bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathophysiology of primary burning mouth syndrome with special focus on taste dysfunction: a review
Authors: Kolkka‐Palomaa M , Jääskeläinen SK , Laine MA , Teerijoki‐Oksa T , Sandell M , Forssell H
Published: May 2015

Primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic oral condition characterized by burning pain often accompanied with taste dysfunction and xerostomia. The most compelling evidence concerning BMS pathophysiology comes from studies on the somatosensory system using neurophysiologic or psychophysical methods such as blink reflex, thermal quantitative sensory testing, as well as functional brain imaging. They have provided convincing evidence for neuropathic involvement at several levels of the somatosensory system in BMS pain pathophysiology. The number of taste function studies trying to substantiate the subjective taste disturbances or studies on salivary factors in BMS is much more limited, and most of them suffer from definitional and methodological problems. This review aims to critically evaluate the existing literature on the pathophysiology of BMS, paying special attention to the correctness of case selection and the methodology used in published studies, and to summarize the current state of knowledge. Based on the recognition of several gaps in the current understanding of the pathophysiology of BMS especially as regards taste and pain system interactions, the review ends with future scenarios for research in this area.
Combined observational and experimental data provide limited support for facilitation in lichens
Authors: Svensson Måns , Caruso Alexandro , Yahr Rebecca , Ellis Christopher , Thor Göran , Snäll Tord
Published: May 2015

It is increasingly recognized that facilitative interactions can shape communities. One of the mechanisms through which facilitation may operate is when one species facilitates the colonization of another through the exchange of shared symbionts. Lichens are symbiotic associations composed of a mycobiont (lichenised‐fungus) and one or two photobionts (algae or cyanobacteria). Different lichen species may have overlapping specificity for photobionts, creating the possibility that facilitation drives lichen community assembly. To investigate whether facilitation occurs in lichens, we combined an observational study (a) with a manipulative field experiment (b). For (a), we quantified the effect of local patch conditions, facilitation and the size of the surrounding metapopulation on colonizations of an epixylic lichen species (Cladonia botrytes) in an area of managed boreal forest. This was done by twice surveying lichens on 293 stumps, located in stands of three age classes. For (b), we treated unoccupied surfaces of 56 cut stumps with algal mixtures of an Asterochloris photobiont and recorded C. botrytes colonizations over three years. In (a), colonization rates of C. botrytes increased with increasing abundance of other lichen species with specificity for Asterochloris photobionts, consistent with an effect of facilitation. However, in the field experiment (b), colonizations of the focal species did not provide support for facilitation. We conclude that our study provides limited support for facilitation in green‐algal lichens, underscoring the importance of combining observational studies with experiments when studying species interactions.
Time to symptom improvement using elimination diets in non‐IgE‐mediated gastrointestinal food allergies
Authors: Lozinsky Adriana Chebar , Meyer Rosan , De Koker Claire , Dziubak Robert , Godwin Heather , Reeve Kate , Dominguez Ortega Gloria , Shah Neil
Published: May 2015

Background

The prevalence of food allergy has increased in recent decades, and there is paucity of data on time to symptom improvement using elimination diets in non‐Immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated food allergies. We therefore aimed to assess the time required to improvement of symptoms using a symptom questionnaire for children with non‐IgE‐mediated food allergies on an elimination diet.

Methods

A prospective observational study was performed on patients with non‐IgE‐mediated gastrointestinal food allergies on an elimination diet, who completed a questionnaire that includes nine evidence‐based food allergic symptoms before and after the exclusion diet. The questionnaire measured symptoms individually from 0 (no symptom) to 5 (most severe) and collectively from 0 to 45. Children were only enrolled in the study if collectively symptoms improved with the dietary elimination within 4 or 8 weeks.

Results

Data from 131 patients were analysed including 90 boys with a median age of 21 months [IQR: 7 to 66]. Based on the symptom questionnaire, 129 patients (98.4%) improved after 4‐week elimination diet and only two patients improved after 8 weeks. A statistically significant difference before and after commencing the elimination diet was seen in all nine recorded symptoms (all p < 0.001), and in the median of overall score (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This is the first study attempting to establish time to improve after commencing the diet elimination. Almost all children in this study improved within 4 weeks of following the elimination diet, under dietary supervision.
When and How Does LMX Differentiation Influence Followers’ Work Outcomes? The Interactive Roles of One's own LMX Status and Organizational Context
Authors: Kauppila Olli‐Pekka
Published: May 2015

The fundamental premise of the leader–member exchange (LMX) theory is that leaders’ relationships with their followers vary in quality. Although LMX differentiation (i.e., within‐group variation in the quality of LMX) is generally considered a sound leadership practice, its effects on group members’ work outcomes remain poorly understood. Drawing on LMX and upper echelons theories, this study suggests that employees’ reactions to LMX differentiation depend on the personal LMX status of employees and the characteristics of the organizational context. Analyses of multilevel data collected from 502 employees organized into 135 work groups in 34 firms show that the impact of LMX differentiation on work outcomes is more positive (or less negative) for employees with lower rather than higher LMX. The findings highlight the importance of organizational boundary conditions for these interactions: The negative moderation by one's own LMX status is stronger when top managers decentralize responsibilities to lower hierarchical levels and weaker when top managers impose a shared vision to guide the organization.
What Mary Didn't Read: On Literary Narratives and Knowledge
Authors: Kajtár László
Published: May 2015

