bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy outcomes in mothers of offspring with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes
Authors: Giri Neelam , Reed Helen D. , Stratton Pamela , Savage Sharon A. , Alter Blanche P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundChildren with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFSs) may be symptomatic in utero, resulting in maternal and fetal problems during the pregnancy. Subsequent pregnancies by their mothers should be considered “high risk”.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed outcomes of 575 pregnancies in 165 unaffected mothers of offspring with Fanconi anemia (FA), dyskeratosis congenita (DC), Diamond–Blackfan anemia (DBA), and Shwachman–Diamond syndrome (SDS) for events noted during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. We compared outcomes of pregnancies with affected and unaffected offspring within each group of mothers and with the general population.ResultsThe rates of miscarriage (12–20%), elective abortion (5–10%), and live birth (68–78%) among mothers of all IBMFS groups were similar and comparable with general population rates but recurrent miscarriages (≥2) were significantly more common in mothers of offspring with DBA and SDS. Offspring with FA were more frequently born small for gestational age (SGA) than unaffected babies (39% vs. 4%) and had fetal malformations (46%) with 18% having three or more, often necessitating early delivery and surgery; offspring with DC had higher rates of SGA (39% vs. 8%) and fetal distress (26% vs. 3%); and offspring with DBA had fetal hypoxia (19% vs. 1%) leading to preterm and emergency cesarean deliveries (26% vs. 6%). Offspring with early‐onset severe phenotypes had the most prenatal and peripartum adverse events.ConclusionWe identified the high‐risk nature of pregnancies in mothers with IBMFS‐affected fetuses, suggesting the need for prepregnancy counseling and monitoring of subsequent pregnancies by high‐risk fetal–maternal specialists.
An analysis of inpatient pediatric sickle cell disease: Incidence, costs, and outcomes
Authors: Bou‐Maroun Laura M. , Meta Fabien , Hanba Curtis J. , Campbell Andrew D. , Yanik Gregory A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo identify characteristics of pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) hospitalizations and to examine admission demographics and medical expenditures.MethodsAdmissions with SCD were identified from the 2009 and 2012 releases of the Healthcare and Cost Utilization Project's Kids Inpatient Database. Disease‐specific secondary diagnoses including acute chest syndrome (ACS), vaso‐occlusive pain crisis (VOC), splenic sequestration, and stroke/transient ischemic attack were analyzed for patient and hospital demographics. Analytical endpoints included total healthcare expenditures and mortality.ResultsWe reviewed 75,234 inpatient hospitalizations with a diagnosis of SCD. Over $900,000,000 was spent annually in associated healthcare expenditure. The median length of hospitalization stay (LOS) for all admissions was 3 days (interquartile range [IQR] 2–5 days). VOC was the most frequent secondary diagnosis, recording 48,698 total hospitalizations and a median LOS of 3 days (IQR 2–6 days). Of the 8,490 hospitalizations with ACS, the infant population had a significantly higher mortality rate compared to other age groups (2% vs. 0.3%, P < 0.001). Cerebral vascular accidents incurred the second highest median hospitalization cost ($18,956), behind ACS ($22,631). A high proportion of Caucasian patients died during hospitalization for VOC (0.4% vs. 0.1%, P = 0.014) and ACS (4% vs. 0.2%, P < 0.001) when compared to non‐Caucasians.ConclusionInpatient hospitalizations for secondary manifestations of pediatric SCD were associated with significant healthcare expenditures. Patients with an increased statistical risk for death during hospitalization included Caucasians with SCD complications of ACS and VOC, and patients <1‐year‐old with ACS. Further research is needed to substantiate the associated clinical significance of these findings.
Fetal isovolumetric time intervals as a marker of abnormal cardiac function in fetal anemia from homozygous alpha thalassemia‐1 disease
Authors: Tongprasert Fuanglada , Srisupundit Kasemsri , Luewan Suchaya , Traisrisilp Kuntharee , Jatavan Phudit , Tongsong Theera 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether fetal isovolumetric time intervals can be an early sonographic marker of fetal anemia in fetuses with homozygous alpha thalassemia‐1.MethodsPregnancies at risk for fetal homozygous alpha thalassemia‐1 disease at 18–22 weeks were recruited before cordocentesis for hemoglobin typing. Isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) intervals were measured by placing pulsed wave Doppler sample volume within the left ventricle to obtain the mitral and aortic waveform. Time intervals were compared between the affected group of homozygous alpha thalassemia‐1 fetuses and the unaffected group.ResultsAmong 70 fetuses at risk, 28 cases were diagnosed as affected by homozygous alpha thalassemia‐1 disease. Mean ICT and ICT + IRT intervals in the affected group were significantly longer than in the unaffected group (47.9 ± 12.5 ms vs 35.0 ± 6.7 ms, p < 0.001; and 96.2 ± 13.6 ms vs 80.9 ± 10.6 ms, p < 0.001. ICT effectively predicted affected fetuses with 71.4% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity using a cutoff value ≥40 ms.ConclusionsIsovolumetric contraction time was significantly prolonged in fetal anemia from homozygous alpha thalassemia‐1 during the early stage of hydropic changes. Because of its simple measurement and high efficacy, ICT can be a useful marker for prenatal screening of abnormal cardiac function in fetal anemia. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(2‐oxazoline)s: A comprehensive overview of polymer structures and their physical properties
Authors: Glassner Mathias , Vergaelen Maarten , Hoogenboom Richard 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPoly(2‐oxazoline)s (PAOx) are of increasing importance for a wide range of applications, mostly in the biomedical field. This review describes the synthesis of 2‐oxazoline monomers and their cationic ring‐opening polymerization, and gives a comprehensive overview of all reported PAOx homopolymers. In the second part of the review, the polymer properties of these PAOx homopolymers with varying side‐chain structures are discussed. Altogether, this review intends to serve as an encyclopedia for poly(2‐oxazoline)s enabling the straightforward selection of a polymer structure with the desired properties for a certain application. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
MALDI Imaging‐Guided Microproteomic Analyses of Heterogeneous Breast Tumors—A Pilot Study
Authors: Alberts Deborah , Pottier Charles , Smargiasso Nicolas , Baiwir Dominique , Mazzucchelli Gabriel , Delvenne Philippe , Kriegsmann Mark , Kazdal Daniel , Warth Arne , De Pauw Edwin , Longuespée Rémi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMatrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging is an ideal tool to study intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) and its implication in prognostic stratification of patients. However, there are some drawbacks concerning protein identification. On the other hand, laser microdissection (LMD)‐based microproteomics allows retrieving thousands of protein identifications from small tissue pieces. As a proof of concept, the authors combine these two complementary approaches to analyze heterogeneous regions in breast tumors. Invasive ductal breast cancer FFPE tissue sections from five patients are analyzed by MALDI imaging and the dataset is processed by segmentation. Heterogeneous regions within tumors are processed by LMD‐based microproteomics, in duplicates. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry data are classified by hierarchical clustering. Heterogeneous tissue regions are discriminated on the basis of their actual molecular heterogeneity. The dataset is correlated with MALDI imaging to identify m/z values discriminating heterogeneous regions. The molecular characterization of cell clones in tumors related to bad patient outcome could have great impact for pathology. A combined application of LMD‐based microproteomics and MALDI imaging for ITH studies is presented.
