bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of skin autofluorescence, a marker of tissue advanced glycation end‐products in peritoneal dialysis patients using standard and biocompatible glucose containing peritoneal dialysates
Authors: Vongsanim Surachet , Fan Stanley , Davenport Andrew 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTBackgroundHeat sterilization of peritoneal dialysis (PD) dialysates leads to the generation of advanced glycation products (AGE), which can then deposit in the skin and be measured by skin autofluorescence (SAF). Newer biocompatible dual chamber dialysates contain less AGE. We wished to determine whether the use of these newer dialysates resulted in lower SAF.MethodsSkin autofluorescence was measured using the AGE reader, which directs ultraviolet light, intensity range 300–420 nm (peak 370 nm) in patients established on PD for >3 months using glucose containing dialysates.ResultsWe screened 196 consecutive patients, and measured SAF in 150; 86 (57.3%) male, median age 62 (53–71) years, median duration of PD treatment 17 (8.6–34.3) months. The median SAF was 3.48 (2.92–4.26) AU.The median SAF in the 57 (38%) patients prescribed biocompatible dual chamber bag dialysates was 3.39 (2.69–3.98) versus 3.5 (3.05–4.54) for those using standard dialysates (P = 0.044). Although prescription of biocompatible fluids was associated with SAF on univariate analysis, but not on multivariable testing, SAF was independently associated with Stoke–Davies co‐morbidity grade (β 0.045, 95% confidence limits (CL) 0.015–0.075, P = 0.002), log duration of PD therapy (β 0.051, CL 0.001–0.101, P = 0.045), white ethnicity (β 0.066, CL 0.028–0.104, P = 0.001), and negatively with serum albumin (β −0.006, CL −0.008 to −0.004, P = 0.014).ConclusionAlthough SAF was lower in PD patients prescribed biocompatible dual chamber dialysates, on multivariable testing these dialysates were not independently associated with SAF. Other factors than PD fluid AGE content appear more important in determining SAF.
Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation synchronized with inspiration improves gastric accommodation impaired by cold stress in healthy subjects
Authors: Ma Gang , Hu Pingping , Zhang Bo , Xu Feng , Yin Jieyun , Yang Xiaozhong , Lin Lin , Chen Jiande D. Z. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate whether transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) synchronized with inspiration (STEA), a method known to enhance vagal activity, was more effective than TEA in improving cold stress‐induced impairment in gastric accommodation (GA) and dyspeptic symptoms in healthy subjects.MethodsEach of fifteen healthy subjects was studied in five randomized sessions: control (warm nutrient liquid), cold nutrient liquid (CNL), CNL+sham‐TEA, CNL+TEA, and CNL+STEA. The subjects were requested to drink Ensure until reaching maximum satiety. STEA was performed using the same parameters as TEA but asking the subjects to breathe in when they sensed each stimulation train. The electrogastrogram (EGG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded to assess gastric slow waves (GSW) and autonomic functions, respectively.Key ResultsGA was reduced with the CNL in comparison with the warm drink but increased with TEA and STEA; STEA was more potent than TEA in improving GA; STEA was more potent in improving GSW than TEA; STEA significantly increased vagal activity and decreased sympathetic activity compared with TEA.Conclusions and InferencesTEA synchronized with inspiration is more potent than TEA in improving cold stress‐induced impairment in GA and GSW and dyspeptic symptoms and might be a novel noninvasive therapy for treating stress‐induced dysmotility and dyspeptic symptoms.
