bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Class II obese and healthy pregnant controls exhibit indistinguishable pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory immune responses to Caesarian section
Authors: Graham Caroline , Thorleifson Mullein , Stefura William P. , Funk Duane J. , HayGlass Kent T. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionObesity during pregnancy is associated with meta‐inflammation and an increased likelihood of clinical complications. Surgery results in intense, acute inflammatory responses in any individual. Because obese individuals exhibit constitutive inflammatory responses and high rates of Caesarian section, it is important to understand the impact of surgery in such populations. Whether more pronounced pro‐inflammatory cytokine responses and/or counterbalancing changes in anti‐inflammatory immune modulators occurs is unknown. Here we investigated innate immune capacity in vivo and in vitro in non‐obese, term‐pregnant controls versus healthy, term‐pregnant obese women (Class II, BMI 35–40).MethodsSystemic in vivo induction of eleven pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory biomarkers and acute phase proteins was assessed in plasma immediately prior to and again following Caesarian section surgery. Independently, innate immune capacity was examined by stimulating freshly isolated PBMC in vitro with a panel of defined PRR‐ligands for TLR4, TLR8, TLR3, and RLR 24 h post‐surgery.ResultsThe kinetics and magnitude of the in vivo inflammatory responses examined were indistinguishable in the two populations across the broad range of biomarkers examined, despite the fact that obese women had higher baseline inflammatory status. Deliberate in vitro stimulation with a range of PRR ligands also elicited pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine responses that were indistinguishable between control and obese mothers.ConclusionsAcute in vivo innate immune responses to C‐section, as well as subsequent in vitro stimulation with a panel of microbial mimics, are not detectably altered in Class II obese women. The data argue that while Class II obesity is undesirable, it has minimal impact on the in vivo inflammatory response, or innate immunomodulatory capacity, in women selecting C‐section.
Self‐assembled Protein Fibril‐metal Oxide Nanocomposites
Authors: Levin A. , Mason T. O. , Knowles T. P. J. , Shimanovich U. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractProtein aggregation is commonly associated with the onset and development of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other forms of pathological disorders. While this phenomenon has historically been studied in the context of its relevance to human health, over the past decade significant research effort has focused on utilizing amyloid‐like protein assemblies as building blocks for the development of functional biomaterials and a number of protein‐based functional materials have been demonstrated. Here we extend this concept by synthesizing hybrid organic/inorganic microcapsules containing metal‐based NPs and protein nanofibrils as a nanocomposite. To this effect, we exploit the propensity of lysozyme to self‐assemble into amyloid nanofibrils and their functionalization by carboxyl‐modified Fe3O4 NPs. We use a microfluidics‐based approach to control the micron scale moprhology of the newly formed nanocomposites. Our results illustrate the potential ofthis strategy as a platform for fabricating microcapsules from nanofibril‐inorganic NPs hybrid materials.
