bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influences of Water and Sediment Quality and Hydrologic Processes on Mussels in the Clinch River
Authors: Johnson Gregory C. , Krstolic Jennifer L. , Ostby Brett J.K.
Published: July 2014

Segments of the Clinch River in Virginia have experienced declining freshwater mussel populations during the past 40 years, while other segments of the river continue to support some of the richest mussel communities in the country. The close proximity of these contrasting reaches provides a study area where differences in climate, hydrology, and historic mussel distribution are minimal. The USGS conducted a study between 2009 and 2011 to evaluate possible causes of the mussel declines. Evaluation of mussel habitat showed no differences in physical habitat quality, leaving water and sediment quality as possible causes for declines. Three years of continuous water‐quality data showed higher turbidity and specific conductance in the reaches with low‐quality mussel assemblages compared to reaches with high‐quality mussel assemblages. Discrete water‐quality samples showed higher major ions and metals concentrations in the low‐quality reach. Base‐flow samples contained high major ion and metal concentrations coincident to low‐quality mussel populations. These results support a conceptual model of dilution and augmentation where increased concentrations of major ions and other dissolved constituents from mined tributaries result in reaches with declining mussel populations. Tributaries from unmined basins provide water with low concentrations of dissolved constituents, diluting reaches of the Clinch River where high‐quality mussel populations occur.
Bedded Sediment Conditions and Macroinvertebrate Responses in New Mexico Streams: A First Step in Establishing Sediment Criteria
Authors: Jessup Benjamin K. , Kaufmann Philip R. , John Forrest , Guevara Lynette S. , Joseph Seva
Published: July 2014

Excess fine sediments in streambeds are among the most pervasive causes of degradation in streams of the United States. Simple criteria for acceptable streambed fines are elusive because streambed fines and biotic tolerances vary widely in the absence of human disturbances. In response to the need for sediment benchmarks that are protective of minimum aquatic life uses under the Clean Water Act, we undertook a case study using surveys of sediment, physical habitat, and macroinvertebrates from New Mexico streams. Our approach uses weight of evidence to develop suggested benchmarks for protective levels of surficial bedded sediments <0.06 mm (silt and finer) and <2.0 mm (sand and finer). We grouped streams into three ecoregions that were expected to produce similar naturally occurring streambed textures and patterns of response to human disturbances. Within ecoregions, we employed stressor response models to estimate fine sediment percentages and bed stability that are tolerated by resident macroinvertebrates. We then compared individual stream sediment data with distributions among least‐disturbed reference sites to determine deviation from natural conditions, accounting for natural variability across ecoregion, gradient, and drainage area. This approach for developing benchmark values could be applied more widely to provide a solid basis for developing bedded sediment criteria and other protective management strategies in other regions.
Foreign Affairs and Enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Authors: Choi Stephen J. , Davis Kevin E.
Published: July 2014

We examine factors that might explain how sanctions imposed in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement actions vary across the firms and countries implicated using a data set of FCPA actions resolved from 2004 to 2011. We find evidence that the sanctions in an individual FCPA action are positively correlated with the egregiousness and extensiveness of the bribe. The sanctions also increase if the ultimate parent company of entities involved in the FCPA violation is foreign and if foreign regulators are involved in the action. At the country level, we report evidence that the SEC and DOJ impose greater aggregate sanctions for violations in countries with a lower GNI per capita and weaker local anti‐bribery institutions. The SEC and DOJ also impose disproportionately greater aggregate sanctions for violations where the home country of the ultimate parent company of FCPA defendants has a greater GNI per capita, stronger anti‐bribery institutions, and a cooperation agreement with U.S. regulators. Overall, these findings suggest that factors besides those deemed relevant by U.S. and international law influence enforcement of the FCPA.
The Social, Geographic, and Organizational Determinants of Access to Civil Legal Aid Services: An Argument for an Integrated Access to Justice Model
Authors: Schultheis Eric W.
Published: July 2014

I propose an integrated method for evaluating the accessibility of civil legal aid services, one that is able to simultaneously account for spatial, social, and organizational accessibility determinants. Specifically, I use this study to empirically evaluate several core assumptions of accessibility research. First, I challenge the argument that gaps in the accessibility of civil legal aid services are driven by spatial mismatches and/or disconnects between supply and demand. Although these two factors are important, they only provide a partial explanation of the observed variation in the accessibility of civil legal aid services. Second, I challenge the commonplace assumption in accessibility research that the effects of accessibility determinants, including the spatial relationship between client and provider location, are consistent across social and geographic space. In addition to raising these issues, I also propose and develop a hierarchical linear model that attempts to bridge methodological approaches that limit our understanding of the interactions of the spatial, social, and organizational dimensions of civil legal aid services accessibility . Perhaps most importantly, the proposed accessibility model begins to offer providers novel insights into how to better allocate program resources to best serve their client population.
Twenty Years of Acanthamoeba Diagnostics in Austria
Authors: Walochnik Julia , Scheikl Ute , Haller‐Schober Eva‐Maria
Published: July 2014

