bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Women’s Sexual Concerns Unraveled
Authors: Roos Anne-Marie , Thakar Ranee , Sultan Abdul H. , Burger Curt W. , Paulus Aggie T.G. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Sexual function of women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or urinary incontinence (UI) is adversely affected. However, our current understanding of the exact relationship between female sexual dysfunction and POP and/or UI is incomplete. A qualitative study can improve our understanding by describing what women themselves perceive as the real problem.

Aim
To gain a more in-depth understanding of the impact of POP and/or UI on the different categories of female sexual dysfunction by way of a qualitative study.

Methods
Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted in 37 women scheduled for pelvic floor surgery, and one was excluded from analysis due to incomplete recordings.

Main Outcome Measures
The impact of POP and/or UI on female sexual function.

Results
Only 17% of women were completely positive about their sex life. Both POP and UI had a negative effect on body image. Women with POP had a negative image of their vagina, which caused them to be insecure about their partner's sexual experience, while women with UI were embarrassed about their incontinence and pad use, and feared smelling of urine. Worries about the presence of POP during sexual activity, discomfort from POP, and reduced genital sensations were the most important reasons for decreased desire, arousal, and difficulty reaching an orgasm in women with POP. Fear of incontinence during intercourse affected desire, arousal, and orgasm and could be a cause for dyspareunia in women with UI. Desire was divided into two main elements: “drive” and “motivation.” Although “drive,” i.e., spontaneous sexual interest, was not commonly affected by POP and/or UI, a decrease in “motivation” or the willingness to engage in sexual activity was the most common sexual dysfunction mentioned.

Conclusions
Body image plays a key role in the sexual functioning of women with POP and/or UI with the biggest impact on women's “motivation.”
Diversity and evolutionary patterns of bacterial gut associates of corbiculate bees
Authors: Koch Hauke , Abrol Dharam P. , Li Jilian , Schmid‐Hempel Paul 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe animal gut is a habitat for diverse communities of microorganisms (microbiota). Honeybees and bumblebees have recently been shown to harbour a distinct and species poor microbiota, which may confer protection against parasites. Here, we investigate diversity, host specificity and transmission mode of two of the most common, yet poorly known, gut bacteria of honeybees and bumblebees: Snodgrassella alvi (Betaproteobacteria) and Gilliamella apicola (Gammaproteobacteria). We analysed 16S rRNA gene sequences of these bacteria from diverse bee host species across most of the honeybee and bumblebee phylogenetic diversity from North America, Europe and Asia. These focal bacteria were present in 92% of bumblebee species and all honeybee species but were found to be absent in the two related corbiculate bee tribes, the stingless bees (Meliponini) and orchid bees (Euglossini). Both Snodgrassella alvi and Gilliamella apicola phylogenies show significant topological congruence with the phylogeny of their bee hosts, albeit with a considerable degree of putative host switches. Furthermore, we found that phylogenetic distances between Gilliamella apicola samples correlated with the geographical distance between sampling locations. This tentatively suggests that the environmental transmission rate, as set by geographical distance, affects the distribution of G. apicola infections. We show experimentally that both bacterial taxa can be vertically transmitted from the mother colony to daughter queens, and social contact with nest mates after emergence from the pupa greatly facilitates this transmission. Therefore, sociality may play an important role in vertical transmission and opens up the potential for co‐evolution or at least a close association of gut bacteria with their hosts.
Time course of the effects of orthokeratology on peripheral refraction and corneal topography
Authors: Kang Pauline , Swarbrick Helen 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPurposeTo describe the time course of changes in both peripheral refraction and corneal topography in myopic adults wearing myopic orthokeratology (OK) lenses.MethodsNineteen adult myopes were fitted with OK lenses in both eyes for overnight wear. Central and peripheral refraction and corneal topography were measured along the horizontal meridian at baseline and after 1, 4, 7 and 14 nights of lens wear.ResultsAt baseline, refraction was myopic at all positions along the horizontal meridian. Two weeks of OK lens wear caused a significant change in refraction where the general trend was a hyperopic shift in spherical equivalent (M) except at 35° in the nasal visual field where there was instead a myopic shift in M. The most significant change in M occurred between baseline and after 1 night of OK lens wear and the effect became less dramatic across subsequent days of OK treatment. Similarly, OK caused significant change in corneal refractive power at all positions along the horizontal corneal chord. There was a reduction in corneal power or flattening of the cornea at all positions except at 2.4 mm and 2.8 mm on the nasal cornea where there was an increase in corneal refractive power or steepening of the cornea. This change was most apparent after 1 night of OK lens wear and, similar to changes in peripheral refraction, changes in corneal refractive power on subsequent days of OK treatment became less marked.ConclusionsOrthokeratology caused significant changes in both peripheral refraction and corneal topography. The greatest change in refraction and corneal refractive power across the horizontal corneal meridian occurred during the first night of OK lens wear. Subsequent changes in both peripheral refraction and corneal topography were less dramatic, in the same manner as reported changes in apical radius and central refraction after OK. This study confirms that with OK treatment, the peripheral retina experiences myopic defocus, which is conjectured to underlie the observed slowing of myopia progression.
Effect of flooding on the survival of Leptosphaeria spp. in canola stubble
Authors: Peluola C. , Fernando W. G. D. , Huvenaars C. , Kutcher H. R. , Lahlali R. , Peng G. 
Published: January 2013

