bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can automated blood film analysis replace the manual differential? An evaluation of the CellaVision DM96 automated image analysis system
Authors: BRIGGS C. , LONGAIR I. , SLAVIK M. , THWAITE K. , MILLS R. , THAVARAJA V. , FOSTER A. , ROMANIN D. , MACHIN S. J. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryAutomation of differentials is desirable for economic and time‐saving reasons. Over the last 20 years, automated imaging processes have started to be introduced where stained blood films are scanned by a computer‐driven microscope and leucocytes classified; however, early methods were slow and had difficulty in classifying abnormal cells. More recently the CellaVision™ DM96 (CellaVision AB, Lund, Sweden) has been introduced with added features such as continuous loading of slides and a faster throughput than previous instruments. The accuracy of CellaVisionTM DM96 has been evaluated by comparing results to reference manual differentials. Results from different operators using the DM96 were compared with their own manual differential and to a 400‐cell reference manual differential. Precision of the instrument was compared to the manual differential. The preclassification accuracy of the DM96 was 89.2%. Precision was similar to that of the 100‐cell manual differential. The DM96 was faster than the manual method, even after reclassification by a laboratory scientist of any cells wrongly categorized by the instrument. The DM96 accuracy in morphological classification of leucocytes and red blood cells; depends upon both blood pathology and experience of the laboratory scientist using the instrument. For some cell types and operators, DM96 accuracy was better than the individual’s 100 cell manual differential.
Reticulated platelets and thrombopoietin in schistosomiasis patients
Authors: KÖPKE‐AGUIAR L. A. , DE LEON C. P. , SHIGUEOKA D. C. , LOURENÇO D. M. , KOUYOMDJIAN M. , BORGES D. R. 
Published: January 2009

SummarySchistosomiasis mansoni is a non‐cirrhotic liver disease. In cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, a decreased number of reticulated platelets associated with increased thrombopoietin serum levels were reported. We previously reported a 120/nl platelet cutoff level as a marker of clinically significant portal hypertension in schistosomiasis patients. To evaluate reticulated platelet counts and thrombopoietin serum levels (TPO) in schistosomiasis patients and correlate them with portal hypertension markers. Thirty‐three schistosomiasis patients without co‐morbidities were endoscopically classified as those with (n = 19) or without (n = 14) clinically significant portal hypertension. Flow cytometric determination of reticulated platelets was performed using CD41 antibody and thiazol orange. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed according to the Niamey protocol. TPO and hyaluronic acid serum levels were determined in duplicate using ELISA methods. The platelet number of 120/nl discriminates the two groups with 100% accuracy and 100% positive and negative predictive values, and correlates with spleen length and portal and splenic vein diameters. Differences in reticulated platelets and hyaluronic acid serum levels between both groups were significant (P = 0.025 and 0.012, respectively), but thrombopoietin serum levels were not (P = 0.769). Schistosomiasis patients with portal hypertension have increased reticulated platelets associated with normal TPO serum levels.
Detection of Hb E mutation (β26, GAG‐AAG, Glu‐Lys) using allelic discrimination analysis
Authors: SANGKITPORN S. , SANGKITPORN S. K. , SANGNOI A. , DUANGRUANG S. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryA method for detection of hemoglobin (Hb) E mutation was developed based on allelic discrimination analysis. Two probes labeled with different fluorescent reporter dyes were designed to specifically detect variation of a single nucleic acid polymorphism (SNP) site in the target template sequence. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of normal allele and mutant allele were detected directly by analyzing fluorescent signal of each probe. This method was validated in term of accuracy (by comparing with sequence analysis) and reproducibility. The % CV between run precision was 5.16–8.86%. The narrow scatter of the results confirmed the reproducibility of the assay. This technique is a rapid, reliable and cost‐effective method to differentiate Hb E homozygosity from β0‐thalassemia/Hb E in populations with a high frequency of β‐thalassemia and Hb E.
