bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aphasic or amnesic status epilepticus detected on PET but not EEG
Authors: Dong Christine , Sriram Subramaniam , Delbeke Dominique , Al‐Kaylani Muhammad , Arain Amir M. , Singh Pradumna , McLean Michael J. , Abou‐Khalil Bassel 
Published: September 2008

SummaryPurpose:  To describe five patients with ictal aphasia and one patient with ictal amnesia, who had focal positron emission tomography (PET) hypermetabolism but no clear ictal activity on electroencephalography (EEG).Methods:  18F‐Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)–PET scans with concomitant EEG were obtained in five patients with suspected ictal aphasia or ictal amnesia without ictal activity on EEG. We reviewed medical history, EEG, imaging data, and treatment outcome.Results:  Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no structural abnormalities in any of the patients. EEG showed left temporal irregular delta activity in three patients, with aphasia and nonspecific abnormalities in two other patients, all without clear ictal pattern. All patients demonstrated focal hypermetabolism on PET scan. The hypermetabolism was in the left frontotemporal region in patients with ictal aphasia and in the bilateral hippocampal region in the patient with amnesia. Three patients who received intravenous benzodiazepines during their episodes had transient clinical improvement. With antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment, symptoms gradually resolved in all patients. Concomitant resolution of PET hypermetabolism was documented in three patients who had follow up scans. One patient with ictal aphasia later developed recurrent episodes, each with recurrent PET hypermetabolism. This patient and one other patient required immune‐modulating therapy in addition to AEDs.Discussion:  FDG‐PET imaging should be considered as a diagnostic tool in patients with suspected ictal aphasia or amnesia, who fail to show clear evidence of ictal activity on EEG.
Scopolamine‐induced convulsions in fasted mice after food intake: the effect of duration of food deprivation
Authors: Enginar Nurhan , Nurten Asiye , Özünal Zeynep Güneş , Zengin Aslı 
Published: September 2008

SummaryIt has been shown that mice and rats treated with antimuscarinic drugs, scopolamine or atropine, after fasting for 48 h develop convulsions soon after refeeding. The present study was performed to evaluate whether mice also develop convulsions after being deprived of food for 1–24 h. The effect of day–night fasting on the development of convulsions was also determined in 12‐h deprived animals. Mice were deprived of food for periods of 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h. Animals fasted for 12 h during the day or night were deprived of food at 08:00 or 20:00 h, respectively. At the time of testing, animals were treated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline or 3 mg/kg scopolamine. Twenty minutes later, they were given food and allowed to eat ad lib. All animals were observed for 30 min for the incidence and onset of convulsions. Fasted animals treated with scopolamine developed clonic convulsions after food intake. Incidence of convulsions was significant in 2‐, 3‐, 12‐, 18‐, 24‐, and 48‐h deprived animals. Convulsions observed after deprivation of food for 12 h during the day or at night were almost similar in both regimens. Our results indicate that food deprivation itself, rather than its duration, seems to be the principal factor in the development of these convulsions.
ASYMMETRY OF EYESPOT AND MATING STRUCTURE POSITIONS IN ULVA COMPRESSA (ULVALES, CHLOROPHYTA) REVEALED BY A NEW FIELD EMISSION SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY METHOD1
Authors: Mogi Yuko , Kagami Yayoi , Kuwano Kazuyoshi , Miyamura Shinichi , Nagumo Tamotsu , Kawano Shigeyuki 
Published: September 2008

Gametes of the marine green alga Ulva compressa L. are biflagellate and pear shaped, with one eyespot at the posterior end of the cell. The species is at an early evolutionary stage between isogamy and anisogamy. In the past, zygote formation of green algae was categorized solely by the relative sizes of gametes produced by two mating types (+ and −). Recently, however, locations of cell fusion sites and/or mating structures of gametes have been observed to differ between mating types in several green algae (asymmetry of cell fusion site and/or mating structure positions). To use this asymmetry for determining gamete mating type, we explored a new method, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), for visualizing the mating structure of U. compressa. When gametes were subjected to drying stress in the process of a conventional critical‐point‐drying method, a round structure was observed on the cell surfaces. In the mating type MGEC‐1 (mt+), this structure was located on the same side of the cell as the eyespot, whereas it was on the side opposite the eyespot in the mating type MGEC‐2 (mt−). The gametes fuse at the round structures. TEM showed an alignment of vesicles inside the cytoplasm directly below the round structures, which are indeed the mating structures. Serial sectioning and three‐dimensional construction of TEM micrographs confirmed the association of the mating structure with flagellar roots. The mating structure was associated with 1d root in the MGEC‐1 gamete but with 2d root in the MGEC‐2 gamete.
EXPRESSION PROFILING OF THE MANNURONAN C5‐EPIMERASE MULTIGENIC FAMILY IN THE BROWN ALGA LAMINARIA DIGITATA (PHAEOPHYCEAE) UNDER BIOTIC STRESS CONDITIONS1
Authors: Tonon Thierry , Rousvoal Sylvie , Roeder Vincent , Boyen Catherine 
Published: September 2008

