bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence of a role for GTP cyclohydrolase‐1 in visceral pain
Authors: Bulmer D. C. , Botha C. A. , Wheeldon A. , Grey K. , Mein C. A. , Lee K. , Knowles C. H. , Winchester W. J. , Aziz Q. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe enzyme guanosine triphosphate‐cyclohydrolase‐1 (GCH‐1) is a rate limiting step in the de novo synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) a co‐factor in monoamine synthesis and nitric oxide production. GCH‐1 is strongly implicated in chronic pain based on data generated using the selective GCH‐1 inhibitor 2,4‐diamino‐6‐hydroxypyrimidine (DAHP), and studies which have identified a pain protective GCH‐1 haplotype associated with lower BH4 production and reduced pain.MethodsTo investigate the role for GCH‐1 in visceral pain we examined the effects of DAHP on pain behaviors elicited by colorectal injection of mustard oil in rats, and the pain protective GCH‐1 haplotype in healthy volunteers characterized by esophageal pain sensitivity before and after acid injury, and assessed using depression and anxiety questionnaires.Key ResultsIn rodents pretreatment with DAHP produced a substantial dose related inhibition of pain behaviors from 10 to 180 mg/kg i.p. (p < 0.01 to 0.001). In healthy volunteers, no association was seen between the pain protective GCH‐1 haplotype and the development of hypersensitivity following injury. However, a substantial increase in baseline pain thresholds was seen between first and second visits (26.6 ± 6.2 mA) in subjects who sensitized to esophageal injury and possessed the pain protective GCH‐1 haplotype compared with all other groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore the same subjects who sensitized to acid and possessed the haplotype, also had significantly lower depression scores (p < 0.05).Conclusions & InferencesThe data generated indicate that GCH‐1 plays a role in visceral pain processing that requires more detailed investigation.
Isotope‐ratio infrared spectroscopy: a reliable tool for the investigation of plant‐water sources?
Authors: Martín‐Gómez Paula , Barbeta Adrià , Voltas Jordi , Peñuelas Josep , Dennis Kate , Palacio Sara , Dawson Todd E. , Ferrio Juan Pedro 
Published: March 2015

Summary

Stable isotopes are extensively used as tracers for the study of plant‐water sources. Isotope‐ratio infrared spectroscopy (IRIS) offers a cheaper alternative to isotope‐ratio mass spectroscopy (IRMS), but its use in studying plant and soil water is limited by the spectral interference caused by organic contaminants. Here, we examine two approaches to cope with contaminated samples in IRIS: on‐line oxidation of organic compounds (MCM) and post‐processing correction.

We assessed these methods compared to IRMS across 136 samples of xylem and soil water, and a set of ethanol– and methanol–water mixtures.

A post‐processing correction significantly improved IRIS accuracy in both natural samples and alcohol dilutions, being effective with concentrations up to 8% of ethanol and 0.4% of methanol. MCM outperformed the post‐processing correction in removing methanol interference, but did not effectively remove interference for high concentrations of ethanol.

By using both approaches, IRIS can overcome with reasonable accuracy the analytical uncertainties associated with most organic contaminants found in soil and xylem water. We recommend the post‐processing correction as the first choice for analysis of samples of unknown contamination. Nevertheless, MCM can be more effective for evaluating samples containing contaminants responsible for strong spectral interferences at low concentrations, such as methanol.
The significance of allergic contact urticaria to milk in children with cow's milk allergy
Authors: Schichter‐Konfino Vered , Almog Meital , Bamberger Ellen , Berkowitz Drora , Kessel Aharon 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundCow's milk allergy (CMA) is the most common food allergy in infancy. Food allergy is generally triggered through ingestion, but can also be triggered through skin contact. We investigated the incidence and the clinical significance of cow's milk protein (CMP)‐induced contact urticaria in individuals with CMA with and without atopic dermatitis (AD).MethodsA total of 157 children of whom 133 were diagnosed with CMA were participated. The study was based on observational data gathered in the course of patient care, including a skin prick test and a ‘finger test’, in which cow's milk is applied on the cheek by a physician's finger to detect contact urticaria.ResultsEighty nine of 133 patients (66.9%) had IgE‐mediated CMA. Forty of these 89 (44.9%) tested positive in the finger test. Family atopy was higher in those with positive contact urticaria [21/40 (52.5%) vs. 14/49 (28.5%), p = 0.029]. Patients with positive vs. negative CMP contact urticaria had higher incidence of multiple food allergies [20 of 40 (50%) vs. 7/49 (14.3%), p < 0.004]. IgE‐mediated CMA patients with AD had statistically higher CMP allergic contact urticaria compared to patients without AD [71% (15/21) vs. 37% (25/68), p = 0.0064]. Children with non‐IgE milk allergy and healthy control group did not have contact urticaria to CMP.ConclusionCMP contact urticaria exists only in patients with IgE‐mediated CMA. A ‘finger test’ to CMP should be part of the evaluation of CMA patients, and positivity suggests the potential for multiple food allergies, especially to sesame and egg.
Functional neuroanatomy on the working memory under emotional distraction in patients with generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Moon Chung‐Man , Jeong Gwang‐Woo 
Published: March 2015

