bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-17A-Induced Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Superior Modulators of Immunological Function
Authors: Sivanathan Kisha Nandini , Rojas-Canales Darling M. , Hope Christopher M. , Krishnan Ravi , Carroll Robert P. , Gronthos Stan , Grey Shane T. , Coates Patrick T. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractInterferon-γ (IFN-γ)-preactivated mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-γ) are highly immunosuppressive but immunogenic in vivo due to their inherent expression of major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules. Here, we present an improved approach where we modified human bone marrow-derived MSC with interleukin-17A (MSC-17) to enhance T cell immunosuppression but not their immunogenicity. MSC-17, unlike MSC-γ, showed no induction or upregulation of MHC class I, MHC class II, and T cell costimulatory molecule CD40, but maintained normal MSC morphology and phenotypic marker expression. When cocultured with phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated human T cells, MSCs-17 were potent suppressors of T cell proliferation. Furthermore, MSC-17 inhibited surface CD25 expression and suppressed the elaboration of Th1 cytokines, IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-2 when compared with untreated MSCs (UT-MSCs). T cell suppression by MSC-17 correlated with increased IL-6 but not with indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, cyclooxygenase 1, and transforming growth factor β-1. MSC-17 but not MSC-γ consistently induced CD4+CD25highCD127lowFoxP3+ regulatory T cells (iTregs) from PHA-activated CD4+CD25− T cells. MSC-induced iTregs expressed CD39, CD73, CD69, OX40, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), and glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR). These suppressive MSCs-17 can engender Tregs to potently suppress T cell activation with minimal immunogenicity and thus represent a superior T cell immunomodulator for clinical application. Stem Cells 2015;33:2850–2863Video Highlight: https://youtu.be/gP6GONfRP80
Systematic Review of Surgical Literature from Resource‐Limited Countries: Developing Strategies for Success
Authors: Pauyo Thierry , Debas Haile T. , Kyamanywa Patrick , Kushner Adam L. , Jani Pankaj G. , Lavy Chris , Dakermandji Marc , Ambrose Hilary , Khwaja Kosar , Razek Tarek , Deckelbaum Dan L. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundInjuries and surgical diseases are leading causes of global mortality. We sought to identify successful strategies to augment surgical capacity and research endeavors in low‐income countries (LIC’s) based on existing peer‐reviewed literature.MethodsA systematic review of literature from or pertaining to LIC’s from January 2002 to December 2011 was performed. Variables analyzed included type of intervention performed, research methodology, and publication demographics such as surgical specialty, partnerships involved, authorship contribution, place and journal of publication.FindingsA total of 2049 articles met the inclusion criteria between 2002 and 2011. The two most common study methodologies performed were case series (44 %) and case reports (18 %). A total of 43 % of publications were without outcome measures. Only 21 % of all publications were authored by a collaboration of authors from low‐income countries and developed country nationals. The five most common countries represented were Nepal (429), United States (408), England (170), Bangladesh (158), and Kenya (134). Furthermore, of countries evaluated, Nepal and Bangladesh were the only two with a specific national journal.InterpretationBased on the results of this research, the following recommendations were made: (1) Describe, develop, and stimulate surgical research through national peer‐reviewed journals, (2) Foster centers of excellence to promote robust research competencies, (3) Endorse partnerships across regions and institutions in the promotion of global surgery, and (4) Build on outcome‐directed research.
Host specialization by reproductive interference between closely related herbivorous insects
Authors: Nishida Takayoshi , Takakura Kohichi , Iwao Keisuke 
Published: June 2015

AbstractHost specialization among closely related herbivores is common and is therefore a major theme in ecology. Despite its ecological importance, no general explanatory framework for host specialization is currently available. We introduce a new model of the evolution of host specialization in herbivorous insects. We use a two‐dimensional lattice comprising 32 × 32 cells. Moreover, the model incorporates reproductive interference, defined as any negative outcomes resulting from interspecific mating, between two species of herbivores feeding on two different host plants as well as ordinary resource competition and differences in host suitability. Our simulation showed that reproductive interference, together with other factors such as host‐related performance and resource competition, can actually drive the evolution of host specialization and thereby host partitioning between herbivorous insects during secondary contact. Host specialization arises particularly when levels of both reproductive interference and resource competition are intermediate. In contrast, host specialization seldom occurs if reproductive interference is absent. Thus, reproductive interference is as key to specialization as is spatial partitioning, which was not regarded as a realistic outcome when only resource competition was considered.
