bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body Size and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion among Danish Pregnancy Planners
Authors: Hahn Kristen A. , Hatch Elizabeth E. , Rothman Kenneth J. , Mikkelsen Ellen M. , Brogly Susan B. , Sørensen Henrik T. , Riis Anders H. , Wise Lauren A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies indicate that female obesity increases the risk of spontaneous abortion (SAB). Central adiposity, height, and location of typical weight gain have not been examined as risk factors for SAB.MethodsWe examined the associations between selected anthropometric factors and risk of SAB among 5132 women enrolled in a Danish Internet‐based prospective cohort study of pregnancy planners. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models, with gestational weeks as the time scale, to compute hazard ratios (HRs) of SAB and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders, the HRs for SAB among underweight (body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) <20), overweight (BMI: 25–29) and obese (BMI ≥30) women were 1.00 [95% CI: 0.81, 1.24], 0.90 [95% CI: 0.73, 1.09] and 1.23 [95% CI: 0.98, 1.54], respectively, compared with normal weight women (BMI 20–24). The association between obesity and SAB was stronger for early SAB (<8 weeks gestation); HR: 1.34 95% CI: 1.01, 1.77. The HR for height ≥174 cm vs. <166 cm was 0.81 [95% CI: 0.66, 1.00]. Increased waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) was inversely associated with risk of SAB (HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.63, 1.05). Waist circumference and location of typical weight gain were not appreciably associated with SAB risk.ConclusionsThis study confirms previous studies that have shown a small positive association between obesity and SAB risk. Our results suggest that obesity is a stronger risk factor for early pregnancy losses, and that small stature and low WHR are associated with an increased risk of SAB.
Anaemia of Pregnancy, Perinatal Outcomes and Children's Developmental Vulnerability: a Whole‐of‐Population Study
Authors: Smithers Lisa G. , Gialamas Angela , Scheil Wendy , Brinkman Sally , Lynch John W. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundThere is limited longitudinal data from high‐income countries on the sequelae of anaemia during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to examine whether anaemia of pregnancy is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and with children's developmental vulnerability.MethodsWe conducted a population‐based study to link routinely collected government administrative data that involved all live births in the state of South Australia 1999–2005 (n = 124 061) and a subset for whom developmental data were collected during a national census of children attending their first year of school in 2009 (n = 13 654). Perinatal outcomes were recorded by midwives using a validated, standardised form. Development was recorded by schoolteachers using the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI). Children in the lowest 10% of AEDI scores are indicative of developmental vulnerability.ResultsThere were 8764/124 061 (7.1%) cases of anaemia. After adjustment for a range of potentially confounding factors, anaemia of pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of fetal distress [incident rate ratio (IRR) 1.20 [95% CI 1.13, 1.27]] and preterm birth <37 weeks gestation (IRR 1.23 [1.15, 1.31]), slightly higher birthweight [14 g (2, 26)] and newborns were less likely to require resuscitation (IRR 0.94 [0.91, 0.097]). Anaemia of pregnancy was not associated with children's developmental vulnerability after adjustment for maternal, obstetric and sociodemographic covariables, either in complete case analyses (n = 11 949) or after imputation for missing data (n = 13 654).ConclusionsAnaemia of pregnancy is associated with perinatal complications but not with children's developmental vulnerability at school entry.
Evaluation of Immune Response Elicited by Inulin as an Adjuvant with Filarial Antigens in Mice Model
Authors: Mahalakshmi N. , Aparnaa R. , Kaliraj P. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractFilariasis caused by infectious parasitic nematodes has been identified as the second leading source of permanent and long‐term disability in Sub‐Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. Several vaccine candidates were identified from infective third‐stage larvae (L3) which involves in the critical transition from arthropod to human. Hitherto studies of these antigens in combination with alum adjuvant have shown to elicit its characteristic Th2 responses. Inulin is a safe, non‐toxic adjuvant that principally stimulates the innate immune response through the alternative complement pathway. In the present study, the immune response elicited by inulin and alum as adjuvants were compared with filarial antigens from different aetiological agents: secreted larval acidic protein 1 (SLAP1) from Onchocerca volvulus and venom allergen homologue (VAH) from Brugia malayi as single or as cocktail vaccines in mice model. The study revealed that inulin can induce better humoral response against these antigens than alum adjuvant. Antibody isotyping disclosed inulin's ability to elevate the levels of IgG2a and IgG3 antibodies which mediates in complement‐dependent cytotoxicity and antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), respectively, in mice. Splenocyte analysis showed that T cells prestimulated with inulin have higher stimulation index (P < 0.05) than alum except for BmVAH antigen. In vitro ADCC assay showed that inulin formulation had induced higher cytotoxicity with filarial antigens (as single P < 0.01 and as cocktail P < 0.05, respectively) than alum. The results had confirmed the capability of inulin to deplete the levels of Treg and brought a balance in Th1/Th2 arms against filarial antigens in mice.
