bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of tildipirosin in pig tonsils
Authors: Torres F. , Santamaria R. , Jimenez M. , Menjón R. , Ibanez A. , Collell M. , Azlor O. , Fraile L. 
Published: August 2015

The penetration of antimicrobials in pig tonsils is hardly known. The objective of the study was to quantify the tildipirosin (TD) penetration in tonsils. Animals were randomly divided into six groups (control, T1, T2 (1), T2(5), T2(10), and T2(15)) of eight animals. T1 and T2 groups received a dose of 2 and 4 mg of TD/kg bw in one shot (Zuprevo® MSD Animal Health), respectively, and the control group received 2 mL of saline solution. The animals were sacrificed by intravenous administration of pentobarbital sodium 24 h after finishing the treatment for the control, T1, and T2(1) groups, whereas animals of T2(5), T2(10), and T2(15) groups were sacrificed at 5, 10, and 15 days, post‐treatment, respectively. Tonsils and blood samples were taken at necropsy to obtain plasma, and the tildipirosin concentration was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. The concentration in plasma was always significantly lower than in tonsil. Average TD tonsil concentrations increased significantly in a dose‐dependent manner, and the tonsil TD vs. plasma TD concentration ratio was approximately 75 for the doses of 2 and 4 mg of TD/kg bw at 24 h post‐treatment. Moreover, the maximum concentration of tildipirosin in tonsil was observed at 1 day postadministration, and this concentration decreased gradually from this day until 15 days postadministration for the dose of 4 mg of TD/kg bw. Finally, the ratio AUCtonsil/AUCplasma was 97.9, and the T1/2 (h) was clearly higher in tonsil than in plasma.
Liver transplant recipients and prioritization of anti‐HCV therapy: an Italian cohort analysis
Authors: Lanini Simone , Nanni Costa Alessandro , Grossi Paolo A. , Procaccio Francesco , Ricci Andrea , Capobianchi Maria R. , Terrault Norah A. , Ippolito Giuseppe 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsIn patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), recurrence of infection after liver transplant (LT) is universal and associated with worst survival. We present the results of an Italian cohort to compare the 3‐year outcome of HCV‐Ab‐positive and HCV‐Ab‐negative LT recipients and to assess the potential interaction between HCV‐Ab sero‐status and other risk factors for LT failure.MethodsThe study is a multicentre cohort including a sample of liver transplant centres. Participant's information was collected at the local level. The best functional form of variables was decided according to the objective methods based on information theory. Association between transplant failure and potential risk factors was assessed in univariate and multivariate Poisson regression model with random intercept.ResultsBetween June 2007 and May 2009, 1164 LT recipients were enrolled in 16 Italian transplant centres, of them 275 (23.63%) experienced LT failure. Incidence rates of LT failure was 0.32 and 0.23 per 1000 person‐days in HCV‐Ab‐positive and HCV‐Ab‐negative recipients respectively (P = 0.003). Inferential models according to Akaike information criterion indicated that donor–recipient age difference and donor–recipient sex matching were more informative to predict LT failure than the age and the sex as separate variables. Multivariate analysis provided evidence that HCV‐Ab sero‐status, time after LT, donor–recipient age difference, donor–recipient sex matching and recipient's MELD score were significantly associated with LT failure. Moreover, the effect of HCV‐Ab sero‐status on LT failure was modified by the simultaneous action of time after LT and donor–recipient age difference. No interaction was found between recipient's HCV‐Ab sero‐status and either recipient's MELD or donor–recipient sex matching.ConclusionIn view of the imminent introduction of new anti‐HCV therapies, our study provides information to assess which LT recipients should be prioritized for receiving these highly effective, but expensive, new treatments. This is particularly relevant for those clinical settings where healthcare prioritization is endorsed by national authorities.
