bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cow's Milk Allergy in Infants with Atopic Eczema is Associated with Aberrant Production of Interleukin‐4 During Oral Cow's Milk Challenge
Authors: Rautava Samuli , Isolauri Erika 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTObjectives:A failure in the establishment and maintenance of oral tolerance in infancy may result in food allergy. To further assess the role of the intestinal immune system in cow's milk allergy (CMA), we investigated the systemic production of the pro‐allergenic Th2 cytokine interleukin (IL)‐4 and antiallergenic cytokines IL‐10, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 and TGF‐β2 in infants suffering from atopic eczema with and without CMA during antigen elimination diet and oral antigen exposure.Methods:18 infants (mean age, 9.6 months; 95% confidence interval 8.1‐11.1 months) with atopic eczema and CMA and 17 infants (mean age, 9.7 months; 95% confidence interval 8.6‐10.9 months) with atopic eczema tolerant to milk as assessed by a double blind, placebo‐controlled cow's milk challenge were investigated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained during antigen elimination diet and during oral cow's milk challenge and stimulated with Concanavalin‐A or cow's milk or were left unstimulated. The cytokine concentrations were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:During antigen elimination, the Concanavalin A‐stimulated production of TGF‐β2 was significantly lower in infants with CMA as compared with infants without CMA: 129 pg/mL (interquartile ratio, 124‐144 pg/mL) vs. 149 pg/mL (interquartile ratio, 133‐169 pg/mL); P = 0.016. During oral antigen exposure, the immune responses in infants with CMA were characterized by significantly higher spontaneous production of IL‐4 as compared with those without CMA: 12.0 pg/mL (interquartile ratio, 5.2‐28.3 pg/mL) vs. 4.2 pg/mL (interquartile ratio, 1.5‐7.6 pg/mL); P = 0.018.Conclusions:Infants with atopic eczema and CMA exhibit markedly increased systemic pro‐allergenic IL‐4 responses on intestinal antigen contact, which may partially be explained by a defective ability to launch anti‐allergenic TGF‐β2 responses.
Oral Vitamin A, E and D Supplementation of Pre‐Term Newborns either Breast‐Fed or Formula‐Fed: a 3‐Month Longitudinal Study
Authors: Delvin Edgard E. , Salle Bernard L. , Claris Olivier , Putet Guy , Hascoet Jean‐Michel , Desnoulez Laure , Messai Sam , Lévy Émile 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTBackground:In contrast to the studies of vitamin A and E status in children, adolescents and adults, information on preterm infants is scarce. In the present investigation we examined the vitamin A, D and E status of pre‐term infants at birth, and verified whether, at 1 and 3 months, breast or formula feeding affected the plasma concentration of those vitamins while being supplemented with Uvesterol ADEC.Patients and Methods:In this prospective study, 2 groups of consecutively recruited preterm newborns fed either breast milk or formula received 3000 IU of vitamin A, 5 IU of vitamin E and 1000 IU of vitamin D daily. Vitamin A and E were measured by high performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry. 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, a surrogate marker for vitamin D status, was measured by radioimmunoassay, and retinol binding‐protein concentration was measured by immunonephelometry.Results:At birth, formula‐fed and breast‐milk fed infants had similar plasma concentrations of vitamin A (0.75 ± 0.20 and 0.64 ± 0.21 m mol/L, ns), 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (34.4 ± 25.6 and 47.5 ± 26.7 nmol/L, ns) and vitamin E (9.5 ± 3.2 and 8.4 ± 3.3 μmol/L, ns). Vitamins A and E, and retinol binding‐protein concentrations steadily increased with time in both groups of infants without attaining, at 3 months, values considered normal in term infants and in young children. At 3 months of age, concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D reached values comparable to those observed in term infants.Conclusion:Plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E and of retinol binding‐protein steadily increased during the the study without reaching full repletion values. At the conclusion of the study, the type of nutrition did not affect plasma vitamin concentrations.
