bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computed tomographic findings in 205 dogs with clinical signs compatible with middle ear disease: a retrospective study
Authors: Belmudes Audrey , Pressanti Charline , Barthez Paul Y. , Castilla‐Castaño Eloy , Fabries Lionel , Cadiergues Marie C. 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) is considered to be the reference method to evaluate middle ear structures.ObjectivesTo evaluate the presence and severity ofCTchanges in the middle ear and establish if any specific clinical presentations are associated with otitis media.AnimalsMedical records of animals referred forCTwith history and clinical signs consistent with middle ear disease.MethodsRetrospective evaluation ofCTexaminations of tympanic bullae performed over a six year period. Medical records were reviewed for signalment, clinical signs and cytological evaluation of the external ear canal. Dogs were divided into three clinical groups: chronic otitis externa (Group 1), peripheral vestibular disorder (Group 2) and other clinical presentations (Group 3).ResultsGroup 1 – Of 214 ears, 87 (40.7%) hadCTabnormalities: 38 of 87 (17.7%) had material‐filled bullae, 42 of 87 (19.6%) had thickened bullae walls and seven of 87 (3.2%) had lysis of the bulla. Abnormalities were significantly more frequent in dogs with suppurative otitis than in erythemato–ceruminous otitis (57% and 23%, respectively;P = 0.003). Proliferative otitis, particularly in French bulldogs, was associated with severe otitis media.Group 2 – Of the 106 ears, 91 (85.8%) had normal tympanic bullae.Group 3 – Of the 26 ears from deaf dogs, 17 had filled bullae; all nine affected dogs were Cavalier King Charles spaniels. All dogs with Claude Bernard Horner syndrome or head tilt had normal tympanic bullae.Clinical significanceCTis useful for canine chronic otitis externa, particularly in suppurative or proliferative otitis, even in the absence of associated neurological signs.
The computed tomographic “tree‐in‐bud” pattern: Characterization and comparison with radiographic and clinical findings in 36 cats
Authors: Hahn Harriet , Specchi Swan , Masseau Isabelle , Reinero Carol , Benchekroun Ghita , Rechy Jaime , Seiler Gabriela , Pey Pascaline 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn humans, a CT “tree‐in‐bud” pattern has been described as a characteristic of centrilobular bronchiolar dilation, with bronchiolar plugging by mucus, pus, or fluid. Aims of this retrospective, descriptive, multi‐center study were to characterize the CT appearance of a “tree‐in‐bud” pattern in a group of cats, and compare this pattern with radiographic and clinical findings. Databases from four hospitals were searched during the period of January 2012 to September 2015 and cats with thoracic radiographs, thoracic CT scans and CT reports describing findings consistent with a “tree‐in‐bud” pattern were included. Images were reviewed by two veterinary radiologists and characteristics were recorded based on consensus. Clinical findings were recorded by one observer from each center. Thirty‐six cats met inclusion criteria. Six cats were asymptomatic, 12 were diagnosed with bronchial disease and 23 were suspected to have bronchial disease. Right cranial and right caudal lung lobes were most commonly affected on both imaging modalities. Localization of the “tree‐in‐bud” pattern was most often peripheral. On radiographs, the CT “tree‐in‐bud” pattern often appeared as soft‐tissue opacity nodules; their number and affected pulmonary segments were often underestimated compared with CT. In conclusion, the “tree‐in‐bud” pattern should be considered as a differential diagnosis for radiographic soft tissue opaque nodules in feline lungs. Based on lesion localization and presence or suspicion of a concomitant bronchial disease for cats in this sample, authors propose that the CT “tree‐in‐bud” pattern described in humans is also a characteristic of bronchial or bronchiolar plugging and bronchial disease in cats.
New function method to the (n+1)-dimensional nonlinear problems
Authors: Aktürk Tolga , Gürefe Yusuf , Bulut Hasan 
Published: October 2017

In this study, a new approach that assumes and is applied to construct the traveling wave solutions of the (N + 1)-dimensional double sine-Gordon and (N + 1)-dimensional double sinh-cosh-Gordon equations. Some new elliptic integral function solutions are respectively obtained by this method, and then these solutions are converted into the Jacobi elliptic function solutions. According these results, one can easily see that this method is very effective mathematical tool for the (N+1)-dimensional nonlinear physical problems.
