julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
In-situ synchrotron x-ray study of MgB2formation when doped by SiC
2008-02-01

We have studied the evolution of the reaction xMg + 2B + ySiC → zMg1-p(B1-qCq)2 + yMg2Si in samples of 1, 2, 5 and 10 wt% SiC doping. We found a coincident formation of MgB2 and Mg2Si, whereas the crystalline part of the SiC nano particles is not reacting at all. Evidence for incorporation of carbon into the MgB2 phase was established from the decrease of the a-axis lattice parameter upon increasing SiC doping. An estimate of the MgB2 lower limit grain size was found to decrease from L100 = 795 Å and L002 = 337 Å at 1 wt% SiC to L100 = 227 Å and L002= 60 Å at 10 wt% SiC. Thus superconductivity might be suppressed at 10 wt% SiC doping due to the grain size approaching the coherence length.
Josephson coupling in untwinned YBa2Cu3O7-x/Nb d-wave junctions
2008-02-01

Theory predicts that d-wave superconductivity induces a significant second harmonic J2 in the Josephson current, as a result of zero-energy Andreev states (ZES) formed at the junction interface. Consequently, anomalies such as half-integer Shapiro steps should be observed. Both ZES formation and J2 are expected to be highly anisotropic as we change the tunneling orientation in the ab plane reaching their maximum for tunneling close to [110] direction and their minimum for [100] or [010] directions. We performed experiments on junctions between untwinned d-wave YBa2Cu3O7-x and Nb and found clear evidence of ZES formation for all 72 different tunneling directions in the ab plane investigated. However, in contrast to the theoretical predictions, we found no trace of half-integer Shapiro steps. That suggests J2 is insignificantly small compared to the first Josephson harmonic for all of the orientations. We believe that microscopic scale roughness, or diffusive reflection at a scale that is much smaller than the Fermi wavelength, dramatically suppresses J2 due to scattering processes. Our findings suggest that YBa2Cu3O7-x/Nb d-wave junctions have a purely sinusoidal current-phase relation which is essential to take into consideration for their implementation as qubits or π-junctions in digital circuits.
Advanced electron microscopy methods for the analysis of MgB2 superconductor
2008-02-01

Advanced electron microscopy methods used for the analysis of superconducting MgB2 wires and tapes are described. The wires and tapes were prepared by the powder in tube method using different processing technologies and thoroughly characterised for their superconducting properties within the HIPERMAG project. Microstructure analysis on μm to nm length scales is necessary to understand the superconducting properties of MgB2. For the MgB2 phase analysis on μm scale an analytical SEM, and for the analysis on nm scale a energy-filtered STEM is used. Both the microscopes were equipped with EDX detector and field emission gun. Electron microscopy and spectroscopy of MgB2 is challenging because of the boron analysis, carbon and oxygen contamination, and the presence of large number of secondary phases. Advanced electron microscopy involves, combined SEM, EPMA and TEM analysis with artefact free sample preparation, elemental mapping and chemical quantification of point spectra. Details of the acquisition conditions and achieved accuracy are presented. Ex-situ wires show oxygen-free MgB2 colonies (a colony is a dense arrangement of several MgB2 grains) embedded in a porous and oxygen-rich matrix, introducing structural granularity. In comparison, in-situ wires are generally more dense, but show inhibited MgB2 phase formation with significantly higher fraction of B-rich secondary phases. SiC additives in the in-situ wires forms Mg2Si secondary phases. The advanced electron microscopy has been used to extract the microstructure parameters like colony size, B-rich secondary phase fraction, O mole fraction and MgB2 grain size, and establish a microstructure-critical current density model [1]. In summary, conventional secondary electron imaging in SEM and diffraction contrast imaging in the TEM are by far not sufficient and advanced electron microscopy methods are essential for the analysis of superconducting MgB2 wires and tapes.
Neuroplasticity after constraint induced movement therapy: Patients with ipsilateral cortico-spinal organisation
2008-02-01

Objective: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a functional approach focussing on hand motor improvement in hemiparetic patients. Here, we describe neuroplastic effects after two weeks of CIMT in patients with ipsilateral cortico-spinal (re-)organization.
P276 LOW RISK FOR DEVELOPING AUTOANTIBODIES AND AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES ON LONG TERM TREATMENT WITH INFLIXIMAB
2008-02-01

