bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychological Indices as Predictors for Phantom Shocks in Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Recipients
Authors: STARRENBURG ANNEMIEKE , KRAAIER KARIN , PEDERSEN SUSANNE , SCHOLTEN MARCOEN , VAN DER PALEN JOB 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundA phantom shock—the sensation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) discharge in the absence of an actual discharge—is a phenomenon that can occur in ICD patients. Little is known about the influence of psychological factors on the incidence of phantom shocks. We evaluated psychological correlates of phantom shocks 2 years post‐ICD implant in a cohort of Dutch ICD recipients.MethodsConsecutive patients (N = 300; 87.5% men; mean age = 62.3) willing to participate in a prospective study (Twente ICD Cohort Study) on psychological factors in ICD recipients received an ICD between September 2007 and February 2010. At baseline, patients complete the 36‐item Short Form Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Type D Scale. Lifetime presence of anxiety and depression was assessed with the MINI structural interview.ResultsDuring a follow‐up of 24 months, 16 patients (5.4%) experienced a phantom shock. Median time to (first) phantom shock was 13 weeks (range 0–48 weeks). In univariable analysis, no significant relationships were found between clinical or psychological indices and the occurrence of phantom shocks, nor was there an association between phantom shocks and type D personality, symptoms of anxiety, or a history of anxiety and depression.ConclusionsNeither symptoms of anxiety and depression nor psychiatric history were associated with the occurrence of phantom shocks. Further studies using more explorative, qualitative research techniques are warranted to examine the correlates of phantom shocks.
Stimulation of Dorsal Root Ganglia for the Management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Prospective Case Series
Authors: Van Buyten Jean‐Pierre , Smet Iris , Liem Liong , Russo Marc , Huygen Frank 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic and progressive pain condition usually involving the extremities and characterized by sensorimotor, vascular, and trophic changes. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective intervention for this condition, but is hampered by the technical challenges associated with precisely directing stimulation to distal extremities. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) may be more effective as a physiological target for electrical modulation due to recruitment of the primary sensory neurons that innervate the painful distal anatomical regions.MethodsEleven subjects diagnosed with uni‐ or bilateral lower‐extremity CRPS were recruited as part of a larger study involving chronic pain of heterogeneous etiologies. Quadripolar epidural leads of a newly developed neurostimulation system were placed near lumbar DRGs using conventional percutaneous techniques. The neurostimulators were trialed; 8 were successful and permanently implanted and programed to achieve optimal pain–paresthesia overlap.ResultsAll 8 subjects experienced some degree of pain relief and subjective improvement in function, as measured by multiple metrics. One month after implantation of the neurostimulator, there was significant reduction in average self‐reported pain to 62% relative to baseline values. Pain relief persisted through 12 months in most subjects. In some subjects, edema and trophic skin changes associated with CRPS were also mitigated and function improved. Neuromodulation of the DRG was able to provide excellent pain–paresthesia concordance in locations that are typically hard to target with traditional SCS, and the stimulation reduced the area of pain distributions.ConclusionsNeuromodulation of the DRG appears to be a promising option for relieving chronic pain and other symptoms associated with CRPS. The capture of discrete painful areas such as the feet, combined with stable paresthesia intensities independent of body position, suggests this stimulation modality may allow more selective and consistent targeting of painful areas than traditional SCS.