In the philosophy of art, one of the most important debates concerns the so‐called ‘cognitive value’ of literature. The main question is phrased in various ways. Can literary narratives provide knowledge? Can readers learn from works of literature? Most of the discussants agree on an affirmative answer, but it is contested what the relevant notions of truth and knowledge are and whether this knowledge and learning influence aesthetic or literary value. The issue takes on a wider, not only philosophical, importance as it is one of the central tenets of humanistic education that art and literature are valuable not only because the pleasure they afford.

This paper offers a new line of argument in departing from propositional truth, arguing that literary narratives provide aesthetically significant knowledge, however, this knowledge cannot be captured in propositional form. My position depends crucially on Frank Jackson's influential knowledge argument. The paper describes a modified ‘What Mary Didn't Read’ case. In doing so, it is argued that the knowledge literary works provide should be understood as a type of experiential knowing of ‘what it is like’ analogous to what Mary acquires in the original case of seeing a new colour for the first time.
Impact of leukemia and lymphoma chemotherapy on oral cavity and quality of life
Authors: Grando Liliane Janete , Mello Ana Lucia S. F. , Salvato Luciana , Brancher Anna Paula , Del Moral Joanita A. G. , Steffenello‐Durigon Giovanna
Published: May 2015

This study aimed to understand how patients perceive their oral health and the resulting oral manifestations of antineoplastic chemotherapy, as well as to analyze the impact of these alterations on oral health‐related quality of life. A total of 80 patients undergoing treatment participated in this study. A questionnaire was applied using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) index and open interviews. Items with the highest impact prevalence included “worsened taste of food sensation” (35.00%), “discomfort in eating food” (20.00%), and “feeling stressed” (17.50%). The outpatients showed the highest prevalence scores, whereas the inpatients presented higher quality of life impact severity. The ways in which the patients perceived how their oral alteration affected their quality of life were distinct and subjective. It is important that dentists act together with a multiprofessional team developing strategies to alleviate the impact of the disease and chemotherapy on oral cavity and patients’ quality of life.
Gamma delta T‐cell large granular lymphocyte lymphoma in a dog
Authors: Ortiz Ana Liza , Carvalho Sofia , Leo Chiara , Riondato Fulvio , Archer Joy , Cian Francesco
Published: May 2015

A 2‐year and 6‐month‐old female neutered Labrador Retriever with Horner syndrome, megaesophagus, and a mediastinal mass was referred to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals of the Royal Veterinary College. A large granular lymphocyte (LGL) lymphoma was diagnosed on cytology; flow cytometric analysis revealed a γδ T‐cell phenotype (CD3+,CD5+,CD45+,TCRγδ+,CD4−,CD8−,CD34−,CD21−). Chemotherapy was started with a combination of lomustine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisolone, followed by bleyomicin. Euthanasia was elected by the owners, due to progressive deterioration and lack of quality of life, 28 days after diagnosis. This is the first cytologic and immunophenotypic characterization of a canine γδ T‐cell lymphoma withLGLmorphology and probably of mediastinal origin. The role of chemotherapy in delaying the disease progression remains unknown.
Expression and localization of epithelial stem cell and differentiation markers in equine skin, eye and hoof
Authors: Linardi Renata L. , Megee Susan O. , Mainardi Sarah R. , Senoo Makoto , Galantino‐Homer Hannah L.
Published: May 2015

Background

The limited characterization of equine skin, eye and hoof epithelial stem cell (ESC) and differentiation markers impedes the investigation of the physiology and pathophysiology of these tissues.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To characterizeESCand differentiation marker expression in epithelial tissues of the equine eye, haired skin and hoof capsule.

Methods

Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting were used to detect expression and tissue localization of keratin (K) isoforms K3, K10, K14 and K124, the transcription factor p63 (a marker ofESCs) and phosphorylated p63 [pp63; a marker ofESCtransition to transit‐amplifying (TA) cell] in epithelial tissues of the foot (haired skin, hoof coronet and hoof lamellae) and the eye (limbus and cornea).

Results

Expression of K14 was restricted to the basal layer of epidermal lamellae and to basal and adjacent suprabasal layers of the haired skin, coronet and corneal limbus. Coronary and lamellar epidermis was negative for both K3 and K10, which were expressed in the cornea/limbus epithelium and haired skin epidermis, respectively. Variable expression of p63 with relatively low to high levels of phosphorylation was detected in individual basal and suprabasal cells of all epithelial tissues examined.

