bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of intermittent theta‐burst stimulation on practice‐related changes in fast finger movements in healthy subjects
Authors: Agostino Rocco , Iezzi Ennio , Dinapoli Loredana , Suppa Antonio , Conte Antonella , Berardelli Alfredo 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn this paper we investigated the effects of intermittent theta‐burst stimulation (iTBS) applied to the primary motor cortex on practice‐related changes in motor performance. Seventeen healthy subjects underwent two experimental sessions, one testing real iTBS and the other testing sham iTBS. Before and after both iTBS sessions, the subjects practiced fast right index‐finger abductions for a few minutes. As measures of cortical excitability we calculated resting motor threshold and motor‐evoked potential amplitude. As measures of practice‐related changes we evaluated the mean movement amplitude, peak velocity and peak acceleration values for each block. When subjects practiced the movement task, the three variables measuring practice‐related changes improved to a similar extent during real and sham iTBS whereas cortical excitability increased only during real iTBS. In a further group of five healthy subjects we investigated the effect of real and sham iTBS on changes in motor performance after a longer task practice and found no significant changes in motor performance and retention after real and sham iTBS. From our results overall we conclude that in healthy subjects iTBS applied to the primary motor cortex leaves practice‐related changes in an index finger abduction task unaffected. We suggest that iTBS delivered over the primary motor cortex is insufficient to alter motor performance because early motor learning probably engages a wide cortical and subcortical network.
Tonotopy and inhibition in the midbrain inferior colliculus shape spectral resolution of sounds in neural critical bands
Authors: Egorova Marina , Ehret Günter 
Published: August 2008

AbstractFrequency resolution and spectral integration in acoustic perception is investigated psychacoustically by measuring critical bands (CBs) or equivalent quantities. In general, CB bandwidths increase with increasing sound frequency but remain constant over a large range of sound pressure levels (SPL; intensity independence). These CB properties have previously been found, on average, in responses of midbrain inferior colliculus neurons. Here, we use single‐neuron recordings from the central nucleus of mouse inferior colliculus (ICC) to study neurons’ excitatory and inhibitory frequency receptive fields together with neural critical bands (NCBs) measured in a narrowband noise‐masking paradigm at SPLs up to 85 dB. We aim to clarify whether and how neurons with very different shapes of excitatory and inhibitory receptive fields express CB properties, whether and how inhibition contributes to set boundaries of NCBs, and where these boundaries are located in the excitatory–inhibitory receptive fields. The main results are: the above‐mentioned general CB properties exist in neurons independent of the shapes of their receptive fields, that is, frequency filtering related to single tones (tuning curves) and frequency resolution related to complex sounds (NCBs) are different neuronal properties; NCB boundaries match the boundaries of an area devoid of inhibition around the characteristic frequencies in 67% of the neurons, that is, the inhibitory influence is adjusted to frequency resolution in part of the neurons; filter bandwidths of NCBs are, relative to their centre frequencies, about on average 1/3 octave wide, equaling the average frequency distance between frequency‐band laminae as found in the cat ICC.
Autobiographical memory of the recent past following frontal cortex or temporal lobe excisions
Authors: Thaiss Laila , Petrides Michael 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPrevious research has raised questions regarding the necessity of the frontal cortex in autobiographical memory and the role that it plays in actively retrieving contextual information associated with personally relevant events. Autobiographical memory was studied in patients with unilateral excisions restricted to the frontal cortex or temporal lobe involving the amygdalo‐hippocampal region and in normal controls using an event‐sampling method. We examined accuracy of free recall, use of strategies during retrieval and memory for specific aspects of the autobiographical events, including temporal order. Patients with temporal lobe excisions were impaired in autobiographical recall. By contrast, patients with frontal cortical excisions exhibited normal autobiographical recall but were less likely to use temporal order spontaneously to organize event retrieval. Instruction to organize retrieval by temporal order failed to improve recall in temporal lobe patients and increased the incidence of plausible intrusion errors in left temporal patients. In contrast, patients with frontal cortical excisions now surpassed control subjects in recall of autobiographical events. Furthermore, the retrieval accuracy for the temporal order of diary events was not impaired in these patients. In a subsequent cued recall test, temporal lobe patients were impaired in their memory for the details of the diary events and their context. In conclusion, a basic impairment in autobiographical memory (including memory for temporal context) results from damage to the temporal lobe and not the frontal cortex. Patients with frontal excisions fail to use organizational strategies spontaneously to aid retrieval but can use these effectively if instructed to do so.
