bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency of seropositivity against infectious agents amongst pemphigus vulgaris patients: a case–control study on Strongyloides stercoralis, Helicobacter pylori, Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania major, and Epstein–Barr virus
Authors: Mortazavi Hossein , Hejazi Pardis , Khamesipour Ali , Mohebali Mehdi , Ehsani Amir Hooshang , Mohammadi Younes , Farahani Iman Vasheghani , Amirzargar Ali Akbar 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundEnvironmental and genetic factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) as an autoimmune disease. We aimed to determine rates of seropositivity for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against a number of infectious agents in untreated and treated PV patients and in healthy individuals.MethodsEighty‐two newly diagnosed untreated PV patients (34 men and 48 women; mean ± standard deviation [SD] age: 44.18 ± 14.43 years) and 36 previously diagnosed patients under immunosuppressive therapy (16 men and 20 women; mean ± SD age: 38.53 ± 9.96 years) were enrolled in the study. The clinical diagnosis of PV was confirmed by histopathology and direct immunofluorescence findings. As a control group, 131 healthy individuals (68 men and 63 women; mean ± SD age: 42.56 ± 19.69 years) were recruited. In all patients and controls, serum IgG antibodies against Strongyloides stercoralis, Helicobacter pylori, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen, and Leishmania major were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The indirect immunofluorescence test was used to detect IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii.ResultsNewly‐diagnosed untreated PV patients had significantly higher rates of seropositivity of IgG antibodies against S. stercoralis and H. pylori compared with the control group (69.5% vs. 16.0% [P < 0.001] and 79.3% vs. 59.5% [P = 0.004], respectively). For the other agents, namely T. gondii, L. major, and EBV capsid antigen, the differences between groups in seropositivity for IgG antibodies were not statistically significant.ConclusionsSignificant associations between S. stercoralis and H. pylori seropositivity rates and untreated disease led to the hypothesis that these pathogenic agents may contribute to the pathogenesis of PV.
Transcription factor CAAT/enhancer‐binding protein is involved in regulation of expression of sterol carrier protein x in Spodoptera litura
Authors: Liang L.‐N. , Zhang L.‐L. , Zeng B.‐J. , Zheng S.‐C. , Feng Q.‐L. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe Spodoptera litura sterol carrier protein x (SlSCPx) gene is expressed in various tissues throughout the life cycle and plays important role in sterol absorption and transport. In this study, the effects of insect hormones (20‐hydroexcdysone and juvenile hormone) and lipids (arachidonic acid, cholesterol) on the expression of SlSCPx was analysed by reverse‐transcriptase PCR. The results showed that none of these substances significantly induced the expression of SlSCPx in Spodoptera litura‐221 (Spli‐221) cells. To identify the transcription factors responsible for regulation of SlSCPx expression, a 3311‐bp promoter sequence of the gene was cloned. Transcriptional activity of the promoter was studied using an in vivo promoter/reporter system and a 29‐bp sequence between −1000 and −1029 nucleotides (nt) upstream of this gene was found to be responsible for the up‐regulation of the gene. Over‐expression of CAAT/enhancer‐binding protein (C/EBP) in Spli‐221 cells increased the promoter activity 5.57‐fold. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that two nuclear proteins bound to this sequence. Recombinant C/EBP specifically bound with a putative cis‐regulatory element (CRE). Mutation of the C/EBP CRE abolished the binding of the C/EBP with the CRE. These results suggest that the transcription factor C/EBP may regulate the expression of SlSCPx by binding to the CRE in the promoter of this gene.