The aim of this study was to profile expression of mannuronan C5‐epimerase (ManC5‐E) genes of Laminaria digitata (Huds.) J. V. Lamour. under treatment with brown alga cell wall components known to induce defense reaction in this organism. After determining that incubation in the presence of homo‐guluronates increased the accumulation of ManC5‐E transcripts, we cloned a number of partial ManC5‐E genes from nonelicited and elicited specimens. In addition to these fragments, previously identified genes from sporophyte and protoplast cDNA libraries were considered for a clustering analysis. Several groups of ManC5‐E genes were observed, including groups containing sequences specific from nonelicited and elicited sporophytes, and sequences isolated from protoplasts. Quantitative real‐time PCR experiments were then carried out using genes representative of different groups. Results of transcript accumulation during protoplast regeneration and sporophyte elicitation supported the hypothesis that specific C5‐epimerase genes are recruited under pathogen attack, enabling L. digitata to modify its cell wall in response to environmental stimuli.
A NOVEL EPIPHYTIC CYANOBACTERIAL SPECIES FROM THE GENUS BRASILONEMA CAUSING DAMAGE TO EUCALYPTUS LEAVES1
Authors: Aguiar Rosane , Fiore Marli Fatima , Franco Maione Wittig , Ventrella Marília Contin , Lorenzi Adriana Sturion , Vanetti Cláudia A. , Alfenas Acelino Couto 
Published: September 2008

A cyanobacterial mat colonizing the leaves of Eucalyptus grandis was determined to be responsible for serious damage affecting the growth and development of whole plants under the clonal hybrid nursery conditions. The dominant cyanobacterial species was isolated in BG‐11 medium lacking a source of combined nitrogen and identified by cell morphology characters and molecular phylogenetic analysis (16S rRNA gene and cpcBA‐IGS sequences). The isolated strain represents a novel species of the genus Brasilonema and is designated Brasilonema octagenarum strain UFV‐E1. Thin sections of E. grandis leaves analyzed by light and electron microscopy showed that the B. octagenarum UFV‐E1 filaments penetrate into the leaf mesophyll. The depth of infection and the mechanism by which the cyanobacterium invades leaf tissue were not determined. A major consequence of colonization by this cyanobacterium is a reduction in photosynthesis in the host since the cyanobacterial mats decrease the amount of light incident on leaf surfaces. Moreover, the cyanobacteria also interfere with stomatal gas exchange, decreasing CO2 assimilation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an epiphytic cyanobacterial species causing damage to E. grandis leaves.
Effect of Physical Activity Guidelines on Physical Function in Older Adults
Authors: Morey Miriam C. , Sloane Richard , Pieper Carl F. , Peterson Matthew J. , Pearson Megan P. , Ekelund Carola C. , Crowley Gail M. , Demark‐Wahnefried Wendy , Snyder Denise C. , Clipp Elizabeth C. , Cohen Harvey J. 
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether elderly people who meet national guidelines have higher physical function (PF) scores than those who do not and the effect on functional trajectory when physical activity (PA) levels change from above to below this threshold, or vice versa.DESIGN: Pooled data.SETTING: Two 6‐month randomized controlled trials aimed at increasing PA in adults.PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 65 to 94 (N=357).INTERVENTION: PA counseling over the telephone and through mailed materials.MEASUREMENTS: Self‐reported PA dichotomized at 150 minutes/week and PF using the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form Questionnaire PF subscale.RESULTS: At baseline, individuals reporting 150 minutes or more of moderate PA/week had mean PF scores that were 20.3 points higher than those who did not (P<.001). Change in PA minutes from above threshold to below threshold or from below threshold to above threshold from baseline to 6 months resulted in an average change in PF of −11.18 (P<.001) and +5.10 (P=.05), respectively.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that PA is an important predictor of functional status. Older sedentary adults can improve PF by meeting recommended PA levels. Conversely, dropping below recommended PA levels has a deleterious effect on PF. Given the importance of PF in maintenance of independence and quality of life in older adults, adherence to recommended PA guidelines should be endorsed.
The Impact of Myocardial Viability on the Clinical Outcome of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: RIEDLBAUCHOVÁ LUCIE , BRUNKEN RICHARD , JABER WAEL A. , POPOVÁ LUCIE , PATEL DIMPI , LÁNSKÁ VĚRA , CIVELLO KENNETH , CUMMINGS JENNIFER , BURKHARDT J. DAVID , SALIBA WALID , MARTIN DAVID , SCHWEIKERT ROBERT , WILKOFF BRUCE L. , GRIMM RICHARD , NATALE ANDREA 
Published: September 2008

