bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of the adaptive and automatic presentation of tasks (ADAPT) system for rehabilitation of upper extremity function post-stroke
Authors: Choi Younggeun , Gordon James , Park Hyeshin , Schweighofer Nicolas
Published: August 2011

Background

Current guidelines for rehabilitation of arm and hand function after stroke recommend that motor training focus on realistic tasks that require reaching and manipulation and engage the patient intensively, actively, and adaptively. Here, we investigated the feasibility of a novel robotic task-practice system, ADAPT, designed in accordance with such guidelines. At each trial, ADAPT selects a functional task according to a training schedule and with difficulty based on previous performance. Once the task is selected, the robot picks up and presents the corresponding tool, simulates the dynamics of the tasks, and the patient interacts with the tool to perform the task.

Methods

Five participants with chronic stroke with mild to moderate impairments (> 9 months post-stroke; Fugl-Meyer arm score 49.2 ± 5.6) practiced four functional tasks (selected out of six in a pre-test) with ADAPT for about one and half hour and 144 trials in a pseudo-random schedule of 3-trial blocks per task.

Results

No adverse events occurred and ADAPT successfully presented the six functional tasks without human intervention for a total of 900 trials. Qualitative analysis of trajectories showed that ADAPT simulated the desired task dynamics adequately, and participants reported good, although not excellent, task fidelity. During training, the adaptive difficulty algorithm progressively increased task difficulty leading towards an optimal challenge point based on performance; difficulty was then continuously adjusted to keep performance around the challenge point. Furthermore, the time to complete all trained tasks decreased significantly from pretest to one-hour post-test. Finally, post-training questionnaires demonstrated positive patient acceptance of ADAPT.

Conclusions

ADAPT successfully provided adaptive progressive training for multiple functional tasks based on participant's performance. Our encouraging results establish the feasibility of ADAPT; its efficacy will next be tested in a clinical trial.
Simultaneous detection and differentiation of dengue virus serotypes 1-4, Japanese encephalitis virus, and West Nile virus by a combined reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay
Authors: Li Shuhua , Fang Meiyu , Zhou Bin , Ni Hongxia , Shen Qiuxia , Zhang Hongwei , Han Yifang , Yin Jianhua , Chang Wenjun , Xu Guozhang , Cao Guangwen
Published: August 2011

Background

Rapid identification and differentiation of mosquito-transmitted flaviviruses in acute-phase sera of patients and field-caught vector mosquitoes are important for the prediction and prevention of large-scale epidemics.

Results

We developed a flexible reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) unit for the detection and differentiation of dengue virus serotypes 1-4 (DENV1-4), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and West Nile virus (WNV). The unit efficiently amplified the viral genomes specifically at wide ranges of viral template concentrations, and exhibited similar amplification curves as monitored by a real-time PCR engine. The detection limits of the RT-LAMP unit were 100-fold higher than that of RT-PCR in 5 of the six flaviviruses. The results on specificity indicated that the six viruses in the assay had no cross-reactions with each other. By examining 66 viral strains of DENV1-4 and JEV, the unit identified the viruses with 100% accuracy and did not cross-react with influenza viruses and hantaviruses. By screening a panel of specimens containing sera of 168 patients and 279 pools of field-caught blood sucked mosquitoes, results showed that this unit is high feasible in clinical settings and epidemiologic field, and it obtained results 100% correlated with real-time RT-PCR.

Conclusions

The RT-LAMP unit developed in this study is able to quickly detect and accurately differentiate the six kinds of flaviviruses, which makes it extremely feasible for screening these viruses in acute-phase sera of the patients and in vector mosquitoes without the need of high-precision instruments.
The matrix (M) protein of newcastle disease virus binds to human bax through its BH3 domain
Authors: Molouki Aidin , Hsu Yi-Te , Jahanshiri Fatemeh , Abdullah Syahril , Rosli Rozita , Yusoff Khatijah
Published: August 2011

The underlying mechanisms by which Newcastle disease virus (NDV) kills cancer cells are still unclear. Recent discoveries have shown that many viruses contain Bcl-2 homology-like domains which enabled their interaction with Bcl-2 family members, and thereby accounting for their virulence and pathogenicity. Alignment of the protein sequences of Malaysian strain of NDV, known as AF2240, with those from members of the human Bcl-2 family showed many similar regions; most notably we found that its matrix (AF2240-M) protein, large (AF2240-L) protein and fusion (AF2240-F) protein all contain BH3-like regions. In addition, there are BH1-like domains in these proteins, where AF2240-F and Mcl-1 share 55% identity within this region. To further investigate our hypothesis that the presence of the BH3-like domains in these proteins may convey cytotoxicity, AF2240-M and AF2240-F genes were cloned into pFLAG and pEGFP.N2 vectors and transfected into HeLa cells. The expression of these constructs promoted cell death. As shown by flow cytometry, AF2240-M protein with deleted BH3-like region showed five-fold decrease in apoptosis. Moreover, the construct containing the N-terminal of AF2240-M showed nearly the same cell death rate as to that of the full-length protein, strongly suggesting that the BH3-like domain within this protein participates in promoting cell death. Moreover, AF2240-M transfection promoted Bax redistribution to mitochondria. Therefore, to determine whether there is any direct interaction between NDV viral proteins with some members of the Bcl-2 family, various constructs were co-transfected into HeLa cells. Co-immunoprecipitation trials showed that the AF2240-M indeed directly interacted with Bax protein via its BH3-domain, as the mutant proteins failed to interact with Bax. AF2240-F failed to interact with any of the tested proteins, although Bcl-XL slowed down the rate of cell death caused by this construct by nearly five-fold. In a parallel experiment, the level of expression of endogenous Bax and Bcl-2 after infection of HeLa cells with NDV was assessed by qRT-PCR, but no statistically significant change was observed. Consequently, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio at the mRNA level did not alter. Overall, our study has shed additional light into the mechanisms by which NDV induces apoptosis.
Global Health Initiatives and aid effectiveness: insights from a Ugandan case study
Authors: Oliveira Cruz Valeria , McPake Barbara
Published: August 2011

