bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Water nanodroplets make a greater contribution to facial skin moisture levels in air‐conditioned rooms during winter than in summer
Authors: Ohno H. , Nishimura N. , Yamada K. , Shimizu Y. , Nishimura R. , Iwase S. , Sugenoya J. , Sato M. 
Published: August 2014

Background/purposeBy performing experiments in air‐conditioned chamber, we previously demonstrated that the presence of water nanodroplets (mist) improved facial skin moisture levels without reducing water loss from the facial skin surface or inducing excessive humidity. Some previous studies have demonstrated that the epidermis is a less effective barrier to water in winter because the corneocytes that comprise facial skin become smaller in winter as skin turnover increases in cold environments. We hypothesized that it would be easier for mist to penetrate into the facial stratum corneum (SC) in winter than in summer. In the present study, we investigated the ability of mist to improve facial skin moisture levels in winter and summer.MethodsWe examined transepidermal water loss (TEWL) as an index of barrier function and skin conductance as an index of SC hydration at the forehead, lateral canthus, and cheeks in eight healthy Japanese females (mean ± SD: 45.5 ± 3.2 years) in the presence or absence of mist in February–March and July.ResultsIn the absence of mist, skin conductance at the forehead and lateral canthus was significantly higher in summer than in winter, but these seasonal differences were diminished in the presence of mist. In the presence of mist, skin conductance was increased in winter and decreased in summer at the lateral canthus; however, these changes were not significant. Thus, our findings suggest that mist penetrates into the SC and improves skin moisture levels in winter.ConclusionWe demonstrated that it is easier for mist to penetrate into the SC at the lateral canthus during winter than in summer. Thus, mist is expected to improve facial moisture levels in winter by penetrating into and remaining in the SC. Hence, mist could be used to help prevent facial skin from becoming dry in air‐conditioned rooms during winter.
Comparative study of temporary effect on the water content at different depths of the skin by hot and cold moisturizing formulations
Authors: Cortázar T. M. , Guzmán‐Alonso M. , Novoa H. , Riaño M. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundResearchers have studied the water content at different skin depths. Since skin differs among tissue depth, we sought to determine the depth variability of the water content after moisturizing formulation application. Furthermore, we compared the effects of formulations with different type of manufacturing processes (hot and cold process).MethodsTo characterize the variations in the water content at different depths in the skin, measurements were done on the center of the inner forearm middle line of 18 sitting healthy women, before and after 1, 3, and 5 h of the application of two different moisturizing formulations (hot and cold process). Measurements included stratum corneum hydration via capacitance (SC) at 1.25 MHz (30–40 μm), and dermal water via tissue dielectric constant (TDC) at 300 MHz to depths of 500, 1500, and 2500 μm.ResultsThere were significant differences between the SC mean values at all evaluated time intervals after application of both formulations when compared to baseline before application (T0). The SC mean values at 1 and 3 h are higher than those of the 5 h post application for both formulations. When comparing the formulations, hot formulation shows higher SC levels at 3 and 5 h, than cold formulation. TDC mean values to skin depths of 500 and 1500 μm increased after the application for both formulations. This increase was statistically significant at 1 and 3 h, when compared with T0. At 5 h no increases were seen in the TDC for any of the formulations. When comparing the mean values of each time evaluated, there is no statistically significant difference between the two formulations at depth of neither 500 μm nor 1500 μm. TDC mean value to a depth of 2500 μm does not increase after the application of any of the formulations.ConclusionsHot and cold formulations are effective moisturizers; however, a distinct profile was obtained for each. When water content averages were compared, the effect of hot formulation in the superficial layers of the skin was greater and longer in time than those of the cold formulation. On the other hand, moisturizing formulations applied to the skin affected the dermis water content until depth of 1500 μm.
