bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New findings on nuclear gangliosides: overview on metabolism and function
Authors: Ledeen Robert , Wu Gusheng 
Published: January 2011

J. Neurochem.(2011)116, 714–720.AbstractGM1 and GD1a gangliosides occur in both membranes of the nuclear envelope (NE) together with two isoforms of neuraminidase. The Neu3 isoform of neuraminidase occurs in the inner membrane of the NE and Neu1 in the outer membrane. Both isoforms convert GD1a to GM1 within the respective membranes. GM1 in the inner membrane is tightly associated with a Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX) and potentiates the latter’s activity. The NCX/GM1 complex mediates transfer of nucleoplasmic Ca2+to the NE lumen and hence to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with which it is continuous. Since cytoplasmic‐ and nucleoplasmic Ca2+are in homeostatic equilibrium (via nuclear pores), the nuclear NCX/GM1 complex acts to gate Ca2+transfer from cytosol to ER via nucleoplasm and NE. This constitutes an alternate route to the SERCA pump, indicating the influence of nuclear NCX/GM1 on whole cell Ca2+homeostasis. Use of cameleon‐fluorescent Ca2+indicators (R. Tsien) demonstrated no Ca2+transfer from cytosol/nucleoplasm to ER in cells lacking nuclear NCX (Jurkat), and significantly reduced Ca2+transfer in cells lacking nuclear GM1 (NG‐CR72). NCX/GM1 appears in the NE of neurons as they differentiate and serves a cytoprotective function, as seen in the high susceptibility of GalNAcT−/− knockout mice to kainate‐induced seizure activity. This was alleviated by intraperitoneal injections of LIGA‐20 a derivative of GM1 that is able (unlike GM1 itself) to traverse the blood brain barrier and neuronal plasma membrane and insert into the NE where it restores NCX exchanger activity. Absence or loss of nuclear GM1 renders cells vulnerable to apoptotic elimination.
Key Concepts of Migraine Postdrome: A Qualitative Study to Develop a Post‐Migraine Questionnaire
Authors: Ng‐Mak Daisy S. , Fitzgerald Kristina A. , Norquist Josephine M. , Banderas Benjamin F. , Nelsen Linda M. , Evans Christopher J. , Healy Cynthia G. , Ho Tony W. , Bigal Marcelo 
Published: January 2011

(Headache 2011;51:105‐117)Objective.— To understand migraine postdrome by directly interviewing migraine patients with postdrome symptoms. To document these symptoms, as well as impacts, as a prelude to developing a postdrome migraine questionnaire.Background.— Migraine attacks are traditionally divided into 4 phases. Of these, the postdrome is the least studied, and no patient‐reported outcomes to assess symptoms and impacts of this migraine phase have been published.Methods.— Qualitative concept elicitation focus groups were conducted with 34 patients in 3 geographically diverse US cities to elicit the symptoms and burden of migraine postdrome. Data elicited from focus groups were coded using Atlas.ti software to facilitate identification of concepts and terminologies of migraine postdrome. A draft questionnaire was developed based on the symptoms and impacts of migraine postdrome described by patients. Cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted with 15 patients in Connecticut and Chicago to confirm content validity, relevance, and comprehension.Results.— Patients defined the onset of postdrome as when they no longer experienced the migraine pain. Postdrome was often described as “[being] or [feeling] wiped out” and “headache hangover.” The symptoms most frequently reported by the patients who participated in the focus groups and included in the draft post‐migraine questionnaire were: tiredness, difficulty concentrating, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and decreased energy. Patients also reported decreased activity level as a result of experiencing postdrome symptoms. Postdrome symptoms were reported to impact the ability to work, to affect family interactions and social life, and to cause cognitive impairment. A preliminary questionnaire measuring severity and duration of symptoms and severity of impacts of the post‐migraine experience, with an 11‐point (0 to 10) response scale, was developed. This preliminary questionnaire was tested for content validity, relevance, and comprehension using cognitive debriefing interviews. All patients reported that the questionnaire was relevant to their condition. Irrelevant and redundant items such as body tension and annoyance were eliminated.Conclusions.— Migraine postdrome is debilitating for those who experience it. Concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing research support the relevance of the items in the post‐migraine questionnaire. Future research will provide evidence of the post‐migraine questionnaire's psychometric properties and interpretation guidelines.
