bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual Morality at the Egyptian Bar: Female Circumcision, Sex Change Operations, and Motives For Suing
Authors: Dupret Baudouin
Published: July 2002

This essay focuses on the ways in which social actors produce morality and moral boundaries within the framework of Egyptian tribunals. I first examine how public and sexual morality emerge as topics and are treated in the legal and judicial arena. After summarizing three Egyptian cases dealing with sex-change operations and female circumcision, I attempt to deduce some of the motivations—egoistic, ethical, and political—that impel actors to use the judiciary. I argue that legal rules interact with moral principles within the judge's work and that many standards, including that of Islamic normativity, emerge in the course of the adjudicative process. It is up to professional jurists to interpret the content of these moral principles, and, as a result, legal actors have the final word with regard to their definition and implementation.
DE QUINCEY, LANDSCAPE, AND SPIRITUAL HISTORY
Authors: Whale John
Published: July 2002

De Quincey's writings contain 'reveries' that extend a Wordsworthian response to landscape and combine a sense of the infinite with a recognition of earthly labours. In the context of his troubled orientalism—in his articles 'Ceylon', 'The Kalmuck Tartars', and 'Russia in 1812', for example—his representation of landscape reveals a disturbed mixture of history and Christianity. His militant vision of civilisation secured by the apocalyptic battle of Waterloo is questioned by his construction of 'Eastern' Others and his powerful recognition of mortality. This pervasive sense of doubt also haunts his handling of 'The Apparition of the Brocken' and the vision of England put forward in 'The English Mail-Coach'.
Variation in age and size among breeding populations at different altitudes in the Japanese newts, Cynops pyrrhogaster
Authors: Ochi Osamu , Marunouchi Junsuke , Ueda Hiroaki
Published: July 2002

The age distribution of Cynops pyrrhogaster was studied by skeletochronology on 12 breeding populations inhabiting altitudes ranging from 120 m to 1140 m on Shikoku Island, Japan. In populations inhabiting altitudes 500 m or less, the mean SVL were smaller than in those that lived at higher altitudes. In populations inhabiting altitudes less than 500 m, minimum age at maturation was three years. In populations inhabiting altitudes of 500 m or more, the minimum age at maturation was four to seven years. The number of testes lobes was influenced by age and body size and was variable among populations.
VIGILANCE IN BRONZE MANNIKIN GROUPS: THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PREDATION RISK AND INTRA-GROUP COMPETITION
Authors: Slotow Rob , Coumi Nicola
Published: July 2002

We describe foraging behaviour and time budgets of the gregarious bronze mannikin, Lonchura cucullata. In addition to being the first such study of a southern African granivore, this was the first study of a group-forager to differentiate between vigilance for other flock members (conspecifics) and vigilance for predators. We verified a perception of predation risk by placing five feeders at increasing distances from cover. The mean number of birds at a feeder decreased significantly with increasing distance from cover. We manipulated levels of aggression by restricting access to random numbers of feeding holes at various distances. The treatments succeeded in forcing birds to feed further from cover, and by inference, increased levels of aggression. We measured time budgets with focal samples on marked individuals. There was no influence of group size on time budgets. There was a non-significant (p < 0.06) trend for vigilance to increase with increasing distance from cover (predation risk). There was no pattern in the relative vigilance for predators as opposed to vigilance for other flock members (conspecifics), either with group size, distance from cover, or manipulated levels of aggression. Despite our inability to detect patterns of vigilance for other flock members, we emphasize the importance of studies to elucidate such a process.
SPECIES-SPECIFIC PATTERNS OF REFUGE USE IN FISH: THE ROLE OF METABOLIC EXPENDITURE AND BODY LENGTH
Authors: Krause Jens , Cheng David , Kirkman Emma , Ruxton Graeme
Published: July 2002

Being in a refuge has benefits in terms of predator avoidance and costs in terms of lost feeding opportunities. We investigated how the relative importance of these costs and benefits changes with increasing body length in two sympatric fish species, the minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus, and the stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, which differ in their morphological anti-predator adaptations. Minnows were slower to emerge after taking refuge than sticklebacks, and spent less time outside it, which is consistent with the idea that minnows, which lack the morphological defences (such as spines) of sticklebacks, are more cautious of predators than the latter. Food-deprivation experiments indicated that the costs of missed feeding opportunities in terms of relative weight loss were lower for minnows than sticklebacks. Therefore hiding in a refuge comes at a lower metabolic cost for minnows than sticklebacks. Both species reduced their hiding time when food deprived and increased it following a predation threat. Furthermore, they both showed a strong trend for longer hiding periods and shorter exploration times outside the refuge with increasing body length. Our results suggest that in sticklebacks the body length-dependence of hiding times was a result of perceived predation risks being constant with increasing body length whereas relative weight losses decreased. Thus larger fish could metabolically afford to be more cautious. In minnows, both the predation risk and metabolic expenditure decreased with increasing body length suggesting that the longer hiding times in larger fish represented a trade-off between the two factors.
WITHIN-COLONY RELATEDNESS IN A TERMITE SPECIES: GENETIC ROADS TO EUSOCIALITY?
Authors: Husseneder  , Brandl  , Epplen  , Epplen J.T. , Kaib
Published: July 2002

