bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An electrophysiological measure of visual short‐term memory capacity within and across hemifields
Authors: Delvenne Jean‐Francois , Kaddour Laura A. , Castronovo Julie 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRecent electrophysiological research has identified a specific contralateral correlate of the contents of visual short‐term memory (VSTM). This posterior contralateral delay activity (CDA) persists during the retention period, and its amplitude is modulated by the number of items held at any one time. Here we show that, despite the contralateral nature of this activity, its amplitude is modulated by the number of objects from both hemifields. When objects from one side of the visual field are held in memory, CDA activity increased for arrays of one, two, and three objects, but stopped getting larger for arrays of four objects. However, when objects from both sides are memorized at the same time, CDA activity reached its asymptotic limit for arrays of two objects per side. These results suggest that, in spite of being contralaterally organized, VSTM is limited by the number of objects from both hemifields.
Interstimulus intervals for skin conductance response measurement
Authors: Breska Assaf , Maoz Keren , Ben‐Shakhar Gershon 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis study examined, using the Concealed Information paradigm, whether interstimulus intervals (ISI) typically used for electrodermal measurement can be shortened. An ISI ranging from 16 s to 24 s (with a mean of 20 s) was compared with an ISI shortened by 50% using a within‐participants design. It was demonstrated that this shortening had no effect on the differential skin conductance responses to the personally significant details and nearly identical detection efficiency was observed under the 2 ISIs. However, overall responses were attenuated with the shorter ISI. The implications of these results for various types of studies, using skin conductance responses, were discussed.
Isolation of Low‐Molecular‐Weight Proteins from Amyloid Plaque Fibers in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Selkoe Dennis J. , Abraham Carmela R. , Podlisny Marcia B. , Duffy Lawrence K. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract:During aging of the human brain, and particularly in Alzheimer's disease, progressive neuronal loss is accompanied by the formation of highly stable intra‐ and extraneuronal protein fibers. Using fluorescence‐activated particle sorting, a method has been developed for purifying essentially to homogeneity the extracellular amyloid fibers that form the cores of senile plaques. The purified plaque cores each contain 60–130 pg of protein. Their amino acid composition shows abundant glycine, trace proline, and ∼50% hydrophobic residues; it resembles that of enriched fractions of the paired helical filaments (PHF) that accumulate intraneuronally in Alzheimer's disease. Senile plaque amyloid fibers share with PHF insolubility in numerous protein denaturants and resistance to proteinases. However, treatment of either fiber preparation with concentrated (88%) formic acid or saturated (6.8 M) guanidine thiocyanate followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate causes disappearance of the fibers and releases proteins migrating at 5–7.000 and 11–15.000 Mr which appear to be dimerically related. Following their separation by size‐exclusion HPLC, the proteins solubilized from plaque amyloid and PHF‐enriched fractions have highly similar compositions and, on dialysis, readily aggregate into higher Mr polymers. Antibodies raised to the major low‐Mr protein selectively label both plaque cores and vascular amyloid deposits in Alzheimer brain but do not stain neurofibrillary tangles, senile plaque neurites, or any other neuronal structure. Thus, extraneuronal amyloid plaque filaments in Alzheimer's disease are composed of hydrophobic low‐Mr protein(s) which are also present in vascular amyloid deposits. Current evidence suggests that such protein(s) found in PHF‐enriched fractions may derive from copurifying amyloid filament srather than from PHF.
