bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new Asio–Nearctic subgenus of Rhamphomyia (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae)
Authors: Saigusa Toyohei 
Published: March 2012

AbstractVockerothempissubgen. nov., a new subgenus of Rhamphomyia, is described and includes the following species: Rhamphomyia (Vockerothempis) arakawae Matsumura, Rhamphomyia (Vockerothempis) calcarifera Saigusa, and Rhamphomyia (Vockerothempis) japonica Frey from Japan, and Rhamphomyia (Vockerothempis) umbrosa Loew, Rhamphomyia (Vockerothempis) brevisetosasp. nov., Rhamphomyia (Vockerothempis) chillcottianasp. nov., and Rhamphomyia (Vockerothempis) fortisetosasp. nov. from North America. Zoogeography, phylogenetic relationships within Vockerothempis and subgeneric classification of Rhamphomyia are discussed.
Helina richardi (Diptera: Muscidae), a remarkable new species from the Mediterranean subregion
Authors: Pont Adrian C. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractHelina richardisp. nov. is described from Morocco and Spain. The presence of setulae at the base of vein R4+5 suggests placement in Mydaea Robineau-Desvoidy but other characters and the structure of the female ovipositor indicate that it is otherwise a typical species of Helina Robineau-Desvoidy.
Prisms are Effective in Resolving Diplopia from Incomitant, Large, and Combined Strabismus
Authors: Tamhankar Madhura A. , Ying Gui-Shuang , Volpe Nicholas J. 
Published: March 2012

Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of prisms in the management of diplopia in patients with incomitant, large, and combined strabismus. Methods. Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of 64 patients who were prescribed prisms for symptomatic diplopia due to restrictive strabismus. The main outcome measure was resolution of diplopia (diplopia score 1 or 2). Data on the number of patients who continued wearing prisms versus those who opted for surgery were derived based on follow-up records. Results Among 64 patients, 72% of patients reported complete or partial resolution of diplopia after prism use. In patients who were prescribed ≥10 PD (n=18) and those with oblique prisms (n=18), 67% and 50%, respectively, reported resolution of diplopia. More patients with vertical prism reported improvement in double vision symptoms (83%) than those who were prescribed horizontal prism (70%, p=0.04). During follow-up, 73% of the cohort continued using prisms while 23% of patients opted for strabismus surgery. Conclusions. Prisms are an effective modality and should be considered in the initial or interim management of patients with diplopia from complex ocular misalignments.
Understanding the Origins and Impact of the Heterogeneous Policy Environment for Egg Donations
Authors: Levine Aaron 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe use of donated eggs is an important component of assisted reproduction and plays a prominent role in certain lines of scientific inquiry, particularly in the area of stem cell research. Yet despite these benefits, egg donation remains extremely controversial. One result of this ethical controversy has been the development of a heterogeneous policy environment where the rules for egg donation for both reproduction and research vary substantially from one country to the next or even within countries. In this presentation, I review the major policy options for egg donation that have been adopted around the world and discuss the justifications for these policies. Then, drawing on international data on assisted reproduction and published stem cell research using donated eggs, I offer a preliminary assessment of how these policy choices affect the availability of donated eggs for both reproduction and research purposes.
Dynamics of Myocardial Perfusion in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Post-infarction Cardiosclerosis After Stem Cell Therapy
Authors: Mirshahi Massoud 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjective: To study efficacy and safety of autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy for tissue and neoangiogenesis in ischemic parts of heart in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and post-infarction cardiosclerosis after macro focal myocardial infarction.Methods: Thirty patients with a diagnosis of ischemic heart diseases and myocardial infarction were selected. Fifteen of them were treated with the standard protocol of treatment (control group). The other 15 were transplanted with their bone marrow stem cells. Stem cells CD133 were isolated from mononuclear cells using Ficoll followed by immuno-magnetic separation. Isolated cells were injected in intra-arterial into the coronary arteries under angiography in the average dose of 5ml of suspension containing 0.8-1.5 million cells. Clinical examination and current tests such as ECG, LVEF, ESV, EDV were performed. In order to evaluate the dynamics of myocardial perfusion we carried out myocardial scintigraphy using Tc99m with the ligand methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI).Results: Key indicators of hemodynamic of heart were recorded before and after six months of the introduction of autologous stem cells. As presented in the table, the ejection fraction of left ventricle and end-diastolic volume of the left ventricle had a clear tendency to normalization. Conclusions: Our method of stem cell transplantation is safe and does not increase mortality as a consequence of heart disease. Treatment of autologous stem cells significantly improved key indicators of heart hemodynamic. We thank J Al Majid from Dubai and H Sadeghi from Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Lausanne, for their precious help.
