bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tinea corporis by Microsporum canis in mycological laboratory staff: Unexpected results of epidemiological investigation
Authors: Gnat Sebastian , Łagowski Dominik , Nowakiewicz Aneta , Zięba Przemysław 
Published: July 2018

SummaryMicrosporum canis is a zoophilic dermatophyte, which is very contagious, especially to cats and dogs. Asymptomatic animal carriers of M. canis are regarded a critical factor in the epidemiology of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological origin of M. canis isolates using morphological traits in combination with molecular analysis. Identification of dermatophyte strains was carried out by correlating the clinical manifestation of the infection with a micro‐ and macroscopic examination. To confirm the species affiliation fully, molecular differentiation methods were used. A positive result of the culture examination was obtained from the samples with arthrospores in the direct analysis, that is, from a symptomatic cat and humans, and from a cat without any signs of infection. The microsatellite‐primed PCR fingerprinting (MSP‐PCR) electro‐profiles were identical for all analysed strains. The melting profile‐PCR (MP‐PCR) electrophoregram indicated variability of the genomes of the strains. The search for the source of the infection indicated one cat that did not have any signs of dermatophytosis. PCR‐fingerprinting techniques are useful tools for epidemiological investigation of the origin of dermatophyte infection. These methods can also be used in many cases for species identification of dermatophytes and clarification of the relationships among varieties of a species.
Antigen B from Echinococcus granulosus is a novel ligand for C‐reactive protein
Authors: Silva‐Álvarez Valeria , Ramos Ana Lía , Folle Ana Maite , Lagos Sofía , Dee Valerie M. , Ferreira Ana M. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryAntigen B (EgAgB) is a phosphatidylcholine (PC)‐rich lipoprotein of Echinococcus granulosus s.l. larva, potentially capable of modulating the activation of various myeloid cells, including macrophages. As C‐reactive protein (CRP) can act as an innate receptor with ability to bind the phosphocholine moiety of PC in lipoproteins, we investigated whether EgAgB and CRP could interact during cystic echinococcosis infection (CE), and how CRP binding could affect the modulation activities exerted by EgAgB on macrophages. To that end, we firstly investigated the occurrence of CRP induction during human CE. We found that 61% of CE patients, but none of healthy donors, exhibited serum CRP levels higher than 10 mg/mL, suggesting that CRP can be induced during the chronic phase of CE. Furthermore, human CRP was capable of binding specifically to EgAgB with high affinity (0.6 ± 0.1 nM); this binding was Ca2+‐dependent and involved the phosphocholine moiety of PC, but not EgAgB8/1, EgAgB8/2 or EgAgB8/3 apolipoproteins. Finally, CRP presence altered the modulation exerted by EgAgB on the cytokine response of LPS‐activated macrophages. Overall, our results suggest that CRP presence during CE may contribute to a complex scenario of interactions between EgAgB and myeloid cells, influencing the cytokine response induced during macrophage activation.
Volatiles of rhizobacteria Serratia and Stenotrophomonas alter growth and metabolite composition of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wenke K. , Kopka J. , Schwachtje J. , van Dongen J. T. , Piechulla B. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

The emission of volatiles is a common, but mostly neglected, ability of bacteria that is important for inter‐ and intraspecific interactions. Currently, limited information is available on how the bacterial volatile (mVOC) signal is integrated into a plant's life at the physiological, transcriptional and metabolic level. Previous results provided evidence for volatile‐dependent regulation of WRKY18, a pathogen‐responsive transcription factor of Arabidopsis thaliana in co‐culture with two rhizobacteria, Serratia plymuthica HRO‐C48 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia R3089.

Dual cultures of these bacteria and A. thaliana; application of the common mVOC 2‐phenyl‐ethanol; extraction of metabolites of A. thaliana after exposure to bacterial volatiles; and analysis of the metabolomes (GC‐TOF/MS) were carried out.

