bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antigen‐specific adaptive immune responses in fingolimod‐treated multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Mehling Matthias , Hilbert Patricia , Fritz Stefanie , Durovic Bojana , Eichin Dominik , Gasser Olivier , Kuhle Jens , Klimkait Thomas , Lindberg Raija L.P. , Kappos Ludwig , Hess Christoph
Published: December 2010

T cells exit secondary lymphoid organs along a sphingosine1‐phosphate (S1P) gradient and, accordingly, are reduced in blood upon fingolimod‐mediated S1P‐receptor (S1PR)‐blockade. Serving as a model of adaptive immunity, we characterized cellular and humoral immune responses to influenza vaccine in fingolimod‐treated patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in untreated healthy controls. Although the mode of action of fingolimod might predict reduced immunity, vaccine‐triggered T cells accumulated normally in blood despite efficient S1PR‐blockade. Concentrations of anti–influenza A/B immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG also increased similarly in both groups. These results indicate that fingolimod‐treated individuals can mount vaccine‐specific adaptive immune responses comparable to healthy controls. Ann Neurol 2011
An ontology‐based technique for preserving user preferences in document‐category evolutions
Authors: Lee Yen‐Hsien , Wei Chih‐Ping , Hu Paul Jen‐Hwa
Published: December 2010

Influxes of new documents over time necessitate reorganization of document categories that a user has created previously. As documents are available in increasing quantities and accelerating frequencies, the manual approach to reorganizing document categories becomes prohibitively tedious and ineffective, thus making a system‐oriented approach appealing. Previous research (Larsen & Aone, 1999; Pantel & Lin, 2002) largely has followed the category‐discovery approach, which groups documents by using a document‐clustering technique to partition a document corpus. This approach does not consider existing categories a user created previously, which in effect reflect his or her document‐grouping preference. A handful of studies (Wei, Hu, & Dong, 2002; Wei, Hu, & Lee, 2009) have taken a category‐evolution approach to develop lexicon‐based techniques for preserving user preference in document‐category reorganizations, but have serious limitations. Responding to the significance of document‐category reorganizations and addressing the fundamental problems of salient, lexicon‐based techniques, we develop an ontology‐based category evolution (ONCE), a technique that first enriches a concept hierarchy by incorporating important concept descriptors (jointly referred to as an ontology) and then employs the resulting enriched ontology to support category evolutions at a concept level rather than analyzing and comparing feature vectors at the lexicon level. We empirically evaluate our proposed technique and compare it with two benchmark techniques: CE2 (a lexicon‐based category‐evolution technique) and hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC; a conventional hierarchical document‐clustering technique). Overall, our results show that the ONCE technique is more effective than are CE2 and HAC, across all the scenarios studied. Furthermore, the completeness of a concept hierarchy has important impacts on the performance of the proposed technique. Our results have some important implications for further research.
Synthetic Studies toward Galbulimima Alkaloid (−)‐GB 13 and (+)‐GB 16 and (−)‐Himgaline
Authors: Zi Weiwei , Yu Shouyun , Ma Dawei
Published: December 2010

Condensation of (S)‐3‐aminobutan‐1‐ol with 1,3‐cyclohexane‐dione followed by an intramolecular alkylation afforded bicyclic enamine 32, which was converted into enone 35 through a diastereoselective hydrogenation. Mukaiyama–Michael addition of a bicyclic silyl enol ether to 35 and subsequent stereochemistry inversion by means of an oxidation/reduction strategy provided lactone 41. After reduction of lactone 41 with LAH, Swern oxidation was carried out to give enone 46 upon a spontaneous intramolecular aldol reaction and cleavage of the ketal protecting group. SmI2‐mediated carbonyl–alkene reductive coupling of 46 proceeded smoothly in refluxing tetrahydrofuran to deliver pentacyclic intermediate 49, which was oxidized with 2‐iodoxybenzoic acid and then treated with trifluoroacetic acid to furnish (−)‐GB 13. The overall yield was 6.1 % over 19 linear steps. By following the known procedure, our synthetic (−)‐GB 13 was converted into himgaline. In addition, by starting from lactone 41, the first total synthesis of (+)‐GB 16, a newly isolated member of the gabulimima alkaloid family, was achieved. This synthesis features an intramolecular condensation between an amine and a 1,3‐diketone moiety.
The use of response cost to treat spitting by a child with autism
Authors: Bartlett Sara M. , Rapp John T. , Krueger Tyler K. , Henrickson Marissa L.
Published: December 2010

We evaluated the extent to which noncontingent access to one or multiple items and the contingent removal of a specific item decreased a young boy's spitting. Results indicated that the boy's spitting did not decrease when he was given noncontingent access to multiple, alternative stimuli or to a toy radio. By contrast, when the toy radio was removed contingent on spitting, the rate of the boy's spitting decreased to zero or near‐zero levels. Similar results were produced in the boy's special education classroom. Follow‐up sessions conducted 2 and 4 months later indicated that the reduction in the boy's spitting persisted across time. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of three‐dimensional spheroids of hepatocyte‐derived reporter cells to study the effects of intracellular fat accumulation and subsequent cytokine exposure
Authors: Janorkar Amol V. , Harris Lacey M. , Murphey Beau S. , Sowell Brittany L.
Published: December 2010