The core microbiome bonds the Alpine bog vegetation to a transkingdom metacommunity
Authors: Bragina Anastasia , Berg Christian , Berg Gabriele 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBog ecosystems fulfil important functions in Earth's carbon and water turnover. While plant communities and their keystone species Sphagnum have been well studied, less is known about the microbial communities associated with them. To study our hypothesis that bog plants share an essential core of their microbiome despite their different phylogenetic origins, we analysed four plant community plots with 24 bryophytes, vascular plants and lichen species in two Alpine bogs in Austria by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing followed by bioinformatic analyses. The overall bog microbiome was classified into 32 microbial phyla, while Proteobacteria (30.8%), Verrucomicrobia (20.3%) and Planctomycetes (15.1%) belonged to the most abundant groups. Interestingly, the archaeal phylum Euryarcheota represented 7.2% of total microbial abundance. However, a high portion of micro‐organisms remained unassigned at phylum and class level, respectively. The core microbiome of the bog vegetation contained 177 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (150 526 seq.) and contributed to 49.5% of the total microbial abundance. Only a minor portion of associated core micro‐organisms was host specific for examined plant groups (5.9–11.6%). Using our new approach to analyse plant–microbial communities in an integral framework of ecosystem, vegetation and microbiome, we demonstrated that bog vegetation harboured a core microbiome that is shared between plants and lichens over the whole ecosystem and formed a transkingdom metacommunity. All micro‐ and macro‐organisms are connected to keystone Sphagnum mosses via set of microbial species, for example Burkholderia bryophila which was found associated with a wide spectrum of host plants and is known for a beneficial plant–microbe interaction.
The Limits to Wage‐Led Growth in A Low‐Income Economy
Authors: Razmi Arslan 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTNeo‐Kaleckian literature has actively debated whether growth is wage‐ or profit‐led in capitalist economies. However, existing studies tend to ignore the non‐tradable sector and heterogeneity within the tradable sector. This article shows that incorporating these features renders wage‐led growth in an open developing economy unfeasible in the traditional (Kaleckian) sense of the term. This result—which follows even if one sets aside the competitiveness considerations generally seen as impeding such growth—occurs due to the presence of a homogeneous goods‐producing tradable sector that sets the ceiling to steady‐state growth. A corollary, in light of findings from the ‘new new trade theory’ literature, is that increasing South‐South trade may tend to narrow room for wage‐led growth regardless of the other desirable effects of higher wages.
Capsule expression in Streptococcus mitis modulates interaction with oral keratinocytes and alters susceptibility to human antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Rukke H.V. , Engen S.A. , Schenck K. , Petersen F.C. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryStreptococcus mitis is a colonizer of the oral cavity and the nasopharynx, and is closely related to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Both species occur in encapsulated and unencapsulated forms, but in S. mitis the role of the capsule in host interactions is mostly unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine how capsule expression in S. mitis can modulate interactions with the host with relevance for colonization. The S. mitis type strain, as well as two mutants of the type strain, an isogenic capsule deletion mutant, and a capsule switch mutant expressing the serotype 4 capsule of S. pneumoniae TIGR4, were used. Wild‐type and capsule deletion strains of S. pneumoniae TIGR4 were included for comparison. We found that capsule production in S. mitis reduced adhesion to oral and lung epithelial cells. Further, exposure of oral epithelial cells to encapsulated S. mitis resulted in higher interleukin‐6 and CXCL‐8 transcription levels relative to the unencapsulated mutant. Capsule expression in S. mitis increased the sensitivity to human neutrophil peptide 1‐3 but reduced the sensitivity to human β‐defensin‐3 and cathelicidin. This was in contrast with S. pneumoniae in which capsule expression has been generally associated with increased sensitivity to human antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Collectively, these findings indicate that capsule expression in S. mitis is important in modulating interactions with epithelial cells, and is associated with increased or reduced susceptibility to AMPs depending on the nature of the AMP.
Periodontal and peri‐implant diseases: identical or fraternal infections?
