bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of the Occupational Therapy Stroke Arm and Hand Record: An Upper Limb Treatment Schedule
Authors: Jarvis Kathryn , Reid Gaynor , Edelstyn Nicola , Hunter Susan 
Published: March 2014

Introduction: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive occupational therapy treatment schedule of upper limb interventions for stroke survivors with reduced upper limb function. Method: In a three-phased qualitative consensus study, 12 occupational therapists from acute and community settings in North West England contributed to interviews and subsequently group discussions to design and pilot a treatment schedule. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis; the themes were used to develop a framework for the schedule that was supported by and reflected the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. A draft schedule was the subject of a focus group and the resultant schedule was piloted in clinical practice by eight local occupational therapists working in neurological rehabilitation. Findings: Consensus was reached on three themes summarizing aspects of function: interventions that address preparation for activity, functional skills (that is, an aspect of function), and function. Three additional themes summarized other aspects of therapy: advice and education, practice outside therapy sessions, and psychosocial interventions. These themes became the main headings of the treatment schedule. The Occupational Therapy Stroke Arm and Hand Record treatment schedule was piloted and found to be comprehensive and potentially beneficial to clinical practice. Conclusion: The Occupational Therapy Stroke Arm and Hand Record treatment schedule provides a tool for use in stroke research and clinical practice.
Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury: The Lived Experience
Authors: McDonald JoeAnn , Pettigrew Judith 
Published: March 2014

Introduction: It takes a long time for someone to come to terms with a traumatic brachial plexus injury. The loss of function is akin to physical amputation of the limb, with all the associated body image and psychological effects (Waldram 2003). Numerous studies have been carried out that report on the functional outcomes following traumatic brachial plexus injury, but there is a noticeable lack of qualitative evidence that explores the subjective experiences of people following such an injury. The purpose of this study was to give these people a voice and allow researchers and occupational therapists to learn from the ‘lived experiences’ of those who had incurred such a devastating injury. Method: The research (undertaken by the first author) utilized a qualitative approach informed by phenomenology. This approach permitted the researcher to examine the core concepts of the lived experiences of people with this injury (Strauss 1990). Ten male Irish participants diagnosed with a traumatic brachial plexus injury were interviewed. Thematic analysis and member checking were utilized. Findings: The lack of rehabilitative and counselling services in the health care system was evident. Participants also voiced issues such as unequal opportunities in gaining employment, gender roles, the challenges of pain control, and the devastating effect of depression. Conclusion: The findings from this study will be of direct relevance to further development of services for individuals diagnosed with a traumatic brachial plexus injury.
Opzettelijke wanprestatie en contractuele remedies: een onderbelicht terrein
Authors: van Kogelenberg M. 
Published: March 2014

Opzettelijke wanprestatie en contractuele remedies: een onderbelicht terrein
In deze bijdrage wordt via een rechtsvergelijkende analyse betoogd dat de teleurgestelde crediteur in het geval van opzettelijke wanprestatie toegang zou moeten hebben tot strengere sancties dan het contractenrecht normaal gesproken biedt. De teleurgestelde crediteur zou bijvoorbeeld eerder nakoming moeten kunnen vorderen, in ruimere mate tegemoet moeten worden gekomen in bewijs en begroting van de schade ter grootte van het positief contractsbelang, een hogere schadevergoeding moeten kunnen claimen, eerder toegang moeten hebben tot winstafdracht en eerder moeten kunnen ontbinden.
