bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Narrow Internal Auditory Canal in Children: A Contraindication to Cochlear Implants
Authors: Shelton Clough , Luxford William M. , Tonokawa Lisa L. , Lo William W. M. , House William F.
Published: August 2015

We suggest a new explanation for the lack of auditory response to electric stimulation in children with cochlear implants: The very narrow internal auditory canal, 1 to 2 mm in diameter, and the probable absence of the cochlear nerve. This defect can be seen on high‐resolution computed tomographic x‐ray studies and may represent aplasia of the auditory‐vestibular nerve. We report on eight children with this anomaly, three of whom have received implants and failed to respond with a sensation of sound. Identification of this problem on screening x‐ray films is a contraindication to cochlear Implantation for auditory stimulation.
Otitis Media in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Study
Authors: Derkay Craig S. , Bluestone Charles D. , Thompson Ann E. , Kardatske David
Published: August 2015

Otitis media has been previously shown to be a source of sepsis in the pediatric intensive care unit; however, pneumatic otoscopy and other otologic instruments are not commonly used in the pediatric intensive care unit. We undertook a prospective study to determine the prevalence of otitis media, to assess the risk factors involved with the development of these nosocomial infections, and to identify the causative organisms. We conclude that otitis media is a common entity in the pediatric intensive care unit, that it is probably caused by prolonged dysfunction of the eustachian tube associated with oral and nasally‐placed tubes and that the bacteriology reflects that of the hospital environment and not that of the community.
Electrically Stimulated Increases in Cochlear Blood Flow: I. Frequency and Intensity Effects
Authors: Sillman Jonathon S. , LaRouere Michael J. , Masta Robert I. , Miller Josef M. , Nuttall Alfred L.
Published: August 2015

Charge‐balanced, sinusoidal current was passed differentially between the apex and round window of the guinea pig cochlea. Cochlear blood flow was measured using a laser Doppler flow monitor. Systemic blood pressure was monitored from a cannula within the common carotid artery. Electrical stimulation increased cochlear blood flow, while systemic blood pressure was unaffected. A cochlear blood flow response parameter, normalized for transient changes in systemic blood pressure, was defined. The magnitude of the response parameter was found to be frequency selective and was also found to be an increasing function of current intensity, with maximum responses obtained with 500 Hz sinusoids. This cochlear blood flow response was not observed in dead animals; was present in preparations paralyzed with gallamine hydrochloride; and was correlated with an increase in cochlear red blood cell velocity, as directly observed by intravital microscopy. These observations imply that electrical stimulation induces a local vasodilation within the temporal bone. The fact that decreased cochlear blood flow was never observed with current injection implies that ischemia is not a likely mechanism of electrically induced tissue damage within the inner ear. The mechanism of this cochlear blood flow response is addressed in a companion report.
Are We Teaching Medical Students What They Need to Know?
Authors: Ganzel Toni M. , Martinez Serge A.
Published: August 2015

If our broad goal for undergraduate education is to prepare students for residency and the eventual practice of medicine, the specific knowledge and skills we teach should reflect those that will be required of them to perform well as residents and practicing physicians. To determine and compare priority goals and objectives, we surveyed otolaryngology educators, a representative group of physicians in practice, and a representative group of residents. Pariticipants were asked to evaluate the level of knowledge and skills necessary for students to attain in various areas of otolaryngology by ranking each item by a score of 0 to 3 according to its required depth of knowledge or skill. A rank “order of importance” was developed based on mean scores. The highest‐ranking areas of knowledge were otitis media, airway obstruction, tonsillitis, and croup/epiglottitis, whereas the highest‐ranking skills were history and physical examination of the head and neck, throat cultures, and use of the otoscope and pneumatoscope. The lowest‐ranking areas of knowledge were voice disorders and ear deformities, whereas the lowest‐ranking skills were interpreting electronystagmograms and stapedial reflex testing. We review the findings of our survey and comment on their role in undergraduate curriculum planning for otolaryngology.
Early adolescents and “going out”
Authors: Christopher F. Scott , Poulsen Franklin O. , McKenney Sarah J.
Published: August 2015

Although it is clear that early adolescents pursue and establish romantic relationships, less is known about the hallmarks of these pairings, even though they are linked to current and future close relationships. Based on adolescent identity formation and identity theory, we used theoretical concepts of roles, role expectations, and role enactments to inform our study. We conducted a series of same-sex and same-age focus groups with sixth and eighth graders and analyzed their responses using a grounded theory approach. We found that early adolescent romantic role enactments could be aggregated into two broad types of experiences. On the one hand, some youth were uncomfortable with interacting with a romantic partner. They often relied on texting as opposed to face-to-face interactions with partners. On the other hand, other early adolescents were more at ease engaging in romantic roles. They spent time interacting with their partners, shared personal information with each other, were physically affectionate, and created boundaries that defined their romantic relationships as different from other close relationships. The findings support our assertion that when early adolescents enact the new role of “romantic partner,” and develop a personal set of role expectations for this role, it requires learning, direct experience, and maturation before they can successfully engage in this role.
L2 Chinese: Grammatical development and processing
Authors: Mai Ziyin
Published: August 2015

