bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding the experience of caring for children with haemophilia: cross‐sectional study of caregivers in the United States
Authors: DeKoven M. , Karkare S. , Kelley L. A. , Cooper D. L. , Pham H. , Powers J. , Lee W. C. , Wisniewski T. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryCongenital haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder typically diagnosed at birth or shortly thereafter. Haemophilia imposes a significant burden on patients and their caregivers. The aim of the study was to quantify the overall burden of haemophilia on caregivers in the USA using a novel disease‐specific questionnaire and the previously validated CarerQol. Targeted literature review and a previous survey conducted by the authors was used to develop an online questionnaire with six burden domains of interest to caregivers (emotional stress, financial, sacrifice, medical management, child's pain and transportation) and several visual analogue scales (VAS). Content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by three haemophilia caregivers. The study sample consisted of caregivers of children with haemophilia identified via a previously developed opt‐in research database. Descriptive statistics were employed for demographic and clinical characteristics; a generalized linear model (GLM) was used to identify factors influencing caregiver burden. A total of 310 caregivers completed the survey (45.5% response rate). Most of the participating caregivers were mothers of a child with haemophilia (88%), between 35 and 44 years of age (48%), and with a college education or a postgraduate degree (63%). ‘Child's pain’ was identified as the most burdensome domain to caregivers (median score = 3.50 out of 5), followed by ‘emotional stress’ (2.67), ‘financial’ (2.40), ‘transportation’ (2.33), ‘sacrifice’ (2.17) and ‘medical management’ (2.00) domains. Although higher income exhibited a protective effect, episodes of bleeds, current presence of an inhibitor and lower caregiver productivity in the past month negatively affected caregiver burden per GLM results. Training and educational programs should potentially be developed to address caregiver burden.
Formulation of lyotropic liquid crystal containing mulberry stem extract: influences of formulation ingredients on the formation and the nanostructure
Authors: Yhirayha C. , Soontaranon S. , Wittaya‐Areekul S. , Pitaksuteepong T. 
Published: January 2014

SynopsisObjectiveThis study focused on the formulation of lamellar lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) loaded with mulberry stem extract (MSE).MethodsTheLLCformulation tested used two oils: n‐dodecane or tridecyl salicylate, a co‐solvent (propylene glycol) and a single (PEG‐7 glyceryl cocoate) or mixed surfactant system. The mixed surfactant wasPEG‐7 glyceryl cocoate/PEG‐40 hydrogenated castor oil/glyceryl monooleate. TheLLCformation and phase behaviour were observed by polarized optical microscopy (POM) before and afterMSEloading. Nanostructure determinations on these formulations followingMSEloading used small angleX‐ray scattering (SAXS) at 25–40°C.ResultsLamellarLLCs are formed more easily with n‐dodecane than tridecyl salicylate. Propylene glycol, in the aqueous phase (1 : 1), failed to formLLCdue to suboptimal critical packing parameter (CPP) value. A single or mixed surfactant system also influenced the formation of lamellarLLCaccording to the chemical structure of both oils and especially the surfactants used. The four lamellarLLCformulations selected forMSEloading werePEG‐7 glyceryl cocoate/tridecyl salicylate/water; mixed surfactant/tridecyl salicylate/water;PEG‐7 glyceryl cocoate/n‐dodecane/water and mixed surfactant/n‐dodecane/water, named F1, F2, F3 and F4, respectively.MSEin F1 and F3 did not affect the lamellar structure, whileMSEin F2 and F4 enlarged the lamellar structure. TheSAXSdata confirmed that theLLCformulations obtained were lamellar and the structure persisted withMSE.ConclusionThese lamellar formulations should find widespread application forMSEand perhaps other similar herbal cosmetics.
Bakuchiol: a retinol‐like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti‐aging effects
Authors: Chaudhuri R. K. , Bojanowski K. 
