bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal assemblages and short‐lived blooms in coastal north‐west Atlantic Ocean bacterioplankton
Authors: El‐Swais Heba , Dunn Katherine A. , Bielawski Joseph P. , Li William K. W. , Walsh David A.
Published: September 2014

Temperate oceans are inhabited by diverse and temporally dynamic bacterioplankton communities. However, the role of the environment, resources and phytoplankton dynamics in shaping marine bacterioplankton communities at different time scales remains poorly constrained. Here, we combined time series observations (time scales of weeks to years) with molecular analysis of formalin‐fixed samples from a coastal inlet of the north‐west Atlantic Ocean to show that a combination of temperature, nitrate, small phytoplankton and Synechococcus abundances are best predictors for annual bacterioplankton community variability, explaining 38% of the variation. Using Bayesian mixed modelling, we identified assemblages of co‐occurring bacteria associated with different seasonal periods, including the spring bloom (e.g. Polaribacter, Ulvibacter, Alteromonadales and ARCTIC96B‐16) and the autumn bloom (e.g. OM42, OM25, OM38 and Arctic96A‐1 clades of Alphaproteobacteria, and SAR86, OM60 and SAR92 clades of Gammaproteobacteria). Community variability over spring bloom development was best explained by silicate (32%) – an indication of rapid succession of bacterial taxa in response to diatom biomass – while nanophytoplankton as well as picophytoplankton abundance explained community variability (16–27%) over the transition into and out of the autumn bloom. Moreover, the seasonal structure was punctuated with short‐lived blooms of rare bacteria including the KSA‐1 clade of Sphingobacteria related to aromatic hydrocarbon‐degrading bacteria.
Comparison in efficacy between pure NOTES peritoneoscopy with small or large endoscope and laparoscopy
Authors: Wang Zi Kai , Yang Yun Sheng , Zhang Xiu Li , Sun Gang , Hyder Qurratulain , Wu Li Li , Tang Ping , Li Wen
Published: September 2014

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and systematic impact of different sized endoscopes for pure transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) peritoneoscopy relative to laparoscopy.

Methods

A total of 15 dogs were randomly assigned to the small‐sized endoscope (SS), large‐sized endoscope (LS) and standard laparoscopy (SL) groups. The procedure time, visualization scores for abdominal organs, gastric incision healing times and procedure‐associated complications were recorded. Blood samples were collected at 1 h preoperation and at 1 h, 12 h, 2 days and 7 days postoperation. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐6 levels as well as peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts were analyzed.

Results

Peritoneoscopy was successfully performed with both pure transgastric NOTES and laparoscopy. The peritoneoscopy required less time to complete in the SL group (44.0 ± 7.0 min) than the LS (83.0 ± 28.9 min) and SS (106.6 ± 81.3 min) groups (P < 0.01), but no statistical difference was observed between the SS and LS groups (P > 0.05). The visualization scores of peritoneal organs among the three groups did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). The gastric incision exhibited satisfactory healing in both the SS and LS groups. Moreover, serum TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels and WBC counts at each time point were similar among the three groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Small‐sized endoscope is not superior to a large‐sized one for pure transgastric NOTES peritoneoscopy. Pure transgastric NOTES is not less invasive or less time‐consuming than laparoscopy.
Medical thoracoscopy in MALT lymphoma causing pleural effusion: A case report
Authors: Arondi Sabrina , Valsecchi Alberto , Marchetti Giampietro
Published: September 2014

Mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a form of low‐grade malignant B‐cell extranodal non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is classified as marginal‐zone lymphoma and represents less than 1% of all lung cancer. We describe a case of MALT lymphoma limited exclusively to the lung that came to our attention with infective pleural effusion and concomitant lung consolidation of the left lower lobe. Our case demonstrates that MALT can begin with an acute clinical presentation. The clinical scenario, with fever, parietal chest pain, and leukocytosis, suggested an infective process. Radiological and sonographic examinations and the endoscopic aspect during medical thoracoscopy (MT) were typical of an infective etiology. The histological outcome of non‐specific inflammatory pleuritis confirmed our suppositions. However, the missing resolution of lung consolidation after several weeks led us to an alternative diagnosis. Parenchymal biopsies obtained by bronchoscopy allowed us to reach the correct diagnosis: MALT lymphoma limited to the lung.
Effectiveness of the implementation of guidelines for anxiety disorders in specialized mental health care
Authors: van Dijk M. K. , Oosterbaan D. B. , Verbraak M. J. P. M. , Hoogendoorn A. W. , Penninx B. W. J. H. , van Balkom A. J. L. M.
Published: September 2014

Objective

To examine the effect of implementing anxiety disorders guidelines on guideline adherence and patient outcomes in specialized mental health care.

Method

A treatment setting in which guidelines were implemented (intervention condition) was compared with one in which guidelines were only disseminated (control condition).

