julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Impact of Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Surgery in Multimodal Treatment of Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer
2011-01-01

&lt;i&gt;Objectives:&lt;/i&gt; It was the aim of this study to assess our institutional experience with definitive chemoradiation (CRT) versus induction chemotherapy followed by CRT with or without surgery (C-CRT/S) in esophageal cancer. &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; We retrospectively analyzed 129 institutional patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who had been treated by either CRT in analogy to the RTOG 8501 trial (n = 78) or C-CRT/S (n = 51). &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; The median, 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) of the entire collective was 17.6 months, 42 and 24%, respectively, without a significant difference between the CRT and C-CRT/S groups. In C-CRT/S patients, surgery statistically improved the locoregional control (LRC) rates (2-year LRC 73.6 vs. 21.2%; p = 0.003); however, this was translated only into a trend towards improved OS (p = 0.084). The impact of escalated radiation doses (≧60.0 vs. &lt;60.0 Gy) on LRC was detectable only in T1–3 N0–1 M0 patients of the CRT group (2-year LRC 77.8 vs. 42.3%; p = 0.036). &lt;i&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/i&gt; Definitive CRT and a trimodality approach including surgery (C-CRT/S) had a comparable outcome in this unselected patient collective. Surgery and higher radiation doses improve LRC rates in subgroups of patients, respectively, but without effect on OS.
Lateral Information Processing by Spiking Neurons: A Theoretical Model of the Neural Correlate of Consciousness
2011-01-01

Cognitive brain functions, for example, sensory perception, motor control and learning, are understood as computation by axonal-dendritic chemical synapses in networks of integrate-and-fire neurons. Cognitive brain functions may occur either consciously or nonconsciously (on “autopilot”). Conscious cognition is marked by gamma synchrony EEG, mediated largely by dendritic-dendritic gap junctions, sideways connections in input/integration layers. Gap-junction-connected neurons define a sub-network within a larger neural network. A theoretical model (the “conscious pilot”) suggests that as gap junctions open and close, a gamma-synchronized subnetwork, or zone moves through the brain as an executive agent, converting nonconscious “auto-pilot” cognition to consciousness, and enhancing computation by coherent processing and collective integration. In this study we implemented sideways “gap junctions” in a single-layer artificial neural network to perform figure/ground separation. The set of neurons connected through gap junctions form a reconfigurable resistive grid or sub-network zone. In the model, outgoing spikes are temporally integrated and spatially averaged using the fixed resistive grid set up by neurons of similar function which are connected through gap-junctions. This spatial average, essentially a feedback signal from the neuron's output, determines whether particular gap junctions between neurons will open or close. Neurons connected through open gap junctions synchronize their output spikes. We have tested our gap-junction-defined sub-network in a one-layer neural network on artificial retinal inputs using real-world images. Our system is able to perform figure/ground separation where the laterally connected sub-network of neurons represents a perceived object. Even though we only show results for visual stimuli, our approach should generalize to other modalities. The system demonstrates a moving sub-network zone of synchrony, within which the contents of perception are represented and contained. This mobile zone can be viewed as a model of the neural correlate of consciousness in the brain.
Concerning the deprotonation of the trimethylsulfonium ion by the dimethylsulfinyl anion
2011-01-01

