bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Pre-Antibiotic Era Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates with Respect to Antibiotic/Disinfectant Susceptibility and Virulence in Galleria mellonella
Authors: Wand Matthew E. , Baker Kate S. , Benthall Gabriel , McGregor Hannah , McCowen James W. I. , Deheer-Graham Ana , Sutton J. Mark 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

The EGD Murray collection consists of approximately 500 clinical bacterial isolates, mainly
Enterobacteriaceae
, isolated from around the world between 1917 and 1949. A number of these “Murray” isolates have subsequently been identified as
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of these isolates showed that over 30% were resistant to penicillins due to the presence of diverse
bla
SHV
β-lactamase genes. Analysis of susceptibility to skin antiseptics and triclosan showed that while the Murray isolates displayed a range of MIC/minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values, the mean MIC value was lower than that for more modern
K. pneumoniae
isolates tested. All Murray isolates contained the cation efflux gene
cepA
, which is involved in disinfectant resistance, but those that were more susceptible to chlorhexidine were found to have a 9- or 18-bp insertion in this gene. Susceptibility to other disinfectants, e.g., H
2
O
2
, in the Murray isolates was comparable to that in modern
K. pneumoniae
isolates. The Murray isolates were also less virulent in
Galleria
and had a different complement of putative virulence factors than the modern isolates, with the exception of an isolate related to the modern lineage CC23. More of the modern isolates (41% compared to 8%) are classified as good/very good biofilm formers, but there was overlap in the two populations. This study demonstrated that a significant proportion of the Murray
Klebsiella
isolates were resistant to penicillins before their routine use. This collection of pre-antibiotic era isolates may provide significant insights into adaptation in
K. pneumoniae
in relation to biocide susceptibility.
The Granuloma Response Controlling Cryptococcosis in Mice Depends on the Sphingosine Kinase 1–Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Pathway
Authors: Farnoud Amir M. , Bryan Arielle M. , Kechichian Talar , Luberto Chiara , Del Poeta Maurizio 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTCryptococcus neoformansis a fungal pathogen that causes pulmonary infections, which may progress into life-threatening meningitis. In commonly used mouse models ofC. neoformansinfections, fungal cells are not contained in the lungs, resulting in dissemination to the brain. We have previously reported the generation of an engineeredC. neoformansstrain (C. neoformansΔgcs1) which can be contained in lung granulomas in the mouse model and have shown that granuloma formation is dependent upon the enzyme sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) and its product, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). In this study, we have used four mouse models, CBA/J and C57BL6/J (both immunocompetent), Tgε26 (an isogenic strain of strain CBA/J lacking T and NK cells), and SK−/−(an isogenic strain of strain C57BL6/J lacking SK1), to investigate how the granulomatous response and SK1-S1P pathway are interrelated duringC. neoformansinfections. S1P and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were significantly elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of all mice infected withC. neoformansΔgcs1but not in mice infected with theC. neoformanswild type. SK1−/−mice did not show elevated levels of S1P or MCP-1. Primary neutrophils isolated from SK1−/−mice showed impaired antifungal activity that could be restored by the addition of extracellular S1P. In addition, high levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha were found in the mice infected withC. neoformansΔgcs1in comparison to the levels found in mice infected with theC. neoformanswild type, and their levels were also dependent on the SK1-S1P pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that the SK1-S1P pathway promotes host defense againstC. neoformansinfections by regulating cytokine levels, promoting extracellular killing by phagocytes, and generating a granulomatous response.
