bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnesium sulphate and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adaptations to asphyxia in preterm fetal sheep
Authors: Galinsky Robert , Davidson Joanne O. , Drury Paul P. , Wassink Guido , Lear Christopher A. , van den Heuij Lotte G. , Gunn Alistair J. , Bennet Laura
Published: June 2015

Key points

Magnesium sulphate is the recommended treatment for pre‐eclampsia and is now widely recommended for perinatal neuroprotection.

MgSO4 has vasodilatory and negative inotropic effects; however, it is unknown whether it impairs the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adaptations to acute asphyxia in preterm fetuses.

Intravenous infusion of a clinically comparable dose of MgSO4 to the preterm fetus was associated with no change in blood pressure, reduced fetal heart rate and increased femoral arterial conductance and blood flow; femoral arterial waveform height and width were increased, consistent with increased stroke volume during MgSO4 infusion.

During asphyxia MgSO4 was associated with increased carotid and femoral arterial conductance and blood flows; after asphyxia, fetal heart rate was lower and carotid and femoral blood flows and vascular conductance were greater in MgSO4‐treated fetuses.

These data demonstrate that MgSO4 may increase perfusion of peripheral vascular beds during adverse perinatal events such as asphyxia.

Magnesium sulphate is a standard therapy for eclampsia in pregnancy and is widely recommended for perinatal neuroprotection during threatened preterm labour. MgSO4 is a vasodilator and negative inotrope. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MgSO4 on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses of the preterm fetus to asphyxia. Fetal sheep were instrumented at 98 ± 1 days of gestation (term = 147 days). At 104 days, unanaesthetised fetuses were randomly assigned to receive an intravenous infusion of MgSO4 (n = 6) or saline (n = 9). At 105 days all fetuses underwent umbilical cord occlusion for 25 min. Before occlusion, MgSO4 treatment reduced heart rate and increased femoral blood flow (FBF) and vascular conductance compared to controls. During occlusion, carotid and femoral arterial conductance and blood flows were higher in MgSO4‐treated fetuses than controls. After occlusion, fetal heart rate was lower and carotid and femoral arterial conductance and blood flows were higher in MgSO4‐treated fetuses than controls. Femoral arterial waveform height and width were increased during MgSO4 infusion, consistent with increased stroke volume. MgSO4 did not alter the fetal neurophysiological or nuchal electromyographic responses to asphyxia. These data demonstrate that a clinically comparable dose of MgSO4 increased FBF and stroke volume without impairing mean arterial pressure (MAP) or carotid blood flow (CaBF) during and immediately after profound asphyxia. Thus, MgSO4 may increase perfusion of peripheral vascular beds during adverse perinatal events.
Detecting Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: June 2015

Eukaryotic cells use the host protein TIFA to sense the monosaccharide HBP, derived from Gram-negative bacteria.
Receptor in the brain controls breathing
Authors: Ray L. Bryan
Published: June 2015

A G protein–coupled receptor in the brain controls respiration.
Effect of 3-Bromopyruvate and Atovaquone on Infection during
In Vitro
Interaction of Toxoplasma gondii and LLC-MK2 Cells
Authors: de Lima Loyze Paola O. , Seabra Sergio H. , Carneiro Henrique , Barbosa Helene S.
Published: June 2015

Toxoplasma gondii
infection can be severe during pregnancy and in immunocompromised patients. Current therapies for toxoplasmosis are restricted to tachyzoites and have little or no effect on bradyzoites, which are maintained in tissue cysts. Consequently, new therapeutic alternatives have been proposed as the use of atovaquone has demonstrated partial efficacy against tachyzoites and bradyzoites. This work studies the effect of 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA), a compound that is being tested against cancer cells, on the infection of LLC-MK2 cells with
T. gondii
tachyzoites, RH strain. No effect of 3-BrPA on host cell proliferation or viability was observed, but it inhibited the proliferation of
T. gondii
. The incubation of cultures with lectin
Dolichos biflorus
agglutinin (DBA) showed the development of cystogenesis, and an ultrastructural analysis of parasite intracellular development confirmed morphological characteristics commonly found in tissue cysts. Moreover, the presence of degraded parasites and the influence of 3-BrPA on endodyogeny were observed. Infected cultures were alternatively treated with a combination of this compound plus atovaquone. This resulted in a 73% reduction in intracellular parasites after 24 h of treatment and a 71% reduction after 48 h; cyst wall formation did not occur in these cultures. Therefore, we conclude that the use of 3-BrPA may serve as an important tool for the study of (i)
in vitro
cystogenesis; (ii) parasite metabolism, requiring a deeper understanding of the target of action of this compound on
T. gondii
; (iii) the alternative parasite metabolic pathways; and (iv) the molecular/cellular mechanisms that trigger parasite death.
Population Modeling and Simulation Study of the Pharmacokinetics and Antituberculosis Pharmacodynamics of Isoniazid in Lungs
Authors: Lalande L. , Bourguignon L. , Bihari S. , Maire P. , Neely M. , Jelliffe R. , Goutelle S.
Published: June 2015

