julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Caspase‐cleaved cytokeratin 18 and 20 S proteasome in liver degeneration
2007-01-01

Abstract Apoptosis of epithelial hepatocytes plays a pivotal role in acute as well as in chronic liver diseases. The cleavage of cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18) by caspases is an early event in the apoptotic process. We therefore sought to investigate serum levels of CK‐18 and 20S proteasome in patients with liver cirrhosis, primary graft dysfunction (PDF), and acute liver failure (ALF), and in healthy volunteers. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to measure the concentration of M30, a fragment of CK‐18 cleaved at Asp396 (M30 neoantigen), and the concentration of 20S proteasome. Serum levels of the CK‐18 neoepitope M30 were significantly increased in ALF, primary graft dysfunction, and liver cirrhosis vs. healthy controls (1,993.6±124.7 U/L, 2,238.1±235.9 U/L, and 673.6±86.5 U/L vs. 66.8±29.1 U/L, respectively, P &lt;0.001). Similar results were detected with the evaluation of 20S proteasome (124,014.5±13,235.6 ng/mL, 76,993.2±15,720.1 ng/mL, and 2,395.9±1,098.2 ng/mL vs. 1,074.5±259.4 ng/mL, respectively; P &lt;0.001). Detection of CK‐18 neoepitope M30 and 20S proteasome may represent a novel marker of tracing apoptotic epithelium, respectively mirroring degenerative liver processes in affected patient population. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:277–281, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Dependent Regulation of Kv Channels in Dendritic Cells
2007-01-01

The phosphoinositide 3 (PI3) kinase plays a pivotal role in the regulation of dendritic cells (DCs), antigen-presenting cells that are able to initiate primary immune responses and to establish immunological memory. PI3 kinase is an endogenous suppressor of interleukin 12 (IL-12) production in DCs that is triggered by Toll-like receptor signaling. Inhibition of IL-12 production limits T helper 1 (Th1) polarization. On the other hand, PI3 kinase is an important regulator of various ion channels. The present study aimed to explore whether ion channels in DCs are regulated by PI3 kinase and whether they are important for DC function. To this end, DCs were isolated from murine bone marrow and ion channel activity was determined by patch clamp. As a result, DCs express voltage-gated K(+) channels (Kv), which are blocked by Stichodactyla helianthus toxin (ShK, 2.5 nM). A significant upregulation of Kv currents was observed upon maturation of DCs as induced by stimulation of the cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.1 microg/ml, 48 h). A dramatic increase of Kv current amplitude was observed following preincubation of the cells with LY294002 (100 nM), a specific inhibitor of PI3 kinase. PI3 kinase inhibitor wortmannin (100 nM) similarly increased Kv current. LY294002 treatment was further followed by a significant increase of IL-12 production. ShK (100 nM) significantly blunted the stimulation of IL-12 release by LPS but not when the cells were first pretreated with LY294002. The observations point to Kv channel sensitive and Kv channel insensitive regulation of DC function.
Tissue microarrays in clinical urology – Technical considerations
2007-01-01

The tissue microarray (TMA) technique is a 'high-throughput' tool which enables a rapid and concurrent analysis of molecular targets in large numbers of specimens at the DNA, RNA and protein levels under standardized conditions. In addition, TMA is a cost- and time-efficient method. This review focuses on its technical side, outlining its advantages and weaknesses. It also gives an overview of some major studies of bladder and prostate cancer in which the TMA technique was used.
The zero-one law for planar random walks in i.i.d. random environments revisited
2007-01-01

Abstract. In this note we present a simplified proof of the zero-one law by Merkl and Zerner (2001) for directional transience of random walks in i.i.d. random environments (RWRE) on Z 2. Also, we indicate how to construct a two-dimensional counterexample in a non-uniformly elliptic and stationary environment which has better ergodic properties than the example given by Merkl and Zerner. 1.
The K<sub>ATP</sub> Channel is Critical for Calcium Sequestration into Non-ER Compartments in Mouse Pancreatic Beta Cells
2007-01-01

