bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Second-language Instinct and Instruction Effects: Nature and Nurture in Second-language Acquisition
Authors: Yusa Noriaki , Koizumi Masatoshi , Kim Jungho , Kimura Naoki , Uchida Shinya , Yokoyama Satoru , Miura Naoki , Kawashima Ryuta , Hagiwara Hiroko 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAdults seem to have greater difficulties than children in acquiring a second language (L2) because of the alleged “window of opportunity” around puberty. Postpuberty Japanese participants learned a new English rule with simplex sentences during one month of instruction, and then they were tested on “uninstructed complex sentences” as well as “instructed simplex sentences.” The behavioral data show that they can acquire more knowledge than is instructed, suggesting the interweaving of nature (universal principles of grammar, UG) and nurture (instruction) in L2 acquisition. The comparison in the “uninstructed complex sentences” between post-instruction and pre-instruction using functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals a significant activation in Broca's area. Thus, this study provides new insight into Broca's area, where nature and nurture cooperate to produce L2 learners' rich linguistic knowledge. It also shows neural plasticity of adult L2 acquisition, arguing against a critical period hypothesis, at least in the domain of UG.
Task-invariant Brain Responses to the Social Value of Faces
Authors: Todorov Alexander , Said Christopher P. , Oosterhof Nikolaas N. , Engell Andrew D. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
In two fMRI experiments (n = 44) using tasks with different demands—approach–avoidance versus one-back recognition decisions—we measured the responses to the social value of faces. The face stimuli were produced by a parametric model of face evaluation that reduces multiple social evaluations to two orthogonal dimensions of valence and power [Oosterhof, N. N., & Todorov, A. The functional basis of face evaluation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 105, 11087–11092, 2008]. Independent of the task, the response within regions of the occipital, fusiform, and lateral prefrontal cortices was sensitive to the valence dimension, with larger responses to low-valence faces. Additionally, there were extensive quadratic responses in the fusiform gyri and dorsal amygdala, with larger responses to faces at the extremes of the face valence continuum than faces in the middle. In all these regions, participants' avoidance decisions correlated with brain responses, with faces more likely to be avoided evoking stronger responses. The findings suggest that both explicit and implicit face evaluation engage multiple brain regions involved in attention, affect, and decision making.
Development of a novel multiplex DNA microarray for Fusarium graminearum and analysis of azole fungicide responses
Authors: Becher Rayko , Weihmann Fabian , Deising Holger B , Wirsel Stefan GR 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe toxigenic fungal plant pathogenFusarium graminearumcompromises wheat production worldwide. Azole fungicides play a prominent role in controlling this pathogen. Sequencing of its genome stimulated the development of high-throughput technologies to study mechanisms of coping with fungicide stress and adaptation to fungicides at a previously unprecedented precision. DNA-microarrays have been used to analyze genome-wide gene expression patterns and uncovered complex transcriptional responses. A recently developed one-color multiplex array format allowed flexible, effective, and parallel examinations of eight RNA samples.ResultsWe took advantage of the 8 × 15 k Agilent format to design, evaluate, and apply a novel microarray covering the wholeF. graminearumgenome to analyze transcriptional responses to azole fungicide treatment. Comparative statistical analysis of expression profiles uncovered 1058 genes that were significantly differentially expressed after azole-treatment. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis for 31 selected genes indicated high conformity to results from the microarray hybridization. Among the 596 genes with significantly increased transcript levels, analyses using GeneOntology and FunCat annotations detected the ergosterol-biosynthesis pathway genes as the category most significantly responding, confirming the mode-of-action of azole fungicides.Cyp51A, which is one of the threeF. graminearumparalogs ofCyp51encoding the target of azoles, was the most consistently differentially expressed gene of the entire study. A molecular phylogeny analyzing the relationships of the three CYP51 proteins in the context of 38 fungal genomes belonging to the Pezizomycotina indicated that CYP51C (FGSG_11024) groups with a new clade of CYP51 proteins. The transcriptional profiles for genes encoding ABC transporters and transcription factors suggested several involved in mechanisms alleviating the impact of the fungicide. Comparative analyses with published microarray experiments obtained from two different nutritional stress conditions identified subsets of genes responding to different types of stress. Some of the genes that responded only to tebuconazole treatment appeared to be unique to theF. graminearumgenome.ConclusionsThe novelF. graminearum8 × 15 k microarray is a reliable and efficient high-throughput tool for genome-wide expression profiling experiments in fungicide research, and beyond, as shown by our data obtained for azole responses. The array data contribute to understanding mechanisms of fungicide resistance and allow identifying fungicide targets.
Evaluation of signal transduction pathways after transient cutaneous adenoviral gene delivery
Authors: Steinstraesser Lars , Sorkin Michael , Jacobsen Frank , Al-Benna Sammy , Kesting Marco Rainer , Niederbichler Andreas David , Otte Jan-Michel , Hirsch Tobias , Stupka Jadwiga , Steinau Hans-Ulrich , Schulte Matthias 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Adenoviral vectors have provided effective methods for in vivo gene delivery in therapeutic applications. However, these vectors can induce immune responses that may severely affect the ability of vector re-application. There is limited information about the mechanisms and signal transduction pathways involved in adenoviral recognition. For optimization of cutaneous gene therapy it is necessary to investigate molecular mechanisms of virus recognition in epidermal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the signal transduction of the innate immunity after adenoviral DNA internalization in keratinocytes.

