julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Increased frequency of severe major anomalies in children conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection
2007-01-25

The neurodevelopmental outcome of children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection ( ICSI ) is controversial. We compared the medical and developmental outcome of 34 singletons born after ICSI (20 males, 14 females; mean ages of 18mo and 40mo [ SD 9mo]; range 2y 10mo–4y 8mo) with 39 case control studies (21 males, 18 females; mean ages of 18mo and 40mo [SD 4mo]; range 3y–4y 1mo). Each child was assessed physically and tested in three development domains (fine motor, gross motor, and language). Five children born after ICSI versus two control children ( p =0.2) had major congenital anomalies ( MaCAs ). Four children born after ICSI versus no control children had severe MaCAs ( p =0.04). These were defined as having a significant impact on development or causing chronic disease: Angelman syndrome ( n =1), lissencephaly ( n =1), Hanhart syndrome ( n =1), and persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia of infancy ( n =1). Karyotyping in 23 children born after ICSI revealed no abnormalities. An imprinting defect was found in the child with Angelman syndrome. Results of developmental assessment were in all cases normal at the age of 18 months except for the three children with Angelman and Hanhart syndromes, and lissencephaly. At the second assessment, five more children born after ICSI and four control children showed abnormalities in one or more developmental domains. We conclude that there seems to be a higher frequency of severe major anomalies in children born after ICSI . An increased risk for imprinting defects cannot be excluded. If we exclude children with severe MaCAs , the incidence of an abnormal somatic or neurodevelopmental outcome in the fourth year of life in children born after ICSI is similar to that of spontaneously conceived children.
Enhanced suicidal death of erythrocytes from gene-targeted mice lacking the Cl−/HCO3− exchanger AE1
2007-01-25

Genetic defects of anion exchanger 1 (AE1) may lead to spherocytic erythrocyte morphology, severe hemolytic anemia, and/or cation leak. In normal erythrocytes, osmotic shock, Cl − removal, and energy depletion activate Ca 2+ -permeable cation channels with Ca 2+ -induced suicidal erythrocyte death, i.e., surface exposure of phosphatidylserine, cell shrinkage, and membrane blebbing, all features typical for apoptosis of nucleated cells. The present experiments explored whether AE1 deficiency favors suicidal erythrocyte death. Peripheral blood erythrocyte numbers were significantly smaller in gene-targeted mice lacking AE1 ( AE1 −/− mice) than in their wild-type littermates ( AE1 +/+ mice) despite increased percentages of reticulocytes ( AE1 −/− : 49%, AE1 +/+ : 2%), an indicator of enhanced erythropoiesis. Annexin binding, reflecting phosphatidylserine exposure, was significantly larger in AE1 −/− erythrocytes/reticulocytes (∼10%) than in AE1 +/+ erythrocytes (∼1%). Osmotic shock (addition of 400 mM sucrose), Cl − removal (replacement with gluconate), or energy depletion (removal of glucose) led to significantly stronger annexin binding in AE1 −/− erythrocytes/reticulocytes than in AE1 +/+ erythrocytes. The increase of annexin binding following exposure to the Ca 2+ ionophore ionomycin (1 μM) was, however, similar in AE1 −/− and in AE1 +/+ erythrocytes. Fluo3 fluorescence revealed markedly increased cytosolic Ca 2+ permeability in AE1 −/− erythrocytes/reticulocytes. Clearance of carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-labeled erythrocytes/reticulocytes from circulating blood was more rapid in AE1 −/− mice than in AE1 +/+ mice and was accelerated by ionomycin treatment in both genotypes. In conclusion, lack of AE1 is associated with enhanced Ca 2+ entry and subsequent scrambling of cell membrane phospholipids.
Gliosarcoma with chondroid and osseous differentiation
2007-01-25

