bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive‐nigrostriatal relationships in de novo, drug‐naïve Parkinson's disease patients: A [I‐123]FP‐CIT SPECT study
Authors: Nobili Flavio , Campus Claudio , Arnaldi Dario , De Carli Fabrizio , Cabassi Gaia , Brugnolo Andrea , Dessi Barbara , Morbelli Silvia , Sambuceti Gianmario , Abbruzzese Giovanni , Rodriguez Guido 
Published: January 2010

AbstractTo unveil cognitive‐nigrostriatal correlations in Parkinson's disease (PD), 30 de novo, drug‐naïve PD patients and 15 patients with essential tremor (Controls, CTR) underwent a neuropsychological (NPS) battery and brain SPECT with [I‐123]Ioflupane, as a biomarker of nigrostriatal function. Automatic extraction of uptake at caudate and putamen level was conducted through the BasGan software, also allowing partial volume effect correction. Because of the multicollinearity among neuropsychological tests and among SPECT variables, factor analysis was applied to 16 neuropsychological scores; moreover, the four SPECT variables were merged into a mean SPECT value (mSPECT). Factor analysis identified four NPS factors: a dys‐executive (NPS‐EX), a visuospatial (NPS‐VS), a verbal memory (NPS‐VM), and a “mixed” (NPD‐MIX) factor. In PD group, there were inverse correlations between UPDRS‐III score and both NPS‐VS (P < 0.01) and mSPECT (P < 0.05), and a direct correlation between mSPECT and NPS‐EX (P < 0.05). Post hoc analysis showed a direct correlation between NPS‐EX and caudate uptake in both hemispheres (P < 0.05). Moreover, inverse correlations were found between UPDRS‐III and, respectively, putamen uptake in the less affected hemisphere (P < 0.01), and putamen and caudate uptake in the more affected hemisphere (P < 0.05). In CTR, no correlation was found between mSPECT and either NPS or GDS values. Nigro‐caudate function affects executive capabilities in PD but not in CTR, which appears to be unrelated to the disease motor severity at its onset. Instead, PD motor severity is related to nigro‐putaminal impairment and visuospatial dysfunction. The role of these data as predictive features of cognitive decline and eventually dementia remains to be established in longitudinal studies. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
The sour side of neurodegenerative disorders: the effects of protein glycation
Authors: Miranda Hugo Vicente , Outeiro Tiago Fleming 
Published: December 2009

AbstractNeurodegenerative diseases are associated with the misfolding and deposition of specific proteins, either intra‐ or extracellularly in the nervous system. Although familial mutations play an important role in protein misfolding and aggregation, the majority of cases of neurodegenerative diseases are sporadic, suggesting that other factors must contribute to the onset and progression of these disorders. Post‐translational modifications are known to influence protein structure and function. Some of these modifications might affect proteins in detrimental ways and lead to their misfolding and accumulation. Reducing sugars play important roles in modifying proteins, forming advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) in a non‐enzymatic process named glycation. Several proteins linked to neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyloid β, tau, prions and transthyretin, were found to be glycated in patients, and this is thought to be associated with increased protein stability through the formation of crosslinks that stabilize protein aggregates. Moreover, glycation may be responsible, via the receptor for AGE (RAGE), for an increase in oxidative stress and inflammation through the formation of reactive oxygen species and the induction of NF‐κB. Therefore, it is essential to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying protein glycation to understand their role in neurodegeneration. Here, we reviewed the role of protein glycation in the major neurodegenerative disorders and highlight the potential value of protein glycation as a biomarker or target for therapeutic intervention. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ms_lims, a simple yet powerful open source laboratory information management system for MS‐driven proteomics
Authors: Helsens Kenny , Colaert Niklaas , Barsnes Harald , Muth Thilo , Flikka Kristian , Staes An , Timmerman Evy , Wortelkamp Steffi , Sickmann Albert , Vandekerckhove Joël , Gevaert Kris , Martens Lennart 
Published: January 2010

AbstractMS‐based proteomics produces large amounts of mass spectra that require processing, identification and possibly quantification before interpretation can be undertaken. High‐throughput studies require automation of these various steps, and management of the data in association with the results obtained. We here present ms_lims (http://genesis.UGent.be/ms_lims), a freely available, open‐source system based on a central database to automate data management and processing in MS‐driven proteomics analyses.
