bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A retrospective histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular study of the presence of Leishmania spp. in the skin of cats with head and neck ulcerative dermatitis
Authors: Di Mattia Diana , Fondevila Dolores , Abramo Francesca , Fondati Alessandra 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundHead and neck ulcers in cats can arise from allergic and nonallergic disorders, including feline leishmaniosis (FeL). It is important to rule out this aetiological agent in regions that are endemic for canine leishmaniosis, because the drugs used to treat immune‐mediated disorders of cats can be contraindicated in the setting of infection.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the skin of cats with ulcerative dermatitis of the head or neck for evidence of Leishmania infection using combined immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). An IHC for tissue histiocytes was also utilized because leishmaniosis may provoke a histiocytic inflammatory response.AnimalsTwenty seven cats with head and/or neck ulcers.MethodsSkin biopsy specimens were examined for the presence of Leishmania spp. by routine histopathological evaluation and IHC using a polyclonal anti‐Leishmania antibody, and by quantitative PCR (qPCR). The ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule‐1 (IBA‐1) antibody was used to immunolocalize histiocytes. Selected history and clinical data were recorded.ResultsAll specimens showed a superficial mid‐perivascular mixed inflammatory infiltrate. The presence of histiocytes was confirmed in 23 of 27 cases with the IBA‐1 antibody. Immunohistochemistry and qPCR techniques confirmed the absence of Leishmania in all cases.Conclusions and clinical importanceLeishmania did not seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of feline ulcerative dermatitis of the head and neck in the subjects studied, despite a lifestyle potentially associated with infection. Histiocytic infiltration of tissue is not a specific marker for Leishmania infection in this population.
Extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing Escherichia coli in common vampire bats Desmodus rotundus and livestock in Peru
Authors: Benavides J. A. , Shiva C. , Virhuez M. , Tello C. , Appelgren A. , Vendrell J. , Solassol J. , Godreuil S. , Streicker D. G. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryAntibiotic resistance mediated by bacterial production of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL) is a global threat to public health. ESBL resistance is most commonly hospital‐acquired; however, infections acquired outside of hospital settings have raised concerns over the role of livestock and wildlife in the zoonotic spread of ESBL‐producing bacteria. Only limited data are available on the circulation of ESBL‐producing bacteria in animals. Here, we report ESBL‐producing Escherichia coli in wild common vampire bats Desmodus rotundus and livestock near Lima, Peru. Molecular analyses revealed that most of this resistance resulted from the expression of blaCTX‐M‐15 genes carried by plasmids, which are disseminating worldwide in hospital settings and have also been observed in healthy children of Peru. Multilocus sequence typing showed a diverse pool of E. coli strains carrying this resistance that were not always host species‐specific, suggesting sharing of strains between species or infection from a common source. This study shows widespread ESBL resistance in wild and domestic animals, supporting animal communities as a potential source of resistance. Future work is needed to elucidate the role of bats in the dissemination of antibiotic‐resistant strains of public health importance and to understand the origin of the observed resistance.
Serological evidence of widespread exposure of Grenada fruit bats to chikungunya virus
Authors: Stone D. , Lyons A. C. , Huang Y.‐J. S. , Vanlandingham D. L. , Higgs S. , Blitvich B. J. , Adesiyun A. A. , Santana S. E. , Leiser‐Miller L. , Cheetham S. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryAntibody detection against selected potentially zoonotic vector‐borne alphaviruses and flaviviruses was conducted on sera from bats from all six parishes in Grenada, West Indies. Sera were tested for (i) antibodies to flaviviruses West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Ilhéus virus, Bussuquara virus (BSQV), Rio Bravo virus and all four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT); (ii) antibodies to alphaviruses western equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus by epitope‐blocking enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and (iii) antibodies to the alphavirus chikungunya (CHIKV) by PRNT. Two species of fruit bats were sampled, Artibeus jamaicensis and Artibeus lituratus, all roosting in or within 1,000 m of human settlements. Fifteen (36%) of the 42 bats tested for neutralizing antibodies to CHIKV were positive. The CHIKV‐seropositive bats lived in localities spanning five of the six parishes. All 43 bats tested for epitope‐blocking ELISA antibody to the other alphaviruses were negative, except one positive for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. All 50 bats tested for neutralizing antibody to flaviviruses were negative, except one that had a BSQV PRNT80 titre of 20. The CHIKV serology results indicate that bats living close to and within human settlements were exposed to CHIKV in multiple locations. Importantly, bats for this study were trapped a year after the introduction and peak of the human CHIKV epidemic in Grenada. Thus, our data indicate that bats were exposed to CHIKV possibly during a time of marked decline in human cases.
