bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of Masticatory-specific Isoforms of Myosin Heavy-chain, Myosin-binding Protein-C and Tropomyosin in Muscle Fibers and Satellite Cell Cultures of Cat Masticatory Muscle
Authors: Kang Lucia H.D. , Rughani Agita , Walker Matthew L. , Bestak Rosa , Hoh Joseph F.Y.
Published: March 2010

We test the hypothesis that cat jaw satellite cells belong to a distinct lineage preprogrammed to express masticatory-specific isoforms of myosin heavy-chain (m-MyHC), myosin-binding protein-C (m-MBP-C), and tropomyosin (m-Tm) during myogenesis in vitro. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) against m-MyHC and MAbs raised here against cat m-MBP-C and m-Tm were used to stain cryostat sections of cat masseter muscle and cultured myotubes derived from satellite cells of cat temporalis and limb muscles, using peroxidase immunohistochemistry. MAbs against m-MBP-C bound purified m-MBP-C in Western blots. MAbs against m-Tm failed to react with m-Tm in Western blots, but reacted with native m-Tm in gel electrophoresis–derived ELISA. In cat masseter sections, MAbs against m-MyHC, m-MBP-C, and m-Tm stained all masticatory fibers, but not the jaw-slow fibers. Cat jaw and limb muscle cultures mature significantly more slowly relative to rodent cultures. However, at 3 weeks, all three MAbs extensively stained temporalis myotubes, whereas they apparently stained isolated myotubes weakly in cat limb and rat jaw cultures. We conclude that satellite cells of masticatory fibers are preprogrammed to express these isoforms during myogenesis in vitro. These results consolidate the notion that masticatory and limb muscle allotypes are distinct.
Expression of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Human Placentas and Fetal Tissues
Authors: Jiang Yi-zhou , Wang Kai , Fang Roy , Zheng Jing
Published: March 2010

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, mediates many biological processes, including fetal development. In this study, we examined AhR protein expression in human placentas from normal (N) and severe preeclamptic (sPE) pregnancies, as well as human fetal tissues from the second trimester of pregnancy, using immunohistochemistry and/or Western blot analysis. In the placentas, the AhR immuno-reactivity was present primarily in syncytiotrophoblasts. The AhR staining was also seen in endothelium of large blood vessels in villi and endothelium of umbilical cord arteries and veins. No difference in AhR protein levels was found between N and sPE placentas. In fetal tissues, the AhR immunoreactivity was localized in lung, kidney, esophagus, pancreas, liver, testicle, thymus gland, retina, and choroid, mainly in epithelial cells, whereas it was absent in heart, brain, sclera, and thoracic aorta. These findings suggest that the AhR plays a critical role in syncytiotrophoblasts of human placentas and epithelium of many fetal organs. These data also imply that human placentas and those fetal organs with high AhR expression (e.g., lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, and thymus gland) during fetal development are highly susceptible to environmental toxicants such as dioxin.
Bone Marrow–derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Endothelial Cells May Contribute to Endothelial Repair in the Kidney Immediately After Ischemia–Reperfusion
Authors: Kwon Osun , Miller Shane , Li Nan , Khan Akhtar , Kadry Zakiyah , Uemura Tadahiro
Published: March 2010

In ischemic acute kidney injury, renal blood flow is decreased. We have previously shown that reperfused, transplanted kidneys exhibited ischemic injury to vascular endothelium and that preservation of peritubular capillary endothelial integrity may be critical to recovery from ischemic injury. We hypothesized that bone marrow–derived (BMD) endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) might play an important role in renal functional recovery after ischemia. We tested this hypothesis in recipients of cadaveric renal allografts before and for 2 weeks after transplantation. We found that the numbers of circulating CD34-positive EPCs and CD146-positive endothelial cells (ECs) decreased immediately after ischemia–reperfusion. In renal allograft tissues obtained 1 hr after reperfusion, CD34-positive cells were more frequently observed along the endothelial lining of peritubular capillaries compared with non-ischemic controls. Moreover, 0–17.5% of peritubular capillary ECs were of recipient origin. In contrast, only 0.1–0.7% of tubule cells were of recipient origin. Repeat graft biopsy samples obtained 35 and 73 days after transplant did not contain capillary ECs of recipient origin, whereas 1.4% and 12.1% of tubule cells, respectively, were of recipient origin. These findings suggest that BMD EPCs and ECs may contribute to en-dothelial repair immediately after ischemia–reperfusion.
Establishment of Outcome-Related Analytic Performance Goals
Authors: Klee George G
Published: March 2010

Background: Accrediting organizations require laboratories to establish analytic performance criteria that ensure their tests provide results of the high quality required for patient care. However, the procedures for instituting performance criteria that are directly linked to the needs of medical practice are not well established, and therefore alternative strategies often are used to create and implement surrogate performance standards.

Content: We reviewed 6 approaches for establishing outcome-related analytic performance goals: (a) limits defined by regulations and external assessment programs, (b) limits based on biologic variation, (c) limits based on surveys of clinicians about their needs, (d) limits based on effects on guideline driven medical decisions, (e) limits based on analysis of patterns for ordering follow-up clinical tests, and (f) limits based on formal medical decision models. Performance criteria were tabulated for 12 common chemistry analytes and 4 routine hematology tests.

