bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brief Report: Ectopic Expression of Nup98-HoxA10 Augments Erythroid Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Ji Junfeng , Risueño Ruth M. , Hong Seokho , Allan David , Rosten Patty , Humphries Keith , Bhatia Mickie 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Hox genes encode highly conserved transcription factors that have been implicated in hematopoietic development and self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoietic development. The potency of NUP98-HOXA10hd (NA10) on adult murine bone marrow HSC self-renewal prompted us to examine its effect on specification and proliferation of hematopoietic cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Here, we demonstrate that expression of NA10 in hESCs influences the hematopoietic differentiation program. The specific effect of NA10 is dependent on the developmental stage of hematopoietic emergence from hESCs. Overexpression of NA10 in either undifferentiated hESCs or early hemogenic precursors augmented the frequency of CD45− GlycophorinA+ cells and erythroid progenitors (blast-forming unit-erythrocyte). In contrast, targeted NA10 expression in primitive CD34+ cells committed to the hematopoietic lineage had no effect on erythropoietic capacity but instead increased hematopoietic progenitor proliferation. Our study reveals a novel neomorphic effect of NA10 in early human erythroid development from pluripotent stem cells.
Modeling the control of planar cell polarity
Authors: Axelrod Jeffrey D. , Tomlin Claire J. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractA growing list of medically important developmental defects and disease mechanisms can be traced to disruption of the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. The PCP system polarizes cells in epithelial sheets along an axis orthogonal to their apical–basal axis. Studies in the fruitfly, Drosophila, have suggested that components of the PCP signaling system function in distinct modules, and that these modules and the effector systems with which they interact function together to produce emergent patterns. Experimental methods allow the manipulation of individual PCP signaling molecules in specified groups of cells; these interventions not only perturb the polarization of the targeted cells at a subcellular level, but also perturb patterns of polarity at the multicellular level, often affecting nearby cells in characteristic ways. These kinds of experiments should, in principle, allow one to infer the architecture of the PCP signaling system, but the relationships between molecular interactions and tissue‐level pattern are sufficiently complex that they defy intuitive understanding. Mathematical modeling has been an important tool to address these problems. This article explores the emergence of a local signaling hypothesis, and describes how a local intercellular signal, coupled with a directional cue, can give rise to global pattern. We will discuss the critical role mathematical modeling has played in guiding and interpreting experimental results, and speculate about future roles for mathematical modeling of PCP. Mathematical models at varying levels of inhibition have and are expected to continue contributing in distinct ways to understanding the regulation of PCP signaling. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2011 3 588–605 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.138This article is categorized under:

Developmental Biology > Developmental Processes in Health and Disease
Drug repurposing and adverse event prediction using high‐throughput literature analysis
Authors: Deftereos Spyros N. , Andronis Christos , Friedla Ellen J. , Persidis Aris , Persidis Andreas 
Published: February 2011

AbstractDrug repurposing is the process of using existing drugs in indications other than the ones they were originally designed for. It is an area of significant recent activity due to the mounting costs of traditional drug development and scarcity of new chemical entities brought to the market by bio‐pharmaceutical companies. By selecting drugs that already satisfy basic toxicity, ADME and related criteria, drug repurposing promises to deliver significant value at reduced cost and in dramatically shorter time frames than is normally the case for the drug development process. The same process that results in drug repurposing can also be used for the prediction of adverse events of known or novel drugs. The analytics method is based on the description of the mechanism of action of a drug, which is then compared to the molecular mechanisms underlying all known adverse events. This review will focus on those approaches to drug repurposing and adverse event prediction that are based on the biomedical literature. Such approaches typically begin with an analysis of the literature and aim to reveal indirect relationships among seemingly unconnected biomedical entities such as genes, signaling pathways, physiological processes, and diseases. Networks of associations of these entities allow the uncovering of the molecular mechanisms underlying a disease, better understanding of the biological effects of a drug and the evaluation of its benefit/risk profile. In silico results can be tested in relevant cellular and animal models and, eventually, in clinical trials. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2011 3 323–334 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.147This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods
Performance and Microstructural Study on Soap Using Different Fatty Acids and Cations
Authors: Nadarajan Renugambaal , Ismail Razali 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe desired benefits of the finished soap product are governed by a professional selection of appropriate raw materials, the manufacturing process or both. A better understanding of the crystallization of the soap microstructure is needed which has direct effects on the properties of final products. Soap microstructures and soap composition are not only determined by the length of hydrophobic fatty chain, saturation extent of fatty acid chain, fatty acid distribution but also by the cation effect. Thus, four different fatty acid compositions and the effect of sodium and potassium cations were studied. The performance of the potassium and sodium bar soaps prepared was monitored and was correlated with solid phase thermal analysis. The microstructural effect was examined using ATR‐FTIR, FESEM and XRD. The specific ion effect and ion interaction involving both cations and carboxylate anions on different chemical compositions was correlated.
Emergency medicine residents’ ability to identify ocular pathology in a live porcine model
Authors: Ball Vincent L. , Younggren Bradley N. , Bothwell Jason D. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate emergency medicine residents’ ability to detect ocular pathology using portable ultrasound (US) in a live porcine model.

