julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Detection of antibody peptide interaction using microcantilevers as surface stress sensors
2003-07-01

Micromechanical cantilevers were validated for the detection of antibody peptide interactions. For this purpose, gold-coated microcantilevers were chemically functionalized with an analog of the myc-tag decapeptide. Chemoselective covalent coupling of the peptide to the gold surface occurred via the sulfhydryl-group of a C-terminal cystein residue. In order to verify the surface functionalization by epifluorescence microscopy, a carboxyfluorescein reporter group was attached to the N-terminus. Binding of an anti-myc-tag antibody caused a bending of the microcantilever, resulting from a change in surface stress. The bending was recorded optically from the deflection of a laser beam. In order to compensate for bending due to nonspecific interactions, a nonfunctionalized cantilever serving as a reference was measured in parallel. A charge coupled device camera served as a position-sensitive detector, enabling the parallel and simultaneous detection of signals from an array of microcantilevers. The results validate microcantilevers for the label-free detection of antibody peptide interactions at physiological solvent conditions.
March 2003: A 41‐year‐old female with a solitary lesion in the liver
2003-07-01

The March COM. A 41-year-old woman presented in 1997 with diffuse abdominal pain, meteorism and intermittent diarrhea. Imaging studies revealed a focal rounded lesion in the liver. Although there was no history of progesterone or estrogen therapy, the radiographic appearance was considered to be suggestive of adenoma. The lesion was monitored by ultrasound until October 2000 when a resection was performed because of the presumed risk of a malignant transformation. H&E stained sections revealed an ectopic ependymoma that was strongly positive for GFAP. The surrounding hepatic tissue was negative for GFAP. An extensive search for a CNS manifestation or any other extraspinal localization was unrevealing. We believe we have encountered the first case of an ectopic ependymoma presenting as a solitary hepatic lesion in the absence of CNS disease. Ependymomas generally arise in the CNS in relation to the ventricular system. Extraneural metastasis from ependymomas may occasionally occur even years after detection and treatment of the primary lesion and have been the subject of several reports. In contrast, there are only anecdotal reports of primary extraneural "ectopic" ependymomas. So far those rare cases have only been found in close vicinity to the neural axis, eg, in the sacrococcygeal region, the posterior mediastinum or the ovaries and are there thought to originate from embryonic remnant cells around the neural tube. Distant metastases of ependymomas invading or arising within the extraneural lumbosacral soft tissue may occur in this situation. Here, we report what appears to be the first case of a primary ectopic ependymoma originating in the liver, with no signs of CNS or other systemic involvement.
Endothelial endostatin release is induced by general cell stress and modulated by the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway
2003-07-01

ABSTRACT Endostatin is a 20 kDa carboxyl‐terminal fragment of collagen XVIII that, when added exogenously, inhibits endothelial proliferation and migration in vitro and angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo. Previous results showed endostatin/collagen XVIII labeling in few endothelial cells in human glioblastoma multiforme. We have now observed constitutive release of endostatin from one of four endothelial cell lines. Induction of endostatin release was observed after H 2 O 2 , an in vitro model of cell stress, CoCl 2 , a model of hypoxia, and by IFN‐γ challenge. Endostatin expression and release was reduced by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors aminoguanidine and L‐NAME and induced by the NO synthase‐independent NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and spermine‐NONO‐ate. SNP‐mediated endostatin induction was abrogated by the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H‐(1.2.4) oxadiazolo (4,3‐A) quinoxalin‐1‐one. Adenoviral endostatin transduction resulted in the release of endostatin from endothelial cells and in down‐regulation of iNOS (NOS2) and eNOS (NOS3), and surprisingly in a 10% induction of PCNA. These results describe the modulation of endostatin release by the NO signaling cascade and provide important new pharmacological information for the systemic induction of endogenous endostatin release by common NO donor pharmacotherapy.—Deininger, M. H., Wybranietz, W. A., Graepler, F. T. C., Lauer, U. M., Meyermann, R., Schluesener, H. J. Endothelial endostatin release is induced by general cell stress and modulated by the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway. FASEB J. 17, 1267–1276 (2003)
Noise in Magnetic Resonance Imaging: No Risk for Sensorineural Function But Increased Amplitude Variability of Otoacoustic Emissions
2003-07-01

