bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life in Young Adult Patients with a Cardiogenetic Condition Receiving an ICD for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: VERKERK AGNES J. , VERMEER ALEXA M. , SMETS ELLEN M. , DEKKER LUKAS R. , WILDE ARTHUR A. , VAN LANGEN IRENE M. , CHRISTIAANS IMKE , NIEUWKERK PYTHIA T. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundProphylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy prevents sudden cardiac death (SCD) among young adults with cardiogenetic conditions, but might reduce quality of life (QoL) due to potential device complications, ongoing medical appointments, and lifestyle restrictions. We investigated QoL in the first year after ICD implantation for the primary prevention of SCD and compared QoL scores with population norms.MethodsConsecutive patients with cardiogenetic conditions (aged 18–50 years) referred to the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam to receive ICD therapy for the primary prevention of SCD between 2007 and 2009 were eligible. Patients completed questions about QoL (Short‐Form 36 Health Survey; SF‐36), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale; CES‐D), anxiety (State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAI), and the impact of receiving ICD therapy on lifestyle and work, shortly before ICD implantation and after 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months.ResultsThirty‐five of 47 eligible patients participated. QoL was significantly reduced shortly before and 2 months after ICD implantation but improved over time and was comparable with population norms at 6 months and 12 months after ICD implantation. Yet, only about half of the patients believed they had a normal life like everyone else, and 28% had lost or changed their job due to their cardiogenetic condition and ICD therapy.ConclusionsReceiving a diagnosis of a cardiogenetic condition and subsequent ICD implantation was accompanied with a temporarily reduced QoL and a significant negative impact on professional life. Clinicians should inform their patients of the possible QoL consequences when deciding about ICD implantation in primary prevention of SCD in cardiogenetic conditions.
Retracted: The association of hypotension with the insertion of an abdominal retractor during lower abdominal surgery in pediatric patients: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Nakayama Rika , Mihara Takahiro , Miyamoto Yoshihisa , Ka Koui 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe Alexis® wound retractor is composed of an inner‐ and outer‐ring, with the inner‐ring placed inside the abdominal cavity. This placement can constrict the internal organs and large vessels, especially in children, which can lead to hypotension. Our study aimed to investigate the relation between the incidence of hypotension and insertion of the wound retractor during lower abdominal surgery in pediatric patients.MethodsWe retrospectively examined 161 pediatric patients (<4 years old), who underwent lower abdominal surgery, regardless of abdominal retractor type. Hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure of >15% from baseline. We used logistic regression to predict hypotension using the following nine parameters: age, height, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA‐PS), sex, laterality of the operation (unilateral or bilateral), presence or absence of caudal block, wound length, and type of retractor (retractors with or without an inner‐ring).ResultsLogistic multivariate regression analysis revealed that a retractor with an inner‐ring use (odds ratio 3.28, 95% CI 1.41–7.63, P = 0.006) and younger age (odds ratio 1.07 per month, 95% CI 1.02–1.12, P = 0.010) were independent risk factors associated with hypotension following lower abdominal surgery in this age group.ConclusionsPatient age and use of a wound retractor with an inner‐ring are independent risk factors associated with hypotension during insertion of the abdominal retractor in lower abdominal surgery.
Development of a Clinical Framework for Mirror Therapy in Patients with Phantom Limb Pain: An Evidence‐based Practice Approach
Authors: Rothgangel Andreas , Braun Susy , de Witte Luc , Beurskens Anna , Smeets Rob 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the development and content of a clinical framework for mirror therapy (MT) in patients with phantom limb pain (PLP) following amputation.MethodsBased on an a priori formulated theoretical model, 3 sources of data collection were used to develop the clinical framework. First, a review of the literature took place on important clinical aspects and the evidence on the effectiveness of MT in patients with phantom limb pain. In addition, questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews were used to analyze clinical experiences and preferences of physical and occupational therapists and patients suffering from PLP regarding the application of MT. All data were finally clustered into main and subcategories and were used to complement and refine the theoretical model.ResultsFor every main category of the a priori formulated theoretical model, several subcategories emerged from the literature search, patient, and therapist interviews. Based on these categories, we developed a clinical flowchart that incorporates the main and subcategories in a logical way according to the phases in methodical intervention defined by the Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy. In addition, we developed a comprehensive booklet that illustrates the individual steps of the clinical flowchart.ConclusionsIn this study, a structured clinical framework for the application of MT in patients with PLP was developed. This framework is currently being tested for its effectiveness in a multicenter randomized controlled trial.
