bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical‐scale in vitro expansion preserves biological characteristics of cardiac atrial appendage stem cells
Authors: Windmolders S. , Willems L. , Daniëls A. , Linsen L. , Fanton Y. , Hendrikx M. , Koninckx R. , Rummens J.‐L. , Hensen K. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectivesCardiac atrial appendage stem cells (CASCs) have recently emerged as an attractive candidate for cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction. As with other cardiac stem cells, CASCs have to be expanded ex vivo to obtain clinically relevant cell numbers. However, foetal calf serum (FCS), which is routinely used for cell culturing, is unsuitable for clinical purposes, and influence of long‐term in vitro culture on CASC behaviour is unknown.Materials and methodsWe examined effects on CASC biology of prolonged expansion, and evaluated a culture protocol suitable for human use.ResultsIn FCS‐supplemented medium, CASCs could be kept in culture for 55.75 ± 3.63 days, before reaching senescence. Despite a small reduction in numbers of proliferating CASCs (1.37 ± 0.52% per passage) and signs of progressive telomere shortening (0.04 ± 0.02 kb per passage), their immunophenotype and myocardial differentiation potential remained unaffected during the entire culture period. The cells were successfully expanded in human platelet plasma supernatant, while maintaining their biological properties.ConclusionsWe successfully developed a protocol for long‐term culture, to obtain clinically relevant CASC numbers, while retaining their cardiogenic potential. These insights in CASC biology and optimization of a humanized platelet‐based culture method are an important step towards clinical application of CASCs for cardiac regenerative medicine.
Klinisches Management bei Pruritus
Authors: Ständer Sonja , Zeidler Claudia , Magnolo Nina , Raap Ulrike , Mettang Thomas , Kremer Andreas E. , Weisshaar Elke , Augustin Matthias 
Published: January 2015

ZusammenfassungDie Versorgung von Patienten mit chronischem Pruritus als Symptom unterschiedlicher Erkrankungen stellt weiterhin eine diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderung in der Dermatologie dar. Doch ist es bereits durch eine strukturierte Anamnese und körperliche Untersuchung möglich, den Kreis der Differenzialdiagnosen einzukreisen. In der Therapie sind verschiedene Aspekte zu beachten: Im Vordergrund steht neben der Reduktion der Pruritusintensität an erster Stelle der Patientenwunsch, die zugrundeliegende Ursache zu finden und entsprechend zu therapieren. Führt dies nicht zu einer Besserung des Pruritus, sind eine Reihe topischer und systemischer Therapien zur symptomatischen Therapie in der aktuellen Leitlinie beschrieben. Durch Manifestation des Symptoms an der Haut (z. B. Xerosis durch Nutzung irritierender Substanzen, sekundäre Kratzläsionen) werden Dermatologen oft von den betroffenen Patienten konsultiert, es erfordert jedoch in den meisten Fällen eine interdisziplinäre Versorgung, um die internistischen, neurologischen oder psychosomatischen Aspekte zu identifizieren und behandeln. Obwohl die Grundlagenforschung bereits große Fortschritte gemacht hat, das Symptom in der Entstehung zu charakterisieren, sind spezifische Therapien noch rar und eine genaue Kenntnis der Rahmenbedingungen zur Umsetzung der Leitlinie (z. B. Off‐Label‐Use) ist unerlässlich.Der vorliegende CME‐Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die Ursachen, Versorgung und Therapieoptionen bei chronischem Pruritus und bespricht sowohl die Grundlagen als auch das in den letzten Jahren neu gewonnene klinische Wissen.
