bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Donor age and long-term culture do not negatively influence the stem potential of limbal fibroblast-like stem cells
Authors: Tomasello Laura , Musso Rosa , Cillino Giovanni , Pitrone Maria , Pizzolanti Giuseppe , Coppola Antonina , Arancio Walter , Di Cara Gianluca , Pucci-Minafra Ida , Cillino Salvatore , Giordano Carla 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundIn regenerative medicine the maintenance of stem cell properties is of crucial importance. Ageing is considered a cause of reduced stemness capability. The limbus is a stem niche of easy access and harbors two stem cell populations: epithelial stem cells and fibroblast-like stem cells. Our aim was to investigate whether donor age and/or long-term culture have any influence on stem cell marker expression and the profiles in the fibroblast-like stem cell population.MethodsFibroblast-like stem cells were isolated and digested from 25 limbus samples of normal human corneo-scleral rings and long-term cultures were obtained. SSEA4 expression and sphere-forming capability were evaluated; cytofluorimetric assay was performed to detect the immunophenotypes HLA-DR, CD45, and CD34 and the principle stem cell markers ABCG2, OCT3/4, and NANOG. Molecular expression of the principal mesenchymal stem cell genes was investigated by real-time PCR. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometric sequencing were performed and a stable proteomic profile was identified. The proteins detected were explored by gene ontology and STRING analysis. The data were reported as means ± SD, compared by Student’s unpairedttest and consideringp < 0.05 as statistically significant.ResultsThe isolated cells did not display any hematopoietic surface marker (CD34 and CD45) and HLA-DR and they maintained these features in long-term culture. The expression of the stemness genes and the multilineage differentiation under in-vitro culture conditions proved to be well maintained. Proteomic analysis revealed a fibroblast-like stem cell profile of 164 proteins with higher expression levels. Eighty of these showed stable expression levels and were involved in maintenance of “the stem gene profile”; 84 were differentially expressed and were involved in structural activity.ConclusionsThe fibroblast-like limbal stem cells confirmed that they are a robust source of adult stem cells and that they have good plasticity, good proliferative capability, and long-term maintenance of stem cell properties, independently of donor age and long-term culture conditions. Our findings confirm that limbal fibroblast-like stem cells are highly promising for application in regenerative medicine and that in-vitro culture steps do not influence their stem cell properties. Moreover, the proteomic data enrich our knowledge of fibroblast-like stem cells.
CXCL1, but not IL-6, significantly impacts intraocular inflammation during infection
Authors: Parkunan Salai Madhumathi , Randall C Blake , Astley Roger A , Furtado Glaucia C , Lira Sergio A , Callegan Michelle C 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
During intraocular bacterial infections, the primary innate responders are neutrophils, which may cause bystander damage to the retina or perturb the clarity of the visual axis. We hypothesized that cytokine IL-6 and chemokine CXCL1 contributed to rapid neutrophil recruitment during Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis, a severe form of intraocular infection that is characterized by explosive inflammation and retinal damage that often leads to rapid vision loss. To test this hypothesis, we compared endophthalmitis pathogenesis in C57BL/6J, IL-6−/−, and CXCL1−/− mice. Bacterial growth in eyes of CXCL1−/−, IL-6−/−, and C67BL/6J mice was similar. Retinal function retention was greater in eyes of IL-6−/− and CXCL1−/− mice compared with that of C57BL/6J, despite these eyes having similar bacterial burdens. Neutrophil influx into eyes of CXCL1−/− mice was reduced to a greater degree compared with that of eyes of IL6−/− mice. Histology confirmed significantly less inflammation in eyes of CXCL1−/− mice, but similar degrees of inflammation in IL6−/− and C57BL/6J eyes. Because inflammation was reduced in eyes of infected CXCL1−/− mice, we tested the efficacy of anti-CXCL1 in B. cereus endophthalmitis. Retinal function was retained to a greater degree and there was less overall inflammation in eyes treated with anti-CXCL1, which suggested that anti-CXCL1 may have therapeutic efficacy in limiting inflammation during B. cereus endophthalmitis. Taken together, our results indicate that absence of IL-6 did not affect overall pathogenesis of endophthalmitis. In contrast, absence of CXCL1, in CXCL1−/− mice or after anti-CXCL1 treatment, led to an improved clinical outcome. Our findings suggest a potential benefit in targeting CXCL1 to control inflammation during B. cereus and perhaps other types of intraocular infections.
