bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proteins Involved in the Interaction of Potato Tubers with Pectobacterium atrosepticum: a Proteomic Approach to Understanding Partial Resistance
Authors: Barzic Marie Renee , Com Emmanuelle 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPotato can be severely affected by various pathogens, including Pectobacterium atrosepticum, the cause of bacterial soft rot on tubers and of blackleg on stems. To date, no complete resistance to P. atrosepticum is available, so that only cultivars exhibiting partial resistance can be found. The mechanistic basis of this type of resistance is still poorly understood. A proteomic approach was thus developed to identify pathways specifically activated during the interaction between potato tubers and P. atrosepticum. Protein profiles on silver‐stained gels in the 5–8 pH range were obtained from healthy and infected tubers from two cultivars differing for resistance level and analyzed by 2‐DE and nano‐LC‐MS/MS. Thirteen proteins were differentially up‐regulated in the partially resistant cv. Kerpondy; by contrast, no significant differences in protein profiles of inoculated and control tubers were observed in the susceptible cv. Bintje. Mass spectrometry and database searching showed that these proteins are involved in energetic metabolism (glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, 2‐phosphoglycerate dehydratase or enolase, fructose biphosphate aldolase and ATPase α subunit), cytoskeleton structure (actin), protein catabolism (cysteine protease inhibitor) and patatins or patatin precursors. Their involvement in defence responses of cv. Kerpondy to P. atrosepticum is discussed. Proteomic appears as an efficient approach to have insight into the mechanisms and pathways leading to potato resistance against P. atrosepticum.
In vitro photodynamic therapy against Foncecaea pedrosoi and Cladophialophora carrionii
Authors: Lyon Juliana Pereira , Moreira Leonardo Marmo , Dutra de Carvalho Vanessa Silva , dos Santos Fabio Vieira , de Lima Carlos José , de Resende Maria Aparecida 
Published: July 2012

SummaryPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) has been originally developed for cancer treatment, but recently, it has been successfully employed against microorganisms, including fungi. Chromoblastomycosis is a subcutaneous fungal infection that is recalcitrant to conventional antifungal drug therapy. The most frequent species involved are Foncecaea pedrosoi and Cladophialophora carrionii. The present study aimed to verify the efficacy in vitro of PDT employing methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitiser and Light emmiting diode (LED) (InGaAl) as the light source. Methylene blue at the concentrations of 16, 32 and 64 μg/mL and LED (InGalP) were employed for 15 min against spores of two isolates of F. pedrosoi and two isolates of C. carrionii. The spores were plated on Sabouraud Dextrose agar and the number of colony forming units was counted after 7–10 days of incubation at 37 °C. The PDT with MB and LED was efficient in reducing the growth of all samples tested. Better results were obtained for the concentration of 32 μg/mL of MB. The treatment proved to be highly effective in killing the samples of F. pedrosoi and Cladophialophora pedrosoi tested in vitro. PDT arises as a promising alternative for the treatment of this subcutaneous infection.
Gut bacterial translocation is associated with microinflammation in end‐stage renal disease patients
Authors: WANG FEIQIAN , JIANG HONGLI , SHI KEHUI , REN YI , ZHANG PAN , CHENG SHAOLI 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTAim:  To investigate whether gut bacteria translocation occurs in end‐stage renal disease patients and contributes to microinflammation in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD).Methods:  The subjects were divided into two groups: nondialysed ESRD patients (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 10). Blood samples from all participants were subjected to bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA amplification and DNA pyrosequencing to determine the presence of bacteria, and the alteration of gut microbiomes were examined with the same methods. High‐sensitive C‐reactive protein and interleukin‐6 were detected. Plasma D‐lactate was tested for gut permeability.Results:  Bacterial DNAs were detected in the blood of 20% (6/30) of the ESRD patients. All the observed genera in blood (Klebsiella spp, Proteus spp, Escherichia spp, Enterobacter spp, and Pseudomonas spp) were overgrown in the guts of the ESRD patients. Plasma D‐lactate, High‐sensitive C‐reactive protein, and interleukin‐6 levels were significantly higher in patients with bacterial DNA than those without. The control group showed the same results as that of patients without bacterial DNA.Conclusion:  Bacterial translocation occurs in ESRD patients and is associated with microinflammation in end stage renal disease.
