bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial effectiveness of wound matrices containing native extracellular matrix with polyhexamethylene biguanide
Authors: Davis Stephen C. , Gil Joel , Solis Michael , Higa Alexander , Mills Allyson , Simms Colin , Pena Pilar Valencia , Li Jie , Raut Vivek 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA variety of wound matrix materials that are designed to help heal both acute and chronic wounds are currently available. Because wounds often encounter opportunistic microbes that can delay healing, the effectiveness of these materials is often suboptimal, resulting in delayed or compromised wound healing. The importance of reducing and controlling wound microbes is well recognised and there are several antimicrobial options available to address this unmet clinical need. This study compares the antimicrobial and wound healing capabilities, both in vivo and in vitro against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA 300, for the following compounds: Collagen Wound Matrix‐Anti Microbial (CWM‐AM); Collagen Wound Matrix‐Anti Microbial XT (CWM‐AM XT); Antimicrobial Hydrofiber Wound Dressing (AHWD); Dermal Scaffold with Silver (DRSAg); Collagen Extracellular Matrix (CEM); Collagen Wound Matrix (CWM); Matrix Wound Dressing with Silver (MWDAg); Cadexomer Iodine Gel (CIG); Triple Antibiotic Ointment (TAO); and Antimicrobial Wound Gel (AWG). For the in vitro zone of inhibition assay, AWG and CIG had the largest diffused areas, followed by CWM‐AM and CWM‐AM XT. Furthermore, CWM‐AM, CWM‐AM XT, AWG, and CIG exhibited a persistent antimicrobial activity for up to 10 days after incubation. However, in the cytotoxicity studies performed using human fibroblasts, CWM‐AM and CWM‐AM XT had no detrimental effects in cell proliferation and viability, while AWG and CIG were cytotoxic and prohibitive for cell proliferation. Treatments were then assessed for microbiology and wound healing efficacy using an in vivo porcine deep reticular dermal wound model. CWM‐AM XT displayed the greatest in vivo antimicrobial activity against MRSA USA300 and expedited the reepithelialisation at a faster rate than other treatment groups. This study shows that a novel collagen matrix containing an antimicrobial agent can reduce the bacterial load and support healing.
Should Cities Control Immigration Policy?
Authors: Miller David 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAvner de Shalit wants cities to have their own immigration policies. On a radical reading, this would transfer control over immigrant admissions from states to cities. But can cities choose the immigrants they prefer on economic or cultural grounds, or does this discriminate unfairly against those judged to be less desirable? I argue that de Shalit fails to apply the luck egalitarian principle consistently when discussing immigrant admissions. I also claim that there is a tension between seeing cities as the bearers of distinct cultural ethoses, and therefore as bulwarks against the homogenising effects of globalization, and disbarring them from carrying out culturally selective immigration policies. De Shalit’s own preferred model of the immigrant‐friendly city – Amsterdam – appears to lack any distinct ethos, other than an ethos of welcome and cultural blending. Moreover, democratic states also have a legitimate interest in controlling immigration. They must be concerned about the consequences for social justice of admitting migrants and the political effects that follow when the migrants become citizens themselves. They must also consider the environmental impacts of population growth. Cities should play a major role in integrating immigrants, but not in admitting them.
Foxo1‐induced miR‐92b down‐regulation promotes blood‐brain barrier damage after ischaemic stroke by targeting NOX4
Authors: Shen Jian , Li Ganglei , Zhu Yu , Xu Qingsheng , Zhou Hengjun , Xu Kangli , Huang Kaiyuan , Zhan Renya , Pan Jianwei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe blood‐brain barrier (BBB) damage is a momentous pathological process of ischaemic stroke. NADPH oxidases 4 (NOX4) boosts BBB damage after ischaemic stroke and its expression can be influenced by microRNAs. This study aimed to probe into whether miR‐92b influenced the BBB damage after ischaemic stroke by regulating NOX4 expression. Here, miR‐92b expression was lessened in the ischaemic brains of rats and oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD)‐induced brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). In middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) rats, miR‐92b overexpression relieved the ameliorated neurological function and protected the BBB integrity. In vitro model, miR‐92b overexpression raised the viability and lessened the permeability of OGD‐induced BMECs. miR‐92b targeted NOX4 and regulated the viability and permeability of OGD‐induced BMECs by negatively modulating NOX4 expression. The transcription factor Foxo1 bound to the miR‐92b promoter and restrained its expression. Foxo1 expression was induced by OGD‐induction and its knockdown abolished the effects of OGD on miR‐92b and NOX4 expressions, cell viability and permeability of BMECs. In general, our findings expounded that Foxo1‐induced lessening miR‐92b boosted BBB damage after ischaemic stroke by raising NOX4 expression.
