bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Foetal Bovine Serum on sperm motility, acrosome reaction and spermatic interaction to zona pellucida in alpacas (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Bravo Z , Valdivia M 
Published: March 2018

ContentsThe use of foetal bovine serum (FBS) in cell culture media is quite common. However, little is known about the effect of FBS on sperm. The severe difficulties in alpaca reproduction demand the search of new methods for in vitro reproductive management. In the present study, we use for the first time FBS as a supplement in the culture medium for sperm in alpaca, and the effect of FBS on motility, acrosome reaction and sperm binding to the zona pellucida in this species was evaluated. A concentration of 10% v/v FBS was used. The sperm motility with FBS at the first hour was 32.8% (vs. control = 30.0%), whereas at the second hour sperm motility with FBS was 30.2% (vs. control = 28.8%). The acrosome reaction reached an average of 44.0% for treatment with FBS (vs. control = 30.1%). The sperm‐zona pellucida binding assay showed that the samples incubated with FBS had an average of 2.7 bound sperm (vs. control = 1.7). Only a significant difference was observed for sperm motility at the first hour and for the acrosome reaction. It is concluded that FBS favours the capacitation of sperm in alpaca.
Qualitative and quantitative ultrasound attributes of maternal‐foetal structures in pregnant ewes
Authors: da Silva PDA , Uscategui RAR , Santos VJC , Taira AR , Mariano RSG , Rodrigues MGK , Simões APR , Maronezi MC , Avante ML , Vicente WRR , Feliciano MAR 
Published: March 2018

ContentsThe aim of this study was to examine foetal organs and placental tissue to establish a correlation between the changes in the composition of these structures associated with their maturation and the ultrasonographic characteristics of the images. Twenty‐four pregnant ewes were included in the study. Ultrasonography assessments were performed in B‐mode, from the ninth gestational week until parturition. The lungs, liver and kidneys of foetuses and placentomes were located in transverse and longitudinal sections to evaluate the echogenicity (hypoechoic, isoechoic, hyperechoic or mixed) and echotexture (homogeneous and heterogeneous) of the tissues of interest. For quantitative evaluation of the ultrasonographic characteristics, it was performed a computerized image analysis using a commercial software (Image ProPlus®). Mean numerical pixel values (NPVs), pixel heterogeneity (standard deviation ofNPVs) and minimum and maximum pixel values were measured by selecting five circular regions of interest in each assessed tissue. All evaluated tissues presented significant variations in theNPVs, except for the liver. PulmonaryNPVmean,NPVmin andNPVmax decreased gradually through gestational weeks. The renal parameters gradually decreased with the advancement of the gestational weeks until the 17th week and later stabilized. The placentomeNPVmean,NPVmin andNPVmax decreased gradually over the course of weeks. The hepatic tissue did not show echogenicity and echotexture variations and presented medium echogenicity and homogeneous echotexture throughout the experimental period. It was concluded that pixels numerical evaluation of maternal‐foetal tissues was applicable and allowed the identification of quantitative ultrasonographic characteristics showing changes in echogenicity related to gestational age.
Identification and Characterization of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae MscS-Like Mechanosensitive Channel
Authors: Wang Zhemin , Wang Xiaomin , Lu Ping , Ni Chunshan , Li Yuezhou , van der Veen Stijn 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Mechanosensitive channels are ubiquitous in bacteria and provide an essential mechanism to survive sudden exposure to a hypo-osmotic environment by the sensing and release of increased turgor pressure. No mechanosensitive channels have thus far been identified and characterized for the human-specific bacterial pathogen
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
. In this study, we identified and characterized the
N. gonorrhoeae
MscS-like mechanosensitive channel (Ng-MscS). Electrophysiological analyses by the patch clamp method showed that Ng-MscS is stretch activated and contains pressure-dependent gating properties. Further mutagenesis studies of critical residues forming the hydrophobic vapor lock showed that gain-of-function mutations in Ng-MscS inhibited bacterial growth. Subsequent analysis of the function of Ng-MscS in
N. gonorrhoeae
by osmotic down-shock assays revealed that the survival of Ng-
mscS
deletion mutants was significantly reduced compared with that of wild-type strains, while down-shock survival was restored upon the ectopic complementation of
mscS
. Finally, to investigate whether Ng-MscS is important for
N. gonorrhoeae
during infections, competition assays were performed by using a murine vaginal tract infection model. Ng-
mscS
deletion mutants were outcompeted by
N. gonorrhoeae
wild-type strains for colonization and survival in this infection model, highlighting that Ng-MscS contributes to
in vivo
colonization and survival. Therefore, Ng-MscS might be a promising target for the future development of novel antimicrobials.