Sinorhizobium meliloti CtrA Stability Is Regulated in a CbrA-Dependent Manner That Is Influenced by CpdR1
Authors: Schallies Karla B. , Sadowski Craig , Meng Julia , Chien Peter , Gibson Katherine E. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTCbrA is a DivJ/PleC-like histidine kinase of DivK that is required for cell cycle progression and symbiosis in the alphaproteobacteriumSinorhizobium meliloti. Loss ofcbrAresults in increased levels of CtrA as well as its phosphorylation. While many of the knownCaulobacter crescentusregulators of CtrA phosphorylation and proteolysis are phylogenetically conserved withinS. meliloti, the latter lacks the PopA regulator that is required for CtrA degradation inC. crescentus. In order to investigate whether CtrA proteolysis occurs inS. meliloti, CtrA stability was assessed. During exponential growth, CtrA is unstable and therefore likely to be degraded in a cell cycle-regulated manner. Loss ofcbrAsignificantly increases CtrA stability, but this phenotype is restored to that of the wild type by constitutive ectopic expression of a CpdR1 variant that cannot be phosphorylated (CpdR1D53A). Addition of CpdR1D53Afully suppressescbrAmutant cell cycle defects, consistent with regulation of CtrA stability playing a key role in mediating proper cell cycle progression inS. meliloti. Importantly, thecbrAmutant symbiosis defect is also suppressed in the presence of CpdR1D53A. Thus, regulation of CtrA stability by CbrA and CpdR1 is associated with free-living cell cycle outcomes and symbiosis.IMPORTANCEThe cell cycle is a fundamental process required for bacterial growth, reproduction, and developmental differentiation. Our objective is to understand how a two-component signal transduction network directs cell cycle events during free-living growth and host colonization. TheSinorhizobium melilotinitrogen-fixing symbiosis with plants is associated with novel cell cycle events. This study identifies a link between the regulated stability of an essential response regulator, free-living cell cycle progression, and symbiosis.
Lack of a significant change in caffeine metabolism in underweight children as determined by the caffeine breath test
Authors: Oshikoya K A , Sammons H , Smith K , Choonara I 
Published: April 2015

ObjectiveLimited data from pharmacokinetic studies in underweight and severely malnourished children have indicated an impaired activity of their hepatic enzymes. We used the caffeine breath test to assess the metabolising activity of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) enzyme in underweight children.MethodsUnderweight children from the paediatric outpatient clinic, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja in Nigeria, were studied. After an overnight fast, 15 underweight children took 3 mg/kg labelled caffeine orally. Breath samples were collected in duplicate at −20, −10 and −1 min and at 15 min intervals for 2 h. The mean cumulative per cent dose recovered (CPDR) of labelled caffeine in the expired carbon dioxide was determined over the study period. This was repeated after 2–6 weeks of nutritional rehabilitation.ResultsThe mean areas under the enrichment-time curve before and after nutritional rehabilitation were 0.539±0.320 and 0.620±0.322 atom per cent excess minute, respectively. The difference between the two values was not statistically significant (p=0.528). The mean CPDR in the exhaled carbon dioxide of the underweight children over a period of 2 h was 7.56±4.01% and 7.95±3.68% before and after nutritional rehabilitation, respectively, and there was no significant difference in the mean values (p=0.603).ConclusionsThe metabolism of caffeine was not significantly affected in underweight children compared with after 2–6 weeks of nutritional rehabilitation. This suggests that hepatic CYP1A2-metabolising activity was not significantly impaired in underweight children.
Focused image-guided parathyroidectomy in the current management of primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Langusch Catherine C , Norlen Olov , Titmuss Angela , Donoghue Kim , Holland Andrew J A , Shun Albert , Delbridge Leigh 
Published: April 2015

ObjectivePrimary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in childhood and adolescence has been considered a different disease to that seen in adults, with predominantly familial aetiology mandating open exploration to exclude parathyroid hyperplasia in contrast to the adoption of focused image-guided parathyroidectomy (FP) in adults.Study designA retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral hospital setting of all children and adolescents (<18 years) undergoing parathyroid surgery for PHPT. Data were obtained from a dedicated endocrine surgery database and hospital medical records.ResultsOver the 35-year study period (1980–2014), there were 31 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for PHPT. 3 patients were from known multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome (MEN1) families, 3 had an isolated family history of PHPT and 25 were sporadic. In the sporadic group, 24 (96%) presented with symptomatic hypercalcaemia, affecting the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, genitourinary or neuropsychiatric systems. In the 25 patients with sporadic PHPT, nine (36%) had FP with a single adenoma removed with a 100% initial cure rate. Sixteen patients (64%) in the sporadic group had an open exploration: 14 had single gland disease while 2 patients required a second procedure to achieve a final cure rate of 100%. Of the three patients with MEN1, one was cured, one has persistent hyperparathyroidism after FP and the third has permanent hypoparathyroidism after open exploration.ConclusionsThe majority of children and adolescents with PHPT have symptomatic disease due to a single adenoma. They can therefore be managed in a similar fashion to their adult counterparts with preoperative localisation studies aiming to permit FP in a day case setting.
