bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychometric properties of the Parenting Stress Index with parents of children with autistic disorder
Authors: Dardas L. A. , Ahmad M. M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties and the theoretical structure of the Parenting Stress Index‐short form (PSI‐SF) with Jordanian parents of children with autistic disorder.MethodsUsing a cross‐sectional design for data collection, the convenience sample of the study was composed of 184 Jordanian parents of children with autistic disorder. The factor structure for the PSI‐SF was examined using confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses.ResultsWe found that the modified three‐factor model (30 items) fits the data significantly better than the 36‐item model. The results showed that the 12 items of the Parental Distress sub‐scale support the original scale structure. However, items in the Parent–Child Dysfunctional Interaction and Difficult Child sub‐scales did not show stability in their structure. The results in this study showed that the PSI‐SF in its 30‐item model has endorsed the necessary validity of the scale with parents of children with autistic disorder. The study provides information on the effects of Arab culture on the validity of PSI‐SF.ConclusionIt is recommended to use the new factors structure of the PSI‐SF with the 30 items in the studies that intend to examine the stress among parents with children with autistic disorder in the Arab world.
Prognostic Value of Plasma Neuroendocrine Biomarkers in Patients with Acute Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Tu W.‐J. , Dong X. , Zhao S.‐J. , Yang D.‐G. , Chen H. 
Published: May 2013

Inflammation and activation of the neuroendocrine systems comprise important aspects of stroke pathophysiology. The present study investigated whether baseline plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), cortisol and copeptin levels on admission can predict short‐term outcomes and mortality after acute ischaemic stroke. The study group consisted of 189 patients who had their first acute ischaemic stroke. Plasma levels of BNP, NT‐proBNP, cortisol and copeptin were evaluated to determine their value with respect to predicting functional outcome and mortality within 3 months. As a result of cardiovascular and neurological investigations (including imaging techniques), lesion size, stroke subtype classification and clinical outcome after 3 months were determined. Plasma levels of BNP, NT‐proBNP, cortisol and copeptin were associated with stroke severity, as well as short‐term functional outcomes. After adjusting for all other significant outcome predictors, NT‐proBNP, cortisol and copeptin remained as independent outcome predictors. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the biomarker panel (including BNP, NT‐proBNP, cortisol and copeptin) predicted functional outcome and death within 90 days significantly more efficiently than the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) or the biomarker alone. Copeptin showed a significantly greater discriminatory ability as a single biomarker compared to BNP, NT‐proBNP, cortisol and NIHSS score. These results suggest that a biomarker panel may add valuable and time‐sensitive prognostic information in the early evaluation of acute ischaemic stroke. This may provide a channel for interventional therapy in acute stroke.
Vegetative Compatibility, Pathogenicity and Virulence Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae Recovered from Eggplant
Authors: Altinok Hacer Handan , Can Canan , Çolak Hilal 
Published: May 2013

AbstractFusarium oxysporum (Schlechtend.: Fr.) f. sp. melongenae (Fomg) recovered from symptomatic eggplants from five eggplant‐growing areas in Turkey, including the south, west, north‐west, north and south‐east regions. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of the Fomg isolates from different geographical location by pathogenicity and VCG tests. Three hundred and seventy‐four Fomg isolates were classified as highly virulent, virulent, moderately virulent and low virulent through pathogenicity assays. No correlation was observed between virulence of Fomg isolates and their locations. The nitrate non‐utilizing mutants (nit) were generated as nit1, nit3 and NitM, based on phenotyping of Fomg growth characteristics of the Fomg isolates on diagnostic media with various sources of nitrogen. The majority of nit mutants (39.4%) recovered were nit1 from minimal medium (MM) containing of 2.0% potassium chlorate (MMC). The most of Fomg isolates were identified as heterokaryon self‐compatible (HSC) based on their ability to form a stable heterokaryon, while four isolates were classified as heterokaryon self‐incompatible (HSI). A large amount of Fomg isolates were vegetatively compatible and assigned as members of the same VCG, whereas nit mutants of 10 Fomg isolates that did not complement with tester strains only paired by themselves (HSC), these isolates were termed vegetative incompatible (vic). The complementation of 33 isolates with tester strains was slow and quite weak, but not paired with themselves even though they are HSC. About 96.3% of the Fomg isolates were assigned to VCG 0320, while the remaining 3.7% were classified as vegetative incompatible group.
A Critical Review and Meta‐Analysis of the Efficacy of Whole‐Cell KilledTritrichomonas foetusVaccines in Beef Cattle
Authors: Baltzell P. , Newton H. , O'Connor A.M. 
Published: May 2013

