bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kv channels and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation
Authors: López‐López José R. , Cidad Pilar , Pérez‐García M. Teresa 
Published: November 2017

AbstractKv channels are present in virtually all VSMCs and strongly influence contractile responses. However, they are also instrumental in the proliferative, migratory, and secretory functions of synthetic, dedifferentiated VSMCs upon PM. In fact, Kv channels not only contribute to all these processes but also are active players in the phenotypic switch itself. This review is focused on the role(s) of Kv channels in VSMC proliferation, which is one of the best characterized functions of dedifferentiated VSMCs. VSMC proliferation is a complex process requiring specific Kv channels at specific time and locations. Their identification is further complicated by their large diversity and the differences in expression across vascular beds. Of interest, both conserved changes in some Kv channels and vascular bed‐specific regulation of others seem to coexist and participate in VSMC proliferation through complementary mechanisms. Such a system will add flexibility to the process while providing the required robustness to preserve this fundamental cellular response.
Investigations of Phlebotomus perniciosus sand flies in rural Spain reveal strongly aggregated and gender‐specific spatial distributions and advocate use of light‐attraction traps
Authors: MUÑOZ C. , RISUEÑO J. , YILMAZ A. , PÉREZ‐CUTILLAS P. , GOYENA E. , ORTUÑO M. , BERNAL L. J. , ORTIZ J. , ALTEN B. , BERRIATUA E. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe spatial and temporal distribution of Phlebotomus perniciosus (Diptera: Psychodidae) (Newstead, 1911), the sand fly vector of pathogens of public and animal health importance, was investigated in a high sand fly density rural area in Spain using light‐attraction and sticky‐interception traps. Traps were placed inside animal buildings and outside at increasing distance from animals. A total of 8506 sand flies were collected, 87% with light traps. Species frequency differed between trap types. The abundance of P. perniciosus decreased exponentially with increasing distance to animals and, while females were most common in the animal enclosure, males predominated in adjoining storage places. Increasing CO2 concentration had an additional positive effect on female abundance only. Both male and female density increased with rising temperature, and there was some indication that females were more active than males at higher relative humidity. The study confirms that P. perniciosus aggregates around animal premises, although male and female distributions differ and should be analysed separately to account for biological and behavioural differences. This provides further evidence that light traps offer an accurate estimation of the relative spatial and temporal abundance of P. perniciosus, conferring an added value for the study of this species and the risk of pathogen transmission.
Is mannose‐binding lectin serum concentration a reliable predictor for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis?
Authors: Ghazanfari Mona , Falahati Mehraban , Fattahi Azam , Bazrafshan Fatemeh , Nami Sanam , Hosseinzadeh Morteza , Heydarikohan Fariba , Ghelman Mohsen , Khoshmirsafa Majid , Farzanegan Ali 
Published: November 2017

SummaryRecurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is a common opportunistic, mucosal fungal infection, predominantly caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) is an acute‐phase protein that plays a key role in the innate immunity defence against infectious disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the MBL serum level and the relative expression of MBL mRNA in RVVC using real‐time PCR for the first time. The case‐control study included 40 female participants suffering from RVVC and 40 healthy individuals. The MBL serum level was measured using a commercial ELISA kit. The relative mRNA expression of the MBL gene was quantified using real‐time PCR. Data analysis was carried out by spss software. The MBL concentration was significantly higher in the participants suffering from RVVC compared to the control group (0.330 ng/mL vs 0.253 ng/mL). The prognostic value (P < .001) for RVVC diagnosis has been calculated. Quantitative RT‐PCR results from 35 samples showed a low to significant values for mRNA levels corresponding to MBL gene expression (1‐352 folds) (P < .001). The results of this study suggest that MBL plays a main role in the innate immunity and it is also affected by environmental factors and other genetic variations. Therefore, the MBL gene expression profile does not reflect precise phenotypic levels in the serum.
Role of Dectin‐1 receptor on cytokine production by human monocytes challenged with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Authors: Romagnolo Alexandre Giannecchini , de Quaglia e Silva Juliana Carvalho , Della Coletta Amanda Manoel , Gardizani Taiane Priscila , Martins Ana Teresa Loyola , Romagnoli Graziela Gorete , Kaneno Ramon , de Campos Soares Angela Maria Victoriano , De Faveri Julio , Dias‐Melicio Luciane Alarcão 
Published: November 2017

