bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Late onset sporadic Parkinson's disease caused by PINK1 mutations: Clinical and functional study
Authors: Gelmetti Vania , Ferraris Alessandro , Brusa Livia , Romano Francesca , Lombardi Federica , Barzaghi Chiara , Stanzione Paolo , Garavaglia Barbara , Dallapiccola Bruno , Valente Enza Maria 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHomozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the PINK1 gene represent the second most frequent cause of autosomal recessive parkinsonism after Parkin. The phenotype differs from idiopathic Parkinson's disease for earlier onset, slower disease progression, and better response to therapy. Indeed, the rare patients with onset above 50 years are usually relatives of early‐onset probands. Here, we report the first occurrence of compound heterozygous PINK1 mutations in a sporadic patient with a phenotype indistinguishable from idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), with onset in the late seventh decade, rapid progression and good response to levodopa that waned with time. Both mutations (p.A244G and p.V317I) were found to abolish the protective effect of wild‐type PINK1 against staurosporine‐induced apoptosis. These findings further expand the clinical spectrum of PINK1‐related parkinsonism to include late onset, typical PD, and underline the existing difficulties in discriminating between mendelian parkinsonism and idiopathic PD. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Cataplexy features in childhood narcolepsy
Authors: Serra Leonardo , Montagna Pasquale , Mignot Emmanuel , Lugaresi Elio , Plazzi Giuseppe 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCataplexy, the hallmark of narcolepsy, has been well characterized in adults but not in children. This study systematically used structured clinical assessments and video‐recordings (49 episodes in eight cases) to evaluate cataplexy in 23 patients diagnosed before the age of 18 years. Forty‐three percent of patients had falls as part of their attacks. During cataplexy knees, head, and jaw were the most frequently compromised body segments; eyelids, arms, and trunk being less commonly involved. More rarely, blurred vision, slurred speech, irregular breathing, or a sudden loss of smiling mimics were reported. One‐third of the sample presented with a previously unrecognized description of cataplexy that we coined “cataplectic facies,” consisting of a state of semipermanent eyelid and jaw weakness, on which partial or complete cataplectic attacks were superimposed. The usual triggering emotions, such as laughter, joking, or anger, were not always present, especially when close to an abrupt onset, hampering diagnosis. Video‐recordings of cataplectic attacks may be useful to document the attack, allowing a comparison with archived presentations. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
The Lille Apathy Rating Scale: Validation of a caregiver‐based version
Authors: Dujardin Kathy , Sockeel Pascal , Delliaux Marie , Destée Alain , Defebvre Luc 
Published: February 2008

AbstractApathy is reported in 16.5% to 70% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Our recently developed Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS) has been specifically validated for patient‐based assessment of apathy in PD. The aim of the present study was to validate a caregiver‐based version of the LARS. Sixty consecutive PD patients and their respective caregivers participated in the study. An informant‐based version of the LARS (LARS‐i) was developed to rate apathy via a caregiver‐based structured interview. Apathy was also assessed in a patient‐based interview using the LARS and the informant‐ and clinician‐rated versions of the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES). Cronbach's alpha and standardized alpha coefficients were 0.872 and 0.877, respectively, and the split‐half reliability was 0.901 (revealing good internal consistency). The test‐retest and inter‐rater reliability values were 0.960 and 0.996, respectively. Criterion‐related validity (according to an independent, expert diagnosis) was good. Scores on the LARS and the LARS‐i were highly correlated. However, apathy was rated significantly more severely by the caregiver than by the patient. This difference was significantly higher for demented than nondemented PD patients. The LARS‐i was seen to have excellent psychometric properties and appears to be valid for use in PD with respect to the patient‐based LARS and the informant‐ and clinician‐rated versions of the AES. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Predictability of seasonal east coast winter storm surge impacts with application to New York's Long Island
Authors: DeGaetano Arthur T. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe characteristics of seasons with enhanced east coast winter storm (ECWS) and storm surge activity are identified from among a set of global atmospheric circulation indices and local land and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. Without regard for storm strength or surge potential, the most active ECWS seasons occur in association with El Niño events. There is also some indication that such seasons are preferred under the positive phase of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). In terms of storm surge potential, forecasts of strong ECWS activity are more skillful than direct forecasts of the number of extreme surge events. In both cases, SSTs off the southeast US coast and in the Gulf of Mexico differentiate high seasonal activity from relatively inactive seasons. Warmer‐than‐normal SSTs in both regions during summer provide a measure of storm activity in the subsequent winter.The results provide a means of anticipating seasonal ECWS activity, and to some degree impacts, that is similar to widely used forecasts of tropical storm activity. From a predictive standpoint, forecasts of active strong storm seasons and low surge activity exhibit fairly high false alarm ratios. However, the false alarm rate for forecasts of low storm activity or high surge activity is less than 10%. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Anti‐obesity effects of conjugated linoleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid
Authors: Li Jing‐Jing , Huang Chang J. , Xie Dong 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObesity has become a prevailing epidemic throughout the globe. Effective therapies for obesity become attracting. Food components with beneficial effects on “weight loss” have caught increasing attentions. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) belong to different families of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). However, they have similar effects on alleviating obesity and/or preventing from obesity. They influence the balance between energy intake and expenditure; and reduce body weight and/or fat deposition in animal models, but show little effect in healthy human subjects. They inhibit key enzymes responsible for lipid synthesis, such as fatty acid synthase and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1, enhance lipid oxidation and thermogenesis, and prevent free fatty acids from entering adipocytes for lipogenesis. PUFA also exert suppressive effects on several key factors involved in adipocyte differentiation and fat storage. Despite their similar effects and shared mechanisms, they display differences in the regulation of lipid metabolism. Moreover, DHA and EPA exhibit “anti‐obesity” effect as well as improving insulin sensitivity, while CLA induces insulin resistance and fatty liver in most cases. A deeper and more detailed investigation into the complex network of anti‐obesity regulatory pathways by different PUFA will improve our understanding of the mechanisms of body weight control and reduce the prevalence of obesity.
