bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interaction between Dopamine‐ and Isotocin‐Containing Neurones in the Preoptic Area of the Catfish, Clarias batrachus: Role in the Regulation of Luteinising Hormone Cells
Authors: Singh U. , Kumar S. , Singru P. S. 
Published: June 2012

Apart from gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) and dopamine (DA), oxytocin has emerged as an important endogenous agent that regulates reproduction. Although the interaction between these factors has been extensively studied in mammals, parallel information in teleosts is much limited. We studied the organisation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; a marker for dopamine) and isotocin neurones in the preoptic area (POA) and hypothalamus of the catfish, Clarias batrachus and its implication in the regulation of luteinising hormone (LH) cells in the pituitary. Nucleus preopticus periventricularis (NPP), a major dopaminergic centre in the brain, consists of anterior (NPPa) and posterior (NPPp) subdivisions. Using retrograde neuronal tracing, we found that majority of the DA neurones in NPPa, but none from NPPp, project to the pituitary. The nucleus preopticus (NPO) of C. batrachus contains a conspicuous assemblage of large isotocin‐positive neurones. It consists of a paraventricular subdivision (NPOpv) located on either side of the third ventricle and lies roughly sandwiched between the dopaminergic neurones of NPPa and NPPp. An additional subset of isotocin neurones was located above the optic chiasm in the supraoptic subdivision of the NPO (NPOso). Isotocin‐containing neurones in both the subdivisions of NPO were densely innervated by DA fibres. Superfusion of the POA‐containing brain slices with DA D1‐like receptor agonist (SKF‐38393) resulted in significant increase in isotocin immunoreactivity in the NPOpv neurones; NPOso neurones did not respond. However, treatment with DA D2‐like receptor agonist (quinpirole) reduced isotocin immunoreactivity in the NPOso, but not in the NPOpv. Thus, DA appears to differentially regulate the components of isotocinergic system. Isotocin fibres extend to the pituitary and terminate on LH cells and the superfused pituitary slices treated with isotocin caused significant reduction in LHβ‐immunoreactivity. An elaborate interplay between the DA and isotocin systems appears to be an important component of the LH regulatory system.
Are the severe injuries of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by an exacerbated Th1 response?
Authors: NICODEMO A. C. , AMATO V. S. , MIRANDA A. M. , FLOETER‐WINTER L. M. F. , ZAMPIERI R. A. , FERNADES E. R. , DUARTE M. I. S. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryAmerican tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is a disease whose clinical features are strongly related to the type of immune response it induces. Herein we report an atypical presentation of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a woman with a severe and extensive sore located in her leg, and we describe the differences between the usual local immune response in ATL and the local immune response in this patient. We observed an intense inflammatory response characterized by Th1 cells and cytokines with conspicuous expression of Toll‐like receptor 3 (TLR‐3). Few parasites were present, but there was an extensive tissue damage. We also discuss the immunological factors that could be related to the atypical presentation.
Mitochondrial SCAR and SSR Markers for distinguishing cytoplasmic male sterile lines from their isogenic maintainer lines in cotton
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Meng Zhigang , Zhou Tao , Sun Guoqing , Shi Ji , Yu Yuanhua , Zhang Rui , Guo Sandui 
Published: June 2012

With 8 figures and 3 tablesAbstractCytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) line P30A of Upland cotton has been used in commercial production of F1seeds. However, cytoplasm‐specific molecular markers in this ‘three‐line’ (CMS line P30A, maintainer line P30B and restorer line Y18R) system are mostly unknown. Twenty mitochondrial gene probes were used to identify the differences between P30B fertile (N‐) and P30A sterile (S‐) cytoplasm. Among six genes that revealed restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), the gene for α‐subunit of F1ATPase (atpA) revealed significant differences between N‐ and S‐cytoplasm. All of theEcoRI restriction bands ofatpAwere amplified by inverse PCR (iPCR) technique, indicating that both N‐ and S‐cytoplasm contained an intact and a 3′ truncatedatpAcopy, but the truncating site (breakpoint) was different. According to the chimerical sequences following the breakpoints, three cytoplasm‐specific sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers were developed. In addition, a simple sequence repeat (SSR) locus in the 3′ flanking sequences of the intactatpAgene was found between N‐ and S‐cytoplasm. The four PCR markers were used to distinguish CMS lines from maintainer lines.
