bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Involvement of Gαolf‐expressing neurons in the vomeronasal system of Bufo japonicus
Authors: Hagino‐Yamagishi Kimiko , Nakazawa Hideo
Published: May 2011

Most terrestrial vertebrates possess anatomically distinct olfactory organs: the olfactory epithelium (OE) and the vomeronasal organ (VNO). In rodents, olfactory receptors coupled to Gαolf are expressed in the OE, whereas vomeronasal receptors type 1 (V1R) and vomeronasal receptors type 2 (V2R), coupled to Gαi2 and Gαo, respectively, are expressed in the VNO. These receptors and G proteins are thought to play important roles in olfactory perception. However, we previously reported that only V2R and Gαo expression is detected in the Xenopus laevis VNO. As X. laevis spends its entire life in water, we considered that expression of limited types of chemosensory machinery in the VNO might be due to adaptation of the VNO to aquatic life. Thus, we analyzed the expression of G proteins in the VNO and the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of the adult Japanese toad, Bufo japonicus, because this species is well adapted to a terrestrial life. By using immunohistochemical analysis in combination with in situ hybridization and DiI labeling, we found that B. japonicus Gαolf and Gαo were expressed in the apical and middle‐to‐basal layer of the vomeronasal neuroepithelium, and that the axons of these Gαolf‐ and Gαo‐expressing vomeronasal neurons projected to the rostral and caudal accessory olfactory bulb, respectively. These results strongly suggest that both the Gαolf‐ and Gαo‐mediated signal transduction pathways function in the B. japonicus VNO. The expression of Gαolf in the B. japonicus VNO may correlate with the detection of airborne chemical cues and with a terrestrial life. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3189–3201, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efferent connections of nucleus accumbens subdivisions of the domestic chicken (gallus domesticus): An anterograde pathway tracing study
Authors: Bálint Eszter , Mezey Szilvia , Csillag András
Published: May 2011

Envisaged as a limbic‐motor interface, the mammalian nucleus accumbens (Ac) is responsible for motivation, emotionality, and reward mechanisms. As in mammals, Ac of the domestic chick has three subdivisions: the rostral pole (AcR) lying in the rostral part of basal telencephalon, the core (AcC), corresponding to the ventromedial medial striatum, and the shell (AcS), lying ventrally and ventrolaterally to the AcC. Less well known is the connectivity of subdivisions. Here we report on the efferents of Ac subregions, using biotinylated dextran amine as anterograde tracer, deposited into the AcR, AcS, and AcC. The projections of the accumbens subregions mainly overlap in the telencephalon and the diencephalon but differ in the brainstem. In the telencephalon, the main projection sites are the ventral pallidum, the basal nucleus (Meynert), and the nucleus of the diagonal band. The lateral hypothalamus and lateral preoptic area receive strong projections from the AcR and AcS, and weaker projections from the AcC. The AcR and AcC massively innervate the subthalamic nucleus. In the brainstem the bulk of accumbens fibers were found in the compact part of the substantia nigra. All subregions project to the parabrachial region, reticular formation, periaqueductal gray, and the raphe nuclei, with some differences in the weights and subregional distributions. AcR and AcS project extensively to the ventral tegmental area, while AcC sends massive innervation to the solitary and vagal motor nuclei. Overall, the results seem to support the previously suggested distribution of Ac subregions, emphasizing similarities and differences with mammals. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:2922–2953, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stereological analysis of the rat and monkey amygdala
Authors: Chareyron Loïc J. , Banta Lavenex Pamela , Amaral David G. , Lavenex Pierre
Published: May 2011

The amygdala is part of a neural network that contributes to the regulation of emotional behaviors. Rodents, especially rats, are used extensively as model organisms to decipher the functions of specific amygdala nuclei, in particular in relation to fear and emotional learning. Analysis of the role of the nonhuman primate amygdala in these functions has lagged work in the rodent but provides evidence for conservation of basic functions across species. Here we provide quantitative information regarding the morphological characteristics of the main amygdala nuclei in rats and monkeys, including neuron and glial cell numbers, neuronal soma size, and individual nuclei volumes. The volumes of the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei were, respectively, 32, 39, and 39 times larger in monkeys than in rats. In contrast, the central and medial nuclei were only 8 and 4 times larger in monkeys than in rats. The numbers of neurons in the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei were 14, 11, and 16 times greater in monkeys than in rats, whereas the numbers of neurons in the central and medial nuclei were only 2.3 and 1.5 times greater in monkeys than in rats. Neuron density was between 2.4 and 3.7 times lower in monkeys than in rats, whereas glial density was only between 1.1 and 1.7 times lower in monkeys than in rats. We compare our data in rats and monkeys with those previously published in humans and discuss the theoretical and functional implications that derive from our quantitative structural findings. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3218–3239, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two distinct types of ON directionally selective ganglion cells in the rabbit retina
Authors: Hoshi Hideo , Tian Lian‐Ming , Massey Stephen C. , Mills Stephen L.
Published: May 2011