Contamination Predictions of Cape Hake Fillets during Display and Storage by Artificial Neural Network Modeling of Hexadecanoic Acid
Authors: Venter Pierre , Swanepoel Hanita , Lues Ryk J.F , Luwes Nicolaas 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis study aimed to design an artificial neural network (ANN) that could distinguish between Cape hake fillets displayed and stored on ice that have been exposed to excessive contamination and those that were not. The selected variable was a biochemical indicator, hexadecanoic acid, a fatty acid. Cape hake fillets with and without excessive contamination was kept on ice and analyzed every 48 h over a period of 10 days. A novel ANN was designed and applied, which provided an acceptable prediction on the contaminated fillets based only on the hexadecanoic acid changes during day 8 (T4) and day 10 (T5). The ANN consisted of a multilayered network with supervised training arranged into an ordered hierarchy of layers, in which connections were allowed only between nodes in immediately adjacent layers. The network consists of two inputs, T4 and T5 connected to two neurones that are connected to one output neuron that indicates a prediction on contamination of the fillets. These two neurons are connected to one output neuron that indicates a prediction on contamination of the fillets.Practical ApplicationsThe model sets the stage for the development of alternative quality control measures for retailers and buyers of fish and other foods that contain fatty acids such as hexadecanoic acid to provide saver food.
Proteolysis, Lipolysis and Sensory Characteristics of a Tunisian Dry Fermented Poultry Meat Sausage with Oregano and Thyme Essential Oils
Authors: El Adab Sabrine , Hassouna Mnasser 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe effects of the addition of oregano (0.25% v/v) and thyme (0.25% v/v) essential oils (EOs) on the microbiological, biochemical and sensory characteristics of a Tunisian dry fermented poultry meat sausage were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of oregano and thyme EOs improved the hygienic quality of dry fermented sausages by reducing the Enterobacteriaceae counts, total coliform counts and Staphylococcus aureus counts. Proteolysis was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the addition of EOs during ripening of sausages. In fact, the most abundant free amino acids detected in the final product were arginine, glycine, threonine, alanine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and lysine. Regarding lipolysis and lipid oxidation, it can be deduced that the addition of oregano and thyme EOs decreased significantly the thiobarbituric acid values during the last two weeks of ripening, but lipolysis was not significantly affected. Finally, the addition of EOs did not significantly affect the sensory properties of sausages.Practical ApplicationsPoultry meat products provide a suitable environment for proliferation of meat spoilage microorganisms. The increase in resistance of food spoilage microorganisms to current preservatives, the consumer's demand for safe and minimally processed foods, and the hazards associated with the use of high doses of chemical preservatives have led to the need for finding safer alternatives in food preservation. Consumers have also become more critical about the use of synthetic additives to preserve food or enhance characteristics such as color and flavor. Hence, there is a growing trend toward minimally processed foods. As a consequence, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oils have received considerable attention in food preservation. Nowadays, the need for safe products with standard and desirable technological properties has resulted in the use of essential oils for the production of the dry fermented sausages to inhibit the growth of undesirable microorganisms and extend the shelf life of the product.
Citrobacter braakii: A Major Cause of False‐Positive Results on MacConkey and Levine's Eosin Methylene Blue Selective Agars Used for the Isolation of Escherichia Coli from Fresh Vegetable Samples
Authors: Kim Hong‐Seok , Kim Young‐Ji , Chon Jung‐Whan , Kim Dong‐Hyeon , Kim Kwang‐Yeop , Seo Kun‐Ho 
Published: July 2015

AbstractFresh vegetables are a frequent cause of foodborne disease outbreaks because they often do not undergo heat treatment prior to consumption. Pathogenic Escherichia coli strains are the major causative agents of produce‐related outbreaks. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of conventional E. coli selective medium, MacConkey (MAC) agar, for the screening of fresh vegetable samples and evaluated the discrimination ability of Levine's eosin methylene blue (L‐EMB) agar for E. coli‐like colonies obtained from MAC agar. A total of 120 samples of lettuces (n = 60) and radish sprouts (n = 60) were analyzed. Among 17 (14.2%) MAC agar plates containing putative E. coli colonies, only one plate was confirmed E. coli‐positive (positive predictive value = 5.9%). All 16 false‐positive isolates were identified as Citrobacter braakii and formed E. coli‐like colonies on L‐EMB agar. These results indicate that in order to reduce false‐positive results in screening fresh vegetable samples, both MAC and L‐EMB selective agars should be modified with the aim of providing reliable differentiation between E. coli and C. braakii.Practical ApplicationsAlthough MacConkey (MAC) and Levine's eosin methylene blue (L‐EMB) agars are not specific for the detection of pathogenic Escherichia coli, the media are recommended for the isolation of pathogenic E. coli (except E. coli O157:H7) in the Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual. This is due to the fact that it is difficult to develop each pathogenic strains‐specific selective media as they were not classified by their biochemical characteristics. However, the unexpected high prevalence of Citrobacter braakii in fresh vegetables observed in this study indicates that the screening potential of these E. coli selective media needs to be improved.