Published: January 2014

SynopsisObjectiveThe study was undertaken to compare the skin care related activities of retinol and bakuchiol, a potential alternative to retinoids. Retinol is a pivotal regulator of differentiation and growth of developing as well as adult skin. Retinoic acid is the major physiologically active metabolite of retinol regulating gene expression through retinoic acid receptor – dependant and independent pathways.MethodsComparative gene expression profiling of both substances in the EpiDerm FT full thickness skin substitute model was undertaken. Furthermore, type I, III and IV collagen, as well as aquaporin 3 expression was analyzed by ELISA and/or histochemistry in human dermal fibroblasts and/or Epiderm FT skin substitutes.ResultsBakuchiol is a meroterpene phenol abundant in seeds and leaves of the plant Psoralea corylifolia. We present evidence that bakuchiol, having no structural resemblance to retinoids, can function as a functional analogue of retinol. Volcano plots showed great overall similarity of retinol and bakuchiol effects on the gene expression profile. This similarity was confirmed by the side‐by‐side comparison of the modulation of individual genes, as well as on the protein level by ELISA and histochemistry. Retinol‐like functionality was further confirmed for the upregulation of types I and IV collagen in DNA microarray study and also show stimulation of type III collagen in the mature fibroblast model. Bakuchiol was also formulated into a finished skin care product and was tested in clinical case study by twice‐a‐day facial application. The results showed that, after 12 weeks treatment, significant improvement in lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness and overall reduction in photo‐damage was observed, without usual retinol therapy‐associated undesirable effects.ConclusionBased on these data, we propose that bakuchiol can function as an anti‐ageing compound through retinol‐like regulation of gene expression.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Spectroscopic and Thermal Analysis of Strontium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Nanoparticles
Authors: Solanki Pushpakant , Vasant Sonal , Joshi Mihir 
Published: January 2014

Various pyrophosphates are very useful as bioceramics; for instance, strontium pyrophosphate is one of the emerging forms of alkaline phosphate. Strontium pyrophosphate dihydrate (Sr2P2O72H2O) nanoparticles were synthesized by the surfactant‐mediated approach and characterized by different techniques. From the powder XRD study, the average crystallite size was evaluated by applying Scherrer's formula, which was found to be 33.57 nm. The average crystallite size and internal strain were also evaluated using Williamson–Hall (W‐H) method. The FT‐IR spectroscopy study confirmed the presence of symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibrations of P–O–P and PO3. The UV‐NIR absorption spectroscopy over the spectral range of 210–1200 nm was employed, and the energy band gap was calculated from Tauc's plot which was found to be 4.9 eV. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the presence of two water molecules in the sample. From TGA, it was found that the sample become anhydrous and on heating above 410–800°C, the sample remained almost stable with slight weight gain due to adsorption of purged gas. Various kinetic parameters and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated for dehydration process.
Effect of Excess Li+ on Microwave Dielectric Properties of Ca0.16Sr0.04Li0.4Nd0.4TiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Yuan Changlai , Chen Guohua , Zhou Changrong , Yang Yun , Peng Fuwei 
Published: January 2014

The effect of excess Li+ (δ) on microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of Ca0.16Sr0.04Li0.4Nd0.4TiO3 ceramics with δ = 0.00125–0.0125 was investigated. XRD analysis showed that lattice parameters in a‐axis, b‐axis, and c‐axis became longer by the addition of small amount of excess Li+. Ca0.16Sr0.04Li0.4Nd0.4TiO3 ceramics with δ = 0.0075 after being sintered at 1270°C showed the optimal values with εr = 138, Q.f = 1591 GHz, and τf = 52 ppm/°C. Impedance measurement indicated that the grain regions showed the inhomogeneity in electrical properties and dielectric loss of the ceramic system were mainly derived from the semiconducting grain cores.
Serum amyloid A induces interleukin‐6 in dermal fibroblasts via Toll‐like receptor 2, interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 4 and nuclear factor‐κB
Authors: O'Reilly Steven , Cant Rachel , Ciechomska Marzena , Finnigan James , Oakley Fiona , Hambleton Sophie , van Laar Jacob M. 
