bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential damage and recovery of human mesenchymal stem cells after exposure to chemotherapeutic agents
Authors: Li Jing , Law Helen K. W. , Lau Yu Lung , Chan Godfrey Chi Fung 
Published: October 2004

SummaryMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an important cellular component of the bone marrow microenvironment for supporting haemopoiesis. However, their response to high‐dose chemotherapy remains unknown. We assessed the acute direct effects of individual chemotherapeutic agents on human MSCs (hMSCs). Using an in vitro culture system, the chemosensitivity of hMSCs was determined by XTT (2,3‐bis(2‐methoxy‐4‐nitro‐5‐sulphophenyl)‐5‐[(phenylamino) carbonyl]‐2H‐tetrazolium hydroxide) assay in comparison with that of NB‐4 cells, a leukaemic cell line, and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The recovery of cell numbers following exposure to chemotherapeutic agents and chemotherapy‐induced apoptosis of hMSCs were evaluated. Human MSCs were resistant to chemotherapeutic agents commonly used in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) (i.e. busulphan, cyclophosphamide and methotrexate). However, they were relatively sensitive to a panel of cytotoxic agents, such as paclitaxel, vincristine, etoposide and cytarabine. Furthermore, different recovery patterns were noted. There was sustained suppression in hMSCs following 3 d exposure to paclitaxel, cytarabine and etoposide. In contrast, significant recovery was seen in hMSCs treated with dexamethasone and vincristine respectively. Human MSCs have different patterns of response to a panel of chemotherapeutic agents commonly used in BMT or cancer therapy. Understanding this variation is important in optimizing conditioning regimens for BMT.
Myocardial iron clearance during reversal of siderotic cardiomyopathy with intravenous desferrioxamine: a prospective study using T2* cardiovascular magnetic resonance
Authors: Anderson Lisa J. , Westwood Mark A. , Holden Sally , Davis Bernard , Prescott Emma , Wonke Beatrix , Porter John B. , Malcolm Walker J. , Pennell Dudley J. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryHeart failure from iron overload causes 71% of deaths in thalassaemia major, yet reversal of siderotic cardiomyopathy has been reported. In order to determine the changes in myocardial iron during treatment, we prospectively followed thalassaemia patients commencing intravenous desferrioxamine for iron‐induced cardiomyopathy during a 12‐month period. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance assessments were performed at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment, and included left ventricular (LV) function and myocardial and liver T2*, which is inversely related to iron concentration. One patient died. The six survivors showed progressive improvements in myocardial T2* (5·1 ± 1·9 to 8·1 ± 2·8 ms, P = 0·003), liver iron (9·6 ± 4·3 to 2·1 ± 1·5 mg/g, P = 0·001), LV ejection fraction (52 ± 7·1% to 63 ± 6·4%, P = 0·03), LV volumes (end diastolic volume index 115 ± 17 to 96 ± 3 ml, P = 0·03; end systolic volume index 55 ± 16 to 36 ± 6 ml, P = 0·01) and LV mass index (106 ± 14 to 95 ± 13, P = 0·01). Iron cleared more slowly from myocardium than liver (5·0 ± 3·3% vs. 39 ± 23% per month, P = 0·02). These prospective data confirm that siderotic heart failure is often reversible with intravenous iron chelation with desferrioxamine. Myocardial T2* improves in concert with LV volumes and function during recovery, but iron clearance from the heart is considerably slower than from the liver.
Expression of protein gene product 9·5 (PGP9·5)/ubiquitin‐C‐terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL‐1) in human myeloma cells
Authors: Otsuki T. , Yata K. , Takata‐Tomokuni A. , Hyodoh F. , Miura Y. , Sakaguchi H. , Hatayama T. , Hatada S. , Tsujioka T. , Sato Y. , Murakami H. , Sadahira Y. , Sugihara T. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryThe neuron cytoplasmic protein gene product 9·5 (PGP9·5)/ubiquitin‐C‐terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL‐1) protein is a thiol protease that recognizes and hydrolyzes a peptide bond at the C‐terminal of ubiquitin, and is involved in the processing of ubiquitin precursors and ubiquinated proteins. Although this molecule is known as a specific tissue marker for the neuroendocrine system, many reports have indicated that PGP9·5 is a marker for certain tumour types, such as cancer of the lung, colon, and pancreas. The expression of PGP9·5 in myeloma cells was examined. PGP9·5 seemed to be expressed specifically in myeloma cells as compared with other haematological malignant cells. In addition, in myeloma cells subjected to growth‐factor starvation, the upregulation of PGP9·5 was observed in association with that of p27Kip1, a cyclin‐dependent‐kinase inhibitor, although the upregulation caused by irradiation was milder. In contrast, the hypoxic culture of myeloma cells induced down‐regulation of PGP9·5. These results suggested that PGP9·5 may be a good marker for myeloma among haematological malignancies. In addition, it may indicate certain cellular features of myeloma cells, such as sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors.
