bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and Epstein–Barr virus‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in Japan
Authors: Ohga Shouichi , Kudo Kazuko , Ishii Eiichi , Honjo Satoshi , Morimoto Akira , Osugi Yuko , Sawada Akihisa , Inoue Masami , Tabuchi Ken , Suzuki Nobuhiro , Ishida Yasushi , Imashuku Shinsaku , Kato Shunichi , Hara Toshiro 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundPost‐transplant outcomes of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) patients were analyzed in Japan where Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated severe forms are problematic.MethodsFifty‐seven patients (43 familial HLH [12 FHL2, 11 FHL3, 20 undefined], 14 EBV‐HLH) who underwent stem cell transplantation (SCT) between 1995 and 2005 were enrolled based on the nationwide registration.ResultsFifty‐seven patients underwent 61 SCTs, including 4 consecutive SCTs. SCTs were employed using allogeneic donors in 93% of cases (allo 53, twin 1, auto 3). Unrelated donor cord blood transplantation (UCBT) was employed in half of cases (21 FHL, 7 EBV‐HLH). Reduced intensity conditioning was used in 26% of cases. The 10‐year overall survival rates (median ± SE%) were 65.0 ± 7.9% in FHL and 85.7 ± 9.4% in EBV‐HLH patients, respectively. The survival of UCBT recipients was >65% in both FHL and EBV‐HLH patients. Three out of four patients were alive with successful engraftment after second UCBT. FHL patients showed a poorer outcome due to early treatment‐related deaths (<100 days, seven patients) and a higher incidence of sequelae than EBV‐HLH patients (P = 0.02). The risk of death for FHL patients having received an unrelated donor bone marrow transplant was marginally higher than that for a related donor SCT (P = 0.05) and that for UCBT (P = 0.07).ConclusionsEBV‐HLH patients had a better prognosis after SCT than FHL patients. FHL patients showed either an equal or better outcome even after UCBT compared with the recent reports. UCB might therefore be acceptable as an alternate SCT source for HLH patients, although the optimal conditioning remains to be determined. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;54:299–306. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermoplastic polyurethane and nitrile butadiene rubber blends with layered double hydroxide nanocomposites by solution blending
Authors: Kotal Moumita , Srivastava Suneel K , Bhowmick Anil K 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPolymer blending coupled with nanofillers has been widely accepted as one of the cheaper methods to develop high‐performance polymeric materials for various applications. In the present work, dodecyl sulfate intercalated MgAl‐based layered double hydroxide (DS‐LDH) was used as nanofiller in the synthesis of polyurethane blended with nitrile butadiene rubber (PU/NBR; 1:1 w/w) nanocomposites, which were subsequently characterized. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the partial dispersion of MgAl layers in PU/NBR blends at lower filler content followed by aggregation at higher filler loading. In comparison to the neat PU/NBR blend, the tensile strength (156%) and elongation at break (21%) show maximum improvement for 1 wt% filler loading. The storage and loss moduli, thermal stability and limiting oxygen index of the nanocomposites are higher compared to the neat PU/NBR blend. Glass transition temperature and swelling measurements increase up to 3 wt% DS‐LDH loading in PU/NBR compared to either neat PU/NBR or its other corresponding nanocomposites. XRD and TEM analyses indicate the partial distribution of DS‐LDH in PU/NBR blends suggesting the formation of partially exfoliated nanocomposites. The improvements in mechanical, thermal and flame retardancy properties are much greater compared to the neat blend confirming the formation of high‐performance polymer nanocomposites. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
AB‐ and ABC‐type di‐ and triblock copolymers of poly[styrene‐block‐(ε‐caprolactone)] and poly[styrene‐block‐(ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐lactide]: synthesis, characterization and thermal studies