Results

Of 61.7% of 81 intervention‐condition patients received treatment according to the guidelines vs. 40.6% of 69 control‐condition patients (P = 0.01). At 1‐year follow‐up, intervention‐condition patients showed a greater decrease in anxiety symptoms (d = 0.48, P < 0.05); higher percentages of response (52.6% vs. 33.8%; P = 0.025) and remission (33.3% vs.16.9%; P = 0.026); and a greater decrease in the rate of phobic avoidance (d = 0.34, P < 0.05). At 2‐year follow‐up, control‐condition patients had experienced a longer period of treatment, which had eroded most of these differences, except for phobic avoidance.

Conclusion

Systematic guideline implementation results in earlier gains and shorter treatment times.
Distribution of virulence factors and association with emm polymorphism or isolation site among beta‐hemolytic group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis
Authors: Lo Hsueh‐Hsia , Cheng Wei‐Shan
Published: September 2014

Distribution of virulence factors and association with emm polymorphism or isolation site among beta‐hemolytic group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis. Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE), the dominant human pathogenic species among group G streptococci, is the causative agent of several invasive and non‐invasive diseases worldwide. However, limited information is available about the distribution of virulence factors among SDSE isolates, or their association with emm types and the isolation sites. In this study, 246 beta‐hemolytic group G SDSE isolates collected in central Taiwan between February 2007 and August 2011 were under investigation. Of these, 66 isolates were obtained from normally sterile sites and 180 from non‐sterile sites. emm typing revealed 32 types, with the most prevalent one being stG10.0 (39.8%), followed by stG245.0 (15.4%), stG840.0 (12.2%), stG6.1 (7.7%), and stG652.0 (4.1%). The virulence genes lmb (encoding laminin‐binding protein), gapC (glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase), sagA (streptolysin S), and hylB (hyaluronidase) existed in all isolates. Also, 99.2% of the isolates possessed slo (streptolysin O) and scpA (C5a peptidase) genes. In addition, 72.8%, 14.6%, 9.4%, and 2.4% of the isolates possessed the genes ska (streptokinase), cbp (putative collagen‐binding protein, SDEG_1781), fbp (putative fibronectin‐binding protein, SDEG_0161), and sicG (streptococcal inhibitor of complement), respectively. The only superantigen gene detected was spegg (streptococcus pyrogenic exotoxin Gdys), which was possessed by 74.4% of the isolates; these isolates correlated with non‐sterile sites. Positive correlations were observed between the following emm types and virulence genes: stG10.0 and stG840.0 with spegg, stG6.1 and stG652.0 with ska, and stG840.0 with cbp. On the other hand, negative correlations were observed between the following: stG245.0, stG6.1, and stG652.0 types with spegg, stG10.0 with ska, and stG10.0, stG245.0, and stG6.1 types with cbp. The prevalence of emm types of SDSE in central Taiwan was investigated for the first time. Moreover, the distribution of virulence factors among beta‐hemolytic group G SDSE isolates, as well as their association with emm types or isolation sites were also examined.
Viral infection in placenta relevant cells – a morphological and immunohistochemical cell culture study
Authors: Turowski Gitta , Rollag Halvor , Roald Borghild
Published: September 2014

Viral infections in pregnancy are known to cause fetal malformation, growth restriction, and even fetal death. Macroscopic placental examination usually shows slight and unspecific changes. Histology may show secondary, non‐specific tissue reaction, i.e. villitis with lymphocytic invasion. Primary specific morphology characteristics are known for some virus, like cytomegalovirus, parvovirus, and herpes simplex, however many viral infections show non‐specific changes. Placenta relevant cells as human first trimester trophoblasts HTR8/SVneo, primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and primary human embryonic fibroblasts were examined following infection with commonly occurring virus like adenovirus and enterovirus. Morphology in routine stained sections and virus‐specific immunostains were studied 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 h after infection. Nuclear enlargement was seen in the infected cells. A specific diagnosis of adenovirus or enterovirus infection, however, was not possible without specific immunostains.
Efficacy and safety of nebulized glycopyrrolate for administration using a high efficiency nebulizer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Leaker Brian R. , Barnes Peter J. , Jones C. Richard , Tutuncu Ahmet , Singh Dave
Published: September 2014

Aims

To establish the dose−response for pharmacodynamics (bronchodilatation), safety and pharmacokinetics for a nebulized formulation of the long acting muscarinic antagonist glycopyrrolate (EP‐101) with a high efficiency nebulizer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

Patients with moderate to severe COPD (GOLD II/III), with reversible lung function, were enrolled into this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, six period crossover study (n = 42). Patients received single doses of EP‐101 (12.5–400 μg) and placebo via a high efficiency nebulizer (eFlow® PARI nebulizer), with washout between treatments. Plasma pharmacokinetics were assessed in a subset of patients (n = 11).

Results

All treatments were well tolerated with similar adverse event rates reported with placebo and at all doses. There were no clinically relevant changes in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure or in ECG parameters including QTc interval. Following treatment with EP‐101 at all doses there was a rapid bronchodilator response within 5 min. Significant improvements in mean change from baseline FEV1 at 24 h were reported at doses ≥50 μg compared with placebo, with a clear dose−response relationship. Mean changes in FEV1 were 0.10 l (95% CI 0.06, 0.14) and 0.12 l (95% CI 0.08, 0.16) for 100 μg and 200 μg, respectively.

