bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinoic Acid Receptor β Controls Development of Striatonigral Projection Neurons through FGF-Dependent and Meis1-Dependent Mechanisms
Authors: Rataj-Baniowska Monika , Niewiadomska-Cimicka Anna , Paschaki Marie , Szyszka-Niagolov Monika , Carramolino Laura , Torres Miguel , Dollé Pascal , Krężel Wojciech
Published: October 2015

The mammalian striatum controls sensorimotor and psychoaffective functions through coordinated activities of its two striatonigral and striatopallidal output pathways. Here we show that retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) controls development of a subpopulation of GABAergic,Gad65-positive striatonigral projection neurons. InRarb−/−knock-out mice, concomitant reduction ofGad65, dopamine receptor D1 (Drd1), and substance P expression at different phases of prenatal development was associated with reduced number ofDrd1-positive cells at birth, in contrast to normal numbers of striatopallidal projection neurons expressing dopamine receptor D2. Fate mapping using BrdU pulse-chase experiments revealed that such deficits may originate from compromised proliferation of late-born striosomal neurons and lead to decreased number ofDrd1-positive cells retaining BrdU in postnatal day (P) 0Rarb−/−striatum. Reduced expression ofFgf3in the subventricular zone of the lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) at embryonic day 13.5 may underlie such deficits by inducing premature differentiation of neuronal progenitors, as illustrated by reduced expression of the proneural gene Ascl1 (Mash1) and increased expression of Meis1, a marker of postmitotic LGE neurons. In agreement with a critical role of FGF3 in this control, reduced number of Ascl1-expressing neural progenitors, and a concomitant increase of Meis1-expressing cells, were observed in primary cell cultures ofRarb−/−LGE. This defect was normalized by addition of fibroblast growth factor (FGF). Such data point to role of Meis1 in striatal development, also supported by reduced neuronal differentiation in the LGE ofMeis1−/−embryos. Our data unveil a novel mechanism of development of striatonigral projection neurons involving retinoic acid and FGF, two signals required for positioning the boundaries of Meis1-expressing cells.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe provide the first evidence that retinoic acid signaling controls development of striatonigral projection neurons, which constitute one of the two major output pathways of the striatum. Our data point to retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) as novel determinant of striatonigral pathway development, and indicate that such activities of RARβ are mediated by abnormal FGF3 and Meis1 signaling, but do not involve Isl1, Ctip2, or Ebf1, the only factors known so far to control development of these neurons. Furthermore, present data support possibility that lateral ganglionic eminence development is controlled by gradients of fibroblast growth factor and RA signaling.
Voltage-Mediated Control of Spontaneous Bundle Oscillations in Saccular Hair Cells
Authors: Meenderink Sebastiaan W. F. , Quiñones Patricia M. , Bozovic Dolores
Published: October 2015

Hair cells of the vertebrate vestibular and auditory systems convert mechanical inputs into electrical signals that are relayed to the brain. This transduction involves mechanically gated ion channels that open following the deflection of mechanoreceptive hair bundles that reside on top of these cells. The mechano-electrical transduction includes one or more active feedback mechanisms to keep the mechanically gated ion channels in their most sensitive operating range. Coupling between the gating of the mechanosensitive ion channels and this adaptation mechanism leads to the occurrence of spontaneous limit-cycle oscillations, which indeed have been observedin vitroin hair cells from the frog sacculus and the turtle basilar papilla. We obtained simultaneous optical and electrophysiological recordings from bullfrog saccular hair cells with such spontaneously oscillating hair bundles. The spontaneous bundle oscillations allowed us to characterize several properties of mechano-electrical transduction without artificial loading the hair bundle with a mechanical stimulus probe. We show that the membrane potential of the hair cell can modulate or fully suppress innate oscillations, thus controlling the dynamic state of the bundle. We further demonstrate that this control is exerted by affecting the internal calcium concentration, which sets the resting open probability of the mechanosensitive channels. The auditory and vestibular systems could use the membrane potential of hair cells, possibly controlled via efferent innervation, to tune the dynamic states of the cells.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe sensation of sound and balance starts by converting minute mechanical motions into electrical signals. This is accomplished by sensory hair cells, in which the opening and closing of mechanosensitive channels follows the motion of their hair bundles. These hair bundles can exhibit motility without an external drive. Underlying these spontaneous bundle oscillations are two coupled feedback mechanisms that improve the cell's response when mechanically stimulated. Here, we present synchronized optical and electrical recordings from cells with spontaneously oscillating bundles and show that the membrane potential may be a control parameter, tuning the cell's feedback processes. This control comes from modulation of the channel's open probability, which is affected by the concentration of calcium inside the cell.
Spatial Correlations in Natural Scenes Modulate Response Reliability in Mouse Visual Cortex
Authors: Rikhye Rajeev V. , Sur Mriganka
Published: October 2015

