bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CD34+ Subset and Tumor Cell Quantitation by Flow Cytometry — Step Toward Quality Assessment of Autografts in B Cell Malignancies
Authors: Johnsen H.E. , Rasmussen T. , Knudsen L.M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractTo day it is possible to predict the probability of fast engraftment based on a very simple flow cytometry standard analysis of CD34+ cells as documented by the 28 laboratories within the NSCL‐G. However, the risk for delayed platelet engraftment still needs to be predicted in clinical practice for patients receiving less than 10 times 106 CD34+ cells/kg. Here we present data from our center supporting that identification by double staining of uncommitted (CD34+/CD38‐) and lineage specific (CD34+/CD61+) progenitors may allow us to predict patients at high risk for prolonged platelet recovery.Following high dose therapy more than 30% of patients with haematological malignancies do suffer from disease recurrence within the first 3–6 months following high dose therapy. Today there are strong indications that such patients may have been transplanted with an autograft contaminated with a high number of potentially malignant B cells. Here we present a novel methodology for quantitation of blood circulating tumor cells by combining flowcytometry, cell sorting, limiting dilution and single cell RT‐PCR. Such methodology has documented mobilization of clonal B cells following priming of the peripheral blood stem cell harvest and it can be used to identify minor populations and predict the efficacy of patient specific purging strategy.Consequently, quality assessment of autografts may include techniques which can predict fast three lineage engraftment as well as the risk for prolonged platelet recovery and can identify the group of patients/autografts with a strong contamination of potential tumor cells with a risk of early relapse The future supportive cell therapy may depend upon improvements of such technologies and strategies including the selective administration of lineage specific growth factors e.g. trombopoietin as well as patient specific controlled purging strategies.
Targeted Superantigens for Immunotherapy of Haematopoietic Tumours
Authors: Tötterman T.H. , Gidlöf C. , Ragnarsson L. , Högbom E. , Lindeberg M. , von der Lehr N. , Einarsson A. , Sœgaard M. , Kristensson K. , Kalland T. , Dohlsten M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWith the exception of childhood common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (cALL), treatment of other hematopoietic B cell lineage tumours such as non‐ Hodgkin's lymphoma (B‐NHL), adult ALL and multiple myeloma (MM) is unsatisfactory. Similarly, the therapeutic outcome of acute and chronic myeloid leukaemia (AML, CML) is frequently dismal. At the same time, leukae‐ mia/lymphoma cells represent ideal targets for immunotherapy. The present review summarizes our preclinical experience with a novel type of cytotoxic T cell based immunotherapy for B‐lineage and myeloid tumours. Staphylococcal enterotoxin‐derived superantigens (SAgs) are among the most potent T cell activators known, linking the T cell receptor to HLA‐DR on natural target cells. SAgs were genetically engineered to reduce DR binding and were then fused to Fab parts of tumour‐directed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Using these “targeted” SAgs, highly efficient lysis of B‐lineage (B‐NHL, B‐CLL, ALL, MM) and myeloid (AML, CML) tumour cells by T‐cells was achieved in vitro and in an animal model. We are entering an interesting era of innovative cancer therapy based on novel man‐made biotherapeutic agents.
Donor Selection: The Exclusion of High Risk Donors?
Authors: van den Burg P.J.M. , Vrielink H. , Reesink H.W. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractSelection of donors is an important means to improve the overall safety of the blood supply. Since the AIDS epidemic emerged and after the introduction of sensitive screening tests for HIV, it became clear that blood donations given in the infectious ‘window’ period, formed the most important risk for recipients of blood products. Therefore, selection criteria became more and more stringent to exclude these high risk donors. Means to exclude high risk donors are non‐ remuneration, including a clear policy to provide no incentives which can be readily converted to cash, the avoidance of replacement donations, the discouragement of ‘HIV test seeking’ donors, education and information of donors about HIV and other blood‐borne infectious diseases and the in depth questioning about risk behaviour, orally as well as by questionnaires. Although this policy of donor selection is recognized by most blood centers in the world, the efficacy of this selection has not been well documented. Therefore in future, studies should be performed to base these selection criteria on evidence.
