bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SWARMERS IN THE LAMINARIALES (PHAEOPHYCEAE). II. SPERM1
Authors: Henry Eric C. , Cole Kathleen M. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThe ultrastructure of sperm from 13 species in 11 genera of Laminariales collected in the northeast Pacific Ocean is unique in the brown algae. The sperm are elongate, and possess a nucleus, several mitochondria and two or three chloroplasts, but no eyespot. The anterior flagellum bears mastigonemes on the proximal half of its length; a distal “whiplash” portion lacks mastigonemes and is an extension of only the two central singlet microtubules of the axoneme. A peculiar feature of these sperm is the posterior flagellum, which is longer than the anterior flagellum and tapers distally as the doublet microtubules become singlets and decrease in number. This feature contrasts with the laminarialean zoospore, which possesses a short posterior flagellum with the usual “9 + 2” axoneme. The structure of these sperm differs from that reported for Chorda, the sperm of which resembles a primitive brown algal zoospore. The facts support the concept that Chorda is the most primitive member of the Laminariales.
Photopheresis in pediatric graft‐versus‐host disease after allogeneic marrow transplantation: clinical practice guidelines based on field experience and review of the literature
Authors: Kanold Justyna , Merlin Etienne , Halle Pascale , Paillard Catherine , Marabelle Aurelien , Rapatel Chantal , Evrard Bertrand , Berger Claire , Stephan Jean‐Louis , Galambrun Claire , Piguet Christophe , D'Incan Michel , Bordigoni Pierre , Deméocq François 
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) gives positive results in the management of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), but in children, specific difficulties can outweigh this benefit. These difficulties must be taken into consideration when establishing a standardized reproducible procedure for implementation under a quality management plan.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty‐seven children underwent ECP for severe acute GVHD (aGVHD) or chronic GVHD (cGVHD) after allogeneic marrow transplantation. Data were collected prospectively, with particular emphasis placed on technical, biologic, immunologic, clinical, and long‐term follow‐up issues.RESULTS: The 27 children underwent a total of 750 sessions. Mononuclear cells were collected on a commercially available apheresis system (COBE Spectra, Gambro BCT). Overall survival was 73 percent, and ECP led to significant improvement in 21 of the 27 patients (11 with complete response and 10 with partial response, i.e., >50% of organ involvement). Tolerance was good overall, the main limiting factors being vascular access and the psychological impact of repeated apheresis procedures. Children weighing less than 25 kg were not more susceptible to side effects.CONCLUSION: A specifically pediatric‐dedicated and ‐experienced team faces only limited difficulties when treating children with GVHD by ECP. Overall, ECP is efficient and well tolerated. Our experience was therefore pooled together with available pediatric data to establish clinical practice guidelines. These guidelines consider ECP as a first‐line therapy in Grade IV aGVHD (in association with conventional pharmacologic approaches) and limited cGVHD and as a second‐line therapy in steroid‐resistant Grades II to III aGVHD and extensive cGVHD.
Monocyte enrichment from leukapheresis products by using the Elutra cell separator
Authors: Kim Sinyoung , Kim Hyun Ok , Baek Eun‐Jung , Choi Youjeong , Kim Han‐Soo , Lee Min‐Geul 
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs), used in clinical trials for cancer immunotherapy, require processing on an expanded scale to conform to current good manufacturing practice guidelines. This study evaluated a large‐scale monocyte enrichment procedure with a commercially available cell separator (Elutra, Gambro BCT) and analyzed the capacity of enriched monocytes to differentiate into DCs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Mononuclear cells were collected in two patients with malignant melanoma and seven healthy donors by leukapheresis. Continuous‐counterflow elutriation with the Elutra was performed to enrich and purify monocytes from leukapheresis products. Purity and recovery of enriched monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. DCs were generated from the elutriated monocytes and characterized by phenotypic surface marker and stimulatory capacity in an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction.RESULTS: In the leukapheresis products, the total MNC count was 7.3 × 109 ± 0.7 × 109 and the mean percentage of CD14+ monocytes was 16.5 ± 3.8 percent, which increased to 68.9 ± 7.4 percent after elutriation with the Elutra. The mean monocyte recovery was 94.3 percent. Elutriated monocytes were successfully cultured into phenotypically and functionally mature DCs.CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the Elutra cell separator allows for fast and easy enrichment of monocytes within a closed system. Furthermore, these monocytes can be differentiated into functionally mature DCs. Compared to plastic adherence and immunomagnetic selection methods, the elutriation procedure is inexpensive, efficient, and very effective.
