bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Possible roles for activating RAS mutations in the MGUS to MM transition and in the intramedullary to extramedullary transition in some plasma cell tumors
Authors: Rasmussen Thomas , Kuehl Michael , Lodahl Marianne , Johnsen Hans E. , Dahl Inger Marie S. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
To assess a possible role in tumor progression, the occurrence and type of K- and N-RAS mutations were determined in purified tumor cells, including samples from patients with premalignant monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), multiple myeloma (MM), and extramedullary plasma cell (PC) tumors (ExPCTs). Immunophenotypic aberrant PCs were flow sorted from 20 MGUS, 58 MM, and 13 ExPCT patients. One RAS mutation was identified in 20 MGUS tumors (5%), in contrast to a much higher prevalence of RAS mutations in all stages of MM (about 31%). Further, oncogene analyses showed that RAS mutations are not evenly distributed among different molecular subclasses of MM, with the prevalence being increased in MM-expressing cyclin D1 (P = .015) and decreased in MM with t(4;14) (P = .055). We conclude that RAS mutations often provide a genetic marker if not a causal event in the evolution of MGUS to MM. Surprisingly, RAS mutations were absent in bone marrow tumor cells from all patients with ExPCT, a result significantly different from intramedullary MM (P = .001). From 3 of 6 patients with paired intramedullary and extramedullary PCs and identical immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH) sequences, RAS mutations were identified only in extramedullary PCs, suggesting a role for RAS mutations in the transition from intramedullary to extramedullary tumor. (Blood. 2005;105:317-323)
Age at onset and cognitive functioning in schizophrenia
Authors: Tuulio-Henriksson Annamari , Partonen Timo , Suvisaari Jaana , Haukka Jari , Lönnqvist Jouko 
Published: August 2004

BackgroundImpairments in cognitive functioning are common in schizophrenia, and the degree of impairment may be associated with the individual's age at onset of the disorder.AimsTo examine the effect of age at onset on cognitive functioning using the California Verbal Learning Test, sub-tests from the Wechsler Memory Scale – Revised and sub-scales from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Revised among families with schizophrenia.MethodThe effect of age at onset on cognitive function in 237 people with schizophrenia from a population-based sample was examined using linear mixed effects models with family as the random effect, and age, gender, chronicity of the illness and number of affected first-degree relatives as fixed effects.ResultsImpairment in verbal learning and memory was associated with earlier disease onset. No association was found for working memory or IQ.ConclusionsIn patients with early-onset schizophrenia, verbal memory functions in particular should be taken into account in neuropsychological evaluation and efforts at remediation.
Depression in men attending a rural general practice: factors associated with prevalence of depressive symptoms and diagnosis
Authors: Shiels Christopher , Gabbay Mark , Dowrick Christopher , Hulbert Christopher 
Published: August 2004

BackgroundDoctors are less likely to diagnose depression in men than in women. Little research has been conducted to explore the underlying reasons for this in rural settings, or to compare primary care doctors' and male patients' ratings of perceived depression.AimsTo identify symptomatic and socio-demographic correlates of depression in men attending a rural practice, and to compare and contrast general practitioners' and patients' assessments of depression.MethodAll male patients of working age attending a rural general practice over a 12-month period were invited to participate.ResultsMen reporting recent’ chest pain’ or ‘feeling tired/little energy’, expressing low job enjoyment or with a previous diagnosis of depression were more likely to be scored above threshold on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Depression sub-scale. There was little agreement between the doctors and their male patients about the degree of perceived depression.ConclusionsEducational interventions aimed at addressing the diagnosis of depression in men should take greater account of factors within a particular social setting.