Intrinsic neuronal variability significantly limits information encoding in the primary visual cortex (V1). Certain stimuli can suppress this intertrial variability to increase the reliability of neuronal responses. In particular, responses to natural scenes, which have broadband spatiotemporal statistics, are more reliable than responses to stimuli such as gratings. However, very little is known about which stimulus statistics modulate reliable coding and how this occurs at the neural ensemble level. Here, we sought to elucidate the role that spatial correlations in natural scenes play in reliable coding. We developed a novel noise-masking method to systematically alter spatial correlations in natural movies, without altering their edge structure. Using high-speed two-photon calcium imagingin vivo, we found that responses in mouse V1 were much less reliable at both the single neuron and population level when spatial correlations were removed from the image. This change in reliability was due to a reorganization of between-neuron correlations. Strongly correlated neurons formed ensembles that reliably and accurately encoded visual stimuli, whereas reducing spatial correlations reduced the activation of these ensembles, leading to an unreliable code. Together with an ensemble-specific normalization model, these results suggest that the coordinated activation of specific subsets of neurons underlies the reliable coding of natural scenes.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe natural environment is rich with information. To process this information with high fidelity, V1 neurons have to be robust to noise and, consequentially, must generate responses that are reliable from trial to trial. While several studies have hinted that both stimulus attributes and population coding may reduce noise, the details remain unclear. Specifically, what features of natural scenes are important and how do they modulate reliability? This study is the first to investigate the role of spatial correlations, which are a fundamental attribute of natural scenes, in shaping stimulus coding by V1 neurons. Our results provide new insights into how stimulus spatial correlations reorganize the correlated activation of specific ensembles of neurons to ensure accurate information processing in V1.
Consolidation of Complex Events via Reinstatement in Posterior Cingulate Cortex
Authors: Bird Chris M. , Keidel James L. , Ing Leslie P. , Horner Aidan J. , Burgess Neil
Published: October 2015

It is well-established that active rehearsal increases the efficacy of memory consolidation. It is also known that complex events are interpreted with reference to prior knowledge. However, comparatively little attention has been given to the neural underpinnings of these effects. In healthy adults humans, we investigated the impact of effortful, active rehearsal on memory for events by showing people several short video clips and then asking them to recall these clips, either aloud (Experiment 1) or silently while in an MRI scanner (Experiment 2). In both experiments, actively rehearsed clips were remembered in far greater detail than unrehearsed clips when tested a week later. In Experiment 1, highly similar descriptions of events were produced across retrieval trials, suggesting a degree of semanticization of the memories had taken place. In Experiment 2, spatial patterns of BOLD signal in medial temporal and posterior midline regions were correlated when encoding and rehearsing the same video. Moreover, the strength of this correlation in the posterior cingulate predicted the amount of information subsequently recalled. This is likely to reflect a strengthening of the representation of the video's content. We argue that these representations combine both new episodic information and stored semantic knowledge (or “schemas”). We therefore suggest that posterior midline structures aid consolidation by reinstating and strengthening the associations between episodic details and more generic schematic information. This leads to the creation of coherent memory representations of lifelike, complex events that are resistant to forgetting, but somewhat inflexible and semantic-like in nature.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMemories are strengthened via consolidation. We investigated memory for lifelike events using video clips and showed that rehearsing their content dramatically boosts memory consolidation. Using MRI scanning, we measured patterns of brain activity while watching the videos and showed that, in a network of brain regions, similar patterns of brain activity are reinstated when rehearsing the same videos. Within the posterior cingulate, the strength of reinstatement predicted how well the videos were remembered a week later. The findings extend our knowledge of the brain regions important for creating long-lasting memories for complex, lifelike events.
Expression of ESR1 in Glutamatergic and GABAergic Neurons Is Essential for Normal Puberty Onset, Estrogen Feedback, and Fertility in Female Mice
Authors: Cheong Rachel Y. , Czieselsky Katja , Porteous Robert , Herbison Allan E.
Published: October 2015