Diagnostic criteria for Werner syndrome based on Japanese nationwide epidemiological survey
Authors: Takemoto Minoru , Mori Seijiro , Kuzuya Masafumi , Yoshimoto Shinya , Shimamoto Akira , Igarashi Masahiko , Tanaka Yasuhito , Miki Tetsuro , Yokote Koutaro 
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disorder of progeroid symptoms and signs. It is caused by mutations in the WRN gene, which encodes a RecQ DNA helicase. The aim of this study was to revise the diagnostic criteria for Japanese Werner syndrome.Methods:  A nationwide epidemiological study was carried out from 2009 to 2011, involving 6921 surveys sent to hospitals with more than 200 beds to assess existing WS diagnostic criteria, as well as additional signs of high incidence on the basis of clinical experience with WS.Results:  The existing diagnostic criteria were reviewed, and signs with >90% incidence were listed as cardinal signs. Several criteria were added, including genetic testing and calcification of the Achilles tendon, whereas criteria that are practically difficult to obtain, such as measurement of urinary hyaluronic acid, were omitted.Conclusion:  The 26‐year‐old diagnostic criteria for WS were revised on the basis of the results of a nationwide epidemiological study. The proposed revised criteria will facilitate simpler, faster and more robust diagnosis of WS in the Japanese population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 475–481.
Use of a laboratory only score system to define trajectories and outcomes of older people admitted to the acute hospital as medical emergencies
Authors: Romero‐Ortuno Roman , Silke Bernard 
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Increasing numbers of older people are admitted to hospital as medical emergencies. They are a heterogeneous population with uncertain trajectories and outcomes. Our aim was to retrospectively characterize subgroups of older inpatients based on their acuity trajectories.Methods:  This was a single‐center patient series from St James's Hospital Dublin, Ireland (2002–2010). The Medical Admissions Risk System (MARS) score was used to classify a sample of 14 607 patients aged ≥65 years, from admission to end of episode, into four trajectory groups: (i) static high acuity (group 1); (ii) static low acuity (group 2); (iii) inpatient deterioration (group 3); and (iv) inpatient improvement (group 4). K‐means cluster analysis was used for the classification.Results:  Group 1 (4.1%): median length of stay (LOS) 7.4 days, 23.6% used intensive care, mortality rate 79.2%; sepsis and renal failure were the dominant features. Group 2 (76.6%): median LOS 8.0 days, 5.2% used intensive care, mortality rate 9.5%; younger age, low comorbidity and diseases of non‐vital organs were predominant. Group 3 (7.6%): median LOS 17.2 days, 17.4% used intensive care, mortality rate 76.1%; high comorbidity and sepsis/respiratory disease featured. Group 4 (11.7%): median LOS 12.1 days, 12.8% used intensive care, mortality rate 22.7%; sepsis and renal/metabolic disease were frequent, and comorbidity levels were intermediate.Conclusions:  In older acute medical inpatients, the outcome seemed more driven by specific diagnoses (such as sepsis and renal failure) and comorbidity, than by age. Using the MARS score to retrospectively categorize older inpatients might help to understand their heterogeneity and promote the design of appropriate care pathways. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 405–412.