The prominent microbial aromatic compound 2‐phenyl‐ethanol, emitted by both bacteria, negatively affects growth of A. thaliana wild type, whereas WRKY18 T‐DNA insertion mutants were significantly more tolerant than wild‐type seedlings. This paper also demonstrates for the first time the impact of the rhizobacterial volatiles on the metabolome of A. thaliana. Upon mVOC exposure the plants rearrange their metabolism by accumulation of e.g. amino acids and TCA intermediates that potentially allow plants to cope with and survive this stress.

Our findings illustrate the high degree of complexity of metabolic rearrangements underlying the interactions of bacterial volatile elicitors and resulting plant responses. Furthermore, the impact of the volatile 2‐phenyl‐ethanol as a signal in the WRKY18‐dependent pathway highlights this compound as an important molecular player.
Antibacterial activity of fosetyl‐Al, ethyl‐phosphite and phosphite against Pseudomonas syringae on plant surfaces and in vitro
Authors: Bultreys A. , Gheysen I. , Rousseau G. , Pitchugina E. , Planchon V. , Magein H. 
Published: July 2018

Fosetyl‐Al (the aluminium salt of ethyl‐phosphite) is an acid product used to fight oomycete diseases and sometimes used against bacterial diseases, but its antibacterial mode of action is largely unknown. Therefore, the direct effects of fosetyl‐Al and neutralized fosetyl‐Al on the colonization of leaf surfaces by Pseudomonas syringae were compared. Control of colonization was highest and almost complete in acidic conditions (99.7%), showing the importance of acidity for maximal antibacterial efficacy on plant surfaces. However, the high inhibition obtained with neutralized fosetyl‐Al (88.9%) suggested another direct effect. Therefore, it was investigated in vitro whether ethyl‐phosphite has antibacterial activity, possibly related to its phosphite content. Inhibition of P. syringae growth by ethyl‐phosphite was observed and influenced by the carbon source and by phosphate. Growth inhibition reached 83.1% in unshaken conditions in a phosphate‐depleted glucose medium. Phosphite drastically increased the effects and induced up to 99.7% growth inhibition. Mass spectrometric analysis indicated that P. syringae hydrolysed ethyl‐phosphite to phosphite using a cell‐linked phosphatase activity. Specific phosphite toxicity was observed in phosphate‐sufficient succinate media and phosphite‐induced phosphorus starvation was observed in phosphate‐depleted glucose media, indicating that ethyl‐phosphite and phosphite have direct environmental impacts on bacteria. Phosphite toxicity for P. syringae probably occurred in the phyllosphere. The study indicates the potential and limitations of fosetyl‐Al as a direct antibacterial product and helps in understanding the fosetyl‐Al control of flower bud blast in pear. It raises the prospect of using phosphite in plant bacterial disease control.
On the Ranking of Test Match Batsmen
Authors: Boys Richard J. , Philipson Peter M. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryRanking sportsmen whose careers took place in different eras is often a contentious issue and the topic of much debate. We focus on cricket and examine what conclusions may be drawn about the ranking of test batsmen by using data on batting scores from the first test in 1877 onwards. The overlapping nature of playing careers is exploited to form a bridge from past to present so that all players can be compared simultaneously, rather than just relative to their contemporaries. The natural variation in runs scored by a batsman is modelled by an additive log-linear model with year, age and cricket-specific components used to extract the innate ability of an individual cricketer. Incomplete innings are handled via censoring and a zero-inflated component is incorporated in the model to allow for an excess of frailty at the start of an innings. The innings-by-innings variation of runs scored by each batsman leads to uncertainty in their ranking position. A Bayesian approach is used to fit the model and realizations from the posterior distribution are obtained by deploying a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. Posterior summaries of innate player ability are then used to assess uncertainty in ranking position and this is contrasted with rankings determined via the posterior mean runs scored. Posterior predictive checks show that the model provides a reasonably accurate description of runs scored.
Does normalization of voluntary EMG amplitude to MMAX account for the influence of electrode location and adiposity?
Authors: Lanza Marcel B. , Balshaw Thomas G. , Massey Garry J. , Folland Jonathan P. 
Published: July 2018

