bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Posterior Quadrantic Epilepsy Surgery: Technical Variants, Surgical Anatomy, and Case Series
Authors: Daniel Roy Thomas , Meagher‐Villemure Kathleen , Farmer Jean‐Pierre , Andermann Frederick , Villemure Jean‐Guy 
Published: April 2007

Summary:  Objective: Patients with intractable epilepsy due to extensive lesions involving the posterior quadrant (temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes) form a small subset of epilepsy surgery. This study was done with a view to analyze our experience with this group of patients and to define the changes in the surgical technique over the last 15 years. We also describe the microsurgical technique of the different surgical variants used, along with their functional neuroanatomy. Methods: In this series there were 13 patients with a median age of 17 years. All patients had extensive presurgical evaluation that provided concordant evidence localizing the lesion and seizure focus to the posterior quadrant. The objective of the surgery was to eliminate the effect of the epileptogenic tissue and preserve motor and sensory functions. Results: During the course of this study period of 15 years, the surgical procedure performed evolved toward incorporating more techniques of disconnection and minimizing resection. Three technical variants were thus utilized in this series, namely, (i) anatomical posterior quadrantectomy (APQ), (ii) functional posterior quadrantectomy (FPQ), and (iii) periinsular posterior quadrantectomy (PIPQ). After a median follow‐up period of 6 years, 12/13 patients had Engel's Class I seizure outcome. Conclusion: The results of surgery for posterior quadrantic epilepsy have yielded excellent seizure outcomes in 92% of the patients in the series with no mortality or major morbidity. The incorporation of disconnective techniques in multilobar surgery has maintained the excellent results obtained earlier with resective surgery.
Multivariate Neuropsychological Prediction of Seizure Lateralization in Temporal Epilepsy Surgical Cases
Authors: Keary Therese A. , Frazier Thomas W , Busch Robyn M. , Kubu Cynthia S. , Iampietro Mary 
Published: April 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Neuropsychological assessment can be of assistance in determining seizure lateralization in cases where EEG and MRI findings do not provide clear lateralizing data. While several studies have examined the lateralizing value of individual neuropsychological measures, clinicians are still in need of a statistically sound method that permits the incorporation of multiple neuropsychological variables to predict seizure lateralization in the individual patient. Method: The present study investigated the lateralizing value of several commonly used neuropsychological measures in a large sample of patients (n = 217) who eventually underwent surgical resection to treat their epilepsy. Side of surgery was used to operationally define seizure lateralization. A comparison of the relative utility of a multivariate versus univariate approach to predict seizure lateralization was conducted in temporal epilepsy cases. Results: The results provide evidence for the incremental validity of neuropsychological measures, other than memory and IQ tests, in the prediction of seizure lateralization in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. These data indicate that a multivariate approach increases the accuracy of prediction of seizure lateralization for temporal lobe epilepsy cases. Conclusion: This study supports the use of a multivariate approach using neuropsychological measures to predict seizure lateralization in temporal epilepsy surgical candidates. Regression formulas are provided to enhance the clinical utility of these findings.
Evaluation of Subcortical White Matter and Deep White Matter Tracts in Malformations of Cortical Development
Authors: Widjaja Elysa , Blaser Susan , Miller Elka , Kassner Andrea , Shannon Patrick , Chuang Sylvester H. , Snead O. Carter , Raybaud Charles R. 
Published: April 2007