Conclusion

Single doses of EP‐101 ranging from 12.5 μg to 400 μg were well tolerated. EP‐101 delivered by high efficiency nebulizer device produced a rapid onset of bronchodilatation with clinically meaningful improvements in lung function maintained over a 24 h period at all doses >50 μg.
Correlation between DNA methylation and gene expression in the brains of patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Chen Chao , Zhang Chunling , Cheng Lijun , Reilly James L , Bishop Jeffrey R , Sweeney John A , Chen Hua‐Yun , Gershon Elliot S , Liu Chunyu
Published: September 2014

Objectives

Aberrant DNA methylation and gene expression have been reported in postmortem brain tissues of psychotic patients, but until now there has been no systematic evaluation of synergistic changes in methylation and expression on a genome‐wide scale in brain tissue.

Methods

In this study, genome‐wide methylation and expression analyses were performed on cerebellum samples from 39 patients with schizophrenia, 36 patients with bipolar disorder, and 43 unaffected controls, to screen for a correlation between gene expression and CpG methylation.

Results

Out of 71,753 CpG gene pairs (CGPs) tested across the genome, 204 were found to significantly correlate with gene expression after correction for multiple testing [p < 0.05, false discovery rate (FDR) q < 0.05]. The correlated CGPs were tested for disease‐associated expression and methylation by comparing psychotic patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia to healthy controls. Four of the identified CGPs were found to significantly correlate with the differential expression and methylation of genes encoding phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase, regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), butyrophilin, subfamily 3, member A3 (BTN3A3), nescient helix‐loop‐helix 1 (NHLH1), and solute carrier family 16, member 7 (SLC16A7) in psychotic patients (p < 0.05, FDR q < 0.2). Additional expression and methylation datasets were used to validate the relationship between DNA methylation, gene expression, and neuropsychiatric diseases.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the identified differentially expressed genes with an aberrant methylation pattern may represent novel candidate factors in the etiology and pathology of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Factors associated with persistence of red blood cell antibodies in woman after pregnancies complicated by fetal alloimmune haemolytic disease treated with intrauterine transfusions
Authors: Verduin Esther P. , Brand Anneke , van de Watering Leo M. G. , Claas Frans H. J. , Oepkes Dick , Lopriore Enrico , Doxiadis Ilias I. N. , Schonewille Henk
Published: September 2014

Red blood cell (RBC) antibodies can persist for decades or decrease quickly to undetectable levels. Antibody persistence has not been systematically studied. Women whose children are treated with intrauterine transfusions (IUT) for haemolytic disease of the fetus (HDFN) often produce additional antibodies, which can be evoked by the intrauterine transfusion or by fetomaternal haemorrhage during the procedure. Factors associated with persistence of both the antibodies responsible for HDFN and additional antibodies were studied in 260 women whose children were treated with IUT between 1988 and 2008. They possessed 499 (205 anti‐D and 294 non‐D) antibodies after the last IUT. After a median follow‐up of 8·7 years, all 260 antibodies primarily responsible for HDFN had persisted. Additional antibodies directed against antigens of the children persisted in 70·6%, and in 32·3% if they were not child‐specific (P < 0·001). Antibodies induced by irradiated IUT persisted in only 7·1%. Multivariate analyses showed that non‐HDFN antibody persistence was dependent on the antibody titre and specificity. In conclusion, persistence of antibodies mainly depends on antibody strength and specificity. Difference between fetal or non‐fetal immunogens suggests maintenance of antigenic stimulation possibly by long‐term fetomaternal chimerism.
A large‐scale computational study of inhibitor risk in non‐severe haemophilia A
Authors: Shepherd Adrian J. , Skelton Stuart , Sansom Clare E. , Gomez Keith , Moss David S. , Hart Daniel P.
Published: September 2014

Over 500 missense F8 mutations have been reported to cause non‐severe haemophilia A. Some F8 genotypes appear to confer a higher risk of inhibitor formation than others and individuals with the same F8 genotype may have differing risks of inhibitor formation. We present an in silico strategy demonstrating the heterogeneity of factor VIII (FVIII)‐derived antigen presentation whilst identifying patterns of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) peptide binding that might predict future inhibitor risk. A well‐validated computational tool, NetMHCII, enabled large‐scale comparison of predicted antigen presentation between endogenous, mutated FVIII‐derived peptides and wild‐type, therapeutic FVIII‐derived peptides spanning all F8 missense mutation positions reported to The Haemophilia A Mutation, Structure and Resource Site (HADB). We identify 40 F8 genotypes to be ‘low risk’ at a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50)‐binding threshold of 300 nmol/l (P = 0·00005), defined as absence of novel peptide‐major histocompatibility complex (MHC) surfaces for all 14 common HLA‐DR alleles assessed. Analysing each of the possible 7280 F8 genotype/HLA‐DR permutations individually at an IC50 threshold of 300 nmol/l, 65% are predicted to not generate a novel peptide‐MHC surface that would be necessary to engage T cell help for subsequent anti‐FVIII antibody generation. This study demonstrates the future importance of interpreting F8 genotype in the context of an individual's HLA profile to personalize inhibitor risk prediction.
Health inequalities and access to health care for adults with learning disabilities in Lincolnshire
Authors: Walker Carol , Beck Charles R. , Eccles Richard , Weston Chris
Published: September 2014

Accessible summary

People with learning disabilities do not live as long as other people or as long as many should.

