bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Notes On the Martyrdom of John of Phanijoit (Bho 519)
Authors: Maccoull Leslie S.B. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis text, the editio princeps of which was published in 1887, has not been studied since 1901. It is the narrative of the passion and martyrdom of a certain John, a Coptic Christian who had apostasized to Islam but decided to return and, openly proclaiming his Christian faith, was executed in Cairo on a date fixed at 29 April 1211 C.E. Wherther John of Phanijoit actually existed or not, the construction of his story reflects the tensions in multi-ethnic Egyptian society under the Ayyubids and the changing nature of what it meant to be a Christian living under Muslim rule.
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with COPD: a report of five cases and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Samarakoon P. , Soubani AO 
Published: February 2008

Background: There are increasing reports describing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) without the classic risk factors for this severe infection. The available literature on this association is based on case reports or small case series. The aim of this review is to systematically review these cases and describe the clinical features, diagnostic studies and outcome. Methods: We identified all the cases of IPA and COPD reported in the literature and had enough clinical information. We also included five cases of IPA in patients with COPD identified by the authors. These cases were systematically reviewed for clinical features, diagnostic studies and outcome. Results: There were 60 cases of IPA in patients with COPD identified from the literature. The total number of cases reviewed was 65. The mean age was 65.1 years, the mean FEV1 was 39% of predicted ( n = 17, range 19—56%). Forty-nine patients were documented to be on systemic corticosteroids. The mean dose was 24mg/day (range 15—65 mg/day). Five patients were only on inhaled corticosteroids and in 11 patients there was no documentation of corticosteroid therapy. The clinical and radiological findings were nonspecific. Thirteen patients had documented evidence of disseminated IPA. Sputum examination was positive for Aspergillus in 76% and bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage that was positive in 70%. The diagnosis of IPA was definite in 43 patients and probable in 22 patients. Forty-six patients were treated with anti-fungal therapy. Fifty-nine patients (91%) died with IPA. Conclusion: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is an emerging serious infection in patients with COPD. The majority of these patients have advanced COPD and/or on corticosteroid therapy. The clinical and radiological presentation is nonspecific. High index of suspicion is necessary for the timely treatment of these patients. Chronic Respiratory Disease 2008; 5: 19—27
Angiogenic endothelium shows lactadherin-dependent phagocytosis of aged erythrocytes and apoptotic cells
Authors: Fens Marcel H. A. M. , Mastrobattista Enrico , de Graaff Anko M. , Flesch Frits M. , Ultee Anton , Rasmussen Jan T. , Molema Grietje , Storm Gert , Schiffelers Raymond M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAngiogenic endothelium plays a crucial role in tumor growth. During angiogenesis, complex alterations in the microenvironment occur. In response, the endothelium undergoes phenotypic changes, for example overexpression of αv-integrins. Here, we show that the overexpression of αv-integrins on angiogenic endothelial cells is engaged in phagocytic actions involving binding (“tethering”) and uptake (“tickling”) of lactadherin (also termed MFG-E8)–opsonized particles. Phosphatidylserine (PS)–exposing multilamellar vesicles, “aged” erythrocytes, and apoptotic melanoma cells incubated with lactadherin were all phagocytosed by angiogenic endothelial cells in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrated lactadherin expression in and around tumor blood vessels making opsonization in situ plausible. By engineering the surface of erythrocytes with covalently coupled cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides—mimicking lactadherin opsonization—we could induce phagocytosis by angiogenic endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, this was confirmed by cytochalasin D preincubation. When RGD-erythrocytes were administered intravenously in tumor-bearing mice, blood vessel congestion followed by tumor core necrosis was seen. Moreover, RGD-erythrocytes could delay tumor growth in a murine melanoma model, possibly through induction of tumor infarctions. These results reveal that angiogenic endothelial cells have phagocytic properties for lactadherin-opsonized large particles and apoptotic cells. Implications of our findings for diagnostic and therapy of angiogenesis-driven diseases are discussed.
Clinical, biologic, and pathologic features in 157 patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma treated within the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) trials
Authors: Mourad Nathalie , Mounier Nicolas , Brière Josette , Raffoux Emmanuel , Delmer Alain , Feller Alfred , Meijer Chris J. L. M. , Emile Jean-François , Bouabdallah Réda , Bosly André , Diebold Jacques , Haioun Corinne , Coiffier Bertrand , Gisselbrecht Christian , Gaulard Philippe 
Published: February 2008