This review assesses the efficacy of whole cellTritrichomonas foetusvaccine to prevent and treat trichomoniasis in beef cattle. Three databases were searched in June 2012. Eligible studies compared infection risk, open risk, and abortion risk in heifers or infection risk in bulls that received vaccine compared with no vaccine. Study results were extracted, summary effect measures were calculated, and the quality of the evidence was assessed. From 334 citations identified, 10 were relevant to the review.For heifers, there was limited evidence of moderate quality to assess the impact of vaccination on infection risk (RR, 0.89;P = .16; 95% CI, 0.76–1.05; 6 randomized and 4 nonrandomized studies; 251 animals) and open risk (RR, 0.80;P = .06; 95% CI, 0.63–1.01; 6 randomized and 5 nonrandomized studies; 570 animals). The quality of the body of work describing the impact of vaccination on abortion risk was low (summary RR, 0.57;P = .0003; 95% CI, 0.42–0.78; 3 randomized and 2 nonrandomized studies; 176 animals). The quality of evidence was very low for duration of infection (mean difference, −23.42;P = .003; 95% CI, −38.36 to −7.85; 2 randomized and 3 nonrandomized studies; 163 animals). Although the summary effect measures suggest a benefit to vaccination, due to publication bias the effect reported here is likely an over estimate of efficacy. For bull‐associated outcomes, the evidence base was low or very low quality.
Renal effects of NO‐inhibition in patients with cirrhosis vs. healthy controls: a randomized placebo‐controlled crossover study
Authors: Bech Jesper N. , Aagaard Niels K. , Pedersen Robert S. , Sorensen Tina B. , Vilstrup Hendrik , Pedersen Erling B. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundNitric oxide (NO) is an important regulator of renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion. Systemic and splanchnic NO‐synthesis is increased in liver cirrhosis contributing to the characteristic hyperdynamic circulation. The significance of renal NO in human cirrhosis is not clear.AimsIn order to clarify the role of NO in the regulation of renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion in human cirrhosis, we studied the effects of NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine (l‐NMMA) – a nonselective NO‐inhibitor – on blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), GFR, RPF, UNa × V, FENa, FELi and plasma levels of renin, angII, aldo, ANP, BNP and cGMP in 13 patients with cirrhosis (Child gr.A: 8; Child gr.B+C: 5) and 13 healthy controls.MethodsThe study was randomized and placebo‐controlled. Renal hemodynamics were assessed by measuring renal clearance of 51Cr‐EDTA and 125I‐Hippuran for GFR and RPF, respectively.Resultsl‐NMMA induced a similar, significant increase in MAP in both groups and a more pronounced relative decrease in HR in the CIR group (P = 0.0209, anova). l‐NMMA did not change GFR in any group, but RPF decreased significantly in both groups, but most pronouncedly in CIR (P = 0.0478, anova). FENa decreased significantly in both groups after l‐NMMA, but the response was again most pronounced in the CIR group (P = 0.0270, anova). All parameters remained stable after placebo. No significant differences were observed between the effects of l‐NMMA in Child gr.A vs. Child gr. B+C patients.ConclusionThe data supports the hypothesis that renal NO is enhanced in human cirrhosis.
Evidence for adaptive evolution of low‐temperature stress response genes in a Pooideae grass ancestor
Authors: Vigeland Magnus D. , Spannagl Manuel , Asp Torben , Paina Cristiana , Rudi Heidi , Rognli Odd‐Arne , Fjellheim Siri , Sandve Simen R. 
Published: May 2013

Summary

Adaptation to temperate environments is common in the grass subfamily Pooideae, suggesting an ancestral origin of cold climate adaptation. Here, we investigated substitution rates of genes involved in low‐temperature‐induced (LTI) stress responses to test the hypothesis that adaptive molecular evolution of LTI pathway genes was important for Pooideae evolution.

Substitution rates and signatures of positive selection were analyzed using 4330 gene trees including three warm climate‐adapted species (maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and rice (Oryza sativa)) and five temperate Pooideae species (Brachypodium distachyon, wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), Lolium perenne and Festuca pratensis).

