bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dehydration and drinking behavior in true sea snakes (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae: Hydrophiini)
Authors: Lillywhite H. B. , Heatwole H. , Sheehy C. M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWater is an essential resource affecting behavior and the acquisition of energy, especially in environments where water is spatially or temporally restricted or unavailable. Recent investigations have shown that several species of marine snakes dehydrate at sea and are dependent on environmental sources of fresh water to maintain water balance. However, in this context, little is known concerning the majority of ‘true’ sea snakes (Hydrophiini). We investigated the dehydration and drinking responses of five species of hydrophiin sea snakes collected during the dry season in northern Australia. None of these snakes drank sea water, even when dehydrated. Dehydrated individuals of Hydrophis curtus, H. elegans and H. zweifeli drank fresh water, and the mean threshold levels of dehydration that first elicited drinking were deficits of −26, −29 and −27% of body mass, respectively. Individuals of Aipysurus mosaicus and H. peronii did not drink fresh water when similarly dehydrated. Few snakes that we collected following >4 months of drought drank fresh water immediately after capture. Hydrophiin species appear to have a high resistance to dehydration, which they evidently tolerate in marine habitats for extended periods during drought. Thirst in these species is significantly less sensitive than in other species, suggesting that marine snakes have variable requirements for drinking fresh water. These data illustrate that sea snakes are characterized by diverse responses to dehydration and likely have different osmoregulatory strategies for survival, with implications for better understanding the evolutionary success of secondarily marine vertebrates and their potential responses to future changes in tropical precipitation.
Spatial soil heterogeneity has a greater effect on symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities and plant growth than genetic modification with Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes
Authors: Cheeke Tanya E. , Schütte Ursel M. , Hemmerich Chris M. , Cruzan Mitchell B. , Rosenstiel Todd N. , Bever James D. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMaize, genetically modified with the insect toxin genes of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), is widely cultivated, yet its impacts on soil organisms are poorly understood. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic associations with plant roots and may be uniquely sensitive to genetic changes within a plant host. In this field study, the effects of nine different lines of Bt maize and their corresponding non‐Bt parental isolines were evaluated on AMF colonization and community diversity in plant roots. Plants were harvested 60 days after sowing, and data were collected on plant growth and per cent AMF colonization of roots. AMF community composition in roots was assessed using 454 pyrosequencing of the 28S rRNA genes, and spatial variation in mycorrhizal communities within replicated experimental field plots was examined. Growth responses, per cent AMF colonization of roots and AMF community diversity in roots did not differ between Bt and non‐Bt maize, but root and shoot biomass and per cent colonization by arbuscules varied by maize cultivar. Plot identity had the most significant effect on plant growth, AMF colonization and AMF community composition in roots, indicating spatial heterogeneity in the field. Mycorrhizal fungal communities in maize roots were autocorrelated within approximately 1 m, but at greater distances, AMF community composition of roots differed between plants. Our findings indicate that spatial variation and heterogeneity in the field has a greater effect on the structure of AMF communities than host plant cultivar or modification by Bt toxin genes.
A critical care network pressure ulcer prevention quality improvement project
Authors: McBride Joanna , Richardson Annette 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTBackgroundPressure ulcer prevention is an important safety issue, often underrated and an extremely painful event harming patients. Critically ill patients are one of the highest risk groups in hospital. The impact of pressure ulcers are wide ranging, and they can result in increased critical care and the hospital length of stay, significant interference with functional recovery and rehabilitation and increase cost.AimsThis quality improvement project had four aims: (1) to establish a critical care network pressure ulcer prevention group; (2) to establish baseline pressure ulcer prevention practices; (3) to measure, compare and monitor pressure ulcers prevalence; (4) to develop network pressure ulcer prevention standards.MethodsThe approach used to improve quality included strong critical care nursing leadership to develop a cross‐organisational pressure ulcer prevention group and a benchmarking exercise of current practices across a well‐established critical care Network in the North of England. The National Safety Thermometer tool was used to measure pressure ulcer prevalence in 23 critical care units, and best available evidence, local consensus and another Critical Care Networks' bundle of interventions were used to develop a local pressure ulcer prevention standards document.ResultsThe aims of the quality improvement project were achieved. This project was driven by successful leadership and had an agreed common goal. The National Safety Thermometer tool was an innovative approach to measure and compare pressure ulcer prevalence rates at a regional level. A limitation was the exclusion of moisture lesions.ConclusionThe project showed excellent engagement and collaborate working in the quest to prevent pressure ulcers from many critical care nurses with the North of England Critical Care Network.Relevance to clinical practiceA concise set of Network standards was developed for use in conjunction with local guidelines to enhance pressure ulcer prevention.