Acanthamoebae are the causative agents of an often seriously progressing keratitis (AK) occurring predominantly in contact lens wearers and can cause several disseminating infections potentially resulting in granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) in the immunocompromised host. Our institution is the Austrian reference laboratory for Acanthamoeba diagnostics and the aim of this study was to give an overview of proven cases of Acanthamoeba infections in Austria during the past 20 yr. All samples of patients with suspected AK or GAE were screened for Acanthamoeba spp. by culture and/or PCR and the detected amoebae were genotyped. Altogether, 154 cases of AK and three cases of GAE were diagnosed. Age of the AK patients ranged from 8 to 82 yr (mean 37.8) and 58% of the patients were female. Approximately 89% of the AK patients were contact lens wearers, almost all cases were unilateral and 19% of the patients required a keratoplasty. Age of the GAE patients ranged from 2 to 25 yr (mean 14.7), all were HIV‐negative, but two were severely immunosuppressed at the time of diagnosis. The predominant genotype in the AK cases was T4, other genotypes found were T3, T5, T6, T10 and T11. The three GAE cases involved genotypes T2, T4 and T5.
Ultrastructure and Molecular Phylogeny of Mesodinium coatsi sp. nov., a Benthic Marine Ciliate
Authors: Nam Seung Won , Shin Woongghi , Kang Misun , Yih Wonho , Park Myung Gil
Published: July 2014

Mesodinium is a globally distributed ciliate genus forming frequent and recurrent blooms in diverse marine habitats. Here, we describe a new marine species, Mesodinium coatsi n. sp., originally isolated from interstitial water of surface sand samples collected at Mohang Beach, Korea. The species was maintained under a mixotrophic growth condition for longer than 1 yr by providing a cryptomonad, Chroomonas sp., as the sole prey. Cell morphology and subcellular structure were examined by light microscopy, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, and molecular phylogeny was inferred from nuclear‐encoded 18S rDNA sequence data. Like other Mesodinium species, M. coatsi consisted of two hemispheres separated by two types of kinetids, and had tentacles located at the oral end of the cell. Several food vacuoles were observed in the cytoplasm, and partially digested prey cells sometimes existed in food vacuoles. Kinetids and the associated accessory structures were quite similar to those previously reported, but M. coatsi was differentiated from other marine Mesodinium species by ultrastructural characters of the dikinetids, polykinetids, and tentacles. We also provided a detailed illustration of infraciliature. Molecular phylogeny revealed that M. coatsi and Mesodinium chamaeleon were closely related to each other.
Food consumption of five deep‐sea fishes in the Balearic Basin (western Mediterranean Sea): are there daily feeding rhythms in fishes living below 1000 m?
Authors: Modica L. , Cartes J. E. , Carrassón M.
Published: July 2014

Predation and food consumption of five deep‐sea fish species living below 1000 m depth in the western Mediterranean Sea were analysed to identify the feeding patterns and food requirements of a deep‐sea fish assemblage. A feeding rhythm was observed for Risso's smooth‐head Alepocephalus rostratus, Mediterranean grenadier Coryphaenoides mediterraeus and Mediterranean codling Lepidion lepidion. Differences in the patterns of the prey consumed suggest that feeding rhythms at such depths are linked with prey availability. The diets of those predators with feeding rhythms are based principally on active‐swimmer prey, including pelagic prey known to perform vertical migrations. The diets of Günther's grenadier Coryphaenoides guentheri and smallmouth spiny eel Polyacanthonotus rissoanus, which did not show any rhythm in their feeding patterns, are based mainly on benthic prey. Food consumption estimates were low (<1% of body wet mass day−1). Pelagic feeding species showing diel feeding rhythms consumed more food than benthic feeding species with no feeding rhythms.
Freshwater movement patterns by juvenile Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. before they migrate to the ocean: Oh the places you'll go!
Authors: Shrimpton J. M. , Warren K. D. , Todd N. L. , McRae C. J. , Glova G. J. , Telmer K. H. , Clarke A. D.
Published: July 2014

Juvenile movement patterns for coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from two large interior rivers of British Columbia, Canada, were examined. Otoliths from post‐spawned fishes were collected on spawning grounds and elemental signatures were determined through transects from sectioned otoliths using laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). Large variations in otolith elemental signatures were found during the freshwater life stage indicative of movement downstream to rivers and tributaries that differed in elemental signature. This study highlights that downstream movements occur before migration to the ocean during the parr–smolt transformation. Extensive downstream movements of parr appear to be a successful life‐history strategy based on variations observed in the otolith elemental signatures of spawners. Movements downstream in parr and the remarkable homing ability of adults also suggest that imprinting to natal streams must occur prior to the parr–smolt transformation.
Effect of root canal dimensions, injection rate, and needle design on the apical extrusion of an irrigant: an in vitro study
Authors: Chang Jeffrey W. W. , Cheung Amelia W. T. , Cheung Gary S. P.
Published: July 2014

Aim

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of root canal dimensions, type of needle, and injection rate on the apical extrusion of an irrigant in a simulated root canal.

Methods

Ten students used two types of 28‐gauge needles, to deliver 3 mL irrigant solution into artificial canals prepared in acrylic blocks to a standard size of ISO 25, 30, or 40 (0.06 taper; n = 10). Each block was preweighed to the nearest microgram before and after irrigation once the canal was dried with paper points. This was repeated with a syringe pump at a flow rate of 50, 100, 200 or 300 μL/s with the needle inserted to a standard depth.

