bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tick Passage Results in Enhanced Attenuation of Babesia bovis
Authors: Sondgeroth Kerry S. , McElwain Terry F. , Ueti Massaro W. , Scoles Glen A. , Reif Kathryn E. , Lau Audrey O. T. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

Serial blood passage of virulent
Babesia bovis
in splenectomized cattle results in attenuated derivatives that do not cause neurologic disease. Tick transmissibility can be lost with attenuation, but when retained, attenuated
B. bovis
can revert to virulence following tick passage. This study provides data showing that tick passage of the partially attenuated
B. bovis
T2Bo derivative strain further decreased virulence compared with intravenous inoculation of the same strain in infected animals. Ticks that acquired virulent or attenuated parasites by feeding on infected cattle were transmission fed on naive, splenectomized animals. While there was no significant difference between groups in the number of parasites in the midgut, hemolymph, or eggs of replete female ticks after acquisition feeding, animals infected with the attenuated parasites after tick transmission showed no clinical signs of babesiosis, unlike those receiving intravenous challenge with the same attenuated strain prior to tick passage. Additionally, there were significantly fewer parasites in blood and tissues of animals infected with tick-passaged attenuated parasites. Sequencing analysis of select
B. bovis
genes before and after tick passage showed significant differences in parasite genotypes in both peripheral blood and cerebral samples. These results provide evidence that not only is tick transmissibility retained by the attenuated T2Bo strain, but also it results in enhanced attenuation and is accompanied by expansion of parasite subpopulations during tick passage that may be associated with the change in disease phenotype.
LcrV Delivered via Type III Secretion System of Live Attenuated Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Enhances Immunogenicity against Pneumonic Plague
Authors: Sun Wei , Sanapala Shilpa , Henderson Jeremy C. , Sam Shandiin , Olinzock Joseph , Trent M. Stephen , Curtiss Roy 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTHere, we constructed aYersinia pseudotuberculosismutant strain with arabinose-dependent regulated and delayed shutoff ofcrpexpression (araCPBADcrp) and replacement of themsbBgene with theEscherichia colimsbBgene to attenuate it. Then, we inserted theasdmutation into this construction to form χ10057 [Δasd-206ΔmsbB868::PmsbBmsbB(EC)ΔPcrp21::TTaraCPBADcrp] for use with a balanced-lethal Asd-positive (Asd+) plasmid to facilitate antigen synthesis. A hybrid protein composed of YopE (amino acids [aa]1 to 138) fused with full-length LcrV (YopENt138-LcrV) was synthesized in χ10057 harboring an Asd+plasmid (pYA5199,yopENt138-lcrV) and could be secreted through a type III secretion system (T3SS)in vitroandin vivo. Animal studies indicated that mice orally immunized with χ10057(pYA5199) developed titers of IgG response to whole-cell lysates ofY. pestis(YpL) and subunit LcrV similar to those seen with χ10057(pYA3332) (χ10057 plus an empty plasmid). However, only immunization of mice with χ10057(pYA5199) resulted in a significant secretory IgA response to LcrV. χ10057(pYA5199) induced a higher level of protection (80% survival) against intranasal (i.n.) challenge with ∼240 median lethal doses (LD50) (2.4 × 104CFU) ofY. pestisKIM6+(pCD1Ap) than χ10057(pYA3332) (40% survival). Splenocytes from mice vaccinated with χ10057(pYA5199) produced significant levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) after restimulation with LcrV and YpL antigens. Our results suggest that it is possible to use an attenuatedY. pseudotuberculosisstrain delivering the LcrV antigen via the T3SS as a potential vaccine candidate against pneumonic plague.
Towards an Informative Mutant Phenotype for Every Bacterial Gene
Authors: Deutschbauer Adam , Price Morgan N. , Wetmore Kelly M. , Tarjan Daniel R. , Xu Zhuchen , Shao Wenjun , Leon Dacia , Arkin Adam P. , Skerker Jeffrey M. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