Development of a multi-agency experiential training course on personality disorder
Authors: Rigby Mike , Longford Joan 
Published: August 2004

Aims and MethodThe need for training in the management of personality disorder is now firmly established following publication of policy implementation guidance for the development of services for people with such disorders. We report on the development of a training course for people from a range of disciplines, which is group-based, psycho-analytically informed and experiential in nature.ResultsThose attending the course rated it highly. They showed marked changes in attitude towards, and greater confidence to work with, the client group, and were more willing to communicate their own difficulties openly both within and between agencies, to pass on their skills and to develop further the networks they had formed.Clinical ImplicationsGiven a containing structure and reflective space, professionals from a number of agencies rapidly become able to use difficult theory to develop a ‘feeling language’ to communicate about clients with personality disorder. User presentations can be important to these changes. Repeating such a course over a number of years might lead to a more therapeutic culture within mental health services and associated agencies. The course format is likely to be transferable.
Neuromuscular control of trout swimming in a vortex street: implications for energy economy during the Kármán gait
Authors: Liao James C. 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARYApproximating the complexity of natural locomotor conditions provides insight into the diversity of mechanisms that enable animals to successfully navigate through their environment. When exposed to vortices shed from a cylinder, fishes hold station by adopting a mode of locomotion called the Kármán gait, whereby the body of the fish displays large,lateral oscillations and the tail-beat frequency matches the vortex shedding frequency of the cylinder. Although field studies indicate that fishes often prefer turbulent flows over uniform currents, the effect of hydrodynamic perturbations on the mechanics, control and energetics of locomotion is still poorly understood. In this study, electromyography is used to measure red and white axial muscle activity for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)holding station in a vortex street. When trout Kármán gait, they show a significantly reduced but still rhythmic pattern of muscle activity compared with that seen when they swim steadily in uniform flow. Specifically,trout selectively activated only their anterior red axial muscles and abandoned the antero-posterior wave of red muscle activity that drives undulatory locomotion in uniform flow. This supports a previously proposed hypothesis that trout are not just swimming in the reduced flow behind a cylinder (drafting). Anterior axial muscle activity was correlated to head amplitude during steady swimming but not during the Kármán gait,indicating that while activation of muscles during the Kármán gait may aid in stability and control, vortices determined overall head motion. Furthermore, anterior red axial muscle activity, the only region of muscle activity shared between both the Kármán gait and steady swimming, had a lower intensity and longer duration during the Kármán gait. At times when paired fins were active during the Kármán gait, there was no axial muscle activity measured,lending support to a passive mechanism of thrust generation in oscillating flows. Comparisons with dead trout towed behind a cylinder confirm this intriguing observation that live trout may temporarily adopt the Kármán gait with no axial muscle activity, revealing paradoxically that at times fish can passively move against turbulent flow. To Kármán gait for prolonged periods, however, trout must adapt to the demands of turbulence by eliciting a shift in neural control strategy. By decoupling motor output both down and across the body, the pattern of rhythmic Kármán gait muscle activity may reflect the entrainment of a central pattern generator to environmental vortices.
Test of the mechanotactile hypothesis: neuromast morphology and response dynamics of mechanosensory lateral line primary afferents in the stingray
Authors: Maruska Karen P. , Tricas Timothy C. 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARYThe mechanotactile hypothesis proposes that ventral non-pored lateral line canals in the stingray function to facilitate localization of prey that contact the skin during benthic feeding. This study used comparative neurophysiological and morphological techniques to test whether ventral non-pored canals encode the velocity of skin movements, and show other adaptations that may enhance detection of tactile stimuli from their prey. Resting discharge rate of lateral line primary afferent neurons was lower among units from ventral than dorsal canal groups. The ventral non-pored canals had a higher proportion of silent units (31%) than either ventral (3%)or dorsal (13%) pored canals, thus may have an enhanced potential for detection of phasic contact with prey. Primary afferents from pored canals showed response characteristics consistent with acceleration detectors, with best frequencies of 20–30 Hz. In contrast, units from non-pored canals responded to tactile skin depression velocities of 30–630 μm s–1 from 1–20 Hz, and encoded the velocity of canal fluid induced by skin movement with best frequencies of ≤10 Hz. Sensitivity of non-pored canals to direct skin depression velocity was 2–10 times greater than to hydrodynamic dipole stimulation near the skin. No morphological specialization of hair cell orientation was found among pored and non-pored canals. These low frequency, tactile response properties support the hypothesis that the stingray's non-pored ventral lateral line functions as a mechanotactile receptor subsystem used to guide small benthic invertebrates to the ventrally positioned mouth.
