bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
O21.2 Effect of Mutations inpilQon the Susceptibility ofNeisseria Gonorrhoeaeto Cephalosporins
Authors: Trees D , Pettus K , Johnson S 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundThe susceptibility ofN. gonorrhoeaeto beta-lactam antibiotics is determined by mutations or the presence of mosaic sequence inpenA, which codes for PBP2. The level of susceptibility is influenced by the presence of mutations inponA,mtrR,por, andpilQ. Here we investigate the potential for isolates ofN.gonorrhoeaethat give elevated MIC values to both penicillin and cephalosporins to mutate to still higher MIC values.MethodsMutations in gonococcal isolates were determined by DNA sequencing. MIC values were determined by agar dilution. Mutants exhibiting higher MIC values were selected on GC base agar that contained either a gradient or uniform concentration of cefpodoxime or ceftriaxone.ResultsExamination of mutants ofN. gonorrhoeaewith exhibited elevated MIC values to cephalosporins revealed SPL4 3–4. Unlike previous, similar mutants, SPL4 3–4 did not possess additional mutations inpenA. Genetic transformation experiments and genomic sequencing indicated the presence of a two base insertion mutation inpilQthat created a termination codon at amino acid 159 which resulted in a truncated protein and an increase in the ceftriaxone MIC from 0.03 to 0.5 ug/ml. Additional transformation and sequencing experiments using amplifiedpilQDNA from SPL4 3–4 confirmed that the insertion mutation inpilQwas responsible for the increased resistance to cephalosporins as well as to penicillin. Further experimentation by amplification mutagenesis ofpilQwith Taq polymerase yielded three additionalpilQmutants which exhibited increased MICs to cephalosporins, and all caused premature termination of the translation of thepilQprotein.ConclusionMost of the studies examining increased MICs to cephalosporins in the gonococcus have focused on additional mutations in a mosaicpenAgene. However, in this study we have been able to generate mutations inpilQthat resulted in increased MICs. Future studies will look for similar mutations in gonococcal clinical isolates.
Angiotensin II–Converting Enzyme Inhibition Improves Survival, Ventricular Remodeling, and Myocardial Energetics in Experimental Aortic Regurgitation
Authors: Arsenault Marie , Zendaoui Adnane , Roussel Élise , Drolet Marie-Claude , Dhahri Wahiba , Grenier Audrey , Gascon Suzanne , Sarrhini Otman , Rousseau Jacques A. , Lecomte Roger , Couet Jacques 
Published: July 2013

Background—
Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) is a volume-overload disease causing severe eccentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and eventually heart failure. There is currently no approved drug to treat patients with AR. Many vasodilators including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been evaluated in clinical trials, but although some results were promising, others were inconclusive. Overall, no drug has yet been able to improve clinical outcome in AR and the controversy remains. We have previously shown in an animal model that captopril (Cpt) reduced LV hypertrophy and protected LV systolic function, but we had not evaluated the clinical outcome. This protocol was designed to evaluate the effects of a long-term Cpt treatment on survival in the same animal model of severe aortic valve regurgitation.

Methods and Results—
Forty Wistar rats with AR were treated or untreated with Cpt (1 g/L in drinking water) for a period of 7 months to evaluate survival, myocardial remodeling, and function by echocardiography as well as myocardial metabolism by µ positron emission tomography scan. Survival was significantly improved in Cpt-treated animals with a survival benefit visible as soon as after 4 months of treatment. Cpt reduced LV dilatation and LV hypertrophy. It also significantly improved the myocardial metabolic profile by restoring the level of fatty acids metabolic enzymes and use.

