bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transplantation of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the striata of R6/2 mice: behavioral and neuropathological analysis
Authors: Fink Kyle D , Rossignol Julien , Crane Andrew T , Davis Kendra K , Bombard Matthew C , Bavar Angela M , Clerc Steven , Lowrance Steven A , Song Cheng , Lescaudron Laurent , Dunbar Gary L 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat on the short arm of chromosome 4 resulting in cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and death, typically occurring 15 to 20 years after the onset of motor symptoms. Neuropathologically, HD is characterized by a specific loss of medium spiny neurons in the caudate and the putamen, as well as subsequent neuronal loss in the cerebral cortex. The transgenic R6/2 mouse model of HD carries the N-terminal fragment of the human HD gene (145 to 155 repeats) and rapidly develops some of the behavioral characteristics that are analogous to the human form of the disease. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown the ability to slow the onset of behavioral and neuropathological deficits following intrastriatal transplantation in rodent models of HD. Use of MSCs derived from umbilical cord (UC) offers an attractive strategy for transplantation as these cells are isolated from a noncontroversial and inexhaustible source and can be harvested at a low cost. Because UC MSCs represent an intermediate link between adult and embryonic tissue, they may hold more pluripotent properties than adult stem cells derived from other sources.

Methods
Mesenchymal stem cells, isolated from the UC of day 15 gestation pups, were transplanted intrastriatally into 5-week-old R6/2 mice at either a low-passage (3 to 8) or high-passage (40 to 50). Mice were tested behaviorally for 6 weeks using the rotarod task, the Morris water maze, and the limb-clasping response. Following behavioral testing, tissue sections were analyzed for UC MSC survival, the immune response to the transplanted cells, and neuropathological changes.

Results
Following transplantation of UC MSCs, R6/2 mice did not display a reduction in motor deficits but there appeared to be transient sparing in a spatial memory task when compared to untreated R6/2 mice. However, R6/2 mice receiving either low- or high-passage UC MSCs displayed significantly less neuropathological deficits, relative to untreated R6/2 mice.

Conclusions
The results from this study demonstrate that UC MSCs hold promise for reducing the neuropathological deficits observed in the R6/2 rodent model of HD.
Characterization of SNARE Proteins in Human Pituitary Adenomas: Targeted Secretion Inhibitors as a New Strategy for the Treatment of Acromegaly?
Authors: Garcia Edwin A. , Trivellin Giampaolo , Aflorei Elena D. , Powell Michael , Grieve Joana , Alusi Ghassan , Pobereskin Luis , Shariati Babak , Cudlip Simon , Roncaroli Federico , Mendoza Nigel , Grossman Ashley B. , Harper Elaine A. , Korbonits Márta 
Published: October 2013

Context:Targeted secretion inhibitors (TSIs), a new class of recombinant biotherapeutic proteins engineered from botulinum toxin, represent a novel approach for treating diseases with excess secretion. They inhibit hormone secretion from targeted cell types through cleavage of SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-activating protein receptor) proteins. qGHRH-LHN/D is a TSI targeting pituitary somatotroph through binding to the GHRH-receptor and cleavage of the vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) family of SNARE proteins.Objective:Our objective was to study SNARE protein expression in pituitary adenomas and to inhibit GH secretion from somatotropinomas using qGHRH-LHN/D.Design:We analyzed human pituitary adenoma analysis for SNARE expression and response to qGHRH-LHN/D treatment.Setting:The study was conducted in University Hospitals.Patients:We used pituitary adenoma samples from 25 acromegaly and 47 nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma patients.Outcome:Vesicle-SNARE (VAMP1–3), target-SNARE (syntaxin1, SNAP-23, and SNAP-25), and GHRH-receptor detection with RT-qPCR, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblotting. Assessment of TSI catalytic activity on VAMPs and release of GH from adenoma cells.Results:SNARE proteins were variably expressed in pituitary samples. In vitro evidence using recombinant GFP-VAMP2&3 or pituitary adenoma lysates suggested sufficient catalytic activity of qGHRH-LHN/D to degrade VAMPs, but was unable to inhibit GH secretion in somatotropinoma cell cultures.Conclusions:SNARE proteins are present in human pituitary somatotroph adenomas that can be targeted by TSIs to inhibit GH secretion. qGHRH-LHN/D was unable to inhibit GH secretion from human somatotroph adenoma cells. Further studies are required to understand how the SNARE proteins drive GH secretion in human somatotrophs to allow the development of novel TSIs with a potential therapeutic benefit.
The MSOM Society Student Paper Competition: Extended Abstracts of 2000 Winners
Authors: Gallien Jérémie , Netessine Serguei , Lahmar Maher , Ergan Hakan , Savin Sergei V. , Fry Michael J. 
Published: October 2013

