julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
An Obesity Risk SNP (rs17782313) near theMC4RGene Is Associated with Cerebrocortical Insulin Resistance in Humans
2011-01-01

Activation of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) by insulin sensitive neurons is a central mechanism in body weight regulation, and genetic variants in the MC4R gene (e.g., rs17782313) are associated with obesity. By using magnetoencephalography, we addressed whether rs17782313 affects the cerebrocortical insulin response. We measured the cerebrocortical insulin response by using magnetoencephalography in a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (versus placebo) in 51 nondiabetic humans (26 f/25 m, age<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>35</mml:mn><mml:mo>±</mml:mo><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>years, BMI<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>28</mml:mn><mml:mo>±</mml:mo><mml:mn>1</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>kg/m 2 ). The C-allele of rs17782313 was minor allele (frequency<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>23</mml:mn><mml:mi>%</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math>), and the genotype distribution (TT 30, TC 19, CC 2) was in Hardy-Weinberg-Equilibrium. Insulin-stimulated cerebrocortical theta activity was decreased in the presence of the C-allele (TT<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>33</mml:mn><mml:mo>±</mml:mo><mml:mn>16</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>fT; TC/CC<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mo>−</mml:mo><mml:mn>27</mml:mn><mml:mo>±</mml:mo><mml:mn>20</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>fT;<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>P</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>.023</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>), and this effect remained significant after adjusting for BMI and peripheral insulin sensitivity (<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>P</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>.047</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>). Cerebrocortical theta activity was impaired in carriers of the obesity risk allele. Therefore, cerebral insulin resistance may contribute to the obesity effect of rs17782313.
A Potential Role for a Genetic Variation of AKAP5 in Human Aggression and Anger Control
2011-01-01

The A-kinase-anchoring protein 5 (AKAP5), a post-synaptic multi-adaptor molecule that binds G-protein-coupled receptors and intracellular signaling molecules has been implicated in emotional processing in rodents, but its role in human emotion and behavior is up to now still not quite clear. Here, we report an association of individual differences in aggressive behavior and anger expression with a functional genetic polymorphism (Pro100Leu) in the human AKAP5 gene. Among a cohort of 527 young, healthy individuals, carriers of the less common Leu allele (15.6% allele frequency) scored significantly lower in the physical aggression domain of the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire and higher in the anger control dimension of the state-trait anger expression inventory. In a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment we could further demonstrate that AKAP5 Pro100Leu modulates the interaction of negative emotional processing and executive functions. In order to investigate implicit processes of anger control, we used the well-known flanker task to evoke processes of action monitoring and error processing and added task-irrelevant neutral or angry faces in the background of the flanker stimuli. In line with our predictions, Leu carriers showed increased activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) during emotional interference, which in turn predicted shorter reaction times and might be related to stronger control of emotional interference. Conversely, Pro homozygotes exhibited increased orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) activation during emotional interference, with no behavioral advantage. Immunohistochemistry revealed AKAP5 expression in post mortem human ACC and OFC. Our results suggest that AKAP5 Pro100Leu contributes to individual differences in human aggression and anger control. Further research is warranted to explore the detailed role of AKAP5 and its gene product in human emotion processing.
On a Possible Relationship between Linguistic Expertise and EEG Gamma Band Phase Synchrony
2011-01-01

Recent research has shown that extensive training in and exposure to a second language can modify the language organization in the brain by causing both structural and functional changes. However it is not yet known how these changes are manifested by the dynamic brain oscillations and synchronization patterns subserving the language networks. In search for synchronization correlates of proficiency and expertise in second language acquisition, multivariate EEG signals were recorded from 44 high and low proficiency bilinguals during processing of natural language in their first and second languages. Gamma band (30-45 Hz) phase synchronization (PS) was calculated mainly by two recently developed methods: coarse-graining of Markov chains (estimating global phase synchrony, measuring the degree of PS between one electrode and all other electrodes), and phase lag index (PLI; estimating bivariate phase synchrony, measuring the degree of PS between a pair of electrodes). On comparing second versus first language processing, global PS by coarse-graining Markov chains indicated that processing of the second language needs significantly higher synchronization strength than first language. On comparing the proficiency groups, bivariate PS measure (i.e., PLI) revealed that during second language processing the low proficiency group showed stronger and broader network patterns than the high proficiency group, with interconnectivities between a left fronto-parietal network. Mean phase coherence analysis also indicated that the network activity was globally stronger in the low proficiency group during second language processing.
Decreased Galectin-8 Is a Strong Marker for Recurrence in Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder
2011-01-01

