bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anterior rectus sheath blocks in children with abdominal wall pain due to anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome: a prospective case series of 85 children
Authors: Siawash Murid , Mol Frederique , Tjon‐A‐Ten Walther , Perquin Christel , van Eerten Percy , van Heurn Ernst , Roumen Rudi , Scheltinga Marc 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundChronic abdominal pain in children may be caused by the anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. Local nerve blocks are recommended as an initial treatment in adults. Evidence on effectiveness and safety of such a treatment in children is lacking.AimOur aim was to study outcome and adverse events of anterior rectus sheath blocks in childhood anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome.MethodsPatients <18 years of age receiving anterior rectus sheath blocks were prospectively followed. Injections were administered using a free‐hand technique in the outpatient department.ResultsA total of 85 children were included (median age 15 years, range 8–17, 76% female). Eighty‐three children reported immediate pain relief following a single lidocaine block and 13 achieved long‐term success. Another 19 children was successfully treated with additional blocks combined with steroids. A total 38% success ratio was attained after a median 17‐month follow‐up (range, 4–39). Pain intensity and diagnostic delay were not associated with a beneficial outcome. However, young age predicted success. An infrequently occurring adverse event was temporarily increased pain some 6 h post injection.ConclusionAnterior rectus sheath blocks using local anesthetics and steroids are safe and long‐term successful in more than one‐third of children suffering from abdominal pain due to anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome.
Training program for Japanese medical personnel to combat child maltreatment
Authors: Tanoue Koji , Senda Masayoshi , An Byongmun , Tasaki Midori , Taguchi Megumi , Kobashi Kosuke , Oana Shinji , Mizoguchi Fumitake , Shiraishi Yuko , Yamada Fujiko , Okuyama Makiko , Ichikawa Kotaro 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn 2014, we created a training program for personnel in medical institutions in Japan to combat child maltreatment. The aim of the present study was to document the effectiveness of this program.MethodsParticipants completed a questionnaire before and after the training lecture. The questionnaire designed for the training program included demographic questions such years of practice and area of specialty (i.e. physician, nurse, social worker, public health nurse, technician, and others), as well as experience of suspected child maltreatment cases and training in dealing with such cases. The questionnaire included 15 statements designed to ascertain practical knowledge and attitudes relevant to addressing child maltreatment. Baseline score measured before the lecture was compared with that obtained after the lecture.ResultsA total of 760 participants completed the survey, including 227 physicians, 223 nurses, 38 technologists, 27 social workers, 11 public health nurses, and 174 with other occupations, and 60 participants who left their occupation as blank. There was a significant difference between the baseline score of participants with versus without experience in suspected child maltreatment or training to deal with child maltreatment (F = 16.3; P < 0.001). After the lecture, the average score rose above the baseline (11.18 vs 10.57). The rate of correct answers for nine questionnaire items increased significantly.ConclusionsProfessionals from a range of fields need clinical skills and judgement to decide if a child's injuries are due to maltreatment. The combination of increased clinical experience along with a high‐quality didactic lecture, appears to be the most effective method of raising awareness and enhancing skills.
Endometrial biopsy in Bos indicus beef heifers
Authors: Ramirez‐Garzon O , Satake N , Lyons RE , Hill J , Holland MK , McGowan M 
Published: March 2017

ContentsAn endometrial biopsy allows for a comprehensive assessment of the uterine environment of a breeding female. Although routine in mares, devices used for endometrial biopsies are impracticable in heifers due to the size and structure of the cervix. This report describes the use of a human bronchoscopy biopsy device (Karl Storz® 10366L) for collection of endometrial biopsies in Bos indicus beef heifers. The Storz® device is smaller and thinner and enabled the collection of an endometrial biopsy in 86% of heifers (n = 44/51). The biopsied tissue was of good quality and suitable for transcriptomic assessment of the endometrium, with total RNA yield and RNA integrity number (RIN) averaging 1.3 μg (range 0.4–5.3 μg) and 7.4 (range 5.7–8.4), respectively.
