bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The motor phenotype of Parkinson's disease in relation to age at onset
Authors: Wickremaratchi Mirdhu M. , Knipe M. Duleeka W. , Sastry B.S. Dwarakanath , Morgan Elizabeth , Jones Anne , Salmon Rachel , Weiser Richard , Moran Maralyn , Davies Debbie , Ebenezer Louise , Raha Sandip , Robertson Neil P. , Butler Christopher C. , Ben‐Shlomo Yoav , Morris Huw R. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackground: Parkinson's disease (PD) is heterogeneous and age at onset may define variation in clinical phenotype. Most previous studies have used various age cut‐offs and have been based on clinical case series. Methods: We have studied the association between clinical features and age of onset in 358 community‐based and regional patients with PD. Results: Tremor at presentation is twice as common in those with onset over 64 years as compared to those with onset under 45 (early onset PD ‐ EOPD) and becomes more common with increasing age at onset (p values for trend ≤ 0.004). Dystonia affects 60% of those with EOPD, shows a curvilinear relationship with age at onset (cubic versus linear p=0.01) with highest risk in patients whose disease began before 48 years. In this study age at onset was a strong predictor of the development of dyskinesias, with younger age associated with a higher risk of dyskinesias. Following multivariable analysis, allowing for possibly confounding factors (disease duration, L‐DOPA dosage, L‐DOPA treatment duration) younger age at onset, (less than 55 years) predicted the development of L‐DOPA induced dyskinesia (odds ratio <45 years 2.1, 95% CI 1.0, 4.8; odds ratio < 55 years 3.8, 95% CI 1.8, 8.0). Only 2/70 (2.9%) EOPD patients carried pathogenic parkin or PINK1 mutations and the clinical differences between early and late onset disease were not explained by the presence of mutations in these genes. Discussion: This study highlights the clinical differences between early and late onset PD, which have important implications for diagnosis and management. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Gray matter correlates of behavioral severity in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Josephs Keith A. , Whitwell Jennifer L. , Eggers Scott D. , Senjem Matthew L. , Jack Clifford R. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackground: Behavioral changes occur in progressive supranuclear palsy. This study aimed to identify the anatomic correlate of behavioral severity in progressive supranuclear palsy. Methods: We performed standardized tests of behavioral severity (Frontal Behavioral Inventory), cognitive severity (Mini‐Mental State Examination), motor severity (Movement Disorder Society‐sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III), and a 3.0‐T volumetric head magnetic resonance imaging scan in 18 prospectively recruited subjects meeting National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke‐Society of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy criteria for probable progressive supranuclear palsy. Atlas‐based parcellation was utilized to obtain regional gray matter volumes of frontal, temporal, and parietal lobe, and caudate and putamen, and voxel‐based morphometry was used to assess voxel‐level gray matter loss. We performed correlation analyses between total Frontal Behavioral Inventory score and gray matter volume, as well as assessed gray matter volume across three groups defined according to behavioral severity (mild, moderate, and severe) based on total Frontal Behavioral Inventory score. Results: Specific behaviors, with the exception of apathy that occurred in 83% of the subjects, were relatively infrequent. There was no association between Frontal Behavioral Inventory and cognitive or motor severity. Regions of the frontal lobe, particularly, the lateral posterior frontal cortex, significantly correlated with the total Frontal Behavioral Inventory score when using both regional volume and voxel‐level analyses. The groupwise analyses also supported these findings. The presence of apathy correlated with atrophy of the putamen. Discussion: Behavioral severity in progressive supranuclear palsy appears to be associated with volume loss of frontostriatal regions, in particular, lateral posterior frontal lobe and putamen. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
The clinical syndrome of primary tic disorder associated with dystonia: A large clinical series and a review of the literature