&lt;i&gt;Objective:&lt;/i&gt; To investigate galectin-8 expression patterns in normal urothelium and bladder cancer specimens and to elucidate its prognostic value. &lt;i&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/i&gt; 162 samples of non-muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma, 25 samples of muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma and 10 samples of normal urothelium were investigated by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays. Complete patient and tumor characteristics were compared with galectin-8 staining patterns. The likelihood of tumor recurrence and progression was analyzed based on a 3-year follow-up. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; Loss of galectin-8 was associated with the likelihood of tumor recurrence in univariate (p &lt; 0.05) and multivariate analyses (p &lt; 0.01). No significance was observed for tumor progression. Patients whose specimens showed weak galectin-8 expression had a shorter recurrence-free interval (42 vs. 12 months; p &lt; 0.01, log-rank test). All of the 10 normal urothelium samples showed high galectin-8 expression. Decreased staining was found to be associated with higher tumor stages and grades (p &lt; 0.0001, one-way ANOVA). A significant difference was found comparing normal urothelium with any tumor stage (p &lt; 0.01), pTa vs. pT1 tumors (p &lt; 0.05) and non-muscle-invasive vs. muscle-invasive tumors (p &lt; 0.0001). &lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt; Loss of galectin-8 might be an early step in the development of malignant lesions of the bladder and is a significant independent predictor of recurrence.
Attentional Strategies in Place-Value Integration
2011-01-01

To process a multi-digit number its constituting digits need to be integrated into the place-value structure of the Arabic number system. For two-digit numbers, processes of unit-decade integration are reflected by the compatibility effect in magnitude comparison. Recent research in adults indicated that the size of the compatibility effect increases when stimuli prevent to focus on the decade digits as achieved by the inclusion of within-decade items (43_47). In the present study within- and between-decade items (47_62) were used to assess the compatibility effect in children. We observed reliable compatibility effects that increased with grade level and that were larger than in a previous study without within-decade stimuli. Furthermore, evaluation of the developmental trajectories showed that two-digit number processing develops to more automatic parallel processing of the constituent digits of tens and units. From these results we conclude that (i) even for children attentional processes can strongly influence multi-digit number processing and (ii) with increasing age and experience more parallel and automated understanding of two-digit numbers develops which seems to remain relatively stable once achieved.
New Constraints from Pb-Evaporation Zircon Ages of the M&#233;iganga Amphibole-Biotite Gneiss, Central Cameroon, on Proterozoic Crustal Evolution
2011-01-01

The amphibole biotite gneiss (ABGn) in the Méiganga area forms part of a meta volcano-sedimentary sequence of the Adamawa Yade domain (AYD), Central African Fold Belt (CAFB). This sequence shows affinity with immature sediments (greywackes, arkoses) with intercalation of mafic lavas or tuffs. New 207Pb/206Pb zircon evaporation ages for two ABGn samples range from 1887 - 2339 Ma and from 675 - 889 Ma, respectively. These ages and evidence from internal zircon structures indicate that igneous rocks of Archean to Paleoproterozoic and of early Neoproterozoic age contributed to the detritus of the sedimentary sequence. The deposition of detritus took place prior to 614 - 619 Ma which represent the syntectonic emplacement of the Méiganga metadiorite. Leucogranites north to the Méiganga area were generated by melting of crust identical to that which provided the source of the ABGn. The metasedimentary sequence investigated in this study is similar to that of the southern part of the AYD and in the Borborema Province, NE Brazil. The tectonic and geochronologic characteristics of the AYD in the Méiganga area support the idea that during the Proterozoic, Central Africa and NE Brazil were part of the same continental landmass.
Solid state synthesis of homoleptic tetracyanamidoaluminates
2011-01-01