In vitro assessment of recombinant, mutant immunoglobulin G anti‐D devoid of hemolytic activity for treatment of ongoing hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn
Authors: Nielsen Leif K. , Green Trine H. , Sandlie Inger , Michaelsen Terje E. , Dziegiel Morten H. 
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND: A specific treatment for ongoing hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to anti‐D would be very attractive. One approach could be administration to the mother of nonhemolytic anti‐D, which by crossing the placenta can block the binding of hemolytic maternal anti‐D.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two anti‐D immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) heavy‐chain mutants were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. To investigate whether these anti‐D IgG3 mutants could inhibit the red blood cell–destructive activity of recombinant human (rHu)IgG1 with identical antigen‐binding region as well as polyclonal anti‐D having multiple D epitope specificities, two assays were used, antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and a chemiluminescence (CL)‐based method for detection of respiratory burst in peripheral blood monocytes.RESULTS: The two IgG3 anti‐D heavy‐chain mutants inhibited the ADCC and CL responses mediated by a rHuIgG1 anti‐D with identical antigen‐binding region as the mutant antibodies, as well as the destructive activity mediated by a polyclonal anti‐D.CONCLUSION: The use of nonhemolytic anti‐D may be an effective countermeasure against hemolysis in HDFN due to anti‐D.
Deal Size, Bid Premium, and Gains in Bank Mergers: The Impact of Managerial Motivations
Authors: Gupta Atul , Misra Lalatendu 
Published: September 2007

AbstractDo mergers with greater target relative to acquirer size create more value than mergers with smaller relative sized targets? Do larger bid amounts represent wealth transfers from acquirers or do they signal greater expected merger gains? We hypothesize that the relations among aggregate merger gains, relative size, and bid premiums are asymmetric across mergers made by value‐enhancing versus value‐reducing managers. We use a large sample of bank mergers to test these predictions and find that the value response to different explanatory variables is asymmetric. Our findings provide new insights into how the market values merger bids.
Trading Volume and Market Volatility: Developed versus Emerging Stock Markets
Authors: Girard Eric , Biswas Rita 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWe investigate the relation between volatility and volume in 22 developed markets and 27 emerging markets. Compared to developed markets, emerging markets show a greater response to large information shocks and exhibit greater sensitivity to unexpected volume. We find a negative relation between expected volume and volatility in several emerging markets, which can be attributed to the relative inefficiency in those markets. Previous research reports that the persistence in volatility is not eliminated when lagged or contemporaneous trading volume is considered. Our findings show that, when volume is decomposed into expected and unexpected components, volatility persistence decreases.
Fluorescence Spectra and Images of Latent Fingerprints Excited with a Tunable Laser in the Ultraviolet Region
Authors: Akiba Norimitsu , Saitoh Naoki , Kuroki Kenro 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT:Fluorescence spectra of sebum‐rich latent fingerprints were studied with a tunable laser for non‐destructive fingerprint detection without chemical treatment. The tunable laser consists of a nanosecond pulsed Nd‐YAG laser and an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) crystal. The fluorescence spectra and images were measured at various excitation wavelengths in the ultraviolet region by the time‐resolved fluorescence method. We have previously reported that a typical fluorescence spectrum of fingerprints consists of two peaks located atc.330 and 440 nm. In order to determine the wavelength of optimal excitation, excitation spectra were measured at wavelengths ranging from 220 to 310 nm. The fluorescence intensity of the 330 nm peak became maximal with excitation at 280 nm. The images of latent fingerprints on white papers were also measured and the clearest image was obtained with excitation at 280 nm. The influence of continuous irradiation on the fluorescence of fingerprints was measured at the optimal excitation wavelengths. The 330 nm peak was strong at first and decreased with continuous irradiation, whereas the 440 nm peak, which was weak at first, increased gradually.