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a family of liver diseases associated with obesity. Initial stage of NAFLD is characterized by a fatty liver, referred to as steatosis, which progresses in some individuals to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver failure. In order to study and treat the many liver diseases such as NAFLD, an improved in vitro cellular model is needed. Several studies in the past have attempted to elucidate these mechanisms using primary hepatocytes or relevant hepatoma cell lines in two‐dimensional (2D) monolayer in vitro cultures. These 2D planar culture systems, unfortunately, do not represent the complex architecture of hepatic tissue in vivo. Therefore, we have engineered an elastin‐like polypeptide (ELP)–polyethyleneimine (PEI) copolymer and shown that ELP–PEI coated surfaces influenced H35 rat hepatoma cell morphology to create 3D spheroids. Our reporter cell model recapitulates many cellular features of the human disease, including fatty acid uptake, intracellular triglyceride accumulation, decreased proliferation, decreased liver‐specific function, and increased reactive oxygen species accumulation. Finally, to demonstrate the utility of the reporter cells for studying transcriptional regulation, we compared the transcriptional dynamics of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) in response to its classical inducer (tumor necrosis factor‐α, TNF‐α) under lean and fatty conditions in both 2D and 3D culture configurations. We found that, in 3D spheroids, linoleic acid treatment activated NFκB at earlier time points during the development of steatosis, but suppressed the TNF‐mediated NFκB activation at later time points. These studies therefore provide a good starting point to evaluate such relationships observed during NAFLD in a 3D in vitro cell culture. Bioeng. 2011; 108:1171–1180. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biodiesel‐Like Biofuels from Simultaneous Transesterification/Esterification of Waste Oils with a Biomass‐Derived Solid Acid Catalyst
Authors: Luque Rafael , Clark James H.
Published: December 2010

Biodiesel is a nontoxic, sulfur‐free and biodegradable petrol‐fuel replacement that can be used in unmodified diesel engines pure or as a blend. Vegetable oils are the main feedstocks employed for its preparation but used vegetable oil and animal fats are currently considered one of the most attractive feedstocks for biodiesel production due to their lower market value in comparison with virgin oils alongside the fact that the material can be recycled from other industrial sectors. In this study, biodiesel‐like biofuels are prepared from waste oils containing high concentrations of fatty acids, by using a family of acidic mesoporous carbonaceous materials denoted as starbon acids under both conventional heating and microwave irradiation. The solid acids are found to catalyze both the esterification of the free fatty acids in the waste oil with methanol and the transesterification of the triglycerides in the oil to give biodiesel and glycerol. starbonSO3H is found to be the most active catalyst under the investigated reaction conditions from a range of solid acids including zeolites and similar sulfonated carbonaceous materials. Conversions to fatty acid methyl esters were remarkably increased under microwave irradiation compared to the conventionally heated process.
Presentation, patterns of care, and survival in patients with brain metastases
Authors: Nieder Carsten , Spanne Oddvar , Mehta Minesh P. , Grosu Anca L. , Geinitz Hans
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND:

It is largely unknown to what extent new oncologic treatment options have improved survival of patients with brain metastasis in recent decades. Therefore, a multi‐institutional time‐staggered analysis was performed.

METHODS:

Two cohorts of 103 patients each were analyzed, one treated between 2005 and 2009 and the other between 1983 and 1989, ie, approximately 20 years earlier. Stratified analyses by prognostic groups were also performed (graded prognostic assessment [GPA] and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group recursive partitioning analysis [RTOG‐RPA]).

RESULTS:

Patterns of care have changed significantly. Contemporary patients received focal treatments such as stereotactic radiosurgery and surgical resection far more frequently. Furthermore, systemic treatment was used more often in contemporary patients, both before and after diagnosis of brain metastasis. Improved survival was observed in the contemporary cohort (P = .03). The 1‐year survival rate increased from 15% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7%‐25%) to 34% (95% CI, 25%‐44%). However, this improvement was largely driven by patients with favorable prognostic features. More than 40% of the patients still belong to unfavorable prognostic groups with limited median survival and little improvement.

CONCLUSIONS:

Contemporary patients were managed on a much more individualized basis, requiring multidisciplinary case discussion and thorough assessment of prognostic features. Progress has been made, but the overall outcome needs to be improved further. Avoiding overtreatment in patients with poor prognosis is as important as aggressive treatment in patients who might survive for several years. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
The epidermal growth factor receptor conundrum
Authors: Wilken Jason A. , Baron Andre T. , Maihle Nita J.
Published: December 2010

Soluble epidermal growth factor receptor (sEGFR), a cell surface and serum protein derived from an alternately spliced human EGFR transcript, is recognized by 2 therapeutic antibodies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration: cetuximab and panitumumab. Therefore, circulating sEGFR is an unanticipated first target for both of these therapeutic antibodies, adding a new level of complexity to the understanding of EGF receptor biology that should be considered in the design of future clinical studies.
Novel approach using antimicrobial catheters to improve the management of central line‐associated bloodstream infections in cancer patients
Authors: Chaftari Anne‐Marie , Kassis Christelle , El Issa Hiba , Al Wohoush Iba , Jiang Ying , Rangaraj Gopikishan , Caillouet Brenda , Pravinkumar S. Egbert , Hachem Ray Y. , Raad Issam I.
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND:

Central venous catheter (CVC) removal has often been recommended for the treatment of central line‐associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). However, CVC removal is not always practical in patients with cancer, and changing CVCs with noncoated CVCs over guidewire may result in cross‐infection of the new CVC. Therefore, the current matched retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of exchanging infected CVCs for minocycline‐ and rifampin (MR)‐coated CVCs in cancer patients with CLABSIs.