Hamilton's theory predicts that relatedness asymmetries, with higher relatedness between alloparents and brood than between parents and brood, favour the evolution of eusociality. The haplodiploid reproductive system of the social Hymenoptera does indeed produce relatedness asymmetries, but the diplodiploid system of the eusocial Isoptera does not automatically do so. Three mechanisms that might favour relatedness asymmetries, and therefore eusociality, in termites have been extensively debated: First, substantial inbreeding generates the background for effective kin-selection. Second, inbreeding-outbreeding cycles within and between colonies cause a higher relatedness between individuals of the same generation than between them and their potential offspring. This would be analogous to the haplodiploid system. Third, translocation complexes of sex-linked chromosomes may generate higher relatedness within sexes than between sexes, again analogous to the haplodiploid system. We tested these three hypotheses for the African termite Schedorhinotermes lamanianus (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) using estimates of within-colony relatedness derived by multilocus DNA fingerprinting with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe. We found little support for any of the three hypotheses. We observed inbreeding to occur only during one or a few generations within colonies, which is unlikely to be an operational basis for ongoing kin-selection. Overall, we conclude that ecological factors and constraints must be considered a major selective force.
Lost in worm space: phylogeny and morphology as road maps to nematode diversity
Authors: Ley Paul De
Published: July 2002

The taxonomic impediment in nematology is expanding rather than receding: in the past decade estimates of nematode species richness have increased by several orders of magnitude, while the number of active nematode taxonomists has continued to decline steadily. In order to survive as a discipline in the new century, nematode taxonomy will therefore have to i) prioritise taxa that are relevant to other scientific investigations, ii) provide identification and classification tools that are easily applicable by nonspecialists, and iii) focus on revealing patterns of relatedness rather than on compiling exhaustive catalogues of species, since the latter will never remotely reach completion. Traditional morphological studies based on light microscopy do not meet these needs because they provide insufficient character resolution and require too much specialist knowledge. Phylogenetic approaches are more promising, especially when incorporating molecular sequence data as well as other non-traditional character suites. En nématologie, les obstacles taxinomiques sont en accroissement plutôt qu’en recul: pendant la dernière décennie, les estimations relative à la diversité en espèces ont été accrues par plusieurs ordre de grandeur tandis que le nombre de taxinomistes a continué à décroître régulièrement. Pour se maintenir en tant que discipline au cours du nouveau siècle, la taxinomie nématologique devra donc i) donner priorité à des taxons en relation directe avec d’autres recherches scientifiques, ii) produire des instruments d’identification et de classification plus accessibles aux non-spécialistes, et iii) se concentrer sur la découverte de relations d’affinité plutôt que sur la compilation de catalogues d’espèces lesquels n’atteindront jamais l’exhaustivité. Les études morphologiques traditionnelles basées sur la microscopie optique ne peuvent répondre à ces besoins du fait qu’elles n’ont pas une résolution suffisante pour les caractères et qu’elles requièrent trop de connaissances spécialisées. Les approches phylogénétiques sont plus prometteuses, spécialement lorsqu’elles sont basées sur des séquences moléculaires et d’autres séries de caractères non-traditionnels.
Phylogeny of Bursaphelenchus species derived from analysis of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer DNA sequences
Authors: Beckenbach Karen , Blaxter Mark , Webster John M.
Published: July 2002

Bursaphelenchus species can cause serious economic damage to pine forestry,
and are widely distributed across the globe. The genetic structure of the B.
mucronatus-B. xylophilus species group was investigated using sequences of
the internal transcribed spacers of the ribosomal RNA gene repeat as a
marker. Analysis of the ITS from 11 Bursaphelenchus isolates, using
Aphelenchoides rhytium as an outgroup, supports the perception that the two
species are distinct genetic entities. Significant divergence was however
found within each species. ITS sequence analysis does not support a
separation of European and Japanese B. mucronatus into distinct
species-level taxa. Phylogenie des especes de Bursaphelenchus issue d'une
analyse des sequences du DNA ribosomique de l'espaceur interne transcrit -
Les especes de Bursaphelenchus peuvent provoquer de serieux degats aux
cultures de pins et sont largement reparties dans le monde. La structure
genetique des especes du groupe B.mucronatus-B. xylophilus a ete etudiee en
utilisant comme marqueur des sequences repetees de l'espaceur interne
transcrit du gene de l'ARN ribosomique. L'analyse des ITS de 11 isolats de
Bursaphelenchus, en utilisant Aphelenchoides rhytium comme un extra-groupe,
conforte l'idee que les deux especes sont des entites genetiques distinctes.
Une divergence significative a cependant ete trouvee a l'interieur de chaque
especes. L'analyse des sequences des ITS n'accredite pas la separation des
B. mucronatus europeen et japonais en deux especes distinctes.
Order-disorder in clay mineral structures
Authors: Plançon A.
Published: July 2002

