bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bactericidal Effect of Calcium Oxide (Scallop‐Shell Powder) Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm on Quail Egg Shell, Stainless Steel, Plastic, and Rubber
Authors: Jung Soo‐Jin , Park Shin Young , Kim Seh Eun , Kang Ike , Park Jiyong , Lee Jungwon , Kim Chang‐Min , Chung Myung‐Sub , Ha Sang‐Do 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effect of calcium oxide (CaO) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms on quail eggshells and major egg contacting surfaces (stainless steel, plastic, and rubber). The samples were subjected to CaO treatments (0%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25%, and 0.30%) for 1 min. All the CaO treatments significantly reduced P. aeruginosa biofilms on all tested surfaces as compared to controls. In comparison of biofilm stability, the strongest and most resistant biofilm was formed on eggshell against the CaO treatment, followed by rubber, stainless steel, and plastic. In evaluation of bactericidal effect, the largest reduction (3.16 log CFU) was observed in plastic even at the lowest concentration of CaO (0.01%), whereas the least reduction was found in eggshells, regardless of CaO concentration. In addition, stainless steel showed a significant reduction in biofilm formation at all concentrations except 0.10% to 0.15% CaO. At 0.30% CaO, the reduction of P. aeruginosa in biofilms on stainless steel, plastic, rubber, and eggshell were 5.48, 6.37, 4.87, and 3.14 log CFU/cm2 (CFU/egg), respectively. Biofilm reduction after CaO treatment was also observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). Based on the FE‐SEM images, we observed that P. aeruginosa biofilms formed compact aggregations on eggshell surfaces with CaO treatments up to 0.30%. More specifically, a 0.20% CaO treatment resulted in the reductions of 3 to 6 log CFU in all materials.
A Cherry Seed‐Derived Spice, Mahleb, is Recognized by Anti‐Almond Antibodies Including Almond‐Allergic Patient IgE
Authors: Noble Kyle A. , Liu Changqi , Sathe Shridhar K. , Roux Kenneth H. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThere are a number of examples of immunologic cross‐reactivity elicited by pollens, fruits, seeds, and nuts of closely related plant species. Such cross‐reactivity is of particular concern for patients with food allergies. In this report, we investigated a spice (mahleb) that is prepared from the kernel of the St. Lucie cherry, Prunus mahaleb, for cross‐reactivity with almond (Prunus dulcis), using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. Almond and mahleb are members of the same genus. Cross‐reactivity between the mahleb and almond was demonstrated by reaction of cherry and almond kernel protein extracts with antibodies raised against almond proteins. Almond‐specific murine monoclonal IgG, rabbit polyclonal IgG, and almond‐allergic serum IgE each exhibited cross‐reactivity with cherry kernel protein. Because of the demonstrated cross‐reactivity between almond and mahleb, these findings should be of special concern to almond‐allergic patients and attending medical personnel.
High titer of anti‐citrullinated peptide antibody is a risk factor for severe carotid atherosclerotic plaque in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the TOMORROW study
Authors: Okano Tadashi , Inui Kentaro , Sugioka Yuko , Sugioka Kenichi , Matsumura Yoshiki , Takahashi Shinji , Tada Masahiro , Mamoto Kenji , Wakitani Shigeyuki , Koike Tatsuya , Nakamura Hiroaki 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimCardiovascular disease is one of the complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We researched the morbidity and severity of existing carotid atherosclerosis plaque and associated risk factors in patients with RA.MethodThis study included 413 participants, including 208 patients with RA and 205 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteers. Carotid ultrasound, clinical data collection and assessment of cardiovascular risk factors were performed. Atherosclerotic plaque was defined as an intima‐media thickness ≥ 1.1 mm. Severity of plaque was assessed by plaque score, defined as the sum of the maximal thickness of all plaques in bilateral carotid arteries.ResultsData were analyzed from 200 patients with RA and 202 controls. Carotid plaque was observed more frequently in patients with RA than controls (47.0 vs. 36.1%, P = 0.027). Moreover, plaque score was significantly higher in RA patients (P = 0.032). In logistic regression analysis, RA represented an independent risk factor for the presence of plaque (adjusted odds ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–2.74). Comparing RA patients with and without plaque, anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti‐CCP) antibodies titer was significantly higher in patients with plaque (315.8 ± 454.1 U/mL) than in patients without (165.7 ± 281.1 U/mL; P = 0.005). Moreover, multiple linear regression analysis clarified that anti‐CCP antibody titer was associated with plaque score in patients with RA.ConclusionHigh prevalence of any carotid plaques and severe carotid plaques were more frequent in patients with RA. High titer of anti‐CCP antibodies represented a risk factor for severe carotid atherosclerotic plaque in patients with RA.