Cyclic oligomer design with de novo αβ‐proteins
Authors: Lin Yu‐Ru , Koga Nobuyasu , Vorobiev Sergey M. , Baker David 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe have previously shown that monomeric globular αβ‐proteins can be designed de novo with considerable control over topology, size, and shape. In this paper, we investigate the design of cyclic homo‐oligomers from these starting points. We experimented with both keeping the original monomer backbones fixed during the cyclic docking and design process, and allowing the backbone of the monomer to conform to that of adjacent subunits in the homo‐oligomer. The latter flexible backbone protocol generated designs with shape complementarity approaching that of native homo‐oligomers, but experimental characterization showed that the fixed backbone designs were more stable and less aggregation prone. Designed C2 oligomers with β‐strand backbone interactions were structurally confirmed through x‐ray crystallography and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). In contrast, C3‐C5 designed homo‐oligomers with primarily nonpolar residues at interfaces all formed a range of oligomeric states. Taken together, our results suggest that for homo‐oligomers formed from globular building blocks, improved structural specificity will be better achieved using monomers with increased shape complementarity and with more polar interfaces.
Brief Report: A Differential Transcriptomic Profile of Ex Vivo Expanded Adult Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells Empowers Them for Engraftment Better than Their Surface Phenotype
Authors: Psatha Nikoletta , Georgolopoulos Grigorios , Phelps Susan , Papayannopoulou Thalia 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Transplantation of small cord blood (CB) units, or of autologous ex vivo-genetically modified adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), face the common challenge of suboptimal HSC doses for infusion and impaired engraftment of the transplanted cells. Ex vivo expansion of HSCs, using either cell-based coculture approaches or especially small molecules have been successfully tested mainly in CB and in prolonged cultures. Here, we explored whether innovative combinations of small molecules can sufficiently, after short culture, expand adult HSCs while retaining their functionality in vivo. We found that 5-day cultured cells, in the presence of the small molecule combinations tested, achieved higher engraftment levels in NSG mice than both their uncultured and their cytokine only-cultured counterparts. Surprisingly, the engraftment levels were neither concordant to the numbers of phenotypically similar HSCs expanded under different small molecule combinations, nor explained by their distinct companion cells present. Transcriptomic comparative analysis of sorted, phenotypically similar, ex vivo generated HSCs transplanted in equal numbers, suggested that HSCs generated under expansion conditions that maintain low expression of the Rap1/Ras/PI3K-AKT pathway exhibit a superior functional profile in vivo.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells Promote Alternative Activation Macrophages to Repair Tissue Damage
Authors: Bowles Annie C. , Wise Rachel M. , Gerstein Brittany Y. , Thomas Robert C. , Ogelman Roberto , Febbo Isabella , Bunnell Bruce A. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The pathogenesis of many diseases is driven by the interactions between helper T (TH) cells and macrophages. The phenotypes of these cells are functional dichotomies that are persuaded according to the surrounding milieu. In both multiple sclerosis and the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, TH1 and TH17 cells propagate autoimmune signaling and inflammation in the peripheral lymphoid tissues. In turn, this proinflammatory repertoire promotes the classical activation, formerly the M1-type, macrophages. Together, these cells infiltrate into the central nervous system (CNS) tissues and generate inflammatory and demyelinating lesions. Our most recent report demonstrated the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) that led to functional, immunological, and pathological improvements in the EAE model. Here, a deeper investigation revealed the induction of regulatory T cells and alternative activation, or M2-type, macrophages in the periphery followed by the presence of alternative activation macrophages, reduced cellular infiltrates, and attenuation of neuroinflammation in CNS tissues following intraperitoneal administration of these treatments. Spleens from treated EAE mice revealed diminished TH1 and TH17 cell activities and were markedly higher in the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. Interestingly, SVF cells were more effective than ASCs at mediating these beneficial changes, which were attributed to their localization to the spleens after administration. Together, SVF cells rapidly and robustly attenuated the propagation of autoimmune signaling in the periphery that provided a permissive milieu in the CNS for repair and possibly regeneration.
Psychosocial Needs and Facilitators of Mothers Caring for Children with Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Peay Holly L. , Meiser Bettina , Kinnett Kathleen , Tibben Aad 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCare guidelines for Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DBMD) include recommendations for assessment of caregivers of patients with DBMD followed by proactive psychosocial interventions. To inform clinical assessment, this study described appraisals of psychosocial needs and caregiving facilitators of mothers of individuals with DBMD. Two hundred and five mothers completed an online survey. More than 50% endorsed unmet needs for managing uncertainty about the future and managing DBMD fears. Higher levels of unmet need were associated with less disease progression/earlier stage of DBMD (rho = −0.166 p = 0.02). Twenty‐one percent regularly used respite care and 57% worried about allowing others to care for their child. Highly‐endorsed care facilitators included partner relationships (63%), child's approach to life (59%), and family relationships (49%). Our findings highlight the importance of psychological and social support for caregivers. Starting when children are young, clinicians should assess caregivers’ unmet psychological needs, particularly uncertainty and fear. Exploring needs and facilitators may allow clinics to target and customize interventions that build upon existing strengths and supports. Our findings have implications for efforts to promote early diagnosis and newborn screening, in that increased needs in mothers of younger children should be anticipated and built into counseling. Further research can assess whether and how unmet needs change as new therapies become available.
Application of Micellar Extraction for Isolation of Famotidine from Aqueous Samples Prior to its Chromatographic Determination
Authors: Kiszkiel‐Taudul Ilona , Starczewska Barbara , Karpińska Joanna , Kasabuła Monika 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMicellar extraction was applied to isolate famotidine from aqueous samples. This drug is an H2 receptor antagonist used for the treatment of stomach diseases. The process was performed with a mixture of anionic sodium dodecylsulfate and nonionic Triton X‐114 surfactants. The effect of different parameters on the efficiency of the micellar extraction such as electrolyte and surfactant concentration, pH of sample, temperature, shaking and centrifugation time was investigated. The influence of foreign substances on a studied process was tested. The elaborated procedure was applied for HPLC–UV determination of famotidine in natural water samples. The calibration graph was recorded in the range 1.35–37.12 μg mL−1 of the studied compound. The repeatability of the method was equal to 7.4%. The limit of detection and quantification values for the determination of famotidine by using the proposed method amounted to 0.40 and 1.25 μg mL−1, respectively.
Consumer Connectivity in a Complex, Technology-enabled, and Mobile-oriented World with Smart Products
Authors: Verhoef Peter C. , Stephen Andrew T. , Kannan P.K. , Luo Xueming , Abhishek Vibhanshu , Andrews Michelle , Bart Yakov , Datta Hannes , Fong Nathan , Hoffman Donna L. , Hu Mandy Mantian , Novak Tom , Rand William , Zhang Yuchi 
Published: August 2017

