bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Caring until the end: a systematic literature review exploring Paediatric Intensive Care Unit end‐of‐life care
Authors: Howes Catherine 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTAims and objectivesA systematic review of the literature focusing on the provision of end‐of‐life care (EOLC) on Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) and the options available to children and families within contemporary clinical practice.BackgroundThe death of a child is recognized as a uniquely traumatic experience for a parent. The care delivered to a child and family surrounding death can have a lasting effect on the grieving process. The majority of paediatric deaths occur within PICUs, often as a result of withdrawing or withholding treatment. Withdrawal of intensive care is becoming more common within UK PICUs, and this review will focus on the options available when a child's on‐going treatment is deemed to be futile.Search strategiesLiterature published from 2002 to 2013 was obtained from a range of sources and critically reviewed. Cormack's (2000) framework for systematic literature review was utilized to critically review literature before analysis and synthesis of the literature was undertaken within the qualitative approach.Inclusion/exclusion criteriaEach article focused on issues surrounding the topic area, excluded adult and neonatal intensive care and was published in English.ConclusionsEight papers met the inclusion criteria and were suitable for review (highlighting difficulties in reviewing a small, complex subject area). Key themes identified included family views, staff views, decision‐making, medico‐legal issues and resources.Relevance to clinical practiceAlthough the number of relevant articles is limited, a wide range of challenges facing children, parents and staff are highlighted, whilst generally supporting the facilitation of transferring children to their homes or hospice for withdrawal of intensive care and continuing EOLC. Further research is required, particularly regarding long‐term implications, legal issues and the effectiveness of clinical protocols.
Gross and net production during the spring bloom along the Western Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Goldman Johanna A. L. , Kranz Sven A. , Young Jodi N. , Tortell Philippe D. , Stanley Rachel H. R. , Bender Michael L. , Morel Francois M. M. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

This study explores some of the physiological mechanisms responsible for high productivity near the shelf in the Western Antarctic Peninsula despite a short growing season and cold temperature.

We measured gross and net primary production at Palmer Station during the summer of 2012/2013 via three different techniques: incubation with H218O; incubation with 14CO2; and in situ measurements of O2/Ar and triple oxygen isotope. Additional laboratory experiments were performed with the psychrophilic diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus.

During the spring bloom, which accounted for more than half of the seasonal gross production at Palmer Station, the ratio of net‐to‐gross production reached a maximum greater than c. 60%, among the highest ever reported. The use of multiple techniques showed that these high ratios resulted from low heterotrophic respiration and very low daylight autotrophic respiration. Laboratory experiments revealed a similar ratio of net‐to‐gross O2 production in F. cylindrus and provided the first experimental evidence for an important level of cyclic electron flow (CEF) in this organism.

The low ratio of community respiration to gross primary production observed during the bloom at Palmer Station may be characteristic of high latitude coastal ecosystems and partially supported by a very active CEF in psychrophilic phytoplankton.
The Populus ARBORKNOX1 homeodomain transcription factor regulates woody growth through binding to evolutionarily conserved target genes of diverse function
Authors: Liu Lijun , Zinkgraf Matthew , Petzold H. Earl , Beers Eric P. , Filkov Vladimir , Groover Andrew 
Published: November 2014

Summary

The class I KNOX homeodomain transcription factor ARBORKNOX1 (ARK1) is a key regulator of vascular cambium maintenance and cell differentiation in Populus. Currently, basic information is lacking concerning the distribution, functional characteristics, and evolution of ARK1 binding in the Populus genome.

Here, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP‐seq) technology to identify ARK1 binding loci genome‐wide in Populus. Computational analyses evaluated the distribution of ARK1 binding loci, the function of genes associated with bound loci, the effect of ARK1 binding on transcript levels, and evolutionary conservation of ARK1 binding loci.

