bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of central venous catheter‐related bloodstream infections in haematooncological patients
Authors: Rabensteiner Jasmin , Theiler Georg , Duettmann Wiebke , Zollner‐Schwetz Ines , Hoenigl Martin , Valentin Thomas , Leitner Eva , Luxner Josefa , Grisold Andrea , Valentin Angelika , Neumeister Peter , Krause Robert 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundCatheter‐related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are currently detected in patients with clinically suspicion. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether CRBSIs could be anticipated and detected in a subclinical stage by peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA FISH) using universal hybridization probes or acridine orange leucocyte cytospin (AOLC) tests in haematooncological patients with central venous catheters (CVCs) in situ.Materials and methodsPeptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization and AOLC tests using blood samples from one CVC lumen/port chamber in haematooncological patients were continuously performed. These results were compared to those obtained from routinely performed CRBSI diagnostic tests.ResultsOne hundred and eighty‐two patients with 342 catheter periods were investigated. Seventeen CRBSI cases were detected in 6466 CVC days by routine measures resulting in a CRBSI rate of 2·6/1000 catheter days. Two of 17 showed positive PNA FISH tests, and five positive AOLC test results before the diagnosis were established with routine measures. The screening revealed further seven patients with positive universal PNA FISH tests and 10 positive AOLC tests without symptoms indicative for infection and were therefore considered not to have CRBSI.ConclusionsSampling of only one CVC lumen/port chamber screening for CRBSI in haematooncological patients seems not to be a useful tool for anticipative diagnosis of CRBSI. Reasons for false‐negative results might include origin of CRBSIs from the other CVC lumina not sampled for screening, and false‐positive results might origin from catheter colonization without subsequent spread of micro‐organisms into the peripheral bloodstream.
Alteration of heme metabolism in a cellular model of Diamond–Blackfan anemia
Authors: Mercurio Sonia , Aspesi Anna , Silengo Lorenzo , Altruda Fiorella , Dianzani Irma , Chiabrando Deborah 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDiamond–Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a congenital pure red cell aplasia often associated with skeletal malformations. Mutations in ribosomal protein coding genes, mainly in RPS19, account for the majority of DBA cases. The molecular mechanisms underlying DBA pathogenesis are still not completely understood. Alternative spliced isoforms of FLVCR1 (feline leukemia virus subgroup C receptor 1) transcript coding for non‐functional proteins have been reported in some DBA patients. Consistently, a phenotype very close to DBA has been described in animal models of FLVCR1 deficiency. FLVCR1 gene codes for two proteins: the plasma membrane heme exporter FLVCR1a and the mitochondrial heme exporter FLVCR1b. The coordinated expression of both FLVCR1 isoforms regulates an intracellular heme pool, necessary for proper expansion and differentiation of erythroid precursors. Here, we investigate the role of FLVCR1 isoforms in a cellular model of DBA. RPS19‐downregulated TF1 cells show reduced FLVCR1a and FLVCR1b mRNA levels associated with heme overload. The downregulation of FLVCR1 isoforms affects cell cycle progression and apoptosis in differentiating K562 cells, a phenotype similar to DBA. Taken together, these data suggest that alteration of heme metabolism could play a role in the pathogenesis of DBA.
Environmental enrichment rescues the degraded auditory temporal resolution of cortical neurons induced by early noise exposure
Authors: Jiang Cuiping , Xu Xiaoxiao , Yu Liping , Xu Jinghong , Zhang Jiping 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe accurate processing of sound temporal information is crucial to human speech perception and other species‐specific communication. During postnatal development, the auditory cortex shows environmental and experience‐dependent plasticity. However, how the postnatal environment affects cortical processing of sound temporal information is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to determine whether postnatal noise exposure impairs neural temporal resolution in the auditory cortex, and, if so, whether environmental enrichment can rescue this degraded neural temporal acuity. Using the neural gap detection threshold determined in anesthetized rats as an index of temporal acuity, we found that exposure of juvenile rats to moderate‐level noise induced much higher neural gap detection thresholds in adulthood than exposure of adult rats to the same noise. Environmental enrichment did not affect cortical neural gap detection thresholds in normally developing rats. However, rearing of rats with early noise exposure in an enriched environment promoted recovery from the noise‐induced degraded neural temporal resolution. In addition, the tonal stimuli in the enriched environment contributed to only a portion of the recovery. These results provide evidence for noise‐induced developmental impairment in neural gap detection thresholds in the auditory cortex, and suggest a therapeutic potential for environmental enrichment as a non‐invasive approach to rescue developmentally degraded auditory temporal processing.
