bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Preterm Birth and Small‐for‐gestational‐age Births among Canadian Women
Authors: Heaman Maureen , Kingston Dawn , Chalmers Beverley , Sauve Reginald , Lee Lily , Young David 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundPreterm births (PTB) and small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) births are distinct but related pregnancy outcomes, with differing aetiologies and short and long‐term morbidities. Few studies have compared a broad array of predictors among these two outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare risk factors for PTB and SGA births using a national sample of Canadian women.MethodsWe analysed data from the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (n = 6421). Mothers were ≥15 years of age, gave birth to a singleton infant and were living with their infant at the time of the interview (between 5 and 14 months post‐partum). Backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression models were constructed for each outcome.ResultsRisk profiles for the two outcomes had both differences and similarities. Risk factors specific to PTB were education less than high school, having a previous medical condition, developing a new medical condition or health problem during pregnancy, being a primigravida, or being a multigravida with a previous PTB or a previous miscarriage or abortion. Risk factors unique to SGA were low pre‐pregnancy body mass index (<18 kg/m2), smoking during pregnancy and being a recent immigrant. Risk factors for both outcomes included low weight gain during pregnancy (<9.1 kg), short stature (<155 cm) and reporting life as ‘very stressful’ in the year prior to birth of the baby.ConclusionA greater understanding of the risk factors related to PTB and SGA may help to reduce the prevalence of these conditions and the associated risk of infant mortality and morbidity.
Rationale and Design of the PRegnancy and Infant DEvelopment (PRIDE) Study
Authors: van Gelder Marleen M. H. J. , Bretveld Reini W. , Roukema Jolt , Steenhoek Morac , van Drongelen Joris , Spaanderman Marc E. A. , van Rumpt Dick , Zielhuis Gerhard A. , Verhaak Chris M. , Roeleveld Nel 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo optimise the health of pregnant women and their children by evidence‐based primary and secondary prevention, more scientific knowledge is needed. To overcome the methodological limitations of many studies on pregnancy and child health, which often use a retrospective design, we established the PRIDE (PRegnancy and Infant DEvelopment) Study.Methods and ResultsThe PRIDE Study is a large prospective cohort study that aims at including 150 000–200 000 women in early pregnancy to study a broad range of research questions pertaining to pregnancy complications, maternal and child health, and adverse developmental effects in offspring. Women are invited to participate by their prenatal care provider before or at their first prenatal care visit and are asked to fill out web‐based questionnaires in gestational weeks 8–10, 17, and 34, as well as biannually throughout childhood. In addition, a food frequency questionnaire and a paternal questionnaire are administered and medical records are consulted. Multiple validation studies will be conducted and paper‐and‐pencil questionnaires are available for women who cannot or do not want to participate through the Internet. For subgroups of participants, blood and saliva samples for genetic and biochemical analyses are being collected. The pilot phase, which started in July 2011, showed a response rate of 47%. Recruitment will eventually cover all of the Netherlands.ConclusionsWe expect that this study, which will be the largest birth cohort in the world so far, will provide new insights in the aetiology of disorders and diseases that originate in pregnancy. The PRIDE Study is open for collaboration.
On the role of HLA antibodies in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Brand A. , Doxiadis I. N. , Roelen D. L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWhile the role of donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) in solid organ transplantation is well established, their importance in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is only now becoming clear. A review of the literature reporting on HLA immunization in HSCT provides ample circumstantial evidence that donor‐specific HLA antibodies (DSA) are associated with a 2‐ to 10‐fold increase of graft failure of HLA mismatched HSCT, irrespective the type of the graft, or the patient conditioning. Nevertheless, this is not a condition ‘sine qua non’, and engraftment has been documented despite the presence of DSA. However, prediction of graft failure based on serology is cumbersome. Although sensitivity and specificity of current solid‐phase assays (SPAs) for HLA antibody detection are high, correlation with graft failure remains elusive. When lacking an alternative donor, reduction of strong reacting DSA must be attempted. Unfortunately, results of DSA reduction treatments in HSCT are scarcely reported. Case reports show that persisting DSA after plasma‐exchange and immunosuppressive treatment can become negative after a ‘last rescue’ in vivo absorption with antigen‐bearing platelets or donor lymphocyte transfusions. The destruction of engrafting hematopoietic cells by antibodies appears to be an immediate event. Blocking antibody mediated effector functions, e.g. with intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg), may have additional value, despite IvIg often not reducing the antibody titre. An even less explored aspect of HLA‐immunization is the presence of non‐DSA antibodies in the host or HLA antibodies emerging post‐transplantation. Such antibodies, either causally or as confounders, may be associated with negative transplant outcome. We conclude that HLA antibody assessment should be at the forefront in the treatment handbook of HSCT.
