julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Expression of CD11b (MAC-1) and CD162 (PSGL-1) on monocytes is decreased under conditions of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest
2014-05-28

Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is a common technique used to protect vital organs during surgical interventions on the thoracic aorta or during surgery for complex congenital heart disease. Activated leukocytes are key mediators of inflammatory responses during ischemia. Intercellular crosstalk between leukocytes, platelets and endothelial cells is mediated by cell adhesion molecules. These molecules trigger complex cell-cell interaction mechanisms and initiate the release of proinflammatory molecules. One parameter that is known to have a significant impact on inflammatory cell activation and the production of proinflammatory markers is temperature. However, to the best of our knowledge, no data have yet been published on the effect of hypothermia on leukocyte surface markers during DHCA. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hypothermia on the expression of cell adhesion molecules on monocytes under DHCA conditions <i>in vitro</i>. Blood samples collected from 11 healthy volunteers were incubated in a well-established model simulating circulatory arrest at 36°C and 18°C for 30 min. The expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) molecule 11B (CD11b), CD54 and CD162 on monocytes was measured as the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) using flow cytometry. The expression level of CD11b on monocytes was significantly decreased following the incubation of the blood samples at 18°C compared with the level in blood samples incubated at 36°C (P<0.001). After 30 min of blood stasis in the circulatory arrest model, the expression level of CD162 on monocytes was significantly lower in the blood samples incubated at 18°C than in those incubated at 36°C (P<0.001). No association was identified between temperature and the surface expression of CD54 on monocytes following 30 min of stasis. These findings demonstrate that deep hypothermia decreases the expression of CD11b and CD162 on monocytes in an experimental setup simulating the conditions of DHCA. This may be the result of the inhibition of leukocyte-endothelial and leukocyte-platelet interactions, which may be a beneficial aspect of deep hypothermia that affects the inflammatory response and tissue damage during DHCA.
Heat shock factor HSFB2a involved in gametophyte development of Arabidopsis thaliana and its expression is controlled by a heat-inducible long non-coding antisense RNA
2014-05-29

Heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) are central regulators of the heat stress response. Plant HSFs of subgroup B lack a conserved sequence motif present in the transcriptional activation domain of class A-HSFs. Arabidopsis members were found to be involved in non-heat shock functions. In the present analysis we investigated the expression, regulation and function of HSFB2a. HSFB2a expression was counteracted by a natural long non-coding antisense RNA, asHSFB2a. In leaves, the antisense RNA gene is only expressed after heat stress and dependent on the activity of HSFA1a/HSFA1b. HSFB2a and asHSFB2a RNAs were also present in the absence of heat stress in the female gametophyte. Transgenic overexpression of HSFB2a resulted in a complete knock down of the asHSFB2a expression. Conversely, asHSFB2a overexpression leads to the absence of HSFB2a RNA. The knockdown of HSFB2a by asHSFB2a correlated with an improved, knockdown of asHSFB2a by HSFB2a overexpression with an impaired biomass production early in vegetative development. In both cases the development of female gametophytes was impaired. A T-DNA knock-out line did not segregate homozygous mutant plants, only heterozygots hsfB2a-tt1/+ were viable. Approximately 50% of the female gametophytes were arrested in early development, before mitosis 3, resulting in 45% of sterile ovules. Our analysis indicates that the "Yin-Yang" regulation of gene expression at the HSFB2a locus influences vegetative and gametophytic development in Arabidopsis.
Geodermatophilus brasiliensis sp. nov., isolated from Brazilian soil
2014-05-29

A Gram-reaction-positive bacterial isolate, designated Tü 6233 T , with rudimentary, coral-pink vegetative mycelium that formed neither aerial mycelium nor spores, was isolated from a Brazilian soil sample. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus . Cell-wall hydrolysates contained meso -diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and galactose as the diagnostic sugar. The major fatty acids were iso-C 16 : 0 , iso-C 15 : 0 and C 17 : 1 ω8 c and the predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H 4 ). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown glycophospholipid and an unknown phospholipid. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 75.4 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence identity with members of the genus Geodermatophilus was 94.2–98.7 %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain Tü 6233 T is proposed to represent a novel species, Geodermatophilus brasiliensis sp. nov., with the type strain Tü 6233 T ( = DSM 44526 T = CECT 8402 T ).
GUCY2D- OR GUCA1A-RELATED AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT CONE–ROD DYSTROPHY
2014-05-29

