bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics, milk penetration and PK/PD analysis by Monte Carlo simulation of marbofloxacin, after intravenous and intramuscular administration to lactating goats
Authors: Lorenzutti A. M. , Litterio N. J. , Himelfarb M. A. , Zarazaga M. d. P. , San Andrés M. I. , De Lucas J. J. 
Published: May 2017

The main objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the serum pharmacokinetic behaviour and milk penetration of marbofloxacin (MFX; 5 mg/kg), after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration in lactating goats and simulate a multidose regimen on steady‐state conditions, (ii) to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from caprine mastitis in Córdoba, Argentina and (iii) to make a PK/PD analysis by Monte Carlo simulation from steady‐state pharmacokinetic parameters of MFX by IV and IM routes to evaluate the efficacy and risk of the emergence of resistance. The study was carried out with six healthy, female, adult Anglo Nubian lactating goats. Marbofloxacin was administered at 5 mg/kg bw by IV and IM route. Serum and milk concentrations of MFX were determined with HPLC/uv. From 106 regional strains of CNS isolated from caprine mastitis in herds from Córdoba, Argentina, MICs and MPCs were determined. MIC90 and MPC90 were 0.4 and 6.4 μg/ml, respectively. MIC and MPC‐based PK/PD analysis by Monte Carlo simulation indicates that IV and IM administration of MFX in lactating goats may not be adequate to recommend it as an empirical therapy against CNS, because the most exigent endpoints were not reached. Moreover, this dose regimen could increase the probability of selecting mutants and resulting in emergence of resistance. Based on the results of Monte Carlo simulation, the optimal dose of MFX to achieve an adequate antimicrobial efficacy should be 10 mg/kg, but it is important take into account that fluoroquinolones are substrates of efflux pumps, and this fact may determine that assumption of linear pharmacokinetics at high doses of MFX may be incorrect.
The monitoring and responding behaviours of proficient fourth grade readers to miscues on a complex scientific text
Authors: Kucer Stephen B. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe monitoring of meaning and the correction of miscues that fail to make sense are a hallmark of a proficient reader. Much of the research, however, has focused on the reading of fictional, narrative texts. In contrast, this research examines the monitoring and response behaviours of 35 proficient fourth grade readers (nine and 10 years of age) to their miscues on a complex, scientific text. Specifically, reader reactions to their miscues that did and did not disrupt meaning were analysed. Regardless of their impact on meaning, the majority of miscues were ignored. Readers failed to correct, failed to attempt to correct, the majority of their meaning disrupting miscues. This behaviour may be due to an emphasis on reading rate in many classrooms, a failure to explicitly teach older students monitoring and correcting strategies, and the complexity of the text.
Multiple innovations underpinned branching form diversification in mosses
Authors: Coudert Yoan , Bell Neil E. , Edelin Claude , Harrison C. Jill 
Published: May 2017

Summary

Broad‐scale evolutionary comparisons have shown that branching forms arose by convergence in vascular plants and bryophytes, but the trajectory of branching form diversification in bryophytes is unclear. Mosses are the most species‐rich bryophyte lineage and two sub‐groups are circumscribed by alternative reproductive organ placements. In one, reproductive organs form apically, terminating growth of the primary shoot (gametophore) axis. In the other, reproductive organs develop on very short lateral branches. A switch from apical to lateral reproductive organ development is proposed to have primed branching form diversification.

Moss gametophores have modular development and each module develops from a single apical cell. Here we define the architectures of 175 mosses by the number of module classes, branching patterns and the pattern in which similar modules repeat. Using ancestral character state reconstruction we identify two stages of architectural diversification.

During a first stage there were sequential changes in the module repetition pattern, reproductive organ position, branching pattern and the number of module classes. During a second stage, vegetative changes occurred independently of reproductive fate.