Next-Generation Sequencing for Characterizing Drug Resistance-Conferring Mycobacterium tuberculosis Genes from Clinical Isolates in the Ukraine
Authors: Daum L. T. , Konstantynovska O. S. , Solodiankin O. S. , Liashenko O. O. , Poteiko P. I. , Bolotin V. I. , Hrek I. I. , Rohozhyn A. V. , Rodriguez J. D. , Fischer G. W. , Chambers J. P. , Gerilovych A. P. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

The Ukraine ranks among the top 20 countries with the highest number of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR)
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
cases in the world. However, little is known of the genetic diversity, i.e., resistance signatures, in clinical isolates from this region. We analyzed seven of most prevalent MDR/XDR antibiotic resistance-conferring genes from clinical isolates (
n
= 75) collected from geographically diverse Ukrainian oblasts and the southern Crimean peninsula. Genomic analysis revealed that 6 (8%) were sensitive, 3 (4%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic but were not MDR, 40 (53%) were MDR, and 26 (35%) were XDR. The majority of isolates (81%) were of the Beijing-like lineage. This is the first study to use next-generation sequencing (NGS) of clinical isolates from the Ukraine to characterize mutations in genes conferring
M. tuberculosis
drug resistance. Several isolates harbored drug resistance signatures that have not been observed in other countries with high-burden tuberculosis. Most notably, the absence of
inhA
gene promoter mutations, a diversity of mutation types in the
rpoB
resistance-determining region, and detection of heteroresistance provide a broader understanding of MDR/XDR from this area of the world.
Frequency of Instrument, Environment, and Laboratory Technologist Contamination during Routine Diagnostic Testing of Infectious Specimens
Authors: Yarbrough Melanie L. , Kwon Jennie H. , Wallace Meghan A. , Hink Tiffany , Shupe Angela , Fraser Victoria J. , Dubberke Erik R. , Burnham Carey-Ann D. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Laboratory testing to support the care of patients with highly infectious diseases may pose a risk for laboratory workers. However, data on the risk of virus transmission during routine laboratory testing conducted using standard personal protective equipment (PPE) are sparse. Our objective was to measure laboratory contamination during routine analysis of patient specimens. Remnant specimens were spiked with the nonpathogenic bacteriophage MS2 at 1.0 × 10
7
PFU/ml, and contamination was assessed using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for MS2. Specimen containers were exteriorly coated with a fluorescent powder to enable the visualization of gross contamination using UV light. Testing was performed by two experienced laboratory technologists using standard laboratory PPE and sample-to-answer instrumentation. Fluorescence was noted on the gloves, bare hands, and laboratory coat cuffs of the laboratory technologist in 36/36 (100%), 13/36 (36%), and 4/36 (11%) tests performed, respectively. Fluorescence was observed in the biosafety cabinet (BSC) in 8/36 (22%) tests, on test cartridges/devices in 14/32 (44%) tests, and on testing accessory items in 29/32 (91%) tests. Fluorescence was not observed on or in laboratory instrumentation or adjacent surfaces. In contrast to fluorescence detection, MS2 detection was infrequent (3/286 instances [1%]) and occurred during test setup for the FilmArray instrument and on FilmArray accessory equipment. The information from this study may provide opportunities for the improvement of clinical laboratory safety practices so as to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission to laboratory workers.
