julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Different regulation of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases‐1, ‐2 and ‐3 in human endometrial stromal cells during decidualization in vitro
2008-12-01

Aim: Endometrial tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) appear to play an essential role during early implantation by modulating the invasiveness of the trophoblast. The expression of TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2 and TIMP‐3 in human endometrial stromal cells (ESC) was investigated during decidualization in vitro . Methods: Endometrial stromal cells were isolated from hysterectomy specimens from premenopausal women undergoing surgery for benign reasons. Decidualization in vitro was induced by the application of 1 μmol/L progesterone and 30 nmol/L 17β‐estradiol over 9 days. The expression of TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2 and TIMP‐3 in ESC was measured by semiquantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay over intervals of 3 days. Results: Decidualization in vitro was confirmed by a significant increase in prolactin expression. TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 mRNA and secreted protein showed no significant changes over the time‐course of decidualization. In contrast, TIMP‐3 was upregulated during the first 3 days of decidualization. An eightfold upregulation was observed until day 6, and the effect was less pronounced by day 9. Conclusion: These results suggest a regulatory role of the TIMP system for endometrial differentiation in the second half of the menstrual cycle and in early implantation. The expression pattern of endometrial TIMP‐3 might be important for the regulation of trophoblast invasion. (Reprod Med Biol 2008; 7 : 169–175)
Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the rat endocard, cardiac interstitial Cajal-like cells, and perivascular structures of the spleen
2008-12-01

Previous studies showed the presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in cells located at different blood—tissue interfaces (astrocytes, hepatic stellate cells, kidney glomeruli mesangial cells, alveolar fibroblasts), the blood-urine interface (podocytes), and air-body interface (skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts). Similar features of these cells hinted at the comparability of tasks at different metabolically active regions. In the present study performed with adult rat heart and spleen sections, anti-GFAP antibodies were immunoreacted with interstitial Cajal-like cells in close proximity to capillaries, between the striated muscles of the myocardium, and along the lumen of the ventricles. In spleen sections, anti-GFAP antibodies labeled cells associated with capillaries, follicular arteriole, central artery, and marginal sinuses separating two functionally different regions of the spleen: the white and red pulp. This study presents yet another example of the immunoreactivity of GFAP at the border of the blood-tissue interface that, again, supports our hypothesis concerning the importance of the GFAP cytoskeleton in intracellular functions associated with the exchange between metabolically different environments.
Variability in the diurnal stress protein (Hsp70) cycle in tropical chitons (Acanthopleura granulata) from the intertidal zone: the influence of temperature and photoperiod exposure
2008-12-01

Daily variations in the heat shock proteins (Hsp70) level were studied in the tropical chiton, Acanthopleura granulata, in the field and laboratory. Experiments were designed to measure influence of temperature and light regimes on the production of Hsp70 in the foot muscle and intestines. The temporal rhythm of the water and air temperature cycles in the laboratory experiments referred to the field situation and defined the body (intestinal) temperatures of chitons. Light cycles were changed to alternating 8-hour periods of light and dark for duration of eight days. In our experiments, Hsp70 levels did not show any cyclic pattern in the intestines. This leads to the assumption that protein productions within the intestinal tract are influenced by many factors not following a specific temperature or light cycle. Hsp70 levels increased in the foot muscle with the onset of darkness under natural conditions as well as under an altered light regime situation. Hsp70 levels decreased again during the day. Protein and therefore also Hsp70 production seems to be linked to the activity pattern of the chitons.
SELF-CONSISTENT DESCRIPTION OF EXOTIC STRUCTURE AND DECAY NEAR THE N = Z LINE
2008-12-01

