bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic transperitoneal renal cyst decortication
Authors: Hinev Alexander , Anakievski Deyan
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study was to report our experience with the llaparoscopic
transperitoneal treatment of simple renal cysts, to analyze the immediate and
long-term clinical outcomes, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this
miniinvasive surgical technique. Between 2009 and 2014 we diagnosed and
treated a total of 48 patients with symptomatic simple renal cysts. The
diagnosis was set up by ultrasound (US) and/or computed tomography (CT)
examination. All cases were managed by transperitoneal laparoscopic cyst
decortication. Demographic data, perioperative blood loss, duration of
operative procedure, length of hospital stay and peri- and postoperative
complications were analyzed. Follow-up included clinical examination and
renal US, performed at 3-monthly intervals during the first year and yearly
thereafter. Patient age ranged from 32 to 68 years (mean age 52.4 years).
27(56.2%) of the patients were males and 21(43.8%) - females. 42(87.5%) of
the cysts were peripheral, and 6(12.5%)-peripelvic; 28(58.3%) were localized
to the left and 20 (41.7%) - to the right; and they ranged by size from 5 to
30 cm (mean 9.8 cm). 45 (93.8%) of the cysts were identified as category I,
and only 3 (6.2%) - as category II, according to the Bosniak classification.
None of the cases required conversion to open surgery. There were no peri-
and postoperative complications. The average duration of the laparoscopic
procedure was 55min, and the average perioperative blood loss - 50 mL. All
patients had negative cytological and histological findings indicative for
malignancy. The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 52ain months (average -
25.4 months). In 47cases (97.9%) exellent therapeutic results were reported:
complete relief of clinical symptoms, fast recovery of physical activity and
patient quality of life. There were three recurrences (6,2%) met in patients
with multiple cysts, but only one of them required repeated surgery.
Laparoscopic transperitoneal decortication is a miniinvasive, highly
effective and safe method of treatment of symptomatic renal cysts. The
immediate relief of clinical symptoms, the short period of reconvalescence,
the excellent quality of life after surgery, and the low relapse rate
confidently define it as the surgical method of choice.
Tension free vaginal tape (TVT) vs transobturator tape(TOT) complications and outcomes
Authors: Potic Milan , Ignjatovic Ivan , Basic Dragoslav
Published: July 2014

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is managed with both TVT and
TOT. The TVT route of placement could result in a higher complication rate.
The aim of this study is to analyze and compare outcomes and complications of
TVT and TOT in SUI treatment. Methods: Prospective study in 64 women with
isolated SUI was validated through Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6),
Incontinence Impact questionnaire (IIQ-7) and International Continence Impact
Questionnaire (ICIQ5-SF). Intraoperative and postoperative complications were
noted. Patients were considered cured when negative on stress test and with
no need for additional surgery during follow up, after one and three months.
Results: The cure rates for both TVT 26/30 (86,6%) and TOT 30/34 (88,2) were
comparable. Higher rates of bleeding, bladder perforations, pain and
dyspareunia are recorded in TVT group. Quality of life graded on the
questionnaire basis proved significant improvement in both procedures.
Conclusion: Both TVT and TOT have comparable cure results in the treatment of
SUI. The TOT is equally effective in the SUI treatment with significantly
lower complication incidence.
Men with LUTS and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Derimachkovski G. , Yotovski V. , Mladenov V. , Ianev K. , Mladenov D.
Published: July 2014

Introduction: Diabetic urinary bladder disfunction is a common problem.
Disfunction will occur in about 80% of diabetic patients. Comon symptoms
include retention, overactive bladder, sfincted dissinergy and urinary tract
infections. Material and methods: In nine months period from 08.2013. to
05.2014. fourteen patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and
diabetes were evaluated by uroflowmetry, cistotonometry with electromyography
and pressure flow study. Including criteria consisted of IPSS more than 8,
PSA lower than 4, RT carcinoma excluded and prostate size more than 25cm3.
Results: Patient age was 50 to 77 years. In two patients due to acute
retention urinary catheter was inserted. Only they were treated with alfa
blockers while other patients received no therapy. Four patient had insulin
dependant diabetes while ten of them had diabetes regulated with oral
antidiabetics. Cistotonometry presented detrusor overactivity in two
patients, treated with M cholinergics. In one patient over-active detrusor
activity was in the same time presented with urge incontinence and treated in
the same way. Normal detrusor activity was recorded in 14 patients on
pressure flow evaluation. In 8 patients with Q max more than 15ml/s treatment
was watchfull waiting. In 4 patients with Q max more than 12ml/s alfa
blockers were introduced. In 2 patients with Q max less than 10ml/s bipolar
TURP was the treatment. Conclusion: Diabetes and diabetic bladder disfunction
will have a great impact on quality of life due to an aging population. All
specialities should be informed for diabetic bladder disfunction and
necesssity for recognition and treatment. Further investigation is needed in
terms of understanding the risk factors, mechanisms and the most adequate
therapy.
Cu(II) complexes of an ionic liquid-based Schiff base [1-{2-(2-hydroxy benzylidene amino) ethyl}-3-methyl­imidazolium]Pf6: Synthesis, characterization and biological activities
Authors: Saha Sanjoy , Brahman Dhiraj , Sinha Biswajit
Published: July 2014