The results pinpoint the nature of developmental change priming branching form diversification in mosses and provide a framework for mechanistic studies of architectural diversification.
Spectral Remittance and Transmittance of Visible and Infrared‐A Radiation in Human Skin—Comparison Between in vivo Measurements and Model Calculations
Authors: Piazena Helmut , Meffert Hans , Uebelhack Ralf 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe aim of the study was to assess the interindividual variability of spectral remittance and spectral transmittance of visible and infrared‐A radiations interacting with human skin and subcutaneous tissue, and direct measurements were taken in vivo using healthy persons of different skin color types. Up to wavelengths of about 900 nm, both spectral remittance and spectral transmittance depended significantly on the individual contents of melanin and hemoglobin in the skin, whereas the contents of water and lipids mainly determined spectral slopes of both characteristics of interaction for wavelengths above about 900 nm. In vivo measured data of spectral transmittance showed approximately similar decreases with tissue thickness between about 900 nm and 1100 nm as compared with model data which were calculated using spectral absorption and scattering coefficients of skin samples in vitro published by different authors. In addition, in vivo measured data and in vitro‐based model calculations of spectral remittance were approximately comparable in this wavelength range. In contrast, systematic but individually varying differences between both methods were found for both spectral remittance and spectral transmittance at wavelengths below about 900 nm, where interaction of radiation was significantly affected by both melanin and hemoglobin.
The Use of Directional Reflectance Measurement for in vivo Assessment of Protective Properties of Cosmetics in the Infrared Radiation Range
Authors: Wilczyński Sławomir , Deda Anna , Koprowski Robert , Banyś Anna , Błońska‐Fajfrowska Barbara 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPhotoprotection of skin is now focused on UV radiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo cosmetic products in terms of protection against infrared radiation (IR) and propose a methodology for conducting such measurements. The directional reflectance (DR) of 12 UV filters, six care creams and two preparations containing fumed silica applied on the forearm of 36 volunteers was examined in six spectral bands for two angles of incidence. SOC‐410 Directional Hemispherical Reflectometer was used to measure DR. There is very little change in DR for all spectral bands for both incident angles for both UV filters, care creams and preparations containing fumed silica. For example, for 15% of fumed silica in glycerin for the spectral band of 0.9–1.1 μm and the incident angle of 20°, skin DR prior to application was 0.543; 5 min after application was 0.533 and 30 min after application was 0.559. Both UV filters, care creams and fumed silica do not protect skin against IR. The proposed method of in vivo measurements is superior to in vitro studies which have been conducted so far because it takes into account both the refractive index at the tissue/air interface and the absorption of IR by adipose tissue.
Geophysical evidence for a large impact structure on the Falkland (Malvinas) Plateau
Authors: Rocca Maximiliano C.L. , Rampino Michael R. , Báez Presser Jaime L. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA large, roughly circular structural basin is recognised on the Falkland (Malvinas) Plateau to the NW of West Falkland (Gran Malvina) Island (S 51°00′, W 62°00′). The basin, seen in seismic‐reflection profiles and evident as a large negative gravity anomaly, has a diameter of ~250 km. The age of the basin is estimated to be Late Palaeozoic. It is completely buried by younger sediments and has no topographic expression on the sea floor. We propose that the basin and geophysical anomalies, especially the combination of a large circular negative gravity anomaly with a rim of positive anomalies, and a marked circular series of positive magnetic anomalies in the same area, may be best explained by the presence of a large buried impact structure.
Colonization with extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae in solid organ transplantation: A meta‐analysis and review
Authors: Alevizakos Michail , Kallias Athanasios , Flokas Myrto Eleni , Mylonakis Eleftherios 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundExtended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL‐E) may cause severe infections, often preceded by ESBL‐E gastrointestinal (GI) colonization.MethodsWe conducted a review of the literature, investigating the prevalence of ESBL‐E GI colonization in solid organ transplant (SOT) patients and the risk for subsequent ESBL‐E infection. We searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases (to April 1, 2016) looking for studies that contained data on ESBL‐E colonization among transplant patients.ResultsOf 341 non‐duplicate citations, four studies reporting data on 1089 patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Among them, the pooled prevalence for ESBL‐E colonization was 18% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5%‐36%). Stratifying by transplant type, we identified an ESBL‐E colonization rate of 17% (95% CI 3%‐39%) among liver transplant recipients and 24% (single report) among kidney transplant recipients.ConclusionsAmong SOT patients, approximately one in five patients is colonized with ESBL‐E, although this finding may be skewed by reporting bias from centers with high ESBL‐E prevalence. ESBL‐E screening in SOT patients should be considered and evaluated in future studies.
Survival of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in modified Romanowsky staining solutions
Authors: Misan Angus , Chan Wei Yee , Trott Darren , Hill Peter B. 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundStains that are used regularly for patient‐side diagnosis to rapidly identify bacterial and fungal infections could become contaminated by common pathogens, such as Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, during slide immersion.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine whether the inoculation of S. pseudintermedius into modified Romanowsky type stains (Quick Dip®) results in viable bacterial contamination and whether this is influenced by the addition of organic debris (canine hair and skin).MethodsA clinical isolate of S. pseudintermedius was inoculated into clean and organically contaminated Quick Dip® solutions (methanol fixative, eosin, methylene blue), and positive (broth) and negative (bleach) controls. Each solution was tested for the presence of viable bacteria by counting the number of colony forming units (CFU/mL) at various time points. Solutions also were examined under high power microscopy to count the number of visible bacteria at each time point.ResultsStaphylococcus pseudintermedius was able to survive in the clean and contaminated Quick Dip® stains for at least one hour, but by 24 h no viable bacteria remained. Survival of the bacteria was not supported in the fixative at any time point. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius remained visible under high power microscopy for up to 2 weeks in all organically contaminated solutions of the Quick Dip® set.Conclusions and clinical importanceStaphylococcus pseudintermedius only remains viable in eosin and methylene blue for short periods of time, but the prolonged visibility of dead organisms could theoretically lead to the misdiagnosis of cytology samples.
Advances in engineering hydrogels
Authors: Zhang Yu Shrike , Khademhosseini Ali 
Published: May 2017

