julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Protein kinase Cα regulates Ets1 transcriptional activity in invasive breast cancer cells
2003-04-01

We have previously shown that PKC inhibitors interfere with the Ets1/Smad3-dependent regulation of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) P3 promoter activity by TGFbeta in invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. By examining PKC expression in a variety of breast cancer cell lines, the protein level of PKCalpha was found to be much higher in Ets1-expressing MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells than in Ets1-deficient MCF-7 and SK-BR3 cells. No correlation of Ets1 expression with the expression of other PKC subtypes (PKCbeta1, PKCbeta2, PKCdelta or PKCepsilon) could be observed. In contrast to MDA-MB-231 cells, PKCalpha-deficient MCF-7 cells do not support Ets1-induced activation of the PTHrP P3 promoter suggesting that PKCalpha may be important for Ets1 activity. A constitutively active form of PKCalpha was found to potentiate the P3 promoter activation by Ets1 alone and in synergy with Smad3. PKCalpha, but not PKCepsilon, also induced phosphorylation of the Ets1 protein. Both PKCalpha effects on Ets1 depended on the exon VII domain of Ets1. Using verapamil and ionomycin, we could show that PKCalpha induces Ets1 phosphorylation independent of calcium mobilization. Collectively, our data suggest that PKCalpha may regulate Ets1 activity in invasive breast cancer cells.
Guided tissue regeneration using a polylactic acid barrier
2003-04-01

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative impact of various predictors responsible for the variability in treatment outcome after guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in intraosseous periodontal defects. Patients and methods: 30 patients with chronic periodontitis and at least one intraosseous periodontal lesion (≥4 mm) were enrolled. Following full‐mouth scaling, GTR using polylactic acid membranes was performed at one site in each patient. Main periodontal pathogens, defect morphology, membrane exposure and smoking habit were assessed as predictor variables. Alveolar bone level change served as the primary outcome variable in a multiple regression analysis. Results: After 12 months, the 29 patients completing the study showed alveolar bone changes ranging from 4 mm bone gain to 1 mm bone loss (mean: 1.6±0.4 mm gain). Active smoking (β‐weight:‐0.49, P =0.003) and persistence of subgingival infection with P. gingivalis (P.g.) (β‐weight:‐0.25, P =0.11) were associated with poor treatment outcome. Deep initial intraosseous defects (β‐weight: 0.32, P =0.045) were associated with favorable treatment outcome, and membrane exposure had no impact on bone gain. Conclusion: Active smoking was the strongest predictor variable negatively affecting alveolar bone gain following GTR in the treatment of periodontal defects. It was followed by a positive influence of a deeper intraosseous defect and by a negative effect by persistent subgingival infection of P. gingivalis . The relative impact of these factors may be useful in assessing the prosgnosis of GTR in intraosseous periodontal defects.
Cellular mechanisms of the trigeminally evoked startle response
2003-04-01

Abstract The startle response is an important mammalian model for studying the cellular mechanisms of emotions and of learning. It consists of contractions of facial and skeletal muscles in response to sudden acoustic, tactile or vestibular stimuli. Whereas the acoustic startle pathway is well described, only a few recent studies have investigated the tactile startle pathway. It was proposed that there is a direct projection from the principal sensory nucleus to the central sensorimotor interface of the startle response, which is formed by the giant neurons in the caudal pontine reticular formation. We explored this projection in greater detail in vitro. Anterograde tracing in rat brain slices confirmed projections with large axon terminals from the ventral part of the principal sensory nucleus to the lateral caudal pontine reticular formation. Electrophysiological studies revealed a monosynaptic glutamatergic connection between principal sensory nucleus neurons and caudal pontine reticular formation giant neurons. The synapses displayed paired‐pulse facilitation at high‐frequency stimulation, and homosynaptic depression at 1 Hz stimulation. The latter form of plasticity is thought to underlie habituation of the startle response. Furthermore, postsynaptic currents in caudal pontine reticular formation giant neurons evoked by principal sensory nucleus neuron stimulation summed in a linear way with signals evoked by stimulation of auditory afferents. Synaptic plasticity and summation of synaptic currents correspond well with in vivo data previously published by other groups. We thus presume that these synapses mediate trigeminal input to the startle pathway.
Antibody Responses toPlasmodium falciparumMerozoite Surface Protein–1 and Efficacy of Amodiaquine in Gabonese Children withP. falciparumMalaria
2003-04-01

