bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of matricellular proteins in systemic and local immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Authors: Hasibuan Fakhrial Mirwan , Shiratori Beata , Senoputra Muhammad Andrian , Chagan‐Yasutan Haorile , Koesoemadinata Raspati Cundarani , Apriani Lika , Takahashi Yayoi , Niki Toshiro , Alisjahbana Bachti , Hattori Toshio 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTMatricellular proteins such as osteopontin (OPN), galectin‐9 (Gal‐9), and tenascin‐C (TN‐C) are expressed not only under normal physiological conditions, but also during infection, inflammation and tumorigenesis. Plasma concentrations of matricellular proteins were studied to determine their diagnostic value as potential markers of tuberculosis (TB) activity. It was found that concentrations of OPN and TN‐C were higher in patients with active TB than in healthy controls and individuals with latent infection. Moreover, LTBI patients had higher concentrations of OPN than did healthy controls. Gal‐9 concentrations did not differ significantly between groups. Concentrations of matricellular proteins were higher in pleural fluid than in the plasma of patients with TB. Expression of matricellular proteins was also investigated in TB granulomas and other granulomatous diseases. Positive OPN and Gal‐9 staining was observed in TB and sarcoidosis granulomas, but not in Crohn disease granulomas. The fibrotic ring around granulomas stained positive for TN‐C in TB and sarcoidosis, but not in Crohn disease. Of the three matricellular proteins studied, OPN and TN‐C may serve as reliable plasma markers for monitoring TB activity, whereas Gal‐9 seems to be expressed more at the site of infection than in the systemic circulation.
Emergency Department Central Line–associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) Incidence in the Era of Prevention Practices
Authors: Theodoro Daniel , Olsen Margaret A. , Warren David K. , McMullen Kathleen M. , Asaro Phillip , Henderson Adam , Tozier Michael , Fraser Victoria 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe incidence of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) attributed to central venous catheters (CVCs) inserted in the emergency department (ED) is not widely reported. The goal was to report the incidence of ED CLABSI. Secondary goals included determining the effect of a CVC bundle introduced by the hospital infection prevention department to decrease CLABSI during the surveillance period.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study over a 28‐month period at an academic tertiary care center. A standardized electronic CVC procedure note identified CVC insertions in the ED. Abstractors reviewed inpatient records to determine ED CVC catheter‐days. An infection prevention specialist identified CLABSIs originating in the ED using National Hospital Safety Network definitions from blood culture results collected up to 2 days after ED CVC removal. During the period of surveillance, a hospital‐wide CVC insertion bundle was introduced to standardize insertion practices and prevent CLABSIs. Institutional CLABSI rates were determined by infection prevention from routine surveillance data.ResultsOver the 28‐month study period, 98 emergency physicians inserted 994 CVCs in 940 patients. The ED CVCs remained in place for more than 2 days in 679 patients, and the median number of days an ED CVC remained in use during the hospital stay was 3 (interquartile range = 2 to 7 days). There were 4,504 ED catheter‐days and nine CLABSIs attributed to ED CVCs. The ED CLABSI rate was 2.0/1,000 catheter‐days (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0 to 3.8). The concurrent institutional intensive care unit (ICU) CLABSI rate was 2.3/1,000 catheter‐days (95% CI = 1.9 to 2.7). The ED CLABSI rate prebundle was 3.0/1,000 catheter‐days and postbundle was 0.5/1,000 catheter‐days (p = 0.038).ConclusionsThe CLABSI rates in this academic medical center ED were in the range of those reported by the ICU. The effect of ED CLABSI prevention practices requires further research dedicated to surveying ED CLABSI rates.
How return and risk experiences shape investor beliefs and preferences
Authors: Hoffmann Arvid O. I. , Post Thomas 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCombining brokerage records and matching monthly survey measurements of a sample of individual investors from the Netherlands for the period April 2008 through March 2009, we examine how individual investors update their beliefs (return expectations and risk perceptions) and preferences (risk tolerance) as a result of their personal return and risk experiences. We find that investors' past returns positively impact return expectations and risk tolerance, and negatively impact risk perceptions. Realised risk, however, has no effect. That is, even in a highly volatile stock market period in which risk appears very salient, investors do not take it into account when updating their beliefs and preferences.
