bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of gingivitis in schoolchildren in Bucharest, Romania: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Funieru C. , Klinger A. , Băicuș C. , Funieru E. , Dumitriu H. T. , Dumitriu A. 
Published: April 2016

Background and ObjectiveGingivitis is the most prevalent oral disease in children, being strongly associated to social gradients. Many studies have reported different results concerning the extent and intra‐oral distribution of gingivitis in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic parameters and socio‐related risk factors of gingivitis in the 10–17‐year‐old Bucharest schoolchildren population and to analyze its intra‐oral distribution.Material and MethodsCross‐sectional data were obtained from 1595 schoolchildren, social condition being assigned using a simple questionnaire. Classes of students were used as clusters in a single‐stage cluster sampling method. An intra‐oral exam was performed for all the children included in this study. Silness and Löe scores, prevalence and the extent of gingivitis were calculated.ResultsThe gingival scores showed a mild inflammation and the prevalence of gingivitis was 91%. Boys had a higher gingival (0.19 vs. 0.18; p < 0.05) and plaque scores (0.71 vs. 0.59; p < 0.01) than girls. Children who did not live in overcrowded households, whose parents had a better education and those who had direct access to school dental services displayed better gingival conditions (p < 0.05). Gingivitis was more severe on the upper teeth, with the maximum score being reached at the right upper lateral incisor (0.63 on distal surface).ConclusionsGingival condition in Bucharest schoolchildren population was associated to social gradients. School dental services are also another factor that seems to be related with gingivitis.
Sterilization of Hulecoeteomyia japonica japonica (= Aedes japonicus japonicus) (Theobald, 1901) by high‐energy photon irradiation: implications for a sterile insect technique approach in Europe
Authors: BALESTRINO F. , MATHIS A. , LANG S. , VERONESI E. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractHulecoeteomyia japonica japonica (= Aedes japonicus japonicus) (Diptera: Culicidae) (Theobald 1901), a container‐breeding invasive species in North America and Europe, is attracting particular attention for its high local abundances and possible roles in the transmission of human and animal pathogens. The preferential habitats of this species are forested and bushy areas, which renders control measures extremely inefficient. Use of the sterile insect technique (SIT) may contribute to the implementation of area‐wide integrated pest management strategies, as has been successfully proven with other aedine mosquito species. The present study investigates the effects of irradiation at a dose of 40 Gy on fitness parameters in H. j. japonica. Irradiation was performed on 16–24‐h‐old pupae from a colonized strain (PA) using a TrueBeam linear accelerator. Males from the PA strain were crossed with females of the same colony or with field‐collected females. Irradiation induced a slight increase in mortality in male pupae, but did not alter the survival and mating abilities of emerging adult males. Rates of blood feeding and fertility were lower when PA strain males were kept with field‐collected females rather than PA females. Irradiated males induced reductions in fertility (residual fertility: 2.6%) and fecundity in mated females. The data indicate that the SIT is a suitable technique to enhance the control of this species.
Prevalence and factors associated with oral potentially malignant disorders in Brazil's rural workers
Authors: Ferreira AM , de Souza Lucena EE , de Oliveira TC , da Silveira ÉJD , de Oliveira PT , de Lima KC 
Published: April 2016