Two recent books (Jiang, 2014, Advances in Chinese as a second language; Wang, 2013, Grammatical development of Chinese among non-native speakers) provide new resources for exploring the role of processing in acquiring Chinese as a second language (L2). This review article summarizes, assesses and compares some of the findings in these books with reference to current interests in L2 sentence processing and other research findings in L2 Chinese. It is shown that there have been serious attempts to link acquisition and processing of L2 Chinese, and that Chinese offers rich materials to study how L2 learners develop sensitivity to semantic and discourse conditions on L2 structures and acquire new grammatical features associated with them through parsing the input. However, to reach this goal, a more fine-grained approach to L2 Chinese structures and their processability needs to be taken.
Assessing Collaborative Policymaking Outcomes
Authors: Siddiki Saba , Goel Shilpi
Published: August 2015

Administrators and policymakers increasingly rely on collaborative policymaking groups to inform policy development. While this trend is observed in a wide array of policy domains, it is particularly common in the regulation of natural resource-based industries which requires the simultaneous consideration of an interrelated set of economic, technical, and social factors. In this article, we examine outcomes associated with collaborative policymaking groups involved in informing state aquaculture policy, referred to herein as aquaculture partnerships. We define outcomes here as consequences on relevant contextual conditions (social, political, and environmental) that follow from the work or design of collaborative processes. Using data collected through an online survey of partnership participants ( n = 123), we examine individual and procedural factors that significantly associate with partnerships’ positive or negative influence on a set of policy and social outcomes, as perceived by their participants. Overall, we find that participants’ ability to mobilize scientific and technical resources to achieve group objectives, perceptions of procedural fairness, and individual-level learning are all positively associated with partnership influence on policy and/or social outcomes. We conclude our article by highlighting the value of this research for both scholars and practitioners interested in better understanding collaborative group dynamics and outcomes relating thereto.
Mutual Benefits and Equity amid Racial Diversity
Authors: Myers Dowell
Published: August 2015

A mutual benefits strategy is proposed to reduce political resistance to greater social equity. Growing racial diversity signals a new era, but emphasis on projected change provokes defensive reactions. The twenty-first-century demography also includes massive aging and a white voting majority until 2060, so benefits of equity should be detailed for the older generation. Those include better workers, taxpayers, and home buyers resulting from investment in the new generation. Emphasis on intergenerational mutual benefits bridges divides and can build support for a broader agenda of a shared future. The mutual benefits strategy could help curb the polarization widening in America.
Melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol attenuates oxidative hepatocellular injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Elbe H , Esrefoglu M , Vardi N , Taslidere E , Ozerol E , Tanbek K
Published: August 2015

In this study, effects of melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol on hepatocellular injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental diabetes were aimed to be investigated by histological and biochemical methods. Thirty-five male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups, namely, control, diabetes (STZ 45 mg/kg/single dose/intraperitoneally (ip)), diabetes + melatonin (10 mg/kg/30 days/ip), diabetes + quercetin (25 mg/kg/30 days/ip) and diabetes + resveratrol (10 mg/kg/30 days/ip). Initial and final blood glucose levels and body weights (BWs) were measured. At the end of the experimentation, following routine tissue processing procedure, sections were stained with haematoxylin–eosin (H-E), periodic acid Schiff and Masson’s trichrome. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were examined. The diabetic rats had significantly higher blood glucose levels than those of control rats ( p = 0.0001). Mean BWs of diabetic rats were significantly decreased when compared with the control rats ( p = 0.0013). Histopathological alterations including cellular glycogen depletion, congestion, sinusoidal dilatation, inflammation and fibrosis were detected in diabetes group. On the other hand, histopathological changes markedly reduced in all of the treatment groups ( p = 0.001). Mean tissue MDA level was increased but mean tissue CAT and SOD activities and GSH levels were decreased in the diabetes group. Melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol administered diabetic rats showed an increase in CAT activities and GSH levels and a decrease in MDA levels ( p < 0.05, for all). Melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol administrations markedly reduced hepatocellular injury in STZ-induced experimental diabetes.
Transition Needs of Parents of Adolescents and Emerging Adults With Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities
Authors: Betz Cecily L. , Nehring Wendy M. , Lobo Marie L.
Published: August 2015

