bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral fibropapillomatosis and epidermal hyperplasia of the lip in newborn lambs associated with bovine Deltapapillomavirus
Authors: Roperto Sante , Russo Valeria , Corrado Federica , De Falco Francesca , Munday John S. , Roperto Franco 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCongenital fibropapillomatosis of the gingiva and oral mucosa and epidermal hyperplasia of the lip are described, for the first time, in two newborn lambs. Expression of the E5 oncoprotein of bovine deltapapillomavirus types 2 (BPV-2) and -13 (BPV-13) was detected in both fibropapillomas and the hyperplastic epidermal cells suggesting the BPV infection was the cause of the proliferative lesions. No DNA sequences of BPV-1 and BPV-14 were detected. Both BPV-2 and BPV-13 DNA were also amplified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the newborn lambs’ dams. The concordance between BPV genotypes detected in the blood of dam and the oral and skin pathological samples of their offspring suggests that a vertical hematogeneous transmission was most likely source of BPV infection. Immunoblotting revealed the presence of E5 dimers allowing the viral protein to be biologically active. E5 dimers bind and activate the platelet derived growth factor β receptor (PDGFβR), a major molecular mechanism contributing to disease. The detection of E5 protein within the proliferating cells therefore adds further evidence that the BPV infection was the cause of the proliferative lesions seen in these lambs. This is the first evidence of vertical transmission of BPVs in sheep resulting in a clinical disease.
The involvement of the low-oxygen-activated locus of Burkholderia cenocepacia in adaptation during cystic fibrosis infection
Authors: Cullen Louise , O’Connor Andrew , McCormack Sarah , Owens Rebecca A. , Holt Giles S. , Collins Cassandra , Callaghan Máire , Doyle Sean , Smith Darren , Schaffer Kirsten , Fitzpatrick David A. , McClean Siobhán 
Published: August 2018

AbstractChronic infection with opportunistic pathogens including Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF). We investigated the adaptive mechanisms facilitating chronic lung infection in sequential Bcc isolates from two siblings with CF (P1 and P2), one of whom also experienced intermittent blood-stream infections (P2). We previously showed increased lung cell attachment with colonisation time in both P1 and P2. WGS analysis confirmed that the isolates are closely related. Twelve genes showed three or more mutations, suggesting these were genes under selection. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNVs) in 45 regulatory genes were also observed. Proteomic analysis showed that the abundance of 149 proteins increased over 61-months in sputum isolates, and both time- and source-related alterations in protein abundance between the second patient’s isolates. A consistent time-dependent increase in abundance of 19 proteins encoded by a low-oxygen-activated (lxa) locus was observed in both sets of isolates. Attachment was dramatically reduced in a B. cenocepacia K56-2Δlxa-locus deletion mutant, further indicating that it encodes protein(s) involved in host-cell attachment. Time-related changes in virulence in Galleria mellonella or motility were not observed. We conclude that the lxa-locus, associated with anoxic persistence in vitro, plays a role in host-cell attachment and adaptation to chronic colonization in the hypoxic niche of the CF lung.
Lysine acetylation modulates mouse sperm capacitation
Authors: Ritagliati Carla , Luque Guillermina M. , Stival Cintia , Baro Graf Carolina , Buffone Mariano G. , Krapf Dario 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMammalian sperm are unable to fertilize the egg immediately after ejaculation. To gain fertilization competence, they need to undergo a series of modifications inside the female reproductive tract, known as capacitation. Capacitation involves several molecular events such as phosphorylation cascades, hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane and intracellular Ca2+ changes, which prepare the sperm to develop two essential features for fertilization competence: hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. Since sperm cells lack new protein biosynthesis, post-translational modification of existing proteins plays a crucial role to obtain full functionality. Here, we show the presence of acetylated proteins in murine sperm, which increase during capacitation. Pharmacological hyperacetylation of lysine residues in non-capacitated sperm induces activation of PKA, hyperpolarization of the sperm plasma membrane, CatSper opening and Ca2+ influx, all capacitation-associated molecular events. Furthermore, hyperacetylation of non-capacitated sperm promotes hyperactivation and prepares the sperm to undergo acrosome reaction. Together, these results indicate that acetylation could be involved in the acquisition of fertilization competence of mammalian sperm.
