bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medical students call for national standards in anatomical education
Authors: Farey John E. , Sandeford Jonathan C. , Evans‐McKendry Greg D. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe diminishing number of hours dedicated to formal instruction in anatomy has led to a debate within medical education as to the level required for safe clinical practice. We provide a review of the current state of anatomical education in Australian medical schools and state the case for national standards. In light of the review presented, council members of the Australian Medical Students' Association voted to affirm that consideration should be given to developing undergraduate learning goals for anatomy, providing a codified medical student position on the teaching of anatomy in Australian medical schools. Crucially, the position states that time‐intensive methods of instruction such as dissection should be a rite of passage for medical students in the absence of evidence demonstrating the superiority of modern teaching methods. We believe the bodies with a vested interest in the quality of medical graduates, namely the Australian Medical Council, Medical Deans Australia & New Zealand, and the postgraduate colleges should collaborate and develop clear guidelines that make explicit the core knowledge of anatomy expected of medical graduates at each stage of their career with a view to safe clinical practice. In addition, Australian universities have a role to play in conducting further research into contemporary learning styles and the most efficacious methods of delivering anatomical education.
Inhibition of Polyamine Formation Antagonizes Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Preserves the Contractile Phenotype
Authors: Grossi Mario , Persson Lo , Swärd Karl , Turczyńska Karolina M. , Forte Amalia , Hellstrand Per , Nilsson Bengt‐Olof 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine play essential roles in cell proliferation and migration, two processes involved in the development of vascular disease. Thus, intervention with polyamine formation may represent a way to inhibit unwanted vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. The aim of the present study was to assess the importance of polyamines for VSMC proliferation and vascular contractility. The rate‐limiting step in polyamine biosynthesis is catalysed by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Treatment with α‐difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ODC, reduced DNA synthesis in primary rat VSMCs in a concentration‐dependent manner with an IC50 value of 100 μM. Moreover, DFMO reduced VSMC migration assessed in a scratch assay. The DFMO‐induced attenuation of VSMC proliferation was associated with lowered cellular amount of polyamines. The antiproliferative effect of DFMO was specific because supplementation with polyamines reversed the effect of DFMO on proliferation and normalized cellular polyamine levels. Isometric force recordings in cultured rat tail artery rings showed that DFMO counteracts the decrease in contractility caused by culture with foetal bovine serum as growth stimulant. We conclude that inhibition of polyamine synthesis by DFMO may limit the first wave of cell proliferation and migration, which occurs in the acute phase after vascular injury. Besides its antiproliferative effect, DFMO may prevent loss of the smooth muscle contractile phenotype in vascular injury.
The rhetoric of reform and teachers' use of ICT
Authors: Vrasidas Charalambos 
Published: March 2014

AbstractDuring the last two decades, the Cyprus Education System has been undergoing systematic reform efforts. Within the spirit of change, efforts have been made to equip all public schools with computers and provide them with access to the internet. Compared with other European Union countries, Cyprus infrastructure is one of the most developed. However, as our research shows, the adoption of technology does not match the rhetoric of reform that dominates education discourse. In order to examine the challenges and opportunities primary school teachers face in efforts to integrate technology in the classroom, four in‐depth case studies of schools were developed and a large scale survey was conducted across public schools. This paper discusses the method, the design and the results from our research, drawing on both survey findings and rich qualitative data. Theoretical discussions provide further empirical grounding of technology adoption models and illustrate barriers to effective adoption of ICT.
