bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A practical guide to subtotal nephrectomy in the rat with subsequent methodology for assessing renal and cardiac function
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Kompa Andrew R 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD), and its associated cardiovascular events, is one of the major causes of morbidity and recurrent hospitalization in Asian Pacific region. The subtotal nephrectomy (STNx) model has remained the state‐of‐the‐art prototype which closely mimics humanCKDand cardiac‐renal syndrome.Aim and MethodsIn this article, we comprehensively outline the procedure and methodology required to develop the rat model 5/6 nephrectomy and the associated procedures involved in assessing cardiac and renal functional outcomes.Results and ConclusionIn addition, the expected functional outcomes from our own experience, and those of others, have been described. TheSTNxmodel in the rat is an established model ofCKDand displays all the functional and structural hallmarks observed in the human condition. Lesser known are the cardiac effects of this model which make it ideal for studying cardiorenal syndrome.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder among survivors two years after the 2010 Mount Merapi volcano eruption: A survey study
Authors: Warsini Sri , Buettner Petra , Mills Jane , West Caryn , Usher Kim 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe Mount Merapi volcanic eruption in October 2010 was one of Indonesia's largest and most recent natural disasters. A cross‐sectional study was undertaken to measure the psychosocial impact of the eruption on survivors in two locations in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. The Impact of Event Scale Revised was used to assess participants' symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder. Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder responses and demographic characteristics were compared in both locations by conducting bivariate analysis using Mann–Whitney and t tests. The relative contributions of demographic variables and psychosocial impact were examined using multiple linear regression analyses. Two years after the eruption, survivors from the area closest to the eruption had significantly higher Impact of Event Scale Revised scores than those in the comparison area. In particular, females, adults between the ages of 18 and 59, and people who owned their own home experienced the highest levels of psychosocial impact. Nurses and other health professionals need to be aware of the impact of natural disasters on survivors and develop interventions to help people adjust to the psychosocial impact of these events.
The effects of lip revision surgery on nasolabial esthetics in patients with cleft lip
Authors: Mercado A. M. , Phillips C. , Vig K. W. L. , Trotman C.‐A. 
Published: May 2014

Structured AbstractObjectives1) To determine the concordance among surgeons on subjective assessments of nasolabial esthetics in children with repaired cleft lip; and 2) to evaluate longitudinal changes in nasolabial esthetics in relation to cleft lip revision surgery.Setting and Sample PopulationSchool of Dentistry at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Children with repaired unilateral cleft lip: 32 had lip revision surgery and 27 did not have surgery.Materials and MethodsRetrospective observational study from a non‐randomized clinical trial. Ratings of nasolabial esthetics performed by six surgeons using the Asher‐McDade scale at baseline and 12‐month follow‐up.ResultsConcordance among surgeons ranged from poor to acceptable. Nasolabial ratings at follow‐up were better in the Revision group than in the Non‐Revision group, although differences were small. The most prevalent change in the Revision Group was improvement in one or more units on the scale, while ‘no change’ was most prevalent in the Non‐Revision group. Participants in the Revision group were more likely to receive a ‘no’ in relation to the need for lip or nose revision at the follow‐up visit.ConclusionThere were mild esthetic improvements observed in relation to lip revision surgery, which should be interpreted with caution given the subjectivity of the rating method used.
The Role of Toll‐Like Receptors and Vitamin D in Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 – A Review
Authors: Adamczak D. M. , Nowak J. K. , Frydrychowicz M. , Kaczmarek M. , Sikora J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIt is widely accepted that type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease resulting from an interaction between immunologic, genetic and environmental factors. However, the exact mechanism leading to the development of T1DM remains incomplete. There is a large body of evidence pointing towards the important role of toll‐like receptor (TLR) activation and vitamin D deficiency in T1DM pathogenesis. In this article, we review the available data on the influence of TLRs' level of activation and vitamin D status on the risk of the development of T1DM in humans and rodent models. We also summarize the current information regarding the interactions between TLRs' level of activation, vitamin D status and various environmental factors, such as enteroviral infections, the gut microbiota and breastfeeding substitution, among others. Our results stipulate that vitamin D seems to protect against T1DM by reducing the TLRs' level of activation.