Some recent works dealing with the concept of order-disorder in clay minerals are considered, including those aspects of order-disorder which appeared in the Brindley & Brown (1980) monograph, i.e. disorder in the distribution of cations, disorder in layer stacking, orderdisorder in mixed-layer systems and finite crystal size as a lattice disorder. Heterogeneity of samples and polymorphous transformations are also considered as other types of disorder. Most of these works emphasize that accurate structural characterization can only be obtained if several techniques are combined (e.g. XRD and IR, EXAFS and Mo¨ssbauer spectroscopies, etc.). Another conclusion is that accurate structural determination provides the key to the genesis of clays.
Total scattering studies of silica polymorphs: similarities in glass and disordered crystalline local structure
Authors: Keen D. A. , Dove M. T.
Published: July 2002

The structure of amorphous silica has frequently been compared with its crystalline counterparts in an attempt to understand the glass structure beyond short-range correlations. This paper presents results from neutron total scattering measurements of several polymorphs of silica and shows how these can be used to make a direct, quantitative comparison of amorphous and crystalline forms. It is found that the glass is similar to HP-tridymite and β-cristobalite, both dynamically-disordered crystalline phases of silica, but only out to distances ∼7.5 Å, beyond which the structures diverge. This is too small to validate a microcrystallite theory of glass structure. It is the average 180° Si–O–Si linkage in these two crystalline phases which gives them the flexibility for their instantaneous disordered structure to resemble the quenched (static) glass structure.
Activation of caspase-8 in drug-induced apoptosis of B-lymphoid cells is independent of CD95/Fas receptor-ligand interaction and occurs downstream of caspase-3
Authors: Wieder Thomas , Essmann Frank , Prokop Aram , Schmelz Karin , Schulze-Osthoff Klaus , Beyaert Rudi , Dörken Bernd , Daniel Peter T.
Published: July 2002

The activation of caspase-8, a crucial upstream mediator of death receptor signaling, was investigated in epirubicin- and Taxol-induced apoptosis of B-lymphoma cells. This study was performed because the CD95/Fas receptor-ligand interaction, recruitment of the Fas-associated death domain (FADD) adaptor protein, and subsequent activation of procaspase-8 have been implicated in the execution of drug-induced apoptosis in other cell types. Indeed, active caspase-8 was readily detected after treatment of mature and immature B-lymphoid cells with epirubicin or Taxol. However, neither constitutive nor drug-induced expression of the CD95/Fas ligand was detectable in B-lymphoma cells. Furthermore, overexpression of a dominant-negative FADD mutant (FADDdn) did not block caspase-8 processing and subsequent DNA fragmentation, indicating that drug-induced caspase-8 activation was mediated by a CD95/Fas-independent mechanism. Instead, caspase-8 cleavage was slightly preceded by activation of caspase-3, suggesting that drug-induced caspase-8 activation in B-lymphoma cells is a downstream event mediated by other caspases. This assumption was confirmed in 2 experimental systems—zDEVD-fmk, a cell-permeable inhibitor of caspase-3–like activity, blocked drug-induced caspase-8 cleavage, and depletion of caspase-3 from cell extracts impaired caspase-8 cleavage after in vitro activation with dATP and cytochrome c. Thus, these data indicate that drug-induced caspase-8 activation in B-lymphoma cells is independent of death receptor signaling and is mediated by postmitochondrial caspase-3 activation.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 regulation of interleukin-10 in B-cell differentiation and lymphomagenesis
Authors: Guedez Liliana , Mansoor Adnan , Birkedal-Hansen Bente , Lim Megan S. , Fukushima Paula , Venzon David , Stetler-Stevenson William G. , Stetler-Stevenson Maryalice
Published: July 2002

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), first described as specific inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases, have recently been shown to exert growth factor activities. It was previously demonstrated that TIMP-1 inhibits apoptosis in germinal center B cells and induces further differentiation. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is reported as a vital factor for the differentiation and survival of germinal center B cells and is also a negative prognostic factor in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, the mechanism of IL-10 activity in B cells and the regulation of its expression are not well understood. IL-10 has been shown to up-regulate TIMP-1 in tissue macrophages, monocytes, and prostate cancer cell lines, but IL-10 modulation of TIMP-1 in B cells and the effect of TIMP-1 on IL-10 expression has not been previously studied. It was found that TIMP-1 expression regulates IL-10 levels in B cells and that TIMP-1 mediates specific B-cell differentiation steps. TIMP-1 inhibition of apoptosis is not IL-10 dependent. TIMP-1 expression in B-cell NHL correlates closely with IL-10 expression and with high histologic grade. Thus, TIMP-1 regulates IL-10 expression in B-cell NHL and, through the inhibition of apoptosis, appears responsible for the negative prognosis associated with IL-10 expression in these tumors.
Regulation of the nuclear proteasome activity in myelomonocytic human leukemia cells after adriamycin treatment
Authors: Ciftci Özlem , Ullrich Oliver , Schmidt Christian A. , Diestel Antje , Hass Ralf
Published: July 2002