The period of health care transition (HCT) for adolescents and emerging adults with special health care needs and disabilities involves a complex realignment of the parent–child relationship, including alterations in role responsibilities and decision making. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the research designs, methodology, and findings reported in studies of parents during this transition period to provide new insights for research and clinical practice. Results showed that parents were unable to clearly envision what the future held for their children and were not well prepared by the service system to anticipate future prospects. These parents have a myriad of needs that are not yet fully understood, as HCT research is in the early stages of development.
Exercise in the Treatment of Claudication: Assessment and Treatment of Functional Impairment
Authors: Regensteiner Judith G
Published: August 2015

Claudication is an important cause of impaired exercise capacity, which limits a patient's ability to walk and thus to meet the personal, social and occupational demands of daily life. Given that improvement of the walking impairment is the primary goal of treating claudication, exercise performance and functional status of patients with claudication should be measured before and after any intervention. Assessment of functional status in both the laboratory and community settings is important so that the various treatments can be judged as to relative efficacy. Studies have shown that exercise training programs have a clinically important impact on functional capacity in persons with claudication. A meta-analysis showed that pain-free walking time increased 180% and maximal walking time increased 120% in claudicants who participated in an exercise program. Substantial improvements have been found in walking speeds and distances (65% and 44%, respectively), caloric expenditure (31%) and physical functioning (67%).
Basal Nitric Oxide Production is Not Reduced in Patients with Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Catalano Maria , Carzaniga Gianni , Perilli Edoardo , Jun Tao , Scandale Giovanni , Andreoni Simona , Carotta Maria
Published: August 2015

Vascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity, disability and death in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Abnormalities in endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) have been demonstrated to be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular disease. By measuring hemodynamic responses to a NO synthase agonist or antagonist, previous studies have shown the presence of NO deficiency in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, a method of assessing bioactive NO formation. However, direct biochemical evidence that this is the case, has not been produced. In vivo NO is metabolized into nitrate, an end breakdown product of NO, which can be used as an index of endogenous NO formation. To investigate further whether decreased basal synthesis of NO may be a major cause of endothelium-mediated vascular dysfunction in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, the plasma nitrite/nitrate levels of 15 patients were examined and compared with 13 normal controls. The results showed that in basal conditions plasma nitrite/nitrate levels were not reduced in diabetic patients compared with normal controls (37.3 ± 14.7 versus 29.4 ± 8.6 μmol/l). It was concluded that in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients, endothelium-derived basal NO formation is not impaired. This study, taken with previous observations, suggests that factors other than diminished basal NO production, such as reduced bioavailability of NO probably due to the augmented production of superoxide anion with subsequently increased inactivation of NO, contribute to the high incidence of vascular disease in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Hemostatic/Fibrinolytic Predictors of Allograft Coronary Artery Disease after Cardiac Transplantation
Authors: Meckel Clyde R , Anderson Todd J , Mudge Gilbert H , Mitchell Richard N , Yeung Alan C , Selwyn Andrew P , Ganz Peter , Simon Daniel I
Published: August 2015

Allograft coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality affecting the long-term survival of patients after cardiac transplantation. Because there is increasing evidence that imbalances in hemostatic and fibrinolytic pathways are associated with graft failure, we hypothesized that atherothrombotic risk factors may contribute to allograft CAD. This study sought to determine if plasma hemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters are associated with the severity of allograft CAO. The extent of allograft CAD was investigated by angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in 16 cardiac transplant recipients. Intimal thickening was quantified using IVUS by measuring the intimal index (li = intimal area/[intimal area + luminal area]) in two to five segments of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. The maximal li per patient was calculated and index to the time post-transplant (Mxli/Yr). Plasma fibrinogen (FGN), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), and net fibrinolytic activity of plasma were assayed 6−24 months after transplant as indicators of the fibrinolytic system and then correlated with the IVUS measurements. The FGN level correlated with the severity of initimal thickening, Mxli/Yr ( r2 = 0.41, p = 0.008), and was inversely correlated with angiographic tertiary vessel filling ( r2 = −0.25, p = 0.051). In patients with lower plasma fibrinolytic activity (lytic zone less than 100 mm2), Mxli/Yr was increased eightfold (0.218 ± 0.137 versus 0.025 ± 0.021, p = 0.001). t-PA ( r2 = 0.0004, p = 0.94), PAI-1 ( r2 = 0.008, p = 0.75) and Lp(a) levels ( r2 = 0.11, p = 0.21) did not predict Mxli/Yr. Thus, we demonstrate that plasma FGN and net fibrinolytic activity correlate with the degree of intimal thickening measured by IVUS after cardiac transplantation. These data suggest that fibrin deposition may play a role in allograft CAD after cardiac transplantation.
Inherited Hypercoagulable States
Authors: Rao A Koneti , Sheth Sunita , Kaplan Robert
Published: August 2015

