Spinal motion and stiffness were not altered by pretensioning; however, pretensioning increased the torque required for screw extraction.”
“Nutrient profiling is defined as the science of ranking or categorizing foods on the basis of their nutritional composition. Validity is a general term meaning accuracy. Nutrient profiling systems in the United States have not undergone any systematic validation effort to assess their accuracy

against a comparison measure or group of measures. Different types of validation studies should be conducted: content, face, convergent, criterion, and predictive. This article provides a conceptual framework for establishing the validity of nutrient profiling Rigosertib chemical structure systems with the desired objective of assisting US consumers with food selection to improve diet quality. For a profiling system to work successfully in the American marketplace, it must function well with consumers from most or all cultural groups, from all GW 572016 racial groups, and with low-literate as well as highly literate people. Emphasis should be placed

on conducting different types of validation studies and multiple studies with different subpopulation groups. The use of consistent standards to assess the accuracy and usefulness of multiple profiling systems is imperative to successfully identify a nutrient profiling intervention that will have the potential to lead to improved diet quality and eventually to an improved health status in US consumers. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;91(suppl):1109S-15S.”
“Protective Selleckchem SBE-β-CD antigen (PA) from Bacillus anthracis binds to cellular receptors, combines with lethal factor (LF) forming lethal toxin (LeTx), and facilitates

the translocation of LF into the cytosol. LeTx is cytotoxic for J774A.1 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, and causes death of Fisher 344 rats when injected intravenously. PA is also the major protective component in anthrax vaccines. Antibody-dependent enhancement has been reported for several viral diseases, a bacterial infection, and for B. anthracis LeTx in vitro cytotoxicity. Further screening of our 73 PA monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) identified a total of 17 PA mAbs that enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity at suboptimal concentrations of LeTx. A competitive binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that these 17 PA mAbs identified eight different antigenic regions on PA. Eight of the 17 PA mAbs that enhanced LeTx in vitro cytoxicity were examined for their activity in vivo. Of the eight mAbs that were injected intravenously with a sublethal concentration of LeTx into male Fisher 344 rats, four mAbs enhanced the lethality of LeTx and resulted in the death of animals, whereas control animals did not succumb to intoxication. This is the first demonstration that PA mAbs can enhance LeTx intoxication in vivo.”
“Study Design. A silicone material was evaluated as an intervertebral disc thermal phantom.

Measurements included induction time, efficacy, side effects, complications, and degree of sedation. Sedation was graded on the basis of Ramsay sedation score (RSS) as over sedated (RSS 5-6), adequately sedated (AS, RSS 3-4), under sedated (RSS 1-2), or failed if the procedure could not be completed or another agent had to be administered.

Results:

Of the 516 procedures, 483 brains, 16 chests, and 17

abdomens were scanned with a mean duration of 4.75 +/- 1.75 min with a mean dose of 0.212 mg center dot kg(-1) of i.v. midazolam. Four hundred and sixty-five (90.12%) patients were AS in 5.9 +/- 0.7 min while 40 (7.75%) patients required additional boluses. Of these 40 patients, 24 (4.65%) required a single bolus, 12 (2.32%) CP-456773 required two boluses, whereas the remaining four (0.78%) required three boluses. In 11 (2.13%; P < 0.0001) patients, the scan could not be completed satisfactorily. Side EPZ5676 effects were seen in 46 (9.11%) patients in the form of desaturation, hiccups (seven patients, 1.38%), and agitation (four patients, 0.79%). Desaturation (SpO(2) 90-95%) was seen in 35 (6.93%) patients, which was corrected by topical application of oxygen. None of the patients

exhibited any complications such as pulmonary aspiration or need to maintain airway. The patients were kept under observation for 1 h after the procedure.

Conclusion:

The level of sedation achieved in children with midazolam 0.2 mg center dot kg(-1) is adequate for imaging with minimal side effects, no airway complications, and fast recovery. It can be recommended as the sole agent for sedation in pediatric patients for CT imaging.”
“Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD)-induced inflammation has a pathogenetic role in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of the present study was to assess whether pentraxin-3 (PTX3) could be a reliable biomarker of HD-induced inflammation and of membrane biocompatibility.

