bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The importance of ultrasonographic pneumatosis intestinalis in equine neonatal gastrointestinal disease
Authors: NAVAS de SOLIS C. , PALMER J. E. , BOSTON R. C. , REEF V. B. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study:Recognising the presence of a necrotising component of the gastrointestinal disease may be clinically useful in ill equine neonates.Objectives:To study the importance of abdominal sonograms in neonatal foals suffering from gastrointestinal conditions and to describe the clinical features of necrotising gastrointestinal disease.Hypothesis:There is a subgroup of neonates with sonographically detectable pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), reflecting a necrotising disease.Methods:Records of foals aged ≤7 days hospitalised from 2005 to 2009 with signs of gastrointestinal disease were evaluated (n = 89). The association of sonographic, clinical and clinicopathological signs with necrotising gastrointestinal disease and outcome was determined.Results:PI was imaged in 19 foals. Twenty‐seven foals were classified as having necrotising gastrointestinal disease based on the presence of gastrointestinal signs (colic, diarrhoea, gastric reflux or abdominal distension) and sonographic PI (n = 19), surgical (n = 2) or pathological (n = 6) evidence of gastrointestinal necrosis. There was a difference between survival rate in foals with and without necrotising disease (33.3 and 69.4%, respectively, P = 0.005) or foals with and without PI detected sonographically (36.8 and 72.1%, respectively, P = 0.023). PI was the only sonographic finding associated with outcome. Prematurity, the presence of blood in the faeces, gastric reflux, abdominal distension, abnormal echogenicity of the colon and the lowest white blood cell count during hospitalisation were associated with necrotising gastrointestinal disease (P<0.05).Conclusions and potential relevance:Abdominal sonograms have prognostic value in neonatal gastrointestinal disease. PI and the presence of necrotising gastrointestinal disease were common and associated with a poor prognosis.
Comparing the pharmacokinetics of a fourth generation cephalosporin in three different age groups of New Forest ponies
Authors: SMIET E. , HARITOVA A. , HEIL B. A. , FINK‐GREMMELS J. , WIJNBERG I. D. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study:To compare the pharmacokinetics of the fourth generation cephalosporin, cefquinome, in neonatal foals, 6‐week‐old foals and mature New Forest ponies in order to recommend appropriate dosage regimens for use of this drug.Methods:Cefquinome was administered i.v. at 1 mg/kg bwt twice a day (q. 12 h), 1 mg/kg bwt 3 times a day (q. 8 h) or 4.5 mg/kg bwt q. 12 h to each age group (n = 6). Plasma cefquinome concentrations were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.Results:Both foal age groups had comparable pharmacokinetic data except for the volume of distribution at a steady‐state (Vss), total body clearance (ClB) and mean residence time (MRT). Both ClBand MRT decreased as the age of the foals increased. Values of area under the curve increased, in a dose dependent manner, with significant increases for all age groups following administration of 4.5 mg/kg bwt q. 12 h. Total body clearance did not have comparable dose dependency.Conclusions:Cefquinome can be given at a dose of 1 mg/kg bwt q. 12 h for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible pathogens with MIC<0.125 µg/ml. A higher dose of 4.5 mg/kg bwt q. 12 h is recommended for the treatment of bacterial pathogens with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0.125–0.5 µg/mlPotential relevance:Commonly used dosing regimens should be critically evaluated in neonatal foals due to the higher volume of distribution of less lipophilic drugs in this age group.
