bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amnioinfusion before 26 weeks' gestation for severe fetal growth restriction with oligohydramnios: Preliminary pilot study
Authors: Takahashi Yuichiro , Iwagaki Shigenori , Chiaki Rika , Iwasa Tomotake , Takenaka Motoki , Kawabata Ichiro , Itoh Mitsuaki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimThe prognosis for severe fetal growth restriction (FGR) with severe oligohydramnios before 26 weeks' gestation (WG) is currently poor; furthermore, its management is controversial. We report the innovative new management of FGR, such as therapeutic amnioinfusion and tocolysis.Material and MethodsFor FGR and severe oligohydramnios before 26 WG complicated with absent or reversed umbilical artery end‐diastolic flow velocity and/or deceleration by ultrasonography, we performed transabdominal amnioinfusion with tocolysis. Cases with multiple anomalies were excluded. Survival rate and long‐term prognosis were analyzed.ResultsAmong 570 FGR cases, 18 were included in the study. Mean diagnosis and delivery were at 22.6 ± 2.0 and 28.7 ± 3.3 WG. Median birthweight was 625 g (−4.2 standard deviation). Final survival rate was 11/13 (85%). There were five fetal deaths. In seven cases, oligohydramnios improved. Growth was detected in 10/18 fetuses. Furthermore, 8/8 decelerations, 4/12 cases of reversed umbilical artery end‐diastolic flow velocity, 7/14 cases of brain‐sparing effect, and 6/13 venous Doppler abnormalities were improved. When we detected umbilical cord compression, 8/10 cases were rescued. Eleven infants were followed up for an average of 5 years; one case of cerebral palsy with normal development and 10 cases with intact motor functions without major neurological handicap were confirmed.ConclusionsIn cases of extremely severe FGR before 26 WG with oligohydramnios and circulatory failure, amnioinfusion might be a promising, innovative tool.
Natural History of Acute Stroke due to Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery and Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery
Authors: Hernández‐Pérez María , Pérez de la Ossa Natalia , Aleu Aitziber , Millán Mònica , Gomis Meritxell , Dorado Laura , López‐Cancio Elena , Jovin Tudor , Dávalos Antoni 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe natural history of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to anterior circulation large artery occlusion is not well established. This information is essential for assessment of clinical benefit derived from recanalization therapies.METHODSPatients with AIS due to anterior circulation large artery occlusion not treated with reperfusion therapies admitted from January 2005 to September 2010 were consecutively selected. Site of occlusion was assessed with transcranial duplex according to Thrombolysis in Brain Infarction (TIBI) grades. Poor outcome was considered as a modified Rankin Scale>2 at 90 days.RESULTSA total of 120 patients were studied. Site of occlusion was terminal internal carotid artery (TICA) in 13 (10.8%), proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 69 (57.5%), and distal MCA in 38 (31.7%) patients. Overall, 74.2% of patients had poor outcome. There were significant differences in poor outcome between patients with TICA, proximal MCA, and distal MCA occlusion (92%, 87%, 47%, P < .001) and mortality at 90 days (23%, 12%, 3%, P = .001).CONCLUSIONSOutcome of AIS patients with anterior circulation large artery occlusion not treated with reperfusion therapies is extremely poor in TICA and proximal MCA occlusions with better outcomes noted in distal MCA occlusions. These findings are relevant for estimation of treatment effect of reperfusion therapies according to occlusion location.
Measuring Social Polarization with Ordinal and Categorical Data
Authors: PERMANYER IÑAKI , D'AMBROSIO CONCHITA 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe examine the measurement of social polarization with categorical and ordinal data. We partition the society into groups on the basis of salient social characteristics, such as race and ethnicity, and we take into account the extent to which these groups are clustered in certain regions of an attribute's distribution. This is particularly useful in many contexts where cardinal data are not available. The new measures we propose are characterized axiomatically.
Sleep spindles and rapid eye movement sleep as predictors of next morning cognitive performance in healthy middle‐aged and older participants
Authors: Lafortune Marjolaine , Gagnon Jean‐François , Martin Nicolas , Latreille Véronique , Dubé Jonathan , Bouchard Maude , Bastien Célyne , Carrier Julie 
Published: November 2013

