bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Obesity-induced Hyperleptinemia Improves Survival and Immune Response in a Murine Model of Sepsis
Authors: Siegl Daniel , Annecke Thorsten , Johnson Bobby L. , Schlag Christian , Martignoni Andre , Huber Nadine , Conzen Peter , Caldwell Charles C. , Tschöp Johannes 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background:
Obesity is a growing health problem and associated with immune dysfunction. Sepsis is defined as systemic inflammatory response syndrome that occurs during infection. Excessive inflammation combined with immune dysfunction can lead to multiorgan damage and death.

Methods:
The authors investigated the influence of a class 1 obesity (body mass index between 30 and 34.9) on immune function and outcome in sepsis and the role of leptin on the immune response. The authors used a long-term high-fat-diet feeding model (12 weeks) on C57Bl/6 mice (n = 100) and controls on standard diet (n = 140) followed by a polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture.

Results:
The authors show that class 1 obesity is connected to significant higher serum leptin levels (data are mean ± SEM) (5.7 ± 1.2 vs. 2.7 ± 0.2 ng/ml; n = 5; P = 0.033) and improved innate immune response followed by significant better survival rate in sepsis (71.4%, n = 10 vs. 10%, n = 14; P < 0.0001). Additional sepsis-induced increases in leptin levels stabilize body temperature and are associated with a controlled immune response in a time-dependent and protective manner. Furthermore, leptin treatment of normal-weight septic mice with relative hypoleptinemia (n = 35) also significantly stabilizes body temperature, improves cellular immune response, and reduces proinflammatory cytokine response resulting in improved survival (30%; n = 10).

Conclusions:
Relative hyperleptinemia of class 1 obesity or induced by treatment is protective in sepsis. Leptin seems to play a regulatory role in the immune system in sepsis, and treatment of relative hypoleptinemia could offer a new way of an individual sepsis therapy.
Intra- and Interrater Reliability of Ultrasound Assessment of Gastric Volume
Authors: Kruisselbrink Richelle , Arzola Cristian , Endersby Ryan , Tse Cyrus , Chan Vincent , Perlas Anahi 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background:
Gastric sonography can provide information about gastric content and volume that can help determine aspiration risk at the bedside. The primary objective of this study is to assess the intrarater and interrater reliability of a previously validated method of gastric volume assessment based on gastric antral area. The secondary objective is to evaluate the agreement between two different methods to measure gastric antral area.

Methods:
Three independent raters performed a standardized gastric ultrasound assessment in healthy subjects who had been randomly allocated to ingest a predetermined volume of clear fluid (apple juice) from 0 to 400 ml. Each rater measured the gastric antral area, using twice the two-diameter method and twice the free-tracing method. The rater order was allocated at random and raters were unaware of the volume ingested and of one-another’s measurements. The Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies were followed for conducting and reporting this study.

Results:
Twenty-two volunteers were studied. Ultrasound assessment of antral cross-sectional area and volume was found to have “nearly perfect” intrarater and interrater reliability (correlation coefficient >0.8) with maximum differences within 13%. A Bland–Altman analysis suggests that the free-tracing method and the two-diameter method are essentially equivalent, within a clinically acceptable level of agreement.

