bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term stability, functional competence, and safety of microencapsulated specific pathogen‐free neonatal porcine Sertoli cells: a potential product for cell transplant therapy
Authors: Luca Giovanni , Mancuso Francesca , Calvitti Mario , Arato Iva , Falabella Giulia , Bufalari Antonello , De Monte Valentina , Tresoldi Enrico , Nastruzzi Claudio , Basta Giuseppe , Fallarino Francesca , Lilli Cinzia , Bellucci Catia , Baroni Tiziano , Aglietti Maria Chiara , Giovagnoli Stefano , Cameron Don F. , Bodo Maria , Calafiore Riccardo 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundPorcine Sertoli cells (pSCs) have been employed for cell therapy in pre‐clinical studies for several chronic/immune diseases as they deliver molecules associated with trophic and anti‐inflammatory effects. To be employed for human xenografts, pSCs products need to comply with safety and stability. To fulfill such requirements, we employed a microencapsulation technology to increase pre‐transplant storage stability of specific pathogen‐free pSCs (SPF‐pSCs) and evaluated the in vivo long‐term viability and safety of grafts.MethodsSpecific pathogen free neonatal pigs underwent testis excision under sterility. pSCs were isolated, characterized by immunofluorescence (IF) and cytofluorimetric analysis (CA) and examined in terms of viability and function [namely, production of anti‐müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B, and transforming growth factor beta‐1 (TFGβ‐1)]. After microencapsulation in barium alginate microcapsules (Ba‐MC), long‐term SPF‐pSCs (Ba‐MCpSCs) viability and barium concentrations were evaluated at 1, 24 throughout 40 h to establish pre‐transplant storage conditions.ResultsThe purity of isolated pSCs was about 95% with negligible contaminating cells. Cultured pSCs monolayers, both prior to and after microencapsulation, maintained high function and full viability up to 24 h of storage. At 40 h post‐encapsulation, pSCs viability decreased to 80%. Barium concentration in Ba‐MCpSCs lagged below the normal maximum daily allowance and was stable for 4 months in mice with no evident side effects.ConclusionsSuch results suggest that this protocol for the isolation and microencapsulation of pSCs is compatible with long‐haul transportation and that Ba‐MCpSCs could be potentially employable for xenotransplantation.
The ParB-
parS
Chromosome Segregation System Modulates Competence Development in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Attaiech Laetitia , Minnen Anita , Kjos Morten , Gruber Stephan , Veening Jan-Willem 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

ParB proteins bind centromere-like DNA sequences called
parS
sites and are involved in plasmid and chromosome segregation in bacteria. We previously showed that the opportunistic human pathogen
Streptococcus pneumoniae
contains four
parS
sequences located close to the origin of replication which are bound by ParB. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we found here that ParB spreads out from one of these
parS
sites,
parS
(−1.6°), for more than 5 kb and occupies the nearby
comCDE
operon, which drives competence development. Competence allows
S. pneumoniae
to take up DNA from its environment, thereby mediating horizontal gene transfer, and is also employed as a general stress response. Mutating
parS
(−1.6°) or deleting
parB
resulted in transcriptional up-regulation of
comCDE
and
ssbB
(a gene belonging to the competence regulon), demonstrating that ParB acts as a repressor of competence. However, genome-wide transcription analysis showed that ParB is not a global transcriptional regulator. Different factors, such as the composition of the growth medium and antibiotic-induced stress, can trigger the sensitive switch driving competence. This work shows that the ParB-
parS
chromosome segregation machinery also influences this developmental process.