Each year the Manufacturing and Service Operations Management (MSOM) Society of INFORMS conducts a student paper competition. In Volume 2, Issue 2 of M&SOM, we published the extended abstracts of the 1999 winners in the hopes that this could become an annual event. Our hopes have become a reality. Sridhar Seshadri and Ravi Anupindi, New York University, cochaired the 2000 competition. The judges for the final round were Garrett van Ryzin, Columbia University; Yehuda Bassok, University of Southern California; and Michael Pinedo, New York University. The first-prize winner received $400, while second prize received $200. Prizes were awarded at the INFORMS meeting in San Antonio, Texas in November 2000. All finalists received a $50.00 discount coupon redeemable at an “e-tailer.” The winners and their faculty mentors were: First Prize Jérémie Gallien, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Faculty Mentor: Lawrence M. Wein, MIT “Design and Analysis of a Smart Market for Industrial Procurement” Second Prize Serguei Netessine, University of Rochester Faculty Mentors: Gregory Dobson and Robert A. Shumsky, University of Rochester “Flexible Service Capacity: Optimal Investment and the Impact of Demand Correlation” M&SOM would like to congratulate the winners as well as all five finalists. The extended abstracts of these papers follow.
Effects of Curing and Test Conditions on the Salt Scaling Durability of Fly Ash Concrete
Authors: Riding Kyle A. , Bortz Brandon S. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Some specifications currently limit the amount of fly ash used in concrete exposed to de-icer salts and freezing conditions because of concerns over salt scaling durability. There is concern that the standard test method commonly used to assess concrete salt scaling performance, ASTM C672, is overly severe and not representative of field conditions. There is also concern that the use of fly ash as a mass replacement could lead to additional damage because of the higher paste volume that results from the lower specific gravity of fly ash relative to Portland cement. In this study, concrete mixtures with 40 % replacement by mass were tested according to ASTM C672 using a constant cementitious material mass and a constant paste volume. Specimens were tested at an outdoor field exposure site to test the severity of ASTM C672 and the effects of specimen size on salt scaling resistance. The experiments showed that the fly ash source has a large effect on the salt scaling resistance in laboratory testing, although the increase in cement paste volume from the mass replacement of cement did not correlate with decreased performance. Laboratory-size specimens showed much higher salt scaling than larger companion slabs cast from the same concrete batches.
The Effect of Crumb Rubber on Freeze-Thaw Durability of Portland Cement Concrete
Authors: Gadkar Shubhada , Rangaraju Prasada Rao 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Scrap tires from automobiles create a significant waste stream all over the world, and their disposal needs a viable and environmentally friendly solution. Past research shows that the inclusion of rubber aggregates in concrete reduces its strength but may be useful for improving durability properties such as the freeze-thaw resistance of the concrete; however, comprehensive assessments of the size effects and ideal rubber type have not been fully undertaken. With an understanding of the factors that enable rubber particles to improve the freeze-thaw resistance of concrete, issues such as instability and loss of entrained air in conventionally air-entrained concretes may be addressed. In this study, we assessed the freeze-thaw durability of rubberized Portland cement concrete with the addition of two types of crumb rubber aggregates created via ambient and cryogenic processes. Also, three different sizes of crumb rubber aggregates at three different replacement levels, 8 %, 16 %, and 24 % by volume of fine aggregates, were used for concrete specimens. The results were compared with non-air-entrained concrete as well as air-entrained concrete without added rubber. Based on this investigation, it was concluded that the finer-sized particles of both types of crumb rubber at 16 % and 24 % replacement levels showed very good performance in improving the freeze-thaw durability of concrete without the need for conventional air entrainment.
A Novel Bearing Swivel Joint and a Universal Joint for Concrete Pull-Off Testing Using a Material Testing Machine
Authors: Giancaspro James , Millman Lauren , Goolabsingh Ryan , MacDonald Kimberley , Yang Q. D. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The overall goal of this short study was to integrate two pull-off coupling devices for concrete: a bearing swivel joint and a universal joint, into an existing material testing machine. Their performance was evaluated in terms of efficiency using setup duration and compared to that of a commercially available portable testing device. Fifty-three pull-off tests were conducted on concrete prisms in accordance with ASTM C1583-04. Our results indicate that the portable tester was most efficient (6 min/test), followed by the universal joint (16 min/test), and then the bearing swivel joint (22 min/test). An online movie, as referenced in the text, demonstrates the modified test procedure, and recommendations for improvements to the test method are briefly discussed. Future testing will evaluate the variability among test results from the three devices.
Sensing Mechanism of Self-Monitoring CNT Cementitious Composite
Authors: Sun Shengwei , Yu Xun , Han Baoguo 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Owing to its outstanding sensing properties, mechanical properties, and durability, self-monitoring carbon nanotube (CNT) cementitious composite can serve as an intrinsic smart sensor for structural health monitoring and traffic detection. However, it is not clear at present what the origin of the sensing property of the self-monitoring CNT cementitious composite is. This paper discusses the nature of the sensing property of the composite measured with dc and ac circuits based on a commonly used conductive model of CNT cementitious composite and reveals the origin of the sensing property of the composite through experiments. Experimental results indicate that the sensing property of the composite mainly results from the change in contact resistance between adjacent CNTs under external force or deformation.
The Weighed Core Symptom Scale and Prediction of ADHD in Adults – Objective Measures of Remission and Response to Treatment with Methylphenidate
Authors: Edebol Hanna , Helldin Lars , Norlander Torsten 
Published: October 2013

