Impact of bone marrow hematogones on umbilical cord blood transplantation outcomes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Early after umbilical cord blood transplantation, patients show marked differences in bone marrow (BM) hematogone percentages. Little is known about whether these differences are clinically relevant. We hypothesized that early recovery of hematogones may be associated with improved transplantation outcomes.

Inhibitory activity of YKL-40 in mammary epithelial cell differentiation and polarization induced by lactogenic hormones: a role in mammary tissue involution.

We previously reported that a secreted glycoprotein YKL-40 acts as an angiogenic factor to promote breast cancer angiogenesis. However, its functional role in normal mammary gland development is poorly understood. Here we investigated its biophysiological activity in mammary epithelial development and mammary tissue morphogenesis.

Weak affinity ligands selection using quartz crystal microbalance biosensor: multi-hydroxyl amine ligands for protein separation.

Multi-hydroxyl amines including tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris), serinol and ethanolamine were selected as weak affinity ligands using a rapid screening by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor. Based on the specific recognition between the ligands and two proteins, lysozyme (LZM) and cytochrome c (Cyt c), a weak affinity chromatography method was developed for specific separation of the two proteins. The frontal analysis results showed that the apparent dissociation constants (K(D)) of ligand-protein complexes were all in the order of weak affinity (10(-4) M).

The flavonoid Baohuoside-I inhibits cell growth and downregulates survivin and cyclin D1 expression in esophageal carcinoma via β-catenin-dependent signaling.

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignancies and is associated with a dismal prognosis. Although treatment options have increased for some patients, overall progress has been modest. Thus, there is a great need to develop new treatments.

Effect of thymectomy on cellular immune function.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of thymectomy during open heart surgery on immunological function of T lymphocytes in the treatment of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). No significant difference was found in the sjTREC level between pre-thymectomy and post- thymectomy in the non-thymectomy group and the small partial resection group (P>0.05) However, the sjTREC level decreased from the pre-surgical level at 1 month (P<0.

Human herpesvirus 6 infection after hematopoietic cell transplantation: is routine surveillance necessary?

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) may be an important pathogen following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We prospectively evaluated weekly HHV6 viremia testing after allogeneic HCT using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. HHV-6 viremia was detected in 46 of 82 (56%) patients at a median of 23 days post-HCT (range: day +10 to +168).

Consciousness of Social Face: the development and validation of a scale measuring desire to gain face versus fear of losing face.

This article describes the development and validation of a scale that measures two distinct needs for individuals to manage their social "face". Scale development process resulted in an 11-item Consciousness of Social Face (CSF) scale made up of the following two correlated dimensions: desire to gain face and fear of losing face. The two-factor correlated structure of CSF scale was stable across multiple samples of both students and non-students subjects.

Late-onset noninfectious pulmonary complications in adult allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

Background: Late-onset noninfectious pulmonary complications (LONIPCs) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) contribute to posttransplant mortality, morbidity, and decreased quality of life. The effect of newer HCT approaches including reduced intensity and umbilical cord on the incidence and outcome of LONIPC has not been studied. We hereby present a study evaluating the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of LONIPC in a recent cohort of allogeneic HCT recipients.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation overcomes the adverse prognostic impact of CD20 expression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

CD20 expression is associated with early recurrence and inferior survival in precursor-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients treated with chemotherapy. Whether CD20 influences outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is unknown. We analyzed CD20 expression on blasts at diagnosis in 157 patients who underwent allo-HSCT in the first complete remission (57%) or the second complete remission (43%).

miR-221 and miR-155 regulate human dendritic cell development, apoptosis, and IL-12 production through targeting of p27kip1, KPC1, and SOCS-1.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells derived from hematopoietic progenitor cells and circulating monocytes. To investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) during DC differentiation, maturation, and function, we profiled miRNA expression in human monocytes, immature DCs (imDCs), and mature DCs (mDCs). Stage-specific, differential expression of 27 miRNAs was found during monocyte differentiation into imDCs and mDCs.

Relapse of lymphoma after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: management strategies and outcome.

The outcome and management of relapsed lymphoma after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is difficult. Therapeutic options may include donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), reduction of immunosuppression (RIS), chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, second HCT, and experimental treatments, but reported data contrasting the response and efficacy of these salvage treatments are limited. We describe the treatments, response, prognosis, and long-term survival of 72 patients with relapse of lymphoma after allogeneic HCT.

The immunogenicity and safety of vaccination with purified Vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) in China under a 2-1-1 regimen.

Background: In China, rabies vaccine is only permitted to use under the Essen 5-dose regimen for the rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). However, Purified chick embryo cell vaccine made in India (Rabipur) has been approved in use under 2-1-1 immune program in 2010. Our objective is to confirm the immunogenicity and safety of PVRV manufactured in China (SPEEDA) under 2-1-1 program, compared with Rabipur and with the Essen 5-dose regimen.

Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-modified magnetic microspheres for rapid affinity purification of lysozyme.

A novel affinity purification method for lysozyme (LZM) based on functionalized magnetic microspheres was developed. Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris)-modified magnetic microspheres with specific affinity toward LZM were prepared using Tris as ligand and silica-coated magnetic microshperes as support. Transmission electron microscopy and magnetic property measurement results showed that the Tris-modified magnetic microspheres have a very good core-shell structure and high magnetization.

Pre-transplant consolidation chemotherapy may not improve outcomes after reduced intensity conditioning hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission.

