julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Whether depositing fat or losing weight, fish maintain a balance
2009-08-12

In fish, the relative amount of tissues of different densities changes significantly over short periods throughout the year, depending on the availability of food, nutrition and their developmental status, such as sexual maturation. If a land-living animal accumulates fat it influences not only its general state of health, but also markedly increases its energy expenditure for locomotion owing to the force of gravity. On a body submerged in water, this force, which acts on the centre of gravity (COG), is counterbalanced by a lifting force that is negligible in air and which acts on the centre of buoyancy (COB). Any difference in the longitudinal positions of the two centres will therefore result in pitching moments that must be counteracted by body or fin movements. The displacement of the COG away from the COB is a result of tissues of different density (e.g. bones and fat) not being distributed homogeneously along the body axis. Moreover, the proportions of tissues of different densities change significantly with feeding status. It is still unknown whether these changes produce a displacement of the COG and thus affect the hydrostatic stability of fish. Analysis of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging images of Atlantic herring, Atlantic salmon and Atlantic mackerel reveals that the COG is fairly constant in each species, although we recorded major interspecies differences in the relative amount of fat, muscle and bone. We conclude that the distribution of different tissues along the body axis is very closely adjusted to the swimming mode of the fish by keeping the COG constant, independent of the body fat status, and that fish can cope with large variations in energy intake without jeopardizing their COG and thus their swimming performance.
Confocal microscopy and spectroscopy of defect photoluminescence in single SiO 2 nanoparticles
2009-08-12

We present new results on single SiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles (SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs). NPs were obtained by full oxidation in water of silicon nanocrystals synthesized by CO<sub>2</sub> laser pyrolysis of SiH4. Samples of SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs embedded in low concentration in a thin polymer layer were prepared by spin-coating a dedicated solution on quartz cover slides. Using focused higher order laser modes, we determine the three-dimensional orientation of the nanoparticles' transition dipole moment (TDM). The SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs were found to possess a quite stable and randomly oriented TDM. However, characteristic dynamical effects featuring single NPs such as fluorescence intermittency and TDM flipping could also be observed. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy of single SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs revealed spectra with a double-peak structure consisting of a narrow zero-phonon line and a broader phonon band. The phonon band can be attributed to longitudinal optical phonons excited in the SiO<sub>2</sub> network.
The structure of dimethylallyl tryptophan synthase reveals a common architecture of aromatic prenyltransferases in fungi and bacteria
2009-08-13

Ergot alkaloids are toxins and important pharmaceuticals that are produced biotechnologically on an industrial scale. The first committed step of ergot alkaloid biosynthesis is catalyzed by dimethylallyl tryptophan synthase (DMATS; EC 2.5.1.34). Orthologs of DMATS are found in many fungal genomes. We report here the x-ray structure of DMATS, determined at a resolution of 1.76 Å. A complex of DMATS from Aspergillus fumigatus with its aromatic substrate L-tryptophan and with an analogue of its isoprenoid substrate dimethylallyl diphosphate reveals the structural basis of this enzyme-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction, which shows strict regiospecificity for position 4 of the indole nucleus of tryptophan as well as unusual independence of the presence of Mg 2+ ions. The 3D structure of DMATS belongs to a rare β/α barrel fold, called prenyltransferase barrel, that was recently discovered in a small group of bacterial enzymes with no sequence similarity to DMATS. These bacterial enzymes catalyze the prenylation of aromatic substrates in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (i.e., a reaction similar to that of DMATS).
Laparoscopic-assisted transgastric cholecystectomy and secure endoscopic closure of the transgastric defect in a survival porcine model
2009-08-14

We found gastric closure using the OTSC to be a reliable tool for closing the transgastric access. Laparoscopic-assisted transgastric cholecystectomy by means of a flexible endoscope was technically feasible, but remains a demanding procedure.
Extrinsic afferent nerve sensitivity and enteric neurotransmission in murine jejunum in vitro
2009-08-14

