bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anatomo‐functional study of the temporo‐parieto‐occipital region: dissection, tractographic and brain mapping evidence from a neurosurgical perspective
Authors: De Benedictis Alessandro , Duffau Hugues , Paradiso Beatrice , Grandi Enrico , Balbi Sergio , Granieri Enrico , Colarusso Enzo , Chioffi Franco , Marras Carlo Efisio , Sarubbo Silvio 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe temporo‐parieto‐occipital (TPO) junction is a complex brain territory heavily involved in several high‐level neurological functions, such as language, visuo‐spatial recognition, writing, reading, symbol processing, calculation, self‐processing, working memory, musical memory, and face and object recognition. Recent studies indicate that this area is covered by a thick network of white matter (WM) connections, which provide efficient and multimodal integration of information between both local and distant cortical nodes. It is important for neurosurgeons to have good knowledge of the three‐dimensional subcortical organisation of this highly connected region to minimise post‐operative permanent deficits. The aim of this dissection study was to highlight the subcortical functional anatomy from a topographical surgical perspective. Eight human hemispheres (four left, four right) obtained from four human cadavers were dissected according to Klingler's technique. Proceeding latero‐medially, the authors describe the anatomical courses of and the relationships between the main pathways crossing the TPO. The results obtained from dissection were first integrated with diffusion tensor imaging reconstructions and subsequently with functional data obtained from three surgical cases, all resection of infiltrating glial tumours using direct electrical mapping in awake patients. The subcortical limits for performing safe lesionectomies within the TPO region are as follows: within the parietal region, the anterior horizontal part of the superior longitudinal fasciculus and, more deeply, the arcuate fasciculus; dorsally, the vertical projective thalamo‐cortical fibres. For lesions located within the temporal and occipital lobes, the resection should be tailored according to the orientation of the horizontal associative pathways (the inferior fronto‐occipital fascicle, inferior longitudinal fascicle and optic radiation). The relationships between the WM tracts and the ventricle system were also examined. These results indicate that a detailed anatomo‐functional awareness of the WM architecture within the TPO area is mandatory when approaching intrinsic brain lesions to optimise surgical results and to minimise post‐operative morbidity.
PSI Mehler reaction is the main alternative photosynthetic electron pathway in Symbiodinium sp., symbiotic dinoflagellates of cnidarians
Authors: Roberty Stéphane , Bailleul Benjamin , Berne Nicolas , Franck Fabrice , Cardol Pierre 
Published: July 2014

Summary

Photosynthetic organisms have developed various photoprotective mechanisms to cope with exposure to high light intensities. In photosynthetic dinoflagellates that live in symbiosis with cnidarians, the nature and relative amplitude of these regulatory mechanisms are a matter of debate. In our study, the amplitude of photosynthetic alternative electron flows (AEF) to oxygen (chlororespiration, Mehler reaction), the mitochondrial respiration and the Photosystem I (PSI) cyclic electron flow were investigated in strains belonging to three clades (A1, B1 and F1) of Symbiodinium.

Cultured Symbiodinium strains were maintained under identical environmental conditions, and measurements of oxygen evolution, fluorescence emission and absorption changes at specific wavelengths were used to evaluate PSI and PSII electron transfer rates (ETR).

A light‐ and O2‐dependent ETR was observed in all strains. This electron transfer chain involves PSII and PSI and is insensitive to inhibitors of mitochondrial activity and carbon fixation.

We demonstrate that in all strains, the Mehler reaction responsible for photoreduction of oxygen by the PSI under high light, is the main AEF at the onset and at the steady state of photosynthesis. This sustained photosynthetic AEF under high light intensities acts as a photoprotective mechanism and leads to an increase of the ATP/NADPH ratio.
Environmental nutrient supply alters prevalence and weakens competitive interactions among coinfecting viruses
Authors: Lacroix Christelle , Seabloom Eric W. , Borer Elizabeth T. 
Published: July 2014

Summary

The rates and ratios of environmental nutrient supplies can determine plant community composition. However, the effect of nutrient supplies on within‐host microbial interactions is poorly understood. Resource competition is a promising theory for understanding microbial interactions, because microparasites require nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for synthesis of macromolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins.

