bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reflectance confocal microscopy as a non‐invasive diagnostic tool for Hailey–Hailey disease
Authors: Kurzeja M. , Czuwara J. , Rakowska A. , Sicińska J. , Maj M. , Nasierowska‐Guttmejer A. , Rudnicka L. , Olszewska M. 
Published: February 2014

Background/purposeReflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non‐invasive method for high‐resolution,in vivoimaging of the epidermis and upper dermis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential usefulness of RCM as a non‐invasive diagnostic tool for Hailey–Hailey disease (familial benign chronic pemphigus).MethodsFour patients with Hailey–Hailey disease were examined byRCM. Subsequently, punch biopsies were taken to compareRCMimages with corresponding histopathologic findings.ResultsOnRCMimages, the most sticking feature was acantholysis at the level of the granular and spinous layer, resembling a ‘dilapidated brick wall’. We suggest the term ‘dilapidated brick wallRCMsign’ to describe this feature and to distinguish from the corresponding histopathology finding. OtherRCMfeatures included: epidermal disarray, intraepidermal clefts, inflammatory cells in the epidermis and in the superficial dermis. TheseRCMabnormalities correlated with analogous histopathology findings.ConclusionReflectance confocal microscopy is a promising non‐invasive diagnostic tool for Hailey–Hailey disease. The method may also be considered useful for choosing the best site for biopsy, which may aid pathology evaluation and spare time needed to establish the diagnosis.
Warm temperature stimulus suppresses the perception of skin wetness during initial contact with a wet surface
Authors: Filingeri D. , Redortier B. , Hodder S. , Havenith G. 
Published: February 2014

Background/purposeIn the absence of humidity receptors in human skin, the perception of skin wetness is considered a somatosensory experience resulting from the integration of temperature (particularly cold) and mechanical inputs. However, limited data are available on the role of the temperature sense.MethodsWet and dry stimuli at 4°C and 8°C above local skin temperature were applied on the back of seven participants (age 21 ± 2 years) while skin temperature and conductance, thermal and wetness perceptions were recorded.ResultsResting local skin temperature was always increased by the application of the stimuli (+0.5–+1.4°C). No effect of stimulus wetness was found on wetness perceptions (P > 0.05). The threshold (point ‘−2 slightly wet’ on the wetness scale) to identify a clearly perceived wetness was never reached during any stimulations and participants did not perceive that some of the stimuli were wet. Overall, warm temperature stimuli suppressed the perception of skin wetness.ConclusionWe conclude that it is not the contact of the skin with moisture per se, but rather the integration of particular sensory inputs (amongst which coldness seems dominant) which drives the perception of skin wetness during the initial contact with a wet surface.
Evaluation of the response to treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Başaran Y. K. , Gürel M. S. , Erdemir A. T. , Turan E. , Yurt N. , Bağci I. S. 
Published: February 2014

Background/objectiveReflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive, objective imaging technique that provides in vivo, high‐resolution skin imaging. We sought to assess epidermal and dermal changes associated with the psoriasis and its treatment with RCM before the treatment and at weeks 4 and 8 of the treatment.Material and methodsThis is an investigator‐blinded, internal‐controlled, follow‐up study. A total of 25 patients with plaque psoriasis were included in the study. The RCM evaluation criteria were defined on the basis of the histopathological diagnostic criteria for psoriasis. The clinical severity of the psoriasis was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI).ResultsThe RCM findings which were correlated with the PASI can be used to follow up the patient's response to treatment have been identified as follows: the acanthosis, the number of spongiotic sites, the number of regular/irregular honeycomb‐like sites, the number of epidermal inflammatory cells, the number of focal microabscesses, the total epidermal thickness, the number of nonedge dermal papillae, the length of the papillary dermis, the number of dermal inflammatory cells, and the vascularization in the papillary dermis (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis is the first study with a large group of patients to perform a noninvasive assessment with RCM of the response of psoriasis to different treatments: phototherapy, systemic and topical treatment. Micrometric and morphometric changes occurring in the psoriatic tissue during the 8‐week treatment period were identified by in vivo RCM in a noninvasive manner. RCM is capable of monitoring of treatment response in psoriasis.