Enteric and extrinsic sensory neurons respond to similar stimuli. Thus they may be activated in series or in parallel. Because signal transmission via synapses or mediator release would depend on calcium, we investigated its role for extrinsic afferent sensitivity to chemical and mechanical stimulation. Extracellular multiunit afferent recordings were made in vitro from paravascular nerve bundles supplying the mouse jejunum. Intraluminal pressure and afferent nerve responses were recorded under control conditions and under four conditions designed to interfere with enteric neurotransmission. We found that phasic intestinal contractions ceased after switching perfusion to Ca 2+ -free buffer with or without a purinergic P2 receptor antagonist, pyridoxal phosphate-6-azo(benzene-2,4-disulfonic acid) (PPADS) or cadmium (blocking all Ca 2+ -channels) but not following ω-conotoxin GVIA (N-type Ca 2+ -channel blocker). Luminal HCl (pH 2) and 5-HT (500 μM) evoked peak firing of 17 ± 4 impulses per second (imp/s) ( n = 10) and 21 ± 4 imp/s ( n = 13) under control conditions. These responses were reduced to 4 ± 2 imp/s and 5 ± 2 imp/s by cadmium ( n = 7, P &lt; 0.05), to 7 ± 2 imp/s and 6 ± 1 imp/s by Ca 2+ -free perfusion ( n = 6, P &lt; 0.05), and to 3 ± 1 imp/s and 4 ± 1 imp/s by Ca 2+ -free perfusion with PPADS ( n = 6, P &lt; 0.05). Responses were unchanged by ω-conotoxin GVIA. Mechanical ramp distension of the intestinal segment to 60 cmH 2 O was not altered by any of the experimental conditions. We concluded that HCl and 5-HT activate extrinsic afferents via a calcium-dependent mechanism, which is unlikely to involve enteric neurons carrying N-type calcium channels. Extrinsic mechanosensitivity is independent of enteric neurotransmission. It appears that cross talk from the enteric to the extrinsic nervous system does not mediate extrinsic afferent sensitivity.
The FLT3 inhibitor tandutinib (formerly MLN518) has sequence-independent synergistic effects with cytarabine and daunorubicin
2009-08-15

AML remains a difficult disease to treat. Despite response to induction chemotherapy, most patients ultimately relapse. Further, among elderly patients, aggressive therapy options are often limited due to other medical conditions and decreased tolerance of these patients to conventional chemotherapy. Internal tandem duplications (ITD) of the FLT3 juxtamembrane domain occur in 20-30% of AML patients and predict poor outcome. First clinical data with the FLT3 inhibitor tandutinib demonstrated antileukemic activity in approximately half of the patients--predominantly with FLT3 ITD positive AML. But the data also show that optimal use of tandutinib will require combination therapy with cytotoxic agents. Notably, single agent tandutinib has not been associated with myelosuppression, mucositis or cardiac toxicity--the dose limiting toxicities of AML chemotherapy. We determined the feasibility of combining tandutinib with the standard "3 + 7" induction regimen in AML and show that, in contrast to other structurally unrelated FLT3 inhibitors recently evaluated in clinical trials, the use of tandutinib displayed application sequence independent synergistic antileukemic effects in combination with cytarabine and daunorubicin. Strong synergistic antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects were thereby predominantly seen on FLT3 ITD positive blasts. Further we demonstrate, that addition of tandutinib may allow dose reduction of chemotherapy without loss of overall antileukemic activity--resulting in a potential decrease of side effects. This approach might be an interesting novel strategy especially in the treatment of elderly/comorbid patients. Our data provide a rationale for combining tandutinib with induction chemotherapy in intensified as well as in dose reduction protocols for FLT3 ITD positive AML.
Laparoscopic Surgery on Upper Urinary Tract in Children Younger Than 1 Year: Technical Aspects and Functional Outcome
2009-08-16

Minimally invasive procedures on the upper urinary tract in children younger than 1 year are technically challenging, and require expertise of the surgeon and the entire team. Given these assumptions, such procedures can be safely performed with excellent functional outcomes.
Crystallization and microstructure evolution of TiO2thin films and powders studied by XRD total pattern fitting and stress analysis
2009-08-16