The role consolidation chemotherapy prior to reduced-intensity (RIC) HCT is unclear. We reviewed 60 consecutive patients with AML in CR1 undergoing RIC HCT at the University of Minnesota and evaluated outcomes based on exposure to pre-transplant consolidation chemotherapy. The two year incidence of relapse and the probability of overall survival were similar between those who did and did not receive consolidation chemotherapy.

Prostaglandin E receptors as inflammatory therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.

Prostaglandin E receptors (EPs) are the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that respond to type E(2) prostaglandin (PGE(2)). Data has shown that PGE(2) may function as an endogenous anti-inflammatory mediator by suppressing the production of cytokines. However, other studies have demonstrated that PGE(2), a pro-inflammatory mediator produced by various cell types within the wounded vascular wall, plays a crucial role in early atherosclerotic development.

Reduced-intensity conditioning followed by related allografts in hematologic malignancies: long-term outcomes most successful in indolent and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) extends the curative potential of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) to patients with hematologic malignancies unable to withstand myeloablative conditioning. We prospectively analyzed the outcomes of 123 patients (median age, 57 years; range, 23-70 years) with hematologic malignancies treated with a uniform RIC regimen of cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, and total-body irradiation (200 cGy) with or without antithymocyte globulin followed by related donor allogeneic HCT at the University of Minnesota between 2002 and 2008. The cohort included 45 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 27 with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), 8 with indolent NHL, 10 with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), 10 with myeloma, and 23 with acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, other leukemias, or myeloproliferative disorders.

Infusion of ex vivo expanded T regulatory cells in adults transplanted with umbilical cord blood: safety profile and detection kinetics.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is associated with high risk of morbidity and mortality and is a common complication after double umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation. To reduce these risks, we established a method of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T regulatory cell (Treg) enrichment from cryopreserved UCB followed by a 18 (+) 1-day expansion culture including anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibody-coated beads and recombinant human interleukin-2. In a "first-in-human" clinical trial, we evaluated the safety profile of UCB Treg in 23 patients.

Theory for terahertz plasmons of metallic nanowires with sub-skin-depth diameters.

We investigate the propagation properties of terahertz plasmon of a metallic nanowire with sub-skin-depth diameter. By taking the small radius and the huge relative permittivity into account, we establish an approximate analytical description for this kind of surface plasmon. It is shown that the main propagation properties are closely related to the product of the radius of the metallic nanowire and the complex wave number of the metal.

Polymer monoliths with exchangeable chemistries: use of gold nanoparticles as intermediate ligands for capillary columns with varying surface functionalities.

Newly developed porous polymer monolithic capillary columns modified with gold nanoparticles coated with exchangeable functionalities allow easy switching of separation modes by a simple ligand exchange process. These columns are prepared from a poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith through reaction of its epoxide moieties with cysteamine to afford a monolith rich in surface thiol groups. Gold nanoparticles prepared via in situ reduction of chloroauric acid within the column become attached to the surface of the pores of the monolith.

Gene transfer efficiency and genome-wide integration profiling of Sleeping Beauty, Tol2, and piggyBac transposons in human primary T cells.

In this study, we compared the genomic integration efficiencies and transposition site preferences of Sleeping Beauty (SB or SB11), Tol2, and piggyBac (PB) transposon systems in primary T cells derived from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and umbilical cord blood (UCB). We found that PB demonstrated the highest efficiency of stable gene transfer in PBL-derived T cells, whereas SB11 and Tol2 mediated intermediate and lowest efficiencies, respectively. Southern hybridization analysis demonstrated that PB generated the highest number of integrants when compared to SB and Tol2 in both PBL and UCB T cells.

Analytical recurrence formula for the zeroth-order metal wire plasmon of terahertz waves.

An analytical recurrence formula for the zeroth-order metal wire plasmon of terahertz waves is presented. In the derivation, the property that the relative permittivity of a metal in the spectral region of terahertz wave is huge, the property that the effective index is about 1, some properties of modified Bessel functions, and a suitable Taylor expansion are employed. The recurrence formula is numerically tested for 11 nonmagnetic metals for the whole spectral region of terahertz waves and for the wide radius range from 10 mum to infinity.

Monosomal karyotype provides better prognostic prediction after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia.

We studied cytogenetic risk grouping schemes to stratify patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) (n = 212) into prognostically distinct subgroups for relapse incidence (RI), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients were divided according to cytogenetic abnormalities based on the Medical Research Council, Southwest Oncology Group, Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), Dana-Farber, and recently described monosomal karyotype (MK) classification schemes and analyzed separately for first complete remission (CR1; n = 134) and beyond (CR2+; n = 78). Multivariate analysis was performed after adjusting for age, conditioning intensity, donor type, and cytomegalovirus serology status.

Individual far-field model for photon sieves composed of square pinholes.

A photon sieve can be composed of a large number of square pinholes. By taking the related coordinate transform into account, we present here an individual far-field model for a photon sieve composed of many square pinholes whose edges are symmetrically vertical or parallel to the polar coordinate. In particular, a simple analytical expression for the diffracted far field of an individual square pinhole is given, and the focusing contribution from an individual square pinhole is further discussed.

Toxic leukoencephalopathy following fludarabine-associated hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Toxic leukoencephalopathy has been more thoroughly investigated during the last decade because of the advance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. We analyzed fludarabine (Flu)-associated hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), resulting in severe leukoencephalopathy (n = 39/1596, 2.4%), and describe 3 clinical syndromes with unique clinical and radiographic characteristics.