Introduction: Around 30% of patients do not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Nonischemic cardiomyopathy has been identified as an independent predictor of response to CRT, probably due to the absence of compact scar. Methods and results: The relationship between cardiac scar, ischemia, and hibernation (both at the left‐ventricular pacing site and as a total burden) and response to CRT was studied in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy using the perfusion‐viability positron emission tomography (PET) test.Sixty‐six patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and traditional criteria for CRT were included. All patients underwent PET scan prior to CRT. Using PET, the amount and location of scarred, ischemic, and hibernating myocardium were characterized. No revascularization was indicated. Responders were defined by an improvement of left‐ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 5% and/or New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥ 1 degree.During a mean follow‐up of 26.2 ± 22.2 months, there was a significant improvement in NYHA class and reverse remodeling in patients with the LV lead inserted remotely from the scar. However, reverse remodeling of a similar degree was present also in patients with extensive scarring including the lateral wall. The presence of ischemia, hibernation, or nontransmural scar at the pacing‐site did not significantly modify the outcome of CRT as compared with viable myocardium. There were only 38% of CRT‐nonresponders. Neither the extent of scar, ischemia, hibernation, or viability predicted outcome or mortality. Twenty patients died during the follow‐up, one patient underwent heart transplant. Conclusions: At follow‐up, response to CRT is observed regardless of the presence of extensive scarring. Left ventricular (LV) pacing at sites with ischemia, hibernation, or nontransmural scar does not appear to modify the effect of CRT as compared to viable tissue.
Arrhythmias in Children Having a Single Left Superior Vena Cava and Minimal Structural Heart Disease
Authors: RATNASAMY CHRISTOPHER , IDRISS SALIM F. , CARBONI MICHAEL P. , KANTER RONALD J. 
Published: September 2008

Background:
The presence of a single left superior vena cava in the absence of complex congenital heart disease is uncommon, and, in the absence of hemodynamic consequences, it would not be expected to result in cardiovascular signs or symptoms. Single case reports and our anecdotal experience suggested to us that this anomaly is highly associated with cardiac arrhythmias.
Objective:
We sought to describe the clinically important arrhythmias in a population of young patients having this anomaly.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed from all patients <20 years old and who were determined by echocardiography over an 11‐year‐period to have a single left superior vena cava and minor or no coexisting congenital heart defects. The prevalence of nonsinus pacemaker, age‐corrected sinus rate percentile, and prevalence of brady‐ or tachyarrhythmias was compared with a control group of patients having bilateral superior vena cavae.
Results:
Eight patients having a single left and 55 patients having bilateral superior vena cava(e) were identified. The existence of this anomaly tended to be associated with a lower age‐corrected sinus rate percentile (17.5% vs 75%, P = 0.09), and was associated with a higher prevalence of arrhythmias (50% vs 7%, P = 0.014) compared with the control group. In the study group, one patient each had clinically relevant sinus node dysfunction, third‐degree AV block, Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome and atrial fibrillation, and AV nodal reentrant tachycardia.
Conclusion:
Even in the absence of symptoms, patients found to have a single left superior vena cava should be monitored long‐term for clinically important arrhythmias.
Améliorer la qualité du travail peu rémunéré: l'expérience des Etats‐Unis
Authors: OSTERMAN Paul 
Published: September 2008

