bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hematopoietic MyD88 and IL-18 are essential for IFN-γ–dependent restriction of type A Francisella tularensis infection
Authors: Skyberg Jerod A , Lacey Carolyn A 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious intracellular bacterium that causes the potentially fatal disease tularemia. We used mice with conditional MyD88 deficiencies to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms by which MyD88 restricts type A F. tularensis infection. F. tularensis–induced weight loss was predominately dependent on MyD88 signaling in nonhematopoietic cells. In contrast, MyD88 signaling in hematopoietic cells, but not in myeloid and dendritic cells, was essential for control of F. tularensis infection in tissue. Myeloid and dendritic cell MyD88 deficiency also did not markedly impair cytokine production during infection. Although the production of IL-12 or -18 was not significantly reduced in hematopoietic MyD88-deficient mice, IFN-γ production was abolished in these animals. In addition, neutralization studies revealed that control of F. tularensis infection mediated by hematopoietic MyD88 was entirely dependent on IFN-γ. Although IL-18 production was not significantly affected by MyD88 deficiency, IL-18 was essential for IFN-γ production and restricted bacterial replication in an IFN-γ–dependent manner. Caspase-1 was also found to be partially necessary for the production of IL-18 and IFN-γ and for control of F. tularensis replication. Our collective data show that the response of leukocytes to caspase-1–dependent IL-18 via MyD88 is critical, whereas MyD88 signaling in myeloid and dendritic cells is dispensable for IFN-γ–dependent control of type A F. tularensis infection.
Lamina propria group 2 innate lymphoid cells impair the antibacterial defense of burned mice to enterococcal translocation
Authors: Ito Ichiaki , Bhopale Kamlesh K , Kobayashi Makiko , Finnerty Celeste C , Herndon David N , Suzuki Fujio 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Gut microbiota that invades to the defective mucosal barrier is one of the major sources of infectious complications in severely burned hosts. In this study, a role of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) and effects of N-{4-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]phenyl}-2-thiophenesulfonamide (SR3335) on the host antibacterial resistance against infectious complications caused by Enterococcus faecalis oral infection were investigated in burned mice. Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor α (RORα) is a transcription factor required for the development of ILC2, and SR3335 is an RORα-selective inverse agonist. All of burned mice died within 6 d of E. faecalis infection (5 × 106 CFU/mouse), whereas 100% of the same mice treated with SR3335 survived. The increased ILC2 and their cytokine products (IL-5 and IL-13) were detected in the lamina propria of mice, 1–7 d after burn injury. However, the number of ILC2 did not increase in the lamina propria of burned mice treated with SR3335. The antibacterial resistance of SCID-beige (SCIDbg) mice to E. faecalis infection was impaired by the inoculation of ILC2. BALB/c, SCIDbg, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-depleted SCIDbg mice were shown to be resistant against E. faecalis infection. However, all Mϕ depleted SCIDbg mice died after the infection. These results indicate that host antibacterial effector Mϕ against enterococcal translocation are influenced by ILC2, increased in the bacterial translocation site of burned mice, and sepsis stemming from E. faecalis oral infection was amazingly mitigated in these mice after treatment with SR3335, an inhibitor of cellular differentiation from an ILC precursor (ILCP) to ILC2.
Metabolic energy sensors as targets for designing host-directed therapies for tuberculosis
Authors: Cheng Catherine Y , Böhme Julia , Singhal Amit 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
A wealth of scientific and clinical evidence during the past few years has lent credence to the idea that key components of the host immune effector mechanisms can be targeted to boost current tuberculosis (TB) treatment and control patient relapse. These host-directed strategies not only accelerate the clearance of pathogens but also have the ability to limit overt inflammation and pathology, which are associated with the tissue damage. Studies have indicated that inflammatory responses are intrinsically linked to cellular metabolism and together drive the fate of many host responses, coupling host survival with the capacity to respond to infectious insult. Metabolic sensors such as mammalian target of rapamycin, AMP-activated protein kinase, and sirtuin 1 are central regulators of host metabolic alterations and play important roles in immune responses against infections. The present review discusses the functions of AMP-activated protein kinase and sirtuin 1, with a focus on their role in immune homeostasis and how manipulating the AMP-activated protein kinase–sirtuin 1 axis with drugs can modulate immunity to tuberculosis.
Group A streptococcal pharyngitis: Immune responses involved in bacterial clearance and GAS-associated immunopathologies
Authors: Soderholm Amelia T , Barnett Timothy C , Sweet Matthew J , Walker Mark J 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, the Group A Streptococcus (GAS), is the most common cause of bacterial pharyngitis in children and adults. Innate and adaptive host immune responses are fundamental for defense against streptococcal pharyngitis and are central to the clinical manifestation of disease. Host immune responses also contribute to the severe poststreptococcal immune diseases that constitute the major disease burden for this organism. However, until recently, little was known about the host responses elicited during infection. Cellular mediators of innate immunity used during host defense against GAS include epithelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs), which are reported to secrete a number of soluble inflammatory mediators, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); eicosanoids, including PGE2 and leukotriene B4 (LTB4); chemokines; and proinflammatory cytokines. Th1 and Th17 responses play significant roles in adaptive immunity in both murine models of GAS pharyngitis and in human tonsil tissue. A number of inflammatory complications are associated with GAS pharyngitis, which can lead to chronic disease in patients. These include scarlet fever, tonsillar hypertrophy, and sleep apnea, as well as postinfectious sequelae, such as acute rheumatic fever (ARF), poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, and guttate psoriasis (GP). This review aims to present the current state of knowledge on innate and adaptive immune responses elicited during GAS pharyngitis, mechanisms by which GAS evades these responses, the emerging role of the pharyngeal microbiota, and how the interplay among these factors can influence the outcome of infection and inflammation-related complications.
Differentiation stage-specific effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors on the expression of RORγT in human lymphocytes
Authors: Sałkowska Anna , Karaś Kaja , Walczak-Drzewiecka Aurelia , Dastych Jarosław , Ratajewski Marcin 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
The role of epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of the human RORγT gene, which encodes a Th17 lymphocyte signature transcription factor, remains largely unknown. We investigated the effect of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition on RORγT and RORγT-dependent gene expression in human T lymphocytes. We found that, in Jurkat T cells and in in vitro–differentiated Th17 cells, treatment with 2 HDAC inhibitors, butyrate and apicidin, led to the induction of the RORγT gene, which was associated with an increase in histone H4 acetylation near the RORγT proximal promoter. In contrast, when the same inhibitors were added to naive CD4+ cells differentiating in vitro to Th17 cells, they mediated the down-regulation of RORγT expression. In conclusion, HDAC inhibitor-mediated H4 acetylation is involved in the epigenetic regulation of RORγT expression in Th17 cells. However, that epigenetic mechanism was observed only at a specific stage of T cell differentiation, suggesting a complex interaction with additional mechanisms that sequentially regulate RORγT expression. These observations may be relevant to the development of applications for HDAC inhibitors for diseases in which Th17 cells have a role in pathogenic mechanisms, such as some types of cancer or autoimmunologic disorders, to prevent unwanted side effects.
Geochemical sedimentary evidence from core 973-2 for methane activity near the Jiulong Methane Reef in the northern South China Sea
Authors: Pan Mengdi , Wu Daidai , Yang Fei , Sun Tiantian , Wu Nengyou , Liu Lihua 
Published: September 2017

