bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parameters that influence the isolation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells from human umbilical cord blood
Authors: Vasaghi Attiyeh , Dehghani Atefeh , Khademalhosseini Zeinab , Maharlooei Mohsen Khosravi , Monabati Ahmad , Attar Armin 
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Umbilical cord blood is an important source of stem cells. However, isolating multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord blood presents methodological challenges. We compared the effectiveness of six approaches to improve the success rate of MSC isolation and proliferation from umbilical cord blood.

METHODS:
Thirty umbilical cord blood units underwent investigation. In 10 samples, MNCs from each sample were divided into four groups to test the effect of negative immunodepletion (NI) alone (group A); NI plus basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) supplementation together (group B); bFGF supplementation alone (group C); and culture with neither NI nor bFGF (group D). The cells of each group were isolated from 10 mL of umbilical cord blood. For investigating the effect of sample volume (group E) and MesenCult Proliferation Kits (group F), cells were isolated from 45 ± 2 ml. MSCs were identified on the basis of morphological, flow cytometric and differentiation potential characteristics.

RESULTS:
In groups of A–D, one week after the initial seeding, the cells showed a rounded appearance, and in the fourth week, many of them died. MSCs outgrowth was seen in 40% of the samples from group F, and this yield was further enhanced to 60% in cultures done with the MesenCult Proliferation Kit (group F). The fibroblast-like cells expanded rapidly and showed features of MSCs.

CONCLUSION:
Sample volume was the parameter that showed the greatest influence on the isolation yield of MSCs from umbilical cord blood. This could be further enhanced by adding the MesenCult Proliferation Kit.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant versus chemotherapy plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor in the treatment of pediatric Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Authors: Salami Khadra , Alkayed Khaldoun , Halalsheh Hadeel , Ahmed Hussein Ayad , Riziq Maha , Madanat Faris 
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND:
Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) remained until recently the molecular genetic abnormality associated with the worst outcome. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) was considered the treatment of choice, however, recent data have indicated that chemotherapy plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) maybe an alternative effective therapy.

METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of children (<18 years) with Ph+ ALL who were treated at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) from January 2003 till December 2011.

RESULTS:
Over a 9 year period, 411 children were diagnosed and treated for ALL at KHCC. Twenty three (6.6%) had Ph+ ALL; 16 males and 7 females. Median age at diagnosis was 9.5 years (range 1.67–17). The median white blood cell count was 58.6 × 103/μL (range 1.6–459). Twelve patients underwent HSCT from a full matched related donor; and 10 were treated with intensive chemotherapy plus TKI (imatinib). Those who underwent HSCT were significantly older (P =0.004) and had a higher leukocyte count at diagnosis (P =0.53). After a median follow up of 42.2 months (range 12.7–107), the estimated 5 year event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 75% and 91.6%, respectively, for those who underwent HSCT as primary therapy and 49.3% and 83.3%, respectively, for those treated with chemotherapy plus imatinib. There was no significant difference in EFS (P =0.98) or OS (P =1) between the two treatment modalities.

CONCLUSIONS:
Our results indicate that chemotherapy plus TKI may be a reasonable treatment option for some children with Ph+ ALL.
Do favic patients resume fava beans ingestion later in their life, a study for this, and a new hypothesis for favism etiology
Authors: Ahmed Salah Noori 
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
The etiology of favism remains unclear and the fate of favic patients has not previously been studied. Therefore, individuals who had experienced an episode of favism were studied regarding subsequent fava bean ingestion, including the reason for fava bean ingestion after the initial favic attack and any adverse reactions. In addition, a new hypothesis for the etiology of favism is proposed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
From June 2005 to June 2012, a total of 38 patients with a history of favism were included in this study. Circumstances regarding the initial favic attack were obtained from medical records and patient interviews, and subsequent fava bean ingestion and recurrence of symptoms were investigated.

RESULTS:
Three of the 38 patients (7.9%) were female, and 35 (92.1%) were male. The mean age was 27.9 years (14–63 years). The first attack of favism occurred before 10 years of age for 31 patients (81.6%) and in the springtime for 35 patients (92.1%). Thirty-three patients (86.7%) regularly ate fava beans before the attack, and 35 (92.1%) resumed eating fava beans within 1–17 years after the attack without symptoms. Two patients (5.2%) experienced a single recurrence of symptoms. No evidence of hemolysis was found in the four patients checked after fava bean re-ingestion.