Pregabalin Does Not Affect Sperm Production in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled, Noninferiority Study
Authors: Sikka Suresh C. , Chen Crystal , Almas Mary , Dula Eugene , Knapp Lloyd E. , Hellstrom Wayne J.G. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to compare the effects of pregabalin and placebo on sperm concentration in healthy male subjects. Changes in follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, sperm motility, semen volume, and sperm morphology were also examined.MethodsThis was a phase 4, multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, noninferiority study. A 12‐week treatment period (placebo or 600 mg/day of pregabalin) was followed by a 1‐week taper period and a 13‐week washout period. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of subjects with a ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in sperm concentration at End of Study.ResultsOne hundred and nine subjects received placebo and 111 subjects received pregabalin. The difference between placebo and pregabalin with respect to the percentage of subjects with a ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in sperm concentration at End of Study was 6% (95% CI: −2.29 to 14.3%). Noninferiority of pregabalin compared to placebo was declared as the upper bound of the 95% CI was less than the prespecified noninferiority margin of 20%. There were no significant differences between placebo and pregabalin groups with respect to their effects on FSH, testosterone, or sperm motility. Changes in semen volume and sperm morphology were numerically similar in both treatment groups. Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of pregabalin. Treatment with 600 mg/day pregabalin for 12 weeks does not adversely affect spermatogenesis or serum levels of FSH and testosterone in healthy males.
Molecular mapping of black rot resistance locusXca1boon chromosome 3 inIndian cauliflower (Brassica oleraceavar.botrytisL.)
Authors: Saha Partha , Kalia Pritam , Sonah Humira , Sharma Tilak R. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBlack rot is the most devastating disease of cauliflower worldwide causing severe damage to crop. The identification of markers linked to loci that control resistance can facilitate selection of plants for breeding programmes. In the present investigation,F2population derived from a cross between ‘PusaHimjyoti’, a susceptible genotype, and ‘BR‐161’, a resistant genotype, was phenotyped by artificial inoculation usingXccrace 1. Segregation analysis ofF2progeny indicated that a single dominant locus governed resistance toXccrace 1 in ‘BR‐161’. Bulk segregant analysis in resistant and susceptible bulks ofF2progeny revealed seven differentiating polymorphic markers (threeRAPD, twoISSRand twoSSR) of 102 markers screened. Subsequently, these markers were used to genotype the entire F2population, and a genetic linkage map covering 74.7 cM distance was developed. The major locusXca1bowas mapped in 1.6‐cM interval flanked by the markersRAPD04833andISSR11635. TheXca1bolocus was located on chromosome 3. The linked markers will be useful for marker‐assisted resistance breeding in cauliflower.
Characterization of distinct root and shoot responses to low‐oxygen stress in Arabidopsis with a focus on primary C‐ and N‐metabolism
Authors: MUSTROPH ANGELIKA , BARDING JR GREGORY A. , KAISER KAYLA A. , LARIVE CYNTHIA K. , BAILEY‐SERRES JULIA 
Published: January 2014

AbstractOxygen deficiency, caused by flooding of all or a portion of a plant, leads to significant gene regulatory and metabolic responses associated with survival. When oxygen‐deprived in light, aerial organs and root systems respond in distinct manners because of their respective autotrophy and heterotrophy, as well as intrinsic differences in cell biology and organ function. To better understand organ‐specific responses to oxygen deficiency, we monitored changes in the metabolome of roots and shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Only roots accumulated high amounts of γ‐aminobutyrate (GABA) and lactate, whereas both organs accumulated alanine (Ala) upon hypoxia. Meta‐analysis of gene regulation data revealed higher induction of mRNAs coding for fermentative enzymes in roots as compared with shoots. However, the elevation in GABA level was not correlated with changes in transcript abundance, supporting the proposal that post‐translational mechanisms are important in metabolic acclimation to hypoxia. The biosynthesis, degradation and function of GABA and Ala during oxygen deprivation and re‐aeration is discussed. Finally, a systematic survey of low‐oxygen mediated regulation of genes associated with primary metabolism across organs and cell types reveals exciting new avenues for future studies.
Temperature at the early stages of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis infection affects bacterial canker development and virulence gene expression
Authors: Sharabani G. , Manulis‐Sasson S. , Chalupowicz L. , Borenstein M. , Shulhani R. , Lofthouse M. , Sofer M. , Frenkel O. , Dror O. , Shtienberg D. 
