bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multidimensional dosimetry of 106Ru eye plaques using EBT3 films and its impact on treatment planning
Authors: Heilemann G. , Nesvacil N. , Blaickner M. , Kostiukhina N. , Georg D. 
Published: September 2015

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to establish a method to perform multidimensional radiochromic film measurements of 106Ru plaques and to benchmark the resulting dose distributions against Monte Carlo simulations (MC), microdiamond, and diode measurements.Methods:Absolute dose rates and relative dose distributions in multiple planes were determined for three different plaque models (CCB, CCA, and COB), and three different plaques per model, using EBT3 films in an in‐house developed polystyrene phantom and the mcnp6 MC code. Dose difference maps were generated to analyze interplaque variations for a specific type, and for comparing measurements against MC simulations. Furthermore, dose distributions were validated against values specified by the manufacturer (BEBIG) and microdiamond and diode measurements in a water scanning phantom. Radial profiles were assessed and used to estimate dosimetric margins for a given combination of representative tumor geometry and plaque size.Results:Absolute dose rates at a reference depth of 2 mm on the central axis of the plaque show an agreement better than 5% (10%) when comparing film measurements (mcnp6) to the manufacturer's data. The reproducibility of depth‐dose profile measurements was <7% (2 SD) for all investigated detectors and plaque types. Dose difference maps revealed minor interplaque deviations for a specific plaque type due to inhomogeneities of the active layer. The evaluation of dosimetric margins showed that for a majority of the investigated cases, the tumor was not completely covered by the 100% isodose prescribed to the tumor apex if the difference between geometrical plaque size and tumor base ≤4 mm.Conclusions:EBT3 film dosimetry in an in‐house developed phantom was successfully used to characterize the dosimetric properties of different 106Ru plaque models. The film measurements were validated against MC calculations and other experimental methods and showed a good agreement with data from BEBIG well within published tolerances. The dosimetric information as well as interplaque comparison can be used for comprehensive quality assurance and for considerations in the treatment planning of ophthalmic brachytherapy.
Genotypic Analysis of Genes Associated with Independent Resistance and Cross-Resistance to Isoniazid and Ethionamide in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Clinical Isolates
Authors: Rueda Johana , Realpe Teresa , Mejia Gloria Isabel , Zapata Elsa , Rozo Juan Carlos , Ferro Beatriz Eugenia , Robledo Jaime 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Ethionamide (ETH) is an antibiotic used for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) (MDR-TB), and its use may be limited with the emergence of resistance in the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
population. ETH resistance in
M. tuberculosis
is phenomenon independent or cross related when accompanied with isoniazid (INH) resistance. In most cases, resistance to INH and ETH is explained by mutations in the
inhA
promoter and in the following genes:
katG
,
ethA
,
ethR
,
mshA
,
ndh
, and
inhA
. We sequenced the above genes in 64
M. tuberculosis
isolates (
n
= 57 ETH-resistant MDR-TB isolates;
n
= 3 ETH-susceptible MDR-TB isolates; and
n
= 4 fully susceptible isolates). Each isolate was tested for susceptibility to first- and second-line drugs using the agar proportion method. Mutations were observed in ETH-resistant MDR-TB isolates at the following rates: 100% in
katG
, 72% in
ethA
, 45.6% in
mshA
, 8.7% in
ndh
, and 33.3% in
inhA
or its promoter. Of the three ETH-susceptible MDR-TB isolates, all showed mutations in
katG
; one had a mutation in
ethA
, and another, in
mshA
and
inhA
. Finally, of the four fully susceptible isolates, two showed no detectable mutation in the studied genes, and two had mutations in
mshA
gene unrelated to the resistance. Mutations not previously reported were found in the
ethA
,
mshA
,
katG
, and
ndh
genes. The concordance between the phenotypic susceptibility testing to INH and ETH and the sequencing was 1 and 0.45, respectively. Among isolates exhibiting INH resistance, the high frequency of independent resistance and cross-resistance with ETH in the
M. tuberculosis
isolates suggests the need to confirm the susceptibility to ETH before considering it in the treatment of patients with MDR-TB.
Comparative Effectiveness of Single versus Combination Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Infections after Transrectal Prostate Biopsy
Authors: Marino Kaylee , Parlee Anne , Orlando Ralph , Lerner Lori , Strymish Judith , Gupta Kalpana 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