Conclusions: There is no consensus currently about the preferred methods for establishing medically necessary analytic performance limits. The various methods reviewed give considerably different performance limits. The analytic performance limits claimed by a laboratory should correspond to those limits that can be reliably maintained based on validated QC monitoring systems. These limits generally are larger than the observed CVs and bias parameters collected for assay validation. There is a major need for increased communication among laboratorians and clinicians on this topic, especially when the analytic performance limits that can be consistently maintained by a laboratory are inconsistent with the expectations of health care providers.
Nipple Aspirate Fluid Proteome of Healthy Females and Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Pavlou Maria P , Kulasingam Vathany , Sauter Edward R , Kliethermes Beth , Diamandis Eleftherios P
Published: March 2010

Background: The ductal/alveolar system of the female breast constantly secretes and reabsorbs fluid in nonpregnant/nonlactating women. This fluid, referred to as nipple aspirate fluid (NAF), can be obtained by a noninvasive procedure and it is part of the microenvironment where more than 95% of breast cancers arise.

Methods: Using an Orbitrap® mass analyzer coupled to a linear ion trap, we performed an in-depth proteomic analysis of NAF samples obtained from 3 healthy individuals and 3 patients with breast cancer. Multiple fractionation methods such as size-exclusion and anion-exchange chromatography were applied for protein separation before mass spectrometric analysis.

Results: We identified more than 800 unique proteins in total, generating the most extensive NAF proteome thus far. Using gene ontology, we classified the identified proteins by their subcellular localization and found that more than 50% were extracellular or plasma membrane proteins. By searching against the Plasma Proteome Database, we confirmed that 40% of the proteins were also found in the plasma. Unigene database searching for transcripts of the proteins not found in the plasma revealed that the vast majority were expressed in the mammary gland.

Conclusions: Our extensive proteome database for NAF may be helpful in the identification of novel cancer biomarkers.
Diagnostic Value of the Hemopexin N-Glycan Profile in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Debruyne Evi N , Vanderschaeghe Dieter , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Vanhecke Annelies , Callewaert Nico , Delanghe Joris R
Published: March 2010

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and rapidly fatal cancer. Current diagnostic methods for HCC have poor sensitivity and specificity, are invasive, and carry risk for complications. Newer markers are needed to overcome these problems and allow diagnosis of HCC at an earlier stage. In view of known associations between glycosylation changes and liver disease, we focused on the serum glycoprotein hemopexin and the specific characteristics of this liver-synthesized glycoprotein.

Methods: We studied 49 healthy volunteers and 81 patients divided into the categories of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC with cirrhosis. Hemopexin was purified from study participants’ serum by use of heme agarose beads. The hemopexin N-glycan profile was determined by use of the DNA sequencer–assisted fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis technique.

Results: We found that branching α-1,3-fucosylated multiantennary glycans on hemopexin were increased in the HCC group compared with the cirrhosis without HCC, fibrosis, and healthy volunteer groups, whereas nonmodified biantennary glycans decreased progressively across groups from fibrosis to the cirrhosis and HCC groups. Summarization of this information in a new marker, called the hemopexin glycan marker, enabled distinction of patients with HCC and cirrhosis from healthy volunteers and patients with fibrosis or cirrhosis with a sensitivity and specificity of 79% and 93%, respectively.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated hemopexin to be a model protein for studying liver-specific N-glycosylation. The hemopexin glycan marker could be a valuable complementary test to α-fetoprotein measurements for detection of HCC in patients with cirrhosis. Additional study of its utility for diagnosis and follow-up is recommended.
A Fragment of an Early Christian Hymn (Papyrus Bodmer 12): some Observations
Authors: Caulley Thomas Scott
Published: March 2010

Dieser Artikel beleuchtet die vorherrschende Ansicht über den Ursprung und die Natur des sechszeiligen Fragments des Bodmer Codex (Papyrus Bodmer 12). Dieses Fragment ist eines von vielen Auszügen innerhalb des Bodmer Codexes, dessen Material wahrscheinlich zu persönlichen Andachtszwecken gesammelt wurde. Die paläographischen Forschungsergebnisse lassen erhebliche Zweifel an der bisher angenommenen Verbindung zu Melito's „On Pascha“ aufkommen. Lässt man diese Verbindung aber einmal außer Acht, ergeben sich für das Fragment neue Deutungsmöglichkeiten. Dieser Artikel untersucht die Bedeutung des Fragments aus der Sicht der frühen Christen in Bezug auf die eschatologische Hochzeitsfeier und belegt anhand stichhaltiger Beweise, dass ein syrisches Original möglicherweise die Grundlage hierzu gebildet hat. „Lob an die Mutter“ (ᾄσατε τῇ μητρί) bezieht sich demnach mehr auf den Heiligen Geist als auf Maria oder die Kirche.
Zur Motivation der tetrarchischen Christenverfolgung
Authors: Aubreville Philip
Published: March 2010

This article deals with the motivation for the persecution of Christians during the Roman tetrarchy of 303-311/313. In the first part, five main explanations are presented, which can be found both in the sources itself and in modern research. As none of these explanations can claim an absolute interpretation, there is room for another theory. In the second part, I try to prove that theory: I act on the assumption, that the Christians didn't provoke the persecution by their behaviour, but were chosen as a group of victims because they were “different”. The exclusion, resulting of that persecution, should starch the identity of the other inhabitants of the empire. This was possibly to balance the threatening deficit of stability after the intended abdication of Diocletian in 305. In fact there are evidences for this theory in the sources: Mainly the exotification of the Christians demonstrated by the concrete measures of the persecution as described by Eusebius are an evidence, that the persecution of Christians during the tetrarchy was motivated to consolidate the stability in the empire by using the simple sociological mechanism of “Identity per Exclusion”.
„All das ist Zierde für den Ort …“. Das diakonisch-karitative Großprojekt des Basileios von Kaisareia
Authors: Müller Andreas
Published: March 2010

