bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can Novice Sonographers Accurately Locate an Endotracheal Tube With a Saline‐filled Cuff in a Cadaver Model? A Pilot Study
Authors: Uya Atim , Spear Dave , Patel Kalpesh , Okada Pam , Sheeran Paul , McCreight Audra 
Published: March 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:361–364 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractBackground:  No single confirmatory device can accurately distinguish between endotracheal, endobronchial, and esophageal intubation. Bedside ultrasound (US) shows promising potential for endotracheal tube (ETT) verification. Image acquisition depends on the approach used and the experience of the sonographer. Air within the trachea remains a challenge for interpretation of US images. Insufflation of the ETT cuff with saline helps overcome this difficulty and allows easy visualization of the cuff. This novel approach has not been studied in ETT verification among novice sonographers.Objectives:  The objective was to evaluate the accuracy of novice sonographers in identifying proper ETT location and depth using US visualization of a saline‐filled cuff.Methods:  Eight pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellows without prior training in airway bedside US participated in this prospective pilot study. Baseline US knowledge was assessed using a pretraining questionnaire. Fellows received a 20‐minute didactic training session focused on airway US, followed by a 30‐minute practice session. Using a linear US probe placed at the suprasternal notch, fellows identified the saline‐filled cuff of an ETT in both the trachea and the esophagus. Following training, the ETT was placed in either the esophagus or the trachea of the cadaver model by the principal investigator. ETT depth (adequacy) was confirmed by chest radiograph. Each PEM fellow, blinded to the placement of the ETT, used bedside US to determine ETT location and depth. If placement was determined to be tracheal, the fellow was asked to comment on adequacy of tube placement. Adequate placement was defined as complete visualization of the ETT cuff within the trachea at the suprasternal notch. This was used as a surrogate for correct depth. This study sequence was repeated five times for each trainee, following varying placement of the ETT in the trachea or esophagus.Results:  The PEM fellows displayed limited baseline knowledge of US prior to receiving the training module (average score of 50% on pretest questionnaire). None had any prior airway bedside US experience. Following training, PEM fellows correctly identified ETT location in 39 of 40 scans, with a sensitivity of 96% (23 of 24) for identifying tracheal location. The tube depth was correctly identified in 22 of 23 scans identified as tracheal intubations.Conclusions:  PEM fellows, lacking formal airway bedside US training, were able to identify the location and depth of a saline‐filled ETT above or at the suprasternal notch in an adult cadaver model following a 50‐minute teaching module. Filling the ETT cuff with saline allowed novice sonographers to accurately visualize the ETT within the trachea.
Maternal age and elective cesarean section in a low‐risk population
Authors: HERSTAD LINA , KLUNGSØYR KARI , SKJÆRVEN ROLV , TANBO TOM , EIDEM INGVILD , FORSÉN LISA , ÅBYHOLM THOMAS , VANGEN SIRI 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjective. To examine the association between maternal age and elective cesarean section in primiparous and para one women in a low‐risk population. Design. Population‐based registry study. Setting. Norway. Population. The source population was all mothers giving birth to their first or second child from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2006. The final study population comprised 229 370 primiparous and para one low‐risk mothers. Methods. Data were extracted from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. We constructed a low‐risk population by excluding pregnancies with medical conditions associated with elective cesarean section and maternal age. The association between maternal age and elective cesarean was analysed by relative‐risk models. Main outcome measures. Elective cesarean section. Results. In this low‐risk population, the proportion of cesarean section was 9%, and 27% of these were elective. Cesarean delivery increased substantially with increasing maternal age, especially elective cesarean section. In primipara, elective cesarean section increased from 0.6 to 7.5% of all deliveries, corresponding to a relative risk of 11.7 (95% confidence interval 8.9–15.4) in women ≥40 years relative to 20–24 years. When comparing women ≥40 years with those aged below 25 years, the relative risk in para one without previous cesarean section was 4.5 (95% confidence interval 3.5–5.8; the proportion increasing from 1.4 to 6.2%), while in para one with previous cesarean section it was 2.9 (95% confidence interval 2.4–3.6; the proportion increasing from 17.5 to 51.5%). Conclusions. We found a close association between maternal age and elective cesarean section in a low‐risk population.
