bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lactoferrin Administration into the Nostril Alleviates Murine Allergic Rhinitis and its Mechanisms
Authors: Wang S. B. , Deng Y. Q. , Ren J. , Xiao B. K. , Chen Z. , Tao Z. Z. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractLactoferrin (LF) can downregulate allergic airway inflammation in asthma. However, the in vivo effect of exogenous LF on allergic rhinitis (AR), a disease attributed to airway inflammation, has yet to be determined. We investigated the effect of intranasal administration recombinant human (rh) LF and its underlying mechanisms on AR in BALB/c mice. Multiple parameters of allergic responses were evaluated to determine the effect of rhLF. We found that the number of eosinophils and goblet cells, as well as mRNA and protein expression of type 2 helper T (Th2), Th17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells in the nasal cavity, was significantly upregulated in AR mice compared with the controls, Conversely, administration of rhLF prior to or after intranasal ovalbumin challenge markedly downregulated these same parameters. Th1‐specific mRNA and protein expression in the nasal cavity of the controls was not different from that in AR mice, but expression significantly increased with rhLF treatment. The mRNA and protein expression of endogenous LF in the nasal cavity was significantly downregulated in AR mice compared with the controls. However, after rhLF treatment, endogenous LF mRNA and protein expression was significantly upregulated. Exogenous rhLF inhibited allergic inflammation in AR mice, most likely by promoting the endogenous LF expression and skewing T cells to a Th1, but not a Th2 and Th17 phenotype in the nasal mucosa. Our findings suggest that rhLF treatment may be a novel therapeutic approach for prevention and treatment AR.
Actin cytoskeleton control of the comings and goings of T lymphocytes
Authors: Lafouresse F. , Vasconcelos Z. , Cotta‐de‐Almeida V. , Dupré L. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractT lymphocytes are key players of adaptive immune responses. Upon recognition of specific peptides presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules on antigen presenting cells (APC), these cells execute subset‐related functions such as killing, help and regulation. The ontogeny, the activation and the effector functions of T lymphocytes are all steps of T‐lymphocyte life cycle that rely on high motility properties. These cells travel through the organism in a succession of steps, including entry into tissues, interstitial migration, APC scanning, synapse formation and tissue exit. Such ability is possible because of a plastic motility behavior, which is highly controlled in time and space. The molecular basis for the adaptable motility behavior of T lymphocytes is only starting to be unraveled. The scope of this review is to discuss recent data pointing to the key role of regulators of actin cytoskeleton remodeling in tuning distinct aspects of T‐lymphocyte motility during their entry, residency and exit from tissues.
Plume Tracking with a Mobile Sensor Based on Incomplete and Imprecise Information
Authors: Brink Juliane , Pebesma Edzer 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMobile in‐situ sensor platforms such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles can be used in environmental monitoring. In time‐critical monitoring scenarios as for example in emergency response, and in the exploration of highly dynamic phenomena, obtaining the relevant data with one or few mobile sensors is challenging. It requires an intelligent sampling strategy that integrates prior information and adapts to the dynamics of the observed phenomenon, based on the collected sensor data. Available information about the observed phenomenon may be incomplete or imprecise and therefore insufficient for quantitative modeling. We address this problem by reasoning about the plume movement and size on a qualitative level and present an algorithm for tracking a dynamic plume that integrates this qualitative information with the collected sensor data. We evaluate our algorithm using simulated data sets of three different moving and expanding gas plumes. By means of simulations we show that the qualitative methods can be used to infer new information about the properties of a moving plume and to adapt the sensor movement for tracking the plume. Both can be done with low computational effort, without absolute positioning capability of the sensor, and with less input information than required by quantitative approaches.
Newborn care behaviours and neonatal survival: evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Penfold Suzanne , Willey Barbara A. , Schellenberg Joanna 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo review evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa for the association between the practice or promotion of essential newborn care behaviours and neonatal survival.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE for English language, peer‐reviewed literature published since 2005. The study population was neonates residing in a sub‐Saharan Africa country who were not HIV positive. Outcomes were all‐cause neonatal or early neonatal mortality or one of the three main causes of neonatal mortality: complications of preterm birth, infections and intrapartum‐related neonatal events. Interventions included were the practice or promotion of recommended newborn care behaviours including warmth, hygiene, breastfeeding, resuscitation and management of illness. We included study designs with a concurrent comparison group. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane EPOC or Newcastle–Ottawa tools and summarised using GRADE.ResultsEleven papers met the search criteria and most were at low risk of bias. We found evidence that delivering on a clean surface, newborn resuscitation, early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for low‐birthweight babies, and distribution of clean delivery kits were associated with reduced risks of neonatal mortality or the main causes of neonatal mortality. There was evidence that training community birth attendants in resuscitation and administering antibiotics, and establishing women's groups can improve neonatal survival.ConclusionThere is a remarkable lack of robust evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa on the association between practice or promotion of newborn care behaviours and newborn survival.
Correlation between human observer performance and model observer performance in differential phase contrast CT
Authors: Li Ke , Garrett John , Chen Guang‐Hong 
Published: October 2013