METHODS:

The authors identified all cancer patients with CLABSIs who had undergone either CVC exchange with MR‐coated CVCs or CVC removal at the study institution. All patients were treated with appropriate systemic antibiotics. The exchange group was matched in a 1:2 ratio with the removal group by organism, underlying disease, and neutropenia. The demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcome were compared. Overall response was defined as the resolution of clinical signs and symptoms and eradication of bacteremia within 72 hours after CVC exchange or removal, without disease recurrence or infection‐related death.

RESULTS:

A total of 120 cancer patients were included (40 in the exchange group and 80 in the removal group). Overall response rates were 95% in the exchange group and 76% in the removal group (P = .011). No disease recurrences or infection‐related deaths occurred in the exchange group; 8 disease recurrences or deaths (11%) occurred in the removal group (P = .05). Patients in the exchange group also experienced lower rates of mechanical failure (3% vs 15%; P = .049).

CONCLUSIONS:

Exchanging CVCs for MR‐coated CVCs in cancer patients with CLABSIs may improve the overall response rate and decrease the risk of mechanical failure, disease recurrence, and infection‐related mortality. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Variation in quality of care among older men with localized prostate cancer
Authors: Jayadevappa Ravishankar , Chhatre Sumedha , Johnson Jerry C. , Malkowicz S. Bruce
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND:

The objective of this study was to assess the racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes and their association with process‐of‐care measures for elderly Medicare recipients with localized prostate cancer.

METHODS:

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare databases for the period from 1995 to 2003 were used to identify African‐American men, non‐Hispanic white men, and Hispanic men with localized prostate cancer, and data were obtained for the 1‐year period before the diagnosis of prostate cancer and up to 8 years postdiagnosis. The short‐term outcomes of interest were complications, emergency room visits, readmissions, and mortality; the long‐term outcomes of interest were prostate cancer‐specific mortality and all‐cause mortality; and process‐of‐care measures of interest were treatment and time to treatment. Cox proportional hazards regression, logistic regression, and Poisson regression were used to study the racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes and their association with process‐of‐care measures.

RESULTS:

Compared with non‐Hispanic white patients, African‐American patients (Hazard ration [HR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CE], 1.19‐1.86) and Hispanic patients (HR=1.39; 95% CI, 1.03‐1.84) had greater hazard of long term prostate specific mortality. African‐American patients also had greater odds of emergency room visits (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2‐1.7) and greater all‐cause mortality (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.3‐1.5) compared with white patients. The time to treatment was longer for African‐American patients and was indicative of a greater hazard of all‐cause, long‐term mortality. Hispanic patients who underwent surgery or received radiation had a greater hazard of long‐term prostate‐specific mortality compared with white patients who received hormone therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes were associated with process‐of‐care measures (the type and time to treatment). The current results indicated that there is an opportunity to reduce these disparities by addressing these process‐of‐care measures. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Disparities in the application of adjuvant radiotherapy after breast‐conserving surgery for early stage breast cancer
Authors: Dragun Anthony E. , Huang Bin , Tucker Thomas C. , Spanos William J.
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND:

Definitive local therapy of early stage breast cancer includes adjuvant radiotherapy after breast‐conserving surgery (BCS). The authors analyzed factors that influence the receipt of radiotherapy therapy and their resultant impact on outcome.

METHODS:

Using data from the Kentucky Cancer Registry, the authors analyzed the rate of adjuvant radiotherapy for 11,914 women who underwent BCS as a primary surgical treatment for stage 0, I, or II breast cancer between 1998 and 2007. The authors assessed the probability of receiving radiotherapy by using multivariate logistic regression and measured impact on outcome by using Cox survival analysis.

RESULTS:

Overall, 66.2% of women received adjuvant radiotherapy for BCS over a 10‐year period (annual rate range, 60.9%‐70.1%). On multivariate analysis, the rate of receiving radiotherapy was drastically lower for women aged older than 70 years (vs younger) and rural Appalachian (vs non‐Appalachian) populations. The rate was modestly lower for African American (vs white) women, those with in situ (vs invasive) disease, and uninsured (vs insured) patients. Lack of radiotherapy was associated with an increased hazard ratio for death of 1.67 (95% CI, 1.508‐1.851) on Cox survival analysis when age, stage, tumor size, grade, hormone receptors, smoking, and insurance were factored into the analysis. The 10‐year overall survival for patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy versus BCS alone was 79.7% versus 67.6% (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite widespread knowledge of the benefit of RT after BCS, the rate of undertreatment remains high, with significant disparities for elderly, rural, minority, and uninsured women. Multidisciplinary management strategies, including accelerated and hypofractionated radiation regimens, are needed to eliminate disparities and improve outcomes. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Monitoring of intracellular nitric oxide in leishmaniasis: Its applicability in patients with visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Sarkar Avijit , Saha Piu , Mandal Goutam , Mukhopadhyay Debanjan , Roy Susmita , Singh Sunny Kumar , Das Sukhen , Goswami R. P. , Saha Bibhuti , Kumar Deepak , Das Padma , Chatterjee Mitali
Published: December 2010

