bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presynaptic Plasticity in an Immature Neocortical Network Requires NMDA Receptor Activation and BDNF Release
Authors: Walz Corinna , Jüngling Kay , Lessmann Volkmar , Gottmann Kurt
Published: November 2006

Activity-dependent developmental maturation of the neocortical network is thought to involve the stabilization and potentiation of immature synapses. In particular, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent long-term plasticity that is expressed presynaptically appears to be crucial for the selection of functionally adequate synapses. However, presynaptic expression of long-term plasticity in neocortical neurons has mainly been studied indirectly by electrophysiological techniques. Here we analyzed presynaptic plasticity directly by repeated imaging of actively cycling presynaptic vesicles with the styryl dye FM4-64 in cultured neocortical neurons at 34°C. To monitor long-term changes, stimulation-induced saturating FM4-64 staining and subsequent destaining was performed twice with an interval of 1.5 h between stainings and with the first staining serving as a plasticity stimulus. In the vast majority of presynaptic release sites, we found an increase in the mean fluorescence intensity after the second staining indicating an enhanced number of cycling synaptic vesicles. Most intriguingly, we additionally observed the appearance of new active release sites. As demonstrated by the addition of the NMDA receptor antagonist d-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (d-AP5), both plasticity phenomena were strictly dependent on NMDA receptor activation. This suggests that a subpopulation of release sites was functionally silent during the first round of staining. Moreover, we studied a potential role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in this type of presynaptic plasticity by imaging BDNF-deficient neocortical neurons. The increase in fluorescence intensity was strongly inhibited in BDNF-knockout neurons and was absent in wild-type neurons in the presence of BDNF scavenging trkB receptor bodies. These results indicate that BDNF might play an important role as a plasticity-related messenger molecule in neocortical neurons.
Spatial Summation, End Inhibition and Side Inhibition in the Middle Temporal Visual Area (MT)
Authors: Lui Leo L. , Bourne James A. , Rosa Marcello G. P.
Published: November 2006

We investigated the responses of single neurons in the middle temporal area (MT) of anesthetized marmoset monkeys to sine-wave gratings of various lengths and widths. For the vast majority of MT cells maximal responses were obtained on presentation of gratings of specific dimensions, which were typically asymmetrical along the length and width axes. The strength of end inhibition was dependent on the width of the stimulus, with many cells showing clear end inhibition only when wide gratings were used. Conversely, the strength of side inhibition was dependent on stimulus length. Furthermore, for over one third of MT cells length summation properties could not be defined without consideration of stimulus width and vice versa. These neurons, which we refer to as “length–width inseparable” (LWI) cells, were rare in layer 4. The majority of LWI neurons was strongly inhibited by wide-field stimuli and responded preferentially to gratings that were elongated, along either the length or width dimensions. However, rather than forming a homogeneous and entirely distinct group, LWI cells represented the upper end of a continuum of complexity in spatial summation response properties, which characterized the population of MT cells. Only a minority of MT neurons (22.3%) showed no evidence of inhibition by wide-field stimuli, with this type of response being common among layer 5 cells. These results demonstrate distinct patterns of spatial selectivity in MT, supporting the notion that neurons in this area can perform various roles in terms of grouping and segmentation of motion signals.
Bioinorganic Chemistry in Thyroid Gland: Effect of Antithyroid Drugs on Peroxidase‐Catalyzed Oxidation and Iodination Reactions
Authors: Roy Gouriprasanna , Mugesh G.
Published: November 2006

Propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI) are the most commonly used antithyroid drugs. The available data suggest that these drugs may block the thyroid hormone synthesis by inhibiting the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) or diverting oxidized iodides away from thyroglobulin. It is also known that PTU inhibits the selenocysteine‐containing enzyme ID‐1 by reacting with the selenenyl iodide intermediate (E‐SeI). In view of the current interest in antithyroid drugs, we have recently carried out biomimetic studies to understand the mechanism by which the antithyroid drugs inhibit the thyroid hormone synthesis and found that the replacement of sulfur with selenium in MMI leads to an interesting compound that may reversibly block the thyroid hormone synthesis. Our recent results on the inhibition of lactoperoxidase (LPO)‐catalyzed oxidation and iodination reactions by antithyroid drugs are described.
Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis With Group B Streptococcus After an Elective Abortion: The Need for New Data
Authors: Palys Erica E. , Li John , Gaut Paula L. , Hardy W. David
Published: November 2006

Streptococcus agalactiae, commonly known as Group B streptococcus (GBS), was originally
discovered as a cause of bovine mastitis. GBS colonizes the genital tract of up to 40% of women
and has become a major pathogen in neonatal meningitis. GBS endocarditis is thought to be an
uncommon manifestation of this infection and carries a higher mortality compared to other
streptococcal pathogens. Studies have shown that endocarditis after abortion has an incidence
of about one per million. However, this figure was published prior to routine use of echocardiography
for diagnosis. The American Heart Association has recently declared transesophageal echocardiography
the gold standard for endocarditis diagnosis. This case report illustrates that, given the potentially
devastating consequences of endocarditis, there is a need for updated studies to adequately assess
the true incidence of this infection. Pending the outcome of these studies, routine GBS screening and
prophylactic antibiotics prior to abortion should be recommended.
Spline coalescence hidden variable fractal interpolation functions
Authors: Chand A. K. B. , Kapoor G. P.
Published: November 2006

