julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
THE SMOOTH CYCLOTRON LINE IN HER X-1 AS SEEN WITH NUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPIC TELESCOPE ARRAY
2013-11-26

Her X-1, one of the brightest and best studied X-ray binaries, shows a cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF) near 37 keV. This makes it an ideal target for a detailed study with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), taking advantage of its excellent hard X-ray spectral resolution. We observed Her X-1 three times, coordinated with Suzaku, during one of the high flux intervals of its 35 day superorbital period. This paper focuses on the shape and evolution of the hard X-ray spectrum. The broadband spectra can be fitted with a power law with a high-energy cutoff, an iron line, and a CRSF. We find that the CRSF has a very smooth and symmetric shape in all observations and at all pulse phases. We compare the residuals of a line with a Gaussian optical-depth profile to a Lorentzian optical-depth profile and find no significant differences, strongly constraining the very smooth shape of the line. Even though the line energy changes dramatically with pulse phase, we find that its smooth shape does not. Additionally, our data show that the continuum only changes marginally between the three observations. These changes can be explained with varying amounts of Thomson scattering in the hot corona of the accretion disk. The average, luminosity-corrected CRSF energy is lower than in past observations and follows a secular decline. The excellent data quality of NuSTAR provides the best constraint on the CRSF energy to date.
Early Deficits in Glycolysis Are Specific to Striatal Neurons from a Rat Model of Huntington Disease
2013-11-26

In Huntington disease (HD), there is increasing evidence for a link between mutant huntingtin expression, mitochondrial dysfunction, energetic deficits and neurodegeneration but the precise nature, causes and order of these events remain to be determined. In this work, our objective was to evaluate mitochondrial respiratory function in intact, non-permeabilized, neurons derived from a transgenic rat model for HD compared to their wild type littermates by measuring oxygen consumption rates and extracellular acidification rates. Although HD striatal neurons had similar respiratory capacity as those from their wild-type littermates when they were incubated in rich medium containing a supra-physiological glucose concentration (25 mM), pyruvate and amino acids, respiratory defects emerged when cells were incubated in media containing only a physiological cerebral level of glucose (2.5 mM). According to the concept that glucose is not the sole substrate used by the brain for neuronal energy production, we provide evidence that primary neurons can use lactate as well as pyruvate to fuel the mitochondrial respiratory chain. In contrast to glucose, we found no major deficits in HD striatal neurons' capacity to use pyruvate as a respiratory substrate compared to wild type littermates. Additionally, we used extracellular acidification rates to confirm a reduction in anaerobic glycolysis in the same cells. Interestingly, the metabolic disturbances observed in striatal neurons were not seen in primary cortical neurons, a brain region affected in later stages of HD. In conclusion, our results argue for a dysfunction in glycolysis, which might precede any defects in the respiratory chain itself, and these are early events in the onset of disease.
Seminal Vesicle Invasion: Accuracy and Analysis of Infiltration Patterns with High-Spatial Resolution T2-Weighted Sequences on Endorectal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
2013-11-26

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Objective:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; To evaluate the accuracy of high-spatial resolution T2-weighted endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI) for detection and pattern depiction of seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; 376 patients were included who underwent eMRI for staging before radical open prostatectomy at 1.5 T with an endorectal coil. Statistical accuracy for detection of SVI was calculated. MR images of patients with SVI were further evaluated by two radiologists according to the classification by Wheeler and Ohori. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; In the cohort, 35 patients had SVI after histopathological evaluation of the prostatectomy specimen (stage pT3b). Sensitivity and specificity for detection of SVI were 48.6 and 97.7%, respectively. Negative and positive predictive values and overall accuracy were 94.9, 68.0, and 93.1%, respectively. Infiltration pattern analysis showed that type I invasion was most common with 48.6 followed by type IIa (31.4%) and IIb (20%). Type III was not present. There was no statistical significant difference between the three groups regarding Gleason score, age, and prostate-specific antigen level. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; eMRI with high-spatial resolution T2-weighted imaging is accurate for assessment of SVI. Depiction of different infiltration types of SVI is feasible. By adding information about the extent of SVI, diagnostic reporting and risk stratification could be improved.
Paramagnetic Character in Thin Films of Metal-Free Organic Magnets Deposited on TiO2(110) Single Crystals
2013-11-26

