bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of an ototoxicity model in the adult CBA/CaJ mouse and determination of a golden window of corticosteroid intervention for otoprotection
Authors: Fernandes Vinay T , Lin Vincent YW 
Published: April 2014

Objective To investigate the effect of timing of dexamethasone administration on auditory hair cell survival following an ototoxic insult with kanamycin and furosemide. Study design Controlled experimental study. Setting Translational science experimental laboratory. Methods 5–6 week old CBA/CaJ mice, divided into 6 groups, were injected with kanamycin (1 mg/g SC) followed by furosemide (0.5 mg/g IP). Dexamethasone (0.1 mg/g IP) was injected at either 1 hour prior to insult, +1 hr, +6 hr, +12 hr, or +72 hr post insult. Temporal bones harvested on day 7 underwent Organ of Corti dissection. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using antibodies to myosin 7a, phalloidin, and TO-PRO. Results Hair cell counts demonstrate a uniform ototoxicity model with total loss of outer hair cells (OHCs) and near-total loss of inner hair cells (IHCs). The group pre-treated with dexamethasone showed a statistically significant improvement in counts compared to controls (p = 0.004). Counts from the other experimental groups given dexamethasone after the insult were highly variable but demonstrated some apical and middle turn inner hair cell survival. Conclusion Treatment of systemic dexamethasone prior to ototoxic insult attenuates hair cell loss in a reliable, novel, ototoxicity model using kanamycin and furosemide in CBA/CaJ mice. Dosing with dexamethasone following ototoxic insult shows promising yet variable response in hair cell survival.
Beneficial effects of pioglitazone and metformin in murine model of polycystic ovaries via improvement of chemerin gene up-regulation
Authors: Kabiri Nahid , Tabandeh Mohammad Reza , Tabatabaie Seyed Reza Fatemi 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) is recognized as the most common endocrinopathy in female. Chemerin is a novel adipocytokine that is expressed in ovary and upregulated in adipose tissue of obese, PCO patients. To date there is no report about the regulation of ovarian chemerin gene expression after PCO induction and treatment by insulin sensitizing drugs including pioglitazone and metformin.
Thirty female rats were divided into six experimental groups with five rats in each group including control group, PCO group (i.m injection of 4 mg estradiol benzoate for 40 days), metformin treated (200 mg/kg/day for 21 days), pioglitazone treated (20 mg/kg/day, for 21 days), PCO + metformin and PCO + pioglitazone. PCO was detected by microscopic observation of vaginal smear and treatment by metformin and pioglitazone was initiated one week after that. Ovarian chemerin expression was analyzed by real time PCR and western blotting.

Results
Our results demonstrated that PCO induction resulted in elevation of chemerin mRNA and protein levels in ovary in concomitant with incidence of insulin resistance and increasing androgen and progesterone production. We observed that metformin and pioglitazone attenuated ovarian chemerin expression and improved insulin resistance and abnormal steroid production in PCO rats.

Conclusion
Based on data presented here we concluded that alteration of ovarian chemerin expression may has important role in PCO development and manipulation of chemerin expression or signaling by pioglitazone or metformin can be a novel therapeutic mechanism in the treatment of PCO patients by these drugs.
Does the growing of Bt maize change abundance or ecological function of non-target animals compared to the growing of non-GM maize? A systematic review protocol
Authors: Meissle Michael , Naranjo Steven E , Kohl Christian , Riedel Judith , Romeis Jörg 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Background
Since 1996, genetically modified (GM) crops have been grown on an ever increasing area worldwide. Maize producing a Cry protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was among the first GM crops released for commercial production and it is the only GM crop currently cultivated in Europe. A major part of the regulatory process that precedes the commercial release of GM crops is the environmental risk assessment. Because Bt maize is modified to produce insecticidal proteins, potential interactions with non-target organisms are a major area of concern to be addressed in the risk assessment. In particular, beneficial arthropods that provide important agro-ecological services, such as pollination, decomposition, and biological control are the focus. This systematic review will evaluate if the growing of Bt maize changes abundance or ecological function of non-target animals compared to the growing of conventional, non-GM maize. The review will be limited to plot or field level data including field margins. Potential cropping system effects and off-field effects will not be addressed. Bt maize will be compared to conventional maize either untreated or treated with chemical insecticides.