We focus on exotic structure and dynamics of N ≃ Z nuclei in the A ~ 80 mass region described within the complex Excited Vampir variational approach. We report on the effect of isospin-symmetry breaking on the superallowed Fermi β decay of the ground state of 82 Nb to 82 Zr . Results on the analog as well as non-analog β decay branches are self-consistently obtained. The 82 Nb → 82 Zr β decay to the first two excited 0 + states with significant strength is predicted to coexist with the superallowed decay. The structure and electromagnetic properties of the low- and high-spin isobaric analog states in 82 Nb and 82 Zr are presented and compared with the available experimental data. The influence of shape coexistence and mixing on the Gamow–Teller strength distributions for the β + decay of the ground state as well as the lowest-excited states in 72 Kr to the 1 + states in the beta window in 72 Br are self-consistently described using a rather large model space and realistic effective interactions. Predictions concerning the β decay half-life of the first excited 0 + state of 72 Kr relevant for the rp-process are presented.
Advanced Assertion-Based Design for Mixed-Signal Verification
2008-12-01

Functional and formal verification are important methodologies for complex mixed-signal design validation. However the industry is still verifying such systems by pure simulation. This process lacks on error localization and formal verifications methods. This is the existing verification gap between the analog and digital blocks within a mixed-signal system. Our approach improves the verification process by creating temporal properties named mixed-signal assertions which are described by a combination of digital assertions and analog properties. The proposed method is a new assertion-based verification flow for designing mixed-signal circuits. The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated on a Σ/Δ-converter.
The Acetylacetonate Ion as its E/Z-Isomer in 1,3-Diisopropyl-4,5- dimethylimidazolium Acetylacetonate
2008-12-01

1,3-Diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazolium acetylacetonate (2) is obtained from 2,3-dihydro-1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol- 2-ylidene (1) and acetylacetone. Its crystal structure reveals the presence of ion pairs linked by C-H ··· O hydrogen bonds. In 2, the acetylacetonate ion adopts the structure of its E/Z-isomer (C).
On the early Iron Age in southern Cameroon: the sites of Akonétye
2008-12-01

This paper presents the results of archaeological fieldwork atAkonétye which is situated in the rainforest of southern Cameroon near the border to Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.First we briefly describe the archaeological features and finds of two sites at Akonétye which we designate as the 'southern' and 'northern site'.The main features of both are pits which yielded a considerable amount of ceramics.In addition, a part of a V-shaped ditch was excavated, that might have been part of a defensive structure.Most important, however, was the discovery of two elongated features in which ceramics and various iron objects, especially spears, hoes, bracelets as well as anklets were found.According to ethnographic literature some of the iron objects may represent special-purpose currency.The shape, decoration and thinness of some of the iron furnishings, e.g., the hoes, imply that they did not serve as utilitarian tools.Although no skeletal remains have been recovered, both the outlay and the content of these features suggest that they are graves.According to radiocarbon dating these graves have to be put within the early second to final fourth century AD time bracket.They are thus the oldest graves with rich iron offerings excavated in Central Africa and beyond.In the remainder of the paper the findings at Akonétye are discussed in the context of Central African archaeology.
Optimizing Partial Reconfiguration of Multi-context Architectures
2008-12-01

Multi-context reconfigurable arrays provide the ability for fast dynamic reconfiguration once the configurations have been stored into the architecture's context memory. Besides switching the context of the entire array it is also possible to reconfigure contexts from outside the array, which we call external reconfiguration. If supported by the architecture, this reconfiguration, as well as switching contexts, can be performed partially. In this paper, we show how to take advantage of partial reconfiguration to optimize the latency induced by external reconfiguration. As an example we reconfigured an array to process FFT kernels of different sizes. As the best result it was even possible to achieve zero cycle latency.
Celebrating Fifty Years of the Biometrical Journal
2008-12-01

Abstract The publication of Volume 50 of the Biometrical Journal (formerly Biometrische Zeitschrift) in 2008 provides the perfect opportunity to describe the history of the present journal. We report on the long period of preparation for the journal within the German Region (DR) of the International Biometric Society (IBS). A special paragraph is dedicated to the first ten volumes. We emphasize the role of the journal as a bond between German biometricians on both sides of the border between the two German nations and IBS regions at that time. Furthermore, we report on the development of its thematic spectrum and impact factors and provide citation frequencies. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluating the impact of customized instruction set on coarse grained reconfigurable arrays
2008-12-01

