bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The predictive value of allergen skin prick tests and IgE tests at pre‐school age: The PACT study
Authors: Rø Anne Dorthea , Simpson Melanie Rae , Storrø Ola , Johnsen Roar , Videm Vibeke , Øien Torbjørn 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundSensitization toward allergens, as determined by skin prick test (SPT) or specific IgE (sIgE), is a predictor for the later presence of allergy‐related disease (atopic eczema, allergic rhinoconjuctivitis and asthma). However, it is not known whether SPT or sIgE should be the preferred test. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive ability of SPT and sIgE when performed in a general population of 2‐yr‐old children.MethodsIn a prospective, longitudinal population‐based study of children aged 2–6 yr, SPT and sIgE for nine common allergens were performed at 2 yr. Allergy‐related disease was evaluated by clinical examination and questionnaire at 2 and 6 yr of age (n = 199).ResultsSkin prick test or sIgE was positive in 10.6% and 21.1% in the 2‐yr‐old children, respectively. The prevalence of allergy‐related disease was 25.6% at 2 yr and 25.1% at 6 yr. Half of the cases at 2 yr were transient. Both SPT and sIgE were statistically significant predictors for later allergy‐related disease, OR = 6.5 (95% CI 2.3–18.6) and OR = 4.1 (95% CI 1.9–9.0), respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that SPT and sIgE had comparable predictive ability for atopic eczema, asthma or any allergy‐related disease, but sIgE had better ability to predict later allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.ConclusionSensitization at 2 yr may be useful predictors of allergy‐related disease later in childhood. The predictive ability of SPT and sIgE were mainly comparable; however, it may be that sIgE is the preferred choice in young children when the aim is to predict allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Association of autism tendency and hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex during facial expression stimuli measured by multi‐channel near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Hosokawa Mai , Nakadoi Yoshihiro , Watanabe Yukina , Sumitani Satsuki , Ohmori Tetsuro 
Published: October 2014

AimThe aim of this study is to examine the hemodynamic changes induced by the cognitive process of facial expression by using multi‐channel near‐infrared spectroscopy in healthy subjects with varying degrees of autism tendency.MethodsSubjects were 38 volunteers, 20 men and 18 women. Autism tendency was measured by the Autism Spectrum Quotient. The hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex were measured by 24‐channel near‐infrared spectroscopy system, while subjects were asked to judge their own emotional response to standardized pictures of eight kinds of facial expressions on a computer screen.ResultsThere were significant negative correlations between Autism Spectrum Quotient scores and accuracy of fearful expression recognition as well as increases in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in response to four kinds of emotional faces (fear, contempt, sadness and disgust).ConclusionOur findings suggest that the greater tendency to autism that subjects have, the more difficulty they have in recognizing a fearful expression and the less hemodynamic change in the prefrontal cortex they show in response to negative facial expressions.
Cross‐border Mergers and Greenfield Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Stepanok Ignat 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis paper presents a model of international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI), where FDI is comprised of greenfield FDI and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In a monopolistically competitive environment merging firms do not reduce competition. Mergers are motivated by efficiency gains and transfer of technology. Following empirical evidence, greenfield investors are modeled as more productive than M&A firms, which are in turn more productive than exporters. The model has two symmetric countries and generates two‐way flows of both M&A and greenfield FDI. Trade liberalization makes more firms choose greenfield FDI over M&A and leads to lower productivity and welfare.
