblastic phenotypes. Furthermore, in vivo assays clearly demonstrated that EPO efficiently induces new bone formation in the alveolar bone regeneration model. Taken together, these results suggest that ephrinB2/EphB4 signaling may play an important role in EPO-mediated bone formation.
Comparison of experimentally-induced wounds in rabbits treated with different sources of platelet-rich plasma
Authors: Barrionuevo D V , Laposy C B , Abegão K G B , Nogueira R M B , Nai G A , Bracale B N , Delfim I G
Published: January 2015

Over the years, autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used to great advantage in the healing of acute and chronic wounds. However, it is impossible to use in some situations so alternative PRPs need to be considered, such as homologous or heterologous PRPs. In order to evaluate the effects of PRP in the form of autologous, heterologous and homologous gels on in vivo cutaneous wound healing, 18 animals divided into three groups of six, were used for the study, with another six animals used as PRP donors. For the heterologous group an adult, mixed breed dog was used to obtain the PRP. The wounds were induced using an 8 mm punch. The left side was treated with NaCl 0.9%® (A) and a PRP gel was applied (GA = autologous; GHE = heterologous and GHO = homologous) on the right side (B). The wounds were evaluated for a period of 17 days. On the 17th day biopsies were taken for histopathological assessment of the wounds. The percentage of contraction was evident in side B (treated), which was confirmed in the microscopic analysis of the histological sections. Thus, it was concluded that PRP, regardless of the source, improves and accelerates the healing process, demonstrating its therapeutic potential on cutaneous lesions and its use in patients with impaired wound healing.
Perceived Harm of Online Drug-Encouraging Messages
Authors: Leung Wan Chi , Lo Ven-Hwei
Published: January 2015

This study examines third-person perceptions (TPP) of two types of online messages—antisocial messages that encourage drug abuse and prosocial messages in the youth anti-drug campaign—and their relationship with support for three types of rectifying measures: restrictive, corrective, and promotional. A survey of 778 secondary school students (approximately equivalent to students in Grades 7-13) in Hong Kong found that the self–other perceptual gap in effects of prosocial messages was significantly smaller than that of antisocial messages. Regression analysis showed that the perceptual gap of antisocial messages significantly predicted greater support for all three types of rectifying measures, but the perceptual gap of prosocial messages did not. More emphasis should be laid on educating students about the possible harmful effects of online drug-encouraging messages among their peers, which might help promote support for restrictive, corrective, and promotional anti-drug measures.
A Successful Model of Collaborative Undergraduate Research
Authors: Woodzicka Julie A. , Ford Thomas E. , Caudill Abbie , Ohanmamooreni Alyna
Published: January 2015

A collaborative research grant from the National Science Foundation allowed the first two authors to provide students at primarily undergraduate institutions with a multi-faculty, multi-institution team research experience. Teams of undergraduate students at Western Carolina University and Washington and Lee University collaborated with one another on multiple projects. Research teams used Skype and Dropbox to facilitate meetings and the sharing of research articles, documents, and data. Through collaboration across institutions, students gained a fuller appreciation of research as a dynamic process that involves discussing and critiquing ideas and complementing one another’s skills.
Labor Migration and Allocation of Human Resources in Taiwan: Return and Onward Cases
Authors: Lin Ji-Ping , Tsay Ching-Lung
Published: January 2015

Utilizing the 1990 Population and Housing Census of Taiwan, this paper attempted to examine return and onward labor migration and to identify their determinants by applying a three-level nested logit model. The study found that urban-to-rural movements mainly characterize return migration while onward migration is mostly inter-urban movements. Returnees in general tend to be less “successful” than their onward counterparts in the labor market. Other than the experience of “disappointment” in the market, location-specific capital left behind exerts a strong positive effect on return migration. Onward migrants are rather sensitive to market forces and spatial disparities in economic opportunities. In order to improve the efficiency of relocating human resources, the corresponding policy should focus more on measures that help “open up” market information for the labor force.
Imagining the Future of Migration and Families in Asia
Authors: Asis Maruja M.B.
Published: January 2015