Structural Strain in Science: Organizational Context, Career Stage, Discipline, and Role Composition
Authors: Johnson David R. , Vaidyanathan Brandon , Howard Ecklund Elaine 
Published: March 2017

This article examines the relationship between structural strain (the imbalance between actual and preferred conditions of work) and anomie in science (the absence of opportunities to achieve recognition). Using data from a nationally representative survey of physicists and biologists in the United Kingdom (N = 1,604), we test competing hypotheses about the occupational factors that produce structural strain. We find that structural strain is influenced by organizational context and career stage, but not in the manner existing theory suggests. We elaborate existing theoretical frameworks by showing that role composition mediates the effects of organizational context and career stage.
Sepsis after renal transplantation: Clinical, immunological, and microbiological risk factors
Authors: Schachtner Thomas , Stein Maik , Reinke Petra 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundAs immunosuppressive therapy and allograft survival have improved, the increased incidence of sepsis has become a major hurdle of disease‐free survival after renal transplantation.MethodsWe identified 112 of 957 kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with sepsis. In all, 31 KTRs developed severe sepsis or septic shock, and 30 KTRs died from sepsis. KTRs without sepsis were used for comparison. CMV‐specific and alloreactive T cells were measured using an interferon‐γ Elispot assay. The extent of immunosuppression was quantified by lymphocyte subpopulations.ResultsFive‐year patient survival was 70.3% with sepsis compared to 88.2% without (P<.001). Five‐year estimated glomerular filtration rate was lower in KTRs developing sepsis (P<.001). Upon multivariate analysis, diabetes, lymphocyte‐depleting induction, donor age, CMV replication, and acute rejection increased the risk of sepsis (P<.05). Age, diabetes, underweight/obesity, and pneumonia as site of infection were predictive factors of mortality (P<.05). Early‐onset sepsis was associated with decreased CD3+ and CD4+ T cells pre‐transplantation (P<.05). Impaired CMV‐specific cellular immunity pre‐transplantation was associated with CMV replication and early‐onset sepsis (P<.05). High frequencies of alloreactive T cells were associated with acute rejection, lymphocyte‐depleting rejection treatment, and early‐onset sepsis (P<.05).ConclusionKTRs developing sepsis show inferior patient survival and allograft function. Identified risk factors and differences in lymphocyte counts, CMV‐specific immunity, and alloreactivity may prove useful to identify KTRs at increased risk.
Red blood cell transfusions can induce proinflammatory cytokines in preterm infants
Authors: Dani Carlo , Poggi Chiara , Gozzini Elena , Leonardi Valentina , Sereni Alice , Abbate Rosanna , Gori Anna Maria 
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUNDThe risk of developing red blood cell (RBC) transfusion–associated necrotizing enterocolitis (TANEC) in preterm infants has recently been emphasized. Our aim was to assess changes in cytokine serum levels after RBC transfusions in a cohort of very preterm infants to evaluate their possible proinflammatory effect.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSWe carried out a prospective observational study. One transfusion event was studied in infants less than 32 weeks' gestation and more than 7 days old (n = 20) admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. Interleukin (IL)−1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), IL‐17, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), interferon‐γ–induced protein 10 (IP‐10), intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule serum levels were measured in enrolled patients within 120 minutes before (T0) the RBC transfusion and then within 120 minutes (T1), 12 ± 3 hours (T2), 24 ± 6 hours (T3), and 48 ± 6 hours (T4) after the end of RBC transfusion.RESULTSInfants received 19.8 ± 3.0 mL of RBCs at the mean age of 50 ± 18 days. Their hematocrit level increased from 24.1 ± 1.2% to 39.4 ± 2.9%. IL‐1β, IL‐8, IFN‐γ, IL‐17, MCP‐1, IP‐10, and ICAM‐1 increased significantly after RBC transfusions.CONCLUSIONProinflammatory cytokines are increased after RBC transfusion. These findings may contribute to explaining the pathogenesis of TANEC and suggest the opportunity of adopting wise transfusion guidelines that would help to avoid detrimental risks of transfusion‐related immunomodulation and of undertransfusion.