Hypercoagulable states are a group of conditions associated with increased predisposition to thromboembolic events. Most of the inherited abnormalities recognized to date are associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) rather than arterial thrombosis. The well-recognized inherited hypercoagulable states are the deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C and protein S, and the resistance to APC (factor V Leiden). These entities represent aberrations in the natural anticoagulant systems that exist in plasma. Other causes of inherited thrombophilia include abnormalities in the proteins of the fibrinolytic system, dysfibrinogenemias, deficiency of heparin cofactor II, abnormal thrombomodulin, elevated levels of histidine-rich glycoprotein, and the recently described variation in the prothrombin gene. One entity that has become firmly established as a predisposing factor for recurrent VTE is hyperhomocysteinemia. About half of VTE episodes in patients with inherited thrombophilias occur in relation to events that are generally recognized as predisposing states, such as surgery, pregnancy (particularly puerperium) and immobilization. In this review, the risks of VTE associated with inherited risk factors are discussed, and guidelines for the diagnosis and management are presented.
Lymphedema: Anatomy, Physiology and Pathogenesis
Authors: Szuba Andrzej , Rockson Stanley G
Published: August 2015

The authors review the current understanding of lymphatic anatomy and physiology, and the pathophysiology of lymphedema. The skin lymphatic system consists of the initial lymphatics, which converge into lymphatic precollectors, collectors and lymphatic ducts; these in turn convey the lymph to the regional lymph nodes. Interstitial fluid and particles enter the initial lymphatics through interendothelial openings and by vesicular transport. Lymphatic uptake is enhanced by external compression. Lymphatic transport depends greatly on contraction of lymphangions, which generate the suction force that promotes absorption of interstitial fluid and expels lymph to collecting ducts.

In lymphedema, various types of congenital and acquired abnormalities of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes have been observed. These often lead to lymphatic hypertension, valvular insufficiency and lymphostasis. Accumulation of interstitial and lymphatic fluid within the skin and subcutaneous tissue stimulates fibroblasts, keratinocytes and adipocytes eventuating in the deposition of collagen and glycosaminoglycans within the skin and subcutaneous tissue together with skin hypertrophy and destruction of elastic fibers.
Shadowing: Who benefits and how? Uncovering a booming EFL teaching technique for listening comprehension
Authors: Hamada Yo
Published: August 2015

This study examines common claims associated with shadowing. Studies in Japan conclude that shadowing is effective for improving learners’ listening skills. Two common claims are that shadowing is effective for lower-proficiency learners and that it enhances learners’ phoneme perception, thus improving listening comprehension skills. The former notion lacks sufficient research and the latter empirical data. Therefore, this study explores these claims by examining whether shadowing training improves learners’ phoneme perception and listening comprehension skills, and whether its effectiveness is limited to lower-proficiency learners. Participants comprised 43 Japanese learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) from a Japanese national university. Nine lessons were conducted using an EFL textbook, following the teaching procedures outlined by previous studies. The pre- and post-tests utilized part of Japanese standardized tests for English listening (22 questions) and a 20-item dictation cloze test. Students were divided into low- and intermediate-proficiency groups using the listening pre-test results. Statistical analyses indicated that phoneme perception was enhanced in both groups, but only low-proficiency learners improved their scores for high-school level listening questions. Accordingly, language instructors may wish to use shadowing to improve learners’ foreign language skills, especially for bottom-up processes in listening.
The afterlives of communist things: Archiving feeling in post-communist Romania
Authors: Pohrib Codruţa
Published: August 2015

This article explores the afterlives of communist everyday material culture by pitting grassroots heritage practices against officially sanctioned museum narratives in post-communist Romania. More specifically, it engages with the divergent affective attachments imposed on and contained by communist things. I focus on three different instances of engagement with everyday material culture from communism: the Sighet Memorial Museum, the online musealization of communist memorabilia in two blogs and the investigation of the social afterlives of bygone communist brands in the documentary Metrobranding (2010). My interest lies with disentangling the protocols of affective attachment to and detachment from the communist past as revealed by the shifting framing of communist things as either junk or redeemed biographical objects. These competing emotional regimes around communist materiality are, I argue, symptomatic of broader changes in mnemonic practices and provide valuable insights into the generationality of post-communist remembrances.
First steps toward critical literacy: Interactions with an English narrative text among three English as a foreign language readers in South Korea
Authors: Lee Young Ju
Published: August 2015