Nonsynonymous substitution rate differences between Pooideae and warm habitat‐adapted species were elevated in LTI trees compared with all trees. Furthermore, signatures of positive selection were significantly stronger in LTI trees after the rice and Pooideae split but before the Brachypodium divergence (P < 0.05). Genome‐wide heterogeneity in substitution rates was also observed, reflecting divergent genome evolution processes within these grasses.

Our results provide evidence for a link between adaptation to cold habitats and adaptive evolution of LTI stress responses in early Pooideae evolution and shed light on a poorly understood chapter in the evolutionary history of some of the world's most important temperate crops.
Video observation of anesthesia practice: a useful and reliable tool for quality improvement initiatives
Authors: Rampersad Sally E. , Martin Lizabeth D. , Geiduschek Jeremy M. , Weiss Gillian K. , Bates Shelly W. , Martin Lynn D. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimsPatients with central venous catheters who are transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit to the care of an anesthesiology team for an operation or interventional radiology procedure had excessive rates of catheter associated blood stream infection (CABSI).MethodsWe convened a multi‐disciplinary team to audit anesthesia practice and to develop countermeasures for those aspects of practice that were thought to be contributing to CABSI's. It was noted that provider behavior changed in the presence of an auditor (Hawthorne effect) and so videorecordings were used, in the hope that this Hawthorne effect would be reduced. Clips were chosen from the hours of video (without audio) recordings that showed medication administration, airway management and touching the anesthesia cart of equipment/supplies.ResultsThese clips were viewed by three observers and measurements were made to assess intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliability. The clips were then viewed to quantify differences in practice before and after our bundle of “best practices” was introduced.ConclusionsAlthough video recording has been used to evaluate adherence to resuscitation protocols in both trauma and in neonatal resuscitation, (Pediatric Emergency Care, 26, 2010, 803; Pediatrics, 117, 2006, 658; Pediatrics, 106, 2000, 654) we believe this is the first time that video has been used to record before and after behaviors for an anesthesia quality improvement initiative.
A Multiepitope Fusion Antigen Elicits Neutralizing Antibodies against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Homologous Bovine Viral Diarrhea VirusIn Vitro
Authors: Hashish Emad A. , Zhang Chengxian , Ruan Xiaosai , Knudsen David E. , Chase Christopher C. , Isaacson Richard E. , Zhou Guoqiang , Zhang Weiping 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTDiarrhea is one of the most important bovine diseases. EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) are the major causes of diarrhea in calves and cattle. ETEC expressing K99 (F5) fimbriae and heat-stable type Ia (STa) toxin are the leading bacteria causing calf diarrhea, and BVDV causes diarrhea and other clinical illnesses in cattle of all ages. It is reported that maternal immunization with K99 fimbrial antigens provides passive protection to calves against K99 fimbrial ETEC and that BVDV major structural protein E2 elicits antibodies neutralizing against BVDV viral infection. Vaccines inducing anti-K99 and anti-STa immunity would protect calves more effectively against ETEC diarrhea, and those also inducing anti-E2 neutralizing antibodies would protect calves and cattle against diarrhea caused by both ETEC and BVDV. In this study, we used the ETEC K99 major subunit FanC as a backbone, genetically embedded the STa toxoid STaP12Fand the most-antigenic B-cell epitope and T-cell epitope predicted from the BVDV E2 glycoprotein into FanC for the multivalent antigen FanC-STa-E2, and examined immunogenicity of this multivalent antigen to assess vaccine potential against bovine diarrhea. Mice intraperitoneally (i.p.) immunized with this multivalent antigen developed anti-K99, anti-STa, and anti-BVDV antibodies. Moreover, elicited antibodies showed neutralization activities, as they inhibited adherence of K99 fimbrialE. coli, neutralized STa toxin, and prevented homologous BVDV viral infectionin vitro. Results from this study suggest that this multiepitope fusion antigen can potentially be developed as a vaccine for broad protection against bovine diarrhea and that the multiepitope fusion strategy may be generally applied for multivalent vaccine development against heterogeneous pathogens.
Evaluation of the BioPlex 2200 Syphilis System as a First-Line Method of Reverse-Sequence Screening for Syphilis Diagnosis