A review of subspecies recognition in polydesmidan millipedes (Diplopoda) with a revision of the subspecies of Euryuridae (Xystodesmoidea)
Authors: Jorgensen Michael C. , Sierwald Petra , Mason‐Gamer Roberta J. 
Published: December 2012

Jorgensen, M. C., Sierwald, P. & Mason‐Gamer, R. J. (2012). A review of subspecies recognition in polydesmidan millipedes (Diplopoda) with a revision of the subspecies of Euryuridae (Xystodesmoidea). —Zoologica Scripta, 42, 317–326.Taxonomic subspecies recognition is controversial due to the lack of an objective definition of the concept and inconsistent use of the category. The practice of designating subspecies is assessed here through a thorough review of 244 subspecies designations of polydesmidan millipedes over a 50‐year period. The survey focuses on the justification given for subspecies recognition, the amount of data available for the designation, the handling of nominate subspecies and the criteria used for diagnosis. We address several problematic issues and provide suggestions to enhance future work. Three examples of subdivided species from the Euryuridae (Polydesmida) are presented in detail with some taxonomic revision. Euryurus leachii leachii and E. leachii fraternus are synonymized, and the subspecific epithets are discarded. Auturus erythropygos erythropygos and A. erythropygos becki are returned to full species rank.
Acute upper airway muscle and inspiratory flow responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation during sleep in apnoeic patients
Authors: Melo‐Silva César Augusto , Borel Jean‐Christian , Gakwaya Simon , Sériès Frédéric 
Published: December 2012

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?Peripheral hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a novel therapeutic approach aimed at recruiting lingual muscles electrically and thus relieving pharyngeal airflow obstruction during sleep but the effects of corticomotor stimulation of upper airway muscles during sleep are unknown.
What is the main finding and its importance?Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, we show that corticobulbar excitability of the submental muscles is decreased during sleep in apnoeic patients. Furthermore, we demonstrate that transcranial magnetic stimulation briefly recruits submental muscles and increases maximal inspiratory flow as well as the inspiratory volume of flow‐limited respiratory cycles without arousing patients from sleep. We suggest that this central neurostimulation approach is capable of improving upper airway mechanics in sleep apnoea patients.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can activate the corticobulbar system and briefly recruit upper airway dilator muscles, improving the inspiratory airflow dynamics of flow‐limited respiratory cycles during sleep. The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the effects of TMS‐induced twitches applied during sleep on flow‐limited respiratory cycles in 14 obstructive sleep apnoea patients. Submental muscle motor threshold (SUBMT) and motor‐evoked potential (SUBMEP) were examined during wakefulness and sleep. The TMS‐induced twitches were applied during stable non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, during non‐consecutive flow‐limited respiratory cycles at the beginning of inspiration, with intensities varying from sleep SUBMT up to maximal stimulation without arousal. Maximal inspiratory flow, inspiratory volume, shifts of electroencephalogram frequency and pulse rate variability were assessed. Cortical and/or autonomic arousal after TMS was observed in only 13.8% of all twitches applied. The SUBMT increased during NREM sleep (wakefulness, 24.8 ± 9.3%; and NREM sleep, 28.3 ± 9.5%; P= 0.003). Augmenting stimulator output from SUBMT to maximal stimulation before arousal enhanced SUBMEP peak‐to‐peak amplitude (from 0.09 ± 0.05 to 0.4 ± 0.3 mV; P= 0.005) with a concomitant rise in maximal inspiratory flow (from 376.2 ± 107.9 to 411.9 ± 109.3 ml s−1; P= 0.008) and inspiratory volume (from 594.8 ± 189.2 to 663.7 ± 203.1 ml; P= 0.001) in all but one patient. Corticobulbar excitability of submental muscles decreases during NREM sleep. Brief recruitment of submental muscles with TMS during sleep improves upper airway mechanics without arousing patients from sleep.
