bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of thromboelastography on resuscitation in pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Sujka Joseph , Gonzalez Katherine W. , Curiel Kayla L. , Daniel James , Fischer Ryan T. , Andrews Walter S. , Wicklund Brian M. , Hendrickson Richard J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAlthough TEG directs effective resuscitation in adult surgical patients, pediatric data are lacking. We performed a retrospective comparative review of the effect of TEG on blood product utilization and outcomes following pediatric liver transplantation in 38 patients between 2008 and 2014. Diagnoses, laboratory values, fluid and blood product use, and outcomes were examined. Nineteen patients underwent liver transplantation prior to the implementation of TEG, and 19 had perioperative TEG. The most common indications for transplant were BA (n = 14), HB (n = 7), and metabolic disorders (n = 7). Intraoperative blood loss, urine output, fluid and blood product use were similar between groups. However, the use of fresh frozen plasma decreased significantly in TEG patients within the first 24 hours (29 vs 0 mL/kg, P < .01), and between 24 and 48 hours (12 vs 0 mL/kg, P = .01) post‐operatively. The total use of fresh frozen plasma during hospitalization was markedly reduced (111 vs 17 mL/kg, P < .01). Four patients in the TEG group had thromboembolic graft complications, including portal vein or hepatic artery thrombosis, and underwent retransplantation. The decreased use of fresh frozen plasma since implementation of TEG is an important finding for resource utilization and patient safety. However, the increased incidence of thromboembolic complications requires further investigation.
Field response of near‐isogenic brown midrib sorghum lines to fusarium stalk rot, and response of wildtype lines to controlled water deficit
Authors: Funnell‐Harris D. L. , O'Neill P. M. , Sattler S. E. 
Published: March 2018

To increase digestibility for ruminant livestock and for lignocellulosic ethanol conversion efficiency in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), brown midrib (bmr) lines carrying bmr6 or bmr12 and the double mutant (bmr6 bmr12) in two backgrounds (RTx430 and Wheatland) were developed, resulting in lines with significantly reduced lignin, as compared with the near‐isogenic wildtype. Under greenhouse conditions, these lines had previously demonstrated no increased susceptibility, and some lines were more resistant to the highly virulent stalk rot pathogen, Fusarium thapsinum, compared to the wildtype. Fusarium stalk rot of sorghum is a destructive disease that under high temperatures or drought conditions may lead to lodging. To determine if greenhouse observations could be extended to field environments, bmr and near‐isogenic wildtype lines were inoculated with F. thapsinum at field locations, Mead (irrigated) and Havelock (dryland) in Nebraska, USA. Analysis of mean lesion lengths showed those of most bmr lines were statistically similar to the wildtype. Across both genetic backgrounds, bmr6 and bmr6 bmr12 double mutant plants grown at Mead had significantly smaller mean lesion lengths than the corresponding wildtype (P ≤ 0.05). To assess responses of the two genetic backgrounds to controlled (greenhouse) water stress, wildtype RTx430 and Wheatland plants were inoculated with F. thapsinum under well‐watered and water stress conditions. Mean lesion lengths resulting on water deficit plants were significantly larger than those on well‐watered plants (P = 0.01). These results indicate that this bioassay can be used to screen sorghum lines in the greenhouse for increased resistance or tolerance to both drought and fusarium stalk rot.
Direct 40Ar/39Ar K‐feldspar dating of Late Permian—Early Triassic brittle faulting in northern Norway
Authors: Davids Corine , Benowitz Jeff A. , Layer Paul W. , Bergh Steffen G. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWhile the offshore post‐Caledonian extensional history of the north Norwegian passive margin is well constrained, the tectonic relationship between onshore and offshore regions is less clear because of limited age constraints on the timing of rifting onshore. 40Ar/39Ar dating of K‐feldspar from hydrothermally altered fault rocks in a Precambrian gneiss complex in northern Norway was used to study the timing of extensional faulting onshore. In addition, 40Ar/39Ar dating of K‐feldspar from the host rock provided insight into the regional rock cooling history prior to brittle deformation. Results indicated a dominant Late Permian–Early Triassic (~265–244 Ma) faulting event and found no evidence for later reactivation, which has been documented offshore. The region cooled to below the closure temperature for 40Ar/39Ar K‐feldspar in the Carboniferous to Early Permian, prior to the main brittle faulting event. 40Ar/39Ar dating of fault zone K‐feldspar products provided a means to date brittle faulting events.