An increase in fluoroquinolone resistance and transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate (TRUS) biopsy infections has prompted the need for alternative effective antibiotic prophylaxis. We aimed to compare ciprofloxacin and other single-agent therapies to combination therapy for efficacy and adverse effects. Men who underwent a TRUS biopsy within the VA Boston health care system with documented receipt of prophylactic antibiotics periprocedure were eligible for inclusion. Postprocedure infections within 30 days were ascertained by chart review from electronic records, including any inpatient, outpatient, or urgent-care visits. Among 455 evaluable men over a 3-year period, there were 25 infections (5.49%), with sepsis occurring in 2.4%, urinary tract infections (UTI) in 1.54%, and bacteremia in 0.44% of patients.
Escherichia coli
was the most common urine (89%) and blood (92%) pathogen, with fluoroquinolone resistance rates of 88% and 91%, respectively. Ciprofloxacin alone was associated with significantly more infections than ciprofloxacin plus an additional agent (
P
= 0.014). Intramuscular gentamicin alone was also significantly associated with a higher infection rate obtained with all other regimens (
P
= 0.004). Any single-agent regimen, including ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, or gentamicin, was associated with significantly higher infection rates than any combination regimen (odds ratio [OR], 4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.47, 10.85;
P
= 0.004). Diabetes, immunosuppressive condition or medication, hospitalization within the previous year, and UTI within the previous 6 months were not associated with infection risk.
Clostridium difficile
infections were similar. These findings suggest that ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and gentamicin alone are inferior to a combination regimen. Institutions with high failure rates of prophylaxis for TRUS biopsies should consider combination regimens derived from their local data.
High Prevalence of
vanM
in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolates from Shanghai, China
Authors: Chen Chunhui , Sun Jingyong , Guo Yan , Lin Dongfang , Guo Qinglan , Hu Fupin , Zhu Demei , Xu Xiaogang , Wang Minggui 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

The
vanM
gene was first found in a vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecium
(VREm) isolate in Shanghai in 2006. In this study, we found that, in 70 VREm strains isolated in nine Shanghai hospitals from 2006 to 2014,
vanM
was more prevalent than the
vanA
gene (64.3% [45/70] versus 35.7% [25/70]). The
vanM
-type isolates showed similar antimicrobial susceptibility patterns with the
vanA
types. The
vanM
-type VREm emerged and disseminated in Shanghai.
Polymyxin Susceptibility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Linked to the MexXY-OprM Multidrug Efflux System
Authors: Poole Keith , Lau Calvin Ho-Fung , Gilmour Christie , Hao Youai , Lam Joseph S. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