K(ATP) channel activity influences beta cell Ca(2+) homeostasis by regulating Ca(2+) influx through L-type Ca(2+) channels. The present paper demonstrates that loss of K(ATP) channel activity due to pharmacologic or genetic ablation affects Ca(2+) storage in intracellular organelles. ATP depletion, by the mitochondrial inhibitor FCCP, led to Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of wildtype beta cells. Blockade of ER Ca(2+) ATPases by cyclopiazonic acid abolished the FCCP-induced Ca(2+) transient. In beta cells treated with K(ATP) channel inhibitors FCCP elicited a significantly larger Ca(2+) transient. Cyclopiazonic acid did not abolish this Ca(2+) transient suggesting that non-ER compartments are recruited as additional Ca(2+) stores in beta cells lacking K(ATP) channel activity. Genetic ablation of K(ATP) channels in SUR1KO mice produced identical results. In INS-1 cells transfected with a mitochondrial-targeted Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescence dye (ratiometric pericam) the increase in mitochondrial Ca(2+) evoked by tolbutamide was 5-fold larger compared to 15 mM glucose. These data show that genetic or pharmacologic ablation of K(ATP) channel activity conveys Ca(2+) release from a non-ER store. Based on the sensitivity to FCCP and the property of tolbutamide to increase mitochondrial Ca(2+) it is suggested that mitochondria are the recruited store. The change in Ca(2+) sequestration in beta cells treated with insulinotropic antidiabetics may have implications for beta cell survival and the therapeutic use of these drugs.
Net-Based Knowledge Communication in Groups
2007-01-01

This paper provides a selective review of the emerging research field of net-based knowledge communication in groups. The review is conceptualized around three problems that designers of net-based knowledge communication will face (cluttering of content, lack of interpersonal information, and lack of sequential structure), and provides examples of how the corresponding barriers can be overcome. It is discussed how scenarios of net-based knowledge communication can even surpass the levels of face-to-face communication if the design relies on strengths of computer technologies (permanent storage, representational flexibility, and computational power), and if the communication among participants is complemented and augmented by meaningful interactions with computer tools.
Expression and Localization of S-Adenosylhomocysteine-Hydrolase in the Rat Kidney Following Carbon Monoxide Induced Hypoxia
2007-01-01

These data suggest that AdoHcy-hydrolase accumulation in the nucleus of adult mammalian cells is involved in maintaining efficient transmethylation reactions in transcriptionally active cells by removing the product inhibitor AdoHcy.
Validation of an passive atmospheric deposition sampler for polybrominated diphenyl ethers
2007-01-01

An atmospheric deposition sampler was validated with respect to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a compound group that is widely used as flame retardants in many types of consumer products. The deposition sampler consists of an adsorption cartridge that is connected to a glass funnel. Extraction tests with spiked cartridges using soxhlet extraction with acetone revealed recoveries of >80% for all of the investigated PBDEs. Once adsorbed, PBDEs are stable, as proven by extractions of spiked cartridges that were stored outdoors and collected after different periods of time, up to 84 days. High recoveries indicate that degradation of adsorbed PBDEs does not play a role under realistic field conditions. Bulk deposition rates of PBDEs were determined in a field test with 3 replicates, and a possible breakthrough of target compounds was assessed in the field using a second adsorption cartridge in series. No breakthrough of target compounds could be observed within a sampling period of 61 days, and a bulk deposition rate of approximately 1 ng m(-2) day(-1) for the sum of all analysed PBDEs was measured. The highest deposition rates were measured for octa-brominated congeners, followed by BDEs 99, 183, 153, and 47. Overall, the sampler was successfully validated regarding the atmospheric deposition of PBDEs.
Potassium Channel Opener Pinacidil Induces Relaxation of the Isolated Human Radial Artery
2007-01-01