Tetracyanamidoaluminates of the type LiM(2)[Al(CN(2))(4)] with M = Eu and Sr were prepared by solid-state metathesis reactions departing from EuF(2) (or SrF(2)), AlF(3), and Li(2)(CN(2)) in a 2 : 1 : 4 molar ratio. The ignition temperature of the exothermic formation of LiSr(2)[Al(CN(2))(4)] was obtained near 420 °C. An X-ray single-crystal structure refinement performed for LiEu(2)[Al(CN(2))(4)] revealed the presence of the novel homoleptic [Al(CN(2))(4)](5-) ion in the structure. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern of LiSr(2)[Al(CN(2))(4)] was indexed isotypically.
Indication for clockwise rotation in the Siang window south of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis and new geochronological constraints for the area
2011-01-01

Abstract Palaeomagnetic, rock magnetic and geochronological investigations were carried out on the Abor volcanics of Arunachal Pradesh, NE India. A Late Palaeozoic formation age for part of the Abor volcanics cannot be excluded based on K–Ar whole rock dating. Low-temperature thermochronometers – zircon (U–Th)/He and fission track analyses – yield a maximum burial temperature of c . 150–170 °C during Late Miocene. ZFT thermochronology of the Yinkiong and Miri Fms. indicates a post-Paleocene and post-Jurassic deposition age, respectively. This infers that the volcanic rocks intercalating or intruding them are not part of the Late Palaeozoic sequence but represent one or more, latest Cretaceous to Tertiary event(s). Therefore the Abor volcanics are connected to at least two separate events of volcanism. From palaeomagnetic sites, two characteristic magnetic remanence components were separated: a low-coercivity-component demagnetized below 20 mT and a high-coercivity-component demagnetized between 15 and 100 mT. Fold tests support a secondary origin of both components. Thermochronological and rock magnetic analyses indicate a low-grade overprint event between India–Asia collision and Miocene, which probably represents the time of remanence acquisition. The high-coercivity-component shows a trend of clockwise declinations, which is likely related to vertical-axis rotations of the eastern Himalayas due to eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau.
Potential for Nitrogen Fixation and Nitrification in the Granite-Hosted Subsurface at Henderson Mine, CO
2011-01-01

The existence of life in the deep terrestrial subsurface is established, yet few studies have investigated the origin of nitrogen that supports deep life. Previously, 16S rRNA gene surveys cataloged a diverse microbial community in subsurface fluids draining from boreholes 3000 feet deep at Henderson Mine, CO, USA (Sahl et al., 2008). The prior characterization of the fluid chemistry and microbial community forms the basis for the further investigation here of the source of NH(4) (+). The reported fluid chemistry included N(2), NH(4) (+) (5-112 μM), NO(2) (-) (27-48 μM), and NO(3) (-) (17-72 μM). In this study, the correlation between low NH(4) (+) concentrations in dominantly meteoric fluids and higher NH(4) (+) in rock-reacted fluids is used to hypothesize that NH(4) (+) is sourced from NH(4) (+)-bearing biotite. However, biotite samples from the host rocks and ore-body minerals were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy and none-contained NH(4) (+). However, the nitrogenase-encoding gene nifH was successfully amplified from DNA of the fluid sample with high NH(4) (+), suggesting that subsurface microbes have the capability to fix N(2). If so, unregulated nitrogen fixation may account for the relatively high NH(4) (+) concentrations in the fluids. Additionally, the amoA and nxrB genes for archaeal ammonium monooxygenase and nitrite oxidoreductase, respectively, were amplified from the high NH(4) (+) fluid DNA, while bacterial amoA genes were not. Putative nitrifying organisms are closely related to ammonium-oxidizing Crenarchaeota and nitrite-oxidizing Nitrospira detected in other subsurface sites based upon 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Thermodynamic calculations underscore the importance of NH(4) (+) as an energy source in a subsurface nitrification pathway. These results suggest that the subsurface microbial community at Henderson is adapted to the low nutrient and energy environment by their capability of fixing nitrogen, and that fixed nitrogen may support subsurface biomass via nitrification.
Effect of Cell Hydration on Metabolism
2011-01-01

