bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flucloxacillin‐induced immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Jatzlauk Gregor , Althaus Karina , Strobel Ulrike , Kiefel Volker , Wesche Jan , Muehlenberg Klaus , Greinacher Andreas , Bakchoul Tamam 
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUNDDrug‐induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP) is an adverse drug reaction associated with platelet (PLT) destruction by drug‐dependent antibodies. Demonstration of drug‐dependent PLT antibodies is often difficult and can only be rendered by extensive laboratory testing. In this report, we present the first serologically confirmed case of DITP caused by the antibiotic flucloxacillin.CASE REPORTA 68‐year‐old man developed severe thrombocytopenia that was first suspected to be related to heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia. The absence of PLT‐activating heparin‐dependent antibodies and the abrupt decrease in PLT count to fewer than 20 × 109/L raised the suspicion of DITP.DISCUSSIONFlucloxacillin‐dependent antibodies were detected in patient serum using whole PLT enzyme immunoassay and flow cytometry. The glycoprotein (GP) specificity was identified to be against GP IIb/IIIa complexes using the monoclonal antibody immobilization of PLT antigens assay. Interestingly, antibody binding was abolished when EDTA plasma was used and restored after adding calcium.CONCLUSIONIn summary, DITP should be considered in cases of acute thrombocytopenia during treatment with flucloxacillin.
Membrane lipid rafts and neurobiology: age‐related changes in membrane lipids and loss of neuronal function
Authors: Egawa Junji , Pearn Matthew L. , Lemkuil Brian P. , Patel Piyush M. , Head Brian P. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractA better understanding of the cellular physiological role that plasma membrane lipids, fatty acids and sterols play in various cellular systems may yield more insight into how cellular and whole organ function is altered during the ageing process. Membrane lipid rafts (MLRs) within the plasma membrane of most cells serve as key organizers of intracellular signalling and tethering points of cytoskeletal components. MLRs are plasmalemmal microdomains enriched in sphingolipids, cholesterol and scaffolding proteins; they serve as a platform for signal transduction, cytoskeletal organization and vesicular trafficking. Within MLRs are the scaffolding and cholesterol binding proteins named caveolin (Cav). Cavs not only organize a multitude of receptors including neurotransmitter receptors (NMDA and AMPA receptors), signalling proteins that regulate the production of cAMP (G protein‐coupled receptors, adenylyl cyclases, phosphodiesterases (PDEs)), and receptor tyrosine kinases involved in growth (Trk), but also interact with components that modulate actin and tubulin cytoskeletal dynamics (e.g. RhoGTPases and actin binding proteins). MLRs are essential for the regulation of the physiology of organs such as the brain, and age‐related loss of cholesterol from the plasma membrane leads to loss of MLRs, decreased presynaptic vesicle fusion, and changes in neurotransmitter release, all of which contribute to different forms of neurodegeneration. Thus, MLRs provide an active membrane domain that tethers and reorganizes the cytoskeletal machinery necessary for membrane and cellular repair, and genetic interventions that restore MLRs to normal cellular levels may be exploited as potential therapeutic means to reverse the ageing and neurodegenerative processes.
image
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
pncA
Polymorphisms That Do Not Confer Pyrazinamide Resistance at a Breakpoint Concentration of 100 Micrograms per Milliliter in MGIT
Authors: Whitfield Michael G. , Warren Robin M. , Streicher Elizabeth M. , Sampson Samantha L. , Sirgel Frik A. , van Helden Paul D. , Mercante Alexandra , Willby Melisa , Hughes Kelsey , Birkness Kris , Morlock Glenn , van Rie Annelies , Posey James E. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Sequencing of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
pncA
gene allows for pyrazinamide susceptibility testing. We summarize data on
pncA
polymorphisms that do not confer resistance at a susceptibility breakpoint of 100 μg/ml pyrazinamide in MGIT within a cohort of isolates from South Africa and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Isolation on Chocolate Agar Culture of Legionella pneumophila Isolates from Subcutaneous Abscesses in an Immunocompromised Patient
Authors: Barigou Mohammed , Cavalie Laurent , Daviller Benjamin , Dubois Damien , Mantion Benoît , Delobel Pierre , Debard Alexa , Prere Marie-Françoise , Marchou Bruno , Martin-Blondel Guillaume 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous infections due to
Legionella
species have rarely been reported (L. J. Padrnos, J. E. Blair, S. Kusne, D. J. DiCaudo, and J. R. Mikhael, Transpl Infect Dis 16:307–314, 2014; P. W. Lowry, R. J. Blankenship, W. Gridley, N. J. Troup, and L. S. Tompkins, N Engl J Med 324:109–113, 1991; M. K. Waldor, B. Wilson, and M. Swartz, Clin Infect Dis 16:51–53, 1993). Here we report the identification of
Legionella pneumophila
isolates, from subcutaneous abscesses in an immunocompromised patient, that grew in an unusual medium for
Legionella
bacteria.
Evaluation of Surrogate Disk Tests for Detection of Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Salmonella enterica
Authors: Deak Eszter , Skov Robert , Hindler Janet A. , Humphries Romney M. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Detection of fluoroquinolone resistance in
Salmonella enterica
has become increasingly difficult due to evolving resistance mechanisms to this antimicrobial class in this organism. We evaluated two quinolone disks and five fluoroquinolone disks for their ability to act as a surrogate agent for the detection of fluoroquinolone resistance in a collection of 136
S. enterica
isolates, including 111 with intermediate or resistant ciprofloxacin MICs mediated by a variety of resistance mechanisms. Ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and pefloxacin disks detected all isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin (0% very major error) and yielded false resistance (major error) in 8, 4, and 12% of susceptible isolates, respectively. Ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin provided clearer differentiation of susceptible and resistant isolates.
Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates from Tonsils and Posterior Oropharynx
Authors: Bissessor M. , Whiley D. M. , Lee D. M. , Snow A. F. , Fairley C. K. , Peel J. , Bradshaw C. S. , Hocking J. S. , Lahra M. M. , Chen M. Y. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