Authors: Marangoni Antonella , Nardini Paola , Foschi Claudio , Moroni Alessandra , D'Antuono Antonietta , Bacchi Reggiani Letizia , Cevenini Roberto 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTDespite recent technological advances, the diagnosis of syphilis remains a challenging enterprise. Actually, most high-volume laboratories have adopted the “reverse algorithm” due several factors, including the potential to automate testing. Recently, immunoassays processed on random-access systems have been proposed as screening tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate diagnostic performances of BioPlex 2200 Syphilis IgG and BioPlex 2200 Syphilis IgM, tests based on Multiplex Flow technology, in comparison with the performance of Architect Syphilis TP, a chemiluminescent immunoassay for the detection of IgG and/or IgM anti-Treponema pallidumantibodies. A retrospective study was performed with a panel of 100 blood donor sera, a panel of 350 clinical and laboratory-characterized syphilitic sera, and 170 samples obtained from subjects with potentially interfering conditions. Moreover, 200 unselected samples submitted to the Microbiology Laboratory of St. Orsola Hospital in Bologna for routine screening for syphilis were evaluated. As confirmatory tests,T. pallidumhemagglutination and Western blot assays were used. Considering the IgG Western blot (WB) assay to be the gold standard method, BioPlex 2200 Syphilis IgG specificity was far higher than Architect Syphilis TP specificity (89.7% versus 78.4%, respectively), whereas the sensitivity was 100% for both automated methods. Compared to the IgM WB assay, BioPlex 2200 Syphilis IgM performed with a specificity of 94.9%, whereas the sensitivity was 84.8%. Considering the excellent ease of use and automation, the high sample throughput and its valuable analytical performances, BioPlex Syphilis 2200 IgG could represent a suitable choice for high-volume laboratories. BioPlex Syphilis 2200 IgM could be considered a good addition to IgG testing for uncovering active infections.
Elevated Inflammatory Mediators in Adults with Oculorespiratory Syndrome following Influenza Immunization: a Public Health Agency of Canada/Canadian Institutes of Health Research Influenza Research Network Study
Authors: Al-Dabbagh Mona , Lapphra Keswadee , Scheifele David W. , Halperin Scott A. , Langley Joanne M. , Cho Patricia , Kollmann Tobias R. , Li Yan , De Serres Gaston , Fortuno Edgardo S. , Bettinger Julie A. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
Oculorespiratory syndrome (ORS) is an infrequent adverse event following influenza vaccination. Its clinical presentation suggests that ORS is an immune-mediated phenomenon, but studies of symptomatic individuals have been few. This study measured cytokine levels in peripheral blood samples following influenza vaccination in those with and without current ORS symptoms. Canadian adults receiving the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine were recruited and asked to promptly report any adverse effects. ORS symptoms occurring 4 to 48 h after vaccination were identified using previously published criteria. Two blood samples were collected from each subject to measure blood plasma cytokine and hemagglutination inhibition antibody (HAI) titers; visit 1 occurred during the acute disease phase or 4 to 72 h after vaccination for controls, and visit 2 occurred another 21 days postimmunization. Nine ORS cases and 35 controls were enrolled. The median age of ORS cases was 49 years, and 89% were female. Most cases had multiple symptoms, but none required medical care. HAI titers before and after vaccination were similar for the cases and controls. Blood plasma cytokine concentrations did not differ between the ORS cases and controls for most cytokines measured (interleukin 4 [IL-4], IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-1α, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], gamma interferon [IFN-γ], and IL-17A). However, ORS cases had higher levels of IL-10 and IL-3 than the controls at visits 1 and 2, even after all symptoms had subsided. Persistent higher levels of IL-10 and IL-3 in ORS cases suggest that host factors may have predisposed these individuals to develop ORS following influenza vaccination. Further investigations are warranted, as they might identify subjects who are at risk for ORS prior to vaccination.
Cell-Type-Specific Activation of the Oligoadenylate Synthetase–RNase L Pathway by a Murine Coronavirus
