bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Childhood Granulomatous Periorificial Dermatitis with a Good Response to Oral Metronidazole
Authors: Rodriguez‐Caruncho Clara , Bielsa Isabel , Fernandez‐Figueras M Teresa , Ferrándiz Carlos 
Published: February 2013

AbstractChildhood granulomatous periorificial dermatitis (CGPD) is a condition included in the spectrum of rosacea and perioral dermatitis that affects prepubescent children. It is characterized by papular eruptions located around the mouth, nose, and eyes that histopathologically show a granulomatous pattern. We report a 9‐year‐old girl with CGPD who required treatment with an oral antibiotic. Oral metronidazole was administered because of its known efficacy in adult rosacea and its safety in children. The patient responded well to this therapy, showing resolution of the lesions.
Baseline sensitivity of natural populations and resistance of mutants of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae to a novel bactericide, zinc thiazole
Authors: Zhang C. , Wu H. , Li X. , Shi H. , Wei F. , Zhu G. 
Published: February 2013

During 2009–2010, a total of 323 isolates of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae were obtained from rice with symptoms of bacterial leaf blight (BLB) in four provinces (Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Hubei) in China. These isolates were tested for baseline sensitivity to zinc thiazole, a novel bactericide with strong antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas. The sampled pathogenic population had similar sensitivity to zinc thiazole (0·1–16·8 mg L−1) in all four regions and over the whole two‐year study period. The baseline sensitivity was distributed as a unimodal curve with a mean EC50 value of 6·79 ± 1·61 mg L−1. The risk of mutation to resistance of zinc thiazole in X. oryzae pv. oryzae was further evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Twelve zinc thiazole‐resistant mutants were obtained through ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, culturing on zinc thiazole‐amended nutrient agar (NA) plates, and culturing on zinc thiazole‐treated rice plants. These zinc thiazole‐resistant mutants had resistance factors (RF = EC50 value of a mutant / EC50 value of the wildtype parent of this mutant) of 12·4 to 186·1 with a mean RF value of 44·1. Mutants obtained via UV irradiation, culturing on NA plates and culturing on rice plants had mean RF values of 51·8, 24·5 and 14·4, respectively. All mutants showed decreases in resistance to zinc thiazole after 20 successive transfers on bactericide‐free media or 10 successive inoculation–reisolations on bactericide‐free rice plants. No significant difference was found in bacterial growth and sensitivity to bismerthiazol between zinc thiazole‐resistant mutants and their parents. However, a significant decrease was observed in the pathogenicity of zinc thiazole‐resistant mutants compared with their parents, especially for mutants obtained via UV irradiation.
Oestrogen, Progesterone and Oxytocin Receptors and COX‐2 Expression in Endometrial Biopsy Samples from the Induction of Ovulation to Luteolysis in Llamas (Lama glama)
Authors: Bianchi CP , Meikle A , Alvarez MA , Benavente MA , Cavilla MV , Rodríguez E , Aba MA 
Published: February 2013

ContentsEndometrial expression of oestrogen (ERα), progesterone (PR) and oxytocin receptor (OR) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) was evaluated from the induction of ovulation to luteolysis in llamas. Ovarian activity was daily assessed by ultrasonography in five females. Ovulation was induced immediately after the detection of an ovulatory follicle by a GnRH injection (Day 0). Endometrial samples were obtained by transcervical biopsies from the left and right horns on day 0 and days 4, 8, 10 and 12 post‐GnRH. Blood samples were collected daily for progesterone and estradiol‐17β determinations by RIA. An immunohistochemical technique was used to study receptors population and COX‐2 expression which were then evaluated by two independent observers. The expression of ERα and PR was highest on day 0 in the luminal epithelium and stroma in association with high plasma estradiol‐17β concentrations. Thereafter, a decrease in ERα population was registered on day 4 and a new increase of its expression was observed between days 8 and 12 in those cell types. Conversely, PR population was gradually down‐regulated until its lowest expression was reached on day 10 post‐GnRH in the luminal epithelium. Content of OR was similar throughout the study in all cell types. The expression of COX‐2 was highest from day 8 to 12 post‐GnRH in the luminal epithelium, in relation to the time of maximal PGF2α release. Both steroid receptors populations and COX‐2 expression were similar between horns. Meanwhile, OR expression was higher in the right than in the left uterine horn. In summary, this study showed that the loss of endometrium sensitivity to progesterone by days 8–10 post‐induction of ovulation and the concomitant increase of COX‐2 expression could play a key role in the mechanism of luteolysis and somehow be related to the short corpus luteum lifespan of llamas.
