bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Specialized Proresolving Mediators Rescue Infant Mice from Lethal Citrobacter rodentium Infection and Promote Immunity against Reinfection
Authors: Diaz Luis Alonso , Altman Norman H. , Khan Wasif N. , Serhan Charles N. , Adkins Becky 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Infants are generally highly susceptible to oral pathogens. Intestinal infection and the associated diarrhea are significant global causes of morbidity and mortality in infants. Among the enteric pathogens, enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(EPEC) stands out as showing the highest risk for infection-induced death in infants ≤12 months old. We have developed an experimental model of infant infection with EPEC, using the mouse-specific pathogen
Citrobacter rodentium
. Our murine infant model is similar to EPEC infection in human infants since infant mice are much more susceptible to
C. rodentium
infection than adult mice; infants infected with 50-fold fewer bacteria than the standard adult dose uniformly succumbed to the infection. Infant infection is characterized by high early and sustained bacterial titers and profound intestinal inflammation associated with extensive necrosis and systemic dissemination of the bacteria. Therefore, it seems likely that infant deaths result from sepsis secondary to intestinal damage. Recently, specialized proresolving mediators (SPM) have been found to exert profound beneficial effects in adult models of infection. Thus, we investigated the actions of two proresolving lipid mediators, resolvin D1 (RvD1) and resolvin D5 (RvD5), on the course of infection in infants. Strikingly, postinfection treatment with RvD1 and RvD5 reduced bacterial loads, mitigated inflammation, and rescued the infants from death. Furthermore, postinfection treatment with RvD1 and RvD5 led to protection from reinfection associated with
C. rodentium
-specific IgG responses comparable to those in adults. These results indicate that SPM may provide novel therapeutic tools for the treatment of pathological intestinal infections in infants.
Open reduction and internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures versus conservative treatment with a functional brace: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial embedded in a cohort
Authors: Rämö Lasse , Taimela Simo , Lepola Vesa , Malmivaara Antti , Lähdeoja Tuomas , Paavola Mika 
Published: July 2017

IntroductionHumeral shaft fractures represent 1%–3% of all fractures and 20% of humeral fractures in adults. The treatment of these fractures is mainly conservative and operative treatment is usually reserved for specific circumstances. To date, no randomised controlled trial (RCT) has compared operative treatment of humeral shaft fractures with conservative treatment.Methods and analysisWe will conduct an RCT to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of surgical and conservative treatment of humeral shaft fractures. After providing informed consent, 80 patients from 18 years of age with humeral shaft fracture will be randomly assigned to open reduction and internal fixation with locking plate or conservative treatment with functional bracing. We will follow the patients for 10 years and compare the results at different time points. The primary outcome will be Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) at 12 months. The secondary outcomes will include Numerical Rating Scale for pain at rest and in activities, Constant Score and quality of life instrument 15D. Patients not willing to participate in the RCT will be asked to participate in a prospective cohort follow-up study, ‘the declined cohort’. This cohort will be followed up at the same time points as the randomised patients to assess the potential effect of participation bias on RCT results and to enhance the external validity of the RCT. In one of the recruiting centres, all cooperative patients with humeral shaft fractures not eligible for randomisation will be asked to participate in a ‘non-eligible cohort’ study. We will use blinded data interpretation of the randomised cohort to avoid biased interpretation of outcomes. Our null hypothesis is that there is no clinically relevant difference in the primary outcome measure between the two treatment groups. We will consider a difference of a minimum of 10 points in DASH clinically relevant.Ethics and disseminationThe institutional review board of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District has approved the protocol. We will disseminate the findings of this study through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Trial registration numberNCT01719887; pre-results.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring antisocial behaviour: findings from a longitudinal investigation of discordant siblings
Authors: Paradis Angela D , Shenassa Edmond D , Papandonatos George D , Rogers Michelle L , Buka Stephen L 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundAlthough many observational studies have found a strong association between maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSP) and offspring antisocial behaviour, the likelihood that this relationship is causal remains unclear. To comment on the potential causality of this association, the current investigation used a between–within decomposition approach to examine the association between MSP and multiple indices of adolescent and adult antisocial behaviour.MethodsStudy participants were offspring of women enrolled in the Providence and Boston sites of the Collaborative Perinatal Project. Information on MSP was collected prospectively. Antisocial behaviour was assessed via self-report and through official records searches. A subset of the adult offspring (average age: 39.6 years) were enrolled in a follow-up study oversampling families with multiple siblings. Participants in this follow-up study self-reported on juvenile and adult antisocial behaviours during a structured interview (n=1684). Official records of juvenile (n=3447) and adult (n=3433) criminal behaviour were obtained for participants in the Providence cohort. Statistical models allowed between-family effects of MSP exposure to differ from within-family effects. In the absence of heterogeneity in between-family versus within-family estimates, a combined estimate was calculated.ResultsMSP was associated with a range of antisocial behaviours, measured by self-report and official records. For example, MSP was associated with increased odds of elevated levels of antisocial behaviours during adolescence and adulthood, as well as violent and non-violent outcomes during both developmental periods.ConclusionsFindings are consistent with a small-to-moderate causal effect of MSP on adolescent and adult antisocial behaviour.
The Definition of Health and Illness between Juridification and Medicalisation: A Private/Public Interest Perspective
Authors: Piciocchi Cinzia 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
This article addresses the interactions between medicalisation and juridification and their impact on the concepts of health and illness. Juridification, de-juridification, medicalisation and de-medicalisation are defined in many different ways and it is particularly interesting to see how they affect each other, impinging on individual freedom and contributing to shaping the definition of health and illness and their public understanding. Juridification and medicalisation are particularly affected by the shifting perceptions of the public and private interests at stake, even if the identification of the public or private interest is not an easy task, especially when ethically controversial issues come into play. Nevertheless, the private/public interest analysis is a crucial issue in the understanding of the interactions between these two concepts and in the identification of the boundary lines between them, giving an important key to the understanding of their influence on the rights and liberties at stake.
Development of Micro Cellular Open Cell Rigid Polyurethane Foams
Authors: Kodama K. , Yuge K. , Masuda Y. , Tanimoto Y. 
Published: July 2017

