bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mucosal leishmaniasis mimicking squamous cell carcinoma in a liver transplant recipient
Authors: Ramos A. , Múñez E. , García‐Domínguez J. , Martinez‐Ruiz R. , Chicharro C. , Baños I. , Suarez‐Massa D. , Cuervas‐Mons V. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractOrgan transplant recipients living in endemic regions are at increased risk of Leishmania infections. Visceral leishmaniasis is the most common kind of presentation in the Mediterranean basin. Rarely, Leishmania infantum may cause localized mucosal disease. We present the first case, to our knowledge, of a liver transplant recipient with localized mucosal leishmaniasis. Twenty‐two years after transplantation, a painless, very slow growing ulcer appeared on the inner side of the patient's upper lip. A biopsy performed in the community hospital showed non‐specific chronic inflammation without neoplastic signs. Because of a high suspicion of malignancy, the patient was transferred to the referral hospital to consider complete excision. The excisional biopsy revealed a granulomatous inflammatory reaction together with intracellular Leishmania amastigotes within macrophages. Leishmaniasis was confirmed by the nested polymerase chain reaction assay. The clinical and laboratory findings did not suggest visceral involvement. The patient received meglumine antimoniate for 21 days without relevant adverse effects.
Comparison of two classification systems in predicting the outcome of diabetic foot ulcers: the Wagner grade and the Saint Elian Wound score systems
Authors: Huang Yao , Xie Ting , Cao Yemin , Wu MinJie , Yu LeiLei , Lu ShuLiang , Xu Gang , Hu Jiale , Ruan Hong 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to compare two systems of classification in a consecutive population with diabetic foot ulcers: the Wagner grade and the Saint Elian Wound Score System (SEWSS). Sociodemographic information, patient‐related and ulcer‐related data at first presentation was recorded, and the patients were followed up until wound healing or accepting major amputation or for 24 weeks. One hundred eighty‐six patients were included in the study, of which 172 patients were completely followed up. Among the remaining 172 patients, 53.5% (n = 92) were healed without minor amputation, 32% (n = 55) were healed with minor amputation, 9.3% (n = 16) were not healed at study termination, 3.5% (n = 6) died and 1.7% (n = 3) underwent major amputation. The median healing time for Wagner 1, Wagner 2, Wagner 3, and Wagner 4 were 23, 50, 54, 119 days, respectively. The log‐rank test showed significant differences in healing time for Wagner 1, Wagner 2, Wagner 3, and Wagner 4; The median healing time for SEWSS I, SEWSS II and SEWSS III were 12, 51, and 150 days, respectively. The log‐rank test showed significant differences in healing time for SEWSS I, SEWSS II and SEWSS III. Cox regression analysis showed a decreasing probability of healing with or without minor amputation with a higher SEWSS value, an increase in the SEWSS by one score reduced the probability for healing by 24%. ROC analysis showed Wagner 3 and a cut‐point 17 of SEWSS had the highest Youden's index. Both the Wagner grade and SEWSS system were associated with the ulcer healing time for the patients with active DFUs. The SEWSS score makes it a better prediction tool of DFU outcome synthetically.
The Effect of Health Education on Taiwanese Hypertensive Patients’ Knowledge and Cognition of Stroke
Authors: Tang Yu‐Hsuan , Hung Chich‐Hsiu , Chen Hsing‐Mei , Lin Tsung‐Hsien , Liu Yi 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTBackgroundHypertension is a risk factor for stroke. Increasing patient knowledge and cognition about stroke among hypertensive patients is essential.AimsTo explore the effect of a health education intervention on the knowledge and cognition of stroke in hypertensive patients.MethodsA quasi‐experimental design was used with 103 patients with hypertension. The sample was recruited from a cardiologist's outpatient office at a medical center in Kaohsiung city, southern Taiwan. Half the patients (experimental group, n = 52) received health education, whereas the others received only conventional general outpatient care (control group, n = 51). All patients underwent a pretest followed by posttests at 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention. A stroke knowledge scale and stroke cognition scale were used for data collection.ResultsThe experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group in level of knowledge and cognition of stroke.DiscussionThis study supports that a health education CD‐ROM and printed information provided in the outpatient clinical improves knowledge of and cognition of stroke among hypertensive patients.Implications for PracticeIn outpatient clinical practice, nurses can help improve patients’ knowledge and cognition of the risks of stroke by playing the health education CD‐ROM and providing printed information during the patients’ wait time before appointments.ConclusionsFurther studies with a longer follow‐up (6 months or 1 year) are needed to evaluate the long‐term effects of health education on stroke knowledge and cognition among patients with hypertension.Linking Evidence to ActionAn outpatient health education program using a CD‐ROM and printed information for hypertensive patients can improve the patients’ knowledge and cognition of stroke.