Objective:
Two measures of the response rate and the optimal treatment response for adult ADHD were evaluated using methylphenidate. The hypotheses were that Prediction of ADHD (PADHD) defines remission, the Weighed Core Symptom (WCS) scale registers direct effects of medication and that WCS may indicate the optimal dose level during titration.

Design:
PADHD and WCS were analyzed at baseline and after intake of low doses of either short-acting or modified-release formulations of methylphenidate, MPH (Study I), during titration with modified-release formulations of MPH (18/27, 36, 54, 72 mg) and at three months follow-up (Study II).

Patients:
Study I consisted of 63 participants (32 females) and Study II consisted of 10 participants (6 females) diagnosed with ADHD and who was to start with treatment.

Outcome measures:
Prediction of ADHD (PADHD) indicates the occurrence of ADHD (No, Yes) and the Weighed Core Symptom scale (WCS) quantifies ADHD from 0 to 100 (max-min).

Results:
The number of clinical cases of ADHD decreased after methylphenidate treatment according to PADHD. WCS increased (p < 0.001) from 9.75 (SD = 12.27) to 47.50 (SD = 29.75) with about 10 mg of methylphenidate (N = 63). During titration, symptoms improved after 18/27 mg and 36 mg of methylphenidate and baseline-follow up comparisons showed WCS increments (p = 0.005) from 31.00 (N = 10, SD = 26.85) to 69.00 (N = 10, SD = 22.34).

Conclusions:
PADHD defined remission and WCS measured therapeutic effects of methylphenidate in adult ADHD.
Granulomatous inflammation: A histopathological study
Authors: Adhikari RC , Shrestha KB , Sayami G 
Published: October 2013