Aim: Crohn' s Disease (CD) has been linked to different functional deficiencies of antimicrobial defensins.Ileal CD is characterized by reduced expression of α-defensins (HD5, HD6).The mechanism is a compromised WNT/Tcf4 stem cell differentiation pathway and -in some cases-a mutation in NOD2.Colonic CD is mediated by an attenuated induction of β-defensins (HBD2, HBD3) which is due to a gene copy number polymorphism.Little is known about the effect of common drugs on innate immunity, especially in vivo.Herein, we aimed to address if current treatments of CD influence the defensin expression in clinical samples.Methods: Biopsies were collected from inflamed CD tissue of the small (n=55) and large intestine (n=45).RNA expression levels from defensins (HD5, HD6, HBD1, HBD2, HBD3) and cytokines (Il1β, Il-6, Il-8, Il-10, ICAM1, TNF-α) were quantified by real-time RT-PCR with external standards.Samples were arranged into groups with high or low Il-8 (moderate or severe) since this is a good marker for histological inflammation.After retrospective analysis of treatment we surrogated the samples according to the use of steroids (ileum n=31, colon n=24), azathioprine (ileum n=10, colon n=9) and 5-Asa (ileum n=16, colon n=15).Results: In small intestinal CD patients neither steroids, nor azathioprine, nor 5Asa seemed to have any effect on αand βdefensin expression.Some cytokines seemed to be decreased but none of the changes were significant.As reported earlier, the expression of Paneth cell α-defensins was independent of the degree of inflammation and did not correlate with Il-8.Similarly, in the colon, inducible β-defensin levels were unchanged with or without current treatments (HBD2, HBD3) and equally expressed in all inflamed samples.As reported earlier, the constitutive β-defensin HBD1 was decreased in case of severe inflammation (compared to mild inflammation) and seemed to be up regulated by steroids in this group (p=0.0087).Interestingly, the anti-inflammatory cytokine Il-10 showed a similar pattern with increased expression (p=0.0173) in severely inflamed tissue and steroid treatment.Conclusions: As tested in a clinical setting using retro-perspective analysis of inflamed CD samples, the currently used standard treatment (Azathioprine, 5Asa, steroids) did not influence the overall defensin expression.As reported earlier within CD samples as well as inflammatory ileal controls (UC pouchitis), the degree of inflammation it self did not change the gene expression of antimicrobial Paneth cell defensins.Hopefully, additional future drugs aimed at restoring the host-microbe balance at the intestinal mucosa will be identified.
The phenotype of juvenile selenoprotein N-related myopathy (SEPN1-RM)
2008-02-01

Background: The selenoprotein N-related myopathies (SEPN1-RM) comprise four autosomal-recessive disorders: rigid spine muscular dystrophy (RSMD1), a form of multiminicore disease (MmD), a desmin-related myopathy with Mallory body like inclusions and a form of congenital fibre-type disproportion (CFTD).
Neuroplastic changes after constraint-induced movement therapy: Patients with contralateral cortico-spinal organisation
2008-02-01

Objectives: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a functional approach focussing on hand motor improvement in hemiparetic patients. Here, we describe neuroplastic effects after two weeks of CIMT in patients with contralateral cortico-spinal (re-)organization.
P275 INFLUENCE OF INFLAMMATION AND TREATMENT ON ILEAL AND COLONIC ANTIMICROBIAL DEFENSIN EXPRESSION IN ACTIVE CROHN'S DISEASE
2008-02-01

