julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Many Faces of Expertise: Fusiform Face Area in Chess Experts and Novices
2011-07-13

The fusiform face area (FFA) is involved in face perception to such an extent that some claim it is a brain module for faces exclusively. The other possibility is that FFA is modulated by experience in individuation in any visual domain, not only faces. Here we test this latter FFA expertise hypothesis using the game of chess as a domain of investigation. We exploited the characteristic of chess, which features multiple objects forming meaningful spatial relations. In three experiments, we show that FFA activity is related to stimulus properties and not to chess skill directly. In all chess and non-chess tasks, experts' FFA was more activated than that of novices' only when they dealt with naturalistic full-board chess positions. When common spatial relationships formed by chess objects in chess positions were randomly disturbed, FFA was again differentially active only in experts, regardless of the actual task. Our experiments show that FFA contributes to the holistic processing of domain-specific multipart stimuli in chess experts. This suggests that FFA may not only mediate human expertise in face recognition but, supporting the expertise hypothesis, may mediate the automatic holistic processing of any highly familiar multipart visual input.
Biomarker candidates of neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease for the evaluation of disease-modifying therapeutics
2011-07-13

Reliable biomarkers that can be used for early diagnosis and tracking disease progression are the cornerstone of the development of disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD). The German Society of Experimental and Clinical Neurotherapeutics (GESENT) has convened a Working Group to review the current status of proposed biomarkers of neurodegeneration according to the following criteria and to develop a consensus statement on biomarker candidates for evaluation of disease-modifying therapeutics in PD. The criteria proposed are that the biomarker should be linked to fundamental features of PD neuropathology and mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in PD, should be correlated to disease progression assessed by clinical rating scales, should monitor the actual disease status, should be pre-clinically validated, and confirmed by at least two independent studies conducted by qualified investigators with the results published in peer-reviewed journals. To date, available data have not yet revealed one reliable biomarker to detect early neurodegeneration in PD and to detect and monitor effects of drug candidates on the disease process, but some promising biomarker candidates, such as antibodies against neuromelanin, pathological forms of α-synuclein, DJ-1, and patterns of gene expression, metabolomic and protein profiling exist. Almost all of the biomarker candidates were not investigated in relation to effects of treatment, validated in experimental models of PD and confirmed in independent studies.
Intranasal Application of Xenon Reduces Opioid Requirement and Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery
2011-07-13

Background Both central sensitization after peripheral tissue injury and the development of opioid tolerance involve activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. At subanesthetic doses the NMDA receptor antagonist xenon suppresses pain-evoked sensitization of pain-processing areas in the central nervous system. Although numerous studies describe the effect of NMDA receptor antagonists on postoperative pain, clinical studies elucidating their intraoperative analgesic potency when applied in a low dosage are still largely missing. Methods To analyze the analgesic effect of low-dose xenon using new application methods, the authors tested nasally applied xenon as an add-on treatment for analgesia in 40 patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Within a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study design, intraoperative and postoperative requirement of opioids as well as postoperative subjective experiences of pain were measured as primary outcome variables. Results Intranasal application of xenon significantly reduced intraoperative opioid requirement (mean difference [MD] -2.0 μg/min; 95% CI [CI95]-0.53 to -3.51, Bonferroni correction adjusted P value [pcorr]= 0.028) without relevant side effects and significantly reduced postoperative pain (MD -1.34 points on an 11-point rating scale; CI95 -0.60 to -2.09, pcorr = 0.002). However, postoperative morphine consumption (MD -8.8 μg/min; CI95 1.2 to -18.8, pcorr = 0.24) was not significantly reduced in this study. Conclusions Low-dose xenon significantly reduces intraoperative analgesic use and postoperative pain perception. Because NMDA receptor antagonists suppress central sensitization, prevent the development of opioid tolerance, and reduce postoperative pain, the intraoperative usage of NMDA receptor antagonists such as xenon is suggested to improve effectiveness of pain management within a concept of multimodal analgesia.
Dinosaur extinction: closing the ‘3 m gap’
2011-07-13