Published: January 2014

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), the causal agent of bacterial canker and wilt, causes severe economic losses in tomato net‐houses and greenhouses worldwide. In this study, seedlings which were transplanted and inoculated monthly over 2 years wilted and died earlier in the spring (21–24°C) and autumn (18–23°C) than in the winter (15–18°C) and summer (28–31°C): T50 (the time taken for 50% of the plants to wilt or die) was 2 and 3–4 months after inoculation, respectively. A highly significant correlation was found between the average temperatures during the first month after inoculation and T50; the shortest T50 mortality (70 days) was observed for an average temperature of 26°C. Expression of virulence genes (pat‐1, celA, chpC and ppaA) by Cmm was higher in plants inoculated in the spring than in those inoculated in the summer. In another set of experiments, seedlings were inoculated and maintained in controlled‐environment growth chambers for 2 weeks. Subsequently, they were transplanted and maintained in commercial‐type greenhouses for 4–5 months. The temperatures prevailing in the first 48 h after inoculation were found to affect Cmm population size and virulence gene expression and to have season‐long effects on bacterial canker development.
Comparison of In Vitro Developmental Competence of Cloned Caprine Embryos Using Donor Karyoplasts from Adult Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells vs Ear Fibroblast Cells
Authors: Kwong PJ , Nam HY , Wan Khadijah WE , Kamarul T , Abdullah RB 
Published: January 2014

ContentsThe aim of this study was to produce cloned caprine embryos using either caprine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or ear fibroblast cells (EFCs) as donor karyoplasts. Caprine MSCs were isolated from male Boer goats of an average age of 1.5 years. To determine the pluripotency of MSCs, the cells were induced to differentiate into osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Subsequently, MSCs were characterized through cell surface antigen profiles using specific markers, prior to their use as donor karyoplasts for nuclear transfer. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in fusion rates was observed between MSCs (87.7%) and EFCs (91.3%) used as donor karyoplasts. The cleavage rate of cloned embryos derived with MSCs (87.0%) was similar (p > 0.05) to those cloned using EFCs (84.4%). However, the in vitro development of MSCs‐derived cloned embryos (25.3%) to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those derived with EFCs (20.6%). In conclusion, MSCs could be reprogrammed by caprine oocytes, and production of cloned caprine embryos with MSCs improved their in vitro developmental competence, but not in their fusion and cleavage rate as compared to cloning using somatic cells such as EFCs.
VgrG-5 Is a Burkholderia Type VI Secretion System-Exported Protein Required for Multinucleated Giant Cell Formation and Virulence
Authors: Schwarz Sandra , Singh Pragya , Robertson Johanna D. , LeRoux Michele , Skerrett Shawn J. , Goodlett David R. , West T. Eoin , Mougous Joseph D. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) has emerged as a critical virulence factor for the group of closely related
Burkholderia
spp. that includes
Burkholderia pseudomallei
,
B. mallei
, and
B. thailandensis
. While the genomes of these bacteria, referred to as the Bptm group, appear to encode several T6SSs, we and others have shown that one of these, type VI secretion system 5 (T6SS-5), is required for virulence in mammalian infection models. Despite its pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the Bptm group, the effector repertoire of T6SS-5 has remained elusive. Here we used quantitative mass spectrometry to compare the secretome of wild-type
B. thailandensis
to that of a mutant harboring a nonfunctional T6SS-5. This analysis identified VgrG-5 as a novel secreted protein whose export depends on T6SS-5 function. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that VgrG-5 is a specialized VgrG protein that harbors a C-terminal domain (CTD) conserved among Bptm group species. We found that a
vgrG-5
ΔCTD mutant is avirulent in mice and is unable to stimulate the fusion of host cells, a hallmark of the Bptm group previously shown to require T6SS-5 function. The singularity of VgrG-5 as a detected T6SS-5 substrate, taken together with the essentiality of its CTD for virulence, suggests that the protein is critical for the effector activity of T6SS-5. Intriguingly, we show that unlike the bacterial-cell-targeting T6SSs characterized so far, T6SS-5 localizes to the bacterial cell pole. We propose a model whereby the CTD of VgrG-5—, propelled by T6SS-5—, plays a key role in inducing membrane fusion, either by the recruitment of other factors or by direct participation.
