bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spice simulation of intracellular transport: Free diffusion
Authors: Vasilescu Gabriel , Chen Luonan 
Published: May 2011

AbstractDiffusion is the main mechanism to transport substances (e.g. amino‐acids and proteins) within a cell. In any biological process the number of molecules is too small to satisfy the statistical assumptions implicit in diffusion theory. As an alternative, various methods to simulate diffusion have been developed, which are rather microscopic. Consequently, the time‐scale and volume simulated are forcefully restricted and the final steady‐state cannot be reached. In this paper we propose a macroscopic method, based on the analogy established between diffusing particles and the free electrons moving in a resistor–capacitor (RC) circuit. The purpose of this work is to extend simulation beyond the actual limits of microscopic approaches and thus to obtain additional insight into the essential mechanism of biological systems. Analysis is performed with a publicly‐released package (PSPICE). A procedure to build the electrical model and to fit its parameters is proposed. Simulation yields time‐evolution of particle densities including the final steady‐state and transport efficiency evaluation. Our method equally allows accounting for the presence of a crowded area in the diffusion pathway, the impact of several bursts of fabricated protein, as well as the case of transport simultaneously occurring on many directions. Several examples and a case study are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.Copyright © 2011 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Synthesis and characterization of gold glyconanoparticles functionalized with sugars of sweet sorghum syrup
Authors: Kumar C. Ganesh , Mamidyala Suman Kumar , Sreedhar Bojja , Reddy Belum V. S. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractGold glyconanoparticles were synthesized by a simple, rapid, and eco‐friendly method by using sweet Sorghum syrup for application in biomedicine and biotechnology. The nanostructures of the prepared gold nanoparticles were confirmed by using UV‐visible absorbance, TEM, SAED, FTIR, EDAX, XRD, and photoluminescence analyses. The formation of gold nanoparticles at both room and boiling temperatures and kinetics of the reaction were monitored by UV‐visible spectroscopy and TEM studies. TEM analysis revealed that the obtained nanoparticles were mono‐dispersed and spherical in shape with an average particle size of 7 nm. The size of the nanoparticles was influenced by the concentration of Sorghum syrup. The presence of elemental gold was confirmed by EDAX analysis. Based on the FTIR analysis, it was observed that the sugars present in the Sorghum syrup possibly acts as capping agents. The zeta potential analysis revealed that the glyconanoparticles were negatively charged with a potential of −25 mV. The XRD and SAED patterns also suggest that the nanoparticles were crystalline in nature and these particles were found to exhibit visible photoluminescence. Fructose and glucose present in sweet Sorghum syrup were demonstrated as responsible sugars for the reduction of gold ions, and sucrose stabilized the formed nanoparticles. The proposed mechanism for the formation and stabilization of gold glyconanoparticles is based on the phenomenon of “macromolecular crowding.” This is the first report on the use of sweet Sorghum syrup for the green synthesis of gold glyconanoparticles at both room and boiling temperatures. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Regulators of macrophage activation
Authors: Martinez Fernando O. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMacrophages are ubiquitous phagocytes that can constitute up to 15% of the cellular content of tissues. These heterogeneous cells of the innate immune system perform important functions during health and disease. Equipped with receptors for the T helper cell cytokines INF‐γ and IL‐4, macrophages undergo specific activation programs during Th1 or Th2 immune responses. These activation profiles, termed classical (M1) or alternative (M2) activation respectively, are further tuned by the presence and recognition of microbial‐associated molecular patterns, other cytokines, lipids, and even adhesion to the substratum. The activation of macrophages also relies on the maturation background of the cells, elicitation of complicated intracellular signalling cascades, and the crosstalk between the different signalling elements. Of interest, not all genes participating in the activation‐related signalling cascades are equally important for the elicitation of functional profiles and a regulator gene hierarchy is emerging for the different types of activation. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, two papers add to our understanding of how cellular kinases and phosphatases, related to the PI3K pathway, regulate M1 or M2 activation programmes in macrophages.
