bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonspecific immunomodulators for recurrent respiratory tract infections, wheezing and asthma in children: a systematic review of mechanistic and clinical evidence
Authors: Esposito Susanna , Soto-Martinez Manuel E. , Feleszko Wojciech , Jones Marcus H. , Shen Kun-Ling , Schaad Urs B. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose of review
To provide an overview of the mechanistic and clinical evidence for the use of nonspecific immunomodulators in paediatric respiratory tract infection (RTI) and wheezing/asthma prophylaxis.

Recent findings
Nonspecific immunomodulators have a long history of empirical use for the prevention of RTIs in vulnerable populations, such as children. The past decade has seen an increase in both the number and quality of studies providing mechanistic and clinical evidence for the prophylactic potential of nonspecific immunomodulators against both respiratory infections and wheezing/asthma in the paediatric population. Orally administered immunomodulators result in the mounting of innate and adaptive immune responses to infection in the respiratory mucosa and anti-inflammatory effects in proinflammatory environments. Clinical data reflect these mechanistic effects in reductions in the recurrence of respiratory infections and wheezing events in high-risk paediatric populations. A new generation of clinical studies is currently underway with the power to position the nonspecific bacterial lysate immunomodulator OM-85 as a potential antiasthma prophylactic.

Summary
An established mechanistic and clinical role for prophylaxis against paediatric respiratory infections by nonspecific immunomodulators exists. Clinical trials underway promise to provide high-quality data to establish whether a similar role exists in wheezing/asthma prevention.
Modified Technique of Separate Vertical Wiring for the Fixation of Patellar Inferior Pole Fracture
Authors: He Shuangjian , Huang Xiaoyi , Yan Bin , Zhu Jian , Bao Nirong , Zhao Jianning 
Published: March 2018

Summary:
To evaluate the biomechanical and clinical results of modified separate vertical wiring technique (SVW) for inferior pole patellar fracture repair we conducted a finite element biomechanical study using 2 fixation methods and evaluated a clinical series of eleven patients. The modified SVW technique was an effective, safe and simple method that can provide stable fixation for early exercise with excellent functional results in fixing inferior pole patella fractures.
Decline of Seroprevalence and Incidence of Congenital Toxoplasmosis Despite Changing Prevention Policy—Three Decades of Cord-blood Screening in North-western Switzerland
Authors: Rudin Christoph , Hirsch Hans H. , Spaelti Rahel , Schaedelin Sabine , Klimkait Thomas 
Published: March 2018

Background:
Due to the lack of prospective data, there is an ongoing debate about the need for screening and prevention programs for congenital toxoplasmosis in Europe. Accordingly, individual countries have chosen different public health strategies.

Methods:
A cord-blood screening program for congenital toxoplasmosis was established in 1982 in obstetric units of hospitals in North-Western Switzerland. Samples were tested for specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM, and after 1992 also for IgA antibodies. Suspicious test results triggered additional investigations to identify children with congenital toxoplasmosis.

Results:
From 1982 to 2015, 119,166 cord-blood samples have been collected and analyzed for the presence of Toxoplasma-specific antibodies. Although maternal age rose from 28.2 to 32.2 years during this period, a decrease of seroprevalence from 53% to 20% was observed. The incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis decreased by 85% (from 0.08% to 0.012%) and remained low despite abandoning prevalent nonsystematic screening during pregnancy in Switzerland.

Conclusions:
Our data document a steady decline of both Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and congenital toxoplasmosis incidence in Switzerland even after abolition of the nonsystematic prenatal screening a decade ago. The data support abandoning toxoplasmosis screening programs in low-incidence, high-income countries such as Switzerland.
Understanding the carbon dioxide gaps
Authors: Scheeren Thomas W.L. , Wicke Jannis N. , Teboul Jean-Louis 
Published: March 2018

Purpose of review
The current review attempts to demonstrate the value of several forms of carbon dioxide (CO2) gaps in resuscitation of the critically ill patient as monitor for the adequacy of the circulation, as target for fluid resuscitation and also as predictor for outcome.

