julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Cytomegalovirus Infection
2007-10-01

Abstract : The human immune system evolved to defend the organism against pathogens, but is clearly less well able to do so in the elderly, resulting in greater morbidity and mortality due to infectious disease in old people, and higher healthcare costs. Many age‐associated immune alterations have been reported over the years, of which probably the changes in T cell immunity, often manifested dramatically as large clonal expansions of cells of limited antigen specificity together with a marked shrinkage of the T cell antigen receptor repertoire, are the most notable. It has recently emerged that the common herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), which establishes persistent, life‐long infection, usually asymptomatically, may well be the driving force behind clonal expansions and altered phenotypes and functions of CD8 cells seen in most old people. In those few who are not CMV‐infected, another even more common herpesvirus, the Epstein‐Barr virus, appears to have the same effect. These virus‐driven changes are less marked in “successfully aged” centenarians, but most marked in people whom longitudinal studies have shown to be at higher risk of death, that is, those possessing an “immune risk profile” (IRP) characterized by an inverted CD4:8 ratio (caused by the accumulation primarily of CD8 + CD28 − cells). These findings support the hypothesis that persistent herpesviruses, especially CMV, act as chronic antigenic stressors and play a major causative role in immunosenescence and associated mortality.
Inhibition of 5-Lipoxygenase Product Synthesis by Natural Compounds of Plant Origin
2007-10-01

The biosynthesis of leukotrienes (LTs) is initiated by the transformation of free arachidonic acid to LTA (4) by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). Subsequent enzymatic conversion of LTA (4) yields LTB (4) and the cysteinyl-LTs C (4), D (4) and E (4). LTs have prominent functions in pathophysiology and are connected to numerous disorders including bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, inflammatory bowel and skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. Pharmacological and genetic interruption of the 5-LO pathway or blockade of LT receptors, serving as means for intervention with LTs, may be of therapeutic value for certain related disorders. Natural or plant-derived substances were among the first 5-LO inhibitors identified in the early 1980 s. To date, a huge number of diverse plant-derived compounds have been reported to interfere with 5-LO product synthesis. However, many investigations have addressed the efficacy of a given compound solely in cellular test systems and analysis of direct interference with 5-LO has been neglected. In the first part of this review, the biology and molecular pharmacology of the 5-LO pathway is summarized in order to understand its overall regulation and complexity as well as to comprehend the possible points of attack of compounds that eventually lead to inhibition of 5-LO product formation in intact cells. In the second part, natural compounds that interfere with 5-LO product formation are compiled and grouped into structural classes, and the underlying molecular mechanisms and structure-activity relationships are discussed.
Split‐Ubiquitin System for Identifying Protein‐Protein Interactions in Membrane and Full‐Length Proteins
2007-10-01

Abstract Protein‐protein interactions play a fundamental role in the regulation of almost all cellular processes. Thus, the identification of interacting proteins can help to elucidate their function. The mating‐based split‐ubiquitin system (mbSUS) uses yeast as a test organism to identify potential interactions between full‐length membrane proteins or between a full‐length membrane protein and a soluble protein. The mbSUS can also be used to provide further evidence for protein‐protein interactions detected with other methods and to map the interaction domains of selected proteins. The mbSUS is optimized for systematic screening approaches employing a mating‐based approach, as typically used to determine protein interactions on a genomic scale. Construction of bait and prey fusions is simplified by adapting two different cloning procedures: (i) in vivo cloning in yeast, and (ii) Gateway cloning in E. coli . Protocols for small‐scale interaction tests, as well as systematic approaches using sorted bait and prey arrays, are described. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci . 41:5.27.1‐5.27.41. © 2007 by John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc.
Effects of agrin on the expression and distribution of the water channel protein aquaporin‐4 and volume regulation in cultured astrocytes
2007-10-01