Does the quality and outcomes framework reduce psychiatric admissions in people with serious mental illness? A regression analysis
Authors: Gutacker Nils , Mason Anne R , Kendrick Tony , Goddard Maria , Gravelle Hugh , Gilbody Simon , Aylott Lauren , Wainwright June , Jacobs Rowena 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundThe Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) incentivises general practices in England to provide proactive care for people with serious mental illness (SMI) including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychoses. Better proactive primary care may reduce the risk of psychiatric admissions to hospital, but this has never been tested empirically.MethodsThe QOF data set included 8234 general practices in England from 2006/2007 to 2010/2011. Rates of hospital admissions with primary diagnoses of SMI or bipolar disorder were estimated from national routine hospital data and aggregated to practice level. Poisson regression was used to analyse associations.ResultsPractices with higher achievement on the annual review for SMI patients (MH9), or that performed better on either of the two lithium indicators for bipolar patients (MH4 or MH5), had more psychiatric admissions. An additional 1% in achievement rates for MH9 was associated with an average increase in the annual practice admission rate of 0.19% (95% CI 0.10% to 0.28%) or 0.007 patients (95% CI 0.003 to 0.01).ConclusionsThe positive association was contrary to expectation, but there are several possible explanations: better quality primary care may identify unmet need for secondary care; higher QOF achievement may not prevent the need for secondary care; individuals may receive their QOF checks postdischarge rather than prior to admission; individuals with more severe SMI may be more likely to be registered with practices with better QOF performance; and QOF may be a poor measure of the quality of care for people with SMI.
MRI using ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide in patients under surveillance for abdominal aortic aneurysms to predict rupture or surgical repair: MRI for abdominal aortic aneurysms to predict rupture or surgery—the MA3RS study
Authors: McBride Olivia M B , Berry Colin , Burns Paul , Chalmers Roderick T A , Doyle Barry , Forsythe Rachael , Garden O James , Goodman Kirsteen , Graham Catriona , Hoskins Peter , Holdsworth Richard , MacGillivray Thomas J , McKillop Graham , Murray Gordon , Oatey Katherine , Robson Jennifer M J , Roditi Giles , Semple Scott , Stuart Wesley , van Beek Edwin J R , Vesey Alex , Newby David E 
Published: April 2015

IntroductionPopulation screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) halves the associated mortality and has led to the establishment of national screening programmes. Prediction of aneurysm growth and rupture is challenging and currently relies on serial diameter measurements with ultrasound. Recently, a novel MRI-based technique using ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) has demonstrated considerable promise as a method of identifying aneurysm inflammation and expansion.Methods and analysisThe MA3RS study is a prospective observational multicentre cohort study of 350 patients with AAA in three centres across Scotland. All participants will undergo MRI with USPIO and aneurysm expansion will be measured over 2 years with CT in addition to standard clinical ultrasound surveillance. The relationship between mural USPIO uptake and subsequent clinical outcomes, including expansion, rupture and repair, will be evaluated and used to determine whether the technique augments standard risk prediction markers. To ensure adequate sensitivity to answer the primary question, we need to observe 130 events (composite of rupture or repair) with an estimated event rate of 41% over 2 years of follow-up. The MA3RS study is currently recruiting and expects to report in 2017.DiscussionThis is the first study to evaluate the use of USPIO-enhanced MRI to provide additional information to aid risk prediction models in patients with AAA. If successful, this study will lay the foundation for a large randomised controlled trial targeted at applying this technique to determine clinical management.Trial registration numberCurrent Controlled Trials:ISRCTN76413758.