Response of Locusta migratoria tibetensis Chen (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to climate warming over the Tibetan plateau
Authors: Feng C. H. , Guo C. , Luo L. M. , Qin Z. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAs a region with one of the most important terrestrial ecosystems, the Tibetan plateau is both sensitive to and vulnerable to climate warming. Locusta migratoria tibetensis Chen, an endemic species on the Tibetan plateau, is likely to be affected by climatic warming. In our studies, accumulated degree‐days (ADD) of L. Migratoria T.C. were calculated based on data from 90 weather stations over the Tibetan plateau from 1961 to 2005. Trend lines show that across weather stations, ADD increased at a rate of 1.17 DD/a during climate warming. The majority of weather stations (82.2%) showing increases in ADD were located towards the west of the Tibetan plateau. At higher elevations, the increase in the ratio of annual ADD to the station mean ADD was higher relative to those at lower elevations. A linear regression model between ADD and geographical position was established to create raster maps of ADD in ArcGIS 9.2. The area of potential locust distribution (APD) was estimated to be 42 420 km2, mostly distributed along major rivers on the Tibetan plateau. In warmer years, the APD increased sharply over study periods. A new area of potential distribution would appear in the north Tibetan plateau if the climate warming continued. In the south‐east Tibetan plateau, the locust would expand its range northwards or westwards along the river valleys, and the locust APD would also rise in elevation.
Application of complementary luminescent and fluorescent imaging techniques to visualize nuclear and cytoplasmic Ca2+ signalling during the in vivo differentiation of slow muscle cells in zebrafish embryos under normal and dystrophic conditions
Authors: Webb Sarah E , Cheung Chris CY , Chan Ching Man , Love Donald R , Miller Andrew L 
Published: August 2011

Summary1. Evidence is accumulating for a role for Ca2+ signalling in the differentiation and development of embryonic skeletal muscle.2. Imaging of intact, normally developing transgenic zebrafish that express the protein component of the Ca2+‐sensitive complex aequorin, specifically in skeletal muscle, show that two distinct periods of spontaneous synchronised Ca2+ transients occur in the trunk: one at approximately 17.5–19.5 h post‐fertilization (h.p.f.; termed signalling period SP1) and the other after approximately 23 h.p.f. (termed SP2). These periods of intense Ca2+ signalling activity are separated by a quiet period.3. Higher‐resolution confocal imaging of embryos loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ reporter calcium green‐1 dextran shows that the Ca2+ signals are generated almost exclusively in the slow muscle cells, the first muscle cells to differentiate, with distinct nuclear and cytoplasmic components.4. Here, we show that coincidental with the SP1 Ca2+ signals, dystrophin becomes localized to the vertical myoseptae of the myotome. Introduction of a dmd morpholino (dmd‐MO) resulted in no dystrophin being expressed in the vertical myoseptae, as well as a disruption of myotome morphology and sarcomere organization. In addition, the Ca2+ signalling signatures of dmd‐MO‐injected embryos or homozygous sapje mutant embryos were abnormal such that the frequency, amplitude and timing of the Ca2+ signals were altered compared with controls.5. Our new data suggest that, in addition to a structural role, dystrophin may function in the regulation of [Ca2+]i during the early stages of slow muscle cell differentiation when the Ca2+ signals generated in these cells coincide with the first spontaneous contractions of the trunk.
Heaves, an asthma‐like disease of horses
Authors: LECLERE MATHILDE , LAVOIE‐LAMOUREUX ANOUK , LAVOIE JEAN‐PIERRE 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTAnimal models have been developed to investigate specific components of asthmatic airway inflammation, hyper‐responsiveness or remodelling. However, all of these aspects are rarely observed in the same animal. Heaves is a naturally occurring disease of horses that combines these features. It is characterized by stable dust‐induced inflammation, bronchospasm and remodelling. The evaluation of horses during well‐controlled natural antigen exposure and avoidance in experimental settings allows the study of disease mechanisms in the asymptomatic and symptomatic stages, an approach rarely feasible in humans. Also, the disease can be followed over several years to observe the cumulative effect of repeated episodes of clinical exacerbation or to evaluate long‐term treatment, contrasting most murine asthma models. This model has shown complex gene and environment interactions, the involvement of both innate and adaptive responses to inflammation, and the contribution of bronchospasm and tissue remodelling to airway obstruction, all occurring in a natural setting. Similarities with the human asthmatic airways are well described and the model is currently being used to evaluate airway remodelling and its reversibility in ways that are not possible in people for ethical reasons. Tools including antibodies, recombinant proteins or gene arrays, as well as methods for sampling tissues and assessing lung function in the horse are constantly evolving to facilitate the study of this animal model. Research perspectives that can be relevant to asthma include the role of neutrophils in airway inflammation and their response to corticosteroids, systemic response to pulmonary inflammation, and maintaining athletic capacities with early intervention.
