julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
The age of globalization requires a global ethic
2010-09-01

Disastrous conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan requires new thinking at several levels. This is only possible if it can be informed by an understanding of the history of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Using Thomas S. Kuhn's concept this paper traces a series of paradigm changes in each religion demonstrating that: religions are not static; within each particular religious community there are people living within different paradigms leading to intra-religious conflict; each religion includes some resistance to modernity. The paper argues that a precondition for global peace is better understanding between Jews, Christians and Muslims. The paper proposes identifying ethical principles common to each religion as the basis of a global ethic.
Dissecting the role of the mitochondrial chaperone mortalin in Parkinson's disease: functional impact of disease-related variants on mitochondrial homeostasis
2010-09-02

The mitochondrial chaperone mortalin has been linked to neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) based on reduced protein levels in affected brain regions of PD patients and its interaction with the PD-associated protein DJ-1. Recently, two amino acid exchanges in the ATPase domain (R126W) and the substrate-binding domain (P509S) of mortalin were identified in Spanish PD patients. Here, we identified a separate and novel variant (A476T) in the substrate-binding domain of mortalin in German PD patients. To define a potential role as a susceptibility factor in PD, we characterized the functions of all three variants in different cellular models. In vitro import assays revealed normal targeting of all mortalin variants. In neuronal and non-neuronal human cell lines, the disease-associated variants caused a mitochondrial phenotype of increased reactive oxygen species and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, which were exacerbated upon proteolytic stress. These functional impairments correspond with characteristic alterations of the mitochondrial network in cells overexpressing mutant mortalin compared with wild-type (wt), which were confirmed in fibroblasts from a carrier of the A476T variant. In line with a loss of function hypothesis, knockdown of mortalin in human cells caused impaired mitochondrial function that was rescued by wt mortalin, but not by the variants. Our genetic and functional studies of novel disease-associated variants in the mortalin gene define a loss of mortalin function, which causes impaired mitochondrial function and dynamics. Our results support the role of this mitochondrial chaperone in neurodegeneration and underscore the concept of impaired mitochondrial protein quality control in PD.
Temporo-Spatial Dynamics of Event-Related EEG Beta Activity during the Initial Contingent Negative Variation
2010-09-02

In the electroencephalogram (EEG), early anticipatory processes are accompanied by a slow negative potential, the initial contingent negative variation (iCNV), occurring between 500 and 1500 ms after cue onset over prefrontal cortical regions in tasks with cue-target intervals of about 3 s or longer. However, the temporal sequence of the distributed cortical activity contributing to iCNV generation remains unclear. During iCNV generation, selectively enhanced low-beta activity has been reported. Here we studied the temporal order of activation foci in cortical regions assumed to underlie iCNV generation using source reconstruction of low-beta (13-18 Hz) activity. During the iCNV, elicited by a cued simple reaction-time task, low-beta power peaked first (750 ms after cue onset) in anterior frontal and limbic regions and last (140 ms later) in posterior areas. This activity occurred 3300 ms before target onset and provides evidence for the temporally ordered involvement of both cognitive-control and motor-preparation processes already at early stages during the preparation for speeded action.
Myristate is selectively incorporated into surfactant and decreases dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine without functional impairment
2010-09-02