SummaryFungal recognition by Dectin‐1 receptor triggers a series of cellular mechanisms involved in a protective activation of the immune system. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the participation of Dectin‐1 receptor in the induction of IL‐8, TNF‐α, IL‐12, IL‐10 and IL‐17A secretion by human monocytes activated with different cytokines, and challenged in vitro with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (P. brasiliensis). Our results show that monocytes challenged with P. brasiliensis (Pb265) are able to produce IL‐12, IL‐8, IL‐17, IL‐10 and TNF‐α. Dectin‐1 receptor blockage decreased the IL‐12, IL‐17, IL‐10 and TNF‐α levels indicating the participation of such receptor in the induction of these cytokines. Only IL‐8 production was not affected by the blockage. Cells activation with different cytokines showed that GM‐CSF was able to induce secretion of all cytokines and the receptor blockage prior to the challenge also decreased the cytokine secretion, except IL‐8. Monocytes activated with TNF‐α promoted IL‐8, IL‐10 and TNF‐α production, whereas stimulation with IFN‐γ promoted mainly IL‐12 and TNF‐α. Thus, these findings bring new and important knowledge about Dectin‐1 participation in cytokines production by monocytes challenged with Pb265.
Correlation between fungal sensitisation in childhood persistent asthma and disease severity
Authors: Gupta Aman , Singh Meenu , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Mathew Joseph L. , Rawat Amit 
Published: November 2017

SummaryFungal sensitisation in adults is associated with severe asthma but prevalence and clinical significance of fungal sensitisation remains unclear in paediatric population. The aim of this study was to study the association of fungal sensitisation with disease severity in children with persistent asthma. One hundred children with persistent asthma in age group 7‐15 years, symptom duration >2 years and forced expiratory volume in first second >50% of expected were enrolled. Skin prick test (SPT) to 8 fungal antigens and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) were done. Fungal sensitisation was described as positive SPT (wheel diameter more than 3 mm larger than the negative control) to any of the fungal antigens and total serum IgE >200 ng/mL. Seventeen patients showed evidence of fungal sensitisation, of which, 6 demonstrated sensitisation to multiple fungi. 17.6% patients with fungal sensitisation had severe asthma as compared to 2.4% patients without fungal sensitisation (P value .032). Significant increase in family history of allergic comorbidities was noted among patients with fungal sensitisation (47.1% vs 21.7%, P value .03). The most common implicated organism in fungal sensitised patients was Aspergillus flavus (47.1%). The results of this study, a first among Indian children with asthma, suggest that children with fungal sensitisation have more severe asthma as compared to children without fungal sensitisation.
Real‐world challenges and unmet needs in the diagnosis and treatment of suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with haematological diseases: An illustrative case study
Authors: Hoenigl Martin , Prattes Juergen , Neumeister Peter , Wölfler Albert , Krause Robert 
Published: November 2017

