bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene flow in, and mating system of, Rhododendron simsii in a nature reserve in subtropical China
Authors: Hahn Christoph Z. , Michalski Stefan G. , Durka Walter 
Published: October 2016

Mating system and gene dispersal distances are two important characteristics that govern the distribution of genetic variation within species. Genetic variation is an important resource for adaptation, but also allows insight into a species reproductive biology. As the reproductive biology is species specific, general inferences across species may be inaccurate and for many species not much is known about the details of gene flow and mating, especially in species‐rich ecosystems such as the subtropics.We characterised the mating system and determined historical and current gene flow distances in Rhododendron simsii using microsatellite markers. Adult individuals and seeds were sampled in a near‐natural nature reserve in southeast China. We examined the fine‐scale spatial genetic structure (SGS), kinship coefficients, outcrossing rates and biparental inbreeding coefficients. Furthermore, we estimated pollen dispersal distances using paternity analysis.We found high outcrossing rates and significant biparental inbreeding. Population differentiation was low while observed heterozygosity and allelic richness were high. Estimates of historical and current gene flow were similar, indicating that genes are on average dispersed over distances of between 10 and 20 m. Paternity analyses suggest frequent mating among neighbouring individuals.We conclude that R. simsii is predominantly, but not obligately outcrossing. Moderate amounts of biparental inbreeding and overall low fine‐scale SGS indicate that mating among related individuals is common, but does neither lead to pronounced population differentiation nor to strong aggregation of related individuals. Most likely, gene flow distances in this species are affected by its flowering phenology. Mass‐flowering, pollen/pollinator limitation and gravity/wind dispersal of seeds in concert cause short gene dispersal distances. Lastly, population genetic descriptors suggest that R. simsii in the study area represents a large, well connected population in which large amounts of genetic variability are maintained.
Influence of sleep duration on cortical oxygenation in elderly individuals
Authors: Kato Kazuko , Miyata Seiko , Ando Motoo , Matsuoka Hiroki , Yasuma Fumihiko , Iwamoto Kunihiro , Kawano Naoko , Banno Masahiro , Ozaki Norio , Noda Akiko 
Published: October 2016

AimShort sleep duration is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Cerebral blood flow and its regulation are affected by pathological conditions commonly observed in the elderly population, such as dementia, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus (DM), stroke, and hypertension. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of sleep duration on cortical oxygenated hemoglobin (OxyHb) using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).MethodsSeventy‐three individuals (age, 70.1 ± 3.9 years, 51 men and 22 women) participated in this study. Cortical OxyHb levels were measured with NIRS. We evaluated age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol intake, sleep duration, hypertension, DM, and hyperlipidemia using a questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured using plethysmography.ResultsPeak OxyHb and area under the NIRS curve significantly decreased in participants with sleep duration <7 h compared with those with sleep duration ≥7 h (0.136 ± 0.212 mM·mm vs 0.378 ± 0.342 mM·mm, P = 0.001; 112.0 ± 243.6 vs 331.7 ± 428.7,
P
= 0.012, respectively). Sleep duration was significantly correlated with peak OxyHb level and area under the NIRS curve (r = 0.378,
P
= 0.001; r = 0.285,
P
= 0.015, respectively). Multiple regression analysis, including age, BMI, sex, smoking status, alcohol intake, sleep duration, hypertension, DM, and hyperlipidemia revealed that sleep duration was the only significant independent factor associated with peak OxyHb and area under the NIRS curve (β = 0.343,
P
= 0.004; β = 0.244,
P
= 0.049, respectively), and smoking status was independently correlated with time to the peak OxyHb (β = −0.319,
P
= 0.009).ConclusionSleep duration may be an important factor that influences cortical oxygenation in the elderly population.
Aid for Trade and Global Growth
Authors: Naito Takumi 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAid for trade increases a recipient's public services, which lower its import and export transport costs. Formulating a two‐country endogenous growth model, we obtain two main results. First, a permanent increase in the donor's aid/gross domestic product (GDP) ratio raises the steady‐state growth rate as well as both countries' long‐run fractions and cost shares of imported varieties if and only if it lowers the product of transport costs. Second, under a plausible condition, there exists a unique interior growth‐maximizing aid/GDP ratio. These results are robust to alternative specifications for congestion and stock‐flow nature of public goods.