Conclusions—
In a controlled animal model of pure severe aortic valve regurgitation, Cpt treatment reduced LV remodeling and LV hypertrophy and improved myocardial metabolic profile and survival. These results support the need to reevaluate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in humans with AR in a large, carefully designed prospective clinical trial.
Overlap of Diseases Underlying Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Sirimarco Gaia , Lavallée Philippa C. , Labreuche Julien , Meseguer Elena , Cabrejo Lucie , Guidoux Céline , Klein Isabelle F. , Olivot Jean-Marc , Abboud Halim , Adraï Valérie , Kusmierek Jérôme , Ratani Samina , Touboul Pierre-Jean , Mazighi Mikael , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Amarenco Pierre 
Published: July 2013

Background and Purpose—
ASCOD phenotyping (A, atherosclerosis; S, small vessel disease; C, cardiac pathology; O, other causes; and D, dissection) assigns a degree of likelihood to every potential cause (1 for potentially causal, 2 for causality is uncertain, 3 for unlikely causal but disease is present, 0 for absence of disease, and 9 for insufficient workup to rule out the disease) commonly encountered in ischemic stroke. We used ASCOD to investigate the overlap of underlying vascular diseases and their prognostic implication.

Methods—
A single rater applied ASCOD in 405 patients enrolled in the Asymptomatic Myocardial Ischemia in Stroke and Atherosclerotic Disease study.

Results—
A was present in 90% of patients (A1=43% and A2=15%), C in 52% (C1=23% and C2=14%), and S in 66% (S1=11% and S2=2%). On the basis of grades 1 and 2, 25% of patients had multiple underlying diseases, and 80% when all 3 grades were considered. The main overlap was found between A and C; among C1 patients, A was present in 92% of cases (A1=28%, A2=20%, and A3=44%). Conversely, among A1 patients, C was present in 47% of cases (C1=15%, C2=15%, and C3=17%). Grades for C were associated with gradual increase in the 3-year risk of vascular events, whereas risks were similar across A grades, meaning that the mere presence of atherosclerotic disease qualifies for high risk, regardless the degree of likelihood for A.

Conclusions—
ASCOD phenotyping shows that the large overlap among the 3 main diseases, and the high prevalence of any form of atherosclerotic disease, reinforces the need to systematically control atherosclerotic risk factors in all ischemic strokes.
Increased group size promotes task specialization in a normally solitary halictine bee
Authors: Holbrook C. Tate , Kukuk Penelope F. , Fewell Jennifer H. 
Published: July 2013

Division of labour is a fundamental property of animal groups; how it is generated and evolves is, therefore, of central importance to sociobiology. Self-organizational models suggest (1) that division of labour can emerge spontaneously at the origin of group living and (2) that increased group size further promotes task specialization. We examined the emergence and scaling of division of labour in an evolutionarily incipient social system: forced associations of the normally solitary halictine bee Lasioglossum (Ctenonomia) NDA-1. A division of labour between nest excavation and guarding arose in pairs and in groups of four bees, with individuals in larger groups exhibiting higher degrees of task specialization. Task differentiation may be facilitated by intrinsic behavioral variability and/or spatial organization. Our results support the hypotheses that division of labour can self-organize at early stages of social evolution and that greater individual specialization is an emergent consequence of increased group size.
From Perception to Paint: the Practical Use of the Camera Obscura in the Time of Vermeer
Authors: Jelley Jane 
Published: July 2013

This is a report of a studio experiment to explore how images from the camera obscura could have been used directly by artists of Vermeer’s era. It has a pragmatic and practical approach, bringing a painter’s eye and experience to the problems of transferring images from the lens to a canvas, using the primitive technology and unrefined materials available then. It addresses how an artist could use the condensed, flattened images from camera obscura projections in his painting process, when the subject could appear reversed and inverted on the screen or on the wall. It considers how the limitations of the materials that make transfers possible might affect studio practice, and ultimately the stylistic qualities of the work produced.
This paper outlines a simple printing method that would enable the seventeenth-century painter to transfer monochrome images, corrected in orientation, from the lens to a canvas with relative ease, for use as the painting progressed in the stages prescribed at the time. Prints made on the ground layer could form the basis of underpainting, while those on top layers could transfer highlights and optical effects, not seen with the naked eye. This technique would allow the painter to be in the light of his studio, facing his motif, when working in colour. Reference is made to art historical literature and contemporary workshop treatises, and all materials used are authentic. The results obtained using this process are consistent with the visual evidence of the way in which Vermeer applied his paint, and with recent scientific examination of his work. The findings suggest possible causes for some of the unusual qualities of Vermeer’s work, in particular the strong tonal polarity in the underpainting with no evidence of drawing, his choice of material in the ground layers, and the qualities of variable focus.
Evidence of elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in commonly consumed fish from Eleyele Reservoir, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Adeogun Aina O , Adedara Isaac A , Farombi Ebenezer O 
Published: July 2013

