bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Movement disorders in spinocerebellar ataxias
Authors: van Gaalen Judith , Giunti Paola , van de Warrenburg Bart P. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAutosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) can present with a large variety of noncerebellar symptoms, including movement disorders. In fact, movement disorders are frequent in many of the various SCA subtypes, and they can be the presenting, dominant, or even isolated disease feature. When combined with cerebellar ataxia, the occurrence of a specific movement disorder can provide a clue toward the underlying genotype. There are reasons to believe that for some coexisting movement disorders, the cerebellar pathology itself is the culprit, for example, in the case of cortical myoclonus and perhaps dystonia. However, movement disorders in SCAs are more likely related to extracerebellar pathology, and imaging and neuropathological data indeed show involvement of other parts of the motor system (substantia nigra, striatum, pallidum, motor cortex) in some SCA subtypes. When confronted with a patient with an isolated movement disorder, that is, without ataxia, there is currently no reason to routinely screen for SCA gene mutations, the only exceptions being SCA2 in autosomal dominant parkinsonism (particularly in Asian patients) and SCA17 in the case of a Huntington's disease–like presentation without an HTT mutation. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Examination of DNA methyltransferase expression in cloned embryos reveals an essential role for Dnmt1 in bovine development
Authors: Golding Michael C. , Williamson Gayle L. , Stroud Todd K. , Westhusin Mark E. , Long Charles R. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn studies of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the ability of factors within the oocyte to epigenetically reprogram transferred nuclei is essential for embryonic development of the clone to proceed. However, irregular patterns of X‐chromosome inactivation, abnormal expression of imprinted genes, and genomic DNA hypermethylation are frequently observed in reconstructed embryos, suggesting abnormalities in this process. To better understand the epigenetic events underlying SCNT reprogramming, we sought to determine if the abnormal DNA methylation levels observed in cloned embryos result from a failure of the oocyte to properly reprogram transcription versus differential biochemical regulation of the DNA methyltransferase family of enzymes (DNMTs) between embryonic and somatic nuclei. To address this question, we conducted real‐time quantitation of Dnmt transcripts in bovine preimplantation embryos generated though in vitro fertilization (IVF), parthenogentic activation, and SCNT. By the 8‐cell stage, transcripts encoding Dnmt1 become significantly down‐regulated in cloned embryos, likely in response to the state of genomic hypermethylation, while the de novo methyltransferases maintain an expression pattern indistinguishable from their IVF and parthenote counterparts. Depletion of embryonic/maternal Dnmt1 transcripts within IVF embryos using short‐interfering RNAs, while able to lower genomic DNA methylation levels, resulted in developmental arrest at the 8/16‐cell stage. In contrast, SCNT embryos derived from a stable, Dnmt1‐depleted donor cell line develop to blastocyst stage, but failed to carry to term. Our results indicate an essential role for Dnmt1 during bovine preimplantation development, and suggest proper transcriptional reprogramming of this gene family in SCNT embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:306–317, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative T*2‐mapping based on multi‐slice multiple gradient echo flash imaging: Retrospective correction for subject motion effects
Authors: Magerkurth Joerg , Volz Steffen , Wagner Marlies , Jurcoane Alina , Anti Sandra , Seiler Alexander , Hattingen Elke , Deichmann Ralf 
Published: March 2011

AbstractNumerous clinical and research applications for quantitative mapping of the effective transverse relaxation time T*2 have been described. Subject motion can severely deteriorate the quality and accuracy of results. A correction method for T*2 maps acquired with multi‐slice multiple gradient echo FLASH imaging is presented, based on acquisition repetition with reduced spatial resolution (and consequently reduced acquisition time) and weighted averaging of both data sets, choosing weighting factors individually for each k‐space line to reduce the influence of motion. In detail, the procedure is based on the fact that motion artifacts reduce the correlation between acquired and exponentially fitted data. A target data set is constructed in image space, choosing the data yielding best correlation from the two acquired data sets. The k‐space representation of the target is subsequently approximated as linear combination of original raw data, yielding the required weighting factors. As this method only requires a single acquisition repetition with reduced spatial resolution, it can be employed on any clinical system offering a suitable sequence with export of modulus and phase images. Experimental results show that the method works well for sparse motion, but fails for strong motion affecting the same k‐space lines in both acquisitions. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
19F‐lanthanide complexes with increased sensitivity for 19F‐MRI: Optimization of the MR acquisition