We examined the factors influencing gonorrhea detection at the pharynx. One hundred men infected with
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
were swabbed from the tonsils and posterior oropharynx.
N. gonorrhoeae
was reisolated from the tonsils and posterior oropharynx in 62% and 52%, respectively (
P
= 0.041). Culture positivity was greater with higher gonococcal DNA loads at the tonsils (
P
= 0.001) and oropharynx (
P
< 0.001).
N. gonorrhoeae
can be cultured from the tonsils and posterior oropharynx with greater isolation rates where gonococcal loads are higher.
Identification of a Bovine Enteric Calicivirus, Kırklareli Virus, Distantly Related to Neboviruses, in Calves with Enteritis in Turkey
Authors: Alkan Feray , Karayel İlke , Catella Cristiana , Bodnar Livia , Lanave Gianvito , Bányai Krisztián , Di Martino Barbara , Decaro Nicola , Buonavoglia Canio , Martella Vito 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

A calicivirus was detected in neonatal calves with enteritis in Kırklareli, Thrace, Turkey. In the full-length genome, Kırklareli virus was related (48% nucleotide identity) to bovine enteric caliciviruses (
Nebovirus
genus). The virus was also detected in a herd in Ankara, Central Anatolia, but not in other Turkish prefectures.
Utility of PCR, Culture, and Antigen Detection Methods for Diagnosis of Legionellosis
Authors: Chen Derrick J. , Procop Gary W. , Vogel Sherilynn , Yen-Lieberman Belinda , Richter Sandra S. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate the performance of different diagnostic tests for Legionnaires' disease in a clinical setting where
Legionella pneumophila
PCR had been introduced. Electronic medical records at the Cleveland Clinic were searched for
Legionella
urinary antigen (UAG), culture, and PCR tests ordered from March 2010 through December 2013. For cases where two or more test methods were performed and at least one was positive, the medical record was reviewed for relevant clinical and epidemiologic factors. Excluding repeat testing on a given patient, 19,912 tests were ordered (12,569 UAG, 3,747 cultures, and 3,596 PCR) with 378 positive results. The positivity rate for each method was 0.4% for culture, 0.8% for PCR, and 2.7% for UAG. For 37 patients, at least two test methods were performed with at least one positive result: 10 (27%) cases were positive by all three methods, 16 (43%) were positive by two methods, and 11 (30%) were positive by one method only. For the 32 patients with medical records available, clinical presentation was consistent with proven or probable
Legionella
infection in 84% of the cases. For those cases, the sensitivities of culture, PCR, and UAG were 50%, 92%, and 96%, respectively. The specificities were 100% for culture and 99.9% for PCR and UAG.
Membrane Stored Curvature Elastic Stress Modulates Recruitment of Maintenance Proteins PspA and Vipp1
Authors: McDonald Christopher , Jovanovic Goran , Ces Oscar , Buck Martin 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Phage shock protein A (PspA), which is responsible for maintaining inner membrane integrity under stress in enterobacteria, and vesicle-inducting protein in plastids 1 (Vipp1), which functions for membrane maintenance and thylakoid biogenesis in cyanobacteria and plants, are similar peripheral membrane-binding proteins. Their homologous N-terminal amphipathic helices are required for membrane binding; however, the membrane features recognized and required for expressing their functionalities have remained largely uncharacterized. Rigorously controlled,
in vitro
methodologies with lipid vesicles and purified proteins were used in this study and provided the first biochemical and biophysical characterizations of membrane binding by PspA and Vipp1. Both proteins are found to sense stored curvature elastic (SCE) stress and anionic lipids within the membrane. PspA has an enhanced sensitivity for SCE stress and a higher affinity for the membrane than Vipp1. These variations in binding may be crucial for some of the proteins’ differing roles
