bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Epidemiology and Mechanisms of Tigecycline Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from a Chinese University Hospital
Authors: Deng Mei , Zhu Man-Hua , Li Jun-Jie , Bi Sheng , Sheng Zi-Ke , Hu Fei-Shu , Zhang Jia-Jie , Chen Wei , Xue Xiao-Wei , Sheng Ji-Fang , Li Lan-Juan 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTBecause of its remarkable ability to acquire antibiotic resistance and to survive in nosocomial environments,Acinetobacter baumanniihas become a significant nosocomial infectious agent worldwide. Tigecycline is one of the few therapeutic options for treating infections caused byA. baumanniiisolates. However, tigecycline resistance has increasingly been reported. Our aim was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of efflux-based tigecycline resistance in clinical isolates ofA. baumanniicollected from a hospital in China. A total of 74A. baumanniiisolates, including 64 tigecycline-nonsusceptibleA. baumannii(TNAB) and 10 tigecycline-susceptibleA. baumannii(TSAB) isolates, were analyzed. The majority of them were determined to be positive foradeABC,adeRS,adeIJK, andabeM, while theadeEgene was found in only one TSAB isolate. Compared with the levels in TSAB isolates, the mean expression levels ofadeB,adeJ,adeG, andabeMin TNAB isolates were observed to increase 29-, 3-, 0.7-, and 1-fold, respectively. The efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) phenyl-arginine-β-naphthylamide (PAβN) and carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) could partially reverse the resistance pattern of tigecycline. Moreover, thetetX1gene was detected in 12 (18.8%) TNAB isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of thetetX1gene being detected inA. baumanniiisolates. ST208 and ST191, which both clustered into clonal complex 92 (CC92), were the predominant sequence types (STs). This study showed that the active efflux pump AdeABC appeared to play important roles in the tigecycline resistance ofA. baumannii. The dissemination of TNAB isolates in our hospital is attributable mainly to the spread of CC92.
Plasmodium vivax Chloroquine Resistance and Anemia in the Western Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Marques Marly M. , Costa Monica R. F. , Santana Filho Franklin S. , Vieira José L. F. , Nascimento Margareth T. S. , Brasil Larissa W. , Nogueira Fátima , Silveira Henrique , Reyes-Lecca Roberto C. , Monteiro Wuelton M. , Lacerda Marcus V. G. , Alecrim Maria G. C. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Data on chloroquine (CQ)-resistant
Plasmodium vivax
in Latin America is limited, even with the current research efforts to sustain an efficient malaria control program in all these countries where
P. vivax
is endemic and where malaria still is a major public health issue. This study estimated
in vivo
CQ resistance in patients with uncomplicated
P. vivax
malaria, with use of CQ and primaquine simultaneously, in the Brazilian Amazon. Of a total of 135 enrolled subjects who accomplished the 28-day follow-up, parasitological failure was observed in 7 (5.2%) patients, in whom plasma CQ and desethylchloroquine (DCQ) concentrations were above 100 ng/dl. Univariate analysis showed that previous exposure to malaria and a higher initial mean parasitemia were associated with resistance but not with age or gender. In the multivariate analysis, only high initial parasitemia remained significant. Hemoglobin levels were similar at the beginning of the follow-up and were not associated with parasitemia. However, at day 3 and day 7, hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in patients presenting CQ resistance. The
P. vivax
dhfr
(
pvdhfr
),
pvmrp1
,
pvmdr1
, and
pvdhps
gene mutations were not related to resistance in this small sample.
P. vivax
CQ resistance is already a problem in the Brazilian Amazon, which could be to some extent associated with the simultaneous report of anemia triggered by this parasite, a common complication of the disease in most of the areas of endemicity.
Response of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli to Human Serum Reveals a Protective Role for Rcs-Regulated Exopolysaccharide Colanic Acid
Authors: Miajlovic Helen , Cooke Niamh M. , Moran Gary P. , Rogers Thomas R. F. , Smith Stephen G. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTExtraintestinalEscherichia coli(ExPEC) organisms are the leading cause of Gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infections. These bacteria adapt to survival in the bloodstream through expression of factors involved in scavenging of nutrients and resisting the killing activity of serum. In this study, the transcriptional response of a prototypic ExPEC strain (CFT073) to human serum was investigated. Resistance of CFT073 to the bactericidal properties of serum involved increased expression of envelope stress regulators, including CpxR, σE, and RcsB. Many of the upregulated genes induced by active serum were regulated by the Rcs two-component system. This system is triggered by envelope stress such as changes to cell wall integrity. RcsB-mediated serum resistance was conferred through induction of the exopolysaccharide colanic acid. Production of this exopolysaccharide may be protective while cell wall damage caused by serum components is repaired.
Are parents following the recommendations for keeping children younger than 2 years rear facing during motor vehicle travel?
Authors: O'Neil Joseph , Slaven James E , Talty Judith , Bull Marilyn J 
Published: October 2013