Two Cu(II) complexes of an ionic liquid based Schiff base
1-{2-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino) ethyl}-3-methylimidazolium
hexaflurophosphate, were prepared and characterized by different analytical
and spectroscopic methods such as elemental analysis, magnetic
susceptibility, UV-Vis, IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy. The Schiff base ligand
was found to act as a potential bidentate chelating ligand with N, O donor
sites and formed 1:2 metal chelates with Cu(II) salts. The synthesized Cu(II)
complexes were tested for biological activity.
Bioaccumulation and translocation of heavy metals by Ceratophyllum demersum from Skadar Lake, Montenegro
Authors: Kastratovic Vlatko , Krivokapic Sladjana , Bigovic Miljan , Djurovic Dijana , Blagojevic Nada
Published: July 2014

Lacustrine systems are very complex water systems in terms of transport and
interaction of heavy metals. Primarily, due to its high variability and
current chemical parameters, macrophytes? tissue is a more plausible
bio-indicator of the level load of metals within lake ecosystems than water
or sediment analyses are. The macrophyte, Ceratophyllum demersum, sampled
from Skadar Lake in Montenegro has been used as a bio-indicator. Sediments,
water and plants were examined on the contents of ten metals in four
different periods in 2011. The concentrations of the metals followed the
trend: sediment > leaf C. demersum > stem C. demersum > water. There are
differences in the sequences of the metal content in the plant compared to
the sequences of their bioaccumulation (BCF) ability. This difference
suggests a different capacity of macrophytes for certain metals. BCF for Mn
is several times higher compared to other metals. The highest ratio of
leaf/stem concentrations was recorded for Mn (2.19) and the lowest was for Pb
(1.04). The highest contents of Cd, Co, Cr, Pb, V, and Sr were found in the
tissues of C. demersum at the beginning of the growing season; whereas Ni, Zn,
Cu and Mn were found at the end of the vegetative phase.
Genetic Insulin Resistance Is a Potent Regulator of Gene Expression and Proliferation in Human iPS Cells
Authors: Iovino Salvatore , Burkart Alison M. , Kriauciunas Kristina , Warren Laura , Hughes Katelyn J. , Molla Michael , Lee Youn-Kyoung , Patti Mary-Elizabeth , Kahn C. Ronald
Published: July 2014

Insulin resistance is central to diabetes and metabolic syndrome. To define the consequences of genetic insulin resistance distinct from those secondary to cellular differentiation or in vivo regulation, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from individuals with insulin receptor mutations and age-appropriate control subjects and studied insulin signaling and gene expression compared with the fibroblasts from which they were derived. iPSCs from patients with genetic insulin resistance exhibited altered insulin signaling, paralleling that seen in the original fibroblasts. Insulin-stimulated expression of immediate early genes and proliferation were also potently reduced in insulin resistant iPSCs. Global gene expression analysis revealed marked differences in both insulin-resistant iPSCs and corresponding fibroblasts compared with control iPSCs and fibroblasts. Patterns of gene expression in patients with genetic insulin resistance were particularly distinct in the two cell types, indicating dependence on not only receptor activity but also the cellular context of the mutant insulin receptor. Thus, iPSCs provide a novel approach to define effects of genetically determined insulin resistance. This study demonstrates that effects of insulin resistance on gene expression are modified by cellular context and differentiation state. Moreover, altered insulin receptor signaling and insulin resistance can modify proliferation and function of pluripotent stem cell populations.
Expression of apical junction complex proteins in duodenal mucosa of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Ohta Hiroshi , Sunden Yuji , Yokoyama Nozomu , Osuga Tatsuyuki , Lim Sue Yee , Tamura Yu , Morishita Keitaro , Nakamura Kensuke , Yamasaki Masahiro , Takiguchi Mitsuyoshi
Published: July 2014

Objective—To determine the expression of tight junction and adherens junction proteins in duodenal mucosa samples of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Animals—12 dogs with IBD and 6 healthy control Beagles.

Procedures—Duodenal mucosa biopsy samples were endoscopically obtained from dogs with IBD and healthy control Beagles. The expression of claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, and -8; E-cadherin; and β-catenin in the duodenal mucosa samples was determined by means of immunoblotting. The subcellular localization of E-cadherin in the duodenal mucosa samples was determined with immunofluorescence microscopy.