Lung surfactant mainly comprises phosphatidylcholines (PC), together with phosphatidylglycerols and surfactant proteins SP-A to SP-D. Dipalmitoyl-PC (PC16:0/16:0), palmitoylmyristoyl-PC (PC16:0/14:0), and palmitoylpalmitoleoyl-PC (PC16:0/16:1) together comprise 75–80% of surfactant PC. During alveolarization, which occurs postnatally in the rat, PC16:0/14:0 reversibly increases at the expense of PC16:0/16:0. As lipoproteins modify surfactant metabolism, we postulated an extrapulmonary origin of PC16:0/14:0 enrichment in surfactant. We, therefore, fed rats (d19–26) with trilaurin (C12:0 3 ), trimyristin (C14:0 3 ), tripalmitin (C16:0 3 ), triolein (C18:1 3 ) or trilinolein (C18:2 3 ) vs. carbohydrate diet to assess their effects on surfactant PC composition and surface tension function using a captive bubble surfactometer. Metabolism was assessed with deuterated C12:0 (ω-d 3 -C12:0) and ω-d 3 -C14:0. C14:0 3 increased PC16:0/14:0 in surfactant from 12 ± 1 to 45 ± 3% and decreased PC16:0/16:0 from 47 ± 1 to 29 ± 2%, with no impairment of surface tension function. Combined phospholipase A 2 assay and mass spectrometry revealed that 50% of the PC16:0/14:0 peak comprised its isomer 1-myristoyl-2-palmitoyl-PC (PC14:0/16:0). While C12:0 3 was excluded from incorporation into PC, it increased PC16:0/14:0 as well. C16:0 3 , C18:1 3 , and C18:2 3 had no significant effect on PC16:0/16:0 or PC16:0/14:0. d 3 -C14:0 was enriched in lung PC, either via direct supply or via d 3 -C12:0 elongation. Enrichment of d 3 -C14:0 in surfactant PC contrasted its rapid turnover in plasma and liver PC, where its elongation product d 3 -C16:0 surmounted d 3 -C14:0. In summary, high surfactant PC16:0/14:0 during lung development correlates with C14:0 and C12:0 supply via specific C14:0 enrichment into lung PC. Surfactant that is high in PC16:0/14:0 but low in PC16:0/16:0 is compatible with normal respiration and surfactant function in vitro.
Nitric oxide generation in children with malaria and the NOS2G-954C promoter polymorphism
2010-09-02

Previous epidemiological studies have demonstrated a protective association between the NOS2G-954C (NOS2 Lambaréné ) polymorphism in inducible nitric oxide synthase and severe malaria. The polymorphism is commoner in children with uncomplicated compared with severe malaria. We now show that the likely mechanism for such protection is increased flux of nitrogen from arginine to nitric oxide (NO) during episodes of malaria. Forty-seven boys with uncomplicated malaria received an infusion of 15 N-arginine to measure directly whole body in vivo NO production. The NOS2G-954C genotype previously associated with reduced risk of severe malaria in Gabon was also assessed. Evaluable data were obtained from 40 boys, of whom 6 were NOS2G-954C heterozygotes. Heterozygotes had higher urinary 15 N nitrate enrichments, 2.3 ± 0.6 vs. 1.4 ± 0.5 atoms percent excess ( P = 0.001) and higher ratios of 15 N between urine nitrate and plasma arginine (87 ± 11 vs. 57 ± 18%, P = 0.001) consistent with accelerated NO production. We also derived total NO production rates, combining data with total urine production rate and nitrate concentration; these showed no difference by genotype (0.62 ± 0.36, n = 6 vs. 0.83 ± 0.50 μmol/kg·h, n = 16; P = 0.36), but data were confounded by very high variability in measurements of urine output and nitrate concentrations. This study supports the idea that NOS2 genotype protects against severe malaria by increasing NO production during episodes of uncomplicated malaria.
REVIEW: Curcumin and Alzheimer's Disease
2010-09-03

Curcumin has a long history of use as a traditional remedy and food in Asia. Many studies have reported that curcumin has various beneficial properties, such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antitumor. Because of the reported effects of curcumin on tumors, many clinical trials have been performed to elucidate curcumin's effects on cancers. Recent reports have suggested therapeutic potential of curcumin in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In in vitro studies, curcumin has been reported to inhibit amyloid‐β‐protein (Aβ) aggregation, and Aβ‐induced inflammation, as well as the activities of β‐secretase and acetylcholinesterase. In in vivo studies, oral administration of curcumin has resulted in the inhibition of Aβ deposition, Aβ oligomerization, and tau phosphorylation in the brains of AD animal models, and improvements in behavioral impairment in animal models. These findings suggest that curcumin might be one of the most promising compounds for the development of AD therapies. At present, four clinical trials concerning the effects of curcumin on AD has been conducted. Two of them that were performed in China and USA have been reported no significant differences in changes in cognitive function between placebo and curcumin groups, and no results have been reported from two other clinical studies. Additional trials are necessary to determine the clinical usefulness of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of AD.
Moonstruck Primates: Owl Monkeys (Aotus) Need Moonlight for Nocturnal Activity in Their Natural Environment
2010-09-03

