bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial recoding of sound: Pitch-varying auditory cues modulate up/down visual spatial attention
Authors: Fernández-Prieto Irune , Vera-Constán Fátima , García-Morera Joel , Navarra Jordi
Published: November 2012

Previous studies suggest the existence of facilitatory effects between, for example, responding upwards/downwards while hearing a high/low-pitched tone, respectively (e.g., Occeli et al., 2009; Rusconi et al., 2006). Neuroimaging research has started to reveal the activation of parietal areas (e.g., the intraparietal sulcus, IPS) during the performance of various pitch-based musical tasks (see Foster and Zatorre, 2010a, 2010b). Since several areas in the parietal cortex (e.g., the IPS; see Chica et al., 2011) are strongly involved in orienting visual attention towards external events, we investigated the possible effects of perceiving pitch-varying stimuli (i.e., ‘ascending’ or ‘descending’ flutter sounds) on the spatial processing of visual stimuli. In a variation of the Posner cueing paradigm (Posner, 1980), participants performed a speeded detection task of a visual target that could appear at one of four different spatial positions (two above and two below the fixation point). Irrelevant ascending (200–700 Hz) or descending (700–200 Hz) flutter sounds were randomly presented 550 ms before the onset of the visual target. According to our results, faster reaction times were observed when the visual target appeared in a position (up/down) that was compatible with the ‘pitch direction’ (ascending or descending) of the previously-presented auditory ‘cuing’ stimulus. Our findings suggest that pitch-varying sounds are recoded spatially, thus modulating visual spatial attention.
TMS entrainment of pre-stimulus oscillatory activity in tactile perception
Authors: Ruzzoli Manuela , Soto-Faraco Salvador
Published: November 2012

It is widely recognized that oscillatory activity plays an important functional role in neural systems. Decreases in alpha (∼10 Hz) EEG/MEG activity in the parietal cortex correlate with the deployment of spatial attention controlateral to target location in visual, auditory and tactile domains. Recently, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) has been successfully applied to entrain a specific frequency at the parietal cortex (IPS) and the visual cortex. A short burst of 10 Hz rTMS impaired contralateral visual target detection and improved it ipsilaterally, compared to other control frequencies. This finding suggests a causal role of rhythmic activity in the alfa range in perception. The aim of the present study is to address whether entraining alpha frequency in the IPS plays a role in tactile orienting, indicating similarities between senses (vision and touch) in the communication between top-down (parietal) and primary sensory areas (V1 or S1). We applied rhythmic TMS at 10 and 20 Hz to the (right or left) IPS and S1, immediately before a masked vibrotactile target stimulus (present in 50% of the trials) to the left or right hand. Preliminary results lean towards the consequential effects of entraining alpha frequency into IPS for tactile detection such that it decreases tactile perception contralaterally and increases it ipsilaterally, compared to Beta frequency.
Can itch-related visual stimuli provoke an itch response?
Authors: Lloyd Donna M. , Hall Elizabeth , Hall Samantha , McGlone Francis
Published: November 2012

Itching is a common subjective sensation experienced on the skin and is associated with the desire and impulse to scratch. We tested whether visual cues could generate feelings of itch and provoke a scratch response in healthy volunteers. A secondary aim was to assess whether certain pictures were more effective in evoking sensations of itch. Thirty participants viewed static images that could either be itch-related (i.e., viewing ants or skin conditions) or neutral (viewing butterflies or healthy skin). These were further separated by picture type: ‘skin contact’ (i.e., ants crawling on the skin or a butterfly sitting on the hand); ‘skin response’ (i.e., scratching an insect bite or washing the hands) or ‘no skin’ (simply viewing midges or birds flying). The results indicate that the sensation of itch was successfully generated using itch-related pictures in terms of significantly higher self-reports of itch in answer to the questions ‘how itchy do you feel?’ and ‘how itchy do you think the person in the picture feels?’ compared to viewing neutral pictures (). In addition, participants scratched themselves significantly more when viewing itch-related pictures compared to neutral (). The picture type also had an effect upon these measures with more scratching behaviour recorded when viewing pictures depicting others scratching (). This study demonstrates the impact of visual cues on the sensation of itch and the scratch response and may provide preliminary evidence linking contagious itching to the mirror neuron system and the effectiveness of itch-inducing stimuli as a way to probe social communication.
A weighty matter: The effect of spoon size and weight on food perception
Authors: Harrar Vanessa , Spence Charles
Published: November 2012