SummaryRecent years have seen important advances in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), complemented by the introduction of new therapies. Despite this, IPA remains a major cause of infection‐related mortality in patients with haematological diseases. There are two main reasons for this. First, diagnosis of IPA remains a challenge, since risk factors and the clinical, radiological and mycological presentations vary not only by fungal disease stage, but also by patient group (eg neutropenic vs non‐neutropenic patients). Diagnosis is particularly challenging in patients receiving mould‐active prophylactic or empirical treatment, which reduces the sensitivity of all diagnostic tests for IPA. Second, treatment of IPA is complex due to unpredictable pharmacokinetic profiles of antifungal agents, small therapeutic window in terms of exposure and adverse events, and multiple drug‐drug interactions through the CYP450 system. Here we report a case of a 23‐year‐old male with severe aplastic anaemia and subpleural nodules. Diagnostic tests for IPA obtained during ongoing mould‐active empirical treatment were negative. Intravenous voriconazole was stopped after visual disturbances and hallucinations. The patient then had an anaphylactic reaction to liposomal amphotericin B and was switched to intravenous posaconazole, which had to be discontinued due to a significant increase in transaminase levels. He was treated with oral isavuconazole with reduced dosage, triggered by increasing transaminases under the standard dosage. Even under reduced dosage, blood concentrations of isavuconazole were high and treatment was successful. The case illustrates real‐world challenges and unmet needs in the diagnosis and treatment of IPA in patients with haematological diseases.
Genetic regulation of growth and nutrient content under phosphorus deficiency in the wild barley introgression library S42IL
Authors: Soleimani Behnaz , Sammler Ralf , Backhaus Andreas , Beschow Heidrun , Schumann Erika , Mock Hans‐Peter , von Wirén Nicolaus , Seiffert Udo , Pillen Klaus 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPhosphorus (P) is an important macronutrient required for plant growth and yield formation. Since decades, breeders aim to optimize P efficiency in crops. We studied a set of 47 wild barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum, Hsp) introgression lines (ILs) in hydroponic culture to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) improving growth and nutrient content under P deficiency. Applying a mixed model analysis, a total of 91 independent QTLs were located among 39 ILs, of which 64 QTLs displayed trait‐improving Hsp effects. For example, an unknown Hsp allele on barley chromosome 4H increased shoot dry weight under P deficiency in three overlapping ILs by 25.9%. Likewise, an Hsp allele on barley chromosome 6H increased root dry weight under P deficiency in two overlapping ILs by 27.6%. In total, 31 QTLs confirmed Hsp effects already identified in previous field and glasshouse experiments with the same ILs. We conclude that wild barley contains numerous trait‐improving QTL alleles, which are active under P deficiency. In future, the underlying genes can be subjected to cloning and, simultaneously, used in elite barley breeding.
Caries risk assessment tool and prevention protocol for public health nurses in mother and child health centers, Israel
Authors: Natapov Lena , Dekel‐Markovich Dan , Granit‐Palmon Hadas , Aflalo Efrat , Zusman Shlomo Paul 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectivesDental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease in children. Caries risk assessment tools enable the dentists, physicians, and nondental health care providers to assess the individual's risk. Intervention by nurses in primary care settings can contribute to the establishment of oral health habits and prevention of dental disease. In Israel, Mother and Child Health Centers provide free preventive services for pregnant women and children by public health nurses.Materials and MethodsA caries prevention program in health centers started in 2015. Nurses underwent special training regarding caries prevention. A customized Caries Risk Assessment tool and Prevention Protocol for nurses, based on the AAPD tool, was introduced. A two‐step evaluation was conducted which included a questionnaire and in‐depth phone interviews.ResultsTwenty‐eight (out of 46) health centers returned a completed questionnaire. Most nurses believed that oral health preventive services should be incorporated into their daily work. In the in‐depth phone interviews, nurses stated that the integration of the program into their busy daily schedule was realistic and appropriate. The lack of specific dental module for computer program was mentioned as an implementation difficulty.DiscussionThe wide use of our tool by nurses supports its simplicity and feasibility which enables quick calculation and informed decision making. The nurses readily embraced the tool and it became an integral part of their toolkit.ConclusionWe provide public health nurses with a caries risk assessment tool and prevention protocol thus integrating oral health into general health of infants and toddlers.
Generation of embryonic stem‐like cells from in vivo‐derived porcine blastocysts at a low concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor
Authors: Cha H‐J , Yun JI , Han NR , Kim H‐Y , Baek S , Lee S‐H , Lee J , Lee E , Park C‐K , Lee ST 
Published: November 2017