Treatment of different human leukemia cell variants with the anthracycline adriamycin was associated with a rapid activation of the proteasome. Thus, proliferating U937, TUR, and retrodifferentiated U937 cells exhibited a 4.3-fold, 5.8-fold, and 4.3-fold proteasome activation within 15 minutes after adriamycin treatment, respectively. In contrast, little if any proteasome activation was detectable in a growth-arrested differentiated U937 population following adriamycin treatment. Further analysis of this mechanism revealed a significant reduction of adriamycin-induced proteasome activity after inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) by 3-aminobenzamide (3-ABA) in the proliferating leukemic cell types. These findings suggested that PARP is involved in the regulation of drug-induced proteasome activation. Indeed, anti-PARP immunoprecipitation experiments of adriamycin-treated cells revealed increasing levels of coprecipitated, enzymatically active proteasome particularly in the proliferating cell variants in contrast to the differentiated U937 cells, with a maximum after 15 minutes, and sensitivity to PARP inhibition by 3-ABA. The specific role of the PARP was investigated in U937 and TUR cell clones stably transfected with a constitutively active antisense PARP (asPARP) vector. Thus, asPARP-TUR cells developed a 25-fold increased sensitivity to adriamycin treatment. Furthermore, we investigated leukemic blasts isolated from acute myelogenous leukemia patients and obtained a similarly enhanced proteasome activity after adriamycin treatment, which was dependent on the PARP and thus could be coprecipitated with anti-PARP antibodies. Transient transfection of leukemic blasts with the asPARP vector significantly reduced the adriamycin-induced proteasome activation. These data suggest that the PARP-associated nuclear proteasome activation represents a potential target within chemotherapeutic defense mechanisms developed by leukemia cells.
Thoracic positron emission tomography using18F-fluorodeoxyglucose for the evaluation of residual mediastinal Hodgkin disease
Authors: Weihrauch Martin R. , Re Daniel , Scheidhauer Klemens , Ansén Sascha , Dietlein Markus , Bischoff Stefanie , Bohlen Heribert , Wolf Jürgen , Schicha Harald , Diehl Volker , Tesch Hans
Published: July 2002

Residual mediastinal masses are frequently observed in patients with Hodgkin disease (HD) after completed therapy, and the discrimination between active tumor tissue and fibrotic residues remains a clinical challenge. We studied the diagnostic value of metabolic imaging by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in detecting active mediastinal disease and predicting relapse. Twenty-eight HD patients with a residual mediastinal mass of at least 2 cm after initial therapy or after salvage chemotherapy were prospectively assigned to 29 examinations with FDG PET and were evaluated as 29 “subjects.” Patients were monitored for at least 1 year after examination and observed for signs of relapse. Median follow-up was 28 months (range, 16 to 68 months). A PET-negative mediastinal tumor was observed in 19 subjects, of whom 16 stayed in remission and 3 relapsed. Progression or relapse occurred in 6 of 10 subjects with a positive PET, whereas 4 subjects remained in remission. The negative predictive value (negative PET result and remission) at 1 year was 95%, and the positive predictive value (positive PET result and relapse) was 60%. The disease-free survival for PET-negative and PET-positive patients at 1 year was 95% and 40%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant. A negative FDG PET indicates that an HD patient with a residual mediastinal mass is unlikely to relapse before 1 year, if ever. On the other hand, a positive PET result indicates a significantly higher risk of relapse and demands further diagnostic procedures and a closer follow-up.
Increased risk of deep-vein thrombosis in patients with multiple myeloma receiving thalidomide and chemotherapy
Authors: Zangari Maurizio , Anaissie Elias , Barlogie Bart , Badros Ashraf , Desikan Raman , Gopal A. Viju , Morris Christopher , Toor Amir , Siegel Eric , Fink Louis , Tricot Guido
Published: July 2002

The occurrence of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, who were randomly assigned to receive identical induction chemotherapy with or without thalidomide, are reported in this study. The 2 study arms were comparable with respect to key myeloma prognostic factors and known risk factors for DVT. One hundred patients received induction chemotherapy including 4 cycles of continuous infusion of combinations of dexamethasone, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and cisplatin, and each patient completed at least one induction cycle. DVT developed in 14 of 50 patients (28%) randomly assigned to receive thalidomide but in only 2 of 50 patients (4%) not given the agent (P = .002). All episodes of DVT occurred during the first 3 cycles of induction. Administration of thalidomide was resumed safely in 75% of patients receiving anticoagulation therapy. Thus, thalidomide given in combination with multiagent chemotherapy and dexamethasone is associated with a significantly increased risk of DVT, which appears to be safely treated with anticoagulation and does not necessarily warrant discontinuation of thalidomide.
Relationships between age at diagnosis, clinical features, and outcome of therapy in children treated in the Medical Research Council AML 10 and 12 trials for acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Webb David K. H. , Harrison Georgina , Stevens Richard F. , Gibson Brenda G. , Hann Ian M. , Wheatley Keith
Published: July 2002