Conclusions

To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first report of the characterization of tissue‐specific keratin marker expression and the localization of putative epithelial progenitor cell populations, includingESCs (high p63 expression with low pp63 levels) andTAcells (high expression of both p63 and pp63), in the horse. These results will aid further investigation of epidermal and corneal epithelial biology and regenerative therapies in horses.
Resina Draconis as a topical treatment for pressure ulcers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Xu Jiaqi , Xiong Tian , Yang Ying , Li Jie , Mao Jing
Published: May 2015

In recent years, a number of studies have reported on Resina Draconis (RD) as a topical treatment for pressure ulcers. To evaluate these studies, we performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to examine the efficacy of RD for pressure ulcers. We searched eight electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials in which RD treatment was compared with other topical treatment of pressure ulcers from 1980 to 2014. Selection of studies, study appraisal, data extraction and analysis were undertaken using standard methods. Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included involving 618 patients. The results of the meta‐analysis showed that, RD treatment was significantly associated with a higher healing rate for pressure ulcers (risk ratio 2.07, 95% confidence intervals 1.73–2.48, p < 0.001). The results of descriptive analysis showed that, compared with the control group, RD treatment shortened healing time. As for safety, adverse reactions had not been reported. These results suggest that RD can improve the healing rate for pressure ulcers and shorten the healing time, compared with other topical treatments. However, due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, this conclusion needs to be proved by more high quality studies.
Deformation Versus Modified J-Integral Resistance Curves for Ductile Materials
Authors: Zhu Xian-Kui , Lam Poh-Sang
Published: May 2015

The J-integral resistance curve (or J-R curve) is an important fracture property of materials and has gained broad applications in assessing the fracture behavior of structural components. Because the J-integral concept was proposed based on the deformation theory of plasticity, the J-R curve is a deformation-based result. It has been known that the J-R curves of a material depend on specimen size and geometry; therefore, a modified J-integral or Jm was proposed to minimize the size dependence. Extensive experiments have shown that the Jm-R curves might remain size-dependent and could not behave better than the traditional deformation J-R curves. To date, however, it is noticed that the Jm-R curves were still used as “size-independent” results in some fracture mechanics analyses. It is necessary to revisit this topic for further clarification. This paper presents a brief review on the development of deformation and modified J-integral testing, and obtains a simple incremental Jm-integral equation. It is followed by typical experimental results with discussions on the issues of constraint or size dependence of J-R and Jm-R curves for different steels and specimens. Finally, a recommendation is made on properly selecting a resistance curve in the fracture analysis.
Attention-Aware Robotic Laparoscope Based on Fuzzy Interpretation of Eye-Gaze Patterns
Authors: Li Songpo , Zhang Xiaoli , Kim Fernando J. , Donalisio da Silva Rodrigo , Gustafson Diedra , Molina Wilson R.
Published: May 2015

Laparoscopic robots have been widely adopted in modern medical practice. However, explicitly interacting with these robots may increase the physical and cognitive load on the surgeon. An attention-aware robotic laparoscope system has been developed to free the surgeon from the technical limitations of visualization through the laparoscope. This system can implicitly recognize the surgeon's visual attention by interpreting the surgeon's natural eye movements using fuzzy logic and then automatically steer the laparoscope to focus on that viewing target. Experimental results show that this system can make the surgeon–robot interaction more effective, intuitive, and has the potential to make the execution of the surgery smoother and faster.
A New Approach to Adaptive Control of Multi-Input Multi-Output Systems Using Multiple Models
Authors: Ahmadian Narjes , Khosravi Alireza , Sarhadi Pouria
Published: May 2015

This paper proposes a novel method as second level adaptation using multiple models to identify and control of a class of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. Different uncertain environments change the system parameters and create multiple operating conditions. These conditions are designed as multiple identification models in a model bank using adaptive laws. These models are evaluated using some estimated weighting factors based on the errors between each of the models and the actual plant. The evaluated models are effectively used in identification and control process. Bounded signals, proper closed-loop tracking performance, and rapid and accurate parameter convergence to their real values are achieved through simulation results.
A Novel Method for Force Identification Based on the Discrete Cosine Transform
Authors: Qiao Baijie , Chen Xuefeng , Luo Xinjie , Xue Xiaofeng
Published: May 2015

Force identification is a classical inverse problem, in which the measured data and the mathematical models of mechanical structures are used to determine the applied force. However, the identified force may seriously diverge from the true solution due to the unknown noise contaminating the measured data and the inverse of the ill-posed transfer matrix characterizing the mechanical structure. In this paper, a novel method based on the discrete cosine transform (DCT) in the time domain is proposed for force identification, which overcomes the deficiency of the ill-posedness of the transfer matrix. The unknown force is expanded by a set of cosine basis functions and then the original governing equation is reformulated to find the coefficient of each cosine basis function. Furthermore, a modified generalized cross-validation (GCV) criterion for determining the regularization parameter is developed for the truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD), Chebyshev polynomial, and DCT solutions. Numerical simulation reveals that compared with the L-curve criterion, the modified GCV criterion is quite robust in the presence of noise. Finally, a clamped-free shell structure that is excited by an impact hammer is selected as an example to validate the performance of the proposed method. Experimental results demonstrate that compared with the TSVD-based and Chebyshev-based methods, the DCT-based method combined with the modified GCV criterion can reconstruct the force time history and identify the peak of impact force with high accuracy. Additionally, the identification of force location using the DCT-based method is also discussed.
Objective Analysis of Preschoolers’ Physical Activity Patterns During Free Playtime
Authors: Greever Cory J. , Sirard John , Alhassan Sofiya
Published: May 2015

Background:

The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal patterns of preschoolers’ physical activity (PA) levels during a typical outdoor free playtime.