Struggling with issues about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for end‐stage heart failure patients
Authors: Brännström Margareta , Jaarsma Tiny 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundIntegrating heart failure and palliative care teams combines unique expertise from both cardiology and palliative care. However, professionals from the two arenas of life‐saving cardiology and palliative care may well have different experiences with and approaches to patient care. Little is known how to optimally discuss cardiopulmonary resuscitation with patients and their relatives and what challenges are for healthcare providers.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe the experiences and thoughts of members of an integrated heart failure and palliative care team concerning talking about CPR with end‐stage heart failure patients.MethodWe used a descriptive qualitative design, conducting group interviews during 2011 with professionals from different disciplines working with heart failure patients over a 1‐year period. A qualitative content analysis was performed to examine the interview data.ResultsProfessional caregivers in integrated heart failure and palliative homecare are struggling with the issue of CPR of end‐stage heart failure patients. They wrestle with the question of whether CPR should be performed at all in these terminally ill patients. They also feel challenged by the actual conversation about CPR with the patients and their relatives. Despite talking them about CPR with patients and relatives is difficult, the study participants described that doing so is important, as it could be the start of a broader end‐of‐life conversation.ConclusionTalking with patient and relatives about CPR in end‐stage heart failure, as suggested in the current heart failure guidelines, is a challenge in daily clinical practice. It is important to discuss the difficulties within the team and to decide whether, whom, how and when to talk about CPR with individual patients and their relatives.
Air density effects on aeolian sand movement: Implications for sediment transport and sand control in regions with extreme altitudes or temperatures
Authors: Han Qingjie , Qu Jianjun , Dong Zhibao , Zhang Kecun , Zu Ruiping 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAeolian sand transport results from interactions between the ground surface and airflow. Previous research has focused on the effects on sand entrainment and mass transport of surface features and wind velocity, but the influence of air density, which strongly constrains airflow characteristics and the resulting sand flow, has not been widely considered. In the present study, entrainment, saltation characteristics and transport rates were examined at nine experimental sites ranging in elevation from −154 m below sea‐level (Aiding Lake) to 5076 m above sea‐level (Tanggula Mountain pass on the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau). At each site, a portable wind tunnel and high‐speed camera system were set up, and the friction wind velocity, threshold friction velocity and sand flow structure were observed systematically. For a given volumetric airflow, lower air density increases the wind velocity. Low air density also creates a high threshold friction velocity. The Bagnold wind erosion threshold model remains valid, but the value of empirical parameter A decreased with decreasing air density and ranged from 0·10 to 0·07, the smallest values reported in the literature. For a given wind velocity, increased altitude reduced total sand transport and creeping, but the saltation rate and saltation height increased. The present results provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of the initiation and transport of sand by wind in regions with an extreme temperature or altitude (for example, alpine deserts and low‐lying lake basins) or on other planets, including Mars. These results also provide theoretical support for improved sand‐control engineering measures. The data and empirical equations provided in this paper improve the ability to estimate threshold and transport conditions for wind‐blown sand.
Primary corneal melanocytoma in a Collie
Authors: Bauer Bianca , Leis Marina L. , Sayi Soraya 
Published: October 2014

AbstractA 6‐year‐old female, spayed Collie was referred to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for a 12‐month history of a progressive right corneal mass. A superficial keratectomy was performed and histopathology revealed a corneal melanocytoma with complete excision. There has been no recurrence of the neoplasm to date (12 months). This is the first known report of an isolated corneal melanocytoma in a canine.
T1‐weighted MR image contrast around a cryoablation iceball: A phantom study and initial comparison with in vivo findings
Authors: Overduin Christiaan G. , Bomers Joyce G. R. , Jenniskens Sjoerd F. M. , Hoes Maarten F. , ten Haken Bennie , de Lange Frank , Fütterer Jurgen J. , Scheenen Tom W. J. 