Environmental pollution of water, which is a source of cheap and affordable protein in the form of fish on which the population depends on, is of great concern globally. The present study assesses the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners in sediments and six commonly consumed cichlid species from Eleyele Reservoir, Southwestern Nigeria. The results indicate that the concentrations of heavier PCB congeners are higher than the lighter congeners in both sediment and fish tissue. The predominant PCB congeners in the sediment samples from this site were PCBs 8, 44, 114, 101, 189, 196, 206 and 209. The concentration of PCB congeners increased with increasing molecular weight from hepta-PCB to deca-PCB in all fish species. The trend in accumulation of total PCBs in fish was as follows: Tilapia guineensis (2,531.1 ± 74.6 ng/g) > Sarotherodon galilaeus (1178.7 ± 68.5 ng/g) > Oreochromis niloticus > (891.8 ± 49.6 ng/g) > Tilapia zillii (832.8 ± 38.2 ng/g) > Hemichromis fasciatus (475.7 ± 28.5 ng/g) > Sarotherodon melanotheron (333.2 ± 26.1 ng/g). In summary, data from this study shows that the levels of PCBs in cichlid species from Eleyele Reservoir are higher than the threshold level of 0.023–0.047 ng g−1 recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency. Such elevated PCB levels present significant health implications for human consumers and a threat to the resident fish communities.
Using mPINC Data to Measure Breastfeeding Support for Hospital Employees
Authors: Allen Jessica A. , Belay Brook , Perrine Cria G. 
Published: July 2013

Background: Employer support is important for mothers, as returning to work is a common reason for discontinuing breastfeeding. This article explores support available to breastfeeding employees of hospitals that provide maternity care. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of 7 different types of worksite support and changes in these supports available to breastfeeding employees at hospitals that provide maternity care from 2007 to 2011. Methods: Hospital data from the 2007, 2009, and 2011 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Survey on Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) were analyzed. Survey respondents were asked if the hospital provides any of the following supports to hospital staff: (1) a designated room to express milk, (2) on-site child care, (3) an electric breast pump, (4) permission to use existing work breaks to express milk, (5) a breastfeeding support group, (6) lactation consultant/specialist available for consult, and (7) paid maternity leave other than accrued vacation or sick leave. This study was exempt from ethical approval because it was a secondary analysis of a publicly available dataset. Results: Of the 7 worksite supports in hospitals measured, 6 increased and 1 decreased from 2007 to 2011. Across all survey years, more than 70% of hospitals provided supports for expressing breast milk, whereas less than 15% provided direct access to the breastfeeding child through on-site child care, and less than 35% offered paid maternity leave. Results differed by region and hospital size and type. In 2011, only 2% of maternity hospitals provided all 7 worksite supports; 40% provided 5 or more. Conclusion: The majority of maternity care hospitals (> 70%) offer breastfeeding supports that allow employees to express breast milk. Supports that provide direct access to the breastfeeding child, which would allow employees to breastfeed at the breast, and access to breastfeeding support groups are much less frequent than other supports, suggesting opportunities for improvement.
Neddylation plays an important role in the regulation of murine and human dendritic cell function
Authors: Mathewson Nathan , Toubai Tomomi , Kapeles Steven , Sun Yaping , Oravecz-Wilson Katherine , Tamaki Hiroya , Wang Ying , Hou Guoqing , Sun Yi , Reddy Pavan 
Published: July 2013