The methanolic extract of Withania somnifera ACTS on GABAA receptors in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in mice
Authors: Bhattarai Janardhan P. , Ah Park Seon , Han Seong Kyu 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe effect of the methanol extract of Withania somnifera (mWS) on the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron was examined in juvenile mice using the whole cell patch clamp technique. GnRH neurons are the fundamental regulators of the pulsatile release of GnRH needed for puberty and fertility. GnRH neurons were depolarized by bath application of the mWS (400 ng/μl) under the condition of a high Cl− pipette solution in current clamp mode. In voltage clamp mode, mWS induced reproducible inward currents (31.7 ± 5.51 pA, n = 14). The mWS‐induced inward currents persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX, 0.5 μM), but were suppressed by bicuculline methiodide (BMI, 20 μM), a GABAA receptor antagonist. These results show that mWS affects the neuronal activities by mediating the GABAA receptor, which suggests that WS contains an ingredient with possible GABAmimetic activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stable isotope analysis of dissolved organic carbon in soil solutions using a catalytic combustion total organic carbon analyzer‐isotope ratio mass spectrometer with a cryofocusing interface
Authors: De Troyer I. , Bouillon S. , Barker S. , Perry C. , Coorevits K. , Merckx R. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractStable carbon isotopes are a powerful tool to assess the origin and dynamics of carbon in soils. However, direct analysis of the 13C/12C ratio in the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool has proved to be difficult. Recently, several systems have been developed to measure isotope ratios in DOC by coupling a total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. However these systems were designed for the analysis of fresh and marine water and no results for soil solutions or 13C‐enriched samples have been reported. Because we mainly deal with soil solutions in which the difficult to oxidize humic and fulvic acids are the predominant carbon‐containing components, we preferred to use thermal catalytic oxidation to convert DOC into CO2. We therefore coupled a high‐temperature combustion TOC analyzer with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer, by trapping and focusing the CO2 cryogenically between the instruments. The analytical performance was tested by measuring solutions of compounds varying in the ease with which they can be oxidized. Samples with DOC concentrations between 1 and 100 mg C/L could be analyzed with good precision (standard deviation (SD) ≤0.6‰), acceptable accuracy, good linearity (overall SD = 1‰) and without significant memory effects. In a 13C‐tracer experiment, we observed that mixing plant residues with soil caused a release of plant‐derived DOC, which was degraded or sorbed during incubation. Based on these results, we are confident that this approach can become a relatively simple alternative method for the measurement of the 13C/12C ratio of DOC in soil solutions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecotourism benefits and livelihood improvement for sustainable development in the nature conservation areas of Bhutan
Authors: Gurung Dhan Bahadur , Seeland Klaus 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis paper describes the socio‐economic characteristics of three rural communities living inside or close to protected areas in Bhutan and examines possible ways to improve their living standards through ecotourism for sustainable development. Face‐to‐face interviews, supported by structured questionnaires, were conducted to determine 1) sources of livelihood; 2) the impact of tourism; and 3) the readiness of rural communities to participate in income‐generating activities. Farmers were keen to take up ecotourism and wanted to use the proceeds to increase their livestock herds. However, this would increase pressure on natural resources, causing land degradation. Additionally, income from ecotourism may also lead, in the long run, to social inequality in remote communities. To prevent environmental stress in protected areas, social inequity and potential land degradation, newly generated wealth from ecotourism needs to be appropriately invested by the stakeholders. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Statistical data mining
Authors: Banks David L. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractData mining is widely used in modern science to extract signal from complex data sets. This article summarizes some of the key intellectual issues in the development of this field, largely from a historical perspective. There is particular emphasis on the Curse of Dimensionality, and its implications for non‐parametric regression, classification, and cluster analysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.This article is categorized under:Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Clustering and Classification
Stochastic approximation: a survey
Authors: Kushner Harold 
Published: December 2009

