bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic effects of dog visits in nursing homes for the elderly
Authors: Thodberg Karen , Sørensen Lisbeth Uhrskov , Christensen Janne Winther , Poulsen Pia Haun , Houbak Birthe , Damgaard Vibeke , Keseler Ingrid , Edwards David , Videbech Poul B. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that visiting dogs can have positive effects on elderly people in nursing homes. We wanted to study the effects of biweekly dog visits on sleep patterns and the psychiatric well‐being of elderly people.MethodsA total of 100 residents (median age: 85.5 years; [79; 90]) from four nursing homes were randomly assigned to receive biweekly visits for 6 weeks from a person accompanied by either a dog, a robot seal (PARO), or a soft toy cat. Sleep patterns were measured using actigraphy technology before, during (the third and sixth week), and after the series of visits. The participants were weighed and scored on the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Gottfries‐Bråne‐Steen Scale, and the Mini‐Mental State Examination before and after the visit period.ResultsWe found that sleep duration (min) increased in the third week when visitors were accompanied by a dog rather than the robot seal or soft toy cat (dog: 610 ± 127 min; seal: 498 ± 146 min; cat: 540 ± 163 min; F2,37 = 4.99; P = 0.01). No effects were found in the sixth week or after the visit period had ended. We found that visit type had no effect on weight (F2,88 = 0.13; P > 0.05), body mass index (F2,86 = 0.33; P > 0.05), Geriatric Depression Scale (F2,82 = 0.85; P > 0.05), Gottfries‐Bråne‐Steen Scale (F2,90 = 0.41; P > 0.05), or Mini‐Mental State Examination (F2,91 = 0.35; P > 0.05). Furthermore, we found a decrease in the Geriatric Depression Scale during the experimental period (S = −420; P < 0.05), whereas cognitive impairment worsened as shown by a decrease in Mini‐Mental State Examination score (S = −483; P < 0.05) and an increase in the Gottfries‐Bråne‐Steen Scale (t = 2.06; P < 0.05).ConclusionVisit type did not affect the long‐term mental state of the participants. The causal relationship between sleep duration and dog‐accompanied visits remains to be explored.
The effect of obesity on inflammatory cytokine and leptin production following acute mental stress
Authors: Caslin H. L. , Franco R. L. , Crabb E. B. , Huang C. J. , Bowen M. K. , Acevedo E. O. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractObesity may contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by eliciting chronic systemic inflammation and impairing the immune response to additional stressors. There has been little assessment of the effect of obesity on psychological stress, an independent risk factor for CVD. Therefore, it was of interest to examine interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra), and leptin following an acute mental stress task in nonobese and obese males. Twenty college‐aged males (21.3 ± 0.56 years) volunteered to participate in a 20‐min Stroop color‐word and mirror‐tracing task. Subjects were recruited for obese (body mass index: BMI > 30) and nonobese (BMI < 25) groups, and blood samples were collected for enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay analysis. The acute mental stress task elicited an increase in heart rate, catecholamines, and IL‐1β in all subjects. Additionally, acute mental stress increased cortisol concentrations in the nonobese group. There was a significant reduction in leptin in obese subjects 30 min posttask compared with a decrease in nonobese subjects 120 min posttask. Interestingly, the relationship between the percent change in leptin and IL‐1Ra at 120 min posttask in response to an acute mental stress task was only observed in nonobese individuals. This is the first study to suggest that adiposity in males may impact leptin and inflammatory signaling mechanisms following acute mental stress.
Tamoxifen as a new therapeutic tool for neutrophilic lung inflammation
Authors: Perez Barbara , Henriquez Claudio , Sarmiento Jose , Morales Natalia , Folch Hugo , Galesio Juan S. , Uberti Benjamin , Morán Gabriel 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveNeutrophilic asthma is an important disease subgroup, including patients with severe phenotypes and erratic responses to standard treatments.Tamoxifen (TX), a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used as treatment of human breast cancer, has been shown to induce early apoptosis of equine blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophilsin vitro.Equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is a naturally occurring neutrophilic condition, closely related with human asthma. Our purpose was to investigate the therapeutic potential of tamoxifen in horses with neutrophilic lung inflammation.MethodsTwelve horses underwent acute lung inflammation through exposure to allergens known to causeRAO, after which they received treatment with either tamoxifen or dexamethasone. Outcome measures included evaluation of clinical signs,BALFcytology, and early apoptosis of blood andBALFneutrophils.ResultsTamoxifen treatment decreasedBALFneutrophil counts (65.3 ± 19.38% before treatment; 7.6 ± 4.5% 2 days post‐treatment,; and 13.6 ± 9.3% 5 days post‐treatment). A similar decrease was observed with dexamethasone treatment (48.6 ± 5.88% before treatment; 11.5 ± 8.1% 2 days post‐treatment; 14.6 ± 10.3% 5 days post‐treatment). Clinical and endoscopic scores improved in both treatment groups.Tamoxifen treatment significantly increased early apoptosis of peripheral blood neutrophils at 5 days post‐treatment (27.04 ± 15.2%), and inBALFneutrophils at 2 and 5 days post‐treatment (42.11 ± 11.67% and 48.98 ± 2.6%, respectively).ConclusionTamoxifen treatment in horses with induced acute pulmonary inflammation promoted early apoptosis of blood andBALFneutrophils, reduction inBALFneutrophils and improvement in the animals' clinical status.