Authors: Damásio Joana , Edwards Mark J. , Alonso‐Canovas Araceli , Schwingenschuh Petra , Kägi Georg , Bhatia Kailash P. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe co‐occurrence of tics and dystonia as an idiopathic condition has only rarely been reported. We report a series of patients with tics and persistent dystonia, with the aim of determining the prevalence and clinical characteristics of this syndrome.MethodsAnalysis of clinical database of patients with tic disorders.ResultsFrom our database of 224 patients with tics, 20 had co‐occurrence of tics and dystonia as a primary disorder. Six patients had Tourette's syndrome, and 2 had idiopathic chronic motor/phonic tics. Twelve of the 20 had adult onset of tics (9 with motor/phonic tics and 3 with motor tics). Dystonia was focal in 12 patients (cervical most common) and segmental in 8. A sensory geste was present in 8. Mean age of tic onset and dystonia was 28.3 ± 19.7 and 40.5 ± 15.3 years, respectively. Tics preceded dystonia in 12, dystonia preceded tics in 4, and 1 patient had simultaneous onset of tics and dystonia. In 3 patients, symptoms' sequence could not be determined. Only 8 patients required treatment for their tics. Botulinum toxin was the mainstay of dystonia treatment (16 patients), whereas 6 received trihexyphenidyl. Six patients each had depression and obsessive compulsive symptoms, and 5 had attention‐deficit and hyperactivity disorder.DiscussionWe have further characterized the syndrome of a primary condition of tics associated with persistent focal/segmental dystonia. Apart from the presence of dystonia, our data suggest that these patients are differentiated from pure tic disorders by a later age of onset, lesser severity of tics, and lower frequency of associated features. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Heuristic UTD coefficients for electromagnetic scattering by lossy conducting wedges
Authors: Schettino Daniela N. , Moreira Fernando J. S. , Rego Cássio G. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractIn this study, heuristic uniform theory of diffraction coefficients are suited to account for scattering by lossy conducting wedges.The novel heuristic solution is determined from other previously developed heuristic coefficients, combining their characteristics to improve the estimation of radiowave propagation in urban scenarios. Slope diffraction is also considered to account for double‐diffracted fields in consecutive wedges. Maliuzhinets' coefficients provide base solutions to validate the novel formulation. The novel solution is then applied to the wave propagation in a typical urban scenario, and results are compared against measurements provided in the literature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:2657–2662, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25557
Estimation of the postmortem interval by means of 1H MRS of decomposing brain tissue: influence of ambient temperature
Authors: Ith Michael , Scheurer Eva , Kreis Roland , Thali Michael , Dirnhofer Richard , Boesch Chris 
Published: January 2011

AbstractStandard methods for the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI, time since death), based on the cooling of the corpse, are limited to about 48 h after death. As an alternative, noninvasive postmortem observation of alterations of brain metabolites by means of 1H MRS has been suggested for an estimation of the PMI at room temperature, so far without including the effect of other ambient temperatures. In order to study the temperature effect, localized 1H MRS was used to follow brain decomposition in a sheep brain model at four different temperatures between 4 and 26°C with repeated measurements up to 2100 h postmortem. The simultaneous determination of 25 different biochemical compounds at each measurement allowed the time courses of concentration changes to be followed. A sudden and almost simultaneous change of the concentrations of seven compounds was observed after a time span that decreased exponentially from 700 h at 4°C to 30 h at 26°C ambient temperature. As this represents, most probably, the onset of highly variable bacterial decomposition, and thus defines the upper limit for a reliable PMI estimation, data were analyzed only up to this start of bacterial decomposition. As 13 compounds showed unequivocal, reproducible concentration changes during this period while eight showed a linear increase with a slope that was unambiguously related to ambient temperature. Therefore, a single analytical function with PMI and temperature as variables can describe the time courses of metabolite concentrations. Using the inverse of this function, metabolite concentrations determined from a single MR spectrum can be used, together with known ambient temperatures, to calculate the PMI of a corpse. It is concluded that the effect of ambient temperature can be reliably included in the PMI determination by 1H MRS. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noninvasive quantification of ascorbate and glutathione concentration in the elderly human brain
Authors: Emir Uzay E. , Raatz Susan , McPherson Susan , Hodges James S. , Torkelson Carolyn , Tawfik Pierre , White Tonya , Terpstra Melissa 
Published: January 2011

