bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency‐selectivity of a thalamocortical relay neuron during Parkinson’s disease and deep brain stimulation: a computational study
Authors: Cagnan Hayriye , Meijer Hil G. E. , Van Gils Stephan A. , Krupa Martin , Heida Tjitske , Rudolph Michelle , Wadman Wytse J. , Martens Hubert C. F. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIn this computational study, we investigated (i) the functional importance of correlated basal ganglia (BG) activity associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) motor symptoms by analysing the effects of globus pallidus internum (GPi) bursting frequency and synchrony on a thalamocortical (TC) relay neuron, which received GABAergic projections from this nucleus; (ii) the effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on the response of the TC relay neuron to synchronized GPi oscillations; and (iii) the functional basis of the inverse relationship that has been reported between DBS frequency and stimulus amplitude, required to alleviate PD motor symptoms [A. L. Benabid et al. (1991)Lancet, 337, 403–406]. The TC relay neuron selectively responded to and relayed synchronized GPi inputs bursting at a frequency located in the range 2–25 Hz. Input selectivity of the TC relay neuron is dictated by low‐threshold calcium current dynamics and passive membrane properties of the neuron. STN‐DBS prevented the TC relay neuron from relaying synchronized GPi oscillations to cortex. Our model indicates that DBS alters BG output and input selectivity of the TC relay neuron, providing an explanation for the clinically observed inverse relationship between DBS frequency and stimulus amplitude.
Tuning to non‐symbolic proportions in the human frontoparietal cortex
Authors: Jacob Simon N. , Nieder Andreas 
Published: September 2009

AbstractHumans share with many species a non‐verbal system to estimate absolute quantity. This sense of number has been linked to the activity of quantity‐selective neurons that respond maximally to preferred numerosities. With functional magnetic resonance imaging adaptation, we now show that populations of neurons in the human parietal and frontal cortex are also capable of encoding quantity ratios, or proportions, using the same non‐verbal analog code as for absolute number. Following adaptation to visually presented constant proportions (specified by the ratio of line lengths or numerosities), we introduced novel relative magnitudes to examine the tuning characteristics of the population of stimulated neurons. In bilateral parietal and frontal cortex we found that blood oxygenation level‐dependent signal recovery from adaptation was a function of numerical distance between the deviant proportion and the adaptation stimulus. The strongest effects were observed in the cortex surrounding the anterior intraparietal sulcus, a region considered pivotal for the processing of absolute magnitudes. Overall, there was substantial overlap of frontoparietal structures representing whole numbers and proportions. The identification of tuning to non‐symbolic ratio stimuli, irrespective of notation, adds to the magnitude system a remarkable level of sophistication by demonstrating automatic access to a composite, derived quantitative measure. Our results argue that abstract concepts of both absolute and relative number are deeply rooted in the primate brain as fundamental determinants of higher‐level numerical cognition.
From Narcissistic Exploitativeness to Bullying Behavior: The Mediating Role of Approval‐of‐aggression Beliefs
Authors: Ang Rebecca P. , Ong Eileen Y. L. , Lim Joylynn C. Y. , Lim Eulindra W. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis study examined the role of approval‐of‐aggression beliefs in the relationship between narcissistic exploitativeness and bullying behavior in an Asian sample (N = 809) comprising elementary children and middle school adolescents. Narcissistic exploitativeness was significantly and positively associated with both bullying behavior and approval‐of‐aggression beliefs, and approval‐of‐aggression beliefs was significantly and positively associated with bullying behavior. Additionally, findings indicated that approval‐of‐aggression beliefs was a statistically significant mediator and 53 percent of the total effect of narcissistic exploitativeness on bullying behavior was mediated by approval‐of‐aggression beliefs. Approval‐of‐aggression beliefs did not moderate the association between narcissistic exploitativeness and bullying behavior. There are important theoretical implications as well as implications for prevention and intervention efforts targeting aggressive, bullying behavior among children and adolescents.
CD81 expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes before and after treatment with interferon and ribavirin in HIV/HCV coinfected patients
Authors: Micheloud D , González‐Nicolás J , Berenguer J , Lorente R , Miralles P , López JC , Cosín J , Catalán P , Muñoz‐Fernández MaÁ , Resino S 
Published: September 2009