Page s 233tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated aluminum atoms the same relative displacement (percentage movement in relation to the ionic radii) is observed which is twice as high as compared with the values calculated for the bismuth and oxygen atoms.For (Bi 0.8 Sr 0.2 ) 2 Al 4 O 9 , the thermal expansion parameter of 5.3 .10 -6 , 9.6 .10 -6 , 6.7 .10 -6 and 2.3 .10 -5 for the lattice parameters a, b, c, and V, respectively, measured during heating runs of two different samples, differ slightly from the corresponding parameters of the pure bismuth aluminate.Additionally, during the cooling run the thermal expansion for the c lattice parameter (7.9 .10 -6 ) differs at most from the heating measurement.But in both cases, the samples were heated above their stability temperature of 1070 -1130 K and this parameter reflects the remaining (Bi/Sr) 2 Al 4 O 9 phase to be nearly free of strontium which is confirmed by Rietveld refinements.For Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 a similar behavior as for the corresponding aluminate or gallate [3] is observed except the decomposition temperature, which is 1232 K for the ferrate.
Synthesis and crystal structure of Zr0.43Gd0.57O1.07N0.43
2009-08-16

Page s 233tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated aluminum atoms the same relative displacement (percentage movement in relation to the ionic radii) is observed which is twice as high as compared with the values calculated for the bismuth and oxygen atoms.For (Bi 0.8 Sr 0.2 ) 2 Al 4 O 9 , the thermal expansion parameter of 5.3 .10 -6 , 9.6 .10 -6 , 6.7 .10 -6 and 2.3 .10 -5 for the lattice parameters a, b, c, and V, respectively, measured during heating runs of two different samples, differ slightly from the corresponding parameters of the pure bismuth aluminate.Additionally, during the cooling run the thermal expansion for the c lattice parameter (7.9 .10 -6 ) differs at most from the heating measurement.But in both cases, the samples were heated above their stability temperature of 1070 -1130 K and this parameter reflects the remaining (Bi/Sr) 2 Al 4 O 9 phase to be nearly free of strontium which is confirmed by Rietveld refinements.For Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 a similar behavior as for the corresponding aluminate or gallate [3] is observed except the decomposition temperature, which is 1232 K for the ferrate.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) for the Characterization of Focal Liver Lesions – Prospective Comparison in Clinical Practice: CEUS vs. CT (DEGUM Multicenter Trial) Parts of this Manuscript were presented at the Ultrasound Dreiländertreffen 2008, Davos
2009-08-17

In a multi-center approach under routine clinical conditions, this prospective study demonstrates CEUS to be of equal rank to the CT-scan in regard to the assessment of tumor differentiation and specification. No statistically significant differences could be established. CEUS should be employed before computed tomography is performed for the differentiation of liver tumors, because radiation exposure and invasive biopsies can be avoided in veritable numbers of cases, when precise clinical evaluation of the findings is implemented.
Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 a promoting enzyme for peritoneal dissemination in gastric cancer
2009-08-17

Abstract Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a frequent finding in gastric cancer associated with a poor prognosis. The features that enable gastric tumors to disseminate are poorly understood until now. Previously, we showed elevated mRNA levels of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), an adenosine triphosphate‐generating enzyme in the glycolytic pathway, the chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), the corresponding chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and β‐catenin in specimens from gastric cancer patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. In this study, the influence of PGK1 on CXCR4 and β‐catenin was assessed as well as the invasiveness of PGK1 overexpressing cancer cells. In this current study, we found that PGK1 regulates the expression of CXCR4 and β‐catenin at the mRNA and protein levels. On the other hand, CXCR4 regulates the expression of PGK1. Plasmid‐mediated overexpression of PGK1 dramatically increased the invasiveness of gastric cancer cells. Interestingly, inhibition of CXCR4 in cells overexpressing PGK1 produced only a moderate reduction of invasiveness suggesting that, PGK1 itself has a critical role in tumor invasiveness. Immunohistochemistry in specimens from diffuse gastric cancer patients also revealed an overexpression of PGK1 in patients with development of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Therefore, PGK1 may be a crucial enzyme in peritoneal dissemination. Together these findings suggest that the enhanced expression of PGK1 and its signaling targets CXCR4 and β‐catenin in gastric cancer cells promote peritoneal carcinomatosis. Thus, PGK1 may serve as prognostic marker and/or be a potential therapeutic target to prevent dissemination of gastric carcinoma cells into the peritoneum.
Head morphology of selected Staphylinoidea (Coleoptera: Staphyliniformia) with an evaluation of possible groundplan features in Staphylinidae
2009-08-17