Modern debate regarding the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs was ignited by the publication of the Cretaceous–Tertiary (K–T) asteroid impact theory and has seen 30 years of dispute over the position of the stratigraphically youngest in situ dinosaur. A zone devoid of dinosaur fossils reported from the last 3 m of the Upper Cretaceous, coined the ‘3 m gap’, has helped drive controversy. Here, we report the discovery of the stratigraphically youngest in situ dinosaur specimen: a ceratopsian brow horn found in a poorly rooted, silty, mudstone floodplain deposit located no more than 13 cm below the palynologically defined boundary. The K–T boundary is identified using three criteria: (i) decrease in Cretaceous palynomorphs without subsequent recovery, (ii) the existence of a ‘fern spike’, and (iii) correlation to a nearby stratigraphic section where primary extraterrestrial impact markers are present (e.g. iridium anomaly, spherules, shocked quartz). The in situ specimen demonstrates that a gap devoid of non-avian dinosaur fossils does not exist and is inconsistent with the hypothesis that non-avian dinosaurs were extinct prior to the K–T boundary impact event.
Proton Pump Inhibitors Inhibit Metformin Uptake by Organic Cation Transporters (OCTs)
2011-07-14

Metformin, an oral insulin-sensitizing drug, is actively transported into cells by organic cation transporters (OCT) 1, 2, and 3 (encoded by SLC22A1, SLC22A2, or SLC22A3), which are tissue specifically expressed at significant levels in various organs such as liver, muscle, and kidney. Because metformin does not undergo hepatic metabolism, drug-drug interaction by inhibition of OCT transporters may be important. So far, comprehensive data on the interaction of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with OCTs are missing although PPIs are frequently used in metformin-treated patients. Using in silico modeling and computational analyses, we derived pharmacophore models indicating that PPIs (i.e. omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, and tenatoprazole) are potent OCT inhibitors. We then established stably transfected cell lines expressing the human uptake transporters OCT1, OCT2, or OCT3 and tested whether these PPIs inhibit OCT-mediated metformin uptake in vitro. All tested PPIs significantly inhibited metformin uptake by OCT1, OCT2, and OCT3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration values (IC(50)) were in the low micromolar range (3-36 μM) and thereby in the range of IC(50) values of other potent OCT drug inhibitors. Finally, we tested whether the PPIs are also transported by OCTs, but did not identify PPIs as OCT substrates. In conclusion, PPIs are potent inhibitors of the OCT-mediated metformin transport in vitro. Further studies are needed to elucidate the clinical relevance of this drug-drug interaction with potential consequences on metformin disposition and/or efficacy.
Plasmablastic Lymphoma and Related Disorders
2011-07-14

B-cell lymphomas with plasmablastic features are a heterogeneous group of lymphomas. While they may share overlapping morphologic or immunophenotypic features, distinct clinicopathologic or molecular genetic features exist for some that have allowed their recognition as distinct entities. Session 2 of the 2009 Society for Hematopathology/European Association for Haematopathology Workshop dealt with the theme of plasmablastic lymphomas (PBLs) and related disorders. Topics included human herpesvirus 8-associated Castleman disease and PBLs, PBLs occurring in the setting of HIV infection, anaplastic large cell lymphoma kinase+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and other lymphomas with plasmablastic or plasmacytic features. In this report, we review PBLs and related disorders in the context of submitted cases and illustrate key diagnostic points, highlight controversial areas, and provide recommendations on features that should be assessed and terminology that might be used when dealing with these lymphomas.
Plasma Cell Myeloma and Related Neoplasms
2011-07-14

