bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro activity of azole derivatives and griseofulvin against planktonic and biofilm growth of clinical isolates of dermatophytes
Authors: Brilhante Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira , Correia Edmilson Emanuel Monteiro , Guedes Glaucia Morgana de Melo , de Oliveira Jonathas Sales , Castelo‐Branco Débora de Souza Collares Maia , Cordeiro Rossana de Aguiar , Pinheiro Adriana de Queiroz , Chaves Lúcio Jackson Queiroz , Pereira Neto Waldemiro de Aquino , Sidrim José Júlio Costa , Rocha Marcos Fábio Gadelha 
Published: March 2018

SummaryAs shown by recent research, most of the clinically relevant fungi, including dermatophytes, form biofilms in vitro and in vivo, which may exhibit antimicrobial tolerance that favour recurrent infections. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VCZ) and griseofulvin (GRI) against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum in planktonic and biofilm growth. For the planktonic form, susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), document M38‐A2, while biofilm susceptibility was evaluated using the XTT colorimetric essay. The planktonic growth of all strains was inhibited, with MIC values ranging from 0.00195 to 0.1225 μg/mL for VRC, 0.00195 to 0.25 μg/mL for ITC and <0.0039 to 4 μg/mL for GRI, while a 50‐fold increase in the MIC was required to significantly reduce the metabolic activity (P < .05) of dermatophyte biofilms. In brief, the ability of dermatophytes to form biofilms may be a contributing factor for the recalcitrance of dermatophytoses or the dissemination of the disease.
The effect of adipokinetic hormones on the activity of digestive enzymes
Authors: Bodláková Karolina , Beňová Michaela , Kodrík Dalibor 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe role of the adipokinetic hormone (AKH) in the control of protease, amylase and lipase activities is examined using the cockroach Periplaneta americana and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as model species. The effects of Peram‐CAH‐I and ‐II on the activity of cockroach digestive enzymes in the gastric caeca and midgut are measured both in vivo and in vitro. The results show the activity of proteases, amylases and lipases in both parts of the gut: amylase activity is higher in the gastric caeca than in the midgut; lipase activity presents the opposite trend; and protease activity is similar in both organs. The applied hormones stimulate the activity of all digestive enzymes, although this stimulation is not uniform; AKHs affect enzymes selectively, and in some cases unequally, in the gastric caeca and midgut. No substantial differences between Peram‐CAH‐I and ‐II stimulation are recorded. The in vitro results demonstrate that AKH stimulates digestive enzyme activity directly. In agreement with the cockroach results, enzymatic activity in D. melanogaster larvae producing nonfunctional AKH is lower than that in the larvae with ectopically expressed Akh gene, where enzyme activity reaches or even exceeds that of the controls. Overall, the results demonstrate the active role of AKHs in the stimulation of digestive enzyme activity in insects.
Computational Models of Miscommunication Phenomena
Authors: Purver Matthew , Hough Julian , Howes Christine 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMiscommunication phenomena such as repair in dialogue are important indicators of the quality of communication. Automatic detection is therefore a key step toward tools that can characterize communication quality and thus help in applications from call center management to mental health monitoring. However, most existing computational linguistic approaches to these phenomena are unsuitable for general use in this way, and particularly for analyzing human–human dialogue: Although models of other‐repair are common in human‐computer dialogue systems, they tend to focus on specific phenomena (e.g., repair initiation by systems), missing the range of repair and repair initiation forms used by humans; and while self‐repair models for speech recognition and understanding are advanced, they tend to focus on removal of “disfluent” material important for full understanding of the discourse contribution, and/or rely on domain‐specific knowledge. We explain the requirements for more satisfactory models, including incrementality of processing and robustness to sparsity. We then describe models for self‐ and other‐repair detection that meet these requirements (for the former, an adaptation of an existing repair model; for the latter, an adaptation of standard techniques) and investigate how they perform on datasets from a range of dialogue genres and domains, with promising results.
