bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous Penicillium marneffei infection in a patient with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia
Authors: Xia Xiu‐Jiao , Shen Hong , Xu Ai‐e 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe describe a case of cutaneous Penicillium marneffei infection in a non‐HIV‐infected male patient with idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (ICL). The cutaneous lesions were cured after the treatment of itraconazole combined with interleukin‐2.
Failing to Forecast Low Inflation and Phillips Curve Instability: A Euro‐Area Perspective
Authors: Riggi Marianna , Venditti Fabrizio 
Published: April 2015

AbstractProfessional forecasters failed to anticipate the sharp fall in inflation in the euro area in 2013–2014. We investigate whether this forecasting failure can be partly attributed to a break in the elasticity of inflation to the output gap. Using structural break tests and time‐varying parameter models, we find that this elasticity has indeed increased substantially in the past 2 years. We offer two (observationally equivalent) interpretations of this result. The first is that the increase in the cyclicality of inflation has stemmed from lower nominal rigidities or weaker strategic complementarities in price setting. A second possibility is that current output gap estimates are understating the amount of spare capacity in the economy. We estimate that, in order to reconcile the observed fall in inflation with the historical correlation between consumer prices and the business cycle, the output gap should be wider by around one third.
Food Price Pass‐Through and the Role of Domestic Margin Services
Authors: Yang Fan , Bekkers Eddy , Brockmeier Martina , Francois Joseph 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe recent volatility in international agricultural markets has drawn attention to the impact of rising international agricultural prices and the induced price‐insulating measures on consumer food prices. Analyses based on simulation models on this topic typically ignore the role of domestic margin services. We extend the standard Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model to allow for variations in the share of domestic margin services in consumed food across countries. This approach enables us to differentiate consumer prices from producer prices. Following the extension, the results show that domestic margin services reduce the consumer food price volatility for all countries, especially in high‐income countries, where the share of domestic margin services in final food consumption is higher. The effect of price‐insulating border policies is also reduced in the extended model. We find that our extension of the GTAP model greatly improves simulations of the 2007 surge in international agricultural prices. We validate our extension of the GTAP model by showing that the econometrically estimated food price pass‐through is decreasing with income and thus, is smaller in high‐income countries.
Knockout of the adp gene related with colonization in Bacillus nematocida B16 using customized transcription activator‐like effectors nucleases
Authors: Niu Qiuhong , Zheng Haoying , Zhang Lin , Qin Fujun , Facemire Loryn , Zhang Guo , Cao Feng , Zhang Ke‐qin , Huang Xiaowei , Yang Jianwei , He Lei , Liu Chanjuan 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBacillus nematocida B16 is able to dominate in the intestines of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans in ‘Trojan horse’ pathogenic mechanism. The adp is one candidate gene which potentially play a vital role in the colonization from our previous random mutagenesis screening results. To analyse the functional role of this gene, we constructed the adp knockout mutant through customized transcription activator‐like effectors nucleases (TALEN), which has been successfully used in yeasts, nematodes, zebrafish and human pluripotent cells. Here, we first time report this knockout method in bacteria on this paper. Bioassay experiments demonstrated that the adp knockout mutant of B16 showed considerably lower colonization activity, reduced numbers of intestines and less than 80% nematocidal activity compared with the wild‐type strain when infected for 48 h. However, no obvious change on proteolytic activity was observed in the mutant. Conversely, the complementation of adp gene restored most of the above deficient phenotypes. These results indicated that the adp gene was involved in surface adhesion and played a comparatively important role in colonizing host nematodes. Moreover, TALENs successfully disrupt target genes in bacteria.