The relationship between the efficacy of amodiaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria and preexisting antibodies against merozoite surface protein (MSP)-1, a blood-stage P. falciparum antigen, was investigated. The immunoglobulin G antibody response to different MSP-1 recombinant proteins was evaluated in plasma samples from Gabonese children with uncomplicated malaria who were treated with amodiaquine. The prevalence of anti-MSP-1 antibodies was similar among patients with either parasitological and clinical cure after treatment (n=102) or treatment failure (n=51) by day 28 (83% in both groups). However, associations between antibody responses to K1 and MAD20 allelic families and therapeutic success were found (P< .001 and P= .034, respectively). A high proportion of plasma samples recognizing several antigens was found in the cured group. This association was significant even when data were stratified by age, particularly for the K1 family antigens (P= .029). These results suggest that humoral immune responses play a supportive role in the efficacy of amodiaquine treatment.
Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA seropositivity is associated with increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease, myocardial infarction and stroke in dialysis patients
2003-04-01

These results indicate that IgA seropositivity is associated with an increased frequency of symptomatic atherosclerotic manifestations. Especially an increased number of patients was found with prior myocardial infarction or stroke when elevated IgA titers were detected. IgA positivity seems to be a separate prospective risk factor in patients with chronic renal failure and hemodialysis for premature cardiovascular death.
Gene Silencing by RNAi in Mammalian Cells
2003-04-01

Abstract This unit provides information how to use short interfering RNA (siRNA) for sequence specific gene silencing in mammalian cells. Several ways for siRNA generation and optimisation, as well as recommendations for cell transfection are presented.
All-Trans and 9-cis Retinoid Acids Inhibit Proliferation, Migration, and Synthesis of Extracellular Matrix of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Inducing Differentiation In Vitro
2003-04-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 9-cis retinoid acid (9-cis RA) and all-trans RA (ATRA) on proliferation, migratory ability, synthesis of extracellular matrix, intracellular signal transduction, and differentiation of human aortic smooth muscle cells (haSMCs) in vitro. Changes of cell proliferation following incubation with RAs in different doses (10-6 M, 10-7 M, and 10-8 M) were determined directly by proliferation kinetics and indirectly by bromodeoxyuridine enzyme-linked immuno sorbant assays and colony-formation assays. The migratory ability of haSMCs was examined with the help of migration assays. The production of the extracellular matrix protein tenascin was explored by immunostaining. The amounts of total p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their phosphorylated forms were detected with the help of Western blots. To judge the state of differentiation of haSMCs, cell cycle distribution and the pattern of alpha-actin were analyzed. Both RAs clearly inhibited the proliferation of haSMCs in a dose-dependent manner. 9-cis RA had a tendency to be more effective than ATRA. After treatment with RAs, the migratory ability was especially reduced during stimulation with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the synthesis of tenascin decreased. Although the total p44/p42 MAPKs were downregulated, the amounts of activated forms increased markedly in the cells incubated with RAs and particularly stimulated with PDGF. The cell-cycle analysis demonstrated an increased G1-phase, complemented by a stronger expression of alpha-actin after treatment. 9-cis RA especially has the potential to inhibit the proliferation, migration, and synthesis of extracellular matrix of haSMCs by inducing differentiation in vitro.
Spontaneous, self-limited, non-atherosclerotic dissection of the superior mesenteric artery
2003-04-01