Background

The emergence of Global Health Initiatives (GHIs) has been a major feature of the aid environment of the last decade. This paper seeks to examine in depth the behaviour of two prominent GHIs in the early stages of their operation in Uganda as well as the responses of the government.

Methods

The study adopted a qualitative and case study approach to investigate the governance of aid transactions in Uganda. Data sources included documentary review, in-depth and semi-structured interviews and observation of meetings. Agency theory guided the conceptual framework of the study.

Results

The Ugandan government had a stated preference for donor funding to be channelled through the general or sectoral budgets. Despite this preference, two large GHIs opted to allocate resources and deliver activities through projects with a disease-specific approach. The mixed motives of contributor country governments, recipient country governments and GHI executives produced incentive regimes in conflict between different aid mechanisms.

Conclusion

Notwithstanding attempts to align and harmonize donor activities, the interests and motives of the various actors (GHIs and different parts of the government) undermine such efforts.
Coronary ostia obstruction after replacement of aortic valve prostesis
Authors: Turillazzi Emanuela , Di Giammarco Gabriele , Neri Margherita , Bello Stefania , Riezzo Irene , Fineschi Vittorio
Published: August 2011

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the gold standard for the treatment of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Complications directly related to surgical procedure are relatively infrequent. Coronary ostial stenosis is, generally, referred as late complication. Anecdotal reports concern coronary ostial stenosis as acute complication. A unique fatal case of intraoperative, bilateral coronary ostial obstruction by prosthetic valve leading to an extensive myocardial infarction is reported. Surgeons must have a high level of vigilance regarding the occurrence of acute myocardial ischemia and sudden death soon after AVR.

Virtual Slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/4383994185667026.
Computerized clinical decision support systems for primary preventive care: A decision-maker-researcher partnership systematic review of effects on process of care and patient outcomes
Authors: Souza Nathan M , Sebaldt Rolf J , Mackay Jean A , Prorok Jeanette C , Weise-Kelly Lorraine , Navarro Tamara , Wilczynski Nancy L , Haynes R Brian ,   the CCDSS Systematic Review Team
Published: August 2011

Background

Computerized clinical decision support systems (CCDSSs) are claimed to improve processes and outcomes of primary preventive care (PPC), but their effects, safety, and acceptance must be confirmed. We updated our previous systematic reviews of CCDSSs and integrated a knowledge translation approach in the process. The objective was to review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of CCDSSs for PPC on process of care, patient outcomes, harms, and costs.

Methods

We conducted a decision-maker-researcher partnership systematic review. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Ovid's EBM Reviews Database, Inspec, and other databases, as well as reference lists through January 2010. We contacted authors to confirm data or provide additional information. We included RCTs that assessed the effect of a CCDSS for PPC on process of care and patient outcomes compared to care provided without a CCDSS. A study was considered to have a positive effect (i.e., CCDSS showed improvement) if at least 50% of the relevant study outcomes were statistically significantly positive.

Results

We added 17 new RCTs to our 2005 review for a total of 41 studies. RCT quality improved over time. CCDSSs improved process of care in 25 of 40 (63%) RCTs. Cumulative scientifically strong evidence supports the effectiveness of CCDSSs for screening and management of dyslipidaemia in primary care. There is mixed evidence for effectiveness in screening for cancer and mental health conditions, multiple preventive care activities, vaccination, and other preventive care interventions. Fourteen (34%) trials assessed patient outcomes, and four (29%) reported improvements with the CCDSS. Most trials were not powered to evaluate patient-important outcomes. CCDSS costs and adverse events were reported in only six (15%) and two (5%) trials, respectively. Information on study duration was often missing, limiting our ability to assess sustainability of CCDSS effects.

Conclusions

Evidence supports the effectiveness of CCDSSs for screening and treatment of dyslipidaemia in primary care with less consistent evidence for CCDSSs used in screening for cancer and mental health-related conditions, vaccinations, and other preventive care. CCDSS effects on patient outcomes, safety, costs of care, and provider satisfaction remain poorly supported.
Computerized clinical decision support systems for therapeutic drug monitoring and dosing: A decision-maker-researcher partnership systematic review
Authors: Nieuwlaat Robby , Connolly Stuart J , Mackay Jean A , Weise-Kelly Lorraine , Navarro Tamara , Wilczynski Nancy L , Brian Haynes R ,   the CCDSS Systematic Review Team
Published: August 2011

Background

Some drugs have a narrow therapeutic range and require monitoring and dose adjustments to optimize their efficacy and safety. Computerized clinical decision support systems (CCDSSs) may improve the net benefit of these drugs. The objective of this review was to determine if CCDSSs improve processes of care or patient outcomes for therapeutic drug monitoring and dosing.