Fungicidal Potency and Mechanisms of θ-Defensins against Multidrug-Resistant Candida Species
Authors: Basso Virginia , Garcia Angie , Tran Dat Q. , Schaal Justin B. , Tran Patti , Ngole Diana , Aqeel Younus , Tongaonkar Prasad , Ouellette André J. , Selsted Michael E. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Systemic candidiasis is a growing health care concern that is becoming even more challenging due to the growing frequency of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Candida
species. Thus, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches to candidiasis, including strategies bioinspired by insights into natural host defense against fungal pathogens. The antifungal properties of θ-defensins, macrocyclic peptides expressed in tissues of Old World monkeys, were investigated against a panel of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant clinical isolates of
Candida albicans
and non-
albicans Candida
species. Rhesus θ-defensin 1 (RTD-1), the prototype θ-defensin, was rapidly and potently fungicidal against drug-sensitive and MDR
C. albicans
strains. Fungal killing occurred by cell permeabilization that was temporally correlated with ATP release and intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Killing by RTD-1 was compared with that by histatin 5 (Hst 5), an extensively characterized anticandidal peptide expressed in human saliva. RTD-1 killed
C. albicans
much more rapidly and at a >200-fold lower concentration than that of Hst 5. Unlike Hst 5, the anticandidal activity of RTD-1 was independent of mitochondrial ATP production. Moreover, RTD-1 was completely resistant to
Candida
proteases for 2 h under conditions that rapidly and completely degraded Hst 5. MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of 14 natural θ-defensins isoforms against drug-resistant
C. albicans
isolates identified peptides that are more active than amphotericin B and/or caspofungin against fluconazole-resistant organisms, including MDR
Candida auris.
These results point to the potential of macrocyclic θ-defensins as structural templates for the design of antifungal therapeutics.
Quality of life in young people with congenital heart disease is better than expected
Authors: Reiner Barbara , Oberhoffer Renate , Ewert Peter , Müller Jan 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesImproved treatments for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) have led to a growing interest in long-term functional outcomes such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studies on HRQoL in children with CHD have contradicting results. Therefore, we compared HRQoL of children with CHD with that of current healthy peers and stratify CHD cases by severity and diagnostic subgroups.MethodsWe included 514 patients (191 girls) aged 7–17 (12.9±3.1) years who were recruited at our institution between July 2014 and May 2017. The self-reported and age-adapted KINDL questionnaire was used to assess HRQoL. Patient data were compared with that of a recent control group of 734 healthy children (346 girls, 13.4±2.1 years).ResultsPatients with CHD scored at least as high as healthy peers in HRQoL (CHD: 78.6±9.8; healthy: 75.6±10.1; P<0.001). After correction for sex and age, patients with CHD presented a 2.3-point higher HRQoL (P<0.001). The sex-specific and age-specific analyses showed that there were no differences between boys with and without CHD in childhood (P=0.255), but in adolescence, boys with CHD had on average 3.9-point higher scores (P=0.001), whereas girls with CHD had statistically higher HRQoL perception than healthy girls in childhood (4.2 points; P=0.003) and adolescence (4.2 points; P=0.005). There were no differences between the severity classes or diagnostic subgroups in the total HRQoL score or in the six subdomains.ConclusionThe high HRQoL in young patients with CHD suggests that they can cope well with their disease burden. This holds true for all severity classes and diagnostic subgroups.
New workflow for classification of genetic variants’ pathogenicity applied to hereditary recurrent fevers by the International Study Group for Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases (INSAID)
Authors: Van Gijn Marielle E , Ceccherini Isabella , Shinar Yael , Carbo Ellen C , Slofstra Mariska , Arostegui Juan I , Sarrabay Guillaume , Rowczenio Dorota , Omoyımnı Ebun , Balci-Peynircioglu Banu , Hoffman Hal M , Milhavet Florian , Swertz Morris A , Touitou Isabelle 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundHereditary recurrent fevers (HRFs) are rare inflammatory diseases sharing similar clinical symptoms and effectively treated with anti-inflammatory biological drugs. Accurate diagnosis of HRF relies heavily on genetic testing.ObjectivesThis study aimed to obtain an experts’ consensus on the clinical significance of gene variants in four well-known HRF genes: MEFV, TNFRSF1A, NLRP3 and MVK.MethodsWe configured a MOLGENIS web platform to share and analyse pathogenicity classifications of the variants and to manage a consensus-based classification process. Four experts in HRF genetics submitted independent classifications of 858 variants. Classifications were driven to consensus by recruiting four more expert opinions and by targeting discordant classifications in five iterative rounds.ResultsConsensus classification was reached for 804/858 variants (94%). None of the unsolved variants (6%) remained with opposite classifications (eg, pathogenic vs benign). New mutational hotspots were found in all genes. We noted a lower pathogenic variant load and a higher fraction of variants with unknown or unsolved clinical significance in the MEFV gene.ConclusionApplying a consensus-driven process on the pathogenicity assessment of experts yielded rapid classification of almost all variants of four HRF genes. The high-throughput database will profoundly assist clinicians and geneticists in the diagnosis of HRFs. The configured MOLGENIS platform and consensus evolution protocol are usable for assembly of other variant pathogenicity databases. The MOLGENIS software is available for reuse at http://github.com/molgenis/molgenis; the specific HRF configuration is available at http://molgenis.org/said/. The HRF pathogenicity classifications will be published on the INFEVERS database at https://fmf.igh.cnrs.fr/ISSAID/infevers/.