Characterization of the Variant Allele 9.2 of Penta D Locus*
Authors: Miozzo María C. , Maxzud Mariana K. , Pacharoni Carla M. , Mutal Silvia A. , Modesti Nidia M. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract:DNA profiles of forensic cases of Córdoba Province, Argentina, typed by PowerPlex® 16 kit (Promega), have shown in the Penta D locus few samples with a variant allele migrating as an off ladder between alleles 9 and 10. In order to determine the molecular basis of the new variant allele, three samples were subject to polymerase chain reaction amplification of the Penta D locus by monoplex, and were further purified and sequenced. The sequence analysis revealed that the off ladder allele has ten repeats motifs AAAGA as allele 10, with three nucleotides (TAA) deletion in the 3′ flanking region, 128 nucleotides after the last repeat. Therefore, the variant allele could be explained by a deletion of allele 10, and was designated 9.2. Mse I digestion assay allows to corroborate allele 9.2 without sequencing. A population study in Córdoba Province indicates that allele 9.2 of Penta D locus has a frequency of 0.0063.
Visual outcome and cataract development after allogeneic stem‐cell transplantation in children
Authors: Fahnehjelm Kristina Teär , Törnquist Alba‐Lucia , Olsson Monica , Winiarski Jacek 
Published: August 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  To report visual functions and prevalence of cataract after haematopoetic stem‐cell transplantation (SCT) during childhood and to determine the impact of different conditioning regimes and other possible risk factors.Methods:  Assessment of visual acuity (VA), slit‐lamp biomicroscopy of the lenses and examination of the ocular fundii were performed in 79 subjects 2–18 years (median 7 years) after SCT.Results:  Best‐corrected decimal VA ≥ 0.5 was achieved in 152/158 eyes (96%). There was an increased risk of cataract after conditioning with single‐dose total body irradiation (s‐TBI) or fractionated TBI (f‐TBI) compared to busulfan or other chemotherapy (P < 0.001) and an increased risk of developing cataract earlier if treated with s‐TBI compared to f‐TBI (P < 0.01). The TBI mode did not affect the time to first surgical intervention. Apart from s‐TBI and f‐TBI, age was found to be an independent risk factor. Cataract also developed in patients prepared with chemotherapy but no patient required surgery. Neither treatment with steroids for 6 months or longer nor history of chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) influenced cataract development.Conclusion:  Conditioning with full dose f‐TBI compared to s‐TBI postpones but does not prevent cataract or cataract surgery while chemotherapy‐based conditioning induces less severe cataracts, usually not requiring surgery. Corticosteroids or GVHD do not appear as risk factors.
Anti‐wrinkling effects of the mixture of vitamin C, vitamin E, pycnogenol and evening primrose oil, and molecular mechanisms on hairless mouse skin caused by chronic ultraviolet B irradiation
Authors: Cho Ho‐Song , Lee Min‐Ho , Lee Jae Woong , No Kyong‐Ok , Park Sang‐Ki , Lee Heon‐Sik , Kang Sangjin , Cho Wan‐Goo , Park Hye Ji , Oh Ki Wan , Hong Jin Tae 
Published: September 2007

Background: Naturally occurring antioxidants were used to regulate the skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation because several antioxidants have demonstrated that they can inhibit wrinkle formation through prevention of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and/or increase of collagen synthesis.Objective: We examined the effect of oral administration of the antioxidant mixture of vitamin C, vitamin E, pycnogenol, and evening primrose oil on UVB‐induced wrinkle formation. In addition, we investigated the possible molecular mechanism of photoprotection against UVB through inhibition of collagen‐degrading MMP activity or through enhancement of procollagen synthesis in mouse dorsal skin.Methods: Female SKH‐1 hairless mice were orally administrated the antioxidant mixture (test group) or vehicle (control group) for 10 weeks with UVB irradiation three times a week. The intensity of irradiation was gradually increased from 30 to 180 mJ/cm2. Microtopographic and histological assessment of the dorsal skins was carried out at the end of 10 weeks to evaluate wrinkle formation. Western blot analysis and EMSA were also carried out to investigate the changes in the balance of collagen synthesis and collagen degradation.Results: Our antioxidant mixture significantly reduced UVB‐induced wrinkle formation, accompanied by significant reduction of epidermal thickness, and UVB‐induced hyperplasia, acanthosis, and hyperkeratosis. This antioxidant mixture significantly prevented the UVB‐induced expressions of MMPs, mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase, and activation of activator protein (AP)‐1 transcriptional factor in addition to enhanced type I procollagen and transforming growth factor‐β2 (TGF‐β2) expression.Conclusion: Oral administration of the antioxidant mixture significantly inhibited wrinkle formation caused by chronic UVB irradiation through significant inhibition of UVB‐induced MMP activity accompanied by enhancement of collagen synthesis.
