julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Dysregulation of the Behavioral Activation System: The Hypomanic Personality Scale and the BIS–BAS Scales
2005-11-30

We discuss the Hypomanic Personality Scale (Hyp; Eckblad & Chapman, 1986) and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS-BAS; Carver & White, 1994) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS; Gray, 1991) Scales as risk factors for bipolar disorders. The dysregulation of the BAS is considered to be central and results in higher variability in mood. Therefore, we examined how those scales are associated with mood fluctuations. A total of 59 participants completed a diary for at least 17 days. It included a modified Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (Meyer & Hautzinger, 2001) assessing depression and mania and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988). Hyp and BAS predicted levels of mania and of positive affect but also fluctuations of mania. Hyp also predicted instability of negative affect. Our data also suggest that mood variability is a trait-like feature. Both scales seem not to be perfect measures of the dysregulation factor. Future research should assess this dysregulation more directly.
Ultrasound Mapping of Lymph Node and Subcutaneous Metastases in Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma: Results of a Prospective Multicenter Study
2005-11-30

&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt; Ultrasound (sonography, B-mode sonography, ultrasonography) examination improves the sensitivity in more than 25% compared to the clinical palpation, especially after surgery on the regional lymph node area. &lt;i&gt;Objective:&lt;/i&gt; To evaluate the distribution of metastases during follow-up in the draining lymph node areas from the scar of primary to regional lymph nodes (head and neck, supraclavicular, axilla, infraclavicular, groin) in patients with cutaneous melanoma with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or former elective or consecutive complete lymph node dissection in case of positive sentinel lymph node (CLND). &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; Prospective multicenter study of the Departments of Dermatology of the Universities of Homburg/Saar, Tübingen and Munich (Germany) in which the distribution of lymph node and subcutaneous metastases were mapped from the scar of primary to the lymphatic drainage region in 53 melanoma patients (23 women, 30 men; median age: 64 years; median tumor thickness: 1.99 mm) with known primary, visible lymph nodes or subcutaneous metastases proven by ultrasound and histopathology during the follow-up. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; Especially in the axilla, infraclavicular region and groin the metastases were not limited to the anatomic lymph node regions. In 5 patients (9.4%) (4 of them were in stage IV) lymph node metastases were not located in the corresponding lymph node area. 32 patients without former SLNB had a time range between melanoma excision and lymph node metastases of 31 months (median), 21 patients with SLNB had 18 months (p &lt; 0.005). In 11 patients with positive SLNB the time range was 17 months, in 10 patients with negative SLNB 21 months (p &lt; 0.005); in 32 patients with CLND the time range was 31 months and in 21 patients without CLND 18 months (p &lt; 0.005). In thinner melanomas lymph node metastases occurred later (p &lt; 0.05). &lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt; After surgery of cutaneous melanoma, SLNB and CLND the lymphatic drainage can show significant changes which should be considered in clinical and ultrasound follow-up examinations. Especially for high-risk melanoma patients follow-up examinations should be performed at intervals of 3 months in the first years. Patients at stage IV should be examined in all regional lymph node areas clinically and by ultrasound.
T Cell Immunity and Aging
2005-11-30

The effect of age on the immune system is generally detrimental and results in "immunosenescence," a poorly-defined state inadequately reflected in clinical data and for which few reliable "biomarkers of aging" are available. The multinational consortium "T-Cell Immunity in Ageing," T-CIA, was set up to examine these issues specifically as applied to T lymphocytes. This Perspective discusses some of the outcomes of a recent conference that considered progress toward resolving these questions in humans.
Platelets in inflammation and atherogenesis
2005-12-01

Platelets represent an important linkage between inflammation, thrombosis, and atherogenesis. Inflammation is characterized by interactions among platelets, leukocytes, and ECs. These interactions trigger autocrine and paracrine activation processes that lead to leukocyte recruitment into the vascular wall. Platelet-induced chronic inflammatory processes at the vascular wall result in development of atherosclerotic lesions and atherothrombosis. This Review highlights the molecular machinery and inflammatory pathways used by platelets to initiate and accelerate atherothrombosis.
Kinetic analysis of dynamic 18F-fluoromisonidazole PET correlates with radiation treatment outcome in head-and-neck cancer
2005-12-01