This paper generalizes the classical spline using a new construction of spline coalescence hidden variable fractal interpolation function (CHFIF). The derivative of a spline CHFIF is a typical fractal function that is self‐affine or non‐self‐affine depending on the parameters of a nondiagonal iterated function system. Our construction generalizes the construction of Barnsley and Harrington (1989), when the construction is not restricted to a particular type of boundary conditions. Spline CHFIFs are likely to be potentially useful in approximation theory due to effects of the hidden variables and these effects are demonstrated through suitable examples in the present work.
Parallel genetic algorithms with migration for the hybrid flow shop scheduling problem
Authors: Belkadi K. , Gourgand M. , Benyettou M.
Published: November 2006

This paper addresses scheduling problems in hybrid flow shop-like systems with a migration parallel genetic algorithm (PGA_MIG). This parallel genetic algorithm model allows genetic diversity by the application of selection and reproduction mechanisms nearer to nature. The space structure of the population is modified by dividing it into disjoined subpopulations. From time to time, individuals are exchanged between the different subpopulations (migration). Influence of parameters and dedicated strategies are studied. These parameters are the number of independent subpopulations, the interconnection topology between subpopulations, the choice/replacement strategy of the migrant individuals, and the migration frequency. A comparison between the sequential and parallel version of genetic algorithm (GA) is provided. This comparison relates to the quality of the solution and the execution time of the two versions. The efficiency of the parallel model highly depends on the parameters and especially on the migration frequency. In the same way this parallel model gives a significant improvement of computational time if it is implemented on a parallel architecture which offers an acceptable number of processors (as many processors as subpopulations).
Gas Sensors Based on Tin Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized from a Mini‐Arc Plasma Source
Authors: Lu Ganhua , Huebner Kyle L. , Ocola Leonidas E. , Gajdardziska-Josifovska Marija , Chen Junhong
Published: November 2006

Miniaturized gas sensors or electronic noses to rapidly detect and differentiate trace amount of chemical agents are extremely attractive. In this paper, we report on the fabrication and characterization of a functional tin oxide nanoparticle gas sensor. Tin oxide nanoparticles are first synthesized using a convenient and low‐cost mini‐arc plasma source. The nanoparticle size distribution is measured online using a scanning electrical mobility spectrometer (SEMS). The product nanoparticles are analyzed ex‐situ by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) for morphology and defects, energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy for elemental composition, electron diffraction for crystal structure, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for surface composition. Nonagglomerated rutile tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles as small as a few nm have been produced. Larger particles bear a core‐shell structure with a metallic core and an oxide shell. The nanoparticles are then assembled onto an e‐beam lithographically patterned interdigitated electrode using electrostatic force to fabricate the gas sensor. The nanoparticle sensor exhibits a fast response and a good sensitivity when exposed to 100 ppm ethanol vapor in air.
Visible Light Photocatalysis via CdS/TiO2 Nanocomposite Materials
Authors: Srinivasan Sesha S. , Wade Jeremy , Stefanakos Elias K.
Published: November 2006

Nanostructured colloidal semiconductors with heterogeneous photocatalytic
behavior have drawn considerable attention over the past few years. This is due to their
large surface area, high redox potential of the photogenerated charge carriers, and
selective reduction/oxidation of different classes of organic compounds. In the present
paper, we have carried out a systematic synthesis of nanostructured CdS‐TiO2 via reverse
micelle process. The structural and microstructural characterizations of the as‐prepared CdS‐TiO2 nanocomposites are determined using XRD and SEM‐EDS techniques. The
visible light assisted photocatalytic performance is monitored by means of degradation of
phenol in water suspension.
The Evaluation of the Role of Beta‐Hydroxy Fatty Acids on Chronic Inflammation and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Soydan A. S. , Dokmetas H. S. , Cetin M. , Koyuncu A. , Kaptanoglu E. , Elden H.
Published: November 2006

β‐hydroxy fatty acids are a major component of lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccaride. We aimed to investigate the role of free β‐hydroxy fatty acids on inflammation, as well as to evaluate their effects on cytokine release from human blood cells, and whether they exist in plasma of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases with/without insulin resistance. Peripheral venous blood was incubated with β‐hydroxy lauric and β‐hydroxy myristic acids (each 100 ng, 1 μg, 10 μg/mL) up to 24 hours. Cytokines were measured from culture media and plasma.
Free fatty acids and biochemical parameters were also measured from patients′ plasma. Only β‐hydroxy lauric acid significantly stimulated interleukin‐6 production at 10 μg/mL compared to control (533.9 ± 218.1 versus 438.3 ± 219.6 pg/mL, P
<.05). However, free β‐hydroxy lauric and myristic acids were not found in patients′ plasma. Therefore, free β‐hydroxy lauric and myristic acids do not seem to have a role on sterile inflammation in chronic inflammatory diseases associated with insulin resistance.
IL‐10 in Antilipopolysaccharide Immunity Against Systemic Klebsiella Infections
Authors: Rukavina Tomislav , Ticac Brigita , Vasiljev Vanja
Published: November 2006