Recent findings
Fluid resuscitation is one of the key treatments in many intensive care patients. It remains a challenge in daily practice as both a shortage and an overload in intravascular volume are potentially harmful. Many different approaches have been developed for use as target of fluid resuscitation. CO2 gaps can be used as surrogate for the adequacy of cardiac output (CO) and as marker for tissue perfusion and are therefore a potential target for resuscitation. CO2 gaps are easily measured via point-of-care analysers. We shed light on its potential use as nowadays it is not widely used in clinical practice despite its potential. Many studies were conducted on partial CO2 pressure differences or CO2 content (cCO2) differences either alone, or in combination with other markers for outcome or resuscitation adequacy. Furthermore, some studies deal with CO2 gap to O2 gap ratios as target for goal-directed fluid therapy or as marker for outcome.

Summary
CO2 gap is a sensitive marker of tissue hypoperfusion, with added value over traditional markers of tissue hypoxia in situations in which an oxygen diffusion barrier exists such as in tissue oedema and impaired microcirculation. Venous-to-arterial cCO2 or partial pressure gaps can be used to evaluate whether attempts to increase CO should be made. Considering the potential of the several forms of CO2 measurements and its ease of use via point-of-care analysers, it is recommendable to implement CO2 gaps in standard clinical practice.
Report of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in Klebsiella oxytoca from Iran
Authors: Ghasemian Abdolmajid , Mobarez Ashraf Mohabati , Peerayeh Shahin Najar , Abadi Amin Talebi Bezmin , Khodaparast Sepideh , Nojoomi Farshad 
Published: March 2018

Background:
Colistin resistance occurs via either the chromosomal mutations or transfer of plasmid-mediated mobilized colistin resistance (mcr-1) and mcr-2 genes. The objective of this study was characterization of plasmid-mediated colistin-resistant Klebsiella oxytoca clinical isolates.

Methods:
A total of five colistin-resistant K. oxytoca isolates were obtained from patients with antibiotic-associated haemorrhagic colitis. The resistance pattern and phenotypic tests, and the virulence genes were investigated by the phenotypic method and the PCR.

Results:
Four mcr-1 and one mcr-2-positive K. oxytoca isolates were detected. The ceftazidime and cefotaxime minimum inhibitory concentrations was more than 128 μg/ml and imipenem minimum inhibitory concentrations were 4 μg/ml for four isolates and 1 μg/ml for one isolate. The extended-spectrum beta-lactamases including bla
CTX-M1, bla
SHV and bla
TEM1 and Citrobacter-like (CIT) (encoding AmpC) genes were detected among all the isolates, and bla
IMP (100%, n = 5) and bla
OXA-48 (80%, n = 4) carbapenemase genes were also detected, but none amplified bla
KPC-2, bla
VIM or bla
NDM1 and the fosA3 (fosfomycin-resistant) genes. The virulence encoding genes including npsB (100%, n = 5), fimA (4/5, 80%), matB (100%, n = 5), mrkA (80%, n = 4) and pilQ (100%, n = 5) were detected among them. There was no significant difference regarding the presence of any of adhesion genes between colistin-resistant and susceptible isolates (P > 0.05). In this study, carbapenem and colistin-resistant K. oxytoca with a high rate of adhesions and toxin-encoding genes were detected from hospitalized patients with antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis (AAHC)

Conclusion:
A high rate of carbapenem resistance and emergence of colistin resistance which have been located on mobile genetic elements is a concern. Detection, surveillance and control of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriacea spread are essential to eradicate due infections.
Polarization Variability in Age-related Macular Degeneration
Authors: VanNasdale Dean A. , Elsner Ann E. , Malinovsky Victor E. , Peabody Todd D. , Kohne Kimberly D. , Haggerty Bryan P. , Clark Christopher A. 
Published: March 2018

SIGNIFICANCE
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss. Complementary imaging techniques can be used to better characterize and quantify pathological changes associated with AMD. By assessing specific light-tissue interactions, polarization-sensitive imaging can be used to detect tissue disruption early in the disease process.

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to compare variability in central macular polarization properties in patients with nonexudative AMD and age-matched control subjects.

