bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Cardiac Rehabilitation Following Off-Pump Versus On-Pump Coronary Bypass Surgery
Authors: Arefizadeh Reza , Hariri Seyed Yaser , Moghadam Adel Johari
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND: A few studies have compared the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) outcome between those who undergo conventional on-pump bypass surgery and off-pump surgery. We compared this outcome among the patients differentiated by the On-pump and off-pump surgical procedures about cardiovascular variables and psychological status.METHODS: This longitudinal study recruited 318 and 102 consecutive patients who had undergone CABG (on-pump surgery, n = 318 and off-pump surgery, n = 102) and been referred to the CR clinic.RESULTS: The off-pump surgery patients had more improvement in their metabolic equivalents (METs) value. The physical and mental components of health-related quality of life (QOL) (based on SF-36 questionnaire) as well as depression-anxiety (based on Costello-Comrey Depression and Anxiety Scale) were notably improved in the two study groups after the CR program, while changes in the QOL components scores and also depression-anxiety score were not different between the off-pump and on-pump techniques.CONCLUSIONS: Regarding QOL and psychological status, there were no differences in the CR outcome between those who underwent off-pump bypass surgery and those who underwent on-pump surgery; nevertheless, the off-pump technique was superior to the on-pump method on METs improvement following CR.
A Higher Rate of Iron Deficiency in Obese Pregnant Sudanese Women
Authors: Abbas Wisal , Adam Ishag , Rayis Duria A. , Hassan Nada G. , Lutfi Mohamed F.
Published: May 2017

AIM: To assess the association between obesity and iron deficiency (ID).MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pregnant women were recruited from Saad Abualila Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan, during Januaryâ€“April 2015. Medical history (age, parity, gestational age) was gathered using questionnaire. Â Weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Women were sub-grouped based on BMI into underweight (< 18.5 kg/m^2), normal weight (18.5â€“24.9 kg/m^2), overweight (25â€“29.9 kg/m^2) and obese (â‰¥ 30 kg/m^2). Serum ferritin and red blood indices were measured in all studied women.RESULTS: Two (0.5%), 126 (29.8%), 224 (53.0%) and 71 (16.8%) out of the 423 women were underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese, respectively. Anemia (Hb <11 g/dl), ID (ferritin <15Âµg/l) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were prevalent in 57.7%, 21.3% and 12.1%, respectively. Compared with the women with normal BMI, significantly fewer obese women were anemic [25 (35.2%) vs. 108 (85.7%), P < 0.001] and significantly higher number of obese women [25 (35.2) vs. 22 (17.5, P = 0.015] had iron deficiency. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant negative association between serum ferritin and BMI (â€“ 0.010 Âµg/, P= 0.006).CONCLUSION: It is evident from the current findings that prevalence of anaemia and ID showed different trends about BMI of pregnant women.
Transition of Care for Youth with HIV
Authors: Acree Mary Ellen
Published: May 2017

Remarkable advances have been made in the treatment of HIV. Despite progress in reducing perinatal HIV transmission, there is a growing number of adolescents and emerging adults with HIV who will require transfer of care from pediatric to adult providers. Adolescents with HIV have poorer retention in care and viral suppression compared to other age groups with HIV. Barriers to successful care of youth with HIV include mental health disorders, poor medication adherence, socioeconomic instability, and HIV-related stigma. Transfer of care to adult providers is often met with reluctance on the part of the adolescent. Recommendations for effective transfer of care include clear communication between adult and pediatric providers, early initiation of a transition planning discussion, a multidisciplinary team approach, and meeting the adult provider prior to the transfer of care. Adult HIV care may be more fragmented than adolescents are familiar with, but thoughtful transition approaches can foster development of health and life skills among youth with HIV.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2017;46(5):e198–e202.]
Regeneration Mechanism of Full Thickness Cartilage Defect Using Combination of Freeze Dried Bovine Cartilage Scaffold - Allogenic Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells - Platelet Rich Plasma Composite (SMPC) Implantation
Authors: Utomo Dwikora Novembri , Abdul Rantam Fedik , Ferdiansyah  , Purwati
Published: May 2017

Cartilage defect has become serious problem for orthopaedic surgeon and patients because of its difficult healing that might occur when articular cartilage damage never reach subchondral layer. In this study, we used combination of freeze dried bovine cartilage (FDBC) scaffold, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), and platelet rich plasma (PRP) composite (SMPC) implanted in full thickness cartilage defect. This study is to explain its regeneration mechanism. This is true experimental research with post-test only control group design using New Zealand White Rabbit. 50 rabbits is divided into three groups of SMPC, BM-MSCs and FDBC. 37 rabbits evaluated after twelve weeks. Histopathologic examination showed the number of chondrocytes, collagen thickness and cartilage width are highest on SMPC group. Immunohistochemical examination showed SMPC group has the highest number of chondroprogenitor cells express FGF-2R, Sox-9, and MAPK. Brown Forsythe test resulted in significant increase the number of chondrocytes (p=0,010), collagen thickness (p=0,000), and cartilage surface width (p=0,015), and increase FGF-2R (p=0,000), MAPK (p=0,000), and Sox-9 (p=0,000) on SMPC group. Using path analysis, there is strong influence from FGF-2R, MAPK, and Sox-9 to the increase of chondrocytes, collagen thickness, and cartilage surface width. Hence, SMPC implantation mechanism of full thickness cartilage defect regeneration can be explained.
Myialges trinotoni (Acariformes: Epidermoptidae), a hyperparasitic mite infesting Trinoton querquedulae (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) on waterfowl
Authors: Knee Wayne , Galloway Terry D.
Published: May 2017