Authors: Parthiban Anbanandam , Likhitsup Asawin , Yu Han , Chai Christina LL 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPolystyrene terminated with benzyl alcohol units was employed as a macroinitiator for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide to yield AB‐ and ABC‐type block copolymers. Even though there are many reports on the diblock copolymers of poly(styrene‐block‐lactide) and poly(styrene‐block‐lactone), this is the first report on the poly(styrene‐block‐lactone‐block‐lactide) triblock copolymer consisting of two semicrystalline and degradable segments. The triblock copolymers exhibited twin melting behavior in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis with thermal transitions corresponding to each of the lactone and lactide blocks. The block derived from ε‐caprolactone also showed crystallization transitions upon cooling from the melt. In the DSC analysis, one of the triblock copolymers showed an exothermic transition well above the melting temperature upon cooling. Thermogravimetric analysis of these block copolymers showed a two‐step degradation curve for the diblock copolymer and a three‐step degradation for the triblock copolymer with each of the degradation steps associated with each segment of the block copolymers. The present study shows that it is possible to make pure triblock copolymers with two semicrystalline segments which also consist of degradable blocks. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
The relationship between treatment integrity and acceptability of reading interventions for children with Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Mautone Jennifer A. , DuPaul George J. , Jitendra Asha K. , Tresco Katy E. , Junod Rosemary Vile , Volpe Robert J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis study examined the relationship between treatment integrity and acceptability for reading interventions across two consultation models, intensive data‐based academic intervention (IDAI) and traditional data‐based academic intervention (TDAI). Participants included 83 first‐ through fourth‐grade students who met research criteria for Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and evidenced academic difficulties and their general and/or special education teachers. Reading interventions were developed through individualized, data‐driven consultation (IDAI) or generic, menu‐based consultative services (TDAI). Results suggested a moderate, positive relationship between treatment integrity and acceptability for both consultation groups, although the relationship was statistically significant for the IDAI group only. Furthermore, although there was a significant difference between consultation groups on treatment integrity, differences between groups on treatment acceptability were not statistically significant. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reliability and validity evidence for the EARLI literacy probes
Authors: Reid Melissa A. , DiPerna James C. , Morgan Paul L. , Wa Lei Pui 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of scores from six early literacy probes developed for use with preschool‐age children. The literacy probes were administered to 84 preschoolers at three time points over a 6‐month period. Also, a criterion measure of early literacy skills was administered to a subset of students. Results indicated that the probes demonstrate adequate reliability for screening decisions, moderate to strong concurrent relationships with a criterion measure, and developmentally appropriate changes in children's early literacy skills over time. These results add to the growing body of evidence supporting the technical adequacy of general outcome measurement for use in monitoring the progress of preschoolers' academic skill development. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The validity of reading comprehension rate: Reading speed, comprehension, and comprehension rates
Authors: Skinner Christopher H. , Williams Jacqueline L. , Morrow Jennifer Ann , Hale Andre D. , Neddenriep Christine E. , Hawkins Renee O. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis article describes a secondary analysis of a brief reading comprehension rate measure, percent comprehension questions correct per minute spent reading (%C/M). This measure includes reading speed (seconds to read) in the denominator and percentage of comprehension questions answered correctly in the numerator. Participants were 22 4th‐, 29 5th‐, and 37 10th‐grade students. Results showed that reading speed accounted for much of the variance in Broad Reading Cluster scores and subtest scores of the Woodcock–Johnson III Tests of Achievement across all grade levels. Converting reading speed to the rate measure %C/M increased Broad Reading Cluster variance accounted for in the 4th‐ and 5th‐grade sample, but decreased the Broad Reading Cluster variance accounted for in the 10th‐grade sample. Discussion focuses on the importance of reading speed and the failure to enhance validity of a brief rate measure in more skilled readers by incorporating a direct measure of comprehension. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical prediction rule to diagnose post‐infectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children