The Jiulong Methane Reef, located on the northern slope of the South China Sea, is characterized by several features, such as bottom-simulating reflections and authigenic carbonates, which are indicative of methane seeps that are currently occurring as well as those that occurred in the past. However, to date, the effect that these methane seeps have on the sedimentary environment is not completely clear. To provide further insights into the biogeochemical processes involved in methane seeps, a 6.73 m piston core (973-2) was retrieved from this area in 2011 to perform an in-depth analysis. The chronology of the core has been established by [Formula: see text] dating, and sedimentary events since the last glacial period have been recorded. The results indicate abnormally low abundance and diversity, as well as high infaunal percentages of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the lower part of the core from 673 to 350 centimeters below the sea floor (cmbsf), indicating impacts from methane activities. Major elemental barium, bromine, and titanium, which serve as proxies of the paleoproductivity, organic contents, and terrestrial supply, respectively, are found to make little contribution in [Formula: see text] content. However, regardless of the factors mentioned above, the [Formula: see text] content is still higher in the lower part of core, indicating the presence of authigenic carbonates. In addition, the total organic carbon/total sulfur ratios of less than 400 cmbsf are found to be beyond the normal range, which is [Formula: see text], reflecting the effects of methane oxidation. In one of the sections, the trace metals and molybdenum profiles show enrichments that are closely related to those of the methane seeps. The results indicate that this area experienced methane seep events in the last glacial period.
Fat–Bone Interactions in Adults With Spina Bifida
Authors: Trinh Anne , Wong Phillip , Sakthivel Anuradha , Fahey Michael C , Hennel Sabine , Brown Justin , Strauss Boyd J , Ebeling Peter R , Fuller Peter J , Milat Frances 
Published: September 2017