PurposeBetween 2007 and 2012 there have been several recommendations that infants and toddlers ride in a car safety seat (CSS) rear facing until 2 years of age. This study reports the effect of these recommendations on the observed direction of travel for infants and toddlers transported in motor vehicles between 2007 and 2012.MethodsThis is an observational, cross-sectional survey of drivers transporting children collected at 25 convenience locations selected in Indiana during summer 2007 through 2012. Observations were conducted by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. As drivers completed a written survey, the Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician recorded the vehicle seating location, type of restraint, CSS direction and use of the CSS harness or safety belt as appropriate, and demographic data. The infant and toddler's age and weight were collected. Data from 2007 through 2012 for ages birth through 23 months were compared in order to determine if recommendations impacted observed direction of travel.ResultsDuring the study period, the percent of infants and toddlers (birth through 23 months) observed rear facing in a motor vehicle varied from 44.2% (2007) to 59.1% (2012). For infants (birth through 11 months) observed rear facing, it was 85.1% (2009) to 91.6% (2012). The percent of toddlers (12 months through 23 months) observed rear facing ranged from 3.3% (2008) to 18.2% (2012).ConclusionsDuring the study period, the proportion of toddlers rear facing increased approximately 15% (p=0.03). Counselling by primary care providers should continue and be strengthened to increase parent and caregiver awareness of the latest child passenger safety recommendations.
Targeting Metabolic Scavenging in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Lyssiotis Costas A. , Cantley Lewis C. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Pancreatic tumor metabolism is rewired to facilitate survival and growth in a nutrient-depleted environment. This leads to a unique dependence on metabolic recycling and scavenging pathways, including NAD salvage. Targeting this pathway in pancreatic cancer disrupts metabolic homeostasis and impairs tumor growth. Clin Cancer Res; 20(1); 6–8. ©2013 AACR.
FBXW7 Mediates Chemotherapeutic Sensitivity and Prognosis in NSCLCs
Authors: Yokobori Takehiko , Yokoyama Yozo , Mogi Akira , Endoh Hideki , Altan Bolag , Kosaka Takayuki , Yamaki Ei , Yajima Toshiki , Tomizawa Kenji , Azuma Yoko , Onozato Ryoichi , Miyazaki Tatsuya , Tanaka Shigebumi , Kuwano Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. To improve the prognosis of patients with NSCLCs, new and validated therapeutic targets are critically needed. In this study, we focused on F-box and WD repeat domain containing-7 (FBXW7), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, that regulates the degradation of MCL1, Myc, cyclin E, and TOP2A. Importantly, loss of FBXW7 was associated with increased sensitivity of tumors to a class I–specific histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, MS-275. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased expression of FBXW7 targets, MCL1 and TOP2A, in NSCLC tumors with low expression of FBXW7. Moreover, clinical specimens exhibiting low FBXW7 expression presented with more progressive cancer and significantly shorter cancer-specific survival than patients with high FBXW7 expression. Mechanistic study of NSCLC cell lines with silenced FBXW7 revealed enhanced MS-275 sensitivity and taxol resistance. Interestingly, taxol resistance was eliminated by MS-275 treatment, suggesting the potential of HDAC inhibitors for the treatment of aggressive taxol-resistant NSCLCs that lack FBXW7.
Implications: FBXW7 status impacts chemosensitivity and is a prognostic marker in NSCLCs.
Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2013/12/19/1541-7786.MCR-13-0341/F1.large.jpg. Mol Cancer Res; 12(1); 32–37. ©2013 AACR.
A Corpus-based Study of Fillers among Native Basque Speakers and the Role of Zera
Authors: Urizar Xabier , Samuel Arthur G 
Published: October 2013