Conclusions:
Ultrasound assessment of gastric volume by clinical anesthesiologists is highly reproducible with high intrarater and interrater reliability. The free-tracing method to measure antral cross-sectional area is equivalent to the two-diameter method.
Allopurinol
Authors: Ihekweazu Faith D. , Kellermayer Richard 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTThiopurines are used as a maintenance therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). For some patients the metabolism of thiopurines is unfavorable, leading to increased adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity. There are many reports in the adult literature concerning the manipulation of thiopurine metabolism with allopurinol; however, there is only 1 publication in this respect for pediatric UC. We present 3 pediatric cases of UC wherein the combination of allopurinol and low‐dose 6‐mercaptopurine allowed for shunting of thiopurine metabolites to a more favorable pattern. This intervention supported clinical remission in all, including one case poorly responsive to infliximab.
Effects of 70% Ethanol Locks on Rates of Central Line Infection, Thrombosis, Breakage, and Replacement in Pediatric Intestinal Failure
Authors: Abu‐El‐Haija Maisam , Schultz Jonathan , Rahhal Riad M. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTObjectives:Parenteral nutrition is essential for the growth and nutrition of patients with intestinal failure (IF). Catheter‐related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are a major complication of parenteral nutrition use. Few retrospective studies have shown that 70% ethanol lock (ETL) therapy for central lines can reduce the infection rate. Studies assessing line breakage, thrombosis, and replacement with the use of ETL are lacking in the pediatric literature.Methods:The present study is a retrospective chart review, with a primary outcome of CRBSI rate per 1000 catheter days, and secondary outcomes of line thrombosis, line breakage requiring repair, and line replacement rates with use of ETL compared with heparin locks. Rates were compared using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test for paired nonparametric data.Results:Seven patients satisfied the inclusion criteria that included having a single‐lumen silicone central line exposed to both heparin and ETL therapy during the study period. There was a statistically significant decrease in overall and Gram‐negative CRBSI rates per 1000 catheter days with a use of ETL therapy (10.3–1.4 per 1000 catheter days for overall CRBSIs, P = 0.02; 6.7–0 per 1000 catheter days for Gram‐negative CRBSI, P = 0.03). There was an increasing trend in line thrombosis and repair rates with ETL therapy. Logistic regression analysis evaluating the impact of line luminal size on line repair rate showed a reduced risk of line repair when using larger‐diameter central lines.Conclusions:ETL therapy is an effective method for decreasing CRBSI in patients with IF; however, it may have a negative impact on line integrity. Patients should be carefully selected when deciding on ETL therapy use for central line care. Studies are needed on the effect of different ethanol concentrations on infection rate and line integrity to optimize the outcome in this high‐risk population.
Colonization of Cimex lectularius with Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Barbarin Alexis M. , Hu Baofeng , Nachamkin Irving , Levy Michael Z. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryA recent paper published by Lowe and Romney in Emerging Infectious Diseases titled, Bed bugs as Vectors for Drug‐Resistant Bacteria has sparked a renewed interest in bed bug vector potential. We followed a pyrethroid resistant strain of the human bed bug (Cimex lectularius, L.) fed either human blood or human blood with added methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for 9 days post‐feeding. Results indicated that while the bed bug midgut is a hospitable environment for MRSA, the bacteria does not survive longer than 9 days within the midgut. Additionally, MRSA is not amplified within the midgut of the bug as the infection was cleared within 9 days. Due to the weekly feeding behaviours of bed bugs, these results suggest that bed bug transmission of MRSA is highly unlikely.
The genome of Syntrophorhabdus aromaticivorans strain UI provides new insights for syntrophic aromatic compound metabolism and electron flow
Authors: Nobu Masaru K. , Narihiro Takashi , Hideyuki Tamaki , Qiu Yan‐Ling , Sekiguchi Yuji , Woyke Tanja , Goodwin Lynne , Davenport Karen W. , Kamagata Yoichi , Liu Wen‐Tso 
Published: March 2014

SummaryHow aromatic compounds are degraded in various anaerobic ecosystems (e.g. groundwater, sediments, soils and wastewater) is currently poorly understood. Under methanogenic conditions (i.e. groundwater and wastewater treatment), syntrophic metabolizers are known to play an important role. This study explored the draft genome of Syntrophorhabdus aromaticivorans strain UI and identified the first syntrophic phenol‐degrading phenylphosphate synthase (PpsAB) and phenylphosphate carboxylase (PpcABCD) and syntrophic terephthalate‐degrading decarboxylase complexes. The strain UI genome also encodes benzoate degradation through hydration of the dienoyl‐coenzyme A intermediate as observed in Geobacter metallireducens and Syntrophus aciditrophicus. Strain UI possesses electron transfer flavoproteins, hydrogenases and formate dehydrogenases essential for syntrophic metabolism. However, the biochemical mechanisms for electron transport between these H2/formate‐generating proteins and syntrophic substrate degradation remain unknown for many syntrophic metabolizers, including strain UI. Analysis of the strain UI genome revealed that heterodisulfide reductases (HdrABC), which are poorly understood electron transfer genes, may contribute to syntrophic H2 and formate generation. The genome analysis further identified a putative ion‐translocating ferredoxin : NADH oxidoreductase (IfoAB) that may interact with HdrABC and dissimilatory sulfite reductase gamma subunit (DsrC) to perform novel electron transfer mechanisms associated with syntrophic metabolism.
Hospital Wet Mount Examination for the Presence of Sperm in Sexual Assault Cases is of Questionable Value
Authors: Cavness Shannon , Choudhury Asha , Sensabaugh George 
Published: March 2014