Abstract Background Hypoxia compromises local control in patients with head-and-neck cancer (HNC). In order to determine the value of [ 18 F]-fluoromisonidazole (Fmiso) with regard to tumor hypoxia, a patient study with dynamic Fmiso PET was performed. For a better understanding of tracer uptake and distribution, a kinetic model was developed to analyze dynamic Fmiso PET data. Methods For 15 HNC patients, dynamic Fmiso PET examinations were performed prior to radiotherapy (RT) treatment. The data was analyzed using a two compartment model, which allows the determination of characteristic hypoxia and perfusion values. For different parameters, such as patient age, tumor size and standardized uptake value, the correlation to treatment outcome was tested using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U -test. Statistical tests were also performed for hypoxia and perfusion parameters determined by the kinetic model and for two different metrics based on these parameters. Results The kinetic Fmiso analysis extracts local hypoxia and perfusion characteristics of a tumor tissue. These parameters are independent quantities. In this study, different types of characteristic hypoxia-perfusion patterns in tumors could be identified. The clinical verification of the results, obtained on the basis of the kinetic analysis, showed a high correlation of hypoxia-perfusion patterns and RT treatment outcome (p = 0.001) for this initial patient group. Conclusion The presented study established, that Fmiso PET scans may benefit from dynamic acquisition and analysis by a kinetic model. The pattern of distribution of perfusion and hypoxia in the tissue is correlated to local control in HNC.
Nematode-Induced Changes of Transporter Gene Expression inArabidopsisRoots
2005-12-01

Root-knot plant-parasitic nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) account for much of the damage inflicted to plants by nematodes. The feeding sites of these nematodes consist of “giant” cells, which have characteristics of transfer cells found in other parts of plants. Increased transport activity across the plasma membrane is a hallmark of transfer cells, and giant cells provide nutrition for nematodes; therefore, we initiated a study to identify the transport processes that contribute to the development and function of nematode-induced feeding sites. The study was conducted over a 4-week period, during which time the large changes in the development of giant cells were documented. The Arabidopsis ATH1 GeneChip was used to identify the many transporter genes that were regulated by nematode infestation. Expression of 50 transporter genes from 18 different gene families was significantly changed upon nematode infestation. Sixteen transporter genes were studied in more detail using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to determine transcript abundance in nematode-induced galls that contain giant cells and uninfested regions of the root. Certain genes were expressed primarily in galls whereas others were expressed primarily in the uninfested regions of the root, and a third group was expressed evenly throughout the root. Multiple transport processes are regulated and these may play important roles in nematode feeding-site establishment and maintenance.
Human Anulus Fibrosis and Nucleus Pulposus Cells of the Intervertebral Disc
2005-12-01

These results provide a better understanding of how the phenotype of human healthy and degenerative disc cells is influenced by in vitro expansion. This may be useful for future tissue engineering purposes.
ExbBD-Dependent Transport of Maltodextrins through the Novel MalA Protein across the Outer Membrane ofCaulobacter crescentus
2005-12-01