Mechanism of graphene‐induced cytotoxicity: Role of endonucleases
Authors: Fahmi Tariq , Branch La Donna , Nima Zeid A. , Jang Dae Song , Savenka Alena V. , Biris Alexandru S. , Basnakian Alexei G. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractGraphene, a crystalline allotrope or carbon, presents numerous useful properties; however, its toxicity is yet to be determined. One of the most dramatic and irreversible toxic abilities of carbon nanomaterials is the induction of DNA fragmentation produced by endogenous cellular endonucleases. This study demonstrated that pristine graphene exposed to cultured kidney tubular epithelial cells is capable of inducing DNA fragmentation measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, which is usually associated with cell death. TUNEL (cell death) and endonuclease activity measured using a near infrared fluorescence probe was significantly higher in cells containing graphene aggregates detected by Raman spectroscopy. The elevation of TUNEL coincided with the increased abundance of heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), active caspase‐3 and endonucleases (deoxyribonuclease I [DNase I] and endonuclease G [EndoG]), as measured by quantitative immunocytochemistry. Specific inhibitors for HO‐1, HSP90, caspase‐3, DNase I and EndoG almost completely blocked the DNA fragmentation induced by graphene exposure. Therefore, graphene induces cell death through oxidative injury, caspase‐mediated and caspase‐independent pathways; and endonucleases DNase I and EndoG are important for graphene toxicity. Inhibition of these pathways may ameliorate cell injury produced by graphene. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of plasma protein adsorption and osteogenesis of hMSCs by functionalized siloxane coatings for titanium implants
Authors: Martínez‐Ibáñez Maria , Murthy N. Sanjeeva , Mao Yong , Suay Julio , Gurruchaga Marilo , Goñi Isabel , Kohn Joachim 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA series of sol–gel derived silicon based coatings were developed to improve the osseointegration of commercial titanium dental implants. The osseointegration starts with a positive interaction between the implant surface and surrounding tissues, which is facilitated by the adsorption of plasma proteins onto the biomaterial surface immediately after implantation. It is likely that the enhancement of protein adsorption to titanium implants leads to a better implant/tissue integration. In addition, silica based biomaterials have been shown to promote osteoblast differentiation. To improve the protein adsorption and the osteogenesis, methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), and gelatin were selected to coat titanium surfaces. Compared with non‐coated titanium, the functionalized coatings enhanced the adsorption of adhesive proteins such as fibronectin and collagen. The Si release was successfully modulated by the control of the chemical composition of the coating, showing a higher dissolution rate with the gelatin and GPTMS incorporation. While the roughness of commercial implants seemed to promote the adhesion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), the osteogenic differentiation was greater on surfaces with Si‐coatings. In this study, an improved osteogenic surface has been achieved by using the siloxane‐gelatin coatings and such coatings can be used in dental implants to promote osseointegration. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1138–1147, 2018.
On the number of hamiltonian cycles in triangulations with few separating triangles
Authors: Brinkmann Gunnar , Souffriau Jasper , Van Cleemput Nico 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this article, we investigate the number of hamiltonian cycles in triangulations. We improve a lower bound of for the number of hamiltonian cycles in triangulations without separating triangles (4‐connected triangulations) by Hakimi, Schmeichel, and Thomassen to a linear lower bound and show that a linear lower bound even holds in the case of triangulations with one separating triangle. We confirm their conjecture about the number of hamiltonian cycles in triangulations without separating triangles for up to 25 vertices and give computational results and constructions for triangulations with a small number of hamiltonian cycles and 1–5 separating triangles.
Biomimetic Macroporous PCL Scaffolds for Ex Vivo Expansion of Cord Blood‐Derived CD34+ Cells with Feeder Cells Support
Authors: Pan Xiuwei , Sun Qiong , Zhang Yuanhao , Cai Haibo , Gao Yun , Shen Yongjia , Zhang Weian 
Published: May 2017

Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with most current methods can hardly satisfy clinical application requirement. While in vivo, HSCs efficiently self‐renew in niche where they interact with 3D extracellular matrix and stromal cells. Therefore, co‐cultures of CD34+ cells and mesenchyme stem cells derived from human amniotic membrane (hAMSCs) on the basis of biomimetic macroporous three‐dimensional (3D) poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds are developed, where scaffolds and hAMSCs are applied to mimic structural and cellular microenvironment of HSCs. The influence of scaffolds, feeder cells, and contact manners on expansion and stemness maintenance of CD34+ cells is investigated in this protocol. Biomimetic scaffolds‐dependent co‐cultures of CD34+ cells and hAMSCs can effectively promote the expansion of CD34+ cells; meanwhile, indirect contact is superior to direct contact. The combination of biomimetic scaffolds and hAMSCs represents a new strategy for achieving clinical‐scale ex vivo expansion of CD34+ cells.