Methylation of DAPK1 promoter: frequent but not an adverse prognostic factor in myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: QIAN J. , YAO D.‐M. , LIN J. , WANG Y.‐L. , HAN L.‐X. , XU W.‐R. , WU C.‐Y. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryPromoter hypermethylation plays an important role in the inactivation of cancer‐related genes. This abnormality occurs early in leukemogenesis and seems to be associated with poor prognosis in myelodsplastic syndrome (MDS). The identification of more inactivated tumor suppressor genes contributing to the development of MDS may lead to further elucidation of the biology of this disease and help to identify novel targets for therapy. In this study, the methylation status of death‐associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) gene promoter was analyzed by using methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction in bone marrow (BM) samples from 59 patients with different stages of MDS. The abnormal methylation of the DAPK1 gene was found in 37 of 59 (62.7%) MDS cases. The correlation was significant between the sex and the methylation status of DAPK1 promoter in MDS patients (R = 0.332, P = 0.010). Furthermore, methylation status of DAPK1 promoter was associated with the percentage of BM blasts (R = 0.346, P = 0.010) and International Prognosis Scoring System (IPSS) groups (R = 0.278, P = 0.034). The estimated 50% survival time of the methylated DAPK1 group and unmethylated group was 20 and 33 months, respectively. There was no significant difference between these two groups (χ2 = 0.652, P = 0.419). Multivariate analysis identified the age older than 50 years, the Int‐2/high‐risk categories of IPSS and the advanced stage MDS (RAEB‐1/RAEB‐2) in WHO classification as negative prognostic factors (P < 0.05). Aberrant methylation of DAPK1 gene promoter had no influence on the prognosis of MDS despite of its increasing occurrence during disease progression.
Acute variation of leucocytes counts following a half‐marathon run
Authors: LIPPI G. , BANFI G. , MONTAGNANA M. , SALVAGNO G. L. , SCHENA F. , GUIDI GIAN CESARE 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThere is growing interest on haematological changes following elite and recreation sports. However, no information is available on leucocyte variations after an intermediate‐distance run. Complete blood cell count was assessed on 17 trained, middle‐aged males before a 21‐km half‐marathon, at the end and 3, 6, 24 h thereafter. Statistically significant variations by one‐way analysis of variance were observed for all the parameters tested. Haematocrit, haemoglobin and red blood cells and platelet count increased significantly by the end of the run and returned to pre‐run values 3 h thereafter. White blood cells, neutrophils, monocytes and basophils counts increased after the run, reached the peak at 3 h and returned to the baseline after 24 h. Conversely, the eosinophils count significantly decreased after the run, reached a nadir at 3 h and slowly returned to pre‐run values at 24 h. The lymphocytes count significantly increased after the run, decreased 3 h thereafter and returned to pre‐run values after 6 h. These results show that an intermediate‐distance run, which is a popular form of recreational sports worldwide, is associated with transitory leucocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis and basophilia, but it also induces acute eosinopenia, all changes being completely reversed 24 h thereafter.
Increased incidence of saprophytic bacteria, coliforms and E. coli following severe flooding requires risk assessment for human health: results of the River Elbe flood in August 2002
Authors: Karrasch B. , Mehrens M. , Link U. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn August 2002, flooding in the Elbe valley caused severe damage of sewage treatment plants and networks. We investigated the impact of flooding on the bacteriological water quality (colony‐forming units of saprophytic bacteria, coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli) compared with levels from previous and subsequent years. The flood introduced organic matter and elevated saprophytic bacteria levels, and a general increase of coliform bacteria. Markedly high loads of coliforms and E. coli were detected in the water column in areas where damage to sewage treatment plants was rife, exceeding the European Commission's Bathing Water Directive. The rapid disappearance from the water column may partly be caused by sedimentation creating deposits on pasture, farmland and in built‐up areas, which could represent a health hazard. Future flood risk reduction should therefore be focused on the protection of sewage systems and hygienic monitoring of floodwater and flood sediments.