Results—The expression of each claudin and β-catenin was not significantly different between control dogs and dogs with IBD. However, expression of E-cadherin was significantly lower in duodenal mucosa samples of dogs with IBD than it was in samples obtained from healthy control dogs. Results of immunofluorescence microscopy indicated decreased intensity of E-cadherin labeling in the tips of villi in duodenal mucosa samples obtained from 6 dogs with IBD, compared with staining intensity for other dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study indicated expression of claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, and -8 and β-catenin was not significantly different between duodenal mucosa samples obtained from control dogs and those obtained from dogs with IBD. However, E-cadherin expression was significantly lower in the villus epithelium in duodenal mucosa samples obtained from dogs with IBD versus samples obtained from control dogs, which suggested that decreased expression of that protein has a role in the pathogenesis of IBD in dogs.
Effects of Knowledge of Results Frequency on the Learning of Generalized Motor Programs and Parameters under Conditions of Constant Practice
Authors: Albuquerque Maicon R. , Lage Guilherme M. , Ugrinowitsch Herbert , Corrêa Umberto C. , Benda Rodolfo N.
Published: July 2014

The present study investigated the effects of the frequency of knowledge of results (KR) on both generalized motor programs and parameters. Two experiments were conducted that compared two frequencies of KR in terms of generalized motor programs and parameters: (1) the first experiment compared the effects of KR frequency on generalized motor programs in the 100% and 50% groups; and (2) the second experiment compared the effects of reduced KR frequency on parameters in the 100% and 50% groups. In the first experiment, results showed that the 50% group exhibited smaller relative timing errors than did the 100% group, but absolute timing errors in the transfer test were similar between these two groups. In the second experiment, both groups exhibited similar relative and absolute timing errors. These results suggested that the beneficial effects of reduced KR frequency were restricted to generalized motor programs.
Rehabilitation Therapies After Botulinum Toxin-A Injection to Manage Limb Spasticity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kinnear Bianca Z. , Lannin Natasha A. , Cusick Anne , Harvey Lisa A. , Rawicki Barry
Published: July 2014

Background

Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injections are increasingly used to treat muscle spasticity and are often complemented by adjunctive rehabilitation therapies; however, little is known about the effect of therapy after injection.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify and summarize evidence on rehabilitation therapies used after BoNT-A injections to improve motor function in adults with neurological impairments.

Data Sources

Searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CINAHL, National Research Register, metaRegistry of Controlled Trials, PEDro, and OTseeker.

Study Selection

Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials were considered for inclusion. Participants with neurological impairments received BoNT-A to treat focal spasticity in limbs, with rehabilitation interventions provided to experimental groups only. Primary outcome measures were joint mobility, function of the affected limb, and spasticity. Eleven studies with 234 participants, most of whom had stroke, were included in the review.

Data Extraction

Two reviewers extracted study details and data.

Data Synthesis

Methodological quality was rated using the PEDro scale. Both fixed-effects and random-effects models were used to calculate effect size.

Results

Studies were of variable quality: 3 were poor (PEDro score 1 to 4), and 8 were moderate (PEDro score 6 to 7). No study investigated effects for longer than 24 weeks (6 months). Included trials presented 9 therapy types, including ergometer cycling, electrical stimulation, stretch (casting, splinting, taping, or manual or exercise-induced stretch), constraint-induced movement therapy, task-specific motor training, and exercise programs. Statistical findings suggest that combined therapy and BoNT-A is slightly more effective than BoNT-A alone.

Conclusion

Evidence relating to impact of adjunct therapy is available, but the heterogeneity of studies limits the opportunity to demonstrate overall impact. Researchers need to consider the benefits of greater consistency in study approaches and measures so that meaningful evaluations of overall adjunct therapy effects can be made.
Effect of Applied Treatments on Growth Performance of three Cultivated Medicinal Plants of Kaski District, Nepal
Authors: Timilsina YP , Tripathee YP
Published: July 2014

This research explores the growth performance of three potential medicinal plants namely, Bajradanti (Potentilla flugens), Chutro (Breberisaristata), and Timur (Xanthoxylumarmatum) cultivated at nursery of Institute of Forestry with the application of tunnel, shaded and open beds treatment each with 4.0 m x 1.0 m size and constant supportive facilities of manure, irrigation and care. From the measurement of ten months growth performance, B. Aristata and X. armatum showed their better growth in open bed than shed and tunnel beds, unlike P. Flugens showed better performance in shed bed. The average growth performances per month of P. fulgens and X. armatum vary significantly with respect to applied treatments (p<0.05) but converse in the case of B. aristata when using parametric F- test based on one way analysis of variance. Determined contribution of open treatment for growth performance per month in the species indicates that natural climate is tolerable as well as favorable for thorny types of medicinal plants than that of others. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ctbijis.v2i1.10811 Crossing the Border: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Vol.2(1) 2014: 31-40
Anthropological Perspectives on Natural Resources Management, Climate Change and Global Warming: From Quandary to Actions
Authors: Upadhyay Prakash
Published: July 2014