Rehydration of eclogites and garnet-replacement processes during exhumation in the amphibolite facies
Authors: Hyppolito Thais , Cambeses Aitor , Angiboust Samuel , Raimondo Tom , García-Casco Antonio , Juliani Caetano 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
EPMA and LA-ICP-MS trace-element maps have been acquired from amphibolitized eclogites from the Diego de Almagro Metamorphic Complex (Chile). Several garnet growth pulses and garnet resorption stages are revealed by major elements chemical zoning and by heterogeneous Y and rare earth element (REE) behaviour, associated with subduction and exhumation of these rocks. Distribution of REE in prograde garnet is texturally and chemically coupled with the breakdown of REE-bearing minerals while formation of epidote and titanite generations during amphibolitization is recorded by complex textures involving new garnet generation and overprinting phases. The latest overprint stage is characterized by fine-grained intergrowth between garnet and epidote micro-veins, phengite, hornblende, albite and titanite. Garnet cracks have been gradually re-equilibrated during this event witnessing short-scale dissolution–transport–precipitation. Pseudosection modelling shows that local variability in water content during amphibolitization controls garnet stability at the expense of epidote. Overprinting microstructures are explained by the effect of locally-derived aqueous fluids that trigger the ‘unlocking’ of elements from the reacting eclogite-facies paragenesis. These findings highlight the microscopic characteristics of amphibolitization processes documented in exhumed eclogite-facies terranes and shed light on the importance of thorough micro-chemical investigations while undertaking pressure–temperature (PT) estimates on rocks with strong textural disequilibrium.
Afadin Facilitates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor–Induced Network Formation and Migration of Vascular Endothelial Cells by Inactivating Rho-Associated Kinase Through ArhGAP29
Authors: Tagashira Toru , Fukuda Terunobu , Miyata Muneaki , Nakamura Kazuha , Fujita Hidenobu , Takai Yoshimi , Hirata Ken-ichi , Rikitake Yoshiyuki 
Published: March 2018

Objective—
We previously reported that afadin, an actin filament-binding protein, regulated vascular endothelial growth factor–induced angiogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of how Rho-associated kinase is activated in afadin-knockdown human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and how its activation is involved in defects of vascular endothelial growth factor–induced network formation and migration of the cells.

Approach and Results—
Knockdown of afadin or ArhGAP29, a GTPase-activating protein for RhoA, increased Rho-associated kinase activity and reduced the vascular endothelial growth factor–induced network formation and migration of cultured HUVECs, accompanied by the defective formation of membrane protrusions, such as lamellipodia and peripheral ruffles. Treatment of the afadin- or ArhGAP29-knockdown HUVECs with Rho-associated kinase inhibitors, Y-27632 or fasudil, partially restored the reduced network formation and migration as well as the defective formation of membrane protrusions. ArhGAP29 bound to afadin and was colocalized with afadin at the leading edge of migrating HUVECs. The defective formation of membrane protrusions in ArhGAP29-knockdown HUVECs was restored by expression of mutant ArhGAP29 that bound to afadin and contained a RhoGAP domain but not mutant ArhGAP29 that could bind to afadin and lacked the RhoGAP domain or mutant ArhGAP29 that could not bind to afadin and contained the RhoGAP domain. This suggested the requirement of both the interaction of afadin with ArhGAP29 and RhoGAP activity of ArhGAP29 for migration of HUVECs.

Conclusions—
Our results highlight a critical role of the afadin–ArhGAP29 axis for the regulation of Rho-associated kinase activity during vascular endothelial growth factor–induced network formation and migration of HUVECs.
