bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cellular immune response to intrastriatally implanted allogeneic bone marrow stromal cells in a rat model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Camp Dianne M , Loeffler David A , Farrah Diane M , Borneman Jade N , LeWitt Peter A 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Marrow stromal cells (MSC), the non-hematopoietic precursor cells in bone marrow, are being investigated for therapeutic potential in CNS disorders. Although in vitro studies have suggested that MSC may be immunologically inert, their immunogenicity following transplantation into allogeneic recipients is unclear. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the cellular immune response to MSC injected into the striatum of allogeneic recipients (6-hydroxydopamine [6-OHDA]-hemilesioned rats, an animal model of Parkinson's disease [PD]), and the secondary objective was to determine the ability of these cells to prevent nigrostriatal dopamine depletion and associated motor deficits in these animals.

Methods
5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) – labeled MSC from two allogeneic sources (Wistar and ACI rats) were implanted into the striatum of adult Wistar rats at the same time as 6-OHDA was administered into the substantia nigra. Behavioral tests were administered one to two weeks before and 16–20 days after 6-OHDA lesioning and MSC transplantation. Immunocytochemical staining for T helper and T cytotoxic lymphocytes, microglia/macrophages, and major histocompatibility class I and II antigens was performed on post-transplantation days 22–24. MSC were detected with an anti-BrdU antibody.

Results
Tissue injury due to the transplantation procedure produced a localized cellular immune response. Unexpectedly, both sources of allogeneic MSC generated robust cellular immune responses in the host striatum; the extent of this response was similar in the two allograft systems. Despite these immune responses, BrdU+ cells (presumptive MSC) remained in the striatum of all animals that received MSC. The numbers of remaining MSC tended to be increased (p = 0.055) in rats receiving Wistar MSC versus those receiving ACI MSC. MSC administration did not prevent behavioral deficits or dopamine depletion in the 6-OHDA-lesioned animals.

Conclusion
MSC, when implanted into the striatum of allogeneic animals, provoke a marked immune response which is not sufficient to clear these cells by 22–24 days post-transplantation. In the experimental paradigm in this study, MSC did not prevent nigrostriatal dopamine depletion and its associated behavioral deficits. Additional studies are indicated to clarify the effects of this immune response on MSC survival and function before initiating trials with these cells in patients with PD or other neurodegenerative disorders.
Reproductive age mortality survey (RAMOS) in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Zakariah Afisah Yakubu , Alexander Sophie , van Roosmalen Jos , Buekens Pierre , Kwawukume Enyonam Yao , Frimpong Patrick 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Maternal mortality remains a severe problem in many parts of the world, despite efforts to reach MDG 5. In addition, underreporting is an issue especially in low income countries. Our objective has been to identify the magnitude of maternal deaths and the degree of underreporting of these deaths in Accra Metropolis in Ghana during a one year period.

Methods
A Reproductive Age Mortality survey (RAMOS) was carried out in the Accra Metropolis for the period 1st January 2002-31st December 2002. We reviewed records of female deaths aged 10–50 years in the Metropolis for the whole year 2002 using multiple sources. Maternal deaths identified through the review were compared with the officially reported maternal deaths for the same period.

Results
At the end of the study, a total of 179 maternal deaths out of 9,248 female deaths between the ages of 10–50 years were identified. One hundred and one (N = 101) of these were reported, giving an underreporting rate of 44%. The 179 cases consisted of 146 (81.6%) direct maternal deaths and 32 (17.9%) indirect maternal deaths and 1 (0.6%) non maternal death. The most frequent causes of direct maternal deaths were obstetric haemorrhage (57; 32%), pregnancies with abortive outcome (37; 20.8%), (pre) eclampsia (26; 14.6%) and puerperal sepsis (13; 7.3%). The most frequent indirect cause was sickle cell crisis in pregnancy (13; 7.3%).