The ribosome-targeting antimicrobial, spectinomycin (SPC), strongly induced the
mexXY
genes of the MexXY-OprM multidrug efflux system in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and increased susceptibility to the polycationic antimicrobials polymyxin B and polymyxin E, concomitant with a decrease in expression of the polymyxin resistance-promoting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modification loci,
arnBCADTEF
and PA4773-74. Consistent with the SPC-promoted reduction in
arn
and PA4773-74 expression being linked to
mexXY
, expression of these LPS modification loci was moderated in a mutant constitutively expressing
mexXY
and enhanced in a mutant lacking the efflux genes. Still, the SPC-mediated increase in polymyxin susceptibility was retained in mutants lacking
arnB
and/or PA4773-74, an indication that their reduced expression in SPC-treated cells does not explain the enhanced polymyxin susceptibility. That the polymyxin susceptibility of a mutant strain lacking
mexXY
was unaffected by SPC exposure, however, was an indication that the unknown polymyxin resistance ‘mechanism’ is also influenced by the MexXY status of the cell. In agreement with SPC and MexXY influencing polymyxin susceptibility as a result of changes in the LPS target of these agents, SPC treatment yielded a decline in common polysaccharide antigen (CPA) synthesis in wild-type
P. aeruginosa
but not in the Δ
mexXY
mutant. A mutant lacking CPA still showed the SPC-mediated decline in polymyxin MICs, however, indicating that the loss of CPA did not explain the SPC-mediated MexXY-dependent increase in polymyxin susceptibility. It is possible, therefore, that some additional change in LPS promoted by SPC-induced
mexXY
expression impacted CPA synthesis or its incorporation into LPS and that this was responsible for the observed changes in polymyxin susceptibility.
TheCnes2Locus on Mouse Chromosome 17 Regulates Host Defense against Cryptococcal Infection through Pleiotropic Effects on Host Immunity
Authors: Shourian Mitra , Flaczyk Adam , Angers Isabelle , Mindt Barbara C. , Fritz Jörg H. , Qureshi Salman T. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTThe genetic basis of natural susceptibility to progressiveCryptococcus neoformansinfection is not well understood. Using C57BL/6 and CBA/J inbred mice, we previously identified three chromosomal regions associated withC. neoformanssusceptibility (Cnes1,Cnes2, andCnes3). To validate and characterize the role ofCnes2during the host response, we constructed a congenic strain on the C57BL/6 background (B6.CBA-Cnes2). Phenotypic analysis of B6.CBA-Cnes2mice 35 days afterC. neoformansinfection showed a significant reduction of fungal burden in the lungs and spleen with higher pulmonary expression of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-12 (IL-12), lower expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and an absence of airway epithelial mucus production compared to that in C57BL/6 mice. Multiparameter flow cytometry of infected lungs also showed a significantly higher number of neutrophils, exudate macrophages, CD11b+dendritic cells, and CD4+cells in B6.CBA-Cnes2than in C57BL/6 mice. The activation state of recruited macrophages and dendritic cells was also significantly increased in B6.CBA-Cnes2mice. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that theCnes2interval is a potent regulator of host defense, immune responsiveness, and differential Th1/Th2 polarization followingC. neoformansinfection.
Interspecies Variations in Bordetella Catecholamine Receptor Gene Regulation and Function
Authors: Brickman Timothy J. , Suhadolc Ryan J. , Armstrong Sandra K. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Bordetella bronchiseptica
can use catecholamines to obtain iron from transferrin and lactoferrin via uptake pathways involving the BfrA, BfrD, and BfrE outer membrane receptor proteins, and although
Bordetella pertussis
has the
bfrD
and
bfrE
genes, the role of these genes in iron uptake has not been demonstrated. In this study, the
bfrD
and
bfrE
genes of
B. pertussis
were shown to be functional in
B. bronchiseptica
, but neither
B. bronchiseptica bfrD
nor
bfrE
imparted catecholamine utilization to
B. pertussis
. Gene fusion analyses found that expression of
B. bronchiseptica bfrA
was increased during iron starvation, as is common for iron receptor genes, but that expression of the
bfrD
and
bfrE
genes of both species was decreased during iron limitation. As shown previously for
B. pertussis
,
bfrD
expression in
B. bronchiseptica
was also dependent on the BvgAS virulence regulatory system; however, in contrast to the case in
B. pertussis
, the known modulators nicotinic acid and sulfate, which silence Bvg-activated genes, did not silence expression of
bfrD
in
B. bronchiseptica
. Further studies using a
B. bronchiseptica
bvgAS
mutant expressing the
B. pertussis
bvgAS
genes revealed that the interspecies differences in
bfrD
modulation are partly due to BvgAS differences. Mouse respiratory infection experiments determined that catecholamine utilization contributes to the
in vivo
fitness of
B. bronchiseptica
and
B. pertussis
. Additional evidence of the
in vivo
importance of the
B. pertussis
receptors was obtained from serologic studies demonstrating pertussis patient serum reactivity with the
B. pertussis
BfrD and BfrE proteins.
The Fibronectin-Binding Protein Fnm Contributes to Adherence to Extracellular Matrix Components and Virulence of Enterococcus faecium
Authors: Somarajan Sudha R. , La Rosa Sabina Leanti , Singh Kavindra V. , Roh Jung H. , Höök Magnus , Murray Barbara E. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