The regulatory T cells induction by epicutaneous immunotherapy is sustained and mediates long‐term protection from eosinophilic disorders in peanut‐sensitized mice
Authors: Dioszeghy V. , Mondoulet L. , Dhelft V. , Ligouis M. , Puteaux E. , Dupont C. , Benhamou P.‐H. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryBackgroundAllergen‐specific immunotherapy favours immune deviation from a Th2 to a Th1 response and increases the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) of sensitized mice decreases the clinical and the allergen‐specific Th2 responses and increases local and peripheral Foxp3+ Tregs.ObjectiveTo investigate the role of Tregs in EPIT and characterize their phenotype and maintenance following EPIT.MethodsTregs were investigated using in vivo depletion or adoptive transfer into BALB/c mice. Tregs were depleted using anti‐CD25 antibody injection during EPIT, and allergen‐specific responses were compared with Sham, EPIT alone and naïve mice. To demonstrate that Tregs can mediate protection by their own, and to study their maintenance following the end of EPIT, CD25+CD4+ Tregs isolated from mice just after or 8 weeks after EPIT were transferred into peanut‐sensitized mice. Foxp3‐IRES‐mRFP mice were transferred with EPIT‐induced Tregs to analyse the induction of host Tregs.ResultsThe anti‐CD25 antibody injection to EPIT mice abrogated the induction of Tregs in spleen and the expression of Foxp3 in oesophagus. This resulted in levels of peanut‐induced eosinophilic infiltration in oesophagus similar to Sham and significantly higher than EPIT. Whereas the transfer of Tregs from Sham‐treated mice demonstrated no effect, the transfer of Tregs isolated just after EPIT prevented peanut‐induced eosinophil infiltration and eotaxin expression and induced Foxp3 in oesophagus. The transfer of Tregs isolated 8 weeks after EPIT suppressed allergen‐specific responses as efficiently as did Tregs isolated just after EPIT and increased spleen Foxp3+ CD25+ CD4+ cells similarly. The use of reporter mice demonstrated an increase in host Tregs.ConclusionsThese results confirm the Tregs‐mediated mechanism of EPIT and demonstrate the persistence of efficient Tregs during a long period of time after treatment cessation. This suggests that EPIT induces long‐term tolerance in peanut‐sensitized mice.
Meta‐Analysis of Attitudes toward Damage‐Causing Mammalian Wildlife
Authors: KANSKY RUTH , KIDD MARTIN , KNIGHT ANDREW T. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractMany populations of threatened mammals persist outside formally protected areas, and their survival depends on the willingness of communities to coexist with them. An understanding of the attitudes, and specifically the tolerance, of individuals and communities and the factors that determine these is therefore fundamental to designing strategies to alleviate human‐wildlife conflict. We conducted a meta‐analysis to identify factors that affected attitudes toward 4 groups of terrestrial mammals. Elephants (65%) elicited the most positive attitudes, followed by primates (55%), ungulates (53%), and carnivores (44%). Urban residents presented the most positive attitudes (80%), followed by commercial farmers (51%) and communal farmers (26%). A tolerance to damage index showed that human tolerance of ungulates and primates was proportional to the probability of experiencing damage while elephants elicited tolerance levels higher than anticipated and carnivores elicited tolerance levels lower than anticipated. Contrary to conventional wisdom, experiencing damage was not always the dominant factor determining attitudes. Communal farmers had a lower probability of being positive toward carnivores irrespective of probability of experiencing damage, while commercial farmers and urban residents were more likely to be positive toward carnivores irrespective of damage. Urban residents were more likely to be positive toward ungulates, elephants, and primates when probability of damage was low, but not when it was high. Commercial and communal farmers had a higher probability of being positive toward ungulates, primates, and elephants irrespective of probability of experiencing damage. Taxonomic bias may therefore be important. Identifying the distinct factors explaining these attitudes and the specific contexts in which they operate, inclusive of the species causing damage, will be essential for prioritizing conservation investments.Meta‐Análisis de las Posturas hacia la Mamíferos Silvestres Causantes de Daños
Combining Auctions and Performance‐Based Payments in a Forest Enrichment Field Trial in Western Kenya
Authors: KHALUMBA MERCELYNE , WüNSCHER TOBIAS , WUNDER SVEN , BüDENBENDER MIRJAM , HOLM‐MüLLER KARIN 
Published: March 2014

AbstractCost‐effectiveness is an important aspect in the assessment of payments for environmental services (PES) initiatives. In participatory field trials with communities in Western Kenya, we combined procurement auctions for forest enrichment contracts with performance‐based payments and compared the outcomes with a baseline scenario currently used by the Kenyan Forest Service. Procurement auctions were the most cost‐effective. The competitive nature of the auction reduced contracting expenses (provision costs), and the result‐oriented payments provided additional incentives to care for the planted seedlings, resulting in their improved survival rates (service quantity). These gains clearly exceeded increases in transaction costs associated with conducting an auction. The number of income‐poor auction participants and winners was disproportionately high and local institutional buy‐in was remarkably strong. Our participatory approach may, however, require adaptations when conducted at a larger scale. Although the number of contracts we monitored was limited and prohibited the use of statistical tests, our study is one of the first to reveal the benefits of using auctions for PES in developing countries.Combinando Subastas y Pagos Basados en Desempeño en un Ensayo de Campo de Enriquecimiento de Bosques en el Oeste de Kenia
An improved high‐output cell microarray technology
Authors: Hu Q. , Shi Y. , Li X. , Hou Y. , Jiang D. , Huang J. , Su J. , Zeng H. , Tan Y. 