Authors: Chalmers Kirsten H. , Kenwright Alan M. , Parker David , Blamire Andrew M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractFluorine‐19 magnetic resonance methods offer advantages for molecular or cellular imaging in vivo due to the absence of radioactivity, lack of naturally occurring background signal, and the ability to easily combine measurements with anatomical MRI. Previous studies have shown that 19F‐MRI sensitivity is limited to millimolar concentrations by slow longitudinal relaxation. In this study, a new class of macrocyclic fluorinated lanthanide complexes is investigated where relaxation rates are significantly shortened by proximity of the fluorine group to a paramagnetic lanthanide ion located within the same molecule. Longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates are field dependent and in the range 50–150 s−1 and 70–200 s−1, respectively, at 7 T. Relaxation rates in these complexes are a function of the molecular structure and are independent of concentration at biologically relevant levels, so can be used as criteria to optimize imaging acquisition. Phantom experiments at 7 T indicate a lower limit for detection by imaging of 20 μM. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Excess post‐exercise oxygen consumption is not associated with mechanomyographic amplitude after incremental cycle ergometry in the quadriceps femoris muscles
Authors: Malek Moh H. , Coburn Jared W. , Housh Terry J. , Rana Sharon 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIntroduction: The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between the mechanical activities of the three superficial quadriceps muscles and excess post‐exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) after incremental cycle ergometer exercise. Methods: Twelve healthy male volunteers had mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the superficial quadriceps muscles recorded 30 minutes before incremental cycle ergometry and 60 minutes after the exercise work bout. Results: The results indicate significant time‐constant values for EPOC and MMG amplitude for the three superficial quadriceps muscles during the 60‐minute post‐exercise recovery period. For EMG amplitude no decay patterns were found for the three muscles. In addition, there were no mean differences between the MMG values for the three muscles that were significantly different from EPOC. Conclusions: These results suggest that EPOC after exercise could not be exclusively attributed to elevated activity of the working muscles. Muscle Nerve 44: 432–438, 2011
Therapeutics development in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Foff Erin Pennock , Mahadevan Mani S. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMyotonic dystrophy (DM1), the most common adult muscular dystrophy, is a multisystem, autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by an expanded CTG repeat that leads to nuclear retention of a mutant RNA and subsequent RNA toxicity. Significant insights into the molecular mechanisms of RNA toxicity have led to the previously unforeseen possibility that treating DM1 is a viable prospect. In this review, we briefly present the clinical picture in DM1, and describe how the research in understanding the pathogenesis of RNA toxicity in DM1 has led to targeted approaches to therapeutic development at various steps in the pathogenesis of the disease. We discuss the promise and current limitations of each with an emphasis on RNA‐based therapeutics and small molecules. We conclude with a discussion of the unmet need for clinical tools and outcome measures that are essential prerequisites to proceed in evaluating these potential therapies in clinical trials. Muscle Nerve, 2011
A distributed memory parallel multibody Contact Dynamics code
Authors: Koziara T. , Bićanić N. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSolfec is a computational code aimed at simulation of constrained multibody systems on distributed memory parallel computers. It implements an instance of the Contact Dynamics (CD) method by Moreau and Jean, hence the constraints are handled implicitly. One of the main goals of the software is to provide a user friendly platform for testing formulations and solution methods for the (dynamic) frictional contact problem. It is also meant to serve as a development platform for other aspects of time‐stepping methods (e.g. contact detection, time integration, kinematic models). The purpose of this communication is to outline the algorithmic ideas behind Solfec, with an emphasis on the Gauss–Seidel constraints solver, a classical element of CD, efficiently implemented on a distributed memory model. The remaining topics include a dynamic domain decomposition balancing the computational load of the overall algorithm, and an accuracy measure for the frictional contact constraints. Solfec is an open‐source software and can be downloaded from http://code.google.com/p/solfec. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methyl donor deficiency induces cardiomyopathy through altered methylation/acetylation of PGC‐1α by PRMT1 and SIRT1
Authors: Garcia Maira Moreno , Guéant‐Rodriguez Rosa‐Maria , Pooya Shabnam , Brachet Patrick , Alberto Jean‐Marc , Jeannesson Elise , Maskali Fathia , Gueguen Naig , Marie Pierre‐Yves , Lacolley Patrick , Herrmann Markus , Juillière Yves , Malthiery Yves , Guéant Jean‐Louis 
Published: March 2011