Circulating estradiol exerts a profound influence on the activity of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal network controlling fertility. Using genetic strategies enabling neuron-specific deletion of estrogen receptor α (Esr1), we examine here whether estradiol-modulated GABA and glutamate transmission are critical for the functioning of the GnRH neuron network in the female mouse. UsingVgat- andVglut2-ires-Cre knock-in mice and ESR1 immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that subpopulations of GABA and glutamate neurons throughout the limbic forebrain express ESR1, with ESR1-GABAergic neurons being more widespread and numerous than ESR1-glutamatergic neurons. We crossedVgat- andVglut2-ires-Cre mice with anEsr1lox/loxline to generate animals with GABA-neuron-specific or glutamate-neuron-specific deletion ofEsr1. Vgat-ires-Cre;Esr1lox/loxmice were infertile, with abnormal estrous cycles, and exhibited a complete failure of the estrogen positive feedback mechanism responsible for the preovulatory GnRH surge. However, puberty onset and estrogen negative feedback were normal.Vglut2-ires-Cre;Esr1lox/loxmice were also infertile but displayed a wider range of deficits, including advanced puberty onset, abnormal negative feedback, and abolished positive feedback. Whereas <25% of preoptic kisspeptin neurons expressed Cre inVgat- andVglut2-ires-Cre lines, ∼70% of arcuate kisspeptin neurons were targeted inVglut2-ires-Cre;Esr1lox/loxmice, possibly contributing to their advanced puberty phenotype. These observations show that, unexpectedly, ESR1-GABA neurons are only essential for the positive feedback mechanism. In contrast, we reveal the key importance of ESR1 in glutamatergic neurons for multiple estrogen feedback loops within the GnRH neuronal network required for fertility in the female mouse.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCirculating estradiol acts upon the brain to regulate the functioning of many neuronal networks, including those controlling reproduction. Acting in classic homeostatic negative or positive feedback modes, estradiol variably suppresses or enhances the activity of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons throughout the ovarian cycle. We show here that estrogen receptor α (ESR1) within glutamate (VGLUT2) neurons is essential for both the negative and positive estradiol feedback loops. In contrast, ESR1 in GABA neurons is only required for estradiol positive feedback. These studies emphasize the importance of estradiol-modulated amino-acidergic neurons within the GnRH neuronal network and highlight an unexpected prominent role for ESR1-expressing glutamate neurons in fertility control.
Attention Modulates TMS-Locked Alpha Oscillations in the Visual Cortex
Authors: Herring Jim D. , Thut Gregor , Jensen Ole , Bergmann Til O.
Published: October 2015

Cortical oscillations, such as 8–12 Hz alpha-band activity, are thought to subserve gating of information processing in the human brain. While most of the supporting evidence is correlational, causal evidence comes from attempts to externally drive (“entrain”) these oscillations by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Indeed, the frequency profile of TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) closely resembles that of oscillations spontaneously emerging in the same brain region. However, it is unclear whether TMS-locked and spontaneous oscillations are produced by the same neuronal mechanisms. If so, they should react in a similar manner to top-down modulation by endogenous attention. To test this prediction, we assessed the alpha-like EEG response to TMS of the visual cortex during periods of high and low visual attention while participants attended to either the visual or auditory modality in a cross-modal attention task. We observed a TMS-locked local oscillatory alpha response lasting several cycles after TMS (but not after sham stimulation). Importantly, TMS-locked alpha power was suppressed during deployment of visual relative to auditory attention, mirroring spontaneous alpha amplitudes. In addition, the early N40 TEP component, located at the stimulation site, was amplified by visual attention. The extent of attentional modulation for both TMS-locked alpha power and N40 amplitude did depend, with opposite sign, on the individual ability to modulate spontaneous alpha power at the stimulation site. We therefore argue that TMS-locked and spontaneous oscillations are of common neurophysiological origin, whereas the N40 TEP component may serve as an index of current cortical excitability at the time of stimulation.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTRhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a promising tool to experimentally “entrain” cortical activity. If TMS-locked oscillatory responses actually recruit the same neuronal mechanisms as spontaneous cortical oscillations, they qualify as a valid tool to study the causal role of neuronal oscillations in cognition but also to enable new treatments targeting aberrant oscillatory activity in, for example, neurological conditions. Here, we provide first-time evidence that TMS-locked and spontaneous oscillations are indeed tightly related and are likely to rely on the same neuronal generators. In addition, we demonstrate that an early local component of the TMS-evoked potential (the N40) may serve as a new objective and noninvasive probe of visual cortex excitability, which so far was only accessible via subjective phosphene reports.
Transcranial Stimulation over Frontopolar Cortex Elucidates the Choice Attributes and Neural Mechanisms Used to Resolve Exploration–Exploitation Trade-Offs
Authors: Raja Beharelle Anjali , Polanía Rafael , Hare Todd A. , Ruff Christian C.
Published: October 2015

Optimal behavior requires striking a balance between exploiting tried-and-true options or exploring new possibilities. Neuroimaging studies have identified different brain regions in humans where neural activity is correlated with exploratory or exploitative behavior, but it is unclear whether this activity directly implements these choices or simply reflects a byproduct of the behavior. Moreover, it remains unknown whether arbitrating between exploration and exploitation can be influenced with exogenous methods, such as brain stimulation. In our study, we addressed these questions by selectively upregulating and downregulating neuronal excitability with anodal or cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation over right frontopolar cortex during a reward-learning task. This caused participants to make slower, more exploratory or faster, more exploitative decisions, respectively. Bayesian computational modeling revealed that stimulation affected how much participants took both expected and obtained rewards into account when choosing to exploit or explore: Cathodal stimulation resulted in an increased focus on the option expected to yield the highest payout, whereas anodal stimulation led to choices that were less influenced by anticipated payoff magnitudes and were more driven by recent negative reward prediction errors. These findings suggest that exploration is triggered by a neural mechanism that is sensitive to prior less-than-expected choice outcomes and thus pushes people to seek out alternative courses of action. Together, our findings establish a parsimonious neurobiological mechanism that causes exploration and exploitation, and they provide new insights into the choice features used by this mechanism to direct decision-making.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe often must choose whether to try something new (exploration) or stick with a proven strategy (exploitation). Balancing this trade-off is important for survival and growth across species because, without exploration, we would perseverate with the same strategies and never discover better options. Which brain mechanisms are responsible for our ability to make these decisions? We show that applying different types of noninvasive brain stimulation over frontopolar cortex causes participants to explore more or less in uncertain environments. These changes in exploration reflect how much participants focus on expected payoffs and on memory of recent disappointments. Thus, our results characterize a neural mechanism that systematically incorporates anticipated rewards and past experiences to trigger exploration of alternative courses of action.
A Lognormal Recurrent Network Model for Burst Generation during Hippocampal Sharp Waves
Authors: Omura Yoshiyuki , Carvalho Milena M. , Inokuchi Kaoru , Fukai Tomoki
Published: October 2015