Risk factors associated with treatment refusal in lung cancer
Authors: Suh Won Na , Kong Kyoung Ae , Han Yeji , Kim Soo Jung , Lee Su Hwan , Ryu Yon Ju , Lee Jin Hwa , Shim Sung Shine , Kim Yookyung , Chang Jung Hyun 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundThe incidence of lung cancer is increasing with longer life expectancy. Refusal of active treatment for cancer is prone to cause patients to experience more severe symptoms and shorten survival. The purpose of this study was to define the factors related to refusal or abandonment of active therapy in lung cancer.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the data of 617 patients from medical records from 2010 to 2014. Two groups were formed: 149 patients who refused anti‐cancer treatment and allowed only palliative care were classified into the non‐treatment group, while the remaining 468 who received anti‐cancer treatment were classified into the treatment group.ResultsThe groups differed significantly in age, employment, relationship status, number of offspring, educational status, body mass index, presence of chest and systemic symptoms, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, and tumor node metastasis stage (
P
< 0.05). In logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.13), educational status lower than high school (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.2–3.2), no history of surgery (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.4–3.7), body mass index < 18.5 (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.3–4.7), and a high Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 3 or 4 (OR 5.02, 95% CI 2.3–10.8) were significant factors for refusal of cancer treatment.ConclusionIndividual factors, such as old age, low educational status, low weight, and poor performance status can influence refusal of cancer treatment in patients with lung cancer, and should be considered prior to consultation with patients.
Occupancy surveys with conditional replicates: An alternative sampling design for rare species
Authors: Specht Hannah M. , Reich Henry T. , Iannarilli Fabiola , Edwards Margaret R. , Stapleton Seth P. , Weegman Mitch D. , Johnson Michael K. , Yohannes Brittney J. , Arnold Todd W. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Occupancy models are widely used to describe the distribution of rare and cryptic species—those that occur on only a small portion of the landscape and cannot be detected reliably during a single survey. However, model estimates of occupancy (ψ) and detection probabilities (p) are often least accurate under these circumstances.

Available sampling designs for occupancy surveys include standard design, wherein each of S sites is visited K times, and removal design, wherein S sites are visited K times each or until the species of interest is detected. We propose a new conditional design, wherein each of S sites is visited one time, and sites where the species of interest is encountered during the first survey are visited an additional (K−1) times to better estimate detection probability. We used large sample properties of maximum‐likelihood estimators and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations to characterise our proposed conditional design and compare it to standard and removal designs across a wide range of true occupancy and detection probabilities (ψ, p = 0.1 to 0.9 by 0.1 increments), maximum visits (K) and total sampling effort (E, the number of surveys accrued across all sites).

The conditional design provided more accurate estimates (lower standard or root mean squared error) of occupancy than standard or removal designs in our calculations and simulations when species were rare (ψ ≤ 0.3) as well as more accurate estimates of detection probability over most combinations of ψ and p. These low‐occupancy improvements are achieved by expending a greater proportion of effort at occupied sites, improving estimates of p and thus ψ. When species are common (ψ ≥ 0.5) the removal design generally provided the most accurate occupancy estimates, whereas the standard design performed best when ψ was intermediate and during MCMC simulations when p and K were low.

