bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcranial magnetic motor evoked potentials and magnetic resonance imaging findings in paraplegic dogs with recovery of motor function
Authors: Siedenburg Johannes S. , Wang‐Leandro Adriano , Amendt Hanna‐Luise , Rohn Karl , Tipold Andrea , Stein Veronika M. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundTranscranial magnetic motor evoked potentials (TMMEP) are associated with severity of clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in dogs with spinal cord disease.HypothesisThat in initially paraplegic dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH), MRI findings before surgery and TMMEPs obtained after decompressive surgery are associated with long‐term neurological status and correlate with each other.AnimalsSeventeen client‐owned paraplegic dogs with acute thoracolumbar IVDH.MethodsProspective observational study. TMMEPs were obtained from pelvic limbs and MRI (3T) of the spinal cord was performed at initial clinical presentation. Follow‐up studies were performed ≤ 2 days after reappearance of motor function and 3 months later. Ratios of compression length, intramedullary hyperintensities' length (T2‐weighted hyperintensity length ratio [T2WLR]), and lesion extension (T2‐weighted‐lesion extension ratio) in relation to the length of the 2nd lumbar vertebral body were calculated.ResultsTMMEPs could be elicited in 10/17 (59%) dogs at 1st and in 16/17 (94%) dogs at 2nd follow‐up. Comparison of TMMEPs of 1st and 2nd follow‐up showed significantly increased amplitudes (median from 0.19 to 0.45 mV) and decreased latencies (from 69.38 to 40.26 ms; P = .01 and .001, respectively). At 2nd follow‐up latencies were significantly associated with ambulatory status (P = .024). T2WLR obtained before surgery correlated with latencies at 2nd follow‐up (P = .04).ConclusionsTMMEP reflect motor function recovery after severe spinal cord injury.
Nonfluoroscopic catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Lyan Evgeny , Tsyganov Alexey , Abdrahmanov Ayan , Morozov Alexander , Bakytzhanuly Abay , Tursunbekov Azat , Nuralinov Omirbek , Mironovich Sergey , Klukvin Alexander , Marinin Valery , Tilz Roland Richard , Sawan Noureddin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimsRadiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most complex ablation procedures. Both patients and operators are exposed to scattered radiation. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of intracardiac echo (ICE)‐guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) without fluoroscopy.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 481 consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing radiofrequency PVI with the CARTO 3 system (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA). ICE‐guided PVI without fluoroscopy and without CT/MRI integration (Nonfluoro group) was performed for 245 patients, and conventional fluoroscopy‐guided PVI (Fluoro group) was performed for 236 patients. The primary safety endpoint was the incidence of major adverse events. The primary efficacy endpoint was freedom from AF during follow‐up. Secondary endpoints included procedure duration, fluoroscopy duration, and acute PVI rate.ResultsMean procedure times between groups were similar (108.8 ± 18.2 minutes in the Non‐fluoro group vs 113.6 ± 26.8 minutes in the Fluoro group; P = not significant [NS]). Acute PVI was achieved in all patients, with mean radiofrequency application times of 43.4 ± 7.5 and 44.4 ± 10.7 minutes for the Nonfluoro and Fluoro groups, respectively (P = NS). The incidence of cardiac tamponade was 1.2% (3/245 patients) in the Nonfluoro group and 0.8% (2/236 patients) in the Fluoro group (P = NS). During 15.2 ± 4.1 months of follow‐up, after a single procedure, AF recurrence was documented in 65 of 245 (26.5%) patients and 61 of 236 (25.8%) patients in the Nonfluoro and Fluoro groups, respectively (P = NS).ConclusionsNonfluoroscopic ICE‐guided catheter ablation of AF without prior cardiac image integration or angiography is feasible and safe. PVI without fluoroscopy did not affect procedure duration or long‐term efficacy.