Methods
This was a pilot study to evaluate emergency medicine residents’ ability to accurately diagnose ocular pathology in a porcine model using handheld US. Subjects were emergency medicine residents who had all undergone a 2-day US course as part of their emergency medicine orientation month and had reviewed an 1 h self-instruction computer tutorial on ocular US prior to the study. Vitreous hemorrhages, retro-orbital hematomas and intraocular foreign bodies were simulated by placement of porcine blood and metallic objects under ultrasound guidance out of view of the subject population. Residents then performed self-directed US of two eyes each and were asked to comment on any pathology observed. Some residents were also asked to identify central retinal artery flow. Time required for each scan was noted.

Results
A total of 36 residents scanned 6 porcine eyes over 2 lab iterations. EM residents were able to detect a significant abnormality greater than 93% of the time. Vitreous hemorrhages were the most detectable injuries with 95% accuracy. A significant abnormality was detected in the models with intraocular foreign bodies 97% of the time with a clear diagnosis of foreign body noted in 73% of the cases. Retro-orbital hematoma was the most difficult to detect with 62% accuracy. The average time taken for scanning two eyes was 7 min 38 s. Central retinal artery flow was detected in 100% of the 26 cases in which this was documented. Accuracy of diagnoses was similar across levels of EM training.

Conclusion
EM residents can accurately diagnose significant ocular pathology using handheld US in a live porcine model.
Congenital tumors: imaging when life just begins
Authors: Alamo Leonor , Beck-Popovic Maja , Gudinchet François , Meuli Reto 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background
The technical developments of imaging methods over the last 2 decades are changing our knowledge of perinatal oncology. Fetal ultrasound is usually the first imaging method used and thus constitutes the reference prenatal study, but MRI seems to be an excellent complementary method for evaluating the fetus. The widespread use of both techniques has increased the diagnosis rates of congenital tumors. During pregnancy and after birth, an accurate knowledge of the possibilities and limits of the different imaging techniques available would improve the information obtainable, thus helping the medical team to make the most appropriate decisions about therapy and to inform the family about the prognosis.

Conclusion
In this review article, we describe the main congenital neoplasms, their prognosis and their imaging characteristics with the different pre- and postnatal imaging methods available.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex impairs theory of mind learning
Authors: Lev-Ran S. , Shamay-Tsoory S.G. , Zangen A. , Levkovitz Y. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractImaging and lesion studies indicate that the prefrontal cortex plays a prominent role in mediating theory of mind (ToM) functioning. Particularly, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) appears to be involved in mediating ToM functioning. This study utilized slow repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the VMPFC in 13 healthy subjects in order to test whether normal functioning of the VMPFC is necessary for ToM functioning. We found that rTMS to the VMPFC, but not sham-rTMS, significantly disrupted ToM learning. Performance on a control task, not involving affective ToM functioning, was not significantly altered after applying rTMS to the VMPFC or sham-rTMS. In an additional experiment, rTMS to the vertex did not significantly affect ToM learning, confirming specificity of the VMPFC region. These findings indicate that the VMPFC is critical for intact ToM learning and shed further light on the concept and localization of ToM in particular and empathic functioning in general.
Photoelectron spectroscopic study of the negative ions of 4-thiouracil and 2,4-dithiouracil
Authors: Li Xiang , Chen Jing , Bowen Kit H. 
Published: February 2011