Background: Granulomatous inflammation is a special type of chronic inflammation that is being a manifestation of many infective, toxic, allergic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases and also conditions of unknown etiology. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 418 granulomatous lesions, diagnosed from January 2010 to December 2012 in the department of pathology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Results: The median age of the patients with granulomatous lesion was 29 years and the majority of the patients were in the age group of 20-29 yrs with slight male predominance. Majority of granulomas were seen in lymph nodes (41.1%), followed by skin & subcutis (22%), and bone & joints (11.5%). Tuberculosis was the most common cause of granuloma with 258 (61.7%) cases, followed by fungal infections, foreign body reaction, parasites and toxoplasmosis. Out of 258 cases of tuberculosis, lymph nodes were involved in 140 (54.26%) cases, followed by bone & joints (12.79%) and respiratory system (5.42%). The most common type of granuloma was epithelioid (83.5%), followed by epithelioid with suppuration and mixed inflammatory. Conclusion: The granulomatous lesion is common in third decade of life with slight male predominance. The commonest site is lymph node with tuberculosis being the most common cause and epithelioid being the most common type of granuloma. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v3i6.8994 Journal of Pathology of Nepal (2013) Vol. 3, 464-468
Myrid of histopathological features of malignancy in Xeroderma pigmentosum
Authors: Karki S , Pandey G , Bhattarai N 
Published: October 2013

Background: Xeroderma pigmentosum is a rare autosomal recessively inherited disorder affecting 1 in 2,50,000 population. It shows genetic heterogeneity with at least ten different complementation groups identified which have different clinical presentations. They tend to have a more than 1000 fold increased risk of developing cancers in sun-exposed areas as a result of a DNA repair defect. This study presents a myriad of histopathological features of malignancies seen in individuals with this rare. Materials and Methods: Biopsies received from patients with a clinical diagnosis of Xeroderma Pigemntosa at the department of pathology, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, from April 2008 to June 2012 were included in the study. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections were examined. Clinical history was retrieved from the computer data base of the department. Results: During the study period, a total of eleven cases of Xeroderma pigmentosum presented with a biopsied lesion. All of these were malignant lesions. No benign lesions were seen. The age range of these patients was 6-30years with a mean of 18.8 years. The male to female ratio was 4.5:1. The most common malignancy seen was squamous cell carcinoma 7/11 (63.6%) followed by basal cell carcinoma 2/11 (27.2%). A single case presented with basal cell carcinoma of face and melanoma of trunk. The frequently observed site of malignancy was skin of the face followed by conjunctiva. Conclusion: In our population, non melanotic skin cancers affecting the face are more common in young individuals with Xeroderma pigmentosum. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v3i6.8996 Journal of Pathology of Nepal (2013) Vol. 3, 472-475
Pregnancy with papillary serous cyst neoplasmseries of three cases
Authors: Bhutoria BJ , Chattopadhyay S , Banerjee U , Jana N 
Published: October 2013

