bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunoagglutination test to diagnose Chagas disease: comparison of different latex–antigen complexes
Authors: Garcia Valeria S. , Gonzalez Verónica D. G. , Marcipar Ivan S. , Gugliotta Luis M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of novel latex–protein complexes obtained from different antigens of Trypanosoma cruzi through immunoagglutination test using a panel of T. cruzi‐positive sera, leishmaniasis‐positive sera and negative sera for both parasites.MethodsComplexes’ behaviour using total parasite homogenate (TPH), two simple recombinant proteins (RP1 and RP5) and two chimeric recombinant proteins (CP1 and CP2) was comparatively evaluated. The area under ROC curves was used as an index of accuracy. Sensitivity, specificity and discrimination efficiency were assessed.ResultsAll recombinant antigens showed higher specificity than TPH. The lower specificity of TPH was mainly due to cross‐reacting peptides between T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. In turn, all performance indicators were higher for CP1 and CP2 than for RP1 and RP5. The carboxylated latex–CP2 (C2–CP2) complex was able to detect antibodies against T. cruzi. The values of area under ROC curve (0.96), sensitivity (92.3%, 95% CI: 79.4–100.0%) and specificity (84.0%, 95% CI: 67.6–100.0%) indicate that the assay could be used as a screening test.ConclusionThe C2–CP2 complex could be an important tool to carry out sero‐epidemiological studies.
Presumed canine trigemino‐abducens synkinesis in a dog
Authors: Eminaga Salih , Williams David , Cherubini Giunio Bruto 
Published: August 2014

AbstractA ten‐year‐old male neutered Rhodesian ridgeback cross dog was presented for the investigation of abnormal bilateral protrusion of the third eyelid when chewing. Physical, ophthalmological, and neurological examinations were unremarkable. Thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and magnetic resonance of the brain and orbits failed to reveal any abnormalities. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed elevated protein, but the nucleated cell count was normal. trigemino‐abducens synkinesis was presumptively diagnosed. Aetiopathogenesis of this condition is discussed. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of presumed trigemino‐abducens synkinesis in a dog.
Isolation and cultivation of canine uveal melanocytes
Authors: Dawson‐Baglien Ethan M. , Winkler Paige A. , Bruewer Ashlee R. , Petersen‐Jones Simon M. , Bartoe Joshua T. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo establish a method for isolation and culture of canine uveal melanocytes.Animals studiedUveal explants from five mixed‐breed dogs.ProceduresDonor globes were dissected, and the anterior uvea removed. The uveal explants were placed in trypsin solution for enzymatic digestion. Extracted cells were cultured in modified F12 media. Immunocytochemistry was performed to confirm the identity of the extracted cells.ResultsMelanocytes were successfully isolated from uveal explants. Contaminating cell types were not observed. Repeated passaging of the melanocytes resulted in a gradual decrease in intracellular pigment. Melanocyte cell lines could be cryopreserved, thawed, and cultures successfully reestablished.ConclusionsThis extraction technique allows for generation of large populations of canine uveal melanocytes in a relatively short period of time. This technique could be a useful tool for future studies investigating both normal cellular characteristics and alterations found in melanocytes from dogs with ocular melanocytic disorders.
A Scoping Review of the Role of Wildlife in the Transmission of Bacterial Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance to the Food Chain
Authors: Greig J. , Rajić A. , Young I. , Mascarenhas M. , Waddell L. , LeJeune J. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryWildlife can contribute to environmental contamination with bacterial pathogens and their transfer to the human food chain. Global usage and frequent misuse of antimicrobials contribute to emergence of new antimicrobial resistant (AMR) strains of foodborne pathogens. We conducted a scoping review of published research to identify and characterize the evidence on wildlife's role in transmission of AMR and/or bacterial pathogens to the food chain. An advisory group (AG) of 13 North American experts from diverse disciplines was surveyed to solicit insight in the review scope, priority topics and research characteristics. A pre‐tested search strategy was implemented in seven bibliographic databases (1990 to January 2013). Citations were relevance screened, and key characteristics on priority topics extracted independently by two reviewers. Analysis identified topic areas with solid evidence and main knowledge gaps. North America reported 30% of 866 relevant articles. The prevalence of five targeted bacterial pathogens and/or AMR in any pathogen in wildlife was reported in 582 articles. Transmission risk factors for selected bacteria or AMR in any bacteria were reported in 300. Interventions to control transmission were discussed in 124 articles and formally evaluated in 50. The majority of primary research investigated birds, cervids, rodents, feral pigs, opossums, E. coli (n = 329), Salmonella (n = 293) and Campylobacter (n = 124). An association between wildlife and transmission of bacterial pathogens and/or AMR to the food chain was supported in 122 studies. The scoping review identified a significant body of research on the role of wild birds in the prevalence and transmission of E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. There was little research employing molecular methods contributing to the evidence concerning the importance and direction of transmission of wildlife/pathogen combinations. Given the advancements of these methods, future research should focus in this area to help prioritize future intervention studies and risk mitigation strategies.
Increased blood‐oxygen binding affinity in Tibetan and Han Chinese residents at 4200 m
Authors: Simonson T. S. , Wei G. , Wagner H. E. , Wuren T. , Bui A. , Fine J. M. , Qin G. , Beltrami F. G. , Yan M. , Wagner P. D. , Ge Ri Li 
Published: August 2014