Anthropology brings its core theoretical tenet that culture frames the way people perceive, understand, experience, and respond to key elements of the worlds which they live in. This framing is grounded in systems of meanings and relationships that mediate human engagements with natural phenomena and processes including climate change. Anthropology’s potential contributions to natural resources, climate and global warming researches are the description and analysis of the mediating layers of cultural meanings, norms and social practices, which cannot be easily incarcerate by methods of other disciplines. There are vital key contributions that anthropology can bring to understandings of climate change. The foremost is awareness to the cultural values and political relations that shape the production and interpretation of climate change knowledge and shape the basis of responses to ongoing environmental changes as ecological colonialism. Anthropological knowledge is holistic –referring to the study of the whole of the human condition: past, present, and future; biology, society, language, and culture. Climate change is ultimately about culture, for in its wake, more and more of the intimate human-environment relations, fundamental to the world’s cultural diversity. Anthropological lens cram to learn about human significance of climate change by studying the manner and the knowledge system of people in different cultures and communities to understand to the new threats of climate change, global warming and the local responses to tackle the menace. Through anthropological lenses on the scale of global geopolitics, anthropologists perceive the causes and effects of climate change to be about people and their life, survival, power, ethics and morals, environmental costs and justice, and cultural and spiritual endurance with a perception Raise Your Voice Not Sea Level. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ctbijis.v2i1.10815   Crossing the Border: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Vol.2(1) 2014: 75-92
Improving Forest-Based Livelihoods through Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Planning
Authors: Shrestha Pratima , Gautam Dev Raj
Published: July 2014

Forest-based livelihoods are ruthlessly affected by climate change and other non-climatic stressors. Forests as one of the precious natural assets available in the Chitwan Annapurna area is an appropriate sector to address community and ecosystem vulnerability through adaptation works like plantation, protecting biophysical environment against hazards like landslide, floods, and water scarcity. In Nepal, Community Forest Users Groups with legal entity serves as grassroot organizations in preparation of community based adaptation plan of action (CAPA). Hariyo Ban Program, have facilitated in preparation of community based adaptation plans in remote, vulnerable and marginalized communities of different places of Gandaki river basin. The result shows community perception towards climatic and non climatic stresses and its impacts in forest based livelihoods. Climate change, its variability and extreme events have mystified people’s livelihood and forced them to further suffering. Preparation and implementation of adaptation plans has provided a ray of hope towards addressing adverse impact of climate change. Till date, 142 community adaptation plans are prepared following a methodology on integrated community adaptation planning. Adaptation planning has let community know about the prevailing threats and vulnerabilities in their communities and helped to identify adaptation measures to reduce those threats and vulnerabilities, resulting in improved livelihoods. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ctbijis.v2i1.10819   Crossing the Border: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Vol.2(1) 2014: 135-146
Impacts of Climate Change on the Livelihoods of Local People: A Case from Jethal V.D.C., Sindhupal-Chowk District
Authors: Nepali Kul Bahadur , Pant Ramesh Raj , Pradhanang Sadhana
Published: July 2014

Abstract not availableDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ctbijis.v2i1.10820  Crossing the Border: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Vol.2(1) 2014: 147-158
The pedagogy of controversy in the field of China Studies: Teaching the Cultural Revolution
Authors: Carrico Kevin
Published: July 2014

How can we as educators address complex and controversial topics in the social sciences without encouraging simplistic responses and self-reproducing binary oppositions? Drawing upon an ethnographic analysis of a first-year writing seminar on the history of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, this article proposes novel approaches to overcome instinctive reactions to contentious topics. Arguing that the experience of controversy produces self-reinforcing binary oppositions that become autopoetically abstracted from the actual topic of discussion, I build upon specific seminar experiences to propose two novel and practical concepts for the pedagogy of controversy: (1) deidentification, which refers to a process of disengagement from the binaries and thus identities that structure and reproduce controversy, and (2) humanisation, which refers to a process of moving beyond abstractions to reidentify with the fundamentally human experience of contentious historical moments. The pedagogy of controversy, I argue, must teach against our conventional identificatory responses to controversy to promote a more nuanced understanding of inherently complex issues.
Outcome of modern shunt therapy in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus 6 years postoperatively
Authors: Gölz Leonie , Ruppert Finn-Hannes , Meier Ullrich , Lemcke Johannes
Published: July 2014

Object

Shunt therapy in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) can improve symptoms in 84% of patients 1 year postoperatively. Therefore, implantation of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) prevents or at least prolongs the time during which patients are not dependent on care from others because of gait disorder or dementia. In this study, the medium-term results of modern shunt therapy were evaluated.

Methods

The authors retrospectively studied outcome in iNPH patients in whom VPSs were implanted. At yearly follow-up examinations over at least 6 years, clinical symptoms were recorded according to the NPH recovery rate (NPH-RR): (preoperative Kiefer Scale [KS] score − postoperative KS score)/(preoperative KS score × 10). Time and cause of death over this period were also analyzed.

Results

Among the 147 patients treated for iNPH in the period between 1997 and 2006, 69 had died at the time of the authors' survey. Sixty-one patients reached the 6-year examination. The median age was 64 years (range 33–83 years) at the time of VPS implantation and 73 years (range 41–91 years) at the time of this study. Six years after shunt implantation, the median KS score was significantly lower than the preoperative score (4.3 vs 8.1 points). Fifty-nine percent of 61 patients had an excellent outcome, 15% had satisfactory benefit, and 26% had unsatisfactory results 6 years postoperatively. Three of the 147 patients who underwent implantation of a VPS died of cerebral diseases 4–10 years postoperatively.

