bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preventive use of a hepatoprotectant against anti‐tuberculosis drug‐induced liver injury: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Simin , Pan Hongqiu , Peng Xianzhen , Lu Hui , Fan Hong , Zheng Xianzhi , Xu Guisheng , Wang Min , Wang Jianming 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground and AimHepatoprotectants are routinely prescribed in China to prevent anti‐tuberculosis drug‐induced liver injury (ATLI). However, their biological mechanisms have not yet been clearly demonstrated. This study aims to evaluate the preventive effects of Silybum marianum against drug‐induced liver injury among tuberculosis patients and to provide clinical guidelines for tuberculosis management in China.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was performed in Jiangsu, China. Tuberculosis patients were randomly allocated to the experimental group (anti‐tuberculosis therapy plus S. marianum capsule) or the control group (anti‐tuberculosis therapy plus vitamin C tablet). The primary outcomes were the occurrence of probable and possible ATLI, the peak aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio and the maximum altered alkaline phosphatase or gamma‐glutamyl transferase.ResultsThe final analysis comprised 183 cases in the experiment group and 187 cases in the control group. The risk of developing probable ATLI was not significantly different between the two groups. During the follow‐up period, 43.72% of cases in the experiment group and 35.83% of cases in the control group were determined to have possible ATLI (relative risk = 1.23, 95% confidence interval: 0.94–1.54). When using a more strict definition of possible ATLI, the adjusted relative risk (95% confidence interval) was 1.76 (1.14–2.56). The risks of adverse drug reactions, prolonged treatment length, taking second‐line tuberculosis drugs, and the clearance of tuberculosis bacteria were similar between the two groups.ConclusionsNo significant preventive effect of silymarin was found for either lowering the risk of liver injury or boosting the positive outcomes. Worse, we even found a potential risk of liver damage caused by the hepatoprotectant.
Executive function in paediatric medulloblastoma: The role of cerebrocerebellar connections
Authors: Law Nicole , Smith Mary Lou , Greenberg Mark , Bouffet Eric , Taylor Michael D. , Laughlin Suzanne , Malkin David , Liu Fang , Moxon‐Emre Iska , Scantlebury Nadia , Mabbott Donald 
Published: August 2015

Executive functions (EFs) are involved in the attainment, maintenance, and integration of information; these functions may play a key role in cognitive and behavioural outcomes in children treated for medulloblastoma (MB). At present, it remains unclear which EFs are most sensitive to the treatment effects for MB and whether damage to cerebrocerebellar circuitry is associated with EF. We completed a comprehensive evaluation of EF in 24 children treated for MB and 20 age‐matched healthy children (HC) and distilled these measures into components. Six components (C1–C6) were extracted from our model, reflecting dissociable constructs of EF: C1 = cognitive efficiency; C2 = planning/problem‐solving; C3 = positive cognitive emotion regulation; C4 = working memory; C5 = negative cognitive emotion regulation; and C6 = mixed cognitive emotion regulation. Group differences were found for C1, C2, C3, and C4; the MB group showed poorer performance on EF tasks and made less use of positive cognitive emotion regulation strategies relative to HC. Compromise to cerebrocerebellar microstructure – cerebro‐ponto‐cerebellar and cerebello‐thalamo‐cerebral pathways – was evident in children treated for MB compared to HC. We found that cerebrocerebellar circuitry has a mediating effect on one component of EF following treatment for MB – working memory.
Navigating the System: How Transgender Individuals Engage in Health Care Services
Authors: Roller Cyndi Gale , Sedlak Carol , Draucker Claire Burke 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPurposeTransgender individuals (TIs) experience a number of healthcare disparities that result in compromised access to health care, placing them at high risk for poor health outcomes. Despite their unique health concerns, there is little known about how they engage in health care. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to construct a theoretical framework that depicts the process by which transgender individuals engage in health care.MethodsIn this grounded theory study, data from interviews with 25 individuals who self‐identified as transgender were used to develop a theoretical framework that depicts the process by which TIs engage in health care. Data analysis included open coding, category formation, and theoretical coding. Constant comparative analysis was used to facilitate theory generation.ConclusionsThe central phenomenon of how TIs engage in health care was the core process of navigating the system. The core process involves four subprocesses: needing to move forward, doing due diligence, finding loopholes, and making it work.Clinical RelevanceThe theoretical framework of navigating the system can provide healthcare providers with a way to understand how TIs engage in health care as they move through the subprocesses of moving forward, doing due diligence, finding loopholes, and making it work in order to get their healthcare needs met. With a better understanding of the healthcare journeys of TIs, healthcare providers can provide better care for this population and advocate for change in policies that contribute to the health disparities TIs experience.
Transformation of Ulva mutabilis (Chlorophyta) by vector plasmids integrating into the genome
Authors: Oertel Wolfgang , Wichard Thomas , Weissgerber Adelheid 
Published: August 2015

