julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical structural analysis of supramolecular isomers of organic crystalline host compounds
2008-08-23

Two dual spaces are extensively used in crystallography: the point space E n , hosting the crystal pattern; and the vector space V n , where face normals and reciprocal-lattice vectors are defined.The term "point group" is used in crystallography to indicate four different types of groups in these two spaces.1) Morphological point groups in V n : They can be obtained from maximal holohedries (holohedries not properly contained in another holohedry) by iteratively descending to proper subgroups: this gives 21 point groups in V 2 and 136 point groups in V 3 , which are then classified into 10 and 32 point-group types, respectively (on the basis of which geometrical crystal classes are defined), and into 9 and 18 abstract isomorphism classes.2) Symmetry groups of atomic groups and coordination polyhedra in E n : They coincide with molecular point groups and fall into infinitely many different isomorphism classes, since due to the absence of periodicity these groups are not subject to the crystallographic restriction.3) Site-symmetry groups in E n : They are the finite subgroups of space groups.For each site-symmetry group, conjugation by the translation subgroup yields infinitely many different groups, but transforming the fixed point to the origin of E n allows to classify them into geometric crystal classes exactly like point groups in V n .A finer classification of site-symmetry groups into species is however introduced that takes into account their orientation in space: species of site-symmetry groups in E n uniquely correspond to point groups in V n .4) Groups of matrices representing the linear parts of space group operations in E n : They are isomorphic both to the point groups in V n and to the factor groups G/T, where T is the translation subgroup of a space group G.
Discovery of a VHE gamma-ray source coincident with the supernova remnant CTB 37A
2008-08-25

\\n Aims. The supernova remnant (SNR) complex CTB 37 is an interesting candidate for observations with \\nvery high energy (VHE) γ-ray telescopes such as HESS. In this region, three SNRs are seen. One of them is potentially associated with several molecular clouds, a circumstance that can be used to probe the acceleration of hadronic cosmic rays.\\n Methods. This region was observed with the HESS Cherenkov telescopes and the data were analyzed with standard HESS procedures. Recent X-ray observations with Chandra and XMM-Newton were used to search for X-ray counterparts.\\n Results. The discovery of a new VHE γ-ray source HESS J1714-385 coincident with the remnant CTB 37A is reported. The energy spectrum is well described by a power-law with a photon index of Γ = 2.30 ± 0.13 and a differential flux at 1 TeV of cm-2 s-1 TeV-1. The integrated flux above 1 TeV is equivalent to 3% of the flux of the Crab nebula above the same energy. This VHE γ-ray source is a counterpart candidate for the unidentified EGRET source 3EG J1714-3857.\\nThe observed VHE emission is consistent with the molecular gas distribution around CTB 37A; a close match is expected in a hadronic scenario for γ-ray production. The X-ray observations reveal the presence of thermal X-rays from the NE part of the SNR. In the NW part of the remnant, an extended non-thermal X-ray source, CXOU J171419.8-383023, is discovered as well. Possible connections of the X-ray emission to the newly found VHE source are discussed.\\n\\n
Kick and rush
2008-08-25

Paradoxical kinesia in Parkinson diseaseA 68-year-old enthusiastic soccer player with idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) had unpredictable, immobilizing freezing of gait, which did not respond even to high doses of dopaminergic medication.By kicking a tennis ball attached to a rubber band, he could reliably overcome freezing (video on the Neurology ® Web site at www.neurology.org.).Paradoxical kinesia is an enigmatic feature observed in advanced stages of PD. 1 A deficit to execute motor sequences can be overcome by external visual or auditory cues. 2 Enhanced activation of the lateral premotor cortex during paradoxical gait might compensate for the impaired function of supplemental motor area (SMA) and pre-SMA in PD (figure).
Genetic Variability of Procolipase Associates with Altered Insulin Secretion in Non-diabetic Caucasians
2008-08-25