Authors: Colom Alejandro J. , Teper Alejandro M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractRationaleInfant pulmonary function testing has a great value in the diagnosis of post‐infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (BOs), because of characteristic patterns of severe and fixed airway obstruction. Unfortunately, infant pulmonary function testing is not available in most pediatric pulmonary centers.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a clinical prediction rule (BO‐Score) to diagnose children under 2 years of age with BOs, using multiple objectively measured parameters readily available in most medical centers.MethodsStudy subjects, children under 2 years old with a chronic pulmonary disease assisted at R. Gutierrez Children's Hospital of Buenos Aires. Patients were randomly divided into a derivation (66%) and a validation (34%) set. ROC analyses and multivariable logistic regression included significant clinical, radiological, and laboratory predictors. The main outcome measure was a diagnosis of BOs. The performance of the BO‐Score was tested on the validation set.ResultsHundred twenty‐five patients were included, 83 in the derivation set and 42 in the validation set. The BO‐Score (area under ROC curve = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.9–1.0%) was developed by assigning points to the following variables: typical clinical history (four points), adenovirus infection (three points), and high‐resolution computed tomography with mosaic perfusion (four points). A Score ≥7 predicted the diagnosis of BOs with a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 79–100%) and a sensitivity of 67% (95% CI, 47–80%).ConclusionsThe BO‐Score is a simple‐to‐use clinical prediction rule, based on variables that are readily available. A BO‐Score of 7 or more predicts a diagnosis of post‐infectious BOs with high accuracy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:1065–1069. ©2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sensing the insulin signaling pathway with an antibody array
Authors: He Hua‐Jun , Zong Yaping , Bernier Michel , Wang Lili 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes is determined by various factors, including defects within the insulin signaling pathway. Mediators of insulin resistance operate through activation of various protein kinase C isoforms, IκB kinase β (IKKβ), and/or c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, and subsequent inhibition of the proximal insulin signaling pathway via the insulin receptor substrate 1 and Akt. These mechanisms are still largely unresolved because of the complexity of the molecular events. In this study, an expression and activation state profiling of multiple known key signaling biomolecules involved in insulin metabolic and mitogenic signaling pathways was evaluated using a phosphospecific antibody array platform. The results of the arrayed antibodies were verified by the multiplexed bead array assay and conventional Western blot analysis, and confirmed the well‐known inhibitory effects of phorbol esters on insulin signaling pathway activation. Of interest, the increase in protein kinase C signaling responses with phorbol esters was associated with activation of the lipid phosphatase PTEN and a 27 kDa HSP. Thus, this insulin signaling antibody array provides a powerful and effective way to investigate the mechanism of insulin resistance and likely assist the development of innovative therapeutic drugs for type 2 diabetes.
Differential protein expression between normal, early‐stage, and late‐stage myxomatous mitral valves from dogs
Authors: Lacerda Carla M. R. , Disatian Sirilak , Orton E. Christopher 
Published: October 2009

AbstractValvular heart disease accounts for over 20 000 deaths and 90 000 hospitalizations yearly in the United States. Myxomatous valve disease (MVD) is the most common disease of the mitral valve in humans and dogs. MVD is pathologically identical in these species and its pathogenesis is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to (i) develop proteomic methodology suitable for analysis of extracellular matrix‐rich heart valve tissues and (ii) survey over‐ and under‐expressed proteins that could provide mechanistic clues into the pathogenesis of MVD. Normal, early‐stage, and late‐stage myxomatous mitral valves from dogs were studied. A shotgun proteomic analysis was used to quantify differential protein expression. Proteins were classified by function and clustered according to differential expression patterns. More than 300 proteins, with 117 of those being differentially expressed, were identified. Hierarchical sample clustering of differential protein profiles showed that early‐ and late‐stage valves were closely related. This finding suggests that proteome changes occur in early degeneration stages and these persist in late stages, characterizing a diseased proteome that is distinct from normal. Shotgun proteome analysis of matrix‐rich canine heart valves is feasible, and should be applicable to human heart valves. This study provides a basis for future investigations into the pathogenesis of MVD.
