bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A primer on meiotic resumption in starfish oocytes: The proposed signaling pathway triggered by maturation‐inducing hormone
Authors: Kishimoto Takeo 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis short review updates the maturation‐inducing hormonal signaling in starfish oocytes. In this system, the activation of cyclin B‐Cdc2 kinase (Cdk1) that leads to meiotic resumption does not require new protein synthesis. The key intracellular mediator after hormonal stimulation by 1‐methyladenine is the protein kinase Akt/PKB, which in turn directly downregulates Myt1 and upregulates Cdc25 toward the activation of cyclin B‐Cdc2. Mitotic kinases including Aurora, Plk1 and Greatwall are activated downstream of cyclin B‐Cdc2. The starfish oocyte thus provides a simple model system for the study of meiotic resumption. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:704–707, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conditional repression of STAT5 expression during lactation reveals its exclusive roles in mammary gland morphology, milk‐protein gene expression, and neonate growth
Authors: Reichenstein Moshe , Rauner Gat , Barash Itamar 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe role of Stat5 in maintaining adequate lactation was studied in Stat5a−/− mice expressing a conditionally suppressed transgenic STAT5 in their mammary glands. This system enables distinguishing STAT5's effects on lactation from its contribution to mammary development during gestation. Females were allowed to express STAT5 during their first pregnancy. After delivery, STAT5 levels were manipulated by doxycycline administration and withdrawal. In two lines of genetically modified mice, the absence of STAT5 expression during the first 10 days of lactation resulted in a decrease of 29% or 41% in newborn weight gain. The STAT5‐dependent decrease in growth was recoverable, but not completely reversible, particularly when STAT5 expression was omitted for the first 4 days of lactation. Within the first 10 days of STAT5‐omitted lactation, alveolar occupancy regressed by 50% compared to that measured at delivery. By Day 10, only 18% of the fat‐pad area was involved in milk production. The alveolar regression caused by 4 days of STAT5 deficiency was reversible, but neonate growth remained delayed. STAT5 deficiency resulted in reduced estrogen receptor α and connexin 32 gene expression, accompanied by delayed induction of both anti‐ and pro‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family members. An increase in Gata‐3 expression may reflect an attempt to maintain alveolar progenitors. A decrease of 39% and 23% in WAP and α‐lactalbumin expression, respectively, with no associated effects on β‐casein, also resulted from lack of STAT5 expression in the first 10 days of lactation. This deficiency enhances the major effect of alveolar regression on delayed weight gain in newborns. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:585–596, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prognostic factors in carpal tunnel syndrome treated with a corticosteroid injection
Authors: Meys Vera , Thissen Sam , Rozeman Stan , Beekman Roy 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Symptoms often return in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) who are treated with a local corticosteroid injection. We aimed to determine prognostic factors for a successful long‐term outcome. Methods: We prospectively followed 113 patients who received an injection for CTS. Clinical, electrophysiological, and ultrasonographic tests were done at baseline, and clinical outcome was evaluated after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure for success was no need for additional treatment (e.g., surgery) within 1 year. Results: After 1 month, most patients improved, but after 12 months 67.4% had surgery. Patients with a successful outcome had a lower median nerve ultrasonographic cross‐sectional area (CSA) at the pisiform bone, a lower swelling ratio, and a lower symptom severity score. Conclusions: Less pronounced median nerve swelling measured by ultrasonography may indicate a less severe stage of CTS, which is more likely to respond to treatment with a corticosteroid injection. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Four novel point mutations in the PMP22 gene with phenotypes of HNPP and Dejerine–Sottas neuropathy
Authors: Brožková Dana , Mazanec Radim , Rychlý Zdeněk , Haberlová Jana , Böhm Jiří , Staněk Jan , Plevová Pavlína , Lisoňová Jana , Sabová Jana , Sakmaryová Iva , Seeman Pavel 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe report four novel point mutations in the PMP22 gene with two different phenotypes: mutation p.Ser79Thr arose de novo in a patient with the Dejerine–Sottas neuropathy (DSN) phenotype; and mutations c.78+5 G>A, c.320‐1 G>C, and p.Trp140Stop segregated with HNPP in 5 families.Our findings show that point mutations in PMP22 may be more likely in HNPP patients than in CMT1 patients after exclusion of CMT1A/HNPP. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Proteomics for routine identification of microorganisms
Authors: Welker Martin 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe invention of MALDI‐TOF‐MS enormously contributed to the understanding of protein chemistry and cell biology. Without this technique proteomics would most likely not be the important discipline it is today. Besides ‘true’ proteomics, MALDI‐TOF‐MS was applied for the analysis of microorganisms for their taxonomic characterization from its beginning. This approach has since been developed as a diagnostic tool readily available for routine, high‐throughput analysis of microbial isolates from clinical specimens by intact‐cell mass spectrometry (ICMS), the direct analysis of whole bacterial cell without a preceding fractionation or separation by chromatography or electrophoresis. ICMS exploits the reproducibility of mass fingerprints for individual bacterial and fungal strains as well as the high similarity of mass fingerprints within a species. Comparison of mass spectral data to genomic sequences emphasized the validity of peak patterns as taxonomic markers. Supported by comprehensive databases, MALDI‐TOF‐MS‐based identification has been widely accepted in clinical laboratories within only a few years.