The so-called Basileias, founded by Basil the Great before 370 is characterised as a Wonder of the World by Gregory of Nazianz. The importance of this institution is based on the combination of hospice, poorhouse and hospital in the frame of monastic life. The archetype of the Basileias probably has to be identified as the Pachomian Monasteries in Egypt, which provided a similar combination of various institutions. The former soldier Pachom may have been influenced in creating such a new type of monastery by the layout of Roman military camps. The valetudinarium of Roman military camps has probably been the inspiration for the hospitals of the monasteries. Basil conceived the whole world as a monastery. Therefore, he organised the suburbs of Caesarea in the image of a monastery. However, he did not create new forms of institutions. An interpretation of the Basileias as a Wonder of the World is understandable, since it offered a new combination of old institutional elements with the interpretatio christiana of human nature. The poor, the foreigner and the sick were offered a possibilty to encounter God himself in the Basileias.
„Patriarchen“ oder „Patriarchate“? (Sokrates, h.e. V 8,14)
Authors: Hansen Günther Christian
Published: March 2010

Socrates' record (Historia ecclesiastica V 8) of the Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople 381) seems to be influenced by a document forged in favour of the see of Constantinople. In Historia ecclesiastica V 8,14 one should read πατριαρχίας, not πατριάρχας.
A Chemical Screen Identifies Novel Compounds That Overcome Glial-Mediated Inhibition of Neuronal Regeneration
Authors: Usher Lynn C. , Johnstone Andrea , Ertürk Ali , Hu Ying , Strikis Dinara , Wanner Ina B. , Moorman Sanne , Lee Jae-Wook , Min Jaeki , Ha Hyung-Ho , Duan Yuanli , Hoffman Stanley , Goldberg Jeffrey L. , Bradke Frank , Chang Young-Tae , Lemmon Vance P. , Bixby John L.
Published: March 2010

A major barrier to regeneration of CNS axons is the presence of growth-inhibitory proteins associated with myelin and the glial scar. To identify chemical compounds with the ability to overcome the inhibition of regeneration, we screened a novel triazine library, based on the ability of compounds to increase neurite outgrowth from cerebellar neurons on inhibitory myelin substrates. The screen produced four “hit compounds,” which act with nanomolar potency on several different neuronal types and on several distinct substrates relevant to glial inhibition. Moreover, the compounds selectively overcome inhibition rather than promote growth in general. The compounds do not affect neuronal cAMP levels, PKC activity, or EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) activation. Interestingly, one of the compounds alters microtubule dynamics and increases microtubule density in both fibroblasts and neurons. This same compound promotes regeneration of dorsal column axons after acute lesions and potentiates regeneration of optic nerve axons after nerve crushin vivo. These compounds should provide insight into the mechanisms through which glial-derived inhibitors of regeneration act, and could lead to the development of novel therapies for CNS injury.
Loss of GluN2B-Containing NMDA Receptors in CA1 Hippocampus and Cortex Impairs Long-Term Depression, Reduces Dendritic Spine Density, and Disrupts Learning
Authors: Brigman Jonathan L. , Wright Tara , Talani Giuseppe , Prasad-Mulcare Shweta , Jinde Seiichiro , Seabold Gail K. , Mathur Poonam , Davis Margaret I. , Bock Roland , Gustin Richard M. , Colbran Roger J. , Alvarez Veronica A. , Nakazawa Kazu , Delpire Eric , Lovinger David M. , Holmes Andrew
Published: March 2010

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are key mediators of certain forms of synaptic plasticity and learning. NMDAR complexes are heteromers composed of an obligatory GluN1 subunit and one or more GluN2 (GluN2A–GluN2D) subunits. Different subunits confer distinct physiological and molecular properties to NMDARs, but their contribution to synaptic plasticity and learning in the adult brain remains uncertain. Here, we generated mice lacking GluN2B in pyramidal neurons of cortex and CA1 subregion of hippocampus. We found that hippocampal principal neurons of adult GluN2B mutants had faster decaying NMDAR-mediated EPSCs than nonmutant controls and were insensitive to GluN2B but not NMDAR antagonism. A subsaturating form of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) was impaired in the mutants, whereas a saturating form of LTP was intact. An NMDAR-dependent form of long-term depression (LTD) produced by low-frequency stimulation combined with glutamate transporter inhibition was abolished in the mutants. Additionally, mutants exhibited decreased dendritic spine density in CA1 hippocampal neurons compared with controls. On multiple assays for corticohippocampal-mediated learning and memory (hidden platform Morris water maze, T-maze spontaneous alternation, and pavlovian trace fear conditioning), mutants were impaired. These data further demonstrate the importance of GluN2B for synaptic plasticity in the adult hippocampus and suggest a particularly critical role in LTD, at least the form studied here. The finding that loss of GluN2B was sufficient to cause learning deficits illustrates the contribution of GluN2B-mediated forms of plasticity to memory formation, with implications for elucidating NMDAR-related dysfunction in disease-related cognitive impairment.
Functional Significance of Striatal Responses during Episodic Decisions: Recovery or Goal Attainment?
Authors: Han Sanghoon , Huettel Scott A. , Raposo Ana , Adcock R. Alison , Dobbins Ian G.
Published: March 2010

