bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of CD229 as a new alternative plasma cell gating marker in the flow cytometric immunophenotyping of monoclonal gammopathies
Authors: Tembhare Prashant R. , Ghogale Sitaram , Tauro Wilma , Badrinath Yajamanam , Deshpande Nilesh , Kedia Shweta , Cherian Keziah , Patkar Nikhil V. , Chatterjee Gaurav , Gujral Sumeet , Subramanian Papagudi G. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundCurrent flow‐cytometric plasma cell (PC) gating is based on CD138, CD38, and CD45 expression. CD138 is known for variable expression and loss during storage and processing. Introduction of anti‐CD38 and anti‐CD138 monoclonal‐antibody therapies has limited the use of these markers during follow‐up. Hence, additional reliable PC‐gating markers are required. Recently, CD229 has been claimed as an alternative PC‐gating marker. However, these studies are limited to a small cohort of samples. We evaluated the utility of CD229 as a new PC‐gating marker in routine laboratory practice.MethodsExpression of CD229 was studied in 310 bone marrow (BM) samples (251 plasma‐cell disorders and 59 controls) and compared with CD138 and CD38 expression. We also evaluated the effect of additional processing for cytoplasmic immunoglobulin‐light‐chains (CyIgL) staining on the quantitation of PC.ResultsExpression of CD229 was consistently stronger on PC than other hematopoietic‐cells (p < 0.001). PC‐percentages using CD229 in combination with CD38 or CD138 and CD45 revealed high correlation with a reference gating‐strategy using CD138, CD38 and CD45 (r = 0.98, r = 0.99 r = 0.99 respectively) and r = 0.92 using CD229 and CD45 without CD38 or CD138. In contrast, CD138 expression showed significant variability (CV‐MFI, 97.5) and loss from PC in 53% of samples. Quantitation of PC was found to be lower in 69.3% and higher in 30.7% samples processed for CyIgL‐staining as compared to surface‐staining.ConclusionsCD229 is a reliable new alternative PC‐gating marker in routine laboratory practice. Quantitation of PC based on CD138 expression or from samples processed for CyIgL‐staining should be used with caution. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Flow cytometric aberrancies in plasma cell myeloma and MGUS – correlation with laboratory parameters
Authors: Gupta Sarika , Karandikar Nitin J. , Ginader Timothy , Bellizzi Andrew M. , Holman Carol J. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundMultiparametric flow cytometry is a useful tool for diagnosis of plasma cell (PC) dyscrasias and assessment of minimal residual disease in plasma cell myeloma (PCM). However, the immunophenotypic differences between the clonal PCs of PCM and those of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) as well as the correlation of these flow cytometric markers with pertinent laboratory parameters have not been evaluated.MethodsWe retrospectively identified all newly diagnosed treatment‐naive PCM and MGUS patients between 09/2014 and 06/2015 who underwent 10‐color flow‐cytometric evaluation: CD45, CD38, CD138, cKappa, cLambda, CD19, CD27, CD28, CD56, CD117. FACSDiva analysis was used to identify antigenic aberrancies and associations with pertinent laboratory parameters were evaluated.ResultsAll cases demonstrated at least two aberrancies. There was a trend toward a greater number of aberrancies in PCM, with 68% showing >/= 4 aberrancies compared with 44% in MGUS (P = 0.11). The only marker more frequently aberrant in one disease class was CD19, aberrant in 68% of PCM and 25% of MGUS (P < 0.01). In PCM, significant associations were found for CD56 non‐aberrancy (P = 0.05) and the presence of amyloid and CD27 aberrancy and normal serum albumin (P = 0.05). In MGUS, CD117 expression was associated with normal hemoglobin (P = 0.03).ConclusionsThe PCs of PCM show a trend toward more antigenic aberrancy than those of MGUS. There is significant association between the antigenic profiles of PCM/MGUS and clinical parameters including amyloidosis, albumin level, and hemoglobin. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Microglial interactions with the neurovascular system in physiology and pathology
Authors: Zhao Xiaoliang , Eyo Ukpong B. , Murugan Madhuvika , Wu Long‐Jun 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTMicroglia as immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) play significant roles not only in pathology but also in physiology, such as shaping of the CNS during development and its proper maintenance in maturity. Emerging research is showing a close association between microglia and the neurovasculature that is critical for brain energy supply. In this review, we summarize the current literature on microglial interaction with the vascular system in the normal and diseased brain. First, we highlight data that indicate interesting potential involvement of microglia in developmental angiogenesis. Then we discuss the evidence for microglial participation with the vasculature in neuropathologies from brain tumors to acute injuries such as ischemic stroke to chronic neurodegenerative conditions. We conclude by suggesting future areas of research to advance the field in light of current technical progress and outstanding questions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 604–617, 2018
Comparative pharmacokinetics of trandolapril, its active metabolite, and verapamil in human plasma of Egyptian population using HPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Magdy Ragaa , El‐Khatib Ahmed H. , Hemdan Ahmed , Elaziz Omar Abd , Farouk Maha , Linscheid Michael W. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTrandolapril and verapamil are commonly used antihypertensive drugs. However, there is a lack of available data on the change of their pharmacokinetics in patients with liver or kidney impairment and hence the need for dose adjustment. In this article, a high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the monitoring of trandolapril, its active metabolite trandolaprilat, and verapamil in human plasma of patients with renal impairment and/or liver insufficiency. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Gemini C18 reversed phase column using a gradient elution mode with a run time of 10 minutes. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of methanol and 2% acetic acid. The electrospray ionization MS/MS analysis was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The assay was validated as per Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for bioanalytical method validation and proved to be suitable for the determination of therapeutic drug levels in plasma. The inter‐group changes in pharmacokinetic data were compared to that of healthy volunteers. The comparison showed a significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters between the studied groups. The presented results exhibit the benefits of the proposed assay as a validated analytical tool for the continuous drug monitoring.
