bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cold surge episodes over southeastern Brazil – a potential vorticity perspective
Authors: Sprenger Michael , Martius Olivia , Arnold Julian 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTMost intense cold surges and associated frost events in southern and southeastern Brazil are characterized by a large amplitude trough over South America extending toward tropical latitudes and a ridge to the west of it over the Pacific Ocean. In this study, potential vorticity (PV) streamers serve to examine the flow condition leading to cold surges. Case studies suggest that several PV anomalies are related to cold surge episodes: (1) the potential vorticity unit (2‐PVU) isoline upstream of South America becomes progressively more distorted prior and during the cold surge episode, indicating a flow situation which is conducive for Rossby wave breaking and hence a flow which strongly deviates from zonality; (2) the initial stage of a cold surge episode is characterized by a northward bulging of high‐PV air to the east of the Andes, resulting in a PV streamer whose northern end reaches Uruguay and southeastern Brazil; the strong PV gradient on its western flank constitutes a flow configuration that induces and maintains the transport of sub‐Antarctic air toward the subtropics; (3) a distinct negative PV anomaly, a blocking, originates over the eastern South Pacific, upstream of the South America sector. A composite analysis of 27 cold surges is performed for stratospheric PV streamer frequency on several isentropic surfaces. It reveals that equatorward wave breaking over South America and the western South Atlantic represents an important potential component of the dynamics of intense cold surges. The indications are most pronounced around the isentropic levels of 320 K and immediately before the day with largest temperature drops over subtropical Brazil.
Verification of daily precipitation amount forecasts in Armenia by ERA‐Interim model
Authors: Gevorgyan Artur 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTVerification of 12‐h daily precipitation amount forecasts is considered in Armenia making use of ERA‐Interim model output data. The performance of ERA‐Interim model is evaluated against observations of 30 meteorological stations of Armenia over the period 1996–2010. Daily precipitation amounts possess high spatio‐temporal variability in Armenia associated with complex orography. The verification results have shown that the mentioned variability of precipitation amounts is not reproduced appropriately by forecasted data of ERA‐Interim model.
Nicotine reduced MMP‐9 expression in the primary porcine tenocytes exposed to cyclic stretch
Authors: Hatta Taku , Sano Hirotaka , Sakamoto Naoya , Kishimoto Koshi N. , Sato Masaaki , Itoi Eiji 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNicotine is one of the major chemical components of the cigarette smoke, which has been known as a risk factor for tendon ruptures including rotator cuff tears. This study investigated the effect of nicotine on tenocytes under cyclic‐stretched condition. Particularly, we focused on the morphologic changes of tenocytes and their expression of MMPs. Primary porcine tenocytes were obtained from the infraspinatus tendon. The cells were cultured on elastic chambers under static or cyclic‐stretched condition for 24 h in the existence of nicotine (0, 1, 10, and 100 µM). Cell shape, gene expression of collagen type I and III, MMPs (‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐9, and ‐13) and TIMPs (‐1, ‐2, and ‐3) and enzyme activity of MMP‐9 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, RT‐PCR, and zymography. Tenocytes exposed to nicotine represented significantly decreased gene expressions in MMP‐9 (p < 0.001) and TIMP‐3 (p < 0.05) under the cyclic stretch. Enzymatic activity of MMP‐9 was also reduced by nicotine exposure in a dose‐dependent manner (p < 0.001). The down‐regulation of MMP and TIMP expression by nicotine shown in our in vitro experiment might deteriorate normal metabolism of the tendon. These mechanisms might affect the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix of the rotator cuff tendon. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 645–650, 2013
Evaluation ofClausena pentaphylla(Roxb.)DCoil as a fungitoxicant against storage mycoflora of pigeon pea seeds
