julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Insulin Promotes Glycogen Storage and Cell Proliferation in Primary Human Astrocytes
2011-06-27

This study demonstrated that human astrocytes are insulin-responsive at the molecular level. We identified glycogen synthesis and cell proliferation as biological responses of insulin signaling in these brain cells. Hence, this cell type may contribute to the effects of insulin in the human brain.
The natural course of gross motor deterioration in metachromatic leukodystrophy
2011-06-27

Aim Motor deterioration is a key feature in metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). The lack of data about its natural course impedes evaluation of therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to provide data about motor decline in MLD. Method Fifty‐nine patients (27 males, 32 females) with MLD (21 with late‐infantile MLD and 38 with juvenile MLD) were recruited within a nationwide survey (the German LEUKONET). Median (range) age at onset was 17 months (9–27) for the group with late‐infantile MLD and 6 years 2 months (2y 11mo–14y) for the group with juvenile MLD. Gross motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification for MLD. Results In late‐infantile MLD, all patients showed loss of all gross motor function until 3 years 4 months of age. Patients with juvenile MLD showed a more variable and significantly longer motor decline ( p &lt;0.001). For a patient with the juvenile form showing first gait disturbances, the probability of remaining stable for more than 1 year was 84%, and 51% for more than 2 years. Having lost independent walking, subsequent motor decline was as steep as in the late‐infantile form (median 5mo, interquartile range 3–22). Interpretation The course of motor disease was more variable in juvenile MLD with respect to onset and dynamics. However, the motor decline after the loss of independent walking was similarly steep in both forms. These data can serve as a reference for clinical studies that are topics of current research and allow definition of inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Paired-end RAD-seq forde novoassembly and marker design without available reference
2011-06-27

Abstract Motivation: Next-generation sequencing technologies have facilitated the study of organisms on a genome-wide scale. A recent method called restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) allows to sample sequence information at reduced complexity across a target genome using the Illumina platform. Single-end RAD-seq has proven to provide a large number of informative genetic markers in reference as well as non-reference organisms. Results: Here, we present a method for de novo assembly of paired-end RAD-seq data in order to produce extended contigs flanking a restriction site. We were able to reconstruct one-tenth of the guppy genome represented by 200–500 bp contigs associated to EcoRI recognition sites. In addition, these contigs were used as reference allowing the detection of thousands of new polymorphic markers that are informative for mapping and population genetic studies in the guppy. Availability: A perl and C++ implementation of the method demonstrated in this article is available under http://guppy.weigelworld.org/weigeldatabases/radMarkers/ as package RApiD. Contact: christine.dreyer@tuebingen.mpg.de Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Visual Motion Responses in the Posterior Cingulate Sulcus: A Comparison to V5/MT and MST
2011-06-27

Motion processing regions apart from V5+/MT+ are still relatively poorly understood. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to perform a detailed functional analysis of the recently described cingulate sulcus visual area (CSv) in the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex. We used distinct types of visual motion stimuli to compare CSv with V5/MT and MST, including a visual pursuit paradigm. Both V5/MT and MST preferred 3D flow over 2D planar motion, responded less yet substantially to random motion, had a strong preference for contralateral versus ipsilateral stimulation, and responded nearly equally to contralateral and to full-field stimuli. In contrast, CSv had a pronounced preference to 2D planar motion over 3D flow, did not respond to random motion, had a weak and nonsignificant lateralization that was significantly smaller than that of MST, and strongly preferred full-field over contralateral stimuli. In addition, CSv had a better capability to integrate eye movements with retinal motion compared with V5/MT and MST. CSv thus differs from V5+/MT+ by its unique preference to full-field, coherent, and planar motion cues. These results place CSv in a good position to process visual cues related to self-induced motion, in particular those associated to eye or lateral head movements.
Blunted autonomic reactivity and increased pain tolerance in somatoform patients
2011-06-27