ARK1 binds to thousands of loci which are highly enriched proximal to the transcriptional start sites of genes of diverse functions. ARK1 target genes are significantly enriched in paralogs derived from the whole‐genome salicoid duplication event. Both ARK1 and a maize (Zea mays) homolog, KNOTTED1, preferentially target evolutionarily conserved genes. However, only a small portion of ARK1 target genes are significantly differentially expressed in an ARK1 over‐expression mutant.

This study describes the functional characteristics and evolution of DNA binding by a transcription factor in an undomesticated tree, revealing complexities similar to those shown for transcription factors in model animal species.
Tricuspid Regurgitation and Implantable Devices
Authors: AL‐BAWARDY RASHA , KRISHNASWAMY AMAR , RAJESWARAN JEEVANANTHAM , BHARGAVA MANDEEP , WAZNI OUSSAMA , WILKOFF BRUCE , TUZCU EMIN MURAT , MARTIN DAVID , THOMAS JAMES , BLACKSTONE EUGENE , KAPADIA SAMIR 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundThere are limited and conflicting data regarding the prevalence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after cardiac device implantation (implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD]; permanent pacemaker [PPM]).ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of TR after cardiac device implantation and determine its clinical significance.MethodsA total of 1,596 patients, who had cardiac devices implanted between 2005 and 2011 at the Cleveland Clinic and had at least one preimplantation echocardiogram and at least one postimplantation echocardiogram were included in this study. A total of 3,566 postimplantation echocardiograms were available for the 1,596 patients (median follow‐up 10 months). The primary end point was postimplantation TR and the secondary end point was all‐cause mortality after implantation. We have used a cumulative logistic nonlinear mixed‐effects model to assess the temporal trend of TR prevalence and a parametric multiphase hazard model to assess survival.ResultsOf the 1,596 patients (mean age: 60 ± 10 years, 61% of patients were men), 985 (62%) had ICDs (including 334 patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator) and 611 (38%) had PPMs. The prevalence of grade 3 or 4+ TR increased from 27% to 31% by 1 month and to 35% at 4 years. Accordingly, prevalence of grade 0/1+ TR decreased from 46% preimplantation to 37% at 1 month and to 32% at 4 years. Device type (ICD vs PPM) and the number of leads placed did not have an effect on postimplantation TR (P > 0.2). Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) did not change over time (36 mm Hg baseline, 37.5 mm Hg by 3 months, and 37 mm Hg by 1 year). One‐year and 5‐year survival were 93% and 73%, respectively. Postimplantation TR was an independent risk factor for late death (P < 0.05).ConclusionCardiac device implantation was associated with a small but significant increase in the prevalence of moderate and severe TR, both acutely and chronically after implantation. The increase in TR was similar with both ICD and PPM placement, which was not related to the number of leads implanted and not associated with a significant increase in RVSP. Postimplantation TR was associated with a higher risk of mortality.
Human rhinovirus C infections in pediatric hematology and oncology patients
Authors: Loria Carolina , Domm Jennifer A. , Halasa Natasha B. , Heitman Elizabeth , Miller E. Kathryn , Xu Meng , Saville Benjamin R. , Frangoul Haydar , Williams John V. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractChildren with cancer and HSCT recipients are at high risk for common viral infections. We sought to define the viral etiology of ARI and identify risk factors. Nasal wash samples were collected from pediatric hematology–oncology patients and HSCT recipients with ARI during the 2003–2005 winter seasons. Real‐time RT‐PCR was performed to detect Flu A, influenza B, RSV, PIV 1‐3, human MPV, and HRV. HRV specimens were sequenced and genotyped. Seventy‐eight samples from 62 children were included. Viruses were detected in 31 of 78 samples (40%). HRV were detected most frequently, in 16 (52%) including five HRVC; followed by seven (22%) RSV, five (16%) Flu A, four (13%) MPV, and two (6%) PIV2. There was a trend toward higher risk of viral infection for children in day care. Only 8% of the study children had received influenza vaccine. HRV, including the recently discovered HRVC, are an important cause of infection in pediatric oncology and HSCT patients. Molecular testing is superior to conventional methods and should be standard of care, as HRV are not detected by conventional methods.
Moral Judgment and Deontology: Empirical Developments
Authors: May Joshua 
Published: November 2014