AbstractIn this study, ascorbate (Asc) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations were quantified noninvasively using double‐edited 1H MRS at 4 T in the occipital cortex of healthy young [age (mean ± standard deviation) = 20.4 ± 1.4 years] and elderly (age = 76.6 ± 6.1 years) human subjects. Elderly subjects had a lower GSH concentration than younger subjects (p < 0.05). The Asc concentration was not significantly associated with age. Furthermore, the lactate (Lac) concentration was higher in elderly than young subjects. Lower GSH and higher Lac concentrations are indications of defective protection against oxidative damage and impaired mitochondrial respiration. The extent to which the observed concentration differences could be associated with physiological differences and methodological artifacts is discussed. In conclusion, GSH and Asc concentrations were compared noninvasively for the first time in young vs elderly subjects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding the essence of home: Older people's experience of home in Australia
Authors: de Jonge Desleigh M. , Jones Andrew , Phillips Rhonda , Chung Magdalene 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThis qualitative inquiry explores the experiences of community‐living older people in Australia living in their home environment. Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 30 older people, aged 56–90, from three states in Australia. Purposive or maximum variation sampling was used to recruit people with diverse characteristics in terms of age, gender, living situation, dwelling type, tenure and location (urban/rural). Older people in this study stated that they were interested in the capacity of the house to support their many and varied occupations, particularly their ability to care for others. They also enjoyed the independence and autonomy that living in their own home afforded them. The location of the home in the community provided general convenience and offered opportunities for social connectedness. The home environment and the surrounding community also created an ambience and afforded people a particular lifestyle. The importance of the history of the home environment and the emotional connection older people have with the dwelling was another prevalent theme. Future research is recommended to investigate whether these views of the home are representative of other groups of older people and which aspects of the home they seek to retain when adapting their homes or relocating. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategic framing: indigenous culture, identity, and politics
Authors: Schoenberger‐Orgad Michèle , Toledano Margalit 
Published: January 2011

This article analyses the role played by culture and the strategic communication of culture in the formation and establishment of the Māori Party. As an indigenous grassroots party, which achieved electoral success in the 2005, general election in New Zealand, the Māori Party offers an unusual case of cultural primacy as a political party for indigenous people. The Māori Party campaigned to be the first successful party to give a distinctive voice to Māori in a parliament dominated by Pakeha (New Zealand Europeans).In examining the Māori Party's formation and campaign as a case study, the article focuses on socio‐political conditions, issues of national identity, media changes, and the cultural relations between Māori and Pakeha. It pays particular attention to those that influenced public opinion during the 14 months of election campaigning. It argues that the strategic framing of the Māori Party as a movement giving a distinctive voice for Māori established the foundations for the campaign's success. In conclusion, the significance of the achievements of the Māori Party in the 2008 general election are discussed as evidence of the now distinct and recognized representation of Māori within the New Zealand democratic process. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Separation of nitrogen and oxygen gases by polymeric membrane embedded with magnetic nano‐particle
Authors: Madaeni S.S. , Enayati E. , Vatanpour V. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAsymmetric polyethersulfone (PES) micro‐porous flat sheet membranes were prepared by the phase inversion method (PIM) and used as the support. PES‐PDMS composite membranes were fabricated with coating polydimethylsiloxane on the surface of PES membrane. The FluidMAG‐PAD was coated on PES and PES‐PDMS membrane to prepare super‐paramagnetic membranes for separation of oxygen from nitrogen. Permeance and O2/N2 selectivity were evaluated in the absence or presence of external magnetic field. In the absence of external magnetic field, the super‐paramagnetic polymer provides larger surface area leading to extended sites for oxygen adsorption. In the presence of magnetic field, the super‐paramagnetic particles obtained magnetic property leading to a pronounced interaction with oxygen resulting in elevated selectivity and permeability. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Off‐line and in‐line analysis of phase morphology and evolution during solidification process of PP/PEOc blend in an internal mixer
