bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skeletal muscle mass is associated with toxicity, treatment tolerability, and additional or subsequent therapies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving sorafenib treatment
Authors: Sawada Koji , Saitho Yoshinori , Hayashi Hidemi , Hasebe Takumu , Nakajima Shunsuke , Ikuta Katsuya , Fujiya Mikihiro , Okumura Toshikatsu 
Published: March 2019

Background and AimSeveral reports have demonstrated that skeletal muscle mass influences mortality in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving sorafenib treatment; however, there is still controversy with regard to whether skeletal muscle and adipose tissue are associated with the prognosis in HCC patients. We examined the relationship between body composition and prognosis in HCC patients.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 82 patients with unresectable HCC receiving sorafenib treatment. The skeletal muscle area and adipose tissue area were measured by computed tomography. Patients with low skeletal muscle index (male ≤36.2 cm2/m2, female ≤29.6 cm2/m2) and high visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue area ratio (VSR) (male ≥ 1.33, female ≥ 0.93) were diagnosed as low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) and high VSR, respectively.ResultsA total of 16 and 34 patients were classified as LSMM and high VSR, respectively. LSMM patients frequently experienced serious adverse events (SAEs) and thus had a shorter duration of sorafenib treatment than non‐LSMM patients. High VSR was a significant factor for progression‐free survival. LSMM patients less frequently received additional/subsequent therapies combined with sorafenib than non‐LSMM patients. Multivariate Cox hazard analysis demonstrated that LSMM was a significant factor for the duration of sorafenib treatment. The treatment duration and receiving of additional/subsequent therapies were significantly associated with overall survival (OS) but not with LSMM or high VSR.ConclusionLSMM was associated with the frequency of SAEs, treatment tolerability, and treatment duration. LSMM patients were less likely to receive additional/subsequent therapies than non‐LSMM patients. Thus, LSMM could identify a subgroup of patients with poor OS.
Augmentation of iNOS expression in myeloid progenitor cells expedites neutrophil differentiation
Authors: Sadaf Samreen , Singh Abhishek Kumar , Awasthi Deepika , Nagarkoti Sheela , Agrahari Ashok Kumar , Srivastava Rajeshwar Nath , Jagavelu Kumaravelu , Kumar Sachin , Barthwal Manoj Kumar , Dikshit Madhu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNeutrophils play important role in immunity and inflammation through diverse mechanisms. Reports from this lab and others have demonstrated involvement of NO in neutrophil adhesion, chemotaxis, bacterial killing, reactive oxygen species generation, neutrophil extracellular traps’ formation, and apoptosis. Constitutive expression of iNOS in human neutrophils has also been documented. The role of NO-iNOS in neutrophil differentiation however remains ill-defined. The present study was undertaken to understand the role of NO generated from iNOS in the neutrophil differentiation by using iNOS-overexpressing K562 cells (K562iNOS) and iNOS-deficient murine progenitor cells (lineage negative cells; lin-ve). We observed that iNOS overexpression led to increased neutrophilic differentiation in K562 cells; more specifically an early and accelerated neutrophilic differentiation was spotted in K562iNOS. These observations were further validated using iNOS knockout lin-ve cells or hematopoietic progenitor cells that exhibited delayed neutrophil differentiation in comparison to its wild-type counterpart. In addition, a significant increase in the gene expression of iNOS during neutrophilic differentiation of CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells derived from human bone marrow further substantiates importance of iNOS in neutrophil differentiation. Moreover, a significant increase in NO generation during neutrophil differentiation was observed and enhanced neutrophil differentiation with NO donor was also observed, implying the importance of NO in neutrophil differentiation. Collectively, using alternative approaches, we demonstrated that neutrophil differentiation is significantly influenced by iNOS or NO, suggesting the possibility of exploiting this novel link for therapeutic aspects of NO generated from iNOS and neutrophil differentiation in hematopoiesis-related disorders.