A novel paradigm to study spatial memory skills in blind individuals through the auditory modality
Authors: Setti Walter , Cuturi Luigi F. , Cocchi Elena , Gori Monica 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSpatial memory is a multimodal representation of the environment, which can be mediated by different sensory signals. Here we investigate how the auditory modality influences memorization, contributing to the mental representation of a scene. We designed an audio test inspired by a validated spatial memory test, the Corsi-Block test for blind individuals. The test was carried out in two different conditions, with non-semantic and semantic stimuli, presented in different sessions and displaced on an audio-tactile device. Furthermore, the semantic sounds were spatially displaced in order to reproduce an audio scene, explored by participants during the test. Thus, we verified if semantic rather than non-semantic sounds are better recalled and whether exposure to an auditory scene can enhance memorization skills. Our results show that sighted subjects performed better than blind participants after the exploration of the semantic scene. This suggests that blind participants focus on the perceived sound positions and do not use items’ locations learned during the exploration. We discuss these results in terms of the role of visual experience on spatial memorization skills and the ability to take advantage of semantic information stored in the memory.
Risk factors for Streptococcus suis infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rayanakorn Ajaree , Goh Bey-Hing , Lee Learn-Han , Khan Tahir Mehmood , Saokaew Surasak 
Published: August 2018

AbstractStreptococcus suis(S.suis) is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen in pigs which can cause serious infections in human including meningitis, and septicaemia resulting in serious complications. There were discrepancies between different data and little is known concerning associated risk factors ofS.suis. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate on S.suisinfection risk factors in human. We searched eight relevant databases using the MeSH terms “Streptococcus suis” OR “Streptococcus suis AND infection” limited in human with no time nor language restriction. Out of 4,999 articles identified, 32 and 3 studies were included for systematic review and meta-analysis respectively with a total of 1,454Streptococcus suiscases reported.S.suispatients were generally adult males and the elderly. The mean age ranged between 37 to 63 years. Meningitis was the most common clinical manifestation, and deafness was the most common sequelae found among survivors followed by vestibular dysfunction. Infective endocarditis was also noted as among the most common clinical presentations associated with high mortality rate in a few studies. Meta-analyses categorized by type of control groups (community control, and non-S.suissepsis) were done among 850 participants in 3 studies. The combined odd ratios for studies using community control groups and non-S.Suissepsis as controls respectively were 4.63 (95% CI 2.94–7.29) and 78.00 (95% CI 10.38–585.87) for raw pork consumption, 4.01 (95% CI 2.61–6.15) and 3.03 (95% CI 1.61–5.68) for exposure to pigs or pork, 11.47, (95% CI 5.68–23.14) and 3.07 (95% CI 1.81–5.18) for pig-related occupation and 3.56 (95% CI 2.18–5.80) and 5.84 (95% CI 2.76–12.36) for male sex. The results were found to be significantly associated withS.suisinfection and there was non-significant heterogeneity. History of skin injury and underlying diseases were noted only a small percentage in most studies. Setting up an effective screening protocol and public health interventions would be effective to enhance understanding about the disease.
Co-culture models illustrate the digestion of Gemmata spp. by phagocytes
Authors: Kaboré Odilon D. , Loukil Ahmed , Godreuil Sylvain , Drancourt Michel 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGemmata spp. bacteria thrive in the same aquatic environments as free-living amoebae. DNA-based detection of Gemmata spp. sequences in the microbiota of the human digestive tract and blood further questioned the susceptibility of Gemmata spp. to phagocytes. Here, Gemmata obscuriglobus and Gemmata massiliana were co-cultured with the amoebae Acanthamoeba polyphaga, Acanthamoeba castellanii, Acanthamoeba griffini and THP-1 macrophage-like phagocytes. All experiments were performed in five independant replicates. The ratio amoeba/bacteria was 1:20 and the ratio THP-1/bacteria was 1:10. After a 2-hour co-culture, extracellular bacteria were killed by kanamycin or amikacin and eliminated. The intracellular location of Gemmata bacteria was specified by confocal microscopy. Microscopic enumerations and culture-based enumerations of colony-forming units were performed at T = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 hours post-infection. Then, Gemmata bacteria were engulfed into the phagocytes’ cytoplasmic vacuoles, more than (98 ± 2)% of Gemmata bacteria, compared to controls, were destroyed by phagocytic cells after a 48-h co-culture according to microscopy and culture results, and no positive culture was observed at T = 72-hours. Under our co-culture conditions, Gemmata bacteria were therefore susceptible to the environmental and host phagocytes here investigated. These data suggest that these Acanthamoeba species and THP-1 cells cannot be used to isolate G. massiliana and G. obscuriglobus under the co-culture conditions applied in this study. Although the THP-1 response can point towards potential responses that might occur in vivo, these responses should first bevalidated by in vivo studies to draw definite conclusions.
