bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endometriomas in the region of a scar from Cesarean section: Sonographic appearance and clinical presentation vary with the size of the lesion
Authors: Francica Giampiero , Scarano Ferdinando , Scotti Luigi , Angelone Giovanni , Giardiello Cristiano 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPurpose.To describe the sonographic (US) appearances of endometriomas developed in the vicinity of a scar from Cesarean section and compare sonographic and clinical characteristics of large (≥3 cm) scar endometriomas (LSEs) with small scar endometriomas (SSEs).Method.Twenty‐eight consecutive women (mean age, 31 years; range, 20–42) with 31 scar endometriomas (mean diameter, 2.7 cm; range, 0.7–6 cm) were examined by US, including color Doppler imaging prior to surgery. Clinical and US findings in women with LSE were compared with those of women with SSE.Results.Twelve patients had 12 LSEs with a mean longest diameter of 4.1 cm (range, 3–6 cm); in 1 case, a large nodule was associated with a small lesion. Sixteen women had 18 SSEs with a mean lesion size of 1.8 cm (range, 0.7–2.6 cm).The mean time interval between the last Cesarean section and hospital admission was longer in patients with LSE (66 versus 40 months; p < 0.01) as was the mean duration of symptoms before admission (43 versus 17 months; p < 0.01); in addition, 41.6% of patients with LSE had undergone previous inconclusive diagnostic examinations (CT, MRI, fine needle aspiration, or laparoscopy) compared with 0% in patients with SSE (p < 0.05). LSEs more frequently showed cystic portions and fistulous tracts (p < 0.05), loss of round/oval shape (p < 0.05), and increased vascularity (p < 0.05) than SSEs did.Conclusion.LSEs were associated with a delay in diagnosis and some US findings that could result in further diagnostic difficulties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009.
Sonography of the shoulder in hemiplegic patients undergoing rehabilitation after a recent stroke
Authors: Pong Ya‐Ping , Wang Lin‐Yi , Wang Lin , Leong Chau‐Peng , Huang Yu‐Chi , Chen Yu‐Kuang 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPurpose.To examine the hemiplegic shoulders for soft‐tissue injury by musculoskeletal sonography and to determine the relationship between the motor functions of the upper extremity and these injuries, which play an important role in hemiplegic shoulder pain and may impede rehabilitation.Methods.The following characteristics of 34 acute stroke patients were recorded: age, gender, height, body weight, side of hemiplegia, type and duration of stroke, Brunnstrom stage, subluxation, and degree of spasticity of the upper extremity. On the basis of the Brunnstrom stage, the patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients with stages I, II, or III were categorized under the lower Brunnstrom stage (LBS) group (n = 21), and those with stages IV, V, or VI were allocated to the higher Brunnstrom stage (HBS) group (n = 13). Both shoulders of each patient were examined by musculoskeletal sonography with a 5–10‐MHz linear transducer on 2 separate occasions (i.e., at admission and 2 weeks after rehabilitation).Results.With the exception of age, there were no significant differences in the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients in the 2 groups. Shoulder musculoskeletal sonography revealed soft‐tissue injury in 7 patients (33%) and 15 patients (71%) in the LBS group at admission and 2 weeks after rehabilitation, respectively (p < 0.05), and in 4 patients (31%) in the HBS group both at admission and 2 weeks after rehabilitation.Conclusions.Acute stroke patients with poor upper limb motor functions are more prone to soft‐tissue injury of the shoulder during rehabilitation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009.