The Decrease in Number and Change in Phenotype of Mucosal‐Associated Invariant T cells in the Elderly and Differences in Men and Women of Reproductive Age
Authors: Novak J. , Dobrovolny J. , Novakova L. , Kozak T. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate‐like T cells comprising up to 10% of the peripheral blood T cells in humans. During ontogeny, MAIT cells can first be detected in the cord blood in low amounts, but rise steadily after birth. In this population‐based study, we show that their counts continue to increase, reaching maximal levels (4.5% of CD3+ cells, 65 cells/μl) in the third and fourth decenniums. At this age, the amounts of MAIT cells exhibit the highest interindividual variability. The values then dramatically decline; subjects 80 years old and older have on average 10 times less MAIT cells, both absolutely and as a percentage among CD3+ T cells, than subjects in fertile age. The senescence of MAIT cells is associated with decreased CD8/double negative (DN) ratio. Finally, we observed significantly higher amounts of MAIT cells in women of reproductive age than in men of the same age. Our data suggest that further studies aimed at elucidating a role of MAIT cells in human pathologies must recruit age‐ and gender‐matched controls.
Thrombotic microangiopathy in a patient with adult‐onset Still's disease
Authors: Rawal Shail , Einbinder Yael , Rubin Laurence , Perl Jeff , Trinkaus Martina , Teitel Jerome , Pavenski Katerina 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundSince there are many disorders that can present with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), establishing a correct diagnosis is important to offer the most appropriate therapy.Case ReportA 26‐year‐old woman was transferred to our hospital with fragmentation hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney failure. History revealed that she was recently diagnosed with adult‐onset Still's disease (AOSD) and received intraocular injections of bevacizumab to treat acute retinal artery occlusion. At our hospital, she underwent extensive investigations and was treated with high‐dose steroids, hemodialysis, and therapeutic plasma exchange. For recurrent disease, she received a single dose of eculizumab.ResultsThe patient's ADAMTS13 activity was normal and she had evidence of complement activation. Genetic testing identified a benign polymorphism in the C3 gene. Pathophysiology of TMA in AOSD is briefly discussed and an overview of the literature is presented.ConclusionWork‐up of a new fragmentation hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia should include careful review of past history, including medications, as well as relevant laboratory investigations with aim to establish a correct diagnosis. Occasionally, the correct diagnosis is not the obvious one and there could be multiple contributors to the pathogenesis. Establishing diagnosis is important for counseling patient on disease prognosis and to guide treatment.
High‐throughput Kell, Kidd, and Duffy matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization, time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry–based blood group genotyping of 4000 donors shows close to full concordance with serotyping and detects new alleles
Authors: Meyer Stefan , Vollmert Caren , Trost Nadine , Brönnimann Chantal , Gottschalk Jochen , Buser Andreas , Frey Beat M. , Gassner Christoph 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundAfter the ABO (ABO) and Rh (RHD and RHCE) blood group systems, Kell (KEL), Kidd (SLC14A1), and Duffy (DARC) represent the second most important clinically relevant antigens.Study Design and MethodsSamples from 4000 Swiss blood donors, with serologic prevalues for K/k, Kpa/b, Jka/b, and Fya/b, and 48 additional samples of presumptive black African origin were genotyped using high‐throughput matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization, time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, applying one single‐multiplex polymerase chain reaction/primer‐extension reaction simultaneously detecting 15 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms.ResultsGenotype/phenotype concordance for K/k, Kpa/b, Jka/b, and all Fya/b specificities were 100, 99.98, 99.93, and 99.20%, respectively. Discrepancies were caused by erroneous serologic profiles (n = 33), mainly attributed to weakly expressed Fyx (n = 28). Only three discrepancies had a genetic basis. They could all be explained by newly observed silenced alleles: one KEL*02N.34 and one FY*02N.03 with predicted R700Q and G261R amino acid exchanges, respectively, and one JK*B, with an as‐yet‐unidentified silencing cause. According to NCBI SNP database entry for rs8176034, another new allele, KEL*02.38, had been expected, and we formally demonstrated its presence. We furthermore identified individuals with rare phenotypes, such as Jsa/b heterozygotes among Caucasians, rare alleles, the “Swiss” JK*01N.03, and rare genotypes, such as one Fyx homozygote.ConclusionGenotyping proved its practicability in the daily routine setting and qualitatively outperformed serology. Technology is ideal for time‐insensitive donor genotyping and allows for a broad range of throughput needs. Consequently, from a technologic point of view, serotyping should be replaced by genotyping for donors' blood groups encoded by KEL, SLC14A1, and DARC.