A WFC3 study of globular clusters in NGC 4150: an early-type minor merger
Authors: Kaviraj Sugata , Crockett R. Mark , Whitmore Bradley C. , Silk Joseph , O'Connell Robert W. , Windhorst Rogier A. , Mutchler Max , Rejkuba Marina , Yi Sukyoung , Frogel Jay A. , Calzetti Daniela 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
We combine near-ultraviolet (NUV; 2250 Å) and optical (U, B, V, I) imaging from the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), on-board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), to study the globular cluster (GC) population in NGC 4150, a sub-L* (MB∼−18.48 mag) early-type minor-merger remnant in the Coma I cloud. We use broad-band NUV—optical photometry from the WFC3 to estimate individual ages, metallicities, masses and line-of-sight extinctions [E(B−V)] for 63 bright (MV &lt; −5 mag) GCs in this galaxy. In addition to a small GC population with ages greater than 10 Gyr, we find a dominant population of clusters with ages centred around 6 Gyr, consistent with the expected peak of stellar mass assembly in faint early types residing in low-density environments. The old and intermediate-age GCs in NGC 4150 are metal poor, with metallicities less than 0.1 Z⊙, and reside in regions of low extinction [E(B−V) &lt; 0.05 mag]. We also find a population of young, metal-rich (Z &gt; 0.3 Z⊙) clusters that have formed within the last Gyr and reside in relatively dusty [E(B−V) &gt; 0.3 mag] regions that are coincident with the part of the galaxy core that hosts significant recent star formation. Cluster disruption models (in which ∼80–90 per cent of objects younger than a few ×108 yr dissolve every dex in time) suggest that the bulk of these young clusters are a transient population.
Canine vector‐borne disease pathogens in dogs from south‐east Queensland and north‐east Northern Territory
Authors: Hii SF , Kopp SR , Thompson MF , O'Leary CA , Rees RL , Traub RJ 
Published: March 2012

Objectives  To determine the prevalence of canine vector‐borne diseases (CVBD: Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., haemotropic mycoplasmas and Hepatozoon) in Australian dogs; namely, dogs from pounds in south‐east Queensland and an indigenous Aboriginal community in the north‐east of the Northern Territory.Design and procedure  Blood samples were collected from 100 pound dogs and 130 Aboriginal community dogs and screened for the CVBD pathogens using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All positive PCR products were sequenced for species confirmation.Results  In total, 3 pound dogs and 64 Aboriginal community dogs were infected with at least one CVBD pathogen. Overall, B. vogeli was detected in 13 dogs, A. platys in 49, M. haemocanis in 23, Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum in 3 and C. M. haemobos in 1 dog. Co‐infections were detected in 22 Aboriginal community dogs.Conclusions  This study found B. vogeli, A. platys and haemotropic mycoplasma infections to be common in dogs in subtropical and tropical areas of Australia. This study also reports for the first time the prevalence and genetic characterisation of haemotropic mycoplasmas in dogs in Australia.
Sonoclot® Evaluation of Single‐ and Multiple‐Dose Subcutaneous Unfractionated Heparin Therapy in Healthy Adult Dogs
Authors: Babski D.M. , Brainard B.M. , Ralph A.G. , Pittman J.R. , Koenig A. 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundHeparin therapy is difficult to monitor due to variation in animal response. While laboratory measurements of activated partial thromboplasin time (aPTT) and Anti‐Xa activity (AXA) accurately describe heparin effect, their availability is limited.HypothesisSonoclot analysis would be as sensitive as AXA and aPTT to monitor effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) in healthy adult dogs.AnimalsSix adult mixed‐breed dogs.MethodsA prospective study design was employed. On day 1, baseline samples were collected (CBC, PT, aPTT, and Sonoclot), and UFH (300 U/kg SC) was administered to 6 dogs following an IV loading dose of 50 U/kg. Sonoclot and aPTT were performed hourly for 12 hours. AXA was assayed at hours 3, 6, 9, and 12. UFH (300 U/kg q8 h SC) was administered at 12 hours, and subsequently (q8 h) for 2 additional days. On day 4, a final dose of UFH was administered, and a sampling protocol identical to day 1 was performed.ResultsSonoclot activated clotting time (ACT) and clot rate (CR) correlated with AXA (R = 0.69, R = 0.65, respectively, P < .001), although to a lesser degree than aPTT (R = 0.75, P < .001). Linear regression using ACT and CR as covariates indicated a stronger correlation with AXA (R = 0.73, P < .001). ACT values strongly correlated with aPTT (R = 0.87, P < .001).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAdministration of UFH to healthy dogs results in progressive changes in Sonoclot values. AXA was correlated with a combination of ACT and CR and with aPTT. Sonoclot may play a role in monitoring UFH therapy; however, prospective studies evaluating its utility in clinical cases are warranted.