Mutant phenotypes provide strong clues to the functions of the underlying genes and could allow annotation of the millions of sequenced yet uncharacterized bacterial genes. However, it is not known how many genes have a phenotype under laboratory conditions, how many phenotypes are biologically interpretable for predicting gene function, and what experimental conditions are optimal to maximize the number of genes with a phenotype. To address these issues, we measured the mutant fitness of 1,586 genes of the ethanol-producing bacterium
Zymomonas mobilis
ZM4 across 492 diverse experiments and found statistically significant phenotypes for 89% of all assayed genes. Thus, in
Z. mobilis
, most genes have a functional consequence under laboratory conditions. We demonstrate that 41% of
Z. mobilis
genes have both a strong phenotype and a similar fitness pattern (cofitness) to another gene, and are therefore good candidates for functional annotation using mutant fitness. Among 502 poorly characterized
Z. mobilis
genes, we identified a significant cofitness relationship for 174. For 57 of these genes without a specific functional annotation, we found additional evidence to support the biological significance of these gene-gene associations, and in 33 instances, we were able to predict specific physiological or biochemical roles for the poorly characterized genes. Last, we identified a set of 79 diverse mutant fitness experiments in
Z. mobilis
that are nearly as biologically informative as the entire set of 492 experiments. Therefore, our work provides a blueprint for the functional annotation of diverse bacteria using mutant fitness.
Mutations in the Primary Sigma Factor σ
A
and Termination Factor Rho That Reduce Susceptibility to Cell Wall Antibiotics
Authors: Lee Yong Heon , Helmann John D. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

