The focus of this study is to examine the effect of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) on the properties of polylactic acid (PLA) films. The films are fabricated via melt compounding and melt fiber spinning followed by compression molding. Film fracture morphology, thermal properties, crystallization behavior, thermo-mechanical behavior, and mechanical behavior were determined as a function of CNC content using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile testing. Film crystallinity increases with increasing CNC content indicating CNC act as nucleating agents, promoting crystallization. Furthermore, the addition of CNC increased the film storage modulus and slightly broadened the glass transition region.

The innate immune system of humans and other mammals responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are conserved across broad classes of infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. We hypothesized that a blood-based transcriptional signature could be discovered indicating a host systemic response to viral infection. Previous work identified host transcriptional signatures to individual viruses including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and dengue, but the generality of these signatures across all viral infection types has not been established. Based on 44 publicly available datasets and two clinical studies of our own design, we discovered and validated a four-gene expression signature in whole blood, indicative of a general host systemic response to many types of viral infection. The signature’s genes are: Interferon Stimulated Gene 15 (ISG15), Interleukin 16 (IL16), 2′,5′-Oligoadenylate Synthetase Like (OASL), and Adhesion G Protein Coupled Receptor E5 (ADGRE5). In each of 13 validation datasets encompassing human, macaque, chimpanzee, pig, mouse, rat and all seven Baltimore virus classification groups, the signature provides statistically significant (p < 0.05) discrimination between viral and non-viral conditions. The signature may have clinical utility for differentiating host systemic inflammation (SI) due to viral versus bacterial or non-infectious causes.

A B S T R A C T PurposeKiller-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) that regulate natural-killer cells are highly polymorphic. Some KIR2DL1 alleles encode receptors that have stronger signaling function than others. We tested the hypothesis that the clinical outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) could be affected by donor KIR2DL1 polymorphism. Patients and MethodsAll 313 pediatric patients received allogeneic HSCT at a single institution. Donor KIR2DL1 functional allele typing was retrospectively performed using single nucleotide polymorphism assay. ResultsPatients who received a donor graft containing the functionally stronger KIR2DL1 allele with arginine at amino acid position 245 (KIR2DL1-R 245 ) had better survival (P ϭ .0004) and lower cumulative incidence of disease progression (P ϭ .001) than those patients who received a donor graft that contained only the functionally weaker KIR2DL1 allele with cysteine at the same position (KIR2DL1-C 245 ). The effect of KIR2DL1 allelic polymorphism was similar in patients with acute myeloid leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia among all allele groups (P Ն .71). Patients who received a KIR2DL1-R 245 -positive graft with HLA-C receptor-ligand mismatch had the best survival (P ϭ .00003) and lowest risk of leukemia progression (P ϭ .0005) compared with those who received a KIR2DL1-C 245 homozygous graft. ConclusionDonor KIR2DL1 allelic polymorphism affects recipient outcomes after allogeneic HSCT. These findings have substantial implications for prognostication and donor selection.

Findings of this study suggest that adults who are utilizing Medicaid or are uninsured do not get the amount, type, or quality of DSME needed to sustain successful self-management. Limited availability and inadequate access to quality DSME place vulnerable adults at increased risk for devastating and costly complications despite the known benefits.