Impact of Morphological Sectors on Antifungal Susceptibility Testing and Virulence Studies
Authors: Jukic Emina , Blatzer Michael , Binder Ulrike , Mayr Lisa , Lass-Flörl Cornelia , Lackner Michaela 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

Morphological heterogeneity of
Aspergillus terreus
cultures was observed during continued cultivation of amphotericin B (AMB)-resistant isolates on drug-free medium. Outgrowth leads to the emergence of multiple sectors that might result from increased growth rates at drug-free conditions. We evaluated the differences in AMB susceptibility and virulence between sector subcultures (ATSec), AMB-resistant (ATR) strains, and AMB-susceptible (ATS) strains. By comparing
A. terreus
AMB-resistant (ATR) strains and
A. terreus
sector (ATSec) cultures we observed a highly significant reduction of AMB MICs in ATSec (ATR MIC, 2 to 32 μg/ml; ATSec MIC, 0.12 to 5 μg/ml). Furthermore,
Galleria mellonella
survival studies revealed an enhanced virulence of ATSec, which was comparable with that of AMB-sensitive
Aspergillus terreus
strains (median survival rates for ATS isolates, 72 h; for ATSec isolate ATSec
G1
, 84 h; for ATR isolates, 144 h). Our findings clearly demonstrate that spontaneous culture degeneration occurs in
A. terreus
and, most importantly, crucially impacts drug efficacy and virulence.
Amikacin Pharmacokinetics To Optimize Dosing in Neonates with Perinatal Asphyxia Treated with Hypothermia
Authors: Cristea Sinziana , Smits Anne , Kulo Aida , Knibbe Catherijne A. J. , van Weissenbruch Mirjam , Krekels Elke H. J. , Allegaert Karel 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT
Aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics (PK) is expected to change in neonates with perinatal asphyxia treated with therapeutic hypothermia (PATH). Several amikacin dosing guidelines have been proposed for treating neonates with (suspected) septicemia; however, none provide adjustments for cases of PATH. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the differences in amikacin PK between neonates with and without PATH to propose suitable dosing recommendations. Based on amikacin therapeutic drug monitoring data collected retrospectively from neonates with PATH, combined with a published data set, we assessed the impact of PATH on amikacin PK by using population modeling. Monte Carlo and stochastic simulations were performed to establish amikacin exposures in neonates with PATH after dosing according to the current guidelines and according to proposed model-derived dosing guidelines. Amikacin clearance was decreased 40.6% in neonates with PATH, with no changes in volume of distribution. Simulations showed that increasing the dosing interval by 12 h results in a decrease in the percentage of neonates reaching toxic trough levels (>5 mg/liter), from 40 to 76% to 14 to 25%, while still reaching efficacy targets compared to the results of current dosing regimens. Based on this study, a 12-h increase in the amikacin dosing interval in neonates with PATH is proposed to correct for the reduced clearance, yielding safe and effective exposures. As amikacin is renally excreted, further studies into other renally excreted drugs may be required, as their clearance may also be impaired.
Effects of Maraviroc versus Efavirenz in Combination with Zidovudine-Lamivudine on the CD4/CD8 Ratio in Treatment-Naive HIV-Infected Individuals
Authors: Serrano-Villar Sergio , Caruana Giorgia , Zlotnik Alexander , Pérez-Molina José A. , Moreno Santiago 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

A low CD4/CD8 ratio during treated HIV infection reflects heightened immune activation and predicts death. The effects of different antiretroviral therapy regimens on CD4/CD8 ratio recovery remains unclear. We performed a
post hoc
analysis of the MERIT study, a randomized, double-blind trial of maraviroc versus efavirenz in combination with zidovudine-lamivudine in treatment-naive HIV-infected individuals. We found higher rates of CD4/CD8 ratio normalization with efavirenz, which was driven by a greater CD8
+
T-cell decline.