Summary:  Aims: Abnormal cortical development will lead to abnormal axons in white matter. The purpose was to investigate (1) the microstructural changes in subcortical white matter adjacent to malformations of cortical development (MCD) and (2) the deep white matter tracts using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods: Thirteen children with a variety of MCD were recruited. The fractional anisotropy (FA), trace, and eigenvalues (λmajor, λmedium, λminor) of subcortical white matter of MCD were compared with contralateral normal side. The deep white matter tracts were graded based on the size, color hues and displacement of the tracts as visualized on color vector maps and tractography; grade 1 was normal tract size and color hue, grade 2 was reduced tract size but preserved color hue and grade 3 was loss of color hue or failure of tracking on tractography. Results: The subcortical white matter adjacent to abnormal cortex demonstrated reduced FA (p < 0.05) and tendency to increase trace (p = 0.06). There was a significant elevation in λmedium and λminor (p < 0.05), but no significant change in λmajor (p > 0.05). Twelve cases demonstrated alteration in white matter tracts. Seven cases of focal cortical dysplasia and two cases of transmantle MCD demonstrated grade 3 pattern of white matter tract. Conclusion: Reduced FA is a sensitive but nonspecific marker of alteration in microstructure of white matter. The elevated λmedium and λminor may reflect a dominant effect of abnormal myelin. Alteration in white matter tracts was observed in most cases of MCD.
Effect of protein‐energy malnutrition on erythropoietin requirement in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: AKGUL Arzu , BILGIC Ayse , SEZER Siren , OZDEMİR Fatma Nurhan , OLCAY Irem , ARAT Zubeyde , HABERAL Mehmet 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPossible interactions between inflammatory and nutritional markers and their impact on recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) hyporesponsiveness are not well understood. We investigated the role of nutritional status in rHuEPO requirement in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients without evidence of inflammation. This cross‐sectional study included 88 MHD patients. The associations between required rHuEPO dose and malnutrition‐inflammation score (MIS) and several laboratory values known to be related to nutrition and/or inflammation were analyzed. Anthropometric measures including body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, and midarm circumferences were also measured. Twenty‐three patients with serum C‐reactive protein levels >10 mg/L were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 65 patients (male/female, 41/24; age 49.1±11.4 years; dialysis duration 99.7±63.0 months) were studied. These patients had moderate malnutrition and the average MIS was 7.4 (range 3–17). The average weekly dose of administered rHuEPO was 69.1±63.1 U/kg. Malnutrition‐inflammation score had a positive correlation with the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor‐α, whereas it had a negative correlation with anthropometric measures, total iron‐binding capacity, prealbumin, phosphorus, creatinine, and triglyceride. According to Pearson's correlation analysis, significant relationships of increased MIS with increased required rHuEPO dose and rHuEPO responsiveness index (EPO divided by hematocrit) were observed (p=0.008, r=−0.326; p=0.017, r=−0.306, respectively). Recombinant human erythropoietin dose requirement is correlated with MIS and adverse nutritional status in MHD patients without evidence of inflammation. Further research should focus on reversing the undergoing microinflammation for a better outcome in dialysis patients.
Regeneration of Seasonal Deciduous Forest Tree Species in Long‐Used Pastures in Central Brazil
Authors: Sampaio Alexandre B. , Holl Karen D. , Scariot Aldicir 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTWe tested the relationship between the length of pasture use and the density, richness, and composition of naturally regenerating tropical seasonal deciduous forest in pastures. We sampled regenerating trees in 25 pastures distributed in four age classes ranging from < 6 to 40 yr of use. Density and composition of regenerating trees did not change with pasture age, but richness was lower in 25‐ and 40‐yr‐old pastures. Nonetheless, a number of species seem to be able to resprout even after 40 yr of ranching.
Determinants of Lichen Diversity in a Rain Forest Understory
Authors: Dyer L. A. , Letourneau D. K. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTChange in lichen diversity is often used as a bioindicator to estimate effects of atmospheric pollution, but natural variation in lichen cover and species richness can be very high. We examined the top‐down effects of spore‐consuming ants and the bottom‐up effects of nutrient and light availability on lichen diversity associated with the leaf surface of the rain forest understory plant, Piper cenocladum. Plots containing P. cenocladum were randomly assigned to treatments in factorial experiments that included high and low light levels, nutrient enrichment, and presence and absence of the ant mutualist, Pheidole bicornis. At the conclusion of the experiments, plants were harvested and size of leaves, secondary metabolite content (amides), epiphyll cover, and the species richness of the lichens (which comprised 85% of the epiphyll community) were quantified. Epiphyll cover (mosses, liverworts, and lichens) was greater on plants that had ant‐mutualists and balanced resources. Lichen species richness was greater for plants with balanced resources, particularly for those with high light availability. Relationships between toxins and lichen cover and richness were weak and unclear. In this system, natural sources of variation were reliable determinants of lichen diversity and both biotic and abiotic influences were important.
UV Light Inactivation of
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
in Milk as Assessed by
FASTPlaque
TB Phage Assay and Culture
Authors: Altic Leslie C. , Rowe Michael T. , Grant Irene R. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