Prerequisites for cell survival include avoidance of excessive cell volume alterations. Cell membranes are highly permeable to water, which follows osmotic gradients. Thus, cell volume constancy requires osmotic equilibrium across cell membranes. Cells accumulate osmotically active organic substances and compensate their osmolarity by lowering cytosolic Cl(-) concentrations. Following cell shrinkage, regulatory cell volume increase is accomplished by ion uptake (activation of Na(+), K(+), 2Cl(-) cotransport, Na(+)/H(+) exchange in - parallel to Cl(-)/HCO(-)(3) exchange and Na(+) channels), by cellular accumulation of organic osmolytes (e.g. myoinositol, betaine, phosphorylcholine, taurine) as well as by proteolysis leading to generation of amino acids and glycogenolysis generating glucose phosphate. Following cell swelling, cell volume is restored by ion exit (activation of K(+) channels and/ - or anion channels, KCl cotransport, parallel activation of K(+)/H(+) exchange and Cl(-)/HCO(-)(3) exchange), release or degradation of organic osmolytes as well as stimulation of protein synthesis and of glycogen synthesis. The activity of cell volume regulatory mechanisms is modified by hormones, transmitters and drugs, which thus influence protein and glycogen metabolism. Moreover, alterations of cell volume modify generation of oxidants and the sensitivity to oxidative stress. Deranged cell volume regulation significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of several disorders such as liver insufficiency, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypercatabolism, ischemia, and fibrosing disease.
Hydration-sensitive Gene Expression in Brain
2011-01-01

Dehydration has a profound influence on neuroexcitability. The mechanisms remained, however, incompletely understood. The present study addressed the effect of water deprivation on gene expression in the brain. To this end, animals were exposed to a 24 hours deprivation of drinking water and neuronal gene expression was determined by microarray technology with subsequent confirmation by RT-PCR. As a result, water deprivation was followed by significant upregulation of clathrin (light polypeptide Lcb), serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK) 1, and protein kinase A (PRKA) anchor protein 8-like. Water deprivation led to downregulation of janus kinase and microtubule interacting protein 1, neuronal PAS domain protein 4, thrombomodulin, purinergic receptor P2Y - G-protein coupled 13 gene, gap junction protein beta 1, neurotrophin 3, hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1, G protein-coupled receptor 19, CD93 antigen, forkhead box P1, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, apelin, immunity-related GTPase family M, serine (or cysteine) peptidase inhibitor clade B member 1a, serine (or cysteine) peptidase inhibitor clade H member 1, glutathion peroxidase 8 (putative), discs large (Drosophila) homolog-associated protein 1, zinc finger and BTB domain containing 3, and H2A histone family member V. Western blotting revealed the downregulation of forkhead box P1, serine (or cysteine) peptidase inhibitor clade H member 1, and gap junction protein beta 1 protein abundance paralleling the respective alterations of transcript levels. In conclusion, water deprivation influences the transcription of a wide variety of genes in the brain, which may participate in the orchestration of brain responses to water deprivation.
Virtual Bladder Tumor Transurethral Resection: An Objective Evaluation Tool to Overcome Learning Curves with and without Photodynamic Diagnostics
2011-01-01