Published: March 2014

AimsCell microarray (CMA) is a high‐throughput scientific research tool, which has greatly accelerated many analyses based at the cellular level. However, there are few described methods for constructing CMAs. Here, we introduce a new, simple, high‐output CMA method that is applicable to a broad range of cellular samples.MethodsIn this method, a recipient block (length, 3.6 cm; width, 2.7 cm; depth, 2 cm) with 40 dot markers was moulded using a transparent plastic box. Adenocarcinoma cells were collected from malignant pleural effusions, cell cylinders were moulded with plastic piping and the cylinders were manually arrayed one by one into the corresponding location of the 60 °C pre‐softened recipient block using the guide holes drilled with a steel needle. We constructed a 40‐cylinder CMA to prove this method. The expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7) in the CMA was examined to confirm antigen preservation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation was screened for in five samples.ResultsThe CMA prepared by this method had well‐defined array configurations, good cellular morphology and well‐preserved proteins and DNA. A total of 1000 sections could be easily gained from this CMA block.ConclusionsThis simple and low‐cost method provides a novel way of preparing a high‐output CMA.
False belief in infancy: a fresh look
Authors: Heyes Cecilia 
Published: March 2014

AbstractCan infants appreciate that others have false beliefs? Do they have a theory of mind? In this article I provide a detailed review of more than 20 experiments that have addressed these questions, and offered an affirmative answer, using nonverbal ‘violation of expectation’ and ‘anticipatory looking’ procedures. Although many of these experiments are both elegant and ingenious, I argue that their results can be explained by the operation of domain‐general processes and in terms of ‘low‐level novelty’. This hypothesis suggests that the infants' looking behaviour is a function of the degree to which the observed (perceptual novelty) and remembered or expected (imaginal novelty) low‐level properties of the test stimuli – their colours, shapes and movements – are novel with respect to events encoded by the infants earlier in the experiment. If the low‐level novelty hypothesis is correct, research on false belief in infancy currently falls short of demonstrating that infants have even an implicit theory of mind. However, I suggest that the use of two experimental strategies – inanimate control procedures, and self‐informed belief induction – could be used in combination with existing methods to bring us much closer to understanding the evolutionary and developmental origins of theory of mind.