Three Korean children, whose English reading test scores were comparably lower than their peers' and who showed a tendency to withdraw from class activities or resist texts, participated in a reading tutoring programme in South Korea. By reflecting on the three students' interactions with an English text, the current paper argues that resistant readers' mere understanding of texts can be deepened while they diversify their perspectives for viewing textual messages and beliefs. In the process, with a range of explicit scaffolding, the students' resistance could be harnessed as a meaningful opportunity to promote multiple perspectives regarding texts and sociocultural practices. This article suggests that letting students develop multiple perspectives based on critical reflections on texts and sociocultural practices, by being exposed to a variety of books and engaging in critical analysis, should be a vital component of literacy classrooms.
Inequality and Risk-Taking
Authors: Mishra Sandeep , Hing Leanne S. Son , Lalumière Martin L.
Published: August 2015

Inequality has been associated with risk-taking at the societal level. However, this relationship has not been directly investigated at the individual level. Risk-sensitivity theory predicts that decision makers should increase risk-taking in situations of disparity between one’s present state and desired state. Economic inequality creates such a disparity. In two experiments, we examined whether imposed economic inequality affects risk-taking. In Experiment 1, we examined whether victims of inequality engaged in greater risk-taking compared to beneficiaries of inequality and those not experiencing inequality. In Experiment 2, we examined whether ameliorating inequality for victims reduced risk-taking. In both experiments, victims of inequality engaged in greater risk-taking compared to beneficiaries of inequality and those not experiencing inequality. Among victims, amelioration of inequality contributed to decreased risk-taking. These findings provide further evidence in support of risk-sensitivity theory and suggest that reductions in economic inequality may lead to lower risk-taking.
Is Obesity Stigma Based on Perceptions of Appearance or Character? Theory, Evidence, and Directions for Further Study
Authors: van Leeuwen Florian , Hunt David Francis , Park Justin H.
Published: August 2015

Theoretical approaches to stigmatization have highlighted distinct psychological mechanisms underlying distinct instances of stigmatization. Some stigmas are based on inferences of substandard psychological character (e.g., individuals deemed untrustworthy), whereas others are based on perceptions of substandard physical appearance (e.g., individuals with physical deformities). These inferences and perceptions are associated with specific cognitive and motivational processes, which have implications for understanding specific instances of stigmatization. Recent theoretical approaches and empirical findings suggest that obesity stigma involves both inferences of substandard psychological character and perceptions of substandard physical appearance. We provide a review of the relevant evidence and discuss directions for future research.
Moving with the movement: Collaboratively building a participatory action research study of social movement learning in Ada, Ghana
Authors: Langdon Jonathan , Larweh Kofi
Published: August 2015

While participatory research methods, especially participatory action research, are a recognized approach to the study of social movement learning, the way in which this participatory relationship is framed and designed has deep implications on the collaborative nature of the research. Studies overly framed and designed by academics, as opposed to collectively designed with movements, run the risk of mining movements for information as opposed to contributing to their goals and learning. This paper describes a co-owned design process, based on established relationships, with a social movement in Ghana where being based in movement-articulations helps the research move with the movement. This co-owned process sets the stage for the emergence of movement embedded knowledge democracy.
Three dimensionalde novomicro bone marrow and its versatile application in drug screening and regenerative medicine
Authors: Li Guanqun , Liu Xujun , Du Qian , Gao Mei , An Jing
Published: August 2015

The finding that bone marrow hosts several types of multipotent stem cell has prompted extensive research aimed at regenerating organs and building models to elucidate the mechanisms of diseases. Conventional research depends on the use of two-dimensional (2D) bone marrow systems, which imposes several obstacles. The development of 3D bone marrow systems with appropriate molecules and materials however, is now showing promising results. In this review, we discuss the advantages of 3D bone marrow systems over 2D systems and then point out various factors that can enhance the 3D systems. The intensive research on 3D bone marrow systems has revealed multiple important clinical applications including disease modeling, drug screening, regenerative medicine, etc. We also discuss some possible future directions in the 3D bone marrow research field.
Spectrin’s chimeric E2/E3 enzymatic activity
Authors: Goodman Steven R , Petrofes Chapa Rachel , Zimmer Warren E
Published: August 2015

In this minireview, we cover the discovery of the human erythrocyte α spectrin E2/E3 ubiquitin conjugating/ligating enzymatic activity and the specific cysteines involved. We then discuss the consequences when this activity is partially inhibited in sickle cell disease and the possibility that the same attenuation is occurring in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. We finish by discussing the reasons for believing that nonerythroid α spectrin isoforms (I and II) also have this activity and the importance of testing this hypothesis. If correct, this would suggest that the nonerythroid spectrin isoforms play a major role in protein ubiquitination in all cell types. This would open new fields in experimental biology focused on uncovering the impact that this enzymatic activity has upon protein–protein interactions, protein turnover, cellular signaling, and many other functions impacted by spectrin, including DNA repair.
Selective maintenance scheduling over a finite planning horizon
Authors: Pandey Mayank , Zuo Ming J , Moghaddass Ramin
Published: August 2015