Aim. This study was undertaken in order to determine whether anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐10 is responsible for a previously described protection against Klebsiella infection mediated by antilipopolysaccharide antibodies. Methods. BALB/c mice were infected intraperitoneally with a lethal challenge of Klebsiella pneumoniae Caroli. One group was protected with monoclonal antibodies prior to infection and the second was not. We measured plasma levels of interleukin‐10 at different time points by enzyme immunoassay and analyzed the relation between interleukin‐10 and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α in order to determine the association of these ratios with the outcome of infection. Major findings and conclusions. We found different pattern of interleukin‐10 production in protected mice compared with unprotected ones. The difference is greatest 24 hours postinfection. The ratios between IL‐10 and proinflammatory cytokines confirmed the suppressed proinflammatory response in protected animals, especially 24 hours postinfection. Hence the mortality in unprotected mice begins immediately after we conclude that such cytokine relation and IL‐10 production are, at least partially, responsible for the destiny of infected animals and the outcome of infection.
Exhaled Nitric Oxide is Decreased by Exposure to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Environment
Authors: Puthucheary Zudin A. , Liu Jia , Bennett Michael , Trytko Barbara , Chow Sharron , Thomas Paul S.
Published: November 2006

Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) detects airway inflammation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
is used for tissue hypoxia, but can cause lung damage. We measured eNO following
inhalation of oxygen at different tensions and pressures. Methods. Part 1, eNO was
measured before and after HBOT. Part 2, normal subjects breathed 40% oxygen. Results.
Baseline eNO levels in patients prior to HBOT exposure were significantly higher than in
normal subjects (P < .05). After HBOT, eNO significantly decreased in patients (15.4 ± 2.0 versus 4.4 ± 0.5 ppb, P < .001), but not in normal subjects, after either 100% O2 at increased pressure
or 40% oxygen, 1 ATA. In an in vitro study, nitrate/nitrite release decreased after 90 minutes HBOT in airway epithelial (A549) cells. Conclusion. HBO exposure causes a fall in eNO. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) may cause elevated eNO in patients secondary to inflammation, and inhibition of iNOS may be the mechanism of the reduction of eNO seen with HBOT.
Primary Cardiac Angiosarcoma
Authors: Kodali Dhatri , Seetharaman Kala
Published: November 2006

Primary cardiac sarcoma is a rare clinical entity, with an incidence of 0.0001% in collected autopsy series. The majority of the literature describes a uniformly dismal prognosis with a median survival of only 6 months for these aggressive tumors. Standard surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have been consistently unsuccessful. Early heart transplantation and novel radiation therapy approaches may offer a survival benefit in nonmetastatic tumors, but up to 80% of the patients present with systemic metastasis at diagnosis. Though several chemotherapeutic regimens have been tried, the role of chemotherapy is not well established and outcome data available is minimal. Liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) has been shown to be useful in the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas, and our case supports its use in cardiac angiosarcoma.
The Internalization and Degradation of Human Copper Transporter 1 following Cisplatin Exposure
Authors: Holzer Alison K. , Howell Stephen B.
Published: November 2006

The human copper transporter 1 (hCTR1), the major transporter responsible for copper influx, mediates one component of the cellular accumulation of cisplatin (DDP). Both copper and DDP cause rapid down-regulation of hCTR1 expression in human ovarian carcinoma cells. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of this effect using digital deconvolution microscopy and Western blot analysis of cells stained with antibodies directed at both ends of the protein. Treatment of 2008 cells with DDP in combination with inhibitors of various endosomal pathways (amiloride, cytochalasin D, nystatin, and methyl-β-cyclodextrin) showed that hCTR1 degradation was blocked by amiloride and cytochalasin D, indicating that hCTR1 was internalized primarily by macropinocytosis. Expression of transdominant-negative forms of dynamin I and Rac showed that loss of hCTR1 was not dependent on pathways regulated by either of these proteins. DDP-induced loss of hCTR1 was blocked by the proteasome inhibitors lactacystin, proteasome inhibitor 1, and MG132. This study confirms that DDP triggers the rapid loss of hCTR1 from ovarian carcinoma cells at clinically relevant concentrations. The results indicate that DDP-induced loss of hCTR1 involves internalization from the plasma membrane by macropinocytosis followed by proteasomal degradation. Because hCTR1 is a major determinant of early DDP uptake, prevention of its degradation offers a potential approach to enhancing tumor sensitivity. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(22): 10944-52)
MicroRNA Responses to Cellular Stress
Authors: Marsit Carmen J. , Eddy Karen , Kelsey Karl T.
Published: November 2006