Methods:

Baseline playtime accelerometer counts (4.3 ± 0.8 days) from 3 preschool PA intervention studies were used (n = 326 children, age = 4.0 ± 0.8 years). Data were collected using 15-second epochs and classified into sedentary, light, or moderate-tovigorous physical activity (MVPA). Patterns of change during playtime were analyzed using orthogonal polynomial comparisons.

Results:

For all ages, there was a U-shaped pattern of change for the percent of epochs classified as sedentary [F(1, 323) = 47.12, P < .001) and an inverted U-shaped pattern of change for the percent of epochs classified as MVPA [F(1,323) = 32.15, P < .001]. Age-stratified analyses indicated that the 3-year-olds maintained the decrease in sedentary time [F(2,323) = 6.408, P = .002] and the increase in MVPA [F(2,323) = 3.2, P = .04] to a greater extent than the 4- and 5-year-olds.

Conclusions:

Preschool children gradually became more active during the first 10 to 15 minutes of outdoor gross motor playtime and less active over the final 10 to 15 minutes of playtime. During the second half of playtime 3-year-olds maintained these changes to a greater degree than 4- and 5-year-olds.
Walking and Walkability: Is Wayfinding a Missing Link? Implications for Public Health Practice
Authors: Vandenberg Ann E. , Hunter Rebecca H. , Anderson Lynda A. , Bryant Lucinda L. , Hooker Steven P. , Satariano William A.
Published: May 2015

Background:

Research on walking and walkability has yet to focus on wayfinding, the interactive, problem-solving process by which people use environmental information to locate themselves and navigate through various settings.

Methods:

We reviewed the literature on outdoor pedestrian-oriented wayfinding to examine its relationship to walking and walkability, 2 areas of importance to physical activity promotion.

Results:

Our findings document that wayfinding is cognitively demanding and can compete with other functions, including walking itself. Moreover, features of the environment can either facilitate or impede wayfinding, just as environmental features can influence walking.

Conclusions:

Although there is still much to be learned about wayfinding and walking behaviors, our review helps frame the issues and lays out the importance of this area of research and practice.
Activation of MyD88-dependent TLR1/2 signaling by misfolded α-synuclein, a protein linked to neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Daniele Stefano G. , Béraud Dawn , Davenport Connor , Cheng Kui , Yin Hang , Maguire-Zeiss Kathleen A.
Published: May 2015

Patients with neurodegenerative disorders called synucleinopathies may benefit from drugs that inhibit inflammatory receptors on microglia in the brain.
A way to dissect malaria's secrets
Authors: Hurtley Stella M.
Published: May 2015

A screening approach reveals host factors critical for human malaria parasite invasion of red blood cells.
Perineuronal nets close the door on brain development
Authors: Kelner Katrina L.
Published: May 2015

Excessive HRAS signaling in Costello syndrome accelerates Ras-specific astroglial development and extracellular matrix accumulation, resulting in premature cortical circuit maturation.
Excited by GABA
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: May 2015

In a model of Down syndrome, signaling through GABA
A
receptors is excitatory rather than inhibitory.
Keeping T cells in place
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: May 2015

Adiponectin stimulates B cells to release a peptide that restricts the transendothelial migration of T cells.
In Vitro
Activity of Aztreonam-Avibactam against a Global Collection of Gram-Negative Pathogens from 2012 and 2013
Authors: Biedenbach Douglas J. , Kazmierczak Krystyna , Bouchillon Samuel K. , Sahm Daniel F. , Bradford Patricia A.
Published: May 2015

The combination of aztreonam plus avibactam is being developed for use in infections caused by metallo-β-lactamase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
strains that also produce serine β-lactamases. The
in vitro
activities of aztreonam-avibactam and comparator antimicrobials were determined against year 2012 and 2013 clinical isolates of
Enterobacteriaceae
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and
Acinetobacter baumannii
using the broth microdilution methodology recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). A total of 28,501 unique clinical isolates were obtained from patients in 190 medical centers within 39 countries. MIC
90
values of aztreonam and aztreonam-avibactam against all collected isolates of
Enterobacteriaceae
(
n
= 23,516) were 64 and 0.12 μg/ml, respectively, with 76.2% of the isolates inhibited by ≤4 μg/ml of aztreonam (the CLSI breakpoint) and 99.9% of the isolates inhibited by ≤4 μg/ml of aztreonam-avibactam using a fixed concentration of 4 μg/ml of avibactam. The MIC
90
was 32 μg/ml for both aztreonam and aztreonam-avibactam against
P. aeruginosa
(
n
= 3,766). Aztreonam alone or in combination with avibactam had no
in vitro
activity against isolates of
A. baumannii
. PCR and sequencing were used to characterize 5,076 isolates for β-lactamase genes. Aztreonam was not active against most
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates producing class A or class C enzymes alone or in combination with class B metallo-β-lactamases. In contrast, >99% of
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates producing all observed Ambler classes of β-lactamase enzymes were inhibited by ≤4 μg/ml aztreonam in combination with avibactam, including isolates that produced IMP-, VIM-, and NDM-type metallo-β-lactamases in combination with multiple serine β-lactamases.
Evaluating the Pharmacodynamic Effect of Antimalarial Drugs in Clinical Trials by Quantitative PCR
Authors: Marquart Louise , Baker Mark , O'Rourke Peter , McCarthy James S.
Published: May 2015