Efficacy of oclacitinib (Apoquel®) compared with prednisolone for the control of pruritus and clinical signs associated with allergic dermatitis in client‐owned dogs in Australia
Authors: Gadeyne Caroline , Little Peter , King Vickie L. , Edwards Nigel , Davis Kylie , Stegemann Michael R. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundOral glucocorticoids are widely used to reduce pruritus and dermatitis associated with allergic dermatitis. Data suggest that oclacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, is a safe and effective alternative.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of oclacitinib compared with prednisolone for the control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in a single‐masked, controlled clinical trial with a randomized complete block design.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs (n = 123) with a presumptive diagnosis of allergic dermatitis and moderate to severe pruritus as assessed by the pet owner were enrolled.MethodsDogs were randomized to treatment with either oclacitinib (0.4–0.6 mg/kg orally twice daily for 14 days, then once daily) or prednisolone (0.5–1.0 mg/kg once daily for 6 days, then every other day) for 28 days. An enhanced visual analog scale (VAS) was used by owners to assess pruritus and by veterinarians to assess dermatitis, at all time points assessed.ResultsBoth treatments produced a rapid onset of efficacy within 4 h. The mean reductions in pruritus and dermatitis scores were not significantly different between the treatments except on day 14, when reductions were more pronounced for oclacitinib than prednisolone (P = 0.0193 for owner pruritus scores; P = 0.0252 for veterinarian dermatitis scores). Adverse events were reported with similar frequency in both groups.Conclusion and clinical importanceIn this study, both oclacitinib and prednisolone provided rapid, effective and safe control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis, with substantial improvement in pruritus, reported by owners, and dermatitis, reported by veterinarians.
Independent dosimetric assessment of the model EP917 episcleral brachytherapy plaque
Authors: Aryal Prakash , Molloy Janelle A. , Rivard Mark J. 
Published: August 2014

Purpose:To investigate the influence of slot design on dose distributions and dose‐volume histograms (DVHs) for the model EP917 plaque for episcleral brachytherapy.Methods:Dimensions and orientations of the slots were measured for three model EP917 plaques and compared to data in the Plaque Simulator (PS) treatment planning software (version 5.7.6). These independently determined coordinates were incorporated into the MCNP Monte Carlo simulation environment to obtain dose from the plaques in a water environment and in a clinical environment with ocular structures. A tumor volume was simulated as 5 mm in apical height and 11 mm in basal diameter. Variations in plaque mass density and composition; slot length, width, and depth; seed positioning; and Ag‐marker rod positioning were simulated to examine their influence on plaque central axis (CAX) and planar dose distributions, and DVHs.Results:Seed shifts in a single slot toward the eye and shifts of the125I‐coated Ag rod within the capsule had the greatest impact on CAX dose distribution. A shift of 0.0994 mm toward the eye increased dose by 14%, 9%, 4.3%, and 2.7% at 1, 2, 5, and 10 mm, respectively, from the inner sclera. When examining the fully‐modeled plaque in the ocular geometry, the largest dose variations were caused by shifting the Ag rods toward the sclera and shifting the seeds away from the globe when the slots were made 0.51 mm deeper, causing +34.3% and −69.4% dose changes to the outer sclera, respectively. At points along the CAX, dose from the full plaque geometry using the measured slot design was 2.4% ± 1.1% higher than the manufacturer‐provided slot design and 2.2% ± 2.3% higher than the homogeneous calculation of PS treatment planning results. The ratio of D10 values for the measured slot design to the D10 values for the manufacturer‐provided slot design was higher by 9%, 10%, and 19% for the tumor, inner sclera, and outer sclera, respectively. In comparison to the measured slot design, a theoretical plaque having narrower and deeper slots delivered 30%, 37%, and 62% lower D10 doses to the tumor, inner sclera, and outer sclera, respectively.Conclusions:While the measured positions of the slots on the model EP917 plaque were in close agreement (<0.7 mm) with the PS values, small differences in the slot shape caused substantial differences in dose distributions and DVH metrics. Increasing slot depth by 0.1 mm decreased outer scleral dose by 20%, yet shifting the Ag rods in the seeds toward the globe by 0.1 mm increased outer scleral dose by 35%. The clinical medical physicist is advised to measure these types of plaques upon acceptance testing before clinical use to inspect slot shape and position for comparison with data used for treatment planning purposes.