ABSTRACT Analysis of the genome sequence of Caulobacter crescentus predicts 67 TonB-dependent outer membrane proteins. To demonstrate that among them are proteins that transport nutrients other than chelated Fe 3+ and vitamin B 12 —the substrates hitherto known to be transported by TonB-dependent transporters—the outer membrane protein profile of cells grown on different substrates was determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Maltose induced the synthesis of a hitherto unknown 99.5-kDa protein, designated here as MalA, encoded by the cc2287 genomic locus. MalA mediated growth on maltodextrins and transported [ 14 C]maltodextrins from [ 14 C]maltose to [ 14 C]maltopentaose. [ 14 C]maltose transport showed biphasic kinetics, with a fast initial rate and a slower second rate. The initial transport had a K d of 0.2 μM, while the second transport had a K d of 5 μM. It is proposed that the fast rate reflects binding to MalA and the second rate reflects transport into the cells. Energy depletion of cells by 100 μM carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone abolished maltose binding and transport. Deletion of the malA gene diminished maltose transport to 1% of the wild-type malA strain and impaired transport of the larger maltodextrins. The malA mutant was unable to grow on maltodextrins larger than maltotetraose. Deletion of two C. crescentus genes homologous to the exbB exbD genes of Escherichia coli abolished [ 14 C]maltodextrin binding and transport and growth on maltodextrins larger than maltotetraose. These mutants also showed impaired growth on Fe 3+ -rhodotorulate as the sole iron source, which provided evidence of energy-coupled transport. Unexpectedly, a deletion mutant of a tonB homolog transported maltose at the wild-type rate and grew on all maltodextrins tested. Since Fe 3+ -rhodotorulate served as an iron source for the tonB mutant, an additional gene encoding a protein with a TonB function is postulated. Permeation of maltose and maltotriose through the outer membrane of the C. crescentus malA mutant was slower than permeation through the outer membrane of an E. coli lamB mutant, which suggests a low porin activity in C. crescentus . The pores of the C. crescentus porins are slightly larger than those of E. coli K-12, since maltotetraose supported growth of the C. crescentus malA mutant but failed to support growth of the E. coli lamB mutant. The data are consistent with the proposal that binding of maltodextrins to MalA requires energy and MalA actively transports maltodextrins with K d values 1,000-fold smaller than those for the LamB porin and 100-fold larger than those for the vitamin B 12 and ferric siderophore outer membrane transporters. MalA is the first example of an outer membrane protein for which an ExbB/ExbD-dependent transport of a nutrient other than iron and vitamin B 12 has been demonstrated.
Lipopeptide structure determines TLR2 dependent cell activation level
2005-12-01

Bacterial lipoproteins/peptides are composed of di‐O‐acylated‐ S ‐(2,3‐dihydroxypropyl)‐cysteinyl residues N‐terminally coupled to distinct polypeptides, which can be N‐acylated with a third fatty acid. Using a synthetic lipopeptide library we characterized the contribution of the lipid portion to the TLR2 dependent pattern recognition. We found that the two ester bound fatty acid length threshold is beyond eight C atoms because almost no response was elicited by cellular challenge with analogues carrying shorter acyl chains in HEK293 cells expressing recombinant human TLR2. In contrast, the amide bound fatty acid is of lesser importance. While two ester‐bound palmitic acids mediate a high stimulatory activity of the respective analogue, a lipopeptide carrying one amide‐bound and another ester‐bound palmitic acid molecule was inactive. In addition, species specific LP recognition through murine and human TLR2 depended on the length of the two ester bound fatty acid chains. In conclusion, our results indicate the responsibility of both ester bound acyl chains but not of the amide bound fatty acid molecule for the TLR dependent cellular recognition of canonical triacylated LP, as well as a requirement for a minimal acyl chain length. Thus they might support the explanation of specific immuno‐stimulatory potentials of different microorganisms and provide a basis for rational design of TLR2 specific adjuvants mediating immune activation to distinct levels.
HIGH-ACCURACY PEAK PICKING OF PROTEOMICS DATA USING WAVELET TECHNIQUES
2005-12-01

A new peak picking algorithm for the analysis of mass spectrometric (MS) data is presented. It is independent of the underlying machine or ionization method, and is able to resolve highly convoluted and asymmetric signals. The method uses the multiscale nature of spectrometric data by first detecting the mass peaks in the wavelet-transformed signal before a given asymmetric peak function is fitted to the raw data. In an optional third stage, the resulting fit can be further improved using techniques from nonlinear optimization. In contrast to currently established techniques (e.g. SNAP, Apex) our algorithm is able to separate overlapping peaks of multiply charged peptides in ESI-MS data of low resolution. Its improved accuracy with respect to peak positions makes it a valuable preprocessing method for MS-based identification and quantification experiments. The method has been validated on a number of different annotated test cases, where it compares favorably in both runtime and accuracy with currently established techniques. An implementation of the algorithm is freely available in our open source framework OpenMS.
Finiteness of steady state plumes
2005-12-01