Epigenetic changes play critical role in age‐associated dysfunctions of the liver
Authors: Jin Jingling , Wang Guo‐Li , Iakova Polina , Shi Xiurong , Haefliger Simon , Finegold Milton , Timchenko Nikolai A. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryCCAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteins family proteins are important regulators of liver functions. Here, we show the critical role of C/EBPα‐mediated chromatin remodeling in the age‐associated dysfunctions of the liver and in the maintenance of physiological homeostasis. Because ph‐S193 isoform of C/EBPα is increased in livers of old mice, we have generated C/EBPα‐S193D knockin mice, which mimic the ph‐S193 isoform of C/EBPα. Analyses of these mice showed that the S193D mutation causes chromatin remodeling leading to histological appearance of ‘foci‐like’ nodules, which are also observed in livers of old mice. These ‘foci‐like’ structures contain K9 trimethylated histone H3, a marker of heterochromatin. The increase of heterochromatin regions in S193D mice correlates with the elevation of S193D‐C/EBPα‐HDAC1 complexes and with dys‐regulation of gene expression including epigenetic silencing of cyclin D1 and D2 promoters and the inhibition of liver proliferation. The elimination of C/EBPα‐HDAC1 complexes in S193D mice by inhibition of HDAC1 corrects chromatin structure and normalizes expression of cyclin D1 and D2. We found that epigenetic dys‐regulation is also associated with the elevation of C/EBPβ and with the increase of C/EBPα/β heterodimers in S193D mice. The C/EBPα/β heterodimers activate transcription of Glut4 and increase the levels of Glut4. As the result, S193D livers have accelerated uptake of glucose and accumulation of glycogen in the liver. Thus, this study demonstrates that the phosphorylation of C/EBPα at S193 leads to the appearance of heterochromatin regions, which correlates with the development of age‐related dysfunctions of the liver.
Soil development on restored opencast coal sites with particular reference to organic matter and aggregate stability
Authors: Malik A. , Scullion J. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Organic indices and aggregate stability were measured in soils of similar texture on two restored opencast coal sites and on adjacent, undisturbed land in South Wales, UK. The aim was to assess rates of soil change over time, to relate these changes to conditions in undisturbed land and to evaluate organic‐aggregation relationships across these range of soils. Several management factors were included in the comparisons.Organic matter accumulated at the surface (0–7.5 cm) of restored soils, contents being greater than undisturbed soils after 21 years. However, this increase in total organic matter did not result in proportionate increases in carbohydrates and microbial biomass, nor did aggregate stability increase to the degree expected. Between 7.5 and 15 cm depth, rates of change were slower. Microbial metabolic quotient and respiration relative to total soil C were highest in recently (9 years) restored soils, intermediate in 21 year old restored soils and least for undisturbed soils.Sewage (100t/ha) applied at reinstatement improved clay stability but had little effect on other parameters when measured 9 years later. Drainage of soils restored in 1972 reduced total organic content but its influence on other organic indices was more complex. Carbohydrate contents had the closest association with aggregate stability and microbial biomass.Although the productivity of restored land may recover more quickly, findings suggest that rehabilitation of normal soil processes following surface mining may take much longer than the normal five year aftercare period.
Total Quality Management and Performance in Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
Authors: Fields Dail , Roman Paul M. 
Published: August 2010

Objective. To examine the relationship of organizational characteristics of substance abuse treatment centers with their use of quality management practices (total quality management [TQM]) and the contribution of TQM use to a center's provision of comprehensive care and to use of evidence‐based treatment practices.Data Sources. Data were collected from a national sample of over 700 private and public substance abuse treatment centers in the National Treatment Center Study.Study Design. The design was a cross‐sectional field study. The key variables were three TQM practices, the provision of comprehensive treatment services, and the implementation of evidence‐based treatment practices. Numerous organizational characteristics were controlled.Data Collection. The data were obtained through interviews with administrative directors and clinical directors of the treatment centers in 2002–2004.Principal Findings. In multivariate models, TQM practices were positively related to provision of comprehensive care and use of evidence‐based practices. A limited set of organizational characteristics predicted the use of TQM practices.Conclusions. Substance abuse treatment centers' implementation of TQM processes may be positively related to the quality and cost‐effectiveness of care provided.
Consumers' Use of HCAHPS Ratings and Word‐of‐Mouth in Hospital Choice
Authors: Huppertz John W. , Carlson Jay P. 
Published: August 2010

Objective. To investigate the impact of the HCAHPS report of patient experiences and word‐of‐mouth narratives on consumers' hospital choice.Data Sources. Online consumer research panel of U.S. adults ages 18 and older.Study Design/Data Collection/Extraction Methods. In an experiment, 309 consumers were randomly assigned to see positive or negative information about a hospital in two modalities: HCAHPS graphs and a relative's narrative e‐mail. Then they indicated their intentions to choose the hospital for elective surgery.Principal Findings. A simple, one‐paragraph e‐mail and 10 HCAHPS graphs had similar impacts on consumers' hospital choice. When information was inconsistent between the HCAHPS data and e‐mail narrative, one modality attenuated the other's effect on hospital choice.Conclusions. The findings illustrate the power of anecdotal narratives, suggesting that policy makers should consider how HCAHPS data can be affected by word‐of‐mouth communication.
