bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Washing platelets in neutral, calcium‐free, Ringer's acetate
Authors: Kelley Walter E. , Edelman Bennett B. , Drachenberg Cinthia B. , Hess John R. 
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND: Washed platelets (PLTs) are occasionally requested for patients with histories of allergic or anaphylactic reactions. Washing methods and conditions result in the loss of PLT number and function. Short postwash storage times occasionally conflict with other patient activities and result in the wastage of washed products. Better washing procedures are a start to longer postwash hold times.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty‐six units of just‐outdated 6‐ or 7‐day‐old apheresis PLT concentrates were sampled; washed in neutral, calcium‐free, Ringer's acetate (NRA); allowed to recover for 0.5 hour; and resampled. PLTs were counted, subjected to transmission electron microscopy, diluted with either equal‐volume NRA (prewash) or autologous plasma (postwash), and subjected to thromboelastography. Pre‐ and postwash products were compared.RESULTS: PLT recovery was 71%. Plasma removal was 96%. Electron microscopy PLT morphology was unchanged by washing. Thromboelastography showed a mild decrease in final clot strength after washing that was not related to PLT concentration.CONCLUSIONS: PLT washing in NRA allows good recovery of PLT numbers and good preservation of function in vitro as assessed by thromboelastography. If performed in a closed‐system cell washer, extension of the current 4‐hour storage time for washed PLTs should be possible.
Transfusion management of sickle cell patients during bone marrow transplantation with matched sibling donor
Authors: McPherson Marianne E. , Anderson Alan R. , Haight Ann E. , Jessup Paula , Castillejo Marta‐Inés , Hillyer Christopher D. , Josephson Cassandra D. 
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients have unique transfusion considerations during bone marrow transplantation (BMT), including prophylaxis against stroke and alloimmunization. Characterization of transfusion requirements is important for blood bank and clinician patient management.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) transfusion of SCD patients during myeloablative matched sibling donor (MSD) BMT at one institution from 1993 to 2007 was performed. Patient characteristics (RBC blood group antibodies, ABO‐incompatible donor, BMT‐related morbidity) and transfusion practices (RBC phenotype matching, transfusion threshold, and blood age) were assessed for effect on total RBC transfusion volumes.RESULTS: Twenty‐seven patients received MSD BMT with 96% survival and 0% rejection. Six alloimmunized patients received RBCs with extended phenotype matching (C, c, E, e, K, Fya, Jkb), 14 nonalloimmunized received limited matching (C, c, E, e, K), and 7 did not have phenotype matching. Among 26 survivors, a median seven RBC transfusions (range, 3‐15) and 13.5 PLT transfusions (range, 4‐48) per patient were administered, equivalent to 64 mL/kg RBCs (range, 22‐122 mL/kg) and 106 mL/kg PLTs (range, 26‐343 mL/kg). BMT‐related morbidity predicted increased RBC transfusions (p = 0.006). Venoocclusive disease was associated with greater RBC (p = 0.016) and PLT transfusion volumes (p = 0.016). Greater phenotype matching was associated with decreased RBC transfusions (p = 0.0247).CONCLUSIONS: SCD patients have high transfusion support during MSD BMT. Communication of BMT complications to the blood bank is essential for transfusion inventory management. Phenotype matching decreased RBC transfusions in this cohort and warrants further investigation in SCD transfusion therapy.