Aims: Procolipase (CLPS) is secreted from the exocrine pancreas into the gastrointestinal tract and becomes proteolytically cleaved into colipase and the pentapeptide enterostatin. While colipase is an indispensable cofactor for pancreatic lipase, enterostatin acts as a hormone that inhibits insulin secretion and confers satiety signals to the brain, thereby restricting further food intake in animal models. As both high fat diet and obesity contribute to insulin resistance, we investigated whether genetic variability of CLPS associates with metabolic traits in non-diabetic humans at diabetes risk.
Decreased CXCL12 (SDF-1) Plasma Levels in Early Alzheimer's Disease: A Contribution to a Deficient Hematopoietic Brain Support?
2008-08-26

The chemokine CXCL12 (also known as stromal cell-derived factor 1, SDF-1) controls many aspects of bone marrow-derived stem cell functions and has been associated with neurogenesis as well with recruitment of brain resident and non-resident circulating cells towards sites of lesion in the central nervous system (CNS). Disrupting this line of chemokine-mediated intercellular communication may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, decreased CXCL12 plasma levels in patients with early AD (p = 0.003) were found, which significantly inversely correlated with CSF tau protein levels (r = -0.373; p = 0.042) and positively with CXCL12 CSF levels (r = 0.429; p = 0.018) and with changes of cognitive functions over the time period of 15 months (r = 0.583; p = 0.009). Our findings indicate a lack of chemotactic activity in early AD and support the view of a deficient regenerative hematopoietic brain support in early AD with putative pathogenic and therapeutic relevance.
Multilateral Solid‐State Metathesis Reactions for the Preparation of Materials with Heteroanions: The [Si(CN2)4]4− Ion
2008-08-26

Adjustable networks: The tetracyanamidosilicates A(RE)[Si(CN2)4] are formed by solid-state metathesis reactions and contain the novel [Si(CN2)4]4− ion. Depending on the alkali metal ion (A=K or Rb), orthorhombic or tetragonal network structures are formed in which the rare-earth (RE) ions have differently distorted trigonal-dodecahedral environments. The crystal structure of RbLa[Si(CN2)4] is shown (Rb yellow, La red, Si gray, C brown, N blue).
Differential Influences of Emotion, Task, and Novelty on Brain Regions Underlying the Processing of Speech Melody
2008-08-27

Abstract We investigated the functional characteristics of brain regions implicated in processing of speech melody by presenting words spoken in either neutral or angry prosody during a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment using a factorial habituation design. Subjects judged either affective prosody or word class for these vocal stimuli, which could be heard for either the first, second, or third time. Voice-sensitive temporal cortices, as well as the amygdala, insula, and mediodorsal thalami, reacted stronger to angry than to neutral prosody. These stimulus-driven effects were not influenced by the task, suggesting that these brain structures are automatically engaged during processing of emotional information in the voice and operate relatively independent of cognitive demands. By contrast, the right middle temporal gyrus and the bilateral orbito-frontal cortices (OFC) responded stronger during emotion than word classification, but were also sensitive to anger expressed by the voices, suggesting that some perceptual aspects of prosody are also encoded within these regions subserving explicit processing of vocal emotion. The bilateral OFC showed a selective modulation by emotion and repetition, with particularly pronounced responses to angry prosody during the first presentation only, indicating a critical role of the OFC in detection of vocal information that is both novel and behaviorally relevant. These results converge with previous findings obtained for angry faces and suggest a general involvement of the OFC for recognition of anger irrespective of the sensory modality. Taken together, our study reveals that different aspects of voice stimuli and perceptual demands modulate distinct areas involved in the processing of emotional prosody.
Reduced Ventrolateral fMRI Response during Observation of Emotional Gestures Related to the Degree of Dopaminergic Impairment in Parkinson Disease
2008-08-27

Abstract Recent findings point to a perceptive impairment of emotional facial expressions in patients diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD). In these patients, administration of dopamine can modulate emotional facial recognition. We used fMRI to investigate differences in the functional activation in response to emotional and nonemotional gestures between PD patients and age-matched healthy controls (HC). In addition, we used PET to evaluate the striatal dopamine transporter availability (DAT) with [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate in the patient group. Patients showed an average decrease to 26% in DAT when compared to age-corrected healthy references. Reduction in the DAT of the left putamen correlated not only with motor impairment but also with errors in emotional gesture recognition. In comparison to HC, PD patients showed a specific decrease in activation related to emotional gesture observation in the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and the right superior temporal sulcus. Moreover, the less DAT present in the left putamen, the lower the activation in the left VLPFC. We conclude that a loss of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the putamen results in a reduction of ventrolateral prefrontal access involved in the recognition of emotional gestures.
Carnivores and their prey in the Wezmeh Cave (Kermanshah, Iran): a Late Pleistocene refuge in the Zagros
2008-08-27