Development of Duffy transgenic mouse: in vivo expression of human Duffy gene with −33T→C promoter mutation in non‐erythroid tissues
Authors: Chaudhuri Asok , Yuen Genevieve , Fang Flora , Storry Jill 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBlood group Duffy gene (FY) promoter in Duffy‐negative individuals contains a point mutation in the GATA1 protein‐binding motif, which was suggested to be responsible for erythroid suppression of FY. We developed two transgenic mouse lines with FY from both Duffy phenotypes. Transgenic mice with FY from Duffy‐positive phenotype expressed Duffy protein both in red blood cells (RBCs) and non‐erythroid tissues. Transgenic mice with FY from Duffy‐negative phenotype did not express Duffy protein in RBCs, but it was expressed in non‐erythroid tissues. This is the first in vivo experimental evidence showing the effect of −33T→C promoter mutation on FY expression.
Effects of PRIMA‐1 on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells with and without hemizygous p53 deletion
Authors: Nahi H. , Lehmann S. , Mollgard L. , Bengtzen S. , Selivanova G. , Wiman K. G. , Paul C. , Merup M. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryThe tumour suppressor gene p53 is the most commonly mutated gene in solid tumours. Although less common in haematological malignancies, 10–15% of B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL) cases carry a p53 mutation. Recently, the compound P53‐dependent reactivation and induction of massive apoptosis (PRIMA‐1) has been shown to induce cytotoxic effects and apoptosis in human tumour cells by restoration of the transcriptional activity of mutated p53. This is believed to be mediated by a change in the conformation of mutated p53 protein, restoring DNA binding and activation of p53 target genes. We studied the effects of PRIMA‐1 and commonly used anti‐leukaemic drugs on B‐CLL cells from 14 patients with and without hemizygous p53 deletion. Cells obtained from peripheral blood or bone marrow were exposed to PRIMA‐1 and fludarabine alone or in combination. PRIMA‐1 showed cytotoxic effects on B‐CLL cells from samples with and without hemizygous p53 deletion. Furthermore, conventional B‐CLL drugs were less effective in cell samples with hemizygous p53 deletion and the response depended on the size of the p53 deleted clone. Finally, we found evidence for synergistic and additive effects of PRIMA‐1 in combination with fludarabine.
Coping with social stigma: people with intellectual disabilities moving from institutions and family home
Authors: Jahoda A. , Markova I. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground  Social stigma and its impact on the life opportunities and emotional well‐being of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are a subject of both practical and theoretical importance. The disability movement and evolving theories of self, now point to individuals’ ability to develop positive identities and to challenge stigmatizing views and social norms.Method  This paper presents findings from a phenomenological study of 10 individuals making the transition from their family home to live more independently and 18 individuals moving from a long‐stay hospital to live in community housing. It builds on an earlier data set obtained from people living at home with their families and examines: (1) people's awareness of stigma, and (2) their modes of adaptation to stigma.Results  The participants all believed that they faced stigmatized treatment and were aware of the stigma associated with ID. They presented a range of views about self in relation to disability and stigma. These views included regarding themselves as part of a minority group who reject prejudice, and attempts to distance themselves from stigmatizing services and from other individuals with IDs.Conclusions  The findings are discussed in relation to theories of self and the importance of considering psychosocial factors is stressed in clinical work with people who have IDs.