CONCLUSIONS:
Patients resumed eating fava bean for various reasons, and the recurrence of symptoms was uncommon. An infectious agent such as a virus may play a role in the development of favism.
Experience of a low‐dose magnesium sulfate regimen for the management of eclampsia over a decade
Authors: Jana Narayan , Dasgupta Subhendu , Das Anindya Kumar , Santra Debjyoti , Samanta Balaram 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the safety and efficacy of a low‐dose magnesium sulfate regimen for the management of eclampsia in Indian women.MethodsA loading dose consisting of 3 g of magnesium sulfate intravenously plus 5 g intramuscularly (2.5 g in each buttock) was followed by 2.5 g intramuscularly every 4 hours, for 24 hours beyond the last seizure. In a first phase, which spanned 2001 and 2002, the regimen was evaluated prospectively with 554 women with eclampsia, and the results were compared with results from the Collaborative Eclampsia Trial. Regarding the second phase, which spanned the 9 following years, mortality was analyzed retrospectively for 2929 women treated by the same regimen at the same hospital.ResultsThe mean ± SD maternal weight and height were 41.7 ± 5.3 kg and 151 ± 7 cm, respectively. The low‐dose regimen was associated with a lower seizure recurrence (6.1% vs 9.7%; P = 0.02) and a slightly lower maternal mortality (2.7% vs 3.2%; P = 0.6) compared with the Collaborative Eclampsia Trial. The overall case fatality rate for the second phase was 3.3%.ConclusionThe low‐dose regimen was safe and effective for the management of eclampsia in a region where most women are of light weight.
Vitamin E and memantine in Alzheimer's disease: Clinical trial methods and baseline data
Authors: Dysken Maurice W. , Guarino Peter D. , Vertrees Julia E. , Asthana Sanjay , Sano Mary , Llorente Maria , Pallaki Muralidhar , Love Susan , Schellenberg Gerard D. , McCarten J. Riley , Malphurs Julie , Prieto Susana , Chen Peijun , Loreck David J. , Carney Sara , Trapp George , Bakshi Rajbir S. , Mintzer Jacobo E. , Heidebrink Judith L. , Vidal‐Cardona Ana , Arroyo Lillian M. , Cruz Angel R. , Kowall Neil W. , Chopra Mohit P. , Craft Suzanne , Thielke Stephen , Turvey Carolyn L. , Woodman Catherine , Monnell Kimberly A. , Gordon Kimberly , Tomaska Julie , Vatassery Govind 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) has been associated with both oxidative stress and excessive glutamate activity. A clinical trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of (i) alpha‐tocopherol, a vitamin E antioxidant; (ii) memantine (Namenda), an N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate antagonist; (iii) their combination; and (iv) placebo in delaying clinical progression in AD.MethodsThe Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program initiated a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in August 2007, with enrollment through March 2012 and follow‐up continuing through September 2012. Participants with mild‐to‐moderate AD who were taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor were assigned randomly to 2000 IU/day of alpha‐tocopherol, 20 mg/day memantine, 2000 IU/day alpha‐tocopherol plus 20 mg/day memantine, or placebo. The primary outcome for the study is the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study/Activities of Daily Living Inventory. Secondary outcome measures include the Mini‐Mental State Examination; the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale, cognitive portion; the Dependence Scale; the Neuropsychiatric Inventory; and the Caregiver Activity Survey. Patient follow‐up ranged from 6 months to 4 years.ResultsA total of 613 participants were randomized. The majority of the patients were male (97%) and white (86%), with a mean age of 79 years. The mean Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study/Activities of Daily Living Inventory score at entry was 57 and the mean Mini‐Mental State Examination score at entry was 21.ConclusionThis large multicenter trial will address the unanswered question of the long‐term safety and effectiveness of alpha‐tocopherol, memantine, and their combination in patients with mild‐to‐moderate AD taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. The results are expected in early 2013.
Hegel, Naturalism and the Philosophy of Nature
Authors: Stone Alison 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this article I consider whether Hegel is a naturalist or an anti-naturalist with respect to his philosophy of nature. I adopt a cluster-based approach to naturalism, on which positions are more or less naturalistic depending how many strands of the clusternaturalismthey exemplify. I focus on two strands: belief that philosophy is continuous with the empirical sciences, and disbelief in supernatural entities. I argue that Hegel regards philosophy of nature as distinct, but not wholly discontinuous, from empirical science and that he believes in the reality of formal and final causes insofar as he is a realist about universal forms that interconnect to comprise a self-organizing whole. Nonetheless, for Hegel, natural particulars never fully realize these universal forms, so that empirical inquiry into these particulars and their efficient-causal interactions is always necessary. In these two respects, I conclude, Hegel's position sits in the middle of the naturalism/anti-naturalism spectrum.
Substrate integrated waveguide filter with mixed coupled modified trisections
Authors: Xu Z.Q. , Wang P. , Liao J.X. , Shi Y. 
Published: April 2013

