bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for enterococcal bacteriuria in dogs: A retrospective study
Authors: Wood Michael W. , Lepold Adam , Tesfamichael Dahlia , Lasarev Michael R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn humans,Enterococcusspp. urinary tract infections (UTI) are commonly associated with urinary catheter‐induced urothelial inflammation but this is not the case in dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo identify risk factors predisposing dogs to enterococcal bacteriuria.AnimalsSeventy dogs withEnterococcusspp. bacteriuria (case) and 70 dogs withEnterococcus colibacteriuria (control).MethodsA single center retrospective case‐control study with subjects and controls identified by a medical records search forEnterococcusspp. (subject) orE coli(control) bacteriuria from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017. Cases and controls were balanced with respect to average age and weight. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate and test whether the odds of havingEnterococcusspp. bacteriuria (instead ofE coli) were associated with the presence of any given characteristic.ResultsA history of recurrent bacteriuria was significantly more common inEnterococcusspp. cases than inE colicontrols (odds ratio [OR]: 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04‐4.16,P= .04). Comorbidities associated with the presence ofEnterococcusspp. bacteriuria included lower urinary tract (LUT) anatomic abnormalities (OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.17‐8.10,P= .02), urolithiasis (P= .01), and the presence of LUT neoplasia (P= .04). Small frequencies (n = 12 and n = 6, respectively) compromise our ability to precisely estimate the genuine OR for the latter 2 characteristics.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceIf the identified risk factors promoteEnterococcusspp. colonization in dogs via induced LUT inflammation similar to people thenEnterococcusspp. bacteriuria could be a sentinel for underlying LUT inflammation.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in drug‐resistant idiopathic epilepsy of dogs: A noninvasive neurostimulation technique
Authors: Charalambous Marios , Van Ham Luc , Broeckx Bart J. G. , Roggeman Tom , Carrette Sofie , Vonck Kristi , Kervel Roelof R. , Cornelis Ine , Bhatti Sofie F. M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been assessed in epileptic humans, clinical trials in epileptic dogs can provide additional insight.ObjectivesEvaluate the potential antiepileptic effect of rTMS in dogs.AnimalsTwelve client‐owned dogs with drug‐resistant idiopathic epilepsy (IE).MethodsSingle‐blinded randomized sham‐controlled clinical trial (dogs allocated to active or sham rTMS) (I) and open‐labeled uncontrolled clinical trial (dogs received active rTMS after sham rTMS) (II). Monthly seizure frequency (MSF), monthly seizure day frequency (MSDF), and number of cluster seizures (CS) were evaluated for a 3‐month pre‐TMS and post‐rTMS period and safety was assessed. The lasting effect period of rTMS was assessed in each dog treated by active stimulation using the MSF ratio (proportion of post‐TMS to pre‐rTMS MSF) and treatment was considered effective if the ratio was <1.ResultsNo adverse effects were reported. In trial I, MSF and MSDF decreased significantly (P= .04) in the active group (n = 7). In the sham group (n = 5), no significant changes were found (P= .84 and .29, respectively). Cluster seizures did not change significantly in either group. No significant differences were detected between the groups. In trial II, previously sham‐treated dogs (n = 5) received active rTMS and significant decreases in MSF and MSDF were noted (P= .03 and .008, respectively). The overall effect of rTMS lasted for 4 months; thereafter, the MSF ratio was >1.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may be a safe adjunctive treatment option for dogs with drug‐resistant IE, but large‐scale studies are needed to establish firm conclusions.
Predicting antimicrobial susceptibility from the bacterial genome: A new paradigm for one health resistance monitoring
Authors: McDermott Patrick F. , Davis James J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe laboratory identification of antibacterial resistance is a cornerstone of infectious disease medicine. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing has long been based on the growth response of organisms in pure culture to a defined concentration of antimicrobial agents. By comparing individual isolates to wild‐type susceptibility patterns, strains with acquired resistance can be identified. Acquired resistance can also be detected genetically. After many decades of research, the inventory of genes underlying antimicrobial resistance is well known for several pathogenic genera including zoonotic enteric organisms such as Salmonella and Campylobacter and continues to grow substantially for others. With the decline in costs for large scale DNA sequencing, it is now practicable to characterize bacteria using whole genome sequencing, including the carriage of resistance genes in individual microorganisms and those present in complex biological samples. With genomics, we can generate comprehensive, detailed information on the bacterium, the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, clues to its source, and the nature of mobile DNA elements by which resistance spreads. These developments point to a new paradigm for antimicrobial resistance detection and tracking for both clinical and public health purposes.