Global Adaptation to a Lipid Environment Triggers the Dormancy-Related Phenotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Rodríguez Juan G. , Hernández Adriana C. , Helguera-Repetto Cecilia , Aguilar Ayala Diana , Guadarrama-Medina Rosalina , Anzóla Juan M. , Bustos Jose R. , Zambrano María M. , González-y-Merchand Jorge , García María J. , Del Portillo Patricia 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Strong evidence supports the idea that fatty acids rather than carbohydrates are the main energy source of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
during infection and latency. Despite that important role, a complete scenario of the bacterium’s metabolism when lipids are the main energy source is still lacking. Here we report the development of an
in vitro
model to analyze adaptation of
M. tuberculosis
during assimilation of long-chain fatty acids as sole carbon sources. The global lipid transcriptome revealed a shift toward the glyoxylate cycle, the overexpression of main regulators
whiB3
,
dosR
, and Rv0081, and the increased expression of several genes related to reductive stress. Our evidence showed that lipid storage seems to be the selected mechanism used by
M. tuberculosis
to ameliorate the assumed damage of reductive stress and that concomitantly the bacilli acquired a slowed-growth and drug-tolerant phenotype, all characteristics previously associated with the dormant stage. Additionally, intergenic regions were also detected, including the unexpected upregulation of tRNAs that suggest a new role for these molecules in the acquisition of a drug-tolerant phenotype by dormant bacilli. Finally, a set of lipid signature genes for the adaptation process was also identified. This
in vitro
model represents a suitable condition to illustrate the participation of reductive stress in drugs’ activity against dormant bacilli, an aspect scarcely investigated to date. This approach provides a new perspective to the understanding of latent infection and suggests the participation of previously undetected molecules.

IMPORTANCE
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
establishes long-lasting highly prevalent infection inside the human body, called latent tuberculosis. The known involvement of fatty acids is changing our understanding of that silent infection; however, question of how tubercle bacilli globally adapt to a lipid-enriched environment is still an unanswered. With the single change of providing fatty acids as carbon sources, the bacilli switch on their program related to dormant stage: slowed growth, accumulation of lipid bodies, and development of drug tolerance. In this stage, unexpected and previously unknown participants were found to play putatively important roles during the process. For the first time, this work compares the global transcriptomics of bacteria by using strand-specific RNA sequencing under two different growth conditions. This study suggests novel targets for the control of tuberculosis and provides a new straightforward
in vitro
model that could help to test the activity of drugs against dormant bacilli from a novel perspective.
Chp8, a Diguanylate Cyclase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato DC3000, Suppresses the Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Flagellin, Increases Extracellular Polysaccharides, and Promotes Plant Immune Evasion
Authors: Engl Christoph , Waite Christopher J. , McKenna Joseph F. , Bennett Mark H. , Hamann Thorsten , Buck Martin 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

The bacterial plant pathogen
Pseudomonas syringae
causes disease in a wide range of plants. The associated decrease in crop yields results in economic losses and threatens global food security. Competition exists between the plant immune system and the pathogen, the basic principles of which can be applied to animal infection pathways.