AbstractA traditional idea is that moral judgment involves more than calculating the consequences of actions; it also requires an assessment of the agent's intentions, the act's nature, and whether the agent uses another person as a means to her ends. I survey experimental developments suggesting that ordinary people often tacitly reason in terms of such deontological rules. It's now unclear whether we should posit a traditional form of the doctrine of double effect. However, further research suggests that a range of non‐consequentialist factors influence moral judgment, including intentions, commissions, personal harm, and agent‐centered commitments. Many, if not all, such factors appear to affect how involved the agent is in bringing about an outcome.
Patients' experiences of being mechanically ventilated in an ICU: a qualitative metasynthesis
Authors: Baumgarten Mette , Poulsen Ingrid 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundBeing a patient in an intensive care unit (ICU) and being mechanically ventilated is a scary and unpleasant experience to many patients. Qualitative studies describe these Patients' experiences, but the findings have not yet been synthesised.AimThe aim of this study was to gather and synthesise interpreted knowledge from qualitative studies about Patients' experiences of being mechanically ventilated in an ICU.MethodA qualitative metasynthesis was conducted on findings from nine qualitative studies performed in the period from 1994 to 2012. The studies were critically appraised according to the method defined by Sandelowski and Barosso, and the findings were extracted, edited, grouped and abstracted. Subsequently, the abstracted findings were analysed, using the constant comparison analysis. In the analysis, we used findings from patients with home ventilation and findings from patients admitted to an ICU, while they were not ventilated.ResultsFifteen abstracted findings appeared from the metasynthesis and led to the synthesised finding: ‘Being dependent on health professionals, without being able to communicate, causes experiences with anxiety, fear and loneliness. How intensively these feelings are experienced seems to depend on the health professionals' ability of being present with these patients. The presence of relatives can alleviate these experiences'.ConclusionThis study shows that patients being mechanically ventilated in an ICU experience an emic vulnerability, consisting of anxiety, fear and loneliness.Implications for practiceIn future practice, it is expected that patients will be more awake during mechanical ventilation. It is therefore important that health professionals have the knowledge that their presence and their support of the relationship between the patient and his/her relatives are of great importance in the care of patients.
‘Southern’ Alternatives of Urban Diffusion: Investigating Settlement Characteristics and Socio‐Economic Patterns in Three Mediterranean Regions
Authors: Di Feliciantonio Cesare , Salvati Luca 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe present study investigates the relation between urban form and the socio‐economic patterns of the resident population in three southern European cities (Athens, Lisbon and Rome) featured by different processes of urban diffusion. The paper goes beyond the literature on sprawl focused on (residential, income and ethnic) segregation and the different features of the inhabitants of the suburbs and those of the inner cities residents. By integrating multivariate statistics and spatial analysis, a methodology is proposed, based on morphological and socio‐economic indicators available at a fine geographical scale. Results show how urban diffusion processes vary widely according to the context, as does the socio‐economic profile of the actors, stressing the need to think about different ‘southern European alternatives’ of sprawl.
Draft Genome Sequence of Leuconostoc mesenteroides P45 Isolated from Pulque, a Traditional Mexican Alcoholic Fermented Beverage
Authors: Riveros-Mckay Fernando , Campos Itzia , Giles-Gómez Martha , Bolívar Francisco , Escalante Adelfo 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Leuconostoc mesenteroides
P45 was isolated from the traditional Mexican pulque beverage. We report its draft genome sequence, assembled in 6 contigs consisting of 1,874,188 bp and no plasmids. Genome annotation predicted a total of 1,800 genes, 1,687 coding sequences, 52 pseudogenes, 9 rRNAs, 51 tRNAs, 1 noncoding RNA, and 44 frameshifted genes.
Comparison of Etest, Disk Diffusion, and Broth Macrodilution for
In Vitro
Susceptibility Testing of Rhodococcus equi
Authors: Berghaus Londa J. , Giguère Steeve , Guldbech Kristen , Warner Eleanor , Ugorji Ukachi , Berghaus Roy D. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