Conclusion
A Reproductive Age Mortality Survey is an effective method that could be used to update data on maternal mortality in Ghana while efforts are made to improve on maternal death audits in the health facilities. Strengthening the existing community based volunteers to report deaths that take place at home and the civil registration systems of births and deaths is also highly recommended.
Using an electrohydraulic ankle foot orthosis to study modifications in feedforward control during locomotor adaptation to force fields applied in stance
Authors: Noel Martin , Fortin Karine , Bouyer Laurent J 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Adapting to external forces during walking has been proposed as a tool to improve locomotion after central nervous system injury. However, sensorimotor integration during walking varies according to the timing in the gait cycle, suggesting that adaptation may also depend on gait phases. In this study, an ElectroHydraulic AFO (EHO) was used to apply forces specifically during mid-stance and push-off to evaluate if feedforward movement control can be adapted in these 2 gait phases.

Methods
Eleven healthy subjects walked on a treadmill before (3 min), during (5 min) and after (5 min) exposure to 2 force fields applied by the EHO (mid-stance/push-off; ~10 Nm, towards dorsiflexion). To evaluate modifications in feedforward control, strides with no force field ('catch strides') were unexpectedly inserted during the force field walking period.

Results
When initially exposed to a mid-stance force field (FF20%), subjects showed a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion velocity. Catches applied early into the FF20% were similar to baseline (P > 0.99). Subjects gradually adapted by returning ankle velocity to baseline over ~50 strides. Catches applied thereafter showed decreased ankle velocity where the force field was normally applied, indicating the presence of feedforward adaptation. When initially exposed to a push-off force field (FF50%), plantarflexion velocity was reduced in the zone of force field application. No adaptation occurred over the 5 min exposure. Catch strides kinematics remained similar to control at all times, suggesting no feedforward adaptation. As a control, force fields assisting plantarflexion (-3.5 to -9.5 Nm) were applied and increased ankle plantarflexion during push-off, confirming that the lack of kinematic changes during FF50% catch strides were not simply due to a large ankle impedance.

Conclusion
Together these results show that ankle exoskeletons such as the EHO can be used to study phase-specific adaptive control of the ankle during locomotion. Our data suggest that, for short duration exposure, a feedforward modification in torque output occurs during mid-stance but not during push-off. These findings are important for the design of novel rehabilitation methods, as they suggest that the ability to use resistive force fields for training may depend on targeted gait phases.
A system biology approach highlights a hormonal enhancer effect on regulation of genes in a nitrate responsive "biomodule"
Authors: Nero Damion , Krouk Gabriel , Tranchina Daniel , Coruzzi Gloria M 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Nitrate-induced reprogramming of the transcriptome has recently been shown to be highly context dependent. Herein, a systems biology approach was developed to identify the components and role of cross-talk between nitrate and hormone signals, likely to be involved in the conditional response of NO3
- signaling.

Results
Biclustering was used to identify a set of genes that are N-responsive across a range of Nitrogen (N)-treatment backgrounds (i.e. nitrogen treatments under different growth conditions) using a meta-dataset of 76 Affymetrix ATH1 chips from 5 different laboratories. Twenty-one biclusters were found to be N-responsive across subsets of this meta-dataset. N-bicluster 9 (126 genes) was selected for further analysis, as it was shown to be reproducibly responsive to NO3
- as a signal, across a wide-variety of background conditions and datasets. N-bicluster 9 genes were then used as "seed" to identify putative cross-talk mechanisms between nitrate and hormone signaling. For this, the 126 nitrate-regulated genes in N-bicluster 9 were biclustered over a meta-dataset of 278 ATH1 chips spanning a variety of hormone treatments. This analysis divided the bicluster 9 genes into two classes: i) genes controlled by NO3
- only vs. ii) genes controlled by both NO3
- and hormones. The genes in the latter group showed a NO3
- response that is significantly enhanced, compared to the former. In silico analysis identified two Cis-Regulatory Elements candidates (CRE) (E2F, HSE) potentially involved the interplay between NO3
- and hormonal signals.

