bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unconscious priming of a no‐go response
Authors: Hughes Gethin , Velmans Max , De Fockert Jan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAlthough previous findings suggest that motor preparation can be initiated unconsciously, there is some debate as to whether inhibitory control can occur unconsciously. Results from research involving response conflict points to an association between inhibitory control and conscious awareness. However, no previous research has assessed whether unconscious information can influence brain activity correlates of inhibition when a response must be completely withheld. We recorded event‐related potentials (ERPs) in a go/no‐go task with subliminal primes and demonstrated that inhibition‐related ERP components were modulated as a function of the congruency of the primes. Furthermore, these ERP modulations were directly related to the extent to which participants' performance was influenced by the primes. These findings suggest that inhibition of an impending motor action can be initiated by an unconscious stimulus.
Mechanism of docosahexaenoic acid‐induced inhibition of in vitro Aβ1–42 fibrillation and Aβ1–42‐induced toxicity in SH‐S5Y5 cells
Authors: Hossain Shahdat , Hashimoto Michio , Katakura Masanori , Miwa Koji , Shimada Toshio , Shido Osamu 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe mechanism of the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6, n‐3), one of the essential brain nutrients, on in vitro fibrillation of amyloid β (Aβ1–42), Aβ1–42‐oligomers and its toxicity imparted to SH‐S5Y5 cells was studied with the use of thioflavin T fluorospectroscopy, laser confocal microfluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. The results clearly indicated that DHA inhibited Aβ1–42‐fibrill formation with a concomitant reduction in the levels of soluble Aβ1–42 oligomers. The polymerization (into fibrils) of preformed oligomers treated with DHA was inhibited, indicating that DHA not only obstructs their formation but also inhibits their transformation into fibrils. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (12.5%), Tris–Tricine gradient(4–20%) gel electrophoresis and western blot analyses revealed that DHA inhibited at least 2 species of Aβ1–42 oligomers of 15–20 kDa, indicating that it hinders these on‐pathway tri/tetrameric intermediates during fibrillation. DHA also reduced the levels of dityrosine and tyrosine intrinsic fluorescence intensity, indicating DHA interrupts the microenvironment of tyrosine in the Aβ1–42 backbone. Furthermore, DHA protected the tyrosine from acrylamide collisional quenching, as indicated by decreases in Stern–Volmer constants. 3‐[4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide‐reduction efficiency and immunohistochemical examination suggested that DHA inhibits Aβ1–42‐induced toxicity in SH‐S5Y5 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that by restraining Aβ1–42 toxic tri/tetrameric oligomers, DHA may limit amyloidogenic neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease.
Sialidase occurs in both membranes of the nuclear envelope and hydrolyzes endogenous GD1a
Authors: Wang Jianfeng , Wu Gusheng , Miyagi Taeko , Lu Zi‐Hua , Ledeen Robert W. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPrevious reports indicated the presence of both gangliosides and sialidase in the nuclear envelope (NE) of primary neurons and the NG108‐15 neural cell line. GM1, one of the major gangliosides of this membrane, was shown to be tightly associated with a sodium‐calcium exchanger in the inner membrane of the NE and to potentiate exchanger activity. GD1a was the other major ganglioside detected in the NE and, like GM1, occurs in both inner and outer membranes. A subsequent report indicated the presence of sialidase activity in the NE without specification as to which of the two membranes express it. The present study was undertaken to determine the nature and locus of this activity within the NE of two cell lines: NG108‐15 and SH‐SY5Y. Western blot analysis of the separated membranes revealed occurrence of Neu3 in the inner membrane and Neu1 in the outer membrane of the NE. Moreover, sialidase activity at both sites was shown capable of catalyzing conversion of endogenous GD1a to GM1.