A method for the stable transformation of the green marine macroalga Ulva mutabilis was developed based on vector plasmids integrating into the genome. By combination of the expression signals (promoter, enhancer, and transcriptional termination sequences) of a chromosomal rbcS gene from U. mutabilis with the bleomycin resistance gene (ble) from Streptoalloteichus hindustanus, a dominant selectable marker gene was constructed for the preparation of a series of E. coli—U. mutabilis shuttle vector plasmids. Special vectors were prepared for the introduction and expression of foreign genes in Ulva, for insertional mutagenesis and gene tagging by plasmid integration into the genome, and for protein tagging by the green fluorescent protein, as well as tools for posttranscriptional gene silencing and cosmid cloning to prepare genomic gene libraries for mutant gene complementation. The vectors were successfully tested in pilot experiments, where they were efficiently introduced into Ulva gametes, zoospores or protoplasts of somatic blade cells by treatment with Ca2+‐ions and polyethylene glycol under isotonic conditions at low ionic strength. The parthenogenetically propagated phleomycin‐resistant transformants of the mutant slender (sl) and the wildtype (wt) were demonstrated to be carrying the plasmids randomly integrated into the chromosomes often as tandem repeat clusters.
Cell surface‐associated aggregation‐promoting factor from Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 facilitates host colonization and competitive exclusion of Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Nishiyama Keita , Nakazato Akiko , Ueno Shintaro , Seto Yasuyuki , Kakuda Tsutomu , Takai Shinji , Yamamoto Yuji , Mukai Takao 
Published: August 2015

SummaryCampylobacter jejuni, one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis worldwide, is transmitted to humans through poultry. We previously reported that Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) reduced C. jejuni infection in human epithelial cells in vitro and inhibited pathogen colonization of chickens in vivo. This suggested that the LG2055 adhesion and/or co‐aggregation phenotype mediated by cell‐surface aggregation‐promoting factors (APFs) may be important for the competitive exclusion of C. jejuni. Here, we show that cell surface‐associated APF1 promoted LG2055 self‐aggregation and adhesion to human epithelial cells and exhibited high affinity for the extracellular matrix component fibronectin. These effects were absent in the apf1 knockout mutant, indicating the role of APF1 in LG2055‐mediated inhibition of C. jejuni in epithelial cells and chicken colonization. Similar to APF1, APF2 promoted the co‐aggregation of LG2055 and C. jejuni but did not inhibit C. jejuni infection. Our data suggest a pivotal role for APF1 in mediating the interaction of LG2055 with human intestinal cells and in inhibiting C. jejuni colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. We thus provide new insight into the health‐promoting effects of probiotics and mechanisms of competitive exclusion in poultry. Further research is needed to determine whether the probiotic strains reach the epithelial surface.
Identification and selection of normalization controls for quantitative transcript analysis in Blumeria graminis
Authors: Pennington Helen G. , Li Linhan , Spanu Pietro D. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe investigation of obligate biotrophic pathogens, for example Blumeria graminis, presents a number of challenges. The sensitivity of many assays is reduced because of the presence of host material. Furthermore, the fungal structures inside and outside of the plant possess very different characteristics. Normalization genes are used in quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to compensate for changes as a result of the quantity and quality of template material. Such genes are used as references against which genes of interest are compared, enabling true quantification. Here, we identified six potential B. graminis and five barley genes for qPCR normalization. The relative changes in abundance of the transcripts were assayed across an infection time course in barley epidermis, in B. graminis epiphytic structures and haustoria. The B. graminis glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (ACT) and histone 3 (H3) genes and the barley GAPDH, ubiquitin (UBI) and α‐tubulin 2B (TUBA2B) genes were optimal normalization controls for qPCR during the infection cycle. These genes were then used for normalization in the quantification of the members of a Candidate Secreted Effector Protein (CSEP) family 21, a conidia‐specific gene and barley genes encoding putative interactors of CSEP0064. The analysis demonstrates the importance of identifying which reference genes are appropriate for each investigation.
Cell‐mediated and humoral acute vascular rejection and graft loss: A registry study
Authors: Teo Rachel ZC , Wong Germaine , Russ Graeme R , Lim Wai H 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimsRejection of renal allografts following transplantation continues to be a major impediment to long‐term graft survival. Although acute vascular rejection (AVR) is associated with a high risk of graft loss, it remains unclear whether AVR with accompanied cellular or acute humoral rejection (AHR) have dissimilar outcomes. The aim of this registry study was to examine the association between subtypes of AVR and graft loss.MethodsUsing Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant registry, primary kidney transplant recipients between 2005 and 2012 whose first rejection episode was AVR were included and categorized into AVR‐none (AVR without other rejections), AVR‐CG (AVR with cellular and/or glomerular rejections), and AVR‐AHR (AVR with AHR). Association between AVR groups and graft loss was examined using logistic and Cox regression models.ResultsOf the 274 recipients, 61 (22.3%) experienced AVR‐none, 79 (28.8%) AVR‐AHR and 134 (48.9%) AVR‐CG. Compared with AVR‐none and AVR‐CG, AVR‐AHR was associated with the highest incidence of overall graft loss at 3 months (12%, 10% and 27%, respectively, χ2 = 11.88, P = 0.003). AVR‐AHR was associated with almost a threefold greater risk of death‐censored graft loss compared with AVR‐none (adjusted hazard ratio 2.84, 95% confidence interval 1.22–2.62, P < 0.01).ConclusionAVR‐AHR is associated with the poorest outcome with over 25% of grafts being lost 3 months after transplantation. Future studies evaluating factors that predict graft loss in AVR‐AHR may help determine prognosis and inform treatment practices.
Successful use of ultrasound‐guided caudal catheter in a child with a very low termination of dural sac and Opitz–GBBB syndrome: a case report
Authors: Mislovic Branislav 
Published: August 2015

