bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conduction block and impaired axonal function in tick paralysis
Authors: Krishnan Arun V. , Lin Cindy S. , Reddel Stephen W. , Mcgrath Robert , Kiernan Matthew C. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractTick paralysis (TP) is an uncommon disorder caused by a neurotoxin secreted by engorged female ticks. The cause of TP remains unclear, although alterations in axonal ion channel function and neuromuscular transmission have been proposed. In the present case, nerve excitability techniques, which provide information regarding axonal ion channel function, were used to elucidate the mechanism underlying weakness in a 45‐year‐old man who presented with weakness following a tick bite in the lateral aspect of the left axilla. Standard clinical nerve conduction studies were undertaken during the acute phase of symptoms and following clinical recovery. Nerve excitability studies were performed to investigate possible changes in ion channel properties distal to the site of conduction failure. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography suggested the possibility of a lesion involving the lower trunk of the left brachial plexus. Nerve excitability studies distal to the site of the tick bite demonstrated an abrupt increase in refractoriness, a marker of recovery from inactivation of Na+ channels. There was normalization of both nerve conduction and nerve excitability parameters associated with clinical recovery. The alteration in refractoriness is similar to that noted in disorders involving the terminal portion of the motor nerve. The changes raise the possibility that TP may cause weakness through impairment of distal neural transmission. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Correlation of C3 level with severity of generalized myasthenia gravis
Authors: Liu Aidong , Lin Hong , Liu Yu , Cao Xinsheng , Wang Xianni , Li Zhuyi 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAcute exacerbation of generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) can cause swallowing impairment, respiratory failure, or death. It is important to identify immunological factors that might be regarded reliably as an index of the patient's clinical condition, response to treatment, and measure of certain immune aberrations of MG. In this study we investigated correlations between complement component C3, acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRab) titer, and clinical severity of GMG. AChRab titer and C3 concentration were determined by radioimmunoassay and nephelometry, respectively. The clinical severity of GMG was assessed by the quantitative MG score (QMGS) according to Besinger and colleagues. Our findings indicate that the C3 level correlates with clinical severity of AChRab‐positive GMG. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Standard and modified statistical mune evaluations in spinal‐bulbar muscular atrophy
Authors: Lehky Tanya J. , Chen Cheun Ju , di Prospero Nicholas A. , Rhodes Lindsay E. , Fischbeck Kenneth , Floeter Mary Kay 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMotor unit number estimation (MUNE), a technique used in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinical trials to quantitatively assess motor neuron loss, should also be valuable in assessing progression in spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), an x‐linked neuronopathy. In ALS, instability of single motor units (SMUP) prompted Shefner et al.66 to modify the statistical MUNE method to exclude SMUPs ≤ 40 μV. It is unknown if there is similar SMUP instability in the more chronic degenerative disease of SBMA. In this study the standard parameter of excluding SMUP < 10 μV was compared with the exclusion of SMUP < 40 μV in the calculation of the statistical MUNE. The mean statistical MUNE, using the standard method and the Shefner et al. method, was 60 ± 21 to 47 ± 23, respectively. Similar to ALS, SBMA showed an increased proportion (17%) of individual SMUPs ≤ 40 μV compared to normal controls. In conclusion, excluding SMUPs ≤ 40 μV from the statistical MUNE calculations is appropriate for SBMA subjects because their SMUP, characteristics are similar to ALS. Exclusion of the low‐amplitude SMUPs reduces the calculated MUNE. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Effects of high‐pass filtering on MUAP metrics
Authors: Brownell Alexander A. , Bromberg Mark B. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPrevious observations suggest that elevated high‐pass filter settings (1,600–3,200 HZ) can reveal greater motor unit action potential (MUAP) complexity (turns). We assessed the effect of high‐pass filter settings (500, 1,000, 2,000 HZ) on MUAP metrics. MUAPs were recorded with a concentric needle and initially extracted by a decomposition software algorithm at 10 HZ–10 kHZ and further filtered offline at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 HZ. When reanalyzed by the decomposition software there were marked reductions in peak–peak amplitude, area, area‐to‐amplitude ratio, and duration at the 500 HZ filter with lesser subsequent reductions at higher filter settings. In contrast, turn and phase counts did not change significantly. Individual MUAPs tracked across filter settings showed rare increases in turn count at the 500 HZ setting but a subsequent decrease in counts with higher filter settings. We conclude that the routine use of elevated high‐pass filters, as in quantitative EMG analysis, does not enhance turn count. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Applying proteomics to the diagnosis and treatment of ALS and related diseases