Combinations of glycopeptides and β-lactams exert synergistic antibacterial activity, but the evolutionary mechanisms driving resistance to both antibiotics remain largely unexplored. By repeated subculturing with increasing vancomycin (VAN) and cefuroxime (CEF) concentrations, we isolated an evolved strain of the model bacterium
Bacillus subtilis
with reduced susceptibility to both antibiotics. Whole-genome sequencing revealed point mutations in genes encoding the major σ factor of RNA polymerase (
sigA
), a cell shape-determining protein (
mreB
), and the ρ termination factor (
rho
). Genetic-reconstruction experiments demonstrated that the G-to-C substitution at position 336 encoded by
sigA
(
sigA
G336C
), in the domain that recognizes the −35 promoter region, is sufficient to reduce susceptibility to VAN and works cooperatively with the
rho
G56C
substitution to increase CEF resistance. Transcriptome analyses revealed that the
sigA
G336C
substitution has wide-ranging effects, including elevated expression of the general stress σ factor (σ
B
) regulon, which is required for CEF resistance, and decreased expression of the
glpTQ
genes, which leads to fosfomycin (FOS) resistance. Our findings suggest that mutations in the core transcriptional machinery may facilitate the evolution of resistance to multiple cell wall antibiotics.
PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome: early tumour development in children
Authors: Smpokou Patroula , Fox Victor L , Tan Wen-Hann 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to report the earliest age of diagnosis of common clinical findings in children with PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS).DesignMedical records of children with PHTS were reviewed; data included growth measurements, presence or absence of specific clinical manifestations and tumours, and documented ages of diagnosis.SettingChildren with PHTS evaluated at Boston Children's Hospital from 1996 to 2011.PatientsThe cohort included 34 children diagnosed with PHTS via genetic testing, under the age of 21 years. Of these, 23 were male and 11 female. The mean age at their last documented clinical evaluation was 13.6 years. The mean follow-up time was 7.5 years.ResultsMacrocephaly and developmental/intellectual disability were consistent findings. Pigmented penile macules were noted in all males examined for this finding. Thyroid nodules, found in half the children screened with ultrasound, were diagnosed as early as at 5 years of age. Thyroid carcinoma, identified in 12% of the children in this cohort, was diagnosed as early as at 7 years of age. Other tumours included renal cell carcinoma diagnosed at 11 years of age and granulosa cell tumour of the ovary and colonic ganglioneuroma, each diagnosed at 16 years of age.ConclusionsSpecific clinical findings and tumours are characteristic in children with PHTS. Tumour development occurs in young children with this condition, which necessitates early surveillance, especially of the thyroid.
Contraceptive confidence and timing of first birth in Moldova: an event history analysis of retrospective data
Authors: Lyons-Amos Mark , Padmadas Sabu S , Durrant Gabriele B 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesTo test the contraceptive confidence hypothesis in a modern context. The hypothesis is that women using effective or modern contraceptive methods have increased contraceptive confidence and hence a shorter interval between marriage and first birth than users of ineffective or traditional methods. We extend the hypothesis to incorporate the role of abortion, arguing that it acts as a substitute for contraception in the study context.SettingMoldova, a country in South-East Europe. Moldova exhibits high use of traditional contraceptive methods and abortion compared with other European countries.ParticipantsData are from a secondary analysis of the 2005 Moldovan Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative sample survey. 5377 unmarried women were selected.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe outcome measure was the interval between marriage and first birth. This was modelled using a piecewise-constant hazard regression, with abortion and contraceptive method types as primary variables along with relevant sociodemographic controls.ResultsWomen with high contraceptive confidence (modern method users) have a higher cumulative hazard of first birth 36 months following marriage (0.88 (0.87 to 0.89)) compared with women with low contraceptive confidence (traditional method users, cumulative hazard: 0.85 (0.84 to 0.85)). This is consistent with the contraceptive confidence hypothesis. There is a higher cumulative hazard of first birth among women with low (0.80 (0.79 to 0.80)) and moderate abortion propensities (0.76 (0.75 to 0.77)) than women with no abortion propensity (0.73 (0.72 to 0.74)) 24 months after marriage.ConclusionsEffective contraceptive use tends to increase contraceptive confidence and is associated with a shorter interval between marriage and first birth. Increased use of abortion also tends to increase contraceptive confidence and shorten birth duration, although this effect is non-linear—women with a very high use of abortion tend to have lengthy intervals between marriage and first birth.
Effects of the First Line Diabetes Care (FiLDCare) self-management education and support project on knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, self-management practices and glycaemic control: a quasi-experimental study conducted in the Northern Philippines
Authors: Ku Grace Marie V , Kegels Guy 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of implementing a context-adapted diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) project based on chronic care models in the Philippines, on knowledge, attitudes, self-management practices, adiposity/obesity and glycaemia of people with diabetes.DesignProspective quasi-experimental before–after study.Participants203 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus from two local government units in the Northern Philippines fulfilling set criteria.Outcome measuresContext-adapted DSME/S was given to a cohort of people with diabetes by trained pre-existing local government healthcare personnel. Changes in knowledge, attitudes and self-management practices, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured 1 year after full project implementation. Non-parametric and parametric descriptive and inferential statistics including logistic regression analysis were done.ResultsComplete data were collected from 164 participants. Improvements in glycaemia, waist circumference, WHR, knowledge, some attitudes, adherence to medications and exercise, and an increase in fear of diabetes were significant. Reductions in HbA1c, regardless of level of control, were noted in 60.4%. Significant increase in knowledge (p<0.001), positive attitude (p=0.013), perceived ability to control blood glucose (p=0.004) and adherence to medications (p=0.001) were noted among those whose glycaemia improved. Significant differences between the subgroups whose HbA1c improved and those whose HbA1c deteriorated include male gender (p=0.042), shorter duration of diabetes (p=0.001) and increased perceived ability to control blood glucose (p=0.042). Significant correlates to improved glycaemia were male gender (OR=2.655; p=0.034), duration of diabetes >10 years (OR=0.214; p=0.003) and fear of diabetes (OR=0.490; p=0.048).ConclusionsContext-adapted DSME/S introduced in resource-constrained settings and making use of established human resources for health may improve knowledge, attitudes, self-management practices and glycaemia of recipients. Further investigations on addressing fear of diabetes and tailoring DSME/S to females with diabetes and those who have had diabetes for a longer period of time may help improve glycaemia.
Pneumococcal colonisation density: a new marker for disease severity in HIV-infected adults with pneumonia
Authors: Albrich Werner C , Madhi Shabir A , Adrian Peter V , van Niekerk Nadia , Telles Jean-Noel , Ebrahim N , Messaoudi Melina , Paranhos-Baccalà Glaucia , Giersdorf Sven , Vernet Guy , Mueller Beat , Klugman Keith P 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveA high genomic load ofPneumococcusfrom blood or cerebrospinal fluid has been associated with increased mortality. We aimed to analyse whether nasopharyngeal colonisation density in HIV-infected patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with markers of disease severity or poor outcome.MethodsQuantitativelytAreal-time PCR was performed on nasopharyngeal swabs in HIV-infected South African adults hospitalised for acute CAP at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto, South Africa. Pneumonia aetiology was considered pneumococcal if any sputum culture or Gram stain, urinary pneumococcal C-polysaccharide-based antigen, blood culture or whole bloodlytAreal-time PCR revealed pneumococci.ResultsThere was a moderate correlation between the mean nasopharyngeal colonisation densities and increasing CURB65 scores among all-cause patients with pneumonia (Spearman correlation coefficient r=0.15, p=0.06) or with the Pitt bacteraemia score among patients with pneumococcal bacteraemia (p=0.63). In patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, nasopharyngeal pneumococcal colonisation density was higher among non-survivors than survivors (7.7 vs 6.1 log10copies/mL, respectively, p=0.02) and among those who had pneumococci identified from blood cultures and/or by whole bloodlytAreal-time PCR than those with non-bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia (6.6 vs 5.6 log10copies/mL, p=0.03). Nasopharyngeal colonisation density correlated positively with the biomarkers procalcitonin (Spearman correlation coefficient r=0.37, p<0.0001), proadrenomedullin (r=0.39, p=0.008) and copeptin (r=0.30, p=0.01).ConclusionsIn addition to its previously reported role as a diagnostic tool for pneumococcal pneumonia, quantitative nasopharyngeal colonisation density also correlates with mortality and prognostic biomarkers. It may also be useful as a severity marker for pneumococcal pneumonia in HIV-infected adults.
Maxillectomy for the treatment of a recurrent nasal adenocarcinoma in a cat
Authors: Janovec Jan , L'Eplattenier Henry 
Published: August 2014