Balance between facilitation and resource competition determines biomass–density relationships in plant populations
Authors: Chu Cheng‐Jin , Maestre Fernando T. , Xiao Sa , Weiner Jacob , Wang You‐Shi , Duan Zheng‐Hu , Wang Gang 
Published: August 2008

AbstractTheories based on competition for resources predict a monotonic negative relationship between population density and individual biomass in plant populations. They do not consider the role of facilitative interactions, which are known to be important in high stress environments. Using an individual‐based ‘zone‐of‐influence’ model, we investigated the hypothesis that the balance between facilitative and competitive interactions determines biomass–density relationships. We tested model predictions with a field experiment on the clonal grass Elymus nutans in an alpine meadow. In the model, the relationship between mean individual biomass and density shifted from monotonic to humped as abiotic stress increased. The model results were supported by the field experiment, in which the greatest individual and population biomass were found at intermediate densities in a high‐stress alpine habitat. Our results show that facilitation can affect biomass–density relationships.
Two similar enhanced root‐colonizing Pseudomonas strains differ largely in their colonization strategies of avocado roots and Rosellinia necatrix hyphae
Authors: Pliego Clara , De Weert Sandra , Lamers Gerda , De Vicente Antonio , Bloemberg Guido , Cazorla Francisco Manuel , Ramos Cayo 
Published: August 2008

Summary Pseudomonas alcaligenes AVO73 and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes AVO110 were selected previously as efficient avocado root tip colonizers, displaying in vitro antagonism towards Rosellinia necatrix, causal agent of avocado white root rot. Despite the higher number of antagonistic properties shown in vitro by AVO73, only AVO110 demonstrated significant protection against avocado white root rot. As both strains are enhanced root colonizers, and as colonization is crucial for the most likely biocontrol mechanisms used by these strains, namely production of non‐antibiotic antifungal compounds and competition for nutrients and niches, we decided to compare the interactions of the bacterial strains with avocado roots as well as with R. necatrix hyphae. The results indicate that strain AVO110 is superior in biocontrol trait swimming motility and establishes on the root tip of avocado plants faster than AVO73. Visualization studies, using Gfp‐labelled derivatives of these strains, showed that AVO110, in contrast to AVO73, colonizes intercellular crevices between neighbouring plant root epidermal cells, a microhabitat of enhanced exudation. Moreover, AVO110, but not AVO73, also colonizes root wounds, described to be preferential penetration sites for R. necatrix infection. This result strongly suggests that AVO110 meets, and can attack, the pathogen on the root. Finally, when co‐inoculated with the pathogen, AVO110 utilizes hyphal exudates more efficiently for proliferation than AVO73 does, and colonizes the hyphae more abundantly than AVO73. We conclude that the differences between the strains in colonization levels and strategies are likely to contribute to, and even can explain, the difference in disease‐controlling abilities between the strains. This is the first report that shows that two similar bacterial strains, selected by their ability to colonize avocado root, use strongly different root colonization strategies and suggests that in addition to the total bacterial root colonization level, the sites occupied on the root are important for biocontrol.
A developmental model of maternal and child contributions to disruptive conduct: the first six years
Authors: Kochanska Grazyna , Barry Robin A. , Aksan Nazan , Boldt Lea J. 