Nationally, people with learning disabilities do not get as good help when they do get ill.

This paper looks at work that was conducted in Lincolnshire to see how the health of people with learning disabilities compared to the rest of the population.

The report recommended changes which could be made to make things better.

The NHS Constitution requires all NHS organisations to provide high‐quality comprehensive services, based on clinical need, which do not discriminate between patients (DH 2010a). Together with its health and social care partners, the NHS also has a statutory duty of care to meet the needs of all patients with dignity and compassion. Recent evidence has revealed sharp failures in the NHS to meet these goals in relation to people with learning disabilities nationally. This article considers the well‐established evidence that the latter group have worse health experiences and worse health outcomes than the population as a whole, which significantly contributes to marked inequalities both in morbidity and mortality. The public sector equality duty of the Equality Act 2010 imposes a statutory requirement on health and social care agencies to address such inequalities. This article draws on the first systematic health needs assessment (HNA) of adults with learning disabilities in the county of Lincolnshire, established in 2011 to identify their health needs and make recommendations for improvement.
Surveying community nursing support for persons with an intellectual disability and palliative care needs
Authors: Bailey Maria , Doody Owen , Lyons Rosemary
Published: September 2014

Accessible summary

People with intellectual disability live within their community and will require services to support them at end of life.

Often people with intellectual disability are denied access to essential services.

This paper identifies the experiences of community nurses caring for persons with an intellectual disability and palliative/end‐of‐life care needs.

Palliative care services have developed over the years to support all persons with life‐limiting conditions. Moreover, services for people with an intellectual disability have moved from the traditional institutional setting to supporting people with an intellectual disability to live in their own community and family home. The expansion of palliative care services and integration of people with intellectual disability into their communities has resulted in an increased demand and greater diversity in the population groups accessing palliative care services. This study aims to describe the provision of community nursing support for persons with an intellectual disability and palliative/end‐of‐life care needs from the perspective of community nurses. A quantitative descriptive cross‐sectional survey was employed. On receipt of ethical approval, data were collected through self‐reporting questionnaires and descriptive analysis was conducted to describe frequencies and to identify patterns of the respondents using spss version 18. Only 85 people with an intellectual disability were referred to palliative/end‐of‐life care services over a 3‐year period. Those delivering care expressed challenges including, understanding communication styles, late referrals, lack of time, knowledge and skills. Highlighted within the study were the benefits of liaison between family and professional and nonprofessional carers. Findings provide insight into the importance of teamwork, advance planning, knowing the person and best practice in providing palliative/end‐of‐life care for people with intellectual disability through collaboration.
Synthesis, Antidepressant Activity, and Toxicity of the Erythro/Threo Racemates and Optical Isomers of 2‐(4‐benzylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐1‐(5‐chloro‐6‐methoxynaphthalen‐2‐yl)hexan‐1‐ol
Authors: Weng Zhijie , Zheng Yongyong , Li Jianqi
Published: September 2014

The erythro/threo racemates and their four optical isomers of 2‐(4‐benzylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐1‐(5‐chloro‐6‐methoxynaphthalen‐2‐yl)hexan‐1‐ol were synthesized and evaluated for their antidepressant activity, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics as novel triple multiple reuptake inhibitors of monoamine transmitters. The racemates and optical isomers were synthesized, respectively, through two different routes. Pharmacological data indicate that the erythro racemate (SIPI5357) that has better inhibitory activity and lower toxicity than the other racemate and optical isomers is worthy of further evaluation.
Recent update on autoimmune encephalitis/encephalopathy
Authors: Tanaka Keiko
Published: September 2014

Antibody‐mediated encephalitis/encephalopathy is increasingly recognized by neurologists as well as pediatricians and psychiatrists, because these antibodies have been detected in cases of intractable epilepsy or atypical psychosis and in some demyelinating diseases, together with typical limbic encephalitis. In these disorders, the autoantibodies to synaptic cell surface antigens, such as anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor, α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate receptor, γ‐aminobutyric acid B receptor and leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated protein 1, have attracted considerable attention. New target antigens are being discovered, and some patients have been shown to produce multiple antibodies, based on the development of easy‐to‐use detection devices. Each group has characteristic clinical features; however, the disease spectrum has been expanding, after many atypical cases became the subject of antibody tests. To understand the significance of these antibodies in the pathogenesis of autoimmune neurological diseases, the role of each antibody in the disease process should be evaluated. Here, some representative groups are described, together with the roles of the antibodies in the pathogenesis of autoimmune encephalitis/encephalopathy.
Are Automatic Conceptual Cores the Gold Standard of Semantic Processing? The Context‐Dependence of Spatial Meaning in Grounded Congruency Effects
Authors: Lebois Lauren A. M. , Wilson‐Mendenhall Christine D. , Barsalou Lawrence W.
Published: September 2014