Cxcl17
-/- mice develop exacerbated disease in a T cell-dependent autoimmune model
Authors: Hernández-Ruiz Marcela , Othy Shivashankar , Herrera Carolina , Nguyen Hong-Tam , Arrevillaga-Boni Gerardo , Catalan-Dibene Jovani , Cahalan Michael D , Zlotnik Albert 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
CXCL17 is a homeostatic chemokine in the mucosa known to chemoattract dendritic cells and macrophages but can also be expressed elsewhere under inflammatory conditions. Cxcl17−/− mice have lower numbers of macrophages or dendritic cells in mucosal tissues. CXCL17 is also able to chemoattract suppressor myeloid cells that can recruit regulatory T cells. To explore a possible role of Cxcl17 in T cells, we studied T cell populations from Cxcl17−/− or wild-type (WT) littermate mice. Cxcl17−/− mice have higher numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in spleen and lymph nodes (LNs). Upon activation, they produce higher levels of several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, a Cxcl17−/− mouse developed exacerbated disease in a T cell-dependent model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). By 18 days after immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte peptide, only 44% of Cxcl17−/− mice were still alive vs. 90% for WT mice. During EAE, Cxcl17−/− mice exhibited higher numbers of lymphoid and myeloid cells in spleen and LNs, whereas they had less myeloid cell infiltration in the CNS. Cxcl17−/− mice also had higher levels of some inflammatory cytokines in serum, suggesting that they may be involved in the poor survival of these mice. Abnormal T cell function may reflect altered myeloid cell migration, or it could be due to altered T cell development in the thymus. We conclude that CXCL17 is a novel factor regulating T cell homeostasis and function.
PD-1 modulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific polarized effector memory T cells response in tuberculosis pleurisy
Authors: Li Jiangping , Jin Chenxi , Wu Changyou , Huang Jun 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions in tuberculosis (TB) should be studied at the disease sites because Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) is predominantly contained in local tissue lesions. T-cell immune responses are required to mount anti-mycobacterial immunity. However, T-cell immune responses modulated by programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) during tuberculosis pleurisy (TBP) remains poorly understood. We selected the pleural fluid mononuclear cells (PFMCs) from TBP and PBMCs from healthy donors (HD), and characterized PD-1-expresing T-cell phenotypes and functions. Here, we found that the PFMCs exhibited increases in numbers of PD-1-expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which preferentially displayed polarized effector memory phenotypes. The M.tb-specific Ag stimulation increased CD4+PD-1+ and CD8+PD-1+ T cells, which is in direct correlation with IFN-γ production and PD-L1+ APCs in PFMCs of these individuals. Moreover, blockage of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway enhanced the percentage of IFN-γ+ T cells, demonstrating that the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway played a negative regulation in T cell effector functions. Furthermore, CD4+PD-1+ and CD8+PD-1+ T-cell subsets showed greater memory phenotype, activation, and effector functions for producing Th1 cytokines than PD-1− counterparts. Thus, these PD-1+ T cells were not exhausted but appear to be central to maintaining Ag-specific effector. IL-12, a key immunoregulatory cytokine, enhanced the expression of PD-1 and restored a strong IFN-γ response through selectively inducing the phosphorylation of STAT4 in CD4+PD-1+T-bet+ and CD8+PD-1+T-bet+ T cells. This study therefore uncovered a previously unknown mechanism for T-cell immune responses regulated by PD-1, and may have implications for potential immune intervention in TBP.
Formation of multimeric steroid metal adducts and implications for isomer mixture separation by traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Rister Alana L. , Martin Tiana L. , Dodds Eric D. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSteroid analysis is essential to the fields of medicine and forensics, but such analyses can present some complex analytical challenges. While chromatographic methods require long acquisition times and often provide incomplete separation, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) as coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) has demonstrated significant promise for the separation of steroids, particularly in concert with metal adduction and multimerization. In this study, traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry (TWIMS) was employed to separate multimer steroid metal adducts of isomers in mixtures. The results show the ability to separate steroid isomers with a decrease in resolution compared with single component standards because of the formation of heteromultimers. Additionally, ion‐neutral collision cross sections (CCS) of the species studied were measured in the mixtures and compared with CCSs obtained in single component standards. Good agreement between these values suggests that the CCS may aid in identification of unknowns. Furthermore, a complex mixture composed of five sets of steroid isomers were analyzed, and distinct features for each steroid component were identified. This study further demonstrated the potential of TWIMS‐MS methods for the rapid and isomer‐specific study of steroids in biological samples for use either in tandem with or without chromatographic separation.
