bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human zygote morphological indicators of higher rate of arrest at the first cleavage stage
Authors: Zamora Raquel Blanes , Sánchez Rebeca Vaca , Pérez Jonay González , Díaz Rubí Rodríguez , Quintana Delia Báez , Bethencourt José C. Alberto 
Published: July 2010

SummaryA little studied aspect of developmental arrest (DA) in ART is zygote arrest (ZA). Etiologically, blockage at the first cleavage stage includes molecular and chromosomal anomalies, some of which manifest morphologically. Given considerations on embryo culture, transfer and cryopreservation, optimal zygote selection is very important. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether zygote morphological features were indicators of increased ZA. In this study we performed a prospective, observational study of 2105 zygotes obtained from consecutive patients who were undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment, of which 43 (2%) suffered ZA. Morphological features observed under the inverted microscope were qualitatively categorized: pronuclear size, nucleolar precursor bodies (NPB) alignment, light and dark halos, polar body placement and fragmentation observed at 16–18 h post-insemination. We compared these features in blocked versus cleaved zygotes at 48 h and found significant correlations (p < 0.05) between ZA and three features: the absence of a light halo (p = 0.001), the absence of a dark halo (p < 0.005), and non-aligned NPB (p < 0.05). We can say that certain morphological features are indicators of significantly increased zygote arrest. These findings may be of utility for optimal zygote selection and culture strategies, especially in countries under restrictive conditions.
Alerting, orienting, and executive attention in older adults
Authors: MAHONEY JEANNETTE R. , VERGHESE JOE , GOLDIN YELENA , LIPTON RICHARD , HOLTZER ROEE 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe Attention Network Test (ANT) assesses alerting, orienting, and executive attention. The current study was designed to achieve three main objectives. First, we determined the reliability, effects, and interactions of attention networks in a relatively large cohort of non-demented older adults (n= 184). Second, in the context of this aged cohort, we examined the effect of chronological age on attention networks. Third, the effect of blood pressure on ANT performance was evaluated. Results revealed high-reliability for the ANT as a whole, and for specific cue and flanker types. We found significant main effects for the three attention networks as well as diminished alerting but enhanced orienting effects during conflict resolution trials. Furthermore, increased chronological age and low blood pressure were both associated with significantly worse performance on the executive attention network. These findings are consistent with executive function decline in older adults and the plausible effect of reduced blood flow to the frontal lobes on individual differences in attention demanding tasks. (JINS, 2010,16, 877–889.)
Imaging-based chemical screens using normal and glioma-derived neural stem cells
Authors: Danovi Davide , Falk Anna , Humphreys Peter , Vickers Richard , Tinsley Jon , Smith Austin G. , Pollard Steven M. 
Published: July 2010

The development of optimal culture methods for embryonic, tissue and cancer stem cells is a critical foundation for their application in drug screening. We previously described defined adherent culture conditions that enable expansion of human radial glia-like fetal NS (neural stem) cells as stable cell lines. Similar protocols proved effective in the establishment of tumour-initiating stem cell lines from the human brain tumour glioblastoma multiforme, which we termed GNS (glioma NS) cells. Others have also recently derived more primitive human NS cell lines with greater neuronal subtype differentiation potential than NS cells, which have similarities to the early neuroepithelium, named NES (neuroepithelial stem) cells. In the present paper, we discuss the utility of these cells for chemical screening, and describe methods for a simple high-content live-image-based platform. We report the effects of a panel of 160 kinase inhibitors (Inhibitor Select I and II; Calbiochem) on NES cells, identifying three inhibitors of ROCK (Rho-associated kinase) as promoting the expansion of NES cell cultures. For the GNS cells, we screened a panel of 1000 compounds and confirmed our previous finding of a cytotoxic effect of modulators of neurotransmitter signalling pathways. These studies provide a framework for future higher-throughput screens.
Native-sized recombinant spider silk protein produced in metabolically engineered
Escherichia coli
results in a strong fiber
Authors: Xia Xiao-Xia , Qian Zhi-Gang , Ki Chang Seok , Park Young Hwan , Kaplan David L. , Lee Sang Yup 
Published: July 2010