Ammonium chloride and l‐tyrosine enhance melanogenesis in vitro but not in vivo even in combination with ultraviolet radiation
Authors: Kongshoj Brian , Dam Mikkelsen Nikolaj , Kobayasi Takasi , Lerche Catharina Margrethe , Wulf Hans Christian 
Published: September 2007

Background/Purpose: Melanogenesis can be induced in vitro in melanoma cells and melanocytes by adding substances able to neutralize intracellular acidic organelles like melanosomes. Further addition of l‐tyrosine enhances the melanogenesis by increasing the tyrosinase activity. As such, the property of tyrosine as a pigmentation enhancer is used in promoting creams containing tyrosine. The objective of this study was to investigate whether such an effect could actually be seen in a short term in vivo mouse study.Methods: Lightly pigmented C3.Cg/TifBomTac hairless mice capable of pigmenting had ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and/or l‐tyrosine applied topically (1/day for 3 weeks). Pigmentation of the mice was determined using the Kodak Gray Scale at days 0, 7, 14, and 21.Results: Both NH4Cl and l‐tyrosine yielded no significant effect, either alone or in combination, when applied using either hydrogel or moisturizing cream. Exposing mice to simulated solar radiation (4 standard erythema doses, 3/week) yielded increased pigmentation. However, no statistically significant difference was found between treatment with simulated solar radiation alone or in combination with NH4Cl and l‐tyrosine.Conclusion: In spite of the commercial value of adding l‐tyrosine to ‘pigmentation‐enhancing’ creams, topically applied l‐tyrosine showed no pigmentation‐enhancing effect, neither alone nor in combination with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, providing a basis to contest such promotional measures.
Electrocatalytic Response and Determination of Noradrenaline in the Presence of L-Ascorbic and Uric Acids with Poly(Eriochrome Black T)-Modified Electrode
Authors: Lin Xinhua , Li Wei , Yao Hong , Sun Yuanyuan , Huang Liying , Zheng Yanjie 
Published: August 2007

A poly(Eriochrome Black T) chemically modified glassy carbon electrode modified with Eriochrome Black T was prepared by cyclic voltammetry. The modified electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity in oxidation of noradrenaline (NA) and could separate its electrochemical responses from those of L-ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). Differences of the oxidation peak potentials for NA-AA and UA-NA were about 150 mV. The responses to NA, AA and UA of the modified electrode are relatively independent. Using differential pulse voltammetry, the peak currents of NA at modified glassy carbon electrode increased linearly with the concentration of NA from 0.5 to 100 μmol l-1. The detection limit was 0.2 μmol l-1. With the modified electrode, UA could be selectively determined in the presence of AA. The method showing a wide linear dynamic range and excellent sensitivity was successfully applied to the determination of NA in pharmaceutical injections and various samples.
