bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Criteria for neuropathic abnormality in quantitative anal sphincter electromyography
Authors: Podnar Simon 
Published: September 2004

AbstractFor the external anal sphincter muscle, both normative values and an optimal set of motor unit potential (MUP) parameters have been defined. However, criteria for the diagnosis of neuropathic conditions have not yet been validated. Therefore, in this study, sensitivity was examined in 86 patients with cauda equina lesions (227 muscles), and specificity in 77 controls (119 muscles), using multi‐MUP analysis. Six previously defined diagnostic criteria (mean values and outliers for MUP area, duration, and number of turns) were used. An increase in the number of diagnostic criteria required for muscle abnormality (two and three instead of one), and the application of more stringent normative limits resulted in a progressive increase in specificity from 74% to 99% (controls), and a decrease in sensitivity from 70% to 21% (patients). The data suggest that no single cut‐off diagnostic criterion has both satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. Introduction of the diagnostic categories of “possible,” “probable,” and “definite” neuropathic abnormalities into quantitative electromyographic analysis is proposed. Muscle Nerve, 2004
Differences between young and older women in maximal force, force fluctuations, and surface emg during isometric knee extension and elbow flexion
Authors: Bazzucchi Ilenia , Felici Francesco , Macaluso Andrea , De Vito Giuseppe 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe loss of muscle strength with aging appears to be greater in the lower than upper limbs, but strength and its neural control have never been compared in the same population of individuals in both upper and lower limbs. The aim of this study was to investigate differences between eight young (20–31 years) and eight older (68–76 years) healthy women in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), force fluctuations, median frequency (MDF) of the surface electromyogram (sEMG), and muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) during sustained isometric elbow flexion (EF) and knee extension (KE), performed at moderate to high force intensity. Older women showed larger fluctuations of force with endurance and changes in sEMG pointing to less fatigue, especially at high level of force, with no differences between upper and lower extremities. This may have significant implications in the design of rehabilitation programs directed to this population. Muscle Nerve, 2004
Involvement of skeletal muscle in dialysis‐associated systemic fibrosis (nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy)
Authors: Levine Joshua M. , Taylor Robert A. , Elman Lauren B. , Bird Shawn J. , Lavi Ehud , Stolzenberg Ethan D. , McGarvey Michael L. , Asbury Arthur K. , Jimenez Sergio A. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractNephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), a newly recognized scleroderma‐like disease, was originally described as a purely cutaneous disorder. More widespread involvement, including fibrosis of pulmonary and cardiac tissues, has been documented only recently, and it has been suggested that a more appropriate designation is dialysis‐associated systemic fibrosis. We report five cases of this novel disorder, spanning a spectrum of primarily skin to primarily muscle involvement. Clinical, radiological, electrophysiological, and pathological studies revealed moderate to severe fibrosis of striated muscles. All patients had end‐stage renal failure on chronic dialysis, subacute to chronic hardening of the skin and muscles, restriction of limb movements with joint contractures, but normal to only mildly weak muscle strength. Limitation of movements was caused predominantly by skin tightness and induration, and by joint contractures rather than muscle weakness. Computerized tomography showed fibrosis of the fascia and muscles in the most severely affected patients, and electromyography showed mild to severe myopathic changes. Histopathology of affected muscles revealed a spectrum of mild to severe fibrosis, degenerating fibers, and chronic inflammatory cells. These results further support the contention that NFD is not a purely cutaneous disease, but is part of a larger systemic fibrotic process that may involve muscles. Muscle Nerve, 2004
Radio frequency continuous‐wave and time‐domain EPR imaging and Overhauser‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of small animals: instrumental developments and comparison of relative merits for functional imaging
Authors: Subramanian Sankaran , Matsumoto Ken‐ichiro , Mitchell James B. , Krishna Murali C. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractElectron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging in the continuous wave (CW) and time‐domain modes, as well as Overhauser‐enhanced magnetic resonance imagingin vivois described. The review is based mainly on the CW and time‐domain EPR instrumentation at 300 MHz developed in our laboratory, and the relative merits of these methods for functionalin vivoimaging of small animals to assess hypoxia and tissue redox status are described. Overhauser imaging of small animals at magnetic fields in the range 10–15 mT that is being carried out in our laboratory for tumor imaging and the evaluation of tumor hypoxia based on quantitative evaluation of Overhauser enhancement is also described. Alternate approaches to spectral–spatial imaging using the transverse decay constants to inferin situline widths and hencein vivopO2using CW and time‐domain EPR imaging are also discussed. The nature of the spin probes used, the quality of the images obtained in all the three methods, the achievable resolution, limitations and possible future directions in small animal functional imaging with these modalities are summarized. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of in vivo EPR in brain research: monitoring tissue oxygenation, blood flow, and oxidative stress
