bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical usefulness of a guideline‐based screening tool for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in asthmatics: The Self Assessment of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma questionnaire
Authors: Hojo Masayuki , Ohta Ken , Iikura Motoyasu , Mizutani Tomonori , Hirashima Junko , Sugiyama Haruhito 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackground and objectiveAllergic rhinitis (AR) is common in asthmatic patients and may impair asthma control. However, this comorbidity is frequently missed. A simple test is needed to enable physicians to diagnose and evaluate the severity of both diseases. The Self Assessment of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma (SACRA) questionnaire, which GINA and ARIA Japan committees developed in 2011, consist of questionnaires based on GINA and ARIA guidelines for the diagnosis and severity of AR and asthma, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) to evaluate the severity of both diseases. Our objective was to investigate the clinical usefulness of SACRA as a patient‐based screening tool for identifying asthmatic patients with AR.MethodsSACRA, ACT (Asthma Control Test) and serum IgE RAST were performed in asthmatic patients. The correlation between SACRA and other parameters were analyzed.ResultsFour hundred twenty asthmatic patients were enrolled. Among 168 subjects who self‐reported no concomitant AR, 76 asthmatics scored one or more symptoms on SACRA. Eventually, 32 of these 76 subjects were diagnosed with AR by physicians based on laboratory data or physical examinations by ear, nose and throat specialists. The sensitivity and specificity of SACRA for the diagnosis of AR were 92% and 66%, respectively. The estimated prevalence of AR among asthmatics was 66%, almost identical to that of the previous nationwide study in Japan. The level of asthma control assessed by the VAS on SACRA and the ACT score showed a strong correlation (r = −0.700, P < 0.001).ConclusionsSACRA may be a clinically useful tool for identifying bronchial asthma patients with AR.
PpeTAC1 promotes the horizontal growth of branches in peach trees and is a member of a functionally conserved gene family found in diverse plants species
Authors: Dardick Chris , Callahan Ann , Horn Renate , Ruiz Karina B. , Zhebentyayeva Tetyana , Hollender Courtney , Whitaker Michael , Abbott Albert , Scorza Ralph 
Published: May 2013

SummaryTrees are capable of tremendous architectural plasticity, allowing them to maximize their light exposure under highly competitive environments. One key component of tree architecture is the branch angle, yet little is known about the molecular basis for the spatial patterning of branches in trees. Here, we report the identification of a candidate gene for the br mutation in Prunus persica (peach) associated with vertically oriented growth of branches, referred to as ‘pillar’ or ‘broomy’. Ppa010082, annotated as hypothetical protein in the peach genome sequence, was identified as a candidate gene for br using a next generation sequence‐based mapping approach. Sequence similarity searches identified rice TAC1 (tiller angle control 1) as a putative ortholog, and we thus named it PpeTAC1. In monocots, TAC1 is known to lead to less compact growth by increasing the tiller angle. In Arabidopsis, an attac1 mutant showed more vertical branch growth angles, suggesting that the gene functions universally to promote the horizontal growth of branches. TAC1 genes belong to a gene family (here named IGT for a shared conserved motif) found in all plant genomes, consisting of two clades: one containing TAC1‐like genes; the other containing LAZY1, which contains an EAR motif, and promotes vertical shoot growth in Oryza sativa (rice) and Arabidopsis through influencing polar auxin transport. The data suggest that IGT genes are ancient, and play conserved roles in determining shoot growth angles in plants. Understanding how IGT genes modulate branch angles will provide insights into how different architectural growth habits evolved in terrestrial plants.