in vivo
. Assays probing the transcriptional regulatory function of PspA in the presence of vesicles showed that a relief of transcription inhibition occurs in an SCE stress-specific manner. This
in vitro
recapitulation of membrane stress-dependent transcription control suggests that the Psp response may be mounted
in vivo
when a cell's inner membrane experiences increased SCE stress.

IMPORTANCE
All cell types maintain the integrity of their membrane systems. One widely distributed membrane stress response system in bacteria is the phage shock protein (Psp) system. The central component, peripheral membrane protein PspA, which mitigates inner membrane stress in bacteria, has a counterpart, Vipp1, which functions for membrane maintenance and thylakoid biogenesis in plants and photosynthetic bacteria. Membrane association of both these proteins is accepted as playing a pivotal role in their functions. Here we show that direct membrane binding by PspA and Vipp1 is driven by two physio-chemical signals, one of which is membrane stress specific. Our work points to alleviation of membrane stored curvature elastic stress by amphipathic helix insertions as an attractive mechanism for membrane maintenance by PspA and Vipp1. Furthermore, the identification of a physical, stress-related membrane signal suggests a unilateral mechanism that promotes both binding of PspA and induction of the Psp response.
Republished: Left atrial appendage occlusion
Authors: Alli Oluseun , Holmes David 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTLeft atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion for stroke and thromboembolism prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a significant advancement in the field of cardiovascular disease. Prevention and avoidance of the devastating consequences of thromboembolic complications from AF continues to be central in the management of these patients. The role of LAA as a nidus for thrombus formation is well documented. Multiple approaches to exclude the LAA from the circulation either percutaneously or surgically have been described and are undergoing testing. Although pharmacological therapy for stroke prevention remains the cornerstone of treatment, device and surgical exclusion of the LAA have proven to be viable alternatives in carefully selected patients. Even though current evidence show that LAA occlusion is safe and effective, approval and adoption of this strategy has been quite difficult due to paucity of randomised clinical trial data on the risk and benefit ratio, cost effectiveness and the issues of procedural risk as well as longer-term outcome. This review aims to provide an update on the current status of LAA occlusion, specifically looking at interpretation of current clinical data, available techniques and devices, issues with current devices and future direction.
Association of Selected Antipsychotic Agents With Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Noncardiovascular Mortality in Elderly Persons
Authors: Sahlberg Marie , Holm Ellen , Gislason Gunnar H. , Køber Lars , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Andersson Charlotte 
Published: September 2015

Background

Data from observational studies have raised concerns about the safety of treatment with antipsychotic agents (
AP
s) in elderly patients with dementia, but this area has been insufficiently investigated. We performed a head‐to‐head comparison of the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and noncardiovascular mortality associated with individual
AP
s (ziprasidone, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, levomepromazine, chlorprothixen, flupentixol, and haloperidol) in Danish treatment‐naïve patients aged ≥70 years.

