bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experience-dependent Plasticity of Conceptual Representations in Human Sensory-Motor Areas
Authors: Kiefer Markus , Sim Eun-Jin , Liebich Sarah , Hauk Olaf , Tanaka James 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Concepts are composed of features related to different sensory and motor modalities such as vision, sound, and action. It is a matter of controversy whether conceptual features are represented in sensory-motor areas reflecting the specific learning experience during acquisition. In order to address this issue, we assessed the plasticity of conceptual representations by training human participants with novel objects under different training conditions. These objects were assigned to categories such that for one class of categories, the overall shape was diagnostic for category membership, whereas for the other class, a detail feature affording a particular action was diagnostic. During training, participants were asked to either make an action pantomime toward the detail feature of the novel object or point to it. In a categorization task at test, we assessed the neural correlates of the acquired conceptual representations by measuring electrical brain activity. Here, we show that the same object is differentially processed depending on the sensory-motor interactions during knowledge acquisition. Only in the pantomime group did we find early activation in frontal motor regions and later activation in occipito-parietal visual-motor regions. In the pointing training group, these effects were absent. These results show that action information contributes to conceptual processing depending on the specific learning experience. In line with modality-specific theories of conceptual memory, our study suggests that conceptual representations are established by the learning-based formation of cell assemblies in sensory-motor areas.
Military-Industrial Linkages In Israel
Authors: Mintz Alex 
Published: March 2007

Israel's military-industrial sector has undergone rapid expansion. This empirical study of military-industrial linkages in Israel posits the following hypotheses: • Israel's industrial sector is highly dependent on military production; • Israel's industrial sector is flooded with numerous former highranking military officers placed in key decision-making posts. Analysis is based on comprehensive data on Israeli governmental defense concerns and ancillary units, Histadrut (Labor Federation) defense companies, and private defense industries. The study reveals that Israel is indeed highly dependent on military production, noting differential extents of dependence among the major components of the industrial sector. It also confirms the second hypothesis, describing the distribution of senior officers in Israeli industry and its principal characteristics.
Comparing the external validity of the DSM-1V and Two-Factor models of childhood behavior problems
Authors: Loney J. , Paternite C. E. , Roberts M. A. , Schwartz J. E. 
Published: March 2007

This study of 132 clinic-referred 6to 12-year old boys with behavior problems examined the concurrent external validity of dimensions of the DSM-IV and Two-Factor diagnostic models. Both models used parent responses to the same DSM structured interview, focusing the study on conceptual differences between the models. Age at evaluation accounted for major variation and was held constant in all analyses. Both models, in both twoand three-dimension versions, had considerable external validity. The Two-Factor inattention-overactivity (10) dimension predicted more external variables than the DSM-IV inattention (IN) dimension. DSM oppositional/conduct (OD/CD) accounted for some variation that is usually misattributed to DSM-IV hyperactivity-impulsivity (HI). In hierarchical analyses, the 10 and AG dimensions of the Two-Factor model predicted more variation in more dependent variables than did the IN and HI dimensions of the DSM model of ADHD. However, when the often-ignored third dimension (OD/CD) was included, the complete three-dimension DSM-IV model accounted for more variation in more dependent variables than did the Two-Factor model. When the excluded third dimension (HI) was added to the Two-Factor model, the two three-dimension models were essentially equal in external validity.
Preschool inattention and impulsivity-hyperactivity: Development of a clinic-based assessment protocol
Authors: DeWolfe N. A. , Byrne J. M. , Bawden H. N. 
Published: March 2007

