bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Cinnamomum cassia Methanol Extract and Sildenafil on Arginase and Sexual Function of Young Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Goswami Sumanta K. , Inamdar Mohammed N. , Jamwal Rohitash , Dethe Shekhar 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Herbs have been used as an aphrodisiac since ages. Cinnamomum cassia is an important ingredient of many Ayurvedic formulations to treat male sexual disorder including erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim
The objective of the present study was to evaluate erectogenic and aphrodisiac activity of methanol extract of C. cassia bark in young male rats.

Methods
Methanol extract of C. cassia was screened in vitro for arginase inhibition potential and IC50 was determined. Effect of the extract was observed in vitro on phenylephrine pre-contracted isolated rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) at 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg/mL. Young male Wistar rats were dosed with extract at 100 mg/kg body weight for 28 days and its effects on sexual behavior and penile smooth muscle : collagen level were observed.

Main Outcome Measure
Effect of C. cassia was studied on arginase activity in vitro and sexual behavior of young male rats.

Results
C. cassia inhibited arginase activity in vitro with an IC50 of 61.72 ± 2.20 μg/mL. The extract relaxed phenylephrine pre-contracted isolated rat CCSM up to 43% and significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05) sexual function of young male rats. Treatment with the extract also increased smooth muscle level and decreased collagen level in rat penile tissue.

Conclusion
The study proves usefulness of methanol extract of C. cassia bark for increasing sexual function.
Constitutive salicylic acid accumulation in pi4kIIIβ1β2 Arabidopsis plants stunts rosette but not root growth
Authors: Šašek Vladimír , Janda Martin , Delage Elise , Puyaubert Juliette , Guivarc'h Anne , López Maseda Encarnación , Dobrev Petre I. , Caius José , Bóka Károly , Valentová Olga , Burketová Lenka , Zachowski Alain , Ruelland Eric 
Published: April 2014

Summary

Phospholipids have recently been found to be integral elements of hormone signalling pathways. An Arabidopsis thaliana double mutant in two type III phosphatidylinositol‐4‐kinases (PI4Ks), pi4kIIIβ1β2, displays a stunted rosette growth. The causal link between PI4K activity and growth is unknown.

Using microarray analysis, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and multiple phytohormone analysis by LC‐MS we investigated the mechanism responsible for the pi4kIIIβ1β2 phenotype.

The pi4kIIIβ1β2 mutant accumulated a high concentration of salicylic acid (SA), constitutively expressed SA marker genes including PR‐1, and was more resistant to Pseudomonas syringae. pi4kIIIβ1β2 was crossed with SA signalling mutants eds1 and npr1 and SA biosynthesis mutant sid2 and NahG. The dwarf phenotype of pi4kIIIβ1β2 rosettes was suppressed in all four triple mutants. Whereas eds1 pi4kIIIβ1β2, sid2 pi4kIIIβ1β2 and NahG pi4kIIIβ1β2 had similar amounts of SA as the wild‐type (WT), npr1pi4kIIIβ1β2 had more SA than pi4kIIIβ1β2 despite being less dwarfed. This indicates that PI4KIIIβ1 and PI4KIIIβ2 are genetically upstream of EDS1 and need functional SA biosynthesis and perception through NPR1 to express the dwarf phenotype. The slow root growth phenotype of pi4kIIIβ1β2 was not suppressed in any of the triple mutants.