Somatoform disorders are characterized by the presence of multiple somatic symptoms. Patients often experience different pain syndromes, and recent research suggests that sympathovagal balance is disturbed in somatoform patients, which could be related to alteration in pain sensitivity. This study analyzed how proposed sympathovagal imbalance interacts with objective pain assessment and the imagination of pain in somatoform disorders. Twenty-one patients (4 men) with diagnosed multisomatoform disorder were included in the study and matched to healthy control subjects. Autonomic measures and heart rate variability were assessed during baseline; pain perception was assessed by means of a pressure algometer and pain imagination. We found evidence for a sympathovagal imbalance in somatoform disorders characterized by low parasympathetic activation and high sympathetic activation during all conditions. Additionally, somatoform patients had reduced pain tolerance. Vagal withdrawal during pain assessment was more pronounced for healthy control subjects and correlated positively with assessed pain tolerance. During imagination somatoform, patients reported higher pain unpleasantness and higher pain intensity as compared to control subjects. We conclude that our data demonstrate an imbalance in sympathovagal activation and a hyposensitivity to pain tolerance stimuli in somatoform disorders. Parasympathetic reactivity might form crucial information when judging pain-associated affective-motivational components. Our results might be attributable to a deficient detection of visceral signals and might be a pathogenetic mechanism for the development of emotional difficulties and increased everyday vulnerability in somatoform patients.
Reactivity of Permethylated Magnesium Complexes toward β-Diimines
2011-06-27

The peralkylated magnesium complex Mg(AlMe4)2 reacts with bis-N,N′-diimine PhCH═NCH2CH2N═CHPh to yield the compound [PhCH(Me)NCH2CH2N═CHPh]Mg(AlMe4)(AlMe3), via an alkyl migration. Such a 1,2-addition of the Mg–CH3 moiety to the unsaturated N═C imino group is also observed for [MgMe2], affording dimagnesium complex [{PhCH(Me)NCH2CH2N═CHPh}Mg(Me)]2. In contrast, treatment of PhCH═NCH2CH2N═CHPh with AlMe3 gives the donor-adduct [PhCH═NCH2CH2N═CHPh][(AlMe3)2]. Based on these distinct reactivities a plausible reaction mechanism for the formation of [PhCH(Me)NCH2CH2N═CHPh]Mg(AlMe4)(AlMe3) is proposed. Donor-adduct formation is also observed when the perethylated barium aluminate [Ba(AlEt4)2]n is reacted with a β-diimine, affording the complex [Ba(AlEt4)2(PhC═NCH2CH2N═CPh)]n. The scope of this reaction behavior was further investigated by reacting Mg(AlMe4)2, AlMe3, and [MgMe2] with β-diimines bearing substituted phenyl rings. Neither the ortho-methyl- nor the meta-tert-butyl-disubstituted proligands show any reaction with [MgMe2], while adducts [(C6H3Me2-2,6)CH═NCH2CH2N═CH(C6H3Me2-2,6)][(AlMe3)2] and [(C6H3tBu2-3,5)CH═NCH2CH2N═CH(C6H3tBu2-3,5)][(AlMe3)2] are the prevalent reaction products when Mg(AlMe4)2 and AlMe3 are employed.
Phlorhizin Protects against Erythrocyte Cell Membrane Scrambling
2011-06-27

Phlorhizin interferes with glucose transport. Glucose depletion triggers suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling. Eryptosis is further triggered by oxidative stress. The present study explored whether phlorhizin influences eryptosis following glucose depletion or oxidative stress. Cell membrane scrambling was estimated from annexin binding, cell volume from forward scatter (FSC), and cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration from Fluo-3 fluorescence. Phlorhizin (10-100 μM) added alone did not modify scrambling, FSC, or Fluo-3 fluorescence. Glucose depletion (48 h) significantly increased Fluo-3 fluorescence, decreased FSC, and increased annexin binding, effects in part significantly blunted by phlorhizin (annexin binding ≥ 10 μM, FSC ≥ 50 μM). Oxidative stress (30 min 0.3 mM tert-butylhydroperoxide) again significantly increased Fluo-3 fluorescence and triggered annexin binding, effects again in part significantly blunted by phlorhizin (Fluo-3 fluorescence ≥ 50 μM, annexin-binding ≥ 10 μM). Phlorhizin did not blunt the cell shrinkage induced by oxidative stress. The present observations disclose a novel effect of phlorhizin, that is, an influence on suicidal erythrocyte death following energy depletion and oxidative stress.
Phenotypic characterization of mononuclear blood cells from pregnant Gabonese and their newborns
2011-06-27

