bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rules Rule! Brain Activity Dissociates the Representations of Stimulus Contingencies with Varying Levels of Complexity
Authors: Tse Chun-Yu , Low Kathy A. , Fabiani Monica , Gratton Gabriele 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe significance of stimuli is linked not only to their nature but also to the sequential structure in which they are embedded, which gives rise to contingency rules. Humans have an extraordinary ability to extract and exploit these rules, as exemplified by the role of grammar and syntax in language. To study the brain representations of contingency rules, we recorded ERPs and event-related optical signal (EROS; which uses near-infrared light to measure the optical changes associated with neuronal responses). We used sequences of high- and low-frequency tones varying according to three contingency rules, which were orthogonally manipulated and differed in processing requirements: A Single Repetition rule required only template matching, a Local Probability rule required relating a stimulus to its context, and a Global Probability rule could be derived through template matching or with reference to the global sequence context. ERP activity at 200–300 msec was related to the Single Repetition and Global Probability rules (reflecting access to representations based on template matching), whereas longer-latency activity (300-450 msec) was related to the Local Probability and Global Probability rules (reflecting access to representations incorporating contextual information). EROS responses with corresponding latencies indicated that the earlier activity involved the superior temporal gyrus, whereas later responses involved a fronto-parietal network. This suggests that the brain can simultaneously hold different models of stimulus contingencies at different levels of the information processing system according to their processing requirements, as indicated by the latency and location of the corresponding brain activity.
A Sensorimotor Network for the Bodily Self
Authors: Ferri Francesca , Frassinetti Francesca , Ardizzi Martina , Costantini Marcello , Gallese Vittorio 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Neuroscientists and philosophers, among others, have long questioned the contribution of bodily experience to the constitution of self-consciousness. Contemporary research answers this question by focusing on the notions of sense of agency and/or sense of ownership. Recently, however, it has been proposed that the bodily self might also be rooted in bodily motor experience, that is, in the experience of oneself as instantiating a bodily structure that enables a specific range of actions. In the current fMRI study, we tested this hypothesis by making participants undergo a hand laterality judgment task, which is known to be solved by simulating a motor rotation of one's own hand. The stimulus to be judged was either the participant's own hand or the hand of a stranger. We used this task to investigate whether mental rotation of pictures depicting one's own hands leads to a different activation of the sensorimotor areas as compared with the mental rotation of pictures depicting another's hand. We revealed a neural network for the general representation of the bodily self encompassing the SMA and pre-SMA, the anterior insula, and the occipital cortex, bilaterally. Crucially, the representation of one's own dominant hand turned out to be primarily confined to the left premotor cortex. Our data seem to support the existence of a sense of bodily self encased within the sensorimotor system. We propose that such a sensorimotor representation of the bodily self might help us to differentiate our own body from that of others.
A Meta-analysis of Functional Neuroimaging Studies of Self- and Other Judgments Reveals a Spatial Gradient for Mentalizing in Medial Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Denny Bryan T. , Kober Hedy , Wager Tor D. , Ochsner Kevin N. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The distinction between processes used to perceive and understand the self and others has received considerable attention in psychology and neuroscience. Brain findings highlight a role for various regions, in particular the medial PFC (mPFC), in supporting judgments about both the self and others. We performed a meta-analysis of 107 neuroimaging studies of self- and other-related judgments using multilevel kernel density analysis [Kober, H., & Wager, T. D. Meta-analyses of neuroimaging data. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews, 1, 293–300, 2010]. We sought to determine what brain regions are reliably involved in each judgment type and, in particular, what the spatial and functional organization of mPFC is with respect to them. Relative to nonmentalizing judgments, both self- and other judgments were associated with activity in mPFC, ranging from ventral to dorsal extents, as well as common activation of the left TPJ and posterior cingulate. A direct comparison between self- and other judgments revealed that ventral mPFC as well as left ventrolateral PFC and left insula were more frequently activated by self-related judgments, whereas dorsal mPFC, in addition to bilateral TPJ and cuneus, was more frequently activated by other-related judgments. Logistic regression analyses revealed that ventral and dorsal mPFC lay at opposite ends of a functional gradient: The z coordinates reported in individual studies predicted whether the study involved self- or other-related judgments, which were associated with increasingly ventral or dorsal portions of mPFC, respectively. These results argue for a distributed rather than localizationist account of mPFC organization and support an emerging view on the functional heterogeneity of mPFC.
Nicotine Effects on Brain Function during a Visual Oddball Task: A Comparison between Conventional and EEG-informed fMRI Analysis
Authors: Warbrick Tracy , Mobascher Arian , Brinkmeyer Jürgen , Musso Francesco , Stoecker Tony , Shah N. Jon , Fink Gereon R. , Winterer Georg 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
In a previous oddball task study, it was shown that the inclusion of electrophysiology (EEG), that is, single-trial P3 ERP parameters, in the analysis of fMRI responses can detect activation that is not apparent with conventional fMRI data modeling strategies [Warbrick, T., Mobascher, A., Brinkmeyer, J., Musso, F., Richter, N., Stoecker, T., et al. Single-trial P3 amplitude and latency informed event-related fMRI models yield different BOLD response patterns to a target detection task. Neuroimage, 47, 1532–1544, 2009]. Given that P3 is modulated by nicotine, including P3 parameters in the fMRI analysis might provide additional information about nicotine effects on brain function. A 1-mg nasal nicotine spray (0.5 mg each nostril) or placebo (pepper) spray was administered in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject, randomized, cross-over design. Simultaneous EEG-fMRI and behavioral data were recorded from 19 current smokers in response to an oddball-type visual choice RT task. Conventional general linear model analysis and single-trial P3 amplitude informed general linear model analysis of the fMRI data were performed. Comparing the nicotine with the placebo condition, reduced RTs in the nicotine condition were related to decreased BOLD responses in the conventional analysis encompassing the superior parietal lobule, the precuneus, and the lateral occipital cortex. On the other hand, reduced RTs were related to increased BOLD responses in the precentral and postcentral gyri, and ACC in the EEG-informed fMRI analysis. Our results show how integrated analyses of simultaneous EEG-fMRI data can be used to detect nicotine effects that would not have been revealed through conventional analysis of either measure in isolation. This emphasizes the significance of applying multimodal imaging methods to pharmacoimaging.
Quasi-4-Yr Coupling between El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Water Vapor Transport over East Asia–WNP
Authors: Li Xiuzhen , Zhou Wen 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The summer moisture circulation anomaly over East Asia and the western North Pacific (WNP) couples well with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in a quasi-4-yr period. The moisture circulation is dominated by two well-separated modes. The first mode exhibits an anticyclonic (cyclonic) moisture circulation over tropical–subtropical East Asia–WNP with an easterly (westerly) transport over the tropical WNP–Indian Ocean; the second mode displays an alternating pattern with an anticyclonic (cyclonic) moisture circulation over the subtropical WNP layered between two cyclonic (anticyclonic) circulations. Both modes couple well with the ENSO signal during its quasi-4-yr cycle. Within the cycle, in the summer of a developing warm episode, the positive phase of the second mode plays a key role, while in the transitional summer between a decaying warm episode and a developing cool episode, the positive phase of the first mode tends to take effect. In the summer of a developing cool episode, the negative phase of the second mode plays an important role, while the negative phase of the first mode tends to take effect in the transitional summer between a decaying cool episode and a developing warm episode.
The anticyclone (cyclone) over the Philippine Sea region serves as a bridge in the quasi-four-year coupling. Its establishment and eastward extension modify moisture circulation over East Asia–WNP. Conversely, the easterly (westerly) wind to the south of the anticyclone (cyclone) is beneficial for the formation and eastward propagation of the Kelvin wave and, hence, to the development of the quasi-4-yr periodic ENSO episode.
Aerosol Optical Depth and the Global Brewer Network: A Study Using U.K.- and Malaysia-Based Brewer Spectrophotometers
Authors: Kumharn Wilawan , Rimmer John S. , Smedley Andrew R. D. , Ying Toh Ying , Webb Ann R. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Aerosols play an important role in attenuating solar radiation reaching the earth's surface and are thus important inputs to climate models. Aerosol optical depth is routinely measured in the visible range but little data in the ultraviolet (UV) are available. In the UV range it can be determined from Langley plots of direct-sun measurements from the Brewer spectrophotometer (where conditions allow) and can also be determined as the residual once the ozone and sulfur dioxide have been accounted for in the extinction observed during a normal Brewer direct-sun measurement. By comparing aerosol optical depth derived from Brewer direct-sun data in both the United Kingdom and Malaysia, two very different locations, it is determined that while most of the existing global Brewer network could contribute to aerosol optical depth data, further analysis, such as calculation of the Ångström parameter, would be dependent on latitude and sky conditions.
Development of a Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) for end-of-life care practice at home: A qualitative study
Authors: Ewing Gail , Grande Gunn ,   on behalf of the National Association for Hospice at Home
Published: March 2012