Haut‐ und Wunddekontamination bei multiresistenten bakteriellen Erregern durch Koagulation mit kaltem Atmosphärendruck‐Plasma
Authors: Daeschlein Georg , Napp Matthias , Lutze Stine , Arnold Andreas , von Podewils Sebastian , Guembel Denis , Jünger Michael 
Published: January 2015

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und Ziel der StudieUm die weitere Verbreitung multiresistenter Erreger zu verhindern, sind neue Therapiekonzepte dringend notwendig. Die koagulation mit kaltem Atmosphärendruck‐Plasma (cold atmospheric plasma, CAP) hat signifikante antibakterielle Effekte. Daher sollte im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie vergleichend evaluiert werden, inwieweit in chronischen Wunden multiresistente Erreger (MRE) im Vergleich zu nicht‐multiresistenten Erregern durch diese Methode eliminiert werden können.MethodenElf Patienten mit insgesamt 18 stark kolonisierten Wunden wurden mit einer CE‐zertifizierten kommerziell erhältlichen CAP‐Quelle für 10 s/cm2 in einer Sitzung behandelt. Die antimikrobielle Effizienz wurde durch Berechnung der Keimlast vor und nach der Behandlung berechnet.ErgebnisseEine CAP‐Einzelbehandlung reduzierte MRE in allen Wunden. Bei 14 Behandlungen (63,6 %) und 16 Pathogenen (66,7 %) wurde eine 100%ige Reduzierung der Keimlast erreicht. Bei 11 von 17 (64,7 %) MRE und bei 5 von 7 (71,4 %) nicht‐MRE‐Keimen wurde eine komplette Eradikation erreicht. Die übrigen 8 Behandlungen führten zu Reduktionen der Keimlast um 77,5 ± 18,6 % und der übrigen Keime um 74,8 ± 25,7 %.SchlussfolgerungenAls “proof of principle” ist die argonbasierte CAP eine potente Therapieoption zur Sanierung der MRE‐Kolonisation. Eine mögliche Rolle der CAP bei der klinischen MRE‐Dekontaminierung muss in weiteren klinischen Studien untersucht werden, bei denen wiederholte CAP‐Behandlungen in ein umfassendes hygienisches Dekontaminationskonzept eingebunden sind.
Angiogenese beim malignen Melanom
Authors: Felcht Moritz , Thomas Markus 
Published: January 2015

ZusammenfassungDas maligne Melanom (MM) bleibt trotz aller neuen erfolgreichen Therapieansätze ein schwer zu behandelnder Tumor. Die Bedeutung des Gefäßnetzes für die Metastasierung des MM konnte in unterschiedlichen Studien nachgewiesen werden. Die therapeutischen Effekte von unterschiedlichen anti‐angiogenen Substanzen wurden und werden in Studien für die Therapie des MM getestet. Der Großteil davon konzentriert sich auf eine Inhibition des VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)‐Signalweges. Daneben wird der Effekt von Multikinaseinhibitoren und durch Inhibition von angiogener Integrinaktivität untersucht. Jedoch konnte bisher noch keine anti‐angiogene Substanz das Gesamtüberleben von Melanompatienten signifikant verlängern. Unterschiedliche Arbeiten haben den Nachweis erbracht, dass gerade das MM über verschiedene Möglichkeiten verfügt, Resistenzen gegenüber einer Mono‐anti‐VEGF‐Therapie zu erlangen. Neben VEGF stellt Angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2) ein Schlüsselmolekül der Angiogenese dar und Ang‐2‐Inhibitoren werden als Anti‐Angiogenese‐Therapie der zweiten Generation angesehen. Auch beim Melanom konnte in präklinischen Studien gezeigt werden, dass Ang‐2 einerseits als Marker für Melanommetastasenbildung dient und sich andererseits auch als therapeutische Zielstruktur eignet. Zukünftige Studien werden zeigen, bessere Ergebnisse bei der Therapie des MM in der Klinik erzielen werden.
