julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Blockade of NMDA Receptors in the Amygdala Prevents Latent Inhibition of Fear-Conditioning
2000-11-01

The association between a conditioned stimulus (CS) and an unconditioned stimulus (US) in fear-conditioning depends on N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the basolateral amygdala complex (BLA). Latent inhibition (LI) is the retardation in learning due to nonreinforced presentation of the prospective CS before conditioning. Disruption of LI in rats is an animal model of schizophrenia, reflecting the deficits of schizophrenic patients in neglecting irrelevant information. We investigated whether the BLA is involved in LI of fear-potentiated startle. Infusions of the NMDA receptor antagonist d , l -2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5; 12.5 nmoles) into the BLA before preexposure of rats to the neutral stimulus prevent LI of fear-conditioning. We also demonstrated by the same method that a complex of thalamic nuclei, comprising the medial part of the medial geniculate nucleus, the posterior intralaminar nucleus, and the suprageniculate nucleus, is involved in fear-conditioning, but not in LI. This suggests that the presentation of an innocuous stimulus during preexposure leads to an NMDA receptor-dependent change of neurotransmission in the BLA, but not in the thalamus. Our data show that the BLA but not the thalamus regulates in LI of fear-potentiated startle. Furthermore, it supports the hypothesis that the inability of schizophrenic patients to ignore irrelevant stimuli may be caused by hypofunction of the glutamatergic transmission in the brain and suggests an involvement of the amygdala in the neuropathology of schizophrenia.
TEXtopo: shaded membrane protein topology plots in LaTEX2ε
2000-11-01

Abstract Summary: TEXtopo is a LaTEX2ε macro package for plotting topology data directly from PHD predictions or SwissProt database files in publication-ready quality. The plot can be shaded automatically to emphasize conserved residues or functional properties of the residue sidechains. The addition of rich decorations, such as labels, annotations and legends, is easily accomplished. Availability: The TEXtopo macro package and a full on-line documentation are freely available at http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/beitz/ Contact: eric.beitz@uni-tuebingen.de
Onchocerca ochengitransmission dynamics and the correlation ofO. ochengimicrofilaria density in cattle with the transmission potential
2000-11-01

The intensity of natural transmission of Onchocerca ochengi and Onchocerco volvulus by anthropo-boophilic Simulium damnosum s.l. was studied longitudinally in two cattle watering sites of a cattle ranch within a predominantly cattle populated area of the Guinea savanna of Cameroon and related to cattle O. ochengi skin microfilaria abundance. During the 12 months study period, a total of 4696 flies was individually dissected to examine the monthly transmission potential (MTP) of O. ochengi and O. volvulus. The estimated Simulium damnosum s.l. annual biting rates (ABR) on human baits were 47529 flies at the bank of the Vina "du sud" river. The ABR at the lake, which was situated at about 2 km upland from the perennial river, was 8579. The monthly parous rate was highly correlated with monthly biting rate. The annual transmission potentials (ATP) of O. ochengi were calculated to be 7732 and 1669 at the riverbank and the lake, respectively. Transmission occurred mainly in the dry season, peaking in the months of January to mid-March when dermal microfilaria density in the animals was also the highest. The O. ochengi microfilaria uptake by the fly vectors was host microfilaria density-dependent. The MTP of O. ochengi was positively correlated with dermal microfilaria density. The mean number of microfilariae per fly taken up during a blood meal was high during the dry season as was the mean number of infective larvae per fly but declined significantly with the onset of the early rains. A similar seasonality of transmission was also observed for O. volvulus that was concurrently transmitted by the same vector flies, but its ATP was comparatively much lower: 1332 infective larvae per man per year at the riverbank and 107 around the lake. The population dynamics of cattle microfilariae therefore plays an important role in the regulation of O. ochengi transmission.
Prospective screening by a panfungal polymerase chain reaction assay in patients at risk for fungal infections: implications for the management of febrile neutropenia
2000-11-01

Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of mortality in neutropenic cancer patients. To determine whether a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assay enabled the identification of patients at risk for invasive fungal infections, a prospective monitoring once per week was performed during 92 neutropenic episodes in patients receiving chemotherapy for acute leukaemia or high‐dose therapy followed by allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplantation, with the investigators blinded to clinical and microbiological data. PCR positivity was documented in 34 out of 92 risk episodes. All patients developing proven invasive fungal infection were found PCR positive, and PCR was found to be the earliest indicator of invasive fungal infection preceding clinical evidence by a mean of 5·75 d (range 0–14 d). In febrile neutropenic patients without a prior history of invasive fungal infection, a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 73% of the PCR assay for the development of proven or probable invasive fungal infection was documented. In conclusion, panfungal PCR performed prospectively once a week enabled the identification of patients at high risk for invasive fungal infections.
Expression of cell volume-regulated kinase h-sgk in pancreatic tissue
2000-11-01

Transcript levels of the human serine/threonine kinase h-sgk have been found to be highest in pancreas. In the present study, localization and regulation of h-sgk transcription in pancreatic tissue were elucidated. As was apparent from radioactive in situ hybridization, most pancreatic acinar cells expressed high levels of h-sgk mRNA. h-sgk mRNA-positive cells were also found in ductal epithelia but not in pancreatic islets. In biopsy specimens from patients with pancreatitis, h-sgk mRNA levels were decreased in acinar cells but abundant in numerous mononuclear interstitial cells within areas of pancreatic necrosis and fibrosis. As shown by Northern blotting, h-sgk transcription in DAN-G pancreatic tumor cells is upregulated by osmotic cell shrinkage, serum, phorbol esters (phorbol 12,13-didecanoate), and Ca 2+ ionophore A-23187 and decreased by staurosporine and cAMP. In conclusion, h-sgk transcription is regulated not only by cell volume but also by serum, protein kinase C stimulation, cAMP, and increase of intracellular Ca 2+ activity. The kinase may participate not only in normal function of exocrine pancreas but also in fibrosing pancreatitis.
Induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in vivo after vaccinations with peptide-pulsed dendritic cells
2000-11-01

Vaccination of patients with cancer using dendritic cells (DCs) was shown to be effective for B-cell lymphoma and malignant melanoma. Here we provide evidence that patients with advanced breast and ovarian cancer can be efficiently vaccinated with autologous DCs pulsed with HER-2/neu– or MUC1-derived peptides. Ten patients were included in this pilot study. The DC vaccinations were well tolerated with no side effects. In 5 of 10 patients, peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) could be detected in the peripheral blood using both intracellular IFN-γ staining and 51Cr-release assays. The major CTL response in vivo was induced with the HER-2/neu–derived E75 and the MUC1-derived M1.2 peptide, which lasted for more than 6 months, suggesting that these peptides might be immunodominant. In addition, in one patient vaccinated with the MUC1-derived peptides, CEA- and MAGE-3 peptide-specific T-cell responses were detected after several vaccinations. In a second patient immunized with the HER-2/neu peptides, MUC1-specific T lymphocytes were induced after 7 immunizations, suggesting that antigen spreading in vivo might occur after successful immunization with a single tumor antigen. Our results show that vaccination of DCs pulsed with a single tumor antigen may induce immunologic responses in patients with breast and ovarian cancer. This study may be relevant to the design of future clinical trials of other peptide-based vaccines.
Axially substituted titanium(IV) phthalocyanines
2000-11-01

An easy synthesis of phthalocyaninatotitanium(IV) compounds substituted with bidentate ligands in the axial position is described. Using strongly chelating oxygen or sulfur donor ligands, the reaction of PcTiO with chelating agents leads to the formation of PcTiX complexes with X ≡ oxalate [Formula: see text], catecholate [Formula: see text], dithiocatecholate [Formula: see text], 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene [Formula: see text] and other functionalized catechols (2c–2h). The new compounds possess an enhanced solubility in comparison to PcTiO .
The 1999 Hercules X‐1 Anomalous Low State
2000-11-01