We report the photoelectron spectra of the negative ions of 4-thiouracil (4-TU)− and 2,4-dithiouracil (2,4-DTU)−. Both of these spectra are indicative of valence anions, and they are each dominated by a single broad band with vertical detachment energies of 1.05 and 1.4 eV, respectively. Complementary calculations by Dolgounitcheva, Zakrzewski, and Ortiz (see companion paper) are in accord with our experimental results and conclude that the (4-TU)− and (2,4-DTU)− anions, reported herein, are valence anions of canonical 4-thiouracil and canonical dithiouracil. Comparisons among the anions and corresponding neutrals of 4-thiouracil, 2,4-dithiouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-fluorouracil, and uracil itself show that both sulfur and halogen modifications of uracil give rise to significant changes in the electronic structure. The electron affinities of the first four are all substantially larger than that of the canonical uracil.
Practice‐based evidence in school‐based counselling
Authors: Hanley Terry , Sefi Aaron , Lennie Clare 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAims: Counsellors are becoming commonplace within the support structures of secondary schools. To date, research findings from practice‐based outcome studies suggest this is a positive move. There are, however, numerous limitations to this work, and this project aims to develop this existing body of literature. Method: Nine 13–15 year olds attending counselling in six school‐based services participated in the project – one individual withdrew. A standardised self‐report questionnaire (YP‐CORE) was collected at four intervals: (1) the point of referral; (2) the onset of counselling; (3) the completion of counselling; and, (4) a two‐month follow‐up. The change indicated in each of these phases is examined and reported here. Additionally, YP‐CORE was completed during each session. Findings: The YP‐CORE indicates an improvement in the well‐being of this small sample, while waiting for and attending therapy. Further examination of session‐by‐session data also highlights how pre‐ and post‐outcome data should not necessarily be viewed as linear in nature. Discussion: This is a small‐scale investigation and further work is needed in this area. It does, however, raise a number of issues regarding the complexity inherent in conducting outcome research that warrant further investigation.
Comparison Between Potassium Bromate and Ozone as Flour Oxidants in Breadmaking
Authors: Sandhu Harkanwal P. S. , Manthey Frank A. , Simsek Senay , Ohm Jae‐Bom 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTThe objective of this research was to compare the efficacy of potassium bromate with that of ozone treatment in wheat flour oxidation for breadmaking. In the first experiment, flour was treated with ozone at 1,500 ppm for 2, 4.5, 9, and 18 min. In the second experiment, flour was fully treated with ozone at 1,500 ppm for 45 min and then blended with control flour at concentrations of 10–30% (w/w). Flour became whiter and less yellow as ozonation time increased when compared to control flour. Size‐exclusion HPLC detected an increase in SDS buffer insoluble polymeric proteins in flour exposed to ozone. Bread made from flour treated with ozone for 2–4.5 min and bread that was made from flour blended with fully ozonated flour at 5 and 10% (w/w) was not significantly different for specific volume when compared with bread made with flour containing potassium bromate. Bread made from flour treated with ozone for 2, 4.5, and 9 min had a greater number of cells in crumb with larger loaf volumes than control flour. Results indicate that ozone treatment of flour could eliminate the need for potassium bromate in breadmaking.
Foaming of Differently Processed Oats: Role of Nonpolar Lipids and Tryptophanin Proteins
Authors: Kaukonen O. , Sontag‐Strohm T. , Salovaara H. , Lampi A.‐M. , Sibakov J. , Loponen J. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTThe baking properties of oats are poor, mainly due to the lack of gluten matrix and hence the surface properties of the aqueous phase are crucial for the gas retention in oat dough. Our aim was to study the composition and foaming properties of the water‐soluble fraction from differently processed oats. A water extract from kilned oats contained nonpolar triglycerides and had poor foaming properties, whereas removing lipids with hexane extraction improved the foaming capacity and foam stability. A water extract from supercritical carbon dioxide extracted oats (CO2‐oats) was free from nonpolar lipids and had good foam stability and excellent foaming capacity. Moreover, oat lipid‐binding proteins, tryptophanins, were highly concentrated in the CO2‐oats‐derived foam and apparently played an important role in the foam structure. Supplementing CO2‐oats extract with small quantities (<0.05%) of nonpolar lipids of oats destructed its foaming properties. In a preliminary baking trial, the addition of the nonpolar lipids to CO2‐oats and wheat‐starch‐based baking recipes resulted in baked goods with reduced volume. The study showed that nonpolar triglycerides were present in the aqueous phase of oat in a quantity that impaired foaming. Moreover, this was the first study showing that tryptophanins, lipid‐binding proteins of oats, were highly concentrated in foams prepared of oats free of water‐extractable nonpolar lipids. In conclusion, tryptophanins can be considered as the foam‐active proteins of oats that prevent the lipid‐induced destabilization of foam structures which could improve the baking properties of oats.
Cervical Spinal Cord, Root, and Bony Spine Injuries
Authors: Hindman Bradley J. , Palecek John P. , Posner Karen L. , Traynelis Vincent C. , Lee Lorri A. , Sawin Paul D. , Tredway Trent L. , Todd Michael M. , Domino Karen B. 
Published: February 2011