Transfusion of autologous extracellular vesicles from stored red blood cells does not affect coagulation in a model of human endotoxemia
Authors: Peters Anna L. , Vlaar Alexander P. J. , van Bruggen Robin , de Korte Dirk , Meijers Joost C. M. , Nieuwland Rienk , Juffermans Nicole P. 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDRed blood cell (RBC) transfusion has been related to thromboembolic events. Microvesicles in the RBC product may support coagulation because they have procoagulant effects in vitro. We investigated whether transfusion of RBCs containing extracellular vesicles promotes coagulation in human recipients. As transfusion is mostly administered to ill patients, we used a model of endotoxemia.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSEighteen healthy volunteers were randomized to receive either saline or fresh (2 days stored) or stored autologous (35 days stored) RBC transfusion (Dutch Trial Register: NTR4455). Two hours after infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, from Escherichia coli, 2 ng/kg body weight), subjects received either saline or fresh or stored RBCs. Blood was sampled every 2 hours up to 8 hours after LPS infusion. Vesicles were measured with a flow cytometer (A50‐Micro, Apogee Flow Systems).RESULTSLPS resulted in increased thrombin generation compared to baseline. During storage, the total number of extracellular vesicles increased from 1.4 × 108/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 8.3 × 107‐1.9 × 108/mL) in the fresh product to 1.7 × 1010/mL (IQR, 7.9 × 109‐2.3 × 1010/mL; p < 0.01) in the stored product (p < 0.001). Vesicles appeared to be mostly RBC derived.CONCLUSIONAfter transfusion, extracellular vesicles from stored RBC products, but not from fresh products, could be detected in the circulation of healthy volunteers. However, infusion of stored RBC extracellular vesicles did not augment thrombin generation compared to endotoxemic controls. Also, levels of d‐dimer and thrombin‐antithrombin complex were unaffected. In conclusion, transfusion of autologous RBCs containing high levels of extracellular vesicles does not enhance coagulation in human volunteers with endotoxemia.
Characterization of Individual Human Antibodies That Bind Pertussis Toxin Stimulated by Acellular Immunization
Authors: Acquaye-Seedah Edith , Reczek Elizabeth E. , Russell Hugh H. , DiVenere Andrea M. , Sandman Sara O. , Collins Joseph H. , Stein Caitlin A. , Whitehead Timothy A. , Maynard Jennifer A. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Despite high vaccination rates, the incidence of whooping cough has steadily been increasing in developing countries for several decades. The current acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines all include the major protective antigen pertussis toxin (PTx) and are safer, but they appear to be less protective than infection or older, whole-cell vaccines. To better understand the attributes of individual antibodies stimulated by aP, we isolated plasmablast clones recognizing PTx after booster immunization of two donors. Five unique antibody sequences recognizing native PTx were recovered and expressed as recombinant human IgG1 antibodies. The antibodies all bind different epitopes on the PTx S1 subunit, B oligomer, or S1-B subunit interface, and just one clone neutralized PTx in an
in vitro
assay. To better understand the epitopes bound by the nonneutralizing S1-subunit antibodies, comprehensive mutagenesis with yeast display provided a detailed map of the epitope recognized by antibodies A8 and E12. Residue R76 is required for antibody A8 binding and is present on the S1 surface but is only partially exposed in the holotoxin, providing a structural explanation for A8's inability to neutralize holotoxin. The B-subunit-specific antibody D8 inhibited PTx binding to a model receptor and neutralized PTx
in vitro
as well as in an
in vivo
leukocytosis assay. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to identify individual human antibodies stimulated by the acellular pertussis vaccine and demonstrates the feasibility of using these approaches to address outstanding issues in pertussis vaccinology, including mechanisms of accelerated waning of protective immunity despite repeated aP immunization.