Metal-free organic magnets are a class of emerging materials interesting for their potential use in electronics. We investigate the paramagnetic character of thin films of a pyrene derivative of the nitronyl nitroxide radical deposited on rutile TiO2(110) single crystals. By using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, we find that the paramagnetic character is kept going from "molecule to material". In particular, we evidence the transitions related to the singly occupied molecular orbital, as expected in open shell materials, by using NEXAFS spectroscopy.
Abstract 10894: Clinical Outcome After Transfemoral Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVI) in Patients With Low-gradient , Paradoxical Low-flow Aortic Stenosis And High-gradient Aortic Stenosis In Local Anesthesia
2013-11-26

Background: Conventional aortic valve replacement in pts with low-gradient (LGAS) or paradoxical low-flow aortic (PLFAS) stenosis is associated with a high peri- and postoperative mortality. TAVI might represent an alternative treatment option for these pts with LGAS/PLFAS. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome of TAVI in pts with LGAS or PLFAS in comparison to high-gradient aortic stenosis (HGAS). Methods: From April 2010 till November 2012 in total 247 pts with high surgical-risk underwent TAVI at our hospital using the CoreValve-Revalving system (26/29/31mm) in local anesthesia. The CoreValve prothesis was inserted retrograde by 18 F sheath. Of these pts, 24 pts presented with LGAS (aortic valve area (ava) Results: At our hospital 24 pts with LGAS (age 78.7±1.1 years, log Euroscore 32.5±2.5, mean aortic gradient 28.5±1.1 mmHg, ava 0.7± 0.03 cm2 , LVEF 30.6±1.4 %) , 70 pts with PLFAS (age 81.2±0.8 years, log Euroscore 23.6±1.2, meanPG 31.8±0.8 mmHg, ava 0.7±0.02 cm2 , LVEF 54.3±1.0 %) and 153 pts with HGAS (age 81.5±0.5 years, log Euroscore 23.3±1.0, meanPG 52.5±0.9 mmHg, ava 0.6±0.01 cm2, LVEF 52.9±0.8 %) underwent successfully TAVI. The periprocedural mortality was 0% in all groups. Overall thirty-day mortality in our total cohort was 4.9% and longterm mortality (12 months) 14.6%. Thirty-day mortality was 8.3 % in the LGAS group, 7.1% in the PLFAS group and 3.2 % in the HGAS group. Pts with LGAS had a significantly higher all-cause long-term mortality after TAVI compared to patients with PLFAS or HGAS. Long-term mortality in patients with LGAS was 37.5% compared to 14.3% in the PLFAS or 11 % in the HGAS group Conclusion: TAVI shows excellent acute and intermediate results in patients with LGAS although the long-term mortality is significantly higher in patients with LGAS compared to patients with PLFAS or HGAS, but better than after conventional surgical aortic valve replacement reporting 30 days mortalities up to 30%.
The Transcription Factor Serum Response Factor Stimulates Axon Regeneration through Cytoplasmic Localization and Cofilin Interaction
2013-11-27

Axonal injury generates growth inert retraction bulbs with dynamic cytoskeletal properties that are severely compromised. Conversion of “frozen” retraction bulbs into actively progressing growth cones is a major aim in axon regeneration. Here we report that murine serum response factor (SRF), a gene regulator linked to the actin cytoskeleton, modulates growth cone actin dynamics during axon regeneration. In regeneration-competent facial motoneurons, Srf deletion inhibited axonal regeneration. In wild-type mice after nerve injury, SRF translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, suggesting a cytoplasmic SRF function in axonal regeneration. Indeed, adenoviral overexpression of cytoplasmic SRF (SRF-ΔNLS-GFP) stimulated axonal sprouting and facial nerve regeneration in vivo . In primary central and peripheral neurons, SRF-ΔNLS-GFP stimulated neurite outgrowth, branch formation, and growth cone morphology. Furthermore, we uncovered a link between SRF and the actin-severing factor cofilin during axonal regeneration in vivo . Facial nerve axotomy increased the total cofilin abundance and also nuclear localization of phosphorylated cofilin in a subpopulation of lesioned motoneurons. This cytoplasmic-to-nucleus translocation of P-cofilin upon axotomy was reduced in motoneurons expressing SRF-ΔNLS-GFP. Finally, we demonstrate that cytoplasmic SRF and cofilin formed a reciprocal regulatory unit. Overexpression of cytoplasmic SRF reduced cofilin phosphorylation and vice versa: overexpression of cofilin inhibited SRF phosphorylation. Therefore, a regulatory loop consisting of SRF and cofilin might take part in reactivating actin dynamics in growth-inert retraction bulbs and facilitating axon regeneration.
Attenuated Expression of Apoptosis Stimulating Protein of p53-2 (ASPP2) in Human Acute Leukemia Is Associated with Therapy Failure
2013-11-27