Relating Time-Dependent Acceleration and Height Using an Elevator
Authors: Kinser Jason M. 
Published: March 2015

A simple experiment in relating a time-dependent linear acceleration function to height is explored through the use of a smartphone and an elevator. Given acceleration as a function of time1, a(t), the velocity function and position functions are determined through integration as in v(t)=∫ a(t) dt(1) and x(t)=∫ v(t) dt. Mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets have accelerometers that capture slowly evolving acceleration with respect to time and can deliver those measurements as a CSV file. A recent example measured the oscillations of the elevator as it starts its motion.2 In the application presented here the mobile device is used to estimate the height of the elevator ride. By estimating the functional form of the acceleration of an elevator ride, it is possible to estimate the height of the ride through Eqs. (1) and (2).
Fermentation and Cost-Effective
13
C/
15
N Labeling of the Nonribosomal Peptide Gramicidin S for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Structure Analysis
Authors: Berditsch Marina , Afonin Sergii , Steineker Anna , Orel Nataliia , Jakovkin Igor , Weber Christian , Ulrich Anne S. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Gramicidin S (GS) is a nonribosomally synthesized decapeptide from
Aneurinibacillus migulanus
. Its pronounced antibiotic activity is attributed to amphiphilic structure and enables GS interaction with bacterial membranes. Despite its medical use for over 70 years, the peptide-lipid interactions of GS and its molecular mechanism of action are still not fully understood. Therefore, a comprehensive structural analysis of isotope-labeled GS needs to be performed in its biologically relevant membrane-bound state, using advanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Here, we describe an efficient method for producing the uniformly
13
C/
15
N-labeled peptide in a minimal medium supplemented by selected amino acids. As GS is an intracellular product of
A. migulanus
, we characterized the producer strain DSM 5759 (rough-convex phenotype) and examined its biosynthetic activity in terms of absolute and biomass-dependent peptide accumulation. We found that the addition of either arginine or ornithine increases the yield only at very high supplementing concentrations (1% and 0.4%, respectively) of these expensive
13
C/
15
N-labeled amino acids. The most cost-effective production of
13
C/
15
N-GS, giving up to 90 mg per gram of dry cell weight, was achieved in a minimal medium containing 1%
13
C-glycerol and 0.5%
15
N-ammonium sulfate, supplemented with only 0.025% of
13
C/
15
N-phenylalanine. The 100% efficiency of labeling is corroborated by mass spectrometry and preliminary solid-state NMR structure analysis of the labeled peptide in the membrane-bound state.
Heterologous Production of Hyaluronic Acid in an ε-Poly-
l
-Lysine Producer, Streptomyces albulus
Authors: Yoshimura Tomohiro , Shibata Nobuyuki , Hamano Yoshimitsu , Yamanaka Kazuya 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is used in a wide range of medical applications, where its performance and therapeutic efficacy are highly dependent on its molecular weight. In the microbial production of HA, it has been suggested that a high level of intracellular ATP enhances the productivity and molecular weight of HA. Here, we report on heterologous HA production in an ε-poly-
l
-lysine producer,
Streptomyces albulus
, which has the potential to generate ATP at high level. The
hasA
gene from
Streptococcus zooepidemicus
, which encodes HA synthase, was refactored and expressed under the control of a late-log growth phase-operating promoter. The expression of the refactored
hasA
gene, along with genes coding for UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, UDP-
N
-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase, and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, which are involved in HA precursor sugar biosynthesis, resulted in efficient production of HA in the 2.0 MDa range, which is greater than typical bacterial HA, demonstrating that a sufficient amount of ATP was provided to support the biosynthesis of the precursor sugars, which in turn promoted HA production. In addition, unlike in the case of streptococcal HA,
S. albulus
-derived HA was not cell associated. Based on these findings, our heterologous production system appears to have several advantages for practical HA production. We propose that the present system could be applicable to the heterologous production of a wide variety of molecules other than HA in the case their biosynthesis pathways require ATP
in vivo
.