According to grounded cognition, words whose semantics contain sensory‐motor features activate sensory‐motor simulations, which, in turn, interact with spatial responses to produce grounded congruency effects (e.g., processing the spatial feature of up for sky should be faster for up vs. down responses). Growing evidence shows these congruency effects do not always occur, suggesting instead that the grounded features in a word's meaning do not become active automatically across contexts. Researchers sometimes use this as evidence that concepts are not grounded, further concluding that grounded information is peripheral to the amodal cores of concepts. We first review broad evidence that words do not have conceptual cores, and that even the most salient features in a word's meaning are not activated automatically. Then, in three experiments, we provide further evidence that grounded congruency effects rely dynamically on context, with the central grounded features in a concept becoming active only when the current context makes them salient. Even when grounded features are central to a word's meaning, their activation depends on task conditions.
Synchronicity in elevation range shifts among small mammals and vegetation over the last century is stronger for omnivores
Authors: Santos Maria J. , Thorne James H. , Moritz Craig
Published: September 2014

In mountain ecosystems, species can be said to respond synchronously to environmental change when the elevation ranges of vegetation types and their associated vertebrates expand or contract in the same direction. Conversely, the response is asynchronous when the elevation ranges of vegetation types and associated vertebrates change in different directions. The capacity of vertebrate species to respond synchronously with change in the elevation ranges of the vegetation that comprises their habitat is likely a function of their ecological traits. Here we combine measures of elevation range shifts in 23 vertebrate species with those of their associated vegetation types across 80 yr, on a large elevation transect in California's Sierra Nevada mountains that encompasses Yosemite National Park. Half the species’ shifts were synchronous with vegetation shifts, ¼ of the species were asynchronous, and the others showed no relationship. Most species that responded synchronously to changes in vegetation elevation ranges expanded their elevation range, and are inhabitants of low and intermediate elevations. In contrast, those species whose range shifts were asynchronous to associated vegetation shifts inhabit high elevations. These species experienced contraction in elevation range even while their associated vegetation types expanded. However, these species were responding synchronously to a subset of their associated vegetation types. Considering trait‐based predictors, omnivores were more synchronous than herbivores. Our results on synchronous and asynchronous elevation shifts with vegetation may permit more accurate modeling of future ranges for vertebrates in California's Sierra Nevada. The approach also offers a new method for use in assessment of vertebrate vulnerability in other mountain regions, and can be an important component of assessing their vulnerability to climate change.
Traveling Chaucer: Comparative Translation and Cosmopolitan Humanism
Authors: Barrington Candace
Published: September 2014

Through the comparative study of non‐Anglophone translations of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, we can achieve the progressive goals of Emily Apter's “translational transnationalism” and Edward Said's “cosmopolitan humanism.” Both translation and humanism were intrinsic to Chaucer's initial composition of the Tales, and in turn, both shaped Chaucer's later reception, often in ways that did a disservice to his reputation and his verse. In this essay, Candace Barrington argues that comparative translation provides a means whereby new modes of translation, like Apter's, can promote a different version of humanism, like Said's; she demonstrates this process in a brief philological study of Nazmi Ağıl's Turkish translation of The Squire's Tale. While we can see the infusion of Turkish values and perspectives in the new text, we can also see that the Turkish reveals new insights into Chaucer's subtle and nuanced use of language.
Between the Human and the Foreign: Translating Arabic Drama for the Stage
Authors: Albakry Mohammed
Published: September 2014

In this essay, Mohammed Albakry discusses the notion of accommodating cultural differences in translation and the need to respect these differences without compromising or emphasizing them. First, Albakry reflects on translation as an act of interpretation in light of Terence's famous saying “nothing human can be foreign to me.” Second, he comments on the place of drama in translation and translation studies in order to contextualize his project — translating a number of critically acclaimed contemporary Egyptian plays. He then reviews and critiques the binary model of foreignization/domestication, drawing on some concrete examples of the cultural challenges of translating Arabic drama for the American stage. Albakry concludes by conceptualizing an alternative translational space of dialogical encounters between the human/familiar and the foreign in translation, and by considering the relevance of the Terentian maxim to the negotiation of maintaining sameness while preserving difference.
Nothing Human
Authors: Wharram C. C.
Published: September 2014

In this essay C. C. Wharram argues that Terence's concept of translation as a form of “contamination” anticipates recent developments in philosophy, ecology, and translation studies. Placing these divergent fields of inquiry into dialogue enables us read Terence's well‐known statement “I am a human being — I deem nothing human alien to me” as a recognition of the significance of the “nothing human” for contemporary humanism. By recasting Terence's human/foreign pairing through Freud's concept of the uncanny, Wharram draws a parallel between a “nothing human” that is radically interior to the human subject and an exterior agency of “nothing human” described by actor‐network theory and object‐oriented ontology. Only through an “alien phenomenology” (a concept borrowed from Ian Bogost) dependent on metaphors and translations that are necessarily approximate (or “contaminated”) can we begin to approach this “nothing human.”
miR‐184 regulates ezrin, LAMP‐1 expression, affects phagocytosis in human retinal pigment epithelium and is downregulated in age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Murad Najiba , Kokkinaki Maria , Gunawardena Nishantha , Gunawan Mia S. , Hathout Yetrib , Janczura Karolina J. , Theos Alexander C. , Golestaneh Nady
Published: September 2014