Role of Urinary Cathelicidin LL-37 and Human β-Defensin 1 in Uncomplicated Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Nielsen Karen L. , Dynesen Pia , Larsen Preben , Jakobsen Lotte , Andersen Paal S. , Frimodt-Møller Niels 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Cathelicidin (LL-37) and human β-defensin 1 (hBD-1) are important components of the innate defense in the urinary tract. The aim of this study was to characterize whether these peptides are important for developing uncomplicated
Escherichia coli
urinary tract infections (UTIs). This was investigated by comparing urinary peptide levels of UTI patients during and after infection to those of controls, as well as characterizing the fecal flora of participants with respect to susceptibility to LL-37 and
in vivo
virulence. Forty-seven UTI patients and 50 controls who had never had a UTI were included. Participants were otherwise healthy, premenopausal, adult women. LL-37 MIC levels were compared for fecal
E. coli
clones from patients and controls and were also compared based on phylotypes (A, B1, B2, and D).
In vivo
virulence was investigated in the murine UTI model by use of selected fecal isolates from patients and controls. On average, UTI patients had significantly more LL-37 in urine during infection than postinfection, and patient LL-37 levels postinfection were significantly lower than those of controls. hBD-1 showed similar urine levels for UTI patients and controls. Fecal
E. coli
isolates from controls had higher LL-37 susceptibility than fecal and UTI
E. coli
isolates from UTI patients.
In vivo
studies showed a high level of virulence of fecal
E. coli
isolates from both patients and controls and showed no difference in virulence correlated with the LL-37 MIC level. The results indicate that the concentration of LL-37 in the urinary tract and low susceptibility to LL-37 may increase the likelihood of UTI in a complex interplay between host and pathogen attributes.
Real-Time Cellular Analysis Coupled with a Specimen Enrichment Accurately Detects and Quantifies Clostridium difficile Toxins in Stool
Authors: Huang Bin , Jin Dazhi , Zhang Jing , Sun Janet Y. , Wang Xiaobo , Stiles Jeffrey , Xu Xiao , Kamboj Mini , Babady N. Esther , Tang Yi-Wei 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

We describe here the use of an immunomagnetic separation enrichment process coupled with a modified real-time cellular analysis (RTCA) system (RTCA version 2) for the detection of
C. difficile
toxin (CDT) in stool. The limit of CDT detection by RTCA version 2 was 0.12 ng/ml. Among the consecutively collected 401 diarrheal stool specimens, 53 (13.2%) were toxin-producing
C. difficile
strains by quantitative toxigenic culture (qTC); bacterial loads ranged from 3.00 × 10
1
to 3.69 × 10
6
CFU/ml. The RTCA version 2 method detected CDT in 51 samples, resulting in a sensitivity of 96.2%, a specificity of 99.7%, and positive and negative predictive values of 98.1% and 99.4%, respectively. The positive step time ranged from 1.43 to 35.85 h, with <24 h for 80% of the samples. The CDT concentrations in stool samples determined by RTCA version 2 correlated with toxigenic
C. difficile
bacterial load (
R
2
= 0.554,
P
= 0.00002) by qTC as well as the threshold cycle (
R
2
= 0.343,
P
= 0.014) by real-time PCR. A statistically significant correlation between the CDT concentrations and the clinical severity of CDI was observed (
P
= 0.015). The sensitivity of the RTCA version 2 assay for the detection of functional toxins in stool specimens was significantly improved when the immunomagnetic separation enrichment process was incorporated. More than 80% positive results can be obtained within 24 h. The stool specimen CDT concentration derived using the RTCA version 2 assay correlates with clinical severity and may be used as a marker for monitoring the status of CDI.