A case of spontaneous, non-atherosclerotic dissection of the superior mesenteric artery is described. The patient presented with severe abdominal pain. An initial computed tomography scan did not disclose any pathology, namely the major mesenteric arteries were perfused. The patient's initial symptoms resolved during the first 48 h under conservative treatment. Sagittal reconstruction from a follow-up computed tomography scan disclosed a 7 cm long dissection of the proximal superior mesenteric artery with thrombosis of the false lumen and residual blood flow through the true lumen. There were no signs of transmural infarction of the bowel. Anticoagulation with heparin and later with phenprocoumon was initiated and the patient is well after 6 months. Together with several other cases reported recently, and in contrast to previous experience, this case adds evidence that conservative treatment of spontaneous, non-atherosclerotic dissection of the superior mesenteric artery may be an alternative to surgery if residual blood flow is maintained.
Cytokine profile of Plasmodium falciparum‐specific T cells in non‐immune malaria patients
2003-04-01

ABSTRACT CD3 + T cells are important sources of both pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines during Plasmodium falciparum malaria. We studied the frequency of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), gamma interferon (IFN‐γ), tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and IL‐10 expressing CD3 + cells in 10 non‐immune malaria patients with uncomplicated malaria and in one patient with cerebral malaria after P. falciparum ‐specific and non‐specific mitogenic stimulation. Analysis by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting was performed after drug‐induced clearance of parasites to allow previously sequestered T cells to be detected in peripheral blood. CD3 + cells of patients responded to P. falciparum infected erythrocytes with significant increases in the percentage of IL‐2, IFN‐γ, and TNF‐α, but also IL‐10, positive cells. CD3 + cells from malaria‐naïve donors were also responsive to specific stimulation albeit to a much lesser extent. Mitogenic stimulation of PBMC revealed no significant differences between cells of patients and controls. CD3 + cells of the patient with cerebral malaria were hyporesponsive both to the infecting parasite isolate as well as to our laboratory‐adapted P. falciparum isolate, whereas two patients with uncomplicated disease were more responsive to their infecting parasites than to the laboratory‐adapted isolate. The results indicate that the increased responsiveness of in vivo primed compared to malaria‐naïve CD3 + cells is Plasmodium ‐specific and biased towards production of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α.
Flavonoids and Terpenoids from the Resinous Exudates of Madia Species (Asteraceae, Helenieae)
2003-04-01

The resinous material accumulated on aerial parts of Madia species is shown to consist mainly of diterpenes, containing a series of flavonoid aglycones. A6- and/or 8-O-substitution is characteristic for many of these flavonoids. Three known rare diterpenes were found and the structure elucidation of a diterpene with a new carbon skeleton, named madiaol, is reported.
Early development of metanephridia in the caudal budding zone of a clitellate annelid, Dero digitata (Naidida): an electron‐microscopical study
2003-04-01

Abstract Ultrastructural analysis has revealed that metanephridia in Dero digitata arise from three nephroblast cells in the frontal epithelium of a septum suggesting its mesodermal origin. Each cell has a fixed developmental destination, one nephroblast cell produces the entire canal part and two cells give rise to the nephrostome. The nephroblast cell nearest to the body wall enlarges and proliferates a first set of canal cells, then one of the two proximally adjacent nephroblast cells differentiates into the envelope of the nephrostome generating the marginal cilia of the opening (mantle cell) and the second one transforms into the anteriormost cell of the funnel, producing a flame of cilia that beats into the canal lumen (flame cell). Thereafter, new canal cells appear, mainly by mitosis of the first cell, enlarging the body of the nephridium whose further differentiation was not analysed. Comparison with other clitellate species suggests a mantle cell (or some marginal cells) and a flame cell (or a central cell) to be special characters of the metanephridium in the stem species of the Clitellata and that, compared to many polychaete species, its early development assumes a special course by a precocious determination and arrangement of nephroblast cells, which, in both groups, probably originate from an identical mesodermal stem cell. Results further indicate that the nonclitellate Aeolosomatidae, by virtue of corresponding nephrostomata, are possibly closer related to the Clitellata.
Disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis: an update on recent and ongoing trials and future strategies
2003-04-01