When deciding on a product’s quality, we often pick it up to gauge its weight. If it’s heavy enough, we tend to think that it is good quality. We have recently shown that the weight of a dish can affect the taste and quality perception of the food it contains. Here, we varied the weight of spoons in order to determine whether the weight or size of the cutlery might influence taste perception. Teaspoons and tablespoons were tested, with one of each spoon-size artificially weighted with lead hidden into the handle (teaspoons: 2.35 and 5.67 g, and tablespoons: 3.73 and 10.84 g). Participants tasted yoghurt from each spoon and rated the yoghurt’s perceived density, price, sweetness, and pleasantness. Four within-participant ANOVAs were used to test the effects of spoon size and spoon weight on each attribute. The perceived density of the yoghurt was affected by the spoon’s weight, with yoghurt from light spoons being perceived as thicker than yoghurt sampled from a heavy spoon. The perceived price of the yoghurt also varied with spoon weight such that lighter spoons made the yoghurt taste more expensive. The most reliable effect was an interaction between spoon weight and spoon size on sweetness perception: heavy teaspoons and light tablespoons made the yoghurt appear sweeter. These data support the growing body of research demonstrating that tableware (and silverware) can affect the consumer’s judgements without their being aware.
When vision is not an option: Development of haptic–auditory integration
Authors: Petrini Karin , Remark Alicia , Smith Louise , Nardini Marko
Published: November 2012

To perform everyday tasks, such as crossing a road, we greatly rely on our sight. However, certain situations (e.g., an extremely dark environment) as well as visual impairments can either reduce the reliability of or completely remove this sensory information. In these cases, the use of other information is vital. Here we seek to examine the development of haptic and auditory integration. Three different groups of adults and 5- to 12-year-old children were asked to judge which of a standard sized and a variably sized ball was the largest. One group performed the task with auditory information only, haptic only or both. Auditory information about object size came from the loudness of a naturalistic sound played when observers knocked the ball against a touch-pad. A second group performed the same conditions, while wearing a thick glove to reduce the reliability of the haptic information. Finally, a third group performed the task with either congruent or incongruent information. Psychometric functions were fitted to responses in order to measure observers’ sensitivities to object size under these different conditions. Integration of haptic and auditory information predicts greater sensitivity in the bimodal condition than in either single-modality condition. Initial results show that young children do not integrate information from haptic and auditory modalities, with some children aged below 8 years performing worse in the bimodal condition than in the auditory-only condition. Older children and adults seem able to integrate auditory and haptic information, especially when the reliability of the haptic information is reduced.
Action sounds recalibrate perceived tactile distance
Authors: Tajadura-Jiménez Ana , Väljamäe Aleksander , Toshima Iwaki , Kimura Toshitaka , Tsakiris Manos , Kitagawa Norimichi
Published: November 2012

Almost every bodily movement, from the most complex to the most mundane, such as walking, can generate impact sounds that contain spatial information of high temporal resolution. Despite the conclusive evidence about the role that the integration of vision, touch and proprioception plays in updating body-representations, hardly any study has looked at the contribution of audition. We show that the representation of a key property of one’s body, like its length, is affected by the sound of one’s actions. Participants tapped on a surface while progressively extending their right arm sideways, and in synchrony with each tap participants listened to a tapping sound. In the critical condition, the sound originated at double the distance at which participants actually tapped. After exposure to this condition, tactile distances on the test right arm, as compared to distances on the reference left arm, felt bigger than those before the exposure. No evidence of changes in tactile distance reports was found at the quadruple tapping sound distance or the asynchronous auditory feedback conditions. Our results suggest that tactile perception is referenced to an implicit body-representation which is informed by auditory feedback. This is the first evidence of the contribution of self-produced sounds to body-representation, addressing the auditory-dependent plasticity of body-representation and its spatial boundaries.
Enhanced memory ability: Insights from synaesthesia
Authors: Rothen Nicolas , Meier Beat , Ward Jamie
Published: November 2012

People with synaesthesia show an enhanced memory relative to demographically matched controls. The most obvious explanation for this is that the ‘extra’ perceptual experiences lead to richer encoding and retrieval opportunities of material that induces synaesthesia (typically verbal material). Although there is some evidence for this, it is unlikely to be the whole explanation. For instance, not all material that triggers synaesthesia is better remembered (e.g., digit span) and some material that does not trigger synaesthesia is better remembered. In fact, they tend to have better visual memory than verbal memory. We suggest that enhanced memory in synaesthesia is linked to wider changes in cognitive systems at the interface of perception and memory and link this to recent findings in the neuroscience of memory.
Correlates of Reticulation in Linguistic Phylogenies
Authors: Holman Eric W. , Walker Robert , Rama Taraka , Wichmann Søren
Published: November 2012

This paper discusses phylogenetic reticulation using linguistic data from the Automated Similarity Judgment Program or ASJP (Holman et al., 2008; Wichmann et al., 2010a). It contributes methodologically to the examination of two measures of reticulation in distance-based phylogenetic data, specifically the δ score of Holland et al. (2002) and the more recent Q-residuals of Gray et al. (2010). It is shown that the δ score is a more adequate measure of reticulation. Our empirical analyses examine possible correlations between δ and (a) the size (number of languages), (b) age, and (c) heterogeneity of language groups, (d) linguistic isolation of individual languages within their respective phylogenies, and (e) the status of speech forms as dialects or recently emerged languages. Among these, only (d) is significantly correlated with δ. Our interpretation is that δ is a realistic measure of reticulation and sensitive to effects of socio-historical events such as language extinction. Finally, we correlate average δ scores for different language families with the goodness of fit between ASJP and expert classifications, showing that the δ scores explain much of the variance.
Russian Sculpture: An Introduction
Authors: Glants Musya , Salmond Wendy
Published: November 2012