Sequential Combination of Ruthenium‐, Base‐, and Gold‐Catalysis – A New Approach to the Synthesis of Medicinally Important Heterocycles
Authors: Ramachary Dhevalapally B. , Narayana Vidadala V. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA general approach to the high‐yielding synthesis of medicinally important heterocycles was achieved through the sequential combination of ring‐closing metathesis, base‐induced ring opening (BIRO), hydroamination, and a Diels–Alder reaction of functionalized allyl‐(2‐allylphenyl)amines in the presence of a catalytic amount of Grubbs' second‐generation catalyst, base (tBuOK), and [AuCl(PPh3)]/AgOTf. Herein, we also demonstrate the important electronic factors in the BIRO of N‐substituted‐benzo[b]azepines for the regioselective synthesis of functionalized (Z)‐N‐substituted‐2‐(buta‐1,3‐dienyl)phenylamines in very good yields with high purity; these are very good, useful compounds in medicinal chemistry. We also discovered the selective cascade synthesis of privileged hexahydrophenanthridines from (Z)‐N‐substituted‐2‐(buta‐1,3‐dienyl)phenylamines by gold catalysis in moderate to good yields with >99 % diastereomeric excess. The possible reaction mechanism for the unusual hydroamination followed by [4+2] cycloaddition of functionalized (Z)‐N‐substituted‐2‐(buta‐1,3‐dienyl)phenylamines through gold catalysis is discussed in this work.
What should these rivers look like? Historical range of variability and human impacts in the Colorado Front Range, USA
Authors: Wohl Ellen 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTHistorical range of variability (HRV) describes the range of temporal and spatial variations in river variables such as flow regime or channel planform prior to intensive human alteration of the ecosystem. In mountainous river networks, HRV is most usefully applied to spatially differentiated geomorphic process domains with distinctive form and process. Using the Colorado Front Range as an example, three examples of how knowledge of HRV can assist river management and restoration are discussed. The examples involve instream wood load and channel morphology, beaver colonies and valley‐bottom form and process, and flow thresholds in regulated rivers. The question of what a river should look like – that is, what range of process and form the river included prior to intensive human alteration – can be addressed by (i) placing the river within a process domain, (ii) establishing correlations between form parameters that can be remotely sensed and reach‐scale process and form, so that the spatial extent, connectivity, and rarity of process domains within a river network or a region can be quickly assessed, (iii) inferring characteristics of the river prior to intensive alteration by documenting characteristics of the least altered reference rivers and by using proxy indicators of pre‐alteration conditions, and (iv) establishing process thresholds that must be exceeded to maintain form (e.g. flow thresholds to mobilize bed sediment). Once this context has been established, resource managers can better evaluate the options for restoring altered riverine form and function. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional alterations of large‐scale brain networks related to cognitive control in obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: Cocchi Luca , Harrison Ben J , Pujol Jesus , Harding Ian H , Fornito Alex , Pantelis Christos , Yücel Murat 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectives: Neuroimaging studies have consistently implicated alterations of the basal ganglia and orbitofrontal cortex in the pathophysiology of OCD, however, recent work also emphasizes more diffuse patterns of brain alteration as occurring in this disorder. The goal of this study was to extend such observations by investigating large‐scale brain functional network correlates of cognitive‐control performance in OCD patients. Experimental design: We combined fMRI with a validated task of cognitive control and a multivariate statistical method to assess multiple functional networks encompassing broad task‐relevant cortical regions in OCD patients and matched controls. Functional networks of interest were targeted a priori and the groups were compared in terms of the spatiotemporal profile of network responses (functional connectivity) during the task performance in a data‐driven manner. Principal observations: Task performance was equivalent in both groups and each distinct network demonstrated strong overlap in its general response during task. However, significant differences in functional connectivity were also observed between groups that appeared driven by specific phases of task performance. Such differences were most pronounced during rest‐task transitions and mainly involved dorsal anterior cingulate and insular cortices within the paralimbic network. Relative heightened functional connectivity of insula in patients during task correlated with a measure of patients' state anxiety. Conclusions: Our findings provide a novel functional imaging characterization of brain network alterations associated with cognitive‐control in OCD. Additionally, these findings raise questions about the role of patients' arousal states on the performance of cognitive imaging tasks that are otherwise assumed to be emotionally neutral. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