Authors: Liu Shimin , Timmins Graham S. , Shi Honglian , Gasparovic Charles M. , Liu Ke Jian 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAlthough oxygen levels are critical to tissue survival, monitoring tissue oxygen levels in vivo, in real time, remains a technical challenge. This is especially so for repetitive measurements in non‐superficial tissue. There currently exist several techniques that can be utilized for tissue oxygen measurement, but technical difficulties have limited their usefulness and general application. Here we describe a relatively new method, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry, for in vivo measurement of brain tissue oxygen, as well as information on blood flow and oxidative stress. In this paper we report experiments designed to assess and illustrate the effectiveness of this new method. Using the unique capability of this approach, we have measured both absolute values and temporal changes of pO2 in ischemic penumbra and core during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in a rat model. EPR oximetry with particulate probe sensitively reflected differential changes in oxygenation in the core and penumbra during ischemia, reperfusion and also hyperoxic conditions. Simultaneous two‐site detection with particulate probes was also obtained with good spatial resolution. Additionally, EPR measurement of oxidative stress, EPR imaging of brain with nitroxide and triarylmethyl soluble probes are also described. These results demonstrate that EPR oximetry with particulate probe can provide accurate and reproducible measurements of localized pO2 in the brain, and it is a versatile and useful method in the measurement of tissue pO2 under a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and evaluation of biocompatible inks for the local measurement of oxygen using in vivo EPR
Authors: Charlier Nicolas , Beghein Nelson , Gallez Bernard 
Published: September 2004

AbstractIn vivo EPR oximetry is a powerful minimally invasive method that allows the measurement of oxygen in tissues through the use of a paramagnetic probe. In the present study, we investigated new strategies for preparing biocompatible inks containing carbon black particles (Printex U), which could be used as oxygen sensors. The carbon black particles were dispersed in solutions of biocompatible polymers of carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) or polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). A total of 12 polymers with different molecular weights were tested. A physico‐chemical characterization of the inks was carried out to assess the sedimentation of the particles, the rheological behavior of these inks, and the relative diffusion of the inks. The preparations with CMC and PVP had the highest viscosity and stability. The presence of the polymers did not modify the calibration curves (EPR linewidth as a function of the pO2) of the carbon black. In vivo, the oxygen sensors were stable for at least one month in muscles as the EPR linewidth remained fully sensitive to induced ischemia or carbogen challenge. The calibration curve was not modified after this period of implantation. A first study of biocompatibility was carried out in vitro (hemolysis and cytotoxicity assay) and in vivo (histological examination). No sign of toxicity was observed using these inks. These preparations are good candidates for future in vivo studies including clinical trials. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiac applications of EPR imaging
Authors: Kuppusamy Periannan , Zweier Jay L. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThis review summarizes the development and application of a variety of EPR imaging modalities including spatial, spectral–spatial (spectroscopic), gated‐imaging and oxygen mapping to cardiovascular studies. It has been hypothesized that free radical metabolism, oxygenation and nitric oxide generation in biological organs such as the heart may vary over the spatially defined tissue structure. We have developed instrumentation optimized for 3D spatial and 3D or 4D spectral–spatial imaging of free radicals at 1.2 GHz. Using this instrumentation high quality 3D spectral–spatial imaging of nitroxyl (nitroxide) metabolism was performed, as well as spatially localized measurements of oxygen concentrations, based on the oxygen‐dependent line‐broadening of the EPR spectrum. Both exogenously infused probes and endogenous radicals were used to obtain the images. It is demonstrated that the EPR imaging is a powerful tool which can provide unique information regarding the spatial localization of free radicals, oxygen and nitric oxide in biological organs and tissues. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo EPR: when, how and why?