Published: August 2008

Background:  The parent–child relationship is considered important for children’s future conscience, and conscience is seen as protecting them from disruptive behavior problems, but specific mechanisms of this developmental process are rarely studied.Methods:  This multi‐trait multi‐method study examined, in a longitudinal design, paths linking early maternal responsiveness to the child with the child’s future conscience and disruptive behavior in 102 mother–child dyads. We tested a conceptual model where maternal responsiveness to the child, observed at 7 and 15 months, engenders a responsive stance in the child, observed at 25 and 38 months; that stance, in turn, becomes enduring and generalized, promoting multiple aspects of the child’s conscience, observed at 52 months. In turn, conscience serves as a protective factor from disruptive behavior problems, rated by mothers and fathers at 67 months.Results:  The postulated paths were examined using sequential regressions and mediation effects were tested using bootstrapping analyses. Child responsive stance at 25–38 months fully mediated the link between maternal responsiveness in infancy and conscience at 52 months, and conscience fully mediated the link between child responsive stance and future disruptive behavior at 67 months.Conclusions:  Examination of developmental links among early maternal behavior, the child’s responsive stance toward the mother, conscience, and disruptive behavior is a promising step toward elucidating mechanisms of children’s adaptive and maladaptive trajectories.
Meeting health information needs of people with HIV/AIDS: sources and means of collaboration
Authors: O’Grady Laura 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: Internet‐based applications, in particular those that allow communication, have great potential to meet information needs. Limited research has indicated that people with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS; PHAs) use these technologies, but it has not yet been examined how resources are used collaboratively and in conjunction with offline sources.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine in what ways PHAs collaborate to meet treatment information needs and what role Internet‐based computer‐mediated communication (CMC) played in meeting this goal.Methods: This exploratory study was implemented using surveys and focus groups with 23 participants in Toronto, Canada. The purposive sample included men and women.Results: A variety of both off‐ and online resources were used to learn about HIV/AIDS treatment information, including web‐based and print. All participants were communicating with others, primarily in person, and most desired anecdotal treatment information. However, few reported using CMC to accomplish this goal. Harris and Dewdney's Principles of Information Seeking was used to frame the findings.Conclusions: Despite technical proficiency with CMC, few participants in this study reported use of this communication tool. Information professionals need to ensure access to HIV health information including those in remote areas who have fewer resources.
Some Economics of Public Statistics
Authors: Hill Berkeley 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPublic statistics are an important part of the information needed for efficient and effective agricultural and rural policy. Experience of several decades of work at the interface of statistics and policy, in particular on income measurement in agriculture, suggests that there are systematic failures in the process by which statistics are fed into policy decisions, although their nature and extent can be expected to vary across types of policy. These failures include poor recognition of the need for information and conceptual obsolescence in methodologies. The explanations for these failures are likely to include the unwillingness of policy‐makers to articulate their objectives clearly, various interests in not having better statistics, the limited independence of agricultural statisticians from departments responsible for policy, and the low level of engagement by academics. Ways of improving the situation are explored.
Physician perceptions of nurse practitioners: A replication study
Authors: Running Alice , Hoffman Lisa , Mercer Victoria 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPurpose: To replicate and update findings from an earlier study on the perceived incentives of physicians to work with nurse practitioners (NPs).Data sources: Four hundred and three questionnaires were mailed to NPs who distributed them to their collaborating physicians.Conclusion: Physicians ranked “accessibility to health care” and the “quality of care” as equally important and more important than “physician satisfaction” and “economic incentives.” The findings were consistent with findings from the earlier study; however, the original study demonstrated a much clearer distinction among the four groups of incentives.Implications for practice: These findings imply that collaboration between physicians and NPs is maturing as NPs move into more arenas in health care.
Smoking cessation readiness: Are your patients ready to quit?
Authors: Woody Delinda , DeCristofaro Claire , Carlton Betty G. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPurpose: To explore the assessment of patient readiness to receive smoking cessation interventions using the transtheoretical model (TTM) and the five stages of change; and to give the primary care provider an evidence‐based toolkit to assist in evaluating for readiness and supporting the smoking cessation process.Data sources: Evidence‐based literature, theoretical framework, and peer‐reviewed articles.Conclusions: Utilizing the TTM along with proper training and education of the provider and patient increases the probability that smoking cessation will occur. Combinations of pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical interventions are the most effective in smoking cessation.Implications for practice: Providers can be prepared at every patient visit to address the smoking cessation needs of all patients. The toolkit provided in this article will help facilitate evaluation of readiness and support of effective, long‐term smoking cessation and reduce eventual smoking‐related morbidities.