AimsPatients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) suffer the symptoms of psychological distress, including excessive and uncontrollable anxiety. Until now, the functional neuroanatomy for working memory (WM) in conjunction with the major anxiety symptoms in GAD patients has not yet been clearly identified. This study investigated the neural activation patterns associated with the effect of neutral and anxiety‐inducing distractors during the delayed‐response WM task in GAD patients.MethodsEighteen patients with GAD and 18 age‐matched healthy controls participated in this study. The functional magnetic resonance images were obtained while the subjects performed a delayed‐response WM task with neutral and anxiety‐inducing distractors.ResultsDuring the neutral distractor, GAD patients compared to controls showed significantly lower activities in the fusiform gyrus, superior parietal gyrus, precuneus, superior occipital gyrus, lingual gyrus, cuneus, calcarine gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus and cerebellar cortex. During the anxiety‐inducing distractor, GAD patients showed significantly higher activity in the hippocampus, whereas they showed lower activities in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, fusiform gyrus, superior parietal gyrus, precuneus, superior occipital gyrus and cerebellar cortex. The blood‐oxygen‐level dependent signal changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in GAD patients during the anxiety‐inducing distractor were negatively correlated with Anxiety Sensitivity Index‐Revised scores.ConclusionsThis study identified the specific brain areas associated with the interaction between emotional regulation and cognitive function associated with neutral and anxiety‐inducing distractors during WM maintenance in GAD patients. These findings will be helpful for understanding the neural mechanism on the WM‐related cognitive deficits and emotional dysfunction with typical anxiety symptoms in GAD.
Agminated Flexural Melanocytic Nevi: A Late Sequela of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis?
Authors: Feldstein Stephanie , Funk Tracy , Smith John C. , Bruckner Anna L. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAgminated flexural melanocytic nevi in children with a history of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) are rare and thought to be coincidental or related to systemic chemotherapy. We report on an 11‐year‐old boy in remission from LCH, treated with only topical steroids, who presented years later with an eruption of melanocytic nevi in the bilateral inguinal and axillary regions. Rather than coincidence, we hypothesize that agminated flexural melanocytic nevi are a late sequela of LCH, possibly resulting from immune tolerance or a reaction to local inflammation.
Enlargement of Eccrine Angiomatous Hamartoma Following Trauma
Authors: Hawryluk Elena B. , Schmidt Birgitta , Maguiness Sheilagh 
Published: March 2015

AbstractEccrine angiomatous hamartoma (EAH) is a rare, benign hamartoma of eccrine and vascular components that predominantly affects children. Growth is typically commensurate with the child's growth. Herein we report an additional case of this rare entity that enlarged after trauma in a 7‐year‐old girl.
Comparative pathogenicity of sexual and asexual spores of Zymoseptoria tritici (septoria tritici blotch) on wheat leaves
Authors: Morais D. , Laval V. , Sache I. , Suffert F. 
Published: March 2015