Methods: Crenolanib research buy We prospectively enrolled 31 HD patients. Blood samples for determining PTX3, C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocytes and neutrophils were drawn from the arterial needle,

before dialysis after the long dialysis-free interval (time 0), at the end of the index session (time 1) and before the next dialysis session (time 2). In 22 of 31 patients, 30 minutes after start of dialysis, PTX3 and CRP plasma levels were measured in blood collected from both the arterial and venous lines (time A – time V) of the dialyzer. In 7 of 22 patients intracellular PTX3 levels in neutrophils were measured at the end of session.

Results: PTX3 venous levels were significantly increased at the end of the index session compared with baseline and in blood samples drawn from the venous line compared with the arterial line of the dialyzer. At time 1, a reduction of intracellular PTX3 in neutrophils was noticed. In contrast, CRP plasma levels were stable during the HD session.

Results: Several imputations methods produce bias on psychometrical indexes (generally, the imputation methods artificially improve the psychometric qualities of the scale). In particular, this is the case with Selleckchem CBL0137 the method based on the Personal Mean Score (PMS) which is the most commonly

used imputation method in practice.

Conclusions: Several imputation methods should be avoided, in particular PMS imputation. From a general point of view, it is important to use an imputation method that considers both the ability of the patient (measured for example by his/her score), and the difficulty of the item (measured for example by its rate of favourable responses). Another recommendation is to always consider the addition of a random process in the imputation method, because such a process allows reducing the bias. Last, the analysis realized without imputation of the missing data (available case analyses) is an interesting alternative to the simple imputation in this context.”
“The cerebellum has recently been recognized for its role in high-order functions, including cognition, language,

and behavior. Recent studies have also begun to describe a functional topography of the mature cerebellum EX 527 price that includes organization on a mediolateral axis. However, no study to date has examined the relationship between regional cerebellar volume and developmental disabilities in children with cerebellar malformations. The objective of this study was to estimate the extent to which total and regional cerebellar volumes are associated with developmental disabilities in a cohort of children with cerebellar malformations. Children aged 1 to 6 years with a diagnosis of cerebellar malformation underwent standardized outcome measures and

quantitative magnetic resonance scanning. The cerebellum was parcellated into seven mediolateral zones (three for each hemisphere plus the vermis) for regional volume analysis. In children with cerebellar malformations, decreased total cerebellar volume was associated with delays in global development, expressive language, cognition, see more as well as gross and fine motor function. Decreased volume in the right lateral cerebellar hemisphere was related to impaired cognition, expressive language, and gross motor function. Additionally, reduced vermis volume was associated with impaired global development, cognition, expressive language, and gross and fine motor skills, as well as behavior problems and a higher rate of positive autism spectrum screening test. These results begin to define the structural topography of functional outcome in children with cerebellar malformations and should lead to greater accuracy of prognostication as well as timely early developmental interventions.”
“Surgical training models should be readily available to enable practice in vitro until the trainee is comfortable with the procedure.

“
“We introduce in this paper a new method for reducing neurodynamical data to an effective diffusion equation, either experimentally CA4P solubility dmso or using simulations of biophysically detailed models. The dimensionality of the data is first reduced to the first principal component, and then fitted by the stationary solution of a mean-field-like one-dimensional Langevin equation, which describes the motion

of a Brownian particle in a potential. The advantage of such description is that the stationary probability density of the dynamical variable can be easily derived. We applied this method to the analysis of cortical network dynamics during up and down states in an anesthetized animal. During deep anesthesia, intracellularly recorded up and down states transitions occurred with high regularity and could not be adequately described by a one-dimensional diffusion equation. Under lighter anesthesia, however, the distributions of the times spent in the up and down states were better fitted by such a model, suggesting a role for noise in determining the time spent in a particular state.”
“Objective: The aim of this study was to externally validate the prognostic value of concomitant urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS) in radical cystectomy (RC) specimens using a large international cohort of bladder cancer patients.