Aortic stenosis in the Dogue de Bordeaux
Authors: Höllmer M. , Willesen J. L. , Jensen A. T. , Koch J. 
Published: August 2008

Objectives:To evaluate the occurrence of aortic stenosis and establish echocardiographic reference values in the Dogue de Bordeaux in Denmark.Methods:Fifty‐three dogs were auscultated for evidence of a cardiac murmur and a full echocardiographic examination was performed. The criterion for the diagnosis of aortic stenosis was a peak aortic velocity greater than 2·5 m/s from a subcostal transducer location.Results:A left‐basilar ejection murmur was detected in 38 (72 per cent) of the dogs. An aortic ejection velocity greater than 2·5 m/s was identified in 9 (17 per cent) of the dogs from a subcostal view. The aortic annulus in Dogue de Bordeaux was smaller than that considered normal in other breeds with comparable body size. Furthermore, a decreased aortoseptal angle was noticed in dogs with aortic stenosis.ClinicalSignificance:The Dogue de Bordeaux may be highly predisposed to aortic stenosis. The small aortic annulus noted in healthy and affected Dogue de Bordeaux and a decreased aortoseptal angle noted in affected dogs in this study might reflect key aetiological features in the development of aortic stenosis.
Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging sequences in dogs with multi‐focal intracranial disease
Authors: Cherubini G. B. , Platt S. R. , Howson S. , Baines E. , Brodbelt D. C. , Dennis R. 
Published: August 2008

Objectives: To compare the value of different magnetic resonance sequences in the detection of brain lesions in dogs with multi‐focal intracranial neurolocalised lesions and abnormal cisternal cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Methods: T2‐weighted, T1‐weighted, T1‐weighted‐Gd, FLAIR (fluid attenuated inversion recovery) images of 73 dogs with multi‐focal intracranial localised lesions were reviewed retrospectively. Control dogs (19) were selected on the basis of normal neurological examination, magnetic resonance images and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Two board‐certified radiologists blindly reviewed the magnetic resonance images. Magnetic resonance sequence sensitivities were compared using the chi‐squared test and logistic regression, accounting for clustering at the patient level. Statistical significance was set at the 5 per cent level. Results: The FLAIR sequence was found to have the highest sensitivity (84 per cent, 61 of 73), followed by T2‐weighted (63 per cent, 46 of 73), T1‐weighted postcontrast (62 per cent, 45 of 73) and T1‐weighted (23 per cent, 17 of 73) (P<0·001). FLAIR images were 106·1 times (95 per cent confidence interval 25·2 to 447·5) more likely to correctly identify cerebrospinal fluid‐positive patients than T1‐weighted, 6·4 times (95 per cent confidence interval 2·2 to 18·2) than T1‐weighted postcontrast and 5·8 times (95 per cent confidence interval 2·0 to 16·4) than T2‐weighted. FLAIR identified 14 per cent of cases that were classified as normal based on the three others sequences. Clinical Significance: Routine use of FLAIR sequence should be encouraged in dogs undergoing a brain magnetic resonance imaging and probably more specifically in cases of suspected inflammatory brain disease.
Tumor Suppressor Foxo3a Is Involved in the Regulation of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Interleukin-8 in Intestinal HT-29 Cells
Authors: Snoeks Lobke , Weber Christopher R. , Turner Jerrold R. , Bhattacharyya Mitra , Wasland Kaarin , Savkovic Suzana D. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTEnteric bacteria and their products play an important role in intestinal inflammation; however, the complete mechanisms are not elucidated yet. Tumor suppressor Foxo3a regulates gene expression in the nucleus, and its translocation to the cytosol leads to inactivation. Proximally, Foxo3a is regulated by different pathways including the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bacterial infection on Foxo3a in intestinal epithelial cells and to examine the contribution of Foxo3a in intestinal inflammation. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and infection with mouse pathogenCitrobacter rodentiuminduce translocation of the nuclear Foxo3a into the cytosol, where it degrades in human HT-29 and mouse CMT-93 cells. In colonic epithelia of healthy mice, Foxo3a is localized in the epithelia at the bottom of the crypts in both the nucleus and the cytosol, while inC. rodentium-infected colon Foxo3a is expressed along the crypts and located mainly in the cytosol, suggesting its inactivation. LPS utilized the PI3K pathway to inhibit Foxo3a. Additionally, inhibition of PI3K attenuated LPS-induced proinflammatory interleukin-8 (IL-8). LPS-induced IL-8 is increased in HT-29 cells with silenced Foxo3a. Moreover, in HT-29 cells with silenced Foxo3a, the amount of IκBα, an NF-κB inhibitor, is decreased. In conclusion, LPS and bacterial infection inactivate Foxo3a in intestinal epithelia via the PI3K pathway and inactivated Foxo3a leads to the upregulation of IL-8 by suppressing inhibitory IκBα.