The strength of cortical synapses distributes lognormally, with a long tail of strong synapses. Various properties of neuronal activity, such as the average firing rates of neurons, the rate and magnitude of spike bursts, the magnitude of population synchrony, and the correlations between presynaptic and postsynaptic spikes, also obey lognormal-like distributions reported in the rodent hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas. Theoretical models have demonstrated how such a firing rate distribution emerges from neural network dynamics. However, how the other properties also display lognormal patterns remain unknown. Because these features are likely to originate from neural dynamics in CA3, we model a recurrent neural network with the weights of recurrent excitatory connections distributed lognormally to explore the underlying mechanisms and their functional implications. Using multi-timescale adaptive threshold neurons, we construct a low-frequency spontaneous firing state of bursty neurons. This state well replicates the observed statistical properties of population synchrony in hippocampal pyramidal cells. Our results show that the lognormal distribution of synaptic weights consistently accounts for the observed long-tailed features of hippocampal activity. Furthermore, our model demonstrates that bursts spread over the lognormal network much more effectively than single spikes, implying an advantage of spike bursts in information transfer. This efficiency in burst propagation is not found in neural network models with Gaussian-weighted recurrent excitatory synapses. Our model proposes a potential network mechanism to generate sharp waves in CA3 and associated ripples in CA1 because bursts occur in CA3 pyramidal neurons most frequently during sharp waves.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe wiring structure of local cortical networks is known to be far from random. Here, we propose a recurrent neural network model with a long-tailed synaptic weight distribution to account for various properties of the synchronous firing of hippocampal neurons observed typically during sharp wave ripples. Furthermore, the model predicts that pathways of strong synapses route spike bursts much more efficiently than single spikes. Sharp wave ripples are crucial for memory encoding, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Our model suggests the crucial role of internal dynamics of nonrandom hippocampal circuits in generating and routing such activity patterns. Our results will have significant implications in understanding the mechanism of memory encoding by the hippocampus.
Is it worthwhile to screen patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for subclinical Cushing's syndrome?
Authors: Budyal Sweta , Jadhav Swati Sachin , Kasaliwal Rajeev , Patt Hiren , Khare Shruti , Shivane Vyankatesh , Lila Anurag R , Bandgar Tushar , Shah Nalini S
Published: October 2015

Variable prevalence of subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), making the need for screening in this population uncertain. It is unknown if this variability is solely due to study-related methodological differences or a reflection of true differences in ethnic predisposition. The objective of this study is to explore the prevalence of SCS in Asian Indian patients with T2DM. In this prospective single center study conducted in a tertiary care referral center, 993 T2DM outpatients without any discriminatory clinical features (easy bruising, facial plethora, proximal muscle weakness, and/or striae) of hypercortisolism underwent an overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (ODST). ODST serum cortisol ≥1.8 μg/dl was considered positive, and those with positive results were subjected to 48 h, 2 mg/day low dose DST (LDDST). A stepwise evaluation for endogenous hypercortisolism was planned for patients with LDDST serum cortisol ≥1.8 μg/dl. Patients with positive ODST and negative LDDST were followed up clinically and re-evaluated a year later for the development of clinically evident Cushing's syndrome (CS). In this largest single center study reported to date, we found 37 out of 993 (3.72%) patients had ODST serum cortisol ≥1.8 μg/dl. None of them had LDDST cortisol ≥1.8 μg/dl, nor did they develop clinically evident CS over a follow-up period of 1 year. Specificity of ODST for screening of CS was 96.3% in our cohort. None of the T2DM outpatients in our cohort had SCS, hence cautioning against routine biochemical screening for SCS in this cohort. We suggest screening be based on clinical suspicion only.
Increased Slc12a1 expression in β-cells and improved glucose disposal in Slc12a2 heterozygous mice
Authors: Alshahrani Saeed , Almutairi Mohammed Mashari , Kursan Shams , Dias-Junior Eduardo , Almiahuob Mohamed Mahmoud , Aguilar-Bryan Lydia , Di Fulvio Mauricio
Published: October 2015

