The cientificWorldJOURNAL Research Article Effect of Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Naming Abilities in Early-Stroke Aphasic Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Sham-Controlled Study

Background and Purpose. Functional brain imaging studies with aphasia patients have shown increased cortical activation in the right hemisphere language homologues, which hypothetically may represent a maladaptive strategy that interferes with aphasia recovery. The aim of this study was to investigate whether low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the Broca's homologues in combination with speech/language therapy improves naming in early-stroke aphasia patients. Methods. 26 right-handed aphasic patients in the early stage (up to 12 weeks) of a first-ever left hemisphere ischemic stroke were randomized to receive speech and language therapy combined with real or sham rTMS. Prior to each 45-minute therapeutic session (15 sessions, 5 days a week), 30 minutes of 1-Hz rTMS was applied. Outcome measures were obtained at baseline, immediately after 3 weeks of experimental treatment and 15 weeks; posttreatment using the Computerized Picture Naming Test. Results. Although both groups significantly improved their naming abilities after treatment, no significant differences were noted between the rTMS and sham stimulation groups. The additional analyses have revealed that the rTMS subgroup with a lesion including the anterior part of language area showed greater improvement primarily in naming reaction time 15 weeks after completion of the therapeutic treatment. Improvement was also demonstrated in functional communication abilities. Conclusions. Inhibitory rTMS of the unaffected right inferior frontal gyrus area in combination with speech and language therapy cannot be assumed as an effective method for all poststroke aphasia patients. The treatment seems to be beneficial for patients with frontal language area damage, mostly in the distant time after finishing rTMS procedure

Realistic Equations of State for the Primeval Universe

Early universe equations of state including realistic interactions between constituents are built up. Under certain reasonable assumptions, these equations are able to generate an inflationary regime prior to the nucleosynthesis period. The resulting accelerated expansion is intense enough to solve the flatness and horizon problems. In the cases of curvature parameter \kappa equal to 0 or +1, the model is able to avoid the initial singularity and offers a natural explanation for why the universe is in expansion.Comment: 32 pages, 5 figures. Citations added in this version. Accepted EPJ

Relativistic Effects in the Scalar Meson Dynamics

A separable potential formalism is used to describe the $\pi\pi$ and $K\overline{K}$ interactions in the scalar-isoscalar states in the energy range from the $\pi\pi$ threshold up to 1.4 GeV. Introduction of relativistic propagators into a system of Lippmann-Schwinger equations leads to a very good description of the data ($\chi^{2}=0.93$ per one degree of freedom). Three poles are found in this energy region: fo(500) ($M=506\pm 10$ MeV, $\Gamma=494\pm 5$ MeV), fo(975) ($M=973\pm 2$ MeV, $\Gamma=29\pm 2$ MeV) and fo(1400) ($M=1430\pm 5$ MeV, $\Gamma=145\pm 25$ MeV). The fo(975) state can be interpreted as a $K\overline{K}$ bound state. The fo(500) state may be associated with the often postulated very broad scalar resonance under the $K\overline{K}$ threshold (sometimes called $\sigma$ or $\epsilon$ meson). The scattering lengths in the $\pi\pi$ and $K\overline{K}$ channels have also been obtained. The relativistic approach provides qualitatively new results (e.g. the appearance of the fo(500)) in comparison with previously used nonrelativistic approach.Comment: 30 pages in LaTeX + 5 figures available on request. Preprint Orsay No IPNO/TH 93-3

The Jumonji-C oxygenase JMJD7 catalyzes (3S)-lysyl hydroxylation of TRAFAC GTPases