Zymoseptoria tritici ascospores and pycnidiospores are considered the main forms of primary and secondary inoculum, respectively, in septoria tritici blotch epidemics. The pathogenicity of the two types of spores of the same genotypic origin were compared through a two‐stage inoculation procedure in controlled conditions. Adult wheat leaves were inoculated with ascospores collected from field sources, yielding 119 lesions; pycnidiospores collected from 12 lesions resulting from these ascospore infections were then used for inoculation. Lesion development was assessed for 5 weeks; latent period, lesion size, and pycnidium density were estimated for different isolates. The latent period was calculated as the maximum likely time elapsed between inoculation and either the appearance of the majority of the sporulating lesions (leaf scale) or the appearance of the first pycnidia (lesion scale). The latent period was significantly longer (c. 60 degree‐days, i.e. 3–4 days) after infection with ascospores than with pycnidiospores. No difference was established for lesion size and density of pycnidia. A comparison with other ascomycete fungi suggested that the difference in latent period might be related to the volume of spores and their ability to cause infection. Fungal growth before the appearance of lesions may be slower after inoculation with an ascospore than with a pycnidiospore. The mean latent period during the very beginning of epidemics, when first lesions are mainly caused by ascospores, may be longer than during spring, when secondary infections are caused by pycnidiospores. Disease models would be improved if these differences were considered.
The prevalence and patient characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in non‐smokers in Vietnam and Indonesia: An observational survey
Authors: Nguyen Viet Nhung , Yunus Faisal , Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh , Dao Bich Van , Damayanti Triya , Wiyono Wiwien Heru , Billot Laurent , Jakes Rupert W. , Kwon Namhee 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveAn estimated 25–40% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have never smoked. We investigated the prevalence and patient characteristics of COPD in non‐smokers from Vietnam and Indonesia.MethodsThis population‐based cross‐sectional survey of participants from urban and rural Vietnam and Indonesia used a stratified multistage cluster sampling design, with sample and population weights applied to ensure representativeness. Participants were female or male (recruited in the ratio 2:1) non‐smokers, 40 years or older and able to perform a spirometry test. Spirometry was performed at a single study visit. Other clinical information was collected via standardized questionnaires.ResultsThe 1506 evaluable participants were approximately equally distributed between Vietnam and Indonesia, and rural and urban areas. Overall prevalence of COPD was found to be 6.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.7–8.3), with almost three times higher prevalence in men than women (12.9% (95% CI: 9.1–18.0) vs 4.4% (95% CI: 3.0–6.5)). We found higher rates of COPD in Vietnam than Indonesia (8.1% (95% CI: 5.8–11.3) vs 6.3% (95% CI: 4.8–8.3)), with a particularly high prevalence in urban Vietnam (11.1% (95% CI: 8.1–15.1)). Very few participants (6%) diagnosed to have COPD during the study had been previously diagnosed with COPD. Respiratory symptoms and lower health‐related quality of life were more common in participants with COPD.ConclusionsThe prevalence of COPD in non‐smoking individuals from rural and urban Vietnam and Indonesia was 6.9%, of which a significant proportion (94%) were previously undiagnosed.
Private Self‐consciousness and Gender Moderate How Adolescents' Values Relate to Aggression
Authors: Benish‐Weisman Maya , McDonald Kristina L. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe relationship between values and aggression and the moderating roles of gender and private self‐ consciousness (PSC) on these relations were examined. Participants were 642 Arabic and Jewish adolescents in Israel (M age = 13.79, SD = .51; 53.9 percent females). Values and PSC were measured by self‐reports and aggression was measured by peer nominations. Aggression was positively correlated with self‐enhancement and openness to change values, and negatively correlated with self‐transcendence and conservation values. The results also suggested that PSC and gender play an important role in moderating these relations. The study's contributions to value theory and its practical implications are discussed.
Immunological failure of first‐line and switch to second‐line antiretroviral therapy among HIV‐infected persons in Tanzania: analysis of routinely collected national data
Authors: Vanobberghen Fiona M. , Kilama Bonita , Wringe Alison , Ramadhani Angela , Zaba Basia , Mmbando Donan , Todd Jim 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectivesRates of first‐line treatment failure and switches to second‐line therapy are key indicators for national HIV programmes. We assessed immunological treatment failure defined by WHO criteria in the Tanzanian national HIV programme.MethodsWe included adults initiating first‐line therapy in 2004–2011 with a pre‐treatment CD4 count, and ≥6‐months of follow‐up. We assessed subhazard ratios (SHR) for immunological treatment failure, and subsequent switch to second‐line therapy, using competing risks methods to account for deaths.ResultsOf 121 308 adults, 7% experienced immunological treatment failure, and 2% died without observed immunological treatment failure, over a median 1.7 years. The 6‐year cumulative probability of immunological treatment failure was 19.0% (95% CI 18.5, 19.7) and of death, 5.1% (4.8, 5.4). Immunological treatment failure predictors included earlier year of treatment initiation (P < 0.001), initiation in lower level facilities (SHR = 2.23 [2.03, 2.45] for dispensaries vs. hospitals), being male (1.27 [1.19, 1.33]) and initiation at low or high CD4 counts (for example, 1.78 [1.65, 1.92] and 5.33 [4.65, 6.10] for <50 and ≥500 vs. 200–349 cells/mm3, respectively). Of 7382 participants in the time‐to‐switch analysis, 6% switched and 5% died before switching. Four years after immunological treatment failure, the cumulative probability of switching was 7.3% (6.6, 8.0) and of death, 6.8% (6.0, 7.6). Those who immunologically failed in dispensaries, health centres and government facilities were least likely to switch.ConclusionsImmunological treatment failure rates and unmet need for second‐line therapy are high in Tanzania; virological monitoring, at least for persons with immunological treatment failure, is required to minimise unnecessary switches to second‐line therapy. Lower level government health facilities need more support to reduce treatment failure rates and improve second‐line therapy uptake to sustain the benefits of increased coverage.
The use of atlas registration and graph cuts for prostate segmentation in magnetic resonance images
Authors: Korsager Anne Sofie , Fortunati Valerio , van der Lijn Fedde , Carl Jesper , Niessen Wiro , Østergaard Lasse Riis , van Walsum Theo 
Published: March 2015

