bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ear acupuncture or local anaesthetics as pain relief during postpartum surgical repair: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kindberg S , Klünder L , Strøm J , Henriksen TB 
Published: December 2008

Objective  To evaluate two methods of pain relief during postpartum surgical repair in regard to effectiveness, wound healing and patient evaluation.Design  A randomised controlled trial testing a pragmatic set‐up of brief training of clinicians.Setting  Delivery ward at a Danish district hospital with approximately 1600 annual deliveries.Population  Primiparous women with a vaginal delivery at term who needed surgical repair of lacerations to the labia or the vagina, perineal lacerations of first or second degree or mediolateral episiotomies.Methods  The trial was set up to evaluate the effect of a brief 2‐hour hands‐on training in the use of ear acupuncture. All midwives (n = 36) in the department had previous experience in using acupuncture for obstetric pain relief. Pain and wound healing were evaluated using validated scores. Data collection was performed by research assistants blinded towards treatment allocation. Randomisation was computer assisted. A total of 207 women were randomised to receive ear acupuncture (105) and local anaesthetics (102), respectively.Main outcome measures  The primary outcome was pain during surgical repair. Secondary outcomes were wound healing at 24–48 hours and 14 days postpartum, participant satisfaction, revision of wound or dyspareunia reported 6 months postpartum.Results  Pain during surgical repair was more frequently reported by participants allocated to ear acupuncture compared with participants receiving local anaesthetics (89 versus 54%, P < 0.01). Pain intensity during surgical repair was also reported higher (Visual Analogue Scale score 3.5 versus 1.5, P < 0.01). The ear acupuncture group received more additional pain relief during repair (53 versus 19%, P < 0.01). No difference was observed in wound healing at 24–48 hours or 14 days postpartum. Revision of wounds was rare, and no difference occurred in this trial. Comparable proportions of participants reported dyspareunia at 6 months. Patient satisfaction with the allocated pain‐relief method was lower in the ear acupuncture group (69 versus 91%, P < 0.01) and fewer women would recommend the method to a friend (74 versus 91%, P < 0.01).Conclusions  Ear acupuncture as used in this trial was less effective for pain relief compared with a local anaesthetic. No difference was observed in wound healing, need for revision of wound or dyspareunia. Patient satisfaction with allocated pain‐relief method was lower in the ear acupuncture group.
Adult–Adolescent Interaction and Adolescents’ Brain Development: Integrating Pragmatism/Interactionism and Neuroscience to Develop a Platform for Research on Adolescents’ Life Regulation
Authors: Moula Alireza , Timpka Toomas , Puddephatt Antony J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to outline a platform for research on adolescents’ life regulation. Adolescents’ brain development is described with the help of neuroscience and integrated with pragmatist and symbolic interactionist insights about how adolescents can learn to control their impulses and act thoughtfully. The foundation for the analysis is found in American pragmatism, where a biopsychosocial perspective is built on the understanding that the developed human brain is the essential precondition of a complex and civilized society. Today's interactionists, and in general, the majority of sociologists, show little interest in brain development and function. However, there is an opportunity for sociologists and neuroscientists to collaborate in order to better understand how the brain develops in relation to biological development and social experience.
Wildlife decline in Cambodia, 1953–2005: exploring the legacy of armed conflict
Authors: Loucks Colby , Mascia Michael B. , Maxwell Andy , Huy Keavuth , Duong Kong , Chea Nareth , Long Barney , Cox Nick , Seng Teak 
Published: December 2008

AbstractArmed conflict is a social phenomenon often detrimental to wildlife and wildlife habitat, but the legacy of armed conflict for wildlife in post‐conflict settings remains unexplored. We explore the effects of armed conflict on wildlife in eastern Cambodia, particularly the relationships among wildlife abundance, habitat loss, technological change, trade, governance, and local livelihood strategies. Based on ordinal‐scale measures, both relative wildlife abundance and species richness declined from pre‐1953 to 2005, with the sharpest declines occurring during the 1970s. These declines are consistent with three synergistic social processes: proliferation of guns; emergence of wildlife trade for external markets; and government policies mandating hunting by local villagers. Armed conflict officially ceased in 1991, but conflict‐induced changes in livelihoods and continuing non‐local demand for wildlife have fostered further wildlife declines. Our study demonstrates that the legacy of conflict for wildlife can be profound and destructive. To address post‐conflict challenges more effectively, conservation must be integrated within broader peace‐building processes, including disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of combatants.