Evidence‐based practice: SLTs under siege or opportunity for growth? The use and nature of research evidence in the profession
Authors: McCurtin Arlene , Roddam Hazel 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground: Speech and language therapists are encouraged to be evidence‐based practitioners in contemporary clinical practice. This apparently signifies their commitment to ‘good’ practice. An examination of evidence‐based practice (EBP) and its adoption in clinical practice is therefore warranted.Aims: This paper aims to explore EBP, specifically research evidence, as related to the field of speech and language therapy (SLT), using profession specific and cross‐disciplinary examples. It asks the reader to consider whether research evidence contributes positively to SLT practice, or adds to the demands placed on clinicians?Methods & Procedures: A review of the literature on the nature and use of research evidence in the field of speech and language therapy and related health professions was undertaken using multiple databases (Cochrane, Medline, Cinahal, BioMed, Trip, Dare) and the following up of references provided within texts and articles. This paper asks the reader to consider the topic from the perspective of the nature of research produced, the barriers perceived, and the use of research evidence by SLTs and the allied health professions.Outcomes & Results: The uptake of research evidence in the profession is similar to other health professions and continues to be problematic. There are multiple reasons why this is so, originating from both the nature and use of research.Conclusions & Implications: Research evidence is one of the pillars of EBP. Despite problems with the nature and use of such evidence, it has a positive contribution to make to clinical practice as it provides for a scientific touchstone. However, it may be that the speech and language therapist and not the research evidence is the primary pivot upon which scientific practice is based.
Massive dominance of Epsilonproteobacteria in formation waters from a Canadian oil sands reservoir containing severely biodegraded oil
Authors: Hubert Casey R. J. , Oldenburg Thomas B. P. , Fustic Milovan , Gray Neil D. , Larter Stephen R. , Penn Kevin , Rowan Arlene K. , Seshadri Rekha , Sherry Angela , Swainsbury Richard , Voordouw Gerrit , Voordouw Johanna K. , Head Ian M. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe subsurface microbiology of an Athabasca oil sands reservoir in western Canada containing severely biodegraded oil was investigated by combining 16S rRNA gene‐ and polar lipid‐based analyses of reservoir formation water with geochemical analyses of the crude oil and formation water. Biomass was filtered from formation water, DNA was extracted using two different methods, and 16S rRNA gene fragments were amplified with several different primer pairs prior to cloning and sequencing or community fingerprinting by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Similar results were obtained irrespective of the DNA extraction method or primers used. Archaeal libraries were dominated by Methanomicrobiales (410 of 414 total sequences formed a dominant phylotype affiliated with a Methanoregula sp.), consistent with the proposed dominant role of CO2‐reducing methanogens in crude oil biodegradation. In two bacterial 16S rRNA clone libraries generated with different primer pairs, > 99% and 100% of the sequences were affiliated with Epsilonproteobacteria (n = 382 and 72 total clones respectively). This massive dominance of Epsilonproteobacteria sequences was again obtained in a third library (99% of sequences; n = 96 clones) using a third universal bacterial primer pair (inosine‐341f and 1492r). Sequencing of bands from DGGE profiles and intact polar lipid analyses were in accordance with the bacterial clone library results. Epsilonproteobacterial OTUs were affiliated with Sulfuricurvum, Arcobacter and Sulfurospirillum spp. detected in other oil field habitats. The dominant organism revealed by the bacterial libraries (87% of all sequences) is a close relative of Sulfuricurvum kujiense – an organism capable of oxidizing reduced sulfur compounds in crude oil. Geochemical analysis of organic extracts from bitumen at different reservoir depths down to the oil water transition zone of these oil sands indicated active biodegradation of dibenzothiophenes, and stable sulfur isotope ratios for elemental sulfur and sulfate in formation waters were indicative of anaerobic oxidation of sulfur compounds. Microbial desulfurization of crude oil may be an important metabolism for Epsilonproteobacteria indigenous to oil reservoirs with elevated sulfur content and may explain their prevalence in formation waters from highly biodegraded petroleum systems.