Undiagnosed airflow limitation is common in patients with coronary artery disease and associated with cardiac stress
Authors: Ko Fanny W.S. , Yan Bryan P. , Lam Yat‐yin , Chu Jojo H.Y. , Chan Ka‐pang , Hui David S.C. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveSmoking is a common risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated the prevalence of undiagnosed COPD in patients with CAD and assessed the relationship between airflow obstruction and markers of cardiac stress.MethodsWe recruited prospectively consecutive patients aged >40 years without known history of chronic lung disease (e.g. asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis) who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for obstructive CAD between August 2009 and October 2010. Spirometry was performed and serum ST2, a novel biomarker of cardiomyocyte stress and fibrosis, was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsAmong 475 subjects (mean age 64 ± 9.7, range 42–85 years, 87.2% males, 58.5% current or ex‐smokers) who underwent spirometry, 51 (10.7%) had undiagnosed airflow obstruction with FEV1/FVC ratio <70%. Of these 51 subjects, 14 (2.9%), 23 (4.8%) and 14 (2.9%) had FEV1 ≥80, 50–80 and 30–50% predicted normal, respectively. ST2 level was measured in all the subjects with undiagnosed airflow obstruction and in 290 subjects with normal lung function. There was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction on echocardiogram between subjects with and without airflow obstruction. Patients with severe airflow obstruction had a higher level of cardiac stress marker ST2 than those with mild and moderate airflow obstruction (rho = −0.214, P ≤ 0.001).ConclusionUndiagnosed airflow obstruction is common among patients with CAD who have undergone PCI. Severity of airflow limitation is associated with increasing cardiac stress.
Bayesian Hierarchical Modelling for Inferring Genetic Interactions in Yeast
Authors: Heydari Jonathan , Lawless Conor , Lydall David A. , Wilkinson Darren J. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryQuantitative fitness analysis (QFA) is a high throughput experimental and computational methodology for measuring the growth of microbial populations. QFA screens can be used to compare the health of cell populations with and without a mutation in a query gene to infer genetic interaction strengths genomewide, examining thousands of separate genotypes. We introduce Bayesian hierarchical models of population growth rates and genetic interactions that better reflect QFA experimental design than current approaches. Our new approach models population dynamics and genetic interaction simultaneously, thereby avoiding passing information between models via a univariate fitness summary. Matching experimental structure more closely, Bayesian hierarchical approaches use data more efficiently and find new evidence for genes which interact with yeast telomeres within a published data set.
What Factors Influence the Decision to Share Suicidal Thoughts? A Multilevel Social Network Analysis of Disclosure Among Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Fulginiti Anthony , Pahwa Rohini , Frey Laura M. , Rice Eric , Brekke John S. 
Published: October 2015

Nondisclosure of suicidal thoughts limits suicide risk management. Consistent with disclosure models for other stigmatized statuses, understanding suicidal disclosure requires accounting for features of the discloser (individual factors) and the discloser–recipient relationship (relational factors). In a sample of 30 adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder (Level 2) who nominated 436 social network members (Level 1), we examined disclosure patterns and identified individual and relational correlates of disclosure intent. Most individuals disclosed in the past (77%; n = 23) and all intended on disclosing (100%; n = 30). Disclosure was highly selective, with 14% (n = 62) of network members identified as prior confidants and 23% (n = 99) identified as intended confidants. Multilevel modeling indicated that relational factors were more central to disclosure than individual factors. Network members who were prior confidants and who provided social support were attractive targets for intended disclosure. Our findings suggest that “targeted” gatekeeper training may be a promising strategy and reveal relational characteristics to identify “high‐probability confidants.”
Hydrogen peroxide modulates synaptic transmission in ventral horn neurons of the rat spinal cord
Authors: Ohashi Masayuki , Hirano Toru , Watanabe Kei , Katsumi Keiichi , Ohashi Nobuko , Baba Hiroshi , Endo Naoto , Kohno Tatsuro 
Published: October 2015

Key points
Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is implicated in many central nervous system disorders; however, the physiological role of ROS in spinal ventral horn (VH) neurons remains poorly understood.