Fossoriality in a risky landscape: badger sett use varies with perceived wolf risk
Authors: Diserens T. A. , Bubnicki J. W. , Schutgens E. , Rokx K. , Kowalczyk R. , Kuijper D. P. J. , Churski M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMany medium‐sized carnivores are fossorial and use burrow systems to reduce predation risk or avoid predators. But fossorial species cannot stay safely underground forever, and they must also risk emerging overground, to forage and find mates. To make this trade‐off effectively and maximize their own fitness, it is imperative they assess how predation risk varies in space and time, and adapt their denning behaviour accordingly. We used European badger (Meles meles) burrows (setts) in Białowieża Forest, Poland as a model for investigating how the denning behaviour of a fossorial mesocarnivore varies across gradients of landscape scale perceived risk imposed by wolves (Canis lupus) and humans, defined as wolf space use and distance to settlements, respectively. We monitored seventeen setts with varying levels of perceived human and wolf risk with camera traps for two months to study three denning behaviours: frequency of badger sett use, frequency of badger sett sharing with other mesocarnivore species and badger emergence time. Frequency of sett use varied relative to perceived wolf but not human risk. Setts in the highest risk areas were used ca. 60% less often than those in the lowest perceived risk areas, and setts with juveniles were only present in areas of lower perceived risk. Food availability, quantified as earthworm abundance in an area of 2.1 km2 around setts, did not affect the frequency setts were used. Emergence time and frequency of sett sharing with other mesocarnivores, which have been proposed to be anti‐predator strategies, did not vary with either perceived risk factor. These results show fossorial species can adapt their use of burrows to the prevailing risk landscape and suggest burrows deserve more attention in studies on the ecological impacts of apex predators.
Bre1 and Ubp8 regulate H2B mono‐ubiquitination and the reversible yeast‐hyphae transition in Candida albicans
Authors: Zhu Wencheng , Fan Xueyi , Zhao Qun , Xu Yinxing , Wang Xiongjun , Chen Jiangye 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe reversible yeast‐hyphae transition of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is tightly linked to its pathogenicity. In this study, we show that histone H2B mono‐ubiquitination (H2Bub) at lysine 123 was maintained at a low level in the yeast state, whereas it increased significantly during yeast‐to‐hyphae transition and decreased when hyphae converted to yeast. The increased H2Bub level is correlated with activation of the hyphal program. H2B ubiquitination and deubiquitination are dynamically regulated by the E3 ligase Bre1 and the deubiquitinase Ubp8 during the reversible yeast‐hyphae transition. The functions of Bre1 and Ubp8 in hypha‐specific gene (HSG) regulation appears to be direct because both are recruited to the coding regions of HSGs during hyphal induction. The sequential recruitment of Bre1 and Ubp8 to HSGs coding regions is important for the initiation and maintenance of HSG expression. Additionally, Ubp8 contributes to the pathogenicity of C. albicans during early infection in a mouse model. Our study is the first to link H2B ubiquitination to the morphological plasticity and pathogenicity of the human fungal pathogen C. albicans and shed light on potential antifungal treatments.
Reflections on the lived experience of working with limited personal protective equipment during the COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Iheduru‐Anderson Kechi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has placed significant strain on United States’ health care and health care providers. While most Americans were sheltering in place, nurses headed to work. Many lacked adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), increasing the risk of becoming infected or infecting others. Some health care organizations were not transparent with their nurses; many nurses were gagged from speaking up about the conditions in their workplaces. This study used a descriptive phenomenological design to describe the lived experience of acute care nurses working with limited access to PPE during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Unstructured interviews were conducted with 28 acute care nurses via telephone, WebEx, and Zoom. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The major theme, emotional roller coaster, describes the varied intense emotions the nurses experienced during the early weeks of the pandemic, encompassing eight subthemes: scared and afraid, sense of isolation, anger, betrayal, overwhelmed and exhausted, grief, helpless and at a loss, and denial. Other themes include: self‐care, ‘hoping for the best’, ‘nurses are not invincible’, and ‘I feel lucky’. The high levels of stress and mental assault resulting from the COVID‐19 crisis call for early stress assessment of nurses and provision of psychological intervention to mitigate lasting psychological trauma.
