bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significance of donor‐derived isoagglutinins in ABO‐Incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Chung Hee‐Jung , Lee Je‐Hwan , Kwon Seog‐Woon 
Published: November 2008

AbstractChanges in isoagglutinin titers may have implications in the occurrence of hematological complications such as pure red cell aplasia or immune‐mediated hemolysis. Furthermore, isoagglutinin titers could reflect immunohematological reconstitution after transplantation. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between donor‐derived isoagglutinins (DDIs) and graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). In total, 114 patients who underwent ABO‐incompatible allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were analyzed. Among these patients, 27.7% demonstrated increased donor‐derived isoagglutinins (IDDIs) against red blood cells (RBCs) of the recipient, and 32.8% of the patients showed DDIs that were not against RBCs of the recipient. Patients with acute GVHD and DDIs against RBCs of the recipient tended to have higher incidences of IDDIs that occurred before posttransplant day 60 compared with patients without acute GVHD (17.3 vs. 3.9%, P=0.058). In patients with acute GVHD, IDDIs occurred significantly earlier (mean, day 32 vs. 181, P=0.046), the period of elevation was shorter (mean, day 36 vs. 134, P=0.033), and the donors were younger (mean, 28 vs. 36 years, P=0.01) than those without GVHD. Moreover, significant correlations were found between IDDIs and acute GVHD. Taken together, these data underscore a possible role for humoral immunity in GVHD after HSCT. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:383–390, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Different collection tubes in cardiac biomarkers detection
Authors: Daves Massimo , Trevisan Diego , Cemin Roberto 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe role played by different collection tubes is one of the more frequently forgotten parameters, which influences the quality of laboratory results.We aimed to determine whether there is a significant difference in assay of myoglobin, cardiac troponin I, and CK‐MB depending on the presence of anticoagulant and gel separator in the collecting tubes.Blood samples were collected in 40 consecutive patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome. The samples were taken at the same moment in three different tubes (tubes without anticoagulant and with gel separator, heparin tubes with gel separator and heparin tubes without gelseparator;Venosafe, Terumo Europe, Leuven Belgium). Myoglobin, CK‐MB and cardiac troponin I were measured with a double side (sandwich) chemiluminescent immuenzymatic assay (Access Myoglobin, Access CK‐MB, Access AccuTnI).Cardiac troponin I was not influenced by the type of collection tube used. On the contrary, myoglobin and CK‐MB showed a statistical difference depending on the test tube. In particular, there was a significant difference between tubes without anticoagulant and with gel separator and tubes with heparin and without gel. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:391–394, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid saliva processing techniques for near real‐time analysis of salivary steroids and protein
Authors: Atkinson Kelly R. , Lo Kim R. , Payne Steve R. , Mitchell John S. , Ingram John R. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIntroduction: Point‐of‐care (POC) measurements using saliva samples have immense potential to assess systemic health and wellbeing, but sample viscosity and contaminants can affect analyses. We sought a portable clean‐up method for whole saliva appropriate for use with POC measurement techniques such as biosensors.Methods: Whole saliva from each of 13 male subjects was split into 5 fractions. Each fraction was treated with a different clean‐up process: a freeze–thaw–centrifuge (FTC) step; centrifugation alone; or passage through a Mini‐UniPrep polyethersulfone filter, cotton Salivette®, or foam Oracol device. Following clean‐up, each subject's treated saliva fractions were assayed for cortisol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and proteinconcentrations. The effects of clean‐upmethods on nonspecific binding (NSB) in a biosensor were also assessed.Results: Compared with FTC, no analytes were affected by centrifugation alone. Cotton Salivettes significantly altered all analytes, with increases in cortisol (+64%), testosterone (+126%), and DHEA (off‐scale) levels, and decreased protein (−21%) and biosensor NSB (−75%). Oracol foam devices decreased DHEA levels by 28%. Mini‐UniPrep filtration decreased testosterone (−45%) and DHEA (−66%) concentrations while increasing cortisol (+40%).Conclusion: No method was optimal for all analytes, highlighting the need for validation of saliva treatment methods before their adoption in rapid POC analyses. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:395–402, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The lateral somitic frontier in ontogeny and phylogeny
Authors: Shearman Rebecca Marie , Burke Ann Campbell 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe vertebrate musculoskeletal system comprises the axial and appendicular systems. The postcranial axial system consists of the vertebrae, ribs and associated muscles, and the appendicular system comprises the muscles and skeleton of the paired appendages and their respective girdles. The morphology, proportions, and arrangements of these parts have undergone tremendous variation during vertebrate history. Despite this vertebrate diversity, the cells that form all of the key parts of the musculoskeletal system during development arise from two populations of embryonic mesoderm, the somites and somatic lateral plate. Nowicki et al. (2003. Mech Dev 120:227–240) identified two dynamic domains in the developing chick embryo. The primaxial domain is populated exclusively by cells from the somites. The abaxial domain includes muscle and bone that develop within lateral plate‐derived connective tissue. The boundary between the two domains is the lateral somitic frontier. We hypothesize that the primaxial and abaxial domains are patterned independently and that morphological evolution of the musculoskeletal system is facilitated by partially independent developmental changes in the abaxial and primaxial domain. Here we present our hypothesis in detail and review recent experimental and comparative studies that use the concept of the lateral somitic frontier in the analysis of the evolution of the highly derived chelonian and limbless squamate body plans.