Nitric oxide (NO) has been demonstrated to be a principal effector molecule responsible for mediating intracellular killing ofLeishmaniaparasites, the causative organism of leishmaniasis. As measurement of intracellular NO remains a challenge to biologists, we have developed a flow cytometric approach to perform real time biological detection of NO withinLeishmaniaparasites and parasitized macrophages using a membrane permeable derivative of diaminofluorescein [4,5‐diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF‐2DA)]. Initially, assay optimization was performed inLeishmania donovanipromastigotes, assay specificity being confirmed using both a NO donor [S‐nitroso‐N‐acetyl‐penicillamine (SNAP)] and a NO scavenger [2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide, C‐PTIO]. Using 40 μM DAF‐2DA, basal levels of intracellular NO were measured which varied in differentLeishmaniaspecies; addition of conventional anti‐leishmanial drugs, antimony and miltefosine translated into a dramatic increase in DAF‐2T fluorescence. Furthermore, the assay also measured levels of NO in macrophages, but needed a 20 fold lower concentration of DAF‐2DA, being 2 μM. Following parasitization, levels of NO decreased which was normalized following treatment with anti‐leishmanial drugs. Similarly monocytes of patients with visceral leishmaniasis at disease presentation showed decreased levels of NO which too reverted on completion of treatment. Taken together, this study opens new perspectives of research regarding monocyte function and provides a real time approach for monitoring the effect of anti‐leishmanial compounds. © 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Collective cell migration of the cephalic neural crest: The art of integrating information
Authors: Theveneau Eric , Mayor Roberto
Published: December 2010

The cephalic neural crest (NC) cells delaminate from the neuroepithelium in large numbers and undergo collective cell migration under the influence of multiple factors including positive and negative taxis, cell–cell interactions mediating cell sorting, cell cooperation, and Contact‐Inhibition of Locomotion. The migration has to be tightly regulated to allow NC cells to reach precise locations in order to contribute to various craniofacial structures such as the skeletal and peripheral nervous systems. Several birth defects, syndromes, and malformations are due to improper cephalic NC (CNC) migration, and NC cell migration bears important similarities to cancer cell invasion and metastasis dissemination. Therefore, understanding how CNC cells interpret multiple inputs to achieve directional collective cell migration will shed light on pathological situations where cell migration is involved. genesis 49:164–176, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A One‐Component Iron Catalyst for Cyclic Propylene Carbonate Synthesis
Authors: Dengler Joachim E. , Lehenmeier Maximilian W. , Klaus Stephan , Anderson Carly E. , Herdtweck Eberhardt , Rieger Bernhard
Published: December 2010

The development of a new tetraamine–iron complex as a catalyst for the cyclization of propylene oxide with carbon dioxide to form propylene carbonate is reported. The structure of the complex was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The molecule exhibited an exceptionally long iron–chlorine bond and a high catalytic activity even without the addition of an activator. However, kinetic studies showed a second‐order dependence on catalyst concentration. By using iron, we provide an ecologically as well as economically favourable alternative to the preferentially used toxic metals cobalt and chromium. On the basis of the kinetics and other experimental data, the catalytic cycle deduced as well as an understanding of the high activities.
The First Syntheses of (±)‐SDEF 678 Metabolite and (±)‐Speciosins A–C
Authors: Hookins Daniel R. , Burns Alan R. , Taylor Richard J. K.
Published: December 2010

The epoxyquinone natural products SDEF 678 metabolite, speciosin A, speciosin B and speciosin C have been prepared for the first time via a short synthetic route based around the palladium‐catalysed coupling of a halogen‐substituted 1,4‐benzoquinone monoketal, a Diels–Alder/retro‐Diels–Alder sequence and a diastereoselective epoxidation process.
Vegetation succession prevents dry lake beds from becoming dust sources in the semi‐arid steppe region of China
Authors: Zhao Fengjun , Liu Hongyan , Yin Yi , Hu Guozheng , Wu Xiuchen
Published: December 2010

East Asian dust storms have become increasingly intense over the last two decades, and the arid inland regions of northern China have been recognized as the main dust source areas. Numerous lakes in this region have recently become desiccated, leaving large areas of bare ground prone to becoming potential dust sources. Vegetation cover characteristics and vegetation succession following lake desiccation remain unclear. Here we chose eight inland dry lakes, one outflow lake and one river on the southeast edge of the Inner Mongolian Plateau to investigate vegetation patterns along transects from lake bed to lake shore, and determine the relationships between vegetation patterns and environmental factors. The results show that dry lake bed soils do indeed have high contents of fine particles. Also, soil salt content is the most critical control on vegetation succession on desiccated lake beds, and vegetation is unlikely to colonize areas with soil salt content ≥5%. Soil texture additionally influenced vegetation patterns by affecting soil salt content. The likely vegetation succession on dry like beds is Nitraria tangutorum community > Suaeda corniculata and Suaeda glauca communities > Achnatherum splendens and Elymus sibiricus communities, and finally Carex duriuscula community as the probable climax. When vegetation is at the later stages of succession, for example with Achnatherum splendens communities, Elymus sibiricus communities and Carex duriuscula communities, soil may be protected from wind erosion because of their high vegetation cover and high proportion of perennials. We suggest grazing should be avoided around lake shores, especially in Achnatherum splendens communities, because high vegetation cover and biomass not only protect soil from erosion, but also promote the deposition of fine particles blown from upwind regions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss of transforming growth factor β adaptor protein β-2 spectrin leads to delayed liver regeneration in mice
Authors: Thenappan Arun , Shukla Vivek , Khalek Feras J. Abdul , Li Ying , Shetty Kirti , Liu Pu , Li Lu , Johnson Randy L. , Johnson Lynt , Mishra Lopa
Published: December 2010

Liver regeneration, following partial hepatectomy (PHx), occurs through precisely controlled and synchronized cell proliferation, in which quiescent hepatocytes undergo one to two rounds of replication, with restoration of liver mass and function. We previously demonstrated that loss of the Smad3/4 adaptor protein β-2 spectrin (β2SP) is associated with faster entry into S phase, and hepatocellular cancer formation. These observations led us to further pursue the role of β2SP in cell cycle progression

in vivo

. Liver regeneration studies with PHx in β2SP+/− mice reveal a surprising and significant decrease in liver/body weight ratio at 48 hours after PHx in β2SP+/− mice in comparison to wildtype mice. At 48 hours after PHx we also observe decreased levels of cyclin E (2.4-fold,