Memory retrieval is typically a goal-directed behavior, and as such, potentially influenced by reinforcement and motivation processes. Although striatal activation is often evident during memory retrieval, its functional significance remains unclear because typical memory paradigms do not control the motivational significance of memory decisions. We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate striatal activation during recognition with and without performance-linked monetary incentives. During initial performance in the absence of incentives, dorsal striatal activation for “Old” memory conclusions nonetheless exceeded that for “New” conclusions regardless of the accuracy of these conclusions. In contrast, subsequent scans paired incentives with either “Old” or “New” conclusions and demonstrated greater activation for whichever judgment was potentially rewarded, both with and without performance feedback. The data demonstrate that striatal activation during recognition judgments does not signal monetary reward receipt, cognitive feedback, or successful episodic retrieval. Instead, it is heavily dependent upon satisfaction of the subjective goals of the observer.
NOS1AP Associates with Scribble and Regulates Dendritic Spine Development
Authors: Richier Lindsay , Williton Kelly , Clattenburg Leanne , Colwill Karen , O'Brien Michael , Tsang Christopher , Kolar Annette , Zinck Natasha , Metalnikov Pavel , Trimble William S. , Krueger Stefan R. , Pawson Tony , Fawcett James P.
Published: March 2010

The formation and function of the neuronal synapse is dependent on the asymmetric distribution of proteins both presynaptically and postsynaptically. Recently, proteins important in establishing cellular polarity have been implicated in the synapse. We therefore performed a proteomic screen with known polarity proteins and identified novel complexes involved in synaptic function. Specifically, we show that the tumor suppressor protein, Scribble, associates with neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) adaptor protein (NOS1AP) [also known as C-terminal PDZ ligand of nNOS (CAPON)] and is found both presynaptically and postsynaptically. The Scribble–NOS1AP association is direct and is mediated through the phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain of NOS1AP and the fourth PDZ domain of Scribble. Further, we show that Scribble bridges NOS1AP to a β-Pix [β-p21-activated kinase (PAK)-interacting exchange factor]/Git1 (G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein)/PAK complex. The overexpression of NOS1AP leads to an increase in dendritic protrusions, in a fashion that depends on the NOS1AP PTB domain. Consistent with these observations, both full-length NOS1AP and the NOS1AP PTB domain influence Rac activity. Together these data suggest that NOS1AP plays an important role in the mammalian synapse.
Accumbens Shell–Hypothalamus Interactions Mediate Extinction of Alcohol Seeking
Authors: Millan E. Zayra , Furlong Teri M. , McNally Gavan P.
Published: March 2010

The nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh) is required to inhibit drug seeking after extinction training. Conversely, the lateral hypothalamus (LH), which receives projections from AcbSh, mediates reinstatement of previously extinguished drug seeking. We hypothesized that reversible inactivation of AcbSh using GABA agonists (baclofen/muscimol) would reinstate extinguished alcohol seeking and increase neuronal activation in LH. Rats underwent self-administration training for 4% (v/v) alcoholic beer followed by extinction. AcbSh inactivation reinstated extinguished alcohol seeking when infusions were made after, but not before, extinction training. We then used immunohistochemical detection of c-Fos as a marker of neuronal activity, combined with immunohistochemical detection of the orexin and cocaine- and amphetamine-related transcript (CART) peptides, to study the profile and phenotype of neural activation during reinstatement produced by AcbSh inactivation. AcbSh inactivation increased c-Fos expression in hypothalamus, as well as in paraventricular thalamus and amygdala. Within hypothalamus, there was an increase in the number of orexin and CART cells expressing c-Fos. Finally, we hypothesized that concurrent inactivation of LH would prevent reinstatement produced by inactivation of AcbSh alone. Our results confirmed this. Together, these findings suggest that AcbSh mediates extinction of reward seeking by inhibiting hypothalamic neuropeptide neurons. Reversible inactivation of the AcbSh removes this influence, thereby releasing hypothalamus from AcbSh inhibition and enabling reinstatement of reward seeking. These ventral striatal–hypothalamic circuits for extinction overlap with those that mediate satiety, and we suggest that extinction training inhibits drug seeking because it co-opts neural circuits originally selected to produce satiety.
Past Experience Modulates the Neural Mechanisms of Episodic Memory Formation
Authors: Poppenk Jordan , McIntosh Anthony R. , Craik Fergus I. M. , Moscovitch Morris
Published: March 2010

Neuroscientists have observed the “birth” of memories, but have not explored how an organism's past experience with materials interacts with the neural mechanisms of episodic memory formation. Using functional neuroimaging, we searched for such an interaction by examining brain activity during memory encoding that predicted participants' subsequent episodic memory for novel and repeated scenes. Memory for both scene types was predicted by a common posterior network in occipital and parietal cortices. Medial temporal memory predictors were modulated by scene repetition: the right anterior hippocampus and right amygdala predicted memory for novel scenes only, whereas posterior hippocampi predicted memory for repeated scenes only. There was also greater functional connectivity between the temporal pole and anterior versus posterior hippocampus, and this link predicted memory for novel but not repeated scenes. In contrast, there was greater functional connectivity between the precuneus and posterior versus anterior hippocampus, and this link predicted memory for repeated but not novel scenes. Together, these results reveal a functional specialization within the hippocampus for the encoding of novel and previously experienced materials, and suggest that the topography of this specialization might be related to local variations in connectivity. Because episodic memory for repeated scenes was superior, our results also support traditional views of encoding emphasizing the role of prior representations, and illuminate one way in which humans use existing memories to help form new ones. In so doing, our results challenge recent novelty-encoding hypotheses.
Attention-Like Modulation of Hippocampus Place Cell Discharge
Authors: Fenton André A. , Lytton William W. , Barry Jeremy M. , Lenck-Santini Pierre-Pascal , Zinyuk Larissa E. , Kubík Štepan , Bureš Jan , Poucet Bruno , Muller Robert U. , Olypher Andrey V.
Published: March 2010