The finite maximum length of a steady state contaminant plume is determined by developing and employing a new analytical solution which overcomes two drawbacks associated with existing approaches. First, we account for a sharp front caused by the complete consumption of the pollutant (“electron donor”) and some electron acceptor in an instantaneous binary reaction occurring at the front. This approach is not based on purely conservative or first‐order degradation models which lead to theoretically infinite plumes and, in addition, depend on a concentration threshold. Second, a vertical aquifer cross section with finite thickness is selected as a model in order to better represent the supply of electron acceptors mostly entering the aquifer from the top. This type of setting allows investigation of the impact of aquifer thickness on plume length. An implicit representation of the donor‐acceptor front in a finite vertical domain previously required numerical solutions of the underlying advection‐dispersion‐reaction equation; we provide for the first time an analytical solution of this two‐dimensional transport problem. The length of the plume is found to be given by the point of intersection of the donor‐acceptor front and the aquifer bottom. Furthermore, a rather simple and highly accurate approximation is derived to compute the steady state plume length. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis reveals that results are most strongly influenced by aquifer thickness, followed by vertical transverse dispersivity and, to a somewhat lesser extent, by chemical reaction parameters. Longitudinal dispersivity has practically no effect on plume length, and furthermore, there is zero impact of linear velocity. With regard to groundwater risk assessment at the field scale it is also important to note that the present approach is meant to provide an upper bound on the actual plume length. Further research activities may be directed to refine the transport model by considering, for instance, degradation inside the plume and the limited vertical extent of the contaminant source.
Evidence for a bipolar change in distortion product otoacoustic emissions during contralateral acoustic stimulation in humans
2005-12-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of the medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferents during contralateral (CAS) and ipsilateral acoustic stimulation (IAS) by recording distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) suppression and DPOAE adaptation in humans. The main question was: do large bipolar changes in DPOAE level (transition from enhancement to suppression) also occur in humans when changing the primary tone level within a small range as described by Maison and Liberman for guinea pigs [J. Neurosci. 20, 4701–4707 (2000)]? In the present study, large bipolar changes in DPOAE level (14dB on average across subjects) were found during CAS predominantly at frequencies where dips in the DPOAE fine structure occurred. Thus, effects of the second DPOAE source might be responsible for the observed bipolar effect. In contrast, comparable effects were not found during IAS as was reported in guinea pigs. Reproducibility of CAS DPOAEs was better than that for IAS DPOAEs. Thus, contralateral DPOAE suppression is suggested to be superior to ipsilateral DPOAE adaptation with regard to measuring the MOC reflex strength and for evaluating the vulnerability of the cochlea to acoustic overexposure in a clinical context.
Cleft Palate Fistula Closure with a Mucosal Prelaminated Lateral Upper Arm Flap
2005-12-01

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a lateral upper-arm flap prelaminated with autologous mucosa. By prelamination, it is possible to circumvent the disadvantage of extraoral skin within the oral cavity and to cover mucosal defects with mucosa, especially in elective procedures, such as cleft cases.
Autologous stem cell transplantation of treatment-resistant systemic vasculitis a single center experience and review of the literature
2005-12-01

Autologous PBSCT is feasible and effective in severe, treatment-resistant forms of systemic vasculitis. Data are sparse, further prospective studies are needed. These should also aim at evaluating more optimal regimens for conditioning and purging during PBSCT, as in most of the vasculitis patients reported until now, mostly good partial remissions, but less complete remissions were achieved.
Integration of magnetism and heavy metal chemistry of soils to quantify the environmental pollution in Kathmandu, Nepal
2005-12-01