Between May 1988 and June 2000, 698 children were treated in the Medical Research Council acute myeloid leukemia 10 and 12 trials. The presenting features and outcomes of therapy in these children were compared by age. Although there was no single cutoff in age, younger children were more likely to have intermediate risk and less likely to have favorable cytogenetics (P < .001), and they had a higher incidence of translocations involving chromosome 11q23 (P < .001). The distribution of French-American-British (FAB) types also varied with age; FAB types M5 (P < .001) and M7 (P < .001) were more common in early childhood, whereas older children were more likely to have FAB types M0 (P = .03), M1 (P = .04), M2 (P = .005), and M3 (P < .001). Involvement of the central nervous system at diagnosis was also more common in the youngest children (P = .01). Younger children had more severe diarrhea (P = .002), whereas older children had worse nausea and vomiting (P = .01) after chemotherapy. When adjusted for other important factors, complete remission rates were similar (P = .5) and although there was less resistant disease in younger children (P = .003), this was partially balanced by a slight increase in deaths during induction therapy in younger patients (P = .06). On multivariate analysis overall survival (P = .02), event-free survival (P = .02), and disease-free survival were better (P = .06) in younger children due to a lower relapse rate (P = .02) especially in the bone marrow (P = .02).
Mice lacking the CCR9 CC-chemokine receptor show a mild impairment of early T- and B-cell development and a reduction in T-cell receptor γδ+ gut intraepithelial lymphocytes
Authors: Wurbel Marc-André , Malissen Marie , Guy-Grand Delphine , Meffre Eric , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Richelme Mireille , Carrier Alice , Malissen Bernard
Published: July 2002

CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 9, the receptor for the CC-chemokine CCL25/thymus-expressed chemokine (TECK), is mainly expressed by thymocytes and by intraepithelial (IEL) and lamina propria lymphocytes of the small intestine. To study the biologic role of CCR9, a mouse strain was generated in which the CCR9 gene was deleted. In spite of the high level of CCR9 found in double- and single-positive thymocytes and of the expression of its corresponding ligand on thymic stromal cells, CCR9 deletion had no major effect on intrathymic T-cell development. It was noted that there was only a one-day lag in the appearance of double-positive cells during fetal ontogeny in CCR9−/− thymi. When tested in chemotaxis assay, thymocytes isolated from CCR9−/− mice failed to respond to TECK/CCL25. Taken together, these results suggest that in thymocytes, CCR9 is the only physiologic receptor for TECK/CCL25, and that it is dispensable for proper T-cell development. Bone marrow pre-pro–B cells migrate in response to TECK/CCL25, but more mature B cells do not. Consistent with this observation, it was shown that there are fewer pre-pro–B cells in CCR9−/−mice than in wild-type mice. However, this diminution does not appear to have a detectable effect on the generation of a normal complement of mature B cells. Finally, it was shown that in the small intestine of CCR9-deficient mice, the intraepithelial T-cell–to–epithelial cell ratio is decreased, an observation that can be accounted for by a marked diminution of the T-cell receptor γδ+ compartment.
Overexpression of the myeloid leukemia–associatedHoxa9 gene in bone marrow cells induces stem cell expansion
Authors: Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Mamo Aline , Kroon Evert , Jerome Lori , Bijl Janet , Lawrence H. Jeffrey , Humphries Keith , Sauvageau Guy
Published: July 2002

Cytogenetic, genetic, and functional studies have demonstrated a direct link between deregulated Hoxa9 expression and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Hoxa9 overexpression in mouse bone marrow cells invariably leads to AML within 3 to 10 months, suggesting the requirement for additional genetic events prior to AML. To gain further insight into how Hoxa9 affects hematopoietic development at the preleukemic stage, we have engineered its overexpression (1) in hematopoietic stem cells using retrovirus-mediated gene transfer and generated bone marrow transplantation chimeras and (2) in lymphoid cells using transgenic mice. Compared with controls, recipients ofHoxa9-transduced cells had an about 15-fold increase in transplantable lymphomyeloid long-term repopulating cells, indicating the capacity for this oncogene to confer a growth advantage to hematopoietic stem cells. In addition, overexpression ofHoxa9 in more mature cells enhanced granulopoiesis and partially blocked B lymphopoiesis at the pre–B-cell stage but had no detectable effect on T lymphoid development. Interestingly, despite specifically directing high expression of Hoxa9 in T and B lymphoid lineages, none of the Hoxa9 transgenic mice developed lymphoid malignancies for the observation period of more than 18 months.
Targeting transgene expression to antigen-presenting cells derived from lentivirus-transduced engrafting human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Cui Yan , Golob Jonathan , Kelleher Erin , Ye Zhaohui , Pardoll Drew , Cheng Linzhao
Published: July 2002

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) represent an important target for the treatment of various blood disorders. As the source of critical cells within the immune system, genetic modification of HSCs can also be used to modulate immune responses. The effectiveness of HSC-mediated gene therapy largely depends on efficient gene delivery into long-term repopulating progenitors and targeted transgene expression in an appropriate progeny of the transduced pluripotent HSCs. Self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vectors have been demonstrated to be capable of transducing mitotically inactive cells, including HSCs, and accommodating a nonviral promoter to control the transgene expression in transduced cells. In this study, we constructed 2 SIN lentiviral vectors, EF.GFP and DR.GFP, to express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene controlled solely by the promoter of either a housekeeping gene EF-1α or the human HLA-DRα gene, which is selectively expressed in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). We demonstrated that both vectors efficiently transduced human pluripotent CD34+cells capable of engrafting nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice. When the EF.GFP vector was used, constitutive high-level GFP expression was obtained in all the human HSC progeny detectable in NOD/SCID mice and in subsequent in vitro differentiation assays, indicating that engrafting human HSCs have been transduced. In contrast, the DR.GFP vector mediated transgene expression specifically in human HLA-DR+ cells and highly in differentiated dendritic cells (DCs), which are critical in regulating immunity. Furthermore, human DCs derived from transduced and engrafted human cells potently stimulated allogeneic T-cell proliferation. This study demonstrated successful targeting of transgene expression to APCs/DCs after stable gene transduction of pluripotent HSCs.
Adapted NOD/SCID model supports development of phenotypically and functionally mature T cells from human umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells
Authors: Kerre Tessa C. C. , De Smet Greet , De Smedt Magda , Zippelius Alfred , Pittet Mikaël J. , Langerak Anton W. , De Bosscher José , Offner Fritz , Vandekerckhove Bart , Plum Jean
Published: July 2002