Authors: Zhao Ling , Birdwell L. Dillon , Wu Ashley , Elliott Ruth , Rose Kristine M. , Phillips Judith M. , Li Yize , Grinspan Judith , Silverman Robert H. , Weiss Susan R. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have demonstrated that the murine coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) nonstructural protein 2 (ns2) is a 2′,5′-phosphodiesterase that inhibits activation of the interferon-induced oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)-RNase L pathway. Enzymatically active ns2 is required for efficient MHV replication in macrophages, as well as for the induction of hepatitis in C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, following intranasal or intracranial inoculation, efficient replication of MHV in the brain is not dependent on an enzymatically active ns2. The replication of wild-type MHV strain A59 (A59) and a mutant with an inactive phosphodiesterase (ns2-H126R) was assessed in primary hepatocytes and primary central nervous system (CNS) cell types—neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. A59 and ns2-H126R replicated with similar kinetics in all cell types tested, except macrophages and microglia. RNase L activity, as assessed by rRNA cleavage, was induced by ns2-H126R, but not by A59, and only in macrophages and microglia. Activation of RNase L correlated with the induction of type I interferon and the consequent high levels of OAS mRNA induced in these cell types. Pretreatment of nonmyeloid cells with interferon restricted A59 and ns2-H126R to the same extent and failed to activate RNase L following infection, despite induction of OAS expression. However, rRNA degradation was induced by treatment of astrocytes or oligodendrocytes with poly(I·C). Thus, RNase L activation during MHV infection is cell type specific and correlates with relatively high levels of expression of OAS genes, which are necessary but not sufficient for induction of an effective RNase L antiviral response.
The Comparative Genomics of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Subgroups A and B: Genetic Variability and Molecular Evolutionary Dynamics
Authors: Tan Lydia , Coenjaerts Frank E. J. , Houspie Lieselot , Viveen Marco C. , van Bleek Grada M. , Wiertz Emmanuel J. H. J. , Martin Darren P. , Lemey Philippe 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Genomic variation and related evolutionary dynamics of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common causative agent of severe lower respiratory tract infections, may affect its transmission behavior. RSV evolutionary patterns are likely to be influenced by a precarious interplay between selection favoring variants with higher replicative fitness and variants that evade host immune responses. Studying RSV genetic variation can reveal both the genes and the individual codons within these genes that are most crucial for RSV survival. In this study, we conducted genetic diversity and evolutionary rate analyses on 36 RSV subgroup B (RSV-B) whole-genome sequences. The attachment protein, G, was the most variable protein; accordingly, the G gene had a higher substitution rate than other RSV-B genes. Overall, less genetic variability was found among the available RSV-B genome sequences than among RSV-A genome sequences in a comparable sample. The mean substitution rates of the two subgroups were, however, similar (for subgroup A, 6.47 × 10
−4
substitutions/site/year [95% credible interval {CI 95%}, 5.56 × 10
−4
to 7.38 × 10
−4
]; for subgroup B, 7.76 × 10
−4
substitutions/site/year [CI 95%, 6.89 × 10
−4
to 8.58 × 10
−4
]), with the time to their most recent common ancestors (TMRCAs) being much lower for RSV-B (19 years) than for RSV-A (46.8 years). The more recent RSV-B TMRCA is apparently the result of a genetic bottleneck that, over longer time scales, is still compatible with neutral population dynamics. Whereas the immunogenic G protein seems to require high substitution rates to ensure immune evasion, strong purifying selection in conserved proteins such as the fusion protein and nucleocapsid protein is likely essential to preserve RSV viability.
Misguidance of peroral rigid laryngoscopy in assessment of difficult airway: two comparable cases in microlaryngeal surgery
Authors: Zhang Xu , Li Wenxian 
Published: May 2013

We describe two patients with laryngeal cyst who underwent microlaryngeal surgery. Peroral rigid laryngoscopy, as an indirect endoscopy, performed via the transoral route, was evaluated as a routine screening tool of the difficult airway in patients with laryngeal neoplasm, in our hospital preoperatively. Peroral rigid laryngoscopy had led to two different procedures: One patient was misdiagnosed as having a difficult airway by the ear, nose and throat surgeon resulting in an unnecessary awake tracheotomy. The other patient was found to be with an unanticipated difficult intubation following routine anaesthesia, successful on the third attempt. As we saw in these two cases, endoscopic examination alone was inadequate for the assessment of a difficult airway, which may also lack the predictive sensitivity or may cause a high false positive. Usage of video laryngoscopy combined with intubating stylet will improve the intubation success in patients with huge epiglottic cyst.