“Mixing Triptans”: Patient Satisfaction
Authors: Rothrock John F. , Morey Veronica 
Published: January 2011

(Headache 2011;51:135‐140)Background.— Although some patients may prefer using an oral triptan other than sumatriptan and injectable sumatriptan to treat an attack of persistent migraine, administration of 2 different triptans within a 24‐hour period currently is contradicted.Objective.— We sought to determine patient satisfaction with an acute migraine treatment regimen wherein patients were permitted to administer an oral triptan other than sumatriptan and injectable sumatriptan within 24 hours of one anotherMethods.— We evaluated a consecutive series of migraine patients who either had tried and failed oral sumatriptan or were using another oral triptan and were satisfied with it. We advised subjects that they could administer their oral triptan and injectable sumatriptan within a single 24‐hour period (but not within 2 hours of one another); we termed such treatment “mixing triptans.” We asked all subjects to keep detailed written headache diaries for the 6‐month treatment period, and at the 6‐month end‐of‐study visit we asked subjects who had treated at least 3 migraine attacks by mixing triptans to rate their satisfaction with that treatment according to a 5‐point Likert scale.Results.— Of the 200 subjects enrolled, 132 (66%) used an oral triptan other than sumatriptan and injectable sumatriptan within a 24‐hour period on at least 3 occasions. At their final follow‐up visits, 117 (89%) of the 132 reported themselves “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with this specific treatment regimen. No serious adverse events were recorded.Conclusion.— The option of sequentially using an oral triptan other than sumatriptan and injectable sumatriptan to treat a given attack of migraine appears to correlate with a high rate of patient satisfaction. While in our subject population this treatment regimen was well tolerated, our study results do not suffice to establish the safety of “mixing triptans.”
Epilepsy as a spectrum disorder: Implications from novel clinical and basic neuroscience
Authors: Jensen Frances E. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryEpilepsy is increasingly recognized as a disease that reaches well beyond seizures. Cognitive and psychiatric impairment affect half of all epilepsy patients, and to date there are no specific treatments for these symptoms. It is unclear which of these comorbidities are directly due to seizures and which are due to separable mechanisms that are parallel to those underlying ictal activity. Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic modulation are central to both the ictal and nonictal changes in epilepsy. Current diagnostic methods are rapidly advancing to better delineate the nature and extent of ictal activity, and could soon be critical in identifying patterns unique to the cognitive and psychiatric comorbidities.
A perfect storm: Converging paths of epilepsy and Alzheimer’s dementia intersect in the hippocampal formation
Authors: Noebels Jeffrey 
Published: January 2011

SummarySeizures in the human temporal lobe transiently impair cognition and steadily damage hippocampal circuitry, leading to progressive memory loss. Similarly, the toxic accumulation of Aβ peptides underlying Alzheimer’s disease (AD) triggers synaptic degeneration, circuit remodeling, and abnormal synchronization within the same networks. Because neuronal hyperexcitability amplifies the synaptic release of Aβ, seizures create a vicious spiral that accelerates cell death and cognitive decline in the AD brain. The confluence of hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity, combined with the challenge of seizure detection in the human hippocampus, make epilepsy in these individuals extremely important to correctly diagnose and treat. Emerging clinical evidence reveals an elevated comorbidity of epilepsy in AD, particularly when linked to mutations in the APP/Aβ gene pathway. Experimental models in genetically engineered mice confirm and extend these findings, highlighting the presence of subclinical seizures and overlapping pathophysiologic cascades. There is an urgent need for more clinical and basic investigation to improve the early recognition of hippocampal seizures arising during the course of dementing disorders, and to validate molecular blockers of Aβ‐induced aberrant excitability that can slow and potentially reverse the progression of cognitive decline.