Optimization of continuous in vivo DOPA production and studies on ectopic DA synthesis using rAAV5 vectors in Parkinsonian rats
Authors: Björklund Tomas , Hall Hélène , Breysse Nathalie , Soneson Charlotte , Carlsson Thomas , Mandel Ronald J. , Carta Manolo , Kirik Deniz 
Published: August 2009

AbstractViral vector‐mediated gene transfer is emerging as a novel therapeutic approach with clinical utility in treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Recombinant adeno‐associated viral (rAAV) vector in particular has been utilized for continuous l‐3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) delivery by expressing the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) genes which are necessary and sufficient for efficient synthesis of DOPA from dietary tyrosine. The present study was designed to determine the optimal stoichiometric relationship between TH and GCH1 genes for ectopic DOPA production and the cellular machinery involved in its synthesis, storage, and metabolism. For this purpose, we injected a fixed amount of rAAV5‐TH vector and increasing amounts of rAAV5‐GCH1 into the striatum of rats with complete unilateral dopamine lesion. After 7 weeks the animals were killed for either biochemical or histological analysis. We show that increasing the availability of 5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐l‐biopterin (BH4) in the same cellular compartment as the TH enzyme resulted in better efficiency in DOPA synthesis, most likely by hindering inactivation of the enzyme and increasing its stability. Importantly, the BH4 synthesis from ectopic GCH1 expression was saturable, yielding optimal TH enzyme functionality between GCH1 : TH ratios of 1 : 3 and 1 : 7.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor facilitates TrkB down‐regulation and neuronal injury after status epilepticus in the rat hippocampus
Authors: Unsain Nicolás , Montroull Laura Ester , Mascó Daniel Hugo 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBrain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in many aspects of neuronal biology and hippocampal physiology. Status epilepticus (SE) is a condition in which prolonged seizures lead to neuronal degeneration. SE‐induced in rodents serves as a model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis, the most frequent epilepsy in humans. We have recently described a strong correlation between TrkB decrease and p75ntr increase with neuronal degeneration (Neuroscience 154:978, 2008). In this report, we report that local, acute intra‐hippocampal infusion of function‐blocking antibodies against BDNF prevented both early TrkB down‐regulation and neuronal degeneration after SE. Conversely, the infusion of recombinant human BDNF protein after SE greatly increased neuronal degeneration. The inhibition of BDNF mRNA translation by the infusion of antisense oligonucleotides induced a rapid decrease of BDNF protein levels, and a delayed increase. If seizures were induced at the time endogenous BDNF was decreased, SE‐induced neuronal damage was prevented. On the other hand, if seizures were induced at the time endogenous BDNF was increased, SE‐induced neuronal damage was exacerbated. These results indicate that under a pathological condition BDNF exacerbates neuronal injury.
Opposite effect of membrane raft perturbation on transport activity of KCC2 and NKCC1
Authors: Hartmann Anna‐Maria , Blaesse Peter , Kranz Thorsten , Wenz Meike , Schindler Jens , Kaila Kai , Friauf Eckhard , Nothwang Hans Gerd 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn the majority of neurons, the intracellular Cl− concentration is set by the activity of the Na+‐K+‐2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC1) and the K+‐Cl− cotransporter (KCC2). Here, we investigated the cotransporters’ functional dependence on membrane rafts. In the mature rat brain, NKCC1 was mainly insoluble in Brij 58 and co‐distributed with the membrane raft marker flotillin‐1 in sucrose density flotation experiments. In contrast, KCC2 was found in the insoluble fraction as well as in the soluble fraction, where it co‐distributed with the non‐raft marker transferrin receptor. Both KCC2 populations displayed a mature glycosylation pattern. Disrupting membrane rafts with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) increased the solubility of KCC2, yet had no effect on NKCC1. In human embryonic kidney‐293 cells, KCC2 was strongly activated by a combined treatment with MβCD and sphingomyelinase, while NKCC1 was inhibited. These data indicate that membrane rafts render KCC2 inactive and NKCC1 active. In agreement with this, inactive KCC2 of the perinatal rat brainstem largely partitioned into membrane rafts. In addition, the exposure of the transporters to MβCD and sphingomyelinase showed that the two transporters differentially interact with the membrane rafts. Taken together, membrane raft association appears to represent a mechanism for co‐ordinated regulation of chloride transporter function.