Methods

We conducted a decision-maker-researcher partnership systematic review. Studies from our previous review were included, and new studies were sought until January 2010 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews, and Inspec databases. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of a CCDSS on process of care or patient outcomes were selected by pairs of independent reviewers. A study was considered to have a positive effect (i.e., CCDSS showed improvement) if at least 50% of the relevant study outcomes were statistically significantly positive.

Results

Thirty-three randomized controlled trials were identified, assessing the effect of a CCDSS on management of vitamin K antagonists (14), insulin (6), theophylline/aminophylline (4), aminoglycosides (3), digoxin (2), lidocaine (1), or as part of a multifaceted approach (3). Cluster randomization was rarely used (18%) and CCDSSs were usually stand-alone systems (76%) primarily used by physicians (85%). Overall, 18 of 30 studies (60%) showed an improvement in the process of care and 4 of 19 (21%) an improvement in patient outcomes. All evaluable studies assessing insulin dosing for glycaemic control showed an improvement. In meta-analysis, CCDSSs for vitamin K antagonist dosing significantly improved time in therapeutic range.

Conclusions

CCDSSs have potential for improving process of care for therapeutic drug monitoring and dosing, specifically insulin and vitamin K antagonist dosing. However, studies were small and generally of modest quality, and effects on patient outcomes were uncertain, with no convincing benefit in the largest studies. At present, no firm recommendation for specific systems can be given. More potent CCDSSs need to be developed and should be evaluated by independent researchers using cluster randomization and primarily assess patient outcomes related to drug efficacy and safety.
Decrease of energy spilling in Escherichia coli continuous cultures with rising specific growth rate and carbon wasting
Authors: Valgepea Kaspar , Adamberg Kaarel , Vilu Raivo
Published: August 2011

Background

Growth substrates, aerobic/anaerobic conditions, specific growth rate (μ) etc. strongly influence Escherichia coli cell physiology in terms of cell size, biomass composition, gene and protein expression. To understand the regulation behind these different phenotype properties, it is useful to know carbon flux patterns in the metabolic network which are generally calculated by metabolic flux analysis (MFA). However, rarely is biomass composition determined and carbon balance carefully measured in the same experiments which could possibly lead to distorted MFA results and questionable conclusions. Therefore, we carried out both detailed carbon balance and biomass composition analysis in the same experiments for more accurate quantitative analysis of metabolism and MFA.

Results

We applied advanced continuous cultivation methods (A-stat and D-stat) to continuously monitor E. coli K-12 MG1655 flux and energy metabolism dynamic responses to change of μ and glucose-acetate co-utilisation. Surprisingly, a 36% reduction of ATP spilling was detected with increasing μ and carbon wasting to non-CO2 by-products under constant biomass yield. The apparent discrepancy between constant biomass yield and decline of ATP spilling could be explained by the rise of carbon wasting from 3 to 11% in the carbon balance which was revealed by the discovered novel excretion profile of E. coli pyrimidine pathway intermediates carbamoyl-phosphate, dihydroorotate and orotate. We found that carbon wasting patterns are dependent not only on μ, but also on glucose-acetate co-utilisation capability. Accumulation of these compounds was coupled to the two-phase acetate accumulation profile. Acetate overflow was observed in parallel with the reduction of TCA cycle and glycolysis fluxes, and induction of pentose phosphate pathway.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that acetate metabolism is one of the major regulating factors of central carbon metabolism. More importantly, our model calculations with actual biomass composition and detailed carbon balance analysis in steady state conditions with -omics data comparison demonstrate the importance of a comprehensive systems biology approach for more advanced understanding of metabolism and carbon re-routing mechanisms potentially leading to more successful metabolic engineering.
Inferring causal genomic alterations in breast cancer using gene expression data
Authors: Tran Linh M , Zhang Bin , Zhang Zhan , Zhang Chunsheng , Xie Tao , Lamb John R , Dai Hongyue , Schadt Eric E , Zhu Jun
Published: August 2011

Background

One of the primary objectives in cancer research is to identify causal genomic alterations, such as somatic copy number variation (CNV) and somatic mutations, during tumor development. Many valuable studies lack genomic data to detect CNV; therefore, methods that are able to infer CNVs from gene expression data would help maximize the value of these studies.