Changes in the Blood Serum Levels of the Costimulatory Soluble B7‐H4 Molecule in Pregnant Women During the Peripartal Phase
Authors: Mach Pawel , Gellhaus Alexandra , Wicherek Lukasz , Schmidt Boerge , Kimmig Rainer , Kasimir‐Bauer Sabine , Köninger Angela 
Published: April 2015

ProblemB7‐H4, a transmembrane protein that negatively regulates T lymphocytes, seems to play a role in the suppression of the im\mune response at the maternal–fetal interface. The aim of this study was to compare the blood serum concentration levels of soluble B7‐H4 (sB7‐H4) prepartal and postpartal in both women who experienced spontaneous onset of labor and those who underwent elective cesarian section.Method of studyBlood was obtained from 30 prepartal and postpartal women who delivered at the University Hospital of Essen between 2011 and 2012. These patients were further divided into two subgroups depending on the advancement of labor. The sB7‐H4 blood serum concentration levels of the women in the groups were then determined by ELISA (BIOZOL, Eching, Germany).ResultsIn women who underwent elective cesarian section, a significant increase in sB7‐H4 blood serum concentration levels occurred postpartal, while in women who experienced spontaneous onset of labor, no differences between prepartal and postpartal concentration levels were observed. The sB7‐H4 blood serum concentration levels on the day after delivery in the women who experienced spontaneous labor and those who underwent elective cesarian section were comparable; however, higher blood serum concentration levels of sB7‐H4 were observed prepartal in women with spontaneous onset of labor compared to those found in the women about to undergo elective cesarian section.ConclusionThese changes in sB7‐H4 blood serum concentration levels suggest that this protein is involved in immunological changes associated with the spontaneous onset of labor and post‐delivery homeostasis.
Selective immediate responders to amoxicillin and clavulanic acid tolerate penicillin derivative administration after confirming the diagnosis
Authors: Blanca‐Lopez N. , Perez‐Alzate D. , Ruano F. , Garcimartin M. , de la Torre V. , Mayorga C. , Somoza M. L. , Perkins J. , Blanca M. , Canto M. G. , Torres M. J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundAn increasing number of patients show immediate selective hypersensitivity reactions to clavulanic acid (CLV) and amoxicillin (AX), probably due to their increased prescription. The maintenance of this response should be established.ObjectiveTo assess that the immediate hypersensitivity selective response to AX or to CLV is maintained after repeated administration of penicillin G (PG)/penicillin V (PV) and AX.MethodsPatients with proven immediate hypersensitivity to AX (Group A) or CLV (Group B) were included. Diagnosis was performed using skin tests with major and minor determinants of PG (PPL/MDM), AX and CLV and by drug provocation test (DPT) if required. Selectivity was established by confirming tolerance to PG/PV (Group A) and to PG/PV and AX (Group B). The maintenance of the selective response was verified by repeating DPT, 15 days after the initial investigation, with the same procedure.ResultsOf 51 patients, 78% belonged to Group A and 22% to Group B. Most had anaphylaxis. In Group A, 72% were skin test positive; 28% required DPT. In Group B, 63% were skin test positive; 37% required DPT. Only two AX‐selective cases developed positive responses after re‐provocation with PG/PV. No cases selective for CLV developed a positive response to PG, PV or AX.DiscussionThe selective response to AX appears consistent, and a response to penicillin determinants only develops in a minority of cases. For the case of CLV, the selective response appears not to be modified by exposure to penicillin determinants, meaning that patients with CLV allergy can take penicillin derivatives safely.
Failed validation of risk prediction model for intervention in renal colic patients after emergency department evaluation
Authors: Dean Tanya , Crozier Jack , Klim Sharon , Kelly Anne‐Maree 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundIt has been reported that three criteria (size of calculus ≥6 mm, visual analogue scale pain score at discharge ≥2 cm and location above mid‐ureter; the Papa criteria) were sensitive for predicting patients who require intervention (surgery or lithotripsy) within 28 days of index emergency department (ED) visit for ureteric colic. It was suggested that absence of these criteria identified a group for whom early follow‐up may not be needed. No validation has been reported. We aimed to validate these criteria.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of patients with clinical presentation of ureteric colic and radiologically proven renal tract stones. Data collected included demographics, clinical features, features of the stone, imaging results and 28‐day outcome. Outcome of interest was performance of the Papa criteria for prediction of urological intervention by clinical performance analysis. We also undertook a post hoc analysis to identify predictors of urological intervention for the group overall and for the subgroup discharged from ED.ResultsTwo hundred and twenty‐four patients were studied (median age 49, 79% male) with 75 (33%) requiring urological intervention within 28 days. The presence of any of the Papa criteria had sensitivity for urological intervention of 83.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 71.2–91.9%) with specificity of 47.7% (95% CI 38.9–56.6%), positive predictive value of 40.9% (95% CI 31.9–50.4%) and negative predictive value of 87.3% (95% CI 76.8–93.7%). Nine patients with no Papa criteria had intervention: 12.7% (95% CI 6.8–22.4%).ConclusionThe Papa criteria are not sufficiently accurate to determine which patients require intervention or a subgroup who do not need specialist urological follow‐up.