Methods: The records of 3,973 patients treated with RC and bilateral lymphadenectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) at nine centers worldwide were reviewed. Surgical specimens were evaluated by a genitourinary pathologist at each center. Uni- and multivariable www.selleckchem.com/products/netarsudil-ar-13324.html Cox regression models addressed time to recurrence this website and cancer-specific mortality after RC. Results: 1,741 (43.8%) patients had concomitant CIS in their RC specimens. Concomitant CIS was more common in organ-confined UCB and was associated with lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001). Concomitant CIS was not associated with either disease recurrence or cancer-specific death regardless of pathologic

stage. The presence of concomitant CIS did not improve the predictive accuracy of standard predictors for either disease recurrence or cancer-specific death in any of the subgroups. Conclusions: We could not confirm the prognostic value of concomitant CIS in RC specimens. This, together with the discrepancy between pathologists in determining the presence of concomitant CIS at the morphologic level, limits the clinical utility of concomitant CIS in RC specimens for clinical decision-making. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Background: Many patients with advanced cancer depend upon health care providers for symptom assessment. The extent of agreement between patient and provider symptom assessments and the association of agreement with demographic-and disease-related factors was examined.

Complete symmetry to the nonaffected eye was perceived by 64%. Recurrent conjunctivitis was complained preoperatively by 18% and postoperatively only by a single patient. In 2 patients, a mild pseudoptosis was found postoperatively, and a single patient complained about blurred vision. The median total Glasgow Benefit Inventory score

was 27.8 (p < 0.001). The health-related quality of life was raised in 91% of the patients; 87% were fully satisfied with the functional result, and 91% with the aesthetical result. 100% would again decide in favor of platinum chain lid loading.

Conclusion: Platinum chain lid loading in facial palsy patients can significantly KU-57788 inhibitor increase patients’ health-related quality of life and leads to a high rate of patient satisfaction.”
“OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the use of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in BLZ945 price women undergoing gynecologic surgery and to estimate the patient, physician, and hospital characteristics associated with guideline-based prophylaxis.

METHODS: A commercial database was used to examine women who underwent major gynecologic surgery from 2000 to 2010. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis was classified as none, mechanical, pharmacologic, or a combination. Multivariable logistic regression models of factors associated with any prophylaxis and pharmacologic and combination prophylaxis were developed.

RESULTS: We identified a total of 738,150 women who underwent gynecologic surgery. No prophylaxis was given P505-15 manufacturer to 292,034 (39.6%) women, whereas 344,068 (46.6%) received mechanical prophylaxis,

40,268 (5.5%) pharmacologic prophylaxis, and 61,780 (8.4%) combination prophylaxis. Use of prophylaxis increased from 53.5% in 2000 to 67.5% in 2010. Prophylaxis was more commonly used in older women, those with Medicare, women with more comorbidities, white women, patients treated at rural hospitals, teaching facilities, and in patients treated by high-volume surgeons and at high-volume centers (odds ratio [OR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.27, P <.05 for all). Factors associated with use of pharmacologic prophylaxis included advanced age, white race, noncommercial insurance, later year of diagnosis, greater comorbidity, treatment at large hospitals and urban facilities, and treatment by a high-volume surgeon (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.44 -1.49).

CONCLUSION: Despite clear recommendations from evidence-based guidelines, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is underused in women undergoing gynecologic surgery. (Obstet Gynecol 2011; 118: 978-86) DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31822c952a”
“Objectives: Successful surgery does not always resolve all the clinical consequences of hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD). Our purpose was to integrally evaluate a group of CD patients cured by pituitary surgery and look for the persistence of CD symptoms, signs, and comorbidities.

“
“Diastereoisomeric couples of (1R,5R,6RS)-2,6-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-6-ylmethanols and their epoxide precursors, (5R,2′RS)-2-methyl-5-(2-methyloxiran-2-yl)cyclohex-2-en-1-ols, EPZ-6438 in vivo in the presence of triethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate underwent [3.2.1]->[3.3.1] skeletal rearrangement with formation of scalemic mixtures of (1R,5R,6R)- and (1R,5R,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-triethylsiloxy-8-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]non-2-enes; the (6R)-stereoisomer was isolated as individual substance.”
“To assess the sensitivity of ultrasound in detecting soleus muscle lesions diagnosed

on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to characterize their location, ultrasound pattern, and evolution.