This study used a versatile temperature‐control device to assess the effect of temperature (12–40°C) and duration (2–12 weeks) of flooding on the survival of Leptosphaeria spp. in canola (Brassica napus) stubble. Canola basal stems with blackleg symptoms were submerged in water in small glass jars containing 20 cm3 soil on a thermogradient plate capable of simultaneously maintaining up to 96 independent temperature regimes. Flooded stems were sampled at 2‐week intervals, surface‐sterilized, and incubated on V8‐juice agar for 10 days to recover the pathogen. Flooding for 2 weeks substantially reduced pathogen recovery relative to non‐flooded controls and the pathogen was not recovered after 6 weeks of flooding, irrespective of temperature. The pathogen was eliminated slightly more rapidly at flooding temperatures >20°C than at 12–16°C. There was no difference between Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa in their ability to survive flooding. Stem tissues degraded most rapidly during the first 2 weeks of flooding, corresponding to a quick decline in pathogen survival during the same period. These results indicate that a paddy rice crop following winter rapeseed may minimize the impact of blackleg by eradicating the inoculum of Leptosphaeria spp. in stubble.
OsORC3 is required for lateral root development in rice
Authors: Chen Xinai , Shi Jing , Hao Xi , Liu Huili , Shi Jianghua , Wu Yunrong , Wu Zhongchang , Chen Mingxiu , Wu Ping , Mao Chuanzao 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe origin recognition complex (ORC) is a pivotal element in DNA replication, heterochromatin assembly, checkpoint regulation and chromosome assembly. Although the functions of the ORC have been determined in yeast and model animals, they remain largely unknown in the plant kingdom. In this study, Oryza sativa Origin Recognition Complex subunit 3 (OsORC3) was cloned using map‐based cloning procedures, and functionally characterized using a rice (Oryza sativa) orc3 mutant. The mutant showed a temperature‐dependent defect in lateral root (LR) development. Map‐based cloning showed that a G→A mutation in the 9th exon of OsORC3 was responsible for the mutant phenotype. OsORC3 was strongly expressed in regions of active cell proliferation, including the primary root tip, stem base, lateral root primordium, emerged lateral root primordium, lateral root tip, young shoot, anther and ovary. OsORC3 knockdown plants lacked lateral roots and had a dwarf phenotype. The root meristematic zone of ORC3 knockdown plants exhibited increased cell death and reduced vital activity compared to the wild‐type. CYCB1;1::GUS activity and methylene blue staining showed that lateral root primordia initiated normally in the orc3 mutant, but stopped growing before formation of the stele and ground tissue. Our results indicate that OsORC3 plays a crucial role in the emergence of lateral root primordia.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Using Recombinant SAG1 Antigen To Detect Toxoplasma gondii-Specific Immunoglobulin G Antibodies in Human Sera and Saliva
Authors: Chahed Bel-Ochi Nouha , Bouratbine Aïda , Mousli Mohamed 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTSerologic detection ofToxoplasma gondiiIgG antibodies is widely accepted as a means to determine immune status and susceptibility toToxoplasmainfection during pregnancy. However, current commercial kits present some drawbacks, such as a requirement for whole-parasite antigen preparation or interassay variability. To address these problems, the purpose of this study was to produce a whole sequence of the recombinantT. gondiiSAG1 antigen (rSAG1) to assess its diagnostic performance inToxoplasmaIgG screening and to explore a saliva-based method as a noninvasive alternative to serum-based testing. rSAG1 was expressed in recombinant bacteria as inclusion bodies, purified through one-step affinity chromatography, and refolded in native form by dialysis. A large amount was obtained, and the specific antigen immunoreactivity was confirmed by immunoblotting. Two rSAG1-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) applied to paired serum and saliva samples were designed. The rSAG1-based ELISA evaluation consisted of testing intrinsic sensitivity and specificity of 49 serum samples from patients immune to toxoplasmosis and 42 serum samples from nonimmune controls identified by routinely used kits. To assess agreement between serum-based and saliva-based tests, the positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) between the 2 tests were estimated. The rSAG1 serum-based ELISA detected specific IgG with 100% sensitivity and specificity. The PPA and NPA between the serum-based and saliva-based tests varied according to the selected optical density threshold in saliva. Thus, for a selected cutoff of 0.14, the PPA was 100% and the NPA was 88.1%, whereas for a selected cutoff of 0.29, the PPA was 67.3% and the NPA was 100%.
Short-Term Storage Does Not Affect the Quantitative Yield of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Sputum in Early-Bactericidal-Activity Studies
Authors: Kolwijck Eva , Mitchell Melissa , Venter Amour , Friedrich Sven O. , Dawson Rod , Diacon Andreas H. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Early-bactericidal-activity (EBA) studies measure the change in mycobacterial load in sputum over time to evaluate antituberculosis drugs. We investigated whether a delay in sputum processing influences the quantitative results of sputum mycobacterial culture. We identified pretreatment smear-positive sputum samples collected overnight and processed at a single laboratory. Sputum volume, time from sputum collection to processing, CFU counts/ml of sputum, and time to culture positivity (TTP) data were retrieved. We obtained 817 TTP and 794 CFU results from a total of 844 sputum samples. Contamination did not occur more frequently with prolonged storage (TTP, 2.0%; CFU, 2.4%). Sample volumes were <5 ml in 5%, 5 to 10 ml in 46%, and >10 ml in 49%. Delays to processing were 0, 1, 2, and 3 days in 696 (43.2%), 722 (44.8%), 128 (7.9%), and 65 (4.0%) samples, respectively. TTP and CFU did not significantly differ between days of delay to processing (
P
= 0.098 and
P
= 0.908, respectively), but there was a nonsignificant trend toward a prolonged TTP over time (
P
= 0.052, Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test). Sputa of <5 ml in volume showed a significantly prolonged TTP compared to sputum of >5 ml (113 h versus 99 h;
P
< 0.01) but no significant decrease in CFU. Sputum can be stored under refrigerated conditions for deferred processing for at least 3 days. This means that central laboratories can be used for quantitative mycobacterial study endpoints when delays to processing are not expected to exceed a few days. Care should be taken to collect sputum of sufficient volume.
Catalase-Negative Staphylococcus lugdunensis Strain with a Novel Point Mutation in the Catalase Gene Isolated from a Patient with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
Authors: Lu Yong , Wang Yiping , Ling Buzhi , Ke Xianfu , Ying Jianfei , Yu Yanhong , He Mingyang , Li Xiangyang 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