IMPORTANCE
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus) is an important human pathogen responsible for more than a million deaths each year. Like all other organisms,
S. pneumoniae
must be able to segregate its chromosomes properly. Not only is understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying chromosome segregation in
S. pneumoniae
therefore of fundamental importance, but also, this knowledge might offer new leads for ways to target this pathogen. Here, we identified a link between the pneumococcal chromosome segregation system and the competence-developmental system. Competence allows
S. pneumoniae
to take up and integrate exogenous DNA in its chromosome. This process plays a crucial role in successful adaptation to—and escape from—host defenses, antibiotic treatments, and vaccination strategies. We show that the chromosome segregation protein ParB acts as a repressor of competence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a ParB protein controlling bacterial competence.
Varicella paediatric hospitalisations in Belgium: a 1-year national survey
Authors: Blumental Sophie , Sabbe Martine , Lepage Philippe 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundVaricella universal vaccination (UV) has been implemented in many countries for several years. Nevertheless, varicella UV remains debated in Europe and few data are available on the real burden of infection. We assessed the burden of varicella in Belgium through analysis of hospitalised cases during a 1-year period.MethodsData on children admitted to hospital with varicella were collected through a national network from November 2011 to October 2012. Inclusion criteria were either acute varicella or related complications up to 3 weeks after the rash.ResultsParticipation of 101 hospitals was obtained, covering 97.7% of the total paediatric beds in Belgium. 552 children were included with a median age of 2.1 years. Incidence of paediatric varicella hospitalisations reached 29.5/105person-years, with the highest impact among those 0–4 years old (global incidence and odds of hospitalisation: 79/105person-years and 1.6/100 varicella cases, respectively). Only 14% (79/552) of the cohort had an underlying chronic condition. 65% (357/552) of children had ≥1 complication justifying their admission, 49% were bacterial superinfections and 10% neurological disorders. Only a quarter of children (141/552) received acyclovir. Incidence of complicated hospitalised cases was 19/105person-years. Paediatric intensive care unit admission and surgery were required in 4% and 3% of hospitalised cases, respectively. Mortality among Belgian paediatric population was 0.5/106and fatality ratio 0.2% among our cohort.ConclusionsVaricella demonstrated a substantial burden of disease in Belgian children, especially among the youngest. Our thorough nationwide study, run in a country without varicella UV, offers data to support varicella UV in Belgium.
Incidence of cardiovascular events and gastrointestinal bleeding in patients receiving clopidogrel with and without proton pump inhibitors: an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Cardoso Rhanderson N , Benjo Alexandre M , DiNicolantonio James J , Garcia Daniel C , Macedo Francisco Y B , El-Hayek Georges , Nadkarni Girish N , Gili Sebastiano , Iannaccone Mario , Konstantinidis Ioannis , Reilly John P 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundDual antiplatelet therapy is the standard of care after coronary stent placement but increases the bleeding risk. The effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on clopidogrel metabolism have been described, but the clinical significance is not yet definitive. We aimed to do an updated meta-analysis comparing outcomes in patients receiving clopidogrel with and without PPIs.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled observational studies in patients taking clopidogrel stratified by concomitant PPI use. Heterogeneity was examined with the Cochran Q test and I2statistics; p values inferior to 0.10 and I2>25% were considered significant for heterogeneity.ResultsWe included 39 studies with a total of 214 851 patients, of whom 73 731 (34.3%) received the combination of clopidogrel and a PPI. In pooled analysis, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and cerebrovascular accidents were more common in patients receiving both drugs. However, among 23 552 patients from eight RCTs and propensity-matched studies, there were no significant differences in mortality or ischaemic events between groups. The use of PPIs in patients taking clopidogrel was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.ConclusionsThe results of our meta-analysis suggest that PPIs are a marker of increased cardiovascular risk in patients taking clopidogrel, rather than a direct cause of worse outcomes. The pharmacodynamic interaction between PPIs and clopidogrel most likely has no clinical significance. Furthermore, PPIs have the potential to decrease gastrointestinal bleeding in clopidogrel users.
Equiaffine characterization of Lagrangian surfaces in ℝ4
Authors: Craizer Marcos 
Published: June 2015

For non-degenerate surfaces in ℝ4, a distinguished transversal bundle called affine normal plane bundle was proposed in [K. Nomizu and L. Vrancken, A new equiaffine theory for surfaces in ℝ4, Internat. J. Math. 4(1) (1993) 127–165]. Lagrangian surfaces have remarkable properties with respect to this normal bundle, like for example, the normal bundle being Lagrangian. In this paper, we characterize those surfaces which are Lagrangian with respect to some parallel symplectic form in ℝ4.
An infeasible interior-point method with improved centering steps for monotone linear complementarity problems
Authors: Asadi Soodabeh , Mansouri Hossein , Darvay Zsolt 
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we improve the infeasible full-Newton interior-point algorithm presented by Mansouri et al. [A full-Newton step [Formula: see text] infeasible interior-point algorithm for linear complementarity problems, Nonlinear Anal. Real World Appl. 12 (2011) 545–561] for monotone linear complementarity problems (MLCPs). In each iteration of Mansouri’s algorithm two types of full-Newton steps are used, one feasibility step and some ordinary (centering) steps. In this paper, we use a new search direction, and reduce the number of the centering steps, so that only one centering step is needed. We prove that the complexity of the algorithm is as good as the best-known complexity for infeasible interior-point methods for MLCPs.
Lack of consistency in the relationship between asymptomatic DVT detected by venography and symptomatic VTE in thromboprophylaxis trials
Authors: Chan Noel C. , Stehouwer Alexander C. , Hirsh Jack , Ginsberg Jeffrey S. , Alazzoni Ashraf , Coppens Michiel , Guyatt Gordon H. , Eikelboom John W. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryAsymptomatic deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) detected by mandatory venography, a surrogate outcome, comprises most of the efficacy outcome events in recent thromboprophylaxis trials. The validity of this surrogate to estimate trade-off between thrombotic and bleeding events in these clinical trials requires a consistent relationship between asymptomatic DVT and symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this systematic review of high quality VTE prevention trials, we examined the consistency of the ratios of asymptomatic DVT to symptomatic VTE across a broad range of indications. Studies were identified from citations listed in the chapters on VTE prevention in the antithrombotic guidelines by the American College of Chest Physicians, 2012. A study was eligible if it: 1) was a randomised trial comparing an anticoagulant with standard of care; 2) included at least 500 participants; 3) reported asymptomatic or all DVT rates; and 4) re ported symptomatic VTE rates. Of the 26 eligible trials, 19 trials were conducted in orthopaedic patients, five in general surgery patients and two in general medical patients. The overall median rates (ranges) for asymptomatic DVT and symptomatic VTE were 9.11% (0.75 to 54.87%) and 0.49% (0.00 to 3.10%), respectively. The median ratio was 14.53, with a wide range (2.75 to 103.86). Wide variability in the ratios persisted despite indication- and anticoagulant-specific analyses. In VTE prevention trials of alternative anticoagulants, the wide variability in the ratios of asymptomatic DVT to symptomatic VTE precludes judging the trade-off between thrombotic and bleeding events on the basis of composite outcomes dominated by venographic DVT.
NOVAE GESNERIACEAE NEOTROPICARUM XIX: A third, new species of the elusive Anetanthus found in Guyana
Authors: Skog Laurence E. , Clark John Littner 
Published: July 2015