Methods and Results

We followed all treatment‐naïve Danish citizens aged ≥70 years that initiated treatment with
AP
s for the first time between 1997 and 2011 (n=91 774, mean age 82±7 years, 35 474 [39%] were men). Incidence rate ratios associated with use of different
AP
s were assessed by multivariable time‐dependent Poisson regression models. For the first 30 days of treatment, compared with risperidone, incidence rate ratios of
major adverse cardiovascular events
were higher with use of levomepromazine (3.80, 95%
CI
3.43 to 4.21) and haloperidol (1.85, 95%
CI
1.67 to 2.05) and lower for treatment with flupentixol (0.54, 95%
CI
0.45 to 0.66), ziprasidone (0.31, 95%
CI
0.10 to 0.97), chlorprothixen (0.76, 95%
CI
0.61 to 0.95), and quetiapine (0.68, 95%
CI
0.58 to 0.80). Relationships were generally similar for long‐term treatment. The majority of agents were associated with higher risks among patients with cardiovascular disease compared with patients without cardiovascular disease (
P
for interaction <0.0001). Similar results were observed for noncardiovascular mortality, although differences in associations between patients with and without cardiovascular disease were small.

Conclusions

Our study suggested some diversity in risks associated with individual
AP
s but no systematic difference between first‐ and second‐generation
AP
s. Randomized placebo‐controlled studies are warranted to confirm our findings and to identify the safest agents.
Association of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Markers of Cerebrovascular Disease Burden and Cognition
Authors: Xu Xin , Hilal Saima , Collinson Simon L. , Chong Eddie Jun Yi , Ikram Mohammad Kamran , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Chen Christopher Li-Hsian 
Published: September 2015

Background and Purpose—
The present study sought to examine the association between the burden of cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) as assessed by multimodal magnetic resonance imaging and neurocognitive function.

Methods—
Cognitively impaired patients and controls were tested on an extensive neuropsychological battery and underwent multimodal brain magnetic resonance imaging. CeVD markers determined from magnetic resonance imaging included the presence of multiple lacunes, multiple cerebral microbleeds, and moderate or severe white matter hyperintensities as markers for small-vessel disease and cortical stroke and intracranial stenosis as markers for large-vessel disease. A weighted CeVD burden score was constructed, and its association with global and domain-specific cognitive performance was investigated.

Results—
A total of 305 cases and 94 controls were included in the analysis. A graded association of CeVD burden with neurocognitive function was found. Moreover, a clear threshold of CeVD burden was associated with severe impairment. White matter hyperintensities was associated with global neurocognitive deficits, whereas microbleeds were associated with domain-specific impairments.

Conclusions—
The weighted CeVD burden score comprising markers of both small- and large-vessel diseases were associated with deficits in both global and domain-specific neurocognitive function. Additional studies are needed to validate the use of this CeVD burden score for the prediction of dementia.
Effects of Information Access Cost and Accountability on Medical Residents’ Information Retrieval Strategy and Performance During Prehandover Preparation
Authors: Yang X. Jessie , Wickens Christopher D. , Park Taezoon , Fong Liesel , Siah Kewin T. H. 
Published: September 2015

Objective: We aimed to examine the effects of information access cost and accountability on medical residents’ information retrieval strategy and performance during prehandover preparation. Background: Prior studies observing doctors’ prehandover practices witnessed the use of memory-intensive strategies when retrieving patient information. These strategies impose potential threats to patient safety as human memory is prone to errors. Of interest in this work are the underlying determinants of information retrieval strategy and the potential impacts on medical residents’ information preparation performance. Method: A two-step research approach was adopted, consisting of semistructured interviews with 21 medical residents and a simulation-based experiment with 32 medical residents. Results: The semistructured interviews revealed that a substantial portion of medical residents (38%) relied largely on memory for preparing handover information. The simulation-based experiment showed that higher information access cost reduced information access attempts and access duration on patient documents and harmed information preparation performance. Higher accountability led to marginally longer access to patient documents. Conclusion: It is important to understand the underlying determinants of medical residents’ information retrieval strategy and performance during prehandover preparation. We noted the criticality of easy access to patient documents in prehandover preparation. In addition, accountability marginally influenced medical residents’ information retrieval strategy. Application: Findings from this research suggested that the cost of accessing information sources should be minimized in developing handover preparation tools.
Value of diffusion-weighted MRI in diagnosis of uterine cervical cancer: a prospective study evaluating the benefits of DWI compared to conventional MR sequences in a 3T environment
Authors: Exner Marc , Kühn Axel , Stumpp Patrick , Höckel Michael , Horn Lars-Christian , Kahn Thomas , Brandmaier Philipp 
Published: September 2015