Authors: Robitaille N. , Reed D.N. , Walters J.D. , Kumar P.S. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryPeri‐implant diseases (peri‐implantitis and peri‐implant mucositis) are bacterially driven infections. Peri‐implantitis leads to aggressive bone resorption and eventual loss of the implant. Traditionally, peri‐implantitis was regarded as microbially similar to periodontitis, and translocation of periodontal pathogens into the peri‐implant crevice was considered as a critical factor in disease causation. However, evidence is emerging to suggest that the peri‐implant and periodontal ecosystems differ in many important ways. The purpose of this review is to examine the evidence supporting microbial congruence and discordance in these two communities. Current evidence suggests that osseointegrated implants truly create unique microenvironments that force microbial adaptation and selection. Further studies that revisit the “microbial reservoir” hypothesis and identify species that play an etiologic role in peri‐implant disease and examine their transmission from teeth are needed.
Ethnic differences in peanut allergy patterns in South African children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Gray Claudia L. , Levin Michael E. , du Toit George 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of peanut allergy in South Africa is unknown, but previously thought to be low, particularly in black South Africans. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of component patterns and predictive values of screening tests in peanut allergy in South African children with atopic dermatitis (AD).MethodologyThis was a prospective, observational study in a pediatric university hospital in Cape Town. Children with AD, aged 6 months to 10 years, were recruited randomly. They were assessed for sensitization and allergy to peanut by questionnaire, skin prick tests (SPT), Immuno Solid Phase Allergen Chip test, ImmunoCAP component tests to Ara h 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9, and incremental food challenges.ResultsA total of 100 participants (59 black Africans and 41 of mixed race) were enrolled, median age 42 months. There was a high and comparable rate of peanut sensitization in both black African (41%) and mixed race patients (50%), but a significantly lower prevalence of peanut allergy in the black African group (15% vs. 38%, p = 0.01). The component Ara h 2 was the most useful in differentiating allergy from tolerance in both ethnic groups, but had a significantly lower predictive value for peanut allergy in blacks (53%) vs. mixed race (93%). Overall, SPT and Ara h 2 produced the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. A total of 95% positive predictive values (PPV) for SPT, peanut‐specific IgE, and Ara h 2 levels varied significantly between the two ethnic groups.ConclusionThe prevalence of peanut allergy is high in South African children with AD, but significantly lower in blacks compared to mixed race patients. The component Ara h 2 is useful for differentiating allergy from tolerance in both ethnic groups. Ninety‐five% PPV for peanut allergy tests may need to be revised by ethnic group.
Factor structure of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale as per DSM‐5
Authors: Park Eun‐Young , Kim Joungmin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe DSM‐5 recently proposed new diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although many new or updated tools have been developed since the DSM‐IV was published in 1994, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) has been used consistently in ASD diagnosis and research due to its technical adequacy, cost‐effectiveness, and practicality. Additionally, items in the CARS did not alter following the release of the revised DSM‐IV because the CARS factor structure was found to be consistent with the revised criteria after factor analysis. For that reason, in this study confirmatory factor analysis was used to identify the factor structure of the CARS.MethodParticipants (n = 150) consisted of children with an ASD diagnosis or who met the criteria for broader autism or emotional/behavior disorder with comorbid disorders such as attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, intellectual or developmental disabilities. Previous studies used one‐, two‐, and four‐factor models, all of which we examined to confirm the best‐fit model on confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsAppropriate comparative fit indices and root mean square errors were obtained for all four models. The two‐factor model, based on DSM‐5 criteria, was the most valid and reliable. The inter‐item consistency of the CARS was 0.926 and demonstrated adequate reliability, thereby supporting the validity and reliability of the two‐factor model of CARS.ConclusionsAlthough CARS was developed prior to the introduction of DSM‐5, its psychometric properties, conceptual relevance, and flexible administration procedures support its continued role as a screening device in the diagnostic decision‐making process.
