bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy quantitative morphometric markers associated with portal hypertension in duodenal mucosa
Authors: Rodriguez‐Diaz Eladio , Baffy György , Singh Satish K. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsEarly detection of portal hypertension (PH) may help to prevent the morbidity of late‐stage cirrhosis by stratifying disease severity and enabling disease‐modifying interventions in potentially reversible conditions like non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis. This study seeks to correlate morphometric features by confocal endomicroscopy with established surrogate clinical markers of PH.MethodsPatients with and without PH scheduled for upper endoscopy at VA Boston participated in this IRB‐approved study. Real‐time probe‐based confocal endomicroscopy (pCLE) was performed in the duodenum. Vascular and epithelial morphometry was performed off‐line, in a blinded manner, using image‐processing software.ResultsMorphometric analysis of pCLE images from 16 patients with PH and 15 control patients was performed. Statistically significant differences were observed among control and PH patients for average vessel diameter (AVD: 11.7 μm vs. 17.1 μm), average vessel branching (AVB: 0.11 vs. 0.31 bifurcations per image frame), and average columnar cell height (ACCH: 40.0 μm vs. 52.0 μm). Spearman correlations comparing AVD, AVB and ACCH to portal gastropathy scores (0.86, 0.44 and 0.70) and to grade of oesophageal varices (0.88, 0.41 and 0.66) were statistically significant. Similarly, Pearson correlations of AVD and ACCH to spleen size (0.72 and 0.57), platelet count (−0.69 and −0.40) and the platelet count/spleen size ratio (−0.69 and −0.41) were also found to be statistically significant.ConclusionsDuodenal pCLE reveals microvascular dilatation and altered epithelial cell volume/morphology in PH. These morphometric pCLE markers correlate with surrogate markers of PH. Additional studies will define the correlation between microscopic vascular patterns, epithelial cell volume and the hepatic venous pressure gradient.
Evaluation of Sacrospinous Hysteropexy vs. Uterosacral Suspension for the Treatment of Uterine Prolapse: A Retrospective Assessment
Authors: AL‐BADR Ahmed , PERVEEN Kauser , AL‐SHAIKH Ghadeer 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveThis single‐center retrospective study aimed to compare the outcomes of vaginal hysterectomy with utero‐sacral suspension (VH/USS) versus sacro‐spinous hysteropexy (SSHP) in the management of uterine prolapse at a tertiary care center specializing in Urogynecology.MethodsThe medical records of 50 women with stage 2 or more uterine prolapse treated with VH/USS (n = 26) or SSHP (n = 24) were assessed between January 2006 and December 2012.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of body mass index (BMI) and parity P = 0.881 and 0.304, respectively. VH/USS procedure was significantly more successful than SSHP procedure with regard to anatomical success (84.62 vs. 41.67%, P = 0.0028). There was a significantly higher anterior prolapse recurrence with SSHP procedure than with VH/USS (33.3 vs. 7.7%; P = 0.034). SSHP was associated with the lower likelihood of anatomical success and a higher risk of recurrent anterior prolapse in multivariate logistic regression analyzes adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionThe findings of this retrospective study indicate that SSHP appears to be associated with less anatomical objective success and an increased risk of recurrent anterior prolapse in comparison to VH/USS. Further validation of our observations by independent investigators is required.
Islands within islands: two montane palaeo‐endemic birds impacted by recent anthropogenic fragmentation
Authors: Robin V. V. , Gupta Pooja , Thatte Prachi , Ramakrishnan Uma 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAnthropogenic habitat fragmentation of species that live in naturally patchy metapopulations such as mountaintops or sky islands experiences two levels of patchiness. Effects of such multilevel patchiness on species have rarely been examined. Metapopulation theory suggests that patchy habitats could have varied impacts on persistence, dependent on differential migration. It is not known whether montane endemic species, evolutionarily adapted to natural patchiness, are able to disperse between anthropogenic fragments at similar spatial scales as natural patches. We investigated historic and contemporary gene flow between natural and anthropogenic patches across the distribution range of a Western Ghats sky‐island‐endemic bird species complex. Data from 14 microsatellites for 218 individuals detected major genetic structuring by deep valleys, including one hitherto undescribed barrier. As expected, we found strong effects of historic genetic differentiation across natural patches, but not across anthropogenic fragments. Contrastingly, contemporary differentiation (DPS) was higher relative to historic differentiation (FST) in anthropogenic fragments, despite the species’ ability to historically traverse shallow valleys. Simulations of recent isolation resulted in high DPS/FST values, confirming recent isolation in Western Ghats anthropogenic fragments and also suggesting that this ratio can be used to identifying recent fragmentation in the context of historic connectedness. We suggest that in this landscape, in addition to natural patchiness affecting population connectivity, anthropogenic fragmentation additionally impacts connectivity, making anthropogenic fragments akin to islands within natural islands of montane habitat, a pattern that may be recovered in other sky‐island systems.