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Is Tibetan and Chinese highlanders’ blood oxygen‐binding affinity (P50) different from that of other populations (at altitude or sea level), and does Tibetan P50 relate to haemoglobin concentration and/or exercise capacity at altitude?
What is the main finding and its importance?
Tibetans and Chinese at 4200 m have slightly lower P50 than sea‐level residents.
During maximal exercise at 4200 m, reduced P50 does not enhance pulmonary gas exchange, impair systemic oxygen extraction or affect peak exercise capacity.
Oxygen saturation measurements based upon forehead oximetry are sufficiently reduced during exercise at altitude (and accurate compared with those obtained from arterial blood by co‐oximetry) to determine P50 reliably.
High‐altitude natives are challenged by hypoxia, and a potential compensatory mechanism could be reduced blood oxygen‐binding affinity (P50), as seen in several high‐altitude mammalian species. In 21 Qinghai Tibetan and nine Han Chinese men, all resident at 4200 m, standard P50 was calculated from measurements of arterial and forehead oximeter oxygen saturation, which was validated in a separate examination of 13 healthy subjects residing at sea level. In both Tibetans and Han Chinese, standard P50 was 24.5 ± 1.4 and 24.5 ± 2.0 mmHg, respectively, and was lower than in the sea‐level subjects (26.2 ± 0.6 mmHg, P < 0.01). There was no relationship between P50 and haemoglobin concentration (the latter ranging from 15.2 to 22.9 g dl−1 in Tibetans). During peak exercise, P50 was not associated with alveolar–arterial difference or peak O2 uptake per kilogram. There appears to be no apparent benefit of a lower P50 in this adult high‐altitude Tibetan population.
Cerebral vasomotor reactivity: steady‐state versus transient changes in carbon dioxide tension
Authors: Brothers R. Matthew , Lucas Rebekah A. I. , Zhu Yong‐Sheng , Crandall Craig G. , Zhang Rong 
Published: August 2014

