• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.119-125
• /
• 2017

Objective: In vitro culture of preimplantation embryos is improved by grouping embryos together in a drop of media. Individually cultured embryos are deprived of paracrine factors; with this in mind, we investigated whether the addition of a single embryo-secreted factor, interleukin-6 (IL-6), could improve the development of individually cultured embryos. Methods: Mouse embryos were cultured individually in $2{\mu}L$ of G1/G2 media in 5% oxygen and supplemented with a range of doses of recombinant mouse or human IL-6. Results: Mouse IL-6 increased hatching at doses of 0.01 and 10 ng/mL compared to the control (93% and 93% vs. 78%, p< 0.05) and increased the total number of cells at a dose of 0.1 ng/mL compared to the control ($101.95{\pm}3.36$ vs. $91.31{\pm}3.33$, p< 0.05). In contrast, the highest dose of 100 ng/mL reduced the total number of cells ($79.86{\pm}3.29$, p< 0.05). Supplementation with human IL-6 had a different effect, with no change in hatching or total cell numbers, but an increase in the percentage of inner cell mass per embryo at doses of 0.1, 1, and 100 ng/mL compared to the control ($22.9%{\pm}1.1%$, $23.3%{\pm}1.1%$, and $23.1%{\pm}1.1%$ vs. $19.5%{\pm}1.0%$, p< 0.05). Conclusion: These data show that IL-6 improved mouse embryo development when cultured individually in complex media; however, an excess of IL-6 may be detrimental. Additionally, these data indicate that there is some cross-species benefit of human IL-6 for mouse embryos, but possibly through a different mechanism than for mouse IL-6.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.36.1-36.12
• /
• 2018

Objectives: Direct pulp capping is a treatment for mechanically exposed pulp in which a biocompatible capping material is used to preserve pulpal vitality. Biocompatibility tests in animal studies have used a variety of experimental protocols, particularly with regard to the exposure site. In this study, pulp exposure on the occlusal and mesial surfaces of molar teeth was investigated in a rat model. Materials and Methods: A total of 58 maxillary first molars of Wistar rats were used. Forty molars were mechanically exposed and randomly assigned according to 3 factors: 1) the exposure site (occlusal or mesial), 2) the pulp-capping material (ProRoot White MTA or Bio-MA), and 3) 2 follow-up periods (1 day or 7 days) (n = 5 each). The pulp of 6 intact molars served as negative controls. The pulp of 12 molars was exposed without a capping material (n = 3 per exposure site for each period) and served as positive controls. Inflammatory cell infiltration and reparative dentin formation were histologically evaluated at 1 and 7 days using grading scores. Results: At 1 day, localized mild inflammation was detected in most teeth in all experimental groups. At 7 days, continuous/discontinuous calcified bridges were formed at exposure sites with no or few inflammatory cells. No significant differences in pulpal response according to the exposure site or calcium-silicate cement were observed. Conclusions: The location of the exposure site had no effect on rat pulpal healing. However, mesial exposures could be performed easily, with more consistent results. The pulpal responses were not significantly different between the 2 capping materials.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.408-415
• /
• 2018

Background: Nursing home resident care is an ongoing topic of public discussion, and there is great interest in improving the quality of resident care. This study investigated the association between nursing home employees' job satisfaction and residents' satisfaction with care and medical outcomes. Methods: Employee and resident satisfaction were measured by questionnaire in 175 skilled nursing facilities in the eastern United States from 2005 to 2009. Facility-level data on residents' pressure ulcers, medically unexplained weight loss, and falls were obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Long-Term Care Minimum Data Set. The association between employee satisfaction and resident satisfaction was examined with multiple and multilevel linear regression. Associations between employee satisfaction and the rates of pressure ulcers, weight loss, and falls were examined with simple and multilevel Poisson regression. Results: A 1-point increase in overall employee satisfaction was associated with an increase of 17.4 points (scale 0-100) in the satisfaction of residents and family members (p < 0.0001) and a 19% decrease in the incidence of resident falls, weight loss, and pressure ulcers combined (p < 0.0001), after adjusting for staffing ratio and percentage of resident-days paid by Medicaid. Conclusion: Job satisfaction of nursing home employees is associated with lower rates of resident injuries and higher resident satisfaction with care. A supportive work environment may help increase quality of care in the nation's nursing homes.

• Journal of English Language & Literature
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.561-577
• /
• 2008

L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables is not only confidently labelled a Canadian classic but also placed as a national icon along with the moose, the beaver, and the Habs in Canada. Anne's 'Canadianness' is partly due to its location in the rural world of Prince Edward Island. The fictional Avonlea is described as the ideal space where Canadian spirit can interact with the personified surrounding landscapes through Celtic imagination. Additionally, the communal bond of Avonlea fully demonstrates Scottish Canadian identities. The Scottish national character of Avonlea is responsible for clannishness of the Cuthberts and the Lyndes. The disrespect to the French is also due to Scottish heritage in Avonlea. As an outsider Anne wants to be integrated into the community of Avonlea, and successfully adapts herself to the regional shared values. Meanwhile she partly challenges the strictness and rigidness of the born Canadian Avonlea residents. Despite its Canadian origin, Anne of Green Gables is accepted as part of the American canon of children's literature in the Unite States. The configuration of Anne as an American heroine is noticeable among American scholars: by relocating it to the US the female Bildungsroman in the nineteenth century America, a group of literary critics adapt Anne as an American girl for American readers. The heroine of Anne of Green Gables is linked to American novels such as Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Kate Douglas Wiggin's Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and Gene Stratten Porter's A Girl of the Limberlost. Anne is even classified as another Caddie by American literary critics: Anne is placed at the center of Caddie Woodlawn Syndrome as another Wisconsin pioneer child. Canadian identity of Anne is intentionally excluded and Anne was reborn as an American girl in the U.S. In this context, Anne functions as a sign of nation and a site for cross-national identity formation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.124-131
• /
• 2021