Outpatient Management of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax in the Emergency Department of a Community Hospital Using a Small‐bore Catheter and a Heimlich Valve
Authors: Hassani Behzad , Foote John , Borgundvaag Bjug 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjectives:  The objective was to assess the effectiveness of a small‐bore catheter (8F) connected to a one‐way Heimlich valve in the emergency department (ED)‐based outpatient management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP).Methods:  The authors conducted a structured chart audit in a retrospective case series of patients with PSP who were treated with a small‐bore (8F) catheter and a Heimlich valve who were seen in the ED of a community hospital between April 2000 and March 2005. To be eligible, patients had to be available for a telephone interview. Main outcomes were success of treatment (sustained, complete lung reexpansion), admission, and surgical intervention rates. Secondary outcomes included number of chest x‐rays (CXRs), number of visits to the ED, treatment duration, complications, and recurrence rates.Results:  The authors identified 62 discrete episodes of PSP in 50 patients, with a mean (±standard deviation [SD]) age of 25.5 ± 10.5 years (range = 14–53 years). In 50 of 62 episodes (81%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 70.8% to 90.5%), patients were discharged directly from the ED. Patients were admitted to the hospital at some point for treatment in 27/62 episodes (43.5%, 95% CI = 31.2% to 55.9%). Surgery was performed for acute treatment failure in 17 episodes. Ultimately, 19 patients, who accounted for 21 of 62 episodes (33.9%, 95% CI = 22.1% to 45.6%), had surgery at some point in the study. Mean (±SD) time to admission for those patients initially discharged from the ED was 2.9 (±2.01) days (95% CI = 1.9 to 3.8 days). There were no serious complications from treatment; the minor complication rate (misplacement or dislodging of the chest tube) was 22.6% (95% CI = 12.2% to 33.0%). No association was found between the size of pneumothorax and treatment failure.Conclusions:  This study suggests that the initial management of PSP with a small‐bore catheter and Heimlich valve can easily be performed by emergency physicians in the community hospital setting and appears safe. A larger study systematically comparing this approach with alternative therapies is needed.
Multicenter Validation of the Philadelphia EMS Admission Rule (PEAR) to Predict Hospital Admission in Adult Patients Using Out‐of‐hospital Data
Authors: Meisel Zachary F. , Mathew Rex , Wydro Gerald C. , Crawford Mechem C. , Pollack Charles V. , Katzer Robert , Prabhu Anjeli , Ozumba Adora , Pines Jesse M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjectives:  The objective was to validate a previously derived prediction rule for hospital admission using routinely collected out‐of‐hospital information.Methods:  The authors performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of 1,500 randomly selected, adult patients transported to six separate emergency departments (EDs; three community and three academic hospitals in three separate health systems) by a city‐run emergency medical services (EMS) system over a 1‐year period. Patients younger than 18 years or who bypassed the ED to be evaluated by trauma, obstetric, or psychiatric teams were excluded. The score consisted of six weighted elements that generated a total score (0–14): age ≥ 60 years (3 points); chest pain (3); shortness of breath (3); dizzy, weakness, or syncope (2); history of cancer (2); and history of diabetes (1). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves for the decision rule and admission rates were calculated among individual hospitals and for the entire cohort.Results:  A total of 1,102 patients met inclusion criteria. The admission rate for the entire cohort was 40%, and individual hospital admission rates ranged from 28% to 57%. Overall, 34% had a score of ≥4, and 29% had a score of ≥5. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the combined cohort was 0.83 for all admissions and 0.72 for intensive care unit (ICU) admissions; AUCs at individual hospitals ranged from 0.72 to 0.85. The admission rate for a score of ≥4 was 77%; for a score of ≥5 the admission rate was 80%.Conclusions:  The ability of this EMS rule to predict the likelihood of hospital admission appears valid in this multicenter cohort. Further studies are needed to measure the impact and feasibility of using this rule to guide decision‐making.
Temporal and contextual orchestration of cardiac fate by WNT‐BMP synergy and threshold
Authors: Verma Mahesh K. , Lenka Nibedita 
Published: May 2009

AbstractCardiomyogenic development proceeds with a cascade of intricate signalling events that operate in a temporo‐spatial fashion to specify cardiac cell fate during early embryogenesis. In fact, conflicting reports exist regarding the role of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling during cardiomyogenesis. Here, we describe a dose‐dependent and temporal effect of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling on in vitro cardiomyogenesis using embryonic stem cells (ESCs) as a model system. We could demonstrate that canonical Wnt activation during early stage of differentiation either through ligand or by GSK3β inhibition helped in maintaining Oct4 and Nanog expressions, and in parallel, it promoted mesoderm and endoderm inductions. In contrast, it led to attenuation in cardiomyogenesis that was reversed by moderate concentration of DKK1, but not soluble Fz8. However, higher DKK1 could also block cardiomyogenesis, suggesting thereby governance of a particular signalling threshold underlying this developmental event. Interestingly, Wnt signalling activation at early stage modulated BMP4 expression in a stage‐specific manner. Wnt activation, synchronized with BMP4 and brachyury up‐regulation at early stage, correlated well with mesoderm induction. Conversely, Wnt activation led to BMP4 and Wnt5a down‐regulation at late stage culminating in cardiomyogenic attenuation. Our findings suggested the existence of precise regulatory machinery with context‐dependent role of Wnt for fine tuning mesoderm induction and its derivatives, through establishment of Wnt gradient during ESCs’ differentiation. Moreover, contrary to mere activation/inhibition, a specific threshold of Wnt and BMP and their synergy seemed necessary for providing the guiding cues in orchestrating mesoderm induction and subsequent cardiomyogenesis.