Results

Significant differences were observed between the side‐vented and notched‐end needles when the rate of irrigation was higher than 100 μL/s, and when the apical size was below ISO 40 (P < 0.001). The amount of extrusion was more variable and significantly higher when irrigation was performed manually, compared with the syringe pump groups.

Conclusions

Injection rates above 100 μL/s increased the risk of extrusion, whereas increasing the apical canal size to ISO 40 reduced the amount of extrusion in all groups. The use of a side‐vented needle negates the injection‐rate effects.
Estimation of vascular endothelial growth factor gene −460 C/T polymorphism as a biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients from the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Borase Archana P. , Ganvir Sindhu M. , Hazarey Vinay K. , Gosavi Suchitra R. , Mohatta Anand A. , Singh Jasmine
Published: July 2014

Aim

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignancies in India. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major mediator of angiogenesis, is known to play a key role in the pathophysiology of tumorigenesis. Polymorphisms of the VEGF gene have been shown to influence the risk of OSCC, but it remains to be elucidated in the Indian population. Thus, the present study was designed to detect the VEGF gene −460 C/T polymorphism in OSCC patients from the Indian population, which is genetically distinct from previously‐studied populations.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples of 80 OSCC patients and 80 healthy individuals were collected for a case‐control study design. The VEGF gene −460 C/T polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction‐based restriction analysis.

Results

The analysis revealed significant differences between normal individuals and patients with OSCC (P < 0.05). The distribution of the TT homozygote and the T allele in the patient group was significantly greater than in the control group.

Conclusion

The present study provides novel evidence of the role of the VEGF gene −460 C/T polymorphism as a suitable genetic marker of OSCC in the Indian population.
Reliability and validity of five radiographic dental‐age estimation methods in a population of Malaysian children
Authors: Kumaresan Ramesh , Cugati Navaneetha , Chandrasekaran Balamanikandasrinivasan , Karthikeyan Priyadarshini
Published: July 2014

Objective

To evaluate the reliability and validity of Demirjian's, Willems, Nolla's, Haavikko's, and Cameriere's radiographic methods of dental‐age estimation in a population of Malaysian children.

Methods

A total of 426 dental panoramic radiographs of 5–15‐year‐old Malaysian children were included in the study. The mean age error and absolute age error for all the methods were calculated and their usability analyzed.

Results

The Nolla, Willems. and Demirjian methods overestimated the dental age with a mean of 0.97, 0.54, and 0.54 years, respectively, while the Cameriere and Haavikko methods underestimated by 0.41 and 1.31 years, respectively. The Cameriere method was highly precise and accurate in the population of Malaysian children, whereas the Haavikko and Demirjian methods were the least precise and accurate.

Conclusions

The Cameriere method of dental‐age estimation is highly valid and reliable for Malaysian population, followed by the Willems and Nolla methods.
Effects of transgenic soybean on growth and phosphorus acquisition in mixed culture system
Authors: Xie Jianna , Zhou Jia , Wang Xiurong , Liao Hong
Published: July 2014

Transgenic soybean plants overexpressing the Arabidopsis purple acid phosphatase gene AtPAP15 (OXp) or the soybean expansin gene GmEXPB2 (OXe) can improve phosphorous (P) efficiency in pure culture by increasing Apase secretion or changing root morphology. In this study, soybean‐soybean mixed cultures were employed to illuminate P acquisition among plants in mixed stands of transgenic and wild‐type soybean. Our results showed that transgenic soybean plants were much more competitive, and had greater growth and P uptake than wild‐type soybean in mixed culture in both low P calcareous and acid soils. Furthermore, OXe plants had an advantage in calcareous soils when mixed with OXp, whereas the latter performed much better in acid soils. In soybean‐maize mixed culture, transgenic soybean had no impact on maize growth compared to controls in both acid and calcareous soils with different P conditions. As for soybean in mixed culture, OXp plants had no significant advantages regardless of P availability or soil type, while P efficiency improved in OXe in calcareous soils compared to controls. These results imply that physiological traits could be easily affected by the mixed maize. Transgenic soybean plants with enhanced root traits had more competitive advantages than those with improved root physiology in mixed culture.
Toward Understanding the Child's Experience in the Process of Parentification: Young Adults' Reflections on Growing up With a Depressed Parent
Authors: Van Parys Hanna , Bonnewyn Anke , Hooghe An , De Mol Jan , Rober Peter
Published: July 2014

This article reports on a qualitative study with 21 young adults who grew up with a depressed parent. We examined how young adults make sense of their childhood experiences of parental depression and how their retrospective reflections help us to understand the experiences of children and the processes of parentification. Participants recounted that their childhood consisted mainly of actions in the service of family well‐being. At that time, they reflected on their own experiences only rarely. In adolescence, there was an evolution toward a greater consideration for oneself and a repositioning within the family. In the discussion, we explore the therapeutic implications of this study—and in particular—the meaningfulness of silence in the family process of parentification.
Epididymal‐testicular fusion anomalies in cryptorchidism are associated with proximal location of the undescended testis and with a widely patent processus vaginalis
Authors: Caterino Salvatore , Lorenzon Laura , Cavallini Marco , Cavaniglia Daniele , Ferro Fabio
Published: July 2014