Role for phospholipid acyl chains and cholesterol in pulmonary infections and inflammation
Authors: Shaikh Saame Raza , Fessler Michael B , Gowdy Kymberly M 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Bacterial and viral respiratory tract infections result in millions of deaths worldwide and are currently the leading cause of death from infection. Acute inflammation is an essential element of host defense against infection, but can be damaging to the host when left unchecked. Effective host defense requires multiple lipid mediators, which collectively have proinflammatory and/or proresolving effects on the lung. During pulmonary infections, phospholipid acyl chains and cholesterol can be chemically and enzymatically oxidized, as well as truncated and modified, producing complex mixtures of bioactive lipids. We review recent evidence that phospholipids and cholesterol and their derivatives regulate pulmonary innate and adaptive immunity during infection. We first highlight data that oxidized phospholipids generated in the lung during infection stimulate pattern recognition receptors, such as TLRs and scavenger receptors, thereby amplifying the pulmonary inflammatory response. Next, we discuss evidence that oxidation of endogenous pools of cholesterol during pulmonary infections produces oxysterols that also modify the function of both innate and adaptive immune cells. Last, we conclude with data that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, both in the form of phospholipid acyl chains and through enzymatic processing into endogenous proresolving lipid mediators, aid in the resolution of lung inflammation through distinct mechanisms. Unraveling the complex mechanisms of induction and function of distinct classes of bioactive lipids, both native and modified, may hold promise for developing new therapeutic strategies for improving pulmonary outcomes in response to infection.
Key seismic exploration techniques for foreland thrust belt: A case from the complex deep subsalt structure of Kuqa, Tarim Basin, Western China
Authors: Ping Yang , Longde Sun , Jiafu Qi 
Published: June 2016

The Kuqa area of the Tarim Basin is a typical foreland thrust belt. Abundant petroleum resources are stored in the complex subsalt structures at depths greater than 6500 m. The extremely rugged surface, the severely deformed gypsum-salt cap above the reservoir, and the large burial depth of the overthrust target make it difficult to accurately delineate the target structures. Those geologic challenges translate into geophysical difficulties of complex seismic wavefields, low signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), and poor imaging accuracy, which compound the exploration challenge in the Kuqa area. To meet the exploration challenge, a research campaign has been conducted since 2005 to integrate seismic acquisition, processing, and interpretation. After almost a decade of research effort and pilot applications, a set of techniques, comprised of wide-line large-array acquisition, anisotropic prestack depth migration under rugged topography, complex structure modeling, and structure mapping with varying velocities, was developed. The use of these techniques has much improved the S/N, imaging accuracy, subsequent interpretation, and well placement. As a result, the success ratio of exploration drilling has increased from less than 25% to more than 64% in the Kuqa area of the Tarim Basin.
Patient Navigation As a Model to Increase Participation of African Americans in Cancer Clinical Trials
Authors: Fouad Mona N. , Acemgil Aras , Bae Sejong , Forero Andres , Lisovicz Nedra , Martin Michelle Y. , Oates Gabriela R. , Partridge Edward E. , Vickers Selwyn M. 