Mammalian retinas contain about 20 types of ganglion cells that respond to different aspects of the visual scene, including the direction of motion of objects in the visual field. The rabbit retina has long been thought to contain two distinct types of directionally selective (DS) ganglion cell: a bistratified ON‐OFF DS ganglion cell that responds to onset and termination of light, and an ON DS ganglion cell, which stratifies only in the ON layer and responds only to light onset. This division is challenged by targeted recordings from rabbit retina, which indicate that ON DS ganglion cells occur in two discriminably different types. One of these is strongly tracer‐coupled to amacrine cells; the other is never tracer‐coupled. These two types also differ in branching pattern, stratification depth, relative latency, and transience of spiking. The sustained, uncoupled ON DS cell ramifies completely within the lower cholinergic band and responds to nicotine with continuous firing. In contrast, the transient, coupled ON DS ganglion cell stratifies above the cholinergic band and is not positioned to receive major input from cholinergic amacrine cells, consistent with its modest response to the cholinergic agonist nicotine. Much data have accrued that directional responses in the mammalian retina originate via gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from the dendrites of starburst amacrine cells (Euler et al.,2002). If there is an ON DS ganglion cell that does not stratify in the starburst band, this suggests that its GABA‐dependent directional signals may be generated by a mechanism independent of starburst amacrine cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:2509–2521, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monosynaptic inputs to ErbB4‐expressing inhibitory neurons in mouse primary somatosensory cortex
Authors: Choi Jiwon , Callaway Edward M.
Published: May 2011

Previous reports have described inputs to the somatosensory cortex (S1) in mouse or rat using retrograde or anterograde tracers. Such studies do not, however, reveal which particular cell types within the S1 cortex receive direct monosynaptic connections from these input sources. Here we describe the monosynaptic inputs to a subpopulation of mouse S1 inhibitory neurons that express ErbB4. We used a previously described “bridge protein,” composed of the ErbB4 ligand, neuregulin (NRG1), fused to the avian viral receptor TVB (TVB‐NRG1), along with EnvB pseudotyped lentivirus (LV) and rabies virus (RV), to selectively coinfect ErbB4‐expressing neurons (Choi et al. [2010] Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107:16703–16708). The RV had its glycoprotein gene deleted and replaced with mCherry, so that infected cells express mCherry and the virus cannot spread without provision of rabies glycoprotein (RG) by transcomplementation. The LV encoded and expressed RG to allow transcomplementation in coinfected neurons, so that the RV could spread transsynaptically and label their direct monosynaptic inputs. The RV could not spread beyond the direct inputs, due to the lack of RG in presynaptic cells. This method revealed long‐range connections from thalamus, nucleus basalis, raphe, and distant cortical areas, including ipsilateral motor, secondary somatosensory, retrosplenial, and perirhinal cortex and contralateral S1. In addition, local connections from ipsilateral pyramidal neurons within S1 were labeled. These input sources account for all of the known inputs to S1 described with standard tracers, suggesting that the subpopulation of ErbB4‐positive inhibitory neurons infected using the TVB‐NRG1 bridge protein receives inputs indiscriminately from S1 input sources. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3402–3414, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thalamocortical projections to rat auditory cortex from the ventral and dorsal divisions of the medial geniculate nucleus
Authors: Smith Philip H. , Uhlrich Daniel J. , Manning Karen A. , Banks Matthew I.
Published: May 2011

The ventral and dorsal medial geniculate (MGV and MGD) constitute the major auditory thalamic subdivisions providing thalamocortical inputs to layer IV and lower layer III of auditory cortex. No quantitative evaluation of this projection is available. Using biotinylated dextran amine (BDA)/biocytin injections, we describe the cortical projection patterns of MGV and MGD cells. In primary auditory cortex the bulk of MGV axon terminals are in layer IV/lower layer III with minor projections to supragranular layers and intermediate levels in infragranular layers. MGD axons project to cortical regions designated posterodorsal (PD) and ventral (VA) showing laminar terminal distributions that are quantitatively similar to the MGV‐to‐primary cortex terminal distribution. At the electron microscopic level MGV and MGD terminals are non‐γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic with MGD terminals in PD and VA slightly but significantly larger than MGV terminals in primary cortex. MGV/MGD terminals synapse primarily onto non‐GABAergic spines/dendrites. A small number synapse on GABAergic structures, contacting large dendrites or cell bodies primarily in the major thalamocortical recipient layers. For MGV projections to primary cortex or MGD projections to PD or VA, the non‐GABAergic postsynaptic structures at each site were the same size regardless of whether they were in supragranular, granular, or infragranular layers. However, the population of MGD terminal‐recipient structures in VA were significantly larger than the MGD terminal‐recipient structures in PD or the MGV terminal‐recipient structures in primary cortex. Thus, if terminal and postsynaptic structure size indicate strength of excitation then MGD to VA inputs are strongest, MGD to PD intermediate, and MGV to primary cortex the weakest. J. Comp. Neurol., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
IR Spectroscopy of Isolated Neutral and Protonated Adenine and 9‐Methyladenine
Authors: van Zundert Gydo C. P. , Jaeqx Sander , Berden Giel , Bakker Joost M. , Kleinermanns Karl , Oomens Jos , Rijs Anouk M.
Published: May 2011