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 312B:603–612, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo targeted gene delivery by cationic nanoparticles for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Díez Sonsoles , Navarro Gemma , de ILarduya Conchita Tros 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundTransgene expression in vivo for therapeutic purposes will require methods that allow for efficient gene transfer into cells. Although current vector technologies are being improved, the development of novel vector systems with improved targeting specificity, higher transduction efficiencies and improved safety is necessary.MethodsAsialoglycoprotein receptor‐targeted cationic nanoparticles for interleukin (IL)‐12 encapsulation (NP1) or adsorption (NP2) have been formulated by blending poly(D,L‐lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid (PLGA) (50 : 50) with the cationic lipid 1,2‐dioleoyl‐3‐(trimethylammonium) propane (DOTAP) and the ligand asialofetuin (AF), by using a modified solvent evaporation process.ResultsWe present a novel targeted lipopolymeric vector, which improves significantly the levels of luciferase gene expression in the liver upon i.v. administration. Targeted‐NP2 particles showed a five‐ and 12‐fold higher transfection activity in the liver compared to non‐targeted (plain) complexes or naked pCMV DNA, respectively. On the other hand, BNL tumor‐bearing animals treated with AF‐NP1 containing the therapeutic gene IL‐12, showed tumor growth inhibition, leading to a complete tumor regression in 75% of the treated mice, without signs of recurrence. High levels of IL‐12 and interferon‐γ were detected in the sera of treated animals. Mice survival also improved considerably. Tumor treatment with AF‐NP2 formulations lead only to a retardation in the tumor growth.ConclusionsIn the present study, we have developed an efficient targeted non‐viral vector for IL‐12 gene transfer in hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo, by employing non‐toxic cationic PLGA/DOTAP/AF nanoparticles. These results demonstrate for the first time that this cationic system could be used successfully and safely for delivery of therapeutic genes with antitumor activity into liver tumors with targeting specificity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular characterization of VP4, VP6, VP7, NSP4, and NSP5/6 genes identifies an unusual G3P[10] human rotavirus strain
Authors: Khamrin Pattara , Maneekarn Niwat , Peerakome Supatra , Malasao Rungnapa , Thongprachum Aksara , Chan‐it Wisoot , Mizuguchi Masashi , Okitsu Shoko , Ushijima Hiroshi 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAn unusual strain of human rotavirus G3P[10] (CMH079/05) was detected in a stool sample of a 2‐year‐old child admitted to the hospital with severe diarrhea in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Analysis of the VP7 gene sequence revealed highest identities with unusual human rotavirus G3 strain CMH222 at 98.7% on the nucleotide and 99.6% on the amino acid levels. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 sequence confirmed that the CMH079/05 strain formed a cluster with G3 rotavirus reference strains and showed the closest lineage with the CMH222 strain. Analysis of partial VP4 gene of CMH079/05 revealed highest degree of sequence identities with P[10] rotavirus prototype strain 69M at nucleotide and amino acid levels of 92.9% and 94.6%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP4 sequence revealed that CMH079/05 and 69M clustered closely together in a monophyletic branch separated from other rotavirus genotypes. To our knowledge, this is a novel G–P combination of G3 and P[10] genotypes. In addition, analyses of VP6, NSP4, and NSP5/6 genes revealed these uncommon genetic characteristics: (i) the VP6 gene differed from the four other known subgroups; (ii) the NSP4 gene was identified as NSP4 genetic group C, an uncommon group in humans; and (iii) the NSP5/6 gene was most closely related with T152, a G12P[9] rotavirus previously isolated in Thailand. The finding of uncommon G3P[10] rotavirus in this pediatric patient provided additional evidence of the genetic diversity of human group A rotaviruses in Chiang Mai, Thailand. J. Med. Virol. 81:176–182, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The detection and molecular characterization of human G12 genotypes in South Africa
Authors: Page N.A. , de Beer M.C. , Seheri L.M. , Dewar J.B. , Steele A.D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe last decade has seen an increase in the detection of rotavirus strains other than G1–G4 emerging or even predominating in some settings. The performance of the current rotavirus vaccines against unusual or rare circulating rotavirus serotypes cannot be predicted and continuous monitoring of wild type rotaviruses will remain a priority. Routine molecular rotavirus surveillance conducted in the Gauteng Province, South Africa during 2004, resulted in the detection of strains that could not typed using standard G specific genotyping primers. Sequencing of the first round amplicons revealed 19 serotype G12P[6] strains and one G12P[8] strain. Phylogenetic analyses of the G12 strains indicated that these strains are probably a recent introduction into South Africa and emerged from a strain related to the Indian isolate ISO‐5. The association of the South African G12s with the P[6] genotype may suggest a mechanism for unusual strains to become more ecologically suited to local population transmission dynamics. This is the first report of serotype G12 strains on the African continent and continued surveillance will be required to track the emergence of G12 strains in Africa. J. Med. Virol. 