Authors: Bowser Robert , Lacomis David 
Published: August 2009

AbstractProtein‐based biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other motor neuron diseases (MNDs) have many potential clinical utilities, including diagnostic, prognostic, and drug development indications. During the past decade a number of potential protein biomarkers have been proposed for MNDs. Further verification studies, followed by large validation and qualification studies, are required to advance these initial discoveries toward clinical use. Study of additional patient populations, including disease mimics, is required during the validation phase of biomarker development. Important regulatory issues are discussed that will affect the timing and strategy for biomarker assay development in ALS and other MNDs. The continued development of protein biomarkers for MNDs requires extensive collaboration between academic clinicians and scientists in conjunction with the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Borderline personality disorder and sensory processing impairment
Authors: Brown Stephen , Shankar Rohit , Smith Kathryn 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSensory processing disorder (SPD) is a term advocated by some occupational therapists to describe a range of problems that might be amenable to particular treatment strategies, and has mainly been applied within the fields of paediatrics and learning disability.In this article,the authors investigate whether there could be a common ground between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and SPD and describe an extension of the treatment strategies for SPD to those with BPD in their acute inpatient unit. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Treating generalised anxiety disorder: room to improve
Authors: Greener Mark 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn a Pfizer‐sponsored satellite meeting at the Latest Advances in Psychiatry Symposium in London in March, Dr David Baldwin, Reader in Psychiatry and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at University of Southampton, reviewed the drug treatment of generalised anxiety disorder. Medical writer, Mark Greener, reports. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Variations in anti‐dementia drug prescribing
Authors: Perecherla Sri , Paton Carol , Shingleton‐Smith Amber , Barnes Thomas RE 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn the context of a project to benchmark anti‐dementia drug prescribing practice against standards derived from evidence‐based guidelines, the authors sought to estimate the proportion of people with dementia who were receiving treatment with an anti‐dementia drug and whether this varied across Primary Care Trust (PCT) populations.They also explored the relative proportion of prescriptions for each anti‐dementia drug, and the source of these prescriptions – GPs,Mental HealthTrusts or acuteTrusts. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Molecular design of nonlinear optical polymer based on DCM to enhance the NLO efficiency and thermal stability
Authors: Chang Po‐Hsun , Chen Jian‐Yu , Tsai Hsieh‐Chih , Hsiue Ging‐Ho 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis study synthesized and characterized a novel series of polyurethanes containing nonlinear optic (NLO) chromophores, which possess different dimensional or various isolation‐groups. These chromophores are based on 4‐(dicyanomethylene)‐2‐methyl‐6‐(p‐(dimethylamino)styryl)‐4H‐pyran (DCM‐typed dye). The NLO polyurethane containing a one‐dimensional isolation‐group of chromophores efficiently enhances thermal stability, but poling efficiency is not always improved as the size of isolation‐group increases. The enormous isolation group restrained the mobility of chromophore in the polymer matrix and shows a worsening SH intensity. The maximum second harmonic coefficient (d33 = 68.7 pm/V) is displayed as benzene is attaching to chromophore moieties as isolation‐group in this study. Polyurethane containing two‐dimensional chromophore shows superior thermal stability due to the large volume required to rotate the chromophore in the polymer matrix. Two‐dimensional system exhibits lower SH intensity due to the rigid polymer main chain and twisted conjugated plane. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4937–4949, 2009
Encapsulation of nanomaterials using an intermediary layer cross‐linkable ABC triblock copolymer