Fasting or fear: disentangling the roles of predation risk and food deprivation in the nitrogen metabolism of consumers
Authors: Dalton Christopher M. , Tracy Karen E. , Hairston Nelson G. , Flecker Alexander S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPredators can alter nutrient cycles simply by inducing stress in prey. This stress accelerates prey's protein catabolism, nitrogen waste production, and nitrogen cycling. Yet predators also reduce the feeding rates of their prey, inducing food deprivation that is expected to slow protein catabolism and nitrogen cycling. The physiology of prey under predation risk thus balances the influences of predation risk and food deprivation, and this balance is central to understanding the role of predators in nutrient cycles. We explored the separate and combined effects of predation risk and food deprivation on prey physiology and nutrient cycling by exposing guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to predation risk and food deprivation in a 2 × 2 design. We simulated predation risk using chemical cues from a natural predator of guppies, and we created food deprivation by rationing food availability. We measured guppy response as food consumption, growth, tissue energy density, tissue carbon:nitrogen, and nitrogen (N) excretion and assimilation. We found that N‐linked physiological processes (N consumption, assimilation, excretion) were strongly affected by predation risk, independent of food consumption. Guppies excreted substantially less under predation risk than they did under food deprivation or control conditions. These results suggest that predation risk, per se, triggers physiological changes in guppies that increase N retention and decrease N excretion. We suggest that slower N metabolism under predation risk is an adaptive response that minimizes protein loss in the face of predictable, predator‐induced food restriction. Notably, N metabolism shares common hormonal control with food seeking behavior, and we speculate that increased N retention is a direct and immediate result of reduced food seeking under predation risk. Contrary to predation‐stress‐based hypotheses for how predators affect nutrient cycling by prey, our result indicates that even short‐term exposure to predators may decelerate, rather than accelerate, the speed of N cycling by suppressing N turnover by prey.
Mixing alters the lytic activity of viruses in the dark ocean
Authors: Winter Christian , Köstner Nicole , Kruspe Carl‐Philip , Urban Damaris , Muck Simone , Reinthaler Thomas , Herndl Gerhard J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn aquatic habitats, viral lysis of prokaryotic cells lowers the overall efficiency of the microbial loop, by which dissolved organic carbon is transfered to higher trophic levels. Mixing of water masses in the dark ocean occurs on a global scale and may have far reaching consequences for the different prokaryotic and virus communities found in these waters by altering the environmental conditions these communities experience. We hypothesize that mixing of deep ocean water masses enhances the lytic activity of viruses infecting prokaryotes. To address this hypothesis, major deep‐sea water masses of the Atlantic Ocean such as North Atlantic Deep Water, Mediterranean Sea Overflow Water, Antarctic Intermediate Water, and Antarctic Bottom Water were sampled at five locations. Prokaryotic cells from these samples were collected by filtration and subsequently incubated in virus‐reduced water from either the same (control) or a different water mass (transplantation treatment). Additionally, mixtures of prokaryotes obtained from two different water masses were incubated in a mixture of virus‐reduced water from the same water masses (control) or in virus‐reduced water from the source water masses separately (mixing treatments). Pronounced differences in productivity‐related parameters (prokaryotic leucine incorporation, prokaryotic and viral abundance) between water masses caused strong changes in viral lysis of prokaryotes. Often, mixing of water masses increased viral lysis of prokaryotes, indicating that lysogenic viruses were induced into the lytic cycle. Mixing‐induced changes in viral lysis had a strong effect on the community composition of prokaryotes and viruses. Our data show that mixing of deep‐sea water masses alters levels of viral lysis of prokaryotes and in many cases weakens the efficiency of the microbial loop by enhancing the recycling of organic carbon in the deep ocean.