Z Rahimov1, A Barotov1, A Dustov2, M Khidirov3, T Gulmuradov1, G Mirojov2, B Karimzade2, N Navjuvonov 1, N Olimov1, E Rizoev1, A Gaibov2, M Rahmatov1, S Muminjonov2, A Didary3, J Irgashev3, A Therwath4,O Bobokhojaev1,
U Kurbonov3, S Rahmonov1, M Mirshahi3,4.1 Deptartment of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Surgery and Hematology of Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tajikistan, 2Institute of Gastroenterology of Tajikistan Academy of Medical Science, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 3Deptartment of Surgical Diseases and Stem Cell Laboratory, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, 4 UMRS 872, INSERM, Paris VI Faculty of Medicine, Paris, France
Regenerating the human heart: proof of principle to patient-derived myocardial tissue
Authors: Al-Siddiqi Heba 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn the United States, nearly six million people currently suffer from heart failure. Organ transplantation remains the only definitive treatment for end-organ failure. However, the supply of donor organs is limited. Lifelong immunosuppression and chronic rejection limit widespread clinical impact of organ transplantation. The creation of an autologous bioartificial heart with preserved coronary and three-dimensional architecture could theoretically bypass these issues by providing a source of donor organs. Anterograde coronary perfusion of detergents (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate: SDS, De-ionized water, and Triton-X) produced acellular heart scaffolds from small (rats) and human-sized (porcine and human) hearts. Perfusion-decellularized hearts were void of cellular content (DNA) and perfusing detergents (SDS) but had preserved coronary anatomy and gross structural integrity (sGAG quantification; immunohistochemistry for matrix proteins Collagen I, III, IV, X, Laminin, Fibronectin, Elastin). Perfusion-decellularized whole heart scaffolds are biocompatible (ability to act as a substrate to support the appropriate cellular activity) when repopulated with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes1 or human induced-pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) as evident by cellular attachment and expansion. When seeded onto perfusion-decellularized heart scaffold slices, hiPSCs-derived cardiomyocytes form functional myocardial tissue, in vitro (visible spontaneous beating; immunofluorescence for myosin heavy chain and connexin-43).
The Embryonic Stem (ES)-specific microRNA, miR-302, is highly expressed in a rare subpopulation of glioma cell lines
Authors: Mowla Seyed Javad 
Published: March 2012

AbstractMiR-302s is a cluster of polycistronic microRNAs that are exclusively expressed in embryonic stem (ES) cells. MiR-302s' promoter is functional during embryonic development, but it is turned off in later stages. Based on cancer stem cell hypothesis, some pluripotency-associated genes are re-expressed in some tumor tissues and cell lines. In the present study, we have tried to expand our knowledge about the expression pattern and functionality of miR302s by quantifying its expression in a series of glioma (A-172, 1321N1, U87MG) and medulloblastoma (DAOY) cell lines. Furthermore, to assess the functionality of miR-302 in these cell lines, we cloned its promoter core region upstream of the EGFP or luciferase encoding genes. Our data revealed a very low expression of miR-302s in glioma cell lines, compared to that of embryonal carcinoma cell line NT2 being used as a positive control. The expression of miR-302 promoter-EGFP construct in the aforementioned cell lines demonstrated GFP expression in a rare subpopulation of the cells. Serum deprivation led to the generation of tumorospheres, enrichment of miR-302 positive cells, and upregulation of a number of pluripotency genes. To find out whether miR-302 has a causative role in these events, we transfected the 1321N1 cell line with an expression vector containing the sequences of all miR-302 members. MiR-302s expression caused tumorospheres formation as well as a significant upregulation of pluripotency genes. Taken together, our data introduces a novel putative cancer stem cell marker that could potentially be used to identify and target cancer stem cells within tumor tissues.Afsaneh Malekzadeh Shafaroudi1, Mahmoud-Reza Rafiee2, Sara Rohban3, Hamid Reza Kalhor4, Seyed Javad Mowla1,3*1 Parsgenome Company, Tehran, Iran
2 Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
4 Omics Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Propagation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from Prenatal and Postnatal Sources