The ongoing development of new antimalarial drugs and the increasing use of controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) studies to investigate their activity in early-stage clinical trials require the development of methods to analyze their pharmacodynamic effect. This is especially so for studies where quantitative PCR (qPCR) is becoming the preferred method for assessing parasite clearance as the study endpoint. We report the development and validation of an analytic approach for qPCR-determined parasite clearance data. First, in a clinical trial with the licensed antimalarial combination sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (S/P), qPCR data were collected from 12 subjects and used to determine qPCR replicate variability and to identify outliers. Then, an iterative analytic approach based on modeling the log-linear decay of parasitemia following drug treatment was developed to determine the parasite reduction ratio (PRR) and parasite clearance half-life, both measures of parasite clearance. This analytic approach was then validated with data from 8 subjects enrolled in a second study with the licensed antimalarial drug mefloquine. By this method, the PRR and parasite clearance half-lives for S/P and Mefloquine were determined to be 38,878 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 17,396 to 86,889) at 3.15 (95% CI, 2.93 to 3.41) days and 157 (95% CI, 130 to 189) at 6.58 (95% CI, 6.35 to 6.83) days for the respective studies. No serious adverse events occurred in the two trials, and pharmacokinetic values were within expected ranges for sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine. The robust statistical method that we have developed to analyze qPCR-derived pharmacodynamic data from CHMI studies will facilitate the assessment of the activity of a range of experimental antimalarial drugs now entering clinical trials. (This trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry under registration numbers ACTRN12611001203943 and ACTRN12612000323820.)
In Vitro
Activity of Daptomycin in Combination with β-Lactams, Gentamicin, Rifampin, and Tigecycline against Daptomycin-Nonsusceptible Enterococci
Authors: Hindler Janet A. , Wong-Beringer Annie , Charlton Carmen L. , Miller Shelley A. , Kelesidis Theodoros , Carvalho Marissa , Sakoulas George , Nonejuie Poochit , Pogliano Joseph , Nizet Victor , Humphries Romney
Published: May 2015

Enterococci that are nonsusceptible (NS; MIC > 4 μg/ml) to daptomycin are an emerging clinical concern. The synergistic combination of daptomycin plus beta-lactams has been shown to be effective against vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus
(VRE) species
in vitro
. This study systematically evaluated by
in vitro
time-kill studies the effect of daptomycin in combination with ampicillin, cefazolin, ceftriaxone, ceftaroline, ertapenem, gentamicin, tigecycline, and rifampin, for a collection of 9 daptomycin-NS enterococci that exhibited a broad range of MICs and different resistance-conferring mutations. We found that ampicillin plus daptomycin yielded the most consistent synergy but did so only for isolates with mutations to the
liaFSR
system. Daptomycin binding was found to be enhanced by ampicillin in a representative isolate with such mutations but not for an isolate with mutation to the
yycFGHIJ
system. In contrast, ampicillin enhanced the killing of the LL-37 human antimicrobial peptide against daptomycin-NS
E. faecium
with either the
liaFSR
or
yycFGHIJ
mutation. Antagonism was noted only for rifampin and tigecycline and only for 2 or 3 isolates. These data add support to the growing body of evidence indicating that therapy combining daptomycin and ampicillin may be helpful in eradicating refractory VRE infections.
Role of Phenol-Soluble Modulins in Formation of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms in Synovial Fluid
Authors: Dastgheyb Sana S. , Villaruz Amer E. , Le Katherine Y. , Tan Vee Y. , Duong Anthony C. , Chatterjee Som S. , Cheung Gordon Y. C. , Joo Hwang-Soo , Hickok Noreen J. , Otto Michael
Published: May 2015

Staphylococcus aureus
is a leading cause of prosthetic joint infections, which, as we recently showed, proceed with the involvement of biofilm-like clusters that cause recalcitrance to antibiotic treatment. Here we analyzed why these clusters grow extraordinarily large, reaching macroscopically visible extensions (>1 mm). We found that while specific
S. aureus
surface proteins are a prerequisite for agglomeration in synovial fluid, low activity of the Agr regulatory system and subsequent low production of the phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) surfactant peptides cause agglomerates to grow to exceptional dimensions. Our results indicate that PSMs function by disrupting interactions of biofilm matrix molecules, such as the polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), with the bacterial cell surface. Together, our findings support a two-step model of staphylococcal prosthetic joint infection: As we previously reported, interaction of
S. aureus
surface proteins with host matrix proteins such as fibrin initiates agglomeration; our present results show that, thereafter, the bacterial agglomerates grow to extremely large sizes owing to the lack of PSM expression under the specific conditions present in joints. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the reported extreme resistance of joint infection to antibiotic treatment, lend support to the notions that Agr functionality and PSM production play a major role in defining different forms of
S. aureus
infection, and have important implications for antistaphylococcal therapeutic strategies.
Toll-Like Receptor 9-Mediated Inflammation Triggers Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Murine Periodontitis
Authors: Kim Paul D. , Xia-Juan Xia , Crump Katie E. , Abe Toshiharu , Hajishengallis George , Sahingur Sinem E.
Published: May 2015

