julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Frequency, Risk‐Factors and Survival of Children With Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors (AT/RT) of the CNS Diagnosed between 1988 and 2004, and Registered to the German HIT Database
2011-07-27

Abstract Purpose To analyze the frequency, prognostic factors, and outcome of children with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT), a rare and highly malignant embryonal brain tumor. Materials and Methods Clinical data of patients diagnosed between 1988 and 2004 with AT/RT who were registered to the German HIT trial center, were correlated with outcome. Patient numbers for AT/RT were compared to numbers for primitive neuroectodermal tumors and medulloblastomas (PNET/MB) registered to the population‐based HIT trials. Results We identified 56 patients with the centrally confirmed histopathological diagnosis of AT/RT with a median age of 1.2 years (range, 0.1–14.0 years). The AT/RT:PNET/MB ratio was 1:12.2 for all children, and 1:1.5 for children younger than 1 year at diagnosis. Three‐year overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival (EFS) for all patients were 22% and 13%, respectively. Eight patients (14%) are considered long‐term event‐free survivors (follow‐up 1.4–10.6 years). By univariable analyses, younger age, metastatic disease, infratentorial location, and less than complete remission at the end of chemotherapy were identified as negative influencing factors for OS. By multivariable analyses, younger age (OS, EFS) and metastatic disease (OS) were identified as independent risk factors. Conclusion The incidence of AT/RT in children below 1 year is higher than previously reported. A subset of patients with favorable clinical risk factors profits from intensive multimodal treatment. Prospective clinical and biological studies are needed to further define prognostic factors and optimize therapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 978–985. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lack of tree layer control on herb layer characteristics in a subtropical forest, China
2011-07-27

Question: Knowledge of the interaction between understorey herb and overstorey tree layer diversity is mostly restricted to temperate forests. How do tree layer diversity and environmental variables affect herb layer attributes in subtropical forests and do these relationships change in the course of succession? Do abundance and diversity of woody saplings within the herb layer shift during succession? Location: Subtropical broad-leaved forests in southeast China (29°8′18′′-29°17′29′′N, 118°2′14′′118°11′12′′E). Methods: A full inventory of the herb layer including all plants below 1-m height was done in 27 plots (10 × 10 m) from five successional stages (<20, <40, <60, <80 and ≥80 yr). We quantified the contribution of different life forms (herbaceous, woody and climber species) to herb layer diversity and productivity and analysed effects of environmental variables and tree layer diversity on these attributes. Results: Herb layer composition followed a successional gradient, as revealed by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), but diversity was not correlated to the successional gradient. There was no correlation of diversity across layers. Herb layer productivity was neither affected by tree layer diversity nor by herb layer diversity. Although abundance of woody species in the herb layer decreased significantly during succession, woody species contributed extraordinarily to herb layer species diversity in all successional stages. All environmental factors considered had little impact on herb layer attributes. Conclusions: The subtropical forest investigated displays an immense richness of woody species in the herb layer while herbaceous species are less prominent. Species composition of the herb layer shows a clear successional pattern, however, the presence or absence of certain species appears to be random.
Therapy-related Noninfectious Complications in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies
2011-07-27

Pulmonary complications are a leading source of mortality in patients treated for hematologic malignancies. After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, treatment-related noninfectious complications constitute more than half of the pulmonary pathology and represent a particular diagnostic challenge. This review illustrates the high-resolution computed tomography findings of common therapy-related complications and thereby demonstrates a high degree of overlap between the patterns of various toxicities. Clinical background knowledge of the distinct entities is reviewed and highlighted as an indispensable instrument to narrow the differential diagnosis.
On the inhibition of 5‐lipoxygenase product formation by tryptanthrin: mechanistic studies and efficacy in vivo
2011-07-28