Abstract

This overview essay provides an historical context for the evolution of Russian sculpture in the Imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet eras, articulating its close connections with developments in Western Europe while also suggesting the specific local factors that contributed to its distinctive identity.
Icarian Games: Iosif Chaikov and the Jewish Legacy
Authors: Bowlt John E.
Published: November 2012

Abstract

The focus of this article is on the early, experimental sculpture of Iosif Chaikov, known for his Socialist Realist statues rather than for his avant-garde involvement. Chaikov’s Jewish lineage, his collaboration with the Kultur-Lige, his international training, and his cultivation of flight as a central theme are examined in an attempt to restore a more synthetic and comparative station to his oeuvre as a Soviet artist. Copious reference is made to his industrial or “Constructivist” themes of the 1920s and 1930s.
Counting Deviance: Revisiting a Decade’s Production of Surveys among Muslims in Western Europe
Authors: Johansen Birgitte , Spielhaus Riem
Published: November 2012

Abstract

This article looks at the emergence of Muslims as a category of knowledge in surveys and opinion polls that have been conducted as a reaction to the rising demand for data about Muslim populations in Western Europe within the last ten years. The most prevalent feature of the conceptualization of Muslims is that they are inherently immigrants, or of immigrant descent, who are living within a certain nation state. This creates a continuous statistical invisibility of certain Muslims, for instance those without immigration backgrounds, as well as Muslims with national backgrounds other than Muslim majority countries. Further, this identification of the Muslim as immigrant, even if unintended, contributes to upholding a subtle exclusion of Muslims from the national community as always foreign and always potentially in need of integration.
Media and New Religious Movements in Japan
Authors: Nobutaka Inoue
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Many modern new religions in Japan, by using the mass media in their missionary work, managed to increase their influence on society in a very short time. With time, their use of media has also diversified, now covering all available formats: newspapers and journals, radio and TV, CS and video, the Internet and even smart phones. One of the characteristics of modern new religions is that they are associations composed of people bound by a common purpose rather than by shared blood or territory on which the traditional religions of Shrine Shintō and Sectarian Buddhism were established. It is this new principle of association that allowed new religions such as Sōka Gakkai, Risshō Kōseikai, Reiyūkai, Tenrikyō and Shinnyoen to quickly gain more than a million followers. In the mid-1990s, Japan entered the rapid information age, marked especially by the widespread use of the Internet. However, the changes that the Internet has brought to society differ from those provoked by the earlier modernization process. In this paper, I would like to discuss some of the difficulties that modern new religions face in the Internet age, particularly in the management of new forms of information that can now be sent and received.
Arbitration’s status under EU law
Authors: Zekos Georgios I.
Published: November 2012

The Commission is of the belief that the efficacy of arbitration agreements should be enhanced in order to give full effect to the will of the parties. According to the ECJ in the West Tankers decision, anti-suit injunctions for arbitration agreements are incompatible with the Brussels I Regulation so that they are no longer available so as to counter-attack a torpedo action brought before the courts of a Member State. Does the perplexing interference of courts in the whole arbitration process advance justice and effectiveness?
Haploidentical, unmanipulated, G-CSF–primed bone marrow transplantation for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies
Authors: Di Bartolomeo Paolo , Santarone Stella , De Angelis Gottardo , Picardi Alessandra , Cudillo Laura , Cerretti Raffaella , Adorno Gaspare , Angelini Stefano , Andreani Marco , De Felice Lidia , Rapanotti Maria Cristina , Sarmati Loredana , Bavaro Pasqua , Papalinetti Gabriele , Di Nicola Marta , Papola Franco , Montanari Mauro , Nagler Arnon , Arcese William
Published: November 2012

Key Points

Haploidentical, unmanipulated, G-CSF–primed bone marrow transplantation. Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies.
Transcriptome database resource and gene expression atlas for the rose
Authors: Dubois Annick , Carrere Sebastien , Raymond Olivier , Pouvreau Benjamin , Cottret Ludovic , Roccia Aymeric , Onesto Jean-Paul , Sakr Soulaiman , Atanassova Rossitza , Baudino Sylvie , Foucher Fabrice , Bris Manuel Le , Gouzy Jérôme , Bendahmane Mohammed
Published: November 2012

Background

For centuries roses have been selected based on a number of traits. Little information exists on the genetic and molecular basis that contributes to these traits, mainly because information on expressed genes for this economically important ornamental plant is scarce.

Results

Here, we used a combination of Illumina and 454 sequencing technologies to generate information onRosa sp.transcripts using RNA from various tissues and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. A total of 80714 transcript clusters were identified and 76611 peptides have been predicted among which 20997 have been clustered into 13900 protein families. BLASTp hits in closely related Rosaceae species revealed that about half of the predicted peptides in the strawberry and peach genomes have orthologs inRosadataset. Digital expression was obtained using RNA samples from organs at different development stages and under different stress conditions. qPCR validated the digital expression data for a selection of 23 genes with high or low expression levels. Comparative gene expression analyses between the different tissues and organs allowed the identification of clusters that are highly enriched in given tissues or under particular conditions, demonstrating the usefulness of the digital gene expression analysis. A web interfaceROSAseqwas created that allows data interrogation by BLAST, subsequent analysis of DNA clusters and access to thorough transcript annotation including best BLAST matches onFragaria vesca, Prunus persicaandArabidopsis. The rose peptides dataset was used to create theROSAcycresource pathway database that allows access to the putative genes and enzymatic pathways.