Mitochondrial accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins and differential regulation of apoptosis by polyubiquitination sites Lys‐48 and ‐63
Authors: Sun Faneng , Kanthasamy Arthi , Anantharam Vellareddy , Kanthasamy Anumantha G. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractProteins tagged with lysine (Lys, K) 48 polyubiquitins chains are destined for degradation by the 26S proteasomal system. Impairment of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) function culminates in the accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in many neurodegenerative conditions including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Nevertheless, the cellular mechanisms underlying cell death induced by an impaired UPS are still not clear. Intriguingly, recent studies indicate that several proteins associated with familial PD are capable of promoting the assembly of Lys‐63 polyubiquitin chains. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the role of K48 and K63 ubiquitination in mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis in in vitro models of dopaminergic degeneration. Exposure of the widely used proteasome inhibitor MG‐132 to dopaminergic neuronal cell line (N27) induced a rapid accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in the mitochondria. This appears to result in the preferential association of ubiquitin conjugates in the outer membrane and polyubiquitination of outer membrane proteins. Interestingly, the ubiquitinK48R mutant effectively rescued cells from MG‐132‐induced mitochondrial apoptosis without altering the antioxidant status of cells; whereas the ubiqutinK63R mutant augmented the proapoptotic effect of MG‐132. Herein, we report a novel conclusion that polyubiquitinated proteins, otherwise subjected to proteasomal degradation, preferentially accumulate in the mitochondria during proteolytic stress; and that polyubiquitination of Lys‐48 and Lys‐63 are key determinants of mitochondria‐mediated cell death during proteasomal dysfunction. Together, these findings yield novel insights into a crosstalk between the UPS and mitochondria in dopaminergic neuronal cells.
DR5‐mediated DISC controls caspase‐8 cleavage and initiation of apoptosis in human glioblastomas
Authors: Bellail Anita C. , Tse Margaret C. L. , Song Jin H. , Phuphanich Surasak , Olson Jeffrey J. , Sun Shi Yong , Hao Chunhai 
Published: May 2009

AbstractTo explore the molecular mechanisms by which glioblastomas are resistant to tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL), we examined TRAIL signalling pathways in the tumours. TRAIL has four membrane‐anchored receptors, death receptor 4/5 (DR4/5) and decoy receptor 1/2 (DcR1/2). Of these receptors, only DR5 was expressed consistently in glioblastoma cell lines and tumour tissues, ruling out the role of DcR1/2 in TRAIL resistance. Upon TRAIL binding, DR5 was homotrimerized and recruited Fas‐associated death domain (FADD) and caspase‐8 for the assembly of death‐inducing signalling complex (DISC) in the lipid rafts of the plasma membrane. In the DISC, caspase‐8 was cleaved and initiated apoptosis by cleaving downstream caspases in TRAIL‐sensitive glioblastoma cells. In TRAIL‐resistant cells, however, DR5‐mediated DISC was modified by receptor‐interacting protein (RIP), cellular FADD‐like interleukin‐1β‐converting enzyme inhibitory protein (c‐FLIP) and phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes or in astrocyte‐15 (PED/PEA‐15). This DISC modification occurred in the non‐raft fractions of the plasma membrane and resulted in the inhibition of caspase‐8 cleavage and activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB). Treatment of resistant cells with parthenolide, an inhibitor of inhibitor of κB (I‐κB), eliminated TRAIL‐induced NF‐κB activity but not TRAIL resistance. In contrast, however, targeting of RIP, c‐FLIP or PED/PEA‐15 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) led to the redistribution of the DISC from non‐rafts to lipid rafts and eliminated the inhibition of caspase‐8 cleavage and thereby TRAIL resistance. Taken together, this study indicates that the DISC modification by RIP, c‐FLIP and PED/PEA‐15 is the most upstream event in TRAIL resistance in glioblastomas.
