bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (GR-MDSC) accumulate in cord blood of preterm infants and remain elevated during the neonatal period
Authors: Schwarz J , Scheckenbach V , Kugel H , Spring B , Pagel J , Härtel C , Pauluschke-Fröhlich J , Peter A , Poets C F , Gille C , Köstlin N 
Published: September 2017

SummaryPreterm delivery is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Among the most important complications in preterm infants are peri- or postnatal infections. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are myeloid cells with suppressive activity on other immune cells. Emerging evidence suggests that granulocytic MDSC (GR-MDSC) play a pivotal role in mediating maternal–fetal tolerance. The role of MDSC for postnatal immune-regulation in neonates is incompletely understood. Until the present time, nothing was known about expression of MDSC in preterm infants. In the present pilot study, we quantified GR-MDSC counts in cord blood and peripheral blood of preterm infants born between 23 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation (WOG) during the first 3 months of life and analysed the effect of perinatal infections. We show that GR-MDSC are increased in cord blood independent of gestational age and remain elevated in peripheral blood of preterm infants during the neonatal period. After day 28 they drop to nearly adult levels. In case of perinatal or postnatal infection, GR-MDSC accumulate further and correlate with inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell counts (WBC). Our results point towards a role of GR-MDSC for immune-regulation in preterm infants and render them as a potential target for cell-based therapy of infections in these patients.
The anti-CD6 antibody itolizumab provides clinical benefit without lymphopenia in rheumatoid arthritis patients: results from a 6-month, open-label Phase I clinical trial
Authors: Rodríguez P C , Prada D M , Moreno E , Aira L E , Molinero C , López A M , Gómez J A , Hernández I M , Martínez J P , Reyes Y , Milera J M , Hernández M V , Torres R , Avila Y , Barrese Y , Viada C , Montero E , Hernández P 
Published: September 2017

SummaryItolizumab is a humanized anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that has previously shown encouraging results, in terms of safety and positive clinical effects, in a 6-week monotherapy clinical trial conducted in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The current Phase I study evaluated the safety and clinical response for a longer treatment of 12 itolizumab intravenous doses in subjects with active RA despite previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. Twenty-one subjects were enrolled into four dosage groups (0·1, 0·2, 0·4 and 0·8 mg/kg). Efficacy end-points including American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20, ACR50 and ACR70 response rates and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) were monitored at baseline and at specific time-points during a 10-week follow-up period. Itolizumab was well tolerated up to the highest tested dose. No related serious adverse events were reported and most adverse events were mild. Remarkably, itolizumab treatment did not produce lymphopenia and, therefore, was not associated with infections. All patients achieved a clinical response (ACR20) at least once during the study. Eleven subjects (55%) achieved at least a 20% improvement in ACR just 1 week after the first itolizumab administration. The clinical response was observed from the beginning of the treatment and was sustained during 24 weeks. The efficacy profile of this 12-week treatment was similar to that of the previous study (6-week treatment). These results reinforce the safety profile of itolizumab and provide further evidence on the clinical benefit from the use of this anti-CD6 mAb in RA patients.
Factors associated with low anterior resection syndrome after surgical treatment of rectal cancer
Authors: Jimenez‐Gomez L. M. , Espin‐Basany E. , Trenti L. , Martí‐Gallostra M. , Sánchez‐García J. L. , Vallribera‐Valls F. , Kreisler E. , Biondo S. , Armengol‐Carrasco M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimThe aim was to assess factors independently associated with low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) following resection for rectal cancer.MethodThis was a cross‐sectional study carried out in two acute‐care teaching hospitals in Barcelona, Spain. Patients who had undergone sphincter‐preserving low anterior resection with curative intent with total or partial mesorectal excision (with and without protective ileostomy) between January 2001 and December 2009 completed a self‐administered questionnaire to assess bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. Predictors of LARS were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsThe questionnaire was sent to 329 patients (response rate 57.7%). Six cases of incomplete questionnaires were excluded. The study population included 184 patients (66.8% men) with a mean age of 63 years. There were 44 (23.9%) patients with no LARS, 36 (19.6%) with minor LARS and 104 (56.2%) with major LARS. In the univariate analysis, total mesorectal excision (P = 0.0008), protective ileostomy (P = 0.002), preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy (P = 0.0000), postoperative chemotherapy (P = 0.0046) and age (P = 0.035) were significantly associated with major LARS, whereas in the multivariate analysis total mesorectal excision (OR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.02–4.65), preoperative radiotherapy (OR 4.33, 95% CI: 2.03–9.27) and postoperative radiotherapy (OR 9.52, 95% CI: 1.74–52.24) were independent risk factors for major LARS.ConclusionsIn this study, the risk of having major LARS increases with total mesorectal excision and both neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiotherapy.