Conclusions

The study provides useful information onRosaexpressed genes, with thorough annotation and an overview of expression patterns for transcripts with good accuracy.
Plant polyadenylation factors: conservation and variety in the polyadenylation complex in plants
Authors: Hunt Arthur G , Xing Denghui , Li Qingshun Q
Published: November 2012

Background

Polyadenylation, an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression, requires bothcis-elements and a plethora oftrans-acting polyadenylation factors. The polyadenylation factors are largely conserved across mammals and fungi. The conservation seems also extended to plants based on the analyses of Arabidopsis polyadenylation factors. To extend this observation, we systemically identified the orthologs of yeast and human polyadenylation factors from 10 plant species chosen based on both the availability of their genome sequences and their positions in the evolutionary tree, which render them representatives of different plant lineages.

Results

The evolutionary trajectories revealed several interesting features of plant polyadenylation factors. First, the number of genes encoding plant polyadenylation factors was clearly increased from “lower” to “higher” plants. Second, the gene expansion in higher plants was biased to some polyadenylation factors, particularly those involved in RNA binding. Finally, while there are clear commonalities, the differences in the polyadenylation apparatus were obvious across different species, suggesting an ongoing process of evolutionary change. These features lead to a model in which the plant polyadenylation complex consists of a conserved core, which is rather rigid in terms of evolutionary conservation, and a panoply of peripheral subunits, which are less conserved and associated with the core in various combinations, forming a collection of somewhat distinct complex assemblies.

Conclusions

The multiple forms of plant polyadenylation complex, together with the diversified polyA signals may explain the intensive alternative polyadenylation (APA) and its regulatory role in biological functions of higher plants.
Transports of acetate and haloacetate in Burkholderiaspecies MBA4 are operated by distinct systems
Authors: Su Xianbin , Kong Ka-Fai , Tsang Jimmy SH
Published: November 2012

Background

Acetate is a commonly used substrate for biosynthesis while monochloroacetate is a structurally similar compound but toxic and inhibits cell metabolism by blocking the citric acid cycle. InBurkholderiaspecies MBA4 haloacetate was utilized as a carbon and energy source for growth. The degradation of haloacid was mediated by the production of an inducible dehalogenase. Recent studies have identified the presence of a concomitantly induced haloacetate-uptake activity in MBA4. This uptake activity has also been found to transport acetate. Since acetate transporters are commonly found in bacteria it is likely that haloacetate was transported by such a system in MBA4.

Results

The haloacetate-uptake activity of MBA4 was found to be induced by monochloroacetate (MCA) and monobromoacetate (MBA). While the acetate-uptake activity was also induced by MCA and MBA, other alkanoates: acetate, propionate and 2-monochloropropionate (2MCPA) were also inducers. Competing solute analysis showed that acetate and propionate interrupted the acetate- and MCA- induced acetate-uptake activities. While MCA, MBA, 2MCPA, and butyrate have no effect on acetate uptake they could significantly quenched the MCA-induced MCA-uptake activity. Transmembrane electrochemical potential was shown to be a driving force for both acetate- and MCA- transport systems.

Conclusions

Here we showed that acetate- and MCA- uptake inBurkholderiaspecies MBA4 are two transport systems that have different induction patterns and substrate specificities. It is envisaged that the shapes and the three dimensional structures of the solutes determine their recognition or exclusion by the two transport systems.
The clinical use of Kampo medicines (traditional Japanese herbal treatments) for controlling cancer patients’ symptoms in Japan: a national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Iwase Satoru , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Miyaji Tempei , Terawaki Kiyoshi , Inui Akio , Uezono Yasuhito
Published: November 2012

Background

Kampo medicines are traditional Japanese medicines produced from medicinal plants and herbs. Even though the efficacy of Kampo medicines for controlling cancer-related symptoms is being reported, their actual nationwide clinical use has not been comprehensively investigated. We aimed to investigate physicians’ recognition of Kampo medicines and their clinical use for cancer patients in the field of palliative care.

Methods

A cross-sectional self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 549 physicians working in palliative care teams at 388 core cancer treatment hospitals and 161 certified medical institutions that have palliative care units (PCUs).

Results

Valid responses were obtained from 311 physicians (response rate, 56.7%) who were evenly distributed throughout the country without significant geographical biases. Kampo medicines were prescribed for controlling cancer-related symptoms by 64.3% of the physicians. The symptoms treated with Kampo medicines were numbness/hypoesthesia (n = 99, 49.5%), constipation (n = 76, 38.0%), anorexia/weight loss (n = 72, 36%), muscle cramps (n = 71, 35.5%) and languor/fatigue (n = 64, 32.0%). Regarding open issues about prescription, 60.7% (n = 173) of the physicians raised the issue that the dosage forms need to be better devised.