Results

We developed a framework for identifying recurrent regions of CNV and distinguishing the cancer driver genes from the passenger genes in the regions. By inferring CNV regions across many datasets we were able to identify 109 recurrent amplified/deleted CNV regions. Many of these regions are enriched for genes involved in many important processes associated with tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Genes in these recurrent CNV regions were then examined in the context of gene regulatory networks to prioritize putative cancer driver genes. The cancer driver genes uncovered by the framework include not only well-known oncogenes but also a number of novel cancer susceptibility genes validated via siRNA experiments.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first effort to systematically identify and validate drivers for expression based CNV regions in breast cancer. The framework where the wavelet analysis of copy number alteration based on expression coupled with the gene regulatory network analysis, provides a blueprint for leveraging genomic data to identify key regulatory components and gene targets. This integrative approach can be applied to many other large-scale gene expression studies and other novel types of cancer data such as next-generation sequencing based expression (RNA-Seq) as well as CNV data.
Metabolic myopathy presenting with polyarteritis nodosa: a case report
Authors: Vishwanath Sahana , Abdullah Mishal , Elbalkhi Amro , Ambrus Julian L
Published: August 2011

Introduction

To the best of our knowledge, we describe for the first time a patient in whom an unusual metabolic myopathy was identified after failure to respond to curative therapy for a systemic vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa. We hope this report will heighten awareness of common metabolic myopathies that may present later in life. It also speculates on the potential relationship between metabolic myopathy and systemic vasculitis.

Case presentation

A 78-year-old African-American woman with a two-year history of progressive fatigue and exercise intolerance presented to our facility with new skin lesions and profound muscle weakness. Skin and muscle biopsies demonstrated a medium-sized artery vasculitis consistent with polyarteritis nodosa. Biochemical studies of the muscle revealed diminished cytochrome C oxidase activity (0.78 μmol/minute/g tissue; normal range 1.03 to 3.83 μmol/minute/g tissue), elevated acid maltase activity (23.39 μmol/minute/g tissue; normal range 1.74 to 9.98 μmol/minute/g tissue) and elevated neutral maltase activity (35.89 μmol/minute/g tissue; normal range 4.35 to 16.03 μmol/minute/g tissue). Treatment for polyarteritis nodosa with prednisone and cyclophosphamide resulted in minimal symptomatic improvement. Additional management with a diet low in complex carbohydrates and ubiquinone, creatine, carnitine, folic acid, α-lipoic acid and ribose resulted in dramatic clinical improvement.

Conclusions

Our patient's initial symptoms of fatigue, exercise intolerance and progressive weakness were likely related to her complex metabolic myopathy involving both the mitochondrial respiratory chain and glycogen storage pathways. Management of our patient required treatment of both the polyarteritis nodosa as well as metabolic myopathy. Metabolic myopathies are common and should be considered in any patient with exercise intolerance. Metabolic myopathies may complicate the management of various disease states.
Phase II Study of Cetuximab As First-Line Single-Drug Therapy in Patients With Unresectable Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
Authors: Maubec Eve , Petrow Peter , Scheer-Senyarich Isabelle , Duvillard Pierre , Lacroix Ludovic , Gelly Julien , Certain Agnès , Duval Xavier , Crickx Béatrice , Buffard Valérie , Basset-Seguin Nicole , Saez Pierre , Duval-Modeste Anne-Bénédicte , Adamski Henri , Mansard Sandrine , Grange Florent , Dompmartin Anne , Faivre Sandrine , Mentré France , Avril Marie-Françoise
Published: August 2011

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), as a first-line monotherapy in patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (SCCS).

Patients and Methods

Thirty-six patients received cetuximab (initial dose of 400 mg/m2 followed by subsequent weekly doses of 250 mg/m2) for at least 6 weeks with a 48-week follow-up. The primary end point was the disease control rate (DCR) at 6 weeks (according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST] criteria). Secondary end points included best response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity assessment. Association of treatment efficacy with RAS mutations or FcγR genotypes was investigated.

Results

Median age of the study population was 79 years. DCR at 6 weeks was obtained in 25 of 36 patients (69%; 95% CI, 52% to 84%) of the intention-to-treat population. The best responses were eight partial responses and two complete responses. There were no cetuximab-related deaths. There were three related serious adverse events: two grade 4 infusion reactions and one grade 3 interstitial pneumopathy. Grade 1 to 2 acne-like rash occurred in 78% of patients and was associated with prolonged PFS. One HRAS mutation was identified. Combined FcγRIIa-131H/H and/or FcγRIIIa-158V/V polymorphisms were not associated with the clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

As a first-line treatment in patients with unresectable SCCS, cetuximab achieved 69% DCR. A randomized phase III trial is warranted to confirm that cetuximab may be considered as a therapeutic option especially in elderly patients. The low frequency of RAS mutations in SCCS makes SCCS tumors attractive for EGFR inhibition.
Predicting Chemotherapy Toxicity in Older Adults With Cancer: A Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Hurria Arti , Togawa Kayo , Mohile Supriya G. , Owusu Cynthia , Klepin Heidi D. , Gross Cary P. , Lichtman Stuart M. , Gajra Ajeet , Bhatia Smita , Katheria Vani , Klapper Shira , Hansen Kurt , Ramani Rupal , Lachs Mark , Wong F. Lennie , Tew William P.
Published: August 2011

Purpose

Older adults are vulnerable to chemotherapy toxicity; however, there are limited data to identify those at risk. The goals of this study are to identify risk factors for chemotherapy toxicity in older adults and develop a risk stratification schema for chemotherapy toxicity.