The buccal buckle: the functional morphology of venom spitting in cobras
Authors: Young Bruce A. , Dunlap Karen , Koenig Kristen , Singer Meredith 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARY
Multiple radiations of Asiatic and African cobras have independently evolved the ability to expel their venom as a pressurized horizontal stream, a behavior commonly referred to as spitting. Though the unique fang morphology of spitting cobras is well known, the functional bases of venom spitting have received little attention. The combined results of gross and microscopic morphology, high-speed digital videography, experimental manipulations of anesthetized cobras and electromyography reveal a two-part mechanism for spitting venom. Contraction of the M. protractor pterygoideus (PP) causes displacement and deformation of the palato-maxillary arch and fang sheath;ultimately this displacement removes soft tissue barriers to venom flow that are normally present within the fang sheath. The M. adductor mandibulae externus superficialis (AMES) is activated simultaneously with the PP; the AMES increases venom pressure within the venom gland, propelling a stream of venom through the venom duct and out the fang. The displacements of the palato-maxillary arch, which form the first part of the spitting mechanism,are very similar to the motions of these bones during prey ingestion (the pterygoid walk), suggesting that venom spitting may have evolved from a specialization of prey ingestion, rather than prey capture.
Myoglobin: an essential hemoprotein in striated muscle
Authors: Ordway George A. , Garry Daniel J. 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARY
Myoglobin is a cytoplasmic hemoprotein, expressed solely in cardiac myocytes and oxidative skeletal muscle fibers, that reversibly binds O2 by its heme residue, a porphyrin ring:iron ion complex. Since the initial discovery of its structure over 40 years ago, wide-ranging work by many investigators has added importantly to our understanding of its function and regulation. Functionally, myoglobin is well accepted as an O2-storage protein in muscle, capable of releasing O2during periods of hypoxia or anoxia. Myoglobin is also thought to buffer intracellular O2 concentration when muscle activity increases and to facilitate intracellular O2 diffusion by providing a parallel path that augments simple diffusion of dissolved O2. The use of gene targeting and other molecular biological techniques has revealed important new insights into the developmental and environmental regulation of myoglobin and provided additional functions for this hemoprotein such as scavenging nitric oxide and reactive O2 species. These recent findings, coupled with additional emerging technologies and the discovery of other tissue globins, provide a framework for addressing new questions about myoglobin and readdressing old ones.
Environmental split between germ cell parasitism and somatic cell synergism in chimeras of a colonial urochordate
Authors: Rinkevich Baruch , Yankelevich Irena 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARY
Colonies of the urochordate Botryllus schlosseri may fuse upon contact if they share common alleles on the highly polymorphic fusibility/histocompatibility locus. While, in these chimeras, one of the partners is usually morphologically eliminated (resorbed), circulating totipotent cells of the inferior genotype on the resorption phenomenon may parasitize either the soma or the germ line of the winner. Here, we show an environmental split of the two stem cell lineages that may develop germ cell parasitism vs somatic cell cooperation. Each naturally formed Botryllus chimera can be a composite of component genotypes created through two unlinked parasitic germ and somatic cell lineage interactions. The germ line parasitism is inherited through a pedigree. Conversely, by using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite alleles as polymorphic genetic markers, and seawater temperature as the variable environmental factor, we documented that the somatic constituent of chimeric zooids was shifted from one genotype to another, in accordance with the changes in seawater temperatures. This variable somatic state of chimerism in the field may, thus, carry benefits to the chimeral entity, which presents synergistically, at any time, the best-fitted combination of its genetic components.