Background Imaging of cervical carcinoma remains challenging as local infiltration of surrounding tissues cannot always be discriminated safely. New imaging techniques, like diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have emerged, which could lead to a more sensitive tumor detection. Purpose To evaluate the benefits of DWI for determination of size, local infiltration, and tumor grading, in patients with primary and recurrent cervical cancer. Material and Methods In this prospective, study we enrolled 50 patients with primary ( n = 35) and recurrent ( n = 15) tumors. All patients underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including conventional (e.g. T1/T2 ± fs ± contrast) sequences and DWI (b-values of 0, 50, 400, 800 s/mm2). All images were analyzed by three readers with different experience levels (1, 3, 6 years), who compared image quality, tumor delineation, dimensions, local infiltration, lymph node involvement, and quantified ADC values compared to the histopathological grading. Results Additional use of DWI resulted in significantly better ( P < 0.001) tumor delineation for the least experienced reader, but not for experienced readers. Tumor dimensions were assessed almost equally ( P > 0.05) in conventional sequences and DWI. Use of DWI led to an increase in sensitivity of infiltrated adjacent tissue (from 86% to 90%) and detection of lymph node metastases (from 47% to 67%). Quantitative assessment of carcinomas showed lower ADC values ( P < 0.001) with significant inverse correlations between different grading levels. Conclusion Our study demonstrates the overall benefits using DWI in 3T MRI resulting in a higher reader confidence, sensitivity of tissue infiltration, and tumor-grading for cervical cancer.
Epidemiology of Sports-Related Concussion in NCAA Athletes From 2009-2010 to 2013-2014
Authors: Zuckerman Scott L. , Kerr Zachary Y. , Yengo-Kahn Aaron , Wasserman Erin , Covassin Tracey , Solomon Gary S. 
Published: September 2015

Background: The epidemiology of sports-related concussion (SRC) among student-athletes has been extensively researched. However, recent data at the collegiate level are limited. Purpose: To describe the epidemiology of SRC in 25 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: SRC data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during the 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 academic years were analyzed. Concussion injury rates, rate ratios (RRs), and injury proportion ratios were reported with 95% CIs. National estimates were also calculated to examine linear trends across time. Results: During the study period, 1670 SRCs were reported, representing a national estimate of 10,560 SRCs reported annually. Among the 25 sports, the overall concussion rate was 4.47 per 10,000 athlete-exposures (AEs) (95% CI, 4.25-4.68). Overall, more SRCs occurred in competitions (53.2%). The competition rate (12.81 per 10,000 AEs) was larger than the practice rate (2.57 per 10,000 AEs) (competition vs practice, RR = 4.99; 95% CI, 4.53-5.49). Of all SRCs, 9.0% were recurrent. Most SRCs occurred from player contact (68.0%). The largest concussion rates were in men’s wrestling (10.92 per 10,000 AEs; 95% CI, 8.62-13.23), men’s ice hockey (7.91 per 10,000 AEs; 95% CI, 6.87-8.95), women’s ice hockey (7.50 per 10,000 AEs; 95% CI, 5.91-9.10), and men’s football (6.71 per 10,000 AEs; 95% CI, 6.17-7.24). However, men’s football had the largest annual estimate of reported SRCs (n = 3417), followed by women’s soccer (n = 1113) and women’s basketball (n = 998). Among all SRCs, a linear trend did not exist in national estimates across time ( P = .17). However, increases were found within specific sports, such as men’s football, women’s ice hockey, and men’s lacrosse. Conclusion: The estimated number of nationally reported SRCs has increased within specific sports. However, it is unknown whether these increases are attributable to increased reporting or frequency of concussions. Many sports report more SRCs in practice than in competition, although competition rates are higher. Men’s wrestling and men’s and women’s ice hockey have the highest reported concussion rates. Men’s football had the highest annual national estimate of reported SRCs, although the annual participation count was also the highest. Future research should continue to longitudinally examine SRC incidence while considering differences by sex, division, and level of competition.