Patients and Methods

Patients age ≥ 65 years with cancer from seven institutions completed a prechemotherapy assessment that captured sociodemographics, tumor/treatment variables, laboratory test results, and geriatric assessment variables (function, comorbidity, cognition, psychological state, social activity/support, and nutritional status). Patients were followed through the chemotherapy course to capture grade 3 (severe), grade 4 (life-threatening or disabling), and grade 5 (death) as defined by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

Results

In total, 500 patients with a mean age of 73 years (range, 65 to 91 years) with stage I to IV lung (29%), GI (27%), gynecologic (17%), breast (11%), genitourinary (10%), or other (6%) cancer joined this prospective study. Grade 3 to 5 toxicity occurred in 53% of the patients (39% grade 3, 12% grade 4, 2% grade 5). A predictive model for grade 3 to 5 toxicity was developed that consisted of geriatric assessment variables, laboratory test values, and patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics. A scoring system in which the median risk score was 7 (range, 0 to 19) and risk stratification schema (risk score: percent incidence of grade 3 to 5 toxicity) identified older adults at low (0 to 5 points; 30%), intermediate (6 to 9 points; 52%), or high risk (10 to 19 points; 83%) of chemotherapy toxicity (P < .001).

Conclusion

A risk stratification schema can establish the risk of chemotherapy toxicity in older adults. Geriatric assessment variables independently predicted the risk of toxicity.
Compliance with compression stockings in patients with chronic venous disorders
Authors: Ziaja D , Kocełak P , Chudek J , Ziaja K
Published: August 2011

Objective

The aim of this large survey was to evaluate non-compliance with compression stockings in chronic venous disorder (CVD) patients.

Method

A total of 16,770 CVD patients participated in this study.

Results

Compression stockings were used by 25.6% of CVD patients and 46.6% of the patients were never prescribed compression therapy. Compression stocking use was found to increase with the clinical stage of CVD. The percentage of patients using compression stockings during control visits increased to 37.4%. Furthermore, 5.3% of the patients coming to control visits discontinued the use of compression stockings owing to high cost, sweating, itching, cosmetic reason, oedema exacerbation, exudation lesions of lower legs and application difficulty. Past episodes of vein thrombosis (OR = 0.80), of stroke (OR = 0.28) and of varicose veins surgery (OR = 0.28) were decreasing, while the management by a general practitioner was increasing the risk (OR = 1.36) of compression therapy cessation.

Conclusion

(1) Compression stockings are too rarely prescribed and often unaccepted at early stages of CVD; (2) The common reason for discontinuation of compression therapy is its high cost.
Chronic ischaemic leg ulcer as a late complication of post-traumatic arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Suknaic S , Erdelez L , Skopljanac A , Sef D , Novačić K
Published: August 2011

Objective

Chronic post-traumatic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a late complication of vascular injury and can be presented with symptoms of congestive heart failure, venous hypertension and distal ischaemia. We present an unusual case of chronic ischaemic leg ulcer in young adult caused by post-traumatic AVF.

Case report

A 29-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of chronic ulcer located on the lateral side of the lower left leg. Arterial pulses distally from the groin were absent. His medical history revealed him to have sustained gunshot injury of the left thigh in the war conflict 18 years before. Angiography showed a large AVF between superficial femoral artery and femoral vein. The patient underwent surgical repair of AVF with reconstruction of superficial femoral artery by saphenous vein interposition under spinal anaesthesia. Completion angiography confirmed AVF exclusion. Leg ulcer healed within a month.

Conclusion

Chronic leg ulcer may be the only symptom of large post-traumatic AVF in young adults.
Leo III and the Anemodoulion
Authors: Anderson Benjamin
Published: August 2011

The Anemodoulion, a Constantinopolitan tetrapylon decorated with numerous figural reliefs and crowned by a weathervane, has traditionally been seen as an entirely late antique construction. A re-evaluation of the medieval sources shows that, while the tetrapylon itself was constructed in late antiquity, its figural decoration and conversion into a weathervane likely date to the reign of Leo III (717–741). Viewed in connection with other monuments of Leo's reign, in particular the gate of the Kontoskalion Harbor, and historical accounts of the end of the Arab siege of 717/18, the Anemodoulion may be interpreted as a triumphal monument celebrating the dispersal of the Arab fleet via a powerful storm. It thus provides new insight into the earliest efforts of the Isaurian emperors to rebuild Constantinople as a fitting capital for a medieval empire.
The Contribution of NMDA Receptor Signaling in the Corticobasal Ganglia Reward Network to Appetitive Pavlovian Learning
Authors: Parker Jones G. , Beutler Lisa R. , Palmiter Richard D.
Published: August 2011

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) contribute to phasic transmission and synaptic plasticity and are thought to be important for learning. To better understand where NMDAR signaling is necessary for learning, we combined viral genetic strategies with genetic mouse models to investigate the contribution of NMDARs in the dopamine system to appetitive Pavlovian conditioning. NMDAR signaling in dopamine neurons was not required for Pavlovian conditioning; however, NMDARs in D1dopamine receptor (D1R)-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs), which receive input from dopamine neurons, were critical for this type of learning. NMDAR signaling was also required in brain regions that project to dopamine neurons, because removing NMDARs from afferent neurons to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) also prevented learning. This effect was likely attributable to loss of NMDAR signaling in the neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), because learning could be restored in these animals by rescuing NMDAR expression in the PFC. Moreover, removing NMDARs exclusively from the PFC also prevented learning. Our findings suggest that NMDARs in neurons that project to and receive projections from the VTA are necessary for Pavlovian conditioning and specifically implicate the PFC and D1R-expressing MSNs in associative learning.
Effects of Brain Amyloid Deposition and Reduced Glucose Metabolism on the Default Mode of Brain Function in Normal Aging
Authors: Kikuchi Mitsuru , Hirosawa Tetsu , Yokokura Masamichi , Yagi Shunsuke , Mori Norio , Yoshikawa Etsuji , Yoshihara Yujiro , Sugihara Genichi , Takebayashi Kiyokazu , Iwata Yasuhide , Suzuki Katsuaki , Nakamura Kazuhiko , Ueki Takatoshi , Minabe Yoshio , Ouchi Yasuomi
Published: August 2011