To better understand the effects of nutrient supplies to hosts on pathogen interactions, we singly inoculated and coinoculated Avena sativa with two virus species, barley yellow dwarf virus‐PAV (BYDV‐PAV) and cereal yellow dwarf virus‐RPV (CYDV‐RPV). Host plants were grown across a factorial combination of N and P supply rates that created a gradient of N : P supply ratios, one being replicated at low and high nutrient supply.

Nutrient supply affected prevalence and the interaction strength among viruses. P addition lowered CYDV‐RPV prevalence. The two viruses had a distinct competitive hierarchy: the coinoculation of BYDV‐PAV lowered CYDV‐RPV infection rate, but the reverse was not true. This antagonistic interaction occurred at low nutrient supply rates and disappeared at high N supply rate.

Given the global scale of human alterations of N and P cycles, these results suggest that elevated nutrient supply will increase risks of virus coinfection with likely effects on virus epidemiology, virulence and evolution.
Familial psychological factors are associated with encopresis
Authors: Akdemir Devrim , Çengel Kültür S Ebru , Saltık Temizel İnci Nur , Zeki Ayşe , Şenses Dinç Gülser 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess maternal psychiatric symptoms, family functioning and parenting styles in children with encopresis.MethodsForty‐one children with encopresis were compared to 29 children without any psychiatric disorder.ResultsHigher maternal psychiatric symptoms were found in children with encopresis. The general family functioning and strictness/supervision in parenting were significant predictors of encopresis.ConclusionsFamily functioning may be screened in children with encopresis, especially when standard interventions have had limited success. Identification and treatment of familial factors may enhance the treatment efficacy in encopresis.
Effect of muscle weakness distribution on balance in neuromuscular disease
Authors: Kaya Pınar , Alemdaroğlu İpek , Yılmaz Öznur , Karaduman Ayşe , Topaloğlu Haluk 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo assess balance and identify the effects of muscle weakness distribution on balance in children with different neuromuscular diseases.MethodsForty ambulant, pediatric patients with neuromuscular disease were enrolled in the study. Patients were separated into two groups according to muscle weakness distribution as group 1 (proximal) and group 2 (distal). Demographic data were recorded. Functional level (Brooke lower extremity functional classification), muscular strength (manual muscle testing), balance (pediatric functional reach test [PFRT], timed up‐and‐go test [TUGT], stabilometric platform) and functional performance (6 min walk test [6MWT]) were assessed.ResultsGroup 1 consisted of 20 Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, and group 2, of 20 neuropathy patients. The total lower, upper limbs and trunk muscles muscle strength (P < 0.05); forward and right side reach subsections of the sitting position, and PFRT total score (P < 0.01) were significantly different between the groups. TUGT results were 7.79 ± 1.54 s and 10.13 ± 2.63 s, respectively, in group 1 and 2 (z = −2950; P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference between groups in any performance parameters of the 6MWT was found (P ≥ 0.05). Anterior body balance was found to be dominant in group 1, while posterior body balance was dominant in group 2 (P ≤ 0.05) measured by stabilometric platform.ConclusionsThe distal group was particularly affected regarding dynamic balance, and the proximal group regarding static balance. Muscle strength was important for providing dynamic stability in the distal group, and for maintaining proximal stabilization during dynamic activities in the proximal group.
A trial of plerixafor adjunctive therapy in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with minimal conditioning for severe combined immunodeficiency
Authors: Dvorak Christopher C. , Horn Biljana N. , Puck Jennifer M. , Czechowicz Agnieszka , Shizuru Judy A. , Ko Rose M. , Cowan Morton J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractFor infants with SCID, the ideal conditioning regimen before allogeneic HCT would omit cytotoxic chemotherapy to minimize short‐ and long‐term complications. We performed a prospective pilot trial with G‐CSF plus plerixafor given to the host to mobilize HSC from their niches. We enrolled six patients who received CD34‐selected haploidentical cells and one who received T‐replete matched unrelated BM. All patients receiving G‐CSF and plerixafor had generally poor CD34+ cell and Lin‐CD34+CD38−CD90+CD45RA− HSC mobilization, and developed donor T cells, but no donor myeloid or B‐cell engraftment. Although well tolerated, G‐CSF plus plerixafor alone failed to overcome physical barriers to donor engraftment.
A trial of alemtuzumab adjunctive therapy in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with minimal conditioning for severe combined immunodeficiency
Authors: Dvorak Christopher C. , Horn Biljana N. , Puck Jennifer M. , Adams Stuart , Veys Paul , Czechowicz Agnieszka , Cowan Morton J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractFor infants with SCID the ideal conditioning regimen before allogeneic HCT would omit cytotoxic chemotherapy to minimize short‐ and long‐term complications. We performed a prospective pilot trial with alemtuzumab monotherapy to overcome NK‐cell mediated immunologic barriers to engraftment. We enrolled four patients who received CD34‐selected haploidentical cells, two of whom failed to engraft donor T cells. The two patients who engrafted had delayed T‐cell reconstitution, despite rapid clearance of circulating alemtuzumab. Although well‐tolerated, alemtuzumab failed to overcome immunologic barriers to donor engraftment. Furthermore, alemtuzumab may slow T‐cell development in patients with SCID in the setting of a T‐cell depleted graft.
‘An Earthquake Shocked Up the Land!’ Children's Communication During Play With Siblings and Friends
Authors: Leach Jamie , Howe Nina , Dehart Ganie 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe construction of shared meanings strategies (e.g., introductions, extensions) and use of internal state language (e.g., references to mental states) during play were examined across two relationship contexts (siblings and friends) in 65 focal kindergarten‐aged children (M age = 56.4 months; SD = 5.71 months). Strategies to construct shared meanings were associated with play session; specifically focal children employed introductions more often with their siblings whereas positive/neutral responses and prosocial strategies were used more frequently with their friends. Findings regarding birth order position indicated that older focal children were more likely to engage in non‐maintenance (e.g., negative) behaviors and explanations with their siblings whereas younger focal children employed extensions of play ideas more often with their siblings than friends. Associations between shared meaning strategies and internal state language were positively correlated across both relationship contexts, with more significant associations found in the sibling play session. Findings highlight the high level of sophisticated play interaction among children during play; these interactions were rich and varied and are discussed in light of recent research and theory.
Can the storage effect hypothesis explain weed co‐existence on the Broadbalk long‐term fertiliser experiment?
Authors: García De León D , Storkey J , Moss S R , González‐Andújar J L 
Published: July 2014