SummarySpindles and slow waves are hallmarks of non‐rapid eye movement sleep. Both these oscillations are markers of neuronal plasticity, and play a role in memory and cognition. Normal ageing is associated with spindle and slow wave decline and cognitive changes. The present study aimed to assess whether spindle and slow wave characteristics during a baseline night predict cognitive performance in healthy older adults the next morning. Specifically, we examined performance on tasks measuring selective and sustained visual attention, declarative verbal memory, working memory and verbal fluency. Fifty‐eight healthy middle‐aged and older adults (aged 50–91 years) without sleep disorders underwent baseline polysomnographic sleep recording followed by neuropsychological assessment the next morning. Spindles and slow waves were detected automatically on artefact‐free non‐rapid eye movement sleep electroencephalogram. All‐night stage N2 spindle density (no./min) and mean frequency (Hz) and all‐night non‐rapid eye movement sleep slow wave density (no./min) and mean slope (μV/s) were analysed. Pearson's correlations were performed between spindles, slow waves, polysomnography and cognitive performance. Higher spindle density predicted better performance on verbal learning, visual attention and verbal fluency, whereas spindle frequency and slow wave density or slope predicted fewer cognitive performance variables. In addition, rapid eye movement sleep duration was associated with better verbal learning potential. These results suggest that spindle density is a marker of cognitive functioning in older adults and may reflect neuroanatomic integrity. Rapid eye movement sleep may be a marker of age‐related changes in acetylcholine transmission, which plays a role in new information encoding.
Mla‐ and Rom1‐mediated control of microRNA398 and chloroplast copper/zinc superoxide dismutase regulates cell death in response to the barley powdery mildew fungus
Authors: Xu Weihui , Meng Yan , Wise Roger P. 
Published: November 2013

Summary

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Mildew resistance locus a (Mla) confers allele‐specific interactions with natural variants of the ascomycete fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh), the causal agent of powdery mildew disease. Significant reprogramming of Mla‐mediated gene expression occurs upon infection by this obligate biotrophic pathogen.

We utilized a proteomics‐based approach, combined with barley mla, required for Mla12 resistance1 (rar1), and restoration of Mla resistance1 (rom1) mutants, to identify components of Mla‐directed signaling.

Loss‐of‐function mutations in Mla and Rar1 both resulted in the reduced accumulation of chloroplast copper/zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (HvSOD1), whereas loss of function in Rom1 re‐established HvSOD1 levels. In addition, both Mla and Rom1 negatively regulated hvu‐microRNA398 (hvu‐miR398), and up‐regulation of miR398 was coupled to reduced HvSOD1 expression. Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)‐mediated over‐expression of both barley and Arabidopsis miR398 repressed accumulation of HvSOD1, and BSMV‐induced gene silencing of HvSod1 impeded Mla‐triggered H2O2 and hypersensitive reaction (HR) at barley–Bgh interaction sites.

These data indicate that Mla‐ and Rom1‐regulated hvu‐miR398 represses HvSOD1 accumulation, influencing effector‐induced HR in response to the powdery mildew fungus.
An integrated model of stomatal development and leaf physiology
Authors: Dow Graham J. , Bergmann Dominique C. , Berry Joseph A. 
Published: November 2013

Summary

Stomatal conductance (gs) is constrained by the size and number of stomata on the plant epidermis, and the potential maximum rate of gs can be calculated based on these stomatal traits (Anatomical gsmax). However, the relationship between Anatomical gsmax and operational gs under atmospheric conditions remains undefined.

Leaf‐level gas‐exchange measurements were performed for six Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes that have different Anatomical gsmax profiles resulting from mutations or transgene activity in stomatal development.

We found that Anatomical gsmax was an accurate prediction of gs under gas‐exchange conditions that maximized stomatal opening, namely high‐intensity light, low [CO2], and high relative humidity. Plants with different Anatomical gsmax had quantitatively similar responses to increasing [CO2] when gs was scaled to Anatomical gsmax. This latter relationship allowed us to produce and test an empirical model derived from the Ball–Woodrow–Berry equation that estimates gs as a function of Anatomical gsmax, relative humidity, and [CO2] at the leaf.