IR spectroscopy is employed to study isolated adenine and its derivative 9‐methyladenine in both their neutral and protonated forms. The IR spectra of neutral adenine and 9‐methyladenine are measured in a molecular beam expansion via IR–UV ion‐dip spectroscopy in the 525 to 1750 cm−1 region. For adenine, UV excitation selects the 9H tautomer to give a conformer‐selective IR spectrum. For 9‐methyladenine, only one tautomer exists because of the methyl substitution at the N(9) position. The experimental spectra agree closely with spectra computed for these tautomers at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(df,pd) level of theory. These spectra complement previous tautomer‐specific IR spectra in the hydrogen stretching range. The 9H‐adenine spectrum obtained is compared to a previously recorded FTIR spectrum of adenine at 280 °C, which shows close agreement, although the 7H tautomer cannot be excluded from contributing. Protonated adenine and 9‐methyladenine are generated by electrospray ionization and studied via IR multiple‐photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy. Comparison of the experimental spectra with computed spectra allows identification of the protonation site, which suggests that the 1‐9 tautomer is the dominant contributor to the spectra.
An improved flow cytometric assay for detection and discrimination between malignant cells and atypical mesothelial cells, in serous cavity effusions
Authors: Kentrou Nektaria A. , Tsagarakis Nikolaos J. , Tzanetou Konstantina , Damala Maria , Papadimitriou Konstantinos A. , Skoumi Dimitra , Stratigaki Aimilia , Anagnostopoulos Nikolaos I. , Malamou‐Lada Eleni , Athanassiadou Pauline , Paterakis George
Published: May 2011

Background:

The aim of this study was to evaluate a flow cytometric assay for the detection of malignant effusions.

Methods:

During the last 4‐year period, 125 effusions suspicious for malignancy were prospectively analyzed by flow cytometry and conventional cytology. A three‐step flow cytometric assay was performed, beginning with an initial informative panel of two protocols, containing SYTO‐16, 7‐AAD, CD71‐PE, CD45‐ECD, and CD66abce‐FITC, CD64‐PE, CD45‐ECD, CD16‐PECy5, CD14‐PECy7, respectively. This was followed by a basic immunophenotypic panel of seven three‐color combinations, containing in the first position, EMA, Ber‐EP4, CD66abce, CD56, and intracellular desmin‐33, combined with CD71‐PE and CD45‐PeCy5 in each tube. Finally, a cytokeratin‐FITC/propidium iodide DNA panel was conducted, for the detection of aneuploidy in cytokeratin positive cells.

Results:

The sensitivity and specificity of flow cytometry were 85.1 and 97.8%, and of cytology 93.2 and 95.6%, respectively. A significant association was observed between the results of the two techniques (P < 0.001). Among eight atypical cases detected by cytology, five had been precisely characterized as malignant by flow cytometry. EMA and Ber‐EP4 proved the most sensitive markers for malignancy diagnosis, while the detection of desmin‐33 negative/cytokeratin positive cells had the simultaneous highest positive and negative predictive values. CD66abce was very specific, although nonsensitive, while DNA ploidy analysis was nonspecific, as hyperploidy was observed in reactive mesothelial cells.

Conclusions:

A flow cytometric assay of high sensitivity and specificity is proposed for the routine identification of carcinoma cells in effusions and their distinction from atypical mesothelial cells, as an ancillary to conventional cytology. © 2011 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Membrane Composition Effects on the Analytical Behavior of Solid Contact Potentiometric Pb2+ Selective Electrodes Based on Diazadibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 Ionophores
Authors: Ochoa G. Cuervo , Aguilar‐Cordero J. C.
Published: May 2011

The effect of component contents and membrane thickness on the detection limit (DL), slope (m), linear range (LR) and response time (RT) of Pb2+ solid contact potentiometric ion selective electrodes (SCISE) based on 4,10‐diaza‐2,3,11,12‐dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 (1), 4,10‐diaza‐2,3,11,12‐di(4‐tert‐butylbenzo)‐18‐crown‐6 (2) and 4,10‐diaza‐2,3,11,12‐dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6‐N,N′‐di(carboxymethyl) (3) as ionophores was studied by open circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The use of an intermediate layer of poly(3‐octyl)thiophene between the gold substrate and the selective membrane was explored. SCISE prepared showing the best responses had typical DL, m, LR and RT values of 10−6 M, 29 mV/dec, 10−5 to 10−3 M and 2 minutes.
Resource recovery of copper‐contaminated sludge with jarosite process and selective precipitation
Authors: Hu Shao‐Hua , Hu Shen‐Chih , Fu and Yen‐Pei
Published: May 2011

This study focuses on copper recovery from printed circuit board (PCB) sludge. The copper and other metals in the sludge were extracted with sulfuric acid, and the major metals in the leachate were copper and iron. Jarosite process was utilized to remove impurities such as iron and calcium from the leachate. The elimination percentage of iron from the leachate increased when the molar ratio of potassium/iron (K/Fe) increased in the jarosite process. When the molar ratio of K/Fe was 1.4., it was found that 18.91% of iron content was held while 92.97% of copper content remained in the leachate. The filtrate could be purified further with sulfide precipitation and its filtration characteristics were improved. Then copper sulfide was formed through sulfidation precipitation with a molar ratio of sulfide agent/copper at 0.7; the grade of copper in the recovered material was 57.55%. This indicates that the product was pure CuS, and filtration resistance could be reduced to promote improved copper recovery. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2011
Sealing Evaluation of an Alkaline Earth Silicate Glass for Solid Oxide Fuel/Electrolyser Cells
Authors: Mahapatra M. K. , Lu K.
Published: May 2011