Spider dragline silk is a remarkably strong fiber that makes it attractive for numerous applications. Much has thus been done to make similar fibers by biomimic spinning of recombinant dragline silk proteins. However, success is limited in part due to the inability to successfully express native-sized recombinant silk proteins (250–320 kDa). Here we show that a 284.9 kDa recombinant protein of the spider
Nephila clavipes
is produced and spun into a fiber displaying mechanical properties comparable to those of the native silk. The native-sized protein, predominantly rich in glycine (44.9%), was favorably expressed in metabolically engineered
Escherichia coli
within which the glycyl-tRNA pool was elevated. We also found that the recombinant proteins of lower molecular weight versions yielded inferior fiber properties. The results provide insight into evolution of silk protein size related to mechanical performance, and also clarify why spinning lower molecular weight proteins does not recapitulate the properties of native fibers. Furthermore, the silk expression, purification, and spinning platform established here should be useful for sustainable production of natural quality dragline silk, potentially enabling broader applications.
CAPITALIST WELFARE SOCIETIES' TRADE-OFF BETWEEN ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND SOCIAL SOLIDARITY
Authors: Frericks Patricia 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT
Starting in the 1980s and 1990s, in various European welfare reforms, parts of the social insurance systems and the related resources were transferred to the financial market. In this sense, one can speak of privatisation and marketisation, both examples of a neo-liberal tendency. Now, after ‘the Fall of Finance Capitalism’, it is often stated that ‘the years of neoliberal triumph have come to an end’. This paper argues that there had already been a contrasting and powerful development previously, which might now be reinforced. This political and institutional development was moving towards extensive regulatory policies, in particular after the stock market crisis in 2001, and towards solidarity, two examples of a neo-etatistic tendency. I argue that the traditional exclusionary categorisation significantly underestimates the continuously changing mix. I will introduce a more complex approach which will be much more helpful to comprehend current developments in pension protection, and which might also be considered for providing an understanding of change in social protection schemes and welfare states in general. To my view, current changes in capitalist welfare societies are system-inherent substantiations of complexly intertwined dynamics, which can be comprehended by analysing changes in flows of resources and in the rights over these resources. These changes are manifest in what is termed social citizenship. Consequently, I will come to the conclusion that the observed changes promote new forms of social citizenship.
A Cross‐matching Procedure for the Selection of Platelet Donors for Alloimmunized Patients
Authors: Waters A. H. , Minchinton R. M. , Bell R. , Ford J. M. , Lister T. A. 
Published: July 2010

Summary. A platelet cross‐matching procedure has been assessed for selecting compatible donors for alloimmunized patients. This confirms the clinical value of combining an indirect platelet immunofluorescence test (PIFT) with a lymphocyto toxicity test (LCT) in predicting the survival of single‐donor platelets. There was good agreement between the PIFT cross‐match and post‐transfusion platelet recovery. Compatibility in the LCT alone was insufficient for platelet donor selection, as this test did not detect all antibodies affecting platelet survival.Positive LCT and PIFT cross‐matches indicated the presence of HLA antibodies. Inclusion of an indirect lymphocyte immunofluorescence test (LIFT) helped to classify the platelet antibody when the LCT cross‐match was negative. In such cases, parallel positive findings with the LIFT and PIFT suggested a cytotoxic‐negative antibody of probable HLA specificity active against platelets. Disparity between the LIFT and PIFT was also observed; a strongly positive PIFT along with a weak reaction in the LIFT suggested that a platelet‐specific antibody was responsible for the poor platelet survival in these cases. This study has also shown the presence in multitransfused patients of LIFT‐positive antibodies not reacting in the LCT and PIFT, which do not affect the survival of transfused platelets.A positive granulocyte cross‐match was demonstrated in patients with febrile rigors associated with compatible platelet transfusions. Splenectomy and steroids may improve the survival of incompatible platelets depending on the nature of the platelet antibody.
The direct antiglobulin test in P. falciparum malaria
Authors: Abdalla S. , Weatherall D. J. 
Published: July 2010

Summary.The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was performed on 134 Gambian children with P. falciparum malaria. 52 children had a positive DAT and in 25 this was due to the adherence of C3 to their red cells whilst 13 had sensitization with IgG as well as C3. Sensitization with C4 alone or associated with IgG and/or C3 was only rarely found.
Effects of human marrow stromal cells on proliferation by human granulocytic (GM‐CFC), erythroid (BFU‐E) and mixed (Mix‐CFC) colony‐forming cells
Authors: Gordon M. Y. , Kearney L. , Hibbin J. A. 
Published: July 2010