AbstractStochastic recursive algorithms, also known as stochastic approximation, take many forms and have numerous applications. It is the asymptotic properties that are of interest. The early history, starting with the work of Robbins and Monro, is discussed. An approach to proofs of convergence with probability one is illustrated by a stability‐type argument. For general noise processes and algorithms, the most powerful current approach is what is called the ordinary differential equations (ODE) method. The algorithm is interpolated into a continuous‐time process, which is shown to converge to the solution of an ODE, whose asymptotic properties are those of the algorithm. There are probability one and weak convergence methods, the latter being the easiest to use and the most powerful. After discussing the basic ideas and giving some standard proofs, extensions are outlined. These include multiple time scales, tracking of time changing systems, state‐dependent noise, rate of convergence, and random direction methods for high‐dimensional problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.This article is categorized under:Algorithms and Computational Methods > Stochastic Optimization
Prediction of LT4 Replacement Dose to Achieve Euthyroidism in Subjects Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy for Benign Thyroid Disorders
Authors: Sukumar Ranjith , Agarwal Amit , Gupta Sushil , Mishra Anjali , Agarwal Gaurav , Verma A. K. , Mishra S. K. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackgroundTotal thyroidectomy is becoming the preferred choice of treatment in patients with benign disorders of the thyroid gland; hence, an optimal method of replacing thyroxine is essential to avoid the ill effects of over‐ and under‐replacement of thyroxine in such patients.Patients and methodsWe analyzed three methods of thyroxine replacement: replacement per kilogram of lean body mass (LBM) (2.5 mcg/kg LBM per day), per kilogram of body weight (1.6 mcg/kg body weight per day), and empirical replacement of thyroxine.ResultsThe thyroxine requirement in thyroidectomized patients was 2.04 mcg/kg per day, with an increasing requirement of thyroxine with increments of weight. On multivariate analysis we found that the thyroxine requirement was strongly correlated both with body surface area (BSA) and with body weight. On subsequent correlation testing, we found that BSA was more strongly associated than weight with the thyroxine requirement.ConclusionsPatients undergoing total thyroidectomy may require higher doses of thyroxine to achieve euthyroidism when compared to patients with similar anthropometric parameters having primary hypothyroidism. The method of replacing thyroxine based on LBM is the ideal method, but replacement based on fixed‐dose regimens could be a good method if the body weight is taken into consideration.
Factors accounting for youth suicide attempt in Hong Kong: A model building
Authors: Wan Gloria W.Y. , Leung Patrick W.L. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTThis study aimed at proposing and testing a conceptual model of youth suicide attempt. We proposed a model that began with family factors such as a history of physical abuse and parental divorce/separation. Family relationship, presence of psychopathology, life stressors, and suicide ideation were postulated as mediators, leading to youth suicide attempt. The stepwise entry of the risk factors to a logistic regression model defined their proximity as related to suicide attempt. Path analysis further refined our proposed model of youth suicide attempt. Our originally proposed model was largely confirmed. The main revision was dropping parental divorce/separation as a risk factor in the model due to lack of significant contribution when examined alongside with other risk factors. This model was cross‐validated by gender. This study moved research on youth suicide from identification of individual risk factors to model building, integrating separate findings of the past studies.
Ein Vergleich computergestützter Testverfahren zur neuropsychologischen Diagnostik bei Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/ Hyper- aktivitätsstörung
Authors: Echterhoff Jutta , Golzarandi Alexander Gort , Morsch Dagmar , Lehmkuhl Gerd , Sinzig Judith 
Published: December 2009

Derzeit ist eine Vielzahl neuropsychologischer Testverfahren verfügbar. Die z. T. inhaltliche Überschneidung führt zu differierenden Ergebnissen in der Diagnostik der Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung. Im Rahmen der Erfassung von Aufmerksamkeitsfunktionen und exekutiven Funktionen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit ADHS wurden zwei ähnlich konzipierte computergestützte Testverfahren hinsichtlich ihrer Vergleichbarkeit überprüft. An der Untersuchung nahmen insgesamt 60 Kinder und Jugendliche im Alter von 6 – 18 Jahren teil, von denen die eine Hälfte (n=30) eine Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) aufwies und die andere Hälfte (n=30) eine gesunde Kontrollgruppe bildete. Zur Ermittlung von Aufmerksamkeitsleistungen und exekutiven Funktionen (Geteilte Aufmerksamkeit, Reaktionswechsel, Inhibition, und Vigilanz) wurde die Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung (TAP) sowie die Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Testbattery (CANTAB) angewendet. Der Vergleich der beiden Testverfahren erfolgte mit äquivalenten Untertests aus den jeweiligen Testbatterien. Insgesamt konnte kein statistisch signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen den beiden Testverfahren festgestellt werden. Vielmehr eignen sich TAP und CANTAB als ergänzende diagnostische Mittel.