The NOD-LtSZ scid/scid (NOD/SCID) repopulation assay is the criterion for the study of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation of human hematopoietic stem cells. An important shortcoming of this model is the reported absence of T-cell development. We studied this aspect of the model and investigated how it could be optimized to support T-cell development. Occasionally, low-grade thymic engraftment was observed in NOD/SCID mice or Rag2−/−γc−/− mice. In contrast, the treatment of NOD/SCID mice with a monoclonal antibody against the murine interleukin-2Rβ, (IL-2Rβ) known to decrease natural killer cell activity, resulted in human thymopoiesis in up to 60% of the mice. T-cell development was phenotypically normal and resulted in polyclonal, mature, and functional CD1−TCRαβ+ CD4+ or CD8+single-positive T cells. In mice with ongoing thymopoiesis, peripheral T cells were observed. TREC analysis showed that T cells with a naive phenotype (CD45RA+) emerged from the thymus. In approximately half of these mice, the peripheral T cells included a pauciclonal outgrowth of CD45RO+ cells. These data suggest that all elements of a functional immune system were present in these animals.
Risk of Positive Margins and Biochemical Recurrence in Relation to Nerve-Sparing Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Sofer Mario , Hamilton-Nelson Kara L. , Schlesselman James J. , Soloway Mark S.
Published: July 2002

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of nerve-sparing (NS) radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) on surgical margins and biochemical recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Location and incidence of positive surgical margins, recurrence, and time to recurrence were assessed in a consecutive series of 734 men who underwent RRP for localized prostate cancer from 1992 through February 2000. NS procedures were used in 33% (n = 240) of 734 patients studied.

RESULTS: Surgical margins were positive for 24% (n = 58) and 31% (n = 152) of NS and non-NS patients, respectively (P = .06). No significant difference between the groups was found in location of positive margins (P = .92). Prostate-specific antigen level greater than 10 ng/mL, extraprostatic extension, tumor volume more than 20%, capsular penetration, Gleason score ≥ 7, positive margins, and seminal vesicle invasion were associated with significantly increased risk of recurrence. However, NS patients were not at increased risk of recurrence compared with non-NS patients (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.53 to 1.72). The cumulative risk of recurrence within 3 and 5 years of surgery in NS patients was 9.7% and 14.4%, respectively, as compared with 17.1% and 21.1% for non-NS patients.

CONCLUSION: In patients with localized prostate cancer, neither margin status nor biochemical-free survival within 5 years of surgery were altered by the nerve preservation technique. Given our experience, we recommend preservation of neurovascular bundles in these patients whenever the procedure is technically feasible.
Hospital Assets Before and After Private Equity Acquisition
Authors: Schrier Elizabeth , Schwartz Hope E. M. , Himmelstein David U. , Gaffney Adam , McCormick Danny , Dickman Samuel L. , Woolhandler Steffie
Published: July 2024

This study assesses changes in hospitals’ capital assets after private equity acquisition.
The Near‐Infrared Light Emitted by LiScO2:Cr3+ Phosphor Used to Induce Gland Secretion for Sjogren's Syndrome
Authors: Chen Lei , Liu Qi , Li Pingping , Wei Shuanghong , Guo Yanguang , Chen Ping , Ni Haiyong , Wei Shizhong , Huo Xingxing
Published: July 2024

Photobiomodulation is promisingly used as a noninvasive new weapon against Sjogren's syndrome, which is a disorder of immune system with two main symptoms of dry eyes and a dry mouth. This work reports a new NIR LED device made from LiScO2:Cr3+ phosphor for the application. The absorbance, internal, and external quantum efficiency of the optimal Li(Sc0.98Cr0.02)O2 phosphor reach 40.9%, 34.5%, and 14.1%, respectively; and the output power and energy conversion efficiency of the LED device packaged using the phosphor driven under 20 mA are 4.23 mW, respectively. The emission spectrum of the LED device can well cover the action spectrum of oxidized CuA in cytochrome c oxidase molecules. Both the pathological changes of mice submandibular gland and the expression of human submandibular gland epithelial cells (HSG) in AQP5, M3R andEGR1 confirm that the NIR light has great potential application for treating Sjogren's syndrome. Moreover, study with mice approved that the therapy using the NIR light is more efficient than the conventional medicine treatment using hydroxychloroquine sulfate.
Dissecting the Impact of Maternal Androgen Exposure on Developmental Programming through Targeting the Androgen Receptor
Authors: Lu Haojiang , Jiang Hong , Li Congru , Derisoud Emilie , Zhao Allan , Eriksson Gustaw , Lindgren Eva , Pui Han‐Pin , Risal Sanjiv , Pei Yu , Maxian Theresa , Ohlsson Claes , Benrick Anna , Haider Sandra , Stener‐Victorin Elisabet , Deng Qiaolin
Published: July 2024

