julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Evidence-based management strategies for treatment of chronic wounds.
2009-06-04

The care and management of patients with chronic wounds and their far-reaching effects challenge both the patient and the practitioner. Further complicating this situation is the paucity of evidence-based treatment strategies for chronic wound care. After searching both MEDLINE and Cochrane databases, we reviewed currently available articles concerning chronic wound care. Utilizing this information, we have outlined a review of current, evidence-based concepts as they pertain to the treatment of chronic wounds, focusing on fundamental treatment principles for the management of venous, arterial, diabetic, and pressure ulcers. Individualized treatment options as well as general wound management principles applicable to all varieties of chronic wounds are described. Classification and treatment guidelines as well as the adoption of the TIME acronym facilitate an organized conceptional approach to wound care. In so doing, individual aspects of generalized wound care such as debridement, infection, and moisture control as well as attention to the qualities of the wound edge are comprehensively evaluated, communicated, and addressed. Effective adjuvant agents for the therapy of chronic wounds including nutritional and social support measures are listed, as is a brief review of strategies helpful for preventing recurrence. An appreciation of evidence-based treatment pathways and an understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic wounds are important elements in the management of patients with chronic wounds. To achieve effective and long-lasting results, a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, focused on the education and coordination of patient, family as well as medical and support staff can prove invaluable.
Constraints on the multi-TeV particle population in the Coma galaxy cluster with HESS observations
2009-06-04

Aims. Galaxy clusters are key targets in the search for ultra high energy particle accelerators. The Coma cluster represents one of the best candidates for such a search owing to its high mass, proximity, and the established non-thermal radio emission centred on the cluster core. Methods. The HESS (High Energy Stereoscopic System) telescopes observed Coma for ~8 h in a search for γ-ray emission at energies &gt;1 TeV. The large 3.5° FWHM field of view of HESS is ideal for viewing a range of targets at various sizes including the Coma cluster core, the radio-relic (1253+275) and merger/infall (NGC 4839) regions to the southwest, and features greater than 1◦ away. Results. No evidence for point-like nor extended TeV γ-ray emission was found and upper limits to the TeV flux F(E) for E &gt; 1, &gt;5, and &gt;10 TeV were set for the Coma core and other regions. Converting these limits to an energy flux E1F(E) the lowest or most constraining is the E &gt; 5 TeV upper limit for the Coma core (0.2° radius) at ~8% Crab flux units or ∼10−13 ph cm−2 s−1. Conclusions. The upper limits for the Coma core were compared with a prediction for the γ-ray emission from proton-proton interactions, the level of which ultimately scales with the mass of the Coma cluster. A direct constraint using our most stringent limit for E &gt; 5 TeV, on the total energy content in non-thermal protons with injection energy spectrum ∝E−2·1 and spatial distribution following the thermal gas in the cluster, is found to be ~0.2 times the thermal energy, or ∼1062 erg. The E &gt; 5 TeV γ-ray threshold in this case corresponds to cosmic-ray proton energies &gt;∼ 50 TeV. Our upper limits rule out the most optimistic theoretical models for gamma ray emission from clusters and complement radio observations which constrain the cosmic ray content in clusters at significantly lower proton energies, subject to assumptions on the magnetic field strength.
About the role of visual field defects in pure alexia
2009-06-04

Pure alexia is an acquired reading disorder characterized by a disproportionate prolongation of reading time as a function of word length. Although the vast majority of cases reported in the literature show a right-sided visual defect, little is known about the contribution of this low-level visual impairment to their reading difficulties. The present study was aimed at investigating this issue by comparing eye movement patterns during text reading in six patients with pure alexia with those of six patients with hemianopic dyslexia showing similar right-sided visual field defects. We found that the role of the field defect in the reading difficulties of pure alexics was highly deficit-specific. While the amplitude of rightward saccades during text reading seems largely determined by the restricted visual field, other visuo-motor impairments-particularly the pronounced increases in fixation frequency and viewing time as a function of word length-may have little to do with their visual field defect. In addition, subtracting the lesions of the hemianopic dyslexics from those found in pure alexics revealed the largest group differences in posterior parts of the left fusiform gyrus, occipito-temporal sulcus and inferior temporal gyrus. These regions included the coordinate assigned to the centre of the visual word form area in healthy adults, which provides further evidence for a relation between pure alexia and a damaged visual word form area. Finally, we propose a list of three criteria that may improve the differential diagnosis of pure alexia and allow appropriate therapy recommendations.
The Voice of Bats: How Greater Mouse-eared Bats Recognize Individuals Based on Their Echolocation Calls
2009-06-04