COMPARING AND DECOMPOSING DIFFERENCES IN PREVENTIVE AND HOSPITAL CARE: USA VERSUS TAIWAN
Authors: Hsiou Tiffany R. , Pylypchuk Yuriy 
Published: May 2011

SUMMARYAs the USA expands health insurance coverage, comparing utilization of healthcare services with countries like Taiwan that already have universal coverage can highlight problematic areas of each system. The universal coverage plan of Taiwan is the newest among developed countries, and it is known for readily providing access to care at low costs. However, Taiwan experiences problems on the supply side, such as inadequate compensation for providers, especially in the area of preventive care. We compare the use of preventive, hospital, and emergency care between the USA and Taiwan. The rate of preventive care use is much higher in the USA than in Taiwan, whereas the use of hospital and emergency care is about the same. Results of our decomposition analysis suggest that higher levels of education and income, along with inferior health status in the USA, are significant factors, each explaining between 7% and 15% of the gap in preventive care use. Our analysis suggests that, in addition to universal coverage, proper remuneration schemes, education levels, and cultural attitudes towards health care are important factors that influence the use of preventive care. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deficiency of the mitochondrial transporter of aspartate/glutamate aralar/AGC1 causes hypomyelination and neuronal defects unrelated to myelin deficits in mouse brain
Authors: Ramos Milagros , Pardo Beatriz , Llorente‐Folch Irene , Saheki Takeyori , del Arco Araceli , Satrústegui Jorgina 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe aralar/AGC1 knockout (KO) mouse shows a drastic decrease in brain aspartate and N‐acetylaspartate levels and global hypomyelination, which are attributed to the lack of neuron‐produced NAA used by oligodendrocytes as precursor of myelin lipid synthesis. In addition, these mice have a gradual drop in brain glutamine synthesis. We show here that hypomyelination is more pronounced in gray than in white matter regions. We find a lack of neurofilament‐labelled processes in hypomyelinated fiber tracks from cerebral cortex but not from those of the cerebellar granule cell layer, which correspond to Purkinje neurons. Therefore, the impaired development or degeneration of neuronal processes in cerebral cortex is independent of hypomyelination. An increase in O4‐labelled, immature oligodendrocytes is observed in gray and white matter regions of the aralar KO brain, suggesting a block in maturation compatible with the lack of NAA supplied by neurons. However, no defects in oligodendrocyte maturation were observed in in‐vitro‐cultured mixed astroglial cultures. We conclude that the primary defect of pyramidal neurons in cerebral cortex is possibly associated with a progressive failure in glutamatergic neurotransmission and may be among the main causes of the pathology of aralar/AGC1 deficiency. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of parabens in cosmetic products by solid‐phase microextraction of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate thin film on fibers and ultra high‐speed liquid chromatography with diode array detector
Authors: Fei Ting , Li Haifang , Ding Mingyu , Ito Masahito , Lin Jin‐Ming 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe fabrication of a solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) fiber through UV‐induced polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG‐DA) for determination of parabens in cosmetic products is presented in this work. The PEG‐DA polymer coating was covalently attached to the fiber by introducing a surface modification with 3‐(trichlorosilyl)propyl methacrylate (TPM). The PEG‐DA polymer thin film coated on the fiber was homogeneous and wrinkled, which led to an increase of the surface area and high extraction efficiency. The extraction performances of the prepared SPME fibers were assessed by preconcentration of parabens including methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and benzylparaben from cosmetic products. The analysis was performed on an ultra high‐speed liquid chromatography with diode array detector. The prepared SPME fibers exhibited good repeatability (for one fiber) and reproducibility (fiber‐to‐fiber) with RSDs of 5.4 and 6.9%, respectively. The optimized SPME method supported a wide linear range of 0.50–160 μg/mL and the detection limits for parabens were in the range of 0.12–0.15 μg/mL (S/N=3). The developed method was successfully applied for determination of parabens in cosmetic products with different natures.