Résumé.Aux Etats‐Unis, malgré la vigueur du marché de travail, environ un cinquième de la main‐d'œuvre du secteur privé a des emplois médiocres: salaires au niveau du seuil de pauvreté, voire inférieurs, et faibles perspectives d'avancement. Face à ce constat, l'auteur examine les politiques de la demande susceptibles d'inciter les entreprises à améliorer la qualité de l'emploi. Il décrit et évalue plusieurs programmes à cet effet et propose une approche cohérente et équilibrée associant, d'une part, formation et actions concertées avec les employeurs, et, d'autre part, plus forte syndicalisation et meilleures normes sur les salaires et la durée du travail.
La consultation tripartite en Chine: premier pas vers la négociation collective?
Authors: SHEN Jie , BENSON John 
Published: September 2008

Résumé.En matière de travail, la consultation tripartite s'est largement répandue en Chine, et le gouvernement comme la Fédération des syndicats de Chine parlent de négociation collective. Les auteurs présentent son développement et sa structure, puis examinent son rôle dans la résolution des différends du travail, la formulation des réglementations et la négociation collective. La consultation tripartite en Chine diffère du modèle préconisé par l'Organisation internationale du Travail par manque de neutralité et d'application de ses conclusions, et parce que la représentation des travailleurs n'est pas indépendante et n'a que des responsabilités restreintes. Malgré ces graves lacunes, cette consultation tripartite pourrait représenter un premier pas vers une négociation collective plus authentique.
Cardioprotection by adaptation to ischaemia augments autophagy in association with BAG‐1 protein
Authors: Gurusamy Narasimman , Lekli Istvan , Gorbunov Nikolai V. , Gherghiceanu Mihaela , Popescu Lawrence M. , Das Dipak K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAutophagy is an intracellular process in which a cell digests its own constituents via lysosomal degradative pathway. Though autophagy has been shown in several cardiac diseases like heart failure, hypertrophy and ischaemic cardiomyopathy, the role and the regulation of autophagy is still largely unknown. Bcl‐2‐associated athanogene (BAG‐1) is a multifunctional pro‐survival molecule that binds with Hsp70/Hsc70. In this study, myocardial adaptation to ischaemia by repeated brief episodes of ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) prior to lethal I/R enhanced the expression of autophagosomal membrane specific protein light chain 3 (LC3)‐II, and Beclin‐1, a molecule involved in autophagy and BAG‐1. Autophagosomes structures were found in the adapted myocardium through electron microscopy. Co‐immunoprecipitation and co‐immunofluorescence analyses revealed that LC3‐II was bound with BAG‐1. Inhibition of autophagy by treating rats with Wortmannin (15 μg/kg; intraperitoneally) abolished the ischaemic adaptation‐induced induction of LC3‐II, Beclin‐1, BAG‐1 and cardioprotection. Intramyocardial injection of BAG‐1 siRNA attenuated the induction of LC3‐II, and abolished the cardioprotection achieved by adaptation. Furthermore, hypoxic adaptation in cardiac myoblast cells induced LC3‐II and BAG‐1. BAG‐1 siRNA treatment attenuated hypoxic adaptation‐induced LC3‐II and BAG‐1, and abolished improvement in cardiac cell survival and reduction of cell death. These results clearly indicate that myocardial protection elicited by adaptation is mediated at least in part via up‐regulation of autophagy in association with BAG‐1 protein.
PDCD4 gene silencing in gliomas is associated with 5′CpG island methylation and unfavourable prognosis
Authors: Gao Fei , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhu Faliang , Wang Qun , Zhang Xia , Guo Chun , Zhou Chengjun , Ma Chunhong , Sun Wensheng , Zhang Yun , Chen Youhai H. , Zhang Lining 
Published: September 2008