AbstractContextSpina bifida (SB) can lead to changes in body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) through diminished ambulation, renal impairment, and anticonvulsant medication. With increased life expectancy, diseases such as obesity and osteoporosis are emerging comorbidities in SB, with limited data to guide management.ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between cardiometabolic factors, body composition, BMD, and minimal trauma fractures (MTFs) in adults with SB.DesignRetrospective cross-sectional study.Setting and ParticipantsForty-nine adults with SB (median age, 32.7 years; interquartile range, 22.6 to 39.0) who had undergone dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry imaging at a single tertiary hospital from 2004 to 2015.ResultsThe mean body mass index was 31.7 ± 7.5 kg/m2; 26 (53.1%) were obese. Using age- and sex-matched fat percentiles from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, 62.5% had a total body percentage fat greater than the 95th percentile. Low bone mass (defined as a Z-score of ≤−2.0) was present in 21.9% at the L1 vertebra and in 35.1% at the femoral neck. Ten (20.4%) had a history of MTFs. A BMD or Z-score at L1, femoral neck, or total body site did not correlate with the occurrence of MTF. Fat mass was significantly and positively associated with BMD after adjustment for age, sex, and height and accounted for 18.6% of the variance in BMD (P = 0.005). The prevalence of metabolic comorbidities, such as hypertension (20.4%) and obstructive sleep apnea (16.3%), was high.ConclusionsObesity and low BMD are common in young adults with SB. An increased fat mass correlated significantly with BMD. The prevalence of metabolic complications in patients with SB is increased and deserves further study.
The Effect of Zinc Lozenge on Postoperative Sore Throat: A Prospective Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Farhang Borzoo , Grondin Lydia 
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:
Postoperative sore throat (POST) is commonly seen after endotracheal intubation, and oral zinc prevents oral mucositis associated with chemotherapy. This study is designed to evaluate the effects of administration of zinc lozenges on POST.

METHODS:
Seventy-nine patients undergoing low- or moderate-risk surgery with endotracheal intubation were randomly assigned into 2 groups: Control group received placebo and zinc group received 40-mg zinc lozenges 30 minutes preoperatively. Patients were assessed for incidence and severity (4-point scale, 0–3) of POST at 0, 2, 4, and 24 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was incidence of POST at 4 hours after surgery. The secondary outcomes were the incidence of POST at 0, 2, and 24 hours and the severity of POST.

RESULTS:
At 4 hours, there was a significantly lower incidence of POST in the zinc group, 7%, than the control group, 29% (P = .046). The incidence of POST at 0 hour was 0% in zinc group and 24% in control group (P = .004). The highest incidence of POST occurred at the second hour after surgery, with the rate of 10% in the zinc group and 34% in the control group (P = .0495). The incidence of POST at 24 hours was 13% in zinc group and 24% in control group (not significant). The severity of POST was significantly lower in the zinc group for mild (P = .003) and moderate (P = .004) POST.