Association between left ventricular global longitudinal strain, health‐related quality of life and functional capacity in chronic kidney disease patients with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Krishnasamy Rathika , Hawley Carmel M , Stanton Tony , Howden Erin J , Beetham Kassia S , Strand Haakan , Leano Rodel , Haluska Brian A , Coombes Jeff S , Isbel Nicole M 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimPatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a significant burden of dyspnoea and fatigue in spite having normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) can detect subtle changes in LV function. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between LV function, functional capacity and quality of life (QOL) in CKD patients with preserved EF.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of patients with stage 3/4 CKD (n = 108). Clinical characteristics, biochemical data, functional capacity (6‐min walk test (6MWT), timed up and go (TUG) test) and QOL (short form‐12 (SF‐12v2™) ) were measured. Echocardiogram was used to assess GLS, EF and diastolic function (E/A, e' and E/e').ResultsThe mean age was 58.1 ± 9.9 years, 55.6% were men, estimated glomerular filtration rate was 44.8 ± 10.6 mL/min/1.73 m2, GLS was −18.5 ± 3.6% and 19.4% had impaired GLS (>−16%). Patients with impaired GLS had a significantly shorter 6MWT and slower TUG test compared with patients with preserved GLS. Bivariate analysis showed GLS and E/e' correlated with distance walked in 6MWT (GLS (r = −0.24, P = 0.02); E/e'(r = −0.38, P = 0.002) ). Following adjustment for potential confounders, GLS remained independently associated with 6MWT (model R2 = 0.37, P < 0.001). Mean physical component summary scores (PCS) and mental component summary scores (MCS) were 43.0 ± 10.2 and 50.9 ± 9.5. There was no cardiac parameter that was independently associated with PCS. However women, lower systolic blood pressure and GLS was associated with lower MCS (model R2 = 0.30, P < 0.001).ConclusionGLS was associated with measures of functional capacity and QOL in CKD patients with preserved EF.
Novel Somatic Mutation in LEMD3 Splice Site Results in Buschke–Ollendorff Syndrome with Polyostotic Melorheostosis and Osteopoikilosis
Authors: Gutierrez Daniel , Cooper Kevin D. , Mitchell Anna L. , Cohn Heather I. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBuschke–Ollendorff syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by loss of function in LEMD3, resulting in connective tissue nevi and varying bone dysplasia. Although typically benign, we describe a novel LEMD3 splice site mutation (IVS12 + 1delG) in a 13‐year‐old boy with Buschke–Ollendorff syndrome presenting with severe skeletal deformities, polyostotic melorheostosis, and osteopoikilosis.
Physiological change and nutritional requirement of Pacific white shrimpLitopenaeus vannameiat low salinity
Authors: Li Erchao , Wang Xiaodan , Chen Ke , Xu Chang , Qin Jian G. , Chen Liqiao 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe Pacific white shrimpLitopenaeus vannameiis a euryhaline species with optimal salinity of 20–25 practical salinity unit (psu) for growth and survival, but has been cultured in inland water with salinity <5 psu worldwide. In the past decade, much research progress has been made on the physiological and nutritional requirements of white shrimp at low salinity. This study reviews the recent findings in the aspects of growth, survival, energy metabolism, stress resistance and immunity of white shrimp at low salinity and synthesizes recent research outcomes in nutritional requirements in an attempt to improve the shrimp performance in aquaculture at low salinity. The white shrimp at low salinity usually show slow growth, low immunity, high susceptibility to pathogens and high energy demand. The diet containing 30–36% protein, 15–20% carbohydrate and supplementations of potassium, sodium, vitamin E and C, free amino acids (glycine, alanine, proline and taurine), antioxidants and probiotics can improve shrimp growth and immunity at low salinity. The white shrimp has demonstrated the ability to synthesizeDHAandEPAfromLNAat low ambient salinity, but further studies are needed to further confirm this finding. Future research should focus on the understanding of physiological mechanism and adaptation associated with salinity change and nutritional manipulation. The specific dietary requirements of essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals and the nutrition‐mediated immune response also warrant further study on shrimp at low salinity.