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) in a population of rural workers in the northeast of Brazil and to investigate the association with sociodemographic, occupational, and health factors.MethodsA total of 1385 workers answered a validated questionnaire and were examined by calibrated dentists. A descriptive analysis, chi‐square homogeneity test, and binary logistic regression were performed.ResultsThe prevalence of OPMDs was 29.6%. Actinic cheilitis was the most predominant (28.4%), followed by leukoplakia (2.3%) and erythroplakia (0.3%). Gender, type of skin, and time exposed to the sun explained the presence of OPMD (P < 0.0001). The study found increased prevalence, especially for males over the age of 60 years and being exposed to the sun for more than 45 years.ConclusionRural workers showed high vulnerability to the presence of OPMDs, as estimated prevalence exhibited was high.
Toward an index of desiccation time to tree mortality under drought
Authors: Blackman Chris J. , Pfautsch Sebastian , Choat Brendan , Delzon Sylvain , Gleason Sean M. , Duursma Remko A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractResearch in plant hydraulics has provided important insights into plant responses to drought and species absolute drought tolerance. However, our ability to predict when plants will die from hydraulic failure under extreme drought is limited by a lack of knowledge with regards to the dynamics of plant desiccation following stomatal closure. Thus, we develop a simple hydraulics model based on branch‐level traits that incorporates key aspects of allometry, rates of water loss and resistance to embolism thresholds in order to define species differences in the time it takes plants to desiccate from stomatal closure to lethal levels of drought stress.
Donor‐specific HLA antibodies and graft function in kidney‐transplanted children – the Vienna cohort
Authors: Rusai Krisztina , Dworak Johanna , Potemkina Alexandra , Fischer Gottfried , Csaicsich Dagmar , Arbeiter Klaus , Aufricht Christoph , Müller‐Sacherer Thomas 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn the pediatric population, little is known on de novo DSA development, its impact on graft function, and association with suboptimal IS. We assessed the prevalence of de novo DSA in the Vienna cohort of 40 renal transplanted children and adolescents and prospectively followed its association with clinical parameters, graft function, and proteinuria for one yr. At the cross‐sectional analysis (median post‐transplant time of five yr), 17% of the patients had developed de novo DSA. All HLA‐Ab were anti‐HLA class II antibodies and persisted in 85% of the cases until the follow‐up screening performed within one yr. Basic clinical and laboratory parameters did not differ between DSA‐negative and DSA‐positive patients at the time of HLA‐Ab screening. Suboptimal IS due to reduced medication or non‐adherence could not be proven in DSA‐positive patients. The changes in eGFR did not differ during the prospective study period, but there was a significantly higher proteinuria in the DSA‐positive patients during the follow‐up. Our data demonstrate an overall prevalence of 17% of de novo DSA in a pediatric renal transplant cohort. During 12 months of prospective follow‐up time, we could demonstrate a significant impact of de novo DSA presence on proteinuria.
AngioJet™ thrombolysis of SVC thrombosis after orthotopic heart transplantation: A case report
Authors: Sessions Kristen L. , Anderson Jason H. , Johnson Jonathan N. , Taggart Nathaniel W. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSVC obstruction is a rare acute complication after bicaval cardiac transplantation and can be catastrophic for the patient. Herein, we report the case of a child who developed SVC thrombosis causing acute SVC syndrome nine days after heart transplantation. Thrombolysis was successfully performed using the AngioJet™ system and subsequent balloon angioplasty with re‐establishment of flow. This procedure allowed for revascularization without repeat sternotomy or stent implantation. The patient is well without recurrence at last follow‐up.
Goal relevance influences performance monitoring at the level of the FRN and P3 components
Authors: Walentowska Wioleta , Moors Agnes , Paul Katharina , Pourtois Gilles 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe feedback‐related negativity (FRN) provides a reliable ERP marker of performance monitoring (PM). It is usually larger for negative compared to positive feedback, and for unexpected relative to expected feedback. In two experiments, we assessed whether these effects could be modulated by goal relevance, defined as feedback informativeness (reliability) and/or impact on a person's goals. EEG (64‐channel) was recorded while 30 participants (in each experiment) performed a speeded go/no‐go task across blocks in which the feedback on task performance was deemed either relevant or not. At the ERP level, the FRN component was larger for (frequent) negative compared to (deviant) positive feedback exclusively when the feedback was relevant (Experiment 1). When the probability of positive and negative feedback was balanced (Experiment 2), this valence‐driven FRN effect was absent. However, across these two experiments, the FRN was always larger for irrelevant than relevant feedback. Moreover, the subsequent P300 component was larger for feedback in the relevant than the irrelevant blocks. This effect was valence unspecific in Experiment 1, while in Experiment 2 larger P3 amplitudes were recorded for negative than positive (relevant) feedback. Across the two experiments, a larger correct‐related negativity in the irrelevant than relevant context was also observed, suggesting that PM is flexible. These ERP findings indicate that goal relevance influences feedback (and response) processing during PM, with two nonoverlapping neurophysiological effects: It gates reward prediction error brain mechanisms (FRN effect), before enhancing subsequent motivational processes (P300 effect).
Effect of Heat Stress on Concentrations of Faecal Cortisol Metabolites in Dairy Cows
Authors: Rees A , Fischer‐Tenhagen C , Heuwieser W 
Published: April 2016