Purpose:An automatic method for 3D prostate segmentation in magnetic resonance (MR) images is presented for planning image‐guided radiotherapy treatment of prostate cancer.Methods:A spatial prior based on intersubject atlas registration is combined with organ‐specific intensity information in a graph cut segmentation framework. The segmentation is tested on 67 axial T2‐weighted MR images in a leave‐one‐out cross validation experiment and compared with both manual reference segmentations and with multiatlas‐based segmentations using majority voting atlas fusion. The impact of atlas selection is investigated in both the traditional atlas‐based segmentation and the new graph cut method that combines atlas and intensity information in order to improve the segmentation accuracy. Best results were achieved using the method that combines intensity information, shape information, and atlas selection in the graph cut framework.Results:A mean Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 0.88 and a mean surface distance (MSD) of 1.45 mm with respect to the manual delineation were achieved.Conclusions:This approaches the interobserver DSC of 0.90 and interobserver MSD 0f 1.15 mm and is comparable to other studies performing prostate segmentation in MR.
Time‐resolved dosimetry using a pinpoint ionization chamber as quality assurance for IMRT and VMAT a)
Authors: Louwe Robert J. W. , Wendling Markus , Monshouwer René , Satherley Thomas , Day Rebecca A. , Greig Lynne 
Published: March 2015