Conclusion
This systems analysis enabled us to derive a hypothesis in which hormone signals are proposed to enhance the nitrate response, providing a potential mechanistic explanation for the link between nitrate signaling and the control of plant development.
New sequence-based data on the relative DNA contents of chromosomes in the normal male and female human diploid genomes for radiation molecular cytogenetics
Authors: Repin Mikhail V , Golubev Pavel I , Repina Ludmila A 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
The objective of this work is to obtain the correct relative DNA contents of chromosomes in the normal male and female human diploid genomes for the use at FISH analysis of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations.

Results
The relative DNA contents of chromosomes in the male and female human diploid genomes have been calculated from the publicly available international Human Genome Project data. New sequence-based data on the relative DNA contents of human chromosomes were compared with the data recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2001. The differences in the values of the relative DNA contents of chromosomes obtained by using different approaches for 15 human chromosomes, mainly for large chromosomes, were below 2%. For the chromosomes 13, 17, 20 and 22 the differences were above 5%.

Conclusion
New sequence-based data on the relative DNA contents of chromosomes in the normal male and female human diploid genomes were obtained. This approach, based on the genome sequence, can be recommended for the use in radiation molecular cytogenetics.
Metabolic-network-driven analysis of bacterial ecological strategies
Authors: Freilich Shiri , Kreimer Anat , Borenstein Elhanan , Yosef Nir , Sharan Roded , Gophna Uri , Ruppin Eytan 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Background
The growth-rate of an organism is an important phenotypic trait, directly affecting its ability to survive in a given environment. Here we present the first large scale computational study of the association between ecological strategies and growth rate across 113 bacterial species, occupying a variety of metabolic habitats. Genomic data are used to reconstruct the species' metabolic networks and habitable metabolic environments. These reconstructions are then used to investigate the typical ecological strategies taken by organisms in terms of two basic species-specific measures: metabolic variability - the ability of a species to survive in a variety of different environments; and co-habitation score vector - the distribution of other species that co-inhabit each environment.

Results
We find that growth rate is significantly correlated with metabolic variability and the level of co-habitation (that is, competition) encountered by an organism. Most bacterial organisms adopt one of two main ecological strategies: a specialized niche with little co-habitation, associated with a typically slow rate of growth; or ecological diversity with intense co-habitation, associated with a typically fast rate of growth.

Conclusions
The pattern observed suggests a universal principle where metabolic flexibility is associated with a need to grow fast, possibly in the face of competition. This new ability to produce a quantitative description of the growth rate-metabolism-community relationship lays a computational foundation for the study of a variety of aspects of the communal metabolic life.
Cell-surface expression of Hsp70 on hematopoietic cancer cells after inhibition of HDAC activity
Authors: Jensen Helle , Andresen Lars , Hansen Karen Aagaard , Skov Søren 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Chemotherapeutic stress sensitizes cancer cells for immunorecognition by facilitating Hsp70 cell surface expression.
We show that inhibition of HDAC activity leads to surface expression of Hsp70 on various hematopoietic cancer cells, an occurance that was not observed on naïve or activated peripheral blood cells. HDAC inhibitor-mediated Hsp70 surface expression was confined to the apoptotic Annexin V-positive cells and blocked by inhibition of apoptosis. Other chemotherapeutic inducers of apoptosis such as etoposide and camptothecin also led to a robust induction of Hsp70 surface expression. Hsp70 expression was, however, not caused by induction of apoptosis per se, as activated CD4 T cells remained Hsp70 surface-negative despite effective induction of apoptosis. Interestingly, inhibition of endolysosomes or normal ER/Golgi transport did not affect Hsp70 surface expression. Intracellular calcium and the transcription factor Sp1, which has been shown previously to be important for the intracellular stress mediated by HDAC inhibitors, were not involved in Hsp70 surface expression. We also found that HDAC inhibitors decreased cellular PMET activity and that a selective inhibition of PMET activity with extracellular NADH induced a robust Hsp70 surface expression. Our data suggest that inhibition of HDAC activity selectively induces surface expression of Hsp70 on hematopoietic cancer cells and that this may increase immunorecognition of these cells.
Patient satisfaction with carpal tunnel surgery: self-administered questionnaires versus physical testing
Authors: Astifidis Romina P , Koczan Barbra J , Dubin Norman H , Burke Frank D , Wilgis E F Shaw 
Published: June 2009