Methods

In vitro, keratinocytes were transfected with DNA, in the presence and absence of inhibitors for signalling molecules. In vivo, immunocompetent and athymic mice (n = 3 per group) were twice transduced with an Ad-vector.

Results
The results show an acute induction of type-I-interferon after in vitro transfection. Inhibition of PI3K, p38 MAPK, JNK and NFkappaB resulted in a decreased expression of type-I-interferon. In contrast to immunocompetent mice, athymic mice demonstrated a constant transgene expression and reduced inflammatory response in vivo.

Conclusion
The results suggest an induction of the innate immunity triggered by cytoplasm localised DNA which is mediated by PI3K-, p38 MAPK-, JNK-, NFkappaB-, JAK/STAT- and ERK1/2-dependent pathways. A stable transgene expression and a reduced inflammatory response in immunodeficient mice have been observed. These results provide potential for an effective adenoviral gene delivery into immunosupressed skin.
Patterns and regulation of ribosomal RNA transcription in Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Bugrysheva Julia V , Godfrey Henry P , Schwartz Ira , Cabello Felipe C 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background

Borrelia burgdorferi contains one 16S and two tandem sets of 23S-5S ribosomal (r) RNA genes whose patterns of transcription and regulation are unknown but are likely to be critical for survival and persistence in its hosts.

Results
RT-PCR of B. burgdorferi N40 and B31 revealed three rRNA region transcripts: 16S rRNA-alanine transfer RNA (tRNAAla); tRNAIle; and both sets of 23S-5S rRNA. At 34°C, there were no differences in growth rate or in accumulation of total protein, DNA and RNA in B31 cultured in Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly (BSK)-H whether rabbit serum was present or not. At 23°C, B31 grew more slowly in serum-containing BSK-H than at 34°C. DNA per cell was higher in cells in exponential as compared to stationary phase at either temperature; protein per cell was similar at both temperatures in both phases. Similar amounts of rRNA were produced in exponential phase at both temperatures, and rRNA was down-regulated in stationary phase at either temperature. Interestingly, a rel

Bbu
deletion mutant unable to generate (p)ppGpp did not down-regulate rRNA at transition to stationary phase in serum-containing BSK-H at 34°C, similar to the relaxed phenotype of E. coli relA mutants.

Conclusions
We conclude that rRNA transcription in B. burgdorferi is complex and regulated both by growth phase and by the stringent response but not by temperature-modulated growth rate.
Cerebral aneurysm exclusion by CT angiography based on subarachnoid hemorrhage pattern: a retrospective study
Authors: Kelliny Marc , Maeder Philippe , Binaghi Stefano , Levivier Marc , Regli Luca , Meuli Reto 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
To identify patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage for whom CT angiography alone can exclude ruptured aneurysms.

Methods
An observational retrospective review was carried out of all consecutive patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent both CT angiography and catheter angiography to exclude an aneurysm. CT angiography negative cases (no aneurysm) were classified according to their CT hemorrhage pattern as "aneurismal", "perimesencephalic" or as "no-hemorrhage."