Two pathogens change cuticular hydrocarbon profiles but neither elicit a social behavioural change in infected honey bees, Apis mellifera (Apidae: Hymenoptera)
Authors: Murray Zak L , Keyzers Robert A , Barbieri Rafael F , Digby Andrew P , Lester Philip J 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSocial immunity is the cooperation of individual group members towards the control of disease transmission arising from social living. It has been identified as an important mechanism of natural disease control in honey bees, Apis mellifera Linnaeus, which can exhibit hygienic behaviours such as evicting pathogen‐infected or parasitised nest mates. Here, we examine if these bees exhibit a change in behaviour towards nest mates infected by the microsporidian pathogens Nosema apis and N. ceranae. We observed no significant change in the frequency of interactive and non‐interactive behaviours of bees towards Nosema‐infected nest mates, for both N. apis and N. ceranae. Thus, uninfected bees interacted and were exposed to pathogen‐infected bees equally often compared with uninfected bees. This lack of any behavioural modification suggests that bees are unable to recognise Nosema‐infected nest mates. These results were surprising given our analysis indicated that Nosema infection changes the hydrocarbon profiles of the bees, enabling the statistical discrimination of uninfected, N. apis and N. ceranae infected bees. The hydrocarbons we analysed were 16 straight‐chain alkanes ranging from heptadecane (C17H36) to tritriacontane (C33H68). Our results and those of others suggest that hygienic behaviour is currently unlikely to provide resistance towards Nosema pathogens in honey bees. The lack of social immunity was unexpected given the co‐evolution of one of the pathogens and honey bees. However, the modification of cuticular hydrocarbons by these pathogens provides a specific cue that may enable future selection and rearing of bees for Nosema‐related social immunity.
Feasibility and construct validity of a Frailty index for patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Hubbard Ruth E , Peel Nancye M , Smith Morgan , Dawson Blake , Lambat Zahed , Bak Melissa , Best Jennifer , Johnson David W 
Published: September 2015

AimTo determine whether the frailty status of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be measured using a Frailty index (FI).MethodsOne hundred and eleven attending a nephrology clinic were approached to complete a one‐page questionnaire evaluating cognitive, psychological and functional status. Data were coded as deficits, summed and divided by the total number of deficits considered, to derive an FI‐CKD.ResultsOne hundred and ten (mean age 65.2 years) agreed to participate and assessments took approximately 10 minutes to complete. Mean FI‐CKD was 0.25 (SD 0.12). The FI‐CKD increased with age at 3% per year, correlated with a modified Fried phenotype (P < 0.001) and increased significantly across CKD stages (P = 0.04).ConclusionsThe FI‐CKD is feasible in the outpatient setting and has good construct validity. The greater granularity of a continuous measure has the potential to inform decision‐making regarding appropriate interventions for patients at the ‘frail’ end of the health spectrum.
Basic characterization of avian β‐defensin genes in the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica
Authors: Ishige Taichiro , Hara Hiromi , Hirano Takashi , Mannen Hideyuki , Kono Tomohiro , Hanzawa Kei 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn this study, we identified a cluster of 14 avian β‐defensins (AvBD; approximately 66 kbp) in the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica. Except for AvBD12 (CjAvBD12) and ‐13, the CjAvBDs coding sequences exhibited greater than 78.0% similarity to the respective orthologous chicken AvBD genes (GgAvBD). The putative amino acid sequence encoded by each CjAvBD contained six cysteine residues and the GXC (X1‐2) motif considered essential for the β‐defensin family. Each CjAvBDs also formed a sub‐group with the respective orthologous genes of various bird species in a phylogenetic tree analysis. Synteny between the CjAvBD cluster and GgAvBD cluster was confirmed. The CjAvBD cluster was mapped on the long‐arm end of chromosome 3 by linkage analysis based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CjAvBD1 and CjAvBD12 (approximately 46kbp), as well as GgAvBD cluster. We also confirmed that CjAvBD1, ‐4, ‐5, ‐9, and ‐10 are transcribed in 20 tissues, including immune and digestive tissues. However, our experimental data indicated that the CjAvBD cluster lacks the AvBD3 and ‐7 loci, whereas the CjAvBD101α, ‐101β, and ‐101θ loci arose from gene duplication of the AvBD6 orthologous locus in the CjAvBD cluster after differentiation between Coturnix ‐ Gallus.