The pi4kIIIβ1β2 mutations together cause constitutive activation of SA signalling that is responsible for the dwarf rosette phenotype but not for the short root phenotype.
Mycobacterium abscessus Hand‐and‐Foot Disease in Children: Rare or Emerging Disease?
Authors: Sinagra Jo Linda M. , Kanitz Elisabeth E. , Cerocchi Carlo , Cota Carlo , Fantetti Ottavia , Prignano Grazia , Donati Pietro , Tortoli Enrico M. , D'Ancona Francesco P. , Capitanio Bruno 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMycobacterium abscessus is emerging as an important cause of cutaneous infections in sporadic cases and outbreak settings. Although immunosuppressed or elderly patients are most commonly affected, in 2006 an outbreak of clinically distinct cutaneous lesions on the hands and feet caused by M. abscessus in a population of healthy children using a public swimming pool was reported. This article describes an outbreak of skin infection in a population of healthy Italian children attending the same school and using the same swimming pool. In January 2010 we identified three children with multiple, painful nodules on the palms and soles. M. abscessus was isolated from one child's lesions. A public health investigation was conducted and a team of dermatologists and public health officers visited all of the children; 514 children were screened and 29 cases were identified overall. All of the affected children had used the school's swimming pool. These children were treated with oral clarithromycin for 4 to 8 weeks. Because of the long period of time between the presentation and diagnosis of the first cases, the possibility that the number of cases may have been underestimated cannot be excluded. To our knowledge, this is the second largest reported cluster of M. abscessus skin infection suspected to be related to swimming pool exposure in a population of otherwise healthy children. It is unclear whether this disease is rare or should be considered as an emerging clinical entity.
Lipofibromatosis: An Institutional and Literature Review of an Uncommon Entity
Authors: Boos Markus D. , Chikwava Kudakwashe R. , Dormans John P. , Chauvin Nancy A. , Jen Melinda 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWe report six new cases of lipofibromatosis, an uncommon pediatric soft tissue neoplasm. This is the only series of patients to be described since the initial case series of 45 patients that characterized this entity in 2000. The purpose of this study was to characterize the presentation of lipofibromatosis to further define the clinical phenotype of this rare entity. Six patients were diagnosed with lipofibromatosis at our institution from 2000 to 2012. Patient age, sex, and ethnicity were recorded, along with tumor site and size, management, and recurrence data. Half of our patients were younger than 2 years old at presentation and the other half were school age. Boys and girls were affected with equal frequency. In five of six patients, lipofibromatosis presented in its “classic” form as a mass on the distal extremities. These tumors typically measured 1 to 2 cm in diameter, in contrast to case reports in the medical literature highlighting the occurrence of lipofibromatosis of greater size and at varied anatomic sites. The tumors in our series were managed using excision, with recurrence noted in 33%. Lipofibromatosis is an uncommon tumor typically found on the distal extremities of infants, although it can appear in various sizes and locations. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric soft tissue neoplasms.
Assessment of lower urinary tract function in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Kitamura Atsuko , Kondoh Tatsuro , Noguchi Mitsuru , Hatada Teppei , Tohbu Shohei , Mori Ken‐ichi , Matsuo Manabu , Kunitsugu Ichiro , Kanetake Hiroshi , Moriuchi Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundDespite the fact that functional lower urinary tract symptoms are common among people with Down syndrome (DS), their voiding function has not been studied precisely. Our goal was to assess the lower urinary tract functions in DS.MethodsFifty‐five DS children aged 5–15 years old and 35 age‐matched control children were evaluated by ultrasonography and uroflowmetry.ResultsEleven (20%) DS children had no uresiesthesia, 21 (38%) were urinated under guidance, nine (16%) urinated fewer than three times a day, two (4%) urinated more than 10 times a day, three (5%) used diapers, and 26 (47%) had urinary incontinence. Seven (13%), 15 (27%), and 10 (18%) DS children had weak, prolonged and intermittent urination, respectively, and seven (13%) had urination with straining. In contrast, none of the control subjects had urinary problems. In the uroflowmetrical analysis, 10 (18%), 20 (37%), 11 (20%) and five (9%) DS children showed “bell‐shaped,” “plateau,” “staccato” and “interrupted” patterns, respectively; the remaining nine (16%) could not be analyzed. In contrast, 21 (60%), one (3%), four (11%), three (9%) and two (6%) control subjects showed bell‐shaped, tower‐shaped, plateau, staccato and interrupted patterns, respectively; the remaining four (11%) could not be analyzed. Residual urine was demonstrated in four (7%) DS children and one (3%) control child.ConclusionsLower urinary tract symptoms and abnormal uroflowmetry findings, which can lead to further progressive renal and urinary disorders, are common in DS children. Therefore, lower urinary tract functions should be assessed at the life‐long regular medical check‐ups for subjects with DS.
Immunohistochemical expression of p63, Ki67 and β‐catenin in canine transitional cell carcinoma and polypoid cystitis of the urinary bladder
Authors: Hanazono K. , Nishimori T. , Fukumoto S. , Kawamura Y. , Endo Y. , Kadosawa T. , Uchide T. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractTransitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is a urinary bladder tumour associated with high mortality in dogs. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using p63, Ki67 or β‐catenin as a clinical marker for predicting biological behaviour and prognosis in canine TCC. Expression levels of these proteins in TCC (n = 25), polypoid cystitis (n = 5) and normal urinary bladder (n = 5) were scored after immunohistochemical staining. The staining scores for p63 (P < 0.01) and β‐catenin (P < 0.05) in TCC were significantly lower than those in normal urinary bladder and polypoid cystitis. In contrast, Ki67 (P < 0.01) staining scores in TCC were significantly higher than those in normal urinary bladder and polypoid cystitis. In TCC, low p63 expression was significantly related to the presence of vessel invasion (P < 0.05) and metastasis (P < 0.01) as well as short survival time (P < 0.05). These findings show that p63 could be a reliable marker for predicting prognosis in canine TCC.
Laurent polynomials, GKZ-hypergeometric systems and mixed Hodge modules
Authors: Reichelt Thomas 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWe endow certain GKZ-hypergeometric systems with a natural structure of a mixed Hodge module, which is compatible with the mixed Hodge module structure on the Gauß–Manin system of an associated family of Laurent polynomials. As an application we show that the underlying perverse sheaf of a GKZ-system with rational parameter has quasi-unipotent local monodromy.
The Effects of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Performance: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Quesnele Jairus J. , Laframboise Michelle A. , Wong Jessica J. , Kim Peter , Wells Greg D. 
Published: April 2014