UV light inactivation of
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
in Middlebrook 7H9 broth and whole and semiskim milk was investigated using a laboratory-scale UV machine that incorporated static mixers within UV-penetrable pipes. UV treatment proved to be less effective in killing
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
suspended in milk (0.5- to 1.0-log
10
reduction per 1,000 mJ/ml) than that suspended in Middlebrook 7H9 broth (2.5- to 3.3-log
10
reduction per 1,000 mJ/ml). The
FASTPlaque
TB phage assay provided more rapid enumeration of surviving
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
(within 24 h) than culture on Herrold's egg yolk medium (6 to 8 weeks). Despite the fact that plaque counts were consistently 1 to 2 log
10
lower than colony counts throughout the study, UV inactivation rates for
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
derived using the phage assay and culture results were not significantly different (
P
= 0.077).
New Insights into the
Enterococcus faecalis
CroRS Two-Component System Obtained Using a Differential-Display Random Arbitrarily Primed PCR Approach
Authors: Le Breton Yoann , Muller Cécile , Auffray Yanick , Rincé Alain 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

Using a modified random arbitrarily primed PCR approach, the operon encoding the
Enterococcus faecalis
JH2-2 CroRS two-component regulatory system was shown to be repressed during stationary phase, and a CroRS-regulated operon (
glnQHMP
) was identified. Gel retardation assays showed that the CroR regulator binds specifically to the
glnQHMP
promoter.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Deformed Wing Virus Genotypes from Diverse Geographic Origins Indicates Recent Global Distribution of the Virus
Authors: Berényi Olga , Bakonyi Tamás , Derakhshifar Irmgard , Köglberger Hemma , Topolska Gražyna , Ritter Wolfgang , Pechhacker Hermann , Nowotny Norbert 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

Honeybees originating from 10 different countries (Austria, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and New Zealand) located on four continents were analyzed for the presence of deformed wing virus (DWV) nucleic acid by reverse transcription-PCR. Two target regions within the DWV genome were selected for PCR amplification and subsequent sequencing, i.e., a region within the putative VP2 and VP4 structural-protein genes and a region within the RNA helicase enzyme gene. DWV nucleic acid was amplified from 34 honeybee samples representing all the above-mentioned countries with the notable exception of New Zealand. The amplification products were sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses of both genomic regions were performed independently. The phylogenetic analyses included all sequences determined in this study as well as previously published DWV sequences and the sequences of two closely related viruses, Kakugo virus (KGV) and
Varroa destructor
virus 1 (VDV-1). In the sequenced regions, the DWV genome turned out to be highly conserved, independent of the geographic origins of the honeybee samples: the partial sequences exhibited 98 to 99% nucleotide sequence identity. Substitutions were most frequently observed at the same positions in the various DWV sequences. Due to the high level of sequence conservation, no significant clustering of the samples in the phylogenetic trees could be identified. On the other hand, the phylogenetic analyses support a genetic segregation of KGV and VDV-1 from DWV.
FlavobacteriaBlooms in Four Eutrophic Lakes: Linking Population Dynamics of Freshwater Bacterioplankton to Resource Availability
Authors: Eiler Alexander , Bertilsson Stefan 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTHeterotrophic bacteria are major contributors to biogeochemical cycles and influence water quality. Still, the lack of representative isolates and the few quantitative surveys leave the ecological role and significance of single bacterial populations to be revealed. Here we analyzed the diversity and dynamics of freshwaterFlavobacteriapopulations in four eutrophic temperate lakes. From each lake, clone libraries were constructed using primers specific for either the classFlavobacteriaorBacteria. Sequencing of 194Flavobacteriaclones from 8 libraries revealed a diverse freshwaterFlavobacteriacommunity and distinct differences among lakes. Abundance and seasonal dynamics ofFlavobacteriawere assessed by quantitative PCR with class-specific primers. In parallel, the dynamics of individual populations within theFlavobacteriacommunity were assessed with terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using identical primers. The contribution ofFlavobacteriato the total bacterioplankton community ranged from 0.4 to almost 100% (average, 24%). Blooms whereFlavobacteriarepresented more than 30% of the bacterioplankton were observed at different times in the four lakes. In general, high proportions ofFlavobacteriaappeared during episodes of high bacterial production. Phylogenetic analyses combined withFlavobacteriacommunity fingerprints suggested dominance of twoFlavobacterialineages. Both drastic alterations in totalFlavobacteriaand in community composition of this class significantly correlated with bacterial production, emphasizing that resource availability is an important driver of heterotrophic bacterial succession in eutrophic lakes.
Mcp4, a Meiotic Coiled-Coil Protein, Plays a Role in F-Actin Positioning during
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Meiosis
Authors: Ohtaka Ayami , Okuzaki Daisuke , Saito Takamune T. , Nojima Hiroshi 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