High Frequencies of Polyfunctional CD8+NK Cells in Chronic HIV-1 Infection Are Associated with Slower Disease Progression
Authors: Ahmad Fareed , Hong Henoch S. , Jäckel Marc , Jablonka Alexandra , Lu I-Na , Bhatnagar Nupur , Eberhard Johanna M. , Bollmann Benjamin A. , Ballmaier Matthias , Zielinska-Skowronek Margot , Schmidt Reinhold E. , Meyer-Olson Dirk 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTNatural killer (NK) cells are effector and regulatory innate immune cells and play a critical role in the first line of defense against various viral infections. Although previous reports have indicated the vital contributions of NK cells to HIV-1 immune control, nongenetic NK cell parameters directly associated with slower disease progression have not been defined yet. In a longitudinal, retrospective study of 117 untreated HIV-infected subjects, we show that higher frequencies as well as the absolute numbers of CD8+CD3−lymphocytes are linked to delayed HIV-1 disease progression. We show that the majority of these cells are well-described blood NK cells. In a subsequent cross-sectional study, we demonstrate a significant loss of CD8+NK cells in untreated HIV-infected individuals, which correlated with HIV loads and inversely correlated with CD4+T cell counts. CD8+NK cells had modestly higher frequencies of CD57-expressing cells than CD8−cells, but CD8+and CD8−NK cells showed no differences in the expression of a number of activating and inhibiting NK cell receptors. However, CD8+NK cells exhibited a more functional profile, as detected by cytokine production and degranulation.IMPORTANCEWe demonstrate that the frequency of highly functional CD8+NK cells is inversely associated with HIV-related disease markers and linked with delayed disease progression. These results thus indicate that CD8+NK cells represent a novel NK cell-derived, innate immune correlate with an improved clinical outcome in HIV infection.
The Composition of West Nile Virus Lipid Envelope Unveils a Role of Sphingolipid Metabolism in Flavivirus Biogenesis
Authors: Martín-Acebes Miguel A. , Merino-Ramos Teresa , Blázquez Ana-Belén , Casas Josefina , Escribano-Romero Estela , Sobrino Francisco , Saiz Juan-Carlos 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging zoonotic mosquito-borne flavivirus responsible for outbreaks of febrile illness and meningoencephalitis. The replication of WNV takes place on virus-modified membranes from the endoplasmic reticulum of the host cell, and virions acquire their envelope by budding into this organelle. Consistent with this view, the cellular biology of this pathogen is intimately linked to modifications of the intracellular membranes, and the requirement for specific lipids, such as cholesterol and fatty acids, has been documented. In this study, we evaluated the impact of WNV infection on two important components of cellular membranes, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids, by mass spectrometry of infected cells. A significant increase in the content of several glycerophospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, plasmalogens, and lysophospholipids) and sphingolipids (ceramide, dihydroceramide, and sphingomyelin) was noticed in WNV-infected cells, suggesting that these lipids have functional roles during WNV infection. Furthermore, the analysis of the lipid envelope of WNV virions and recombinant virus-like particles revealed that their envelopes had a unique composition. The envelopes were enriched in sphingolipids (sphingomyelin) and showed reduced levels of phosphatidylcholine, similar to sphingolipid-enriched lipid microdomains. Inhibition of neutral sphingomyelinase (which catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide) by either pharmacological approaches or small interfering RNA-mediated silencing reduced the release of flavivirus virions as well as virus-like particles, suggesting a role of sphingomyelin-to-ceramide conversion in flavivirus budding and confirming the importance of sphingolipids in the biogenesis of WNV.