AbstractTo evaluate the prognostic significance of clinicobiologic and pathological features in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), 157 AITL patients were retrieved from the GELA LNH87-LNH93 randomized clinical trials. One hundred forty-seven patients received a cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP)–like regimen with intensified courses in half of them. Histologically, 41 cases were classified as “rich in large cells” and 116 as “classic” (including 19 rich in epithelioid cells, 14 rich in clear cells, and 4 with hyperplastic germinal centers). Sixty-two cases were scored for CD10 and CXCL13 expression according to the abundance of positive lymphoid cells. Median age was 62 years, with 81% advanced stage, 72% B symptoms, 65% anemia, 50% hypergammaglobulinemia, and 66% elevated LDH. Overall 7-year survival was 30%. In multivariate analysis, only male sex (P = .004), mediastinal lymphadenopathy (P = .041), and anemia (P = .042) adversely affected overall survival. Increase in large cells and high level of CD10 and CXCL13 did not affect survival. Intensive regimen did not improve survival. In conclusion, AITL is a morphologically heterogeneous T-cell lymphoma commonly expressing CXCL13 and CD10 and carrying few prognostic factors. It portends a poor prognosis even when treated intensively. However, AITL is not always lethal with 30% of patients alive at 7 years.
Cost-utility of an 8-month aquatic training for women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gusi Narcís , Tomas-Carus Pablo 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Introduction
Physical therapy in warm water has been effective and highly recommended for persons with fibromyalgia, but its efficiency remains largely unknown. Should patients or health care managers invest in this therapy? The aim of the current study was to assess the cost-utility of adding an aquatic exercise programme to the usual care of women with fibromyalgia.

Methods
Costs to the health care system and to society were considered in this study that included 33 participants, randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 16). The intervention in the experimental group consisted of a 1-h, supervised, water-based exercise sessions, three times per week for 8 months. The main outcome measures were the health care costs and the number of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) using the time trade-off elicitation technique from the EuroQol EQ-5D instrument. Sensitivity analyses were performed for variations in staff salary, number of women attending sessions and time spent going to the pool. The cost effectiveness acceptability curves were created using a non-parametric bootstrap technique.

Results
The mean incremental treatment costs exceeded those for usual care per patient by € 517 for health care costs and € 1,032 for societal costs. The mean incremental QALY associated with the intervention was 0.131 (95% CI: 0.011 to 0.290). Each QALY gained in association with the exercise programme cost an additional € 3,947/QALY (95% CI: 1,782 to 47,000) for a health care perspective and € 7,878/QALY (3,559 to 93,818) from a societal perspective. The curves showed a 95% probability that the addition of the water-based programme is a cost-effective strategy if the ceiling of inversion is € 14,200/QALY from a health care perspective and € 28,300/QALY from a societal perspective.

Conclusion
The addition of an aquatic exercise programme to the usual care regime for fibromyalgia in women is cost effective in terms of both health care costs and societal costs. However, the characteristics of facilities (distance from the patients' homes and number of patients that can be accommodated per session) are major determinants to consider before investing in such a programme.

Trial registration
Current controlled trials ISRCTN53367487.
Whole genome functional analysis identifies novel components required for mitotic spindle integrity in human cells
Authors: Rines Daniel R , Gomez-Ferreria Maria Ana , Zhou Yingyao , DeJesus Paul , Grob Seanna , Batalov Serge , Labow Marc , Huesken Dieter , Mickanin Craig , Hall Jonathan , Reinhardt Mischa , Natt Francois , Lange Joerg , Sharp David J , Chanda Sumit K , Caldwell Jeremy S 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Background
The mitotic spindle is a complex mechanical apparatus required for accurate segregation of sister chromosomes during mitosis. We designed a genetic screen using automated microscopy to discover factors essential for mitotic progression. Using a RNA interference library of 49,164 double-stranded RNAs targeting 23,835 human genes, we performed a loss of function screen to look for small interfering RNAs that arrest cells in metaphase.

Results
Here we report the identification of genes that, when suppressed, result in structural defects in the mitotic spindle leading to bent, twisted, monopolar, or multipolar spindles, and cause cell cycle arrest. We further describe a novel analysis methodology for large-scale RNA interference datasets that relies on supervised clustering of these genes based on Gene Ontology, protein families, tissue expression, and protein-protein interactions.