Characterization of the durability of adhesive bonds
Authors: PITT S. , JONES R. , PENG D. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTThe deterioration of adhesive bonds as a result of exposure to aggressive service environments is a problem for both metallic and composite bonded joints in aircraft structures. In this context airworthiness issues arising from the in service growth of small naturally occurring defects in adhesively bonded repairs has led to the need to develop a fracture mechanics based approach for setting the inspection intervals associated with the growth of such naturally occurring defects. This involves issues associated with both durability and damage tolerance that are associated with such small defects because it is well known that, for metals, the use of long crack data can lead to erroneous non‐conservative estimates. As such a means for assessing the issues related to such small naturally occurring defects is urgently needed. In this context the Boeing Wedge test, and its related variants, plays a central role in not only qualitatively assessing environmental performance but also in ranking surface treatments. However, this method has the problem that the initial defect introduced during wedge testing may not be representative of the small initial defects that can arise in service. Thus the relative ranking of various surface treatments obtained using wedge tests may be misleading. To this end, the paper presents a simple fracture mechanics based method that has the potential to account for the discrepancy in the initial defect size. This approach resembles crack growth laws developed to account for the growth of both long and short cracks in metals, environmentally enhanced crack growth in metals and delamination growth in composites.
Shotgun nanoLC‐MS/MS proteogenomics to document MALDI‐TOF biomarkers for screening new members of the Ruegeria genus
Authors: Christie‐Oleza Joseph Alexander , Piña‐Villalonga Juana Maria , Guerin Philippe , Miotello Guylaine , Bosch Rafael , Nogales Balbina , Armengaud Jean 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe identification of bacteria by means of matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry directly using whole cells has become a standard method in clinical diagnosis due to its rapidity and simplicity. Nevertheless, the analysis of environmental samples with this approach still represents a challenge due to the enormous microbial diversity existing on earth and the lack of a comprehensive database. Most of the environmentally relevant species comprise only one unique strain, while pathogens such as Escherichia coli, with 667 described strains, are well documented. In such case, identification of the proteins responsible for the peak signals within MALDI‐TOF spectra can give crucial information for species discrimination. To give higher confidence in MALDI‐TOF biomarker description we exploited information from proteins identified by shotgun nanoLC‐MS/MS, consisting of the identification and quantification of low‐molecular‐weight proteins after SDS‐PAGE, in‐gel trypsin proteolysis and analysis of tryptic peptides. We also proposed the standardization of the inclusion of internal calibrants in the bacterial sample to improve the accuracy of the MALDI‐TOF measurements. In this way, nine candidate biomarkers were tentatively proposed for Ruegeria lacuscaerulensis ITI‐1157. The conserved biomarkers were theoretically deduced for all other Ruegeria strains whose genomes have been sequenced and their corresponding m/z MALDI‐TOF signals were estimated. Among these, DNA‐binding protein, HU, and ribosomal proteins, L29, L30, L32 and S17, were shown experimentally to be also the most prominent and conserved signals in the other strain tested, Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS‐3. Thus, we suggested that these five biomarkers, which give rise to 10 m/z peak signals derived from the mono‐ and doubly protonated proteins, are the best candidates for identifying bacteria belonging to the Ruegeria genus, and quickly assessed their phylogenetic proximity to described species. As an application of these biomarkers, we quickly screened 30 seawater bacterial isolates by MALDI‐TOF and found one belonging to the Ruegeria genus, as further confirmed by 16S RNA sequencing. Due to its simplicity and effectiveness, this technique could be of immense value in monitoring bacteria in the environment in the near future.