This paper attempts to outline observed changes in Asian families (particularly in East and Southeast Asia) in the past thirty years, reviews research-based findings on the links between international migration and the family, and identifies emerging family-related issues vis-à-vis emerging trends in international migration. Among the notable changes in Asian families during this period are the shift towards smaller families, the shift to longer family life course, and the emerging transnational configuration of families. The last one has been brought about by increasing population mobility. Despite the policy to keep migration temporary, some limited form of settlement is taking place in the region. Among others, this raises questions and policy dilemmas concerning the nature of migration in the future, the treatment of foreigners in receiving societies, and human rights issues affecting women and children.
Global Migration, Ethnic Media and Ethnic Identity
Authors: Shiramizu Shigehiko
Published: January 2015

Although ethnic media have a long history, the nature and characteristics of contemporary ethnic media have been transformed by globalization. This article explores the association between ethnic media and ethnic identity by looking at various examples: the Nikkei and Okinawans in the United States, the Brazilians currently residing in Japan, the Koreans in Japan, and the specific case of cross-cultural families in Japan. Given the different nature of mobility and the ethnic media, the role of the ethnic media in maintaining or transforming ethnic identity needs to be re-examined.
Cognitive Life Strains and Family Relationships of Filipino Migrant Workers in Japan
Authors: Ohara-Hirano Yuko
Published: January 2015

The mental health of foreign workers has attracted some research interest in Japan, but most studies have looked into the association between mental health and working and living conditions. This study focuses on the association between mental health and family relationships based on interviews with 265 Filipino migrant workers in Japan. Eighteen life strains were derived from previous research, and these were divided into four domains: working conditions, family problems in the Philippines, life conditions abroad, and anticipated problems in the future. The study found that migrants more frequently experience family-based life strains compared with life strains resulting from working and living conditions. However, the study also found that emotional support from the family is associated with higher levels of satisfaction in working and living conditions in Japan.
Strategies for Global Migration among Pakistani Workers in Japan
Authors: Igarashi Yasumasa
Published: January 2015

The debate concerning the entry of unskilled foreign workers in Japan assumes that foreign workers are temporary guestworkers who are economically motivated, or that foreign workers will bring their families and reside in Japan permanently. This study attempted to critique these assumptions by focusing on the individual life histories of five Pakistanis who had worked in Japan. Interviews were conducted in Japan and in Pakistan, after they were deported for overstaying in Japan. Findings from the study revealed that they had complex reasons for coming to Japan and these varied according to their family situation. Furthermore, the family of these former migrant workers was a more extensive and broader network than the nuclear family. A more thoughtful examination of assumptions about migrant workers is necessary to arrive at a better understanding of migration.
Pathways Abroad: Gender and International Migration Recruitment Choices in Northern Thailand
Authors: Sobieszczyk Teresa
Published: January 2015

Based on findings from a series of in-depth interviews with returned migrant workers, recruiters, and government officials in Thailand, this paper extends the analysis of the Thai international labor migration institution. The article discusses conceptual models developed to help explain three main modes of overseas labor recruitment used by Northern Thai workers in three sub-districts. These are authorized recruitment and two types of unauthorized recruitment that differ according to whether the migrant pays for the recruitment at the time of migration or works off the recruitment costs with the overseas employer after arrival in the destination country. A gender perspective is used to examine why women and men choose a particular type of recruitment. Several factors are shown to shape male and female migrants — recruitment choices, including gendered labor demand among overseas employers, financial resources available to potential male and female migrants, a desire for “safe” working and living environments among some young women, and differences in social networks and previous overseas migration experience for men and women.
The Graveyard of Huang Xiulang: Early Twentieth Century Perspectives on the Role of the Overseas Chinese in Chinese Modernization
Authors: Szonyi Michael
Published: January 2015

For more than a century, the importance of the economic and human capital generated in ethnic Chinese economies abroad to the modernization of China has been a subject of interest to political leaders, intellectuals and Overseas Chinese alike. This paper uses a collection of documents commemorating the construction of a distinctive cemetery by a prominent Overseas Chinese from Fujian to explore the early twentieth century discourse on the nature and significance of Overseas Chinese contributions to modernization efforts. This discourse is characterized by tensions about the appropriate basis for Chinese modernity, the appropriate role for the Overseas Chinese in the modernity project, and the need to domesticate the transnationalism of the Overseas Chinese to enable them to play that role.