bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant hydraulics improves and topography mediates prediction of aspen mortality in southwestern USA
Authors: Tai Xiaonan , Mackay D. Scott , Anderegg William R. L. , Sperry John S. , Brooks Paul D. 
Published: July 2016

Summary

Elevated forest mortality has been attributed to climate change‐induced droughts, but prediction of spatial mortality patterns remains challenging. We evaluated whether introducing plant hydraulics and topographic convergence‐induced soil moisture variation to land surface models (LSM) can help explain spatial patterns of mortality.

A scheme predicting plant hydraulic safety loss from soil moisture was developed using field measurements and a plant physiology–hydraulics model, TREES. The scheme was upscaled to Populus tremuloides forests across Colorado, USA, using LSM‐modeled and topography‐mediated soil moisture, respectively. The spatial patterns of hydraulic safety loss were compared against aerial surveyed mortality.

Incorporating hydraulic safety loss raised the explanatory power of mortality by 40% compared to LSM‐modeled soil moisture. Topographic convergence was mostly influential in suppressing mortality in low and concave areas, explaining an additional 10% of the variations in mortality for those regions.

Plant hydraulics integrated water stress along the soil–plant continuum and was more closely tied to plant physiological response to drought. In addition to the well‐recognized topo‐climate influence due to elevation and aspect, we found evidence that topographic convergence mediates tree mortality in certain parts of the landscape that are low and convergent, likely through influences on plant‐available water.
Egg sensitization, allergy and component patterns in African children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Gray Claudia L. , Levin Michael E. , du Toit George 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundEgg allergy is the most common food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of egg allergy, component patterns and predictive values of screening tests in egg allergy in South African children with AD.MethodologyThis was a prospective, observational study in a paediatric university hospital in Cape Town. Children with AD, aged 6 months to 10 years, were recruited randomly. They were assessed for sensitization and allergy to egg by questionnaire, skin prick tests (SPT), Immuno Solid Phase Allergen Chip (ISAC 103®) test, ImmunoCAP component tests to egg and ovomucoid (Gal d 1) and incremental food challenges.ResultsHundred participants (59 Black Africans and 41 of mixed ethnicity) were enrolled, median age 42 months. There was a high rate of egg sensitization of 54% and prevalence of confirmed egg allergy of 25%. History and screening laboratory tests overestimated egg allergy significantly. SPT to fresh egg white was significantly more sensitive in diagnosing egg allergy than SPT to the commercial egg white extract and produced the highest area under the receiver operator characteristics curve of all the screening tests in predicting true egg allergy. In those participants sensitized to egg, the component ovomucoid was best at differentiating true egg allergy from tolerance. Commonly used 95% positive predictive values (PPVs) for SPT to egg and ImmunoCAP egg white produced low PPV of 57% and 74%, respectively, in this population overall, with generally poorer predictive values amongst the Black Africans than the mixed ethnicity participants. A SPT to fresh egg of 17 mm and ImmunoCAP egg white of 13 kU/l produced the best PPV for egg allergy in this population.ConclusionThe prevalence of egg allergy is high in African children with AD, but history of egg allergy and sensitization to egg significantly overestimate the true egg allergy rate. SPT to fresh egg white was more sensitive than that to commercial egg white extract; hence, fresh egg white should be recommended in an egg allergy screening panel. The component ovomucoid was useful for differentiating allergy from tolerance in egg‐sensitized participants. Population‐specific 95% PPV for egg allergy tests may need to be established in developing world populations.
Attachment style and readiness for psychotherapy among psychiatric outpatients
Authors: Kealy David , Tsai Michelle , Ogrodniczuk John S. 
Published: July 2016

Ninety‐two adults attending outpatient mental health services completed measures of attachment style and readiness to engage in psychotherapy. Correlation and linear regression analyses found anxious attachment to be positively associated with treatment‐seeking distress and found avoidant attachment to be negatively associated with openness to personal disclosure in the therapy relationship.Practitioner points

Insecure attachment may influence prospective patients' readiness for psychotherapy.