Abstract In insects, anatomical features of the head have been found to provide important information for phylogenetic and comparative evolutionary studies. We analyzed the internal head morphology of three (omaliine, tachyporine, oxyteline group) out of the four subfamily groups of the beetle family Staphylinidae plus two non‐staphylinid outgroups (i.e., Agyrtidae and Leiodidae). Synchrotron X‐ray micro‐tomography was used to obtain comparative head anatomical datasets of eight species to describe (i) the presence/absence of muscles inside the head capsule and (ii) the variability in their points of origin. Nineteen of these muscles were phylogenetically informative (nine with respect to presence/absence and eleven with respect to the origin; one muscle had an influence on both analyses) and were used in character mapping analyses to reconstruct groundplan patterns of the head musculature in Staphylinidae and their subgroups. Three muscles (Mm. 7, 9, 50) were identified as possibly autapomorphic for Staphyliniformia. The taxon (Agyrtidae + Leiodidae) is supported by the absence of M. 9. The monophyly of the tachyporine group is supported by a common origin of M. 4. Aleocharinae, a subfamily within the tachyporine group, is supported by the absence of M. 42 and possibly by numerous points of origin of various muscles (Mm. 1, 17, 28, 29, 30). Our analysis of the general organization of the hypopharynx‐prementum‐complex has revealed that this complex is organized in a similar way in the investigated staphylinoids, i.e., with the prementum lying anteriorly to and being in line with the hypopharynx and the mentum. We have found deviating conditions in the investigated species of the Aleocharinae, in which the prementum can be largely retracted posteriorly. Consequently, it is sandwiched between the ventral mentum and the dorsal hypopharyngeal region. The hypopharyngeal region is thus lifted dorsad to a large extent, approaching the cibarial roof. This situation is paralleled by a loss of the hypopharyngeal retractor (M. 42) and a shift of origin of premental retractors (Mm. 28–30) posteriorly toward the gula. J. Morphol. 270:1503–1523, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inflammation‐associated repression of vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) reduces alveolar‐capillary barrier function during acute lung injury
2009-08-18

ABSTRACT Acute lung injury (ALI) is an inflammatory disorder associated with reduced alveolar‐capillary barrier function, increased pulmonary vascular permeability, and infiltration of leukocytes into the alveolar space. Pulmonary function might be compromised, its most severe form being the acute respiratory distress syndrome. A protein central to physiological barrier properties is vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). Given the fact that VASP expression is reduced during periods of cellular hypoxia, we investigated the role of VASP during ALI. Initial studies revealed reduced VASP expressional levels through cyto‐kines in vitro. Studies in the putative human VASP promoter identified NF‐κB as a key regulator of VASP transcription. This VASP repression results in increased paracellular permeability and migration of neutrophils in vitro. In a model of LPS‐induced ALI, VASP −/− mice demonstrated increased pulmonary damage compared with wild‐type animals. These findings were confirmed in a second model of ventilator‐induced lung injury. Studies employing bone marrow chimeric animals identified tissue‐specific repression of VASP as the underlying cause of decreased barrier properties of the alveolar‐capillary barrier during ALI. Taken together these studies identify tissue‐specific VASP as a central protein in the control of the alveolar‐capillary barrier properties during ALI.—Henes, J., Schmit, M. A., Morote‐Garcia, J. C., Mirakaj, V., Kohler, D., Glover, L., Eldh, T., Walter, U., Karhausen, J., Colgan, S. P., Rosenberger, P. Inflammation‐associated repression of vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) reduces alveolar‐capillary barrier function during acute lung injury. FASEB J. 23, 4244‐4255 (2009). www.fasebj.org
Solar System Formation
2009-08-18