P. syringae
uses a type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver virulence factors into the plant that promote survival of the bacterium. The
P. syringae
T3SS is a product of the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (
hrp
) and hypersensitive response and conserved (
hrc
) gene cluster, which is strictly controlled by the codependent enhancer-binding proteins HrpR and HrpS. Through a combination of bacterial gene regulation and phenotypic studies, plant infection assays, and plant hormone quantifications, we now report that Chp8 (i) is embedded in the Hrp regulon and expressed in response to plant signals and HrpRS, (ii) is a functional diguanylate cyclase, (iii) decreases the expression of the major pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) flagellin and increases extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), and (iv) impacts the salicylic acid/jasmonic acid hormonal immune response and disease progression. We propose that Chp8 expression dampens PAMP-triggered immunity during early plant infection.

IMPORTANCE
The global demand for food is projected to rise by 50% by 2030 and, as such, represents one of the major challenges of the 21st century, requiring improved crop management. Diseases caused by plant pathogens decrease crop yields, result in significant economic losses, and threaten global food security. Gaining mechanistic insights into the events at the plant-pathogen interface and employing this knowledge to make crops more resilient is one important strategy for improving crop management. Plant-pathogen interactions are characterized by the sophisticated interplay between plant immunity elicited upon pathogen recognition and immune evasion by the pathogen. Here, we identify Chp8 as a contributor to the major effort of the plant pathogen
Pseudomonas syringae
pv. tomato DC3000 to evade immune responses of the plant.
Persistent left superior vena cava in association with sinus venosus defect type of atrial septal defect and partial pulmonary venous return on 64-MDCT
Authors: Disha Bansal , Prakashini Koteshwara , Shetty Ranjan K 
Published: May 2014

The most common venous abnormality of the thorax is persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), incidence being less than 0.5%. However, with congenital heart disease, it is about 6.1%. When the coronary sinus is dilated always search for PLSVC. The coronary sinus may communicate with the left atrium. This is known as an unroofed coronary sinus (UCS) and preoperatively documenting it is important. Of all the congenital cardiac anomalies, the sinus venosus defect (SVD) type of atrial septal defect (ASD) is most commonly associated with PLSVC and accounts for 4–11% of all ASDs. Multidetector CT can easily show all these abnormalities along with haemodynamics. On transoesophageal echocardiography it is difficult to characterise SVD and visualise a coronary sinus because of a limited window, contrast resolution and poor patient compliance. The complex of UCS and PLSVC is one such abnormality and its treatment requires careful assessment of other concomitant cardiac abnormalities to prevent post-treatment haemodynamic complications.
Maternal glucose level and body mass index measured at gestational diabetes mellitus screening and the risk of macrosomia: results from a perinatal cohort study
Authors: Liu Jian , Leng Junhong , Tang Chen , Liu Gongshu , Hay John , Wang Jing , Wen Shiwu , Li Zhenling , She Ye 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of maternal blood glucose (BG) level and body mass index (BMI) measured at gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening on the risk of macrosomia.DesignA perinatal cohort of women were followed up from receiving perinatal healthcare to giving birth.SettingBeichen District, Tianjin, China between June 2011 and October 2012.Participants1951 women aged 19–42 years with valid values of BMI and BG level at GDM screening (24–28 weeks gestation), singleton birth and birth weight (BW)>2500 g.Main outcomes and measuresPrimary outcome was macrosomia (BW>4000 g). BG level and BMI were measured at GDM screening.Results191 (9.7%) newborns were macrosomia. The ORs (95% CIs) of macrosomia from multiple logistic regression were 1.14 (1.10 to 1.19, p<0.0001) for BMI and 1.11 (1.01 to 1.23, p=0.03) for BG. When BMI and BG levels (continuous) were modelled simultaneously, the OR for BMI was similar, but significantly attenuated for BG. Areas of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were 0.6530 (0.6258 to 0.6803) for BMI and 0.5548 (0.5248 to 0.5848) for BG (χ2=26.17, p<0.0001). BG (mmol/L, <6.7, 6.7–7.8 or ≥7.8) and BMI in quintiles (Q1–Q5) were evaluated with BG <6.7 and Q2 BMI as the reference group. The ORs of macrosomia were not statistically different for mothers in Q1 or Q2 of BMI regardless of the BG levels; the ORs for ≥Q3 of BMI were elevated significantly with the highest OR observed in Q5 of BMI and BG levels ≥7.8 (6.93 (2.61 to 18.43), p<0.0001).ConclusionsHigh BMI measured at GDM screening was the most important determinant for risk of macrosomia. These findings suggest that GDM screening may be a critical gestational time point to initiate maternal weight control oriented intervention strategy to lower the risk.