Prostaglandins and the regulation of parturition in mares
Authors: OUSEY J. C. , FOWDEN A. L. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryProstaglandins play an essential role during the perinatal period in the mare. Prostaglandin concentrations are low for the majority of pregnancy due to the regulatory action of progestagens on those enzymes responsible for metabolism of prostaglandins. Towards term, prostaglandin concentrations gradually increase, closely associated with upregulation of the fetal hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal axis, stimulation of the prostaglandin synthesising enzyme PGHS‐2 and changes in the ratio of progestagens and oestrogens. Recent evidence in the mare indicates that proinflammatory cytokines are key mediators of prostaglandin synthesis both at term parturition in healthy mares and at preterm parturition associated with placental infection. Prostaglandin concentrations rise substantially during active labour and decline after birth, associated with delivery of the placenta. During induced labour, prostaglandin concentrations are variable depending on the proximity to spontaneous parturition at term. Once the proinflammatory endocrine cascade is initiated, it is difficult to prevent active labour by administration of drugs that reduce prostaglandin concentrations in peripheral plasma. Further work is needed to establish the inter‐relationships between prostaglandin production and other endocrine changes associated with labour at term and preterm in the mare.
Self‐reported waist circumference: a screening tool for classifying children with overweight/obesity and cardiometabolic risk factor clustering
Authors: Chan N. P. T. , Choi K. C. , Nelson E. A. S. , Sung R. Y. T. , Chan J. C. N. , Kong A. P. S. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryObjectivesThe objectives of this study were twofold – (i) to assess the agreement between self‐reported waist circumference (SRWC) and assessor measured waist circumference (MWC) and (ii) to evaluate the diagnostic ability of SRWC for classifying (i) a clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) and (ii) overweight/obese status in Hong Kong Chinese children aged 6–18 years.MethodsA cross‐sectional study with cluster random sampling was conducted. A self‐administrated questionnaire, which included demographic data, body weight, body height and waist circumference, was given to children to bring home for completion. Children were asked to return the questionnaire and fast themselves for at least 8 h on the day of the survey. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were taken by trained research staff and fasting blood samples were collected for measurements of fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol.ResultsA total of 515 boys and 711 girls were included in the data analysis. Agreement between SRWC and MWC was assessed by intra‐class correlation coefficient and it ranged from 0.77 to 0.87. The ability of sex‐specific SRWC values to classify children with a clustering of CMRFs and overweight/obesity exhibited moderately high to high sensitivity and specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristics ranged from acceptable to excellent (from 0.76 to 0.84).ConclusionsSRWC has good agreement with MWC and could be used as a screening tool to classify children with a clustering of CMRFs and overweight/obesity status in Hong Kong Chinese children.
Association between socioeconomic status indicators and obesity in adolescent students in Botswana, an African country in rapid nutrition transition
Authors: Wrotniak B. H. , Malete L. , Maruapula S. D. , Jackson J. , Shaibu S. , Ratcliffe S. , Stettler N. , Compher C. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine two separate socioeconomic status (SES) indicators of obesity in Botswana, an African country that has experienced rapid economic development and where the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome is high.MethodsWe conducted a nationally representative, cross‐sectional study of 707 adolescent secondary school students in Botswana. Measured height and weight were used to compute World Health Organization age‐ and sex‐specific body mass index z‐scores. SES was described by private vs. public school attendance and a survey of assets/facilities within the home.ResultsOverall, private school students and those with more assets had a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than public school students (private: 27.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.4–34.5; public: 13.1%, 95% CI: 9.8–16.8) and those with fewer assets (more assets: 20.0%, 95% CI: 16.0–24.4; fewer assets: 11.2%, 95% CI: 6.6–16.9).ConclusionsPublic health interventions in developing countries may need to be targeted differently to low or high SES individuals in order to treat already high obesity rates in higher SES groups and to prevent the development of obesity in lower SES communities undergoing economic transition.