Customizing the instruction set for particular applications has become a successful practice in the industry in the design of application specific processors. Following the same principle, this paper evaluates the impact of embedding specialized instructions within the processing elements (PEs) of coarse grained reconfigurable arrays (CGRAs). We systematically extract and select regular clusters of instructions from the data flow graph of applications. We then embed the selected clusters as specialized instructions within some PEs. We argue that these customized units concentrates the execution of recurrently emerging groups of instructions within a fewer number of PEs. That leads to a more efficient usage of architectural resources, such as control and functional units. Our results demonstrate that arrays with specialized FUs within PEs executes more instructions per area unit and reduce power consumption as compared to architectures where the PEs only contain basic operations. Moreover, we preserve the flexibility of the architecture within the targeted set of applications, which is an important aspect for reconfigurable designs. We show that the adoption of custom instructions in CGRAs retains the typical high instruction parallelism of these architectures with a reduced hardware cost.
Regulation of erythrocyte survival by AMP‐activated protein kinase
2008-12-02

ABSTRACT AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), an energy‐sensing enzyme, counteracts energy depletion by stimulation of energy production and limitation of energy utilization. On energy depletion, erythrocytes undergo suicidal death or eryptosis, triggered by an increase in cytosolic Ca 2+ activity ([Ca 2+ ] i ) and characterized by cell shrinkage and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure at the erythrocyte surface. The present study explored whether AMPK participates in the regulation of eryptosis. Western blotting and confocal microscopy disclosed AMPK expression in erythrocytes. [Ca 2+ ] i (Fluo3 fluorescence), cell volume (forward scatter), and PS exposure (annexin V binding) were determined by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. Glucose removal increased [Ca 2+ ] i , decreased cell volume, and increased PS exposure. The AMPK‐inhibitor compound C (20 μM) did not significantly modify eryptosis under glucose‐replete conditions but significantly augmented the eryptotic effect of glucose withdrawal. An increase in [Ca 2+ ] i by Ca 2+ ionophore ionomycin triggered eryptosis, an effect blunted by the AMPK activator 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐1‐β‐D‐ribofuranoside (AICAR;1 mM). As compared with erythrocytes from wild‐type littermates ( ampk +/+ ), erythrocytes from AMPKctl‐deficient mice ( ampk − / − ) were significantly more susceptible to the eryptotic effect of energy depletion. The ampk − / − mice were anemic despite excessive reticulocytosis, and they suffered from severe splenomegaly, again pointing to enhanced erythrocyte turnover. The observations disclose a critical role of AMPK in the survival of circulating erythrocytes.—Föller, M., Sopjani, M., Koka, S., Gu, S., Mahmud, H., Wang, K., Floride, E., Schleicher, E., Schulz, E., Münzel, T., Lang, F. Regulation of erythrocyte survival by AMP‐activated protein kinase. FASEB J . 23, 1072–1080 (2009)
HESS OBSERVATIONS OF THE PROMPT AND AFTERGLOW PHASES OF GRB 060602B
2008-12-02

We report on the first completely simultaneous observation of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) using an array of Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes, which is sensitive to photons in the very high energy (VHE) γ-ray range ( 100 GeV). On 2006 June 2, the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) registered an unusually soft γ-ray burst (GRB 060602B). The burst position was under observation using the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) at the time the burst occurred. Data were taken before, during, and after the burst. A total of 5 hr of observations were obtained during the night of 2006 June 2-3, and five additional hours were obtained over the next three nights. No VHE γ-ray signal was found during the period covered by the HESS observations. The 99% confidence level flux upper limit (&amp;gt; 1 TeV) for the prompt phase (9 s) of GRB 060602B is 2.9 × 10–9 erg cm–2 s–1. Due to the very soft BAT spectrum of the burst compared with other Swift GRBs and its proximity to the Galactic center, the burst is likely associated with a Galactic X-ray burster, although the possibility of it being a cosmological GRB cannot be ruled out. We discuss the implications of our flux limits in the context of these two bursting scenarios.
Correlation of effector function with phenotype and cell division after in vitro differentiation of naive MART-1-specific CD8+ T cells
2008-12-02