Vision in athletes with intellectual disabilities: the need for improved eyecare
Authors: Woodhouse J. M. , Adler P. , Duignan A. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground  Special Olympics provides sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities (ID), and Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes GB offers vision screening for athletes at Special Olympics Games.Methods  Opening Eyes GB screened the vision of 505 UK athletes at its inaugural event in 2001. The results were analysed and are presented here.Results  Results showed that athletes do not differ from other people with ID in being at high risk of ocular and visual defects and many are not accessing eyecare. 15% reported never having an optometric eye examination, and yet 19% of these athletes had a significant refractive error, 32% had ocular anomalies and 6% were visually impaired. Overall, findings confirmed the high prevalence of refractive errors and strabismus amongst people with ID. 40% of athletes had ocular abnormalities, including 15.6% with blepharitis, a readily treatable condition that causes discomfort. 9% had lens opacities, of which half were probably impairing sight. An important finding was that many athletes have reduced vision and 14% could be classified as visually impaired (WHO definition) even when refractive errors were fully corrected.Conclusions  Special Olympics athletes should be encouraged to have regular eye examinations (as indeed, should all people with ID), and educators, carers and coaches need appropriate information about the visual status of their charges.
A comparison of cup‐to‐disc ratio measurement in normal subjects using optical coherence tomography image analysis of the optic nerve head and stereo fundus biomicroscopy
Authors: Hrynchak Patricia , Hutchings Natalie , Jones Deborah , Simpson Trefford 
Published: October 2004

AbstractPurpose:  To determine the relationships between morphometric optic nerve head (ONH) characteristics defined using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and clinical judgments of cup‐to‐disc (CD) ratios.Methods:  CD ratios were estimated in 20 subjects by two experienced clinicians using stereo fundus biomicroscopy. Sagittal OCT images were obtained in positions defined by clinicians corresponding to the location of their horizontal and vertical CD ratio estimates. To estimate CD ratios using the OCT images, disc width was defined as the separation of the terminations of the retinal pigment epithelium on each side of the image. OCT cup widths were determined using two criteria: the first measured the separation of cup walls halfway down each side and the second estimated the separation 1/3 down each side. Cups that were less than 150 μm deep were defined as flat for the OCT images. Data were analysed using mean and standard deviation of the differences between clinical estimates and imaging techniques as well as using intraclass correlations (ICC).Results:  Between techniques, the range of ICCs for the 1/2 depth criterion was 0.74–0.90 and for the 1/3 criterion was 0.59–0.81. The limits of agreement for the 1/2 criterion were also better than the 1/3 criterion.Conclusion:  Accurate measures of CD ratio may be derived from OCT ONH images. Estimates of clinical CD ratios in normal subjects appear to be made using depth judgments closer to 1/2 of the way down the cup than 1/3.
Impact of manufacturing technology and material composition on the mechanical properties of hydrogel contact lenses
Authors: Maldonado‐Codina Carole , Efron Nathan 
Published: October 2004

AbstractHydrogel materials are not only different as a result of different co‐monomer compositions but also as a result of the manufacturing method used to produce them. Hydrogel contact lenses fabricated by different methods are subjected to markedly different processing steps, which are likely to affect the resultant material network structure of a lens. The mechanical performance of five soft contact lens types was investigated using one conventional technique (tensile test) and three novel techniques (probe, tear and ball milling tests). The five lens groups consisted of three polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate (pHEMA) lenses which were each manufactured by a different technique: lathing, spin‐casting and cast‐moulding, a HEMA/methacrylic acid (HEMA/MAA) cast‐moulded lens and a HEMA/glycerol methacrylate (HEMA/GMA) cast‐moulded lens. Overall, the results show that the best mechanical performance is obtained for the pHEMA lenses, with some differences occurring between the lenses. The HEMA/GMA lens showed the worst performance.
The average eye
Authors: Harris W. F. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractFor statistical and other purposes one needs to be able to determine an average eye. An average of refractive errors is readily calculated as an average of dioptric power matrices. A refractive error, however, is not so much a property of the eye as a property of the compensating lens in front of the eye. As such, it ignores other aspects of the optical character of the eye. This paper discusses the difficulties of finding a suitable average that fully accounts for the first‐order optics of a set of optical systems. It proposes an average based on ray transferences and logarithms and exponentials of matrices. Application to eyes in particular is discussed.