Methods
Stakeholders from academia, competent authorities, industry, and civil society organizations were given the opportunity to comment on the review question and an earlier draft of this review protocol.
Keyword searches will be conducted in a range of abstracting and full text literature databases. Retrieved records will be screened against a set of inclusion criteria, first on title and abstract level, then on full text level. Selected studies will be evaluated for risks of bias (quality assessment). Data on field/plot characteristics, maize cultivars, insecticide treatments, non-target animal taxa, sampling methods, and response variables of populations and ecological functions will be extracted. Meta-analysis will be conducted using the effect size estimator Hedge’s d on a range of comparisons and including sensitivity analysis. The review process will be fully documented in CADIMA, an open access online data portal for evidence synthesis.
Chemical and biological properties of a sandy loam soil amended with olive mill waste, solid or liquid form, in vitro
Authors: Gougoulias Nikolaos , Vagelas Ioannis , Papachatzis Alexandros , Stergiou Eleftheria , Chouliaras Nikolaos , Chouliara Adamantia 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe profitable use of the large amounts of olive oil mill wastes produced in Greece, as source of soil organic matter, might be probably beneficial to soil microorganism activity.ResultsA high rate of organic matter biodegradation was observed in soil samples amended with the liquid form of olive mill wastewater, whereas the vice versa results were obtained with the solid form. When the soil was amended with a mixture of both olive mill waste forms, liquid (L) and solid (S), the organic matter of the solid waste (S) showed a well-improved biodegradation; the available forms of P, K, Zn, Mn, and Cu were increased, especially in treatments where the olive mill wastewater, liquid form, was threefold in comparison to the solid form. Moreover, the soil amended with the solid (S) form of olive mill waste reduced bacterial growth significantly, and both waste forms act negative impacts to soil-borne fungi belonging to the genusRhizopus.ConclusionsThe results of this work demonstrated the high potential of olive mill waste, solid or liquid form, added to sandy loam soil in an incubation experimentin vitro. The better results for soil quality were obtained when a combining mixture of these materials was added in the ratio 1:3 (solid/liquid).
Changes in aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 expression during neoadjuvant chemotherapy predict outcome in locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Alamgeer Muhammad , Ganju Vinod , Kumar Beena , Fox Jane , Hart Stewart , White Michelle , Harris Marion , Stuckey John , Prodanovic Zdenka , Schneider-Kolsky Michal Elisabeth , Watkins D Neil 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally advanced breast cancer can improve operability and local disease control, there is a lack of reliable biomarkers that predict response to chemotherapy or long-term survival. Since expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH1) is associated with the stem-like properties of self-renewal and innate chemoresistance in breast cancer, we asked whether expression in serial tumor samples treated with NAC could identify women more likely to benefit from this therapy.

Methods
Women with locally advanced breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive four cycles of anthracycline-based chemotherapy, followed by four cycles of taxane therapy (Arm A), or the same regimen in reverse order (Arm B). Tumor specimens were collected at baseline, after four cycles, and then at surgical resection. ALDH1 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and correlated with tumor response using Fisher’s exact test while Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival.

Results
A hundred and nineteen women were enrolled into the study. Fifty seven (48%) were randomized to Arm A and 62 (52%) to Arm B. Most of the women (90%) had ductal carcinoma and 10% had lobular carcinoma. Of these, 26 (22%) achieved a pathological complete response (pCR) after NAC. There was no correlation between baseline ALDH1 expression and tumor grade, stage, hormone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status and Ki67 index. ALDH1 negativity at baseline was significantly associated with pCR (P = 0.004). The presence of ALDH1(+) cells in the residual tumor cells in non-responding women was strongly predictive of worse overall survival (P = 0.024). Moreover, serial analysis of specimens from non-responders showed a marked increase in tumor-specific ALDH1 expression (P = 0.028). Overall, there was no survival difference according to the chemotherapy sequence. However, poorly responding tumours from women receiving docetaxel chemotherapy showed an unexpected significant increase in ALDH1 expression.