Glass is the most recognised material to seal solid oxide fuel/electrolyser cell components. We have developed a SrO‐La2O3‐Al2O3‐SiO2(SABS‐0) based seal glass with all the desired thermophysical properties and thermochemical stability. In this study, the SABS‐0 seal glass is sandwiched between AISI 441 interconnect alloy and fully stabilised ZrO2electrolyte for sealing ability evaluation. The sealing performance and the thermal cycling resistance of the tri‐layer assembly are tested by a pressure leakage test with 3–20 K min–1heating rates for 2,500 h and 100 thermal cycles. The sealing strength is evaluated by a rupture strength test. The results show that the SABS‐0 glass is hermetic for at least 2,500 h and has high rupture strength for solid oxide fuel/electrolyser cell component sealing. The stress state for the tri‐layer assembly has been analysed using three different approaches.
An Alkaline Al–H2O2 Semi‐Fuel Cell Based on a Nickel Foam Supported Co3O4 Nanowire Arrays Cathode
Authors: Lei T. , Tian Y. M. , Wang G. L. , Yin J. L. , Gao Y. Y. , Wen Q. , Cao D. X.
Published: May 2011

The electrode of Co3O4 nanowire arrays directly grown on nickel foam is prepared via a facile one‐step method. The electrode is characterised by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and tested as the cathode of an Al–H2O2 semi‐fuel cell. We found that Co3O4 forms clusters of nanowires with length up to around 15 μm and diameter around 250 nm. The nanowire is composed of interconnected nanoparticles. Effects of H2O2 concentrations, catholyte KOH concentration, catholyte flow rate and operation temperature on the cell performance are investigated. The cell exhibited an open circuit voltage of 1.4 V, and peak power densities of 85 and 137 mW cm–2 at 25 and 65 °C, respectively, while running on 0.4 mol L–1 H2O2 at a flow rate of 80 mL min–1.
Staging of the cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease: insights from a detailed neuropsychological investigation of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Carter Stephen F. , Caine Diana , Burns Alistair , Herholz Karl , Lambon Ralph Matthew A.
Published: May 2011

Objective

The decline of episodic memory in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is well established, but the exact appearance and staging of deficits in other cognitive domains is sometimes contentious. The current investigation attempted to elucidate the appearance of additional cognitive deficits in the non‐episodic domains and to understand these deficits with respect to the known pathological staging of AD.

Methods

A cross‐sectional investigation compared cognitively normal age‐matched controls with patients with mild AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using a detailed neuropsychological assessment.

Results

The systematic investigation of cognitive performance across the major cognitive domains demonstrates that the appearance of additional cognitive deficits in MCI and AD can be predicted, with impaired semantic cognition performance pre‐empting the appearance of attention/executive dysfunction and visuospatial deficits in the majority of patients with MCI.

Conclusions

This progressive pattern of cognitive deficits fits with the known pathological staging of AD, and the data further highlight the relative rarity of pure amnestic MCI. These results indicate that any neuropsychological test battery used to assess patients with MCI should include language and semantic memory tests in addition to typical episodic memory tests, as changes within this domain might be a sensitive indication of incipient AD. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semantic organizational strategy predicts verbal memory and remission rate of geriatric depression
Authors: Morimoto Sarah Shizuko , Gunning Faith M. , Kanellopoulos Dora , Murphy Christopher F. , Klimstra Sibel A. , Kelly Robert E. , Alexopoulos George S.
Published: May 2011

Objective

This study tests the hypothesis that the use of semantic organizational strategy during the free‐recall phase of a verbal memory task predicts remission of geriatric depression.

Methods

Sixty‐five older patients with major depression participated in a 12‐week escitalopram treatment trial. Neuropsychological performance was assessed at baseline after a 2‐week drug washout period. The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test‐Revised was used to assess verbal learning and memory. Remission was defined as a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of ≤7 for 2 consecutive weeks and no longer meeting the DSM‐IV‐TR criteria for major depression. The association between the number of clusters used at the final learning trial (trial 3) and remission was examined using Cox's proportional hazards survival analysis. The relationship between the number of clusters utilized in the final learning trial and the number of words recalled after a 25‐min delay was examined in a regression with age and education as covariates.

Results

Higher number of clusters utilized predicted remission rates (hazard ratio, 1.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.54); χ2 = 4.23, df = 3, p = 0.04). There was a positive relationship between the total number of clusters used by the end of the third learning trial and the total number of words recalled at the delayed recall trial (F(3,58) = 7.93; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Effective semantic strategy use at baseline on a verbal list learning task by older depressed patients was associated with higher rates of remission with antidepressant treatment. This result provides support for previous findings indicating that measures of executive functioning at baseline are useful in predicting antidepressant response. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of new phosphonato esters by reaction between triphenyl or trialkyl phosphite and acetylenic diesters in the presence of NH‐containing compounds
Authors: Marandi Ghasem , Maghsoodlou Malek Taher , Hazeri Nourallah , Heydari Reza , Habibi‐Khorassani Sayyed Mostafa , Torbati Niloufar Akbarzadeh , Sajadikhah Seyed Sajad , Saravani Danial , Rakhshanipour Mansoureh , Gholamipour Samira , Rostami‐Charati Faramarz , Skelton Brian W. , Makha Mohamed , Zare Zeynab , Lashkari Mojtaba
Published: May 2011

