bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of the use of olanzapine pamoate depot injection in seriously violent men with schizophrenia in a UK high-security hospital
Authors: Baruch Nina , Das Mrigendra , Sharda Amit , Basu Amlan , Bajorek Tom , Ross Callum C , Sengupta Samrat , Larkin Fintan , Young Susan
Published: May 2014

Background:

Oral olanzapine is a well-established treatment for patients suffering from schizophrenia. Advantages of depot olanzapine may include improved compliance. However, it is expensive, causes metabolic side effects, and carries a risk of postinjection syndrome. Clinical trials have shown olanzapine pamoate to be effective, but further work is needed in this area. This study was a retrospective service evaluation, carried out in a high-security hospital, where the majority of patients have complex, treatment resistant schizophrenia spectrum disorder and a very high propensity for violence. Compliance is a significant problem, both in the high-security setting and on discharge. There has been no previous published work that the authors are aware of evaluating the effects of olanzapine pamoate in this subgroup of patients.

Methods:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of olanzapine pamoate, its effect on violence as well as its side effects, in a high-security setting for the first time. Anonymized patient records were used to identify the main outcome measure and clinical global improvement, and to ascertain secondary outcome measures which included seclusion hours, risk of violence and side effects. Metabolic parameters and number of incidents were also recorded. Eight patients were treated with olanzapine pamoate.

Results:

Six showed an improvement in symptoms, with an associated decrease in violence and number of incidents. Four showed an associated decrease in seclusion hours. Two showed an increase in body mass index and two showed an increase in glucose.

Conclusions:

The findings of this study are important in showing that all patients who responded to olanzapine pamoate also showed a decrease in violent behaviour. The potential anti-aggression effects of olanzapine pamoate may represent a very promising area for further work. A depot antipsychotic medication that reduces violence could have significant implications for management of high-security patients.
Disability, Health Insurance, and Psychological Distress among US Adults
Authors: Alang Sirry M. , McAlpine Donna D. , Henning-Smith Carrie E.
Published: May 2014

Structural resources, including access to health insurance, are understudied in relation to the stress process. Disability increases the likelihood of mental health problems, but health insurance may moderate this relationship. We explore health insurance coverage as a moderator of the relationship between disability and psychological distress. A pooled sample from 2008 to 2010 (N = 57,958) was obtained from the Integrated Health Interview Series. Chow tests were performed to assess insurance group differences in the association between disability and distress. Results indicated higher levels of distress associated with disability among uninsured adults compared with their peers with public or private insurance. The strength of the relationship between disability and distress was weaker for persons with public compared with private insurance. As the Affordable Care Act is implemented, decision makers should be aware of the potential for insurance coverage, especially public, to ameliorate secondary conditions such as psychological distress among persons who report a physical disability.
Value-Based Decision Making in Mental Illness
Authors: Mukherjee Dahlia , Kable Joseph W.
Published: May 2014

In this study, we assessed value-based decision making in individuals diagnosed with mental illness. Two meta-analyses were conducted of studies that used the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) to assess value-based decision making. In the first meta-analysis (63 studies, combined N = 4,978), we compared IGT performance in healthy populations and populations with mental illness. In the second meta-analysis (40 studies, combined N = 1,813), we examined raw IGT performance scores as a function of type of mental illness. The first meta-analysis demonstrated that individuals with mental illness performed significantly worse than did healthy control individuals. The second meta-analysis demonstrated no performance differences based on type of mental illness. These findings suggest that value-based decision making is a promising target for transdiagnostic analyses of processes that go awry in mental illness. A critical priority for future work, given that impairment in the IGT could arise from changes in several decision processes, will be to investigate the specific decision processes affected in different mental illnesses.
Rabbit Syndrome Likely Induced by Escitalopram
Authors: Nimber Jagtar Singh , Aggarwal Ashish
Published: May 2014

Objective: As reports of rabbit syndrome (RS) unrelated to antipsychotic medications have appeared, antidepressants, especially serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been pointed as offenders producing RS. The induction of RS by SSRIs has been thought to be a consequence of serotonergically mediated inhibition of the dopaminergic system. We present a case of escitalopram-induced RS to increase awareness of this problem. Case Summary: A 35-year-old male, diagnosed with moderate depressive disorder, was started on escitalopram 10 mg/day along with clonazepam 0.5 mg at night on an outpatient basis. Personal and family history was not significant for any medical or psychiatric disorder, including movement disorders. Results: Three months after the initiation of escitalopram, the patient started complaining of abnormal trembling perioral movements, which increased on tasks involving focusing. A computed tomography scan of the brain revealed normal findings. With a diagnosis of drug-induced RS, escitalopram was stopped and 2 mg/day trihexyphenidyl was started. The patient reported complete improvement in 20 days. Trihexyphenidyl was stopped and sodium valproate 400 mg was started for irritability. Conclusions: Escitalopram can induce RS. This effect suggests that, for some patients, escitalopram has neuropsychiatric effects similar to those of a dopamine-blocking antipsychotic drug. Besides stopping medication, some patients may require medications temporarily to relieve symptoms.
Biodegradable magnesium alloy coated by fluoridated hydroxyapatite using MAO/EPD technique
Authors: Razavi M. , Fathi M. , Savabi O. , Vashaee D. , Tayebi L.
Published: May 2014