Induction of Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Into Urothelium
Authors: Osborn Stephanie L. , Thangappan Ravikumar , Luria Ayala , Lee Justin H. , Nolta Jan , Kurzrock Eric A. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
In vitro generation of human urothelium from stem cells would be a major advancement in the regenerative medicine field, providing alternate nonurologic and/or nonautologous tissue sources for bladder grafts. Such a model would also help decipher the mechanisms of urothelial differentiation and would facilitate investigation of deviated differentiation of normal progenitors into urothelial cancer stem cells, perhaps elucidating areas of intervention for improved treatments. Thus far, in vitro derivation of urothelium from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells has not been reported. The goal of this work was to develop an efficient in vitro protocol for the induction of hESCs into urothelium through an intermediary definitive endoderm step and free of matrices and cell contact. During directed differentiation in a urothelial-specific medium (“Uromedium”), hESCs produced up to 60% urothelium, as determined by uroplakin expression; subsequent propagation selected for 90% urothelium. Alteration of the epithelial and mesenchymal cell signaling contribution through noncell contact coculture or conditioned media did not enhance the production of urothelium. Temporospatial evaluation of transcription factors known to be involved in urothelial specification showed association of IRF1, GET1, and GATA4 with uroplakin expression. Additional hESC and hiPS cell lines could also be induced into urothelium using this in vitro system. These results demonstrate that derivation and propagation of urothelium from hESCs and hiPS cells can be efficiently accomplished in vitro in the absence of matrices, cell contact, or adult cell signaling and that the induction process appears to mimic normal differentiation.
Derivation of Myogenic Progenitors Directly From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using a Sphere-Based Culture
Authors: Hosoyama Tohru , McGivern Jered V. , Van Dyke Jonathan M. , Ebert Allison D. , Suzuki Masatoshi 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Using stem cells to replace degenerating muscle cells and restore lost skeletal muscle function is an attractive therapeutic strategy for treating neuromuscular diseases. Myogenic progenitors are a valuable cell type for cell-based therapy and also provide a platform for studying normal muscle development and disease mechanisms in vitro. Human pluripotent stem cells represent a valuable source of tissue for generating myogenic progenitors. Here, we present a novel protocol for deriving myogenic progenitors from human embryonic stem (hES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells using free-floating spherical culture (EZ spheres) in a defined culture medium. hES cell colonies and human iPS cell colonies were expanded in medium supplemented with high concentrations (100 ng/ml) of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and epidermal growth factor in which they formed EZ spheres and were passaged using a mechanical chopping method. We found myogenic progenitors in the spheres after 6 weeks of culture and multinucleated myotubes following sphere dissociation and 2 weeks of terminal differentiation. A high concentration of FGF-2 plays a critical role for myogenic differentiation and is necessary for generating myogenic progenitors from pluripotent cells cultured as EZ spheres. Importantly, EZ sphere culture produced myogenic progenitors from human iPS cells generated from both healthy donors and patients with neuromuscular disorders (including Becker's muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Taken together, this study demonstrates a simple method for generating myogenic cells from pluripotent sources under defined conditions for potential use in disease modeling or cell-based therapies targeting skeletal muscle.
Characterization of humic‐like substances in Arctic aerosols
Authors: Nguyen Quynh T. , Kristensen Thomas B. , Hansen Anne Maria K. , Skov Henrik , Bossi Rossana , Massling Andreas , Sørensen Lise L. , Bilde Merete , Glasius Marianne , Nøjgaard Jacob K. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractHumic‐like substances (HULIS) are a complex group of relatively high molecular weight organic compounds which contribute considerably to the mass of organic carbon (OC) and influence the light‐absorbing properties of aerosols. In this work, HULIS were investigated for the first time in the high‐Arctic atmosphere, focusing on the chemical characterization and mass contribution of HULIS to the total suspended particle (TSP) mass using weekly aerosol samples collected at Station Nord, northeast Greenland every fourth week during 2010. Average HULIS‐C concentration was 11 ng C m−3 during the darker months (November–April) and 4 ng C m−3 during the other months (May–October) with an annual mass concentration of 0.02 ± 0.01 µg m−3. HULIS‐C contributed to 3–16% of water‐soluble organic carbon (WSOC), whereas HULIS accounted for 0.7–4.1% of TSP mass, with TSP typically below 1.0 µg m−3. Concentrations of OC, WSOC, HULIS, selected HULIS functional groups (carboxylic acids, aromatic carboxylic acids, and organosulfates) and levoglucosan overlapped with the typical Arctic haze pattern with elevated concentrations during winter to early spring. The aromatic carboxylic acid portion accounted for a larger share of total carboxylic acid of HULIS during the darker months (7%) compared to the brighter months (3%). The more abundant aromatic carboxylic acid functional groups and the moderate correlation between HULIS and levoglucosan concentrations during the darker months both indicate that biomass burning aerosols and thereby emissions of aromatic compounds could contribute to HULIS in the Arctic, especially during late winter. During the brighter months, relatively higher average molecular weight of HULIS was observed.