As shown by deuterium labelling experiments, the deprotonation of the trimethylsulfonium ion (1) by the dimsyl anion (8) is accompanied by extensive hydrogen exchange. This cannot be explained by an acid-base equilibrium between the trimethylsulfonium ion (1) and the dimsyl anion (8) on one side and dimethylsulfonium methylide (2) and DMSO on the other side, because for thermodynamic reasons this process is irreversible due to the limited life-time of 2. Therefore, the isotopic exchange that accompanies the deprotonation is an indicator of a more complex deprotonation process. It is suggested that in a kinetically controlled reaction, a proton of 1 is transferred to the O-atom of 8 rather than to the carbanionic centre. This means that instead of DMSO, its tautomer, hydroxy-methylsulfonium methylide (10), is obtained in the deprotonation process. Similarly, in the acid-base interaction between DMSO and its conjugate base 8, the formation of the DMSO tautomer 10 is kinetically favoured. The intermediate 10 produced in this way transfers a DMSO-derived proton to 1 when it intervenes in the back reaction 10 + 2→8 + 1. An alternative mechanism based on methyl group exchange between 1 and 8 could be excluded by a (13)C-labelling experiment. The hydrogen exchange according to the suggested scenario is taking place in competition with the reaction of dimethylsulfonium methylide (2) with electrophilic substrates. This explains the different degrees of isotopic exchange when compounds of different electrophilicities are used to scavenge 2 from the deprotonation-hydrogen distribution equilibria.
Development of DRC-ICP-MS methodology for the rapid determination of 58Fe erythrocyte incorporation in human iron absorption studies
2011-01-01

Iron deficiency is the only major nutritional deficiency that still exists in the developed world and iron deficiency anaemia affects nearly one billion people worldwide (Benoist et al., Worldwide prevalence on anaemia 1993–2005, WHO, 2008). However, iron supplements are still not optimally formulated so cheap, side effect-free and well absorbed iron supplements are sought. The development of these requires the determination of iron absorption in animals, volunteers or patients, typically by determining iron isotopic enrichment in blood after administering isotopically labelled iron supplements. Current analytical techniques for isotope ratio work, such as thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), have a low throughput, due to the requirements of sample pre-treatment and, generally, are not present in clinical or nutritional laboratories. Here we describe a novel, more accessible, dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS) method for the determination of 58Fe enrichment in samples from nutritional or clinical studies. This is a high throughput method, in which the samples require no pre-treatment other than dilution, that was validated against MC-ICP-MS, and was shown to be fit-for-purpose.
Paneth cell function - Implications in pediatric Crohn disease
2011-01-01

Defects in the intestinal barrier play a central role in disease pathogenesis. Recently we have demonstrated that children with ileal Crohn's disease show a reduced expression of small intestinal HD-5 at the age of onset suggesting that a compromised mucosal barrier function might be a key factor in the early disease pathogenesis. We also identified a disturbance of the Wnt signaling transcription factor TCF-4 as a major mechanism for this deficiency in children which might result in a compromised innate immune function of small intestinal Paneth cells via defensin secretion. Here we provide a summary on our recent findings and discuss the data in more detail especially focusing on the role of Paneth cell differentiation and function in the pathogenesis of pediatric ileal Crohn's disease.
Mass Production of Silicon MOS-SETs: Can We Live with Nano-Devices’ Variability?
2011-01-01

Abstract It is very important to study variability of nanodevices because the inability to produce large amounts of identical nanostructures is eventually a bottleneck for any application. In fact variability is already a major concern for CMOS circuits. In this work we report on the variability of dozens of silicon single-electron transistors (SETs). At room temperature their variability is compared with the variability of the most advanced CMOS FET i.e. the ultra thin Silicon-on-Insulator Multiple gate FET (UT SOI MuGFET). We found that dopants diffused from Source –Drain into the edge of the undoped channel are the main source of variability. This emphasizes the role of extrinsic factors like the contact junctions for variability of any nanodevice.
Impact of Clinical Parameters on the Diagnostic Accuracy of Endorectal Coil MRI for the Detection of Prostate Cancer
2011-01-01