Patients with an avoidant attachment style may need assistance in preparing for the relational aspects of psychotherapy.
Resistin Gene Expression is Downregulated in CD4+ T Helper Lymphocytes and CD14+ Monocytes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Responding to TNF‐α Inhibition
Authors: Nagaev I. , Andersen M. , Olesen M. K. , Nagaeva O. , Wikberg J. , Mincheva‐Nilsson L. , Andersen G. N. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is caused by complex interactions between immune cells and sustained by Th1 response cytokines. Resistin [resistance to insulin; (RETN)] is an inflammatory cytokine, first discovered in murine adipocytes. In man, RETN is mainly secreted by monocytes. The distinct role of RETN in the immune reaction is uncertain; however, RETN has pro‐inflammatory, pro‐fibrotic and possibly tolerogenic properties. The aim was to assess the reaction of RETN gene expression to TNF‐α inhibition (I) in pathogenetic immune cell subsets in RA, in the context of Th1, inflammatory and regulatory cytokine gene expressions. Accordingly, we measured RETN, IFN‐γ, TNF‐β, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, TGF‐β and IL‐10 gene expressions in CD14+ monocytes, CD4+ T helper (Th) lymphocytes (ly), CD8+ T cytotoxic (Tc) ly and CD19+ B ly in active RA before and 3 months after start of TNF‐αI. Leucocyte subsets were separated by specific monoclonal antibody‐covered beads, RNA extracted and levels of RETN, Th1 response, inflammatory and regulatory cytokine mRNAs measured by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction technique. We found that TNF‐αI caused a significant downregulation of RETN gene expression in CD14+ monocytes and CD4+ Th ly and was unchanged in CD8+ Tc ly and CD19+ B ly. Both in active RA and during TNF‐αI, RETN mRNA levels were significantly higher in CD14+ monocytes than in all other examined cell types. In monocytes, fold change in RETN and TGF‐β gene expressions upon TNF‐αI correlated significantly. Our findings indicate that RETN has pro‐inflammatory as well as proresolving roles in active RA.
The impact of remote ischemic preconditioning on cardiac biomarker and functional response to endurance exercise
Authors: Cocking S. , Landman T. , Benson M. , Lord R. , Jones H. , Gaze D. , Thijssen D. H. J. , George K. 
Published: July 2016

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC; repeated short reversible periods of ischemia) protects the heart against subsequent ischemic injury. We explored whether RIPC can attenuate post‐exercise changes in cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and cardiac function in healthy individuals. In a randomized, crossover design, 14 participants completed 1‐h cycling time trials (TT) on two separate visits; preceded by RIPC (arms/legs, 4 × 5‐min 220 mmHg), or SHAM‐RIPC (20 mmHg). Venous blood was sampled before and 0‐, 1‐, and 3‐h post‐exercise to assess high sensitivity (hs‐)cTnT and brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP). Echocardiograms were performed at the same time points to assess left and right ventricular systolic (ejection fraction; EF and right ventricular fractional area change; RVFAC, respectively) and diastolic (early transmitral flow velocities; E) function. Baseline hs‐cTnT was not different between RIPC and SHAM. Post‐exercise hs‐cTnT levels were consistently lower following RIPC (18 ± 3 vs 21 ± 3; 19 ± 3 vs 23 ± 3; and 20 ± 2 vs 25 ± 2 ng/L at 0, 1 and 3‐h post‐exercise, respectively; P < 0.05). There was no main effect of time, trial, or interaction for NT‐proBNP and left ventricular EF or RVFAC (all P < 0.05). A main effect of time was evident for E which transiently declined immediately after exercise to a similar level in both trials (0.85 ± 0.04 vs 0.74 ± 0.04 m/s, respectively; P < 0.05). In summary, RIPC was associated with lower hs‐cTnT levels after exercise but there was no independent effect of RIPC for NT‐proBNP or LV systolic and diastolic function. The lower hs‐cTnT levels after RIPC suggests that further research should evaluate the role of ischemia in exercise‐induced elevation in hs‐cTnT.
Epidemiology of injury in male collegiate Gaelic footballers in one season
Authors: O'Connor S. , McCaffrey N. , Whyte E. F. , Moran K. A. 
Published: July 2016