SummaryUnderstanding how plant species with similar resource requirements co‐exist has been a long‐standing ecological question with several theoretical explanations. One potential mechanism is the storage effect hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, species co‐exist because they differ in when they are most actively using resource and, therefore, respond differently to environmental perturbation. The hypothesis is based on two main assumptions: (i) two competitors have different responses to climate and (ii) the responses to climate are mediated by changes in the relative importance of intra‐ and interspecific competition. The hypothesis could provide useful insights into the role of climate in maintaining weed species diversity and potential shifts in dominant species under climate change. This study tested the basic principles of the storage effect hypothesis on weed communities using data from the Broadbalk long‐term fertiliser experiment. Relative abundance of weeds in 10 plots with contrasting fertility but no herbicides was assessed for 21 years. Multivariate analyses and generalised additive mixed models were used to analyse the data. The following pairs of species were found to be adapted to similar fertiliser levels, but diverged in their response to climate: (i) Papaver rhoeas–Tripleurospermum inodorum, (ii) Medicago lupulina–Vicia sativa and (iii) Scandix pecten‐veneris–Ranunculus arvensis. Contrasting responses to spring temperature within these species pairs modified the competition balance providing evidence for the storage effect hypothesis and helping to explain weed co‐existence in the Broadbalk experiment.
Molecular Epidemiology of NDM-1-Producing Enterobacteriaceae and Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates from Pakistan
Authors: Sartor Anna L. , Raza Muhammad W. , Abbasi Shahid A. , Day Kathryn M. , Perry John D. , Paterson David L. , Sidjabat Hanna E. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