The interaction between bacteria and fibronectin is believed to play an important role in the pathogenicity of clinically important Gram-positive cocci. In the present study, we identified a gene encoding a predicted
f
ibro
n
ectin-binding protein of
Enterococcus faeciu

m

(
fnm
), a homologue of
Streptococcus pneumoniae pavA
, in the genomes of
E. faecium
strain TX82 and all other sequenced
E. faecium
isolates. Full-length recombinant Fnm from strain TX82 bound to immobilized fibronectin in a concentration-dependent manner and also appeared to bind collagen type V and laminin, but not other proteins, such as transferrin, heparin, bovine serum albumin, mucin, or collagen IV. We demonstrated that the N-terminal fragment of Fnm is required for full fibronectin binding, since truncation of this region caused a 2.4-fold decrease (
P
< 0.05) in the adhesion of
E. faecium
TX82 to fibronectin. Deletion of
fnm
resulted in a significant reduction (
P
< 0.001) in the ability of the mutant, TX6128, to bind fibronectin relative to that of the wild-type strain;
in situ
reconstitution of
fnm
in the deletion mutant strain restored adherence. In addition, the Δ
fnm
mutant was highly attenuated relative to TX82 (
P
≤ 0.0001) in a mixed-inoculum rat endocarditis model. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Fnm affects the adherence of
E. faecium
to fibronectin and is important in the pathogenesis of experimental endocarditis.
Comparing socially disadvantaged smokers who agree and decline to participate in a randomised smoking cessation trial
Authors: Bonevski Billie , Twyman Laura , Paul Chris , D'Este Catherine , West Robert , Siahpush Mohammad , Oldmeadow Christopher , Palazzi Kerrin , Bryant Jamie , Guillaumier Ashleigh 
Published: September 2015

ObjectivesThis study examined sociodemographic, smoking and psychosocial characteristics associated with consent to participate in a smoking cessation trial for socially disadvantaged smokers.DesignBaseline data were collected prior to seeking consent for the Call it Quits, a randomised controlled trial.SettingAn Australian social and community service organisation. Sociodemographic, smoking and psychosocial characteristics were compared between smokers who agreed or declined to participate.ParticipantsOf the 584 smokers invited to participate, 431 (74%) consented and 153 (26%) declined.ResultsLogistic regression modelling indicates the ORs of participation were twice as high for those reporting ‘high’ motivation to quit compared to the ‘moderate’ motivation group, and five times higher than the ‘low’ motivation group (p=0.007). The ORs of consenting were higher for those with a preference for gradual reduction in cigarettes in quit attempts compared with ‘no preference’. The ORs were lower for those reporting ‘don't know’ regarding their enjoyment of smoking compared to ‘not at all’ enjoying smoking, and reporting that fewer of their family or friends smoked compared to ‘most or all’.ConclusionsThis study is the first to examine the characteristics of socially disadvantaged smokers who consent or decline to participate in a smoking cessation trial. Low-income smokers who are motivated to quit, are not enjoying smoking, had family or friends who smoked, and who are interested in gradual cessation approaches may be more likely to participate in a smoking cessation trial.Trial registration numberISRCTN85202510.
Serum aminotransferase ratio is independently correlated with hepatosteatosis in patients with HCV: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Lin Ming-Shyan , Lin Huang-Shen , Chung Chang-Ming , Lin Yu-Sheng , Chen Mei-Yen , Chen Po-Han , Hu Jing-Hong , Chou Wen-Nan , Huang Jui-Chu , Huang Tung-Jung 
Published: September 2015

ObjectivesThe incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is significant in hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers due to multiple mechanisms, and this worsens the progression of chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) ratio correlates with the status of hepatosteatosis.DesignA cross-sectional observational study.SettingCommunity-based annual examination in northern Taiwan.ParticipantsA total of 1354 participants (age 20 years or over) were enrolled after excluding participants with HCV seronegative, laboratory or questionnaires loss, moderate alcohol consumption, liver cirrhosis, tumours and postlobectomy.Outcome measuresFatty liver was diagnosed according to echogenic findings. NAFLD included grades 1–3 fatty liver and high-degree NAFLD defined grades 2–3 fatty liver.Results580 males and 774 females with a mean age of 47.2 (SD=16.1) years were cross-sectionally studied. The participants with NAFLD have significantly higher levels of ALT/AST ratio, fasting glucose, triglyceride and systolic/diastolic blood pressure than non-NAFLD participants. The association between NAFLD and ALT/AST was significant even when adjusting for the metabolic syndrome (aOR 1.90; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.65; p<0.001). In patients with a high degree of NAFLD, the ALT/AST ratio was still a significant predictor for hepatosteatosis (aOR 2.44; 95% CI 1.58 to 3.77; p<0.001).ConclusionsThe ALT/AST ratio could be a strong risk of hepatosteatosis in patients with chronic HCV infection.
A survey on parasite management by equine veterinarians highlights the need for a regulation change
Authors: Sallé Guillaume , Cabaret Jacques 
Published: September 2015