Despite the popularity of collegiate Gaelic football in Ireland and the recent expansion into the United Kingdom and United States, no previous study has examined injury incidence. A prospective epidemiological study was implemented to establish injury incidence in 217 (19.3 ± 1.9 years) male collegiate Gaelic footballers from two collegiate institutions in one season. An injury was defined as any injury sustained during training or competition resulting in time lost from play or athlete reported restricted performance. Athletic therapy and training students, alongside a certified athletic and rehabilitation therapist, attended all training/matches over one season, and injuries were recorded using a standardized injury report form. The match injury rate was 25.1 injuries per 1000 h, with a significantly higher match injury rate noted in fresher players (players in their 1st year of higher education) (41.6 injuries per 1000 h) than senior players (12.7 injuries per 1000 h). Lower limb injuries were predominant (71.1%), particularly in the hamstring (15.5%), knee (14.1%), and ankle (11.3%). Soft‐tissue injuries predominated, particularly strains (32.4%) and sprains (27.5%). A scan and surgery was required in 31% and 12% of injuries, respectively. Thus, injuries are prevalent in male collegiate Gaelic football, and injury prevention programs are required.
Racial Threat and the Influence of Latino Turnout on State Immigration Policy*
Authors: Avery James M. , Fine Jeffrey A. , Márquez Timothy 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveWe examine how Latino constituencies—their percentage of the population and their percentage of voters—influence the propensity of states to pass restrictive immigration policy, testing two competing theories.MethodUsing state‐level data from 2009 through 2012, we examine the influence of Latino constituency size and Latino electoral strength on the number of restrictive immigration laws enacted by U.S. state legislatures.ResultsWe find that states with larger Latino populations pass more restrictive laws, but greater Latino electoral strength leads states to pass fewer restrictive policies. This relationship is interactive such that increases in Latino turnout act to mitigate the positive effect of Latino population size on restrictive policies. Finally, we show that the positive effect of Latino mobilization is indirect, meditated by their electoral influence on the partisan and ethnic composition of state legislatures.ConclusionsOur findings emphasize the importance of voting for minority substantive representation.
Bacterial survival and distribution during buffy coat platelet production
Authors: Taha M. , Kalab M. , Yi Q.‐L. , Maurer E. , Jenkins C. , Schubert P. , Ramirez‐Arcos S. 
Published: July 2016