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
The relationship between changes in cerebral blood flow and arterial carbon dioxide tension is used to assess cerebrovascular function. Hypercapnia is generally evoked by two methods, i.e. steady‐state and transient increases in carbon dioxide tension. In some cases, the hypercapnia is immediately preceded by a period of hypocapnia. It is unknown whether the cerebrovascular response differs between these methods and whether a period of hypocapnia blunts the subsequent response to hypercapnia.
What is the main finding and its importance?
The cerebrovascular response is similar between steady‐state and transient hypercapnia. However, hyperventilation‐induced hypocapnia attenuates the cerebral vasodilatory responses during a subsequent period of rebreathing‐induced hypercapnia.
Cerebral vasomotor reactivity (CVMR) to changes in arterial carbon dioxide tension () is assessed during steady‐state or transient changes in . This study tested the following two hypotheses: (i) that CVMR during steady‐state changes differs from that during transient changes in ; and (ii) that CVMR during rebreathing‐induced hypercapnia would be blunted when preceded by a period of hyperventilation. For each hypothesis, end‐tidal carbon dioxide tension () middle cerebral artery blood velocity (CBFV), cerebrovascular conductance index (CVCI; CBFV/mean arterial pressure) and CVMR (slope of the linear regression between changes in CBFV and CVCI versus ) were assessed in eight individuals. To address the first hypothesis, measurements were made during the following two conditions (randomized): (i) steady‐state increases in of 5 and 10 Torr above baseline; and (ii) rebreathing‐induced transient breath‐by‐breath increases in . The linear regression for CBFV versus (P = 0.65) and CVCI versus (P = 0.44) was similar between methods; however, individual variability in CBFV or CVCI responses existed among subjects. To address the second hypothesis, the same measurements were made during the following two conditions (randomized): (i) immediately following a brief period of hypocapnia induced by hyperventilation for 1 min followed by rebreathing; and (ii) during rebreathing only. The slope of the linear regression for CBFV versus (P < 0.01) and CVCI versus (P < 0.01) was reduced during hyperventilation plus rebreathing relative to rebreathing only. These results indicate that cerebral vasomotor reactivity to changes in is similar regardless of the employed methodology to induce changes in and that hyperventilation‐induced hypocapnia attenuates the cerebral vasodilatory responses during a subsequent period of rebreathing‐induced hypercapnia.
Modulation of non‐NMDA receptor gating by auxiliary subunits
Authors: Howe James R. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractDuring the past decade, considerable evidence has accumulated that non‐NMDA glutamate receptors (both AMPA and kainate subtypes) are modulated by the association of the core tetrameric receptor with auxiliary proteins that are integral components of native receptor assemblies. This short review focuses on the effect of two types of auxiliary subunits on the biophysical properties and kinetic behaviour of AMPA and kainate receptors at the level of single receptor molecules. Type I transmembrane AMPA receptor proteins increase the number of AMPA receptor openings that result from a single receptor activation as well as the proportion of openings to conductance levels above 30 pS, resulting in larger peak ensemble currents that decay more slowly and bi‑exponentially. Co‐expression of Neto1 and 2 with pore‐forming kainate receptor subunits also increases the duration of bursts and destabilizes desensitized states, resulting in a rapid component of recovery and clusters of bursts that produce a slow component in desensitization decays. The distinct gating seen in the presence of auxiliary subunits reflects slow switching between gating modes with different single‐channel kinetics and open probability. At any given time, the relative proportions of receptors in each gating mode determine both the shape and the amplitude of synaptic currents.
Na+ current properties in islet α‐ and β‐cells reflect cell‐specific Scn3a and Scn9a expression
Authors: Zhang Quan , Chibalina Margarita V. , Bengtsson Martin , Groschner Lukas N. , Ramracheya Reshma , Rorsman Nils J. G. , Leiss Veronika , Nassar Mohammed A. , Welling Andrea , Gribble Fiona M. , Reimann Frank , Hofmann Franz , Wood John N. , Ashcroft Frances M. , Rorsman Patrik 
Published: August 2014

Key points
α‐ and β‐cells express both Nav1.3 and Nav1.7 Na+ channels but in different relative amounts.
The differential expression explains the different properties of Na+ currents in α‐ and β‐cells.
Nav1.3 is the functionally important Na+ channel α subunit in both α‐ and β‐cells.
Islet Nav1.7 channels are locked in an inactive state due to an islet cell‐specific factor.
Mouse pancreatic β‐ and α‐cells are equipped with voltage‐gated Na+ currents that inactivate over widely different membrane potentials (half‐maximal inactivation (V0.5) at −100 mV and −50 mV in β‐ and α‐cells, respectively). Single‐cell PCR analyses show that both α‐ and β‐cells have Nav1.3 (Scn3) and Nav1.7 (Scn9a) α subunits, but their relative proportions differ: β‐cells principally express Nav1.7 and α‐cells Nav1.3. In α‐cells, genetically ablating Scn3a reduces the Na+ current by 80%. In β‐cells, knockout of Scn9a lowers the Na+ current by >85%, unveiling a small Scn3a‐dependent component. Glucagon and insulin secretion are inhibited in Scn3a−/− islets but unaffected in Scn9a‐deficient islets. Thus, Nav1.3 is the functionally important Na+ channel α subunit in both α‐ and β‐cells because Nav1.7 is largely inactive at physiological membrane potentials due to its unusually negative voltage dependence of inactivation. Interestingly, the Nav1.7 sequence in brain and islets is identical and yet the V0.5 for inactivation is >30 mV more negative in β‐cells. This may indicate the presence of an intracellular factor that modulates the voltage dependence of inactivation.
LRRC8A protein is indispensable for swelling‐activated and ATP‐induced release of excitatory amino acids in rat astrocytes
Authors: Hyzinski‐García María C. , Rudkouskaya Alena , Mongin Alexander A. 
Published: August 2014