Biochemical, structural and cellular studies reveal Jumonji-C (JmjC) domain-containing 7 (JMJD7) to be a 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenase that catalyzes (3S)-lysyl hydroxylation. Crystallographic analyses reveal JMJD7 to be more closely related to the JmjC hydroxylases than to the JmjC demethylases. Biophysical and mutation studies show that JMJD7 has a unique dimerization mode, with interactions between monomers involving both N- and C-terminal regions and disulfide bond formation. A proteomic approach identifies two related members of the translation factor (TRAFAC) family of GTPases, developmentally regulated GTP-binding proteins 1 and 2 (DRG1/2), as activity-dependent JMJD7 interactors. Mass spectrometric analyses demonstrate that JMJD7 catalyzes Fe(ii)- and 2OG-dependent hydroxylation of a highly conserved lysine residue in DRG1/2; amino-acid analyses reveal that JMJD7 catalyzes (3S)-lysyl hydroxylation. The functional assignment of JMJD7 will enable future studies to define the role of DRG hydroxylation in cell growth and disease.Fil: Markolovic, Suzana. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Zhuang, Qinqin. University Of Birmingham; Reino UnidoFil: Wilkins, Sarah E.. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Eaton, Charlotte D.. University Of Birmingham; Reino UnidoFil: Abboud, Martine I.. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Katz, Maximiliano Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: McNeil, Helen E.. University Of Birmingham; Reino UnidoFil: Leśniak, Robert K.. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Hall, Charlotte. University Of Birmingham; Reino UnidoFil: Struwe, Weston B.. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Konietzny, Rebecca. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Davis, Simon. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Yang, Ming. The Francis Crick Institute; Reino Unido. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Ge, Wei. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Benesch, Justin L. P.. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Kessler, Benedikt M.. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Ratcliffe, Peter J.. University of Oxford; Reino Unido. The Francis Crick Institute; Reino UnidoFil: Cockman, Matthew E.. The Francis Crick Institute; Reino Unido. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Fischer, Roman. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Wappner, Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Chowdhury, Rasheduzzaman. University of Stanford; Estados Unidos. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Coleman, Mathew L.. University Of Birmingham; Reino UnidoFil: Schofield, Christopher J.. University of Oxford; Reino Unid

Identification of Novel Molecular Targets for Endometrial Cancer Using a Drill-Down LC-MS/MS Approach with iTRAQ

BACKGROUND: The number of patients with endometrial carcinoma (EmCa) with advanced stage or high histological grade is increasing and prognosis has not improved for over the last decade. There is an urgent need for the discovery of novel molecular targets for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of EmCa, which will have the potential to improve the clinical strategy and outcome of this disease. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: We used a "drill-down" proteomics approach to facilitate the identification of novel molecular targets for diagnosis, prognosis and/or therapeutic intervention for EmCa. Based on peptide ions identified and their retention times in the first LC-MS/MS analysis, an exclusion list was generated for subsequent iterations. A total of 1529 proteins have been identified below the Proteinpilot® 5% error threshold from the seven sets of iTRAQ experiments performed. On average, the second iteration added 78% new peptides to those identified after the first run, while the third iteration added 36% additional peptides. Of the 1529 proteins identified, only 40 satisfied our criteria for significant differential expression in EmCa in comparison to normal proliferative tissues. These proteins included metabolic enzymes (pyruvate kinase M2 and lactate dehydrogenase A); calcium binding proteins (S100A6, calcyphosine and calumenin), and proteins involved in regulating inflammation, proliferation and invasion (annexin A1, interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3, alpha-1-antitrypsin, macrophage capping protein and cathepsin B). Network analyses revealed regulation of these molecular targets by c-myc, Her2/neu and TNF alpha, suggesting intervention with these pathways may be a promising strategy for the development of novel molecular targeted therapies for EmCa. CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses revealed the significance of drill-down proteomics approach in combination with iTRAQ to overcome some of the limitations of current proteomics strategies. This study led to the identification of a number of novel molecular targets having therapeutic potential for targeted molecular therapies for endometrial carcinoma

Influence of mitochondrial genome rearrangement on cucumber leaf carbon and nitrogen metabolism

The MSC16 cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) mitochondrial mutant was used to study the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction and disturbed subcellular redox state on leaf day/night carbon and nitrogen metabolism. We have shown that the mitochondrial dysfunction in MSC16 plants had no effect on photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, but the concentration of soluble carbohydrates and starch was higher in leaves of MSC16 plants. Impaired mitochondrial respiratory chain activity was associated with the perturbation of mitochondrial TCA cycle manifested, e.g., by lowered decarboxylation rate. Mitochondrial dysfunction in MSC16 plants had different influence on leaf cell metabolism under dark or light conditions. In the dark, when the main mitochondrial function is the energy production, the altered activity of TCA cycle in mutated plants was connected with the accumulation of pyruvate and TCA cycle intermediates (citrate and 2-OG). In the light, when TCA activity is needed for synthesis of carbon skeletons required as the acceptors for NH4+ assimilation, the concentration of pyruvate and TCA intermediates was tightly coupled with nitrate metabolism. Enhanced incorporation of ammonium group into amino acids structures in mutated plants has resulted in decreased concentration of organic acids and accumulation of Glu