Results
Two hundred and forty-one patients were included. A CT angiography aneurysm detection sensitivity and specificity of 96.4% and 96.0% were observed. All 35 cases of perimesencephalic or no-hemorrhage out of 78 CT angiography negatives also had negative angiography findings.

Conclusions
CT angiography is self-reliant to exclude ruptured aneurysms when either a perimesencephalic hemorrhage or no-hemorrhage pattern is identified on the CT within a week of symptom onset.
Knowns and unknowns on burden of disease due to chemicals: a systematic review
Authors: Prüss-Ustün Annette , Vickers Carolyn , Haefliger Pascal , Bertollini Roberto 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Continuous exposure to many chemicals, including through air, water, food, or other media and products results in health impacts which have been well assessed, however little is known about the total disease burden related to chemicals. This is important to know for overall policy actions and priorities. In this article the known burden related to selected chemicals or their mixtures, main data gaps, and the link to public health policy are reviewed.

Methods
A systematic review of the literature for global burden of disease estimates from chemicals was conducted. Global disease due to chemicals was estimated using standard methodology of the Global Burden of Disease.

Results
In total, 4.9 million deaths (8.3% of total) and 86 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) (5.7% of total) were attributable to environmental exposure and management of selected chemicals in 2004. The largest contributors include indoor smoke from solid fuel use, outdoor air pollution and second-hand smoke, with 2.0, 1.2 and 0.6 million deaths annually. These are followed by occupational particulates, chemicals involved in acute poisonings, and pesticides involved in self-poisonings, with 375,000, 240,000 and 186,000 annual deaths, respectively.

Conclusions
The known burden due to chemicals is considerable. This information supports decision-making in programmes having a role to play in reducing human exposure to toxic chemicals. These figures present only a number of chemicals for which data are available, therefore, they are more likely an underestimate of the actual burden. Chemicals with known health effects, such as dioxins, cadmium, mercury or chronic exposure to pesticides could not be included in this article due to incomplete data and information. Effective public health interventions are known to manage chemicals and limit their public health impacts and should be implemented at national and international levels.
A novel neuron-enriched protein SDIM1 is down regulated in Alzheimer's brains and attenuates cell death induced by DNAJB4 over-expression in neuro-progenitor cells
Authors: Lei Joy X , Cassone Cristina G , Luebbert Christian , Liu Qing Yan 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Molecular changes in multiple biological processes contribute to the development of chronic neurodegeneration such as late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). To discover how these changes are reflected at the level of gene expression, we used a subtractive transcription-based amplification of mRNA procedure to identify novel genes that have altered expression levels in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Among the genes altered in expression level in AD brains was a transcript encoding a novel protein, SDIM1, that contains 146 amino acids, including a typical signal peptide and two transmembrane domains. Here we examined its biochemical properties and putative roles in neuroprotection/neurodegeneration.

Results
QRT-PCR analysis of additional AD and control post-mortem human brains showed that the SDIM1 transcript was indeed significantly down regulated in all AD brains. SDIM1 is more abundant in NT2 neurons than astrocytes and present throughout the cytoplasm and neural processes, but not in the nuclei. In NT2 neurons, it is highly responsive to stress conditions mimicking insults that may cause neurodegeneration in AD brains. For example, SDIM1 was significantly down regulated 2 h after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), though had recovered 16 h later, and also appeared significantly up regulated compared to untreated NT2 neurons. Overexpression of SDIM1 in neuro-progenitor cells improved cells' ability to survive after injurious insults and its downregulation accelerated cell death induced by OGD. Yeast two-hybrid screening and co-immunoprecipitation approaches revealed, both in vitro and in vivo, an interaction between SDIM1 and DNAJB4, a heat shock protein hsp40 homolog, recently known as an enhancer of apoptosis that also interacts with the mu opioid receptor in human brain. Overexpression of DNAJB4 alone significantly reduced cell viability and SDIM1 co-overexpression was capable of attenuating the cell death caused DNAJB4, suggesting that the binding of SDIM1 to DNAJB4 might sequester DNAJB4, thus increasing cell viability.