Removal of Metabolites, Cytokines and Hepatic Growth Factors by Extracorporeal Liver Support in Children
Authors: Auth Marcus KH. , Kim Hyun Soo , Beste Mechthild , Bonzel Klaus E. , Baumann Ulrich , Ballauff Antje , Wallot Michael , Borchers Tanja , Vester Udo , Grasemann Corinna , Hauffa Berthold , Hoyer Peter F. , Gerken Guido , Voit Thomas 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTBackground:Molecular Adsorbents Recirculating System (MARS)‐mini has recently been approved and applied in children with hepatic failure. However, its indication, efficacy and capability to induce liver regeneration remain unclear. The aim of our pilot study in children was to analyse the impact of MARS on markers of detoxification and regeneration.Methods:In children with fulminant Wilson's disease and bridged with MARSmini for liver transplantation, we analyzed toxic metabolites (bile acids, bilirubin, lactate, ammonia, tryptophan and copper), regulators of the inflammatory cascade [nitrate, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), methionine, cystine and hyaluronic acid] and hepatic growth factors [hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), cortisol, corticosteroid‐binding globulin (CBG), insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), angiogenin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL‐6 and TNF‐α] from blood, albumin circuit and haemodialysate from four applications.Results:In all four applications, transfer of toxic metabolites (6/6) and inflammatory mediators (6/6), but also of hepatic growth factors (9/10), into the albumin circuit of MARS was consistently detected. Corresponding blood levels were decreased for 3/6 metabolites, 3/6 inflammatory mediators and 1/10 growth factors and increased for 1/10 growth factors. Bridging for liver transplantation was successful with MARS.Conclusions:In our prospective study, substantial extraction of albumin‐bound and water‐soluble candidate substances was detected with variable effect on respective blood levels. Notably, essential factors inducing liver regeneration were simultaneously removed. These data provide a basis for evaluation of liver restoration and efficacy of liver support in children with liver failure to devise a collaborative, multicentre trial.
Is There A Role for Pre‐, Pro‐ and Synbiotics in the Treatment of Functional Constipation in Children? A Systematic Review
Authors: Koppen Ilan J.N. , Benninga Marc A. , Tabbers Merit M. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTPurpose of review:To investigate the efficacy and safety of pre‐, pro‐ and synbiotics in the treatment of pediatric functional constipation (FC).Recent findings:A recent study reported that the gut microbiota in obese children with FC differs from that of obese children without FC. The gut microbiota may be involved in the pathophysiology of FC. Pre‐ and probiotics have been suggested as potential treatment modalities for FC in children.Summary:PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to February 2016. We found 6 RCTs on prebiotics, 6 RCTs on probiotics and 1 RCT concerning synbiotics. Overall, most studies were at high risk of bias. The majority of studies were unable to demonstrate a significant effect of pre‐, pro‐ or synbiotics on predefined outcome measures such as defecation frequency, fecal incontinence and painful or difficult defecation. Pre‐, pro‐ and synbiotics were not associated with significant adverse effects. In conclusion, there is insufficient evidence to recommend pre‐, pro‐ or synbiotics in the treatment of children with functional constipation. High‐quality randomized controlled trials are warranted to further explore these treatment modalities.