With the increasing concern over the threat of ozone depletion and global warming, the rigid polyurethane foam insulation industry is facing a majorchallenge of selecting alternatives for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Under the present situation, however, the effective means of solving this problem haven't been taken yet. Moreover, with more concern with the saving of energy worldwide, there is hope of insulators with higher performance. This paper reports on a micro cellular open cell polyurethane foam, which is very effective as a core material for evacuated insulators. In addition, thermal insulation panels with high performance are developed by utilizing the open cell foam as a core material. The evacuated insulators, so-called "vacuum insulation panels," have an insulation effectiveness four times better than those of the conventional rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams (thermal conductivity is 0.005 W/mK)and are also very lightweight compared to those made of inorganic substances such as silica powder. The vacuum insulation panels were manufactured by packing the core material and absorbents in a film-like laminated plastic container, which is suitable for holding a vacuum, followed by sealing in the industrial vacuum level (0.01—0.1 mm Hg). We have developed the micro cellular (100—200,μm) and 100% open cell foam by selecting polyol compositions, modified polyisocyanates, surfactants and cell opening additives. The micro cellular open cell foam has excellent physical properties such as heat resistance, compressive strength and low shrinkage as well as non-scorch at the stage of slabstock foaming. These properties will be very important for manufacturing the vacuum insulation panels. The open cell foams were blown by using the most conventional and alternative blowing agents in rigid foam systems. In the near future, we hope that this open cell foam technology will contribute to the development of environmentally friendly and high performance products in the insulation industry.
The Reference Period for Predicting Long-Term Thermal Performance of Thermal Insulating Foams
Authors: Di Lenardo Bruno , Bomberg Mark 
Published: July 2017

With the advent of thermal insulating foams manufactured with alternative blowing agents, the need for estimating their long-term thermal performance became evident. Two predictive techniques (slicing and scaling [1,2] or slicing and modelling [3,41]) are now considered for different foam products. However, the selection of the reference period for which the thermal performance is evaluated has not received sufficient attention. In this paper, the limit of economic considerations for aging processes is assumed to be fifteen to twenty years. The analysis indicates that for a wide range of thermal insulation products and thickness, the same reference time can be used. The reference time denotes the period of aging when the measured thermal resistivity (inverse of thermal conductivity) represents the timeaveraged thermal resistivity over the considered service life. This paper postulates that the five year reference period should be used for all thermal insulations with thermal performance varying during the service time. This estimate is based on economic analysis and modelling techniques applied to five different cellular plastic insulations and analyzed in three Canadian climates using two heating fuels for comparison. The cost of construction of the wall assemblies and the cost of insulation alternatives, as well as all economic assumptions such as future interest rates, inflation rate and fuel escalation rate, were the same as provided by the provincial authorities for development of the 1995 Canadian Energy Code.
Class I Isocyanurate Foams Blown with Pentane
Authors: Fishback T. , Reichel C. 
Published: July 2017