A preventive maintenance scheduling model is proposed in this article. The proposed model includes finite planning horizon and limited available resources to perform maintenance scheduling. A subset of maintenance actions, that is, selective maintenance is needed during maintenance breaks due to limited resources such as time, cost, and repairman availability. Maintenance can not only improve the effective age of a component but also may alter the hazard rate. Therefore, a hybrid imperfect maintenance model is used in this article that considers the combined effect of age reduction and hazard adjustment on a component. For a multi-component system, selective maintenance is performed at periodic intervals. In addition to maintenance and failure costs, we have included the maintenance break duration and the shutdown cost in the proposed scheduling model. A periodic maintenance scheduling problem is solved in this article for a series–parallel system. The optimal number of periodic maintenance breaks in a finite planning horizon is determined. Also, maintenance actions required during each of the maintenance breaks are determined. The number of periodic maintenance breaks and maintenance actions during these breaks is selected in a way that the total maintenance, failure, and shutdown cost are minimum. An evolutionary algorithm is used to solve the problem.
A proposed integrated model of resistance to anti-smoking messages
Authors: Mourre Marie-Laure , Gurviez Patricia
Published: August 2015

We propose and test an extension of the planned behavior model to reflect resistance to preventive public health messages. Our results relate to an anti-smoking advertisement and show that the detection of persuasive intent, a promotion-oriented regulatory focus and perceived behavioral control lead to an increase in resistance to persuasion.
Embryo Culture Media, Culture Techniques and Embryo Selection: A Tribute to Wesley Kingston Whitten
Authors: Nielsen Hans Ingolf , Ali Jaffar
Published: August 2015

This review article gives a brief history of the classical experiments that led to the development of the embryo culture medium and in vitro embryo culture. It proposes that, in view of the outstanding and significant pioneering contributions of Wesley Kingston Whitten to the development of embryo culture medium, he be considered the “Father of Embryo Culture Medium”. Furthermore, it describes the nutritional requirements of early embryos and how these requirements with specific references to carbohydrates, amino acids, phosphates, growth factors, etc, have been utilized to formulate increasingly more complex embryo culture media. This has led to the development of progressively more efficacious embryo culture media including the formulation of completely defined and synthetic protein-free embryo culture medium. The review also describes physical factors, growth factors, insemination methods for the fertilization of oocytes and culture methods affecting embryo growth, development, metabolism, oxygen embryotoxicity and survival. In procedural terms, the review also summarizes the evolution of embryo culture techniques from tube culture to, microdrop culture under oil to co-culture to ultra microdrop culture techniques. It includes techniques of in vitro maturation and for the selection of potentially viable embryos of various developmental stages.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Selection
Authors: Coskun Serdar , Qubbaj Wafa
Published: August 2015

The availability of assisted reproductive technologies and advances in molecular biology gave rise to preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). PGD is an early form of prenatal diagnosis and determines the genotype of an embryo before implantation takes place to avoid the implantation of diseased embryos. This requires couples to adhere to a strict family planning and effective contraceptive strategy, and undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. During IVF, sampling of the cells can be performed at different developmental stages from polar body biopsy to trophectoderm cells from the blastocysts. It is indicated in couples with a family history of monogenic autosomal or X-linked recessive or dominant disorders and in detecting chromosomal aberrations of the embryos. The genetic diagnosis is performed using appropriate molecular testing which might include polymerase chain reaction, fluorescent in situ hybridization, comparative genomic hybridization or microarrays. PGD is now a well-established procedure and offers an alternative reproductive choice for couples who are at risk of an affected child. In this review, the past, present and future aspect of PGD will be covered.
Cryopreservation of Human Ovarian Tissue
Authors: Rodriguez-Wallberg Kenny , Hovatta Outi
Published: August 2015

Cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue would benefit women who are likely to lose their ovarian function because of chemo- or radiotherapy or due to genetic disorders or other causes. In animal experiments, it has been studied for sixty years. For human fertility preservation it started in 1996. Slow programmed freezing was first established. It has become a standard method to be offered to women facing premature ovarian failure. Several protocols and cryoprotectants have been used, most frequently propanediol combined with sucrose, ethylene glycol or dimethylsulfoxide. Functional recovery of frozen-thawed tissue has been shown in ovarian follicle cultures and xenotransplantation. Several healthy infants have already been born after orthotopic transplantation of frozen-thawed tissue to cured women. In vitro follicle culture methods for women who have a risk of re-introduction of malignancy, are under development. A more recent cryopreservation method is vitrification using a combination of cryoprotectants. It has been functional in animal experiments, and the recent results with human ovarian tissue look very promising even though vitrification has so far not been used in human transplantation. Freezing of isolated ovarian follicles is an option which has been studied. Whole ovary freezing with a vascular pedicle which enables vascular anastomosis at transplantation, is a challenging new experimental method.
In Vitro Maturation of Human Immature Oocytes
Authors: Lim Jin-Ho , Chian Ri-Cheng
Published: August 2015