Local immunosuppression induced by high viral load of human papillomavirus: characterization of cellular phenotypes producing interleukin‐10 in cervical neoplastic lesions
Authors: Prata Thiago Theodoro Martins , Bonin Camila Mareti , Ferreira Alda Maria Teixeira , Padovani Cacilda Tezelli Junqueira , Fernandes Carlos Eurico dos Santos , Machado Ana Paula , Tozetti Inês Aparecida 
Published: June 2015

SummaryA specific immune response to human papillomavirus (HPV) in the cervical microenvironment plays a key role in eradicating infection and eliminating mutated cells. However, high‐risk HPVs modulate immune cells to create an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and induce these immune cells to produce interleukin 10 (IL‐10). This production of IL‐10, in conjunction with HPV infection, contributes to the appearance of cervical neoplastic lesions. We sought to characterize the IL‐10‐producing cellular phenotype, and investigate the influence of host and HPV factors upon the induction of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated an increase in IL‐10 production by keratinocytes, macrophages and Langerhans cells in high‐grade cervical lesions and cervical cancer. This increase was more pronounced in patients older than 30 years, and was also correlated with high viral load, and infection with a single HPV type, particularly high‐risk HPVs. Our results indicate the existence of a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment composed of different IL‐10‐producing cellular phenotypes in cervical cancer samples, and samples classified as high‐grade cervical lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia stages II and III). The immunosuppressive microenvironment that developed for these different cellular phenotypes favours viral persistence and neoplastic progression.
The Incidence of Audible Steam Pops Is Increased and Unpredictable With the ThermoCool® Surround Flow Catheter During Left Atrial Catheter Ablation: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: THEIS CATHRIN , ROSTOCK THOMAS , MOLLNAU HANKE , SONNENSCHEIN SEBASTIAN , HIMMRICH EWALD , KÄMPFNER DENISE , OCETE BLANCA QUESADA , BOCK KARSTEN , MÜNZEL THOMAS , KONRAD TORSTEN 
Published: June 2015

Audible Steam Pops During Left Atrial Catheter AblationIntroductionOpen irrigated radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheters with a porous tip (56 holes, TC‐SF) permit delivering RF energy in a temperature‐controlled mode without temperature rise. This prospective observational study investigated the association of different catheter parameters on the occurrence of audible steam pops during left atrial (LA) ablation.Methods and ResultsA total of 226 patients underwent TC‐SF catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. RF power delivery, impedance and catheter tip temperature were continually recorded throughout the ablation. Pulmonary vein isolation was performed with a maximum of 27 W and LA electrogram‐guided or linear ablation with a maximum of 30 W. A total of 59 audible steam pops occurred, 2 of them resulting in pericardial tamponade. In the initial 89 patients, with an irrigation flow rate of 10 mL/min, 18 steam pops with one tamponade occurred in 12 (14%) patients. Subsequently, the irrigation flow rate was increased to 20 mL/min in the following 137 patients, resulting in the occurrence of 41 steam pops including one case of tamponade in a total of 30 (22%) patients. The maximal power was significantly higher in RF applications associated with a pop than those that did not. In only 12 (20%) steam pops, a significant impedance change occurred immediately before pop occurrence (4 [7%] impedance rise >10 ohm, 8 [13%] impedance drop >15 ohm).ConclusionsThe TC‐SF catheter does not provide sufficient feedback from the ablated tissue to prevent steam popping.