An 11‐year‐old, male neutered, domestic shorthair cat was referred with recurrence of unilateral epistaxis, approximately three years after radiotherapy treatment for low‐grade nasal adenocarcinoma. A CT scan of the head showed a mass localised within the left nasal cavity invading the left maxillary bone. Maxillectomy was performed to allow removal of all visible neoplastic tissue and an oesophagostomy tube was placed after the procedure to facilitate feeding in the early postoperative period. During the first 24 hours after surgery, epistaxis was noted, and five days after maxillectomy, the nasal discharge became purulent so the cat was administered broad‐spectrum antibiotic. The cat was discharged from hospital 11 days after surgery. The owner reported a good clinical outcome 12 months after surgery. Even though surgery is not the preferred treatment for nasal adenocarcinoma, this case report shows that surgery represents a reasonable treatment option to manage selected cases of recurrent nasal tumours after radiotherapy, and that a good outcome can be obtained despite all the pitfalls associated with this type of surgery in cats. No report discussing treatment options for locally recurrent non‐lymphoproliferative nasal tumours in the cat has been published to date.
Use of acoustoelastography to evaluate tendon healing after surgical repair of an Achilles mechanism laceration and rehabilitation with a custom tarsal orthotic splint in a dog
Authors: Hans E. C. , Sample S. J. , Duenwald‐Kuehl S. E. , Vanderby R. , Muir P. 
Published: August 2014

Achilles mechanism laceration in dogs is commonly treated by suture repair and temporary tarsal immobilisation. Acoustoelastography is an ultrasound technique that can relate changes in ultrasonic wave amplitude to a tendon's mechanical properties. This report describes use of this novel technique for monitoring mechanical healing of an Achilles tendon laceration in a dog after suture repair. A three‐year‐old spayed female Duck Tolling Retriever was diagnosed with complete laceration of the Achilles mechanism after traumatic injury. Suture repair was performed with temporary tarsal immobilisation by use of a custom hinged orthotic splint. Acoustoelastography examination was performed immediately after surgery, 6, 16, 22 and 29 weeks after surgery. Tarsal range of motion was gradually increased after surgery by staged modification of the splint. Serial acoustoelastography examinations demonstrated improving mechanical properties throughout the recovery period. At 29 weeks, mechanical properties of the repaired tendon approximated that of the normal contralateral Achilles mechanism.
Rapidly growing primary malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma of the ciliary body in a gelding
Authors: van Bergen Thomas , De Vries Cynthia , Ducatelle Richard , Martens Ann , Gasthuys Frank 
Published: August 2014