Chronic periodontitis is a local inflammatory disease induced by a dysbiotic microbiota and leading to destruction of the tooth-supporting structures. Microbial nucleic acids are abundantly present in the periodontium, derived through release after phagocytic uptake of microbes and/or from biofilm-associated extracellular DNA. Binding of microbial DNA to its cognate receptors, such as Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), can trigger inflammation. In this study, we utilized TLR9 knockout (TLR9
−/−
) mice and wild-type (WT) controls in a murine model of
Porphyromonas gingivalis
-induced periodontitis and report the first
in vivo
evidence that TLR9 signaling mediates the induction of periodontal bone loss.
P. gingivalis
-infected WT mice exhibited significantly increased bone loss compared to that in sham-infected WT mice or
P. gingivalis
-infected TLR9
−/−
mice, which were resistant to bone loss. Consistent with this, the expression levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and receptor-activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) were significantly elevated in the gingival tissues of the infected WT mice but not in infected TLR9
−/−
mice compared to their levels in controls.
Ex vivo
studies using splenocytes and bone marrow-derived macrophages revealed significantly diminished cytokine production in TLR9
−/−
cells relative to the cytokine production in WT cells in response to
P. gingivalis
, thereby implicating TLR9 in inflammatory responses to this organism. Intriguingly, compared to the cytokine production in WT cells, TLR9
−/−
cells exhibited significantly decreased proinflammatory cytokine production upon challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (TLR4 agonist) or Pam3Cys (TLR2 agonist), suggesting possible cross talk between TLR9, TLR4, and TLR2. Collectively, our results provide the first proof-of-concept evidence implicating TLR9-triggered inflammation in periodontal disease pathogenesis, thereby identifying a new potential therapeutic target to control periodontal inflammation.
Emergency surgery for intestinal obstruction revealing ileal Crohn's disease (CD) during pregnancy
Authors: Furderer Thomas , Mantion Georges , Heyd Bruno
Published: May 2015

Few data are available regarding emergency surgery for Crohn's disease (CD) during pregnancy. A 22-year -old woman, at 26 weeks of pregnancy, was admitted for premature labour, intestinal obstruction and systemic inflammation. Biology and ultrasonography were not helpful; imaging was completed with a CT scan, which confirmed the mechanical ileal obstruction. The intestinal obstruction worsened and led to emergency surgery. An inflammatory stenosis of the terminal ileum with two fistulas was found. An ileal resection and ileostomy were performed. The pathological analysis of the resected specimen confirmed CD. The postoperative course was uneventful. The delivery of a baby with normal weight and status occurred at term (40 weeks of amenorrhoea). There have been only 10 case reports of intestinal complications revealing CD during pregnancy. The delay in diagnosis and adequate treatment led to significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This case suggests that intestinal surgery for CD is feasible during pregnancy and may be associated with a favourable outcome for the baby as well as for the mother.
Preservation of fertility in non-Peutz–Jegher syndrome-associated ovarian sex cord tumour with annular tubules
Authors: Chatziioannidou Kyriaki , Botsikas Diomidis , Tille Jean-Christophe , Dubuisson Jean
Published: May 2015

We report the successful conservative management of a non-Peutz–Jegher syndrome-associated ovarian sex cord tumour with annular tubules in a 32-year-old patient. The patient underwent a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy by laparoscopy, and conceived spontaneously approximately 6 months after the diagnosis. After a normal term pregnancy, she underwent a contralateral laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy with hysterectomy. The patient is now on hormone replacement therapy and, after 30 months of follow-up, continues to present no sign of disease recurrence.
Lessons from two cases: is Fabry disease the correct diagnosis?
Authors: Kiykim Ertugrul , Aktuglu Zeybek Cigdem Ayse , Zubarioglu Tanyel , Aydin Ahmet
Published: May 2015

Fabry disease (FD) is an X linked inherited lysosomal storage disorder with complex multisystem involvement; it is caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase. Deficient enzyme activity leads to a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations consisting of dermatological, ophthalmological, cardiovascular, and urinary and central nervous system findings. As a result, FD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of many systemic diseases. Diagnosis of FD can arise from careful clinical and instrumental investigations, together with family history data and accurate interpretation of genetic and enzymatic analyses. Lack of knowledge on clinical findings of the disease and inept investigation methods unfortunately result in erroneous diagnosis. We present two patients who were referred to our clinic with a suspicion of ED and finally diagnosed as glycogen storage disorder type III and ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, respectively.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma causing acute liver failure: a rare case of survival
Authors: Kapuria Devika , Strasser Kristen , Qasem Abdulraheem
Published: May 2015