Ovarian stimulation regimes may be hazardous to a small proportion of women or may result in side effects. For such women IVM is recommended. IVM technology can be divided into two main approaches, namely (i) FSH and (ii) hCG priming. These two approaches improve oocyte maturation and pregnancy rates when the immature oocytes are retrieved from women with PCOS. Although the size of follicles appears to be important for subsequent embryonic development however the developmental competence of oocytes derived from the small antral follicles seems not to be adversely affected by the presence of a dominant follicle. In general, the clinical pregnancy and implantation rates per ET are now in the order of 35–40% and 10–15% respectively in women with PCOS following IVM. The combination of natural cycle IVF with immature oocyte retrieval followed by IVM is an attractive treatment alternative for women with various forms of infertility without recourse to ovarian stimulation. Natural cycle IVF/M together with IVM alone can be used to treat more than half of the population of infertile patients with acceptable pregnancy rate. Approximately 2,000 healthy infants have been born following immature oocyte retrieval and IVM.
Vitrification of Human Oocytes and Embryos of Different Development Stages
Authors: Elnahas Ahmed , Alcolak Ebru , Marar Ehab Abu , Elnahas Tamer , Elnahas Kareem , Palapelas Vassili , Diedrich Klaus , Al-Hasani Safaa
Published: August 2015

Cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos leads to increased cumulative pregnancy rates, enables the recovery of the cost of treatment for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), minimizes risks of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS) through reducing number of stimulated cycles, reduces the risks of multiple pregnancy, allows patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy to preserve their fertility. In addition it also offers hope to those with genetic diseases such as Turner Syndrome and premature ovarian failure, or both. With the high viability rates now obtained following cryopreservation by vitrification of oocytes and embryos it is no longer a concern that compliance with regulation of certain countries that requires selection of limited number of oocytes for fertilization or the transfer of single embryos will compromise the patients' chances of achieving pregnancy. Considerable effort is now focused on optimising the vitrification technique of cryopreservation worldwide. It is recommended vitrification is used instead of slow freezing as the latter is costly necessitating the purchase of programmable freezers, tedious and time consuming.
The Psychological Needs of Women Undergoing IVF Treatment
Authors: Haelyon Hilla
Published: August 2015

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) research has achieved a breakthrough in the understanding of natural reproductive processes and their possible ineffective outcomes. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has succeeded in treating chronic fertility problems that could not be solved by routine interventions. IVF reaped its first success in 1978, with the birth of the world's first ‘test-tube baby’: Louise Joy Brown's birth indeed confirmed the feasibility of retrieving ova from the follicles, inseminating them under laboratory conditions, transferring the fertilized ova to the patient's uterus and supporting their implantation. IVF opened a new era in the treatment of infertility, offering hope to women and couples who otherwise would have remained childless. Yet this technological achievement has given rise to controversy on ethical issues and questions about the legal rights to apply modern reproductive technologies. The legal and public debates surrounding IVF treatment started long before the day-to-day experiences of IVF patients received any in-depth attention. Hence, the experiences of women undergoing IVF treatment remained largely external to the bioethical debate. In the present article, I shall claim that understanding the female experience is an essential element in the bioethical debate on IVF. This claim is valid regardless of whether the problem treated originates in the woman or her male partner, as in either case the woman is the one undergoing the surgical procedure. The present article summarizes research on the experiences of IVF-treated women in Israel, and discusses the relevance of this research's findings to the bioethical debate in this respect.
Overview of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Inspection Process for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Laboratories
Authors: Boone William R.
Published: August 2015

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves over 300 reproductive laboratories in four countries. The goal of CAP is to improve laboratory conditions for the patient and the personnel who work in the laboratory. CAP accomplishes this goal through proficiency testing and inspections. Qualified inspectors will arrive, at a prearranged time, to inspect a laboratory. They will review procedure manuals, inspect reagents, instruments and equipment, and verify calibration of instruments/equipment. In addition, they will inspect the laboratory to insure the safety of the patients, their gametes, and the safety of the laboratory personnel. A summary report will be generated by the inspectors as to their findings with written reports given to the laboratory director and to CAP. It is through such organizations as CAP that the quality of patient results and the safety and well-being of the patient and the laboratory personnel have been improved over the years.
Production and Characterization of Putative ntES Cells from Handmade Cloned Goat Embryos Derived from Adult Fibroblast Donor Cells
Authors: Dutta Rahul , Malakar Dhruba , Akshey Yogesh S. , Sahu Shailendra , Jena Manoj Kumar , Banerjee Dipak , Khate Keviletsu
Published: August 2015