A retrospective study of the impact of supraglottic airway devices on the appearance of neck masses in children undergoing serial magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Simpao Allan F. , Obsekov Vladislav , Gálvez Jorge A. , Isserman Rebecca S. , Rehman Mohamed A. , Schwartz Erin S. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryBackgroundGeneral anesthesia and sedation are used routinely for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in children to optimize image quality. Airway devices such as supraglottic airways (SGAs) can alter the appearance of cervical soft tissue regions on an MRI and increase the risk of misdiagnosis. This phenomenon has not been well described in vivo.AimsWe conducted this retrospective study to determine how often SGAs affected the appearance of neck masses in children who received multiple anesthetics for MRIs with and without an SGA.MethodsWe retrieved data on children 17 years old and younger who had multiple MRIs between January 2005 and January 2015. Inclusion criteria were patients with neck masses who had a SGA for at least one MRI and either a natural airway or endotracheal tube (ETT) for another MRI. We reviewed MRI images and imaging reports to determine if SGAs affected the appearance of neck masses.ResultsTwelve of the 921 patients who received anesthesia for neck MRIs during the study period met the inclusion criteria. SGAs affected the appearance of the neck mass in 11 of the 12 patients.ConclusionsSupraglottic airways can significantly alter the appearance of neck masses in children undergoing MRIs and affect radiologists’ ability to assess those masses. Communication with the radiologist prior to the induction of anesthesia is crucial when using supraglottic devices in this patient population. It may be more prudent to use a different airway device and/or anesthetic technique when MRIs of these neck masses are undertaken.
Suicide Exposure in Law Enforcement Officers
Authors: Cerel Julie , Jones Blake , Brown Melissa , Weisenhorn David A. , Patel Kyra 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveTo examine occupational and personal suicide exposure among Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) and related mental health outcomes.MethodsLaw Enforcement Officers (N = 813) completed an online survey about their suicide exposure, whether scenes stayed with them, and current symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation.ResultsAlmost all participants (95%) had responded to at least one suicide scene with an average of 30.90 (SD = 57.28) career suicide scenes and 2.17 in the last year (SD = 4.11). One in five (22%) reported a scene that they cannot shake or have nightmares about, and 42.5% reported one scene that stayed with them. Almost three fourths (73.4%) knew someone personally who had died by suicide. There was a significant association between high levels of occupational exposure to suicide and behavioral health consequences including PTSD, persistent thoughts of a suicide scene, and the inability to shake a scene. The inability to shake a scene and having a scene stick with them was associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation.ConclusionsLEOs experience a tremendous amount of exposure to suicide scenes and also have personal exposure. There is a need for training to mitigate the effect of these multiple traumas on their mental health.
Multilingualism and theories of second language acquisition in Africa
Authors: Bokamba Eyamba G. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis article analyzes Multiple Language Acquisition (MLA) and functioning in Africa as a case study of multilingualism. It interrogates central aspects of the dominant L2 acquisition (SLA) paradigm that is predicated primarily on mother tongue (L1) monolingualism, and presents data that document high levels of individual multilingualism (3–8 languages), and the achievement of native to near‐native proficiency in three to five of them. The article draws upon these findings to critique key tenets of SLA theories, focusing on the ‘Critical Period Hypothesis’ (CPH) and its extension to the acquisition of additional languages beyond L1; its use as an explanatory tool for the development of the so‐called ‘interlanguage’ grammars by learners; and their failure to achieve the ‘ultimate attainment’ in L2, L3, and Ln. It is argued that CPH is inapplicable to L2, L3, and Ln, because it fails to predict native‐like proficiency beyond L1. It concludes by offering an explanation for the achievement of ‘native‐like’ proficiency in several languages by post‐pubescent Africans.
Treatment of Histoplasmosis with MK-991 (L-743,872)
Authors: Graybill John R. , Najvar Laura K. , Montalbo Eleanor M. , Barchiesi Francesco J. , Luther Michael F. , Rinaldi Michael G. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

BALB/c
nu
/+ immunocompetent and athymic (
nu/nu
) mice were infected intravenously with yeast cells of
Histoplasma capsulatum
. Mice were either given water (controls) intraperitoneally (i.p.) or given MK-991 i.p. once daily or twice daily. Protection was measured as prolonged survival or reduction in tissue counts. MK-991 was protective in immunocompetent mice, prolonging survival and reducing counts in spleen and livers at a dose as low as 0.05 mg/kg of body weight/day. MK-991 was modestly effective in athymic mice at a higher dose, 5 mg/kg/day. These studies suggest that MK-991 may be appropriate for clinical development in histoplasmosis.