Validation of the FluoroType MTBDR Assay for Detection of Rifampin and Isoniazid Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Isolates
Authors: Hillemann Doris , Haasis Carsten , Andres Sönke , Behn Tobias , Kranzer Katharina 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

For
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC), the rapid and accurate diagnosis of drug resistance is crucial to ensure early initiation of appropriate therapy. Recently, a new molecular diagnostic test, the FluoroType MTBDR, aimed at detecting rifampin and isoniazid resistance has become available. This study aimed to evaluate the FluoroType MTBDR in comparison to phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) using
M. tuberculosis
complex isolates. MTBC isolates underwent phenotypic DST and were tested using the FluoroType MTBDR and Genotype MTBDRplus. Sanger sequencing of the key regions of
rpoB
,
katG
,
inhA
, and
aphC
was performed for isolates with discordant phenotypic and molecular results. Furthermore, isolates with specific wild-type bands missing in the Genotype MTBDRplus, indicating the presence of a mutation, were investigated by Sanger sequencing. Specificity and sensitivity, defined as the proportions of isolates correctly determined as susceptible and resistant by the FluoroType MTBDR compared to phenotypic DST, were calculated. A total of 180 culture isolates were included; phenotypic DST showed 85 isolates susceptible to isoniazid and rifampin, 7 with isoniazid monoresistance, 7 with rifampin monoresistance, and 81 with multidrug resistance. The specificity of the FluoroType MTBDR was 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 96.0 to 100%) for both rifampin and isoniazid. The sensitivity was 91.7% (95% CI, 83.6 to 96.6%) for isoniazid and 98.9% (95% CI, 93.8 to 100.0%) for rifampin. The FluoroType MTBDR has a high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of rifampin and isoniazid resistance when using culture isolates.
Physiological Effect of XoxG(4) on Lanthanide-Dependent Methanotrophy
Authors: Zheng Yue , Huang Jing , Zhao Feng , Chistoserdova Ludmila 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

A recent surprising discovery of the activity of rare earth metals (lanthanides) as enzyme cofactors as well as transcriptional regulators has overturned the traditional assumption of biological inertia of these metals. However, so far, examples of such activities have been limited to alcohol dehydrogenases. Here we describe the physiological effects of a mutation in
xoxG
, a gene encoding a novel cytochrome, XoxG(4), and compare these to the effects of mutation in XoxF, a lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase, at the enzyme activity level and also at the community function level, using
Methylomonas
sp. strain LW13 as a model organism. Through comparative phenotypic characterization, we establish XoxG as the second protein directly involved in lanthanide-dependent metabolism, likely as a dedicated electron acceptor from XoxF. However, mutation in XoxG caused a phenotype that was dramatically different from the phenotype of the mutant in XoxF, suggesting a secondary function for this cytochrome, in metabolism of methane. We also purify XoxG(4) and demonstrate that this protein is a true cytochrome
c
, based on the typical absorption spectra, and we demonstrate that XoxG can be directly reduced by a purified XoxF, supporting one of its proposed physiological functions. Overall, our data continue to suggest the complex nature of the interplay between the calcium-dependent and lanthanide-dependent alcohol oxidation systems, while they also suggest that addressing the roles of these alternative systems is essential at the enzyme and community function level, in addition to the gene transcription level.

IMPORTANCE
The lanthanide-dependent biochemistry of living organisms remains a barely tapped area of knowledge. So far, only a handful of lanthanide-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases have been described, and their regulation by lanthanides has been demonstrated at the transcription level. Little information is available regarding the concentrations of lanthanides that could support sufficient enzymatic activities to support specific metabolisms, and so far, no other redox proteins involved in lanthanide-dependent methanotrophy have been demonstrated. The research presented here provides enzyme activity-level data on lanthanide-dependent methanotrophy in a model methanotroph. Additionally, we identify a second protein important for lanthanide-dependent metabolism in this organism, XoxG(4), a novel cytochrome. XoxG(4) appears to have multiple functions in methanotrophy, one function as an electron acceptor from XoxF and another function remaining unknown. On the basis of the dramatic phenotype of the XoxG(4) mutant, this function must be crucial for methanotrophy.