BackgroundCD81 is expressed on lymphocytes and confers HCV viral infectivity support. The aim of our study was to quantify CD81 expression in peripheral blood B‐ and T‐cells of HCV/HIV‐coinfected patients and healthy subjects to examine its association with several HCV virological characteristics and the therapeutic responsiveness to HCV antiviral treatment.MethodsWe carried out a cross‐sectional study on 122 naïve patients. For a duration of 48 weeks, 24 out of 122 patients underwent HCV antiviral therapy with interferon (IFN)‐α and ribavirin. T‐ and B‐cell subsets were analysed by flow cytometry.ResultsWe found that HIV/HCV coinfected patients with HCV‐RNA ≥850 000 IU/mL had lower values of %CD19+CD81‐CD62L+ and %CD19+CD62L+; and higher values of CD19+CD81+CD62L− and CD19+CD81+ percentages and absolute counts than patients with HCV‐RNA <850 000 IU/mL. Similarly, HIV/HCV coinfected patients with the genotype 1 had lower values of %CD19+CD81−CD62L+ and higher values of CD3+CD81+CD62L− and CD3+CD81+ percentages and absolute counts than patients without genotype 1. Moreover, we found that HIV/HCV coinfected patients had higher values of %CD19+HLA‐DR+CD25+, %CD19+CD40+CD25+ and %CD19+CD25+ than healthy control patients. When we studied the B‐ and T‐cell subset kinetics of 24 HIV/HCV coinfected patients on HCV antiviral therapy, we found a significant decrease in CD3+CD81+and CD3+CD81+CD62L− subsets and a significant increase in CD3+CD62L+ and CD3+CD81+CD62L+ percentages and absolute counts, but the variation in these markers disappeared several months after stopping the treatment.ConclusionsWe observed a different pattern of CD81 T‐cell and B‐cell levels in naïve HIV/HCV coinfected patients according to HCV virological status and their subsequent variations during HCV antiviral treatment. CD81 expression might influence HCV pathogenesis and response to HCV antiviral treatment.
Attenuation of AD‐like neuropathology by harnessing peripheral immune cells: local elevation of IL‐10 and MMP‐9
Authors: Koronyo‐Hamaoui Maya , Ko MinHee K. , Koronyo Yosef , Azoulay David , Seksenyan Akop , Kunis Gilad , Pham Michael , Bakhsheshian Joshua , Rogeri Patricia , Black Keith L. , Farkas Daniel L. , Schwartz Michal 
Published: September 2009

AbstractImmunization with an altered myelin‐derived peptide (MOG45D) improves recovery from acute CNS insults, partially via recruitment of monocyte‐derived macrophages that locally display a regulatory activity. Here, we investigated the local alterations in the cellular and molecular immunological milieu associated with attenuation of Alzheimer’s disease‐like pathology following immunotherapy. We found that immunization of amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 double‐transgenic mice with MOG45D peptide, loaded on dendritic cells, led to a substantial reduction of parenchymal and perivascular amyloid beta (Aβ)‐plaque burden and soluble Aβ(1–42) peptide levels as well as reduced astrogliosis and levels of a key glial scar protein (chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan). These changes were associated with a shift in the local innate immune response, manifested by increased Iba1+/CD45high macrophages that engulfed Aβ, reduced pro‐inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor‐α) and increased anti‐inflammatory (interleukin‐10) cytokines, as well as a significant increase in growth factors (IGF‐1 and TGFβ) in the brain. Furthermore, the levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐9, an enzyme shown to degrade Aβ and is associated with glial scar formation, were significantly elevated in the brain following immunization. Altogether, these results indicate that boosting systemic immune cells leads to a local immunomodulation manifested by elevated levels of anti‐inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases that contribute to ameliorating Alzheimer’s disease pathology.
Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 and dopamine transporter are molecular targets of Pitx3 in the ventral midbrain dopamine neurons
Authors: Hwang Dong‐Youn , Hong Sunghoi , Jeong Joo‐Won , Choi Sangdun , Kim Hansoo , Kim Jangwoo , Kim Kwang‐Soo 
Published: September 2009

AbstractMidbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons play critical roles in the regulation of voluntary movement and their dysfunction is associated with Parkinson’s disease. Pitx3 has been implicated in the proper development of mDA neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which are selectively lost in Parkinson’s disease. However, the basic mechanisms underlying its role in mDA neuron development and/or survival are poorly understood. Toward this goal, we sought to identify downstream target genes of Pitx3 by comparing gene expression profiles in mDA neurons of wild‐type and Pitx3‐deficient aphakia mice. This global gene expression analysis revealed many potential target genes of Pitx3; in particular, the expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 and dopamine transporter, responsible for dopamine storage and reuptake, respectively, is greatly reduced in mDA neurons by Pitx3 ablation. In addition, gain‐of‐function analyses and chromatin immunoprecipitation strongly indicate that Pitx3 may directly activate transcription of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 and dopamine transporter genes, critically contributing to neurotransmission and/or survival of mDA neurons. As the two genes have been known to be regulated by Nurr1, another key dopaminergic transcription factor, we propose that Pitx3 and Nurr1 may coordinately regulate mDA specification and survival, at least in part, through a merging and overlapping downstream pathway.
Preventive HIV Vaccine Acceptability and Behavioral Risk Compensation among a Random Sample of High‐Risk Adults in Los Angeles (LA VOICES)
Authors: Newman Peter A. , Lee Sung‐Jae , Duan Naihua , Rudy Ellen , Nakazono Terry K. , Boscardin John , Kakinami Lisa , Shoptaw Steven , Diamant Allison , Cunningham William E. 
Published: September 2009

Objective. To assess HIV vaccine acceptability among high‐risk adults in Los Angeles.Study Setting. Sexually transmitted disease clinics, needle/syringe exchange programs, Latino community health/HIV prevention programs.Study Design. Cross‐sectional survey using conjoint analysis. Participants were randomly selected using three‐stage probability sampling.Data Collection. Sixty‐minute structured interviews. Participants rated acceptability of eight hypothetical vaccines, each with seven dichotomous attributes, and reported post‐vaccination risk behavior intentions.Principal Findings. Participants (n=1164; 55.7 percent male, 82.4 percent ethnic minority, mean age=37.4 years) rated HIV vaccine acceptability from 28.4 to 88.6; mean=54.5 (SD=18.8; 100‐point scale). Efficacy had the greatest impact on acceptability, followed by side effects and out‐of‐pocket cost. Ten percent would decrease condom use after vaccination.Conclusions. Findings support development of social marketing interventions to increase acceptability of “partial efficacy” vaccines, behavioral interventions to mitigate risk compensation, and targeted cost subsidies.
The Role of Outpatient Facilities in Explaining Variations in Risk‐Adjusted Readmission Rates between Hospitals
Authors: Lorch Scott A. , Baiocchi Michael , Silber Jeffrey H. , Even‐Shoshan Orit , Escobar Gabriel J. , Small Dylan S. 
Published: September 2009

Objective. Validate risk‐adjusted readmission rates as a measure of inpatient quality of care after accounting for outpatient facilities, using premature infants as a test case.Study Setting. Surviving infants born between January 1, 1998 and December 12, 2001 at five Northern California Kaiser Permanente neonatal intensive care units (NICU) with 1‐year follow‐up at 32 outpatient facilities.Study Design. Using a retrospective cohort of premature infants (N=898), Poisson's regression models determined the risk‐adjusted variation in unplanned readmissions between 0–1 month, 0–3 months, 3–6 months, and 3–12 months after discharge attributable to patient factors, NICUs, and outpatient facilities.Data Collection. Prospectively collected maternal and infant hospital data were linked to inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy databases.Principal Results. Medical and sociodemographic factors explained the largest amount of variation in risk‐adjusted readmission rates. NICU facilities were significantly associated with readmission rates up to 1 year after discharge, but the outpatient facility where patients received outpatient care can explain much of this variation. Characteristics of outpatient facilities, not the NICUs, were associated with variations in readmission rates.Conclusion. Ignoring outpatient facilities leads to an overstatement of the effect of NICUs on readmissions and ignores a significant cause of variations in readmissions.
Postnatal testing for diabetes in Australian women following gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: MORRISON Melinda K. , COLLINS Clare E. , LOWE Julia M. 
Published: September 2009