Normative contrast sensitivity values for the back‐lit Melbourne Edge Test and the effect of visual impairment
Authors: Eperjesi Frank , Wolffsohn James , Bowden Jason , Napper Genevieve , Rubinstein Martin 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground:  The Melbourne Edge Test (MET) is a portable forced‐choice edge detection contrast sensitivity (CS) test. The original externally illuminated paper test has been superseded by a backlit version. The aim of this study was to establish normative values for age and to assess change with visual impairment.Method:  The MET was administered to 168 people with normal vision (18–93 years old) and 93 patients with visual impairment (39–97 years old). Distance visual acuity (VA) was measured with a log MAR chart.Results:  In those eyes without disease, MET CS was stable until the age of 50 years (23.8 ± 0.7 dB) after which it decreased at a rate of ≈1.5 dB per decade. Compared with normative values, people with low vision were found to have significantly reduced CS, which could not be totally accounted for by reduced VA.Conclusions:  The MET provides a quick and easy measure of CS, which highlights a reduction in visual function that may not be detectable using VA measurements.
FINANCIAL CONTRACTING BETWEEN MANAGERS AND VENTURE CAPITALISTS: THE ROLE OF VALUE‐ADDED SERVICES, REPUTATION SEEKING, AND BARGAINING POWER
Authors: Fairchild Richard 
Published: October 2004

AbstractI analyze manager and venture capitalist bargaining over the financial contract in the face of double‐sided moral hazard problems. The allocation of cash flows depends on the combined effects of value‐added services, reputation seeking, and bargaining power. Welfare is maximized when the venture capitalist has high value‐adding capabilities, the market for reputation is informationally efficient, and the manager has bargaining power. Furthermore, I consider the effect of exit strategies on the financial agreement. I also consider bidding between venture capitalists of differing abilities. Generally, the superior venture capitalist wins with a lower bid, but in some cases the inferior venture capitalist can win.
THE PRICING OF EQUITY CARVE‐OUTS DURING THE 1990s
Authors: Hogan Karen M. , Olson Gerard T. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe examine the level of underpricing and characteristics of equity carveouts (ECOs) from 1990 to 1998 (the 1990s) and from 1999 to 2000 (the bubble period). For a sample of 458 ECOs, we find a mean initial return of 8.75% for the 1990s and 47.76% for the bubble period. The results suggest that, similar to other initial public offerings (IPOs), ECOs have been more willing to accept underpricing through time because of an increased importance in analyst coverage and the increased use of spinning, the practice where investment bankers allocate IPOs to high‐profile customers to garner potential future business.
UNDERWRITER REPUTATION AND AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE OF CLOSED‐END FUNDS
Authors: Booth Lena Chua 
Published: October 2004

AbstractI find a positive relation between underwriter reputation and the initial and long‐run aftermarket performance of closed‐end funds. This relation persists even after controlling for fund characteristics, types, and investment strategies. The positive relation between underwriter reputation and initial returns supports the notion that prestigious investment bankers tend to promote a price run‐up in the immediate aftermarket to enhance their reputation with the issuers and the investors. The better long‐run performance for funds underwritten by prestigious underwriters suggests that prestigious underwriters protect their reputation by underwriting only high‐quality issues that will perform well in the long run.
THE WEALTH EFFECTS OF TRACKING STOCK RESTRUCTURINGS
Authors: Billett Matthew T. , Vijh Anand M. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe provide a comprehensive examination of the post‐issue wealth effects of 29 completed tracking stock restructurings. We document that for the parent stock and for the combined firm, tracking stock restructurings lead to insignificant long‐term excess returns. However, we find that shareholders of tracking stocks realize significant post‐issue wealth losses. Unlike spin‐offs and carve‐outs, announcements of tracking stock restructurings are preceded by negative one‐year excess returns, and unlike the positive post‐issue long‐term excess returns to spin‐off stocks and the insignificant long‐term excess returns to carve‐out stocks, tracking stocks experience negative long‐term excess returns.
The Immune Environment in Human Endometrium during the Window of Implantation
Authors: Lobo Shalini C. , Huang S.‐T. Joseph , Germeyer Ariane , Dosiou Chrysoula , Vo Kim Chi , Tulac Suzana , Nayak Nihar R. , Giudice Linda C. 