Acupuncture in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors: Chia Kwan Leung , Lam Rex Pui Kin , Lam Chung Kwun , Tsui Sik Hon 
Published: March 2018

Introduction A comprehensive review of both English and Chinese language literature to inform acupuncture practice in emergency department (ED) settings is lacking. Accordingly, we aimed to conduct a systematic review of English and Chinese randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture use in the ED. Methods Four English databases (Embase, PubMed, AMED and CENTRAL) and two Chinese databases (CNKI and Wanfang) were systematically searched using the keywords ‘acupuncture’ and ‘emergency department’, followed by a bibliographic search of references. The data were extracted and assessed by two independent authors. RCTs were selected based on pre-defined criteria. Data were extracted and a risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The quality of evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results In total, 1461 articles were screened and six RCTs involving 651 patients were included. For various acute pain conditions, acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture, more effective than intravenous morphine, comparable to conventional ED treatment, and superior to standard ED care alone when used on an adjuvant basis; however, the overall level of evidence was low. Studies that applied acupuncture in hypertension and cardiac arrest were deemed to be at high risk of bias, and the level of evidence for these outcomes was very low. No major adverse events were reported in the included studies. Conclusion There is a lack of high-quality evidence to support the use of acupuncture in the ED. Multicentre RCTs with rigorous designs are warranted.
Risk factors for, and prevention of, shoulder injuries in overhead sports: a systematic review with best-evidence synthesis
Authors: Asker Martin , Brooke Hannah L , Waldén Markus , Tranaeus Ulrika , Johansson Fredrik , Skillgate Eva , Holm Lena W 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveTo assess the evidence for risk factors and prevention measures for shoulder injuries in overhead sports.DesignSystematic review with best-evidence synthesis.Data sourcesMedline (Ovid), PubMed (complementary search), Embase (Elsevier), Cochrane (Wiley), SPORTDiscus (Ebsco) and Web of Science Core Collection (Thomson Reuters), from 1 January 1990 to 15 May 2017.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesRandomised controlled trials, cohort studies and case-control studies on risk factors or prevention measures for shoulder injuries in overhead sports. The eligible studies were quality assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria.ResultsOf 4778 studies identified, 38 were eligible for quality review and 17 met the quality criteria to be included in the evidence synthesis. One additional quality study presented a shoulder injury prevention programme. Most studies focused on baseball, lacrosse or volleyball (n=13). The risk factors examined included participation level (competition vs training) (n=10), sex (n=4), biomechanics (n=2) and external workload (n=2). The evidence for all risk factors was limited or conflicting. The effect of the prevention programme within the subgroup of uninjured players at baseline was modest and possibly lacked statistical power.ConclusionsAll investigated potential risk factors for shoulder injury in overhead sports had limited evidence, and most were non-modifiable (eg, sex). There is also limited evidence for the effect of shoulder injury prevention measures in overhead sports.PROSPERO trial registration numberCRD42015026850.
Effect of idiopathic thoracic scoliosis on the tracheobronchial tree
Authors: Farrell James , Garrido Enrique 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionHigh prevalence of obstructive lung disease has been reported in patients undergoing surgical correction of thoracic scoliosis. Airway narrowing due to spine morphology is analysed as a contributing factor.MethodsPreoperative surgical planning CTs of 34 patients with right-sided thoracic scoliosis (age: 17.6±9.0) were retrospectively analysed and compared with 15 non-scoliotic controls (age: 16.3±5.1). Three-dimensional models of spine and airway lumen were reconstructed. Based on thoracic sagittal profile, patients were divided into hypokyphosis (HypoS: <10°), normal kyphosis (NormS: ≥10° and <40°) and hyperkyphosis (HyperS: ≥40°) groups. Lumen area of bronchi, bifurcation angles and minimum spine–airway distance were measured. Pulmonary function tests were correlated to scoliosis, kyphosis and lumen area.ResultsLoss of kyphosis led to proximity between bronchus intermedius (BI) and spine. HypoS (NormS) had lumen area reductions in the right main bronchus of 29% (19%), BI of 45% (23%), right middle lobar bronchus of 46% (32%) and right lower lobe bronchus (RLL7) of 66% (37%), respectively (P<0.05). The lower right superior segmental bronchus was reduced across all scoliotic groups (P<0.05). Airways were displaced caudal by 0.65±0.45 vertebra in patients with scoliosis. Loss of kyphosis correlated negatively with forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), FVC/(FVC predicted) and FEV1/(FEV1predicted) (P<0.01). Lumen area of trachea, right upper lobar bronchus, BI and RLL7 correlated negatively with FEV1/FVC. BI and RLL7 narrowing were strong predictors of FVC and FEV1loss (P<0.001).ConclusionsRight-sided main stem airways are narrowed in HypoS and NormS. Loss of kyphosis leads to narrowing of BI and its trifurcation. FEV1/FVC correlated negatively with airway narrowing, implying an obstructive element to lung function impairment in patients with scoliosis and hypokyphosis.