Among first-line antituberculosis drugs, isoniazid (INH) displays the greatest early bactericidal activity (EBA) and is key to reducing contagiousness in treated patients. The pulmonary pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of INH have not been fully characterized with modeling and simulation approaches. INH concentrations measured in plasma, epithelial lining fluid, and alveolar cells for 89 patients, including fast acetylators (FAs) and slow acetylators (SAs), were modeled by use of population pharmacokinetic modeling. Then the model was used to simulate the EBA of INH in lungs and to investigate the influences of INH dose, acetylator status, and
M. tuberculosis
MIC on this effect. A three-compartment model adequately described INH concentrations in plasma and lungs. With an MIC of 0.0625 mg/liter, simulations showed that the mean bactericidal effect of a standard 300-mg daily dose of INH was only 11% lower for FA subjects than for SA subjects and that dose increases had little influence on the effects in either FA or SA subjects. With an MIC value of 1 mg/liter, the mean bactericidal effect associated with a 300-mg daily dose of INH in SA subjects was 41% greater than that in FA subjects. With the same MIC, increasing the daily INH dose from 300 mg to 450 mg resulted in a 22% increase in FA subjects. These results suggest that patients infected with
M. tuberculosis
with low-level resistance, especially FA patients, may benefit from higher INH doses, while dose adjustment for acetylator status has no significant impact on the EBA in patients with low-MIC strains.
Synergistic Effect of Membrane-Active Peptides Polymyxin B and Gramicidin S on Multidrug-Resistant Strains and Biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Berditsch Marina , Jäger Thomas , Strempel Nikola , Schwartz Thomas , Overhage Jörg , Ulrich Anne S.
Published: June 2015

Multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a major cause of severe hospital-acquired infections. Currently, polymyxin B (PMB) is a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, despite its undesirable side effects. The delivery of drug combinations has been shown to reduce the required therapeutic doses of antibacterial agents and thereby their toxicity if a synergistic effect is present. In this study, we investigated the synergy between two cyclic antimicrobial peptides, PMB and gramicidin S (GS), against different
P. aeruginosa
isolates, using a quantitative checkerboard assay with resazurin as a growth indicator. Among the 28 strains that we studied, 20 strains showed a distinct synergistic effect, represented by a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of ≤0.5. Remarkably, several clinical
P. aeruginosa
isolates that grew as small-colony variants revealed a nonsynergistic effect, as indicated by FICIs between >0.5 and ≤0.70. In addition to inhibiting the growth of planktonic bacteria, the peptide combinations significantly decreased static biofilm growth compared with treatment with the individual peptides. There was also a faster and more prolonged effect when the combination of PMB and GS was used compared with single-peptide treatments on the metabolic activity of pregrown biofilms. The results of the present study define a synergistic interaction between two cyclic membrane-active peptides toward 17 multidrug-resistant
P. aeruginosa
and biofilms of
P. aeruginosa
strain PAO1. Thus, the application of PMB and GS in combination is a promising option for a topical medication and in the prevention of acute and chronic infections caused by multidrug-resistant or biofilm-forming
P. aeruginosa
.
High
In Vitro
Susceptibility to the Novel Spiropyrimidinetrione ETX0914 (AZD0914) among 873 Contemporary Clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates from 21 European Countries from 2012 to 2014
Authors: Unemo Magnus , Ringlander Johan , Wiggins Catherine , Fredlund Hans , Jacobsson Susanne , Cole Michelle
Published: June 2015

Resistance in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
against all antimicrobials available for the treatment of gonorrhea has emerged. The first gonococcal strains with high-level resistance to ceftriaxone, the last option for first-line empirical antimicrobial monotherapy, were recently described. Consequently, new treatment options are essential. In this study, the
in vitro
activity of the novel spiropyrimidinetrione ETX0914 (AZD0914), a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor, was investigated among contemporary consecutive clinical
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates obtained in 21 European countries and compared to the activities of antimicrobials currently or previously recommended for treatment. Consecutive clinical
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates (
n
= 873) cultured in 21 European countries from 2012 to 2014 were examined for their susceptibility to ETX0914. The MICs of ETX0914 were determined using the agar dilution method. For comparison, the MICs of ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin were determined using Etest or the agar dilution method. For ETX0914, the MIC range, modal MIC, MIC
50
, and MIC
90
were ≤0.002 to 0.25 mg/liter, 0.125 mg/liter, 0.064 mg/liter, and 0.125 mg/liter, respectively. The MIC values were substantially lower than those of the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin and most other antimicrobials examined. No cross-resistance with any other examined antimicrobial was observed. In conclusion, the
in vitro
susceptibility to the novel spiropyrimidinetrione ETX0914 (AZD0914) among 873 contemporary clinical isolates from 21 European countries was high, and no cross-resistance to antimicrobials currently or previously used for gonorrhea treatment was indicated. Additional studies investigating the
in vitro
and
in vivo
induction and mechanisms of ETX0914 resistance in gonococci, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics in modeling/simulations and in humans, and performance in randomized controlled gonorrhea treatment trials are essential.
Prospective Observational Study of Prior Rectal Colonization Status as a Predictor for Subsequent Development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Infections
Authors: Gómez-Zorrilla Silvia , Camoez Mariana , Tubau Fe , Cañizares Rosario , Periche Elisabet , Dominguez M. Angeles , Ariza Javier , Peña Carmen
Published: June 2015