Abstract Objectives Objectives were to perform exact measurements of the noise exposure in a magnetic resonance imager and to investigate the effects of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) noise on hearing sensitivity, which are still controversial, in a large number of patients. Study Design Prospective trial. Methods Acoustic noise during seven different MRI sequences was measured using a custom‐made microphone containing no ferromagnetic parts. In 244 ears of 126 patients, pure‐tone audiometry was performed once before and once after MRI noise, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured once before and three times after MRI. Results The sound pressure level (SPL) at the patient's ear (with consideration of the sound‐damping effect of the head support) ranged from 79.5 to 86.5 dB (A), depending on the MRI sequence, with brief sound pressure peaks up to 120 dB SPL. No significant incidence of temporary threshold shift and no reduction of mean distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitude were apparent. However, a significant increase in distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitude variability after noise exposure with equal distribution of increased and decreased amplitudes was observed. This variability showed a maximum at 15 minutes after noise, as demonstrated by continuous measurements. Conclusions First, MRI noise does not impose a risk to hearing function under the measurement condition of a sound‐damping head support or ear protectors. Second, a subtle effect is demonstrated by increased distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitude variability. Third, the increased otoacoustic emission amplitude variability is an audiometric parameter that is extremely sensitive to effects of acoustic stimulation, indicating more discrete changes in cochlear activity than pure‐tone audiometry or otoacoustic emission amplitude reduction. A shift of the operation point (OP) of the outer hair cell (OHC) between basilar membrane and tectorial membrane is suggested as underlying cause.
Homelessness and mental illness
2003-07-01

It is encouraging that many researchers are interested in the special needs of homeless people, who are very impaired in many areas. It is important to take into account the complex factors that prevent them from being engaged in treatment. Methodologically sound investigations are needed to assess homeless people's needs and existing treatment facilities need improvements and probably reorganization in order to successfully meet these needs. Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to summarize findings of the literature on homelessness and mental illness published in 2002. Recent findings Researchers focused on different topics concerning homelessness including physical and mental illness (e.g. schizophrenia, substance abuse and psychiatric comorbidity), risk factors, treatment and services. Although there are several methodological problems in homelessness research, many studies still use convenience samples, which may not be representative of the population of homeless individuals in a certain area.
Proton-electron bremsstrahlung
2003-07-01

The collision of energetic protons with free electrons is accompanied by the emission of bremsstrahlung. If the target electrons are approximately at rest, this process is designated electron-proton bremsstrahlung or suprathermal proton bremsstrahlung. The kinematics and the fully relativistic cross section of proton-electron bremsstrahlung in Born approximation is given. The X-ray spectrum produced by protons with a power-law spectrum is calculated for thin and thick targets.
For Debate: Starling's Curve of the Pancreas - Overuse of a Concept?
2003-07-01

It is commonly accepted that insulin secretion follows the pattern of an inverted U, also termed 'Starling's curve of the pancreas' during the natural history of hyperglycemia in glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes. This concept is based on the cross-sectional observation that insulin concentrations initially increase when insulin sensitivity declines (as a consequence of obesity, for example) and decrease when glucose tolerance deteriorates (impaired glucose tolerance or overt type 2 diabetes). The initial increase in insulin concentrations has been viewed as 'hypersecretion' of insulin, thought to indicate that beta cell dysfunction is not etiological but secondary in nature. However, this view is oblivious to the now well-established fact that assessment of insulin secretion must account for individual insulin sensitivity. Here, we revisit the concept of Starling's curve of the pancreas based on first-phase C-peptide concentrations (hyperglycemic clamp) from subjects with normal glucose tolerance (n=66), impaired glucose tolerance (n=19) and mild type 2 diabetes (n=9). In absolute terms, first-phase C-peptide concentrations plotted against increasing fasting glucose concentrations indeed followed an inverted U. However, adjusted for direct and indirect measures of insulin sensitivity (insulin sensitivity index from the hyperglycemic clamp, body mass index, age and sex), first-phase C-peptide concentrations of the same individuals tended to decrease steadily. In conclusion, while the Starling curve exists for insulin concentrations, and perhaps also for insulin secretion, it does not hold for beta-cell function if that term were to imply appropriateness of insulin secretion (based on a formal test of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion) for the degree of insulin resistance, as it should.
Shape and position of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus in the sole plate and remaining subsarcolemmal muscle region of the mouse using imidazole‐osmium staining
2003-07-01