GUCA1A and GUCY2D mutations are both accompanied by similar pattern of generalized cone dysfunction with a tendency to less involvement of the rod photoreceptors and a less severe phenotype in patients with GUCA1A.
On Asymptotics of the Beta Coalescents
2014-05-29

We show that the total number of collisions in the exchangeable coalescent process driven by the beta (1, b ) measure converges in distribution to a 1-stable law, as the initial number of particles goes to ∞. The stable limit law is also shown for the total branch length of the coalescent tree. These results were known previously for the instance b = 1, which corresponds to the Bolthausen-Sznitman coalescent. The approach we take is based on estimating the quality of a renewal approximation to the coalescent in terms of a suitable Wasserstein distance. Application of the method to beta ( a , b )-coalescents with 0 &lt; a &lt; 1 leads to a simplified derivation of the known (2 - a )-stable limit. We furthermore derive asymptotic expansions for the moments of the number of collisions and of the total branch length for the beta (1, b )-coalescent by exploiting the method of sequential approximations.
Simultaneous Whole-Body PET/MR Imaging in Comparison to PET/CT in Pediatric Oncology: Initial Results
2014-05-30

Pediatric oncologic PET/MR is technically feasible, showing satisfactory performance for PET quantification with SUVs similar to those of PET/CT. Compared with PET/CT, PET/MR demonstrates equivalent lesion detection rates while offering markedly reduced radiation exposure. Thus, PET/MR is a promising modality for the clinical work-up of pediatric malignancies. Online supplemental material is available for this article.
Deepening Sleep by Hypnotic Suggestion
2014-05-30

Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of hypnotic suggestions to specifically increase the amount and duration of slow wave sleep (SWS) in a midday nap using objective measures of sleep in young, healthy, suggestible females. Hypnotic suggestions might be a successful tool with a lower risk of adverse side effects than pharmacological treatments to extend SWS also in clinical and elderly populations.
Characterizing the Late Pleistocene MSA Lithic Technology of Sibudu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
2014-05-30

Studies of the African Middle Stone Age (MSA) have become central for defining the cultural adaptations that accompanied the evolution of modern humans. While much of recent research in South Africa has focused on the Still Bay and Howiesons Poort (HP), periods following these technocomplexes were often neglected. Here we examine lithic assemblages from Sibudu that post-date the HP to further the understanding of MSA cultural variability during the Late Pleistocene. Sibudu preserves an exceptionally thick, rich, and high-resolution archaeological sequence that dates to ∼ 58 ka, which has recently been proposed as type assemblage for the "Sibudan". This study presents a detailed analysis of the six uppermost lithic assemblages from these deposits (BM-BSP) that we excavated from 2011-2013. We define the key elements of the lithic technology and compare our findings to other assemblages post-dating the HP. The six lithic assemblages provide a distinct and robust cultural signal, closely resembling each other in various technological, techno-functional, techno-economic, and typological characteristics. These results refute assertions that modern humans living after the HP possessed an unstructured and unsophisticated MSA lithic technology. While we observed several parallels with other contemporaneous MSA sites, particularly in the eastern part of southern Africa, the lithic assemblages at Sibudu demonstrate a distinct and so far unique combination of techno-typological traits. Our findings support the use of the Sibudan to help structuring this part of the southern African MSA and emphasize the need for further research to identify the spatial and temporal extent of this proposed cultural unit.
The outer detector of Borexino
2014-05-30

The performance of the Borexino Outer Detector is described. It is a large water Cherenkov detector for identifying cosmic muons, penetrating the whole detector system. The Outer Detector is important for tagging cosmic muon generated background events in Borexino. Here, we present the muon identification efficiency and show the capability of muon tracking reconstruction.
A THEORY FOR HOT PLASMAS: THERMOPLUS CRYODYNAMICS
2014-05-30