In this paper, a nanostructured fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) coating was used on AZ91 magnesium to improve its corrosion resistance and in vitro bioactivity. The coating was made through micro arc oxidation (MAO) and electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. After characterising phase composition and surface morphology, the corrosion and the in vitro bioactivity behaviours of the coated materials were investigated by electrochemical measurements and immersion tests in simulated body fluid (SBF). The results confirmed the enhancement of the corrosion resistance and the bioactivity of the AZ91 alloy coated with nanostructured FHA. Therefore, the surface treatment introduced in this paper may be an apt approach to make magnesium alloys more suitable for orthopedic applications.
Purification and particle size control of β-SiC powder using thermocycling process
Authors: Jung E. J. , Lee Y. J. , Kim S. R. , Kwon W. T. , Choi D. J. , Kim Y.
Published: May 2014

Recently, SiC single crystal growth has been of interest for the development of an alternative semiconducting material. The aim of this study was to purify and grow β-SiC particles for use as a single crystal source. First, a β-SiC powder with a particle size of about 10 μm and a purity of 99·5% was prepared from a phenyl-containing silica sol. Then, three different of heat treatment process were applied to grow the β-SiC particles and evaluate the effects of heat-treatment time and temperature. After three thermocycling processes carried out from 1850 to 2000°C in 1 h, the β-SiC particles had diameters over 100 μm because of a vaporisation–recrystallisation process that accelerated the β-SiC particle growth. Moreover, the thermocycling process improved the purity of β-SiC by eliminating metallic impurities.
In vivo time-lapse imaging shows diverse niche engagement by quiescent and naturally activated hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Rashidi Narges M. , Scott Mark K. , Scherf Nico , Krinner Axel , Kalchschmidt Jens S. , Gounaris Kleoniki , Selkirk Murray E. , Roeder Ingo , Lo Celso Cristina
Published: May 2014

Key Points

Normally, engrafting HSCs reside and oscillate within confined bone marrow niches. HSCs harvested from mice bearing acute infection are migratory and interact with larger niches.
Postartesunate delayed hemolysis is a predictable event related to the lifesaving effect of artemisinins
Authors: Jauréguiberry Stéphane , Ndour Papa A. , Roussel Camille , Ader Flavie , Safeukui Innocent , Nguyen Marie , Biligui Sylvestre , Ciceron Liliane , Mouri Oussama , Kendjo Eric , Bricaire François , Vray Muriel , Angoulvant Adéla , Mayaux Julien , Haldar Kasturi , Mazier Dominique , Danis Martin , Caumes Eric , Thellier Marc , Buffet Pierre ,   the French Artesunate Working Group
Published: May 2014

Key Points

After being killed by artesunate, malaria parasites are expelled from red cells and then these pitted red cells reenter the circulation. When many pitted red cells are produced during therapy, their delayed clearance a few weeks later triggers hemolytic episodes.
Physiological functions of TNF family receptor/ligand interactions in hematopoiesis and transplantation
Authors: Mizrahi Keren , Askenasy Nadir
Published: May 2014

Secretion of ligands of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily is a conserved response of parenchymal tissues to injury and inflammation that commonly perpetuates elimination of dysfunctional cellular components by apoptosis. The same signals of tissue injury that induce apoptosis in somatic cells activate stem cells and initiate the process of tissue regeneration as a coupling mechanism of injury and recovery. Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells upregulate the TNF family receptors under stress conditions and are transduced with trophic signals. The progeny gradually acquires sensitivity to receptor-mediated apoptosis along the differentiation process, which becomes the major mechanism of negative regulation of mature proliferating hematopoietic lineages and immune homeostasis. Receptor/ligand interactions of the TNF family are physiological mechanisms transducing the need for repair, which may be harnessed in pathological conditions and transplantation. Because these interactions are physiological mechanisms of injury, neutralization of these pathways has to be carefully considered in disorders that do not involve intrinsic aberrations of excessive susceptibility to apoptosis.
Rates, management, and outcome of rivaroxaban bleeding in daily care: results from the Dresden NOAC registry
Authors: Beyer-Westendorf Jan , Förster Kati , Pannach Sven , Ebertz Franziska , Gelbricht Vera , Thieme Christoph , Michalski Franziska , Köhler Christina , Werth Sebastian , Sahin Kurtulus , Tittl Luise , Hänsel Ulrike , Weiss Norbert
Published: May 2014

Key Points

In a real-world setting, annualized bleeding rates of major rivaroxaban bleeding are lower than those reported for vitamin K antagonists. Treatment of major rivaroxaban bleeding is simple and rarely requires pro-coagulants; outcome at 90 days is better than that reported for vitamin K antagonists.
Prognosis for patients with CML and >10% BCR-ABL1 after 3 months of imatinib depends on the rate of BCR-ABL1 decline
Authors: Branford Susan , Yeung David T. , Parker Wendy T. , Roberts Nicola D. , Purins Leanne , Braley Jodi A. , Altamura Haley K. , Yeoman Alexandra L. , Georgievski Jasmina , Jamison Bronte A. , Phillis Stuart , Donaldson Zoe , Leong Mary , Fletcher Linda , Seymour John F. , Grigg Andrew P. , Ross David M. , Hughes Timothy P.
Published: May 2014