The reaction between triphenyl or trialkyl phosphite and acetylenic esters in the presence of some heterocyclic or aromatic NH compounds such as thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione, 2‐methyl indole, 5‐bromoisatine, 3‐nitroacetanilide, saccharin, 5,5‐dimethylhydantoin, 2‐nitroaniline, 4‐nitroaniline, benzophenon hydrazine, and anthranilic acid led to the formation of phosphonato esters in high yield. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:630–639, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20725
Phenyl‐, benzyl‐, and unsymmetrical hydroxy‐methylenebisphosphonates as dronic acid ester analogues from α‐oxophosphonates by microwave‐assisted syntheses
Authors: Keglevich György , Grün Alajos , Molnár István Gábor , Greiner István
Published: May 2011

The microwave (MW)‐assisted addition of dialkyl phosphites to α‐oxophosphonates was investigated and optimized under solventless conditions to provide the phenyl‐ and benzyl‐hydroxy‐methylenebisphosphonates efficiently by suppressing the rearrangement side reaction. Methyl‐hydroxy‐methylenebisphosphonates with mixed ester functionalities and an analogous diester‐diacid were also synthesized. It was found that the α‐oxophosphonates may also be converted to hydroxy‐methylenebisphosphonates and/or rearranged products without using dialkyl phosphite as the reagent and with the careful exclusion of water, simply on standing at room temperature, on thermal treatment, or on MW irradiation. These novel reactions taking place via the controlled decomposition of the precursor and resulting in the intermediate formation of dialkyl phosphite were also studied in detail. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:640–648, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20727
Transmural heterogeneity of left ventricular myocardium remodeling in postinfarct porcine model revealed by MR diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Wu Yin , Zhang Li‐Juan , Zou Chao , Tse Hung‐Fat , Wu Ed X.
Published: May 2011

Purpose:

To investigate the transmural heterogeneity of left ventricular myocardium structural remodeling.

Materials and Methods:

Ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed in six adult porcine heart samples with apical septum infarction collected 13 weeks after permanent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation and six age‐matched intact controls. Alterations in diffusion indices and myocardial fiber orientation, including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean apparent diffusion coefficient (mean ADC), axial diffusivity (λ∥), radial diffusivity (λ⟂), and fiber helix angle were investigated at five transmural zones across myocardium wall in regions adjacent and remote to the infarct.

Results:

In both adjacent and remote regions of infarcted hearts, FA showed no significant alteration across transmural zones compared to controls. However, mean ADC, λ∥, and λ⟂ exhibited significant decreases at endocardium zones but not epicardium zones. Moreover, myocardial fiber helix angle shifted towards left‐handed orientation at all transmural zones, especially in regions adjacent to the infarct, becoming more aligned with the epicardium fiber orientation.

Conclusion:

These experimental DTI findings indicate that the endocardium was more vulnerable to infarction, leading to more pronounced microstructural changes during remodeling. The current DTI approach reveals additional information in delineating postinfarct remodeling process, which may provide insights into cardiac mechanics and clinical assessment of cardiac diseases. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An analysis algorithm for accurate determination of articular cartilage thickness of hip joint from MR images
Authors: Cheng Yuanzhi , Jin Quan , Zhao Jie , Guo Changyong , Bai Jing , Tamura Shinichi
Published: May 2011

Purpose:

To test the accuracy of the most widely used technique based on edge detection for thickness measurement of the hip joint cartilage in MR images, and to improve the measurement accuracy by developing a new measurement method based on a model of the MRI process.

Materials and Methods:

MRI was performed in 3 normal cadaver hips, 25 hips of normal volunteers, and 25 hips of patients with osteoarthritis. In general, thickness was defined as the distance between the two sides of the hip cartilage along the normal directions of the cartilage surfaces. In this article this is referred to as the “edge detection method.” A theoretical simulation analysis revealed that the edge detection method considerably underestimated the cartilage thickness of the hip joint. A new measurement method based on a model of the MR imaging process was accordingly proposed for correcting the measurement errors.

Results:

In the experiment using the cadaver hips, anatomical measurement of cartilage thickness was used as reference standard. For measurements at 35 sites, the proposed model‐based method gave results similar to those presented from anatomic section, while the edge detection method gave underestimation compared with the anatomic thickness. The underestimation biases for the edge detection method were consistent with the biases predicted by theoretical simulation. In the experiment using the hips of volunteers and patients, the edge detection result was an underestimation compared with the result generated by using the model‐based method.

Conclusion:

The edge detection method underestimated the hip cartilage thickness in MR images. The proposed model‐based method was more accurate than the edge detection method for thickness measurement of the hip cartilage. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New respiratory gating technique for whole heart cine imaging: Integration of a navigator slice in steady state free precession sequences
Authors: Uribe Sergio , Tejos Cristian , Razavi Reza , Schaeffter Tobias
Published: May 2011

Purpose:

To evaluate the performance of a slice navigator sequence integrated into a b‐SSFP sequence for obtaining real time respiratory self‐gated whole heart cine imaging.