This report describes the results of the sequence analysis of a methicillin-susceptible strain of catalase-negative
Staphylococcus lugdunensis
. Molecular characterization of the deduced sequence revealed a novel point mutation in the catalase gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a catalase-negative
S. lugdunensis
strain, although catalase-negative isolates of
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Staphylococcus epidermidis
have been previously reported.
Natural Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Induce Antigen-Specific T-Cell Responses in Melanoma Patients
Authors: Tel Jurjen , Aarntzen Erik H.J.G. , Baba Tetsuro , Schreibelt Gerty , Schulte Barbara M. , Benitez-Ribas Daniel , Boerman Otto C. , Croockewit Sandra , Oyen Wim J.G. , van Rossum Michelle , Winkels Gregor , Coulie Pierre G. , Punt Cornelis J.A. , Figdor Carl G. , de Vries I. Jolanda M. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Vaccination against cancer by using dendritic cells has for more than a decade been based on dendritic cells generated ex vivo from monocytes or CD34+ progenitors. Here, we report on the first clinical study of therapeutic vaccination against cancer using naturally occurring plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). Fifteen patients with metastatic melanoma received intranodal injections of pDCs activated and loaded with tumor antigen-associated peptides ex vivo. In vivo imaging showed that administered pDCs migrated and distributed over multiple lymph nodes. Several patients mounted antivaccine CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. Despite the limited number of administered pDCs, an IFN signature was observed after each vaccination. These results indicate that vaccination with naturally occurring pDC is feasible with minimal toxicity and that in patients with metastatic melanoma, it induces favorable immune responses. Cancer Res; 73(3); 1063–75. ©2012 AACR.
DNA-Mutation Inventory to Refine and Enhance Cancer Treatment (DIRECT): A Catalog of Clinically Relevant Cancer Mutations to Enable Genome-Directed Anticancer Therapy
Authors: Yeh Paul , Chen Heidi , Andrews Jenny , Naser Riyad , Pao William , Horn Leora 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Purpose: Tumor gene mutation status is becoming increasingly important in the treatment of patients with cancer. A comprehensive catalog of tumor gene–response outcomes from individual patients is needed, especially for actionable mutations and rare variants. We created a proof-of-principle database [DNA-mutation Inventory to Refine and Enhance Cancer Treatment (DIRECT)], starting with lung cancer-associated EGF receptor (EGFR) mutations, to provide a resource for clinicians to prioritize treatment decisions based on a patient's tumor mutations at the point of care.
Methods: A systematic search of literature published between June 2005 and May 2011 was conducted through PubMed to identify patient-level, mutation–drug response in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutant tumors. Minimum inclusion criteria included patient's EGFR mutation, corresponding treatment, and an associated radiographic outcome.
Results: A total of 1,021 patients with 1,070 separate EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy responses from 116 different publications were included. About 188 unique EGFR mutations occurring in 207 different combinations were identified: 149 different mutation combinations were associated with disease control and 42 were associated with disease progression. Four secondary mutations, in 16 different combinations, were associated with acquired resistance.
Conclusions: As tumor sequencing becomes more common in oncology, this comprehensive electronic catalog can enable genome-directed anticancer therapy. DIRECT will eventually encompass all tumor mutations associated with clinical outcomes on targeted therapies. Users can make specific queries at http://www.mycancergenome.org/about/direct to obtain clinically relevant data associated with various mutations. Clin Cancer Res; 19(7); 1894–901. ©2013 AACR.
Saul’s Two Year Reign in 1 Samuel 13:1
Authors: Gilmour Rachelle , Young Ian 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Developing I. Provan’s observation that the kings whose reigns are under impending judgment typically reign for two years in the book of Kings, we propose that Saul’s reign of two years in the MT of 1 Samuel 13:1 can be read as indicative of his failed kingship.
Red blood cells mediate the onset of thrombosis in the ferric chloride murine model
Authors: Barr Justin D. , Chauhan Anil K. , Schaeffer Gilbert V. , Hansen Jessica K. , Motto David G. 
Published: January 2013