Past studies documented the presence of epididymal/testicular fusion anomalies and persistence of a patent processus vaginalis in a small case‐series of cryptorchid and/or hydrocele patients. The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the epididymal/testicular anomalies in a series of more than 1000 cryptorchid patients compared with controls. Secondary aims were: (i) to investigate the association between the cryptorchidism and the patency of p. vaginalis; and (ii) to correlate the epididymal/testicular fusion anomalies with the position of the testis and with the patency of the p. vaginalis. The clinical and surgical data of 1002 cryptorchid patients and 230 controls were retrospectively retrieved and analysed. Epididymal/testicular fusion anomalies were classified as: (i) normal anatomy; (ii) minor anomalies; and (iii) major anomalies. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t‐test and Chi‐square tests. The prevalence of the epididymal/testicular fusion anomalies was higher in the cryptorchid group compared with that of the control group (minor and major anomalies in cryptorchids vs. controls, respectively: 42.2 vs. 5.6% and 9.3 vs. 1.6%, P < 0.0001). Moreover, we documented a correlation of these anomalies with a more proximal localization of the testis (minor and major anomalies in proximal vs. distal location of the testis, respectively: 62.5 vs. 34.8% and 19.1 vs. 6.3%, P < 0.0001) and with the persistence of a widely patent p. vaginalis (minor and major anomalies in widely patent p. vaginalis vs. narrow duct, respectively: 51.7 vs. 42.2 and 11.9% vs. 7.8%, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the epididymal/testicular fusion anomalies were strongly associated with cryptorchidism and the persistence of a widely patent peritoneal vaginal duct. Although it remains unclear whether these anomalies cause non‐descent of the testis or, conversely, result from the cryptorchidism or from the persistence of a widely patent duct, our data re‐enforce this association.
Understanding and achieving person‐centred care: the nurse perspective
Authors: Ross Helen , Tod Angela Mary , Clarke Amanda
Published: July 2014

Aims and objectives

To present findings from the first stage of an exploratory study investigating nurses' understanding and facilitation of person‐centred care within an acute medical ward.

Background

The term ‘person‐centred care’ is used frequently in healthcare policy and practice. However, the ways in which the concept is translated into everyday nursing care continue to present a challenge. Person‐centred care has been explored extensively within the care of older people, people with dementia and people with a learning disability. Little empirical research has been conducted in acute ward settings. This study starts to address that gap.

Design

The study used an action research approach.

Methods

Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 14 nurses. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Nurses had a clear understanding of person‐centred care in the context of their work. They acknowledged the importance of relationships, personal qualities of staff and respecting the principles of person‐centred care as they strived to provide safe, high‐quality person‐centred care.

Conclusion

The examples of care given by the nurses in this study resonate with the ‘six Cs’ emphasised by the Chief Nursing Officer for England in 2012, acknowledge the motivation of nurses to provide person‐centred care and will contribute to the ongoing debate about nursing practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

In the light of recent criticisms of nursing and the implied erosion of public confidence in the provision of high‐quality health care, it is important to recognise good practice and use the findings as a foundation for further and sustained development in providing person‐centred care.
An application of Mobley's intermediate linkages turnover model to a full‐time employee group typology
Authors: Wittmer Jenell L. S. , Shepard Agnieszka , Martin James E.
Published: July 2014

Recent research has supported the heterogeneity of full‐time employees based upon demographics and outside of work roles. These factors are also related to many employee and organizational outcomes, specifically the constructs found within Mobley's intermediate linkages model of turnover. The current study hypothesizes and tests, using structural equation modelling, differences between full‐time groups in the relationships within Mobley's model. The results generally support Mobley's model, as well as differences in the strength of the relationships for different full‐time groups.

Practitioner points

This study offers an example of how all full‐time workers are not alike in their attitudes and behaviours and what impacts turnover.

Knowing what impacts the turnover of the different groups of full‐time workers may also allow practitioners to design targeted retention strategies.
Estimation of copper in saliva and areca nut products and its correlation with histological grades of oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Mohammed Faraz , Manohar Vidya , Jose Maji , Fairozekhan Thapasum Arishiya , Mohamed Shamaz , Halima Shamaz Bibi , D'Souza Neevan
Published: July 2014

Background

The purpose of this study was to estimate the copper levels in saliva of patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and different areca nut products and its correlation with different histological grades of OSF.

Methods

The study comprised 60 individuals, 30 OSF patients and 30 non‐OSF individuals. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, and copper analysis was performed using colorimetric method. The commercial areca nut products used by the patients were acquired and subjected to copper analysis through the atomic absorption spectrophotometer method. Oral biopsies were performed for OSF patients for histopathological correlation.