METHODS
A scanning laser polarimeter (GDx, LDT/CZM) was used to acquire 15 × 15-degree macular images in 10 subjects diagnosed with nonexudative AMD and 10 age-matched control subjects. The coefficient of variation (COV, SD/mean) was used to quantify variability in pixel intensity in the central 3.3° of the macula for custom images emphasizing multiply scattered light (the depolarized light image) and polarization-retaining light (the maximum of the parallel detector image). The intensity COV was compared across subject categories using paired t tests for each image type.

RESULTS
The COV in the central macula was significantly higher in the AMD subject group (average, 0.221; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.157 to 0.265) when compared with matched control subjects (average 0.120; 95% CI, 0.107 to 0.133) in the depolarized light image (P = .01). The COV in the maximum of the parallel detector image was not statistically different between the two subject groups (AMD average, 0.162 [95% CI, 0.138 to 0.185]; control average, 0.137 [95% CI, 0.115 to 0.158]; P = .21).

CONCLUSIONS
Variability in multiply scattered light is higher than that of light that is more polarization preserving in patients with nonexudative AMD. Multiple scattering may act as an early indicator representing disruption to the macula in early AMD.
Visual Acuity and Over-refraction in Myopic Children Fitted with Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses
Authors: Schulle Krystal L. , Berntsen David A. , Sinnott Loraine T. , Bickle Katherine M. , Gostovic Anita T. , Pierce Gilbert E. , Jones-Jordan Lisa A. , Mutti Donald O. , Walline Jeffrey J. 
Published: March 2018

SIGNIFICANCE
Practitioners fitting contact lenses for myopia control frequently question whether a myopic child can achieve good vision with a high-add multifocal. We demonstrate that visual acuity is not different than spectacles with a commercially available, center-distance soft multifocal contact lens (MFCL) (Biofinity Multifocal “D”; +2.50 D add).

PURPOSE
To determine the spherical over-refraction (SOR) necessary to obtain best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) when fitting myopic children with a center-distance soft MFCL.

METHODS
Children (n = 294) aged 7 to 11 years with myopia (spherical component) of −0.75 to −5.00 diopters (D) (inclusive) and 1.00 D cylinder or less (corneal plane) were fitted bilaterally with +2.50 D add Biofinity “D” MFCLs. The initial MFCL power was the spherical equivalent of a standardized subjective refraction, rounded to the nearest 0.25 D step (corneal plane). An SOR was performed monocularly (each eye) to achieve BCVA. Binocular, high-contrast logMAR acuity was measured with manifest spectacle correction and MFCLs with over-refraction. Photopic pupil size was measured with a pupilometer.

RESULTS
The mean (±SD) age was 10.3 ± 1.2 years, and the mean (±SD) SOR needed to achieve BCVA was OD: −0.61 ± 0.24 D/OS: −0.58 ± 0.27 D. There was no difference in binocular high-contrast visual acuity (logMAR) between spectacles (−0.01 ± 0.06) and best-corrected MFCLs (-0.01 ± 0.07) (P = .59). The mean (±SD) photopic pupil size (5.4 ± 0.7 mm) was not correlated with best MFCL correction or the over-refraction magnitude (both P ≥ .09).

CONCLUSIONS
Children achieved BCVA with +2.50 D add MFCLs that was not different than with spectacles. Children typically required an over-refraction of −0.50 to −0.75 D to achieve BCVA. With a careful over-refraction, these +2.50 D add MFCLs provide good distance acuity, making them viable candidates for myopia control.
Submental Intubation: an Underutilized Technique for Airway Management in Patients With Panfacial Trauma
Authors: Kaiser Adam , Semanoff Adam , Christensen Louis , Sadoff Rory , DiGiacomo Jody C. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose:
To evaluate submental intubation compared with secure airways of patients who have sustained significant maxillofacial trauma.

Patients and Methods:
Patient series of 3 patients who underwent submental intubation prior to open reduction internal fixation of fractures associated with the mid and lower face. All of these patients were initially orally intubated, and then converted to submental intubation prior to the reparative procedure. Detailed description of the procedure is discussed in each patient.