The capacity to predict operational gs via Anatomical gsmax and the pore‐specific short‐term response to [CO2] demonstrates a precise link between stomatal development and leaf physiology. This connection should be useful to quantify the gas flux of plants in past, present, and future CO2 regimes based upon the anatomical features of stomata.
The antipsychotic amisulpride: ultrastructural evidence of its secretory activity in salivary glands
Authors: Loy F , Isola M , Isola R , Lilliu MA , Solinas P , Conti G , Godoy T , Riva A , Ekström J 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveAmisulpride is reported to inhibit clozapine‐induced sialorrhea. Preclinically, clozapine evokes muscarinic‐M1‐type‐mediated secretion that, however, amisulpride does not reduce. Instead, amisulpride, without causing any overt secretion per se, enhances both nerve‐ and autonomimetic‐evoked salivation by unknown mechanism(s). Hypothesizing that amisulpride prepares the gland for secretion, we looked for ultrastructural events indicating secretory activity in intercellular canaliculi of serous/seromucous cells, that is, density increase in protrusions (reflecting anchored granules) and in microbuds (reflecting recycling membranes and/or vesicle secretion) and decrease in microvilli (reflecting the cytoskeletal re‐arrangement related to exocytosis).Material and MethodsRat parotid and submandibular glands were exposed to amisulpride in vivo or in vitro. Glands were processed for transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy and then morphometrically assessed.ResultsCells were packed with secretory granules. The density of protrusions increased in both glands, whereas significant and parallel changes in microvilli and microbuds occurred only in parotid glands, and in vitro.ConclusionsAmisulpride induced ultrastructural signs of secretory activity but to varying extent; in submandibular glands, in contrast to parotid glands, changes were not brought beyond the granular anchoring stage. Amisulpride may provide an overall readiness for secretion that will result in augmented responses to agonists, a phenomenon of potential interest in dry‐mouth treatment.
The relationship between tongue brushing and halitosis in children: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ileri Keceli T , Gulmez D , Dolgun A , Tekcicek M 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate the clinical and microbiological effects of tongue brushing on malodour in children.Subjects and MethodsOne hundred and fifty‐one caries‐free children were included. After clinical evaluation, halitosis was determined by organoleptic assessment and sulphide monitoring. Then, 69 children with high levels of volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) were randomly assigned into two groups (group 1: scaling‐polishing + tooth brushing + tongue brushing and group 2: scaling‐polishing + tooth brushing), and tongue coating samples were collected for microbiological analysis. After 2 weeks, VSC measurements, organoleptic assessment, clinical evaluations and sample collection were repeated.ResultsIn both groups, organoleptic scores, VSC levels, gingival index, plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing and Winkel tongue coating index (WTCI) scores decreased after 15 days. However, only the change in WTCI and PI scores showed a statistically significant intergroup difference. The most prevalent anaerobic bacteria were Veillonella spp., Prevotella spp., Fusobacterium spp., and no intergroup difference was observed in terms of colony counts of bacteria.ConclusionsTongue brushing did not provide an additional benefit to the treatment for malodour. According to the microbiological culture results, a specific bacterium responsible for halitosis in children could not be identified and more sensitive methods might be used for this purpose.
Inducible expression of a fusion gene encoding two proteinase inhibitors leads to insect and pathogen resistance in transgenic rice
Authors: Quilis Jordi , López‐García Belén , Meynard Donaldo , Guiderdoni Emmanuel , San Segundo Blanca 
Published: November 2013