Hydroxyl scavenging activity accounts for differential antioxidant protection of Plantago major against oxidative toxicity in isolated rat liver mitochondria
Authors: Mello Joyce C , Guimarães Natalia S S , Gonzalez Mariano V D , Paiva Juliana S , Prieto Tatiana , Nascimento Otaciro R , Rodrigues Tiago 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this work was to study the effects of P. major against the oxidative damage of isolated rat liver mitochondria.

Methods
The extracts were obtained using methanol (MeOH), ethyl acetate (EAc), dichloromethane (DCM), and hexane (Hex) as solvents.

Key findings
Hex, DCM, and EAc totally, and MeOH partially, inhibited ROS generation and lipid peroxidation of membranes induced by Fe2+ or t-BOOH. However, only MeOH was able to prevent the t-BOOH-induced glutathione and NAD(P)H oxidation. All extracts chelated Fe2+ and reduced DPP Hradicals. EPR analysis revealed that P. major exhibited potent scavenger activity for hydroxyl radicals.

Conclusions
The potent antioxidant activity exhibited by P. major was able to prevent oxidative mitochondrial damage, contributing to the understanding of its hepatoprotective action against ROS-mediated toxicity.
Ajuga iva aqueous extract improves reverse cholesterol transport in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat
Authors: Taleb-Senouci Douja , Lacaille-Dubois Marie A , Bouchenak Malika 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Ajuga iva aqueous extract on lecithin : cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity and amount and composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)2 and (HDL)3, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods
Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic rats (n = 12) were divided into two groups. The diabetic control group (D) received a 20% casein diet and the diabetic treated group received the same diet supplemented with A. iva aqueous extract (0.5 g/100 g diet) (DAi), for 4 weeks.

Key findings
Total cholesterol and HDL3-C were respectively decreased by 32% and 55% in the DAi group compared with the D group, whereas HDL2-C was increased by 30%. The amounts of HDL2 and HDL3, which were the sum of apolipoproteins, unesterified cholesterol (UC), cholesteryl esters (CEs), triacylglycerols (TGs) and phospholipids (PLs), showed no significant difference. A. iva treatment increased LCAT by 33% and its cofactor-activator, apolipoprotein A-I, by 58%. HDL3-PL (enzyme substrate) and HDL3-UC (acyl group acceptor) were respectively decreased by 70% and 57%, whereas HDL2-CE (product of LCAT reaction) was enhanced by 30%.

Conclusions
In STZ-induced diabetic rats, A. iva improves reverse cholesterol transport by enhancing LCAT activity, leading to anti-atherogenic effects.
The slice Burnside ring and the section Burnside ring of a finite group
Authors: Bouc Serge 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis paper introduces two new Burnside rings for a finite group G, called the slice Burnside ring and the section Burnside ring. They are built as Grothendieck rings of the category of morphisms of G-sets and of Galois morphisms of G-sets, respectively. The well-known results on the usual Burnside ring, concerning ghost maps, primitive idempotents, and description of the prime spectrum, are extended to these rings. It is also shown that these two rings have a natural Green biset functor structure. The functorial structure of unit groups of these rings is also discussed.