Abstract Agrin is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan of the extracellular matrix and is known for organizing the postsynaptic differentiation of the neuromuscular junction. Increasing evidence also suggests roles for agrin in the developing CNS, including the formation and maintenance of the blood–brain barrier. Here we describe effects of agrin on the expression and distribution of the water channel protein aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) and on the swelling capacity of cultured astrocytes of newborn mice. If astrocytes were cultured on a substrate containing poly dl ‐ornithine, anti‐AQP4 immunoreactivity was evenly and diffusely distributed. If, however, astrocytes were cultured in the presence of agrin‐conditioned medium, we observed an increase in the intensity of AQP4‐specific membrane‐associated staining. Freeze‐fracture studies revealed a clustering of orthogonal arrays of particles, representing a structural equivalent of AQP4, when exogenous agrin was present in the astrocyte cultures. Neuronal and non‐neuronal agrin isoforms (agrin A0B0 and agrin A4B8, respectively) were able to induce membrane‐associated AQP4 staining. Water transport capacity as well as the density of orthogonal arrays of intramembranous particles was increased in astrocytes cultured with the neuronal agrin isoform A4B8, but not with the endothelial and meningeal isoform A0B0. RT‐PCR demonstrated that agrin A4B8 increased the level of the M23 splice variant of AQP4 and decreased the level of the M1 splice variant of AQP4. Implications for the regulation and maintenance of the blood–brain barrier including oedema formation under pathological conditions are discussed.
Recommendations for the use of immunoapheresis in the treatment of autoimmune bullous diseases
2007-10-01

Summary Despite the use of high‐dose systemic corticosteroids in combination with other immunosuppressants, in some patients with autoimmune bullous diseases only insufficient improvement is achieved. In these cases and in acute severe disease, adjuvant immunoapheresis has been increasingly used. A consensus meeting was held in mid‐2005 in Hamburg, aiming at developing guidelines for the use of immunoapheresis in the treatment of autoimmune bullous diseases.This paper summarizes the experts‘ recommendations.
MINERALOGY, MINERAL COMPOSITIONS AND FLUID EVOLUTION AT THE WENZEL HYDROTHERMAL DEPOSIT, SOUTHERN GERMANY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FORMATION OF KONGSBERG-TYPE SILVER DEPOSITS
2007-10-01

The post-Variscan Wenzel vein-type deposit near Wolfach, in the Black Forest, Germany, the type locality of the Ag–Sb alloy dyscrasite, was investigated by ore microscopy, electron-microprobe analysis, stable isotope and fluid-inclusion analysis. Three stages of mineralization could be distinguished. Whereas the first stage is a typical sulfide mineralization including galena and tetrahedrite, the second and third stage show a sulfide-poor association of Ag–Sb alloys, as well as Fe, Co and Ni arsenides and sulfarsenides, in a calcite matrix. The main ore minerals of this stage are allargentum and dyscrasite. The microprobe data for the diarsenides show extensive, and partly hitherto undocumented, solid solution in Fe–Co–Ni space. Seven distinct generations of calcite were distinguished. The δ13C (V–PDB) and δ18O (V–SMOW) values of these generations show a positively correlated trend that evolves from −13.0 to −4.0‰ and from 12.3 to 23.6‰, respectively. Fluid-inclusion data of stage I show homogenization temperatures of 100–180°C at salinities of 17–26 wt.% NaCl eq. Fluid inclusions in stage-II calcite display similar, but more restricted values, 110–150°C and 25–28 wt.% NaCl eq., respectively. The stage-III fluid inclusions show similar temperatures of homogenization, but different salinities. Earlier calcite of this stage contains inclusions with salinities of 27–30 wt.% NaCl eq., whereas later calcite has lower salinities, 3–10 wt.% NaCl eq. The initial temperatures of ice melting of most fluid inclusions range between −45 and −60°C and are typical of an H2O–NaCl–CaCl2 fluid. On the basis of all available geochemical data and phase-equilibrium constraints, we favor a model in which basement-derived near-neutral-pH hydrothermal fluids remobilized older products of mineralization. Mixing of these fluids with more alkaline formation-waters from the Mesozoic cover rocks resulted in the precipitation of the silver alloys in an enrichment zone at P–T conditions of 120–150°C and approximately 200 bars. A significant shift in pH from near-neutral to alkaline can explain the abundant association of silver alloys with calcite gangue and the general absence of quartz in the enriched ore zone. This conceptual model can be applied to similar ore deposits worldwide, where rich silver ores are hosted by calcite-rich and quartz-poor assemblages of gangue minerals.
Neuroticism and the mental noise hypothesis: Relationships to lapses of attention and slips of action in everyday life
2007-10-01

