julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Integration of FDG- PET/CT into external beam radiation therapy planning
2012-01-01

Summary This work addresses the clinical adoption of FDG-PET/CT for image-guided radiation therapy planning (RTP). As such, important technical and methodological aspects of PET/CTbased RTP are reviewed and practical recommendations are given for routine patient management and clinical studies. First, recent developments in PET/CT hardware that are relevant to RTP are reviewed in the context of quality control and system calibration procedures that are mandatory for a reproducible adoption of PET/CT in RTP. Second, recommendations are provided on image acquisition and reconstruction to support the standardization of imaging protocols. A major prerequisite for routine RTP is a complete and secure data transfer to the actual planning system. Third, state-of-the-art tools for image fusion and co-registration are discussed briefly in the context of PET/CT imaging preand post-RTP. This includes a brief review of state-of-the-art image contouring algorithms relevant to PET/CT-guided RTP. Finally, practical aspects of clinical workflow and patient management, such as patient setup and requirements for staff training are emphasized. PET/ CT-guided RTP mandates attention to logistical aspects, patient set-up and acquisition parameters as well as an in-depth appreciation of quality control and protocol standardization. Conclusion: Upon fulfilling the requirements to perform PET/CT for RTP, a new dimension of molecular imaging can be added to traditional morphological imaging. As a consequence, PET/CT imaging will support improved RTP and better patient care. This document serves as a guidance on practical and clinically validated instructions that are deemed useful to the staff involved in PET/CT-guided RTP.
Fermented Mistletoe Extract as a Multimodal Antitumoral Agent in Gliomas
2012-01-01

In Europe, commercially available extracts from the white-berry mistletoe ( Viscum album L.) are widely used as a complementary cancer therapy. Mistletoe lectins have been identified as main active components and exhibit cytotoxic effects as well as immunomodulatory activity. Since it is still not elucidated in detail how mistle toe extracts such as ISCADOR communicate their effects, we analyzed the mechanisms that might be responsible for their antitumoral function on a molecular and functional level. ISCADOR-treated glioblastoma (GBM) cells down-regulate central genes involved in glioblastoma progression and malignancy such as the cytokine TGF- β and matrix-metalloproteinases. Using in vitro glioblastoma/immune cell co-cultivation assays as well as measurement of cell migration and invasion, we could demonstrate that in glioblastoma cells, lectin-rich ISCADOR M and ISCADOR Q significantly enforce NK-cell-mediated GBM cell lysis. Beside its immune stimulatory effect, ISCADOR reduces the migratory and invasive potential of glioblastoma cells. In a syngeneic as well as in a xenograft glioblastoma mouse model, both pretreatment of tumor cells and intratumoral therapy of subcutaneously growing glioblastoma cells with ISCADOR Q showed delayed tumor growth. In conclusion, ISCADOR Q, showing multiple positive effects in the treatment of glioblastoma, may be a candidate for concomitant treatment of this cancer.
Steady-state responses in MEG demonstrate information integration within but not across the auditory and visual senses
2012-01-01

To form a unified percept of our environment, the human brain integrates information within and across the senses. This MEG study investigated interactions within and between sensory modalities using a frequency analysis of steady-state responses that are elicited time-locked to periodically modulated stimuli. Critically, in the frequency domain, interactions between sensory signals are indexed by crossmodulation terms (i.e. the sums and differences of the fundamental frequencies). The 3 × 2 factorial design, manipulated (1) modality: auditory, visual or audiovisual (2) steady-state modulation: the auditory and visual signals were modulated only in one sensory feature (e.g. visual gratings modulated in luminance at 6 Hz) or in two features (e.g. tones modulated in frequency at 40 Hz & amplitude at 0.2 Hz). This design enabled us to investigate crossmodulation frequencies that are elicited when two stimulus features are modulated concurrently (i) in one sensory modality or (ii) in auditory and visual modalities. In support of within-modality integration, we reliably identified crossmodulation frequencies when two stimulus features in one sensory modality were modulated at different frequencies. In contrast, no crossmodulation frequencies were identified when information needed to be combined from auditory and visual modalities. The absence of audiovisual crossmodulation frequencies suggests that the previously reported audiovisual interactions in primary sensory areas may mediate low level spatiotemporal coincidence detection that is prominent for stimulus transients but less relevant for sustained SSR responses. In conclusion, our results indicate that information in SSRs is integrated over multiple time scales within but not across sensory modalities at the primary cortical level.
Variability of Neogene Continental Climates in Northwest Europe - a detailed Study based on Microfloras
2012-01-01