Replicating Adenovirus-Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) Vectors Efficiently Prime SIV-Specific Systemic and Mucosal Immune Responses by Targeting Myeloid Dendritic Cells and Persisting in Rectal Macrophages, Regardless of Immunization Route
Authors: Patterson L. Jean , Kuate Seraphin , Daltabuit-Test Mara , Li Qingsheng , Xiao Peng , McKinnon Katherine , DiPasquale Janet , Cristillo Anthony , Venzon David , Haase Ashley , Robert-Guroff Marjorie 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTAlthough priming with replicating adenovirus type 5 host range mutant (Ad5hr)-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) recombinants, followed by HIV/SIV envelope boosting, has proven highly immunogenic, resulting in protection from SIV/simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) challenges, Ad5hr recombinant distribution, replication, and persistence have not been examined comprehensively in nonhuman primates. We utilized Ad5hr-green fluorescent protein and Ad5hr-SIV recombinants to track biodistribution and immunogenicity following mucosal priming of rhesus macaques by the intranasal/intratracheal, sublingual, vaginal, or rectal route. Ad recombinants administered by all routes initially targeted macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and rectal tissue, later extending to myeloid dendritic cells in BAL fluid with persistent expression in rectal mucosa 25 weeks after the last Ad immunization. Comparable SIV-specific immunity, including cellular responses, serum binding antibody, and mucosal secretory IgA, was elicited among all groups. The ability of the vector to replicate in multiple mucosal sites irrespective of delivery route, together with the targeting of macrophages and professional antigen-presenting cells, which provide potent immunogenicity at localized sites of virus entry, warrants continued use of replicating Ad vectors.
Programmed Death 1 Receptor ChangesEx Vivoin HIV-Infected Adults following Initiation of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Spitsin Sergei , Tustin Nancy B. , Riedel Eric , Tustin Richard , Murray Jennifer B. , Peck Lauren M. , Khan Mohammad , Quinn Joseph , Douglas Steven D. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the short-term effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on programmed death 1 receptor (PD-1) expression and lymphocyte function. We compared lymphocytes from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults prior to the initiation of HAART with lymphocytes from the same subjects following 2 months of treatment. Short-term HAART resulted in a moderate increase in the expression of PD-1 on both CD4+and CD8+T cells; yet, there was still a significant reduction in viral load and recovery of CD4+T cells. After 2 months of HAART, lymphocytes from the subjects had a reduction in lymphoproliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and an increased response to theCandidarecall antigen and the HIV antigen p24 compared to pretreatment lymphocytes. PHA-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from samples obtained 2 months after HAART produced higher levels of Th-1 cytokines (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor alpha[TNF-α]) than the levels observed for samples taken before treatment was initiated. There were no significant changes in the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) or Th-2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10) in the corresponding samples.Ex vivoPD-1 blockade significantly augmented PHA-induced lymphoproliferation as well as the levels of Th-1 cytokines and to a lesser extent the levels of Th-2 cytokines in PBMC cultures. The ability to downregulate PD-1 expression may be important in enhancing immune recovery in HIV infection.
Memory B Cell and Other Immune Responses in Children Receiving Two Doses of an Oral Killed Cholera Vaccine Compared to Responses following Natural Cholera Infection in Bangladesh
Authors: Leung Daniel T. , Rahman Mohammad Arif , Mohasin M. , Patel Sweta M. , Aktar Amena , Khanam Farhana , Uddin Taher , Riyadh M. Asrafuzzaman , Saha Amit , Alam Mohammad Murshid , Chowdhury Fahima , Khan Ashraful Islam , Charles Richelle , LaRocque Regina , Harris Jason B. , Calderwood Stephen B. , Qadri Firdausi , Ryan Edward T. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTCurrent oral cholera vaccines induce lower protective efficacy and shorter duration of protection against cholera than wild-type infection provides, and this difference is most pronounced in young children. Despite this, there are limited data comparing immune responses in children following wild-type disease versus vaccination, especially with regard to memory responses associated with long-term immunity. Here, we report a comparison of immune responses in young children (2 to 5 years of age;n= 20) and older children (6 to 17 years of age;n= 20) given two doses of an oral killed cholera vaccine containing recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (CtxB) 14 days apart and compare these responses to those induced in similarly aged children recovering from infection withVibrio choleraeO1 Ogawa in Bangladesh. We found that the two vaccine groups had comparable vibriocidal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specific plasma antibody responses. Vaccinees developed lower levels of IgG memory B cell (MBC) responses against CtxB but no significant MBC responses against LPS. In contrast, children recovering from natural cholera infection developed prominent LPS IgG and IgA MBC responses, as well as CtxB IgG MBC responses. Plasma LPS IgG, IgA, and IgM responses, as well as vibriocidal responses, were also significantly higher in children following disease than after vaccination. Our findings suggest that acute and memory immune responses following oral cholera vaccination in children are significantly lower than those observed following wild-type disease, especially responses targeting LPS. These findings may explain, in part, the lower efficacy of oral cholera vaccination in children.