Type 1 Regulatory T Cells and Regulatory B Cells Induced by Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells
Authors: Volchenkov R. , Karlsen M. , Jonsson R. , Appel S. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractDendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen‐presenting cells that are capable of both activating immune responses and inducing tolerance. Several studies have revealed efficiency of therapeutic vaccination with tolerogenic DC (tolDC) in inhibition of experimental autoimmunity. The purpose of this study was to compare four different protocols for generation of tolDC – the antidiabetic drug troglitazone (TGZ DC), NF‐κB inhibitor BAY 11‐7082 (BAY DC), prostaglandin D2 metabolite 15d‐PGJ2 (PGJ DC) and a combination of dexamethasone and 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (DexVD3 DC) regarding phenotype, cytokine production and T cell stimulatory capacity. TGZ DC and BAY DC had a phenotype comparable to immature DC, while DexVD3 DC were more macrophage like. Analysis of cytokine production using cell culture supernatants from all DC populations revealed that DexVD3 DC were efficient producers of IL‐10 and produced less pro‐inflammatory cytokines. T cells primed with DexVD3 DC showed reduced proliferation, and further analyses of these T cells revealed that functionally effective type 1 regulatory T cells (Tr1) but not FoxP3+ Treg were induced. Furthermore, DexVD3 DC promoted the induction of regulatory B cells (Breg). Together, these results indicate that DexVD3 DC have the best potential to be used in a tolerogenic antigen‐presenting cell‐based immunotherapy setting.
A multivariable model for predicting the frictional behaviour and hydration of the human skin
Authors: Veijgen N. K. , van der Heide E. , Masen M. A. 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundThe frictional characteristics of skin‐object interactions are important when handling objects, in the assessment of perception and comfort of products and materials and in the origins and prevention of skin injuries. In this study, based on statistical methods, a quantitative model is developed that describes the friction behaviour of human skin as a function of the subject characteristics, contact conditions, the properties of the counter material as well as environmental conditions.AimsAlthough the frictional behaviour of human skin is a multivariable problem, in literature the variables that are associated with skin friction have been studied using univariable methods. In this work, multivariable models for the static and dynamic coefficients of friction as well as for the hydration of the skin are presented.Materials & MethodsA total of 634 skin‐friction measurements were performed using a recently developed tribometer. Using a statistical analysis, previously defined potential influential variables were linked to the static and dynamic coefficient of friction and to the hydration of the skin, resulting in three predictive quantitative models that descibe the friction behaviour and the hydration of human skin respectively.Results and DiscussionIncreased dynamic coefficients of friction were obtained from older subjects, on the index finger, with materials with a higher surface energy at higher room temperatures, whereas lower dynamic coefficients of friction were obtained at lower skin temperatures, on the temple with rougher contact materials. The static coefficient of friction increased with higher skin hydration, increasing age, on the index finger, with materials with a higher surface energy and at higher ambient temperatures. The hydration of the skin was associated with the skin temperature, anatomical location, presence of hair on the skin and the relative air humidity.ConclusionPredictive models have been derived for the static and dynamic coefficient of friction using a multivariable approach. These two coefficients of friction show a strong correlation. Consequently the two multivariable models resemble, with the static coefficient of friction being on average 18% lower than the dynamic coefficient of friction. The multivariable models in this study can be used to describe the data set that was the basis for this study. Care should be taken when generalising these results.
Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in a pastoralist population in Ethiopia: are three sputum specimens needed?