In the field of nuclear transfer handmade cloning (HMC) technique has been a relatively recent addition. In the present investigation attempts were made to efficiently derive stem cell from hand made cloned (HMC) embryos in goat using adult fibroblast donor cell and to characterize the derived putative ntES cell for their stemness. Oocytes were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries and matured in maturation medium containing TCM199 (HEPES modified), 1 μg/ml FSH, 10 μg/ml LH, 1 μg/ml Estradiol-17β, 3% BSA and 5% FBS. The efficiency of the donor fibroblast cell for nuclear transfer was also assessed and an overall cleavage and morula formation rate of 62.44%±3.9 & 35.30%±3.86 was obtained respectively. Genetic relationship between the cloned embryos and donor cells was established by PCR amplification of highly polymorphic goat major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DRB gene. The PCR products were further subjected to SSCP for confirming the genetic relationship conclusively. Stem cell colonies were successfully derived from HMC embryos obtained from fibroblast donor cell. Primary colony formation rate was 61.66%±4.62 for fibroblast donor cell derived embryos. The putative ntES colonies were positively characterized for extracellular markers like alkaline phosphatase, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, SSEA-1, SSEA-4 by immunocytochemistry and intracellular markers like Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog with reverse-transcription-PCR. The differentiating ability of the derived cells was tested by embryoid body formation. Then the derived putative ntES cells were successfully cryopreserved for further investigation. The study has established an efficient protocol for putative ntES cell derivation from HMC embryos using adult fibroblast as a donor cell. It could be concluded that the present investigation has substantial significance as patient specific ntES cells have proven their therapeutic significance.
Detection of Apoptosis in Ejaculated Human Spermatozoa before and after Vapor Freezing
Authors: Peirouvi Tahmineh , Sadaghiani Mehrzad , Noroozinia Farahnaz , Salami Siamak , Abed Farhang
Published: August 2015

The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of vapor freezing on apoptosis of human spermatozoa in infertile and fertile men. Semen samples were collected from infertile (n=25) and fertile (n=10) men after 48h abstinence of intercourse. After standard semen analysis, each semen sample was divided into two aliquots. First aliquot was assessed by TUNEL assay for showing apoptosis before vapor freezing and second aliquot was assessed after thawing. Results were analyzed by Wilcoxon matched pairs test. Mean percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased in both infertile and fertile men. Apoptotic cells were lower in fertile men than infertile men. DNA fragmentation occurs at head and mid piece of the spermatozoa after freezing and thawing. Therefore freezing and thawing induced fragmentation of DNA spermatozoa and reduced fertility potential of spermatozoa in ART procedures.
Human Oocyte Cryopreservation - An Emerging ART Technique: Are We Heading in the Right Direction?
Authors: Javed Murid , Esfandiari Navid , Swain Jason , Michael Essam
Published: August 2015

Oocyte cryopreservation is a promising adjunct to human assisted reproductive technology. Slow rate freezing has been the cryopreservation standard for storage of sperm, embryos and, subsequently, oocytes. However, earlier concerns regarding damage to the meiotic spindle, loss of cortical granules and the low success rates as compared to the relative success of embryo cryopreservation caused little interest until the 1990s. Interest increased when many studies indicated that acceptable oocyte survival, in vitro fertilization, normal embryos and adequate blastocyst development can be achieved with oocyte cryopreservation. Recently introduced oocyte vitrification techniques are proving to be more efficient. Survival rates are close to 100% and developmental rates are similar to those achieved with fresh oocytes. This efficiency opens the way to the widespread application of the technique in various medical, legal, and social situations, even to replace embryo cryopreservation with the oocyte cryopreservation. Oocyte vitrification has dominated slow freezing to such an extent that it may soon become the exclusive cryopreservation choice, especially considering that potential disease transmission problems commonly associated with vitrification due to direct exposure of oocytes to liquid nitrogen can be eliminated by using the proper techniques and devices. Furthermore, cryopreservation of immature oocytes, ovarian follicles, ovarian tissue and whole ovary are other emerging technologies. Oocyte cryopreservation has tremendous opportunity for preserving fertility in cancer patients, for those who may not have sperm following oocyte retrieval and for those women who wish to delay their motherhood. The purpose of this article is to review the history of oocyte cryopreservation, its applications, current cryopreservation techniques and future trends for fertility cryopreservation, to determine if oocyte cryopreservation is proceeding in the right direction.