Results

The mean salivary copper level was 27.023 μg/dl in OSF patients when compared with 8.393 μg/dl in non‐OSF individuals (P < 0.005). The mean copper content in different areca nut products was 13.313 ppm (P < 0.005). Comparison of copper content in different areca nut products with salivary copper levels of OSF patients showed negative correlation (P < 0.853). Comparison of salivary copper levels between different histological grades of OSF yielded a statistically significant association between grades I and III (P < 0.005) and grades II and III OSF (P < 0.019). Comparison of copper content in areca nut products and different histological grades of OSF yielded weak negative statistical correlation (r = −0.116).

Conclusion

Despite high copper content in areca nut products, the observations yielded a negative correlation with different histological grades of OSF. This further raises a doubt about the copper content in areca nut as an etiological factor for this crippling disease.
Ellagic acid modulates the expression of oral innate immune mediators: potential role in mucosal protection
Authors: Promsong Aornrutai , Chung Whasun Oh , Satthakarn Surada , Nittayananta Wipawee
Published: July 2014

Background

Ellagic acid (EA) found in various fruits such as pomegranates, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and walnuts has different pharmacological functions including antioxidant, antitumor, antiallergic, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. It is not known, however, if EA could enhance mucosal innate immunity. Our goal was to determine the effects of EA on the expression of innate immune mediators produced by oral epithelial cells.

Methods

Culture of primary human gingival epithelial cells (HGEs) was performed in duplicate, and after the primary HGEs had been treated with EA at a concentration ranging from 12.5 to 100 μM for 18 h the cells and supernatants were harvested. The expression of innate immune mediators including human β‐defensin 2 (hBD2), secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), and various cytokines and chemokines was measured at both transcriptional and translational levels by using quantitative real‐time PCR, ELISA, and Luminex assay.

Results

In the presence of EA, the expression of hBD2‐and SLPI mRNA was 3.7‐folds and 2.6‐folds greater than untreated controls, respectively, and consistent with their secreted protein levels. For cytokines and chemokines, increased expression of RANTES, IL‐2, and IL‐1β was found in response to EA. In contrast, EA decreased the expression of IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that oral innate immunity is affected by EA found in fruits. Thus, it may play some roles in mucosal innate immunity. The potential of EA for modulating the innate immune mediators may lead to developing a new topical agent to treat and/or prevent immune‐mediated oral diseases.
Ghost cells in pilomatrixoma, craniopharyngioma, and calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor: histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study
Authors: Rumayor Alicia , Carlos Román , Molina Kirsch Hernán , de Andrade Bruno A. Benevenuto , Romañach Mario J. , de Almeida Oslei Paes
Published: July 2014

Background

Pilomatrixoma, craniopharyngioma, and calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor are the main entities presenting ghost cells as an important histological feature, in spite their quite different clinical presentation; it seems that they share a common pathway in the formation of these cells. The aim of this study is to examine and compare the characteristics of ghost and other cells that form these lesions.

Methods

Forty‐three cases including 21 pilomatrixomas, 14 craniopharyngiomas, and eight calcifying cystic odontogenic tumors were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratins, CD138, β‐catenin, D2‐40, Glut‐1, FAS, CD10 and also by scanning electron microscopy.

Results

The CKs, CD138, β‐catenin, Glut‐1, FAS, and CD10 were more often expressed by transitional cells of craniopharyngioma and calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor, compared with pilomatrixoma. Basaloid cells of pilomatrixoma showed strong positivity for CD138 and CD10. Differences on expression pattern were identified in transitional and basal cells, as ghost cells were negative for most antibodies used, except by low expression for cytokeratins. By scanning electron microscopy, the morphology of ghost cells were similar in their fibrillar cytoplasm, but their pattern varied from sheets in pilomatrixoma to small clusters in craniopharyngioma and calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor.

Conclusions

Mechanisms involved in formation of ghost cells are unknown, but probably they follow different pathways as protein expression in the basal/transitional cells was not uniform in the three tumors studied.
Immunohistochemical profile of oral mucosal and head and neck cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Alaeddini Mojgan , Etemad‐Moghadam Shahroo
Published: July 2014

Background

In addition to ultraviolet radiation exposure, various molecular markers may differ between oral mucosal and cutaneous head and neck melanomas and lead to variations in their biologic behavior and prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare four such markers, namely microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF), P75, P53, and Ki‐67 in malignant melanomas originating from the oral cavity and head and neck skin.

Methods

A total of 19 oral mucosal and 23 head and neck cutaneous melanomas were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against MITF, P75, P53, and Ki‐67. Statistical comparison of data was performed by t‐test and chi‐square analysis (P < 0.05).

Results

Significant differences in MITF (P = 0.016) and Ki‐67 (P = 0.002) were observed between oral mucosal and cutaneous melanomas. P75 (P = 0.80) and P53 (P = 0.76) did not differ significantly, between these locations.

Conclusions

According to the results obtained in this study, the biological properties of cutaneous and mucosal melanoma differ, especially regarding MITF and Ki‐67.
Effect of Different Design Preparations on the Flexural and Fracture Strength of Fiber‐Reinforced Composite Fixed Partial Dentures: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Kumar Gulshan , Jain Veena , Pandey R. K. , Gadwal Manju
Published: July 2014

Purpose

To determine and compare the flexural and fracture strength of three‐unit fiber‐reinforced composite (FRC) fixed partial dentures (FPDs) using three abutment design preparations.