Comparison of longitudinal point‐of‐care and high‐performance liquid chromatography HbA1c measurements in a multi‐centre trial
Authors: Alleyn C. R. , Laffel L. M. B. , Volkening L. K. , Anderson B. J. , Nansel T. R. , Wysocki T. , Weissberg‐Benchell J 
Published: August 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 1525–1529 (2011)AbstractAims  Point‐of‐care HbA1c is routine in clinical practice. Comparison of point‐of‐care HbA1c against laboratory measurements across sites and over time is warranted.Methods  One hundred and twenty‐one young persons with Type 1 diabetes from four centres provided 450 paired samples collected over 10 months for point‐of‐care HbA1c and central laboratory‐based high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) HbA1c determinations. Change in HbA1c over time was assessed by difference from initial to final HbA1c and by growth modelling with annualized slope calculation. Change in HbA1c was categorized as improved (decrease of ≥ 0.5% or negative slope), no change (± 0.4% of initial HbA1c or slope = 0) or worsened (increase of ≥ 0.5% or positive slope).Results  The 450 paired samples (median of four pairs/patient) were highly correlated (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001), as were time‐specific and site‐specific pairs (r = 0.94 to 0.98, P < 0.0001). Initial‐to‐final point‐of‐care HbA1c and HPLC HbA1c changes were 0.3 ± 1.1% (range −2.7 to 4.1) and 0.4 ± 1.2% (−3.9 to 4.5), respectively, with 21% of patients (n = 26) discordant for change categories. ΔHbA1c by point‐of‐care HbA1c vs. HPLC HbA1c differed across the HbA1c range and by ≥ 0.5% absolute difference in ΔHbA1c in 14 (54%) of the 26 patients discordant for HbA1c change categories. Mean annual HbA1c slope was 0.4 ± 1.5% (−5.4 to 4.8) for point‐of‐care HbA1c and 0.4 ± 1.6% (−6.9 to 5.2) for HPLC HbA1c, with 18% (n = 22 pairs) discordant for change categories.Conclusions  Assessment of absolute HbA1c change may not be different for point‐of‐care HbA1c compared with HPLC HbA1c; however, misclassification of patients by discrete cut‐off values may occur with point‐of‐care HbA1c compared with HPLC HbA1c determinations.
Precision and accuracy of blood glucose measurements using three different instruments
Authors: Nowotny B. , Nowotny P. J. , Strassburger K. , Roden M. 
Published: August 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 260–265 (2012)AbstractAims  Assessment of insulin sensitivity by dynamic metabolic tests such as the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp critically relies on the reproducible and fast measurement of blood glucose concentrations. Although various instruments have been developed over the last decades, little is known as to the accuracy and comparability. We therefore compared the best new instrument with the former gold standard instruments to measure glucose concentrations in metabolic tests.Methods  Fasting blood samples of 15 diabetic and 10 healthy subjects were collected into sodium‐fluoride tubes, spiked with glucose (0, 2.8, 6.9 and 11.1 mmol/l) and measured either as whole blood (range 3.3–26.3 mmol/l) or following centrifugation as plasma (range 3.9–32.0 mmol/l). Plasma samples were analyzed in the YSI‐2300 STAT plus (YSI), EKF Biosen C‐Line (EKF) and the reference method, Beckman Glucose analyzer‐II (BMG), whole blood samples in EKF instruments with YSI as reference method.Results  The average deviation of the EKF from the reference, BMG, was 3.0 ± 3.5% without any concentration‐dependent variability. Glucose measurements by YSI were in good agreement with that by BMG (plasma) and EKF (plasma and whole blood) up to concentrations of 13.13 mmol/l (0.5 ± 3.7%), but deviation increased to −6.2 ± 3.8% at higher concentrations. Precision (n = 6) was ±2.2% (YSI), ±3.9% (EKF) and ±5.2% (BMG).Conclusions  The EKF instrument is comparable regarding accuracy and precision to the reference method BMG and can be used in metabolic tests, while the YSI showed a systematic shift at higher glucose concentrations. Based on these results we decided to replace BMG with EKF instrument in metabolic tests.