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Leukotrienes (LTs) are pro‐inflammatory mediators produced by 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LO). Currently available 5‐LO inhibitors either lack efficacy or are toxic and novel approaches are required to establish a successful anti‐LT therapy. Here we provide a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of the plant‐derived alkaloid tryptanthrin as an inhibitor of LT biosynthesis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We analysed LT formation and performed mechanistic studies in human neutrophils stimulated with pathophysiologically relevant stimuli (LPS and formyl peptide), as well as in cell‐free assays (neutrophil homogenates or recombinant human 5‐LO) and in human whole blood. The in vivo effectiveness of tryptanthrin was evaluated in the rat model of carrageenan‐induced pleurisy. KEY RESULTS Tryptanthrin potently reduced LT‐formation in human neutrophils (IC 50 = 0.6 μM). However, tryptanthrin is not a redox‐active compound and did not directly interfere with 5‐LO activity in cell‐free assays. Similarly, tryptanthrin did not inhibit the release of arachidonic acid, the activation of MAPKs, or the increase in [Ca 2+ ] i , but it modified the subcellular localization of 5‐LO. Moreover, tryptanthrin potently suppressed LT formation in human whole blood (IC 50 = 10 μM) and reduced LTB 4 levels in the rat pleurisy model after a single oral dose of 10 mg·kg −1 . CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our data reveal that tryptanthrin is a potent natural inhibitor of cellular LT biosynthesis with proven efficacy in whole blood and is effective in vivo after oral administration. Its unique pharmacological profile supports further analysis to exploit its pharmacological potential.
Notch signalling stabilises boundary formation at the midbrain-hindbrain organiser
2011-07-28

The midbrain-hindbrain interface gives rise to a boundary of particular importance in CNS development as it forms a local signalling centre, the proper functioning of which is essential for the formation of tectum and cerebellum. Positioning of the mid-hindbrain boundary (MHB) within the neuroepithelium is dependent on the interface of Otx2 and Gbx2 expression domains, yet in the absence of either or both of these genes, organiser genes are still expressed, suggesting that other, as yet unknown mechanisms are also involved in MHB establishment. Here, we present evidence for a role for Notch signalling in stabilising cell lineage restriction and regulating organiser gene expression at the MHB. Experimental interference with Notch signalling in the chick embryo disrupts MHB formation, including downregulation of the organiser signal Fgf8. Ectopic activation of Notch signalling in cells of the anterior hindbrain results in an exclusion of those cells from rhombomeres 1 and 2, and in a simultaneous clustering along the anterior and posterior boundaries of this area, suggesting that Notch signalling influences cell sorting. These cells ectopically express the boundary marker Fgf3. In agreement with a role for Notch signalling in cell sorting, anterior hindbrain cells with activated Notch signalling segregate from normal cells in an aggregation assay. Finally, misexpression of the Notch modulator Lfng or the Notch ligand Ser1 across the MHB leads to a shift in boundary position and loss of restriction of Fgf8 to the MHB. We propose that differential Notch signalling stabilises the MHB through regulating cell sorting and specifying boundary cell fate.
Effect of Brimonidine on Corneal Thickness
2011-07-28

Topical administration of brimonidine 0.1% results in a reversible increase in corneal thickness. The question whether this increase is of clinical significance and whether it is the result of epithelial and/or endothelial receptor stimulation cannot be finally answered at the present time.
Lignan Derivatives from Krameria lappacea Roots Inhibit Acute Inflammation in Vivo and Pro-inflammatory Mediators in Vitro
2011-07-29

The roots of Krameria lappacea are used traditionally against oropharyngeal inflammation. So far, the astringent and antimicrobial properties of its proanthocyanidin constituents are considered to account for the anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of the present study was to characterize pharmacologically a lipophilic extract of K. lappacea roots and several isolated lignan derivatives (1-11) in terms of their putative anti-inflammatory activity. The dichloromethane extract (ID50 77 μg/cm2) as well compounds 1-11 (ID50 0.31-0.60 μmol/cm2) exhibited topical antiedematous properties comparable to those of indomethacin (ID50 0.29 μmol/cm2) in a mouse ear in vivo model. Two of the most potent compounds, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)benzofuran (5) and (+)-conocarpan (7), were studied regarding their time-dependent edema development and leukocyte infiltration up to 48 h after croton oil-induced dermatitis induction, and they showed activity profiles similar to that of hydrocortisone. In vitro studies of the isolated lignan derivatives demonstrated the inhibition of NF-κB, cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, 5-lipoxygenase, and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 as well as antioxidant properties, as mechanisms possibly contributing to the observed in vivo effects. The present findings not only support the ethnopharmacological use of K. lappacea roots but also reveal that the isolated lignan derivatives contribute strongly to the anti-inflammatory activity of this herbal drug.
The development of the Tuebingen Cushing’s disease quality of life inventory (Tuebingen CD‐25). Part I: construction and psychometric properties
2011-07-29