Today's consumers are immersed in a vast and complex array of networks. Each network features an interconnected mesh of people and firms, and now, with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), also objects. Technology (particularly mobile devices) enables such connections, and facilitates many kinds of interactions in these networks—from transactions, to social information sharing, to people interfacing with connected devices (e.g., wearable technology). We introduce the POP-framework, discuss how People, Objects and the Physical world inter-connect with each other and how it results in an increasing amount of connected data, and briefly summarize existing knowledge on these inter-connections. We also provide an agenda for future research focused on examining potential impact of IoT and smart products on consumer behavior and firm strategies.
Effects of validating communication on recall during a pain-task in healthy participants
Authors: Carstens Johan K.P. , Boersma Katja , Schrooten Martien G.S. , Linton Steven J. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Background
Increasing recall of instructions and advice in a pain consultation is important, since it is a prerequisite for adherence to treatment recommendations. However, interference due to pain-related distress may result in poor recall. Whereas there are some indications that recall can be increased by empathic communication that reduces interference, this interesting possibility remains largely untested experimentally.
The current experiment aimed at studying effects of empathic communication, and more specifically validation, on recall during a pain test and possible mediators and moderators of this effect.

Method
Participants received either validating (N = 25) or invalidating responses (N = 25) from the experimenter during a pain provoking task, followed by self-report measures of interference (affect, situational pain catastrophizing) and recall (accurate and false memories of words).