Results:
All the patients received appropriate reduction of facial fractures following submental intubation with no intraoperative complications. Two of the 3 patients were extubated immediately postoperatively and 1 was extubated on the second postoperative day. None of the patients had any complications associated with submental intubation.

Conclusions:
Submental intubation is a safe and expedient technique to divert the airway in patients who require operative repair of panfacial injuries. This procedure is preferable over tracheostomy in selected patients of maxillofacial trauma without indication for prolonged ventilation support.
Porcine Bone Incorporated With 4-Hexylresorcinol Increases New Bone Formation by Suppression of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signaling Pathway
Authors: Song Ji-Young , Kim Seong-Gon , Park Na-rae , Choi Je-Yong 
Published: March 2018

Objective:
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the suppression of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) pathway by 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR), which was activated by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in osteoblasts, and new bone formation by 4HR-incorporated porcine bone in an animal model.

Study Design:
For the confirmation of successful incorporation of 4HR into porcine bone, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) analysis were performed. High performance liquid chromatography was performed for the analysis of the 4HR release profile from porcine bone. MC 3T3-E1 cells were used for the analysis of the NF-kB signaling pathway activation by western blotting and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. New bone formation and the analysis of marker protein expression were studied in a rat calvarial critical-sized defect model.

Results:
Both SEM and FT-IR analysis demonstrated successful incorporation of 4HR into porcine bone. Approximately 30% of 4HR was steadily released from porcine bone for 18 days. 4HR suppressed the NF-kB signaling pathway, which was activated by TNF-α application in MC 3T3-E1 cells. Histological analysis revealed that porcine bone particles with incorporated 4HR showed significantly greater new bone formation than those without 4HR at 4 and 8 weeks after operation (P < 0.05). The expression intensities of alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, and osteocalcin were also higher in the 4HR-incorporated group.

Conclusion:
The application of 4HR suppressed the NF-kB signaling pathway in osteoblasts and 4HR-containing porcine bone particles promoted new bone formation in a rat calvarial defect model.
Comparison of the WarmCloud and Bair Hugger Warming Devices for the Prevention of Intraoperative Hypothermia in Patients Undergoing Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Pearce Brett , Mattheyse Linda , Ellard Louise , Desmond Fiona , Pillai Param , Weinberg Laurence 
Published: March 2018

Background
The avoidance of hypothermia is vital during prolonged and open surgery to improve patient outcomes. Hypothermia is particularly common during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and associated with undesirable physiological effects that can adversely impact on perioperative morbidity. The KanMed WarmCloud (Bromma, Sweden) is a revolutionary, closed-loop, warm-air heating mattress developed to maintain normothermia and prevent pressure sores during major surgery. The clinical effectiveness of the WarmCloud device during OLT is unknown. Therefore, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the WarmCloud device reduces hypothermia and prevents pressure injuries compared with the Bair Hugger underbody warming device.

Methods
Patients were randomly allocated to receive either the WarmCloud or Bair Hugger warming device. Both groups also received other routine standardized multimodal thermoregulatory strategies. Temperatures were recorded by nasopharyngeal temperature probe at set time points during surgery. The primary endpoint was nasopharyngeal temperature recorded 5 minutes before reperfusion. Secondary endpoints included changes in temperature over the predefined intraoperative time points, number of patients whose nadir temperature was below 35.5°C and the development of pressure injuries during surgery.

Results
Twenty-six patients were recruited with 13 patients randomized to each group. One patient from the WarmCloud group was excluded because of a protocol violation. Baseline characteristics were similar. The mean (standard deviation) temperature before reperfusion was 36.0°C (0.7) in the WarmCloud group versus 36.3°C (0.6) in the Bairhugger group (P = 0.25). There were no statistical differences between the groups for any of the secondary endpoints.

