julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
The effect of opioids on phantom limb pain and cortical reorganization
2001-02-01

The efficacy of oral retarded morphine sulphate (MST) was tested against placebo in a double-blind crossover design in 12 patients with phantom limb pain after unilateral leg or arm amputation. Two counterbalanced treatment phases of 4 weeks each were initiated with an intravenous test infusion of MST or Placebo. The titration phase was 2 weeks. The dose of MST was titrated to at least 70 mg/day and at highest 300 mg/day. Pain intensity was assessed hourly on visual analog scales during a 4-week treatment-free phase, both treatment phases and at two follow-ups (6 and 12 months). Reorganization of somatosensory cortex, electric perception and pain thresholds as well as selective attention were measured pre- and post-treatment. A significant pain reduction was found during MST but not during placebo. A clinically relevant response to MST (pain reduction of more than 50%) was evident in 42%, a partial response (pain reduction of 25-50%) in 8% of the patients. Neuromagnetic source imaging of three patients showed initial evidence for reduced cortical reorganization under MST concurrent with the reduction in pain intensity. Perception and pain thresholds were not significantly altered whereas attention was significantly lower under MST. Thus, opioids show efficacy in the treatment of phantom limb pain and may potentially influence also cortical reorganization. These data need to be replicated in larger patient samples.
Radial oscillations of relativistic stars
2001-02-01

We present a new survey of the radial oscillation modes of neutron stars.\\nThis study complements and corrects earlier studies of radial oscillations. We\\npresent an extensive list of frequencies for the most common equations of state\\nand some more recent ones. In order to check the accuracy, we use two different\\nnumerical schemes which yield the same results. The stimulation for this work\\ncomes from the need of the groups that evolve the full nonlinear Einstein\\nequation to have reliable results from perturbation theory for comparison.\\n
Chemokine bioactivity of RANTES in endometriotic and normal endometrial stromal cells and peritoneal fluid
2001-02-01

Endometriotic lesions secrete chemokines that recruit immune cells into the peritoneal cavity. The accumulation of these immune cells, especially activated macrophages and T lymphocytes, is thought to mediate inflammatory symptoms associated with endometriosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) is synthesized by endometriotic stromal cells and circulates in peritoneal fluid, commensurate with the stage of endometriosis. In the current studies, we used the human monocytic cell line, U937, to assay chemotactic activity in cell culture conditioned media and peritoneal fluid from patients with endometriosis and normal controls. We demonstrated expression of the human RANTES receptors CCR-1 and CCR-5 in U937 cells and peritoneal macrophages. Over a range of 0-1000 pg/ml recombinant human RANTES had a direct, linear effect on monocyte migration. Conditioned media and peritoneal fluid induced dose-dependent effects on monocyte migration that were correlated with concentrations of immunoreactive RANTES (as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and the severity of endometriosis. Heat denaturation of the RANTES protein or addition of anti-human RANTES antibodies neutralized the chemoattractant effects of conditioned media and peritoneal fluid. RANTES stimulation of monocyte recruitment may be an important pathogenetic target for the treatment of infertility and pain associated with endometriosis.
Variable expression of activation‐linked surface antigens on human mast cells in health and disease
2001-02-01

Summary: Mast cells (MC) are multipotent effector cells of the immune system. They contain an array of biologically active mediator substances in their granules. MC also express a number of functionally important cell surface antigens, including stem cell factor receptor (SCFR=kit=CD117), high affinity IgER (FcεRI), or C5aR (CD88). Respective ligands can induce or promote degranulation, migration, or cytokine production. Other integral surface molecules can mediate adhesion or cell aggregation. Recent data suggest that a number of critical molecules are variably expressed on the surface of human MC. In fact, depending on the environment (organ), stage of cell maturation, type of disease, and other factors, MC express variable amounts of activation‐linked antigens (CD25, CD63, CD69, CD88), cell recognition molecules (CD2, CD11, CD18, CD50, CD54), or cytokine receptors. At present, however, little is known about the mechanisms and regulation of expression of such antigens. The present article gives an overview of MC phenotypes in health and disease, and attempts to provide explanations for the phenotypic variability of MC. This study was supported by Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung in Österreich – FWF grants # P12517 and # P14031, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social (FIS 98/1345), and Fundación Oftalmológica J. Cortés.
Effects of nebivolol on proliferation and apoptosis of human coronary artery smooth muscle and endothelial cells
2001-02-01

Whereas classical beta-blockers do not affect cell growth, only nebivolol inhibits haCSMC or haEC proliferation and induces a moderate rate of apoptosis. Furthermore, in HaCEs NO formation increases and endothelin-1 secretion decreases suggesting that nebivolol may represent a beta-blocker with great promises in CAD therapy.
Identification of interstitial maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) (14) and complete maternal UPD(20) in a cohort of growth retarded patients
2001-02-01

The association of uniparental disomy (UPD) and short stature has been reported for different chromosomes and in several conditions. Therefore, we investigated a cohort of 21 patients referred because of intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation for UPD of chromosomes 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, and 20. Typing of short tandem repeats showed maternal UPD(14) and maternal UPD(20) in two cases. In the first case, an interstitial UPD(14) was detected and the growth retarded newborn showed some additional clinical signs in common with the putative “maternal UPD(14) syndrome”. The maternal UPD(20) patient showed minor features. However, since it is only the second maternal UPD(20) case it is too early to delineate a specific syndrome and the role of this constitution in growth remains to be investigated. Our data suggest that searching for UPD in growth retarded patients is a helpful approach to getting more information on the role of UPD in growth retardation. Based on our results, general considerations and indications for UPD testing are discussed.
Nonperiodic flux to voltage conversion of series arrays of dc superconducting quantum interference devices
2001-02-01

We present a theoretical study on the voltage response function 〈V〉 of series arrays of dc superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for which the elementary dc SQUID loops vary in size and, possibly, in orientation. If the distribution of the array loop sizes is chosen according to an arithmetic relation, 〈V〉 is not a Φ0-periodic function of the strength of external magnetic field B. For arithmetic arrays the periodicity of 〈V〉 is controlled by the geometry of the array alone and does not depend on spreads in the array junction parameters. If small fluctuations are added to the loop size distribution, 〈V〉 becomes a unique function around a global minimum at B=0 without possessing significant additional minima for finite B. This filter property does not apply for conventional SQUIDs and series arrays of identical or nearly identical SQUID loops. Applications of arithmetic series arrays include the design of current amplifiers and novel quantum interference filters, which possess large voltage swing and low noise level. In particular, quantum interference filters should provide a rather simple and extremely sensitive measurement of the absolute strength of magnetic fields.
Developmental and cellular expression pattern of epithelial sodium channel α, β and γ subunits in the inner ear of the rat
2001-02-01

Abstract Endolymphatic ion composition in the adult inner ear is characterized by high K + and low Na + concentration. This unique ion composition is essential for proper functioning of sensory processing. Although a lot has been learned in recent years about molecules involved in K + transport in inner ear, the molecules involved in Na + transport are only beginning to emerge. The epithelial Na + channel (ENaC) is a highly selective Na + channel that is expressed in many Na + ‐reabsorbing tissues. The aim of our study was to investigate whether ENaC is expressed in inner ear of rats and could account for Na + reabsorption from endolymph. We detected mRNA for the three channel‐forming subunits (α, β and γENaC) in cochlea, vestibular system and endolymphatic sac. mRNA abundance increased during the first 12 days of life in cochlea and vestibular system, coinciding with decreasing Na + concentration in endolymph. Expression was strongest in epithelial cells lining scala media, most notably Claudius' cells. As these cells are characterized by a very negative resting potential they would be ideally suited for reabsorption of Na + . mRNA abundance in endolymphatic sac decreased during the first 6 days of life, suggesting that ENaC might be implicated in reabsorption of endolymph in the endolymphatic sac of neonatal animals. Together, our results suggest that the epithelial Na + channel is a good candidate for a molecule involved in Na + homeostasis in inner ear.
Ethnic variability in the allelic distribution of human aryl hydrocarbon receptor codon 554 and assessment of variant receptor function in vitro.
2001-02-01

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcriptional regulator of several genes including the cytochrome P4501 (CYP1) family as well as genes encoding factors involved in cell growth and differentiation. In mice, several polymorphic forms of the AHR are known, some of which have altered affinity for toxic and carcinogenic ligands. Remarkably little genetic variation has been detected in the human AHR gene. In studies on human AHR, Kawajiri et al. (Pharmacogenetics 1995; 5:151-158) reported a variation at codon 554 that results in an amino acid change from arginine to lysine; the frequency of the variant allele in a Japanese population (n = 277) was 0.43. We investigated the Lys554 allele in 386 individuals of various ethnic origins and found the frequency to be: 0.58 in Ivory Coast Africans (n = 58); 0.53 in a mixed African group (n = 20); 0.39 in Caribbean-Africans (n = 55); 0.32 in Canadian Chinese (n = 41); 0.14 in North American Indians (n = 47); 0.12 in French Canadian Caucasians (n = 20); 0.11 in a mixed ethnicity North American group (n = 45); 0.09 in Canadian Inuits (n = 22); and 0.07 in German Caucasians (n = 78). We expressed the human Lys554 allele in an in-vitro transcription-translation system and found that the receptor bearing the R554L substitution had an equivalent ability to that of the wild-type receptor to bind to a dioxin-responsive element following treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The Lys554 allele also was equivalent to the wild-type receptor at stimulating CYP1A1 mRNA expression when transfected into TCDD-treated receptor-deficient mouse Hepa-1 cells. It is not yet known if any of the wide variations in allele frequency at codon 554 are related to ethnic differences in susceptibility to adverse effects of environmental chemicals.
Proceratophrys bigibbosaSpecies Group (Anura: Leptodactylidae), with Description of a New Species
2001-02-01

Abstract The Proceratophrys bigibbosa species group is characterized by the presence of postocular swellings and absence of hornlike palpebral appendages. A new member of this group is described from Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Proceratophrys brauni sp. nov. is known from the southern regions of the Serra Geral, where it inhabits small streams in subtropical rain forests. It is characterized by the pointed snout, development of palpebral tubercles, and black ventral surface spotted with red. Its body size is intermediate between the smaller Proceratophrys avelinoi and the larger P. bigibbosa, both being redescribed here. Life histories of these three species and advertisement calls of P. bigibbosa and P. brauni are briefly described. An identification key to the members of the bigibbosa group is provided, and new distributional data are given. The type locality of P. avelinoi is specified, and Proceratophrys cristinae is considered a junior synonym of P. bigibbosa.
Fracture resistance of human incisors and premolars: morphological and patho‐anatomical factors
2001-02-01

Abstract – 305 extracted human front teeth and premolars were investigated for their dynamic resistance to fracture. Morphological factors, such as the anatomical class of tooth and root lengths, and patho‐anatomical factors, such as infractions, occlusal and cervical abrasions, composite and amalgam restorations and damage resulting from previous traumatic impacts, were taken into consideration. A comparison of stability after a defined impact stress showed that maxillary canines and premolars had the highest resistance to fracture; this differs significantly from the resistance of maxillary and mandibular incisors. The root length correlates directly with fracture energy and therefore to stability. Composite restorations with an adhesive joint were found to increase the resistance of a tooth to fracture, but amalgam restorations had a weakening effect. Cervical wedge‐shaped defects of the tooth cause considerable destabilization, but occlusal abrasion and infractions have only a moderate weakening influence. Previous traumatic stress reduces the resistance to fracture of a tooth by up to 85%. The fracture patterns generated were very similar to clinically observed tooth fractures, indicating the results to be clinically relevant.
A stochastic model for the aggregation of Onchocerca volvulus in nodules
2001-02-01

A model is presented which describes the aggregation of female Onchocerca volvulus in nodules and their distribution in the human population. The basic model is based on a single parameter, the formation probability q , which represents the probability with which incoming larvae form a new nodule. This parameter describes parasite behaviour which cannot easily be recognized in available data without modelling. The estimate for the average formation probability of μ q = 0.39 suggests an attraction of the invading infective larvae to already existing nodules or resident worms with probability 0.61. No significant difference in μ q was found between the forest and savanna parasite strains. The model can be used inversely to estimate the worm burden of persons from palpation data. The observed variance in the number of nodules per person requires the assumption of a variance-increasing mechanism which was implemented by heterogeneity within the host population (extended model with 2 parameters). Possible reasons for this heterogeneity are presented and its implications concerning the reproductive biology of the parasite are discussed.
Preparation and properties of thin films of hyperbranched polyesters with different end groups
2001-02-01

Hyperbranched polyesters (HBP) with different end groups were prepared as thin films. They were characterized with regard to their chemical composition, thickness, optical constants and morphology using infrared spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and atomic force microscopy. The surface properties of the films were determined by zeta-potential and contact angles measurements. The differences in the molecular structure and surface energetic and acid-base properties between HBP materials with carboxylic, hydroxy and acetoxy end groups result in differences in their swelling behavior in atmospheric humidity. The swelling behavior at different atmospheric humidity was observed in situ using spectroscopic ellipsometry and reflectometric interference spectroscopy. From the results it can be concluded that HBP films can be used potentially as sensoric materials.
Ligand motif of the autoimmune disease-associated mouse MHC class II molecule H2-As
2001-02-01

The MHC class II molecule H2-A(s), expressed in the SJL mouse strain, is the principle restriction element of autoreactive CD4(+) T cells mediating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. We deduced the H2-A(s) ligand motif from the analysis of naturally processed self peptides and from peptide binding studies. Major anchor residues were identified using various sets of substituted and truncated peptides, derived from natural peptide ligands and known H2-A(s) binders like myelin basic protein 81 - 99. The nine-residue H2-A(s) core binding motif comprises an arrangement of anchors in relative positions P1, P4, P6, P7, and P9. The P1 pocket is relatively unspecific and the P6 pocket favors hydrophobic-aliphatic side chains. The P1 pocket contributes little to peptide binding. Primary anchors were identified in P4, P7, and in particular in P9. The preferred anchor residues are Lys (P4), His/Arg (P7), and Pro (P9), respectively. Ala-polysubstituted peptides containing only one of these dominant anchor residues still retain the capacity to bind to H2-A(s). Thus, the presence of only one suitable anchor side chain in P4, P7, or P9 is sufficient for high-affinity peptide binding, at least in the absence of negatively charged side chains nearby. The identified ligand motif facilitates the analysis of immunogenic peptides interacting with H2-A(s) and will allow a better prediction of pathogenetically relevant peptide antigens in the autoimmune mouse model.
Carbon dioxide concentration and nitrogen input affect the C and N storage pools in Amanita muscaria-Picea abies mycorrhizae
2001-02-01

We studied the influence of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) on the vacuolar storage pool of nitrogen-containing compounds and on the glycogen pool in the hyphal sheath of Amanita muscaria (L. ex Fr.) Hooker–Picea abies L. Karst. mycorrhizae grown with two concentrations of ammonium in the substrate. Mycorrhizal seedlings were grown in petri dishes on agar containing 5.3 or 53 mg N l−1 and exposed to 350 or 700 μl CO2 l−1 for 5 or 7 weeks, respectively. Numbers and area of nitrogen-containing bodies in the vacuoles of the mycorrhizal fungus were determined by light microscopy linked to an image analysis system. The relative concentration of nitrogen in the vacuolar bodies was measured by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Glycogen stored in the cytosol was determined at the ultrastructural level by image analysis after staining the sections (PATAg test). Shoot dry weight, net photosynthesis and relative amounts of N in vacuolar bodies were greater at the higher N and CO2 concentrations. The numbers and areas of vacuolar N-containing bodies were significantly greater at the higher N concentration only at ambient [CO2]. In the same treatment the percentage of hyphae containing glycogen declined to nearly zero. We conclude that, in the high N/low [CO2] treatment, the mycorrhizal fungus had an insufficient carbohydrate supply, partly because of increased amino acid synthesis by the non-mycorrhizal rootlets. When [CO2] was increased, the equilibrium between storage of glycogen and N-containing compounds was reestablished.
Zur Acylierung von 2,3-Dihydro-l,3-diisopropyl-4,5- dimethylimidazol-2-yliden [1] / Acylation o f 2,3-Dihydro-l,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene [1]
2001-02-01