Materials and Methods:

In this work, we present a novel and robust approach for respiratory motion detection by integrating a slice navigator sequence into a balanced steady state free precession (b‐SSFP) sequence, while maintaining the steady state. The slice navigator sequence is integrated into consecutive repetition times (TRs) of a b‐SSFP sequence to excite and read out a navigator slice. We performed several phantom experiments to test the performance of the slice navigator sequence. Additionally, the method was evaluated in five volunteers and compared with breathing signals obtained from conventional pencil beam navigator sequence. Finally, the navigator slice was used to obtain whole heart MR cine images.

Results:

The breathing signals detected by the proposed method showed an excellent agreement with those obtained from pencil beam navigators. Moreover, the technique was capable of removing respiratory motion artifacts with minimal distortion of the steady state. Image quality comparison showed a statistical significant improvement from a quality score of 2.1 obtained by the nonrespiratory gated images, compared to a quality score of 3.4 obtained by the respiratory gated images.

Conclusion:

This novel method represents a robust approach to estimate breathing motion during SSFP imaging. The technique was successfully applied to acquire whole heart artifact‐free cine images. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PDGF in bone formation and regeneration: New insights into a novel mechanism involving MSCs
Authors: Caplan Arnold I. , Correa Diego
Published: May 2011

With the identification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as pericytes, the details of bone formation, regeneration, and repair take on new meaning. Growth factors and other signaling molecules together with MSCs play important roles in these bone fabrication processes. However, the interaction of these cellular healing components is not completely understood. The formation of new vasculature is critical to regeneration and repair as both the driver and orientor of new bone formation. In this context, MSCs are proposed to be largely derived from pericytes associated with the vasculature. A comprehensive perspective is presented in which signaling molecules such as PDGF take on new significance in the vasculature‐pericyte‐MSC‐osteoblast dynamics. Current data suggest that PDGF could function as a central connector between the cellular components and contributors of the osteoblast differentiation program. The inference is that PDGF could function at sites of injury to mobilize the pericytes from their abluminal location, stimulate mitotic expansion of these cells and help organize them. In this way, PDGF both contributes to the osteogenic lineage and helps to stabilize newly forming vessels that act to drive the multistep, multicomponent cascade of new bone formation. This thesis explains how PDGF functions as a powerful therapeutic agent for bone formation and repair. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1795–1803, 2011
The peak‐standardized uptake value (P‐SUV) by preoperative positron emission tomography‐computed tomography (PET‐CT) is a useful indicator of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer
Authors: Oh Hyeon Hwa , Lee Sang Eok , Choi In Seok , Choi Won Jun , Yoon Dae Sung , Min Hyun Sik , Ra Yu Mi , Moon Ju Ik , Kang Yun Hee
Published: May 2011

Background and objectives

Little data is currently available on the usefulness of peak‐standardized uptake value (P‐SUV) by positron emission tomography‐computed tomography (PET‐CT) in gastric cancer. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the value of PET‐CT for the preoperative evaluation of patients with gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the relation of between primary tumor P‐SUV, as determined by preoperative PET‐CT, and lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.

Methods

From December 2007 to March 2010, we analyzed the PET‐CT of 147 patients that underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. P‐SUV in PET‐CT were measured by single nuclear medicine physician. Statistical analysis was performed to determine relations between clinicopathologic parameters including P‐SUV and lymph node metastasis using the chi‐square test, the independent t‐test, and using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Age, tumor depth, tumor size, and lymph node metastasis were found to be associated with primary tumor P‐SUV by PET‐CT (P = 0.009, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). No association was found between P‐SUV and tumor histology or tumor location (P = 0.099). Advanced gastric cancer was found to have a higher P‐SUV than early gastric cancer, and a higher P‐SUV was found to be associated with lymph node metastases by both univariate and multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

P‐SUV of primary tumor could be an independent indicator of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. Gastric surgeons should pay more attention to the dissection of lymph nodes when primary tumors have higher P‐SUV values by PET‐CT. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 104:530–533. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Teacher‐delivered resilience‐focused intervention in schools with traumatized children following the second Lebanon war
Authors: Wolmer Leo , Hamiel Daniel , Barchas Jack D. , Slone Michelle , Laor Nathaniel
Published: May 2011

The 2006 Lebanon War exposed children in the north of Israel to daily rocket attacks. To cope with the massive psychological needs, a teacher‐delivered protocol focusing on enhancing personal resilience was implemented. Children were assessed for risk factors, symptoms, and adaptation before the 16‐week program (Time 1; n = 983) and after its completion (Time 2; n = 563). At a 3‐month follow‐up (Time 3; n = 754) children were assessed together with a waiting‐list comparison group (n = 1,152). Participating children showed a significant symptom decrease at Time 2 and significantly fewer symptoms than the control group at Time 3. Six or more risk factors were associated with greater symptoms and parental concern about the child's adaptive functioning. Teachers are valuable cost‐effective providers for clinically informed interventions after mass trauma and disaster.
Evaluation of fences for containing feral swine under simulated depopulation conditions
Authors: Lavelle Michael J. , Vercauteren Kurt C. , Hefley Trevor J. , Phillips Gregory E. , Hygnstrom Scott E. , Long David B. , Fischer Justin W. , Swafford Seth R. , Campbell Tyler A.
Published: May 2011