Material and Methods

The flexural and fracture strength of three‐unit FRC FPDs were evaluated using three design preparations of the abutments (conventional full crown [group A], box‐shaped [group B], and tub‐shaped [group C]). Thirty three‐unit FRC FPDs were fabricated (10 specimens per group) for the replacement of missing mandibular first molars and were adhesively luted to extracted human teeth. The flexural and fracture strength were determined using a universal testing machine with a steel loading pin of 20 mm diameter with a 3‐mm‐diameter hardened circular tip. Each specimen was evaluated under SEM to determine mode of failure.

Results

Mean fracture strength for group A was 820.00 ± 56.51 N, group B was 536.94 ± 65.62 N, and group C was 501.24 ± 66.71 N. The highest mean flexural strength was found in group A (68.33 ± 4.71 MPa), followed by group B (44.74 ± 5.46 MPa) and lowest in group C (41.77 ± 5.56 MPa). The SEM evaluation showed partial or complete debonding of veneering composite from fiber framework, leaving intact fiber frameworks in all the specimens.

Conclusion

Full‐coverage design had significantly higher flexural and fracture strengths than box and tub‐shaped designs. Since both values were noted to be in the order of masticatory stresses, the full coverage design is a good alternative for the replacement of missing molar teeth; however, the framework veneering composite interface was the weakest phase of FRC FPDs, thus indicating that further improvement in veneering composite or fiber framework is needed to improve the compatibility of veneering composite with that of fiber framework for long‐term clinical implications.
Recent Work in Moral Anthropology
Authors: Heim Maria , Monius Anne
Published: July 2014

This special focus issue brings to theJournal of Religious Ethicsfresh considerations of moral anthropology as practiced by four emergent voices within the field. Each of these essays, in varying ways, seeks not only to advance an understanding of ethics in a particular time, place, and context, but to draw our attention to shared aspects of the human condition: its discontinuities and fractures, its practices of perception and attention, its interplays of emotion, intuition, and reason, and its thoroughly intersubjective nature. To learn something ofThaiBuddhist life‐worlds, contemporaryRussian modes of being, or the experience of immorality in today's China, each essay argues in turn, is to gain new insight into ourselves.
Temporalization and Ethical Action
Authors: Zigon Jarrett
Published: July 2014

This essay attempts to reconceptualize temporality as it relates to ethics, by interrupting dominant anthropological notions of time—most particularly the temporal coherence of narrative unity—which are homogeneous and empty. Eschewing the more commonly understood notion of anthropology as ethnographic thick description, this essay is a practice of anthropological hermeneutics by which I take a cue from my Muscovite interlocutors to disrupt dominant anthropological conceptions of temporal unity within which action is considered to take place, and in so doing, reveal temporalization as the process by which ethical action becomes possible.
Response to Bucar and Stalnaker
Authors: Kelsay John
Published: July 2014

This comment provides a brief response to criticisms of Kelsay (2012) set forth in a recent essay by Elizabeth Bucar and Aaron Stalnaker.
Comparative Religious Ethics Among the Ruins
Authors: Lee Jung
Published: July 2014

This is a response to the recent essay by Elizabeth M. Bucar and Aaron Stalnaker on “Comparative Religious Ethics as a Field of Study.” I clarify my earlier positions on method and virtue in comparative religious ethics and try to respond to some of the issues that Bucar and Stalnaker raise in regard to my arguments specifically and the field more generally. I argue that while we need not measure the practical impact of scholarly work in comparative religious ethics purely in terms of political or social action, I nevertheless worry that defining the goals of comparative inquiry in terms of the production of bewilderment, intellectual vertigo, or skeptical questions can lead to impressionistic or therapeutic methodological norms. In a similar vein, I refine my earlier position on externalism that acknowledges the impossibility of a purely externalist approach but also notes the desirability of coming to understand others “in their own terms” prior to engaging in the process of transmutation. I also question Bucar and Stalnaker's pessimism about the potential of producing “rigorously convincing ethical theory from the lived experience of regular folk,” suggesting that perhaps we are working with different conceptions of the sociology of knowledge. Finally, I consider whether we are currently in the midst of an epistemological crisis and conclude with some reflections on the rationality of the craft of comparative religious ethics.
‘Playing favourites’: Is there bias during patient selection by registrars in an Australian paediatric emergency department?
Authors: Ranaweera Jeevani , Craig Simon
Published: July 2014

Aim

Overseas studies have suggested a bias in emergency department patient selection between paediatric and emergency medicine trainees. This study aimed to detect whether a similar bias existed in an Australasian setting. Specifically, we sought to determine whether vocational trainees choose patients based on presenting complaint, triage category or patient age.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients attending the Monash Medical Centre Paediatric Emergency Department (PED) was conducted during four consecutive registrar rotations from July 2010 to March 2011. A 2‐week period during the middle of each term was chosen, and data were collected from times when both emergency and paediatric registrars were present in the department.