Transmission of linearly polarized light in seawater: implications for polarization signaling
Authors: Shashar Nadav , Sabbah Shai , Cronin Thomas W. 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARYPartially linearly polarized light is abundant in the oceans. The natural light field is partially polarized throughout the photic range, and some objects and animals produce a polarization pattern of their own. Many polarization-sensitive marine animals take advantage of the polarization information, using it for tasks ranging from navigation and finding food to communication. In such tasks, the distance to which the polarization information propagates is of great importance. Using newly designed polarization sensors, we measured the changes in linear polarization underwater as a function of distance from a standard target. In the relatively clear waters surrounding coral reefs, partial (%) polarization decreased exponentially as a function of distance from the target, resulting in a 50%reduction of partial polarization at a distance of 1.25–3 m, depending on water quality. Based on these measurements, we predict that polarization sensitivity will be most useful for short-range (in the order of meters)visual tasks in water and less so for detecting objects, signals, or structures from far away. Navigation and body orientation based on the celestial polarization pattern are predicted to be limited to shallow waters as well, while navigation based on the solar position is possible through a deeper range.
Acoustical stress and hearing sensitivity in fishes: does the linear threshold shift hypothesis hold water?
Authors: Smith Michael E. , Kane Andrew S. , Popper Arthur N. 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARYMammals exposed to loud aerial sounds exhibit temporary threshold shifts(TTS) that are linearly related to increases of sound pressure above baseline hearing levels. It was unknown if this relationship held true for aquatic ectotherms such as fishes. To test this linear threshold shift hypothesis(LINTS) in fishes, we examined the effects of increased ambient sound on hearing of two species differing in hearing capabilities: goldfish(Carassius auratus; a hearing specialist) and tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus; a hearing generalist). Fish were exposed to 1–28 days of either quiet (110 dB re 1 μPa) or continuous white noise. First, we examined the effect of noise sound pressure level (SPL; 130,140, 160 or 170 dB re 1 μPa) on goldfish hearing thresholds after 24 h of noise exposure. Second, in a long-term experiment using 170 dB re 1 μPa white noise, we continuously exposed goldfish and tilapia for either 7 or 21–28 days. In both experiments, we measured alterations in hearing capabilities (using auditory brainstem responses) of noise-exposed fish. While tilapia exposed to noise for 28 days showed little or no hearing loss,goldfish exhibited considerable threshold shifts that reached an asymptote of up to 25 dB after only 24 h of exposure. There was a positive linear relationship between noise-induced TTS and the sound pressure difference between the noise and the baseline hearing thresholds in goldfish but not in tilapia. A similar relationship was found for published noise-induced threshold shifts in birds and mammals, but the slope of the linear relationship was greater in these groups than for fish. The linear threshold shift relationship provides insights into differential susceptibility of hearing specialist and generalist fishes to noise-induced hearing loss for a given SPL and provides a framework for future research on noise-induced threshold shifts in fishes and other animals.
Plastic and evolved responses of larval tracheae and mass to varying atmospheric oxygen content inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Henry Joanna R. , Harrison Jon F. 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARYStructural changes in the tracheal system during development have the potential to allow insects to compensate for varying oxygen availability. Despite possible compensation, oxygen level during development may also affect insect body size. We investigated how atmospheric oxygen level affects the dimensions of the main dorsal tracheae (DT) and masses of larval Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) reared for up to six generations in 10%, 21% or 40% O2 at 25°C. Wandering-stage third-instar larvae were weighed every other generation, and the dimensions of the DT were measured. Hypoxia produced significantly lighter larvae after one generation of exposure, while hyperoxia did not affect larval mass. Atmospheric oxygen content did not significantly change the diameters of the anterior portions of the main tracheae; however, the posterior diameters were strongly affected. During the first generation of exposure, tracheal diameters were inversely proportional to rearing oxygen levels, demonstrating that developmental plasticity in DT diameters can partially (8–15%) compensate for variation in atmospheric oxygen level. After multiple generations in differing atmospheres and two further generations in 21% O2, larvae had tracheal diameters inversely related to their historical oxygen exposure,suggesting that atmospheric oxygen can produce heritable changes in insect tracheal morphology.