This study presents a detailed continental palaeoclimate record for the Neogene of Northwestern Europe. Palynomorph samples from continental to marginal marine deposits in 5 correlated sections from the Lower Rhine Basin (NW Germany) covering the time-span from Burdigalian to Zanclean are analysed. Independent time-control in the sections is provided by sequence stratigraphy. Based on 1470 microfloras 3 temperature (mean annual temperature, warm and cold month mean) and 4 precipitation variables (mean annual precipitation, mean monthly precipitation in the driest, wettest and warmest month) are quantified using the Coexistence Approach, a method employing climate requirements of Nearest Living Relatives of fossil taxa. In face of known limitations in climatic resolution of microflora-based data, present results confirm the major trends in continental Neogene climate evolution of Northwestern Europe as previously reconstructed from macroflora and, in addition, reveal climate change on shorter time scales. Our data suggest a distinct coupling of continental climate with the marine environmental system. Phases of eustatic sea-level lowstand connected to Neogene glaciation events (Mi events) are mirrored in the continental curves. The continental records also show cyclicity at different scales and amplitudes. Small-scale climate variability we observe in the Mid-Miocene and the Tortonian most probably is paced by eccentricity (100 kyr cycles), in the later part of the Langhian and early Serravallian 400 kyr cycles are expressed as well. Along the time-span regarded climate variability is characterized by non-proportional changes of climate variables. During the Miocene, cooling - mainly expressed by a decrease in winter temperature - commonly was connected to drying. A substantial shift of the climate system is indicated for the Pliocene where warm periods tended to be summer-dry, at the same time higher amplitudes of short-term changes point to decreasing climate stability.
The Role of Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Proteins and Other hnRNP Proteins in Plant Splicing Regulation
2012-01-01

Alternative precursor mRNA splicing is a widespread phenomenon in multicellular eukaryotes and represents a major means for functional expansion of the transcriptome. While several recent studies have revealed an important link between splicing regulation and fundamental biological processes in plants, many important aspects, such as the underlying splicing regulatory mechanisms, are so far not well understood. Splicing decisions are in general based on a splicing code that is determined by the dynamic interplay of splicing-controlling factors and cis-regulatory elements. Several members of the group of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) proteins are well known regulators of splicing in animals and the comparatively few reports on some of their plant homologs revealed similar functions. This also applies to polypyrimidine tract-binding proteins, a thoroughly investigated class of hnRNP proteins with splicing regulatory functions in both animals and plants. Further examples from plants are auto- and cross-regulatory splicing circuits of glycine-rich RNA binding proteins and splicing enhancement by oligouridylate binding proteins. Besides their role in defining splice site choice, hnRNP proteins are also involved in multiple other steps of nucleic acid metabolism, highlighting the functional versatility of this group of proteins in higher eukaryotes.
Evaluating Depressive Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Psychometric Comparison of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
2012-01-01