Mapping the coherence of ictal high frequency oscillations in human extratemporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Cotic Marija , Zalay Osbert C. , Chinvarun Yotin , del Campo Martin , Carlen Peter L. , Bardakjian Berj L. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryObjectiveHigh frequency oscillations (HFOs) have recently been recorded in epilepsy patients and proposed as possible novel biomarkers of epileptogenicity. Investigation of additional HFO characteristics that correlate with the clinical manifestation of seizures may yield additional insights for delineating epileptogenic regions. To that end, this study examined the spatiotemporal coherence patterns of HFOs (80–400 Hz) so as to characterize the strength of HFO interactions in the epileptic brain. We hypothesized that regions of strong HFO coherence identified epileptogenic networks believed to possess a pathologic locking nature in relation to regular brain activity.MethodsWe applied wavelet phase coherence analysis to the intracranial EEG (iEEG)s of patients (n = 5) undergoing presurgical evaluation of drug‐resistant extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE). We have also computed HFO intensity (related to the square‐root of the power), to study the relationship between HFO amplitude and coherence.ResultsStrong HFO (80–270 Hz) coherence was observed in a consistent and spatially focused channel cluster during seizures in four of five patients. Furthermore, cortical regions possessing strong ictal HFO coherence coincided with regions exhibiting high ictal HFO intensity, relative to all other channels.SignificanceBecause HFOs have been shown to localize to the epileptogenic zone, and we have demonstrated a correlation between ictal HFO intensity and coherence, we propose that ictal HFO coherence can act as an epilepsy biomarker. Moreover, the seizures studied here showed strong spatial correlation of ictal HFO coherence and intensity in the 80–270 Hz frequency range, suggesting that this band may be targeted when defining seizure‐related regions of interest for characterizing ETLE.
The Value of Artificial Stimuli in Behavioral Research: Making the Case for Egg Rejection Studies in Avian Brood Parasitism
Authors: Hauber Márk E. , Tong Lainga , Bán Miklós , Croston Rebecca , Grim Tomáš , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Shawkey Matthew D. , Barron Andrew B. , Moskát Csaba 
Published: January 2015

AbstractExperimentation is at the heart of classical and modern behavioral ecology research. The manipulation of natural cues allows us to establish causation between aspects of the environment, both internal and external to organisms, and their effects on animals' behaviors. In recognition systems research, including the quest to understand the coevolution of sensory cues and decision rules underlying the rejection of foreign eggs by hosts of avian brood parasites, artificial stimuli have been used extensively, but not without controversy. In response to repeated criticism about the value of artificial stimuli, we describe four potential benefits of using them in egg recognition research, two each at the proximate and ultimate levels of analysis: (1) the standardization of stimuli for developmental studies and (2) the disassociation of correlated traits of egg phenotypes used for sensory discrimination, as well as (3) the estimation of the strength of selection on parasitic egg mimicry and (4) the establishment of the evolved limits of sensory and cognitive plasticity. We also highlight constraints of the artificial stimulus approach and provide a specific test of whether responses to artificial cues can accurately predict responses to natural cues. Artificial stimuli have a general value in ethological research beyond research in brood parasitism and may be especially critical in field studies involving the manipulation of a single parameter, where other, confounding variables are difficult or impossible to control experimentally or statistically.
Dual inhibition of Cdc2 protein kinase activation during apoptosis in Xenopus egg extracts
Authors: Tsuchiya Yuichi , Murai Shin , Yamashita Shigeru 
Published: January 2015

When intracellular damage accumulates in proliferating somatic cells, the cell cycle usually arrests in G1 or G2 in a checkpoint‐dependent manner, either to repair the damage or to die by apoptosis. In contrast, early embryonic cells lack checkpoint‐mediated cell‐cycle arrest, and it is not clear whether apoptosis in early embryonic cells occurs at a specific cell cycle stage or at random points. Here, we examined the functional molecular link between the embryonic cell cycle and apoptosis using Xenopus egg extracts. When apoptosis was induced in egg extracts by addition of exogenous cytochrome c during cell‐cycle progression, cyclin B accumulation was inhibited, Cdc2 was not activated, and the cell cycle arrested at interphase. However, addition of recombinant cyclin B failed to activate Cdc2 due to the strong inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdc2 Tyr15 in apoptotic egg extracts. We found that endogenous Cdc25C, which activates the Cdc2–cyclin B complex by dephosphorylating Cdc2 Tyr15, was inactivated by caspase‐mediated cleavage at two sites in the N‐terminal regulatory domain. When the hyperactive Cdc25A catalytic fragment was added together with recombinant cyclin B to artificially dephosphorylate Cdc2 Tyr15, M‐phase induction was restored in apoptotic egg extracts, indicating that the blockage of cyclin B accumulation and the caspase‐mediated inactivation of Cdc25C dually inhibited Cdc2 activation. Apoptosis induction in cytostatic factor‐arrested metaphase egg extracts resulted in inactivation of Cdc2 without cyclin B degradation. These results suggest that apoptotic inactivation of Cdc25C plays an important role in arresting the embryonic cell cycle at interphase during apoptosis.