Transfusion of 35‐day stored red blood cells does not result in increase of plasma non‐transferrin bound iron in human endotoxemia
Authors: Peters Anna L. , Kunanayagam Renoja K. , van Bruggen Robin , de Korte Dirk , Juffermans Nicole P. , Vlaar Alexander P.J. 
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUNDTransfusion of a single unit of stored red blood cells (RBCs) has been hypothesized to induce supra‐physiological levels of non‐transferrin bound iron (NTBI), which may enhance inflammation and act as a nutrient for bacteria. We investigated the relation between RBC storage time and iron levels in a clinically relevant “two‐hit” human transfusion model.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSEighteen healthy male volunteers (ages 18‐35 years) were infused with 2 ng lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/kg to induce systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Two hours later, each participant received either 1 unit of 2‐day stored (2D) autologous RBCs, 35‐day stored (35D) autologous RBCs, or an equal volume of saline. Every 2 hours up to 8 hours after LPS infusion, hemoglobin, hemolysis parameters, and iron parameters, including NTBI, were measured.RESULTSTransfusion of both 2D and 35D RBCs caused increases in hemoglobin, plasma iron, and transferrin saturation; whereas levels remained stable in the saline group. Transfusion of 35D RBCs did not result in hemolysis nor did it lead to increased levels of NTBI compared with 2D RBCs or saline. LPS induced increases in ferritin, haptoglobin, bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase that were similar in all three groups.CONCLUSIONWe conclude that 35D autologous RBCs do not cause hemolysis or increased levels of NTBI during human endotoxemia.
Effect of High
N
-Acetylcysteine Concentrations on Antibiotic Activity against a Large Collection of Respiratory Pathogens
Authors: Landini Giulia , Di Maggio Tiziana , Sergio Francesco , Docquier Jean-Denis , Rossolini Gian Maria , Pallecchi Lucia 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

The effect of high
N
-acetylcysteine (NAC) concentrations (10 and 50 mM) on antibiotic activity against 40 strains of respiratory pathogens was investigated. NAC compromised the activity of carbapenems (of mostly imipenem and, to lesser extents, meropenem and ertapenem) in a dose-dependent fashion. We demonstrated chemical instability of carbapenems in the presence of NAC. With other antibiotics, 10 mM NAC had no major effects, while 50 mM NAC sporadically decreased (ceftriaxone and aminoglycosides) or increased (penicillins) antibiotic activity.
eis
Promoter C14G and C15G Mutations Do Not Confer Kanamycin Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Pholwat Suporn , Stroup Suzanne , Heysell Scott , Ogarkov Oleg , Zhdanova Svetlana , Ramakrishnan Girija , Houpt Eric 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

We studied the significance of particular
eis
mutations on
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
drug resistance using a specialized transduction strategy. Recombinant strains harboring
eis
promoter mutations C14T, C12T, and G10A exhibited kanamycin resistance with MICs of 40, 10, and 20 μg/ml, respectively, while recombinant strains harboring C14G and C15G mutations were kanamycin susceptible (MIC, 2.5 to 5 μg/ml). Each of the
eis
mutants tested remained amikacin susceptible (MIC, 0.5 to 4 μg/ml). The identification of specific
eis
mutations is needed for accurate genotypic susceptibility testing for kanamycin.