High prevalence of sarcopenia and reduced leg muscle mass in Japanese patients immediately after a hip fracture
Authors: Hida Tetsuro , Ishiguro Naoki , Shimokata Hiroshi , Sakai Yoshihito , Matsui Yasumoto , Takemura Marie , Terabe Yasuto , Harada Atsushi 
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Sarcopenia‐related falls and fractures are becoming an emerging problem as a result of rapid aging worldwide. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia by estimating the muscle mass of the arms and legs of patients with and without hip fracture.Methods:  This cross‐sectional study examined 357 patients immediately after a hip fracture (the HF group) and in 2511 patients from an outpatient clinic who did not have a hip fracture (the NF group) at single institution in Japan. We carried out whole‐body dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry to analyze body composition with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI; lean mass / height2) and bone mineral density (BMD). We carried out stepwise logistic regression analysis to determine the factors associated with a hip fracture.Results:  Lower appendicular SMI (P < 0.001), leg SMI (P < 0.001), and higher prevalence of sarcopenia (P < 0.001) were observed in the HF group after controlling for age and sex. The arm SMI was similar in both groups (P > 0.95). In multivariate analysis, the presence of sarcopenia, older age and lower BMD were associated with the occurrence of a hip fracture (OR 1.476, P = 0.002; OR 1.103, P < 0.001; OR 0.082, P < 0.001; respectively).Conclusion:  This study showed a higher prevalence of sarcopenia and more reduced leg muscle mass in patients after a hip fracture than in the outclinic patients who did not have hip fractures. The results imply sarcopenia can be a risk factor for a hip fracture. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 413–420.
Functional lateralization in auditory cortex under informational masking and in silence
Authors: Königs Liane , Gutschalk Alexander 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe N1m is an evoked magnetic field in auditory cortex that is automatically elicited by tones in silence but not in the context of multiple other tones: when listeners are unaware of a tone stream because of informational masking, no N1m‐like activity is observed. In contrast, N1m‐like activity is evoked when listeners are aware of the regular tone stream in the same context but in another trial. Here we compared this awareness‐related negativity (ARN) with the automatic N1m. First, we evaluated whether stimulus lateralization by ear or interaural time differences modulates hemispheric lateralization of the response, as a putative marker of sensory processing. Second, we evaluated the stimulus‐independent hemispheric balance thought to indicate higher level cortical processing. The results dissociate three, partly overlapping, time intervals: the P1m (45–85 ms) was evoked by missed and detected target tones alike. Subsequent negative activity was only observed when listeners indicated awareness of the target stream inside the multi‐tone masker. In the N1m time interval (75–175 ms), hemispheric balance of the ARN and N1m was modulated by stimulus lateralization. In the subsequent time interval (175–275 ms), auditory‐cortex activity was generally right‐lateralized in silence and balanced under informational masking, but was not modulated by stimulus lateralization. These results suggest that the same auditory‐cortex activity that varies with perceptual awareness also shows sensory response features. This is in accordance with models for visual perception, suggesting that sensory competition determines whether midlevel visual responses occur automatically or vary with perceptual state.
Microbiota from the distal guts of lean and obese adolescents exhibit partial functional redundancy besides clear differences in community structure
Authors: Ferrer Manuel , Ruiz Alicia , Lanza Francesca , Haange Sven‐Bastiaan , Oberbach Andreas , Till Holger , Bargiela Rafael , Campoy Cristina , Segura Maria Teresa , Richter Michael , von Bergen Martin , Seifert Jana , Suarez Antonio 
Published: July 2012

SummaryRecent research has disclosed a tight connection between obesity, metabolic gut microbial activities and host health. Obtaining a complete understanding of this relationship remains a major goal. Here, we conducted a comparative metagenomic and metaproteomic investigation of gut microbial communities in faecal samples taken from an obese and a lean adolescent. By analysing the diversity of 16S rDNA amplicons (10% operational phylogenetic units being common), 22 Mbp of consensus metagenome sequences (∼ 70% common) and the expression profiles of 613 distinct proteins (82% common), we found that in the obese gut, the total microbiota was more abundant on the phylum Firmicutes (94.6%) as compared with Bacteroidetes (3.2%), although the metabolically active microbiota clearly behaves in a more homogeneous manner with both contributing equally. The lean gut showed a remarkable shift towards Bacteroidetes (18.9% total 16S rDNA), which become the most active fraction (81% proteins). Although the two gut communities maintained largely similar gene repertoires and functional profiles, improved pili‐ and flagella‐mediated host colonization and improved capacity for both complementary aerobic and anaerobic de novo B12 synthesis, 1,2‐propanediol catabolism (most likely participating in de novo B12 synthesis) and butyrate production were observed in the obese gut, whereas bacteria from lean gut seem to be more engaged in vitamin B6 synthesis. Furthermore, this study provides functional evidence that variable combinations of species from different phyla could ‘presumptively’ fulfil overlapping and/or complementary functional roles required by the host, a scenario where minor bacterial taxa seem to be significant active contributors.