P

< 0.05), Cdk1 (7.2-fold,

P

< 0.05), cyclin A, pRb (Ser249/Thr252), proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1 with elevated levels of pCdk1 (Thr14) (3.6-fold,

P

< 0.05). Strikingly, at 24 hours elevated levels of p53 (4-fold,

P

< 0.05), phospho-p53 (ser15 and ser20), and p21 (200-fold,

P

< 0.05) persisting to 48 hours after PHx further correlated with raised expression of the DNA damage markers pChk2 (Thr68) and γH2AX (S139). However, compromised cell cycle progression with loss of β2SP is not rescued by inhibiting p53 function, and that G2/M phase arrest observed is independent and upstream of p53.

Conclusion

: β2SP deficiency results in dysfunctional hepatocyte cell cycle progression and delayed liver regeneration at 48 hours after PHx, which is p53-independent. β2SP loss may increase susceptibility to DNA damage, impair cell cycle progression, and ultimately lead to hepatocellular cancer. (Hepatology 2011;)
Septum Transversum-Derived Mesothelium Gives Rise to Hepatic Stellate Cells and Perivascular Mesenchymal Cells in Developing Mouse Liver §Δ
Authors: Asahina Kinji , Zhou Bin , Pu William T. , Tsukamoto Hidekazu
Published: December 2010

The septum transversum mesenchyme (STM) signals to induce hepatogenesis from the foregut endoderm. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are sinusoidal pericytes assumed to originate from the STM and participate in mesenchymal-epithelial interaction in embryonic and adult livers. However, the developmental origin of HSCs remains elusive due to the lack of markers for STM and HSCs. We previously identified submesothelial cells (SubMCs) beneath mesothelial cells (MCs) as a potential precursor for HSCs in developing livers. In the present study, we reveal that both STM in embryonic day (E) 9.5 and MC/SubMCs in E12.5 share the expression of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (Alcam), desmin, and Wilms tumor 1 homolog (Wt1). A cell lineage analysis using MesP1Cre/Rosa26lacZflox mice identifies the mesodermal origin of the STM, HSCs, and perivascular mesenchymal cells (PMCs). A conditional cell lineage analysis using the Wt1CreERT2 mice demonstrates that Wt1+ STM gives rise to MCs, SubMCs, HSCs, and PMCs during liver development. Furthermore, we find that Wt1+ MC/SubMCs migrate inward from the liver surface to generate HSCs and PMCs including portal fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts around the central veins. On the other hand, the Wt1+ STM and MC/SubMCs do not contribute to sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and hepatoblasts.

Conclusion

: our results demonstrate that HSCs and PMCs are derived from MC/SubMCs, which are traced back to mesodermal STM during liver development. (Hepatology 2011;.)
Fibrin microthreads support mesenchymal stem cell growth while maintaining differentiation potential
Authors: Proulx Megan K. , Carey Shawn P. , DiTroia Lisa M. , Jones Craig M. , Fakharzadeh Michael , Guyette Jacques P. , Clement Amanda L. , Orr Robert G. , Rolle Marsha W. , Pins George D. , Gaudette Glenn R.
Published: December 2010

We developed a method to produce discrete fibrin microthreads, which can be seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and used as a suture to enhance the efficiency and localization of cell delivery. To assess the efficacy of fibrin microthreads to support hMSC attachment, proliferation, and survival, microthreads (100 μm diameter per microthread) were bundled together, seeded with 50,000 hMSCs for 2 h, and cultured for 5 days. Cell density on microthread bundles increased over time in culture to a maximum average density of 731 ± 101 cells/mm2 after 5 days. A LIVE/DEAD assay confirmed that the cells were viable, and Ki‐67 staining verified hMSC proliferation. In addition, functional differentiation assays demonstrated that hMSCs cultured on microthreads retained their ability to differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. The results of this study demonstrate that fibrin microthreads support hMSC viability and proliferation, while maintaining their multipotency. We anticipate that these cell‐seeded fibrin microthreads will serve as a platform technology to improve localized delivery and engraftment of viable cells to damaged tissue. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Management of cyclosporine overdose in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant patient with sequential plasma exchange and red blood cell exchange
Authors: Moorman Meredith T. , Epstein Robert B. , Smith James W. , O'Neal Caroline , Holter Jennifer L.
Published: December 2010

Cyclosporine is commonly used as an immunosuppressive agent in both solid organ and bone marrow transplant. While used for graft rejection in organ transplantation, cyclosporine has been used to enable tolerance and for prevention of acute graft‐versus‐host disease in bone marrow transplant [Ratanatharathorn et al., Blood 1998;92:2303–2314]. Cyclosporine has a narrow therapeutic window, and many patients develop some level of toxicity even within the therapeutic range. Common toxicities include hypertension, nephrotoxicity, electrolyte abnormalities, hyperglycemia, and neurotoxicity [Woo et al., Bone Marrow Transplant 1997;20:1095–1098]. Management of cyclosporine toxicity is not clearly defined and is primarily supportive in nature. In cases of significant elevations of cyclosporine levels, limited data are available but suggest that whole blood exchange may be effective [Kwon et al., J Heart Lung Transplant 2006;25:483–485; Leitner et al., Transplantation 2003;75:1764–1765]. We present a case of successful rapid clearance of cyclosporine utilizing a combined approach of red cell exchange and plasma exchange. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stages of change
Authors: Norcross John C. , Krebs Paul M. , Prochaska James O.
Published: December 2010