Trends in incidence of borderline ovarian tumors in Denmark 1978–2006
Authors: HANNIBAL CHARLOTTE GERD , HUUSOM LENE DRASBEK , KJAERBYE‐THYGESEN ANETTE , TABOR ANN , KJAER SUSANNE K. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract Objective. To examine period‐, age‐ and histology‐specific trends in the incidence rate of borderline ovarian tumors in Denmark in 1978–2006. Design. Register‐based cohort study. Setting. Denmark 1978–2006. Population. 5 079 women diagnosed with a borderline ovarian tumor in at least one of two nationwide registries (4 312 epithelial tumors and 767 non‐epithelial/unspecified tumors). Methods. Estimation of overall incidence rates and period‐, age‐ and histology‐specific incidence rates. Age‐adjustment was done using the World Standard Population. To evaluate incidence trends over time, we estimated average annual percentage change and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using log‐linear Poisson models. Main Outcome Measures. Age‐standardized and age‐specific incidence rates and average annual percentage change. Results. The incidence of epithelial borderline ovarian tumors increased from 2.6 to 5.5 per 100 000 women‐years between 1978 and 2006, with an average annual percentage change of 2.6% (95% CI: 2.2–3.0). The median age at diagnosis was 52 years. Women 40 years or older had a higher average annual percentage change than women younger than 40 years. Most tumors were mucinous (49.9%) and serous tumors (44.4%). Women with mucinous tumors were younger at diagnosis (50 years) compared with women with serous tumors (53 years). Women with serous tumors had a higher average annual percentage incidence change than women with mucinous tumors. Conclusions. The incidence rate of borderline ovarian tumors increased significantly in Denmark in 1978–2006. In line with results for ovarian cancer, Denmark had a higher incidence rate of borderline ovarian tumors compared with the other Nordic countries in 1978–2006.
The impact of insulin resistance on the outcome of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: AMER SAAD , LI TIN‐CHIU , SAMUELSON CLARE , LEDGER WILLIAM 
Published: January 2011

Abstract Objective. Insulin resistance (IR), which is common in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), may adversely affect the outcome of ovulation induction due to its detrimental effect on ovarian function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of IR on the outcome of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy (LOD). Design. Prospective observational study. Setting. Tertiary fertility centre. Population. Forty‐four anovulatory women with PCOS undergoing LOD. Methods. Fasting serum concentrations of insulin and glucose were measured before and after LOD. Insulin sensitivity was determined using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. Values of HOMA index ≥2.1 were considered abnormal, indicating IR. Main Outcome Measures. Ovulation and pregnancy rates were compared between women with and without IR using χ2 test and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results. Eighteen women (41%) had elevated HOMA index (≥2.1). There was no change of HOMA index after LOD (median 1.89, range 0.53–8.48 vs. 1.92, range 0.53–8.46). The ovulation rate in women with IR (12 of 18, 67%) was significantly (p=0.013, OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01–0.74) lower than that (25 of 26, 96%) of women without IR. Likewise, the pregnancy rate (six of 18, 33%) was significantly (p=0.037, OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.07–0.94) lower in women with IR than that of women without IR (17 of 26, 65%). Using a receiver operating characteristics curve, the HOMA index was useful in predicting no ovulation after LOD (area under the curve 0.826). Conclusions. Insulin resistance appears to have an adverse effect on the outcome of LOD and seems to be a useful prognostic factor.
To treat or not to treat; the clinical dilemma of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US)
Authors: DE BIE ROOSMARIE P. , MASSUGER LEON F.A.G. , VAN DONGEN ROEL A.J.M. , SNIJDERS MARC P.M.L. , BULTEN JOHAN , MELCHERS WILLEM J.G. , BEKKERS RUUD L.M. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract Objective. Management of patients diagnosed on cervical smears with twice consecutively atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) remains a clinical dilemma. We describe a follow‐up of aggressive vs. less aggressive colposcopic treatment in order to determine which treatment is preferable. Design. Retrospective cohort study with a follow‐up of 10 years. Setting. Two hospitals in The Netherlands. Population. Women referred for primary colposcopy with two consecutive ASC‐US smears (n=230) to either one of the two hospitals. Methods. In one hospital, patients underwent direct loop excision of all colposcopically detected abnormalities, even if not suspected for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN; aggressive strategy; n=118). In the other hospital, a less aggressive policy was followed when low‐grade CIN lesions were suspected at colposcopy (less aggressive strategy; n=112). Main Outcome Measures. The number of loop excisions, detection of CIN lesions and cytological follow‐up of both groups. Results. Less aggressive management resulted in less loop excisions (p<0.001). At initial colposcopy, the aggressive group showed a 10‐fold incidence of histologically detected CIN lesions compared with the less aggressive group (1.8 vs. 19.5%). During 10 years of follow‐up, both groups showed the same percentages of CIN lesions (8.1 vs. 8.4%). Aggressive management resulted in faster normalization of cervical smears (p<0.001). However, at final follow‐up, there was no statistical difference in the percentage of normalization of cervical smears between both groups. Conclusions. Aggressive and less aggressive colposcopic strategies are equally safe and show good clinical outcomes. Treatment decisions, however, must be adjusted to women's individual demands.