Employment Insecurity and the Frayed American Dream
Authors: Rubin Beth A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis paper reviews literature on employment insecurity and situates objective and subjective employment insecurity in the context of the contemporary economy. I draw on the argument about shifting social contracts to explain both real and perceived pervasive employment insecurity and the frayed American Dream. Employment insecurity derives from the macro‐economic changes that produced the social structure of accumulation identified as flexible accumulation that requires employment insecurity as both a form of labor discipline and profit‐enhancing strategy. This paper argues that contemporary employment insecurity is both objective and subjective and affects how individuals understand their world and their selves. To this latter point, I look at research on generational differences in the experience of employment insecurity.
Picritic porphyrites and associated basalts from the remnant Comei Large Igneous Province in SE Tibet: records of mantle‐plume activity
Authors: Xia Ying , Zhu Di‐Cheng , Wang Qing , Zhao Zhi‐Dan , Liu Dong , Wang Li‐Quan , Mo Xuan‐Xue 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPicritic porphyrites and associated basalts are found in Lower Cretaceous slates within the recently identified remnant Comei Large Igneous Province, SE Tibet. They provide an opportunity to explore the mantle potential temperature of this large igneous province and the genetic correlation between the picritic porphyrites and associated basalts. The high levels of MgO and CaO in olivine phenocrysts from the picritic porphyrites indicate that these olivines crystallized from high‐Mg magmas. By deducting the accumulated olivines, we determined a parental magma MgO content for the picritic porphyrites of c. 20% MgO, corresponding to a mantle potential temperature of >1550 °C for the parental magma. Such a high temperature provides solid evidence for a mantle‐plume origin of the remnant Comei Large Igneous Province. Parallel trace‐element patterns and similar εNd (T) and (177Os/178Os)T values in the picritic porphyrites and associated basalts suggest a common hot mantle source region for their generation.
The Macroeconomic Effects of the Canada–US Free Trade Agreement on Canada: A Counterfactual Analysis
Authors: Zhang Lin , Du Zaichao , Hsiao Cheng , Yin Hua 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe evaluate the macroeconomic effects of the Canada–US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Canada's economy using a counterfactual analysis. We exploit the dependence of GDP growth (labour productivity and unemployment, respectively) among different economic entities and construct the counterfactuals using data from countries other than Canada. We find that in the adjustment period from 1989:Q1 to 1992:Q1, Canada's economy bore the short‐run adjustment costs of the FTA with a decline of the annual real GDP by 2.56 per cent and a decline of the labour productivity by 0.62 per cent. After the adjustment period, the FTA had a positive and permanent effect of 1.86 per cent on Canada's annual real GDP growth and raised the labour productivity from 1992 to 1994 by 2.39 per cent on average. Moreover, the FTA increased Canada's annual unemployment rate by 1.81 per cent in the period 1989–94.
