bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of AST‐120 in Dogs with Chronic Idiopathic Enteropathies
Authors: Volkmann M. , Wirtherle N.C. , Beddies G.F. , Kohn B. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundChronic idiopathic enteropathies (CIE) in dogs are complex diseases of unknown origin. AST‐120 is a spherical carbon adsorbent preparation with a high adsorption ability for low molecular substances.ObjectivesEvaluation of the clinical efficacy of AST‐120 in dogs with CIE.AnimalsTen client‐owned dogs with mild (n = 7) to moderate (n = 3) CIE.MethodsExplorative, prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded pilot study. Dogs with chronic diarrhea and no or insufficient response to an elimination diet were included. The dogs received either AST‐120 (n = 5) or placebo (n = 5) for a duration of 21 days. The canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index (CIBDAI) was used to assess disease severity at baseline and clinical outcome after 3 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, changes in body weight and the parameters stool consistency and frequency were compared within and between groups.ResultsThe mean CIBDAI score decreased from 5.6 (SD 1.5) to 2.0 (SD 1.2) in the AST‐120 group (P = .125) and from 4.8 (SD .8) to 3.6 (SD 2.3) in the placebo group (P = .688). Compared with baseline, posttreatment CIBDAI scores decreased more than 60% in 4/5 dogs treated with AST‐120 and in 1/5 dogs treated with placebo (P = .206). Changes in CIBDAI scores, body weights, stool consistency, and frequency within and between groups did not achieve statistical significance after 3 weeks of treatment. No adverse effects of AST‐120 were noted.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis study investigated potential efficacy of AST‐120 as an alternative therapy in dogs with mild‐to‐moderate CIE.
Evaluation of the Oral Fludrocortisone Suppression Test for Diagnosing Primary Hyperaldosteronism in Cats
Authors: Djajadiningrat‐Laanen S.C. , Galac S. , Boevé M.H. , Boroffka S.A.E.B. , Naan E.C. , IJzer J. , Kooistra H.S. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundPrimary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) in cats is suggested by clinical signs and an elevated plasma aldosterone‐to‐renin ratio (ARR), but a test to confirm the diagnosis is lacking.HypothesisFludrocortisone does not suppress urinary aldosterone excretion in cats with PHA, but does so in cats with arterial hypertension because of other causes.AnimalsNineteen client‐owned cats with arterial hypertension because of PHA (n = 9) or other causes (n = 10).MethodsProspective clinical study. The urinary aldosterone‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR) was determined in morning urine before, during, and after 4 days of oral fludrocortisone administration in a dose of 0.05 mg/kg q12h. Arterial blood pressure and plasma potassium concentration were measured before and after fludrocortisone administration.ResultsA basal UACR above 46.5 × 10−9, the upper limit of the reference range, was found in 3 cats with PHA. All PHA cats had basal UACRs >7.5 × 10−9. In all non‐PHA cats with a basal UACR >7.5 × 10−9, fludrocortisone administration induced >50% suppression. In contrast, fludrocortisone administration resulted in <50% suppression in 6 of the 9 PHA cats. Neither basal UACR, nor UACR after suppression testing, correlated with the etiology of PHA (adenoma, adenocarcinoma, or suspected bilateral hyperplasia of the zona glomerulosa). Fludrocortisone induced hypokalemia in 7 cats, but did not induce or exacerbate arterial hypertension.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceMeasuring the UACR before and after 4 days of administering fludrocortisone is a practical method of confirming most cases of PHA in cats, and of substantiating the absence of PHA in cats having an ARR within the reference range.