Summary Objectives As many studies have analysed the immunological phenotype of either neonatal cord or maternal blood during pregnancy, but few have compared paired maternal and neonatal samples, we designed and conducted such a study in a Central African setting. Methods We used flow cytometric analyses with blood samples from pairs of Gabonese mothers and their newborns to determine the cellular composition of mononuclear cells as well as the activation status of T and B lymphocytes and antigen‐presenting cells. Results The results indicate higher activation levels of neonatal cells involved in the first‐line defence against pathogens such as natural killer cells, while the neonatal T‐ and B‐cell compartment as well as the neonatal monocyte subpopulations shows a less mature phenotype. Conclusions Our findings likely reflect a specific neonatal defence mechanism that compensates for otherwise poorly developed immune responses at birth, especially important in an area with a high burden of infectious agents such as Gabon. The data contribute to the establishment of reference values for the mother–neonate relationship in African regions that have similar environmental characteristics.
Alkoxymagnesium Iodide Complexes
2011-06-27

Abstract The complexes R(Ph)MeCOMg(Et 2 O)I [ 1 , R = Me ( a ), Ph ( b )] were obtained by the reaction of R(Ph)C=O with MeMgI in diethyl ether in good yields. Crystallisation of 1 from acetonitrile resulted in single crystals of di‐ and trinuclear complexes I 2 (μ‐OCPhMe 2 ) 2 Mg(MeCN) 4 ( 2 ) and {2[I(MeCN)Mg(μ‐OCPh 2 Me) 2 Mg(MeCN)I] ( 3 ) × [I(MeCN)Mg(μ‐OCPh 2 Me) 2 Mg(μ‐OCPh 2 Me) 2 Mg(MeCN)I] ( 4 ) × 2CH 2 Cl 2 } in which the metal centres are linked by alkoxy substituents. The thermal decomposition of the complexes 1 was studied by successive detection of the EI mass spectra of diethyl ether, the olefins 5 , the tertiary alcohols 6 , and the formal olefin dimers 7 .
Faculty Opinions recommendation of Recurrent idiopathic neuroretinitis: natural history and effect of treatment.
2011-06-27

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have emphasized the self-limited nature of idiopathic neuroretinitis. There is less information about a subgroup of patients who suffer recurrent episodes with worse visual outcome. We sought to better characterize the clinical features of recurrent idiopathic neuroretinitis including the effects of immunosuppressive treatment.METHODS: Retrospective chart review of neuroretinitis patients from a single institution from 1983 to 2008. Inclusion criteria included two or more episodes of acute visual loss with disc oedema and macular exudates in a star pattern. Cases due to a specific infectious or inflammatory aetiology were excluded.RESULTS: Forty-one patients were included with an average follow up of 67 months. Median age at the time of the first episode was 28 years (range 10-54 years). Attacks were bilateral sequential in 34 patients (83%). We documented a total of 147 episodes in 75 eyes with an average of 3.6 attacks per patient. The average interval between attacks was 3 years. Visual field loss had a nerve fibre bundle pattern in most cases. Only 36% of eyes retained 6/12 or better visual acuity and greater than two-thirds of their visual field. Long-term immunosuppressive treatment in 13 patients decreased the attack rate by 72%.CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent idiopathic neuroretinitis typically affects young adults, with no gender preference. Recovery is limited and visual loss is cumulative with repeated attacks, often resulting in severe permanent visual loss. Immunosuppressive treatment appears to lessen the attack frequency. PMID: 20704588
DISCOVERY OF HIGH-ENERGY GAMMA-RAY EMISSION FROM THE BINARY SYSTEM PSR B1259–63/LS 2883 AROUND PERIASTRON WITH FERMI
2011-06-28

We report on the discovery of ≥100MeV γ-rays from the binary system PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 using the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board Fermi. The system comprises a radio pulsar in orbit around a Be star. We report on LAT observations from near apastron to ∼128 days after the time of periastron, ∼tp , on 2010 December 15. No γ-ray emission was detected from this source when it was far from periastron. Faint γ-ray emission appeared as the pulsar approached periastron. At ∼tp + 30 days, the ≥100MeV γ-ray flux increased over a period of a few days to a peak flux 20-30 times that seen during the pre-periastron period, but with a softer spectrum. For the following month, it was seen to be variable on daily timescales, but remained at ∼(1-4) × 10-6 cm-2 s-1 before starting to fade at ∼tp + 57 days. The total γ-ray luminosity observed during this period is comparable to the spin-down power of the pulsar. Simultaneous radio and X-ray observations of the source showed no corresponding dramatic changes in radio and X-ray flux between the pre-periastron and post-periastron flares. We discuss possible explanations for the observed γ-ray-only flaring of the source. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Mechanisms of Functional Specificity Among Plasma‐Membrane Syntaxins in Arabidopsis
2011-06-28