Arabidopsis EDT1/HDG11 improves drought and salt tolerance in cotton and poplar and increases cotton yield in the field
Authors: Yu Lin‐Hui , Wu Shen‐Jie , Peng Yi‐Shu , Liu Rui‐Na , Chen Xi , Zhao Ping , Xu Ping , Zhu Jian‐Bo , Jiao Gai‐Li , Pei Yan , Xiang Cheng‐Bin 
Published: April 2015

SummaryDrought and salinity are two major environmental factors limiting crop production worldwide. Improvement of drought and salt tolerance of crops with transgenic approach is an effective strategy to meet the demand of the ever‐growing world population. Arabidopsis ENHANCED DROUGHT TOLERANCE1/HOMEODOMAIN GLABROUS11 (AtEDT1/HDG11), a homeodomain‐START transcription factor, has been demonstrated to significantly improve drought tolerance in Arabidopsis, tobacco, tall fescue and rice. Here we report that AtHDG11 also confers drought and salt tolerance in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and woody plant poplar (Populus tomentosa Carr.). Our results showed that both the transgenic cotton and poplar exhibited significantly enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stress with well‐developed root system. In the leaves of the transgenic cotton plants, proline content, soluble sugar content and activities of reactive oxygen species‐scavenging enzymes were significantly increased after drought and salt stress compared with wild type. Leaf stomatal density was significantly reduced, whereas stomatal and leaf epidermal cell size were significantly increased in both the transgenic cotton and poplar plants. More importantly, the transgenic cotton showed significantly improved drought tolerance and better agronomic performance with higher cotton yield in the field both under normal and drought conditions. These results demonstrate that AtHDG11 is not only a promising candidate for crops improvement but also for woody plants.
A transgenic plant cell‐suspension system for expression of epitopes on chimeric Bamboo mosaic virus particles
Authors: Muthamilselvan Thangarasu , Lee Chin‐Wei , Cho Yu‐Hsin , Wu Feng‐Chao , Hu Chung‐Chi , Liang Yu‐Chuan , Lin Na‐Sheng , Hsu Yau‐Heiu 
Published: April 2015

SummaryWe describe a novel strategy to produce vaccine antigens using a plant cell‐suspension culture system in lieu of the conventional bacterial or animal cell‐culture systems. We generated transgenic cell‐suspension cultures from Nicotiana benthamiana leaves carrying wild‐type or chimeric Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) expression constructs encoding the viral protein 1 (VP1) epitope of foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV). Antigens accumulated to high levels in BdT38 and BdT19 transgenic cell lines co‐expressing silencing suppressor protein P38 or P19. BaMV chimeric virus particles (CVPs) were subsequently purified from the respective cell lines (1.5 and 2.1 mg CVPs/20 g fresh weight of suspended biomass, respectively), and the resulting CVPs displayed VP1 epitope on the surfaces. Guinea pigs vaccinated with purified CVPs produced humoral antibodies. This study represents an important advance in the large‐scale production of immunopeptide vaccines in a cost‐effective manner using a plant cell‐suspension culture system.
Roux‐en‐Y hepatico‐jejunostomy for a left segmental graft: Do not twist the loop, stick it!
Authors: Nadalin S. , Monti L. , Grimaldi C. , di Francesco F. , Tozzi A. E. , de Ville de Goyet J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBiliary complications remain a major challenge for long‐term success after LT, as it is, as a rule, the most common technical – early and late – complication that occurs, and because these complications contribute to a significant number of late graft losses and retransplantations. In the pediatric age group, both biliary atresia, as the patient's condition, and the use of a left liver graft, obtained by a liver division technique, make it necessary for the use of a Roux‐en‐Y jejunal loop for the biliary reconstruction in the majority of cases. A slight modification of the technique is presented, consisting of a straight positioning along the cut surface (rather than the conventional position that results in a harpoon shape). A favorable outcome in terms of a technical complication and graft survival was observed. This way of doing this is an interesting variation and adds to the surgical armamentarium.