Bovine Colostrum Against Chemotherapy‐Induced Gastrointestinal Toxicity in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Rathe Mathias , De Pietri Silvia , Wehner Peder Skov , Frandsen Thomas Leth , Grell Kathrine , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Sangild Per Torp , Husby Steffen , Müller Klaus 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe toxic effect of chemotherapy on the gastrointestinal tract may lead to mucositis and is associated with the pathogenesis of other treatment‐related complications. We hypothesized that nutrition supplementation with bovine colostrum, rich in bioactive factors, would ameliorate gastrointestinal toxicity and reduce the incidence of fever and infectious complications during induction treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).MethodsChildren with newly diagnosed ALL were included in a 2‐center, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomized to receive a daily colostrum or placebo supplement during 4 weeks of induction treatment. Data on fever, bacteremia, need for antibiotics, and mucosal toxicity were prospectively collected. (Trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01766804).ResultsSixty‐two patients were included. No differences were found for the primary outcome (number of days with fever). No difference was observed for neutropenic fever, intravenous antibiotics, or incidence of bacteremia. Peak severity of oral mucositis was significantly reduced by colostrum (7/29 patients, 24% mild; 6/29, 21% moderate; 1/29, 3% severe) compared with placebo (12/31, 39% mild; 1/31, 3% moderate; 7/31, 23% severe) (P = 0.02). Among patients receiving at least 1 dose of supplement (colostrum: n = 22; placebo: n = 30), the peak weekly self‐reported oral mucositis score was overall significantly less severe in the colostrum group (P = 0.009).ConclusionThe use of prophylactic bovine colostrum showed no effect on fever, infectious morbidity, or inflammatory responses. Nevertheless, these data may suggest protective effects on the oral mucosa during induction therapy in childhood ALL, encouraging additional studies confirming these findings.
Hue rotation (HR) and hue blending (HB): Real‐time image enhancement methods for digital component video signals to support red‐green color‐defective observers
Authors: Hira Shoko , Matsumoto Akiko , Kihara Ken , Ohtsuka Sakuichi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe mutual understanding of color‐normal observers (CNOs) and color‐defective observers (CDOs) is now essential because personal color information display environments have been widely adopted. However, existing tools for CDOs offer only color discrimination; they fail to support color impression (ie, saturation and contrast). Therefore, we need a novel tool that offers help in distinguishing opponent colors, while preserving color saturation. We introduce two key techniques for realizing this difficult goal. The former is the repeated sequential display of the original and processed images to support the formation of unified correct percepts that provide discrimination of both red‐green and yellow‐blue opponent colors. One image, ie, original, exhibits correct yellow‐blue but distorted red‐green information for CDOs while the other, ie, processed, provides synthesized distinguishable red‐green but confusable yellow‐blue information for CDOs; here, hue rotation (HR) is useful for advanced users whereas hue blending (HB) is suitable for general. The latter is realized by the real‐time video processing available on smartphones; our algorithms support direct processing of the digital component video signal formats (eg, Y, CR, and CB). Subjective tests suggest that the two above‐mentioned algorithms will, along with embedding a lightweight real‐time dichromatic simulation facility for CNOs, greatly help the mutual understanding of CNOs and CDOs.