Key Points
There is a role for the posttranslational modification, neddylation, in regulation of immune responses mediated by dendritic cells. A role for neddylation in NF-κB signaling in dendritic cells was identified.
Defective tubulin organization and proplatelet formation in murine megakaryocytes lacking Rac1 and Cdc42
Authors: Pleines Irina , Dütting Sebastian , Cherpokova Deya , Eckly Anita , Meyer Imke , Morowski Martina , Krohne Georg , Schulze Harald , Gachet Christian , Debili Najet , Brakebusch Cord , Nieswandt Bernhard 
Published: July 2013

Key Points
Rac1 and Cdc42 have redundant functions in platelet biogenesis. Deficiency of Rac1 and Cdc42 results in highly abnormal megakaryocyte morphology associated with severely defective tubulin organization.
Abnormal megakaryocyte development and platelet function in Nbeal2−/− mice
Authors: Kahr Walter H. A. , Lo Richard W. , Li Ling , Pluthero Fred G. , Christensen Hilary , Ni Ran , Vaezzadeh Nima , Hawkins Cynthia E. , Weyrich Andrew S. , Di Paola Jorge , Landolt-Marticorena Carolina , Gross Peter L. 
Published: July 2013

Key Points
Nbeal2 −/− mice are a model of human GPS, characterized by macrothrombocytopenia and α-granule-deficient platelets. NBEAL2 is required for normal platelet function and megakaryocyte development.
Cerebrospinal-fluid cytokine and chemokine profile in patients with pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis
Authors: Coutinho Leonam G , Grandgirard Denis , Leib Stephen L , Agnez-Lima Lucymara F 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Bacterial meningitis is characterized by an intense inflammatory reaction contributing to neuronal damage. The aim of this study was to obtain a comparative analysis of cytokines and chemokines in patients with pneumococcal (PM) and meningococcal meningitis (MM) considering that a clear difference between the immune response induced by these pathogens remains unclear.

Methods
The cyto/chemokines, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-1Ra, CXCL8/IL-8, CCL2/MCP-1, CLL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1γ and G-CSF, were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with PM and MM. Additionally, a literature review about the expression of cytokines in CSF samples of patients with MB was made.

Results
Concerning cytokines levels, only IFN-γ was significantly higher in patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae compared to those with Neisseria meningitidis, regardless of the time when the lumbar puncture (LP) was made. Furthermore, when samples were compared considering the timing of the LP, higher levels of TNF-α (P <0.05) were observed in MM patients whose LP was made within 48 h from the initial symptoms of disease. We also observed that the index of release of cyto/chemokines per cell was significantly higher in PM. From the literature review, it was observed that TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 are the best studied cytokines, while reports describing the concentration of the cytokine IL-2, IL-1Ra, G-CSF and CCL4/MIP-1β in CSF samples of patients with bacterial meningitis were not found.

Conclusion
The data obtained in this study and the previously published data show a similar profile of cytokine expression during PM and MM. Nevertheless, the high levels of IFN-γ and the ability to release high levels of cytokines with a low number of cells are important factors to be considered in the pathogenesis of PM and thereby should be further investigated. Moreover, differences in the early response induced by the pathogens were observed. However, the differences observed are not sufficient to trigger changes in the current therapy of corticosteroids adopted in both the PM and MM.
Whole-exome sequencing identifies MYO15A mutations as a cause of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss in Korean families
Authors: Woo Hae-Mi , Park Hong-Joon , Baek Jeong-In , Park Mi-Hyun , Kim Un-Kyung , Sagong Borum , Koo Soo Kyung 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
The genetic heterogeneity of hearing loss makes genetic diagnosis expensive and time consuming using available methods. Whole-exome sequencing has recently been introduced as an alternative approach to identifying causative mutations in Mendelian disorders.