A new species of Anetanthus (Gesneriaceae) is described from Guyana as A. disjuncta. A discussion of the known species is provided as well as a key to the known taxa.
Using CERES SYN Surface Irradiance Data as Forcing for Snowmelt Simulation in Complex Terrain*
Authors: Hinkelman Laura M. , Lapo Karl E. , Cristea Nicoleta C. , Lundquist Jessica D. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
The benefit of using solar and longwave surface irradiance data from NASA’s Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) synoptic (SYN) satellite product in simulations of snowmelt has been examined. The accuracy of the SYN downwelling solar and longwave irradiances was first assessed by comparison to measurements at NOAA’s Surface Radiation Network (SURFRAD) reference stations and to remote mountain observations. Typical shortwave (longwave) biases had magnitudes less than 30 (10) W m−2, with most standard deviations below 140 (30) W m−2. The performance of a range of snow models of varying complexity when using SYN irradiances as forcing data was then evaluated. Simulated snow water equivalent and runoff from cases using SYN data fell in the range of those from simulations forced with irradiances from well-maintained surface observation sites as well as empirical methods that have been shown to perform well in mountainous terrain. The SYN irradiances are therefore judged to be suitable for use in snowmelt modeling. It is also noted that the SYN upwelling shortwave irradiances, and hence albedos derived from them, are frequently not representative of individual monitoring stations because of the high spatial variability of snow cover and other surface properties in mountainous regions. In addition, adjusting the SYN downwelling longwave irradiances to reflect the exact elevation of the point of interest relative to the mean altitude of the satellite grid box is recommended.
Predictors of Nonelective Removal of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters in Infants
Authors: Costa Priscila , Kimura Amélia Fumiko , Brandon Debra Huffman , Damiani Lucas Petri 
Published: July 2015

Background: Nonelective removal of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) due to complications continues to be a major concern in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) around the world. Nonelective removal results in interruption of intravenous therapy, added costs, stress, and negative impacts on infant’s health. Identification of predictors of complications that lead to nonelective removal of PICCs would allow for the initiation of preventive strategies to improve the quality of care. Aim: To identify predictors of nonelective removal of PICCs in neonates. Methods: A prospective cohort study with a sample of 524 PICC lines inserted in 436 neonates admitted to a tertiary-level NICU of a Brazilian hospital. Data were collected on all neonates between August 31, 2010, and August 30, 2012. Neonates were monitored daily from insertion of the catheter until its removal. Bivariate analysis and a logistic regression were conducted in order to identify predictors of nonelective removal. Results: A diagnosis of a transitory metabolic disorder (hypoglycemia; disorders of calcium, magnesium, sodium, or potassium; or dehydration), previous PICC line insertion, insertion of dual-lumen polyurethane PICC, noncentral tip position, and multiple intravenous solutions in a single-lumen silicone PICC were predictors of nonelective removal of PICC lines. Conclusion: The avoidance of repeated PICC insertions, noncentral tip position, and placement of single-lumen silicone PICCs for administration of four or more intravenous solutions is suggested. Interventions should be explored that facilitate PICC insertion success and correct tip placement.
Capacity building in physical activity and non-communicable disease prevention: a low-cost online training course can reach isolated practitioners
Authors: Engelen Lina , Bauman Adrian ,   the Physical Activity Network group, Bellew Bill , Caillaud Corinne , Merom Dafna , Singh Maria Fiatarone , Mackey Martin , Johnson Nathan , Davis Glen , Shirley Debra , Neubeck Lis , van der Ploeg Hidde , Kite James , Chau Josephine , Hardy Lou , Phongsavan Philayrath , Kummerfeld Bob , Williams Kerrod , Stevens Kayla 
Published: July 2015