Recent work has begun to explore the instrumental role that small noncoding RNA species, particularly microRNAs (miRNA), have both in classifying human tumors and in directing embryonic development. These studies suggest that developmental programs in essentially all organisms studied are set, in part, by varied expressions of miRNAs and that neoplasia is characterized by altered expression of miRNAs. Reasoning that these observations are linked, we examined whether cellular exposures that induce both developmental anomalies and cancer alter miRNAs. Using microarrays of 385 known human miRNAs, we studied human lymphoblastoid cells grown under various conditions or treatments. Folate deficiency induced a pronounced global increase in miRNA expression. We observed no significant alteration in miRNA expression in cells treated with γ-irradiation, whereas exposure to sodium arsenite led to global increases in miRNA expression. The miRNA hsa-miR-222 was identified from these arrays as significantly overexpressed under folate-deficient conditions, and this finding was confirmed in vivo in human peripheral blood from individuals with low folate intake. Alterations to cellular miRNA expression profiles represent a novel mode of action of folate deprivation and arsenic exposure, and specific alterations in miRNA expression may be a powerful biomarker for these and other toxins with serious effects on human health. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(22): 10843-8)
Functional CXCR4-Expressing Microparticles and SDF-1 Correlate with Circulating Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Cells
Authors: Kalinkovich Alexander , Tavor Sigal , Avigdor Abraham , Kahn Joy , Brill Alexander , Petit Isabelle , Goichberg Polina , Tesio Melania , Netzer Neta , Naparstek Elizabeth , Hardan Izhar , Nagler Arnon , Resnick Igor , Tsimanis Alexander , Lapidot Tsvee
Published: November 2006

Stromal cell–derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) and its receptor CXCR4 are implicated in the pathogenesis and prognosis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Cellular microparticles, submicron vesicles shed from the plasma membrane of various cells, are also associated with human pathology. In the present study, we investigated the putative relationships between the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and microparticles in AML. We detected CXCR4-expressing microparticles (CXCR4+ microparticles) in the peripheral blood and bone marrow plasma samples of normal donors and newly diagnosed adult AML patients. In samples from AML patients, levels of CXCR4+ microparticles and total SDF-1 were elevated compared with normal individuals. The majority of CXCR4+ microparticles in AML patients were CD45+, whereas in normal individuals, they were mostly CD41+. Importantly, we found a strong correlation between the levels of CXCR4+ microparticle and WBC count in the peripheral blood and bone marrow plasma obtained from the AML patients. Of interest, levels of functional, noncleaved SDF-1 were reduced in these patients compared with normal individuals and also strongly correlated with the WBC count. Furthermore, our data indicate NH2-terminal truncation of the CXCR4 molecule in the microparticles of AML patients. However, such microparticles were capable of transferring the CXCR4 molecule to AML-derived HL-60 cells, enhancing their migration to SDF-1 in vitro and increasing their homing to the bone marrow of irradiated NOD/SCID/β2mnull mice. The CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 reduced these effects. Our findings suggest that functional CXCR4+ microparticles and SDF-1 are involved in the progression of AML. We propose that their levels are potentially valuable as an additional diagnostic AML variable. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(22): 11013-20)
Metabolic Imaging by Hyperpolarized 13C Magnetic Resonance Imaging for In vivo Tumor Diagnosis
Authors: Golman Klaes , Zandt René in't , Lerche Mathilde , Pehrson Rikard , Ardenkjaer-Larsen Jan Henrik
Published: November 2006

The “Warburg effect,” an elevation in aerobic glycolysis, may be a fundamental property of cancer cells. For cancer diagnosis and treatment, it would be valuable if elevated glycolytic metabolism could be quantified in an image in animals and humans. The pyruvate molecule is at the metabolic crossroad for energy delivery inside the cell, and with a noninvasive measurement of the relative transformation of pyruvate into lactate and alanine within a biologically relevant time frame (seconds), it may be possible to quantify the glycolytic status of the cells. We have examined the metabolism after i.v. injection of hyperpolarized 13C-pyruvate in rats with implanted P22 tumors. The strongly enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated by the hyperpolarization techniques allows mapping of pyruvate, lactate, and alanine in a 5 × 5 × 10 mm3 imaging voxel using a 1.5 T magnetic resonance scanner. The magnetic resonance scanning (chemical shift imaging) was initiated 24 seconds after the pyruvate injection and had a duration of 14 seconds. All implanted tumors showed significantly higher lactate content than the normal tissue. The results indicate that noninvasive quantification of localized Warburg effect may be possible. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(22): 10855-60)
Reassessment of Id1 Protein Expression in Human Mammary, Prostate, and Bladder Cancers Using a Monospecific Rabbit Monoclonal Anti-Id1 Antibody
Authors: Perk Jonathan , Gil-Bazo Ignacio , Chin Yvette , de Candia Paola , Chen John J.S. , Zhao Yuntao , Chao Shirley , Cheong Wai , Ke Yaohuang , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat , Gerald William L. , Brogi Edi , Benezra Robert
Published: November 2006

Id proteins are a class of dominant-negative antagonists of helix-loop-helix transcription factors and have been shown to control differentiation of a variety of cell types in diverse organisms. Although the importance of Id1 in tumor endothelial cells is well established, the expression and role of the Id1 protein in human cancer cells is controversial. To explore this issue, we developed and characterized a highly specific rabbit monoclonal antibody against Id1 to assess its expression in human breast, prostate, and bladder malignancies. Our results show that in usual types of human mammary carcinomas, the Id1 protein is expressed exclusively in the endothelium. Interestingly, we detected nuclear expression of the Id1 protein in the tumor cells in 10 of 45 cases of poorly differentiated and highly aggressive carcinoma with metaplastic morphology. Similarly, only 1 of 30 prostate cancer samples showed Id1-positive tumor cells, whereas in almost all, endothelial cells showed high Id1 expression. Intriguingly, whereas normal prostate glands do not show any Id1 protein expression, basal layer cells of benign prostate glands in proximity to tumors expressed high levels of the Id1 protein. In contrast to the lack of Id1 expression in the usual types of mammary and prostate cancers, the majority of transitional cell bladder tumors showed Id1 protein expression in both tumor and endothelial cells. These results suggest that further refinement of Id1 expression patterns in a variety of tumor types will be necessary to identify and study the functional roles played by Id1 in human neoplastic processes. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(22): 10870-7)
Caveolin-1, Mammary Stem Cells, and Estrogen-Dependent Breast Cancers
Authors: Sotgia Federica , Rui Hallgeir , Bonuccelli Gloria , Mercier Isabelle , Pestell Richard G. , Lisanti Michael P.
Published: November 2006