We present the case of a 65‐year‐old woman with a short‐term history of cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Neuroradiological examinations revealed a large left temporo‐occipital cystic and calcified tumor mass measuring 6 cm in diameter, which was suspicious for an oligodendroglioma or a choroid plexus carcinoma. Neuropathological investigations finally revealed a gliosarcoma with extensive mesenchymal differentiation. The tumor demonstrated a biphasic pattern consisting of focal anaplastic glial components with vascular proliferation and necrosis. Adjacent sarcomatous tissue displayed pleomorphic fibroblastic cells surrounding metaplastic cartilage and osseous formation. Accounting for only approximately 2% of glioblastomas, gliosarcomas represent a rare entity of intrinsic CNS neoplasms. Exceedingly rare, the mesenchymal part of the gliosarcoma undergoes metaplastic transformation. Interestingly, in our case, the tumor exhibited features of both cartilaginous and osseous differentiation and multifocally showed a sharp transformation zone between highly malignant gliosarcomatous tumor areas and well‐differentiated non‐proliferative metaplastic regions.
The Aborted Early History of the Translabyrinthine Approach
2007-01-25

The literature on this subject is replete with erroneous citations. Panse is often miscited as having performed the first surgery. It has also become traditional to give Quix great credit, even though his procedure failed to remove much of the tumor. Poor outcome and intense criticism led surgeons to abandon the TL approach until W.F. House, armed with operating microscope and high-speed drill, successfully resurrected it in the 1960s. He concisely summarizes the pioneers' efforts: "They had the ideas and desire, but not the technical tools."
Genetic diversity and parasite defense in a fragmented urban metapopulation of earthworms
2007-01-25

Abstract Habitat fragmentation can seriously affect the population biology and persistence of small isolated populations. We evaluated the interplay between the patch size of natural habitats, genetic diversity, immunocompetence and parasite load in an urban metapopulation of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris . Large‐scale genetic analysis of earthworm populations was accomplished using newly established mtDNA markers in combination with single‐strand conformation polymorphism haplotype screening. Our analysis yielded the following: (1) parasite load varied significantly among patches, but small versus large patches did not differ; a similar pattern was found for immunocompetence and genetic diversity; (2) in general, the urban metapopulation showed genetic structuring, which seems to be due to restricted gene flow among small and large patches; (3) the overall genetic variability of the patch has little or no effect on parasite load, as it was not significantly associated with parasite load; (4) small patches do not show molecular patterns associated with a general reduction in genetic diversity. These findings are in accordance with the view that among‐ and within‐patch components of genetic diversity approach equilibrium values at differing rates and suggest that the date of isolation (i.e. patch age) could be too recent for the expected pattern between genetic diversity, immunocompetence and parasite load to become evident. Our study provides initial insights into the population genetics of one of the most economically important soil organisms and, as such, will prove valuable as a primer for future research regarding the human impact on soil environments.
Linear‐Scaling Methods in Quantum Chemistry
2007-01-25

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Some Basics of SCF Theory Direct SCF Methods and Two-Electron Integral Screening Calculation of Integrals via Multipole Expansion Exchange-Type Contractions The Exchange-Correlation Matrix of KS-DFT Avoiding the Diagonalization Step—Density Matrix-Based SCF SCF Energy Gradients Molecular Response Properties at the SCF Level Outlook on Electron Correlation Methods for Large Systems Conclusions References
Climate variability in the Aral Sea basin (Central Asia) during the late Holocene based on vegetation changes
2007-01-26

Abstract High-resolution pollen analyses (∼ 50 yr) from sediment cores retrieved at Chernyshov Bay in the NW Large Aral Sea record shifts in vegetational development from subdesertic to steppe vegetation in the Aral Sea basin during the late Holocene. Using pollen data to quantify climatic parameters, we reconstruct and date for the first time significant changes in moisture conditions in Central Asia during the past 2000 yr. Cold and arid conditions prevailed between ca. AD 0 and 400, AD 900 and 1150, and AD 1500 and 1650 with the extension of xeric vegetation dominated by steppe elements. These intervals are characterized by low winter and summer mean temperatures and low mean annual precipitation ( P mm &lt; 250 mm/yr). Conversely, the most suitable climate conditions occurred between ca. AD 400 and 900, and AD 1150 and 1450, when steppe vegetation was enriched by plants requiring moister conditions ( P mm ∼ 250–500 mm/yr) and some trees developed. Our results are fairly consistent with other late Holocene records from the eastern Mediterranean region and the Middle East, showing that regional rainfall in Central Asia is predominantly controlled by the eastern Mediterranean cyclonic system when the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is in a negative phase.
Serum soluble TNF receptor I and II levels correlate with disease activity in IBD patients
2007-01-26

sTNF-RI is upregulated in the serum of IBD patients compared to healthy controls and could be used as a marker for disease activity. sTNF-RII levels are significantly more elevated in serum of active CD patients as compared to UC and could be used as an additional parameter to discriminate both diseases.
ON THE ORIGIN OF STAMPED AMPHORAE FROM THRACE (BULGARIA)
2007-01-26