The relationship between quality of life and health‐related quality of life in young males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Wei Yi , Speechley Kathy Nixon , Zou Guangyong , Campbell Craig 
Published: September 2017

AimThis study investigated the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and assessed factors other than health that contribute to differences in QoL in young males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).MethodIn this cross‐sectional study, QoL and HRQoL measures were completed by 98 parents and 85 children. The Quality of My Life (QoML) questionnaire measured QoL and HRQoL as single‐items, and the Pediatric Quality of Life 4.0 Generic Core (PedsQL) questionnaire was used as a multidimensional measure of HRQoL. Simple regression was used to examine the relationship between single‐item measures of HRQoL and QoL. Multivariable regression was used to investigate factors that may contribute to difference in QoL and HRQoL.ResultsWhile ratings of QoL and HRQoL were significantly correlated with one another, HRQoL only accounted for 21% and 44% of the variability in QoL by child‐ and parent‐reports respectively. None of the factors measured contributed ratings of the child's QoL to be much higher than HRQoL.InterpretationQoL and HRQoL are related but distinct constructs as rated by children with DMD and their parents. Further research is needed to elucidate factors outside HRQoL that contribute to QoL.What this paper adds

Quality of life (QoL) and health‐related quality of life are distinct concepts rated by young males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and their parents.

Factors outside of ‘health’ contribute to overall QoL in the paediatric population with DMD.

This article's abstract has been translated into Spanish and Portuguese.Follow the links from the abstract to view the translations.
Community Health Centre‐Based Outreach Clinic for undergraduate dental education: Experience in Helsinki over 8 years
Authors: Goswami S. , Karaharju‐Suvanto T. , Kaila M. , Tseveenjav B. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe University Dental Clinic of the City of Helsinki (UDC) developed a Community Health Centre‐Based Outreach Clinic, with emphasis on paediatric dentistry. This study aimed to summarise the experiences and explore the student perspectives of the health centre‐based outreach teaching clinic.MethodsThe study data were from the years 2010 to 2016. The dental procedures carried out by the third‐ to fifth‐year dental students were based on electronic health record of patients. The students’ self‐perceived benefits and free‐text comments on the outreach training were collected as part of a yearly questionnaire survey.ResultsA vast majority of the paediatric dental procedures that are required for competencies of dental students were performed in the outreach clinic. The most common procedures were fillings with local anaesthesia followed by preventive procedures. The majority of the students were very motivated to participate in the outreach training and reported that it was a useful educational approach to broaden their understanding of oral diseases and clinical experience.ConclusionThe outreach clinic gives dental students a chance to gain valuable clinical experience through the number and diversity of the dental procedures they carry out. They gain confidence and get an opportunity to get acquainted with the primary healthcare system and social determinants of oral diseases. Outreach appears to provide complementary clinical experiences that fulfil learning outcomes. Learning objectives should be taken into account when planning the outreach programme in order to offer meaningful and motivating education.
