bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exogenous Cushing syndrome due to misuse of potent topical steroid
Authors: Özgüç Çömlek Fatma , Örüm Sevim , Aydın Salih , Tütüncüler Filiz 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe report an infant with exogenous Cushing syndrome after being treated for 2 months with a potent topical corticosteroid via the mother's application of topical clobetasol for diaper rash without a prescription. We emphasize that potent topical steroids should be used with great caution, especially when used under occlusion (e.g., diaper area) and that parents should be warned about potential side effects of these medications, particularly when used in infants.
Psychosocial functioning in pediatric heart transplant recipients and their families
Authors: Cousino Melissa K. , Schumacher Kurt R. , Rea Kelly E. , Eder Sally , Zamberlan Mary , Jordan Jessica , Fredericks Emily M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAcross pediatric organ transplant populations, patient and family psychosocial functioning is associated with important health‐related outcomes. Research has suggested that pediatric heart transplant recipients and their families are at increased risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes; however, recent investigation of psychosocial functioning in this population is lacking. This study aimed to provide a contemporary characterization of psychosocial functioning in pediatric heart transplant recipients and their families. Associations between psychosocial function, demographic variables, and transplant‐related variables were investigated. Fifty‐six parents/guardians of pediatric heart transplant recipients completed a comprehensive psychosocial screening measure during transplant follow‐up clinic visits. Descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, and independent samples t tests were performed. Forty percent of pediatric heart transplant recipients and their families endorsed clinically meaningful levels of total psychosocial risk. One‐third of patients presented with clinically significant psychological problems per parent report. Psychosocial risk was unassociated with demographic or transplant‐related factors. Despite notable improvements in the survival of pediatric heart transplant recipients over the past decade, patients and families present with sustained psychosocial risks well beyond the immediate post‐transplant period, necessitating mental health intervention to mitigate adverse impact on health‐related outcomes.
Group 1 innate lymphoid cells in Toxoplasma gondii infection
Authors: Dunay I. R. , Diefenbach A. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryInnate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a group of lymphocytes that carry out important functions in immunity to infections and in organ homeostasis at epithelial barrier surfaces. ILCs are innate immune cells that provide an early source of cytokines to initiate immune responses against pathogens. Cytotoxic ILCs (i.e. conventional (c)NK cells) and several subsets of helper‐like ILCs are the major branches of the ILC family. Conventional NK cells and group 1 ILCs share several characteristics such as surface receptors and the ability to produce IFN‐γ upon activation, but they differ in their developmental paths and in their dependence on specific transcription factors. Infection of mice with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is followed by a strong Th1‐mediated immune response. Previous studies indicate that NK1.1+ cells contribute to the production of IFN‐γ and TNF and cytotoxicity during acute T. gondii infection. Upon oral infection, the parasite infects intestinal enterocytes, and within the lamina propria, innate immune responses lead to initial parasite control although the infection disseminates widely and persists long‐term in immune privileged sites despite adaptive immunity. Upon parasite entry into the small intestine, during the acute stage, ILC1 produce high levels of IFN‐γ and TNF protecting barrier surfaces, thus essentially contributing to early parasite control. We will discuss here the role of innate lymphocytes during T. gondii infection in the context of the only recently appreciated diversity of ILC subsets.
Location choices and third‐degree spatial price discrimination
Authors: Feng Hong , Ma Jie 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis paper studies how firms choose their product differentiation levels when they engage in third‐degree price discrimination in the following product market competition in a location‐price model. We show that firms will not choose to locate at the two endpoints if different consumer groups have similar sizes. Hence, the principle of maximum differentiation does not hold, resulting in a more intense product market price competition. Only if the size of one group of consumers is sufficiently larger than that of the other group, would firms make their products as differentiated as possible by choosing the two endpoints as their locations.
Percutaneous prick test irritant threshold concentrations for eight allergens in healthy nonsedated dogs in the USA
Authors: Carnett Matthew J.H. , Plant Jon D. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundPercutaneous testing (PT) is preferred to intradermal testing in humans for the in vivo identification of allergen hypersensitivity, but the methodology has not been well described for use in dogs with atopic dermatitis.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo identify the irritant threshold concentrations (ITC) of eight aeroallergens using a commercial prick test device in normal dogs.AnimalsTwenty healthy, privately owned dogs.MethodsPercutaneous testing was performed using the GREER® Pick® System (Stallergenes Greer; Lenoir, NC, USA). Five dilutions of glycerinated extracts of Bromis inermis, Sorghum halepense, Chenopodium album, Ambrosia psilostachya, Salix nigra and Acer negundo, as well as four dilutions of Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus were included. Glycerinated histamine (6 mg/ml) and glycerin/Coca's solution were used for the positive and negative controls, respectively. Orthogonal wheal diameters were measured for each test site every 5 min for 25 min. Reactions were considered significant when the average wheal diameter was equal to or greater than the mean of the positive and negative controls.ResultsSignificant reactions were noted in five of 20 (25%) of dogs. The ITC (≤10% of dogs reacting) were 1:20 w/v for B. inermis and S. nigra, 1:400 w/v for D. farinae and 1:200 w/v for D. pteronyssinus.Conclusions and clinical importanceThese results suggest that the pollen allergens evaluated in this study can be used for PT at their undiluted concentration (1:20 w/v) with a reasonable assurance of few false positive reactions in dogs. Dust mites require dilution for testing at the ITC.
A multicentred study to validate a consensus bleeding assessment tool developed by the biomedical excellence for safer transfusion collaborative for use in patients with haematological malignancy
Authors: Dyer C. , Alquist C. R. , Cole‐Sinclair M. , Curnow E. , Dunbar N. M. , Estcourt L. J. , Kaufman R. , Kutner J. M. , McCullough J. , McQuilten Z. , Potiphar L. , Rioux‐Masse B. , Slichter S. , Tinmouth A. , Webert K. , Yokoyama A. P. , Stanworth S. J. ,   the BEST Collaborative
Published: January 2018