Estrogen exposure is considered a significant risk factor for breast cancer development. Estrogen receptor (ER) α is expressed at low levels in normal epithelia, and its expression is dramatically up-regulated as transformation progresses during mammary hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma development. The mechanism(s) driving ERα up-regulation during mammary tumorigenesis remains unclear. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is the structural protein of plasmalemmal invaginations, termed caveolae, which functions as a tumor suppressor gene. Interestingly, Cav-1 dominant-negative mutations are exclusively found in ERα-positive breast cancer samples. In support of these clinical findings, ERα expression is increased in Cav-1 (−/−) null mammary epithelia, and estrogen stimulation further enhances the growth of Cav-1-deficient three-dimensional epithelial structures. These phenotypes correlate with augmented levels of cyclin D1. In addition, Cav-1 gene inactivation induces the accumulation of a cell population with the characteristics of adult mammary stem cells. Primary cultures of Cav-1 (−/−) mammary epithelial cells exhibit premalignant changes, such as abnormal lumen formation, epidermal growth factor–independent growth, defects in cell substrate attachment, and increased cell invasiveness. Thus, Cav-1 gene inactivation promotes premalignant alterations in mammary epithelia and induces increased ERα expression levels and the up-regulation of cyclin D1. As tumor formation is a multihit process, Cav-1 mutations that occur during the early stages of mammary transformation may be a critical upstream/initiating event leading to increased ERα levels. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(22): 10647-51)
Patterns of Oral-Nasal Balance in Normal Speakers with and without Cleft Palate
Authors: Jones David L.
Published: November 2006

Objective: The aero-acoustic aspects of nasalization that distinguish speakers with velopharyngeal adequacy from those with velopharyngeal inadequacy are well known. Differences in aerodynamic aspects of nasalization also have been demonstrated in normal speakers with cleft palate and their noncleft counterparts. The purpose of this study was to compare the amplitude and temporal patterns of oral-nasal balance in speakers with cleft palate and normal speech to those with normal speech without cleft palate. Patients and Methods: Using the Nasal Accelerometric Vibrational Index technique, the time course and amplitude of oral-nasal balance were studied in 10 children with cleft palate and velopharyngeal adequacy and 10 noncleft controls. The speech sample included syllable, word, and sentence contexts, most of which were devoid of nasal consonants. Results: The results indicate few differences between the two groups in contexts devoid of nasal consonants. However, significant differences were evident with regard to temporal aspects of oral-nasal balance in a nasal-oral consonant word context. Conclusions: Subtle structural-motor differences that may exist between normal speakers with and without cleft palate may be more evident when the spatiotemporal requirements for velar movement become more complex and result in a greater possible combination of oral-nasal impedance ratios.
Identifying the Neural Correlates Underlying Social Pain: Implications for Developmental Processes
Authors: Eisenberger Naomi I.
Published: November 2006

Although the need for social connection is critical for early social development as well as for psychological well-being throughout the lifespan, relatively little is known about the neural processes involved in maintaining social connections. The following review summarizes what is known regarding the neural correlates underlying feeling of ‘social pain’, the painful experiences associated with social estrangement or loss, which may be critical for motivating social connection. Using this general framework, the review then specifies the ways in which neuroimaging may provide insight into the development of these neural systems in humans. To this end, the review elaborates on the specific types of questions that are best addressed using neuroimaging techniques and examines several lines of inquiry within the developmental literature that may be aided by these methods.
Revascularization Compared to Medical Treatment in Patients with Silent vs. Symptomatic Residual Ischemia after Thrombolyzed Myocardial Infarction – The DANAMI Study
Authors: Madsen Jan K. , Nielsen Torsten T. , Grande Peer , Eriksen Ulrik H. , Saunamäki Kari , Thayssen Per , Kassis Eli , Rasmussen Klaus , Haunsø Stig , Haghfelt Torben , Fritz-Hansen Per , Hjelms Erik , Paulsen Peter K. , Alstrup Poul , Arendrup Henrik , Niebuhr-Jørgensen Uffe , Andersen Lars I.
Published: November 2006