SummaryWe report a 2‐year‐old patient with Opitz–GBBB syndrome scheduled for a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP). The ultrasound scan revealed the inferior end of dural sac just below sacrococcygeal membrane, although the patient had previously two successful caudal epidural blocks. Consequently, the epidural catheter was inserted under a real‐time ultrasound guidance without dural puncture. Our patient had excellent pain relief without any side effects.
Current prescription pattern of maintenance treatments for bipolar patients in Korea: A focus on the transition from acute treatments
Authors: Song Hoo Rim , Kwon Young‐Joon , Bahk Won‐Myong , Woo Young Sup , Lee Hwang‐Bin , Lee Jonghun , Lee Dae‐Bo , Lee Sang‐Yeol , Kim Moon‐Doo , Won Seunghee , Lee Kwanghun , Sohn Inki , Lee Jung Goo , Shin Young‐Chul , Chung Sangkeun , Jang Saeheon , Jae Young Myo , Yoon Bo‐Hyun 
Published: August 2015

AimsWe examined prescription patterns in maintenance treatment for recovered bipolar patients and compared these with acute treatments.MethodsUsing retrospective methods, the bipolar patients in clinical recovery (Clinical Global Impression Bipolar Version score ≤ 2 for 6 months) after acute episode were selected. We reviewed differences between prescription patterns at remission and after a maintenance period of at least 6 months.ResultsA total of 340 bipolar disorder patients were selected. During the maintenance period, more than half of the patients (192, 56.5%) took a mood stabilizer (MS) + antipsychotic (AP) combination. Among the MS, valproate (149, 43.8%) was most prescribed, and lithium (98, 28.8%) was second, but as patients moved into maintenance treatment, lithium use decreased, and the use of lamotrigine (86, 25.3%) increased. Preferred AP were quetiapine (125, 36.8%), aripiprazole (67, 19.7%), risperidone (48, 14.1%), and olanzapine (39, 11.5%). The use of olanzapine in maintenance was greatly decreased compared with that during acute treatment (67, 19.7%). Most patients did not take an antidepressant (AD), but the proportion using one or more AD was increased during maintenance (17.9% to 30.3%), and bupropion (28, 8.2%) was the preferred AD. Doses were decreased in all drugs, but lamotrigine was maintained at a dose of 133.2 ± 68.5 mg/day.ConclusionsThe most common prescription combination for bipolar maintenance treatment was MS + AP. The use of AP was decreased, whereas the use of AD in combination with MS and/or AP was increased. The doses of MS and AP were generally decreased during the maintenance periods, with the exception of lamotrigine.
Identification of a flavin‐containing S‐oxygenating monooxygenase involved in alliin biosynthesis in garlic
Authors: Yoshimoto Naoko , Onuma Misato , Mizuno Shinya , Sugino Yuka , Nakabayashi Ryo , Imai Shinsuke , Tsuneyoshi Tadamitsu , Sumi Shin‐ichiro , Saito Kazuki 
Published: August 2015