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the prototype inflammatory autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system and the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults exhibiting considerable clinical, radiological and pathological heterogeneity. Novel insights in the immunopathological processes, advances in biotechnology, development of powerful magnetic resonance imaging technologies together with improvements in clinical trial design led to a variety of evaluable therapeutic approaches. Therapy has changed dramatically over the past decade, yielding significant progress for the treatment of relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS. A substantial number of pivotal and preliminary reports continue to demonstrate encouraging new evidence that advances are being made in the care of MS patients. This review summarises recent progress with currently available disease-modifying therapies and - on the basis of present immunopathogenetic concepts - outlines ongoing studies as well as future treatment strategies.
Identification of an in vitro insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation site by negative-ion μLC/ES-API-CID-MS hybrid scan technique
2003-04-01

Recently, we reported a fast on-line alkaline micro-liquid chromatography/electrospray-atmospheric pressure ionization/collision-induced dissociation/mass spectrometric approach for sensitive phosphopeptide screening of a tryptic digested protein and subsequent characterization of the identified phosphopeptide. Based on this study, we now applied an improved method for the identification of phosphorylation sites in insulin receptor substrate 1, an important mediator in insulin signal transduction which was phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase C-zeta. The approach consists of an on-line alkaline negative-ion micro-liquid chromatography/electrospray-atmospheric pressure ionization/collision-induced dissociation/mass spectrometric hybrid scan experiment using a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer with fractionation and subsequent off-line nanoES-MS (ion trap) analysis of the phosphopeptide-containing fractions. During the liquid chromatography (LC)/ES-MS experiment, the phosphopeptides of the enzymatic digest mixture of the studied insulin receptor substrate 1 fragment were detected under high skimmer potential (API-CID) using phosphorylation-specific m/z 79 marker ions as well as the intact m/z-values of the peptides which were recorded under low skimmer potential. Subsequently, the targeted fractions were analyzed by off-line nanoES-MS/MS and MS(3). Using this approach, serine 318 was clearly identified as a major in vitro protein kinase C-zeta phosphorylation site in the insulin receptor substrate -1 fragment. Together, our results indicate that the applied strategy is useful for unequivocal and fast analysis of phosphorylation sites in low abundant signaling proteins.
Second harmonic generation of a series of axially substituted titanium(IV) and gallium(III) tetra-tert-butylphthalocyanines
2003-04-01

Electric Field Induced Second-Harmonic (EFISH) Generation and Hyper Raleigh Scattering (HRS) measurements were performed on a representative series of axially substituted titanium(IV) and gallium(III) tetra-tert-butylphthalocyanines. The comparison of γ EFISH and β HRS values within the series and in particular in the case of the dimeric species shows the influence of both the reduction of symmetry of the phthalocyanine ring and the intramolecular stacking on the second order nonlinear optical properties.
Isolated Coronary Artery Rupture after Blunt Chest Trauma
2003-04-01

After blunt chest trauma, a patient with chronic coronary heart disease sustained an isolated rupture of the right coronary artery. All findings suggested a heart contusion complicated by a non-compromising pericardial effusion and aggravated by anticoagulation with phenprocoumon. After right-ventricular failure occurred, emergency coronary revascularization could not prevent a fatal outcome. This case emphasizes that a coronary artery lesion may be considered in those cases of thoracic trauma with preexisting coronary calcification.
[An unusual case of pyoderma gangrenosum with necrotizing granulomatous dermatitis].
2003-04-01

Four distinctive clinical and histological variants of pyoderma gangrenosum have been proposed: (1) ulcerative, (2) pustular, (3) bullous, and (4) vegetative. The rate of progression and associated systemic diseases, as well as the histopathologic changes, can vary considerably between these clinical variants. A 64-year-old man presented with ulcerative pyoderma gangrenosum associated with renal cell carcinoma and IgA paraproteinemia; he responded to oral thalidomide. Histopathology revealed unusual findings with signs of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, basophilic degeneration of collagen and zones of suppuration with a palisaded histiocytic and epithelioid granulomatous infiltration throughout the dermis.
PERSPECTIVES OF NUCLEAR PHYSICS
2003-04-01