Authors: Pandey Abhay K , Palni Uma T , Tripathi Nijendra N 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of 30 essential oils against four dominant fungiAspergillus flavusLink.,A. nigervan Tieghem,A. ochraceusWilhelm andA. terreusThom of stored pigeon pea seeds at a concentration of 0.36 µLmL−1. Various fungitoxic properties, such as minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration and fungitoxic spectrum, of the most potent oil were determined. The efficacy of the most potent oil in preservation of pigeon pea seeds for 6 months was also carried out by storing 1 kg of seeds in the oil vapour.ResultsClausena pentaphyllaandCitrus limonoils were more effective against all the fungi tested, which exhibited 100% per cent mycelial inhibition. The minimum inhibitory concentration ofC. pentaphyllaoil was determined as 0.07µL mL−1against all the test fungi and was found to be more toxic thanCitrus limonoil.C. pentaphyllaoil exhibited a broad range of fungitoxicity against 16 other storage fungi of pigeon pea seeds.C. pentaphyllaoil significantly protected 1 kg seeds of pigeon pea from fungal deterioration and was superior to synthetic fumigants. The oil did not show any phytotoxicity and the protein content of the seeds was significantly retained for up to 6 months of storage.ConclusionThus,C. pentaphyllaoil may be used as an effective fumigant in the ecofriendly management of storage fungi of pigeon pea seeds. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Protein extraction and two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis of proteins in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: an important tool for protein expression studies, food quality and safety assessment
Authors: Campos Alexandre , Puerto Maria , Prieto Ana , Cameán Ana , Almeida André M , Coelho Ana V , Vasconcelos Vitor 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundShellfish farming is an important economic activity that provides society with a valuable source of food. Analyses of the protein content and metabolism of shellfish are therefore of utmost importance to monitor the presence and effects of environmental contaminants in these organisms and also to assess food quality and authenticity. The aim of the present study was to compare different protein extraction protocols commonly used in two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) research and select the most suitable for the analysis of gill and digestive gland proteomes from the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.ResultsHigh‐resolution protein separation was achieved by direct solubilisation of proteins from M. galloprovincialis tissues with urea (7 mol L−1), thiourea (2 mol L−1), CHAPS (40 g L−1), DTT (65 mmol L−1) and ampholytes (pH 4–7, 8 mL L−1). Subsequent protein identification from 2DE gels by MALDI‐TOF/TOF mass spectrometry revealed a high number of proteins with functions in cytoskeleton structure, dynamics and maintenance. Other proteins identified in the 2DE gels are involved in energy production and carbohydrate metabolism, metal transport, chaperones and stress response, cell signalling and regulation, proteolysis and protein transduction.ConclusionImportant protein markers for contaminant and quality assessment of shellfish food products can be analysed using 2DE.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from pigs and humans in Lithuania
Authors: Novoslavskij Aleksandr , Kudirkienė Eglė , Marcinkutė Audronė , Bajoriūnienė Almina , Korkeala Hannu , Malakauskas Mindaugas 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundYersiniosis is one of the three leading foodborne zoonoses in Lithuania, and the incidence of 12.86 per 100 000 population was the highest among EU member states in 2010. Contaminated pig carcasses and subsequently undercooked pig meat are considered to be the primary transmission vehicle of enteropathogenic Y. enterocolitica to consumers. With the aim of evaluating pigs as a possible source of human yersiniosis in Lithuania, this study investigated the genetic diversity of Y. enterocolitica isolated from pigs and human cases of yersiniosis. In addition, the antimicrobial resistance of selected isolates from both sources was compared.ResultsIn total, 83 Y. enterocolitica strains were characterised using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Overall, 68% of Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 pulsotypes found in human clinical samples were identical to 81% of pulsotypes found in the pig production chain. Yersinia enterocolitica pulsotype II was confirmed as the dominant pulsotype in the pig production chain and was identical to nine of 19 Y. enterocolitica strains found in humans. All tested Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 strains were resistant to ampicillin and erythromycin and sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Of the strains studied, 5% were resistant to tetracycline and streptomycin.ConclusionThis study showed that pigs may be the main source of human yersiniosis in Lithuania. In addition, Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 strains isolated from the pig production chain and from yersiniosis patients shared similar resistance to different antimicrobials.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Nano‐ and Microfibrillar Single‐Polymer Composites: A Review