Aim: Crohn' s Disease (CD) has been linked to different functional deficiencies of antimicrobial defensins.Ileal CD is characterized by reduced expression of α-defensins (HD5, HD6).The mechanism is a compromised WNT/Tcf4 stem cell differentiation pathway and -in some cases-a mutation in NOD2.Colonic CD is mediated by an attenuated induction of β-defensins (HBD2, HBD3) which is due to a gene copy number polymorphism.Little is known about the effect of common drugs on innate immunity, especially in vivo.Herein, we aimed to address if current treatments of CD influence the defensin expression in clinical samples.Methods: Biopsies were collected from inflamed CD tissue of the small (n=55) and large intestine (n=45).RNA expression levels from defensins (HD5, HD6, HBD1, HBD2, HBD3) and cytokines (Il1β, Il-6, Il-8, Il-10, ICAM1, TNF-α) were quantified by real-time RT-PCR with external standards.Samples were arranged into groups with high or low Il-8 (moderate or severe) since this is a good marker for histological inflammation.After retrospective analysis of treatment we surrogated the samples according to the use of steroids (ileum n=31, colon n=24), azathioprine (ileum n=10, colon n=9) and 5-Asa (ileum n=16, colon n=15).Results: In small intestinal CD patients neither steroids, nor azathioprine, nor 5Asa seemed to have any effect on αand βdefensin expression.Some cytokines seemed to be decreased but none of the changes were significant.As reported earlier, the expression of Paneth cell α-defensins was independent of the degree of inflammation and did not correlate with Il-8.Similarly, in the colon, inducible β-defensin levels were unchanged with or without current treatments (HBD2, HBD3) and equally expressed in all inflamed samples.As reported earlier, the constitutive β-defensin HBD1 was decreased in case of severe inflammation (compared to mild inflammation) and seemed to be up regulated by steroids in this group (p=0.0087).Interestingly, the anti-inflammatory cytokine Il-10 showed a similar pattern with increased expression (p=0.0173) in severely inflamed tissue and steroid treatment.Conclusions: As tested in a clinical setting using retro-perspective analysis of inflamed CD samples, the currently used standard treatment (Azathioprine, 5Asa, steroids) did not influence the overall defensin expression.As reported earlier within CD samples as well as inflammatory ileal controls (UC pouchitis), the degree of inflammation it self did not change the gene expression of antimicrobial Paneth cell defensins.Hopefully, additional future drugs aimed at restoring the host-microbe balance at the intestinal mucosa will be identified.
1 SELECTIVE INFLUENCE OF TCF-4 MEDIATED WNT SIGNALING ON INTESTINAL INNATE AND ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY OF ILEAL CROHN'S DISEASE
2008-02-01

Aim: Ileal Crohn' s disease (CD) is characterized by diminished antibacterial activity and a specific decrease of small intestinal Paneth cell α-defensins HD5 and 6.We previously reported a causal link between this decrease and the Wnt pathway transcription factor Tcf-4. Wnt signaling has an important function in intestinal epithelium renewal, regulating stem cell maintenance and their transition to Paneth-cells.The involvement of disturbed Wnt signaling, resulting in alleviated innate immunity, reveals a new mechanism for ileal CD pathogenesis.To further investigate the pathways influence in the disease, we aimed to assess expression of Tcf4 target and WNT pathway genes other then HD5 and 6.Methods: RNA was isolated from ileal biopsies of healthy individuals (n=14) and CD patients (ileal CD n=28, colonic CD n=11).The mRNA levels of genes, encoding Wnt/Tcf-4 pathway factors as well as Tcf-4 target genes (β-catenin, CBP, Hic-5, ICAT, NLK, Sox-9, p53, p300 Axin-1 and -2, CDX-1, c-jun, Claudin-1, c-myc, CyclD-1, CD44, EphB-3, Ephrin-B1 and -B2, MMP-7, PPAR-δ, APC, CUL-1, DKK-1 and -2, DVL-2 and -3, Frizzled-5, Gastrin, LEF-1, LRP-5, PGLYP-1, SFRP-3, Tcf-1) were quantified using real-time PCR with external standards.Target genes exhibiting mRNA expression correlating with Tcf-4 were further investigated.In silico promoter screens for potential Tcf-4 binding sites (WWCAAWG) and gel shift assays for in vitro confirmation were performed.Total Protein from ileal biopsies of controls and ileal CD patients was extracted and analyzed via Western Blot.Results: In addition to the known decrease of Tcf-4, we found reduced expression and protein of the Wnt pathway transcription factors Tcf-1 in ileal (p=0,0242), but not colonic CD.The mRNA levels of Tcf-1 correlated with Tcf4 (rs=-0,5206; p<0,0001) as well as with HD5 and 6 (p<0.0001).Among the 4 potential Tcf-4 binding sites identified in the Tcf1 promotor, a region between -2492 and -2485bp upstream of the transcription start, exhibited the strongest capability for Tcf4-binding.In contrast to α-defensins, most other Wnt pathway and Tcf-4 target genes (26 total) were either unchanged (22) or increased (MMP7: p= 0,0759; Claudin 1: p=0.032;PGLYP-1: p=0,0446).Conclusion: Wnt signaling regulated antimicrobial defense is disturbed in ileal CD.Tcf-4, its target Tcf-1, as well as HD5 and HD6 exhibit decreased gene expression.However, other major pathway targets are unchanged, suggesting a selective function of Tcf-4 in intestinal innate immunity.Since Tcf-1 is an important Wnt pathway transducer in T-cells, its down regulation in ileal CD could also constitute a link to adaptive immunity.
Reconstructive Urology
2008-02-01