A Social Approach to Rule Dynamics Using an Agent‐Based Model
Authors: Cuskley Christine , Loreto Vittorio , Kirby Simon 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA well‐trod debate at the nexus of cognitive science and linguistics, the so‐called past tense debate, has examined how rules and exceptions are individually acquired (McClelland & Patterson, ; Pinker & Ullman, ). However, this debate focuses primarily on individual mechanisms in learning, saying little about how rules and exceptions function from a sociolinguistic perspective. To remedy this, we use agent‐based models to examine how rules and exceptions function across populations. We expand on earlier work by considering how repeated interaction and cultural transmission across speakers affects the dynamics of rules and exceptions in language, measuring linguistic outcomes within a social system rather than focusing individual learning outcomes. We consider how population turnover and growth effect linguistic rule dynamics in large and small populations, showing that this method has considerable potential particularly in probing the mechanisms underlying the linguistic niche hypothesis (Lupyan & Dale, ).
Development of a proof of principle for universal neutralization of antibiotics in cord blood by‐products used for sterility testing
Authors: Kou Yuntong , Halpenny Mike , Elmoazzen Heidi , Ramirez‐Arcos Sandra 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDBacterial contamination of cord blood (CB) represents a safety risk for transplantation patients. CB sterility testing at Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank is performed using a 1:1 mix of CB‐derived plasma and red blood cells (RBCs). Culture bottles of an automated culture system, which lack antimicrobial neutralization properties, are used for bacterial screening of CB. This process is unsuitable for CB‐containing antibiotics, potentially resulting in false‐negative results. This study was aimed at developing a protocol for antibiotic neutralization in CB used for sterility testing.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSPhase 1: four neutralizers—penicillinase, ion exchange resins L and A, lecithin + Tween80, and activated charcoal (AC)—were individually tested to neutralize penicillin or gentamicin in cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis or Klebsiella pneumoniae, respectively, adjusted to 100 colony forming units/mL, in Müller‐Hinton broth (MHB). Phase 2: combinations of penicillinase plus resin L or penicillinase plus AC were assayed for the simultaneous neutralization of both antibiotics in MHB. Phase 3: penicillinase plus resin L was used to neutralize both antibiotics in CB sterility testing samples (plasma + RBCs).RESULTSPhase 1: penicillin was neutralized by penicillinase and resin A, while gentamicin was neutralized by resin L and AC. Phase 2: the antibiotics were simultaneously neutralized by the two neutralizer combinations tested. Phase 3: neutralization of both antibiotics in CB was achieved with penicillinase and resin L.CONCLUSIONA protocol for antibiotic neutralization in CB sterility testing samples has been successfully developed at Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood bank. This in‐house assay applies to any culture‐based CB bacterial screening method.
Traumatic phacocele in an American Miniature Horse
Authors: Knickelbein Kelly E. , Stock Mallory , Carrasco Sebastian E. , Reilly Christopher M. , Lassaline Mary E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAn 18‐year‐old American Miniature Horse mare was presented with a complaint of a scleral swelling affecting the right eye and a history of suspected trauma 6 weeks prior to evaluation. Clinical findings included severe blepharospasm, a bulbous swelling of the dorsotemporal bulbar conjunctiva, and phthisis bulbi. Ocular ultrasound was recommended but declined. Enucleation was elected for the blind, painful eye and was performed standing. Gross and histopathologic examinations of the globe were consistent with extrusion of the lens to the episcleral space, which is classified as a traumatic phacocele when associated with naturally occurring trauma. The location of lens entrapment suggested globe rupture occurred at the limbus, which is described as one of the weakest points of the equine globe. Subconjunctival dislocation of the lens and development of a traumatic phacocele should be considered as a differential diagnosis for horses presenting with subconjunctival masses, apparent aphakia, and historical trauma.