Neutrophil extracellular DNA traps promote pancreatic cancer cells migration and invasion by activating EGFR/ERK pathway
Authors: Jin Wei , Yin Huijing , Li Hao , Yu Xian‐Jun , Xu Hua‐Xiang , Liu Liang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNeutrophil extracellular DNA traps (NETs) are newly discovered forms of activated neutrophils. Increasing researches have shown that NETs play important roles in cancer progression. Our previous study has proved that tumour‐infiltrating NETs could predict postsurgical survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the roles of NETs on the progression of pancreatic cancer are unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of NETs on pancreatic cancer cells. Results showed that both PDAC patients’ and normal individuals’ neutrophils‐derived NETs could promote migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells with epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. Further, study confirmed that EGFR/ERK pathway played an important role in this progression. The addition of neutralizing antibodies for IL‐1β could effectively block the activation of EGFR/ERK companied with reduction of EMT, migration and invasion. Taken together, NETs facilitated EMT, migration and invasion via IL‐1β/EGFR/ERK pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. Our study suggests that NETs may provide promising therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.
Functional characterization of TNF‐α in pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus) in immune response and apoptosis against Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Kong Linghe , Qian Kun , Wu Siwei , Li Bingxi , Guo Zheng , Yin Xiaoxue , Huang Yu , Ye Jianmin , Tu Xiao , Fu Shengli 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in immune system homeostasis, antimicrobial defence, regulation of apoptosis, cell proliferation and differentiation. Although the pro‐inflammatory property of TNF‐α has been made new progress, detailed research on host defence against bacterial infection and inducing apoptosis remains to be revealed in early vertebrates. Here, we reported the TNF‐α homologue (ToTNF‐α) from pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus). The open reading frame (ORF) of ToTNF‐α was 753 bp, encoding a protein of 250 aa contained the TNF family signature and conserved cysteine residues. The mRNA expression of ToTNF‐α had a wide range of tested tissues, with the highest expression in the skin. After Aeromonas hydrophila infection, the mRNA expression of ToTNF‐α was significantly up‐regulated both in vivo and in vitro experiments. After stimulation by recombinant protein of ToTNF‐α ((r)ToTNF‐α), the relative expressions of endogenous TNF‐α, caspase 8, caspase 3, p53, and Bax inhibitor‐1 in head kidney leucocytes were all notably up‐regulated. These results showed that ToTNF‐α might induce apoptosis depend on pro‐ and anti‐apoptotic proteins at mRNA level. Moreover, flow cytometry analysis indicated that the (r)ToTNF‐α can induce apoptosis of head kidney leucocytes. Taken together, these characteristics suggest that ToTNF‐α can participate in immune response against A. hydrophila and induce apoptosis at mRNA and cellular level, which will help to understand the mechanism of apoptosis and immune response in teleost fish.