A novel multilayer substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) filter with an improved stopband using mixed coupled modified trisections (MCMTs) is presented. The proposed filter is composed of two cascade MCMTs embedded in LTCC substrate. Four transmission zeros (TZs) can be generated with only three resonators, where two TZs near the passband are utilised to achieve sharper skirt selectivity, and another two TZs for the upper wide stopand. A 10 GHz experimental filter has been designed, fabricated and measured to validate the proposed method.
E‐band (71–76 GHz) wireless link using compact modules
Authors: Montero‐de‐Paz J. , Oprea I. , Rymanov V. , Babiel S. , García‐Muñoz L.E. , Lisauskas A. , Hoefle M. , Jimenez A. , Cojocari O. , Segovia‐Vargas D. , Stöhr A. , Carpintero G. 
Published: April 2013

Wireless links using carrier waves in the millimetre‐wave spectrum above 70 GHz provide a cost‐effective solution to increase the data rate. Reported is the development of a photonically enabled link, based on two compact modules, both operated uncooled, transmitting a 1 Gbit/s data signal over several metres. The first module includes an optimised high‐speed photodiode, delivering an output RF power exceeding 0 dBm (1 mW). Also reported is the development of a direct envelope receiver based on a quasi‐optical Schottky barrier diode (SBD) module. Over the carrier frequency range, the broadband log‐periodic antenna impedance has been optimised to match the SBD, while at the baseband frequency, the receiver was optimised to a 50 Ω output through an impedance transition. These have been key issues for the excellent performance of the compact receiver module over the entire E‐band.
RNA-Seq of Arabidopsis Pollen Uncovers Novel Transcription and Alternative Splicing
Authors: Loraine Ann E. , McCormick Sheila , Estrada April , Patel Ketan , Qin Peng 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Pollen grains of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) contain two haploid sperm cells enclosed in a haploid vegetative cell. Upon germination, the vegetative cell extrudes a pollen tube that carries the sperm to an ovule for fertilization. Knowing the identity, relative abundance, and splicing patterns of pollen transcripts will improve our understanding of pollen and allow investigation of tissue-specific splicing in plants. Most Arabidopsis pollen transcriptome studies have used the ATH1 microarray, which does not assay splice variants and lacks specific probe sets for many genes. To investigate the pollen transcriptome, we performed high-throughput sequencing (RNA-Seq) of Arabidopsis pollen and seedlings for comparison. Gene expression was more diverse in seedling, and genes involved in cell wall biogenesis were highly expressed in pollen. RNA-Seq detected at least 4,172 protein-coding genes expressed in pollen, including 289 assayed only by nonspecific probe sets. Additional exons and previously unannotated 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions for pollen-expressed genes were revealed. We detected regions in the genome not previously annotated as expressed; 14 were tested and 12 were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Gapped read alignments revealed 1,908 high-confidence new splicing events supported by 10 or more spliced read alignments. Alternative splicing patterns in pollen and seedling were highly correlated. For most alternatively spliced genes, the ratio of variants in pollen and seedling was similar, except for some encoding proteins involved in RNA splicing. This study highlights the robustness of splicing patterns in plants and the importance of ongoing annotation and visualization of RNA-Seq data using interactive tools such as Integrated Genome Browser.
Light-Induced Acclimation of the Arabidopsis chlorina1 Mutant to Singlet Oxygen
Authors: Ramel Fanny , Ksas Brigitte , Akkari Elsy , Mialoundama Alexis S. , Monnet Fabien , Krieger-Liszkay Anja , Ravanat Jean-Luc , Mueller Martin J. , Bouvier Florence , Havaux Michel 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Singlet oxygen (1O2) is a reactive oxygen species that can function as a stress signal in plant leaves leading to programmed cell death. In microalgae, 1O2-induced transcriptomic changes result in acclimation to 1O2. Here, using a chlorophyll b–less Arabidopsis thaliana mutant (chlorina1 [ch1]), we show that this phenomenon can also occur in vascular plants. The ch1 mutant is highly photosensitive due to a selective increase in the release of 1O2 by photosystem II. Under photooxidative stress conditions, the gene expression profile of ch1 mutant leaves very much resembled the gene responses to 1O2 reported in the Arabidopsis mutant flu. Preexposure of ch1 plants to moderately elevated light intensities eliminated photooxidative damage without suppressing 1O2 formation, indicating acclimation to 1O2. Substantial differences in gene expression were observed between acclimation and high-light stress: A number of transcription factors were selectively induced by acclimation, and contrasting effects were observed for the jasmonate pathway. Jasmonate biosynthesis was strongly induced in ch1 mutant plants under high-light stress and was noticeably repressed under acclimation conditions, suggesting the involvement of this hormone in 1O2-induced cell death. This was confirmed by the decreased tolerance to photooxidative damage of jasmonate-treated ch1 plants and by the increased tolerance of the jasmonate-deficient mutant delayed-dehiscence2.
Human adipose-tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells induce functional de-novo regulatory T cells with methylated FOXP3 gene DNA
Authors: Engela A U , Hoogduijn M J , Boer K , Litjens N H R , Betjes M G H , Weimar W , Baan C C 
Published: April 2013