An Alternative Approach for Perioperative Extracorporeal Life Support Implantation
Authors: Saeed Diyar , Maxhera Bujar , Westenfeld Ralf , Lichtenberg Artur , Albert Alexander 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCentral veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is traditionally implanted using direct cannulation of the aorta and right atrium. We aim to summarize the outcome of patients who underwent perioperative central ECMO implantation using an alternative surgical approach, which allows sternum closure and does not require resternotomy at the time of explantation. We retrospectively reviewed patients who required veno‐arterial ECMO support at our institution between January 2013 and July 2014. Inclusion criteria were patients undergoing central ECMO implantation using the above‐mentioned implantation technique. Nine patients (65 ± 14 years) were supported using this technique. Four patients underwent coronary bypass surgery as a primary surgery and the other five patients had combined coronary and valve surgeries. The average duration of ECMO support was 9 ± 7 days (range 1–24 days). The dominant postoperative complication was renal failure, which occurred in eight patients (89%). In four patients (44%), the ECMO was successfully removed. Survival rate to discharge was 22%. In conclusion, this study showed the feasibility of this alternative ECMO implantation technique. No technical issues were encountered. Extended support duration and reducing resternotomy risks may be the main advantages of this technique compared with conventional ECMO implantation methods.
Severe cellulitis and abdominal wall emphysema following laparoscopic colonic surgery: A case report
Authors: Tanaka Ryo , Kameyama Hitoshi , Chida Tadasu , Kanda Tatsuo , Kano Yosuke , Ichikawa Hiroshi , Hanyu Takaaki , Ishikawa Takashi , Kosugi Shin‐ichi , Wakai Toshifumi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAbdominal wall emphysema is a common complication of laparoscopic surgery. This condition is usually harmless; however, if an infection occurs, it can develop into a serious condition such as necrotizing fasciitis. We report a case of a 51‐year‐old woman suffering from severe cellulitis that spread from an area of abdominal wall emphysema after laparoscopic surgery for sigmoid colon cancer. Recognizing this complication, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment are cornerstones for successful management of this potentially fatal disease.
Laparoscopic resection of a paraganglioma located on the border of the thoracic and abdominal cavities using a transabdominal‐transdiaphragmatic approach
Authors: Sunose Yutaka , Hirai Keitaro , Nakazawa Seshiru , Yoshinari Daisuke , Ogawa Hiroomi , Tsukagoshi Hiroshi , Takahashi Norifumi , Yamazaki Hodaka , Motegi Yoko , Miyamae Yohei , Igarashi Takamichi , Takahashi Kengo , Katoh Ryuji , Tanaka Kazumi , Takeyoshi Izumi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe treated a 64‐year‐old woman with high blood pressure. Catecholamine metabolite levels were elevated in the blood and urine. CT revealed a densely stained tumor on the right side of the descending aorta dorsal to the inferior vena cava. PET‐CT revealed abnormal accumulation of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose, and 123I‐meta‐iodo‐benzylguanidine uptake was apparent on scintigraphy. The tumor was determined to be a paraganglioma located on the border between the thoracic and abdominal cavities, and laparoscopic tumorectomy was performed. The patient was placed in the left lateral position. The right lobe of the liver was turned over, and we cut the diaphragm to expose the front of the tumor. We resected the straight artery flowing in from the aorta and removed the tumor safely. Herein, we describe the removal of a paravertebral paraganglioma located in the border of the thoracic and abdominal cavities with a laparoscopic transabdominal‐transdiaphragmatic approach.