Selecting healthy volunteers in specific populations: a retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory screening
Authors: Roux Clarisse , Chevassus Hugues , Farret Anne , Costa Françoise , Petit Pierre , Galtier Florence 
Published: August 2009

AbstractHealthy volunteers must undergo a medical examination before enrolment in a clinical trial. An increasing number of trials include specific populations designed to match the target populations of the drugs tested. Our study aimed at evaluating which investigations are the most appropriate in different sub‐populations of healthy volunteers. Data from 350 healthy volunteers who attended our Research Center from 1997 to 2004 were retrospectively analysed. Volunteers were distributed into five sub‐populations: young men, senior men, overweight men, young women, postmenopausal women. The screening procedure comprised a review of medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram and laboratory tests. Ineligibility criteria were classified as non‐medical causes, protocol specific medical causes and non‐specific medical causes. A total of 148 subjects (42%) were not‐eligible, mainly because of non‐specific medical causes (111 subjects), including abnormal medical history (34.5% of all ineligibilities). Blood pressure abnormalities were frequent in all sub‐populations except young women. Electrocardiographic abnormalities led to ineligibility of only five overweight men and one menopausal woman. Abnormal laboratory tests accounted for 19.6% of ineligibilities. In senior subjects and overweight men, serologies, liver function tests and lipid profile contributed importantly to the selection process. Low red cells count was the most frequent laboratory abnormality in young women. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, phosphocalcic metabolism and standard clotting tests led to frequent insignificant and non‐contributive abnormalities. Our study confirms that a complete review of medical history is essential and determines the major part of ineligibilities. Complementary laboratory tests are always needed and may be adjusted to the population considered.
Agency Discretion and Public Health Service Delivery
Authors: McCann Pamela J. Clouser 
Published: August 2009

Objective. To study how changes in law shape the public health system.Data Sources. State newborn screening laws and the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center (NNSGRC).Study Design. A time‐series, quasi‐experimental design spanning the years 1990–2006 for all states and the District of Columbia was conducted. Analysis proceeded using a multinomial logit with a dependent variable of whether agencies lagged behind, were on target with, or led their newborn screening law. Explanatory variables of three different types of limitations on agency discretion plus relevant controls were included in the model.Data Collection. State laws were coded for three types of discretion: whether an agency can choose a state's newborn screening panel conditions, whether an agency can charge and change newborn screening fees, and whether the agency can define their own newborn screening criteria. Each state's newborn screening law for each year in the dataset was coded with respect to the mandated number of conditions on a panel and compared with the NNSGRC dataset of actual newborn screening implemented in the state.Principal Findings. States that lack condition discretion have 6.02 greater odds of lagging behind newborn screening law, but the presence of criteria discretion results in 7.50 higher odds of lagging behind the law. Condition discretion and fiscal discretion are associated with successful implementation. The presence of criteria discretion is a barrier for successful implementation.Conclusions. Agency discretion can both hinder and facilitate program implementation. Thus, type of discretion determines implementation.
A Framework to Measure the Value of Public Health Services
Authors: Jacobson Peter D. , Neumann Peter J. 
Published: August 2009

Objective. To develop a framework that public health practitioners could use to measure the value of public health services.Data Sources. Primary data were collected from August 2006 through March 2007. We interviewed (n=46) public health practitioners in four states, leaders of national public health organizations, and academic researchers.Study Design. Using a semi‐structured interview protocol, we conducted a series of qualitative interviews to define the component parts of value for public health services and identify methodologies used to measure value and data collected.Data Collection/Extraction Methods. The primary form of analysis is descriptive, synthesizing information across respondents as to how they measure the value of their services.Principal Findings. Our interviews did not reveal a consensus on how to measure value or a specific framework for doing so. Nonetheless, the interviews identified some potential strategies, such as cost accounting and performance‐based contracting mechanisms. The interviews noted implementation barriers, including limits to staff capacity and data availability.Conclusions. We developed a framework that considers four component elements to measure value: external factors that must be taken into account (i.e., mandates); key internal actions that a local health department must take (i.e., staff assessment); using appropriate quantitative measures; and communicating value to elected officials and the public.