ContentsThe negative impact of heat stress on health and productivity of dairy cows is well known. Heat stress can be quantified with the temperature–humidity index (THI) and is defined as a THI ≥ 72. Additionally, animal welfare is affected in cows living under heat stress conditions. Finding a way to quantify heat stress in dairy cows has been of increasing interest over the past decades. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites [i.e. 11,17‐dioxoandrostanes (11,17‐DOA)] as an indirect stress parameter in dairy cows without heat stress (DOA 0), with heat stress on a single day (acute heat stress, DOA 1) or with more than a single day of heat stress (chronic heat stress, DOA 2). Cows were housed in five farms under moderate European climates. Two statistical approaches (approach 1 and approach 2) were assessed. Using approach 1, concentrations of faecal 11,17‐DOA were compared among DOA 0, DOA 1 and DOA 2 samples regardless of their origin (i.e. cow, unpaired comparison with a one‐way anova). Using approach 2, a cow was considered as its own control; that is 11,17‐DOA was treated as a cow‐specific factor and only paired samples were included in the analysis for this approach (paired comparison with t‐tests). In approach 1 (p = 0.006) and approach 2 (p = 0.038), 11,17‐DOA values of cows under acute heat stress were higher compared to those of cows without heat stress. Our results also indicate that acute heat stress has to be considered as a confounder in studies measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in cows to evaluate other stressful situations.
Nondermal irritating hyperosmotic nanoemulsions reduce treatment times in a contamination model of wound healing
Authors: Connell Sean , Li Jianming , Durkes Abigail , Zaroura Mohammed , Shi Riyi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIncreased microbial burden within the wound often complicates wound healing and may lead to subsequent infection or delayed healing. Here, we investigate a novel topical for addressing wound contamination that utilizes hyperosmotic saccharides with a cell membrane disrupting emulsion. These hyperosmotic nanoemulsions (HNE) were administered topically in a full‐thickness biopsy model of wound healing. Results show that HNE were well tolerated in noninfected animals with no indications of dermal irritation or acute toxicity. Additionally, HNE was able to reduce bacterial bioburden (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis) levels by 3 logs within 24 h when wounds were inoculated with 5 × 106 total CFU. These bactericidal values were similar to wounds treated with silver sulfadiazine. Wound closure showed HNE wounds closed in 7.6 ± 0.2 days while SSD and control required 10.2 ± 0.4 and 10.4 ± 0.3 days, respectively. HNE maintained a moist wound environment, were well debrided, and exhibited improved hemostatic response. Further histological examination revealed enhanced granulation tissue as compared to silver sulfadiazine and control cohorts. These results were corroborated with 3D topographical imprints of the wounds at day 14 which qualitatively showed a smoother surface. In contrast, silver sulfadiazine appeared to delay wound closure. Finally, dermal sensitization and irritation studies conducted in guinea pig and rabbits did not reveal any acute dermal side effects from HNE exposure. The cumulative data indicates nonantibiotic‐based HNEs may be a promising topical treatment for the management of contaminated wounds.
Use of Animal Models To Support Revising Meningococcal Breakpoints of β-Lactams
Authors: Belkacem Nouria , Hong Eva , Antunes Ana , Terrade Aude , Deghmane Ala-Eddine , Taha Muhamed-Kheir 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) in
Neisseria meningitidis
is an important part of the management of invasive meningococcal disease. It defines MICs of antibiotics that are used in treatment and/or prophylaxis and that mainly belong to the beta-lactams. The interpretation of the AST results requires breakpoints to classify the isolates into susceptible, intermediate, or resistant. The resistance to penicillin G is defined by a MIC of >0.25 mg/liter, and that of amoxicillin is defined by a MIC of >1 mg/liter. We provide data that may support revision of resistance breakpoints for beta-lactams in meningococci. We used experimental intraperitoneal infection in 8-week-old transgenic female mice expressing human transferrin and human factor H. Dynamic bioluminescence imaging was performed to follow the infection by bioluminescent meningococcus strains with different MICs. Three hours later, infected mice were treated intramuscularly using several doses of amoxicillin or penicillin G. Signal decreased during infection with a meningococcus strain showing a penicillin G MIC of 0.064 mg/liter at all doses. Signals decreased for the strain with a penicillin G MIC of 0.5 mg/liter only after treatment with the highest doses, corresponding to 250,000 units/kg of penicillin G or 200 mg/kg of amoxicillin, although this decrease was at a lower rate than that of the strain with a MIC of 0.064 mg/liter. The decrease in bioluminescent signals was associated with a decrease in the levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). Our data suggest that a high dose of amoxicillin or penicillin G can reduce growth during infection by isolates showing penicillin G MICs of >0.25 mg/liter and ≤1 mg/liter.