Summary. We have investigated the effects of the major components of bone marrow stroma (fibroblasts, fat cells, macrophages and endothelial cells) on colony‐forming haemopoietic precursor cells. Selective cultures of the different stromal cell types, grown to confluence, were used as underlayers for agar or methylcellulose cultures containing bone marrow cells. In different experiments, colony‐stimulating factor (CSF) was added to stimulated granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐forming cells (GM‐CFC), erythropoietin was used to induce erythroid burst (BFU‐E) formation or erythropoietin and medium conditioned by leucocytes in the presence of phytohae‐magglutinin (PHA‐LCM) was added to induce the formation of colonies of mixed myeloid lineage (Mix‐CFC)Fibroblasts grown from human marrow enhanced granulopoiesis when CSF was present in the cultures but suppressed the formation of BFU‐E and mixed colonies. Treatment of the cultures with methylprednisolone induced the formation of fat cells in the fibroblast cultures and prevented both the fibroblast‐mediated enhancement of granulopoiesis and the fibroblast‐mediated suppression of erythropoiesis. Stromal macrophages reduced granulocyte colony formation but had little effect on the proliferation of BFU‐E or mixed colony‐forming cells. Endothelial cells stimulated granulopoiesis by releasing CSF into the culture supernatant: supernatant from endothelial cell cultures had no marked effects on either BFU‐E or Mix‐CFC.We conclude that different components of marrow stroma have contrasting effects on erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis; thus, marrow stroma may regulate the expression of stem cell differentiation in vivo.
The effect of an adrenaline infusion on the splenic blood flow and intrasplenic platelet kinetics
Authors: Wadenvik Hans , Kutti Jack 
Published: July 2010

SummaryThe effect of an adrenaline infusion on the venous platelet count, splenic blood flow and intrasplenic platelet kinetics was investigated in seven healthy male volunteers by using111In‐labelled platelets and dynamic gamma camera scintigraphy. The infusions were administered in two different doses, 0.2 μg/kg/min and 0.1 μg/kg/min, respectively. Regardless of the given dose, adrenaline was found to markedly decrease the splenic blood flow, decrease the exchangeable splenic platelet pool size and to prolong the intrasplenic platelet transit time. In response to the higher dose of adrenaline the splenic blood flow was 1.3 ± 0.5 (SD) % of total blood volume per min and the intrasplenic platelet transit time 17.3 ± 2.3 (SD) min. In contrast, after termination of infusion, the splenic blood flow was 7.0 ± 2.1 (SD)% of total blood volume per min and the intrasplenic platelet transit time was 11.5 ± 1.5 (SD) min. The present results firmly demonstrate that the splenic blood flow is the immediate variable governing the size of the exchangeable splenic platelet pool, and that the adrenaline‐induced depletion of the splenic platelet pool is a consequence of the splenic blood flow reduction. Finally, the splenic perfusion appears to be a major determinant of the intrasplenic platelet transit time.
Abnormal phosphoinositide metabolism and protein phosphorylation in platelets from a patient with the grey platelet syndrome
Authors: Rendu F. , Marche P. , Hovig T. , Maclouf J. , Lebret M. , Tenza D. , Levy‐Toledano S. , Caen J.‐P. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryWashed platelets isolated from one patient suffering from the inherited grey platelet syndrome were studied during thrombin‐induced activation. The agonist‐induced changes in (i) morphology, (ii) typical functional cell responses, (iii) membrane phospholipid metabolism and protein phosphorylation were studied and compared with the changes obtained with normal platelets. The morphology of the platelets as visualized by electron microscopy confirmed the almost total absence of intracellular alpha‐granules and marked vacuolization. During thrombin stimulation the morphological changes were clearly delayed as compared to normal platelets, the granule centralization and aggregation occurring only 15s after thrombin addition instead of 5 s in normal platelets. After 15 s, however, even though no alpha‐granules were observed, a ring‐like structure occurred centrally, indicating that they are not a prerequisite for this reaction. The whole release reaction, i.e. liberation of [14C]ser‐otonin from dense granules and β‐n‐acetylglucosaminidase activity from lysosomes, and the thromboxane synthesis were delayed and remained lower than in normal platelets. No thrombin‐induced phosphatidyl 4,5‐bisphosphate breakdown was measurable on 32P‐prelabelled platelets although [32P]phosphatidate formation occurred normally. Phosphorylation time courses of myosin light chain (P20) and of protein P43 (mol wt 43 000) markedly differed from those of controls, being less than half of the normal during the first 15 s and remaining subnormal even after complete aggregation. These results suggest that in platelets devoid of alpha‐granules a deficient transmembrane signalling system is likely responsible for the impaired physiological responses.
Rapid reappearance of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) with concomitant reconstitution of natural killer (NK) activity after human bone marrow transplantation (BMT)
Authors: Niederwieser D. , Gastl G. , Rumpold H. , Marth Ch. , Kraft D. , Huber Ch. 
Published: July 2010