Summary. The contents of 25 elements in 74 stamped (and some unstamped) amphora finds from nine Thracian sites in Bulgaria dated to the fifth–third century BC have been determined using INAA. The samples investigated were grouped by cluster analysis on the basis of the similarity in their chemical composition. The chemical profiles of the 16 clusters formed were determined and common production centres for some of the stamped amphorae are identified.
297: Establishment of a chimeric NOD-scid/IL2RγcNull transplantation-model to evaluate graft-vs-host and graft-vs-leukemia immune responses of ex vivo modified human T lymphocyte grafts
2007-01-26

Donor lymphocyte graft engineering to abrogate graft-vs-host (GVH) reactivity while improving graft-vs-leukemia (GVL) immunity is of particular interest in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We have recently described a protocol to achieve short-term expansion of donor-derived leukemia-reactive T cells ex vivo followed by CD137-mediated selective depletion of alloreactivity (SAD) to major and ubiquitously expressed minor histocompatibility antigens using allogeneic fibroblasts1. For evaluating GVH and GVL immune responses of modified donor T cells in vivo we have now used NOD-scid IL2Rγcnullmice to establish a chimeric transplantation model. GVH reactivity after SAD was examined by subcutaneously implanting skin substitutes composed of a collagen-based matrix which contained 6×105 human primary fibroblasts derived from the same pool previously used for SAD. Upon implantation, substitutes remained viable, induced angiogenesis and could be dissolved to cell suspensions for further analyses when removed 3 weeks after implantation. Following intravenous injection of 1.5×107preactivated untreated allogeneic human CD3+ T cells per mouse, 7–10% of T cells migrated into the skin substitutes explanted 14 days post adoptive transfer. Such an enrichment of T cells was not observed when the same number of CD137-allodepleted T cells were injected. Since xenogenic GVH reactivity was observed depending on the amount of T cells used current studies investigate whether residual murine antigen-presenting cells initiate xeno-reactivity and address its impact on the migration of T cells into the skin substitutes. To study GVL immunity we further transplanted different amounts of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells derived from primary AML patients (M4 and M5 subtype) into NOD-scid IL2Rγcnull mice. Eight weeks after injection 61% and 17% of isolated spleen and bone marrow cells, respectively, stained positive for a shared HLA-class-I epitope and also expressed CD34 as measured by flow cytometry. Currently, studies are in progress to examine immune responses to AML by adoptive transfer of human AML-stimulated allodepleted T cell lines devoid of alloreactivity to AML HLA-matched fibroblasts. In summary, our NOD-scid/IL2Rγcnull transplantation model may be a valuable tool for evaluating GVH and GVL immunity in vivo following modifications of donor T lymphocytes grafts in vitro. 1 Wehler T and Nonn M, et al. 2006. Blood;epub. Aug. 24.
Creating and Probing Long‐range Order in Atomic Clouds
2007-01-26

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Collective Coupling Experimental Setup Ring Cavity Dipole Trap for 85Rb Optical Molasses Signatures of Collective Atomic Recoil Lasing Beat Note of Field Modes Spectra of Recoil-induced Resonances Atomic Transport Creating Long-range Order Analytic Treatment for Perfect Bunching Radiation Pressure Phase-locking by Imperfect Mirrors Simulations of Atomic Trajectories with Friction and Diffusion Lasing Threshold Self-synchronization Probing Long-range Order Bragg Scattering Heterodyned Bragg Spectra Measuring the Bragg Scattering Phase Conclusion References
Synthesis of the Core Structure of Cruentaren A
2007-01-27

The core structure of the macrolactone cruentaren A (1) was prepared via a ring-closing alkyne metathesis reaction. The corresponding ester 33 was constructed from the benzoic acid derivative 14 and the diol 30. As a key step in the synthesis of acid 14, an aldol reaction resulted in the required anti-OH/Me pattern. The anti-configuration in the stereotetrad of diol 30 was established by a Marshall reaction. [reaction: see text].
INTEGRAL and Swift observations of EXO 2030+375 during a giant outburst
2007-01-29