Background and ObjectivesAt Canadian Blood Services, buffy coat (BC) platelet concentrates (BC‐PCs) show a generally lower bacterial contamination rate than apheresis PCs. This study investigated whether the PC production method contributes to this observation.Materials and MethodsWhole blood (WB) inoculated with eight bacterial strains was processed using the BC method. Bacteria were enumerated throughout BC‐PC production and subsequent PC storage. Endotoxin production and bacterial adhesion to PC bags were evaluated during PC storage. PC quality was monitored by CD62P expression (flow cytometry) and changes in dynamic light scattering (ThromboLUX®).ResultsDuring overnight WB hold, Staphylococcus epidermidis titres remained unchanged, commercial Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were eliminated and the remaining organisms proliferated to high concentrations. Through BC‐PC production, bacteria segregated preferentially towards the cellular fractions compared to plasma (P < 0·05). During PC storage, most bacteria adhered to the PC bags and Gram negatives produced clinically significant endotoxin levels. Changes in CD62P expression or ThromboLUX scoring did not consistently reflect bacterial contamination in BC‐PCs.ConclusionWB hold during BC‐PC production does not have a broad‐spectrum bactericidal effect, and therefore, other factors contribute to low rates of contamination in BC‐PCs.
Implications of a switch to a 100% apheresis platelet supply for patients and for blood donors: a risk benefit analysis
Authors: Thiele T. , Alt‐Mayer T. , Greinacher A. , Bux J. 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundA 100% apheresis platelet supply is considered to increase transfusion safety by lowering donor exposures for transfusion recipients. We performed a risk benefit analysis to contrast the reduction of donor exposures and the risk of contaminated blood products in the nation‐wide inventory with the donor risks associated with a switch to a 100% apheresis platelet supply in Germany.MethodsDonor exposures and the number of contaminated blood products resulting from HIV‐like, HBV‐like, HCV‐like pathogens and two theoretical agents with infection rates of 10 and 1000 in 100 000, respectively, were calculated for a 100% apheresis platelet supply in Germany based on the 2006–2012 hemovigilance reports. These numbers were compared with the current mixed platelet supply of pooled and apheresis platelets. Moreover, additional donation time and apheresis donor complications resulting from a 100% apheresis platelet supply were estimated.ResultsPer million total blood products (red cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma), a 100% apheresis platelet supply would reduce donor exposures by 87 100 and the number of contaminated blood products ranging from 0·8 to 871·1. On the other hand, this requires additional 29 478 apheresis donations, 3·4 years additional donor time, and would be associated with 58 additional donor complications, respectively.ConclusionsA 100% apheresis platelet supply would reduce donor exposures and the number of contaminated blood products in the inventory, but would increase apheresis complications in donors. Potential risks for patients must be carefully weighed against the risks for donors, dependent on the specific pathogen scenario.
Daptomycin Improves Outcomes Regardless of Vancomycin MIC in a Propensity-Matched Analysis of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Claeys Kimberly C. , Zasowski Evan J. , Casapao Anthony M. , Lagnf Abdalhamid M. , Nagel Jerod L. , Nguyen Cynthia T. , Hallesy Jessica A. , Compton Mathew T. , Kaye Keith S. , Levine Donald P. , Davis Susan L. , Rybak Michael J. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin remains the mainstay treatment for methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSIs) despite increased treatment failures. Daptomycin has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in patients with BSIs caused by MRSA isolates with vancomycin MICs of >1 mg/liter, but these studies relied on automated testing systems. We evaluated the outcomes of BSIs caused by MRSA isolates for which vancomycin MICs were determined by standard broth microdilution (BMD). A retrospective, matched cohort of patients with MRSA BSIs treated with vancomycin or daptomycin from January 2010 to March 2015 was completed. Patients were matched using propensity-adjusted logistic regression, which included age, Pitt bacteremia score, primary BSI source, and hospital of care. The primary endpoint was clinical failure, which was a composite endpoint of the following metrics: 30-day mortality, bacteremia with a duration of ≥7 days, or a change in anti-MRSA therapy due to persistent or worsening signs or symptoms. Secondary endpoints included MRSA-attributable mortality and the number of days of MRSA bacteremia. Independent predictors of failure were determined through conditional backwards-stepwise logistic regression with vancomycin BMD MIC forced into the model. A total of 262 patients were matched. Clinical failure was significantly higher in the vancomycin cohort than in the daptomycin cohort (45.0% versus 29.0%;
P
= 0.007). All-cause 30-day mortality was significantly higher in the vancomycin cohort (15.3% versus 6.1%;
P
= 0.024). These outcomes remained significant when stratified by vancomycin BMD MIC. There was no significant difference in the length of MRSA bacteremia. Variables independently associated with treatment failure included vancomycin therapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.24 to 3.76), intensive care unit admission (aOR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.34 to 4.54), and infective endocarditis as the primary source (aOR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.16 to 4.68). Treatment of MRSA BSIs with daptomycin was associated with reduced clinical failure and 30-day mortality; these findings were independent of vancomycin BMD MIC.
Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Rm3, a Subclass B3 Metallo-β-Lactamase Identified from a Functional Metagenomic Study
Authors: Salimraj Ramya , Zhang Lihong , Hinchliffe Philip , Wellington Elizabeth M. H. , Brem Jürgen , Schofield Christopher J. , Gaze William H. , Spencer James 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

β-Lactamase production increasingly threatens the effectiveness of β-lactams, which remain a mainstay of antimicrobial chemotherapy. New activities emerge through both mutation of previously known β-lactamases and mobilization from environmental reservoirs. The spread of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) represents a particular challenge because of their typically broad-spectrum activities encompassing carbapenems, in addition to other β-lactam classes. Increasingly, genomic and metagenomic studies have revealed the distribution of putative MBLs in the environment, but in most cases their activity against clinically relevant β-lactams and, hence, the extent to which they can be considered a resistance reservoir remain uncharacterized. Here we characterize the product of one such gene,
bla
Rm3
, identified through functional metagenomic sampling of an environment with high levels of biocide exposure.
bla
Rm3
encodes a subclass B3 MBL that, when expressed in a recombinant
Escherichia coli
strain, is exported to the bacterial periplasm and hydrolyzes clinically used penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems with an efficiency limited by high