Morphology of alpaca (Vicugna pacos) embryos in the first third of pregnancy
Authors: Castro ANC , Díaz MC , Mendoza‐Torres GJ , Llerena‐Zavala CA , Ghezzi MD , Barbeito CG 
Published: March 2018

ContentsThe breeding of South American camelids is the main economic activity of the high Andean region of South America and it, is potentially, the most profitable resource in of the Puna environmental conditions of the Puna. The duration of the gestation in alpaca is 339.7 ± 12 days. The objective of the present work was to macroscopically and microscopically describe the ontogenic development of the splanchnic cavities of the alpaca and to determine the gestational time in which the post‐cranial ossification centers are observed in the embryos/fetuses of this species, from day 21 to 107 of gestation. The documentation of normal ontogenic development, which is vacant for this period, is of the utmost importance to understand the consequences of the alterations at the different gestational times, as well as for the estimation of the gestational age in the case of abortions. Forty‐seven alpaca specimens of both sexes, at different times of their gestational development, collected during slaughter at local slaughterhouses of the Department of Huancavelica, Peru, were evaluated. Specimens were assigned to seven groups according to their morphological characteristics. The embryogenesis in the alpaca was characterized by a series of changes comparable to those occurring in other mammals with similar gestational periods. Despite these similarities, species differences were found in some organs as stomach, which are observed too in adult individuals.
Chemotherapy with Phage Lysins Reduces Pneumococcal Colonization of the Respiratory Tract
Authors: Corsini Bruno , Díez-Martínez Roberto , Aguinagalde Leire , González-Camacho Fernando , García-Fernández Esther , Letrado Patricia , García Pedro , Yuste Jose 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Bacteriophage-borne lytic enzymes, also named lysins or enzybiotics, are efficient agents for the killing of bacterial pathogens. The colonization of the respiratory tract by
Streptococcus pneumoniae
is a prerequisite for the establishment of the infection process. Hence, we have evaluated the antibacterial activities of three different lysins against pneumococcal colonization using human nasopharyngeal and lung epithelial cells as well as a mouse model of nasopharyngeal colonization. The lysins tested were the wild-type Cpl-1, the engineered Cpl-7S, and the chimera Cpl-711. Moreover, we included amoxicillin as a comparator antibiotic. Human epithelial cells were infected with three different multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of
S. pneumoniae
followed by a single dose of the corresponding lysin. The antimicrobial activities of these lysins were also evaluated using a mouse nasopharyngeal carriage model. The exposure of the infected epithelial cells to Cpl-7S did not result in the killing of any of the pneumococcal strains investigated. However, the treatment with Cpl-1 or Cpl-711 increased the killing of
S. pneumoniae
organisms adhered to both types of human epithelial cells, with Cpl-711 being more effective than Cpl-1, at subinhibitory concentrations. In addition, a treatment with amoxicillin had no effect on reducing the carrier state, whereas mice treated by the intranasal route with Cpl-711 showed significantly reduced nasopharyngeal colonization, with no detection of bacterial load in 20 to 40% of the mice. This study indicates that Cpl-1 and Cpl-711 lysins might be promising antimicrobial candidates for therapy against pneumococcal colonization.
Survival in Patients with Candida glabrata Bloodstream Infection Is Associated with Fluconazole Dose
Authors: Eschenauer Gregory A. , Carver Peggy L. , Patel Twisha S. , Lin Shu-Wen , Klinker Kenneth P. , Pai Manjunath P. , Lam Simon W. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Robust pharmacodynamic indices that align fluconazole dose or exposure with outcomes in invasive candidiasis due to
Candida glabrata
remain elusive. The purpose of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate a cohort of 127 patients with
C. glabrata
fungemia treated with fluconazole, using adjusted analyses to identify risk factors for 28-day death. No significant correlations were found between fluconazole area under the curve (AUC), AUC/MIC ratio, or MIC and survival. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, however, higher average fluconazole dose (odds ratio [OR], 1.006 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001 to 1.010];
P
= 0.008), average fluconazole dose of ≥400 mg (OR, 3.965 [95% CI, 1.509 to 10.418];
P
= 0.005), and higher fluconazole dose on day 1 of therapy (OR, 1.007 [95% CI, 1.002 to 1.011];
P
= 0.002) were found to be independent predictors of 28-day survival. Additionally, the presence of a central venous catheter at the time of infection was found to be a significant risk factor for death. In conclusion, we found fluconazole dose to be an independent predictor of 28-day survival for patients with
C. glabrata
fungemia, with doses of ≥400 mg/day being associated with 28-day survival rates approaching 90%. These data indicate the use and efficacy of fluconazole in the treatment of this serious infection. Aggressive dosing appears to be necessary when fluconazole is used for the treatment of
C. glabrata
fungemia, irrespective of MIC.