Conclusions
ALDH1 expression is a useful predictor of chemoresistance. The up-regulation of ALDH1 after NAC predicts poor survival in locally advanced breast cancer. Although the chemotherapy sequence had no effect on overall prognosis, our results suggest that anthracycline-based chemotherapy may be more effective at targeting ALDH1(+) breast cancer cells.

Trial registration
ACTRN12605000588695
Synthesis and Vapor-adsorption Behavior of a Flexible Porous Coordination Polymer Built from a Bis(bipyridyl)–Cu(I) Metalloligand
Authors: Kobayashi Atsushi , Sugiyama Akira , Ohba Tadashi , Suzuki Yui , Chang Ho-Chol , Kato Masako 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
A new porous coordination polymer (PCP), formulated as {[LaIII2(µ3-OH)(CH3COO)2(H2O)][CuI(dmdcbpy)2]·9H2O}n (La2Cu·9H2O; H2dmdcbpy: 6,6′-dimethyl-5,5′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine), was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and vapor-adsorption isotherms. The porous framework of La2Cu consists of a 3-D coordination network of the Cu(I)-metalloligand and the tetranuclear La4 cluster {La4(µ3-OH)2(CH3COO)4(H2O)2}. La2Cu exhibits reversible guest adsorption–desorption for various vapors, with reversible structural transformations.
HREELS Evaluation of Coronene Monolayer Adsorption on Au(111) as the First Base Layer to Achieve Coordination Programming
Authors: Nishiyama Katsuhiko , Harada Hiroshi , Yoshimoto Soichiro , Taniguchi Isao , Yamada Taro 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
To achieve coordination programming at an electrode surface, the first functional layer is highly important. In this study, high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS) was used to investigate coronene monolayer adsorption on a Au(111) substrate at 300 K. In the spectra, only a band attributable to the out-of-plane vibration mode was observed, suggesting that coronene molecules adsorb on the substrate with a flat orientation. Furthermore, the HREEL spectra showed that the coronene monolayer was stable even after heating to 400 K.
Ionic Liquid-inspired Redox Shuttles: Properties of a Ferrocenylimidazolium Salt as an Efficient Mediator for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Oyaizu Kenichi , Ikeda Hiroki , Hayo Noriko , Kato Fumiaki , Nishide Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
A ferrocenylimidazolium salt was found to be an efficient iodine/iodide-free redox mediator for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), giving rise to a photoconversion efficiency of 4% under optimized electrolyte conditions. The excellent redox mediation process was ascribed not only to the electrochemically reversible nature of the molecule with a large heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constant in the order of 10−2 cm s−1 at electrodes, but also to an exceptionally high solubility up to 2.7 M to produce a large redox gradient in the mediation layer, thus allowing the increase of diffusion-limited current. The high solubility originating from the imidazolium group in the mediator molecule was reminiscent of ionic liquids, which are typically characterized by small absorption coefficients in a visible region. These properties provided a mass-transfer-based concept of molecular design for organic redox mediators in DSSCs.
Synthesis of 2,2′-Diamino-1,1′-biazulenes by the Copper-catalyzed Homocoupling Reaction of 2-Aminoazulenes
Authors: Shoji Taku , Maruyama Akifumi , Yamamoto Atsuyo , Fujiwara Yuki , Ito Shunji , Okujima Tetsuo , Morita Noboru 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Synthesis of 2,2′-diamino-1,1′-biazulene derivatives 5 and 9–11 was established by copper-catalyzed homocoupling reaction of the corresponding 2-aminoazulenes 3 and 6–8. The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 6,6′-dibromo-1,1′-biazulene derivative 9 were also established under the Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira–Hagihara conditions.
Micromechanics of Lotus Fibers
Authors: Zhang Yabin , Guo Zhiguang 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
A detailed and comprehensive study on lotus fibers has been carried out to demonstrate its spiral structure with a side-by-side arrangement of fibrils. By using an improved testing instrument, it is found for the first time that lotus fibers show distinct micromechanical performance. Notably, a qualitative comparative analysis between the tensile process of raw and heated fibers suggests that such an excellent property is mainly derived from their structure and composition. This would hold promise in designing biomimetic functional materials.
Data Governance and Data Sharing Agreements for Community-Wide Health Information
Exchange: Lessons from the Beacon Communities
Authors: Allen Claudia , Des Jardins Terrisca R. , Heider Arvela , Lyman Kristin A. , McWilliams Lee , Rein Alison L. , Schachter Abigail A. , Singh Ranjit , Sorondo Barbara , Topper Joan , Turske Scott A. 
Published: April 2014