Primates show activity patterns ranging from nocturnality to diurnality, with a few species showing activity both during day and night. Among anthropoids (monkeys, apes and humans), nocturnality is only present in the Central and South American owl monkey genus Aotus. Unlike other tropical Aotus species, the Azara's owl monkeys (A. azarai) of the subtropics have switched their activity pattern from strict nocturnality to one that also includes regular diurnal activity. Harsher climate, food availability, and the lack of predators or diurnal competitors, have all been proposed as factors favoring evolutionary switches in primate activity patterns. However, the observational nature of most field studies has limited an understanding of the mechanisms responsible for this switch in activity patterns. The goal of our study was to evaluate the hypothesis that masking, namely the stimulatory and/or inhibitory/disinhibitory effects of environmental factors on synchronized circadian locomotor activity, is a key determinant of the unusual activity pattern of Azara's owl monkeys. We use continuous long-term (6-18 months) 5-min-binned activity records obtained with actimeter collars fitted to wild owl monkeys (n = 10 individuals) to show that this different pattern results from strong masking of activity by the inhibiting and enhancing effects of ambient luminance and temperature. Conclusive evidence for the direct masking effect of light is provided by data showing that locomotor activity was almost completely inhibited when moonlight was shadowed during three lunar eclipses. Temperature also negatively masked locomotor activity, and this masking was manifested even under optimal light conditions. Our results highlight the importance of the masking of circadian rhythmicity as a determinant of nocturnality in wild owl monkeys and suggest that the stimulatory effects of dim light in nocturnal primates may have been selected as an adaptive response to moonlight. Furthermore, our data indicate that changes in sensitivity to specific environmental stimuli may have been an essential key for evolutionary switches between diurnal and nocturnal habits in primates.
Novel COL4A1 mutations associated with HANAC syndrome: A role for the triple helical CB3[IV] domain
2010-09-03

Abstract The COL4A1 gene encodes the α1‐chain of type IV collagen, which is ubiquitously expressed in basement membranes. Mutations in COL4A1 have been reported in autosomal‐dominant porencephaly and in patients with symptomatic small vessel brain disease, inconstantly associated with eye defects. We have previously reported three COL4A1 mutations associated with a systemic phenotype that we called HANAC (Hereditary Angiopathy, Nephropathy, Aneurysms, and Cramps). We carried out a clinical and genetic study of three families presenting with characteristic features of HANAC syndrome. Common systemic signs included arterial retinal tortuosity and muscle cramps, with a variable combination of small vessel brain disease, Raynaud phenomena, and kidney defects. Three novel COL4A1 missense substitutions are described, which affect highly conserved glycine residues within the collagenous domain of the protein. All six known mutations associated with the HANAC phenotype are localized within the CB3[IV] fragment of COL4A1, which encompasses major integrin‐binding sites. Our results confirm that HANAC syndrome is a distinct clinical entity within the COL4A1 ‐related disorders, which is characterized by systemic involvement and usually asymptomatic brain disease. The restricted distribution of COL4A1 mutations within the CB3[IV] region is a characteristic of the reports of patients with HANAC, which suggests that abnormal cell‐type IV collagen interactions may underlie the systemic defects observed in this syndrome. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complex hyperkinetic movement disorders associated with POLG mutations
2010-09-03

Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
Immunocytochemical and immunoelectron microscopic demonstration of cathepsin B in human malignant melanoma
2010-09-06