Background: Current end-of-life care policy and guidance recognises the important contribution of family carers, recommending that their needs should be assessed to support them in their caring role. How regular carer assessment is to be achieved is unclear, particularly because there is no evidence-based tool for directly assessing carers’ support needs that is suitable for use in end-of-life home care practice. Aims: To obtain carers’ perspectives of key aspects of support needed during provision of end-of-life care at home and to develop a carer support needs assessment tool suitable for use in everyday practice. Design: Qualitative using focus groups and telephone interviews. Thematic analysis uses a framework approach. Setting/participants: 75 adult bereaved carers who were family members/friends of patients referred to five Hospice at Home services in the UK. Results: Carers’ needs fell into two distinct groupings of key support areas or ‘domains’: support to enable them to provide care for their relative and more direct personal support for themselves. Many aspects of supportive input were common across domains, for example, anticipatory information, explanations or being included in the care process. Therefore, the tool was designed as a screening measure, to identify support needs requiring further detailed assessment. Conclusions: The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) is an evidence-based direct measure of carers’ support needs in 14 domains. It is short but comprehensive in approach and thus suitable for both end-of-life care research and practice. Further work has been undertaken to test its psychometric properties.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of cancer cachexia: A systematic review
Authors: Reid J , Hughes CM , Murray LJ , Parsons C , Cantwell MM 
Published: March 2012