Purpose: Unprecedented efforts are underway across the United States to
electronically capture and exchange health information to improve health care and
population health, and reduce costs. This increased collection and sharing of electronic
patient data raises several governance issues, including privacy, security, liability,
and market competition. Those engaged in such efforts have had to develop data sharing
agreements (DSAs) among entities involved in information exchange, many of whom are
“nontraditional” health care entities and/or new partners. This paper shares lessons
learned based on the experiences of six federally funded communities participating in
the Beacon Community Cooperative Agreement Program, and offers guidance for navigating
data governance issues and developing DSAs to facilitate community-wide health
information exchange.Innovation: While all entities involved in electronic data sharing
must address governance issues and create DSAs accordingly, until recently little formal
guidance existed for doing so – particularly for community-based initiatives. Despite
this lack of guidance, together the Beacon Communities’ experiences highlight promising
strategies for navigating complex governance issues, which may be useful to other
entities or communities initiating information exchange efforts to support delivery
system transformation.Credibility: For the past three years, AcademyHealth has provided
technical assistance to most of the 17 Beacon Communities, 6 of whom contributed to this
collaborative writing effort. Though these communities varied widely in terms of their
demographics, resources, and Beacon-driven priorities, common themes emerged as they
described their approaches to data governance and DSA development.Conclusions: The 6
Beacon Communities confirmed that DSAs are necessary to satisfy legal and market-based
concerns, and they identified several specific issues, many of which have been noted by
others involved in network data sharing initiatives. More importantly, these communities
identified several promising approaches to timely and effective DSA development,
including: stakeholder engagement; identification and effective communication of value;
adoption of a parsimonious approach; attention to market-based concerns; flexibility in
adapting and expanding existing agreements and partnerships; and anticipation of
required time and investment.
A nine-year review of medicolegal claims in neurosurgery
Authors: Mukherjee S , Pringle C , Crocker M 
Published: April 2014

Introduction Neurosurgery remains among the highest malpractice risk specialties. This study aimed to identify areas in neurosurgery associated with litigation, attendant causes and costs. Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted of 42 closed litigation cases treated by neurosurgeons at one hospital between March 2004 and March 2013. Data included clinical event, timing and reason for claim, operative course and legal outcome. Results Twenty-nine claims were defended out of court and twelve were settled out of court. One case required court attendance and was defended. Of the 42 claims, 28, 13 and 1 related to spinal (0.3% of caseload), cranial (0.1% of caseload) and peripheral nerve (0.07% of caseload) surgery respectively. The most common causes of claims were faulty surgical technique (43%), delayed diagnosis/misdiagnosis (17%), lack of information (14%) and delayed treatment (12%), with a likelihood of success of 39%, 29%, 17% and 20% respectively. The highest median payouts were for claims against faulty surgical technique (£230,000) and delayed diagnosis/misdiagnosis (£212,650). The mean delay between clinical event and claim was 664 days. Conclusions Spinal surgery carries the highest litigation risk versus cranial and peripheral nerve surgery. Claims are most commonly against faulty surgical technique and delayed diagnosis/misdiagnosis, which have the highest success rates and payouts. In spinal surgery, the most common cause of claims is faulty surgical technique. In cranial surgery, the most common cause is lack of information. Claims may occur years after the clinical event, necessitating thorough contemporaneous documentation for adequate future defence. We emphasise thorough patient consultation and meticulous surgical technique to minimise litigation in neurosurgical practice.
Postoperative pain following primary lower limb arthroplasty and enhanced recovery pathway
Authors: Robinson KP , Wagstaff KJ , Sanghera S , Kerry RM 
Published: April 2014