Identification of cancer‐associated proteins by proteomics and downregulation of β‐tropomyosin expression in colorectal adenoma and cancer
Authors: Luo Yan‐Xin , Cui Ji , Wang Lei , Chen Dian‐Ke , Peng Jun‐Sheng , Lan Ping , Huang Mei‐Jin , Huang Yi‐Hua , Cai Shi‐Rong , Hu Kun‐Hua , Li Ming‐Tao , Wang Jian‐Ping 
Published: October 2009

AbstractElucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the development of adenoma, the major precursor lesion of colorectal cancer (CRC), would provide a basis for early detection, prevention as well as treatment of CRC. Using the highly sensitive 2‐D DIGE method coupled with MS, we identified 24 differentially expressed proteins in adenoma tissues compared with matched normal colonic mucosa and CRC tissues. Fifteen proteins were downregulated and three proteins were upregulated in adenoma tissues when compared with individual‐matched normal colonic mucosa. Five proteins were downregulated, while one protein was upregulated in adenoma tissues when compared with matched CRC tissues. A protein, β‐tropomyosin (TM‐β), recently suggested to be a biomarker of esophageal squamous carcinoma, was downregulated in both adenoma and CRC tissues. Additionally, the reduction in the level of TM‐β in adenoma and CRC tissues was further validated by Western blotting (p<0.05) and RT‐PCR (p<0.001). Our findings suggest that downregulation of TM‐β is involved in the early development of CRC and that differentially expressed proteins might serve as potential biomarkers for detection of CRC.
Livers overexpressing BRE transgene are under heightened state of stress‐response, as revealed by comparative proteomics
Authors: Tang Mei‐Kuen , Liu Guanjun , Hou Zhibo , Chui Yiu‐Loon , Chan John Y. H. , Lee Kenneth Ka Ho 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBRE (TNFRSF1A modulator/BRCC45) is a stress‐responsive gene that is normally expressed at low levels in human and mouse livers. It binds to TNF‐R1 and Fas, and modulates the actions of these cytokines [Chan, B.C.L., Ching, A.K.K., To, K.F., Leung, J.C.K. et al., Oncogene 2008, 27, 1208–1217]. We demonstrated that BRE expression was rapidly induced when the liver was insulted with carbon tetrachloride. In addition, it is highly expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Transgenic mice were produced that specifically overexpressed BRE in the liver to determine the effects of high levels of BRE on the liver. We found these transgenic livers were histologically normal when compared with their wild‐type counterpart. Hence, comparative proteomics were used to elucidate the molecular alterations in these tissues. It was established that several stress‐responsive proteins were upregulated in BRE‐transgenic hepatocytes. These include heat shock‐related 70 kDa protein 2, putative heat shock 70 kDa protein 7 and mitogen‐activated protein kinase 12. Furthermore, we demonstrated that silencing BRE expression in non‐tumoral Chang cells could directly inhibit the expression of these stress‐responsive genes. In conclusion, we propose that the liver in our BRE transgenic mice is under constant heightened stress‐response and this may be a major contributing factor to the hepatocellular carcinoma phenotype.
Modeling Growth, Surface Kinetics, and Morphology Evolution in PETN
Authors: Maiti Amitesh , Gee Richard H. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is a commonly used energetic material with both military and civilian applications. Good ignition properties mandate a powdered material with a high surface area. However, existing experimental data on PETN powder suggest an active surface that leads to particle coarsening and gradual reduction of the specific surface area over time. In this work we review some of the atomic‐level and coarse‐grained potential models developed for PETN and discuss their applications for studying particle morphology, growth, and surface kinetics, including molecular diffusion and evaporation/condensation rates. Simulation methods include classical molecular dynamics, kinetic Monte Carlo, and transition state calculations.