Hippocampus place cell discharge is an important model system for understanding cognition, but evidence is missing that the place code is under the kind of dynamic attentional control characterized in primates as selective activation of one neural representation and suppression of another, competing representation. We investigated the apparent noise (“overdispersion”) in the CA1 place code, hypothesizing that overdispersion results from discharge fluctuations as spatial attention alternates between distal cues and local/self-motion cues. The hypothesis predicts that: (1) preferential use of distal cues will decrease overdispersion; (2) global, attention-like states can be decoded from ensemble discharge such that both the discharge rates and the spatial firing patterns of individual cells will be distinct in the two states; (3) identifying attention-like states improves reconstructions of the rat's path from ensemble discharge. These predictions were confirmed, implying that a covert, dynamic attention-like process modulates discharge on a ∼1 s time scale. We conclude the hippocampus place code is a dynamic representation of the spatial information in the immediate focus of attention.
TRPV2 Enhances Axon Outgrowth through Its Activation by Membrane Stretch in Developing Sensory and Motor Neurons
Authors: Shibasaki Koji , Murayama Namie , Ono Katsuhiko , Ishizaki Yasuki , Tominaga Makoto
Published: March 2010

Thermosensitive TRP (thermo TRP) channels are well recognized for their contributions to sensory transduction, responding to a wide variety of stimuli including temperature, nociceptive stimuli, touch, and osmolarity. However, the precise roles for the thermo TRP channels during development have not been determined. To explore the functional importance of thermo TRP channels during neural development, the temporal expression was determined in embryonic mice. Interestingly, TRPV2 expression was detected in spinal motor neurons in addition to the dorsal root ganglia from embryonic day 10.5 and was localized in axon shafts and growth cones, suggesting that the channel is important for axon outgrowth regulation. We revealed that endogenous TRPV2 was activated in a membrane stretch-dependent manner in developing neurons by knocking down the TRPV2 function with dominant-negative TRPV2 and TRPV2-specific shRNA and significantly promoted axon outgrowth. Thus, for the first time we revealed that TRPV2 is an important regulator for axon outgrowth through its activation by membrane stretch during development.
Molecular Cross Talk between Misfolded Proteins in Animal Models of Alzheimer's and Prion Diseases
Authors: Morales Rodrigo , Estrada Lisbell D. , Diaz-Espinoza Rodrigo , Morales-Scheihing Diego , Jara Maria C. , Castilla Joaquin , Soto Claudio
Published: March 2010

The central event in protein misfolding disorders (PMDs) is the accumulation of a misfolded form of a naturally expressed protein. Despite the diversity of clinical symptoms associated with different PMDs, many similarities in their mechanism suggest that distinct pathologies may cross talk at the molecular level. The main goal of this study was to analyze the interaction of the protein misfolding processes implicated in Alzheimer's and prion diseases. For this purpose, we inoculated prions in an Alzheimer's transgenic mouse model that develop typical amyloid plaques and followed the progression of pathological changes over time. Our findings show a dramatic acceleration and exacerbation of both pathologies. The onset of prion disease symptoms in transgenic mice appeared significantly faster with a concomitant increase on the level of misfolded prion protein in the brain. A striking increase in amyloid plaque deposition was observed in prion-infected mice compared with their noninoculated counterparts. Histological and biochemical studies showed the association of the two misfolded proteins in the brain andin vitroexperiments showed that protein misfolding can be enhanced by a cross-seeding mechanism. These results suggest a profound interaction between Alzheimer's and prion pathologies, indicating that one protein misfolding process may be an important risk factor for the development of a second one. Our findings may have important implications to understand the origin and progression of PMDs.
Influence of increasing seed oil content on the fatty acid profile of hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.)
Authors: Finta-Korpeľová Z.
Published: March 2010

This paper reports changes in the fatty acid profiles of the hemp seed oil of two breeding populations, Kolaj and Fibrol, after five and seven years of selection for high oil content. While the original variety Kompolti had a 3:1 ratio of linoleic acid to linolenic acid, which has been claimed to be optimal for human nutrition, the selected population of Kolaj (improved Kompolti) shows a ratio close to 4:1.The highest ratio of increase (r.i.) was 1.45, determined for γ-linolenic acid in Fibrol (improved Fibrimon 21-63). Another significant change was the 0.49% (r.i. 1.21) increase in stearic acid in this variety, along with a 3.16% (r.i. 1.1) increase in total oil content. In Kolaj the 5.87% (r.i. 1.2) increase in oil content was accompanied by a 1.76 % (r.i. −1.28) decrease in palmitic acid and by decreases of 2.98% and 0.18% (r.i. −1.15 and −1.16), respectively, in the α- and γ-linolenic acid contents.
Molecular farming, using the cereal endosperm as bioreactor
Authors: Tamás L.
Published: March 2010