Key Points

Among patients with >10% BCR-ABL1, at 3 months, the poorest-risk group can be distinguished by the rate of BCR-ABL1 decline from baseline. Patients with BCR-ABL1 values on a constant downward trajectory may rapidly reach the level considered optimal with additional follow-up.
Activity of SL-401, a targeted therapy directed to interleukin-3 receptor, in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm patients
Authors: Frankel Arthur E. , Woo Jung H. , Ahn Chul , Pemmaraju Naveen , Medeiros Bruno C. , Carraway Hetty E. , Frankfurt Olga , Forman Stephen J. , Yang Xuezhong A. , Konopleva Marina , Garnache-Ottou Francine , Angelot-Delettre Fanny , Brooks Christopher , Szarek Michael , Rowinsky Eric
Published: May 2014

Key Points

SL-401 was well tolerated, and a single course of treatment produced a high rate of objective responses in BPDCN patients.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E7 protein bodies cause tumour regression in mice
Authors: Whitehead Mark , Öhlschläger Peter , Almajhdi Fahad N , Alloza Leonor , Marzábal Pablo , Meyers Ann E , Hitzeroth Inga I , Rybicki Edward P
Published: May 2014

Background

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the causative agents of cervical cancer in women, which results in over 250 000 deaths per year. Presently there are two prophylactic vaccines on the market, protecting against the two most common high-risk HPV types 16 and 18. These vaccines remain very expensive and are not generally affordable in developing countries where they are needed most. Additionally, there remains a need to treat women that are already infected with HPV, and who have high-grade lesions or cervical cancer.

Methods

In this paper, we characterize the immunogenicity of a therapeutic vaccine that targets the E7 protein of the most prevalent high-risk HPV - type 16 – the gene which has previously been shown to be effective in DNA vaccine trials in mice. The synthetic shuffled HPV-16 E7 (16E7SH) has lost its transforming properties but retains all naturally-occurring CTL epitopes. This was genetically fused to Zera®, a self-assembly domain of the maize γ-zein able to induce the accumulation of recombinant proteins into protein bodies (PBs), within the endoplasmic reticulum in a number of expression systems.

Results

High-level expression of the HPV 16E7SH protein fused to Zera® in plants was achieved, and the protein bodies could be easily and cost-effectively purified. Immune responses comparable to the 16E7SH DNA vaccine were demonstrated in the murine model, with the protein vaccine successfully inducing a specific humoral as well as cell mediated immune response, and mediating tumour regression.

Conclusions

The fusion of 16E7SH to the Zera® peptide was found to enhance the immune responses, presumably by means of a more efficient antigen presentation via the protein bodies. Interestingly, simply mixing the free PBs and 16E7SH also enhanced immune responses, indicating an adjuvant activity for the Zera® PBs.
Cu2ZnSnSe4 nanocrystals capped with S2− by ligand exchange: utilizing energy level alignment for efficiently reducing carrier rec ombination
Authors: Wang Xia , Kou Dong-Xing , Zhou Wen-Hui , Zhou Zheng-Ji , Wu Si-Xin , Cao Xuan
Published: May 2014

In this work, we employed a convenient one-step synthesis method for synthesizing Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) nanocrystals (NCs) in an excess selenium environment. This excess selenium situation enhanced the reaction of metal acetylacetonates with selenium, resulting in the burst nucleation of NCs at relatively low temperatures. The phase morphology and surface and optoelectronic properties of NCs before and after ligand exchange were discussed in depth. It was found that pure tetragonal-phase structure CZTSe NCs with approximately 1.7-eV bandgap could be synthesized. The removal of large organic molecules on CZTSe NCs after ligand exchange by S2− decreased the resistivity. The bandgap of the films after ligand exchange by 550°C selenization was also decreased due to better crystallinity. For potential application in CZTSe solar cells, we constructed an energy level diagram to explain the mutual effect between the absorption layer and CdS layer. Using cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement, we found that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels of CZTSe films shifted down after ligand exchange. After energy level alignment at the CdS/CZTSe interface, a type I band alignment structure was more conveniently formed after ligand exchange. This structure acted as the barrier against injection electrons from ZnO to the CZTSe layer, and recombination would subsequently be depressed.
Association between the serum concentration of triiodothyronine with components of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk, and diet in euthyroid post-menopausal women without and with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Luna-Vazquez Fabiola , Cruz-Lumbreras Rosalía , Rodríguez-Castelán Julia , Cervantes-Rodríguez Margarita , Rodríguez-Antolín Jorge , Arroyo-Helguera Omar , Castelán Francisco , Martínez-Gómez Margarita , Cuevas Estela
Published: May 2014

Purpose

To determine the association between the serum concentration of triiodothyronine (T3) with components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), cardiovascular risk (CVR), and diet in euthyroid post-menopausal women without and with MetS.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in 120 voluntary women of an indigenous population from Tlaxcala-México. Euthyroid status was assessed measuring the serum concentration of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid hormones, while that of estradiol was measured to confirm the postmenopausal condition. MetS was diagnosed using the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement (AHA/NHLBI) criterion. Estimation of CVR was calculated based on the Framingham scale. Diet components were evaluated based on survey applications. Correlations, logistic regression analyses, ANOVA or Kruskall-Wallis, and chi-square tests were used to determine significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between women without MetS and women with MetS having different serum concentrations of T3.