Acquired or congenital abnormalities may lead to urethral damage or loss, often requiring surgical reconstruction.Urethrocutaneous fistula and strictures are common complications, due to inadequate blood supply.Thus, adequate blood supply is a key factor for successful urethral tissue reconstruction.In this study, urethral grafts were prepared by seeding rabbit bladder urothelial cells (UCs) modified with human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF(165)) gene in the decellularized artery matrix.A retroviral pMSCV-VEGF(165)-GFP vector was cloned by insertion of VEGF open reading frame into the vector pMSCV-GFP (murine stem cell virus [MSCV]; green fluorescent protein [GFP]).Retrovirus was generated using package cell line 293T.Rabbit UCs were expanded ex vivo and modified with either MSCV-VEGF(165)-GFP or control MSCV-GFP retrovirus.Transduction efficiency was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting.The expression of VEGF(165) was examined by immunofluorescence, reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Decellularized rabbit artery matrix was seeded with genetically modified UCs and was subsequently cultured for 1 week prior to subcutaneous implantation into nude mice.Four weeks after implantation, the implants were harvested and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, and by histologic and immunohistochemical staining.Ex vivo transduction efficiency of UCs was greater than 50% when concentrated retrovirus was used.The modified cells expressed both VEGF and GFP protein.Furthermore, the VEGF-modified UCs secreted VEGF in a time-dependent manner.Scanning electron microscopy and histochemical analysis of cross sections of the cultured urethral grafts showed that the seeded cells were attached and proliferated on the luminal surface of the decellularized artery matrix.In the subcutaneously implanted vessels, VEGF-modified cells significantly enhanced neovascularization and the formation of a urethral layer compared to GFP-modified cells.These results indicate that VEGF gene therapy may be a suitable approach to increase the blood supply in tissue engineering for treatment of urethral damage or loss.
Josephson effect in SIFS with an inhomogeneous superconductor/ferromagnet interface
2008-02-01

The Josephson effect in a superconductor-insulator-ferromagnet-superconductor structure with a stepwise change in the transparency of the superconductor/ferromagnet interface has been investigated within the formalism of the Usadel equations. It is shown that, at a certain thickness of the ferromagnet layer, this feature leads to the formation of a point contact with an anomalous dependence of the critical current on the external magnetic field.
SPG10 is a rare cause of spastic paraplegia in European families
2008-02-02

SPG10 accounts for approximately 3% of European autosomal dominant HSP families. All mutations affect the motor domain of kinesin and thus most likely impair axonal transport. Clinically, SPG10 is characterised by spastic paraplegia with mostly subclinical peripheral neuropathy.
Variations inPPARDDetermine the Change in Body Composition during Lifestyle Intervention: A Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Study
2008-02-05

SNPs rs1053049, rs6902123, and rs2267668 in PPARD affect LI-induced changes in overall adiposity, hepatic fat storage, and relative muscle mass. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the involvement of these genetic variations in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Distinct Gamma-Band Components Reflect the Short-Term Memory Maintenance of Different Sound Lateralization Angles
2008-02-05