Evaluation of Four Single-Locus Markers for Leishmania Species Discrimination by Sequencing
Authors: Van der Auwera Gert , Ravel Christophe , Verweij Jaco J. , Bart Aldert , Schönian Gabriele , Felger Ingrid 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Several genetic markers have been described for discriminating
Leishmania
species. In most reported cases, one or a few polymorphisms are the basis of species identification, and the methods were validated on a limited number of strains from a particular geographical region. Therefore, most techniques may underestimate the global intraspecies variability and are applicable only in certain areas. In addition, interlaboratory standardization is mostly absent, complicating comparisons among different studies. Here, we compared species typing results from all sequence polymorphisms found in four popular markers that can be applied directly on clinical samples: the miniexon or spliced leader, the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA array, the 7SL RNA gene, and the heat shock protein 70 gene. Clustering was evaluated among 74
Leishmania
strains, selected to represent a wide geographic distribution and genetic variability of the medically relevant species of the genus. Results were compared with a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach using 7 single-copy household genes and with multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), still considered the gold standard by some. We show that strain groupings are highly congruent across the four different single-locus markers, MLST, and MLEE. Overall, the heat shock protein 70 gene and the miniexon presented the best resolutions for separating medically relevant species. As gene sequence analysis is validated here on a global scale, it is advocated as the method of choice for use in genetic, clinical, and epidemiological studies and for managing patients with unknown origins of infection, especially in Western infectious disease clinics dealing with imported leishmaniasis.
Misidentification of Aspergillus nomius and Aspergillus tamarii as Aspergillus flavus: Characterization by Internal Transcribed Spacer, β-Tubulin, and Calmodulin Gene Sequencing, Metabolic Fingerprinting, and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Tam Emily W. T. , Chen Jonathan H. K. , Lau Eunice C. L. , Ngan Antonio H. Y. , Fung Kitty S. C. , Lee Kim-Chung , Lam Ching-Wan , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Lau Susanna K. P. , Woo Patrick C. Y. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Aspergillus nomius
and
Aspergillus tamarii
are
Aspergillus
species that phenotypically resemble
Aspergillus flavus
. In the last decade, a number of case reports have identified
A. nomius
and
A. tamarii
as causes of human infections. In this study, using an internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin, and calmodulin gene sequencing, only 8 of 11 clinical isolates reported as
A. flavus
in our clinical microbiology laboratory by phenotypic methods were identified as
A. flavus
. The other three isolates were
A. nomius
(
n
= 2) or
A. tamarii
(
n
= 1). The results corresponded with those of metabolic fingerprinting, in which the
A. flavus
,
A. nomius
, and
A. tamarii
strains were separated into three clusters based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC MS) analysis. The first two patients with
A. nomius
infections had invasive aspergillosis and chronic cavitary and fibrosing pulmonary and pleural aspergillosis, respectively, whereas the third patient had
A. tamarii
colonization of the airway. Identification of the 11 clinical isolates and three reference strains by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) showed that only six of the nine strains of
A. flavus
were identified correctly. None of the strains of
A. nomius
and
A. tamarii
was correctly identified. β-Tubulin or the calmodulin gene should be the gene target of choice for identifying
A. flavus
,
A. nomius
, and
A. tamarii
. To improve the usefulness of MALDI-TOF MS, the number of strains for each species in MALDI-TOF MS databases should be expanded to cover intraspecies variability.
Empyema Caused by Prevotella bivia Complicating an Unusual Case of Spontaneous Chylothorax
Authors: Di Marco Berardino Alessandro , Inchingolo Riccardo , Smargiassi Andrea , Re Antonina , Torelli Riccardo , Fiori Barbara , d'Inzeo Tiziana , Corbo Giuseppe Maria , Valente Salvatore , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Spanu Teresa 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous chylothorax is rare in adults. We present an unusual case that was complicated by
Prevotella bivia
empyema. Full recovery was achieved with chest tube drainage and prompt treatment with intravenous clindamycin.