Results

Triiodothyronine was positively correlated with insulin but negatively correlated with glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and CVR. Compared to women without MetS, women with MetS and low-normal T3 concentration showed a high risk for hyperglycemia and moderate/high risk for CVR. In contrast, a high-normal T3 concentration increased the risk to have a big waist circumference, a high concentration of HDL-C, and insulin resistance. Diet analysis showed a high grade of malnutrition in women from all groups. The intake of calories was positively affected by the T3 concentration, albeit it did not affect the extent of malnutrition.

Conclusions

In contrast to concentrations of TSH, total thyroxin (T4), and free T4, the concentration of serum T3 was strongly correlated with cardio-metabolic variables in euthyroid postmenopausal women. In comparison to women without MetS, a high-normal serum concentration of T3 in women with MetS is positively associated with reduced glycaemia and CVR but negatively related to body mass index (BMI), insulin, insulin resistance, and HDL-C. Although the analyzed population had a nutritional deficiency, both calories and iron intake were positively affected by the T3 concentration. Our results suggest the necessity of health programs monitoring T3 in old people in order to treat hyperglycemia, cardio-metabolic components, and the ageing anorexia.
Detecting Skrugard by CSEM — Prewell prediction and postwell evaluation
Authors: Løseth Lars Ole , Wiik Torgeir , Olsen Per Atle , Hansen Jan Ove
Published: May 2014

The discovery of Skrugard in 2011 was a significant milestone for hydrocarbon exploration in the Barents Sea. The result was a positive confirmation of the play model, prospect evaluation, and the seismic hydrocarbon indicators in the area. In addition, the well result was encouraging for the CSEM interpretation and analysis that had been performed. Prior to drilling the 7220/8-1 well, EM resistivity images of the subsurface across the prospect had been obtained along with estimates of hydrocarbon saturation at the well position. The resistivity distribution was derived from extensive analysis of the multiclient CSEM data from 2008. The analysis was based on joint interpretation of seismic structures and optimal resistivity models from the CSEM data. The seismic structure was furthermore used to constrain the resistivity anomaly to the Skrugard reservoir. Scenario testing was then done to assess potential alternative models that could explain the CSEM data in addition to extract the most likely reservoir resistivity. Estimates of hydrocarbon saturation followed from using petrophysical parameters from nearby wells and knowledge of the area, combined with the most likely resistivity model from CSEM. Our results from the prewell study were compared to the postwell resistivity logs, for horizontal and vertical resistivity. We found a very good match between the estimated CSEM resistivities at the well location and the corresponding well resistivities. Thus, our results confirmed the ability of CSEM to predict hydrocarbon saturation. In addition, the work demonstrated limitations in the CSEM data analysis tools as well as sensitivity to acquisition parameters and measurement accuracy. The work has led to more CSEM data acquisition in the area and continued effort in development of our tools for data acquisition and analysis.
Microseismic depletion delineation
Authors: Dohmen Ted , Blangy Jean-Pierre , Zhang Jon
Published: May 2014

Hess Corporation performed an extensive data collection project in 2011 designed to investigate infill well spacing in the Williston Basin. Using combined microseismic and pressure data collected from six observation wells and the original depleted horizontal wellbore, we identified the potential for using microseismic data to monitor the extent of depletion in unconventional reservoirs. We propose broader use of this surveillance process, which we call microseismic depletion delineation. We recommend pumping pressurized fluids into, or in the vicinity of, a well that has been on production while simultaneously monitoring for microseismic events as a means to discover the optimal spacing for development wells. Our measurements revealed that depletion over a two-and-a-half year period puts the reservoir in a critically stressed state. By repressurizing the depleted wellbore to a level below the minimum horizontal stress, we promoted shear events that revealed the location of the connected, permeable fractures that delineate the depleted part of the subsurface. We considered alternative interpretations for the nonuniform depletion that we mapped along the length of this Middle Bakken well, including completion fluid diversion by faults and wellbore sloughing occluding the production string. We conclude that this procedure has application to shale plays in much the same way that 4D seismic monitoring is used as a production surveillance tool for conventional reservoirs.
Low dose tubulin-binding drugs rescue peroxisome trafficking deficit in patient-derived stem cells in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Authors: Fan Yongjun , Wali Gautam , Sutharsan Ratneswary , Bellette Bernadette , Crane Denis I. , Sue Carolyn M. , Mackay-Sim Alan
Published: May 2014