V‐loc™ capable of grasping surrounding tissue causes obstruction at the jejunojejunostomy after Roux‐en‐Y laparoscopic gastric bypass
Authors: Oor Jelmer , de Castro Steve , van Wagensveld Bart 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBecause of the increasing number of morbidly obese patients, laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery is increasingly being performed to treat these patients and achieve sustained weight loss. Postoperative abdominal symptoms suggestive of impaired gastrointestinal passage are a diagnostic challenge after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass. Here, we present the case of a V‐loc™‐induced obstruction at the jejunojejunostomy caused by the ability of the V‐loc suture to grasp surrounding tissue that required re‐laparoscopy. To our knowledge, this specific type of postoperative complication after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass has not been described previously.
Case report of a laparoscopically resected rectal villous tumor associated with electrolyte depletion syndrome
Authors: Igarashi Kazuharu , Nakamura Takatoshi , Sato Takeo , Tsutsui Atsuko , Miura Hirohisa , Ogura Naoto , Naito Masanori , Yamanashi Takahiro , Watanabe Masahiko 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA 70‐year‐old woman had been aware of lower extremity weakness and anal discomfort for 3 years. A soft, elastic, palm‐sized mass covered by a large amount of mucus was found protruding from the anus. Biopsy revealed a villous adenoma. On the basis of these results, a villous adenoma associated with electrolyte depletion syndrome was diagnosed. After electrolyte abnormalities were improved by fluid replacement therapy, laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection was performed. The surgically resected specimen was a circumferential villous tumor measuring 210 × 140 mm. The histopathological diagnosis was an intramucosal papillary adenocarcinoma. The patient recovered uneventfully after surgery, and the electrolyte abnormalities gradually improved. She was discharged on the 28th postoperative day. The electrolyte levels normalized about 3 months after surgery.
Online and social media presence of Australian and New Zealand urologists
Authors: Davies Nicholas , Murphy Declan G. , van Rij Simon , Woo Henry H. , Lawrentschuk Nathan 
Published: April 2015

ObjectiveTo assess the online and social media presence of all practising Australian and New Zealand urologists.Subjects and MethodsIn July 2014, all active members of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) were identified. A comprehensive search of Google and each social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube) was undertaken for each urologist to identify any private websites or social media profiles.ResultsOf the 435 urologists currently practising in Australia and New Zealand, 305 (70.1%) have an easily identifiable social media account. LinkedIn (51.3%) is the most commonly used form of social media followed by Twitter (33.3%) and private Facebook (30.1%) accounts. About half (49.8%) have a private business website. The average number of social media accounts per urologist is 1.42 and 16 urologists (3.7%) have an account with all searched social media platforms. Over half of those with a Twitter account (55.9%) follow a dedicated urology journal club and have a median (range) number of ‘followers’ of 12 (1–2 862). Social media users had a median (range) of 2 (0–8 717) ‘tweets’ on Twitter, 2 (1–45) LinkedIn posts and 1 (1–14) YouTube video.ConclusionThis study represents a unique dataset not relying on selection or recall bias but using data freely available to patients and colleagues to gauge social media presence of urologists. Most Australian and New Zealand urologists have a readily identifiable online and social media presence, with widespread and consistent use across both countries.
Ofatumumab capacity to deplete B cells from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is affected by C4 complement exhaustion
Authors: Tempescul Adrian , Bagacean Cristina , Riou Catherine , Bendaoud Boutahar , Hillion Sophie , Debant Marjolaine , Buors Caroline , Berthou Christian , Renaudineau Yves 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe management of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) has improved with the utilisation of ofatumumab as a novel anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody. However, as half of the patients fail to respond to the treatment, the aim of this study was to evaluate circulating CLL cell depletion and clinical response according to the context of complement activation and FcγRIIIA polymorphism in ten CLL patients with relapsed/refractory disease. At the end of the treatment, results indicated that circulating CD5+ CD19+ CLL cell depletion was major (<0.01 × 109/L) in 4 of 10 patients, partial (>50% decrease) in 4 of 10 patients and ineffective for the two other patients. No clinical modifications were observed following ofatumumab introduction. Ofatumumab administration leads to a rapid and important exhaustion of complement C4 levels in patients with initial lymphocytosis. C4 exhaustion was accelerated in a non‐responder patient, and incomplete in two patients with partial circulating depletion. Moreover, delaying weekly to monthly ofatumumab injections improved CLL cell depletion in two patients. FcγRIIIA 158 polymorphism (FF n = 6 and VF n = 4) was not associated with major and/or partial circulating CLL cell depletion. In conclusion, ofatumumab induces an important C4 exhaustion that needs to be taken into account when treating CLL patients with ofatumumab.