A novel structural effector from rust fungi is capable of fibril formation
Authors: Kemen Eric , Kemen Ariane , Ehlers Andreas , Voegele Ralf , Mendgen Kurt 
Published: May 2013

SummaryIt has been reported that filament‐forming surface proteins such as hydrophobins are important virulence determinants in fungi and are secreted during pathogenesis. Such proteins have not yet been identified in obligate biotrophic pathogens such as rust fungi. Rust transferred protein 1 (RTP1p), a rust protein that is transferred into the host cytoplasm, accumulates around the haustorial complex. To investigate RTP1p structure and function, we used immunocytological, biochemical and computational approaches. We found that RTP1p accumulates in protuberances of the extra‐haustorial matrix, a compartment that surrounds the haustorium and is separated from the plant cytoplasm by a modified host plasma membrane. Our analyses show that RTP1p is capable of forming filamentous structures in vitro and in vivo. We present evidence that filament formation is due to β–aggregation similar to what has been observed for amyloid‐like proteins. Our findings reveal that RTP1p is a member of a new class of structural effectors. We hypothesize that RTP1p is transferred into the host to stabilize the host cell and protect the haustorium from degradation in later stages of the interaction. Thus, we provide evidence for transfer of an amyloid‐like protein into the host cell, which has potential for the development of new resistance mechanisms against rust fungi.
Adjuvant therapy with carboplatin and pamidronate for canine appendicular osteosarcoma
Authors: Kozicki A. R. , Robat C. , Chun R. , Kurzman I. D. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAmputation and chemotherapy are the mainstay of treatment for canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA).In vitrostudies have demonstrated anti‐tumour activity of pamidronate against canineOSA. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety of adding pamidronate to standard post‐operative carboplatin chemotherapy in 17 dogs with appendicularOSAtreated with limb amputation. Median disease‐free interval (DFI) and median survival time (MST) were evaluated as secondary endpoints. Incidence of side effects and treatment outcomes were compared to 14 contemporary control patients treated with carboplatin alone. There were no identified side effects to the pamidronate treatment. The medianDFIfor the study group was 185 days compared to 172 days for the control group (P= 0.90). TheMSTof the study group was 311 days compared to 294 days for the control group (P= 0.89). Addition of pamidronate to carboplatin chemotherapy for the treatment of canine appendicularOSAis safe and does not impair efficacy of standard carboplatin treatment.
The effect of increased centrifugation temperature on the quality of red‐blood‐cell concentrates of automated whole blood processing
Authors: Weinigel C. , Rummler S. , Barz D. 
Published: May 2013

Background and ObjectivesThere are manual and automated methods to separate whole blood (WB) available. The Atreus whole blood processing system is an automated method, which combines centrifugation and expression of components into a single device. A major difference to conventional methods is that centrifugation temperature is not controlled at 22°C. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of increased centrifugation temperatures on the quality of red‐blood‐cell concentrates (RCC) after active cooling of WB prior to processing.Materials and MethodsA total of 28 WB were processed: 16 at centrifugation temperatures of up to 28°C (1st protocol) and 12 at 34°C (2nd protocol). RCC quality parameters were tested weekly for 42 days.ResultsRed‐blood‐cell concentrates (RCC) quality complied with the European and German guidelines. Haemolysis was not significantly different throughout storage. Significant statistical differences were detected between both protocols in potassium concentration at the end of storage and in ATP levels at the day of processing.ConclusionCentrifugation temperatures of up to 34°C are well tolerated by the red blood cells with minimal interference with the RCC quality parameters.
Sensitivity of assays for the detection of HPA‐1a antibodies: results of an international workshop demonstrating the impact of cation chelation from integrin αIIbβ3 on three widely used assays
Authors: Allen D. L. , Metcalfe P. , Kaplan C. , Kekomaki R. , de Haas M. , Yusuf R. , Ouwehand W. H. 
Published: May 2013

Background and ObjectivesHPA‐1a antibodies account for 70–80% of cases of fetal–neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) in Caucasians. However, numerous workshops have demonstrated variability in their detection. We recently showed that exposure of αIIbβ3 to ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) affected binding of many anti‐αIIbβ3 monoclonal, and HPA‐1a allo‐, antibodies; this adversely affected sensitivity of the monoclonal antibody‐specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) assay and indirect platelet immunofluorescence test (PIFT). This study presents results from an international workshop studying the impact of cation chelation on HPA‐1a antibody detection in routine diagnostic laboratories.Materials and MethodsSerum and EDTA‐anticoagulated plasma samples containing anti‐HPA‐1a were distributed to 39 laboratories. Participants were asked to detect and identify any HPA antibodies present.Results2/39 (5·1%) participants were able to detect and identify anti‐HPA‐1a in the serum, but not in the plasma sample. EDTA plasma reduced MAIPA assay sensitivity by ≥20% in 17/24 (70·8%) laboratories and by ≥50% in 9/24 (37·5%) when using HPA‐1a1a platelets (mean: 27·7%, range 0–85·1%); when using HPA‐1a1b platelets 3/4 (75%), participants reported ≥50% loss of sensitivity (mean 65·6%, range 0–96·6%). A small but significant increase in optical densities was observed in antigen capture ELISA assays when using plasma (mean difference: 0·081, P < 0·01). Insufficient PIFT data were returned to draw firm conclusions.ConclusionUse of EDTA plasma significantly affects the sensitivity of the MAIPA assay and can affect detection of even potent, FNAIT‐causing examples of anti‐HPA‐1a. These data highlight the importance of use of αIIbβ3 in an appropriate conformation for the sensitive detection of anti‐HPA‐1a.
Barriers and motivators to blood donation among university students in Japan: development of a measurement tool
Authors: Ngoma A. M. , Goto A. , Yamazaki S. , Machida M. , Kanno T. , Nollet K. E. , Ohto H. , Yasumura S. 
Published: May 2013

Background and ObjectivesDespite growing demand for transfusion, the number of voluntary young blood donors has steadily decreased over recent years in Japan. This study aimed to develop an easy‐to‐use survey tool to assess barriers and motivators to blood donation among Japanese university students.Materials and MethodsWe conducted cross‐sectional studies at two universities in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, in December 2011 (Stage 1) and February 2012 (Stage 2) using self‐administered questionnaires. A short list of motivators and barriers to blood donation was developed from the open‐ended questions asked of 50 students in Stage 1. In the Stage 2, we asked 105 students how important these items were when they decided whether or not to donate blood. Items showing a significant difference between donors and non‐donors were kept in the final list.ResultsOverall, 56% of the 100 participants analysed in Stage 2 were men, and ages ranged from 19 to 24 with a median of 20 years. Comparison of motivators and barriers between donors and non‐donors revealed that only barrier item 8 (‘Frightened by blood donation’) showed a significant difference (P = 0·0006) in an expected direction and with a consistency between two universities.ConclusionsThis study identified fear as being the most significant barrier to blood donation among Japanese university students, which could be used as a single convenient indicator to assess their readiness to donate. More academic and clinical efforts are needed to understand and address students' fear towards blood donation in order to increase the donor pool in Japan.
A multimodality vascular imaging phantom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with a visible thrombus
Authors: Allard Louise , Soulez Gilles , Chayer Boris , Qin Zhao , Roy David , Cloutier Guy 
Published: May 2013

Purpose:With the continuous development of new stent grafts and implantation techniques, it has now become technically feasible to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with challenging anatomy using endovascular repair with standard, fenestrated, or branched stent‐grafts.In vitro experimentations are very useful to improve stent‐graft design and conformability or imaging guidance for stent‐graft delivery or follow‐up. Vascular replicas also help to better understand the limitation of endovascular approaches in challenging anatomy and possibly improve surgical planning or training by practicing high risk clinical procedures in the laboratory to improve outcomes in the operating room. Most AAA phantoms available have a very basic anatomy, which is not representative of the clinical reality. This paper presents a method of fabrication of a realistic AAA phantom with a visible thrombus, as well as some mechanical properties characterizing such phantom.Methods:A realistic AAA geometry replica of a real patient anatomy taken from a multidetector computed tomography (CT) scan was manufactured. To demonstrate the multimodality imaging capability of this new phantom with a thrombus visible in magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, CT angiography (CTA), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and ultrasound, image acquisitions with all these modalities were performed by using standard clinical protocols. Potential use of this phantom for stent deployment was also tested. A rheometer allowed defining hyperelastic and viscoelastic properties of phantom materials.Results:MR imaging measurements of SNR and CNR values on T1 and T2‐weighted sequences and MR angiography indicated reasonable agreement with published values of AAA thrombus and abdominal componentsin vivo. X‐ray absorption also lay within normal ranges of AAA patients and was representative of findings observed on CTA, fluoroscopy, and DSA. Ultrasound propagation speeds for developed materials were also in concordance with the literature for vascular and abdominal tissues.Conclusions:The mimicked abdominal tissues, AAA wall, and surrounding thrombus were developed to match imaging features ofin vivo MR, CT, and ultrasound examinations. This phantom should be of value for image calibration, segmentation, and testing of endovascular devices for AAA endovascular repair.