Treatment of Idiopathic Headshaking in Horses with Pulsed High‐Dose Dexamethasone
Authors: Tomlinson J.E. , Neff P. , Boston R.C. , Aceto H. , Nolen‐Walston R.D. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundTreatment of idiopathic headshaking in horses is complicated by an incomplete understanding of underlying pathophysiology and partially effective treatments. If an inflammatory etiology exists, corticosteroids could be beneficial.HypothesisAn anti‐inflammatory dose of dexamethasone reduces the signs of idiopathic headshaking in a field setting.AnimalsConvenience sample of 20 adult horses with idiopathic headshaking syndrome. Cases were recruited from the general population and diagnosed by attending veterinarians.MethodsProspective, blinded clinical trial. Pulsed dosing was with oral dexamethasone (60 mg PO Q24h × 4 days, q3 weeks for 4 months) or placebo (inert paste). Owners were blinded and asked to score the headshaking from 0 to 4 (4 = most severe) 3 days per week. The change in headshaking scores (HS) over each treatment pulse was compared between groups by ordinal logistic regression.ResultsTwelve horses completed the trial. There was no significant difference between treated or placebo horses (P = .987). Sun (P ≤ .001), wind (P = .028), and exercise (P ≤ .045) significantly increasedHS.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceNo benefit of dexamethasone treatment was detected for idiopathic headshaking. The results confirmed previous reports of common triggers for headshaking behavior.
The EAL‐like protein STM1697 regulates virulence phenotypes, motility and biofilm formation in Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Ahmad Irfan , Wigren Edvard , Le Guyon Soazig , Vekkeli Santtu , Blanka Andrea , el Mouali Youssef , Anwar Naeem , Chuah Mary Lay , Lünsdorf Heinrich , Frank Ronald , Rhen Mikael , Liang Zhao‐Xun , Lindqvist Ylva , Römling Ute 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe ubiquitous second messenger c‐di‐GMP regulates the switching of bacterial lifestyles from motility to sessility and acute to chronic virulence to adjust bacterial fitness to altered environmental conditions. Conventionally, EAL proteins being c‐di‐GMP phosphodiesterases promote motility and acute virulence phenotypes such as invasion into epithelial cells and inhibit biofilm formation. We report here that in contradiction, the EAL‐like protein STM1697 of Salmonella typhimurium suppresses motility, invasion into HT‐29 epithelial cell line and secretion of the type three secretion system 1 effector protein SipA, whereas it promotes rdar biofilm formation and CsgD expression. STM1697 can, however, functionally replace the EAL‐like protein STM1344 and vice versa, whereby both proteins neither degrade nor bind c‐di‐GMP. Like STM1344, STM1697 suppresses the transcription of class 2 and class 3 flagella regulon genes by binding to FlhD, a component of the master regulator of the flagella regulon FlhD4C2 and act additively under numerous conditions. Interestingly, the interaction interface of STM1697 with FlhD2 is distinct from its paralogue STM1344. We predict that the stand alone EAL domain proteins STM1697 and STM1344 belong to a subclass of EAL domain proteins in S. typhimurium, which are all involved in motility, biofilm and virulence regulation through interaction with proteins that regulate flagella function.
Transgenic expression of pectin methylesterase inhibitors limits tobamovirus spread in tobacco and Arabidopsis
Authors: Lionetti Vincenzo , Raiola Alessandro , Cervone Felice , Bellincampi Daniela 
Published: October 2013

SummaryPlant infection by a virus is a complex process influenced by virus‐encoded factors and host components which support replication and movement. Critical factors for a successful tobamovirus infection are the viral movement protein (MP) and the host pectin methylesterase (PME), an important plant counterpart that cooperates with MP to sustain viral spread. The activity of PME is modulated by endogenous protein inhibitors (pectin methylesterase inhibitors, PMEIs). PMEIs are targeted to the extracellular matrix and typically inhibit plant PMEs by forming a specific and stable stoichiometric 1:1 complex. PMEIs counteract the action of plant PMEs and therefore may affect plant susceptibility to virus. To test this hypothesis, we overexpressed genes encoding two well‐characterized PMEIs in tobacco and Arabidopsis plants. Here, we report that, in tobacco plants constitutively expressing a PMEI from Actinidia chinensis (AcPMEI), systemic movement of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is limited and viral symptoms are reduced. A delayed movement of Turnip vein clearing virus (TVCV) and a reduced susceptibility to the virus were also observed in Arabidopsis plants overexpressing AtPMEI‐2. Our results provide evidence that PMEIs are able to limit tobamovirus movement and to reduce plant susceptibility to the virus.