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit sustained elevation in circulating androgens during pregnancy, an independent risk factor linked to pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes in offspring. Yet, further studies are required to understand the effects of elevated androgens on cell type‐specific placental dysfunction and fetal development. Therefore, a PCOS‐like mouse model induced by continuous androgen exposure is examined. The PCOS‐mice exhibited impaired placental and embryonic development, resulting in mid‐gestation lethality. Co‐treatment with the androgen receptor blocker, flutamide, prevents these phenotypes including germ cell specification . Comprehensive profiling of the placenta by whole‐genome bisulfite and RNA sequencing shows a reduced proportion of trophoblast precursors, possibly due to the downregulation of Cdx2 expression. Reduced expression of Gcm1, Synb, and Prl3b1 is associated with reduced syncytiotrophoblasts and sinusoidal trophoblast giant cells, impairs placental labyrinth formation. Importantly, human trophoblast organoids exposed to androgens exhibit analogous changes, showing impaired trophoblast differentiation as a key feature in PCOS‐related pregnancy complications. These findings provide new insights into the potential cellular targets for future treatments.
Unveiling Hidden Hyperuniformity: Radial Turing Pattern Formation of Marangoni‐Driven SiO2 Nanoparticles on Liquid Metal Surface
Authors: Guo Jinjian , Chen Jie , Zhao Kang , Bai Xuedong , Wang Wenlong
Published: July 2024

Mastering the self‐organization of nanoparticle morphologies is pivotal in soft matter physics and film growth. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles are an archetypical model of nanomotor in soft matter. Here, the emphasis is on the self‐organizing behavior of SiO2 nanoparticles under extreme conditions. It is unveiled that manipulating the states of the metal substrate profoundly dictates the motion characteristics of SiO2 nanoparticles. This manipulation triggers the emergence of intricate morphologies and distinctive patterns. Employing a reaction‐diffusion model, the fundamental roles played by Brownian motion and Marangoni‐driven motion in shaping fractal structures and radial Turing patterns are demonstrated, respectively. Notably, these radial Turing patterns showcase hyperuniform order, challenging conventional notions of film morphology. These discoveries pave the way for crafting non‐equilibrium morphological materials, poised with the potential for self‐healing, adaptability, and innovative applications.
Responsive‐Hydrogel Aquabots
Authors: Zhu Shipei , Cui Huanqing , Pan Yi , Popple Derek , Xie Ganhua , Fink Zachary , Han Jiale , Zettl Alex , Cheung Shum Ho , Russell Thomas P
Published: July 2024

It remains a challenge to produce soft robots that can mimic the responsive adaptability of living organisms. Rather than fabricating soft robots from bulk hydrogels,hydrogels are integrated into the interfacial assembly of aqueous two‐phase systems to generate ultra‐soft and elastic all‐aqueous aquabots that exhibit responsive adaptability, that can shrink on demand and have electrically conductive functions. The adaptive functions of the aquabots provide a new platform to develop minimally invasive surgical devices, targeted drug delivery systems, and flexible electronic sensors and actuators.
Number of serotonergic neurons in the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus internus could influence the effects of deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Munawara Rafika , Rao Asha , Sharma Mayank , Gupta Tulika
Published: July 2024

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or globus pallidus internus (GPi) is a standard treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), with both regions exhibiting similar treatment effectiveness. However, posttreatment neuropsychiatric side effects, such as severe depression, are common, primarily due to the loss of serotonergic cells. Identifying a region with fewer serotonergic neurons could potentially reduce these side effects. This study aimed to quantify the number of serotonergic neurons in the STN and GPi. Both regions were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. The GPi exhibited a significantly lower number and H‐score of serotonergic neurons than the STN. Within the STN, the number and H‐score of serotonergic neurons were higher in the medial aspect than in the lateral aspect. Three different types of neurons, large and small, were observed. In STN, large neurons were concentrated in the center and small neurons in the periphery. This distribution was not observed in GPi. In addition, the concentration of the serotonergic neurons is less in GPi. These findings suggest that the GPi may be a safer target region, potentially reducing the incidence of post‐DBS depression.
Immediate implant placement in extraction sockets with buccal bone dehiscence: A case study
Authors: Dragonas Panagiotis
Published: July 2024

Background

Immediate implant placement (IIP) has been associated with a higher risk of esthetic complications and particularly buccal mucosal recession, which can be more pronounced in non‐intact sockets or in the presence of thin phenotype in the esthetic zone. Nevertheless, multiple techniques have been published to address IIP in non‐intact alveolar sockets with favorable outcomes. The purpose of this study is to present an approach on IIP in sites with buccal bone dehiscence.

Methods

Three patients requiring extraction of one or multiple teeth in the presence of buccal bone dehiscence were treated with flapless extractions, IIP, guided bone regeneration (GBR), and connective tissue grafting (CTG) through a tunneling approach with a simultaneous use of custom healing abutments.