Glucosylceramide Contained in Koji Mold-Cultured Cereal Confers Membrane and Flavor Modification and Stress Tolerance to Saccharomyces cerevisiae during Coculture Fermentation
Authors: Sawada Kazutaka , Sato Tomoya , Hamajima Hiroshi , Jayakody Lahiru Niroshan , Hirata Miyo , Yamashiro Mikako , Tajima Marie , Mitsutake Susumu , Nagao Koji , Tsuge Keisuke , Abe Fumiyoshi , Hanada Kentaro , Kitagaki Hiroshi 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

In nature, different microorganisms create communities through their physiochemical and metabolic interactions. Many fermenting microbes, such as yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria, secrete acidic substances and grow faster at acidic pH values. However, on the surface of cereals, the pH is neutral to alkaline. Therefore, in order to grow on cereals, microbes must adapt to the alkaline environment at the initial stage of colonization; such adaptations are also crucial for industrial fermentation. Here, we show that the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, which is incapable of synthesizing glucosylceramide (GlcCer), adapted to alkaline conditions after exposure to GlcCer from koji cereal cultured with
Aspergillus kawachii
. We also show that various species of GlcCer derived from different plants and fungi similarly conferred alkali tolerance to yeast. Although exogenous ceramide also enhanced the alkali tolerance of yeast, no discernible degradation of GlcCer to ceramide was observed in the yeast culture, suggesting that exogenous GlcCer itself exerted the activity. Exogenous GlcCer also increased ethanol tolerance and modified the flavor profile of the yeast cells by altering the membrane properties. These results indicate that GlcCer from
A. kawachii
modifies the physiology of the yeast
S. cerevisiae
and demonstrate a new mechanism for cooperation between microbes in food fermentation.
Akkermansia muciniphila Adheres to Enterocytes and Strengthens the Integrity of the Epithelial Cell Layer
Authors: Reunanen Justus , Kainulainen Veera , Huuskonen Laura , Ottman Noora , Belzer Clara , Huhtinen Heikki , de Vos Willem M. , Satokari Reetta 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Akkermansia muciniphila
is a Gram-negative mucin-degrading bacterium that resides in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals.
A. muciniphila
has been linked with intestinal health and improved metabolic status in obese and type 2 diabetic subjects. Specifically,
A. muciniphila
has been shown to reduce high-fat-diet-induced endotoxemia, which develops as a result of an impaired gut barrier. Despite the accumulating evidence of the health-promoting effects of
A. muciniphila
, the mechanisms of interaction of the bacterium with the host have received little attention. In this study, we used several
in vitro
models to investigate the adhesion of
A. muciniphila
to the intestinal epithelium and its interaction with the host mucosa. We found that
A. muciniphila
adheres strongly to the Caco-2 and HT-29 human colonic cell lines but not to human colonic mucus. In addition,
A. muciniphila
showed binding to the extracellular matrix protein laminin but not to collagen I or IV, fibronectin, or fetuin. Importantly,
A. muciniphila
improved enterocyte monolayer integrity, as shown by a significant increase in the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of cocultures of Caco-2 cells with the bacterium. Further,
A. muciniphila
induced interleukin 8 (IL-8) production by enterocytes at cell concentrations 100-fold higher than those for
Escherichia coli
, suggesting a very low level of proinflammatory activity in the epithelium. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that
A. muciniphila
adheres to the intestinal epithelium and strengthens enterocyte monolayer integrity
in vitro
, suggesting an ability to fortify an impaired gut barrier. These results support earlier associative
in vivo
studies and provide insights into the interaction of
A. muciniphila
with the host.