CONCLUSIONS:
The administration of a single dose of 40-mg zinc lozenge 30 minutes preoperatively is effective to reduce both incidence of POST in the first 4 hours and severity of mild and moderate POST in the immediate postoperative period.
The Effect of Prophylactic Phenylephrine and Ephedrine Infusions on Umbilical Artery Blood pH in Women With Preeclampsia Undergoing Cesarean Delivery With Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial
Authors: Higgins Nicole , Fitzgerald Paul C. , van Dyk Dominique , Dyer Robert A. , Rodriguez Natalie , McCarthy Robert J. , Wong Cynthia A. 
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:
Spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery is associated with a high incidence of hypotension. Phenylephrine results in higher umbilical artery pH than ephedrine when used to prevent or treat hypotension in healthy women. We hypothesized that phenylephrine compared to ephedrine would result in higher umbilical artery pH in women with preeclampsia undergoing cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia.

METHODS:
This study was a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Nonlaboring women with preeclampsia scheduled for cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia at Prentice Women’s Hospital of Northwestern Medicine were randomized to receive prophylactic infusions of phenylephrine or ephedrine titrated to maintain systolic blood pressure >80% of baseline. Spinal anesthesia consisted of hyperbaric 0.75% bupivacaine 12 mg, fentanyl 15 µg, and morphine 150 µg. The primary outcome was umbilical arterial blood pH and the secondary outcome was umbilical artery base excess.

RESULTS:
One hundred ten women were enrolled in the study and 54 per group were included in the analysis. There were 74 and 72 infants delivered in the ephedrine and phenylephrine groups, respectively. The phenylephrine:ephedrine ratio for umbilical artery pH was 1.002 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.997–1.007). Mean [standard deviation] umbilical artery pH was not different between the ephedrine 7.20 [0.10] and phenylephrine 7.22 [0.07] groups (mean difference −0.02, 95% CI of the difference −0.06 to 0.07; P = .38). Median (first, third quartiles) umbilical artery base excess was −3.4 mEq/L (−5.7 to −2.0 mEq/L) in the ephedrine group and −2.8 mEq/L (−4.6 to −2.2mEq/L) in the phenylephrine group (difference −0.6 mEq/L, 95% CI of the difference −1.6 to 0.3 mEq/L; P = .10). When adjusted for gestational age and infant gender, umbilical artery pH did not differ between groups. There were also no differences in the umbilical artery pH stratified by magnesium therapy or by the severity of preeclampsia.

CONCLUSIONS:
We were unable to demonstrate a beneficial effect of phenylephrine on umbilical artery pH compared with ephedrine. Our findings suggest that phenylephrine may not have a clinically important advantage compared with ephedrine with regard to improved neonatal acid-base status when used to prevent spinal anesthesia–induced hypotension in women with preeclampsia undergoing cesarean delivery.
Two center experience of capsule endoscopy in Iran: Report on 101 cases
Authors: Mansour-Ghanaei Fariborz , Asasi Morteza , Joukar Farahnaz , Rafiei Rahmatollah , Mansour-Ghanaei Alireza , Hajipour-Jafroudi Ehsan 
Published: September 2017

Background: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a minimally invasive method for the visual examination of the small intestine, which may be for the evaluation and follow-up of patients with Crohn's disease. It can also be used to look at mucosal inflammation. Methods: This cross sectional study was used to determine the diagnostic efficacy of the CE system by performing a cross-sectional study of cases from 2011-2014. This study involved a total of 101 Iranian patients who were referred to the gastrointestinal and liver diseases outpatient clinics in Guilan (northern Iran) and in Isfahan (central Iran) for complaints of gastrointestinal problems. For all patients, definitive diagnosis had failed with the use of other diagnostic tools and CE was performed. Descriptive analysis was used. The patient population was represented by men and women equally, and the mean age of the patients was 42.3 ± 17.2 years (range: 16-89 years). Results: The final diagnoses were: non-specific enteritis (30.6%), Crohn's disease (20.7%), ulcers caused by aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (8.9%), mucosal erosion (5.9%) and angioectasia (4.9%); nearly 10% of the patients had normal findings. Analysis of the distribution of chief presenting complaints with patients stratified by the final diagnosis of Crohn's disease showed that the most frequently presented chief complaint was abdominal pain 42.9% and the least frequently presented chief complaint was diarrhea (4.8%). Conclusions: Small bowel evaluation by CE was well tolerated and capable of diagnosing Crohn's disease and gastrointestinal bleeding in patients who failed other diagnostic tests.
Case Report: Spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula, a rare cholethiasis complication
Authors: Rinzivillo Nunzio Maria Angelo , Danna Riccardo , Leanza Vito , Lodato Melissa , Marchese Salvatore , Basile Francesco , Zanghì Guido Nicola 
Published: September 2017