An Optimized Firefly Luciferase Bioluminescent Assay for the Analysis of Free Fatty Acids
Authors: Marques Simone M. , Gonçalves Luís M. , Esteves da Silva Joaquim C. G. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA firefly luciferase (LUC)‐based bioluminescent assay for total free fatty acids (FFA) is presented. It is based on LUC's capability of converting FFA into fatty acyl‐adenylates with consumption of adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP). Since ATP is a cosubstrate in LUC's bioluminescent reaction, together with firefly d‐luciferin (d‐LH2) and atmospheric oxygen (O2), any reduction in the assay's ATP content will lead to a decrease in the bioluminescent signal, which is proportional to the amount of FFA. Using FFA mixtures containing myristic (14:0), palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1) and arachidonic acid (20:4) in ethanol, the assay was optimized through statistical experimental design methodology, namely fractional factorial (screening) and central composite (optimization) designs. The optimized method requires 2 μL of sample per tube in a final reaction volume of 50 μL. It is linear in the concentration range from 1 to 20 μm, with limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of 1.3 and 4.5 μm, respectively. The method proved to be simple to perform, demands low reagent volumes, it is sensitive and robust and may be adapted to high‐throughput screening.
Human skin penetration of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights as probed by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Essendoubi M. , Gobinet C. , Reynaud R. , Angiboust J. F. , Manfait M. , Piot O. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundTopical delivery of molecules into the human skin is one of the main issues in dermatology and cosmetology. Several techniques were developed to study molecules penetration into the human skin. Although widely accepted, the conventional methods such as Franz diffusion cells are unable to provide the accurate localization of actives in the skin layers. A different approach based on Raman spectroscopy has been proposed to follow‐up the permeation of actives. It presents a high molecular specificity to distinguish exogenous molecules from skin constituents.MethodsRaman micro‐imaging was applied to monitor the skin penetration of hyaluronic acids (HA) of different molecular weights. The first step, was the spectral characterization of these HA. After, we have determined spectral features of HA by which they can be detected in the skin. In the second part, transverse skin sections were realized and spectral images were recorded.ResultsOur results show a difference of skin permeation of the three HA. Indeed, HA with low molecular weight (20–300 kDa) passes through the stratum corneum in contrast of the impermeability of high molecular weight HA (1000–1400 kDa).ConclusionRaman spectroscopy represents an analytical, non‐destructive, and dynamic method to evaluate the permeation of actives in the skin layers.
Normal Free Interleukin-18 (IL-18) Plasma Levels in Dengue Virus Infection and the Need To Measure Both Total IL-18 and IL-18 Binding Protein Levels
Authors: Michels Meta , de Mast Quirijn , Netea Mihai G. , Joosten Leo A. , Dinarello Charles A. , Rudiman Pandji I. F. , Sinarta Sylvia , Wisaksana Rudi , Alisjahbana Bachti , van der Ven André J. A. M. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Activated monocytes/macrophages and T lymphocytes that produce a cytokine storm are assumed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of dengue. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is increased during dengue and known to induce gamma interferon (IFN-γ), which is crucial for dengue immune response. No data are available regarding the balance between IL-18 and its natural inhibitor IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) and how they interact within the inflammatory reaction of patients with dengue virus infections. Circulating levels of IL-18; IL-18BP; free, biologically active IL-18; the IL-18-dependent proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ; monocyte-derived cytokines; and ferritin were assessed in adult Indonesian dengue patients (
n
= 95). Healthy individuals (
n
= 22) and leptospirosis (
n
= 19) and enteric fever (
n
= 6) patients served as controls. Total IL-18 levels were increased during dengue, leptospirosis, and enteric fever compared to healthy controls. However, due to a concurrent increase in IL-18BP levels, biologically active IL-18 levels remained similar in the different phases of dengue and in patients with leptospirosis. Biologically active IL-18 levels were also similar in patients with severe and nonsevere dengue. In conclusion, high total IL-18 and IL-18BP levels concur in dengue virus infections, leptospirosis, and enteric fever. This resulted in unchanged levels of free, biologically active IL-18 in dengue and leptospirosis, which underlines the importance of measuring both IL-18 and IL-18BP when studying the role of IL-18 in diseases.