Strong responses of Southern Ocean phytoplankton communities to volcanic ash
Authors: Browning T. J. , Bouman H. A. , Henderson G. M. , Mather T. A. , Pyle D. M. , Schlosser C. , Woodward E. M. S. , Moore C. M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractVolcanic eruptions have been hypothesized as an iron supply mechanism for phytoplankton blooms; however, little direct evidence of stimulatory responses has been obtained in the field. Here we present the results of twenty‐one 1–2 day bottle enrichment experiments from cruises in the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean which conclusively demonstrated a photophysiological and biomass stimulation of phytoplankton communities following supply of basaltic or rhyolitic volcanic ash. Furthermore, experiments in the Southern Ocean demonstrated significant phytoplankton community responses to volcanic ash supply in the absence of responses to addition of dissolved iron alone. At these sites, dissolved manganese concentrations were among the lowest ever measured in seawater, and we therefore suggest that the enhanced response to ash may have been a result of the relief of manganese (co)limitation. Our results imply that volcanic ash deposition events could trigger extensive phytoplankton blooms, potentially capable of significant impacts on regional carbon cycling.
A High‐resolution study of hippocampal and medial temporal lobe correlates of spatial context and prospective overlapping route memory
Authors: Brown Thackery I. , Hasselmo Michael E. , Stern Chantal E. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTWhen navigating our world we often first plan or retrieve an ideal route to our goal, avoiding alternative paths that lead to other destinations. The medial temporal lobe (MTL) has been implicated in processing contextual information, sequence memory, and uniquely retrieving routes that overlap or “cross paths.” However, the identity of subregions of the hippocampus and neighboring cortex that support these functions in humans remains unclear. The present study used high‐resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (hr‐fMRI) in humans to test whether the CA3/DG hippocampal subfield and parahippocampal cortex are important for processing spatial context and route retrieval, and whether the CA1 subfield facilitates prospective planning of mazes that must be distinguished from alternative overlapping routes. During hr‐fMRI scanning, participants navigated virtual mazes that were well‐learned from prior training while also learning new mazes. Some routes learned during scanning shared hallways with those learned during pre‐scan training, requiring participants to select between alternative paths. Critically, each maze began with a distinct spatial contextual Cue period. Our analysis targeted activity from the Cue period, during which participants identified the current navigational episode, facilitating retrieval of upcoming route components and distinguishing mazes that overlap. Results demonstrated that multiple MTL regions were predominantly active for the contextual Cue period of the task, with specific regions of CA3/DG, parahippocampal cortex, and perirhinal cortex being consistently recruited across trials for Cue periods of both novel and familiar mazes. During early trials of the task, both CA3/DG and CA1 were more active for overlapping than non‐overlapping Cue periods. Trial‐by‐trial Cue period responses in CA1 tracked subsequent overlapping maze performance across runs. Together, our findings provide novel insight into the contributions of MTL subfields to processing spatial context and route retrieval, and support a prominent role for CA1 in distinguishing overlapping episodes during navigational “look‐ahead” periods. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A New Eu3+‐Labeled Method for Anticardiolipin Antibody IgM
Authors: Ye Yan , Hu Zhigang , Liu Jie , Chen Guoqian , Zhou Yaohong 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundThe anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) test has become a laboratory standard for the clinical diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). To better the quantitative detection of aCL‐IgM so as to classify patients correctly and timely as APS positive, we established herein a new immunoassay based on a time‐resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TRFIA).MethodsThe complex of cardiolipin plus bovine anti‐β2 glycoprotein‐I was used as antigen fixed on microtiter plates to detect serum aCL‐IgM, and Eu3+‐labeled rabbit antihuman IgM was used as conjugate. The precision, sensitivity, specificity, coefficient of recovery, and stability of the assay were evaluated, and comparison with the traditional, classical enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was also made.ResultsThe detection limit of the aCL‐IgM TRFIA kit we established was 0.1 MPL U/ml, with a wider detectable range than commercial ELISA ones when a strong‐positive specimen was diluted from 2,630.9 to 0.08 MPL U/ml. There was a good liner range within 0.16 to 2,630.9 MPL U/ml, whereas it was within 5.14 to 328.86 MPL U/ml when using three commercial ELISA ones. The average intra‐ and interassay variability was 3.19 and 3.70%, respectively. The mean recovery rate was 101.95%. The clinical diagnostic specificity was 98%. Additionally, the established assay kit presented good characteristics of stability and correlated well with the ELISA, and the correlation coefficient was 0.955.ConclusionThe aCL‐IgM TRFIA provides an approach to a more sensitive and reliable diagnosis of APS. Further validation of its use is required.