Some meiosis-specific proteins of
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
harbor coiled-coil motifs and play essential roles in meiotic progression. Here we describe Mcp4, a novel meiosis-specific protein whose expression is abruptly induced at the horsetail phase and which remains expressed until sporulation is finished. Fluorescence microscopic analysis revealed that Mcp4 alters its subcellular localization during meiosis in a manner that partially resembles the movement of F-actin during meiosis. Mcp4 and F-actin never colocalize; rather, they are located in a side-by-side manner. When forespore membrane formation begins at metaphase II, the Mcp4 signals assemble at the lagging face of the dividing nuclei. At this stage, they are sandwiched between F-actin and the nucleus. Mcp4, in turn, appears to sandwich F-actin with Meu14. In
mcp4
Δ cells at anaphase II, the F-actin, which is normally dumbbell-shaped, adopts an abnormal balloon shape. Spores of
mcp4
Δ cells were sensitive to NaCl, although their shape and viability were normal. Taken together, we conclude that Mcp4 plays a role in the accurate positioning of F-actin during
S. pombe
meiosis.
Evidence that Noncoding RNA
dutA
Is a Multicopy Suppressor of
Dictyostelium discoideum
STAT Protein Dd-STATa
Authors: Shimada Nao , Kawata Takefumi 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

Dd-STATa, a
Dictyostelium discoideum
homologue of metazoan STAT transcription factors, is necessary for culmination. We created a mutant strain with partial
Dd-STATa
activity and used it to screen for unlinked suppressor genes. We screened approximately 450,000 clones from a slug-stage cDNA library for their ability to rescue the culmination defect when overexpressed. There were 12 multicopy suppressors of Dd-STATa, of which 4 encoded segments of a known noncoding RNA,
dutA
. Expression of
dutA
is specific to the pstA zone, the region where Dd-STATa is activated. In suppressed strains the expression patterns of several putative Dd-STATa target genes become similar to the wild-type strain. In addition, the amount of the tyrosine-phosphorylated form of Dd-STATa is significantly increased in the suppressed strain. These results indicate that partial copies of
dutA
may act upstream of Dd-STATa to regulate tyrosine phosphorylation by an unknown mechanism.
Attenuation of Phospholipid Signaling Provides a Novel Mechanism for the Action of Valproic Acid
Authors: Xu Xuehua , Müller-Taubenberger Annette , Adley Kathryn E. , Pawolleck Nadine , Lee Vivian W. Y. , Wiedemann Claudia , Sihra Talvinder S. , Maniak Markus , Jin Tian , Williams Robin S. B. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTValproic acid (VPA) is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine. It is also undergoing trials for cancer therapy. However, the biochemical and molecular biological actions of VPA are poorly understood. Using the social amoebaDictyostelium discoideum, we show that an acute effect of VPA is the inhibition of chemotactic cell movement, a process partially dependent upon phospholipid signaling. Analysis of this process shows that VPA attenuates the signal-induced translocation of PHCrac-green fluorescent protein from cytosol to membrane, suggesting the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-(3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) production. Direct labeling of lipids in vivo also shows a reduction in PIP and PIP2phosphorylation following VPA treatment. We further show that VPA acutely reduces endocytosis and exocytosis—processes previously shown to be dependent upon PIP3production. These results suggest that inDictyostelium, VPA rapidly attenuates phospholipid signaling to reduce endocytic trafficking. To examine this effect in a mammalian model, we also tested depolarization-dependent neurotransmitter release in rat nerve terminals, and we show that this process is also suppressed upon application of VPA and an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Although a more comprehensive analysis of the effect of VPA on lipid signaling will be necessary in mammalian systems, these results suggest that VPA may function to reduce phospholipid signaling processes and thus may provide a novel therapeutic effect for this drug.
Acclimation to Singlet Oxygen Stress in
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Ledford Heidi K. , Chin Brian L. , Niyogi Krishna K. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