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate-Dependent Oligomerization of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cytotoxin ExoU
Authors: Zhang Angelica , Veesenmeyer Jeffrey L. , Hauser Alan R. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

The
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
type III secretion system delivers effector proteins directly into target cells, allowing the bacterium to modulate host cell functions. ExoU is the most cytotoxic of the known effector proteins and has been associated with more severe infections in humans. ExoU is a patatin-like A
2
phospholipase requiring the cellular host factors phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P
2
] and ubiquitin for its activation
in vitro
. We demonstrated that PI(4,5)P
2
also induces the oligomerization of ExoU and that this PI(4,5)P
2
-mediated oligomerization does not require ubiquitin. Single amino acid substitutions in the C-terminal membrane localization domain of ExoU reduced both its activity and its ability to form higher-order complexes in transfected cells and
in vitro
. Combining inactive truncated ExoU proteins partially restored phospholipase activity and cytotoxicity, indicating that ExoU oligomerization may have functional significance. Our results indicate that PI(4,5)P
2
induces the oligomerization of ExoU, which may be a mechanism by which this coactivator enhances the phospholipase activity of ExoU.
Dairy Heifers Naturally Exposed to Fasciola hepatica Develop a Type 2 Immune Response and Concomitant Suppression of Leukocyte Proliferation
Authors: Graham-Brown John , Hartley Catherine , Clough Helen , Kadioglu Aras , Baylis Matthew , Williams Diana J. L. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTFasciola hepaticais a parasitic trematode of global importance in livestock. Control strategies reliant on anthelmintics are unsustainable due to the emergence of drug resistance. Vaccines are under development, but efficacies are variable. Evidence from experimental infection suggests that vaccine efficacy may be affected by parasite-induced immunomodulation. Little is known about the immune response toF. hepaticafollowing natural exposure. Hence, we analyzed the immune responses over time in calves naturally exposed toF. hepaticainfection. Cohorts of replacement dairy heifer calves (n= 42) with no prior exposure toF. hepatica, on three commercial dairy farms, were sampled over the course of a grazing season. Exposure was determined through anF. hepatica-specific serum antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluke egg counts. Concurrent changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokine responses were measured. Relationships between fluke infection and immune responses were analyzed by using multivariable linear mixed-effect models. All calves from one farm showed evidence of exposure, while cohorts from the remaining two farms remained negative over the grazing season. A type 2 immune response was associated with exposure, with increased interleukin-4 (IL-4) production, IL-5 transcription, and eosinophilia. Suppression of parasite-specific peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation was evident, while decreased mitogen-stimulated gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production suggested immunomodulation, which was not restricted to parasite-specific responses. Our findings show that the global immune response is modulated toward a nonproliferative type 2 state following natural challenge withF. hepatica. This has implications in terms of the timing of the administration of vaccination programs and for host susceptibility to coinfecting pathogens.
Ehrlichia Activation of Wnt-PI3K-mTOR Signaling Inhibits Autolysosome Generation and Autophagic Destruction by the Mononuclear Phagocyte
Authors: Lina Taslima T. , Luo Tian , Velayutham Thangam-Sudha , Das Seema , McBride Jere W. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

In multicellular organisms, autophagy is induced as an innate defense mechanism. Notably, the obligate intracellular bacterium
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
resides in early endosome-like vacuoles and circumvents lysosomal fusion through an unknown mechanism, thereby avoiding destruction in the autophagolysosome. In this report, we reveal that Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in inhibition of lysosomal fusion and autolysosomal destruction of ehrlichiae. During early infection, autophagosomes fuse with ehrlichial vacuoles to form an amphisome indicated by the presence of autophagy markers such as LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3), Beclin-1, and p62. LC3 colocalized with ehrlichial morulae on days 1, 2, and 3 postinfection, and increased LC3II levels were detected during infection, reaching a maximal level on day 3. Ehrlichial vacuoles did not colocalize with the lysosomal marker LAMP2, and lysosomes were redistributed and dramatically reduced in level in the infected cells. An inhibitor specific for the Wnt receptor signaling component Dishevelled induced lysosomal fusion with ehrlichial inclusions corresponding to p62 degradation and promoted transcription factor EB (TFEB) nuclear localization.
E. chaffeensis
infection activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)–Akt–mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) pathway, and activation was induced by three ehrlichial tandem repeat protein (TRP) effectors, with TRP120 inducing the strongest activation. Moreover, induction of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) performed using a Wnt inhibitor and small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of critical components of PI3K-GSK3-mTOR signaling decreased ehrlichial survival. This report reveals
Ehrlichia
exploitation of the evolutionarily conserved Wnt pathway to inhibit autolysosome generation, thereby leading to evasion of this important innate immune defense mechanism.