MicroRNA 184 (miR‐184) is known to play a key role in neurological development and apoptosis and is highly expressed in mouse brain, mouse corneal epithelium, zebrafish lens and human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). However, the role of miR‐184 in RPE is largely unknown. We investigated the role of miR‐184 in RPE and its possible implication in age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Proteomic analysis identified the ezrin (EZR) gene as a target of miR‐184 in human RPE. EZR is a membrane cytoskeleton crosslinker that is also known to bind to lysosomal‐associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP‐1) during the formation of phagocytic vacuoles. In adult retinal pigment epithelium 19 (ARPE19) cells, inhibition of miR‐184 resulted in upregulation of EZR mRNA and EZR protein, and induced downregulation of LAMP‐1. The inhibition of miR‐184 decreased EZR‐bound LAMP‐1 protein levels and affected phagocytic activity in ARPE19 cells. In primary culture of human RPE isolated from eyes of AMD donors (AMD RPE), miR‐184 was significantly downregulated compared with control (normal) RPE. Downregulation of miR‐184 was consistent with significantly lower levels of LAMP‐1 protein in AMD RPE, and overexpression of MIR‐184 in AMD RPE was able to rescue LAMP‐1 protein expression to normal levels. Altogether, these observations suggest a novel role for miR‐184 in RPE health and support a model proposing that downregulation of miR‐184 expression during aging may result in dysregulation of RPE function, contributing to retinal degeneration.
Simulation of elevated temperature fatigue damage evolution using the finite element method for near alpha titanium alloy
Authors: Kumar J. , Rao A. V. , Kumar V.
Published: September 2014

The numerical estimation of evolving damage under low cycle fatigue loading condition has been performed in the near‐α titanium alloy IMI‐834 at 823 K temperature. By using the experimentally determined parameters as input, numerical simulation of fatigue damage has been performed on round specimens using finite element analysis. Coupled deformation‐damage model has been established for this alloy for simulation of damage evolution in a three‐dimensional cylindrical low cycle fatigue test specimen. The fatigue damage estimates from numerical simulation are observed to be in close agreement with the experimental results.
An investigation of the fatigue of CK45 steel in the as‐received state and after pre‐fatigue deformation
Authors: Shariati M. , Mehrabi H.
Published: September 2014

Fatigue failure, ratcheting behaviour and influence of pre‐fatigue on fatigue behaviour were investigated under uniaxial cyclic loading for CK45 steel at room temperature. The fatigue life was recorded for various stress ratios, and then, three mean stress models were considered. The Walker model showed an acceptable accuracy in comparison with Smith–Watson–Topper and Park et al. models. The ratcheting strains were measured for various loading conditions in order to evaluate the impact of mean stress, stress amplitude and stress ratio on ratcheting behaviour. The experimental results showed that the ratcheting strain increased with increasing mean stress, stress amplitude and stress ratio. In addition, the results of the post‐ratcheting‐fatigue tests showed that although the fatigue life decreased with increasing pre‐ratcheting strain (the ratcheting strain that is accumulated in pre‐fatigue), the loading condition that pre‐fatigue experiments were conducted has a significant effect on subsequent fatigue behaviour.
Tooth loss might not alter molecular pathogenesis in an aged transgenic Alzheimer's disease model mouse
Authors: Oue Hiroshi , Miyamoto Yasunari , Koretake Katsunori , Okada Shinsuke , Doi Kazuya , Jung Cha‐Gyun , Michikawa Makoto , Akagawa Yasumasa
Published: September 2014

Background and objective

Previous studies have reported that tooth loss is a risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the association between tooth loss and cognition and the impact of tooth loss on the molecular pathogenesis of AD remain elusive. In this study, we tested the effect of tooth loss on learning and memory and on the molecular pathogenesis of AD in an aged AD model mice.

Materials and methods

We divided 14‐month‐old amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice, an AD model mouse line, into upper molar extracted group (experimental) and molar intact group (control). At 18 months old, we analysed not only the changes of amyloid‐beta (Aβ), pyramidal cells in the brain but also the learning and memory ability with step‐through passive avoidance test.

Results

The amount of Aβ and the number of pyramidal cells in the hippocampus were not significantly different between the experimental and control group. Similarly, the difference of learning and memory ability could not be distinguished between the groups.