Physical inactivity is the fourth most important risk factor contributing to global non-communicable disease (NCD) deaths, occurring in high-, middle- and low-income countries. Building capacity in NCD prevention is a daunting task, and toward this end, an introductory open online course about physical activity (PA), exercise, and NCD prevention was developed. This was led by academics from the University of Sydney and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity. The course was designed to address the needs of participants from areas where geography and economy would often prevent them from participating in NCD training programs. Around 120 participants from four continents signed up for the six-week online course, with the greatest numbers from the host country (Australia) followed by participants from Pacific Island nations and from the Middle East. The course consisted of video lectures, quizzes, and online discussions facilitated by experts. More than a third of the participants fully completed the course, which received very positive participant evaluations. This also included completion of relevant quiz questions on each section of the PA course, and averaged over 70% correct responses. This successful online course has the potential to increase knowledge and skills about PA and prevention, as part of building global capacity in NCD prevention at low cost, and importantly within easy reach of potentially isolated practitioners.
Comparison of Subcutaneous Regular Insulin and Lispro Insulin in Diabetics Receiving Continuous Nutrition
Authors: Stull Mamie C. , Strilka Richard J. , Clemens Michael S. , Armen Scott B. 
Published: July 2015

Background: Optimal management of non–critically ill patients with diabetes maintained on continuous enteral feeding (CEN) is poorly defined. Subcutaneous (SQ) lispro and SQ regular insulin were compared in a simulated type 1 and type 2 diabetic patient receiving CEN. Method: A glucose-insulin feedback mathematical model was employed to simulate type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients on CEN. Each patient received 25 SQ injections of regular insulin or insulin lispro, ranging from 0-6 U. Primary endpoints were the change in mean glucose concentration (MGC) and change in glucose variability (GV); hypoglycemic episodes were also reported. The model was first validated against patient data. Results: Both SQ insulin preparations linearly decreased MGC, however, SQ regular insulin decreased GV whereas SQ lispro tended to increase GV. Hourly glucose concentration measurements were needed to capture the increase in GV. In the type 2 diabetic patient, “rebound hyperglycemia” occurred after SQ lispro was rapidly metabolized. Although neither SQ insulin preparation caused hypoglycemia, SQ lispro significantly lowered MGC compared to SQ regular insulin. Thus, it may be more likely to cause hypoglycemia. Analyses of the detailed glucose concentration versus time data suggest that the inferior performance of lispro resulted from its shorter duration of action. Finally, the effects of both insulin preparations persisted beyond their duration of actions in the type 2 diabetic patient. Conclusions: Subcutaneous regular insulin may be the short-acting insulin preparation of choice for this subset of diabetic patients. Clinical trial is required before a definitive recommendation can be made.
DNA vaccination for prostate cancer: key concepts and considerations
Authors: Cole Grace , McCaffrey Joanne , Ali Ahlam A. , McCarthy Helen O. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWhile locally confined prostate cancer is associated with a low five year mortality rate, advanced or metastatic disease remains a major challenge for healthcare professionals to treat and is usually terminal. As such, there is a need for the development of new, efficacious therapies for prostate cancer. Immunotherapy represents a promising approach where the host’s immune system is harnessed to mount an anti-tumour effect, and the licensing of the first prostate cancer specific immunotherapy in 2010 has opened the door for other immunotherapies to gain regulatory approval. Among these strategies DNA vaccines are an attractive option in terms of their ability to elicit a highly specific, potent and wide-sweeping immune response. Several DNA vaccines have been tested for prostate cancer and while they have demonstrated a good safety profile they have faced problems with low efficacy and immunogenicity compared to other immunotherapeutic approaches. This review focuses on the positive aspects of DNA vaccines for prostate cancer that have been assessed in preclinical and clinical trials thus far and examines the key considerations that must be employed to improve the efficacy and immunogenicity of these vaccines.
On contractive cyclic fuzzy maps in metric spaces and some related results on fuzzy best proximity points and fuzzy fixed points
Authors: De la Sen Manuel , Roldán Antonio F , Agarwal Ravi P 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates some properties of cyclic fuzzy maps in metric spaces. The convergence of distances as well as that of sequences being generated as iterates defined by a class of contractive cyclic fuzzy mapping to fuzzy best proximity points of (non-necessarily intersecting adjacent subsets) of the cyclic disposal is studied. An extension is given for the case when the images of the points of a class of contractive cyclic fuzzy mappings restricted to a particular subset of the cyclic disposal are allowed to lie either in the same subset or in its next adjacent one.