Using next‐generation sequencing for the diagnosis of rare disorders: a family with retinitis pigmentosa and skeletal abnormalities
Authors: Schrader Kasmintan A , Heravi‐Moussavi Alireza , Waters Paula J , Senz Janine , Whelan James , Ha Gavin , Eydoux Patrice , Nielsen Torsten , Gallagher Barry , Oloumi Arusha , Boyd Niki , Fernandez Bridget A , Young Terry‐Lynn , Jones Steven JM , Hirst Martin , Shah Sohrab P , Marra Marco A , Green Jane , Huntsman David G 
Published: May 2011

AbstractLinkage analysis with subsequent candidate gene sequencing is typically used to diagnose novel inherited syndromes. It is now possible to expedite diagnosis through the sequencing of all coding regions of the genome (the exome) or full genomes. We sequenced the exomes of four members of a family presenting with spondylo‐epiphyseal dysplasia and retinitis pigmentosa and identified a six‐base‐pair (6‐bp) deletion in GNPTG, the gene implicated in mucolipidosis type IIIγ. The diagnosis was confirmed by biochemical studies and both broadens the mucolipidosis type III phenotype and demonstrates the clinical utility of next‐generation sequencing to diagnose rare genetic diseases. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fattening by deprivation: methyl balance and perinatal cardiomyopathy
Authors: Joseph Jacob 
Published: May 2011

AbstractFolate deficiency during pregnancy is associated with reduced birth weight, and a low birth weight is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk in adulthood. In the study by Moreno Garcia, Guéant‐Rodriguez and colleagues reported in the current issue of the Journal of Pathology, the effect of methyl group deprivation in pregnancy on the neonatal myocardium was investigated. By utilizing a diet deficient in folate, vitamin B12 and choline, the authors created a significant deficit of methyl groups in the fetus. During the weaning period and the concomitant shift from the relative hypoxia and glucose dependence of the gestational period to the aerobic, milk‐derived high‐fat metabolic environment of the weaning phase, the offspring developed a myocardial hypertrophy associated with disordered fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial dysfunction. The functionality of PGC‐1α, a master regulator of metabolic pathways including mitochondrial energetics and fatty acid oxidation, was found to be reduced in the methyl‐deprived group, due to an imbalance in the ratio of methylation to acetylation. This study demonstrates that maternal methyl deprivation could ‘prime’ the fetus by reducing its ability to oxidize fatty acids in the myocardium, thereby causing lipid accumulation and myocardial hypertrophy during exposure to high‐fat diet in the weaning phase. This study has important implications for clinical perinatal cardiomyopathy and for the effect of maternal methyl group deprivation on the future risk of cardiovascular disease, and also potentially in enhancing the understanding of the elusive link between hyperhomocysteinaemic states in the adult and cardiovascular disease. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reducing charging effects in scanning electron microscope images by Rayleigh contrast stretching method (RCS)
Authors: Wan Ismail W. Z. , Sim K. S. , Tso C. P. , Ting H. Y. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractTo reduce undesirable charging effects in scanning electron microscope images, Rayleigh contrast stretching is developed and employed. First, re‐scaling is performed on the input image histograms with Rayleigh algorithm. Then, contrast stretching or contrast adjustment is implemented to improve the images while reducing the contrast charging artifacts. This technique has been compared to some existing histogram equalization (HE) extension techniques: recursive sub‐image HE, contrast stretching dynamic HE, multipeak HE and recursive mean separate HE. Other post processing methods, such as wavelet approach, spatial filtering, and exponential contrast stretching, are compared as well. Overall, the proposed method produces better image compensation in reducing charging artifacts. SCANNING 33: 233–251, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety and Depression among the Elderly: A Survey of the Hard‐hit Areas a Year after the Wenchuan Earthquake
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Shi Zhanbiao , Wang Li , Liu Mingxin 
Published: May 2011