Rare sialoliths of the minor salivary glands: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Tanna N. , Koshal S. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSialolithiasis is a common disease of the salivary glands. However, sialolith formation in the minor salivary glands is considered very rare. Clinical features can be unusual, and this can cause difficulties with diagnosis. In this case series, we report three rare cases of sialoliths found in the minor salivary glands; two cases presenting in the lower lip and one in the substance of the tongue. In all three cases, the diagnosis was not immediately clear. The literature suggests that sialoliths in the minor salivary glands may occur more frequently than previously thought, and they should therefore be included in the clinical differential diagnoses of submucosal swellings in the oral cavity.
Time trends in the incidence, prevalence and age at diagnosis of asthma in children
Authors: Engelkes Marjolein , Janssens Hettie M. , de Ridder Maria A. J. , de Jongste Johan C. , Sturkenboom Miriam C. J. M. , Verhamme Katia M. C. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundCurrent knowledge on the prevalence of asthma is mainly based on cross‐sectional questionnaire data. Current population‐based data on the incidence of asthma in children are scarce.ObjectiveTo study the incidence, prevalence, and age at diagnosis of asthma in children in the Netherlands over the study period 2000–2012.MethodsA population‐based cohort study was conducted in the Integrated Primary Care Information database. The cohort consisted of 176,516 children (379,536 personyears (PY) of follow‐up), aged 5–18 years between 2000 and 2012. All medical records of children with physician diagnosed asthma were validated. Incidence rates, annual percent change (APC), and prevalence for asthma were calculated. Influence of age and gender on incidence rates and change in age at diagnosis were studied.ResultsWe identified an asthma cohort of 14,303 children with 35,118PY. The overall incidence rate was 6.7/1000PY(95%CI, 6.45–6.97). Until 2008, the incidence rate was significantly increasing (APC5.79 (95%CI1.43–10.34); from 2008 onwards, a non‐significant decrease was observed (APC−12.16 (95%CI−23.07 to 0.28). Incidence for girls was lower than for boys, this difference decreased with increasing age. (p < 0.001) Overall, the age at diagnosis increased over calendar time and was lower for boys. (linear trend p < 0.001).ConclusionOur population‐based cohort study observed an incidence rate of 6.7 per 1000PYof physician‐diagnosed asthma in children in the Netherlands over 2000–2012. The asthma incidence rate was increasing until 2008. Further studies are needed to confirm the decrease in asthma incidence rate from 2008 onwards.
Contributions of photosynthetic and non‐photosynthetic cell types to leaf respiration in Vicia faba L. and their responses to growth temperature
Authors: Long Benedict M. , Bahar Nur H. A. , Atkin Owen K. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn intact leaves, mitochondrial populations are highly heterogeneous among contrasting cell types; how such contrasting populations respond to sustained changes in the environment remains, however, unclear. Here, we examined respiratory rates, mitochondrial protein composition and response to growth temperature in photosynthetic (mesophyll) and non‐photosynthetic (epidermal) cells from fully expanded leaves of warm‐developed (WD) and cold‐developed (CD) broad bean (Vicia faba L.). Rates of respiration were significantly higher in mesophyll cell protoplasts (MCPs) than epidermal cell protoplasts (ECPs), with both protoplast types exhibiting capacity for cytochrome and alternative oxidase activity. Compared with ECPs, MCPs contained greater relative quantities of porin, suggesting higher mitochondrial surface area in mesophyll cells. Nevertheless, the relative quantities of respiratory proteins (normalized to porin) were similar in MCPs and ECPs, suggesting that ECPs have lower numbers of mitochondria yet similar protein complement to MCP mitochondria (albeit with lower abundance serine hydroxymethyltransferase). Several mitochondrial proteins (both non‐photorespiratory and photorespiratory) exhibited an increased abundance in response to cold in both protoplast types. Based on estimates of individual protoplast respiration rates, combined with leaf cell abundance data, epidermal cells make a small but significant (2%) contribution to overall leaf respiration which increases twofold in the cold. Taken together, our data highlight the heterogeneous nature of mitochondrial populations in leaves, both among contrasting cell types and in how those populations respond to growth temperature.