Aims: The aim was to compare the effect of revascularization to conservative treatment in patients with residual silent and with residual symptomatic ischemia following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The study was a subanalysis of the DANAMI (DANish AMI) randomized study of invasive vs. conservative treatment in patients with inducible ischemia after thrombolysis in AMI. Methods and Results: One thousand and eight patients were randomized to invasive or conservative treatment, stratified by the type of ischemia: silent, i.e. ST depression during an exercise test prior to discharge in 56%, or symptomatic, i.e. chest pain occurring either spontaneously during admission or during the exercise test, with or without ST changes, in 44%. Compared to a conservative strategy, invasive treatment reduced the incidence of nonfatal reinfarction, after in median 2.4 years, in both symptomatic patients (13.3–7.2%, p < 0.006) and patients with silent ischemia (10.1 vs. 5.7%, p < 0.05), and of admissions with unstable angina in symptomatic (44.5–27.6%, p < 0.0001) and silent ischemia (21.6–13.3%, p < 0.0006). Conclusions:Compared to conservative strategy, invasive treatment reduces the risk of nonfatal reinfarction and hospital admissions for unstable angina in thrombolyzed post-AMI patients with silent as well as symptomatic exercise-induced ischemia.
Exercise Testing in Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Peidro Roberto , Brión Graciela , Angelino Arnaldo
Published: November 2006

Aims: To determine the safety of exercise testing (ET) in patients with moderate or severe asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AAS) and its accuracy to predict the need for surgery and mortality. Methods: 106 consecutive patients with AAS performed a maximal ET. Results: Follow-up [10.7 (4.9–19.4) months (percentile 25–75)] was completed in 102 patients (96.2%), 63.9 years (±15.1), 65 (61.3%) male, peak gradient 82.8 mm Hg (±25.4), mean gradient 50.5 mm Hg (±16.6), valve area 0.67 cm2 (±0.16); 67 patients (65.7%) had abnormal ET. Among the 35 patients with normal ET, there were no deaths and 10 aortic valve replacements (AVR) (28.5%) were performed. Among the 67 patients with abnormal ET, 37 (55.2%) had events (35 AVR and 2 died) (p <0.0001). There were no complications with ET. Conclusion: ET may be performed safely in patients with AAS. ET gives additional information to an AVR decision.
Scaling of Inhibitory Interneurons in Areas V1 and V2 of Anthropoid Primates as Revealed by Calcium-Binding Protein Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Sherwood Chet C. , Raghanti Mary Ann , Stimpson Cheryl D. , Bonar Christopher J. , de Sousa Alexandra A. , Preuss Todd M. , Hof Patrick R.
Published: November 2006

Inhibitory GABAergic interneurons are important for shaping patterns of activity in neocortical networks. We examined the distributions of inhibitory interneuron subtypes in layer II/III of areas V1 and V2 in 18 genera of anthropoid primates including New World monkeys, Old World monkeys, and hominoids (apes and humans). Interneuron subtypes were identified by immunohistochemical staining for calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin and densities were quantified using the optical disector method. In both V1 and V2, calbindin-immunoreactive neuron density decreased disproportionately with decreasing total neuronal density. Thus, V1 and V2 of hominoids were occupied by a smaller percentage of calbindin-immunoreactive interneurons compared to monkeys who have greater overall neuronal densities. At the transition from V1 to V2 across all individuals, we found a tendency for increased percentages of calbindin-immunoreactive multipolar cells and calretinin-immunoreactive interneurons. In addition, parvalbumin-immunoreactive cell soma volumes increased from V1 to V2. These findings suggest that modifications of specific aspects of inhibition might be critical to establishing the receptive field properties that distinguish visual areas. Furthermore, these results show that phylogenetic variation exists in the microcircuitry of visual cortex that could have general implications for sensory processing.
Efficacy and Safety of Clopidogrel 600 mg Administered Pre-Hospitally to Improve Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (CIPAMI): Study Rationale and Design
Authors: Zeymer Uwe , Arntz Hans-Richard , Darius Harald , Huber Kurt , Senges Jochen
Published: November 2006

Clopidogrel, in combination with acetylsalicylic acid, has become a mainstay of the pharmacological therapy for patients with acute coronary syndromes, especially in those undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). While a series of studies has shown that pre-treatment with a loading dose of clopidogrel 300 or 600 mg prior to PCI is effective in reducing cardiovascular complications, the optimal dose and timing in various patient groups is still unclear. The primary objective of the present randomized, open-label Clopidogrel to Improve Primary percutaneous coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction (CIPAMI) study is to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of a 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel in addition to standard acetylsalicylic acid/heparin treatment in the pre-hospital setting in 654 patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction scheduled for primary PCI. The primary efficacy endpoint is the TIMI 2/3 patency of the infarct-related artery immediately prior to PCI. The rationale, design and methods of this study are described.
A Current Problem in Cardiology: Very Late Thrombosis after Implantation of Sirolimus Eluting Stent
Authors: Sharifkazemi Mohammad Bagher , Zamirian Mahmood , Aslani Amir
Published: November 2006

Discontinuation of antiplatelet medications has been strongly associated with coronary stent thrombosis. The first reported cases have been documented at 6 h to 6 weeks after stent implantation. This article presents a case of very late stent thrombosis 24 months after sirolimus eluting stent implantation and 18 months after clopidogrel discontinuation, despite aspirin continuation, and argues in favor of prolonging dual antiplatelet medication including clopidogrel in this setting, at least until data from randomized trials address this important issue.
Alterations in the Expression of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Subunit mRNA after Acute Peripheral Nerve and Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Yin Xiao Feng , Fu Zhong Guo , Zhang Dian Yin , Jiang Bao Guo
Published: November 2006