Genetic relationships of fertility traits with test‐day milk yield and fat‐to‐protein ratio in tropical smallholder dairy farms
Authors: Buaban Sayan , Duangjinda Monchai , Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Masuda Yutaka , Sanpote Jureeratn , Kuchida Keigo 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe test‐day milk fat‐to‐protein ratio (TD‐FPR) could serve as a measure of energy balance status and might be used as a criterion to improve metabolic stability and fertility through genetic selection. Therefore, genetic parameters for fertility traits, test‐day milk yield (TD‐MY) and TD‐FPR, as well as, their relationships during different stages of lactation, were estimated on data collected from 25 968 primiparous Thai dairy crossbred cows. Gibbs sampling algorithms were implemented to obtain (co)variance components using both univariate linear and threshold animal models and bivariate linear‐linear and linear‐threshold animal models with random regression. Average TD‐MY and TD‐FPR were 12.60 and 1.15. Heritability estimates for TD‐MY, TD‐FPR and selected fertility traits ranged from 0.31 to 0.58, 0.17 to 0.19 and 0.02 to 0.05, respectively. Genetic correlations among TD‐FPR and TD‐MY, TD‐FPR and fertility traits, and TD‐MY and fertility traits ranged from 0.05 to ‐0.44, from ‐0.98 to 0.98 and ‐0.22 to 0.79, respectively. Selection for lower TD‐FPR would decrease numbers of inseminations per conception and increase conception at first service and pregnancy within 90 days. In addition, cow selection based only on high milk production has strong effects to prolong days to first service, days open and calving interval.
What is a meeting? Municipal councils and the Ontario ombudsman
Authors: Sancton Andrew 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn recent decisions, the Ontario ombudsman has developed his own definition of a “meeting” of a municipal council. The definition derives more from American statutes and judicial decisions than from any prior interpretation of Ontario (or other Canadian) law. The ombudsman's rulings claim that the law prevents municipal councillors from meeting together informally “to lay the groundwork necessary” for the council to exercise its authority. He mistakenly suggests that the policy‐making process is much more open at the federal and provincial levels of government. His rulings unduly restrain groups of municipal councillors from organizing themselves to promote policy change.
Mutation spectrum of the MTM1 gene in XLMTM patients: 10 years of experience in prenatal and postnatal diagnosis
Authors: Longo G. , Russo S. , Novelli G. , Sangiuolo F. , D'Apice M.R. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractX‐linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) is a congenital neuromuscular disorder defined by severe hypotonia, respiratory failure and histopathologic changes in muscle biopsy. The objective of this report is to inform about our experience of genetic analysis on a group of 25 unrelated XLMTM patients, clinically diagnosed by several Italian and European Medical Institutes from 2006 to 2015. The molecular strategy used for genotyping involved Sanger sequencing of coding and intron/exon regions and the Multiplex Ligation Probe Amplification method. A total of 13 different point variants (6 nonsense, 5 missense, 1 splicing and 1 small deletion) were found in 15 patients (60%). Three were new missense variants: c.185G>T p.(Arg62Ile), c.719T>A p.(Val240Glu), and c.1262G>T p.(Arg421Leu). No large duplications/deletions have been identified. We performed carrier testing of at‐risk female relatives. Only one mutation was de novo. Successively, we offered XLMTM prenatal testing for seven pregnancies in five unrelated families. In this context, the aim to propose an effective molecular diagnostic service is to confirm clinical XLMTM diagnosis, to monitor the cause‐disease mutation segregation in the family and to offer genetic counseling to have correct information regarding offspring risks and the prenatal testing.