Syntaxins and interacting SNARE proteins enable membrane fusion in diverse trafficking pathways. The Arabidopsis SYP1 family of plasma membrane‐localized syntaxins comprises nine members, of which KNOLLE and PEN1 play specific roles in cytokinesis and innate immunity, respectively. To identify mechanisms conferring specificity of action, we examined one member of each subfamily—KNOLLE/SYP111, PEN1/SYP121 and SYP132—in regard to subcellular localization, dynamic behavior and complementation of knolle and pen1 mutants when expressed from the same promoters. Our results suggest that cytokinesis‐specific syntaxin requires high‐level accumulation during cell‐plate formation, which necessitates de novo synthesis rather than endocytosis of pre‐made protein from the plasma membrane. In contrast, syntaxin in innate immunity does not need upregulation of expression but instead requires pathogen‐induced and endocytosis‐dependent retargeting to the infection site. This feature of PEN1 is not afforded by SYP132. Additionally, PEN1 could not substitute for KNOLLE because of SNARE domain differences, as revealed by protein chimeras. In contrast, SYP132 was able to rescue knolle as did KNOLLE‐SYP132 chimeras. Unlike KNOLLE and PEN1, which appear to have evolved to perform specialized functions, SYP132 stably localized at the plasma membrane and thus might play a role in constitutive membrane fusion.
Exposed proliferation antigen 210 (XPA‐210) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and oncocytoma: clinical utility and biological implications
2011-06-28

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The exposed proliferation antigen 210 (XPA‐210) of the proliferation marker thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) showed higher expression levels in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The current study used a new XPA‐210 antibody to clarify the role of TK1 tissue expression in the largest reported cohort of different renal cell carcinoma types and oncocytomas. OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical role of the exposed proliferation antigen 210 (XPA‐210) of the proliferation marker thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) in a large cohort of different renal cell carcinoma (RCC) types, oncocytomas and normal renal tissues samples, as TK1 is reported to be of clinical significance in several cancer entities and is suggested as a prognostic serum biomarker for RCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Expressions of XPA‐210 were determined immunohistochemically in 40 clear cell RCCs (ccRCC), 25 papillary RCCs (papRCC), 17 chromophobe RCC (chRCC), 27 oncocytomas and 64 normal renal parenchyma paraffin‐embedded specimens. Immunohistochemistry was performed with a monoclonal anti‐XPA‐210 antibody. Staining was measured by the percentage of positive cells. Expression was compared between subgroups and correlated with respective clinical data using one‐way analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey‐Kramer analyses. RESULTS XPA‐210 staining in the RCC subgroup was significantly different from the oncocytomas (mean [ sem ] 4.1 [0.4] vs 2.2 [0.4]; P = 0.004) and from normal renal tissue (1.0 [0.1]; P &lt; 0.001], whereas oncocytomas did not differ from normal renal parenchyma staining ( P = 0.18). Subdivided into RCC groups, only ccRCC (mean [ sem ] 5.1 [0.6]; P &lt; 0.001) and papRCC (4.4 [0.6]; P &lt; 0.001) varied from normal renal parenchyma, whereas chRCC (1.4 [0.3]; P = 0.99) did not. RCC XPA‐210 staining was significantly associated with higher tumour stage (T = 3, P = 0.002) and grade (G = 3, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The malignant character of RCC is reflected by higher XPA‐210 expression as compared with oncocytomas and normal kidney. The ccRCC and papRCC subgroups had higher XPA‐210 levels. XPA‐210 could be considered a potential marker for the assessment of the proliferative activity in primary RCC.
1,2‐Carbagerma‐closo‐dodecaborate as a Germanium Ligand in Coordination Chemistry – Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity
2011-06-28

Abstract A much improved synthesis for the carbagerma‐ closo ‐dodecaborate anion [GeCB 10 H 11 ] – is described in the form of [Bu 3 NH][GeCB 10 H 11 ] ( 1 ). In reactions with transition metal electrophiles, three transition metal complexes {[Bu 3 NH][(C 6 H 6 )Ru(Cl) 2 (GeCB 10 H 11 )] ( 2 ), [Bu 3 NH][Cp*Ir(Cl)(GeCB 10 H 11 ) 2 ] ( 3 ) and [Me 3 NH][(PPh 3 ) 2 Ir(CO)(GeCB 10 H 11 ) 2 ] ( 4 )} with metal–germanium bonds were synthesized. The carbagermaborate anion, in the form of the salt [Et 3 NH][GeCB 10 H 11 ], and the coordination compounds 2 – 4 were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Computations were carried out for the anions in 1 – 4 to aid NMR assignments.
Assessing Drivers’ Fatigue State Under Real Traffic Conditions Using EEG Alpha Spindles
2011-06-28