ContentsAlthough basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an essential factor supporting the maintenance of porcine embryonic stem (ES) cell self‐renewal and pluripotency, its high cost has limited previous studies, and the development of a low‐cost culture system is required. For these systems, in vivo blastocysts were progressively cultured under various conditions consisting of different culture mediums and/or different feeder cell numbers at a low concentration of bFGF. As the results, the sequential culture of in vivo‐derived porcine blastocysts on 5.0 × 105 mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder cells in alpha minimum essential medium‐based medium for primary culture, on 2.5 × 105 MEF feeder cells in Mixture medium for the 1st subpassage, and on 2.5 × 105 MEF feeder cells in DMEM/Ham's F10‐based medium for the post‐2nd subpassage could support the establishment and maintenance of porcine ES‐like cells at the low concentration of bFGF. The established porcine ES‐like cells showed ES cell‐specific characteristics such as self‐renewal and pluripotency. We confirmed that porcine ES‐like cells could be generated from in vivo‐derived porcine blastocysts at a low concentration of bFGF.
Oocyte holding in the Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus): Effect of initial oocyte quality and epidermal growth factor addition on in vitro maturation
Authors: Macías‐García B , González‐Fernández L , Matilla E , Hernández N , Mijares J , Sánchez‐Margallo FM 
Published: November 2017

ContentsCurrent in vitro embryo production protocols in the Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) need to be optimized; oocyte harvesting in situ followed by overnight holding could reduce the human effort and shipping costs. In our work, post‐mortem ovaries were retrieved, and the oocytes were harvested and allocated to G1 group (good quality) or G2 + G3 group (low quality). The oocytes were separately subjected to immediate in vitro maturation (IVM) or held overnight in a holding medium composed of 40% of TCM 199 with Earle's salts, 40% TCM 199 with Hanks' salts and 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS), at room temperature (16 hr). In vitro maturation was carried out in a basal medium supplemented or not with 50 ng/ml of epidermal growth factor (EGF). Our data showed that addition of EGF to the maturation medium increases the percentage of G1 oocytes reaching metaphase II (3.9% vs. 50%, basal vs. EGF; p < .001) and decreased their degeneration rate (69.9% vs. 22.2%, basal vs. EGF; p < .01) when oocytes were immediately matured. Overnight holding increased the meiotic competence of G1 oocytes (37.5% matured in basal medium) and EGF increased prophase arrest in G2 + G3 oocytes (16.1% vs. 38.8% in germinal vesicle [GV] stage in basal medium vs. EGF added medium; p < .05). Our data demonstrate that oocyte holding can be used in Iberian red deer oocytes. Interestingly, EGF addition increases the oocytes' meiotic competence in immediately matured oocytes but not after oocyte holding depending upon initial oocyte quality.
Pyometra and unilateral uterine horn torsion in a sheep
Authors: Castillo JM , Dockweiler JC , Cheong SH , Diel de Amorim M 
Published: November 2017

ContentsA 13‐year‐old Romanov sheep presented for evaluation of vaginal discharge, depression and anorexia. Blood work demonstrated mature neutrophilia and marked hyperlactatemia. Transrectal and transabdominal ultrasound revealed echogenic fluid (pus) within the uterus. Purulent uterine fluid culture yield Escherichia coli. A diagnosis of pyometra was made. After medical treatment without clinical improvement, an exploratory laparotomy was performed, and a 360‐degree uterine left horn torsion was identified with the pyometra and multiple corpora lutea on both ovaries. Ovariohysterectomy was performed and the ewe recovered uneventfully.
Downstream grain‐size changes associated with a transition from single channel to anabranching
Authors: Morón Sara , Amos Kathryn J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDownstream variation in grain size associated with changes in river pattern is a topic that interests multiple disciplines. How grain size varies between adjacent reaches with strongly contrasting river pattern is an outstanding question. This study presents a combined field and numerical modelling investigation of a river with a downstream planform change from single channel to anabranching, where the planform is controlled by a change in underlying lithology. This approach enabled exploration of the controls on sedimentology in a river for which there is very limited opportunity to collect flow and sediment transport data. This study shows that the surficial grain size decreases as a result of the downstream change in planform. This is because of a decrease in flow velocity and shear stress associated with a decrease in channel depth related to the planform change. Channel geometries in both the field and modelling data fit into distinct groups based on channel depth, the deepest being the single channel reach and the shallowest being the anabranching. This downstream reduction in channel dimension (depth) is caused because the total discharge is split from one channel into multiple channels. The coarsest grain sizes (cobble) are deposited at the terminus of the single channel and in the distributary channels; anabranching channels contain sand‐size sediments. This study shows that, in a transition from single channel to anabranching, the channel dimensions decrease as the number of channels increases, resulting in a decrease in bed shear stress and the fining of bed material downstream.
The face‐mind link: Why we see minds behind faces, and how others' minds change how we see their face
Authors: Deska Jason C. , Hugenberg Kurt 
Published: November 2017