Published: January 2014

SummarySystemic sclerosis is an autoimmune idiopathic connective tissue disease, characterized by vasculopathy, inflammation and fibrosis. There appears to be a link between inflammation and fibrosis, although the exact nature of the relationship is unknown. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute‐phase protein that is elevated up to 1000‐fold in times of infection or inflammation. This acute‐phase reactant, as well as being a marker of inflammation, may initiate signals in a cytokine‐like manner, possibly through toll‐like receptors (TLRs) promoting inflammation. This study addressed the role of SAA in initiating interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) production in dermal fibroblasts and the role of TLR2 in this system. We show that SAA induces IL‐6 secretion in healthy dermal fibroblasts and that blockade of TLR2 with a neutralizing antibody to TLR2 or specific small interfering RNA attenuated the SAA‐induced IL‐6 secretion and that this was also mediated through the TLR adaptor protein IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 4. The effect is nuclear factor‐κB‐mediated because blockade of nuclear factor‐κB reduced the induction. We also demonstrate that dermal fibroblasts express TLR2; this is functional and over‐expressed in the fibroblasts of patients with systemic sclerosis. Taken together these data suggest that SAA is a danger signal that initiates IL‐6 signalling in systemic sclerosis via enhanced TLR2 signalling.
Systematic review of the use of prophylactic dressings in the prevention of pressure ulcers
Authors: Clark Michael , Black Joyce , Alves Paulo , Brindle CT , Call Evan , Dealey Carol , Santamaria Nick 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis systematic review considers the evidence supporting the use of prophylactic dressings for the prevention of pressure ulcer. Electronic database searches were conducted on 25 July 2013. The searches found 3026 titles and after removal of duplicate records 2819 titles were scanned against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 2777 were excluded based on their title and abstract primarily because they discussed pressure ulcer healing, the prevention and treatment of other chronic and acute wounds or where the intervention was not a prophylactic dressing (e.g. underpads, heel protectors and cushions). Finally, the full text of 42 papers were retrieved. When these 42 papers were reviewed, 21 were excluded and 21 were included in the review. The single high‐quality randomised controlled trial (RCT) and the growing number of cohort, weak RCT and case series all suggest that the introduction of a dressing as part of pressure ulcer prevention may help reduce pressure ulcer incidence associated with medical devices especially in immobile intensive care unit patients. There is no firm clinical evidence at this time to suggest that one dressing type is more effective than other dressings.
Articular Cartilage Lesions of the Patellofemoral Joint in Dogs With Naturally Occurring Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease
Authors: Agnello Kimberly A. , Holsworth Ian G. , Caceres Ana Vanessa , Brown Dorothy Cimino , Runge Jeffrey J. , Schlicksup Michael , Hayashi Kei 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate frequency, severity, and location of patellofemoral (PF) osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease.Study DesignCross‐sectional observational study.AnimalsDogs (n = 40; stifles, 44).MethodsStifle arthroscopic video recordings and radiographs were performed. Cartilage pathology was scored at 3 locations (proximal, middle, distal) in the trochlear groove and patella. A radiographic osteoarthrosis and synovial pathology score were assigned. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to determine if lesion severity varied by site, synovitis, and osteoarthrosis, and the Dunn's test was used for pairwise comparisons. The variability of body weight was evaluated using 1 way ANOVA; P < .05 was considered significant.ResultsCartilage pathology and synovitis was identified in all PF joints. The proximal aspect of the trochlear groove had significantly higher cartilage scores than the middle and distal sites and the middle groove site was significantly higher than the distal site. The distal aspect of the patella had significantly greater scores than the middle and proximal patellar locations. Higher synovitis scores were associated with increased cartilage scores. Cartilage scores were significantly greater in stifles with higher radiographic osteophytosis, tibial sclerosis, and patellar enthesiophytosis scores. Higher body weights were significantly associated with greater synovial and radiographic scores.ConclusionsDogs with CCL disease have a high incidence of PF cartilage pathology and the severity of cartilage lesions varies depending on location within the joint.