Evaluation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection‐Related Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction by Tissue Doppler Strain Echocardiography
Authors: Onur Imran , Ikitimur Baris , Oz Fahrettin , Ekmekci Ahmet , Elitok Ali , Cagatay Arif Atahan , Adalet Kamil , Bilge Ahmet Kaya , Kaya Mehmet Gungor 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveCardiovascular involvement causes significant morbidity and mortality among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), subtle changes in left ventricular (LV) function, which may be clinically silent, have become more pronounced in HIV patients. Echocardiographic strain imaging (SI) may detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction at an earlier stage compared with conventional echocardiography. The aim of this study was to evaluate tissue Doppler–derived LV strain and strain rate (SR) along with conventional measures of LV function in asymptomatic, stable adult HIV patients on HAART.MethodsTwenty‐one patients with HIV infection (mean age: 37.8 ± 11.9 years, 11 males) who had no cardiovascular complaints and 27 healthy volunteers (mean age: 40.9 ± 5.8 years, 14 males) were enrolled. Traditional parameters including LV ejection fraction (EF) were measured along with tissue velocity imaging (TVI) and tissue Doppler SI parameters using transthoracic echocardiography.ResultsThe mean duration of HIV infection was 30.8 ± 25.1 (3–120) months. The mean LVEF in HIV group was within normal limits but lower than controls (64.5% ± 10.2% vs. 72.2% ± 6.4%, P = 0.003). There were no differences in other major traditional measures, as well as TVI parameters between groups. LV systolic strain and SR parameters were impaired indicating subtle LV systolic dysfunction in HIV group. No difference in diastolic function was observed between groups.ConclusionLeft ventricular systolic strain parameters may be utilized to demonstrate subtle LV systolic dysfunction in asymptomatic HIV patients.
Strain Analysis during Exercise in Patients with Asymptomatic Atrial Septal Defect
Authors: Baydar Onur , Oktay Veysel , Sinan Umit Yasar , Cakal Sinem , Cakal Beytullah , Coskun Ugur , Yildiz Ahmet 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundRight ventricular (RV) deformational mechanics have been demonstrated in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) at rest, but there is lack of information on their adaptation to exercise. The aim of this study was to assess the adaptability of RV strains and strain rates (SRs) during exercise in patients with clinically asymptomatic ASD.MethodsTwenty patients with asymptomatic ASD and 11 age‐matched controls were included. All the subjects performed incremental ergometry and underwent standard echocardiography and two‐dimensional strain (S) and SR imaging by speckle tracking at rest and during submaximal exercise.ResultsThere was no significant difference in RV strains and SRs at rest between the controls and the ASD patients. There was a significant elevation in the strains and SRs of both groups with exercise. However, the lateral and septal strains increased significantly higher than the controls in patients with ASD. But there was no significant difference in SRs during exercise in both of the groups.ConclusionsAsymptomatic ASD patients without RV overload, have same strain and SR results at rest with the controls, however, these findings worsen during submaximal exercise, when compared to the controls.
A Case of Right Atrial Appendage Aneurysm in a 62‐Year‐Old Man
Authors: Xu You‐Feng , Yu Fei , Mao Feng , Ye Xian‐wang , Ruan Xin‐Zhong , Zhang Shengmin 
Published: March 2014

Mini‐AbstractRight atrial appendage aneurysm (RAAA) is a rare malformation of the heart. Here, we present a case of RAAA in an elderly man, who has remained asymptomatic for over 10 months of follow‐up. The aneurysm was initially discovered by echocardiography, and confirmed by further investigations using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and 320‐row detector computed tomography (320R‐CT).
Impaired Right and Left Ventricular Function in Asymptomatic Children with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot by Two‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Study
Authors: Li Yuman , Xie Mingxing , Wang Xinfang , Lu Qing , Zhang Li , Ren Pingping 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundEarly detection of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is essential because dysfunction is correlated with a poor clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to assess RV and LV function in asymptomatic children with repaired TOF by two‐dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).MethodsFifty‐six asymptomatic children with a preserved biventricular ejection fraction (EF) after repair of TOF and 35 healthy control subjects were studied. RV and LV strain and strain rate were measured by STE. RVEF and pulmonary regurgitation (PR) were assessed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsCompared with the control subjects, RV regional longitudinal strain and strain rate and global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain rate (GLSR) were impaired in children with repaired TOF. Likewise, LV circumferential and radial strain and strain rate were reduced in patients with TOF. In contrast, longitudinal strain and strain rate did not differ between the groups. RV and LV GLSR were correlated with postoperative follow‐up period (r1 = −0.44; r2 = −0.48). RV GLS and GLSR were associated with RVEF (r1 = 0.64; r2 = 0.60) and PR (r1 = −0.48; r2 = −0.49). LV circumferential strain rate was related to PR (r = −0.45).ConclusionsSTE can identify abnormalities that may represent early impairment of RV and LV systolic function in postoperative TOF patients with a preserved EF. PR is associated with decreased biventricular performance in repaired patients. STE‐derived strain and strain rate may be useful indices for detecting the early deterioration of biventricular performance in patients with TOF.