Echolocating bats use the echoes from their echolocation calls to perceive their surroundings. The ability to use these continuously emitted calls, whose main function is not communication, for recognition of individual conspecifics might facilitate many of the social behaviours observed in bats. Several studies of individual-specific information in echolocation calls found some evidence for its existence but did not quantify or explain it. We used a direct paradigm to show that greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis) can easily discriminate between individuals based on their echolocation calls and that they can generalize their knowledge to discriminate new individuals that they were not trained to recognize. We conclude that, despite their high variability, broadband bat-echolocation calls contain individual-specific information that is sufficient for recognition. An analysis of the call spectra showed that formant-related features are suitable cues for individual recognition. As a model for the bat's decision strategy, we trained nonlinear statistical classifiers to reproduce the behaviour of the bats, namely to repeat correct and incorrect decisions of the bats. The comparison of the bats with the model strongly implies that the bats are using a prototype classification approach: they learn the average call characteristics of individuals and use them as a reference for classification.
Hyperaldosteronism, hypervolemia, and increased blood pressure in mice expressing defective APC
2009-06-04

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) fosters degradation of β-catenin, a multifunctional protein upregulating the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase (SGK1). SGK1 regulates a wide variety of renal transport processes. The present study explored the possibility that APC influences renal function. To this end, metabolic cage experiments were performed in mice carrying a loss-of-function mutation in the APC gene ( apc Min/+ ), their wild-type littermates ( apc +/+ ), and apc Min/+ mice lacking functional SGK1 ( apc Min/+ /sgk1 −/− ). As a result, mean body weight, food intake, fluid intake, salt appetite, urinary flow, as well as plasma Na + and K + concentrations were similar in apc Min/+ mice, apc +/+ mice, and apc Min/+ /sgk1 −/− mice. Glomerular filtration rate and absolute renal Na + excretion were decreased, and fractional urinary K + excretion was enhanced in apc Min/+ mice. The antinatriuresis, but not the hypofiltration and kaliuresis was partially reversed by additional lack of SGK1. Plasma corticosterone and aldosterone concentrations were significantly enhanced in apc Min/+ mice. While the plasma corticosterone concentration was similar in apc +/+ mice and apc Min/+ /sgk1 −/− mice, plasma aldosterone was even higher in apc Min/+ /sgk1 −/− mice than in apc Min/+ mice. The hyperaldosteronism of apc Min/+ mice was paralleled by significantly elevated plasma volume and blood pressure. The experiments reveal an influence of defective APC on adrenal hormone release and renal function, effects partially but not completely explained by APC dependence of SGK1 expression.
Fission track data from the Mesohellenic Trough and the Pelagonian zone in NW Greece: Cenozoic tectonics and exhumation of source areas
2009-06-04

The Mesohellenic Trough (MHT) trends parallel to the structural fabric of the Hellenides and covers the suture between the Apulian microplate and the Pelagonian block. It comprises an up to ∼4 km thick middle Eocene to upper Miocene sedimentary sequence. We have studied the thermal history of the Pelagonian basement and the provenance of the detrital material in the clastic sediments of the MHT by fission track dating. Apatite and zircon fission track (AFT, ZFT) analysis is applied to samples from the Pelagonian microcontinent along the eastern border of the MHT, and AFT analysis to the sedimentary rocks in the southern MHT. Eocene AFT age populations in the sedimentary strata indicate a proximal position of the Pelagonian microcontinent, which shows the same or even younger AFT ages, as the source area of the detrital material in the MHT. Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene age populations point to a more distant or structurally higher (now eroded) source area. The Eocene orogenic event caused only weak thermal overprinting in rocks of the Pelagonian microcontinent.In its eastern part, the AFT ages show only partial resetting, if any, whereas in its western part the ages were clearly reset during the Eocene event. AFT age-elevation relations, correlation of zircon and apatite FT ages from the same samples, and thermal modelling based on AFT ages and track length distributions were all used to reconstruct the low-temperature cooling history of the Pelagonian basement adjacent to the MHT. The results document fast cooling and exhumation in the Eocene that were possibly related to thrusting and associated erosion, followed by slow cooling and exhumation during Oligocene and Miocene time. This scenario is confirmed by the AFT data from the detrital material in the MHT sedimentary strata. The slow cooling period coincides with a stagnation period or crustal extension and possible reheating, which is probably also responsible for the partial rejuvenation of the ages of the detrital apatites in the oldest (Eocene) formation in the sediment sequence of the MHT.
The role of endothelium in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell migration
2009-06-04

Mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells appears to be a multifactorial process which is at least partially regulated at the level of bone marrow microvascular endothelium (BMEC). In order to study the regulation of progenitor cell migration by endothelium in vitro, methods have been developed to isolate BMEC from bone marrow aspirates. In addition, immortalized BMEC cell lines have been generated. Using an in vitro model of migration across bone marrow endothelium, we demonstrate that only a small number of more mature, committed progenitors migrate spontaneously. In this model, adhesion molecules of the beta2-integrin family and the corresponding endothelial ligands are involved. The low spontaneous migratory capacity suggests that, in addition to adhesion molecules which mediate direct cellular contacts, paracrine cytokines and chemokines may play a role in progenitor migration across endothelium. Growth-factor-stimulated hematopoietic cells can produce cytokines which act on endothelial cells (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF), modifying their motility, growth, permeability, and fenestration. Therefore, VEGF might be involved in the mobilization and homing of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Furthermore, transendothelial migration of progenitors in vitro is substantially enhanced by the chemokine stromal-cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), which is produced by bone marrow stromal cells. More primitive progenitors, which do not migrate spontaneously, also respond to this chemokine. We conclude that transendothelial progenitor cell migration is regulated by adhesion molecules, paracrine cytokines, and chemokines. Mobilizing hematopoietic growth factors stimulate proliferation of hematopoietic cells, which may indirectly result in changes of the local cytokine and chemokine milieu, adhesion molecule expression, and eventually the mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells.
Unilineage hematopoietic differentiation in bulk and single cell culture
2009-06-04

The rarity of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSCs, HPCs) has hampered the analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying early hematopoiesis. Methodology for HPC purification has partially offset this limitation. A further hurdle has been represented by the heterogeneity of the analyzed HPC/precursor populations: recently, development of unilineage HPC differentiation cultures has provided homogeneous populations of hematopoietic cells, particularly in the early differentiation state, i.e., populations pertaining to a single lineage and a restricted stage of differentiation/maturation, but sufficiently large for cellular/molecular analysis. This report focuses on the development and characterization of the unilineage HPC differentiation culture systems. A section is devoted to selected cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hematopoiesis, which have been investigated by the HPC unilineage culture approach. Finally, recent advances in the development of HPC unilineage cultures at single cell level are discussed.
Ex vivo manipulation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
2009-06-04

Approaches to manipulate peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) ex vivo currently include the selection of CD34+ cells as a means to purge contaminating tumor cells from leukapheresis preparations or to provide a homogeneous starting population for the expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells as well as the induction of postprogenitor cells of either the myeloid or megakaryocytic lineage. The latter cell populations might be used for an additional transplantation together with PBPC to possibly shorten the period of aplasia. In addition, ex vivo expansion of CD34+ cells can be used to generate autologous tumor-antigen-presenting dendritic cells for immunotherapeutic approaches aiming to treat minimal residual disease following high-dose chemotherapy.
Eye movements in German‐speaking children with and without dyslexia when reading aloud
2009-06-05

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 681–691 Abstract. Purpose: The phonological difficulty and orthographic regularity of a language influence reading strategies. Only a few studies have been conducted in readers of German, which has a high grapheme–phoneme correspondence. The aim of this study was to investigate, firstly, the influence of different levels of phonological difficulty of reading material in German on reading in children and, secondly, to compare the reading strategies of German children with findings in English‐speaking readers. Methods: Eye movements in 16 German children with dyslexia and 16 age‐matched control children (mean age 9.5 ± 0.35 years) in the third and fourth grades of school were recorded by scanning laser ophthalmoscope while they read aloud two texts of differing levels of difficulty. Results: In the dyslexia group, reading speed was slowed, and the number of saccades and regressions was raised markedly, although the percentage of regressions only slightly. The number of eye movements increased in both groups with increasing text difficulty, although much more in the dyslexia group than in the control group, whereas fixation duration was not influenced. Conclusions: Phonological difficulty influences reading speed and eye movement pattern: children with dyslexia markedly increase their number of eye movements and analyse the text in smaller units per fixation, but keep fixation duration constant. This strategy reflects their favouring of the indirect, sublexical route of grapheme–phoneme conversion, whereas readers of English‐language texts are more likely to prefer the whole‐word approach, i.e. the direct, lexical route that is associated with orthographic memory.
Mycoplasma antigens as a possible trigger for the induction of antimitochondrial antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis
2009-06-05