When size matters: transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 channel as a volume‐sensor rather than an osmo‐sensor
Authors: Toft‐Bertelsen Trine L. , Križaj David , MacAulay Nanna 
Published: March 2017

Key points
Mammalian cells are frequently exposed to stressors causing volume changes.
The transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel translates osmotic stress into ion flux.
The molecular mechanism coupling osmolarity to TRPV4 activation remains elusive.
TRPV4 responds to isosmolar cell swelling and osmolarity translated via different aquaporins.
TRPV4 functions as a volume‐sensing ion channel irrespective of the origin of the cell swelling.
AbstractTransient receptor potential channel 4 of the vanilloid subfamily (TRPV4) is activated by a diverse range of molecular cues, such as heat, lipid metabolites and synthetic agonists, in addition to hyposmotic challenges. As a non‐selective cation channel permeable to Ca2+, it transduces physical stress in the form of osmotic cell swelling into intracellular Ca2+‐dependent signalling events. Its contribution to cell volume regulation might include interactions with aquaporin (AQP) water channel isoforms, although the proposed requirement for a TRPV4–AQP4 macromolecular complex remains to be resolved. To characterize the elusive mechanics of TRPV4 volume‐sensing, we expressed the channel in Xenopus laevis oocytes together with AQP4. Co‐expression with AQP4 facilitated the cell swelling induced by osmotic challenges and thereby activated TRPV4‐mediated transmembrane currents. Similar TRPV4 activation was induced by co‐expression of a cognate channel, AQP1. The level of osmotically‐induced TRPV4 activation, although proportional to the degree of cell swelling, was dependent on the rate of volume changes. Importantly, isosmotic cell swelling obtained by parallel activation of the co‐expressed water‐translocating Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter promoted TRPV4 activation despite the absence of the substantial osmotic gradients frequently employed for activation. Upon simultaneous application of an osmotic gradient and the selective TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A, enhanced TRPV4 activation was observed only with subsaturating stimuli, indicating that the agonist promotes channel opening similar to that of volume‐dependent activation. We propose that, contrary to the established paradigm, TRPV4 is activated by increased cell volume irrespective of the molecular mechanism underlying cell swelling. Thus, the channel functions as a volume‐sensor, rather than as an osmo‐sensor.
An Amoebal Grazer of Cyanobacteria Requires Cobalamin Produced by Heterotrophic Bacteria
Authors: Ma Amy T. , Beld Joris , Brahamsha Bianca 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTAmoebae are unicellular eukaryotes that consume microbial prey through phagocytosis, playing a role in shaping microbial food webs. Many amoebal species can be cultivated axenically in rich media or monoxenically with a single bacterial prey species. Here, we characterize heterolobosean amoeba LPG3, a recent natural isolate, which is unable to grow on unicellular cyanobacteria, its primary food source, in the absence of a heterotrophic bacterium, aPseudomonasspecies coisolate. To investigate the molecular basis of this requirement for heterotrophic bacteria, we performed a screen using the defined nonredundant transposon library ofVibrio cholerae, which implicated genes in corrinoid uptake and biosynthesis. Furthermore, cobalamin synthase deletion mutations inV. choleraeand thePseudomonasspecies coisolate do not support the growth of amoeba LPG3 on cyanobacteria. While cyanobacteria are robust producers of a corrinoid variant called pseudocobalamin, this variant does not support the growth of amoeba LPG3. Instead, we show that it requires cobalamin that is produced by thePseudomonasspecies coisolate. The diversity of eukaryotes utilizing corrinoids is poorly understood, and this amoebal corrinoid auxotroph serves as a model for examining predator-prey interactions and micronutrient transfer in bacterivores underpinning microbial food webs.IMPORTANCECyanobacteria are important primary producers in aquatic environments, where they are grazed upon by a variety of phagotrophic protists and, hence, have an impact on nutrient flux at the base of microbial food webs. Here, we characterize amoebal isolate LPG3, which consumes cyanobacteria as its primary food source but also requires heterotrophic bacteria as a source of corrinoid vitamins. Amoeba LPG3 specifically requires the corrinoid variant produced by heterotrophic bacteria and cannot grow on cyanobacteria alone, as they produce a different corrinoid variant. This same corrinoid specificity is also exhibited by other eukaryotes, including humans and algae. This amoebal model system allows us to dissect predator-prey interactions to uncover factors that may shape microbial food webs while also providing insight into corrinoid specificity in eukaryotes.