Abstract By means of thin (≤150 nm) and thick (&gt;150 nm) sections, the shape and position of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and of the Golgi apparatus in the sole plate and in the remaining subsarcolemmal sarcoplasmic region were investigated. For this purpose the membranes were stained by means of imidazole‐osmium postfixation and unstained sections analyzed under the electron microscope. Both in the sarcoplasma of the sole plate and around the muscle fiber nuclei, a network of tubules is visible after imidazole‐osmium staining which can be identified as the sarcoplasmic reticulum solely on the basis of its contacts with the perinuclear cistern and the cisterns of the triads. Findings in literature on the position of the Golgi apparatus are confirmed and similar spatial relationships and vesiculations between the perinuclear cisterns and the Golgi apparatus of the sole plate nuclei and the other subsarcolemmal fiber nuclei are also demonstrated using this new staining method. Microsc. Res. Tech. 61:419–422, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Derivatization reaction of the mycotoxin moniliformin with 1,2‐diamino‐4,5‐dichlorobenzene: structure elucidation of an unexpected reaction product by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
2003-07-01

Abstract The derivatization reaction of the mycotoxin moniliformin with 1,2‐diamino‐4,5‐dichlorobenzene was previously introduced to improve distinctly the sensitivity of an assay applying high‐performance liquid chromatography prior to fluorescence detection. In the course of the implementation of this derivatization approach into a liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric method, an unexpected derivatization product has now been discovered by mass spectrometry. In order to elucidate its structure, detailed investigations with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography coupled on‐line with NMR spectroscopy were performed. These studies give evidence for a heterocyclic structure that has been formed by the loss of one water and one carbon monoxide molecule. A reasonable mechanism for this derivatization reaction is proposed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
The effect of acamprosate on the development of morphineinduced behavioral sensitization in rats
2003-07-01

Recently we have shown that the alcohol anti-craving drug acamprosate (calcium acetylhomotaurinate), a functional N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist which is used therapeutically to prevent relapse in weaned alcoholics, was also effective in suppressing (1) conditioned place aversion induced by morphine withdrawal, and (2) expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. Here, we addressed the question of whether the development of behavioral sensitization, induced by daily injections of morphine (10 mg/kg) over a period of 10 days, could also be suppressed by repeated pretreatment with acamprosate (200 mg/kg). Repeated intermittent injections of morphine produced sensitization of locomotor activity and sniffing behavior. Acamprosate did not block the development of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. This lack of effect on the development of this phenomenon is inconsistent with the view that NMDA receptor antagonists block the development of sensitization. We suggest that this may derive from the relatively low NMDA receptor-specific antagonism of acamprosate as compared to other NMDA receptor antagonists used in this model. In conclusion, the effect of acamprosate on morphine-induced behavioral sensitization seems to be restricted to the expression of this phenomenon.
Training system for laparoscopic fundoplication
2003-07-01

Laparoscopic fundoplication is widely used today as a surgical standard for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the procedures are complicated and require advanced laparoscopic skills. In addition, surgical complications correlate with the surgeon's technique and experience. Thus, a training course in laparoscopic fundoplication should be attended before performing surgery. This paper reports on a training course for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication developed by our group. This course involves practice in suture knotting as part of the laparoscopic operation, practical experience in fundoplication using a porcine organ training model, and observation of a live operation in the operating room. The course improves laparoscopic skills via practical experience and contributes to the learning curve for laparoscopic fundoplication.
On the Representation, Learning and Transfer of Spatio-Temporal Movement Characteristics
2003-07-01