&lt;i&gt;Objectives:&lt;/i&gt; Endorectal coil MRI (endoMRI) of the prostate is useful to evaluate tumor localization. There is little evidence on patient characteristics affecting its diagnostic performance. We evaluate the influence of clinical and histological parameters on the accuracy of endoMRI. &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; Sixty-nine patients with prostate cancer were included. After virtually dividing the prostate into pixels of 1 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;, results of endoMRI were compared with those from prostatectomy specimens’ whole-mount sections. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to calculate the impact of clinical and histological parameters on the number of appropriately described pixels. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; In 9, no tumor could be demonstrated by endoMRI. 48.3% of patients were staged correctly, 23.3% were over- and 28.3% understaged. Mean rates of correctly labeled pixels were 0.44 (± 0.04 SEM) for tumor and 0.90 (± 0.01) for benign segments. In univariate analysis, the rate of correctly labeled tumor segments showed significant positive correlations with Gleason score ≧7 and negative correlations with prostate weight and multifocality. The rate of correctly labeled benign segments showed significant negative correlation with tumor weight. All factors were independent variables in multivariate analysis. &lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt; The reliability of endoMRI depends on clinical parameters. Higher Gleason scores, unifocal tumors and smaller prostate volumes ameliorate endoMRI performance.
The Myocyte Expression of Adiponectin Receptors and PPARδ Is Highly Coordinated and Reflects Lipid Metabolism of the Human Donors
2011-01-01

Muscle lipid oxidation is stimulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) δ or adiponectin receptor signalling. We studied human myocyte expression of the PPARδ and adiponectin receptor genes and their relationship to lipid parameters of the donors. The mRNA levels of the three adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1, AdipoR2, and T-cadherin, were highly interrelated (<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>r</mml:mi><mml:mo>≥</mml:mo><mml:mn>0.91</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>). However, they were not associated with GPBAR1, an unrelated membrane receptor. In addition, the adiponectin receptors were positively associated with PPARδ expression (<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>r</mml:mi><mml:mo>≥</mml:mo><mml:mn>0.75</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>). However, they were not associated with PPARα. Using stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, PPARδ was a significant determinant of T-cadherin (<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>P</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>.0002</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>). However, pharmacological PPARδ activation did not increase T-cadherin expression. The myocyte expression levels of AdipoR1 and T-cadherin were inversely associated with the donors' fasting plasma triglycerides (<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>P</mml:mi><mml:mo>&lt;</mml:mo><mml:mn>.03</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>). In conclusion, myocyte expression of PPARδ and the adiponectin receptors are highly coordinated, and this might be of relevance for human lipid metabolism in vivo.
Ca<sup>2+</sup> Activated K<sup>+</sup> Channel K<sub>ca</sub>3.1 as a Determinant of Gastric Acid Secretion
2011-01-01

The Ca(2+) activated K(+) channel K(ca)3.1 is expressed in a variety of tissues. In the gastric gland it is expressed in the basolateral cell membrane. To determine the functional significance of K(ca)3.1 activity for gastric acid secretion, gastric acid secretion was determined in isolated glands from gene targeted mice lacking functional K(ca)3.1 (K(ca)3.1(-/-)) and from their wild type littermates (K(ca)3.1(+/+)). According to BCECF-fluorescence cytosolic pH in isolated gastric glands was similar in K(ca)3.1(-/-) and K(ca)3.1(+/+) mice. Na(ca)-independent pH recovery (ΔpH/min) following an ammonium pulse, a measure of H(ca)/K(ca) ATPase activity, was, however, significantly faster in K(ca)3.1(-/-) than in K(ca)3.1(+/+) mice. Accordingly, the luminal pH was significantly lower and the acid content significantly higher in K(ca)3.1(-/-) than in K(ca)3.1(+/+) mice. The abundance of mRNA encoding H(ca)/K(ca) ATPase and KCNQ1 was similar in both genotypes. Increase of extracellular K(ca) concentrations to 35 mM (replacing Na(ca)/NMDG) and treatment with histamine (100 μM) significantly increased ΔpH/min to a larger extent in K(ca)3.1(+/+) than in K(ca)3.1(-/-) mice and dissipated the differences between the genotypes. Carbachol (100 μM) increased ΔpH/min in both genotypes but did not abolish the difference between K(ca)3.1(-/-) and K(ca)3.1(+/+) mice. In K(ca)3.1(+/+) mice the K(ca)3.1 opener DCEBIO (100 μM) did not significantly alter basal ΔpH/min but significantly blunted ΔpH/min in the presence of carbachol. In conclusion, K(ca)3.1 activity suppresses carbachol stimulated gastric acid secretion.
Surface Detection in a STXM Microscope
2011-01-01