Cumulative fatigue damage evaluations on spot‐welded joints using 590 MPa‐class automobile steel
Authors: Tanegashima R. , Ohara I. , Akebono H. , Kato M. , Sugeta A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis study focused on local strain behaviour near the slit edge of spot‐welded joints, where the fatigue crack initiated, and investigated methods of evaluating cumulative fatigue damage. A method of evaluating local strain amplitude by following modified Goodman's law gave almost the same result as an evaluation approach based on the external force and provided reasonable result on general strength design. An approach based on Smith–Watson–Topper's equation was easy to evaluate cumulative fatigue damage compared with the method based on modified Goodman's law and gave a good agreement with a criterion of the modified Miner's rule.
Increasing hydrologic variability threatens depleted anadromous fish populations
Authors: Ward Eric J. , Anderson Joseph H. , Beechie Tim J. , Pess George R. , Ford Michael J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPredicting effects of climate change on species and ecosystems depend on understanding responses to shifts in means (such as trends in global temperatures), but also shifts in climate variability. To evaluate potential responses of anadromous fish populations to an increasingly variable environment, we performed a hierarchical analysis of 21 Chinook salmon populations from the Pacific Northwest, examining support for changes in river flows and flow variability on population growth. More than half of the rivers analyzed have already experienced significant increases in flow variability over the last 60 years, and this study shows that this increase in variability in freshwater flows has a more negative effect than any other climate signal included in our model. Climate change models predict that this region will experience warmer winters and more variable flows, which may limit the ability of these populations to recover.
A global meta‐analysis of forest bioenergy greenhouse gas emission accounting studies
Authors: Buchholz Thomas , Hurteau Matthew D. , Gunn John , Saah David 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe potential greenhouse gas benefits of displacing fossil energy with biofuels are driving policy development in the absence of complete information. The potential carbon neutrality of forest biomass is a source of considerable scientific debate because of the complexity of dynamic forest ecosystems, varied feedstock types, and multiple energy production pathways. The lack of scientific consensus leaves decision makers struggling with contradicting technical advice. Analyzing previously published studies, our goal was to identify and prioritize those attributes of bioenergy greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions analysis that are most influential on length of carbon payback period. We investigated outcomes of 59 previously published forest biomass greenhouse gas emissions research studies published between 1991 and 2014. We identified attributes for each study and classified study cases by attributes. Using classification and regression tree analysis, we identified those attributes that are strong predictors of carbon payback period (e.g. the time required by the forest to recover through sequestration the carbon dioxide from biomass combusted for energy). The inclusion of wildfire dynamics proved to be the most influential in determining carbon payback period length compared to other factors such as feedstock type, baseline choice, and the incorporation of leakage calculations. Additionally, we demonstrate that evaluation criteria consistency is required to facilitate equitable comparison between projects. For carbon payback period calculations to provide operational insights to decision makers, future research should focus on creating common accounting principles for the most influential factors including temporal scale, natural disturbances, system boundaries, GHG emission metrics, and baselines.
Is the useful field of view a good predictor of at‐fault crash risk in elderly Japanese drivers?