Evaluation and control of energy‐efficient processes for separating epichlorohydrin‐oriented quaternary system
Authors: Qi Fuqiang , Yang Junling , Zhang Zhentao , Wu Zhenqun , Ren Qiyue , Zhang Huafu , Li Yanan , Zhang Yu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe direct epoxidation of allyl chloride is a clean and efficient synthesis method for producing epichlorohydrin (ECH), which is a crucial organic intermediate widely used in the fields of renewable energy and aerospace. However, the presence of multiple azeotropes in the synthesized product using this method complicates the separation process and results in high energy consumption. To efficiently separate high‐purity ECH, this paper investigates and analyzes three separation schemes based on phase‐equilibrium analysis: hybrid extractive distillation (HED), pressure swing distillation (PSD) and three‐column batch distillation (TCBD).RESULTSThe operating parameters of the three separation processes are optimized by the sequential iterative optimization method such that the minimum total annual cost can reach $493 491 yr−1. The thermal integration method is used for process energy‐saving optimization, and the total annual cost can be further reduced by 6.9%. In addition, a comprehensive evaluation based on economic, energy, environmental and exergy analysis is conducted, and reveals that the TCBD process with thermal integration is optimal. A control structure is designed for the TCBD process to enhance its robustness such that the purity of ECH remains above 99.9 mol% under ±10% disturbances in feed flowrate and composition.CONCLUSIONSCompared with the HED and PSD processes, the TCBD process has better economic and environmental benefits, and its control structure can effectively resist disturbances. It is reasonable to believe that the TCBD process can be an excellent solution for the industrial production of ECH. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Transfer of inflammatory mitochondria via extracellular vesicles from M1 macrophages induces ferroptosis of pancreatic beta cells in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Gao Yuhua , Mi Ningning , Wu Wenxiang , Zhao Yuxuan , Fan Fangzhou , Liao Wangwei , Ming Yongliang , Guan Weijun , Bai Chunyu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) exert a significant influence not only on the pathogenesis of diseases but also on their therapeutic interventions, contingent upon the variances observed in their originating cells. Mitochondria can be transported between cells via EVs to promote pathological changes. In this study, we found that EVs derived from M1 macrophages (M1‐EVs), which encapsulate inflammatory mitochondria, can penetrate pancreatic beta cells. Inflammatory mitochondria fuse with the mitochondria of pancreatic beta cells, resulting in lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial disruption. Furthermore, fragments of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are released into the cytosol, activating the STING pathway and ultimately inducing apoptosis. The potential of adipose‐derived stem cell (ADSC)‐released EVs in suppressing M1 macrophage reactions shows promise. Subsequently, ADSC‐EVs were utilized and modified with an F4/80 antibody to specifically target macrophages, aiming to treat ferroptosis of pancreatic beta cells in vivo. In summary, our data further demonstrate that EVs secreted from M1 phenotype macrophages play major roles in beta cell ferroptosis, and the modified ADSC‐EVs exhibit considerable potential for development as a vehicle for targeted delivery to macrophages.
Allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients surviving at least 2 years without relapse: outcome and risk factors
Authors: Grønvold B. Linder , Ali Maryan Mohamed , Myklebust Tor Å , Lenartova Andrea , Remberger Mats , Abrahamsen Ingerid Weum , Tjønnfjord Geir Erland , Myhre Anders Eivind , Fløisand Yngvar , Gedde‐Dahl Tobias 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOutcomes of 2‐year survivours undergoing allo‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation at Oslo University Hospital were retrospectively assessed with the objectives of identification of risk factors for late death as possible means for precautionary measures and interventions to improve long‐term survival.421 patients with haematological malignancy, transplanted between 2005 and 2019, alive and free of disease after 2 years were included with data reported from The OUS‐HSCT registry. Median follow‐up was 6.2 years (2.016.1), and 232 patients (55%) were observed for minimum 5 years.The probability of being alive 5 and 10 years after HSCT was 86% and 76%. Primary risk factors for late death included initial diagnosis of age ≥ 60 years, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), previous blood stream‐ or invasive fungal infection (BSI, IFI), and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD). Transplant‐related mortality (TRM) and relapse at 5 years were 9.0% and 7.7%, respectively. Two factors were associated with the latter: cytomegalovirus (CMV) seronegative donor and CLL. Compared with the age‐ and gender‐matched Norwegian general population, life expectancy was lower for each disease, except for CML.The prospect for the long‐term survival is good for 2‐year survivors of the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, life expectancy remains inferior to the age‐ and gender‐matched general population. Optimising prophylaxis and treatment for chronic GVHD, BSI and IFI are needed along with the improved adherence to guidelines for early detection of secondary malignancies. Measures to improve immune reconstitution, possibly the microbiota, and the use of CMV seropositive donors regardless of recipient sero‐status may be warranted and should be addressed in further studies.