We have modified scanning transmission x‐ray microscopes (STXM) at the Canadian Light Source and the Advanced Light Source with total electron yield (TEY) detection (TEY‐STXM). This provides improved surface‐sensitive detection, simultaneous with existing bulk‐sensitive transmission detection in the STXM microscopes. We have explored sample‐current and channeltron‐based electron yield detection. Both approaches provide improved surface sensitive imaging and spectroscopy, although channeltron‐based detection is superior. TEY‐STXM provides surface sensitive imaging of ultrathin films such as phase‐separated Langmuir‐Blodgett monolayer films, as well as differentiation of surface and bulk oxides of patterned metallic thin films. This paper will outline the experimental challenges of this method and the opportunities for correlative surface and bulk measurements of complex samples.
Usability of Brain Computer Interfaces
2011-01-01

Objective. The aim of this work is to assess the usability of two BCI prototypes by measuring interaction with the systems in context, considering the performance, cognitive workload and satisfaction of non-disabled users in order to better understand how the interface affect these parameters. We tested two keyboard- controlled Java BCI prototypes based on the Language Support Program (LSP) and the P300 Speller (P3S).
Valuing Options in Heston′s Stochastic Volatility Model: Another Analytical Approach
2011-01-01

We are concerned with the valuation of European options in the Heston stochastic volatility model with correlation. Based on Mellin transforms, we present new solutions for the price of European options and hedging parameters. In contrast to Fourier‐based approaches, where the transformation variable is usually the log‐stock price at maturity, our framework focuses on directly transforming the current stock price. Our solution has the nice feature that it requires only a single integration. We make numerical tests to compare our results with Heston′s solution based on Fourier inversion and investigate the accuracy of the derived pricing formulae.
Impact of the Maternal Age-Related Risk in First-Trimester Combined Screening for Trisomy 21
2011-01-01

&lt;i&gt;Objective:&lt;/i&gt; To examine the impact of the maternal age-related risk in first-trimester combined screening for trisomy 21. &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; Prospective assessment of risk for trisomy 21 by a combination of maternal age, fetal NT thickness and maternal serum PAPP-A and free β-hCG at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks of gestation between April 2002 and February 2007. Screening for trisomy 21 by patient-specific risks based on the maternal and gestational age-related risk multiplied by a likelihood ratio for NT and for maternal serum biochemistry were compared with a screening policy that is only based on the combined likelihood ratio for fetal NT and maternal serum biochemistry. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; The study population consisted of 38,603 euploid pregnancies and 109 fetuses with trisomy 21. In screening for trisomy 21 by fetal NT and maternal serum biochemistry in combination with and without maternal age with a fixed false-positive rate of 3%, the detection rate was 82.6 and 79.8%, respectively. In the group of women with a maternal age of less than 30 years and between 30 and 35 years, there was no difference in the detection rate. For women with a maternal age of 35 years or older, the detection rate increased from 77.1% without maternal age to 94.3% with maternal age, respectively. &lt;i&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/i&gt; The overall difference between first-trimester screening based on fetal NT and maternal serum biochemistry with and without maternal age is about 3%. In screening with a fixed cut-off, the maternal age-related risk keeps the false-positive rate low in younger women and increases the detection rate in older women.
The Influence of Pt Doping on the Sensing and Conduction Mechanism of SnO2 Based Thick Film Sensors
2011-01-01

The conduction mechanism in polycrystalline Pt doped SnO2 thick films is investigated by means of simultaneous DC and work function changes measurements under exposure to reducing gases (CO and H2) in different oxygen backgrounds. The results are showing that, in contrast to the case of polycrystalline undoped SnO2 thick films - where a continuous switch of the conduction mechanism from a depletion layer controlled model to an accumulation layer one was observed - the situation in case of Pt doping is different: one records an abrupt change in both resistance and work function changes, which may indicate the onset of the reduction of the material. The reduction of the material was further studied by a combination of DC resistance and catalytic conversion measurements.
Rotigotine in the Long-Term Treatment of Severe RLS with Augmentation: A Series of 28 Cases
2011-01-01