Proteomics of eukaryotic microorganisms: The medically and biotechnologically important fungal genus Aspergillus
Authors: Kniemeyer Olaf 
Published: June 2011

AbstractFungal species of the genus Aspergillus play significant roles as model organisms in basic research, as “cell factories” for the production of organic acids, pharmaceuticals or industrially important enzymes and as pathogens causing superficial and invasive infections in animals and humans. The release of the genome sequences of several Aspergillus sp. has paved the way for global analyses of protein expression in Aspergilli including the characterisation of proteins, which have not designated any function. With the application of proteomic methods, particularly 2‐D gel and LC‐MS/MS‐based methods, first insights into the composition of the proteome of Aspergilli under different growth and stress conditions could be gained. Putative targets of global regulators led to the improvement of industrially relevant Aspergillus strains and so far not described Aspergillus antigens have already been discovered. Here, I review the recent proteome data generated for the species Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae.
Can we use portable nitric oxide analyzer in young children?
Authors: Kalliola Satu , Malmberg Pekka , Rito Tuija , Pelkonen Anna S. , Mäkelä Mika J. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjectiveManagement of asthma could be improved by measuring exhaled nitric oxide (FENO). Portable hand‐held FENO analyzer (NIOX MINO) is practical and small and could be used also in the primary care office. It has demonstrated good repeatability and correlation with stationary device (NIOX) in adults and school aged children, but so far there have been no reports on young children. The aim of this study was to compare conventional chemiluminescence device (NIOX) with a hand‐held electrochemical device (NIOX MINO) in young children.DesignPaired measurements of FENO were performed with the stationary chemiluminescence‐based analyzer (NIOX) and with portable electrochemical device (NIOX MINO) in children with asthmatic symptoms and age‐matched controls.ResultsFifty‐five children with mean (range) age of 5.7 (3.9–8.5) years were evaluated with both devices. Measurements were successful with both devices in 40 out of 57 children. NIOX MINO was more difficult to use than NIOX in this age group, success rates being 73% and 93%, respectively (P = 0.004). The reproducibility was similar and there was a close correlation between FENO measured by the two devices (r = 0.97, P < 0.001). However, Bland–Altman plot demonstrated limits of agreement that were relatively wide compared to low levels of FENO in the sample. Both devices were sensitive enough to distinguish higher FENO levels in children with asthmatic symptoms, compared to healthy controls.ConclusionsWe conclude that NIOX MINO can be used as a screening tool for the assessment of airway inflammation in children from the age of 4 years, but its applicability is limited by lower measurement success rate and relatively poor accuracy and detection limit at low levels of FENO. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:627–631. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Domestic exposure to aeroallergens in Hong Kong families with asthmatic children
Authors: Leung Ting F. , Wong Yun S. , Chan Iris H.S. , Yung Edmund , Sy Hing Y. , Lam Christopher W.K. , Wong Gary W.K. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIndoor aeroallergen exposures increased asthma symptoms in Caucasians, but their determinants and relationship to asthma and allergy in Asians are unclear. This study investigated exposures to cat, cockroach, and Blomia tropicalis allergens in 115 Hong Kong families with asthmatic children. Patients underwent exhaled nitric oxide and spirometric measurements. Home visits were made within 2 weeks during which parents completed a standardized questionnaire. Fel d 1, Bla g 2, and Blo t 5 in dust samples collected from patients' mattresses, bedroom floors, and living room floors were measured by immunoassays. These aeroallergens were only detectable in some homes (38–55% for Fel d 1; 9–21% for Bla g 2, and 7–14% for Blo t 5). The presence of cat and/or dog was a strong determinant for Fel d 1 in all indoor sites. The timing and frequency of bedding change was associated with Bla g 2 levels, whereas the timing of bedroom floor cleaning was a consistent factor for Blo t 5 levels. Asthmatic children in families with high allergen exposure were more likely to have ≥4 wheezing attacks in preceding 12 months and exercise‐induced wheezing than those with normal allergen exposure (P = 0.051 and 0.030, respectively). Mattress levels of all three allergens were also associated with severity of several allergy symptoms (P = 0.025–0.005). None of these aeroallergens correlated with exhaled nitric oxide and spirometric parameters. This study identifies determinants for cat, cockroach, and B. tropicalis levels in Hong Kong families with asthmatic children. These exposures are associated with severity of allergy symptoms. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:632–639. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Granulomatous pleuritis caused by histoplasmosis in a healthy child
Authors: Zahn Matt , Hesson Michael , Morton Ronald , Wheat L. Joseph 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPneumonia with pleuritis is a rare presentation of histoplasmosis infection. We present a 12‐year old previously healthy boy in whom histoplasmosis presented with pleuritis, confirmed by detection of antigen in empyema fluid. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:729–731. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bilateral lung transplantation for pediatric idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: A multi‐center experience
Authors: Schaellibaum G. , Lammers A.E. , Faro A. , Moreno‐Galdo A. , Parakininkas D. , Schecter M.G. , Solomon M. , Boyer D. , Conrad C. , Frischer T. , Wong J. , Boehler A. , Benden C. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractMany children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) experience disease progression despite advanced medical therapy. In these children, heart‐lung or bilateral lung transplantation (BLTx) remain the only therapeutic options when other treatments fail. Data on functional outcome after BLTx in children with IPAH are limited. We report a multi‐center experience of BLTx for pediatric IPAH.We performed a retrospective study including 25 centers within the International Pediatric Lung Transplant Collaborative. Children with IPAH who underwent BLTx were included (1996–2006).Twenty‐three children underwent BLTx for IPAH, most of whom were in WHO class III or IV level of function pre‐transplantation. At 6 months post‐transplantation, 82% of children reported improvement in level of function to WHO class I. The median FEV1 was 89% (12–126) of predicted at 12 months post‐transplantation. Ten patients (44%) developed BOS at a median of 42 months (3–85), of whom five died at a median of 27 months (4–86) post‐transplantation. Overall mortality was 4% at 3 months post‐transplantation. The median survival for children in this cohort was 45 months (2–123).Our data suggest that BLTx is a valuable therapeutic option for children with end‐stage IPAH with outcomes comparable to that after heart‐lung transplantation in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension or those patients undergoing lung transplantation for other indications. In the majority of children, a good cardiopulmonary function is possible following BLTx, making BLTx a good therapeutic option and maximizing donor organ utilization by allowing more hearts to be available for children needing cardiac transplantation. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:1121–1127. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anomalously low Ga incorporation in high Al‐content AlGaN grown on $(11{\bar {2}}0)$ non‐polar plane by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Ueta Shunsaku , Horita Masahiro , Kimoto Tsunenobu , Suda Jun 
Published: June 2011

AbstractCrystalline orientation dependence of Ga incorporation in growth of high Al‐content AlGaN was investigated. Growth was carried out by molecular‐beam epitaxy (MBE) using elemental Al, Ga, and rf‐plasma‐excited nitrogen under various V/III ratios. 6H‐SiC (0001), 4H‐SiC ($1{\bar {1}}00$) and 4H‐SiC ($11{\bar {2}}0$) were used as substrates. Ga incorporation increased with increase of V/III ratio in the layers grown on (0001) and ($1{\bar {1}}00$) planes. On the other hand, Ga was not incorporated in the layer grown on ($11{\bar {2}}0$) plane even when the layer was grown under a nitrogen rich condition, indicating much lower Ga incorporation on ($11{\bar {2}}0$) plane than those of other planes. AlGaN with good quality was successfully grown on ($1{\bar {1}}00$) plane. Utilization of ($1{\bar {1}}00$) plane is suitable in MBE growth of AlGaN‐based deep‐ultraviolet light emitting devices.