Antibiofilm Activities of a Novel Chimeolysin against Streptococcus mutans under Physiological and Cariogenic Conditions
Authors: Yang Hang , Bi Yongli , Shang Xiaoran , Wang Mengyue , Linden Sara B. , Li Yunpeng , Li Yuhong , Nelson Daniel C. , Wei Hongping 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTStreptococcus mutansoften survives as a biofilm on the tooth surface and contributes to the development of dental caries. We investigated the efficacy of ClyR, an engineered chimeolysin, againstS. mutansbiofilms under physiological and cariogenic conditions. Susceptibility tests showed that ClyR was active against all clinicalS. mutansisolates tested as well asS. mutansbiofilms that displayed resistance to penicillin. TheS. mutansbiofilms that formed on hydroxyapatite discs under physiological sugar conditions and cariogenic conditions were reduced ∼2 logs and 3 logs after treatment with 100 μg/ml ClyR, respectively. In comparison, only a 1-log reduction was observed in the chlorhexidine gluconate (ChX)-treated group, and no killing effect was observed in the NaF-treated group. A mouse dental colonization model showed that repeated use of ClyR for 3 weeks (5 μg/day) reduced the number of colonizedS. mutanscells in the dental plaques significantly (P< 0.05) and had no harmful effects on the mice. Furthermore, toxicity was not noted at concentrations exceeding those used for thein vitroandin vivostudies, and ClyR-specific antibodies could not be detected in mouse saliva after repeated use of ClyR in the oral cavity. Our data collectively demonstrate that ClyR is active againstS. mutansbiofilms bothin vitroandin vivo, thus representing a preventative or therapeutic agent for use against dental caries.
Chromosome 5 of Human Pathogen Candida albicans Carries Multiple Genes for Negative Control of Caspofungin and Anidulafungin Susceptibility
Authors: Suwunnakorn Sumanun , Wakabayashi Hironao , Rustchenko Elena 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTCandida albicansis an important fungal pathogen with a diploid genome that can adapt to caspofungin, a major drug from the echinocandin class, by a reversible loss of one copy of chromosome 5 (Ch5). Here, we explore a hypothesis that more than one gene for negative regulation of echinocandin tolerance is carried on Ch5. We constructedC. albicansstrains that each lacked one of the following Ch5 genes:CHT2for chitinase,PGA4for glucanosyltransferase, andCSU51, a putative transcription factor. We demonstrate that independent deletion of each of these genes increased tolerance for caspofungin and anidulafungin, another echinocandin. Our data indicate that Ch5 carries multiple genes for negative control of echinocandin tolerance, although the final number has yet to be established.
Triclosan: an Instructive Tale
Authors: McNamara Patrick J. , Levy Stuart B. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a final rule to ban triclosan and 18 other antimicrobial chemicals from soaps. We applaud this rule specifically because of the associated risks that triclosan poses to the spread of antibiotic resistance throughout the environment. This persistent chemical constantly stresses bacteria to adapt, and behavior that promotes antibiotic resistance needs to be stopped immediately when the benefits are null.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Cell-Mediated Response in Dogs Naturally Infected by Leishmania infantum
Authors: Batista Luís F. S. , Utsunomiya Yuri T. , Silva Thaís B. F. , Dias Raíssa A. , Tomokane Thaise Y. , Pacheco Acácio D. , da Matta Vânia L. R. , Silveira Fernando T. , Marcondes Mary , Nunes Cáris M. , Laurenti Márcia D. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTA genome-wide association study (GWAS) could unravel the complexity of the cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to canine leishmaniasis (CanL). Therefore, we scanned 110,165 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), aiming to identify chromosomal regions associated with the leishmanin skin test (LST), lymphocyte proliferation assay (LPA), and cytokine responses to further understand the role played by CMI in the outcome of naturalLeishmania infantuminfection in 189 dogs. Based on LST and LPA, four CMI profiles were identified (LST−/LPA−, LST+/LPA−, LST−/LPA+, and LST+/LPA+), which were not associated with subclinically infected or diseased dogs. LST+/LPA+dogs showed increased interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels and mild parasitism in the lymph nodes, whereas LST−/LPA+dogs, in spite of increased IFN-γ, also showed increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) levels and the highest parasite load in lymph nodes. Low T cell proliferation under low parasite load suggested thatL. infantumwas not able to induce effective CMI in the early stage of infection. Altogether, genetic markers explained 87%, 16%, 15%, 11%, 0%, and 0% of phenotypic variance in TNF-α, TGF-β, LST, IL-10, IFN-γ, and LPA, respectively. GWAS showed that regions associated with TNF-α include the following genes:IL12RB1,JAK3,CCRL2,CCR2,CCR3, andCXCR6, involved in cytokine and chemokine signaling; regions associated with LST, includingCOMMD5andSHARPIN, involved in regulation of NF-κB signaling; and regions associated with IL-10, includingLTBP1andRASGRP3, involved in T regulatory lymphocytes differentiation. These findings pinpoint chromosomic regions related to the cell-mediated response that potentially affect the clinical complexity and the parasite replication in canineL. infantuminfection.