Urinary screening and urinary abnormalities in 3‐year‐old children in Japan
Authors: Yanagihara Takeshi , Hamada Riku , Ishikura Kenji , Uemura Osamu , Matsuyama Takeshi , Takahashi Shori , Honda Masataka 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn Japan, urinary screening for preschool children has been obligatory since 1961. The system was reconsidered and has been under review since 2012, because many problems in the system had been identified, and its usefulness was uncertain. In the process, the following were analyzed: (i) frequency of urinary abnormalities identified on screening; (ii) diseases identified from urinary abnormalities; (iii) clinical course of children found to have urinary abnormalities; and (iv) screening for asymptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) as a way of screening for congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. A computerized literature search was conducted, and study reports issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare study group, and data of Akita City and Chiba City were reviewed. The prevalence of abnormal results at the first urinalysis was high, but at the second urinalysis the prevalence decreased in the range 1/6–1/20. The prevalence of tentative diagnosis at the third urinalysis was similar to the school urinary screening results. Serious illness was not found in children who had hematuria alone. In contrast, diseases requiring immediate attention were found in children with proteinuria, although the prevalence of proteinuria was not high. The dipstick method for leukocyturia was inefficient. The importance of two consecutive urinalyses before detailed examination, the lack of usefulness of screening for hematuria in 3‐year‐old children, and the importance of proteinuria were confirmed. Screening for asymptomatic UTI using urinary leukocytes was very inefficient.
Early pulmonary inflammation and lung damage in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Schultz André , Stick Stephen 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIndividuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) suffer progressive airway inflammation, infection and lung damage. Airway inflammation and infection are present from early in life, often before children are symptomatic. CF gene mutations cause changes in the CF transmembrane regulator protein that result in an aberrant airway microenvironment including airway surface liquid (ASL) dehydration, reduced ASL acidity, altered airway mucin and a dysregulated inflammatory response. This review discusses how an altered microenvironment drives CF lung disease before overt airway infection, the response of the CF airway to early infection, and methods to prevent inflammation and early lung disease.
Emphysema and airway disease affect within‐breath changes in respiratory resistance in COPD patients
Authors: Hasegawa Koichi , Sato Susumu , Tanimura Kazuya , Fuseya Yoshinori , Uemasu Kiyoshi , Sato Atsuyasu , Hirai Toyohiro , Mishima Michiaki , Muro Shigeo 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a mixture of emphysema and airway disease. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) has been applied to COPD patients to clarify changes in respiratory mechanics; dynamic changes in respiratory resistance (Rrs) during breathing (within‐breath changes in Rrs, ΔRrs) are characteristic of COPD. However, the pathophysiological significance of these changes is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess how emphysema and airway disease influence ΔRrs in COPD patients.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, stable COPD patients were recruited and underwent respiratory impedance measurements with a commercially available FOT device. Rrs was recorded during tidal breathing and then analyzed as whole‐breath Rrs (Rrs at 5 Hz, R5; Rrs at 20 Hz, R20; and their difference, R5−R20) or as ΔRrs, the difference between the expiratory and inspiratory Rrs (ΔR5, ΔR20 and ΔR5–R20). The percentage of the low attenuation area (LAA%) and airway wall area (WA%) was quantified by computed tomography analysis, and their contributions to ΔRrs were examined.ResultsSeventy‐five COPD patients were recruited. LAA% was negatively correlated with ΔR5 and ΔR5−R20 (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0033, respectively); meanwhile, WA% in B10 was positively correlated with ΔR5 and ΔR5−R20 (P = 0.0057 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the contribution of both LAA% and WA% in B10 to ΔRrs was independent of the severity of airflow limitations.ConclusionThis study shows that emphysema suppresses ΔRrs in COPD patients, while airway disease increases ΔRrs in these patients.
