bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition by all‐trans retinoic acid of collagen degradation mediated by corneal fibroblasts
Authors: Kimura Kazuhiro , Zhou Hongyan , Orita Tomoko , Kobayashi Shinya , Wada Tomoyuki , Nakamura Yoshikuni , Nishida Teruo , Sonoda Koh‐Hei 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundWe examined the effect of all‐trans retinoic acid on collagen degradation mediated by corneal fibroblasts.MethodsRabbit corneal fibroblasts were cultured with or without all‐trans retinoic acid in a three‐dimensional collagen gel, and the extent of collagen degradation was determined by measurement of hydroxyproline in acid hydrolysates of culture supernatants. Matrix metalloproteinase expression was examined by immunoblot analysis and gelatin zymography. The abundance and phosphorylation state of the endogenous nuclear factor‐kappaB inhibitor IκB‐α were examined by immunoblot analysis. Corneal ulceration was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide into the central corneal stroma of rabbits and was assessed by observation with a slitlamp microscope.ResultsAll‐trans retinoic acid inhibited interleukin‐1β‐induced collagen degradation by corneal fibroblasts in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. It also attenuated the release and activation of matrix metalloproteinases as well as the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB‐α induced by interleukin‐1β in these cells. Topical application of all‐trans retinoic acid suppressed corneal ulceration induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide into the corneal stroma.ConclusionsAll‐trans retinoic acid inhibited collagen degradation mediated by corneal fibroblasts exposed to interleukin‐1β, with this effect being accompanied by suppression of nuclear factor‐kappaB signalling as well as of matrix metalloproteinase release and activation in these cells. All‐trans retinoic acid also attenuated lipopolysaccharide‐induced corneal ulceration in vivo. Our results therefore suggest that all‐trans retinoic acid might prove effective for the treatment of patients with corneal ulceration.
Interstitial changes in asthma‐COPD overlap syndrome
Authors: Chiba Sahoko , Tsuchiya Kimitake , Nukui Yoshihisa , Sema Manabu , Tamaoka Meiyo , Sumi Yuki , Miyazaki Yasunari , Inase Naohiko 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntroductionAsthma‐COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) is the widely recognized syndrome of asthma and COPD coexisting together. Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for ACOS and is reported to be associated with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Subclinical ILDs have been frequently detected in smokers’ lungs by radiological and pathological examinations. This finding raises the possibility that unrecognized mild interstitial changes take place in lungs with ACOS.ObjectivesWe sought to determine whether interstitial changes were present in the lungs of patients with ACOS and to characterize the clinical features of ACOS with interstitial changes.MethodsThirty patients with ACOS were enrolled in the study (26 men and 4 women, mean age 70.1 years). Interstitial changes in the lungs were estimated by high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Clinical findings and airway wall thickness on HRCT were assessed retrospectively and compared between ACOS patients with and without interstitial changes.ResultsInterstitial changes were found in seven patients (23.3%) with ACOS who had HRCT. The age and smoking amount were significantly higher in ACOS with interstitial changes than in ACOS without interstitial changes. ACOS with interstitial changes tended to have a higher rate of fungal sensitisation. Multivariate analysis showed pack‐years were significantly related to the presence of interstitial changes. Airway walls assessed by HRCT were significantly thicker in ACOS with interstitial changes than in ACOS without interstitial changes.ConclusionsThe ACOS patients with interstitial changes were heavier smokers and had thicker airway walls on HRCT compared to the ACOS patients without interstitial changes.
Development of an in vivo swine model of biliary dilatation‐based direct peroral cholangioscopy
Authors: Park Jin‐Seok , Jeong Seok , Kwon Chang‐Il , Choi Hyun Jong , Koh Dong Hee , Cho Jae Hee , Hyun Jong Jin , Moon Jong‐Ho , Lee Don Haeng 
Published: February 2016

Background and AimA reproducible in vivo swine model of bile duct dilation (BDD) was recently established and reported for preclinical testing of newly developed biliary devices or endoscopic techniques. The aim of the present study was to develop a more advanced large animal model in which it is possible to direct examination of the biliary tree.MethodsSix mini pigs were prepared for the study. BDD models were first made by closure of the Vater's ampulla in all swine. Then endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) was done in the animals. Feasibility of single‐operator peroral cholangioscopy without assistance of accessories was evaluated using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope in the animals.ResultsEPBD could be implemented using a dilation balloon catheter (10~13.5 mm) in all BDD models (6/6, 100%). Success rate of freehand direct insertion of an ultra‐slim endoscope into the common bile duct was 100% (6/6), and access to the common hepatic duct with examination was possible using direct peroral cholangioscopy in five animals (5/6, 83.3%). None of the animals died. In the cholangioscopic examination, a bile duct polyp and a benign biliary stricture occurred naturally, respectively, in two of the six swine.ConclusionAn in vivo swine model of biliary dilatation‐based direct peroral cholangioscopy was established. This novel animal model may be useful for preclinical research of new materials or devices because direct visualization of the biliary tree is feasible.