A rapid method for constructing precaution maps based on a simple virtual ecology model: a case study on the range expansion of the invasive aquatic speciesLimnoperna fortunei
Authors: Osawa Takeshi , Ito Kenji 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBefore invasion, or in its early stages, information on the invader in target areas is generally extremely limited. In such situations, managers must select focal areas in which to concentrate control and mitigation efforts. Here, we discuss a rapid method for selecting areas in which to control invasive aquatic species based on limited information. We used a simple cellular automata model that does not require species‐specific information, but simulates the process of invasive species expansion and includes observed expansion progress to detect keystone areas. As a case study, we simulated the expansion of an invasive aquatic mussel,Limnoperna fortunei, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, and detected the areas in which control efforts should be concentrated. To some extent, our model was able to predict the expansion ofL. fortuneifrom the initial detected invasion to the current distribution. We predicted areas with a high potential of spreading and areas that would suffer from high propagule pressure. Results revealed a mismatch between areas with high spread potential and those with high propagule pressure. Managers should concentrate their invasion prevention efforts in the former because these are likely to have a greater long‐term influence. Additionally, we predicted future expansion from the current distribution and showed that current scattered populations could merge naturally. Our approach is useful for establishing a management plan before or in the early stages of invasion.
Intraspecific seed interactions alter seedling emergence of Lespedeza cuneata under field conditions
Authors: Houseman Gregory R. , Mahoney Aaron K. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThere is growing recognition that seeds influence one another prior to, or shortly after, germination. Both interspecific and intraspecific seed–seed interactions have been reported, but for the latter, the evidence is almost exclusively from laboratory and greenhouse studies so that it is unclear whether such intraspecific seed interactions occur under field conditions. We tested how Lespedeza cuneata seed density influenced seedling emergence within a native grassland located in Kansas, USA and whether this response was related to seed leachate. The percentage of L. cuneata seedlings that emerged under field conditions was negatively related to seed density. After confirming this pattern in the greenhouse, we found that at low seed densities, addition of seed leachate had similar effects on seedling emergence as high seed densities in the absence of leachate. Our results provide some of the best evidence to date, that intraspecific seed density can influence seedling emergence in the field and that these effects are likely linked to seed leachate.
Scapholunate Instability after Distal Radius Volar Plating
Authors: Jones Virginia M. , Everding Nathan G. , Desmarais Jason M. , Soong Maximillian C. 
Published: June 2015

Background Prior to volar locked plating and early motion protocols, ligamentous injuries incidentally associated with distal radius fractures may have been indirectly treated with immobilization. Our goal was to determine the prevalence of scapholunate instability in our population, while identifying those who may have had progression of instability. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 221 distal radius fractures treated with a volar locking plate during a 6-year period. Average patient age was 59 years. Standard posteroanterior and lateral radiographs from the first and last postoperative visits were analyzed for scapholunate instability, using the criteria of scapholunate gap ≥3 mm and scapholunate angle ≥60°. Results Six patients (3 %) met neither or only one criterion for instability at the first postoperative visit and did not have ligament repair and then went on to meet both criteria at the last postoperative visit after an early motion protocol. Seven patients (3 %) met both criteria at the first and last postoperative visits and did not have ligament repair. Five patients (2 %) underwent primary scapholunate ligament repair at the time of distal radius fixation. Conclusions In our representative population, scapholunate instability was uncommon, either from initial injury or possible progression of occult ligament injury, despite early motion without operative treatment of the ligament. Thus, we did not find strong evidence for routinely delaying motion or pursuing further workup. When early radiographs clearly demonstrate acute scapholunate instability, more aggressive treatment may be appropriate for selected patients.