Glutathione, Cysteine, and Ascorbate Concentrations in Clinically Ill Dogs and Cats
Authors: Viviano K.R. , Lavergne S.N. , Goodman L. , VanderWielen B. , Grundahl L. , Padilla M. , Trepanier L.A. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of many systemic diseases. Hospitalized human patients are glutathione, cysteine, and ascorbate deficient, and antioxidant depletion has been correlated with poor clinical outcome. To date little is known about antioxidant concentrations in hospitalized veterinary patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ascorbate, cysteine, or glutathione depletion is present in ill dogs and cats compared with healthy controls.Hypothesis: Clinically ill dogs and cats would be antioxidant depleted, and depletion would correlate with illness severity and clinical outcome.Animals: Clinically ill client‐owned dogs (n = 61) and cats (n = 37), healthy control dogs (n = 37) and cats (n = 33).Methods: Prospective, observational, case control study. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione, plasma cysteine, and plasma ascorbate were quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography.Results: Clinically ill dogs had significantly lower erythrocyte glutathione concentrations (1.22 mM, range 0.55–3.61) compared with controls (1.91 mM, range 0.87–3.51; P = .0004), and glutathione depletion correlated with both illness severity (P = .038) and mortality (P = .010). Cats had higher ascorbate concentrations when ill (10.65 μM, range 1.13–25.26) compared with controls (3.68 μM, range 0.36–13.57; P = .0009).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Clinically ill dogs had decreased erythrocyte glutathione concentrations, which could be a marker of illness severity and prognostic of a poor outcome. Clinically ill cats had an unexpectedly high plasma ascorbate, which could represent a unique species response to oxidative stress.
Foal Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells Become Activated uponRhodococcus equiInfection
Authors: Flaminio M. Julia B. F. , Nydam Daryl V. , Marquis Hélène , Matychak Mary Beth , Giguère Steeve 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTSusceptibility of foals toRhodococcus equipneumonia is exclusive to the first few months of life. The objective of this study was to investigate the immediate immunologic response of foal and adult horse antigen-presenting cells (APCs) upon infection withR. equi. We measured the activation of the antigen-presenting major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule, costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86, the cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12), and the transcriptional factor interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) in monocyte-derived macrophages (mMOs) and dendritic cells (mDCs) of adult horses and foals of different ages (from birth to 3 months of age) infected with virulentR. equior its avirulent, plasmid-cured derivative. Infection with virulent or avirulentR. equiinduced (P≤ 0.01) the expression of IL-12p35 and IL-12p40 mRNAs in foal mMOs and mDCs at different ages. This response was likely mediated by the higher (P= 0.008) expression of IRF-1 in foal mDCs at birth than in adult horse mDCs.R. equiinfection promoted comparable expression of costimulatory molecules CD86 and CD40 in foal and adult horse cells. The cytokine and costimulatory response by foal mDCs was not accompanied by robust MHC class II molecule expression. These data suggest that foal APCs detect the presence ofR. equiand respond with the expression of the Th1-inducing cytokine IL-12. Nevertheless, there seems to be a limitation to MHC class II molecule expression which we hypothesize may compromise the efficient priming of naïve effector cells in early life.