In‐situ remediation of contaminated farmland by horizontal transfer of degradative plasmids among rhizosphere bacteria
Authors: Wang Y. , Jiang Q. , Zhou C. , Chen B. , Zhao W. , Song J. , Fang R. , Chen J. , Xiao M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractHorizontal transfer of catabolic genes for pollutant degradation among rhizobacteria plays an important role in environmental bioremediation, but lacks support from field trial data. To address this problem, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain TP13 was inoculated into the soils of a phenol‐contaminated farmland on which tomato seedlings were growing in April 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Results consistently showed that introduction of TP13 strain significantly reduced phenol content and increased plant biomass after 20 days, compared with controls. Strain TP13 was able to colonize the plant rhizosphere and the number of rhizosphere bacteria which were grown on phenol and contained the plasmids containing the gene encoding for catechol 2, 3‐dioxygenase (C23O) increased gradually in the later stages of the experiment. The increase in magnitude of the plasmid‐containing rhizosphere bacteria correlated well with plant biomass, while the number of plasmid‐containing rhizosphere bacteria and phenol content was strongly negatively correlated. Furthermore, six strains (T1‐T6) of rhizosphere bacteria were isolated and found to possess large plasmids containing identical C23O genes and similar HindIII restriction patterns. Sequence alignment showed that the C23O genes from strains T1‐T6 contained almost identical sequences and the sequence of the C23O of strain T1 was the same as that of strain TP13. These data indicated that the plasmids were transferred from strain TP13 to these rhizosphere bacteria and that horizontal gene transfer stimulated phenol degradation and plant growth in the contaminated farmland. This is an important finding for in situ remediation of contaminated farmland.
Detecting and Analyzing Mobility Hotspots using Surface Networks
Authors: Hu Yujie , Miller Harvey J. , Li Xiang 
Published: February 2014

AbstractCapabilities for collecting and storing data on mobile objects have increased dramatically over the past few decades. A persistent difficulty is summarizing large collections of mobile objects. This article develops methods for extracting and analyzinghotspotsor locations with relatively high levels of mobility activity. We use kernel density estimation (KDE) to convert a large collection of mobile objects into a smooth, continuous surface. We then develop a topological algorithm to extract critical geometric features of the surface; these includecritical points(peaks, pits and passes) andcritical lines(ridgelines and course‐lines). We connect the peaks and corresponding ridgelines to produce a surface network that summarizes the topological structure of the surface. We apply graph theoretic indices to analytically characterize the surface and its changes over time. To illustrate our approach, we apply the techniques to taxi cab data collected in Shanghai,China. We find increases in the complexity of the hotspot spatial distribution during normal activity hours in the late morning, afternoon and evening and a spike in the connectivity of the hotspot spatial distribution in the morning as taxis concentrate on servicing travel to work. These results match with scientific and anecdotal knowledge about human activity patterns in the study area.
CLE6 expression recovers gibberellin deficiency to promote shoot growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bidadi Haniyeh , Matsuoka Keita , Sage‐Ono Kimiyo , Fukushima Jun , Pitaksaringkarn Weerasak , Asahina Masashi , Yamaguchi Shinjiro , Sawa Shinichiro , Fukuda Hiroo , Matsubayashi Yoshikatsu , Ono Michiyuki , Satoh Shinobu 
Published: February 2014

SummarySmall peptides act as local signals during plant development, but few studies have examined their interaction with phytohormone signaling. Here, we show that application of gibberellin (GA) to Arabidopsis shoots induces substantial accumulation of transcripts encoded by CLE6, a member of the CLAVATA/ESR‐RELATED (CLE) gene family, in the root stele, followed by promotion of organ growth by CLE6 in GA‐deficient plants. The long‐distance effect of GA4 was demonstrated by the observation that its application to the shoot apex of the GA‐deficient mutant ga3ox1/ga3ox2 rescued the short–root phenotype. Microarray analysis was used to identify root‐expressed genes that respond to systemic application of GA, and CLE6 was selected for further analysis. CLE6 was highly expressed in roots at the young seedling stage, and CLE6 promoter activity was strong in hypocotyls and roots, especially in root stele cells at branch points. Application of CLE6 peptide had no obvious effect on the growth and development of GA‐deficient mutant plants. Nonetheless, the fact that ectopic over‐expression of CLE6 in the GA‐deficient mutant promoted root growth and branching, petiole elongation, bolting rate and stem length showed that CLE6 expression partially compensates for the GA deficiency. Reciprocal grafting of GA‐deficient mutant plants to 35S::CLE6 transformants complemented the shoot phenotype associated with GA deficiency, demonstrating the systemic effect of CLE6 from root to shoot. These data suggest that root‐expressed CLE6 is systemically involved in shoot growth under GA action in Arabidopsis.