Mitochondrial NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit 3 Polymorphism Associated with an Earlier Age at Onset in Male Machado–Joseph disease Patients
Authors: Chen Sheng , Gan Shi‐Rui , Cai Ping‐Ping , Ni Wang , Zhou Qi , Dong Yi , Wang Ning , Wu Zhi‐Ying 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAimsTo investigate the potential effect of six previously reported candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms on age at onset (AAO) among Chinese patients with Machado–Joseph disease (MJD).MethodsThree hundred and twenty‐four unrelated molecular‐confirmed MJD patients were recruited between January 2006 and December 2014. The screening of candidate polymorphisms was first performed in 173 subjects using the SNaPshot® Multiplex System. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (MT‐ND3) polymorphism 10398A>G (rs2853826) was further verified with Sanger sequencing in additional 151 patients.ResultsAn inverse correlation was found between expanded CAG repeat length and AAO. The expanded CAG repeat length can explain 63% of AAO variance. The 10398A polymorphism was significantly associated with a 3‐year earlier AAO in male patients with MJD (P = 0.001). Stepwise multiple regressions revealed that the 10398A polymorphism could account for nearly 2% of AAO variance in male patients.ConclusionSix candidate SNPs have been screened in Chinese patients with MJD. A remarkable earlier AAO was noted in male Chinese MJD patients with MT‐ND3 gene 10398A polymorphism.
ESSCA results with the baseline series, 2009–2012: rubber allergens
Authors: Warburton Katharine L. , Bauer Andrea , Chowdhury Mahbub M. U. , Cooper Susan , Kręcisz Beata , Chomiczewska‐Skóra Dorota , Kieć‐Świerczyńska Marta , Filon Francesca L. , Mahler Vera , Sánchez‐Pérez Javier , Schnuch Axel , Uter Wolfgang , Wilkinson Mark 
Published: September 2015

SummaryBackgroundAllergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber allergens is common, and causes significant patient morbidity. Contemporary data are important to allow appropriate preventive measures and identification of contact allergy trends.ObjectivesTo describe the pattern of patch test reactivity to rubber allergens, including those in theEuropean baseline series.MethodsData collected by theEuropeanSurveillanceSystem onContactAllergies (ESSCA) network between 2009 and 2012 from 12European countries were analysed.ResultsContact allergy to thiuram mix declined over the studied time period, with an overall prevalence of 1.87%. The prevalence of allergy to carba mix was 2.29%, and was significantly increasing. Prevalence rates of sensitization to other rubber allergens were largely unchanged. Statistical analysis with theMOAHLFAindex confirmed the strong links between rubber allergy and occupational hand dermatitis.ConclusionsChanging patterns of allergy to rubber additives have been identified. Inclusion of carba mix in theEuropean baseline series may be appropriate.
Long‐term outcome after surgery for Crohn's anal fistula
Authors: Graf W. , Andersson M. , Åkerlund J.‐E. , Börjesson L. ,   the Swedish Organization for Studies of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimTreatment of Crohn's anal fistula remains challenging and little is known about factors associated with healing. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of healing after surgical treatment and analyse clinical variables related to healing.MethodA total of 119 patients [63 women, mean age 36 (±13.7) years] with histopathologically verified Crohn's disease underwent a surgical procedure for anal fistula at four main referral centres in Sweden, January 1998 to December 2009. Baseline and treatment‐related variables were recorded and analysed for correlation with fistula healing at a final follow‐up after a mean of 7.2 (median 7.1, 1.0–17.5) years.ResultsOf the 119 patients 62 (52%) were healed at final follow‐up. Fourteen healed after one procedure and the remaining 48 healed after a further median of 4.0 (2–20) procedures. Ten (8%) patients were subjected to a proctectomy. Final healing was more common in patients operated with a procedure aiming at eradicating the fistula (P = 0.0001), without proctitis (P = 0.02) and a shorter duration of Crohn's disease (P = 0.0019).ConclusionLong‐term healing of a Crohn's anal fistula can be expected in about half of the patients, usually after repeated surgical treatment. The probability for cure was higher when a curative operation was performed in a patient without proctitis and with a shorter duration of Crohn's disease. An attempt to close a Crohn's anal fistula is thus often worthwhile.
What is the Alternative? Youth, Entrepreneurship and the Developmental State in Urban Ethiopia
Authors: Di Nunzio Marco 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTThis article investigates the implementation of small‐scale entrepreneurship programmes in inner‐city Addis Ababa. Drawing on eighteen months of ethnographic fieldwork, it discusses the failure of these programmes to open up opportunities for social improvement for young people. It also analyses how young people confronted with this failure suggest ways of conceptualizing ‘alternatives’ to established development concepts of poverty reduction, such as microfinance and small‐scale entrepreneurship. In doing this, the author does not pretend either to offer a grand solution or to invent a brand new developmental concept. Rather, the aim is to provide a critical commentary on the reasons why some of the current academic debate on alternatives to neoliberalism have, de facto, amounted to an endorsement Ethiopia's political authoritarianism.