AbstractCardiomyopathies occur by mechanisms that involve inherited and acquired metabolic disorders. Both folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies are associated with left ventricular dysfunction, but mechanisms that underlie these associations are not known. However, folate and vitamin B12 are methyl donors needed for the synthesis of S‐adenosylmethionine, the substrate required for the activation by methylation of regulators of energy metabolism. We investigated the consequences of a diet lacking methyl donors in the myocardium of weaning rats from dams subjected to deficiency during gestation and lactation. Positron emission tomography (PET), microscope and metabolic examinations evidenced a myocardium hypertrophy, with cardiomyocyte enlargement, disturbed mitochondrial alignment, lipid droplets, decreased respiratory activity of complexes I and II and decreased S‐adenosylmethionine:S‐adenosylhomocysteine ratio. The increased concentrations of triglycerides and acylcarnitines were consistent with a deficit in fatty acid oxidation. These changes were explained by imbalanced acetylation/methylation of PGC‐1α, through decreased expression of SIRT1 and PRMT1 and decreased S‐adenosylmethionine:S‐adenosylhomocysteine ratio, and by decreased expression of PPARα and ERRα. The main changes of the myocardium proteomic study were observed for proteins regulated by PGC‐1α, PPARs and ERRα. These proteins, namely trifunctional enzyme subunit α‐complex, short chain acylCoA dehydrogenase, acylCoA thioesterase 2, fatty acid binding protein‐3, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) flavoprotein 2, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1α‐subunit 10 and Hspd1 protein, are involved in fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial respiration. In conclusion, the methyl donor deficiency produces detrimental effects on fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism of myocardium through imbalanced methylation/acetylation of PGC‐1α and decreased expression of PPARα and ERRα. These data are of pathogenetic relevance to perinatal cardiomyopathies. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carboplatin‐based chemotherapy and surgery: A cost effective treatment strategy for malignant extracranial germ cell tumours in the developing world
Authors: Hendricks Marc , Davidson Alan , Pillay Komala , Desai Farieda , Millar Alastair 
Published: March 2011

AbstractNineteen children with malignant extracranial germ cell tumours (MEGCT), were treated at our institution with a combination of carboplatin‐based chemotherapy and surgery from 1992 to 2008. Seventeen are long term survivors. Chemotherapy was administered on an outpatient basis and required no monitoring of GFR or auditory function. There were no deaths from toxicity or infection. Blood product use was low. Carboplatin‐based therapy achieved excellent results in our patient population and constitutes more than a US $1,800 saving per patient compared to regimens containing cisplatin. This has application in resource limited settings. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;57:172–174. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of constituents on thermal properties of polymethacrylate derivatives–clay materials
Authors: Benlikaya Ruhan , Alkan Mahir 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this study, the solution‐mixing method was used to prepare polymethacrylate derivatives' (PaMAs) nanocomposites with kaolinite. It was observed that the resultant materials could include exfoliated, intercalated, and undispersed kaolinite depending on their XRD patterns. TEM micrographs also revealed that platy and tube structures of kaolinite and their stacked form would disperse in the PaMAs. Therefore, they were called PaMAs–kaolinite materials with mixed morphology. The effects caused by different types of PaMA, solvent, and clay (sepiolite and kaolinite) on the thermal properties of these materials were examined. When the thermal stability of the materials was compared on the basis of the functional groups in the PaMAs, it was seen that the materials of the linear PaMAs with kaolinite usually had better thermal stability than that of the ring PaMAs and also seen that the thermal stability of Kao‐PaMAs increased from PMMA to poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and poly(butyl methacrylate) for linear PaMAs. The solvent type affected the thermal stability and the glass transition temperature of the PaMAs. It was found that THF is the most suitable solvent for increasing thermal stability of the PaMAs in the presence of kaolinite; however, it is difficult to say the same about their Tg temperatures. In addition, the thermal stabilities of PEMA and poly(2‐hydroxylethyl methacrylate) were higher in the presence of kaolinite in comparison with sepiolite. The results obtained in this study were explained by the utilization of the relationships among their solubility parameters and of the interactions among the PaMAs, clays, the modifier (octadecylamine) and solvents. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Morphology, resistivity, and thermal behavior of EVOH/carbon black and EVOH/graphite composites prepared by simple saponification method
Authors: Lee Eun‐Ju , Yoon Jin‐San , Park Eun‐Soo 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPoly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVOH)/carbon black (CB) and EVOH/graphite (GP) electro‐conductive composites were prepared by saponification of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA)/CB and EVA/GP composites in ethanol/KOH solution. The electrical resistivity change and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) behavior of these composites were investigated. The volume resistivity of EVA/CB and EVA/GP composites was decreased with saponification time. It can be observed that EVA/CB10 and EVA/GP05 composites showed a significant reduction in resistivity after saponification for 1 h. With the increase in saponification time, PTC peak temperature of both composites was shifted at a higher temperature. Tensile properties, morphology, and thermal behavior of the prepared composites have been also evaluated using universal test machine, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Poly(ascorbyl acrylate)s: Synthesis and evaluation of their redox polymerization ability in the presence of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Zhuang Dequan , Nie Jun , Yang Jing 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this work, a strategy for chemical synthesis of ascorbic acid functionalized