Serum protein N‐glycosylation in paediatric non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Blomme B. , Fitzpatrick E. , Quaglia A. , De Bruyne R. , Dhawan A. , Van Vlierberghe H. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryObjectiveWe have previously shown the potential of glycomics to distinguish patients with steatosis from patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in an adult population. The pattern of disease in paediatric patients is distinct from adults. The objective of this study was to characterize the N
‐glycomic profile of children with varying degrees of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and identify potential biomarker profiles of disease.MethodsSerum protein N‐glycosylation patterns of 51 paediatric NAFLD patients were assessed with deoxyribonucleic acid sequencer‐assisted fluorophore‐assisted capillary electrophoresis and compared with histology.ResultsPeak 1 (NGA2F) is the most significantly elevated N‐glycan in paediatric NASH patients with peak 5 (NA2) demonstrating the largest decrease. The logarithmically transformed ratio of peak 1 to peak 5 was −0.85 (standard deviation [SD] 0.22) in patients with steatosis and borderline NASH and −0.73 (SD 0.12) in NASH (P = 0.02). The biomarker correlated well with the amount of lobular inflammation with a consistent increase of marker score in ascending stage of lobular inflammation. There was also a trend in differentiating patients with significant fibrosis ≥F2; −0.74 (SD 0.13) from patients with no/minimal fibrosis <F2; −0.86 (SD 0.24), P = 0.06. Analysis of the N‐glycans on immunoglobulin G confirmed the undergalactosylation status typical for chronic inflammatory conditions.ConclusionsThis study is the first glycomic analysis performed in a paediatric NAFLD population. In agreement with the results obtained in adults, B cells play a dominant role in the N‐glycan alterations of paediatric NASH patients.
Genotypes, Exotoxin Gene Content, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Recovered from Foods and Food Handlers
Authors: Argudín M. A. , Mendoza M. C. , González-Hevia M. A. , Bances M. , Guerra B. , Rodicio M. R. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcal food poisoning, one of the most common food-borne diseases, results from ingestion of one or more staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) produced by
Staphylococcus aureus
in foods. In the present study, 64
S. aureus
isolates recovered from foods and food handlers, associated or not associated with food-poisoning outbreaks in Spain, were investigated. They were assigned to 31 strains by
spa
typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), exotoxin gene content, and antimicrobial resistance. The strains belonged to 10 clonal complexes (CCs): CC5 (29.0%), CC30 (25.8%), CC45 (16.1%), CC8, CC15 (two strains each), CC1, CC22, CC25, CC59, and CC121 (one strain each). They contained hemolysin genes (90.3%);
lukED
(77.4%); exfoliatin genes
eta
,
etd
(6.5% each), and
etb
(3.2%);
tst
(25.8%); and the following enterotoxin or enterotoxin-like genes or clusters:
sea
(38.7%),
seb
(12.9%),
sec
(16.1%),
sed-selj
with or without
ser
(22.9%),
selk-selq
(6.5%),
seh
,
sell
,
selp
(9.7% each),
egc1
(32.3%), and
egc2
(48.4%). The number of
se
and
sel
genes ranged from zero to 12. All isolates carrying
tst
, and most isolates with genes encoding classical enterotoxins (SEA, SEB, SEC, and SED), expressed the corresponding toxin(s). Two CC5 isolates from hamburgers (
spa
type t002, sequence type 5 [ST5];
spa
type t2173, ST5) were methicillin resistant and harbored staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) IVd. Six (19.4%) were mupirocin resistant, and one (
spa
type t120, ST15) from a food handler carried
mupA
(MIC, 1,250 μg/ml). Resistance to ampicillin (
blaZ
) (61.3%), erythromycin (
ermA-ermC
or
ermC
) (25.8%), clindamycin (
msrA-msrB or msrB
) (16.1%), tetracycline (
tetK
) (3.2%), and amikacin-gentamicin-kanamycin-tobramycin (
aphA
with
aacA
plus
aphD
or
aadD
) (6.5%) was also observed. The presence of
S. aureus
strains with an important repertoire of virulence and resistance determinants in the food chain represents a potential health hazard for consumers and merits further observation.