81:106–113, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripherally expressed neprilysin reduces brain amyloid burden: A novel approach for treating Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Guan Hanjun , Liu Yinxing , Daily Abigail , Police Sara , Kim Myung‐Hee , Oddo Salvatore , LaFerla Frank M. , Pauly James R. , Murphy M. Paul , Hersh Louis B. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA number of therapeutic strategies for treating Alzheimer's disease have focused on reducing amyloid burden in the brain. Among these approaches, the expression of amyloid β peptide (Aβ)‐degrading enzymes in the brain has been shown to be effective but to date not practical for treating patients. We report here a novel strategy for lowering amyloid burden in the brain by peripherally expressing the Aβ‐degrading enzyme neprilysin on leukocytes in the 3xTg‐AD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Through transplantation of lentivirus‐transduced bone marrow cells, the Aβ‐degrading protease neprilysin was expressed on the surface of leukocytes. This peripheral neprilysin reduced soluble brain Aβ peptide levels by ∼30% and lowered the accumulation of amyloid β peptides by 50–60% when transplantation was performed at both young and early adult age. In addition, peripheral neprilysin expression reduced amyloid‐dependent performance deficits as measured by the Morris water maze. Unlike other methods designed to lower Aβ levels in blood, which cause a net increase in peptide, neprilysin expression results in the catabolism of Aβ to small, innocuous peptide fragments. These findings demonstrate that peripherally expressed neprilysin, and likely other Aβ‐degrading enzymes, has the potential to be utilized as a therapeutic approach to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease and suggest that this approach should be explored further. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cuprizone treatment induces demyelination and astrocytosis in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Norkute Akvile , Hieble Andrea , Braun Alena , Johann Sonja , Clarner Tim , Baumgartner Werner , Beyer Cordian , Kipp Markus 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMemory impairment is outstanding within the spectrum of cognitive deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Demyelination has been reported in the hippocampus formation of MS patients. The degree of hippocampus lesions in MS strongly correlates with progression of cognitive dysfunction. Because no appropriate animal model for the study of hippocampus demyelination has been established, we used the cuprizone mouse model to investigated demyelination in young adult and aged mice. The myelin status was analyzed by classical histological staining, immunocytochemistry for proteolipoprotein, and electron microscopy. Oligodendrocyte, astroglial, and microglia markers were studied. Cuprizone intoxication induced an almost complete demyelination of distinct hippocampus subregions to a similar extent in young adult and aged male mice. Demyelination was pronounced in a subset of white and gray matter areas, i.e., the stratum lacunosum moleculare containing the perforant path, medial alveus, stratum pyramidale in the cornu ammonis 2/3 region, and hilus region. Besides demyelination, affected areas displayed hypertrophic and hyperplastic astrocytosis. No significant effect on microglia invasion was detected at any investigated time point (0, 3, 5, and 7 weeks). We conclude that cuprizone‐induced demyelination provides an adequate animal model to investigate appropriate therapy strategies for the prevention of hippocampus demyelination. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo study on the protection of indole‐3‐carbinol (I3C) against the mouse acute alcoholic liver injury by micro‐Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Shen Aiguo , Zhang Benjian , Ping Jie , Xie Wei , Donfack Patrice , Baek Seong‐Joon , Zhou Xiaodong , Wang Hui , Materny Arnulf , Hu Jiming 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMicro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS) was utilized for the first time to evaluate the effect of indole‐3‐carbinol (I3C) on acute alcoholic liver injury in vivo. In situ Raman analysis of tissue sections provided distinct spectra that can be used to distinguish alcoholic liver injury as well as ethanol‐induced liver fibrosis from the normal state. Sixteen mice with liver diseases including acute liver injury and chronic liver fibrosis, and eight mice with normal liver tissues, and eight remedial mice were studied employing the Raman spectroscopic technique in conjunction with biomedical assays. The biochemical changes in mouse liver tissue when liver injury/fibrosis occurs such as the loss of reduced glutathione (GSH), and the increase of collagen (α‐helix protein) were observed by MRS. The intensity ratio of two Raman peaks (I1450/I666) and in combination with statistical analysis of the entire Raman spectrum was found capable of classifying liver tissues with different pathological features. Raman spectroscopy therefore is an important candidate for a nondestructive in vivo screening of the effect of drug treatment on liver disease, which potentially decreases the time‐consuming clinical trials. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical distribution and characteristics of meat and bone meal protein
