bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of bronchial fiberscope in esophageal fistula caused by necrotizing bronchitis
Authors: Matsui Jun , Nakahara Sayuri , Kikuoka Nanae , Tsutsui Hidemi , Furukawa Ouki , Kitamura Shoji , Yanagi Takahide , Koshida Shigeki , Hasegawa Hisaya 
Published: February 2014

AbstractNeonatal necrotizing bronchitis is a disease that occurs in premature and low‐birthweight infants who are subject to artificial respiratory management, and which has a poor prognosis, because it progresses suddenly and can result in death. There have been no reports of survival to date in cases of tracheo‐esophageal fistula caused by necrotizing bronchitis, and no swift and effective management method has yet been reported. This report describes a case in which the use of a bronchial fiberscope in making an early diagnosis facilitated appropriate management and survival. The proactive use of a bronchial fiberscope in regard to this disease, which has a high fatality rate, may save lives.
Non‐invasive renal artery embolization for renal dysplasia accompanied by hypertension
Authors: Yanagida Hidehiko , Tabata Nobutada , Sugimoto Keisuke , Izu Akane , Wada Norihisa , Sakata Naoki , Okada Mitsuru , Takemura Tsukasa 
Published: February 2014

AbstractRenovascular hypertension caused by renal dysplasia often is resistant to drug therapy. For a 14‐year‐old girl with such refractory hypertension, a non‐invasive right renal ablation by embolization with anhydrous ethanol using a shepherd ‘s‐crook’ balloon catheter, was done. Blood pressure then rapidly normalized. Apart from mild fever after the procedure, no adverse effects occurred. In patients with mild renal artery stenosis and hypertension resistant to anti‐hypertensive drug therapy, renal artery embolization may be a useful option.
Pulmonary veno‐occlusive disease in an 11‐year‐old girl: Diagnostic pitfalls
Authors: Kano Gen , Nakamura Keiko , Sakamoto Izumi 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPulmonary veno‐occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare chronic lung disease that is difficult to diagnose due to non‐specific clinical findings. Little is known about the pathogenesis of PVOD. Reported herein is the case of an 11‐year‐old girl who initially presented with ‘bat‐wing’ shadows on chest radiography. This finding, coupled with prominent hemosiderosis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, initially led to a misdiagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. Oral prednisolone dramatically improved signs and symptoms initially, but her condition then gradually deteriorated during maintenance therapy with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants. PVOD was suspected but not confirmed owing to a lack of hallmark radiographic findings and contraindications for lung biopsy. Three years later, while arranging for lung transplantation, the patient experienced sudden onset of fatal massive pulmonary edema. PVOD was confirmed at autopsy. This case provides insights regarding an unfamiliar presentation of PVOD and may help physicians to avoid diagnostic pitfalls.
Local Cost Surface Models of Distance Decay for the Analysis of Gridded Population Data
Authors: Lloyd Christopher D. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThe paper evaluates some proposed improvements to the analysis of gridded population data, using as a case-study the religious segregation that is observed in gridded population data from Northern Ireland: first, the use of cost surfaces rather than simple Euclidean (straight line) distances to represent the interactions between gridded geographic areas; second, a method for creating gridded cost surfaces that takes account of vector features (such as roads and physical obstructions); third, the limitation of cost surfaces to a tightly defined ‘local’ set of areas, with a view to reduce computational overheads significantly without adversely impacting the accuracy of subsequent results. The results suggest that all three improvements have merit. The paper further explores the effect of using log-ratios rather than percentages (minimal) and of local rather than global measures of segregation (which allows for considerably greater insight into population characteristics). Although the case-study and results apply specifically to gridded population data, the results of the paper have wider implications for the analysis of any type of zonal data.
Development of a New Artificial Knee Joint for an Asian and Middle Eastern Population
Authors: Ranu Harcharan Singh 
Published: February 2014