Nanoscale Effects of Caspofungin against Two Yeast Species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans
Authors: Formosa C. , Schiavone M. , Martin-Yken H. , François J. M. , Duval R. E. , Dague E. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and
Candida albicans
are model yeasts for biotechnology and human health, respectively. We used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to explore the effects of caspofungin, an antifungal drug used in hospitals, on these two species. Our nanoscale investigation revealed similar, but also different, behaviors of the two yeasts in response to treatment with the drug. While administration of caspofungin induced deep cell wall remodeling in both yeast species, as evidenced by a dramatic increase in chitin and decrease in β-glucan content, changes in cell wall composition were more pronounced with
C. albicans
cells. Notably, the increase of chitin was proportional to the increase in the caspofungin dose. In addition, the Young modulus of the cell was three times lower for
C. albicans
cells than for
S. cerevisiae
cells and increased proportionally with the increase of chitin, suggesting differences in the molecular organization of the cell wall between the two yeast species. Also, at a low dose of caspofungin (i.e., 0.5× MIC), the cell surface of
C. albicans
exhibited a morphology that was reminiscent of cells expressing adhesion proteins. Interestingly, this morphology was lost at high doses of the drug (i.e., 4× MIC). However, the treatment of
S. cerevisiae
cells with high doses of caspofungin resulted in impairment of cytokinesis. Altogether, the use of AFM for investigating the effects of antifungal drugs is relevant in nanomedicine, as it should help in understanding their mechanisms of action on fungal cells, as well as unraveling unexpected effects on cell division and fungal adhesion.
Evaluation of Reduced Susceptibility to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds and Bisbiguanides in Clinical Isolates and Laboratory-Generated Mutants of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Furi Leonardo , Ciusa Maria Laura , Knight Daniel , Di Lorenzo Valeria , Tocci Nadia , Cirasola Daniela , Aragones Lluis , Coelho Joana Rosado , Freitas Ana Teresa , Marchi Emmanuela , Moce Laura , Visa Pilar , Northwood John Blackman , Viti Carlo , Borghi Elisa , Orefici Graziella ,   the BIOHYPO Consortium, Morrissey Ian , Oggioni Marco Rinaldo 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

The MICs and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) for the biocides benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine were determined against 1,602 clinical isolates of
Staphylococcus aureus
. Both compounds showed unimodal MIC and MBC distributions (2 and 4 or 8 mg/liter, respectively) with no apparent subpopulation with reduced susceptibility. To investigate further, all isolates were screened for
qac
genes, and 39 of these also had the promoter region of the NorA multidrug-resistant (MDR) efflux pump sequenced. The presence of
qacA
,
qacB
,
qacC
, and
qacG
genes increased the mode MIC, but not MBC, to benzalkonium chloride, while only
qacA
and
qacB
increased the chlorhexidine mode MIC. Isolates with a wild-type
norA
promoter or mutations in the
norA
promoter had similar biocide MIC distributions; notably, not all clinical isolates with
norA
mutations were resistant to fluoroquinolones.