Radar image processing using Permanent Scatterers Technique

W artykule opisano wdrażana obecnie na świecie technikę przetwarzania obrazów radarowych: PSInSAR. Polega ona na wykorzystaniu dużej liczby zobrazowań typu SAR w celu detekcji powolnych przemieszczeń punktów PS. Punkty te to tzw. stabilne rozpraszacze, odpowiadające takim obiektom terenu jak budynki, mosty, wiadukty, wychodnie skał itp.. Przetwarzanie długich serii obserwacyjnych umożliwiło eliminacje niektórych ograniczeń klasycznej interferometrii radarowej InSAR. W artykule przedstawiono główne etapy standardowej analizy SPSA oraz założenia analizy zaawansowanej APSA. W pracy poruszony został temat wzbogacenia zbioru punktów PS o punkty, które zachowują się jak stabilne rozpraszacze tylko na ograniczonej liczbie obrazów radarowych, czyli tzw. punkty SPS i TPS. W artykule wymieniono i opisano zarówno zalety jak i ograniczenia techniki PSInSAR.In this paper the PSInSAR technique has been described. PSInSAR is a new method for radar image processing. It exploits large sets of radar images in order to detect small ground displacements of PS points. PS points are time-coherent radar targets. They correspond to structures such as buildings, bridges, viaducts, outcrops etc. PSInSAR overcomes some limitations of repeat pass InSAR. In this article, the main stages of the SPSA have been presented along with the general principles of APSA. This paper also covers similar information about the SPS and TPS points acting as coherent points only on limited number of radar images. The advantages and disadvantages of the PSInSAR technique have been specified and described

Detection of the vertical ground displacements in mining areas using PSInSAR radar satelite interferometry

Tematem badan przedstawionych w artykule jest detekcja pionowych przemieszczeń terenu w północno-wschodniej części Górnośląskiego Zagłębia Węglowego z wykorzystaniem danych satelitarnej interferometrii radarowej w odmianie PSInSAR. Wykorzystano w tym celu wszystkie satelitarne obrazy radarowe zarejestrowane na tym obszarze z pokładów satelitów ESA w latach 1992-2003. Technika PSInSAR pozwala na wykrywanie małych pionowych przemieszczeń pojedynczych punktów odbijających. Technika ta umożliwia rejestracje przemieszczeń rzędu 0.5 mm/rok obiektów o małych wymiarach przestrzennych takich jak dachy budynków, rurociągi, mosty. Tak małe ruchy mogą być wynikiem regionalnych tektonicznych ruchów izostatycznych lub mogą być spowodowane prowadzona na tym terenie działalności górnicza. Analiza osiadań na terenie Zagłębia Dąbrowskiego została wykonana z zastosowaniem metod geostatystycznych. Metody te wykorzystują semiwariogram, który opisuje zróżnicowanie danych w zależności od ich wzajemnej odległości i wzajemnej orientacji przestrzennej. Wynik analizy geostatystycznej danych PSInSAR nie potwierdził zależności pomiędzy tempem osiadań gruntu a prowadzonymi pracami górniczymi. Analiza ta wykazała jednak związek pomiędzy osiadaniami a rozmieszczeniem uskoków na tym obszarze. Największe osiadania zostały wykryte w skrzydłach zrzuconych uskoków i blisko stref przeciec linii uskokowych.Detection of the vertical ground displacements in mining areas using PSInSAR (Permanent Scatterer Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry) data in a northern-eastern part of Upper Silesia Coal Basin is presented in the paper. PSInSAR technique improves the ability to determine small-scale displacements of individual features (scatterers) on the surface. It uses radar images collected over the target area by a SAR satellite between 1992 and 2003. Using the PSInSAR method, we can resolve surface motions at a level of 0.5 mm/year, and resolve very small-scale features, including motions of individual targets such as roofs, pipelines, bridges. These small movements might result from regional isostatic movements of Upper Silesia region and/or the subsiding caused by mining activity. Analysis of subsiding values in Dabrowskie Coal Basin mining area has been performed using geostatistic methods. These methods use the semivariogram function, which describes dissimilarity between the parameter values, depending on the distance between places, where it was measured and the mutual orientation. Results obtained from geostatistical analysis of PSInSAR data do not indicate the dependency between values of ground motion and mining areas locations. In contrary, the subsiding revealed by PSInSAR technique distinctly indicates a correlation with faults system. It was shown that the greatest values of ground settlements occur in the downthrown blocks and near zones, at the crossing point of the faults lines