Background
The aim of this study was to characterize cervical cord, root, and bony spine claims in the American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims database to formulate hypotheses regarding mechanisms of injury.

Methods
All general anesthesia claims (1970-2007) in the Closed Claims database were searched to identify cervical injuries. Three independent teams, each consisting of an anesthesiologist and neurosurgeon, used a standardized review form to extract data from claim summaries and judge probable contributors to injury.

Results
Cervical injury claims (n = 48; mean ± SD age 47 ± 15 yr; 73% male) comprised less than 1% of all general anesthesia claims. When compared with other general anesthesia claims (19%), cervical injury claims were more often permanent and disabling (69%; P < 0.001). In addition, cord injuries (n = 37) were more severe than root and/or bony spine injuries (n = 10; P < 0.001), typically resulting in quadriplegia. Although anatomic abnormalities (e.g., cervical stenosis) were often present, cord injuries usually occurred in the absence of traumatic injury (81%) or cervical spine instability (76%). Cord injury occurred with cervical spine (65%) and noncervical spine (35%) procedures. Twenty-four percent of cord injuries were associated with the sitting position. Probable contributors to cord injury included anatomic abnormalities (81%), direct surgical complications (24% [38%, cervical spine procedures]), preprocedural symptomatic cord injury (19%), intraoperative head/neck position (19%), and airway management (11%).

Conclusion
Most cervical cord injuries occurred in the absence of traumatic injury, instability, and airway difficulties. Cervical spine procedures and/or sitting procedures appear to predominate. In the absence of instability, cervical spondylosis was the most common factor associated with cord injury.
Performance of Bioprosthetic Valves after Glycerol Dehydration, Ethylene Oxide Sterilization, and Rehydration
Authors: Fumoto Hideyuki , Chen Ji-Feng , Zhou Qun , Massiello Alex L. , Dessoffy Raymond , Fukamachi Kiyotaka , Navia Jose L. 
Published: February 2011