Absorbed doses behind bones with MR image‐based dose calculations for radiotherapy treatment planning
Authors: Korhonen Juha , Kapanen Mika , Keyriläinen Jani , Seppälä Tiina , Tuomikoski Laura , Tenhunen Mikko 
Published: December 2012

Purpose:Magnetic resonance (MR) images are used increasingly in external radiotherapy target delineation because of their superior soft tissue contrast compared to computed tomography (CT) images. Nevertheless, radiotherapy treatment planning has traditionally been based on the use of CT images, due to the restrictive features of MR images such as lack of electron density information. This research aimed to measure absorbed radiation doses in material behind different bone parts, and to evaluate dose calculation errors in two pseudo‐CT images; first, by assuming a single electron density value for the bones, and second, by converting the electron density values inside bones from T1/T2*‐weighted MR image intensity values.Methods:A dedicated phantom was constructed using fresh deer bones and gelatine. The effect of different bone parts to the absorbed dose behind them was investigated with a single open field at 6 and 15 MV, and measuring clinically detectable dose deviations by an ionization chamber matrix. Dose calculation deviations in a conversion‐based pseudo‐CT image and in a bulk density pseudo‐CT image, where the relative electron density to water for the bones was set as 1.3, were quantified by comparing the calculation results with those obtained in a standard CT image by superposition and Monte Carlo algorithms.Results:The calculations revealed that the applied bulk density pseudo‐CT image causes deviations up to 2.7% (6 MV) and 2.0% (15 MV) to the dose behind the examined bones. The corresponding values in the conversion‐based pseudo‐CT image were 1.3% (6 MV) and 1.0% (15 MV). The examinations illustrated that the representation of the heterogeneous femoral bone (cortex denser compared to core) by using a bulk density for the whole bone causes dose deviations up to 2% both behind the bone edge and the middle part of the bone (diameter <2.5 cm), but in the opposite directions. The measured doses and the calculated ones in the standard CT image were within 0.4% (through gelatine only) and 0.9% (behind bones).Conclusions:This study indicates that the decrease in absorbed dose is not dependent on the bone diameter with all types of bones. Thus, performing dose calculation in a pseudo‐CT image by assuming a single electron density value for the bones can lead to a substantial misrepresentation of the dose distribution profile. This work showed that dose calculation accuracy can be improved by using a pseudo‐CT image in which the electron density values have been converted from the MR image intensity values inside bones.