Evidence of a microbial etiology for sialoliths
Authors: Kao W. K. , Chole Richard A. , Ogden M. Allison 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesSialolithiasis is the primary etiology for parotid and submandibular swelling, potentially resulting in discomfort, bacterial infections, and hospitalization. The etiology of sialolith formation is unknown. Currently, the proposed etiologies range from inflammation, coalescence of organic molecules, sialomicrolith formation, pH changes, and biofilm formation. In this study, we performed a descriptive analysis of images obtained through electron microscopy of sialoliths. Based on our findings and descriptive analysis, we hypothesize that sialolith formation is likely multifactorial and begins with biofilm formation. Biofilm formation then triggers a host immune response, and it is the interaction of biofilm with host immune cells and calcium nanoparticles that forms the nidus and creates a favorable environment for calcium precipitation.MethodsSialoliths were extracted from patients and imaged under light and scanning electron microscopy. Specimens for light microscopy were prepared using a diamond saw. Specimens for electron microscopy were freeze‐fractured, thus providing an undisturbed view of the core of the sialolith.ResultsWe were able to identify clear evidence of biofilm caves at the core of each sialolith. These biofilm caves were complex with the presence of bacteria and dehydrated extrapolysaccharide matrix, host cells (immune cells, platelets and erythrocytes), and calcium nanoparticles.ConclusionThe etiology of sialolith formation is likely multifactorial. We propose that biofilm formation within a single salivary gland or duct leads to local ductal injury, which results in the influx of host immune cells that interact with the biofilm and calcium nanoparticles, creating a scaffold upon which further calcium deposition can occur.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 130:69–74, 2020
A 3D‐printed polycaprolactone/β‐tricalcium phosphate mandibular prosthesis: A pilot animal study
Authors: Park Jae Hong , Jung Soo Yeon , Lee Chi‐Kyou , Ban Myung Jin , Lee Sang Jin , Kim Ha Yeong , Oh Hyun Ju , Kim Byeong Kook , Park Hae Sang , Jang Si‐Hyong , Kim Han Su 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveIn this study, we assessed the effectiveness of a tonsil‐derived mesenchymal stem cell (TMSC)‐transplanted polycaprolactone/beta‐tricalcium phosphate prosthesis (specifically designed for easier fixing and grafting with a single scaffold) on rabbit mandible osteogenesis.MethodsThe mandibles of 18 rabbits were exposed, and 10 × 8‐mm bone defects were made. Two rabbits did not receive implants; four were reconstructed with the scaffold control (SC) (SC group); four were reconstructed with scaffolds soaked in peripheral blood (PB) (PB group); four were reconstructed with TMSC‐transplanted scaffolds (TMSC group); and four were reconstructed with differentiated osteocyte‐transplanted scaffolds (DOC) (DOC group). Each rabbit was sacrificed 12 weeks after surgery, and the area of new bone formation was investigated by mechanical testing, histology, and micro‐computed tomography.ResultsMore extended and denser new bone masses were observed in the TMSC and DOC groups, although fibrosis and vascular formation levels were similar in all groups, suggesting that the dual‐structured scaffold alone provides a good environment for bone attachment and regeneration. The bone volumes of representative scaffolds from the SC, PB, TMSC, and DOC groups were 43.12, 48.35, 53.10, and 57.44% of the total volumes, respectively.ConclusionThe design of the scaffold resulted in effective osteogenesis, and TMSCs showed osteogenic potency, indicating that their combination could enable effective bone regeneration.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 130:358–366, 2020
Six‐Week High‐Fat Diet Alters the Gut Microbiome and Promotes Cecal Inflammation, Endotoxin Production, and Simple Steatosis without Obesity in Male Rats
Authors: Crawford Meli'sa , Whisner Corrie , Al‐Nakkash Layla , Sweazea Karen L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEnergy‐dense foods can alter gut microbial diversity. However, the physiological effects of diet‐induced microbial changes on the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain debatable. We hypothesized that high‐fat intake for 6 weeks would promote intestinal dysbiosis by increasing gram‐positive bacteria, inducing the intestinal production of proinflammatory cytokines and subsequent hepatic lipid infiltration in young male rats. Six‐week old male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two groups and fed either a standard rodent chow or a 60% high‐fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks. Chromogenic endotoxin quantification assays indicate an increase in lipopolysaccharide concentration in the plasma of HFD rats (p = 0.032). Additionally, Western blot analyses of the cecum showed significantly greater protein expression of the transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐kB), (p = 0.037) and the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), (p = 0.042) in rats fed HFD. Linear discriminate analysis of effect size (LEfSe) showed greater abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria in the samples collected from the cecum of HFD rats compared to chow. Consistent with the development of steatosis, the Oil‐Red‐O‐stained area was increased in liver sections from HFD rats. Hepatic triacylglycerol concentrations (p < 0.001) and plasma alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.001) were significantly increased in HFD‐fed animals compared to chow. These findings show that a short duration of high‐fat consumption can have profound deleterious effects on gastrointestinal health and the inflammatory state of these young male Sprague–Dawley rats.