Mechanical load modulates chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells through the TGF‐β pathway
Authors: Li Zhen , Kupcsik Laszlo , Yao Shan‐Jing , Alini Mauro , Stoddart Martin J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of mechanical load on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) differentiation under different exogenous transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) concentrations (0, 1 or 10 ng/ml).The role of the TGF‐β signalling pathway in this process was also studied. Human MSCs were seeded into fibrin‐biodegradable polyurethane scaffolds at a cell density of 5 × 106 cells per scaffold and stimulated using our bioreactor. One hour of surface motion superimposed on cyclic compression was applied once a day over seven consecutive days. Scaffolds were analysed for gene expression, DNA content and glycosaminoglycan amount. Addition of TGF‐β1 in the culture medium was sufficient to induce chondrogenesis of hMSCs. Depending on the TGF‐β1 concentration of the culture medium, mechanical load stimulated chondrogenesis of hMSCs compared to the unloaded scaffolds, with a much stronger effect on gene expression at lower TGF‐β1 concentrations. With TGF‐β1 absent in the culture medium, mechanical load stimulated gene transcripts and protein synthesis of TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β3. TGF‐β type I receptor inhibitor LY364947 blocked the up‐regulation on TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β3 production stimulated by mechanical load, and also blocked the chondrogenesis of hMSCs. Taken together, these findings suggest that mechanical load promotes chondrogenesis of hMSCs through TGF‐β pathway by up‐regulating TGF‐β gene expression and protein synthesis.
The rat as an animal model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Benedikz Eirikur , Kloskowska Ewa , Winblad Bengt 
Published: May 2009

Introduction
The laboratory rat
Rat models of cholinergic‐clysfunction
Aβ‐based models of AD
Transgenic rats
Virally induced models of AD
Concluding remarks

AbstractAs a disease model, the laboratory rat has contributed enormously to neuroscience research over the years. It has also been a popular animal model for Alzheimer's disease but its popularity has diminished during the last decade, as techniques for genetic manipulation in rats have lagged behind that of mice. In recent years, the rat has been making a comeback as an Alzheimer's disease model and the appearance of increasing numbers of transgenic rats will be a welcome and valuable complement to the existing mouse models. This review summarizes the contributions and current status of the rat as an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.
Cell‐penetrating peptide TAT‐mediated delivery of acidic FGF to retina and protection against ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Wang Yi , Lin Haihuan , Lin Shaoqiang , Qu Jia , Xiao Jian , Huang Yadong , Xiao Yechen , Fu Xiaobing , Yang Yongguang , Li Xiaokun 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe development of non‐invasive ocular drug delivery systems is of practical importance in the treatment of retinal disease. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of transactivator of transcription protein transduction domain (TAT‐PTD, TAT49–57) as a vehicle to deliver acidic FGF (aFGF) to retina in rats. TAT‐conjugated aFGF‐His (TAT‐aFGF‐His) exhibited efficient penetration into the retina following topical administration to the ocular surface. Immunochemical staining with anti‐His revealed that TAT‐aFGF‐His proteins were readily found in the retina (mainly in the ganglion cell layer) at 30 min. and remained detectable for at least 8 hrs after administration. In contrast, His+ proteins were undetectable in the retina after topical administration of aFGF‐His, indicating that aFGF‐His cannot penetrate the ocular barrier. Furthermore, TAT‐aFGF‐His, but not aFGF‐His, mediated significant protection against retinal ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury. After IR injury, retina from TAT‐aFGF‐His‐treated rats showed better‐maintained inner retinal layer structure, reduced apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells and improved retinal function compared to those treated with aFGF‐His or PBS. These results indicate that conjugation of TAT to aFGF‐His can markedly improve the ability of aFGF‐His to penetrate the ocular barrier without impairing its biological function. Thus, TAT49–57 provides a potential vehicle for efficient drug delivery in the treatment of retinal disease.