Taking into consideration that the search for drugs capable of modifying blood flow through human radial artery (RA) is warranted, the present study was designed to examine the vasodilatatory effects of the potassium channel opener, pinacidil on the RA and to define the contribution of different K+ -channel subtypes in the endothelium-independent pinacidil action on this blood vessel. Pinacidil relaxed the RA rings with endothelium and without endothelium with comparable potency. N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and methylene blue did not affect the pinacidil-induced vasorelaxation in rings with endothelium. In the rings without endothelium, the K+ -channel blockers glibenclamide and tetraethylammonium (TEA) moderately antagonized the pinacidil-induced relaxation, while charybdotoxin and 4-aminopiridine did not. In endothelium-denuded rings, precontracted with 100 mM K+, the relaxant responses to pinacidil were highly significantly shifted to the right compared to those obtained in RA precontracted with phenylephrine, but pinacidil-induced maximal relaxation was not affected. Addition of nifedipine did not but addition of nifedipine and nickel (Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger inhibitor) did cause a statistically significant rightward shift of the pinacidil concentration-relaxation curve, although the effect 0.1 mM pinacidil was preserved. Thus, pinacidil induces relaxation of the human RA in endothelium-independent manner, and glibenclamide- and TEA-sensitive vascular smooth muscle K+ channels are probably involved. Its ability to completely relax the RA precontracted with K+ -rich solution suggests that pinacidil has additional K+ channel-independent mechanism(s) of action. It seems that stimulation of the forward mode of the Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger plays a part in this K+ channel-independent effect of pinacidil.
Heat Shock Factors: Regulators of Early and Late Functions in Plant Stress Response
2007-01-01

Heat shock factors (HSFs) among others are of great importance regarding the regulation of increased stress tolerance. Based on structural characteristics and phylogenetic comparison plant HSFs are subdivided into 3 classes and several subgroups. Recent studies showed that different HSFs play important roles during early and late stages of stress response. In this review, we focus mainly on the functional characterisation of class A HSFs of Arabidopsis, which are known to function as transcriptional activators of stress target genes. Recent evidence obtained from the identification of HSF-knockout mutants and microarray expression profiling indicates that different early and late HSF regulate large numbers of partially overlapping sets of target genes. Meta-analysis of microarray data generated from different experimental setup may have the potential to verify known and/or to identify novel HSF target genes. In addition, we will summarise recent work on the potential roles of oxidative stress leading to the activation of HSFs and the induction of the heat stress response. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quantifier Dependent Readings of Anaphoric Presuppositions
2007-01-01

It has been observed (e.g. Cooper (1979), Chierchia (1993), von Fintel (1994), Marti (2003)) that the interpretation of natural language variables (overt or covert) can depend on a quantifier. The standard analysis of this phenomenon is to assume a hidden structure inside the variable, part of which is semantically bound by the quantifier. In this chapter I argue that the presupposition of the adverb 'again' and other similar presuppositions depend on a variable that gives rise to the same phenomenon.
Leaf physiognomy and palaeoenvironmental estimates - an alternative technique based on an European calibration
2007-01-01

Physiognomic characters of fossil angiosperm leaf assemblages are believed to represent suitable proxies for palaeoenvironment, and particularly for palaeoclimatic reconstruction. To analyse past environments in Europe, a recently developed approach (ELPA: European Leaf Physiognomic Approach) is used to examine the relationship between angiosperm leaf physiognomy and environmental parameters. Transfer functions for different environmental parameters (e.g. mean annual temperature, temperature of warmest and coldest month, number of ground frost days per year, and proportion of evergreen taxa within the vegetation) have been estimated from leaf physiognomic characters using Redundancy Analysis (a multivariate ordination tech- nique). These transfer functions are applied to three fossil fl oras from the European Paleogene (Monod-Rivaz, Switzerland, Late Oligocene) and Neogene (Schrotzburg in Germany, middle Miocene and Erdőbenye Kővago- oldal in Hungary, also Middle Miocene). The results obtained are compared to alternative palaeoenvironmental estimates: (1) transfer functions based on multiple linear regression, (2) the coexistence approach (which is based on the nearest living relative concept), and (3) palaeoenvironmental estimates from preceding publications on the three fossil fl oras. The application of the new transfer functions based on the ordination technique to the three European fossil fl oras shows realistic results, consistent with other palaeoclimatic reconstructions. The leaf physiognomic transfer functions proposed here thus provide alternative techniques that can be applied in palaeoenvironmental research.
Cathepsin D Serum Levels Are Not a Valid Serum Marker in Renal Cell Carcinoma
2007-01-01