Characterising flash flood response to intense rainfall and impacts using historical information and gauged data in Britain
Authors: Archer D.R. , Fowler H.J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe analyse chronologies of historical flash floods derived from searches of newspaper archives and other sources commencing before 1800 and recent gauged rainfall and stream flow data. Five key examples are chosen to illustrate specific features of flash floods. Pluvial flash floods arise from rainfall before it reaches a watercourse and may cause severe flooding of land and properties far from rivers. River flash floods, like pluvial floods, have the characteristic of rapid speed of response, a principal source of risk to life. Intense rainfall can generate ‘walls of water’ in river courses which can propagate long distances downstream and steepen, without upstream structural failure. Steeply rising wavefronts more commonly occur on steep upland catchments but, where intensities of extreme short period rainfall are sufficient, such wavefronts can also occur on lowland catchments. A definition of flash floods from intense rainfall, relevant to British landscape and climate, is proposed.
Revisiting the membrane interaction mechanism of a membrane‐damaging β‐barrel pore‐forming toxin Vibrio cholerae cytolysin
Authors: Rai Anand Kumar , Chattopadhyay Kausik 
Published: June 2015

SummaryVibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC) permeabilizes target cell membranes by forming transmembrane oligomeric β‐barrel pores. VCC has been shown to associate with the target membranes via amphipathicity‐driven spontaneous partitioning into the membrane environment. More specific interaction(s) of VCC with the membrane components have also been documented. In particular, specific binding of VCC with the membrane lipid components is believed to play a crucial role in determining the efficacy of the pore‐formation process. However, the structural basis and the functional implications of the VCC interaction with the membrane lipids remain unclear. Here we show that the distinct loop sequences within the membrane‐proximal region of VCC play critical roles to determine the functional interactions of the toxin with the membrane lipids. Alterations of the loop sequences via structure‐guided mutagenesis allow amphipathicity‐driven partitioning of VCC to the membrane lipid bilayer. Alterations of the loop sequences, however, block specific interactions of VCC with the membrane lipids and abort the oligomerization, membrane insertion, pore‐formation and cytotoxic activity of the toxin. Present study identifies the structural signatures in VCC implicated for its functional interactions with the membrane lipid components, a process that presumably acts to drive the subsequent steps of the oligomeric β‐barrel pore‐formation and cytotoxic responses.
Expressions of mRNA for innate immunity‐associated functional molecules in urinary sediment in immunoglobulin A nephropathy
Authors: Tsuruga Kazushi , Aizawa Tomomi , Watanabe Shojiro , Tsugawa Koji , Yoshida Hidemi , Imaizumi Tadaatsu , Ito Etsuro , Tanaka Hiroshi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAimIt has been reported that the innate immune system plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). To explore non‐invasive monitoring of disease activity in children with IgAN, we examined whether expressions of mRNA for innate immunity‐associated functional molecules: CC ligand chemokine 5 (CCL5), fractalkine/CX3CL1, interferon‐γ‐induced protein 10 (IP‐10), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1), retinoic acid‐inducible gene‐I (RIG‐I), and toll‐like receptor 3 (TLR3) in urinary sediment from patients with IgAN correlate with histologic parameters.MethodsTwenty consecutive children with IgAN and four children with thin basement membrane disease (serving as a non‐inflammatory control) were enrolled in this pilot study. Urinary mRNA expressions of target genes were examined real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe expressions of CCL5, fractalkine and RIG‐I were significantly increased in IgAN (all P < 0.05). Although no significant correlation was observed between mRNA expressions of these three molecules and clinical parameters, such as levels of urinary protein excretion, degrees of occult blood in urine and serum albumin, the expression of fractalkine was significantly correlated with the histological activity index (P = 0.022) and the chronicity index (P = 0.005). Furthermore, intense glomerular immune activity of fractalkine was observed in biopsy specimens in patients with moderately to severe proliferative IgAN.ConclusionRegional expression of fractalkine may be involved in the pathogenesis of childhood IgAN. Although our present findings remain preliminary, measurement of mRNA expression of fractalkine in urinary sediment could be used as a non‐invasive method for predicting histologic severity in IgAN in children. Further studies of this issue are needed.