NMR spectroscopy of citrate in solids: cross‐polarization kinetics in weakly coupled systems
Authors: Feng Jian , Lee Young J. , Kubicki James D. , Reeder Richard J. , Phillips Brian L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSolid‐state NMR spectroscopy is a potentially powerful method for obtaining molecular level structural information crucial for understanding the specific relationship between calcite crystals and occluded organic molecules that are important in biomineralization and biomimetic materials. In this work, a method is developed based on cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR to measure the heteronuclear distances and obtain structural information for large intracrystalline citrate defects in a synthetic calcite/citrate composite. Using compounds with well‐characterized crystal structures, Mg(II) citrate and Sr(II) citrate, a correlation is established between TIS, the CP time, and M2IS, the van Vleck heteronuclear dipolar second moment, which contains distance and structural information. This correlation is supported by peak assignments obtained from calculations of the 13C chemical shifts for crystalline Mg(II) citrate. On the basis of TIS−1 versus M2IS correlation, measurement of TIS for carbonate ions associated with citrate defects in a calcite(13C‐enriched)/citrate coprecipitate yields an estimate for the distance between citrate and the nearest carbonate carbon that indicates close spatial proximity and provides useful constraints for future computational study. The applicability of TIS−1 versus M2IS correlations to other weakly coupled spin‐1/2 systems is discussed in terms of the effects of 1H homonuclear dipolar coupling, using the CP kinetics of Zn(II) dihydroxybenzoate and kaolinite for comparison. The results suggest a limited range of correlation constants and indicate that quantitative information can be obtained from CP/MAS kinetics obtained under similar experimental conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stereochemistry and conformations of natural 1,2‐epoxy‐guaianolides based on 1D and 2D NMR data and semiempirical calculations
Authors: Trifunović Snežana , Milosavljević Slobodan , Vajs Vlatka , Macura Slobodan , Todorović Nina 
Published: February 2008

AbstractFrom detailed study of 1D and 2D NMR spectra of ten natural 1,2‐epoxyguaianolides (bis‐1,2:3,4‐epoxyguaianolides and guaianolide‐1,2‐epoxychlorohydrins), we identified general spectral traits helpful for stereochemical assignment of such sesquiterpene lactones. We found that the chemical shifts of certain 1H and 13C nuclei are consistently dependent on the configuration of 1,2‐epoxy‐ring which could be used as a simple rule for establishing this configuration. Then, from 1D and 2D (COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC) NMR data, applying the observed rule, the structure and stereochemistry of two new, diastereomeric guaianolide‐1,2‐epoxychlorohydrins, isolated from Achillea serbica, are determined. The NMR data, namely, nuclear overhauser enhancement (NOE) correlations, pointed out two conformations of guaianolide's cycloheptane ring. The semiempirical calculations (AM1 and PM3 methods), performed in order to gain additional information regarding conformations, resulted in three geometries of investigated lactones. Even so, the conformations derived from the NMR data agreed well with those calculated by semiempirical methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D MR flow analysis in realistic rapid‐prototyping model systems of the thoracic aorta: Comparison with in vivo data and computational fluid dynamics in identical vessel geometries
Authors: Canstein C. , Cachot P. , Faust A. , Stalder A.F. , Bock J. , Frydrychowicz A. , Küffer J. , Hennig J. , Markl M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe knowledge of local vascular anatomy and function in the human body is of high interest for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. A comprehensive analysis of the hemodynamics in the thoracic aorta is presented based on the integration of flow‐sensitive 4D MRI with state‐of‐the‐art rapid prototyping technology and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Rapid prototyping was used to transform aortic geometries as measured by contrast‐enhanced MR angiography into realistic vascular models with large anatomical coverage. Integration into a flow circuit with patient‐specific pulsatile in‐flow conditions and application of flow‐sensitive 4D MRI permitted detailed analysis of local and global 3D flow dynamics in a realistic vascular geometry. Visualization of characteristic 3D flow patterns and quantitative comparisons of the in vitro experiments with in vivo data and CFD simulations in identical vascular geometries were performed to evaluate the accuracy of vascular model systems. The results indicate the potential of such patient‐specific model systems for detailed experimental simulation of realistic vascular hemodynamics. Further studies are warranted to examine the influence of refined boundary conditions of the human circulatory system such as fluid‐wall interaction and their effect on normal and pathological blood flow characteristics associated with vascular geometry. Magn Reson Med 59:535–546, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Designing multichannel, multidimensional, arbitrary flip angle RF pulses using an optimal control approach