BackgroundThere continues to be uncertainty about the optimal approach to documenting bleeding data in platelet transfusion trials, with a desire to apply a common assessment tool across all trials. With this in mind, a consensus bleeding assessment tool (BAT) has been developed by the Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion (BEST) collaborative, based on review of data collection forms used in published randomized trials and following content validation with a range of healthcare professionals at seven haematology centres through BEST members. This study aimed to evaluate reliability and reproducibility of the consensus BAT.MethodsReplicated clinical assessments of bleeding were undertaken by participants with haematological malignancies recruited at four haematology centres in an international, multicentred, observational study. Concordance of repeat assessments was calculated for agreement in site and grade of bleeding observed.ResultsForty patients consented to participate, and 13 trained bleeding assessors collected these data. Bleeding assessments were carried out on 113 separate days. Of all 225 bleeding assessments, 204 were compared for grade concordance, and 160 were compared for site concordance. There was very good grade concordance (83%, 95% confidence interval 74–93%) and good bleeding site concordance (69%, 95% confidence interval 57–79%) in observations of bleeding. Discordance was primarily in relation to assessing skin bleeding.ConclusionsAlongside a structured training programme, levels of concordance for a consensus BAT were high. Researchers using assessment tools for bleeding need to balance comprehensive data collection against potential loss of accuracy for some types of bleeding, such as skin findings.
The efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor‐loaded poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) nanosheet for mouse wound healing
Authors: Aoki Shimpo , Fujii Mao , Fujie Toshinori , Nishiwaki Keisuke , Miyazaki Hiromi , Saitoh Daizoh , Takeoka Shinji , Kiyosawa Tomoharu , Kinoshita Manabu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAlthough human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is widely used for wound healing, daily treatment with bFGF is required because of its short half‐life. An effective controlled‐release system of bFGF is, therefore, desired in clinical settings. To investigate the efficacy of a bFGF‐loaded nanosheet for wound healing, focusing on the controlled‐release of bFGF, bFGF‐loaded poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PGLA) nanosheets were developed, and their in vitro release profile of bFGF and their in vivo efficacy for wound healing were examined. A polyion complex of positively charged human recombinant bFGF and negatively charged alginate was sandwiched between PLGA nanosheets (70 nm thick for each layer). The resulting bFGF‐loaded nanosheet robustly adhered to silicon skin by observation using a microscratch test. bFGF was gradually and continuously released over three days in an in vitro incubation study. Treatment with the bFGF‐loaded nanosheets (every 3 day for 15 days) as well as with a conventional bFGF spray effectively promoted wound healing of mouse dorsal skin defects with accelerated tissue granulation and angiogenesis, although the dose of bFGF used in the treatment with the bFGF nanosheets was approximately 1/20 of the sprayed bFGF. In conclusion, we developed a bFGF‐loaded nanosheet that sustained a continuous release of bFGF over three days and effectively promoted wound healing in mice.
Effect of Eukarion‐134 on Akt–mTOR signalling in the rat soleus during 7 days of mechanical unloading
Authors: Kuczmarski J. Matthew , Hord Jeff M. , Lee Yang , Guzzoni Vinicius , Rodriguez Dinah , Lawler Matthew S. , Garcia‐Villatoro Erika L. , Holly Dylan , Ryan Patrick , Falcon Kristian , Garcia Marcela , Janini Gomes Mariana , Fluckey James D. , Lawler John M. 
Published: January 2018

