bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Remittances and Financial Access: Is There Really a Link and for Whom? Evidence from Mexican Household Data
Authors: Ambrosius Christian 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn policy discussions, it has frequently been claimed that migrants' remittances could function as a ‘catalyst’ for financial access among receiving households. This paper provides empirical evidence on this hypothesis from Mexico, a major receiver of remittances worldwide. Using the Mexican Family Life Survey panel (MxFLS) for 2002 and 2005, the results from the fixed effects logit model show that receiving remittances is strongly correlated with the ownership of savings accounts and to a limited degree with the availability of borrowing options. Effects are particularly important for microfinance institutions, and more important for rural households compared to urban households.
Alopecia areata universalis in a dog
Authors: Ginel Pedro J. , Blanco Beatriz , Pérez‐Aranda María , Zafra Rafael , Mozos Elena 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundAlopecia areata is a T‐cell mediated autoimmune disease that occurs in humans and various other mammalian species. When the disease progresses to total alopecia it is defined as alopecia areata universalis (AAU), although this outcome has only been described in humans.Hypothesis/objectivesTo describe a case of canine alopecia areata universalis and its clinical outcome after 22 months of follow‐up.AnimalA 9‐year‐old intact male cross‐breed hunting dog was presented with generalized and complete noninflammatory alopecia of 12–14 months duration.MethodsClinical examination; histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of skin biopsies.ResultsThere was loss of all body hair including eyelashes and vibrissae. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings supported a diagnosis of long‐standing alopecia areata. Treatment with oral ciclosporin was associated with hair regrowth but muzzle hair, most eyelashes and whiskers were still lacking after 17 months of therapy.Conclusions and clinical importanceTo the best of the author's knowledge this is the first documented case of canine AAU. The clinical and histopathological features were consistent with a diagnosis of AAU as defined in humans. Treatment with oral ciclosporin resulted in near complete resolution of the alopecia, but after 5 months without treatment the alopecia did not relapse and spontaneous resolution cannot be ruled out.
Efficient imaging of midbrain nuclei using inverse double‐echo steady‐state acquisition a)
Authors: Wu Ming‐Long , Chang Hing‐Chiu , Chao Tzu‐Cheng , Chen Nan‐Kuei 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:Imaging of midbrain nuclei using T2‐ or T2*‐weighted MRI often entails long echo time, leading to long scan time. In this study, an inverse double‐echo steady‐state (iDESS) technique is proposed for efficiently depicting midbrain nuclei.Methods:Thirteen healthy subjects participated in this study. iDESS was performed along with two sets of T2*‐weighted spoiled gradient‐echo images (SPGR1, with scan time identical to iDESS and SPGR2, using clinical scanning parameters as a reference standard) for comparison. Generation of iDESS composite images combining two echo signals was optimized for maximal contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) between the red nuclei and surrounding tissues. Signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) were calculated from the occipital lobe. Comparison was also made using phase‐enhanced images as in standard susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI).Results:The iDESS images present significantly higher SNR efficiency (171.3) than SPGR1 (158.7, p = 0.013) and SPGR2 (95.5, p < 10−8). iDESS CNR efficiency (19.2) is also significantly greater than SPGR1 (6.9, p < 10−6) and SPGR2 (14.3, p = 0.0016). Compared with DESS, iDESS provides further advantage on enhanced phase information and hence improved contrast on SWI‐processed images.Conclusions:iDESS efficiently depicts midbrain nuclei with improved CNR efficiency, increased SNR efficiency, and reduced scan time and is less prone to susceptibility signal loss from air‐tissue interfaces.