The products of theSlc12a1andSlc12a2genes, commonly known as Na+-dependent K+2Cl−co-transporters NKCC2 and NKCC1, respectively, are the targets for the diuretic bumetanide. NKCCs are implicated in the regulation of intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl−]i) in pancreatic β-cells, and as such, they may play a role in glucose-stimulated plasma membrane depolarization and insulin secretion. Unexpectedly, permanent elimination of NKCC1 does not preclude insulin secretion, an event potentially linked to the homeostatic regulation of additional Cl−transporters expressed in β-cells. In this report we provide evidence for such a mechanism. Mice lacking a single allele ofSlc12a2exhibit lower fasting glycemia, increased acute insulin response (AIR) and lower blood glucose levels 15–30 min after a glucose load when compared to mice harboring both alleles of the gene. Furthermore, heterozygous expression or complete absence ofSlc12a2associates with increased NKCC2 protein expression in rodent pancreatic β-cells. This has been confirmed by using chronic pharmacological down-regulation of NKCC1 with bumetanide in the mouse MIN6 β-cell line or permanent molecular silencing of NKCC1 in COS7 cells, which results in increased NKCC2 expression. Furthermore, MIN6 cells chronically pretreated with bumetanide exhibit increased initial rates of Cl−uptake while preserving glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Together, our results suggest that NKCCs are involved in insulin secretion and that a singleSlc12a2allele may protect β-cells from failure due to increased homeostatic expression ofSlc12a1.
Concomitant Persistent Atelectasis following TEVAR Due to a Descending Aortic Aneurysm: Hybrid Endovascular Repair and ECMO Therapy
Authors: Yavuz Sadan , Arikan Ali Ahmet , Ozbudak Ersan , İrkil Serhat , Hosten Tulay , Gumustas Sevtap , Berki Kamil Turan
Published: October 2015

Many thoracic aortic aneurysms are discovered incidentally, and most develop without symptoms. Symptoms are usually due to sudden expansion of the aneurysm, which can cause a vague pain in the back, or sometimes a sharp pain that may denote the presence of impending rupture. Other symptoms are related to pressure on adjacent structures, such as pressure on the bronchus that can cause respiratory distress, or pressure on the laryngeal nerve causing vocal hoarseness. Pressure on the esophagus can cause difficulty in swallowing.
Currently, open surgery and thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) are the choices of treatment for descending thoracic aneurysms (DTA). The decision to intervene on a DTA depends on its size, location, rate of growth and symptoms, and the overall medical condition of the patient. The indications for TEVAR should not differ from those for open surgery and typically include aneurysms larger than 6 cm in diameter. Saccular and symptomatic aneurysms are often repaired at a smaller size. It is also suggested that aneurysms with a growth rate more than 1 cm per year, or
0.5 cm in 6 months should be considered for early repair.
Despite the close proximity of the aorta and left main bronchus, atelectasis caused by thoracic aortic aneurysms is rare. We review the case report of a patient with concomitant persistent left pulmonary atelectasis causing acute respiratory distress due to complete compression of the left main bronchus after TEVAR of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Effect of Proximal Anastomotic Diameter on Venous Bypass Graft Patency in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Kaya Mehmet , İyigün Taner , Kyaruzi Mugisha , Akıncı Okan , Otcu Hafize , Gül Mehmet , Tosu Aydın Rodi , Yeniterzi Mehmet
Published: October 2015

Background: In this study, the relationship between patency of saphenous vein (SV) graft and different sizes of aorta wall punches was investigated during the follow-up period after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. We also evaluated the other possible factors affecting SV graft patency.
Methods: This study consisted of 266 consecutive and symptomatic patients with postoperative angiography. The primary endpoint was at least one saphenous graft failure observed from coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) and/or invasive angiography after surgery. Groups were created as SV occluded and patent group. Survival curves of patients in groups were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard model.
Results: Cox-regression analysis demonstrated influence of older age (P = .023) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (P = .002) on SV graft failure. However, increasing ejection fraction (P = .011) was a protective factor against SV graft failure. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of usage rate of the punches with different diameters (P = .296).
Conclusion: The incidence of SV graft patency does not seem to increase in patients whose 4.8-mm aortic punch was used during proximal anastomosis compared to the reference group in which a punch of 4.0 mm was used. Also, the final proximal anastomosis graft size that was measured using cCTA was similar between patients with 4.8-mm punch and patients with 4-mm punch. Results from this study could help to determine which size for aortosaphenous anastomosis is clinically optimal.
Blood Cyst of the Anterior Leaflet of the Mitral Valve in an Asymptomatic Adult: Is Surgery an Objective?
Authors: Ansari Edward , Akhyari Payam , Lichtenberg Artur
Published: October 2015

Blood cysts of the heart are rare benign tumors that usually involve the cardiac valves and are mainly found in fetuses and very early in life. However, no consensus on the surgical management of asymptomatic cases has been postulated. We believe surgical resection should be performed in patients with symptoms, tumor growth, and valvular dysfunction. We report a case of a blood cyst of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve, which was incidentally discovered in a 55-year-old man.
Evaluación de la estrategia de rehabilitación de base comunitaria (RBC) desde la perspectiva de la comunidad y los equipos locales de rehabilitación
Authors: Guajardo Alejandro , Recabarren-Hernández Eladio , Asún Salazar Domingo , Zamora-Astudillo Cristian , Cottet-Soto Pablo
Published: October 2015

A través de este proyecto de investigación se evalúo, desde la perspectiva de la comunidad y los equipos locales de rehabilitación en Chile, los distintos niveles de intervención de la RBC. Así, el objetivo que guío esta investigación fue evaluar el impacto social percibido y la aceptabilidad social de la estrategia de Rehabilitación de Base Comunitaria (RBC) desde la perspectiva de la comunidad y los equipos locales de rehabilitación.