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Correlation between thermo‐mechanical properties and chemical composition of aged thermoplastic and thermosetting fiber reinforced plastic materials
Authors: Messana A. , Airale A. G. , Ferraris A. , Sisca L. , Carello M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this paper the influence of hygrothermal ageing on the chemical composition, as well as the mechanical and thermal properties of four different composite materials was investigated: woven carbon fibre and glass fibre, with traditional epoxy resin and advanced thermoplastic polyphenylene sulphide (PPS). In particular, hygrothermal tests of 500, 750 and 1000 hours are performed with standard cycling used by most of original equipment manufacturer and car manufacturers. The ultimate strength and Young′s modulus have been verified using tensile and compression tests. Infrared absorption and glass transition temperature were obtained via attenuated total reflectance‐dynamic mechanical thermal analysis combined testing. The glass transition temperature decreases in epoxy materials after ageing, while it increases in thermoplastic materials. The attenuated total reflectance analyses have shown a slight but irreversible change in the molecular structure of the epoxy matrix and at the fiber–matrix interface in polyphenylene sulphide composite materials. Finally, the results of the experiments give us useful suggestions for the design of vehicle structural components that are exposed to environmental conditions (rain, snow and humidity).
The impact of resident involvement in breast reconstruction surgery outcomes by modality: An analysis of 4,500 cases
Authors: Jubbal Kevin T. , Echo Anthony , Spiegel Aldona J. , Izaddoost Shayan A. 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to determine the impact of resident involvement on various methods of breast reconstruction via an American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) retrospective analysis.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of the ACS NSQIP database to identify patients undergoing breast reconstruction by free flap, implant, latissimus dorsi (LD), and transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction modalities. Primary outcomes measured include major and wound complications.ResultsA total of 4,500 cases were included in this analysis, of which residents participated in 1,743 (38.7%). Major complications occurred in 7.2% of all cases, and wound complications occurred in 3.3% of all cases. BMI was positively correlated with major complications in free flap, implant, and TRAM reconstruction groups. Wound complications were associated with BMI in free flap, implant, and TRAM reconstruction, with steroid use in implant and TRAM reconstruction, and with a history of bleeding disorder in LD reconstruction. Resident involvement did not reach significance in any reconstruction group as an independent factor for major or wound complications.ConclusionsResident involvement is safe and effective across implant, free flap, LD, and TRAM based methods of breast reconstruction with similar major and wound complication rates. Participation of trainees in these surgical cases is imperative for future patient care.
On the reduction of total‐cost and average‐cost MDPs to discounted MDPs
Authors: Feinberg Eugene A. , Huang Jefferson 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis article provides conditions under which total‐cost and average‐cost Markov decision processes (MDPs) can be reduced to discounted ones. Results are given for transient total‐cost MDPs with transition rates whose values may be greater than one, as well as for average‐cost MDPs with transition probabilities satisfying the condition that there is a state such that the expected time to reach it is uniformly bounded for all initial states and stationary policies. In particular, these reductions imply sufficient conditions for the validity of optimality equations and the existence of stationary optimal policies for MDPs with undiscounted total cost and average‐cost criteria. When the state and action sets are finite, these reductions lead to linear programming formulations and complexity estimates for MDPs under the aforementioned criteria.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 66:38–56, 2019
The prognostic significance of circulating serum amyloid A and CXC chemokine ligand 4 in osteosarcoma
Authors: Flores Ricardo J. , Kelly Aaron J. , Li Yiting , Chen Xiang , McGee Colin , Krailo Mark , Barkauskas Donald A. , Hicks John , Man Tsz‐Kwong 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundOsteosarcoma (OS) is the most common pediatric bone cancer. Despite advances in treatment regimens, the survival rate remains 60–70%. There is an urgent need to identify prognostic biomarkers, so that targeted therapies can be developed to improve the outcome.ProcedureOur laboratory has previously identified that circulating serum amyloid A (SAA) and CXC chemokine ligand 4 (CXCL4) are upregulated in patients with OS. In this study, we tested if they could be used as prognostic biomarkers. We used enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays to measure their concentrations in serum samples (n = 233) and immunohistochemistry to examine their expressions in primary tumors (n = 37). Prognostic significance of the serum concentrations and tumor expressions of the biomarkers was then evaluated.ResultsPatients with “high SAA” and “low CXCL4” circulating levels at diagnosis significantly correlated with a worse outcome (HR = 1.68, P = 0.014), which was independent of the metastatic status. These patients also exhibited a significantly higher rate of poor histologic response to chemotherapy. Furthermore, low tumor expression of CXCL4 correlated with poor survival (HR = 3.57, P = 0.005).ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that circulating SAA and CXCL4 may serve as prognostic biomarkers in OS. Targeting CXCL4 has been reported, suggesting that it may be exploited as a therapeutic target in OS.