Streptococcus suisBacterin and Subunit Vaccine Immunogenicities and Protective Efficacies against Serotypes 2 and 9
Authors: Baums Christoph Georg , Kock Christoph , Beineke Andreas , Bennecke Katharina , Goethe Ralph , Schröder Charlotte , Waldmann Karl-Heinz , Valentin-Weigand Peter 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTStreptococcus suiscauses numerous diseases in pigs, most importantly, meningitis, arthritis, septicemia, and bronchopneumonia. One of the major problems in modern swine production is the lack of a vaccine protecting against more than oneS. suisserotype. The objective of this study was to determine the protective efficacy of a serotype 2 murein-associated protein (MAP) fraction subunit vaccine in comparison to that of a bacterin against experimental challenge with serotype 2 (containing muramidase-released protein [MRP], extracellular factor, and suilysin [SLY]) and serotype 9 (containing MRP variant MRP* and SLY) strains. MAP was shown to include different surface-associated proteins, such as the MRP and surface antigen one (SAO) expressed by both pathotypes used for challenge. The results of this study demonstrated that the serotype 2 bacterin induced protective immunity against homologous challenge. In contrast, the protective efficacy of the MAP subunit vaccine was low, though MAP immunization resulted in high serum immunoglobulin G2 titers against MRP and SAO. Importantly, immunization with bacterin but not with MAP induced opsonizing antibody titers against the serotype 2 strain, and these antibody titers were found to correlate with protection. However, after absorption with a nonencapsulated isogenic mutant, the sera from bacterin-immunized piglets failed to facilitate neutrophil killing, indicating that antibodies directed against capsule may not have been essential for opsonophagocytosis. Furthermore, induction of opsonizing antibodies against serotype 9 was not detectable in the group receiving bacterin or in the group receiving the MAP vaccine. In agreement, protection against the heterologous serotype 9 strain was low in both groups. Thus, identification of an antigen protecting against these two importantS. suispathotypes remains an important goal of future studies.
Isolation and Characterization of a New Fungal Species,
Chrysosporium ophiodiicola
, from a Mycotic Granuloma of a Black Rat Snake (
Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta
)
Authors: Rajeev S. , Sutton D. A. , Wickes B. L. , Miller D. L. , Giri D. , Van Meter M. , Thompson E. H. , Rinaldi M. G. , Romanelli A. M. , Cano J. F. , Guarro J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Isolation and characterization of the new species
Chrysosporium ophiodiicola
from a mycotic granuloma of a black rat snake (
Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta
) are reported. Analysis of the sequences of different fragments of the ribosomal genes demonstrated that this species belongs to the Onygenales and that this species is genetically different from other morphologically similar species of
Chrysosporium
. This new species is unique in having both narrow and cylindrical-to-slightly clavate conidia and a strong, pungent odor.
Reovirus μ2 Protein Inhibits Interferon Signaling through a Novel Mechanism Involving Nuclear Accumulation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 9
Authors: Zurney Jennifer , Kobayashi Takeshi , Holm Geoffrey H. , Dermody Terence S. , Sherry Barbara 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The secreted cytokine alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) binds its receptor to activate the Jak-STAT signal transduction pathway, leading to formation of the heterotrimeric IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) transcription complex for induction of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) and establishment of an antiviral state. Many viruses have evolved countermeasures to inhibit the IFN pathway, thereby subverting the innate antiviral response. Here, we demonstrate that the mildly myocarditic reovirus type 1 Lang (T1L), but not the nonmyocarditic reovirus type 3 Dearing, represses IFN induction of a subset of ISGs and that this repressor function segregates with the T1L M1 gene. Concordantly, the T1L M1 gene product, μ2, dramatically inhibits IFN-β-induced reporter gene expression. Surprisingly, T1L infection does not degrade components of the ISGF3 complex or interfere with STAT1 or STAT2 nuclear translocation as has been observed for other viruses. Instead, infection with T1L or reassortant or recombinant viruses containing the T1L M1 gene results in accumulation of interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) in the nucleus. This effect has not been previously described for any virus and suggests that μ2 modulates IRF9 interactions with STATs for both ISGF3 function and nuclear export. The M1 gene is a determinant of virus strain-specific differences in the IFN response, which are linked to virus strain-specific differences in induction of murine myocarditis. We find that virus-induced myocarditis is associated with repression of IFN function, providing new insights into the pathophysiology of this disease. Together, these data provide the first report of an increase in IRF9 nuclear accumulation associated with viral subversion of the IFN response and couple virus strain-specific differences in IFN antagonism to the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis.