The biomechanics of concussion in unhelmeted football players in Australia: a case–control study
Authors: McIntosh Andrew S , Patton Declan A , Fréchède Bertrand , Pierré Paul-André , Ferry Edouard , Barthels Tobias 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveConcussion is a prevalent brain injury in sport and the wider community. Despite this, little research has been conducted investigating the dynamics of impacts to the unprotected human head and injury causation in vivo, in particular the roles of linear and angular head acceleration.SettingProfessional contact football in Australia.ParticipantsAdult male professional Australian rules football players participating in 30 games randomly selected from 103 games. Cases selected based on an observable head impact, no observable symptoms (eg, loss-of-consciousness and convulsions), no on-field medical management and no injury recorded at the time.Primary and secondary outcome measuresA data set for no-injury head impact cases comprising head impact locations and head impact dynamic parameters estimated through rigid body simulations using the MAthematical DYnamic MOdels (MADYMO) human facet model. This data set was compared to previously reported concussion case data.ResultsQualitative analysis showed that the head was more vulnerable to lateral impacts. Logistic regression analyses of head acceleration and velocity components revealed that angular acceleration of the head in the coronal plane had the strongest association with concussion; tentative tolerance levels of 1747 rad/s2and 2296 rad/s2were reported for a 50% and 75% likelihood of concussion, respectively. The mean maximum resultant angular accelerations for the concussion and no-injury cases were 7951 rad/s2(SD 3562 rad/s2) and 4300 rad/s2(SD 3657 rad/s2), respectively. Linear acceleration is currently used in the assessment of helmets and padded headgear. The 50% and 75% likelihood of concussion values for resultant linear head acceleration in this study were 65.1 and 88.5 g, respectively.ConclusionsAs hypothesised by Holbourn over 70 years ago, angular acceleration plays an important role in the pathomechanics of concussion, which has major ramifications in terms of helmet design and other efforts to prevent and manage concussion.
End-of-life decision making: withdrawing from dialysis: a 12-year retrospective single centre experience from the UK
Authors: Aggarwal Y , Baharani J 
Published: May 2014

AimWithdrawal from dialysis is a common mode of death in patients undergoing dialysis. Anecdotally most patients have a physician-directed dialysis withdrawal (DW) following an acute medical precipitant, rather than a patient-narrated planned withdrawal as part of a collaborative end-of-life care plan. We report a 12-year retrospective experience of patients undergoing dialysis who died following DW, and suggest clinical parameters which can be used to identify patients who are able to direct their end-of-life care process.MethodsRetrospective 12-year review of inhouse electronic and paper records.Results867 patients undergoing dialysis died during the study period.93 patients died from DW. 9 (10%) patients electively withdrew in the absence of an acute medical precipitant and 84(90%) withdrew from dialysis for medical reasons. Patients who chose to withdraw were 10 years younger at dialysis initiation and withdrawal, had greater reported sessional difficulties/intolerances (p<0.05), greater general deterioration in terms of comorbidity and physical dependency during the course of dialysis (p<0.05), were more likely to rehabilitate following an acute medical precipitant, and were more likely to reside in their own home on DW (p<0.05). All had decision-making capacity compared with 35(42%) patients who had dialysis withdrawn for medical reasons (p<0.05).ConclusionsComorbidity, physical dependence, dialysis tolerance, cognitive decline, rehabilitation post an acute medical precipitant and, place of residence are parameters which differentiate between patients who choose to withdraw from dialysis and those who have dialysis withdrawn for medical reasons. These parameters can be used to identify terminal patients on dialysis who are able to be directive in their end-of-life advanced care planning.