One of the most unusual complications in cholethiasis is spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula, which has only been reported a few times in the literature. We report the case of a 76 year old man who presented with a right hypochondrium subcutaneous abscess, with pain evoked through palpation. No comorbidity in the patient’s medical history were noted. Confirmation of cholecystocutaneous fistula was made using the proper diagnostic process, which is computed tomography with contrast media, followed by hepatobiliary MRI. This confirmed the presence of a fistulous pathway between the gallbladder and the skin. The patient underwent cholecystectomy surgery and open laparotomy with en block aponeurotic muscle, skin and fistula orifice excision.
Feature determination from powered wheelchair user joystick input characteristics for adapting driving assistance
Authors: Gillham Michael , Pepper Matthew , Kelly Steve , Howells Gareth 
Published: September 2017

Background: Many powered wheelchair users find their medical condition and their ability to drive the wheelchair will change over time. In order to maintain their independent mobility, the powered chair will require adjustment over time to suit the user's needs, thus regular input from healthcare professionals is required. These limited resources can result in the user having to wait weeks for appointments, resulting in the user losing independent mobility, consequently affecting their quality of life and that of their family and carers. In order to provide an adaptive assistive driving system, a range of features need to be identified which are suitable for initial system setup and can automatically provide data for re-calibration over the long term. Methods: A questionnaire was designed to collect information from powered wheelchair users with regard to their symptoms and how they changed over time. Another group of volunteer participants were asked to drive a test platform and complete a course which represented manoeuvring in a very confined space as quickly as possible. Two of those participants were also monitored over a longer period in their normal home daily environment. Features, thought to be suitable, were examined using pattern recognition classifiers to determine their suitability for identifying the changing user input over time. Results: The results are not designed to provide absolute insight into the individual user behaviour, as no ground truth of their ability has been determined, they do nevertheless demonstrate the utility of the measured features to provide evidence of the users’ changing ability over time whilst driving a powered wheelchair. Conclusions: Determining the driving features and adjustable elements provides the initial step towards developing an adaptable assistive technology for the user when the ground truths of the individual and their machine have been learned by a smart pattern recognition system.
Milk Products Diversification to Increase Profit of Dairy Goat Farming
Authors: . Sumanto 
Published: September 2017

Dairy goat farming in Indonesia is growing because goat milk is attractive as nutrient supplement and alternative medicine for human health. Selling fresh goat's milk often becomes a constraint because not all consumers can drink it due to unpleasant smell. Effort on diversification of fresh goat's milk into processed milk products is considered a good option, but only few farmers have done it. Milk processing is useful to eliminate the smell of fresh goat's milk and to increase value-added. Goat population is around 19.01 million head, while dairy goat population has not been known yet. The paper describes the benefit of processing fresh goat milk to increase goat farming profit through the improvement of feed management, and selling the processed milk. Better management increase lactation period from 170 to 250 days, milk production from &lt;1 to 2 liter/head/day, and higher price of processed milk. Investment on 59 does and 7 bucks for five years through the goat milk diversification has increased profit by 33.53%. Diversification of processing goat milk product is necessary to increase productivity and value added of fresh milk.
Symmetric Equilibria in a Cost-Averting War of Attrition Requiring Minimum Necessary Conceders
Authors: Kim Geofferey Jiyun , Kim Bara 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis paper provides an analysis of a cost-averting war of attrition with minimum necessary conceders. All symmetric stationary Nash equilibria are characterized. The multiplicity of equilibria has called for further refinements. We show that there exists a unique symmetric stationary trembling hand perfect equilibrium. Comparative statics results of the trembling hand perfect equilibrium are provided. This paper’s model is motivated by the problem of delayed public goods provisions in collective action settings. Augmenting the number of minimum necessary conceders can curtail delays.