The potential role of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(PA) intestinal colonization in the subsequent development of infections has not been thoroughly investigated. The aims of this study were to assess the role of PA intestinal colonization as a predictor of subsequent infections and to investigate the risk factors associated with the development of PA infection in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). For this purpose, a prospective study was conducted that included (i) active surveillance of PA rectal colonization at ICU admission and weekly until ICU discharge, (ii) detection of PA clinical infections, and (iii) genotypic analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). A total of 414 patients were included, of whom 179 (43%) were colonized with PA. Among the 77 patients who developed PA infection, 69 (90%) had prior PA colonization, and 60 (87%) of these showed genotyping concordance between rectal and clinical isolates. The probability of PA infection 14 days after ICU admission was 26% for carriers versus 5% for noncarriers (
P
< 0.001). Cox regression analysis identified prior PA rectal colonization as the main predictor of PA infection (hazard ratio [HR], 15.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9 to 33.7;
P
< 0.001). Prior use of nonantipseudomonal penicillins was also identified as an independent variable associated with PA infection (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.55;
P
< 0.003). Our study demonstrated that prior PA rectal colonization is a key factor for developing PA infection.
Treatment Outcomes with Cefazolin versus Oxacillin for Deep-Seated Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Rao Sonia N. , Rhodes Nathaniel J. , Lee Benjamin J. , Scheetz Marc H. , Hanson Amy P. , Segreti John , Crank Christopher W. , Wang Sheila K.
Published: June 2015

Clinical preference for a semisynthetic penicillin (oxacillin or nafcillin) over cefazolin for deep-seated methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA) bloodstream infections (BSI) perseveres despite limited data to support this approach. A retrospective cohort study of patients treated for MSSA BSI with either oxacillin or cefazolin was performed across two medical centers in Chicago, IL. The outcome measures included documented in-hospital treatment failure, all-cause in-hospital mortality, duration of MSSA BSI, and incidence of documented adverse events. Of 161 patients with MSSA BSI, 103 (64%) received cefazolin, and 58 (36%) received oxacillin. The identified sources of BSI were central line (37.9%), osteoarticular (18%), and skin and soft tissue (17.4%). Patients with endocarditis (29/52 [44.2%]) and other deep-seated infections (23/52 [55.8%]) were classified under the subset of deep-seated infections (52/161 [32.3%]). Multivariate models found deep-seated infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 16.6;
P
= 0.023), metastatic disease (aOR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.13 to 15.7;
P
= 0.033), and intensive care unit (ICU) onset of infection (aOR, 4.80; 95% CI, 1.26 to 18.4;
P
= 0.022) to be independent risk factors for in-hospital treatment failure. Treatment group was not an independent predictor of failure (aOR, 3.76; 95% CI, 0.98 to 14.4;
P
= 0.053). The rates of treatment failure were similar among cefazolin-treated (5/32 [15.6%]) and oxacillin-treated (4/20 [20.0%]) patients (
P
= 0.72) in the subset of deep-seated infections. Mortality was observed in 1 (1%) and 3 (5.2%) cases of cefazolin- and oxacillin-treated patients, respectively (
P
= 0.13). Cefazolin was not associated with higher rates of treatment failure and appears to be an effective alternative to oxacillin for treatment of deep-seated MSSA BSI.
Links between Anr and Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Hammond John H. , Dolben Emily F. , Smith T. Jarrod , Bhuju Sabin , Hogan Deborah A.
Published: June 2015

InPseudomonas aeruginosa, the transcription factor Anr controls the cellular response to low oxygen or anoxia. Anr activity is high in oxygen-limited environments, including biofilms and populations associated with chronic infections, and Anr is necessary for persistence in a model of pulmonary infection. In this study, we characterized the Anr regulon in biofilm-grown cells at 1% oxygen in the laboratory strain PAO1 and in a quorum sensing (QS)-deficient clinical isolate, J215. As expected, transcripts related to denitrification, arginine fermentation, high-affinity cytochrome oxidases, and CupA fimbriae were lower in the Δanrderivatives. In addition, we observed that transcripts associated with quorum sensing regulation, iron acquisition and storage, type VI secretion, and the catabolism of aromatic compounds were also differentially expressed in the Δanrstrains. Prior reports have shown that quorum sensing-defective mutants have higher levels of denitrification, and we found that multiple Anr-regulated processes, including denitrification, were strongly inversely proportional to quorum sensing in both transcriptional and protein-based assays. We also found that in LasR-defective strains but not their LasR-intact counterparts, Anr regulated the production of the 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines, which play roles in quorum sensing and interspecies interactions. These data show that Anr was required for the expression of important metabolic pathways in low-oxygen biofilms, and they reveal an expanded and compensatory role for Anr in the regulation of virulence-related genes in quorum sensing mutants, such as those commonly isolated from infections.