Cutaneous lesions in pet rabbits following subcutaneous administration of a novel bivalent vaccine against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease
Authors: Selleri Paolo , Di Girolamo Nicola , Vögtlin Andrea , Fileccia Ivan , Hoop Richard , Bongiovanni Laura 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundA novel bivalent vaccine to protect against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease is commercially available for pet rabbits.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo describe the appearance of cutaneous lesions arising in pet rabbits positive for myxoma virus (MV) by RT‐PCR evaluation shortly after vaccination.AnimalsFour pet rabbits presenting with papular, crusting skin lesions ~10 days after vaccination.MethodsHistological evaluation of formalin‐fixed skin biopsies obtained from lesional skin (case 1). Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) evaluation of paraffin‐embedded tissue from skin biopsies (case 1) and crusts obtained from the lesion surface (cases 2–4) for myxoma virus are reported as cycle threshold (Ct) values.ResultsLesions affecting the ear pinna, dorsal aspect of the nose, vulva and/or conjunctiva are reported. Histopathological findings included severe ulcerative, necrotizing dermatitis and intralesional cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in myxoma cells. DNA was amplified from all the paraffin‐embedded skin biopsies (Ct = 34–35) and crusts (Ct = 20–24).Conclusions and clinical importanceAlthough a wild virus challenge cannot be definitively excluded, veterinarians and pet‐owners should be aware that cutaneous lesions have been observed after vaccination with this novel vaccine in low numbers of rabbits.
The influence of mometasone furoate ear solution on intradermal test immediate reactions in dogs with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Marcia Murphy K. , Olivry Thierry 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundTopical ear medications, often containing a glucocorticoid, are used to treat the clinical signs of atopic otitis in dogs. Studies have looked at the inhibitory effect of topical glucocorticoids on intradermal testing (IDT), but only one previously published study evaluated the influence of an otic glucocorticoid on the results of IDT in dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo assess what influence the absorption of the diester glucocorticoid mometasone furoate (MF) had on intradermal test immediate reactions, to determine an appropriate withdrawal time prior to IDT.MethodsTwenty atopic dogs were enrolled. On day 0, histamine, rabbit anticanine IgE antiserum and saline were injected intradermally. After 20 min, a global wheal score (GWS) was determined. The otic medication, MF, was applied once daily for 14 days. Intradermal injections were then repeated and, if the GWS was within 25% of pretreatment values, the study was completed for this dog. If the GWS had decreased by ≥25% from the baseline value, the otic medication was withdrawn, and the GWS was repeated every 7 days until its value was within 25% of the original GWS.ResultsThree of the 20 dogs completed the study on day 14, while 17 of 20 dogs ended it on day 21, 7 days after withdrawal of the drug, MF.Conclusions and clinical importanceResults from this study show that a withdrawal period of ≤7 days is possible before performing IDT in atopic dogs with active otitis externa treated with ≤14 days of MF.
A modified collagen gel dressing promotes angiogenesis in a preclinical swine model of chronic ischemic wounds
Authors: Elgharably Haytham , Ganesh Kasturi , Dickerson Jennifer , Khanna Savita , Abas Motaz , Ghatak Piya Das , Dixit Sriteja , Bergdall Valerie , Roy Sashwati , Sen Chandan K. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe recently performed proteomic characterization of a modified collagen gel (MCG) dressing and reported promising effects of the gel in healing full‐thickness excisional wounds. In this work, we test the translational relevance of our aforesaid findings by testing the dressing in a swine model of chronic ischemic wounds recently reported by our laboratory. Full‐thickness excisional wounds were established in the center of bipedicle ischemic skin flaps on the backs of animals. Ischemia was verified by laser Doppler imaging, and MCG was applied to the test group of wounds. Seven days post wounding, macrophage recruitment to the wound was significantly higher in MCG‐treated ischemic wounds. In vitro, MCG up‐regulated expression of Mrc‐1 (a reparative M2 macrophage marker) and induced the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)‐10 and of fibroblast growth factor‐basic (β‐FGF). An increased expression of CCR2, an M2 macrophage marker, was noted in the macrophages from MCG treated wounds. Furthermore, analyses of wound tissues 7 days post wounding showed up‐regulation of transforming growth factor‐β, vascular endothelial growth factor, von Willebrand's factor, and collagen type I expression in MCG‐treated ischemic wounds. At 21 days post wounding, MCG‐treated ischemic wounds displayed higher abundance of proliferating endothelial cells that formed mature vascular structures and increased blood flow to the wound. Fibroblast count was markedly higher in MCG‐treated ischemic wound‐edge tissue. In addition, MCG‐treated wound‐edge tissues displayed higher abundance of mature collagen with increased collagen type I : III deposition. Taken together, MCG helped mount a more robust inflammatory response that resolved in a timely manner, followed by an enhanced proliferative phase, angiogenic outcome, and postwound tissue remodeling. Findings of the current study warrant clinical testing of MCG in a setting of ischemic chronic wounds.