Ultrasound‐guided core needle biopsies for workup of lymphadenopathy and lymphoma
Authors: Groneck Laura , Quaas Alexander , Hallek Michael , Zander Thomas , Weihrauch Martin R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundFor the histopathological diagnosis of lymphoma, lymph node excision biopsies are regarded as standard of care. In contrast, for the diagnosis of carcinoma and deep‐seated tumors, core needle biopsies (CNBs) are accepted as a sufficient sampling method. We evaluated a diagnostic algorithm for peripheral lymphadenopathy starting with ultrasound‐guided CNB followed by excisional biopsy in ambiguous cases.MethodsWe performed ultrasound‐guided CNB of peripheral lymph nodes and subcutaneous tumors in patients with lymphadenopathy in routine care and analyzed its accuracy, complication rate, and the impact of needle sizes on results.ResultsFrom 138 patients, 132 samples were technically adequate. In 121 patients, CNB provided a clinically actionable diagnosis (76 lymphoma, 30 carcinoma, 15 non‐malignant diagnoses). A total of 54 patients had a secondary biopsy. Inconclusive diagnoses were rare with two false‐positive and two false‐negative non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, and higher for Hodgkin's lymphoma with five false‐negative cases. The rate of complications was low. Needle size did not significantly influence results.ConclusionUltrasound‐guided CNBs are a safe, quick, and valid tool for the workup of lymphadenopathy. Yet, a benign diagnosis from CNB must be completed by a secondary biopsy if clinical presentation suggests malignant disease.
Update on the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in inflammatory/autoimmune skin diseases
Authors: Saadeh Dana , Kurban Mazen , Abbas Ossama 
Published: February 2016

AbstractPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) represent a specialized dendritic cell population that exhibit plasma cell morphology, express CD4, CD123, blood‐derived dendritic cell antigen‐2 (BDCA‐2) and Toll‐like receptor (TLR)7 and TLR9 within endosomal compartments. When activated, pDCs are capable of producing large quantities of type I IFNs (mainly IFN‐α/β), which provide antiviral resistance and link the innate and adaptive immunity. While generally lacking from normal skin, pDCs infiltrate the skin and appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory, infectious (especially viral) and neoplastic entities. In recent years, pDC role in inflammatory/autoimmune skin conditions has been extensively studied. Unlike type I IFN‐mediated protective immunity that pDCs provide at the level of the skin by regulated sensing of microbial or self‐nucleic acids upon skin damage, excessive sensing may elicit IFN‐driven inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. In this review, focus will be on the role of pDCs in cutaneous inflammatory/autoimmune dermatoses.
The conservation status of Niugini black bass: a world‐renowned sport fish with an uncertain future
Authors: Sheaves M. , Baker R. , McLeod I. , Abrantes K. , Wani J. , Barnett A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe Niugini black bass, Lutjanus goldiei Bloch, is an estuarine and freshwater fish species endemic to New Guinea and the surrounding islands. It is the focus of a growing sport fishing industry that has the potential to provide long‐standing benefits to local people. Plantation agriculture, mining and logging are expanding in many catchments where L. goldiei is found, creating the potential for these industries to impact on L. goldiei and the environments it relies on. Understanding of the current status of the species, including its biology, ecology and distribution, is essential for its sustainable management. However, very little is known about the species. Here, the published literature, unpublished data and interviews with anglers and fisheries officers were used to draw together existing knowledge, assess the current conservation status, make a preliminary analysis of threats and identify key areas for research that will support the sustainable development of the L. goldiei sport fishing industry while fostering positive conservation outcomes.