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) is a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders, diagnosed by progressive gait disturbances with muscle weakness and spasticity, for which there are no treatments targeted at the underlying pathophysiology. Mutations in spastin are a common cause of HSP. Spastin is a microtubule-severing protein whose mutation in mouse causes defective axonal transport. In human patient-derived olfactory neurosphere-derived (ONS) cells, spastin mutations lead to lower levels of acetylated α-tubulin, a marker of stabilised microtubules, and to slower speed of peroxisome trafficking. Here we screened multiple concentrations of four tubulin-binding drugs for their ability to rescue levels of acetylated α-tubulin in patient-derived ONS cells. Drug doses that restored acetylated α-tubulin to levels in control-derived ONS cells were then selected for their ability to rescue peroxisome trafficking deficits. Automated microscopic screening identified very low doses of the four drugs (0.5 nM taxol, 0.5 nM vinblastine, 2 nM epothilone D, 10 µM noscapine) that rescued acetylated α-tubulin in patient-derived ONS cells. These same doses rescued peroxisome trafficking deficits, restoring peroxisome speeds to untreated control cell levels. These results demonstrate a novel approach for drug screening based on high throughput automated microscopy for acetylated α-tubulin followed by functional validation of microtubule-based peroxisome transport. From a clinical perspective, all the drugs tested are used clinically, but at much higher doses. Importantly, epothilone D and noscapine can enter the central nervous system, making them potential candidates for future clinical trials.
Endothelin signalling in iridophore development and stripe pattern formation of zebrafish
Authors: Krauss Jana , Frohnhöfer Hans Georg , Walderich Brigitte , Maischein Hans-Martin , Weiler Christian , Irion Uwe , Nüsslein-Volhard Christiane
Published: May 2014

Colour patterns of adult fish are composed of several different types of pigment cells distributing in the skin during juvenile development. The zebrafish, Danio rerio, displays a striking pattern of dark stripes of melanophores interspersed with light stripes of xanthophores. A third cell type, silvery iridophores, contributes to both stripes and plays a crucial role in adult pigment pattern formation. Several mutants deficient in iridophore development display similar adult phenotypes with reduced numbers of melanophores and defects in stripe formation. This indicates a supporting role of iridophores for melanophore development and maintenance. One of these mutants, rose (rse), encodes the Endothelin receptor b1a. Here we describe a new mutant in zebrafish, karneol (kar), which has a phenotype similar to weak alleles of rse with a reduction in iridophore numbers and defects of adult pigment patterning. We show that, unlike rse, kar is not required in iridophores. The gene defective in the kar mutant codes for an endothelin-converting enzyme, Ece2, which activates endothelin ligands by proteolytic cleavage. By morpholino-mediated knockdown, we identify Endothelin 3b (Edn3b) as the ligand for endothelin receptor signalling in larval iridophores. Thus, Endothelin signalling is involved in iridophore development, proliferation and stripe morphogenesis in larvae as well as adult zebrafish. In mammals the pathway is required for melanocyte development; therefore, our results indicate a previously unrecognized close evolutionary relationship between iridophores in zebrafish and melanocytes in mammals.
A neutral pH thermal hydrolysis method for quantification of structured RNAs
Authors: Wilson Stephen C. , Cohen Daniel T. , Wang Xin C. , Hammond Ming C.
Published: May 2014

Riboswitch aptamers adopt diverse and complex tertiary structural folds that contain both single-stranded and double-stranded regions. We observe that this high degree of secondary structure leads to an appreciable hypochromicity that is not accounted for in the standard method to calculate extinction coefficients using nearest-neighbor effects, which results in a systematic underestimation of RNA concentrations. Here we present a practical method for quantifying riboswitch RNAs using thermal hydrolysis to generate the corresponding pool of mononucleotides, for which precise extinction coefficients have been measured. Thermal hydrolysis can be performed at neutral pH without reaction quenching, avoids the use of nucleases or expensive fluorescent dyes, and does not require generation of calibration curves. The accuracy of this method for determining RNA concentrations has been validated using quantitative 31P-NMR calibrated to an external standard. We expect that this simple procedure will be generally useful for the accurate quantification of any sequence-defined RNA sample, which is often a critical parameter for in vitro binding and kinetic assays.
High quality observations
Authors: Barber Jenny
Published: May 2014

Observing individual children and recording what you see is essential to good practice and supporting learning and development. Jenny Barber unpicks the observation process and provides advice on how to be organised
Long, light summer nights
Authors: Williams Brenda
Published: May 2014

Brenda Williams' poem heralds the longest day on 21st June and encourages children to think about the differences between summer light and winter darkness, and make up some midsummer's night dreams!
Perfect day for a picnic
Authors: Cruikshank Sarah
Published: May 2014

Everyone loves the novelty of eating outdoors. You can add a further dimension with maths activities that encourage children to think about number, shape and measure, as well as giving healthy eating messages.
Good, bad… and ugly
Authors: Hampshire Viv
Published: May 2014

Taking a look at how fictional characters act can help children to make comparisons between good and bad characteristics, motives and behaviour and draw comparisons between stories. By Viv Hampshire.
All kinds of family
Authors: de Bruin Eleanor
Published: May 2014

Eleanor de Bruin offers ideas for talking about people in children's families. These activities are sensitive to the range of home lives and background that children might come from and take cues from their ideas.
Heat-induced Antigen Retrieval in Conventionally Processed Epon-embedded Specimens
Authors: Yamashita Shuji , Okada Yasunori
Published: May 2014