Evaluation of Fluorescence Microsphere Immunoassay for Detection of Antibodies to Rift Valley Fever Virus Nucleocapsid Protein and Glycoproteins
Authors: Ragan I. K. , Davis A. S. , McVey D. S. , Richt J. A. , Rowland R. R. , Wilson W. C. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne, zoonotic virus that infects ruminants, including cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and buffalo. Multiplexing diagnostic assays that can simultaneously detect antibodies against multiple RVFV antigens offer a high-throughput test for disease surveillance and vaccine evaluations. We describe the improvement and evaluation of a previously developed fluorescence microsphere immunoassay (FMIA) for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies against the RVFV glycoprotein (Gn) and the immunogenic nucleocapsid protein (Np). Well-characterized vaccinated and experimentally infected ruminant sera were used for the evaluation of the assay. Recombinant viral proteins were produced and then coupled to polystyrene magnetic beads for analysis using the Luminex MAGPIX system with xMAP technology. The FMIA was performed in parallel with virus neutralization tests. Our results revealed the highest median fluorescence intensity (MFI) values for the detection of IgG antibodies against RVFV Np, indicating that this antigen would be a good candidate for a screening assay. The Np and Gn targets could differentiate infected animals from animals vaccinated with a candidate subunit vaccine formulation based on the RVFV Gn and Gc proteins. The results presented in this report demonstrate that FMIA provides a rapid and robust serological diagnostic tool for the detection of antibodies against RVFV. The targets developed in this assay provide the basis for the development of a companion diagnostic test for an RVFV Gn/Gc subunit vaccine that is capable of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA), as well as a multiplex serodiagnostic assay that can simultaneously screen for several ruminant diseases.
Muscular Diagnostics and the Feasibility of Microsystem Acupuncture as a Potential Adjunct in the Treatment of Painful Temporomandibular Disorders: Results of a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Simma Irmgard , Simma Leopold , Fleckenstein Johannes 
Published: March 2018

Aims To investigate the effect of microsystem acupuncture on painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods We retrospectively analysed 887 treatments in 407 TMD-patients (mean age 45±1.5 years), who received microsystem acupuncture (mouth, scalp or fingers) with a focus on oral acupuncture. All patients systematically underwent palpation of specific muscular tender points and their pain rating was assessed on a four-point Likert scale (no pain to strong pain) before and after treatment. In 42 cases, the pain intensity was determined using a visual analogue scale (0–100 mm). As the data were normally distributed, analysis was performed with unpaired t-tests. Results The pterygoid muscles were most painful to palpation, with the lateral pterygoid rated moderate to strong by 76% of patients and the medial pterygoid by 48% of patients. The palpation of microsystem acupuncture points revealed the strongest sensitivity (moderate or strong pain) of the oral retromolar points at the upper jaw (83%). After treatment, the pain intensity of all tender points had significantly decreased (P<0.001). The proportion of moderate to strong pain ratings was below 3% at most tender points. Overall pain intensity of the subjects (n=42) before treatment was 55.5±19.7 mm on the VAS scale and was significantly reduced to 29.6±20.9 mm (P<0.001) post-treatment. Conclusions This analysis suggests microsystem acupuncture could reduce the pain intensity of TMD in the short term. Considering the increased local muscular tenderness, further investigations regarding the key role of myofascial trigger points in the occurrence of TMDs are warranted and could lead to new comprehensive treatment strategies.