Litigation against Political Organization? The Politics of Dalit Mobilization in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Carswell Grace , De Neve Geert 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTThis article examines contemporary Dalit assertion in India through an ethnographic case study of a legal tool being mobilized by Tamil Nadu's lowest‐ranking Arunthathiyars in their struggle against caste‐based offences. The Arunthathiyars of western Tamil Nadu are increasingly taking recourse to the 1989 Prevention of Atrocities Act (PoA Act) in an attempt to bring members of higher castes to justice. The article explores how Arunthathiyars are employing the law and how their litigation is reshaping the politics of caste in this region. The authors document how a process of litigation by Arunthathiyars is countered by a politicization of caste by the dominant Gounders of the region, who recently entered electoral politics with a new caste‐based party. Even though the litigation route further antagonizes caste relations, it is argued that the PoA Act has provided Dalits with an invaluable tool to seek justice, democratize public space, and challenge the power of the dominant caste in the region. Dalit social movements, it is concluded, are more likely to be successful if they are backed by a legal weapon and accompanied by Dalits’ growing economic independence.
Screening attendance, age group and diabetic retinopathy level at first screen
Authors: Scanlon P. H. , Stratton I. M. , Leese G. P. , Bachmann M. O. , Land M. , Jones C. , Ferguson B ,   the Four Nations Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Study Group
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimsTo report on the relationships between age at diagnosis of diabetes, time from registration with the screening programme to first diabetic eye screening and severity of diabetic retinopathy.MethodsData were extracted from four English screening programmes and from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish programmes. Time from diagnosis of diabetes to first screening and age at diagnosis were calculated.ResultsTime from registration with the screening programme to first screening episode is strongly related to age at registration. Within 18 months of registration 89% of 3958 young people under 18 years of age and 81% of 391 293 people over 35 years of age were seen. In 19 058 people between 18 and 34 years of age, 80% coverage was not reached until 2 years and 9 months. The time from diagnosis of diabetes to first screening is positively associated with severity of disease (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThis report is the first that to demonstrate that those in the 18–34 year age group are least likely to attend promptly for screening after registration with a higher risk of referable diabetic retinopathy being present at the time of first screen. Date of diagnosis should be recorded and prodigious efforts made to screen all people promptly after diagnosis. Screening programmes should collect data on those who have not attended within one year of registration.
Action of fosetyl‐al and metalaxyl against Phytophthora austrocedri
Authors: Silva P. V. , Vélez M. L. , Hernández Otaño D. , Nuñez C. , Greslebin A. G. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryFosetyl‐Al and metalaxyl, the most commonly used systemic fungicides against Phytophthora, were evaluated for their efficacy to control Phytophthora austrocedri, the pathogen that causes a serious disease at the Austrocedrus chilensis forests in Patagonia. The effect of the chemicals on pathogen development in vitro and in planta was analysed. Both chemicals were shown to protect plants from the pathogen. In vitro assays showed that asexual reproduction was sensitive to both chemicals. However, mycelial growth and sexual reproduction, which were clearly sensitive to metalaxyl, were sensitive only to high concentrations of fosetyl‐Al. Fosetyl‐Al and metalaxyl had almost the same efficacy when applied preventively by soil drench to seedlings. This difference between in vitro and in planta results can be attributed to the dual action of fosetyl‐Al, not only inhibiting the pathogen but also stimulating host defence. In adult trees, preventive and curative treatments were tested, but only the fosetyl‐Al preventive treatment was effective in the assayed conditions. Interestingly, seedlings pretreated with both fungicides were less susceptible to the effectors secreted by the pathogen. Our results indicate that fosetyl‐Al and metalaxyl provide some resistance to the plant besides the fungistatic direct action on the pathogen. Further studies to elucidate a possible resistance‐inducing activity of these chemicals and the mechanisms involved are underway.