Background:  Postnatal blood glucose testing is recommended for reclassification of glucose tolerance following a pregnancy affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, there are limited data on the postnatal follow‐up sought by Australian women.Aims:  To describe postnatal diabetes testing patterns in Australian women following a pregnancy affected by GDM and identify factors associated with return for follow‐up testing in accordance with the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) guidelines.Methods:  A cross‐sectional self‐administered survey of 1372 women diagnosed with GDM between 2003 and 2005, sampled from the National Diabetes Services Scheme database.Results:  Postnatal diabetes testing was reported by 73.2% of survey respondents with 27.4% returning for an oral glucose test tolerance at six to eight weeks post‐GDM pregnancy. Using logistic regression analysis, factors associated with appropriate postnatal testing were receiving individualised risk reduction advice (odds ratio (OR) 1.41 (1.08,1.84)) or written information (OR 1.35 (1.03,1.76)) and in two‐way interactions, being under the care of an endocrinologist and not tertiary educated (OR 2.09 (1.49,2.93)) as well as seeing an obstetrician and diabetes educator during pregnancy (OR 1.72 (1.19,2.48)). Every five years increase in age reduced the likelihood of a woman returning for testing by 17%.Conclusions:  Specialist diabetes care in non‐tertiary educated women, or a team approach to management with diabetes education and obstetric care may act to reinforce the need for postnatal diabetes testing in accordance with the ADIPS guidelines. Individualised follow up from a health professional and provision of written information following a GDM pregnancy may also encourage return for postnatal testing in this high‐risk group.
Magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of deep endometrial invasion for patients with endometrial carcinoma
Authors: HWANG Jong Ha , LEE Nak Woo , LEE Kyu Wan , LEE Jae Kwan 
Published: September 2009

Aims: To evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of deep myometrial invasion.Methods: The patient group consisted of 53 women with endometrial cancer who underwent preoperative workup, including MRI, and surgical staging between August 1999 and August 2008 at Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. The pathological data from surgical staging were compared with the preoperative MRI results.Results: The mean age of the patients was 51 years and most patients had endometrioid cancer. On pathological evaluation of the myometrium, 20.8% had a deep myometrial invasion. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of MRI in detecting deep myometrial invasion were 50.0%, 89.7%, 79.2%, 63.6% and 83.3%, respectively. Evaluation of MRI findings and tumour grades by preoperative biopsy had a sensitivity and specificity of 88.9% and 87.5%, respectively, with a kappa of 0.764.Conclusion: In patients with endometrial cancer, MRI is limited in its ability to detect deep myometrial invasion. The combination of MRI findings and tumour histology or grade can be helpful in determining if lymphadenectomy is necessary.
Discrepancies between clinical staging and pathological findings of operable cervical carcinoma with stage IB–IIB: A retrospective analysis of 818 patients
Authors: QIN Yu , PENG Zhilan , LOU Jiangyan , LIU Hui , DENG Feng , ZHENG Yuhuan 
Published: September 2009

Introduction and objectives:  Cervical cancer is the only gynaecological cancer that is staged clinically. The clinical stage of cervical cancer relies largely on the pelvic examination. The aim of this study is to analyse the discrepancy between clinical stage and pathological results, and to explore the accuracy of pelvic examination.Methods:  We collected retrospective data from 818 patients with cervical carcinoma staged IB–IIB, who were treated with primary surgery from January 1999 to June 2007. Clinical stages of those patients were determined by pelvic examination without anaesthesia. After surgery, all the patients were assigned to pT category according to the pathological findings. Comparisons were made between these two stages.Results:  The total concordance between clinical stage and pT category for stage IB–IIB was 53.1%, with an overestimation of 37.3% and an underestimation of 9.7%. The concordance in stage IB1, stage IB2, stage IIA and stage IIB were 85.4%, 77.4%, 35.3% and 20.5%, respectively. The most significant discrepancy was caused by the failure to detect the parametrial invasion accurately in stage IIB. The accuracy of pelvic examination to determine vaginal and parametrial disease was 70.2% and 74.0%, respectively.Conclusions:  There are significant discrepancies between clinical stage and pathological results. Pelvic examination has its limitations in staging determination. Thus for operable cervical cancer, clinical stage alone is not reliable for selecting postoperative therapies and surgical staging system may be considered.
Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: A single centre case series
Authors: MICHENER Camille , DICKINSON Jan E. 
Published: September 2009