&lt;i&gt;Introduction:&lt;/i&gt; Virtual reality (VR) simulation has been known to shorten learning curves. The aim of this research was to determine whether VR transurethral bladder tumor resection (TURBT) with and without photodynamic diagnostic (PDD) can improve endourological skills in novice and trained endoscopists. &lt;i&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/i&gt; Residents without experience (n = 15) completed five 5-min white light VR-TURBT scenarios. The trained endoscopists (≧25 TURBTs; n = 15) performed five 5-min VR resections using white light and PDD cystoscopy. The VR-TURBT performance with the Uro-Trainer® (Karl Storz GmbH, Germany) was compared between the first and last 5 cases using computer-generated parameters [inspected area (%), resected tumor mass (%) and bleeding (ml)]. The trained endoscopists’ parameters were compared with white light versus PDD-VR-TURBT. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; Among novices, the inspected area increased from 36.8 (±12.9) to 54.3% (±7.3), p &lt; 0.05. Significant improvements were noted for resection rates from 26.5 (±9.6) to 52.0% (±6.0), p &lt; 0.05. Trained urologists showed superior inspection [52.2 (±3.4) vs. 62.7% (±4.3), p = 0.003] and resection rates [43.8 (±3.3) vs. 57.1% (±5.3), p = 0.002] with PDD. &lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt; The opportunity to evaluate objective patient-independent measurements establishes the Uro-Trainer as a beneficial tool in enhancing TURBT quality. Results demonstrated that novices improved their ability to perform complete resection, and the TURBT rates of trained urologists were superior in PDD compared with a white light setting.
Occurrence and distribution of benzothiazole in the Schwarzbach watershed (Germany)
2011-01-01

This study quantifies the regional distribution of the micropollutant benzothiazole (BT) in river water by sampling 15 river sites in the Schwarzbach watershed (about 400 km(2)) from November 2008 to February 2010. Additionally, wastewater samples from three municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Germany were analyzed. BT was detected in all wastewater influent and effluent samples as well as in all river water samples collected downstream of wastewater discharge. This corroborates the ubiquitous occurrence of BT in the aqueous environment. Concentrations were between 58 and 856 ng L(-1) in the river water. The observed mean concentration at the outlet of the investigated catchment was 109 ng L(-1). With only a few exceptions, temporal and spatial variations of BT concentrations in river water were low. Rather similar BT concentrations over a wide range of river discharge indicate that dilution along the mainstream is negligible and, thus, supports the hypothesis that paved surface runoff during rain events is an important BT source not only for wastewater influent but also for river water. This was supported by detecting the highest BT concentrations at sampling locations close to the dense highway network around the city of Frankfurt. Since BT was also detected in river water collected from locations that were clearly unaffected by wastewater effluent discharge, surface runoff must be considered as a diffuse source of BT in river water.
Transcranial Sonography Reveals Cerebellar, Nigral, and Forebrain Abnormalities in Friedreich’s Ataxia
2011-01-01

&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt; Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is essentially characterized by degeneration of the dorsal root ganglia, the dorsal nuclei of Clarke, and the long spinal fiber tracts, yet there is accumulating evidence that neurodegeneration extends beyond these predilection sites. Transcranial sonography (TCS) has evolved as a valuable complementary neuroimaging tool in the assessment of neurodegenerative diseases due to its capacity to well depict structural changes and the accumulation of heavy metals. Its use for assessing cerebellar neurodegeneration, however, has not yet been investigated.Here we investigated whether TCS allows to assess particular features of cerebellar as well as midbrain and forebrain abnormalities in FA. &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; Comprehensive TCS imaging of 34 FA patients and 34 age-matched healthy controls. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; Hyperechogenicity of the dentate nucleus was very frequent in FA patients (85%) and could even be observed in patients with short disease duration, suggesting that dentate alterations are a common and probably early feature of FA. Substantia nigra was significantly hypoechogenic, possibly indicating regional changes in subcellular brain iron regulation. FA patients showed significantly enlarged 4th, 3rd, and lateral ventricles, thus corroborating earlier MRI and postmortem findings of substantial cerebellar and forebrain atrophy in FA. &lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt; TCS provides a quick-to-apply and inexpensive in vivo assessment of both cerebellar and noncerebellar abnormalities in FA, in particular highlighting dentate hyperechogenicity as a core feature. It might serve as a promising tool for imaging aspects of cerebellar neurodegeneration also in other neurodegenerative disorders.