Purpose:With the recently expanding interest and developments in x‐ray differential phase contrast CT (DPC‐CT), the evaluation of its task‐specific detection performance and comparison with the corresponding absorption CT under a given radiation dose constraint become increasingly important. Mathematical model observers are often used to quantify the performance of imaging systems, but their correlations with actual human observers need to be confirmed for each new imaging method. This work is an investigation of the effects of stochastic DPC‐CT noise on the correlation of detection performance between model and human observers with signal‐known‐exactly (SKE) detection tasks.Methods:The detectabilities of different objects (five disks with different diameters and two breast lesion masses) embedded in an experimental DPC‐CT noise background were assessed using both model and human observers. The detectability of the disk and lesion signals was then measured using five types of model observers including the prewhitening ideal observer, the nonprewhitening (NPW) observer, the nonprewhitening observer with eye filter and internal noise (NPWEi), the prewhitening observer with eye filter and internal noise (PWEi), and the channelized Hotelling observer (CHO). The same objects were also evaluated by four human observers using the two‐alternative forced choice method. The results from the model observer experiment were quantitatively compared to the human observer results to assess the correlation between the two techniques.Results:The contrast‐to‐detail (CD) curve generated by the human observers for the disk‐detection experiments shows that the required contrast to detect a disk is inversely proportional to the square root of the disk size. Based on the CD curves, the ideal and NPW observers tend to systematically overestimate the performance of the human observers. The NPWEi and PWEi observers did not predict human performance well either, as the slopes of their CD curves tended to be steeper. The CHO generated the best quantitative agreement with human observers with its CD curve overlapping with that of human observer. Statistical equivalence between CHO and humans can be claimed within 11% of the human observer results, including both the disk and lesion detection experiments.Conclusions:The model observer method can be used to accurately represent human observer performance with the stochastic DPC‐CT noise for SKE tasks with sizes ranging from 8 to 128 pixels. The incorporation of the anatomical noise remains to be studied.
Dedicated 3D photoacoustic breast imaging
Authors: Kruger Robert A. , Kuzmiak Cherie M. , Lam Richard B. , Reinecke Daniel R. , Del Rio Stephen P. , Steed Doreen 
Published: October 2013

Purpose:To report the design and imaging methodology of a photoacoustic scanner dedicated to imaging hemoglobin distribution throughout a human breast.Methods:The authors developed a dedicated breast photoacoustic mammography (PAM) system using a spherical detector aperture based on our previous photoacoustic tomography scanner. The system uses 512 detectors with rectilinear scanning. The scan shape is a spiral pattern whose radius varies from 24 to 96 mm, thereby allowing a field of view that accommodates a wide range of breast sizes. The authors measured the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) using a target comprised of 1‐mm dots printed on clear plastic. Each dot absorption coefficient was approximately the same as a 1‐mm thickness of whole blood at 756 nm, the output wavelength of the Alexandrite laser used by this imaging system. The target was immersed in varying depths of an 8% solution of stock Liposyn II‐20%, which mimics the attenuation of breast tissue (1.1 cm−1). The spatial resolution was measured using a 6 μm‐diameter carbon fiber embedded in agar. The breasts of four healthy female volunteers, spanning a range of breast size from a brassiere C cup to a DD cup, were imaged using a 96‐mm spiral protocol.Results:The CNR target was clearly visualized to a depth of 53 mm. Spatial resolution, which was estimated from the full width at half‐maximum of a profile across the PAM image of a carbon fiber, was 0.42 mm. In the four human volunteers, the vasculature was well visualized throughout the breast tissue, including to the chest wall.Conclusions:CNR, lateral field‐of‐view and penetration depth of our dedicated PAM scanning system is sufficient to image breasts as large as 1335 mL, which should accommodate up to 90% of the women in the United States.
Draft Genome Sequence of Gallibacterium anatis bv. haemolytica 12656-12 Liver, an Isolate Obtained from the Liver of a Septicemic Chicken
Authors: Kudirkiene Egle , Christensen Henrik , Bojesen Anders Miki 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