Inteins and introns within the prp8 ‐gene of four Eupenicillium species
Authors: Elleuche Skander , Pelikan Constantin , Nolting Nicole , Pöggeler Stefanie 
Published: February 2009

AbstractInteins are protein‐intervening sequences that are translated with the host protein and can self‐excise themselves post‐translationally in an autocatalytic process. The flanking regions – called exteins – are then re‐ligated with a new peptide bond, resulting in a mature host protein. Previously, we have identified inteins in the highly conserved 3.2 region of the PRP8 protein from species of the genus Penicillium. These inteins are integrated at the same position as that which has recently been described in PRP8 proteins from different strains of Cryptococcus neoformans and several ascomycetes. In this study, we investigated the presence of PRP8 inteins in four members of the genus Eupenicillium. Two species of this genus, Eupenicillium crustaceum and Eupenicillium baarnense, contain an intein at the same insertion site. Both inteins are mini‐inteins and undergo self‐splicing when heterologously expressed with a model host protein in Escherichia coli. Interestingly, we identified introns in the prp8‐ sequence encoding the 3.2 regions of the PRP8 protein in Eupenicillium meridianum and Eupenicillium terrenum. The introns are located 13 bps and 15 bps downstream of the putative intein insertion site. Here, we consider that the lack of inteins in these two species might be due to the prevention of endonuclease‐mediated intein propagation in the intron‐containing prp8 ‐sequences. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
In silico analysis of nickel containing superoxide dismutase evolution and regulation
Authors: Schmidt Astrid , Gube Matthias , Schmidt André , Kothe Erika 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSuperoxide dismutases are essential enzymes involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen by dismutation of the superoxide radical anion. A class of nickel containing superoxide dismutases has been described for streptomycetes and cyanobacteria. In silico analysis was used to study the distribution of genes coding for NiSOD in other taxa and to elucidate signals linked to nickel incorporation and maturation of NiSOD. Data mining revealed homologous proteins from actinobacteria, proteobacteria, chlamydiae, and eukarya (green algae) thus allowing a comparison of protein structural elements. Nickel ligands and maturation signals for N‐terminal proteolysis were highly conserved. Genomic sequences surrounding genes encoding NiSOD homologs were compared in order to detect putative accessory enzymes involved in maturation. An endopeptidase gene linked to sodN coding for NiSOD was found in actinobacteria and cyanobacteria, but not in other taxa. The distribution of NiSOD encoding sequences showed four clusters which are not consistent with the phylogeny of the species. In addition, the different genomic context argues for heterologous gene transfer, most likely from actinobacteria to other taxa. In order to address regulation by nickel availability and incorporation into the mature protein, we present first evidence for putative regulatory nucleotide sequences which will be useful in future studies on nickel uptake and incorporation. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The cell wall in heterocyst formation by Anabaena sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Nicolaisen Kerstin , Hahn Alexander , Schleiff Enrico 
Published: February 2009

AbstractFilamentous cyanobacteria like Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 are able to develop a specialized cell type named heterocyst from vegetative cells in times of nitrogen starvation. Heterocyst development is controlled by the function of two master‐regulators, NtcA and HetR. This review focuses on the remodeling of the cell wall during transition from the vegetative cell to a heterocyst, including the formation of the heterocyst‐specific glycolipid layer and the heterocyst envelope polysaccharide layer. The functional assignment of genes involved therein, their genomic organization and their regulation are highlighted. Communication pathways and exchange routes for metabolites between heterocysts and vegetative cells are discussed. Further on, an overview of the heterocyst outer membrane proteome is given, together with possible functions of the identified proteins in the metabolism of heterocysts. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
PTK‐pathways and TGF‐β signaling pathways in schistosomes
Authors: Ting‐An Wang , Hong‐Xiang Zhuge 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSchistosome parasites have co‐evolved an intricate relationship with their human and snail hosts as well as a novel interplay between the adult male and female parasites. Drug‐induced suppression of female schistosome sexual maturation is an auspicious strategy to combat schistosomiasis since the eggs are the causative agent. Studies on signaling in schistosomes opens a new era for investigation of host–parasite and male–female interactions. We review the role of the TGF‐β signaling pathway in parasite development, host–parasite interactions and male–female interactions. This review also summarizes recent studies suggesting tyrosine kinases as important factors for the regulation of female gonad development. In this context, cytoplasmatic tyrosine kinases of the Src class seem to play especially dominant roles. Moreover, experimental data and theoretical concepts are provided supporting a crosstalk between tyrosine kinase and TGF‐β signaling in the production of vitellocytes. Finally, we take advantage of the schistosome genome project to propose a model for the regulation of vitelline‐cell production and differentiation. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Carbon‐concentrating mechanism in a green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, revealed by transcriptome analyses
Authors: Yamano Takashi , Fukuzawa Hideya 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAquatic photosynthetic organisms can acclimate to the variable and limiting availability of CO2 by operation of carbon‐concentrating mechanism (CCM) that allows them to optimize carbon acquisition for photosynthesis. The CCMs of both eukaryotic alga and cyanobacteria function to facilitate CO2 assimilation, when inorganic carbon (Ci; CO2 and/or HCO3–) is limited. By active Ci uptake systems, internal Ci levels are increased and then carbonic anhydrase supplies sufficient CO2 to ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase by the dehydration of accumulated bicarbonate. Although the molecular components of CCM have been intensively studied in cyanobacteria, significant advances in understanding of the eukaryotic CCM have been achieved especially in a model green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Recent accumulation of genomic sequence data of algae leads to start comparative genomic analyses of functional components of eukaryotic CCM. This review focuses on the recent advances in identifying and characterizing the components of the CCM by transcriptome analyses of the Chlamydomonas cells that are transferred to CO2‐limiting stress conditions in light. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of nitrogen‐application rate on the biomass, concentration, and composition of essential oils in the leaves and roots of three types of parsley
Authors: Petropoulos Spiros A. , Daferera Dimitra , Polissiou Moschos G. , Passam Harold C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe effect of four levels of nitrogen (N) application (3.2, 16.2, 32.4, and 48.6 g m–2) on the biomass and concentration and composition of essential oils of three parsley types (plain leaf, turnip‐rooted, curl leaf) was investigated in order to determine the optimum N level for oil production by this crop. The concentration of essential oils in the roots and leaves of plain leaf parsley and turnip‐rooted parsley was not affected by N application, but decreased with increasing N rate in curl leaf parsley. However, because the mean foliage biomass for all three types was about 2.5 times higher at 16.2 g m–2 N than in the low‐N‐rate treatment, the mean foliar oil yield increased from 0.68 to 1.38 g m–2. Root biomass increased by a factor of 1.7 at 16.2 g m–2 N (compared to the low‐N‐rate treatment), but oil yield increased only marginally from 0.3 to 0.4 g m–2. The composition of the essential oils of roots and leaves differed between parsley types. Increasing N application caused a reduction in the percentage of β‐phellandrene in the essential oils of parsley leaves. In turnip‐rooted parsley, increasing N caused a reduction in the percentage of myristicin and apiole. Because these three components of the essential oils contribute to parsley aroma, it may be concluded that although application of N fertilizer leads to higher parsley biomass and oil yield per plant, the essential oil components may change and aroma quality may be affected negatively.