Wet, soft, squishy, and tunable
Hydrogels are highly cross-linked polymer networks that are heavily swollen with water. Hydrogels have been used as dynamic, tunable, degradable materials for growing cells and tissues. Zhang and Khademhosseini review the advances in making hydrogels with improved mechanical strength and greater flexibility for use in a wide range of applications.

Science
, this issue p.
eaaf3627
Identification of Protective B-Cell Epitopes within the Novel Malaria Vaccine Candidate Plasmodium falciparum Schizont Egress Antigen 1
Authors: Nixon Christina E. , Park Sangshin , Pond-Tor Sunthorn , Raj Dipak , Lambert Lynn E. , Orr-Gonzalez Sachy , Barnafo Emma K. , Rausch Kelly M. , Friedman Jennifer F. , Fried Michal , Duffy Patrick E. , Kurtis Jonathan D. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Naturally acquired antibodies to
Plasmodium falciparum
schizont egress antigen 1 (PfSEA-1A) are associated with protection against severe malaria in children. Vaccination of mice with SEA-1A from
Plasmodium berghei
(PbSEA-1A) decreases parasitemia and prolongs survival following
P. berghei
ANKA challenge. To enhance the immunogenicity of PfSEA-1A, we identified five linear B-cell epitopes using peptide microarrays probed with antisera from nonhuman primates vaccinated with recombinant PfSEA-1A (rPfSEA-1A). We evaluated the relationship between epitope-specific antibody levels and protection from parasitemia in a longitudinal treatment-reinfection cohort in western Kenya. Antibodies to three epitopes were associated with 16 to 17% decreased parasitemia over an 18-week high transmission season. We are currently designing immunogens to enhance antibody responses to these three epitopes.
Evaluation of Sensitivity and Specificity Performance of Elecsys HTLV-I/II Assay in a Multicenter Study in Europe and Japan
Authors: Laperche Syria , Sauleda Silvia , Piron Maria , Mühlbacher Annelies , Schennach Harald , Schottstedt Volkmar , Queirós Lucinda , Uno Naoki , Yanagihara Katsunori , Imdahl Roland , Hey Ariann , Klinkicht Markus , Melchior Walter , Muench Peter , Watanabe Toshiki 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Screening of blood for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 and type 2 (HTLV-1 and -2, respectively) is important to diagnose and prevent infection and ensure the safety of blood supplies. The Elecsys HTLV-I/II assay is a newly developed, electrochemiluminescence screening assay for the detection of HTLV-1/2 infection. The sensitivity and specificity of the Elecsys HTLV-I/II assay were determined using well-characterized HTLV-1/2-positive serum and plasma samples and routine diagnostic and blood donor samples expected to be HTLV negative, respectively. These results were compared with those for at least one of the following CE-marked assays at seven independent laboratories and the Roche Diagnostics facility in Penzberg, Germany: Abbott Architect rHTLV-I/II, Ortho Avioq HTLV-I/II Microelisa system, Abbott Prism HTLV-I/HTLV-II, and DiaSorin Murex HTLV I+II. Fujirebio INNO-LIA HTLV-I/II Score was used as a confirmatory assay. The Elecsys HTLV-I/II, Abbott Architect rHTLV-I/II, and Abbott Prism HTLV-I/HTLV-II assays detected all HTLV-1/2-positive samples (sensitivity, 100%). Sensitivity for Ortho Avioq HTLV-I/II