The Ribosomal S10 Protein Is a General Target for Decreased Tigecycline Susceptibility
Authors: Beabout Kathryn , Hammerstrom Troy G. , Perez Anisha Maria , Magalhães Bárbara Freitas , Prater Amy G. , Clements Thomas P. , Arias Cesar A. , Saxer Gerda , Shamoo Yousif 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Tigecycline is a translational inhibitor with efficacy against a wide range of pathogens. Using experimental evolution, we adapted
Acinetobacter baumannii
,
Enterococcus faecium
,
Escherichia coli
, and
Staphylococcus aureus
to growth in elevated tigecycline concentrations. At the end of adaptation, 35 out of 47 replicate populations had clones with a mutation in
rpsJ
, the gene that encodes the ribosomal S10 protein. To validate the role of mutations in
rpsJ
in conferring tigecycline resistance, we showed that mutation of
rpsJ
alone in
Enterococcus faecalis
was sufficient to increase the tigecycline MIC to the clinical breakpoint of 0.5 μg/ml. Importantly, we also report the first identification of
rpsJ
mutations associated with decreased tigecycline susceptibility in
A. baumannii
,
E. coli
, and
S. aureus
. The identified S10 mutations across both Gram-positive and -negative species cluster in the vertex of an extended loop that is located near the tigecycline-binding pocket within the 16S rRNA. These data indicate that S10 is a general target of tigecycline adaptation and a relevant marker for detecting reduced susceptibility in both Gram-positive and -negative pathogens.
Resistance to the Antimicrobial Agent Fosmidomycin and an FR900098 Prodrug through Mutations in the Deoxyxylulose Phosphate Reductoisomerase Gene (
dxr
)
Authors: Armstrong Christopher M. , Meyers David J. , Imlay Leah S. , Freel Meyers Caren , Odom Audrey R. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

There is a pressing need for new antimicrobial therapies to combat globally important drug-resistant human pathogens, including
Plasmodium falciparum
malarial parasites,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, and Gram-negative bacteria, including
Escherichia coli
. These organisms all possess the essential methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis, which is not found in humans. The first dedicated enzyme of the MEP pathway, 1-deoxy-
d
-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (Dxr), is inhibited by the phosphonic acid antibiotic fosmidomycin and its analogs, including the
N
-acetyl analog FR900098 and the phosphoryl analog fosfoxacin. In order to identify mutations in
dxr
that confer resistance to these drugs, a library of
E. coli
dxr
mutants was screened at lethal fosmidomycin doses. The most resistant allele (with the S222T mutation) alters the fosmidomycin-binding site of Dxr. The expression of this resistant allele increases bacterial resistance to fosmidomycin and other fosmidomycin analogs by 10-fold. These observations confirm that the primary cellular target of fosmidomycin is Dxr. Furthermore, cell lines expressing Dxr-S222T will be a powerful tool to confirm the mechanisms of action of future fosmidomycin analogs.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Continuous-Infusion Meropenem in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients
Authors: Cojutti Piergiorgio , Maximova Natalia , Pea Federico 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTThis study explored the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of continuous-infusion meropenem in a population of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients who underwent therapeutic drug monitoring. The relationship between meropenem clearance (CLM) and estimated creatinine clearance (CLCR) was assessed by nonlinear regression. A Monte Carlo simulation was performed to investigate the predictive performance of five dosing regimens (15 to 90 mg/kg of body weight/day) for the empirical treatment of severe Gram-negative-related infections in relation to four different categories of renal function. The optimal target was defined as a probability of target attainment (PTA) of ≥90% at steady-state concentration-to-MIC ratios (CSS/MIC) of ≥1 and ≥4 for MICs of up to 8 mg/liter. A total of 21 patients with 44 meropenemCSSwere included. A good relationship between CLMand estimated CLCRwas observed (r2= 0.733). Simulations showed that at an MIC of 2 mg/liter, the administration of continuous-infusion meropenem at doses of 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg/day may achieve a PTA of ≥90% at aCSS/MIC ratio of ≥4 in the CLCRcategories of 40 to <80, 80 to <120, 120 to <200, and 200 to <300 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. At an MIC of 8 mg/liter, doses of up to 90 mg/kg/day by continuous infusion may achieve optimal PTA only in the CLCRcategories of 40 to <80 and 80 to <120 ml/min/1.73 m2. Continuous-infusion meropenem at dosages up to 90 mg/kg/day might be effective for optimal treatment of severe Gram-negative-related infections in pediatric HSCT patients, even when caused by carbapenem-resistant pathogens with an MIC of up to 8 mg/liter.