Voluntary surface electromyography (sEMG) amplitude is known to be influenced by both electrode position and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, and these factors likely compromise both between‐ and within‐individual comparisons. Normalization of voluntary sEMG amplitude to evoked maximum M‐wave parameters (MMAX peak‐to‐peak [P‐P] and Area) may remove the influence of electrode position and subcutaneous tissue thickness. The purpose of this study was to: (a) assess the influence of electrode position on voluntary, evoked (MMAX P‐P and Area), and normalized sEMG measurements across the surface of the vastus lateralis (VL; experiment 1: n = 10); and (b) investigate if MMAX normalization removes the confounding influence of subcutaneous tissue thickness [muscle‐electrode distance (MED) from ultrasound imaging] on sEMG amplitude (experiment 2; n = 41). Healthy young men performed maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) and evoked twitch contractions during both experiments. Experiment 1: voluntary sEMG during MVCs was influenced by electrode location (P ≤ 0.046, ES≥1.49 “large”), but when normalized to MMAX P‐P showed no differences between VL sites (P = 0.929) which was not the case when normalized to MMAX Area (P < 0.004). Experiment 2: voluntary sEMG amplitude was related to MED, which explained 31%‐38% of the variance. Normalization of voluntary sEMG amplitude to MMAX P‐P or MMAX Area reduced but did not consistently remove the influence of MED which still explained up to 16% (MMAX P‐P) and 23% (MMAX Area) of the variance. In conclusion, MMAX P‐P was the better normalization parameter for removing the influence of electrode location and substantially reduced but did not consistently remove the influence of subcutaneous adiposity.
Noninvasive profiling of sweat‐derived lipid mediators for cutaneous research
Authors: Agrawal Karan , Sivamani Raja K. , Newman John W. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackground and objectiveRecent increases in the use of noninvasive matrices for biomedical analysis has led to interest in the evaluation of sweat for both clinical and research applications. However, despite being one of the two main cutaneous secretions, until very recently, only one study actually analyzed sweat in the context of cutaneous disease. This review attempts to make the case for increased use of sweat in cutaneous research, and discusses lipid mediators as potential analytical targets in sweat.MethodsSweat composition and its relationship with the skin and systemic circulation are discussed, as are practical considerations for sweat sampling and analysis. Previous analyses of lipid mediators in skin biopsies are provided to show that lipid mediators can regulate cutaneous processes and disease pathways. Summaries of recent studies involving the analysis of sweat lipid mediators are provided to demonstrate the utility of sweat lipid mediator testing to support future cutaneous research studies.ResultsSweat has the potential to reflect both local and systemic biochemical changes in response to disease or intervention, and two recent studies of sweat lipid mediators confirm this ability. Additionally, sweat lipid mediators appear to be temporally stable with individual variability comparable to other matrices, suggesting that these analytes could be useful biomarkers.ConclusionsSweat metabolites may be capable of reporting changes in cutaneous biochemical pathways, thereby providing insight into the immunomodulatory biochemistry of the skin. Lipid mediator analysis of sweat appears to be a non invasive approach that could enhance existing cutaneous research and diagnostic methodologies.
Detecting and quantifying activity/inflammation in localized scleroderma with thermal imaging
Authors: Ranosz‐Janicka I. , Lis‐Święty A. , Skrzypek‐Salamon A. , Brzezińska‐Wcisło L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe disease phase in localized scleroderma (LoS) is commonly assessed by clinical investigation using the LoS cutaneous assessment tool (LoSCAT). There is a need for more objective methods for assessing the degree of activity/inflammation in LoS. The aim of our work was to evaluate the correlation between severity of the LoS lesions scored using LoSCAT and the degree of hyperthermia observed with infrared thermography (IRT).Materials and methodsThe LoS lesions were examined using the LoSCAT and IRT independently by two examiners. The average temperature (Tavg) of the LoS lesional dermis were measured in the area of each lesion with the highest score for erythema (ER), skin thickness (ST), dermal atrophy (DAT) and subcutaneous atrophy (SAT). Measurements were compared to the contralateral healthy skin. The difference of the Tavg (ΔTavg) was calculated between each lesion and its normal