Understanding how teachers guide evidence construction conversations
Authors: Manz Eve , Renga Ian Parker 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMany classroom units and lessons are now organized around engaging students in developing claims and evidence. An aspect of teachers’ work that is understudied is how teachers manage the complexity inherent in navigating between claims and empirical data. In other words, what do teachers do when students do not see what they are “supposed to” see or when they make sense of observations in unexpected ways? We contend that such complexity is inherent to the scientific endeavor, and that engaging with it is central to doing science. Therefore, the moves that science teachers make in this context have important consequences for students’ conceptual and epistemic understandings. We apply an epistemic levels coding scheme to three classroom episodes in order to better understand the complexity of classroom evidence construction and to develop a description of strategies that teachers might enact to manage this complexity. We then discuss the implications of these strategies for how students are positioned to engage in scientific knowledge construction.
Measuring What Matters in Sustainable Consumption: An Integrative Framework for the Selection of Relevant Behaviors
Authors: Geiger Sonja Maria , Fischer Daniel , Schrader Ulf 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn the face of existing obstacles in the interdisciplinary research on sustainable consumption behaviors, we argue for the need of an integrative framework from an interdisciplinary perspective. Such a framework is presented in the form of a three‐dimensional cube model of sustainable consumption behavior (SCB‐cube) extended by a fourth impact dimension. The model has two purposes for application: First, to systematize existing research on different behaviors on a common taxonomy and second, to facilitate the selection of relevant sustainable consumption behaviors in social sustainability research based on impact. We critically appraise existing intent‐ and impact‐based research approaches on the four key dimensions of the SCB‐cube, focusing on the ecological and socio‐economic impacts of consumption behaviors. Recommendations for the selection of relevant behaviors for empirical behavioral research are given, using the SCB‐cube as a guiding heuristic. The main audience for this model is social science researchers measuring sustainable consumer behaviors on the individual level. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Developing Key Indicators of Green Growth
Authors: Lyytimäki Jari , Antikainen Riina , Hokkanen Joonas , Koskela Sirkka , Kurppa Sirpa , Känkänen Riina , Seppälä Jyri 
Published: May 2017

AbstractGreening the economy has been widely discussed as a new strategy for simultaneously reducing environmental pressures, promoting economic growth and enhancing social well‐being. Indicators are one tool that can be used to describe the development of green growth. This paper presents and evaluates the process of attempting to build a set of policy‐relevant key indicators of green growth for Finland. The challenges of developing a cross‐scale indicator set integrating different sectors and levels of society are identified and discussed. It is argued that both the experts preparing the indicators and the potential users will benefit from a collaborative process that aims not only to build a shared awareness of the key issues of green growth but also to foster a realistic understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the indicator approach. Key challenges include data availability, right balance between different indicator selection criteria, systemic understanding of the relationships between indicators, and the variable usage contexts of the indicators. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Cell tracking using gold nanoparticles and computed tomography imaging
Authors: Meir Rinat , Popovtzer Rachela 
Published: May 2017