Evaluation of Eight Serological Tests for Diagnosis of Imported Schistosomiasis
Authors: Kinkel Hans-Friedemann , Dittrich Sabine , Bäumer Britta , Weitzel Thomas 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of schistosomiasis in individuals from countries where the disease is not endemic is challenging, and few data are available on the accuracy of serological diagnosis in those patients. We evaluated the performance of eight serological assays, including four commercial kits, in the diagnosis of imported schistosomiasis in individuals from areas where the disease is not endemic, including six enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using three different antigens, an indirect hemagglutination assay, and an indirect immunofluorescent-antibody test. To analyze the assays, we used a total of 141 serum samples, with 121 derived from patients with various parasitic infections (among which were 37 cases of schistosomiasis) and 20 taken from healthy volunteers. The sensitivity values for detection of schistosomiasis cases ranged from 41% to 78% and were higher for
Schistosoma mansoni
than for
S. haematobium
infections. Specificity values ranged from 76% to 100%; false-positive results were most frequent for samples from patients with cestode infections. By combining two or more tests, sensitivity improved markedly and specificity decreased only moderately. Serological tests are useful instruments for diagnosing imported schistosomiasis in countries where the disease is not endemic, but due to limitations in test sensitivities, we recommend the use of two or more assays in parallel.
Improvement of Immunogenicity of Meningococcal Lipooligosaccharide by Coformulation with Lipidated Transferrin-Binding Protein B in Liposomes: Implications for Vaccine Development
Authors: Mistretta Noëlle , Guy Bruno , Bérard Yves , Dalençon François , Fratantonio Olivia , Grégoire Christophe , Lechevallier Aurélie , Lhéritier Philippe , Revet Laurent , Moreau Monique , Haensler Jean , Rokbi Bachra 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTAmong various meningococcal antigens, lipooligosaccharide (LOS) and recombinant lipidated transferrin-binding protein B (rlip-TbpB) are considered to be putative vaccine candidates against group BNeisseria meningitidis. In the present work, we report the development of a new liposome-based vaccine formulation containing both rlip-TbpB and L8 LOS. The endotoxic activity of the liposomal LOS was evaluatedin vitrousing theLimulusAmebocyte Lysate assay and compared to the endotoxic activity of free LOS. Above a 250:1 lipid/LOS molar ratio, liposomes were shown to effectively detoxify the LOS as the endotoxic activity of the LOS was reduced by more than 99%. Immunogenicity studies in rabbits showed that the presence of rlip-TbpB dramatically increased the immunogenicity of the LOS. While the formulation raised a strong anti-TbpB response, it elicited a higher anti-LOS IgG level than the liposomal LOS alone. Sera from rabbits immunized with rlip-TbpB/liposomal LOS displayed increased ability to recognize LOS on live bacteria expressing the L8 immunotype and increased anti-LOS-specific bactericidal activity compared to sera from rabbits immunized with liposomal LOS alone. Measurement of interleukin-8 (IL-8) produced by HEK293 cells transfected with Toll-like receptor (TLR) after stimulation with rlip-TbpB showed that the protein is a TLR2 agonist, which is in accordance with the structure of its lipid. Furthermore, anin vivostudy demonstrated that the lipid moiety is not only required for its adjuvant effect but also has to be linked to the protein. Overall, the rlip-TbpB/LOS liposomal formulation was demonstrated to induce an effective anti-LOS response due to the adjuvant effect of rlip-TbpB on LOS.