Minimal Modification to the Trerotola Backbleeding Technique Increases Its Effectiveness
Authors: Sequeira Adrian , Artikov Shukhrat 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThrombectomy of a clotted upper arm access may be complicated by brachial artery embolization. A number of techniques have been described to relieve the embolization that may not always be successful. Backbleeding is one such technique. We describe a minimal modification that makes backbleeding more effective.
Evaluation of the Impact of Codon Optimization and N-Linked Glycosylation on Functional Immunogenicity of Pfs25 DNA Vaccines Delivered by
In Vivo
Electroporation in Preclinical Studies in Mice
Authors: Datta Dibyadyuti , Bansal Geetha P. , Kumar Rajesh , Ellefsen Barry , Hannaman Drew , Kumar Nirbhay 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Plasmodium falciparum
sexual stage surface antigen Pfs25 is a well-established candidate for malaria transmission-blocking vaccine development. Immunization with DNA vaccines encoding Pfs25 has been shown to elicit potent antibody responses in mice and nonhuman primates. Studies aimed at further optimization have revealed improved immunogenicity through the application of
in vivo
electroporation and by using a heterologous prime-boost approach. The goal of the studies reported here was to systematically evaluate the impact of codon optimization,
in vivo
electroporation, and N-linked glycosylation on the immunogenicity of Pfs25 encoded by DNA vaccines. The results from this study demonstrate that while codon optimization and
in vivo
electroporation greatly improved functional immunogenicity of Pfs25 DNA vaccines, the presence or absence of N-linked glycosylation did not significantly impact vaccine efficacy. These findings suggest that N-glycosylation of Pfs25 encoded by DNA vaccines is not detrimental to overall transmission-blocking efficacy.
Coinfection with “Rickettsia sibirica subsp. mongolotimonae” and Rickettsia conorii in a Human Patient: a Challenge for Molecular Diagnosis Tools
Authors: Nogueras María Mercedes , Roson Beatriz , Lario Sergio , Sanfeliu Isabel , Pons Immaculada , Anton Esperança , Casanovas Aurora , Segura Ferran 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Rickettsioses are zoonoses transmitted by vectors. More than one agent can coexist in vectors. Although vectors may transmit more than one microorganism to humans, information on dual infections is scarce. We present a case of a patient with an atypical rickettsiosis diagnosis in whom two species of
Rickettsia
were detected.
Development and Validation of Two Screening Assays for the Hepatitis C Virus NS3 Q80K Polymorphism Associated with Reduced Response to Combination Treatment Regimens Containing Simeprevir
Authors: Chui C. K. S. , Dong W. W. Y. , Joy J. B. , Poon A. F. Y. , Dong W. Y. , Mo T. , Woods C. K. , Beatty C. , Hew H. , Harrigan P. R. , Brumme C. J. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Persons with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1a (GT1a) infections harboring a baseline Q80K polymorphism in nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) have a reduced virologic response to simeprevir in combination with pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin. We aimed to develop, validate, and freely disseminate an NS3 clinical sequencing assay to detect the Q80K polymorphism and potentially other HCV NS3 drug resistance mutations. HCV RNA was extracted from frozen plasma using a NucliSENS easyMAG automated nucleic acid extractor, amplified by nested reverse transcription-PCR, and sequenced using Sanger and/or next-generation (MiSeq) methods. Sanger chromatograms were analyzed using in-house software (RECall), and nucleotide mixtures were called automatically. MiSeq reads were iteratively mapped to the H77 reference genome, and consensus NS3 sequences were generated with nucleotides present at >20% called as mixtures. The accuracy, precision, and sensitivity for detecting the Q80K polymorphism were assessed in 70 samples previously sequenced by an external laboratory. A comparison of the sequences generated by the Sanger and MiSeq methods with those determined by an external lab revealed >98.5% nucleotide sequence concordance and zero discordant calls of the Q80K polymorphism. The results were both highly repeatable and reproducible (>99.7% nucleotide concordance and 100% Q80K concordance). The limits of detection (>2 and ∼5 log
10
IU/ml for the Sanger and MiSeq assays, respectively) are sufficiently low to allow genotyping in nearly all chronically infected treatment-naive persons. No systematic bias in the under- or overamplification of minority variants was observed. Coinfection with other viruses (e.g., HIV and hepatitis B virus [HBV]) did not affect the assay results. The two independent HCV NS3 sequencing assays with the automated analysis procedures described here are useful tools to screen for the Q80K polymorphism and other HCV protease inhibitor drug resistance mutations.