Participatory Learning and Popular Education Strategies for Water Education
Authors: Missingham Bruce 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis paper presents some experiences of bringing critical pedagogy and participatory learning approaches into postgraduate university classrooms in teaching about water and sustainable development. Employing critical pedagogy and participatory approaches offer ways of escaping conventional lecture and tutorial approaches to pedagogy in university, strategies for incorporating and sharing student knowledge and experience, engaging students in the production of theory and knowledge (and not just their consumption), and problem‐posing approaches that encourage critical thinking and creativity. First I discuss the need to break away from conventional university teaching approaches and the usefulness of critical pedagogy and participatory perspectives that seek education for social change. Then I explore four elements of participatory learning that have been effective in my water education practice and seem to offer lessons for innovation in water education in higher education. These elements are i) asset‐based teaching and learning, ii) participatory learning to enable deliberative processes and collective learning, iii) problem‐posing pedagogy, and iv) involving students in construction of knowledge.
Cross‐Boundary Peer Learning in the Mekong: A Case of Field‐Based Education in Natural Resources Management
Authors: Lyu Xing , Hirsch Philip , Kimkong Ham , Manorom Kanokwan , Tubtim Tubtim 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis article analyzes the process and output of a cross‐boundary peer learning exercise about policy and implementation on natural resource management in the Mekong. The exercise involved university students and academics from Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Australia. The pedagogic approach taken was student‐centred learning, whereby students learned with and from their fellow students, and about their peers’ perspectives in other Mekong countries on similar issues. The article consists of four parts. The first part introduces the exercise and discusses conceptual frameworks including cross‐cultural learning, peer‐based learning, and experiential learning. The second part describes the Mekong Learning Initiative research exchange program, explaining the process by which students from different countries and different learning cultures engage in peer‐based learning. The third part uses students’ own reflections to show ways in which learning outcomes from the student research exchange differ from conventional learning activities. The discussion section draws on the successes and challenges of the exercise to explain how we as teachers engage with adaptive learning for both research and pedagogic purposes, to identify elements critical to enhancing experiential learning in the cross‐boundary peer based learning situation.
An “IGERT” Model for Interdisciplinary Doctoral Education in Water‐Related Science and Policy
Authors: Pinter Nicholas , Baer Sara , Chevalier Lizette , Kowalchuk Rhonda , Lant Christopher , Whiles Matt 
Published: January 2014

AbstractMost doctoral programs in the U.S. remain “stove‐piped” in traditional single‐discipline fields, while scientific progress increasingly occurs at the boundaries between multiple disciplines. In response, the U.S. National Science Foundation has been funding projects in Integrative Graduate Education, Research, and Training (IGERT) to train a new generation of interdisciplinary scientists. The IGERT Ph.D. program in “Watershed Science and Policy” at Southern Illinois University (SIU) builds each year's student class as a diverse “cadre” who work intensively together on one hot‐button river basin. The structure of these projects, and other program elements, are reviewed here along with successes and challenges to date. One challenge is the seeming tradeoff between (1) the development of tightly focused expertise versus (2) the breadth that characterizes interdisciplinary research. We conclude that interdisciplinary scientists must have disciplinary depth, but so too should they be trained in collaboration and integrating their results to address the challenges that face today's complex world.
Developing T‐Shaped Water Professionals: Building Capacity in Collaboration, Learning, and Leadership to Drive Innovation
Authors: McIntosh Brian S. , Taylor André 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAs we progress into the 21st century, change is an increasingly central theme for water professionals and for professionals in sectors where water plays a central role. Building the capacity of professionals in water and closely related sectors to lead such change will be an essential component of the response to global water challenges this century. This paper provides a contribution by critically developing a concept, the T‐shaped water professional, as a framework for the design of curricula for educational programs to build the capacity of water professionals to stimulate and drive processes of innovation and change. The T‐shaped water professional concept integrates insights from leadership, organizational management, learning theory, collaboration, critical thinking, and praxis. In doing so, the concept provides a response to two basic questions – (i) what skills and knowledge do water professionals need to stimulate and lead change, and; (ii) how can we develop them?