AbstractUnderstanding others' minds has puzzled philosophers for centuries. Psychologists, too, have recently begun asking questions about what causes us to see another person as having complex or simple mental faculties. Here, we review recent evidence linking how we perceive others' faces with how we perceive others' minds—the face‐mind link. We first discuss research demonstrating a face‐to‐mind effect, showing that both certain facial features (e.g., eyes) and face perception processes (e.g., configural processing) can trigger the perception that a face has a mind. We then discuss recent evidence demonstrating a mind‐to‐face effect, showing that believing a person is inhumane (i.e., their mind) leads their face to be processed less like a face and more like an object. Finally, we consider both the consequences of this bidirectional face‐mind link, and what the next steps may be in understanding how and why we infer minds from faces, and how and why beliefs about others' minds affects how we see their face.
Successful heart transplantation in patients with total artificial heart infections
Authors: Taimur Sarah , Sullivan Timothy , Rana Mennakshi , Patel Gopi , Roldan Julie , Ashley Kimberly , Pinney Sean , Anyanwu Anelechi , Huprikar Shirish 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundData are limited on clinical outcomes in patients awaiting heart transplant (HT) with total artificial heart (TAH) infections.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all TAH recipients at our center. TAH infection was classified as definite if a microorganism was isolated in cultures from the exit site or deep tissues around the TAH; as probable in patients without surgical or microbiologic evidence of infection but no other explanation for persistent or recurrent bloodstream infection (BSI); or possible in patients with clinical suspicion and radiographic findings suggestive of TAH infection, but without surgical intervention or microbiologic evidence.ResultsFrom 2012 to 2015, a total of 13 patients received a TAH, with a median age at implantation of 52 years (range: 28‐60). TAH infection occurred in nine patients (seven definite, one probable, one possible) a median of 41 days after implant (range: 17‐475). The majority of TAH infections were caused by Staphylococcus species. Seven of nine patients underwent HT (four had pre‐HT mediastinal washout, and five had positive HT operative cultures). Three patients had an active BSI caused by the same pathogen causing TAH infection at the time of HT, with one developing a post‐HT BSI with the same bacteria. No patient developed post‐HT surgical site infection caused by the TAH infection pathogen. No deaths among HT recipients were attributed to infection.ConclusionTAH infection is frequently associated with BSI and mediastinitis and Staphylococcus was the most common pathogen. A multimodal approach of appropriate pre‐ and post‐HT antimicrobial therapy, surgical drainage, and heart transplantation with radical mediastinal debridement was successful in curing infection.
Tear ferning test in healthy dogs
Authors: Oriá Arianne P. , Raposo Ana Claudia S. , Araújo Nayone L. L. C. , Lima Felipe B. , Masmali Ali M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate and compare three tear sampling methods using two grading scales for administering the tear ferning test (TFT) to healthy dogs.MethodsIn total, 90 dogs (180 eyes) were subjected to tear sampling using millimetered strips, reused after the Schirmer tear test (STT) (Schirmer group, SG). Then, the dogs were subdivided into three groups according to sampling approach: micropipette (MPG), microcapillary (MCG), and Schirmer sample 2 (S2G). The collected tears were dried on a clean microscope glass slide at room temperature and humidity. The ferning patterns were observed under a polarized light microscope and classified according to the Rolando and Masmali grading scales.ResultsAlthough all three methods were feasible, the STT was easier to perform in clinical settings. Type I and Grade 1 were the most commonly observed (64.17% and 61.7%, respectively) regardless of collection method. There was no significant difference between the STT median values and the TFT classifications.ConclusionsThe TFT is appropriate for dogs and can be performed using the three suggested sampling methods, with a higher frequency of Type I and Grade 1. Thus, it is possible to use both grading scales in the classification of tear ferning in dogs.