Interaction of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and
Moraxella catarrhalis
: Investigation of the Indirect Pathogenic Role of β-Lactamase-Producing Moraxellae by Use of a Continuous-Culture Biofilm System
Authors: Budhani R. K. , Struthers J. K. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

The majority of clinical isolates of
Moraxella catarrhalis
produce β-lactamase. The role of this enzyme in the phenomenon of indirect pathogenicity, in which a true pathogen such as
Streptococcus pneumoniae
is protected from the action of certain β-lactam antibiotics, is well recognized. By using a simple continuous-culture biofilm system, it has been shown that the pneumococcus attains high titers in excess of 10
12
CFU/biofilm; furthermore, the penicillin-sensitive pneumococcus used remained susceptible to a range of β-lactam antibiotics in these biofilms (R. K. Budhani and J. K. Struthers, J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 40:601–602, 1997). This system was used to characterize the antibiotic susceptibility of this isolate when grown with β-lactamase-negative or -positive moraxellae. When grown with β-lactamase-producing moraxellae in the presence of either benzylpenicillin or amoxicillin, the pneumococcus was protected in the range of the antibiotic concentrations to which it would be considered resistant. With amoxicillin-clavulanic acid the titers of the two organisms collapsed at the antibiotic concentration at which moraxellae became susceptible. The levels of β-lactamase activity in cell-free supernatants of broth culture, in biofilm, and in biofilm effluent revealed distinct differences in this activity; levels in biofilm were significantly lower than those in broth culture supernatants. The system appears suitable for studying organisms under antibiotic stress and for investigating the interactions of bacteria under such conditions.
Identification and Characterization of Novel Antimicrobial Decapeptides Generated by Combinatorial Chemistry
Authors: Hong Sung Yu , Oh Jong Eun , Kwon Mi yun , Choi Myeong Jun , Lee Ji Hye , Lee Bok Luel , Moon Hong Mo , Lee Keun Hyeung 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

Novel combinatorial libraries consisting of simplified amino acid sequences were designed to screen for peptides active against the
Candida albicans
membrane. A novel decapeptide, KKVVFKVKFK, that had a unique primary amino acid sequence was identified in this work. This peptide irreversibly inhibited the growth of
C. albicans
and showed a broad range of antibacterial activity but no hemolytic activity. Circular dichroism spectra revealed that the predominant secondary structure of this peptide strongly depended on the membrane-mimetic environments; the peptide preferred to form an amphipathic α-helical structure in the presence of 50% trifluoroethanol, while it preferred to adopt a distorted α-helical structure in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. Experiments in which dye was released from vesicles indicated that this novel antimicrobial peptide killed microorganisms through the action on the membrane as its primary target. Replacement of amino acids in this active decapeptide on the basis of information from the libraries could provide unique information about factors affecting its antimicrobial activity such as its secondary structure, net positive charge, and hydrophobicity.
An
Escherichia coli
System Expressing Human Deoxyribonucleoside Salvage Enzymes for Evaluation of Potential Antiproliferative Nucleoside Analogs
Authors: Wang Jianghai , Neuhard Jan , Eriksson Staffan 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

Deoxyribonucleoside salvage in animal cells is mainly dependent on two cytosolic enzymes, thymidine kinase (TK1) and deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), while
Escherichia coli
expresses only one type of deoxynucleoside kinase, i.e., TK. A bacterial whole-cell system based on genetically modified
E. coli
was developed in which the relevant bacterial deoxypyrimidine metabolic enzymes were mutated, and the cDNA for human dCK or TK1 under the control of the
lac
promoter was introduced. The TK level in extract from induced bacteria with cDNA for human TK1 was found to be 20,000-fold higher than that in the parental strain, and for the strain with human dCK, the enzyme activity was 160-fold higher. The in vivo incorporation of deoxythymidine (Thd) and deoxycytidine (dCyd) into bacterial DNA by the two recombinant strains was 20 and 40 times higher, respectively, than that of the parental cells. A number of nucleoside analogs, including cytosine arabinoside, 5-fluoro-dCyd, difluoro-dCyd, and several 5-halogenated deoxyuridine analogs, were tested with the bacterial system, as well as with human T-lymphoblast CEM cells. The results showed a close correlation between the inhibitory effects of several important cytostatic and antiviral analogs on the recombinant bacteria and the cellular system. Thus,