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Translocation of nNOSμ initiates catabolic signalling via FoxO3a and skeletal muscle atrophy during mechanical unloading. Recent evidence suggests that unloading‐induced muscle atrophy and FoxO3a activation are redox sensitive. Will a mimetic of superoxide dismutase and catalase (i.e. Eukarion‐134) also mitigate suppression of the Akt–mTOR pathway?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Eukarion‐134 rescued Akt–mTOR signalling and sarcolemmal nNOSμ, which were linked to protection against the unloading phenotype, muscle fibre atrophy and partial fibre‐type shift from slow to fast twitch. The loss of nNOSμ from the sarcolemma appears crucial to Akt phosphorylation and is redox sensitive, although the mechanisms remain unresolved.

AbstractMechanical unloading stimulates rapid changes in skeletal muscle morphology, characterized by atrophy of muscle fibre cross‐sectional area and a partial fibre‐type shift from slow to fast twitch. Recent studies revealed that oxidative stress contributes to activation of forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a), proteolytic signalling and unloading‐induced muscle atrophy via translocation of the μ‐splice variant of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOSμ) and activation of FoxO3a. There is limited understanding of the role of reactive oxygen species in the Akt–mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway signalling during unloading. We hypothesized that Eukarion‐134 (EUK‐134), a mimetic of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, would protect Akt–mTOR signalling in the unloaded rat soleus. Male Fischer 344 rats were separated into the following three study groups: ambulatory control (n = 11); 7 days of hindlimb unloading + saline injections (HU, n = 11); or 7 days of HU + EUK‐134; (HU + EUK‐134, n = 9). EUK‐134 mitigated unloading‐induced dephosphorylation of Akt, as well as FoxO3a, in the soleus. Phosphorylation of mTOR in the EUK‐treated HU rats was not different from that in control animals. However, EUK‐134 did not significantly rescue p70S6K phosphorylation. EUK‐134 attenuated translocation of nNOSμ from the membrane to the cytosol, reduced nitration of tyrosine residues and suppressed upregulation of caveolin‐3 and dysferlin. EUK‐134 ameliorated HU‐induced remodelling, atrophy of muscle fibres and the 12% increase in type II myosin heavy chain‐positive fibres. Attenuation of the unloaded muscle phenotype was associated with decreased reactive oxygen species, as assessed by ethidium‐positive nuclei. We conclude that oxidative stress affects Akt–mTOR signalling in unloaded skeletal muscle. Direct linkage of abrogation of nNOSμ translocation with Akt–mTOR signalling during unloading is the subject of future investigation.
Modeling and Reconstruction of Multi-Fidelity Traumatic Head Injury due to Blunt Impact
Authors: Tan X. Gary , Bagchi Amit 
Published: January 2018

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common injuries to service members in recent conflicts. Computational models can offer insights in understanding the underlying mechanism of brain injury, which lead to the crucial development of effective personal protective equipment designed to prevent or mitigate the TBI.
Historically many computational models were developed for the brain injury study. However, these models use relatively coarse mesh with a less detailed head anatomy. Many models consider the head only and thus cannot properly model the real scenario, i.e., accidental fall, blunt impact or blast loading. A whole-body finite element model can represent the real scenario but is very expensive to use.
By combining the high-fidelity human head model with an articulated human body model, we developed the computational multi-fidelity human models to investigate the blunt- and blast-related TBI efficiently. A high-fidelity computational head model was generated from the high resolution image data to accurately reproduce the complex musculoskeletal and tissue structure of the head. The fast-running articulated human body model is based on the multi-body dynamics and was used to reconstruct the accidental falls. By utilizing the kinematics and force and moment at the joint of the articulated human body model, we can realistically simulate the blunt impact and assess the brain injury using the high-fidelity head model.
Enhanced Production Process to Reduce Warranty
Authors: Michael-Shenouda Christina , Jawad Badih , Zinser Craig , Liu Liping , Abro Sabah 
Published: January 2018