IntroductionIn‐depth knowledge of the use of anthelminthics in the field, especially by veterinarians, is required to design more sustainable parasite control strategies.Materials and methodsAn online survey was sent by e‐mail to 940 equine veterinary practitioners to describe their equine practice, their awareness about parasites and the management strategies they apply.ResultsGastrointestinal parasites were generally considered (68%) as an issue of moderate importance. Drug efficacy failure was a minor or moderate issue for 47% and 48% of responders, respectively. Parasite management mostly relied on the use of systematic calendar treatments across a wide variety of horse owners (ie, riding schools, studs or hobby horse owners). Almost half of the practitioners (42%) never performed Faecal Egg Count (FEC) before drenching. Horse owners or their employees in charge of equines were reported to be the only person managing drenching in 59% of the collected answers. This was associated with the report of many off‐label uses of anthelmintics and the frequent buying of drugs using the internet.ConclusionsGiven the critical situation regarding anthelmintic resistance, it seems necessary for veterinarians to reclaim parasite management and prevention as a specific topic. Implementation of stricter regulations for use of anthelmintics, like the one applied in Denmark, may make parasitic management in equids more sustainable.
Antique stone quarries in Turkey: a case study on tuffs in the Temple of Apollon Smintheus
Authors: Ergenç Duygu , Caner Saltık Emine N. , Topal Tamer 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
All types of stones have been used as building stones, depending on their durability, visual harmony with the intended construction and availability. In the Hellenistic period, as in other periods, tuff was preferred as a building stone due to its convenience – it was easy to extract, transport and use for building. In the present study, three ancient quarries that were the possible tuff sources for the Apollon Smintheus Temple in Çanakkale are investigated by comparing the durability properties of stones in the temple and in the quarries. These properties are determined using physical and physico-mechanical tests, comparing fresh and artificially weathered samples. Microstructural and elemental correlations were found using optical microscopy, stereomicroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, methylene blue adsorption and X-ray fluorescence analyses. The results indicate that temple tuffs and two of three quarries have similar geological engineering and microstructural properties with the strong claim that those two quarries could have been the source of building stone for the temple.
Palynology, dacryoconarids and the lower Eifelian (Middle Devonian) Basal Choteč Event: case studies from the Prague and Appalachian basins
Authors: Brocke Rainer , Fatka Oldrich , Lindemann Richard H. , Schindler Eberhard , Ver Straeten Charles A. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
During recent studies of the Basal Choteč Event (BCE) at its type locality (Na Škrábku Quarry at Choteč Village, Prague Basin of the Barrandian area, Czech Republic) and selected sections of time-equivalent strata in the Appalachian Basin (USA), palynomorphs and dacryoconarids have proven responsive to changing environmental conditions. To date, there have been no detailed reports of dacryoconarids from the Appalachian Basin (AB) and none of palynomorphs from Bohemia or elsewhere. Palynomorphs of the Barrandian area comprise a more or less monospecific assemblage of prasinophycean algae interpreted here to represent an ecological epibole. Mazuelloids and scolecodonts are also present, whereas acritarchs, spores and chitinozoans are accessory components. Prasinophytes also predominate in coeval strata of the Appalachian Basin's northern region, whereas a chitinozoan species and morphotypes possibly assignable to fungi abound in the central region. Scolecodonts and acritarchs are regionally variable throughout the interval. The former are rare in the central region of the basin but are ubiquitous and sometimes abundant in the northern region. Dacryoconarids of the Appalachian Basin are also regionally variable. The dacryoconarid fauna of the northern region, however, descended from a previous Emsian fauna that diversified during the BCE and subsequently functioned as the foundation of the upper Eifelian faunas, while dacryoconarids of the central region represent an incursion epibole of Old World forms that entered the basin at the onset of the event interval and became extinct at its close. Among the dacryoconarids there are key taxa that serve as excellent biostratigraphic markers to identify the BCE in the Appalachian Basin. In both the Prague and Appalachian basins, the BCE occurs near the maximum transgression of the Devonian Ic sequence. Additional faunal changes are found in the Appalachian Basin leading up to the main body of the event.