A histidine-rich Pseudomonas metallothionein with a disordered tail displays higher binding capacity for cadmium than zinc
Authors: Habjanič Jelena , Zerbe Oliver , Freisinger Eva 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are crucial players in metal-related physiological processes. They are characterized by a high cysteine content and unique metal binding properties resulting in specific metal–thiolate clusters formation. Here we present the first NMR solution structure of a Pseudomonas MT, PflQ2 MT, using the strain P. fluorescens Q2-87. It consists of a metal binding domain and an intrinsically disordered C-terminal tail, that was not observed in other MTs so far. While not influencing the structure or function of the metal binding domain, the tail contains a potential binding motif that might be important in so far undiscovered biological interactions. Unusual is the different metal binding capacity for three ZnIIversus four CdII ions that results in two novel metal-cluster topologies. Nevertheless, the affinity for the fourth CdII ion is reduced due to transient coordination. PflQ2 MT contains an unusually large number of four histidine residues, of which only one is involved in metal ion binding. The three non-coordinating histidine residues influence neither the protein fold nor the stability in vitro. We demonstrate that reinstatement of a second coordinating histidine residue, observed for cyanobacterial MTs, in place of a non-coordinating residue in Pseudomonas MTs, decreases the kinetic lability of the cluster, while preserving the overall metal ion binding stability and the protein fold. Since high thermodynamic stability combined with high kinetic lability of metal binding are mechanistic features critical for the function of MTs, the observed replacement might be advantageous for Pseudomonas MTs with respect to metal ion handling in vivo.
Anticardiolipin and Anti-β2-GPI Are Two Distinct Populations of Autoantibodies
Authors: Sorice M , Circella A , Griggi T , Garofalo T , Nicodemo G , Pittoni V , Pontieri G M , Lenti L , Valesini G 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThis study has been undertaken to assess whether anticardiolipin and anti-(32-GPI are two distinct populations of (auto)antibodies, and to clarify whether the β2-GPI region critical for phospholipid binding is also crucial for anti-β2-GPI reactivity.Fourteen of the 62 anticardiolipin (aCL) ELISA positive sera (22.6%) were positive for anti-β2-GPI by immunoblotting, 42 (67.7%) for aCL using TLC immunostaining.IgG fractions from 5 sera gave the same anticardiolipin reactivity detected by TLC immunostaining in the corresponding sera.All anti-β2-GPI-positive sera were reactive with the phenylthio-carbamyl derivative of the protein, indicating that binding of phe-nylisothiocyanate with lysine residues does not modify the molecule antigenicity. In addition, incubation of IgG fractions with the phospholipid binding site did not modify reactivity with β2-GPI.These findings demonstrate that: a) “true” antiphospholipid antibodies are detectable in patients sera; b) aCL and anti-β2-GPI have a different immunological profile; c) the β2-GPI phospholipid-binding site is not the region recognized by the antibodies.