Authors: Kim Jin Sook , Jeon Hyun Jeong , Park Jung Jin , Park Mi Seon , Youk Ji Ho 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFor the preparation of core‐shell nanoparticles containing functional nanomaterials, a photo‐cross‐linkable amphiphilic ABC triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(2‐cinnamoyloxyethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PEG‐PCEMA‐PMMA), was synthesized. This triblock copolymer was then used to encapsulate Au nanoparticles or pyrene. The triblock copolymer of PEG‐b‐poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐b‐PMMA (PEG‐PHEMA‐PMMA) (Mn = 15,800 g/mol, Mw/Mn = 1.58) was first synthesized by activators generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization. Its middle block was then functionalized with cinnamoyl chloride. The degrees of polymerization of the PEG, PHEMA, and PMMA blocks were 45, 13, and 98, respectively. PMMA‐tethered Au nanoparticles (with an average diameter of 3.0 nm) or pyrene was successfully encapsulated within the PEG‐PCEMA‐PMMA micelles. The intermediary layers of the micelles were then cross‐linked by UV irradiation. The spherical structures of the PEG‐PCEMA‐PMMA micelles containing Au nanoparticles or pyrene were not changed by the photo‐cross‐linking process and they showed excellent colloidal stability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4963–4970, 2009
Magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) particles prepared in the presence of surface‐modified γ‐Fe2O3
Authors: Tocchio Alexandro , Horák Daniel , Babič Michal , Trchová Miroslava , Veverka Miroslav , Beneš Milan J. , Šlouf Miroslav , Fojtík Anton 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMaghemite (γ‐Fe2O3) colloid has been synthesized by coprecipitation of ferrous and ferric salts in alkaline medium and oxidation. The obtained nanoparticles were complexed with a phosphate macromonomer—penta(propylene glycol) methacrylate phosphate (PPGMAP). Complexes with the weight ratio PPGMAP/γ‐Fe2O3 0.01–10 were investigated using a range of characterization methods. The amount of PPGMAP attached to the particles was about 22 wt %. The size and size distribution of the γ‐Fe2O3 core particles in the dry state was measured by TEM. To complete the TEM images, the hydrodynamic size of the nanoparticles including polymer shell and the maghemite core was determined by DLS measurements in toluene. Magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) nanospheres were obtained by Kraton G 1650‐stabilized and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile‐initiated polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in toluene or toluene/cyclohexane mixture in the presence of PPGMAP‐coated γ‐Fe2O3 colloid. The effect of Kraton G 1650 concentration on the morphology, PGMA nanosphere size and polydispersity was investigated. The particles were characterized also by both thermogravimetric analysis and magnetic measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4982–4994, 2009
Exploring steep bedrock permafrost and its relationship with recent slope failures in the Southern Alps of New Zealand
Authors: Allen S. K. , Gruber S. , Owens I. F. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe central region of New Zealand's Southern Alps is characterised by steep, glaciated slopes prone to rock mass failure, but permafrost conditions and any relevance to past or future slope instabilities have received little previous attention. A network of 15 dataloggers was used to record near‐surface temperatures on steep rock walls located about the Main Divide of the Alps and further leeward where the climate is much drier. Mean annual rock temperature (MART) ranged from −1.9 to 5.4°C, corresponding to local 0°C elevations (E0) of 2465–3514 m, with no significant difference observed between the humid and drier mountain ranges. On extremely shaded slopes, the permafrost limit may extend down towards 2000 m, but further measurements are needed to confirm this. E0 levels were modelled as a function of potential solar radiation, allowing steep permafrost distribution to be mapped across the region. From an inventory of 19 bedrock failures occurring about the Main Divide since the mid‐20th century, 13 have initiated from source areas where MART in the range of +/−1.8°C is considered to indicate marginal permafrost conditions. None of these events was triggered by seismic activity, and mostly exhibit scarp areas that include or originate in close‐to‐ridge topography, where the most rapid permafrost degradation might be expected. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tissue culture media supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum contains a castrate level of testosterone