Validation of the TonoVet®rebound tonometer in normal and glaucomatous cats
Authors: McLellan Gillian J. , Kemmerling Jeremy P. , Kiland Julie A. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjective To validate intraocular pressure (IOP) readings obtained in cats with the TonoVet®tonometer.Animals studied IOP readings obtained with the TonoVet®were compared to IOP readings determined by manometry and by the Tono‐Pen XL™in 1 normal cat and two glaucomatous cats. TonoVet®and Tono‐Pen XL™readings were also compared in a further six normal and nine glaucomatous cats.Procedures The anterior chambers of both eyes of three anesthetized cats were cannulated and IOP was varied manometrically, first increasing from 5 to 70 mmHg in 5 mmHg increments, then decreasing from 70 to 10 mmHg in 10 mmHg decrements. At each point, two observers obtained three readings each from both eyes, with both the TonoVet®and Tono‐Pen XL™. IOP was measured weekly for 8 weeks with both tonometers in six normal and nine glaucomatous unsedated cats. Data were analyzed by linear regression. Comparisons between tonometers and observers were made by paired studentt‐test.Results The TonoVet®was significantly more accurate than the Tono‐Pen XL™(P = 0.001), correlating much more strongly with manometric IOP. In the clinical setting, the Tono‐Pen XL™underestimated IOP when compared with the TonoVet®.Conclusions Both the TonoVet®and Tono‐Pen XL™provide reproducible IOP measurements in cats; however, the TonoVet®provides readings much closer to the true IOP than the Tono‐Pen XL™. The TonoVet®is superior in accuracy to the Tono‐Pen XL™for the detection of ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma in cats in a clinical setting.
Current status of validation for robotic surgery simulators – a systematic review
Authors: Abboudi Hamid , Khan Mohammed S. , Aboumarzouk Omar , Guru Khurshid A. , Challacombe Ben , Dasgupta Prokar , Ahmed Kamran 
Published: June 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Little is known on how best to train the future generation of robotic surgeons. It has been postulated that virtual reality (VR) simulators may aid the progression along the learning curve for this rapidly developing surgical technique within a safe training environment. There are several simulators available on the market, the best known is that developed by Intuitive Surgical Inc.
The present study provides the first systematic review of all the trails of the various VR robotic platforms. It explores the evidence supporting the effectiveness of the various platforms for feasibility, reliability, validity, acceptability, educational impact and cost‐effectiveness. This article also highlights the deficiencies and future work required to advance robotic surgical training.
To analyse studies validating the effectiveness of robotic surgery simulators. The MEDLINE®, EMBASE® and PsycINFO® databases were systematically searched until September 2011. References from retrieved articles were reviewed to broaden the search. The simulator name, training tasks, participant level, training duration and evaluation scoring were extracted from each study. We also extracted data on feasibility, validity, cost‐effectiveness, reliability and educational impact. We identified 19 studies investigating simulation options in robotic surgery. There are five different robotic surgery simulation platforms available on the market. In all, 11 studies sought opinion and compared performance between two different groups; ‘expert’ and ‘novice’. Experts ranged in experience from 21–2200 robotic cases. The novice groups consisted of participants with no prior experience on a robotic platform and were often medical students or junior doctors. The Mimic dV‐Trainer®, ProMIS®, SimSurgery Educational Platform® (SEP) and Intuitive systems have shown face, content and construct validity. The Robotic Surgical SimulatorTM system has only been face and content validated. All of the simulators except SEP have shown educational impact. Feasibility and cost‐effectiveness of simulation systems was not evaluated in any trial. Virtual reality simulators were shown to be effective training tools for junior trainees. Simulation training holds the greatest potential to be used as an adjunct to traditional training methods to equip the next generation of robotic surgeons with the skills required to operate safely. However, current simulation models have only been validated in small studies. There is no evidence to suggest one type of simulator provides more effective training than any other. More research is needed to validate simulated environments further and investigate the effectiveness of animal and cadaveric training in robotic surgery.