Conclusion
Taken together, we have identified a small membrane protein, which is down regulated in AD brains and neuronal cells exposed to injurious insults. Its ability to promote survival and its interaction with DNAJB4 suggest that it may play a very specific role in brain cell survival and/or receptor trafficking.
Strabismus-mediated primary archenteron invagination is uncoupled from Wnt/β-catenin-dependent endoderm cell fate specification in Nematostella vectensis (Anthozoa, Cnidaria): Implications for the evolution of gastrulation
Authors: Kumburegama Shalika , Wijesena Naveen , Xu Ronghui , Wikramanayake Athula H 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Gastrulation is a uniquely metazoan character, and its genesis was arguably the key step that enabled the remarkable diversification within this clade. The process of gastrulation involves two tightly coupled events during embryogenesis of most metazoans. Morphogenesis produces a distinct internal epithelial layer in the embryo, and this epithelium becomes segregated as an endoderm/endomesodermal germ layer through the activation of a specific gene regulatory program. The developmental mechanisms that induced archenteron formation and led to the segregation of germ layers during metazoan evolution are unknown. But an increased understanding of development in early diverging taxa at the base of the metazoan tree may provide insights into the origins of these developmental mechanisms.

Results
In the anthozoan cnidarian Nematostella vectensis, initial archenteron formation begins with bottle cell-induced buckling of the blastula epithelium at the animal pole. Here, we show that bottle cell formation and initial gut invagination in Nematostella requires NvStrabismus (NvStbm), a maternally-expressed core component of the Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) pathway. The NvStbm protein is localized to the animal pole of the zygote, remains asymmetrically expressed through the cleavage stages, and becomes restricted to the apical side of invaginating bottle cells at the blastopore. Antisense morpholino-mediated NvStbm-knockdown blocks bottle cell formation and initial archenteron invagination, but it has no effect on Wnt/ß-catenin signaling-mediated endoderm cell fate specification. Conversely, selectively blocking Wnt/ß-catenin signaling inhibits endoderm cell fate specification but does not affect bottle cell formation and initial archenteron invagination.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate that Wnt/PCP-mediated initial archenteron invagination can be uncoupled from Wnt/ß-catenin-mediated endoderm cell fate specification in Nematostella, and provides evidence that these two processes could have evolved independently during metazoan evolution. We propose a two-step model for the evolution of an archenteron and the evolution of endodermal germ layer segregation. Asymmetric accumulation and activation of Wnt/PCP components at the animal pole of the last common ancestor to the eumetazoa may have induced the cell shape changes that led to the initial formation of an archenteron. Activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling at the animal pole may have led to the activation of a gene regulatory network that specified an endodermal cell fate in the archenteron.
Decreased Cerebrospinal Fluid/Plasma Ratio of the Novel Satiety Molecule, Nesfatin-1/NUCB-2, in Obese Humans: Evidence of Nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 Resistance and Implications for Obesity Treatment
Authors: Tan Bee K. , Hallschmid Manfred , Kern Werner , Lehnert Hendrik , Randeva Harpal S. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Context:
The novel adipokine, nesfatin-1/NUCB-2, reduces food intake, levels of which are elevated in overweight individuals.

Objectives:
The aim of the study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying brain nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 uptake and to determine whether reduced uptake may contribute to nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 resistance.

Design:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and corresponding plasma nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 were measured by ELISA [18 men and 20 women; age, 19–80 yr; body mass index (BMI), 16.2–38.1 kg/m2] and correlated to body adiposity and metabolic parameters.

Results:
CSF/plasma nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 ratio was significantly negatively associated with BMI, body weight, fat mass, and CSF glucose. BMI was predictive of CSF/plasma nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 ratio (β = −0.786; P = 0.045). CSF nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 was significantly positively associated with plasma nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 (R = 0.706; P &lt; 0.01). There was a significant linear relation between CSF and plasma nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 in lean (BMI &lt;25 kg/m2; R = 0.744; P = 0.002) and obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2; R = 0.693; P = 0.026) subjects. Subjects in the highest plasma nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 quintile had lower CSF/plasma nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 ratio [26.5% (26.0–29.5%)] compared to the lowest plasma nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 quintile [38.5% (34.0–42.0%)] (P &lt; 0.01), corresponding BMI [32.4 (31.0–35.0) vs. 23.3 (19.7–23.5) kg/m2; P &lt; 0.01], and fat mass [32.8 (29.5–40.6) vs. 30.7 (8.2–20.1) kg/m2; P &lt; 0.01].