Proteases are known to enhance the spread of tumour cells. Possible sources of these proteases are the tumour cells themselves or fibroblasts in the tumour tissue. Immunological staining with anticathepsin B antibody indicates that the subcellular distribution of cathepsin B in tumour cell lines differs from that in normal liver. The aims of this study were: (i) to show whether different types of melanoma differ in their production of cathepsin B; (ii) to identify the cathepsin B-producing cells; and (iii) to determine the subcellular distribution of cathepsin B in melanoma cells. All types of melanomas contained cell regions stained with anticathepsin B antibody. The intensity of the stain and the number of cells reacting with anticathepsin B antibody depended on the size of the tumour but not on the type of melanoma. Epithelioid cells stained more intensely with anticathepsin B antibody than spindle-shaped cells. Cells staining with anticathepsin B antibody were almost exclusively tumour cells. Anticathepsin B stain was located mainly in vesicular structures which did not contain a filamentous matrix. Additional anticathepsin B stain was detected at the extracellular spaces. Hypomelanotic melanoma cells, mainly of the epithelioid type, produced most of the cathepsin B. Cathepsin B may be involved in both the degradation of possibly abnormal melanosomes and the focal degradation of the extracellular matrix.
Autoimmune Neuromuscular Transmission Disorders
2010-09-06

This chapter contains sections titled: Background and objectives Materials and methods Myasthenia gravis (MG) Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) Neuromyotonia (peripheral nerve hyperexcitability)/Isaacs' syndrome References
Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary (Idiopathic) Dystonia
2010-09-06

This chapter contains sections titled: Objectives Background Search strategy Method for reaching consensus Results Medical treatments Neurosurgical procedures Physical therapy and rehabilitation References
Strong Detrimental Effect of a Minute Enantiomeric Impurity of a Chiral Selector on the Enantioselectivity Factor
2010-09-06

Sauber genug? Je enantioselektiver ein chiraler Selektor ist, desto empfindlicher ist er auch gegen Verunreinigungen durch das andere Enantiomer. Aus diesem Grund hängt der Enantiomerentrennfaktor α von der Enantiomerenreinheit des chiralen Selektors ab (siehe Bild).
Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein homologues from Arabidopsis underlie regulatory circuits based on alternative splicing and downstream control
2010-09-07

Alternative splicing (AS) of precursor mRNAs is a widespread phenomenon in plants; however, many questions, especially regarding its regulation and functional implications, remain to be elucidated. In vertebrates, polypyrimidine tract-binding proteins (PTBs) have been identified as key splicing factors influencing splice site selection and orchestrating coordinated splicing programmes during developmental processes. Here, we analysed three PTB homologues from Arabidopsis thaliana and provide evidence for their gene regulatory potential based on AS and a splicing-independent mechanism. Our data reveal that Arabidopsis PTB homologues are subject to extensive auto- and cross-regulation via AS-coupled nonsense-mediated decay, thereby establishing a basis for interlinking their expression. Furthermore, the multiple modes of action of Arabidopsis PTB homologues are reflected in their subcellular localization in the nucleus, cytosol and processing bodies. This work provides insight into the regulation of AS in plants and highlights the regulatory potential of the multifunctional plant PTB homologues, which might have important implications in diverse biological processes.
Wound fluid lactate concentration: a helpful marker for diagnosing soft‐tissue infection in diabetic foot ulcers? Preliminary findings
2010-09-07

Diabet. Med. 28, 175–178 (2011) Abstract Aims To investigate the impact of wound fluid lactate concentration on diagnosing soft‐tissue infection in diabetic foot ulcers. Methods Lactate concentration in wound fluid obtained from diabetic foot ulcers was determined using a lactate analyser and compared with clinical examination findings. Results Overall median wound fluid lactate concentration was 21.03 m m (5.58–80.40 m m ). Wound lactate levels were significantly higher in infected compared with non‐infected diabetic foot ulcers ( P = 0.001). Non‐infected diabetic foot ulcers that healed within 6 months of treatment showed a significantly lower wound fluid lactate concentration at baseline as opposed to those that did not heal ( P = 0.007). Conclusions Non‐healing diabetic foot ulcers are characterized by high wound fluid lactate levels. Assessment of wound fluid lactate concentration might be helpful for confirming the suspicion of soft tissue infection, particularly when clinical signs are atypical.
Two-photon decay of heavy hadron molecules
2010-09-08