Conclusions

To increase the clinical use of Kampo medicines, more evidence from clinical studies is necessary. In addition, their mechanisms of action should be clarified through laboratory studies.
Study of treatment using percutaneous acetabuloplasty and interstitial implantation of 125I seeds for patients with metastatic periacetabular tumors
Authors: Zhang Jinlei , Yang Zuozhang , Wang Jiaping , Wang Jinde , Liu Pengjie , Sun Hongpu , Li Kun , Yang Yunshan
Published: November 2012

Background

The periacetabular area is one of the primary sites of metastatic tumors, which often present as osteolytic bone destruction. Bone destruction in the acetabulum caused by metastatic tumors will cause hip pain and joint dysfunction. It results in decreased quality of life for patients. The aim of our study was to explore the clinical effect of metastatic periacetabular tumors treated with percutaneous cementoplasty and interstitial implantation of 125I seeds.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 24 patients with metastatic periacetabular tumors who underwent combined therapy of percutaneous acetabuloplasty and interstitial implantation of 125I seeds between February 2003 and June 2011. There were 13 males and 11 females aged 19–80 years with a mean age of 57.3. The primary tumor site was the lung in eight cases, the breast in six, the prostate cancer in eight, and the liver in two. The amount of implanted 125I seeds was 12–20 seeds/person, with a mean of 16.5 seeds/person, and the matching peripheral dosage (MPD) was 80~100Gy. Routine postoperative chemotherapy and other combined treatments were applied to patients after the surgical operation. Changes in the Karnofsky Score(KPS), Harris Hip Score(Harris), and Visual Analog Scale(VAS) were observed during the follow-up period.

Results

The 24 patients’ operations were all successful. No major complications occurred. Complete pain relief was achieved in 58% (14 of 24) of patients, and pain reduction was achieved in the 42% remaining (10) patients. The mean duration of pain relief was 8.3 months. Pain recurred in one patient 3 months after surgery. Six patients had died and 18 patients were alive at the time of the 1-year follow-up. Comparing the KPS, Harris and VAS scores pre- and postoperativelyat 1, 6, and 12 months, the combined therapy method was significantly effective in metastatic periacetabular tumor patients (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Percutaneous cementoplasty with interstitial implantation of 125I seeds is an effective treatment method for metastatic periacetabular tumor patients, providing tumor resistance, pain relief, increased bone stability, and improved quality of life for patients.
Interleukin-1 beta-induced up-regulation of opioid receptors in the untreated and morphine-desensitized U87 MG human astrocytoma cells
Authors: Byrne Linda Staikos , Peng Jinsong , Sarkar Sraboni , Chang Sulie L
Published: November 2012

Background

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that can be produced in the central nervous system during inflammatory conditions. We have previously shown that IL-1β expression is altered in the rat brain during a morphine tolerant state, indicating that this cytokine may serve as a convergent point between the immune challenge and opiate mediated biological pathways. We hypothesized that IL-1β up-regulates opioid receptors in human astrocytes in both untreated and morphine-desensitized states.

Methods

To test this hypothesis, we compared the basal expression of the mu (MOR), delta (DOR), and kappa (KOR) opioid receptors in the human U87 MG astrocytic cell line to SH-SY5Y neuronal and HL-60 immune cells using absolute quantitative real time RT-PCR (AQ-rt-RT-PCR). To demonstrate that IL-1β induced up-regulation of the MOR, DOR and KOR, U87 MG cells (2 x 105 cells/well) were treated with IL-1β (20 ng/mL or 40 ng/mL), followed by co-treatment with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1RAP) (400 ng/mL or 400 ng/mL). The above experiment was repeated in the cells desensitized with morphine, where U87 MG cells were pre-treated with 100 nM morphine. The functionality of the MOR in U87 MG cells was then demonstrated using morphine inhibition of forksolin-induced intracellular cAMP, as determined by radioimmunoassay.

Results

U87 MG cells treated with IL-1β for 12 h showed a significant up-regulation of MOR and KOR. DOR expression was also elevated, although not significantly. Treatment with IL-1β also showed a significant up-regulation of the MOR in U87 MG cells desensitized with morphine. Co-treatment with IL-1β and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1RAP) resulted in a significant decrease in IL-1β-mediated MOR up-regulation.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, affects opiate-dependent pathways by up-regulating the expression of the MOR in both untreated and morphine-desensitized U87 MG.
Effect of Bizhongxiao decoction and its dismantled formulae on IL-1 and TNF levels in collagen-induced arthritis in rat synovial joints
Authors: Guo Ya-jing , Chen Jiang , Xiong Xin-gui , Wu Dan , Zhu Hao , Liang Qing-hua
Published: November 2012

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease, affects sufferers in many different ways. Treatment of this chronic condition is particularly challenging. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides alternatives. Bizhongxiao decoction (BZX) is a TCM complex, which has been used clinically for many years to treat RA. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of BZX decoction and its dismantled formulae on IL-1 and TNF-1 levels in rats with RA, and to elucidate its mechanism of action.