Purpose:To critically review the methodological quality and synthesize information from systematic reviews and high quality studies on the effects of beta alanine (BA) on exercise and athletic performance.Methods:A search strategy was developed in accordance with the standards for the reporting of scientific literature via systematic reviews. Five databases were thoroughly searched from inception to November 2012. Inclusion criteria were English language, human studies, used BA to increase exercise or athletic performance, systematic reviews or randomized controlled trials and were published in a peer-reviewed journal. Included studies were systematically graded for their methodological quality by rotating pairs of reviewers and the results were qualitatively synthesized.Results:One systematic review and 19 randomized trials were included in this review. There is one systematic review with several methodological weaknesses that limit the confidence in its results. There are moderate to high quality studies that appear to support that BA may increase power output and working capacity, decrease the feeling of fatigue and exhaustion, and have of positive effect on body composition and carnosine content. The reporting of side effects from BA supplementation in the athletic population was generally under-reported.Conclusions:There appears to be some evidence from this review that supplementation with BA may increase athletic performance. However, there is insufficient evidence examining the safety of BA supplementation and its side effects. It is therefore recommended to err on the side of caution in using BA as an ergogenic aid until there is sufficient evidence confirming its safety.
Sex-Specific Associations between Screen Time and Lipoprotein Subfractions
Authors: Frazier-Wood Alexis C. , Borecki Ingrid B. , Feitosa Mary F. , Hopkins Paul N. , Smith Caren E. , Arnett Donna K. 
Published: April 2014

Background:Time spent in sedentary activities (such as watching television) has previously been associated with several risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Little is known about associations with lipoprotein subfractions. Using television and computer screen time in hours per day as a measure of sedentary time, we examined the association of screen time with lipoprotein subfractions.Methods:Data were used from men and women forming the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) study population. Mixed linear models specified lipoprotein measures as the outcome, and screen time as the predictor for fourteen lipoprotein subfraction measures, and included age, smoking status, pedigree, and fat, carbohydrate daily alcohol and energy intake as covariates. Analyses were run separately for men (n = 623) and women (n = 671). A step-down Bonferroni correction was applied to results. The analysis was repeated for significant results (p < .05), additionally controlling for body mass index (BMI) and moderate and vigorous physical activity.Results:Linear models indicated that screen time was associated with five lipoprotein parameters in women: the concentration of large VLDL particles (p = .01), LDL particle number (p = .01), concentration of small LDL particles (p = .04), the concentration of large HDL particles (p = .04), and HDL diameter (p = .02). All associations remained after controlling for moderate or vigorous physical activity and BMI.Conclusions:We show that sedentary time is associated with lipoprotein measures, markers of cardiometabolic disease, independently of physical activity and BMI, in women but not men.
Physical Activity–Related and Weather-Related Practices of Child Care Centers From 2 States
Authors: Ball Sarah C. , Gillman Matthew W. , Mayhew Meghan , Brouwer Rebecca J. Namenek , Neelon Sara E. Benjamin 
Published: April 2014