Findings from a mixed‐methods pragmatic cluster trial evaluating the impact of ethics education interventions on residential care‐givers
Authors: Gallagher Ann , Peacock Matthew , Williams Emily , Zasada Magdalena , Cox Anna 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThere has been little previous research regarding the effectiveness of ethics education interventions for residential care‐givers. The Researching Interventions to Promote Ethics in social care project responded to the question: Which is the most effective ethics education intervention for care‐givers in residential social care? A pragmatic cluster trial explored the impact of three ethics education interventions for: (a) interactive face‐to‐face ethics teaching; (b) reflective ethics discussion groups; and (c) an immersive simulation experience. There was also a control arm (d). 144 trial participants were recruited from 39 residential care homes for older people in southern England. Change scores compared across intervention arms showed a significant reduction in work‐related moral stress in the teaching arm compared with control group (p = .03); there were no significant differences between control and intervention arms in change scores for moral sensitivity, interpersonal reactivity (empathy) or ethical leadership. Qualitative data themes were as follows: ethical care; care challenges; and ethical care inhibitors. Overall findings stimulate reflection on the value of three different ethics education interventions and the most appropriate means to evaluate their impact. Findings suggest the complexity and diverse nature of ethical competence in care. We suggest a way forward for research evaluating ethics education.
Resistance to human immunodeficiency virus infection: a rare but neglected state
Authors: Tamalet Catherine , Devaux Christian , Dubourg Gregory , Colson Philippe 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is well understood. In most individuals sexually exposed to HIV, the risk of becoming infected depends on the viral load and on sexual practices and gender. However, a low percentage of individuals who practice frequent unprotected sexual intercourse with HIV‐infected partners remain uninfected. Although the systematic study of these individuals has made it possible to identify HIV resistance factors including protective genetic patterns, such epidemiological situations remain paradoxical and not fully understood. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HIV‐free, unexposed blood donors are not equally susceptible to HIV infection; in addition, PBMCs from highly exposed seronegative individuals are generally resistant to infection by primary HIV clinical isolates. We review the literature on permissiveness of PBMCs from healthy blood donors and uninfected hyperexposed individuals to sustained infection and replication of HIV‐1 in vitro. In addition, we focus on recent evidence indicating that the gut microbiota may either contribute to natural resistance to or delay replication of HIV infected individuals.
Comparative proteomic analysis reveals novel potential virulence factors of Aeromonas veronii
Authors: Yang Bin‐Tong , Sun Yu‐Feng , Cao Li‐Nan , Raza Sayed Haidar Abbas , Zhou Jin‐Hua , Li Ya‐Nan , Sun Wu‐Wen , Wang Gui‐Qin , Shan Xiao‐Feng , Kang Yuan‐Huan , Qian Ai‐Dong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAeromonas veronii is an important zoonotic and aquatic pathogen. An increasing number of reports indicate that it has caused substantial economic losses in the aquaculture industry, in addition to threatening human health. However, little is known about its pathogenesis. Exploration of new virulence factors of A. veronii would be helpful for further understanding its pathogenesis. Hence, we comparatively analyzed the proteomes of virulent, attenuated, and avirulent strains of A. veronii using tandem mass tag (TMT) protein labeling and found numerous proteins either up‐ or downregulated in the virulent strain. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses showed that these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were involved mainly in pathways associated with bacterial chemotaxis and microbial metabolism in diverse environments. Furthermore, the expression levels of lysine decarboxylase, endoribonuclease, maltoporin, pullulanase, and aerolysin were positively correlated with the virulence of the strains, suggesting that their function may be closely related to the virulence of A. veronii. The results of qRT‐PCR and multiple reaction monitoring for some DEPs were consistent with the results of TMT protein labeling. These results suggest that these DEPs may be novel potential virulence factors and will help to further understand the pathogenesis of A. veronii.
Spherization of red blood cells and platelet margination in COPD patients
Authors: Zouaoui Boudjeltia Karim , Kotsalos Christos , de Sousa Daniel Ribeiro , Rousseau Alexandre , Lelubre Christophe , Sartenaer Olivier , Piagnerelli Michael , Dohet‐Eraly Jérôme , Dubois Frank , Tasiaux Nicole , Chopard Bastien , Van Meerhaeghe Alain 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRed blood cells (RBCs) in pathological situations undergo biochemical and conformational changes, leading to alterations in rheology involved in cardiovascular events. The shape of RBCs in volunteers and stable and exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients was analyzed. The effects of RBC spherization on platelet transport (displacement in the flow field caused by their interaction with RBCs) were studied in vitro and by numerical simulations. RBC spherization was observed in COPD patients compared with volunteers. In in vitro experiments at a shear rate of 100 s−1, treatment of RBCs with neuraminidase induced greater sphericity, which mainly affected platelet aggregates without changing aggregate size. At 400 s−1, neuraminidase treatment changes both the size of the aggregates and the number of platelet aggregates. Numerical simulations indicated that RBC spherization induces an increase of the platelet mean square displacement, which is traditionally linked to the platelet diffusion coefficient. RBCs of COPD patients are more spherical than healthy volunteers. Experimentally, RBC spherization induces increased platelet transport to the wall. Additional studies are needed to understand the link between the effect of RBCs on platelet transport and the increased cardiovascular events observed in COPD patients.