SummaryPlant proteinase inhibitors (PIs) are considered as candidates for increased insect resistance in transgenic plants. Insect adaptation to PI ingestion might, however, compromise the benefits received by transgenic expression of PIs. In this study, the maize proteinase inhibitor (MPI), an inhibitor of insect serine proteinases, and the potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor (PCI) were fused into a single open reading frame and introduced into rice plants. The two PIs were linked using either the processing site of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1B precursor protein or the 2A sequence from the foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV). Expression of each fusion gene was driven by the wound‐ and pathogen‐inducible mpi promoter. The mpi‐pci fusion gene was stably inherited for at least three generations with no penalty on plant phenotype. An important reduction in larval weight of Chilo suppressalis fed on mpi‐pci rice, compared with larvae fed on wild‐type plants, was observed. Expression of the mpi‐pci fusion gene confers resistance to C. suppressalis (striped stem borer), one of the most important insect pest of rice. The mpi‐pci expression systems described may represent a suitable strategy for insect pest control, better than strategies based on the use of single PI genes, by preventing insect adaptive responses. The rice plants expressing the mpi‐pci fusion gene also showed enhanced resistance to infection by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, the causal agent of the rice blast disease. Our results illustrate the usefulness of the inducible expression of the mpi‐pci fusion gene for dual resistance against insects and pathogens in rice plants.
Reflectance and Cyclic Electron Flow as an Indicator of Drought Stress in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: Singh Ruchi , Naskar Jishnu , Pathre Uday V. , Shirke Pramod A. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe response and the functioning of the photosynthetic machinery of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum during water stress was studied by leaf optical properties, linear (ETRII) and cyclic electron flow (CEF) and chlorophyll a fluorescence. We observed that in G. hirsutum, during water limitation, Chlorophyll b showed the best correlation with reflectance at 731 nm and is a better indicator of drought. Fv/Fm was observed to be very insensitive to mild water stress. However, during severe water stress the leaves exhibit considerable inhibition in Fv/Fm and an increase in anthocyanin levels by about 20‐fold. CEF was very responsive to mild water stress. The mild drought stress caused large decrease in the ability of the leaves to utilize the light energy. Photosystem I and photosystem II is protected from photoinhibition by high CEF and nonphotochemical quenching under mild water stress. While during severe drought stress, linear electron flow showed a sharp decrease in comparison to CEF. CEF play a major role in G. hirsutum leaves during mild as well as under severe water stress condition and is thus a good indicator of water stress.
Does Walkability Influence Housing Prices?
Authors: Boyle Austin , Barrilleaux Charles , Scheller Daniel 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveWe examine the effects of neighborhood walkability on house values. Recent research claims that walkability makes homes more valuable, ceteris paribus. We contend that some studies report a spurious effect of walkability because of differences between areas with high and low walkability.MethodsWe replicate the positive effect of walkability on prices for single‐family homes and condominiums in Miami, Florida, using a unique data set of house values and characteristics. We employ a fixed effects regression model instead of a traditional ordinary least squares regression model to account for the unobserved heterogeneity of neighborhoods.ResultsWe find that walkability's impact on housing value becomes statistically insignificant at the margin after controlling for heteroscedasticity and neighborhood fixed effects.ConclusionsThe significant impact of the fixed effects suggests that something other than walkability is affecting prices and that better specified models are needed to discern the real price effects of walkability.
The application of sparse arrays in high frequency transcranial focused ultrasound therapy: A simulation study
Authors: Pajek Daniel , Hynynen Kullervo 
Published: November 2013