We studied the effectiveness of heat-induced antigen retrieval (HIAR) in conventionally processed, epon-embedded specimens and the mechanisms of HIAR in the specimens. Frozen sections were first immunostained to examine the possibility of using HIAR for 18 antigens to avoid the effects of epoxy resin embedment. The antigenicity of 7 out of 18 antigens was retrieved with glutaraldehyde fixation followed by osmium tetroxide treatment whereas none were retrieved with glutaraldehyde fixation without post-osmication. Six antigens also exhibited positive immunostaining in semi-thin epon sections when the sections were deplasticized with sodium ethoxide followed by autoclaving. In the immunoelectron microscopy with the post-embedding method, positive reactions with fine ultrastructures were obtained using HIAR without deplasticization. These results suggested that osmium tetroxide binds to ethylene double bonds (which are introduced into protein crosslinks by glutaraldehyde) and forms an extremely stable resonance interaction with the Schiff bases, thus destabilizing the protein crosslinks. Heating also further degrades these crosslinks. The present study demonstrated that archival epon blocks can be useful resources for immunohistochemical studies for both light and electron microscopy.
The internationalization of fashion studies: Rethinking the peer-reviewing process
Authors: Mora Emanuela , Rocamora Agnès , Volonté Paolo
Published: May 2014

The International Journal of Fashion Studies argues that the reception of contributions from countries with less visibility in English-language academic publications has been long overdue. This is why it has set as its main aim the dissemination of the work of non-anglophone scholars who write in their first language by publishing their writings in English translation. To do so, the journal has put into place a peer-reviewing process whereby it reviews submissions written in the authors’s chosen language, whether English or not.

The paper discusses the socio-cultural and epistemological issues related to the operationalizing of such a peer-reviewing process. It first looks at the development of fashion studies to situate the journal’s approach. It then discusses its linguistic project in relation to the cultural issues pertaining to the internationalization of fashion studies. Finally, it engages with the epistemological issue of being a journal that welcomes contributions by scholars situated outside the Anglophone world and western regions whilst also being embedded in a form of scientific publishing that originates from the West and is informed by, and reproduces, ‘western’ norms and values.
Expanding fashion exhibition history and theory: Fashion at New Zealand’s national museum since 1950
Authors: Labrum Bronwyn
Published: May 2014

New Zealand museums, as opposed to art galleries, have been slow to exhibit fashion. Instead, fashion and decorative arts were part of human history collections and displays, emphasizing the country’s colonial heritage. Yet museums have increasingly focused on fashion as a distinctive mode of display. This article traces the story of fashion and its display at New Zealand’s national museum since 1950. It extends the notion of ‘fashion’ to include ‘the fashionable’. It combines social as well as cultural history, and the material as well as the visual, aiming for a more robust theorization and analysis of fashion exhibition history.

This account involves a shift from settler histories, honorary female museum professionals working in the background, and ‘decorative arts’, to the development of dedicated fashion galleries. These recognized New Zealand as situated in the Pacific with its own distinctive history of fashion and sat alongside international blockbuster exhibitions. New Zealand museums followed international trends, at a great distance from the centres of fashion and the famous world museums. They also brought a local sensibility and history that contrasts with, and sheds light on, the wider story of museum fashion.
El tiempo de trabajo de las cuidadoras inmigrantes de personas mayores
Authors: Martín Coppola Eva , Rogero García Jesús
Published: May 2014

Este artículo realiza una aproximación a las condiciones laborales de las trabajadoras inmigrantes que cuidan personas mayores en su domicilio, a través de su dimensión temporal: tiempo de trabajo y horarios. Se aplicó una encuesta piloto sobre uso del tiempo (N= 24) y se realizaron 60 entrevistas en profundidad a cuidadoras inmigrantes en la Comunidad de Madrid (España) en 2008. Los resultados reflejan que la jornada laboral de las cuidadoras se sitúa muy por encima de la jornada ordinaria, con 75 horas semanales, que alcanzan las 131 horas en el caso de las internas. Se distinguen dos tipos de cuidadoras en función de las actividades que realizan: la «acompañante-ama de casa», que desarrolla fundamentalmente actividades domésticas y de acompañamiento, y la «enfermera-ama de casa», cuyo núcleo diferenciador son los cuidados sociosanitarios y las ayudas personales en el hogar. Asimismo, se constata que el uso del tiempo semanal de las cuidadoras varía sustancialmente según régimen de trabajo. El trabajo concluye con una reflexión crítica sobre las condiciones laborales de este colectivo, que se pone en contraste con la regulación laboral española.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of interleukin‐6 signaling
Authors: Fuster José J , Walsh Kenneth
Published: May 2014