Immunohistochemical characterization of feline lymphoplasmacytic anterior uveitis
Authors: Crossfield Lawrence , Fortuna Luca , Carling Rebekah , Scurrell Emma , Matas Riera Marian , Chang Yu‐Mei , Dawson Charlotte , Pittaway Rachael , Yeung Ian YL , Thaung Caroline , Priestnall Simon L , Garden Oliver A 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize the immune cells present in different forms of feline anterior uveitis.SamplesEyes were obtained from 49 cats diagnosed with chronic idiopathic lymphoplasmacytic anterior uveitis, 7 cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), and 9 cats euthanized for nonocular disease.MethodsH&E sections were scored on the level of infiltrate in the anterior uvea. Immunohistochemistry was performed for FoxP3,CD3, andIL‐17A, and positive cells were quantified in multiple images of each sample. A generalized estimating equation tested for an association between the level of inflammation and the prevalence of these cell types.ResultsCells stained positive forIL‐17A in idiopathic uveitis but not inFIPsamples. We found significantly fewer FoxP3+andCD3+cells in low‐grade compared with high‐grade inflammation in idiopathic uveitis orFIPsamples (Pvalues all <.005), but no difference betweenFIPand high‐grade samples.ConclusionsIdiopathic, but notFIP‐associated, uveitis appears to have Th17 cell involvement. The numbers of FoxP3+andCD3+T‐cells present appear directly correlated; thus, the severity of disease does not appear directly determined by the numbers of regulatory cells.
Non-pharmacological fever management for persons living with HIV: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Yang Fengdan , Wang Lin , Zhao Rui 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Objectives:
The aim of this evidence implementation project was to integrate the best available evidence on non-pharmacological fever and febrile symptom management into nursing practice at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre, China.

Introduction:
Fever is challenging for patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Guidelines assert that successful non-pharmacological fever management should be the standard of care. To introduce evidence into clinical practice, the Department of Infectious Disease of the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre implemented a best practice project.

Methods:
This evidence implementation project utilized the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES) and Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) audit and feedback tool. Seven audit criteria were established on the best available evidence. The project was divided into three phases and conducted over five months.

Results:
Follow-up audits showed significant improvements. The most significant improvements in compliance occurred in the assessment of suitability of external cooling methods (100%), education for nurses (100%) and patients (100%), and monitoring (93%). A moderate increase was noted in the assessment of fluid intake and output volume (73%). A small increase of 30% in compliance was found in hydration support. No changes in compliance were found in assessment of the cause of fever in the HIV-positive population.

Conclusions:
This project led to various changes in the unit including a formal assessment of intake and output volume for PLWHs with chronic fever, a formal assessment of some factors related to the “cause of fever”, tailored education programs and materials for both nurses and patients. All these changes are now part of routine nursing practice. Further audits will need to be carried out to sustain practice behavior change and monitor areas for further improvements.
Posaconazole-Induced Pseudohyperaldosteronism
Authors: Kuriakose Kevin , Nesbitt Whitney J. , Greene Matthew , Harris Bryan 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT
A woman in her late 60s with disseminated histoplasmosis was treated with posaconazole because first-line therapies were not tolerated. She subsequently presented with decompensated heart failure, hypertension, and hypokalemia. Laboratory tests revealed low renin and aldosterone levels. A potential mechanism is inhibition of the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2, with resultant apparent mineralocorticoid excess.
Porcine MKRN1 Modulates the Replication and Pathogenesis of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 by Inducing Capsid Protein Ubiquitination and Degradation
Authors: Wang Tongtong , Du Qian , Wu Xingchen , Niu Yingying , Guan Lijuan , Wang Zhenyu , Zhao Xiaomin , Liu Shan-Lu , Tong Dewen , Huang Yong 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) capsid protein (Cap) is a unique structure protein that plays pivotal roles in the process of viral replication and pathogenesis. Herein, we characterized a putative porcine Makorin RING finger protein 1 (pMKRN1) variant, an N-terminal-truncated variant of putative full-size porcine MKRN1 which has a unique expression pattern resulting from the porcine
mkrn1
gene and which interacts with PCV2 Cap. A domain mapping assay showed that the C terminus of pMKRN1 and fragments (amino acids 108 to 198) of Cap are required for this interaction. PCV2 transiently upregulated pMKRN1 in PK-15 cells, but persistent viral infection downregulated pMKRN1 in major pathological tissues of PCV2-infected piglets. Overexpression of pMKRN1 significantly inhibited the generation of progeny PCV2 via ubiquitination and degradation of Cap, whereas knockout of pMKRN1 blocked Cap degradation and promoted progeny virus replication. pMKRN1 specifically targeted PCV2 Cap lysine residues 164, 179, and 191 to induce polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Mutation of either of the three lysine residues in the Cap protein or mutation of the histidine at residue 243 within the RING finger domain of pMKRN1 abrogated the E3 ligase activity of pMKRN1, rendering cells incapable of inducing Cap ubiquitination and degradation. Consistent with this finding, a Cap ubiquitination-deficient PCV2 strain showed enhanced virus replication and produced severe histological lesions in the lung and lymph node tissues compared with wild-type PCV2. Taken together, the results presented here suggest that PCV2 downregulates the pMKRN1 variant to avoid pMKRN1-mediated Cap ubiquitination and degradation, thus promoting viral replication and pathogenesis in its targeted tissues.