Conclusion
This approach was utilized to classify functionally the identified genes in discrete mitotic processes. We confirmed the identity for a subset of these genes and examined more closely their mechanical role in spindle architecture.
A Natural Polymorphism in Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α Hinge Region Attenuates Transcription due to Defective Release of Nuclear Receptor Corepressor from Chromatin
Authors: Liu Mei Hui , Li Jun , Shen Ping , Husna B. , Tai E. Shyong , Yong E. L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) is a central regulator of lipid metabolism. Fibrate drugs act on PPARα to modulate dyslipidemias. A natural variant (V227A) affecting the PPARα hinge region was associated with perturbations in blood lipid levels in Asian populations. In this study, we investigated the functional significance of the V227A substitution. The variant significantly attenuated PPARα-mediated transactivation of the cytochrome P450 4A6 and mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase (HMGCS2) genes in the presence of fibrate ligands. Screening of a panel of PPARα coregulators revealed that V227A enhanced recruitment of the nuclear corepressor NCoR. Transactivation activity of V227A could be restored by silencing NCoR or by inhibition of its histone deacetylase activity. Deletion studies indicated that PPARα interacted with NCoR receptor-interacting domain 1 (ID1) but not ID2 or ID3. These interactions were dependent on the intact consensus nonapeptide nuclear receptor interaction motif in NCoR ID1 and were enhanced by the adjacent 24 N-terminal residues. Novel corepressor interaction determinants involving PPARα helices 1 and 2 were identified. In hepatic cells, the V227A substitution stabilized PPARα/NCoR interactions and caused defective release of NCoR in the presence of agonists on the HMGCS2 promoter. These results provide the first indication that defective function of a natural PPARα variant was due, at least partially, to increased corepressor binding. Our data suggest that the PPARα/NCoR interaction is physiologically relevant and can produce a discernable phenotype when the magnitude of the interaction is altered by a naturally occurring variation.
NSM without the Strong Lexicalization Hypothesis
Authors: Bohnemeyer Jürgen 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
I would like to begin by briefly reviewing the assumptions and hypotheses the NSM approach is based on. The goal of this exercise is to understand how these are interrelated, what hinges on every one of them, and what consequences arise from discarding an assumption or disproving a hypothesis. This process defines a number of projects which all agree up to some point and then depart. Prima facie, all of these constitute legitimate avenues of inquiry. My aim is to evaluate the decisions made within the NSM program vis-à-vis these alternatives, and to do so from a particular perspective – that of a field worker dedicated to the study of semantics in Non-Indo-European languages and of a semantic typologist interested in variation and universals of semantic representations across languages. It should be clear from the outset that NSM has made contributions to the crosslinguistic perspective in semantics unsurpassed by those of any other framework (in particular, Goddard & Wierzbicka (eds.) 1994, 2002; Goddard (ed.) 1997) – so my interest should not come as a surprise.
Leukotriene Synthesis Is Required for Hedgehog-Dependent Neurite Projection in Neuralized Embryoid Bodies but Not for Motor Neuron Differentiation
Authors: Bijlsma Maarten F. , Peppelenbosch Maikel P. , Spek C. Arnold , Roelink Henk 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is required for many developmental processes, as well as for adult homeostasis. Although all known effects of Hh signaling affecting patterning and differentiation are mediated by members of the Gli family of zinc finger transcription factors, we demonstrate that the Hh-dependent formation of neurites from motor neurons, like migration of fibroblasts, requires leukotriene synthesis and is different from the Gli-mediated Hh response. Smoothened activity is required for the use of the leukotriene metabolism, and inversely, the leukotriene metabolism is required for mediating the Hh effects on neurite projection. These data establish a function for the previously described arachidonic acid-dependent Hh pathway in a developmentally relevant model system.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Immunogenicity of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in HLA-Class I-Restricted T-Cell Responses Against Viral or Tumor-Associated Antigens
Authors: Morandi Fabio , Raffaghello Lizzia , Bianchi Giovanna , Meloni Francesca , Salis Annalisa , Millo Enrico , Ferrone Soldano , Barnaba Vincenzo , Pistoia Vito 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHuman mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are immunosuppressive and poorly immunogenic but may act as antigen-presenting cells (APC) for CD4+ T-cell responses; here we have investigated their ability to serve as APC for in vitro CD8+ T-cell responses. MSC pulsed with peptides from viral antigens evoked interferon (IFN)-γ and Granzyme B secretion in specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and were lysed, although with low efficiency. MSC transfected with tumor mRNA or infected with a viral vector carrying the Hepatitis C virus NS3Ag gene induced cytokine release but were not killed by specific CTL, even following pretreatment with IFN-γ. To investigate the mechanisms involved in MSC resistance to CTL-mediated lysis, we analyzed expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I-related antigen-processing machinery (APM) components and of immunosuppressive HLA-G molecules in MSC. The LMP7, LMP10, and ERp57 components were not expressed and the MB-1 and zeta molecules were downregulated in MSC either unmanipulated or pretreated with IFN-γ. Surface HLA-G was constitutively expressed on MSC but was not involved in their protection from CTL-mediated lysis. MSC supernatants containing soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) inhibited CTL-mediated lysis, whereas those lacking sHLA-G did not. The role of sHLA-G in such inhibition was unambiguously demonstrated by partial restoration of lysis following sHLA-G depletion from MSC supernatants. In conclusion, human MSC can process and present HLA class I-restricted viral or tumor antigens to specific CTL with a limited efficiency, likely because of some defects in APM components. However, they are protected from CTL-mediated lysis through a mechanism that is partly sHLA-G-dependent.