We recommend the conditional design for surveys of rare species and pilot studies. For multi‐species surveys that include mixtures of rare and common species, a hybrid standard‐conditional design with 2–3 replicates at all sites and additional replicates at sites where rare species are detected improves occupancy estimates of rare species.
Regional cerebral blood flow in opiate dependence relates to substance use and neuropsychological performance
Authors: Murray Donna E. , Durazzo Timothy C. , Schmidt Thomas P. , Murray Troy A. , Abé Christoph , Guydish Joseph , Meyerhoff Dieter J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractNeuroimaging of opiate‐dependent individuals indicates both altered brain structure and function. Magnetic resonance‐based arterial spin labeling has been used to measure noninvasively cerebral blood flow (i.e. perfusion) in alcohol, tobacco and stimulant dependence; only one arterial spin labeling paper in opiate‐dependent individuals demonstrated frontal and parietal perfusion deficits. Additional research on regional brain perfusion in opiate dependence and its relationship to cognition and self‐regulation (impulsivity, risk taking and decision making) may inform treatment approaches for opiate‐dependent individuals. Continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging at 4 T and neuropsychological measures assessed absolute brain perfusion levels, cognition and self‐regulation in 18 cigarette smoking opiate‐dependent individuals (sODI) stable on buprenorphine maintenance therapy. The sODI were compared with 20 abstinent smoking alcohol‐dependent individuals (a substance‐dependent control group), 35 smoking controls and 29 nonsmoking controls. sODI had lower perfusion in several cortical and subcortical regions including regions within the brain reward/executive oversight system compared with smoking alcohol‐dependent individuals and nonsmoking controls. Perfusion was increased in anterior cingulate cortex and globus pallidus of sODI. Compared with all other groups, sODI had greater age‐related declines in perfusion in most brain reward/executive oversight system and some other regions. In sODI, lower regional perfusion related to greater substance use, higher impulsivity and weaker visuospatial skills. Overall, sODI showed cortical and subcortical hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion. Relating to neuropsychological performance and substance use quantities, the frontal perfusion alterations are clinically relevant and constitute potential targets for pharmacological and cognitive‐based therapeutic interventions to improve treatment outcome in opiate dependence.
Dentate gyrus neurogenesis ablation via cranial irradiation enhances morphine self‐administration and locomotor sensitization
Authors: Bulin Sarah E. , Mendoza Matthew L. , Richardson Devon R. , Song Kwang H. , Solberg Timothy D. , Yun Sanghee , Eisch Amelia J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAdult dentate gyrus (DG) neurogenesis is important for hippocampal‐dependent learning and memory, but the role of new neurons in addiction‐relevant learning and memory is unclear. To test the hypothesis that neurogenesis is involved in the vulnerability to morphine addiction, we ablated adult DG neurogenesis and examined morphine self‐administration (MSA) and locomotor sensitization. Male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent hippocampal‐focused, image‐guided X‐ray irradiation (IRR) to eliminate new DG neurons or sham treatment (Sham). Six weeks later, rats underwent either MSA (Sham = 16, IRR = 15) or locomotor sensitization (Sham = 12, IRR = 12). Over 21 days of MSA, IRR rats self‐administered ~70 percent more morphine than Sham rats. After 28 days of withdrawal, IRR rats pressed the active lever 40 percent more than Sham during extinction. This was not a general enhancement of learning or locomotion, as IRR and Sham groups had similar operant learning and inactive lever presses. For locomotor sensitization, both IRR and Sham rats sensitized, but IRR rats sensitized faster and to a greater extent. Furthermore, dose–response revealed that IRR rats were more sensitive at a lower dose. Importantly, these increases in locomotor activity were not apparent after acute morphine administration and were not a byproduct of irradiation or post‐irradiation recovery time. Therefore, these data, along with other previously published data, indicate that reduced hippocampal neurogenesis confers vulnerability for multiple classes of drugs. Thus, therapeutics to specifically increase or stabilize hippocampal neurogenesis could aid in preventing initial addiction as well as future relapse.