Authors: Khogali M. , Tayler‐Smith K. , Zachariah R. , Gbane M. , Zimble S. , Weyeyso T. , Harries A. D. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the number of sputum specimens necessary for a reliable diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a pastoralist population in Ethiopia.MethodUsing routine data from Ethiopia, where three sputum specimens are currently recommended for the diagnosis of PTB, we documented, (i) the proportion of persons with suspected, PTB who submitted a first, second and third sputum specimen for smear examination and (ii) the incremental smear‐positive yield from the first, to the second and third specimens.ResultsOf 505 persons with suspected PTB, 107 (22%) failed to submit three samples. Of 60 patients who submitted three sputum samples with at least one smear‐positive sample, the first sputum sample was smear positive in 56 (93%) cases; the second sputum sample was the first to be positive in 3 (5%) cases and in only one case was the third sample the first to be smear positive (additional yield 2%).ConclusionIn a pastoralist setting, a reliable diagnosis of PTB can be achieved with two sputum specimens and PTB diagnosis may be adequate with just one sputum specimen. However, if this more radical approach was adopted, ways of increasing diagnostic sensitivity should be explored.
Sterility testing of apheresis hematopoietic progenitor cell products using an automated blood culture system
Authors: Liu Chang , Weber Carol , Sempek Diane S. , Grossman Brenda J. , Burnham Carey‐Ann D. 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundAABB Standards require monitoring of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) products for microbial contamination. To date, there is no automated blood culture system cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for this application. Our objective was to validate the VersaTREK system (TREK Diagnostic Systems) for sterility testing of apheresis HPC products.Study Design and MethodsFour aerobic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mitis, and Bacillus cereus), five anaerobic bacteria (Fusobacterium necrophorum, Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides fragilis, Prevotella loescheii, and Propionibacterium acnes), and one fungus (Candida albicans) were spiked into apheresis HPC products at concentrations of 10, 102, 103, and 104 colony‐forming units (CFUs)/mL. Aerobic and anaerobic bottles were incubated until positive or for up to 5 days. DNA was simultaneously extracted for polymerase chain reaction amplification of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene.ResultsAll aerobic bacteria grew in both bottles at all concentrations tested within 24 hours, and the time to positivity (TTP) was significantly shorter with aerobic bottles. C. albicans grew in the aerobic media at all concentrations within 30 hours. Anaerobes grew in the anaerobic bottle at all concentrations within 5 days. No bacteria were detected by using 16S rRNA gene amplification at 104 CFUs/mL.ConclusionCompared to culture, 16S rRNA gene amplification of HPCs does not improve sensitivity or turnaround time for HPC sterility testing. The VersaTREK system is a reliable tool for detecting microbial contamination of apheresis HPC products with a limit of detection of less than or equal to 10 CFUs/mL. Inclusion of both the aerobic and the anaerobic culture bottles achieves the shortest TTP for all species tested.
Are There Efficiency Gains from the Removal of Natural Resource Export Restrictions? Evidence from British Columbia
Authors: Fooks Jacob R. , Dundas Steven J. , Awokuse Titus O. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractLog export bans (LEBs) are a popular development tool utilised by developing nations with sizable endowments of timber; however, the actual impact of these policies is debatable. British Columbia has a developed forestry sector and still maintains a LEB. This trade restriction continually creates conflicts with Canada's international trade partners, including the United States. This paper examines the efficiency implications of a hypothetical removal of roundwood export restrictions in British Columbia using roundwood price and quantity data from 1995 to 2008. A time‐series econometric approach is utilised to determine supply and demand elasticities for British Columbia's roundwood. Empirical results from a vector error correction model suggest that a removal of export restrictions will generate an overall increase of approximately $347.91 million US dollars per year to British Columbia's forest economy.