control.ResultsOne hundred and four LoS lesions were examined in 40 adults. Thirty‐one lesions were erythematous, 26 were sclerotic, 35 presented as atrophy of the dermis and 11 as atrophy of the subcutaneous tissue. The sensitivity and specificity of IRT for detecting activity/inflammation were 80.7% and 86.3%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 71%, negative predictive value 91%. Statistically significant positive correlation was found between the ΔTavg and the clinical ER and DAT scores.ConclusionIRT may be a useful method for assessing erythematous LoS lesions and quantifying the degree of activity/inflammation. Knowing the patient, false positive results attributable to more severe degree of skin and subcutaneous fat atrophy can be easily recognized.
Recent advancement in the early detection of melanoma using computerized tools: An image analysis perspective
Authors: Singh Nivedita , Gupta Shailendra K. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe paper reviews the advancement of tools and current technologies for the detection of melanoma. We discussed several computational strategies from pre‐ to postprocessing image operations, descriptors, and popular classifiers to diagnose a suspected skin lesion based on its virtual similarity to the malignant lesion with known histopathology. We reviewed the current state of smart phone‐based apps as diagnostic tools for screening.MethodsA literature survey was conducted using a combination of keywords in the bibliographic databases: PubMed, AJCC, PH2, EDRA, and ISIC melanoma project. A number of melanoma detection apps were downloaded for two major mobile operating systems, iOS and Android; their important uses, key challenges, and various expert opinions were evaluated and also discussed.ResultsWe have provided an overview of research on the computer‐aided diagnosis methods to estimate melanoma risk and early screening. Dermoscopic images are the most viable option for the advent of new image processing technologies based on which many of the skin cancer detection apps are being developed recently. We have categorized and explored their potential uses, evaluation criteria, limitations, and other details.ConclusionSuch advancements are helpful in the sense they are raising awareness. Diagnostic accuracy is the major issue of smart phone‐based apps and it cannot replace an adequate clinical experience and biopsy procedures.
Dapsone safety in hematology patients: Pathways to optimizing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis in hematology malignancy and transplant recipients
Authors: Urbancic Karen F. , Pisasale Daisy , Wight Joel , Trubiano Jason A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDapsone may be used for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis in hematology patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy or after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in the setting of trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX) adverse drug reaction (ADR) history. Dapsone‐induced hematological toxicities such as oxidative hemolysis may limit use in these patients and modern assessments of dapsone allergy cross‐reactivity in non‐HIV patients with a sulfonamide allergy are largely absent. The aim of this single‐centre, retrospective study was to describe dapsone usage in hematology patients requiring PJP prophylaxis, including HSCT recipients, over a 12‐month period in terms of indications, incidence of dapsone‐attributed oxidative hemolysis, and immune cross‐reactivity in those previously labeled with a sulfonamide allergy, as well as describing potential opportunities for first‐line TMP‐SMX PJP prophylaxis reintroduction. Of 24 patients meeting the study inclusion criteria, 12 (50%) were receiving dapsone PJP prophylaxis post‐HSCT. No cases of breakthrough PJP infection were noted. Sixteen patients (67%) were initiated on dapsone to avoid the perceived risk of further myelosuppression with TMP‐SMX and five patients (21%) because of prior delayed immune‐mediated allergy to TMP‐SMX. None experienced rash with dapsone therapy. Six patients (25%) were successfully rechallenged on TMP‐SMX, including one patient with prior TMP‐SMX‐associated rash. Four (17%) patients had confirmed oxidative hemolysis, all resulting in dapsone cessation. Dapsone PJP prophylaxis in hematology patients was effective and safe, with nonlife threatening dapsone‐related hemolysis noted in a small number. An absence of sulfonamide allergy cross‐reactivity was noted, suggesting greater TMP‐SMX rechallenges or desensitization could be considered in those receiving dapsone.
The transgender population: improving awareness for gynaecologists and their role in the provision of care
Authors: Price Suzanne , McManus Joanne , Barrett James 
Published: July 2018