Investigation of Deletion of 22pb in KIR2DS4 Gene in a Population of Southern Brazil
Authors: Marangon Amanda Vansan , Visentainer Jeane Eliete Laguila , Guelsin Gláucia Andréia Soares , Clementino Samaia Laface , Rudnick Cristiane Conceição Chagas , de Melo Fabiano Cavalcante , Braga Marco Antonio , Sell Ana Maria 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of full‐length and deleted variants of KIR2DS4 in a population of southern Brazil and compare the results with other populations, as well as comparing two techniques, PCR‐SSP and PCR‐SSO, for typing of variants.Methods258 individuals from southern Brazil were analysed by PCR‐SSO (“polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific oligonucleotides”, One Lambda, Inc., Canoga Park, CA), of which 161 were also analysed by PCR‐SSP.ResultsThe study population showed similarities with other Caucasian populations; 46.5% of individuals had only KIR2DS4 variants, 21.3% had the full‐length form and 25.1% had both forms.ConclusionThe frequencies found in both groups (genotyped by PCR‐SSP and PCR‐SSO) were 100% concordant.
Clinical Relevance of Plasma miR‐21 in New‐Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients
Authors: Tang Zhao Ming , Fang Min , Wang Jin Ping , Cai Peng Cheng , Wang Ping , Hu Li Hua 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundPlasma miR‐21 is widely investigated as biomarker in many diseases. Recent studies show that miR‐21 participates in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression profile of miR‐21 in the plasma of SLE patients.MethodsRelative quantities of plasma miR‐21 both in SLE patients and healthy controls were determined by relative qRT‐PCR under endogenous and exogenous controls. The diagnostic value of plasma miR‐21 was evaluated in SLE patients. Data of some SLE‐associated clinical parameters were collected.ResultsEighty participants from Central China were recruited. Forty‐four participants were new‐onset SLE patients and the others were healthy controls. Plasma miR‐21 level in SLE patients was higher than that of healthy controls (P = 0.031). Receiver operating characteristic analysis of plasma miR‐21 revealed an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.64 ± 0.06 (95% CI: 0.51–0.76, P = 0.03854) when differentiating SLE from healthy controls. The level of plasma miR‐21 was not associated with the level of white blood cells (P = 0.4284), red blood cells (P = 0.4079), and platelets (P = 0.4961), but significantly correlated with the level of plasma complement C3 (r = −0.5297, P = 0.0004), C4 (r = −0.4732, P = 0.0020), and serum uric acid (r = 0.3932, P = 0.0121) in SLE patients.ConclusionsPlasma miR‐21 in SLE patients from Central China is overexpressed. Since circulating miR‐21 is aberrantly expressed in many diseases, the applying of it as a disease biomarker should be considered carefully.
Is Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio an Indicator for Proteinuria in Chronic Kidney Disease?