A new 2-regression model for the Actical accelerometer
Authors: Crouter S E , Bassett D R 
Published: August 2007

Objective:The objective of this study was to develop a new 2-regression model relating Actical activity counts to METs.Methods:Forty-eight participants (mean (SD) age 35 (11.4) years) performed 10 min bouts of various activities ranging from sedentary behaviours to vigorous physical activities. Eighteen activities were split into three routines with each routine being performed by 20 individuals. Forty-five routines were randomly selected for the development of a new 2-regression model and 15 tests were used to cross-validate the new 2-regression model and compare it against existing equations. During each routine, the participant wore an Actical accelerometer on the hip and oxygen consumption was simultaneously measured by a portable metabolic system. The coefficient of variation (CV) of four consecutive 15 s epochs was calculated for each minute. For each activity, the average CV and the counts min−1were calculated for minutes 4–9. If the CV was ⩽13% a walk/run regression equation was used and if the CV was >13% a lifestyle/leisure time physical activity regression was used.Results:An exponential regression line (R2 = 0.912; standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 0.149) was used for activities with a CV⩽13%, and a cubic regression line (R2 = 0.884, SEE = 0.804) was used for activities with a CV>13%. In the cross-validation group the mean estimates, using the new 2-regression model with an inactivity threshold, were within 0.56 METs of measured METs for each of the activities performed (p⩾0.05), except cycling (p<0.05).Conclusion:For most activities examined the new 2-regression model predicted METs more accurately than currently available equations for the Actical accelerometer.
Natural and traumatic sports-related fatalities: A 10 year retrospective study.
Authors: Turk Elisabeth Elena 
Published: August 2007

Objective:to identify the most frequent causes of death during sports activity and to elucidate which groups of sportsmen and sportswomen are particularly in danger of dying during sports and to find out in which types of sport the majority of fatalities occur.Design and setting:we performed a 10 year autopsy-based retrospective study of all 48335 fatalities in Hamburg and the surrounding areas that were subjected to police investigations between 1997 and 2006 and screened for sports-related deaths.Main outcome measures:cause of death depending on form of sport, age and risk factors.Results:The vast majority of the deceased were male. In natural deaths, cardiac causes were the most common, with running and football being the most frequent forms of sport. In some of the cases, sports medical examinations had been performed, certifying eligibility for the respective activity. Traumatic deaths were found in all age groups, preferring younger age groups than natural deaths, and expectedly occurred more frequently in “risky” outdoor activities.Conclusions:Although exercise can have beneficial effects on health, fatalities occur related to sports activity. Cardiac disease is the major cause of sudden death from natural causes. In patients with pre-existing coronary heart disease, left ventricular hypertrophy seems to be a risk factor for exercise-related sudden death. Traumatic deaths often happen on holidays outside the country and are most frequently attributable to drowning and blunt trauma. Preparticipation medical screening can not always prevent fatal incidents during sports activity. Postmortem macroscopic and histologic examination can clarify the cause of death and legal issues.
Apoptosis is a major cause of so-called “caseous necrosis” in mycobacterial granulomas in HIV-infected patients
Authors: Leong A S-Y , Wannakrairot P , Leong T Y-M 
Published: August 2007

Aim:To demonstrate that so-called “caseous necrosis” is the result of apoptosis and investigate the association of B and T cells, and macrophages with the granulomas and their relationship to some apoptosis-related proteins.Methods:Cervical lymph node biopsy specimens from 55 HIV-infected Thai patients with caseating granulomas, confluent caseating granulomas, sarcoid-like granulomas, foamy macrophage response, pseudo-inflammatory tumour response or non-specific lymphoid hyperplasia were examined histologically and for apoptosis by immunostaining for caspase 3 and TUNEL. Classic tuberculoid caseating granulomas in cervical lymph node and lungs from non-HIV-infected patients were also stained with caspase 3.Results:All areas of caseous necrosis frequently displayed extensive apoptosis that readily accounted for the so-called “necrosis”. Small foci of apoptosis were present in the other reaction patterns and fibrotic granulomas often showed residual apoptosis. The extent of apoptosis was inversely related to the numbers of identifiable acid-fast bacilli; all epithelioid macrophages revealed strong immunoexpression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Fas, whereas the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was not present. Apoptosis occurred in CD68+ macrophages and CD3+ CD8+ T cells; all nodes were deficient of CD4+ cells. CD8+ T cells were intimately related to the apoptotic foci, suggesting a role in the process, particularly in the absence of CD4+ cells. In non-HIV-infected cases, similar extensive apoptosis was confirmed with caspase 3.Conclusions:So-called “caseous necrosis” is shown for the first time to be the result of apoptosis. In the absence of CD4+ cells the findings negate many of the postulated mechanisms of apoptosis in the murine model and have implications for the treatment of mycobacterial infections.