The rice RING E3 ligase, OsCTR1, inhibits trafficking to the chloroplasts of OsCP12 and OsRP1, and its overexpression confers drought tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: LIM SUNG DON , LEE CHANHUI , JANG CHEOL SEONG 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPlant growth under low water availability adversely affects many key processes with morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular consequences. Here, we found that a rice gene, OsCTR1, encoding the RING Ub E3 ligase plays an important role in drought tolerance. OsCTR1 was highly expressed in response to dehydration treatment and defense‐related phytohormones, and its encoded protein was localized in both the chloroplasts and the cytosol. Intriguingly, the OsCTR1 protein was found predominantly targeted to the cytosol when rice protoplasts transfected with OsCTR1 were treated with abscisic acid (ABA). Several interacting partners were identified, which were mainly targeted to the chloroplasts, and interactions with OsCTR1 were confirmed by using biomolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). Interestingly, two chloroplast‐localized proteins (OsCP12 and OsRP1) interacted with OsCTR1 in the cytosol, and ubiquitination by OsCTR1 led to protein degradation via the Ub 26S proteasome. Heterogeneous overexpression of OsCTR1 in Arabidopsis exhibited hypersensitive phenotypes with respect to ABA‐responsive seed germination, seedling growth and stomatal closure. The ABA‐sensitive transgenic plants also showed improvement in their tolerance against severe water deficits. Taken together, our findings lend support to the hypothesis that the molecular functions of OsCTR1 are related to tolerance to water‐deficit stress via ABA‐dependent regulation and related systems.
Transcatheter closure of coronary arterial fistula in children and adolescents
Authors: Wang Shu‐Shui , Zhang Zhi‐Wei , Qian Ming‐Yang , Zhuang Jian , Zeng Guo‐Hong 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundTranscatheter closure of coronary arterial fistula (CAF) is being utilized increasingly as an alternative to surgical closure, but most of the literature on transcatheter closure of CAF in children and adolescents consists of case reports and reports of small series. The aim of this study was therefore to describe our experience of percutaneous closure of CAF in children and adolescents.MethodsBetween April 1998 and December 2012, 37 children and adolescents with congenital CAF underwent percutaneous transcatheter closure. After aortic root angiography and selective coronary angiography, a guidewire was positioned to the fistula. In some cases, an arteriovenous wire loop (AV loop) was created. The sheath passed along the wire to the site of the desired occlusion of the fistula. One or more occlusion devices were selected to embolize the fistula.ResultsOcclusion devices were placed in 33 procedures (32 patients). Occlusion was unsuccessful in five patients. Duct occluders were placed in 12 procedures, coils in 11 (10 patients), muscular ventricular septal occluders in six, and vascular plugs in four procedures. The tricuspid valve was injured in two patients. One patient with a giant CAF aneurysm had a thrombosis within the aneurysm after transcatheter closure. There were no deaths, fistula dissection or myocardial infarction.ConclusionTranscatheter closure of CAF is feasible in anatomically suitable cases, but injury to the tricuspid valve involved with AV loop methods can occur in closure procedures, and thrombus formation is possible in the blind pouch of the residual fistula after closure. Long‐term follow up after fistula closure is necessary.
Prevalence of MRSA colonization in Japanese neonatal care unit patients in 2011
Authors: Morioka Ichiro , Takahashi Naoto , Kitajima Hiroyuki ,   Committee for Infection Prevention and Vaccine Promotion of the Japan Society for Premature and Newborn Medicine
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a high‐risk setting for transmission of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The recent prevalence of colonization with MRSA in patients and its control measures are unknown in Japanese NICU. We investigated the prevalence of MRSA colonization in patients and measures to control and prevent health‐care‐associated transmission in Japanese NICU in 2011.MethodsA nationwide survey was performed in facilities certified as training hospitals for neonatologists. Data in NICU and growing care units (GCU) were collected and analyzed regarding surveillance cultures for MRSA and the proportion of MRSA‐colonized patients in September 2011. Trends in the proportion of MRSA‐colonized patients and the measures to control and prevent health‐care‐associated MRSA transmission were investigated in the surveyed NICU in 2000, 2003, and 2011.ResultsA total of 168 NICU and 158 GCU were analyzed. The proportions of NICU and GCU that conducted regular surveillance cultures for MRSA were 81% and 66%, respectively. MRSA colonization was not found in 53% of NICU and in 45% of GCU. The percentage of NICU reported to be free of MRSA colonization increased over time. Use of alcohol‐based hand rub and gloves by clinical staff and cohorting for identified MRSA‐positive patients became more common in 2011 than in 2000 or 2003.ConclusionsApproximately half of Japanese NICU did not observe any patients with MRSA colonization in September 2011. Control and prevention measures have changed to use of alcohol‐based hand rub and gloves in the last decade.