Brain β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition during normal aging is highlighted as an initial pathogenetic event in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Many recent brain imaging studies have focused on areas deactivated during cognitive tasks [the default mode network (DMN), i.e., medial frontal gyrus/anterior cingulate cortex and precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex], where the strength of functional coordination was more or less affected by cerebral Aβ deposits. In the present positron emission tomography study, to investigate whether regional glucose metabolic alterations and Aβ deposits seen in nondemented elderly human subjects (n= 22) are of pathophysiological importance in changes of brain hemodynamic coordination in DMN during normal aging, we measured cerebral glucose metabolism with [18F]FDG, Aβ deposits with [11C]PIB, and regional cerebral blood flow during control and working memory tasks by H215O on the same day. Data were analyzed using both region of interest and statistical parametric mapping. Our results indicated that the amount of Aβ deposits was negatively correlated with hemodynamic similarity between medial frontal and medial posterior regions, and the lower similarity was associated with poorer working memory performance. In contrast, brain glucose metabolism was not related to this medial hemodynamic similarity. These findings suggest that traceable Aβ deposition, but not glucose hypometabolism, in the brain plays an important role in occurrence of neuronal discoordination in DMN along with poor working memory in healthy elderly people.
In SituVisualization of Protein Interactions in Sensory Neurons: Glutamic Acid-Rich Proteins (GARPs) Play Differential Roles for Photoreceptor Outer Segment Scaffolding
Authors: Ritter Linda M. , Khattree Nidhi , Tam Beatrice , Moritz Orson L. , Schmitz Frank , Goldberg Andrew F. X.
Published: August 2011

Vertebrate photoreceptors initiate vision via a G-protein-mediated signaling cascade organized within a specialized cilium, the outer segment (OS). The membranous “stacked pancake” architecture of this organelle must be partially renewed daily to maintain cell function and viability; however, neither its static structure nor renewal process is well described in molecular terms. Glutamic acid-rich proteins (GARPs), including the cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel (CNGB1) and GARP2 (a CNGB1 splice-variant), are proposed to contribute to OS organization in concert with peripherin/rds (P/rds), a retinal tetraspanin. We developed and applied anin situfluorescence complementation approach that offers an unprecedented glimpse at the formation, trafficking, and localization of GARP-P/rds interactions in transgenicXenopus laevisrod photoreceptors. Interactions for these (and other) proteins could be readily visualized using confocal microscopy. Nearly all associations, including CNGB1-P/rds interaction, were initiated within inner segments (ISs) before trafficking to OSs. In contrast, GARP2-P/rds interactions were only observed downstream, at or near sites of disk morphogenesis. These results suggest that GARP2-P/rds interaction participates directly in structuring disk stacks but CNGB1-P/rds interaction does not and instead serves mainly to localize plasma membrane ion channels. Altogether, the results lead us to propose that differential interaction of GARPs with P/rds may contribute to the broad phenotypic heterogeneity produced by inherited defects in P/rds. Analogous experiments applied to the synaptic protein RIBEYE suggest that monomers can oligomerize at the level of the IS before ribbon assembly and demonstrate the general applicability of this strategy forin situanalysis of protein interactions in sensory neurons.
CNGA3: A Target of Spinal Nitric Oxide/cGMP Signaling and Modulator of Inflammatory Pain Hypersensitivity
Authors: Heine Sandra , Michalakis Stylianos , Kallenborn-Gerhardt Wiebke , Lu Ruirui , Lim Hee-Young , Weiland Jessica , Del Turco Domenico , Deller Thomas , Tegeder Irmgard , Biel Martin , Geisslinger Gerd , Schmidtko Achim
Published: August 2011

A large body of evidence indicates that nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP contribute to central sensitization of pain pathways during inflammatory pain. Here, we investigated the distribution of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels in the spinal cord, and identified the CNG channel subunit CNGA3 as a putative cGMP target in nociceptive processing.In situhybridization revealed that CNGA3 is localized to inhibitory neurons of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, whereas its distribution in dorsal root ganglia is restricted to non-neuronal cells. CNGA3 expression is upregulated in the superficial dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord and in dorsal root ganglia following hindpaw inflammation evoked by zymosan. Mice lacking CNGA3 (CNGA3−/−mice) exhibited an increased nociceptive behavior in models of inflammatory pain, whereas their behavior in models of acute or neuropathic pain was normal. Moreover,CNGA3−/−mice developed an exaggerated pain hypersensitivity induced by intrathecal administration of cGMP analogs or NO donors. Our results provide evidence that CNGA3 contributes in an inhibitory manner to the central sensitization of pain pathways during inflammatory pain as a target of NO/cGMP signaling.
Do trabalho coletivo na escola: encontros na diferença
Authors: Chaluh Laura Noemi
Published: August 2011