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The aim of this study was to compare two measures of depression in patients with schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorder, including patients with delusional and schizoaffective disorder, to conclude implications for their application. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Sampling and Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; A total of 278 patients were assessed using the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was also applied. At admission and discharge, a principal component analysis was performed with each depression scale. The two depression rating scales were furthermore compared using correlation and regression analyses. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Three factors were revealed for the CDSS and HAMD-17 factor component analysis. A very similar item loading was found for the CDSS at admission and discharge, whereas results of the loadings of the HAMD-17 items were less stable. The first two factors of the CDSS revealed correlations with positive, negative and general psychopathology. In contrast, multiple significant correlations were found for the HAMD-17 factors and the PANSS subscores. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that the HAMD-17 accounted more for the positive and negative symptom domains than the CDSS. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The present results suggest that compared to the HAMD-17, the CDSS is a more specific instrument to measure depressive symptoms in schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorder, especially in acutely ill patients.
Expression and Functional Significance of the Ca2+-Activated Cl-Channel ANO6 in Dendritic Cells
2012-01-01

Our data identify ANO6 as a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel in mouse DCs, show its activation upon chemokine receptor ligation and establish an important role of ANO6 in chemokine-induced DC migration.
Functional morphology and bite performance of raptorial chelicerae of camel spiders (Solifugae)
2012-01-01

Summary Solifugae are an understudied group of relatively large arachnids with well over 1.000 species distributed on almost all major continents. These highly active predators utilize their large chelicerae for feeding, defense, burrowing and mating. We investigated the differences in cheliceral morphology and performance of two ecologically divergent species from North-Africa; the cursorial Galeodes sp. and the burrowing Rhagodes melanus. Morphological data show differences in aspect ratio between the two species. Bite force measurements show Rhagodes (n=11) to be a much stronger biter than Galeodes (n=8), both in absolute maximum force (Rhagodes 5,63 N, Galeodes 2,12 N) and relative to cheliceral size. Synchrotron-μ-tomographies of one specimen for each species reveal large differences in physiological cross sectional area (PCSA) and estimated muscle stress, resulting in a much higher muscle stress in Rhagodes. The latter species also showed a longer muscle fiber length. Muscle volume and PCSA were found to differ between the two chelicerae in the two scanned specimens. Whereas Rhagodes reflects this morphological asymmetry in having a higher bite force in the right chelicera, Galeodes shows no such bias.
Rearrangement from the heteroantiaromatic borole to the heteroaromatic azaborine motif
2012-01-01

Treatment of 9-chloro-9-borafluorene with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)hydroxylamine results in 10-trimethylsilyloxy-9-aza-10-boraphenanthrene 6b. NMR spectroscopy shows that the expected antiaromatic 9-(trimethylsilyloxyamino)-9-borafluorene 5b rearranges to the formally aromatic phenanthrene 6b at room temperature.
Interferon-α Therapy in Noninfectious Uveitis
2012-01-01

Interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-β are naturally occurring cytokines which seem to have similar effects on the immune system. One of the effects of IFN seems to increase regulatory T cells. There are numerous case reports and studies reporting about the effect of IFN-α against Behçet's disease (BD), but also against chronic uveitic macular edema and a few other types of uveitis. Within 2-4 weeks, approximately 94% of patients reach complete or partial remission in the case of BD-associated uveitis. So far, IFN-α is the only drug that leads to stable remission even after discontinuation of the treatment. It is recommended to start treatment with 3-6 million IU per day. Administering less than daily dosages seems to increase the recurrence rate for BD-associated uveitis. Flu-like symptoms are expected in all patients as a sign of nonexisting anti-IFN antibodies. They are treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like paracetamol and disappear normally after some days. Depression(8%) and mild leukopenia (30%) are additional side effects of concern; all other side effects are reported to appear in ≤1% of cases. This chapter updates the mechanisms and pharmacology of IFN and its effects in experimental studies. This is followed by a summary of clinical studies in intraocular inflammation and the spectrum of side effects.
SGK1 Sensitivity of Platelet Migration
2012-01-01