The transition from CFCs to HCFCs and zero ODP compounds, as mandated by CFC phase out protocol, is well under way in most areas of urethane foam production. Specifically, the laminate board industry is in the process of converting to HCFC-141b as an intermediate solution to R-11 blown foams. The switch will serve the industry for the next few years. However, HCFCs also destroyozone, and 141b is perhaps the strongest ozone depleter among HCFCs in current use. Consequently, 141b must eventually be replaced with a zero ODP alternative. Recently announced EPA recommendations call for cessation of both production and consumption of 141b by the year 2003 [1]. Therefore, current research is concentrated on developing effective, economical, zero ODP options for laminate board production. The task is large, however, due to the many requirements imposed on the product. Good k-factors and flame resistance are important. In the past, these requirements were met through both the isocyanurate structure of the foam and the low flammability and thermal conductivity of the blowing gas. BASF is currently investigating the use of hydrocarbons such as pentane as blowing agents for laminate board. Hydrocarbons are inexpensive, abundant liquids which have a zero ODP (ozone depletion potential) and a low GWP(global warming potential). We have produced laminate board foams with reasonable k-factors (0.135-0.146) and surprisingly good flame resistance using n-pentane, cyclopentane, and 2-chloropropane [2]. The good k-factors and improved flame resistance have been achieved through the use of such tools asincreased index, use of phosphorous-containing polyols, and the addition of halogenated inerting agents. Our results to date indicate that with a proper combination of these techniques, potential Class I rated laminate board blown with hydrocarbons is possible.
New High Resilience Slabstock Technologies Based on High Performance Polyols
Authors: Mispreuve H. , Knaub P. 
Published: July 2017

The Dow Chemical Company has developed a new proprietary technology that makes it possible to produce high molecular weight polyether polyols with reduced by-products. This paper reviews the use of this new generation of High Performance Polyols (HPPs) in the flexible slabstock field. It demonstrates how they make it possible to significantly expand the quality and grade versatility of the current all-water blown High Resilience (HR) technologies. In the TDI field, it was shown that the morphology of the polymer plays a key role. The absence of the polyurea precipitates explains the extreme softness achievable even at very high water levels. In these formulations, foams based on High Performance Polyols feature very high physical properties as expressed by comfort factor, resilience and fatigue properties. Enhanced mechanical properties make it possible to use HPPs over a wider range of isocyanate indices which increases the overall versatility of the system. They also help to reduce foam discoloration that is often observed at low density in the presence of liquid flame retardants. In the MDI field, HPPs also allow a certain level of physical property improvement of foams. Using polyols of various molecular weights, the fell of the foam can be improved to get even closer to latex foams. The use of a new parameter, the Comfort Aspect (CA) is described to express numerically the improvement in the foam touch.
Factors Affecting the Long Term Dimensional Stability of Rigid Foam for the Construction Industry
Authors: Daems D. , Rosbotham D. , Singh S. N. , Franco M. V. 
Published: July 2017

For several years, the polyurethanes industry has critically examined its products in order to meet all present, and possible future, US environmental regulations. Formulations have had to be adapted to new types of blowing agents in order to compare favourably with the thermal and fire performances previously achieved. These changes have highlighted a need to understand the fundamental factors which determine the long term dimensional stability of foams. From the theoretical understanding, it is then possible to assess the validity of current test methods and to design improved tests for the prediction of long term dimensional stability with the new systems. In this paper, the relevant fundamental factors have been examined individually. Factors which predominantly affect polymer strength, processing, diffusion of gases and plasticisation have been grouped together, and their combined effect, under different conditions and in different applications within construction, are discussed. Furthermore, the prediction of long term behaviour via modelling is highlighted. Based on fundamental understanding and model calculations, a new test has been designed and a comparison made with standard predictive tests. The behaviour of several HCFC-141b and pentane blown foams in the test are also given. It has been shown that the effect of the combined action of all parameters influencing the long term dimensional stability of foams has changed in new systems based on benign blowing agents, compared to conventional CFC-11 blown foams. It has also been shown that the new predictive test is better adapted and more critical than the standard test for these new systems.
Flammability Study of Hydrocarbon-Blown Isocyanurate Foams
Authors: Riley R. E. , Fishback T. L. , Yu-Hallada L. C. 
Published: July 2017