Conclusion

Neither molecular pathogenesis of AD nor associated learning and memory were aggravated by tooth loss in these mice. The limited results of this study which used the aged mice may help the dental profession to plan and explain treatments to patients with AD, which must be designed while taking into account the severity of the AD symptoms.
Low‐Carbon Magnesia‐Carbon Refractory: Use of N220 Nanocarbon Black
Authors: Behera Satyananda , Sarkar Ritwik
Published: September 2014

Addition of nanocarbon black up to 3 wt% was done in MgO‐C refractories, containing fixed 3 and 5 wt% of graphite, to study the effect on various refractory properties. Uniform distribution of carbon particles even at 1 wt% of nanocarbon black with 3 and 5 wt% of graphite was found to improve the refractory properties. The coked strength, hot strength, corrosion resistance, and oxidation resistance were found to be improved for nanocarbon‐containing MgO‐C refractory compared with the conventional refractory due to in situ formation of Al4C3. Higher amount of nanocarbon black was found to deteriorate the refractory properties.
Prevailing Wage Regulations and School Construction Costs: Cumulative Evidence from British Columbia
Authors: Duncan Kevin , Philips Peter , Prus Mark
Published: September 2014

The effect of prevailing wage laws on the cost of public construction has been the subject of an ongoing public policy debate. We measure this effect by comparing the public/private construction cost differential for schools built before and after British Columbia's Skills Development and Fair Wage Policy. Regression results indicate that public schools were 40.5 percent more expensive to build prior to the policy. This differential was 40.1 percent after the policy's enforcement. However, this change is not statistically significant. Regression results also indicate a stable construction cost function over the policy period. These results indicate that the effect of fair wage requirements was not different from zero in terms of magnitude or statistical significance. Combining these results with the findings of our previous research provides a comprehensive view regarding the effect of the British Columbian prevailing wage policy on school construction. This body of research, utilizing a variety of statistical methods, provides consistent evidence indicating that a relatively strong prevailing wage policy was not associated with changes in the efficiency or productivity of construction that contributes to increased building costs.
Tissue preparation for reconstruction of large‐scale three‐dimensional structures using a scanning electron microscope
Authors: HUKUI I.
Published: September 2014

A new tissue preparation method which gives scanning electron microscope images suitable for three‐dimensional reconstru ction of nerve tissue is described; the sample is embedded in an epoxy block which is ground, polished, and etched between taking successive cross‐sectional images. Etching is done with a plasma produced by electron cyclotron resonance ‐ a technique new to microscopy which gives minimal thermal damage and ensures clear images in which individual nerve fibres are easily resolved. Cropping of the sample is unnecessary, so that matching of laterally adjacent images is facilitated, and the method can deal with samples as large as 25 mm diameter × 20 mm depth.
Treatment of Osteochondrosis Dissecans in the Stifle and Tarsus of Juvenile Thoroughbred Horses
Authors: Clarke Kristie L. , Reardon Richard , Russell Tom
Published: September 2014

Objectives

To determine if arthroscopic surgery performed on weanlings/yearlings with trochlear ridge OCD of the femur (stifle OCD), or intermediate ridge of the tibia (tarsal OCD) detected on routine presale radiographs affects future racing performance.

Study Design

Retrospective case control study.

Animals

Thoroughbred weanlings and yearlings.

Methods

Stifle (N = 37; 22 male, 15 female) and tarsal (N = 35; 22 male, 13 female) OCD cases were identified. Outcome measures relating to racing performance (number of race starts, wins, places, and prize money earned, from races in their 2‐ and 3‐year‐old racing careers and in total from the period studied) were defined and then cases were compared to 2 age and sex matched controls using multilevel linear regression models. The effect of horse age at surgery and surgeon experience on the outcomes for cases with stifle OCD were also examined.

Results

Stifle OCD cases (N = 37; age 190–563 days at surgery) had significantly lower total earnings (P = .043), fewer total starts (P = .001) and fewer total 1st place finishes (P = .003) than their matched controls. For tarsal OCD cases (N = 35, age 127–470 days at surgery), fewer starts made by cases than controls (P = .018). Younger horse age at time of surgery and reduced surgeon experience were significantly associated with worse outcomes for stifle OCD cases.

Conclusions

Stifle OCD cases appear to perform less successfully as racehorses than matched controls. Horse age at time of surgery has an effect on subsequent racing performance.
Narrowing the Gap: Explaining the Increasing Competitiveness of the Venezuelan Opposition
Authors: Kutiyski Yordan K. , Krouwel André
Published: September 2014

This article seeks to explain why electoral support for the Venezuelan opposition has increased substantially, using Venezuelan public opinion survey data from LAPOP and an opt-in sample collected through the online vote advice application Brújula Presidencial Venezuela. It analyzes why Venezuelans who had either voted for Chávez or abstained in 2006 defected and started to support the opposition in subsequent elections. It proposes several reasons: negative voter evaluations of the economy, concern for public safety, and dissatisfaction with Venezuelan democracy. While the finding that negative policy evaluations boost support for the opposition aligns with theoretical expectations, this study finds a strong relationship between having different evaluations of the quality of democracy and supporting Chávez, which shows that the advocacy of two competing visions of democracy by the incumbent and the opposition also affects voting patterns in Venezuela.
Cold tolerance of tree species is related to the climate of their native ranges
Authors: Kreyling Juergen , Schmid Stephanie , Aas Gregor
Published: September 2014

Aim

Species ranges are confined by environmental parameters such as minimum temperatures. Beyond correlations of ranges and climatic parameters, however, physiological tolerances (here: cold tolerance) have rarely been linked to the climate of species' ranges. We hypothesize that natural range shifts due to climate warming and proactive‐assisted colonization may each be constrained by limits to the tolerance of species to rare frost events.