Comparative analysis of statistical and catchment modelling approaches to river flood frequency estimation
Authors: Calver A. , Stewart E. , Goodsell G. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe paper compares results from two approaches to the quantification of river flood frequencies applicable nationally in Britain. One approach uses both the flood peak and event‐based methods of the Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH) of current water industry practice and the other approach is a recently developed set of continuous simulation techniques using parameter‐sparse modelling of catchment flood runoff response. The methods were applied to over a hundred sites in Britain, treated as if without flow data, although such observations existed and were used only for testing purposes. Errors of ≤20% in peak flows at ungauged sites are currently very good in this hydrologically challenging context; errors of up to around 35% may have to be contended with in flood management practice. The results from the FEH statistical method reinforce its established role in peak‐flow estimation. On the basis of the aspects that have been tested here, the emerging continuous simulation approaches show considerable potential to offer good performance for peaks and flow time series. The errors associated with the FEH unit hydrograph approach reflect the additional challenge it incorporates of ungauged rainfall estimation in addition to ungauged discharge.
Mapping Hurricane Rita inland storm tide
Authors: Berenbrock C. , Mason, Jr. R.R. , Blanchard S.F. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractFlood‐inundation data are most useful for decision makers when presented in the context of maps of affected communities and (or) areas. But because the data are scarce and rarely cover the full extent of the flooding, interpolation and extrapolation of the information are needed. Many geographic information systems provide various interpolation tools, but these tools often ignore the effects of the topographic and hydraulic features that influence flooding. A barrier mapping method was developed to improve maps of storm tide produced by Hurricane Rita. Maps were developed for the maximum storm tide and at 3‐h intervals from midnight (00:00 hours) through noon (12:00 hours) on 24 September 2005. The improved maps depict storm‐tide elevations and the extent of flooding. The extent of storm‐tide inundation from the improved maximum storm‐tide map was compared with the extent of flood inundation from a map prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The boundaries from these two maps generally compared quite well especially along the Calcasieu River. Also a cross‐section profile that parallels the Louisiana coast was developed from the maximum storm‐tide map and included FEMA high‐water marks.
Taxonomic sufficiency: The influence of taxonomic resolution on freshwater bioassessments using benthic macroinvertebrates
Authors: Jones F. Chris 
Published: January 2009

Changing the taxonomic scale of a biotic-assemblage dataset influences our ability to detect ecological patterns. In bioassessments, a test-site’s biological community is compared against a benchmark to indicate ecosystem condition, but the taxonomic resolution needed to judge impairment reliably is the subject of much scientific debate. This paper reviews taxonomic sufficiency for freshwater benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessments. Three main issues are discussed: (1) the ecological significance of different taxonomic aggregations; (2) trade-offs involving taxonomic detail and information content versus money, time, expertise, and data quality; and (3) sampling- and analytical-method-specific factors affecting taxonomic sufficiency. Although Species should be the default taxonomic level for bioassessments, taxonomic sufficiency is chiefly determined by a study’s purpose, and pragmatism often dictates reduced detail. When a taxonomic-minimalism approach is necessary, a quantitative criterion for taxonomic sufficiency should be specified; this criterion should be based on an optimization of cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different taxonomic scales. Mixed-level aggregations, as well as morpho-species and ecological-trait classifications should be considered in this optimization process. Looking to the future, closer ties between taxonomists and bioassessment researchers would benefit both of their disciplines. Such coordination would provide the autoecological information and better diagnostic tools (such as keys and molecular methods) needed for biomonitoring, and better (and more widespread) biomonitoring would fuel taxonomy’s resurgence.
The maintenance of understory residual flora with even-aged forest management: A review of temperate forests in northeastern North America
Authors: Moola F.M. , Vasseur L. 