Twelfth‐ and Thirteenth‐Century Cistercian Exempla Collections: Role, Diffusion, and Evolution
Authors: Mula Stefano 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe second half of the 12th century witnessed the creation of a number of collections of exempla. The collectors were Cistercian monks, and the most productive of them were either in the monastery of Clairvaux in Burgundy or in one of the monasteries in Clairvaux’s filiation. This article discusses the origin, diffusion and evolution of the early collections (ca. 1160–1225), and analyzes the role of the exemplum inside the Cistercian Order, but also its place in the tradition of short narrative texts. The Cistercian exempla were meant for internal consumption, in order to create a common and shared memory for the members of the order. The success of the exempla was such that the preaching orders saw their potential and created their own collections as tools for preachers in the 13th century.
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Haddad Yvonne Y. 
Published: August 2010

Book reviewed in this article: Political Islām: Religion and Politics in the Arab World. By Nazih Ayubi. Egypt from Nāsser to Mubāak: A Flawed Revolution. By Anthony McDermott. The Gulf War: The Origins and Implications of the Iraq‐Iran Conflict. By Majid Khadduri The Making of Iran's Islamic Revolution: From Monarchy to Islamic Republic. By Mohsen M. Milani Workers on the Nile: Nationalism. Communism, Islam and the Egyptian Working Class, 1882–1954. By Joel Beinin and Zachary Lockman. A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period. By Jamil M. Abun‐Nasr. Historical Dictionary of Tunisia. By Kenneth J. Perkins. Community and Consensus in Islam. Muslim Representation in British India, 1860–1947. By Farzana Shaikh. Islam in Java: Normative Piety and Mysticism in the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. By Mark R. Woodward. La géographie humaine du monde musulman jusq'au milieu du lie sièc?e. Tome 4. Les travaux et les jours. By André Miquel. Blindness and Autobiography: Al‐Ayyam of Taha Husayn. By Fedwa Malti‐Douglas. The Tragedy of Sohrab and Rostam, from the Persian National Epic, the Shahname of Abol‐Qasem Ferdowsi. Translated by Jerome W. Clinton. A Compassionate Peace: A Future For Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East, revised edition. By Everett Mendelsohn. The Arab World Today. William R. Polk. Toward an Islamic Reformation: Civil Liberties, Human Rights and International Law. By Abdullahi Ahmed An‐N'im.Jam't al‐Ikhwān al Muslim?n fi'l Urdun wa Filist?n: afabāt Tārikhiyya. By 'Awni J. al‐ābaydi Athar al Jamāt al islāmiyya al maydani Khil?l al qarn al 'ihr?n. By Dr. Mahmud Salim Images of the West: Third World Perspectives. By David C. Gordon. Intellectual Studies on Islam: Essays Written in Honor of Martin B. Dixon. Edited by Michel M. Mazzaoui and Vera B. Moreen. The Middle East: A History. By Sydney Nettleton Fisher and William Ochsenwald. The Longest war: The Iran‐Iraq Military Conflict. By Dilip Hiro. The History of Modern Egypt from Muhammad Ali to Mubarak. By P. J. Vatikiotis. Commandments by God in Qur'ān. Compiled by Ch. Nazar Mohammad. Lahore: The author, n. d. xx + 775. n. p.