Inactivation of the p53 pathway is a universal event in human cancers and promotes tumorigenesis and resistance to chemotherapy. Inactivating p53 mutations are uncommon in non-complex karyotype leukemias, thus the p53-pathway must be inactivated by other mechanisms. The Apoptosis Stimulating Protein of p53-2 (ASPP2) is a damage-inducible p53-binding protein that enhances apoptosis at least in part through a p53-mediated pathway. We have previously shown, that ASPP2 is an independent haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in vivo. Now, we reveal that ASPP2 expression is significantly attenuated in acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia - especially in patients with an unfavorable prognostic risk profile and patients who fail induction chemotherapy. In line, knock down of ASPP2 in expressing leukemia cell lines and native leukemic blasts attenuates damage-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, cultured blasts derived from high-risk leukemias fail to induce ASPP2 expression upon anthracycline treatment. The mechanisms of ASPP2 dysregulation are unknown. We provide evidence that attenuation of ASPP2 is caused by hypermethylation of the promoter and 5'UTR regions in native leukemia blasts. Together, our results suggest that ASPP2 contributes to the biology of leukemia and expression should be further explored as a potential prognostic and/or predictive biomarker to monitor therapy responses in acute leukemia.
Behavioral physiotherapy in post stroke rehabilitation
2013-11-27

Introduction: Behavioral aspects of motor learning such as definition and assessment of patient-centered goals, specific motivation, training in the patients' environment, autonomous training and generalization of newly learned skills to daily life are not an explicit part of physiotherapy in neurorehabilitation. Behavioral physiotherapy: Specific goals are defined and applied in a step by step manner. Exercises and application in daily life were trained and anticipated as a “self control cue” for the following week. Motivation was sustained via supervision, feedback after successful trials and reward. Exercises have to occure at a daily basis and have to be implemented in everyday life. Case description: A 54 year old man who suffered cerebral bleeding with left hemiparesis 25 years ago. We report goal attainment, change of symptoms and walking capacities over a period of 18 months. Results: Back pain and knee pain reduced to zero, rhythmic walking, walking speed increased, left leg less resistance, running possible. Discussion: The here described principles of behavioral physiotherapy are crucial for successful outcome in extremely stable and persistent consequences of stroke. Studies with more patients are needed to strengthen our hypothesis.
Formation of ordered films of axially bridged aluminum phthalocyanine [(tBu)4PcAl]2O via magnetic field-induced reaction
2013-11-27

The μ-(oxo)bis[tetra-tert-butylphthalocyaninato] aluminum(III) [(tBu)4PcAl]2O films with the crystallites oriented preferably in one direction were obtained via chemical transformation of tetra-tert-butylsubstituted chloroaluminum(III) phthalocyanine (tBu)4PcAlCl film upon its annealing in magnetic field. A comparative analysis of the influence of post-deposition annealing process without and under applied magnetic field of 1 T, on the orientation and morphology of (tBu)4PcAlCl and [(tBu)4PcAl]2O films, has been carried out by the methods of UV-vis, Infrared and Raman spectroscopies, XRD as well as atomic force microscopy. The formation of [(tBu)4PcAl]2O films with elongated crystallites having preferential orientation was observed upon heating of the films in magnetic field while annealing without magnetic field under the same conditions does not demonstrate any effect on the structure and morphology of these films. The reasons of the sensitivity of this reaction to the presence of such magnetic field is discussed and studied by electronic paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Imaging the Absolute Configuration of a Chiral Epoxide in the Gas Phase
2013-11-28