Authors: Garcia Rafael A , Phillips John G 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Use of meat and bone meal (MBM) in animal feed has been progressively restricted. Production of an MBM protein isolate would facilitate the development of new applications. Rational design of a process to produce such an isolate requires knowledge of MBM protein distribution and characteristics.RESULTS: MBM consists of varying proportions of bone and soft tissue particles, but the soft tissue particles contain > 80% of the protein. Under mild conditions only a small portion of MBM protein can be solubilized; the most aggressive non‐hydrolytic conditions fail to solubilize > 55% of the protein. Amino acid analysis reveals that collagen accounts for approximately 17% of the protein in soft tissue particles and 26% of that in bone particles. The extractable fractions of MBM protein are highly polydisperse and have weight‐average molecular masses of 71.1–86.7 kDa.CONCLUSION: MBM protein is a challenging substance to utilize functionally, largely due to its low solubility and intermingling with non‐protein substances. Results suggest that production of an MBM protein isolate will have to incorporate limited hydrolysis. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Knowledge management of interconnected decisions with application to project management
Authors: Karni Reuven , Kaner Maya 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn this paper we describe a methodology to support decisionmaking in a multiple decision environment using previous experience regarding decisions and their interrelationships. This methodology comprises: (a) new kinds of knowledge which help to better understand the interrelationships between decisions; (b) a human reasoning process incorporating the reuse of past experience in making interrelated decisions; (c) lessons that can be learned or formulated, on the basis of past experience, when current interconnected decisions are to be made. Case‐based reasoning (CBR) is used to manage decision knowledge using cases—experience gained from previous decisions. This is complemented by dyad‐based reasoning (DBR) to manage the interrelationships between decisions. A dyad is a pair of linked decisions reflecting past experience in making successive decisions. DBR provides a new type of knowledge: the nature and composition of an interconnected set of decisions involving several aspects of a decisionmaking situation. We demonstrate the application of the proposed methodology to a typical example of a multiple decision environment—project management. When a project manager has to make a number of interrelated decisions while carrying out several project management processes, a dyad knowledge base and DBR provide guidance as to the complementary considerations needed to make a multi‐faceted set of decisions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical success factors of business process re‐engineering in the banking industry
Authors: Cheng T. C. E. , Chiu Ida S. F. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis study seeks to identify the factors that are critical to successful implementation of business process re‐engineering (BPR), and attempts to develop a reliable, empirically tested and rigorously validated measurement instrument for BPR, for Hong Kong's banking sector. We conducted a large‐scale survey of banking industry executives and applied a rigorous research methodology to treat the survey data. We identified four critical success factors (CSFs) of BPR implementation, which are management commitment, customer focus, use of IT and communication of change and developed a functional instrument to measure BPR in the banking industry. Of these four factors, only customer focus has a significant relationship with firm performance. This finding is consistent with the literature on successful re‐engineering. This paper contributes to research by identifying the success factors of BPR implementation, and provides managerial insights on the successful management of BPR, in the banking industry. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complex knowledge conversion processes and information quality in regional innovation networks
Authors: Uotila Tuomo , Melkas Helinä 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe list of topics associated with information quality grows. This paper introduces a new research area: regional innovation networks and their information and knowledge creation processes. Networking calls for new ways of investigating information and knowledge quality. Studies in heterogeneous innovation networks of organizations from different sectors have barely been undertaken. This paper focuses on information and knowledge, their quality and their relation to knowledge management in regional innovation networks. The paper presents results of two case studies. Regional knowledge creation processes need to be handled skilfully as to their basic materials and results. These should be of good quality at various stages of the complex, knowledge‐intensive processes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying the effects of high summer temperatures due to climate change on buckling and rail related delays in south‐east United Kingdom
Authors: Dobney K. , Baker C. J. , Quinn A. D. , Chapman L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractExtreme high temperatures are associated with increased incidences of rail buckles. Climate change is predicted to alter the temperature profile in the United Kingdom with extreme high temperatures becoming an increasingly frequent occurrence. The result is that the number of buckles, and therefore delays, expected per year will increase if the track is maintained to the current standard. This paper uses a combination of analogue techniques and a weather generator to quantify the increase in the number of buckles and rail related delays in the south‐east of the United Kingdom. The paper concludes by assigning a cost to the resultant rise in delays and damage before making recommendations on how these effects can be mitigated. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society