Autologous platelet‐rich fibrin matrix as cell therapy in the healing of chronic lower‐extremity ulcers
Authors: O'Connell Sean M. , Impeduglia Theresa , Hessler Karen , Wang Xiu‐Jie , Carroll Richard J. , Dardik Herbert 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTA novel autologous platelet‐rich fibrin matrix membrane (PRFM) was assessed for the ability to facilitate healing in patients with chronic lower‐extremity ulcers. Preliminary data are presented from a prospective trial (n=21). Twelve patients were identified with 17 venous leg ulcers (VLU) and nine bearing 13 nonvenous lower‐extremity ulcers. Before enrollment, the patients were evaluated for vascular status and received appropriate surgical intervention to optimize arterial and venous circulatory status. None of the ulcers had responded to a variety of standard treatments from 4 months to 53 years. Initial ulcer size ranged from 0.7 to 65 cm2 (mean, 11.2 cm2). Each PRFM‐treated patient received up to three applications of either a 35 or 50 mm fenestrated membrane, depending on initial ulcer size. The primary endpoints were percent and rate of complete closure as measured by digital photography, computerized planimetery, and clinical examination. Patients were followed weekly for 12 weeks with a follow‐up visit at 16 weeks. At each 4‐week interval, the extent of healing was assessed, and those patients with >50% reduction in wound area were allowed to continue to complete closure. Patients with <50% closure received repeated applications. Complete closure was achieved in 66.7% of the VLU patients (64.7% of treated ulcers) in 7.1 weeks (median, 6 weeks) with an average of two applications per patient. Forty‐four percent complete closure was seen with non‐VLU patients (31% of treated ulcers). From the results of this small‐scale pilot study, PRFM shows significant potential for closing of chronic leg ulcers.
Conservative surgical debridement as a burn treatment: Supporting evidence from a porcine burn model
Authors: Wang Xue‐Qing , Kempf Margit , Liu Pei‐Yun , Cuttle Leila , Chang Hong‐En , Kravchuk Olena , Mill Julie , Phillips Gael E , Kimble Roy M. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTIn thermal deep‐dermal burns, surgical debridement is normally used in conjunction with skin grafting or skin substitutes and debridement alone as a burn treatment is not usually practiced. The current study addresses whether or not debridement alone would enhance burn wound healing on small deep‐dermal‐partial thickness burns. This was a prospective and blinded experimental trial using a porcine deep‐dermal‐partial thickness burn model. Four burns, approximately 50 cm2 in size, were created on each of eight pigs. Two burns from each pig were immediately surgically debrided and the other two were not debrided as the internal control. Hydrate gel together with paraffin gauze were used to cover the burns for four pigs and silver dressings for the other four. Clinical assessment of wound healing was conducted over a 6‐week period. Skin samples were collected at the end of the experiment and histopathological evaluation was performed. The results show thinner scar formation and lower scar height in the debrided compared with nondebrided wounds in the hydrate gel/paraffin gauze groups. There were no statistically significant differences in wound healing assessment between the debrided and nondebrided wounds dressed with silver dressings. This study provides supporting evidence that immediate debridement with an appropriate dressing and without skin grafting may promote wound healing, suggesting its potential benefit for clinical patients.
A poly‐herbal formulation accelerates normal and impaired diabetic wound healing
Authors: Gupta Asheesh , Upadhyay Nitin K. , Sawhney R.C. , Kumar Ratan 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTIn the present study, a poly‐herbal formulation (PHF) was prepared by combining the aqueous lyophilized leaf extracts of Hippophae rhamnoides L. and Aloe vera L. and the ethanol rhizome extract of Curcuma longa L., in an optimized ratio (1 : 7 : 1). The efficacy of PHF treatment was studied in normal and impaired diabetic rats using a full‐thickness cutaneous wound model. Topical PHF treatment increased cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis at the wound site in normal rats, as evidenced by the significant increase in DNA, total protein, hydroxyproline, and hexosamine contents in comparison with a positive control treated with a povidone–iodine ointment. The histological examinations and matrix metalloproteinases expression also correlated well with the biochemical findings, confirming the efficacy of PHF in normal wounds. In the streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats, PHF treatment increased hydroxyproline and hexosamine content. A faster wound contraction was also observed in PHF‐treated normal and diabetic rats. The PHF also promoted angiogenesis as evidenced by an in vitro chick chorioallantoic membrane model and in vivo up‐regulated vascular endothelial growth factor expression. The results suggest that PHF possesses significant wound healing potential in both normal as well as chronic diabetic wounds.