Published: October 2004

Problem:  Changes in the immune environment in the endometrium are believed to be important for successful implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. We have previously investigated global gene profiling in human endometrium during the window of implantation by oligonucleotide microarray technology, and analysis of these data underscore the regulation of a group of immune‐related genes. The present study was therefore conducted to examine the pattern of expression and regulation of these genes including decay accelerating factor (DAF), indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO), interleukin‐15 (IL‐15), IL‐15 receptor alpha subunit (IL‐15Rα), interferon regulatory factor‐1 (IRF‐1), lymphotactin (Lpn), natural killer‐associated transcript 2 (NKAT2) and NKG5 in secretory and proliferative human endometrium.Method of Study:  Endometrial biopsies were obtained from normally cycling women in the late proliferative and mid‐secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Northern blot analysis were used to determine the expression and regulation of these genes in secretory and proliferative human endometrium. Cellular localization of NKG5, Lpn and IDO by in situ hybridization in secretory‐phase endometrium was also examined.Results:  Semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR and Northern blot results demonstrate that there is a coordinated upregulation of this group of genes during the window of implantation.Conclusions:  We demonstrate the upregulation of immune‐related genes IL‐15Rα, Lpn and NKG5 in secretory versus proliferative human endometrium. We also demonstrate a similar upregulation in secretory endometrium of other immune‐related genes, viz, DAF, IDO, IL‐15, IRF‐1 and NKAT2. The functions of these genes include stimulation of proliferation of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, inhibition of cytolytic activity of uNK cells, inhibition of cell growth of T cells and other pathogens and inhibition of the classical complement pathway. Upregulation of these immune‐related genes in the window of implantation suggests their role during the process of implantation and in immune tolerance of the implanting conceptus.
Incidence and Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Indian Pregnant Women: a Prospective Study
Authors: Singh Sarman , Pandit Amol J. 
Published: October 2004

Problem:  Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of congenitally acquired infections causing high degree of morbidity and mortality in the newborns.Methods of Study:  IgG avidity method was used to distinguish the recent and more than 4 months old infection in a prospective cohort study for the first time in India. One hundred and eighty pregnant women presented in their first 4 months of pregnancy were included in this study. Their sera were tested for anti‐Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using direct agglutination test, immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM‐enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, IgM‐immunosorbent agglutination assay and VIDAS‐IgG avidity.Results:  Overall IgG seroprevalence rate of toxoplasmosis was 45%. Only seven women (3.3%) were found to have IgM antibodies and only two of these showed low IgG avidity indicating recent infection of ≤4 months duration. One woman aborted spontaneously at her fourth month of gestation. In remaining five women the recent infection could successfully be excluded by IgG avidity testing. All these women had uneventful pregnancy.Conclusions:  This study indicated that all IgM antibody positive pregnant must be tested for IgG avidity to rule out recent primary infection.
Increased Numbers of Activated Mast Cells in Endometriosis Lesions Positive for Corticotropin‐Releasing Hormone and Urocortin
Authors: Kempuraj Duraisamy , Papadopoulou Nikoletta , Stanford Edward J. , Christodoulou Spyridon , Madhappan Bhuvaneshwari , Sant Grannum R. , Solage Kathleen , Adams Tayrickia , Theoharides Theoharis C. 
Published: October 2004

Problem:  Mast cells are critical in allergic and inflammatory diseases such as interstitial cystitis, which is often clinically associated with or mistaken as endometriosis. Mast cells had previously been reported to be increased at sites of endometriosis, and tryptase may contribute to the fibrosis and inflammation characterizing endometriosis.Method of study:  This is a pilot study of mast cell numbers and its activation in endometriosis biopsies (n = 10) by immunostaining for mast cell tryptase, corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortin (Ucn).Results:  This is the first report that tryptase positive mast cells were not only increased (64–157 mast cells/mm2) in human endometriosis, but also highly activated (89%) in areas strongly stained positive for CRH/Ucn. Normal endometrium was weakly positive for both CRH/Ucn.Conclusion:  High numbers of activated mast cells are present in endometriosis sites that were strongly positive for CRH/Ucn. CRH and Ucn may activate mast cells and contribute to the fibrosis and inflammation in endometriosis.