Authors: Zhu Lin , Song Na , Xu Xinhua 
Published: January 2011

AbstractPhase morphology and evolution during solidification process of polypropylene and poly(ethylene‐co‐octene) (PP/PEOc) blend in an internal mixer was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in‐line back small‐angle laser scattering (BSALS). The average particle diameter (dp) and the average characteristic length (Lm) were calculated by the pattern analysis of SEM micrographs to describe morphological variation with temperature during solidification process under the natural cooling condition. Furthermore, a fractal dimension (Df) based on the probability density of the character length was calculated in this study to describe the distribution of main sizes of the dispersed phase particles. Structure parameters, such as heterogeneity distance (lc) and integral invariant (Q), were also calculated using BSALS to describe solidification process. The results obtained from BSALS were in agreement with those obtained from SEM, which means BSALS was valid to study the phase morphology and evolution during solidification process of polymer blend. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Advantages of photoplating for laser doped solar cells
Authors: Hameiri Z. , Mai L. , Wenham S. R. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe use of laser doping in solar cell fabrication has received increased attention in recent years, especially due to its ability to form a selective emitter without subjecting the wafer to prolonged high temperature processes and likely corresponding degradation. At the University of New South Wales, a novel laser doping method was developed that combines the formation of the selective emitter with a self‐aligned metallisation pattern. This paper investigates the influence of different plating methods on shunt and enhanced recombination regions. It was found that the pseudo fill factors of solar cells plated using photoplating are higher compared to those plated with the electroless method, indicating reduced shunting and/or junction recombination. The superiority of the photoplating method is even more pronounced at high laser powers. According to our knowledge this is the first time photoplating and electroless plating techniques have been compared for laser‐doped solar cells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electron‐counting rules, three‐dimensional aromaticity, and the boundaries of the Periodic Table
Authors: Shainyan Bagrat A. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractTo describe aromaticity of planar and three‐dimensional molecules, different electron counting rules are employed. Here, the relationship between the Hückel 4n + 2 rule and the Hirsch 2(n + 1)2 rule is established based on formal approach considering the electrons as objects in an arbitrary n‐dimensional space of states. Two types of three‐dimensional aromaticity, referred to as ‘spherical’ (following the 4n + 2 electron counting rule) and ‘spatial’ (following the 2(n + 1)2 electron counting rule) are distinguished. A conclusion concerning the boundaries of the Periodic Table of Elements is made based on the same formal approach that no g‐ (or higher) elements can exist and that possible extension of the Periodic Table beyond the seventh period must be followed by filling of the 8p or inner 6f or 7d levels. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sec62 protein level is crucial for the ER stress tolerance of prostate cancer
Authors: Greiner Markus , Kreutzer Birgit , Lang Sven , Jung Volker , Cavalié Adolfo , Unteregger Gerhard , Zimmermann Richard , Wullich Bernd 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBACKGROUNDWe previously reported that over‐expression of the SEC62 gene is a widespread phenomenon in prostate cancer. Since the use of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‐inducing substances such as thapsigargin in prostate cancer therapy is widely discussed in the literature, we investigated the influence of Sec62 protein content on the cellular response to these drugs.METHODSGrowth effects were analyzed by real‐time cell analysis and viability tests in DU145‐cells representing an increased SEC62 expression or PC3‐ and LNCaP‐cells representing a similar SEC62 expression compared to non‐tumor cells. Ca2+‐imaging in an established HeLa‐system with fluorescent dye was used to study molecular effects of Sec62 depletion.RESULTSWe found a lower propensity toward apoptotic cell death after thapsigargin treatment for DU145 cells compared to PC3 or LNCaP and siRNA‐mediated silencing of SEC62 