AbstractProgrammed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is a newly described tumour suppressor that inhibits oncogenesis by suppressing gene transcription and translation. Loss of PDCD4 expression has been found in several types of human cancers including the most common cancer of the brain, the gliomas. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for PDCD4 gene silencing in tumour cells remain unclear. Here we report the identification of 5′CpG island methylation as the predominant cause of PDCD4 mRNA silencing in gliomas. The methylation of the PDCD4 5′CpG island was found in 47% (14/30) of glioma tissues, which was significantly associated with the loss of PDCD4 mRNA expression (γ=−1.000, P < 0.0001). Blocking methylation in glioma cells using a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine, restored the PDCD4 gene expression, inhibited their proliferation and reduced their colony formation capacity. Longitudinal studies of a cohort of 84 patients with gliomas revealed that poor prognosis of patients with high‐grade tumours were significantly associated with loss of PDCD4 expression. Thus, our current study suggests, for the first time, that PDCD4 5′CpG island methylation blocks PDCD4 expression at mRNA levels in gliomas. These results also indicate that PDCD4 reactivation might be an effective new strategy for the treatment of gliomas.
Freeze‐fracture replica immunolabelling reveals caveolin‐1 in the human cardiomyocyte plasma membrane
Authors: Robenek Horst , Weissen‐Plenz Gabriele , Severs Nicholas J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMutations in or ablation of the gene encoding caveolin‐3, a protein of muscle cell caveolae, result in forms of muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy. Another member of the caveolin gene family, caveolin‐1, is widely considered not to be expressed in myocytes, yet ablation of the gene encoding this protein in mice also results in cardiomyopathy. By applying the high‐resolution electron‐microscopical imaging technique of freeze‐fracture replica immunolabelling, we report here evidence that caveolin‐1 is expressed in human cardiac myocytes, localized to both caveolae and non‐caveolar domains in the plasma membrane. Disorders of the myocyte resulting from defects in caveolin‐1 may thus arise directly, at the level of the myocyte, rather than via other cell types as previously proposed.
Evaluation of the role of human herpes virus 6 and 8 in parapsoriasis
Authors: Quéreux Gaëlle , André‐Garnier Elisabeth , Knol Anne‐Chantal , Imbert‐Marcille Berthe‐Marie , Dréno Brigitte 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIntroduction:  The aetiology of mycosis fungoides and parapsoriasis (which may be considered as an early stage of mycosis fungoides) remains debated. Previous recent studies have suspected the involvement of viral agents and particularly human herpes viruses (HHV).The aim of the present study was to screen for the presence of HHV‐6 and HHV‐8 genome in parapsoriasis samples.Method:  Fifty paraffin‐embedded samples from skin biopsies of parapsoriasis were retrospectively collected from archival files in our Dermatology department. Total DNA was extracted from samples using the phenol–chloroform method and the presence of viral genomes was screened using real‐time PCR.Results:  Forty nine out of the fifty tissue samples of parapsoriasis were interpretable, they were all found negative for HHV‐6 and HHV‐8.Discussion:  This study does not confirm the suspected role of HHV‐6 or ‐8 in parapsoriasis. HHV‐8 has been the most studied virus in parapsoriasis and more widely in cutaneous lymphoproliferative diseases and our results are in agreement with most of the studies which found none or few HHV‐8 in more advanced stages of cutaneous lymphoproliferative diseases. Concerning HHV‐6, our study is the first one investigating the presence of this virus in lesional tissue samples of patients with parapsoriasis. In conclusion, parapsoriasis does not seem to be associated with either HHV‐6 or HHV‐8.
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus in newborn infants of opioid dependent mothers
Authors: Held‐Egli Katrin , Rüegger Christoph , Das‐Kundu Seema , Schmitt Bernhard , Bucher Hans Ulrich 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence, duration and risk factors for benign neonatal sleep myoclonus (BNSM) in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) treated with opioids or sedatives, compared with control infants.Methods: This is a single centre observational case control study. Seventy‐eight near term and term infants with neonatal opiate abstinence syndrome confirmed by meconium analysis were included. Exclusion criteria were cerebral malformation, intracranial haemorrhage and perinatal asphyxia. The babies were assessed eight hourly with a modified Finnegan score that included sleep myoclonus. Seventy‐eight infants not exposed to opiates during pregnancy, hospitalized for at least 14 days and matched for gestational age were used as controls.Results: The median gestational age was 38 1/7 (95% CI: 35 3/7–41 2/7) weeks, birth weight 2730 (95% CI: 1890–3600) g, umbilical artery pH 7.25 (CI 7.10–7.37) and Apgar score at 5 minutes 9 (95% CI: 7–10). The control infants did not differ in these characteristics.Sleep myoclonus was diagnosed in 52 (67%) of the infants with NAS and 2 (2.6%) of the controls (OR 26 [95% CI: 7–223], p < 0.001). Myoclonus appeared as early as day 2 and as late as day 56 of life (median day 6) and lasted for 1 to 93 days (median 13 days). All infants had serum glucose > 2.5 mmol/L at first occurrence. The neurological examinations as well as cerebral ultrasound scans were normal. An electroencephalogram (EEG) carried out in 18 infants showed no signs of epileptic activity.Conclusion: BNSM has a high incidence in infants with NAS. The diagnosis can be made clinically. In the absence of other neurological symptoms further investigations such as EEG are not necessary and anticonvulsive treatment is not indicated.