Panicolytic‐like effects of environment enrichment on male mice threatened by Bothrops jararaca lancehead pit vipers
Authors: de Paula Rodrigues Bruno Mangili , Falconi‐Sobrinho Luiz Luciano , de Campos Alline Cristina , Kanashiro Alexandre , Coimbra Norberto Cysne 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEnvironment enrichment (EE) is a well‐known eustress model showing beneficial effects in different psychiatric diseases, but its positive properties in panic disorders are not yet established. The confrontation between prey and predator in complex arenas has been validated as a putative panic attack model. The principal aim of this work was to investigate the role of the EE on panic‐like defensive responses elicited by mice threatened by venomous snakes. After 6 weeks of exposure either to an enriched or standard environments, 36 male mice were habituated in a complex polygonal arena for snakes containing an artificial burrow and elevated platforms for escape. The animals were confronted by Bothrops jararaca for 5 min, and the following antipredatory responses were recorded: defensive attention, stretched attend posture, flat back approach, prey versus predator interaction, oriented escape behavior, time spent in a safe place, and number of crossings. Mice threatened by snakes displayed several antipredatory reactions as compared to the exploratory behavior of those animals submitted to a nonthreatening situation (toy snake) in the same environment. Notably, EE causes anxiolytic‐ and panicolytic‐like effects significantly decreasing the defensive attention and time spent in safe places and significantly increasing both prey versus predator interaction and exploratory behavior. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that EE can alter the processing of fear modulation regarding both anxiety‐ and panic‐like responses in a dangerous condition, significantly modifying the decision‐making defensive strategy.
Isotopic effect of oxygen on the Raman mapping of a polycrystalline uranium dioxide UO2
Authors: Gaillard Clotilde , Sarrasin Lola , Panetier Clémentine , Pipon Yves , Ducher Roland , Moncoffre Nathalie 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUranium dioxide (UO2) is a widely studied material due to its use as fuel in pressurised water reactors (PWR), and Raman spectroscopy is a technique of choice to characterise the evolution of its microstructure. UO2 crystallises in a fluorite CaF2 (space group Fm‐3m) structure that gives rise to a unique Raman signature, the T2g band. However, several other bands are often detected whose attribution remains unclear. The present study gives new insights on the Raman spectrum of UO2 thanks to the combination of isotopic labelling with 18O and Raman imaging. In addition to the expected T2g, U2 (LO), 2LO and U3 bands, we have detected a doublet at 885 and 925 cm−1, a U* band at 555 cm−1 in some specific areas and two bands located at 367 and 1196 cm−1. All Raman bands shift under the effect of the replacement of 16O by 18O, excepting for the U* band that could not be detected anymore. The isotopic shift ratio could be determined for 20% and 30% 18O labelling. No discrepancy in band position is observed between grains and grain boundaries, except for the U2(LO) band. We also evidence a difference between the U defect bands and the 885 and 925 cm−1 doublet bands evolution under labelling, although the latter also seems to be connected to the presence of defects in the material.
Bayesian meta‐analysis for evaluating treatment effectiveness in biomarker subgroups using trials of mixed patient populations
Authors: Wheaton Lorna , Jackson Dan , Bujkiewicz Sylwia 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDuring drug development, evidence can emerge to suggest a treatment is more effective in a specific patient subgroup. Whilst early trials may be conducted in biomarker‐mixed populations, later trials are more likely to enroll biomarker‐positive patients alone, thus leading to trials of the same treatment investigated in different populations. When conducting a meta‐analysis, a conservative approach would be to combine only trials conducted in the biomarker‐positive subgroup. However, this discards potentially useful information on treatment effects in the biomarker‐positive subgroup concealed within observed treatment effects in biomarker‐mixed populations. We extend standard random‐effects meta‐analysis to combine treatment effects obtained from trials with different populations to estimate pooled treatment effects in a biomarker subgroup of interest. The model assumes a systematic difference in treatment effects between biomarker‐positive and biomarker‐negative subgroups, which is estimated from trials which report either or both treatment effects. The systematic difference and proportion of biomarker‐negative patients in biomarker‐mixed studies are used to interpolate treatment effects in the biomarker‐positive subgroup from observed treatment effects in the biomarker‐mixed population. The developed methods are applied to an illustrative example in metastatic colorectal cancer and evaluated in a simulation study. In the example, the developed method improved precision of the pooled treatment effect estimate compared with standard random‐effects meta‐analysis of trials investigating only biomarker‐positive patients. The simulation study confirmed that when the systematic difference in treatment effects between biomarker subgroups is not very large, the developed method can improve precision of estimation of pooled treatment effects while maintaining low bias.