Purpose:To develop a method to verify the dose delivery in relation to the individual control points of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) using an ionization chamber. In addition to more effective problem solving during patient‐specific quality assurance (QA), the aim is to eventually map out the limitations in the treatment chain and enable a targeted improvement of the treatment technique in an efficient way.Methods:Pretreatment verification was carried out for 255 treatment plans that included a broad range of treatment indications in two departments using the equipment of different vendors. In‐house developed software was used to enable calculation of the dose delivery for the individual beamlets in the treatment planning system (TPS), for data acquisition, and for analysis of the data. The observed deviations were related to various delivery and measurement parameters such as gantry angle, field size, and the position of the detector with respect to the field edge to distinguish between error sources.Results:The average deviation of the integral fraction dose during pretreatment verification of the planning target volume dose was −2.1% ± 2.2% (1 SD), −1.7% ± 1.7% (1 SD), and 0.0% ± 1.3% (1 SD) for IMRT at the Radboud University Medical Center (RUMC), VMAT (RUMC), and VMAT at the Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre, respectively. Verification of the dose to organs at risk gave very similar results but was generally subject to a larger measurement uncertainty due to the position of the detector at a high dose gradient. The observed deviations could be related to limitations of the TPS beam models, attenuation of the treatment couch, as well as measurement errors. The apparent systematic error of about −2% in the average deviation of the integral fraction dose in the RUMC results could be explained by the limitations of the TPS beam model in the calculation of the beam penumbra.Conclusions:This study showed that time‐resolved dosimetry using an ionization chamber is feasible and can be largely automated which limits the required additional time compared to integrated dose measurements. It provides a unique QA method which enables identification and quantification of the contribution of various error sources during IMRT and VMAT delivery.
Noninvasive estimation of the pressure profile in the male urethra using ultrasound imaging
Authors: Idzenga Tim , Arif Muhammad , van Mastrigt Ron , de Korte Chris L. 
Published: March 2015

Purpose:Decreased prostatic compliance as a result of benign prostatic enlargement can result in bladder outlet obstruction. This changes the urethral pressure profile during voiding. In this study, the authors propose noninvasive estimation of this pressure profile. In four soft tissue mimicking models of the urethra with increasing degree of obstruction, the authors measured deformation of the wall during flow, using ultrasound imaging. Combined with estimates of the model compliance, the authors were able to estimate the pressure profile.Methods:First, the compliances (Young's moduli) of the four models were derived by applying static luminal pressure and measuring the resulting strain of the tissue using an ultrasound imaging system. Next, continuous flow was applied to the models and the strain in the urethral wall was measured similarly. The luminal pressure profile was estimated from the strain (measured under continuous flow conditions) and the derived compliance (measured under static pressure conditions). The estimated pressures up‐ and downstream of the obstruction were compared with the corresponding measured pressures. In the obstructed region, the strain gradient was estimated using linear regression.Results:The luminal pressure values estimated from the ultrasound data up‐ and downstream of the obstruction were not significantly different from the corresponding measured pressures. The general pressure profile showed a decrease along the length of the obstruction followed by a small increase after the obstruction. The strain gradient in the obstructed region reflected the decrease in urethral pressure and increased with flow rate and degree of obstruction.Conclusions:The results from this model study illustrate the feasibility of noninvasive estimation of the urethral pressure profile using ultrasound. This offers the prospect of a noninvasive, ultrasound based diagnostic tool for assessment of bladder outlet obstruction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.
Complete Nucleotide Sequence of a Conjugative Plasmid Carrying
bla
PER-1
Authors: Li Ruichao , Wong Marcus Ho Yin , Zhou Yuanjie , Chan Edward Wai-chi , Chen Sheng 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

The nucleotide sequence of a self-transmissible plasmid pVPH1 harboring
bla
PER-1
from
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
was determined. pVPH1 was 183,730 bp in size and shared a backbone similar to pAQU1 and pAQU2, differing mainly in an ∼40-kb multidrug resistance (MDR) region. A complex class 1 integron was identified together with IS
CR1
and
bla
PER-1
(IS
CR1
-
bla
PER-1
-
gst
-
abct
-
qacE
Δ
1
-
sul1
), which was shown to form a circular intermediate playing an important role in the dissemination of
bla
PER-1
.
Evolution and Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains with Reduced Susceptibility to Vancomycin and Daptomycin, Based on Determination of the Complete Genome
Authors: Yamaguchi Tetsuo , Suzuki Shingo , Okamura Sakiko , Miura Yuri , Tsukimori Ayaka , Nakamura Itaru , Ito Norihiko , Masuya Anri , Shiina Takashi , Matsumoto Tetsuya 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

We obtained a series of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates, including both daptomycin-susceptible strain TD1 and daptomycin-resistant strain TD4, from a patient. We determined the complete genome sequences of TD1 and TD4 using next-generation sequencing, and only four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, one each in
capB
(E58K),
rpoB
(H481Y),
lytN
(I16V), and
mprF
(V351E). We determined that these four SNPs were sufficient to cause the strains to develop daptomycin, vancomycin, and rifampin resistance.