IMPORTANCE
West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic flavivirus spread by mosquitoes that can infect multiple vertebrate hosts, including humans. There is no specific vaccine or therapy against this pathogen licensed for human use. Since the multiplication of this virus is associated with rearrangements of host cell membranes, we analyzed the effect of WNV infection on different cellular lipids that constitute important membrane components. The levels of multiple lipid species were increased in infected cells, pointing to the induction of major alterations of cellular lipid metabolism by WNV infection. Interestingly, certain sphingolipids, which were increased in infected cells, were also enriched in the lipid envelope of the virus, thus suggesting a potential role during virus assembly. We further verified the role of sphingolipids in the production of WNV by means of functional analyses. This study provides new insight into the formation of flavivirus infectious particles and the involvement of sphingolipids in the WNV life cycle.
The expression of chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CXCR4 in predicting postoperative tumour progression in stages I-II colon cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Du Changzheng , Yao Yunfeng , Xue Weicheng , Zhu Wei-Guo , Peng Yifan , Gu Jin 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesThe prognostic significance of chemokine receptors in stage I/II colon cancer is unclear. We assessed the prognostic value of chemokine receptor CXCR3 and CXCR4 in stage I/II colon cancer.Methods145 patients with stage I/II colon cancer who underwent curative surgery alone from 2000 to 2007 were investigated. Chemokine receptor expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The associations between CXCR3, CXCR4 and clinicopathological variables were analysed using the χ2test, and the relationships between chemokine receptors and a 5-year disease-free survival were analysed by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsThe high-expression rates of CXCR3 and CXCR4 were 17.9% (26/145) and 38.6% (56/145), respectively. There were no significant associations between the expressions of CXCR3, CXCR4 and clinicopathological factors including gender, age, tumour location, histological differentiation, pathological stage, lymphovascular invasion and pretreatment serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The 5-year disease-free survival was not significantly different between low-expression groups and high-expression groups of CXCR3 and CXCR4. Multivariate analysis revealed that serum CEA and a number of retrieved lymph nodes, rather than chemokine receptors, were independent prognosticators.ConclusionsCXCR3 and CXCR4 are not independent prognosticators for stage I/II colon cancer after curative surgery.
Abstract S2-01: The PRIME II trial: Wide local excision and adjuvant hormonal therapy ± postoperative whole breast irradiation in women ≥ 65 years with early breast cancer managed by breast conservation
Authors: Kunkler IH , Williams LW , Jack W , Canney P , Prescott RJ , Dixon MJ 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Background. Local Recurrence rates after breast conserving surgery (BCS) are falling because of increasing use of effective systemic therapy. The question of whether whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) can be omitted in carefully defined groups of older patients receiving appropriate systemic therapy has not been addressed. PRIME II is an International phase III RCT addressing this question.
Methods. Between April 2003 and December 2009, 1326 patients were randomised to receive (n = 658) or nor receive (n = 668) radiotherapy (RT). Eligiblity criteria were ≥65 years, T1-2 (up to 3cm), N0, M0, hormone receptor positive, clear excision margins (≥ 1mm), axillary node negative women in receipt of adjuvant hormone therapy. Patients could have Grade 3 tumours or lympho-vascular invasion but not both. An accrual of 1300 was planned to detect a difference based on estimates of local recurrence of 2% in RT group and 5% in no RT arm at 5 years, with 80% power and 5% significance. The primary endpoint was ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence (IBTR). Secondary endpoints were regional recurrence, contralateral breast cancer, distant metastases and overall survival (OS). Median follow up is 5.0 years.
Results
IBTR at 5 years was 4.1% (95% CI 2.4, 5.7%) without RT, 1.3% (95% CI 0.2, 2.3%) with RT. The hazard ratio for IBTR in those IBTR receiving radiotherapy was 4.34 (1.79, 10.55) (p = 0.001).
