bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dysphagia due to macroglossia in a patient with amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma: A case report
Authors: da Costa Klinger Vagner Teixeira , Ribeiro Camila Maria Beder , de Carvalho Ferreira Dennis , Gonçalves Lucio Souza , de Almeida Oslei Paes , de Carvalho Silva Larissa Tinô , Bastos Yann Victor Paiva , Ferreira Sonia Maria Soares 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAmyloidosis is a group of heterogeneous conditions characterized by the deposition of extracellular proteinaceous substances called amyloids. The diagnosis is usually confirmed after a particular body organ has been affected. However, oral manifestations have been identified in 39% of affected patients. Systemic amyloidosis may be primary or in association with multiple myeloma and typically affecting elder adults. The diagnosis of amyloidosis is usually associated with clinical features with histopathological findings, which reveal the presence of acellular eosinophilic deposits. The aim of this report is to describe a clinical case of an elderly patient with dysphagia related to macroglossia and enlargement caused by primary amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma.
Evidence of increased Hepatitis E virus exposure in Lao villagers with contact to ruminants
Authors: Tritz Silvia E. , Khounvisith Vilaysone , Pommasichan Sisavath , Ninnasopha Khampasong , Keosengthong Amphone , Phoutana Vannaphone , Camoin Margot , Hübschen Judith M. , Black Antony P. , Muller Claude P. , Snoeck Chantal J. , Pauly Maude 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAlthough pigs are the main reservoir, ruminants have also been shown to be susceptible to hepatitis E virus (HEV). We investigated zoonotic transmission of HEV in rural settings of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) where humans are in close contacts with ruminants and where pigs are rare. Villagers with (n = 171, risk group) and without (n = 155, control group) cattle were recruited in seven villages in Vientiane Capital. Owners of pigs were excluded. Blood, as well as information on socio‐demographics, animal contact, dietary habits and awareness of zoonoses were collected to assess risk factors. Blood and rectal swabs were collected from cattle (n = 173) and other ruminants (27 goat, 5 buffaloes) to measure anti‐HEV antibody and virus prevalence. A similar anti‐HEV antibody seroprevalence was found in cattle (6.8%) and other ruminants (8%). HEV RNA was detected in none of the animal rectal swabs and human sera. Anti‐HEV IgG seroprevalence was higher in cattle farmers than in the control group (59.1% vs. 43.9%, p = 0.008) and increased significantly with age. Other risk factors included male gender, close contact with cattle and consumption of undercooked meat. We find that HEV is highly endemic in rural Laos and provide first evidence that HEV circulates in free‐roaming ruminants with open access to village water sources. Despite some awareness about hygiene, villagers are likely constantly exposed to zoonotic diseases by dietary and lifestyle habits. Cattle farmers had a higher risk of HEV infection than other villagers. Our study highlights the need to raise the awareness of the rural population about water‐ and food‐borne pathogens, and about the role of cattle as a possible source of infection. The knowledge gained on local risk factors and husbandry conditions should guide future awareness raising campaigns and promote appropriate hygienic measures including handwashing and the consumption of safe food and water.
Reassessing the Role of Type II Toxin-Antitoxin Systems in Formation of Escherichia coli Type II Persister Cells
Authors: Goormaghtigh Frédéric , Fraikin Nathan , Putrinš Marta , Hallaert Thibaut , Hauryliuk Vasili , Garcia-Pino Abel , Sjödin Andreas , Kasvandik Sergo , Udekwu Klas , Tenson Tanel , Kaldalu Niilo , Van Melderen Laurence 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT

Persistence is a reversible and low-frequency phenomenon allowing a subpopulation of a clonal bacterial population to survive antibiotic treatments. Upon removal of the antibiotic, persister cells resume growth and give rise to viable progeny. Type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems were assumed to play a key role in the formation of persister cells in
Escherichia coli
based on the observation that successive deletions of TA systems decreased persistence frequency. In addition, the model proposed that stochastic fluctuations of (p)ppGpp levels are the basis for triggering activation of TA systems. Cells in which TA systems are activated are thought to enter a dormancy state and therefore survive the antibiotic treatment. Using independently constructed strains and newly designed fluorescent reporters, we reassessed the roles of TA modules in persistence both at the population and single-cell levels. Our data confirm that the deletion of 10 TA systems does not affect persistence to ofloxacin or ampicillin. Moreover, microfluidic experiments performed with a strain reporting the induction of the
yefM-yoeB
TA system allowed the observation of a small number of type II persister cells that resume growth after removal of ampicillin. However, we were unable to establish a correlation between high fluorescence and persistence, since the fluorescence of persister cells was comparable to that of the bulk of the population and none of the cells showing high fluorescence were able to resume growth upon removal of the antibiotic. Altogether, these data show that there is no direct link between induction of TA systems and persistence to antibiotics.

IMPORTANCE
Within a growing bacterial population, a small subpopulation of cells is able to survive antibiotic treatment by entering a transient state of dormancy referred to as persistence. Persistence is thought to be the cause of relapsing bacterial infections and is a major public health concern. Type II toxin-antitoxin systems are small modules composed of a toxic protein and an antitoxin protein counteracting the toxin activity. These systems were thought to be pivotal players in persistence until recent developments in the field. Our results demonstrate that previous influential reports had technical flaws and that there is no direct link between induction of TA systems and persistence to antibiotics.
Novel Partitivirus Enhances Virulence of and Causes Aberrant Gene Expression in Talaromyces marneffei
Authors: Lau Susanna K. P. , Lo George C. S. , Chow Franklin W. N. , Fan Rachel Y. Y. , Cai James J. , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Woo Patrick C. Y. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT

Talaromyces marneffei
is the most important thermal dimorphic fungus causing systemic mycosis in Southeast Asia. We report the discovery of a novel partitivirus,
Talaromyces marneffei
partitivirus
-1 (TmPV1). TmPV1 was detected in 7 (12.7%) of 55 clinical
T. marneffei
isolates. Complete genome sequencing of the seven TmPV1 isolates revealed two double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) segments encoding RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and capsid protein, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that TmPV1 occupied a distinct clade among the members of the genus
Gammapartitivirus
. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of isometric, nonenveloped viral particles of 30 to 45 nm in diameter, compatible with partitiviruses, in TmPV1-infected
T. marneffei
. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) demonstrated higher viral load of TmPV1 in the yeast phase than in the mycelial phase of
T. marneffei
. Two virus-free isolates, PM1 and PM41, were successfully infected by purified TmPV1 using protoplast transfection. Mice challenged with TmPV1-infected
T. marneffei
isolates showed significantly shortened survival time (
P
< 0.0001) and higher fungal burden in organs than mice challenged with isogenic TmPV1-free isolates. Transcriptomic analysis showed that TmPV1 causes aberrant expression of various genes in
T. marneffei
, with upregulation of potential virulence factors and suppression of RNA interference (RNAi)-related genes. This is the first report of a mycovirus in a thermally dimorphic fungus. Further studies are required to ascertain the mechanism whereby TmPV1 enhances the virulence of
T. marneffei
in mice and the potential role of RNAi-related genes in antiviral defense in
T. marneffei
.