Objective: To determine whether preschoolers classified as ADHD exhibited significantly more inattention and/or impulsivity-hyperactivity in the clinic than their typically-developing peers, using a developmentally appropriate clinical assessment protocol similar to protocols used with school-age children. Method: Fifty preschoolers participated; 25 preschoolers were classified with ADHD and matched with 25 typically-developing preschoolers. Direct clinic-based observations of behavior were analyzed and subsumed under two dimensions: inattention and impulsivity-hyperactivity. Results: In regard to inattention, compared to their typically-developing controls, the preschoolers classified with ADHD were significantly more often off-task in both low and high structure settings, and their episodes of play were significantly shorter in duration, though they did not shift activities more frequently. With regard to impulsivity-hyperactivity, preschoolers classified with ADHD were significantly more active and more talkative than their typicallydeveloping peers. Conclusions: Developmentally appropriate assessment protocols do provide convergent, clinically valuable information that may assist in the early assessment of ADHD and facilitate continuity of monitoring/assessment of ADHD symptoms into the school-age years.
Treatment alternatives for Attention-Deficit! Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Arnold L. E. 
Published: March 2007

Objective: To review alternate treatments (Tx) of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)those other than psychoactive medication and behavioral/psychosocial Tx-for the November, 1998 National Institute of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Conference on ADHD. Method: The literature was searched on Medline and PsychInfo 1963-1998 and investigators known to be interested in alternate Tx were contacted for unpublished data. Results: Twenty-three alternate Tx were identified, ranging in scientific documentation from discrediting controlled studies through mere hypotheses to positive controlled double-blind clinical trials. Many of them are applicable only to a restricted etiological subgroup. The oligoantigenic or few-foods diet has convincing double-blind evidence of efficacy in multiple trials for a properly selected subgroup. Enzymepotentiated desensitization to foods, relaxation/EMG biofeedback, and deleading also have controlled evidence of efficacy. Glyconutritional supplementation, iron supplementation, magnesium supplementation, Chinese herbals, EEG biofeedback, meditation, mirror feedback, channel-specific perceptual training, and vestibular stimulation all have promising prospective pilot data. Single-vitamin megadosage has some intriguing pilot trial data. Zinc supplementation is hypothetically supported by systematic case-control data but has no systematic clinical trial. Laser acupuncture has promising unpublished pilot data. Essential fatty acid supplementation has promising systematic case-control data but clinical trials are equivocal. Recommended-Daily-Allowance vitamin supplementation, nonChinese herbals, homeopathic remedies, and antifungal therapy have no systematic data in ADHD. Megadose multivitamin combinations are probably ineffective for most patients and possibly dangerous. Simple sugar restriction and hypnosis seem ineffective. Amino acid supplementation, though mildly effective in the short term, is not effective beyond a few weeks. Thyroid Tx is effective in the presence of documented thyroid abnormality, but not otherwise. Conclusion: Some alternate Tx of ADHD are effective or probably effective, but mainly for restricted etiologic subgroups. In some cases they are the Tx of choice, and initial evaluation should consider the relevant etiologies. A few have failed to prove effective in controlled trials. Most need research to determine whether they are effective and/or to define the applicable subgroup. Some of them, though not safer than standard Tx, may be preferable for an etiologic subgroup.
Functional specialization of human circulating CD16 and CD1c myeloid dendritic-cell subsets
Authors: Piccioli Diego , Tavarini Simona , Borgogni Erica , Steri Veronica , Nuti Sandra , Sammicheli Chiara , Bardelli Monia , Montagna Daniela , Locatelli Franco , Wack Andreas 
Published: March 2007