Phenological change in a spring ephemeral: implications for pollination and plant reproduction
Authors: Gezon Zachariah J. , Inouye David W. , Irwin Rebecca E. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractClimate change has had numerous ecological effects, including species range shifts and altered phenology. Altering flowering phenology often affects plant reproduction, but the mechanisms behind these changes are not well‐understood. To investigate why altering flowering phenology affects plant reproduction, we manipulated flowering phenology of the spring herb Claytonia lanceolata (Portulacaceae) using two methods: in 2011–2013 by altering snow pack (snow‐removal vs. control treatments), and in 2013 by inducing flowering in a greenhouse before placing plants in experimental outdoor arrays (early, control, and late treatments). We measured flowering phenology, pollinator visitation, plant reproduction (fruit and seed set), and pollen limitation. Flowering occurred approx. 10 days earlier in snow‐removal than control plots during all years of snow manipulation. Pollinator visitation patterns and strength of pollen limitation varied with snow treatments, and among years. Plants in the snow removal treatment were more likely to experience frost damage, and frost‐damaged plants suffered low reproduction despite lack of pollen limitation. Plants in the snow removal treatment that escaped frost damage had higher pollinator visitation rates and reproduction than controls. The results of the array experiment supported the results of the snow manipulations. Plants in the early and late treatments suffered very low reproduction due either to severe frost damage (early treatment) or low pollinator visitation (late treatment) relative to control plants. Thus, plants face tradeoffs with advanced flowering time. While early‐flowering plants can reap the benefits of enhanced pollination services, they do so at the cost of increased susceptibility to frost damage that can overwhelm any benefit of flowering early. In contrast, delayed flowering results in dramatic reductions in plant reproduction through reduced pollination. Our results suggest that climate change may constrain the success of early‐flowering plants not through plant‐pollinator mismatch but through the direct impacts of extreme environmental conditions.
Use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors after failure of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma undergoing hemodialysis: A single‐center experience with four cases
Authors: Omae Kenji , Kondo Tsunenori , Takagi Toshio , Iizuka Junpei , Kobayashi Hirohito , Hashimoto Yasunobu , Tanabe Kazunari 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe retrospectively identified patients with end‐stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis treated with the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors as a second‐ and/or third‐line targeted therapy after treatment failure with the tyrosine kinase inhibitors for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Patient medical records were reviewed to evaluate the response to therapies and treatment‐related toxicities. Four patients were identified. All patients had undergone nephrectomy, and one had received immunotherapy before targeted therapy. Two patients had clear cell histology, and the other two had papillary histology. All patients were classified into the intermediate risk group according to the Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center risk model. All patients were treated with everolimus as a second‐ or third‐line therapy, and two patients were treated with temsirolimus as a second‐ or third‐line therapy after treatment failure with sorafenib or sunitinib. The median duration of everolimus therapy was 6.7 months, whereas that of temsirolimus was 9.5 months. All patients had stable disease as the best response during each period of therapy. There were no severe adverse events. The use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in patients who previously failed to respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitors appears to be feasible in patients with end‐stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis.
Low dose heparin lock (1000 U/mL) maintains tunnelled hemodialysis catheter patency when compared with high dose heparin (5000 U/mL): A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Chu Ginger , Fogarty Gemma M. , Avis Leanne F. , Bergin Shauna , McElduff Patrick , Gillies Alastair H. , Choi Peter 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntroduction Heparin is commonly used after hemodialysis treatments as a locking solution to prevent catheter thrombosis. The comparative efficacy and safety of different heparin concentrations to maintain catheter patency has been previously reported in retrospective studies. We conducted a prospective, randomised, controlled study of 1000 U/mL heparin (low dose) versus 5000 U/mL heparin (high dose) locking solution to maintain patency of tunnelled catheters. Methods One hundred patients receiving chronic, unit‐based hemodialysis with newly placed tunnelled hemodialysis catheters (less than 1 week) were randomly assigned to either a low dose (n = 48) or high dose heparin (n=52). The primary intention‐to‐treat analysis examined time to malfunction in both groups over a 90 day period. A secondary analysis compared baseline patient characteristics in relation to catheter malfunction. Findings Overall rate of catheter patency loss was 32% of catheters by 90 days. There was no significant difference in time to malfunction of catheters locked with low dose or high dose heparin (P = 0.5770). Time to catheter malfunction was not associated with diabetic, hypertensive or smoking status. There was no difference in mean delivered blood flow rate, venous and arterial pressure, and dialysis adequacy between low dose and high dose groups. No patient suffered a hemorrhagic complication requiring hospitalisation during the study period. Discussion Low dose heparin is adequate to maintain tunnelled hemodialysis catheter patency when compared with high dose heparin. The study also suggests that there is no relationship between catheter malfunction and diabetic, hypertensive or smoking status.
Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis and pseudoporphyric bullous dermatosis in a hemodialysis patient
Authors: Sabanis Nikos , Paschou Eleni , Gavriilaki Eleni , Kalaitzoglou Asterios , Papanikolaou Dimitrios , Vasileiou Sotiris , Amplianitis Ioannis 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHemodialysis patients present with a broad spectrum of specific and nonspecific skin disorders, which rarely coexist. We report an exceptional case of a hemodialysis patient that developed acquired reactive perforating collagenosis and pseudoporphyric bullous dermatosis on the basis of common skin disorders which include hyperpigmentation, pruritus, xerosis cutis, and Linsday's nails. Interestingly, our patient presented with two unusual but distinctive cutaneous dermopathies on the background of other commonly seen skin alterations. The patient was successfully treated with allopurinol and N‐acetylcysteine. Avoidance of potentially triggering factors such as alcohol, sunlight exposure and certain medication was recommended. Thus, increasing clinical awareness, assiduous investigation and early treatment of skin disorders are required to improve the prognosis and quality of life in this patient population.