IMPORTANCE
Porcine circovirus type 2 is the pathogen to which pigs are the most susceptible, causing immense economic losses in the global swine industry, but whether host cells have developed some strategies to prevent viral replication is still unclear. Here, we found that porcine MKRN1 (pMKRN1) was upregulated in the early stage of PCV2 infection and mediated the polyubiquitination and degradation of Cap protein to block PCV2 replication, yet persistent PCV2 infection downregulated pMKRN1 levels to avoid degradation, promoting viral replication and pathogenesis in its targeted tissues. These data present new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiviral effects of pMKRN1 E3 ligase during PCV2 infection and also suggest potential new control measures for PCV2 outbreaks.
Distinct Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Poxvirus-Based Vaccine Candidates against Ebola Virus Expressing GP and VP40 Proteins
Authors: Lázaro-Frías Adrián , Gómez-Medina Sergio , Sánchez-Sampedro Lucas , Ljungberg Karl , Ustav Mart , Liljeström Peter , Muñoz-Fontela César , Esteban Mariano , García-Arriaza Juan 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Zaire
and
Sudan ebolavirus
species cause a severe disease in humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs) characterized by a high mortality rate. There are no licensed therapies or vaccines against Ebola virus disease (EVD), and the recent 2013 to 2016 outbreak in West Africa highlighted the need for EVD-specific medical countermeasures. Here, we generated and characterized head-to-head the immunogenicity and efficacy of five vaccine candidates against Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) and Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) based on the highly attenuated poxvirus vector modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing either the virus glycoprotein (GP) or GP together with the virus protein 40 (VP40) forming virus-like particles (VLPs). In a human monocytic cell line, the different MVA vectors (termed MVA-EBOVs and MVA-SUDVs) triggered robust innate immune responses, with production of beta interferon (IFN-β), proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. Additionally, several innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells, neutrophils, and natural killer cells, were differentially recruited in the peritoneal cavity of mice inoculated with MVA-EBOVs. After immunization of mice with a homologous prime/boost protocol (MVA/MVA), total IgG antibodies against GP or VP40 from Zaire and Sudan ebolavirus were differentially induced by these vectors, which were mainly of the IgG1 and IgG3 isotypes. Remarkably, an MVA-EBOV construct coexpressing GP and VP40 protected chimeric mice challenged with EBOV to a greater extent than a vector expressing GP alone. These results support the consideration of MVA-EBOVs and MVA-SUDVs expressing GP and VP40 and producing VLPs as best-in-class potential vaccine candidates against EBOV and SUDV.

IMPORTANCE
EBOV and SUDV cause a severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and NHPs. Since their discovery in 1976, they have caused several sporadic epidemics, with the recent outbreak in West Africa from 2013 to 2016 being the largest and most severe, with more than 11,000 deaths being reported. Although some vaccines are in advanced clinical phases, less expensive, safer, and more effective licensed vaccines are desirable. We generated and characterized head-to-head the immunogenicity and efficacy of five novel vaccines against EBOV and SUDV based on the poxvirus MVA expressing GP or GP and VP40. The expression of GP and VP40 leads to the formation of VLPs. These MVA-EBOV and MVA-SUDV recombinants triggered robust innate and humoral immune responses in mice. Furthermore, MVA-EBOV recombinants expressing GP and VP40 induced high protection against EBOV in a mouse challenge model. Thus, MVA expressing GP and VP40 and producing VLPs is a promising vaccine candidate against EBOV and SUDV.