Drought stress increased survival and development of emerald ash borer larvae on coevolved Manchurian ash and implicates phloem‐based traits in resistance
Authors: Showalter David N. , Villari Caterina , Herms Daniel A. , Bonello Pierluigi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractEmerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, EAB) is causing widespread ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality as it invades North America and Eastern Europe. Resistance of its coevolved hosts, including Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.), is considered to limit EAB outbreaks and ash mortality in its native Asia, although an understanding of resistance mechanisms is still developing. Such knowledge may facilitate breeding for resistance and management of EAB in its invaded ranges.
In the present study, controlled egg inoculations were used to investigate resistance mechanisms impacting larval performance, as well as to characterize the effects of water and nutrient availability on inter‐ and intra‐specific variation in resistance phenotypes based on larval outcomes.
Larval survival and growth rates were lower on coevolved Manchurian ash than on evolutionarily naïve white ash (Fraxinus americana L.).
Water stress decreased tree growth and resistance of Manchurian ash to EAB, although it had little effect on resistance of the already highly susceptible white ash. High nutrient availability increased tree growth but had no effect on larval performance.
These results show that the higher resistance of Manchurian ash to EAB is conferred by phloem traits that decrease larval performance, in addition to lower oviposition preference.
No evidence of hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients with resolved infection treated with direct‐acting antivirals for hepatitis C in a large real‐world cohort
Authors: Mücke V. T. , Mücke M. M. , Peiffer K.‐H. , Weiler N. , Welzel T. M. , Sarrazin C. , Zeuzem S. , Berger A. , Vermehren J. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryBackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation has been observed following interferon (IFN)‐based treatment in HBV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co‐infected patients. Recent reports suggest that reactivation may also occur in both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive and HBsAg‐negative patients during HCV treatment with direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs).AimTo investigate the rate of patients with HBV reactivation during IFN‐based and IFN‐free HCV treatment in a large real‐world cohort.MethodsA total of 848 patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with different combinations of DAAs. Among patients with available outcome and HBV data, there were 272 patients hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)‐positive (HBsAg‐positive, n=9; HBsAg‐negative, n=263), and 536 were HBcAb‐negative. All HBcAb‐positive patients were tested for HBV DNA at the end of DAA therapy and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were frequently measured during therapy and follow‐up.ResultsSeventy‐three percent (n=192/263) of HBsAg‐negative/HBcAb‐positive patients had elevated ALT levels at baseline, which declined to normal values in all but 18 patients, and no HBV reactivation was observed. Eight patients had detectable but not quantifiable HBV DNA (<20 IU/mL) at end of treatment, but none were associated with elevated ALT. Five of nine HBsAg‐positive/HBcAb‐positive patients experienced transient or permanent HBV reactivation, three of whom required nucleos(t)ide treatment during (n=1) or after (n=2) DAA therapy.ConclusionsHBV reactivation was not observed in HBsAg‐negative/HBcAb‐positive patients but common in HBsAg‐positive/HBcAb‐positive patients treated with different combinations of DAAs for HCV.
Microridges in Cyprinus carpio scale epidermis
Authors: DePasquale Joseph A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractActin‐based microridges were evaluated in koi scale epidermis in situ. The fingerprint‐patterned microridges covered the dorsal face of superficial layer cells and were overall similar to that described in many fishes. Several other microridge patterns were observed, however, ranging from loose or tightly packed ridges, fragmented ridges, a honeycomb ridge pattern and the presence of actin‐rich puncta. Individual F‐actin‐stained microridges varied greatly in length, from a few to 30 μm or more, with a few single ridges extending the entire perimeter of a cell. Branched microridges, comprised of single ridges that appeared continuous with each other, extended to over 150 μm in some cases. The actin‐binding proteins α‐actinin and cortactin were distributed in a dot‐like pattern along the length of individual ridges, consistent with bundled actin cores described in earlier studies. Antiphosphotyrosine antibody failed to detect this signal transduction‐related amino acid modification in microridges unless tyrosine phosphatases were first inhibited, after which bright phosphotyrosine‐rich dots were detected along the microridges.