The transtheoretical model, in general, and the stages of change, in particular, have proven useful in adapting or tailoring treatment to the individual. We define the stages and processes of change and then review previous meta‐analyses on their interrelationship. We report an original meta‐analysis of 39 studies, encompassing 8,238 psychotherapy patients, to assess the ability of stages of change and related readiness measures to predict psychotherapy outcomes. Clinically significant effect sizes were found for the association between stage of change and psychotherapy outcomes (d = .46); the amount of progress clients make during treatment tends to be a function of their pretreatment stage of change. We examine potential moderators in effect size by study outcome, patient characteristics, treatment features, and diagnosis. We also review the large volume of behavioral health research, but scant psychotherapy research, that demonstrates the efficacy of matching treatment to the patient's stage of change. Limitations of the extant research are noted, and practice recommendations are advanced. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 67:143–154, 2011.
CGCM projections of heavy rainfall events in China
Authors: Chen Huopo , Sun Jianqi , Chen Xiaoli , Zhou Wen
Published: December 2010

This paper discusses projections of heavy rainfall events in China during the 21st century based on daily precipitation data from the Fourth Assessment Report's (AR4) Coupled General Circulation Models (CGCM). Results show that all three experimental scenarios (scenarios A2, A1B, and B1) project consistent changes in frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall at the end of 21st century. In the regions of Northeast China and North China, there are no significant changes in frequency but there are remarkable increases in intensity of heavy rainfall, indicating that enhanced intensity is the main contributor to increased ratios of heavy rainfall to total annual precipitation in these regions. In regions of the lower reaches of Yangtze River and South China, increases in the amount of heavy rainfall are closely associated with increased frequency and increased intensity. Projected frequencies of heavy rainfall at the end of 21st century increase by 30.9 ∼ 56.6% in the Yangtze River and 35.9 ∼ 50.2% in South China compared to the period of 1980–1999, and projected intensities increase by 1.0 ∼ 5.7% and 2.8 ∼ 6.3%, respectively. Additionally, the ratios of heavy rainfall to total annual precipitation increase by 2.3 ∼ 5.4% in the Yangtze River and 1.8 ∼ 3.8% in South China. The significant increases of heavy rainfall ratios indicate that as the climate warms, heavy rainfall events are expected to increase at rates that are much faster than increases in total precipitation amounts, indicating that China will experience increased amounts of flooding. These results are substantially consistent among the three IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) scenarios.

The increased probability of heavy rainfall events in China is closely connected with increased transportation of water vapour from the Arabian Sea and the South China Sea. Additionally, atmosphere stratification has become increasingly unstable, which has provided a favorable background for the initiation of heavy rainfall at the end of the 21st century. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
The role of calcium and nitric oxide during liver enzyme release induced by increased physical forces as evidenced in partially hepatectomized rats
Authors: Díaz-Juárez Julieta , Hernández-Muñoz Rolando
Published: December 2010

Although increased plasma enzyme activities could be diagnostic for tissue damage, the mechanisms controlling cellular enzyme release remain poorly understood. We found a selective and drastic elevation of serum enzyme activities accompanying rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH), apparently controlled by a mechanism dependent on flow-bearing physical forces. In fact, this study assesses a putative role of calcium mobilization and nitric oxide (NO) production underlying rat liver enzyme release. The role of increased shear stress (by enhancing viscosity during perfusion) and the participation of cell calcium and NO were tested in isolated livers subjected to increasing flow rate. After PH, there was a drastic elevation of serum activities for liver enzyme markers, clearly predominating those of mitochondrial localization. Liver enzyme release largely depended on extracellular calcium entry, probably mediated by stretch-sensitive calcium channels, as well as by increasing NO production. However, these effects were differentially observed when comparing liver enzymes from cytoplasmic or mitochondrial compartments. Moreover, a possible role for cell-mediated mechanotransduction in liver enzyme release was suggested by increasing shear stress (high viscosity), which also selectively affected the release of the enzymes tested. Therefore, we show, for the first time, that flow-induced shear stress can control the amount of hepatic enzymes released into the bloodstream, which is largely regulated through modifications in cell calcium mobilization and production of liver NO, events markedly elevated in the proliferating rat liver. Liver Transpl, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Preoperative fasting protects mice against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury: mechanisms and effects on liver regeneration
Authors: Verweij Mariëlle , van Ginhoven Tessa M. , Mitchell James R. , Sluiter Wim , den Engel Sandra van , Roest Henk P. , Torabi Elham , IJzermans Jan N. M. , Hoeijmakers Jan H. J. , de Bruin Ron W. F.
Published: December 2010

We show that brief periods of fasting induce functional changes similar to those induced by long-term dietary restriction in mice, and these changes include protection from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of protection induced by fasting, and we determined the effect on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Partial hepatic ischemia (75 minutes) was induced in ad libitum fed mice and in 1- to 3-day-fasted mice, and one-third or two-thirds hepatectomy was performed in ad libitum fed mice and 3-day-fasted mice. Preoperative fasting for 2 or 3 days significantly decreased hepatocellular I/R injury. Hepatic gene expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), and glutathione reductase (GSR) was significantly up-regulated in 3-day-fasted mice at the baseline and 6 hours after reperfusion. After reperfusion, p-selectin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were significantly lower, and superoxide radical generation, lipid peroxidation, and neutrophil influx were significantly attenuated in 3-day-fasted mice. Preoperative fasting did not affect liver regeneration after one-third hepatectomy. Hepatic gene expression of IL-6 and transforming growth factor β1 was significantly higher in 3-day-fasted mice before and after one-third hepatectomy. Tumor necrosis factor α expression significantly increased after one-third hepatectomy in 3-day-fasted mice. After a 3-day fast and two-thirds hepatectomy, liver regeneration and subsequent postoperative recovery were compromised. In conclusion, up-regulation of the stress response gene HO-1 and the antioxidant enzymes SOD2, Gpx1, and GSR at the baseline and a better response after reperfusion likely underlie the protection induced by fasting against hepatic I/R injury. Preoperative fasting may be a promising new strategy for protecting the liver against I/R injury during liver transplantation and minor liver resections, although its effect on extended hepatectomy warrants further exploration. Liver Transpl 17:695–704, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Polydomain–Monodomain Orientational Process in Smectic‐C Main‐Chain Liquid‐Crystalline Elastomers
Authors: Sánchez‐Ferrer Antoni , Finkelmann Heino
Published: December 2010