This structured clinical observation includes 28 patients with severe RLS, severe augmentation, and previously frustrating changes of dopaminergic treatment. All were switched from their current dopaminergic regimen to an individually adjusted rotigotine monotherapy; dosages were kept stable for 12 months. Follow-up exams were performed after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Severity of RLS symptoms (IRLS), augmentation (ASRS), depressive symptoms (BDI), and daytime sleepiness (ESS) were assessed at all visits. Median rotigotine dose was 4 mg. 27 of the 28 patients showed a major to complete reduction of RLS symptoms. IRLS and BDI scores (both<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>P</mml:mi><mml:mo>&lt;</mml:mo><mml:mn>.001</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>), but not ESS scores, were significantly reduced. IRLS and BDI amelioration remained stable over the 12-month follow-up period. Augmentation occurred in only one patient. 71.4% suffered at least one mostly mild side effect; most common were increased appetite with compulsive eating (42.9%), application site reaction (28.6%), and nausea (14.3%). In the clinical setting, rotigotine seems to be valuable for the long-term treatment of patients with severe RLS and augmentation.
Coalescent processes derived from some compound Poisson population models
2011-01-01

A particular subclass of compound Poisson population models is analyzed. The models in the domain of attraction of the Kingman coalescent are characterized and it is shown that these models are never in the domain of attraction of any other continuous-time coalescent process. Results are obtained characterizing which of these models are in the domain of attraction of a discrete-time coalescent with simultaneous multiple mergers of ancestral lineages. The results extend those obtained by Huillet and the author in `Population genetics models with skewed fertilities: a forward and backward analysis', Stochastic Models 27 (2011), 521-554.
Differentiation Potential of Pancreatic Fibroblastoid Cells/Stellate Cells: Effects of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Ligands
2011-01-01

Pancreatic stellate cells have been investigated mostly for their activation process, supposed to support the development of pancreatic disease. Few studies have been presented on reversal of the activation process in vitro. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) have been used as antidiabetics and have now been reported to exert antifibrotic activity. We tested effects of natural and synthetic ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M1"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>γ</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math>) on human pancreatic fibroblastoid cells (hPFCs) in search for specificity of action. Ciglitazone, as a prototype of TZDs, was shown to have reversible growth inhibitory effects on human pancreatic fibroblastoid cells/stellate cells. Cells treated with ciglitazone for three days showed enhanced lipid content and induction of proteins involved in lipid metabolism. Collagen synthesis was reduced in hPFC. Interaction of PPAR<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M2"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>γ</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math>with DNA binding sites upon ligand binding was shown by gel shift analysis. These findings point toward a potential for adipocyte differentiation in human pancreatic fibroblastoid cells.
Final state interactions & the Sivers function
2011-01-01

The non-vanishing of naive T-odd parton distributions function can be explained by the existence of the gauge link which emerges from the factorized description of the deep inelastic scattering cross section into perturbatively calculable and non-perturbative factors. This path ordered exponential describes initial / final-state interactions of the active parton due to soft gluon exchanges with the target remnants. Although these interactions are non-perturbative, studies of final state interactions have been approximated by perturbative one-gluon exchange in Abelian models. We include higher-order gluonic contributions from the gauge link by applying non-perturbative eikonal methods, incorporating color degrees of freedom in a calculation of the Sivers function. In this context we study the effects of color by considering the FSIs with Abelian and non-Abelian gluon interactions. We confirm the large QCD scaling behavior of Sivers functions and further uncover the deviations for finite . Within this framework of FSIs we perform a quantitative check of approximate relations between T-odd TMDs and GPD which goes beyond the discussion of overall signs.