Increased Plasma Levels of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) after n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Supplementation in Patients with Chronic Atherosclerotic Disease
Authors: Berrettini Mauro , Parise Pasquale , Ricotta Serena , Iorio Alfonso , Peirone Cristina , Nenci Giuseppe G 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThis double-blind, randomised, controlled study examined the effect of a daily dosage of 3 g n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on plasma lipids and some haemostatic factors in 40 patients with chronic atherosclerotic diseases. Serum lipids, factor VII, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and prothrombin activation fragment 1+2 (F1+2) were measured at baseline and after 2, 8, and 16-week supplementation of either n-3 PUFA or com oil. Administration of n-3 PUFA promptly lowered serum triglycerides and increased LDL-cholesterol (-32% and +33%, respectively, after 2 weeks of treatment) while a significant increase (+31%) in HDL-cholesterol was documented at the end of the observation period. Treatment with n-3 PUFA induced a progressive significant increase of TFPI plasma levels (+21% after 16 weeks; p = 0.029). TFPI activity was significantly correlated with LDL-cholesterol, and multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that LDL-cholesterol was the most important predictor of TFPI activity. Plasma levels of the inhibitor showed also a very high parallelism in their trend over time (ANOVA model for homogeneity of slopes) with both HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.82) and LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.67). Patients treated with n-PUFA also showed a significant reduction of F1+2 plasma levels (p = 0.016) while no significant changes were detected in plasma factor VII clotting activity. Lipid and haemostatic parameters were not modified at any study time in patients receiving corn oil as placebo. The results of this study confirm the effects of n-3 PUFA administration on plasma lipids and show that in patients with chronic atherosclerotic disease a 16-week supplementation with these compounds induces a small but statistically significant increase of TFPI plasma levels with a parallel down-regulation of the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation which may be relevant to the antithrombotic activity of fish diet and fish oil derivatives.
The Untold Story of the First Hand Transplant: Dedicated to the Memory of one of the Great Minds of the Ecuadorian Medical Community and the World
Authors: Febres-Cordero Roberto , Simpson Roger , Gilbert Fernandez Juan 
Published: August 2018

Background In 1964, faced with the challenge of traumatic amputation, a team of surgeons at Clinica Guayaquil was convinced that the transplantation of a hand could significantly improve function and quality of life for the recipient. With a current but basic understanding of immunosuppression, the surgeons identified a recipient and waited for the correct donor. A human hand transplant had never been performed to date.
Methods The surgeons' criteria for the recipient included a young healthy individual who had sustained a traumatic amputation at the distal forearm level with full motion of the proximal joints. Communication with receiving hospitals and military facilities identified what they perceived to be a feasible donor for an allograft transplantation. Consent was obtained from the family in conjunction with the local military medical authorities and the clergy. Iced saline solution and Heparin irrigation were to be used to prepare the donor extremity. The immunosuppression regimen, limited at the time, consisted only of intravenous cortisone, Imuran, and a single dose of radiation.
Results A member of the Ecuadorian marine sustained a limited blast injury that amputated his dominant hand but spared the forearm. He was transferred to the emergency department of Clinica Guayaquil. A donor who had recently died in a nearby hospital was identified not long after. A successful technical surgical transplantation was achieved. Consultants from major hospitals around the world (including Peter Bent Brigham Hospital) convened at the patient's bedside to observe the results. Despite all efforts, the patient suffered an irreversible rejection at 21 days post-transplant.
Conclusion This was the first allograft transplantation of a hand. The surgeons embarked on an intervention never tried before, firmly believing that better function and quality of life would result. The bravery of this surgical team was commendable. This early surgical endeavor opened the way for future successes in transplant surgery today.
Oxidative and Antioxidative Stress Markers in Relation to Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Gender
Authors: Garre Indrani , Nallagasu Raju , Dangati Malleshwar Rao , Bobbala Indumathi , Muddada Ravikiran 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between oxidative and antioxidative stress markers with presence of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and the severity of LVD with coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Further, the role of oxidative and anti-oxidative stress markers on gender was also investigated.
Methods This was an observational prospective pilot study of patients diagnosed with CAD with LVD who underwent PCI at the center from June 2017 to December 2017. Based on the ejection function (EF), patients were categorized into three groups: mild (> 40–50%), moderate (> 35–40%), and severe (≤ 35%). The oxidative and antioxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH], and nitric oxide [NO]) were studied and compared in these groups and in both genders as subanalysis.