Authors: Aleem Alice Kamal Abdel 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe application of mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into osteogenic cells is an attractive care modality to enhance the healing process of orthopedics and spinal injuries. Objectives of the in-vitro part of our study are: 1. To isolate and propagate Mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs) derived from different sources; Bone Marrow (BM), Dental Pulp (DP), and Amniotic Fluid (AF) and 2. Induce their osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Methods used were the generation and optimization of in-vitro cultures for DP- BM- and AF-MSCs, followed by their osteogenic differentiation by applying three independent induction protocols; osteogenic reagents containing media, bone morphologic protein2 (BMP2), and combined BMP2 and insulin growth factor (IGF).The results showed that MSCs derived from different sources showed a significant difference both in the proliferation rate and osteogenic differentiation potentials. Whereas, DP-MSCs showed the highest proliferation rate, the AF-MSCs showed the greatest potential to osteogenic differentiation, whereas, BM-MSCs have the least potential toward osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, the tissue of origin of derived MSCS is greatly influenced by the lineage of differentiation of derived stem cells.
Understanding Families and Communities Hold the Key of Implementing New Technologies
Authors: Rajab Anna 
Published: March 2012

AbstractOver the past few years, GCC countries have witnessed remarkable social and economic growth, which is best reflected in their well-organized and efficient health care systems. With these achievements, a shift in the pattern of disease has become evident. There has been a change in a disease pattern with a falling incidence of communicable diseases, decrease of mortality and morbidity rates of infants and children and a rise in noncommunicable conditions.Families in GCC states can benefit from new genetic approaches, but these need to be designed to conform with the community beliefs and culture. Presently, GCC communities need help in coping with the changes and challenges that genetic knowledge brings to their lives.Understanding social beliefs, respect of the traditions set up in an Islamic community, and understanding the psychological difficulties faced by families are essential for acceptance of new technological advances. The difficulties faced by families and proposed solutions are discussed.
Influence of Active and Non-active Protein C on Human Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Al Thawadi H , Mirshahi S , Al Farsi H , Azzazen D , Besbes S , Pujade-Laurain E , Therwath A , Soria J , Mirshahi M 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIntroduction: The coagulation/fibrinolysticsystem control the intravascular fibrin hemostasis;in addition to participating in a wide variety of physio-pathological processes. The components of the system have an influence on tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. This is a result of their involvement in tumor matrix construction, angiogenesis and cell migration. Several homeostatic markers are currently used to predict the advent of thrombosis. However, none of these markers directly indicate the course and progression of the disease. Destabilization of peri-tumoral matrix enhances the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. The characterization of cytokines and proteolytic enzymes, secreted in tumor microenvironment, plays an important role in the mechanism of the escape phenomenon. However, the consequence of interaction of protein C on cancer stem cells is poorly investigated.Objective: The aim of our study was to analyze the physio-pathological response of human ovarian cancer stem cells (OVCAR-3) to active and non-active protein C.OVCAR-3 cells were cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, penicillin (50 U/ml), and streptomycin (50 μg/ml) and incubated in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 at 37°C, as recommended by the supplier (PAA Laboratories Inc, Etobicoke, ON, USA). Cells were characterized by flow cytometry for their propriety of stem cell like with specific anti CD133 and CD117 antibodies. The influence of active and non-active protein C (10 µg/ml, Eli Lilly) on this cell was performed by cytokine array (Ray Biotech, CliniScience) and in parallel by a wound healing test.We demonstrated by a wound healing test that the migration of ovarian cancer cells enhanced when incubated with Active protein C compared to the cells that were incubated with Non-active protein C. Also the cytokine array showed different cytokines secreted by cells incubated with Active protein C and Non-active protein C.It was found that Active protein C not only provides cancer cells cytoprotective effects, it may also participate in extracellular matrix local destabilization, thereby promoting metastatic dissemination.