We report the draft genome sequence of
Gallibacterium anatis
bv. haemolytica strain 12656-12 Liver. This strain was isolated from the liver of a septicemic layer chicken in Denmark in 1981. The strain has been used extensively for experimental purposes.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Stable Mucoid Strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO581 with a
mucA25
Mutation
Authors: Yin Yeshi , Withers T. Ryan , Govan John R. W. , Johnson Shannon L. , Yu Hongwei D. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

A mutation in the
mucA
gene, which encodes a negative regulator of alginate production in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, is the main mechanism underlying the conversion to mucoidy in clinical isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Here, we announce the draft genome sequence of the stable alginate-overproducing mucoid strain
P. aeruginosa
PAO581 with a
mucA25
mutation, a derivative from the nonmucoid strains
P. aeruginosa
PAO381 and PAO1.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Mucoid Isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain C7447m from a Patient with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Yin Yeshi , Withers T. Ryan , Johnson Shannon L. , Yu Hongwei D. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Alginate overproduction by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, or mucoidy, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Here we report the draft genome sequence of a clinical isolate of mucoid
P. aeruginosa
strain C7447m from a CF patient with chronic lung infection.
Drugs causing adverse events in patients aged 45 or older: a randomised survey of Australian general practice patients
Authors: Miller Graeme C , Valenti Lisa , Britt Helena , Bayram Clare 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo determine prevalence of adverse drug events (ADEs) in patients aged 45 years or older presenting to Australian general practitioners (GPs) and identify drug groups related to ADEs, their severity and manifestation.DesignSubstudy of the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health continuous survey of Australian GP clinical activity in which randomly selected GPs collected survey data from patients. Data are reported with 95% CIs.SettingGeneral practice in Australia.Main outcome measuresPrevalence in the preceding 6 months, type, implicated drugs, severity (including hospitalisation) and manifestation of ADEs.ParticipantsFrom three survey samples, January–October 2007, and two samples, January–March 2010, responses were received from 482 GPs about 7561 patients aged 45 years or older.ResultsOf a final sample of 7518 patients (after duplicate patients removed), 871 (11.6%) reported ADEs in the previous 6 months. The type of ADE was recognised side effect (75.8%, 95% CI 72.0 to 79.7), drug sensitivity (9.9%, 95% CI 7.2 to 12.7) and drug allergy (7.4%, 95% CI 4.7 to 10.1). Drug interaction (1.0%, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.8), overdose (0.8%, 95% CI 0.0 to 1.5) and contraindications (0.2%, 95% CI 0.0 to 0.6) were very infrequent. A severity rating was provided for 846 patients. Almost half (45.9%, 95% CI 42.0 to 49.7) were rated as ‘mild’ events, 42.2% (95% CI 38.8 to 45.6) ‘moderate’, 11.8% (95% CI 9.5 to 14.1) severe and 5.4% (95% CI 3.8 to 7.0) had been hospitalised as a result of the most recent ADE. Thirteen commonly prescribed drug groups accounted for 58% of all ADEs, opioids being the group most often implicated.ConclusionADEs in patients aged 45 or older are frequent and are associated with significant morbidity. Most of ADEs result from commonly prescribed drugs at therapeutic dosage. The list of causative agents bears little relationship to published lists of ‘inappropriate medications’.
Hypoxia Signaling—License to Metastasize
Authors: Vanharanta Sakari , Massagué Joan 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Summary: Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) have long been linked to malignant tumor phenotypes in various cancer types, and several downstream mediators of HIF action are deregulated in metastatic carcinomas. A new study links hypoxia-induced collagen remodeling to sarcoma progression, providing evidence for unifying mechanisms of carcinoma and sarcoma metastasis. Cancer Discov; 3(10); 1103–4. ©2013 AACR.
See related article by Eisinger-Mathason et al., p. 1190
An Unexpected Intriguing Effect of Toll-Like Receptor Regulator RP105 (CD180) on Atherosclerosis Formation With Alterations on B-Cell Activation
Authors: Karper J.C. , de Jager S.C.A. , Ewing M.M. , de Vries M.R. , Bot I. , van Santbrink P.J. , Redeker A. , Mallat Z. , Binder C.J. , Arens R. , Jukema J.W. , Kuiper J. , Quax P.H.A. 
Published: October 2013