Published: June 2016

Purpose: Less than 10% of patients enrolled in clinical trials are minorities. The patient navigation model has been used to improve access to medical care but has not been evaluated as a tool to increase the participation of minorities in clinical trials. The Increasing Minority Participation in Clinical Trials project used patient navigators (PNs) to enhance the recruitment of African Americans for and their retention in therapeutic cancer clinical trials in a National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer center. Methods: Lay individuals were hired and trained to serve as PNs for clinical trials. African American patients potentially eligible for clinical trials were identified through chart review or referrals by clinic nurses, physicians, and social workers. PNs provided two levels of services: education about clinical trials and tailored support for patients who enrolled in clinical trials. Results: Between 2007 and 2014, 424 African American patients with cancer were referred to the Increasing Minority Participation in Clinical Trials project. Of those eligible for a clinical trial (N = 378), 304 (80.4%) enrolled in a trial and 272 (72%) consented to receive patient navigation support. Of those receiving patient navigation support, 74.5% completed the trial, compared with 37.5% of those not receiving patient navigation support. The difference in retention rates between the two groups was statistically significant (P < .001). Participation of African Americans in therapeutic cancer clinical trials increased from 9% to 16%. Conclusion: Patient navigation for clinical trials successfully retained African Americans in therapeutic trials compared with non–patient navigation trial participation. The model holds promise as a strategy to reduce disparities in cancer clinical trial participation. Future studies should evaluate it with racial/ethnic minorities across cancer centers.
Typical Time to Treatment of Patients With Lung Cancer in a Multisite, US-Based Study
Authors: Vidaver Regina M. , Shershneva Marianna B. , Hetzel Scott J. , Holden Timothy R. , Campbell Toby C. 
Published: June 2016

Introduction: The importance of high-quality, timely lung cancer care and the need to have indicators to measure timeliness are increasingly discussed in the United States. This study explored when and why delays occur in lung cancer care and compared timeliness between two states with divergent disease incidence. Methods: Patients with small-cell or non–small-cell lung cancer were recruited through cancer centers, outpatient clinics, and community approaches, and interviewed over the phone. Statistical analysis of patient-reported dates included descriptive statistics and comparing time intervals between states and across the sites with Mann-Whitney U tests. Additionally, data from patients with longer timelines were qualitatively analyzed to identify possible reasons for delays. Results: On the basis of the dates reported by 275 patients, the median time from first presentation to a clinician to treatment was 52 days; 29% of patients experienced a wait of 90 days or more. Median times for key intervals were 36.5 days from abnormal radiograph to treatment, 9.5 days from initial presentation to specialist referral, 15 days from patient informed of diagnosis to first therapy, and 16 days from referral to treatment to first therapy. More than one quarter of patients perceived delays in care. No significant differences in length of time intervals were identified between states. Monitoring of small nodules, missed diagnosis, and other reasons for longer timelines were documented. Conclusion: Results defined typical time to treatment of patients with lung cancer across a variety of health systems and should facilitate establishing metrics for determining timeliness of lung cancer care.
Effectiveness of a Survivorship Program: An Assessment of Patients With Breast Cancer in a Community Setting
Authors: Dietrich Leah , Smith Angela L. , Watral Alexandra , Borgert Andrew J. , Al-Hamadani Mohammed , Van Oosbree Marie , Meyer Christine M. 
Published: June 2016

Purpose: This study assesses the effectiveness of a single institution’s breast cancer survivorship program on patient perceptions, quality of life (QOL), and compliance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for follow-up. Methods: Sampled patients completed all their breast cancer treatment at a single tertiary center. Surveys designed to evaluate QOL were obtained, and retrospective medical record review was conducted to assess NCCN compliance. Survivorship clinic (SC) attendees and nonattendees were matched for age and disease stage for comparison of the outcomes (QOL, NCCN compliance, and overall effectiveness). Results: SC patients (n = 63) tended to perceive their concerns in various categories to be addressed more adequately than did nonattendees (n = 54), with significant differences in the areas of practical concerns (P = .03) and late-term adverse effects (P = .03). There was a significant difference in compliance with three NCCN guidelines (history and physical every 3 to 6 months, annual mammography, and a pelvic examination if on tamoxifen) between survivorship attendees and nonattendees (P < .001, P = .02, and P < .001, respectively). Women who attended an SC used other survivorship support resources more often. Conclusion: Survivorship programs can be time and resource consuming, but our study is one of the first to show that a survivorship program effectively changes patient behavior in important ways. Patients who attended an SC were more likely to be compliant with NCCN-recommended follow-up and to use other survivorship resources and felt their concerns were better addressed. These measures can be used to help us improve our survivorship services and by other institutions to measure the quality and effectiveness of their programs.