IMPORTANCEPseudomonas aeruginosacauses acute ocular, soft tissue, and pulmonary infections, as well as chronic infections in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients.P. aeruginosauses quorum sensing (QS) to regulate virulence, but mutations in the gene encoding the master regulator of QS,lasR, are frequently observed in clinical isolates. We demonstrated that the regulon attributed to Anr, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor, was more highly expressed inlasRmutants. Furthermore, we show that Anr regulates the production of several different secreted factors inlasRmutants. These data demonstrate the importance of Anr in naturally occurring quorum sensing mutants in the context of chronic infections.
Sialolipoma of the parotid gland: a rare entity
Authors: Pandey Diwakar , Vats Manu , Akhtar Azaz , Pathania Om Prakash
Published: June 2015

Lipomatous neoplasms of the parotid gland are rare tumours contributing from 0.6% to 4.4% to all parotid neoplasms with most series reporting an incidence of 1%. It is extremely rare in females, being 10 times more common in males, and the most common age of presentation is the five to sixth decade. Numerous histological variants of salivary gland lipoma have been described. Sialolipoma is a rare variant having proliferation of mature adipocytes with secondary entrapment of the normal salivary gland element. We report a rare case of sialolipoma in the right parotid of a 45-year-old woman who was treated with superficial parotidectomy. Postoperative recovery as well as follow-up has been uneventful.
Risk perception of sexually transmitted infections and HIV in Nigerian commercial sex workers in Barcelona: a qualitative study
Authors: Coma Auli Núria , Mejía-Lancheros Cília , Berenguera Anna , Pujol-Ribera Enriqueta
Published: June 2015

Objective

This study aimed to determine in detail the risk perception of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, and the contextual circumstances, in Nigerian commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Barcelona.

Design

A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach.

Setting

Raval area in Barcelona.

Participants

8 CSWs working in Barcelona.

Methods

A phenomenological study was carried out with Nigerian CSWs in Barcelona. Sampling was theoretical, taking into account: different age ranges; women with and without a partner; women with and without children; and women participating or not in STI/HIV-prevention workshops. Information was obtained by means of eight semistructured individual interviews. An interpretative content analysis was conducted by four analysts.

Results

Illegal immigrant status, educational level, financial situation and work, and cultural context had mixed effects on CSW knowledge of, exposure to, and prevention and treatment of STI and HIV. CSWs were aware of the higher risk of STI associated with their occupation. They identified condoms as the best preventive method and used them during intercourse with clients. They also implemented other preventive behaviours such as personal hygiene after intercourse. Control of sexual services provided, health education and healthcare services had a positive effect on decreasing exposure and better management of STI/HIV.

Conclusions

Nigerian CSWs are a vulnerable group because of their poor socioeconomic status. The perception of risk in this group and their preventive behaviours are based on personal determinants, beliefs and experiences from their home country and influences from the host country. Interventions aimed at CSWs must address knowledge gaps, risk behaviours and structural elements.
Assessing doctors’ competencies using multisource feedback: validating a Japanese version of the Sheffield Peer Review Assessment Tool (SPRAT)
Authors: Sasaki Hatoko , Archer Julian , Yonemoto Naohiro , Mori Rintaro , Nishida Toshihiko , Kusuda Satoshi , Nakayama Takeo
Published: June 2015

Objective

To assess the validity and reliability of the Sheffield Peer Review Assessment Tool (SPRAT) Japanese version for evaluating doctors’ competencies using multisource feedback.

Methods

SPRAT, originally developed in the UK, was translated and validated in three phases: (1) an existing Japanese version of SPRAT was back-translated into English; (2) two expert panel meetings were held to develop and assure content validity in a Japanese setting; (3) the newly devised Japanese SPRAT instrument was tested by a multisource feedback survey, validity was tested using principal component factor analysis, and reliability was assessed using generalisability and decision studies based on generalisability theory.

Results

86 doctors who had been practising for between 2 and 33 years participated as assessees and were evaluated with the SPRAT tool. First, the doctors identified 1019 potential assessors who were each sent SPRAT forms (response rate, 81%). The mean number of assessors per doctor was 9.7 (SD=2.5). The decision study showed that 95% CIs of ±0.5 were achieved with only 5 assessors. 85 of the 86 doctors achieved scores that could be placed with 95% CI above the 4 expected standard. Doctors received lower scores from more senior assessors (p<0.001) and higher scores from those they had known longer (p<0.001). Scores also varied with the job role (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Following translation and content validation, the Japanese instrument behaved similarly to the UK tool. Assessor selection remains a primary concern, as the assessment scores are affected by the seniority of the assessor, the length of the assessor–assessee working relationship, and the assessor's job role. Users of the SPRAT tool need to be aware of these limitations when administering the instrument.
Association between androgen receptor expression, Ki-67 and the 21-gene recurrence score in non-metastatic, lymph node-negative, estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer
Authors: Vera-Badillo Francisco E , Chang Martin C , Kuruzar Gordana , Ocana Alberto , Templeton Arnoud J , Seruga Bostjan , Goldstein Robyn , Bedard Philippe L , Tannock Ian F , Amir Eitan
Published: June 2015

Background

The mechanisms underlying the favourable prognosis of androgen receptor (AR) expression in breast cancer are unknown.

Methods

The associations between the 21-gene recurrence score (RS), AR, grade, mitotic score, Ki-67 and estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) expression were explored in sequential women with lymph node-negative, ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer. Statistical significance of this exploratory study was defined as p<0.10.