A failed main-on in the 35d cycle of Her X-1 was observed with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) on 1999 April 26. Exceptions to the normal 35d cycle have been seen only twice before; in 1983 and again 1993. We present timing and spectral results of this latest Anomalous Low State (ALS) along with comparisons to the main-on and normal low states. Pulsations were observed in the 3-18 keV band with a fractional RMS variation of (0.037+-0.003). Spectral analysis indicates that the ALS spectrum has the same shape as the main-on but is modified by heavy absorption and scattering. We find that 70% of the observed emission has passed through a cold absorber (N_H=5.0x10^{23}cm^{-2}). This partially absorbing spectral fit can be applied to the normal low state with similar results. We find that the ALS observations may be interpreted as a decrease in inclination of the accretion disk causing the central X-Ray source to be obscured over the entire 35d cycle.
Intra-oral storage phosphor and conventional radiography in the assessment of alveolar bone structures
2000-11-01

OBJECTIVES To compare storage phosphor (SP) with conventional film radiography for accuracy of linear measurements of the marginal alveolar bone and visibility of anatomical structures. METHODS Linear measurements were made in paired SP and conventional images of dried human mandibles with a metal pin fixed 10 mm below the alveolar crest. One observer measured the distance from the alveolar crest to the reference point on the radiographs. The difference between the measured and the true distance was calculated. Two observers rated the visibility of bony structures (periodontal ligament space, periapical bone tissue, alveolar crest) in 51 paired digital and conventional images of 21 patients on a 3-point scale. Overall agreement and Kappa index were calculated. RESULTS Accuracy of linear measurements was higher in digital radiography (mean difference 0.17 mm) than in conventional radiography (mean difference 0.59 mm). Overall, the two observers rated visibility higher in conventional radiographs. The Kappa indices for the periodontal ligament space and periapical bone indicated fair to almost perfect agreement (kappa = 0.38 and 0.5; kappa = 0.39 and 0.84) while for the alveolar crest there was only poor or moderate agreement (kappa = 0.2 and 0.5). CONCLUSIONS The small differences in linear measurements indicate that the Digora system is suitable for clinical assessment of periodontal and peri-implant bone loss. The visibility of dental structures depends as much on the individual features assessed, as the radiographic system.
Cortical reorganization after digit-to-hand replantation
2000-11-01

✓ Functional recovery after digit-to-hand replantation depends on the interaction of various factors. In addition to peripheral mechanisms, cortical and subcortical reorganization of digit representation may play a substantial role in the recovery process. However, cortical processes during the first months after replantation are not well understood. In this 25-year-old man who had traumatically lost digits II to V (DII—V) on his right hand, the authors used magnetoencephalographic source imaging to document the recovery of somatosensory cortical responses after tactile stimulation at four sites on the replanted digits. Successful replantation of DIV and DV was accomplished at the original position of DIII and DIV with mixed innervation. Cortical evoked fields could be recorded starting from the 10th week after digit-to-hand replantation. Initially, signals from all sites showed decreased amplitudes and prolonged latencies. In the subsequent six recordings obtained between the 12th and 55th week postreplantation, a continuous increase in amplitude but only a slight recovery of latencies were observed. Components of the recorded somatosensory evoked fields were localized in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI). The localizations of the replanted DIV showed a gradual lateral-inferior shift in the somatosensory cortex over time, indicating cortical reorganization caused by altered peripheral input. The authors infer from this shift that the original cortical area of the missing finger (DII) was taken over by the replanted finger. From these data the authors conclude that magnetic source imaging might be a reliable noninvasive method to evaluate surgical nerve repair and that cortical reorganization of SI is involved in the regeneration process following peripheral nerve injury.
Cell‐cycle‐dependent regulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
2000-11-01