Acute liver failure is a rare but life-threatening illness with an incidence of 2–8 per million population. The most common causes of acute liver failure include drug ingestion and viral hepatitis followed by ischaemic hepatocellular injury and, less commonly, malignancy. Our patient presented with acute liver failure, which was found to be secondary to hepatic infiltration by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He received early treatment and has been in remission for more than a year after his initial presentation. To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the second reported survivor of acute liver failure caused by malignant hepatic infiltration by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Giant hydatid cyst of the pelvis, femur and retroperitoneal space: surgical treatment with extended hemipelvectomy
Authors: Tsagozis Panagiotis , Brosjö Otte
Published: May 2015

Hydatid disease of the bone is a very rare manifestation of the disease, and is often associated with debilitating symptoms. We present a rare case of skeletal hydatidosis in a 56-year-old man who had been misdiagnosed for many years. Massive involvement of the pelvic bones and soft tissues was evident. An extended hemipelvectomy was performed in order to achieve resection of the affected segments with a clear surgical margin. The patient recovered uneventfully and there are no signs of recurrence of the disease.
The difficulty in diagnosing X linked adrenoleucodystrophy and the importance of identifying cerebral involvement
Authors: Patel Salil , Gutowski Nicholas
Published: May 2015

Two patients are described, a mother and son, who were initially clinically diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraparesis. This was rectified after very long chain fatty acid testing confirmed adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). The son's initial symptoms were characteristic of AMN (the commonest phenotype) but progressed to show symptoms of cerebral involvement. This evolution from non-cerebral to cerebral AMN is recognised in the medical literature and is increasingly important to consider in light of the availability of potential treatments such as haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
A perianal presentation of myeloid sarcoma
Authors: Nagra Navraj S , Lozano Emilio , Soilleux Elizabeth , Mullerat Pepe
Published: May 2015

Myeloid sarcoma is a rare tumour associated with acute myeloid leucaemia (AML). Infrequently, it can occur in myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative overlap syndrome conditions such as chronic monomyelocytic leucaemia (CMML), where it often heralds the transformation towards an AML. We discuss a rare presentation of myeloid sarcoma in the perianal region of a 51-year-old man, who was seen by various clinicians and treated for haemorrhoids and perianal abscess. There were no gross abnormalities in initial haematological investigations and the patient was systemically well. A histological biopsy demonstrated myeloid sarcoma and bone marrow aspirate, and trephine confirmed CMML transforming to AML. Treatment of myeloid sarcoma is dependent on whether there is associated AML in the bone marrow. Dual chemotherapy with cytarabine and daunorubicin remains the gold standard treatment in these patients. Sending histology samples of atypical lesions when performing incision and drainage procedures is extremely important, as it contributes to early detection of rare and malignant tissue diagnoses.
Lower vertebral-epidural spinal arteriovenous fistulas: a unique subtype of vertebrovertebral arteriovenous fistula, treatable with coil and Penumbra Occlusion Device embolization
Authors: Ashour Ramsey , Orbach Darren B
Published: May 2015

A vertebral-epidural spinal arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is an abnormal arteriovenous shunt connecting the vertebral artery to the spinal epidural venous plexus, and may occur spontaneously or secondary to a variety of causes. These unique lesions are uncommon in adults and rarer still in children. Previous reports have grouped together a heterogeneous collection of such arteriovenous lesions, including arterial contributions from the upper and lower vertebral artery, with venous drainage into a variety of spinal and paraspinal collectors. Here, through two cases, we delineate a distinct entity, the lower vertebral-to-epidural AVF. The salient clinical and anatomic features are summarized and contextualized within the broader constellation of vertebrovertebral AVF, the utility of a transarterial intravenous/retrograde intra-arterial endovascular approach is highlighted, and a new use of the Penumbra Occlusion Device (Penumbra Inc) for this purpose is reported.
Progressive supra-nuclear palsy: frequency of cardinal extrapyramidal features at first presentation
Authors: Pradhan Sunil , Tandon Ruchika
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Cardinal extrapyramidal features of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) help in clinically differentiating this condition from Parkinson's disease and other Parkinsonian syndromes. However, not all extrapyramidal features may be initially present, thus posing a difficulty in early diagnosis. We studied their frequency at the time of first presentation.

Methods

Patients diagnosed clinically with PSP using the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Society for PSP (NINDS/SPSP) criteria and seen between August 2010 and April 2013 were examined for the presence, ‘presence with deviation’ or absence of six extrapyramidal features: axial rigidity, symmetry, extended posture, backward falls, absence of tremors and lack of levodopa response.

Results

Twenty-eight patients (mean (SD) age 64.86 (9.72) years; 16 (57%) men) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 14% had all six extrapyramidal features associated with PSP, 39% had five, 29% had four, 14% had three and 4% had two. The most frequent extrapyramidal sign was axial rigidity (68%). Axial plus peripheral rigidity was found in 18% of patients and peripheral rigidity alone in 14%. Extrapyramidal features were symmetrical in 29% and asymmetrical beyond 1 year in 29%. Body posture was extended in 46% and flexed in 21%. Backward falls were found in 50% and forward falls in 11%. Pill-rolling tremors were observed in 29%. Response to levodopa therapy was poor in 21% and good beyond 6 months in 39%.