Tendonitis of branches of the superficial digital flexor tendon in Standardbred racehorses: 15 cases
Authors: Tricaud C. , Cousty M. , Alexandre A. , Tessier C. , David F. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThis case report describes the clinical and ultrasonographic findings and performance outcome of distal tendonitis of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in Standardbred racehorses. Cases with distal tendonitis of the SDFT in isolation (not associated with a metacarpal lesion) were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical and ultrasonographic findings and performance outcome were reviewed. The injury was located on the left forelimb in 67% (10/15) of horses and on the right forelimb in 33% (5/15). None of the horses were affected bilaterally. The lateral branch was involved in 80% of the cases (12/15) and medial branch in 20% (3/15). None of the horses were affected biaxially. Mean time between injury and first start ± s.d. was 302 ± 142 days. Returning to racing was observed in 93% of the horses (14/15), with a reinjury rate of 22% (2/9). For horses which raced after the injury, the number of starts, shows and wins was not significantly different before and after injury, regardless of the location of the lesion. Tendonitis of branches of the SDFT in isolation carries a good prognosis in Standardbred racehorses. A higher return to racing and a lower reinjury rate may be expected compared to lesions in the metacarpal region.
The Search for High‐Impact Diagnostic and Management Tools for Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Self‐Powered Low‐Cost Blood Pressure Measurement Device Powered by a Solid‐State Vibration Energy Harvester
Authors: Bilgen Onur , Kenerson John G. , Akpinar‐Elci Muge , Hattery Rebecca , Hanson Lisbet M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe World Health Organization has established recommendations for blood pressure measurement devices for use in low‐resource venues, setting the “triple A” expectations of Accuracy, Affordability, and Availability. Because of issues related to training and assessment of proficiency, the pendulum has swung away from manual blood pressure devices and auscultatory techniques towards automatic oscillometric devices. As a result of power challenges in the developing world, there has also been a push towards semiautomatic devices that are not dependent on external power sources or batteries. Beyond solar solutions, disruptive technology related to solid‐state vibrational energy harvesting may be the next iterative solution to attain the ultimate goal of a self‐powered low‐cost validated device that is simple to use and reliable.
Toll‐like receptor 2 agonist Pam3CSK4 up‐regulates FcεRI receptor expression on monocytes from patients with severe extrinsic atopic dermatitis
Authors: Song Z. , Deng X. , Chen W. , Xu J. , Chen S. , Zhong H. , Hao F. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundBoth microbial antigens and allergens are important factors that can trigger atopic dermatitis (AD). Monocytes from patients with AD have been found to express increased and sustained levels of high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) and Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2). We hypothesized that putative interactions exist between TLR2 and FcεRI on monocytes in the pathogenesis of AD.ObjectiveThis study aimed to understand whether activation of TLR2 by Pam3CSK4 would influence the expression of FcεRI, and whether mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways were involved in such regulation.MethodsPeripheral blood monocytes from patients with severe extrinsic AD or healthy control patients were treated with the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4. The expression of FcεRI, intracellular TNF‐α and MAPK family members were analysed by real‐time quantitative PCR, flow cytometry and western blotting.ResultsMonocytes from patients with severe extrinsic AD expressed higher levels of surface FcεRIα than were found in monocytes from healthy controls. Stimulation of human monocytes from patients with Pam3CSK4, but not lipopolysaccharide (LPS), resulted in the up‐regulation of surface FcεRI expression by inducing p38 phosphorylation. Pretreatment with a specific inhibitor of p38 kinase inhibited the Pam3CSK4‐induced up‐regulation of FcεRIα, suggesting the involvement of the p38 pathway in the regulation of this process.ConclusionOur findings indicated interactions between TLR2 and FcεRI occurred via the activation of p38 in patients with severe extrinsic AD, which might indicate insights into understanding the mechanisms of how bacterial infection can exacerbate the clinical features of AD.