El marco metodológico fue definido bajo los parámetros de una investigación cualitativa de carácter descriptivo y transversal. El universo de estudio correspondió a las comunas que contaban con programas de RBC que se desarrollan a nivel nacional como parte de la política nacional de discapacidad y rehabilitación en salud. Los criterios que guiaron el proceso de muestreo fueron los de pertinencia y suficiencia de la información, por lo que  se optó  por un muestreo estructural. El procesamiento de los datos se realizó mediante análisis de contenido semánticamente orientado, siguiendo una estratega intensiva, es decir, se analizó toda la información producida durante la fase de terreno.

Los resultados dan cuenta de la RBC como una estrategia  con variadas formas de implementación y desarrollo que se relaciona con la historia local, el perfil de la comunidad, perfil del centro,  perfil de usuarias/ios y las características de vinculación municipal con el programa de rehabilitación. El estudio identifica en la estrategia de RBC tres modelos de acción: biomédico, biopsicosocial y comunitario.
Disability and poverty: two related conditions. A review of the literature
Authors: Pinilla-Roncancio Monica
Published: October 2015

Summary

The relationship between disability and poverty has been recognised in the literature since the 1990s. Empirical evidence supporting the existence of this relationship has increased in the last decade; however, there is still a lack of knowledge of how these two conditions interact and what the causal mechanisms that participate in the creation of this relationship are. This article aims to explore how the concepts of disability and poverty are related and it analyses the bidirectional relationship between these two conditions, how it is mediated by social exclusion and what empirical evidence supports this relationship around the world and in Latin America (LA).

Key words: People with disabilities; Poverty; Latin America (MeSH).
 
Resumen

La relación entre discapacidad y pobreza ha sido reconocida en la literatura desde la década de los noventa. La evidencia empírica que soporta la existencia de esta relación ha crecido en la última década, sin embargo, todavía no se ha determinado cuáles son los mecanismos que facilitan y participan en la creación de la correspondencia entre discapacidad y pobreza.

El propósito de este artículo es explorar cómo los conceptos de discapacidad y pobreza se relacionan; igualmente analizar la bidireccionalidad de la relación entre estas dos condiciones, cómo esta mediada por la existencia de procesos de exclusión social y qué evidencia empírica existe en países en vía de desarrollo en Latinoamérica.

Palabras clave: Personas con discapacidad; Pobreza; América Latina (DeSC).
Las redes de los afectos: aprendizajes en la Red de Rehabilitación Basada en Comunidad de las Américas
Authors: García-Ruiz Solángel , Quintana Patricia
Published: October 2015

Antecedentes.

Las redes son escenarios de concertación y articulación, de afectos, de amores y desamores entre los actores que hacen parte de ellas. Los actores están mediados por intereses acordes con sus contextos y vivencias.

Objetivo.

Presentar los aprendizajes vividos durante el proceso de liderazgo de la Red de Rehabilitación Basada en Comunidad (RBC) de las Américas a partir de los postulados de José Bernardo Toro.

Desarrollo del tema.

Se identifican tres momentos de la experiencia vivida: primer momento, armando la red; segundo momento, viviendo la red y tercer momento, recuperando aprendizajes. El artículo incluye un panorama general de la estructuración de las redes de RBC en el mundo y una descripción de las redes que se consolidan alrededor de discapacidad en las Américas, ello con el propósito de reflexionar sobre el trabajo en red y en equipo.

Conclusiones.

Los aprendizajes vividos, durante los tres últimos años, se relacionan con aprender a no agredir al congénere, a comunicarse, a interactuar, a decidir en grupo y a valorar el saber social. Finalmente, damos algunas recomendaciones sobre el camino a seguir. 
La discriminación por discapacidad como tema emergente en el contexto de los movimientos sociales contemporáneos.
Authors: García Vásquez Eduardo
Published: October 2015

Históricamente, las personas con discapacidad han constituido un sector al que, sobre prejuicios anclados en el binomio normalidad/anormalidad, se le ha discriminado. Sin embargo, en diferentes partes del mundo está comenzando a emerger, de manera más visible, un movimiento de personas con discapacidad que en su proceso de afianzamiento como un sujeto social también está realizando aportes a la comprensión de formas de opresión que hasta muy recientemente no se consideraban como tales. En este contexto, el presente documento, que forma parte una investigación amplia sobre discapacidad y colonialidad realizada en el sur de México, explora, a partir del uso de la teoría fundamentada, la ruta que ha seguido la transformación de las nociones sobre las personas con discapacidad como consecuencia de los movimientos sociales contemporáneos, llegando a la conclusión de que las nociones tradicionales han llevado a la exclusión de ese sector, entendiendo la exclusión como la “muerte social”.
The Importance of Disability Research
Authors: Bolt David
Published: October 2015

