bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a high-intensity task-oriented training on gait performance early after stroke: a pilot study
Authors: Outermans Jacqueline C , van Peppen Roland PS , Wittink Harriet , Takken Tim , Kwakkel Gert 
Published: August 2010

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and the effects on gait of a high intensity task-oriented training, incorporating a high cardiovascular workload and large number of repetitions, in patients with subacute stroke, when compared to a low intensity physiotherapy-programme. Design and subjects: Randomized controlled clinical trial: Forty-four patients with stroke were recruited at 2 to 8 weeks after stroke onset. Measures: Maximal gait speed assessed with the 10-metre timed walking test (10MTWT), walking capacity assessed with the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Control of standing balance assessed with the Berg Balance Scale and the Functional Reach test. Group differences were analysed using a Mann—Whitney U-test. Results: Between-group analysis showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the high intensity task-oriented training in performance on the 10MTWT (Z = -2.13, P = 0.03) and the 6MWT (Z = -2.26, P = 0.02). No between-group difference were found for the Berg Balance Scale (Z = —0.07, P = 0.45) and the Functional Reach test (Z = —0.21, P = 0.84). Conclusion: A high-intensity task-oriented training programme designed to improve hemiplegic gait and physical fitness was feasible in the present study and the effectiveness exceeds a low intensity physiotherapy-programme in terms of gait speed and walking capacity in patients with subacute stroke. In a future study, it seems appropriate to additionally use measures to evaluate physical fitness and energy expenditure while walking.
Dose-dependent regulation of primitive erythroid maturation and identity by the transcription factor Eklf
Authors: Isern Joan , Fraser Stuart T. , He Zhiyong , Zhang Hailan , Baron Margaret H. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe primitive erythroid (EryP) lineage is the first to differentiate during mammalian embryogenesis. Eklf/Klf1 is a transcriptional regulator that is essential for definitive erythropoiesis in the fetal liver. Dissection of the role(s) of Eklf within the EryP compartment has been confounded by the simultaneous presence of EryP and fetal liver–derived definitive erythroid (EryD) cells in the blood. To address this problem, we have distinguished EryP from their definitive counterparts by crossing Eklf+/− mutant and ϵ-globin::histone H2B-GFP transgenic mice. Eklf-deficient EryP exhibit membrane ruffling and a failure to acquire the typical discoidal erythroid shape but they can enucleate. Flow cytometric analyses of H2B-GFP+ EryP revealed that Eklf heterozygosity results in the loss of Ter119 surface expression on EryP but not on EryD. Null mutation of Eklf resulted in abnormal expression of a range of surface proteins by EryP. In particular, several megakaryocyte markers were ectopically expressed by maturing Eklf-null EryP. Unexpectedly, the platelet tetraspanin CD9 was detected on nucleated wild-type EryP but not on mature EryD and thus provides a useful marker for purifying circulating EryP. We conclude that Eklf gene dosage is crucial for regulating the surface phenotype and molecular identity of maturing primitive erythroid cells.
Lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis: a multicenter phase 1/2 dose-escalation study
Authors: Moreau Philippe , Jaccard Arnaud , Benboubker Lotfi , Royer Bruno , Leleu Xavier , Bridoux Franck , Salles Gilles , Leblond Veronique , Roussel Murielle , Alakl May , Hermine Olivier , Planche Lucie , Harousseau Jean-Luc , Fermand Jean-Paul 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
New treatment options are required for primary systemic amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis. This phase 1/2 dose-escalation study aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and dexamethasone (M-dex), and assess the efficacy and tolerability of this therapy for patients with de novo AL amyloidosis. Twenty-six patients were enrolled across 4 cohorts: M-dex + lenalidomide 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg once daily on days 1 to 21 in a 28-day cycle. No dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed in cohorts 1, 2, and 3. 4. Seven patients in cohort 4, M-dex + lenalidomide 20 mg/day, experienced DLT. MTD was defined as 15 mg of lenalidomide. A complete hematologic response was achieved in 42% at the dose of 15 mg of lenalidomide per day. After a median follow-up of 19 months, estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 80.8% and 53.8%, respectively. Hematologic and organ responses were both associated with superior EFS rates (P = .0001). A higher EFS was also observed in patients whose free light chains decreased by more than 50% during therapy (P = .019). Lenalidomide 15 mg/d + M-dex is a new effective combination therapy in patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00621400.