Ultrasound and MRI studies were performed between May 2009 and February 2013 on all patients who presented to selleck products the Medical Services Clinic of the Catalan Sport Council with the initial onset of sharp pain in the calf compatible with injury of the soleus muscle. An inter-observer ultrasound reliability study was also performed.

A total of 55 cases of soleus injury were studied prospectively (22 with right leg involvement, 33 left) by ultrasound and MRI, which was utilized as

the “”gold standard.”" In MRI studies, 24 cases (43.7 %) had myofascial injuries that were localized in the posterior aponeurosis (PMF) in 15 cases (27.3 %) and in the anterior aponeurosis (AMF) in 9 (16.4 %). Thirty-one cases (56.3 %) were musculotendinous injuries, with 9 cases (16.4 %) in the medial aponeurosis (MMT), 11 cases (20 %) in the lateral aponeurosis (LMT), and 11 cases (20 %) in the central tendon (CMT).

In comparison to MRI, ultrasound was able to detect injury to the soleus in 27.2 % of cases. No injuries were detected by ultrasound alone. Posterior myofascial injuries were more likely to be detected by ultrasound than anterior myofascial injuries or all types of musculotendinous injuries. Ultrasound patterns for each type of injury were described.

Ultrasound is not a sensitive technique for detecting and assessing soleus traumatic tears compared with MRI, although the sensitivity is enhanced by a thorough anatomically based ultrasound examination. Timing of the ultrasound examination may be of importance. Each type of soleus injury appears to have a characteristic ultrasound pattern based on ZD1839 a defect of connective expansions, the existence of small myofascial filiform collections, and the rarefaction of the fibrillar area.”
“Extracts (petroleum ether, dichloromethane, acetone, methanol/water (3/1) and water) from Cynodon dactylon L. were obtained by sequential method. The chemical composition of phenolics (6.9-57.41 g gallic acid equivalents/kg of dry mass), tannins (2.49-12.32 g catechin equivalent/kg of dry mass), anthocyanins (0-5.98 g cyanidin equivalent/kg of dry mass) and flavonoids (0-5.02 g quercetin equivalent/kg of dry mass) was evaluated.

The mean blood glucose level was 129.7 +/- A 9.7 mg/dl in the TGC group and 200.9 +/- A 14.7 mg/dl in the GC group (P < 0.01, ANOVA). No hypoglycemia associated AZD7762 Cell Cycle inhibitor with the artificial pancreas was seen in any of the patients. The serum levels of S100A12 and HMGB-1 tended to decrease, and those of sRAGE tended to increase, in the TGC group. Further data collection from a larger number of cases would be expected to allow a precise assessment of TGC as a potentially beneficial intervention in sepsis patients.”
“Interatrial conduction abnormalities have an important role in the initiation of recurrent atrial fibrillation

(AF) after the maze procedure. Biatrial pacing or single atrial pacing alters the site Selleckchem VX809 and timing of atrial depolarization and may improve restoration of sinus rhythm after the maze procedure. To further evaluate whether biatrial pacing is superior to single atrial or no pacing, we performed a randomized prospective study on 240 patients with a full

maze procedure to compare the effectiveness with different pacing approaches in the postoperative period.

Between 2002 and 2010, 240 patients undergoing mitral +/- tricuspid valve surgery concomitant with the maze procedure were randomized into three equal groups: Group I using overdrive biatrial pacing, Group II utilizing single atrial pacing and Group III without pacing. The atria were paced continuously in Atrium paced, Atrium sensed, and pacemaker Inhibited in response to sensed beat (AAI) mode at a rate of 80 pulses per minute or 10 pulses above the underlying rate for 5 days. The endpoints were the onset of AF or discharge.

The incidence of recurrent postoperative atrial fibrillation was significantly less in Group I with 9 of 80 patients (11%) incurring atrial fibrillation compared with 23 of 80 patients (28%) in Group II (P < 0.01) and 29 of 80 patients in Group III (P < 0.01). The length of hospital

stay and the mean costs of hospital stay were significantly lower in the biatrial pacing group (P < 0.05).