Lysophospholipids from the Guangxi Sponge Spirastrella purpurea
Authors: Lin Kun , Yang Peng , Yang Hui , Liu Ai‐Hong , Yao Li‐Gong , Guo Yue‐Wei , Mao Shui‐Chun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFour known (1–4) and two new (5 and 6) lysophospholipids were isolated from the sponge Spirastrella purpurea from Weizhou Island, Guangxi Autonomous Region, China. The structures of the new compounds (5 and 6) were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR (1H and 13C NMR, 1H–1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) as well as mass spectrometry and optical rotation experiments. The known compounds (1–4) were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data and specific optical rotation with those reported in the literature. The isolated compounds displayed various moderate in vitro antifungal activities against four fungi (Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida glabrata, Trichophyton rubrum, and Aspergillus fumigatus), whereas they displayed no neuroprotective activity against Aβ25‐35‐induced SH‐SY5Y cell damage.
Occurrence of Hexacosapolyenoic Acids 26:7(n‐3), 26:6(n‐3), 26:6(n‐6) and 26:5(n‐3) in Deep‐Sea Brittle Stars from Near the Kuril Islands
Authors: Svetashev Vasily , Kharlamenko Vladimir 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSignificant amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with a chain length of 26 carbon atoms were detected in lipids of five deep water species of Ophiuroidea besides common fatty acids with chain lengths between 14 and 24. By means of hydrogenation, GC–MS of the methyl esters, and 4,4‐dimethyloxazoline (DMOX) derivatives of these C26 acids were characterized as 5,8,11,14,17,20,23‐hexacosaheptaenoic [26:7(n‐3)]; 8,11,14,17,20,23‐hexacosahexaenoic [26:6(n‐3)]; 5,8,11,14,17,20‐ hexacosahexaenoic [26:6(n‐6)]; and 11,14,17,20,23‐hexacosapentaenoic [26:5(n‐3)]. Concentrations of these acids varied from 0.3 to 4.5 mol% of the total FA. In all the samples investigated, the main component of C26PUFA was hexacosaheptaenoic acid 26:7(n‐3). These C26PUFA are localized mainly in polar lipids. The presence of the possible biosynthesis precursors suggests that the C26PUFA are produced by the brittle stars, and are not accumulated from food sources. This finding can also explain the presence of small amounts of the 26:7(n‐3) acid detected earlier in flesh lipids of the roughscale sole Clidoderma asperrimum, which feeds on deep water brittle stars. We suggest a possible scheme of the biosynthesis of C26 PUFA.
Reversed‐Phase Liquid Chromatography–Quadrupole‐Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry for High‐Throughput Molecular Profiling of Sea Cucumber Cerebrosides
Authors: Jia Zicai , Cong Peixu , Zhang Hongwei , Song Yu , Li Zhaojie , Xu Jie , Xue Changhu 
Published: June 2015

AbstractUsually, the chemical structures of cerebrosides in sea creatures are more complicated than those from terrestrial plants and animals. Very little is known about the method for high‐throughput molecular profiling of cerebrosides in sea cucumbers. In this study, cerebrosides from four species of edible sea cucumbers, specifically, Apostichopus japonicas, Thelenota ananas, Acaudina molpadioides and Bohadschia marmorata, were rapidly identified using reversed‐phase liquid chromatography–quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (RPLC‐QToF‐MS). [M + H]+ in positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode were used to obtain the product ion spectra. The cerebroside molecules were selected according to the neutral loss fragments of 180 Da and then identified according to pairs of specific products of long‐chain bases (LCB) and their precursor ions. A typical predominant LCB was 2‐amino‐1,3‐dihydroxy‐4‐heptadecene (d17:1), which was acylated to form saturated and monounsaturated non‐hydroxy and monohydroxy fatty acids with 17–25 carbon atoms. Simultaneously, the occurrence of 2‐hydroxy‐tricosenoic acid (C23:1h) was characteristic of sea cucumber cerebrosides, whereas this molecule was rarely discovered in plants, mammals, or fungi. The profiles of LCB and fatty acids (FA) distribution might be related to the genera of sea cucumber. These data will be useful for identification of cerebrosides using RPLC‐QToF‐MS.