Published: October 2014

Purpose:To correlate T1‐weighted (T1w) magnetic resonance (MR) image contrast around a cryoablation iceball with temperature in a phantom study and to compare this to its in vivo appearance during MR‐guided focal cryoablation of prostate cancer.Methods:A MR‐compatible cryoneedle was inserted into identical gel phantoms (n = 3) on a 1.5 T MR system. Two fiber‐optic temperature sensors were placed parallel to the needle. A fast 3D T1w gradient echo (GRE) sequence (TR/TE/FA = 4.81/1.98/6°) was used to monitor iceball progression. Normalized signal intensity (SI) was correlated with temperature. The same T1w sequence was used during MR‐guided prostate cryoablation in ten consecutive patients at the authors’ institution. In vivo findings were quantitatively compared to the phantom data.Results:In the phantom study, the cryoablation iceball appeared in the T1w MR images as a sharply delineated signal void. A 2.2 ± 0.2 mm wide hyperintense rim directly surrounded the iceball at cooled but nonfreezing temperatures (<20 °C) in the gel. Normalized SI was maximum at 8.4 ± 2.4 °C, showing a 35.6%–43.0% (mean 40.5%) increase with respect to baseline before cooling. In the clinical procedures, the same image contrast was observed in vivo in all patients. In vivo, width of the hyperintense rim was 1.6 ± 0.6 mm. Normalized SI increases with respect to nontreated prostate ranged 28.4%–55.6% (mean 36.8%). On quantitative analysis, normalized SI changes along a linear region of interest from surrounding tissue onto the iceball center were similar between the patients and phantom setting (root mean square difference 0.06).Conclusions:The hyperintense rim around the iceball in fast T1w GRE images corresponded to cooled but nonfreezing temperatures (<20 °C) proximal to the frozen zone. The same image contrast was observed both in a phantom study as well as in vivo in the human prostate during cryotherapy. Potentially, monitoring of this rim could be useful in order to maintain a safe margin from at‐risk tissues during MR‐guided prostate cryoablation procedures.
Impaired Haemophilus influenzae Type b Transplacental Antibody Transmission and Declining Antibody Avidity through the First Year of Life Represent Potential Vulnerabilities for HIV-Exposed but -Uninfected Infants
Authors: Gaensbauer James T. , Rakhola Jeremy T. , Onyango-Makumbi Carolyne , Mubiru Michael , Westcott Jamie E. , Krebs Nancy F. , Asturias Edwin J. , Fowler Mary Glenn , McFarland Elizabeth , Janoff Edward N. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTTo determine whether immune function is impaired among HIV-exposed but -uninfected (HEU) infants born to HIV-infected mothers and to identify potential vulnerabilities to vaccine-preventable infection, we characterized the mother-to-infant placental transfer ofHaemophilus influenzaetype b-specific IgG (Hib-IgG) and its levels and avidity after vaccination in Ugandan HEU infants and in HIV-unexposed U.S. infants. Hib-IgG was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 57 Ugandan HIV-infected mothers prenatally and in their vaccinated HEU infants and 14 HIV-unexposed U.S. infants at birth and 12, 24, and 48 weeks of age. Antibody avidity at birth and 48 weeks of age was determined with 1 M ammonium thiocyanate. A median of 43% of maternal Hib-IgG was transferred to HEU infants. Although its level was lower in HEU infants than in U.S. infants at birth (P< 0.001), Hib-IgG was present at protective levels (>1.0 μg/ml) at birth in 90% of HEU infants and all U.S. infants. HEU infants had robust Hib-IgG responses to a primary vaccination. Although Hib-IgG levels declined from 24 to 48 weeks of age in HEU infants, they were higher than those in U.S. infants (P= 0.002). Antibody avidity, comparable at birth, declined by 48 weeks of age in both populations. Early vaccination of HEU infants may limit an initial vulnerability to Hib disease resulting from impaired transplacental antibody transfer. While initial Hib vaccine responses appeared adequate, the confluence of lower antibody avidity and declining Hib-IgG levels in HEU infants by 12 months support Hib booster vaccination at 1 year. Potential immunologic impairments of HEU infants should be considered in the development of vaccine platforms for populations with high maternal HIV prevalence.