The crystal structures of macrophage migration inhibitory factor from Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei
Authors: Dobson Sarah E. , Augustijn Kevin D. , Brannigan James A. , Schnick Claudia , Janse Chris J. , Dodson Eleanor J. , Waters Andrew P. , Wilkinson Anthony J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMalaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum and related parasites, is responsible for millions of deaths each year, mainly from complications arising from the blood stages of its life cycle. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a protein expressed by the parasite during these stages, has been characterized in mammals as a cytokine involved in a broad spectrum of immune responses. It also possesses two catalytic activities, a tautomerase and an oxidoreductase, though the physiological significance of neither reaction is known. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of MIF from two malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei at 2.2 Å and 1.8 Å, respectively. The structures have an α/β fold and each reveals a trimer, in agreement with the results of analytical ultracentrifugation. We observed open and closed active sites, these being distinguished by movements of proline‐1, the catalytic base in the tautomerase reaction. These states correlate with the covalent modification of cysteine 2 to form a mercaptoethanol adduct, an observation confirmed by mass spectrometry. The Plasmodium MIFs have a different pattern of conserved cysteine residues to the mammalian MIFs and the side chain of Cys58, which is implicated in the oxidoreductase activity, is buried. This observation and the evident redox reactivity of Cys2 suggest quite different oxidoreductase characteristics. Finally, we show in pull‐down assays that Plasmodium MIF binds to the cell surface receptor CD74, a known mammalian MIF receptor implying that parasite MIF has the ability to interfere with, or modulate, host MIF activity through a competitive binding mechanism.
Circular permutation of ligand‐binding module improves dynamic range of genetically encoded FRET‐based nanosensor
Authors: Okada Satoshi , Ota Kazuhisa , Ito Takashi 
Published: October 2009

AbstractQuantitative measurement of small molecules with high spatiotemporal resolution provides a solid basis for correct understanding and accurate modeling of metabolic regulation. A promising approach toward this goal is the FLIP (fluorescent indicator protein) nanosensor based on bacterial periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the yellow and cyan variants of green fluorescent protein (GFP). Each FLIP has a PBP module that specifically binds its ligand to induce a conformation change, leading to a change in FRET between the two GFP variant modules attached to the N‐ and C‐termini of the PBP. The larger is the dynamic range the more reliable is the measurement. Thus, we attempted to expand the dynamic range of FLIP by introducing a circular permutation with a hinge loop deletion to the PBP module. All the six circularly permutated PBPs tested, including structurally distinct Type I and Type II PBPs, showed larger dynamic ranges than their respective native forms when used for FLIP. Notably, the circular permutation made three PBPs, which totally failed to show FRET change when used as their native forms, fully capable of functioning as a ligand binding module of FLIP. These FLIPs were successfully used for the determination of amino acid concentration in complex solutions as well as real‐time measurement of amino acid influx in living yeast cells. Thus, the circular permutation strategy would not only improve the performance of each nanosensor but also expand the repertoire of metabolites that can be measured by the FLIP nanosensor technology.
The quantum free electron laser: A new source of coherent, short‐wavelength radiation
Authors: Bonifacio R. , Piovella N. , Robb G.R.M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA Free Electron Laser (FEL) operating in the quantum regime can provide a compact and monochromatic X‐ray source. Here we review the basic principles of a high‐gain quantum FEL starting from noise, with special emphasis on the self‐amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) mode of operation. In the first part of the paper, a condition for the neglect of the fermionic character of the electrons is derived and the full quantum theory of the N‐particle and single‐radiation‐mode FEL Hamiltonian is presented. Quantum effects such as cooperative gain, discrete spectrum and line narrowing are described, both in the multi‐particle and in the second quantization formalism. In the second part, propagation effects (i.e. slippage) are described and the main features of the quantum SASE regime are discussed. The broad and spiky radiation spectrum observed in classical SASE reduces in the quantum regime to a series of narrow lines, associated with sequential transitions between adjacent momentum states. A simple interpretation of the discrete nature of the spectrum and of the linewidth of the single spike observed in the quantum regime is presented.