We investigated how pathological levels of H2O2, an abundant ROS, regulate synaptic transmission in VH neurons of rats using a whole‐cell patch clamp approach.
H2O2 increased the release of glutamate and GABA from presynaptic terminals.
The increase in glutamate release involved N‐type voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCCs), ryanodine receptors (RyRs), and inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs); the increase in GABA release, which inhibited glutamatergic transmission, involved IP3R.
Inhibiting N‐type VGCCs and RyRs attenuates excitotoxicity resulting from increased glutamatergic activity while preserving the neuroprotective effects of GABA, and may represent a novel strategy for treating H2O2‐induced motor neuron disorders resulting from trauma or ischaemia–reperfusion injury.
AbstractExcessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a critical component of the cellular and molecular pathophysiology of many central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including trauma, ischaemia–reperfusion injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an abundant ROS, modulates synaptic transmission and contributes to neuronal damage in the CNS; however, the pathophysiological role of H2O2 in spinal cord ventral horn (VH) neurons remains poorly understood, despite reports that these neurons are highly vulnerable to oxidative stress and ischaemia. This was investigated in the present study using a whole‐cell patch clamp approach in rats. We found that exogenous application of H2O2 increased the release of glutamate from excitatory presynaptic terminals and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) from inhibitory presynaptic terminals. The increase of glutamate release was induced in part by an increase in Ca2+ influx through N‐type voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCCs) as well as by ryanodine receptor (RyR)‐ and inositol trisphosphate receptor‐mediated Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In inhibitory presynaptic neurons, increased IP3R‐mediated Ca2+ release from the ER increased GABAergic transmission, which served to rescue VH neurons from excessive release of glutamate from presynaptic terminals. These findings indicate that inhibiting N‐type VGCCs or RyRs may attenuate excitotoxicity resulting from increased glutamatergic activity while preserving the neuroprotective effects of GABA, and may therefore represent a novel and targeted strategy for preventing and treating H2O2‐induced motor neuron disorders.
Characterization of Staphylococcus caprae Clinical Isolates Involved in Human Bone and Joint Infections, Compared with Goat Mastitis Isolates
Authors: d'Ersu J. , Aubin G. G. , Mercier P. , Nicollet P. , Bémer P. , Corvec S. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus caprae
is an emerging microorganism in human bone and joint infections (BJI). The aim of this study is to describe the features of
S. caprae
isolates involved in BJI (H for human) compared with those of isolates recovered in goat mastitis (A for animal). Fourteen isolates of each origin were included. Identifications were performed using a Vitek 2 GP ID card,
tuf
gene sequencing, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) Vitek MS. Molecular typing was carried out using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and DiversiLab technology. The crystal violet method was used to determine biofilm-forming ability. Virulence factors were searched by PCR. Vitek MS technology provides an accurate identification for the two types of isolates compared to that of gold-standard sequencing (sensitivity, 96.4%), whereas the Vitek 2 GP ID card was more effective for H isolates. Molecular typing methods revealed two distinct lineages corresponding to the origin despite few overlaps: H and A. In our experimental conditions, no significant difference was observed in biofilm production ability between H and A isolates. Nine isolates (5 H isolates and 4 A isolates) behaved as weak producers while one A isolate was a strong producer. Concerning virulence factors, the autolysin
atlC
and the serine aspartate adhesin (
sdrZ
) genes were detected in 24 isolates (86%), whereas the lipase gene was always detected, except in one H isolate (96%). The
ica
operon was present in 23 isolates (82%). Fibrinogen-binding (
fbe
) or collagen-binding (
cna
) genes were not detected by using primers designed for
Staphylococcus aureus
or
Staphylococcus epidermidis
, even in low stringency conditions. Although
S. caprae
probably remains underestimated in human infections, further studies are needed to better understand the evolution and the adaptation of this species to its host.
Sports: The Infectious Hazards
Authors: Minooee Arezou , Wang Jeff , Gupta Geeta K. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT
Although the medical complications of sports are usually traumatic in nature, infectious hazards also arise. While blood-borne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, cause significant illness, the risk of acquiring these agents during sporting activities is minimal. Skin infections are more commonplace, arising from a variety of microbial agents including bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. Sports involving water contact can lead to enteric infections, eye infections, or disseminated infections such as leptospirosis. Mumps, measles, and influenza are vaccine-preventable diseases that have been transmitted during sporting events, both in players and in spectators. Prevention is the key to many of these infections. Players should be vaccinated and should not participate in sports if their infection can be spread by contact, airborne, or droplet transmission.