Summary.The frequency of large granular lymphocytes and their relationship to functional NK‐activity as assessed by the capacity to lyse the K562 tumour target was analysed in five allogenic and two autologous human bone marrow transplant recipients. Date revealed: (i) almost identical disappearence and reconstitution of both parameters further indicating that LGL represent effector cells of spontaneous lysis of K 562 targets; (ii) a long‐lasting suppression of the absolute numbers per ml of blood of both LGL and functional NK activity which we believe was not the consequence of reconstitution with immature effector cells but rather reflected immunosuppressive therapy; (iii) LGL exhibits the fastest reappearance rate subsequent to total body irradiation of all populations of circulating leucocytes.
Direct activation of platelets by heat is the possible trigger of the coagulopathy of heat stroke
Authors: Gader A. M. A. , Al‐Mashhadani S. A. , Al‐Harthy S. S. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryThe trigger of the coagulopathy that complicates heat stroke is obscure, but direct platelet activation by heat is a possibility we set out to study. Platelet rich plasma (PRP), prepared from blood donors, was incubated at increasing temperatures (38–45°C) and then platelet aggregation was undertaken in response to decreasing low doses of ADP (<2.0 μmol/l). Hyperaggregability was manifested when the incubation temperature reached 43°C and was maximum at 44°C before complete inhibition of responses at 45°C.The platelet hyperactivity induced by heating at 44°C persisted after reincubating PRP samples at 37°C. These platelet responses could not be triggered in PRP samples prepared from subjects after the overnight ingestion of aspirin or after the addition of aspirin to PRP before starting the heating procedure. However, aspirin was less effective when added to PRP after the appearance of the heat‐induced hyperaggregability.In conclusion, these results indicate that platelets can be activated directly by heat. This mechanism which may be operational in heat stroke, is unaffected by cooling (body cooling being basic in the management of heat stroke) but can be prevented by the early administration of aspirin.
Spontaneous platelet aggregation during pregnancy in a patient with von Willebrand disease type IIB can be blocked by monoclonal antibodies to both platelet glycoproteins Ib and IIb/IIIa
Authors: Pareti Francesco Innocente , Federici Augusto Bramante , And Marco Cattaneo , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio 
Published: July 2010

SummarySpontaneous platelet aggregation appeared in a patient with von Willebrand disease type IIB during the 37th week of pregnancy. This phenomenon was not associated with symptoms of thrombosis and the patient delivered by caesarian section with no complications. Her platelet‐poor plasma (PPP) aggregated normal platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) and washed platelets. Aggregation was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies with known specificity for the platelet receptors of von Willebrand factor (vWF), i.e. the glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) and the GPIIb/IIIa complex. A monoclonal antibody, which selectively inhibits the binding of vWF to the GPIIb/IIIa complex, did not block aggregation, suggesting that spontaneous aggregation is not dependent on the binding to GPIIb/IIIa of vWF from patient plasma. Aggregation induced by patient plasma could also be blocked either by two monoclonal antibodies raised against vWF or by a fragment derived from trypsin digestion of normal vWF which blocks the ristocetin‐induced binding of normal vWF to platelets. These findings indicate that the spontaneous platelet aggregation in this patient results from the binding of her vWF to GPIb but is independent from the binding of her vWF to GPIIb/IIIa.
Decreased contact factor mediated fibrinolysis in cirrhosis
Authors: Cohen H. , Hunt J. B. , Dixit M. , Kanwar S. , Thomas H. C. 
Published: July 2010