Abstract Wezmeh Cave is located on the northeastern edge of the Islamabad plain, a high intermontane valley in the western‐central Zagros. In 1999 a disturbed but large faunal assemblage was recovered from this site. The abundant and extremely diverse faunal spectra present at Wezmeh Cave has highlighted the importance of this assemblage. Carnivore remains constitute the bulk of the assemblage; red fox ( Vulpes vulpes) has the highest number of identified specimens followed by spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta ), brown bear ( Ursus arctos ), wolf ( Canis lupus) , felids (lion, leopard, lynx/caracal and wildcat), mustelids (badger, polecat, marten) and viverrids (mongoose). Artiodactyls (bovid, cervid, suid), equids, rhinoceros ( Dicerorhinus sp.) and small animals (Cape hare, porcupine, tortoise, snake, birds) are also present. According to U‐series dating, the site was occupied from around 70 ka BP through to sub‐recent periods by carnivores. Amongst this rich assemblage, a human fossil tooth was also found and dated by non‐invasive spectrometry gamma dating to 20–25 ka BP. A preliminary zooarchaeological and taphonomic study shows that Wezmeh Cave was used by multiple carnivore species, a unique phenomenon in the Zagros Mountains in particular and southwest Asia in general. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
Identification of HLA-A*01- and HLA-A*02-restricted CD8+ T-cell epitopes shared among group B enteroviruses
2008-08-27

Acute enteroviral infections ranging from meningitis, pancreatitis to myocarditis are common and normally well controlled by the host immune system comprising virus-specific CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). However, in some patients enteroviruses and especially coxsackieviruses of group B are capable of inducing severe chronic forms of diseases such as chronic myocarditis. Currently, it is not known whether divergences in the CTL-related immune response may contribute to the different outcome and course of enterovirus myocarditis. A pre-requisite for the study of CTL reactions in patients with acute and chronic myocarditis is the identification of CTL epitopes. In order to define dominant enterovirus CTL epitopes, we have screened, by using gamma interferon (IFN- γ ) ELISPOT, 62 HLA-A*01- and 59 HLA-A*02-positive healthy blood donors for pre-existing CTL reactions against 12 HLA-A*01 and 20 HLA-A*02 predicted CTL epitopes derived from coxsackieviruses of group B. Positive CTL reactions were verified by FACS analysis in a combined major histocompatibility complex-tetramer IFN- γ staining. A total of 14.8 % of all donors reacted against one of the three identified epitopes MLDGHLIAFDY, YGDDVIASY or GIIYIIYKL. The HLA-A*02-restricted epitope ILMNDQEVGV was recognized by 25 % of all tested blood donors. For this peptide, we could demonstrate specific granzyme B secretion, a strong cytolytic potential and endogenous processing. All four epitopes were homologous in 36–92 % of group B enteroviruses, providing a strong basis for monitoring the divergence of T-cell-based immune responses in enterovirus-induced acute and chronic diseases.
Variation in the CDKAL1 Gene Is Associated With the Titer of Antibodies to GAD
2008-08-27

Genome-wide association studies have described new diabetes susceptibility genes including TCF7L2 , CDKAL1 , HHEX , SLC30A8 , CDKN2A/B , and IGF2BP2 (1). Most of these novel risk loci are associated with impaired β-cell function (2). Impaired β-cell function due to autoimmune processes plays a role in the pathogenesis of type 1A diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults. Therefore, it is conceivable that some of the susceptibility genes may be related to autoimmunity and inflammation leading to β-cell dysfunction. This hypothesis was recently excluded for the variation in the TCF7L2 gene, which was not found to be associated with type 1 diabetes. We investigated whether ...
Prenatal Dexamethasone Impairs Behavior and the Activation of the BDNF Exon IV Promoter in the Paraventricular Nucleus in Adult Offspring
2008-08-28