HfO2‐insulated gate N‐polar GaN HEMTs with high breakdown voltage
Authors: Meyer D. J. , Katzer D. S. , Deen D. A. , Storm D. F. , Binari S. C. , Gougousi T. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we present the first demonstration of a HfO2‐insulated gate N‐polar GaN inverted high‐electron‐mobility transistor (iHEMT). HfO2‐insulated gate devices showed an order of magnitude improvement in reverse‐bias gate leakage current as compared to reference Schottky devices. With the reduced gate leakage current, the insulated gate iHEMTs were able to simultaneously demonstrate breakdown voltages in excess of 130 V and maximum current density of 0.87 A/mm. Pulsed I–V gate‐lag measurements were performed to investigate the drain current transient behavior of these devices.
Electrical investigations of AlGaN/AlN structures for LEDs on Si(111)
Authors: Witte H. , Rohrbeck A. , Günther K.‐M. , Saengkaew P. , Bläsing J. , Dadgar A. , Krost A. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe carrier transport in AlGaN light emission diode (LED) structures on Si‐substrates including an AlN multilayer (ML) buffer for reduction of defects was investigated using I–V‐characteristics and admittance spectroscopy. Additionally, AlN on Si ML and AlN/AlGaN:Si on Si structures were grown and analyzed separately. The AlN‐ML/AlGaN:Si heterojunction, and the pn‐junction including the AlGaN/GaN multi quantum well (MQW)‐structure were identified. As the main space charge regions (SCRs) controlling the carrier transport through the ultraviolet‐light emission diode (UV‐LED) structure the Si‐substrate/AlN‐ML heterojunctions pointed out. The I–V‐characteristic of the LED structure is described by the series resistance of the AlN‐ML and a parallel resistance with respect to the pn‐junction. Interface defect states and/or deep defects impact the series resistance. The carrier transport through the LED structure is controlled by a tunnel process described by a Fowler–Nordheim (FN)‐emission mainly through the AlN‐ML buffer forming the series resistance.
Chemical Preparation of Graphene‐Based Nanomaterials and Their Applications in Chemical and Biological Sensors
Authors: Jiang Hongji 
Published: June 2011

AbstractGraphene is a flat monolayer of carbon atoms packed tightly into a 2D honeycomb lattice that shows many intriguing properties meeting the key requirements for the implementation of highly excellent sensors, and all kinds of proof‐of‐concept sensors have been devised. To realize the potential sensor applications, the key is to synthesize graphene in a controlled way to achieve enhanced solution‐processing capabilities, and at the same time to maintain or even improve the intrinsic properties of graphene. Several production techniques for graphene‐based nanomaterials have been developed, ranging from the mechanical cleavage and chemical exfoliation of high‐quality graphene to direct growth onto different substrates and the chemical routes using graphite oxide as a precusor to the newly developed bottom‐up approach at the molecular level. The current review critically explores the recent progress on the chemical preparation of graphene‐based nanomaterials and their applications in sensors.