Objective—
In atherosclerosis, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are traditionally linked to effects on tissue macrophages or foam cells. RP105, a structural TLR4 homolog, is an important regulator of TLR signaling. The effects of RP105 on TLR signaling vary for different leukocyte subsets known to be involved in atherosclerosis, making it unique in its role of either suppressing (in myeloid cells) or enhancing (in B cells) TLR-regulated inflammation in different cell types. We aimed to identify a role of TLR accessory molecule RP105 on circulating cells in atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Approach and Results—

Irradiated low density lipoprotein receptor deficient mice received RP105
−/−
or wild-type bone marrow. RP105
−/−
chimeras displayed a 57% reduced plaque burden. Interestingly, total and activated B-cell numbers were significantly reduced in RP105
−/−
chimeras. Activation of B1 B cells was unaltered, suggesting that RP105 deficiency only affected inflammatory B2 B cells. IgM levels were unaltered, but anti-oxidized low-density lipoprotein and anti–malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein IgG2c antibody levels were significantly lower in RP105
−/−
chimeras, confirming effects on B2 B cells rather than B1 B cells. Moreover, B-cell activating factor expression was reduced in spleens of RP105
−/−
chimeras.

Conclusions—
RP105 deficiency on circulating cells results in an intriguing unexpected TLR-associated mechanisms that decrease atherosclerotic lesion formation with alterations on proinflammatory B2 B cells.
Novel Electromyographic Monitoring Technique for Prevention of Right Phrenic Nerve Palsy During Cryoballoon Ablation
Authors: Franceschi Frédéric , Koutbi Linda , Mancini Julien , Attarian Shahram , Prevôt Sébastien , Deharo Jean-Claude 
Published: October 2013

Background—
Right phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) is the most frequent complication of cryoballoon ablation. Diaphragmatic electromyography can predict PNP with a comfortable safety margin. Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of electromyography-guided PN monitoring using a novel hepatic vein approach for prevention of PNP.

Methods and Results—
This study includes 57 patients (47 males) indicated for cryoballoon ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation. During right superior pulmonary vein ablation, the PN was paced at 60 beats per minute and diaphragmatic compound motor action potential (CMAP) amplitude was recorded via a quadripolar catheter positioned in a subdiaphragmatic hepatic vein. If a 30% drop in CMAP amplitude was observed, ablation was discontinued with forced deflation. Reliable recording of CMAP before ablation was feasible in 50 of 57 patients (88%). In 7 patients (12%), stable PN pacing could not be achieved. In 44 of 50 patients, CMAP amplitude remained constant during cryoapplication. The mean value of CMAP amplitude was 639.7±240.5 µV; mean variation was 13±4.3%. In 6 of 50 patients (12%) including 5 treated with a 23-mm cryoballoon and 1 with a 28-mm cryoballoon, the 30% reduction cutoff was reached and cryoablation was discontinued. Recovery of CMAP amplitude after discontinuing cryoablation took <60 seconds in all cases. No PNP or complication related to PN monitoring occurred.