ELQ-300 Prodrugs for Enhanced Delivery and Single-Dose Cure of Malaria
Authors: Miley Galen P. , Pou Sovitj , Winter Rolf , Nilsen Aaron , Li Yuexin , Kelly Jane X. , Stickles Allison M. , Mather Michael W. , Forquer Isaac P. , Pershing April M. , White Karen , Shackleford David , Saunders Jessica , Chen Gong , Ting Li-Min , Kim Kami , Zakharov Lev N. , Donini Cristina , Burrows Jeremy N. , Vaidya Akhil B. , Charman Susan A. , Riscoe Michael K. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

ELQ-300 is a preclinical candidate that targets the liver and blood stages of
Plasmodium falciparum
, as well as the forms that are crucial to transmission of disease: gametocytes, zygotes, and ookinetes. A significant obstacle to the clinical development of ELQ-300 is related to its physicochemical properties. Its relatively poor aqueous solubility and high crystallinity limit absorption to the degree that only low blood concentrations can be achieved following oral dosing. While these low blood concentrations are sufficient for therapy, the levels are too low to establish an acceptable safety margin required by regulatory agencies for clinical development. One way to address the challenging physicochemical properties of ELQ-300 is through the development of prodrugs. Here, we profile ELQ-337, a bioreversible O-linked carbonate ester prodrug of the parent molecule. At the molar equivalent dose of 3 mg/kg of body weight, the delivery of ELQ-300 from ELQ-337 is enhanced by 3- to 4-fold, reaching a maximum concentration of drug in serum (
C
max
) of 5.9 μM by 6 h after oral administration, and unlike ELQ-300 at any dose, ELQ-337 provides single-dose cures of patent malaria infections in mice at low-single-digit milligram per kilogram doses. Our findings show that the prodrug strategy represents a viable approach to overcome the physicochemical limitations of ELQ-300 to deliver the active drug to the bloodstream at concentrations sufficient for safety and toxicology studies, as well as achieving single-dose cures.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.
bulgaricus
CRL871, a Folate-Producing Strain Isolated from a Northwestern Argentinian Yogurt
Authors: Laiño Jonathan Emiliano , Hebert Elvira María , Savoy de Giori Graciela , LeBlanc Jean Guy 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Lactobacillus delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
CRL871 is the first strain of
L. delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
reported as a folate-producing strain. We report the draft genome sequence of
L. delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
CRL871 (2,063,981 bp, G+C content of 49.1%). This strain is of great biotechnological importance to the dairy industry because it constitutes an alternative to folic acid fortification.
Evolution of the Immune Response to Chronic Airway Colonization with Aspergillus fumigatus Hyphae
Authors: Urb Mirjam , Snarr Brendan D. , Wojewodka Gabriella , Lehoux Mélanie , Lee Mark J. , Ralph Benjamin , Divangahi Maziar , King Irah L. , McGovern Toby K. , Martin James G. , Fraser Richard , Radzioch Danuta , Sheppard Donald C. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTAirway colonization by the moldAspergillus fumigatusis common in patients with underlying lung disease and is associated with chronic airway inflammation. Studies probing the inflammatory response to colonization withA. fumigatushyphae have been hampered by the lack of a model of chronic colonization in immunocompetent mice. By infecting mice intratracheally with conidia embedded in agar beads (Af beads), we have established anin vivomodel to study the natural history of airway colonization with liveA. fumigatushyphae. Histopathological examination and galactomannan assay of lung homogenates demonstrated that hyphae exited beads and persisted in the lungs of mice up to 28 days postinfection without invasive disease. Fungal lesions within the airways were surrounded by a robust neutrophilic inflammatory reaction and peribronchial infiltration of lymphocytes. Whole-lung cytokine analysis from Af bead-infected mice revealed an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines early in infection. Evidence of a Th2 type response was observed only early in the course of colonization, including increased levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), elevated IgE levels in serum, and a mild increase in airway responsiveness. Pulmonary T cell subset analysis during infection mirrored these results with an initial transient increase in IL-4-producing CD4+T cells, followed by a rise in IL-17 and Foxp3+cells by day 14. These results provide the first report of the evolution of the immune response toA. fumigatushyphal colonization.