Possible role of anaerobes in the pathogenesis of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection
Authors: Yamasaki Kei , Mukae Hiroshi , Kawanami Toshinori , Fukuda Kazumasa , Noguchi Shingo , Akata Kentarou , Naito Keisuke , Oda Keishi , Ogoshi Takaaki , Nishida Chinatsu , Orihashi Takeshi , Kawanami Yukiko , Ishimoto Hiroshi , Taniguchi Hatsumi , Yatera Kazuhiro 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveRecent advances in cultivation‐independent molecular biological modalities for detecting bacterial species have indicated that several bacterial species may play a role in the pathogenesis of certain infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bacterial flora in the pathogenesis of nontuberculous mycobacteriosis (NTM) using a bacterial floral analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) with 16S rRNA gene sequencing in patients with bronchiectasis.MethodsFifty‐eight patients with bronchiectasis evaluated using chest computed tomography were enrolled. BALF obtained from the most affected lung lesions was evaluated using culture and culture‐independent methodologies. Approximately 600 bp of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene (E341F‐E907R) was amplified via polymerase chain reaction using universal primers, and clone libraries were constructed. Nucleotide sequences of 96 randomly chosen clones for each specimen were determined, and the homology was searched using a basic local alignment search tool to determine the bacterial phylotypes and their proportions (bacterial floral analysis) in each specimen.ResultsTwenty‐nine patients with bronchiectasis were diagnosed with NTM based on culture‐based methods using Ogawa medium. The molecular method showed a significantly high rate of anaerobes among the patients with NTM compared with that observed in the bronchiectasis patients without NTM. In addition, findings of collapse/consolidation were significantly related to the proportion of Prevotella species in the BALF samples determined using the molecular method (P < 0.001).ConclusionGiven the results of the present study, anaerobes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis in patients with NTM.
Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection Differentially Modulates Human Dendritic Cell Line (MUTZ) Differentiation and Activation
Authors: Armitage C. W. , O'Meara C. P. , Beagley K. W. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractChlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae are important human pathogens that infect the urogenital/anorectal and respiratory tracts, respectively. Whilst the ability of these bacteria to infect epithelia is well defined, there is also considerable evidence of infection of leucocytes, including dendritic cells (DCs). Using a human dendritic cell line (MUTZ), we demonstrate that the infection and replication of chlamydiae inside DCs is species and serovar specific and that live infection with C. pneumoniae is required to upregulate costimulatory markers CD80, CD83 and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR on MUTZ cells, as well as induce secretion of interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐12 (p70), interferon‐gamma and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha Conversely, C. trachomatis serovar D failed to upregulate DC costimulatory markers, but did induce secretion of high concentrations of IL‐8. Interestingly, we also observed that infection of MUTZ cells with C. pneumoniae or C. trachomatis serovar L2, whilst not replicative, remained infectious and upregulated lymph node migratory marker CCR7 mRNA. Taken together, these data confirm the findings of other groups using primary DCs and demonstrate the utility of MUTZ cells for further studies of chlamydial infection.