Due to the escalating interest in zero ODP (ozone depletion potential) blowing agents throughout the world, hydrocarbons are seriously being considered as potential candidates for rigid foam applications. However, many rigid foam applications require a certain degree of fire resistance, a characteristic which the flammable nature of hydrocarbons would seem to oppose. Last year we presented a paper which detailed our initial work with hydrocarbon-blown foams produced on a lab-scale high pressure machine [1]. In that work, several techniques were explored which improve the flame resistance of isocyanurate foams. These techniques included increased index, inclusion of phosphorous, and the use of inerting co-blowing agents. This paper will present further work concerning the flammability of rigid isocyanurate foams blown with hydrocarbons, with a particular emphasis on cyclopentane as the primary blowing agent. In this study we have investigated the use of various foaming techniques to suppress flammability. As in our previous paper, all foams were produced on a high pressure foam machine. Options which were explored include fire retardants, co-blowing agents, and increased foam indices. Results from small-scale fire tests are presented in order to compare the effectiveness of the different approaches. Mini-tunnel and hot plate test results are featured.
Antioxidant Systems for Stabilization of Flexible Polyurethane Slabstock Foams
Authors: Clauss M. , Andrews S. M. , Botkin J. H. , Macena L. 
Published: July 2017

The flexible slabstock polyurethane foam industry has been undergoing regulatory changes in recent years. The mandated reduction in halogenated blowing agents (CFCs) has profound implications for the development of adequate heat stabilization systems for the slabstock foam. Increased bun temperatures and concomitant scorching can result when CFCs are not present to assist in heat removal from the bun. Newer forced cooling processes (blown air or carbon dioxide) still incur high bun temperatures, and the possibility exists for loss of volatile stabilizer additives which could result in bun scorching and discoloration. The historical, and still prevalent stabilization approach utilizes BHT as a primary phenolic antioxidant, with an alkylated diphenylamine as co-stabilizer in some cases. However, the volatilization and loss of BHT from slabstocks during manufacture is known, resulting in inadequate bun stabilization, staining, etc. Consequently, antioxidant strategies utilizing lower volatility additives still are sought that inhibit the free radical, autocatalytic mechanisms of degradation. This paper will review and contrast traditional stabilization strategies for polyols and flexible foam polyurethanes. Emphasis on lower volatility antioxidant replacements for BHT will be discussed. Data to be presented include thermal analysis (DSC, OIT) testing of polyols and flexible foams. Since color evaluations in scorched foams have been related to the effectiveness of the stabilization system used, these data will be discussed for polyurethane foams that were prepared in the laboratory and subjected to microwave oven scorch testing.
Low k-factor and Low Density HCFC-141b Appliance Foam
Authors: Doerge Herman P. 
Published: July 2017

HCFC-141b blown rigid foams have now been used successfully for a couple of years in North America as insulation in refrigerated home appliances. Manufacturers have had time to adjust to the differences in processing between these systems and the CFC-11 systems that they replaced. Many appliance manufacturers have now focused their interest on foams that will provide lower cost without sacrificing properties or processing characteristics. Although there are a number of ways to reduce cost, one of the best ways is to reduce the density of the foam. Bayer Corporation has previously reported on low density HCFC-141b appliance foam which had similar densities to CFC-11 foams of around 1.9 to 2.0 pounds per cubic foot (pcf). These foams had somewhat higher k-factors but still were successful in replacing some of the CFC-11 foams commercially. Other HCFC-141b foam systems were developed that gave equivalent or lower k-factor foams but at somewhat higher densities. These systems replaced most of the commercial CFC-11 systems. Thermal conductivity of rigid polyurethane foams is to a large extent affected by the blowing agent, the closed cell content, cell size and the density. It has been reported that there exists a minimum thermal conductivity in the density range of around 2 to 3 pcf for CFC-11 blown foams. This appears to be true also for HCFC-141b foams, although the density range may be slightly different or narrower. It is not easy to reduce the density below 2 pcf without increasing the k-factor of the foam. Around or below 2 pcf, the increase in k-factor is caused not only by an increase in the radiation contribution to thermal conductivity due to coarser cells but to higher open cell content and possible convection currents within the cells. Since strength properties are also affected by density. There is a need by developers and manufacturers to evaluate long term dimensional stability of lower density foams. This paper will discuss the development of new low density HCFC-141b appliance foams which have similar k-factors compared to the majority of commercial appliance foam systems in the 2.1 to 2.2 pcf range. These new systems will also be shown to have substantially lower k-factors with only a slight increase in density compared to a commercial system in the 1.9 to 2.0 pcf range. In addition, physical properties and processing characteristics of these foams will be compared to commercial foams.