Authors: Fakirov Stoyko 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA new class of polymer materials is reviewed, the SPCs, in which the matrix and the reinforcement share the same chemical composition. In addition to their milder environmental impact as compared to traditional polymer composites, they show superior mechanical performance mainly due to the improved adhesion between matrix and reinforcement. Another advantage of SPCs is the missing dispersion step in their production, thus contrasting the common polymer nanocomposites. Definition, manufacturing, classification, and the application opportunities of SPCs are described. Special attention is paid on the very new members of the SPC family, the micro‐ and nanofibrillar SPCs, including the techniques for preparation of their starting neat micro‐ and nanofibrils using bulk polymers. magnified image
Shape‐Memory Hydrogels with Switching Segments Based on Oligo(ω‐pentadecalactone)
Authors: Balk Maria , Behl Marc , Nöchel Ulrich , Lendlein Andreas 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe investigated whether dual‐shape hydrogels based on crosslinked N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone can be created, in which oligo(ω‐pentadecalactone) ($\overline {M} _{{\rm n}} $ = 2900 g · mol−1, Tm = 89 °C) chain segments contribute to the switching domains. In the obtained hydrogels, the volumetric degree of swelling decreased from 480 to 190% while the E‐moduli increased from 0.10 to 0.34 MPa with increasing OPDL content. Furthermore, the equilibrium swollen hydrogels displayed good shape‐memory properties with strain fixity ratios above 95% and strain recovery rates above 92%. These shape‐memory hydrogels, whose degree of swelling was almost independent of the temperature, might be interesting candidates for various applications such as stimuli‐sensitive switches or valves. magnified image
White matter abnormalities in gene‐positive myoclonus‐dystonia
Authors: van der Meer Johan N. , Beukers Richard J. , van der Salm S.M.A. , Caan Matthan W.A. , Tijssen Marina A.J. , Nederveen Aart J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractMyoclonus‐dystonia is an autosomal dominantly inherited movement disorder clinically characterized by myoclonic jerks and dystonic movements of the upper body. Functional imaging and structural gray matter imaging studies in M‐D suggest defective sensorimotor integration and an association between putaminal volume and severity of dystonia, possibly because of neuronal plasticity. As we expect changes in the connections between the cortical and subcortical regions, we performed a combination of white matter voxel‐based morphometry (wVBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to detect macro‐ and microstructural white matter changes, respectively, in DYT‐11 mutations carriers (M‐D). Sixteen clinically affected DYT‐11 mutation carriers and 18 control subjects were scanned with 3‐Tesla MRI to compare white matter volume, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity between groups. In DYT11 mutation carriers, increased white matter volume and FA and decreased mean diffusivity werefound in the subthalamic area of the brain stem, including the red nucleus. Furthermore, decreased mean diffusivity was found in the subgyral cortical sensorimotor areas. The white matter changes found in the subthalamic area of the brain stem, connecting the cerebellum with the thalamus, are compatible with the hypothesis that abnormal function in M‐D involves a network that includes the cerebellum, brain stem, and basal ganglia. Whether these changes are causative or an effect of M‐D requires further study. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
The Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale: Intrarater reliability
Authors: Krismer Florian , Seppi Klaus , Tison François , Sampaio Cristina , Zangerl Anja , Peralta Cecilia , Yekhlef Farid , Ghorayeb Imad , Ory‐Magne Fabienne , Galitzky Monique , Bozi Maria , Scaravilli Tommaso , Colosimo Carlo , Geser Felix , Rascol Olivier , Poewe Werner , Quinn Niall P. , Wenning Gregor K. ,   on behalf of the European Multiple System Atrophy Study Group
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground:The Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) was developed to provide a surrogate measure of disease progression in multiple system atrophy. In the present study, the intrarater agreement of the motor examination part of the UMSARS was determined.Methods:All patients were first examined face to face, while being video‐recorded, by two senior and two junior investigators. The patients' videotaped examinations were reevaluated after 3 months. Intrarater reliability for each item was analyzed by kappa statistics.Results:Overall weighted kappa (κ) values were at least substantial or excellent for all UMSARS motor examination items, except for ocular motor dysfunction, which showed only moderate intrarater agreement. Intrarater reliability was comparable between senior and junior raters, with all κ differences being ≤ 0.22.Conclusions:The motor examination part of the UMSARS was found to have satisfactory intrarater reliability in the present cohort. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Applying bioinformatics to proteomics: Is machine learning the answer to biomarker discovery for PD and MSA?