Elevated serum ghrelin, tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 in congenital heart disease
Authors: Wang Dandan , Fang Jian , Wang Ruigeng , Sun Dongming , Xia Kun , Yin Wei , Zhang Sai , Sun Liqun 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the association of congenital heart disease (CHD) with serum ghrelin, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin (IL)‐6.MethodSixty‐three children with CHD, hospitalized between January 2012 and September 2014 at Wuhan Women and Children's Health Care Center, were selected as the study group. Additionally, 28 healthy individuals who had physical examinations at this hospital were selected as the control group. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum ghrelin, TNF‐α and IL‐6. SPSS 18.0 and Comprehensive Meta‐analysis 2.0 were used for data analysis.ResultsThere was significant difference in weight, height and body mass index (BMI; all P < 0.05) but not in age or sex (both P > 0.05) between the cyanotic CHD (CCHD), acyanotic CHD (ACHD) and control groups. On one‐way analysis of variance serum ghrelin, TNF‐α and IL‐6 in both the CCHD and ACHD groups had a tendency to be higher compared with the control group (all P < 0.05), whereas, on Pearson correlation analysis, there was a correlation between serum ghrelin and BMI (all P < 0.05), and TNF‐α was negatively, and IL‐6 positively, correlated with BMI (all P < 0.05). Meta‐analysis further demonstrated that serum ghrelin, TNF‐α and IL‐6 in both the CCHD and ACHD groups were higher than in the control group (all P < 0.05).ConclusionSerum ghrelin, TNF‐α and IL‐6 are elevated in children with CHD, and may play a role in the development and progression of CHD.
Combination therapy for multidrug‐resistant cytomegalovirus disease
Authors: Stuehler C. , Stüssi G. , Halter J. , Nowakowska J. , Schibli A. , Battegay M. , Dirks J. , Passweg J. , Heim D. , Rovo A. , Kalberer C. , Bucher C. , Weisser M. , Dumoulin A. , Hirsch H.H. , Khanna N. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMultidrug‐resistant (MDR) cytomegalovirus (CMV) emerged after transient responses to ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir in a CMV‐seropositive recipient who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a CMV‐seronegative donor. Experimental treatments using leflunomide and artesunate failed. Re‐transplantation from a CMV‐seropositive donor supported by adoptive transfer of pp65‐specific T cells and maribavir was followed by lasting suppression. This case illustrates that successful MDR CMV therapy may require individualized multidisciplinary approaches.
Chromatin state analysis of the barley epigenome reveals a higher‐order structure defined by H3K27me1 and H3K27me3 abundance
Authors: Baker Katie , Dhillon Taniya , Colas Isabelle , Cook Nicola , Milne Iain , Milne Linda , Bayer Micha , Flavell Andrew J. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryCombinations of histones carrying different covalent modifications are a major component of epigenetic variation. We have mapped nine modified histones in the barley seedling epigenome by chromatin immunoprecipitation next‐generation sequencing (ChIP‐seq). The chromosomal distributions of the modifications group them into four different classes, and members of a given class also tend to coincide at the local DNA level, suggesting that global distribution patterns reflect local epigenetic environments. We used this peak sharing to define 10 chromatin states representing local epigenetic environments in the barley genome. Five states map mainly to genes and five to intergenic regions. Two genic states involving H3K36me3 are preferentially associated with constitutive gene expression, while an H3K27me3‐containing genic state is associated with differentially expressed genes. The 10 states display striking distribution patterns that divide barley chromosomes into three distinct global environments. First, telomere‐proximal regions contain high densities of H3K27me3 covering both genes and intergenic DNA, together with very low levels of the repressive H3K27me1 modification. Flanking these are gene‐rich interior regions that are rich in active chromatin states and have greatly decreased levels of H3K27me3 and increasing amounts of H3K27me1 and H3K9me2. Lastly, H3K27me3‐depleted pericentromeric regions contain gene islands with active chromatin states separated by extensive retrotransposon‐rich regions that are associated with abundant H3K27me1 and H3K9me2 modifications. We propose an epigenomic framework for barley whereby intergenic H3K27me3 specifies facultative heterochromatin in the telomere‐proximal regions and H3K27me1 is diagnostic for constitutive heterochromatin elsewhere in the barley genome.