Methods

Ninety healthy normal female SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal (control), model, BZX decoction, and the three dismantled formulae (I: heat-clearing and detoxication, II: dissipating dampness, and III: blood circulation promotion). Apart from the normal (control) group, the rats in each group were injected subcutaneously with bovine type II collagen and complete Freund adjuvant to establish a collagen-induced arthritis model, so that inhibition of foot swelling in the rats by BZX decoction and its dismantled formulae could be observed. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF in synovial joints at various time points.

Results

Twenty-one days after the model was established, the levels of TNF and IL-1 were significantly higher in the model group, BZX decoction group and dismantled formula groups I, II and III than in the normal controls (P < 0.05). The levels of these cytokines were significantly higher in the model group than the BZX decoction or the three dismantled formula groups (P <0.01). At longer times, the TNF and IL-1 levels in model group rose gradually; those in the BZX decoction and dismantled formula groups were gradually reduced. The cytokine levels in the BZX decoction group were lower than in the three dismantled formula groups and continued to decline.

Conclusions

BZX decoction and the three dismantled formulae examined down-regulated the inflammatory factors IL-1 and TNF in collagen-induced arthritis rat models, but BZX exerted the strongest effect.
Using antimicrobial adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment: a review
Authors: Alibek Kenneth , Bekmurzayeva Aliya , Mussabekova Assel , Sultankulov Bolat
Published: November 2012

Recent clinical and pre-clinical data demonstrate that adjuvant antimicrobial therapy is beneficial in cancer treatment. There could be several reasons for this effect, which include treating cancer associated bacteria and viruses, prophylaxis of post-chemotherapy infections due to immunosuppression, and antiproliferative effect of certain antimicrobials. Targeting cancer associated viruses and bacteria with antimicrobial agents is currently used for gastric, cervical, hematopoietic, liver and brain cancer. However this treatment is effective only in combination with conventional therapies. Antimicrobials can also have a direct antiproliferative and cytotoxic effect, and can cause apoptosis. Moreover, some antimicrobials are known to be helpful in overcoming side effects of drugs commonly used in cancer treatment. Chemotherapy related bacteremia and neutropenia can be overcome by the appropriately timed use of antimicrobials. This review summarizes the data on the effects of antivirals and antibiotics on cancer treatment and describes their mechanisms.
Evaluation of the WHO revised criteria for classification of clinical disease severity in acute adult dengue infection
Authors: Jayaratne SD , Atukorale Vajini , Gomes Laksiri , Chang Thashi , Wijesinghe Tharindu , Fernando Sachie , Ogg Graham S , Malavige Gathsaurie Neelika
Published: November 2012

Background

The WHO guidelines were revised recently to identify patients with severe dengue (SD) early. We proceeded to determine the usefulness of the warning signs in the new WHO guidelines in predicting SD and we have also attempted to define other simple laboratory parameters that could be useful in predicting SD.

Methods

Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded in 184 patients in 2011, with confirmed dengue viral infections, admitted to a medical ward in two tertiary care hospitals in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Results

We found that the presence of 5 or more dengue warning signs were significantly (p = 0.02) associated with the development of SD (odds ratio 5.14, 95% CI = 1.312 to 20.16). The AST levels were significantly higher (p = 0.0001) in patients with abdominal pain (mean 243.5, SD ± 200.7), when compared to those who did not have abdominal pain (mean 148.5, SD ± 218.6). Lymphocyte counts <1,500 cells/mm3 were significantly (p = 0.005) associated with SD (odds ratio 3.367, 95% CI 1.396 to 8.123). High AST levels were also significantly associated (p < 0.0001) with SD (odds ratio 27.26, 95% CI 1.632 to 455.2). Platelet counts <20,000cells/mm3, were again significantly associated (p < 0.001) with severe disease (odds ratio 1.632 to 455.2, 95% CI 3.089 to 14.71). The PCR was positive in 26/84 of the patients and we found that the infecting serotype was DEN-1 in all 26 patients.

Conclusions

The presence of 5 or more warning signs appears to be a predictor of SD. Lymphocyte counts <1,500 cells/mm3, platelet counts <20,000/mm3 and raised AST levels were associated with SD and could be used to help identify patients who are likely to develop SD.
A Comparison of the Prevalence of Chronic Disease Among People with and Without Intellectual Disability
Authors: Morin Diane , Mérineau-Côté Julie , Ouellette-Kuntz Hélène , Tassé Marc J. , Kerr Michael
Published: November 2012

Some studies have reported the presence of health disparities in people with intellectual disability. This study compared the prevalence of chronic health conditions between people with and without intellectual disability (ID). Health-related data for 791 people with ID were collected through a province-wide mail survey in Quebec, Canada. The distribution of chronic health conditions reported was compared to the data on the health status of the general population. People with ID had higher reported rates of heart disease and thyroid disorder than the general population. We also found that people with ID were less likely to report suffering from arthritis, migraines, back or spinal pain, and food allergies. Significant health differences were found when the ID sample was stratified by etiology (i.e., Down syndrome) and severity of intellectual deficits. We discuss these results and the need for future research to understand the differences found in the health status of people with ID.
Self-directed Support: Impact of Hiring Practices on Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Families
Authors: Heller Tamar , Arnold Catherine K. , van Heumen Lieke , McBride Elizabeth L. , Factor Alan
Published: November 2012