Conclusions—
Recording of diaphragmatic CMAP using a catheter positioned in a subdiaphragmatic hepatic vein seems feasible during cryoballoon ablation. Electromyography-guided PN monitoring seems safe and potentially helpful for prevention of PNP.
Cellular Encapsulation Enhances Cardiac Repair
Authors: Levit Rebecca D. , Landázuri Natalia , Phelps Edward A. , Brown Milton E. , García Andrés J. , Davis Michael E. , Joseph Giji , Long Robert , Safley Susan A. , Suever Jonathan D. , Lyle Alicia N. , Weber Collin J. , Taylor W. Robert 
Published: October 2013

Background
Stem cells for cardiac repair have shown promise in preclinical trials, but lower than expected retention, viability, and efficacy. Encapsulation is one potential strategy to increase viable cell retention while facilitating paracrine effects.

Methods and Results

Human mesenchymal stem cells (
hMSC
) were encapsulated in alginate and attached to the heart with a hydrogel patch in a rat myocardial infarction (
MI
) model. Cells were tracked using bioluminescence (
BLI
) and cardiac function measured by transthoracic echocardiography (
TTE
) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (
CMR
). Microvasculature was quantified using von
W
illebrand factor staining and scar measured by
M
asson's
T
richrome. Post‐
MI
ejection fraction by
CMR
was greatly improved in encapsulated
hMSC
‐treated animals (
MI
: 34±3%,
MI
+Gel: 35±3%,
MI
+Gel+
hMSC
: 39±2%,
MI
+Gel+encapsulated
hMSC
: 56±1%; n=4 per group;
P
<0.01). Data represent mean±
SEM
. By
TTE
, encapsulated
hMSC
‐treated animals had improved fractional shortening. Longitudinal
BLI
showed greatest
hMSC
retention when the cells were encapsulated (
P
<0.05). Scar size at 28 days was significantly reduced in encapsulated
hMSC
‐treated animals (
MI
: 12±1%, n=8;
MI
+Gel: 14±2%, n=7;
MI
+Gel+
hMSC
: 14±1%, n=7;
MI
+Gel+encapsulated
hMSC
: 7±1%, n=6;
P
<0.05). There was a large increase in microvascular density in the peri‐infarct area (
MI
: 121±10, n=7;
MI
+Gel: 153±26, n=5;
MI
+Gel+
hMSC
: 198±18, n=7;
MI
+Gel+encapsulated
hMSC
: 828±56 vessels/mm
2
, n=6;
P
<0.01).

Conclusions

Alginate encapsulation improved retention of
hMSC
s and facilitated paracrine effects such as increased peri‐infarct microvasculature and decreased scar. Encapsulation of
MSCs
improved cardiac function post‐
MI
and represents a new, translatable strategy for optimization of regenerative therapies for cardiovascular diseases.
Life cycle and damage of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne minor on potato, Solanum tuberosum
Authors: Wesemael Wim M.L. , Taning Lirette M. , Viaene Nicole , Moens Maurice 
Published: October 2013

Meloidogyne minor is a root-knot nematode reported in Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, Chile and the United States. It is found in sport fields and golf courses where it causes the yellow patch disease. However, M. minor has also been detected in potato fields in The Netherlands and the UK and may pose a threat for potato cultivation. Therefore, the life cycle and damage of M. minor on potato cv. Bintje were examined under controlled conditions. To assess its life cycle, young potato plants were inoculated with freshly hatched second-stage juveniles (J2). The developmental stages of M. minor were recorded at weekly intervals after inoculation until second generation J2 were detected. One week after inoculation, only vermiform juveniles were found in the roots. All juveniles were swollen after 3 weeks and the first adult females were observed. Egg masses were seen after 6 weeks together with second generation J2. The number of degree days for M. minor to complete its life cycle was calculated using a base temperature of 5°C (DD5); between 606 and 727 DD5 were needed to complete the life cycle. Damage development of M. minor on potato was examined in a pot experiment with different inoculation densities. Symptoms (galling on the tubers) were similar to those caused by M. chitwoodi and M. fallax. At initial population densities () of 10 J2 (100 cm3 soil)−1 and more, tubers showed galls. Severely damaged potato tubers were observed at (100 cm3 soil)−1 and a damage threshold of 41 J2 (100 cm3 soil)−1 was calculated. An in vitro test showed that five, commonly grown, potato cultivars were good hosts for M. minor. Based on our results, M. minor is able to develop on potato and cause severe damage at low initial population densities. Therefore, further spread of this nematode in agricultural fields should be avoided.