Streptococcus pyogenes emm Types and Clusters during a 7-Year Period (2007 to 2013) in Pharyngeal and Nonpharyngeal Pediatric Isolates
Authors: Koutouzi F. , Tsakris A. , Chatzichristou P. , Koutouzis E. , Daikos G. L. , Kirikou E. , Petropoulou N. , Syriopoulou V. , Michos A. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Surveillance of
emm
types has important implications, as it can provide baseline information for possible implementation of vaccination. A total of 1,349 GAS pediatric isolates were collected during a 7-year period (2007 to 2013);
emm
typing was completed for 1,282 pharyngeal (84%) or nonpharyngeal (16%) isolates, and
emm
clusters and temporal changes were analyzed. Thirty-five different
emm
types, including 14 subtypes, were identified. The most prevalent
emm
types identified were 1 (16.7%), 12 (13.6%), 77 (10.9%), 4 (10.8%), 28 (10.4%), 6 (6.8%), 3 (6.6%), and 89 (6.6%), accounting for 82.3% of total isolates. Rheumatogenic
emm
types comprised 16.3% of total isolates. The
emm
types 12, 4, and 77 were more prevalent among pharyngeal isolates, and the
emm
types 1, 89, 6, 75, and 11 were more prevalent among nonpharyngeal isolates. The
emm
types identified belonged to 13
emm
clusters, and the 8 most prevalent clusters comprised 97% of all isolates. There were statistically significant decreases in the prevalence of
emm
types 12, 4, 5, and 61 and increases in the prevalence of
emm
types 89, 75, and 11, compared with the period 2001 to 2006. The proposed 30-valent GAS vaccine, which is currently in preclinical studies, encompasses 97.2% of the
emm
types detected in our study and 97.4% of the erythromycin-resistant strains. In addition, it includes 93.3% of the
emm
types involved in bacteremia. A much greater diversity of GAS
emm
types was identified in our area than described previously. Seasonal fluctuations and the introduction of new
emm
types were observed. Continuous surveillance of
emm
types is needed in order to evaluate the possible benefits of an M protein-based GAS vaccine.
Coproduction of KPC-2 and IMP-10 in Carbapenem-Resistant Serratia marcescens Isolates from an Outbreak in a Brazilian Teaching Hospital
Authors: Silva Kesia Esther , Cayô Rodrigo , Carvalhaes Cecilia Godoy , Patussi Correia Sacchi Flávia , Rodrigues-Costa Fernanda , Ramos da Silva Ana Carolina , Croda Julio , Gales Ana Cristina , Simionatto Simone 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

We describe an outbreak caused by KPC-2- and IMP-10-producing
Serratia marcescens
isolates in a Brazilian teaching hospital. Tigecycline was the only active antimicrobial agent tested. The
bla
IMP-10
gene was located in a new class 1 integron, named
In
990, carried by a nonconjugative plasmid, in contrast to
bla
KPC-2
.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Successful Resolution of Multidrug-Resistant-Organism Colonization
Authors: Crum-Cianflone Nancy F. , Sullivan Eva , Ballon-Landa Gonzalo 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

We report a case in which fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) utilized for relapsing
Clostridium difficile
colitis successfully eradicated colonization with several multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). FMT may have an additive benefit of reducing MDRO carriage and should be further investigated as a potential measure to eradicate additional potentially virulent organisms beyond
C. difficile
.
Optimized Protocol for Simple Extraction of High-Quality Genomic DNA from Clostridium difficile for Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Sim James Heng Chiak , Anikst Victoria , Lohith Akshar , Pourmand Nader , Banaei Niaz 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Successful sequencing of the
Clostridium difficile
genome requires high-quality genomic DNA (gDNA) as the starting material. gDNA extraction using conventional methods is laborious. We describe here an optimized method for the simple extraction of
C. difficile
gDNA using the QIAamp DNA minikit, which yielded high-quality sequence reads on the Illumina MiSeq platform.