Design of an artificial knee was developed using computer 3-D modeling, the high flexion knee was obtained by using a multi-radii design pattern, The increase of final 20 degrees in flexion was obtained by increasing the condylar radii of curvature. The model of the high flexion knee was developed and one of the models was subjected to finite element modeling and analysis.
The compositions of components in the artificial knee were, femoral component and the tibial component were metal, whereas the patellar component and the meniscal insert were made using polyethylene. The metal component used for the analysis in this study was Ti6Al4V and the polyethylene used was UHMWPE. Overall biomaterials chosen were: meniscus (UHMWPE, mass = 0.0183701 kg, volume = 1.97518e-005 m3), tibial component (Ti6Al4V, mass = 0.0584655 kg, volume = 1.32013e-005 m3), femoral component (Ti6Al4V, mass = 0.153122 kg, volume = 3.45742e-005 m3), total artificial assembly (mass = 0.229958 kg, volume = 6.75e-005m3).
However, in this design the load had been taken to 10 times the body weight. The weight over single knee is only half the maximum load as the load is shared between the two knee joints. Following were the loading conditions, taking average body weight to be 70Kgs and taking extreme loading conditions of up to 10 times the body weight, i.e. 700Kgs on each of the leg performed the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) over the newly designed knee. The loading was done at an increment of 100 Kgs. The loading conditions and the meshing details for the analysis of the assembly were Jacobian check: 4 points, element size: 0.40735 cm, tolerance: 0.20367 cm, quality: high, number of elements: 80909, number of nodes: 126898. A maximum load of 600 Kgs is optimum for this model. The other components observed linear elastic behavior for the applied loads. Based on these results it was determined that the load bearing capacity of the model were well within the failure levels of the materials used for the analysis. A maximum load of 600 Kgs is optimum for this model. The other components observed linear elastic behavior for the applied loads. Based on these results it was determined that the load bearing capacity of the model were well within the failure levels of the materials used for the analysis.
Conclusion drawn from this is that for the first time an innovative new design of an artificial knee joint to suite a segment of some religious population has been developed. This allows them to pray, bend in different positions and squat without too much difficulty.
Randomized, Controlled, Assessor-Blind Clinical Trial To Assess the Efficacy of Single- versus Repeated-Dose Albendazole To Treat Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Hookworm Infection
Authors: Adegnika Ayola A. , Zinsou Jeannot F. , Issifou Saadou , Ateba-Ngoa Ulysse , Kassa Roland F. , Feugap Eliane N. , Honkpehedji Yabo J. , Dejon Agobe Jean-Claude , Kenguele Hilaire M. , Massinga-Loembe Marguerite , Agnandji Selidji T. , Mordmüller Benjamin , Ramharter Michael , Yazdanbakhsh Maria , Kremsner Peter G. , Lell Bertrand 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

In many regions where soil-transmitted helminth infections are endemic, single-dose albendazole is used in mass drug administration programs to control infections. There are little data on the efficacy of the standard single-dose administration compared to that of alternative regimens. We conducted a randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded clinical trial to determine the efficacies of standard and extended albendazole treatment against soil-transmitted helminth infection in Gabon. A total of 175 children were included. Adequate cure rates and egg reduction rates above 85% were found with a single dose of albendazole for
Ascaris
infection, 85% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73, 96) and 93.8% (CI, 87.6, 100), respectively, while two doses were necessary for hookworm infestation (92% [CI, 78, 100] and 92% [CI, 78, 100], respectively). However, while a 3-day regimen was not sufficient to cure
Trichuris
(cure rate, 83% [CI, 73, 93]), this regimen reduced the number of eggs up to 90.6% (CI, 83.1, 100). The rate ratios of two- and three-dose regimens compared to a single-dose treatment were 1.7 (CI, 1.1, 2.5) and 2.1 (CI, 1.5, 2.9) for
Trichuris
and 1.7 (CI, 1.0, 2.9) and 1.7 (CI, 1.0, 2.9) for hookworm. Albendazole was safe and well tolerated in all regimens. A single-dose albendazole treatment considerably reduces
Ascaris
infection but has only a moderate effect on hookworm and
Trichuris
infections. The single-dose option may still be the preferred regimen because it balances efficacy, safety, and compliance during mass drug administration, keeping in mind that asymptomatic low-level helminth carriage may also have beneficial effects. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration number NCT01192802.)
Large Retrospective Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Ceftaroline Fosamil Therapy
Authors: Casapao Anthony M. , Davis Susan L. , Barr Viktorija O. , Klinker Kenneth P. , Goff Debra A. , Barber Katie E. , Kaye Keith S. , Mynatt Ryan P. , Molloy Leah M. , Pogue Jason M. , Rybak Michael J. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