Oscillatory activity in human electro- or magnetoencephalogram has been related to cortical stimulus representations and their modulation by cognitive processes. Whereas previous work has focused on gamma-band activity (GBA) during attention or maintenance of representations, there is little evidence for GBA reflecting individual stimulus representations. The present study aimed at identifying stimulus-specific GBA components during auditory spatial short-term memory. A total of 28 adults were assigned to 1 of 2 groups who were presented with only right- or left-lateralized sounds, respectively. In each group, 2 sample stimuli were used which differed in their lateralization angles (15 degrees or 45 degrees) with respect to the midsagittal plane. Statistical probability mapping served to identify spectral amplitude differences between 15 degrees versus 45 degrees stimuli. Distinct GBA components were found for each sample stimulus in different sensors over parieto-occipital cortex contralateral to the side of stimulation peaking during the middle 200-300 ms of the delay phase. The differentiation between "preferred" and "nonpreferred" stimuli during the final 100 ms of the delay phase correlated with task performance. These findings suggest that the observed GBA components reflect the activity of distinct networks tuned to spatial sound features which contribute to the maintenance of task-relevant information in short-term memory.
The influence of meteoric water on skarn formation and late-stage hydrothermal alteration at the Evciler skarn occurrences, Kazdağ, NW Turkey
2008-02-05

Abstract Skarn ore deposits are generally characterized by two distinctly different alteration styles: an early prograde stage with anhydrous minerals, such as garnet (grossular/andradite) and pyroxene (diopside/hedenbergite), which forms in the presence of relatively high-temperature fluid and; a later retrograde stage with hydrous minerals, such as epidote, amphibole (actinolite), and chlorite (from most to least abundant) plus sulfides, which forms in the presence of the lower-temperature fluid. These two alteration stages commonly have been thought to reflect a dominance of magmatic and meteoric water, respectively, with relevance to the source of ore metals. We report data from the Evciler Au–Cu skarn deposit (Kazdag, NW Anatolia). The aim of the analyses was to determine temperatures of formation, the extent of equilibration among the mineral phases and/or of possible alteration through fluid–mineral isotopic exchange. Stable isotope compositions of anhydrous and hydrous alteration minerals indicate that garnet (grossular/andradite)–pyroxene (diopside/hedenbergite) skarn (prograde stage) was produced by predominantly magmatic fluids during initial skarn-forming metasomatism in the study area and actinolite–epidote rich skarn (retrograde stage) was formed by magmatic water mixed with meteoric water. The δ18O values of garnet from the Evciler district range from 4.6 to 8.2‰ (mean 6.7‰), δ18O values of pyroxene range from 6.2 to 10.3‰ (mean 8.2‰), δ18O values of amphibole range from 6.3 to 8.2‰ (mean 7.4‰), and the δ18O values of epidote range from − 3.3 to 5.1‰ (mean 0.9‰). However, the δD values of retrograde alteration minerals such as amphibole and epidote indicate both magmatic and lighter values for Evciler skarn deposit that could be explained by mixing with meteoric water. We conclude that the isotopic evolution of the hydrothermal fluid can be accounted for by circulation of meteoric water through a convection system heated by the Evciler granitoid, causing exchange of oxygen isotopes with the granitoid and country rock, and possibly involving some admixture of magmatic water.
Microfilariae of the Filarial NematodeLitomosoides sigmodontisExacerbate the Course of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Sepsis in Mice
2008-02-05

ABSTRACT Helminths facilitate their own survival by actively modulating the immune systems of their hosts. We investigated the impacts that different life cycle stages of the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis have on the inflammatory responses of mice injected with sublethal doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mice infected with female adult worms from prepatent infections, worms which have not yet started to release microfilariae, developed lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood after LPS challenge than sham-treated controls, demonstrating that female adult worms can mitigate the innate immune response. The presence of microfilariae in mice, however, through either direct injection or implantation of microfilaria-releasing adult female worms, turned the LPS challenge fatal. This lethal outcome was characterized by increased plasma levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 12 (IL-12), and IL-6, greater numbers of macrophages and granulocytes in the peripheral blood, and decreased body temperatures in microfilaria-infected mice. Microfilaria-infected mice deficient in IFN-γ receptor and TNF receptor 1 had increased survival rates after LPS challenge compared to immune-competent mice, suggesting that microfilariae worsen LPS-induced sepsis through actions of IFN-γ and TNF-α. In summary, we have demonstrated that infection of mice with L. sigmodontis female adult worms from prepatent infections protects mice injected with LPS whereas microfilariae worsen LPS-induced sepsis through the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and upregulation of granulocytes, NK cells, and monocytes in the peripheral blood.