Molecular Viability Testing of UV-Inactivated Bacteria
Authors: Weigel Kris M. , Nguyen Felicia K. , Kearney Moira R. , Meschke John S. , Cangelosi Gerard A. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

PCR is effective in detecting bacterial DNA in samples, but it is unable to differentiate viable bacteria from inactivated cells or free DNA fragments. New PCR-based analytical strategies have been developed to address this limitation. Molecular viability testing (MVT) correlates bacterial viability with the ability to rapidly synthesize species-specific rRNA precursors (pre-rRNA) in response to brief nutritional stimulation. Previous studies demonstrated that MVT can assess bacterial inactivation by chlorine, serum, and low-temperature pasteurization. Here, we demonstrate that MVT can detect inactivation of
Escherichia coli
,
Aeromonas hydrophila
, and
Enterococcus faecalis
cells by UV irradiation. Some UV-inactivated
E. coli
cells transiently retained the ability to synthesize pre-rRNA postirradiation (generating false-positive MVT results), but this activity ceased within 1 h following UV exposure. Viable but transiently undetectable (by culture)
E. coli
cells were consistently detected by MVT. An alternative viability testing method, viability PCR (vPCR), correlates viability with cell envelope integrity. This method did not distinguish viable bacteria from UV-inactivated bacteria under some conditions, indicating that the inactivated cells retained intact cell envelopes. MVT holds promise as a means to rapidly assess microbial inactivation by UV treatment.

IMPORTANCE
UV irradiation is increasingly being used to disinfect water, food, and other materials for human use. Confirming the effectiveness of UV disinfection remains a challenging task. In particular, microbiological methods that rely on rapid detection of microbial DNA can yield misleading results, due to the detection of remnant DNA associated with dead microbial cells. This report describes a novel method that rapidly distinguishes living microbial cells from dead microbial cells after UV disinfection.
Corexit 9500 Enhances Oil Biodegradation and Changes Active Bacterial Community Structure of Oil-Enriched Microcosms
Authors: Techtmann Stephen M. , Zhuang Mobing , Campo Pablo , Holder Edith , Elk Michael , Hazen Terry C. , Conmy Robyn , Santo Domingo Jorge W. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

To better understand the impacts of Corexit 9500 on the structure and activity levels of hydrocarbon-degrading microbial communities, we analyzed next-generation 16S rRNA gene sequencing libraries of hydrocarbon enrichments grown at 5 and 25°C using both DNA and RNA extracts as the sequencing templates. Oil biodegradation patterns in both 5 and 25°C enrichments were consistent with those reported in the literature (i.e., aliphatics were degraded faster than aromatics). Slight increases in biodegradation were observed in the presence of Corexit at both temperatures. Differences in community structure were observed between treatment conditions in the DNA-based libraries. The 25°C consortia were dominated by
Vibrio
,
Idiomarina
,
Marinobacter
,
Alcanivorax
, and
Thalassospira
species, while the 5°C consortia were dominated by several species of the genera
Flavobacterium
,
Alcanivorax
, and
Oleispira
. Most of these genera have been linked to hydrocarbon degradation and have been observed after oil spills.