resulted in a reduced viability of thapsigargin‐treated PC3 cells, indicating that Sec62 functions in cellular stress response. Measurement of cytosolic [Ca2+] demonstrated the influence of Sec62 on the cellular response to thapsigargin on a molecular level. Using real‐time cell analysis, we observed the loss of androgen stimulation of LNCaP cells in the presence of thapsigargin, and an additional negative effect on cell growth of Sec62 depletion. Also, for PC3‐ and DU145‐cells Sec62 depletion inhibited growth after thapsigargin treatment.CONCLUSIONSOur data indicate a crucial function of Sec62 in the response to thapsigargin‐induced ER stress. This will be of great significance on the background of elevated Sec62 protein levels in prostate cancer cells when treatment with thapsigargin analogs is considered. Prostate 71:1074–1083, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Finasteride upregulates expression of androgen receptor in hyperplastic prostate and LNCaP cells: Implications for chemoprevention of prostate cancer
Authors: Hsieh Ju‐Ton , Chen Shyh‐Chyan , Yu Hong‐Jeng , Chang Hong‐Chiang 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBACKGROUNDAlthough finasteride is recognized for its role as a chemopreventive agent for prostate cancer, higher grades of malignancy have been reported. It is questioned whether blocking of testosterone conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by finasteride in prostate tissue will change expression of androgen receptor (AR). Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of finasteride on AR expression in prostate tissue and in the LNCaP cell line.METHODSBetween January and December 2006, we retrospectively selected and evaluated 47 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with variable duration of finasteride (5 mg QD) before transurethral resection of the prostate. AR expression in prostate tissue was semiquantified by immunostaining and compared with duration of finasteride treatment. An androgen‐dependent prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) was cultured in charcoal/dextran‐treated FBS with DHT or testosterone, and treated with finasteride for 1–3 weeks. Samples of total RNA were collected to analyze expression of AR by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.RESULTSImmunohistochemical study revealed significant upregulation of ARs by finasteride treatment for 30–180 days. In cell line study, quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed significant upregulation of ARs treated by finasteride.CONCLUSIONSIn our study, finasteride influenced AR expression in benign prostate tissue and prostate cancer cell. Before we can use finasteride in chemoprevention with confidence, we still need to clarify the influence of finasteride in ARs and its regulation pathway. Prostate 71:1115–1121, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of nodal and nodal receptors in prostate stem cells and prostate cancer cells: Autocrine effects on cell proliferation and migration
Authors: Vo BaoHan T. , Khan Shafiq A. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBACKGROUNDNodal, a TGFβ like growth factor, functions as an embryonic morphogen that maintains the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Nodal has been implicated in cancer progression; however, there is no information on expression and functions of Nodal in prostate cancer. In this study, we have investigated the expression of Nodal, its receptors, and its effects on proliferation and migration of human prostate cells.METHODSRT‐PCR, qPCR, and Western blot analyses were performed to analyze expression of Nodal and Nodal receptors and its effects on phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in prostate cells. The effects on proliferation and migration were determined by 3H‐Thymidine incorporation and cell migration assays in the presence or absence of Nodal receptor inhibitor (SB431542).RESULTSNodal was highly expressed in WPE, DU145, LNCaP, and LNCaP‐C81 cells with low expression in RWPE1 and RWPE2 cells, but not in PREC, PC3 and PC3M cells. Nodal receptors are expressed at varying levels in all prostate cells. Treatment with exogenous Nodal induced phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in WPE, DU145, and PC3 cells, which was blocked by SB431542. Nodal dose‐dependently inhibited proliferation of WPE, RWPE1 and DU145 cells, but not LNCaP and PC3 cells. Nodal induced cell migration in PC3 cells, which was inhibited by SB431542; Nodal had no effect on cell migration in WPE and DU145 cells. The effects of Nodal on cell proliferation and migration are mediated via ALK4 and ActRII/ActRIIB receptors and Smad 2/3 phosphorylation.CONCLUSIONSNodal may function as an autocrine regulator of proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells. Prostate 71:1084–1096, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.