The guardians of the genome dependent tumor suppressor miRNAs network
Authors: Boominathan Lakshmanane 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe tumor suppressor p53 homologues, TA-p73, and p63 have been shown to function as tumor suppressors. However, how they function as tumor suppressors remains elusive. Here I present a number of models that illustrates how the TA-p73/p63 could function as tumor suppressors. Remarkably, the guardians—p53, p63, and p73—of the genome are in control of most of the known tumor suppressor miRNAs. TA-p73/p63 and p53, by suppressing the expression of c-Myc through TRIM32 and miR-145, they could up regulate the expression of tumor suppressor microRNAs, such as miR-15/16a, miR-29, miR-34, miR-26, let-7a/d/g, miR-30b/c/d/e, miR-146a, and a number of tumor suppressor genes. It appears that p53/TA-p73/p63-mediated repression of c-myc (and its repressed miRNA targets) inhibits tumor growth. Thus, these findings strongly suggest that p53, TA-p73 and TA-p63, by suppressing the expression of c-myc, they could increase c-myc-repressed tumor suppressor miRNAs, and thereby they could function as tumor suppressors. In addition, TA-p73/p63 and p53 appears to regulate the expression of miR-200b, c to control EMT, invasion and metastasis.Remarkably, microRNA processing components, such as dicer, P2P-R, Ago1/2, DGCR-8, are regulated by p53, p73, and p63. By regulating the miRNA processing components, they could function as regulators of miRNA/siRNA biogenesis. Therefore, these studies suggest that the guardians of the genome p53, p73 and p63 are in control of the biogenesis of miRNAs as well. Taken together, “the guardians of the genome integrity,” p53, TA-p73 and TA-p63 are not only in control of its protein coding targets, but also non-coding tumor suppressor microRNAs and thereby they enlarge their tumor suppressor network to inhibit tumorigenesis.
Tumor suppressors function as a bottleneck against cellular reprogramming into iPS cells
Authors: Boominathan Lakshmanane 
Published: December 2009

AbstractGenerating individual specific pluoripotent stem cells from differentiated cells is essential for regenerative medicine. Here, I propose that the tumor suppressor TA-p73/p63-dependent microRNA network may inhibit self-renewal and reprogramming. It has recently been shown that C-terminal NHL domain of TRIM32, an ubiquitin ligase, binds to Argonaute 1(Ago-1, a component of RNA information silencing complex) and thereby the complex TRIM32-Ago1 promotes the efficiency of processing of microRNA-134. Bioinformatics analysis of TRIM32 promoter revealed five p73/p63 binding sites in the TRIM32 promoter, indicating that it could be a transcriptional target of TA-p73/p63. This data suggests a possibility that the TA-p73/p63, by increasing the expression of TRIM32, it could increase the Ago1/2 activity and thereby it could increase the processing of miR-134. Further, bioinformatics analysis of miR-134 suggests that it could inhibit the expression of Nanog, Sox-2, Oct4, and LRH-1. This data suggests that TA-p73/p63 could down regulate reprogramming factors Nanog, Sox-2, Oct-4, and LRH-1 through its target miR-134. Furthermore, p53/TA-p73/p63 may increase the expression of let-7, which, in turn, inhibits lin-28 expression to inhibit reprogramming. Therefore, inhibiting the expression of TA-p73/p63 will be useful in improving reprogramming efficiency. Analysis of microarray data with bioinformatics and computational biology approach revealed that p53/TA-p73/p63-microRNAs could disrupt the core-reprogramming network in ES cells and thereby they could inhibit self-renewal and reprogramming. Remarkably, miR-106 appears to increase the expression of TA-p73 by suppressing its negative regulator, Itch, indicating that by inhibiting the expression of TA-p73/p63 through anti-miR-106, one could increase the efficiency of reprogramming. This study will present molecular insights into why eliminating tumor suppressor function is indispensable for improving reprogramming efficiency.