Enhanced Cutinase-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate by Covalent Fusion to Hydrophobins
Authors: Ribitsch Doris , Herrero Acero Enrique , Przylucka Agnieszka , Zitzenbacher Sabine , Marold Annemarie , Gamerith Caroline , Tscheließnig Rupert , Jungbauer Alois , Rennhofer Harald , Lichtenegger Helga , Amenitsch Heinz , Bonazza Klaus , Kubicek Christian P. , Druzhinina Irina S. , Guebitz Georg M. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Cutinases have shown potential for hydrolysis of the recalcitrant synthetic polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET). We have shown previously that the rate of this hydrolysis can be enhanced by the addition of hydrophobins, small fungal proteins that can alter the physicochemical properties of surfaces. Here we have investigated whether the PET-hydrolyzing activity of a bacterial cutinase from
Thermobifida cellulosilytica
(Thc_Cut1) would be further enhanced by fusion to one of three
Trichoderma
hydrophobins, i.e., the class II hydrophobins HFB4 and HFB7 and the pseudo-class I hydrophobin HFB9b. The fusion enzymes exhibited decreased
k
cat
values on soluble substrates (
p
-nitrophenyl acetate and
p
-nitrophenyl butyrate) and strongly decreased the hydrophilicity of glass but caused only small changes in the hydrophobicity of PET. When the enzyme was fused to HFB4 or HFB7, the hydrolysis of PET was enhanced >16-fold over the level with the free enzyme, while a mixture of the enzyme and the hydrophobins led only to a 4-fold increase at most. Fusion with the non-class II hydrophobin HFB9b did not increase the rate of hydrolysis over that of the enzyme-hydrophobin mixture, but HFB9b performed best when PET was preincubated with the hydrophobins before enzyme treatment. The pattern of hydrolysis by the fusion enzymes differed from that of Thc_Cut1 as the concentration of the product mono(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate relative to that of the main product, terephthalic acid, increased. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis revealed an increased scattering contrast of the fusion proteins over that of the free proteins, suggesting a change in conformation or enhanced protein aggregation. Our data show that the level of hydrolysis of PET by cutinase can be significantly increased by fusion to hydrophobins. The data further suggest that this likely involves binding of the hydrophobins to the cutinase and changes in the conformation of its active center.
Acquisition of Iron Is Required for Growth of Salmonella spp. in Tomato Fruit
Authors: Nugent Staci L. , Meng Fanhong , Martin Gregory B. , Altier Craig 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Salmonella
remains a leading cause of bacterial food-borne disease, sickening millions each year. Although outbreaks of salmonellosis have traditionally been associated with contaminated meat products, recent years have seen numerous disease cases caused by the consumption of produce. Tomatoes have been specifically implicated, due to the ability of
Salmonella
spp. to enter the tomato fruit and proliferate within, making the decontamination of the raw product impossible. To investigate the genetic means by which
Salmonella
is able to survive and proliferate within tomatoes, we conducted a screen for bacterial genes of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Montevideo specifically induced after inoculation into ripe tomato fruit. Among these genes, we found 17 members of the previously described anaerobic Fur (ferric uptake regulator) regulon. Fur is a transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulator known to sense iron, suggesting the importance of this mineral to
Salmonella
within tomatoes. To test whether iron acquisition is essential for
Salmonella
growth in tomatoes, we tested a Δ
fepDGC
mutant, which lacks the ability to import iron-associated siderophores. This mutant grew significantly more poorly within tomatoes than did the wild type, but the growth defect of the mutant was fully reversed by the addition of exogenous iron, demonstrating the need for bacterial iron scavenging. Further, dependence upon iron was not apparent for
Salmonella
growing in filtered tomato juice, implicating the cellular fraction of the fruit as an important mediator of iron acquisition by the bacteria.
Human BK Polyomavirus Plasmid pBKV (34-2) (Dunlop) Contains Mutations Not Found in the Originally Published Sequences
Authors: Henriksen Stian , Mittelholzer Christian , Gosert Rainer , Hirsch Hans H. , Rinaldo Christine Hanssen 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT
The plasmid pBKV (34-2) (ATCC 45025) contains the entire BK polyomavirus Dunlop genome. Sequencing revealed 12 point mutations compared to the GenBank sequence, but only 4 point mutations compared to the published sequence. The origin of these differences is unknown, but may impact virological as well as diagnostic research and development.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Hypervirulent Bacterium Clostridium difficile Strain G46, Ribotype 027
Authors: Gaulton Tom , Misra Raju , Rose Graham , Baybayan Primo , Hall Richard , Freeman Jane , Turton Jane , Picton Steve , Korlach Jonas , Gharbia Saheer , Shah Haroun 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Clostridium difficile
is one of the leading causes of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in health care facilities worldwide. Here, we report the genome sequence of
C. difficile
strain G46, ribotype 027, isolated from an outbreak in Glamorgan, Wales, in 2006.