Predictive value of dermoscopy for the treatment of port‐wine stains with large spot 532 nm laser
Authors: Kwiek Bartłomiej , Rożalski Michał , Sieczych Julia , Paluch Łukasz , Kowalewski Cezary , Ambroziak Marcin 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveWe wanted to evaluate dermoscopy as a tool to predict the efficacy of port‐wine stain (PWS) laser treatment.Study Design and MethodsLarge spot 532 nm laser was used for the treatment of 67 PWS. Efficacy was assessed with an objective 3D digital imaging analysis. Dermoscopy images were taken before the treatment and analyzed semi quantitatively for features and patterns.ResultsThe following dermoscopic features: “superficial vessels,” “deep vessels,” “deep lakes,” “superficial lakes,” and “thick vessels total” were identified as positive determinants of maximal global clearance effect (GCEmax), whereas “thin long vessels,” “bright background total,” “whitish veil,” “white circles,” and “perifollicular erythema” were found to be negative determinants. Rapid response correlated positively with “superficial vessels,” “superficial lakes,” and “thick vessels total” scores and showed inverse correlations with “bright‐red background,” “bright background total,” “white circles,” “peacock eyes,” and “perifollicular erythema” scores. “Superficial vessels,” “thick vessels total,” and “pale‐pink patchy background” were predictors of the lack of response. Dominance of “deep vessels” was a predictor of 75% of responses and dominance of “brown areas” feature was the predictor of clearance. Patients responded to treatment differently, depending on the dermoscopic pattern of PWS.ConclusionDermoscopy may be useful to predict the response of PWS to laser treatment: its rapidity, the risk of no response, and 75% response and clearance. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optical fiber temperature sensor based on modal interference in multimode fiber lengthened by a short segment of polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Cai Lu , Liu Yin , Hu Sheng , Liu Qiang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA fiber optics structure for temperature measurement is presented and demonstrated. This structure is composed of segments of single mode fiber (SMF), no‐core fiber (NCF), hollow core fiber (HCF), and cured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which is inserted into the cavity of HCF. Owning to the high thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) and thermo‐optic coefficient (TOC) of PDMS, the optical path length and the effective refractive index (RI) all register much larger change, leading to the higher temperature sensitivity of the sensor. Simulation showed similar result with experiment. The temperature sensitivity of 580.6 pm/°C is achieved in the range of 28°C to 50°C.
The use of Fourier‐domain analyses for unwrapping phase images of low SNR
Authors: Chen Nan‐kuei , Wu Pei‐Hsin 
Published: March 2019

PurposeWe report a new postprocessing procedure that uses Fourier‐domain data analyses to improve the accuracy and reliability of phase unwrapping for MRI data of low SNR.MethodsThe developed method first identifies the Fourier‐domain energy peak locations corresponding to different image‐domain areas from which a robust measurement of image‐domain phase gradients can be obtained even for MRI data of low SNR. The phase‐gradient information measured from critical brain regions using the above‐mentioned Fourier‐domain analysis is then combined with the conventional temporal‐domain or spatial‐domain phase‐unwrapping procedure to remove phase wraps. The developed method was tested with MRI data obtained from 30 healthy adult volunteers, and its performance was quantitatively evaluated.ResultsThe developed Fourier‐domain analysis could robustly quantify image‐domain phase gradients even for MRI data with low SNR (e.g., SNR 2). Experimental results show that the Fourier‐domain analyses could further reduce phase wrap artifact in data produced by the conventional temporal‐domain or spatial‐domain phase‐unwrapping procedures.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that the developed phase‐unwrapping method can reduce residual phase wraps resulting from conventional procedures in critical brain regions (e.g., near the air‐tissue interfaces) and should prove valuable for studies that require accurate measurements of MRI phase values, such as QSM, B0 field mapping, and temperature mapping.