Background:Young children’s physical activity (PA) is influenced by their child care environment. This study assessed PA practices in centers from Massachusetts (MA) and Rhode Island (RI), compared them to best practice recommendations, and assessed differences between states and center profit status. We also assessed weather-related practices.Methods:Sixty percent of MA and 54% of RI directors returned a survey, for a total of 254. Recommendations were 1) daily outdoor play, 2) providing outdoor play area, 3) limiting fixed play structures, 4) variety of portable play equipment, and 5) providing indoor play area. We fit multivariable linear regression models to examine adjusted associations between state, profit status, PA, and weather-related practices.Results:MA did not differ from RI in meeting PA recommendations (β = 0.03; 0.15, 0.21; P = .72), but MA centers scored higher on weather-related practices (β = 0.47; 0.16, 0.79; P = .004). For-profit centers had lower PA scores compared with nonprofits (β = −0.20; 95% CI: −0.38, −0.02; P = .03), but they did not differ for weather (β = 0.12; −0.19, 0.44; P = .44).Conclusions:More MA centers allowed children outside in light rain or snow. For-profit centers had more equipment—both fixed and portable. Results from this study may help inform interventions to increase PA in children.
Avidity of Antibodies against Infecting Pneumococcal Serotypes Increases with Age and Severity of Disease
Authors: Cremers Amelieke J. H. , Lut Jonneke , Hermans Peter W. M. , Meis Jacques F. , de Jonge Marien I. , Ferwerda Gerben 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT
The incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) rises with age. Among adult IPD patients, the avidity of antipneumococcal polysaccharide antibodies against the infecting serotype increased with age and severity of disease, indicating that susceptibility to IPD in the elderly may rather be due to flaws in other aspects of opsonophagocytosis.
Prevalence and Duration of Asymptomatic Clostridium difficile Carriage among Healthy Subjects in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Authors: Galdys Alison L. , Nelson Jemma S. , Shutt Kathleen A. , Schlackman Jessica L. , Pakstis Diana L. , Pasculle A. William , Marsh Jane W. , Harrison Lee H. , Curry Scott R. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

Previous studies suggested that 7 to 15% of healthy adults are colonized with toxigenic
Clostridium difficile
. To investigate the epidemiology, genetic diversity, and duration of
C. difficile
colonization in asymptomatic persons, we recruited healthy adults from the general population in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Participants provided epidemiological and dietary intake data and submitted stool specimens. The presence of
C. difficile
in stool specimens was determined by anaerobic culture. Stool specimens yielding
C. difficile
underwent nucleic acid testing of the
tcdA
gene segment with a commercial assay;
tcdC
genotyping was performed on
C. difficile
isolates. Subjects positive for
C. difficile
by toxigenic anaerobic culture were asked to submit additional specimens. One hundred six (81%) of 130 subjects submitted specimens, and 7 (6.6%) of those subjects were colonized with
C. difficile
. Seven distinct
tcdC
genotypes were observed among the 7
C. difficile
-colonized individuals, including
tcdC
genotype 20, which has been found in uncooked ground pork in this region. Two (33%) out of 6
C. difficile
-colonized subjects who submitted additional specimens tested positive for identical
C. difficile
strains on successive occasions, 1 month apart. The prevalence of
C. difficile
carriage in this healthy cohort is concordant with prior estimates.
C. difficile
-colonized individuals may be important reservoirs for
C. difficile
and may falsely test positive for infections due to
C. difficile
when evaluated for community-acquired diarrhea caused by other enteric pathogens.
Bacterial Whole-Genome Sequencing Revisited: Portable, Scalable, and Standardized Analysis for Typing and Detection of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Authors: Leopold Shana R. , Goering Richard V. , Witten Anika , Harmsen Dag , Mellmann Alexander 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

Multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogens present a major burden for hospitals. Rapid cluster identification and pathogen profiling, i.e., of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes, are crucial for effective infection control. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA), in particular, is now one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. In this study, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was applied retrospectively to an unusual spike in MRSA cases in two intensive care units (ICUs) over the course of 4 weeks. While the epidemiological investigation concluded that there were two separate clusters, each associated with one ICU,
S. aureus
protein A gene (
spa
) typing data suggested that they belonged to single clonal cluster (all cases shared
spa
type t001). Standardized gene sets were used to extract an allele-based profile for typing and an antibiotic resistance and toxin gene profile. The WGS results produced high-resolution allelic profiles, which were used to discriminate the MRSA clusters, corroborating the epidemiological investigation and identifying previously unsuspected transmission events. The antibiotic resistance profile was in agreement with the original clinical laboratory susceptibility profile, and the toxin profile provided additional, previously unknown information. WGS coupled with allelic profiling provided a high-resolution method that can be implemented as regular screening for effective infection control.
Isolation and Identification of an Enterobacter cloacae Strain Producing a Novel Subtype of Shiga Toxin Type 1
Authors: Probert William S. , McQuaid Cassandra , Schrader Kimmi 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

We describe here the isolation and identification of a Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1)-producing
Enterobacter cloacae
strain, M12X01451, from a human clinical specimen. The bacterial isolate was identified as
E. cloacae
using a polyphasic approach that included phenotypic, genetic, and proteomic analyses. The M12X01451
stx
1
was sequenced, and the holotoxin was found to share only 87% amino acid sequence identity with the nearest Stx1 subtype reference sequence. Sequence analysis of the regions immediately flanking
stx
1
displayed similarities with bacteriophage-related sequences, suggesting a prophage origin. The
stx
1
gene was a stable element within the M12X01451 genome, as demonstrated by real-time PCR detection following successive subculturing of the bacterial isolate. Culture supernatant from M12X01451 was cytotoxic to Vero cells but was not neutralized by an anti-Stx1 monoclonal antibody. In addition, Stx1 from M12X01451 demonstrated limited antigenicity with two commercially available lateral flow immunoassays. The M12X01451 Stx represents a new Stx1 subtype based on the degree of sequence dissimilarity with Stx1 subtype reference sequences and its limited reactivity with anti-Stx1 antibodies.
Usefulness of Pneumotest-Latex for Direct Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates in Clinical Samples
Authors: Kuch Alicja , Gołȩbiewska Agnieszka , Waśko Izabela , Ronkiewicz Patrycja , Markowska Marlena , Hryniewicz Waleria , Skoczyńska Anna 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the usefulness of the Pneumotest-Latex assay for serotyping
Streptococcus pneumoniae
isolates directly in clinical samples. With an agreement of 88.1% with a PCR-based reference method, this test can be a useful tool for this study purpose, especially in clinical laboratories that do not have access to nucleic acid amplification technologies.
Cross-Infection of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients by a Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolate Producing the OXA-48 Carbapenemase, Likely Derived from a Multiorgan Donor
Authors: Giani Tommaso , Conte Viola , Mandalà Salvatore , D'Andrea Marco Maria , Luzzaro Francesco , Conaldi Pier Giulio , Grossi Paolo , Rossolini Gian Maria 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

We describe two cases of bacteremic infections caused by a multidrug-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolate producing the OXA-48 carbapenemase that occurred in two solid organ transplant (liver and kidney) recipients, which was apparently transmitted with the allografts. This finding underscores the risk of donor-derived infections by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens in solid organ transplant recipients and emphasizes the need for rapid screening of organ donors for carriage of similar pathogens.
Molecular Epidemiology and Identification of a Staphylococcus aureus Clone Causing Food Poisoning Outbreaks in Japan
Authors: Sato'o Yusuke , Omoe Katsuhiko , Naito Ikunori , Ono Hisaya K. , Nakane Akio , Sugai Motoyuki , Yamagishi Norio , Hu Dong-Liang 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

Molecular characterization of isolates from staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) outbreaks in Japan showed that the dominant lineage causing SFP outbreaks is clonal complex 81 (CC81), a single-locus variant of sequence type 1, coagulase type VII, positive for
sea
and/or
seb
, and positive for
seh
. Among various CC lineages producing staphylococcal enterotoxin A, CC81 showed the highest toxin productivity.