IL13 Receptor α2 Signaling Requires a Scaffold Protein, FAM120A, to Activate the FAK and PI3K Pathways in Colon Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Bartolomé Rubén A. , García-Palmero Irene , Torres Sofía , López-Lucendo María , Balyasnikova Irina V. , Casal J. Ignacio 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
IL13 signaling through its receptor IL13Rα2 plays a critical role in colon cancer invasion and liver metastasis, but the mechanistic features of this process are obscure. In this study, we identified a scaffold protein, FAM120A (C9ORF10), as a signaling partner in this process. FAM120A was overexpressed in human colon cancer cell lines and 55% of human colon cancer specimens. IL13Rα2-FAM120A coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed further signaling network associations that could regulate the activity of IL13Rα2, including FAK, SRC, PI3K, G-protein–coupled receptors, and TRAIL receptors. In addition, FAM120A associated with kinesins and motor proteins involved in cargo movement along microtubules. IL13Rα2-triggered activation of the FAK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways was mediated by FAM120A, which also recruited PI3K and functioned as a scaffold protein to enable phosphorylation and activation of PI3K by Src family kinases. FAM120A silencing abolished IL13-induced cell migration, invasion, and survival. Finally, antibody blockade of IL13Rα2 or FAM120A silencing precluded liver colonization in nude mice or metastasis. In conclusion, we identified FAM120A in the IL13/IL13Rα2 signaling pathway as a key mediator of invasion and liver metastasis in colon cancer. Cancer Res; 75(12); 2434–44. ©2015 AACR.
Mitochondrial DNA Content as Risk Factor for Bladder Cancer and Its Association with Mitochondrial DNA Polymorphisms
Authors: Williams Stephen B. , Ye Yuanqing , Huang Maosheng , Chang David W. , Kamat Ashish M. , Pu Xia , Dinney Colin P. , Wu Xifeng 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content has been shown to be associated with cancer susceptibility. We identified 926 bladder cancer patients and compared these with 926 healthy controls frequency matched on age, gender, and ethnicity. Patients diagnosed with bladder cancer had significantly decreased mtDNA content when compared with control subjects (median, 0.98 vs. 1.04, P &lt; 0.001). Low mtDNA content (i.e., less than the median in control subjects) was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of bladder cancer, when compared with high mtDNA content [Odds ratio (OR), 1.37; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13–1.66; P &lt; 0.001). In a trend analysis, a statistically significant dose–response relationship was detected between lower mtDNA content and increasing risk of bladder cancer (Ptrend &lt;0.001). When stratified by host characteristics, advanced age (&gt;65 years), male sex and positive smoking history were significantly associated with low mtDNA content and increased risk of bladder cancer. We identified two unique mtDNA polymorphisms significantly associated with risk of bladder cancer: mitot10464c (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.00–1.93; P = 0.048) and mitoa4918g (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.00–1.95; P = 0.049). Analysis of the joint effect of low mtDNA content and unfavorable mtDNA polymorphisms revealed a 2.5-fold increased risk of bladder cancer (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.60–3.94; P &lt; 0.001). Significant interaction was observed between mitoa4918g and mtDNA content (Pinteraction = 0.028). Low mtDNA content was associated with increased risk of bladder cancer and we identified new susceptibility mtDNA alleles associated with increased risk that require further investigation into the biologic underpinnings of bladder carcinogenesis. Cancer Prev Res; 8(7); 607–13. ©2015 AACR.
Tonsillectomy and Risk of Oropharyngeal Cancer: Implications for Research and Prevention
Authors: Chaturvedi Anil K. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The association of tonsillectomy, a common surgical procedure involving the removal of a majority of the palatine tonsillar tissue, with risk of tonsil cancer specifically or oropharyngeal cancers overall is not known. In this issue of Cancer Prevention Research, Fakhry and colleagues conduct an analysis within the Danish Cancer Registry and show that tonsillectomies were associated with significantly reduced risk of tonsil cancer, but were unrelated to risk of base of tongue cancers. This editorial discusses the implications of the results by Fakhry and colleagues for key prevailing questions in the field related to risk, rising incidence, secondary prevention, and treatment of oropharyngeal cancers. Cancer Prev Res; 8(7); 577–9. ©2015 AACR.