Antimicrobial Treatment Options for Granulomatous Mastitis Caused by Corynebacterium Species
Authors: Dobinson Hazel C. , Anderson Trevor P. , Chambers Stephen T. , Doogue Matthew P. , Seaward Lois , Werno Anja M. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Corynebacterium
species are increasingly recognized as important pathogens in granulomatous mastitis. Currently, there are no published treatment protocols for
Corynebacterium
breast infections. This study describes antimicrobial treatment options in the context of other management strategies used for granulomatous mastitis.
Corynebacterium
spp. isolated from breast tissue and aspirate samples stored from 2002 to 2013 were identified and determined to the species level using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), 16S RNA sequencing, and
rpoB
gene targets. The MICs for 12 antimicrobials were performed using Etest for each isolate. Correlations of these with antimicrobial characteristics, choice of antimicrobial, and disease outcome were evaluated.
Corynebacterium
spp. from breast tissue and aspirate samples were confirmed in 17 isolates from 16 patients. Based on EUCAST breakpoints,
Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii
isolates (
n
= 11) were susceptible to seven antibiotic classes but resistant to β-lactam antibiotics.
Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum
isolates (
n
= 4) were multidrug resistant. Two nonlipophilic species were isolated,
Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum
and
Corynebacterium freneyi
, both of which have various susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents. Short-course antimicrobial therapy was common (median, 6 courses per subject; range, 1 to 9 courses). Patients with
C. kroppenstedtii
presented with a hot painful breast mass and underwent multiple surgical procedures (median, 4 procedures; range, 2 to 6 procedures). The management of
Corynebacterium
breast infections requires a multidisciplinary approach and includes culture and appropriate sensitivity testing to guide antimicrobial therapy. Established infections have a poor outcome, possibly because adequate concentrations of some drugs will be difficult to achieve in lipophilic granulomata. Lipophilic antimicrobial therapy may offer a therapeutic advantage. The role of immunotherapy has not been defined.
Comparison between Salmonella enterica Serotype Enteritidis Genotyping Methods and Phage Type
Authors: De Cesare Alessandra , Krishnamani Keshav , Parisi Antonio , Ricci Antonia , Luzzi Ida , Barco Lisa , Lucchi Alex , Miccolupo Angela , Manfreda Gerardo 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

A quantitative comparison between discriminatory indexes and concordance among multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), automated ribotyping, and phage typing has been performed, testing 238
Salmonella enterica
serotype Enteritidis isolates not epidemiologically correlated. The results show that MLVA is the best choice, but each typing method provides a piece of information for establishing clonal relationships between the isolates.
Emergence of Serotype IV Group B Streptococcus Adult Invasive Disease in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, Is Driven by Clonal Sequence Type 459 Strains
Authors: Teatero Sarah , Athey Taryn B. T. , Van Caeseele Paul , Horsman Greg , Alexander David C. , Melano Roberto G. , Li Aimin , Flores Anthony R. , Shelburne Samuel A. , McGeer Allison , Demczuk Walter , Martin Irene , Fittipaldi Nahuel 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Serotype IV group B
Streptococcus
(GBS) is emerging in Canada and the United States with rates as high as 5% of the total burden of adult invasive GBS disease. To understand this emergence, we studied the population structure and assessed the antimicrobial susceptibility of serotype IV isolates causing adult invasive infection in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, between 2010 and 2014. Whole-genome sequencing was used to determine multilocus sequence typing information and identify genes encoding antimicrobial resistance in 85 invasive serotype IV GBS strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by standard methods. Strain divergence was assessed using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Serotype IV strains were responsible for 16.9% of adult invasive GBS infections in Manitoba and Saskatchewan during the period. The majority of serotype IV isolates (89%) were clonally related, tetracycline-, erythromycin-, and clindamycin-resistant sequence type 459 (ST459) strains that possessed genes
tetM
and
ermTR
. Genome comparisons between ST459 and serotype V ST1 GBS identified several areas of recombination in an overall similar genomic background. Serotype IV ST459 GBS strains are expanding and causing a substantial percentage of adult invasive GBS disease. This emergence may be linked to the acquisition of resistance to tetracycline, macrolides, and lincosamides.