Gag p27-Specific B- and T-Cell Responses in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVagm-Infected African Green Monkeys
Authors: Lozano Reina José-Manuel , Favre David , Kasakow Zeljka , Mayau Véronique , Nugeyre Marie-Thérèse , Ka Thierno , Faye Abdourahmane , Miller Christopher J. , Scott-Algara Daniel , McCune Joseph M. , Barré-Sinoussi Françoise , Diop Ousmane M. , Müller-Trutwin Michaela C. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Nonpathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus SIVagm infection of African green monkeys (AGMs) is characterized by the absence of a robust antibody response against Gag p27. To determine if this is accompanied by a selective loss of T-cell responses to Gag p27, we studied CD4
+
and CD8
+
T-cell responses against Gag p27 and other SIVagm antigens in the peripheral blood and lymph nodes of acutely and chronically infected AGMs. Our data show that AGMs can mount a T-cell response against Gag p27, indicating that the absence of anti-p27 antibodies is not due to the absence of Gag p27-specific T cells.
Reduced Viral Replication Capacity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype C Caused by Cytotoxic-T-Lymphocyte Escape Mutations in HLA-B57 Epitopes of Capsid Protein
Authors: Boutwell Christian L. , Rowley Christopher F. , Essex M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL) escape mutations in human immunodeficiency viruses encode amino acid substitutions in positions that disrupt CTL targeting, thereby increasing virus survival and conferring a relative fitness benefit. However, it is now clear that CTL escape mutations can also confer a fitness cost, and there is increasing evidence to suggest that in some cases, e.g., escape from HLA-B*57/B*5801-restricted responses, the costs to the escape virus may affect the clinical course of infection. To quantify the magnitude of the costs of HLA-B*57/B*5801 escape, a highly sensitive dual-infection assay that uses synonymous nucleotide sequence tags to quantify viral relative replication capacity (RRC) was developed. We then asked whether such CTL escape mutations had an impact equivalent to that seen for a benchmark mutation, the M184V antiretroviral drug resistance mutation of reverse transcriptase (RRC
V184
= 0.86). To answer the question, the RRCs were quantified for escape mutations in three immunodominant HLA-B*57/B*5801 epitopes in capsid: A146P in IW9 (RRC
P146
= 0.91), A163G in KF11 (RRC
G163
= 0.89), and T242N in TW10 (RRC
N242
= 0.86). Individually, the impact of the escape mutations on RRC was comparable to that of M184V, while coexpression of the mutations resulted in substantial further reductions, with the maximum impact observed for the triple mutant (RRC
P146-G163-N242
= 0.62). By comparison to M184V, the magnitude of the reductions in RRC caused by the escape mutations, particularly when coexpressed, suggests that the costs of escape are sufficient to affect in vivo viral dynamics and may thus play a role in the protective effect associated with HLA-B*57/B*5801.
Enhancement of Adeno-Associated Virus Infection by Mobilizing Capsids into and Out of the Nucleolus
Authors: Johnson Jarrod S. , Samulski R. Jude 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes are being tailored for numerous therapeutic applications, but the parameters governing the subcellular fate of even the most highly characterized serotype, AAV2, remain unclear. To understand how cellular conditions control capsid trafficking, we have tracked the subcellular fate of recombinant AAV2 (rAAV2) vectors using confocal immunofluorescence, three-dimensional infection analysis, and subcellular fractionation. Here we report that a population of rAAV2 virions enters the nucleus and accumulates in the nucleolus after infection, whereas empty capsids are excluded from nuclear entry. Remarkably, after subcellular fractionation, virions accumulating in nucleoli were found to retain infectivity in secondary infections. Proteasome inhibitors known to enhance transduction were found to potentiate nucleolar accumulation. In contrast, hydroxyurea, which also increases transduction, mobilized virions into the nucleoplasm, suggesting that two separate pathways influence vector delivery in the nucleus. Using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) approach, we then evaluated whether nucleolar proteins B23/nucleophosmin and nucleolin, previously shown to interact with AAV2 capsids, affect trafficking and transduction efficiency. Similar to effects observed with proteasome inhibition, siRNA-mediated knockdown of nucleophosmin potentiated nucleolar accumulation and increased transduction 5- to 15-fold. Parallel to effects from hydroxyurea, knockdown of nucleolin mobilized capsids to the nucleoplasm and increased transduction 10- to 30-fold. Moreover, affecting both pathways simultaneously using drug and siRNA combinations was synergistic and increased transduction over 50-fold. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that rAAV2 virions enter the nucleus intact and can be sequestered in the nucleolus in stable form. Mobilization from the nucleolus to nucleoplasmic sites likely permits uncoating and subsequent gene expression or genome degradation. In summary, with these studies we have refined our understanding of AAV2 trafficking dynamics and have identified cellular parameters that mobilize virions in the nucleus and significantly influence AAV infection.