Background: Cancer cachexia is a devastating syndrome of advanced malignancy which negatively impacts on patients’ morbidity, mortality and quality of life. Chronic inflammation is a key characteristic of cancer cachexia. Therefore, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be able to break the cycle of cachexia. Aim: To systematically review the literature on the use of NSAIDs for the treatment of cachexia in advanced cancer patients. Design: All titles retrieved through searching were downloaded to a reference management database, duplicates were removed and the remaining citations were checked for eligibility. Full copies of all eligible articles were obtained and reviewed. Data sources: Electronic searches (from inception up to 09/2011) included CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Reference lists from reviewed articles, trial registers and abstracts from relevant conferences were searched. Eligibility criteria were (a) Randomised Controlled Trial; (b) participants were adults with cancer with weight loss or a clinical diagnosis of cachexia; (c) administration of oral NSAIDs. Results: Four studies were included. These studies provided some evidence of positive therapeutic effect on quality of life, performance status, inflammatory markers, weight gain and survival, but there was insufficient evidence demonstrated for their widespread use in practice. Conclusions: Insufficient studies have been performed to allow a conclusion to be formed with regard to the effectiveness of NSAIDs in the treatment of cachexia in advanced cancer. Major challenges in this patient cohort include the lack of uniformity of inclusion criteria across studies and the frailty of the patients recruited.
Interval Arthrometric Comparison of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Autograft Versus Allograft
Authors: Ghodadra Neil S. , Mall Nathan A. , Grumet Robert , Sherman Seth L. , Kirk Spencer , Provencher Matthew T. , Bach Bernard R. 
Published: March 2012