Transfer RNA gene arrangement and codon usage in vertebrate mitochondrial genomes: a new insight into gene order conservation
Authors: Satoh Takashi P , Sato Yukuto , Masuyama Naoharu , Miya Masaki , Nishida Mutsumi 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundMitochondrial (mt) gene arrangement has been highly conserved among vertebrates from jawless fishes to mammals for more than 500 million years. It remains unclear, however, whether such long-term persistence is a consequence of some constraints on the gene order.ResultsBased on the analysis of codon usage and tRNA gene positions, we suggest that tRNA gene order of the typical vertebrate mt-genomes may be important for their translational efficiency. The vertebrate mt-genome encodes 2 rRNA, 22 tRNA, and 13 transmembrane proteins consisting mainly of hydrophobic domains. We found that the tRNA genes specifying the hydrophobic residues were positioned close to the control region (CR), where the transcription efficiency is estimated to be relatively high. Using 47 vertebrate mt-genome sequences representing jawless fishes to mammals, we further found a correlation between codon usage and tRNA gene positions, implying that highly-used tRNA genes are located close to the CR. In addition, an analysis considering the asymmetric nature of mtDNA replication suggested that the tRNA loci that remain in single-strand for a longer time tend to have more guanine and thymine not suffering deamination mutations in their anticodon sites.ConclusionsOur analyses imply the existence of translational constraint acting on the vertebrate mt-gene arrangement. Such translational constraint, together with the deamination-related constraint, may have contributed to long-term maintenance of gene order.
Transcriptional profiling of root-knot nematode induced feeding sites in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) using a soybean genome array
Authors: Das Sayan , Ehlers Jeffrey D , Close Timothy J , Roberts Philip A 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe locusRkconfers resistance against several species of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp., RKN) in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Based on histological and reactive oxygen species (ROS) profiles,Rkconfers a delayed but strong resistance mechanism without a hypersensitive reaction-mediated cell death process, which allows nematode development but blocks reproduction.ResultsResponses toM. incognitainfection in roots of resistant genotype CB46 and a susceptible near-isogenic line (null-Rk) were investigated using a soybean Affymetrix GeneChip expression array at 3 and 9 days post-inoculation (dpi). At 9 dpi 552 genes were differentially expressed in incompatible interactions (infected resistant tissue compared with non-infected resistant tissue) and 1,060 genes were differentially expressed in compatible interactions (infected susceptible tissue compared with non-infected susceptible tissue). At 3 dpi the differentially expressed genes were 746 for the incompatible and 623 for the compatible interactions. When expression between infected resistant and susceptible genotypes was compared, 638 and 197 genes were differentially expressed at 9 and 3 dpi, respectively.ConclusionsIn comparing the differentially expressed genes in response to nematode infection, a greater number and proportion of genes were down-regulated in the resistant than in the susceptible genotype, whereas more genes were up-regulated in the susceptible than in the resistant genotype. Gene ontology based functional categorization revealed that the typical defense response was partially suppressed in resistant roots, even at 9 dpi, allowing nematode juvenile development. Differences in ROS concentrations, induction of toxins and other defense related genes seem to play a role in this unique resistance mechanism.
DNA methylation status of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes underlies the tissue-dependent mitochondrial functions
Authors: Takasugi Masaki , Yagi Shintaro , Hirabayashi Keiji , Shiota Kunio 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Mitochondria are semi-autonomous, semi-self-replicating organelles harboring their own DNA (mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA), and their dysregulation is involved in the development of various diseases. While mtDNA does not generally undergo epigenetic modifications, almost all mitochondrial proteins are encoded by nuclear DNA. However, the epigenetic regulation of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes (nuclear mt genes) has not been comprehensively analyzed.