Summary
Due to their immunomodulatory properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are interesting candidates for cellular therapy for autoimmune disorders, graft-versus-host disease and allograft rejection. MSC inhibit the proliferation of effector T cells and induce T cells with a regulatory phenotype. So far it is unknown whether human MSC-induced CD4+CD25+CD127–forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+ T cells are functional and whether they originate from effector T cells or represent expanded natural regulatory T cells (nTreg). Perirenal adipose-tissue derived MSC (ASC) obtained from kidney donors induced a 2·1-fold increase in the percentage of CD25+CD127–FoxP3+ cells within the CD4+ T cell population from allostimulated CD25–/dim cells. Interleukin (IL)-2 receptor blocking prevented this induction. The ASC-induced T cells (iTreg) inhibited effector cell proliferation as effectively as nTreg. The vast majority of cells within the iTreg fraction had a methylated FOXP3 gene Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) indicating that they were not of nTreg origin. In conclusion, ASC induce Treg from effector T cells. These iTreg have immunosuppressive capacities comparable to those of nTreg. Their induction is IL-2 pathway-dependent. The dual effect of MSC of inhibiting immune cell proliferation while generating de-novo immunosuppressive cells emphasizes their potential as cellular immunotherapeutic agent.
Serum levels of high mobility group box 1 correlate with disease severity in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Petrof Gabriela , Abdul‐Wahab Alya , Proudfoot Laura , Pramanik Rashida , Mellerio Jemima E. , McGrath John A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn the inherited blistering skin disease, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), there is clinical heterogeneity with variable scarring and susceptibility to malignancy. Currently, however, there are few biochemical markers of tissue inflammation or disease progression. We assessed whether the non‐histone nuclear protein, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), which is released from necrotic cells (including keratinocytes in blister roofs), might be elevated in RDEB and whether this correlates with disease severity. We measured serum HMGB1 by ELISA in 26 RDEB individuals (median 21.0 ng/ml, range 3.6–54.9 ng/ml) and 23 healthy controls (median 3.6, range 3.4–5.9 ng/ml) and scored RDEB severity using the Birmingham Epidermolysis Bullosa Severity Score (BEBSS; mean 34/100, range 8–82). There was a positive relationship between the BEBSS and HMGB1 levels (r = 0.54, P = 0.004). This study indicates that serum HMGB1 levels may represent a new biomarker reflecting disease severity in RDEB.
Larval fish assemblages and mesoscale oceanographic structure along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
Authors: Muhling Barbara A. , Smith Ryan H. , Vásquez–Yeomans Lourdes , Lamkin John T. , Johns Elizabeth M. , Carrillo Laura , Sosa‐Cordero Eloy , Malca Estrella 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) is of high ecological and economic importance to the western Caribbean region, and contains spawning sites for a number of reef fish species. Despite this, little is known of the distribution and transport of pelagic fish larvae in the area, and basic in situ information on larval fish assemblages is lacking. Here we describe the results of two biological oceanography research cruises conducted in winter‐spring of 2006 and 2007, focusing on larval fish assemblages. We use multivariate assemblage analyses to examine vertical and horizontal distribution characteristics of larval fish assemblages, to highlight key distinguishing taxa, and to relate these to the observed oceanographic structure. Our results showed a general separation between the Gulf of Honduras region, which was characterized by weaker currents and high abundances of inshore and estuarine taxa (Eleotridae, Priacanthidae), and the northern MBRS, which was subject to strong northward flow and contained a mixture of mesopelagic and reef‐associated taxa (Myctophidae, Sparidae). Although distinct patterns of vertical distribution were observed among taxa, both shallow and deep living larvae were broadly distributed throughout the study area. Analysis of historical drifter tracks highlighted the strong northward flow and low retention conditions typically present along the northern MBRS, as well as potential connectivity between the western Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Waning of “Conditioned Pain Modulation”: A Novel Expression of Subtle Pronociception in Migraine
Authors: Nahman‐Averbuch Hadas , Granovsky Yelena , Coghill Robert C. , Yarnitsky David , Sprecher Elliot , Weissman‐Fogel Irit 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveTo assess the decay of the conditioned pain modulation (CPM) response along repeated applications as a possible expression of subtle pronociception in migraine.BackgroundOne of the most explored mechanisms underlying the pain modulation system is “diffuse noxious inhibitory controls,” which is measured psychophysically in the lab by the CPM paradigm. There are contradicting reports on CPM response in migraine, questioning whether migraineurs express pronociceptive pain modulation.MethodsMigraineurs (n = 26) and healthy controls (n = 35), all females, underwent 3 stimulation series, consisting of repeated (1) “test‐stimulus” (Ts) alone that was given first followed by (2) parallel CPM application (CPM‐parallel), and (3) sequential CPM application (CPM‐sequential), in which the Ts is delivered during or following the conditioning‐stimulus, respectively. In all series, the Ts repeated 4 times (0‐3). In the CPM series, repetition “0” consisted of the Ts‐alone that was followed by 3 repetitions of the Ts with a conditioning‐stimulus application.ResultsAlthough there was no difference between migraineurs and controls for the first CPM response in each series, we found waning of CPM‐parallel efficiency along the series for migraineurs (P = .005 for third vs first CPM), but not for controls. Further, greater CPM waning in the CPM‐sequential series was correlated with less reported extent of pain reduction by episodic medication (r = 0.493, P = .028).ConclusionsMigraineurs have subtle deficits in endogenous pain modulation which requires a more challenging test protocol than the commonly used single CPM. Waning of CPM response seems to reveal this pronociceptive state. The clinical relevance of the CPM waning effect is highlighted by its association with clinical parameters of migraine.
Molecularly targeted therapies for melanoma
Authors: Liu Lucinda S. , Colegio Oscar R. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractSystemic and topical targeted therapies are emerging as a rational approach to the management of skin cancers. In this article, we review the molecular pathways critical to the development of melanoma and the novel pharmacologic agents that have been rationally designed to target it. Included is a review of vemurafenib, imatinib, and ipilimumab for metastatic or unresectable melanoma.
New findings on the origin of Cavia intermedia, one of the world's rarest mammals
Authors: Furnari Nina 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCavia intermedia, a rare species of cavy found exclusively on Moleques do Sul Island, Brazil, differs from other cavies in genetic and morphological characteristics and has been regarded as phylogenetically closest to Cavia magna. Here, I present morphological evidence for the likely origin of Cavia intermedia from an ancestor shared with Cavia magna: an external female genital organ similar in size and appearance to the male's penis. Masculinization of the female genitalia has been observed in Cavia magna but does not occur in Cavia aperea, which suggests a sister relationship between Cavia magna and Cavia intermedia.