The present work aims at helping the automotive industry reduce warranty. First of all, an equation was developed to predict the warranty Incident per Thousand Vehicle (IPTV) ahead. A study was done to analyze the key points of quality that are related to Production Part Approval Process (PPAP): Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (DFMEA), First Time Quality (FTQ), complexity of the part, and Controlled Shipping (CS) to statically show the warranty reduction among different suppliers. Secondly, an Enhanced Production Process was implemented in March, 2016 in a supplier in Mexico. The Enhanced Audit Station ensures that the supplier is enforcing the PPAP requirements. The four most important components are: Touch Appearance Lighting and Color (TALC), Appearance Approval Report (AAR), Dimensional Checks, and Function Testing.
The enhanced process can provide more confidence in the life of a part in terms of producing quality parts and catching any defects that may result from a line move, or sub-tier change. If the supplier sets a process that is implemented at the End of Line (EOL), they will spend more time doing the proposed audit for their component. This will result in earlier identification of defects, parts that are out of tolerance, or parts that do not meet PPAP requirements. This process also might require spending extra money to run testing and can be included in the piece cost, but will save money by reducing warranty and by gaining repeat customers.
New Approach for Architecture Design of High Variable Vehicle Portfolios
Authors: Felgenhauer Matthias , Stocker Johannes , Lienkamp Markus 
Published: January 2018

Following the trends of mass customization, globalization and environmental protection, new customer and legal requirements must be fulfilled in vehicle product development. The drivers named above often result in an increasingly complex product portfolio regarding the variance of components and mounting positions. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles are most affected by this, offering individualization in large quantity.
As a result, the Vehicle Concept Development Process (VCDP) is becoming inscrutable and inefficient, since common methods are not entirely adapted to the huge variety of requirements and therefore components. This paper introduces a new approach to the Vehicle Architecture Design phase of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The current package process can be divided in three phases. Within the phase of the Vehicle Dimension Design (VDD), exterior dimensions and passengers’ positions are defined. During the Vehicle Architecture Design (VAD), the drivetrain- and vehicle architecture is developed. Followed by the Vehicle Package Design (VPD), all components, including hoses and wires, are integrated into the vehicle.
In a first step, the proposed approach integrates a combination of requirement and dependency management into the architecture design. It is necessary to get a transparent overview of the requirements and their dependencies at an early stage of concept development. To manage the variance of components and their mounting positions, all components to be considered during VAD must be distinguished and prioritized by their impact on the concept and the variance within the second step of the method. Their significance is assessed according to suitable criteria. Based on this selection, only a certain number of components is considered during the architecture design. Components not matching the criteria are shifted for integration during the package design. During the third step, creation of manageable architecture alternatives is assisted by the reduced number of components. Afterwards the concept alternatives are evaluated based on the level of similarities and standardization. Consequently, the transparency and efficiency is increased by the three steps of the new method for VAD.
Analysis of Hybrid Programming Simulation Based on the Variable Stiffness Ring With Expanding Loop SMA Actuator
Authors: Wang Lei , Deng Zong-quan , Wang Hao-di , Yue Hong-hao 
Published: January 2018

In the development of space craft design index, the requirements of hypersonic space craft control accuracy has been increasingly rigorous. Thin-walled structure is often employed in hypersonic craft to reduce the weight of the load and to save the room. During the flight of the craft, temperature field is produced along the surface and the dynamic properties of the craft structure are obviously changed. The decreasing elastic modulus of the structure material and the appearance of thermal stress lead to the decrease of integral rigidity and stability of the structure, then the thermal flutter appears and control difficulties increase. Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) has the advantages of the considerable driving force in the compact volume and the simple driving method. By the combination of actuator structure design and stiffness control, the smart structure is able to make active control to the thermal stiffness variation.
In this paper, the apex high-temperature area is equivalent to a ring structure. Finite difference method is employed firstly to transform the governing partial differential equation into discrete finite difference equations. Then the elastic modulus change, thermal stress and tension along the circumference are considered comprehensively to propose the calculation formulas of equivalent young’s modulus. The discrete dynamic matrix model is obtained containing the control terms of SMA. To solve the big-matrix calculation and multiple iterated large data problem, hybrid program is developed with C++ and MATLAB. Finite element software is employed to make optimization analysis to design an expanding loop actuator containing SMA as driving source, variable thickness loops of spring steel as expanding units, and universal-ball pre-loading units. On the basis of that, the thermal stiffness variation active control system with smart structure is developed based on expanding loop SMA actuator. After the analysis of examples, the variation law of the needed SMA driving force is obtained. The distribution position and quantity of the driving source is optimized. This research provides reference for the Theoretical Analysis and Simulation of structure stiffness active control and adaptive control of the aircraft employing smart material. The research results have guiding significance for the smart structure design of hypersonic aircraft in the future.