Abstract Background: In primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), autoreactivity mainly targets members of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). Because PDC subunits are expressed on the surface of mycoplasma and molecular mimicry may be one aetiological factor, we analysed the presence of mammalian and mycoplasma PDC‐specific antibodies in PBC patients. Methods: Antibodies to porcine PDC and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (mp) antigens mpPDH‐C (to be designated mpPDC‐E2 chain), mpPDH‐B (to be designated mpPDC‐E1β chain), mpCARDS TX and mpP1 were investigated in sera from 43 PBC patients, 19 patients with autoimmune hepatitis and 11 healthy controls by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. To study the rate of acute mycoplasma infection, an adhesin P1‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. Results: Immune reactivity to the mpPDC‐E2 antigen was significantly enhanced in PBC patients (83.7%) as compared with controls (overall frequency of 36.7%), while antibodies to the porcine PDC‐E2 chain were found only in PBC patients (88%) excluding a simple cross‐reactivity of PDC‐related antibodies. This observation was confirmed by inhibition studies demonstrating that porcine PDC did not inhibit mycoplasma PDC‐specific antibodies and vice versa. The occurrence of antibodies to mpPDC seems to precede the occurrence of antibodies to porcine PDC. Infection with mycoplasma was equally distributed in the groups as evidenced by an antibody frequency comparable to CARDS TX and P1 and PCR reactivity. Conclusion: Because PBC patients show a significantly enhanced frequency of mpPDC‐E2‐related antibodies, besides other factors, molecular mimicry between surface molecules of mycoplasma and epitopes of the autoantigen may play a central role in the aetiopathology of PBC.
Apoptosis and cancer: mutations within caspase genes
2009-06-07

The inactivation of programmed cell death has profound effects not only on the development but also on the overall integrity of multicellular organisms. Beside developmental abnormalities, it may lead to tumorigenesis, autoimmunity, and other serious health problems. Deregulated apoptosis may also be the leading cause of cancer therapy chemoresistance. Caspase family of cysteinyl-proteases plays the key role in the initiation and execution of programmed cell death. This review gives an overview of the role of caspases, their natural modulators like IAPs, FLIPs, and Smac/Diablo in apoptosis and upon inactivation, and also in cancer development. Besides describing the basic mechanisms governing programmed cell death, a large part of this review is dedicated to previous studies that were focused on screening tumours for mutations within caspase genes as well as their regulators. The last part of this review discusses several emerging treatments that involve modulation of caspases and their regulators. Thus, we also highlight caspase cascade modulating experimental anticancer drugs like cFLIP-antagonist CDDO-Me; cIAP1 antagonists OSU-03012 and ME-BS; and XIAP small molecule antagonists 1396–11, 1396–12, 1396–28, triptolide, AEG35156, survivin/Hsp90 antagonist shephedrin, and some of the direct activators of procaspase-3.
Identification of Glycosylated Sites in Rapana Hemocyanin by Mass Spectrometry and Gene Sequence, and Their Antiviral Effect
2009-06-08

Molluscan hemocyanins (Hcs) have recently received particular interest due to their significant immunostimulatory properties. This is mainly related to their high carbohydrate content and specific monosaccharide composition. We have now analyzed the oligosaccharides and the carbohydrate linkage sites of the Rapana venosa hemocyanin (RvH) using different approaches. We analyzed a number of glycopeptides by LC/ESI-MS/MS and identified the sugar chains and peptide sequences of 12 glycopeptides. Additionally, the potential carbohydrate linkage sites of 2 functional units, RvH-b and RvH-c, were determined by gene sequence analysis. Only RvH-c shows a potential N-glycosylation site. During this study, we discovered a highly conserved linker-intron, separating the coding exons of RVH-b and RvH-c. Following reports on antiviral properties from arthropod hemocyanin, we conducted a preliminary study of the antiviral activity of RvH and the functional units RvH-b and RvH-c. We show that the glycosylated FU RvH-c has antiviral properties against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whereas native RvH and the nonglycosylated FU RvH-b have not. This is the first report of the fact that also molluscan hemocyanin functional units possess antiviral activity.
Molecular Analyses of the BORIS Gene in Children with Silver-Russell Syndrome
2009-06-08

KEYWORDS Silver-Russell Syndrome. Hypomethylation. Imprinting. ICR.BORIS ABSTRACT Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a heterogeneous disorder associated with intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, skeletal asymmetry and facial dysmorphisms. In 7-10% of patients maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 7 can be observed, nearly 50% of patients carry an epimutation resulting in hypomethylation of the imprinting center region 1 (ICR1) in 11p15. This leaves 40% of patients with unknown genetic aetiology. Based on the observation that the CTCF homologue BORIS is involved in imprinted gene expression and that it binds to methylated alleles we assumed that loss-of-function mutations in BORIS might have similar functional consequences as an ICR1 hypomethylation. On the other hand, there is evidence that BORIS mutations may disturb the methylation process and therefore cause hypomethylation in the ICR1. In our study we searched for BORIS gene mutations in a mixed cohort of SRS patients with and without 11p15 hypomethylation to determine whether this gene is involved in SRS aetiology. Mutation analyses revealed eight genomic variants but pathogenic mutations were not observed. Thus we conclude that alterations of the BORIS gene are probably not associated with SRS.