Authors: Sakai Hiroyuki , Uchiyama Yuji , Takahara Miwa , Doi Shun'ichi , Kubota Fumiko , Yoshimura Takayoshi , Tachibana Atsumichi , Kurahashi Tetsuo 
Published: January 2015

AimAlthough age‐related decline in the useful field of view (UFOV) is well recognized as a risk factor for at‐fault crash involvement in elderly drivers, there is still room to study its applicability to elderly Japanese drivers. In the current study, we thus examined the relationship between UFOV and at‐fault crash history in an elderly Japanese population. We also explored whether potential factors that create awareness of reduced driving fitness could be a trigger for the self‐regulation of driving in elderly drivers.MethodsWe measured UFOV and at‐fault crash history from 151 community‐dwelling Japanese aged 60 years or older, and compared UFOV of at‐fault crash‐free and crash‐involved drivers. We also measured self‐evaluated driving style using a questionnaire.ResultsUFOV in crash‐involved drivers was significantly lower than that in crash‐free drivers. No significant difference was found in self‐evaluated driving style between crash‐free and crash‐involved drivers. In addition, there was no significant association between UFOV and self‐evaluated driving style.ConclusionsThe present study showed that UFOV is a good predictor of at‐fault crash risk in elderly Japanese drivers. Furthermore, our data imply that it might be difficult for elderly drivers to adopt appropriate driving strategies commensurate with their current driving competence. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 659–665.
Personal mastery, multisystem physiological dysregulation and risk of functional decline in older adults: A prospective study in Taiwan
Authors: Wu I‐Chien , Hsiung Chao A , Chang I‐Shou , Wu Ming‐Shiang , Chang Yu‐Hung , Hsu Chih‐Cheng 
Published: January 2015

AimPersonal mastery has been associated with physical function maintenance later in life. Less is known about the relationship between lack of personal mastery and functional decline in Asian populations, and whether multisystem physiological dysregulation explains this relationship.MethodsParticipants (n = 487) from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study, a population‐based prospective cohort study in Taiwan, received baseline measurements of personal mastery using the Pearlin Mastery Scale. Multisystem physiological dysregulation at baseline was assessed as a summary score based on the levels of 16 biomarkers of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, the sympathetic nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the metabolic system and the immune system functioning. Function in activities of daily living was determined at baseline and at a 7‐year follow up.ResultsParticipants in the lowest quartile of the personal mastery score were more likely to experience functional decline than those in the higher quartiles (OR comparing the lowest with highest 3 quartiles 2.99, 95% CI 1.71–5.21). After adjusting for confounders, personal mastery remained significantly associated with functional changes (adjusted OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.05–4.14). Greater sense of personal mastery was associated with significantly less multisystem physiological dysregulation (P for trend = 0.001). When the levels of physiological dysregulation were added to the multivariate models, the association between a poor sense of personal mastery and functional decline was attenuated.ConclusionsLack of personal mastery is independently associated with an increased risk of functional decline in older adults. Multisystem physiological dysregulation partially explains this relationship. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 707–714.
Valued life abilities among veteran cancer survivors
Authors: Karel Michele J. , Mulligan Elizabeth A. , Walder Annette , Martin Lindsey A. , Moye Jennifer , Naik Aanand D. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundWhen patients have multiple chronic illnesses, it is not feasible to provide disease‐based care when treatments for one condition adversely affect another. Instead, health‐care delivery requires a broader person‐centred treatment plan based on collaborative, patient‐oriented values and goals.ObjectiveWe examined the individual variability, thematic content, and sociodemographic correlates of valued life abilities and activities among multimorbid veterans diagnosed with life‐altering cancer.Setting and participantsParticipants were 144 veterans in the ‘Vet‐Cares’ study who completed a health‐care values and goals scale 12 months after diagnosis of head and neck, gastro‐oesophageal, or colorectal cancer. They had mean age of 65 years and one quarter identified as Hispanic and/or African American.DesignAt twelve months post‐diagnosis, participants rated 16 life abilities/activities in their importance to quality of life on a 10‐point Likert scale, during an in‐person interview. Scale themes were validated via exploratory factor analysis and examining associations with sociodemographic variables.ResultsParticipants rated most life abilities/activities as extremely important. Variability in responses was sufficient to identify three underlying values themes in exploratory factor analysis: self‐sufficiency, enjoyment/comfort, and connection to family, friends and spirituality. Veterans with a spouse/partner rated self‐sufficiency as less important. African American veterans rated connection as more important than did White veterans.ConclusionsIt is feasible yet challenging to ask older, multimorbid patients to rate relative importance of values associated with life abilities/activities. Themes related to self‐sufficiency, enjoyment/comfort in daily life and connection are salient and logically consistent with sociodemographic traits. Future studies should explore their role in goal‐directed health care.