Polyamines play an important role in the control of cell growth and cell division. In the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as in animal cells, biosynthesis of the 3 commonly occurring polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) is dependent on the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17) catalyzing the formation of putrescine, which is the precursor of the other two polyamines. Therefore, we have investigated the regulation of ODC activity during the cell cycle of Clamydomonas reinhardtii using synchronized cultures. A 2.5–3‐fold increase in ODC activity was observed during the transition to the cell division phase. This up‐regulation of ODC activity was not due to an increased level of ODC‐mRNA as revealed by northern‐blot analyses, but correlated with an increased half‐life of this particular enzyme (from 1.1 to 3.2 h). Addition of the DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor nalidixic acid during the second half of the growth period caused a transient decrease of ODC activity and a considerable delay of cell divisions. After cell division, a down‐regulation of ODC activity was observed which was faster in the dark than in the light and also correlated with changes of the ODC half‐life.
Drug-resistant human cytomegalovirus infection in children after allogeneic stem cell transplantation may have different clinical outcomes
2000-11-01

Three seropositive pediatric recipients of allogeneic stem cell transplantation out of a group of 42 patients receiving T-cell–depleted, unrelated transplants and 37 patients receiving T-cell–depleted, haploidentical transplants were monitored longitudinally for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and the emergence of antiviral drug resistance. Early in the posttransplant course, all 3 patients developed HCMV mutations conferring drug resistance to ganciclovir. One child additionally developed multidrug resistance to foscarnet and cidofovir, with mutations in the viral phosphotransferase gene (UL97) and the DNA-polymerase gene (UL54) being found. These data show that resistant HCMV infection does not necessarily correlate with a severe clinical outcome. The early detection of genotypic resistance up to 129 days before the emergence of phenotypic resistance and the dissociation of resistance patterns among different body sites emphasize the importance of genotypic analyses of different DNA specimens for an efficient antiviral therapy. T-cell–depleted children having transplantation might be at an increased risk for the development of drug resistance.
Localization of Legionella bacteria within ribosome-studded phagosomes is not restricted to Legionella pneumophila
2000-11-01

In this report, we investigate the intracellular fate of selected members of the genus Legionella within the monocytic cell line Mono Mac 6 cells. By means of electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, we could show that Legionella pneumophila as well as Legionella longbeachae are able to induce ribosome-studded phagosomes which associate with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), whereas Legionella micdadei remains to be located within smooth phagosomes but also shows signs of RER association. In addition, we could demonstrate a remarkable correlation between the phagosome type and the morphological phenotype of intracellular bacteria: within ribosome-studded phagosomes, bacteria generally lacked the outer coat of low electron density whereas bacteria within the smooth phagosomes still possessed this outer coat. The virulence factors responsible for inhibition of phagosome maturation and their distribution within the genus Legionella as well as the biological significance of the morphological difference of bacteria within smooth and ER-associated phagosomes remain to be investigated.
L-dopa-resistant parkinsonism syndrome following cerebral radiation therapy for neoplasm.
2000-11-01

A bradykinetic form of parkinsonism, unresponsive to levo-dopa therapy developed in four patients two to eight weeks after completion of external beam irradiation (39.2 Gy to 59.4 Gy) of their intracranial neoplasm. In the absence of other causative factors, we relate the movement disorder to radiation-induced changes within the basal ganglia. At post-mortem examination one patient had putamenal gliosis and thickened vessels with loss of nigral neurons.
Inhibitory control of synaptic activity in goldfish Mb bipolar cell terminals visualized by FM1-43
2000-11-01