Summary Objective To develop a disease‐specific questionnaire for Cushing’s disease (CD), the Tuebingen Cushing’s disease quality of life inventory (Tuebingen CD‐25). Methods Sources for item generation consisted of technical literature, interviews with patients and the rating of neurosurgeons, endocrinologists and a neuropsychologist. A preliminary inventory with 64 items was handed out to 63 CD patients. Twenty‐eight patients filled out the questionnaire preoperative, the remaining 35 patients evaluated their health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) retrospectively. Item reduction and scale generation followed the principles of classical test theory. Validation was performed with the WHOQoL‐BREF. Results The final version of the Tuebingen CD‐25 contained 25 items, showed high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0·93) and validity ( r = −0·65) and includes the subdomains Depression, Sexual Activity, Environment, Eating Behaviour, Bodily Restrictions and Cognition. The retrospective rating of the Tuebingen CD‐25 showed similar results compared to the pretreatment group. We found a non‐linear correlation between the Tuebingen CD‐25 scores and patients’ age, younger (21–30 years) and middle‐aged (51–60 years) patients having inferior HRQoL than patients between 31 and 50 years and older than 61 years. Preoperative 24 h urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels correlated significantly with the subscale Cognition and only marginally failed significance level for the subscale Eating Behaviour, while preoperative cortisol and ACTH levels did not correlate with any scale. Conclusion The Tuebingen CD‐25 is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate HRQoL in CD. Based on impairment of HRQoL for the different subdimensions, specific support can be offered to the patients.
Synthesis, labelling and evaluation of hydantoin‐substituted indole carboxylic acids as potential ligands for positron emission tomography imaging of the glycine binding site of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor
2011-07-29

The N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor as a type of ionotropic glutamatergic receptors is essential for physiological processes such as learning, memory and synaptic plasticity. A glutamate‐induced overactivation of these receptors, accompanied by increased intracellular calcium concentration, causes cell injury and leads to a large number of acute or chronic neurological disorders, such as stroke, trauma, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. In an attempt to visualise the glutamatergic neurotransmission in vivo with positron emission tomography, novel fluoroethoxy‐ and methoxy‐substituted reference compounds based on the lead structure of a hydantoin‐substituted indole‐2‐carboxylic acid were synthesised. The affinities towards the glycine binding site of the NMDA receptor showed K i values between 322 and 11 nM and the lipophilicities ranged from log D values of 1.51 to 2.53. On the basis of these results, precursor compounds were synthesised containing a phenolic hydroxy moiety to obtain the radiolabelled ligands through an alkylation reaction. Radiosynthesis was achieved by labelling the precursor ethyl 4,6‐dichloro‐3‐((3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,4‐dioxoimidazolidin‐1‐yl)methyl)‐indole‐2‐carboxylate with 2‐[ 18 F]fluoroethyl tosylate or [ 11 C]methyl iodide and subsequent cleavage of the ethyl ester moiety. This gave the final products in overall decay‐corrected radiochemical yields of 5–7% and 6–9% and specific activities of 24–67 GBq/μmol and 8–26 GBq/μmol, respectively.
1,3-Diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazolium benzenesulfonate
2011-07-29