Infectious Dose Dictates the Host Response during Staphylococcus aureus Orthopedic-Implant Biofilm Infection
Authors: Vidlak Debbie , Kielian Tammy 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
is a leading cause of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) that are typified by biofilm formation. Given the diversity of
S. aureus
strains and their propensity to cause community- or hospital-acquired infections, we investigated whether the immune response and biofilm growth during PJI were conserved among distinct
S. aureus
clinical isolates. Three
S. aureus
strains representing USA200 (UAMS-1), USA300 (LAC), and USA400 (MW2) lineages were equally effective at biofilm formation in a mouse model of PJI and elicited similar leukocyte infiltrates and cytokine/chemokine profiles. Another factor that may influence the course of PJI is infectious dose. In particular, higher bacterial inocula could accelerate biofilm formation and alter the immune response, making it difficult to discern underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. To address this issue, we compared the effects of two bacterial doses (10
3
or 10
5
CFU) on inflammatory responses in interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40) knockout mice that were previously shown to have reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cell recruitment concomitant with bacterial clearance after low-dose challenge (10
3
CFU). Increasing the infectious dose of LAC to 10
5
CFU negated these differences in IL-12p40 knockout animals, demonstrating the importance of bacterial inoculum on infection outcome. Collectively, these observations highlight the importance of considering infectious dose when assessing immune responsiveness, whereas biofilm formation during PJI is conserved among clinical isolates commonly used in mouse
S. aureus
infection models.
Toll-Like Receptor 4 Agonistic Antibody Promotes Host Defense against Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection in Mice
Authors: Nakamura Shigeki , Iwanaga Naoki , Seki Masafumi , Fukudome Kenji , Oshima Kazuhiro , Miyazaki Taiga , Izumikawa Koichi , Yanagihara Katsunori , Miyazaki Yoshitsugu , Mukae Hiroshi , Kohno Shigeru 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Chronic lower respiratory tract infection with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is difficult to treat due to enhanced antibiotic resistance and decreased efficacy of drug delivery to destroyed lung tissue. To determine the potential for restorative immunomodulation therapies, we evaluated the effect of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation on the host immune response to
Pseudomonas
infection in mice. We implanted sterile plastic tubes precoated with
P. aeruginosa
in the bronchi of mice, administered the TLR4/MD2 agonistic monoclonal antibody UT12 intraperitoneally every week, and subsequently analyzed the numbers of viable bacteria and inflammatory cells and the levels of cytokines. We also performed flow cytometry-based phagocytosis and opsonophagocytic killing assays
in vitro
using UT12-treated murine peritoneal neutrophils. UT12-treated mice showed significantly enhanced bacterial clearance, increased numbers of Ly6G
+
neutrophils, and increased concentrations of macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) in the lungs (
P
< 0.05). Depletion of CD4
+
T cells eliminated the ability of the UT12 treatment to improve bacterial clearance and promote neutrophil recruitment and MIP-2 production. Additionally, UT12-pretreated peritoneal neutrophils exhibited increased opsonophagocytic killing activity via activation of the serine protease pathway, specifically neutrophil elastase activity, in a TLR4-dependent manner. These data indicated that UT12 administration significantly augmented the innate immune response against chronic bacterial infection, in part by promoting neutrophil recruitment and bactericidal function.
CD47-SIRPα Interactions Regulate Macrophage Uptake of Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes and Clearance of Malaria
In Vivo
Authors: Ayi Kodjo , Lu Ziyue , Serghides Lena , Ho Jenny M. , Finney Constance , Wang Jean C. Y. , Liles W. Conrad , Kain Kevin C. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