Background: There is little information regarding the incremental changes in the postoperative laxity of patellar tendon (PT) autografts versus allografts in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Hypotheses: (1) There would be no significant increase in laxity between 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively with PT autografts or allografts, (2) there would be no significant difference in laxity between PT autografts and allografts, (3) there would not be a significant difference in laxity between nonirradiated and low dose–irradiated PT allograft tissues, and (4) the physical examination findings would correlate with the instrumented laxity outcomes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective review of 238 ACL-deficient patients who underwent single-incision endoscopic ACL reconstruction with a PT autograft (n = 132) or allograft (n = 106; 58 irradiated and 48 nonirradiated) from a single surgeon was made looking at data from preoperatively and from 6 weeks to 1 year postoperatively. The objective measurements of ligament integrity included range of motion, Lachman test, pivot-shift test, and KT-1000 arthrometer instrumented laxity examination. Failure was defined as arthrometric side-to-side differences (maximum manual difference) ≥3 mm or a positive pivot shift. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05. Results: There were no differences in postoperative examination findings or instrumented laxity between PT autografts and allografts (irradiated or nonirradiated) in either subgroup. The postoperative improvement based on the Lachman examination, pivot-shift test, and arthrometric data in all study groups was significant ( P < .001) in 98% (autograft: n = 130; allograft: n = 104) of patients, and arthrometric failure correlated with failure by physical examination. There was no significant change in graft laxity, as measured by KT-1000 arthrometer, from 6 weeks to 1 year postoperatively for 98% of patients. Finally, there was no statistical correlation in instrumented laxity results for either the autograft or allograft group with reference to age, gender, concurrent meniscectomy, meniscal repairs, interval to surgery, postoperative patellar pain, time to surgery, or irradiated versus nonirradiated allograft. Conclusion: Laxity is not increased after the initial 6 weeks for either PT allograft or autograft constructs during the first postoperative year. There was no correlation between age, gender, concomitant injury, interval to surgery, or radiation of the graft with instrumented laxity results. Furthermore, our arthrometric data paralleled our clinical findings of stability at follow-up.
Theory-Guided Selection of Discrimination Measures for Racial/ Ethnic Health Disparities Research Among Older Adults
Authors: Thrasher Angela D. , Clay Olivio J. , Ford Chandra L. , Stewart Anita L. 
Published: March 2012

Objectives: Discrimination may contribute to health disparities among older adults. Existing measures of perceived discrimination have provided important insights but may have limitations when used in studies of older adults. This article illustrates the process of assessing the appropriateness of existing measures for theory-based research on perceived discrimination and health. Method: First, we describe three theoretical frameworks that are relevant to the study of perceived discrimination and health—stress-process models, life course models, and the Public Health Critical Race (PHCR) praxis. We then review four widely-used measures of discrimination, comparing their content and describing how well they address key aspects of each framework, and discussing potential areas of modification. Discussion: Using theory to guide measure selection can help improve understanding of how perceived discrimination may contribute to racial/ethnic health disparities among older adults.
The role of thrombomodulin lectin-like domain in inflammation
Authors: Li Yi-Heng , Kuo Cheng-Hsiang , Shi Guey-Yueh , Wu Hua-Lin 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Thrombomodulin (TM) is a cell surface glycoprotein which is widely expressed in a variety of cell types. It is a cofactor for thrombin binding that mediates protein C activation and inhibits thrombin activity. In addition to its anticoagulant activity, recent evidence has revealed that TM, especially its lectin-like domain, has potent anti-inflammatory function through a variety of molecular mechanisms. The lectin-like domain of TM plays an important role in suppressing inflammation independent of the TM anticoagulant activity. This article makes an extensive review of the role of TM in inflammation. The molecular targets of TM lectin-like domain have also been elucidated. Recombinant TM protein, especially the TM lectin-like domain may play a promising role in the management of sepsis, glomerulonephritis and arthritis. These data demonstrated the potential therapeutic role of TM in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Characterization of proximal pulmonary arterial cells from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients
Authors: Quarck Rozenn , Wynants Marijke , Ronisz Alicja , Sepulveda Maria Rosario , Wuytack Frank , Van Raemdonck Dirk , Meyns Bart , Delcroix Marion 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is associated with proximal pulmonary artery obstruction and vascular remodeling. We hypothesized that pulmonary arterial smooth muscle (PASMC) and endothelial cells (PAEC) may actively contribute to remodeling of the proximal pulmonary vascular wall in CTEPH. Our present objective was to characterize PASMC and PAEC from large arteries of CTEPH patients and investigate their potential involvement in vascular remodeling.

