bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CaMKII can participate in but is not sufficient for the establishment of the membrane block to polyspermy in mouse eggs
Authors: Gardner Allison J. , Knott Jason G. , Jones Keith T. , Evans Janice P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFertilization triggers initiation of development and establishment of blocks on the egg coat and plasma membrane to prevent fertilization by multiple sperm (polyspermy). The mechanism(s) by which mammalian eggs establish the membrane block to polyspermy is largely unknown. Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) appears to be the key regulator of several egg activation events (completion of meiosis, progression to embryonic interphase, recruitment of maternal mRNAs). Since sperm‐induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+ play a role in establishment of the membrane block to polyspermy in mouse eggs, we hypothesized that CaMKII was a Ca2+‐dependent effector leading to this change in egg membrane function. To test this hypothesis, we modulated CaMKII activity in two ways: activating eggs parthenogenetically by introducing constitutively active CaMKIIα (CA‐CaMKII) into unfertilized eggs, and inhibiting endogenous CaMKII in fertilized eggs with myristoylated autocamtide 2‐related inhibitory peptide (myrAIP). We find that eggs treated with myrAIP establish a less effective membrane block to polyspermy than do control eggs, but that CA‐CaMKII is not sufficient for membrane block establishment, despite the fact that CA‐CaMKII‐activated eggs undergo other egg activation events. This suggests that: (1) CaMKII activity contributes to the membrane block, but this not faithfully mimicked by CA‐CaMKII and furthermore, other pathways, in addition to those activated by Ca2+ and CaMKII, also participate in membrane block establishment; (2) CA‐CaMKII has a range of effects as a parthenogenetic trigger of egg activation (high levels of cell cycle resumption, modest levels of cortical granule exocytosis, and no membrane block establishment). J. Cell. Physiol. 212: 275–280, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel approach to extract accurate design parameters of PiN diode
Authors: Ben Salah Tarek , Ghédira Sami , Garrab Hatem , Morel Hervé , Riseletto Damien , Besbes Kamel 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAccurate modelling of PiN diode transient behaviour is necessary to extract design parameters which are not documented in datasheets. To meet this requirement, this paper introduces a novel approach giving the possibility to identify accurate parameters of a given device. The used technique is based only on two stages. First, the design parameters are initialized and optimized. Second, they are refined by minimizing the cost function which depends on the transient switching parameters (IRM,VRMandtrr).With a simple and CPU time‐saving approach this technique leads to extract design parameters without necessarily knowing the exact technological architecture of the PiN diode. Moreover, in order to validate the proposed approach and the parameter extraction procedure three commercial diodes are tested. A good agreement between experimental and simulation data is obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The synapsin cycle: A view from the synaptic endocytic zone
Authors: Evergren E. , Benfenati F. , Shupliakov O. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAlthough the synapsin phosphoproteins were discovered more than 30 years ago and are known to play important roles in neurotransmitter release and synaptogenesis, a complete picture of their functions within the nerve terminal is lacking. It has been shown that these proteins play an important role in the clustering of synaptic vesicles (SVs) at active zones and function as modulators of synaptic strength by acting at both pre‐ and postdocking levels. Recent studies have demonstrated that synapsins migrate to the endocytic zone of central synapses during neurotransmitter release, which suggests that there are additional functions for these proteins in SV recycling. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of motor and sensory nerve transplants on amount and specificity of sciatic nerve regeneration