Abstract Session 1 of the 2009 Workshop of the Society for Hematopathology/European Association of Haematopathology, Cleveland, OH, focused on plasma cell neoplasms. This report summarizes the salient diagnostic, clinical, and genetic features of plasma cell myeloma (PCM) and related neoplasms. Based on the cases submitted to the workshop, we highlight common diagnostic issues and unusual manifestations of plasma cell neoplasms, such as t(11;14)+ PCM, plasma cell leukemia, and nonsecretory plasmacytoma, as well as plasmablastic transformation of PCM. Additional issues repeatedly raised at the workshop included the differential diagnosis of extramedullary dissemination of PCM vs primary extramedullary plasmacytoma and plasmablastic lymphoma; systemic plasma cell neoplasms in immunocompromised people; and Epstein-Barr virus–associated plasma cell neoplasms. Difficult cases with borderline features presented by submitters emphasized the necessity of integrating clinical, immunophenotypic, and genetic features for appropriate classification of these disorders.
cAMP promotes differentiation of rodent neuronal progenitor cells
2011-07-14

Numerous studies have described neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cells derived from fetal tissue in vitro, but the biochemical mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. In the present study, the role of cAMP in promoting functional maturation of neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of rodent fetal brain was investigated. NPCs were extracted from telencephalic vesicles of E14 rat embryos and then expanded in medium containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). A mature neuronal fate was induced by: i) withdrawal of growth factors (basal condition); ii) addition of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); or iii) addition of isobutylmethylxantine (IBMX). Whole cell patch clamping assessed electrophysiological properties. Immunocyto - chemistry for MAP2 confirmed neuronal differentiation. Quantification of neuronal cells, and determination of their electrophysiological properties, was performed in the cited experimental groups. IBMX significantly enhanced the yield of MAP2-positive neurons in the culture system (3.7-fold increase). Application of a one-week differentiation protocol under IBMX induced functional maturity. MAP2-positive cells presented large Na- and K- voltagedependent currents, fired bursts of action potentials, and exhibited spontaneous synaptic activity. Further, IBMX proved more effective than BDNF for promoting neuronal maturation, leading to higher evoked peak currents and current densities, as well as greater yields of cells firing action potentials and presenting active synaptic contacts. Our data indicates the importance of cAMP-dependent mechanisms for maturation of neuronal progenitor cells in vitro. This knowledge can enable future manipulation of neurogenesis in vivo in order to promote the intrinsic regenerative capacity of the central nervous system.
Personality, Punishment and Public Goods: Strategic Shifts towards Cooperation as a Matter of Dispositional Honesty–Humility
2011-07-15

Contributions in the public goods game—a classical social dilemma situation—have been shown to depend strongly on the presence versus absence of punishment or sanctions for free riders. Also, there appear to be noteworthy individual differences in the degree to which decision makers cooperate. Herein, we aimed to bring these two lines of research together. Firstly, we predicted that both presence of punishment and high dispositional Honesty–Humility (as conceptualized in the Honesty–Humility, Emotionality, eXtraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness to experience model of personality) should yield higher contributions. Secondly, and more importantly, we expected an interaction, such that only those low in Honesty–Humility would condition their behaviour on the presence versus absence of punishment, thus employing cooperation strategically. In line with the hypothesis, the results of two experiments (one of which comprised a longitudinal design) corroborated that the degree to which decision makers shift towards higher contributions when punishment is introduced depends on their dispositional level of Honesty–Humility. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative High-Resolution Mapping of Phenanthrene Sorption to Black Carbon Particles
2011-07-15

Sorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to black carbon (BC) particles has been the focus of numerous studies. Conclusions on sorption mechanisms of PAH on BC were mostly derived from studies of sorption isotherms and sorption kinetics, which are based on batch experiments. However, mechanistic modeling approaches consider processes at the subparticle scale, some including transport within the pore-space or different spatial pore-domains. Direct evidence based on analytical techniques operating at the submicrometer scale for the location of sorption sites and the adsorbed species is lacking. In this work, we identified, quantified, and mapped the sorption of PAHs on different BC particles (activated carbon, charcoal and diesel soot) on a 25-100 nm scale using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). In addition, we visualized the pore structure of the particles by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on the 1-10 nm-scale. The combination of the chemical information from STXM with the physical information from TEM revealed that phenanthrene accumulates in the interconnected pore-system along primary "cracks" in the particles, confirming an adsorption mechanism.
Reappearance of Galerix (Erinaceomorpha, Mammalia) at the Middle to Late Miocene transition in South Germany: biostratigraphic and palaeoecologic implications
2011-07-15

The presence of Galerix molars in the South German fossil locality Hammerschmiede 3 is interpreted as evidence for a reimmigration of West European origin into the North Alpine Foreland Basin at the transition of the Middle to Late Miocene. The brief re-appearence of Galerix in southern Germany can be used as a biostratigraphic marker that allows promising correlations between local biostratigraphic subdivisions from Spain and Germany, suggesting that, contrary to previous thought, the Hammerschmiede locality may antedate the hipparionine horses’ appearance event. Based on the supposed climatic adaptation of galericine taxa and lower vertebrate record, it is hypothesized that short term climatic fluctuations occurred in South Germany around the time of the first appearance of the hipparionine horses in Europe.
(No) Small Adults: Children's Processing of Carry Addition Problems
2011-07-15

Analyses of eye-fixation data in adults suggested that the carry effect in addition is determined by the unit digits of the summands. Correspondingly, we recorded children's eye fixation behavior in a choice reaction paradigm. As for adults the carry effect was most pronounced on the unit digits of the summands. However, children's fixation pattern differed reliably from that of adults in other important aspects. While these data suggested common processes in children and adults for performing a carry in mental addition, children's eye fixation data indicated a less flexible processing style primarily based on calculating the correct result.
Pulse-amplitude-resolved spectroscopy of bright accreting pulsars: indication of two accretion regimes
2011-07-16

Context: In addition to coherent pulsation, many accreting neutron stars\\nexhibit flaring activity and strong aperiodic variability on time scales\\ncomparable to or shorter than their pulsation period. Such a behavior shows\\nthat the accretion flow in the vicinity of the accretor must be highly\\nnon-stationary. Observational study of this phenomenon is often problematic as\\nit requires very high statistics of X-ray data and a specific analysis\\ntechnique. Aims: In our research we used high-resolution data taken with RXTE\\nand INTEGRAL on a sample of bright transient and persistent pulsars, to perform\\nan in-depth study of their variability on time scales comparable to the\\npulsation period - "pulse-to-pulse variability". Methods: The high-quality data\\nallowed us to collect individual pulses of different amplitude and explore\\ntheir X-ray spectrum as a function of pulse amplitude. The described approach\\nallowed us for the first time to study the luminosity-dependence of pulsars'\\nX-ray spectra in observations where the averaged (over many pulse cycles)\\nluminosity of the source remains constant. Results: In all studied pulsars we\\nrevealed significant spectral changes as a function of the pulse height both in\\nthe continuum and in the cyclotron absorption features. The sources appear to\\nform two groups showing different dependencies of the spectrum on pulse height.\\nWe interpret such a division as a manifestation of two distinct accretion\\nregimes that are at work in different pulsars.\\n
The Metabolically Benign and Malignant Fatty Liver
2011-07-18