Abstract Soil profiles of the Kathmandu urban area exhibit significant variations in magnetic susceptibility (χ) and saturation isothermal remanence (SIRM), which can be used to discriminate environmental pollution. Magnetic susceptibility can be used to delineate soil intervals by depth into normal (&lt; 10 −7 m 3 /kg), moderately enhanced (10 −7 –&lt; 10 −6 m 3 /kg) and highly enhanced (≥ 10 −6 m 3 /kg). Soils far from roads and industrial sites commonly fall into the ‘normal’ category. Close to a road corridor, soils at depths of several centimeters have the highest χ, which remains high within the upper 20 cm interval, and decreases with depth through ‘moderately magnetic’ to ‘normal’ at approximately 30–40 cm. Soils in the upper parts of profiles in urban recreational parks have moderate χ. Soil SIRM has three components of distinct median acquisition fields (B 1/2 ): soft (30–50 mT, magnetite‐like phase), intermediate (120–180 mT, probably maghemite or soft coercivity hematite) and hard (550–600 mT, hematite). Close to the daylight surface, SIRM is dominated by a soft component, implying that urban pollution results in enrichment by a magnetite‐like phase. Atomic absorption spectrometry of soils from several profiles for heavy metals reveals remarkable variability (ratio of maximum to minimum contents) of Cu (16.3), Zn (14.8) and Pb (9.3). At Rani Pokhari, several metals are well correlated with χ, as shown by a linear relationship between the logarithmic values. At Ratna Park, however, both χ and SIRM show significant positive correlation with Zn, Pb and Cu, but poor and even negative correlation with Fe (Mn), Cr, Ni and Co. Such differences result from a variety of geogenic, pedogenic, biogenic and man‐made factors, which vary in time and space. Nevertheless, for soil profiles affected by pollution (basically traffic‐related), χ exhibits a significant linear relationship with a pollution index based on the contents of some urban elements (Cu, Pb, Zn), and therefore it serves as an effective parameter for quantifying the urban pollution.
Substrate selection by class III adenylyl cyclases and guanylyl cyclases
2005-12-01

The second messengers cAMP and cGMP are of central importance in signal transduction pathways. To assure pathway specificity adenylyl and guanylyl cyclases are highly selective for their substrates, ATP and GTP, respectively. The universal class III cyclases are equipped with a variety of purine-binding modes, which have been identified by structure determination and mutagenesis. Most selection mechanisms rely on a pair of residues which form hydrogen bonds to N1 and the N(6)-amino or O(6)-keto group of adenine and guanine, respectively. Furthermore, selection is supported by hydrogen bonds involving the peptide backbone and by constraints imposed by hydrophobic side-chains.
MOLECULAR SURVEILLANCE OF MUTATIONS IN DIHYDROFOLATE REDUCTASE AND DIHYROPTEROATE SYNTHASE GENES OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM IN ETHIOPIA
2005-12-01

Point mutations in the genes for dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) of Plasmodium falciparum isolates are associated with sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) treatment failure, respectively. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of SP resistance in P. falciparum isolates collected at the Jimma Health Center in southwestern Ethiopia. In this study, the genetic profile of P. falciparum isolates with respect to DHFR and DHPS genes was assessed in 124 individuals. The prevalence of single, double, and multiple mutations in these genes was calculated. The sequence profile showed that all samples carried a double mutation at the positions 51 and 108 (I51N108) in the DHFR gene. Sixty-seven (54.03%) of the isolates had an additional third mutation at position 59, resulting in the triple mutant I51R59N108. All isolates carried mutations G437 and E540 in the DHPS gene. Two isolates (1.61%) had additional mutations at codon 581 (A581).
Validation of Hylodes henselii Peters, 1870, from Southern Brazil and Description of Acoustic Variation in Eleutherodactylus guentheri (Anura: Leptodactylidae)
2005-12-01

Abstract Comparison of advertisement calls of Eleutherodactylus guentheri from different localities in southern and southeastern Brazil revealed considerable acoustic variation among populations. Because of significant differences in call parameters, we conclude that the southern form is a distinct species, for which the name Hylodes henselii Peters, 1870, is available. Examination of the holotypes of H. henselii and Hylodes guentheri Steindachner, 1864, along with recently collected material, showed that both species are morphologically similar, possibly sibling species. Eleutherodactylus henselii is the southernmost member of the genus Eleutherodactylus occurring in subtropical Atlantic rain forest and Araucaria forest of the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, and Misiones, Argentina. Bioacoustic data suggest that at least one additional cryptic species is involved in the Eleutherodactylus guentheri group.