Introduction Enhanced recovery is a concept that has become increasingly popular for arthroplasty surgery over the last ten years. This study was designed to assess the analgesia requirements, pain levels and time to discharge for patients having primary arthroplasty in the enhanced recovery pathway. Methods A multidisciplinary prospective cohort study was carried out between January 2012 and March 2012. Data were collected for patients undergoing primary arthroplasty in one hospital during this time. Details of anaesthesia, local infiltration, additional medications and analgesia were recorded. A visual analogue scale pain score was obtained from each patient at time of mobilisation on days 0, 1, 2 and 3 postoperatively. Results Ninety-six patients were included in the study. Of these, 34 underwent total hip arthroplasty and 62 total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Pain was the greatest contributor for delayed discharge in TKA patients. The patients who had TKA and did not receive non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had significantly higher pain scores (day 0, p<0.01; day 1, p<0.001; day 2, p<0.01) and significantly increased opiate demands compared with those patients who did receive NSAIDs. Conclusions There are unacceptably high pain scores in patients undergoing TKA without the use of NSAIDs. There should be focused intervention with this group of patients to improve their pain scores and reduce their length of stay.
Introducing Jacques Ellul to English education
Authors: Forsberg Geraldine E. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Jacques Ellul’s sociological perspective on technological society has had a wide-ranging influence. His sociological and philosophical ideas provided a foundation for studies in media ecology. However, many English educators are unaware of Ellul’s ideas. This article aims to introduce Ellul to English education. As a seminal thinker in the media ecology tradition, Ellul’s writings greatly influenced Neil Postman. Postman is known for his work in English education. This article argues that English education would benefit from the perspectives of Ellul. After a brief introduction to Ellul, the article identifies some of Ellul’s main ideas, which can inform English education.
Reflections on Intimacy and Narcissism in Ontroerend Goed’s Personal Trilogy
Authors: Alston Adam 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
This article looks at the functioning of intimate experience in three one-on-one performances by the Belgian theatre company Ontroerend Goed, grouped together as the Personal Trilogy: The Smile off Your Face (2003), Internal (2007) and A Game of You (2010). It will be argued that ‘the experience’ is rendered a site of aesthetic engagement in these performances and that this rendering encourages the participant to reflect on the terms of intimate interaction. Some potentially productive discrepancies in these performances will be discussed in addressing the production of experience, such as belief and belief under false pretences, control and being controlled, and a desire for self-fulfilment in relation to its being undermined. These discrepancies will be theorized with reference to Ovid’s myth of Narcissus and Echo and Richard Sennett’s comments on narcissism in The Fall of Public Man (1974), where a provocative model of ‘narcissistic participation’ will be proposed as being relevant to this kind of work. Perhaps the deliberate undermining of intimate experience may open up space to formulate a politics of participation premised not on a balance of power between performer and participant, but, rather, on an affective revealing of its elusiveness.
Letting Wood Rot: A Case Study on Local Perceptions of Global Conservation Initiatives (Boumba, Niger)
Authors: Müller Jocelyn , Guimbo Iro Dan 
Published: April 2014

Although there is a pressing need for conservation in Africa and a push for such actions to be directed by the community, there is still much conflict both in academia and on the ground regarding the success and methods of community-based conservation. Employing key-informant interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation, we look at how one community has perceived the conservation actions in their village, Boumba, Niger, and the neighbouring national park, Park-W. This study examines local perceptions of the goals, priorities and methods of conservation in Park-W and the Boumba region. We demonstrate that while participants expressed positive alignment with perceived conservation goals, they did not agree with conservation priorities and felt strongly against the methods. Reframing conservation discourse in the terms of sustainable-use or adaptive management may serve to help translate much of the conservation ethic to local realities. We argue that for local conservation to be culturally sustainable, programmers of conservation must engage the community on their own terms, and recognize the value of local perceptions.