Authors: Lago Natalia , Rodríguez Francisco J. , Guzmán Mónica S. , Jaramillo Jéssica , Navarro Xavier 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNerve regeneration after complete transection does not allow for adequate functional recovery mainly because of lack of selectivity of target reinnervation. We assessed if transplanting a nerve segment from either motor or sensory origin may improve specifically the accuracy of sensory and motor reinnervation. For this purpose, the rat sciatic nerve was transected and repaired with a silicone guide containing a predegenerated segment of ventral root (VR) or dorsal root (DR), compared to a silicone guide filled with saline. Nerve regeneration and reinnervation was assessed during 3 months by electrophysiologic and functional tests, and by nerve morphology and immunohistochemistry against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) for labeling motor axons. Functional tests showed that reinnervation was successful in all the rats. However, the two groups with a root allotransplant reached higher degrees of reinnervation in comparison with the control group. Group VR showed the highest reinnervation of muscle targets, whereas Group DR had higher levels of sensory reinnervation than VR and saline groups. The total number of regenerated myelinated fibers was similar in the three groups, but the number of ChAT+ fibers was slightly lower in the VR group in comparison with DR and saline groups. These results indicate that a predegenerated root nerve allotransplant enhances axonal regeneration, leading to faster and higher levels of functional recovery. Although there is not clear preferential reinnervation, regeneration of motor axons is promoted at early times by a motor graft, whereas reinnervation of sensory pathways is increased by a sensory graft. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ubiquitin‐proteasome system alterations in a striatal cell model of huntington's disease
Authors: Hunter Jesse M. , Lesort Mathieu , Johnson Gail V.W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractHuntington's disease (HD) is a progressive, autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by an abnormally expanded CAG repeat in the HD gene. Ubiquitylated aggregates containing mutant huntingtin protein in neurons are hallmarks of HD. Misfolded mutant huntingtin monomers, oligomers, or aggregates may be a result of, and cause, ubiquitin‐ proteasome dysfunction. To investigate the ubiquitin‐proteasome system we designed a series of firefly luciferase reporters targeted selectively to different points along this pathway. These reporters were used to monitor ubiquitin‐proteasome system function in a striatal cell culture model of HD. Ubiquitylation processes were not reduced in mutant huntingtin cells but recognition or degradation of ubiquitylated substrates was decreased. We also found mutant huntingtin expressing cells had slight but significant decreases in chymotrypsin‐like and caspase‐like activities, and an unexpected increase in trypsin‐like activity of the proteasome core. General proteasome core inhibitors, as well as selective caspase‐like activity inhibitors, were less effective in mutant cells. Finally, treatment with 3‐nitropropionic acid, a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor, had opposite effects on the ubiquitin‐proteasome system with activation in wild‐type and decreased activity in mutant huntingtin expressing cells. The results of these experiments show clearly selective disruption of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system in this cell culture model of HD. The high throughput tools that we have designed and optimized will also be useful in identifying compounds that alter ubiquitin‐proteasome system function and to investigate other neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of insulin‐like growth factor system genes during the early postnatal neurogenesis in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Zhang Jihui , Moats‐Staats Billie M. , Ye Ping , D'Ercole A. Joseph 
Published: April 2007

AbstractInsulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) is essential to hippocampal neurogenesis and the neuronal response to hypoxia/ischemia injury. IGF (IGF‐1 and ‐2) signaling is mediated primarily by the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF‐1R) and modulated by six high‐affinity binding proteins (IGFBP) and the type 2 IGF receptor (IGF‐2R), collectively termed IGF system proteins. Defining the precise cells that express each is essential to understanding their roles. With the exception of IGFBP‐1, we found that mouse hippocampus expresses mRNA for each of these proteins during the first 2 weeks of postnatal life. Compared to postnatal day 14 (P14), mRNA abundance at P5 was higher for IGF‐1, IGFBP‐2, ‐3, and ‐5 (by 71%, 108%, 100%, and 98%, respectively), lower for IGF‐2, IGF‐2R, and IGFBP‐6 (by 65%, 78%, and 44%, respectively), and unchanged for IGF‐1R and IGFBP‐4. Using laser capture microdissection (LCM), we found that granule neurons and pyramidal neurons exhibited identical patterns of expression of IGF‐1, IGF‐1R, IGF‐2R, IGFBP‐2, and ‐4, but did not express other IGF system genes. We then compared IGF system expression in mature granule neurons and their progenitors. Progenitors exhibited higher mRNA levels of IGF‐1 and IGF‐1R (by 130% and 86%, respectively), lower levels of IGF‐2R (by 72%), and similar levels of IGFBP‐4. Our data support a role for IGF in hippocampal neurogenesis and provide evidence that IGF actions are regulated within a defined in vivo milieu. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation and characterisation of individual glass shards from tephra deposits using trace element laser ablation ICP‐MS analyses: current status and future potential