Prenatal manipulations to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are shown to affect auditory responses to an acoustic challenge as well as behavior in adult life. To achieve these results, we examined the effect of prenatal dexamethasone (DEX) treatment in male and female adult rat offspring by assessing body and adrenal weight, anxiety using the elevated plus maze (EPM), and acoustic startle responses as well as the effects of acoustic challenge in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). DEX male offspring had reduced adrenal gland weight in adult life and demonstrated anxiolytic-like behavior when tested on the EPM. The acoustic startle amplitude in naive DEX-treated male offspring was significantly higher compared with saline (SAL)-treated males and females and DEX-treated females. When challenged with either a glucocorticoid agonist or antagonist, the startle response of the SAL-treated males and females significantly increased or decreased in the presence of agonist and antagonist treatment, respectively, whereas DEX males and females were not affected. Acoustic challenge caused an increase in c-fos mRNA and glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation in the PVN of all groups. BDNF and TrkB mRNA increased in the PVN after acoustic challenge in the SAL-treated males and females but not in the DEX males or females. These findings exemplify the differential sensitivity of the developing nervous and endocrine systems to prenatal hormonal stress and demonstrate that prenatal DEX treatment elicits long-term behavioral alterations related to anxiety and auditory processing.
In Vitro and In Vivo Properties of Adenovirus Vectors with Increased Affinity to CD46
2008-08-28

ABSTRACT Gene transfer vectors containing adenovirus (Ad) serotype 35 (Ad35) fibers have shown promise for cancer and stem cell gene therapy. In this study, we attempted to improve the in vitro and in vivo infection properties of these vectors by increasing their affinity to the Ad35 fiber receptor CD46. We constructed Ad vectors containing either the wild-type Ad35 fiber knob (Ad5/35) or Ad35 knob mutants with 4-fold- and 60-fold-higher affinity to CD46 (Ad5/35+ and Ad5/35++, respectively). In in vitro studies with cell lines, the higher affinities of Ad5/35+ and Ad5/35++ to CD46 did not translate into correspondingly higher transduction efficiencies, regardless of the CD46 receptor density present on cells. However, in vivo, in a mouse model with preestablished CD46 high liver metastases, intravenous injection of Ad5/35++ resulted in more-efficient tumor cell transduction. We conclude that Ad5/35 vectors with increased affinity to CD46 have an advantage in competing with non-CD46-mediated sequestration of vector particles after intravenous injection.
Carbon nanotubes and optical confinement: controlling light emission in nanophotonic devices
2008-08-28

We report here recent progress in nanophotonics with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). A photonic model structure, the planar λ/2-microcavity, modifies the photonic density of modes at the location of the embedded SWNTs. As a result, the radiative properties of the SWNTs are modified due to the enhancement or inhibition of the microcavity-controlled spontaneous emission (scattering) rate. We use single-molecule optical microscopy and spectroscopy to investigate individual SWNTs (bundles), spatially isolated and immobilized in the photonic structure, and to measure the microcavity-controlled emission (Raman and photoluminescence) characteristics. Ultimately, we demonstrate experimentally that the integration of a field-effect transistor (FET) based on a single, semiconducting SWNT with a λ/2-microcavity results in a strong spectral and angular narrowing of the electrically excited and cavity-enhanced infrared radiation emitted by the nano-light source. Integrated nanophotonic devices based on carbon nanotubes hold great promise for application in quantum optics and optical communication.
Early symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, 2, 3, and 6
2008-08-29