Results

A total of 1222 patient records were reviewed. Emergency registrars saw 278 patients, and paediatric registrars saw 413 patients. Of those seen by emergency registrars, 62.9% had medical diagnoses, and 37.1% had non‐medical diagnoses; 14.4% were triaged as high acuity, and 85.6% were low acuity. Of those seen by paediatric registrars, 70% had medical diagnoses, and 30% had non‐medical diagnoses, while 15.9% were high acuity, and 84.1% were low acuity. Emergency registrars saw 2.5% neonates, 6.5% adolescents. Paediatric registrars saw 3.6% neonates and 6.1% adolescents. There was no significant difference between paediatric and emergency registrars in selecting patients.

Conclusions

Bias does not appear to exist in the selection of patients in this Australasian PED. Further study should address the impact of unbiased patient selection on emergency department efficiency and trainee education.
Crystallization and preliminary X‐ray diffraction analysis of eukaryotic α2‐macroglobulin family members modified by methylamine, proteases and glycosidases
Authors: Goulas T. , Garcia‐Ferrer I. , García‐Piqué S. , Sottrup‐Jensen L. , Gomis‐Rüth F.X.
Published: July 2014

α2‐Macroglobulin (α2M) has many functions in vertebrate physiology. To understand the basis of such functions, high‐resolution structural models of its conformations and complexes with interacting partners are required. In an attempt to grow crystals that diffract to high or medium resolution, we isolated native human α2M (hα2M) and its counterpart from chicken egg white (ovostatin) from natural sources. We developed specific purification protocols, and modified the purified proteins either by deglycosylation or by conversion to their induced forms. Native proteins yielded macroscopically disordered crystals or crystals only diffracting to very low resolution (>20 Å), respectively. Optimization of native hα2M crystals by varying chemical conditions was unsuccessful, while dehydration of native ovostatin crystals improved diffraction only slightly (10 Å). Moreover, treatment with several glycosidases hindered crystallization. Both proteins formed spherulites that were unsuitable for X‐ray analysis, owing to a reduction of protein stability or an increase in sample heterogeneity. In contrast, transforming the native proteins to their induced forms by reaction either with methylamine or with peptidases (thermolysin and chymotrypsin) rendered well‐shaped crystals routinely diffracting below 7 Å in a reproducible manner.
Identification and characterization of promoters specifically and strongly expressed in maize embryos
Authors: Liu Xiaoqing , Tian Jian , Zhou Xiaojin , Chen Rumei , Wang Lei , Zhang Chunyi , Zhao Jun , Fan Yunliu
Published: July 2014

The use of maize seeds as bioreactors has several advantages for the production of recombinant proteins in plant biotechnology, but available embryo‐specific and strong promoters are limited. Here, we describe a genome‐scale microarray‐based approach to identify embryo‐specifically and strongly expressed genes and their promoters in maize. We identified 28 embryo‐preferred and abundantly expressed genes based on our microarray data. These embryo‐preferred genes were further analysed using the UniGene database and by quantitative reverse transcriptase‐PCR leading to the identification of seven genes (Zm.2098, Zm.13387, Zm.66589, Zm.85502, Zm.68129, Zm.3896 and Zm.2941) as embryo‐specific genes with higher expression levels relative to maize globulin‐1. The putative promoters of five embryo‐specific genes (Zm.13387, Zm.66589, Zm.85502, Zm.3896 and Zm.2941) were isolated and all exhibited strong promoter activities when transiently expressed in maize embryos of 20 DAP. The embryo specificity and expression levels of the promoters of four genes (Zm.13387, Zm.85502, Zm.3896 and Zm.2941) were further examined in transgenic maize plants, revealing that they are strong promoters in embryos of all four developmental stages tested compared with reference globulin‐1 promoter. Moreover, Zm.2941 and Zm.3896 promoters are stringently embryo‐specific promoters, while Zm.85502 promoter is basically embryo specific yet wounding inducible in non‐seed tissues, and Zm.13387 promoter is developmentally expressed in both embryo and aleurone with wounding‐induced activity in non‐seed tissues. Our study provides novel embryo‐specific and strong promoters that are suitable for production of high‐level recombinant proteins in maize embryos.
Modulation of amylose content by structure‐based modification of OsGBSS1 activity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Liu Derui , Wang Wei , Cai Xiuling
Published: July 2014

The rice Waxy (Wx) gene encodes granule‐bound starch synthase 1 (EC 2.4.1.242), OsGBSS1, which is responsible for amylose synthesis in rice seed endosperm. In this study, we determined the functional contribution of eight amino acids on the activity of OsGBSS1 by introducing site‐directed mutated Wx gene constructs into the wx mutant glutinous rice. The eight amino acid residues are suspected to play roles in OsGBSS1 structure maintenance or function based on homologous enzyme sequence alignment and homology modelling. Both OsGBSS1 activity and amylose content were analysed in homozygous transgenic lines carrying the mutated OsGBSS1 (Wx) genes. Our results indicate that mutations at diverse sites in OsGBSS1 reduces its activity by affecting its starch‐binding capacity, its ADP‐glucose‐binding capability or its protein stability. Our results shed new light on the structural basis of OsGBSS1 activity and the mechanisms of OsGBSS1 activity on amylose synthesis in vivo. This study also demonstrates that it is feasible to finely modulate amylose content in rice grains by modifying the OsGBSS1 activity.
Brain correlates of response inhibition in Internet gaming disorder
Authors: Chen Chiao‐Yun , Huang Mei‐Feng , Yen Ju‐Yu , Chen Cheng‐Sheng , Liu Gin‐Chung , Yen Cheng‐Fang , Ko Chih‐Hung
Published: July 2014

Aims

The present study aimed to evaluate the brain correlates of response inhibition among subjects with Internet gaming disorder (IGD).