O presente artigo trata da constituição de um grupo de formação composto por professoras das primeiras séries do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola municipal no interior do Estado de São Paulo. O grupo redefiniu a prática do reforço instituída na escola e assumiu a corresponsabilidade pela aprendizagem dos alunos dessas séries que precisavam de outros tempos para aprender. Esse fato potencializou o empenho conjunto das professoras ao promover um trabalho coletivo para acolher todas as crianças. A dimensão coletiva apareceu quando o grupo, perante os conflitos vividos a partir da prática escolar, tomou consciência deles e definiu objetivos e ações que possibilitaram aos seus alunos aprender. Explicita-se que desenvolver um trabalho coletivo não implica o apagamento das diferenças e considera-se que, com elas, é possível haver coincidência dos objetivos pelos quais os participantes de um grupo trabalham.
High‐Temperature Stress and Soybean Leaves: Leaf Anatomy and Photosynthesis
Authors: Djanaguiraman M. , Prasad P. V. V. , Boyle D. L. , Schapaugh W. T.
Published: August 2011

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) genotype K 03‐2897 was grown in a controlled environment to study the effects of high‐temperature (HT) stress on ultrastructural changes in leaves and its relationship with photosynthetic rate. The objectives of this study were to (i) quantify the effects of HT stress during flowering stage on photosynthetic rate and (ii) observe the anatomical and ultrastructural changes in leaves of soybean grown under HT. Plants were exposed to HT (38/28°C) or optimum temperature (OT; 28/18°C) for 14 d at flowering stage R2. High‐temperature stress significantly decreased the leaf photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance by 20.2 and 12.8%, respectively, compared with those at OT. However, HT stress significantly increased the thicknesses of the palisade and spongy layers and the lower epidermis above those at OT. In addition, HT stress damaged the plasma membrane, chloroplast membrane, and thylakoid membranes. The mitochondrial membranes, cristae, and matrix were distorted under HT stress. High‐temperature stress increased the content of leaf reducing sugars by 82.6% above that at OT. Leaves under HT stress had a higher carbon isotope ratio compared with that at OT. Decreases in photosynthesis at HT stress were mediated through anatomical and structural changes in the cell and cell organelles, particularly the chloroplast and mitochondria.
The Assessment of Leaf Nitrogen in Corn from Digital Images
Authors: Rorie Robert L. , Purcell Larry C. , Karcher Douglas E. , King C. Andy
Published: August 2011

Environmental concerns of nitrate pollution coupled with the cost of N fertilizers have led to increased interest in assessing plant N status. Our objective was to use a digital camera and image‐analysis software to assess leaf N concentration in corn (Zea mays L.) leaves from the association between leaf N and green color of chlorophyll. In greenhouse experiments conducted at Fayetteville, AR, in 2008 and 2009, digital photographs of the uppermost collared leaf of 3‐ to 5‐leaf corn plants grown over a range of soil N treatments were processed into a dark green color index (DGCI), which combines the hue, saturation, and brightness into one composite number. Soil plant analysis development (SPAD) and DGCI values agreed closely across both years with r2 ≥ 0.91. There was a close relationship (r2 ranged from 0.80 to 0.89) between DGCI and leaf N concentration. Yellow and green disks of known DGCI values were successfully used as internal standards to correct for differences in color sensitivity among cameras. Similarly, DGCI standard disks were able to correct for differences in lighting conditions for corn grown in the field. Determination of leaf N concentration in corn by digital image analysis offers a potential new tool for assessing corn N status.
Predictive Association between Biotic Stress Traits and Eco‐Geographic Data for Wheat and Barley Landraces
Authors: Endresen Dag Terje Filip , Street Kenneth , Mackay Michael , Bari Abdallah , De Pauw Eddy
Published: August 2011

Collections of crop genetic resources are a valuable source of new genetic variation for economically important traits, including resistance to crop diseases. New sources of useful crop traits are often identified through evaluation in field trials. The number of relevant accessions in genebank collections available to be evaluated is often substantially larger than the capacity of the evaluation project. The focused identification of germplasm strategy (FIGS) is an approach used to select subsets of germplasm from genetic resource collections in such a way as to maximize the likelihood of capturing a specific trait. This strategy uses a range of methods to link the expression of a specific trait (of a target crop) with the eco‐geographic parameters of the original collection site. This study contributes to the development of the approach by which a FIGS subset could be assembled for biotic traits. We have evaluated trait‐specific subset selection methods for two fungal crop diseases, namely stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers.) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. and Triticum turgidum L.) and net blotch (Pyrenophora teres Drechs.) in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The results indicate that the climate layers from freely available eco‐geographic databases are well suited to model and predict the reaction in these crops to biotic stress traits. This result has the potential to improve the efficiency of field screening trials to find novel sources of economically valuable crop traits.
Stem Rust Resistance in Aegilops tauschii Germplasm
Authors: Rouse Matthew N. , Olson Eric L. , Gill Bikram S. , Pumphrey Michael O. , Jin Yue
Published: August 2011