Key Points
The ferric chloride model does not result in endothelial denudation. In the ferric chloride model, platelets bind to endothelial-associated RBC-derived material rather than to the endothelial surface.
Effects of HIV-1-induced CD1c and CD1d modulation and endogenous lipid presentation on CD1c-restricted T-cell activation
Authors: Kelly Halonna , Mandraju Rajakumar , Coelho-dos-Reis Jordana GA , Tsuji Moriya 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundIt has been shown that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection induces the production of endogenous lipids required for effective viral production, and the cluster of differentiation (CD)1 molecule CD1d is downregulated by HIV-1 infection. However, the role of endogenous lipid presentation and the implications of CD1 downregulation by HIV-1 infection have not yet been characterized.ResultsIn this study, we observed downregulation of both CD1c and CD1d expression through a Vpu-dependent and Nef-independent mechanism, and the concomitant HIV-1-induced production of host cholesterol decreased the extent of CD1c and CD1d modulation. While the modest downregulation of CD1c by HIV-1 infection decreased the ability of CD1c-restricted T cells to respond and secrete interferon-γ, the cholesterol upregulation in the same cells by HIV-1 infection appears to limit the downregulation of CD1c.ConclusionsThe two conflicting HIV-1-mediated changes in CD1c expression appear to minimize the modulation of CD1c expression, thus leading the host to maintain a CD1c-restricted T-cell response against HIV-1.
Power of the policy: how the announcement of high-stakes clinical examination altered OSCE implementation at institutional level
Authors: Lin Chi-Wei , Tsai Tsuen-Chiuan , Sun Cheuk-Kwan , Chen Der-Fang , Liu Keh-Min 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has been widely applied as a high-stakes examination for assessing physicians’ clinical competency. In 1992, OSCE was first introduced in Taiwan, and the authorities announced that passing the OSCE would be a prerequisite for step-2 medical licensure examination in 2013. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of the announced national OSCE policy on implementation of OSCE at the institutional level. Further, the readiness and the recognition of barriers toward a high-stakes examination were explored.

