bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A telemedicine instrument for remote evaluation of tremor: design and initial applications in fatigue and patients with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Barroso Mário C , Esteves Guilherme P , Nunes Thiago P , Silva Lucia MG , Faria Alvaro CD , Melo Pedro L 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Introduction
A novel system that combines a compact mobile instrument and Internet communications is presented in this paper for remote evaluation of tremors. The system presents a high potential application in Parkinson's disease and connects to the Internet through a TCP/IP protocol. Tremor transduction is carried out by accelerometers, and the data processing, presentation and storage were obtained by a virtual instrument. The system supplies the peak frequency (fp), the amplitude (Afp) and power in this frequency (Pfp), the total power (Ptot), and the power in low (1-4 Hz) and high (4-7 Hz) frequencies (Plf and Phf, respectively).

Methods
The ability of the proposed system to detect abnormal tremors was initially demonstrated by a fatigue study in normal subjects. In close agreement with physiological fundamentals, the presence of fatigue increased fp, Afp, Pfp and Pt (p < 0.05), while the removal of fatigue reduced all the mentioned parameters (p < 0.05). The system was also evaluated in a preliminary in vivo test in parkinsonian patients. Afp, Pfp, Ptot, Plf and Phf were the most accurate parameters in the detection of the adverse effects of this disease (Se = 100%, Sp = 100%), followed by fp (Se = 100%, Sp = 80%). Tests for Internet transmission that realistically simulated clinical conditions revealed adequate acquisition and analysis of tremor signals and also revealed that the user could adequately receive medical recommendations.

Conclusions
The proposed system can be used in a wide spectrum of telemedicine scenarios, enabling the home evaluation of tremor occurrence under specific medical treatments and contributing to reduce the costs of the assistance offered to these patients.
Discussion on the thermal conductivity enhancement of nanofluids
Authors: Xie Huaqing , Yu Wei , Li Yang , Chen Lifei 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIncreasing interests have been paid to nanofluids because of the intriguing heat transfer enhancement performances presented by this kind of promising heat transfer media. We produced a series of nanofluids and measured their thermal conductivities. In this article, we discussed the measurements and the enhancements of the thermal conductivity of a variety of nanofluids. The base fluids used included those that are most employed heat transfer fluids, such as deionized water (DW), ethylene glycol (EG), glycerol, silicone oil, and the binary mixture of DW and EG. Various nanoparticles (NPs) involving Al2O3 NPs with different sizes, SiC NPs with different shapes, MgO NPs, ZnO NPs, SiO2 NPs, Fe3O4 NPs, TiO2 NPs, diamond NPs, and carbon nanotubes with different pretreatments were used as additives. Our findings demonstrated that the thermal conductivity enhancements of nanofluids could be influenced by multi-faceted factors including the volume fraction of the dispersed NPs, the tested temperature, the thermal conductivity of the base fluid, the size of the dispersed NPs, the pretreatment process, and the additives of the fluids. The thermal transport mechanisms in nanofluids were further discussed, and the promising approaches for optimizing the thermal conductivity of nanofluids have been proposed.
Strain-induced high ferromagnetic transition temperature of MnAs epilayer grown on GaAs (110)
Authors: Xu Pengfa , Lu Jun , Chen Lin , Yan Shuai , Meng Haijuan , Pan Guoqiang , Zhao Jianhua 
Published: February 2011

AbstractMnAs films are grown on GaAs surfaces by molecular beam epitaxy. Specular and grazing incidence X-ray diffractions are used to study the influence of different strain states of MnAs/GaAs (110) and MnAs/GaAs (001) on the first-order magnetostructural phase transition. It comes out that the first-order magnetostructural phase transition temperature Tt, at which the remnant magnetization becomes zero, is strongly affected by the strain constraint from different oriented GaAs substrates. Our results show an elevated Tt of 350 K for MnAs films grown on GaAs (110) surface, which is attributed to the effect of strain constraint from different directions.PACS: 68.35.Rh, 61.50.Ks, 81.15.Hi, 07.85.Qe
Differences in the mannose oligomer specificities of the closely related lectins from Galanthus nivalis and Zea maysstrongly determine their eventual anti-HIV activity
Authors: Hoorelbeke Bart , Van Damme Els JM , Rougé Pierre , Schols Dominique , Van Laethem Kristel , Fouquaert Elke , Balzarini Jan 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background
In a recent report, the carbohydrate-binding specificities of the plant lectins Galanthus nivalis (GNA) and the closely related lectin from Zea mays (GNAmaize) were determined by glycan array analysis and indicated that GNAmaize recognizes complex-type N-glycans whereas GNA has specificity towards high-mannose-type glycans. Both lectins are tetrameric proteins sharing 64% sequence similarity.