Cryodynamics exists as a sister discipline to the fundamental discipline thermodynamics. Its two major consequences – exclusion of the Big Bang and a new way to stabilize hot fusion in the ITER – stand not alone. Thirdly the thermodynamics of hot plasmas is profoundly altered. The correct fundamental theory underlying hot plasmas is not thermodynamics any more, and not cryodynamics taken alone; it rather is a new hybrid theory across the two: thermo-cryodynamics. A qualitatively new phase diagram characterized by the coexistence of two equilibrium subtemperatures is predicted to exist waiting to be exploited technologically.
The plexin C1 receptor promotes acute inflammation
2014-05-31

Acute inflammation is the pathophysiological basis of important clinical conditions associated with organ failure. The initial inflammatory response is controlled by the chemokine system, yet recent data have indicated that the neuronal guidance cues are significantly involved in the orchestration of this process. Previous work has shown the proinflammatory capacity of the guidance cue semaphorin (Sema) 7a, but the role of one of its target receptors, the plexin C1 (PLXNC1) receptor is to date unknown. We report here that PLXNC1 is expressed outside the nervous system and induced during acute inflammation. PLXNC1 −/− mice with C57BL/6 background demonstrated decreased inflammatory responses during zymosan A (ZyA)‐induced peritonitis. Subsequent in vivo studies revealed altered rolling, adhesion, and transmigration properties of PLXNC1 −/− leukocytes. Blockade of PLXNC1 was associated with attenuated chemotactic transendothelial migration properties in vitro. Studies in chimeric mice revealed that hematopoietic PLXNC1 −/− animals demonstrated an attenuated inflammatory response. To probe the therapeutic potential of PLXNC1 we treated C57BL/6 WT mice with an anti‐PLXNC1 antibody and a PLXNC1 binding peptide. Both of these interventions significantly dampened ZyA‐induced peritonitis. These results implicate an important role of PLXNC1 during an acute inflammatory response and indicate PLXNC1 as a potential target for the control of conditions associated with acute inflammation.
Crisis-Induced Social Conflicts in the European Union – Trade Union Perspectives: The Emergence of ‘Crisis Corporatism’ or the Failure of Corporatist Arrangements?
2014-05-31

This paper aims to explore the role of labour and trade unions in the repeated shifts of crisis phenomena over the past years. It addresses the question why, confronted with the very profoundness of the crisis, they have failed to develop politically relevant and socially progressive strategies so far. The presented argument not only refers to structural power relations but in particular to the political struggles and processes in which more far-reaching ambitions have been knocked into shape. In that context, the focus is above all on economic stimulus packages, financial market regulation, and current budget consolidation. The paper will be organised as follows: It will start with some general problems of trade unions in generating sufficient power and organisational capacities against the background of the unfolding crisis within the European Union (EU). The next section empirically highlights these developments by discussing the cases of Germany, France, and Spain. The paper then concludes highlighting common challenges and chances, but also the difficulties to form new progressive European alliances.
Diagnostic yield of transbronchial cryobiopsy in interstitial lung disease: A randomized trial
2014-06-01