Key points
Swelling‐activated release of amino acids in the CNS is thought to be mediated by an unidentified volume‐regulated anion channel.
Two recent studies discovered that LRRC8 family members form a volume‐regulated anion channel in non‐neural cells.
In this work we established a critical contribution of the LRRC8A gene product to swelling‐activated glutamate and taurine release from primary rat astrocytes.
We also found that LRRC8A is indispensable for glutamate and taurine release from non‐swollen astrocytes when they are stimulated with ATP.
These findings suggest that LRRC8A may play a role in physiological release of gliotransmitters, and mediate pathological glutamate release in the CNS disorders associated with cellular swelling.
AbstractIn mammals, cellular swelling activates release of small organic osmolytes, including the excitatory amino acids (EAA) glutamate and aspartate, via a ubiquitously expressed volume‐regulated chloride/anion channel (VRAC). Pharmacological evidence suggests that VRAC plays plural physiological and pathological roles, including excitotoxic release of glutamate in stroke. However, the molecular identity of this pathway was unknown. Two recent studies discovered that LRRC8 gene family members encode heteromeric VRAC composed of LRRC8A plus LRRC8B‐E, which mediate swelling‐activated Clˉ currents and taurine release in human non‐neural cells (Z. Qiu et al. Cell 157: 447, 2014; F.K. Voss et al. Science 344: 634, 2014). Here, we tested the contribution of LRRC8A to the EAA release in brain glia. We detected and quantified expression levels of LRRC8A‐E in primary rat astrocytes with quantitative RT‐PCR and then downregulated LRRC8A with gene‐specific siRNAs. In astrocytes exposed to hypo‐osmotic media, LRRC8A knockdown dramatically reduced swelling‐activated release of the EAA tracer d‐[3H]aspartate. In parallel HPLC assays, LRRC8A siRNA prevented hypo‐osmotic media‐induced loss of the endogenous intracellular l‐glutamate and taurine. Furthermore, downregulation of LRRC8A completely ablated the ATP‐stimulated release of d‐[3H]aspartate and [14C]taurine from non‐swollen astrocytes. Overall, these data indicate that LRRC8A is an indispensable component of a permeability pathway that mediates both swelling‐activated and agonist‐induced amino acid release in brain glial cells.
Multiple‐frequency excitation wideband MRI (ME‐WMRI)
Authors: Wu Edzer L. , Chiueh Tzi‐Dar , Chen Jyh‐Horng 
Published: August 2014

Purpose:In this study multiple‐frequency excitation wideband MRI (ME‐WMRI), a technique designed to acquire simultaneously excited images without blurring was proposed.Methods:ME‐WMRI consists of (a) a coherent acquisition sequence that applies refocusing gradient during readout to mitigate signal dephasing, and (b) a signal enhancement procedure that further reduces image blurring. This two‐step method was tested on phantom imaging andin vivo imaging with up to 3.84 pixel blur.Results:Imaging results in both phantom andin vivo show that the lost details were successfully restored in the blur‐mitigated images, and the accelerated images were comparable to standard images.Conclusions:The proposed ME‐WMRI method can effectively undo the image blurring, and thus removes the limitation on fast simultaneous multislice MRI systems with a large acceleration factor.
Feasibility of vibro‐acoustography with a quasi‐2D ultrasound array transducer for detection and localizing of permanent prostate brachytherapy seeds: A pilot ex vivo study
Authors: Mehrmohammadi Mohammad , Alizad Azra , Kinnick Randall R. , Davis Brian J. , Fatemi Mostafa 
Published: August 2014