polyacrylates (PAAA) was accomplished in a two‐step process, first a reversible addition fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization on a benzyl‐protected ascorbyl acrylate monomer, followed by a deprotection (debenzylation) reaction. The polymers were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and gel permeation chromatograph. The polymerization ability of redox pair including PAAA and H2O2 were conducted through the measurement of 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) conversion against time via real‐time FT‐NIR. It was found that PAAA in the presence of H2O2, independent on itself chain length, exhibited much faster polymerization than small molecule ascorbic acid (smAA) as reductant at identical condition. Interestingly, when the concentration of ascorbate repeating unit was over some critical value, the polymerization kinetics of HEA could be tunable by simply adjusting the initial molar ratio of reductant to oxidant and environmental pH. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Influence of the family cluster effect on psychosocial variables in families undergoing BRCA1/2 genetic testing for cancer susceptibility
Authors: Lapointe Julie , Abdous Belkacem , Camden Stéphanie , Bouchard Karine , Goldgar David , Simard Jacques , Dorval Michel 
Published: March 2011

AbstractObjective: This study evaluated the influence of the family cluster effect on behavioral and psychological variables among individuals undergoing BRCA1/2 genetic testing for cancer susceptibility.Methods: French‐Canadian women (n = 552) and men (n = 104) from 140 different families undergoing BRCA1/2 testing between years 1998 and 2004 completed a self‐administered questionnaire on a wide range of behavioral and psychological variables. The impact of the family cluster effect on 29 variables was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) as computed from multilevel random‐effect models.Results: ICC values were statistically significant for 22 of the 29 variables. Overall, the mean ICC value was 0.10. The ICC values for knowledge about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and frequency of alcohol consumption were 0.25. The ICC value for the Impact of Event Scale, which is a commonly used measure of cancer‐specific distress, was 0.14.Conclusions: Our results suggest that the family cluster effect influences the majority of behavioral and psychosocial variables. When studying psychosocial aspects of genetic testing for cancer susceptibility, the family cluster effect should be routinely accounted for when determining sample size and statistical methods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Droplet evaporation and spread on waxy and hairy leaves associated with type and concentration of adjuvants
Authors: Xu Linyun , Zhu Heping , Ozkan H Erdal , Bagley William E , Krause Charles R 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Adjuvants can improve pesticide application efficiency and effectiveness. However, quantifications of the adjuvant‐amended pesticide droplet actions on foliage, which could affect application efficiencies, are largely unknown.RESULTS: Droplet evaporation rates and spread on waxy or hairy leaves varied greatly with the adjuvant types tested. On waxy leaves, the wetted areas of droplets containing crop oil concentrate (COC) were significantly smaller than those containing modified seed oil (MSO), non‐ionic surfactant (NIS) or oil surfactant blend (OSB), whereas the evaporation rates of COC‐amended droplets were significantly higher. On hairy leaves, COC‐amended droplets remained on top of the hairs without wetting the epidermis. When the relative concentration was 1.50, the wetted area of droplets with NIS was 9.2 times lower than that with MSO and 6.1 times lower than that with OSB. The wetted area increased as the adjuvant concentration increased. MSO‐ or OSB‐amended droplets spread extensively on the hairy leaf surface until they were completely dried.CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the proper concentration of MSO, NIS or OSB in spray mixtures improved the homogeneity of spray coverage on both waxy and hairy leaf surfaces and could reduce pesticide use. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RNA interference in Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae) based on dsRNA ingestion
Authors: Li Jie , Chen Qiuhong , Lin Yongjun , Jiang Tingru , Wu Gang , Hua Hongxia 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: An efficient and convenient RNA interference (RNAi) technique involving double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) ingestion is useful for gene function studies of non‐model insects.RESULTS: Three dsRNAs targeting different sites within a gene encoding vacuolar ATP synthase subunit E (V‐ATPase‐E, 21E01) were synthesised for RNAi in Nilaparvata lugens. dsRNA was found to be stable in 0.1 g mL−1 sucrose solution, but unstable in artificial fodder. Therefore, dsRNAs were orally delivered into N. lugens in 0.1 g mL−1 sucrose solution. RNAi was induced by all three of the dsRNAs at 0.05 µg µL−1 in N. lugens. Time dynamics analysis of gene silencing indicated that significant suppression of the target gene began as early as 2 days after ingestion of ds2‐21E01 and ds3‐21E01. However, significant repressive effects were recorded up to 10 days after exposure to ds1‐21E01. The maximum reduction in target gene mRNA was observed after 10 days of treatment, with suppression ratios induced by ds1‐21E01, ds2‐21E01 and ds3‐21E01 of 41, 55 and 48% respectively.CONCLUSION: An efficient and convenient RNAi technique involving dsRNA ingestion has been successfully developed for N. lugens. This will be a useful tool for further functional genomic investigation in this organism. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry