julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Atomic Resonances in External Fields
2005-12-30

We present a new effective numerical method to compute resonances of simple but non-integrable quantum systems, based on a combination of complex coordinate rotations with the finite element and the discrete variable method. By using model potentials we were able to compute atomic data for alkali systems. As an example we show some results for the radial Stark and the Stark effect and compare our values with recent published ones.
Discrete Variable Method for Non-Integrable Quantum Systems
2005-12-30

We present an effective numerical algorithm based on discrete variable techniques combined with finite elements for solving non-separable three-dimensional Schrödinger equations. By an additional discretization of the time propagator an effective algorithm is given for studying wave-packet propagation in simple systems. As examples we present applications to astrophysical and quantum chaological problems.
Stimulation of Suicidal Erythrocyte Death by Methylglyoxal
2006-01-01

Diabetes increases the percentage of circulating erythrocytes exposing phosphatidylserine (PS) at the cell surface. PS-exposing erythrocytes are recognized, bound, engulfed and degraded by macrophages. Thus, PS exposure, a feature of suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, accelerates clearance of affected erythrocytes from circulating blood. Moreover, PS-exposing erythrocytes bind to the vascular wall thus interfering with microcirculation. The present study explored mechanisms involved in the triggering of PS exposure by methylgloxal, an extra- and intracellular metabolite which is enhanced in diabetes. PS exposure, cell size and cytosolic Ca(2+)-activity after methylglyoxal treatment were measured by FACS analysis of annexin V binding, forward scatter and Fluo-3-fluorescence, respectively, and it was shown that the treatment significantly enhanced the percentage of PS-exposing erythrocytes at concentrations (0.3 microM) encountered in diabetic patients. Surprisingly, methylglyoxal did not significantly increase cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration, and at concentrations up to 3 microM, did not decrease the forward scatter. Instead, exposure to methylglyoxal inhibited glycolysis thus decreasing ATP and GSH concentrations. In conclusion, methylglyoxal impairs energy production and anti-oxidative defense, effects contributing to the enhanced PS exposure of circulating erythrocytes and eventually resulting in anemia and deranged microcirculation.
Biomechanical evaluation of the interfacial strength of a chemically modified sandblasted and acid-etched titanium surface
2006-01-01

The functional capacity of osseointegrated dental implants to bear load is largely dependent on the quality of the interface between the bone and implant. Sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) surfaces have been previously shown to enhance bone apposition. In this study, the SLA has been compared with a chemically modified SLA (modSLA) surface. The increased wettability of the modSLA surface in a protein solution was verified by dynamic contact angle analysis. Using a well-established animal model with a split-mouth experimental design, implant removal torque testing was performed to determine the biomechanical properties of the bone-implant interface. All implants had an identical cylindrical shape with a standard thread configuration. Removal torque testing was performed after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of bone healing (n = 9 animals per healing period, three implants per surface type per animal) to evaluate the interfacial shear strength of each surface type. Results showed that the modSLA surface was more effective in enhancing the interfacial shear strength of implants in comparison with the conventional SLA surface during early stages of bone healing. Removal torque values of the modSLA-surfaced implants were 8-21% higher than those of the SLA implants (p = 0.003). The mean removal torque values for the modSLA implants were 1.485 N m at 2 weeks, 1.709 N m at 4 weeks, and 1.345 N m at 8 weeks; and correspondingly, 1.231 N m, 1.585 N m, and 1.143 N m for the SLA implants. The bone-implant interfacial stiffness calculated from the torque-rotation curve was on average 9-14% higher for the modSLA implants when compared with the SLA implants (p = 0.038). It can be concluded that the modSLA surface achieves a better bone anchorage during early stages of bone healing than the SLA surface; chemical modification of the standard SLA surface likely enhances bone apposition and this has a beneficial effect on the interfacial shear strength.
Pre-Alpide Palaeozoic and Mesozoic orogenic events in the Eastern Mediterranean region
2006-01-01

Abstract We review the Palaeozoic-Early Mesozoic evolution of the Eastern Mediterranean-Balkan region with special reference to Anatolia, and provide new isotopic data on the Palaeozoic magmatic and metamorphic rocks. The pre-Alpide evolution of the region involves episodic growth of Laurussia by accretion of oceanic terranes and Gondwana-derived microcontinents. Terrane accretion, associated with deformation, magmatism and regional metamorphism, took place in the Late Ordovician-Early Silurian, Carboniferous, Late Triassic-Early Jurassic and Mid-Jurassic. The Late Ordovician-Early Silurian accretion is inferred from strati-graphic and faunal records in the Pontides; other evidence for it is buried under young cover on the northern margin of the Black Sea. The Carboniferous orogeny is related to southward subduction and continental collision on the southern margin of Laurussia. It is marked in the Pontides by high-grade regional metamorphism, north-vergent deformation and post-orogenic latest Carboniferous-Early Permian plutonism. The latest Triassic-Early Jurassic Cimmeride orogeny involved the collision and amalgamation of an oceanic plateau to the southern margin of Laurasia. It is represented by voluminous accretionary complexes with Late Triassic blues-chists and eclogites. Late Jurassic regional metamorphism and deformation is confined to the Balkans, and is the result of continental collision between the Rhodope-Serbo-Macedonian and Strandja blocks in the Late Jurassic. The Palaeozoic geological history of the Balkans and the Pontides resembles that of Central Europe, although the similarities end with the Mesozoic, as a consequence of the formation of Pangaea.
Mechanism of Cerebral β-Amyloid Angiopathy: Murine and Cellular Models
2006-01-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy of the beta-amyloid type (Abeta-CAA) is a risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke and independently is believed to contribute to dementia. Naturally occurring animal models of Abeta-CAA are scarce and not well suited for the laboratory. To this end, a variety of transgenic mouse models have been developed that, similar to cerebral Abeta-amyloidosis in humans, develop either Abeta-CAA only or both Abeta-CAA and parenchymal amyloid, or primarily parenchymal amyloid with only scarce Abeta-CAA. The lessons learned from these mouse models are: i) Abeta-CAA alone is sufficient to induce cerebral hemorrhage and associate pathologies including neuroinflammation, ii) the origin of vascular amyloid is mainly neuronal, iii) Abeta-CAA results largely from impaired Abeta clearance, iv) a high ratio Abeta40:42 favors vascular over parenchymal amyloidosis, and v) genetic risk factors such as ApoE modulate Abeta-CAA and CAA-induced hemorrhages. Therapeutic strategies to inhibit Abeta-CAA are poor at the present time. Once Abeta-CAA is present current Abeta immunotherapy strategies have failed to clear vascular amyloid and even run the risk of serious side effects. Despite this progress in deciphering the pathomechanism of Abeta-CAA, with these first generation mouse models of Abeta-CAA, refining these models is needed and will help to understand the emerging importance of Abeta-CAA for dementia and to develop biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
Visual attention and temporal discrimination: Differential effects of automatic and voluntary cueing
2006-01-01

Yeshurun and Levy (2003) reported that visual attention impairs temporal discrimination in a temporal gap detection task. To assess whether this counterintuitive finding generalizes to another temporal discrimination task, we examined the influence of visual attention on temporal-order discrimination. Experiment 1 showed that an exogenous cue (automatic orienting) impairs temporal-order discrimination. In contrast, however, Experiment 2 revealed that an endogenous cue (voluntary orienting) facilitates temporal-order discrimination. Experiment 3 addressed whether these discrepant results are due to cue type or to cue predictability and revealed that a nonpredictive endogenous cue induces the same effect on temporal discrimination as the exogenous cue in Experiment 1. The complete pattern of results shows that automatically oriented attention impairs temporal-order discrimination, whereas voluntary oriented attention enhances it. Thus, the results emphasize the different nature of automatic and voluntary orienting. It is suggested that both kinds of attentional orienting operate at different processing levels within the visual system.
Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis, Follow-Up, and Outcome of Congenital Varicella Syndrome
2006-01-01

&lt;i&gt;Objectives:&lt;/i&gt; To report on a case of fetal varicella infection following the diagnosis of maternal infection at 16 weeks of gestation. &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; Diagnosis was based on serology testing and prenatal ultrasound, confirmed by DNA detection in amniotic fluid (Lightcycler-PCR). Serial ultrasound examinations were performed. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; Sonographic anomalies included borderline ventriculomegaly, intracerebral, intrahepatic and myocardial calcifications, limb deformities, articular effusions, and intrauterine growth retardation (confirmed postpartally). The newborn showed a severe encephalopathy and could not be stabilized sufficiently. The child died 23 days after birth. &lt;i&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/i&gt; The outcome of an affected fetus may be very serious and prenatal ultrasound is a helpful tool to recognize the severity of the infection.
Canon law and the practice of penance: Burchard of Worms's penitential
2006-01-01

This article investigates the characteristics and function of Book 19 of Burchard's Decretum. It demonstrates how the penitential questionnaire, usually considered the most original part of this text, was the result of Burchard's systematic expansion upon his main source, Regino of Prüm. It argues that Book 19 was not a conventional penitential, to be used to support the administration of penance by priests, but rather that it was meant to be both an exemplary penitential and a summary of the preceding eighteen books. Burchard thus sought to ensure there was no contradiction between his collection of canon law and his penitential.
Collapse and Relativity
2006-01-01

Ever since we have been in the possession of quantum theories without\\nobservers, such as Bohmian mechanics or the Ghirardi-Rimini-Weber (GRW) theory\\nof spontaneous wave function collapse, a major challenge in the foundations of\\nquantum mechanics is to devise a relativistic quantum theory without observers.\\nOne of the difficulties is to reconcile nonlocality with relativity. I report\\nabout recent progress in this direction based on the GRW model: A relativistic\\nversion of the model has been devised for the case of N noninteracting (but\\nentangled) particles. A key ingredient was to focus not on the evolution of the\\nwave function but rather on the evolution of the matter in space-time as\\ndetermined by the wave function.\\n
The mammalian ionic environment dictates microbial susceptibility to antimicrobial defense peptides
2006-01-01

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been shown in animal and human systems to be effective natural antibiotics. However, it is unclear how they convey protection; they often appear inactive when assayed under culture conditions applied to synthetic antibiotics. This inactivation has been associated with loss of function in physiological concentrations of NaCl or serum. In this study we show that the balance of host ionic conditions dictate microbial sensitivity to AMPs. Carbonate is identified as the critical ionic factor present in mammalian tissues that imparts the ability of AMPs such as cathelicidins and defensins to kill at physiological NaCl concentrations. After adapting to carbonate‐containing solutions, global changes occur in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli structure and gene expression despite no change in growth rate. Our findings show that changes in cell wall thickness and Sigma factor B expression correspond to the increased susceptibility to the AMP LL‐37. These observations provide new insight into the factors involved in enabling function of innate immune effector molecules, and suggest that discovery of new antimicrobials should specifically target pathogens as they exist in the host and not the distinctly different phenotype of bacteria grown in culture broth.—Dorschner, R. A., Lopez‐Garcia, B., Peschel, A., Kraus, D., Morikawa, K., Nizet, V., Gallo, R. L. The mammalian ionic environment dictates microbial susceptibility to antimicrobial defense peptides. FASEB J. 20, 35–42 (2006)
New Approaches to the Treatment of Inflammatory Disorders Small Molecule inhibitors of p38 MAP Kinase
2006-01-01

The therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has recently been enriched by the successful launch of the anti-cytokine biologicals Etanercept (tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-p75 Fc fusion protein), Infliximab (chimeric anti-human TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody), Adalimumab (recombinant human anti-human TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody) and Anakinra (recombinant form of human interleukin 1beta (IL-1) receptor antagonist). The success of these novel treatments has impressively demonstrated the clinical benefit that can be gained from therapeutic intervention in cytokine signalling, highlighting the central role of proinflammatory cytokine systems like IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha to be validated targets. However, all of the anti-cytokine biologicals available to date are proteins, and therefore suffering to a varying degree from the general disadvantages associated with protein drugs. Therefore, small molecular, orally active anti-cytokine agents, which target specific pathways of proinflammatory cytokines, would offer an attractive alternative to anti-cytokine biologicals. A number of molecular targets have been identified for the development of such small molecular agents but p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase occupies a central role in the regulation of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha signalling network at both the transcriptional and translational level. Since the mid-1990s, an immense number of inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase has been characterised in vitro, and to date several compounds have been advanced into clinical trials. This review will highlight the correlation between effective inhibition of p38 MAP kinase at the molecular target and cellular activity in functional assays of cytokine, particularly TNF-alpha and IL-1beta production. SAR will be discussed regarding activity at the enzyme target, but also with regard to properties required for efficient in vitro and in vivo activity.
Neurogenic bladder treatment by doubling the recommended antimuscarinic dosage
2006-01-01

Abstract Introduction and Objectives The dosage of the antimuscarinic drugs: Tolterodine ER or Trospium was increased to a higher‐than‐recommended dosage in patients where the manufacturer's recommended dosage had failed. All patients were suffering from neurogenic detrusor overactivity incontinence. Tolerability and success were evaluated in the present study. Materials and Methods Twenty‐one patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity were evaluated: 17 with spinal cord injury, 3 with multiple sclerosis, and 1 with a meningomyelocele. All patients catheterized themselves or were catheterized. If neurogenic detrusor overactivity continued and the medication was well tolerated, the dosage was doubled to either 8 mg of Tolterodine ER [2 × 4 mg (n = 11)] or 90 mg of Trospium [3 × 30 mg (n = 10)]. The follow‐up was monitored by a bladder diary and urodynamic evaluation. Results Sixteen patients significantly decreased their incontinence episodes from 8–12 episodes before to 0–2 episodes during the doubled treatment. The reflex volume increased from 202 ± 68 to 332 ± 50 ml ( P &lt; 0.001). Cystometric capacity enlarged from 290 ± 56 to 453 ± 63 ml ( P &lt; 0.001). One patient had to stop the medication because of intolerable side effects and five patients did not experience satisfactory benefit. Conclusion The increased dosage of Tolterodine or Trospium is an effective treatment in patients with neurogenic bladder. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ion Channels and Cell Volume in Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Apoptotic Cell Death
2006-01-01

Cell proliferation must be accompanied by increase of cell volume and apoptosis is typically paralleled by cell shrinkage. Moreover, profound osmotic cell shrinkage may trigger apoptosis. In isotonic environment cell volume changes require the respective alterations of transport across the cell membrane. Cell proliferation is typically paralleled by activation of K(+) channels, which is required for the maintenance of the cell membrane potential, a critical determinant of Ca(2+) entry through Ca(2+) channels. The Ca(2+) entry leads to oscillations of cytosolic Ca(2+) activity which is followed by activation of Ca(2+) dependent transcription factors and by depolymerization of the actin filament network. The latter disinhibits the Na(+) H(+) exchanger and Na(+) , K(+) , 2Cl(-)cotransport thus leading to cell swelling. At some point transient activation of Cl(-) channels is required leading to transient decrease of cell volume. Apoptosis is typically paralleled by sustained activation of Cl(-) channels leading to Cl(-) , HCO-(3) and osmolyte exit. The subsequent cell shrinkage and cytosolic acidification are not counter-regulated by activation of the Na(+) /H(+) exchanger, which is inhibited and eventually degraded during apoptosis. At a later stage K(+) exit through K(+) channels decreases intracellular K(+) concentration and facilitates cell shrinkage. Sustained or excessive increase of Ca(+) triggers apoptotic cell death, typically paralleled by cell shrinkage due to activation of Ca(2+) sensitive K(+) channels. Cellular K(+) loss and cell shrinkage are supportive but not required for the induction of apoptosis. On the other hand, several studies point to a critical role of K(+) -channel inhibition in the initiation of apoptosis. Thus, alterations of K(+) channel and Ca(2+) channel activities may participate in the triggering of both, cell proliferation and apoptosis. The impact of those channels depends on magnitude and temporal organization of channel activation and on the activity of further signaling mechanisms. Accordingly, the same ion channel blockers may interfere with both, cell proliferation and apoptosis depending on cell type, regulatory environment and condition of the cell.
Combination of TMS and fMRI reveals a specific pattern of reorganization in M1 in patients after complete spinal cord injury
2006-01-01

Purpose: After a spinal cord injury (SCI), which was complete, deafferentation of the body representation caudal to the lesion height results in drastic changes in the cortical representation. The underlaying processes are poorly understood. Methods: We investigated cortical representation sites of upper limb muscles using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in five patients suffering from thoracic complete SCI and one with an incomplete SCI in the height of L1. Results: In comparison to healthy controls fMRI demonstrated a displacement of elbow movement representations in the precentral gyrus in patients with complete SCI into the direction of the deafferented cortical thoracic representation. Changes increased with time after the incidence of SCI. TMS revealed reduced excitability and prolonged silent periods for muscles more distant to the deafferented area. Conclusions: Whereas fMRI demonstrated changes in representation sites adjacent to the deafferented area, TMS excitability changes were also observed more distant to the deafferented area and silent periods were prolonged in comparison to healthy controls. TMS changes might depend on both: the distance to the deafferented area and the time of persistence of deafferentation.
The Mechanism of Endothelium-Independent Relaxation Induced by the Wine Polyphenol Resveratrol in Human Internal Mammary Artery
2006-01-01

Resveratrol, a stilbene polyphenol found in grapes and red wine, produces vasorelaxation in both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent manners. The mechanisms by which resveratrol causes vasodilatation are uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism(s) of endothelium-independent resveratrol-induced vasorelaxation in human internal mammary artery (HIMA) obtained from male patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery and to clarify the contribution of different K+ channel subtypes in resveratrol action in this blood vessel. HIMA rings without endothelium were precontracted with phenylephrine. Resveratrol induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the HIMA. A highly selective blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, glibenclamide, as well as nonselective blockers of Ca2+-sensitive K+ channels, tetraethylammonium and charybdotoxin, did not block resveratrol induced relaxation of HIMA rings. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP), non selective blocker of voltage gated K+ (KV) channels, and margatoxin that inhibits KV1.2, KV1.3, and KV1.6 channels abolished relaxation of HIMA rings induced by resveratrol. In conclusion, we have shown that resveratrol potently relaxed HIMA rings with denuded endothelium. It seems that 4-AP- and margatoxin-sensitive K+ channels located in smooth muscle of HIMA mediated this relaxation.
A Nuclear Ribosomal DNA Phylogeny of Acer Inferred with Maximum Likelihood, Splits Graphs, and Motif Analysis of 606 Sequences
2006-01-01

The multi-copy internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA is widely used to infer phylogenetic relationships among closely related taxa. Here we use maximum likelihood (ML) and splits graph analyses to extract phylogenetic information from ~ 600 mostly cloned ITS sequences, representing 81 species and subspecies of Acer, and both species of its sister Dipteronia. Additional analyses compared sequence motifs in Acer and several hundred Ana-cardiaceae, Burseraceae, Meliaceae, Rutaceae, and Sapindaceae ITS sequences in GenBank. We also assessed the effects of using smaller data sets of consensus sequences with ambiguity coding (accounting for within-species variation) instead of the full (partly redundant) original sequences. Neighbor-nets and bipartition networks were used to visualize conflict among character state patterns. Species clusters observed in the trees and networks largely agree with morphology-based classifications; of de Jong's (1994) 16 sections, nine are supported in neighbor-net and bipartition networks, and ten by sequence motifs and the ML tree; of his 19 series, 14 are supported in networks, motifs, and the ML tree. Most nodes had higher bootstrap support with matrices of 105 or 40 consensus sequences than with the original matrix. Within-taxon ITS divergence did not differ between diploid and polyploid Acer, and there was little evidence of differentiated parental ITS haplotypes, suggesting that concerted evolution in Acer acts rapidly.