Conclusions:
Our observations have important implications with respect to the potential weight-reducing actions of nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 treatment. Future research should seek to clarify whether nesfatin-1/NUCB-2 would be beneficial in the management of obesity.
Prolonged Exercise-Induced Stimulation of Skeletal Muscle Glucose Uptake Is due to Sustained Increases in Tissue Perfusion and Fractional Glucose Extraction
Authors: Hamrin K. , Qvisth V. , Hagström-Toft E. , Enoksson S. , Henriksson J. , Bolinder J. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractContext:The mechanisms behind the positive effects of physical activity on glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle and the time course of the effects need to be more elucidated.Objective:The aim was to examine the prolonged effects of an acute bout of one-legged exercise on local skeletal muscle glucose utilization and tissue perfusion.Design and Setting:Interstitial glucose concentration, local tissue perfusion, glucose uptake, and effects of insulin infusion were studied 12 h after an acute bout of exercise and without prior exercise.Participants:Ten healthy subjects, five women and five men, participated in the study.Intervention:Microdialysis measurements, 133Xe clearance, and a 2-h hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp were performed on two occasions.Main Outcome Measures:We measured interstitial glucose concentration and tissue perfusion in the quadriceps femoris muscle of both legs.Results:Tissue perfusion (3.3 ± 0.6 ml × 100 g−1 × min−1vs. 1.4 ± 0.2 ml × 100 g−1 × min−1; P = 0.007) and basal glucose uptake (2.3 ± 0.5 μmol × 100 g−1 × min−1vs. 0.9 ± 0.2 μmol × 100 g−1 × min−1; P = 0.006) were increased in the leg that had exercised compared to the resting leg; the findings in the resting leg were comparable to those in the control experiment without prior exercise. The relative effect of insulin on fractional skeletal muscle glucose uptake was the same in all experimental settings, and insulin did not affect tissue perfusion.Conclusions:The prolonged stimulatory effect of physical exercise on skeletal muscle glucose uptake was mediated via vascular effects combined with an increase in basal glucose transport independent of enhancement of insulin responses.
A Dual Sugar Challenge Test for Lipogenic Sensitivity to Dietary Fructose
Authors: Hudgins Lisa C. , Parker Thomas S. , Levine Daniel M. , Hellerstein Marc K. 
Published: January 2011

Context:Increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in response to dietary sugar is implicated in dyslipidemia, fatty liver, and insulin resistance.Objective:The aim of the study was to develop a simple outpatient tolerance test for lipogenic sensitivity to dietary sugar.Design and Setting:In inpatients given repeated doses of fructose, protocol 1 compared the acute increase in DNL determined from the percentage of palmitate (“new palmitate”) and the percentage of isotopically labeled palmitate (“%DNL”) in very low-density lipoprotein triglyceride (TG). Protocol 2 compared the increase in new palmitate in outpatients given three different sugar beverages in a randomized crossover design.Participants:There were 15 lean and overweight volunteers in protocol 1 and 15 overweight volunteers in protocol 2.Interventions:In protocol 1, subjects received 1.4 g/kg fructose in divided oral doses over 6 h; in protocol 2, subjects received 0.5 g/kg fructose, 0.5 g/kg fructose plus 0.5g/kg glucose, or 1 g/kg fructose plus 1g/kg glucose each as a single oral bolus.Main Outcome Measures:We measured the increase in DNL by two methods.Results:After repeated doses of fructose, new palmitate was significantly correlated with the increase in %DNL (Δ, r = 0.814; P &lt; 0.001) and with fasting insulin levels (area under the curve, r = 0.754; P = 0.001). After a single sugar dose, new palmitate showed a dose effect and was greater after fructose plus glucose. Very low-density lipoprotein TG and total TG significantly increased in both protocols.Conclusions:A single oral bolus of fructose and glucose rapidly increases serum TG and TG palmitate in overweight subjects. A dual sugar challenge test could prove useful to identify individuals at risk for carbohydrate-induced dyslipidemia and other adverse effects of increased DNL.