Intraocular medulloepithelioma is a relatively rare tumour in horses which is difficult to differentiate from retinoblastoma. The rate of growth of this tumour has not been investigated so far. We present a case of a primary intraocular teratoid malignant medulloepithelioma in a four‐year‐old gelding that was unilaterally blind at presentation. Repeated examination revealed rapid growth of the tumour. After enucleation of the affected eye, the horse returned to its former level of performance without recurrence for 12 months postoperatively. The histological and immunohistochemical examination of the mass clearly confirmed the malignancy of the tumour. Clinicians should be aware of the potential malignant behaviour of intraocular neoplasias. Immunohistochemistry plays an important role in the final diagnosis.
Unusual presentation of a T‐cell‐rich large B‐cell lymphoma in the nictitating membrane in a seven‐year‐old Bavarian warmblood gelding
Authors: Rushton James Oliver , Fuchs‐Baumgartinger Andrea , Nell Barbara 
Published: August 2014

A seven‐year‐old, 550‐kg, Bavarian warmblood gelding was referred to the Ophthalmology Service of the Veterinary University Vienna, due to a mass on the bulbar aspect of the nictitating membrane of the left eye. Thorough ophthalmic examination of the left eye revealed a red‐pink mass, about 1 cm in diameter and 4 mm thickness, on the bulbar aspect of the nictitating membrane. Histopathological and immunohistological examination of the excised mass identified a T‐cell‐rich large B‐cell lymphoma. Follow‐up examination revealed no recurrence of the mass 18 months after initial presentation. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of a histopathologically confirmed T‐cell‐rich large B‐cell lymphoma of the ocular adnexa in the horse, with no recurrence or metastasis 18 months after initial presentation.
Successful management of infected wounds in a fallow deer (Dama dama)
Authors: Tsioli Vassiliki , Galatos Apostolos D , Papadimitriou Seraphim , Ballomenos Dimitrios 
Published: August 2014

A two‐year‐old female fallow deer (Dama dama) weighing 29.6 kg was presented with multiple, large and heavily infected wounds at the right mammary, inguinal and femoral areas, caused by the antlers of a male fallow deer five days earlier, lameness of the right hindlimb, anorexia and general dullness. Radiography revealed no fractures. The deer was anaesthetised with a mixture of pethidine, xylazine, ketamine and isoflurane and the wounds were lavaged under pressure and debrided. Some of the wounds were sutured and drained, while others were left to heal by second intention. Topical and systemic antibiotics were administered. Two days postoperatively the deer's condition was greatly improved and one month later all the wounds were completely healed. It seems that following the principles of wound management may effectively treat large and heavily infected wounds in cervids.
EUV radiation from nitrogen capillary discharge
Authors: Frolov Oleksandr , Kolacek Karel , Schmidt Jiri , Straus Jaroslav 
Published: August 2014

In the last decade EUV sources attract interest from researchers over the world. One of the main motivations is EUV lithography, which could lead to further miniaturization in electronics. Nitrogen recombination laser at wavelength of 13.4 nm based on capillary discharge Z-pinch configuration could be used in experiments with testing of resolution of photoresist for EUV lithography (close to wavelength of 13.5 nm Si/Mo multilayer mirrors have a high reflectivity at normal incidence angles). In this work, pinching of nitrogen-filled capillary discharge is studied for the development of EUV laser, which is based on recombination pumping scheme. The goal of this study is achieving the required plasma conditions using a capillary discharge Z-pinch apparatus. In experiments with nitrogen, the capillary length was shortened from 232 mm to 90 mm and current quarter-period was changed from 60 ns to 50 ns in contrast with early experiments with Ne-like argon laser. EUV radiation from capillary discharge was registered by X-ray vacuum diode for different pressure, amplitude and duration of pre-pulse and charging voltage of the Marx generator.