Results
GNAmaize appeared to be ~20- to 100-fold less inhibitory than GNA against HIV infection, syncytia formation between persistently HIV-1-infected HuT-78 cells and uninfected CD4+ T-lymphocyte SupT1 cells, HIV-1 capture by DC-SIGN and subsequent transmission of DC-SIGN-captured virions to uninfected CD4+ T-lymphocyte cells. In contrast to GNA, which preferentially selects for virus strains with deleted high-mannose-type glycans on gp120, prolonged exposure of HIV-1 to dose-escalating concentrations of GNAmaize selected for mutant virus strains in which one complex-type glycan of gp120 was deleted. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) analysis revealed that GNA and GNAmaize interact with HIV IIIB gp120 with affinity constants (KD) of 0.33 nM and 34 nM, respectively. Whereas immobilized GNA specifically binds mannose oligomers, GNAmaize selectively binds complex-type GlcNAcβ1,2Man oligomers. Also, epitope mapping experiments revealed that GNA and the mannose-specific mAb 2G12 can independently bind from GNAmaize to gp120, whereas GNAmaize cannot efficiently bind to gp120 that contained prebound PHA-E (GlcNAcβ1,2man specific) or SNA (NeuAcα2,6X specific).

Conclusion
The markedly reduced anti-HIV activity of GNAmaize compared to GNA can be explained by the profound shift in glycan recognition and the disappearance of carbohydrate-binding sites in GNAmaize that have high affinity for mannose oligomers. These findings underscore the need for mannose oligomer recognition of therapeutics to be endowed with anti-HIV activity and that mannose, but not complex-type glycan binding of chemotherapeutics to gp120, may result in a pronounced neutralizing activity against the virus.
Neuropathic Nav1.3-Mediated Sensitization to P2X Activation is Regulated by Protein Kinase C
Authors: Mo Gary , Grant Rebecca , O'Donnell Dajan , Ragsdale David S , Cao Chang-Qing , Séguéla Philippe 
Published: February 2011

Background: Increased neuronal excitability and spontaneous firing are hallmark characteristics of injured sensory neurons. Changes in expression of various voltage-gated Na+ channels (VGSCs) have been observed under neuropathic conditions and there is evidence for the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in sensory hyperexcitability. Here we demonstrate the contribution of PKC to P2X-evoked VGSC activation in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in neuropathic conditions. Results: Using the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model of neuropathic pain and whole-cell patch clamp recordings of dissociated DRG neurons, we examined changes in excitability of sensory neurons after nerve injury and observed that P2X3 purinoceptor-mediated currents induced by α,β-meATP triggered activation of TTX-sensitive VGSCs in neuropathic nociceptors only. Treatment of neuropathic DRGs with the PKC blocker staurosporine or calphostin C decreased the α,β-meATP-induced Na+ channels activity and reversed neuronal hypersensitivity. In current clamp mode, α,β-meATP was able to evoke action-potentials more frequently in neuropathic neurons than in controls. Pretreatment with calphostin C significantly decreased the proportion of sensitized neurons that generated action potentials in response to α,β-meATP. Recordings measuring VGSC activity in neuropathic neurons show significant change in amplitude and voltage dependence of sodium currents. In situ hybridization data indicate a dramatic increase in expression of embryonic Nav1.3 channels in neuropathic DRG neurons. In a CHO cell line stably expressing the Nav1.3 subunit, PKC inhibition caused both a significant shift in voltage-dependence of the channel in the depolarizing direction and a decrease in current amplitude. Conclusion: Neuropathic injury causes primary sensory neurons to become hyperexcitable to ATP-evoked P2X receptor-mediated depolarization, a phenotypic switch sensitive to PKC modulation and mediated by increased activity of TTX-sensitive VGSCs. Upregulation in VGSC activity after injury is likely mediated by increased expression of the Nav1.3 subunit, and the function of the Nav1.3 channel is regulated by PKC.
Evolutionary patterns of phosphorylated serines
Authors: Kurmangaliyev Yerbol Z , Goland Alexander , Gelfand Mikhail S 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Abstract
Posttranslationally modified amino acids are chemically distinct types of amino acids and in terms of evolution they might behave differently from their non-modified counterparts. In order to check this possibility, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of phosphorylated serines in several groups of organisms. Comparisons of substitution vectors have revealed some significant differences in the evolution of modified and corresponding non-modified amino acids. In particular, phosphoserines are more frequently substituted to aspartate and glutamate, compared to non-phosphorylated serines.