SummaryS‐Alk(en)yl‐l‐cysteine sulfoxides are cysteine‐derived secondary metabolites highly accumulated in the genus Allium. Despite pharmaceutical importance, the enzymes that contribute to the biosynthesis of S‐alk‐(en)yl‐l‐cysteine sulfoxides in Allium plants remain largely unknown. Here, we report the identification of a flavin‐containing monooxygenase, AsFMO1, in garlic (Allium sativum), which is responsible for the S‐oxygenation reaction in the biosynthesis of S‐allyl‐l‐cysteine sulfoxide (alliin). Recombinant AsFMO1 protein catalyzed the stereoselective S‐oxygenation of S‐allyl‐l‐cysteine to nearly exclusively yield (RCSS)‐S‐allylcysteine sulfoxide, which has identical stereochemistry to the major natural form of alliin in garlic. The S‐oxygenation reaction catalyzed by AsFMO1 was dependent on the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), consistent with other known flavin‐containing monooxygenases. AsFMO1 preferred S‐allyl‐l‐cysteine to γ‐glutamyl‐S‐allyl‐l‐cysteine as the S‐oxygenation substrate, suggesting that in garlic, the S‐oxygenation of alliin biosynthetic intermediates primarily occurs after deglutamylation. The transient expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins indicated that AsFMO1 is localized in the cytosol. AsFMO1 mRNA was accumulated in storage leaves of pre‐emergent nearly sprouting bulbs, and in various tissues of sprouted bulbs with green foliage leaves. Taken together, our results suggest that AsFMO1 functions as an S‐allyl‐l‐cysteine S‐oxygenase, and contributes to the production of alliin both through the conversion of stored γ‐glutamyl‐S‐allyl‐l‐cysteine to alliin in storage leaves during sprouting and through the de novo biosynthesis of alliin in green foliage leaves.
Lumefantrine and Desbutyl-Lumefantrine Population Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Relationships in Pregnant Women with Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria on the Thailand-Myanmar Border
Authors: Kloprogge Frank , McGready Rose , Hanpithakpong Warunee , Blessborn Daniel , Day Nicholas P. J. , White Nicholas J. , Nosten François , Tarning Joel 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT

Artemether-lumefantrine is the most widely used antimalarial artemisinin-based combination treatment. Recent studies have suggested that day 7 plasma concentrations of the potent metabolite desbutyl-lumefantrine correlate better with treatment outcomes than those of lumefantrine. Low cure rates have been reported in pregnant women with uncomplicated falciparum malaria treated with artemether-lumefantrine in northwest Thailand. A simultaneous pharmacokinetic drug-metabolite model was developed based on dense venous and sparse capillary lumefantrine and desbutyl-lumefantrine plasma samples from 116 pregnant patients on the Thailand-Myanmar border. The best model was used to evaluate therapeutic outcomes with a time-to-event approach. Lumefantrine and desbutyl-lumefantrine concentrations, implemented in an
E
max
model, both predicted treatment outcomes, but lumefantrine provided better predictive power. A combined model including both lumefantrine and desbutyl-lumefantrine did not improve the model further. Simulations suggested that cure rates in pregnant women with falciparum malaria could be increased by prolonging the treatment course. (These trials were registered at controlled-trials.com [ISRCTN 86353884].)
MALDI-TOF MS as a Tool To Detect a Nosocomial Outbreak of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase- and ArmA Methyltransferase-Producing Enterobacter cloacae Clinical Isolates in Algeria
Authors: Khennouchi Nour Chems el Houda , Loucif Lotfi , Boutefnouchet Nafissa , Allag Hamoudi , Rolain Jean-Marc 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT

Enterobacter cloacae
is among the most important pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections and outbreaks. In this study, 77
Enterobacter
isolates were collected: 27 isolates from Algerian hospitals (in Constantine, Annaba, and Skikda) and 50 isolates from Marseille, France. All strains were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method. PCR was used to detect extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-encoding, fluoroquinolone resistance-encoding, and aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme (AME) genes. Epidemiological typing was performed using MALDI-TOF MS with data mining approaches, along with multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Sixty-eight isolates (27 from Algeria, 41 from Marseille) were identified by MALDI-TOF MS as
E. cloacae
. Resistance to antibiotics in the Algerian isolates was significantly higher than that in the strains from Marseille, especially for beta-lactams and aminoglycosides. Eighteen of the 27 Algerian isolates and 11 of the 41 Marseille isolates possessed at least one ESBL-encoding gene:
bla
CTX-M
and/or
bla
TEM
. AME genes were detected in 20 of the 27 Algerian isolates and 8 of the 41 Marseille isolates [
ant(2″)
-
Ia
,
aac(6′)
-
Ib-cr
,
aadA1
,
aadA2
, and
armA
]. Conjugation experiments showed that
armA
was carried on a transferable plasmid. MALDI-TOF typing showed three separate clusters according to the geographical distribution and species level. An MLST-based phylogenetic tree showed a clade of 14
E. cloacae
isolates from a urology unit clustering together in the MALDI-TOF dendrogram, suggesting the occurrence of an outbreak in this unit. In conclusion, the ability of MALDI-TOF to biotype strains was confirmed, and surveillance measures should be implemented, especially for Algerian patients hospitalized in France.
Rapid, Semiquantitative Assay To Discriminate among Compounds with Activity against Replicating or Nonreplicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Gold Ben , Roberts Julia , Ling Yan , Quezada Landys Lopez , Glasheen Jou , Ballinger Elaine , Somersan-Karakaya Selin , Warrier Thulasi , Warren J. David , Nathan Carl 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT

The search for drugs that can kill replicating and nonreplicating
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
faces practical bottlenecks. Measurement of CFU and discrimination of bacteriostatic from bactericidal activity are costly in compounds, supplies, labor, and time. Testing compounds against
M. tuberculosis
under conditions that prevent the replication of
M. tuberculosis
often involves a second phase of the test in which conditions are altered to permit the replication of bacteria that survived the first phase. False-positive determinations of activity against nonreplicating
M. tuberculosis
may arise from carryover of compounds from the nonreplicating stage of the assay that act in the replicating stage. We mitigate these problems by carrying out a 96-well microplate liquid MIC assay and then transferring an aliquot of each well to a second set of plates in which each well contains agar supplemented with activated charcoal. After 7 to 10 days—about 2 weeks sooner than required to count CFU—fluorometry reveals whether
M. tuberculosis
bacilli in each well have replicated extensively enough to reduce a resazurin dye added for the final hour. This charcoal agar resazurin assay (CARA) distinguishes between bacterial biomasses in any two wells that differ by 2 to 3 log
10
CFU. The CARA thus serves as a pretest and semiquantitative surrogate for longer, more laborious, and expensive CFU-based assays, helps distinguish bactericidal from bacteriostatic activity, and identifies compounds that are active under replicating conditions, nonreplicating conditions, or both. Results for 14 antimycobacterial compounds, including tuberculosis (TB) drugs, revealed that PA-824 (pretomanid) and TMC207 (bedaquiline) are largely bacteriostatic.
Antibacterial Action of Nitric Oxide-Releasing Chitosan Oligosaccharides against Pseudomonas aeruginosa under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions
Authors: Reighard Katelyn P. , Schoenfisch Mark H. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT

Chitosan oligosaccharides were modified with
N
-diazeniumdiolates to yield biocompatible nitric oxide (NO) donor scaffolds. The minimum bactericidal concentrations and MICs of the NO donors against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
were compared under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Differential antibacterial activities were primarily the result of NO scavenging by oxygen under aerobic environments and not changes in bacterial physiology. Bacterial killing was also tested against nonmucoid and mucoid biofilms and compared to that of tobramycin. Smaller NO payloads were required to eradicate
P. aeruginosa
biofilms under anaerobic versus aerobic conditions. Under oxygen-free environments, the NO treatment was 10-fold more effective at killing biofilms than tobramycin. These results demonstrate the potential utility of NO-releasing chitosan oligosaccharides under both aerobic and anaerobic environments.