Papillary serous neoplasm with pregnancy is a rare occurrence. Three such cases are presented here. In each case ovarian cyst was detected on ultrasonography when patients presented with non specific abdominal pain though there was no prior history or complaint on first antenatal visit. One is a papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma with capsular invasion in a twenty five year old woman and the other two are papillary serous tumour of borderline category in twenty and twenty three year old woman respectively. In the former pregnancy was terminated at 22 weeks followed by chemotherapy. In the other two cases pregnancy was continued and outcome was uneventful. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v3i6.9003 Journal of Pathology of Nepal (2013) Vol. 3, 505-508
Tumour‐derived exosomes as antigen delivery carriers in dendritic cell‐based immunotherapy for malignant mesothelioma
Authors: Mahaweni Niken M. , Kaijen‐Lambers Margaretha E.H. , Dekkers Jacqueline , Aerts Joachim G.J.V. , Hegmans Joost P.J.J. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundIn 2001, it was postulated that tumour‐derived exosomes could be a potent source of tumour‐associated antigens (TAA). Since then, much knowledge is gained on their role in tumorigenesis but only very recently tumour‐derived exosomes were used in dendritic cell (DC)‐based immunotherapy. For this, DCs were cultured ex‐vivo and loaded with exosomes derived from immunogenic tumours such as melanoma or glioma and re‐administrated to induce anti‐tumour responses in primary and metastatic tumour mouse models. In contrast, malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a non‐immunogenic tumour and because only a few mesothelioma‐specific TAA are known to date, we investigated whether mesothelioma‐derived exosomes could be used as antigen source in DC‐based immunotherapy.MethodsMouse MM AB1 cells were used to generate tumour lysate and tumour‐derived exosomes. Tumour lysate was generated by 5 cycles of freeze–thawing followed by sonication of AB1 cells. Tumour exosomes were collected from the AB1 cell culture supernatant and followed a stepwise ultracentrifugation. Protein quantification and electron microscopy were performed to determine the protein amount and to characterise their morphology. To test whether MM derived exosomes are immunogenic and able to stimulate an anti‐tumoral response, BALB/c mice were injected with a lethal dose of AB1 tumour cells at day 0, followed by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of DCs loaded with tumour exosomes, DCs loaded with tumour lysate, or phosphate buffered saline (PBS), at day 7.ResultsMice which received tumour exosome‐loaded DC immunotherapy had an increased median and overall survival compared to mice which received tumour lysate‐loaded DC or PBS.ConclusionIn this study, we showed that DC immunotherapy loaded with tumour exosomes derived from non‐immunogenic tumours improved survival of tumour bearing mice.
Programmed Death 1–Mediated T Cell Exhaustion during Visceral Leishmaniasis Impairs Phagocyte Function
Authors: Esch Kevin J. , Juelsgaard Rachel , Martinez Pedro A. , Jones Douglas E. , Petersen Christine A. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Control of Leishmania infantum infection is dependent upon Th1 CD4+ T cells to promote macrophage intracellular clearance of parasites. Deficient CD4+ T cell effector responses during clinical visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are associated with elevated production of IL-10. In the primary domestic reservoir of VL, dogs, we define occurrence of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell exhaustion as a significant stepwise loss of Ag-specific proliferation and IFN-γ production, corresponding to increasing VL symptoms. Exhaustion was associated with a 4-fold increase in the population of T cells with surface expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) between control and symptomatic populations. Importantly, exhausted populations of CD8+ T cells and to a lesser extent CD4+ T cells were present prior to onset of clinical VL. VL-exhausted T cells did not undergo significant apoptosis ex vivo after Ag stimulation. Ab block of PD-1 ligand, B7.H1, promoted return of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell function and dramatically increased reactive oxygen species production in cocultured monocyte-derived phagocytes. As a result, these phagocytes had decreased parasite load. To our knowledge, we demonstrate for the first time that pan-T cell, PD-1–mediated, exhaustion during VL influenced macrophage-reactive oxygen intermediate production. Blockade of the PD-1 pathway improved the ability of phagocytes isolated from dogs presenting with clinical VL to clear intracellular parasites. T cell exhaustion during symptomatic canine leishmaniasis has implications for the response to vaccination and therapeutic strategies for control of Leishmania infantum in this important reservoir species.
Unitary Equivalence and Similarity to Jordan Models for Weak Contractions of Class C0
Authors: Clouâtre Raphaël 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe obtain results on the unitary equivalence of weak contractions of class C0 to their Jordan models under an assumption on their commutants. In particular, our work addresses the case of arbitrary finite multiplicity. The main tool in this paper is the theory of boundary representations due to Arveson. We also generalize and improve previously known results concerning unitary equivalence and similarity to Jordan models when the minimal function is a Blaschke product.
The Critical Manifesto: Marx and Engels, Haraway, and Utopian Politics
Authors: Weeks Kathi 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT
The essay focuses on the manifesto as a utopian genre and presents the category of the critical manifesto as a way to understand some of its internal differences. The analysis centers on a comparison between a traditional example of the form, Marx and Engels's The Communist Manifesto, and a critical version that rethinks both the form itself and the content of its claims, namely, Haraway's “Manifesto for Cyborgs.” Moylan's concept of the critical utopia will be borrowed to explicate Haraway's further development of the traditional manifesto's form and content.
The Green Anarchist Utopia of Robert Nichols's Daily Lives in Nghsi-Altai
Authors: Jaeckle Daniel P. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT
Robert Nichols's Daily Lives in Nghsi-Altai is a highly acclaimed but infrequently studied series of four novels from the 1970s. With a political structure consisting of communes, syndicates, and federations as well as a mixed economy and a highly developed ecological theory and practice, Nghsi-Altai offers a green anarchist utopia as an alternative to a misguided “America.” Yet the society faces potentially destabilizing problems from within, and the writing is sufficiently self-conscious to classify the utopia of the tetralogy as critical rather than programmatic.