Geographic Variation in Public Health Spending: Correlates and Consequences
Authors: Mays Glen P. , Smith Sharla A. 
Published: August 2009

Objectives. To examine the extent of variation in public health agency spending levels across communities and over time, and to identify institutional and community correlates of this variation.Data Sources and Setting. Three cross‐sectional surveys of the nation's 2,900 local public health agencies conducted by the National Association of County and City Health Officials in 1993, 1997, and 2005, linked with contemporaneous information on population demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, and health resources.Study Design. A longitudinal cohort design was used to analyze community‐level variation and change in per‐capita public health agency spending between 1993 and 2005. Multivariate regression models for panel data were used to estimate associations between spending, institutional characteristics, health resources, and population characteristics.Principal Findings. The top 20 percent of communities had public health agency spending levels >13 times higher than communities in the lowest quintile, and most of this variation persisted after adjusting for differences in demographics and service mix. Local boards of health and decentralized state‐local administrative structures were associated with higher spending levels and lower risks of spending reductions. Local public health agency spending was inversely associated with local‐area medical spending.Conclusions. The mechanisms that determine funding flows to local agencies may place some communities at a disadvantage in securing resources for public health activities.
Optimum Albumin Concentration of Supplementation Fluid for Double Filtration Plasmapheresis
Authors: Mineshima Michio , Agishi Tetsuzo , Hasuo Yoshihiro , Era Kazuo , Suzuki Toshiaki , Teraoka Satoshi , Ota Kazuo 
Published: August 2009

Abstract: Until recently, the albumin concentration of supplementation fluid for double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) has been empirically determined. Inadequate albumin infusion often leads to hypoproteinemic symptoms such as edema. In the current study, an aimed condensation coefficient (CCaimed) was introduced in an attempt to estimate the appropriate plasma albumin level for each patient. This coefficient is theoretically derived from a one‐compartment model for the patient's plasma albumin: CC
aimed
=
CS/CD
= 1 ‐ (1 ‐ CR)/[1‐ exp(‐CC. VR)]where CD and CS are albumin concentrations in discarded plasma and supplementation fluid, CR is the change ratio of albumin concentration in the patient's plasma during a DFPP treatment, and VR(= VS/VP) is the ratio of supplementation fluid volume (VS) to the patient's total plasma volume (Vp). And CC denotes the albumin condensation coefficient in a DFPP line, which depends on the filtration fraction of the plasma fractionator (FFPF) and the sieving coefficients of both the plasma separator (SCPS) and the plasma fractionator (SCPF): CC
=
CD/CP
=
SCPS. (1 ‐ FFPF. SCPF)/(1‐ FFPF)where CP is the albumin concentration of the patient's plasma. From the above relations, CS can be determined as follows: CS
=
CC. CC
aimed. CPBecause many kinds of proteins are removed during a single DFPP treatment, a slightly higher albumin concentration in the supplementation fluid is needed to maintain an appropriate plasma level. Therefore, the CR value should be more than unity. For a patient with hematocrit (HCT) of 30%, body weight (BW) of 50 kg, and CP of 3.0 g/dl, who is receiving a DFPP treatment using AP‐05H (SCPS of 0.970) and Evaflux 2A (SCPF of 0.526) under FFPF of 0.8 with VS of 500 ml, VP=BW(1‐HCT/100)/13 = 50 ‡ (1–30/100)/13 = 2.69 L, VR= 500/(2.69 ‡ 1,000) = 0.186, CC = 2.81, and CCaimed= 1.25 assuming 1.1 for CR. Therefore, CS= 2.81 ‡ 1.25 ‡ 3.0 = 10.5 g/dl using the above equations.