Structure, Function, and Assembly of Adhesive Organelles by Uropathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Chahales Peter , Thanassi David G. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTBacteria assemble a wide range of adhesive proteins, termed adhesins, to mediate binding to receptors and colonization of surfaces. For pathogenic bacteria, adhesins are critical for early stages of infection, allowing the bacteria to initiate contact with host cells, colonize different tissues, and establish a foothold within the host. The adhesins expressed by a pathogen are also critical for bacterial-bacterial interactions and the formation of bacterial communities, including biofilms. The ability to adhere to host tissues is particularly important for bacteria that colonize sites such as the urinary tract, where the flow of urine functions to maintain sterility by washing away non-adherent pathogens. Adhesins vary from monomeric proteins that are directly anchored to the bacterial surface to polymeric, hair-like fibers that extend out from the cell surface. These latter fibers are termed pili or fimbriae, and were among the first identified virulence factors of uropathogenicEscherichia coli. Studies since then have identified a range of both pilus and non-pilus adhesins that contribute to bacterial colonization of the urinary tract, and have revealed molecular details of the structures, assembly pathways, and functions of these adhesive organelles. In this review, we describe the different types of adhesins expressed by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive uropathogens, what is known about their structures, how they are assembled on the bacterial surface, and the functions of specific adhesins in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections.
The medial tibial stress syndrome score: a new patient-reported outcome measure
Authors: Winters Marinus , Moen Maarten H , Zimmermann Wessel O , Lindeboom Robert , Weir Adam , Backx Frank JG , Bakker Eric WP 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundAt present, there is no validated patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for patients with medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS).AimOur aim was to select and validate previously generated items and create a valid, reliable and responsive PROM for patients with MTSS: the MTSS score.MethodsA prospective cohort study was performed in multiple sports medicine, physiotherapy and military facilities in the Netherlands. Participants with MTSS filled out the previously generated items for the MTSS score on 3 occasions. From previously generated items, we selected the best items. We assessed the MTSS score for its validity, reliability and responsiveness.ResultsThe MTSS score was filled out by 133 participants with MTSS. Factor analysis showed the MTSS score to exhibit a single-factor structure with acceptable internal consistency (α=0.58) and good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.81). The MTSS score ranges from 0 to 10 points. The smallest detectable change in our sample was 0.69 at the group level and 4.80 at the individual level. Construct validity analysis showed significant moderate-to-large correlations (r=0.34–0.52, p<0.01). Responsiveness of the MTSS score was confirmed by a significant relation with the global perceived effect scale (β=−0.288, R2=0.21, p<0.001).ConclusionsThe MTSS score is a valid, reliable and responsive PROM to measure the severity of MTSS. It is designed to evaluate treatment outcomes in clinical studies.
Safety and immunogenicity of novel respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines based on the RSV viral proteins F, N and M2-1 encoded by simian adenovirus (PanAd3-RSV) and MVA (MVA-RSV); protocol for an open-label, dose-escalation, single-centre, phase 1 clinical trial in healthy adults
Authors: Green C A , Scarselli E , Voysey M , Capone S , Vitelli A , Nicosia A , Cortese R , Thompson A J , Sande C S , de Lara Catherine , Klenerman P , Pollard A J 
Published: October 2015

IntroductionRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes respiratory disease throughout life, with infants and the elderly at risk of severe disease and death. RSV001 is a phase 1 (first-in-man), open-label, dose-escalation, clinical trial of novel genetic viral-vectored vaccine candidates PanAd3-RSV and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-RSV. The objective of RSV001 is to characterise the (primary objective) safety and (secondary objective) immunogenicity of these vaccines in healthy younger and older adults.Methods and analysisHeterologous and homologous ‘prime’/boost combinations of PanAd3-RSV and single-dose MVA-RSV are evaluated in healthy adults. 40 healthy adults aged 18–50 years test one of four combinations of intramuscular (IM) or intranasal (IN) PanAd3-RSV prime and IM PanAd3 or IM MVA-RSV boost vaccination, starting at a low dose for safety. The following year an additional 30 healthy adults aged 60–75 years test either a single dose of IM MVA-RSV, one of three combinations of IN or IM PanAd3-RSV prime and PanAd3-RSV or MVA-RSV boost vaccination used in younger volunteers, and a non-vaccinated control group. Study participants are self-selected volunteers who satisfy the eligibility criteria and are assigned to study groups by sequential allocation. Safety assessment includes the daily recording of solicited and unsolicited adverse events for 1 week after vaccination, as well as visit (nursing) observations and safety bloods obtained at all scheduled attendances. Laboratory measures of RSV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses after vaccination will address the secondary end points. All study procedures are performed at the Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine (CCVTM), Oxford, UK.Ethics and disseminationRSV001 has clinical trial authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and ethics approval from NRES Berkshire (reference 13/SC/0023). All study procedures adhere to International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) Good Clinical Practice guidelines. The results of the trial are to be published in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and academic forums.Trial registration numberNCT01805921.