Aims.We investigate the X-ray spectral and timing properties of the high mass X-ray binary EXO 2030+375 observed during its June–September 2006 giant (type II) outburst. Methods.The data analyzed in this work are from partly simultaneous observations with INTEGRAL and Swift. The pulse period P and its temporal derivative P are measured. X-ray pulse profiles in different energy ranges and time intervals are constructed. Pulse averaged X-ray spectra for different time intervals are studied. Results.We report a strong spin-up of the source during the outburst, comparable to that observed in 1985 during the previous giant outburst when the source was discovered. The value of P is found to be linearly related to the X-ray luminosity of the source during the outburst. For the first time the hard X-ray (&gt;25 keV) characteristics of the source during a type II outburst are studied. The X-ray pulse profiles apparently change with luminosity. The X-ray spectral continuum in the 3–120 keV energy range is modeled with an absorbed power law with an exponential cutoff around E ~ 26 keV. An iron emission line at ~6–7 keV is observed. The spectrum reveals some features between 10 and 20 keV which can be modeled either by a broad emission line at ~13–15 keV (a “bump”) or by two absorption lines at ~10 and ~20 keV.
Endocytosis targets exogenous material selectively to cathepsin S in live human dendritic cells, while cell-penetrating peptides mediate nonselective transport to cysteine cathepsins
2007-01-29

Abstract The way the MHC II-associated proteolytic system of APC handles exogenous antigen is key to the stimulation of the T cell in infections and immunotherapy settings. Using a cell-impermeable, activity-based probe (ABP) for papain cathepsins, the most abundant type of endocytic proteases, we have simulated the encounter between exogenous antigen and endocytic proteases in live human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MO-DC). Although cathepsin S (CatS), -B, -H, and -X were active in DC-derived endocytic fractions in vitro, the peptide-size tracer was routed selectively to active CatS after internalization by macropinocytosis. Blocking of the vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase abolished this CatS-selective targeting, and LPS-induced maturation of DC resulted in degradation of active CatS. Conjugation of the ABP to a protein facilitated the delivery to endocytic proteases and resulted in labeling of sizable amounts of CatB and CatX, although CatS still remained the major protease reached by this construct. Conjugation of the probe to a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) routed the tracer to the entire panel of intracellular cathepsins, independently from endocytosis or LPS stimulation. Thus, different means of internalization result in differential targeting of active cathepsins in live MO-DC. CPP may serve as vehicles to target antigen more efficiently to protease-containing endocytic compartments.
An open-label, multicenter phase II trial of capecitabine in patients with cisplatin-refractory or relapsed germ cell tumors
2007-01-29

The objective of this multicenter phase II trial was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of capecitabine in patients with cisplatin-refractory or relapsed germ cell tumors. Between March 2003-June 2004, 14 patients refractory to at least two regimens of cisplatin-based chemotherapy or with relapse after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation received 1250 mg/qm capecitabine orally twice daily for 14 days in 3-week cycles. Treatment was continued until tumor progression. All patients were heavily pretreated with a median number of four previous lines of chemotherapy (range, 2-11) and 86% had relapsed after high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. No patient responded to study treatment. Nine patients (64%) had progressive disease after two cycles. Two patients already stopped treatment after one cycle, because of a clinically overt tumor progression. One patient died of his tumor progression at the end of the second cycle. Two patients received four cycles of capecitabine, as progression was less than 30%. The median survival time was 4 months (range, 0-10). The toxicity profile was favorable. Eighty-six percent of the cycles could be applied without dose modifications or delay. Grade III/IV toxicities (diarrhea and anorexia in one patient each) occurred in 7% of the cases. No hematotoxicity grade III/IV was observed. Neutropenia grade I/II was documented in 21%, anemia in 35% and thrombocytopenia in 14% of the patients. Capecitabine was well tolerated, but is not effective in heavily pretreated patients with cisplatin-refractory or relapsed germ cell tumors.
OBSERVATION OF THE ABC EFFECT IN THE FIRST EXCLUSIVE MEASUREMENTS OF pn → dπ0π0
2007-01-30