Colwellia
and
Cycloclasticus
, known aromatic degraders, were also found in these enrichments. The addition of Corexit did not have an effect on the active bacterial community structure of the 5°C consortia, while at 25°C, a decrease in the relative abundance of
Marinobacter
was observed. At 25°C,
Thalassospira
,
Marinobacter
, and
Idiomarina
were present at higher relative abundances in the RNA than DNA libraries, suggesting that they were active in degradation. Similarly,
Oleispira
was greatly stimulated by the addition of oil at 5°C.

IMPORTANCE
While dispersants such as Corexit 9500 can be used to treat oil spills, there is still debate on the effectiveness on enhancing oil biodegradation and its potential toxic effect on oil-degrading microbial communities. The results of this study provide some insights on the microbial dynamics of hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial populations in the presence of Corexit 9500. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) analyses indicated that several OTUs were inhibited by the addition of Corexit. Conversely, a number of OTUs were stimulated by the addition of the dispersant, many of which were identified as known hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. The results highlight the value of using RNA-based methods to further understand the impact of dispersant on the overall activity of different hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial groups.
Requirement of a Functional Flavin Mononucleotide Prenyltransferase for the Activity of a Bacterial Decarboxylase in a Heterologous Muconic Acid Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Weber Heike E. , Gottardi Manuela , Brückner Christine , Oreb Mislav , Boles Eckhard , Tripp Joanna 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Biotechnological production of
cis
,
cis
-muconic acid from renewable feedstocks is an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional, petroleum-based methods. Even though a heterologous production pathway for
cis
,
cis
-muconic acid has already been established in the host organism
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, the generation of industrially relevant amounts of
cis
,
cis
-muconic acid is hampered by the low activity of the bacterial protocatechuic acid (PCA) decarboxylase AroY isomeric subunit C
iso
(AroY-C
iso
), leading to secretion of large amounts of the intermediate PCA into the medium. In the present study, we show that the activity of AroY-C
iso
in
S. cerevisiae
strongly depends on the strain background. We could demonstrate that the strain dependency is caused by the presence or absence of an intact genomic copy of
PAD1
, which encodes a mitochondrial enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of a prenylated form of the cofactor flavin mononucleotide (prFMN). The inactivity of AroY-C
iso
in strain CEN.PK2-1 could be overcome by plasmid-borne expression of Pad1 or its bacterial homologue AroY subunit B (AroY-B). Our data reveal that the two enzymes perform the same function in decarboxylation of PCA by AroY-C
iso
, although coexpression of Pad1 led to higher decarboxylase activity. Conversely, AroY-B can replace Pad1 in its function in decarboxylation of phenylacrylic acids by ferulic acid decarboxylase Fdc1. Targeting of the majority of AroY-B to mitochondria by fusion to a heterologous mitochondrial targeting signal did not improve decarboxylase activity of AroY-C
iso
, suggesting that mitochondrial localization has no major impact on cofactor biosynthesis.

IMPORTANCE
In
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, the decarboxylation of protocatechuic acid (PCA) to catechol is the bottleneck reaction in the heterologous biosynthetic pathway for production of
cis
,
cis
-muconic acid, a valuable precursor for the production of bulk chemicals. In our work, we demonstrate the importance of the strain background for the activity of a bacterial PCA decarboxylase in
S. cerevisiae
. Inactivity of the decarboxylase is due to a nonsense mutation in a gene encoding a mitochondrial enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of a cofactor required for decarboxylase function. Our study reveals functional interchangeability of Pad1 and a bacterial homologue, irrespective of their intracellular localization. Our results open up new possibilities to improve muconic acid production by engineering cofactor supply. Furthermore, the results have important implications for the choice of the production strain.