The Passage of Homopolymeric RNA through Small Solid‐State Nanopores
Authors: van den Hout Michiel , Skinner Gary M. , Klijnhout Sven , Krudde Vincent , Dekker Nynke H. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractSolid‐state nanopores are widely acknowledged as tools with which to study local structure in biological molecules. Individual molecules are forced through a nanopore, causing a characteristic change in an ionic current that depends on the molecules' local diameter and charge distribution. Here, the translocation measurements of long (˜5‐30 kilobases) single‐stranded poly(U) and poly(A) molecules through nanopores ranging from 1.5 to 8 nm in diameter are presented. Individual molecules are found to be able to cause multiple levels of conductance blockade upon traversing the pore. By analyzing these conductance blockades and their relative incidence as a function of nanopore diameter, it is concluded that the smallest conductance blockades likely correspond to molecules that translocate through the pore in predominantly head‐to‐tail fashion. The larger conductance blockades are likely caused by molecules that arrive at the nanopore entrance with many strands simultaneously. These measurements constitute the first demonstration that single‐stranded RNA can be captured in solid‐state nanopores that are smaller than the diameter of double‐stranded RNA. These results further the understanding of the conductance blockades caused by nucleic acids in solid‐state nanopores, relevant for future applications, such as the direct determination of RNA secondary structure.
Web workload generation challenges – an empirical investigation
Authors: Hashemian Raoufehsadat , Krishnamurthy Diwakar , Arlitt Martin 
Published: June 2011

SUMMARYWorkload generators are widely used for testing the performance of Web‐based systems. Typically, these tools are also used to collect measurements such as throughput and end‐user response times that are often used to characterize the QoS provided by a system to its users. However, our study finds that Web workload generation is more difficult than it seems. In examining the popular RUBiS client generator, we found that reported response times could be grossly inaccurate, and that the generated workloads were less realistic than expected, causing server scalability to be incorrectly estimated. Using experimentation, we demonstrate how the Java virtual machine and the Java network library are the root causes of these issues. Our work serves as an example of how to verify the behavior of a Web workload generator. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Connecting the dots of the cerebro‐cerebellar role in cognitive function: Neuronal pathways for cerebellar modulation of dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex
Authors: Rogers Tiffany D. , Dickson Price E. , Heck Detlef H. , Goldowitz Dan , Mittleman Guy , Blaha Charles D. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractCerebellar involvement in autism, schizophrenia, and other cognitive disorders is typically associated with prefrontal cortical pathology. However, the underlying neuronal mechanisms are largely unknown. It has previously been shown in mice that stimulation of the dentate nucleus (DN) of the cerebellum evokes dopamine (DA) release in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Here, we investigated the neuronal circuitry by which the cerebellum modulates mPFC DA release. Fixed potential amperometry was used to determine the contribution of two candidate pathways by which the cerebellum may modulate mPFC DA release. In urethane anesthetized mice, DA release evoked by DN stimulation (50 Hz) was recorded in mPFC following local anesthetic lidocaine (0.02 μg) or ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenate (0.5 μg) infusions into the mediodorsal or ventrolateral thalamic nucleus (ThN md; ThN vl), or the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Following intra‐VTA lidocaine or kynurenate infusions, DA release was decreased by ∼50%. Following intra‐ThN md and ThN vl infusions of either drug, DA release was decreased by ∼35% and 15%, respectively. Reductions in DA release following lidocaine or kynurenate infusions were not significantly different indicating that neuronal cells in the VTA and ThN were activated primarily if not entirely by glutamatergic inputs. The present study suggests that neuropathological changes in the cerebellum commonly observed in autism, schizophrenia, and other cognitive disorders could result in a loss of functionality of cerebellar‐mPFC circuitry that is manifested as aberrant dopaminergic activity in the mPFC. Additionally, these results specifically implicate glutamate as a modulator of mPFC dopaminergic activity. Synapse, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antenna subset selection at multi‐antenna relay with adaptive modulation
Authors: Choi Seyeong , Hasna Mazen O. , Yang Hong‐Chuan , Alouini Mohamed‐Slim 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we proposed several antenna selection schemes for cooperative diversity systems with adaptive transmission. The proposed schemes were based on dual‐hop relaying where a relay with multiple‐antenna capabilities at reception and transmission is deployed between the source and the destination nodes. We analyzed the performance of the proposed schemes by quantifying the average spectral efficiency and the outage probability. We also investigated the trade‐off of performance and complexity by comparing the average number of active antennas, path estimations, and signal‐to‐noise ratio comparisons of the different proposed schemes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.