bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moral Bioenhancement: Much Ado About Nothing?
Authors: de Melo‐Martin Inmaculada , Salles Arleen 
Published: June 2014

AbstractRecently, some have proposed moral bioenhancement as a solution to the serious moral evils that humans face. Seemingly disillusioned with traditional methods of moral education, proponents of bioenhancement believe that we should pursue and apply biotechnological means to morally enhance human beings. Such proposal has generated a lively debate about the permissibility of moral bioenhancement. We argue here that such debate is specious. The claim that moral bioenhancement is a solution – whether permissible or not – to the serious moral problems that affect human beings is based on several problematic framing assumptions. We evaluate here three of such assumptions: the first rests on a contested understanding of morality, the second consist in a mistaken conception of human moral problems, and the third relates to problematic presuppositions grounding the interpretation of existent scientific evidence presented to defend moral bioenhancement. Once these framing assumptions are identified and critically evaluated, it becomes clear that the moral bioenhancement debate is misguided.
The mediating effect of self‐evaluation bias of competence on the relationship between parental emotional support and children's academic functioning
Authors: Côté Sébastien , Bouffard Thérèse , Vezeau Carole 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundIt is well established that children's self‐evaluation bias of competence is related to the quality of parent–child emotional relationship. Such biases are linked to children's academic functioning and achievement. Links have also been established between the quality of parent–child emotional relationship and children's academic functioning. No study has yet explored how the effects of children's emotional relationship with their parents and children's self‐evaluation bias combine to explain their academic functioning.AimsThe first goal was to examine whether the quality of parental emotional support reported by both children and parents was related to the children's self‐evaluation bias of competence. The second goal was to examine the relationships between children's and parents' reports of emotional support, and children's academic functioning as measured by teachers' report of their motivation, self‐regulation of school activities, and academic achievement. The third goal was to determine whether a children's self‐evaluation bias mediated the relationship between parental emotional support and academic functioning.SampleIn a 2‐year longitudinal design, participants were 524 elementary pupils (grades 4 and 5), one of their parents, and their teachers.ResultsOur results indicated that a bias in self‐evaluation in the first year of the study mediated the relationship between the quality of parental emotional support assessed at the first year and their school functioning evaluated by their teacher 1 year later.ConclusionThe mediational model received clear support when it refers to the emotional support reported by children, but mixed support when reported by parents.
Emodin inhibits tonic tension through suppressing PKCδ‐mediated inhibition of myosin phosphatase in rat isolated thoracic aorta
Authors: Lim Kyung‐Min , Kwon Jae‐Hyuk , Kim Keunyoung , Noh Ji‐Yoon , Kang Seojin , Park Jung‐Min , Lee Moo‐Yeol , Bae Ok‐Nam , Chung Jin‐Ho 
Published: June 2014

Background and PurposeDysregulated tonic tension and calcium sensitization in blood vessels has frequently been observed in many cardiovascular diseases. Despite a huge therapeutic potential, little is known about natural products targeting tonic tension and calcium sensitization.Experimental ApproachWe screened natural products for inhibitory effects on vasoconstriction using the rat isolated thoracic aorta and found that an anthraquinone derivative, emodin, attenuated tonic tension. Organ bath system, primary vascular smooth muscle cells, confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis were employed to demonstrate the suppressive effects of emodin on PKCδ‐mediated myosin phosphatase inhibition.Key ResultsEmodin, an active ingredient of Polygonum multiflorum extract, inhibited phenylephrine‐induced vasoconstriction in rat isolated thoracic aorta, and inhibited vasoconstriction induced by 5‐HT and endothelin‐1. It also generally suppressed vasoconstrictions mediated by voltage‐operated, store‐operated calcium channels and intracellular calcium store. However, emodin did not affect agonist‐induced calcium increases in primary smooth muscle cells. In contrast, post‐treatment with emodin following phenylephrine stimulation potently suppressed tonic tension in rat aortic rings. Western blot analysis revealed that emodin inhibited phenylephrine‐induced phospho‐myosin light chain (pMLC) and the phosphorylation of myosin‐targeting subunit and C‐kinase‐activated protein phosphatase‐1 inhibitor (CPI‐17). This was mediated by selective inhibition of PKCδ, whereas PKCα was not involved.Conclusion and ImplicationsEmodin attenuates tonic tension through the blockade of PKCδ and CPI‐17‐mediated MLC‐phosphatase inhibition. This new mode of action for the suppression of tonic tension and structural insights into PKCδ inhibition revealed by emodin may provide new information for the development of modulators of tonic tension and for the treatment of hypertension.