Methods

For this purpose, 15 men with IGD for at least 1 year, and 15 controls with no history of IGD were recruited to perform the Go/Nogo task under functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation. Prior to scanning, the subjects were assessed using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale and the Barrett Impulsivity Scale.

Results

The control group exhibited activation of the right supplement motor area (SMA), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and caudate for response inhibition. However, the IGD group had a higher impulsivity and lower activity of the right SMA/pre‐SMA in comparison to the control group.

Conclusions

The results obtained suggest that dysfunctional activation of the SMA for response inhibition is one of the candidate mechanisms of IGD.
Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor of the lung: A newly defined peripheral pulmonary tumor with conspicuous mucin pool mimicking colloid adenocarcinoma: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Chuang Hao‐Wen , Liao Jia‐Bin , Chang Huang‐Chou , Wang Jyh‐Seng , Lin Shong‐Ling , Hsieh Pin‐Pen
Published: July 2014

We report the case of a 68‐year‐old man with a newly defined rare entity of a peripheral pulmonary tumor, consisting of a nodular papillary lesion with papillary structures containing ciliated columnar and goblet cells, as well as floating tumor cells in the mucin pool. The conspicuous mucin pool was observed to be mimicking colloid adenocarcinoma in a low‐power view, particularly in a frozen section slide. We originally reported it as an adenocarcinoma during intraoperative consultation. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells exhibited a similar immunophenotype to pulmonary adenocarcinoma, except for the presence of focal ciliated and basaloid cells, which we found using CK5/6 and P63 immunostaining. No KRAS or EGFR mutation was found. We revised the diagnosis to that of a ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT). Four years after a wedge resection, the patient remained free of tumors. Although the malignant potential of CMPT cannot be ignored, a wedge resection with a safe margin might be a treatment option for CMPT patients.
Application of iPS cell technology to cancer epigenome study: Uncovering the mechanism of cell status conversion for drug resistance in tumor
Authors: Matsuda Yutaka , Semi Katsunori , Yamada Yasuhiro
Published: July 2014

Recent studies imply that cancer cells possess the ability to reversibly change their properties between a drug sensitive state and a drug resistant state accompanied by epigenetic changes. This evidence indicates that better understanding of cancer epigenetics is important for efficient cancer therapies. Nevertheless, it had been difficult to deeply examine the epigenetic mechanisms because of lack of the tools to actively modify coordinated epigenetic events. In this stagnant situation, the reprogramming technology established by Yamanaka and coworkers have shed a new light. The novel reprogramming technology has made it possible for researchers to artificially introduce epigenetic remodeling into somatic cells. Accordingly, we might be able to use this technology as a tool to introduce the coordinated epigenetic reorganization.

In this review, we introduce the idea of cell state interconversion in cancer cells that is attributable to altered epigenetic regulations. We then depict the epigenetic modifications observed during the process of somatic cell reprogramming and give some examples of the difficulty in cancer cell reprogramming. Finally, we discuss how we can translate this reprogramming refractoriness of cancer cells into uncovering unique epigenetic regulations in cancer cells, which might be applicable eventually to the development of novel cancer therapeutics against drug resistant cancer cells.
Temporal and thermal variations in site‐specific thermoregulatory sudomotor thresholds: Precursor versus discharged sweat production
Authors: Machado‐Moreira Christiano A. , Barry Robert J. , Vosselman Martin J. , Ruest Rafael M. , Taylor Nigel A. S.
Published: July 2014

Temporal and thermal differences between the initiation of precursor, eccrine sweat and its surface discharge were investigated during passive heating. Sudomotor activity was evaluated using electrodermal (precursor) and ventilated sweat capsule measurements (dorsal fingers, dorsal hand, forehead, forearm). Passive heating significantly elevated auditory canal (0.5oC) and mean body temperatures (0.9oC). At each site, the precursor sudomotor thresholds occurred at a lower mean body temperature (P < .05), with an average elevation of 0.35oC (SD 0.04). However, discharged thresholds were delayed until this temperature had risen 0.53oC (SD 0.04), producing significant phase delays across sites (mean: 4.1 min [SD 0.5]; P < .05). It is concluded that precise sudomotor threshold determinations require methods that respond to sweat accumulating within the secretory coil, and not discharged secretions, reinforcing the importance of electrodermal techniques.
Public Service Motivation Concepts and Theory: A Critique
Authors: Bozeman Barry , Su Xuhong
Published: July 2014

With its growth in popularity, public service motivation (PSM) research has been subjected to increasing critical scrutiny, but with more focus on measurement and models than on concepts. The authors examinePSMagainst standard criteria for judging the strength of concepts (e.g., resonance, parsimony, differentiation, and depth). After providing a critique ofPSMconcepts, they conclude with suggestions for research programs that could improve the explanatory power ofPSMtheory.