Authors: Pearce Nicholas J. G. , Denton Joanna S. , Perkins William T. , Westgate John A. , Alloway Brent V. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLaser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) is a high spatial resolution analytical method which has been applied to the analysis of silicic tephras. With current instrumentation, around 30 trace elements can be determined from single glass shards as small as ∼ 40 µm, separated from tephra deposits. As a result of element fractionation during the ablation process using a 266 nm laser, a relatively complex calibration strategy is required. Nonetheless, such a strategy gives analyses which are accurate (typically within ±5%) and have an analytical precision which varies from ∼ ±2% at 100 ppm, to ∼ ±15% at 1 ppm. Detection limits for elements used in correlation and discrimination studies are well below 1 ppm. Examples of the application of trace element analysis by LA‐ICP‐MS in tephra studies are presented from the USA, New Zealand and the Mediterranean.Improvements in instrumental sensitivity in recent years have the potential to lower detection limits and improve analytical precision, thus allowing the analysis of smaller glass shards from more distal tephras. Laser systems operating at shorter wavelengths (e.g. 193 nm) are now more widely available, and produce a much more controllable ablation in glasses than 266 nm lasers. Crater sizes of <10 µm are easily achieved, and at 193 nm many of the elemental fractionation issues which mar longer wavelengths are overcome. By coupling a short wavelength laser to a modern ICP‐MS it should be possible to determine the trace element composition of glass shards as small as 20 µm and, providing sample preparation issues can be overcome, the determination of the more abundant trace elements in glass shards as small as 10 µm is within instrumental capabilities. This will make it possible to chemically fingerprint tephra deposits which are far from their sources, and will greatly extend the range over which geochemical correlation of tephras can be undertaken. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound, computed tomography, or the combination for the detection of supraclavicular lymph nodes in patients with esophageal or gastric cardia cancer: a comparative study
Authors: van Vliet Evelyn P.M. , Lugt Aad van der , Kuipers Ernst J. , Tilanus Hugo W. , Gaast Ate van der , Hermans John J. , Siersema Peter D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesBoth ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) can be used to detect supraclavicular lymph node metastases. Aim was to compare US, US plus fine‐needle aspiration (US‐FNA), CT, US + CT, and US‐FNA + CT for the detection of these metastases in esophageal or gastric cardia cancer patients.MethodsBetween 1994 and 2004, 567 patients underwent US and CT for esophageal or gastric cardia cancer staging. Gold standard was postoperative detection of lymph nodes in the resected specimen, FNA, or a radiological result with follow‐up.ResultsSensitivities of US (75%), US‐FNA (72%), US + CT (80%), and US‐FNA + CT (79%) were higher than sensitivity of CT alone (25%) (P < 0.001). Specificities were high for US‐FNA (100%), CT (99%), and US‐FNA + CT (99%), whereas those of US alone (91%) and US + CT (91%) were lower (P < 0.001). In 4/65 (6%) patients with true‐positive malignant lymph nodes, CT was positive with US and/or US‐FNA being negative. However, in 36/65 (55%) patients, US and/or US‐FNA were positive with CT being negative.ConclusionUS‐FNA seems the preferred diagnostic modality for the detection of supraclavicular lymph node metastases in patients with esophageal or gastric cardia cancer. Sensitivity of metastases detection only slightly improves if US‐FNA is combined with CT. A prospective, comparative study is however needed. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96: 200–206. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On Generating Functions for a New Class of Polynomials II
Authors: Gupta K. C. , Goyal S. P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper is in continuation to our recent paper [4] in this journal. Here we obtain three more bilinear generating functions involving the products of a new class of polynomials. JACOBI polynomial and LAGUERRE polynomials. Various interesting and new bilinear and trilinear generating functions involving the products of JACOBI polynomials, GEGENBAUER polynomials, LAGUERRE polynomials and RICE's polynomials, follow as particular cases of our main results.