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with complex roles in inflammation and metabolic disease. While typically regarded as a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, multiple studies in the last 20 years have generated conflicting data on the role of IL‐6 in inflammation and metabolism. In a recent study in Nature Immunology, Brüning and collaborators demonstrate that IL‐6 signaling in myeloid cells attenuates obesity‐induced inflammation and insulin resistance by promoting macrophage alternative activation (Mauer et al, ). This study unveils a new and surprising anti‐inflammatory action of IL‐6 and further highlights the complex actions of this cytokine.
Targeted gene therapy and cell reprogramming in Fanconi anemia
Authors: Rio Paula , Baños Rocio , Lombardo Angelo , Quintana‐Bustamante Oscar , Alvarez Lara , Garate Zita , Genovese Pietro , Almarza Elena , Valeri Antonio , Díez Begoña , Navarro Susana , Torres Yaima , Trujillo Juan P , Murillas Rodolfo , Segovia Jose C , Samper Enrique , Surralles Jordi , Gregory Philip D , Holmes Michael C , Naldini Luigi , Bueren Juan A
Published: May 2014

Gene targeting is progressively becoming a realistic therapeutic alternative in clinics. It is unknown, however, whether this technology will be suitable for the treatment of DNA repair deficiency syndromes such as Fanconi anemia (FA), with defects in homology‐directed DNA repair. In this study, we used zinc finger nucleases and integrase‐defective lentiviral vectors to demonstrate for the first time that FANCA can be efficiently and specifically targeted into the AAVS1 safe harbor locus in fibroblasts from FA‐A patients. Strikingly, up to 40% of FA fibroblasts showed gene targeting 42 days after gene editing. Given the low number of hematopoietic precursors in the bone marrow of FA patients, gene‐edited FA fibroblasts were then reprogrammed and re‐differentiated toward the hematopoietic lineage. Analyses of gene‐edited FA‐iPSCs confirmed the specific integration of FANCA in the AAVS1 locus in all tested clones. Moreover, the hematopoietic differentiation of these iPSCs efficiently generated disease‐free hematopoietic progenitors. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of correcting the phenotype of a DNA repair deficiency syndrome using gene‐targeting and cell reprogramming strategies.
RANK receptor oligomerisation in the regulation of NFκB signalling
Authors: Das S , Sepahi I , Duthie A , Clark S , Crockett J C
Published: May 2014

The interaction of receptor activator of NFκB (RANK), a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily, with RANK ligand is crucial for the formation, function and survival of osteoclasts. The role of the cytoplasmic oligomerisation domain (pre-ligand assembly domain; PLAD or ‘IVVY’ motif) in the ligand-dependent activation of downstream NFκB signalling has not been studied previously. The discovery of truncating mutations ofTNFRSF11A(W434X and G280X that lack the PLAD) as the cause of rare cases of osteoclast-poor osteopetrosis offered the opportunity for functional study of this region. Recapitulating the W434X mutation by transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-mediated targeted disruption ofTnfrsf11awithin the region homologous to W434X in the mouse macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7 impaired formation of osteoclast-like cells. Using overexpression studies, we demonstrated that, in contrast to WT-RANK, the absence of the PLAD in G280X-RANK and W434X-RANK prevented ligand-independent but not ligand-dependent oligomerisation. Cells expressing W434X-RANK, in which only two of the three TRAF6-binding motifs are present, continued to exhibit ligand-dependent NFκB signalling. Hence, the absence of the PLAD did not prevent ligand-induced trimerisation and subsequent NFκB activation of RANK, demonstrating that therapeutic targeting of the PLAD in the prevention of osteoporosis may not be as effective as proposed previously.
Effect of monomeric adiponectin on cardiac function and perfusion in anesthetized pig
Authors: Grossini Elena , Prodam Flavia , Walker Gillian Elisabeth , Sigaudo Lorenzo , Farruggio Serena , Bellofatto Kevin , Marotta Patrizia , Molinari Claudio , Mary David , Bona Gianni , Vacca Giovanni
Published: May 2014

Adiponectin, the most abundant adipokine released by adipose tissue, appears to play an important role in the regulation of vascular endothelial and cardiac function. To date, however, the physiological effects of human monomeric adiponectin on the coronary vasculature and myocardial systo-diastolic function, as well as on parasympathetic/sympathetic involvement and nitric oxide (NO) release, have not yet been investigated. Thus, we planned to determine the primaryin vivoeffects of human monomeric adiponectin on coronary blood flow and cardiac contractility/relaxation and the related role of autonomic nervous system, adiponectin receptors, and NO. In 30 anesthetized pigs, human monomeric adiponectin was infused into the left anterior descending coronary artery at constant heart rate and arterial blood pressure, and the effects on coronary blood flow, left ventricular systo-diastolic function, myocardial oxygen metabolism, and NO release were examined. The mechanisms of the observed hemodynamic responses were also analyzed by repeating the highest dose of human monomeric adiponectin infusion after autonomic nervous system and NO blockade, and after specific adiponectin 1 receptor antagonist administration. Intracoronary human monomeric adiponectin caused dose-related increases of coronary blood flow and cardiac function. Those effects were accompanied by increased coronary NO release and coronary adiponectin levels. Moreover, the vascular effects of the peptide were prevented by blockade of β2-adrenoceptors and NO synthase, whereas all effects of human monomeric adiponectin were prevented by adiponectin 1 receptor inhibitor. In conclusion, human monomeric adiponectin primarily increased coronary blood flow and cardiac systo-diastolic function through the involvement of specific receptors, β2-adrenoceptors, and NO release.
PUMA regulates germ cell loss and primordial follicle endowment in mice
Authors: Myers Michelle , Morgan F Hamish , Liew Seng H , Zerafa Nadeen , Gamage Thilini Upeksha , Sarraj Mai , Cook Michele , Kapic Ileana , Sutherland Antony , Scott Clare L , Strasser Andreas , Findlay Jock K , Kerr Jeffrey B , Hutt Karla J
Published: May 2014