was 98.63%. The Elecsys HTLV-I/II assay had a specificity of 99.95% in blood donor samples, which was comparable to results for the other assays (range, 99.91 to 100%). In routine diagnostic samples, the specificity of the Elecsys HTLV-I/II assay was 99.83%, compared with 99.70% for Abbott Architect rHTLV-I/II. Specificity for the Elecsys HTLV-I/II assay in potentially cross-reactive samples was 100%, compared with 99.0% for Ortho Avioq HTLV-I/II and 99.2% for DiaSorin Murex HTLV I+II. The Elecsys HTLV-I/II assay has the sensitivity and specificity to support its use as a routine screening assay for detecting HTLV infection.
Isolation of Campylobacter Species from Stool Samples by Use of a Filtration Method: Assessment from a United States-Based Population
Authors: Nachamkin Irving , Nguyen Phi 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Fecal samples submitted to our clinical microbiology laboratory from patients in the Philadelphia region were prospectively analyzed for
Campylobacter
species other than
C. jejuni
and
C. coli
using a filtration method and microaerobic conditions with increased H
2
concentrations. Of 225 samples tested, 13 (5.8%) yielded
Campylobacter
species, with frequent isolation of
C. concisus
. The majority of
Campylobacter
species were not clinically significant. Additional studies in U.S. populations are warranted.
Regulation of Tacaribe Mammarenavirus Translation: Positive 5′ and Negative 3′ Elements and Role of Key Cellular Factors
Authors: Foscaldi Sabrina , D'Antuono Alejandra , Noval María Gabriela , de Prat Gay Gonzalo , Scolaro Luis , Lopez Nora 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Mammarenaviruses are enveloped viruses with a bisegmented negative-stranded RNA genome that encodes the nucleocapsid protein (NP), the envelope glycoprotein precursor (GPC), the RNA polymerase (L), and a RING matrix protein (Z). Viral proteins are synthesized from subgenomic mRNAs bearing a capped 5′ untranslated region (UTR) and lacking 3′ poly(A) tail. We analyzed the translation strategy of Tacaribe virus (TCRV), a prototype of the New World mammarenaviruses. A virus-like transcript that carries a reporter gene in place of the NP open reading frame and transcripts bearing modified 5′ and/or 3′ UTR were evaluated in a cell-based translation assay. We found that the presence of the cap structure at the 5′ end dramatically increases translation efficiency and that the viral 5′ UTR comprises stimulatory signals while the 3′ UTR,specifically the presence of a terminal C+G-rich sequence and/or a stem-loop structure, down-modulates translation. Additionally, translation was profoundly reduced in eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4G-inactivated cells, whereas depletion of intracellular levels of eIF4E had less impact on virus-like mRNA translation than on a cell-like transcript. Translation efficiency was independent of NP expression or TCRV infection. Our results indicate that TCRV mRNAs are translated using a cap-dependent mechanism, whose efficiency relies on the interplay between stimulatory signals in the 5′ UTR and a negative modulatory element in the 3′ UTR. The low dependence on eIF4E suggests that viral mRNAs may engage yet-unknown noncanonical host factors for a cap-dependent initiation mechanism.