Abstract Acylation, Heterocycles, Imidazoles 2,3-Dihydro-l,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene (2, Im) reacts with PhC(O)X to give the imidazolium salts [PhC(O)Im]F (3) and [PhC(O)Im]Cl (5). From 3 and the corre sponding fluoro compounds, the salts [PhC(O)Im][BF 4 ] (4a), [PhC(O)Im][Ph 3 SiF 2 ] (4b) and [PhC(O)Im] [Ph 3 SnF 2 ] (4c) are obtained. 2 reacts with oxalylic chloride under CO elimination to give the salt [Im 2 CO]Cl 2 (7). The X-ray data of 4c and 7 · 4 H 2 0 · 2 HCl ([Im 2 CO][Cl 4 H 10 O 4 ]) are reported.
THERMAL QUASI-EQUILIBRIUM STATES ACROSS LANDAU HORIZONS IN THE EFFECTIVE GRAVITY OF SUPERFLUIDS
2001-02-01

We give an account of the physical behaviour of a quasiparticle horizon due to non-Lorentz invariant modifications of the effective spacetime experienced by the quasiparticles ("matter") for high momenta. By introducing a "relativistic" conserved energy–momentum tensor, we derive quasi-equilibrium states of the fluid across the "Landau" quasiparticle horizon at temperatures well above the quantum Hawking temperature. Nonlinear dispersion of the quasiparticle energy spectrum is instrumental for quasiparticle communication and exchange across the horizon. It is responsible for the establishment of the local thermal equilibrium across the horizon with the Tolman temperature being inhomogeneous behind the horizon. The inhomogeneity causes relaxation of the quasi-equilibrium states due to scattering of thermal quasiparticles, which finally leads to a shrinking black hole horizon. This process serves as the classical thermal counterpart of the quantum effect of Hawking radiation and will allow for an observation of the properties of the horizon at temperatures well above the Hawking temperature. We discuss the thermal entropy related to the horizon. We find that only the first nonlinear correction to the energy spectrum is important for the thermal properties of the horizon. They are fully determined by an energy of order E Planck (T/E Planck ) 1/3 , which is well below the Planck energy scale E Planck , so that Planck scale physics is not involved in determining thermal quantities related to the horizon.
Primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma originating from the pulmonary valve. Case report and review of the literature.
2001-02-01

Primary cardiac tumours are rare findings (incidence 0.02% according to a recent meta-analysis) with dismal prognosis. Approximately 25% are malignant, mostly represented by sarcomas. Among these, leiomyosarcomas are exceptional. Treatment for primary cardiac leiomyosarcomas consists of radical surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. The mean survival after surgery and adjuvant therapies is 6.8 months. We present a rare case of a 40- year-old male patient with a primary cardiac leiomysarcoma originating from the pulmonary valve. This patient died after surgery and implantation of a homograft of the pulmonary trunk. Furthermore, the literature has been reviewed.
Anatomy of the Porta Hepatis as a Basis for Extended Hepatoporto-Enterostomy for Extrahepatic Biliary Atresia - A New Surgical Technique
2001-02-01

On the basis of anatomical findings we have modified the conventional Kasai's HPE and developed an extended exploration of the porta hepatis. The procedure and surgical technique is described in this paper.
(C7H13N2)3Al − The First Tris(diketiminato)metal Complex
2001-02-01

The stable tris(diketiminato)metal complex (C7H13N2)3Al (4) is obtained from Me3N·AlH3 and the vinamidine C7H14N2 (1). The X-ray structure analysis of the complex 4 reveals a distorted octahedral coordination of the nitrogen atoms at the aluminum centre.