AbstractHuman blood contains 2 populations of dendritic cells (DCs): plasmacytoid and myeloid (mDC). mDCs are subdivided into 3 subsets using the surface markers CD16, CD1c, and BDCA-3. Their role as pathogen sentinels and adjuvant targets was tested by phenotypic and functional analysis. We show that mDC subsets are immature and express mRNA for most toll-like receptors (TLRs), except for TLR3 in CD16-mDCs. The most represented subsets, CD16- and CD1c-mDCs, are similarly responsive to all TLR agonists. Among 31 cytokines tested, both subsets produce CXCL8 (IL-8)/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/IL-6/CCL3 (MIP-1α)/CCL4 (MIP-1β)/IL-1β. CXCL8 (IL-8) is the predominant cytokine produced by CD1c-mDCs on TLR engagement, whereas all other cytokines, particularly TNF-α, are secreted in 10-fold to 100-fold higher amounts by CD16-mDCs. CD16-mDCs cocultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells induce a significantly higher production of CXCL10 (IP-10), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor than CD1c-mDCs. In addition, interleukin-3 and type I interferons are stimuli specifically for DC maturation rather than cytokine secretion, whereas TNF-α is almost ineffective in inducing either function, suggesting a mechanism of T-cell–DC crosstalk and of rapid induction of antigen-presenting cell function during viral infection rather than inflammation. In conclusion, CD16-mDCs show strong proinflammatory activity, whereas CD1c-mDCs appear to be mainly inducers of chemotaxis.
A comparative study of S/MAR prediction tools
Authors: Evans Kenneth , Ott Sascha , Hansen Annika , Koentges Georgy , Wernisch Lorenz 
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background
S/MARs are regions of the DNA that are attached to the nuclear matrix. These regions are known to affect substantially the expression of genes. The computer prediction of S/MARs is a highly significant task which could contribute to our understanding of chromatin organisation in eukaryotic cells, the number and distribution of boundary elements, and the understanding of gene regulation in eukaryotic cells. However, while a number of S/MAR predictors have been proposed, their accuracy has so far not come under scrutiny.

Results
We have selected S/MARs with sufficient experimental evidence and used these to evaluate existing methods of S/MAR prediction. Our main results are: 1.) all existing methods have little predictive power, 2.) a simple rule based on AT-percentage is generally competitive with other methods, 3.) in practice, the different methods will usually identify different sub-sequences as S/MARs, 4.) more research on the H-Rule would be valuable.

Conclusion
A new insight is needed to design a method which will predict S/MARs well. Our data, including the control data, has been deposited as additional material and this may help later researchers test new predictors.
Transcriptional analysis of early lineage commitment in human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Laslett Andrew L , Grimmond Sean , Gardiner Brooke , Stamp Lincon , Lin Adelia , Hawes Susan M , Wormald Sam , Nikolic-Paterson David , Haylock David , Pera Martin F 
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background
The mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells, and those that drive their commitment into particular differentiation lineages, are poorly understood. In fact, even our knowledge of the phenotype of hESC is limited, because the immunological and molecular criteria presently used to define this phenotype describe the properties of a heterogeneous population of cells.

Results
We used a novel approach combining immunological and transcriptional analysis (immunotranscriptional profiling) to compare gene expression in hESC populations at very early stages of differentiation. Immunotranscriptional profiling enabled us to identify novel markers of stem cells and their differentiated progeny, as well as novel potential regulators of hESC commitment and differentiation. The data show clearly that genes associated with the pluripotent state are downregulated in a coordinated fashion, and that they are co-expressed with lineage specific transcription factors in a continuum during the early stages of stem cell differentiation.

Conclusion
These findings, that show that maintenance of pluripotency and lineage commitment are dynamic, interactive processes in hESC cultures, have important practical implications for propagation and directed differentiation of these cells, and for the interpretation of mechanistic studies of hESC renewal and commitment. Since embryonic stem cells at defined stages of commitment can be isolated in large numbers by immunological means, they provide a powerful model for studying molecular genetics of stem cell commitment in the embryo.
Alterations in lipid metabolism gene expression and abnormal lipid accumulation in fibroblast explants from giant axonal neuropathy patients
Authors: Leung Conrad L , Pang Yinghua , Shu Chang , Goryunov Dmitry , Liem Ronald KH 
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background
Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a hereditary neurological disorder that affects both central and peripheral nerves. The main pathological hallmark of the disease is abnormal accumulations of intermediate filaments (IFs) in giant axons and other cell types. Mutations in the GAN gene, encoding gigaxonin, cause the disease. Gigaxonin is important in controlling protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The goal of this study was to examine global alterations in gene expression in fibroblasts derived from newly identified GAN families compared with normal cells.