Conclusions

Implantation of a VPS is a safe procedure and can improve symptoms in 74% of patients with iNPH in the longer term.
Outpatient follow-up of nonoperative cerebral contusion and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: does repeat head CT alter clinical decision-making?
Authors: Rubino Sebastian , Zaman Rifat A. , Sturge Caleb R. , Fried Jessica G. , Desai Atman , Simmons Nathan E. , Lollis S. Scott
Published: July 2014

Object

Many neurosurgeons obtain repeat head CT at the first clinic follow-up visit for nonoperative cerebral contusion and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH). The authors undertook a single-center, retrospective study to determine whether outpatient CT altered clinical decision-making.

Methods

The authors evaluated 173 consecutive adult patients admitted to their institution from April 2006 to August 2012 with an admission diagnosis of cerebral contusion or tSAH and at least 1 clinic follow-up visit with CT. Patients with epidural, subdural, aneurysmal subarachnoid, or intraventricular hemorrhage, and those who underwent craniotomy, were excluded. Patient charts were reviewed for new CT findings, new patient symptoms, and changes in treatment plan. Patients were stratified by neurological symptoms into 3 groups: 1) asymptomatic; 2) mild, nonspecific symptoms; and 3) significant symptoms. Mild, nonspecific symptoms included minor headaches, vertigo, fatigue, and mild difficulties with concentration, short-term memory, or sleep; significant symptoms included moderate to severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, focal neurological complaints, impaired consciousness, or new cognitive impairment evident on routine clinical examination.

Results

One hundred seventy-three patients met inclusion criteria, with initial clinic follow-up obtained within approximately 6 weeks. Of the 173 patients, 104 (60.1%) were asymptomatic, 68 patients (39.3%) had mild, nonspecific neurological symptoms, and 1 patient (1.0%) had significant neurological symptoms. Of the asymptomatic patients, 3 patients (2.9%) had new CT findings and 1 of these patients (1.0%) underwent a change in treatment plan because of these findings. This change involved an additional clinic appointment and CT to monitor a 12-mm chronic subdural hematoma that ultimately resolved without treatment. Of the patients with mild, nonspecific neurological symptoms, 6 patients (8.8%) had new CT findings and 3 of these patients (4.4%) underwent a change in treatment plan because of these findings; none of these patients required surgical intervention. The single patient with significant neurological symptoms did not have any new CT findings.

Conclusions

Repeat outpatient CT of asymptomatic patients after nonoperative cerebral contusion and tSAH is very unlikely to demonstrate significant new pathology. Given the cost and radiation exposure associated with CT, imaging should be reserved for patients with significant symptoms or focal findings on neurological examination.
The Christ-human and Jia Yuming's Doctrine of Sanctification: A Case Study in the Confucianisation of Chinese Fundamentalist Christianity
Authors: Wai Luen Kwok
Published: July 2014

Cai Renhou, a prominent New Confucian scholar, has challenged the notion that Christianity can affirm that ‘everyone can be Christ’. This article will, however, explore the doctrine of sanctification of Jia Yuming (1880–1964), a Chinese fundamentalist theologian who constructed a Chinese Christian teaching of the self-cultivation of heart and mind with the objective of encouraging people to become ‘Christ-human’, thus having a life which is Christ. It argues that Jia's training and background, his natural theology and his belief in the possibility of a collaboration between Confucianism and Christianity on moral issues made him affirm a convergence between Christianity and Confucianism and to assert that Christianity and Confucianism could learn from each other – a surprising move in the light of the impression we commonly have of fundamentalist theology. The article examines Jia's strategy of connecting Christianity with Chinese culture and points out that Jia's fundamentalism seems to provide a protection against heretical teachings, a feature which might gain the acceptance of conservative Christians for incorporating ‘heathen’ thought into the Christian faith. Taken together, these points suggest a remarkably multifaceted confrontation, interaction, assimilation and mutual transformation between Christianity and Chinese culture.
Trained Quantity Abilities in Horses (Equus caballus): A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Petrazzini Maria
Published: July 2014

Once believed to be a human prerogative, the capacity to discriminate between quantities now has also been reported in several vertebrates. To date, only two studies investigated numerical abilities in horses (Equus caballus) but reported contrasting data. To assess whether horses can be trained to discriminate between quantities, I have set up a new experimental protocol using operant conditioning. One adult female was trained to discriminate between 1 and 4 (Test 1) in three different conditions: non-controlled continuous variables (numerical and continuous quantities that co-vary with number are simultaneously available), 50% controlled continuous variables (intermediate condition), and 100% controlled continuous variables (only numerical information available). The subject learned the discrimination in all conditions, showing the capacity to process numerical information. When presented with a higher numerical ratio (2 vs. 4, Test 2), the subject still discriminated between the quantities but its performance was statistically significant only in the non-controlled condition, suggesting that the subject used multiple cues in presence of a more difficult discrimination. On the whole, the results here reported encourage the use of this experimental protocol as a valid tool to investigate the capacity to process numerical and continuous quantities in horses in future research.
Liquid Crystal Gel Reduces Age Spots by Promoting Skin Turnover
Authors: Musashi Mina , Coler-Reilly Ariella , Nagasawa Teruaki , Kubota Yoshiki , Kato Satomi , Yamaguchi Yoko
Published: July 2014