Antibody Escape Kinetics of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Infection of Horses
Authors: Schwartz Elissa J. , Nanda Seema , Mealey Robert H. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTLentivirus escape from neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) is not well understood. In this work, we quantified antibody escape of a lentivirus, using antibody escape data from horses infected with equine infectious anemia virus. We calculated antibody blocking rates of wild-type virus, fitness costs of mutant virus, and growth rates of both viruses. These quantitative kinetic estimates of antibody escape are important for understanding lentiviral control by antibody neutralization and in developing NAb-eliciting vaccine strategies.
Glycan Microheterogeneity at the PGT135 Antibody Recognition Site on HIV-1 gp120 Reveals a Molecular Mechanism for Neutralization Resistance
Authors: Pritchard Laura K. , Spencer Daniel I. R. , Royle Louise , Vasiljevic Snezana , Krumm Stefanie A. , Doores Katie J. , Crispin Max 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT
Broadly neutralizing antibodies have been isolated that bind the glycan shield of the HIV-1 envelope spike. One such antibody, PGT135, contacts the intrinsic mannose patch of gp120 at the Asn332, Asn392, and Asn386 glycosylation sites. Here, site-specific glycosylation analysis of recombinant gp120 revealed glycan microheterogeneity sufficient to explain the existence of a minor population of virions resistant to PGT135 neutralization. Target microheterogeneity and antibody glycan specificity are therefore important parameters in HIV-1 vaccine design.
Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 2 Induces Autophagy To Promote Abnormal Acinus Formation
Authors: Fotheringham Julie A. , Raab-Traub Nancy 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT
Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) induces many characteristics of carcinoma, including transformation, migration, invasion, and impaired differentiation. The MCF10A cell line differentiates to form hollow acini when grown in Matrigel, and expression of LMP2A inhibited differentiation and anoikis induced by loss of matrix attachment. LMP2A-infected cells formed large, lobular structures rather than hollow acini. Autophagy inhibitors impaired this abnormal growth and induced caspase 3 activation and acinus formation. LMP2A also increased autophagosome formation and expression of proteins in the autophagosome pathway. These findings suggest that LMP2A may inhibit anoikis and luminal clearance in acini through induction of autophagy.
Does neighbourhood deprivation cause poor health? Within-individual analysis of movers in a prospective cohort study
Authors: Jokela Markus 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundNeighbourhood deprivation has been associated with poor health. The evidence for social causation, however, remains scarce because selective residential mobility may also create neighbourhood differences. The present study examined whether individuals had poorer health when they were living in a deprived neighbourhood compared to another time when the same individuals were living in a less deprived neighbourhood.MethodsParticipants were from the British Household Panel Survey prospective cohort study with 18 annual measurements of residential location and self-reported health outcomes between 1991 and 2009 (n=137 884 person-observations of 17 001 persons in England). Neighbourhood deprivation was assessed concurrently with health outcomes using the Index of Multiple Deprivation at the geographically detailed level of Lower Layer Super Output Areas. The main analyses were replicated in subsamples from Scotland (n=4897) and Wales (n=4442). Multilevel regression was used to separate within-individual and between-individuals associations.ResultsNeighbourhood deprivation was associated with poorer self-rated health, and with higher psychological distress, functional health limitations and number of health problems. These associations were almost exclusively due to differences between different individuals rather than within-individual variations related to different neighbourhoods. By contrast, poorer health was associated with lower odds of moving to less deprived neighbourhoods among movers. The analysis was limited by the restricted within-individual variation and measurement imprecision of neighbourhood deprivation.ConclusionsIndividuals living in deprived neighbourhoods have poorer health, but it appears that neighbourhood deprivation is not causing poorer health of adults. Instead, neighbourhood health differentials may reflect the more fundamental social inequalities that determine health and ability to move between deprived and non-deprived neighbourhoods.