Dysbiosis and Its Discontents
Authors: Hooks Katarzyna B. , O’Malley Maureen A. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT
Dysbiosis is a key term in human microbiome research, especially when microbiome patterns are associated with disease states. Although some questions have been raised about how this term is applied, its use continues undiminished in the literature. We investigate the ways in which microbiome researchers discuss dysbiosis and then assess the impact of different concepts of dysbiosis on microbiome research. After an overview of the term’s historical roots, we conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of a large selection of contemporary dysbiosis statements. We categorize both short definitions and longer conceptual statements about dysbiosis. Further analysis allows us to identify the problematic implications of how dysbiosis is used, particularly with regard to causal hypotheses and normal-abnormal distinctions. We suggest that researchers should reflect carefully on the ways in which they discuss dysbiosis, in order for the field to continue to develop greater predictive scope and explanatory depth.
Impact of surgical timing of postoperative ocular motility in orbital blowout fractures
Authors: Yamanaka Yukito , Watanabe Akihide , Sotozono Chie , Kinoshita Shigeru 
Published: October 2017

PurposeTo investigate the surgical timing postinjury in regard to ocular motility in patients with orbital-floor blowout fractures.MethodsThis study involved 197 eyes (92 right eyes and 105 left eyes) of 197 patients (154 males and 43 females, mean age: 29.0 years, range: 7–85 years) with pure orbital blowout fractures. All patients underwent surgical repair within 30 days postinjury and were followed up for 3 months or more postoperative (mean follow-up period: 8.4 months, range: 3–59 months). Orbital blowout fractures were classified into one of three shapes: (1) trap-door fracture with muscle entrapment, (2) trap-door fracture with incarcerated tissue and (3) depressed fragment fracture. Ocular motility was estimated by percentage of Hess area ratio (HAR%) on the Hess chart at the final follow-up examination. In addition, correlations between postinjury surgical timing and HAR% were analysed.ResultsThe mean postinjury surgical timing was 10.7±7.8 days (range: 0–30 days). The mean postoperative HAR% (92.9%±10.5%) was significantly improved compared with preoperative HAR% (73.5%±21.7%) (p<0.01). The mean postoperative HAR% (98.3%±4.4%) of the orbital-floor trap-door fracture patients with incarcerated tissue who underwent surgical repair within 8 days postinjury was significantly better than that of the patients who underwent surgical repair after 8 days (94.2%±5.8%) (p<0.01).ConclusionsPatients with orbital-floor trap-door blowout fractures with incarcerated tissue that were repaired within 8 days postinjury had better outcomes than those repaired after 8 days, and HAR% is a useful method to record orbital fracture surgical outcomes.
Characterisation of the rural indigent population in Burkina Faso: a screening tool for setting priority healthcare services in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ouédraogo Samiratou , Ridde Valéry , Atchessi Nicole , Souares Aurélia , Koulidiati Jean-Louis , Stoeffler Quentin , Zunzunegui Maria-Victoria 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundIn Africa, health research on indigent people has focused on how to target them for services, but little research has been conducted to identify the social groups that compose indigence. Our aim was to identify what makes someone indigent beyond being recognised by the community as needing a card for free healthcare.MethodsWe used data from a survey conducted to evaluate a state-led intervention for performance-based financing of health services in two districts of Burkina Faso. In 2015, we analysed data of 1783 non-indigents and 829 people defined as indigents by their community in 21 villages following community-based targeting processes. Using a classification tree, we built a model to select socioeconomic and health characteristics that were likely to distinguish between non-indigents and indigents. We described the screening performance of the tree using data from specific nodes.ResultsWidow(er)s under 45 years of age, unmarried people aged 45 years and over, and married women aged 60 years and over were more likely to be identified as indigents by their community. Simple rules based on age, marital status and gender detected indigents with sensitivity of 75.6% and specificity of 55% among those 45 years and over; among those under 45, sensitivity was 85.5% and specificity 92.2%. For both tests combined, sensitivity was 78% and specificity 81%.ConclusionIn moving towards universal health coverage, Burkina Faso should extend free access to priority healthcare services to widow(er)s under 45, unmarried people aged 45 years and over, and married women aged 60 years and over, and services should be adapted to their health needs.Ethics considerationsThe collection, storage and release of data for research purposes were authorised by a government ethics committee in Burkina Faso (Decision No. 2013-7-066). Respondent consent was obtained verbally.
Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and habits towards antibiotics dispensed without medical prescription: a qualitative study of Spanish pharmacists
Authors: Vazquez-Lago Juan , Gonzalez-Gonzalez Cristian , Zapata-Cachafeiro Maruxa , Lopez-Vazquez Paula , Taracido Margarita , López Ana , Figueiras Adolfo 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and habits with regard to antibiotic dispensing without medical prescription in Spain.MethodsA qualitative research using focus group method (FG) in Galicia (north-west Spain). FG sessions were conducted in the presence of a moderator. A topic script was developed to lead the discussions, which were audiorecorded to facilitate data interpretation and transcription. Proceedings were transcribed by an independent researcher and interpreted by two researchers working independently. We used the Grounded Theory approach.SettingCommunity pharmacies in Galicia, region Norwest of Spain.ParticipantsThirty pharmacists agreed to participate in the study, and a total of five FG sessions were conducted with 2–11 pharmacists. We sought to ensure a high degree of heterogeneity in the composition of the groups to improve our study’s external validity. Pharmacists’ participation had no gender or age restrictions, and an effort was made to form FGs with pharmacists who were both owners and non-owners, provided in all cases that they were Official Colleges of Pharmacists-registered community pharmacists. For the purpose of conducting FG discussions, the basic methodological principle of allowing groups to attain their ‘own structural identity’ was applied.Main outcome measurementsCommunity pharmacists’ habits and knowledge with regard to antibiotics and identification of the attitudes and/or factors that influence antibiotic dispensing without medical prescription.ResultsPharmacists attributed the problem of antibiotics dispensed without medical prescription and its relationship to antibiotic resistance to the following attitudes: external responsibility (doctors, dentists and the National Health Service (NHS)); acquiescence; indifference and lack of continuing education.ConclusionsDespite being a problem, antibiotic dispensing without a medical prescription is still a common practice in community pharmacies in Galicia, Spain. This practice is attributed to acquiescence, indifference and lack of continuing education. The problem of resistance was ascribed to external responsibility, including that of patients, physicians, dentists and the NHS.
Impacts of undetected and inadequately treated hypertension on incident stroke in China
Authors: Han Thang S , Wang Harry Hao-Xiang , Wei Li , Pan Yuesong , Ma Ying , Wang Yu , Wang Jiaji , Hu Zhi , Sharma Pankaj , Chen Ruoling 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesChina carries the greatest burden of stroke given its largest volume of people with hypertension. This study assessed the impacts of suboptimal controls of hypertension on incident stroke and projected the number of patients with stroke saved after the control of blood pressure improved in population.SettingAnhui, China.ParticipantsWe examined data from the Anhui cohort of 2001–2011, consisting of 3336 participants aged ≥60 years who were randomly recruited from the urban and rural Anhui. 2852 participants had hypertensive status measured and no stroke at baseline, and were followed up until 2011 in three surveys using a standard method of interview.ResultsAt baseline, 1646 participants (57.7%) were identified to have hypertension, among whom 912 (55.4%) were previously undetected, 115 (7.0%) detected but not treated, 452 (27.5%) treated but not controlled and only 127 (7.7%) controlled. During the 10-year follow-up, 211 incident stroke cases (12.8/1000 person-years) occurred. Compared with normotensive individuals at baseline, multivariate adjusted HR for having stroke increased in those with undetected hypertension by 1.63 (95%CI 1.15 to 2.32), untreated by 2.21 (1.26–3.85) and uncontrolled hypertension by 3.34 (2.28–4.88), but did not differ from those with controlled hypertension (1.34; 0.60–2.99). Based on a two-fold increase in the detection and management of current levels of hypertension and algorithms on the current situation in China, approximately 250 000 incident stroke cases could be prevented annually.ConclusionsIn China, hypertension is frequently undetected or inadequately treated. With appropriate management of hypertension, a substantial number of people could be saved form stroke.