Authors: Binnetoğlu Emine , Şengül Erkan , Halhallı Gökçen , Dindar Sevim , Şen Hacer 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundRecent studies have shown that neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a strong indicator in determining inflammation in cardiac and non‐cardiac diseases. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between proteinuria and NLR in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients without diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsBetween 2011 and 2012 files of a total of 1000 CKD patients attending outpatient clinic were retrospectively scanned. Patients with DM, chronic disease, malignancy or stage 5 CKD were excluded. After these patients were excluded, a total of 69 patients with stage 3 and 4 CKD were evaluated.ResultsThe study comprised 27 patients with CKD without proteinuria (Group 1), 42 patients with CKD and proteinuria (Group 2) and 30 healthy volunteers (Group 3). NLR was highest in Group 2 and this was statistically significant compared with the control group (p = 0.012). The platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in Group 2 was higher than the control group at a significant level (p = 0.004). There was a moderate positive correlation found between proteinuria and NLR (p = 0.013, r = 0.3). There was a positive correlation found between proteinuria and PLR (p = 0.002, r = 0.306).ConclusionIn conclusion, NLR, a parameter easily found in routine blood counts of CKD patients, is a marker with prognostic value for the presence and degree of proteinuria.
Inability of Monoclonal Anti‐light Chain Antibody to Detect Clonal B‐Cells in a Patient with Follicular Lymphoma by Multicolor Flow Cytometry
Authors: van Velzen Jeroen F. , van den Blink Dorine , Wiegers Ingrid E.H. , Bloem Andries C. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundOur recent publication “Inability of a monoclonal anti‐light chain antibody to detect clonal plasma cells in a patient with multiple myeloma by multicolor flow cytometry,” underlined the importance of choice of antibodies to detect cytoplasmic light chains. Our present study extends this finding for detection of surface immunoglobulin (SIg) light chains on clonal B‐cells.MethodsMulticolor flow cytometry was used for analyzing bone marrow (BM) from a patient with a CD10‐positive follicular lymphoma for infiltrating clonal B‐cells.ResultsIn the BM aspirate, B cells could be identified expressing CD19, CD10, and high levels of CD20. No SIg light chain expression was found on this population of B cells employing monoclonal antibodies. Re‐analysis using polyclonal antibodies against SIg light chains, revealed presence of lambda light chains on the CD10positive B‐cells.ConclusionsThese data illustrate when antibodies against SIg light chains are employed for B‐cell clonality assessment, polyclonal antibodies are preferred over monoclonal antibodies.
Serum Leptin is Associated With Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Mexican Subjects
Authors: García‐Jiménez Sara , Bernal Fernández German , Martínez Salazar Maria Fernanda , Monroy Noyola Antonio , Toledano Jaimes Cairo , Meneses Acosta Angelica , Gonzalez Maya Leticia , Aveleyra Ojeda Elizabeth , Terrazas Meraz Maria A. , Marie‐Catherine Boll , Sánchez‐Alemán Miguel A. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundThe metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and abdominal adiposity. Obese patients develop leptin resistance, and an increased waist circumference (WC) due to deposition of abdominal fat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between circulating leptin levels and MetS among sample adult Mexican workers.MethodA total of 204 workers aged 20–56 were evaluated. Anthropometric index, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profile were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Fasting insulin and leptin were measured by inmunoenzimatic methods. Furthermore, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was calculated.ResultsThe prevalence of MetS according to the ATP‐III criteria was 33.8% and leptin concentrations were 2.5 times higher in women than men. Subjects with MetS had higher levels of leptin (26.7 ± 13.7) compared with those without MetS (20.1 ± 13.9; P <0.001). Leptin increased significantly while BMI increased as well (normal 14.0 ± 8.9, overweight 22.7 ± 11.7 and obese 31.4 ± 14.6) in addition to other variables such as WC, HDL‐C, insulin levels, and HOMA index. Each component of MetS was stratified by sex and submitted by linear regression with a 95% of accuracy. The 50% and 53% of the BMI is explained by the concentration of leptin in men and women, respectively (P < 0.001).ConclusionThis study found that leptin was associated with the MetS, especially in obesity and insulin resistance, indicating a high risk for university workers to develop hypertension, DM2, and cardiovascular disease.