Key content

The UK's transgender and non‐binary population is expanding, and this is reflected in the annual number of referrals to gender identity clinics.

Gender identity clinics offer a wide range of care to transgender patients, including hormone treatment and gender reassignment surgery; however, increased demand has led to long waiting times for these clinics.

All transgender patients who wish to transition should be offered a fertility consultation to explore their options, which may involve fertility preservation such as sperm or oocyte cryopreservation.

Gynaecologists form a part of the multidisciplinary team who engage with transgender and non‐binary patients, either as part of the transition stage performing surgery or managing pre‐ or post‐transition gynaecological problems.

Gynaecologists should be aware of the potential barriers to health care often faced by transgender patients, and how the way in which patients are addressed during a consultation can improve their experience within the healthcare system.

Learning objectives

To provide clinicians with an understanding of what transitioning entails for transgender and non‐binary patients, and the multidisciplinary input they receive during this process.

To improve clinicians’ understanding of when transgender and non‐binary patients may access gynaecological services.

To ensure that affirmative language and communication is used when interacting with transgender and non‐binary patients to strengthen patient encounters in a progressive and positive manner.
Characterization of filament‐forming CTP synthases from Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Daumann Manuel , Hickl Daniel , Zimmer David , DeTar Rachael A. , Kunz Hans‐Henning , Möhlmann Torsten 
Published: July 2018

SummaryCytidine triphosphate (CTP) is essential for DNA, RNA and phospholipid biosynthesis. De novo synthesis is catalyzed by CTP synthases (CTPS). Arabidopsis encodes five CTPS isoforms that unanimously share conserved motifs found across kingdoms, suggesting all five are functional enzymes. Whereas CTPS1–4 are expressed throughout Arabidopsis tissues, CTPS5 reveals exclusive expression in developing embryos. CTPS activity and substrates affinities were determined for a representative plant enzyme on purified recombinant CTPS3 protein. As demonstrated in model organisms such as yeast, fruit fly and mammals, CTPS show the capacity to assemble into large filaments called cytoophidia. Transient expression of N‐ and C‐terminal YFP‐CTPS fusion proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana allowed to monitor such filament formation. Interestingly, CTPS1 and 2 always appeared as soluble proteins, whereas filaments were observed for CTPS3, 4 and 5 independent of the YFP‐tag location. However, when similar constructs were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, no filaments were observed, pointing to a requirement for organism‐specific factors in vivo. Indications for filament assembly were also obtained in vitro when recombinant CTPS3 protein was incubated in the presence of CTP. T‐DNA‐insertion mutants in four CTPS loci revealed no apparent phenotypical alteration. In contrast, CTPS2 T‐DNA‐insertion mutants did not produce homozygous progenies. An initial characterization of the CTPS protein family members from Arabidopsis is presented. We provide evidence for their involvement in nucleotide de novo synthesis and show that only three of the five CTPS isoforms were able to form filamentous structures in the transient tobacco expression system. This represents a striking difference from previous observations in prokaryotes, yeast, Drosophila and mammalian cells. This finding will be highly valuable to further understand the role of filament formation to regulate CTPS activity.
Natural genetic variation shapes root system responses to phytohormones in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ristova Daniela , Giovannetti Marco , Metesch Kristina , Busch Wolfgang 
Published: July 2018

SUMMARYPlants adjust their architecture by modulating organ growth. This ability is largely dependent on phytohormones. While responses to phytohormones have been studied extensively, it remains unclear to which extent and how these responses are modulated in non‐reference strains. Here, we assess variation of root traits upon treatment with auxin, cytokinin and abscisic acid (ABA) in 192 Arabidopsis accessions. We identify common response patterns, uncover the extent of their modulation by specific genotypes, and find that the Col‐0 reference accession is not a good representative of the species in this regard. We conduct genome‐wide association studies and identify 114 significant associations, most of them relating to ABA treatment. The numerous ABA candidate genes are not enriched for known ABA‐associated genes, indicating that we largely uncovered unknown players. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive view of the diversity of hormone responses in the Arabidopsis thaliana species, and shows that variation of genes that are yet mostly not associated with such a role to determine natural variation of the response to phytohormones.