Vibrational spectroscopic investigation of the hydrates of manganese(II) oxalate
Authors: Mancilla Nancy , Caliva Valeria , D'Antonio Maria C. , González‐Baró Ana C. , Baran Enrique J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe three known hydrates of manganese(II) oxalate, α‐MnC2O4 · 2H2O, γ‐MnC2O4 · 2H2O and MnC2O4 · 3H2O were synthesized by known procedures and characterized by X‐ray powder diffractometry. Their infrared (IR) and Raman spectra were recorded and discussed on the basis of its structural peculiarities allowing to establish some interesting relations between them and with other, previously investigated, oxalate complexes. The IR spectra of partially deuterated samples of α‐MnC2O4 · 2H2O were also discussed, reinforcing some of the performed assignments. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some forensic applications of a combined micro‐Raman and scanning electron microscopy system
Authors: Otieno‐Alego Vincent 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe structural chemical analyser (SCA) is a novel accessory that allows the analytical advantages of Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x‐ray detection (SEM/EDX) to be realised in a single hybridised instrument. The combined Raman–SEM/EDX system permits in situ characterisation of a sample based on both its molecular and elemental makeup. This article demonstrates the potential of using the SCA for interrogating trace evidence for criminalistic purposes. Illustrative evidentiary examples (taken from our laboratory's archives) include the examination of a white paint fragment consisting of several layers of the same colour and a sample of explosive mixture recovered from a place of interest. The sensitive SEM imaging contrast mechanisms enabled the optically identical multiple layers of the white paint to be distinguished easily. The individual layers were then unambiguously analysed to establish their elemental profile (from energy dispersive x‐ray (EDX)) and this was cross‐referenced with the chemical information derived from in situ Raman measurements. X‐ray mapping was used as a fast and convenient way of characterising simultaneously multiple solids constituting the explosive mixture. Typical particles were targeted and analysed both by EDX and Raman spectroscopy revealing an unusual chlorate‐based energetic mixture that also contained 2, 4, 6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2, 4, 6‐trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (Tetryl). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrafast vibrational dynamics in higher electronic excited states of iodine
Authors: Liebers Jörg , Scaria Abraham , Materny Arnulf , Kleinekathöfer Ulrich 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBy using a combination of an initial pump pulse and a degenerate four‐wave mixing (DFWM) process, we show that an interrogation of the vibrational dynamics occurring in high‐lying electronic states of molecules is possible. As a test case, the technique is applied to iodine in experiment and in simulation. The initial pump pulse is used to populate the B state of molecular iodine in the gas phase. By using an internal time delay in the subsequent DFWM process, which is resonant with the transition between the B state and a higher lying ion‐pair state, the vibrational dynamics of the B ($^{3}\Pi_{\rm {u}}^+$) state as well as of the ion‐pair state could be observed. From the possible ion‐pair states, the states of even symmetry are investigated, which are accessible by a one‐photon transition from the B state. By a proper choice of the wavelengths used for the pump and DFWM beams, the dynamics of ion‐pair states belonging to two different tiers are monitored. Very good agreement between experimental and theoretical results is observed in most of the studied wavelength combinations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OH‐thermometry using laser polarization spectroscopy and laser‐induced fluorescence spectroscopy in the OH A‐X (1,0) band
Authors: Kiefer J. , Meyerhoefer A. , Seeger T. , Leipertz A. , Li Z. S. , Aldén M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractLaser‐induced fluorescence (LIF) and polarization spectroscopy (PS) is used for OH‐thermometry utilizing the off‐diagonal A‐X (1,0) band. Both techniques are used simultaneously in order to allow a comparison of the results. For deriving temperature information from the spectra, three methods are employed: (1) a contour fit method comparing experimental and calculated spectra, (2) spectral fitting of a single highly resolved spectral line and (3) a two‐line intensity ratio approach. In general, both spectroscopic techniques gave similar results. The high‐resolution approach (2) did not deliver reasonable results in our experiments. The most accurate but also most time consuming method was the contour fit (1). For future two‐dimensional temperature measurements, the 2‐line‐method (3) was identified to be the method of choice. The present study contains, to the best of our knowledge, the first polarization spectroscopic study in the A‐X (1,0) band of OH. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent developments in operational flood forecasting in England, Wales and Scotland