Involvement of Two Latex-Clearing Proteins during Rubber Degradation and Insights into the Subsequent Degradation Pathway Revealed by the Genome Sequence of Gordonia polyisoprenivorans Strain VH2
Authors: Hiessl Sebastian , Schuldes Jörg , Thürmer Andrea , Halbsguth Tobias , Bröker Daniel , Angelov Angel , Liebl Wolfgang , Daniel Rolf , Steinbüchel Alexander 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

The increasing production of synthetic and natural poly(
cis
-1,4-isoprene) rubber leads to huge challenges in waste management. Only a few bacteria are known to degrade rubber, and little is known about the mechanism of microbial rubber degradation. The genome of
Gordonia polyisoprenivorans
strain VH2, which is one of the most effective rubber-degrading bacteria, was sequenced and annotated to elucidate the degradation pathway and other features of this actinomycete. The genome consists of a circular chromosome of 5,669,805 bp and a circular plasmid of 174,494 bp with average GC contents of 67.0% and 65.7%, respectively. It contains 5,110 putative protein-coding sequences, including many candidate genes responsible for rubber degradation and other biotechnically relevant pathways. Furthermore, we detected two homologues of a latex-clearing protein, which is supposed to be a key enzyme in rubber degradation. The deletion of these two genes for the first time revealed clear evidence that latex-clearing protein is essential for the microbial utilization of rubber. Based on the genome sequence, we predict a pathway for the microbial degradation of rubber which is supported by previous and current data on transposon mutagenesis, deletion mutants, applied comparative genomics, and literature search.
Escherichia coli Serotype O55:H7 Diversity Supports Parallel Acquisition of Bacteriophage at Shiga Toxin Phage Insertion Sites during Evolution of the O157:H7 Lineage
Authors: Kyle Jennifer L. , Cummings Craig A. , Parker Craig T. , Quiñones Beatriz , Vatta Paolo , Newton Elizabeth , Huynh Steven , Swimley Michelle , Degoricija Lovorka , Barker Melissa , Fontanoz Samar , Nguyen Kimberly , Patel Ronak , Fang Rixun , Tebbs Robert , Petrauskene Olga , Furtado Manohar , Mandrell Robert E. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTEnteropathogenicEscherichia coli(EPEC) continues to be a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children around the world. Two EPEC genomes have been fully sequenced: those of EPEC O127:H6 strain E2348/69 (United Kingdom, 1969) and EPEC O55:H7 strain CB9615 (Germany, 2003). The O55:H7 serotype is a recent precursor to the virulent enterohemorrhagicE. coliO157:H7. To explore the diversity of O55:H7 and better understand the clonal evolution of O157:H7, we fully sequenced EPEC O55:H7 strain RM12579 (California, 1974), which was collected 1 year before the first U.S. isolate of O157:H7 was identified in California. Phage-related sequences accounted for nearly all differences between the two O55:H7 strains. Additionally, O55:H7 and O157:H7 strains were tested for the presence and insertion sites of Shiga toxin gene (stx)-containing bacteriophages. Analysis of non-phage-associated genes supported core elements of previous O157:H7 stepwise evolutionary models, whereas phage composition and insertion analyses suggested a key refinement. Specifically, the placement and presence of lambda-like bacteriophages (including those containingstx) should not be considered stable evolutionary markers or be required in placing O55:H7 and O157:H7 strains within the stepwise evolutionary models. Additionally, we suggest that a 10.9-kb region (block 172) previously believed unique to O55:H7 strains can be used to identify early O157:H7 strains. Finally, we defined two subsets of O55:H7 strains that share an as-yet-unobserved or extinct common ancestor with O157:H7 strains. Exploration of O55:H7 diversity improved our understanding of the evolution ofE. coliO157:H7 and suggested a key revision to accommodate existing and future configurations ofstx-containing bacteriophages into current models.