Ceftaroline has been approved for acute bacterial skin infections and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Limited clinical experience exists for use outside these indications. The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of patients treated with ceftaroline for various infections. Retrospective analyses of patients receiving ceftaroline ≥72 h from 2011 to 2013 were included. Clinical and microbiological outcomes were analyzed. Clinical success was defined as resolution of all signs and symptoms of infection with no further need for escalation while on ceftaroline treatment during hospitalization. A total of 527 patients received ceftaroline, and 67% were treated for off-label indications. Twenty-eight percent (148/527) of patients had bacteremia. Most patients (80%) were initiated on ceftaroline after receipt of another antimicrobial, with 48% citing disease progression as a reason for switching. The median duration of ceftaroline treatment was 6 days, with an interquartile range of 4 to 9 days. A total of 327 (62%) patients were culture positive, and the most prevalent pathogen was
Staphylococcus aureus
, with a frequency of 83% (271/327). Of these patients, 88.9% (241/271) were infected with methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA). Clinically, 88% (426/484) achieved clinical success and hospital mortality was seen in 8% (40/527). While on ceftaroline, adverse events were experienced in 8% (41/527) of the patients and 9% (28/307) were readmitted within 30 days after discharge for the same infection. Patients treated with ceftaroline for both FDA-approved and off-label infections had favorable outcomes. Further research is necessary to further describe the role of ceftaroline in a variety of infections and its impact on patient outcomes.
Mechanism of Action of 5-Nitrothiophenes against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hartkoorn Ruben C. , Ryabova Olga B. , Chiarelli Laurent R. , Riccardi Giovanna , Makarov Vadim , Cole Stewart T. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

On using the streptomycin-starved 18b strain as a model for nonreplicating
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, we identified a 5-nitrothiophene compound as highly active but not cytotoxic. Mutants resistant to 5-nitrothiophenes were found be cross-resistant to the nitroimidazole PA-824 and unable to produce the F
420
cofactor. Furthermore, 5-nitrothiophenes were shown to be activated by the F
420
-dependent nitroreductase Ddn and to release nitric oxide, a mechanism of action identical to that described for nitroimidazoles.
Role of the Polymorphic Immunodominant Molecule in Entry of Theileria parva Sporozoites into Bovine Lymphocytes
Authors: Toye Philip , Musoke Antony , Naessens Jan 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTTheileria parvais a tick-transmitted apicomplexan parasite that infects cattle and African buffalo. In cattle, it causes a fatal lymphoproliferative disease called East Coast fever. The polymorphic immunodominant molecule (PIM) is expressed by two stages of the parasite: the sporozoite, which is inoculated by the tick to infect mammalian lymphocytes, and the schizont, the established intralymphocytic stage. Here, we demonstrate that monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to PIM can reduce the ability of sporozoites to infect bovine lymphocytesin vitro. This reduction appears to be due to blocking of sporozoite attachment by binding of the MAb to several regions of PIM. Interestingly, one MAb, which recognizes an epitope in the central variable region of PIM, did not inhibit sporozoite infectivity. We also demonstrate that PIM antigen, as a recombinant molecule, can also reduce sporozoite infectivityin vitroby blocking both attachment and internalization of sporozoites. Electron microscopic studies showed that PIM is present in microspheres below the sporozoite surface and is transported to the parasite surface soon after contact with bovine lymphocytes. The results suggest that at least two sporozoite molecules, PIM and the previously described p67, are involved in the entry ofT. parvainto mammalian lymphocytes.
Putative Inv Is Essential for Basolateral Invasion of Caco-2 Cells and Acts Synergistically with OmpA To Affect
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Virulence of Cronobacter sakazakii ATCC 29544
Authors: Chandrapala Dilini , Kim Kyumson , Choi Younho , Senevirathne Amal , Kang Dong-Hyun , Ryu Sangryeol , Kim Kwang-Pyo 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