Results
We report the characterization of fibroblast explants obtained from two unrelated GAN patients. We identify three novel putative mutant GAN alleles and show aggregation of vimentin IFs in these fibroblasts. By microarray analysis, we also demonstrate that the expression of lipid metabolism genes of the GAN fibroblasts is disrupted, which may account for the abnormal accumulations of lipid droplets in these cells.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that aberrant lipid metabolism in GAN patients may contribute to the progression of the disease.
The Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy region on 4qter and the homologous locus on 10qter evolved independently under different evolutionary pressure
Authors: Rossi Monica , Ricci Enzo , Colantoni Luca , Galluzzi Giuliana , Frusciante Roberto , Tonali Pietro A , Felicetti Luciano 
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background
The homologous 4q and 10q subtelomeric regions include two distinctive polymorphic arrays of 3.3 kb repeats, named D4Z4. An additional BlnI restriction site on the 10q-type sequence allows to distinguish the chromosomal origin of the repeats. Reduction in the number of D4Z4 repeats below a threshold of 10 at the 4q locus is tightly linked to Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD), while similar contractions at 10q locus, are not pathogenic. Sequence variations due to the presence of BlnI-sensitive repeats (10q-type) on chromosome 4 or viceversa of BlnI-resistant repeats (4q-type) on chromosome 10 are observed in both alleles.

Results
We analysed DNA samples from 116 healthy subiects and 114 FSHD patients and determined the size distributions of polymorphic 4q and 10q alleles, the frequency and the D4Z4 repeat assortment of variant alleles, and finally the telomeric sequences both in standard and variant alleles.
We observed the same frequency and types of variant alleles in FSHD patients and controls, but we found marked differences between the repeat arrays of the 4q and 10q chromosomes. In particular we detected 10q alleles completely replaced by the 4q subtelomeric region, consisting in the whole set of 4q-type repeats and the distal telomeric markers. However the reciprocal event, 10q-type subtelomeric region on chromosome 4, was never observed. At 4q locus we always identified hybrid alleles containing a mixture of 4q and 10q-type repeats.

Conclusion
The different size distribution and different structure of 10q variant alleles as compared with 4q suggests that these loci evolved in a different manner, since the 4q locus is linked to FSHD, while no inheritable disease is associated with mutations in 10qter genomic region. Hybrid alleles on chromosome 4 always retain a minimum number of 4q type repeats, as they are probably essential for maintaining the structural and functional properties of this subtelomeric region.
In addition we found: i) several instances of variant alleles that could be misinterpreted and interfere with a correct diagnosis of FSHD; ii) the presence of borderline alleles in the range of 30–40 kb that carried a qA type telomere and were not associated with the disease.
Cervical cancer: a qualitative study on subjectivity, family, gender and health services
Authors: Pelcastre-Villafuerte Blanca E , Tirado-Gómez Laura L , Mohar-Betancourt Alejandro , López-Cervantes Malaquías 
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background
In 2002, cervical cancer was one of the leading causes of death in Mexico. Quantitative techniques allowed for the identification of socioeconomic, behavioral and biological characteristics that are part of its etiology.
However such characteristics, are inadequate to explain sufficiently the role that emotions, family networks and socially-constructed categories such as gender play in the demand and utilization of health services for cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment and neither the timely undertaking of preventive actions, such as getting a PAP smear or seeking adequate and continuons treatment.

Methods
A qualitative study was carried out to analyze the role of different social and cultural factors in the timely detection of cervical cancer. As part of a multi-level, multi-method research effort, this particular study was based on individual interviews with women diagnosed with cervical cancer (identified as the "cases"), their female friends and relatives (identified as the "controls") and the cases' husbands.