Although speakers often transmit their messages clearly and concisely, their speech also includes disfluencies, including filler words. We have analyzed the kinds of filler-like words (hereafter fillers) that native Basque speakers produce and the role that these fillers have within the discourse. We recorded six Basque L1 speakers in a natural setting designed to trigger spontaneous speech. Because Basque is an agglutinative language it may offer speakers certain options for filler use that have not been observed in studies of languages that do not have such a rich agglutinative morphology (e.g. English). When speakers are close to the retrieval of a to-be-produced word, but not quite able to access it, they may use the agglutinative morphology to give the listener clues to the syntactic category of the intended word. In Basque such clues could be provided by modifying the surface form of a filler. Our corpus includes approximately 300 filler tokens. We provide analyses of the kinds of fillers this population produces and the contexts in which these appear. Certain fillers tend to be produced before beginning large units (e.g. sentences), whereas others usually precede smaller units. One filler (/zera/) behaves differently than the others. In particular, it assumes context-based forms that offer listeners partial information about the almost-retrieved word.
Change and Predictors of Change in Social Skills of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia
Authors: Chappell Neena L. , Kadlec Helena , Reid Colin 
Published: October 2013

Background Social skills are of primary importance for those with dementia and their care providers, yet we know little about the extent to which basic social skills can be maintained over time and the predictors of change. Methods A total of 18 nursing homes with 149 newly admitted residents with moderate to severe dementia, 195 direct care staff, and 135 family members, in British Columbia, Canada, contributed data on change in social skills from admission to 6 months and 1 year later. Results Three-quarters of residents maintained or improved their basic social skills during both the time periods. Decline was explained primarily by cognitive status at the time of admission, notably present orientation. However, staff-to-resident communication becomes more important over time. Conclusions Social skills appear to present an opportunity to maintain interaction with these residents. The findings also suggest that a focus on the present orientation before and following admission and on staff-to-resident communication may be beneficial.
Serum Trace Metal Levels in Alzheimer’s Disease and Normal Control Groups
Authors: Park Jun-Hyun , Lee Dong-Woo , Park Kyung Su , Joung HyoJee 
Published: October 2013

Objective: To determine whether serum trace metals are related to abnormal cognition in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: We studied serum lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic(As) in 89 patients with AD and in 118 cognitively normal individuals. We analyzed the results of the blood tests and the food intake. Results: Serum Pb levels correlated with word list recall ( P = .039) and word list recognition ( P = .037). Without age adjustment, serum Cd levels ( P = .044) were significantly higher in the AD group. After stratified age adjustment, the levels of selected trace metals did not differ significantly between AD and normal individuals. Food intakes regarding selected trace metals were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusions: In this study, serum Pb, Cd, Hg, and As levels were not directly related to abnormal cognition in AD. Serum Pb levels were significantly negatively correlated with verbal memory scores.
Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of the ethanol extract, fractions and eight compounds isolated from Eriosema robustum (Fabaceae)
Authors: Awouafack Maurice D , McGaw Lyndy J , Gottfried Sebastian , Mbouangouere Roukayatou , Tane Pierre , Spiteller Michael , Eloff Jacobus N 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and the cytotoxicity of the ethanol crude extract, fractions and isolated compounds from the twigs ofEriosema robustum, a plant used for the treatment of coughs and skin diseases.MethodsColumn chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were used to isolate and identify eight compounds, robusflavones A (1) and B (2), orostachyscerebroside A (3), stigmasterol (4), 1-O-heptatriacontanoyl glycerol (5), eicosanoic acid (6), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside of sitosterol (7) and 6-prenylpinocembrin (8), fromE. robustum. A two-fold serial microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against fungi and bacteria, and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity.ResultsFraction B had significant antimicrobial activity againstAspergillus fumigatusandCryptoccocus neoformans(MIC 0.08 mg/ml), whilst the crude extract and fraction A had moderate activity againstA. fumigatusandCandida albicans(MIC 0.16 mg/ml). Fraction A however had excellent activity againstStaphylococcus aureus(MIC 0.02 mg/ml),Enterococcus faecalisandEscherichia coli(MIC 0.04 mg/ml). The crude extract had significant activity againstS. aureus,E. faecalisandE. coli. Fraction B had good activity againstE. faecalisandE. coli(MIC 0.08 mg/ml). All the isolated compounds had a relatively weak antimicrobial activity. An MIC of 65 μg/ml was obtained with robusflavones A (1) and B (2) againstC. albicansandA. fumigatus, orostachyscerebroside A (3) againstA. fumigatus, and robusflavone B (2) againstC. neoformans. Compound8had the best activity against bacteria (average MIC 55 μg/ml). The 3 fractions and isolated compounds had LC50values between 13.20 to > 100 μg/ml against Vero cells yielding selectivity indices between 0.01 and 1.58.ConclusionThe isolated compounds generally had a much lower activity than expected based on the activity of the fractions from which they were isolated. This may be the result of synergism between different compounds in the complex extracts or fractions. The results support the traditional use ofE. robustumto treat infections. The crude extract had a good activity and low preparation cost, and may be useful in topical applications to combat microbial infections.
Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans attenuates neuroinflammation in symptomatic hSOD1G93Amice
Authors: Cai MuDan , Choi Sun-Mi , Song Bong Keun , Son Ilhong , Kim Sungchul , Yang Eun Jin 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by selective motor neuron death in the spinal cord, brainstem, and motor cortex. Neuroinflammation is one of several pathological causes of degenerating motor neurons and is induced by activated microglial cells and astrocytes in ALS.

Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans (SSM) is utilized in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine for the treatment of a variety of diseases, such as cancer, apoplexy, and epilepsy. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of SSM are currently unclear, even though SSM increases immune and antibiotic activity.

Methods
To determine the effects of SSM on symptomatic hSOD1G93A transgenic mice, SSM (2.5 μℓ/g) was injected bilaterally at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint three times per week for two weeks. The effects of SSM treatment on anti-neuroinflammation in the brainstem and spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mice were assessed via Nissl and Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) staining, and immunohistochemistry using Iba-1, CD14, HO1, and NQO1 proteins was evaluated by Western blotting.

Results
In this study, we investigated whether SSM affects neuroinflammation in the spinal cord of symptomatic hSOD1G93A transgenic mice. We found that SSM treatment attenuated the loss of motor neurons and reduced the activation of microglial cells and astrocytes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that SSM administration in this animal model of ALS suppressed oxidative stress in the brainstem and spinal cord by 1.6- and 1.8-fold, respectively.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that SSM, which has previously been used in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), might also be considered as an anti-neuroinflammatory therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
The significance of the alteration of 8-OHdG in serous ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Xu Xia , Wang Yan , Guo Wenwen , Zhou Yiqing , Lv Chunmei , Chen Xiaoxiang , Liu Kaijiang 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Oxidative damage and DNA repair dysfunction are associated with carcinogenesis. 8-OHdG is one of the major oxidative DNA adducts. Present work aims to investigate whether the expression of 8-OHdG and its key repair gene hOGG1 play distinctive role in two types of serous ovarian cancer.

Materials and methods
8-OHdG level in DNA from tumor and matched tumor-adjacent normal tissue in 48 high-grade papillary serous carcinomas (HG-SOC), 24 low-grade papillary serous carcinomas (LG-SOC), 20 serous cystadenomas, and 16 non-tumor control ovaries was tested. The Cox proportional hazards model and the log-rank test were used to assess the associations between the 8-OHdG level in two types of serous cancer and patients’ survival. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and protein immunoblot were employed to detect hOGG1 mRNA and protein levels in tumor and adjacent normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of hOGG1 and p53.