Objective: Approximately 30% of preeclamptic pregnancies exhibit abnormal liver function tests. We assessed liver injury-associated enzyme levels and circulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) levels in an arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced pregnant Sprague-Dawley rat model. Methods: Pregnant and non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) received AVP (150 ng/hr) subcutaneously via mini-osmotic pumps for 18 days. Blood pressure was measured, urine samples were collected, and all animals were euthanized via isoflurane. Blood was collected to measure circulating levels of TGF-β1-3 isomers and liver injury enzymes in pregnant AVP (PAVP), pregnant saline (PS), non-pregnant AVP (NAVP), and non-pregnant saline (NS) rats. Results: The PAVP group showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than both saline-treated groups. The weight per pup was significantly lower in the AVP-treated group than in the saline group (p<0.05). Circulating TGF-β1-3 isomer levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats than in the NS rats. However, similar TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 levels were noted in the PS and PAVP rats, while TGF-β2 levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats. Circulating liver-type arginase-1 and 5'-nucleotidase levels were higher in the PAVP rats than in the saline group. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate higher levels of TGF-β2, arginase, and 5'-nucleotidase activity in PAVP than in PS rats. AVP may cause vasoconstriction and increase peripheral resistance and blood pressure, thereby elevating TGF-β and inducing the preeclampsia-associated inflammatory response. Future studies should explore the mechanisms through which AVP dysregulates liver injury enzymes and TGF-β in pregnant rats.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.169-174
• /
• 2023

Background: Sleep quality, quantity, and efficiency have all been demonstrated to be adversely affected by rotator cuff pathology. Previous measures of assessing the impact of rotator cuff pathology on sleep have been largely subjective in nature. This study was undertaken to objectively analyze this relationship through the use of activity monitors. Methods: Patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears at a single institution were prospectively enrolled between 2018 and 2020. Waist-worn accelerometers were provided for the patients to use each night for 14 days. Sleep efficiency was calculated using the ratio of the time spent sleeping to the total amount of time that was spent in bed. Retraction of the rotator cuff tear was classified using the Patte staging system. Results: This study included 36 patients: 18 with Patte stage 1 disease, 14 with Patte stage 2 disease, and 4 patients with Patte stage 3 disease. During the study, 25 participants wore the monitor on multiple nights, and ultimately their data was used for the analysis. No difference in the median sleep efficiency was appreciated amongst these groups (P>0.1), with each cohort of patients demonstrating a generally high sleep efficiency. Conclusions: The severity of retraction of the rotator cuff tear did not appear to correlate with changes in sleep efficiency for patients (P>0.1). These findings can better inform providers on how to counsel their patients who present with complaints of poor sleep in the setting of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.32 no.12
• /
• pp.1857-1865
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of personal attributes as they related to developing first impressions and managing group acceptance in the context of sorority recruitment process. Specifically, we examined how certain personal characteristics of a sorority member were related to her use of a potential member's clothing and appearance as non-verbal cues during the member selection process. The characteristics identified through the literature review were materialism, fashion clothing involvement, and proximity of clothing to self. A questionnaire was distributed to members of two sorority houses at a southeastern university in the United States. A total of 140 US sorority members participated in the study. The results showed that a member's satisfaction with her chapter, her level of participation, and her length of membership in the chapter had no relation with her tendency to base her member selection on clothing and appearance. However, members' use of clothing and appearance as guiding their member selection decisions was related to other individual characteristics selected for the study(materialism, fashion clothing involvement, and proximity of clothing to self). Fashion clothing involvement and proximity of clothing to self(clothing for acceptance) were most significantly related to clothing-based member selection. Partial correlations were also produced to examine the mediating role of clothing-based impression formation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.12
• /
• pp.1991-2000
• /
• 2018

Objective: Triplet-born lambs are less likely to survive to weaning than twin-born or single-born lambs. Appropriate ewe-lamb bonding behaviours and lamb vigour behaviours are necessary for survival of lambs. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether maternal nutrition during late pregnancy influenced behaviour of the ewe and her lambs soon after birth, and to determine whether mid-pregnancy body condition score (BCS) influenced any behavioural response. Methods: The experiments included ewes that were in BCS 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 in mid-pregnancy and were fed either ad libitum or to pregnancy-maintenance requirements in late-pregnancy (day 115 until 136 in experiment one, and day 128 until 141 in experiment two). The time taken for lambs to stand, contact dam, suck from dam and follow dam was recorded three to 18 h after birth. The number of high- and low-pitched bleats emitted by the ewe and lambs was recorded, along with maternal behaviour score (MBS) of the ewe. Lambs in experiment two underwent a maternal-recognition test at 12 or 24 h. Results: There were significant effects of feeding treatment on bleating behaviour of ewes and lambs, but these were inconsistent among BCS groups and between experiments. Lamb vigour behaviours were not affected by feeding treatment. In experiment one, there was no effect of feeding treatment or BCS on MBS, but in experiment two, ewes in BCS3 in mid-pregnancy had greater MBS than ewes in BCS2 in mid-pregnancy (MBS 3.1/5 vs MBS 2.1/5; p<0.05). Conclusion: Given there were no repeatable effects on behaviour of ewes and lambs, ad libitum feeding rather than feeding for pregnancy-maintenance requirements cannot be used to improve behaviours soon after birth of triplet-bearing ewes in BCS 2-3 and their lambs in extensive pastoral conditions.