A novel model for simultaneous study of neointestinal regeneration and intestinal adaptation
Authors: Jwo Shyh‐Chuan , Tang Shye‐Jye , Chen Jim‐Ray , Chiang Kun‐Chun , Huang Ting‐Shou , Chen Huang‐Yang 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe use of autologous grafts, fabricated from tissue‐engineered neointestine, to enhance insufficient compensation of intestinal adaptation for severe short bowel syndrome is a compelling idea. Unfortunately, current approaches and knowledge for neointestinal regeneration, unlike intestinal adaptation, are still unsatisfactory. Thus, we have designed a novel model of intestinal adaptation with simultaneous neointestinal regeneration and evaluated its feasibility for future basic research and clinical application. Fifty male Sprague‐Dawley rats weighing 250–350 g underwent this procedure and sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Spatiotemporal analyses were carried out by gross, histology, and DNA/protein quantification. Three rats died of operative complications. In early experiments, the use of hard silicone stent as tissue scaffold in 11 rats was unsatisfactory for neointestinal regeneration. In later experiments, when a soft silastic tube was used, the success rate increased up to 90.9%. Further analyses revealed that no neointestine developed without donor intestine; regenerated lengths of mucosa and muscle were positively related to time postsurgery but independent of donor length with 0.5 or 1 cm. Other parameters of neointestinal regeneration or intestinal adaptation showed no relationship to both time postsurgery and donor length. In conclusion, this is a potentially important model for investigators searching for solutions to short bowel syndrome.
Automated cell‐specific laser detection and ablation of neural circuits in neonatal brain tissue
Authors: Wang Xueying , Hayes John A. , Picardo Maria Cristina D. , Del Negro Christopher A. 
Published: February 2013

Key points
We developed an automated system that detects neurons belonging to specific populations in vitro or in situ, maps their physical locations in three‐dimensional tissue specimens and then laser ablates the cell ‘targets’ one at a time, in sequence, while monitoring neural population activity electrophysiologically.
Two‐photon Ca2+ imaging and image processing routines detect and validate target neurons based on rhythmic Ca2+ fluorescence activity patterns.
Visible‐wavelength confocal imaging and image processing routines detect and validate target neurons that express genetically encoded fluorescent proteins.
High‐intensity two‐photon spot scanning vaporizes target neurons with specificity while minimizing damage to neighbouring tissue.
Physiological monitoring of network function is performed before, during and after the cell‐specific laser ablations to measure the effects on network functionality in real time.
Abstract  A key feature of neurodegenerative disease is the pathological loss of neurons that participate in generating behaviour. To investigate network properties of neural circuits and provide a complementary tool to study neurodegeneration in vitro or in situ, we developed an automated cell‐specific laser detection and ablation system. The instrument consists of a two‐photon and visible‐wavelength confocal imaging setup, controlled by executive software, that identifies neurons in preparations based on genetically encoded fluorescent proteins or Ca2+ imaging, and then sequentially ablates cell targets while monitoring network function concurrently. Pathological changes in network function can be directly attributed to ablated cells, which are logged in real time. Here, we investigated brainstem respiratory circuits to demonstrate single‐cell precision in ablation during physiological network activity, but the technique could be applied to interrogate network properties in neural systems that retain network functionality in reduced preparations in vitro or in situ.
Pyridostigmine but not 3,4‐diaminopyridine exacerbates ACh receptor loss and myasthenia induced in mice by muscle‐specific kinase autoantibody
Authors: Morsch Marco , Reddel Stephen W. , Ghazanfari Nazanin , Toyka Klaus V. , Phillips William D. 
Published: February 2013

Key points
A mouse model of anti‐muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis was used to study the effect of pyridostigmine (a cholinesterase inhibitor drug commonly used in myasthenia) on the disease process at the neuromuscular junction.
In mice receiving injections of anti‐MuSK‐positive patient IgG, pyridostigmine treatment for 7–9 days did not prevent myasthenia, and even precipitated weakness.
Pyridostigmine treatment potentiated the anti‐MuSK‐induced reductions in postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor density and endplate potential (EPP) amplitude.
3,4‐Diaminopyridine, a drug that increases the number of quanta released (rather than the duration of each quantal response), elevated EPP amplitude without exacerbating the anti‐MuSK‐induced loss of acetylcholine receptors.