Seed is an ideal protein production platform because it is the storage organ of the plant and offers appropriate storage compartments for the deposition of foreign proteins. To achieve high foreign protein expression level in the endosperm tissue, the transformation cassette carried the tissue-specific promoter of the wheat high-molecularweight glutenin subunit protein 1Bx17, fused to the first intron of rice actin promoter. Transformation protocols were established and optimized in the laboratory for cereals such as rice, barley and wheat using direct DNA delivery and the
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
mediated transformation system. Both immature (barley) and mature (rice) embryos, and immature inflorescences (wheat) were used as sources of explants. Subunit edible vaccines were produced to introduce the LTB, CTB and fused LTB-PEDV genes into the rice genome. The PEDV gene was also integrated into the barley genome. A project has recently been started to produce a rabbit-derived enzyme in transgenic wheat endosperm to be used by the pharmaceutical industry.
Effect of different tillage systems on the yield and yield components of soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.]
Authors: Jug D. , Sabo M. , Jug I. , Stipešević B. , Stošić M.
Published: March 2010

Eight different tillage systems were compared in soybean production on one experimental field (chernozem) located in the Baranya region of Croatia over a 4-year period (2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005). The dry conditions experienced in 2003 exacerbated the effects of NT and CWNS on the soybean yield. The most stable grain yield was obtained using CSNW and CSDW in all four experimental years. DH, CH and CWDS did not result in any significant reduction in crop yield compared to CT. There was no clear trend regarding the applied tillage systems and grain yield components. The greatest effects on soybean yield and yield components were due to climatic conditions. Different tillage systems had a significant effect on the soybean grain yield and yield components in the four experimental years. The largest differences in stem height were determined between CSNW and NT. The number of pods per plant, the hectolitre mass and the grain yield were significantly lower under NT than under the other tillage systems. The number of fertile nodes of soybean and the number of branches per plant in the experimental years had approximately the same values for all the tillage systems. To sum up, the results achieved with DH, CH, CSDW, CWDS and CSNW were on par with each other and slightly better than CT, and these systems could represent adequate replacements for conventional tillage. No tillage could not be considered as the most favourable for soybean growing.
Impact of blood glucose values in patients with and without insulin treatment following paediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Breuer T. , Sápi E. , Hartyánszky I. L. , Cserép Zs. , Vargha P. , Treszl A. , Kertai M. D. , Gál J. , Tóth M. , Szatmári A. , Székely Andrea
Published: March 2010

Objective:To investigate the associations of blood glucose (BG) parameters and postoperative complications following paediatric cardiac surgery in the presence and absence of insulin treatment.

Methods:Prospectively collected perioperative data on 810 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease were retrospectively analysed. A combined outcome of death and multiple organ dysfunction (any two of the followings: infectious, cardiac, pulmonary, renal or neurological complications) was considered as the endpoint.

Results:In total, 110 patients developed the combined endpoint and 32 of these patients died during the perioperative period. Patients treated with insulin were younger, smaller and underwent more complex procedures. They had higher peak BG levels and higher daily BG fluctuation, however, BG parameters were not associated with adverse outcome. In patients without insulin treatment, peak BG values higher than 250 mg/dl (OR, 7.65; 95% CI, 1.06–55.17;p=0.043) and BG fluctuation exceeding the level of 150 mg/dl (10.72; 1.74–65.90p=0.010) on the first postoperative day were independently associated with the combined endpoint.

Conclusions:Peak BG level and BG fluctuation on the first postoperative day were associated with the combined endpoint of complications and death but these results were only confined to patients without insulin treatment.
Correlation of body mass index and responder status in heart failure patients after cardiac resynchronization therapy: Does the obesity paradox exist?
Authors: Clemens Marcell , Nagy-Baló E. , Herczku Cs. , Karányi Zs. , Édes I. , Csanádi Z.
Published: March 2010

Aims: We investigated the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the prevalence of responder status in chronic heart failure patients after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods: Data on 169 patients with resynchronization therapy were analyzed. Patients were categorized on the basis of the BMI measured at device implantation according to the WHO classification, as normal (BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 25–29.9 kg/m2) or obese (BMI:≥30 kg/m2). Patients were considered responders if left ventricular ejection fraction was increased by at least 5% at 6-month follow-up.

Results: The mean age in the study population was 60.9±10.86 years (females 29%). The BMI subgroups did not exhibit any significant differences in baseline characteristics (age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction or NYHA class). Elevated BMIs were associated with higher prevalence of responder status (overweight: 71.4%, obese: 63.0%) relative to subjects with a normal BMI (44.7%) (p=0.015).

Conclusions: In this CRT population, overweight status was associated with a more favorable response to CRT, indicating that the response may possibly be influenced by factors other than those directly related to the heart status or the technical details of the CRT.
Physical activity and sedentary behaviors among urban Hungarian school children
Authors: Kovács Viktória Anna , Gábor Anita , Fajcsák Zsuzsanna , Martos Éva
Published: March 2010