Reduction of telogen rate and increase of hair density in androgenetic alopecia by a cosmetic product: Results of a randomized, prospective, vehicle‐controlled double‐blind study in men
Authors: Welzel Julia , Wolff Helmut H. , Gehring Wolfgang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundConsiderable parts of the global population are affected by androgenetic alopecia (AGA).AimsThe efficacy of a foam containing nicotinic acid hexyl ester, polyphenols, zinc, glycine, and caffeine in comparison with a vehicle control foam was assessed in a double‐blind vehicle‐controlled study in men with AGA over 6 months.Patients/MethodsSixty‐two men with AGA were assigned either to the active ingredients (verum) or the vehicle group. They applied the products twice daily on affected scalp areas over 6 months. Automated phototrichograms were obtained at baseline, after 3 and 6 months. In addition, a clinical rating by a dermatologist and by the subjects themselves was documented using standardized questionnaires.ResultsThe reduction of the telogen rate from T0 to T6 was significantly stronger in the verum group compared to the vehicle group. The reduction was significant from T0 to T3 and T6 in the verum group, but in the vehicle group only from T0 to T3, not to T6. Significantly increased hair density was noticed in both groups at all time points, but the change from T0 to T6 did not differ significantly between the groups. Cosmetic acceptance of the foam and its application regimen was generally good in both groups. Slight reddening and burning after application of verum in six cases was probably due to the presence of hexyl nicotinate.ConclusionThe study demonstrated a reduction of the telogen rate by a cosmetic foam in men affected by AGA, indicating a benefit for cosmetic intervention against male pattern hair loss.
Physical activity may contribute to brain health in multiple sclerosis: An MR volumetric and spectroscopy study
Authors: Negaresh Raoof , Gharakhanlou Reza , Sahraian Mohammad Ali , Abolhasani Maryam , Motl Robert W. , Zimmer Philipp 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground and PurposePhysical activity may represent a disease‐modifying therapy in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). To date, there is limited research regarding mechanisms based on brain imaging for understanding the beneficial effects of physical activity in pwMS. This study examined the relationship between physical activity levels and thalamic and hippocampal volumes and brain metabolism in pwMS.MethodsThe sample of 52 pwMS (37.3 ± 9.6 years of age; 35 females, 17 males) underwent a combination of volumetric magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Current and lifetime physical activity were assessed using actigraphy and the adapted version of the Historical Activity Questionnaire, respectively.ResultsPositive associations were observed between both actigraphy and self‐reported levels of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and thalamic and hippocampal volumes. Regarding brain metabolism, actigraphy and self‐reported levels of MVPA were positively associated with higher hippocampal and thalamic levels of N‐acetylaspartate/creatine ratio (NAA/Cr: marker of neural integrity and cell energy state).ConclusionsThis study provides novel evidence for a positive association between physical activity and thalamic and hippocampal volume and metabolism in pwMS. These findings support the hypothesis that physical activity, particularly MVPA, may serve as a disease‐modifying treatment by improving brain health in pwMS.
Treatment of osteomyelitis of the lingula: Case report
Authors: Tran Truc , Coleman Olivia , Sproat Chris 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOsteomyelitis of the jaw is an uncommon condition in healthy individuals and is usually associated with immunocompromised patients. We report a rare case of a healthy patient of no significant medical background who developed osteomyelitis of the lingula following routine dental extractions. The management of the case has been described.
Medium‐Term Clinical Results of High‐Flexion Knee Prostheses in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Xu Xiao‐hui , He Wen‐jian , Guo Feng , Wang Li‐bin , Cui Feng‐guo , Wang Hua‐yi , Zhu Qing‐sheng 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveThis study was performed to evaluate the function and satisfaction outcome of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with high‐flexion prostheses.Materials and methodsTwenty‐two patients (35 knees) using high‐flexion prostheses (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) were followed up for a period of 7–11 years from February 2007 to December 2009. Clinical and radiographic follow‐up was performed using Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), Short‐Form 36 scores (SF‐36), American Knee Society score (KSS), and Knee Society Total Knee Arthroplasty Roentgenographic Evaluation and Scoring System. Patient satisfaction assessments took place at the final follow‐up sessions using the Marsh Satisfaction Questionnaire.ResultsThe average ROM improved from preoperative 68.43° ± 33.78° to 95.54° ± 7.03° at the final follow‐up. The HSS score and KSS score for pain improved from (46.49 ± 12.73) points to (85.46 ± 3.90) points and from 20.57 ± 5.91 points to 47.43 ± 3.51 points at the follow‐up evaluation, respectively. Physical Component Summary(PCS) and Physical Component Summary (MCS) scores were 45.38 and 52.56, respectively by the end of follow‐up. Deep venous thrombosis developed in one patient and one patient required surgical revision due to infection. There were no instances of prosthetic loosening. The satisfaction rate of patients was 95.5%.ConclusionAlthough this particular model of TKA did not yield high‐flexion angles (ie, 140°) required for kneeling, squatting, or rising from the floor, significant clinical and radiographic gains were evident in these patients with RA.