Aegilops tauschii Coss., the D genome donor of hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum L., has been used extensively for the transfer of agronomically important traits to wheat, including stem rust resistance genes Sr33, Sr45, and Sr46. To identify potentially new stem rust resistance genes in A. tauschii germplasm, we evaluated 456 nonduplicated accessions deposited in the USDA National Small Grains Collection (Aberdeen, ID) and the Wheat Genetic and Genomic Resources Center collection (Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS), with races TTKSK (Ug99), TRTTF, TTTTF, TPMKC, RKQQC, and QTHJC of Puccinia graminis Pers.:Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn. Ninety‐eight accessions (22%) were identified as resistant to race TTKSK. A broad range of resistant infection types (; to 2+) were found in reaction to race TTKSK. Resistance was significantly associated among most of the races in pairwise comparisons. However, resistance was largely race specific. Only 12 of the accessions resistant to race TTKSK were also resistant to the other five races. Results from this germplasm screening will facilitate further studies on the genetic characterization of accessions with potentially novel sources of resistance to race TTKSK.
Relationships between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Visual Quality in Cool‐Season Turfgrass: II. Factors Affecting NDVI and its Component Reflectances
Authors: Bremer Dale J. , Lee Hyeonju , Su Kemin , Keeley Steven J.
Published: August 2011

Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI, computed as [near infrared (NIR) – Red)]/[NIR + Red]) may provide an objective means to evaluate visual quality of turfgrass. The NDVI is influenced by red (visible) and NIR reflectance (invisible), but each may respond differently to environmental factors; basic information is lacking about the two components in relation to turf quality. In this 3‐yr study near Manhattan, KS, we examined relationships of NDVI and its component reflectances along with visual quality ratings in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L., ‘Apollo’), two Kentucky bluegrass × Texas bluegrass (Poa arachnifera Torr.) hybrids (‘Thermal Blue’ and ‘Reveille’), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb., ‘Dynasty’). Percentage green cover was measured with digital image analysis and shoot density was estimated visually to evaluate their impacts on turf quality and reflectance. Differences in NDVI and red and NIR reflectances were observed among turfgrasses at each level of quality. Across the range of turf quality, NDVI was influenced more strongly by red than NIR reflectance. Red reflectance was strongly affected by density (r = 0.85) and green cover (r = 0.86); NIR reflectance was affected by density (r = 0.63) but negligibly by green cover. Results suggest other fundamental factors that are poorly understood may be affecting NIR reflectance and, hence, NDVI in turf. These factors may confound relationships between NDVI and turf quality and require further study.
Bermudagrass Cultivar Responses to Sting Nematodes
Authors: Pang Wening , Luc John E. , Crow William T. , Kenworthy Kevin E. , Giblin‐Davis Robin M. , McSorley Robert , Kruse Jason K.
Published: August 2011

Sting nematodes (Belonolaimus longicaudatus Rau) are the most damaging nematode species on bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) in Florida. The recent cancellation of the nematicide fenamiphos has resulted in the need for alternative nematode management tactics. Utilization of resistant or tolerant cultivars could be one of the most environmentally friendly and least costly practices for nematode management on turf. However, information about the responses of newer bermudagrass cultivars to sting nematodes is not available. Eight dwarf and nine nondwarf bermudagrass cultivars were tested in two sequential experimental trials under greenhouse conditions for their responses to sting nematodes. ‘Tifdwarf’ and ‘Emerald Dwarf’ were damaged the least among dwarf cultivars, as were ‘TifSport’ and ‘Riviera’ among the nondwarf cultivars. ‘Princess 77’ and ‘Celebration’ produced greater amounts of roots than ‘Tifway’ under the stress of sting nematode root defoliation despite being good hosts for this nematode.
Coexistence in Maize: Effect of the Genetically Modified Maize Field Depth on Pollen‐mediated Gene Flow
Authors: Rühl Gerhard , Langhof Maren
Published: August 2011

Although it is generally accepted that field depth of the recipient non–genetically modified (non‐GM) neighboring maize (Zea mays L.) field is significantly affecting pollen‐mediated gene flow, information about the influence of GM donor field depth is extremely scarce. Therefore, we investigated the effect of 75‐m compared with 150‐m donor field depth. In 2007 and 2008, one field experiment each was established in northern Germany at Mariensee. In both GM field‐depth variants, the distance between GM and non‐GM maize field was 25 m. Sizes of non‐GM maize fields were generally 1.5 ha, whereas two GM field sizes (1.5 and 3.0 ha) were compared in a field arrangement side‐by‐side oriented to favor pollen‐mediated gene flow from GM to non‐GM field. The GM percentages of individual samples taken at recipient field depths between 0 and 60 m were quantified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. In both years, no difference in pollen‐mediated gene flow in dependence on the two compared donor field depths was observed. Calculated GM contents of the total non‐GM fields harvests were 1.4% (75 m) and 1.5% (150 m) in 2007 as well as 1.0% (both 75 and 150 m) in 2008. In consequence, maize pollen‐mediated gene flow seems not to be considerably affected by GM field depth if fields are at least 75 m deep.