Cronobacter sakazakii
is an opportunistic pathogen that causes neonatal meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis. Its interaction with intestinal epithelium is important in the pathogenesis of enteric infections. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the
inv
gene in the virulence of
C. sakazakii
ATCC 29544
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Sequence analysis of
C. sakazakii
ATCC 29544
inv
revealed that it is different from other
C. sakazakii
isolates. In various cell culture models, an Δ
inv
deletion mutant showed significantly lowered invasion efficiency, which was restored upon genetic complementation. Studying invasion potentials using tight-junction-disrupted Caco-2 cells suggested that the
inv
gene product mediates basolateral invasion of
C. sakazakii
ATCC 29544. In addition, comparison of invasion potentials of double mutant (Δ
ompA Δinv
) and single mutants (Δ
ompA
and Δ
inv
) provided evidence for an additive effect of the two putative outer membrane proteins. Finally, the importance of
inv
and the additive effect of putative Inv and OmpA were also proven in an
in vivo
rat pup model. This report is the first to demonstrate two proteins working synergistically
in vitro
, as well as
in vivo
in
C. sakazakii
pathogenesis.
Role of F1C Fimbriae, Flagella, and Secreted Bacterial Components in the Inhibitory Effect of Probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 on Atypical Enteropathogenic E. coli Infection
Authors: Kleta Sylvia , Nordhoff Marcel , Tedin Karsten , Wieler Lothar H. , Kolenda Rafal , Oswald Sibylle , Oelschlaeger Tobias A. , Bleiß Wilfried , Schierack Peter 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

Enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(EPEC) is recognized as an important intestinal pathogen that frequently causes acute and persistent diarrhea in humans and animals. The use of probiotic bacteria to prevent diarrhea is gaining increasing interest. The probiotic
E. coli
strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) is known to be effective in the treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders. While both
in vitro
and
in vivo
studies have described strong inhibitory effects of EcN on enteropathogenic bacteria, including pathogenic
E. coli
, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of EcN on infections of porcine intestinal epithelial cells with atypical enteropathogenic
E. coli
(aEPEC) with respect to single infection steps, including adhesion, microcolony formation, and the attaching and effacing phenotype. We show that EcN drastically reduced the infection efficiencies of aEPEC by inhibiting bacterial adhesion and growth of microcolonies, but not the attaching and effacing of adherent bacteria. The inhibitory effect correlated with EcN adhesion capacities and was predominantly mediated by F1C fimbriae, but also by H1 flagella, which served as bridges between EcN cells. Furthermore, EcN seemed to interfere with the initial adhesion of aEPEC to host cells by secretion of inhibitory components. These components do not appear to be specific to EcN, but we propose that the strong adhesion capacities enable EcN to secrete sufficient local concentrations of the inhibitory factors. The results of this study are consistent with a mode of action whereby EcN inhibits secretion of virulence-associated proteins of EPEC, but not their expression.
Deregulated Balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids following Infection by the Zoonotic Pathogen Streptococcus suis
Authors: Lachance Claude , Segura Mariela , Dominguez-Punaro Maria C. , Wojewodka Gabriella , De Sanctis Juan B. , Radzioch Danuta , Gottschalk Marcelo 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTStreptococcus suisis an important swine pathogen and an emergent zoonotic pathogen. Excessive inflammation caused byS. suisis responsible for early high mortality in septic shock-like syndrome cases. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may contribute to regulating inflammatory processes. This study shows that mouse infection byS. suisis accompanied by an increase of arachidonic acid, a proinflammatory omega-6 (ω-6) PUFA, and by a decrease of docosahexaenoic acid, an anti-inflammatory ω-3 PUFA. Macrophages infected withS. suisshowed activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and cyclooxygenase-2 upregulation. Fenretinide, a synthetic vitamin A analog, reducedin vitroexpression of inflammatory mediators. Pretreatment of mice with fenretinide significantly improved their survival by reducing systemic proinflammatory cytokines during the acute phase of anS. suisinfection. These findings indicate a beneficial effect of fenretinide in diminishing the expression of inflammation and improving survival during an acute infection by a virulentS. suisstrain.
The Copper-Responsive RicR Regulon Contributes to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Virulence
Authors: Shi Xiaoshan , Festa Richard A. , Ioerger Thomas R. , Butler-Wu Susan , Sacchettini James C. , Darwin K. Heran , Samanovic Marie I. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