Modulation of adipocyte differentiation by omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids involves the ubiquitin‐proteasome system
Authors: Wójcik Cezary , Lohe Kimberly , Kuang Chenzhong , Xiao Yan , Jouni Zeida , Poels Eduard 
Published: January 2014

AbstractWe have evaluated the effects of three different omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω‐3 PUFAs) – docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) on fat accumulation and expression of adipogenic and inflammatory markers using both 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes and differentiated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that ω‐3 PUFAs induce the degradation of fatty acid synthase through the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, which is likely to have beneficial metabolic effect on adipose cells. Omega‐3 PUFAs also increase overall levels of polyubiquitinated proteins, at least in part through decreasing the expression of proteasome subunits. Moreover, adipocytes are resistant to proteasome inhibition, which induces adipophilin while decreasing perilipin expression. On the other hand, ω‐3 PUFAs decrease expression of SREBP1 while inducing expression of adipophilin and GLUT4. Moreover, all three ω‐3 PUFAs appear to induce tumour necrosis factor‐α without affecting NFκB levels. All three ω‐3 PUFAs appear to have overall similar effects. Further research is needed to elucidate their mechanism of action.
Activation of RANKL‐induced osteoclasts and memory T lymphocytes by Porphyromonas gingivalis is serotype dependant
Authors: Vernal Rolando , Díaz‐Zúñiga Jaime , Melgar‐Rodríguez Samanta , Pujol Myriam , Diaz‐Guerra Eva , Silva Augusto , Sanz Mariano , Garcia‐Sanz Jose A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimDestructive periodontitis is associated with a Th1–Th17 immune response and activation of RANKL‐induced osteoclasts. In addition, Porphyromonas gingivalis K1 and K2 serotypes induce a strong Th1–Th17 response. This study aimed to investigate whether these P. gingivalis serotypes induce higher osteoclasts activation, by increased Th17‐associated RANKL production, and an antigen‐specific memory T‐lymphocyte response.Material and MethodsThe RANKL production and TRAP+ osteoclast induction were quantified on naïve T lymphocytes stimulated with dendritic cells primed with the P. gingivalis serotypes. The T‐bet, GATA‐3, RORC2 and Foxp3 expression was correlated with RANKL production. The frequency of proliferating memory T lymphocytes in response to P. gingivalis serotypes was determined in both periodontitis and healthy subjects.ResultsT lymphocytes stimulated by K1 or K2‐primed dendritic cells elicited higher levels of RANKL and TRAP+ osteoclasts than cells stimulated with the other serotypes. RANKL positively correlated with RORC2. Whereas periodontitis patients had a higher frequency of memory T lymphocytes responding to K1 or K2, healthy subjects had a higher frequency of memory T lymphocytes responding to K4 or K−.ConclusionsP. gingivalis serotypes K1 and K2, but not others, are associated with an increased production of the osteoclastogenesis‐related factor RANKL. This important information suggests that these serotypes could elicit a greater bone resorption in vivo and have a role in the periodontitis pathogenesis.
How the length of genital parts affects copulation performance in a carabid beetle: implications for correlated genital evolution between the sexes
Authors: Okuzaki Y. , Sota T. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractTo identify factors leading to the correlated evolution of exaggerated male and female genitalia, we studied the effects of the variable dimensions of corresponding functional genital parts (male copulatory piece and female vaginal appendix) on copulatory performance in the polygamous carabid beetle Carabus (Ohomopterus) maiyasanus. We used mating pairs of individuals from two populations to increase the variances in genital dimensions and determined the copulation performance (insemination and spermatophore replacement, and copulation time) in single‐ and double‐mating situations. In single mating, insemination success was not affected by genital dimensions, although the copulation time was significantly shorter when the male aedeagus was longer. In the double‐mating experiment, insemination and replacement of spermatophores by the second male succeeded more frequently when the copulatory piece was shorter and the vaginal appendix was longer, and when the difference between the length of the copulatory piece and the vaginal appendix was smaller. Thus, a matching of the corresponding genital parts between the sexes increases the male's reproductive success in sperm competition, but elongation of the copulatory piece cannot be explained simply by the improvement in male reproductive success. We discuss possible factors for the elongation of genital parts in terms of sexual conflict and reproductive interference through interspecific copulation.