Development of a New Molecular Subtyping Tool for Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping Using PCR
Authors: Ogunremi Dele , Kelly Hilary , Dupras Andrée Ann , Belanger Sebastien , Devenish John 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

The lack of a sufficiently discriminatory molecular subtyping tool for
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis has hindered source attribution efforts and impeded regulatory actions required to disrupt its food-borne transmission. The underlying biological reason for the ineffectiveness of current molecular subtyping tools such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and phage typing appears to be related to the high degree of clonality of
S
. Enteritidis. By interrogating the organism's genome, we previously identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) distributed throughout the chromosome and have designed a highly discriminatory PCR-based SNP typing test based on 60 polymorphic loci. The application of the SNP-PCR method to DNA samples from
S
. Enteritidis strains (
n
= 55) obtained from a variety of sources has led to the differentiation and clustering of the
S
. Enteritidis isolates into 12 clades made up of 2 to 9 isolates per clade. Significantly, the SNP-PCR assay was able to further differentiate predominant PFGE types (e.g., XAI.0003) and phage types (e.g., phage type 8) into smaller subsets. The SNP-PCR subtyping test proved to be an accurate, precise, and quantitative tool for evaluating the relationships among the
S
. Enteritidis isolates tested in this study and should prove useful for clustering related
S
. Enteritidis isolates involved in outbreaks.
First Case Reports of Ignatzschineria (Schineria) indica Associated with Myiasis
Authors: Barker Heather S. , Snyder James W. , Hicks Adam B. , Yanoviak Stephen P. , Southern Paul , Dhakal Bijaya K. , Ghimire Giri R. , Couturier Marc R. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTWe report three cases of infection due to the Gram-negative rodIgnatzschineria(Schineria)indicainvolving bacteremia and the urinary tract. Two cases were clearly associated with maggot infestation, and the third could conceivably have had unrecognized maggot infestation of the urinary tract. We believe these cases to be the firstI. indicainfections reported in association with maggot infestation and myiasis.
Clinical Validation of the Cervista HPV HR Test According to the International Guidelines for Human Papillomavirus Test Requirements for Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Boers Aniek , Wang Rong , Slagter-Menkema Lorian , van Hemel Bettien M. , Ghyssaert Hilde , van der Zee Ate G. J. , Wisman G. Bea A. , Schuuring Ed 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
This study demonstrates that both the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the Cervista HPV HR test for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection are not inferior to those of the Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) test. The intra- and interlaboratory reproducibilities of Cervista were 92.0% (kappa, 0.83) and 90.4% (kappa, 0.80), respectively. The Cervista HPV HR test fulfills all the international HPV test requirements for cervical primary screening purposes.
A Novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain with an
oprD
Mutation in Relation to a Nosocomial Respiratory Infection Outbreak in an Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Yan Yingjun , Yao Xiangyu , Li Haijing , Zhou Zhonghua , Huang Wenfang , Stratton Charles W. , Lu Chung-Dar , Tang Yi-Wei 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Seven imipenem-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates were recovered from the sputum samples of pneumonia patients in southwestern China. They had identical antibiotic resistance patterns and indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a 4-bp (AGTC) insertion in the
oprD
gene, resulting in a frameshift in the cognate open reading frame. These isolates became imipenem susceptible when the chromosomal
oprD
lesion was complemented, indicating that the 4-bp insertion in the
oprD
gene resulted in imipenem resistance.
Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Generating Excess Early Double-Stranded RNA Transiently Activates Protein Kinase R and Triggers Enhanced Innate Immune Responses
Authors: Wolferstätter Michael , Schweneker Marc , Späth Michaela , Lukassen Susanne , Klingenberg Marieken , Brinkmann Kay , Wielert Ursula , Lauterbach Henning , Hochrein Hubertus , Chaplin Paul , Suter Mark , Hausmann Jürgen 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is an important molecular pattern associated with viral infection and is detected by various extra- and intracellular recognition molecules. Poxviruses have evolved to avoid producing dsRNA early in infection but generate significant amounts of dsRNA late in infection due to convergent transcription of late genes. Protein kinase R (PKR) is activated by dsRNA and triggers major cellular defenses against viral infection, including protein synthesis shutdown, apoptosis, and type I interferon (IFN-I) production. The poxviral E3 protein binds and sequesters viral dsRNA and is a major antagonist of the PKR pathway. We found that the highly replication-restricted modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) engineered to produce excess amounts of dsRNA early in infection showed enhanced induction of IFN-β in murine and human cells in the presence of an intact E3L gene. IFN-β induction required a minimum overlap length of 300 bp between early complementary transcripts and was strongly PKR dependent. Excess early dsRNA produced by MVA activated PKR early but transiently in murine cells and induced enhanced systemic levels of IFN-α, IFN-γ, and other cytokines and chemokines in mice in a largely PKR-dependent manner. Replication-competent chorioallantois vaccinia virus Ankara (CVA) generating excess early dsRNA also enhanced IFN-I production and was apathogenic in mice even at very high doses but showed no
in vitro
host range defect. Thus, genetically adjuvanting MVA and CVA to generate excess early dsRNA is an effective method to enhance innate immune stimulation by orthopoxvirus vectors and to attenuate replicating vaccinia virus
in vivo
.