Cross-Sectional Data That Explore the Relationship Between Outpatients’ Quality of Life and Preferences for Quality Improvement in Oncology Settings
Authors: Fradgley Elizabeth A. , Bryant Jamie , Paul Christine L. , Hall Alix E. , Sanson-Fisher Robert W. , Oldmeadow Christopher 
Published: June 2016

Purpose: This cross-sectional study assessed the association between oncology outpatients' quality improvement preferences and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Implementation of specific initiatives preferred by patients with lower HRQoL may be a strategic approach to enhancing care for potentially vulnerable patients. Methods: English-speaking adults were recruited from five outpatient chemotherapy clinics located in New South Wales, Australia. Using touch screen devices, participants selected up to 25 initiatives that would improve their experiences and completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) survey. The logistic odds of selecting an initiative according to FACT-G scores were calculated to determine whether preferences were associated with HRQoL after controlling for potential confounders. Results: Of the 411 eligible outpatients approached to participate, 263 (64%) completed surveys. Commonly selected initiatives were up-to-date information on treatment and condition progress (19.8%), access to or information on financial assistance (18.3%), and reduced clinic wait times (17.5%). For those with relatively lower FACT-G scores, the adjusted odds of selecting five initiatives illustrated an increasing trend: convenient appointment scheduling systems (+23% [P = .002]), reduced wait times (+15% [P = .01]), information on medical emergencies (+14% [P = .04]), access to or information on financial assistance (+15% [P = .009]), help to maintain daily living activities (+18% [P = .007]). Conclusion: Two areas of improvement were commonly selected: easily accessible health services and information and support for self-management. Although the results suggest an association between a few quality improvement preferences and HRQoL, a wider spectrum of patient characteristics must be considered when targeting quality improvement to patient subgroups.
Can Markets Give Us the Health System We Want?
Authors: Rice Thomas 
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this article is to reconsider the foundations of health economics as applied to the study of competition. It shows that conclusions concerning the purported desirability of competitive markets are based on a number of assumptions—many of which have heretofore been ignored—that typically are not fulfilled in the health care area. Once this is recognized, market mechanisms no longer necessarily provide the best way to improve social welfare.
The article is divided into two parts: competition and demand. Each of these sections presents and then critiques key assumptions of the conventional economic model, and then provides a number of health applications. It concludes that by not considering the validity of these assumptions in health care applications, researchers and policy analysts will blind themselves to policy options that may be most effective in improving social welfare.
Early development ofDrosophilaembryos requires Smc5/6 function during oogenesis
Authors: Tran Martin , Tsarouhas Vasilios , Kegel Andreas 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTMutations in structural maintenance of chromosomes (Smc) proteins are frequently associated with chromosomal abnormalities commonly observed in developmental disorders. However, the role of Smc proteins in development still remains elusive. To investigate Smc5/6 function during early embryogenesis we examined smc5 and smc6 mutants of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster using a combination of reverse genetics and microscopy approaches. Smc5/6 exhibited a maternally contributed function in maintaining chromosome stability during early embryo development, which manifested as female subfertility in its absence. Loss of Smc5/6 caused an arrest and a considerable delay in embryo development accompanied by fragmented nuclei and increased anaphase-bridge formation, respectively. Surprisingly, early embryonic arrest was attributable to the absence of Smc5/6 during oogenesis, which resulted in insufficient repair of pre-meiotic and meiotic DNA double-strand breaks. Thus, our findings contribute to the understanding of Smc proteins in higher eukaryotic development by highlighting a maternal function in chromosome maintenance and a link between oogenesis and early embryogenesis.