Purpose A study was designed to compare the strength of correlation between the clinical tests such as grip, pinch and Semmes–Weinstein testing, and the Levine–Katz self-administered symptom severity and functional status questionnaires as well as their correlation with patients' satisfaction following carpal tunnel decompression. The purpose was to determine whether patient-completed outcome instruments would be additive to the physical measures, or could possibly replace the physical measures, in assessing the outcome of carpal tunnel release. Methods From two hand centres, 635 hands (cases) in 490 patients completed preoperative and postoperative assessments including Tinel's sign, Phalen's test, Semmes–Weinstein testing, grip and pinch strength testing and the Levine–Katz self-administered questionnaires. Patients were also asked whether they were satisfied with surgery at the six-month follow-up. Results Patients reporting satisfaction with surgery at six months had significantly greater changes in grip strength and Levine–Katz scores than those reporting no satisfaction. At six-months follow-up, grip strength increased slightly from 27.4 to 29.2 kg (6%) ( P = 0.007), pinch strength increased from 7.8 to 8.1 kg (4%) ( P = 0.04), Semmes–Weinstein scores decreased (improved) from 2.37 to 1.89 (20%) ( P < 0.001), Levine–Katz functional status scores decreased from 2.30 to 1.48 (36%) ( P < 0.001) and Levine–Katz symptom severity scores decreased from 2.83 to 1.44 (49%) ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Improvement in Levine–Katz scores can be used to assess treatment outcomes after carpal tunnel release as an alternative to physical testing. This study offers further evidence that patient-rated outcome questionnaires offer a more complete picture of the eventual outcomes of carpal tunnel decompression surgery as compared with physical testing.
The Down Syndrome Advantage: Fact or Fiction?
Authors: Corrice April M. , Glidden Laraine Masters 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The “Down syndrome advantage” is the popular conception that children with Down syndrome are easier to rear than children with other developmental disabilities. We assessed whether mothers of children with developmental disabilities would demonstrate a consistent Down syndrome advantage as their children aged from 12 to 18 years. Results did not reveal significant differences between mothers of children with Down syndrome and mothers of children with other developmental disabilities on most maternal functioning variables. Although the prior group reported a consistent advantage in terms of personal reward and subjective well-being, these diagnostic group differences disappeared when maternal age and child adaptive behavior were controlled. We concluded that these variables may help to explain the Down syndrome advantage.
Functional Skills of Individuals With Fragile X Syndrome: A Lifespan Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Bailey Donald B. , Raspa Melissa , Holiday David , Bishop Ellen , Olmsted Murrey 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Parents of 1,105 male and 283 female children with fragile X syndrome described functional skill attainment in eating, dressing, toileting, bathing/hygiene, communication, articulation, and reading. The majority of adult children had mastered many skills independently. Most adults were verbal, used the toilet, dressed, ate independently, bathed, and used a towel independently. However, some skills were not as well-developed, such as using complex sentences, reading, or speaking at a typical rate. As expected, significant differences were found between males and females. The findings highlight major skill attainments, identify skills that should be the target of specific intervention programs, suggest variable trajectories to be tested more precisely through direct assessments and longitudinally, and provide baseline data for treatment studies.
Coiling characteristics of umbilical cords in breech vs. vertex presentation
Authors: Ochshorn Yifat , Bibi Guy , Ascher-Landsberg Jessica , Kupferminc Michael J. , Lessing Joseph B. , Many Ariel 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjective:To compare selected umbilical cord parameters, especially cord coiling, between breech and vertex presentations.Methods:We prospectively collected umbilical cords from uncomplicated breech and vertex obtained during elective term cesarean deliveries. We compared various cord parameters between the two groups as well as data regarding obstetric history and pregnancy outcome.Results:We evaluated 55 umbilical cords from breech and 55 from vertex deliveries. Umbilical cord length (56.93 cm vs. 63.95 cm, P=0.05), number of coils (5.1±0.4 vs. 11.7±0.6, P<0.0001) and umbilical cord index (UCI) (0.09 coils/cm vs. 0.18 coils/cm, P<0.0001) were all significantly lower for breech presentations and remained significant following multivariate analysis.Conclusion:We document significant differences in umbilical coiling and the UCI between breech and vertex presentation. The precise reason for these differences is still unclear.
Cleopatra′s Snake or Octavian′s? The Role of the Cobra in the triumph over the Egyptian Queen
Authors: Kostuch Lucyna 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The snake′s familiar erotic connotation, consolidated in various interpretations, tends to limit consideration of the multifaceted capacity of this symbol as a carrier of specific content, which depending on the context, may be used in various meanings. Academic discussion on the symbolic meaning of the snake in Cleopatra′s act of suicide generally confines itself only to the Egyptian perspective or, more broadly, to that of the east (the uraeus, Isis, Bacchic elements), without considering the Roman space of military symbolism. The validity of reinterpreting the snake symbol in this specific situation is supported both by the fact that an image of Cleopatra with snake on display was carried in the triumphal procession, and by Octavian′s own association with it, which ascribes a military character to the reptile and provides reasons for the propaganda use of that symbol.
The Significance of Roman Imperial Coin Types
Authors: Beckmann Martin 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Did Roman Imperial coin types have significant news or propaganda content, or were they generic? This article (focussing on the coinage of Trajan) argues that this depends on what part of the coinage is considered. The gold and bronze coins had substantial news content, but the silver coinage generally did not. This situation arose because two factors, sometimes conflicting, governed the choice of coin types in Trajan′s mint: first, the desire to select topical images; second, the need to maintain uninterrupted the mass-production of coins. As a result, the lower-volume portions of the coinage were adorned with more up-to-date types, and these were changed often; the higher-volume coinage on the other hand – especially the silver denarii – tended to employ generic and outdated types.
Use of Electronic Computers in Maintaining Production and Engineering Records
Authors: Guthrie R.K. 
Published: June 2009