Populations of feral swine (Sus scrofa) are estimated to include >2 million animals in the state of Texas, USA, alone. Feral swine damage to property, crops, and livestock exceeds $50 million annually. These figures do not include the increased risks and costs associated with the potential for feral swine to spread disease to domestic livestock. Thus, effective bio‐security measures will be needed to quickly isolate affected feral swine populations during disease outbreaks. We evaluated enclosures built of 0.86‐m‐tall traditional hog panels for containing feral swine during 35 trials, each involving 6 recently caught animals exposed to increasing levels of motivation. During trials, fences were 97% successful when enclosures were entered by humans for maintenance purposes; 83% effective when pursued by walking humans discharging paintball projectors; and in limited testing, 100% successful when pursued and removed by gunners in a helicopter. In addition to being effective in containing feral swine, enclosures constructed of hog panels required simple hand tools, took <5 min/m to erect, and were inexpensive ($5.73/m excluding labor) relative to other fencing options. As such, hog‐panel fences are suitable for use by state and federal agencies for rapid deployment in disease response situations, but also exhibit utility for general control of other types of damage associated with feral swine. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Postfledging survival of eastern bluebirds in an urbanized landscape
Authors: Jackson Allyson K. , Froneberger Joshua P. , Cristol Daniel A.
Published: May 2011

Golf courses ostensibly offer green space in urbanized areas, but it is unclear how suitable these human‐modified habitats are for wildlife populations. Golf courses are home to a variety of wildlife, but in particular they have been the focus of research on avian responses to urbanization. Although numerous reproductive and diversity studies have been conducted on birds of golf courses, no research exists on postfledging survival in this created landscape. In 2008 and 2009, we estimated survival of eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) fledglings using radio telemetry on golf course and other developed sites in Williamsburg, Virginia. We used nest survival models in Program MARK set in an information theoretic framework to assess whether the golf course habitat predicted mortality along with other previously studied variables, such as fledgling age, year, site, body condition, fledging date, and transmitter weight. We found no evidence that inhabiting a golf course increased mortality during the fledgling period, but we did find support for both fledgling age and fledging date as predictors of survival. Mortality decreased for older fledglings and those that fledged later in the season. Cause‐specific postfledging survival rates did not differ among sites. Fledgling bluebirds did, however, move into habitat that was significantly more forested and less grassy than their natal habitat. For managers of wildlife on golf courses and other urbanized sites, our study is the first to show that placing nest boxes in manicured habitat may attract birds to areas without suitable habitat for fledglings. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Color‐Tunable Luminescent Materials Based on Functional Polysiloxane and Lanthanide Ions
Authors: Lai Qingling , Lu Haifeng , Wang Dengxu , Wang Hua , Feng Shengyu , Zhang Jie
Published: May 2011

Color‐tunable luminescent materials based on α, ω‐diethyl malonate terminated polydimethylsiloxane (EP) and lanthanide ions are synthesized. The EP is synthesized from α, ω‐hydride terminated polysiloxane (HP) and diethyl allyl malonate via hydrosilylation reaction. The FT‐IR spectra,1H NMR,13C NMR, and GPC are used to characterize the structures of HP and EP. The obtained materials, which were synthesized by incorporating Eu3+(or Tb3+) ions into EP, exhibit excellent narrow‐width red (or green) emissions. Moreover, when integrating heterometallic Eu3+/Tb3+ions into EP, the luminescence spectra of the complexes are composed of green and red emission. Color‐tunable luminescent materials are obtained by tuning the proportions of Eu3+and Tb3+ions.

magnified image
The Effect of Hydrogen Bonding on Intramolecular Chain Transfer in Polymerization of Acrylates
Authors: Liang Kun , Hutchinson Robin A.
Published: May 2011

Propagation rate coefficients (kp) for 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) have been determined by pulsed‐laser polymerization (PLP) combined with size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) between 20 and 60 °C using pulse repetition rates of 50 and 100 Hz. The success of PLP–SEC under these conditions suggests that HEA is not subjected to the intramolecular chain transfer to polymer (backbiting) reactions dominant for other acrylates; 13C NMR analysis shows that the quaternary carbon observed in PLP‐generated poly(butyl acrylate) (pBA) samples is not observed in pHEA. These results are related to H‐bonding in the system, as it is shown that the introduction of H‐bonding by addition of n‐butanol to BA suppresses backbiting, and the disruption of H‐bonding by addition of dimethylformamide to HEA leads to an increased level of backbiting.

magnified image
Mood and cognition in leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 G2019S Parkinson's disease
Authors: Shanker Vicki , Groves Mark , Heiman Gary , Palmese Christina , Saunders‐Pullman Rachel , Ozelius Laurie , Raymond Deborah , Bressman Susan
Published: May 2011