In an aerobic environment, responding to oxidative cues is critical for physiological adaptation (acclimation) to changing environmental conditions. The unicellular alga
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
was tested for the ability to acclimate to specific forms of oxidative stress. Acclimation was defined as the ability of a sublethal pretreatment with a reactive oxygen species to activate defense responses that subsequently enhance survival of that stress.
C. reinhardtii
exhibited a strong acclimation response to rose bengal, a photosensitizing dye that produces singlet oxygen. This acclimation was dependent upon photosensitization and occurred only when pretreatment was administered in the light. Shifting cells from low light to high light also enhanced resistance to singlet oxygen, suggesting an overlap in high-light and singlet oxygen response pathways. Microarray analysis of RNA levels indicated that a relatively small number of genes respond to sublethal levels of singlet oxygen. Constitutive overexpression of either of two such genes, a glutathione peroxidase gene and a glutathione
S
-transferase gene, was sufficient to enhance singlet oxygen resistance.
Escherichia coli
and
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
exhibit well-defined responses to reactive oxygen but did not acclimate to singlet oxygen, possibly reflecting the relative importance of singlet oxygen stress for photosynthetic organisms.
Membrane Association and Multimerization of TcpT, the Cognate ATPase Ortholog of the
Vibrio cholerae
Toxin-Coregulated-Pilus Biogenesis Apparatus
Authors: Tripathi Shital A. , Taylor Ronald K. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

The toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) is one of the major virulence factors of
Vibrio cholerae
. Biogenesis of this type 4 pilus (Tfp) requires a number of structural components encoded by the
tcp
operon. TcpT, the cognate putative ATPase, is required for TCP biogenesis and all TCP-mediated functions. We studied the stability and localization of TcpT in cells containing in-frame deletions in each of the
tcp
genes. TcpT was detectable in each of the biogenesis mutants except the Δ
tcpT
strain. TcpT was localized to the inner membrane (IM) in a TcpR-dependent manner. TcpR is a predicted bitopic inner membrane protein of the TCP biogenesis apparatus. Using metal affinity pull-down experiments, we demonstrated interaction between TcpT and TcpR. Using
Escherichia coli
as a heterologous system, we investigated direct interaction between TcpR and TcpT. We report that TcpR is sufficient for TcpT IM localization per se; however, stable IM localization of TcpT requires an additional
V. cholerae
-specific factor(s). A LexA-based two-hybrid system was utilized to define interaction domains of the two proteins. We demonstrate a strong interaction between the cytoplasmic domain of TcpR and the N-terminal 100 amino acid residues of TcpT. We also demonstrated the ability of the C-terminal domain of TcpT to multimerize.
SigM-Responsive Genes of
Bacillus subtilis
and Their Promoters
Authors: Jervis Adrian J. , Thackray Penny D. , Houston Chris W. , Horsburgh Malcolm J. , Moir Anne 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

Promoters of nine
Bacillus subtilis
genes (
bcrC
,
yacK
,
ydaH
,
yfnI
,
yjbD
,
ypbG
,
ypuA
,
yraA
, and
ysxA
), all responsive to artificially induced increases in the stress-responsive extracytoplasmic function sigma factor, SigM, were mapped by rapid amplification of cDNA ends-PCR. The resulting promoter consensus suggests that overlapping control by SigX or SigW is common.