Asymptotic Light Cone Structure in Cosmological Models of BIANCHI Type I
Authors: Abdel‐Megied M. , Dautcourt G. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe inner metric of general light cone in a BIANCHI type I geometry is determined. No focal surface can occur. The singularities which appear in the cosmological solutions of the EINSTEIN field equations at some past instant of time are shown to appear also as singularities of the inner light cone geometry. The behaviour of null geodesies constituting the light cone is studied in the neighbourhood of their singularities.
Über algebraische Eigenschaften einer Klasse von Operatorenmatrizen und eine Anwendung auf singuläre Integraloperatoren
Authors: Köhler Uwe , Silbermann Bernd 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn dieser Arbeit wird ein algebraischer Satz bewiesen, aus dem sich eine Reihe von bislang unbekannten Resultaten über Operatorenmatrizen ableiten lassen. Einige dieser Resultate werden benutzt, um eine Klasse singulärer Integraloperatorem nicht normalen Typs im Raume der beliebig oft differenzierbaren Funktionen zu untersuchen.
Motor unit number estimates and quantitative motor unit analysis in healthy subjects and patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Boe Shaun G. , Stashuk Daniel W. , Doherty Timothy J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLimitations associated with global measures of function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the qualitative nature of needle electromyography have stimulated the development of alternate means of monitoring disease severity and progression in ALS. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the ability of one these techniques, decomposition‐based quantitative electromyography (DQEMG), to obtain electrophysiological data, including motor unit number estimates (MUNEs), from a group of patients with ALS. The first dorsal interosseous and biceps brachii muscles were studied in 10 healthy subjects and 9 patients with ALS. Following the acquisition of a maximum M wave, needle‐ and surface‐detected EMGs were collected simultaneously during 30‐second contractions performed at 10% of the maximum voluntary contraction force to obtain motor unit potential (MUP) trains. DQEMG was then used to extract the surface‐detected MUP associated with each MUP train, the mean size of which was divided into the maximum M wave to obtain a MUNE. The results suggest that quantitative electrophysiological data obtained using DQEMG are representative of the pathophysiological changes in the lower motor system in ALS patients, supporting its use in studies documenting the natural history and progression of the disease. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Contribution of reference electrode to the compound muscle action potential
Authors: Nandedkar Sanjeev D. , Barkhaus Paul E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn compound muscle action potential (CMAP) recording, the contribution by the reference electrode is considered to be much smaller than that of the active electrode. We tested this assumption by making quantitative measurements of the signals recorded individually by the active and reference electrodes. In the thenar (median nerve) and extensor digitorum brevis (peroneal nerve) muscles, the reference electrode did contribute less. In the hypothenar muscle (ulnar nerve), however, the signals recorded by active and reference electrodes were of similar amplitude. In tibial nerve conduction studies (NCS), the CMAP from the abductor hallucis (AH) muscle was recorded mainly by the reference electrode; the large‐amplitude signal recorded by the reference electrode is attributed to volume‐conducted activity from other muscles stimulated during the study. The onset latency of the potential recorded by the active and reference electrodes was similar despite significantly different distances from the stimulating site. Hence, the merits of using anatomic landmarks for defining the distal stimulation site are assessed. When the reference electrode makes a large contribution, the CMAP amplitude may not decrease commensurate with any wasting of the muscle under the active recording electrode, and the need to use another muscle for recording the CMAP for that nerve should be considered. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Consolidation of sensitive clay with vertical drain
Authors: Chen Yun‐Min , Tang Xiao‐Wu , Jia Ning 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe coefficient of consolidation is one of the most important parameters that control the rate of consolidation. Conventional consolidation theories assume that the coefficient of consolidation is constant during the whole consolidation process. In the case of sensitive clay, the coefficient of consolidation is strongly dependent on the level of effective stress of clay. With the dissipation of pore water pressure and the increase of effective stress, the soil structure of the upper subsoil is gradually destroyed downwards and its coefficient of consolidation becomes smaller. At the same