&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt; It was the aim of this study to evaluate the serum levels of cathepsin D (Cath D) as a diagnostic tool in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in comparison with healthy volunteers. &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; Cath D serum levels were measured in serum samples obtained preoperatively from 32 patients with histologically confirmed RCC versus 30 healthy individuals using an enzyme immunoassay. Additionally, for the tumor group, Cath D serum levels were correlated with tumor stage and grade as determined according to the 2002 TNM classification. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; The serum Cath D concentration was not significantly different in patients with RCC compared with healthy individuals (mean 16.58 vs. 16.64 ng/ml; p = 0.43). Furthermore, there was no significant association between Cath D serum levels and several patient or tumor characteristics such as tumor stage, tumor grade, lymph node status, presence of metastasis, gender or age. &lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt; In contrast to overexpression of Cath D in primary RCC tissue, serum Cath D is not altered in RCC patients when compared with healthy volunteers. In this small cohort, Cath D serum levels did not reveal additional clinical information in patients diagnosed with a small renal mass. Further prospective multicenter studies might shed more light on the value of Cath D in the diagnostics of RCC.
Fostering audience design of computer-mediated knowledge communication by knowledge mirroring
2007-01-01

Higher education is increasingly realized by net-based scenarios often incorporating collaborative activities. This is accompanied with specific benefits but also constraints. In computer-mediated peer-tutoring for example it is more difficult to construct mutual models, thus impairing collaborators grounding, audience design and coordination. In this paper 'Knowledge Mirroring', that is providing information about the partner's knowledge, is introduced as technological support developed to compensate for these problems. Effects of Knowledge Mirroring on audience design and knowledge acquisition are studied in a simulated peer-tutoring scenario with explaining as basic activity. Analysis of explanations revealed audience design with respect to usage of elaborations and references. Results regarding knowledge acquisition show that learners provided with Knowledge Mirroring were able to draw more inferences on information distributed across the learning material.
A two-dimensional approach to the study of motivation in lexical typology and its first application to French high-frequency vocabulary
2007-01-01

‘Morphological’ and ‘semantic’ motivation are not just two types (Ullmann 1966), but two interrelated dimensions of the problem of lexical motivation. For instance, Fr. poire ‘pear’ — poirier ‘pear-tree’ expresses the same cognitive relation as the polysemy of Russ. grusa, and, at the same time, polysemy is only one formal device among others expressing cognitive relations that underlie lexical motivation. So the two dimensions of formal and cognitive relations in motivation only exist in combination. A sub-dimension of the formal aspect of motivation is the degree of formal transparency (cf. Fr. jouer ‘to play a game’ — jeu ‘game’). This factorization in different dimensions leads to a universally applicable grid for the description of lexical motivation. As a first step of a future comparative research project of lexical motivation in different languages it is applied to the 500 most frequent lexical words of French and yields a systematic motivational profile of French high-frequency vocabulary. In Section 5.3 the French pilot study is discussed in view of an approach to lexical typology which could be applied to any other language.
Early Disseminated Borreliosis with Multiple Erythema Migrans and Elevated Liver Enzymes: Case Report and Literature Review
2007-01-01

A 69-year-old man presented with multiple livid maculae and infiltrated urticarial plaques, as well as elevated liver enzymes. Based on typical clinical picture, histopathology and positive PCR from a skin biopsy, we diagnosed an early disseminated infection with Borrelia afzelii presenting with multiple erythema migrans (erythemata migrantia) and a subclinical hepatitis. During antibiotic treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone, the maculae and plaques vanished almost completely and the liver enzymes decreased within 14 days. Dermatologists should keep in mind that early disseminated borreliosis can present with multiple erythema migrans and hepatitis.
Severe diarrhoea caused by Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria in a patient with metastasised GIST.
2007-01-01

This report describes the isolation of Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria as the causative enteropathogen of diarrhoea in an oncological patient after failure of detection of other infectious agents. The case points out the severe and long course of the infection, the diagnostic dilemma, and the prompt recovery after antibiotic treatment.
Charge Form Factors and Nucleon Shape
2007-01-01