Authors: Mattison Hayley A. , Stewart Tessandra , Zhang Jing 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBioinformatics tools are increasingly being applied to proteomic data to facilitate the identification of biomarkers and classification of patients. In the June, 2012 issue, Ishigami et al. used principal component analysis (PCA) to extract features and support vector machine (SVM) to differentiate and classify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from two small cohorts of patients diagnosed with either Parkinson's disease (PD) or multiple system atrophy (MSA) based on differences in the patterns of peaks generated with matrix‐assisted desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). PCA accurately segregated patients with PD and MSA from controls when the cohorts were combined, but did not perform well when segregating PD from MSA. On the other hand, SVM, a machine learning classification model, correctly classified the samples from patients with early PD or MSA, and the peak at m/z 6250 was identified as a strong contributor to the ability of SVM to distinguish the proteomic profiles of either cohort when trained on one cohort. This study, while preliminary, provides promising results for the application of bioinformatics tools to proteomic data, an approach that may eventually facilitate the ability of clinicians to differentiate and diagnose closely related parkinsonian disorders. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Myoclonus and dystonia in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis
Authors: Lagarde Julien , Roze Emmanuel , Apartis Emmanuelle , Pothalil Deepa , Sedel Frédéric , Couvert Philippe , Vidailhet Marie , Degos Bertrand 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground:Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an inherited neurometabolic disorder. The main neurological manifestations of the disease are pyramidal syndrome, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, and psychiatric disturbances. Myoclonic dystonia has been reported on in the setting of various neurometabolic diseases. Anecdotal reports describe movement disorders associated with CTX, but no dystonia with myoclonic events.Methods:We collected clinical, biochemical, electrophysiological, neuroradiological, and genetic data of 6 patients with myoclonus and mild dystonia associated with CTX. From a systematic literature review, we analyzed 31 patients with movement disorders secondary to CTX.Results:Our 6 patients presented distal myoclonus with mild dystonia of the upper limbs. Myoclonus was of subcortical origin, based on neurophysiological recordings, and differed from oromandibular myoclonus previously described in CTX patients.Conclusions:These results expand the phenotype of CTX and suggest that myoclonus and/or dystonia are underdiagnosed. In keeping with our findings, tremors previously observed in CTX patients might actually correspond to myoclonic events. We hypothesize that a dysfunction of the dentate nuclei‐basal ganglia pathway may be involved. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society.
DYT7 gene locus for cervical dystonia on chromosome 18p is questionable
Authors: Winter Pia , Kamm Christoph , Biskup Saskia , Köhler Angelika , Leube Barbara , Auburger Georg , Gasser Thomas , Benecke Rainer , Müller Ulrich 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground:A locus implicated in autosomal dominant cervical dystonia was assigned to chromosome 18p in 1 large family more than 15 years ago. This locus was designated DYT7. We reanalyzed the family clinically and genetically.Methods:Clinical reevaluation of all family members was performed. There was Sanger sequencing of candidate genes, SNP array analysis, and exome sequencing in definitely affected family members.Results:Diagnosis of cervical dystonia was definite in 6 family members and possible in 12. Analysis of candidate genes in 18p revealed no alteration in definitely affected patients. There was no disease causing copy number variant in 18p. No potentially disease‐causing mutations were detected in 18p by exome sequencing. The CIZ1 gene, mutated in some cases of cervical dystonia, was excluded.Conclusions:Location of DYT7 on 18p in autosomal dominant cervical dystonia is questionable. We demonstrate genetic heterogeneity of this form of dystonia. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Common variation in the LRRK2 gene is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Mata Ignacio F. , Checkoway Harvey , Hutter Carolyn M. , Samii Ali , Roberts John W. , Kim Hojoong M. , Agarwal Pinky , Alvarez Victoria , Ribacoba Renee , Pastor Pau , Lorenzo‐Betancor Oswaldo , Infante Jon , Sierra María , Gómez‐Garre Pilar , Mir Pablo , Ritz Beate , Rhodes Shannon L. , Colcher Amy , Van Deerlin Vivianna , Chung Kathryn A. , Quinn Joseph F. , Yearout Dora , Martinez Erica , Farin Federico M. , Wan Jia Y. , Edwards Karen L. , Zabetian Cyrus P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground:Common variants in the LRRK2 gene influence the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in Asians, but whether the same is true in European‐derived populations is less clear.Methods:We genotyped 66 LRRK2 tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 575 PD patients and 689 controls from the northwestern United States (tier 1). PD‐associated SNPs (P < .05) were then genotyped in an independent sample of 3617 cases and 2512 controls from the United States and Spain (tier 2). Logistic regression was used to model additive SNP genotype effects adjusted for age and sex among white individuals.Results:Two regions showed independent association with PD in tier 1, and SNPs in both regions were successfully replicated in tier 2 (rs10878226, combined odds ratio [OR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.33; P = 6.3 × 10−4; rs11176013, OR, 0.89; CI, 0.83–0.95; P = 4.6 × 10−4).Conclusions:Our data suggest that common variation within LRRK2 conveys susceptibility for PD in individuals of European ancestry. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Sonographic abnormality of the substantia nigra in melanoma patients
Authors: Rumpf Jost‐Julian , Weise David , Fricke Christopher , Wetzig Tino , Simon Jan‐Christoph , Classen Joseph 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundEvidence derived from large epidemiological studies suggests an association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and malignant melanoma. Transcranial sonography of the midbrain reveals an extended echogenic substantia nigra (SN) area in a high proportion of patients with PD. This characteristic, in the context of PD, may signal degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal projection neurons. Demonstration of an increased prevalence of abnormal echogenic SN in melanoma patients could add weight to the hypothesis of an underlying common pathogenic pathway of both diseases.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional observational study. Transcranial sonography of the SN region was performed on 31 patients suffering from malignant melanoma and 29 healthy participants. In addition, patients and controls were screened for motor and non‐motor symptoms of PD.ResultsThe echogenic SN area was abnormally extended in 42% of melanoma patients versus 7% of control subjects (χ2= 9.811, P = .002). Mean echogenic SN area (SN[R, L]) was significantly larger in melanoma patients than in controls (patients, 0.21 ± 0.07 cm2; controls, 0.15 ± 0.04 cm2 [mean ± SD]; unpaired t test, P < .001).ConclusionsThese findings provide additional evidence in favor of a common pathogenic pathway of PD and malignant melanoma and raise the possibility that their association is closer than previously assumed. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
The prevalence of primary dystonia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Steeves Thomas D. , Day Lundy , Dykeman Jonathan , Jette Nathalie , Pringsheim Tamara 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDystonia is a hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by sustained muscle contractions that produce repetitive movements and abnormal postures. Specific information on the prevalence of dystonia has been difficult to establish because the existing epidemiological studies of the condition have adopted different methodologies for case ascertainment, resulting in widely differing reported prevalence. Medline and Embase databases were searched using terms specific to dystonia for studies of incidence, prevalence, and epidemiology. All population‐based studies reporting an incidence and/or prevalence of primary dystonia were included. Sixteen original studies were included in our systematic review. Fifteen studies reported the prevalence of dystonia, including 12 service‐based and three population‐based studies. We performed a meta‐analysis on the results of the service‐based studies, and were able to combine data on the prevalence of several dystonia subtypes. From these studies, we calculated an overall prevalence of primary dystonia of 16.43 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.09–22.32). The prevalence of dystonia reported in the three population‐based studies appears higher than that reported in the service‐based studies. Only 1 of the 16 studies reported an incidence of cervical dystonia. This corresponded to a corrected incidence estimate of 1.07 per 100,000 person‐years (95% CI: 0.86–1.32). Despite numerous studies on the epidemiology of dystonia, attempting to determine an accurate prevalence of the condition for health services planning remains a significant challenge. Given the methodological limitations of the existing studies, our own prevalence estimate of primary dystonia likely underestimates the true prevalence of the condition. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society