Motivating Employees to Work Beyond Retirement: A Multi‐Level Study of the Role of I‐Deals and Unit Climate
Authors: Bal P. Matthijs , De Jong Simon B. , Jansen Paul G. W. , Bakker Arnold B. 
Published: August 2011

abstractThe present study investigates what role I‐deals (i.e. the idiosyncratic deals made between employees and their organization) play in the motivation of employees to continue working after retirement. We hypothesized two types of I‐deals (i.e. development and flexibility I‐deals) to be positively related to motivation to continue working. More specifically, we drew from continuity and personality theory to argue that the motivation to continue working is enhanced by I‐deals, because they fulfil people's needs for personalized work arrangements. Moreover, drawing from activity and disengagement theory it was hypothesized that two types of unit climate (i.e. accommodative and development climates) would moderate these relationships. Specifically, it was predicted that I‐deals would be positively related to motivation to continue working under conditions of low accommodative or high development climate. Results of a multi‐level study among 1083 employees in 24 units largely supported the above expectations; flexibility I‐deals related positively to motivation to continue working, and unit climate moderated the relation between development I‐deals and motivation to continue working.
The Figuring of Morality in Adjudication: Not so Special?*
Authors: DONNELLY‐LAZAROV BEBHINN 
Published: August 2011

AbstractJurisprudential debate about the grounds of law often focuses on the status of morality. Given the undoubted fact of judicial engagement with morality in legal reasoning, the key question is whether morality legitimately counts as a ground of law. This article seeks to challenge the special status accorded to morality in debates about the grounds of law. The claim I seek to advance is that very often judicial engagement with morality is not different in kind to judicial engagement with other diverse objects of legal reasoning. What the comparison tends to show is that instances of “moral reasoning” in law do not obviously challenge our account of the grounds of law. Rather these instances can be viewed as central case examples of legal reasoning. Conventional grounds of law are left untouched.
Asymptotic Behaviour of the Posterior Distribution in Overfitted Mixture Models
Authors: Rousseau Judith , Mengersen Kerrie 
Published: August 2011

SummaryWe study the asymptotic behaviour of the posterior distribution in a mixture model when the number of components in the mixture is larger than the true number of components: a situation which is commonly referred to as an overfitted mixture. We prove in particular that quite generally the posterior distribution has a stable and interesting behaviour, since it tends to empty the extra components. This stability is achieved under some restriction on the prior, which can be used as a guideline for choosing the prior. Some simulations are presented to illustrate this behaviour.
Hepatitis E virus coinfection in patients with HIV infection
Authors: Keane FE , Gompels M , Bendall RP , Drayton R , Jennings L , Black J , Baragwanath G , Lin NX , Henley WE , Ngui S‐L , Ijaz S , Dalton HR 
Published: August 2011

ObjectivesHepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging infection in developed countries and is thought to be a porcine zoonosis. HEV can cause chronic infection and cirrhosis in the immunosuppressed, including patients with HIV infection. Little is known about HEV and HIV coinfection. The aim of the study was to document the incidence of chronic HEV coinfection in patients with HIV infection and to determine the anti‐HEV seroprevalence and compare it with that of a control population.MethodsA cohort/case–control study was carried out in two teaching hospitals in southwest England. A total of 138 patients with HIV infection were tested for HEV using an immunoassay for anti‐HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and 464 control subjects were tested for anti‐HEV IgG. Demographic, lifestyle and laboratory data were prospectively collected on each patient with HIV infection. The anti‐HEV IgG seroprevalence in patients with HIV infection was compared with that in controls and demographic risk factors for HEV exposure were explored using logistic regression models.ResultsThere was no difference in anti‐HEV IgG seroprevalence between the HIV‐infected patients and controls. The only risk factor predictive of anti‐HEV seropositivity was the consumption of raw/undercooked pork; sexual risk factors were unrelated. No patient with HIV infection had evidence of chronic coinfection with HEVConclusionsAnti‐HEV seroprevalence is similar in controls and patients with HIV infection. Risk factor analysis suggests that HEV is unlikely to be transmitted sexually. Chronic coinfection with HEV was absent, indicating that chronic HEV/HIV coinfection is not a common problem in this cohort.