IMPORTANCE
Talaromyces marneffei
(formerly
Penicillium marneffei
) is the most important thermal dimorphic fungus in Southeast Asia, causing highly fatal systemic penicilliosis in HIV-infected and immunocompromised patients. We discovered a novel mycovirus, TmPV1, in seven clinical isolates of
T. marneffei
. TmPV1 belongs to the genus
Gammapartitivirus
of the family
Partitiviridae
. We showed that TmPV1 enhanced the virulence of
T. marneffei
in mice, with shortened survival time and higher fungal burden in the organs of mice challenged with TmPV1-infected
T. marneffei
isolates than in those of mice challenged with virus-free isogenic isolates. Transcriptomics analysis showed that TmPV1 altered the expression of genes involved in various cellular processes in
T. marneffei
, with upregulation of potential virulence factors and suppression of RNAi machinery which may be involved in antiviral defense. This is the first report of a mycovirus in a thermal dimorphic fungus. The present results offer insights into mycovirus-fungus interactions and pathogenesis of thermal dimorphic fungi.
Antitumor Activity Associated with Prolonged Persistence of Adoptively Transferred NY-ESO-1 c259T Cells in Synovial Sarcoma
Authors: D'Angelo Sandra P. , Melchiori Luca , Merchant Melinda S. , Bernstein Donna , Glod John , Kaplan Rosandra , Grupp Stephan , Tap William D. , Chagin Karen , Binder Gwendolyn K. , Basu Samik , Lowther Daniel E. , Wang Ruoxi , Bath Natalie , Tipping Alex , Betts Gareth , Ramachandran Indu , Navenot Jean-Marc , Zhang Hua , Wells Daniel K. , Van Winkle Erin , Kari Gabor , Trivedi Trupti , Holdich Tom , Pandite Lini , Amado Rafael , Mackall Crystal L. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
We evaluated the safety and activity of autologous T cells expressing NY-ESO-1c259, an affinity-enhanced T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizing an HLA-A2–restricted NY-ESO-1/LAGE1a–derived peptide, in patients with metastatic synovial sarcoma (NY-ESO-1c259T cells). Confirmed antitumor responses occurred in 50% of patients (6/12) and were characterized by tumor shrinkage over several months. Circulating NY-ESO-1c259T cells were present postinfusion in all patients and persisted for at least 6 months in all responders. Most of the infused NY-ESO-1c259T cells exhibited an effector memory phenotype following ex vivo expansion, but the persisting pools comprised largely central memory and stem-cell memory subsets, which remained polyfunctional and showed no evidence of T-cell exhaustion despite persistent tumor burdens. Next-generation sequencing of endogenous TCRs in CD8+ NY-ESO-1c259T cells revealed clonal diversity without contraction over time. These data suggest that regenerative pools of NY-ESO-1c259T cells produced a continuing supply of effector cells to mediate sustained, clinically meaningful antitumor effects.
Significance: Metastatic synovial sarcoma is incurable with standard therapy. We employed engineered T cells targeting NY-ESO-1, and the data suggest that robust, self-regenerating pools of CD8+ NY-ESO-1c259T cells produce a continuing supply of effector cells over several months that mediate clinically meaningful antitumor effects despite prolonged exposure to antigen. Cancer Discov; 8(8); 944–57. ©2018 AACR.
See related commentary by Keung and Tawbi, p. 914.
This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 899
Comparison of Outcomes in Conservative versus Surgical Treatments for Ludwig’s Angina
Authors: Edetanlen Benlance Ekaniyere , Saheeb Birch Dauda 
Published: June 2018

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> To compare the treatment outcomes in patients with early stage Ludwig’s angina who received intravenous antibiotics alone with those who received surgical decompression and intravenous antibiotics. <b><i>Subjects and Methods:</i></b> Individuals with early stage Ludwig’s angina were studied using a retrospective cohort study design from August 1997 to September 2017. Data were collected from case notes and logbooks. Appropriate statistical tests were chosen to analyze both the independent and outcome variables. Using 2-tailed test, a level of significance of 0.05 was chosen. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 55 patients comprising 38 (69.1%) males and 17 (30.9%) females were studied. The conservative group had a higher number of cases that developed airway compromise (26.3%) when compared to those with surgical approach (2.9%). There was an association between the treatment approach and the development of airway compromise (χ<sup>2</sup>[1] = 4.83, <i>p</i> = 0.03). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> There was a higher incidence of airway compromise in patients treated with intravenous antibiotics alone than in those treated with surgical decompression and intravenous antibiotics.
Effectiveness of palliative care services: A population-based study of end-of-life care for cancer patients
Authors: De Palma Rossana , Fortuna Daniela , Hegarty Sarah E , Louis Daniel Z , Melotti Rita Maria , Moro Maria Luisa 
Published: June 2018