Reviewers
This article was reviewed by Arcady Mushegian and Sandor Pongor.
The efficacy and safety study of dietary supplement PURIAM110 on non-insulin taking Korean adults in the stage of pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus: protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and multicenter trial-pilot study
Authors: Park Sunju , Park Jeong-Su , Go Hoyeon , Jang Bo-Hyoung , Shin Yongcheol , Ko Seong-Gyu 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background
Diabetes has already become a threat to the nation and the individual due to its high prevalence rates and high medical expenses. Therefore, preventing diabetes at an earlier stage is very important. Despite advances in antidiabetic agents, we have not yet achieved any satisfying results in treating diabetes. Among various treatments, medicinal herbs and supplements for diabetes are reported to show generally good efficacy and safety data. In particular, PURIAM110, a compound from orange fruits and mulberry leaves, is supposed to prevent the progress of type II diabetes mellitus and improve diabetic symptoms. This is the first reported pilot study about the protective effect of the orange fruits and mulberry leaves mixture against pre-diabetes on Korean adults. Based on these positive results of herb-derived components, extended studies of dietary supplements have to be done to suggest confirmative evidences.

Methods/Design
The efficacy and safety study of PURIAM110 is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, and multi-center clinical trial. A total of 45 subjects will participate in this study for 6 weeks.

Discussion
The present protocol will confirm the efficacy and safety of PURIAM110 for pre-diabetes, suggesting more basic knowledge to conduct further randomized controlled trials (RCT). In addition, PURIAM110 can be an alternative dietary supplemental remedy for diabetes patients.

Trial Registration
ISRCTN: ISRCTN44779824
Rapid analysis of seed size in Arabidopsis for mutant and QTL discovery
Authors: Herridge Rowan P , Day Robert C , Baldwin Samantha , Macknight Richard C 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background

Arabidopsis thaliana is a useful model organism for deciphering the genetic determinants of seed size; however the small size of its seeds makes measurements difficult. Bulk seed weights are often used as an indicator of average seed size, but details of individual seed is obscured. Analysis of seed images is possible but issues arise from variations in seed pigmentation and shadowing making analysis laborious. We therefore investigated the use of a consumer level scanner to facilitate seed size measurements in conjunction with open source image-processing software.

Results
By using the transmitted light from the slide scanning function of a flatbed scanner and particle analysis of the resulting images, we have developed a method for the rapid and high throughput analysis of seed size and seed size distribution. The technical variation due to the approach was negligible enabling us to identify aspects of maternal plant growth that contribute to biological variation in seed size. By controlling for these factors, differences in seed size caused by altered parental genome dosage and mutation were easily detected. The method has high reproducibility and sensitivity, such that a mutant with a 10% reduction in seed size was identified in a screen of endosperm-expressed genes. Our study also generated average seed size data for 91 Arabidopsis accessions and identified a number of quantitative trait loci from two recombinant inbred line populations, generated from Cape Verde Islands and Burren accessions crossed with Columbia.

Conclusions
This study describes a sensitive, high-throughput approach for measuring seed size and seed size distribution. The method provides a low cost and robust solution that can be easily implemented into the workflow of studies relating to various aspects of seed development.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquisition on an intensive care unit: relationship between antibiotic selective pressure and patients' environment
Authors: Boyer Alexandre , Doussau Adélaïde , Thiébault Rodolphe , Venier Anne Gaëlle , Tran Van , Boulestreau Hélène , Bébéar Cécile , Vargas Frédéric , Hilbert Gilles , Gruson Didier , Rogues Anne Marie 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquisition on the intensive care unit (ICU), environmental contamination and antibiotic selective pressure against P. aeruginosa.