Comparison of systemic pharmacodynamic effects of two combination pressurized metered dose inhalers that deliver salmeterol and fluticasone propionate
Authors: Harrison Lester I. , Sessions Victoria , Wiggenhorn Christopher J. , Chalmers David , Leung Pui , Efthimiou John 
Published: June 2017

AimThe aim of this study was to test the systemic pharmacodynamic effects of the salmeterol component of two pressurized metered dose inhalers that delivered a combination of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (SM/FP).MethodsThis was a six‐way crossover study in 43 adult subjects, using a single blind design (subject blinded to product and clinical assessor blinded for all measurements). Each subject received single doses of two, six, and twelve inhalations from test and reference products that delivered SM/FP as 25/125 mcg per inhalation. Heart rate, QTcB, and plasma potassium and glucose were monitored over 6 h.ResultsSafety equivalence was shown by relative potency analysis for primary endpoints of maximum heart rate and maximum QTcB, since the 90% confidence intervals for both endpoints were within the acceptance limit of (0.67, 1.50). There were six secondary analyses for relative potency and equivalence was met for five of these endpoints. There were also 18 pairwise comparisons performed at each dose level. No statistical differences (95% confidence intervals included zero) among these pairwise comparisons were seen at the two‐inhalation dose (therapeutic dose) or the six‐inhalation dose. At the supratherapeutic dose of twelve inhalations, the test product was either comparable to or statistically less than that of the reference product for all comparisons. Overall, the results demonstrated comparable systemic safety. No differences were seen between the products in reported adverse events.ConclusionThe safety equivalence of the systemic pharmacodynamic effects of the SM component of the test and reference SM/FP products was demonstrated.
The Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase Val(108/158)Met Genetic Polymorphism cannot be Recommended as a Biomarker for the Prediction of Venlafaxine Efficacy in Patients Treated in Psychiatric Settings
Authors: Taranu Adela , Asmar Khalil El , Colle Romain , Ferreri Florian , Polosan Mircea , David Denis , Becquemont Laurent , Corruble Emmanuelle , Verstuyft Céline 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe antidepressant venlafaxine is known to increase the turnover of cerebral monoamines, which are catabolized by the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT). The COMT (Val(108/158)Met, rs4680) genetic polymorphism affects the cerebral COMT activity. But whether this genetic polymorphism is associated with response to venlafaxine remains unclear. We assessed the impact of the COMT Val(108/158)Met, rs4680 genetic polymorphism on the efficacy of venlafaxine in depressed patients. This study was nested in the METADAP cohort, a real‐world naturalistic treatment study in psychiatric settings. A total of 206 Caucasian patients with a unipolar major depressive episode (DSM‐IVTR) treated with venlafaxine and evaluated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were studied. One hundred and eighty patients were genotyped for the COMT Val(108/158)Met, rs4680 genetic polymorphism and classified into three genotype subgroups: Val/Val, Val/Met and Met/Met. The COMT genotype was the explanatory variable, and the variables to be explained were HDRS score, HDRS score improvement over time, response rate and remission rate. Venlafaxine had a trend to higher efficacy in the Val/Val patients as compared to Met/Met carriers, as shown by the HDRS score improvement after 3 months of treatment, but this result was not significant in mixed models [Val/Val: 59.78% (±22.4); Val/Met: 51.64% (±26.3); Met/Met: 39.52% (±27.6)]. The percentage of responders and remitters after 3 months of treatment was not significantly different in the three genotype groups, although coherent trends were shown. The COMT Val(108/158)Met, rs4680 genetic polymorphism cannot be recommended as a biomarker for the prediction of venlafaxine efficacy in patients treated in psychiatric settings.