To obtain further information on the geometric shape of the nucleon, the\\nproton charge form factor is decomposed into two terms, which are connected\\nrespectively with a spherically symmetric and an intrinsic quadrupole part of\\nthe proton's charge density. Quark model relations are employed to derive\\nexpressions for both terms. In particular, the proton's intrinsic quadrupole\\nform factor is obtained from a relation between the N -&gt; Delta and neutron\\ncharge form factors. The proposed decomposition shows that the neutron charge\\nform factor is an observable manifestation of an intrinsic quadrupole form\\nfactor of the nucleon. Furthermore, it affords an interpretation of recent\\nelectron-nucleon scattering data in terms of a nonspherical distribution of\\nquark-antiquark pairs in the nucleon.\\n
Chiral Dynamics of Baryons in the Quark Model
2007-01-01

We discuss recent applications of the perturbative chiral quark model (PCQM) in the analysis of the structure of baryons. The PCQM is based on an effective Lagrangian, where baryons are described by relativistic valence quarks and a perturbative cloud of Goldstone bosons as required by chiral symmetry. We discuss for example applications to electromagnetic properties of the octet baryons and σ‐term physics. Furthermore, we present recent efforts to formulate and apply a manifestly Lorentz covariant chiral quark model, which is consistent with the latest developments in the baryon sector of chiral perturbation theory.
Characterization of novel genes expressed specifically in the sexual organs of the planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis
2007-01-01

The planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis reproduces both asexually (fissiparous) and sexually (oviparous) and can switch from the asexual mode to the sexual mode. By feeding with mature Bdellocephala brunnea oviparous worms, the fissiparous worms, which do not possess sexual organs, can be converted to fully sexualized worms in a process termed sexualization. As sexualization proceeds, the sexual organs are formed uniformly and five stages (stages 15) of the process have been identified histologically. In order to clarify the sexualization process, we attempted to isolate the genes expressed specifically at stage 5 by the differential display method. We isolated five genes expressed in the testis and two genes expressed in the yolk gland, which is an organ specific to sexualized worms. By BLAST search, one of the testis-specific genes was coded as testis-specific alpha-tubulin and two yolk gland-specific genes are similar to ribose-phosphate pyrophosphokinase I and F-box/SPRY-domain protein 1. Drs1, Drs2 and Drs3 were expressed in spermatocytes and spermatids from the early stage of spermatogenesis and Drs4 and Drs5 were expressed in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. These genes are useful markers for elucidating the sexualization process.
The first record of tardigrades (Tardigrada) from the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
2007-01-01

Abstract Tardigrades were found in the high mountain wadi systems of the St. Katherine protectorate in the south of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Specimens were collected during the months of December 2003 and January 2004, when temperatures are often below zero. Thulinius ruffoi (Bertolani, 2003) was found for the first time and exclusively in the cyst stage and was distributed frequently in moss from higher altitude wadis. The distribution and abundance of the two other species, Cornechiniscus lobatus (Ramazzotti, 1943) and Echniniscus testudo var. quadrifilis (Doyère, 1840), however, seem to be more influenced by unknown microclimatic factors and food availability. Keywords: DiversityecologyEutardigradaHeterotardigradaTardigradawadicystwater bear
Synthesis of 8-Substituted 12-Methyl-12H-imidazo[4’,5’: 2,3][1,4]diazepino[6,7,1-jk]carbazoles
2007-01-01

A synthesis of model 8-substituted-12-methyl-12H-imidazo[4', 5': 2, 3][1,4]-diazepino[6,7,1-jk]carbazoles (10a-c), based on the classical Bischler-Napieralski method, is described.Thus interaction of carbazole with 5-chloro-1-methyl-4-nitro-1H-imidazole (in the presence of sodium hydride) produced the corresponding 9-(1-methyl-4-nitro-1H-imidazole-5-yl)-9H-carbazole (7).Chemical reduction of the nitro group of 7 into the respective amino derivative 8, and subsequent acylation of the resulting amino group furnished the respective amides 9a-c.Cyclocondensation of the latter amides, using polyphosphoric acid under Bischler-Napieralski reaction conditions, delivered the target compounds 10a-c.The structures of these new pentacyclic heterocycles were supported by IR, MS, and NMR spectral data.