We investigated the relationship between neuroticism and cognitive failure liability in everyday-life situations. Previous research (e.g., Robinson & Tamir, 2005; Robinson, Wilkowski & Meier, 2006) reported a positive association between the trait of neuroticism (N) and fluctuations in mental efficiency when performing elementary cognitive operations. High-N individuals were proposed to be characterized by increased noise within information processing from perception to action. To further examine this relationship, we collected self-report data from 222 individuals, measuring N via the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the related construct of Behavioural Inhibition System sensitivity via the BIS/BAS scales, and assessing cognitive failure liability via the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ). The results revealed positive correlations between N and general cognitive failure liability, providing further support for the mental noise hypothesis. A more detailed investigation of CFQ subscales (Meiran et al., 1994) yielded a specific pattern, with the strongest correlation between N and the CFQ–Unintended Activation subscale (r = .40; p < .01). This suggests that high-N individuals preferably commit cognitive failures due to intrusions of task-irrelevant cognitions from associative memory.
Molecular pathways used by platelets to initiate and accelerate atherogenesis
2007-10-01

An expanding body of evidence continues to build on the role of platelets as initial actors in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Platelets bind to leukocytes, endothelial cells, and circulating progenitor cells and initiate monocyte transformation into macrophages. Therefore platelets regulate the initiation, development and total extent of atherosclerotic lesions.
Planktocyclin, a Cyclooctapeptide Protease Inhibitor Produced by the Freshwater CyanobacteriumPlanktothrix rubescens
2007-10-01

The freshwater cyanobacterium Planktothrix rubescens produces the cyclooctapeptide cyclo(Pro-Gly-Leu-Val-Met-Phe-Gly-Val). The chemical structure is new. This homodetic cyclic octapeptide was named planktocyclin ( 1). It consists solely of proteinogenic l-amino acids and is a strong inhibitor of mammalian trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin and a moderately active inhibitor of human recombinant caspase-8. Mass spectrometric and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data allowed the determination of its structure. Synthetic planktocyclin was identical to the natural product.
New evidence for block and thrust sheet rotations in the central northern Calcareous Alps deduced from two pervasive remagnetization events
2007-10-01

We present 81 paleomagnetic sites (Early Triassic to Early Cretaceous) from the central sector of the northern Calcareous Alps (NCA, Eastern Alps, Austria and Germany). Stepwise thermal demagnetization defines three magnetic directions mostly carried by low unblocking temperature and low‐coercivity minerals: J3, 350°; J2, 500°; J1, 575° and 680°. J3 and J2 show positive inclinations, whereas J1 (very seldom) is of dual polarity. The fold tests show that a J3 can be interpreted as a postfolding and posttilting remagnetization and J2 as a postfolding and pre(syn)tilting. J1 can be considered as primary because of the occurrence of two polarities and evidence presented by other authors in the area. All three components show a systematic and significant clockwise rotation after comparing with the expected European references. J2 or J1 are marked by higher rotation values than J3. J2 shows different inclinations depending on the structural position (north or southward dips). Considering the structural evolution and the observed inclinations, the first postfolding and pretilting remagnetization event (J2) could have taken place between Late Cretaceous and Eocene times but certainly before the thrusting of the NCA over the Rhenodanubian Flysch and northward tilting caused by the stacking of the lower Austroalpine nappes. The second postfolding and posttilting remagnetization (J3) would have been acquired after the final thrusting of the NCA over Penninic units. From then, the NCA behaved as a set of rigid blocks recording the main stage of vertical axis clockwise rotation (65° in average) associated with the continental collision. The variable degree of rotation in the different positions (from 40° to 134°) can be explained by individual vertical axis rotation in a block system trying to adjust to space problems. The constant declination differences between J2 and J3 (25° in average) would reflect the rotation related with the lateral differences of shortening during the oblique thrust of the Austroalpine units over the Penninic units.
What made southwest German firms innovative around 1900? Assessing the importance of intra- and inter-industry externalities
2007-10-01