See related article by Fakhry et al., p. 583
Mayflies of the Caucasus Mountains. III. A new representative of the subgenus Rhodobaetis Jacob, 2003 (Baetidae: Baetis) from the South-Western Caucasus
Authors: GODUNKO ROMAN J. , PALATOV DMITRY M. , MARTYNOV ALEXANDER V. 
Published: April 2015

A new species of the subgenus Rhodobaetis Jacob, 2003, namely Baetis (Rhodobaetis) vadimi sp. nov., is described based on immature larvae from several localities in Georgia and Turkey. It is the ninth species of the subgenus for Transcaucasia, following six species formally recorded from Turkey and two endemic species described from the Central Caucasus. Larval characters are investigated and illustrated by means of scanning electron microscopy, and discussed in details. The differential diagnosis of this species is provided with regard to other representatives of the subgenus considering the feature set common for Rhodobaetis. The new species can be distinguished from its relatives (species which lack stout setae on the gills’ margins), mainly by some characters of mouthparts (particularly labium), the shape and arrangement of stout setae and scales on the body surface, as well as the lack of subapical tiny setae on tarsal claw, and presence of numerous marginal spines and semilunar scale bases on the paraproct plate.
Bayesian Echo Classification for Australian Single-Polarization Weather Radar with Application to Assimilation of Radial Velocity Observations
Authors: Rennie S. J. , Curtis M. , Peter J. , Seed A. W. , Steinle P. J. , Wen G. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s operational weather radar network comprises a heterogeneous radar collection covering diverse geography and climate. A naïve Bayes classifier has been developed to identify a range of common echo types observed with these radars. The success of the classifier has been evaluated against its training dataset and by routine monitoring. The training data indicate that more than 90% of precipitation may be identified correctly. The echo types most difficult to distinguish from rainfall are smoke, chaff, and anomalous propagation ground and sea clutter. Their impact depends on their climatological frequency. Small quantities of frequently misclassified persistent echo (like permanent ground clutter or insects) can also cause quality control issues. The Bayes classifier is demonstrated to perform better than a simple threshold method, particularly for reducing misclassification of clutter as precipitation. However, the result depends on finding a balance between excluding precipitation and including erroneous echo. Unlike many single-polarization classifiers that are only intended to extract precipitation echo, the Bayes classifier also discriminates types of nonprecipitation echo. Therefore, the classifier provides the means to utilize clear air echo for applications like data assimilation, and the class information will permit separate data handling of different echo types.
Medication‐Related Expenditures by Individuals with Allergic Rhinitis in Nigeria
Authors: Adebola Stephen Oluwatosin , Sogebi Olusola Ayodele , Adebola Oyebola Eyitayo , Oyinloye Isaac Femi , Oguntoye Michael Sunday 
Published: April 2015

ObjectiveTo assess the medication‐related expenditures in individuals with allergic rhinitis (AR) and identify contributory factors that affect these expenditures.Study DesignCross‐sectional study from August 2013 to January 2014.SettingKwara state has 16 local government areas, a total land mass of 36,825 km2, and a population of 2,591,555.Subjects and MethodsOf the 308 adult subjects, 66 had AR using the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR). Information on medication‐related expenditure and associated factors in AR was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and comparative analyses between AR and non‐AR subjects were performed using an independent‐sample t test and χ2 test. Factors associated with cost of care were assessed using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe AR crude prevalence rate was 21.4%. Of the subjects, the mean ± SD age was 37.6 ± 10.0 years, and 87.9% were married, 72.7% were self‐employed, and 69.7% were in the low socioeconomic class. In total, 69.7% had intermittent symptoms, while 66.7% had a positive family history of allergy. Polypharmacy care was employed in 76.1%, and 30.3% had comorbidity with asthma. The mean monthly income was 842 US dollars (USD), while the mean monthly cost of care was 81 USD, constituting 9.6% of mean monthly income. All payments were through out‐of‐pocket‐expenses. Factors associated with convenience of cost of care were positive family history (odds ratio [OR], 7.93; P =. 021) and presence of intermittent symptoms (OR, 9.36; P =. 013).ConclusionThe medication‐related expenditure of AR is burdensome with an average expenditure of almost 10% of monthly income.