The CryoCapsule: Simplifying Correlative Light to Electron Microscopy
Authors: Heiligenstein Xavier , Heiligenstein Jérôme , Delevoye Cédric , Hurbain Ilse , Bardin Sabine , Paul‐Gilloteaux Perrine , Sengmanivong Lucie , Régnier Gilles , Salamero Jean , Antony Claude , Raposo Graca 
Published: February 2014

AbstractCorrelating complementary multiple scale images of the same object is a straightforward means to decipher biological processes. Light microscopy and electron microscopy are the most commonly used imaging techniques, yet despite their complementarity, the experimental procedures available to correlate them are technically complex. We designed and manufactured a new device adapted to many biological specimens, the CryoCapsule, that simplifies the multiple sample preparation steps, which at present separate live cell fluorescence imaging from contextual high‐resolution electron microscopy, thus opening new strategies for full correlative light to electron microscopy. We tested the biological application of this highly optimized tool on three different specimens: the in vitro Xenopus laevis mitotic spindle, melanoma cells over‐expressing YFP‐langerin sequestered in organized membranous subcellular organelles and a pigmented melanocytic cell in which the endosomal system was labeled with internalized fluorescent transferrin.
An update on mortality and morbidity in patients with very low postoperative hemoglobin levels who decline blood transfusion (CME)
Authors: Shander Aryeh , Javidroozi Mazyar , Naqvi Sajjad , Aregbeyen Oshuare , Çaylan Mustafa , Demir Selma , Juhl Anna 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundSeverely anemic patients for whom blood transfusion is not an option provide highly valuable information on risks of anemia and alternative management strategies.Study Design and MethodsThis is a retrospective study of consecutive patients at least 18 years old who could not be transfused, had surgery at a patient blood management center between 2003 and 2012, and had at least one hemoglobin (Hb) measurement of not more than 8 g/dL during the postoperative period. The primary outcome measure was mortality, occurring anytime in the period after the surgery until discharge or 30th day after the surgery, whichever was sooner. Postoperative morbidities included the occurrence of any of sepsis, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, deep wound infection, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmia.ResultsA total of 293 patients (including 288 who self‐identified as “Jehovah's Witness”) were eligible and enrolled. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 61.5 ± 16.9 years and 74.1% were female. Overall mortality rate was 8.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5%‐11.3%). Unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of death per each 1 g/dL decrease in the nadir postoperative Hb was 2.04 (95% CI, 1.52‐2.74); OR of death after adjustment for other significant factors (urgency, American Society of Anesthesiology score, and age) was 1.82 (95% CI, 1.27‐2.59).ConclusionOur study confirms the previously reported low risk of mortality in upper nadir Hb ranges of 7 to 8 g/dL and much higher risk in lower ranges, albeit the number of patients reaching extremely low Hb levels were lower than previous report, possibly suggestive of improved management strategy of these patients.
Efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange for treatment of stiff‐person syndrome
Authors: Pagano Monica B. , Murinson Beth B. , Tobian Aaron A.R. , King Karen E. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThe efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in stiff‐person syndrome (SPS) is unclear.Study Design and MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with SPS who underwent TPE and a systematic literature review were conducted.ResultsNine patients with the presumptive diagnosis of SPS who underwent TPE were identified. The mean age was 55 years (range, 34‐72 years) and 78% (n = 7) were female. Anti‐GAD65 was present in 89% (n = 8) of the patients (range, 1.9‐40,000 U/mL), and 33% (n = 3) had a history of diabetes. Forty‐four percent (n = 4) of patients had previously received immunosuppressive medication and 67% (n = 6) received intravenous immune globulin. The main indication for TPE was worsening of symptoms despite treatment with first‐line therapy. Seventy‐eight percent of the patients (n = 7) had five TPE procedures. Seventy‐eight percent (n = 7) of patients demonstrated at least minimal clinical improvement and 56% (n = 5) had a significant response. Most of the patients who demonstrated a significant response to treatment improved and their symptoms stabilized. Two patients (22%) developed adverse events, including catheter‐associated infection and transient hypotension. Eighteen publications were found from the literature review, which resulted in a total of 26 patients diagnosed with SPS. Forty‐two percent (n = 11) of patients had a significant symptomatic improvement after TPE treatment, and two patients (8%) developed adverse events.ConclusionTPE may benefit patients with SPS who are not responsive to first‐line therapy, and it is well tolerated.
The risk of blood transfusion–associated Chikungunya fever during the 2009 epidemic in Songkhla Province, Thailand
Authors: Appassakij Hatsadee , Promwong Charuporn , Rujirojindakul Pairaya , Wutthanarungsan Rochana , Silpapojakul Khachornsakdi 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundAsymptomatic Chikungunya fever (CHIKF)‐viremic blood donors could be a potential threat of spreading the disease unwittingly through contaminated blood transfusions. The relatively low prevalence of Chikungunya virus antibodies in the population and the records of more than 9000 suspected CHIKF cases raised concern about the potential transfusion‐associated CHIKF during the 2009 epidemic. This study assessed the potential transfusion risk for CHIKF and the implementation of blood safety measures to mitigate this risk.Study Design and MethodsA probabilistic model using key variables obtained from local information was used to estimate the weekly risk of transfusion‐associated CHIKF during the 2009 epidemic. In addition, other blood safety measure–based strategies involving screening for donors at risk, donor tracing, and a 7‐day quarantine of blood components at risk were implemented at the time of the epidemic.ResultsThe risk of viremic donations per 100,000 ranged from 38.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.5‐39.8) to 52.3 (95% CI, 50.4‐54.2). The potential risk of transfusion‐associated CHIKF per 100,000 was estimated to be 1 in 2429 (0.04%; 95% CI, 1 in 6681 [0.02%]‐1 in 1572 [0.06%]) to 1 in 1781 (0.06%; 95% CI, 1 in 3817 [0.03%]‐1 in 1214 (0.08%]) donations. Among 26,722 donations, 11 (95% CI, 4‐17) to 15 (95% CI, 7‐22) donations were predicted to associate with transfusion risk. The implementation of blood safety measure–based strategies for this epidemic period suggested to deter 11 blood donations of transfusion risk.ConclusionThe interventions for blood safety measures applied in this study had mitigated the potential transfusion‐associated CHIKF during the 2009 epidemic.
The hemostatic activity of cryopreserved platelets is mediated by phosphatidylserine‐expressing platelets and platelet microparticles
Authors: Johnson Lacey , Coorey Craig P. , Marks Denese C. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundCryopreservation of platelets (PLTs) at −80°C with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can extend the shelf life from 5 days to 2 years. Cryopreserved PLTs are reported to have a greater in vivo hemostatic effect than liquid‐stored PLTs. As such, the aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms responsible for the hemostatic potential of cryopreserved PLTs and the contribution of the reconstitution solution to this activity.Study Design and MethodsDMSO (5% final concentration) was added to buffy coat–derived PLTs, followed by prefreeze removal of DMSO and storage at −80°C. Cryopreserved PLTs (n = 8 per group) were thawed at 37°C, reconstituted with either 1 unit of thawed frozen plasma or PLT additive solution (PAS‐G). In vitro assays were performed before freezing and after thawing to assess the hemostatic activity of PLTs.ResultsCryopreserved PLTs expressed high levels of phosphatidylserine and contained significantly more phosphatidylserine‐positive PLT microparticles than liquid‐stored PLTs. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in the time to clot formation and clot strength, as measured by thromboelastography. The supernatant from cryopreserved PLTs was sufficient to reduce the phosphatidylserine‐dependent clotting time and increase the thrombin generation potential. Overall, plasma‐reconstituted cryopreserved PLTs were more procoagulant than those reconstituted in PAS‐G.ConclusionPLT cryopreservation results in the generation of phosphatidylserine‐expressing PLT microparticles which contribute to the hemostatic activity. Understanding the hemostatic activity of these components may assist in extending the use of these specialized components beyond military applications.