BIG DATA: NEW SCIENCE, NEW CHALLENGES, NEW DIALOGICAL OPPORTUNITIES
Authors: Fuller Michael 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe advent of extremely large data sets, known as “big data,” has been heralded as the instantiation of a new science, requiring a new kind of practitioner: the “data scientist.” This article explores the concept of big data, drawing attention to a number of new issues—not least ethical concerns, and questions surrounding interpretation—which big data sets present. It is observed that the skills required for data scientists are in some respects closer to those traditionally associated with the arts and humanities than to those associated with the natural sciences; and it is urged that big data presents new opportunities for dialogue, especially concerning hermeneutical issues, for theologians and data scientists.
WHAT CAN PIAGET OFFER LONERGAN'S PHILOSOPHY OF BIOLOGY?
Authors: Friel Chris 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn Insight, Bernard Lonergan provides, albeit schematically, a unique philosophy of biology which he takes as having “profound differences” with the world view presented by Darwin. These turn on Lonergan's idea of “schemes of recurrence” and of organisms as “solutions to the problem of living in an environment.” His lapidary prose requires some deciphering. I present the broad lines of his philosophy of biology and argue that Jean Piaget's structuralism can shed light on Lonergan's intentions in virtue of his use of cybernetics and the isomorphism between biology and knowledge. In turn, Piaget draws on Waddington's restatement of epigenesis and I suggest that the result, “process structuralism,” is a viable alternative to the modern Darwinian synthesis.
Development of a Throughflow Method for Aerodynamic Analysis of Highly Loaded Axial Flow Compressors
Authors: Li Bo , Gu Chun-wei , Li Xiao-tang , Liu Tai-qiu , Xiao Yao-bing 
Published: August 2015

In this paper, a novel engineering platform for throughflow analysis based on streamline curvature approach is developed for the research of a 5-stage compressor. It includes several types of improved loss and deviation angle models for the purpose of reflecting the influences of three-dimensional internal flow in highly loaded multistage compressors with higher accuracy. A spanwise mixing model considering viscous shear force with a no-slip condition is applied to improve assessment about the substantial amounts of radial energy and momentum exchange, a shock model accounting for shock geometry changes is also contained to better simulate transonic flow near the tip regions.
In order to validate the reliability and robustness of the method, series of test cases including a subsonic compressor P&W 3S1, a transonic rotor NASA Rotor 1B and especially an advanced high pressure core compressor GE E3 HPC have been conducted. Then the computation procedure is applied to the research of a 5-stage compressor which is designed for developing an industry gas turbine. The overall performance and aerodynamic configuration predicted by the procedure both at design- and part-speed conditions are analyzed and compared with experimental results, which show a good agreement. The throughflow method is verified as a reliable and convenient tool for aerodynamic design and performance prediction of modern highly loaded compressors. It is also qualified for further optimization of the 5-stage compressor.
On Test Uncertainties in Field Performance Tests
Authors: Kurz Rainer , Brun Klaus 
Published: August 2015

Field testing of gas turbine or electric motor driven compressor packages requires the accurate determination of efficiency, capacity, head, or power consumption in sometimes less than ideal working environments. Nonetheless, field test results have significant implication for the compressor and gas turbine manufacturers and their customers. Economic considerations demand that the performance and efficiency of an installation are verified to assure the return on investment for the project. Thus, for the compressor and gas turbine manufacturers, as well as for the end-user, an accurate determination of the field performance is of vital interest.
This paper discusses a method to determine the measurement uncertainty and, thus, the accuracy, of test results under the typical constraints of a site performance test, for compressors capable of variable speed operation. Namely, a method is presented which can be employed to verify the validity of field test performance results.
Results are compared with actual field test results, using redundant methods. Typical field test measurement uncertainties are presented for different sets of instrumentation. The effect of different equations of state on the calculated performance is also discussed. Test parameters that correlate to the most significant influence on the performance uncertainties are identified and suggestions are provided on how to minimize their measurement errors.
Results show that compressor efficiency uncertainties can be unacceptably high when some basic rules for accurate testing are violated. However, by following some simple measurement rules and maintaining commonality of the gas equations of state, the overall compressor package performance measurement uncertainty can be limited and meaningful results can be achieved.