Authors: Gallez Bernard , Swartz Harold M. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThis special issue is aimed at providing the readers of this journal with an indication of the exciting and important areas in which in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) [or equivalently electron spin resonance (ESR)] is making contributions to experimental progress and to provide perspectives on future developments, including the potential for in vivo EPR to be an important new clinical tool. There also are many situations where the combination of in vivo EPR with NMR may be very synergistic. EPR (ESR) is a magnetic resonance‐based technique that detects species with unpaired electrons. The technique has become a major tool in diverse fields ranging from biology and chemistry to solid‐state physics. In the last few years, many publications have demonstrated that EPR measurements in living animals (in vivo EPR) can provide very significant new insights to physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. The most successful applications of in vivo EPR have been non‐invasive measurements of oxygen, nitric oxide, bioradicals, pH and redox state, with applications in oncology, cardiology, neuroscience and toxicology. EPR also appears to be the method of choice for measuring radiation dose retrospectively, including the potential to do this in vivo in human subjects. While far from comprehensive, the reviews, original contributions and viewpoints provided in this issue by several leaders in the field of in vivo EPR should provide the readers with confirmation that in vivo EPR is an exciting field that is likely to provide very valuable complementary information for many NMR‐based studies in experimental animals and, probably, also for clinical studies. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constant amplitude of postsynaptic responses for single presynaptic action potentials but not bursting input during growth of an identified neuromuscular junction in the lobster, Homarus americanus
Authors: Pulver Stefan R. , Bucher Dirk , Simon David J. , Marder Eve 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAs lobsters grow from early juveniles to adults their body size increases more than 20‐fold, raising the question of how function is maintained during these ongoing changes in size. To address this question we studied the pyloric 1 (p1) muscle of the stomach of the lobster, Homarus americanus. The p1 muscle receives multiterminal innervation from one motor neuron, the lateral pyloric neuron of the stomatogastric ganglion. Staining with antibodies raised against synaptotagmin showed that as the muscle fibers increased in length, the spacing between the terminal innervation increased proportionally, so the number of synaptic contact regions/muscle fiber did not change. Muscle fibers were electrically coupled in both juveniles and adults. The amplitude of single intracellularly recorded excitatory junctional potentials evoked by motor nerve stimulation was the same in both juveniles and adults. Nonetheless, the peak depolarizations reached in response to ongoing pyloric rhythm activity or in response to high‐frequency trains of stimuli similar to those produced during the pyloric rhythm were approximately twofold larger in juveniles than in adults. This suggests that homeostatic regulation of synaptic connections may operate at the level of the amplitude of the single synaptic potential rather than on the summed depolarization evoked during strong rhythmic activity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2005
Complementary neural systems for the experience‐dependent integration of mate‐choice cues in European starlings
Authors: Sockman Keith W. , Gentner Timothy Q. , Ball Gregory F. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractChoice of a particular mate phenotype may arise out of experience with the very phenotypes under consideration. Female European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) prefer males that sing predominantly long‐bout songs over males that sing predominantly short‐bout songs, and thus, song‐bout length is a phenotypic parameter instrumental in releasing the female's mate choice. The preferred long‐bout songs induce higher expression of the immediate early gene (IEG) ZENK in the female auditory telencephalon than short‐bout songs do, but this sensitivity to song length depends on the female's recent song experience. Here, we compared the experience‐dependent modulation of ZENK with that of another IEG, FOS, and report that ZENK and FOS expression in the caudomedial mesopallium and caudomedial nidopallium show different modulation properties that complement natural variation in song‐bout length. As reported previously, ZENK expression was greater in response to novel long‐bout than to novel short‐bout songs following a 1‐week experience with long‐bout but not short‐bout songs. In contrast, FOS expression was greater in response to novel long‐bout than to novel short‐bout songs following a 1‐week experience with short‐bout but not long‐bout songs. Thus, the ZENK and FOS signaling pathways are made sensitive to variation in song length by experiences with songs at opposite ends of the starling song‐variation continuum, suggesting the presence of complementary neural systems made sensitive in register with the natural axis of phenotypic variation fundamental to the female's mate choice. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2005
Thermosensation and pain
Authors: Tominaga Makoto , Caterina Michael J. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractWe feel a wide range of temperatures spanning from cold to heat. Within this range, temperatures over about 43°C and below about 15°C evoke not only a thermal sensation, but also a feeling of pain. In mammals, six thermosensitive ion channels have been reported, all of which belong to the TRP (transient receptor potential) superfamily. These include TRPV1 (VR1), TRPV2 (VRL‐1), TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPM8 (CMR1), and TRPA1 (ANKTM1). These channels exhibit distinct thermal activation thresholds (>43°C for TRPV1, >52°C for TRPV2, >∼34–38°C for TRPV3, >∼27–35°C for TRPV4, <∼25–28°C for TRPM8 and <17°C for TRPA1), and are expressed in primary sensory neurons as well as other tissues. The involvement of TRPV1 in thermal nociception has been demonstrated by multiple methods, including the analysis of TRPV1‐deficient mice. TRPV2, TRPM8, and TRPA1 are also very likely to be involved in thermal nociception, because their activation thresholds are within the noxious range of temperatures. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 61: 3–12, 2004