Why is disability research important? When asked this question I tend to respond by revising it in my head (if not out loud). Why is disability research so important? Why is any research important? I might go on in this vein but my point is that disability research has the potential to improve understandings of the most fundamental aspect of the human condition —namely, the diversity of minds and bodies. Whatever our history, geography, class, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and/or religion, we have, have had, and/or will have a profoundly intimate relationship with disability. It is, after all, via the very diversity of minds and bodies that we are ultimately unified.
Direct Imaging of Epitaxial Layers by Auger Electrons
Authors: Frank Douglas G. , Golden Teresa , Lu Frank , Hubbard Arthur T.
Published: October 2015

It has recently been demonstrated that the surface atomic structure of materials can be imaged by means of Auger electrons. Angular distribution Auger microscopy (ADAM) produces subatomic resolution images of atomic structure by measuring and displaying the complete angular distribution of Auger electrons emitted from atoms near the surface of a solid material or thin film. Auger angular distributions contain the “silhouettes” of surface atoms “backlit” by emission from atoms located deeper in the solid. The locations and shapes of these silhouettes directly reveal the relative positions of atoms near the surface.

Consequently, ADAM is an exciting new technique for characterizing materials surfaces and epitaxially grown surfaces.

Auger electrons have been employed for surface elemental analysis and depth- profiling for many years. The limited escape-depth of Auger electrons makes Auger spectroscopy inherently sensitive to the surface region. Depth profiling of materials, often performed in combination with ion etching, is widely used. ADAM offers the possibility of nondestructively obtaining profiles and structural information concerning buried interfaces and can also yield images of atomic structure.
TRANSLATING ECONOMICS TEXTBOOKS: A CASE STUDY OF EPISTEMICIDE
Authors: Karnedi Karnedi
Published: October 2015

As part of discourse in the social sciences, economics textbooks written in English in which knowledge has been transferred to other languages through translation have brought a certain impact on both the target language and the target culture. In terms of ideology, this article argues about the hegemonic status of the dominant language or culture that creates socalled epistemicide or the erosion of knowledge, partly due to translation strategies adopted by the translator. Investigation is done using the corpusbased approach, theories of translation strategies and the comparative model. The study reveals that the translator in the macro-level text adopts the ideology of foreignising strategy rather than domesticating strategy when translating an economics textbook from English into Indonesian. This is supported by the use of the number of the source language-orientated translation techniques leading to two translation methods (i.e. literal translation and faithful translation) adopted in the micro-level text. This research strongly supports another relevant study pertaining to the globalisation of knowledge through translation and also the translation theories of equivalence (i.e. overt and covert translation). The research findings also have some pedagogical implications on teaching English for Specific Purposes in higher education.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SELF-ASSESSMENT IN WRITING CLASS: A CASE STUDY AT STBA LIA JAKARTA
Authors: Purwanti Theresia Tuti
Published: October 2015

Self-assessment has become a means of realizing the goals of learner-centered education. It is conducted to help students grow to be independent learners. With regard to this point, this case study is aimed at investigating the implementation of the self-assessment as a learning tool in writing class. Its purpose is to examine students’ reactions to the use of self-assessment checklist and how it helps them revise their essays. To do this, the data of (1) students’ essays; (2) students’ self-assessment checklist; and (3) students responses to the questionnaires on their attitudes towards self-assessment practice obtained from nine students were analyzed. The findings revealed that most students welcomed the use of self-assessment. Most students found the process of reflecting on one’s own learning to be helpful. After the implementation of self-assessment, the students show that they can revise the essays at phrase level, surface level, content level, and lexical level. However, their grammatical accuracy did not progress significantly.
Tropane alkaloids and calystegines as chemotaxonomic markers in the Solanaceae
Authors: Pigatto Aline G.S. , Blanco Carolina C. , Mentz Lilian A. , Soares Geraldo L.G.
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT This study assessed the occurrence and distribution of tropane alkaloids and calystegines in genera of the family Solanaceae to identify patterns of distribution and make evolutionary inferences. A database of tropane alkaloids and calystegines occurrences was constructed from the results of a search of scientific websites and a hand search of periodicals. The terms "Solanaceae", "tropane alkaloids", and "calystegines" were used as index terms for a full-text article search unrestricted by date of publications. The number of occurrence and chemical diversity indices were calculated and cluster analysis and principal components analysis were performed. Overall, 996 occurrences were reported, 879 of tropane alkaloids (88.3%) and 117 of calystegines (11.7%). The calystegines were significantly more relevant than tropane alkaloids for characterization of distinct groups of genera on both analyses performed here. This corroborates the trend toward a chemical dichotomy observed on database analysis and somewhat reinforces the correlation between geographic distribution and occurrence of secondary metabolites, as the presence of calystegines alone (without tropane alkaloids) was only reported in genera that have South America as their center of diversity.
The exotic wasp Megastigmus transvaalensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae): first record and damage on the Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius drupes, in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Ferreira-Filho Pedro J. , Piña-Rodrigues Fátima C.M. , Silva José M.S. , Guerreiro Julio C. , Ghiotto Thaís C. , Piotrowski Ivonir , Dias Luiz P. , Wilcken Carlos F. , Zanuncio José C.
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT This paper records the first report of Megastigmus transvaalensis Hussey (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) in Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) drupes in Sorocaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil. This wasp is an invasive species and was found damaging S. terebinthifolius drupes in urban areas (35.0±15.8%), natural forests (21.5±10.2%) and restoration areas (15.8±8.4%). The bio-ecology and damage caused by M. transvaalensis in the S. terebinthifolius drupes warrants further study focused upon the management of this phytophagous wasp. Megastigmus transvaalensis has a potential to be disseminated throughout Brazil and is posing a threat to the natural regeneration of S. terebinthifolius in the native forests and restoration areas and ecological regions of this country.
Evaluation of the best environment for the six-minute walk test
Authors: Faria Júnior Newton Santos de , Nakata Cláudio Hiroshi , Oliveira Luís Vicente Franco de , Chiappa Gaspar Rogério , Cipriano Júnior Gerson
Published: October 2015