As with most life on Earth, the transition metal copper (Cu) is essential for the viability of the human pathogen
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. However, infected hosts can also use Cu to control microbial growth. Several Cu-responsive pathways are present in
M. tuberculosis
, including the regulated in copper repressor (RicR) regulon, which is unique to pathogenic mycobacteria. In this work, we describe the contribution of each RicR-regulated gene to Cu resistance
in vitro
and to virulence in animals. We found that the deletion or disruption of individual RicR-regulated genes had no impact on virulence in mice, although several mutants had Cu hypersensitivity. In contrast, a mutant unable to activate the RicR regulon was not only highly susceptible to Cu but also attenuated in mice. Thus, these data suggest that several genes of the RicR regulon are required simultaneously to combat Cu toxicity
in vivo
or that this regulon is also important for resistance against Cu-independent mechanisms of host defense.

IMPORTANCE
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is the causative agent of tuberculosis, killing millions of people every year. Therefore, understanding the biology of
M. tuberculosis
is crucial for the development of new therapies to treat this devastating disease. Our studies reveal that although host-supplied Cu can suppress bacterial growth,
M. tuberculosis
has a unique pathway, the RicR regulon, to defend against Cu toxicity. These findings suggest that Cu homeostasis pathways in both the host and the pathogen could be exploited for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Spread, Circulation, and Evolution of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Authors: Cotten Matthew , Watson Simon J. , Zumla Alimuddin I. , Makhdoom Hatem Q. , Palser Anne L. , Ong Swee Hoe , Al Rabeeah Abdullah A. , Alhakeem Rafat F. , Assiri Abdullah , Al-Tawfiq Jaffar A. , Albarrak Ali , Barry Mazin , Shibl Atef , Alrabiah Fahad A. , Hajjar Sami , Balkhy Hanan H. , Flemban Hesham , Rambaut Andrew , Kellam Paul , Memish Ziad A. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first documented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2012 and, to date, has been identified in 180 cases with 43% mortality. In this study, we have determined the MERS-CoV evolutionary rate, documented genetic variants of the virus and their distribution throughout the Arabian peninsula, and identified the genome positions under positive selection, important features for monitoring adaptation of MERS-CoV to human transmission and for identifying the source of infections. Respiratory samples from confirmed KSA MERS cases from May to September 2013 were subjected to whole-genome deep sequencing, and 32 complete or partial sequences (20 were ≥99% complete, 7 were 50 to 94% complete, and 5 were 27 to 50% complete) were obtained, bringing the total available MERS-CoV genomic sequences to 65. An evolutionary rate of 1.12 × 10
−3
substitutions per site per year (95% credible interval [95% CI], 8.76 × 10
−4
; 1.37 × 10
−3
) was estimated, bringing the time to most recent common ancestor to March 2012 (95% CI, December 2011; June 2012). Only one MERS-CoV codon, spike 1020, located in a domain required for cell entry, is under strong positive selection. Four KSA MERS-CoV phylogenetic clades were found, with 3 clades apparently no longer contributing to current cases. The size of the population infected with MERS-CoV showed a gradual increase to June 2013, followed by a decline, possibly due to increased surveillance and infection control measures combined with a basic reproduction number (
R
0
) for the virus that is less than 1.

IMPORTANCE
MERS-CoV adaptation toward higher rates of sustained human-to-human transmission appears not to have occurred yet. While MERS-CoV transmission currently appears weak, careful monitoring of changes in MERS-CoV genomes and of the MERS epidemic should be maintained. The observation of phylogenetically related MERS-CoV in geographically diverse locations must be taken into account in efforts to identify the animal source and transmission of the virus.