Transcriptional Response of the Sulfur Chemolithoautotroph Thiomicrospira crunogena to Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Limitation
Authors: Dobrinski Kimberly P. , Enkemann Steven A. , Yoder Sean J. , Haller Edward , Scott Kathleen M. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

The hydrothermal vent gammaproteobacterium
Thiomicrospira crunogena
inhabits an unstable environment and must endure dramatic changes in habitat chemistry. This sulfur chemolithoautotroph responds to changes in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) (DIC = CO
2
+ HCO
3
−
+ CO
3
−2
) availability with a carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM) in which whole-cell affinity for DIC, as well as the intracellular DIC concentration, increases substantially under DIC limitation. To determine whether this CCM is regulated at the level of transcription, we resuspended cells that were cultivated under high-DIC conditions in chemostats in growth medium with low concentrations of DIC and tracked CCM development in the presence and absence of the RNA polymerase inhibitor rifampin. Induction of the CCM, as measured by silicone oil centrifugation, was hindered in the presence of rifampin. Similar results were observed for carboxysome gene transcription and assembly, as assayed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Genome-wide transcription patterns for cells grown under DIC limitation and those grown under ammonia limitation were assayed via microarrays and compared. In addition to carboxysome genes, two novel genes (
Tcr_1019
and
Tcr_1315
) present in other organisms, including chemolithoautotrophs, but whose function(s) has not been elucidated in any organism were found to be upregulated under low-DIC conditions. Likewise, under ammonia limitation, in addition to the expected enhancement of ammonia transporter and P
II
gene transcription, the transcription of two novel genes (
Tcr_0466
and
Tcr_2018
) was measurably enhanced. Upregulation of all four genes (
Tcr_1019
, 4-fold;
Tcr_131
, ∼7-fold;
Tcr_0466
, >200-fold;
Tcr_2018
, 7-fold), which suggests that novel components are part of the response to nutrient limitation by this organism, was verified via qRT-PCR.
Management of acute paracetamol (acetaminophen) toxicity: a standardised proforma improves risk assessment and overall risk stratification by emergency medicine doctors
Authors: McQuade David J , Aknuri Srikanth , Dargan Paul I , Wood David M 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundParacetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning is the most common toxicological presentation in the UK. Doctors managing patients with paracetamol poisoning need to assess the risk of their patient developing hepatotoxicity before determining appropriate treatment. Patients deemed to be at ‘high risk’ of hepatotoxicity have lower treatment thresholds than those deemed to be at ‘normal risk’. Errors in this process can lead to harmful or potentially fatal under or over treatment.AimTo determine how well treating doctors assess risk factor status and whether a standardised proforma is useful in the risk stratification process.MethodsRetrospective 12-month case note review of all patients presenting with paracetamol poisoning to our large inner-city emergency department. Data were collected on the documentation of risk factors, the presence of a local hospital proforma and treatment outcomes.Results249 presentations were analysed and only 59 (23.7%) had full documentation of all the risk factors required to make a complete risk assessment. 56 of the 59 (94.9%) had the local hospital proforma included in the notes; the remaining 3 (5.1%) had full documentation of risk factors despite the absence of a proforma. A local hospital proforma was more likely to be included in the emergency department notes in those with ‘adequate documentation’ (78 out of 120 (65%)) than for those with ‘inadequate documentation’ (16 out of 129 (12.4%)); X2, p<0.001.ConclusionsDespite a low overall uptake of the proforma, use of a standardised proforma significantly increased the likelihood of documentation of the risk factors which increase risk for hepatotoxicity following paracetamol poisoning.
Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes: an important cause of stroke in young people
Authors: Goodfellow John Aaron , Dani Krishna , Stewart Willie , Santosh Celestine , McLean John , Mulhern Sharon , Razvi Saif 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes is a progressive, multisystem mitochondrial disease affecting children and young adults. Patients acquire disability through stroke-like episodes and have an increased mortality. Eighty per cent of cases have the mitochondrial mutation m.3243A&gt;G which is linked to respiratory transport chain dysfunction and oxidative stress in energy demanding organs, particularly muscle and brain. It typically presents with seizures, headaches and acute neurological deficits mimicking stroke. It is an important differential in patients presenting with stroke, seizures, or suspected central nervous system infection or vasculitis. Investigations should exclude other aetiologies and include neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Mutation analysis can be performed on urine samples. There is no high quality evidence to support the use of any of the agents reported in small studies. This article summarises the core clinical, biochemical, radiological and genetic features and discusses the evidence for a number of potential therapies.