Journal Article What made southwest German firms innovative around 1900? Assessing the importance of intra- and inter-industry externalities Get access Jörg Baten, Jörg Baten * *Department of Economics, University of Tübingen and CESifo, Mohlstrasse 36, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany; e-mail: Joerg.baten@uni-tuebingen.de Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Anna Spadavecchia, Anna Spadavecchia † †University of Reading Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Jochen Streb, Jochen Streb ‡ ‡University of Hohenheim Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Shuxi Yin Shuxi Yin § §University of Tübingen and Hohenheim Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Oxford Economic Papers, Volume 59, Issue suppl_1, October 2007, Pages i105–i126, https://doi.org/10.1093/oep/gpm032 Published: 01 October 2007
Long-term Follow-up of Macular Translocation With 360° Retinotomy for Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration
2007-10-01

Long-term follow-up of macular translocation with 360 degrees retinotomy showed stabilization or improvement in half of the patients. Progressive atrophy of the pigment epithelium represented one major limiting factor of the beneficial effect of the treatment. Macular translocation may be an option for cases of exudative age-related macular degeneration that are not eligible for or do not respond to alternative treatments.
A hybrid approach for vision-based outdoor robot localization using global and local image features
2007-10-01

Vision-based robot localization in outdoor environments is difficult because of changing illumination conditions. Another problem is the rough and cluttered environment which makes it hard to use visual features that are not rotation invariant. A popular method that is rotation invariant and relatively robust to changing illumination is the Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). However, due to the computationally intensive feature extraction and image matching, localization using SIFT is slow. On the other hand, techniques which use global image features are in general less robust and exact than SIFT, but are often much faster due to fast image matching. In this paper, we present a hybrid localization approach that switches between local and global image features. For most images, the hybrid approach uses fast global features. Only in difficult situations, e.g. containing strong illumination changes, the hybrid approach switches to local features. To decide which features to use for an image, we analyze the particle cloud of the particle filter that we use for position estimation. Experiments on outdoor images taken under varying illumination conditions show that the position estimates of the hybrid approach are about as exact as the estimates of SIFT alone. However, the average localization time using the hybrid approach is more than 3.5 times faster than using SIFT.
Potentials and Challenges of Mobile Media in Museums
2007-10-01

In this article we discuss potential scenarios of use for mobile media in museums and the challenges they pose. We examine how the characteristics of mobile technology suit the specific characteristics of a museum setting. Based on these considerations different ways to support visitors with mobile devices are put forward: attentional focus and guidance; satisfaction of situational interest; information adaptation to a specific visitor and to a specific location; information elaboration through facilitation of knowledge exchange and externalized memory support, as well as assistance in exhibition evaluation. Implications for the development of mobile applications in museums are derived.
Are there attacking points in the eicosanoid cascade for chemotherapeutic options in benign meningiomas?
2007-10-01