Long‐term oncological and continence outcomes after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Busch Jonas , Stephan Carsten , Herold Anja , Erber Barbara , Kempkensteffen Carsten , Hinz Stefan , Lein Michael , Weikert Steffen , Miller Kurt , Magheli Ahmed 
Published: June 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Over the past decade, minimally invasive laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and more recently robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy have been introduced and have proven equally effective compared with open surgery in terms of mid‐term cancer control and complication rates. Because long‐term data is lacking, open prostatectomy is still considered the ‘gold standard’ by some authors, who argue that minimally invasive approaches have to measure up to the excellent long‐term results of open surgery.This study represents one of the largest series (1845 patients) of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy with extended follow‐up (11.3 years) and detailed data on oncological outcome and postoperative incontinence. It therefore supplies previously lacking information on these details for minimally invasive prostate surgery and provides important information for patient counselling.OBJECTIVE
To investigate biochemical recurrence (BCR) rates and data on postoperative incontinence in a large laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) cohort with extended follow‐up.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
BCR and independent predictors of BCR were identified using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis of 1845 patients who underwent LRP from 1999 to 2007.
Urinary incontinence was evaluated by pads per day and stratified as follows: 0–1 pad: no incontinence; 2–3 pads: mild incontinence; and ≥3 pads: severe incontinence.
RESULTS
Organ‐confined disease, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion and lymph node metastasis were present in 71.3%, 20.5%, 6.7% and 3.2% of patients, respectively. The positive surgical margin rate was 29.2%.
Postoperatively, 74.9% of the patients were continent, while 9.2% had mild and 15.9% severe incontinence.
The mean follow‐up was 5 years with a maximum follow‐up of 11.3 years.
There were 51 overall deaths and six deaths from prostate cancer. The 5‐year, 8‐year and 10‐year BCR‐free survival rates were 83.9%, 78.6% and 75.6%, respectively.
On univariate analyses preoperative D'Amico risk classification, pathological tumour stage, postoperative Gleason sum and surgical margin status were predictors of BCR (P < 0.001).
On multivariable analysis, D'Amico classification, Gleason sum (P < 0.001), postoperative tumour stage (P < 0.001), nodal status (P < 0.001) and surgical margin status (P= 0.002) were independent predictors of BCR.
CONCLUSIONS
LRP offers excellent long‐term functional and oncological results with a low incidence of BCR for patients with localized disease.
These results could be used for patient counselling before robot‐assisted laparascopic prostatectomy (RALP) until long‐term follow‐up data for RALP is available.
Reflexivity and habitus: opportunities and constraints on transformative learning
Authors: Nairn Stuart , Chambers Derek , Thompson Susan , McGarry Julie , Chambers Kristian 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis paper will explore the relationship between Mezirow's concept of reflexivity and Bourdieu's theory of habitus in order to develop a more robust framework within which critical reflection can take place. Nurse educators have sought to close the theory practice gap through the use of critical reflection. However, we are not convinced that this has produced the depth and quality of reflection required. Furthermore, the contexts in which critical reflection takes place is often sidelined or erased so that the whole impetus in the literature is to educate nurses in reflection rather than empower nurses to understand the complex circumstances and barriers that obstruct critical reflection. This paper argues that the reason for this position is that nurse education does not always acknowledge the role that personal and cultural values systems have on reflective practices. The literature search was undertaken using CINHAL and MEDLINE. Keywords included: values systems, habitus, and critical reflection. Inclusion criteria were determined by the theoretical approach and included seminal texts, from as far back as 1956, to identify key themes. Although critical reflection is a potentially powerful way of enhancing care it has often failed to do so. It is suggested that this is because nurse educators have frequently used models of reflection without considering the impact that student's personal values systems has on their perceptions of care and subsequently care delivery. The purpose of this paper is to promote deeper levels of reflection and is part of a programme of research aimed at developing a more robust approach to reflection in educational practice.