Results

Analysis comprised 70 women. Most tumours had high AR expression (97% had scores >3). Median RS was 15 (range 1–53). AR expression showed a minimally significant positive correlation with ER (R=0.37), but no correlation with Ki-67 (R=−0.18). In univariable analysis, AR (p=0.01), ER (p<0.001) and PgR (p<0.001) had significant negative associations with RS. Ki-67 (p=0.16), grade (p=0.40) and mitotic score (p=0.23) showed no association with RS. Multivariable analysis showed similar associations.

Conclusions

AR is associated with lower RS, but not with Ki-67.
The value of protective head cap and glasses in neurointerventional radiology
Authors: Sans Merce Marta , Korchi Amine M , Kobzeva Lisa , Damet Jérôme , Erceg Gorislav , Marcos Gonzalez Ana , Lovblad Karl-Olof , Mendes Pereira Vitor
Published: June 2015

Background

Protection of the head and eyes of the neurointerventional radiologist is a growing concern, especially after recent reports on the incidence of brain cancer among these personnel, and the revision of dose limits to the eye lens. The goal of this study was to determine typical occupational dose levels and to evaluate the efficiency of non-routine radiation protective gear (protective eyewear and cap). Experimental correlations between the dosimetric records of each measurement point and kerma area product (KAP), and between whole body doses and eye lens doses were investigated.

Methods

Measurements were taken using thermoluminescent dosimeters placed in plastic bags and worn by the staff at different places. To evaluate the effective dose, whole body dosimeters (over and under the lead apron) were used.

Results

The mean annual effective dose was estimated at 0.4 mSv. Annual eye lens exposure was estimated at 17 mSv when using a ceiling shield but without protective glasses. The protective glasses reduced the eye lens dose by a factor of 2.73. The mean annual dose to the brain was 12 mSv; no major reduction was observed when using the cap. The higher correlation coefficients with KAP were found for the dosimeters positioned between the eyes (R2=0.84) and above the apron, and between the eye lens (R2=0.85) and the whole body.

Conclusions

Under the specific conditions of this study, the limits currently applicable were respected. If a new eye lens dose limit is introduced, our results indicate it could be difficult to comply with, without introducing additional protective eyewear.
Arteriovenous malformation embocure score: AVMES
Authors: Lopes Demetrius K , Moftakhar Roham , Straus David , Munich Stephan A , Chaus Fahad , Kaszuba Megan C
Published: June 2015

Background

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (CAVMs) may be treated with microsurgery, radiosurgery, endovascular surgery, or a combination of these modalities. Grading scales are available to aid the assessment of curative risk for microsurgery and radiosurgery. No grading system has been developed to assess the curative risk of endovascular surgery.

Objective

To report our retrospective application of the AVM embocure score to patients treated at our institution between 2005 and 2011

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 39 patients with CAVM treated at our institution between 2005 and 2011 with the primary aim of achieving a curative embolization. After reviewing all the different variables associated with the conventional Onyx embolization technique for CAVMs, we identified the following as the most relevant characteristics influencing the chances for complete angiographic embolization and complication risk: the number of arterial pedicles and draining veins, size of AVM nidus, and vascular eloquence. We sought to develop a scoring system to assess the complication risk for a curative embolization of CAVM with liquid embolic Onyx (Covidien, Irvine, California, USA). We developed the AVM embocure score (AVMES). This scoring system ranges from 3 to 10 and is the arithmetic sum of the number of arterial pedicles feeding the AVM (≤3, 4–6, >6), the number of draining veins (≤3, 4–6, >6), the size of the AVM nidus in centimeters (≤3, 4–6, >6), and the vascular eloquence (0–1). We applied AVMES to the same cohort of patients and validated the predictability of complete angiographic embolization and expected clinical risk of complication.

Results

In lesions with an AVMES of 3 (n=8), there was a 100% rate of complete AVM obliteration and 0% rate of major complications. In AVMES 4 (n=12) lesions, there was 75% complete obliteration rate, with 8% major morbidity. In AVMES 5 (n=9) lesions, there was 78% complete obliteration and 11% major morbidity. In AVMES >5 (n=10) there was 20% complete obliteration and 30% major morbidity. Receiver-operator curve analysis showed that this scoring system was robust in its discriminative ability, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.8356 for complete obliteration without complication, AUC=0.8240 for complete obliteration regardless of the presence of major morbidity, and AUC=0.7529 for major morbidity.

Conclusions

The AVMES complements existing scoring systems for microsurgery and radiosurgery. It provides a valuable tool for risk assessment during the complex decision-making process in treating AVMs that accounts for angioarchitectural features of particular relevance to endovascular surgeons.
Predictors and risk factors for the intestinal shedding of Escherichia coli O157 among working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Nigeria
Authors: Jedial Jesse T. , Shittu Aminu , Tambuwal Faruk M. , Abubakar Mikail B. , Garba Muhammed K. , Kwaga Jacob P. , Fasina Folorunso O.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

Escherichia coli are an important group of bacteria in the normal gastrointestinal system but can sometimes cause infections in domestic animals and man. Donkeys are routinely used as multipurpose animal but details of burdens of potentially infectious bacteria associated with it are limited. The prevalence and associations between intestinal shedding of E. coli O157 and animal characteristics and management factors were studied among 240 randomly selected working donkeys in north‐western Nigeria.