The epidemics of the major metabolic diseases type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are increasing worldwide and much effort is being undertaken to understand the pathogenesis of these conditions. Both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease share insulin resistance as a common and important risk factor in their natural history. It is now widely accepted that organ cross talk harbors many critical clues that help to better understand the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. In this respect, several studies recently showed that not the increase in body fat mass per se, but the accumulation of fat in the visceral cavity and particularly in the liver, which are conditions commonly accompanied by inflammatory processes, are responsible for the genesis of insulin resistance (1–4). ### Prevalence, pathogenesis, and progression. The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased worldwide, affecting more than 25% of adults. In obese people and in patients with type 2 diabetes, the prevalence has increased to more than 70%. In obese children, NAFLD is found in 23–53% (5). Several mechanisms lead to fatty liver. First, expansion and inflammation of adipose tissue results in adipose insulin resistance and increased lipolysis and thereby in an elevated flux of free fatty acids into the liver. Second, an impaired hepatic fatty acid oxidation and a decrease in proteins inducing lipid oxidation, e.g., adiponectin, results in further accumulation of fat within the liver. Third, increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis driven by hyperinsulinemia and increased carbohydrate intake elevate the hepatic fat content. Fourth, impaired VLDL secretion exacerbates this process. This stage is often referred to as benign steatosis. The overwhelming of lipid oxidation capacity eventually occurs resulting in the generation of reactive oxidative species (ROS), gut-derived signals (e.g., bacterial endotoxins, short-chain fatty acids), inflammatory cytokines, and an imbalanced release of adipokines that then may result ...
Successful deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens in severe alcohol dependence is associated with changed performance monitoring
2011-07-18

ABSTRACT Following recent advances in neuromodulation therapy for mental disorders, we treated one patient with severe alcohol addiction with deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Before and one year following the surgery, we assessed the effects of DBS within the NAc on the addiction as well as on psychometric scores and electrophysiological measures of cognitive control. In our patient, DBS achieved normalization of addictive behavior and craving. An electrophysiological marker of error processing (the error‐related negativity) linked to anterior mid‐cingulate cortex (aMCC) functioning was altered through DBS, an effect that could be reversed by periods without stimulation. Thus, this case supports the hypothesis that DBS of the NAc could have a positive effect on addiction trough a normalization of craving associated with aMCC dysfunction.
Impact of systemic lupus erythematosus on ovarian reserve in premenopausal women: Evaluation by using anti-Muellerian hormone
2011-07-18

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which may negatively influence fertility. Treatment with cyclophosphamide can damage the ovaries. The ovarian function can also be reduced by autoimmune oophoritis in lupus patients. We analysed the influence of SLE on the ovarian reserve against disease intensity and duration of illness. We determined the ovarian reserve in 33 premenopausal SLE patients without previous cyclophosphamide-treatment by measuring the anti-Muellerian hormone (AMH) and compared these with the AMH values of 33 age-matched healthy controls. Numbers of children and miscarriages were reported. Disease intensity of the SLE patients was determined using SLEDAI and ECLAM and duration of illness was taken into account. We found that the AMH values in the SLE group were significantly lower than in the healthy control group. No significant differences between the groups regarding number of children and miscarriages were noted and no correlation between the AMH value and the duration of illness or the SLEDAI as an indicator of disease activity was found. Despite mild disease activity SLE patients had a significantly lower ovarian reserve than age-matched healthy women. This could be a sign that SLE itself has a negative influence on the ovarian reserve.
Numerical convergence in self-gravitating disc simulations: initial conditions and edge effects
2011-07-18

Abstract We study the numerical convergence of hydrodynamical simulations of self-gravitating accretion discs, in which a simple cooling law is balanced by shock heating. It is well known that there exists a critical cooling time-scale for which shock heating can no longer compensate for the energy losses, at which point the disc fragments. The numerical convergence of previous results of this critical cooling time-scale was questioned recently using smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). We employ a two-dimensional grid-based code to study this problem and find that for smooth initial conditions, fragmentation is possible for slower cooling as the resolution is increased, in agreement with recent SPH results. We show that this non-convergence is at least partly due to the creation of a special location in the disc, the boundary between the turbulent and the laminar region, when cooling towards a gravito-turbulent state. Converged results appear to be obtained in setups where no such sharp edges appear, and we then find a critical cooling time-scale of ∼4Ω−1, where Ω is the local angular velocity.