The lost path to emancipatory practice: towards a history of reflective practice in nursing
Authors: Nelson Sioban 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis paper historicizes the taken‐for‐granted acceptance of reflection as a fundamental professional practice in nursing. It draws attention to the broad application of reflective practice, from pedagogy to practice to regulation, and explores the epistemological basis upon which the authority of reflective discourse rests. Previous work has provided a series of critiques of the logic and suitability of reflective practice across all domains of nursing. The goal of this paper is to commence a history of nursing's reflective identity. The paper begins with a discussion of Dewey and Schön then focuses on Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action as the epistemological basis of reflective practice's standing as a authoritative discourse in nursing.
Transcriptome sequencing of wild chickpea as a rich resource for marker development
Authors: Jhanwar Shalu , Priya Pushp , Garg Rohini , Parida Swarup K. , Tyagi Akhilesh K. , Jain Mukesh 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe transcriptome of cultivated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), an important crop legume, has recently been sequenced. Here, we report sequencing of the transcriptome of wild chickpea, C. reticulatum (PI489777), the progenitor of cultivated chickpea, by GS‐FLX 454 technology. The optimized assembly of C. reticulatum transcriptome generated 37 265 transcripts in total with an average length of 946 bp. A total of 4072 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) could be identified in these transcript sequences, of which at least 561 SSRs were polymorphic between C. arietinum and C. reticulatum. In addition, a total of 36 446 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified after optimization of probability score, quality score, read depth and consensus base ratio. Several of these SSRs and SNPs could be associated with tissue‐specific and transcription factor encoding transcripts. A high proportion (92–94%) of polymorphic SSRs and SNPs identified between the two chickpea species were validated successfully. Further, the estimation of synonymous substitution rates of orthologous transcript pairs suggested that the speciation event for divergence of C. arietinum and C. reticulatum may have happened approximately 0.53 million years ago. The results of our study provide a rich resource for exploiting genetic variations in chickpea for breeding programmes.
Transformational Tourism, Nature and Wellbeing: New Perspectives on Fitness and the Body*
Authors: Little Jo 
Published: June 2012

AbstractHistorical studies of rural recreation and wellbeing have drawn attention to the role of nature and the countryside in the development of ideas surrounding notions of fitness as a moral responsibility. This article builds on some of this work in an examination of transformational tourism and the ways in which nature, and in particular wild nature, is drawn into more contemporary concerns about health, wellbeing and the body. Using the work of Foucault, the article explores how wild nature (as a location and a set of practices) becomes part of a strategy employed by the individual to discipline the body in terms of ideas about size, shape and fitness and to inform broader lifestyle and therapeutic practices in the ‘care of the self’.
Testing the Market Integration Process in the European Car Sector: Evidence from Pricing‐to‐market Behaviour
Authors: Balaguer Jacint 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIn this study, we investigate the process of the European car market integration by analysing the evolution of cross‐country differences in the degree of pricing‐to‐market behaviour of United Kingdom exporters. We estimate these country differences by exploiting statistical information for pre‐tax retail prices and for export unit values. Conclusions from both independent data sets are, in general, quite consistent. Results support the claim that, in the period before the Block Exemption Regulation (1400/2002) came fully into force, international price discrimination was an important source of car price dispersion within the euro area. For a more recent period, we found that estimated deviations in pricing‐to‐market behaviour across destinations have become lower. This convergence suggests that car market integration was progressively improved at the end of the last decade.
‘Cultural Coalitions’ and International Regulatory Co‐operation*
Authors: HARCOURT ALISON 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBy selecting the cases of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and the agreement of ‘cultural protocols’ in trade agreements between the European Union and third countries, this article explains why and how the third sector should be considered in analyses of regulatory co‐operation at the international level. The article investigates key triggers of regulatory competition and how non‐governmental organizations and broader coalitions of third‐sector actors played a key role in fostering co‐operation.