Authors: Xu Dan , King Kevin F. , Zhu Yudong , McKinnon Graeme C. , Liang Zhi‐Pei 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe vast majority of parallel transmission RF pulse designs so far are based on small‐tip‐angle (STA) approximation of the Bloch equation. These methods can design only excitation pulses with small flip angles (e.g., 30°). The linear class large‐tip‐angle (LCLTA) method is able to design large‐tip‐angle parallel transmission pulses through concatenating a sequence of small‐excitation pulses when certain k‐space trajectories are used. However, both STA and LCLTA are linear approximations of the nonlinear Bloch equation. Therefore, distortions from the ideal magnetization profiles due to the higher order terms can appear in the final magnetization profiles. This issue is addressed in this work by formulating the multidimensional multichannel RF pulse design as an optimal control problem with multiple controls based directly on the Bloch equation. Necessary conditions for the optimal solution are derived and a first‐order gradient optimization algorithm is used to iteratively solve the optimal control problem, where an existing pulse is used as an initial “guess.” A systematic design procedure is also presented. Bloch simulation and phantom experimental results using various parallel transmission pulses (excitation, inversion, and refocusing) are shown to illustrate the effectiveness of the optimal control method in improving the spatial localization or homogeneity of the magnetization profiles. Magn Reson Med 59:547–560, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deriving blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent contrast in MRI with T‐weighted, T2‐prepared and phase‐cycled SSFP methods: Theory and experiment
Authors: Arumana Jain Mangalathu , Li Debiao , Dharmakumar Rohan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe objectives of this work were: 1) to perform a comparative evaluation of the oxygen‐sensitive contrast (OC) derived from the phase‐cycled steady‐state free precession (SSFPPC) method against T*2‐weighted gradient recalled echo (GRE) and T2‐prepared (T2‐prep) methods with theoretical simulations and imaging studies using an ischemic leg cuff model at 1.5T and 3.0T; and 2) to investigate the dependence of SSFPPC‐based OC on imaging parameters. Results showed that the SSFPPC method (repetition time (TR) = 6.3 ms; flip angle (α) = 90°) provides significantly higher OC compared to T2‐prep (at both field strengths) and GRE (3.0T) (P < 0.05). The OC of low TR SSFP (TR = 3.5 ms at 1.5T; TR = 4.5 ms at 3.0T; α = 90°) was significantly lower compared to GRE (P < 0.05) at 1.5T and 3.0T and to T2‐prep methods at 1.5T (P < 0.05). In summary, the findings from this study are the following: 1) SSFP‐based OC is directly dependent on TR and α at 1.5T and 3.0T; and 2) OC derived with SSFPPC can be increased above GRE and T2‐prep methods with an appropriate choice of imaging parameters. Magn Reson Med 59:561–570, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Joint estimation of water/fat images and field inhomogeneity map
Authors: Hernando D. , Haldar J. P. , Sutton B. P. , Ma J. , Kellman P. , Liang Z.‐P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWater/fat separation in the presence ofB0field inhomogeneity is a problem of considerable practical importance in MRI. This article describes two complementary methods for estimating the water/fat images and the field inhomogeneity map from Dixon‐type acquisitions. One is based on variable projection (VARPRO) and the other on linear prediction (LP). The VARPRO method is very robust and can be used in low signal‐to‐noise ratio conditions because of its ability to achieve the maximum‐likelihood solution. The LP method is computationally more efficient, and is shown to perform well under moderate levels of noise and field inhomogeneity. These methods have been extended to handle multicoil acquisitions by jointly solving the estimation problem for all the coils. Both methods are analyzed and compared and results from several experiments are included to demonstrate their performance. Magn Reson Med 59:571–580, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of poly(glycidol)‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) copolymers using new hydrophilic poly(glycidol) macroinitiator
Authors: Mendrek Sebastian , Mendrek Aleksandra , Adler Hans‐Jürgen , Walach Wojciech , Dworak Andrzej , Kuckling Dirk 
Published: February 2008