Published: January 2009

This study reviews the effects of even-aged forest management (primarily clearcut logging) on the dynamics, structure, and composition of understory vascular plant communities in remnant late-successional (old-growth and old re-growth) forests of northeastern North America. Less than 1% of forested land in the region has never been cleared and remnant patches of primary woodland (i.e., continuously forested since European colonization; ~350 BP) are few, small and isolated within a second-growth landscape that is increasingly managed in open and immature forest age-classes. The historical loss and fragmentation of pre-settlement forested habitat has generated considerable scientific and public debate about whether additional declines in late-successional woodland, as a result of contemporary land uses (e.g., clearcut logging), threaten species that are associated with old forest conditions. We focused particular attention on residual plants (i.e., flora associated with late-successional forests) that may be dependent upon older stand conditions for maximal growth or that are less common within intensively managed landscapes. Despite a general community-wide resiliency to clearcutting, we found that a number of residual plants in northeastern forests are typically eliminated or have a reduced presence in recovering stands after logging (e.g., Oxalis montana (L.), Aralia nudicaulis (L.), Taxus candensis (Marsh.)). The most sensitive species to clearcutting include mycotrophs, taxa with limited seed dispersal and (or) low rates of clonal expansion (<10 cm/year), and species reliant on specific seedbed conditions associated with older forests (e.g., decayed logs). These results suggest that the preservation of remnant late-successional forests (both old-growth and old re-growth) may be necessary for the maintenance of some residual plant populations in highly disturbed and fragmented forest landscapes in the northeastern North America.
IS COSMOLOGICAL ACCELERATION DRIVEN BY CLASSICAL SPACE–TIME GEOMETRY?
Authors: BLUDMAN SIDNEY 
Published: January 2009

The homogeneous expansion history H(z) of our universe (Hubble diagram) measures only kinematic variables, it cannot fix the underlying dynamics driving the recent acceleration: cosmographic measurements of the homogeneous universe are consistent with either a static fine-tuned cosmological constant or a dynamic "dark energy" mechanism, which itself may be either material dark energy or low-curvature modifications of Einstein gravity (dark gravity). This dark energy/dark gravity degeneracy in the homogeneous expansion observations can only be resolved by observing the growth of the cosmological fluctuations. However, because the "dark energy" evolution is now quasi-static at most, any dynamical effects on the fluctuation growth function g(z) will be minimal. Projected observations may potentially distinguish static from dynamic "dark energy", but distinguishing dynamic dark energy from dark gravity will require a weak lensing shear survey more ambitious than any now projected. Dark gravity is also, in principle, observable in the solar system or in isolated galaxy clusters. The cosmological constant problem — that quantum material vacuum fluctuations apparently do not gravitate — suggests identifying gravitational "vacuum energy" with classical intrinsic space–time curvature, divorcing it from any quantum material property. This empty space–time curvature appears cosmologically and about isolated sources and can only be fine-tuned, at present. The cosmological coincidence problem — that we live when the ordinary matter density approximates the "gravitational vacuum energy" — on the other hand, is a material problem, calling for an understanding of the observers' role in cosmology. A particularly restrictive weak anthropic principle, that dark energy and dark gravity be indistinguishable, selects static "dark energy" (ΛCDM) and rejects any dynamical effects in the growth of fluctuations.
Best Proximity Pairs for Upper Semicontinuous Set-Valued Maps in Hyperconvex Metric Spaces
Authors: Amini-Harandi A. , Farajzadeh A. P. , O'Regan D. , Agarwal R. P. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractA best proximity pair for a set-valued map "Equation missing" with respect to a map "Equation missing" is defined, and new existence theorems of best proximity pairs for upper semicontinuous set-valued maps with respect to a homeomorphism are proved in hyperconvex metric spaces.
Weak and Strong Convergence Theorems of an Implicit Iteration Process for a Countable Family of Nonexpansive Mappings
Authors: Nakprasit Kittikorn , Nilsrakoo Weerayuth , Saejung Satit 
Published: January 2009

AbstractUsing the implicit iteration and the hybrid method in mathematical programming, we prove weak and strong convergence theorems for finding common fixed points of a countable family of nonexpansive mappings in a real Hilbert space. Our results include many convergence theorems by Xu and Ori (2001) and Zhang and Su (2007) as special cases. We also apply our method to find a common element to the set of fixed points of a nonexpansive mapping and the set of solutions of an equilibrium problem. Finally, we propose an iteration to obtain convergence theorems for a continuous monotone mapping.