Assessing the potential of genotyping‐by‐sequencing‐derived single nucleotide polymorphisms to identify the geographic origins of intercepted gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) specimens: A proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Picq Sandrine , Keena Melody , Havill Nathan , Stewart Don , Pouliot Esther , Boyle Brian , Levesque Roger C. , Hamelin Richard C. , Cusson Michel 
Published: September 2017

AbstractForest invasive alien species are a major threat to ecosystem stability and can have enormous economic and social impacts. For this reason, preventing the introduction of Asian gypsy moths (AGM; Lymantria dispar asiatica and L. d. japonica) into North America has been identified as a top priority by North American authorities. The AGM is an important defoliator of a wide variety of hardwood and coniferous trees, displaying a much broader host range and an enhanced dispersal ability relative to the already established European gypsy moth (L. d. dispar). Although molecular assays have been developed to help distinguish gypsy moth subspecies, these tools are not adequate for tracing the geographic origins of AGM samples intercepted on foreign vessels. Yet, this type of information would be very useful in characterizing introduction pathways and would help North American regulatory authorities in preventing introductions. The present proof‐of‐concept study assessed the potential of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, obtained through genotyping by sequencing (GBS), to identify the geographic origins of gypsy moth samples. The approach was applied to eight laboratory‐reared gypsy moth populations, whose original stocks came from locations distributed over the entire range of L. dispar, comprising representatives of the three recognized subspecies. The various analyses we performed showed strong differentiation among populations (FST ≥ 0.237), enabling clear distinction of subspecies and geographic variants, while revealing introgression near the geographic boundaries between subspecies. This strong population structure resulted in 100% assignment success of moths to their original population when 2,327 SNPs were used. Although the SNP panels we developed are not immediately applicable to contemporary, natural populations because of distorted allele frequencies in the laboratory‐reared populations we used, our results attest to the potential of genomewide SNP markers as a tool to identify the geographic origins of intercepted gypsy moth samples.
Placental alterations in structure and function in intra‐uterine growth‐retarded horses
Authors: Robles M. , Peugnet P. M. , Valentino S. A. , Dubois C. , Dahirel M. , Aubrière M.‐C. , Reigner F. , Serteyn D. , Wimel L. , Couturier‐Tarrade A. , Chavatte‐Palmer P. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryBackgroundFollowing embryo transfer (ET), the size and breed of the recipient mare can affect fetal development and subsequent post natal growth rate and insulin sensitivity in foals.ObjectivesTo investigate placental adaptation in pregnancies where increased or restricted fetal growth was induced through ET between Pony, Saddlebred and Draught horses.Study designIn vivo experiment.MethodsControl Pony (P, n = 21) and Saddlebred (S, n = 28) pregnancies were obtained by artificial insemination. Increased pregnancies were obtained by transferring Pony (P‐D, n = 6) and Saddlebred (S‐D, n = 8) embryos into Draught mares. Restricted pregnancies were obtained by transferring Saddlebred embryos into Pony mares (S‐P, n = 6). Placental weight and surface were recorded and samples collected for stereology and analysis of expression of genes involved in placental growth, vascularisation and nutrient transport. Data were analysed by linear model.ResultsS‐P foals were growth retarded when compared with controls despite increased gestational length. Placental weight was reduced but placental surface density and volume fraction were increased. Placental expression of genes involved in growth and development and nutrient transfer was strongly reduced. In contrast, placental size and weight were increased in enhanced growth P‐D and S‐D foals. The trophoblastic surface density and the allantoic vessels surface density were decreased in P‐D and S‐D, respectively, both with very few modifications in gene expression.Main limitationsControl embryos were produced by artificial insemination whereas experimental embryos were produced by ET.ConclusionsPlacental structure and gene expression are modified after ET into a smaller or larger breed than that of the embryo. These adaptations contribute to the observed phenotype of foal growth restriction or enhanced growth at birth.