Programming Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into White and Brown Adipocytes
Authors: Al-Siddiqi Heba 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe utility of human pluripotent stem cells is dependent on efficient differentiation protocols that convert these cells into relevant adult cell types. Here we report the robust and efficient differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into white or brown adipocytes. We found that inducible expression of PPARG2 alone or combined with CEBPB and/or PRDM16 in mesenchymal progenitor cells derived from pluripotent stem cells programmed their development towards a white or brown adipocyte cell fate with efficiencies of 85–90 percent. These adipocytes retained their identity independent of transgene expression, could be maintained in culture for several weeks, expressed mature markers and had mature functional properties such as lipid catabolism and insulin-responsiveness. When transplanted into mice, the programmed cells gave rise to ectopic fat pads with the morphological and functional characteristics of white or brown adipose tissue. These results indicate that the cells could be used to faithfully model human disease.
Soluble CD40 Ligand Stimulates the Pro-Angiogenic Function of Early Endothelial Progenitor Cells by Increasing Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Release via the p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Pathway
Authors: Khzam Lara Bou , Abou-Saleh Haissam , Hachem Ahmed , Zaid Younes , Mourad Walid , Merhi Yahye 
Published: March 2012

AbstractEndothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have recently been regarded as potential therapeutic targets in vascular repair. The effects of EPCs are related to their incorporation at sites of vascular lesions and to their release of various angiogenic factors. It has been shown that soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels are elevated in patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, which may influence the function of EPCs. We have identified the expression of the inflammatory receptor CD40 on early EPCs and aimed to study the effect of its ligand, sCD40L, on the function of early EPCs in angiogenesis.Early EPCs derived from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells express CD40, and their stimulation with sCD40L increased the binding of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors, TRAF1, TRAF2, but not TRAF3, to CD40, indicating the existence of a functional signaling pathway via the CD40L/CD40 axis in early EPCs. Early EPCs alone do not display any tube formation potential on matrigel, but following stimulation with sCD40L, they significantly increased the angiogenic potential of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as determined by wound healing assay. Stimulation of early EPCs with sCD40L increased, in a concentration-dependent manner, the release of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) via the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Inhibition of p38 MAPK, by SB203580, in sCD40L-treated early EPCs, reversed their release of MMP-9 and their pro-angiogenic effect on HUVECs.We have shown that sCD40L increases the pro-angiogenic function of early EPCs on cultured HUVECs by inducing a significant increase in MMP-9 release via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Trends in Pancreatic Pathology Practice Before and After Implementation of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration: An Example of Disruptive Innovation Effect?