AbstractNew, water soluble poly(glycidol) (PGl) macroinitiators for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were synthesized. This new class of macroinitiators were prepared in a three‐step process. First, series of well‐defined ω‐hydroxyl functional poly(glycidol acetal)s with different molecular weights was synthesized via anionic polymerization followed by quantitative termination of anionically growing active sites. End capping was achieved by treatment of living chain ends with water. The living nature of the system and termination reaction is discussed. In the second stage, monofunctional poly(glycidol acetal)s were functionalized by esterification with 2‐chloropropionyl chloride. Finally, selective deprotection (hydrolysis) of acetal protective groups was performed. As simultaneous partial cleavage of ester bond of attached ATRP moieties was unavoidable, the final functionality of macroinitiator calculated from 1H NMR varied in the range 85–95%. The obtained (2‐chloropropionyl) poly(glycidol) macroinitiator with DP = 55 and 90% functionality was successfully used in ATRP polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) at room temperature in the DMF/water mixture. Linear block copolymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distribution and controlled composition were obtained and characterized with 1H NMR and SEC‐MALLS measurements. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2488–2499, 2008
Local chemical state change in Co–O resistance random access memory
Authors: Shima Hisashi , Takano Fumiyoshi , Muramatsu Hidenobu , Yamazaki Masashi , Akinaga Hiroyuki , Kogure Akinori 
Published: February 2008

AbstractKelvin probe force microscopy (KFM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (C‐AFM) together with micro X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were performed for the stacking structure comprising of the transition metal oxide Co–O and metal electrode, which exhibits large reproducible resistance switching. The application of the external voltage by the C‐AFM cantilever decreases the resistance of Co–O, which well accords with the non‐polar forming process observed in the Pt/Co–O/Pt trilayer, known as the candidate of resistance random access memory (ReRAM). Furthermore, the KFM and micro XPS experimentally revealed that the local reductive reaction of Co–O possibly nucleates the defect related energy levels which dominates the current conduction in the low resistance state. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Antecedent alluvial morphology and sea‐level controls on form‐process transition zones in the lower Trinity river, Texas
Authors: Phillips J. D. , Slattery M. C. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAn important aspect of river science and management is the identification of key boundaries, transition zones and hinge points. Such critical areas are likely to be important foci or indicators of the effects of environmental change on river systems. While geological controls on such features are widely recognized in upland streams, inherited or antecedent forms may also be important controls of key transitional points or reaches in alluvial coastal plain rivers. The critical zone of the lower Trinity River, Texas marks an important transition in river channel and valley forms, dominant processes and resulting geomorphological, hydrological and ecological characteristics. Its location is not a transient result of upstream or downstream propagation of effects. Rather, the location marks the contemporary upstream extent of the effects of Holocene sea‐level rise, which in turn coincides with the point at which the Pleistocene upper Deweyville alluvial terrace surface is encountered. A more rapid rate of change and relatively sudden upstream displacement of this zone is likely when the upper Deweyville surface is flooded. Antecedent fluvial and alluvial topography inherited from previous aggradation, degradation and lateral migration episodes is likely to be an important control over modern fluvial forms and processes in other alluvial coastal plain rivers as well. Identification and mapping of such features may be extremely useful in pinpointing critical transition zones for water resource managers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound‐guided culdotomy for vaginal ovarian cystectomy using a renal balloon dilator catheter
Authors: Tanaka M. , Sagawa T. , Hashimoto M. , Mizumoto Y. , Yoshimoto H. , Yamazaki R. , Kasai T. , Inoue M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the feasibility and utility of performing ultrasound‐guided culdotomy using a renal balloon dilator catheter for transvaginal ovarian cystectomies.MethodsCuldotomy using transvaginal sonography and a Nephromax™ balloon dilator catheter was performed in 16 patients for the vaginal removal of benign ovarian cysts located in the cul‐de‐sac. Each ovarian cyst was punctured under transvaginal ultrasound guidance and the punctured site on the vaginal wall was enlarged with a dilator. The cyst was then enucleated through this vaginal wound. Preoperative characteristics of the patients, outcome, operating time, blood loss and complications of each culdotomy, and the histology of the cysts, were recorded and examined.ResultsWe used this method on 14 patients with unilateral ovarian cysts and two with bilateral cysts. Culdotomy was performed successfully in 15 cases (94%). The mean ± SD operating time for culdotomy was 22 ± 11 min, and blood loss during the procedure was less than 10 mL in all cases. There were no complications including rectal injury or febrile morbidity.ConclusionsCuldotomy assisted by ultrasound imaging and a dilator is a safe, reliable and effective method for removal of benign ovarian cysts via a vaginal approach. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.