The effectiveness of EEG alpha spindles, defined by short narrowband bursts in the alpha band, as an objective measure for assessing driver fatigue under real driving conditions was examined using an algorithm for the identification of alpha spindles. The method is applied to data recorded under real traffic conditions and compared with the performance of the traditional EEG fatigue measure alpha band power. Statistical analysis revealed significant increases from the first to the last driving section of alpha band power; with larger effect sizes for the alpha spindle based measures. An increased level of fatigue for drop-outs, as compared to participants who did not abort the drive, was observed only by means of alpha spindle parameters. EEG alpha spindle parameters increase both fatigue detection sensitivity and specificity as compared to EEG alpha band power. It is demonstrated that alpha spindles are superior to EEG band power measures for assessing driver fatigue under real traffic conditions.
High-Throughput-Screening-Based Identification and Structure–Activity Relationship Characterization Defined (S)-2-(1-Aminoisobutyl)-1-(3-chlorobenzyl)benzimidazole as a Highly Antimycotic Agent Nontoxic to Cell Lines
2011-06-29

Novel nontoxic (S)-2-aminoalkylbenzimidazole derivatives were found to be effective against Candida spp. at low micromolar concentrations using high-throughput screening with infected HeLa cells. A collection of analogues defined the chemical groups relevant for activity. The most active compound was characterized by transcriptional analysis of the response of C. albicans Sc5314. (S)-2-(1-Aminoisobutyl)-1-(3-chlorobenzyl)benzimidazole had a strong impact on membrane biosynthesis. Testing different clinically relevant pathogenic fungi showed the selectivity of the antimycotic activity against Candida species.
Electronic Properties of Interfaces between PCPDTBT and Prototypical Electrodes Studied by Photoemission Spectroscopy
2011-06-29

Abstract We report on the electronic structure of poly[2,6‐(4,4‐bis‐ (2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b;3,4‐b′]dithiophene)‐alt‐4,7(2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)] (PCPDTBT), a promising low‐band‐gap donor material for efficient bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Electronic properties of interfaces formed between PCPDTBT and prototypical electrodes [Au, indium‐tin‐oxide and poly(ethylene‐dioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate)], obtained from X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, are evaluated. The formation of interface dipoles is observed, and their consequences for device performance are discussed. For the system PCPDTBT/Au chemical interactions occur, which may affect in particular the charge extraction at the corresponding interface.
Heat transport of diurnal temperature oscillations upon river-water infiltration investigated by fiber-optic high-resolution temperature profiling
2011-06-29

Abstract. River-water infiltration is of high relevance for hyporheic and riparian groundwater ecology as well as for drinking water supply by river-bank filtration. Heat has become a popular natural tracer to estimate exchange rates between rivers and groundwater. However, quantifying flow patterns and velocities is impeded by spatial and temporal variations of exchange fluxes, insufficient sensors spacing during field investigations, or simplifying assumptions for analysis or modeling such as uniform flow. The objective of this study is to investigate local heat transport upon river-water infiltration in the riverbed and the adjacent riparian zone of the losing River Thur in northeast Switzerland. Here we have applied distributed temperature sensing (DTS) along optical fibers wrapped around three tubes to measure high-resolution temperature profiles of the unsaturated zone and shallow groundwater. Diurnal temperature oscillations were tracked in the subsurface and analyzed by means of dynamic harmonic regression to extract amplitudes and phase angles. Subsequent calculations of amplitude attenuation and time shift relative to the river signal show in detail vertical and temporal variations of heat transport. In addition, we apply a numerical two-dimensional heat transport model for the unsaturated zone and shallow groundwater to get a better understanding of the observed heat transport processes in the riparian zone. Our results show that heat transfer of diurnal temperature oscillations from the losing river through groundwater is influenced by thermal exchange with the unsaturated zone. Neglecting the influence of the unsaturated zone would cause biased interpretation and underestimation of groundwater flow velocities. In addition, the observed riparian groundwater temperature distribution cannot be described by uniform flow, but rather by horizontal groundwater flow velocities varying over depth.