Pharmacological tools for hydrogen sulphide research: a brief, introductory guide for beginners
Authors: Papapetropoulos Andreas , Whiteman Matthew , Cirino Giuseppe 
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this brief review is to help researchers in their initial approach to the H2S field and to provide answers for the most frequently posed questions by newcomers to the topic related to H2S donors and inhibitors of H2S synthesis, as well as methods to measure H2S production. Here the reader will find a practical guide that provides fast and to the point information on how to (i) deliver H2S to cells; (ii) modulate its endogenous production; and (iii) measure its levels in fluids, cells and tissues in order to gain an understanding of its role in health and disease.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of the Gasotransmitters. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-6
Protective buttressing of the hominin face
Authors: Carrier David R. , Morgan Michael H. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTWhen humans fight hand‐to‐hand the face is usually the primary target and the bones that suffer the highest rates of fracture are the parts of the skull that exhibit the greatest increase in robusticity during the evolution of basal hominins. These bones are also the most sexually dimorphic parts of the skull in both australopiths and humans. In this review, we suggest that many of the facial features that characterize early hominins evolved to protect the face from injury during fighting with fists. Specifically, the trend towards a more orthognathic face; the bunodont form and expansion of the postcanine teeth; the increased robusticity of the orbit; the increased robusticity of the masticatory system, including the mandibular corpus and condyle, zygoma, and anterior pillars of the maxilla; and the enlarged jaw adductor musculature are traits that may represent protective buttressing of the face. If the protective buttressing hypothesis is correct, the primary differences in the face of robust versus gracile australopiths may be more a function of differences in mating system than differences in diet as is generally assumed. In this scenario, the evolution of reduced facial robusticity in Homo is associated with the evolution of reduced strength of the upper body and, therefore, with reduced striking power. The protective buttressing hypothesis provides a functional explanation for the puzzling observation that although humans do not fight by biting our species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in the strength and power of the jaw and neck musculature. The protective buttressing hypothesis is also consistent with observations that modern humans can accurately assess a male's strength and fighting ability from facial shape and voice quality.
Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation vs sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: a comparative case‐matched study
Authors: Al Asari S. , Meurette G. , Mantoo S. , Kubis C. , Wyart V. , Lehur P.‐A. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimThe study assessed the initial experience with posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for faecal incontinence and compared it with sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) performed in a single centre during the same timespan.MethodA retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted at the colorectal unit, University Hospital, Nantes, France, from May 2009 to December 2010. Seventy‐eight patients diagnosed with chronic severe faecal incontinence underwent neurostimulation including PTNS in 21 and SNS in 57. The main outcome measures were faecal incontinence (Wexner score) and quality of life (Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life, FIQL) scores in a short‐term follow‐up.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in patients' characteristics. Of 57 patients having SNS, 18 (32%) failed peripheral nerve evaluation and 39 (68%) received a permanent implant. Two (5%) developed a wound infection. No adverse effects were recorded in the PTNS group. There was no significant difference in the mean Wexner and FIQL scores between patients having PTNS and SNS at 6 (P = 0.39 and 0.09) and 12 months (P = 0.79 and 0.37). A 50% or more improvement in Wexner score was seen at 6 and 12 months in 47% and 30% of PTNS patients and in 50% and 58% of SNS patients with no significant difference between the groups.ConclusionPosterior tibial nerve stimulation is a valid method of treating faecal incontinence in the short term when conservative treatment has failed. It is easier, simpler, cheaper and less invasive than SNS with a similar short‐term outcome.