To investigate the physiology and plasticity of mixed rod–cone ON-bipolar cells (Mb) in the goldfish retina, we established a slice preparation which allows us to optically monitor the synaptic activity of bipolar cell axon terminals. We used the styryl dye FM1-43 which is incorporated into active axon terminals due to synaptic vesicle cycling and thus reflects synaptic activity. Different activity states of the axon terminals were revealed when slices prepared from light-adapted retinae were incubated in the presence of FM1-43 under various conditions. Depolarizing high K + Ringer (50 mM) and the gamma-butyric acid (GABA) antagonist bicuculline (100 μM) resulted in more than two-fold increase in the number of stained terminals compared to slices stained in normal Ringer. In contrast, GABA treatment (0.5 mM) reduced the frequency of stained terminals. Thus, in light-adapted retinal slices the synaptic activity of Mb axon terminals can be modulated towards higher and lower activity states. The fact that the GABA antagonist bicuculline had similar effects as stimulatory high K + Ringer suggests that inhibitory control is an important component in the regulation of synaptic activity and transmitter release in Mb terminals.
Postmenopausale Hormonsubstitutionstherapie und die Gefäßwand: Epidemiologie und klinische Studien
2000-11-01

The clinical relevance of estrogen’s multiple acute and more delayed effects on vascular wall structure and function is incompletely understood. This review attempts to reevaluate epidemiological findings and clinical studies concerning the vascular actions of estrogens and gives implications for strategies in postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There is large evidence from observational studies that HRT reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in postmenopausal women. However, according to the only large randomized, placebo-controlled, secondary prevention Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS), women with prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) have increased CVD events within the first year after onset of HRT. The net effects of HRT on atherosclerosis, coagulation, fibrinolysis or the inflammatory response are unproven. Randomized trials of intermediate outcomes reveal that HRT has favorable effects on isolated cardiovascular risk factors, e.g. lipoproteins, carbohydrate metabolism and vasodilatation, but the impact of this effects on clinical endpoints is still not clear. The basis of “evidenced based medicine” is currently not sufficient to provide exact recommendation who will benefit from HRT and who might not. Therefore, the decision about hormone use should consider individual benefit-risk profiles.
HTLV-I Dynamics: A Mathematical Model
2000-11-01

Background and Rationale: The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), which was discovered in 1980 as the first human retrovirus, was shown to be linked with the aggressive neoplasm, adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), with tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP), and with other inflammatory diseases. HTLV-I preferentially infects CD4+ T-lymphocytes. Transmission routes are from mother to child, between sexual partners, by blood transfusion, and by needle sharing among drug addicts. Objectives: To explore the T-cell dynamics after infection with HTLV-I and to analyze the relation between transmission mode, virulence pattern, viral load, and latency period with a mathematical model. Methods: A dynamic model of HTLV-I infection was developed using differential equations. The model reflects on distinct characteristics of HTLV-I infection. Model parameters were estimated from viral load data with regard to transmission characteristics. Results and Conclusions: Findings suggest that the initial viral dosis may be an important factor contributing to the variation in latency periods in interaction with the virulence pattern. In addition, the results give insight into the population dynamics of a retrovirus infection with less genetic diversity, lower cytopathogenicity, but higher viral load than HIV.
Transition Metal Complexes of Derivatized Chiral Dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-6-ones. Part III [1]. X-Ray Crystal Structure Analysis of N,N’-Bis[(1-phenyl-5-isopropyl-4,5-dihydro-6-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)ethylidene]- propane-1,3-diamine Nickel(II)
2000-11-01

Template reaction of L-3-acetyl-1-phenyl-5-isopropyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-6-one (lb) with 1,3-diaminopropane and nickel acetate gave the corresponding chiral complex 4 in high yield. X-ray structure determination showed that the nickel complex is square planar, and the ligand N,N’-bis[(l-phenyl-5-isopropyl-4,5-dihydro-6-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)ethylid-ene]- propane-1,3-diamine is of tetra-aza type where the imine nitrogens and the ring HN(4) nitrogens are the coordinating sites. MS-FAB and NMR spectral data are in agreement with the X-ray structure.
DECIDABILITY OF CODE PROPERTIES
2000-11-01

The median OS following standard temozolomide treatment concurrent with and adjuvant to radiotherapy given to (72.8% of) patients aged ≤70 years is consistent with findings reported from randomized phase III trials. The volume and expertise of the treatment center should be further investigated as a prognostic factor.