African Elephants Loxodonta africana Amplify Browse Heterogeneity in African Savanna
Authors: Kohi Edward M. , de Boer Willem F. , Peel Mike J. S. , Slotow Rob , van der Waal Cornelis , Heitkönig Ignas M. A. , Skidmore Andrew , Prins Herbert H. T. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTThere is a growing concern that the feeding habits of the African elephant, which include pushing over, uprooting and snapping trees, may have a negative impact on other herbivores. Browsed trees are known to respond by either increasing production (shoots and leaves) or defence (secondary compounds). It is not clear, however, what proportion of the browsed biomass can be made available at lower feeding heights after a tree is pushed over or snapped; thus, it is also unclear how the forage quality is affected. In a field survey in Kruger National Park, South Africa, 708 Mopane trees were measured over four elephant utilization categories: snapped trees, pushed‐over trees, uprooted trees and control trees. The elephants' impact on the leaf biomass distribution was quantified, and the forage quality (Ca, P, K and Mg, N, digestibility and condensed tannin [CT] concentrations) were analyzed. Pushed‐over and uprooted trees had the maximum leaf biomass at lower heights (<1 m), snapped trees at medium heights (1–2 m) and control trees at higher heights (>2 m). In all three utilization categories, the minimum leaf biomass was seven times higher than it was for control trees at a height of below 1 m. Leaf nitrogen content increased in all three categories and was significantly higher in snapped trees. CT concentrations increased slightly in all trees that were utilized by elephants, especially on granitic soils in the dry season. The results provide the insight that elephants facilitate the redistribution and availability of browse and improve the quality, which may positively affect small browsing herbivores.
Selective Advantage of Resistant Strains at Trace Levels of Antibiotics: a Simple and Ultrasensitive Color Test for Detection of Antibiotics and Genotoxic Agents
Authors: Liu Anne , Fong Amie , Becket Elinne , Yuan Jessica , Tamae Cindy , Medrano Leah , Maiz Maria , Wahba Christine , Lee Catherine , Lee Kim , Tran Katherine P. , Yang Hanjing , Hoffman Robert M. , Salih Anya , Miller Jeffrey H. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

Many studies have examined the evolution of bacterial mutants that are resistant to specific antibiotics, and many of these focus on concentrations at and above the MIC. Here we ask for the minimum concentration at which existing resistant mutants can outgrow sensitive wild-type strains in competition experiments at antibiotic levels significantly below the MIC, and we define a minimum selective concentration (MSC) in
Escherichia coli
for two antibiotics, which is near 1/5 of the MIC for ciprofloxacin and 1/20 of the MIC for tetracycline. Because of the prevalence of resistant mutants already in the human microbiome, allowable levels of antibiotics to which we are exposed should be below the MSC. Since this concentration often corresponds to low or trace levels of antibiotics, it is helpful to have simple tests to detect such trace levels. We describe a simple ultrasensitive test for detecting the presence of antibiotics and genotoxic agents. The test is based on the use of chromogenic proteins as color markers and the use of single and multiple mutants of
Escherichia coli
that have greatly increased sensitivity to either a wide range of antibiotics or specific antibiotics, antibiotic families, and genotoxic agents. This test can detect ciprofloxacin at 1/75 of the MIC.