E. coli
expressing human salvage kinases is a rapid and convenient model system which may complement other screening methods in drug discovery projects.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
in China and Comparison of MICs by Agar Dilution and E-Test Methods
Authors: Wang Hui , Huebner Robin , Chen Minjun , Klugman Keith 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

Beta-lactam resistance by
Streptococcus pneumoniae
is becoming a significant threat to public health worldwide. However, data concerning antibiotic susceptibility patterns in China have not been published. In this study, a total of 79 clinical isolates and 244 nasopharyngeal isolates of
S. pneumoniae
were recovered between June and November 1997 in Beijing. The agreement between the MICs (±1 log
2
dilution) of penicillin and ceftriaxone obtained by the agar dilution and E-test methods for the 79 clinical strains was very good (97.5 and 93.7%, respectively). Of these 79 strains, 9 (11.4%) were intermediate and 2 (2.5%) were resistant to penicillin. Of the 244 nasopharyngeal strains, 32 (13.1%) were intermediate and 3 (1.2%) were resistant to penicillin. The total of 277 penicillin-susceptible clinical and nasopharyngeal isolates of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
were 100% susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, and cefotaxime. In the 35 penicillin-intermediate and -resistant nasopharyngeal strains, elevated MICs of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, and cefotaxime were seen for ≤4 isolates. Of 244 nasopharyngeal isolates, the overall percentages of tetracycline, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, ofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance were 87.6, 74.0, 47.8, 3.7 and 63.3, respectively. Vancomycin and rifampin resistance were not detected. These findings demonstrate that the rate of penicillin-resistant pneumococci is relatively low in China compared to those of other Asian countries. Resistance to non-beta-lactams was much higher than to beta-lactams. The E-test and agar dilution methods appeared to be comparable in identifying resistant strains.
Development of a New Cartridge Radioimmunoassay for Determination of Intracellular Levels of Lamivudine Triphosphate in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients
Authors: Robbins Brian L. , Tran Thu T. , Pinkerton Frank H. , Akeb Fatima , Guedj Roger , Grassi Jacques , Lancaster Danny , Fridland Arnold 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

A new sensitive method for the measurement of lamivudine triphosphate (3TC-TP), the active intracellular metabolite of lamivudine in human cells in vivo, has been established. The procedure involves rapid separation of 3TC-TP by using Sep-Pak cartridges, dephosphorylation to 3TC by using acid phosphatase, and measurement by radioimmunoassay using a newly developed anti-3TC serum. The radioimmunoassay had errors of less than 21% and a cross-reactivity of less than 0.016% with a wide variety of other nucleoside analogs. The limit of quantitation of the assay for intracellular 3TC-TP was 0.195 ng/ml (0.212 pmol/10
6
cells), and a cell sample of only 4 million cells was ample for the assay. This procedure, combined with our previously developed method for measuring zidovudine (ZDV) metabolite levels, proved capable of measuring 3TC-TP, ZDV monophosphate (ZDV-MP) and ZDV triphosphate (ZDV-TP) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects treated with combination 3TC and ZDV therapy. In seven subjects, intracellular 3TC-TP levels ranged from 2.21 to 7.29 pmol/10
6
cells, while intracellular ZDV-MP and ZDV-TP levels ranged from <0.01 to 1.76 and 0.01 to 0.07 pmol/10
6
cells, respectively. Concentrations of 3TC in plasma determined in these subjects ranged from 0.34 to 9.40 μM, which was about fivefold higher than ZDV levels in plasma of 0.04 to 1.4 μM. This is the first study to determine the intracellular levels of the active metabolites in HIV-infected subjects treated with this combination. These methods should prove very useful for in vivo pharmacodynamic studies of combination therapy.