Concurrent drug use among methadone maintenance patients in mountainous areas in northern Vietnam
Authors: Tran Bach Xuan , Boggiano Victoria L , Thi Nguyen Huong Lan , Nguyen Long Hoang , Nguyen Hung Van , Hoang Canh Dinh , Le Huong Thi , Tran Tho Dinh , Le Hai Quan , Latkin Carl A , Thi Vu Thuc Minh , Zhang Melvyn WB , Ho Roger CM 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesWith the rise in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) for drug users in Vietnam, there has been growing interest in understanding if and how often MMT patients engage in concurrent illicit drug use while on methadone therapy in various settings. This study examined factors associated with concurrent opioid use among patients on MMT in a mountainous area in Vietnam.SettingOne urban and one rural MMT clinics in Tuyen Quang province.ParticipantsSurvey participants consisted of patients who were taking MMT at the selected study sites. A convenience sampling approach was used to recruit the participants.Primary and secondary outcome measuresParticipants were asked a series of questions about their socioeconomic status, current alcohol and tobacco use, health problems (measured by the EuroQol-Five Dimension-Five Level instrument), psychological distress (measured by Kessler score), and factors associated with current and/or previous drug use. Regression models were used to determine factors associated with concurrent drug use among MMT patients.ResultsAmong the 241 male MMT patients included in the study, 13.4% reported concurrent opioid use. On average, the longer patients had been enrolled in MMT, the less likely they were to concurrently use drugs. Conversely, patients with higher levels of psychological distress were more likely to engage in concurrent drug use while on MMT.ConclusionLonger duration of MMT was significantly correlated with reduced illicit drug use among participants. Higher levels of psychological distress were associated with increased use of illicit drugs among MMT patients. Regardless of distance, long-term MMT is still effective and should be expanded in mountainous areas.
Association of socioeconomic status with financial burden of disease among elderly patients with cardiovascular disease: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey
Authors: Li Chunyan , Young Belinda-Rose , Jian Weiyan 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesThe prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) within low-income and middle-income countries has reached epidemic proportions. However, the association between out-of-pocket (OOP) payment and socioeconomic status (SES) of patients with CVD is not well studied. We aimed to understand the financial burden among Chinese middle-aged and older patients with CVD, and whether there was an association with SES.SettingsA nationally representative survey—The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey(CHARLS)—was conducted in 28 provinces of mainland China in 2011 and 2013.ParticipantsOf the over 18 000 CHARLS respondents, eligible participants were those aged 45 years and over who had been previously diagnosed with CVD.Outcome measuresFinancial burden was measured byindividualOOP payment andhouseholdcatastrophic health expenditure (CHE) occurrence (ie, the annual household health expenditure was 40% or more of the total non-food household expenditure). Multilevel regression models were used to explore the association between financial burden and SES.ResultsAmong CHARLS respondents, CVD prevalence increased from 14.7% in 2011 to 16.6% in 2013. Average annual CVD OOP payment increased from 5000 RMB (770 USD) to 6120 RMB (970 USD). Furthermore, CHE occurrence increased from 44.2% to 48.1%. Patients spent almost twice on outpatient as on inpatient services. Two of the three SES indicators (total household expenditure, occupation type) were found to be associated with CVD OOP payment amount, and the likelihood of CHE. Unemployed patients had a higher likelihood of CHE compared with agricultural workers. Rural-urban difference was associated with the likelihood of CHE in 2011 alone.ConclusionThe Chinese health system should use this health expenditure pattern among patients with CVD to create more equitable health insurance schemes that financially balance between outpatient and inpatient care, and provide better financial risk protection to patients with low SES.
Towards a better understanding of the highly overpressured Lower Triassic Bunter reservoir rocks in the Terschelling Basin
Authors: Peeters Stefan , Asschert Annemiek , Verweij Hanneke 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Large lateral variations in pore-fluid pressures and associated overpressures occur in the compartmentalized Lower Triassic Bunter reservoir rocks in the Terschelling Basin (northern Dutch offshore). This study describes the main controlling factors on the distribution of these overpressures by combining seismically derived structural interpretations with pressure data. The most important controlling factor is considered to be the presence and type of both lateral and vertical permeability barriers. Lateral permeability barriers are formed by Zechstein salt and faults. The most effective vertical permeability barrier for maintaining high overpressures is the Upper Triassic Röt evaporite. Overpressures of more than 30 MPa are observed in the Bunter compartments where the Röt is present and laterally continuous. Overpressures are lower than 15 MPa in compartments where the Röt was affected by Mid-Cimmerian erosion. Based on structural observations, it is concluded that the highly overpressured compartments became fully hydraulically restricted during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Calculations show that subsequent sedimentary loading, during the Cretaceous and Cenozoic, was able to generate the observed overpressures.