Reply to “Comment on ‘Abyssal Upwelling and Downwelling Driven by Near-Boundary Mixing’”
Authors: McDougall Trevor J. , Ferrari Raffaele 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLedwell, in a comment on McDougall and Ferrari, discusses the dianeutral upwelling and downwelling that occurs near isolated topographic features, by performing a buoyancy budget analysis that integrates the diffusive buoyancy fluxes only out to a set horizontal distance from the topography. The consequence of this choice of control volume is that the magnitude of the area-integrated diffusive buoyancy flux decreases to zero at the base of a topographic feature resulting in a net dianeutral upwelling of water. Based on this result, Ledwell argues that isolated topographic features are preferential locations for the upwelling of waters from the abyss. However the assumptions behind Ledwell’s analysis may or may not be typical of abyssal mixing in the ocean. McDougall and Ferrari developed general expressions for the balance between area-integrated dianeutral advection and diffusion, and then illustrated these general expressions using the very simple assumption that the magnitude of the buoyancy flux per unit area at the top of the turbulent boundary layer was constant. In these pedagogical illustrations, McDougall and Ferrari concentrated on the region near the top (rather than near the base) of isolated topographic features, and they found net sinking of abyssal waters. Here we show that McDougall and Ferrari’s conclusion that isolated topographic features cause dianeutral downwelling is in fact a result that applies for general geometries and for all forms of bottom-intensified mixing profiles at heights above the base of such topographic features.
Surveillance evaluation of the standardization of assay values for serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in Japan
Authors: Ihara Hiroshi , Kiuchi Sachiko , Ishige Takayuki , Nishimura Motoi , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Satoh Mamoru , Nomura Fumio , Yamashita Mine , Kitajima Isao , Tsugawa Naoko , Okano Toshio , Hirota Kouichi , Miura Masakazu , Totani Masayuki , Hashizume Naotaka 
Published: March 2018

Background To assess the vitamin D nutritional status, serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration is measured. We used six automated 25(OH)D immunoassays (AIAs) available in Japan and certified by the Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) at the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the concordance of the assay results. Methods Serum total 25(OH)D concentrations in SRM 972a and 20 serum samples from patients were determined using three liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and six AIAs (pilot study), and an additional 110 serum samples were assessed by the six AIAs (surveillance study). The assay bias from the results of LC-MS/MS by Chiba University or consensus values (i.e. average of six AIAs) was estimated using the procedure described in CLSI document EP09-A3. Results LC-MS/MS at Chiba University could completely separate 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3, and the observed values including total 25(OH)D in SRM 972a were all within ±1·SD of the assigned values. All AIAs produced results greater than ±3·SD. In the pilot study, four of the six AIAs had an average percentage bias, as estimated by confidence interval (CI), larger than ±5% (acceptance criterion in CLSI); the bias converged from −6.5% to 3.2% after adjustment by LC-MS/MS. In the surveillance study, 25(OH)D concentrations in AIAs all adjusted to LC-MS/MS converged within ±5% from consensus values. However, some AIAs showed negative or positive bias from the consensus values. Conclusions Current AIAs in Japan continue to lack standardization. Manufacturers should implement quality assurance strategies so that their values more closely align to those of standard reference material 972a.
Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and cystatin C are diagnostic markers of renal dysfunction in older patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Zhu Hong , Qian Yuying 
Published: March 2018

Objective This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C for renal dysfunction in older patients with coronary disease. Methods A total of 84 older patients with coronary artery disease were included in this study. Serum NGAL and cystatin C levels were analysed using commercially available kits. Medical data of all patients were recorded and analysed. Results NGAL and cystatin C levels were significantly positively correlated with N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide levels and negatively correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of serum NGAL and cystatin C levels for diagnosing early renal dysfunction were 0.884 and 0.744, respectively. Conclusion Serum NGAL and cystatin C are potential early and sensitive markers of renal dysfunction in older patients with coronary artery disease.
Cadmium telluride quantum dots induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Naderi Saeed , Zare Hakimeh , Taghavinia Nima , Irajizad Azam , Aghaei Mahmoud , Panjehpour Mojtaba 
Published: March 2018

Introduction: Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), especially those containing cadmium, have undergone marked improvements and are now widely used nanomaterials in applicable biological fields. However, great concerns exist regarding their toxicity in biomedical applications. Because of the lack of sufficient data regarding the toxicity mechanism of QDs, this study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of three types of QDs: CdTe QDs, high yield CdTe QDs, and CdTe/CdS core/shell QDs on two human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB468 and MCF-7. Methods: The breast cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of QDs, and cell viability was evaluated via MTT assay. Hoechst staining was applied for observation of morphological changes due to apoptosis. Apoptotic DNA fragmentation was visualized by the agarose gel electrophoresis assay. Flow cytometric annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) measurement was used for apoptosis detection. Results: A significant decrease in cell viability was observed after QDs treatment ( p < 0.05). Apoptotic bodies and chromatin condensation was observed by Hoechst staining. DNA fragmentation assay demonstrated a DNA ladder profile in the exposed cells and also annexin V/PI flow cytometry confirmed apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our results revealed that CdTe, high yield CdTe, and CdTe/CdS core/shell QDs induce apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. This study would help realizing the underlying cytotoxicity mechanism, at least partly, of CdTe QDs and may provide information for the development of nanotoxicology and safe use of biological applications of QDs.