Authors: Werner Micha , Cranston Michael , Harrison Tim , Whitfield Doug , Schellekens Jaap 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper discusses developments in the last five to six years in the provision of operational flood forecasting in England, Wales, and Scotland. Before the formation of the Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), flood forecasting capabilities were fragmented. Just over a decade ago both organisations received governmental mandates for the provision of flood forecasting and warning nationally, and have as a result in recent years established systems providing national coverage: the National Flood Forecasting System, and Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) Scotland. These have facilitated a rapid expansion of catchments for which forecasts are provided, and the common framework used has enabled a more rapid introduction of scientific advances in forecasting techniques. This paper gives an overview of some of these recent developments, as well as providing an outlook to further developments to be undertaken in the near future. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Structure elucidation and NMR assignments of two new pyrrolidinyl quinoline alkaloids from chestnut honey
Authors: Beretta Giangiacomo , Vistoli Giulio , Caneva Enrico , Anselmi Cecila , Maffei Facino Roberto 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe complete 1H, 13C and 15N NMR spectral assignments of two new alkaloids isolated from chestnut honey and structurally related to kynurenic acid have been made using 1‐D and 2‐D NMR techniques, including COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments. The new compounds have been identified as 3‐(2′‐pyrrolidinyl)‐kynurenic acid and its γ‐lactam derivative. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct MRI mapping of neuronal activity evoked by electrical stimulation of the median nerve at the right wrist
Authors: Xue Yiqun , Chen Xiying , Grabowski Thomas , Xiong Jinhu 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMagnetic source MRI (msMRI) has being developed recently for direct detections of neuronal magnetic fields to map brain activity. However, controversial results have been reported by different research groups. In this study, more evidence was provided to demonstrate that the neuronal current signal could be detected by MRI using a rapid median nerve stimulation paradigm. The experiments were performed on six normal human participants to investigate the temporal specificity of the effect, as well as inter‐ and intrasubject reproducibility. Significant activation of contralateral primary sensory cortex (S1) was detected 80 ms after stimulation onset (corresponding to the P80 evoked potential peak). The 80‐ms latency S1 activation was observed over three independent sessions for one subject and for all six participants. The magnitude of the signal change was 0.2–0.3%. Coinciding with our expectations, no S1 activation was found when MRI data acquisitions were targeted at the N20 and P30 peaks because of mutual cancellation of magnetic fields generated by those peaks. The results demonstrated good reproducibility of S1 activations and indicated that the S1 activations most likely originated from neuronal magnetic field rather than hemodynamic response. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of hyperpolarized tracer concentration on myocardial uptake and metabolism
Authors: Schroeder Marie A. , Atherton Helen J. , Cochlin Lowri E. , Clarke Kieran , Radda George K. , Tyler Damian J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractHyperpolarized 13C‐labeled substrates directly provide a source of magnetic resonance (MR) signal to observe the substrates' real‐time uptake and enzymatic conversion. The aim of this study was to optimize the concentration of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate infused as a metabolic tracer, by observing the mitochondrial conversion of pyruvate to H13CO3− in heart tissue. Hyperpolarized pyruvate was infused into rats at concentrations between 20 mM and 80 mM and the relationships between [1‐13C]lactate, [1‐13C]alanine, and H13CO3− production and the infused pyruvate concentration were investigated. H13CO3− production reached saturation above 40 mM infused pyruvate concentration, indicating that hyperpolarized MR experiments performed at this concentration maximize the H13CO3− signal with minimal alterations to in vivo substrate composition. Additionally, the linear dependence of alanine production on pyruvate concentration confirmed that hyperpolarized MR methods in the heart reveal enzyme activity, rather than cellular uptake. H13CO3− production demonstrated evidence of sigmoidal enzyme kinetics, a reflection of the allosteric nature of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) enzyme complex. This protocol could be useful to optimize the infused concentration of other hyperpolarized metabolites in different organs, to ensure adequate MR signal with minimum metabolic perturbation. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.