Binding of theStreptococcus gordoniiDL1 Surface Protein Hsa to the Host Cell Membrane Glycoproteins CD11b, CD43, and CD50
Authors: Urano-Tashiro Yumiko , Yajima Ayako , Takashima Eizo , Takahashi Yukihiro , Konishi Kiyoshi 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTInfective endocarditis is frequently attributed to oral streptococci. The mechanisms of pathogenesis, however, are not well understood, although interaction between streptococci and phagocytes are thought to be very important. A highly expressed surface component ofStreptococcus gordonii, Hsa, which has sialic acid-binding activity, contributes to infective endocarditis in vivo. In the present study, we found thatS. gordoniiDL1 binds to HL-60 cells differentiated into monocytes, granulocytes, and macrophages. Using a glutathioneS-transferase (GST) fusion to the NR2 domain, which is the sialic acid-binding region of Hsa, we confirmed that the Hsa NR2 domain also binds to differentiated HL-60 cells. To identify which sialoglycoproteins on the surface of differentiated HL-60 cells are receptors for Hsa, intrinsic membrane proteins were assessed by bacterial overlay and far-Western blotting.S. gordoniiDL1 adhered to 100- to 150-kDa proteins, a reaction that was abolished by neuraminidase treatment. These sialoglycoproteins were identified as CD11b, CD43, and CD50 by GST pull-down assay and immunoprecipitation with each specific monoclonal antibody. These data suggest thatS. gordoniiDL1 Hsa specifically binds to three glycoproteins as receptors and that this interaction may be the initial bacterial binding step in infective endocarditis by oral streptococci.
Haemophilus ducreyi
LspA Proteins Are Tyrosine Phosphorylated by Macrophage-Encoded Protein Tyrosine Kinases
Authors: Deng Kaiping , Mock Jason R. , Greenberg Steven , van Oers Nicolai S. C. , Hansen Eric J. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

The LspA proteins (LspA1 and LspA2) of
Haemophilus ducreyi
are necessary for this pathogen to inhibit the phagocytic activity of macrophage cell lines, an event that can be correlated with a reduction in the level of active Src family protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) in these eukaryotic cells. During studies investigating this inhibitory mechanism, it was discovered that the LspA proteins themselves were tyrosine phosphorylated after wild-type
H. ducreyi
cells were incubated with macrophages. LspA proteins in cell-free concentrated
H. ducreyi
culture supernatant fluid could also be tyrosine phosphorylated by macrophages. This ability to tyrosine phosphorylate the LspA proteins was not limited to immune cell lineages but could be accomplished by both HeLa and COS-7 cells. Kinase inhibitor studies with macrophages demonstrated that the Src family PTKs were required for this tyrosine phosphorylation activity. In silico methods and site-directed mutagenesis were used to identify EPIYG and EPVYA motifs in LspA1 that contained tyrosines that were targets for phosphorylation. A total of four tyrosines could be phosphorylated in LspA1, with LspA2 containing eight predicted tyrosine phosphorylation motifs. Purified LspA1 fusion proteins containing either the EPIYG or EPVYA motifs were shown to be phosphorylated by purified Src PTK in vitro. Macrophage lysates could also tyrosine phosphorylate the LspA proteins and an LspA1 fusion protein via a mechanism that was dependent on the presence of both divalent cations and ATP. Several motifs known to interact with or otherwise affect eukaryotic kinases were identified in the LspA proteins.