IMPORTANCE
Several members of the
Arenaviridae
family cause serious hemorrhagic fevers in humans. In the present report, we describe the mechanism by which Tacaribe virus, a prototypic nonpathogenic New World mammarenavirus, regulates viral mRNA translation. Our results highlight the impact of untranslated sequences and key host translation factors on this process. We propose a model that explains how viral mRNAs outcompete cellular mRNAs for the translation machinery. A better understanding of the mechanism of translation regulation of this virus can provide the bases for the rational design of new antiviral tools directed to pathogenic arenaviruses.
Transmission Bottleneck Size Estimation from Pathogen Deep-Sequencing Data, with an Application to Human Influenza A Virus
Authors: Sobel Leonard Ashley , Weissman Daniel B. , Greenbaum Benjamin , Ghedin Elodie , Koelle Katia 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
The bottleneck governing infectious disease transmission describes the size of the pathogen population transferred from the donor to the recipient host. Accurate quantification of the bottleneck size is particularly important for rapidly evolving pathogens such as influenza virus, as narrow bottlenecks reduce the amount of transferred viral genetic diversity and, thus, may decrease the rate of viral adaptation. Previous studies have estimated bottleneck sizes governing viral transmission by using statistical analyses of variants identified in pathogen sequencing data. These analyses, however, did not account for variant calling thresholds and stochastic viral replication dynamics within recipient hosts. Because these factors can skew bottleneck size estimates, we introduce a new method for inferring bottleneck sizes that accounts for these factors. Through the use of a simulated data set, we first show that our method, based on beta-binomial sampling, accurately recovers transmission bottleneck sizes, whereas other methods fail to do so. We then apply our method to a data set of influenza A virus (IAV) infections for which viral deep-sequencing data from transmission pairs are available. We find that the IAV transmission bottleneck size estimates in this study are highly variable across transmission pairs, while the mean bottleneck size of 196 virions is consistent with a previous estimate for this data set. Furthermore, regression analysis shows a positive association between estimated bottleneck size and donor infection severity, as measured by temperature. These results support findings from experimental transmission studies showing that bottleneck sizes across transmission events can be variable and influenced in part by epidemiological factors.

IMPORTANCE
The transmission bottleneck size describes the size of the pathogen population transferred from the donor to the recipient host and may affect the rate of pathogen adaptation within host populations. Recent advances in sequencing technology have enabled bottleneck size estimation from pathogen genetic data, although there is not yet a consistency in the statistical methods used. Here, we introduce a new approach to infer the bottleneck size that accounts for variant identification protocols and noise during pathogen replication. We show that failing to account for these factors leads to an underestimation of bottleneck sizes. We apply this method to an existing data set of human influenza virus infections, showing that transmission is governed by a loose, but highly variable, transmission bottleneck whose size is positively associated with the severity of infection of the donor. Beyond advancing our understanding of influenza virus transmission, we hope that this work will provide a standardized statistical approach for bottleneck size estimation for viral pathogens.