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) are involved in the regulation of potassium homeostasis in the nervous system, and they may play an important role in acute peripheral nerve and spinal cord injury. Here, the expression of the KATP genes was monitored by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the rat dorsal root ganglion, spinal cord and cerebral cortex following acute sciatic nerve and spinal cord injury. Electrophoresis of the RT-PCR products showed that in comparison with the normal rats, the KATP mRNA expression level was up-regulated for the Kir6.2 subunit in the rat dorsal root ganglion 4 and 24 h after the acute sciatic nerve injury (142.7 ± 23.0 and 135.5 ± 21.0%, p < 0.05, vs. control, n = 3), and both Kir6.1 and sulphonylurea receptor 2 mRNA were increased in the spinal cord during the same time period after the acute spinal cord injury (266.5 ± 67.1 and 248.7 ± 67.7%; 145.1 ± 42.6 and 152.6 ± 44.3%, p < 0.05, vs. control, n = 3). No significant changes of KATP genes were observed in the cerebral cortex among both sciatic-nerve- and spinal-cord-injured animals. These results suggest that acute peripheral nerve and spinal cord injury provoke different regulations of KATP gene expression in the peripheral and central nervous system.
Ca2+ Channel Currents Inhibited by Serum from Select Patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Authors: Nakatani Y. , Kawakami K. , Nagaoka T. , Utsunomiya I. , Tanaka K. , Yoshino H. , Miyatake T. , Hoshi K. , Taguchi K.
Published: November 2006

We performed an electrophysiological study demonstrating inhibition of spontaneous muscle action potentials within a coculture of rat muscle and spinal cord by exposure to serum, as well as purified IgG, from patients with the acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). However, exposure to serum from two patients with the acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) form of GBS had no effect. Using a whole-cell recording technique, we then investigated the effects of serum and purified IgG from patients with GBS on voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) currents in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells. Serum from patients with GBS (AMAN) inhibited VDCC currents in PC12 cells, which was fully reversible by washing with the bath solution. Similarly, purified IgG from the serum of two patients with GBS (AMAN) also inhibited VDCC currents in PC12 cells. In contrast, sera from patients with AIDP and healthy volunteers did not affect VDCC currents in PC12 cells. These results suggest that muscle weakness in some patients with GBS might be induced by inhibition of Ca2+ channel currents within motor nerve terminals.
Histological and Immunohistological Changes of the Skeletal Muscles in Older SJL/J Mice
Authors: Nemoto Hiroshi , Konno Shingo , Nakazora Hiroshi , Miura Hiroko , Kurihara Teruyuki
Published: November 2006

SJL/J mice have been studied as the model animals for autoimmunological diseases. Recently it was clarified that SJL/J mice have a defect of dysferlin. Human limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B and Miyoshi myopathy also have a defect of dysferlin. In this study we present the histological and immunohistological changes in the natural course. Histological study revealed that SJL/J mice had inflammatory, degenerative changes, and neurogenic changes in later ages. As for interstitial inflammatory cells, the macrophages were dominant in any age, and in the T cell subset, the CD4+ T cells were more abundant than the CD8+ T cells, and few B cells were seen. The laboratory data showed a high level of creatine kinase in all ages. It is suspected that the inflammatory changes were induced by the primary immunological abnormality or by the defect of dysferlin in SJL/J mice.
Restless Legs Syndrome in Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis
Authors: Sperfeld Anne-Dorte , Unrath Alexander , Kassubek Jan
Published: November 2006

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of the association of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP). Therefore, 132 patients with HSP were evaluated concerning the symptoms of RLS by a standardized questionnaire. RLS was supposed when patients met all of the established four essential criteria of RLS defined by the International RLS Study Group. In addition, we studied the relationship between RLS and age at HSP symptom onset and evaluated the severity of RLS symptoms. Out of 59 responses, RLS was found in 27 HSP patients (15 male, 12 female) so that RLS was more frequent in the total HSP group (20.5%; 27/132) than in previous population-based studies (about 11%). In all 27 patients, the diagnosis of RLS was established based on an additional personal interview. The probability to develop RLS did not increase with higher age. Age at onset of HSP symptoms in the HSP group with RLS (27.7 ± 12.6 years) and the HSP group without RLS (37.0 ± 16.9 years) differed significantly (p = 0.04). Most of the patients with RLS showed a moderate and severe grade on the RLS severity score. Only 8 patients had previously been diagnosed to have RLS and were on medication. The data of this screening for RLS provided evidence that patients with HSP are particularly susceptible to develop RLS. Consequently, special emphasis should be put on the diagnosis criteria of RLS in HSP patients.
IL-13Rα2 Reverses the Effects of IL-13 and IL-4 on Bronchial Reactivity and Acetylcholine-Induced Ca2+ Signaling
Authors: Kellner Julia , Gamarra Fernando , Welsch Ulrich , Jörres Rudolf A. , Huber Rudolf M. , Bergner Albrecht
Published: November 2006