Ecological limits: Science, justice, policy, and the good life
Authors: Green Fergus 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRecent years have witnessed a revival of scientific, political and philosophical discourse concerning the notion of ecological limits. This article provides a conceptual overview of descriptive ecological limit claims—i.e. claims that there are real, biophysical limits—and reviews work in political and social philosophy in which such claims form the basis of proposals for normative limits. The latter are classified in terms of three broad types of normative theorising: distributive justice, institutional/legal reform, and the good life. Within these three categories, the article reviews normative proposals for limits on both aggregate‐level and individual‐level ecological exploitation. It also considers the relevance of political and ideological facts to the normative analysis of ecological limits, raising methodological questions about how normative theorists should respond to a world facing escalating ecological challenges.
Birth outcomes affecting infants of mothers with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Rubenstein Eric , Ehrenthal Deborah B. , Mallinson David C. , Bishop Lauren , Kuo Hsiang‐Hui , Durkin Maureen S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundWomen with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face increased risk of adverse maternal pregnancy outcomes, yet less is known about infant outcomes.ObjectivesTo examine birth outcomes of infants born to mothers with IDD and assess associations with demographics and IDD‐type.MethodsWe used data from the Big Data for Little Kids project, which links Wisconsin birth records to Medicaid claims for live births covered by Medicaid from 2007 to 2016. We identified IDD using maternal prepregnancy Medicaid claims and ran Poisson regression (with a log link function) with robust variance clustered by mother to compare prevalence of outcomes between singleton births with and without mothers with IDD. We adjusted the associations for demographic factors and estimated prevalence ratios (PR) as the effect measure. We assessed outcomes by IDD‐type (intellectual disability, genetic conditions, cerebral palsy, and autism spectrum disorder) to explore differences by categories of IDD.ResultsOf 267,395 infants, 1696 (0.6%) had mothers with IDD. A greater percentage of infants with mothers with IDD were born preterm (12.8% vs 7.8%; PR 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42, 1.89), small for gestational age (8.5% vs 5.4%; PR 1.42, 95% CI 1.25, 1.61), and died within 12 months of birth (3.2% vs 0.7%; PR 4.93, 95% CI 3.73, 6.43) compared to infants of mothers without IDD. Prevalence ratios were robust to adjustment for demographics factors. Estimates did not meaningfully differ when comparing different IDD‐types.ConclusionsA greater porportion of infants born to mothers with IDD who were covered by Medicaid had poor outcomes compared to other infants. Prevalence of poor infant outcomes was greater for mothers with IDD even after accounting for demographic differences. It is imperative to understand why infants of mothers with IDD are at greater risk so interventions and management can be developed.
Risk–Risk Tradeoffs for Mass Shootings and International Terrorism
Authors: Dalafave Rachel , Viscusi W. Kip 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article elicits information about risk perceptions and risk–risk tradeoffs for mass shootings and international terrorist attacks. These prominent public risks are similar in many respects in that both involve traumatic injuries. One might expect that the risk–risk tradeoff rate would be 1.0 unless other attributes of these risks are pertinent. Estimates based on an original survey structured to test rates of tradeoff between deaths from these risks indicate that respondents consistently place a premium on reducing mass shooting risks, as compared to risks of international terrorism. The average premium is relatively stable even after accounting for the effect of differences in personal risk beliefs on policy preferences. The estimated rates of risk–risk tradeoff reflect a greater weight on mass shooting risks even for those who believe that international terrorism risks pose a greater personal threat.