The results suggest that cholinergic‐ and MuSK‐mediated signalling may converge postsynaptically to regulate the mature acetylcholine receptor scaffold.
Abstract  In myasthenia gravis, the neuromuscular junction is impaired by the antibody‐mediated loss of postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Muscle weakness can be improved upon treatment with pyridostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, or with 3,4‐diaminopyridine, which increases the release of ACh quanta. The clinical efficacy of pyridostigmine is in doubt for certain forms of myasthenia. Here we formally examined the effects of these compounds in the antibody‐induced mouse model of anti‐muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis. Mice received 14 daily injections of IgG from patients with anti‐MuSK myasthenia gravis. This caused reductions in postsynaptic AChR densities and in endplate potential amplitudes. Systemic delivery of pyridostigmine at therapeutically relevant levels from days 7 to 14 exacerbated the anti‐MuSK‐induced structural alterations and functional impairment at motor endplates in the diaphragm muscle. No such effect of pyridostigmine was found in mice receiving control human IgG. Mice receiving smaller amounts of MuSK autoantibodies did not display overt weakness, but 9 days of pyridostigmine treatment precipitated generalised muscle weakness. In contrast, one week of treatment with 3,4‐diaminopyridine enhanced neuromuscular transmission in the diaphragm muscle. Both pyridostigmine and 3,4‐diaminopyridine increase ACh in the synaptic cleft yet only pyridostigmine potentiated the anti‐MuSK‐induced decline in endplate ACh receptor density. These results thus suggest that ongoing pyridostigmine treatment potentiates anti‐MuSK‐induced AChR loss by prolonging the activity of ACh in the synaptic cleft.
Evidence for Recent Acquisition and Successful Transmission of
bla
CTX-M-15
in Salmonella enterica in South Korea
Authors: Kang Min-Su , Kwon Yong-Kuk , Oh Jae-Young , Kim Mi-Jin , Call Douglas R. , An Byung-Ki , Shin Eun-Gyeong , Song Eun-A , Kwon Jun-Hun 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

We identified two distinct
bla
CTX-M
-bearing and five distinct
bla
CMY-2
-bearing genetic structures located on plasmids from
Salmonella enterica
and
Escherichia coli
isolates (
n
= 35) collected from chickens in South Korea. All
Salmonella
plasmids shared a common replicon,
bla
CTX-M-15
transposon, and core resistance phenotype, while
E. coli bla
CTX-M-15
plasmids included four distinct replicons.
Structural Insight into Potent Broad-Spectrum Inhibition with Reversible Recyclization Mechanism: Avibactam in Complex with CTX-M-15 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa AmpC β-Lactamases
Authors: Lahiri Sushmita D. , Mangani Stefano , Durand-Reville Thomas , Benvenuti Manuela , De Luca Filomena , Sanyal Gautam , Docquier Jean-Denis 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Although β-lactams have been the most effective class of antibacterial agents used in clinical practice for the past half century, their effectiveness on Gram-negative bacteria has been eroded due to the emergence and spread of β-lactamase enzymes that are not affected by currently marketed β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Avibactam is a novel, covalent, non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor presently in clinical development in combination with either ceftaroline or ceftazidime.
In vitro
studies show that avibactam may restore the broad-spectrum activity of cephalosporins against class A, class C, and some class D β-lactamases. Here we describe the structures of two clinically important β-lactamase enzymes bound to avibactam, the class A CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamase and the class C
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
AmpC β-lactamase, which together provide insight into the binding modes for the respective enzyme classes. The structures reveal similar binding modes in both enzymes and thus provide a rationale for the broad-spectrum inhibitory activity of avibactam. Identification of the key residues surrounding the binding pocket allows for a better understanding of the potency of this scaffold. Finally, avibactam has recently been shown to be a reversible inhibitor, and the structures provide insights into the mechanism of avibactam recyclization. Analysis of the ultra-high-resolution CTX-M-15 structure suggests how the deacylation mechanism favors recyclization over hydrolysis.