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Authors: Moffarah Anne Spichler , Al Mohajer Mayar , Hurwitz Bonnie L. , Armstrong David G. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTThe skin is colonized by a diverse collection of microorganisms which, for the most part, peacefully coexist with their hosts. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) encompass a variety of conditions; in immunocompromised hosts, SSTIs can be caused by diverse microorganisms—most commonly bacteria, but also fungi, viruses, mycobacteria, and protozoa. The diagnosis of SSTIs is difficult because they may commonly masquerade as other clinical syndromes or can be a manifestation of systemic disease. In immunocompromised hosts, SSTI poses a major diagnostic challenge, and clinical dermatological assessment should be initially performed; to better identify the pathogen and to lead to appropriate treatment, etiology should include cultures of lesions and blood, biopsy with histology, specific microbiological analysis with special stains, molecular techniques, and antigen-detection methodologies. Here, we reviewed the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic techniques, including molecular biological techniques, used for SSTIs, with a focus on the immunocompromised host, such as patients with cellular immunodeficiency, HIV, and diabetic foot infection.
Adenovirus
Authors: Ison Michael G. , Hayden Randall T. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTAdenoviruses are a highly prevalent infection that can cause a range of clinical syndromes in immunocompromised patients, ranging from localized disease of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, or urinary tract to disseminated disease. Adenovirus infections may develop in this unique population as the result of primary infection or reactivation of latent virus. Disease can be potentially progressive with high rates of mortality in patients with pneumonia and disseminated disease. Fortunately, cidofovir and its lipid ester, brincidofovir, appear to be effective for the treatment of adenovirus, although neither is specifically approved for this indication. Adenovirus should always be considered when immunocompromised patients present with any clinical syndrome that could be compatible with adenoviral infection. Once disease is suspected, cultures or molecular testing of appropriate specimens should be obtained and blood should be sent for adenovirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) whenever adenovirus is suspected. Monitoring of quantitative viral loads in blood is helpful in predicting response to therapy with a significant drop (>1 log) associated with a higher probability of clinical response.
Cytomegalovirus
Authors: Dioverti M. Veronica , Razonable Raymund R. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTCytomegalovirus (CMV), the largest of the herpesviruses, causes a wide range of clinical syndromes, from asymptomatic infection to severe disease in immunocompromised hosts. Laboratory methods for diagnosis include molecular testing, antigenemia, culture, serology, and histopathology. Treatment of CMV infection and disease is indicated in selected immunocompromised hosts, and preventive approaches are indicated in high-risk groups. This chapter reviews the epidemiology, clinical aspects, and the laboratory diagnosis and management of CMV in immunocompromised hosts.
Overview of Infections in the Immunocompromised Host
Authors: Dropulic Lesia K. , Lederman Howard M. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the components of the immune system that contribute to host defense against infection is key to recognizing infections that are more likely to occur in an immunocompromised patient. In this review, we discuss the integrated system of physical barriers and of innate and adaptive immunity that contributes to host defense. Specific defects in the components of this system that predispose to particular infections are presented. This is followed by a review of primary immunodeficiency diseases and secondary immunodeficiencies, the latter of which develop because of a specific illness or condition or are treatment-related. The effects of treatment for neoplasia, autoimmune diseases, solid organ and stem cell transplants on host defenses are reviewed and associated with susceptibility to particular infections. In conclusion, an approach to laboratory screening for a suspected immunodeficiency is presented. Knowledge of which host defects predispose to specific infections allows clinicians to prevent, diagnose, and manage infections in their immunocompromised patients most effectively.
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Carroll Karen C. , Adams La’tonzia L. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT
This review will focus on the infectious etiologies and more common noninfectious causes of lower respiratory tract syndromes among major immunosuppressed populations. The changing epidemiology of infections in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the case of HIV-positive patients and the impacts of both newer immune-suppressant therapies and anti-infective prophylaxis for other immunocompromised hosts will be discussed, with emphasis on diagnostic approaches and practice algorithms.
Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Martinez Raquel M. , Wolk Donna M. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTBacteremia and sepsis are conditions associated with high mortality and are of great impact to health care operations. Among the top causes of mortality in the United States, these conditions cause over 600 fatalities each day. Empiric, broad-spectrum treatment is a common but often a costly approach that may fail to effectively target the correct microbe, may inadvertently harm patients via antimicrobial toxicity or downstream antimicrobial resistance. To meet the diagnostic challenges of bacteremia and sepsis, laboratories must understand the complexity of diagnosing and treating septic patients, in order to focus on creating algorithms that can help direct a more targeted approach to antimicrobial therapy and synergize with existing clinical practices defined in new Surviving Sepsis Guidelines. Significant advances have been made in improving blood culture media; as yet no molecular or antigen-based method has proven superior for the detection of bacteremia in terms of limit of detection. Several methods for rapid molecular identification of pathogens from blood cultures bottles are available and many more are on the diagnostic horizon. Ultimately, early intervention by molecular detection of bacteria and fungi directly from whole blood could provide the most patient benefit and contribute to tailored antibiotic coverage of the patient early on in the course of the disease. Although blood cultures remain as the best means of diagnosing bacteremia and candidemia, complementary testing with antigen tests, microbiologic investigations from other body sites, and histopathology can often aid in the diagnosis of disseminated disease, and application of emerging nucleic acid test methods and other new technology may greatly impact our ability to bacteremic and septic patients, particularly those who are immunocompromised.
Microbial Forensics in Food Safety
Authors: Yeung Marie 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Foodborne diseases represent a significant public health burden to the United States, considering that they cause illness in 1 in 6 people annually, which amounts to ∼48 million people (E. Scallan, R. M. Hoekstra, F. J. Angulo, R. V. Tauxe, M. A. Widdowson, S. L. Roy, J. L. Jones, and P. M. Griffin,
Emerg Infect Dis
17:7–15, 2011). The average national cost of illness associated with 30 foodborne pathogens is estimated to be $55.5 to $93.2 billion based on two cost-of-illness models (R.L. Scharff,
J Food Prot
78:1064–1071, 2015). Predominately, foodborne illnesses are the result of accidental contamination or unintentional mishandling of food materials during the farm-to-table continuum. Nevertheless, principles and methodologies derived from microbial forensics are applied in foodborne outbreaks investigation to determine the source of the pathogen. Drawing from multiple real-life examples and case studies, this review discusses how the current food industry practice, demography, and consumer preference are shaping the landscape of food safety. The approaches to source tracking, or traceback, are described, with a focus on bacterial pathogens associated with food-producing animals. Current challenges and opportunities in microbial forensics in food safety are also addressed.
Statistical Considerations in Environmental Microbial Forensics
Authors: McBride Graham , Gilpin Brent 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

In environmental microbial forensics, as in other pursuits, statistical calculations are sometimes inappropriately applied, giving rise to the appearance of support for a particular conclusion or failing to support an innately obvious conclusion. This is a reflection of issues related to dealing with sample sizes, the methodologies involved, and the difficulty of communicating uncertainties. In this brief review, we attempt to illustrate ways to minimize such problems. In doing so, we consider one of the most common applications of environmental microbial forensics—the use of genotyping in food and water and disease investigations. We explore three important questions. (i) Do hypothesis tests’
P
values serve as adequate metrics of evidence? (ii) How can we quantify the value of the evidence? (iii) Can we turn a value-of-evidence metric into attribution probabilities? Our general conclusions are as follows. (i)
P
values have the unfortunate property of regularly detecting trivial effects when sample sizes are large. (ii) Likelihood ratios, rather than any kind of probability, are the better strength-of-evidence metric, addressing the question “what do these data say?” (iii) Attribution probabilities, addressing the question “what should I believe?,” can be calculated using Bayesian methods, relying in part on likelihood ratios but also invoking prior beliefs which therefore can be quite subjective. In legal settings a Bayesian analysis may be required, but the choice and sensitivity of prior assumptions should be made clear.