K
m

values. An Rm3 crystal structure reveals the MBL superfamily αβ/βα fold, which more closely resembles that in mobilized B3 MBLs (AIM-1 and SMB-1) than other chromosomal enzymes (L1 or FEZ-1). A binuclear zinc site sits in a deep channel that is in part defined by a relatively extended N terminus. Structural comparisons suggest that the steric constraints imposed by the N terminus may limit its affinity for β-lactams. Sequence comparisons identify Rm3-like MBLs in numerous other environmental samples and species. Our data suggest that Rm3-like enzymes represent a distinct group of B3 MBLs with a wide distribution and can be considered an environmental reservoir of determinants of β-lactam resistance.
Single-Ascending-Dose Pharmacokinetic Study of Tribendimidine in Opisthorchis viverrini-Infected Patients
Authors: Duthaler Urs , Sayasone Somphou , Vanobbergen Fiona , Penny Melissa A. , Odermatt Peter , Huwyler Jörg , Keiser Jennifer 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

Praziquantel is the only drug available for the treatment of
Opisthorchis viverrini
infections. Tribendimidine has emerged as a potential treatment alternative; however, its pharmacokinetic (PK) properties have not been sufficiently studied to date. Via two phase IIa dose-finding studies, 68
O. viverrini
patients were treated with 25- to 600-mg doses of tribendimidine using 50- and 200-mg tablet formulations. Plasma, blood, and dried blood spots (DBS) were sampled at selected time points. The two main metabolites of tribendimidine, active deacetylated amidantel (dADT) and acetylated dADT (adADT), were analyzed in plasma, blood, and DBS. PK parameters were estimated by noncompartmental analysis. An acceptable agreement among plasma and DBS concentrations was observed, with a mean bias of ≤10%, and 60% dADT and 74% adADT concentrations being within ±20% margins. We found that 200-mg tribendimidine tablets possess immediate floating characteristics, which led to variable time to maximal concentration of drug (
T
max
) values (2 to 24 h) between individuals. Dose proportionality was observed for dADT from 25 to 200 mg using 50-mg tablets, but at higher dosages (200 to 600 mg), saturation occurred. The median ratio of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC
0–24
) of dADT to the AUC
0–
24
of adADT ranged from 0.8 to 26.4, suggesting substantial differences in acetylation rates. Cure rates ranged from 11% (25-mg dose) to 100% (400-mg dose). Cured patients showed significantly higher dADT maximal serum concentrations (
C
max
) and AUC
0–24
values than uncured patients. Tribendimidine is a promising drug for the treatment of opisthorchiasis. However, the tablet formulation should be optimized to achieve consistent absorption among patients. Further studies are warranted to assess the large differences between individuals in the rate of metabolic turnover of dADT to adADT. (This study has been registered with the ISRCTN Registry under no. ISRCTN96948551.)
Epidemiology and Molecular Characterizations of Azole Resistance in Clinical and Environmental Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates from China
Authors: Chen Yong , Lu Zhongyi , Zhao Jingjun , Zou Ziying , Gong Yanwen , Qu Fen , Bao Zhiyao , Qiu Guangbin , Song Mingsheng , Zhang Qing , Liu Lin , Hu Mandong , Han Xuelin , Tian Shuguang , Zhao Jingya , Chen Fangyan , Zhang Changjian , Sun Yansong , Verweij Paul E. , Huang Liuyu , Han Li 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

Azole resistance in
Aspergillus fumigatus
has emerged as a worldwide public health problem. We sought here to demonstrate the occurrence and characteristics of azole resistance in
A. fumigatus
from different parts of China. A total of 317 clinical and 144 environmental
A. fumigatus
isolates from 12 provinces were collected and subjected to screening for azole resistance. Antifungal susceptibility,
cyp51A
gene sequencing, and genotyping were carried out for all suspected azole-resistant isolates and a subset of azole-susceptible isolates. As a result, 8 (2.5%) clinical and 2 (1.4%) environmental
A. fumigatus
isolates were identified as azole resistant. Five azole-resistant strains exhibit the TR
34
/L98H mutation, whereas four carry the TR
34
/L98H/S297T/F495I mutation in the
cyp51A
gene. Genetic typing and phylogenetic analysis showed that there was a worldwide clonal expansion of the TR
34
/L98H isolates, while the TR
34
/L98H/S297T/F495I isolates from China harbored a distinct genetic background with resistant isolates from other countries. High polymorphisms existed in the
cyp51A
gene that produced amino acid changes among azole-susceptible
A. fumigatus
isolates, with N248K being the most common mutation. These data suggest that the wide distribution of azole-resistant
A. fumigatus
might be attributed to the environmental resistance mechanisms in China.