Results
We analyzed the DNA methylation status of 899 nuclear mt genes in the liver, brain, and heart tissues of mouse, and identified 636 nuclear mt genes carrying tissue-dependent and differentially methylated regions (T-DMRs). These nuclar mt genes are involved in various mitochondrial functions and they also include genes related to human diseases. T-DMRs regulate the expression of nuclear mt genes. Nuclear mt genes with tissue-specific hypomethylated T-DMRs were characterized by enrichment of the target genes of specific transcription factors such as FOXA2 in the liver, and CEBPA and STAT1 in the brain.

Conclusions
A substantial proportion of nuclear mt genes contained T-DMRs, and the DNA methylation status of numerous T-DMRs should underlie tissue-dependent mitochondrial functions.
Growth status and menarcheal age among adolescent school girls in Wannune, Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Goon Daniel T , Toriola Abel L , Uever Jonathan , Wuam Sarah , Toriola Olutoyin M 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundMenarcheal age is a sensitive indicator of environmental conditions during childhood. The aim of study is to determine the age at menarche and growth status in adolescents in a rural area of Tarka, Wannune, Nigeria.MethodsData on 722 female students (aged 12-18 years) were collected in February 2009. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI; kg m-2) was used as an index of relative weight.ResultsMean and median menarcheal age calculated by probit analysis were 13.02 (SD 3.0) (95% CI: 13.02-13.07), and age 13.00 (SD 2.8) (95% CI: 12.98-13.04), respectively. Girls who reach menarche are significantly heavier and taller with higher BMIs than those of their pre-menarcheal peers.ConclusionThe age of menarche is probably still declining in Nigeria. Although BMI is an important factor in the onset of menstruation, some other unmeasured environmental variables may be implicated in this population.
The opportunities for and obstacles against prevention: the example of Germany in the areas of tobacco and alcohol
Authors: Walter Ulla , Suhrcke Marc , Gerlich Miriam G , Boluarte Till A 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundRecent years have seen a growing research and policy interest in prevention in many developed countries. However, the actual efforts and resources devoted to prevention appear to have lagged well behind the lip service paid to the topic.DiscussionWe review the evidence on the considerable existing scope for health gains from prevention as well as for greater prevention policy efforts in Germany. We also discuss the barriers to "more and better" prevention and provide modest suggestions about how some of the obstacles could be overcome.SummaryIn Germany, there are substantial health gains to be reaped from the implementation of evidence-based, cost-effective preventive interventions and policies. Barriers to more prevention include social, historical, political, legal and economic factors. While there is sufficient evidence to scale up prevention efforts in some public health domains in Germany, in general there is a comparative shortage of research on non-clinical preventive interventions. Some of the existing barriers in Germany are at least in principle amenable to change, provided sufficient political will exists. More research on prevention by itself is no panacea, but could help facilitate more policy action. In particular, there is an economic efficiency-based case for public funding and promotion of research on non-clinical preventive interventions, in Germany and beyond, to confront the peculiar challenges that set this research apart from its clinical counterpart.
Chaperone expression profiles correlate with distinct physiological states of Plasmodium falciparum in malaria patients
Authors: Pallavi Rani , Acharya Pragyan , Chandran Syama , Daily Johanna P , Tatu Utpal 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Molecular chaperones have been shown to be important in the growth of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and inhibition of chaperone function by pharmacological agents has been shown to abrogate parasite growth. A recent study has demonstrated that clinical isolates of the parasite have distinct physiological states, one of which resembles environmental stress response showing up-regulation of specific molecular chaperones.

Methods
Chaperone networks operational in the distinct physiological clusters in clinical malaria parasites were constructed using cytoscape by utilizing their clinical expression profiles.

Results
Molecular chaperones show distinct profiles in the previously defined physiologically distinct states. Further, expression profiles of the chaperones from different cellular compartments correlate with specific patient clusters. While cluster 1 parasites, representing a starvation response, show up-regulation of organellar chaperones, cluster 2 parasites, which resemble active growth based on glycolysis, show up-regulation of cytoplasmic chaperones. Interestingly, cytoplasmic Hsp90 and its co-chaperones, previously implicated as drug targets in malaria, cluster in the same group. Detailed analysis of chaperone expression in the patient cluster 2 reveals up-regulation of the entire Hsp90-dependent pro-survival circuitries. In addition, cluster 2 also shows up-regulation of Plasmodium export element (PEXEL)-containing Hsp40s thought to have regulatory and host remodeling roles in the infected erythrocyte.