Periodontitis as a potential risk factor for peri‐implantitis
Authors: Renvert Stefan , Persson G. Rutger 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjectives: To review the literature regarding the possible association between a previous history of periodontitis and peri‐implantitis.Material and Methods: A search of MEDLINE as well as a manual search of articles were conducted. Publications and articles accepted for publication up to January 2008 were included.Results: Out of 951 papers retrieved, a total of three papers were selected for the review. Thus, the available evidence for an association between periodontitis and peri‐implantitis is scarce.Conclusions: Based on three studies with a limited number of patients and considerable variations in study design, different definitions of periodontitis, and confounding variables like smoking that not been accounted for, this systematic review indicates that subjects with a history of periodontitis may be at greater risk for peri‐implant infections. It should, however, be stressed that the data to support this conclusion are not very robust.
Periodontitis and risk for atherosclerosis: an update on intervention trials
Authors: Tonetti Maurizio S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims: Periodontitis has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The nature of the association is unclear because both periodontitis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share a host of risk factors. Intervention trials are critical to explore the relationship. If the association were causal, successful periodontal therapy will lead to an attenuation of the effect – CVD.Material and Methods: The paper reviewed the design and the results of intervention trials aimed at improving systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, carotid atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.Results: Early systematic reviews and a definitive controlled clinical trial indicate that intensive periodontal therapy results in a decrease in systemic inflammation and an improvement of endothelial dysfunction in systemically healthy subjects. A pilot trial has indicated the feasibility to assess the impact of periodontal therapy on carotid atherosclerosis in a primary cardiac prevention design.Conclusions: Efforts to test causality in the relationship between periodontitis and CVD are ongoing. Evidence to date is consistent with the notion that severe generalized periodontitis causes systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Periodontitis has effects that go beyond the oral cavity and its treatment and prevention may contribute to the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Prevention and therapeutic approaches to gingival inflammation
Authors: Öhrn Kerstin , Sanz Mariano 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe most important preventive and therapeutic effort to reduce inflammation is to remove the dental plaque thoroughly. Oral self‐care is thus of crucial importance to achieve and maintain oral health. There is a scarcity of scientific evidence on the most effective models for behavioural change aimed to improve oral hygiene. There is a need for randomized‐controlled trials, based on behavioural sciences and performed with great methodological rigour, to investigate the usefulness of these proposed behavioural changes. Oral hygiene regimens for patients with natural teeth as well as dental implants should include brushing twice daily, inter‐dental cleaning once daily and rinsing with efficient rinses as an adjunct to mechanical infection control. Power toothbrushes are preferable as they are more effective than manual toothbrushes. Inter‐dental brushes seem to be most effective and useful for inter‐dental cleaning. Scaling and root planing is effective in reducing inflammation and probing depths in patients with periodontitis.
Seeing Farmers' Markets: Theoretical and Media Perspectives on New Sites of Exchange in New Zealand
Authors: CHALMERS LEX , JOSEPH ALUN E. , SMITHERS JOHN 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn this paper we explore the extent to which a reciprocal relationship exists between contemporary theorisation about farmers' markets in geography and the rapidly expanding public discourse surrounding these sites of exchange in New Zealand. Activities branded as farmers' markets are seen widely as local phenomena of systemic significance for the understanding of evolving geographies of production, consumption and exchange. As something ‘new’ on the landscape, farmers' markets also attract attention in the media. An electronic database of significant print media contributions over the period 1995 to 2007 provides the empirical basis for an assessment of the extent to which theorisation and the public discourse address common themes. Our analysis indicates that, while the economic and social constructions in both the research literature and the media database share common themes, strong contrasts in ways of ‘seeing’ farmers' markets are apparent. We note the predilection in the print media to present the nature and purpose of farmers' markets through the personal experiences and ‘stories’ of participants. There is a tendency to focus on the appeal of markets to the consumers who form the readership base. The theorised alterity of the farmers' market, either in terms of production methods or motivations for consumption, is not reflected strongly in media reports, and this raises questions about ‘over‐theorisation’ in the academic literature. Our aim is to promote reflection in both the editorial offices of the media and in the academy by documenting the nature of these contrasting views.