In the title salt, C(11)H(21)N(2) (+)·C(6)H(5)O(3)S(-), which has two cation-anion pairs in the asymmetric unit, the two imidazolium cations are linked to two separate acceptor O atoms of one of the benzene-sulfonate anions through aromatic C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, while the second anion is unassociated.
The Arabidopsis Deubiquitinating Enzyme AMSH3 Interacts with ESCRT-III Subunits and Regulates Their Localization
2011-08-01

Abstract Ubiquitination and deubiquitination regulate various cellular processes. We have recently shown that the deubiquitinating enzyme Associated Molecule with the SH3 domain of STAM3 (AMSH3) is involved in vacuole biogenesis and intracellular trafficking in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, little is known about the identity of its interaction partners and deubiquitination substrates. Here, we provide evidence that AMSH3 interacts with ESCRT-III subunits VPS2.1 and VPS24.1. The interaction of ESCRT-III subunits with AMSH3 is mediated by the MIM1 domain and depends on the MIT domain of AMSH3. We further show that AMSH3, VPS2.1, and VPS24.1 localize to class E compartments when ESCRT-III disassembly is inhibited by coexpression of inactive Suppressor of K+ transport Defect 1 (SKD1), an AAA-ATPase involved in the disassembly of ESCRT-III. We also provide evidence that AMSH3 and SKD1 compete for binding to VPS2.1. Furthermore, we show that the loss of AMSH3 enzymatic activity leads to the formation of cellular compartments that contain AMSH3, VPS2.1, and VPS24.1. Taken together, our study presents evidence that AMSH3 interacts with classical core ESCRT-III components and thereby provides a molecular framework for the function of AMSH3 in plants.
Probing Gluonic Spin-Orbit Correlations in Photon Pair Production
2011-08-01

We consider photon pair production in hadronic collisions at large mass and small transverse momentum of the pair, assuming that factorization in terms of transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions applies. The unpolarized cross section is found to have azimuthal angular dependencies that are generated by a gluonic version of the Boer-Mulders function. In addition, the single transversely polarized cross section is sensitive to the gluon Sivers function. We present simple numerical estimates for the Boer-Mulders and Sivers effects in diphoton production at RHIC and find that the process would offer unique opportunities for exploring transverse-momentum dependent gluon distributions.
Afferent and efferent activity control in the design of brain computer interfaces for motor rehabilitation
2011-08-01

Stroke is a cardiovascular accident within the brain resulting in motor and sensory impairment in most of the survivors. A stroke can produce complete paralysis of the limb although sensory abilities are normally preserved. Functional electrical stimulation (FES), robotics and brain computer interfaces (BCIs) have been used to induce motor rehabilitation. In this work we measured the brain activity of healthy volunteers using electroencephalography (EEG) during FES, passive movements, active movements, motor imagery of the hand and resting to compare afferent and efferent brain signals produced during these motor related activities and to define possible features for an online FES-BCI. In the conditions in which the hand was moved we limited the movement range in order to control the afferent flow. Although we observed that there is a subject dependent frequency and spatial distribution of efferent and afferent signals, common patterns between conditions and subjects were present mainly in the low beta frequency range. When averaging all the subjects together the most significant frequency bin comparing each condition versus rest was exactly the same for all conditions but motor imagery. These results suggest that to implement an on-line FES-BCI, afferent brain signals resulting from FES have to be filtered and time-frequency-spatial features need to be used.
Rivalry between afterimages and real images: The influence of the percept and the eye
2011-08-01

In binocular rivalry, the conscious percept alternates stochastically between two images shown to the two eyes. Both suppressed and dominant images form afterimages (AIs) whose strength depends on the perceptual state during induction. Counterintuitively, when these two AIs rival, the AI of the previously suppressed percept gains initial dominance, even when it is weaker. Here, we examined rivalry between afterimages, between real images, and between both to examine eye-based and binocular contributions to this effect. In all experiments, we found that for both AIs and real images, the suppressed percept consistently gained initial dominance following a long suppression period. Dominance reversals failed to occur following short suppression periods and depended on an abrupt change (removal) of the stimulus. With real images, results were replicated also when eye channels were exchanged during the abrupt change. The initial dominance of the weaker, previously suppressed percept is thus not due to its weaker contrast, to it being an afterimage, or to monocular adaptation effects as previously suggested. Instead, it is due to binocular, higher level effects that favor a perceptual switch after prolonged dominance. We discuss a plausible neural account for these findings in terms of neural interactions between binocular and eye-related stages.
A new type of high-pressure low-flow metering valve for continuous decompression: First experimental results on degassing of rhyodacitic melts
2011-08-01