Posttranslational mechanisms of peripheral sensitization
Authors: Bhave Gautam , Gereau Robert W. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe sensation of pain can be dramatically altered in response to injury or disease. This sensitization can occur at the level of the primary sensory neuron, and can be mediated by multiple biochemical mechanisms, including, but not limited to, changes in gene transcription, changes in translation, stability, or subcellular localization of translated proteins, and posttranslational modifications. This review focuses on posttranslational modifications to ion channels expressed in primary sensory neurons that form the machinery driving peripheral sensitization and pain hypersensitivity. Studies published to date show strong evidence for modulation of ion channels involved in transduction and transmission of nociceptive inputs coincident with biophysical and behavioral sensitization. The roles of phosphorylation and oxidation/reduction reactions of voltage‐dependent sodium, potassium, and calcium channels are discussed, as well as phosphorylation‐mediated modulation of sensory transduction channels. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 61: 88–106, 2004
Jacobi–Davidson methods for cubic eigenvalue problems
Authors: Hwang Tsung‐Min , Lin Wen‐Wei , Liu Jinn‐Liang , Wang Weichung 
Published: September 2004

AbstractSeveral Jacobi–Davidson type methods are proposed for computing interior eigenpairs of large‐scale cubic eigenvalue problems. To successively compute the eigenpairs, a novel explicit non‐equivalence deflation method with low‐rank updates is developed and analysed. Various techniques such as locking, search direction transformation, restarting, and preconditioning are incorporated into the methods to improve stability and efficiency. A semiconductor quantum dot model is given as an example to illustrate the cubic nature of the eigenvalue system resulting from the finite difference approximation. Numerical results of this model are given to demonstrate the convergence and effectiveness of the methods. Comparison results are also provided to indicate advantages and disadvantages among the various methods. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcomes of a program to enhance exercise self‐efficacy and improve fitness in black and hispanic college‐age women
Authors: D'Alonzo Karen T. , Stevenson Joanne S. , Davis Shala E. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractA quasi‐experimental design was used to test the outcomes of an exercise program directed towards Black and Hispanic college‐age women. Forty‐four women (36 Black, 7 Hispanic, and 1 Black/Hispanic) attended exercise classes three times per week for 16 weeks. At program completion, women were classified as either high attendees (n = 26) or low attendees (n = 18). Compared to low attendees, the high attendees had significantly higher exercise self‐efficacy (p < .001), perceived benefits and barriers (p = .004), aerobic fitness, flexibility, muscle strength, and percentage of body fat (all p < .001). Daily activity levels improved significantly in the high attendance group following the program (p < .001) and at 8 weeks post‐program completion (p = .01). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 27:357–369, 2004
Sonographic biometrical range of external genitalia differentiation in the first trimester of pregnancy: analysis of 2593 cases
Authors: Mazza V. , Di Monte I. , Pati M. , Contu G. , Ottolenghi C. , Forabosco A. , Volpe A. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to establish the accuracy of fetal gender assignment by sonography in the biometrical range of 18 to 29 mm of biparietal diameter (BPD).MethodsTransvaginal and/or transabdominal sonography was used to detect the sagittal sign as a marker of fetal gender in 2593 fetuses with BPD between 18 and 29 mm. The results of sonographic examination were compared with the gender at birth or with karyotype obtained from amniotic fluid cells or chorionic villus sampling.ResultsFetal gender assignment was feasible in 2374 of 2593 cases (91%). Of the 2188 fetuses with known fetal sex outcome, 1025 were males and 1157 were females, and 6 had genital anomalies. In fetuses without genital anomalies, an accuracy rate of 100% was achieved at a BPD of ≥24 mm. The results of the six cases with genital malformations were considered separately.ConclusionSonography is a reliable method for the study of the morphological development of the external genitalia in fetuses ‘in vivo’; it is possible to assign fetal gender in 95 to 99% starting at a BPD of 20 mm and to achieve an accuracy rate of 99 to 100% from a BPD of 22 mm, but fetal sex assignment should not be undertaken below a BPD of 22 mm, and especially not in cases where fetal sexing affects pregnancy management. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
β‐globin DNA in maternal plasma as a molecular marker of pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Sekizawa Akihiko , Farina Antonio , Koide Keiko , Iwasaki Mariko , Honma Susumi , Ichizuka Kiyotake , Saito Hiroshi , Okai Takashi 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjectivesLevels of cell‐free foetal DNA in maternal plasma are higher in the presence of clinical features of pre‐eclampsia (PE). However, currently, this method is informative only in women bearing a male foetus, by amplification of Y‐specific sequences. In the present study, we overcame this limitation by examining quantitative distribution of β‐globin, a foetal gender–independent DNA marker.MethodsWe quantified β‐globin concentrations in the plasma of 207 pregnant women: control group, 164 subjects; affected group, 43 women affected by PE (n = 43). β‐globin concentrations were converted into multiples of the median of the controls (MoM), in order to assess the possible different distribution of β‐globin MoM in cases and controls.ResultsAdjusted MoM values were as follows: controls, 1.00 ± 0.71; affected group 4.03 ± 3.77 (p‐value < 0.001). Among the PE affected cases, MoM β‐globin values of cases with foetal growth restriction (FGR) were almost twice as great as those cases without FGR (p‐value = 0.003).Conclusionβ‐globin levels are higher in the plasma of pregnant women with PE, especially in those cases complicated with FGR, and do not depend on foetal gender. Such a molecular marker can potentially be used in evaluating the pathophysiological severity of PE. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.