Role of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 in surgical inflammation and dysmotility in a mouse model of postoperative ileus
Authors: Matsumoto Kenjiro , Kawanaka Hiroki , Hori Masatoshi , Kusamori Kosuke , Utsumi Daichi , Tsukahara Takuya , Amagase Kikuko , Horie Syunji , Yamamoto Akira , Ozaki Hiroshi , Mori Yasuo , Kato Shinichi 
Published: March 2018

In this study, we investigated the role of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2), a nonselective cation channel abundantly expressed in inflammatory cells such as macrophages, in the development of postoperative ileus, a complication of abdominal surgery characterized by gastrointestinal dysmotility. In wild-type mice, we found that intestinal manipulation, a maneuver that elicits symptoms typical of postoperative ileus, delays the transit of fluorescein-labeled dextran, promotes the infiltration of CD68+ macrophages, Ly6B.2+ neutrophils, and MPO+ cells into intestinal muscles, boosts expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and CXCL2 in intestinal muscles and peritoneal macrophages, enhances phosphorylation of ERK and p38 MAPK in intestinal muscles, and amplifies IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and CXCL2 expression in resident and thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages following exposure to lipopolysaccharide. Remarkably, TRPM2 deficiency completely blocks or diminishes these effects. Indeed, intestinal manipulation appears to activate TRPM2 in resident muscularis macrophages and elicits release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which, in turn, promote infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into the muscle, ultimately resulting in dysmotility. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Activation of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) releases inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which, in turn, promote the infiltration of inflammatory cells and macrophages into intestinal muscles, ultimately resulting in dysmotility. Thus TRPM2 is a promising target in treating dysmotility due to postoperative ileus, a complication of abdominal surgery.
Vascular and autonomic changes in adult cancer patients receiving anticancer chemotherapy
Authors: Frye Jacob N. , Sutterfield Shelbi L. , Caldwell Jacob T. , Behnke Bradley J. , Copp Steven W. , Banister Heather R. , Ade Carl J. 
Published: March 2018

Chemotherapy is associated with acute and long-term cardiotoxicity. To date, risk assessment has primarily focused on the heart; however, recent findings suggest that vascular and autonomic function may also be compromised. Whether this occurs during chemotherapy treatment remains unknown. Therefore, the present study evaluated carotid artery stiffness, cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS), and heart rate variability (HRV) in cancer patients currently being treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Eleven current cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and 11 matched (1:1) controls were studied. Carotid artery stiffness was assessed via two-dimensional ultrasonography. cBRS was assessed from the spontaneous changes in beat-to-beat time series of R-R interval and systolic blood pressure via the cross-correlation technique. HRV was assessed using the standard deviation of R-R intervals (SDNN) and low (LF) and high (HF) power frequencies. Carotid artery β-stiffness was significantly higher in the cancer patients compared with control participants (8.0 ± 0.8 vs. 6.3 ± 0.6 U, respectively; P = 0.02). cBRS was lower in the cancer patients compared with controls (4.3 ± 0.7 vs. 10.7 ± 1.9 ms/mmHg, respectively; P = 0.01), and all indices of HRV were lower in the cancer patients (SDNN, P = 0.02; LF, P = 0.01; HF, P = 0.02). There was no significant correlation between β-stiffness and cBRS ( P = 0.4). However, LF power was significantly correlated with cBRS (r = 0.66, P < 0.001). Compared with matched healthy controls, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy demonstrated a significantly higher arterial stiffness and lower cBRS. The previously reported adverse effects of chemotherapy on the heart appear to also influence other aspects of cardiovascular health. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Patients treated with anticancer chemotherapy exhibit an impaired baroreflex control of arterial blood pressure and increased arterial stiffness. These findings hold significant value, in particular as part of a risk-stratification strategy in current cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This is the first investigation, to our knowledge, to demonstrate an attenuated spontaneous baroreflex control of arterial blood pressure in cancer patients currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Hyperadditive ventilatory response arising from interaction between the carotid chemoreflex and the muscle mechanoreflex in healthy humans
Authors: Silva Talita M. , Aranda Liliane C. , Paula-Ribeiro Marcelle , Oliveira Diogo M. , Medeiros Wladimir M. , Vianna Lauro C. , Nery Luiz E. , Silva Bruno M. 