The molecular epidemiology of 66 NDM-producing isolates from 2 Pakistani hospitals was investigated, with their genetic relatedness determined using repetitive sequence-based PCR (Rep-PCR). PCR-based replicon typing and screening for antibiotic resistance genes encoding carbapenemases, other β-lactamases, and 16S methylases were also performed. Rep-PCR suggested a clonal spread of
Enterobacter cloacae
and
Escherichia coli
. A number of plasmid replicon types were identified, with the incompatibility A/C group (IncA/C) being the most common (78%). 16S methylase-encoding genes were coharbored in 81% of NDM-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
.
Colistin Heteroresistance in Enterobacter cloacae Is Associated with Cross-Resistance to the Host Antimicrobial Lysozyme
Authors: Napier Brooke A. , Band Victor , Burd Eileen M. , Weiss David S. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Here, we describe the first identification of colistin-heteroresistant
Enterobacter cloacae
in the United States. Treatment of this isolate with colistin increased the frequency of the resistant subpopulation and induced cross-resistance to the host antimicrobial lysozyme. This is the first description of heteroresistance conferring cross-resistance to a host antimicrobial and suggests that clinical treatment with colistin may inadvertently select for bacteria that are resistant to components of the host innate immune system.
Preliminary Study of Colistin versus Colistin plus Fosfomycin for Treatment of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infections
Authors: Sirijatuphat Rujipas , Thamlikitkul Visanu 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Ninety-four patients infected with carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
were randomized to receive colistin alone or colistin plus fosfomycin for 7 to 14 days. The patients who received combination therapy had a significantly more favorable microbiological response and a trend toward more favorable clinical outcomes and lower mortality than those who received colistin alone. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01297894.)
Using Pharmacokinetic and Viral Kinetic Modeling To Estimate the Antiviral Effectiveness of Telaprevir, Boceprevir, and Pegylated Interferon during Triple Therapy in Treatment-Experienced Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Cirrhotic Patients
Authors: Laouénan Cédric , Marcellin Patrick , Lapalus Martine , Khelifa-Mouri Feryel , Boyer Nathalie , Zoulim Fabien , Serfaty Lawrence , Bronowicki Jean-Pierre , Martinot-Peignoux Michelle , Lada Olivier , Asselah Tarik , Dorival Céline , Hézode Christophe , Carrat Fabrice , Nicot Florence , Peytavin Gilles , Mentré France , Guedj Jeremie 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTTriple therapy combining a protease inhibitor (PI) (telaprevir or boceprevir), pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN), and ribavirin (RBV) has dramatically increased the chance of eradicating hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the efficacy of this treatment remains suboptimal in cirrhotic treatment-experienced patients. Here, we aimed to better understand the origin of this impaired response by estimating the antiviral effectiveness of each drug. Fifteen HCV genotype 1-infected patients with compensated cirrhosis, who were nonresponders to prior PEG-IFN/RBV therapy, were enrolled in a nonrandomized study. HCV RNA and concentrations of PIs, PEG-IFN, and RBV were frequently assessed in the first 12 weeks of treatment and were analyzed using a pharmacokinetic/viral kinetic model. The two PIs achieved similar levels of molar concentrations (P= 0.5), but there was a significant difference in the 50% effective concentrations (EC50) (P= 0.008), leading to greater effectiveness for telaprevir than for boceprevir in blocking viral production (99.8% versus 99.0%, respectively,P= 0.002). In all patients, the antiviral effectiveness of PEG-IFN was modest (43.4%), and there was no significant contribution of RBV exposure to the total antiviral effectiveness. The second phase of viral decline, which is attributed to the loss rate of infected cells, was slow (0.19 day−1) and was higher in patients who subsequently eradicated HCV (P= 0.03). The two PIs achieved high levels of antiviral effectiveness. However, the suboptimal antiviral effectiveness of PEG-IFN/RBV and the low loss of infected cells suggest that a longer treatment duration might be needed in cirrhotic treatment-experienced patients and that a future IFN-free regimen may be particularly beneficial in these patients.
Monitoring of Trough Plasma Ganciclovir Levels and Peripheral Blood Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-Specific CD8
+
T Cells To Predict CMV DNAemia Clearance in Preemptively Treated Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Giménez Estela , Solano Carlos , Azanza José Ramón , Amat Paula , Navarro David 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