Foil-Forged Images X-ray diffraction is widely used to determine molecular geometries and can often distinguish mirror image isomers (enantiomers), which generally requires well-ordered crystals. Herwig et al. (p. 1084 ) report an imaging technique to characterize enantiomers in the gas phase. A succession of ionization events were induced by passage through a carbon foil that culminated in a Coulomb explosion of mutually repelling nuclei. The trajectories of these nuclei precisely reflected the original molecular structure.
EEF1A2 Inactivates p53 by Way of PI3K/AKT/mTOR-Dependent Stabilization of MDM4 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
2013-11-28

Mouse Double Minute homolog 4 (MDM4) gene up-regulation often occurs in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the molecular mechanisms responsible for its induction remain poorly understood. Here we investigated the role of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) axis in the regulation of MDM4 levels in HCC. The activity of MDM4 and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was modulated in human HCC cell lines by way of silencing and overexpression experiments. Expression of main pathway components was analyzed in an AKT mouse model and human HCCs. MDM4 inhibition resulted in growth restraint of HCC cell lines both in vitro and in vivo . Inhibition of the PI3K-AKT and/or mTOR pathways lowered MDM4 protein levels in HCC cells and reactivated p53-dependent transcription. Deubiquitination by ubiquitin-specific protease 2a and AKT-mediated phosphorylation protected MDM4 from proteasomal degradation and increased its protein stability. The eukaryotic elongation factor 1A2 (EEF1A2) was identified as an upstream inducer of PI3K supporting MDM4 stabilization. Also, we detected MDM4 protein up-regulation in an AKT mouse model and a strong correlation between the expression of EEF1A2, activated/phosphorylated AKT, and MDM4 in human HCC (each rho &gt; 0.8, P &lt; 0.001). Noticeably, a strong activation of this cascade was associated with shorter patient survival. Conclusion : The EEF1A2/PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis promotes the protumorigenic stabilization of the MDM4 protooncogene in human HCC by way of a posttranscriptional mechanism. The activation level of the EEF1A2/PI3K/AKT/mTOR/MDM4 axis significantly influences the survival probability of HCC patients in vivo and may thus represent a promising molecular target. (Hepatology 2014;59:1886–1899)
Serum S100B, Lactate Dehydrogenase and Brain Metastasis Are Prognostic Factors in Patients with Distant Melanoma Metastasis and Systemic Therapy
2013-11-28

Serum S100B is a prognostic marker predicting survival at the time of initiation of first-line treatment in unresectable melanoma patients. Compared to the other independent factors LDH and the presence of brain metastases it is most appropriate to predict long-term survival and requires further prospective investigation in patients treated with new and more potent drugs in metastatic melanoma.
Protein cluster formation in aqueous solution in the presence of multivalent metal ions – a light scattering study
2013-11-28

The formation of protein clusters as precursors for crystallization and phase separation is of fundamental and practical interest in protein science. Using multivalent ions, the strengths of both long-range Coulomb repulsion and short-range attraction can be tuned in protein solutions, representing a well-controlled model system to study static and dynamic properties of clustering during the transition from a charge-stabilized to an aggregate regime. Here, we study compressibility, diffusion, and size of solutes by means of static (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) in solutions of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and YCl3. For this and comparable systems, an increasing screening and ultimately inversion of the protein surface charge induce a rich phase behavior including reentrant condensation, liquid-liquid phase separation and crystallization, which puts the cluster formation in the context of precursor formation and nucleation of liquid and crystalline phases. We find that, approaching the turbid aggregate regime with increasing salt concentration cs, the diffusion coefficients decrease and the scattered intensity increases by orders of magnitude, evidencing increasing correlation lengths likely associated with clustering. The combination of static and dynamic observations suggests the formation of BSA clusters with a size on the order of 100 nm. The global thermodynamic state seems to be stable over at least several hours. Surprisingly, results on collective diffusion and inverse compressibility from different protein concentrations can be rescaled into master curves as a function of cs/c*, where c* is the critical salt concentration of the transition to the turbid aggregate regime.
Dynamic adhesion of eryptotic erythrocytes to immobilized platelets via platelet phosphatidylserine receptors
2013-11-28