AbstractMany protocols for the examination of sexual assault victims include the preparation of vaginal wet mount slides to determine whether sperm are present and if so, whether the sperm are motile. We have reviewed findings in 501 case reports to compare the efficiency of sperm detection on wet mounts to subsequent crime laboratory results of sperm searches on vaginal swabs. Sperm were detected on wet mounts in only 41% of cases in which sperm were detected in the crime laboratory. Motile sperm were observed in only 12% of cases reporting a 0–9 h postcoital interval; in three cases, motile sperm were seen at 15 h and beyond, indicating that motile sperm are not reliable evidence of a short postcoital interval. These findings demonstrate that wet mount examinations are of little value in guiding subsequent analyses in the crime laboratory or in corroborating other investigative aspects of the case.
Use of Hair Testing to Determine Methadone Exposure in Pediatric Deaths
Authors: Tournel Gilles , Pollard Jocelyn , Humbert Luc , Wiart Jean‐François , Hédouin Valéry , Allorge Delphine 
Published: March 2014

AbstractA case of death attributed to methadone acute poisoning in an infant aged 11 months is reported. A sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was suspected, whereas a traumatic cause of death was excluded regarding autopsy findings. Specimens were submitted to a large toxicological analysis, which included ethanol measurement by HS‐GC‐FID, a targeted screening for drugs of abuse and various prescription drug classes followed by quantification using UPLC‐MS/MS methods. Methadone and its metabolite (EDDP) were detected in all the tested fluids, as well as in hair, with a blood concentration of methadone considered as lethal for children (73 ng/mL). The cause of death was determined to be acute “methadone poisoning”, and the manner of death was “accidental”. A discussion of the case circumstances, the difficulties with the interpretation of toxicological findings in children (blood concentration and hair testing), and the origin of exposure are discussed.
Traumatic Brain Injury among Indiana State Prisoners
Authors: Ray Bradley , Sapp Dona , Kincaid Ashley 
Published: March 2014

AbstractResearch on traumatic brain injury among inmates has focused on comparing the rate of traumatic brain injury among offenders to the general population, but also how best to screen for traumatic brain injury among this population. This study administered the short version of the Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method to all male inmates admitted into Indiana state prisons were screened for a month (N = 831). Results indicate that 35.7% of the inmates reported experiencing a traumatic brain injury during their lifetime and that these inmates were more likely to have a psychiatric disorder and a prior period of incarceration than those without. Logistic regression analysis finds that a traumatic brain injury predicts the likelihood of prior incarceration net of age, race, education, and psychiatric disorder. This study suggests that brief instruments can be successfully implemented into prison screenings to help divert inmates into needed treatment.
Expression pattern analysis of odorant‐binding proteins in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: De Biasio Filomena , Riviello Lea , Bruno Daniele , Grimaldi Annalisa , Congiu Terenzio , Sun Yu Feng , Falabella Patrizia 
Published: March 2014

AbstractOdorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) are soluble proteins mediating chemoreception in insects. In previous research, we investigated the molecular mechanisms adopted by aphids to detect the alarm pheromone (E)‐β‐farnesene and we found that the recognition of this and structurally related molecules is mediated by OBP3 and OBP7. Here, we show the differential expression patterns of 5 selected OBPs (OBP1, OBP3, OBP6, OBP7, OBP8) obtained performing quantitative RT‐PCR and immunolocalization experiments in different body parts of adults and in the 5 developmental instars, including winged and unwinged morphs, of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. The results provide an overall picture that allows us to speculate on the relationship between the differential expression of OBPs and their putative function. The expression of OBP3, OBP6, and OBP7 in the antennal sensilla suggests a chemosensory function for these proteins, whereas the constant expression level of OBP8 in all instars could suggest a conserved role. Moreover, OBP1 and OBP3 are also expressed in nonsensory organs. A light and scanning electron microscopy study of sensilla on different body parts of aphid, in particular antennae, legs, mouthparts, and cornicles‐cauda, completes this research providing a guide to facilitate the mapping of OBP expression profiles.
Feasibility of and rectal dosimetry improvement with the use of SpaceOAR® hydrogel for dose‐escalated prostate cancer radiotherapy
Authors: van Gysen Kirsten , Kneebone Andrew , Alfieri Florencia , Guo Linxin , Eade Thomas 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of injecting a temporary spacer between the rectum and the prostate and to quantify the degree of rectal dosimetric improvement that might result.MethodsTen patients underwent CT and MRI before and after injection of 10 cc of hydrogel and at completion of radiotherapy. Hydrogel was injected under general anaesthetic using a transperineal approach. The primary endpoints were perioperative toxicity and rectal dosimetry (V80, V75, V70, V65, V40 and V30). Secondary endpoints were acute gastrointestinal toxicity during and 3 months following radiotherapy and the stability of the hydrogel. Treatment for all patients was planned incorporating volumetric modulated arc therapy with a D95 of 80 Gy in 40 fractions to the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles on both the pre‐ and post‐hydrogel scans. Toxicity was scored with the Common Terminology Criteria, v. 3.0.ResultsIn the first 24 h, two patients described an increase in bowel movement frequency. The comparison plans had identical prescription doses. Rectal doses were significantly lower for all hydrogel patients for all dose endpoints (V80 = 7% vs. 0.1%, V75 = 10.3% vs. 1.1%, V70 = 13.2% vs. 2.7%, V65 = 15.8% vs. 4.6%, V40 = 35.2% vs. 23.3%, V30 = 52.6% vs. 38.5%; P < 0.001). Post‐treatment MRI showed gel stability. Grade 1 bowel toxicity was reported in six patients during radiotherapy and two patients at 3 months' follow‐up. No Grade 2 or Grade 3 acute bowel toxicity was reported.ConclusionSpaceOAR hydrogel was successfully injected in 10 patients with minimal side effects. Rectal dosimetry was significantly improved in all patients. This study has been extended to 30 patients with longer follow‐up planned.
Dietary Cholesterol Protects Against Alcohol‐Induced Cerebral Artery Constriction
Authors: Bukiya Anna , Dopico Alejandro M. , Leffler Charles W. , Fedinec Alexander 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundBinge drinking represents the major form of excessive alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) consumption in the United States. Episodic (such as binge) drinking results in blood alcohol levels (BAL) of 18 to 80 mM and leads to alcohol‐induced cerebral artery constriction (AICAC). AICAC was shown to arise from EtOH‐induced inhibition of large‐conductance, calcium/voltage‐gated potassium (BK) channels in the vascular smooth muscle. Factors that modulate BK channel‐mediated AICAC remain largely unknown.MethodsMale Sprague Dawley rats were placed on high‐cholesterol (2% of cholesterol) diet for 18 to 23 weeks. Their littermates were placed on control iso‐caloric diet. AICAC was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro, by means of pial arteriole diameter monitoring through a closed cranial window and diameter measurements of isolated, pressurized cerebral arteries. Cholesterol level in the cerebral artery tissue was manipulated by methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin to reverse dietary‐induced accumulation of cholesterol. BK channel surface presence on the plasma membrane of cerebral artery myocytes was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. BK channel function in pressurized cerebral artery was assessed using selective BK channel blocker paxilline.ResultsWithin 5 minutes of 50 mM EtOH injection into carotid artery in vivo, arteriole diameter decreased by 20% in