Design

Four local government areas, of Sokoto State in north‐western Nigeria were recruited in this study. A multistage randomised cluster design was used to select subjects and donkey owners within selected zones. Confirmation of infection was based on bacterial culture, isolation and biochemical test for E. coli O157 from faecal samples.

Results

Of the total bacteria isolated, 203 of the 329 (61.70 per cent) were E. coli, 76 of which was E. coli serotype O157. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine the relation between intestinal shedding of E. coli O157 and selected variables. The analysis yielded five potential predictors of shedding: soft faeces in donkeys, Akaza and Fari ecotypes of donkey were positive predictors while maize straw as feed and sampling during the cold dry period were negative predictors.

Conclusions

This study concludes that controlling intestinal shedding of E. coli O157 among working donkeys in Nigeria is possible using the identified predictors in planning appropriate interventions to reduced human risk of infection.
Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in faecal enterococci from vet‐visiting pets and assessment of risk factors
Authors: Leite‐Martins L. , Mahú M. I. , Costa A. L. , Bessa L. J. , Vaz‐Pires P. , Loureiro L. , Niza‐Ribeiro J. , de Matos A. J. F. , Martins da Costa P.
Published: June 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) exhibited by enterococci isolated from faeces of pets and its underlying risk factors. From September 2009 to May 2012, rectal swabs were collected from 74 dogs and 17 cats, selected from the population of animals visiting the Veterinary Hospital of University of Porto, UPVet, through a systematic random procedure. Animal owners answered a questionnaire about the risk factors that could influence the presence of AMR in faecal enterococci. Enterococci isolation, identification and antimicrobial (AM) susceptibility testing were performed. Data analyses of multilevel, univariable and multivariable generalised linear mixed models were conducted. From all enterococci isolated (n=315), 61 per cent were considered multidrug‐resistant, whereas only 9.2 per cent were susceptible to all AMs tested. Highest resistance was found to tetracycline (67.0 per cent), rifampicin (60.3 per cent), azithromycin (58.4 per cent), quinupristin/dalfopristin (54.0 per cent) and erythromycin (53.0 per cent). Previous fluoroquinolone treatments and coprophagic habits were the features more consistently associated with the presence of AMR for three (chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and azithromycin) and seven (tetracycline, rifampicin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and azithromycin), respectively, out of nine AMs assessed. Evaluating risk factors that determine the presence of drug‐resistant bacteria in pets, a possible source of resistance determinants to human beings, is crucial for the selection of appropriate treatment guidelines by veterinary practitioners.
Colleters in 10 species belonging to three tribes of Rubiaceae: morphoanatomical diversity and potential as useful characters for taxonomy
Authors: Lopes-Mattos Karina Lucas Barbosa , Otuki Sara Akemi Ponce , Azevedo Aristéa Alves , Pereira Zefa Valdivina , Meira Renata Maria Strozi Alves
Published: June 2015

Colleters are common secretory structures in Rubiaceae. In this study, we describe colleter morphoanatomy and histochemistry in 10 species belonging to Chiococceae, Coussareae, and Psychotrieae tribes of Rubiaceae. Colleter morphoanatomy was analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Microscopy analysis revealed that colleters were present on the stipule adaxial surface in all species. In the case of Palicourea marcgravii A.St.-Hil. and Chiococca alba Hitchc., colleters were also found on leaf primordia and at the stipule apex, respectively. Colleters were classified into three types: standard, bifurcated standard, and reduced standard. Further analysis showed that colleter epidermal cells are thin-walled and possess a thin cuticle, conspicuous nuclei located at the equatorial or basal region, and abundant cytoplasm. Intercellular spaces were found among epidermal cells in Chiococca alba, Coussarea triflora Müll.Arg., Coussarea verticillata Müll.Arg., Psychotria conjungens Müll.Arg., and Psychotria sessilis Vell. Crystalliferous idioblasts containing raphides were observed in the colleter central parenchymatous axis of all species, while crystal sand was found only in Chiococca alba. Histochemical tests revealed that colleter secretion is composed of a mixture of mucilage and protein. We conclude that colleter position, typological variation, presence of vascularization, and type of calcium oxalate crystals represent promising characters for future taxonomic and phylogenetic studies in Rubiaceae.
Comparisons of analytical and approximate interconversion methods for thermal stress computation
Authors: Cannone Falchetto Augusto , Moon Ki Hoon
Published: June 2015

In the northern US and Canada, low temperature cracking represents a significant distress for asphalt pavements. As temperature drops thermal stress develops in the restrained asphalt surface layer and when it reaches a critical value cracking occurs. For this reason, thermal stress is a crucial parameter for evaluating the low temperature pavement performance. Conventionally, thermal stress is computed by converting creep compliance into its corresponding relaxation modulus based on different techniques. In this paper, five analytical and approximate interconversion methods are used to obtain the asphalt binder thermal stress and the results are graphically and statistically compared. Clear differences in thermal stress are found when using power law based interrelationships in comparison with the numerical solution of the convolution integral according to Hopkins and Hamming’s algorithm. Nevertheless, the approximate methods provide a simpler approach for determining satisfactory upper and lower boundary limits when estimating the thermal stress of asphalt binder.
Evolution of the Hazelton arc near Terrace, British Columbia: stratigraphic, geochronological, and geochemical constraints on a Late Triassic – Early Jurassic arc and Cu–Au porphyry belt
Authors: Barresi Tony , Nelson J.L. , Dostal J. , Friedman R.
Published: June 2015