Conclusions

Only 14% of PSP patients present with all six cardinal extrapyramidal features. Also, deviations from standard descriptions are common in the initial stages of disease.
The Higgs mass derived from the U(3) Lie group
Authors: Trinhammer Ole L. , Bohr Henrik G. , Jensen Mogens Stibius
Published: May 2015

The Higgs mass value is derived from a Hamiltonian on the Lie group U(3) where we relate strong and electroweak energy scales. The baryon states of nucleon and delta resonances originate in specific Bloch wave degrees of freedom coupled to a Higgs mechanism which also gives rise to the usual gauge boson masses. The derived Higgs mass is around 125 GeV. From the same Hamiltonian, we derive the relative neutron to proton mass ratio and the N and Delta mass spectra. All compare rather well with the experimental values. We predict scarce neutral flavor baryon singlets that should be visible in scattering cross-sections for negative pions on protons, in photoproduction on neutrons, in neutron diffraction dissociation experiments and in invariant mass spectra of protons and negative pions in B-decays. The fundamental predictions are based on just one length scale and the fine structure constant. More particular predictions rely also on the weak mixing angle and the up–down quark flavor mixing matrix element. With differential forms on the measure-scaled wave function, we could generate approximate parton distribution functions for the u and d valence quarks of the proton that compare well with established experimental analysis.
Tame filling invariants for groups
Authors: Brittenham Mark , Hermiller Susan
Published: May 2015

A new pair of asymptotic invariants for finitely presented groups, called intrinsic and extrinsic tame filling functions, is introduced. These filling functions are quasi-isometry invariants that strengthen the notions of intrinsic and extrinsic diameter functions for finitely presented groups. We show that the existence of a (finite-valued) tame filling functions implies that the group is tame combable. Bounds on both intrinsic and extrinsic tame filling functions are discussed for stackable groups, including groups with a finite complete rewriting system, Thompson's group F, and almost convex groups.
Scan Start-Up Demonstration Test
Authors: Smith Michelle L. Depoy , Griffith William S.
Published: May 2015

The CSTF and TSTF binary start-up demonstration tests have been studied in the literature. It has been shown that both tests perform optimal for various situations but neither one is an overall best test. Therefore, we propose a new demonstration test that is a compromise between the CSTF and TSTF start-up demonstration tests. The practitioner would accept the equipment if a cluster of successes occur prior to a preset number of failures, and rejection otherwise. Markov chains are used in the probabilistic analysis and this is extended to the non-i.i.d. case. Point and interval estimation is studied.
Special Elements for Composites Containing Hexagonal and Circular Fibers
Authors: Qin Qing H. , Wang H.
Published: May 2015

In this paper, unidirectional fiber reinforced composites with periodic square array of circular and hexagonal fibers is studied by a novel fundamental-solution-based hybrid finite element model. Due to the periodicity of composites, a representative unit cell containing a single fiber with circular or hexagonal cross section is taken into consideration and analyzed using the proposed hybrid finite element model. In the present numerical model, special polygonal fiber elements with arbitrary number of sides are developed by coupling the independent element interior and frame displacement fields. The element interior displacement fields are approximated by the combination of fundamental solutions to prior satisfy the governing equation of the problem, so that the domain integral appeared in the weak-form hybrid functional in terms of dual variables is converted into boundary integrals. Independently the element frame displacement fields are approximated by the conventional shape functions to guarantee the continuity of adjacent elements. Following this, special polygonal fiber elements are constructed to reduce mesh effort in the fiber region and achieve good accuracy with fewer elements. Finally, numerical tests are carried out for assessing the performance of the present special elements.
The elusive Rivera-Cocos plate boundary: not diffuse
Authors: Alvarez Román , Yutsis Vsevolod
Published: May 2015

Inland and offshore gravimetric determinations in the Southern Colima rift in western Mexico allowed for the construction of a Bouguer anomaly map of the area. Four submarine canyons of tectonic relevance are located in the offshore area. Gravimetric models of the oceanic subducting slab were calculated from the residual Bouguer anomaly along six trench-parallel lines and three trench-perpendicular lines including the area of the canyons. The former lines show considerable distortion of the slab that we attribute to compression, while the latter show distinct dipping angles of the oceanic slab at distances of around 75 km from the trench: the westernmost line shows a dip angle of 55° between depths of 20 and 70 km, while the easternmost shows a dip angle of 32° at depths between 18 and 50 km. We submit that the former represents a section of the subducting Rivera plate, and the latter represents a section of the Cocos plate. Extracting coordinates of representative points on the surface of the nine slab models allowed for a reconstruction of the slab surface: the transition from the Rivera to the Cocos plate is marked by topographic gradients in the modelled slab surface suggesting the trajectory of the boundary between the plates. We propose a tectonic model that includes a transpression zone involving the marine platform and the Southern Colima rift and a transtension zone in the Northern Colima rift: the Colima Volcanic Complex is located in the transition zone between them.