Janus kinase inhibitor INCB20 has antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on human myeloma cellsin vitroandin vivo
Authors: Burger Renate , Le Gouill Steven , Tai Yu-Tzu , Shringarpure Reshma , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Neri Paola , Podar Klaus , Catley Laurence , Hideshima Teru , Chauhan Dharminder , Caulder Eian , Neilan Claire L. , Vaddi Kris , Li Jun , Gramatzki Martin , Fridman Jordan S. , Anderson Kenneth C. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractProtein tyrosine kinases of the Janus kinase (JAK) family are associated with many cytokine receptors, which, on ligand binding, regulate important cellular functions such as proliferation, survival, and differentiation. In multiple myeloma, JAKs may be persistently activated due to a constant stimulation by interleukin (IL)-6, which is produced in the bone marrow environment. INCB20 is a synthetic molecule that potently inhibits all members of the JAK family with a 100- to 1,000-fold selectivity for JAKs over &gt;70 other kinases. Treatment of multiple myeloma cell lines and patient tumor cells with INCB20 resulted in a significant and dose-dependent inhibition of spontaneous as well as IL-6-induced cell growth. Importantly, multiple myeloma cell growth was inhibited in the presence of bone marrow stromal cells. The IL-6 dependent cell line INA-6 was particularly sensitive to the drug (IC50 &lt; 1 μmol/L). Growth suppression of INA-6 correlated with an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells and inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation. INCB20 also abrogated the protective effect of IL-6 against dexamethasone by blocking phosphorylation of SHP-2 and AKT. In contrast, AKT phosphorylation induced by insulin-like growth factor-I remained unchanged, showing selectivity of the compound. In a s.c. severe combined immunodeficient mouse model with INA-6, INCB20 significantly delayed INA-6 tumor growth. Our studies show that disruption of JAKs and downstream signaling pathways may both inhibit multiple myeloma cell growth and survival and overcome cytokine-mediated drug resistance, thereby providing the preclinical rationale for the use of JAK inhibitors as a novel therapeutic approach in multiple myeloma. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(1):26–35]
Regulation of D-cyclin translation inhibition in myeloma cells treated with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors: rationale for combined treatment with extracellular signal–regulated kinase inhibitors and rapamycin
Authors: Frost Patrick , Shi Yijiang , Hoang Bao , Gera Joseph , Lichtenstein Alan 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWe have shown that heightened AKT activity sensitized multiple myeloma cells to the antitumor effects of the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor CCI-779. To test the mechanism of the AKT regulatory role, we stably transfected U266 multiple myeloma cell lines with an activated AKT allele or empty vector. The AKT-transfected cells were more sensitive to cytostasis induced in vitro by rapamycin or in vivo by its analogue, CCI-779, whereas cells with quiescent AKT were resistant. The ability of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors to down-regulate D-cyclin expression was significantly greater in AKT-transfected multiple myeloma cells due, in part, to the ability of AKT to curtail cap-independent translation and internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity of D-cyclin transcripts. Similar AKT-dependent regulation of rapamycin responsiveness was shown in a second myeloma model: the PTEN-null OPM-2 cell line transfected with wild-type PTEN. Because extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK)/p38 activity facilitates IRES-mediated translation of some transcripts, we investigated ERK/p38 as regulators of AKT-dependent effects on rapamycin sensitivity. AKT-transfected U266 cells showed significantly decreased ERK and p38 activity. However, only an ERK inhibitor prevented D-cyclin IRES activity in resistant “low-AKT” myeloma cells. Furthermore, the ERK inhibitor successfully sensitized myeloma cells to rapamycin in terms of down-regulated D-cyclin protein expression and G1 arrest. However, ectopic overexpression of an activated MEK gene did not increase cap-independent translation of D-cyclin in “high-AKT” myeloma cells, indicating that mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase/ERK activity was required, but not sufficient, for activation of the IRES. These data support a scenario where heightened AKT activity down-regulates D-cyclin IRES function in multiple myeloma cells and ERK facilitates activity. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(1):83–93]