Background: Multiple studies demonstrate substantial utilization of acute hospital care and, potentially excessive, intensive medical and surgical treatments at the end-of-life. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between the use of home and facility-based hospice palliative care for patients dying with cancer and service utilization at the end of life. Design: Retrospective, population-level study using administrative databases. The effect of palliative care was analyzed between coarsened exact matched cohorts and evaluated through a conditional logistic regression model. Setting/participants: The study was conducted on the cohort of 34,357 patients, resident in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy, admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of metastatic or poor-prognosis cancer during the 6 months before death between January 2013 and December 2015. Results: Patients who received palliative care experienced significantly lower rates of all indicators of aggressive care such as hospital admission (odds ratio (OR) = 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04–0.06), emergency department visits (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.21–0.25), intensive care unit stays (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.26–0.32), major operating room procedures (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.21–0.24), and lower in-hospital death (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.10–0.11). This cohort had significantly higher rates of opiate prescriptions (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.21–1.33) ( p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Conclusion: Use of palliative care at the end of life for cancer patients is associated with a reduction of the use of high-cost, intensive services. Future research is necessary to evaluate the impact of increasing use of palliative care services on other health outcomes. Administrative databases linked at the patient level are a useful data source for assessment of care at the end of life.
Sarcopenia and Undernutrition Among Portuguese Older Adults: Results From Nutrition UP 65 Study
Authors: Sousa-Santos Ana Rita , Afonso Cláudia , Borges Nuno , Santos Alejandro , Padrão Patrícia , Moreira Pedro , Amaral Teresa F. 
Published: June 2018

Background: Although undernutrition and sarcopenia are common among older adults and both result in worse health outcomes, data concerning the burden of these conditions in Portuguese community-dwelling older adults are scarce. Objective: The aim of this study was to firstly describe the occurrence of sarcopenia and undernutrition among a nationwide community-dwelling sample of older adults. Methods: Using a cross-sectional analysis, 1493 Portuguese older adults age ≥65 years from the Nutrition UP 65 study were evaluated. Sarcopenia was defined according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, and undernutrition status was evaluated by Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. Results: Sarcopenia frequency was 11.6%, and of these, 4.4% were classified with severe sarcopenia. Furthermore, 0.8% presented sarcopenic obesity. Undernutrition frequency was 1.3%, and 14.7% of the older adults were classified as being at undernutrition risk. Conclusion: Sarcopenia is present in one-tenth of the sample. This frequency taken together with undernutrition data warrants further study and preventive measures.
Measurement of Well-Being in Gerontopsychiatric Nursing Home Residents: Development of the Laurens Well-Being Inventory for Gerontopsychiatry
Authors: van der Wolf Elja , van Hooren Susan A. H. , Waterink Wim , Lechner Lilian 
Published: June 2018

Background: The gerontopsychiatric population consists of nursing home residents with combined psychiatric and physical disabilities. A validated measure to assess well-being among this population is currently not available. This article is a first step toward the development of a well-being instrument for the gerontopsychiatric population. Methods: Potential measurement items were gathered and selected with the help of both gerontopsychiatric residents and care professionals. A total of 295 residents and their primary professional caregivers were interviewed. Theoretical and data-driven considerations were applied in the methodological process of scale construction. Results: The final instrument comprised of 30 items within 3 dimensions of well-being (physical, social, and psychological well-being). Reliability and validity were found to be adequate for all dimensions and subscales. Conclusions: The Laurens Well-Being Inventory for Gerontopsychiatry measures well-being in gerontopsychiatric nursing home residents. The first results regarding reliability and validity are promising. More research is needed especially to examine test–retest reliability and responsiveness to change.
Conjunctival bleb compression sutures: An effective method of addressing hypotony after trabeculectomy or trabeculectomy-related procedures
Authors: Yu Jonathan TS , Mercieca Karl , Au Leon 
Published: June 2018