Results
As expected, the validated group exhibited higher accurate recall and less false memories following the pain test as compared to the invalidated group. This was partly due to the effect of interference being counteracted by moderating the relationship between pain catastrophizing and recall.

Conclusion
These novel results suggest that validating communication can counteract interference due to pain catastrophizing on recall, at least in a controlled experimental setting.

Implications
Good communication by health professionals is of utmost importance for adherence to pain management. The current results expand our knowledge on the effects of pain communication by establishing and explaining a clear link between empathic communication and recall, highlighting the role of pain catastrophizing.
Country-Wide Distance Training for Delivery of Screening and Brief Intervention for Problematic Substance Use: A Pilot Evaluation of Participant Experiences and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Carneiro Ana Paula Leal , Souza-Formigoni Maria Lucia Oliveira 
Published: August 2017

Background In this study, the authors evaluated if the 120-hour distance learning (DL) course SUPERA (an acronym in Portuguese meaning “System for detection of excessive use or dependence on psychoactive substances: brief Intervention, social reinsertion and follow-up”) was an effective way to train health professionals and social workers to apply screening and brief intervention (SBI) for patients with substance use disorders. Methods In the first phase, 2420 health professionals or social workers, who had completed the course, answered an online survey about their use of the SBI. In the second phase, 25 of those professionals applied the ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test) followed by a brief intervention (BI) to patients with substance use disorders. Three months after the SBI delivery, independent researchers followed up 79 patients who had received SBI, reapplying the ASSIST and a questionnaire to evaluate the patients'/clients’ satisfaction with the intervention they received. Results In the first phase, it was found that most health professionals and social workers who completed the course applied the SBI in their work and felt very motivated to do it. In the second phase of the study, at a 3-month follow-up, most patients had significantly reduced their ASSIST scores in respect of alcohol and cocaine/crack in relation to their baseline levels. Those patients classified by their ASSIST score as “suggestive of dependence” presented a significant reduction in their scores regarding alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine/crack, whereas those classified as “at risk” presented a reduction in respect of alcohol problems only. Patients associated changes in their substance use with the SBI received. Conclusions A reduction in substance use–related problems was associated with the SBI applied by the health professionals or social workers trained by the DL course SUPERA. Two significant limitations of this study were the small number of participants (professionals and patients in the follow-up) and the absence of a control group in the second phase of the study.
Stereotactic Drainage of Brainstem Abscess With the BrainLab Varioguide™ System and the Airo™ Intraoperative CT Scanner: Technical Case Report
Authors: Almeida Cesar C , Uzuner Ayse , Alterman Ron L 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE
Stereotactic biopsies or needle aspirations of posterior fossa lesions are technically challenging. Here we report a novel technique for performing these procedures employing the Airo™ intraoperative computed tomographic (CT) scanner and the VarioGuide™ articulated arm (BrainLab, Munich, Germany).

CLINICAL PRESENTATION
A 62-yr-old woman presented with an irregularly shaped, enhancing lesion of the left pons/middle cerebellar peduncle. Slowed diffusion on magnetic resonance imaging suggested an abscess, but no definitive infectious agent/source could be identified. When the patient deteriorated despite broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, she was taken to the operating room for stereotactic drainage of the abscess employing the described technique. A specific infectious agent (Eikenella corrodens) was identified from the aspirate, allowing for tailored antibiotic therapy. The procedure was well tolerated and the patient made a full recovery with minimal neurological sequelae.

CONCLUSION
The combination of the Airo™ intraoperative CT and the Varioguide™ articulated arm allows for safe, accurate, and efficient targeting of posterior fossa lesions.