Authors: Sedelaar J.P. Michiel , Isaacs John T. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDHuman prostate cancer cells are routinely maintained in media supplemented with 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) to provide androgen. In the present study, total and free testosterone levels in 10%FCS supplemented tissue culture media were determined and compared to levels in intact and castrated human males. Dextran‐coated charcoal stripped FCS (i.e., DC‐FCS) is often used instead of FCS to minimize the level of androgen provided in 10% serum supplemented media. Therefore, total and free testosterone levels in 10%DC‐FCS containing media were likewise determined.METHODSTotal testosterone, free testosterone, and total dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were determined on RPMI‐1640 media supplemented with either 10%FCS or 10%DC‐FCS by ELISA assays before and after exposure to LNCaP human prostate cancer cells in culture. The growth and PSA secretion by these cells was also determined.RESULTSTen percentage FCS supplemented media contains a castrate level of testosterone. However, even with this castrate starting level of testosterone, LNCaP cells concentrate and metabolize the testosterone to produce a physiologic (i.e., 10 nM) level of intracellular DHT which optimally stimulates the growth of these cells in vitro.CONCLUSIONSThe present studies document that prostate cancer cells auto‐regulate their androgen metabolism so that an optimal level of DHT for growth is maintained during both up and down fluctuations in the supply of testosterone. These results have significant implications for whether exogenous androgen should be added to the 10%FCS supplemented media to grow prostate cancer cells from intact versus castrated patients. Prostate 69: 1724–1729, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Micro‐photoluminescence spectroscopy on metal precipitates in silicon
Authors: Gundel Paul , Schubert Martin C. , Kwapil Wolfram , Schön Jonas , Reiche Manfred , Savin Hele , Yli‐Koski Marko , Sans Juan Angel , Martinez‐Criado Gema , Seifert Winfried , Warta Wilhelm , Weber Eicke R. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMetallic impurities are detrimental to many silicon devices and limit the efficiency of multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Therefore they are a major subject of ongoing research. Photoluminescence spectroscopy is a promising technique for detecting precipitated metals in silicon because of its sensitivity to the minority carrier density and to specific types of defects; however the impact of impurities on the defect luminescence could not be clarified yet. In this letter we examine the role of micron‐sized iron and copper precipitates in direct bonded wafers by micro‐photoluminescence spectroscopy. Both kinds of precipitates are detectable by means of the reduced band‐to‐band luminescence. An element‐specific effect on the defect luminescence is observed. The results are confirmed by X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Multi‐vehicle coordination for double‐integrator dynamics under fixed undirected/directed interaction in a sampled‐data setting
Authors: Cao Yongcan , Ren Wei 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis paper studies the convergence of two coordination algorithms for double‐integrator dynamics under fixed undirected/ directed interaction in a sampled‐data setting. The first algorithm guarantees that a team of vehicles achieves coordination on their positions with a zero final velocity while the second algorithm guarantees that a team of vehicles achieves coordination on their positions with a constant final velocity. We show necessary and sufficient conditions on the sampling period, the control gain, and the communication graph such that coordination is achieved using these two algorithms under, respectively, an undirected interaction topology and a directed interaction topology. Tools like matrix theory, bilinear transformation, and Cauchy theorem are used for convergence analysis. Coordination equilibria for both algorithms are also given. Simulation results are presented as a proof of concept. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumorigenesis and phenotypic characteristics of mucin‐producing bile duct tumors: an immunohistochemical approach
Authors: Nakanuma Yasuni , Zen Yoh , Harada Kenichi , Ikeda Hiroko , Sato Yasunori , Uehara Takeshi , Sasaki Motoko 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIntraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is characterized by exophytic proliferation of neoplastic epithelial cells with fibrovascular stalks in bile duct lumen, mucin hypersecretion, and considerable dilatation or multilocular changes of the affected bile ducts. A mucin‐producing bile duct tumor is an IPNB with excessive mucin production and clinical symptoms. Herein, the phenotypes as well as the tumorigenesis and progression of IPNB are reviewed with immunohistochemical assistance. The tumors are subdivided into three phenotypes: pancreatobiliary, intestinal, and gastric. About half of IPNB cases are of the pancreatobiliary type, and the remaining half are of the intestinal type. Aberrant expression of CDX2 with MUC2 and CK20 is related to the development of intestinal metaplasia. Inactivation of P16INK4a and nuclear expression ofβ‐catenin are related to the development of IPNB. Decreased expression of membranousβ‐catenin and E‐cadherin and aberrant expression of MMP‐7 and −9 and of MUC1 are related to invasion of IPNB with tubular adenocarcinoma, whereas MUC2 is involved in the invasion of IPNB with mucinous carcinoma. IPNB can be regarded as a counterpart of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas, particularly the main duct type. More comparative studies between IPNB and pancreatic IPMN are recommended for further analysis of these papillary neoplasms.