Overall actuarial survival at 5 years was 93.8% (95% CI 91.6, 95.9%) without RT and 94.2% (95% CI 92.2, 96.3%) with RT, (p = 0.24). No significant differences in regional recurrence (1.4% no RT vs 0.5% RT), contralateral breast cancer (0.9% no RT vs 1.5% RT), nor distant metastases (1.0% vs 0.3%) were seen. Breast cancer-free survival was 94.6% (95% CI 92.7, 96.5%)for no RT and 97.3% (95% CI 95.9, 98.8%) for those receiving RT (p = 0.003): this difference was due to the greater IBTR in no RT group. The majority of deaths were not linked to breast cancer (35 no RT vs 29 RT from a total of 87 deaths), with no influence of omission of RT (p = 0.27).
Conclusions
The randomised International Trial has shown that
• Omission of RT in women ≥65 year of age with N0, ER positive breast cancer receiving endocrine therapy results in only a 4.1% 5 year IBTR
• Although RT reduces IBTR significantly, the absolute reduction in this study is very small.
• RT does not reduce the rate of regional recurrence, distant metastases or affect overall survival.
• Omission of postoperative WBRT in this population based on the 5 year rate of IBTR appears safe, especially in the presence of comorbidities.
Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr S2-01.
Abstract A21: Exercising our AABCs: A community-based pilot intervention in African American breast cancer survivors (AABCs).
Authors: Nock Nora L. , Owusu Cynthia , Kullman Emily S. , Austin Kris , Roth Beth , Harmon Carl , Cerne Stephen , Moore Halle , Hergenroeder Paul , Vargo Mary , Malone Hermione , Rocco Michael , Lazarus Hillard M. , Kirwan John P. , Heyman Ellen , Berger Nathan A. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
African-American (AA) women have higher rates of breast cancer (BRCA) mortality than Caucasian women and, this disparity is even greater in certain local communities including Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Randomized control trials involving supervised aerobic and resistance training exercise have shown improved body composition and quality of life (QoL) in BRCA patients; however, most studies have focused on Caucasian women and many have been conducted in clinic-based settings. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a 20-week, supervised, resistance training, group exercise intervention coupled with a support group program and home walking program utilizing facilities and personnel at a community cancer support center (The Gathering Place, Beachwood, Ohio) in 18 AA Stage I-III BRCA survivors who were within 12 months of completing treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation). On average, the patients were 56.4 ± 10.8 years old and had a baseline BMI of 32.5 ± 6.3 kg/m2. Attendance rates were 70.0 ± 19.1% for the exercise sessions and 63.1 ± 13.8% for the support group. We found a post-treatment decrease in waist circumference (Baseline (B):93.7 ± 14.1 cm; End of Treatment (EOT): 92.0 ± 14.0 cm; p=0.02) and total body fat (B: 45.4 ± 7.1%; EOT: 44.1 ± 7.9%; p=0.01) and an increase in lean mass (B: 42.4 ± 4.4 kg; EOT: 43.2 ± 4.8 kg; p=0.02) among those who attended 70% or more of the sessions (n=12). We also found a clinically relevant improvement in overall QoL using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) scale (B: 101.1 ± 21.5; EOT: 108.6 ± 19.8; p=0.05). Our preliminary results demonstrate that conducting lifestyle interventions in AA BRCA survivors in a community setting is feasible. Future interventions should include strategies to enhance adherence and include dietary and supervised aerobic exercise components to enable greater weight loss.
Citation Format: Nora L. Nock, Cynthia Owusu, Emily S. Kullman, Kris Austin, Beth Roth, Carl Harmon, Stephen Cerne, Halle Moore, Paul Hergenroeder, Mary Vargo, Hermione Malone, Michael Rocco, Hillard M. Lazarus, John P. Kirwan, Ellen Heyman, Nathan A. Berger. Exercising our AABCs: A community-based pilot intervention in African American breast cancer survivors (AABCs). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A21.