Methods
An open, prospective cohort study was carried out in a 16-bed medical ICU where P. aeruginosa was endemic. Over a six-month period, all patients without P. aeruginosa on admission and with a length of stay >72 h were included. Throat, nasal, rectal, sputum and urine samples were taken on admission and at weekly intervals and screened for P. aeruginosa. All antibiotic treatments were recorded daily. Environmental analysis included weekly tap water specimen culture and the presence of other patients colonized with P. aeruginosa.

Results
A total of 126 patients were included, comprising 1,345 patient-days. Antibiotics were given to 106 patients (antibiotic selective pressure for P. aeruginosa in 39). P. aeruginosa was acquired by 20 patients (16%) and was isolated from 164/536 environmental samples (31%). Two conditions were independently associated with P. aeruginosa acquisition by multivariate analysis: (i) patients receiving ≥3 days of antibiotic selective pressure together with at least one colonized patient on the same ward on the previous day (odds ratio (OR) = 10.3 ((% confidence interval (CI): 1.8 to 57.4); P = 0.01); and (ii) presence of an invasive device (OR = 7.7 (95% CI: 2.3 to 25.7); P = 0.001).

Conclusions
Specific interaction between both patient colonization pressure and selective antibiotic pressure is the most relevant factor for P. aeruginosa acquisition on an ICU. This suggests that combined efforts are needed against both factors to decrease colonization with P. aeruginosa.
17β-Estradiol, Aging, Inflammation, and the Stress Response in the Female Heart
Authors: Stice James P. , Chen Le , Kim Se-Chan , Jung J. S. , Tran A. L. , Liu T. T. , Knowlton Anne A. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractHeat shock proteins (HSPs) are a cardioprotective class of proteins induced by stress and regulated by the transcription factor, heat shock factor (HSF)-1. 17β-estradiol (E2) indirectly regulates HSP expression through rapid activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and HSF-1 and protects against hypoxia. As males experience a loss of protective cellular responses in aging, we hypothesized that aged menopausal (old ovariectomized) rats would have an impaired HSP response, which could be prevented by immediate in vivo E2 replacement. After measuring cardiac function in vivo, cardiac myocytes were isolated from ovariectomized adult and old rats with and without 9 weeks of E2 replacement. Myocytes were treated with E2in vitro and analyzed for activation of NF-κB, HSF-1, and HSP expression. In addition, we measured inflammatory cytokine expression and susceptibility to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Cardiac contractility was reduced in old ovariectomized rats and could prevented by immediate E2 replacement in vivo. Subsequent investigations in isolated cardiac myocytes found that in vitro E2 activated NF-κB, HSF-1, and increased HSP 72 expression in adult but not old rats. In response to hypoxia/reoxygenation, myocytes from adult, but not old, rats had increased HSP 72 expression. In addition, expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, as well as oxidative stress, were increased in myocytes from old ovariectomized rats; only the change in cytokine expression could be attenuated by in vivo E2 replacement. This study demonstrates that while aging in female rats led to a loss of the cardioprotective HSP response, E2 retains its protective cellular properties.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I:Vitronectin Complex-Induced Changes in Gene Expression Effect Breast Cell Survival and Migration
Authors: Kashyap Abhishek S. , Hollier Brett G. , Manton Kerry J. , Satyamoorthy K. , Leavesley David I. , Upton Zee 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that IGF-I associates with vitronectin (VN) through IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP), which in turn modulate IGF-stimulated biological functions such as cell proliferation, attachment, and migration. Because IGFs play important roles in transformation and progression of breast tumors, we aimed to describe the effects of IGF-I:IGFBP:VN complexes on breast cell function and to dissect mechanisms underlying these responses. In this study we demonstrate that substrate-bound IGF-I:IGFBP:VN complexes are potent stimulators of MCF-7 breast cell survival, which is mediated by a transient activation of ERK/MAPK and sustained activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT pathways. Furthermore, use of pharmacological inhibitors of the MAPK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathways confirms that both pathways are involved in IGF-I:IGFBP:VN complex-mediated increased cell survival. Microarray analysis of cells stimulated to migrate in response to IGF-I:IGFBP:VN complexes identified differential expression of genes with previously reported roles in migration, invasion, and survival (Ephrin-B2, Sharp-2, Tissue-factor, Stratifin, PAI-1, IRS-1). These changes were not detected when the IGF-I analogue ([L24][A31]-IGF-I), which fails to bind to the IGF-I receptor, was substituted; confirming the IGF-I-dependent differential expression of genes associated with enhanced cell migration. Taken together, these studies have established that IGF-I:IGFBP:VN complexes enhance breast cell migration and survival, processes central to facilitating metastasis. This study highlights the interdependence of extracellular matrix and growth factor interactions in biological functions critical for metastasis and identifies potential novel therapeutic targets directed at preventing breast cancer progression.
The Role of Glucocorticoids in Pregnancy, Parturition, Lactation, and Nurturing in Melanocortin Receptor 2-Deficient Mice
Authors: Chida Dai , Miyoshi Keiko , Sato Tsuyoshi , Yoda Tetsuya , Kikusui Takefumi , Iwakura Yoichiro 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Maternal glucocorticoids are critical for fetal development, but overexpression can be deleterious. Previously we established a mouse line deficient in melanocortin receptor 2 (MC2R). MC2R−/− mice have undetectable levels of corticosterone despite high levels of ACTH and defects resembling those in patients with familial glucocorticoid deficiency. Here we analyzed the role of glucocorticoids in pregnancy, parturition, lactation, and nurturing in MC2R−/− mice. MC2R−/− mice were fertile and produced normal litters when crossed with MC2R+/+ mice. However, MC2R−/− females crossed with MC2R−/− males had no live births, and approximately 20% of the embryos at d 18.5 of pregnancy were of normal body size but were dead when born. MC2R−/− pregnant females crossed with MC2R+/+ males had detectable serum corticosterone levels, suggesting the transplacental passage of corticosterone from fetus to mother. MC2R+/− pups delivered from MC2R−/− females crossed with MC2R+/+ males mice thrived poorly with MC2R−/− mothers but grew to adulthood when transferred to foster mothers after birth, suggesting that MC2R−/− females are poor mothers or cannot nurse. MC2R−/− females had normal alveoli, but penetration of mammary epithelium into fat pads and expression of milk proteins were reduced. Myoepithelial cells, which force milk out of the alveoli, were fully developed and differentiated. Pup retrieval behavior was normal in MC2R−/− mice. Exogenous corticosterone rescued expression of milk proteins in MC2R−/− mothers, and the pups of treated mothers grew to adulthood. Our results reveal the importance of glucocorticoids for fetal survival late in pregnancy, mammary gland development, and milk protein gene expression.
Growth Hormone-Dependent Pathogenesis of Human Hepatic Steatosis in a Novel Mouse Model Bearing a Human Hepatocyte-Repopulated Liver
Authors: Tateno Chise , Kataoka Miho , Utoh Rie , Tachibana Asato , Itamoto Toshiyuki , Asahara Toshimasa , Miya Fuyuki , Tsunoda Tatsuhiko , Yoshizato Katsutoshi 
Published: February 2011