In this review, three major changes in our understanding of the early history of the Solar System are presented. 1) Early differentiation: A few recent results support the idea that protoplanet formation and differentiation occurred partly simultaneously than CAI formation. First, some iron meteorites, eucrites, and angrites older than the chondrules or even than the CAI have been found. Second, iron meteorites could be debris of early disrupted differentiated planetesimals, scattered from the terrestrial planet region to the Main Belt. Finally, chondrules contain fragments of planetesimal material. 2) Earth and Moon: An equilibration mechanism explains the identical Oxygen isotopic composition of the Earth and the Moon. In addition, it has been shown that the Earth and the Moon mantles have the same 182^W anomaly, in contrast to what was believed before. Consequently, the Moon forming impact should have occurred after the extinction of the 182Hf radioactivity, about 60 Myr after Solar System formation. This new datation is in agreement with new N-body numerical simulations of the last phase of terrestrial planets formation, in which giant impacts occur during about 100 Myr. 3) Giant planets and Nice model: The migration of the giant planets in the protoplanetary disc can be prevented if the planets are in resonance, close to each other. In the ``Nice model'', the 4 outer planets of the Solar System were in a compact configuration after the dissipation of gaseous disc. A few hundred million years later, a global instability drives the planets on their present orbits, producing the Late Heavy Bombardment. In this frame, a lot of characteristics of our Solar System can be explained.
Plasmonic gold structures with individually designed geometries
2009-08-18

Individual small gold structures of different sizes and shapes are fabricated on planar substrates for subsequent characterization of their optical properties. In the process, a combination of thin-film metallization, electron beam lithography and ion milling is employed, where electron beam structured hydrogen silsesquioxane is used as an etch mask for the underlying gold layer. Gold cones, vertical rods, cups and flat disks can be prepared with a typical height of about 100 nm. Their optical properties are investigated by confocal optical microscopy using a parabolic mirror for both laser focusing and signal collection. As an example, the photoluminescence signal collected from an array of gold cones is shown.
The Brain of Opera Singers: Experience-Dependent Changes in Functional Activation
2009-08-19

Several studies have shown that motor-skill training over extended time periods results in reorganization of neural networks and changes in brain morphology. Yet, little is known about training-induced adaptive changes in the vocal system, which is largely subserved by intrinsic reflex mechanisms. We investigated highly accomplished opera singers, conservatory level vocal students, and laymen during overt singing of an Italian aria in a neuroimaging experiment. We provide the first evidence that the training of vocal skills is accompanied by increased functional activation of bilateral primary somatosensory cortex representing articulators and larynx. Opera singers showed additional activation in right primary sensorimotor cortex. Further training-related activation comprised the inferior parietal lobe and bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. At the subcortical level, expert singers showed increased activation in the basal ganglia, the thalamus, and the cerebellum. A regression analysis of functional activation with accumulated singing practice confirmed that vocal skills training correlates with increased activity of a cortical network for enhanced kinesthetic motor control and sensorimotor guidance together with increased involvement of implicit motor memory areas at the subcortical and cerebellar level. Our findings may have ramifications for both voice rehabilitation and deliberate practice of other implicit motor skills that require interoception.
G&#946;&#947;-Copurified Lipid Kinase Impurity from Sf9 Cells
2009-08-19

G-protein betagamma dimers are prime regulators transmitting extracellular signals to wide-ranging cellular effectors including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) isoforms beta and gamma. Recombinant Gbetagamma purified from Sf9 cells via metal-affinity and anion exchange chromatography exhibited a wortmannin-insensitive phospholipid kinase activity that copurified from the insect cells. To exclude false-positive results of Gbetagamma-dependent lipid kinase activity, the elimination of insect phospholipid kinase from Gbetagamma protein samples is necessary to avoid interference with the intrinsic lipid kinase activity of PI3K isoforms in reconstitution experiments. Here we describe an improved procedure of Gbeta(1)gamma(2) purification from cell membranes that separates the contaminating phospholipid kinase.