Understanding the development of island arcs that accreted to the North American craton is critical to deciphering the complex geological history of the Canadian Cordillera. In the case of the Hazelton arc (part of the Stikine terrane, or Stikinia) in northwestern British Columbia, understanding arc evolution also bears on the formation of spatially associated porphyry Cu–Au, epithermal, and volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. The Hazelton Group is a regionally extensive, long-lived, and exceptionally thick Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic volcano-sedimentary succession considered to record a successor arc that was built upon the Paleozoic and Triassic Stikine and Stuhini arcs. In central Stikinia, near Terrace, British Columbia, the lower Hazelton Group (Telkwa Formation) comprises three volcanic-intrusive complexes (Mt. Henderson, Mt. O’Brien, and Kitselas) that, at their thickest, constitute almost 16 km of volcanic stratigraphy. Basal Telkwa Formation conglomerates and volcanic rocks were deposited unconformably on Triassic and Paleozoic arc-related basement. New U–Pb zircon ages indicate that volcanism initiated by ca. 204 Ma (latest Triassic). Detrital zircon populations from the basal conglomerate contain abundant 205–233 Ma zircons, derived from regional unroofing of older Triassic intrusions. Eleven kilometres higher in the section, ca. 194 Ma, rhyolites show that arc construction continued for >10 million years. Strata of the Nilkitkwa Formation (upper Hazelton Group) with a U–Pb zircon age of 178.90 ± 0.28 Ma represent waning island-arc volcanism. Telkwa Formation volcanic rocks have bimodal silica concentrations ranging from 48.1 to 62.8 wt.% and 72.3 to 79.0 wt.% and display characteristics of subduction-related magmatism (i.e., calc-alkaline differentiation with low Nb and Ti and high Th concentrations). Mafic to intermediate rocks form a differentiated suite that ranges from high-Al basalt to medium- to high-K andesite. They were derived from hydrous melting of isotopically juvenile spinel lherzolite in the mantle wedge and from subsequent fractional crystallization. Compared to basalts and andesites (εNd = +5 to +5.5), rhyolites have higher positive εNd values (+5.9 to +6.0) and overlapping incompatible element concentrations, indicating that they are not part of the same differentiation suite. Rather, the rhyolites formed from anatexis of arc crust, probably caused by magmatic underplating of the crust. This study documents a temporal and spatial co-occurrence of Hazelton Group volcanic rocks with a belt of economic Cu–Au porphyry deposits (ca. 205–195 Ma) throughout northwestern Stikinia. The coeval relationship is attributed to crustal underplating and intra-arc extension associated with slab rollback during renewed or reconfigured subduction beneath Stikinia, following the demise of the Stuhini arc in the Late Norian.
Bleaching of leaf litter and associated microfungi in subboreal and subalpine forests
Authors: Hagiwara Yusuke , Matsuoka Shunsuke , Hobara Satoru , Mori Akira S. , Hirose Dai , Osono Takashi
Published: June 2015

Fungal decomposition of lignin leads to the whitening, or bleaching, of leaf litter, especially in temperate and tropical forests, but less is known about such bleaching in forests of cooler regions, such as boreal and subalpine forests. The purposes of the present study were to examine the extent of bleached area on the surface of leaf litter and its variation with environmental conditions in subboreal and subalpine forests in Japan and to examine the microfungi associated with the bleaching of leaf litter by isolating fungi from the bleached portions of the litter. Bleached area accounted for 21.7%–32.7% and 2.0%–10.0% of total leaf area of Quercus crispula and Betula ermanii, respectively, in subboreal forests, and for 6.3% and 18.6% of total leaf area of B. ermanii and Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis, respectively, in a subalpine forest. In subboreal forests, elevation, C/N ratio and pH of the FH layer, and slope aspect were selected as predictor variables for the bleached leaf area. Leaf mass per area and lignin content were consistently lower in the bleached area than in the nonbleached area of the same leaves, indicating that the selective decomposition of acid unhydrolyzable residue (recalcitrant compounds such as lignin, tannins, and cutins) enhanced the mass loss of leaf tissues in the bleached portions. Isolates of a total of 11 fungal species (6 species of Ascomycota and 5 of Basidiomycota) exhibited leaf-litter-bleaching activity under pure culture conditions. Two fungal species (Coccomyces sp. and Mycena sp.) occurred in both subboreal and subalpine forests, which were separated from each other by approximately 1100 km.
Rosiglitazone protects rat liver against acute liver injury associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Wei , Lin Yuan-Jie , Zhou Xu-Ya , Chen Hao , Jin Yong
Published: June 2015