Results

All sites exhibited 1–2 mm of buccal bone thickness at the level of the implant platform, as well as significant buccal soft tissue thickness with no recession and a favorable development of the emergence profile at 4 months to a year post implant placement.

Conclusions

IIP in sockets with buccal bone dehiscence can be managed by means of a flapless extraction, GBR and CTG through a tunneling approach exhibiting favorable hard and soft tissue responses.

Key points

When placing immediate implants in non‐intact sockets, simultaneous connective tissue grafting is recommended, especially in the esthetic zone.

Bone grafting in immediate implants in sockets with buccal bone dehiscence can be performed through a tunneling approach without the need for open flap approaches.

Placement of CHAs over immediate implants may help promote maintenance of the buccolingual ridge contours and overall hard and soft tissue responses.

Plain language summary

Placing dental implants right after tooth extraction can lead to more visible aesthetic issues, especially gum recession. This is more common when the tooth socket is not intact or the gum tissue is thin. However, several techniques have shown good results even in these challenging situations. This study explores a method for implant placement right after tooth extraction in cases where there is bone missing on the socket. Three patients who needed teeth extracted and had bone loss on the outer side of their tooth sockets were treated. The treatment included: Extracting the teeth without cutting the gums, placing implants immediately, using GBR to help regrow bone, adding connective tissue grafts, and using custom healing cups to shape the gum tissue. After treatment, all the sites showed 1–2 mm of new bone on the outer side of the implants and thicker gum tissue without any recession. The gum and bone around the implants looked good 4 months to a year later. In conclusion, IIP in sockets with bone loss on the outer side can be effectively managed with this method, leading to good bone and gum tissue outcomes.
Properties of ceramic membranes obtained from kaolinitic clay mixed with palm and mango wastes from Cameroon: Application to wastewater treatment from breweries
Authors: Kouotou Yacouba Mfomboum , Njoya André , Mountapbeme Ibrahim Cherif , Njuhou Saliou , Kamgang Pelagie Syapnjeu , Mouafon Mohamed , Njoya Dayirou , Njopwouo Daniel
Published: July 2024

This work focuses on the development of new ceramic membranes based on mixtures of low‐cost and locally available raw materials such as kaolinitic clay and additives such as palm kernel shells and mango seed shells, which are used as pore‐forming agents to increase pore size, and on their efficiencies in rejecting organic and inorganic pollutants from brewery wastewater. The physical and chemical properties of raw materials were characterized via X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry, energy dispersive X‐ray, and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry. Sintering was performed at 1100°C, and the permeability and mechanical properties of circular membranes were determined. The membrane filtration operation was used to assess the physicochemical parameters of the wastewater. The membrane composed of 85% kaolinite and 15% mango seed shells showed the best performance. The effective treatment of the breweries wastewater reduced the level of contamination by organic pollutants in the discharge water, with a reduction in concentration from 700 to 14 mg O2 L‒1 of chemical oxygen demand and 250 to 06 mg O2 L‒1 of biological oxygen demand for 5 days, representing elimination rates of 98% and 97.6%, respectively. The treated water is alkaline, with a reduction in pH from 10.79 to 7.77. Suspended matter, turbidity, and electrical conductivity had removal rates of 88%, 90.6%, and 99.8%, respectively. A significant reduction in the salinity of this wastewater contributed to sodium and chloride ion rejection rates of 93% and 79%, respectively, which is an important result for good reuse of the treated water in agriculture and domestic work.
Safety and Efficiency of Cephalic Vein Puncture by Modified Seldinger Technique Compared to Subclavian Vein Puncture for Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices
Authors: Weidauer Marie‐Christine , Knüpfer Enzo , Lottermoser Jörg , Alkomi Usama , Schoen Steffen , Wunderlich Carsten , Christoph Marian , Francke Alexander
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The establishment of venous access is one of the driving factors for complications during implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators (cardiac implantable electronic devices [CIED]). Recently, a novel approach of accessing the cephalic vein for CIED by cephalic vein puncture (CVP) using a modified Seldinger technique has been described, promising high success rates and simplified handling with steeper learning curves. In this single‐center registry, we analyzed the safety and efficiency of CVP to SVP access after defining CVP as the primary access route in our center.

Methods

A total of 229 consecutive patients receiving a CIED were included in the registry. Sixty‐one patients were implanted by primary or bail‐out SVP; 168 patients received primary cephalic preparation and CVP was performed when possible, using a hydrophilic transradial sheath.

Results

Implantation of at least one lead via CVP was successful in 151 of 168 patients (90%), and implantation of all leads was possible in 122 of 168 patients (72.6%). Total implantation times and fluoroscopy times and doses did not differ between CVP and SVP implantations. Pneumothorax occurred in 0/122 patients implanted via CVP alone, but 8/107 (7.5%) patients received at least one lead via SVP.

Conclusion

Our data confirms high success rates of the CVP for CIED implantation. Moreover, this method can be used without significantly prolonging the total procedure time or applying fluoroscopy dose compared to the highly efficient SVP while showing lower overall complication rates.