Enhancement of thermo‐rheological properties of smart materials based on SiO2 and PPG modificated with expanded graphite
Authors: Głuszek Małgorzata , Kubiś Michał , Żurowski Radosław , Wiśniewski Tomasz , Szafran Mikołaj 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe influence of expanded graphite (EG) on the thermal and rheological properties of shear thickening fluids (STF) based on silica powder with poly (propylene glycol) matrix was studied. Capturing the benefits of this non‐Newtonian system in a fabricated material allows producing advance flexible protectors. However, in order to provide high protection potential in response to an external force, it is necessary to minimize negative effect of temperature on STF. The doping additives reduce the unfavorable effect of temperature increase on shear thickening flow during an impact through faster heat exchange and return to the initial state, characterized by the highest protective potential. EG in different volume fractions (0.10% ‐ 5.00%) as a partial substitution of STF and SiO2 was added to studied systems and measured at temperatures in the range from 25.0 to 50.0°C. The dilatant effect of fluids increased by 580% for 5% volume fraction EG at 50.0°C.
A unified materials approach to mitigating optical nonlinearities in optical fiber. II. A. Material additivity models and basic glass properties
Authors: Dragic Peter D. , Cavillon Maxime , Ballato Arthur , Ballato John 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this paper, Part IIA in the trilogy (Int J Appl Glass Sci. 2018;9:263‐277; Int J Appl Glass Sci. 2018 (in press); Int J Appl Glass Sci. 2018 (in press)), is to describe the continuum models employed to deduce the physical, acoustic, and optical properties of optical fibers that exhibit intrinsically low optical nonlinearities. The continuum models described herein are based on the additivity approaches of Winklemann and Schott (W‐S). Initially developed over 120 years ago, W‐S additivity works well for predicting the basic properties of bulk silicate glasses. While high‐silica‐content glasses are still the gold‐standard for telecommunication and high energy laser fibers, the models have been systematically expanded to include deduction of the physical, thermophysical, and acoustic constants and coefficients that bear on parasitic nonlinearities. The state‐of‐the‐art in W‐S‐based continuum materials models is reviewed here with specific examples provided based on canonical material systems suggested from the findings of Part I and treated in detail in Part III.
Diminished presentation of complement regulatory protein CD55 on red blood cells from patients with hereditary haemolytic anaemias
Authors: Loniewska‐Lwowska A. , Koza K. , Mendek‐Czajkowska E. , Wieszczy P. , Adamowicz‐Salach A. , Branicka K. , Witos I. , Sapala‐Smoczynska A. , Jackowska T. , Fabijanska‐Mitek J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIntroductionHereditary haemolytic anaemias (HHA) encompass a heterogeneous group of anaemias characterized by decreased red blood cell survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of red blood cell (RBC) surface molecules known or previously proposed to participate in preventing premature RBC clearance, analysing erythrocytes from patients with two types of HHA: hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and microcytosis.Material/MethodsRelative binding of five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), anti‐CD55, anti‐CD59, anti‐CD44, anti‐CD47 and anti‐CD58, was evaluated in erythrocytes of patients with HS and hereditary microcytosis, using flow cytometry. The amount of CD55 protein was assessed by semi‐quantitative Western blots densitometry analysis.ResultsThe majority of both HS and microcytic patients demonstrated significant reduction of anti‐CD55 binding by erythrocytes (average 23% and 19%, respectively, P < .001), with no concomitant anti‐CD59‐binding deficiency. Anti‐CD44, anti‐CD47 and anti‐CD58 binding was within the healthy control range or was slightly decreased.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence supporting the presence of erythrocytes deficient in CD55 presentation in HS and hereditary microcytosis. Moreover, deficiency of CD55 antigen presentation on RBC does not correlate with the amount of CD55 in RBC membrane. Further studies using molecular techniques will clarify the exact participation of CD55 deficiency in premature RBC clearance in HHA.