Studies have shown that liquid crystals structurally resembling the intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum can beneficially affect the skin when applied topically by stimulating the skin’s natural regenerative functions and accelerating epidermal turnover. In the present study, the effects of applying low concentrations of a liquid crystal gel of our own creation were evaluated using epidermal thickening in mouse skin as an assay for effective stimulation of epidermal turnover. A liquid crystal gel was also applied topically to human facial skin, and analysis was conducted using before-and-after photographs of age spots, measurements of L* values that reflect degree of skin pigmentation, single-layer samples of the stratum corneum obtained via tape-stripping, and measurements of trans-epidermal water loss that reflect the status of the skin’s barrier function. The results suggested that cost-effective creams containing as low as 5% liquid crystal gel might be effective and safely sold as skin care products targeting age spots and other problems relating to uneven skin pigmentation.
Disruption of Phosphoinositide-Specific Phospholipases Cγ1 Contributes to Extracellular Matrix Synthesis of Human Osteoarthritis Chondrocytes
Authors: Zeng Guoqing , Cui Xu , Liu Zejun , Zhao Honghai , Zheng Xinpeng , Zhang Bing , Xia Chun
Published: July 2014

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degradation including extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and cell loss. It is known that phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase γ1 (PLCγ1) can trigger several signaling pathways to regulate cell metabolism. However, whether this kinase is expressive and active in human OA chondrocytes and its role in the pathological progression of OA have not been investigated. The current study was designed to investigate the PLCγ1 expression in human OA cartilage, and whether PLCγ1 was involved in the ECM synthesis had been further explored using cultured human OA chondrocytes. Our results indicated that PLCγ1 was highly expressed in human OA chondrocytes. In our further study using the cultured human OA chondrocytes, the results demonstrated that the disruption of PLCγ1 by its inhibitor, U73122, and siRNA contributed to the ECM synthesis of human OA chondrocytes through regulating the expression of ECM-related signaling molecules, including MMP-13, Col II, TIMP1, Sox-9, and AGG. Furthermore, PLCγ1/IP3/Ca(2+)/CaMK II signaling axis regulated the ECM synthesis of human chondrocytes through triggering mTOR/P70S6K/S6 pathway. In summary, our results suggested that PLC-γ1 activities played an important role in the ECM synthesis of human OA chondrocytes, and may serve as a therapeutic target for treating OA.
Transverse Anderson Localization in Disordered Glass Optical Fibers: A Review
Authors: Mafi Arash , Karbasi Salman , Koch Karl , Hawkins Thomas , Ballato John
Published: July 2014

Disordered optical fibers show novel waveguiding properties that can be used for various device applications, such as beam-multiplexed optical communications and endoscopic image transport. The strong transverse scattering from the transversely disordered optical fibers results in transversely confined beams that can freely propagate in the longitudinal direction, similar to conventional optical fibers, with the advantage that any point in the cross section of the fiber can be used for beam transport. For beam multiplexing and imaging applications, it is highly desirable to make the localized beam radius as small as possible. This requires large refractive index differences between the materials that define the random features in the disordered fiber. Here, disordered glass-air fibers are briefly reviewed, where randomly placed airholes in a glass matrix provide the sufficiently large refractive index difference of 0.5 for strong random transverse scattering. The main future challenge for the fabrication of an optimally disordered glass-air fibers is to increase the fill-fraction of airholes to nearly 50% for maximum beam confinement.
Astaxanthin Alleviates Early Brain Injury Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats: Possible Involvement of Akt/Bad Signaling
Authors: Zhang Xiang-Sheng , Zhang Xin , Wu Qi , Li Wei , Zhang Qing-Rong , Wang Chun-Xi , Zhou Xiao-Ming , Li Hua , Shi Ji-Xin , Zhou Meng-Liang
Published: July 2014

Apoptosis has been proven to play a crucial role in early brain injury pathogenesis and to represent a target for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Previously, we demonstrated that astaxanthin (ATX) administration markedly reduced neuronal apoptosis in the early period after SAH. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. In the present study, we tried to investigate whether ATX administration is associated with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathway, which can play an important role in the signaling of apoptosis. Our results showed that post-SAH treatment with ATX could cause a significant increase of phosphorylated Akt and Bad levels, along with a significant decrease of cleaved caspase-3 levels in the cortex after SAH. In addition to the reduced neuronal apoptosis, treatment with ATX could also significantly reduce secondary brain injury characterized by neurological dysfunction, cerebral edema and blood-brain barrier disruption. In contrast, the PI3K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002, could partially reverse the neuroprotection of ATX in the early period after SAH by downregulating ATX-induced activation of Akt/Bad and upregulating cleaved caspase-3 levels. These results provided the evidence that ATX could attenuate apoptosis in a rat SAH model, potentially, in part, through modulating the Akt/Bad pathway.
Characterization and Antitumor Activity of a Polysaccharide from Sarcodia ceylonensis
Authors: Fan Yijun , Lin Mengchuan , Luo Aoshuang , Chun Ze , Luo Aoxue
Published: July 2014