The behavioral and cognitive features of the leucine‐rich repeat kinase G2019S mutation in Parkinson's disease in the Ashkenazi Jewish population are not well described; therefore, we sought to more systematically characterize these features using a semistructured psychiatric interview and neuropsychological testing. Twenty‐one Ashkenazi Jewish patients having the leucine‐rich repeat kinase G2019S mutation were compared with age‐ and sex‐matched Ashkenazi Jewish patients with Parkinson's disease without mutations. Although overall rates of affective disorders were not greater in mutation carriers, the carriers exhibited a 6‐fold increased risk of premorbid affective disorders (odds ratio, 6.0; P = .10), as determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–IV. Of interest, we identified 2 leucine‐rich repeat kinase carriers with bipolar disorder; no mutation‐negative subjects had this diagnosis. Performance on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test–Revised, Judgment of Line Orientation, and Frontal Assessment Battery was consistent with previous reports and did not differ between groups. Study findings suggest a possible association between premorbid mood disorders and leucine‐rich repeat kinase Parkinson's disease, warranting further evaluation. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Subthalamic nucleus stimulation selectively improves motor and visual memory performance in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Mollion Hélène , Dominey Peter Ford , Broussolle Emmanuel , Ventre‐Dominey Jocelyne
Published: May 2011

Although the treatment of Parkinson's disease via subthalamic stimulation yields remarkable improvements in motor symptoms, its effects on memory function are less clear. In this context, we previously demonstrated dissociable effects of levodopa therapy on parkinsonian performance in spatial and nonspatial visual working memory. Here we used the same protocol with an additional, purely motor task to investigate visual memory and motor performance in 2 groups of patients with Parkinson's disease with or without subthalamic stimulation. In each stimulation condition, subjects performed a simple motor task and 3 successive cognitive tasks: 1 conditional color‐response association task and 2 visual (spatial and nonspatial) working memory tasks. The Parkinson's groups were compared with a control group of age‐matched healthy subjects. Our principal results demonstrated that (1) in the motor task, stimulated patients were significantly improved with respect to nonstimulated patients and did not differ significantly from healthy controls, and (2) in the cognitive tasks, stimulated patients were significantly improved with respect to nonstimulated patients, but both remained significantly impaired when compared with healthy controls. These results demonstrate selective effects of subthalamic stimulation on parkinsonian disorders of motor and visual memory functions, with clear motor improvement for stimulated patients and a partial improvement for their visual memory processing. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Randomized polysomnography study of gabapentin enacarbil in subjects with restless legs syndrome
Authors: Winkelman John W. , Bogan Richard K. , Schmidt Markus H. , Hudson John D. , DeRossett Sarah E. , Hill‐Zabala Christina E.
Published: May 2011

We assessed the efficacy and tolerability of gabapentin enacarbil in the treatment of moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome and associated sleep disturbance. This was a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 2‐period crossover polysomnography study of gabapentin enacarbil 1200 mg or placebo taken once daily. Subjects were randomized 1:1 to a sequence of gabapentin enacarbil:placebo or placebo:gabapentin enacarbil, receiving each treatment for 4 weeks. The primary end point was the mean change from baseline at weeks 4 and 10 (4/10) last observation carried forward in wake time during sleep. The key secondary end point was the mean change from baseline at weeks 4/10 last observation carried forward in periodic limb movements associated with arousal per hour of sleep. Tolerability assessments included adverse events. One hundred thirty‐six subjects were randomized (gabapentin enacarbil:placebo, 67; placebo:gabapentin enacarbil, 69), and 114 (gabapentin enacarbil:placebo, 53; placebo:gabapentin enacarbil, 61) completed the study. Gabapentin enacarbil 1200 mg significantly reduced wake time during sleep (mean change from baseline [adjusted mean treatment difference]: −26.0 minutes; P < .0001) and periodic limb movements associated with arousal per hour of sleep (adjusted mean treatment difference: −3.1 periodic limb movements with arousal/hour; P = .002) compared with placebo at weeks 4/10 last observation carried forward. The most commonly reported adverse events were dizziness (gabapentin enacarbil 20%, placebo 2%) and somnolence (gabapentin enacarbil 13%, placebo 2%). Gabapentin enacarbil 1200 mg once daily significantly reduces restless legs syndrome–associated sleep disturbance and periodic limb movements associated with arousal per hour of sleep and is generally well tolerated in adults with moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Reconstruction of composite tibial defect with free flaps and ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition
Authors: Chung Duke Whan , Han Chung Soo , Lee Jae Hoon
Published: May 2011

Composite defects of the tibia following open fractures are among the most challenging of clinical problems. The aim of this study is to report the results of treatment using a free flap procedure followed by ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition (IVFT) for reconstruction of composite tibial defects. Ten patients underwent a free flap procedure followed by IVFT and plating. The mean size of the flaps was 12.1 × 6 cm2. The mean length of bone defect was 5.35 cm. IVFT were performed 4.3 months following the free flap. Patients were followed for an average of 3.4 years. All flaps survived. The average time to union of the proximal and distal ends was 5.2 and 6.7 months, respectively. There were neither stress fractures of the transferred fibula nor recurrent infections. One patient demonstrated a medial angulation of 8° in the reconstructed tibia but experienced no difficulties in activities of daily living. At the last follow‐up time point, all patients were able to walk without an assist device and were satisfied with the preservation of the injured lower extremity. Free flap procedures followed by IVFT for the treatment of composite tibial defects may reduce complications at the recipient site and infections, such as osteomyelitis. The plating technique combined with IVFT allowed bone union without additional operations or stress fractures in our series. We suggest that staged free flap and IVFT is useful for the treatment of composite segmental tibial defects. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2011.