In vitro
efflux mutants could be readily selected with ethidium bromide and acriflavine. Multiple passages were necessary to select mutants with biocides, but these mutants showed phenotypes comparable to those of mutants selected by dyes. All mutants showed changes in the promoter region of
norA
, but these were distinct from this region of the clinical isolates. Still, none of the
in vitro
mutants displayed fitness defects in a killing assay in
Galleria mellonella
larvae. In conclusion, our data provide an in-depth comparative overview on efflux in
S. aureus
mutants and clinical isolates, showing also that plasmid-encoded efflux pumps did not affect bactericidal activity of biocides. In addition, current
in vitro
tests appear not to be suitable for predicting levels of resistance that are clinically relevant.
Genetic Variability of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis Isolates from Humans, Chickens, and Pigs in Malaysia
Authors: Getachew Yitbarek , Hassan Latiffah , Zakaria Zunita , Abdul Aziz Saleha 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported to be present in humans, chickens, and pigs in Malaysia. In the present study, representative samples of VRE isolated from these populations were examined for similarities and differences by using the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method. Housekeeping genes of
Enterococcus faecium
(
n
= 14) and
Enterococcus faecalis
(
n
= 11) isolates were sequenced and analyzed using the MLST databases eBURST and goeBURST. We found five sequence types (STs) of
E. faecium
and six STs of
E. faecalis
existing in Malaysia.
Enterococcus faecium
isolates belonging to ST203, ST17, ST55, ST79, and ST29 were identified, and
E. faecium
ST203 was the most common among humans. The MLST profiles of
E. faecium
from humans in this study were similar to the globally reported nosocomial-related strain lineage belonging to clonal complex 17 (CC17). Isolates from chickens and pigs have few similarities to those from humans, except for one isolate from a chicken, which was identified as ST203.
E. faecalis
isolates were more diverse and were identified as ST4, ST6, ST87, ST108, ST274, and ST244, which were grouped as specific to the three hosts.
E. faecalis
, belonging to the high-risk CC2 and CC87, were detected among isolates from humans. In conclusion, even though one isolate from a chicken was found clonal to that of humans, the MLST analysis of
E. faecium
and
E. faecalis
supports the findings of others who suggest VRE to be predominantly host specific and that clinically important strains are found mainly among humans. The infrequent detection of a human VRE clone in a chicken may in fact suggest a reverse transmission of VRE from humans to animals.
Pressure-Induced Endocytic Degradation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Low-Affinity Tryptophan Permease Tat1 Is Mediated by Rsp5 Ubiquitin Ligase and Functionally Redundant PPxY Motif Proteins
Authors: Suzuki Asaha , Mochizuki Takahiro , Uemura Satoshi , Hiraki Toshiki , Abe Fumiyoshi 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Cells of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
express two tryptophan permeases, Tat1 and Tat2, which have different characteristics in terms of their affinity for tryptophan and intracellular localization. Although the high-affinity permease Tat2 has been well documented in terms of its ubiquitin-dependent degradation, the low-affinity permease Tat1 has not yet been characterized fully. Here we show that a high hydrostatic pressure of 25 MPa triggers a degradation of Tat1 which depends on Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase and the EH domain-containing protein End3. Tat1 was resistant to a 3-h cycloheximide treatment, suggesting that it is highly stable under normal growth conditions. The ubiquitination of Tat1 most likely occurs at N-terminal lysines 29 and 31. Simultaneous substitution of arginine for the two lysines prevented Tat1 degradation, but substitution of either of them alone did not, indicating that the roles of lysines 29 and 31 are redundant. When cells were exposed to high pressure, Tat1-GFP was completely lost from the plasma membrane, while substantial amounts of Tat1
K29R-K31R
-GFP remained. The
HPG1-1
(Rsp5
P514T
) and
rsp5-ww3
mutations stabilized Tat1 under high pressure, but any one of the
rsp5-ww1
,
rsp5-ww2
, and
bul1
Δ
bul2
Δ mutations or single deletions of genes encoding arrestin-related trafficking adaptors did not. However, simultaneous loss of 9-arrestins and Bul1/Bul2 prevented Tat1 degradation at 25 MPa. The results suggest that multiple PPxY motif proteins share some essential roles in regulating Tat1 ubiquitination in response to high hydrostatic pressure.