CD-HIT Suite: a web server for clustering and comparing biological sequences
Authors: Huang Ying , Niu Beifang , Gao Ying , Fu Limin , Li Weizhong 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
Summary: CD-HIT is a widely used program for clustering and comparing large biological sequence datasets. In order to further assist the CD-HIT users, we significantly improved this program with more functions and better accuracy, scalability and flexibility. Most importantly, we developed a new web server, CD-HIT Suite, for clustering a user-uploaded sequence dataset or comparing it to another dataset at different identity levels. Users can now interactively explore the clusters within web browsers. We also provide downloadable clusters for several public databases (NCBI NR, Swissprot and PDB) at different identity levels.
Availability: Free access at http://cd-hit.org
Contact: liwz@sdsc.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Bone marrow cell transplantation improves cardiac, autonomic, and functional indexes in acute anterior myocardial infarction patients (Cardiac Study)
Authors: Piepoli Massimo F. , Vallisa Daniele , Arbasi Mariacristina , Cavanna Luigi , Cerri Luigi , Mori Monica , Passerini Francesco , Tommasi Luigi , Rossi Agostino , Capucci Alessandro ,   on behalf of the Cardiac Study Group
Published: December 2009

AimsBone marrow (BM) stem cells improve cardiac function and outcome after acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI). In this randomized controlled trial, the effects of intracoronary transfer of autologous BM cells on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and volumes (2D‐echo and resting SPECT), stroke volume [impedance cardiography (ICG)], autonomic control [heart rate variability (HRV)], baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and exercise tolerance (cardiopulmonary exercise test) were assessed in post‐MI patients. Exercise stress SPECT was also performed.Methods and resultsAfter percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 38 patients with residual LV dysfunction were randomized to either the BM group (optimized treatment plus intracoronary transfer of autologous BM cells 4 ± 1 days after PCI, n = 19) or control (C) group (optimized treatment only, n = 19). After 12 months, mean LVEF (%) increased 13.1 ± 1.9 in the BM patients vs. 5.3 ± 2.0 in C, with an increase in stroke volume (mL, 14.5 ± 4.0 in BM vs. 1.8 ± 3.7 in C) associated with improved HRV [SD (ms) 62.4 ± 8.3 in BM vs. 19.0 ± 7.5 in C), higher BRS (ms/mmHg, 8.0 ± 1.8 in BM vs. −1.9 ± 1.7 in C), and peak VO2 (mL/kg min−1, 3.5 ± 1.0 in BM vs. −0.4 ± 0.5 in C). Stress SPECT showed improvements in perfusion, regional and global LV function scores (P < 0.05 BM vs. C groups for all comparisons). Cell transfer did not increase the risk of adverse clinical, in‐stent restenosis, or proarrhythmic events.ConclusionThe beneficial effect of autologous BM cells in post‐MI patients with depressed LV function may be mediated by restoration of autonomic control, and improved exercise tolerance.
Anti‐miR‐21 oligonucleotide sensitizes leukemic K562 cells to arsenic trioxide by inducing apoptosis
Authors: Li Yumin , Zhu Xuejiao , Gu Jingyi , Dong Dawei , Yao Junlin , Lin Chunyan , Huang Kangkang , Fei Jia 
Published: January 2010

Arsenic trioxide (ATO), an ancient traditional Chinese medicine, has been successfully used as a therapeutic agent for leukemia. Drug resistance and toxicity are major concerns with the treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non‐coding RNA molecules that might modulate cellular sensitivity to anticancer drugs. miRNA‐21 (miR‐21) is one of the most prominent miRNAs involved in various aspects of human cancers. However, miR‐21 has been rarely characterized in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Here, we used a specific anti‐miR‐21 oligonucleotide (AMO‐miR‐21) to sensitize K562 cells to ATO by degradation of miR‐21. The results showed that both AMO‐miR‐21 and ATO caused growth inhibition, apoptosis, and G1‐phase arrest in K562 cells. Meanwhile, AMO‐miR‐21 significantly promoted ATO‐mediated growth inhibition and apotosis without affecting the G1 phase. Apoptotic cells were confirmed morphologically with Giemsa’s staining. Furthermore, dual‐luciferase reporter vector, containing two tandem miR‐21 binding sites from PDCD4 3′UTR, validated that PDCD4 was directly regulated by miR‐21. Therefore, AMO‐miR‐21 sensitized leukemic K562 cells to ATO by inducing apoptosis partially due to its up‐regulation of PDCD4 protein level. The combination of ATO and AMO‐miR‐21 present therapeutic potential for CML.(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 948–954)