The study examined the differential experiences and outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families receiving self-directed services based on the type of personal support worker hired (parents, siblings, other relatives, friends, and agency staff). The sample consisted of 372 participants in a self-directed waiver program who used personal assistance services. Results indicated that the caregiver's satisfaction with the personal support worker, self-efficacy in managing personal support workers, and mental health varied significantly based on type of personal support worker hired. Also, the physical health and daily choice making of the adults with disabilities differed significantly by type of personal support worker hired.
The emasculation of government ministries in consociational democracies: The case of Iraq
Authors: Visser Reidar
Published: November 2012

This article discusses power-sharing in Iraq as a case of consociational democracy. It is argued that in post-2003 Iraq, consociational features have been employed to an extent that goes beyond what is normal for power-sharing democracies. Not only unspoken ethno-sectarian quota arrangements
are used in the country's legislature and executive, but also attempts to impose such features through extra-constitutional councils aimed at weakening existing executive and prime ministerial powers are frequent. The article examines three such attempts: the political council of national
security (2006), the federal oil and gas council in the draft oil and gas law (2007) and the projected national council for high policies (2010-11). It is concluded that support for the moves towards greater dispersal (and fragmentation) of state power in Iraq comes not only from the Kurds,
but also from the secular Iraqiya party, United States and Iran.
Monster mashups: At home with Famous Monsters of Filmland
Authors: Yockey Matt
Published: November 2012

This article explores the ways in which Forrest J Ackerman modelled social practices for the readers of Famous Monsters of Filmland. His composite identity as both fan and producer marked him as an embodiment of the utopian possibilities inherent in both the production and consumption
of mass culture. Ackerman offered readers the possibility of reconciling the inherent tensions between the private and the public and the masses and the individual by way of horror fandom. By doing so, Ackerman inspired readers to assert agency in the home via consumption practices shaped
by the affects of fandom.
Application of PEG based aqueous biphasic systems in extraction and separation of no-carrier-added 183Re from bulk tantalum
Authors: Dutta Binita , Lahiri Susanta , Tomar B. S.
Published: November 2012

No-carrier-added (nca) rhenium isotopes (182,182m,183Re) were produced by irradiation with 30 MeV α particles on natural tantalum target. The short-lived 182,182mRe were allowed to decay and long-lived nca 183Re was separated from bulk tantalum matrix by aqueous biphasic system (ABS) using 2 M solutions of nine different salts, namely, Na2SO4, Na2SO3, NaHSO3, Na2S2O3, Na2HPO4, Na2CO3, Na-citrate, Na-tartrate, and (NH4)2SO4 as salt rich phases against 50% (w/w) PEG-4000 as polymer rich phase at room temperature. The influence of temperature and thermodynamic parameters Δ Hº and Δ Sº were obtained for the partition of 183Re and tantalum in these systems. Nca 183Re was extracted in high amount in polymer rich phases irrespective of the salt rich phases. Bulk tantalum showed tendency to remain in salt rich phases. ABSs with PEG-4000 polymer rich phase in combination with Na2SO4, Na2SO3, NaHSO3, Na2HPO4, Na2CO3, Na-citrate and Na-tartrate as salt rich phases at basic pH and at ambient temperature (27 ºC) offered single-step separation between nca 183Re and bulk Ta. When Na2S2O3 and (NH4)2SO4 were used as salt rich phase, slight extraction of bulk tantalum was observed in PEG-4000 rich phase. The dynamic dissociation constant of 183Re-PEG-4000 complex was measured by dialysis of the PEG-rich phase against de-ionised water. The k
dissociation value was found as low as 0.0185 min−1. Therefore, it is possible to have pure 183Re in de-ionized water immediately after the dialysis.
The roles of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor during the final stage of folliculogenesis: a focus on oocyte maturation
Authors: Linher-Melville Katja , Li Julang
Published: November 2012

Neurotrophic factors were first identified to promote the growth, survival or differentiation of neurons and have also been associated with the early stages of ovarian folliculogenesis. More recently, their effects on the final stage of follicular development, including oocyte maturation and early embryonic development, have been reported. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), which are expressed in numerous peripheral tissues outside of the CNS, most notably the ovary, are now known to stimulate oocyte maturation in various species, also enhancing developmental competence. The mechanisms that underlie their actions in antral follicles, as well as the targets ultimately controlled by these factors, are beginning to emerge. GDNF, BDNF and NGF, alone or in combination, could be added to the media currently utilized forin vitrooocyte maturation, thereby potentially increasing the production and/or quality of early embryos.
Predictors of Persistence After a Positive Depression Screen Among Adolescents
Authors: Richardson Laura P. , McCauley Elizabeth , McCarty Carolyn A. , Grossman David C. , Myaing Mon , Zhou Chuan , Richards Julie , Rockhill Carol , Katon Wayne
Published: November 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To examine predictors of depression persistence after a positive screening test to inform management protocols for screened youth.