Assessing clinicians' perspectives about the identification and management of antipsychotic medication side‐effects: Psychometric evaluation of a survey questionnaire
Authors: Stomski Norman J , Morrison Paul , Meehan Tom 
Published: February 2016

AbstractEliciting clinicians' views about antipsychotic medication side‐effects may assist in understanding strategies that could enhance the identification and management of these side‐effects. The present paper details the development and psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire that captures clinicians' perceptions about these issues. An initial item set was derived from a literature review, and then refined by an expert content validity panel that assessed the relevance of the items. The online questionnaire was distributed to Australian mental health nurses and 140 fully completed questionnaires were returned. Principal components analysis yielded two robust scales that conceptually tapped “system responsibility” and “personal confidence”. These scales may be used to advance knowledge about how mental health nurses' attitudes towards the assessment and management of antipsychotic medication side‐effects influences their clinical behaviour.
Leveraging virtual business model innovation: a framework for designing business model development tools
Authors: Ebel Philipp , Bretschneider Ulrich , Leimeister Jan Marco 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis paper presents a framework for developing tool support for the design and management of new business models. Existing IT tools supporting the process of designing, innovating, and evaluating a company's business model are currently not leveraging the full potential of tool support, because they do not make use of theoretical and empirical knowledge around business model development. Against this backdrop, we analyze existing knowledge on business model design and management, resulting in a first systematization of the activities that are necessary for developing and managing new business models. In order to complement this knowledge and to identify the requirements for supporting these activities, a series of expert interviews is conducted. Based on the results of the interview series, a new business model development tool is created and evaluated. The learnings of this development process are then consolidated in a unified framework. This framework constitutes a new solution for systematically designing tool support for business model development and extends existing literature by highlighting the importance of collaboration between participants in a business model development project. It also provides designers of new business model development tool with an empirically based conceptualization to guide their efforts.
Mandates, Geography, and Networks: Diffusion of Criminal Procedure Reform in Mexico
Authors: Ingram Matthew C. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWhy have some Mexican states proceeded faster than others in the revolutionary transformation of overhauling criminal procedure? Contributing an original index of criminal procedure reform across Mexico's 32 states from 2002 to 2011 and building on existing research on policy diffusion, this article seeks to answer this question. It finds that the 2008 constitutional reform at the federal level exerts a strong positive effect (federal mandate); being situated in a neighborhood of states that have reformed has a counterintuitive negative effect (spatial proximity); and having a governor from the same party as governors of other states that have reformed has a positive influence (network affinity). These findings yield a better understanding of the vertical, cross-level and horizontal, cross-unit diffusion of reform, with implications for understanding how to overcome challenges to criminal justice reform in Mexico, Latin America, and elsewhere.
Immigrant entrepreneurship from a social psychological perspective
Authors: Robertson Daniel W. , Grant Peter R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe examined immigrant entrepreneurship from a social psychological perspective with an emphasis on Social Identity Theory (SIT). Immigrant entrepreneurs from across Canada (N=122) completed a questionnaire about their experiences as Canadian business owners. The results showed that business decisions are, indeed, related to social psychological influences. The use of social capital, the strength of cultural and national identity, acculturation and perceived discrimination were related to decisions made throughout the course of the business, from the initial motivations for pursuing entrepreneurship, to the intention to continue running a business in Canada. Overall, being an immigrant entrepreneur had social psychological implications and, in the future, the influence of identity, acculturation and discrimination among this group deserves further attention.
Interaction of socio‐structural characteristics to predict Roma's identification and desire to challenge low status position
Authors: Reysen Stephen , Slobodnikova Andrea , Katzarska‐Miller Iva 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe examined the interaction of socio‐structural variables predicting Roma's identification and endorsement for collective action. Roma from Slovakia rated perceived stigma and status, their perception of the intergroup context, identification, and desire for Roma to join together to compete with the high status non‐Roma majority. The results showed that greater perceived permeability predicted lower Roma identification. The socio‐structural variables also interacted such that Roma who perceived group boundaries as impermeable and status difference as unstable and illegitimate expressed the highest desire for collective action. Lastly, identification was also a strong predictor of desire to directly compete with non‐Roma. The results highlight both the usefulness of a social identity perspective for understanding resistance to discrimination and perceived context for collective action.