Intra‐arterial methylene blue injection into ex vivo colorectal cancer specimens improves lymph node staging accuracy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Borowski D. W. , Banky B. , Banerjee A. K. , Agarwal A. K. , Tabaqchali M. A. , Garg D. K. , Hobday C. , Hegab M. , Gill T. S. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimA randomized controlled trial was carried out to study the effect of a recently proposed technique of ex vivo intra‐arterial methylene blue injection of the surgical specimen removed for colorectal cancer on lymph node harvest and staging.MethodBetween May 2012 and February 2013, 100 consecutive colorectal cancer resection specimens in a single institution were randomly assigned to intervention (methylene blue injection) and control (standard manual palpation technique) groups before formalin fixation. The specimen was then examined by the histopathologist for lymph nodes.ResultsBoth groups were similar for age, sex, site of tumour, operation and tumour stage. In the intervention group, a higher number of nodes was found [median 23 (5–92) vs 15 (5–37), P < 0.001], with only one specimen not achieving the recommended minimum standard of 12 nodes [1/50 (2%) vs 8/50 (16%), P = 0.014]. However, there was no upstaging effect in the intervention group [23/50 (46.0%) vs 20/50 (40.0%); P = 0.686]. With a significantly lower number of nodes harvested in rectal cancer, the positive effect of the intervention was particularly observed in the patients who underwent preoperative neoadjuvant radiotherapy [median 30 nodes (12–57) vs 11 (7–15); P = 0.011; proportion of cases with < 12 nodes 0/5 vs 5/8 (62.5%), P = 0.024].ConclusionEx vivo intra‐arterial methylene blue injection increases lymph node yield and can help to reduce the number of cases with a lower‐than‐recommended number of nodes, particularly in patients with rectal cancer having neoadjuvant treatment. The technique is easy to perform, cheap and saves time.
Kin rejection: social signals, neural response and perceived distress during social exclusion
Authors: Sreekrishnan Anirudh , Herrera Tania A. , Wu Jia , Borelli Jessica L. , White Lars O. , Rutherford Helena J.V. , Mayes Linda C. , Crowley Michael J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAcross species, kin bond together to promote survival. We sought to understand the dyadic effect of exclusion by kin (as opposed to non‐kin strangers) on brain activity of the mother and her child and their subjective distress. To this end, we probed mother–child relationships with a computerized ball‐toss game Cyberball. When excluded by one another, rather than by a stranger, both mothers and children exhibited a significantly pronounced frontal P2. Moreover, upon kin rejection versus stranger rejection, both mothers and children showed incremented left frontal positive slow waves for rejection events. Children reported more distress upon exclusion than their own mothers. Similar to past work, relatively augmented negative frontal slow wave activity predicted greater self‐reported ostracism distress. This effect, generalized to the P2, was limited to mother‐ or child‐rejection by kin, with comparable magnitude of effect across kin identity (mothers vs. children). For both mothers and children, the frontal P2 peak was significantly pronounced for kin rejection versus stranger rejection. Taken together, our results document the rapid categorization of social signals as kin relevant and the specificity of early and late neural markers for predicting felt ostracism.
Fathers' versus mothers' social referencing signals in relation to infant anxiety and avoidance: a visual cliff experiment
Authors: Möller Eline L. , Majdandžić Mirjana , Bögels Susan M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractInfants use signals from others to guide their behavior when confronted with novel situations, a process called ‘social referencing’ (SR). Via SR, signs of parental anxiety can lead to infant anxiety. Little is known about differences in the effect of paternal and maternal SR signals on child anxiety. Using a visual cliff paradigm, we studied whether SR processes between fathers and their infants differed from mothers and their infants. Eighty‐one infants aged 10–15 months were randomly assigned to conduct the visual cliff task with their father (n = 41) or mother (n = 40). The infant was placed on the shallow side of the cliff and the parent, standing at the deep side, was instructed to encourage the infant to cross. Results showed that although mothers showed more intense facial expressions of encouragement than fathers, no differences occurred in how fast, and with how much anxiety, infants crossed the cliff with fathers and mothers. However, path analyses showed that paternal, but not maternal, expressed anxiety was positively associated with infant expressed anxiety and avoidance. For infants who participated with their mother, infants' anxious temperament was negatively associated with infant avoidance of the cliff. Infant anxious temperament moderated the link between paternal expressed anxiety and infant avoidance: the higher the level of infant anxious temperament the stronger the positive association between paternal expressed anxiety and infant's avoidance of the cliff. Lastly, parental encouragement was unrelated to infant expressed anxiety and avoidance. Our results suggest that SR processes between fathers and their infants differ from those between mothers and their infants.