Object The current treatment for recurrent or malignant meningiomas with adjuvant therapies has not been satisfactory, and there is an intense interest in evaluating new molecular markers to act as therapeutic targets. Enzymes of the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade such as cyclooxygenase (COX)–2 or 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) are upregulated in a number of epithelial tumors, but to date there are hardly any data about the expression of these markers in meningiomas. To find possible targets for chemotherapeutic intervention, the authors evaluated the expression of AA derivatives at different molecular levels in meningiomas. Methods One hundred and twenty-four meningioma surgical specimens and normal human cortical tissue samples were immunohistochemically and cytochemically stained for COX-2, COX-1, 5-LO, and prostaglandin E receptor 4 (PTGER4). In addition, Western blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were performed to detect the presence of eicosanoids in vivo and in vitro. Results Sixty (63%) of 95 benign meningiomas, 21 (88%) of 24 atypical meningiomas, all five malignant meningiomas, and all normal human cortex samples displayed high COX-2 immunoreactivity. All cultured specimens and IOMM-Lee cells stained positive for COX-2, COX-1, 5-LO, and PTGER4. The PCR analysis demonstrated no changes in eicosanoid expression among meningiomas of different World Health Organization grades and in normal human cortical and dura mater tissue. Conclusions Eicosanoid derivatives COX-1, COX-2, 5-LO, and PTGER4 enzymes show a high universal expression in meningiomas but are not upregulated in normal human cortex and dura tissue. This finding of the ubiquitous presence of these enzymes in meningiomas offers an excellent baseline for testing upcoming chemotherapeutic treatments.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of a Layered Copper(II) Compound with Glycolate [HGLYCO]− and Lactate [HLACO]− Ligands
2007-10-01

Abstract A new bi‐dimensional neutral coordination polymer of formula (HGLYCO − = glycolate, HLACO − = lactate) has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic and EPR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, TG analysis and single crystal X‐ray diffractometry. Each Cu II atom is six‐coordinated in a tetragonally distorted fashion by four oxygen atoms from carboxylate groups and two oxygen atoms of OH groups in a κ 2 O,O′′:κO′ configuration. The α‐hydroxycarboxylate ligands are tridentate monoanionic systems and exhibit chelating and bridging behavior with the carboxylate groups adopting an anti‐anti mode.
From where to how: assessing mechanisms of neural plasticity in patients with unilateral brain lesions
2007-10-01

A set of different algorithms was involved to analyze the anomalous motor control in four young hemi-paretic patients with pre-and perinatally acquired brain lesions. The effects of a peculiar cerebral reorganization allow the patients to move the paretic arm. Patients performed a pinch grip using their paretic and non-paretic hands alternatively. EMG was simultaneously recorded as a basis for coherence calculations. 3D coherence mapping was performed in the beta frequency range. Such approach evidenced the relocation of motor functions from the lesioned (left) to the contralesional (right) hemisphere. While in case of left, non-paretic pinch grip, coherent activity originated from contralateral (right) Ml exclusively, right (paretic) grip, produced coherent activity in ipsilateral Ml as well as significant coherence of ipsilateral cerebellum. Coupling direction analysis demonstrated that throughout pinch grip the coupling direction goes from Ml to cerebellum.
Planet formation in binary stars
2007-10-01

Abstract As of today more than 30 planetary systems have been discovered in binary stars. In all cases the configuration is circumstellar, where the planets orbit around one of the stars. The formation process of planets in binary stars is more difficult than around single stars due to the gravitational action of the companion. An overview of the research done in this field will be given. The dynamical influence that a secondary companion has on a circumstellar disk, and how this affects the planet formation process in this challenging environment will be summarized. Finally, new fully hydrodynamical simulations of protoplanets embedded in disks residing in a binary star will be presented. Applications with respect to the planet orbiting the primary in the system γ Cephei will be presented.
Encoding Animated Meshes in Local Coordinates
2007-10-01

For various 3D Animation processing, representing mesh geometry in local rather the world coordinate systems is very useful. One can investigate the representation of vertex locations relative to a local coordinate frame (LCF) in the compression of dynamic 3D meshes. Unlike the world coordinates, which scatter in a wide range and show non linear behavior of the vertices, the local coordinates exhibit a large clustering behavior of the vertex over time. This property is very useful for exploiting a large coherence over the vertex trajectory and between neighboring vertices. In this paper, we discuss the use of the LCF in mesh encoding and we introduce a new and simple predictive scheme for single-rate compression for animated meshes. Our geometry encoding strategy is based on a region growing encoding order and only the delta vectors between original and predicted locations are encoded in a local coordinate system, which splits into two tangential and one normal components. Our approach is simple, efficient and well suited for real time applications.