Setting research priorities for Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Gadsby R. , Snow R. , Daly A. C. , Crowe S. , Matyka K. , Hall B. , Petrie J. 
Published: July 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1321–1326 (2012)AbstractAims  Research priorities are often set by academic researchers or the pharmaceutical industry. The interests of patients, carers and clinicians may therefore be overlooked and research questions that matter may be neglected. The aims of this study were to collect uncertainties about the treatment of Type 1 diabetes from patients, carers and health professionals, and to collate and prioritize these uncertainties to develop a top 10 list of research priorities, using a structured priority‐setting partnership of patients, carers, health professionals and diabetes organizations, as described by the James Lind Alliance.Methods  A partnership of interested organizations was set up, and from this a steering committee of 10 individuals was formed. An online and paper survey was used to identify uncertainties. These were collated, and the steering group carried out an interim priority‐setting exercise with partner organizations. This group of uncertainties was then voted on to give a smaller list that went forward to the final priority‐setting workshop. At this meeting, a final list of the top 10 research priorities was agreed.Results  An initial 1141 uncertainties were described. These were reduced to 88 indicative questions, 47 of which went out for voting. Twenty‐four were then taken forward to a final priority‐setting workshop. This workshop resulted in a list of top 10 research priorities in Type 1 diabetes.Conclusion  We have shown that it is possible using the James Lind Alliance process to develop an agreed top 10 list of research priorities for Type 1 diabetes from health professionals, patients and carers.
Does early intensive multifactorial treatment reduce total cardiovascular burden in individuals with screen‐detected diabetes? Findings from the ADDITION‐Europe cluster‐randomized trial
Authors: Simmons R. K. , Sharp S. J. , Sandbæk A. , Borch‐Johnsen K. , Davies M. J. , Khunti K. , Lauritzen T. , Rutten G. E. H. M. , van den Donk M. , Wareham N. J. , Griffin S. J. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAims  To describe the total cardiovascular burden (cardiovascular morbidity or mortality, revascularization or non‐traumatic amputation) in individuals with screen‐detected diabetes in the ADDITION‐Europe trial and to quantify the impact of the intervention on multiple cardiovascular events over 5 years.Methods  In a pragmatic, cluster‐randomized, parallel‐group trial in four centres (Denmark; Cambridge, UK; the Netherlands; and Leicester, UK), 343 general practices were randomized to screening plus routine care (n = 1379 patients), or screening and promotion of target‐driven, intensive treatment of multiple risk factors (n = 1678). We estimated the effect of the intervention on multiple cardiovascular events after diagnosis of diabetes using the Wei, Lin and Weissfeld method.Results  Over 5.3 years, 167 individuals had exactly one cardiovascular event, 53 exactly two events, and 18 three or more events. The incidence rates (95% CI) of first events and any event per 1000 person‐years were 14.6 (12.8–16.6) and 20.4 (18.2–22.6), respectively. There were non‐significant reductions in the risk of a first (hazard ratio 0.83, 95% CI 0.65–1.05) and second primary endpoint (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.43–1.12). The overall average hazard ratio for any event was 0.77 (95% CI 0.58–1.02).Conclusions  Early intensive multifactorial treatment was not associated with a significant reduction in total cardiovascular burden at 5 years. Focusing on first events in cardiovascular disease prevention trials underestimates the total cardiovascular burden to patients and the health service.