Recent observations pointed to the ability of platelets to migrate and thus to invade the inflamed vascular wall. Platelet migration could be stimulated by stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), an effect dependent on phosphatidylinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and paralleled by activation and phosphorylation of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP). Migration is inhibited by vinculin, which is similarly regulated by phosphorylation. PI3K-sensitive kinases include the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1). The present study explored whether SGK1 modifies WASP and vinculin phosphorylation in murine platelets and participates in the regulation of platelet migration. Platelets were isolated from gene-targeted mice lacking SGK1 (sgk1(-/-)) and from their wild type littermates (sgk1(+/+)). Platelet migration stimulated with SDF-1 was significantly less pronounced in sgk1(-/-)platelets than in sgk1(+/+) platelets. Moreover, SDF-1 significantly induced WASP phosphorylation, an effect again reduced in platelets lacking SGK1. Phosphorylation of vinculin was significantly enhanced in sgk1(-/-)platelets and was significantly reduced following treatment of platelets with Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA. Immunohistochemical analysis of in vivo experiments in intestinal vessels after vascular inflammation revealed that transmigration of platelets into inflamed vessel walls was significantly less pronounced in sgk1(-/-)than in sgk1(+/+) mice. In conclusion, SGK1 is a powerful regulator of platelet migration.
Exploring cave use and exploitation among cave bears, carnivores and hominins in the Swabian Jura, Germany
2012-01-01

This study offers an overview of carnivore remains from archaeological contexts and provides evidence of interaction between carnivores and hominins in the Swabian Jura during the Middle and Upper Paleolithic (~50,000-27,000 uncal B.P.). First, we present data on the carnivores in the faunal assemblages from the area, followed by a general comparison of anthropogenic and carnivore modifications on faunal remains. Further, we describe some archaeological findings that demonstrate unique ways in which humans interacted with carnivores in the early and middle Upper Paleolithic. This study documents the pattern of carnivore representation in the zooarchaeological assemblages on a regional scale. The analyses of faunal assemblages across five cave sites in the two valleys of the Swabian Jura indicate intensified use of caves by humans, which corresponds to a decreased presence of large and medium sized carnivores at the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in addition to the use of carnivore figures in the cultural repertoire of the Aurignacian and the increased exploitation of carnivores in the Gravettian period.
Weighted Phase Lag Index and Graph Analysis: Preliminary Investigation of Functional Connectivity during Resting State in Children
2012-01-01

Resting state functional connectivity of MEG data was studied in 29 children (9-10 years old). The weighted phase lag index (WPLI) was employed for estimating connectivity and compared to coherence. To further evaluate the network structure, a graph analysis based on WPLI was used to determine clustering coefficient ( C ) and betweenness centrality (BC) as local coefficients as well as the characteristic path length ( L ) as a parameter for global interconnectedness. The network’s modular structure was also calculated to estimate functional segregation. A seed region was identified in the central occipital area based on the power distribution at the sensor level in the alpha band. WPLI reveals a specific connectivity map different from power and coherence. BC and modularity show a strong level of connectedness in the occipital area between lateral and central sensors. C shows different isolated areas of occipital sensors. Globally, a network with the shortest L is detected in the alpha band, consistently with the local results. Our results are in agreement with findings in adults, indicating a similar functional network in children at this age in the alpha band. The integrated use of WPLI and graph analysis can help to gain a better description of resting state networks.
Membrane Traffic and Fusion at Post-Golgi Compartments
2012-01-01

Complete sequencing of the Arabidopsis genome a decade ago has facilitated the functional analysis of various biological processes including membrane traffic by which many proteins are delivered to their sites of action and turnover. In particular, membrane traffic between post-Golgi compartments plays an important role in cell signaling, taking care of receptor-ligand interaction and inactivation, which requires secretion, endocytosis, and recycling or targeting to the vacuole for degradation. Here, we discuss recent studies that address the identity of post-Golgi compartments, the machinery involved in traffic and fusion or functionally characterized cargo proteins that are delivered to or pass through post-Golgi compartments. We also provide an outlook on future challenges in this area of research.
Patients with depression, somatoform disorders, and eating disorders on the stages of change: Validation of a short version of the URICA.
2012-01-01