Methods
Primary cultures of proximal PAEC and PASMC from patients with CTEPH, with non-thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PH) and lung donors have been established. PAEC and PASMC have been characterized by immunofluorescence using specific markers. Expression of smooth muscle specific markers within the pulmonary vascular wall has been studied by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Mitogenic activity and migratory capacity of PASMC and PAEC have been investigated in vitro.

Results
PAEC express CD31 on their surface, von Willebrand factor in Weibel-Palade bodies and take up acetylated LDL. PASMC express various differentiation markers including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), desmin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC). In vascular tissue from CTEPH and non-thromboembolic PH patients, expression of α-SMA and desmin is down-regulated compared to lung donors; desmin expression is also down-regulated in vascular tissue from CTEPH compared to non-thromboembolic PH patients. A low proportion of α-SMA positive cells express desmin and SMMHC in the neointima of proximal pulmonary arteries from CTEPH patients. Serum-induced mitogenic activity of PAEC and PASMC, as well as migratory capacity of PASMC, were increased in CTEPH only.

Conclusions
Modified proliferative and/or migratory responses of PASMC and PAEC in vitro, associated to a proliferative phenotype of PASMC suggest that PASMC and PAEC could contribute to proximal vascular remodeling in CTEPH.
Skeletal muscle regeneration in Xenopus tadpoles and zebrafish larvae
Authors: Rodrigues Alexandre Miguel Cavaco , Christen Bea , Martí Mercé , Izpisúa Belmonte Juan Carlos 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Mammals are not able to restore lost appendages, while many amphibians are. One important question about epimorphic regeneration is related to the origin of the new tissues and whether they come from mature cells via dedifferentiation and/or from stem cells. Several studies in urodele amphibians (salamanders) indicate that, after limb or tail amputation, the multinucleated muscle fibres do dedifferentiate by fragmentation and proliferation, thereby contributing to the regenerate. In Xenopus laevis tadpoles, however, it was shown that muscle fibres do not contribute directly to the tail regenerate. We set out to study whether dedifferentiation was present during muscle regeneration of the tadpole limb and zebrafish larval tail, mainly by cell tracing and histological observations.

Results
Cell tracing and histological observations indicate that zebrafish tail muscle do not dedifferentiate during regeneration. Technical limitations did not allow us to trace tadpole limb cells, nevertheless we observed no signs of dedifferentiation histologically. However, ultrastructural and gene expression analysis of regenerating muscle in tadpole tail revealed an unexpected dedifferentiation phenotype. Further histological studies showed that dedifferentiating tail fibres did not enter the cell cycle and in vivo cell tracing revealed no evidences of muscle fibre fragmentation. In addition, our results indicate that this incomplete dedifferentiation was initiated by the retraction of muscle fibres.

Conclusions
Our results show that complete skeletal muscle dedifferentiation is less common than expected in lower vertebrates. In addition, the discovery of incomplete dedifferentiation in muscle fibres of the tadpole tail stresses the importance of coupling histological studies with in vivo cell tracing experiments to better understand the regenerative mechanisms.