Costs of Stroke Using Patient-Level Data
Authors: Luengo-Fernandez Ramon , Gray Alastair M. , Rothwell Peter M. 
Published: December 2008

Background and Purpose—With decision-analytic models becoming more popular to assess the cost-effectiveness of health care interventions, the need for robust estimates on the costs of cerebrovascular disease is paramount. This study reports the results from a literature review of the costs of cerebrovascular diseases, and assesses the quality of the published evidence against a set of defined criteria.Methods—A broad literature search was conducted. Those studies reporting mean/median costs of cerebrovascular diseases derived from patient-level data in a developed country setting were included. Data were abstracted using standardized reporting forms and assessed against 4 predefined criteria: use of adequate methodologies, use of a population-based study, inclusion of premorbid resource use, and reporting of costs by different patient subgroups.Results—A total of 120 cost studies were identified. The cost estimates of stroke were compared by taking into account the effects of inflation and price differentials between countries. Average costs of stroke ranged from $468 to $146 149. Differences in costs were also found within country, with estimates in the USA varying 20-fold. Although the costing methodologies used were generally appropriate, only 5 studies were based on population-based studies, which are the gold standard study design when comparing incidence, outcome, and costs.Conclusions—This review showed large variations in the costs of stroke, mainly attributable to differences in the populations studied, methods, and cost categories included. The wide range of cost estimates could lead to selection bias in secondary health economic analyses, with authors including those costs that are more likely to produce the desired results.
Incidence of Subsequent Injury to Either Knee within 5 Years after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Patellar Tendon Autograft
Authors: Shelbourne K. Donald , Gray Tinker , Haro Marc 
Published: December 2008

Background The risk of subsequent anterior cruciate ligament injury to either knee after surgery based on sex, age, and activity has not been extensively studied. Hypotheses Women have a higher incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury to the contralateral knee after surgery than men but do not have a difference in injuries to the reconstructed knee. Young, competitive athletes have a higher incidence of injury than older patients. The time to return to full activities does not affect injury rate. Study Design Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods The authors prospectively followed 1820 patients after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction to determine if patients suffered an injury to either knee within 5 years after surgery. Subsequent injury was evaluated based on sex, age, and activity level. Results Minimum 5-year follow-up was obtained on 1415 patients (78%). Seventy-five patients (5.3%) had an injury to the contralateral knee, and 61 patients (4.3%) suffered an injury to the reconstructed knee (P =. 2185). Women suffered more injuries (7.8%) to the contralateral normal knee than men (3.7%; P <. 001) but not more injuries to the reconstructed knee (4.3% vs 4.1%; P =. 5543). The risk of subsequent injury to either knee was 17% for patients <18 years old, 7% for patients aged 18 to 25 years, and 4% for patients older than 25 years. There was no difference in injury rate between patients who returned before and after 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion Women have a higher incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury to the contralateral knee than men after reconstruction. The incidence of injury to either knee after reconstruction is associated with younger age and higher activity level, but returning to full activities before 6 months postoperatively does not increase the risk of subsequent injury.