Background: The interleukins IL-4 and IL-13 play a key role in the pathophysiology of asthma. The interleukin receptor IL-13Rα2 is believed to act as a decoy receptor, but until now, the functional significance of IL-13Rα2 remains vague. Methods: Bronchial reactivity was quantified in murine lung slices by digital video microscopy and acetylcholine (ACH)-induced Ca2+ signaling was measured in human airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) using fluorescence microscopy. Results: IL-4 or IL-13 up to 50 ng/ml induced bronchial hyperreactivity. But after incubation with 100 ng/ml this effect was lost and bronchial responsiveness was again comparable to the control level. The effects of IL-4 and IL-13 on bronchial reactivity were paralleled by the effects on ASMC proliferation. Fifty nanograms per milliliter of IL-4 and IL-13 increased the Ca2+ response of human ASMC to ACH. At 100 ng/ml, however, the effects of the cytokines on the Ca2+ response were no longer evident. The expression of IL-13Rα2 increased with increasing concentrations of IL-4 or IL-13, reaching its maximum at 100 ng/ml. Blocking IL-13Rα2, the loss of the effect of IL-4 and IL-13 at 100 ng/ml on human ASMC proliferation and the ACH-induced Ca2+ response were no longer present. Conclusions: IL-4 and IL-13 induce bronchial hyperreactivity by changing the Ca2+ homeostasis of ASMC. These effects are counteracted by IL-13Rα2. The biological significance of IL-13Rα2 might be a protective function by regulating IL-13- and IL-4-mediated signal transduction and thereby limiting pathological alterations in Th2-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Linkage Identification by Fitness Difference Clustering
Authors: Tsuji Miwako , Munetomo Masaharu , Akama Kiyoshi
Published: November 2006

Genetic Algorithms perform crossovers effectively when linkage sets — sets of variables tightly linked to form building blocks — are identified. Several methods have been proposed to detect the linkage sets. Perturbation methods (PMs) investigate fitness differences by perturbations of gene values and Estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs) estimate the distribution of promising strings. In this paper, we propose a novel approach combining both of them, which detects dependencies of variables by estimating the distribution of strings clustered according to fitness differences. The proposed algorithm, called the Dependency Detection for Distribution Derived from fitness Differences (D5), can detect dependencies of a class of functions that are difficult for EDAs, and requires less computational cost than PMs.
Narratives in the Old Neighborhood
Authors: Clair Robin Patric
Published: November 2006

Communities are created, sustained, and challenged through narratives. These narratives are many and may represent multiple forms. Furthermore, these multiple and varying narratives may act together as a narrative thread that ties the community together in a narrative package. Yet it is also possible that sequestered narratives challenge the narratives' seemingly coherent identity of the community. Whether and how the multiple stories dialogue to create a whole is explored in this ethnographic study of an urban neighborhood.
Comportement hydrique et évolution structurale et texturale des montmorillonites au tours d'un cycle de dessiccation-humectation: partie I. Cas des montmorillonites calciques
Authors: Rhaiem H. Ben , Tessier D. , Pons Ch. H.
Published: November 2006

L'évolution structurale et texturale ainsi que le comportement hydrique de deux montmorillonites-Ca (Wyoming et grecque) ont été éudiés par microscopic électronique à transmission (MET) et plus précisément par analyse de la diffusion aux petits angles des rayons X (DPAX). L'étude au MET a permis de montrer qu'à faible contrainte, le matériau est formé par un réseau de particules déformables délimitant des pores de grandes dimensions (~2μm). L'étude en DPAX des mêmes systèmes soumis à une contrainte de type succion a montré que: 1. Lors de la première dessiceation il y a d'abord déformation du réseau sans regroupement des particules (p ⩽ 1 bar), puis regroupement des particules face-face pour former des particules de plus grande épalsseur (p > 1 bar). On montre aussi que l'eau est essentiellement extraite de la porosité interparticulaire. 2. Lors de la réhydratation, on met en évidence qu'après dessiccation le système perd une grande partie de son aptitude à, reprendre de l'eau et que cette perte est d'autant plus importante que le niveau de dessiccation préalable a été élevé. Ceci est dû au falt qu'une partie de la porosité est réduite fi des espaces ayant la propriété de l'espace interfoliaire.
Nickel-bearing clay minerals: II. Intracrystalline distribution of nickel: an X-ray absorption study
Authors: Manceau A. , Calas G.
Published: November 2006

The mechanism of Ni-Mg substitution has been studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy in phyllosilicates belonging mainly to the lizardite-nepouite and kerolite-pimelite series. Two types of information were obtained: (1) Analysis of nickel K-edge spectra under high resolution confirmed that Ni atoms were substituted for Mg atoms. There was no evidence for 4-fold coordinated Ni. (2) Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) was sensitive to atomic pair-correlations and gave access to the radial distribution function around Ni atoms. For all samples, this function gave two peaks. The first one was related to the (O,OH) coordination shell and analysis confirmed that Ni atoms were 6-fold coordinated. The amplitude of the second peak was very sensitive to the atomic composition of the Ni-Mg second shell. It is shown that the intracrystalline distribution of Ni is never random within the octahedral sheet; Ni atoms are segregated into domains, the minimum size of which has been calculated. In the kerolite-pimelite series the mean domain size is at least 30 Å and EXAFS could not exclude the existence of pure Ni sheets. X-ray dispersive spectroscopy combined with TEM suggested that the minerals in this series have pure Ni layers associated with pure Mg layers. In the lizardite-nepouite series, Ni atoms are segregated into specific Ni-enriched areas, the exent of which depends on the specific chemical constitution of the sample. Distribution patterns are discussed with respect to the formation mechanisms of these ore minerals.