Rosiglitazone, which is mainly used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, is also involved in the regulation of inflammation. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ receptor subtype appears to play a pivotal role in the regulation of inflammation. However, the exact mechanism for the protective effects of rosiglitazone against inflammation such as liver injury remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rosiglitazone on inflammation in the liver of rats treated with D-GaIN/LPS. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were injected with D-GaIN/LPS with or without pre-administration of rosiglitazone (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection). Our data showed that rosiglitazone significantly inhibited D-GaIN/LPS-induced hepatotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by both diagnostic indicators of liver damage (serum aminotransferase activities) and histopathological analysis. Western blot analysis showed that rosiglitazone significantly decreased protein expression levels of COX-2 and production of pro-inflammatory markers, including TNF-α and IL-6, in D-GaIN/LPS-treated rat liver. The results indicated that the inhibition of D-GaIN/LPS-induced inflammation by rosiglitazone can be attributed, at least partially, to its capacity to regulate the the immunoregulatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.
Modules over algebras related to the Virasoro algebra
Authors: Chen Qiufan , Cai Yan-an
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we consider a class of non-weight modules for some algebras related to the Virasoro algebra: The algebra Vir (a, b), the twisted deformative Schrödinger–Virasoro Lie algebras and the Schrödinger algebra. We study the modules whose restriction to the Cartan subalgebra (modulo center) are free of rank 1 for these algebras. Moreover, the simplicities of these modules are determined.
Bidirectional quantum controlled teleportation of qudit state via partially entangled GHZ-type states
Authors: Wang Jin-Wei , Shu Lan
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we introduce a scheme of bidirectional quantum controlled teleportation for exchanging two single-qudit states via partially entangled GHZ-type states. The necessary measurements and operations are given in detail.
The management of matter rogue waves in F = 1 spinor Bose–Einstein condensates
Authors: Loomba Shally
Published: June 2015

We have reported the matter rogue wave solutions for the nonautonomous three coupled Gross–Pitaevskii (GP) equation which governs the pulse propagation in spin-1 Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) with time modulated nonlinearities. The system under consideration has attractive mean-field interactions and ferromagnetic spin-exchange interactions. The exact solutions have been worked out by using similarity and scaling transformations. We have depicted the controllable center characteristics of rogue waves for the kink-type spin-exchange interactions. Additionally, we have also discussed the management of rogue waves for the hyperbolic form of spin-exchange interactions by invoking isospectral Hamiltonian deformation technique.
Holographic Skyrmions
Authors: Sutcliffe Paul
Published: June 2015

Skyrmions are topological solitons that describe baryons within a nonlinear theory of pions. In holographic QCD, baryons correspond to topological solitons in a bulk theory with an extra spatial dimension. Thus, the three-dimensional Skyrmion lifts to a four-dimensional holographic Skyrmion in the bulk. We begin this review with a description of the simplest example of this correspondence, where the holographic Skyrmion is exactly the self-dual Yang–Mills instanton in flat space. This places an old result of Atiyah and Manton within a holographic framework and reveals that the associated Skyrme model extends the nonlinear pion theory to include an infinite tower of vector mesons, with specific couplings for a BPS theory. We then describe the more complicated curved space version that arises from the string theory construction of Sakai and Sugimoto. The basic concepts remain the same but the technical difficulty increases as the holographic Skyrmion is a curved space version of the Yang–Mills instanton, so self-duality and integrability are lost. Finally, we turn to a low-dimensional analog of holographic Skyrmions, where aspects such as multi-baryons and finite baryon density are amenable to both numerical computation and an approximate analytic treatment.
Skyrmions in a density wave state: A mechanism for chiral superconductivity
Authors: Chakravarty Sudip , Hsu Chen-Hsuan
Published: June 2015

Broken symmetry states characterizing density waves of higher angular momentum in correlated electronic systems are intriguing objects. In the scheme of characterization by angular momentum, conventional charge and spin density waves correspond to zero angular momentum. Here, we explore a class of exotic density wave states that have topological properties observed in recently discovered topological insulators. These rich topological density wave states deserve closer attention in not only high temperature superconductors but in other correlated electron states, as in heavy fermions, of which an explicit example will be discussed. The state discussed has nontrivial charge [Formula: see text] skyrmionic spin texture. These skyrmions can condense into a charged superfluid. Alternately, they can fractionalize into merons and anti-merons. The fractionalized particles that are confined in skyrmions in the insulating phase, can emerge at a deconfined quantum critical point, which separates the insulating and the superconducting phases. These fractional particles form a two-component spin-singlet chiral [Formula: see text] wave superconducting state that breaks time reversal symmetry. Possible connections of this exotic order to the superconducting state in the heavy-fermion material [Formula: see text] are suggested. The direct evidence of such a chiral superconducting state is polar Kerr effect that was observed recently.
Local Bifurcations of the Enzyme-Catalyzed Reaction Comprising a Branched Network
Authors: Zhang Qiuyan , Liu Lingling , Zhang Weinian
Published: June 2015

An enzyme-catalyzed reaction system with four parameters a, b, c, κ is discussed. The system can be reduced to a quartic polynomial differential system with four parameters, which leads to difficulties in the computation of semi-algebraic systems of large degree polynomials. Those systems have to be discussed on subsets of special biological sense, none of which is closed under operations of the polynomial ring. In this paper, we overcome those difficulties to determine the exact number of equilibria and their qualitative properties. Moreover, we obtain parameter conditions for all codimension-1 bifurcations such as saddle-node, transcritical, pitchfork and Hopf bifurcations. We compute varieties of Lyapunov quantities under the limitations of biological requirements and prove that the weak focus is of at most order 2. We further obtain parameter conditions for exact number of limit cycles arising from Hopf bifurcations.