The reaction pn → dπ 0 π 0 constitutes the most fundamental system for the study of the ABC effect - a puzzling threshold enhancement in the ππ invariant mass spectrum of the ππ system in double-pionic fusion to nuclear bound states. The first exclusive measurements of this reaction have now been carried out at CELSIUS-WASA. They exhibit a striking low-mass enhancement in the ππ invariant mass spectrum, prove it to be a σ-channel phenomenon and falsify conventional theoretical models, which predict an associated high-mass enhancement not present in the new exclusive data. In the kinematically complete data sample we observe a ΔΔ excitation, where the interaction between the two Δ obviously plays a crucial role for the generation of the ππ low-mass enhancement.
ππ PRODUCTION IN PROTON-PROTON COLLISIONS
2007-01-30

At CELSIUS-WASA the two-pion production in proton-proton collisisons has been measured exclusively from threshold up to the energy regime, where both of the collision partners are expected to be excited to the Δ state. The measurements constitute the first kinematically complete data samples of solid statistics in this energy range. Most of the data have been obtained for the π + π - and π 0 π 0 channels. Whereas at near-threshold energies the differential distributions can be succesfully explained by chiral dynamics and Roper excitation, respectively, the data for the π + π - channel in the ΔΔ region can be described only, if the special configuration (ΔΔ) 0 + is assumed. The data for the π 0 π 0 channel moreover exhibit a low-mass enhancement in the π 0 π 0 invariant mass spectrum, which is reminiscent of the ABC-effect found in double-pionic fusion to light nuclei.
LOW-MASS ππ ENHANCEMENT IN BARYONIC ππ PRODUCTION: ABC EFFECT REVISED BY EXCLUSIVE MEASUREMENTS
2007-01-30

The ABC effect - a puzzling threshold enhancement in the ππ invariant mass spectrum of double-pionic fusion to nuclear bound states - has been investigated since 40 years by inclusive measurements without providing a conclusive interpretation. First exclusive measurements to this topic have now been carried out at CELSIUS-WASA. They confirm a huge ππ threshold enhancement, prove it to be of scalar-isoscalar nature, i.e., a σ-channel phenomenon and reveal the theoretically predicted high-mass enhancement in inclusive spectra to be of πππ rather than of ππ nature - falsifying thus corresponding model predictions for the ABC effect. From the kinematically complete data samples we infer that the interaction between the two Δ particles created in this process is of crucial importance.
ω MESON PRODUCTION IN PROTON-PROTON COLLISIONS
2007-01-30

One of the experimental programs at the TOF spectrometer located at the COSY-accelerator (Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany) is the study of ω-meson production in proton proton collisions (pp → ppω). Recently, a measurement was performed with a polarized beam at an excess energy of ∊ = 129 MeV , which offers the possibility to analyze polarization observables of this reaction channel for the first time. The analyzing power (A y ) of the pp → ppω-reaction was determined to be compatible with zero.
CopyCat : cophylogenetic analysis tool
2007-01-31

Abstract Summary: We have developed the software CopyCat which provides an easy and fast access to cophylogenetic analyses. It incorporates a wrapper for the program ParaFit, which conducts a statistical test for the presence of congruence between host and parasite phylogenies. CopyCat offers various features, such as the creation of customized host–parasite association data and the computation of phylogenetic host/parasite trees based on the NCBI taxonomy. Availability: CopyCat and its manual are freely available at http://www-ab.informatik.uni-tuebingen.de/software/copycat. Contact: auch@informatik.uni-tuebingen.de Supplementary information: Results of the real-world example can be found at http://www-ab.informatik.uni-tuebingen.de/software/copycat or Bioinformatics online.
Thoughts, Motor Actions, and the Self
2007-01-31

Abstract: The comparator‐model, originally developed to explain motor action, has recently been invoked to explain several aspects of the self. However, in the first place it may not be used to explain a basic self‐world distinction because it presupposes one. Our alternative account is based on specific systematic covariation between action and perception. Secondly, the comparator model cannot explain the feeling of ownership of thoughts. We argue—contra Frith and Campbell—that thoughts are not motor processes and therefore cannot be described by the comparator‐model. Rather, thoughts can be the triggering cause (intention) for actions. An alternative framework for the explanation of thought insertion in schizophrenics is presented.