Evaluation of Fetal Pulmonary Veins During Early Gestation by Pulsed Doppler Ultrasound: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Schenone Aldo L. , Giugni Gelsy , Schenone Mauro H. , Diaz Luis , Bermudez Alberto , Majdalany David , Sosa-Olavarria Alberto 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCongenital heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of infant mortality. Nevertheless, routine prenatal ultrasound only detects 30 %–50 % of CHD cases. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on early predictors of CHD that allow physicians to timely refer high-risk patient to specialized fetal echocardiography, in order to maximize chances of improved outcomes. The fetal venous system has been the focus of attention as a marker of heart function. Yet, there exist inconsistent data about the acquisition of pulmonary venous flow in early pregnancy. This study aims to determine the feasibility of fetal pulmonary venous flow acquisition in early pregnancy, and the association between pulmonary vein (A-wave) flow reversal and the presence of CHD. Total of 211 consecutive pregnant women, between 12 and 15 weeks of gestation, underwent routine obstetric ultrasound along with basic fetal echocardiography including fetal pulmonary venous flow assessment. The pulmonary venous flow velocity waveforms were acquired by either Doppler or Doppler plus enhance flow technique based on equipment availability. All the cases were re-evaluated by specialized fetal echocardiography during late pregnancy to identify congenital heart anomalies. The acquisition of fetal pulmonary vein, between 12 and 15 weeks of gestation, was successfully accomplished in 87.7 % of cases. Five out of seven fetuses with end-diastolic (A-wave) pulmonary venous flow reversal were associated with confirmed cardiac anomaly. In this pilot study, pulmonary venous (A-wave) flow reversal was associated with cardiac anomalies in 86.8 % of cases (p = 0.001). This pilot study proposes that Doppler interrogation of fetal pulmonary vein flow during early pregnancy is feasible. Furthermore, the presence of pulmonary vein (A-wave) reversal might represent a marker of major cardiac anomalies. Further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.
Incidence of Surgical Site Infection Following Mastectomy With and Without Immediate Reconstruction Using Private Insurer Claims Data
Authors: Olsen Margaret A. , Nickel Katelin B. , Fox Ida K. , Margenthaler Julie A. , Ball Kelly E. , Mines Daniel , Wallace Anna E. , Fraser Victoria J. 
Published: June 2015

OBJECTIVEThe National Healthcare Safety Network classifies breast operations as clean procedures with an expected 1%–2% surgical site infection (SSI) incidence. We assessed differences in SSI incidence following mastectomy with and without immediate reconstruction in a large, geographically diverse population.DESIGNRetrospective cohort studyPATIENTSCommercially insured women aged 18–64 years with ICD-9-CM procedure or CPT-4 codes for mastectomy from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2011METHODSIncident SSIs within 180 days after surgery were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. The incidences of SSI after mastectomy with and without immediate reconstruction were compared using the χ2 test.RESULTSFrom 2004 to 2011, 18,696 mastectomy procedures among 18,085 women were identified, with immediate reconstruction in 10,836 procedures (58%). The incidence of SSI within 180 days following mastectomy with or without reconstruction was 8.1% (1,520 of 18,696). In total, 49% of SSIs were identified within 30 days post-mastectomy, 24.5% were identified 31–60 days post-mastectomy, 10.5% were identified 61–90 days post-mastectomy, and 15.7% were identified 91–180 days post-mastectomy. The incidences of SSI were 5.0% (395 of 7,860) after mastectomy only, 10.3% (848 of 8,217) after mastectomy plus implant, 10.7% (207 of 1,942) after mastectomy plus flap, and 10.3% (70 of 677) after mastectomy plus flap and implant (P<.001). The SSI risk was higher after bilateral compared with unilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (11.4% vs 9.4%, P=.001) than without (6.1% vs 4.7%, P=.021) immediate reconstruction.CONCLUSIONSSSI incidence was twice that after mastectomy with immediate reconstruction than after mastectomy alone. Only 49% of SSIs were coded within 30 days after operation. Our results suggest that stratification by procedure type facilitates comparison of SSI rates after breast operations between facilities.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(8):907–914
The Use of Channel-Purge Storage for Gastrointestinal Endoscopes Reduces Microbial Contamination
Authors: Saliou Philippe , Cholet Franck , Jézéquel Julien , Robaszkiewicz Michel , Le Bars Hervé , Baron Raoul 
Published: June 2015