Biatrial overdrive pacing is well tolerated and more effective PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor 3 solubility dmso in preventing the early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after the maze procedure. The impacts of the long-term results with the maze procedure require further study.”
“We report an extremely rare case of a small ruptured aneurysm of the leptomeningeal collateral circulation from the vertebral artery (VA) to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA); this aneurysm was associated with bilateral VA occlusion. A 72-year-old woman with sudden headache, nausea, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was admitted to our hospital. On admission, no evidence of cerebral signs or cranial nerve palsy was found.

Methods: Rats were sensitized twice over 14 days with OVA and placed into 1 of 4 protocols: Group 1: intranasal (i. n.) M F (0.001 – 100 mu g/mL) or vehicle once daily for 3 days; Group 2: intratracheal (i. t.) MF (0.001-0.3 mg/kg i. t.) or vehicle, one dose; Group 3: i. t. MF (0.1 – 1 mg/kg, i. t.) or vehicle, one dose;

Group 4: nose-only inhalation (n. o. i.) of dry powder MF (estimated pulmonary deposition of MF, 1.4, 4.1, and 13.3 mu g/kg) or vehicle, once daily for 3 days. Group 1 was challenged with i. n. OVA (1 %) 2 h after last treatment dose. Groups 2-4 were challenged with acrosolized OVA (1 %) 5 h after treatment. Assessments RG-7112 nmr were performed 24 h post-challenge BMS-777607 (Group 1: NL; Group 2: BAL; Group 3 and 4: FVC and PEF).

Results: Rats treated with MF demonstrated significant and dose-dependent improvements in nasal inflammation and lung function compared to those treated with vehicle; normalization of these markers to levels consistent with non-sensitized animals were noted at the highest MF doses. Improvements in lung function were similar with i. t. and n. o. i. administration. Pulmonary infiltration of total cells and eosinophils was significantly attenuated after one dose of i. t. MF (0.003-0.3 mg/kg).

Conclusion: In this established model of allergic airway disease,

MF significantly A-1210477 attenuated cellular infiltration in the upper and lower airways and normalized lung function following allergen provocation.”
“OBJECTIVES: In accordance with the rising prevalence of octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery, these patients utilize an increasing portion of intensive care unit (ICU) capacities, provoking economic and ethical concerns. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes and costs generated by the prolonged postoperative ICU treatment of octogenarians.

METHODS: Between July 2009 and August 2010, 109 of 1063 patients required ICU treatment of at least 5 days after cardiac surgery. Patients were retrospectively assigned to

either Group A (age < 80, n = 86) or Group B (age >= 80, n = 23). Operative risk, mortality, length and costs of ICU treatment were analysed and compared. After 1 year, survival, quality of life (QOL) and functional status were assessed.

RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 31.4% in Group A and 56.5% in Group B. Survivals of discharged patients after 1 year were 83% (Group A) and 80% (Group B), respectively. Log EuroSCORE I of octogenarians was significantly higher (30 +/- 17 vs 20 +/- 16, P < 0.001). No significant differences (Group A vs Group B) were found between the groups concerning length of ICU treatment (20 +/- 21 vs 16 +/- 14 days, P = 0.577) or costs (27 205 +/- 29 316(sic) vs 21 821 +/- 16 259(sic), P = 0.812).

Methods: The asymmetrical deficit was calculated ([fractured limb/sum of both lower limbs] x 100%) selleck chemical for isometric knee extension torque, rate of force development during isometric testing, and leg extension power. The asymmetrical measures for lower-limb muscle mass (fractured limb – nonfractured limb), and that of lower-limb pain and disease and injury burden (nonfractured limb – fractured limb), were calculated.

Results: Half of the participants had no consistent asymmetrical deficit on the fractured side. Regression analyses showed that asymmetrical measures of lower-limb pain, muscle mass, and disease and injury burden predicted asymmetrical deficit in knee extension torque (R(2) = 0.43) and in the rate of force

development (R(2) = 0.36). More intense pain and disease and injury burden affecting the nonfractured limb and smaller muscle mass relative to the fractured limb were associated with a smaller asymmetrical deficit.