A water-soluble polysaccharide from Sarcodia ceylonensis was obtained by using the method of water-extraction and ethanol-precipitation. The polysaccharide was further purified by chromatography on AB-8 and ADS-7 columns, yielding a pure polysaccharide termed SCP-60. The molecular weight (Mw) of SCP-60 was calculated to be 50.0 kDa, based on the calibration curve obtained with a series of Dextran T standards. The results of FT-IR indicated that the polysaccharide contains the α-configuration of sugar units. GC-MS analysis revealed that SCP-60 was mainly composed of galactose and glucose. NMR spectroscopy revealed SCP-60 had the backbone consisting of →6)-α-Manp-(1→, α-d-Glcp-(1→, →6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→ and →6)-α-Galp-(1→. In order to evaluate the antitumor activity in vivo of the polysaccharide, a sarcoma 180 model was used. The results showed SCP-60 had strong antitumor ability, meanwhile, SCP-60 at a high dose (100 mg/kg) could significantly increase the thymic and splenic indices of S180 mice, and strongly promote the secretion of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ, increase the SOD activities and reduce the concentrations of MDA in blood. Therefore the polysaccharide SCP-60 should be explored as a novel potential antitumor drug.
ROS-Dependent Antiproliferative Effect of Brassinin Derivative Homobrassinin in Human Colorectal Cancer Caco2 Cells
Authors: Kello Martin , Drutovic David , Chripkova Martina , Pilatova Martina , Budovska Mariana , Kulikova Lucia , Urdzik Peter , Mojzis Jan
Published: July 2014

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antiproliferative effect of brassinin and its derivatives on human cancer cell lines. Among seven tested compounds, homobrassinin (K1; N-[2-(indol-3-yl)ethyl]-S-methyldithiocarbamate) exhibited the most potent activity with IC50 = 8.0 μM in human colorectal Caco2 cells and was selected for further studies. The flow cytometric analysis revealed a K1-induced increase in the G2/M phase associated with dysregulation of α-tubulin, α1-tubulin and β5-tubulin expression. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of K1 can be mediated via inhibition of microtubule formation. Furthermore, simultaneously with G2/M arrest, K1 also increased population of cells with sub-G1 DNA content which is considered to be a marker of apoptotic cell death. Apoptosis was also confirmed by annexin V/PI double staining, DNA fragmentation assay and chromatin condensation assay. The apoptosis was associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspase-3 activation as well as intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Moreover, the antioxidant Trolox blocked ROS production, changes in MMP and decreased K1 cytotoxicity, which confirmed the important role of ROS in cell apoptosis. Taken together, our data demonstrate that K1 induces ROS-dependent apoptosis in Caco2 cells and provide the rationale for further in vivo anticancer investigation.
Dereplication Guided Discovery of Secondary Metabolites of Mixed Biosynthetic Origin from Aspergillus aculeatus
Authors: Petersen Lene , Hoeck Casper , Frisvad Jens , Gotfredsen Charlotte , Larsen Thomas
Published: July 2014

Investigation of the chemical profile of the industrially important black filamentous fungus Aspergillus aculeatus by UHPLC-DAD-HRMS and subsequent dereplication has led to the discovery of several novel compounds. Isolation and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses allowed for structural elucidation of a dioxomorpholine, a unique okaramine, an aflavinine and three novel structures of mixed biosynthetic origin, which we have named aculenes A–C. Moreover, known analogues of calbistrins, okaramines and secalonic acids were detected. All novel compounds were tested for antifungal activity against Candida albicans, however all showed only weak or no activity. Aspergillus aculeatus IBT 21030 was additionally shown to be capable of producing sclerotia. Examination of the sclerotia revealed a highly regulated production of metabolites in these morphological structures.
Anthocyanin Characterization, Total Phenolic Quantification and Antioxidant Features of Some Chilean Edible Berry Extracts
Authors: Brito Anghel , Areche Carlos , Sepúlveda Beatriz , Kennelly Edward , Simirgiotis Mario
Published: July 2014

The anthocyanin composition and HPLC fingerprints of six small berries endemic of the VIII region of Chile were investigated using high resolution mass analysis for the first time (HR-ToF-ESI-MS). The antioxidant features of the six endemic species were compared, including a variety of blueberries which is one of the most commercially significant berry crops in Chile. The anthocyanin fingerprints obtained for the fruits were compared and correlated with the antioxidant features measured by the bleaching of the DPPH radical, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the superoxide anion scavenging activity assay (SA), and total content of phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins measured by spectroscopic methods. Thirty one anthocyanins were identified, and the major ones were quantified by HPLC-DAD, mostly branched 3-O-glycosides of delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, peonidin and malvidin. Three phenolic acids (feruloylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and neochlorogenic acid) and five flavonols (hyperoside, isoquercitrin, quercetin, rutin, myricetin and isorhamnetin) were also identified. Calafate fruits showed the highest antioxidant activity (2.33 ± 0.21 μg/mL in the DPPH assay), followed by blueberry (3.32 ± 0.18 μg/mL), and arrayán (5.88 ± 0.21), respectively.
Calculating Distortions of Short DNA Duplexes with Base Pairing Between an Oxidatively Damaged Guanine and a Guanine
Authors: Suzuki Masayo , Kino Katsuhito , Morikawa Masayuki , Kobayashi Takanobu , Miyazawa Hiroshi
Published: July 2014