Ecological drivers of soil microbial diversity and soil biological networks in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Reith Frank , Dennis Paul G. , Hamonts Kelly , Powell Jeff R. , Young Andrew , Singh Brajesh K. , Bissett Andrew 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe ecological drivers of soil biodiversity in the Southern Hemisphere remain underexplored. Here, in a continental survey comprising 647 sites, across 58 degrees of latitude between tropical Australia and Antarctica, we evaluated the major ecological patterns in soil biodiversity and relative abundance of ecological clusters within a co‐occurrence network of soil bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. Six major ecological clusters (modules) of co‐occurring soil taxa were identified. These clusters exhibited strong shifts in their relative abundances with increasing distance from the equator. Temperature was the major environmental driver of the relative abundance of ecological clusters when Australia and Antarctica are analyzed together. Temperature, aridity, soil properties and vegetation types were the major drivers of the relative abundance of different ecological clusters within Australia. Our data supports significant reductions in the diversity of bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes in Antarctica vs. Australia linked to strong reductions in temperature. However, we only detected small latitudinal variations in soil biodiversity within Australia. Different environmental drivers regulate the diversity of soil archaea (temperature and soil carbon), bacteria (aridity, vegetation attributes and pH) and eukaryotes (vegetation type and soil carbon) across Australia. Together, our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms driving soil biodiversity in the Southern Hemisphere.
Development of Reactive Scheduling for Rolling Stock Operation using a Constraint Model
Authors: TOMIYAMA TOMOE , SATO TATSUHIRO , MURATA TOMOHIRO , IWAMURA SHIGEKI , SAKAMOTO OSAMU 
Published: January 2018

SUMMARYIn almost all Japanese railway companies, rolling stock management still relies on manual procedure. As density of trains and interconnectivity between lines are increased, a support system for the management gets to be important. This paper focuses on a scheduling task for vehicle units’ operation and a support system for rescheduling vehicle units’ operation in train service disruption. A schedule of vehicle units’ operation is modified by a dispatcher to keep consistency between train timetable and vehicle unit assignment. When there is no solution, the dispatcher has to ask a train service manager to change train timetable. To support this task, we developed an algorithm of rescheduling vehicle unit operation, which included relaxation of constraints. Our algorithm represents constraints as a network model, and, if necessary, relaxes constraints by modifying the network model during search of a solution. This paper indicates the network model, the algorithm of searching for a solution as relaxing constraints, and numerical experiments using a real middle‐size data. The results of the experiments showed that our algorithm could calculate various solutions with relaxed constraints. Analyzing the solutions at the viewpoints of train service and rolling stock operation, we showed the effectiveness of a system that proposes various solutions using our algorithm.
Covalent immobilization of acetylcholinesterase on a novel polyacrylic acid‐based nanofiber membrane
Authors: Çakıroğlu Bekir , Çiğil Aslı Beyler , Ogan Ayşe , Kahraman M. Vezir , Demir Serap 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this study, polyacrylic acid‐based nanofiber (NF) membrane was prepared via electrospinning method. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Electrophorus electricus was covalently immobilized onto polyacrylic acid‐based NF membrane by demonstrating efficient enzyme immobilization, and immobilization capacity of polymer membranes was found to be 0.4 mg/g. The novel NF membrane was synthesized via thermally activated surface reconstruction, and activation with carbonyldiimidazole upon electrospinning. The morphology of the polyacrylic acid‐based membrane was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of temperature and pH on enzyme activity was investigated and maxima activities for free and immobilized enzyme were observed at 30 and 35°C, and pH 7.4 and 8.0, respectively. The effect of 1 mM Mn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+ ions on the stability of the immobilized AChE was also investigated. According to the Michaelis–Menten plot, AChE possessed a lower affinity to acetylthiocholine iodide after immobilization, and the Michaelis–Menten constant of immobilized and free AChE were found to be 0.5008 and 0.4733 mM, respectively. The immobilized AChE demonstrated satisfactory reusability, and even after 10 consecutive activity assay runs, AChE maintained ca. 87% of its initial activity. Free enzyme lost its activity completely within 60 days, while the immobilized enzyme retained approximately 70% of the initial activity under the same storage time. The favorable reusability of immobilized AChE enables the support to be employable to develop the AChE‐based biosensors.