Summary. We studied extrinsic and intrinsic fibrinolysis in 20 patients with cirrhosis (nine mild/moderate, group 1:11 severe, group 2) and 19 normal controls to define the role of intrinsic (contact factor mediated) fibrinolysis in cirrhosis.Global plasma fibrinolytic activity (fibrin plate lysis) was similar in all groups. Dextran sulphate activated contact factor mediated fibrinolysis was decreased in group 2 (median 95.2%) compared with group 1 (121.0%) and controls (131.7%). Tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t‐PA Ag) levels were increased in group 2 (28.2 ng/ml) compared both with group 1(8.5 ng/ml) and controls (5.9 ng/ml). Plasma t‐PA activity was raised in group 2 (5.50 IU/ml) and group 1 (5.25 IU/ml) versus controls (0.82 IU/ml). Plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1 Ag) levels were raised in group 2 (28.0 IU/ml) versus controls (8.5 IU/ml) but PA1 activity was similar in all groups. Factor XII activity was decreased in group 2 (48.76 u/dl), but not group 1. versus controls (89.1 u/dl). Prekallikrein activity was decreased both in group 2 (27.27 u/dl) and group 1 (33.01 u/dl) versus controls (108.59 u/dl) and was lower in group 2 than group 1. C1‐esterase inhibitor chromogenic activity was decreased in group 1 (102.30 u/dl) and group 2 (58.76 u/dl) versus controls (116.24 u/dl).The normal global fibrinolytic activity despite increased t‐PA activity may be due to a concomitant increase in PAI. The decreased intrinsic fibrinolysis in severe cirrhosis, unaccompanied by a rise in C1‐esterase inhibitor, may be explained by the decreased factor XII and prekallikrein activity. These changes are probably due to reduced liver cell mass.
Absence of G‐CSF receptors and absent response to G‐CSF in childhood Burkitt's lymphoma and B‐ALL cells
Authors: Tomeczkowski Jörg , Yakisan Elif , Wieland Britta , Reiter Alfred , Welte Karl , Sykora Karl‐Walter 
Published: July 2010

The expression of the granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) receptor in childhood Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells, and the mitogenic effect of G‐CSF on these cells, was studied in a panel of 13 Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) positive and negative BL cell lines derived from nine children.G‐CSF receptor mRNA expression was investigated by Northern blot analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Binding of G‐CSF to BL cell lines was measured by chemical crosslinking of 125I‐G‐CSF, and proliferation by thymidine incorporation. Inducibility of the G‐CSF receptor was studied by stimulation with interleukin‐1β, tumour necrosis factor‐α, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan A, anti‐human IgM, phorbol myristate acetate, calcium ionophore A23187, and by infection in vitro by immortalizing and non‐immortalizing strains of EBV.BL cell lines, unstimulated or stimulated by biological reagents or EBV infection, did not bind radioionated G‐CSF in crosslinking experiments. No stimulation by recombinant human G‐CSF was observed in 3H‐thymidine incorporation assays. No G‐CSF receptor mRNA was detected by Northern blot analysis or RT‐PCR in BL cell lines.It is concluded that G‐CSF plays no direct stimulatory role in the growth of these malignant B‐cells, making a deleterious influence of G‐CSF in the clinical treatment situation unlikely.
The effects of the 32‐bp CCR‐5 deletion on HIV transmission and HIV disease progression in individuals with haemophilia
Authors: Pasi K. J. , Sabin C. A. , Jenkins P. V. , Devereux H. L. , Ononye C. , Lee C. A. 
Published: July 2010

The chemokine receptor CCR5 is an important co‐receptor for cell fusion. A 32‐bp deletion of the CCR5 gene, leading to complete absence of functional CCR5 expression, has been associated with resistance to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in homozygotes and slower HIV disease progression in heterozygotes. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of this 32‐bp deletion on transmission of HIV infection and on HIV disease progression in haemophilic individuals. Six HIV‐negative patients from our centre, known to have been exposed to infectious factor VIII concentrates, have been analysed. Three of these patients possess the CCR5 32‐bp deletion, two patients being homozygous. The presence of the CCR5 32‐bp gene deletion has also been analysed in 71 HIV‐positive patients. In this group of patients, there was a lower than expected incidence of the 32‐bp deletion. Those who possess the 32‐bp deletion progress to AIDS more slowly than those who do not (P = 0·05, log‐rank test). Rates of CD4 loss were slower in those heterozygous for the gene deletion. We confirm that heterozygosity for the 32‐bp gene deletion in CCR5 is partially protective against initial infection with HIV. In those heterozygous patients who became infected with HIV, disease progression was slower.