The number of primordial follicles initially established within the ovary is influenced by the extent of germ cell death during foetal ovarian development, but the mechanisms that mediate this death have not been fully uncovered. In this study, we identified BBC3 (PUMA) (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis, also known as BCL2-binding component 3), a pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein belonging to the BCL2 family, as a critical determinant of the number of germ cells during ovarian development. Targeted disruption of theBbc3gene revealed a significant increase in the number of germ cells as early as embryonic day 13.5. The number of germ cells remained elevated inBbc3−/−female mice compared with WT female mice throughout the remainder of embryonic and early postnatal life, resulting in a 1.9-fold increase in the number of primordial follicles in the ovary on postnatal day 10. The increase in the number of germ cells observed in the ovaries ofBbc3−/−mice could not be attributed to the altered proliferative activity of germ cells within the ovaries. Furthermore, BBC3 was found to be not required for the massive germ cell loss that occurs during germ cell nest breakdown. Our data indicate that BBC3 is a critical regulator of germ cell death that acts during the migratory phase of oogenesis or very soon after the arrival of germ cells in the gonad and that BBC3-mediated cell death limits the number of primordial follicles established in the initial ovarian reserve.
The political economy of food aid to Palestine
Authors: Kanafani Numan , Al-Botmeh Samia
Published: May 2014

The article discusses the growing food insecurity and malnutrition in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, addressing both economic and physical factors such as unemployment and destruction of land and property, and closures, checkpoints, and the separation barrier. It also discusses the scope and nature of food aid provided by Palestinian and international organizations, and argues that lest substantial sections of the Palestinian population become permanently dependent on food aid, relief efforts be focused on the underlying causes of food insecurity.
Deadly contests: An economic note on al-Qaeda's reward system
Authors: Caruso Raul , Locatelli Andrea
Published: May 2014

The article applies insights of contest theory to al-Qaeda's recruitment process. Al-Qaeda can be considered as a contest organizer rewarding an indivisible prize, namely, official membership and economic rewards, to candidate extremist groups. Would-be terrorists must then compete with each other to prove their commitment and ability. Candidate terrorist groups compete by maximizing their efforts to win the prize, i.e., maximizing the number of casualties. Eventually, al-Qaeda reaps the benefits of the most successful attacks in the form of a huge return in terms of image, while paying a limited price. If correct, this model carries at least two important implications for counterterrorist policy. First, inasmuch as al-Qaeda's main incentive to prompt competition is through spreading common knowledge about the existence of the prize, action should be undertaken to falsify and confuse the kind of information that aspirant terrorists receive. Second, because al-Qaeda's reward is as much ideological as economic, efforts should be dedicated to track down and halt financial flows before they are used to reward the applicants.
Archaeology and Islam in Indonesia
Authors: Wood Michael
Published: May 2014

Some Indonesian archaeologists, however, have focused on the nation's Islamic past. Uka Tjandrasasmita is one of Indonesia's leading archaeologists and is largely behind the writing of Volume III of the Sejarah Nasional Indonesia, the national history that was the "standard text" for the teaching of history in Indonesian schools during the New Order; the volume he worked on dealt with Indonesia's Islamic history. For many years he held the position of the head of the Islamic Antiquities section of the Indonesian Archaeological Service (Bidang Arkeologi Islam, Pusat Penelitian Kepurbakalaan dan Peninggalan Nasional) and carried out survey and excavation work in West, Central and East java. He has published many reports on the Islamic archaeology of Indonesia.DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v15i2.530
Produção científica sobre educação médica no Brasil: estudo a partir das publicações da Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica
Authors: Hamamoto Filho Pedro Tadao , Santos Filho Carlos Alberto , Abbade Joélcio Francisco , Peraçoli José Carlos
Published: May 2014

A pesquisa em educação médica é o estudo crítico e sistemático do ensino e aprendizagem em Medicina. É um campo em crescimento, em número tanto de pesquisadores envolvidos, como de produções geradas. No Brasil, a Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica (RBEM) é o principal meio de divulgação científica da pesquisa da área. Este estudo visa caracterizar a pesquisa em educação médica brasileira a partir das publicações da RBEM no período de 2006 a 2010. Neste período, houve um crescimento de 117,6%, com média de 60,4 artigos por ano, com crescente participação proporcional de pesquisas inéditas. A Região Sudeste e instituições públicas têm a maior participação nos artigos. Os descritores mais utilizados foram "educação médica", "estudantes de Medicina" e "currículo". O crescimento da RBEM espelha o desenvolvimento da pesquisa em educação médica brasileira, seguindo a lógica da produção científica nacional.