Abnormal dynamics of functional connectivity in first‐episode and treatment‐naive patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Liu Junhong , Li Xiaoming , Xue Kangkang , Chen Yuan , Wang Kaiyu , Niu Qihui , Li Youhui , Zhang Yong , Cheng Jingliang 
Published: October 2020

AimThe aim of this study was to assess the whole‐brain dynamic functional connectivity of first‐episode and treatment‐naive patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and to investigate the clinical correlations of abnormal changes in dynamic functional connectivity.MethodsTwenty‐nine patients in our hospital diagnosed with first‐episode OCD and 29 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and education were included in our study. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed on a 3.0‐Tesla magnetic resonance scanner in our hospital. Three temporal metrics of connectivity state expression were calculated: (i) fraction of time; (ii) mean dwell time; and (iii) number of transitions. The Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale was used to assess the severity of OCD symptoms.ResultsIn the comparison of dynamic functional connectivity indicators, we found that there were significant differences in the number of transitions among the four functional connectivity states but no significant differences in the fraction of time or the mean dwell time. The total Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale score was positively correlated with the number of transitions. In the validation analysis, when the size of the sliding window changed, there was still a significant difference in the number of transitions between OCD patients and healthy controls.ConclusionThe functional networks of OCD patients have lost the correct dynamic rhythm, which may be considered as a potential marker for OCD and for new directions for its intervention.
Coats plus syndrome (cerebroretinal microangiopathy with calcifications and cysts‐1): A case report
Authors: Morgado Francisca , Batista Mariana , Moreno Ana , Coutinho Inês 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe present a 6‐year‐old girl with skin hyperpigmentation, leukoplakia, and onychodystrophy, the classic mucocutaneous triad usually associated with dyskeratosis congenita. The patient also had premature graying of the hair, bone marrow failure, hepatitis, exudative retinopathy, osteopenia with multiple long bone fractures, and intracranial calcifications and brain cysts. Coats plus syndrome is a rare disease with a clinical and genetic overlap with dyskeratosis congenita. This disease is reviewed, with a focus on the pathogenesis of the genetic anomalies and its background as a telomere biology disorder.
PLACK syndrome resulting from a novel homozygous variant in CAST
Authors: Boggs Jennifer M. E. , Irvine Alan D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPLACK syndrome (OMIM 616295) is a form of generalized peeling skin syndrome (GPSS; OMIM 270300). It is an autosomal recessive genodermatosis caused by pathogenic mutations in CAST, which encodes calpastatin, an endogenous specific inhibitor of calpain, a calcium‐dependent cysteine protease. We present a 5‐year‐old girl diagnosed with PLACK syndrome with typical clinical features and homozygosity for a novel variant.
Depressive symptoms among mothers of children with psoriasis—A case‐control study
Authors: Żychowska Magdalena 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesChildhood psoriasis is known to have a negative impact on caregivers' quality of life (QoL). The prevalence of depression among caregivers of children with psoriasis has not been fully studied. The aim of this case‐control study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in mothers of children with psoriasis.MethodsSixty mothers caring for a child with psoriasis were identified. The control group consisted of 60 age‐ and gender‐matched children with nevi and their mothers. The severity of psoriasis was analyzed using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). The QoL of each child was evaluated using Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) or Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Mothers completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). BDI score of ≥10 points was considered to be indicative of depression.ResultsMothers of children suffering from psoriasis achieved significantly higher scores in the BDI questionnaire when compared to mothers in the control group (7.3 ± 6.91 points vs 2.75 ± 3.46 points, respectively; P = .000005). More mothers in the study group demonstrated depressive features on BDI compared to controls (n = 14 psoriasis and n = 3 control, respectively; P = .009). BDI score did not correlate with any of the child's scores including severity of the child's psoriasis and the impact of psoriasis on child's QoL.ConclusionsThe current study demonstrates high levels of depressive symptoms among mothers of children with psoriasis. Presence of emotional disturbances among caregivers should be taken into consideration in the integrated approach to childhood dermatological disorders.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, fibrosarcomatous variant: A rare tumor in children
Authors: Chicaud Matthieu , Frassati‐Biaggi Annonciade , Kaltenbach Sophie , Karanian Marie , Orbach Daniel , Fraitag Sylvie 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFibrosarcomatous transformation of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is associated with a significantly worse prognosis in adults, but is a very rare feature in the pediatric population. Here, we report a case that occurred in a child. The diagnosis of fibrosarcomatous transformation of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans was confirmed by a histopathological assessment and fluorescence in situ hybridization. A comparison with eleven other patients reported in the literature revealed that the local recurrence and mortality rates in children are similar to those observed in adults.