DNA is constantly being oxidized, and oxidized DNA is prone to mutation; moreover, guanine is highly sensitive to several oxidative stressors. Several oxidatively damaged forms of guanine—including 2,2,4-triamino-5(2H)-oxazolone (Oz), iminoallantoin (Ia), and spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp)—can be paired with guanine, and cause G:C-C:G transversions. Previous findings indicate that guanine is incorporated more efficiently opposite Oz than opposite Ia or Sp, and that these differences in efficiency cannot be explained by differences in the stabilities of G:Oz, G:Ia, and G:Sp base pairs calculated ab initio. Here, to explain previous experimental result, we used a 3-base-pair model DNA duplex to calculate the difference in the stability and the distortion of DNA containing a G:Oz, G:Ia, or G:Sp base pair. We found that the stability of the structure containing 5ꞌ and 3ꞌ base pairs adjacent to G:Oz was more stable than that containing the respective base pairs adjacent to G:Ia or G:Sp. Moreover, the distortion of the structure in the DNA model duplex that contained a G:Oz was smaller than that containing a G:Ia or G:Sp. Therefore, our discussion can explain the previous results involving translesion synthesis past an oxidatively damaged guanine.
Learning to Be Muslim—Transnationally
Authors: Cainkar Louise
Published: July 2014

This essay discusses the religious upbringing experiences and reflections upon them articulated by 53 Muslim American youth who were interviewed as part of a larger sociological study of Arab American teenagers living transnationally. On extended sojourns in their parents’ homelands, these youth—most were born in the US although some migrated to the US at a young age—were taken “back home” to Palestine and Jordan by their parents so they could learn “their language, culture, and religion”. They were asked about learning to be Muslim in the US and overseas in the context of a much larger set of questions about their transnational life experiences. The data provide insights into the various types of early religious learning experiences Muslims have access to in a US Christian-majority context. The essay then examines how these youth later experienced and interpreted being Muslim in a place where Muslims are a majority. The study found that while a majority of youth said they learned more about their faith, almost half (42%) said that it was the same as in the US, that they did not learn more, or that the experience contributed both positively and negatively to their religious understanding. Key to these differences was the character of their experiences with being Muslim in the US. A majority of girls and of youth who attended full-time Islamic schools and/or were part of a vibrant Muslim community in the US gave one of the latter responses. On the other hand, most of the boys who grew up isolated from other Muslims in the US reported learning more about Islam. They were especially pleased with the convenience of praying in mosques and with being able to pray in public without stares. The data show that living where one is part of the dominant religious culture does not necessarily make for a deeper experience of religion. What seems to matter more is the type of experience with being Muslim each youth brings into the situation, as it was these that informed their subjective interpretations of what it means to be Muslim.
A Non-Stationary 1981–2012 AVHRR NDVI3g Time Series
Authors: Pinzon Jorge , Tucker Compton
Published: July 2014

The NDVI3g time series is an improved 8-km normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data set produced from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instruments that extends from 1981 to the present. The AVHRR instruments have flown or are flying on fourteen polar-orbiting meteorological satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and are currently flying on two European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) polar-orbiting meteorological satellites, MetOp-A and MetOp-B. This long AVHRR record is comprised of data from two different sensors: the AVHRR/2 instrument that spans July 1981 to November 2000 and the AVHRR/3 instrument that continues these measurements from November 2000 to the present. The main difficulty in processing AVHRR NDVI data is to properly deal with limitations of the AVHRR instruments. Complicating among-instrument AVHRR inter-calibration of channels one and two is the dual gain introduced in late 2000 on the AVHRR/3 instruments for both these channels. We have processed NDVI data derived from the Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) from 1997 to 2010 to overcome among-instrument AVHRR calibration difficulties. We use Bayesian methods with high quality well-calibrated SeaWiFS NDVI data for deriving AVHRR NDVI calibration parameters. Evaluation of the uncertainties of our resulting NDVI values gives an error of ± 0.005 NDVI units for our 1981 to present data set that is independent of time within our AVHRR NDVI continuum and has resulted in a non-stationary climate data set.
Two-Level Optical Coherence Tomography Scheme for Suppressing Spectral Saturation Artifacts
Authors: Wu Chiung-Ting , Tsai Meng-Tsan , Lee Cheng-Kuang
Published: July 2014

We demonstrate a novel method for reducing saturation artifacts in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) systems. This method is based on a two-level SD-OCT system with a dual-line charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. We compensate the saturated signal detected by the first line using the unsaturated signal detected by the second line. The Fourier transform of the compensated spectrum shows effective suppression of saturation artifacts. This method was also successfully performed on phantom material and skin on a human finger. Our method causes neither back-scattering power loss nor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) degradation. The only difference between the traditional system and our two-level system is our utilization of the dual-line CCD camera; no additional devices or complex designs are needed.