It is uncertain whether monitoring plasma ganciclovir (GCV) levels is useful in predicting cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia clearance in preemptively treated allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. In this observational study, including 13 episodes of CMV DNAemia treated with intravenous (i.v.) GCV or oral valganciclovir, we showed that monitoring trough plasma GCV levels does not reliably predict response to therapy. Rather, immunological monitoring (pp65 and immediate-early [IE]-1-specific gamma interferon [IFN-γ]-producing CD8
+
T cells) appeared to perform better for this purpose.
Maternal Intravenous Treatment with either Azithromycin or Solithromycin Clears Ureaplasma parvum from the Amniotic Fluid in an Ovine Model of Intrauterine Infection
Authors: Miura Yuichiro , Payne Matthew S. , Keelan Jeffrey A. , Noe Andres , Carter Sean , Watts Rory , Spiller Owen B. , Jobe Alan H. , Kallapur Suhas G. , Saito Masatoshi , Stock Sarah J. , Newnham John P. , Kemp Matthew W. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Intrauterine infection with
Ureaplasma
spp. is strongly associated with preterm birth and adverse neonatal outcomes. We assessed whether combined intraamniotic (IA) and maternal intravenous (IV) treatment with one of two candidate antibiotics, azithromycin (AZ) or solithromycin (SOLI), would eradicate intrauterine
Ureaplasma parvum
infection in a sheep model of pregnancy. Sheep with singleton pregnancies received an IA injection of
U. parvum
serovar 3 at 85 days of gestational age (GA). At 120 days of GA, animals (
n
= 5 to 8/group) received one of the following treatments: (i) maternal IV SOLI with a single IA injection of vehicle (IV SOLI only); (ii) maternal IV SOLI with a single IA injection of SOLI (IV+IA SOLI); (iii) maternal IV AZ and a single IA injection of vehicle (IV AZ only); (iv) maternal IV AZ and a single IA injection of AZ (IV+IA AZ); or (v) maternal IV and single IA injection of vehicle (control). Lambs were surgically delivered at 125 days of GA. Treatment efficacies were assessed by
U. parvum
culture, quantitative PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and histopathology. Amniotic fluid (AF) from all control animals contained culturable
U. parvum
. AF, lung, and chorioamnion from all AZ- or SOLI-treated animals (IV only or IV plus IA) were negative for culturable
U. parvum
. Relative to the results for the control, the levels of expression of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 2 (MCP-2) in fetal skin were significantly decreased in the IV SOLI-only group, the MCP-1 protein concentration in the amniotic fluid was significantly increased in the IV+IA SOLI group, and there was no significant difference in the histological inflammation scoring of lung or chorioamnion among the five groups. In the present study, treatment with either AZ or SOLI (IV only or IV+IA) effectively eradicated macrolide-sensitive
U. parvum
from the AF. There was no discernible difference in antibiotic therapy efficacy between IV-only and IV+IA treatment regimens relative to the results for the control.
The AgrD N-Terminal Leader Peptide of Staphylococcus aureus Has Cytolytic and Amyloidogenic Properties
Authors: Schwartz Kelly , Sekedat Matthew D. , Syed Adnan K. , O'Hara Brendan , Payne David E. , Lamb Abigail , Boles Blaise R. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusvirulence is coordinated through the Agr quorum-sensing system to produce an array of secreted molecules. One important class of secreted virulence factors is the phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs). PSMs are small-peptide toxins that have recently been characterized for their roles in infection, biofilm development, and subversion of the host immune system. In this work, we demonstrate that the signal peptide of theS. aureusquorum-sensing signal, AgrD, shares structural and functional similarities with the PSM family of toxins. The efficacy of this peptide (termed N-AgrD) beyond AgrD propeptide trafficking has never been described before. We observe that N-AgrD, like the PSMs, is found in the amyloid fibrils ofS. aureusbiofilms and is capable of forming and seeding amyloid fibrilsin vitro. N-AgrD displays cytolytic and proinflammatory properties that are abrogated after fibril formation. These data suggest that the N-AgrD leader peptide affectsS. aureusbiology in a manner similar to that described previously for the PSM peptide toxins. Taken together, our findings suggest that peptide cleavage products can affect cellular function beyond their canonical roles and may represent a class of virulence factors warranting further exploration.