S163 is critical for FXYD5 modulation of wound healing in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Miller Timothy J. , Davis Pamela B. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTThe FXYD family, which contains seven members, are tissue specific regulators of the Na,K‐ATPase. Increased expression of FXYD5, a cancer–cell‐associated membrane glycoprotein, has been associated with increased cell motility and metastatic potential. To better understand how FXYD5 may modulate cell motility, we analyzed S163, a conserved residue in all FXYD family members located in the C‐terminus. Ectopic expression of human FXYD5 S163 mutants in HEK 293 cells showed that negative charge at S163 (S163D) decreased membrane localization, assessed by immunofluorescence. Coimmunoprecipitation studies revealed decreased FXYD5/Na,K‐ATPase interaction for S163D compared with wild‐type or S163A mutants. Interestingly, FXYD5 overexpression induced expression of vimentin, a marker of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, in murine airway epithelial cells. Because Na,K‐ATPase expression is decreased in some forms of cancer and is critical for establishing cell polarity and suppressing cell motility, we analyzed S163 mutants in an epithelial cell scratch‐wound model as a measure of cell migration. Wild‐type FXYD5 overexpression increased reepithelialization (p<0.0001), which was further increased in S163D mutants (p<0.005). However, S163A mutants inhibited epithelial cell migration compared with wild‐type FXYD5 overexpression (p<0.0001). We conclude that negative charge at S163 regulates FXYD5/Na,K‐ATPase interaction and that this interaction modulates cell migration across a wound in airway epithelial cells.
In vitro multispecies Lubbock chronic wound biofilm model
Authors: Sun Yan , Dowd Scot E. , Smith Ethan , Rhoads Dan D. , Wolcott Randall D. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTMultispecies biofilms are becoming increasingly recognized as the naturally occurring state in which bacteria reside. One of the primary health issues that is now recognized to be exacerbated by biofilms are chronic, nonhealing wounds such as venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers. Arguably three of the most important species associated with multispecies biofilms that our group sees clinically are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus. This study was conducted to address the need for a chronic pathogenic biofilm laboratory model that allows for cooperative growth of these three organisms. We have developed a novel media formulation, simple laboratory system, quantitative polymerase chain reaction for monitoring population dynamics, and methods for objectively and subjectively measuring biofilm formation. The Lubbock chronic wound pathogenic biofilm withstood treatment with a 50‐fold higher concentration of bleach than that which was completely bacteriocidal for fully turbid planktonic cultures. The Lubbock chronic wound pathogenic biofilm when treated with biofilm effectors such as gallium nitrate and triclosan responded with selective inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, as has been reported in the literature. The ability of this 24‐hour model to react as predicted using known biofilm effectors suggests that it will lend itself to future work in the development and testing of first‐generation chronic wounds pathogenic biofilm therapeutics. We have defined a realistic in vitro multispecies biofilm model simulating the functional characteristics of chronic pathogenic biofilms and developed effective tools for its characterization and analyses.
Localization of small leucine‐rich proteoglycans and transforming growth factor‐β in human oral mucosal wound healing
Authors: Honardoust Dariush , Eslami Ameneh , Larjava Hannu , Häkkinen Lari 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTWound healing in oral mucosa is fast and results in little scar formation as compared with skin. The biological mechanisms underlying this property are poorly understood but may provide valuable information about the factors that promote wound regeneration. Small leucine‐rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin and lumican are extracellular matrix molecules that regulate collagen fibrillogenesis, inhibit transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) activity and reduce scarring. In the present study, we analyzed accumulation of SLRPs and TGF‐β during non‐scarring human oral mucosal wound healing. Biopsies were collected from healthy volunteers from unwounded tissue and from standardized experimental wounds 3–60 days postwounding. Localization of SLRPs, TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β3 was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and quantitated by image analysis. Double immunostaining was used to study localization of SLRPs or active TGF‐β in distinct cells. Decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin, and TGF‐β isoforms showed significantly increased accumulation in the wound extracellular matrix and distinct wound cells while the abundance of lumican in the extracellular matrix was strongly reduced during wound healing. Localization and abundance of fibromodulin, lumican, and TGF‐β isoforms was also spatiotemporally regulated in the wound epithelium. The findings suggest that SLRPs regulate wound reepithelialization and connective tissue regeneration during oral mucosal wound healing.