time, the coefficient of permeability of the vertical drains drops down because of the kinking or bending effect. The destructured upper subsoil and the kinking of the vertical drain hinder the dissipation of the pore pressure in the lower subsoil.This paper presents a model to describe the above important phenomena during the consolidation of sensitive clay with vertical drain. The solution for proposed model can be obtained by extending the closed‐form solution of the consolidation of double‐layered ground with vertical drain by the interactive method introducing the concept of the moving boundary and the reduction of discharge capacity of vertical drain. The numerical results obtained from the finite element method package PLAXIS (Ver. 7.2) are adopted to compare those obtained from the present algorithm. Moreover, the rationality of the moving boundary is explained by the distributions of the excess pore water pressure in natural soil zone along the radial direction. Wenzhou airport project is taken as a case study in this paper. The results for the sensitive soil with decaying sand drain agree very well with the in situ measured data. The calculated results can properly explain two general phenomena observed in the consolidation of soft sensitive soil ground with vertical drains: one is that the time to achieve the same consolidation degree is much longer under heavy loading than that under light loading; the other is that the consolidation speed is much slower in the lower subsoil than in the upper subsoil. Finally, it is indicated that the vertical drains can decrease the hindrance effect of the destructured subsoil. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bladder dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Kebapcı Nur , Yenilmez Aydin , Efe Belgin , Entok Emre , Demirustu Canan 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAimsTo reevaluate urodynamic findings of bladder dysfunction (BD) in type 2 diabetic patients with patient characteristics and concommittant chronic complications.MethodsPatients (M/F:27/27) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) underwent a detailed urodynamic investigation. Urodynamic findings were classified as diabetic cystopathy [DC, characterized by impaired bladder sensation, increased post‐void residual urine (PVR) and increased bladder capacity and decreased bladder contractility], detrusor overactivity, bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), urge and stress urinary incontinence or BD in which one of the alterations was included. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, sensorimotor, and autonomic neuropathies were evaluated.ResultsBD was present in 74.07% of men (DC, 50%; BOO, 25%; detrusor overactivity, 25%) and in 59.26% of diabetic women (DC, 43.75%; detrusor overactivity, 31%; urge incontinence, 12.5%; stress urinary incontinence 12.5%). In men, age, duration of diabetes and HbA1C threshold values predicting BD were >64 years, >9 year, >7.9%, while in women, they were >56 years, >8 years, >7%, respectively. Prolongation of QTc, abnormal esophageal transit and gastric emptying times, diabetic retinopathy, and microalbuminuria were associated with an increased risk of PVR ≥ 100 ml.ConclusionsDC was the most frequent finding in patients. Ageing, duration of diabetes, worse metabolic control, PVR 100 ml, cardiac, esophageal and gastric parasympathetic autonomic neuropathies, retinopathy, and microalbuminuria provided a means to predict BD in patients in order to investigate by urodynamics. The establishment of DC in at least 8–9 years after the diagnosis of type 2 DM was an important parameter to inform our diabetic patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:814–819, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modification of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) with phenolic resin
Authors: Deb P. C. , Rajput L. D. , Hande V. R. , Sasane S. , Kumar A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSoluble phenol formaldehyde resin containing hydroxymethyl groups has been used to modify sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK). Modification has been carried out with films containing both the polymers and using dimethyl formamide (DMF) as casting solvent at various temperatures under reduced pressure. Associated solvent and the hydrogen‐bonded by‐product dimethyl amine (DMA) were removed through mild alkali–acid–water treatment. Cured and treated films show good and consistent mechanical properties, water uptake (22–25%), ion‐exchange capacity (1.1–1.5 meq/g) and proton conductivity (125–150 mS/cm) at 30°C and hold promise for application in fuel cells, as indicated by a polarization study in a fuel cell test station. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.