Spatial Approaches to Modeling Dispersion of Communicable Diseases – A Review
Authors: Bian Ling 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe dispersion of communicable diseases in a population is intrinsically spatial. In the last several decades, a range of spatial approaches has been devised to model epidemiological processes; and they differ significantly from each other. A review of spatially oriented epidemiological models is necessary to assess advances in spatial approaches to modeling disease dispersion and to help identify those most appropriate for specific research goals. The most notable difference in the design of these spatially oriented models is the scale and mobility of the modeling unit. Using two criteria, this review identifies six types of spatially oriented models. These include: (1) population‐based wave models, (2) sub‐population models, (3) individual‐based cellular automata models, (4) mobile sub‐population models, (5) individual‐based spatially implicit models, and (6) individual‐based mobile models. Each model type is evaluated in terms of its design principles, assumptions, and intended applications. For the evaluation of design, four aspects of design principles are discussed: the modeling unit, the interaction between the modeling units, the spatial process, and the temporal process utilized in a design. Insights gained from this review can be useful for devising much‐needed spatially and temporally oriented strategies to forecast, prevent, and control communicable diseases.
Efficacy and safety of acitretin in three fixed doses of 25, 35 and 50 mg in adult patients with severe plaque type psoriasis: a randomized, double blind, parallel group, dose ranging study
Authors: Dogra S. , Jain A. , Kanwar A.J. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Acitretin is available for use in psoriasis since the late 1980s; however, there is no consensus on its optimum effective dose with acceptable side‐effects.Objective  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acitretin in three fixed doses in adult patients with severe plaque type psoriasis.Methods  This was a randomized, double blind, parallel group, dose ranging study. The study included patients of either gender (age range, 18–65 years) with severe chronic plaque type psoriasis. Of the 80 patients screened, 61 were randomly assigned to three groups: group A – 20 patients (acitretin 25 mg/day), group B – 20 patients (acitretin 35 mg/day) and group C – 21 patients (acitretin 50 mg/day) for 12 weeks. Forty‐eight patients completed the study. The main outcome measure was change in Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score between the three groups from baseline to 12 weeks.Results  After 12 weeks of therapy, the percentage reduction in the PASI score was 54%, 76% and 54% in acitretin 25, 35 and 50 mg/day group respectively. PASI 75 was achieved in 47%, 69% and 53% patients in acitretin 25, 35 and 50 mg/day groups respectively. The majority of adverse events were mucocutaneous, mild‐to‐moderate severity and dose dependent.Conclusions  Acitretin 35 mg/day was observed to be more efficacious compared to 25 mg/day and 50 mg/day dosing, whereas its safety profile is better than 50 mg/day dosing in the management of severe plaque type psoriasis in adult patients.
Secondary intention healing in skin surgery: our own experience and expanded indications in hidradenitis suppurativa, rhinophyma and non‐melanoma skin cancers
Authors: Bieniek A. , Matusiak Ł. , Chlebicka I. , Szepietowski J.C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  There are many situations in integument surgery in which secondary intention healing (SIH) may bring results comparable or even superior to those obtained with primary intention healing.Objective  To present our own methods of employing SIH in surgical treatment of different skin lesions. Moreover, to delineate the extended indications for SIH as a first‐line method of wound treatment.Methods  Between 1999 and 2009, we conducted 236 operations followed by SIH in the group of 195 patients. Two independent investigators and the patients carried out post‐operative assessment (at 12 months) of both cosmetic and functional results of operations (data for 142 patients). Moreover, at 3 and 12 months, patients were asked for self‐evaluation of the outcomes of surgical procedures using the visual analogue scale (VAS).Results  The most frequent indications for SIH were defects after the excision of non‐melanoma skin cancers and hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. Depending on localization, the mean extent of the post‐operative wounds prepared for SIH ranged from 0.8to 85.7 cm2. The healing lasted 2–12 weeks. The most important factor was the size of the wound (r = 0.59; P < 0.001). The assessment at 12 months revealed that cosmetic/functional outcomes were evaluated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in 89/83% and 72/70% cases, according to patients and physicians respectively. VAS showed that evaluation scores at 3 months post‐surgery were significantly lower than at 12 months (P < 0.0001).Conclusion  SIH is a safe and efficient form of treatment for various post‐operative skin defects. In certain areas of the body, SIH shows favourable cosmetic and functional effects. In these cases, it may even be regarded as the method of choice.