Adoptive transfer of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells may represent an effective strategy for immunotherapy of tumors such as melanoma, but is limited by the number and functionality of in vitro expanded T cells. Here, we document that although ELAGIGILTV-specific CD8+ T cells from different donors initially possessed a naive phenotype, after antigen-induced in vitro expansion two distinct phenotypes correlating with cell proliferation rate emerged in the different donors. Those cultures achieving fewer cumulative population doublings (CPDs) were cytotoxic and displayed a CD45RA+CCR7- phenotype. In contrast, cultures reaching higher CPDs were non-cytotoxic T cells with a CD45RA-CCR7- phenotype. Thus, the generation of larger numbers of ELAGIGILTV-specific CD8+ T cells correlates negatively with the acquisition of a CD45RA+CCR7- phenotype and cytotoxic capacity. A better understanding of the differentiation pathways of cytotoxic T cells to obtain optimally efficient cells for adoptive transfer will allow the development of new immunotherapy protocols.
Assessing current alcohol use with the FORM 90 in a student sample
2008-12-02

Objectives Alcohol use disorders are one of the most common problems among males. A calendar‐based instrument for assessing alcohol use, the FORM 90, has been developed and its validity has been tested in clinical samples as an alternative to prospective assessment. Our goal was to examine its validity in a (non‐clinical) student sample with and without alcohol‐related disorders. Method Using the CIDI we interviewed 120 male students and identified individuals with alcohol abuse, alcohol dependency or no substance‐related disorder. We compared these groups on a global and a calendar‐based measure – the FORM 90 – to see whether both lead to comparable results. CIDI and FORM 90 were completed by independent interviewers. Results Overall a global and calendar‐based assessment showed comparable results, but differed in the estimated number of days of alcohol consumption. More importantly, looking at the average amount of alcohol consumed at each drinking occasion, the FORM 90 revealed a highly stable alcohol consumption pattern for individuals with alcohol dependence, but a significantly less stable pattern for abusers and individuals without a lifetime‐history of alcohol‐related problems. Conclusion Even in a non‐clinical sample, using the FORM 90 can identify differences in drinking patterns in individuals with abuse and dependency who have never been treated for these conditions. This study supports the validity of the FORM 90 and suggests that this instrument might allow the examination of specific associations between drinking pattern and its correlates in such populations.
Variation in the FTO Gene Influences Food Intake but not Energy Expenditure
2008-12-03

Polymorphisms in the FTO (fat mass- and obesity-associated) gene are associated with obesity. The mechanisms how genetic variation in this gene influences body weight are unknown. Body weight is determined by energy intake/storage and energy expenditure. In this study, we investigated whether genetic variation in FTO influences energy expenditure or food intake in carefully phenotyped subjects. In 380 German subjects, insulin sensitivity was measured by a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Lean body mass and body fat were quantified using the bioimpedance method. Indirect calorimetry was used to estimate the metabolic rate. Food intake was assessed using food diaries (mean 11+/-1 d) in 151 subjects participating in a lifestyle intervention program to prevent diabetes. All subjects were genotyped for the FTO single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs8050136. The risk allele of SNP rs8050136 was associated with higher body fat-related parameters (all p< or =0.04, additive inheritance model). Energy expenditure was not affected by the SNP. However, the risk allele of rs8050136 was significantly associated with higher energy intake (p=0.01, dominant inheritance model) during dietary restriction. Our data suggest that the increased body weight in carriers of the risk allele of FTO SNP rs8050136 is a consequence of increased food intake, but not of impaired energy expenditure.
Selective Association of Plasma Non-esterified Fatty Acid Species with Circulating Interleukin-8 Concentrations in Humans
2008-12-03