Objective Most commercially available bioprosthetic valves are stored in an aldehyde solution. We report a new alternative method: Self-expanding valves composed of dehydrated tissues with a high glycerin:water ratio can be collapsed into specially designed sheaths prior to sterilization for ease of delivery and storage. Materials and Methods Changes in tissue dimension of five samples of bovine pericardium were evaluated from baseline after glycerol treatment, air-drying, ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization, and rehydration with water. Three valves fabricated from glutaraldehyde cross-linked tissues, including porcine pericardial tissue, bovine pericardial tissue, and porcine aortic valve, were dehydrated through a proprietary glycerin-based process, collapsed, placed within a catheter, EtO sterilized, stored for up to 212 days, and rehydrated with water. These valves were characterized in a mock circulation by mounting them at the inlet portion of a pneumatic pump before dehydration and after rehydration to evaluate the effects of dehydration and rehydration on the valve performance. Results Tissues treated with glycerol solution showed no significant changes in dimension from baseline after glycerol treatment, air-drying, EtO sterilization, and rehydration with water. In all the valves, pump flows reached the maximum output capacity of the pneumatic pump after rehydration without an increase in filling pressures as compared with those before dehydration. Conclusions This method for storing collapsible bioprosthetic valves using a proprietary glycerin-based process demonstrated excellent valve performance.
Performance of a Novel Dual-Electrode Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation Device a Chronic Porcine Study
Authors: Voeller Rochus K. , Zierer Andreas , Schuessler Richard B. , Damiano Ralph J. 
Published: February 2011

Objective Over recent years, a variety of energy sources, including bipolar radiofrequency, have been used to replace the traditional incisions of the Cox-Maze procedure for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel dual-electrode bipolar radiofrequency ablation device Synergy (Atricure, Inc., Cincinnati, OH USA) for AF in a chronic porcine model. Methods Six domestic pigs underwent a modified Cox-Maze IV procedure without cardiopulmonary bypass using the Synergy device. Animals survived for 30 days. Each pig then underwent induction of AF and was killed to remove the heart en bloc for histologic assessment. Each ablation line was dissected perpendicularly at 5-mm intervals to assess the lesion width, depth, and transmurality. Results All animals survived the operation. Electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage and the pulmonary veins were documented by pacing acutely and at 30 days after the operation in all six animals. All animals failed to be induced in AF at 30 days. There was no gross evidence of intra-atrial thrombus formation or stricture of the pulmonary veins. All ablations (n = 209) examined were discrete, linear, and transmural, with a mean lesion width of 3.0 ± 0.7 mm and a mean lesion depth of 5.4 ± 3.3 mm. The mean ablation time was 16.3 ± 4.4 seconds, with a mean total energy delivery of 238 ± 170 J. Conclusions The Atricure Synergy was able to create reliable chronic transmural lesions of the modified Cox-Maze IV procedure on a porcine beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass. The ablation lines were significantly wider when compared with its predecessor, the Isolator II.
Short-Term Outcomes after Thoracoscopic Lobectomy in Elderly Compared to Younger Patients
Authors: Meyerson Shari L. , Gustafson Monica R. 
Published: February 2011

Objective As the population continues to age, more benign and malignant lung lesions requiring surgical intervention are being identified in elderly patients. Historically, advanced age has been used to justify performing wedge resection rather than a lobectomy in elderly patients. The introduction of thoracoscopic surgery has resulted in improved short-term outcomes compared with thoracotomy. The objective of this study is to compare short-term outcomes of thoracoscopic lung resection in elderly patients to that in younger patients. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all patients undergoing thoracoscopic anatomic lobectomy without previous chemotherapy or radiation between April 2006 and April 2009. Patient charts were reviewed to determine risk factors, perioperative complications, and length of stay. Student's t test was used for comparison between groups. Results Over the period studied, 86 patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy. Forty of them were 70 years or older. Baseline pulmonary function testing showed an average FEV1 of 85% predicted (81% younger vs 90% older, P = nonsignificant). Median chest tube duration was 3 days and median length of stay was 4 days in both groups. The overall incidence of perioperative complications was 21% and was not different in the two groups (20% younger vs 22% older). Conclusions Elderly patients with good baseline pulmonary function tolerate thoracoscopic lobectomy as well as younger patients. Advanced age alone should not be considered a contraindication to lobectomy in the era of thoracoscopy. Elderly patients should be offered lobectomy rather than wedge resection on the basis of the same criteria used in younger patients.