Antibiotic Resistance of Lactobacillus sp. Isolated from Commercial Probiotic Preparations
Authors: Sharma Poonam , Tomar Sudhir Kumar , Sangwan Vikas , Goswami Pawas , Singh Rameshwar 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe aim of our study was to assess the antibiotic resistance among commercially available probiotic Lactobacilli. A total of 30 isolates were characterized after isolation from 19 commercial products, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum. All the isolates were further subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test using disc diffusion method against a total of 45 antibiotics. Most of the isolates were found to exhibit multiple resistance against some of the most commonly used antibiotics. The isolates showed high level of resistance toward nalidixic acid, vancomycin, kanamycin, teicoplanin, co‐trimoxazole, amikacin, streptomycin, norfloxacin, cefepime and nitrofurantoin. Besides, isolates displayed a low level of resistance toward tobramycin, gentamicin, ampicillin, cefaclor, methicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, amoxyclav, sulbactam, oxacillin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, cloxacillin and novobiocin. All the isolates were found to be susceptible against cefatrixone, ceftazidime, cefadroxil, cefotaxime, cephalothin, cefoperazone and netillin, whereas none of the strains showed resistant to clindamycin, erythromycin, linezolid, quinupristin/dalfopristin and doxycycline. The present study showed that antibiotic resistance is prevalent in different species of probiotic strains, which may pose a food safety concern. Hence, antibiotic sensitivity should be considered as an important part of safety assessment for the evaluation of probiotics.Practical ApplicationsAntibiotic resistance has become a major public health concern and is drawing the interest of health and research professionals all around the world. Commercial probiotics are generally considered as safe for humans but due to their very high consumption there is a need to put sufficient safeguards to protect the consumers from any adverse effects. The safety of these probiotic strains is becoming prerequisite with antibiotic resistance as an emerging issue and their potential to transfer antibiotic resistance genes to pathogenic/commensal bacteria cannot be neglected. The anticipated problem is that probiotic strains and starter cultures might contain naturally occurring antibiotic resistance genes which if present on mobile genetic elements can be transferred to commensal and pathogenic organisms in the gut. The European Food Safety Authority recommends that bacterial strains harboring transferable antibiotic resistance genes should not be used in animal feeds, fermented and probiotic foods for human use.