Methods
To identify the hidden mutations that cause autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL), we performed whole-exome sequencing of 13 unrelated Korean small families with ARNSHL who were negative for GJB2 or SLC26A4 mutations.

Results
We found two novel compound heterozygous mutations, IVS11 + 1 and p.R2146Q, of MYO15A in one (SR903 family) of the 13 families with ARNSHL. In addition to these causative mutations, 13 nonsynonymous variants, including variants with uncertain pathogenicity (SR285 family), were identified in the coding exons of MYO15A from Korean exomes.

Conclusion
This is the first report of MYO15A mutations in an East Asian population. We suggest that close attention should be paid to this gene when performing genetic testing of patients with hearing loss in East Asia. The present results also indicate that whole-exome sequencing is a valuable method for comprehensive medical diagnosis of a genetically heterogeneous recessive disease, especially in small-sized families.
Employing crisis postcards with case management in Kaohsiung, Taiwan: 6-month outcomes of a randomised controlled trial for suicide attempters
Authors: Chen Wei-Jen , Ho Chi-Kung , Shyu Shi-Sen , Chen Cheng-Chung , Lin Guei-Ging , Chou Li-Shiu , Fang Yun-Ju , Yeh Pin-Yang , Chung Tieh-Chi , Chou Frank Huang-Chih 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundSuicide attempts constitute a serious clinical problem and have important implications for healthcare resources. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of case management using crisis postcards over a 6-month follow-up period.MethodA randomised controlled trial was conducted in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Prevention of further suicide attempts was compared between two groups with and without the postcard intervention. The intervention group consisted of 373 participants (139 males, 234 females; age: 39.8 ± 14.0 yrs.). The control group consisted of 388 participants (113 males, 275 females; age: 40.0 ± 16.0 yrs.). A survival analysis was used to test the effectiveness of the crisis postcard intervention for the prevention of suicide reattempts. Per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses were conducted.ResultsThe intention-to-treat analysis indicated that the crisis postcard had no effect (hazard ratio = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.56 – 1.29), whereas the per-protocol analysis showed a strong benefit for the crisis postcard (hazard ratio = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.21 – 0.72).ConclusionAlthough the results of the present study indicated that the postcard intervention did not reduce subsequent suicide behaviour, our study provides an alteration to the postcard intervention. Further studies need to be conducted to clarify whether this type of intervention can reduce subsequent suicidal behaviour, with a particular focus on reducing the rate of loss to follow-up.
The impact of podoconiosis on quality of life in Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Mousley Elizabeth , Deribe Kebede , Tamiru Abreham , Davey Gail 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Podoconiosis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases, which untreated, causes considerable physical disability and stigma for affected individuals. Little is known about the quality of life (QoL) of patients with podoconiosis. This study aimed to assess the QoL of patients with podoconiosis in comparison with healthy controls in Ethiopia.

Methods
A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2012, among 346 clinically confirmed adult patients with podoconiosis, and 349 healthy adult neighbourhood controls in Dembecha woreda (district) in northern Ethiopia. QoL was assessed using the validated Amharic version of the World Health Organisation Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQoL-BREF) scale; in addition, mental health and stigma were assessed by the Kessler-10 scale and podoconiosis stigma scale respectively. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with QoL.

Results
Patients with podoconiosis had significantly lower mean overall QoL than the controls (52.05 versus 64.39), and this was also true in all four sub domains (physical, psychological, social and environmental). Controls were 7 times more likely to have high (above median) QoL (Odds Ratio = 6.74, 95% Confidence Interval 4.62 to 9.84) than cases. Factors associated with lower QoL were: experiencing high levels of stigma, living in an urban area, being illiterate, having additional co-morbidities, and being unmarried. Mental illness was associated with lower scores in psychological and physical domains.

Conclusions
Programs targeting podoconiosis interventions should include QoL as an indicator for monitoring progress. Interventions targeting improvement of QoL among patients with podoconiosis should address depression, stigma and other co-morbidities.