Two outbreaks of ESBL‐producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Sumer Sua , Turk Dagi Hatice , Findik Duygu , Arslan Ugur , Aktug Demir Nazlim , Ural Onur , Tuncer Inci 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundIn the present study, two epidemic episodes of extended spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were evaluated.MethodsRoutine and surveillance culture samples were taken from seven neonates with signs of infection in the NICU of Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine between 10 March and 25 April 2011, and between 11 June and 30 September 2011.ResultsESBL‐producing K. pneumoniae strains were isolated in six different samples (one wound, one blood, and four cerebrospinal fluid cultures) of the three neonates in the first episode and in 11 different samples (seven blood and four cerebrospinal fluid cultures) of the four neonates in the second episode. ESBL‐producing K. pneumoniae was isolated from inguinal, axillar region, and stool samples of the nine colonized neonates in the second episode. It was determined on pulse field gel electrophoresis that all strains originated from two clones.ConclusionsThe deficiencies in the infection control measures in an NICU may transform into an epidemic rapidly. Therefore, periodic training, observation, and monitoring of compliance are important.
Close relationships between polar auxin transport and graviresponse in plants
Authors: Ueda J. , Miyamoto K. , Uheda E. , Oka M. , Yano S. , Higashibata A. , Ishioka N. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractGravitational force on Earth is one of the major environmental factors affecting plant growth and development. Spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS), and a three‐dimensional (3‐D) clinostat have been available to clarify the effects of gravistimulation on plant growth and development in space and on ground conditions, respectively. Under a stimulus‐free environment such as space conditions, plants show a growth and developmental habit designated as ‘automorphosis’ or ‘automorphogenesis’. Recent studies in hormonal physiology, together with space and molecular biology, have demonstrated the close relationships between automorphosis and polar auxin transport. Reduced polar auxin transport in space conditions, or induced by the application of polar auxin transport inhibitors, substantially induced automorphosis or automorphosis‐like growth and development, indicating that polar auxin transport is responsible for graviresponse in plants. This concise review covers graviresponse in plants and automorphosis observed in space conditions, and polar auxin transport related to graviresponse in etiolated Alaska and ageotropum pea seedlings. Molecular aspects of polar auxin transport clarified in recent studies are also described.
The Impact of Neonatal Care Resources on Regional Variation in Neonatal Mortality Among Very Low Birthweight Infants in Korea
Authors: Shim Jae Won , Kim Myo Jing , Kim Ee‐Kyung , Park Hyun Kyung , Song Eun Song , Lee Soon Min , Lee Jang Hoon , Jin Hyun‐Seung , Kim Eun Sun , Chang Yun Sil ,   Committee on Data Collection and Statistical Analysis, the Korean Society of Neonatology
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundFaced with extremely low fertility rates and increasing numbers of low‐birthweight births in Korea, we examined the factors affecting the mortality of very‐low‐birthweight (VLBW) infants in Korea.MethodsA survey was conducted in 91 of 93 hospitals providing neonatal intensive care in Korea in 2009. Data included information on number of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds, medical workforce, resources in the NICU, birth and death.ResultsThere was approximately one NICU per 4888 births, one NICU bed per 355 births, one mechanical ventilator per 739 births, one incubator per 327 births and one board‐certified neonatologist per 4683 births. Regional disparity existed in neonatal care resources and consequently in mortality rates. VLBW infants’ mortality was related to the NICU facility level, volume of VLBW infants and geographic regions. The capital city, Seoul, has the best NICU facilities and workforce, and the least mortality. Overall mortality rates before hospital discharge for <750, 750–999 and 1000–1499 g were 44.8%, 20.4% and 6.5% respectively. There was a two to threefold difference in the mortality rates across the regions. However, following adjustments for NICU facility level and volume of VLBW infants admissions, regional difference in mortality rates was markedly reduced in the <750 g and disappeared in the larger VLBW groups.ConclusionsRegional disparity in mortality of VLBW infants in Korea is most marked in the lowest‐birthweight group, <750 g. This disparity is primarily due to lack of resources for neonatal intensive care in most of provincial areas.