A Modest Proposal
Authors: Oldenburg Mark 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe language of “consecration” to describe what the presider does at Holy Communion seems to have many more drawbacks than advantages. Based on a misunderstanding of the Institution Narratives, it nurtures an understanding of the Sacrament centered on the presider and the elements, while marginalizing the assembly. It leads to the unthinking adoption of practices with significant theological hazards. In every way, “presiding” is to be preferred.
The Sign of Unity and the Bond of Charity: On the Eucharist as a “Taskmaster” in the Context of Global Migration
Authors: Suna‐Koro Kristine 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWhat does the Eucharist—seen as the source and summit of Christian life and the “meeting‐point on which all the issues of theology converge” (Y.Brilioth) have to do with migrants and refugees? Regardless of how we celebrate the Eucharist, we all have to negotiate ways of living together within the interdependent destiny of globalization. Precisely within this global conviviality, the sacramental and mystical radicalism of unity and love that Martin Luther advocated in his eucharistic theology invites serious consideration but also equally serious contextualization.
“You Must Follow Our Belief or Else You Can't Receive God”: Constructing a Sexual Bi/Theology of Eucharist
Authors: Goh Joseph N. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractEmbodied experiences and insights of LGBTQ persons can challenge and contradict grand metanarratives of sacramental theology that exclude and/or censure these persons. Through a theological investigation of the narratives of Vincent, a 26‐year old Malaysian, I examine the dynamics of his self‐identifying as bisexual and Roman Catholic in relation to his perception of the Eucharist. Drawing from his narratives and aided by the theologisings of Marcella Althaus‐Reid, Andrea Bieler and Luise Schottroff, I explore alternative ways in which the Eucharist can be imagined for LGBTQ Christians.
A justification for less restrictive guidelines on the use of metformin in stable chronic renal failure
Authors: Adam W. R. , O'Brien R. C. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimThe aim was to justify less restrictive use of metformin in stable chronic renal failure, because a literature review reveals metformin is associated with a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality compared with other hypoglycaemic agents, and metformin‐associated lactic acidosis is rare and causation uncertain. Studies on intentional metformin overdose and metformin bioavailability, renal clearance and plasma metformin in renal impairment provide evidence in support of a less restrictive use of metformin.MethodsIn metformin overdose (n = 22), lactic acidosis was not inevitable with a plasma metformin > 40 mg/l (therapeutic level c. 1 mg/l): Severe lactic acidosis (pH ≤ 7.21, plasma lactate ≥ 11 mmol/l, n = 8) did not occur unless plasma metformin was > 40 mg/l. Plasma lactate was a more consistent predictor of pH than plasma metformin, with plasma lactate ≤ 4.7 being associated with a pH ≥ 7.34. A likely ‘safe’ plasma lactate is < 3.5 mmol/l and plasma metformin < 10 mg/l.ResultsPlasma metformin can be predicted from estimated glomerular filtration rate and metformin dose. Reported plasma metformin in renal failure was always less than predicted plasma metformin. Predicted plasma metformin (mg/l), with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 30 ml/min and metformin 2000 mg/day was 6.8; an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 20 ml/min and metformin 1500 mg/day was 5.1; an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 10 ml/min and metformin 500 mg/day was 4.4.ConclusionMetformin accumulates in renal failure and, although accumulation does not always lead to lactic acidosis, dose modification to achieve a predicted plasma metformin < 10 mg/l is suggested. As plasma metformin is not routinely available, plasma lactate should be useful in monitoring the use of metformin in renal failure.