Abstract Background and objective Transbronchial lung biopsy ( TBLB ) is required for evaluation in selected patients with interstitial lung disease ( ILD ). The diagnostic yield of histopathologic assessment is variable and is influenced by factors such as the size of samples and the presence of crush artefacts left by conventional biopsy forceps. We compared the diagnostic yield and safety of TBLB with cryoprobe sampling versus conventional forceps sampling. Methods This randomized clinical trial analysed data for 77 patients undergoing TBLB for evaluation of ILD ; patients were assigned to either a conventional‐forceps group or a cryoprobe group. Two pathologists assessed the tissue samples and agreed on histopathologic diagnoses. We also compared the duration of procedures, complications and sample‐quality variables. Results The most frequent diagnosis observed in the cryoprobe group was non‐specific interstitial pneumonia. Histopathologic diagnoses were identified in more cases in the cryoprobe group (74.4%) than in the conventional‐forceps group (34.1%) ( P &lt; 0.001), and the diagnostic yield was higher in the cryoprobe group (51.3% vs 29.1% in the conventional forceps group; P = 0.038). A larger mean area of tissue was harvested by cryoprobe (14.7 ± 11 mm 2 ) than by conventional forceps (3.3 ± 4.1 mm 2 ) ( P &lt; 0.001). More grade 2 bleeding (not statistically significant) occurred in the cryoprobe group (56.4%) than in the conventional‐forceps group (34.2%). No differences in other complications were observed. Conclusions TBLB by cryoprobe is safe and potentially useful in the diagnosis of ILD . Larger multisite randomized trials are required to confirm the potential benefits of this procedure. Clinical trial registration at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01064609.
The Phragmoplast-Orienting Kinesin-12 Class Proteins Translate the Positional Information of the Preprophase Band to Establish the Cortical Division Zone inArabidopsis thaliana
2014-06-01

Abstract The preprophase band (PPB) is a faithful but transient predictor of the division plane in somatic cell divisions. Throughout mitosis the PPBs positional information is preserved by factors that continuously mark the division plane at the cell cortex, the cortical division zone, by their distinct spatio-temporal localization patterns. However, the mechanism maintaining these identity factors at the plasma membrane after PPB disassembly remains obscure. The pair of kinesin-12 class proteins PHRAGMOPLAST ORIENTING KINESIN1 (POK1) and POK2 are key players in division plane maintenance. Here, we show that POK1 is continuously present at the cell cortex, providing a spatial reference for the site formerly occupied by the PPB. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis combined with microtubule destabilization revealed dynamic microtubule-dependent recruitment of POK1 to the PPB during prophase, while POK1 retention at the cortical division zone in the absence of cortical microtubules appeared static. POK function is strictly required to maintain the division plane identity factor TANGLED (TAN) after PPB disassembly, although POK1 and TAN recruitment to the PPB occur independently during prophase. Together, our data suggest that POKs represent fundamental early anchoring components of the cortical division zone, translating and preserving the positional information of the PPB by maintaining downstream identity markers.
Update on High Altitude Cerebral Edema Including Recent Work on the Eye
2014-06-01

This review summarizes recent research on high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and on the eye with focus on the retina and optic nerve as visible brain tissue at high altitude. Hemosiderin deposits in the corpus callosum have been characterized as rather specific long-lasting footprints of HACE, indicating a leak of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and resulting in microhemorrhages. These are compatible with the concept of increased capillary pressure due to venous outflow limitation as suggested by Wilson et al. There are no human data on the role of vascular permeability in HACE, while animal models of uncertain relevance for human HACE suggest that an impaired integrity of the BBB through VEGF and ROS is more important than hemodynamic changes. Examinations by ultrasound show an inconsistent increase of the optic nerve sheath diameter, whereas unequivocal optic disc swelling (ODS), increased retinal vessel diameter, as well as retinal vessel leakage occur at high altitude. However, whether these morphological changes correlate with symptoms of AMS as a possible precursor of HACE or high altitude headache supporting the concept of venous outflow limitation remains questionable and is discussed in detail in this article.
Genomic Correlates of Atherosclerosis in Ancient Humans
2014-06-01

Paleogenetics offers a unique opportunity to study human evolution, population dynamics, and disease evolution in situ. Although histologic and computed x-ray tomographic investigations of ancient mummies have clearly shown that atherosclerosis has been present in humans for more than 5,000 years, limited data are available on the presence of genetic predisposition for cardiovascular disease in ancient human populations. In a previous whole-genome study of the Tyrolean Iceman, a 5,300-year-old glacier mummy from the Alps, an increased risk for coronary heart disease was detected. The Iceman's genome revealed several single nucleotide polymorphisms that are linked with cardiovascular disease in genome-wide association studies. Future genetic studies of ancient humans from various geographic origins and time periods have the potential to provide more insights into the presence and possible changes of genetic risk factors in our ancestors. The study of ancient humans and a better understanding of the interaction between environmental and genetic influences on the development of heart diseases may lead to a more effective prevention and treatment of the most common cause of death in the modern world.
Stem cells in neurology - current perspectives
2014-06-01