AbstractFew studies to date have examined psychological sequelae of natural disasters among the elderly in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence rates of probable post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression in the elderly survivors a year after the Wenchuan earthquake as well as to analyse related risk factors. The community‐based sample of the study consisted of 284 elderly survivors (≥60 years). PTSD was assessed by the PTSD Checklist—Civilian version, and anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist. In total, the estimated prevalence rates of probable PTSD, anxiety and depression were 26.3%, 42.9% and 35.2%, respectively. Nearly a fifth of the elderly participants reported symptoms that meet the criteria for all three of these mental disorders. Results indicated that some factors associated with earthquake‐exposure intensity, which included loss of livelihood, bereavement, injury and initial fear during the earthquake, were among the significant risk factors for these mental disorders. Women had a higher risk of suffering from probable anxiety as compared to men. Finally, the significance and limitations of this study were also discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended Statistical Learning as an account for slow vocabulary growth*
Authors: STOKES STEPHANIE F. , KERN SOPHIE , SANTOS CHRISTOPHE DOS 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTStokes (2010) compared the lexicons of English-speaking late talkers (LT) with those of their typically developing (TD) peers on neighborhood density (ND) and word frequency (WF) characteristics and suggested that LTs employed learning strategies that differed from those of their TD peers. This research sought to explore the cross-linguistic validity of this conclusion. The lexicons (production, not recognition) of 208 French-speaking two-year-old children were coded for ND and WF. Regression revealed that ND and WF together predicted 62% of the variance in vocabulary size, with ND and WF uniquely accounting for 53% and 9% of that variance respectively. Epiphenomenal findings were ruled out by comparison of simulated data sets with the actual data. A generalized Mann–Whitney test showed that children with small vocabularies had significantly higher ND values and significantly lower WF values than children with large vocabularies. An extended statistical learning theory is proposed to account for the findings.
Adult congenital cardiac surgery in Indonesia
Authors: Wilamarta Karina V. , Yuniadi Yoga , Rachmat Jusuf , Fakhri Dicky , Hakim Tarmizi , Anwar Maizul 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackgroundSuccessful paediatric cardiac surgery and cardiology treatment has resulted in an increase in the use of surgery as a method of treatment of congenital cardiac disease in adult population. However, late detection and lower socio-economic condition in developing countries might change patients’ characteristics by the time they come for treatment. This study aimed to elaborate the long-term surgical results of adult congenital cardiac disease in Indonesia as a developing country.Methods and resultsWe reviewed retrospectively all adult congenital cardiac disease patients with a mean age of 28 years plus or minus 9.5 years, who underwent surgery at National Cardiovascular Center. The types of procedures used were corrective in 338 patients (89.2%), palliative in 10 patients (2.6%), and re-operations in 31 patients (8.2%). The overall hospital mortality rate was 2.6% but as high as 20% with palliative surgery. Post-operative New York Heart Association class III–IV is the only independent predictor of death at 60 months (hazard ratio 61.48, 95% confidence interval 9.41–401.69, p<0.001). The survival rates were 96.3% and 95% for overall and non-atrial septal defect in patients at 60 months, which was highest in corrective procedures (97.6%). The percentage of patients free of re-operation at 5 years’ follow-up was 85.4% and 42.7% at 10 years.ConclusionIn developing countries, surgical treatment of adult congenital cardiac disease is effective and safe, with an overall survival rate of 96.3% at 60 months. Due to high mortality rate, palliative surgery of a non-atrial septal defect patient is recommended to be discontinued. The independent predictor of mortality was post-operative New York Heart Association functional class III–IV.