Cell‐based therapies utilize transplantation of living cells with therapeutic traits to alleviate numerous diseases and disorders. The use of such biological agents is an attractive alternative for diseases that existing medicine cannot effectively treat. Although very promising, translating cell therapy to the clinic has proven to be challenging, due to inconsistent results in preclinical and clinical studies. To examine the underlying cause for these inconsistencies, it is crucial to noninvasively monitor the accuracy of cell injection, and cell survival and migration patterns. The combination of classical imaging techniques with cellular contrast agents—mainly nanotechnological‐based—has enabled significant developments in cell‐tracking methodologies. One novel methodology, based on computed tomography (CT) as an imaging modality and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as contrast agents, has recently gained interest for its clinical applicability and cost‐effectiveness. Studies have shown that AuNPs can be used to efficiently label a variety of cell types, including stem cells and immune cells, without damaging their therapeutic efficacy. Successful in vivo experiments have demonstrated noninvasive, quantitative and longitudinal cell tracking with high sensitivity. This concept has the potential to be used not only as a research tool, but in clinical settings as well. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2018, 10:e1480. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1480This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with trastuzumab, docetaxel, and carboplatin administered every 3 weeks for Japanese women with HER2-positive primary breast cancer: efficacy and safety
Authors: Sugitani Ikuko , Ueda Shigeto , Sakurai Takashi , Shigekawa Takashi , Hirokawa Eiko , Shimada Hiroko , Takeuchi Hideki , Matsuura Kazuo , Misumi Misono , Fujiuchi Nobuko , Takahashi Takao , Hasebe Takahiro , Osaki Akihiko , Saeki Toshiaki 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Background
This phase II neoadjuvant study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a triweekly regimen of docetaxel and carboplatin in combination with trastuzumab (TCbH) in Japanese women with human epidermal growth factor receptor type2 (HER2)-positive primary breast cancer.

Methods
Patients with HER2-positive, stage I–III invasive breast cancer received six courses of trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose, then 6 mg/kg, day 1), docetaxel (75 mg/m2, day 1), and carboplatin (area under the curve: 6, day 1) every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR) of both breast and axillary lymph node disease.

Results
Fifty patients were enrolled in this study. Median age was 58 (range 32–75) years. All patients underwent definitive surgery. Thirty-three (66%) patients completed the chemotherapy course, while the treatment was delayed or discontinued in the other 17 (34%) patients because of adverse events (AEs). The pCR rate was 52%; the overall response rate was 66%. Grade 3/4 AEs due to nonhematological toxicity were anorexia (4%), diarrhea (2%), and rash (2%), and those due to hematological toxicity were neutropenia (36%), anemia (12%), and thrombocytopenia (2%).

Conclusion
Although the triweekly six-course regimen of TCbH achieved a high pCR rate, hematological AEs frequently occurred during the latter part of the chemotherapy course. One-third of patients experienced delayed or discontinued chemotherapy.
Clinical registration number: http://www.umin.org.auUMIN000013513.
Neuropatía del pudendo como causa de dolor pélvico
Authors: Tobar Roa Verónica , Gómez María , González Ana , Zableh Ana 
Published: May 2017

ResumenEl síndrome de atrapamiento del nervio pudendo es una de múltiples causas de dolor pélvico crónico. Hemos realizado una revisión de la literatura sobre su presentación clínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento, con el propósito de conocer los detalles más relevantes de una enfermedad que cada vez está siendo más diagnosticada, con el fin de realizar un abordaje precoz desde un punto de vista integral.
‘What Does This Mean?’: How UK Companies Make Sense of Human Rights
Authors: OBARA Louise J 
Published: May 2017

AbstractHow do companies understand and talk about human rights? Do they consider human rights a moral, legal or political construct? What type of responsibility do they assume in respect of human rights (e.g., direct/indirect, narrow/broad)? Is the language and label of human rights used within day-to-day practice? This article attempts to address these questions by drawing on empirical data collected as part of an in-depth, qualitative study on the development of human rights within 22 UK companies. Through an analysis based on sensemaking, the article explores the meaning of human rights, the grounds used to justify corporate responsibility, and the human rights terminology and labels employed within the corporate setting. It then analyses what this understanding and discourse means for the debate about the role of private entities for the protection of human rights.