Storage cabinets for heat-sensitive endoscopes (SCHEs) are designed to store gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes in a clean, dry and well-ventilated cupboard to prevent microbiological proliferation. The use of SCHEs in a GI endoscopy unit has significally reduced the rate of contaminated endoscopes (13.0% vs 45.0%, P<.001).Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(9):1100–1102
An enigmatic trace fossil from the Upper Triassic (Rhaetian) shales of Western Europe
Authors: Estes-Smargiassi K.A. , Klompmaker A.A. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractVarious trace fossils are known from the Upper Triassic (Rhaetian) shale deposits of western Europe, especially from Great Britain. Here we present a unique specimen, unknown from Rhaetian shales in western Europe thus far to our knowledge. The specimen consists of a string of small knobs collected from the dark-coloured Rhaetian shales from the eastern Netherlands, deposited in a marine, near-coastal environment. The specimen represents the first described trace fossil from these shales. The identity of this specimen appears enigmatic. However, SEM-EDS analysis showed that the string of knobs is pyritised and does not contain phosphorus nor did the sediment directly around the specimen, suggesting a non-coprolitic origin of the specimen. Eggs and larvae are also excluded as possibilities. The specimen closely resembles several trace fossils identified as burrows, which is why we favour this interpretation. The rare presence of trace fossils reinforces the hypothesis that the Dutch Rhaetian shales were deposited under a stresses regime with low oxygen conditions.
Some applications of modular units
Authors: Eum Ick Sun , Koo Ja Kyung , Shin Dong Hwa 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe show that a weakly holomorphic modular function can be written as a sum of modular units of higher level. Furthermore, we find a necessary and sufficient condition for a meromorphic Siegel modular function of degree g to have neither a zero nor a pole on a certain subset of the Siegel upper half-space .
De-standardising ageing? Shifting regimes of age measurement
Authors: MOREIRA TIAGO 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTDeparting from the proposition that, in the sociological debate about whether there has been a shift towards a de-standardised lifecourse in advanced economies, little attention has been devoted to the infrastructural arrangements that would support such a transition, this paper explores the changing role of standards in the governance of ageing societies. In it, I outline a sociological theory of age standard substitution which suggests that contradictory rationalities used in the implementation of chronological age fuelled the emergence of a critique of chronological age within the diverse strands of gerontological knowledge during the 20th century. The paper analyses how these critiques were linked to a proliferation of substitute, ‘personalised’ age standards that aimed to conjoin individuals’ unique capacities or needs to roles or services. The paper suggests that this configuration of age standards’ production, characterised by uncertainty and an opening of moral and epistemic possibilities, has been shrouded by another, more recent formation where institutional responses to decentred processes of standardisation moved research and political investment towards an emphasis on biological age measurement.
‘Old but not that old’: Finnish community-dwelling people aged 90+ negotiating their autonomy
Authors: PIRHONEN JARI , OJALA HANNA , LUMME-SANDT KIRSI , PIETILÄ ILKKA 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTAutonomy is a pervasive concept in Western lifestyles today. However, people in the fourth age are assumed not to be autonomous but dependent on other people. The data of this study consisted of interviews with Finnish community-dwelling 90–91-year-old people. The study aim was to examine how these people see their own autonomy in their everyday lives. The analysis was based on membership categorisation analysis. Our respondents considered their autonomy through three distinct themes. Functional ability was considered in terms of being physically capable of managing daily tasks. Independence in decision making was based on material and financial self-sufficiency and on the respondents' supposition that they were capable of making decisions due to an absence of memory disorders. Additionally, autonomy was considered as contesting norms of age-appropriateness. Among respondents, chronological age seemed to have been replaced by functional and cognitive ability as a definer of categorisations; age-others became ability-others. Our study revealed that the perceptions of autonomy also included gendered features as they were linked with differing gendered ideals, roles and life domains of women and men. The results highlight the internal diversity among the oldest old and challenge the third/fourth age division. Instead, they suggest the existence of a certain ‘grey area’ within old age, and urge an analysis on the subtle meaning making involved in older people's constructions of age-categorisations.