AbstractIntroduction The purpose of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) is to evaluate cardiopulmonary capacity using a low-cost test that is easy to administer, generally well tolerated by different populations and reflects one’s performance on activities of daily living. However, few studies have been conducted to determine the difference between performing the 6MWT indoors and outdoors.Objective The aim of the present study was to compare the distance covered on the 6MWT performed indoors and outdoors and evaluate the following physiological variables: heart rate, blood pressure and the subjective sensation of shortness of breath, using the Borg perceived exertion scale.Materials and methods A prospective, randomized, clinical trial was conducted involving eight healthy females not engaged in regular physical activity, with mean age 23.75 ± 1.67 years. Each subject performed the 6MWT indoors and outdoors with a 30-minute interval between tests. The order of the tests was determined randomly.Results The mean distance traveled was 578 ± 50.07 m on the outdoor trial and 579.95 ± 45.35 m on the indoor trial (p = 0.932). The mean physiological variables were 82.25 ± 11.02 bpm (indoors) versus 84.38 ± 9.42 bpm (outdoors) for heart rate, 121.88 ± 10.28 mmHg (indoors)versus 118.75 ± 19.40 mmHg (outdoors) for systolic blood pressure, 81.88 ± 9.74 mmHg (indoors) versus 80.50 ± 7.89 mmHg (outdoors) for diastolic blood pressure and a mean score of 12 on the perceived exertion score in both environments.Conclusions The present data demonstrate no differences in the distance walked on the 6MWT or the physiologic variables of participants between the indoor and outdoor trials.
Effects of exercise on cardiac autonomic modulation in children: literature update
Authors: Mondoni Gustavo Henrique de Oliveira , Vanderlei Luiz Carlos Marques , Saraiva Bruno , Vanderlei Franciele Marques
Published: October 2015

AbstractIntroduction It is known that physical exercise is beneficial and precipitates adjustments to the autonomic nervous system. However, the effect of exercise on cardiac autonomic modulation in children, despite its importance, is poorly investigated.Objective To bring together current information about the effects of exercise on heart rate variability in healthy and obese children.Methods The literature update was performed through a search for articles in the following databases; PubMed, PEDro, SciELO and Lilacs, using the descriptors “exercise” and “child” in conjunction with the descriptors “autonomic nervous system”, “sympathetic nervous system”, “parasympathetic nervous system” and also with no descriptor, but the key word of this study, “heart rate variability”, from January 2005 to December 2012.Results After removal of items that did not fit the subject of the study, a total of 9 articles were selected, 5 with healthy and 4 with obese children.Conclusion The findings suggest that exercise can act in the normalization of existing alterations in the autonomic nervous system of obese children, as well as serve as a preventative factor in healthy children, enabling healthy development of the autonomic nervous system until the child reaches adulthood.
O Gênero CENCHRUS L. no Brasil (Gramineae: Panicoideae)
Authors: Filgueiras Tarciso S.
Published: October 2015

O geneno Cenchrus L.está representado no Brasil por 7 espécies: C. browniiRoem. &Schult., C. ciliarisL., C. echinatusl., C. myosuroidesH.B.K., C. pauciflorusBenth., C. setigerusVahl e C. tribuloides L..São apresentadas a história do gênero , sua circunscrição e descrição, como também chave pana as espécies,distribuição e algumas observações ecológicas. As variedades C. myosuroiesvor. longisetusCaro & Sanchez e C. pauciflorusvor. muricatusCaro & Sanchez foram colocadas na sinonímia de C. myosuroidese C. pauciflorus, respectivamente.