Purpose:Transcranial focused ultrasound is an emerging therapeutic modality that can be used to perform noninvasive neurosurgical procedures. The current clinical transcranial phased array operates at 650 kHz, however the development of a higher frequency array would enable more precision, while reducing the risk of standing waves. However, the smaller wavelength and the skullˈs increased distortion at this frequency are problematic. It would require an order of magnitude more elements to create such an array. Random sparse arrays enable steering of a therapeutic array with fewer elements. However, the tradeoffs inherent in the use of sparsity in a transcranial phased array have not been systematically investigated and so the objective of this simulation study is to investigate the effect of sparsity on transcranial arrays at a frequency of 1.5 MHz that provides small focal spots for precise exposure control.Methods:Transcranial sonication simulations were conducted using a multilayer Rayleigh‐Sommerfeld propagation model. Element size and element population were varied and the phased arrayˈs ability to steer was assessed.Results:The focal pressures decreased proportionally as elements were removed. However, off‐focus hotspots were generated if a high degree of steering was attempted with very sparse arrays. A phased array consisting of 1588 elements 3 mm in size, a 10% population, was appropriate for steering up to 4 cm in all directions. However, a higher element population would be required if near‐skull sonication is desired.Conclusions:This study demonstrated that the development of a sparse, hemispherical array at 1.5 MHz could enable more precision in therapies that utilize lower intensity sonications.
Widespread Dissemination of CTX-M-15 Genotype Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae among Patients Presenting to Community Hospitals in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Chen Luke F. , Freeman Joshua T. , Nicholson Brad , Keiger Anna , Lancaster Sarah , Joyce Maria , Woods Christopher W. , Cook Evelyn , Adcock Linda , Louis Susan , Cromer Andrea L. , Sexton Daniel J. , Anderson Deverick J. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms are increasingly prevalent. We determined the characteristics of 66 consecutive ESBL-producing isolates from six community hospitals in North Carolina and Virginia from 2010 to 2012. Fifty-three (80%) ESBL-producing isolates contained CTX-M enzymes; CTX-M-15 was found in 68% of
Escherichia coli
and 73% of
Klebsiella
isolates. Sequence type 131 (ST131) was the commonest type of
E. coli
, accounting for 48% of CTX-M-15-producing and 66% of CTX-M-14-producing isolates. In conclusion, the CTX-M genotype and ST131
E. coli
were common among ESBL isolates from U.S. community hospitals.
Biocide Activity against Urinary Catheter Pathogens
Authors: Malic Sladjana , Jordan Rachael P. C. , Waters Mark G. J. , Stickler David J. , Williams David W. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial effects of essential oils against bacteria associated with urinary catheter infection was assessed. Tests were performed on 14 different bacterial species cultured either planktonically or as biofilms. Biofilms were found to be up to 8-fold more tolerant of the test agents. Higher antimicrobial tolerance was also evident in tests conducted in artificial urine. Eugenol exhibited higher antimicrobial effects against both planktonic cells and biofilms than did terpinen, tea tree oil, and cineole.
Activity of Imipenem against Klebsiella pneumoniae Biofilms
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: Chen Ping , Seth Akhil K. , Abercrombie Johnathan J. , Mustoe Thomas A. , Leung Kai P. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

Encapsulated
Klebsiella pneumoniae
has emerged as one of the most clinically relevant and more frequently encountered opportunistic pathogens in combat wounds as the result of nosocomial infection. In this report, we show that imipenem displayed potent activity against established
K. pneumoniae
biofilms under both static and flow conditions
in vitro
. Using a rabbit ear model, we also demonstrated that imipenem was highly effective against preformed
K. pneumoniae
biofilms in wounds.
Antiapicoplast and Gametocytocidal Screening To Identify the Mechanisms of Action of Compounds within the Malaria Box
Authors: Bowman Jessica D. , Merino Emilio F. , Brooks Carrie F. , Striepen Boris , Carlier Paul R. , Cassera Maria B. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

Malaria remains a significant infectious disease that causes millions of clinical cases and >800,000 deaths per year. The Malaria Box is a collection of 400 commercially available chemical entities that have antimalarial activity. The collection contains 200 drug-like compounds, based on their oral absorption and the presence of known toxicophores, and 200 probe-like compounds, which are intended to represent a broad structural diversity. These compounds have confirmed activities against the asexual intraerythrocytic stages of
Plasmodium falciparum
and low cytotoxicities, but their mechanisms of action and their activities in other stages of the parasite's life cycle remain to be determined. The apicoplast is considered to be a promising source of malaria-specific targets, and its main function during intraerythrocytic stages is to provide the isoprenoid precursor isopentenyl diphosphate, which can be used for phenotype-based screens to identify compounds targeting this organelle. We screened 400 compounds from the Malaria Box using apicoplast-targeting phenotypic assays to identify their potential mechanisms of action. We identified one compound that specifically targeted the apicoplast. Further analyses indicated that the molecular target of this compound may differ from those of the current antiapicoplast drugs, such as fosmidomycin. Moreover, in our efforts to elucidate the mechanisms of action of compounds from the Malaria Box, we evaluated their activities against other stages of the life cycle of the parasite. Gametocytes are the transmission stage of the malaria parasite and are recognized as a priority target in efforts to eradicate malaria. We identified 12 compounds that were active against gametocytes with 50% inhibitory concentration values of <1 μM.