How Biofilms Evade Host Defenses
Authors: Roilides Emmanuel , Simitsopoulou Maria , Katragkou Aspasia , Walsh Thomas J. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT
The steps involved during the biofilm growth cycle include attachment to a substrate followed by more permanent adherence of the microorganisms, microcolony arrangement, and cell detachment required for the dissemination of single or clustered cells to other organ systems. Various methods have been developed for biofilm detection and quantitation. Biofilm-producing microorganisms can be detected in tissue culture plates, using silicone tubes and staining methods, and by visual assessment using scanning electron microscopy or confocal scanning laser microscopy. Quantitative measurement of biofilm growth is determined by using methods that include dry cell weight assays, colony-forming-unit counting, DNA quantification, or XTT 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide reduction assay. Upon infection, innate immune defense strategies are able to establish an immediate response through effector mechanisms mediated by immune cells, receptors, and several humoral factors. We present an overview of the life cycle of biofilms and their diversity, detection methods for biofilm development, and host immune responses to pathogens. We then focus on current concepts in bacterial and fungal biofilm immune evasion mechanisms. This appears to be of particular importance because the use of host immune responses may represent a novel therapeutic approach against biofilms.
Modeling the Epidemiology of Cholera to Prevent Disease Transmission in Developing Countries
Authors: Mukandavire Zindoga , Morris J. Glenn 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Cholera remains an important global cause of morbidity and mortality, which is capable of causing periodic epidemic disease. A number of mathematical models have been developed to help in understanding the dynamics of cholera outbreaks and for use as a tool in planning interventions, including vaccination campaigns. We have explored the utility of models in assessing the spread of cholera in the recent epidemics in Zimbabwe and Haiti. In both instances, a mathematical model was formulated and fitted to cumulative cholera cases to estimate the basic reproductive number ℛ
0
, and the partial reproductive numbers reflecting potential differences in environmental-to-human versus human-to-human transmission were quantified. In Zimbabwe, estimated ℛ
0
for the epidemic using aggregated data at the national level was 1.15; in Haiti, it was 1.55. However, when calculated at a provincial/departmental level, estimated basic reproductive numbers were highly heterogeneous, with a range of 1.11 to 2.72 in Zimbabwe and 1.06 to 2.63 in Haiti. Our models suggest that the underlying patterns of cholera transmission varied widely from region to region, with a corresponding variation in the amenability of outbreaks to control measures such as immunization. These data underscore the heterogeneity of transmission dynamics, potentially linked to differences in environment, socio-economic conditions, and cultural practices. They also highlight the potential utility of these types of models in guiding development of public health intervention strategies.
Presence of anti-GAD in a non-diabetic population of adults; time dynamics and clinical influence: results from the HUNT study
Authors: Sørgjerd Elin Pettersen , Thorsby Per M , Torjesen Peter A , Skorpen Frank , Kvaløy Kirsti , Grill Valdemar 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundIt is well known that anti-GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) serves as a marker for development of autoimmune diabetes in adults. On the other hand, the clinical implications of anti-GAD positivity in persistently non-diabetic (PND) adults are poorly elucidated. Our aim was to establish the frequency of anti-GAD in PNDs in an all-population-based cohort from the Nord-Trøndelag health study (HUNT) and to prospectively test for associations with glucose tolerance and thyroid autoimmunity.MethodsWe formed a primary study population (4496 individuals), selected randomly from the age group 20–90 years (50% men/women), who were non-diabetic both at HUNT2 (1995–1997) and HUNT3 (2006–2008). Anti-GAD-positive individuals at HUNT2, together with anti-GAD-negative individuals aged 20–29 years, were retested for anti-GAD positivity at HUNT3. A secondary study population consisted of individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D, n=349) at HUNT3 who developed diabetes between HUNT2 and HUNT3.ResultsThe frequency of anti-GAD positivity in PND was 1.7% (n=76) at HUNT2. Positivity did not associate with gender, family history of diabetes, or glucose levels, but was associated with thyroid-associated autoimmunity (increased frequency of positivity for anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase), p<0.002). HLA-DQA1/DQB1, a risk haplotype for autoimmunity, was also associated with anti-GAD positivity in PND. The incidence of anti-GAD positivity was low (0.4%) in the subsample of individuals who were anti-GAD negative in HUNT2. Anti-GAD positivity in PNDs was frequently evanescent, with 54% losing, usually low-grade, positivity between HUNT2 and HUNT3. An evanescent state of autoimmunity as assessed by anti-GAD positivity during “pre-diabetes” in individuals later diagnosed with T2D could, however, not be affirmed.ConclusionsAnti-GAD positivity in PND is associated with HLA risk haplotypes and thyroid autoimmunity but not with clinical parameters of diabetes. Fleeting anti-GAD positivity is common; however, results do not support the notion of a history of autoimmunity in T2D in the present cohort.