Efficacy of Cell Wall‐Deficient Spheroplasts Against Experimental Murine Listeriosis
Authors: Ansari M. A. , Zia Q. , Kazmi S. , Ahmad E. , Azhar A. , Johnson K. E. , Zubair S. , Owais M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractVarious strategies adapted to develop an efficient vaccine against foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes, have met with little success. Spheroplasts (bacterial cell devoid of cell wall) are likely to undergo membrane–membrane fusion, leading to the delivery of their content to the cytosol of antigen‐presenting cells, thus facilitating MHC class I antigen processing and presentation. In this study, we evaluated the prophylactic potential of Listeria spheroplast‐based vaccine against experimental murine listeriosis in comparison with heat‐killed Listeria (HKL) and archaeosome‐entrapped Listeria whole‐cell protein (LWCP). Compared with HKL, the spheroplast‐based vaccine was found to evoke better Th1 response as exhibited by the presence of type 1 cytokines in the host (interferon‐γ and IL‐12) and a high IgG2a/IgG1 ratio. Robust lympho‐proliferative efficacy was apparent in both spheroplast‐immunized and archaeosome‐entrapped LWCP‐immunized groups. The upregulation of costimulatory and effector memory markers upon immunization with spheroplasts was found to be at par with that evoked by archaeosome‐entrapped LWCP‐immunized group. Central memory response in gated CD8+ T cell was much higher in spheroplast‐immunized animals when compared with archaeosome‐entrapped LWCP group. The data presented here clearly demonstrate that spheroplasts evoked a robust immune response and offer better prophylactic potential against L. monocytogenes.
Immunopathogenesis of Myocarditis: The Interplay Between Cardiac Fibroblast Cells, Dendritic Cells, Macrophages and CD4+T Cells
Authors: Amoah B. Prince , Yang H. , Zhang P. , Su Z. , Xu H. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe myocardium responds to aetiologically different pathological injuries through a common multistep process involving highly co‐ordinated interactions between cardiac and immune cells. Cardiac fibroblast cells which constitute the prevalent cell type in the heart to have their functional effects that express contractile proteins and exhibit increased migratory, proliferative and secretory properties. During the pathogenesis of myocarditis, cardiac fibroblast, dendritic cells, macrophages, CD4+ T cells and other immune cells are known to play variable roles. It is becoming increasingly clear that cardiac fibroblasts are not passive players in immune responses, and several evidences show this through the release of soluble signals and/or direct interactions with these immune cells. Typically, fibroblasts are involved in synthesizing factors such as cytokines, chemokines, prostanoids, matrix components and matrix‐degrading enzymes to influence dendritic cells, CD4+ T cells and macrophage functions and vice versa in the pathogenesis of myocarditis. Again, evidence proves a crosstalk between cardiac fibroblasts and immune cells recruited into the myocardium during myocarditis in the microenvironments. This piece reviews the properties and roles of cardiac fibroblast cells, dendritic cells, macrophages and CD4+ T cells in the pathogenesis of myocarditis, and how these cells interplay on each other in the microenvironment.
Vitamin D status in Well‐Controlled Caucasian HIV Patients in Relation to Inflammatory and Metabolic Markers – A Cross‐Sectional Cohort Study in Sweden
Authors: Missailidis C. , Höijer J. , Johansson M. , Ekström L. , Bratt G. , Hejdeman B. , Bergman P. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractTo study vitamin D (25OH D3) in relation to (i) microbial translocation (ii) systemic inflammation and (iii) blood lipid markers, in Caucasian, well‐controlled HIV patients and healthy controls, plasma and serum samples from n = 97 male, HIV patients on HAART with immeasurable viral load (<20 copies/ml) since median 6.5 years and no concurrent inflammatory or infectious disease and n = 30 healthy controls were analysed for (i) LPS; (ii) sCD14, hsCRP, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐17, MCP‐1 and IFN‐γ; as well as (iii) blood lipids. Vitamin D levels were similarly distributed and equally low in both HIV patients and controls. There was no association between vitamin D levels and markers of microbial translocation, systemic inflammation or dyslipidemia. LPS levels were similar in both groups but HIV patients expressed higher levels of sCD14 and hsCRP, with HIV as an independent risk factor. HIV patients had higher cholesterol and Apo B levels. Notably, more HIV patients smoked and smoking was associated with lower vitamin D levels. In conclusion; these well‐treated Caucasian HIV patients had similar vitamin D levels as healthy controls. However, despite perfect virological control, they exhibited slightly increased inflammatory markers and disturbed blood lipids. However, neither of these parameters were associated with low vitamin D levels but appeared to be linked to the HIV‐disease per se. Thus, the rationale for vitamin D substitution as a way to improve microbial translocation and systemic inflammation is not fully supported in this HIV population.