Purpose: Over-filtration is a well-known complication of trabeculectomy and related procedures, especially with adjunctive antimetabolites. Secondary hypotony can result in reduced visual acuity and compromise long-term surgical success. Persistent hypotony requires intervention and we describe an effective adaptation of placing conjunctival compression sutures directly over the scleral flap. Methods: A retrospective consecutive case series of all patients who underwent conjunctival compression suturing from 2012 to 2014 at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK. Under sub-tenon’s anaesthesia, two 9/0 nylon figure-of-eight transconjunctival sutures were placed horizontally across the bleb: the first over the anterior flap/ostium and the second over the posterior flap edge to reduce flow through the trabeculectomy flap. Results: A total of 10 patients underwent conjunctival compression suturing, and all patients had successful reversal of hypotony and symptom resolution within 1 week with corresponding clinical improvement. Intraocular pressure control was maintained without topical pressure-lowering agents in seven patients (median = 10 mmHg, range = 7–12 mmHg) with a median follow-up of 35.9 months (range = 11–61 months). Two patients required topical therapy to maintain intraocular pressure ≤ 14 mmHg and one patient’s hypotony returned after 10 months but remained untreated due to pre-existing poor vision. No patients required a return to theatre. Conclusion: This series demonstrates that conjunctival compression sutures can successfully provide long-term control of trabeculectomy-bleb-related hypotony. This technique offers an effective alternative for glaucoma surgeons in addressing post-trabeculectomy hypotony.
Reference intervals for serum progastrin-releasing peptide in healthy Chinese adults with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay
Authors: Yang Yuanqing , Zheng Taiqing , Jiang Hongmin , Tang Aiguo , Xiang Zhongyuan 
Published: June 2018

Background: Reliable reference intervals for serum progastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) in healthy Chinese adults with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) are still lacking in the Chinese population. Objectives: The study aims to establish reference intervals for ProGRP with ECLIA in apparently healthy Chinese adults. Methods: A total of 384 apparently healthy individuals from six representative geographical regions in China were enrolled: 200 males and 184 females with a mean age of 43.4±12.2 years, and an age range from 21 to 85 years. Serum ProGRP levels were analyzed on Cobas e601 automatic immunoassay analyzer with ECLIA. Reference intervals for serum ProGRP with ECLIA were determined following CLSI C28-A3 guidelines using a nonparametric method. Results: In an apparently healthy Chinese population, the reference intervals for serum ProGRP with ECLIA were ⩽53.92 ng/L for adults aged 21–70 years and ⩽75.69 ng/L for adults aged >70 years, respectively. Conclusions: The reference values for serum ProGRP with ECLIA in an apparently healthy Chinese population were established according to the CLSI C28-A3 document, providing a reference for the clinical work.
Long non-coding RNA PVT1 as a novel potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Fan Heng , Zhu Jian-hua , Yao Xue-qing 
Published: June 2018

Background: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a very important role in the occurrence and development of various tumors, and is a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) and the prognostic significance in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: The expression of PVT1 was measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in cancerous and adjacent tissues of 210 colorectal cancer patients. The disease-free survival and overall survival of colorectal cancer patients were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis, and univariate and multivariate analysis were performed by Cox proportional-hazards model. Results: Our results revealed that PVT1 expression in cancer tissues of colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that of adjacent tissues ( P<0.001). High PVT1 expression was increased by 51.4% (108/210), which was significantly correlated with the tumor differentiation, the depth of invasion, the stage of tumor, node, metastasis (TNM), and lymphatic metastasis. The Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that high PVT1 expression resulted in a shorter disease-free survival (Log-rank test P<0.001) and overall survival (Log-rank test P<0.001) compared with the low PVT1 expression group in colorectal cancer patients, whether at TNM I/II stage or at TNM III/IV stage. A multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that high PVT1 expression was an independent predictor of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. Conclusions: Our results suggest that high PVT1 expression might be a potential biomarker for assessing tumor recurrence and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.