METHODS:

We conducted a cohort study of 444 youth (aged 13–17 years) from a large health care delivery system. Youth with depressive symptoms, based on a 2-item depression screen, were oversampled for the baseline interview. Baseline assessments included the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) depression screen as well as clinical factors that were hypothesized to influence depression persistence (family history of depression, functional impairment, perceived social support, anxiety symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and medical comorbidity). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with the persistence of depression at 6 months postbaseline.

RESULTS:

Of 113 youth with a positive baseline screen (PHQ-9 ≥11), 47% and 35% continued to be positive at 6-week and 6-month follow-up, respectively. After controlling for treatment status, only 2 factors were significantly associated with depression persistence at 6 months: baseline depressive symptom score and continuing to have a positive screen at 6 weeks. For each 1-point increase on the PHQ-9 score at baseline, youth had a 16% increased odds of continuing to be depressed at 6 months (odds ratio: 1.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.34). Youth who continued to screen positive 6 weeks later had almost 3 times the odds of being depressed at 6 months (odds ratio: 2.89, 95% confidence interval: 1.09–7.61).

CONCLUSIONS:

Depressive symptom severity at presentation and continued symptoms at 6 weeks postscreening are the strongest predictors of depression persistence. Patients with high depressive symptom scores and continued symptoms at 6 weeks should receive active treatment.
Shared Governance and the Delivery of Labor Resources in a 24/7/365 World
Authors: Suby ChrysMarie
Published: November 2012

This article explores how shared governance and unit-based scheduling/staffing/ resource management (SSRM) committees can impact the delivery of labor resources 24/7/365 through knowledgeable workforce budgeting and employee scheduling and daily staffing best practices. Two case study examples are included.
Primary Nursing: A Call for Clarity, Empowerment, and Accountability
Authors: Ruch Shirley
Published: November 2012

Registered nurses ‘(RNs') unique educational preparation, skills, scope of practice, and relationship with those we serve must be articulated and honored. The Primary Nursing care delivery model gives practical, functional life to the relationship of professional trust between RNs and their patients.
Analysis of chemical reaction kinetics of depredating organic pollutants from secondary effluent of wastewater treatment plant in constructed wetlands
Authors: Wang Hao , Jiang Dengling , Yang Yong , Cao Guoping
Published: November 2012

Four subsurface constructed wetlands were built to treat the secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant in Tangshan, China. The chemical pollutant indexes of chemical oxygen demand (COD) were analyzed to evaluate the removal efficiency of organic pollutants from the secondary effluent of the wastewater treatment plant. In all cases, the subsurface constructed wetlands were efficient in treating organic pollutants. Under the same hydraulic loading condition, the horizontal flow wetlands exhibited better efficiency of COD removal than vertical flow wetlands: the removal rates in horizontal flow wetlands could be maintained at 68.4 ± 2.42% to 92.2 ± 1.61%, compared with 63.8 ± 1.19% to 85.0 ± 1.25% in the vertical flow wetlands. Meanwhile, the chemical reaction kinetics of organic pollutants was analyzed, and the results showed that the degradation courses of the four subsurface wetlands all corresponded with the first order reaction kinetics to a large extent.
Precipitation of heavy metals from coal ash leachate using biogenic hydrogen sulfide generated from FGD gypsum
Authors: Jayaranjan Madawala Liyanage Duminda , Annachhatre Ajit P.
Published: November 2012

Investigations were undertaken to utilize flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum for the treatment of leachate from the coal ash (CA) dump sites. Bench-scale investigations consisted of three main steps namely hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) using sulfate from solubilized FGD gypsum as the electron acceptor, followed by leaching of heavy metals (HMs) from coal bottom ash (CBA) and subsequent precipitation of HMs using biologically produced sulfide. Leaching tests of CBA carried out at acidic pH revealed the existence of several HMs such as Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Mn, Cu, Ni and Zn. Molasses was used as the electron donor for the biological sulfate reduction (BSR) process which produced sulfide rich effluent with concentration up to 150 mg/L. Sulfide rich effluent from the sulfate reduction process was used to precipitate HMs as metal sulfides from CBA leachate. HM removal in the range from 40 to 100% was obtained through sulfide precipitation.
An approximate solution for two-dimensional groundwater infiltration in sewer systems
Authors: Guo Shuai , Zhang Tuqiao , Zhang Yiping , Zhu David Z.
Published: November 2012

Estimating groundwater infiltration into sewer systems is important for wastewater treatment operators and municipalities. This paper presents an approximate solution for steady-state groundwater infiltration into sewer systems through line defects. The groundwater table was assumed to be horizontal and the aquifer homogeneous and isotropic. Mobius transformation technique and equivalent circumference method were introduced to solve the governing equation. The infiltration rate is found to be controlled by the hydraulic conductivity of the surrounding soil, the total hydraulic head above the sewer pipe, the size of the sewer pipe, the position of the defect, and the size of the defect.