control group. Pial arteriole constriction was significantly reduced in rats on high‐cholesterol diet, resulting in only 10% reduction in diameter. BAL in both groups, however, remained the same. Significant reduction in AICAC in group on high‐cholesterol diet compared to control was also observed after middle cerebral artery dissection and in vitro pressurization at 60 mmHg, this reduction remaining after endothelium removal. Cholesterol level in de‐endothelialized cerebral arteries was significantly increased in rats on high‐cholesterol diet. Removal of excessive cholesterol content restored AICAC to the level observed in cerebral arteries of rats on normal diet. Immunofluorescence staining of BK channel‐forming and accessory, smooth muscle‐specific β1 subunit in freshly isolated cerebral artery myocyte showed that high‐cholesterol diet did not down‐regulate surface presence of BK protein. However, paxilline‐induced cerebral artery constriction was diminished in arteries from rats on high‐cholesterol diet.ConclusionsOur data indicate that dietary cholesterol protects against AICAC. This protection is caused by cholesterol buildup in the arterial tissue and diminished function (but not surface presence) of EtOH target—BK channel.
Does Hangover Influence the Time to Next Drink? An Investigation Using Ecological Momentary Assessment
Authors: Epler Amee J. , Tomko Rachel L. , Piasecki Thomas M. , Wood Phillip K. , Sher Kenneth J. , Shiffman Saul , Heath Andrew C. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundMeasures of hangover are associated with current and future problematic alcohol use. At present, it is not known whether these associations reflect any direct influence of hangover events on near‐term drinking behaviors. The current study aimed to determine whether hangover following a drinking episode influences time to next drink (TTND) and, if so, to determine the direction of this effect and identify any moderating personal or contextual factors.MethodsCommunity‐recruited, frequent drinkers oversampled for current smoking (N = 386) carried electronic diaries for 21 days, reporting on drinking behaviors and other experiences. Survival analysis was used to model data from 2,276 drinking episodes, including 463 episodes that were followed by self‐reported hangover in morning diary entries.ResultsWhen tested as the sole predictor in a survival model, hangover was associated with increased TTND. The median survival time was approximately 6 hours longer after episodes with hangovers compared to those without. In a multivariate model, hangover was only significant in the presence of interaction effects involving craving at the end of the index drinking episode and the occurrence of financial stressors. Additional predictors of TTND in the final multivariate model included age, lifetime alcohol use disorder diagnosis, typical drinking frequency, day of the week, and morning reports of craving, negative affect, and stressors after the index episode. There was no association between morning reports of hangover and contemporaneous diary ratings of likelihood of drinking later the same day.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that hangover has, at best, a modest or inconsistent influence on the timing of subsequent alcohol use among frequent drinkers.
Genetic Considerations in Human Sex‐Mate Selection: Partners Share Human Leukocyte Antigen but not Short‐Tandem‐Repeat Identity Markers
Authors: Israeli Moshe , Kristt Don , Nardi Yuval , Klein Tirza 
Published: March 2014

ProblemPrevious studies support a role for MHC on mating preference, yet it remains unsettled as to whether mating occurs preferentially between individuals sharing human leukocyte antigen (HLA) determinants or not. Investigating sex‐mate preferences in the contemporary Israeli population is of further curiosity being a population with distinct genetic characteristics, where multifaceted cultural considerations influence mate selection.Method of studyPairs of male–female sex partners were evaluated in three groups. Two groups represented unmarried (n = 1002) or married (n = 308) couples and a control group of fictitious male–female couples. HLA and short‐tandem‐repeat (STR) genetic identification markers were assessed for the frequency of shared antigens and alleles.ResultsHuman leukocyte antigen results showed that Class I and/ or Class II single antigen as well as double antigen sharing was more common in sex partners than in control group couples (P < 0.001). Married versus unmarried pairs were not distinguishable. In contrast, STR‐DNA markers failed to differentiate between sex‐mates and controls (P = 0.78).ConclusionSex partnerships shared HLA determinants more frequently than randomly constituted male–female pairs. The observed phenomenon does not reflect a syngenetic background between sex‐mates as STR markers were not selectively shared. Thus, sex‐mate selection in man may contravene the evolutionary pressure for genetic diversity in regard to HLA.