Association of endothelial lipase gene−384A/C with coronary artery disease in Han Chinese people
Authors: Xie Liang , Sun Yan , Tong Yu , Liu Ying , Deng Ying 
Published: June 2015

ObjectivesThe endothelial lipase gene (LIPG) is one of the important genes in the metabolism of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and may be involved in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD).Materials and methodsTo investigate the relationship between the common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) 584C/T (rs2000813) and −384A/C (rs3813082) in theLIPGgene and CAD, allele and genotype frequencies of the two SNPs were analysed in 287 Chinese patients with CAD and 367 controls by the high-resolution melting curve (HRM) method.ResultsFor 584C/T, no significant difference in polymorphic distribution was observed between patients and controls. However, the frequencies of allele C (20.2% vs 15%, p=0.013, OR=1.437, 95% CI 1.078 to 1.915) at −384A/C were significantly increased in patients compared with controls. Haplotype analysis also showed that haplotype CT (12.37% vs 8.72%, p=0.035, OR=1.478, 95% CI 1.034 to 2.112) was significantly higher in patients compared with controls.ConclusionsThese results suggested that the SNP −384A/C in the LIPG gene may be associated with risk for CAD and theLIPGgene may play a role in CAD in the Han Chinese.
Prevalence and predictors of initial oral antibiotic treatment failure in adult emergency department patients with cellulitis: a pilot study
Authors: Quirke Michael , Boland Fiona , Fahey Tom , O'Sullivan Ronan , Hill Arnold , Stiell Ian , Wakai Abel 
Published: June 2015

IntroductionAssessment of cellulitis severity in the emergency department (ED) setting is problematic. Given the lack of research performed to describe the epidemiology and management of cellulitis, it is unsurprising that heterogeneous antibiotic prescribing and poor adherence to guidelines is common. It has been shown that up to 20.5% of ED patients with cellulitis require either a change in route or dose of the initially prescribed antibiotic regimen. The current treatment failure rate for empirically prescribed oral antibiotic therapy in Irish EDs is unknown. The association of patient risk factors with treatment failure has not been described in our setting. Lower prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus-associated infection, differing antibiotic prescribing preferences and varying availability of outpatient intravenous therapy programmes may result in different rates of empiric antibiotic treatment failure from those previously described.Methods and analysisConsecutive ED patients with cellulitis will be enrolled on a 24/7 basis from 3 Irish EDs. A prespecified set of clinical variables will be measured on each patient discharged on empiric oral antibiotic therapy. A second independent study recruiter will assess at least 10% of cases for each of the predictor variables. Follow-up by telephone call will occur at 14 days for all discharged patients where measurement of the primary outcome will occur. Our primary outcome is treatment failure, defined as a change in route of antibiotic administration from oral to intravenous antibiotic. Our secondary outcome is change in dose or type of prescribed antibiotic. A cohort of approximately 152 patients is required to estimate the proportion of patients failing oral antibiotic treatment with a margin of error of 0.05 around the estimate.Ethics and disseminationFull ethics approval has been granted. An integrated dissemination plan, involving diverse clinical specialties and enrolled patients, is described.Trial registration numberNCT 02230813.