Conclusions
When combined with standardized multimodal thermoregulatory strategies, the WarmCloud device does not reduce hypothermia compared with the Bair Hugger device in patients undergoing OLT.
An upper bound on the particle-laden dependency of shear stresses at solid–fluid interfaces
Authors: Zohdi T. I. 
Published: March 2018

In modern advanced manufacturing processes, such as three-dimensional printing of electronics, fine-scale particles are added to a base fluid yielding a modified fluid. For example, in three-dimensional printing, particle-functionalized inks are created by adding particles to freely flowing solvents forming a mixture, which is then deposited onto a surface, which upon curing yields desirable solid properties, such as thermal conductivity, electrical permittivity and magnetic permeability. However, wear at solid–fluid interfaces within the machinery walls that deliver such particle-laden fluids is typically attributed to the fluid-induced shear stresses, which increase with the volume fraction of added particles. The objective of this work is to develop a rigorous
strict upper bound
for the tolerable volume fraction of particles that can be added, while remaining below a given stress threshold at a fluid–solid interface. To illustrate the bound’s utility, the expression is applied to a series of classical flow regimes.
Higher-order thalamocortical inputs gate synaptic long-term potentiation via disinhibition
Authors: Williams Leena E. , Holtmaat Anthony 
Published: March 2018

SUMMARYSensory experience and perceptual learning changes the receptive field properties of cortical pyramidal neurons, largely mediated by long-term potentiation (LTP) of synapses. The circuit mechanisms underlying cortical LTP remain unclear. In the mouse somatosensory cortex (S1), LTP can be elicited in layer (L) 2/3 pyramidal neurons by rhythmic whisker stimulation. We combined electrophysiology, optogenetics, and chemogenetics in thalamocortical slices to dissect the synaptic circuitry underlying this LTP. We found that projections from higher-order, posteriormedial thalamic complex (POm) to S1 are key to eliciting NMDAR-dependent LTP of intracortical synapses. Paired activation of intracortical and higher-order thalamocortical pathways increased vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) interneuron and decreased somatostatin (SST) interneuron activity, which was critical for inducing LTP. Our results reveal a novel circuit motif in which higher-order thalamic feedback gates plasticity of intracortical synapses in S1 via disinhibition. This motif may allow contextual feedback to shape synaptic circuits that process first-order sensory information.
Deep genome annotation of the opportunistic human pathogenStreptococcus pneumoniaeD39
Authors: Slager Jelle , Aprianto Rieza , Veening Jan-Willem 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTA precise understanding of the genomic organization into transcriptional units and their regulation is essential for our comprehension of opportunistic human pathogens and how they cause disease. Using single-molecule real-time (PacBio) sequencing we unambiguously determined the genome sequence ofStreptococcus pneumoniaestrain D39 and revealed several inversions previously undetected by short-read sequencing. Significantly, a chromosomal inversion results in antigenic variation of PhtD, an important surface-exposed virulence factor. We generated a new genome annotation using automated tools, followed by manual curation, reflecting the current knowledge in the field. By combining sequence-driven terminator prediction, deep paired-end transcriptome sequencing and enrichment of primary transcripts by Cappable-Seq, we mapped 1,015 transcriptional start sites and 748 termination sites. Using this new genomic map, we identified several new small RNAs (sRNAs), riboswitches (including twelve previously misidentified as sRNAs), and antisense RNAs. In total, we annotated 92 new protein-encoding genes, 39 sRNAs and 165 pseudogenes, bringing theS. pneumoniaeD39 repertoire to 2,151 genetic elements. We report operon structures and observed that 9% of operons lack a 5’-UTR. The genome data is accessible in an online resource called PneumoBrowse (https://veeninglab.com/pneumobrowse) providing one of the most complete inventories of a bacterial genome to date. PneumoBrowse will accelerate pneumococcal research and the development of new prevention and treatment strategies.
Auxin is not asymmetrically distributed in initiating Arabidopsis leaves
Authors: Bhatia Neha , Heisler Marcus G. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIt has been proposed that asymmetric auxin levels within initiating leaves help establish leaf polarity, based in part on observations of the DII auxin sensor. Here we show that the mDII control sensor also exhibits an asymmetry and that according to the ratio-metric auxin sensor R2D2, no obvious asymmetry in auxin exists. Together with other recent findings, our results argue against the importance of auxin asymmetry in establishing leaf polarity.