Pandemic and Partisan Polarisation: Voter Evaluation of UK Government Handling During Covid‐19
Authors: Vlandas Tim , Klymak Margaryta 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWhat is the effect of pandemics on partisan perceptions of government competence? Taking the case of Covid‐19 in the UK, we explore how voters’ assessments of the government’s handling of the economy and health were affected by four events: the first UK Covid‐19 death; the national lockdown; Boris Johnson’s hospitalisation; and Cummings’ scandal. Using a large representative weekly survey in the last year totalling over around 30’000 respondents, our results show that Labour voters had the worst assessments of government handling. The first death deteriorated perceptions of government handling of health among both Labour and Conservative voters, while Boris Johnson’s hospitalisation improved perceptions among most voters. Lockdown improved the perception of health handling but at the cost of more negative perceptions of its handling of the economy. The Cummings scandal had a negative effect on perceptions of government handling of economy but surprisingly improved perceptions of its handling of health.
Causes, outcomes, and owner satisfaction of dogs undergoing enucleation with orbital implant placement
Authors: Palmer Samantha V. , Velloso Ramos Renata , Woodoff‐Leith Elias D. , Rodriguez Galarza Roxanne M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo describe clinical and histopathologic pre‐operative diagnoses as well as associated post‐operative complications following orbital silicone implantation in dogs undergoing enucleation and evaluate owner satisfaction.Animals studiedOne hundred and eighty‐six dogs who underwent enucleation with orbital implant.ProceduresMedical records from dogs that underwent enucleation with orbital implant performed at Virginia‐Maryland Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 2007 and 2019 were reviewed. Owners were surveyed via telephone regarding client satisfaction.ResultsEnucleation followed by orbital implant placement occurred in 215 eyes of 186 dogs. The most common pre‐operative diagnoses were glaucoma (68.8%), uveitis (17.7%), cataracts (15.8%), intraocular neoplasia (13.0%), and lens luxation (10.7%). The most common histopathologic diagnoses were retinal degeneration (46.5%), uveitis (39.5%), cataract (29.8%), retinal detachment (27.4%), and secondary glaucoma (26.5%). Fourteen eyes (6.5%) from ten dogs had post‐operative complications reported including orbit cellulitis (n = 11), implant migration (n = 1), and implant extrusion (n = 1). Five of these dogs (50%) had concurrent diabetes mellitus. Median complication time from surgery was 41 days (range: 11–541 days). Ninety‐five owner survey responses were completed with a median time of 6.3 years following surgery. Most owners, 85.3% (n = 81), were satisfied with the post‐operative outcome.ConclusionEnucleation with implantation of an orbital implant is a viable and safe method for irreversibly blind eyes. Diabetes mellitus may be a risk factor for the development of post‐operative complications. Intraocular neoplasia was not associated with development of post‐operative complications. Results of this study indicated high owner satisfaction rates for improving cosmetic appearance after enucleation in dogs.
A discrete‐event simulation model for analysing and improving operations in a blood donation centre
Authors: Doneda Martina , Yalçındağ Semih , Marques Inês , Lanzarone Ettore 
Published: May 2021

Background and objectivesHealthcare systems require effective and efficient blood donation supply chains to provide an adequate amount of whole blood and blood components to hospitals and transfusion centres. However, some crucial steps of the chain, for example blood collection, are not adequately studied in the literature. This work analyses the operations in a blood collection centre with the twofold aim of analysing different configurations and evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of schedules defined at higher planning levels.Materials and methodsThe analyses are performed through a discrete event simulation (DES) model that describes a customizable collection centre. Moreover, a feedback loop from the DES to the higher planning level allows to adjust scheduling decisions if they determine criticalities or infeasibilities at the operational level.ResultsNumerical tests have been conducted considering a real Italian provider. An experimental plan has been designed to compare different configurations for the blood collection centre and evaluate the best ones in terms of cost and service quality for the three main actors involved (donors, workers and managers). The best configurations have been also used to test the feedback loop.ConclusionsResults confirm the appropriateness of the proposed DES model, which can be considered a useful decision support tool for dimensioning and managing a blood collection centre, either as a standalone tool or in conjunction with a scheduler.