A gyermekkori elhízás egyike korunk legjelentősebb népegészségügyi problémáinak. Az inaktív életmód és a csökkenő fizikai aktivitás a legfontosabb kiváltó tényezők közé tartoznak.Célkitűzés:Felmérésünkben Óbudán tanuló általános iskolások tápláltsági állapotát és életmódját vizsgáltuk.Módszer:A dolgozatban 3302 általános iskolás (1648 fiú, 1654 lány; 11,3±2,3 év) adatait elemeztük. Testsúly-, testmagasság- és derékkörfogat-mérések mellett a tanulók kérdőívet töltöttek ki az aktivitási szokásaikról.Eredmények:Az IOTF-kritériumok alapján a résztvevők 14,5%-a túlsúlyos, 4,6%-a elhízott volt. A nem sportolók aránya fiúknál 9 éves kortól (15,3%) folyamatosan nőtt, és 15 éves korra megduplázódott (31,0%). Lányoknál az arány 10 éves kortól (21,0%) emelkedett, és a 15 éves lányoknak már több mint fele (53,8%) nem sportolt. A tanulók hétköznap 2,2±1,9 órát, hétvégén 3,6±2,6 órát töltöttek képernyő előtt. Hétköznap a gyerekek egyharmada (32,2%), hétvégén majdnem kétharmada (61,8%) több mint napi 2 órát töltött képernyő előtt.Következtetések:Mind a nem sportoló, mind a képernyő előtt naponta több mint 2 órát töltő gyermekek aránya magas volt. Tekintettel arra, hogy mind a két kockázati tényező előfordulása az életkor előrehaladtával egyre gyakoribb volt, javasoljuk, hogy a megelőző programok minél korábbi életkorban kezdődjenek meg.
Mortality rate of acute heart attack in Zalaegerszeg micro-region. Results of the first Hungarian 24 hour acute myocardial infarction intervention care unit
Authors: Lupkovics Géza , Motyovszki Ákos , Németh Zoltán , Takács István , Kenéz András , Burkali Bernadett , Menyhárt Ildikó
Published: March 2010

A heveny szívinfarktus morbiditási és mortalitási adatai világszerte rámutatnak ezen betegcsoport kiemelt jelentőségére. A gyors és korrekt diagnózis, az adekvát terápia időben történő indítása kulcsfontosságú ezen betegcsoportnál. Ma már a heveny szívinfarktus korszerű ellátásának alapkövetelménye az invazív kardiológiai beavatkozás, a primer percutan coronariaintervenció. Az 1999-es amerikai és európai ajánlások azonban a primer percutan coronariaintervenciót I. osztályú ajánlásként csak mint a thrombolysis alternatíváját, illetve a kardiogén sokkal szövődött betegcsoport kezelését javasolták. A Zala Megyei Kórház Kardiológiai Osztályán 1998-ban Magyarországon elsőként szerveztük meg a heveny szívinfarktus 24 órás intervenciós ügyeletét.
Cél:
Vizsgálatunk célja annak igazolása, hogy a heveny infarktus korán elkezdett intervenciós kezelése az országos átlagnál jelentősebb mértékben csökkentette térségünkben a kórkép mortalitását, és ennek hatásai a mai napig érezhetőek.
Módszerek:
Az Állami Népegészségügyi és Tisztiorvosi Szolgálat Nyugat-dunántúli Regionális Intézete feldolgozta a nyugat-dunántúli régió és a zalaegerszegi kistérség 1996–2005 közötti időszak halálozási adatait, és egymással, valamint a statisztikai hivatal által közölt országos átlaggal hasonlította össze. Saját számítógépes adatbázisunk segítségével vizsgáltuk ezen időszakban végzett invazív beavatkozások számának változását, és összevetettük a mortalitási statisztikákkal.
Eredmények:
Az első „teljes” évben, 1998-ban 82 primer és 283 „elektív” percutan coronariaintervenciót végeztünk, ezek a számok 2005-re 318-ra és 1265-re emelkedtek. Ezzel párhuzamosan a szívinfarktus miatti korai, illetve teljes halálozás a férfiak körében a zalaegerszegi kistérségben szignifikánsan (p<0,001) nagyobb mértékben csökkent, mint az országos átlag.
Következtetés:
A Magyarországon elsőként elindított 24 órás akut infarktus intervenciós ellátás a térség mortalitási statisztikáit jelentős mértékben javította az országos átlaghoz képest. A gyakorlott, nagy tapasztalatot szerzett team munkájának eredményei napjainkig előnyt jelentenek a zalaegerszegi kistérség betegei számára.
Nijmegen Breakage syndrome
Authors: Erdős Melinda , Tóth Beáta , Juhász Pálma , Mahdi Mohamed , Maródi László
Published: March 2010

A Nijmegen–Breakage-szindróma ritka, autoszomális recesszív öröklődésű kórkép, amelyre súlyos kombinált immundeficientia, visszatérő sinopulmonalis fertőzések, a kromoszómainstabilitás és az ionizáló sugárzással szembeni hiperszenzitivitás miatt a malignus betegségek gyakoribb előfordulása, fejlődési rendellenességek, madárarc, progresszív microcephalia, valamint növekedési és mentális retardáció jellemző. A betegség hátterében a DNS-repair-mechanizmusokban fontos szerepet játszó nibrin nevű protein kódolásáért felelős NBS1 gén mutációja áll. A közleményben a szerzők két esetismertetés kapcsán bemutatják a betegség klinikumát, a jellemző laboratóriumi leleteket, és összefoglalják a kórkép molekuláris patomechanizmusával kapcsolatos ismereteket, valamint a kezelés lehetőségeit.
Proton Transfer in Monoclinic Zirconia: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Mantz Yves A. , Gemmen Randall S.
Published: March 2010