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Hes1 Regulates Corneal Development and the Function of Corneal Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Nakamura Takahiro , Ohtsuka Toshiyuki , Sekiyama Eiichi , Cooper Leanne J. , Kokubu Hiroshi , Fullwood Nigel J. , Barrandon Yann , Kageyama Ryoichiro , Kinoshita Shigeru 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Hes1, a major target gene in Notch signaling, regulates the fate and differentiation of various cell types in many developmental systems. To gain a novel insight into the role of Hes1 in corneal tissue, we performed gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies. We show that corneal development was severely disturbed in Hes1-null mice. Hes1-null corneas manifested abnormal junctional specialization, cell differentiation, and less cell proliferation ability. Worthy of note, Hes1 is expressed mainly in the corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells and is not detected in the differentiated corneal epithelial cells. Expression of Hes1 is closely linked with corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cell proliferation activity in vivo. Moreover, forced Hes1 expression inhibits the differentiation of corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells and maintains these cells' undifferentiated state. Our data provide the first evidence that Hes1 regulates corneal development and the homeostatic function of corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Efficient Differentiation of Functional Hepatocytes from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Agarwal Sadhana , Holton Katherine L. , Lanza Robert 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to specific functional cell types can be achieved using methods that mimic in vivo embryonic developmental programs. Current protocols for generating hepatocytes from hESCs are hampered by inefficient differentiation procedures that lead to low yields and large cellular heterogeneity. We report here a robust and highly efficient process for the generation of high-purity (70%) hepatocyte cultures from hESCs that parallels sequential hepatic development in vivo. Highly enriched populations of definitive endoderm were generated from hESCs and then induced to differentiate along the hepatic lineage by the sequential addition of inducing factors implicated in physiological hepatogenesis. The differentiation process was largely uniform, with cell cultures progressively expressing increasing numbers of hepatic lineage markers, including GATA4, HNF4α, α-fetoprotein, CD26, albumin, α-1-antitrypsin, Cyp7A1, and Cyp3A4. The hepatocytes exhibited functional hepatic characteristics, such as glycogen storage, indocyanine green uptake and release, and albumin secretion. In a mouse model of acute liver injury, the hESC-derived definitive endoderm differentiated into hepatocytes and repopulated the damaged liver. The methodology described here represents a significant step toward the efficient generation of hepatocytes for use in regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Material Balance Revisited
Authors: Ojo K. P. , Osisanya S. O. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The material balance is a very important part of the reservoir engineer’s toolbox that is being relegated to the background in today’s reservoir evaluation workflow. This paper examines some issues that normally preclude its regular use especially as a pre-step before moving into full reservoir simulation and the use of a new method of analyzing the material balance equation called the dynamic material balance method for solving some of these issues.
The dynamic material balance method allows the simultaneous determination of the initial oil-in-place (N) or initial gas-in-place (G), ratio of initial gas to oil (m), reservoir permeability (K) or skin factor (S) and average pressure history of a reservoir from the combination of solution to the material balance equation and pressure transient analysis theory. Cumulative production history and PVT data of the reservoir are used with limited or no pressure data.
By introducing a time variable into the classical material balance equation (MBE) and combining the solutions of the resulting equations with the theory of pressure transient analysis, the cumulative production history of the reservoir and readily available PVT data of the reservoir fluids, we can estimate not only the original reserves in place, but also determine the average reservoir pressure decline history as indicated by the net fluid withdrawal from the reservoir. The reservoir permeability and skin factor as seen within the drainage area of each producing well can then be estimated from the already determined average pressure decline history.
This method is expected to improve the use of material balance by expanding the list of problems that can be tackled using material balance especially to reservoirs in marginal fields and reservoirs in which limited pressure data is available.
Economic Analysis of Innovative Approaches to Marginal Field Development
Authors: Yeghenee Nna Kue , Oyinkepreye David Orodu 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
This paper focus on economic analysis and evaluation on possible development concepts of a small offshore field with recoverable reserve of 45million bbl, situated in shallow water depth of about 100m, and remote from existing or scheduled installation thereby rendering it not feasible as a candidate for satellite development. Short listed concepts considered innovative were evaluated in other to choose the option that maximized NPV. They were scaled through other profitability criteria based on results obtained from using cash flow economic simulation tools. The analysis showed that not all non conventional approaches are suitable for marginal field development.
These concepts are considered innovative because they seek to integrate a combination of concepts anchored on proven technology while adapting it to produce fields that cannot be produced using conventional techniques because of their low marginal return. In the cause of this study, Jack–Up Production Platform on a Concrete Sub-sea Storage tank when used as a development concept had the greatest return on investment.In the future, the adoption of such systems will make possible the development of marginal fields discovered, but could not be developed due to their perceived low marginal return.