Central nervous system (CNS) restoration is an important clinical challenge and stem cell transplantation has been considered a promising therapeutic option for many neurological diseases. Objective : The present review aims to briefly describe stem cell biology, as well as to outline the clinical application of stem cells in the treatment of diseases of the CNS. Method : Literature review of animal and human clinical experimental trials, using the following key words: “stem cell”, “neurogenesis”, “Parkinson”, “Huntington”, “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”, “traumatic brain injury”, “spinal cord injury”, “ischemic stroke”, and “demyelinating diseases”. Conclusion : Major recent advances in stem cell research have brought us several steps closer to their effective clinical application, which aims to develop efficient ways of regenerating the damaged CNS.
Exposure to High Altitude Alters Tear Film Osmolarity and Breakup Time
2014-06-01

High altitude exposure leads to an altered tear film resulting in an increased TFO and a reduced TBUT. These changes were fully reversible after descent. This is of clinical importance to populations living in high altitude areas and to trekkers and mountaineers exposed to high altitude due to their ever-increasing number.
Novel In Situ Activity Assays for the Quantitative Molecular Analysis of Neurodegenerative Processes in the Retina
2014-06-01

The mechanisms of neuronal cell death are still only poorly understood, which has hindered the advancement of therapies for many currently untreatable neurodegenerative diseases. This calls for the development of new methods which reveal critical molecular mechanisms of the celldeath machinery with both high sensitivity and cellular resolution. Using animal models for hereditary neurodegeneration in the retina, we have developed or adapted different biochemical assays to determine the enzymatic activities of calpain, poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP), and histone deacetylase (HDAC) directly and in situ. Additionally, the enzymatic activity of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) was assessed indirectly using in situ immunohistological techniques to detect PKG-activity-dependent products. Combining these assays with in situ cell death markers revealed close temporospatial correlations, suggesting causal connections between the PKG, HDAC, PARP and calpain activities and neuronal cell death. Using different pharmacological and genetic manipulations, causality could indeed be demonstrated. Surprisingly, the often dramatic rises in metabolic activities didnot match by corresponding increases in expression, highlighting the importance of analyses of protein activities at the cellular level. The above mentioned studies identified a number of metabolic processes previously unknownto be involved in inherited retinal degeneration. Comparing different animal retinal degeneration models uncovered striking similarities in enzymatic activities, suggesting a generality of the destructive pathways. Taken together, these findings provided a number of novel targets for neuroprotection and as such opened up new perspectives for the therapy of hereditary neurodegeneration in the retina and possibly other parts of the central nervous system.
Current perspectives in stem cell therapy for spinal cord repair in humans: a review of work from the past 10 years
2014-06-01

Spinal cord injury (SCI) and amyotrophic laterals sclerosis (ALS) are devastating neurological conditions that affect individuals worldwide, significantly reducing quality of life, both for patients and their relatives. Objective : The present review aims to summarize the multiple restorative approaches being developed for spinal cord repair, the use of different stem cell types and the current knowledge regarding stem cell therapy. Method : Review of the literature from the past 10 years of human studies using stem cell transplantation as the main therapy, with or without adjuvant therapies. Conclusion : The current review offers an overview of the state of the art regarding spinal cord restoration, and serves as a starting point for future studies.
Meta-Metaworkflows for Combining Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Dynamics in the MoSGrid Science Gateway
2014-06-01

MoSGrid (Molecular Simulation Grid) is a user-friendly and highly efficient science gateway which contains three domains for the different methodologies used in chemistry: quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, and docking. Workflows are implemented by using the WS-PGRADE technology. By adding an abstraction layer, we are able to develop meta-metaworkflows for quantum chemical applications and a combination between quantum chemical and molecular dynamics applications. This approach allows researchers to easily and more quickly create highly complex workflows allowing them to shorten the time-to-result considerably.