A New Approach to In Vitro Comparisons of Antibiotics in Dynamic Models: Equivalent Area under the Curve/MIC Breakpoints and Equiefficient Doses of Trovafloxacin and Ciprofloxacin against Bacteria of Similar Susceptibilities
Authors: Firsov Alexander A. , Vostrov Sergey N. , Shevchenko Alexander A. , Portnoy Yury A. , Zinner Stephen H. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

Time-kill studies, even those performed with in vitro dynamic models, often do not provide definitive comparisons of different antimicrobial agents. Also, they do not allow determinations of equiefficient doses or predictions of area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/MIC breakpoints that might be related to antimicrobial effects (AMEs). In the present study, a wide range of single doses of trovafloxacin (TR) and twice-daily doses of ciprofloxacin (CI) were mimicked in an in vitro dynamic model. The AMEs of TR and CI against gram-negative bacteria with similar susceptibilities to both drugs were related to AUC/MICs that varied over similar eight-fold ranges [from 54 to 432 and from 59 to 473 (μg · h/ml)/(μg/ml), respectively]. The observation periods were designed to include complete bacterial regrowth, and the AME was expressed by its intensity (the area between the control growth in the absence of antibiotics and the antibiotic-induced time-kill and regrowth curves up to the point where viable counts of regrowing bacteria equal those achieved in the absence of drug [
I
E
]). In each experiment monoexponential pharmacokinetic profiles of TR and CI were simulated with half-lives of 9.2 and 4.0 h, respectively. Linear relationships between
I
E
and log AUC/MIC were established for TR and CI against three bacteria:
Escherichia coli
(MIC of TR [MIC
TR
] = 0.25 μg/ml; MIC of CI [MIC
CI
] = 0.12 μg/ml),
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(MIC
TR
= 0.3 μg/ml; MIC
CI
= 0.15 μg/ml), and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(MIC
TR
= 0.25 μg/ml; MIC
CI
= 0.12 μg/ml). The slopes and intercepts of these relationships differed for TR and CI, and the
I
E
-log AUC/MIC plots were not superimposed, although they were similar for all bacteria with a given antibiotic. By using the relationships between
I
E
and log AUC/MIC, TR was more efficient than CI. The predicted value of the AUC/MIC breakpoint for TR [mean for all three bacteria, 63 (μg · h/ml)/(μg/ml)] was approximately twofold lower than that for CI. Based on the
I
E
-log AUC/MIC relationships, the respective dose (
D
)-response relationships were reconstructed. Like the
I
E
-log AUC/MIC relationships, the
I
E
-log
D
plots showed TR to be more efficient than CI. Single doses of TR that are as efficient as two 500-mg doses of CI (500 mg given every 12 h) were similar for the three strains (199, 226, and 203 mg). This study suggests that in vitro evaluation of the relationships between
I
E
and AUC/MIC or
D
might be a reliable basis for comparing different fluoroquinolones and that the results of such comparative studies may be highly dependent on their experimental design and datum quantitation.
Effect of Interleukin-10 on Gut-Derived Sepsis Caused byPseudomonas aeruginosain Mice
Authors: Matsumoto Tetsuya , Tateda Kazuhiro , Miyazaki Shuichi , Furuya Nobuhiko , Ohno Akira , Ishii Yoshikazu , Hirakata Yoichi , Yamaguchi Keizo 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTWe evaluated the protective effect of interleukin-10 (IL-10) against murine gut-derived sepsis caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa. Gut-derived sepsis was induced by administering cyclophosphamide and ampicillin while feedingP. aeruginosato specific-pathogen-free mice. Treating mice with recombinant human IL-10 (rhIL-10) at 1.0 or 5.0 μg/mouse twice a day following the second cyclophosphamide administration significantly increased the survival rate compared to that of control mice treated with saline; however, treatment with rhIL-10 at 0.1 μg/mouse did not result in significant protection. Bacterial counts in the liver, spleen, and blood were all significantly lower in mice treated with rhIL-10 than in saline-treated control mice. Treatment with rhIL-10 significantly suppressed tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and gamma interferon levels in the serum of mice following induction of gut-derived sepsis. We also studied the effect of IL-10 on leukocyte recovery after cyclophosphamide treatment of mice. Administration of rhIL-10 intraperitoneally at 1.0 μg/mouse significantly accelerated the recovery of leukocytes in comparison with that of the group of saline-treated controls. These results indicate that IL-10 shows a protective effect against gut-derivedP. aeruginosasepsis. We suspect that the mechanism of this effect is that IL-10 regulates in vivo production of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, acceleration of leukocyte recovery by IL-10 after cyclophosphamide-induced depression may also play an important role in this protection.