Acute hyperkinetic movement disorders in Italian paediatric emergency departments
Authors: Raucci Umberto , Parisi Pasquale , Vanacore Nicola , Garone Giacomo , Bondone Claudia , Palmieri Antonella , Calistri Lucia , Suppiej Agnese , Falsaperla Raffaele , Capuano Alessandro , Ferro Valentina , Urbino Antonio Francesco , Tallone Ramona , Montemaggi Alessandra , Sartori Stefano , Pavone Piero , Mancardi Margherita , Melani Federico , Ilvento Lucrezia , Pelizza Maria Federica , Reale Antonino 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionLimited data exist on epidemiology, clinical presentation and management of acute hyperkinetic movement disorders (AHMD) in paediatric emergency departments (pED).MethodsWe retrospectively analysed a case series of 256 children (aged 2 months to 17 years) presenting with AHMD to the pEDs of six Italian tertiary care hospitals over a 2-year period (January 2012 to December 2013).ResultsThe most common type of AHMD was tics (44.5%), followed by tremors (21.1%), chorea (13.7%), dystonia (10.2%), myoclonus (6.3%) and stereotypies (4.3%). Neuropsychiatric disorders (including tic disorders, psychogenic movement disorders and idiopathic stereotypies) were the most represented cause (51.2%). Inflammatory conditions (infectious and immune-mediated neurological disorders) accounted for 17.6% of the cases whereas non-inflammatory disorders (including drug-induced AHMDs, genetic/metabolic diseases, paroxysmal non-epileptic movements and idiopathic AHMDs) accounted for 31.2%. Neuropsychiatric disorders prevailed among preschoolers and schoolers (51.9% and 25.2%, respectively), non-inflammatory disorders were more frequent in infants and toddlers (63.8%), whereas inflammatory conditions were more often encountered among schoolers (73.3%). In 5 out of 36 Sydenham’s chorea (SC) cases, tics were the presentation symptom on admission to emergency department (ED), highlighting the difficulties in early diagnosis of SC. Inflammatory disorders were associated with a longer hospital stay and a greater need of neuroimaging test compared with other disorders.ConclusionsThis study provides the first large sample of paediatric patients presenting to the ED for AHMDs, helping to elucidate the epidemiology, aetiology and clinical presentation of these disorders.
Mental health and well-being concerns of fly-in fly-out workers and their partners in Australia: a qualitative study
Authors: Gardner Benjamin , Alfrey Kristie-Lee , Vandelanotte Corneel , Rebar Amanda L 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesFly-in fly-out (FIFO) work involves commuting long distances to the worksite and living in provided accommodation for 1–4 weeks while on shift. While the potentially detrimental impact of FIFO work on the health and well-being of workers has been documented, little attention has been paid to how workers, or their partners, cope with this impact. This study sought to investigate how workers and their partners negotiate the impact of FIFO on their mental health and well-being.DesignThe study design was qualitative. FIFO workers and partners responded to open-ended questions on concerns about the FIFO lifestyle and the support they use.SettingAustralian FIFO workers and partners responded to the questions via email.ParticipantsParticipants were 34 FIFO workers (25 men,Mage=41 years) and 26 partners of FIFO workers (26 women,Mage=40 years).ResultsParticipant-validated thematic analysis generated three main themes: managing multiple roles, impact on mental health and well-being, and social support needs. Results revealed difficulties in adjusting between the responsibilities of perceptually distinct on-shift and off-shift lives, and managing potential psychological distance that develops while workers are on site. Participants emphasised the importance of maintaining quality communication and support from family members. Workers and partners attempted to maintain mental health and well-being by regularly engaging with support networks, although many felt organisational support was tokenistic, stigmatised or lacking.ConclusionsRecommendations for enhancing support provided by FIFO organisations are offered. In particular, organisations should emphasise the importance of good mental health and well-being, maintain transparency regarding potential challenges of FIFO lifestyles, and offer professional support for managing multiple social roles and effective communication.