Normal Operating Range of Bacterial Communities in Soil Used for Potato Cropping
Authors: İnceoğlu Özgül , van Overbeek Leo Simon , Falcão Salles Joana , van Elsas Jan Dirk 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

In this study, the impacts of six potato (
Solanum tuberosum
) cultivars with different tuber starch allocations (including one genetically modified [GM] line) on the bacterial communities in field soil were investigated across two growth seasons interspersed with 1 year of barley cultivation, using quantitative PCR, clone library, and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analyses. It was hypothesized that the modifications in the tuber starch contents of these plants, yielding changed root growth rates and exudation patterns, might have elicited altered bacterial communities in the soil. The data showed that bacterial abundances in the bulk soil varied over about 2 orders of magnitude across the 3 years. As expected, across all cultivars, positive potato rhizosphere effects on bacterial abundances were noted in the two potato years. The bulk soil bacterial community structures revealed progressive shifts across time, and moving-window analysis revealed a 60% change over the total experiment. Consistent with previous findings, the community structures in the potato rhizosphere compartments were mainly affected by the growth stage of the plants and, to a lesser extent, by plant cultivar type. The data from the soil under the non-GM potato lines were then taken to define the normal operating range (NOR) of the microbiota under potatoes. Interestingly, the bacterial communities under the GM potato line remained within this NOR. In regard to the bacterial community compositions, particular bacterial species in the soil appeared to be specific to (i) the plant species under investigation (barley versus potato) or, with respect to potatoes, (ii) the plant growth stage. Members of the genera
Arthrobacter
,
Streptomyces
,
Rhodanobacter
, and
Dokdonella
were consistently found only at the flowering potato plants in both seasons, whereas
Rhodoplanes
and
Sporosarcina
were observed only in the soil planted to barley.
Intercontinental Dispersal of Bacteria and Archaea by Transpacific Winds
Authors: Smith David J. , Timonen Hilkka J. , Jaffe Daniel A. , Griffin Dale W. , Birmele Michele N. , Perry Kevin D. , Ward Peter D. , Roberts Michael S. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Microorganisms are abundant in the upper atmosphere, particularly downwind of arid regions, where winds can mobilize large amounts of topsoil and dust. However, the challenge of collecting samples from the upper atmosphere and reliance upon culture-based characterization methods have prevented a comprehensive understanding of globally dispersed airborne microbes. In spring 2011 at the Mt. Bachelor Observatory in North America (2.8 km above sea level), we captured enough microbial biomass in two transpacific air plumes to permit a microarray analysis using 16S rRNA genes. Thousands of distinct bacterial taxa spanning a wide range of phyla and surface environments were detected before, during, and after each Asian long-range transport event. Interestingly, the transpacific plumes delivered higher concentrations of taxa already in the background air (particularly
Proteobacteria
,
Actinobacteria
, and
Firmicutes
). While some bacterial families and a few marine archaea appeared for the first and only time during the plumes, the microbial community compositions were similar, despite the unique transport histories of the air masses. It seems plausible, when coupled with atmospheric modeling and chemical analysis, that microbial biogeography can be used to pinpoint the source of intercontinental dust plumes. Given the degree of richness measured in our study, the overall contribution of Asian aerosols to microbial species in North American air warrants additional investigation.
S-Layer Protein Mediates the Stimulatory Effect of Lactobacillus helveticus MIMLh5 on Innate Immunity
Authors: Taverniti Valentina , Stuknyte Milda , Minuzzo Mario , Arioli Stefania , De Noni Ivano , Scabiosi Christian , Cordova Zuzet Martinez , Junttila Ilkka , Hämäläinen Sanna , Turpeinen Hannu , Mora Diego , Karp Matti , Pesu Marko , Guglielmetti Simone 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTThe ability to positively affect host health through the modulation of the immune response is a feature of increasing importance in measuring the probiotic potential of a bacterial strain. However, the identities of the bacterial cell components involved in cross talk with immune cells remain elusive. In this study, we characterized the dairy strainLactobacillus helveticusMIMLh5 and its surface-layer protein (SlpA) usingin vitroandex vivoanalyses. We found that MIMLh5 and SlpA exert anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the activation of NF-κB on the intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell line. On the contrary, MIMLh5 and SlpA act as stimulators of the innate immune system by triggering the expression of proinflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor alpha and COX-2 in the human macrophage cell line U937 via recognition through Toll-like receptor 2. In the same experiments, SlpA protein did not affect the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. A similar response was observed following stimulation of macrophages isolated from mouse bone marrow or the peritoneal cavity. These results suggest that SlpA plays a major role in mediating bacterial immune-stimulating activity, which could help to induce the host's defenses against and responses toward infections. This study supports the concept that the viability of bacterial cells is not always essential to exert immunomodulatory effects, thus permitting the development of safer therapies for the treatment of specific diseases according to a paraprobiotic intervention.