Creating value through diversity: Analysis of the strategic management of BoD diversity in favor of sustainable performance
Authors: Paolone Francesco , Bifulco Giuseppe Maria , del Mar Perona Alfageme María 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this article, we explore the impact of the characteristics of the Board of Directors (BoD) on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance for European listed companies and its evolution during the period 2018/2021. The purpose of this study is to understand if and how the BoD characteristics influence the ESG performance of the major listed companies in the EU before and after the COVID‐19 breakthrough. The COVID‐19 pandemic is taken as a reference point in time, considering that several studies show that, even in a health crisis with economic repercussions for the whole world, companies have continued to increase their commitment to ESG practices. The sample is composed of 600 European listed companies and covers the period from 2018 to 2021. The ESG score and the other variables are collected for all companies included in the STOXX 600 index (from the Refinitiv Workspace database) and analyzed using the ordinary least square (OLS) panel regression analysis at country and industry level covering the period 2018–2021. The results of our analysis show no significant relationship between BoD characteristics (in terms of gender diversity, cultural diversity, and special skills) and ESG performance in the pre‐COVID‐19 era. In the post‐COVID‐19 era, gender diversity is the only characteristic of the BoD, among those investigated, capable of influencing nonfinancial performance. This result, in line with the resource density theory, is justified by the increase in the average number of women in the BoD in the two‐year period 2020–2021 compared to the previous one (2018–2019). We offer theoretical and practical implications to enhance ESG performance by combining BoD characteristics. We finally contribute to enhance the debate on the relevance of the BoD characteristics and ESG performance relationship providing consistent findings to emphasize the quality of the BoD for the ESG reporting and performance.
Feasibility assessment of a low‐cost visible spectroscopy‐based prototype for monitoring polyphenol extraction in fermenting musts
Authors: Alfieri Gianmarco , Modesti Margherita , Bellincontro Andrea , Renzi Francesco , Aleixandre‐Tudo Jose Luis 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDPolyphenols have long been used to evaluate grape and wine quality and it is necessary to measure them throughout various winemaking stages. They are currently assessed predominantly through analytical methods, which are characterized by time‐consuming procedures and environmentally harmful practices. Non‐destructive spectroscopy‐based devices offer an alternative but they tend to be costly and not readily accessible for smaller wineries. This study introduces the initial steps in employing a portable, user‐friendly, and cost‐effective visible (VIS) spectrophotometer prototype for direct polyphenol measurement during winemaking.RESULTSGrapes (cv Syrah, Bobal, and Cabernet Sauvignon) at different maturation stages were fermented with or without stems. Throughout fermentation, parameters such as color intensity, total polyphenol index, total anthocyanins, and tannins were monitored. Concurrently, VIS spectra were acquired using both the prototype and a commercial instrument. Chemometric approaches were then applied to establish correlation models between spectra and destructive analyses. The prototype models demonstrated an acceptable level of confidence for only a few parameters, indicating their lack of complete reliability at this stage.CONCLUSIONSVisible spectroscopy is already utilized for polyphenol analysis in winemaking but the aspiration to automate the process in wineries, particularly with low‐cost devices, remains unrealized. This study investigates the feasibility of a low‐cost and user‐friendly spectrophotometer. The results indicate that, in the early stages of prototype utilization, the goal is attainable but requires further development and in‐depth assessments. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.