Remission maintained by monotherapy after biological + immunosuppressive combination for Crohn's disease in clinical practice
Authors: Ampuero Javier , Rojas‐Feria María , Castro‐Fernández Manuel , Millán‐Lorenzo Marina , Guerrero-Jiménez Pedro , Romero‐Gómez Manuel 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground and Aim:The optimal time to withdraw combined biological + immunosuppressive therapy in Crohn's disease is debated. Following remission of 6 months with the combined therapy, we assessed the efficacy of monotherapy in maintaining remission.Methods:Crohn's disease patients (n = 75) were retrospectively selected from clinical records for having achieved remission within 6 months of receiving combined biological + immunosuppressive therapy. Treatment continued for a further year with one or the other of the combination drugs withdrawn. Clinical remission was defined as Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) < 150 and endoscopic remission as CDAI < 150 + absence of mucosal lesions + no signs of active inflammation on ileocolonoscopy. Crohn's disease relapse was defined as CDAI > 250.Results:Twenty‐eight percent (21/75) patients were relapsers. Withdrawal of biological therapy was more frequent than immunosuppressive (73.3% vs 26.7%) with no significant differences in relapse rates (30.9% vs 20%; P = 0.401). Endoscopic remission was more accurate than clinical remission (relapse rates: 10.5% vs 33.9%; P = 0.05). C‐reactive‐protein was higher in relapsers (19.2 ± 23.7 mg/L vs 2.5 ± 4.7 mg/L; P = 0.009). Multivariate analysis indicated C‐reactive protein > 5 mg/L (odds ratios [OR]: 30.12; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 5.91–153.38; P = 0.0001) and younger age at diagnosis (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01–1.19; P = 0.047) as independent factors predicting relapse. There was a strong trend toward a protective effect of endoscopic remission (OR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.02–1.22; P = 0.077).Conclusion:A subgroup of Crohn's disease patients treated with combination therapy can be identified (C‐reactive protein < 5 mg/L, endoscopic remission, and older age at Crohn's disease diagnosis) who would continue in remission despite cessation of the biological (expensive) component of the combination therapy.
Emergency nurses' experience of crisis: A qualitative study
Authors: Vasli Parvaneh , Dehghan‐Nayeri Nahid 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimA crisis is an environment created in a rapidly changing and chaotic work setting which is found in a busy emergency department of a hospital with higher intensity. The objective of this study was to define and explore emergency room nurses' description of crisis in critical situations and to identify barriers and mitigating factors that affect how nurses handle crises.MethodsThis study is a qualitative research with a content analysis approach. Eighteen emergency nurses were purposefully selected to take part in this study. Data collection was through face‐to‐face semistructured interviews until data saturation was finalized. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis.ResultsThe data analysis consisted of four main categories: (i) loss of balance; (ii) crisis control (anticipation–preparation, resource control, control skills, and supporting nurses); (iii) human factors related to staff (sufficient staff, competent staff, individual characteristics, ability to communicate); and (iv) teamwork (cooperation and reciprocal trust).ConclusionFindings showed the meaning of the crisis and challenges and issues faced by emergency nurses throughout the crisis. Health services authorities can use these results to make comprehensive plans in order to reduce emergency crises.
Random control trial of hot compresses for women those who used laxatives on severity of constipation and quality of life
Authors: Kira Izumi 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimThe purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of hot compresses for constipation and quality of life (QOL), with a focus on taking laxatives.MethodsMeeting the inclusion criteria were 60 women, who had taken over‐the‐counter laxatives for constipation. Sixty women were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 30) or control (n = 30) group. The study period was 4 weeks: the first 2 weeks (baseline) without intervention and the last 2 weeks (intervention) with heat stimulus using a commercially available thermic sheet (40°C). Women affixed the sheet to the lumbar area with the Jacoby line in the center immediately after waking and were instructed to remove the sheet after 5 h during the intervention period every day. During the intervention, women recorded their daily defecation and completed the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS), Constipation QOL 15 (CQ), and 36 Item Short Form Survey.ResultsThe author excluded incomplete records and study protocol deviations; as a result, a total of 39 subjects (21 hot compresses group, 18 control group) was used for the analysis. Significant improvement was seen in days of defecation and the number of defecations per week for the intervention group. Significant improvement was also seen in physical and psychological subcategory of CQ15. No significant differences were found in the amount of laxatives used.ConclusionThe lumbar application of a 40°C hot compresses in female adults with constipation improved their conditions of defecation and QOL, even though it did not reduce the amount of laxatives.