Unexpected
In Vivo
Activity of Ceftazidime Alone and in Combination with Avibactam against New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in a Murine Thigh Infection Model
Authors: MacVane Shawn H. , Crandon Jared L. , Nichols Wright W. , Nicolau David P. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

The emergence of the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) among
Enterobacteriaceae
has become a global concern because of its high levels of
in vitro
resistance to nearly all available antibiotics. However, recent
in vivo
studies demonstrated the efficacies of carbapenems against NDM-1-producing isolates despite high MICs. Herein, we report
in vivo
findings with ceftazidime and ceftazidime-avibactam against an isogenic pair (wild type and NDM-1) and four clinical NDM-producing isolates that demonstrate discordance between MICs measured
in vitro
and the
in vivo
activity of ceftazidime-avibactam against this resistant genotype.
Giardial Triosephosphate Isomerase as Possible Target of the Cytotoxic Effect of Omeprazole in Giardia lamblia
Authors: Reyes-Vivas Horacio , de la Mora-de la Mora Ignacio , Castillo-Villanueva Adriana , Yépez-Mulia Lilian , Hernández-Alcántara Gloria , Figueroa-Salazar Rosalia , García-Torres Itzhel , Gómez-Manzo Saúl , Méndez Sara T. , Vanoye-Carlo América , Marcial-Quino Jaime , Torres-Arroyo Angélica , Oria-Hernández Jesús , Gutiérrez-Castrellón Pedro , Enríquez-Flores Sergio , López-Velázquez Gabriel 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Giardiasis is highly prevalent in the developing world, and treatment failures with the standard drugs are common. This work deals with the proposal of omeprazole as a novel antigiardial drug, focusing on a giardial glycolytic enzyme used to follow the cytotoxic effect at the molecular level. We used recombinant technology and enzyme inactivation to demonstrate the capacity of omeprazole to inactivate giardial triosephosphate isomerase, with no adverse effects on its human counterpart. To establish the specific target in the enzyme, we used single mutants of every cysteine residue in triosephosphate isomerase. The effect on cellular triosephosphate isomerase was evaluated by following the remnant enzyme activity on trophozoites treated with omeprazole. The interaction of omeprazole with giardial proteins was analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy. The susceptibility to omeprazole of drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of
Giardia lamblia
was evaluated to demonstrate its potential as a novel antigiardial drug. Our results demonstrate that omeprazole inhibits giardial triosephosphate isomerase in a species-specific manner through interaction with cysteine at position 222. Omeprazole enters the cytoplasmic compartment of the trophozoites and inhibits cellular triosephosphate isomerase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Such inhibition takes place concomitantly with the cytotoxic effect caused by omeprazole on trophozoites.
G. lamblia
triosephosphate isomerase (GlTIM) is a cytoplasmic protein which can help analyses of how omeprazole works against the proteins of this parasite and in the effort to understand its mechanism of cytotoxicity. Our results demonstrate the mechanism of giardial triosephosphate isomerase inhibition by omeprazole and show that this drug is effective
in vitro
against drug-resistant and drug-susceptible strains of
G. lamblia
.
Variability in Telavancin Cross-Reactivity among Vancomycin Immunoassays
Authors: McConeghy Kevin W. , Liao Siyun , Clark Douglas , Worboys Philip , Barriere Steven L. , Rodvold Keith A. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Telavancin is a semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide with a dual mechanism of action against Gram-positive pathogens. Two brief reports have suggested potential cross-reactivity of telavancin with the vancomycin particle-enhanced turbidometric immunoassay (PETIA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate several commercially available vancomycin immunoassays (fluorescence polarization [FPIA], enzyme-multiplied immunoassays [EMIT], PETIA, and chemiluminescent immunoassay [CMIA]) for cross-reactivity with telavancin. Seven sites were selected to analyze serum samples for vancomycin. Each site received a set of samples (
n
= 18) which combined drug-free serum with telavancin, 7-OH telavancin metabolite, or vancomycin. Immunoassays demonstrating potential cross-reactivity were further evaluated by sending a duplicate sample set to multiple laboratories. Cross-reactivity was defined as the percent theoretical concentration (reported concentration/theoretical concentration × 100). No cross-reactivity was seen with FPIA or EMIT. Within the theoretical concentration range of 5 to 120 μg/ml of telavancin, the Synchron PETIA system reported vancomycin concentrations ranging from 4.7 to 54.2 μg/ml compared to vancomycin concentrations from 1.1 to 5.6 μg/ml for the Vista PETIA system. The Architect CMIA system reported vancomycin concentrations in the range of 0.27 to 0.97 μg/ml, whereas Advia Centaur XP CMIA reported vancomycin concentrations between 1.6 and 31.6 μg/ml. The Architect CMIA immunoassay had the lowest percent cross-reactivity (0.8 to 5.4%), while the Synchron PETIA immunoassay demonstrated the highest percent cross-reactivity (45.2 to 53.8%). Telavancin samples measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy were within 93.9 to 122% of theoretical concentrations. Vancomycin concentrations were not measured in any 7-OH telavancin-spiked sample. Vancomycin concentrations measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy were within 57.2 to 113% of theoretical concentrations. PETIA and CMIA measured vancomycin concentrations in telavancin-spiked samples. Significant variability in percent cross-reactivity was observed for each platform regardless of immunoassay method.