Authors: Eltoum Isam A. , Alston Evans A. , Roberson Janie 
Published: March 2012

Context.—Little has been reported on changes in pancreatic pathology practice after implementation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).Objectives.—We assessed the impact of EUS-FNA on cytologic diagnosis replacing histologic diagnosis for pancreatic disease and determined whether it fulfills Christensen criteria of a disruptive innovation effect.Design.—Pattern of utilization during 20 years, diagnostic categories, and diagnostic accuracy of pancreatic cytology were compared before and after implementation of EUS-FNA. The disruptive effect of cytology relevant to biopsy was assessed by comparing the utilization trends and the accuracy of diagnosis over time.Results.—The mean annual volume (standard deviation) of cytologic specimens increased from 24 (11) to 231 (10) after implementation of EUS-FNA, and that of histologic specimens increased from 97 (42) to 377 (148). The average percentage of annual cases managed by following cytology alone was 19% (10) before versus 51% (8) after implementation. The percentage managed by histology alone was 56% before versus 23% after implementation. Non–endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology decreased from 36% to 1%. Needle biopsies decreased from 7% to 1%, and other biopsy types from 29% to 9%. Unsatisfactory (7% versus 1%), atypical (16% versus 4%), and suspicious (16% versus 3%) diagnoses were significantly reduced. The accuracy of cytologic diagnosis significantly improved: the sensitivity (confidence interval) and specificity (confidence interval) for cancer diagnosis were 55% (38%–70%) and 78% (58%–89%) before versus 88% (84%–91%) and 96% (93%–98%) after implementation, respectively.Conclusions.—Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration improved the accuracy of cytologic diagnosis, reduced the number of indeterminate diagnoses, and replaced the need for tissue biopsy. Given its cost and simplicity as compared with tissue biopsy, this trend represents a disruptive innovation effect.
Difficult Differential Diagnoses in Testicular Pathology
Authors: Ye Huihui , Ulbright Thomas M. 
Published: March 2012

Context.—Although relatively rare, testicular cancer is the most common solid organ malignancy in young men and remains a leading cause of cancer death in this population. Different types of testicular tumors are treated differently, with an overall very high cure rate with proper management. Pathologists must, therefore, be familiar with important diagnostic pitfalls in testicular pathology, particularly those that result in different treatments or prognoses.
Objective.—To summarize key diagnostic features and useful ancillary tools for the most frequently encountered problems in testicular tumor pathology.
Data Sources.—Current texts, PubMed (National Library of Medicine) articles, and archives at Indiana University School of Medicine and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center were all reviewed.
Conclusions.—Problematic differential diagnoses include seminoma versus nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, germ cell tumors versus non–germ cell tumors, intratubular germ cell neoplasia versus atypical germ cells with maturation arrest, pseudolymphovascular invasion versus real lymphovascular invasion in germ cell tumors, and macroscopic Sertoli cell nodules versus Sertoli cell tumors. In almost all cases, awareness of the differential diagnostic possibilities based on routine light microscopic features permits application of either additional, directed observations or immunohistochemical studies that lead to an accurate diagnosis.
Renal Cell Carcinoma With Clear Cell and Papillary Features
Authors: Ross Hillary , Martignoni Guido , Argani Pedram 
Published: March 2012

Context.—The diagnosis of primary renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) with both papillary architecture and cells with clear cytoplasm can be diagnostically challenging for practicing pathologists. The 4 main neoplasms in the differential diagnosis are clear cell RCC, papillary RCC, clear cell papillary RCC, and Xp11 translocation RCC. Accurate diagnosis has both prognostic and therapeutic implications.Objective.—To highlight the helpful cytomorphologic, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic features of each of these entities to enable reproducible classification.Data Sources.—Published peer-reviewed literature was reviewed, accompanied by the authors' personal experiences.Conclusions.—Key morphologic clues and a focused immunohistochemical panel, including CK7, α-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase (AMACR), TFE3, cathepsin K, and carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), now allow most resected RCCs with papillary architecture and clear cells to be accurately classified. In other cases, cytogenetic and molecular findings can establish the diagnosis. Despite these tools, some RCCs with papillary architecture and clear cells do not fit into any of the described entities and currently remain unclassified.
Impact of Product Familiarity on Beef Quality Perception
Authors: Banović Marija , Fontes Magda Aguiar , Barreira Maria Madalena , Grunert Klaus G. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThis study examines the use of intrinsic and extrinsic cues in beef quality perception at the point of purchase and upon consumption by consumers with varying levels of familiarity with a particular beef product. High‐familiarity consumers tend to use the color of the meat to assess beef quality, whereas low‐familiarity consumers tend to believe that the brand is the most valid cue for assessing beef quality. However, due to the lack of consistency in sensory beef quality, high‐familiarity consumers’ ability to form quality expectations that are predictive of their quality experience is no better than that of low‐familiarity consumers.