We discuss the two-photon decay width of heavy hadron molecules and study the\\ndependence on the constituent meson masses and on the binding energy. In\\naddition finite size effects due to the extended structure of the bound state\\nare shown to have a strong influence on the predictions for this decay width.\\n
Demographic Factors and the Presence of Comorbidities do not Promote Early Detection of Cushing's Disease and Acromegaly
2010-09-08

Apparently, patient-related factors do not affect the time-to-diagnosis interval, but rather the change of the primary health care provider. Knowledge of the disease among physicians is prerequisite to early detection. Due to the deleterious sequelae of delayed diagnosis, information programmes in the medical community are of paramount importance. Institution of screening programmes should be evaluated.
Quantitative Analysis of Adipose Tissue in Single Transverse Slices for Estimation of Volumes of Relevant Fat Tissue Compartments
2010-09-09

Axial MRI at the umbilical level allowed for a fast and reliable estimation, especially for VAT and TAT in a collective at risk for type 2 diabetes. WHR and BMI were found clearly worse in prediction of VAT volumes compared with single slice evaluation at the umbilical level.
Non-abelian Reciprocity Laws on a Riemann Surface
2010-09-09

On a Riemann surface there are relations among the periods of holomorphic differential forms, called Riemann's relations. If one looks carefully in Riemann's proof, one notices that he uses iterated integrals. What I have done in this paper is to generalize these relations to relations among generating series of iterated integrals. Since the main result is formulated in terms of generating series, it gives infinitely many relations - one for each coefficient of the generating series. The lower order terms give the well known classical relations. The new result is reciprocity for the higher degree terms, which give non-trivial relations among iterated integrals on a Riemann surface. As an application we refine the definition of Manin's noncommutative modular symbol in order to include Eisenstein series. Finally, we have to point out that this paper contains some constructions needed for multidimensional reciprocity laws like a refinement of one of the Kato-Parshin reciprocity laws.
Source levels of echolocation signals vary in correlation with wingbeat cycle in landing big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)
2010-09-10

SUMMARY Recordings of the echolocation signals of landing big brown bats with a two-dimensional 16-microphone array revealed that the source level reduction of 7 dB per halving of distance is superimposed by a variation of up to 12 dB within single call groups emitted during the approach. This variation correlates with the wingbeat cycle. The timing of call emission correlates with call group size. First pulses of groups containing many calls are emitted earlier than first calls in groups with fewer calls or single calls. This suggests that the emission of pulse groups follows a fixed motor pattern where the information gained from the preceding pulse group determines how many calls will be emitted in the next group. Single calls and call groups are centred at the middle of the upstroke. Expiration is indicated by call emission. The pause between groups is centred at the middle of the downstroke and indicates inspiration. The hypothesis that the source level variation could be caused by changes in the subglottic pressure due to the contraction of the major flight muscles is discussed.
Amyloid-β Peptides in Plasma and Cognitive Decline After 1 Year Follow-Up in Alzheimer's Disease Patients
2010-09-10

Plasma levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides are potential biomarkers of early cognitive impairment and of Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. However, the association of Aβ peptides with the rate of cognitive decline in AD patients is still unclear. In the present study we demonstrate that Aβ1−42 plasma levels show a significant correlation with the rate of cognitive decline and are significantly increased in AD patients with fast cognitive decline (decrease of Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 5/year; n = 12) compared to AD patients with slow cognitive decline (decrease of MMSE score ≤ 4/year; n = 28), independent of baseline MMSE scores, age and cholinesterase inhibitor intake, but dependent on history of myocardial infarction and history of stroke in a multivariate analysis. These results suggest that Aβ1−42 plasma levels are associated with the rate of cognitive decline in AD patients and may be influenced by atherosclerotic vasculopathies such as stroke and myocardial infarction.