Defining and Evaluating a Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme for Whole-Genome Sequence-Based Typing of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Ruppitsch Werner , Pietzka Ariane , Prior Karola , Bletz Stefan , Fernandez Haizpea Lasa , Allerberger Franz , Harmsen Dag , Mellmann Alexander 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has emerged today as an ultimate typing tool to characterize
Listeria monocytogenes
outbreaks. However, data analysis and interlaboratory comparability of WGS data are still challenging for most public health laboratories. Therefore, we have developed and evaluated a new
L. monocytogenes
typing scheme based on genome-wide gene-by-gene comparisons (core genome multilocus the sequence typing [cgMLST]) to allow for a unique typing nomenclature. Initially, we determined the breadth of the
L. monocytogenes
population based on MLST data with a Bayesian approach. Based on the genome sequence data of representative isolates for the whole population, cgMLST target genes were defined and reappraised with 67
L. monocytogenes
isolates from two outbreaks and serotype reference strains. The Bayesian population analysis generated five
L. monocytogenes
groups. Using all available NCBI RefSeq genomes (
n
= 36) and six additionally sequenced strains, all genetic groups were covered. Pairwise comparisons of these 42 genome sequences resulted in 1,701 cgMLST targets present in all 42 genomes with 100% overlap and ≥90% sequence similarity. Overall, ≥99.1% of the cgMLST targets were present in 67 outbreak and serotype reference strains, underlining the representativeness of the cgMLST scheme. Moreover, cgMLST enabled clustering of outbreak isolates with ≤10 alleles difference and unambiguous separation from unrelated outgroup isolates. In conclusion, the novel cgMLST scheme not only improves outbreak investigations but also enables, due to the availability of the automatically curated cgMLST nomenclature, interlaboratory exchange of data that are crucial, especially for rapid responses during transsectorial outbreaks.
Molecular Epidemiology of Novel Pathogen “Brachyspira hampsonii” Reveals Relationships between Diverse Genetic Groups, Regions, Host Species, and Other Pathogenic and Commensal Brachyspira Species
Authors: Mirajkar Nandita S. , Bekele Aschalew Z. , Chander Yogesh Y. , Gebhart Connie J. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Outbreaks of bloody diarrhea in swine herds in the late 2000s signaled the reemergence of an economically significant disease, swine dysentery, in the United States. Investigations confirmed the emergence of a novel spirochete in swine, provisionally designated “
Brachyspira hampsonii
,” with two genetically distinct clades. Although it has since been detected in swine and migratory birds in Europe and North America, little is known about its genetic diversity or its relationships with other
Brachyspira
species. This study characterizes
B. hampsonii
using a newly developed multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach and elucidates the diversity, distribution, population structure, and genetic relationships of this pathogen from diverse epidemiological sources globally. Genetic characterization of 81
B. hampsonii
isolates, originating from six countries, with our newly established MLST scheme identified a total of 20 sequence types (STs) belonging to three clonal complexes (CCs).
B. hampsonii
showed a heterogeneous population structure with evidence of microevolution locally in swine production systems, while its clustering patterns showed associations with its epidemiological origins (country, swine production system, and host species). The close genetic relatedness of
B. hampsonii
isolates from different countries and host species highlights the importance of strict biosecurity control measures. A comparative analysis of 430 isolates representing seven
Brachyspira
species (pathogens and commensals) from 19 countries and 10 host species depicted clustering by microbial species. It revealed the close genetic relatedness of
B. hampsonii
with commensal
Brachyspira
species and also provided support for the two clades of
B. hampsonii
to be considered a single species.