A History of ‘The Mysteries’
Authors: Solberg Emma Maggie 
Published: June 2016

<p>This study explores the history of the term ‘mystery’ in its theatrical sense. Victorian scholar (and forger) J.P. Collier was the first to question the term’s legitimacy, accusing the eighteenth-century publisher Robert Dodsley of having invented it. Collier’s condemnation has held sway ever since; ‘mystery’ is nearly bankrupt in the field of early English drama studies. I reconsider the authenticity, utility, etymology, and history of ‘mystery’, fact-checking the arguments made for and against it by Collier, E.K. Chambers, J.M. Salter, and Meg Twycross (amongst others) to show that reports of the term’s illegitimacy have been greatly exaggerated.</p><p> </p>
Does the Past Predict the Future? The Case of Delay Announcements in Service Systems
Authors: Ibrahim Rouba , Armony Mor , Bassamboo Achal 
Published: June 2016

Motivated by the recent interest in making delay announcements in large service systems, such as call centers, we investigate the accuracy of announcing the waiting time of the last customer to enter service (LES). In practice, customers typically respond to delay announcements by either balking or by becoming more or less impatient, and their response alters system performance. We study the accuracy of the LES announcement in single-class, multiserver Markovian queueing models with announcement-dependent customer behavior. We show that, interestingly, even in this stylized setting, the LES announcement may not always be accurate. This motivates the need to study its accuracy carefully and to determine conditions under which it is accurate. Since the direct analysis of the system with customer response is prohibitively difficult, we focus on many-server, heavy-traffic analysis instead. We consider the quality-and-efficiency-driven and efficiency-driven many-server, heavy-traffic regimes and prove, under both regimes, that the LES prediction is asymptotically accurate if and only if asymptotic fluctuations in the queue length process are small as long as some regulatory conditions apply. This result provides an easy check for the accuracy of LES announcements in practice. We supplement our theoretical results with an extensive simulation study to generate practical managerial insights.Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2425 .This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
Comparative study between biologic porcine dermal meshes: risk factors of postoperative morbidity and recurrence
Authors: Romain B. , Story F. , Meyer N. , Delhorme J.B. , Brigand C. , Rohr S. 
Published: June 2016

Objective: Different types of biologic mesh have been introduced as an alternative to synthetic mesh for use in repairing contaminated ventral hernias because of their biocompatible nature. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent complex ventral hernia repairs with either non cross-linked or cross-linked porcine dermal meshes. Method: This was retrospective analysis from a prospectively maintained database from January 2010 to May 2013. Patients undergoing open incisional hernia repair with a biologic mesh in the presence of a clean-contaminated, contaminated or dirty wound were reviewed. Results: There were 39 patients who underwent single-staged abdominal wall reconstruction for a contaminated ventral hernia with a biologic mesh. In 15 cases, non cross-linked mesh was used (Strattice, n=8; Protexa, n=1; XenMatrix, n=6); a cross-linked mesh was used in the remaining 24 cases (Permacol n=21; CollaMend n=3). The median follow-up was 11.9 ± 10.6 months. The overall morbidity was 71.8% (n=28), with 15.4% (n=6) for grade I, 23.1% (n=9) for grade II, 23.1% (n=9) for grade III (n=3 grade IIIA, n=6 grade IIIB), 7.7% (n=3) for grade IV and 2.6% (n=1) for grade V. In the cross-linked group, there were six complications directly linked to the biologic mesh, compared with three in the non-cross-linked group. Overall wound morbidity was 41.0% (n=16). There were 13 hernia recurrences (33.3%), and recurrence rate was not significantly different for both groups. Conclusion: Despite the high rate of wound morbidity associated with the single-staged reconstruction of contaminated fields, it can be safely performed with biologic mesh reinforcement. Recurrence rate was not significantly different between cross-linked and non cross-linked porcine meshes. Declaration of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.