The study aimed at constructing a time-efficient short version of the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA), and at exploring differences in the stages of change between patients with depression, somatoform disorders, and eating disorders across the course of therapy. The URICA and diverse outcome measures were administered to 253 patients in early-, middle-, and late stages of inpatient therapy. The factor structure of the short form of the URICA (URICA-S) was excellent as shown by (1) an exploratory factor analysis on a randomized one-half of the sample, (2) a confirmatory factor analysis on the other half of the sample, and (3) a stable factor structure over a 6-week interval. The resulting factors of the URICA-S were called precontemplation, contemplation, action, and maintenance. The internal consistencies of the URICA-S factors were sufficient to excellent. Supporting the criterion-related validity, the URICA-S predicted relevant outcome measures. Analyses of variance showed that the ratings on the action and the maintenance factors were differentially associated with outcome in patients with depression, somatoform disorders, and eating disorders. These findings implicate that a disorder-specific combination of action and relapse-prevention-oriented interventions might optimize outcome in inpatients with different psychiatric disorders.
WIPI-1 Positive Autophagosome-Like Vesicles Entrap PathogenicStaphylococcus aureusfor Lysosomal Degradation
2012-01-01

Invading pathogens provoke the autophagic machinery and, in a process termed xenophagy, the host cell survives because autophagy is employed as a safeguard for pathogens that escaped phagosomes. However, some pathogens can manipulate the autophagic pathway and replicate within the niche of generated autophagosome-like vesicles. By automated fluorescence-based high content analyses, we demonstrate that Staphylococcus aureus strains (USA300, HG001, SA113) stimulate autophagy and become entrapped in intracellular PtdIns(3)P-enriched vesicles that are decorated with human WIPI-1, an essential PtdIns(3)P effector of canonical autophagy and membrane protein of both phagophores and autophagosomes. Further, agr -positive S. aureus (USA300, HG001) strains were more efficiently entrapped in WIPI-1 positive autophagosome-like vesicles when compared to agr -negative cells (SA113). By confocal and electron microscopy we provide evidence that single- and multiple-Staphylococci entrapped undergo cell division. Moreover, the number of WIPI-1 positive autophagosome-like vesicles entrapping Staphylococci significantly increased upon (i) lysosomal inhibition by bafilomycin A 1 and (ii) blocking PIKfyve-mediated PtdIns(3,5)P 2 generation by YM201636. In summary, our results provide evidence that the PtdIns(3)P effector function of WIPI-1 is utilized during xenophagy of Staphylococcus aureus . We suggest that invading S. aureus cells become entrapped in autophagosome-like WIPI-1 positive vesicles targeted for lysosomal degradation in nonprofessional host cells.
The PDZ-GEF Dizzy regulates the establishment of adherens junctions required for ventral furrow formation inDrosophila
2012-01-01

The PDZ-GEF Dizzy (Dzy) and the down-stream GTPase Rap1 have pleiotropic roles during development of the Drosophila embryo. Here, we show that maternally provided Dzy and Rap1 first function during ventral furrow formation (VFF) where they are critical to guarantee rapid apical cell constrictions. Contraction of the apical actomyosin filament system occurs independently of Dzy and Rap1, but loss of Dzy results in a delayed establishment of the apical adherens junction (AJ) belt while in the absence of Rap1 only a fragmentary apical AJ belt is formed in the epithelium. The timely establishment of apical AJs appears to be essential for coupling actomyosin contractions to cell shape change and to assure completion of the ventral furrow. Immediately after VFF the downregulation of Dzy and Rap1 is necessary to allow normal mesodermal development after epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, as overexpression of Dzy or of constitutively active Rap1 compromises mesodermal migration and monolayer formation. We propose that Dzy and Rap1 are crucial factors regulating the dynamics of AJs during gastrulation.