Methods
In 2007 and 2010, the year before and after the announcement of high-stakes OSCE policy in 2008, respectively, questionnaires on the status of OSCE implementation were distributed to all hospitals with active OSCE programs in Taiwan. Information on OSCE facilities, equipment, station length, number of administrations per year, and the recognition of barriers to the success of implementing an OSCE were collected. The missing data were completed by telephone interviews. The OSCE format, administration, and facilities before and after the announcement of the nationwide OSCE policy were compared.

Results
The data were collected from 17 hospitals in 2007 and 21 in 2010. Comparing the OSCE formats between 2007 and 2010, the number of stations increased and the station length decreased. The designated space and the equipment for OSCE were also found to have been improved. As for the awareness of OSCE implementation barriers, the hospital representatives concerned mostly about the availability and quality of standardized patients in 2007, as well as space and facilities in 2010.

Conclusions
The results of this study underscored an overall increase in the number of OSCE hospitals and changes in facilities and formats. While recruitment and training of standardized patients were the major concerns before the official disclosure of the policy, space and facilities became the focus of attention after the announcement. The study results highlighted the influence of government policy on different aspects of OSCE implementation in Taiwanese training institutes that showed high level of support as reflected in the improved hardware and the change in OSCE format to serve the summative purpose.
Effects of manual lymphatic drainage on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Huang Tsai-Wei , Tseng Sung-Hui , Lin Chia-Chin , Bai Chyi-Huey , Chen Ching-Shyang , Hung Chin-Sheng , Wu Chih-Hsiung , Tam Ka-Wai 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Lymphedema is a common complication of axillary dissection for breast cancer. We investigated whether manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) could prevent or manage limb edema in women after breast-cancer surgery.

Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of MLD in the prevention and treatment of breast-cancer-related lymphedema. The PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials electronic databases were searched for articles on MLD published before December 2012, with no language restrictions. The primary outcome for prevention was the incidence of postoperative lymphedema. The outcome for management of lymphedema was a reduction in edema volume.

Results
In total, 10 RCTs with 566 patients were identified. Two studies evaluating the preventive outcome of MLD found no significant difference in the incidence of lymphedema between the MLD and standard treatment groups, with a risk ratio of 0.63 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.14 to 2.82. Seven studies assessed the reduction in arm volume, and found no significant difference between the MLD and standard treatment groups, with a weighted mean difference of 75.12 (95% CI, −9.34 to 159.58).

Conclusions
The current evidence from RCTs does not support the use of MLD in preventing or treating lymphedema. However, clinical and statistical inconsistencies between the various studies confounded our evaluation of the effect of MLD on breast-cancer-related lymphedema.