The organizers of this meeting have asked me to present perspectives of\\nnuclear physics. This means to identify the areas where nuclear physics will be\\nexpanding in the next future. In six chapters a short overview of these areas\\nwill be given, where I expect that nuclear physics willdevelop quite fast: A.\\nQuantum Chromodynamics and effective field theories in the confinement region;\\nB. Nuclear structure at the limits; C. High energy heavy ion collisions; D.\\nNuclear astrophysics; E. Neutrino physics; F. Test of physics beyond the\\nstandard model by rare processes. After a survey over these six points I will\\npick out a few topics where I will go more in details. There is no time to give\\nfor all six points detailed examples. I shall discuss the following examples of\\nthe six topics mentionned above: 1. The perturbative chiral quark model and the\\nnucleon -term, 2. VAMPIR (Variation After Mean field Projection In\\nRealistic model spaces and with realistic forces) as an example of the nuclear\\nstructure renaissance, 3. Measurement of important astrophysical nuclear\\nreactions in the Gamow peak, 4. The solar neutrino problem. As examples for\\ntesting new physics beyond the standard model by rare processes I had prepared\\nto speak about the measurement of the electric neutron dipole moment and of the\\nneutrinoless double beta decay. But the time is limited and so I have to skip\\nthese points, although they are extremely interesting.\\n
ESTIMATION OF GENERALIZED ENTROPY AND ATKINSON INEQUALITY INDICES FROM SURVEY DATA
2003-04-01

'Applying a method suggested by Woodruff (Journal of the American Statistical Association, 1971), we derive the sampling variances of Generalized Entropy and Atkinson inequality indices when estimated from complex survey data. It turns out that this method also greatly simplifies the calculations for the i.i.d. case when compared to previous derivations in the literature. Both cases are illustrated with examples from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study and the British Household Panel Survey.' (author's abstract)
Experience with an ICD incorporating biventricular pacing.
2003-04-01

Biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization is a promising therapy for symptomatic improvement in selected patients with underlying severe congestive heart failure. ICD treatment has been shown to prolong life in patients with life threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias, but it does not improve quality of life. This review discusses current experience with ICD's incorporating biventricular pacing.
Post-Eocene evolution of the North Alpine Foreland Basin and its response to Alpine tectonics
2003-04-01

Abstract The post-flysch (Oligocene–Miocene) palaeogeographic evolution of the entire North Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB) between Savoy (France) and Lower Austria is presented in eight sketch maps. The compilation considers the palinspastic evolution of the Alps. It includes intramontane deposits, which represent a continuous marginal facies of the NAFB during Rupelian to Early Burdigalian times. The facies distribution in the NAFB was driven by two major types of processes, which are related to the tectonic evolution of the Alpine orogen. The first type, representing tectonic processes at the thrust front of the Alps, directly influenced the facies distribution of the narrowing NAFB. The second type represents an indirect impact of Alpine uplift and tectonics to the NAFB, transformed by varying sediment discharge. A strong increase in sediment discharge due to uplift of the Alps is the major reason for the generally regressive coarsening- and shallowing-upward cycle from the Lower Marine to the Lower Freshwater Molasse (UMM, USM) between 33 and 21 Ma. The development of the “Burdigalian Seaway” at ∼20 Ma was coeval with a reduction of thrust advance rates in the western and central part of the NAFB. Shallow marine conditions (Upper Marine Molasse, OMM) prevailed for ∼3 million years. In the Eastern Alps, reduction of relief due to lateral (east–west-oriented) extension caused a strong reduction in sediment discharge. Closure of the “Burdigalian Seaway” around 17 Ma occurred during a phase of tectonic reorganisation in the Alpine orogen and is coeval with a short-term increase in sediment discharge. Between 17 and 12 Ma, the NAFB was constantly overfilled (Upper Freshwater Molasse, OSM), despite strongly decreasing sediment discharge. Termination of sedimentation in the (unfolded) NAFB occurred diachronously in an undramatic process. It started in the western NAFB in the course of uplift of the Swiss Jura Mountains after 11 Ma and reached Lower Austria around 6–5 Ma. Strong uplift of the Alps and the NAFB started at around 6 Ma in the Swiss and Western Alps and at 4–3 Ma in the Eastern Alps. The uplift was followed by reworking and erosion of more than 2 km of Molasse sediments in the western NAFB.