Specific Properties of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates from Diarrheal Patients and Comparison to Strains from Foods and Fecal Specimens from Cattle, Swine, and Healthy Carriers in Osaka City, Japan
Authors: Wang Lili , Wakushima Mitsuko , Aota Tetsu , Yoshida Yuka , Kita Toshimasa , Maehara Tomofumi , Ogasawara Jun , Choi Changsun , Kamata Yoichi , Hara-Kudo Yukiko , Nishikawa Yoshikazu 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTFor exhaustive detection of diarrheagenicEscherichia coli, we previously developed a colony-hybridization method using hydrophobic grid-membrane filters in combination with multiplex real-time PCR. To assess the role of domestic animals as the source of atypical enteropathogenicE. coli(aEPEC), a total of 679 samples (333 from foods, fecal samples from 227 domestic animals, and 119 from healthy people) were examined. Combining 48 strains previously isolated from patients and carriers, 159 aEPEC strains were classified by phylogroup, virulence profile, and intimin typing. Phylogroup B1 was significantly more prevalent among aEPEC from patients (50%) and bovine samples (79%) than from healthy carriers (16%) and swine strains (23%), respectively. Intimin type β1 was predominant in phylogroup B1; B1-β1 strains comprised 26% of bovine strains and 25% of patient strains. The virulence profile groups Ia and Ib were also observed more frequently among bovine strains than among porcine strains. Similarly, virulence group Ia was detected more frequently among patient strains than strains of healthy carriers. A total of 85 strains belonged to virulence group I, and 63 of these strains (74%) belonged to phylogroup B1. The present study suggests that the etiologically important aEPEC in diarrheal patients could be distinguished from aEPEC strains indigenous to humans based on type, such as B1, Ia, and β1/γ1, which are shared with bovine strains, while the aEPEC strains in healthy humans are different, and some of these were also present in porcine samples.
Lucilia sericata Chymotrypsin Disrupts Protein Adhesin-Mediated Staphylococcal Biofilm Formation
Authors: Harris Llinos G. , Nigam Yamni , Sawyer James , Mack Dietrich , Pritchard David I. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
and
Staphylococcus epidermidis
biofilms cause chronic infections due to their ability to form biofilms. The excretions/secretions of
Lucilia sericata
larvae (maggots) have effective activity for debridement and disruption of bacterial biofilms. In this paper, we demonstrate how chymotrypsin derived from maggot excretions/secretions disrupts protein-dependent bacterial biofilm formation mechanisms.
Isoprenoid Biosynthesis Inhibition Disrupts Rab5 Localization and Food Vacuolar Integrity in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Howe Ruth , Kelly Megan , Jimah John , Hodge Dana , Odom Audrey R. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

The antimalarial agent fosmidomycin is a validated inhibitor of the nonmevalonate isoprenoid biosynthesis (methylerythritol 4-phosphate [MEP]) pathway in the malaria parasite,
Plasmodium falciparum
. Since multiple classes of prenyltransferase inhibitors kill
P. falciparum
, we hypothesized that protein prenylation was one of the essential functions of this pathway. We found that MEP pathway inhibition with fosmidomycin reduces protein prenylation, confirming that
de novo
isoprenoid biosynthesis produces the isoprenyl substrates for protein prenylation. One important group of prenylated proteins is small GTPases, such as Rab family members, which mediate cellular vesicular trafficking. We have found that Rab5 proteins dramatically mislocalize upon fosmidomycin treatment, consistent with a loss of protein prenylation. Fosmidomycin treatment caused marked defects in food vacuolar morphology and integrity, consistent with a defect in Rab-mediated vesicular trafficking. These results provide insights to the biological functions of isoprenoids in malaria parasites and may assist the rational selection of secondary agents that will be useful in combination therapy with new isoprenoid biosynthesis inhibitors.