Results Total 33 patients were enrolled, of whom 23 were male (69.7%) and 10 were female (30.3%). Mean age of the study population was 58.8 ± 9.3 years. Significant elevation of MDA and NO was seen in 33 (100%) and 26 (78.8%), respectively, and decreased GSH was seen in 30 (90.9%). There was no significant difference with respect to oxidative and antioxidative stress markers and severity of LVD (MDA, p = 0.25; NO, p = 0.79; and GSH, p = 0.2) despite elevated MDA levels in all patients. The subanalysis was done to see the gender effect with oxidative and antioxidative stress markers (MDA, p = 0.29; NO, p = 0.10; and GSH, p = 0.50), and they all were insignificant.
Conclusion In this study, there was no significant relationship of oxidative and anti-oxidative stress markers on the degree of LVD even though the elevated MDA levels suggestive of increased oxidative stress were seen in all patients. The further analysis of gender in relation to oxidative and antioxidative stress markers was also insignificant.
Existence of Enlarged Parietal Foramina in Bone Collections
Authors: Magalhães Carolina , Ferreira Maria , Reis Rita , Silva Fernanda , Santos Taciana , Campina Renata 
Published: August 2018

Introduction The enlarged parietal foramen (EPF) is a defect in the ossification of the parietal bone that is well described in the literature using a variety of nomenclatures. Individuals with EPF can present symptoms such as migraines, vomiting and intense pain when light pressure is applied to the skull. However, it can go unnoticed for a lifetime.
Materials and Methods At the Human Bone Collection department of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 2 craniums (CAV 90, 96 years old and CAV 16, 81 years old) and were identified as having EPF, both from females.
Results There was no apparent kinship between both craniums. The sagittal length, the coronal width, the sagittal suture distance, the coronal suture distance and the lambdoid suture distance of each enlarged parietal foramen were evaluated, with the following results: sagittal length: 5.5 cm (CAV 90), and 5.0 cm (CAV 16); coronal width: 3.1 cm (CAV 90),and 3.4 cm (CAV 16); sagittal suture distance: 2.9 cm (CAV 90), and 2.3 cm (CAV 16); coronal suture distance: 1.8 cm (CAV 90), and 4.6 cm (CAV 16); and lambdoid suture distance: 5.0 cm (CAV 90), and 3.0 cm (CAV 16). The parietal foramen of both craniums exhibited equivalent measurements.
Conclusion Due to the low incidence of EPF, the identification of the 2 craniums with this condition in a collection of 105 skeletons makes the discovery relevant. In reference to craniums exhibiting EPF, this is an important tool for study and forensic research, since its appearance is linked to heredity.
Dermatology Surgery Training in a Live Animal Model
Authors: de la Garza-Castro Oscar , Sánchez-González Sandra , DeLaGarza-Pineda Oscar , Espinosa-Uribe Abraham , Quiroga-Garza Alejandro , Elizondo-Omaña Rodrigo , Guzmán-López Santos 
Published: August 2018

Background Surgical technique is an important part of resident training, which is the reason why various models have been implemented to acquire this skill. Animal models have been useful in teaching dermatologic suturing techniques. With the advancements in technology, simulators have been developed for these exercises, but at a very high cost. The use of pig heads and freshly killed animals have proven to be effective and low-cost. However, they do not reproduce skin pathologies with accuracy.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a live anesthetized rat model to simulate skin pathologies requiring surgical excision in a dermatologic suture workshop for residents.
Methods We analyze the outcome of a theoretical and practical suturing workshop using live Wistar rats with 13 dermatology residents.
Results The residents showed an improvement in surgical maneuvers, suturing techniques, and in the use of surgical instruments (p < 0.01).
Conclusion The model proposed in the present study was economic, easy to obtain and to manage, and it portrays live and accurate skin response to manipulation. Therefore, it is effective for conducting surgical training sessions in dermatology.
Progress and prospects in the use of photocatalysis for the synthesis of organofluorine compounds
Authors: Borodkin Gennady I. , Shubin Vyacheslav G. 
Published: August 2018

Data on the synthesis of fluorinated organic compounds by photocatalysis are systematically considered and analyzed. The attention is focused on the mechanisms of photocatalytic reactions and the selectivity problem.
The bibliography includes 173 references.