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide erases the fear memory and facilitates long‐term potentiation in the central nucleus of the amygdala in rats
Authors: Wu Xin , Zhang Jie‐Ting , Liu Jue , Yang Si , Chen Tao , Chen Jian‐Guo , Wang Fang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCalcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) is a 37 amino acid neuropeptide, which plays a critical role in the central nervous system.CGRPbinds to G protein‐coupled receptors, includingCGRP1, which couples positively to adenylyl cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) activation.CGRPandCGRP1 receptors are enriched in central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), the main part of the amygdala, which regulates conditioned fear memories. Here, we reported the importance ofCGRPandCGRP1 receptor for synaptic plasticity in the CeA and the extinction of fear memory in rats. Our electrophysiological and behavioralin vitroandin vivoresults showed exogenous application ofCGRPinduced an immediate and lasting long‐term potentiation in the basolateral nucleus of amygdala–CeA pathway, but not in the lateral nucleus of amygdala–CeA pathway, while bilateral intra‐CeA infusionCGRP(0, 5, 13 and 21 μM/side) dose dependently enhanced fear memory extinction. The effects were blocked byCGRP1 receptor antagonist (CGRP8–37),N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors antagonistMK801 andPKAinhibitor H89. These results demonstrate thatCGRPcan lead to long‐term potentiation of basolateral nucleus of amygdala–CeA pathway through aPKA‐dependent postsynaptic mechanism that involvedN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors and enhance the extinction of fear memory in rats. Together, the results strongly support a pivotal role ofCGRPin the synaptic plasticity of CeA and extinction of fear memory.imageCalcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) plays an essential role in synaptic plasticity in the amygdala and fear memory. We found that CGRP‐induced chemical long‐term potentiation (LTP) in a dose‐dependent way in the BLA–CeA (basolateral and central nucleus of amygdala, respectively) pathway and enhanced fear memory extinction in rats through a protein kinase A (PKA)‐dependent postsynaptic mechanism that involved NMDA receptors. These results support a pivotal role of CGRP in amygdala.
CREATING A LAB IN THE FIELD: ECONOMICS EXPERIMENTS FOR POLICYMAKING
Authors: Viceisza Angelino C. G. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn this paper, I focus on the role that artefactual and certain framed field experiments (what I term “lab‐like field experiments” or LFEs) play in informing policymaking. Using examples, primarily from rural contexts in developing countries, I identify four main purposes of LFEs: (1) to test theories or heuristic principles; (2) to identify and estimate parameters associated with characteristics; (3) to explore the structural nature of parameters derived from empirical methods including other types of experiments; and (4) to assess methodological difficulties associated with LFEs and how these can impact parameter estimates. I address the importance of generalizability for LFEs that are intended to inform policymaking and in the process, emphasize the complementary role between LFEs and other empirical methods, in particular other experiments. Finally, I discuss nine basic principles for conducting LFEs and suggest four directions for future research.
Interorganizational Relationship Trends of Critical Access Hospitals
Authors: Hearld Larry R. , Carroll Nathaniel W. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPurposeExamine the types of interorganizational relationships (IORs)—defined as formal linkages between 2 or more organizations to produce or coordinate some good or service—pursued by Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), how these relationship patterns have changed over time, and how these relationships compare to non‐CAHs.MethodsWe used univariate analyses to describe the prevalence of different types of formal horizontal (eg, system affiliation) and vertical (eg, physician organization, nursing home ownership) relationships for CAHs over time (2002‐2012) and chi‐square tests to compare the prevalence of these relationships to non‐CAHs.FindingsContract management relationships were more prevalent among CAHs than other types of hospitals, and they declined over time for all types of hospitals. Network membership was more common among CAHs compared to rural, non‐CAHs. Tightly integrated relationships with physician organizations were more common among CAHs, relative to rural, non‐CAHs. Nursing home ownership was more prevalent among CAHs and rural, non‐CAHs relative to urban, non‐CAHs, but it declined over time for all hospital types.ConclusionsOur findings highlight a number of differences in the types of IORs pursued by CAHs relative to other types of hospitals and raise questions about the role of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program in stimulating these differences. Our findings also suggest that even though the prevalence of hospitals engaging in any horizontal or vertical strategy was relatively stable, the fluctuations in the particular forms of these IORs were more dramatic.