Ganciclovir Inhibits Human Adenovirus Replication and Pathogenicity in Permissive Immunosuppressed Syrian Hamsters
Authors: Ying Baoling , Tollefson Ann E. , Spencer Jacqueline F. , Balakrishnan Lata , Dewhurst Stephen , Capella Cristina , Buller R. Mark L. , Toth Karoly , Wold William S. M. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Adenovirus infections of immunocompromised patients can develop into deadly multiorgan or systemic disease. The virus is especially threatening for pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients; according to some studies, 10% or more of these patients succumb to disease resulting from adenovirus infection. At present, there is no drug approved for the treatment or prevention of adenovirus infections. Compounds that are approved to treat other virus infections are used off-label to combat adenovirus, but only anecdotal evidence of the efficacy of these drugs exists. Ganciclovir, a drug approved for the treatment of herpesvirus infection, was previously reported to be effective against human adenoviruses
in vitro
. To model adenovirus infections in immunocompromised humans, we examined ganciclovir's efficacy in immunosuppressed Syrian hamsters intravenously infected with type 5 human adenovirus (Ad5). This animal model is permissive for Ad5 replication, and the animals develop symptoms similar to those seen in humans. We demonstrate that ganciclovir suppresses Ad5 replication in the liver of infected hamsters and that it mitigates the consequences of Ad5 infections in these animals when administered prophylactically or therapeutically. We show that ganciclovir inhibits Ad5 DNA synthesis and late gene expression. The mechanism of action for the drug is not clear; preliminary data suggest that it exerts its antiadenoviral effect by directly inhibiting the adenoviral DNA polymerase. While more extensive studies are required, we believe that ganciclovir is a promising drug candidate to treat adenovirus infections. Brincidofovir, a drug with proven activity against Ad5, was used as a positive control in the prophylactic experiment.
Disease-Associated Neisseria meningitidis Isolates Inhibit Wound Repair in Respiratory Epithelial Cells in a Type IV Pilus-Independent Manner
Authors: Ren Xiaoyun , MacKichan Joanna K. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Neisseria meningitidis
is the causative agent of meningococcal disease. Onset of meningococcal disease can be extremely rapid and can kill within a matter of hours. However, although a much-feared pathogen,
Neisseria meningitidis
is frequently found in the nasopharyngeal mucosae of healthy carriers. The bacterial factors that distinguish disease- from carriage-associated meningococci are incompletely understood. Evidence suggesting that disruptions to the nasopharynx may increase the risk of acquiring meningococcal disease led us to evaluate the ability of disease- and carriage-associated meningococcal isolates to inhibit cell migration, using an
in vitro
assay for wound repair. We found that disease-associated isolates in our collection inhibited wound closure, while carriage-associated isolates were more variable, with many isolates not inhibiting wound repair at all. For isolates selected for further study, we found that actin morphology, such as presence of lamellipodia, correlated with cell migration. We demonstrated that multiple meningococcal virulence factors, including the type IV pili, are dispensable for inhibition of wound repair. Inhibition of wound repair was also shown to be an active process, i.e., requiring live bacteria undergoing active protein synthesis.