Risk Factors for Acute Respiratory Morbidity in Moderately Preterm Infants
Authors: Altman Maria , Vanpée Mireille , Cnattingius Sven , Norman Mikael 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundInfants born preterm account for a substantial part of neonatal morbidity, with acute respiratory disorders being a dominating clinical problem. Whereas focus in recent studies has been on extremely and very preterm infants, less is known about contemporary rates and risk factors for acute respiratory morbidity in moderately and late preterm infants. The objective of this population‐based Swedish study was to establish rates for different acute respiratory diseases in moderately preterm infants, and to identify maternal, obstetric and neonatal risk factors for the two most common diagnoses, transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).MethodsThe study included 4679 moderately preterm [gestational age (GA): 30 to 34 weeks], 15 036 late preterm infants (GA 35 to 36 weeks) and 451 479 term infants (GA: 37 to 41 weeks). All infants were born in 2004–2008.ResultsIn moderately preterm infants, risk factors for TTN in multivariable analyses were multiparity, caesarean section before and after onset of labour, male sex, Apgar score 4–6 at 5 min and lower GA. Risk factors for RDS were multiparity, caesarean section before and after onset of labour, male sex, Apgar score <7 at 5 min and lower GA. Preterm rupture of membranes, antenatal corticosteroid treatment and being small for gestational age reduced the risk of RDS.ConclusionWe conclude that acute respiratory morbidity in moderately preterm infants is common and predicted by multiparity, caesarean section, low Apgar score and male sex.
Characteristics in the First Vaginal Birth and Their Association with Mode of Delivery in the Subsequent Birth
Authors: Chen Jian Sheng , Ford Jane B. , Ampt Amanda , Simpson Judy M. , Roberts Christine L. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe extent to which complications or adverse outcomes in a first vaginal birth may contribute to mode of delivery in the next birth remains unclear. This study examines the impact of the first birth on subsequent mode of delivery.MethodsThe study population included women with a first vaginal birth and a consecutive second birth. Data were obtained from linked birth and hospital records for the state of New South Wales, Australia 2000–09. The primary outcome was the mode of delivery for the second birth. Planned caesarean was modelled using logistic regression; intrapartum caesarean and instrumental delivery were modelled using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsOf the 114 287 second births, 4.2% were planned caesarean, 3.0% were intrapartum caesarean and 4.8% were instrumental deliveries. Adjusted risk factors from the first birth for a planned second birth caesarean were third to fourth degree tear [odds ratio (OR) = 5.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.6, 5.4]], severe neonatal morbidity (OR = 3.2 [95% CI 2.9, 3.6]), perinatal death (OR = 3.2 [95% CI 2.3, 4.4]), severe maternal morbidity (OR = 2.8 [95% CI 2.3, 3.3]), instrumental delivery, large infant, labour induction, epidural use, use of oxytocin for augmentation and episiotomy. Important risk factors (OR > 2) for intrapartum caesarean in the second birth were perinatal death or severe neonatal morbidity in the first birth. Risk factors for instrumental delivery in the second birth were perinatal death, preterm delivery and instrumental delivery.ConclusionsObstetrical interventions and adverse pregnancy outcomes in the first birth were associated with increased risk of operative delivery in the second birth.
Forced Multiculturalism in the Neighbourhood: Ethnic Privilege and Boundary‐making in South Tel Aviv
Authors: Repeckaite Daiva 
Published: October 2013

AbstractEthnic migration from the former Soviet Union to Israel is widely considered to be a ‘laboratory of ethnicity’. Most of the research into this subject focuses on the cultural and linguistic factors of identity restructuring, whereas critical engagement with social status, class, and urban environment is a much newer development. Social, economic, and urban explanations of the remaining relevance of ‘old’ (ex‐USSR) identifications are particularly needed in the face of increasing alienation among various disadvantaged groups in Israel and the mobilization of large numbers of Russian‐speakers around nationalist political parties. On the basis of interviews, participant observations, and media analysis, this article argues that simultaneously deterritorialized and reterritorialized ideas of home and belonging shape this group's social and political mobilization patterns in contested city spaces. Further, I suggest that nationalist mobilization is a strategy to reach beyond ethno‐politics and make majority rather than minority claims.