How generalisable to community samples are clinical trial results for treatment of nicotine dependence: a comparison of common eligibility criteria with respondents of a large representative general population survey
Authors: Le Strat Yann , Rehm Jürgen , Le Foll Bernard 
Published: January 2011

ObjectiveTo examine the generalisability of findings from clinical trials of individuals with nicotine dependence to a large general population sample.MethodsEligibility criteria were drawn from typical criteria of clinical trials for nicotine dependence. The National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a large national sample of the US population, was used to assess how many potentially eligible people would fulfil the eligibility criteria. NESARC interviewed more than 43 000 adults aged 18 years and older. We applied a standard set of eligibility criteria representative of smoking cessation clinical trials to all the 4962 adults with nicotine dependence in the past 12 months, and then to a subgroup of participants motivated to quit (n=4121).ResultsWe found that approximately six out of 10 participants (65.89%) with nicotine dependence were excluded by at least one criterion. In the subgroup of nicotine-dependent participants motivated to quit, more than half (58.60%) were excluded by at least one criterion. For the overall sample, smoking 10 cigarettes per day or less and lack of motivation to quit were the two criteria leading to exclusion for the greatest percentage of individuals (32.02% and 17.60%, respectively). For the sample motivated to quit, smoking 10 cigarettes or fewer per day and current depression led most frequently to exclusion (33.79% and 15.71%, respectively).ConclusionsFurther studies and interventions should explore the efficacy of tobacco treatment interventions in a larger segment of the population, notably in the subpopulations of people with nicotine dependence who smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes per day or who have comorbid depression.
rDNA internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis of Craterellus tubaeformis from North America and Europe
Authors: Guo-ying Zhou , Liang Guo , Lin Li , He Li 
Published: January 2011

The basidiomycete Craterellus tubaeformis (Fries) Quélet is an important widespread ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete found in the Northern Hemisphere. In this study, 12 samples of C. tubaeformis from North America and Europe were analyzed using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences to reveal the correlation between ITS genotypes and geographic locations and to provide molecular evidence for the identification of C. tubaeformis from different habitats in North America and Europe. The analyses identified abundant sequence variations within C. tubaeformis. The length of the ITS region varied from 571 to 640 bp. The proportion of variable sites was 17.6%, and the proportion of parsimony information sites was 16.7%. Phylogenetic analysis showed some correlations between the ITS genotypes and geographic locations of C. tubaeformis; however, some discrepancies between geographical location and affinity were also found. The results indicated that C. tubaeformis from different habitats in North America and Europe underwent genetic drifting and evolved into 2 different species. nrDNA ITS could be a good markers for distinguishing among C. tubaeformis from different habitats, but rational affinity should be determined by associating the available ITS data with other information sources.
A Randomized Trial of Dietary Intervention for Breast Cancer Prevention
Authors: Martin Lisa J. , Li Qing , Melnichouk Olga , Greenberg Cary , Minkin Salomon , Hislop Greg , Boyd Norman F. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Epidemiologic data and animal experiments suggest that dietary fat may influence risk of breast cancer. To determine whether intervention with a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet would reduce breast cancer incidence in women at increased risk of the disease, we carried out a randomized controlled trial in Canada. We recruited 4,690 women with extensive mammographic density and randomized them to an intervention group or a comparison group. The intervention group received intensive dietary counseling to reduce fat intake to a target of 15% of calories and increase carbohydrate to 65% of calories. Dietary intakes were assessed throughout using food records. Subjects were followed for at least 7 years and for an average of 10 years. The main outcome was invasive breast cancer. Percentage of calories from fat in the intervention group decreased from 30% at baseline to 20% after randomization and remained 9% to 10% lower than the comparison group throughout. There were 118 invasive breast cancers in the intervention group and 102 in the comparison group [adjusted hazard ratio = 1.19 (95% CI: 0.91–1.55)]. Analysis of food records showed that fat intake at baseline and after randomization was not associated with total breast cancer incidence. Greater weight and lower carbohydrate intake at baseline and after randomization were associated with an increased risk of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Our findings suggest that a sustained reduction in dietary fat intake did not reduce risk of breast cancer in women with extensive mammographic density. Weight and carbohydrate intakes were associated with risk of ER-positive breast cancer. Cancer Res; 71(1); 123–33. ©2011 AACR.