The polydomain–monodomain (PM) transformation takes place when a polydomain of a smectic‐C main‐chain liquid‐crystalline elastomer (SmC MCLCE) is uniaxially stretched. We present results based on a combination of mechanical and X‐ray experiments which show how the domains initially rearrange to finally form a perfect conical layer distribution (monodomain) when the sample is fully stretched. The rearrangement and orientational process of the domains is quantified and compared to the parallel and perpendicular uniaxial stress–strain deformations of a monodomain sample. The stress–strain behaviour of the polydomain lays between the uniaxial deformations, parallel and perpendicular to the director, of the monodomain sample.

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Chemische Ökologie/Ökologische Chemie
Authors: Francke Wittko
Published: December 2010

Im Bereich der „chemischen Ökologie”︁ oder „ökologischen Chemie”︁ werden die chemischen Prinzipien untersucht, die vielfältige Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Organismen steuern; Signalstoffe spielen eine zentrale Rolle. Diesem interdisziplinären Gebiet zwischen Biologie und Chemie wenden sich immer mehr Arbeitsgruppen zu.
Agrarchemie: Gegenläufiger Trend bei Düngern und Pflanzenschutzmitteln
Authors: Nachtsheim Hubert
Published: December 2010

Die Landwirtschaft war von jeher ein bedeutender Kunde der chemischen Industrie; Dünge‐ und Pflanzenschutzmittel waren wichtige Umsatzträger. Seit einer Reihe von Jahren ist der Trend in diesen beiden Bereichen eher gegenläufig: Das Düngemittelgeschäft wurde zum Sorgenkind, während beim Pflanzenschutz gute Umsätze und wohl auch Gewinne gemacht werden. Am 1. Juli 1988 haben sich die früher in getrennten Verbänden organisierten Firmen der Agrarchemie im „Industrieverband Agrar”︁ (IVA) zusammengeschlossen, der kürzlich in Hamburg erstmals einen Bericht über die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung der gesamten Branche vorlegte.
Festkörperchemie
Authors: Böttcher Peter
Published: December 2010

Vom Boom der Materialwissenschaften profitiert auch die anorganische Festkörperchemie, für die hier der Jahresrückblick 1990 nachgeliefert wird. Nicht nur Hochtemperatur–Supraleiter bestimmen die Szene, aber die stimulierende Wirkung dieser Verbindungen ist nicht zu übersehen.
“Cheap, even if it's nasty”
Authors: Bochmann Manfred
Published: December 2010

Der britische University Funding Council hat eine Erhöhung der Studienzulassungen für 1991/92 urn 7 Prozent beschlossen. Dieser Zuwachs soll finanziert werden durch die verstärkte Aufnahme von “Fees–only”–Studenten. Die Einheitskosten der Ausbildung werden heruntergeschraubt; der Lehretat der Hochschulen wird weiter erodiert. Die Folge ist eine Expansion der Geisteswissenschaften zuungunsten der teureren Ingenieur– und Naturwissenschaften.
Curie–Punkt–Pyrolyse und Pyrolyse–Massenspektrometer
Authors: Merklein Claus
Published: December 2010

Die Pyrolyse, die thermische Zersetzung in definierter Atmosphäre oder im Vakuum, überführt Substanzen ohne weitere Probenvorbereitung direkt in die Gasphase und macht sie so der Messung im Massenspektrometer oder Gas–Chromatographen zugänglich.
Polymeranalytik: Strukturbestimmung von Makromolekülen mit der Gelpermeations‐Chromatographie
Authors: Wintermantel Matthias , Schmidt Manfred , Becker Alfons , Kühn Andreas , Lösch Rainer
Published: December 2010

Die Gelpermeations‐Chromatographie ausgerüstet mit Vielwinkel‐Lichtstreu‐und Viskositätsdetektoren hat sich von einer indirekten Methode zur Molmassenbestimmung zu einer aussichtsreichen Methode zur Strukturcharakterisierung speziell von Polymeren mit breit verteilten Molmassen entwickelt.
Quantenchemisches Rechnen ‐ eine Bilanz für den Normalverbraucher
Authors: Janoschek Rudolf
Published: December 2010

Während früher eine fast unüberschaubare Palette von verschiedenen quantenmechanischen Rechenverfahren zur Auswahl angeboten wurde, geht heute der Trend zur Uniformität – ein Zeichen, daß „Computational Chemistry”︁ auf dem Weg zur „normalen Wissenschaft”︁ ist. Die größten Erfolge werden bei der Behandlung von Energiehyperflächen erzielt. Weniger gute Erfolge an anderer Stelle (z.B. ESR‐Spektren) veranlassen den Autor des folgenden, gelegentlich unorthodoxen Beitrags zur Mahnung, über der Computerei nicht die Gedankenarbeit zu vernachlässigen.
Gen für mangelnde Arbeitsleistung kloniert
Authors: Ibelgaufts Horst
Published: December 2010