Results
There was no difference of average 8-OHdG/106dG DNA level either between HG-SOC (27.8 ± 8.9), LG-SOC (25.2 ± 7.4) and benign serous cystadenoma (26.5 ± 7.7, p = 0.35); or between the tumor-adjacent normal tissue of HG-SOC (18.8 ± 5.2), LG-SOC (21.4 ± 6.5), benign serous cystadenoma (20.5 ± 9.1) and non-tumor ovary (21.6 ± 4.9, p = 0.62). The 8-OHdG/106dG level was significantly higher in tumor comparing to that in matched normal tissue adjacent to carcinoma in HG-SOC (1.52 ± 0.52, p = 0.02), but not in LG-SOC or benign serous cystadenoma. Increased level of 8-OHdG in tumor DNA was an independent factor of overall survival in serous ovarian carcinoma upon multivariate analysis (p < 0.01). Increased level of 8-OHdG in tumor DNA indicates poorer overall and progression-free survival durations than counterparts (47.3 vs 105.7 months and 13.5 vs 45.3 months, respectively). Protein levels of hOGG1 were remarkably decreased in HG-SOC (p < 0.01), but not in LG-SOC and serous cystadenoma compared with the tissue adjacent to carcinoma. A positive result on p53 immunostaining was associated with lower hOGG1 expression in HG-SOC (p = 0.04).

Conclusion
Increased 8-OHdG level and decreased expression of hOGG1 in tumor were found in HG-SOC but not LG-SOC. Increased 8-OHdG level in tumor DNA was significantly associated with poorer overall survival and progression-free survival in serous ovarian carcinoma.
Damage to the Drosophila follicle cell epithelium produces “false clones” with apparent polarity phenotypes
Authors: Haack Timm , Bergstralh Dan T. , St Johnston Daniel 
Published: October 2013

Summary
The Drosophila follicular epithelium, which surrounds developing egg chambers, is a well-established model for studying epithelial polarity because it is continuously generated from adult stem cells, making it easy to generate homozygous mutant clones in a heterozygous background. Mutant clones are usually marked by the loss of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) expression, which distinguishes them from their green, wild-type neighbours. Here we report that damage to the epithelium during dissection can produce groups of GFP-negative cells that resemble mutant clones. Furthermore, several polarity factors, such as aPKC and Discs large, are not localised in these damage-induced false clones. This phenotype is identical to that reported for several mutants, including ampk and Dystroglycan mutant clones under conditions of energetic stress. Using more reliable systems to mark ampk and Dystroglycan null clones such as the MARCM system, we found that neither protein is required for epithelial polarity under low energy conditions. Thus, our previous report of a specific low energy polarity pathway is an artefact of the increased damage caused by dissecting the small ovaries of starved flies. However, ampk mutant cells are larger than normal under both starvation and well-fed conditions, indicating that AMPK restricts follicle cell growth even when dietary sugar is not limiting. We suspect that several other reports of mutants that disrupt follicle cell polarity may also be based on the phenotype of damage-induced false clones, and recommend the use of positively marked clones to avoid this potential artefact.
Experimental evidence for UNC-6 (netrin) axon guidance by stochastic fluctuations of intracellular UNC-40 (DCC) outgrowth activity
Authors: Kulkarni Gauri , Xu Zhennan , Mohamed Ahmed M. , Li Haichang , Tang Xia , Limerick Gerard , Wadsworth William G. 
Published: October 2013

Summary
How the direction of axon guidance is determined is not understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans the UNC-40 (DCC) receptor mediates a response to the UNC-6 (netrin) guidance cue that directs HSN axon development. UNC-40 becomes asymmetrically localized within the HSN neuron to the site of axon outgrowth. Here we provide experimental evidence that the direction of guidance can be explained by the stochastic fluctuations of UNC-40 asymmetric outgrowth activity. We find that the UNC-5 (UNC5) receptor and the cytoskeletal binding protein UNC-53 (NAV2) regulate the induction of UNC-40 localization by UNC-6. If UNC-40 localization is induced without UNC-6 by using an unc-53 mutation, the direction of UNC-40 localization undergoes random fluctuations. Random walk models describe the path made by a succession of randomly directed movement. This model was experimentally tested using mutations that affect Wnt/PCP signaling. These mutations inhibit UNC-40 localization in the anterior and posterior directions. As the axon forms in Wnt/PCP mutants, the direction of UNC-40 localization randomly fluctuates; it can localize in either the anterior, posterior, or ventral direction. Consistent with a biased random walk, over time the axon will develop ventrally in response to UNC-6, even though at a discrete time UNC-40 localization and outgrowth can be observed anterior or posterior. Also, axon formation is slower in the mutants than in wild-type animals. This is also consistent with a random walk since this model predicts that the mean square displacement (msd) will increase only linearly with time, whereas the msd increases quadratically with time for straight-line motion.