Conclusions: Following a hip fracture, the prevention of decreases in muscle strength and power as well as a large asymmetrical deficit by the use of targeted pain management and rehabilitation may help to reduce the risk of subsequent mobility limitations and falls.”
“BACKGROUND: A novel procedure that involved regeneration and recycling of ammonia and sulfuric acid from monosodium glutamate isoelectric supernatant

with bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) was proposed. As the performance of the membranes deteriorated during the batch runs, fouling of the cation-exchange membrane (CEM) Etomoxir in contact with the base cell was studied.

RESULTS: During ten consecutive batches of BMED, some operating parameters deteriorated gradually. Using scanning electron microscopy observations, fouling deposits were found on the CEM surface on the base cell side. Using

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), AZ 628 order the organic fouling fraction of the CEM foulants was found to contain eight amino acids. Using X-ray energy-dispersive analysis, the mineral fouling fraction was shown to be mainly O and Ca elements, and a little Mg. Using X-ray diffraction, the inorganic foulant was identified as CaCO(3), mainly in the form of calcite and a little aragonite.

CONCLUSION: The CEM was subject to membrane fouling consisting of an organic fouling fraction and a mineral fraction. The organic fraction occurred as ions with some positive charges from the isoelectric supernatant and probably existed in the form of amino acids or their peptides. The mineral fraction was mainly CaCO3 calcite and aragonite, and probably a little amorphous Ca and Mg hydroxides. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry”
“We evaluated the role of dietary iron, heme iron, and supplemental iron on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in a population-based case-control study in Pennsylvania, including 1005 incident cases and 1062 controls.

Established protocols linking the various tiers of care Would

be important, as would a dedicated, nationally applicable online EMR system. In developing countries, best practice needs to be tailored to be realistic and achievable, and some potentially useful models are already available. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.”
“BackgroundRainbow acoustic monitoring (RRa) utilizes acoustic technology to continuously and noninvasively determine respiratory rate from an adhesive sensor located on the neck.

ObjectiveWe sought to validate the accuracy of RRa, by comparing it to capnography, impedance pneumography, Acalabrutinib nmr and to a reference method of counting breaths in postsurgical children.

MethodsContinuous respiration rate data were recorded from RRa and capnography. In a subset of patients, intermittent respiration rate from thoracic impedance pneumography was also recorded. The reference method, counted respiratory rate by the retrospective analysis of the RRa, and capnographic waveforms while listening to recorded breath sounds were used to compare respiration rate of both capnography and RRa. Bias, precision, and limits of agreement of RRa

compared with capnography and RRa and capnography compared with the reference method were calculated. Tolerance and reliability to the acoustic sensor and nasal cannula were also assessed.

ResultsThirty-nine of 40 patients (97.5%) demonstrated Ispinesib good Etomoxir molecular weight tolerance of the acoustic sensor, whereas 25 of 40 patients (62.5%) demonstrated good tolerance of the nasal cannula. Intermittent

thoracic impedance produced erroneous respiratory rates (>50bmin(-1) from the other methods) on 47% of occasions. The biasSD and limits of agreement were -0.30 +/- 3.5bmin(-1) and -7.3 to 6.6bmin(-1) for RRa compared with capnography; -0.1 +/- 2.5bmin(-1) and -5.0 to 5.0bmin(-1) for RRa compared with the reference method; and 0.2 +/- 3.4bmin(-1) and -6.8 to 6.7bmin(-1) for capnography compared with the reference method.

ConclusionsWhen compared to nasal capnography, RRa showed good agreement and similar accuracy and precision but was better tolerated in postsurgical pediatric patients.”
“Introduction: Bone marrow (BM) stroma currently represents the most common and investigated source of mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs); however, comparable adult progenitor or stem cells have also been isolated from a wide variety of tissues. This study aims to assess the functional similarities of MPCs from different tissues and to identify specific factor(s) related to their multipotency.