Location

Bayreuth, Germany, and the Northern Hemisphere.

Methods

We quantified cold tolerance (LT50 obtained by relative electrolyte leakage method) of 27 native and exotic (Northern Hemisphere) tree species in the autumn, mid‐winter and spring of 2011–12 at the Ecological Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth, Germany, and linked observed cold tolerances as well as changes in cold tolerance between sampling dates to the climate of the native ranges of the species.

Results

Observed cold tolerance was strongly related to the climate of the native ranges of the species (cross‐validated correlations between climate and expressed cold tolerance determined by boosted regression trees were 0.50 in autumn, 0.49 in mid‐winter, and 0.65 in spring). Cold tolerance was generally greater for species that experienced colder temperatures and lower levels of precipitation in their native ranges. Changes in cold tolerance between the three sampling dates over the winter, however, were not linked to the climate of the native ranges.

Main conclusions

Our results demonstrate the evolutionary importance of cold tolerance, which should be acknowledged in assisted colonization trials and projections of range shifts by considering absolute minimum temperature as an important ecological factor.
The Norway Couple Project: Lessons Learned
Authors: Sparks Jacqueline A.
Published: September 2014

Couple therapists in routine practice may find it difficult to apply findings from an increasingly expanding and complex body of couple therapy research. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised that competency in evidence‐based treatments is insufficient to inform many practice decisions or ensure positive treatment outcomes (American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Evidence‐Based Practice, American Psychologist, 2006, 271). This article aims to narrow the research/practice gap in couple therapy. Results from a large, randomized naturalistic couple trial (Anker, Duncan, & Sparks, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2009, 693) and four companion studies are translated into specific guidelines for routine, eclectic practice. Client feedback, the therapeutic alliance, couple goals assessment, and therapist experience in couple therapy provide a research‐informed template for improving couple therapy outcomes.
Reworking of the Gangdese magmatic arc, southeastern Tibet: post‐collisional metamorphism and anatexis
Authors: Zhang Z. , Dong X. , Xiang H. , Ding H. , He Z. , Liou J. G.
Published: September 2014

The Gangdese magmatic arc, southeastern Tibet, was built by mantle‐derived magma accretion and juvenile crustal growth during the Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic northward subduction of the Neo‐Tethyan oceanic slab beneath the Eurasian continent. The petrological and geochronological data reveal that the lower crust of the southeastern Gangdese arc experienced Oligocene reworking by metamorphism, anatexis and magmatism after the India and Asia collision. The post‐collisional metamorphic and migmatitic rocks formed at 34–26 Ma and 28–26 Ma respectively. Meta‐granitoids have protolith ages of 65–38 Ma. Inherited detrital zircon from metasedimentary rocks has highly variable ages ranging from 2708 to 37 Ma. These rocks underwent post‐collisional amphibolite facies metamorphism and coeval anatexis under P–T conditions of ~710–760 °C and ~12 kbar with geothermal gradients of 18–20 °C km−1, indicating a distinct crustal thickening process. Crustal shortening, thickening and possible subduction erosion due to the continental collision and ongoing convergence resulted in high‐P metamorphic and anatectic reworking of the magmatic and sedimentary rocks of the deep Gangdese arc. This study provides a typical example of the reworking of juvenile and ancient continental crust during active collisional orogeny.
Plantago lanceolata L. water extract induces transition of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and increases tensile strength of healing skin wounds
Authors: Kováč Ivan , Ďurkáč Ján , Hollý Martin , Jakubčová Katarína , Peržeľová Vlasta , Mučaji Pavel , Švajdlenka Emil , Sabol František , Legáth Jaroslav , Belák Jozef , Smetana Karel , Gál Peter
Published: September 2014

Objectives

Although the exact underlying mechanisms are still unknown, Plantago lanceolata L. (PL) water extracts are frequently used to stimulate wound healing and to drain abscesses. Therefore, in this experimental study the effect of PL water extract on skin wound healing was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Methods

Two excisional and one incisional skin wounds were performed on the back of each rat. Wounds were treated for three consecutive days with two different concentrations of the aqueous extract of PL. Rats were sacrificed 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery. Samples of wounds were processed for macroscopic (excisions – wound contraction measurement), biomechanical (incisions – wound tensile strength (TS) measurement) and histological examination (excisions).

Key findings

It was shown that open wounds treated with PL extract contained myofibroblasts and demonstrated significantly higher contraction rates. Furthermore, significantly increased wound TSs were recorded in treated rats as a consequence of increased organization of extracellular matrix proteins, such as the collagen type 1.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that PL aqueous extract improves skin wound healing in rats. However, further research need to be performed to find optimal therapeutic concentration, and exact underlying mechanism prior obtained results may be introduced into the clinical practice.