Conclusion
In all, this study demonstrates an intimate involvement of parasite-encoded chaperones, PfHsp90 in particular, in defining pathogenesis of malaria.
RNAi phenotype profiling of kinases identifies potential therapeutic targets in Ewing's sarcoma
Authors: Arora Shilpi , Gonzales Irma M , Hagelstrom R Tanner , Beaudry Christian , Choudhary Ashish , Sima Chao , Tibes Raoul , Mousses Spyro , Azorsa David O 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Ewing's sarcomas are aggressive musculoskeletal tumors occurring most frequently in the long and flat bones as a solitary lesion mostly during the teen-age years of life. With current treatments, significant number of patients relapse and survival is poor for those with metastatic disease. As part of novel target discovery in Ewing's sarcoma, we applied RNAi mediated phenotypic profiling to identify kinase targets involved in growth and survival of Ewing's sarcoma cells.

Results
Four Ewing's sarcoma cell lines TC-32, TC-71, SK-ES-1 and RD-ES were tested in high throughput-RNAi screens using a siRNA library targeting 572 kinases. Knockdown of 25 siRNAs reduced the growth of all four Ewing's sarcoma cell lines in replicate screens. Of these, 16 siRNA were specific and reduced proliferation of Ewing's sarcoma cells as compared to normal fibroblasts. Secondary validation and preliminary mechanistic studies highlighted the kinases STK10 and TNK2 as having important roles in growth and survival of Ewing's sarcoma cells. Furthermore, knockdown of STK10 and TNK2 by siRNA showed increased apoptosis.

Conclusion
In summary, RNAi-based phenotypic profiling proved to be a powerful gene target discovery strategy, leading to successful identification and validation of STK10 and TNK2 as two novel potential therapeutic targets for Ewing's sarcoma.
Axon fasciculation in the developing olfactory nerve
Authors: Miller Alexandra M , Maurer Lydia R , Zou Dong-Jing , Firestein Stuart , Greer Charles A 
Published: August 2010

AbstractOlfactory sensory neuron (OSN) axons exit the olfactory epithelium (OE) and extend toward the olfactory bulb (OB) where they coalesce into glomeruli. Each OSN expresses only 1 of approximately 1,200 odor receptors (ORs). OSNs expressing the same OR are distributed in restricted zones of the OE. However, within a zone, the OSNs expressing a specific OR are not contiguous - distribution appears stochastic. Upon reaching the OB the OSN axons expressing the same OR reproducibly coalesce into two to three glomeruli. While ORs appear necessary for appropriate convergence of axons, a variety of adhesion associated molecules and activity-dependent mechanisms are also implicated. Recent data suggest pre-target OSN axon sorting may influence glomerular convergence. Here, using regional and OR-specific markers, we addressed the spatio-temporal properties associated with the onset of homotypic fasciculation in embryonic mice and assessed the degree to which subpopulations of axons remain segregated as they extend toward the nascent OB. We show that immediately upon crossing the basal lamina, axons uniformly turn sharply, usually at an approximately 90° angle toward the OB. Molecularly defined subpopulations of axons show evidence of spatial segregation within the nascent nerve by embryonic day 12, within 48 hours of the first OSN axons crossing the basal lamina, but at least 72 hours before synapse formation in the developing OB. Homotypic fasciculation of OSN axons expressing the same OR appears to be a hierarchical process. While regional segregation occurs in the mesenchyme, the final convergence of OR-specific subpopulations does not occur until the axons reach the inner nerve layer of the OB.
Calcified amorphous tumor of the heart in an adult female: a case report
Authors: Gupta Ruchika , Hote Milind , Ray Ruma 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Introduction
Cardiac calcified amorphous tumor is a rare, non-neoplastic intra-cavity cardiac mass composed of calcium deposits in a background of amorphous degenerating fibrinous material. Only a few cases of this rare lesion have been reported in the available literature. Clinico-pathological differentiation of this lesion from calcified atrial myxoma, calcified thrombi or other cardiac neoplasms is extremely difficult; hence pathologic examination is the mainstay of diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge this entity has not been reported in the Indian literature.