Jet aeration as alternative to overcome mass transfer limitation of stirred bioreactors
Authors: Weber Sebastian , Schaepe Sebastian , Freyer Stephan , Kopf Michael‐Helmut , Dietzsch Christian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn industrial biotechnology increasing reactor volumes have the potential to reduce production costs. Whenever the achievable space time yield is determined by the mass transfer performance of the reactor, energy efficiency plays an important role to meet the requirements regarding low investment and operating costs. Based on theoretical calculations, compared to bubble column, airlift reactor, and aerated stirred tank, the jet loop reactor shows the potential for an enhanced energetic efficiency at high mass transfer rates. Interestingly, its technical application in standard biotechnological production processes has not yet been realized. Compared to a stirred tank reactor powered by Rushton turbines, maximum oxygen transfer rates about 200% higher were achieved in a jet loop reactor at identical power input in a fed batch fermentation process. Moreover, a model‐based analysis of yield coefficients and growth kinetics showed that E. coli can be cultivated in jet loop reactors without significant differences in biomass growth. Based on an aerobic fermentation process, the assessment of energetic oxygen transfer efficiency [kgO2 kW−1 h−1] for a jet loop reactor yielded an improvement of almost 100%. The jet loop reactor could be operated at mass transfer rates 67% higher compared to a stirred tank. Thus, an increase of 40% in maximum space time yield [kg m−3 h−1] could be observed.
Enzyme Crystals and Hydrogel Composite Membranes as New Active Food Packaging Material
Authors: Mirabelli Valentina , Majidi Salehi Shabnam , Angiolillo Luisa , Belviso Benny Danilo , Conte Amalia , Del Nobile Matteo Alessandro , Di Profio Gianluca , Caliandro Rocco 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe great antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of enzymes makes them prone to be used as active packaging materials to preserve food from contamination or degradation. Major drawbacks are connected to the use of enzymes freely dispersed in solution, due to reduced protein stability. The immobilization of enzymes on solid supports to create biocatalytic interfaces has instead been proven to increase their stability and efficiency. In this work, it is shown that enzymes crystallized on hydrogel composite membranes (HCMs) can exert an effective antimicrobial action, thus making the composite membrane and crystals biofilm a potential active substrate for food packaging applications. The antimicrobial hen egg white lysozyme is crystallized on the surface of the hydrogel layer of HCMs, and its activity is determined by measuring the decrease in absorbance of Micrococcus lysodeikticus culture incubated with the specimen. The overall catalytic efficiency of the antimicrobial HCMs increases by a factor of 2 compared to the pure enzyme dissolved in solution at the same quantity. Because the enzyme in crystalline form is present in higher concentration and purity than in the solution, both its overall catalytic efficiency and antimicrobial action increase. Moreover, the hydrogel environment allows a better protein stabilization and retention during crystals dissolution.
Injury prevention through employment as a priority for wellbeing among Aboriginal people in remote Australia
Authors: Schultz Rosalie , Abbott Tammy , Yamaguchi Jessica , Cairney Sheree 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIssue addressedInjuries lead to more hospitalisations and lost years of healthy life for Aboriginal people than any other cause. However, they are often overlooked in discussion of relieving Aboriginal disadvantage.MethodsFour Aboriginal communities with diverse geography, culture and service arrangements participated in the Interplay Wellbeing project. In each community, Aboriginal researchers conducted focus groups and interviews arranged through Aboriginal organisations to explore wellbeing. A total of 84 participants contributed to 14 focus groups and eight interviews, which were recorded, transcribed and coded. This article reports on injury and possibilities for prevention, unanticipated themes raised in discussions of wellbeing.ResultsInterpersonal violence, injury and imprisonment emerged as themes that were linked with employment and wellbeing. Employment in Aboriginal ranger programs provides meaningful activity, which strengthens people's identity and cultural integrity. This can avert interpersonal violence through empowering women and reducing alcohol access and consumption.ConclusionRanger programs may provide a much‐needed opportunity to control escalating rates of injury for Aboriginal people in remote communities.So what?The manifold benefits of Aboriginal ranger programs include reducing violence and its injury and criminal justice consequences.
Hospital accreditation in Iran: A qualitative case study of Kerman hospitals
Authors: Nekoei‐Moghadam Mahmood , Amiresmaili Mohammadreza , Iranemansh Mohammadhosein , Iranmanesh Mahla 
Published: January 2018

SummaryBackgroundAccording to published evidence, accreditation is one of the evaluating tools in health care organizations. But, there is disagreement among authorities and experts in this regard. This study aims to investigate the evaluation of hospital accreditation in an Iranian context.MethodsIn this qualitative study, a purposive sample of 170 informants was used. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted to gather data, which were analyzed using a framework analysis method.ResultsElicited themes were categorized into the domains of strengths of accreditation, weaknesses of accreditation, and accreditation model. The results showed that promoting a culture of quality management and patient safety can resolve many of the problems of an accreditation program. This cannot be achieved without a good working knowledge of accreditation and a strategy to diminish nervousness about the programme on the part of staff.ConclusionThe potential impacts of these findings highlight that a comprehensive consideration of the identified inconsistencies is required for a successful implementation of accreditation in Iran. Meetings with professionals and conferences can be considered effective ways of achieving this.Originality/valueIt is hoped that our results will facilitate a reformulation of Iran's health policy.