Response Surface Analysis and Modeling of Flaxseed Oil Yield in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Özkal Sami Gökhan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSupercritical fluid extraction of flaxseed oil with carbon dioxide was performed. Effects of particle size, pressure, temperature and the flow rate of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) were investigated. Response surface methodology was used to determine the effects of pressure (30–50 MPa), temperature (50–70 °C) and SC‐CO2 flow rate (2–4 g/min) on flaxseed oil yield in SC‐CO2. The oil yield was represented by a second order response surface equation (R2 = 0.993) using the Box‐Behnken design of experiments. The oil yield increased significantly with increasing pressure (p < 0.01), temperature (p < 0.05) and SC‐CO2 flow rate (p < 0.01). The maximum oil yield from the response surface equation was predicted as 0.267 g/g flaxseed for 15 min extraction of 5 g flaxseed particles (particle diameter <0.850 mm) at 50 MPa pressure and 70 °C temperature, with 4 g/min solvent flow rate. Total extraction time at these conditions was predicted as 22 min.
Dimension, entropy and Lyapunov exponents
Authors: Young Lai-Sang 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe consider diffeomorphisms of surfaces leaving invariant an ergodic Borel probability measure μ. Define HD (μ) to be the infimum of Hausdorff dimension of sets having full μ-measure. We prove a formula relating HD (μ) to the entropy and Lyapunov exponents of the map. Other classical notions of fractional dimension such as capacity and Rényi dimension are discussed. They are shown to be equal to Hausdorff dimension in the present context.
A patient with aneurysms of both aortic coronary sinuses of Valsalva obstructing both ventricular outflow tracts
Authors: Vijayalakshmi Ishwarappa B. , Devananda Nijagal S. , Chitra Narasimhan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractCongenital unruptured aneurysms affecting both the right and left sinuses of Valsalva are extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, there has been only one previously documented case. We report here a patient presenting with congestive cardiac failure who also had unruptured aneurysms of both the right and left sinuses of Valsalva. The aneurysms produced obstruction of the outflow tracts of both ventricles, burrowing as they did into the muscular ventricular septum.
N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor independent changes in expression of polysialic acid-neural cell adhesion molecule despite blockade of homosynaptic long-term potentiation and heterosynaptic long-term depression in the awake freely behaving rat dentate gyrus
Authors: Rodríguez Jose J. , Dallérac Glenn M. , Tabuchi Masashi , Davies Heather A. , Colyer Frances M. , Stewart Michael G. , Doyère Valérie 
Published: August 2009

Investigations examining the role of polysialic acid (PSA) on the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in synaptic plasticity have yielded inconsistent data. Here, we addressed this issue by determining whether homosynaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and heterosynaptic long-term depression (LTD) induce changes in the distribution of PSA-NCAM in the dentate gyrus (DG) of rats in vivo. In addition, we also examined whether the observed modifications were initiated via the activation ofN-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Immunocytochemical analysis showed an increase in PSA-NCAM positive cells both at 2 and 24 h following high-frequency stimulation of either medial or lateral perforant paths, leading to homosynaptic LTP and heterosynaptic LTD, respectively, in the medial molecular layer of the DG. Analysis of sub-cellular distribution of PSA-NCAM by electron microscopy showed decreased PSA dendritic labelling in LTD rats and a sub-cellular relocation towards the spines in LTP rats. Importantly, these modifications were found to be independent of the activation of NMDA receptors. Our findings suggest that strong activation of the granule cells up-regulates PSA-NCAM synthesis which then incorporates into activated synapses, representing NMDA-independent plastic processes that act synergistically on LTP/LTD mechanisms without participating in their expression.