Modulation of stimulus contrast on the human pupil orienting response
Authors: Wang Chin‐An , Munoz Douglas P. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe sudden appearance of a novel stimulus initiates a series of responses to orient the body for appropriate actions, including not only shifts of gaze and attention, but also transient pupil dilation. Modulation of pupil dynamics by stimulus properties is less understood, although its effects on other components of orienting have been extensively explored. Microstimulation of the superior colliculus evoked transient pupil dilation, and the initial component of pupil dilation evoked by microstimulation was similar to that elicited by the presentation of salient sensory stimuli, suggesting a coordinated role of the superior colliculus on this behavior, although evidence in humans is yet to be established. To examine pupil orienting responses in humans, we presented visual stimuli while participants fixated on a central visual spot. Transient pupil dilation in humans was elicited after presentation of a visual stimulus in the periphery. The evoked pupil responses were modulated systematically by stimulus contrast, with faster and larger pupil responses triggered by higher contrast stimuli. The pupil response onset latencies for high contrast stimuli were similar to those produced by the light reflex and significantly faster than the darkness reflex, suggesting that the initial component of pupil dilation is probably mediated by inhibition of the parasympathetic pathway. The contrast modulation was pronounced under different levels of baseline pupil size. Together, our results demonstrate visual contrast modulation on the orienting pupil response in humans.
Evolutionary histories of soil fungi are reflected in their large‐scale biogeography
Authors: Treseder Kathleen K. , Maltz Mia R. , Hawkins Bradford A. , Fierer Noah , Stajich Jason E. , McGuire Krista L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAlthough fungal communities are known to vary along latitudinal gradients, mechanisms underlying this pattern are not well‐understood. We used high‐throughput sequencing to examine the large‐scale distributions of soil fungi and their relation to evolutionary history. We tested the Tropical Conservatism Hypothesis, which predicts that ancestral fungal groups should be more restricted to tropical latitudes and conditions than would more recently derived groups. We found support for this hypothesis in that older phyla preferred significantly lower latitudes and warmer, wetter conditions than did younger phyla. Moreover, preferences for higher latitudes and lower precipitation levels were significantly phylogenetically conserved among the six younger phyla, possibly because the older phyla possess a zoospore stage that is vulnerable to drought, whereas the younger phyla retain protective cell walls throughout their life cycle. Our study provides novel evidence that the Tropical Conservatism Hypothesis applies to microbes as well as plants and animals.
Inlay‐retained cantilever fixed dental prostheses to substitute a single premolar: impact of zirconia framework design after dynamic loading
Authors: Shahin Ramez , Tannous Fahed , Kern Matthias 
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this in‐vitro study was to evaluate the influence of the framework design on the durability of inlay‐retained cantilever fixed dental prostheses (IR‐FDPs), made from zirconia ceramic, after artificial ageing. Forty‐eight caries‐free human premolars were prepared as abutments for all‐ceramic cantilevered IR‐FDPs using six framework designs: occlusal–distal (OD) inlay, OD inlay with an oral retainer wing, OD inlay with two retainer wings, mesial–occlusal–distal (MOD) inlay, MOD inlay with an oral retainer ring, and veneer partial coping with a distal box (VB). Zirconia IR‐FDPs were fabricated via computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. The bonding surfaces were air‐abraded (50 μm alumina/0.1 MPa), and the frameworks were bonded with adhesive resin cement. Specimens were stored for 150 d in a 37°C water bath during which they were thermocycled between 5 and 55°C for 37,500 cycles; thereafter, they were exposed to 600,000 cycles of dynamic loading with a 5‐kg load in a chewing simulator. All surviving specimens were loaded onto the pontic and tested until failure using a universal testing machine. The mean failure load of the groups ranged from 260.8 to 746.7 N. Statistical analysis showed that both MOD groups exhibited significantly higher failure loads compared with the other groups (i.e. the three OD groups and the VB group) and that there was no significant difference in the failure load among the OD groups and the VB group. In conclusion, zirconia IR‐FDPs with a modified design exhibited promising failure modes.