A novel type of high-pressure low-flow metering valve has been designed for experiments at continuous decompression in internally heated pressure vessels (IHPV) at pressures up to 500 MPa and temperatures up to 1500 °C. It consists of a modified high-pressure valve coupled with a piezoelectric nanopositioning system. The piezoelectric actuator (1) positions the needle of the valve statically with very high precision on a nanometer scale for infinitesimally slow decompression and, alternatively, (2) opens and closes the valve completely, within milliseconds, to achieve a fast pressure drop only limited by the diameter of the high-pressure tubing and the entire volume of the autoclave system.<br />The valve connected to an IHPV has been successfully tested to simulate continuous decompression of volatile-bearing magma. Water saturated rhyodacitic melt was synthesized at 1050 °C and 300 MPa and subsequently decompressed to 50 MPa at an integrated decompression rate of 0.28 MPa/s using continuous decompression as well as single-step and multi-step decompression techniques. The experimental results of the three methods show significant differences, having important implications for the interpretation of textures observed in natural volcanic rocks. Bubble number density (BND) values increase from continuous to multi-step and to single-step decompression by two orders of magnitude. Bubble size distribution (BSD) also differs significantly. The BSD curve of the single-step decompression shows largest variation both in size and in population number density, whereas the BSD trend for the sample of multi-step decompression shows the smallest variation between size and population density of bubbles. The BSD of the continuously decompressed sample indicates similar proportions of bubbles with different size. Channel formation in the sample of single-step decompression may indicate fluid escape from over-pressurized bubbles through the melt. Single-step and continuous decompression style represent two extreme cases of magma degassing in which bubble nucleation and bubble growth are predominant processes, respectively, whereas multi-step decompression resembles the intermediate case.
Safety and frequency of whole blood donations from elderly donors
2011-08-01

Background Within the coming decades, a steadily growing demand for blood products will face a shrinking blood donor population in many countries. After increasing the donor age of repeat donors for whole blood donation (WB) from 68 to 70 years in 2009 in our Blood Service, we investigated whether this is sufficient as a safe and effective strategy to sustain future blood supply. Materials and Methods Between 1 March 2009 and 28 February 2011, WB donations from donors aged between 69 and 70 and their proportion of total donations in 2010 were determined. We analysed adverse reaction rates in donors with respect to sex and age and calculated mean annual donation frequencies. Results Of all invited donors, 32·5% responded and contributed 0·98% (men) and 0·56% (women) to all WB units collected in 2010. The overall and systemic adverse reaction rate per 1·000 WB donations declined by age [men: 1·10 (95%CI: 0·84–1·35) vs. 0 (0–0·8), P &lt; 0·0001; 0·99 (0·75–1·23) vs. 0 (0–0·8), P &lt; 0·0001 and women: 1·80 (1·46–2·14) vs. 1·12 (0·1–2·66), P &lt; 0·0001; 1·47 (1·17–1·78) vs. 1·12 (−0·43–2·66), P = 0·0004]. Mean donation frequencies were strongly correlated with increasing age (men: r = 0·953, P &lt; 0·0001; women: r = 0·913, P &lt; 0·0001) with peak values for 70‐year‐old male: 2·53 ± 1·37 vs. 1·79 ± 1·05, P &lt; 0·0001 and female donors: 2·15 ± 1·06 vs. 1·52 ± 0·78, P &lt; 0·0001. Conclusions Elderly donors have very low adverse reaction frequencies and are highly committed to donate blood. Thus, we consider donations from repeat donors aged 69–70 safe and suggest it a powerful short‐ to midterm strategy to, at least partially, overcome the challenges of the demographic change.