Low level of knowledge of heart attack symptoms and inappropriate anticipated treatment-seeking behaviour among older Chinese: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Chau Pui Hing , Moe Gordon , Lee Siu Yin , Woo Jean , Leung Angela Y M , Chow Chi-Ming , Kong Cecilia , Lo Wing Tung , Yuen Ming Hay , Zerwic Julie 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundPrehospital delay of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is common globally, and Hong Kong—home of a rapidly ageing Chinese population—is not an exception. Seeking emergency medical care promptly is important for patients. Treatment-seeking behaviours have been shown to be associated with knowledge of AMI symptoms and specific cultural beliefs. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of AMI symptoms and expected treatment-seeking behaviour among older Chinese in Hong Kong.MethodsA cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted at the Elderly Health Centres in Hong Kong from March to September 2016. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a structured questionnaire based on previous studies and local adaptations.ResultsAmong 1804 people aged 65 years and above who completed the questionnaire, chest pain (80.2%), palpitations (75.8%) and fainting (71.9%) were the major symptoms recognised as AMI related. Meanwhile, stomach ache (46.9%), coughing (45.4%) and neck pain (40.8%) were recognised as not AMI related. The mean expected discomfort intensity during AMI onset was 7.7 out of 10 (SD=2.1). Regarding the expected treatment-seeking behaviour, seeking non-emergent medical care was the most popular action when AMI symptoms emerged during the day, without chest pain or with lower discomfort intensity, whereas calling an ambulance was the most common option when AMI symptoms emerged at night or with high discomfort intensity.ConclusionsTo minimise delays in seeking treatment, future health education should focus on increasing the public knowledge of AMI symptoms and the need to call an ambulance during an emergency.
Conduction disorders using the Evolut R prosthesis compared with the CoreValve: has anything changed?
Authors: Perrin Nils , Perrin Tilman , Hachulla Anne-Lise , Frei Angela , Müller Hajo , Roffi Marco , Cikirikcioglu Mustafa , Ellenberger Christoph , Licker Marc-Joseph , Burri Haran , Noble Stephane 
Published: March 2018

AimWe compared early postprocedural and midterm evolution of atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction disorders following implantation of the new generation Evolut R (ER) prosthesis in comparison with the previous generation CoreValve (CV) system using routinely recorded ECG up to 6-month follow-up.MethodsAll consecutive patients treated by transcathether aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the Medtronic self-expanding devices for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis in a single centre between October 2011 and February 2016 were considered for inclusion. ECGs recorded at baseline, day 1 after TAVI, discharge and 6 months were retrospectively analysed. At each time-point, intrinsic rhythm, PR interval, QRS axis and duration, and atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction were analysed. Atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction following TAVI at discharge and at 6 months were compared intrasubject at the different time intervals and between patients receiving the ER versus the CV prosthesis.ResultsAmong the 113 patients included in the analysis (51% female, 83.3±6.2 years), 60 (53%) patients received the CV and 53 (47%) patients received the ER. Compared with patients in the CV group, those in the ER group had a lower Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (6.3±3.1vs 4.8±3.6, P=0.02). Patients in the ER group in comparison with those in the CV group more frequently had postprocedural PR interval (57%vs23%, respectively, P=0.004) and QRS prolongation (76%vs50%, P=0.03) at discharge. Incidence of complete atrioventricular block was similar between both groups (9%vs18%, P=0.3) up to 6-month follow-up. No difference in term of new left bundle branch block (LBBB) (34%vs28%, P=0.8) or permanent pacemaker implantation rates (32.1%vs31.7%, P=1.0) was reported.ConclusionsPatients with the ER had greater postprocedural atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction delays than those with the CV at discharge, with however similar incidence of high-degree atrioventricular block, new LBBB and permanent pacemaker implantation up to 6-month follow-up.