Abstract Onset of genetically determined neurodegenerative diseases is difficult to specify because of their insidious and slowly progressive nature. This is especially true for spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) because of varying affection of many parts of the nervous system and huge variability of symptoms. We investigated early symptoms in 287 patients with SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, or SCA6 and calculated the influence of CAG repeat length on age of onset depending on (1) the definition of disease onset, (2) people defining onset, and (3) duration of symptoms. Gait difficulty was the initial symptom in two‐thirds of patients. Double vision, dysarthria, impaired hand writing, and episodic vertigo preceded ataxia in 4% of patients, respectively. Frequency of other early symptoms did not differ from controls and was regarded unspecific. Data about disease onset varied between patients and relatives for 1 year or more in 44% of cases. Influence of repeat length on age of onset was maximum when onset was defined as beginning of permanent gait disturbance and cases with symptoms for more than 10 years were excluded. Under these conditions, CAG repeat length determined 64% of onset variability in SCA1, 67% in SCA2, 46% in SCA3, and 41% in SCA6 demonstrating substantial influence of nonrepeat factors on disease onset in all SCA subtypes. Identification of these factors is of interest as potential targets for disease modifying compounds. In this respect, recognition of early symptoms that develop before onset of ataxia is mandatory to determine the shift from presymptomatic to affected status in SCA. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
The optics and performance of dual-focus fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
2008-08-29

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is an important spectroscopic technique which can be used for measuring the diffusion and thus size of fluorescing molecules at pico- to nanomolar concentrations. Recently, we introduced an extension of conventional FCS, which is called dual-focus FCS (2fFCS) and allows absolute diffusion measurements with high precision and repeatability. It was shown experimentally that the method is robust against most optical and sample artefacts which are troubling conventional FCS measurements, and is furthermore able to yield absolute values of diffusion coefficients without referencing against known standards. However, a thorough theoretical treatment of the performance of 2fFCS is still missing. The present paper aims at filling this gap. Here, we have systematically studied the performance of 2fFCS with respect to the most important optical and photophysical factors such as cover slide thick-ness, refractive index of the sample, laser beam geometry, and optical satu-ration. We show that 2fFCS has indeed a superior performance when com-pared with conventional FCS, being mostly insensitive to most potential ab-errations when working under optimized conditions.
Positron emission tomography has a high negative predictive value for progression or early relapse for patients with residual disease after first-line chemotherapy in advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma
2008-08-30

Abstract In the HD15 trial of the German Hodgkin Study Group, the negative predictive value (NPV) of positron emission tomography (PET) using [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose in advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) was evaluated. A total of 817 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive BEACOPP-based chemotherapy. After completion of chemotherapy, residual disease measuring more than or equal to 2.5 cm in diameter was assessed by PET in 311 patients. The NPV of PET was defined as the proportion of PET− patients without progression, relapse, or irradiation within 12 months after PET review panel. The progression-free survival was 96% for PET− patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 94%-99%) and 86% for PET+ patients (95% CI, 78%-95%, P = .011). The NPV for PET in this analysis was 94% (95% CI, 91%-97%). Thus, consolidation radiotherapy can be omitted in PET− patients with residual disease without increasing the risk for progression or early relapse compared with patients in complete remission. The impact of this finding on the overall survival at 5 years must be awaited. Until then, response adapted therapy guided by PET for HL patients seems to be a promising approach that should be further evaluated in clinical trials. This trial is registered at http://isrctn.org study as #ISRCTN32443041.
Effect of Single and Repeated Doses of Ketoconazole on the Pharmacokinetics of Roflumilast and Roflumilast N‐Oxide
2008-08-30

Effects of single and multiple doses of oral ketoconazole on roflumilast and its active metabolite, roflumilast N‐oxide, were investigated in healthy subjects. In study 1, subjects (n = 26) received oral roflumilast 500 μg once daily for 11 days and a concomitant 200‐mg single dose of ketoconazole on day 11. In study 2, subjects (n = 16) received oral roflumilast 500 μg on days 1 and 11 and a repeated dose of ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily from days 8 to 20. Coadministration of single‐dose ketoconazole with steady‐state roflumilast increased the AUC of roflumilast by 34%; C max was unchanged. For roflumilast N‐oxide, AUC and C max decreased by 12% and 20%, respectively. Repeated doses of ketoconazole increased the AUC and C max of roflumilast by 99% and 23%, respectively; for roflumilast N‐oxide, AUC was unchanged, and C max decreased by 38%. No clinically relevant adverse events were observed. Coadministration of ketoconazole and roflumilast does not require dose adjustment of roflumilast.