Combined MFA‐LCA for Analysis of Wastewater Pipeline Networks
Authors: Venkatesh G. , Hammervold Johanne , Brattebø Helge 
Published: August 2009

SummaryOslo's wastewater pipeline network has an aging stock of concrete, steel, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipelines, which calls for a good portion of expenditures to be directed toward maintenance and investments in rehabilitation. The stock, as it is in 2008, is a direct consequence of the influx of pipelines of different sizes, lengths, and materials of construction into the system over the years. A material flow analysis (MFA) facilitates an analysis of the environmental impacts associated with the manufacture, installation, operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and retirement of the pipelines. The forecast of the future flows of materials—which, again, is highly interlinked with the historic flows—provides insight into the likely future environmental impacts. This will enable decision makers keen on alleviating such impacts to think along the lines of eco‐friendlier processes and technologies or simply different ways of doing business. Needless to say, the operation and maintenance phase accounts for the major bulk of emissions and calls for energy‐efficient approaches to this phase of the life cycle, even as manufacturers strive to make their processes energy‐efficient and attempt to include captive renewable energy in their total energy consumption. This article focuses on the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the wastewater pipeline network in the city of Oslo.
Life Cycle Assessment of Second Generation Bioethanols Produced From Scandinavian Boreal Forest Resources
Authors: Bright Ryan M. , Strømman Anders Hammer 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThe boreal forests of Scandinavia offer a considerable resource base, and use of the resource for the production of less carbon‐intensive alternative transport fuel is one strategy being considered in Norway. Here, we quantify the resource potential and investigate the environmental implications of wood‐based transportation relative to a fossil reference system for a specific region in Norway. We apply a well‐to‐wheel life cycle assessment to evaluate four E85 production system designs based on two distinct wood‐to‐ethanol conversion technologies. We form best and worst case scenarios to assess the sensitivity of impact results through the adjustment of key parameters, such as biomass‐to‐ethanol conversion efficiency and upstream biomass transport distance. Depending on the system design, global warming emission reductions of 46% to 68% per‐MJ‐gasoline avoided can be realized in the region, along with reductions in most of the other environmental impact categories considered. We find that the region's surplus forest‐bioenergy resources are vast; use for the production of bioethanol today would have resulted in the displacement of 55% to 68% of the region's gasoline‐based global warming emission—or 6% to 8% of Norway's total global warming emissions associated with road transportation.
International quotidian dialysis registry: Annual report 2009
Authors: NESRALLAH Gihad E. , SURI Rita S. , MOIST Louise M. , CUERDEN Meaghan , GROENEWEG Karen E. , HAKIM Raymond , OFSTHUN Norma J. , McDONALD Stephen P. , HAWLEY Carmel , CASKEY Fergus J. , COUCHOUD Cecile , AWARAJI Christian , LINDSAY Robert M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe International Quotidian Dialysis Registry (IQDR) is a global initiative designed to study practices and outcomes associated with the use of hemodialysis regimens of increased frequency and/or duration. Several small studies suggest that compared with conventional hemodialysis (HD), short‐daily, nocturnal, and long conventional HD regimens may improve surrogate endpoints and quality of life. However, methodologically robust comparisons on hard outcomes are sorely lacking. The IQDR represents the first‐ever attempt to aggregate long‐term follow‐up data from centers utilizing alternative HD regimens worldwide, and will have adequate statistical power to examine the effects of these regimens on multiple clinical endpoints, including mortality. To date, the IQDR has enrolled patients from Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, with plans in place to begin linking with additional commercial databases and national registries. This fifth annual report of the IQDR describes (1) a proposed governance structure that will facilitate international collaboration, stakeholder input and funding; (2) data sources and participating registries; (3) recruitment to date and patient baseline characteristics; and (4) an agenda for future research.