MICs of erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, rifampin, gentamicin, and doxycycline against 101 isolates of
Rhodococcus equi
were determined by broth macrodilution, disk diffusion, and Etest. Categorical agreement ranged between 85.1 and 100%. Overall, the agreement between Etest and disk diffusion was better than the agreement between broth macrodilution and the agar-based methods.
Neutralization Activity of Patient Sera Collected during the 2008-2009 Chikungunya Outbreak in Thailand
Authors: Kishishita Natsuko , Sasayama Mikiko , Takeda Naokazu , Sa-ngasang Areerat , Anuegoonpipat Atchareeya , Anantapreecha Surapee 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection typically causes fever, rash, myalgia, and arthralgia and sometimes results in recurrent joint pain or, in severe cases, neurological disorders or death. How CHIKV infection leads to prolonged or severe symptoms is still not well understood. In this study, we examined the neutralization (NT) titer of 98 serum samples collected from patients during the 2008-2009 chikungunya outbreak in Thailand. While all serum samples showed neutralizing activity, virus was detected in 58% of the serum samples. When we analyzed a possible association between virus and antibody titers and the presence of typical symptoms of CHIKV infection, fever and joint pain, there was no significant association except that the number of patients with fever was over three times more than the number of those without fever when CHIKV was detectable in serum. This study indicates that although neutralizing antibody is critical to eliminate CHIKV, it appears not to be the main factor associated with clinical symptoms in some cases, so that other aspects of immune responses, such as those involving proinflammatory mediators and adaptive immune cells, should be considered altogether.
Prevention of Measles Virus Infection by Intranasal Delivery of Fusion Inhibitor Peptides
Authors: Mathieu C. , Huey D. , Jurgens E. , Welsch J. C. , DeVito I. , Talekar A. , Horvat B. , Niewiesk S. , Moscona A. , Porotto M. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTMeasles virus (MV) infection is undergoing resurgence and remains one of the leading causes of death among young children worldwide despite the availability of an effective measles vaccine. MV infects its target cells by coordinated action of the MV H and the fusion (F) envelope glycoprotein; upon receptor engagement by H, the prefusion F undergoes a structural transition, extending and inserting into the target cell membrane and then refolding into a postfusion structure that fuses the viral and cell membranes. By interfering with this structural transition of F, peptides derived from the heptad-repeat (HR) regions of F can potently inhibit MV infection at the entry stage. We show here that specific features of H's interaction with its receptors modulate the susceptibility of MV F to peptide fusion inhibitors. A higher concentration of inhibitory peptides is required to inhibit F-mediated fusion when H is engaged to its nectin-4 receptor than when H is engaged to its CD150 receptor. Peptide inhibition of F may be subverted by continued engagement of receptor by H, a finding that highlights the ongoing role of H-receptor interaction after F has been activated and that helps guide the design of more potent inhibitory peptides. Intranasal administration of these peptides results in peptide accumulation in the airway epithelium with minimal systemic levels of peptide and efficiently prevents MV infectionin vivoin animal models. The results suggest an antiviral strategy for prophylaxis in vulnerable and/or immunocompromised hosts.IMPORTANCEMeasles virus (MV) infection causes an acute illness that may be associated with infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and severe neurological disease. No specific treatment is available. We have shown that parenterally delivered fusion-inhibitory peptides protect mice from lethal CNS MV disease. Here we show, using established small-animal models of MV infection, that fusion-inhibitory peptides delivered intranasally provide effective prophylaxis against MV infection. Since the fusion inhibitors are stable at room temperature, this intranasal strategy is feasible even outside health care settings, could be used to protect individuals and communities in case of MV outbreaks, and could complement global efforts to control measles.
Three-Dimensional Structure of a Protozoal Double-Stranded RNA Virus That Infects the Enteric Pathogen Giardia lamblia
Authors: Janssen Mandy E. W. , Takagi Yuko , Parent Kristin N. , Cardone Giovanni , Nibert Max L. , Baker Timothy S. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Giardia lamblia
virus (GLV) is a small, nonenveloped, nonsegmented double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus infecting
Giardia lamblia
, the most common protozoan pathogen of the human intestine and a major agent of waterborne diarrheal disease worldwide. GLV (genus
Giardiavirus
) is a member of family
Totiviridae
, along with several other groups of protozoal or fungal viruses, including
Leishmania
RNA viruses and
Trichomonas vaginalis
viruses. Interestingly, GLV is more closely related than other
Totiviridae
members to a group of recently discovered metazoan viruses that includes penaeid shrimp infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV). Moreover, GLV is the only known protozoal dsRNA virus that can transmit efficiently by extracellular means, also like IMNV. In this study, we used transmission electron cryomicroscopy and icosahedral image reconstruction to examine the GLV virion at an estimated resolution of 6.0 Å. Its outermost diameter is 485 Å, making it the largest totivirus capsid analyzed to date. Structural comparisons of GLV and other totiviruses highlighted a related “T=2” capsid organization and a conserved helix-rich fold in the capsid subunits. In agreement with its unique capacity as a protozoal dsRNA virus to survive and transmit through extracellular environments, GLV was found to be more thermoresistant than
Trichomonas vaginalis
virus 1, but no specific protein machinery to mediate cell entry, such as the fiber complexes in IMNV, could be localized. These and other structural and biochemical findings provide a basis for future work to dissect the cell entry mechanism of GLV into a “primitive” (early-branching) eukaryotic host and an important enteric pathogen of humans.