Harvesting autologous stem cells from a patient with red blood cell abnormalities of β‐thalassemia intermedia
Authors: Sanford Kimberly , Roseff Susan D. , Anderson Jennifer , Chung Harold M. , McPherson Richard A. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundAutologous stem cell transplants in patients with hemoglobinopathies are limited. Previous reports used granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) for mobilization of stem cells; there are no reported cases undergoing plerixafor mobilization. We report such a patient, providing guidance for peripheral blood stem cells collection when aberrant red blood cells (RBCs) disrupt normal separation.Study Design and MethodsA patient with β‐thalassemia intermedia and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin presented for peripheral blood stem cell collection for autologous transplant for myeloma. He underwent splenectomy for anemia secondary to hemoglobinopathy and chemotherapy, ceasingRBCtransfusions. The patient was mobilized using plerixafor after collection withG‐CSFfailed.ResultsCollections were performed using an apheresis system, processing 24 Ldaily. Peripheral blood and apheresis productCD34 determinations were performed daily. OnDay 1, the product yield was 0.04 × 106CD34 cells/kg, less than expected based on white blood cell count andCD34‐positive cells. Peripheral blood smear showed nucleatedRBCs andRBCmorphologic abnormalities. Changes in instrument variables were made after consultation withTerumoBCTto adjust for variable distribution of mononuclear and stem cells during centrifugation. Collecting stem cells at a deeper location and centrifuging faster improved collection, and a cumulative total of 4.40 × 106CD34 cells/kg was achieved after four collections. The patient underwent tandem autologous transplantation and engrafted within 12 to 13 days of each transplant.ConclusionsAdjustments in apheresis variables allowed successful collection of peripheral blood stem cells from a patient withRBCanomalies of β‐thalassemia that interfered with standard stem cell harvesting.
Canine demodicosis: the relationship between response to treatment of generalised disease and markers for inflammation and oxidative status
Authors: Martínez‐Subiela Silvia , Bernal Luis J. , Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Garcia‐Martinez Juan D. , Tecles Fernando , Cerón Jose J. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundDetermination of acute phase proteins and markers of oxidative status may be of value for evaluating the severity of disease and the response to treatment. In canine demodicosis, there is no information available regarding the use of such analytes to discriminate between localized and generalized demodicosis or to monitor the response to treatment.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe aim was to measure analytes related to inflammation and oxidative stress in dogs with localized or generalized demodicosis. In cases of generalized demodicosis, the intention was to study these analytes before and after a period of treatment.AnimalsSerum was obtained from three groups: Group 1, healthy dogs; Group 2, dogs with localized demodicosis; and Group 3, dogs with generalized demodicosis.MethodsAnimals from Groups 1 and 2 were sampled at the point of diagnosis. Dogs in Group 3 were treated with oral ivermectin 1% at 0.6 mg/kg once daily, and samples were collected at the point of diagnosis and after 30 days of treatment. C‐Reactive protein, haptoglobin, albumin, butyrylcholinesterase, paraoxonase‐1 and total antioxidant capacity were measured.ResultsDogs with generalized demodicosis had significantly higher concentrations of C‐reactive protein and haptoglobin and lower butyrylcholinesterase activity than dogs in Groups 1 and 2. Dogs in Group 3 also had lower paraoxonase‐1 than those in Group 2, The analytes tended to normalize during treatment.Conclusions and clinical importanceThere was an evident acute phase response and changes in selected oxidative state analytes in generalized demodicosis that do not occur in the localized form. These changes could be used for monitoring the response to treatment.