IMPORTANCE
Efficient cellular sensing of pathogen-specific components, including double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), is an important prerequisite of an effective antiviral immune response. The prototype poxvirus vaccinia virus (VACV) and its derivative modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) produce dsRNA as a by-product of viral transcription. We found that inhibition of cellular dsRNA recognition established by the virus-encoded proteins E3 and K3 can be overcome by directing viral overexpression of dsRNA early in infection without compromising replication of MVA in permissive cells. Early dsRNA induced transient activation of the cellular dsRNA sensor protein kinase R (PKR), resulting in enhanced production of interferons and cytokines in cells and mice. Enhancing the capacity of MVA to activate the innate immune system is an important approach to further improve the immunogenicity of this promising vaccine vector.
Complex Expression of the UL136 Gene of Human Cytomegalovirus Results in Multiple Protein Isoforms with Unique Roles in Replication
Authors: Caviness Katie , Cicchini Louis , Rak Michael , Umashankar Mahadevaiah , Goodrum Felicia 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a complex DNA virus with a 230-kb genome encoding 170 and up to 750 proteins. The upper limit of this coding capacity suggests the evolution of complex mechanisms to substantially increase the coding potential from the 230-kb genome. Our work examines the complexity of one gene, UL136, encoded within the UL
b
′ region of the genome that is lost during serial passage of HCMV in cultured fibroblasts. UL136 is expressed as five protein isoforms. We mapped these isoforms and demonstrate that they originate from both a complex transcriptional profile and, possibly, the usage of multiple translation initiation sites. Intriguingly, the pUL136 isoforms exhibited distinct subcellular distributions with varying association with the Golgi apparatus. The subcellular localization of membrane-bound isoforms of UL136 differed between when they were expressed exogenously and when they were expressed in the context of viral infection, suggesting that the trafficking of these isoforms is mediated by infection-specific factors. While UL136, like most UL
b
′ genes, was dispensable for replication in fibroblasts, the soluble 23- and 19-kDa isoforms suppressed virus replication. In CD34
+
hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) infected
in vitro
, disruption of the 23- and 19-kDa isoforms resulted in increased replication and a loss of the latency phenotype, similar to the effects of the UL138 latency determinant encoded within the same genetic locus. Our work suggests a complex interplay between the UL136 isoforms which balances viral replication in multiple cell types and likely contributes to the cell type-dependent phenotypes of the UL133/8 locus and the outcome of HCMV infection.

IMPORTANCE
HCMV is a significant cause of morbidity in immunocompromised individuals, including transplant patients. The lifelong persistence of the virus results in a high seroprevalence worldwide and may contribute to age-related pathologies, such as atherosclerosis. The mechanisms of viral persistence are poorly understood; however, understanding the molecular basis of persistence is imperative for the development of new treatments. In this work, we characterize a complex HCMV gene, UL136, which is expressed as five protein isoforms. These isoforms arise predominantly from complex transcriptional mechanisms, which contribute to an increased coding capacity of the virus. Further, the UL136 isoforms oppose the activity of one another to balance HCMV replication in multiple cell types. We identify soluble isoforms of UL136 that function to suppress virus replication in fibroblasts and in CD34
+
HPCs for latency.