Schuld an allgemein mangelnder Arbeitsleistung im Labor sind unsere Gene bzw. deren Produkte und nicht die mangelhaften Arbeitsbedingungen (unübliche Arbeitszeiten, unübliche Bezahlung). Neuen Erkenntnissen zufolge ist es ein TGIF genannter Faktor, der maßgeblich an der Pathogenese des als Syndrom der mangelnden Arbeitsleistung bezeichneten Phänomens beteiligt ist.
Chemie‐Zentren in Berlin‐Adlershof
Authors: Zeise M.
Published: December 2010

Auf einer Vortragstagung zum Thema „Industrienahe Chemieforschung in Adlershof”︁ präsentierten im Juni die wissenschaftlichen Leiter der vier neu gegründeten Chemie‐Zentren in Berlin‐Adlershof ihr Leistungsangebot gegenüber Vertretern der in‐ und ausländischen Industrie.
Hochdruck und Biotechnologie
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: December 2010

Vom Abstrakten zum Konkreten, von der physikalischen Chemie des reinen Wassers bis zur Technik der Schokoladen‐und Marmeladenfabrikation reichte das Spektrum einer viertägigen japanisch‐europäischen Tagung über die biologischen, biotechnologischen und lebensmitteltechnischen Anwendungen hoher hydrostatischer Drücke.
Metamorphose zwischen Ionenkanälen
Authors: Maelicke Alfred
Published: December 2010

Die Ionenkanäle biologischer Membranen sind nach ähnlichen Strukturprinzipien aufgebaut. Neue elektrophysiologische Untersuchungen an selektiv mutierten Kanalproteinen helfen, die strukturellen Unterschiede zwischen Kanälen unterschiedlicher Ionenselektivität zu klären.
Graphiken auf dem Präsentierteller
Authors: Seimet Uwe
Published: December 2010

Wie heißt es doch so schön: „Das Auge ißt mit.”︁ Dies gilt auch für Graphiken, die per Computer erzeugt wurden. Auch dem Chemiker nutzt die optisch ansprechende Aufbereitung seiner Arbeitsergebnisse. Sowohl auf Atari‐Computern als auch auf IBM‐kompatiblen PCs bietet das Programm Xact der Hamburger SciLab GmbH seine Dienste zur Erstellung professioneller Präsentationsgraphiken an.
Die deutschen Kaliunternehmen gehen zusammen
Authors: Hauthal H. G.
Published: December 2010

Neben Kalium‐ und Magnesium‐Düngemitteln für die Landwirtschaft liefert die Kaliindustrie mit Kaliumchlorid und ‐sulfat, mit Magnesiumchlorid und ‐sulfat sowie nicht zuletzt mit Steinsalz unverzichtbare Rohstoffe für die chemische Industrie und viele andere technische Bereiche. Trotz vielfältiger Innovation sieht sich die deutsche Kaliindustrie seit längerem wirtschaftlichen Schwierigkeiten ausgesetzt.
Kohlenmonoxid ein Neurotransmitter?
Authors: Maelicke Alfred
Published: December 2010

Die überraschende Entdeckung, daß NO als physiologischer Botenstoff wirken kann, ist nun auch auf CO ausgedehnt worden. Kohlenmonoxid wird durch die Hämoxygenase produziert und wirkt als Aktivator der Guanylylcyclase. Beide Enzyme sind im Säugerhirn weitverbreitet exprimiert. In Primärkulturen olfaktorischer Neuronen bewirkt die selektive Inhibition der Hämoxygenase einen Abfall der cGMP‐Konzentration. Diese Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, daß Kohlenmonoxid ein natürlicher Neurotransmitter ist.
Moderne Anorganik‐ ein Versuch: „Anorganische Chemie”︁. Von D. F. Shriver, P. W. Atkins und C. H. Langford. VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim 1992. 781 S., 368 Abb., 127 Tab., geb. DM 98,‐. ISBN 3‐527‐28105‐3.
Authors: Kaim W.
Published: December 2010

Moderne Anorganik‐ ein Versuch: „Anorganische Chemie”︁. Von D. F. Shriver, P. W. Atkins und C. H. Langford. VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim 1992. 781 S., 368 Abb., 127 Tab., geb. DM 98, ‐. ISBN 3‐527‐28105‐3.
Maßstabsübertragung aus der Sicht des Chemikers
Authors: Zlokarnik Marko
Published: December 2010

Mit dimensionslos formulierten Prozeß‐Charakteristiken läßt sich eine Maßstabsübertragung unter Beachtung bestimmter Randbedingungen in der mechanischen, thermischen und chemischen Verfahrenstechnik sicher gestalten. Die Anwendung der Dimensionsanalyse bietet besondere Vorteile gerade auch bei komplexen chemisch‐technischen Fragestellungen, wie an Beispielen gezeigt wird.
Molekulare Erkennung in Bestform
Authors: Leitner Walter
Published: December 2010

Ob “flatland chemistry” oder “molecular chaperones” ‐ Methoden zur selektiven Erkennung molekularer Strukturen sind für den Synthetiker im Labor ebenso wichtig wie für enzymatische Vorgänge in lebenden Zellen. Wie weit der Begriff “molecular recognition” gefaßt werden kann, zeigten die Vortragenden der diesjährigen Bürgenstock‐Konferenz mit ihren Beiträgen zu aktuellen Themen der biochemischen, bioorganischen, organischen und anorganischen Forschung.