Published: March 2018

Physical exercise potentiates the carotid chemoreflex control of ventilation (VE). Hyperadditive neural interactions may partially mediate the potentiation. However, some neural interactions remain incompletely explored. As the potentiation occurs even during low-intensity exercise, we tested the hypothesis that the carotid chemoreflex and the muscle mechanoreflex could interact in a hyperadditive fashion. Fourteen young healthy subjects inhaled randomly, in separate visits, 12% O2 to stimulate the carotid chemoreflex and 21% O2 as control. A rebreathing circuit maintained isocapnia. During gases administration, subjects either remained at rest (i.e., normoxic and hypoxic rest) or the muscle mechanoreflex was stimulated via passive knee movement (i.e., normoxic and hypoxic movement). Surface muscle electrical activity did not increase during the passive movement, confirming the absence of active contractions. Hypoxic rest and normoxic movement similarly increased VE [change (mean ± SE) = 1.24 ± 0.72 vs. 0.73 ± 0.43 l/min, respectively; P = 0.46], but hypoxic rest only increased tidal volume (Vt), and normoxic movement only increased breathing frequency (BF). Hypoxic movement induced greater VE and mean inspiratory flow (Vt/Ti) increase than the sum of hypoxic rest and normoxic movement isolated responses (VE change: hypoxic movement = 3.72 ± 0.81 l/min vs. sum = 1.96 ± 0.83 l/min, P = 0.01; Vt/Ti change: hypoxic movement = 0.13 ± 0.03 l/s vs. sum = 0.06 ± 0.03 l/s, P = 0.02). Moreover, hypoxic movement increased both Vt and BF. Collectively, the results indicate that the carotid chemoreflex and the muscle mechanoreflex interacted, mediating a hyperadditive ventilatory response in healthy humans. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The main finding of this study was that concomitant carotid chemoreflex and muscle mechanoreflex stimulation provoked greater ventilation increase than the sum of ventilation increase induced by stimulation of each reflex in isolation, which, consequently, supports that the carotid chemoreflex and the muscle mechanoreflex interacted, mediating a hyperadditive ventilatory response in healthy humans.
A novel principled method for the measurement of vascular robustness uncovers hidden risk for premature CVD death
Authors: Kraushaar Lutz E. , Dressel Alexander , Massmann Alexander 
Published: March 2018

The detection of high risk for premature death of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals with low-to-moderate risk factor scores is a major challenge. Systems biology suggests that the vasculature's functional robustness against risk factor challenges may serve as a novel discriminator of mortality risk under similar risk factor loads. However, principled methods to measure vascular robustness are not available. To develop a score for the vasculature's functional robustness we used a recently presented method that applies computational physiological modeling to the quantitation of vascular function. We hypothesized that the expected inverse robustness-mortality association is verifiable as a significant robustness-calendar age trend in a cross-sectional investigation of a population cohort of risk factor-challenged individuals. Using only functional parameters of the cardiovascular system we applied multivariate linear regression to derive from our study population of 372 adults gender-specific multivariate robustness scoring algorithms. For any individual, the deviation of his/her robustness score from the value of the regression function characterizes the deviation of the individual’s fatal CVD event probability from its age-appropriate fatal CVD event probability. Robustness correlated linearly with calendar age in our risk factor-challenged but not in our unchallenged cohorts. This observation supports the hypothesis of preferential elimination of less robust individuals along the aging trajectory under risk factor challenges. We conclude that physiologically principled scoring for vascular robustness may serve as a biomarker of vulnerability to CVD risk factor challenges, prognosticating otherwise undetectable elevated risk for premature CVD mortality. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We developed a principled method for the derivation of a vascular robustness score that we translated into a correction factor for calendar age. We demonstrated the score’s potential to uncover risk for premature cardiovascular death in apparently healthy young adults whose risk elevation remains hidden in conventional risk factor models.