Bacterial cellulose skin masks—Properties and sensory tests
Authors: Pacheco Guilherme , de Mello Carolina Véspoli , Chiari‐Andréo Bruna Galdorfini , Isaac Vera Lucia Borges , Ribeiro Sidney José Lima , Pecoraro Édison , Trovatti Eliane 
Published: September 2017

SummaryBackgroundBacterial cellulose (BC) is a versatile material produced by microorganisms in the form of a membranous hydrogel, totally biocompatible, and endowed with high mechanical strength. Its high water‐holding capacity based on its highly porous nanofibrillar structure allows BC to incorporate and to release substances very fast, thus being suitable for the preparation of skincare masks.AimsThe preparation and characterization of cosmetic masks based on BC membranes and active cosmetics.MethodsThe masks were prepared by the simple incorporation of the cosmetic actives into BC membranes, used as a swelling matrix. The masks were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), sensory tests, and skin moisture tests on volunteers.ResultsThe results of sensory tests revealed the good performance of BC, being considered effective by the panel of volunteers, specially for adhesion to the skin (7.7 at the score scale), and improvement of the skin moisture (the hydration effect increased 76% in 75% of the volunteers that used vegetable extract mask formulation [VEM]), or a decrease in skin hydration (80% of the volunteers showed 32.6% decrease on skin hydration using propolis extract formulation [PEM] treatment), indicating the BC nanofiber membranes can be used to skincare applications.ConclusionThe results demonstrate the BC can be used as an alternative support for cosmetic actives for skin treatment.
How a Firm's Domestic Footprint and Domestic Environmental Uncertainties Jointly Shape Added Cultural Distances: The Roles of Resource Dependence and Headquarters Attention
Authors: Hendriks Guus , Slangen Arjen H. L. , Heugens Pursey P. M. A. R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractEven though many firms conduct most of their business domestically, international management research has remained remarkably silent on the role of a firm's domestic footprint in its internationalization strategy. We shed light on that role by exploring how the size of a firm's domestic footprint influences the cultural distance that the firm adds to its country portfolio when expanding internationally. Integrating resource dependence theory and the attention‐based view, we hypothesize that a firm's domestic footprint has a negative relationship with added cultural distance (ACD), and that domestic policy uncertainty strengthens this relationship whereas domestic demand uncertainty weakens it. We find robust support for our hypotheses in a sample of the world's largest retailers covering the period 2000–07, indicating that a firm's domestic footprint and domestic environmental uncertainties jointly shape cross‐cultural expansion strategies. Our findings suggest that ACDs reflect headquarters executives' desire to avoid ineffective foreign expansions, hinting at possible biases in studies of the performance effects of distance.
Rheological characteristics of binary composite gels of wheat flour and high amylose corn starch
Authors: Shahsavani Mojarrad Lida , Rafe Ali 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe effect of addition of high amylose corn starch (Hylon VII or H) to wheat flour (WF) on the mechanical properties of the resulting binary composite gels (BCG) under small and large deformations was evaluated. To this end, the composite gels at different ratios of WF/H including 95:5, 90:10, and 85:15 were tested under a linear viscoelastic regime (LVE) in oscillatory angular frequency and a texture profile analysis in compression mode. However, the gel firmness was increased by Hylon VII addition, but the springiness was reduced. Since the adhesiveness and cohesiveness were not significantly different, no dilution effect was observed for the samples. Furthermore, the dominance of G′ than G″ over the range of LVE and high fracture stress at high level of Hylon VII confirmed the high gel strength which can be attributed to the retrogradation of amylose and reduction of amylopectin from WF. The less frequency dependency of BCG revealed the solid‐like response and strong gels structures with more elastic network. High value of α revealed a lower number of interactions within the gel network structures. Consequently, due to the high gel strength of BCG of WF/H, it can be exploited at high thermal operations such as retort processing as well as it can be utilized for dysphagia therapy due to the special textural parameters.Practical applicationsSmall and large deformation properties can provide profound insights toward the gel structure. The former gets knowledge about dynamic rheology and the latter gives the textural properties of the gel matrices. Since, achieving the desired texture of foods has a chief impact on the target consumers, and chewing and swallowing disorders such as dysphagia are common problems in older people, more effort is needed to modify the texture of food with a soft structure. On the contrary, supplying a more gel strength network, which can withstand at high thermal processing and not collapse, is so vital. Therefore, the current work was accomplished to provide some knowledge about the binary composite gel of WF and Hylon VII starch such as the gel strength, fracture stress, fracture strain and material stiffness which enables us to evaluate the nature of starch gels for further applications such as drug delivery systems, elderly diet and further processes.