Purpose:Effective permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB) requires precise placement of radioactive seeds in and around the prostate. The impetus for this research is to examine a new ultrasound‐based imaging modality, vibro‐acoustography (VA), which may serve to provide a high rate of PPB seed detection while also effecting enhanced prostate imaging. The authors investigate the ability of VA, implemented on a clinical ultrasound (US) scanner and equipped with a quasi‐2D (Q2D) array US transducer, to detect and localize PPB seeds in excised prostate specimens.Methods:Nonradioactive brachytherapy seeds were implanted into four excised cadaver prostates. A clinical US scanner equipped with a Q2D array US transducer was customized to acquire both US and C‐scan VA images at various depths. The VA images were then used to detect and localize the implanted seeds in prostate tissue. To validate the VA results, computed tomography (CT) images of the same tissue samples were obtained to serve as the reference by which to evaluate the performance of VA in PPB seed detection.Results:The results indicate that VA is capable of accurately identifying the presence and distribution of PPB seeds with a high imaging contrast. Moreover, a large ratio of the PPB seeds implanted into prostate tissue samples could be detected through acquired VA images. Using CT‐based seed identification as the standard, VA was capable of detecting 74%–92% of the implanted seeds. Additionally, the angular independency of VA in detecting PPB seeds was demonstrated through a well‐controlled phantom experiment.Conclusions:Q2DVA detected a substantial portion of the seeds by using a 2D array US transducer in excised prostate tissue specimens. While VA has inherent advantages associated with conventional US imaging, it has the additional advantage of permitting detection of PPB seeds independent of their orientation. These results suggest the potential of VA as a method for PPB imaging that ultimately may allow US‐based real‐time intraoperative dosimetry.
An image‐guidance system for dynamic dose calculation in prostate brachytherapy using ultrasound and fluoroscopy
Authors: Kuo Nathanael , Dehghan Ehsan , Deguet Anton , Mian Omar Y. , Le Yi , Burdette E. Clif , Fichtinger Gabor , Prince Jerry L. , Song Danny Y. , Lee Junghoon 
Published: August 2014

Purpose:Brachytherapy is a standard option of care for prostate cancer patients but may be improved by dynamic dose calculation based on localized seed positions. The American Brachytherapy Society states that the major current limitation of intraoperative treatment planning is the inability to localize the seeds in relation to the prostate. An image‐guidance system was therefore developed to localize seeds for dynamic dose calculation.Methods:The proposed system is based on transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and mobile C‐arm fluoroscopy, while using a simple fiducial with seed‐like markers to compute pose from the nonencoded C‐arm. Three or more fluoroscopic images and an ultrasound volume are acquired and processed by a pipeline of algorithms: (1) seed segmentation, (2) fiducial detection with pose estimation, (3) seed matching with reconstruction, and (4) fluoroscopy‐to‐TRUS registration.Results:The system was evaluated on ten phantom cases, resulting in an overall mean error of 1.3 mm. The system was also tested on 37 patients and each algorithm was evaluated. Seed segmentation resulted in a 1% false negative rate and 2% false positive rate. Fiducial detection with pose estimation resulted in a 98% detection rate. Seed matching with reconstruction had a mean error of 0.4 mm. Fluoroscopy‐to‐TRUS registration had a mean error of 1.3 mm. Moreover, a comparison of dose calculations between the authors’ intraoperative method and an independent postoperative method shows a small difference of 7% and 2% forD90 and V100, respectively. Finally, the system demonstrated the ability to detect cold spots and required a total processing time of approximately 1 min.Conclusions:The proposed image‐guidance system is the first practical approach to dynamic dose calculation, outperforming earlier solutions in terms of robustness, ease of use, and functional completeness.
Feasibility study of using statistical process control to customized quality assurance in proton therapy
Authors: Rah Jeong‐Eun , Shin Dongho , Oh Do Hoon , Kim Tae Hyun , Kim Gwe‐Ya 
Published: August 2014

Purpose:To evaluate and improve the reliability of proton quality assurance (QA) processes and, to provide an optimal customized tolerance level using the statistical process control (SPC) methodology.Methods:The authors investigated the consistency check of dose per monitor unit (D/MU) and range in proton beams to see whether it was within the tolerance level of the daily QA process. This study analyzed the difference between the measured and calculated ranges along the central axis to improve the patient‐specific QA process in proton beams by using process capability indices.Results:The authors established a customized tolerance level of ±2% for D/MU and ±0.5 mm for beam range in the daily proton QA process. In the authors’ analysis of the process capability indices, the patient‐specific range measurements were capable of a specification limit of ±2% in clinical plans.Conclusions:SPC methodology is a useful tool for customizing the optimal QA tolerance levels and improving the quality of proton machine maintenance, treatment delivery, and ultimately patient safety.