IMPORTANCE
Numerous pathogenic bacteria, including
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
,
Salmonella enterica
, and
Vibrio cholerae
, are infected with lysogenic bacteriophages that contribute significantly to bacterial virulence. In line with this phenomenon, several pathogenic protozoa, including
Giardia lamblia
,
Leishmania
species, and
Trichomonas vaginalis
are persistently infected with dsRNA viruses, and growing evidence indicates that at least some of these protozoal viruses can likewise enhance the pathogenicity of their hosts. Understanding of these protozoal viruses, however, lags far behind that of many bacteriophages. Here, we investigated the dsRNA virus that infects the widespread enteric parasite
Giardia lamblia
. Using electron cryomicroscopy and icosahedral image reconstruction, we determined the virion structure of Giardia lamblia virus, obtaining new information relating to its assembly, stability, functions in cell entry and transcription, and similarities and differences with other dsRNA viruses. The results of our study set the stage for further mechanistic work on the roles of these viruses in protozoal virulence.
Public Health Microbiology of Shiga Toxin-Producing
Escherichia coli
Authors: Caprioli Alfredo , Scavia Gaia , Morabito Stefano 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) strains are the only pathogenic group of
E. coli
that has a definite zoonotic origin, with ruminants and, in particular, cattle being recognized as the major reservoir. Most human STEC infections are food borne, but the routes of transmission include direct contact with animals and a variety of environment-related exposures. Therefore, STEC public health microbiology spans the fields of medical, veterinary, food, water, and environmental microbiology, requiring a “One Health” perspective and laboratory scientists with the ability to work effectively across disciplines. Public health microbiology laboratories play a central role in the surveillance of STEC infections, as well as in the preparedness for responding to outbreaks and in providing scientific evidence for the implementation of prevention and control measures. This article reviews (i) how the integration of surveillance of STEC infections and monitoring of these pathogens in animal reservoirs and potential food vehicles may contribute to their control; (ii) the role of reference laboratories, in both the public health and veterinary and food sectors; and (iii) the public health perspectives, including those related to regulatory issues in both the European Union and the United States.