Elevated plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), due to high fat intake and/or adipose tissue lipolysis, are a hallmark of the metabolic syndrome. We assessed whether certain plasma NEFA species contribute to the chronic low-grade inflammatory state seen in the metabolic syndrome. We determined the fasting plasma NEFA patterns of 75 overweight non-diabetic subjects and analysed their relationship with plasma inflammatory parameters. After adjustment for gender, age, body fat, and waist-hip ratio, no strong correlations of single NEFA species with leukocyte number, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were detected. However, oleate was negatively (r=-0.36, p=0.0015) and myristate (r=0.41, p=0.0003) as well as the omega3-polyunsaturated NEFA alpha-linolenate (r=0.37, p=0.0011), eicosapentaenoate (r=0.40, p=0.0003), and docosahexaenoate (r=0.40, p=0.0004) were positively associated with interleukin-8 concentrations. The other NEFA species as well as the total plasma NEFA concentration did not correlate with interleukin-8. The correlations of myristate, oleate, and the sum of all omega3-polyunsaturated NEFA with interleukin-8 were independent of plasma tumour necrosis factor-alpha and overall adiposity. Our data demonstrate close and selective associations of oleate, myristate, and omega3-polyunsaturated NEFA with plasma concentrations of the pro-inflammatory chemokine interleukin-8. Thus, these NEFA species may represent specific determinants of plasma interleukin-8.
The timely deposition of callose is essential for cytokinesis in Arabidopsis
2008-12-04

Summary The primary plant cell wall is laid down over a brief period of time during cytokinesis. Initially, a membrane network forms at the equator of a dividing cell. The cross‐wall is then assembled and remodeled within this membrane compartment. Callose is the predominant luminal component of the nascent cross‐wall or cell plate, but is not a component of intact mature cell walls, which are composed primarily of cellulose, pectins and xyloglucans. Widely accepted models postulate that callose comprises a transient, rapid spreading force for the expansion of membrane networks during cytokinesis. In this study, we clone and characterize an Arabidopsis gene, MASSUE / AtGSL8 , which encodes a putative callose synthase. massue mutants are seedling‐lethal and have a striking cytokinesis‐defective phenotype. Callose deposition was delayed in the cell plates of massue mutants. Mutant cells were occasionally bi‐ or multi‐nucleate, with cell‐wall stubs, and we frequently observed gaps at the junction between cross‐walls and parental cell walls. The results suggest that the timely deposition of callose is essential for the completion of plant cytokinesis. Surprisingly, confocal analysis revealed that the cell‐plate membrane compartment forms and expands, seemingly as far as the parental wall, prior to the appearance of callose. We discuss the possibility that callose may be required to establish a lasting connection between the nascent cross‐wall and the parental cell wall.
Increased number of Clostridium difficile infections and prevalence of Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 001 in southern Germany
2008-12-04

In recent years, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has emerged as an increasing problem, both in in- and outpatients. In a rural region of southern Germany, the annual number of C. difficile toxin (Tcd)-positive patients has increased from 95 to 796 in the period from 2000 to 2007. Simultaneously, the proportion of positive tests among all Tcd examinations has risen from 7.0% to 12.8%, indicating that the higher number of affected patients was not solely due to an increase in the number of assays. Elevated numbers of CDI have recently been associated with outbreaks of the ribotype 027 strain, particularly in North America. This strain has also been isolated in Europe, including in Germany. Ribotyping and PCR testing for binary toxin genes of C. difficile strains isolated from in- and outpatients demonstrate a predominance (59%) of C. difficile ribotype 001, which exhibits antibiotic resistance to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and moxifloxacin, but lacks binary toxin genes. In summary, in our region of Germany, the number of patients affected by CDI has increased, probably due to spread of C. difficile ribotype 001.
Tunneling-induced damping of phase coherence revivals in deep optical lattices
2008-12-04

We consider phase coherence collapse and revival in deep optical lattices, and calculate within the Bose-Hubbard model the revival amplitude damping incurred by a finite tunneling coupling of the lattice wells (after sweeping from the superfluid to the Mott phase). Deriving scaling laws for the corresponding decay of first-order coherence revival in terms of filling factor, final lattice depth, and number of tunneling coupling partners, we estimate whether revival-damping related to tunneling between sites can be or even has already been observed in experiment.