Endogenous Progesterone Concentrations Affect Progesterone Release from Intravaginal Devices Used for Oestrous Synchronization in Cattle
Authors: Neri HL , Palhao MP , Costa DS , Viana JHM , Fernandes CAC 
Published: June 2015

ContentsIntravaginal progesterone‐releasing devices are largely used both as contraceptives in humans and as a component of oestrous synchronization protocols in cattle. To reduce costs in large‐scale timed artificial insemination, the reuse of these releasing devices is common. Passive hormone diffusion, however, depends on the concentration gradient, which could affect the amount of residual progesterone present in these devices after a first use. To evaluate the effect of the presence of a corpus luteum in the release of progesterone from intravaginal devices, three synchronization protocols were designed to simulate the effects of inserting the device in the early dioestrus, late dioestrus or anoestrus. Holstein‐Zebu cross‐bred heifers were randomly allocated into one of these three treatments, and a series of blood samples was taken to evaluate the plasma progesterone concentrations. After 8 days, the intravaginal devices were removed and underwent a previously validated alcoholic extraction technique to measure the residual progesterone. Non‐used devices were used as controls. As expected, the simultaneous presence of the intravaginal device and a corpus luteum resulted in increased plasma progesterone concentrations. Conversely, the amount of residual progesterone in the devices after use was inversely proportional to the plasma progesterone concentration. These results demonstrate that the release rate of progesterone from intravaginal devices is affected by the endogenous concentration of this hormone; consequently, the strategy for reuse should account for the category and expected luteal cyclic activity of the animals undergoing synchronization protocols.
The Arabidopsis root stele transporter NPF2.3 contributes to nitrate translocation to shoots under salt stress
Authors: Taochy Christelle , Gaillard Isabelle , Ipotesi Emilie , Oomen Ronald , Leonhardt Nathalie , Zimmermann Sabine , Peltier Jean‐Benoît , Szponarski Wojciech , Simonneau Thierry , Sentenac Hervé , Gibrat Rémy , Boyer Jean‐Christophe 
Published: June 2015

SummaryIn most plants,constitutes the major source of nitrogen, and its assimilation into amino acids is mainly achieved in shoots. Furthermore, recent reports have revealed that reduction oftranslocation from roots to shoots is involved in plant acclimation to abiotic stress. NPF2.3, a member of the NAXT (nitrate excretion transporter) sub‐group of the NRT1/PTR family (NPF) from Arabidopsis, is expressed in root pericycle cells, where it is targeted to the plasma membrane. Transport assays using NPF2.3‐enrichedLactococcus lactismembranes showed that this protein is endowed withtransport activity, displaying a strong selectivity foragainst Cl−. In response to salt stress,translocation to shoots is reduced, at least partly because expression of the root steletransporter geneNPF7.3is decreased. In contrast,NPF2.3expression was maintained under these conditions. A loss‐of‐function mutation inNPF2.3resulted in decreased root‐to‐shoottranslocation and reduced shootcontent in plants grown under salt stress. Also, the mutant displayed impaired shoot biomass production when plants were grown under mild salt stress. These mutant phenotypes were dependent on the presence of Na+in the external medium. Our data indicate that NPF2.3 is a constitutively expressed transporter whose contribution totranslocation to the shoots is quantitatively and physiologically significant under salinity.
Novel variant of EATL evolving from mucosal γδ-T-cells in a patient with type I RCD
Authors: van Wanrooij R L J , de Jong D , Langerak A W , Ylstra B , van Essen H F , Heideman D A M , Bontkes H J , Mulder C J J , Bouma G 
Published: June 2015

ObjectivesEnteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma that may complicate coeliac disease and typically occurs in patients with refractoriness to the gluten-free diet. The majority of these patients harbour a clonal expansion of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) with an aberrant phenotype in the small intestine which are thus considered as the ‘precursor’ lymphoma cells. We describe a 51-year-old female patient with refractory coeliac disease (RCD) who developed an EATL with manifestations in the proximal small intestine and in a mesenteric lymph node that did not evolve from regular type ‘aberrant’ αβ-T-cells but rather from a clonal expansion of γδ-T-cells.MethodsDuodenal biopsies and lymphoma tissue from a patient with refractory coeliac disease whom developed an EATL were extensively studied by immunophenotypical, T-cell receptor immunogenetic and chromosomal analysis.ResultsFlow cytometric analysis of duodenal IELs revealed an unusual large clonal expansion of CD30 negative γδ-T-cells in a patient with RCD. When the patient clinically deteriorated 18 months later, a substantial part (30%) of this cell population did express CD30. In addition, identical immunogenetic aberrancies had developed in a prehepatic lymph node.ConclusionsWe here report on a case of extraintestinal EATL that originated from a clonal γδ-IEL population rather than from aberrant IEL. This EATL displayed a distinctive pattern of immunophenotypical, T-cell receptor immunogenetic and chromosomal aberrancies as compared to classical EATL, defining this lymphoma as a novel variant of EATL.