Objective:  To examine the characteristics, management and outcomes of 13 caesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs) at a single tertiary obstetric centre over a five‐year period.Methods:  Retrospective cohort study. Cases were identified from interrogation of the institutional database with patient characteristics, management and outcome data extracted from the medical record chart and ultrasound image review.Results:  Thirteen cases of CSP were identified from 2002–2007. Median maternal age was 34 years (interquartile range (IQR) 32.2, 35.2) with a median parity of 2 (IQR 1, 3). In nine of 13 (69%) cases there was one prior caesarean section and ≥ 2 in four of 13 (31%). The median gestation at diagnosis was 6.8 weeks (range 5.5–11.5). Vaginal bleeding was the most common presenting symptom (nine of 13 cases). The final diagnosis was made by ultrasound in 11 of 13 cases (84.6%) but the diagnosis was delayed in seven of 13 cases, including four that had an earlier ultrasound assessment. Treatment was with systemic methotrexate in seven cases with five (71.4%) requiring no further intervention. One case received intragestational sac and systemic methotrexate with a delayed hysterectomy as a result of molar complications. Two cases were treated with uncomplicated curettage and three by hysterectomy. Four women are known to have had pregnancies following the CSP.Conclusions:  The diagnosis of CSP can be challenging, and awareness of this condition is needed, particularly as the incidence is increasing. There does not appear to be a clear association between number of prior caesarean deliveries and CSPs. No consistent management strategy was evident in our series, being based predominantly on patient factors and consultant resources rather than CSP features.
New species of Thinobius Kiesenwetter, 1844 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from Argentina with ecological notes
Authors: SCHEIBLER Erica E. , CHANI‐POSSE DE MAUS Mariana 
Published: September 2009

Abstract Thinobius andinus sp. nov. from Argentina is described and illustrated, detailed information on its ecology is provided and a key to species of Thinobius from south‐western South America is given. This species was collected from high elevation stream areas of the Mendoza River watershed. It belongs to pollution‐sensitive species, and it was mainly found in clear, low‐salinity cold waters pertaining to high elevation streams with riparian vegetation. Lectotype is designated for Thinobius pulchripennis Bernhauer, 1923.
Male egg‐brooding in the millipede Yamasinaium noduligerum (Diplopoda: Andrognathidae)
Authors: KUDO Shin‐ichi , KOSHIO Chiharu , TANABE Tsutomu 
Published: September 2009

Abstract Yamasinaium noduligerum is a Japanese fungivorous millipede that is usually found on decaying logs fallen on the forest floor. Here we present observations on paternal egg‐brooding behavior in this species. At the end of May to early June, we found males with eggs on the bark of the underside of fallen decaying logs and in old burrows and galleries excavated by wood‐dwelling insects under the bark of the logs. The males showed a typical brooding posture where they curl the anterior part of the body around the egg mass. The egg masses contained, on average, 30.2 ± 13.7 (SD) eggs. The brooding males showed no aggressive responses when disturbed.
Taxonomic review of the genus Aulacorthum (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) for the Korean peninsula, with the description of one new species
Authors: LEE Wonhoon , KIM Hyojoong , HAVELKA Jan , LEE Seunghwan 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTwelve species of the genus Aulacorthum Mordvilko 1914 (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) are recognized from the Korean Peninsula. One new species, Aulacorthum ixeridis n. sp., is described for apterous and alate viviparous females on Ixeris chinensis var. graminifolia (Ledeb.) H. C. Fu and Lactuca indica L. (Asteraceae). From the allied species, Aulacorthum nepetifolii Miyazaki 1968, Aulacorthum ixeridis n. sp. is distinguished by the relatively short ultimate rostral segment (0.83–1.07 × as long as the second segment hind tarsus), the dense spinules on head and the triangular short cauda. Host plants of the Korean Aulacorthum are reviewed and the identification key to subgenera and species is also presented.