Results
The results showed that both: denial and fear are two important components that regulate the behavior of both the women and their partners. Women with a small support network may have limited opportunities for taking action in favor of their own health and wellbeing.

Conclusion
Women tend not to worry about their health, in general and neither about cervical cancer in particular, as a consequence of their conceptualizations regarding their body and feminine identify – both of which are socially determined. Furthermore, it is necessary to improve the quality of information provided in health services.
A Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess the Impact on an Emergency Response System on Anxiety and Health Care Use among Older Emergency Patients after a Fall
Authors: Lee Jacques S. , Hurley Mary Jane , Carew Debra , Fisher Rory , Kiss Alex , Drummond Neil 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Objectives:
Personal emergency response systems (PERSs) are reported to reduce anxiety and health care use and may assist in planning the disposition of older patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) to home. This study measured the impact of a PERS on anxiety, fear of falling, and subsequent health care use among older ED patients.
Methods:
This study was a randomized controlled trial comparing PERS use with standard ED discharge planning in subjects 70 years of age or older discharged home after a fall. Outcome assessors were blinded to the study objectives. Anxiety and fear of falling were measured at baseline and 30 days using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety subscale (HADS‐A) and modified Falls Efficacy Scale (mFES). Return to the ED, hospitalization, and length of stay were recorded after 30 and 60 days.
Results:
Eighty‐six subjects were randomized and completed follow up (43 per group). There was no important difference in mean reduction in anxiety (mean change treatment − control, +0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] =−1.5 to 0.76; p = 0.55) or fear of falling (mean change, +4.5; 95% CI =−6.7 to 15.7; p = 0.70). Return visits to the ED occurred in eight of 43 patients in both the control and treatment groups (risk difference, 0.0%; 95% CI =−16% to 16%). Hospitalization occurred in six of 43 in the control group versus three of 43 in the treatment group (risk difference treatment − control =−7.0%; 95% CI =−19.8% to 5.9%).
Conclusions:
In contrast to previous studies, there was no evidence that a PERS reduced anxiety, fear of falling, or return to the ED among older persons discharged from the ED.
Real-Time PCR to Identify Variola Virus or Other Human Pathogenic Orthopox Viruses
Authors: Scaramozzino Natale , Ferrier-Rembert Audrey , Favier Anne-laure , Rothlisberger Corinne , Richard Stéphane , Crance Jean-Marc , Meyer Hermann , Garin Daniel 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Background: Variola virus (family Poxviridae, genus Orthopoxvirus) and the closely related cowpox, vaccinia, and monkeypox viruses can infect humans. Efforts are mounting to replenish the smallpox vaccine stocks, optimize diagnostic methods for poxviruses, and develop new antivirals against smallpox, because it is feared that variola virus might be used as a weapon of bioterrorism.
Methods: We developed an assay for the detection of variola virus DNA. The assay is based on TaqMan chemistry targeting the 14-kD protein gene. For the 1st stage of the assay we used genus consensus primers and a mixture of 2 probes (14-kD POX and 14-kD VAR) spanning the 14-kD protein-encoding gene for detection of all human pathogenic orthopoxviruses. We then tested positive samples with the specific orthopoxvirus-specific probe 14-kD POX to identify monkeypox, cowpox, and vaccinia viruses and with the 14-kD VAR probe to identify variola viruses. The assay was established on 4 different PCR cycler platforms. It was assessed in a study with 85 different orthopoxvirus species and strains that included variola, camelpox, cowpox, monkeypox, and vaccinia viruses at concentrations ranging from 100 ng/L to 1 μg/L.
Results: The assay detected as little as 0.05 fg of DNA, corresponding to 25 copies of DNA, and enabled differentiation of variola virus from the other orthopoxviruses.
Conclusions: This real-time PCR assay provides a rapid method for the early detection and differentiation of smallpox and other human pathogenic orthopoxvirus infections.