Introduction
At the Fifth Oil Recovery conference held At the A & M College of Texas during December, 1952, we outlined a plan which, when completed, would result in the mechanization of not only many petroleum engineering calculations, but most of the routine and clerical work associated with processing petroleum engineering data.
The material presented herein represents six years progress in our thinking on how mechanization can best be fitted to such work.

Fitting the Maintenance of Production and Engineering Records Into a Producing Department Organization
Before a mechanization program of any magnitude is undertaken, it should first be determined just how record keeping and data handling fit into the overall organization of the production department and how it is linked with other departments of the company. Many of the requirements for production and engineering information from various departments within a company are similar enough that a mechanized system can be designed which will serve them all. In as much as mechanization and the planning for mechanization are expensive, an overall review should first be made to prevent unnecessary duplication.
Figure 1is a simplified diagram showing information now and supervisory control channels in the producing department of a typical company organized with Field, Division, and Headquarters offices. The three items of data shown as being collected are those which contribute the bulk of the data processing problems in the producing department of a company, namely, production (oil, gas, water), well test, and well status information.

Outlining the Record-Keeping Processing Currently Used
The next step in a mechanization program is to make a survey of the processing system currently used. How is the record-keeping ordinarily accomplished? One is always startled at the maze of paper work involved in recording and transcribing the major items such as production, tests, and well status.