CD47 engagement by the macrophage signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) inhibits phagocytic activity and protects red blood cells (RBCs) from erythrophagocytosis. The role of CD47-SIRPα in the innate immune response to
Plasmodium falciparum
infection is unknown. We hypothesized that disruption of SIRPα signaling may enhance macrophage uptake of malaria parasite-infected RBCs. To test this hypothesis, we examined
in vivo
clearance in CD47-deficient mice infected with
Plasmodium berghei
ANKA and
in vitro
phagocytosis of
P. falciparum
-infected RBCs by macrophages from SHP-1-deficient (
Shp-1

−/−

) mice and NOD.NOR-
Idd13.Prkdc

scid

(NS-
Idd13
) mice, as well as human macrophages, following disruption of CD47-SIRPα interactions with anti-SIRPα antibodies or recombinant SIRPα-Fc fusion protein. Compared to their wild-type counterparts,
Cd47

−/−

mice displayed significantly lower parasitemia, decreased endothelial activation, and enhanced survival. Using macrophages from SHP-1-deficient mice or from NS-
Idd13
mice, which express a SIRPα variant that does not bind human CD47, we showed that altered SIRPα signaling resulted in enhanced phagocytosis of
P. falciparum
-infected RBCs. Moreover, disrupting CD47-SIRPα engagement using anti-SIRPα antibodies or SIRPα-Fc fusion protein also increased phagocytosis of
P. falciparum
-infected RBCs. These results indicate an important role for CD47-SIRPα interactions in innate control of malaria and suggest novel targets for intervention.
Burkholderia pseudomallei Capsule Exacerbates Respiratory Melioidosis but Does Not Afford Protection against Antimicrobial Signaling or Bacterial Killing in Human Olfactory Ensheathing Cells
Authors: Dando Samantha J. , Ipe Deepak S. , Batzloff Michael , Sullivan Matthew J. , Crossman David K. , Crowley Michael , Strong Emily , Kyan Stephanie , Leclercq Sophie Y. , Ekberg Jenny A. K. , St. John James , Beacham Ifor R. , Ulett Glen C. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTMelioidosis, caused by the bacteriumBurkholderia pseudomallei, is an often severe infection that regularly involves respiratory disease following inhalation exposure. Intranasal (i.n.) inoculation of mice represents an experimental approach used to study the contributions of bacterial capsular polysaccharide I (CPS I) to virulence during acute disease. We used aerosol delivery ofB. pseudomalleito establish respiratory infection in mice and studied CPS I in the context of innate immune responses. CPS I improvedB. pseudomalleisurvivalin vivoand triggered multiple cytokine responses, neutrophil infiltration, and acute inflammatory histopathology in the spleen, liver, nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, and olfactory mucosa (OM). To further explore the role of the OM response toB. pseudomalleiinfection, we infected human olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs)in vitroand measured bacterial invasion and the cytokine responses induced following infection. Human OECs killed >90% of theB. pseudomalleiin a CPS I-independent manner and exhibited an antibacterial cytokine response comprising granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and several regulatory cytokines. In-depth genome-wide transcriptomic profiling of the OEC response by RNA-Seq revealed a network of signaling pathways activated in OECs following infection involving a novel group of 378 genes that encode biological pathways controlling cellular movement, inflammation, immunological disease, and molecular transport. This represents the first antimicrobial program to be described in human OECs and establishes the extensive transcriptional defense network accessible in these cells. Collectively, these findings show a role for CPS I inB. pseudomalleisurvivalin vivofollowing inhalation infection and the antibacterial signaling network that exists in human OM and OECs.