In solid oxide fuel cells, the mechanism of hydrogen oxidation is complex. During this process, protonated forms of monoclinic zirconia may be formed, motivating their study within the framework of density-functional theory (DFT). Using the HCTH/120 exchange-correlation functional, the monoclinic phase of zirconia is, correctly, predicted to be more stable than cubic or tetragonal polymorphs at 0 K, in agreement with previous theoretical results. Several local minima are identified of a proton in monoclinic zirconia, modeled using (up to) a 3×3×3 arrangement of unit cells, in which the proton is bonded to one of the two available oxygen atom types, O1 or O2. The lowest energy structure of the proton bonded to O1 is favored by 0.39 eV compared to that of the proton bonded to O2. Based upon a vibrational analysis as well as finite-temperature Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamic simulations, this preference of the proton for O1 is suggested to persist at fuel cell operating temperatures.
Accurate ab initio Calculations of Methane Dimer Interaction Energies and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Fluid Methane
Authors: Li Arvin Huang-Te , Chao Sheng Der
Published: March 2010

Intermolecular interaction potentials of the methane dimers have been calculated for 12 symmetric conformations using the Hartree-Fock (HF) self-consistent theory, the second-order M�ller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory, and the coupled-cluster with single and double and perturbative triple excitations (CCSD(T)) theory. The HF calculations yield unbound potentials largely due to the exchange-repulsion interaction. In MP2 and CCSD(T) calculations, the basis set effects on the repulsion exponent, the equilibrium bond length, the binding energy, and the asymptotic behavior of the calculated intermolecular potentials have been thoroughly studied. We have employed basis sets from the Slater-type orbitals fitted with Gaussian functions, Pople�s medium size basis sets to Dunning�s correlation consistent basis sets. With increasing basis size, the repulsion exponent and the equilibrium bond length converge at the 6-31G** basis set and the 6-311++G(2d, 2p) basis set, respectively, while a large basis set (aug-cc-pVTZ) is required to converge the binding energy at a chemical accuracy (˜0.01 kcal/mol). We used the BSSE corrected results that systematically converge to the destined potential curve with increasing basis size. The binding energy calculated and the equilibrium bond length using the CCSD(T) method are close to the results at the basis set limit. For molecular dynamics simulation, a 4-site potential model with sites located at the hydrogen atoms was used to fit the ab initio potential data. This model stems from a hydrogen-hydrogen repulsion mechanism to explain the stability of the dimer structure. MD simulations using the ab initio PES show good agreement on both the atom-wise radial distribution functions and the self-diffusion coefficients over a wide range of experimental conditions.
Peak/Plateau Strength in Nanoscale Multilayer Thin Films: Constrained vs Unconstrained Dislocation Nucleation
Authors: Li Qizhen , Anderson Peter M.
Published: March 2010

The peak/plateau strength of multilayer thin films is analyzed in terms of the stress to bow out a dislocation loop from an interface. Comparison of approximate analytic models to experimental data suggests that the bow out is “constrained” by nearby interfaces, at least for e-NbN/Mo and e-Ni/Cu films. Estimates of the interfacial pinning distance to form the bow out are ˜20b for e-NbN/Mo and ˜70b for e-Ni/Cu around peak/plateau strength (b is the magnitude of Burgers vector).
Study and Optimization of Silicon-CVD Diamond Interface for SOD Applications
Authors: Mazellier Jean-Paul , Arnault Jean-Charles , Lions Mathieu , Andrieu François , Truche Robert , Previtali Bernard , Saada Samuel , Bergonzo Philippe , Deleonibus Simon , Cristoloveanu Sorin , Faynot Olivier
Published: March 2010

With respect to Silicon-on-Diamond approaches as an alternative to SOI where diamond is used as the buried dielectric, we have in recent works demonstrated the feasibility of a novel approaches where the CVD diamond layer is grown on silicon using Bias Enhanced Nucleation (BEN) over large area substrates, then smoothed and assembled to successfully enable the fabrication of first prototypes of silicon-on-diamond substrates. The key novelty to those SOD substrates were that only a very thin box dielectric diamond layer is used (typically from 150 to 500nm thick), as required by the current SOI technology. However we had also observed that the silicon-diamond interface quality to be sensitive to the nature of the nucleation interface. Thus the current contribution here studies the chemical nature of various capping materials used to solve the issue of electrical defects in case of direct silicon-diamond interface and at the same time to enable the whole system to benefit from the high thermal conductivity of diamond when compared to other standard electrical insulating materials.
Characterization of Nano-crystalline Diamond Films Grown Under Continuous DC Bias During Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Mortet Vincent , Zhang Liang , Echert Maxie , Soltani Ali , D'Haen Jan , Douhéret Olivier , Moreau Myriam , Osswald Sebastian , Neyts Erik , Troadec David , Wagner Patrick , Bogaerts Annemie , Van Tendeloo Gustaaf , Haenen Ken
Published: March 2010

Nanocrystalline diamond films have generated much interested due to their diamond-like properties and low surface roughness. Several techniques have been used to obtain a high re-nucleation rate, such as hydrogen poor or high methane concentration plasmas. In this work, the properties of nano-diamond films grown on silicon substrates using a continuous DC bias voltage during the complete duration of growth are studied. Subsequently, the layers were characterised by several morphological, structural and optical techniques. Besides a thorough investigation of the surface structure, using SEM and AFM, special attention was paid to the bulk structure of the films. The application of FTIR, XRD, multi wavelength Raman spectroscopy, TEM and EELS yielded a detailed insight in important properties such as the amount of crystallinity, the hydrogen content and grain size. Although these films are smooth, they are under a considerable compressive stress. FTIR spectroscopy points to a high hydrogen content in the films, while Raman and EELS indicate a high concentration of sp2 carbon. TEM and EELS show that these films consist of diamond nano-grains mixed with an amorphous sp2 bonded carbon, these results are consistent with the XRD and UV Raman spectroscopy data.