Glucose depletion of erythrocytes triggers suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, which leads to cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface. Eryptotic erythrocytes adhere to endothelial cells by a mechanism involving phosphatidylserine at the erythrocyte surface and CXCL16 as well as CD36 at the endothelial cell membrane. Nothing has hitherto been known about an interaction between eryptotic erythrocytes and platelets, the decisive cells in primary hemostasis and major players in thrombotic vascular occlusion. The present study thus explored whether and how glucose-depleted erythrocytes adhere to platelets. To this end, adhesion of phosphatidylserine-exposing erythrocytes to platelets under flow conditions was examined in a flow chamber model at arterial shear rates. Platelets were immobilized on collagen and further stimulated with adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 10 μM) or thrombin (0.1 U/ml). As a result, a 48-h glucose depletion triggered phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface and augmented the adhesion of erythrocytes to immobilized platelets, an effect significantly increased upon platelet stimulation. Adherence of erythrocytes to platelets was blunted by coating of erythrocytic phosphatidylserine with annexin V or by neutralization of platelet phosphatidylserine receptors CXCL16 and CD36 with respective antibodies. In conclusion, glucose-depleted erythrocytes adhere to platelets. The adhesive properties of platelets are augmented by platelet activation. Erythrocyte adhesion to immobilized platelets requires phosphatidylserine at the erythrocyte surface and CXCL16 as well as CD36 expression on platelets. Thus platelet-mediated erythrocyte adhesion may foster thromboocclusive complications in diseases with stimulated phosphatidylserine exposure of erythrocytes.
LPS-Binding Protein and IL-6 Mark Paradoxical Tuberculosis Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in HIV Patients
2013-11-28

We report pre-ART IL-6 and LBP levels as well as IL-6, LBP and I-FABP levels during IRIS-event as potential biomarkers in TB-IRIS. Our results show no evidence of the possible contribution of a leaky gut to TB-IRIS and indicate that IL-6 holds a distinct role in the disturbed innate cytokine profile before and during TB-IRIS. Future clinical studies should investigate the importance and clinical relevance of these markers for the diagnosis and treatment of TB-IRIS.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Kidneys: Influence of b-Value and Number of Encoding Directions on Image Quality and Diffusion Tensor Parameters
2013-11-28

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate to which degree investment of acquisition time in more encoding directions leads to better image quality (IQ) and what influence the number of encoding directions and the choice of b-values have on renal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters. Material and Methods: Eight healthy volunteers (32.3 y ± 5.1 y) consented to an examination in a 1.5T whole-body MR scanner. Coronal DTI data sets of the kidneys were acquired with systematic variation of b-values (50, 150, 300, 500, and 700 s/mm 2 ) and number of diffusion-encoding directions (6, 15, and 32) using a respiratory-triggered echo-planar sequence (TR/TE 1500 ms/67 ms, matrix size 128 × 128). Additionally, two data sets with more than two b-values were acquired (0, 150, and 300 s/mm 2 and all six b-values). Parametrical maps were calculated on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Image quality was determined with a reader score. Results: Best IQ was visually assessed for images acquired with 15 and 32 encoding directions, whereas images acquired with six directions had significantly lower IQ ratings. Image quality, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity only varied insignificantly for b-values between 300 and 500 s/mm 2 . In the renal medulla fractional anisotropy (FA) values between 0.43 and 0.46 and mean diffusivity (MD) values between 1.8-2.1 × 10 -3 mm 2 /s were observed. In the renal cortex, the corresponding ranges were 0.24-0.25 (FA) and 2.2-2.8 × 10 -3 mm 2 /s (MD). Including b-values below 300 s/mm 2 , notably higher MD values were observed, while FA remained constant. Susceptibility artifacts were more prominent in FA maps than in MD maps. Conclusion: In DTI of the kidneys at 1.5T, the best compromise between acquisition time and resulting image quality seems the application of 15 encoding directions with b-values between 300 and 500 s/mm 2 . Including lower b-values allows for assessment of fast diffusing spin components.