AbstractClinical studies have shown a close association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and adult-onset GH deficiency, but the relevant molecular mechanisms are still unclear. No mouse model has been suitable to study the etiological relationship of human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and human adult-onset GH deficiency under conditions similar to the human liver in vivo. We generated human (h-)hepatocyte chimeric mice with livers that were predominantly repopulated with h-hepatocytes in a h-GH-deficient state. The chimeric mouse liver was mostly repopulated with h-hepatocytes about 50 d after transplantation and spontaneously became fatty in the h-hepatocyte regions after about 70 d. Infusion of the chimeric mouse with h-GH drastically decreased steatosis, showing the direct cause of h-GH deficiency in the generation of hepatic steatosis. Using microarray profiles aided by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, comparison between h-hepatocytes from h-GH-untreated and -treated mice identified 14 GH-up-regulated and four GH-down-regulated genes, including IGF-I, SOCS2, NNMT, IGFLS, P4AH1, SLC16A1, SRD5A1, FADS1, and AKR1B10, respectively. These GH-up- and -down-regulated genes were expressed in the chimeric mouse liver at lower and higher levels than in human livers, respectively. Treatment of the chimeric mice with h-GH ameliorated their altered expression. h-Hepatocytes were separated from chimeric mouse livers for testing in vitro effects of h-GH or h-IGF-I on gene expression, and results showed that GH directly regulated the expression of IGF-I, SOCS2, NNMT, IGFALS, P4AH1, FADS1, and AKR1B10. In conclusion, the chimeric mouse is a novel h-GH-deficient animal model for studying in vivo h-GH-dependent human liver dysfunctions.