In this paper we present a learning-based approach for the modeling of complex movement sequences. Based on the method of Spatio-Temporal Morphable Models (STMMs) we derive a hierarchical algorithm that, in a first step, identifies automatically movement elements in movement sequences based on a coarse spatio-temporal description, and in a second step models these movement primitives by approximation through linear combinations of learned example movement trajectories. We describe the different steps of the algorithm and show how it can be applied for modeling and synthesis of complex sequences of human movements that contain movement elements with a variable style. The proposed method is demonstrated on different applications of movement representation relevant for imitation learning of movement styles in humanoid robotics.
A New Route to Arsonium, Stibonium, and Bismuthonium 2, 2‐Dimethyl‐4, 6‐dioxo‐1, 3‐dioxanides — The Crystal Structures of Ph3E‐C6H6O4 (E = As, Sb, Bi) [1]
2003-07-01

Abstract The ylides Ph 3 E‐C 6 H 6 O 4 [ 3 ; E = As ( a ), Sb ( b ), Bi ( c )] have been prepared through the reaction of Ph 3 E and 5‐bromo‐2, 2‐dimethyl‐4, 6‐dioxo‐1, 3‐dioxin ( 4 ) followed by addition of triethylamine in good yields. The crystal structures of 3 are reported.
Genes Involved in Hereditary Hearing Impairment
2003-07-01

Hereditary hearing impairment (HHI) is a heterogeneous class of disorders showing various patterns of inheritance and involving a multitude of different genes. Neurosensory hearing impairment is one of the most common human sensory disorders affecting one in 1000 children with at least 60% of cases being inherited. The mode of inheritance of non-syndromic hearing disorders can be assigned to autosomal dominant (10-15%), autosomal recessive (70%), X-linked (1-3%) and mitochondrial forms (6-37% out of all cases). Syndromal hearing defects are categorized according to the underlying defects and contain more than 700 syndromes. In daily practice, non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHL) is predominant and accounts for up to 70% of all inherited sensorineural hearing defects. Although our knowledge of genes being involved in the development of HI accumulated during the past five years, little is known about the molecular basis of normal auditory function. To date, 24 genes for non syndromic HI and an even larger number of genes for syndromic HI have been identified. These genes play important roles for the normal inner ear: in the development, structure, ion exchange and further physiological function. This review presents a summary of known genes and new candidates, their possible role and the current state of knowledge in genetics of hereditary hearing impairment, all of them possibly expected to allow for new concepts in therapy. Keywords: hereditary hearing impairment (hhi), non-syndromic, syndromic, development, ion exchange, structure, inner ear physiologogy
International Conference on Inflammopharmacology – VIII Side-Effects of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Symposium
2003-07-01

The International Conference on Inflammopharmacology with VIII Side-Effects of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Symposium was held in Edinburgh, UK on 22 - 24 April 2003. The meeting was well attended, involving approximately 80 rheumatologists, pharmacologists and research scientists from both academia and industry with a special interest in osteoarthritis. Although few new drugs emerged at the meeting as treatment options for osteoarthritis, exciting data on the latest advances in novel inhibitors of the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis were presented. This report describes recent clinical experiences with the unique lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitor licofelone (ML3000; EuroAlliance, a partnership of Merckle [Germany], Alfa Wassermann [Italy] and Lácer [Spain]) and the latest developments in nitric oxide-donating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NMI-1093 and NMI1089 (Nitromed, Inc., USA) and AZD3582 (AstraZeneca, Sweden).
Energy density of vortices in the Schrödinger picture
2003-07-03