Frequency of catamenial seizure exacerbation in women with localization‐related epilepsy
Authors: Herzog Andrew G. , Harden Cynthia L. , Liporace Joyce , Pennell Page , Schomer Donald L. , Sperling Michael , Fowler Kristen , Nikolov Blagovast , Shuman Sevie , Newman Melanee 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis investigation assessed the frequency of catamenial epilepsy in 87 women who charted seizures and menses during three cycles. Catamenial epilepsy designation was made if two of three cycles showed at least one of three previously defined catamenial patterns. Among ovulatory cycles, average daily seizure frequency was significantly greater during the perimenstrual and preovulatory phases. Among anovulatory cycles, average daily seizure frequency was substantially less during the midfollicular phase than during the remainder of the cycle. Overall, 39.1% of the women had catamenial epilepsy. Ann Neurol 2004;56:431–434
Mechanism of action of voltage‐gated K+ channel antibodies in acquired neuromyotonia
Authors: Tomimitsu Hisanori , Arimura Kimiyoshi , Nagado Tatsui , Watanabe Osamu , Otsuka Reika , Kurono Asutsugu , Sonoda Yoshito , Osame Mitsuhiro , Kameyama Masaki 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAcquired neuromyotonia (ANM) is associated with antibodies to voltage‐gated K+ channels (VGKCs). ANM sera reduce the number of K+ currents in neuronal cell lines, but it is not clear how the antibodies act. Here, we show by using the NB‐1 cell line that the reduction in K+ currents by IgG is independent of added complement. IgG Fc and Fab fragments from ANM sera had no effect, but three of four ANM F(ab′)2 fragments significantly reduced K+ currents. Thus, cross‐linking of the channels by divalent antibodies is likely to be an important mechanism in reducing K+ currents. Ann Neurol 2004;56:440–444
Ganglioside complexes as new target antigens in Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Kaida Ken‐ichi , Morita Daiji , Kanzaki Mami , Kamakura Keiko , Motoyoshi Kazuo , Hirakawa Minako , Kusunoki Susumu 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAntibodies specific for a complex of gangliosides GD1a and GD1b (GD1a/GD1b) were found in sera from eight of 100 patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) by the use of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and thin‐layer chromatogram immunostaining. Those sera also had antibody activities to such ganglioside complexes as GD1a/GM1, GD1b/GT1b, and GM1/GT1b but had little or no reactivity to the each isolated antigen. Clustered epitopes of the ganglioside complex in the plasma membrane may be targeted by such an antibody, and interaction between the antibody and ganglioside complex may induce the neuropathy. Ann Neurol 2004
Homozygous PINK1 C‐terminus mutation causing early‐onset parkinsonism
Authors: Rohé Christan F. , Montagna Pasquale , Breedveld Guido , Cortelli Pietro , Oostra Ben A. , Bonifati Vincenzo 
Published: August 2004

AbstractTwo homozygous mutations in the PINK1 gene, encoding a mitochondrial putative protein kinase, recently have been identified in families with PARK6‐linked, autosomal recessive early‐onset parkinsonism (AREP). Here, we describe a novel homozygous mutation (1573_1574 insTTAG) identified in an AREP patient, which causes a frameshift and truncation at the C‐terminus of the PINK1 protein, outside the kinase catalytic domain. The clinical phenotype includes early‐onset (28 years) parkinsonism, foot dystonia at onset, good levodopa response, slow progression, early levodopa‐induced dyskinesias, and sleep benefit, thereby resembling closely parkin‐related disease. These findings confirm that recessive mutations in PINK1 cause early‐onset parkinsonism and expand the associated clinical phenotype. Ann Neurol 2004;56:427–431