Case presentation
A 40-year-old woman of Indian origin presented with progressive dyspnea, fatigue and cough. She was diagnosed as having a calcified right atrial mass. The mass was excised. Histologic examination revealed the mass to be composed of amorphous eosinophilic fibrin with dense calcification. No myxomatous tissue was seen and a final diagnosis of calcified amorphous tumor of the heart was rendered.

Conclusions
Calcified amorphous tumor is a rare cardiac lesion with an excellent outcome following complete surgical removal. Since clinico-radiologic differentiation from other cardiac masses is not possible in most cases, histopathological examination is the only modality for diagnosis. Hence, histopathologists should be aware of this rare entity in the differential diagnoses of cardiac mass.
Weight Regain after a Diet-Induced Loss Is Predicted by Higher Baseline Leptin and Lower Ghrelin Plasma Levels
Authors: Crujeiras Ana B. , Goyenechea Estíbaliz , Abete Itziar , Lage Mary , Carreira Marcos C. , Martínez J. Alfredo , Casanueva Felipe F. 
Published: August 2010

Context: Appetite-related hormones may play an important role in weight regain after obesity therapy.Objective: Our objective was to investigate the potential involvement of ghrelin, leptin, and insulin plasma levels in weight regain after a therapeutic hypocaloric diet.Design: A group of obese/overweight volunteers (49 women and 55 men; 35 ± 7 yr; 30.7 ± 2.4 kg/m2) followed an 8-wk hypocaloric diet (−30% energy expenditure) and were evaluated again 32 wk after treatment. Body weight as well as plasma fasting ghrelin, leptin, and insulin concentrations were measured at three points (wk 0, 8, and 32).Results: After the 8-wk hypocaloric diet, the average weight loss was −5.0 ± 2.2% (P &lt; 0.001). Plasma leptin and insulin concentrations decreased significantly, whereas ghrelin levels did not markedly change. In the group regaining more than 10% of the weight loss, leptin levels were higher (P &lt; 0.01), whereas ghrelin levels were lower (P &lt; 0.05). No differences were observed in insulin levels. Weight regain at wk 32 was negatively correlated with ghrelin and positively associated with leptin levels at baseline (wk 0) and endpoint (wk 8). These outcomes showed a gender-specific influence, being statistically significant among men for ghrelin and between women for leptin. Moreover, a decrease in ghrelin after an 8-wk hypocaloric diet was related to an increased risk for weight regain (odds ratio = 3.109; P = 0.008) whereas a greater reduction in leptin (odds ratio = 0.141; P = 0.001) was related to weight-loss maintenance.Conclusions: Subjects with higher plasma leptin and lower ghrelin levels at baseline could be more prone to regain lost weight, and hormones levels could be proposed as biomarkers for predicting obesity-treatment outcomes.
Solder Joint Reliability of SnBi Finished TSOPs with Alloy 42 Lead-Frame under Temperature Cycling
Authors: Wang Weiqiang , Osterman Michael , Das Diganta , Pecht Michael 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Tin-bismuth (SnBi) is a lead-free alternative to pure tin (Sn) lead-frame finish. SnBi finish is considered by some to be a tin-whisker mitigation strategy. In selecting a SnBi finish, the interfacial strength and reliability of solder interconnects formed with select assembly solders must be considered. To characterize the solder interconnect reliability of SnBi finished parts, sets of test assemblies were created with Sn and SnBi finished thin-small-outline-package (TSOP) parts using SAC305 and SnPb solder. Test assemblies were subjected to temperature cycling and interconnect strength tests. It was found that SnBi finish caused TSOP solder joints to have a shorter fatigue life than Sn finish under temperature cycling testing.