Left Ventricular Vortices as Observed by Vector Flow Mapping: Main Determinants and their Relation to Left Ventricular Filling
Authors: Rodríguez Muñoz Daniel , Moya Mur José Luis , Fernández‐Golfín Covadonga , Becker Filho Derly Carlos , González Gómez Ariana , Fernández Santos Sara , Lázaro Rivera Carla , Rincón Díaz Luis Miguel , Casas Rojo Eduardo , Zamorano Gómez José Luis 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundSwirling flow, organized in vortices, contributes to adequate left ventricular function. In this study, we apply a novel echocardiographic flow‐mapping technique, vector flow mapping (VFM), to evaluate the main characteristics of left ventricular vortices and its relation to filling parameters.MethodsForty‐eight subjects underwent conventional transthoracic echocardiographic examination with additional intracardiac flow assessment with VFM using a Aloka Alpha‐10 system and experimental VFM analysis software. To analyze vortex behavior, its rotation direction, duration, location inside the left ventricle, size, and intensity were assessed in apical long‐axis view. Its relation to conventional left ventricular filling parameters was then analyzed.ResultsTwo vortex components were consistently identified following each transmitral filling wave. The anterior component of these visualized vortices was analyzed, due to its higher significance in the cardiac cycle, following early filling (V1) and atrial contraction (V2). Differences were observed in several aspects of vortex behavior between V1 and V2, particularly in patients with normal left ventricular filling parameters. These differences may be related to varying roles of vortices in different periods of the cardiac cycle.ConclusionsVector flow mapping allowed visualization and measurement of several parameters defining vortex behavior inside the cardiac cycle. The differences observed in these parameters between vortices in different phases of the cardiac cycle may be related to their role in optimizing cardiac function.
A Vanishing Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Mass: An Uncommon Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Ananthakrishna Rajiv , Moorthy Nagaraja , Bhat Prabhavathi , Nanjappa Manjunath C 
Published: March 2014

Mini‐AbstractA 27‐year‐old female with a history of second trimester abortion was referred for evaluation of transient ischemic attack. Echocardiography revealed a large, irregular, mobile mass attached to the right coronary cusp of aortic valve. Investigations were consistent with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus. She was started on oral anticoagulation. Serial echocardiography showed regression of the mass, with complete resolution at 2 months. We highlight an uncommon manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, in the setting of a prothrombotic milieu. Prompt recognition is essential for appropriate therapy and averts the need for surgery.
A bias‐free two‐alternative forced choice procedure to examine intersensory illusions applied to the ventriloquist effect by flashes and averted eye‐gazes
Authors: Vroomen Jean , Stekelenburg Jeroen J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractWe compared with a new psychophysical method whether flashes and averted eye‐gazes of a cartoon face induce a ventriloquist illusion (an illusory shift of the apparent location of a sound by a visual distracter). With standard psychophysical procedures that measure a direct ventriloquist effect and a ventriloquist aftereffect, we found in human subjects that both types of stimuli induced an illusory shift of sound location. These traditional methods, though, are probably contaminated by response strategies. We therefore developed a new two‐alternative forced choice procedure that allows measuring the strength of an intersensory illusion in a bias‐free way. With this new procedure we found that only flashes, but not averted eye‐gazes, induced an illusory shift in sound location. This difference between flashes and eye‐gazes was validated in an EEG study in which again only flashes illusorily shifted the apparent location of a sound thereby evoking a mismatch negativity response. These results are important because they highlight that commonly used measures of multisensory illusions are contaminated while there is an easy yet stringent way to measure the strength of an illusion in a bias‐free way.