Expanding the scope of Critical Care Rapid Response Teams: a feasible approach to identify adverse events. A prospective observational cohort
Authors: Amaral Andre Carlos Kajdacsy-Balla , McDonald Andrew , Coburn Natalie G , Xiong Wei , Shojania Kaveh G , Fowler Robert A , Chapman Martin , Adhikari Neill K J 
Published: June 2015

IntroductionAdverse events (AEs) affect 3–12% of hospitalised patients. These are estimates from a labour-intensive chart review process,which is not feasible outside research. Clinical deterioration on the wards triggers a rapid response teams (RRTs) consult and can be used to identify an AE prospectively.ObjectivesTo demonstrate the feasibility of using RRT to detect AEs and compare this methodology to the rates reported using an electronic safety reporting system.MethodsProspective observational cohort of RRT consults. Three independent physicians reviewed all cases for the occurrence of an AE and its preventability. We summarise AEs as rates per 1000 patient-days, and compared the rates between RRT and the safety reporting system using a Poisson model.ResultsThere were 8713 hospital admissions, with 531 RRT consults and 247 (2.8%) cases included. Forty-four (17.8%) and 35 cases (14.2%) were judged as AEs and preventable AEs, respectively. RRT identified 0.52 AE/1000 patient-days, compared with 0.21 AE/1000 patient-days detected through the electronic safety reporting system (rate ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.2, p=0.0014). Patients in surgical wards had more AEs (0.83/1000 vs 0.36/1000, p<0.01) and preventable AEs (0.70 vs 0.21, p<0.01) than patients in medical wards. Agreement for AE (κ 0.46, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.53) and preventable AE (κ 0.47, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.53) was moderate among reviewers.ConclusionsReviewing RRT consults identified a high proportion of AEs and preventable AEs. This methodology detected twice as many AEs as the hospital's safety reporting system. RRT clinicians provide a complementary and more sensitive mechanism than traditional safety reporting systems to identify possible AEs in hospitals.
Erlotinib Pretreatment Improves Photodynamic Therapy of Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Xenografts via Multiple Mechanisms
Authors: Gallagher-Colombo Shannon M. , Miller Joann , Cengel Keith A. , Putt Mary E. , Vinogradov Sergei A. , Busch Theresa M. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Aberrant expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a common characteristic of many cancers, including non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and ovarian cancer. Although EGFR is currently a favorite molecular target for the treatment of these cancers, inhibition of the receptor with small-molecule inhibitors (i.e., erlotinib) or monoclonal antibodies (i.e., cetuximab) does not provide long-term therapeutic benefit as standalone treatment. Interestingly, we have found that addition of erlotinib to photodynamic therapy (PDT) can improve treatment response in typically erlotinib-resistant NSCLC tumor xenografts. Ninety-day complete response rates of 63% are achieved when erlotinib is administered in three doses before PDT of H460 human tumor xenografts, compared with 16% after PDT-alone. Similar benefit is found when erlotinib is added to PDT of A549 NCSLC xenografts. Improved response is accompanied by increased vascular shutdown, and erlotinib increases the in vitro cytotoxicity of PDT to endothelial cells. Tumor uptake of the photosensitizer (benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A; BPD) is increased by the in vivo administration of erlotinib; nevertheless, this elevation of BPD levels only partially accounts for the benefit of erlotinib to PDT. Thus, pretreatment with erlotinib augments multiple mechanisms of PDT effect that collectively lead to large improvements in therapeutic efficacy. These data demonstrate that short-duration administration of erlotinib before PDT can greatly improve the responsiveness of even erlotinib-resistant tumors to treatment. Results will inform clinical investigation of EGFR-targeting therapeutics in conjunction with PDT. Cancer Res; 75(15); 3118–26. ©2015 AACR.