Nutrition and dietary intake and their association with mortality and hospitalisation in adults with chronic kidney disease treated with haemodialysis: protocol for DIET-HD, a prospective multinational cohort study
Authors: Palmer Suetonia C , Ruospo Marinella , Campbell Katrina L , Garcia Larsen Vanessa , Saglimbene Valeria , Natale Patrizia , Gargano Letizia , Craig Jonathan C , Johnson David W , Tonelli Marcello , Knight John , Bednarek-Skublewska Anna , Celia Eduardo , del Castillo Domingo , Dulawa Jan , Ecder Tevfik , Fabricius Elisabeth , Frazão João Miguel , Gelfman Ruben , Hoischen Susanne Hildegard , Schön Staffan , Stroumza Paul , Timofte Delia , Török Marietta , Hegbrant Jörgen , Wollheim Charlotta , Frantzen Luc , Strippoli G F M 
Published: March 2015

IntroductionAdults with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treated with haemodialysis experience mortality of between 15% and 20% each year. Effective interventions that improve health outcomes for long-term dialysis patients remain unproven. Novel and testable determinants of health in dialysis are needed. Nutrition and dietary patterns are potential factors influencing health in other health settings that warrant exploration in multinational studies in men and women treated with dialysis. We report the protocol of the “DIETary intake, death and hospitalisation in adults with end-stage kidney disease treated with HaemoDialysis (DIET-HD) study,” a multinational prospective cohort study. DIET-HD will describe associations of nutrition and dietary patterns with major health outcomes for adults treated with dialysis in several countries.Methods and analysisDIET-HD will recruit approximately 10 000 adults who have ESKD treated by clinics administered by a single dialysis provider in Argentina, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. Recruitment will take place between March 2014 and June 2015. The study has currently recruited 8000 participants who have completed baseline data. Nutritional intake and dietary patterns will be measured using the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) food frequency questionnaire. The primary dietary exposures will be n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption. The primary outcome will be cardiovascular mortality and secondary outcomes will be all-cause mortality, infection-related mortality and hospitalisation.Ethics and disseminationThe study is approved by the relevant Ethics Committees in participating countries. All participants will provide written informed consent and be free to withdraw their data at any time. The findings of the study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and to participants via regular newsletters. We expect that the DIET-HD study will inform large pragmatic trials of nutrition or dietary interventions in the setting of advanced kidney disease.
25 mg versus 50 mg dose of rectal diclofenac for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis in Japanese patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Yoshihara Takeo , Horimoto Masayoshi , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Osugi Naoto , Ikezoe Tatsuro , Kotani Kaori , Sanada Toru , Higashi Churi , Yamaguchi Daisuke , Ota Makiyo , Mizuno Tatsunori , Gotoh Yasukazu , Okuda Yorihide , Suzuki Kunio 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the appropriate administration dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs to prevent pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Importantly, the 100 mg dose of diclofenac recommended in Western countries has not been permitted in Japan.DesignA retrospective study.SettingsA single centre in Japan.ParticipantsThis study enrolled patients who underwent ERCP at the Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Saiseikai Senri Hospital, from April 2011 through June 2013, and who received either a 25 or a 50 mg dose of rectal diclofenac after ERCP.Primary outcome measureThe occurrence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). A multivariate regression model was used to assess the effect of the 50 mg dose (the 50 mg group) of rectal diclofenac and to compare it to the occurrence of PEP referring to the 25 mg group.ResultsA total of 155 eligible patients received either 25 mg (84 patients) or 50 mg (71 patients) doses of rectal diclofenac after ERCP to prevent PEP. The proportion of PEP was significantly lower in the 50 mg group than in the 25 mg group (15.5% (11/71) vs 33.3% (28/84), p=0.018). In a multivariate analysis, the occurrence of PEP was significantly lower in the 50 mg group than in the 25 mg group even after adjusting potential confounding factors (adjusted OR=0.27, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.70).ConclusionsFrom this observation, the occurrence of PEP was significantly lower among ERCP patients with the 50 mg dose of rectal diclofenac than among those with the 25 mg dose.