The one-loop energy density of an infinitely thin static magnetic vortex in\\nSU(2) Yang-Mills theory is evaluated using the Schroedinger picture. Both the\\ngluonic fluctuations as well as the quarks in the vortex background are\\nincluded. The energy density of the magnetic vortex is discussed as a function\\nof the magnetic flux. The center vortices correspond to local minima in the\\neffective potential. These minima are degenerated with the perturbative vacuum\\nif the fermions are ignored. Inclusion of fermions lifts this degeneracy,\\nraising the vortex energy above the energy of the perturbative vacuum.\\n
WY-14,643-mediated promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis in connexin32-wild-type and connexin32-null mice
2003-07-04

Connexin32 (Cx32) is the major gap junction forming protein in liver and lack of functional Cx32 enhances hepatocarcinogenesis. Many tumour-promoting agents block gap junctional intercellular communication, which may favour clonal expansion of neoplastic cells. We recently demonstrated that liver tumourigenesis is accelerated in Cx32-wild-type but not in Cx32-null mice by the model tumour promoter phenobarbital (PB). In the present study, male Cx32-wild-type and Cx32-null mice were treated with a single injection of 90 micro g/g body wt of N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) at 6 weeks of age and were subsequently kept on a diet containing the peroxisome proliferator [4-chloro-6-(2,3-xylidino)-2-pyrimidinylthio]acetic acid (Wy-14,643) or on control diet. Thirty-eight weeks after DEN treatment, mice were killed, frozen liver sections were prepared and (pre)-neoplastic lesions were identified by alterations in glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) and glutamine synthetase (GS) staining. G-6-Pase-deficient lesions were generally small in size and were observed in all groups of mice. Large focal pre-neoplastic and benign neoplastic lesions, however, which demonstrated increased rather than decreased activity in G-6-Pase were exclusively present in DEN/Wy-14,643-treated mice. G-6-Pase-positive lesions were strongly promoted by Wy-14,643, both in Cx32-wild-type and Cx32-null mice without significant difference in response between mice of the two genotypes. This contrasts G-6-Pase-negative lesions and lesions over-expressing GS, which were both increased by WY-14,643 treatment in number and size in Cx32-wild-type but not in Cx32-null mice. GS-positive lesions from WY-14,643-treated mice harboured beta-catenin mutations, a hallmark of lesions selected during promotion by PB, while G-6-Pase-positive lesions, which displayed negative or diffuse GS staining, did not show beta-catenin mutations. Our results demonstrate significant differences between mouse liver lesions of differing phenotype and genotype in their response towards selection by Wy-14,643 during the promotional phase of hepatocarcinogenesis.
Reverse-saturable-absorption-based optical limiting properties of indium and gallium phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines
2003-07-07

Experimental measurements of optical limiting resulting from reverse saturable absorption in metallo-phthalocyanine and metallo-naphthalocyanine compounds are reported. Open aperture ns z-scan with Gaussian pulses are employed to investigate the interaction of high intensity light with the novel compounds. Rate equations are used to analytically solve the static state solution that simulates the excited state dynamics resulting from the nonlinear excited state absorption, and this is fitted to the experimental data. General molecular engineering trends relating the optical limiting performance of these compounds to their structural characteristics are explored and discussed.
Transmission Potential of Smallpox: Estimates Based on Detailed Data from an Outbreak
2003-07-08

Recent discussions on the use of variola virus by bioterrorists have rekindled interest in the parameters that govern the transmissibility of smallpox. Here, the authors estimate by maximum likelihood the parameters of the spread of smallpox from historical data on an epidemic in 1967 in the town of Abakaliki, Nigeria, afflicting a religious group that refused vaccination. According to the authors' estimates, 79.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 63.6, 87.9) of the infectious contacts occurred within the compounds of the cases and 93.3% (95% CI: 80.6, 98.8) among compound members and other close contacts. Each case had 0.164 (95% CI: 0, 1.31) sufficiently close contacts on average during the fever period that preceded the rash and 6.87 (95% CI: 4.52, 10.1) sufficiently close contacts during the whole course of infectivity. These results support the widely held belief that smallpox spreads slowly, mainly among close contacts, and that infectivity before the onset of rash was negligible.