Early OCT angiography changes of type 1 CNV in exudative AMD treated with anti-VEGF
Authors: Pilotto Elisabetta , Frizziero Luisa , Daniele Anna Rita , Convento Enrica , Longhin Evelyn , Guidolin Francesca , Parrozzani Raffaele , Cavarzeran Fabiano , Midena Edoardo 
Published: March 2018

AimsTo investigate, with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), short-term changes of type 1 choroidal neovascularisation (CNV), secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration, after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment.MethodsPatients affected by type 1 CNV treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF were consecutively enrolled. All patients underwent OCTA examination before and 48 hours after anti-VEGF treatment. Quantitative and qualitative vascular and morphological macular changes were evaluated.ResultsSixteen eyes were included (11 treated with aflibercept and 5 with ranibizumab). Both CNV mean area and pigment epithelium detachment significantly reduced (p=0.0004 and p=0.0007, respectively) after treatment. Cystoid macular oedema (four eyes) decreased in all cases. Neuroretinal detachment (13 eyes) decreased in 85% of cases (11 eyes). Fine CNV vessels density decreased in 75% (12 eyes), whereas larger CNV vessels density remained stable in 66.7% (10 eyes), choroidal flow void signal (7 eyes at baseline) increased in 42.9% (3 eyes) of them and remained stable in 57.1% (4 eyes). Interoperator reproducibility for OCT examination was good for all measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient>0.65).ConclusionEarly remodelling of type 1 CNV network after treatment may be non-invasively and reproducibly analysed by means of OCTA. Choroidal perfusion impairment, choroidal flow void signal, surrounding CNV may change during treatment.
Baseline choroidal thickness as a short-term predictor of visual acuity improvement following antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy in branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Rayess Nadim , Rahimy Ehsan , Ying Gui-Shuang , Pefkianaki Maria , Franklin Jason , Regillo Carl D , Ho Allen C , Hsu Jason 
Published: March 2018

PurposeTo evaluate the association between subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) eyes treated with antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of treatment naïve BRVO eyes treated with 3 monthly anti-VEGF injections. All patients received enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography scans to determine SFCT and central macular thickness (CMT). Baseline predictors (particularly SFCT) for functional response (best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) gain ≥2 lines) were assessed at 3 months using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsForty eyes from 39 patients were included. Mean baseline SFCT was higher in functional responders (240.4±73.1 µm), compared with both non-responders (193.3±63.6 µm; p=0.036) and their corresponding fellow eye (202.2±67.1 µm; p=0.022). A higher baseline SFCT (for every 100 µm increase in SFCT) was found to be a positive predictor for functional response (regression coefficient: 1.1; p=0.03) on univariate analysis but not multivariate analysis. A worse baseline BCVA (for every 0.1 logMAR increase) was a positive predictor for visual improvement with an adjusted OR of 1.30 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.63; p=0.0009) on multivariate analysis.ConclusionsPatients with BRVO with a worse initial BCVA are most likely to achieve visual improvement following anti-VEGF therapy. Additionally, baseline SFCT may also help predict which patients with BRVO have favourable visual outcomes. Patients with an initial choroidal thickness thicker than their fellow eye are more likely to have short-term visual improvement following treatment.
Prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing in a subpopulation of older European clinical trial participants: a cross-sectional study
Authors: O Riordan David , Aubert Carole Elodie , Walsh Kieran A , Van Dorland Anette , Rodondi Nicolas , Du Puy Robert S , Poortvliet Rosalinde K E , Gussekloo Jacobijn , Sinnott Carol , Byrne Stephen , Galvin Rose , Jukema J Wouter , Mooijaart Simon P , Baumgartner Christine , McCarthy Vera , Walsh Elaine K , Collet Tinh-Hai , Dekkers Olaf M , Blum Manuel R , Kearney Patricia M 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesTo estimate and compare the prevalence and type of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) among community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) enrolled to a clinical trial in three European countries.DesignA secondary analysis of the Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Subclinical Hypothyroidism Trial dataset.ParticipantsA subset of 48/80 PIP and 22/34 PPOs indicators from the Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (STOPP/START) V2 criteria were applied to prescribed medication data for 532/737 trial participants in Ireland, Switzerland and the Netherlands.ResultsThe overall prevalence of PIP was lower in the Irish participants (8.7%) compared with the Swiss (16.7%) and Dutch (12.5%) participants (P=0.15) and was not statistically significant. The overall prevalence of PPOs was approximately one-quarter in the Swiss (25.3%) and Dutch (24%) participants and lower in the Irish (14%) participants (P=0.04) and the difference was statistically significant. The hypnotic Z-drugs were the most frequent PIP in Irish participants, (3.5%, n=4), while it was non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and oral anticoagulant combination, sulfonylureas with a long duration of action, and benzodiazepines (all 4.3%, n=7) in Swiss, and benzodiazepines (7.1%, n=18) in Dutch participants. The most frequent PPOs in Irish participants were vitamin D and calcium in osteoporosis (3.5%, n=4). In the Swiss and Dutch participants, they were bone antiresorptive/anabolic therapy in osteoporosis (9.9%, n=16, 8.6%, n=22) respectively. The odds of any PIP after adjusting for age, sex, multimorbidity and polypharmacy were (adjusted OR (aOR)) 3.04 (95% CI 1.33 to 6.95, P<0.01) for Swiss participants and aOR 1.74 (95% CI 0.79 to 3.85, P=0.17) for Dutch participants compared with Irish participants. The odds of any PPOs were aOR 2.48 (95% CI 1.27 to 4.85, P<0.01) for Swiss participants and aOR 2.10 (95% CI 1.11 to 3.96, P=0.02) for Dutch participants compared with Irish participants.ConclusionsThis study has estimated and compared the prevalence and type of PIP and PPOs among this cohort of community-dwelling older people. It demonstrated a significant difference in the prevalence of PPOs between the three populations. Further research is urgently needed into the impact of system level factors as this has important implications for patient safety, healthcare provision and economic costs.
Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus and rubella virus among newly recruited expatriate healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shady Ibrahim 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the state of immunity to varicella zoster virus (VZV) and rubella virus (RV) among newly recruited healthcare workers (HCWs) in Kuwait before they begin work, and to determine whether there are differences in the prevalence of seronegativity according to nationality, gender, age group and occupation group.SettingThis cross-sectional study involved analysis of blood samples from workers newly recruited to the Kuwaiti healthcare system.ParticipantsAll new non- national HCWs recruited during the study period (n=1540).InterventionEnzyme-linked immunoassays for VZV-specific and RV-specific IgG were performed.ResultsAmong HCWs, 81.9% and 93.5% were immune to VZV and RV, respectively. Male seronegativity was higher than that of females for both viruses. Regarding VZV, the majority of seronegative individuals were Indians (23.5%), followed by Somalis (12.5), Filipinos (6.5) and Egyptians (5.4%); the between-group differences were significant for all groups. The age groups 20–30 and 30–40 years were most likely to be seronegative, with prevalences of 18.2% and 18.9%, respectively. VZV seronegativity was most common among nurses (21.1%) and least common among physicians (9.2%), and the difference was significant. In addition, RV seronegativity was most frequent among Somalis (12.5%) and lowest among Indians (5.3%); other nationalities (Egyptian, Filipino and others) ranged between 9.1% and 9.6%. Seronegative individuals were most frequently in the younger age group (<20 years old) (17.5%), followed by the >40 years old group (10.4%). RV seronegativity was highest among nurses (6.9%) and lowest among physicians (5.2%).ConclusionThe prevalence of seronegativity is highest among Indians for VZV and Somalis for RV, and HCWs aged 20–40 years for VZV and <20 years for RV. For both viruses, the seronegativity rate was highest for male HCWs, and for nurses compared with other HCWs, with physicians having the lowest prevalence of both viruses.