Mites of the family Epidermoptidae (Acariformes) are permanent parasites dwelling on or in the skin of birds. Myialges Trouessart species are epidermoptids that have a hyperparasitic relationship with chewing lice (Phthiraptera) or louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae). During 1993–2016 in Manitoba, Canada, 668 ducks (20 species), geese (five species), and swans (two species) were examined for lice. A total of 157 males, 191 females, and 539 nymphs of the menoponid louse Trinoton querquedulae (Linnaeus) (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) were collected, of which 25 adult lice from three hosts (Mergus merganser Linnaeus, Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus), Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus; Aves: Anatidae) were infested with 38 female Myialges trinotoni (Cooreman). Overall prevalence and intensity of M. trinotoni was low, and mites showed no statistically significant preference between male and female lice. Myialges trinotoni is recorded from Canada (Manitoba) and United States of America (Alaska) for the first time, and two novel avian host species records (Lophodytes cucullatus and Anas platyrhynchos) are reported. The male of M. trinotoni (loose in bird washing) is illustrated and described. The barcode region of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was amplified from M. trinoton and compared with that of Myialges caulotoon Speiser, the only congeneric species for which COI is available, and interspecific divergence was high (25%).
Pathology of 12 fatal cases of Argentine hemorrhagic fever
Authors: Elsner Boris , Schwarz Edgardo , Mando Oscar G. , Maiztegui Julio , Vilches Antonio
Published: May 2017

Twelve complete autopsies of patients with Argentine hemorrhagic fever were studied. The most significant findings were generalized hemorrhages, myocarditis, acidophilic bodies, and focal necrosis in the liver, papillary necrosis and hemorrhage in the kidneys, reticulum cell hyperplasia and erythrophagocytosis in the lymph nodes and erythroid hypoplasia of the bone marrow. These lesions were similar to those described in other hemorrhagic fevers of different parts of the world. The finding in three cases of intravascular fibrin thrombi together with the presence of the' clinical syndrome of disseminated intravascular coagulation suggests that intravascular clotting is responsible for some of the hemorrhagic phenomena of Argentine hemorrhagic fever.
Effect of Marisa cornuarietis on populations of Biomphalaria glabrata in farm ponds of Puerto Rico
Authors: Jobin William R. , Ferguson Frederick F. , Berrios-Duran Luis A.
Published: May 2017

A biological control method is reported, utilizing an ampullarid snail, Marisa cornuarietis, to eliminate Biomphalaria glabrata, the molluscan host of Schistosoma mansoni. The limitations and economics of this method required further clarification. This study was conducted in nine small reservoirs in Puerto Rico to establish the probability of success of the method under various loading rates and vegetation conditions. Adult Marisa cornuarietis were transplanted from natural habitats into 7 of 9 study ponds, all of which contained stable populations of the planorbid snails. The snail populations were monitored for almost 2 years after the initial loading with Marisa. Although the planorbid snail populations remained strong in the untreated ponds, they were controlled in two of the treated ponds, and significantly reduced in three others. In the remaining two treated ponds there was no significant decrease in the Biomphalaria glabrata populations. There was a close correlation between the success of the method and the amount of vegetation in the ponds. In the two ponds where the planorbid snails were controlled, there was very little vegetation. In the two ponds where the planorbids were not affected, the surfaces of the ponds were completely covered with vegetation. There was no correlation between the success of the biological control method and the rate at which the Marisa cornuarietis were added to the ponds. The average loading rate for all seven ponds was two Marisa cornuarietis per m2 of pond surface.
Clinical presentation of lassa fever cases during the hospital epidemic at Zorzor, Liberia, March-April 1972
Authors: Mertens P. E. , Patton R. , Baum J. J. , Monath T. P.
Published: May 2017

In March and April 1972 a nosocomial Lassa fever epidemic occurred in Curran Lutheran Hospital, Zorzor, Liberia. The index case, an obstetrical patient, was the source of infection for 10 secondary cases, with 4 deaths. Symptoms were those of a severe viral illness, with headache, sore throat, myalgia, vomiting, and diarrhea. Neck and facial edema and an erythematous maculopapular rash occurred in the more severe cases. Hearing loss was noted in three patients. Sporadic cases clinically compatible with Lassa fever had been noted in Zorzor District for up to 5 years before this outbreak, and they continue to occur.
Recovery of dengue-2 virus from Aedes aegypti in Colombia
Authors: Morales Alberto , Groot Hernando , Russell Philip K. , McCown Jack M.
Published: May 2017

Nine strains of dengue-2 virus were recovered from 27 pools of female Aedes aegypti collected from two localities in Colombia at a time when dengue-like disease was prevalent, or had occurred during previous weeks.
A controlled trial of lambda-cyhalothrin-impregnated bed nets and/or dapsone/pyrimethamine for malaria control in Sierra Leone.
Authors: Marbiah N T , Petersen E , David K , Magbity E , Lines J , Bradley D J
Published: May 2017

A randomized controlled trial investigated the impact of community-wide use of mosquito nets impregnated with lambda-cyhalothrin alone or with dapsone/pyrimethamine (d/p) prophylaxis on clinical malaria due to perennially transmitted Plasmodium falciparum in children in the Bo district of Sierra Leone. The 17 study communities were pair-matched and randomly allocated to receive treated mosquito nets or no nets and the children (age range = 3 months-6 years) in each community were randomly allocated to receive d/p or placebo individually every two weeks. This resulted in each of the approximately 2,000 children recruited being in one of four study groups (impregnated mosquito nets and d/p prophylaxis, impregnated mosquito nets, d/p prophylaxis, and controls). The intervention phase of the study lasted 12 months. A total of 1,800 children attended more than 25% of the 48 total weekly morbidity surveillance surveys and were included in the analysis. The effects of the exclusive use of either treated mosquito nets or d/p prophylaxis on protection against clinical malaria due to P. falciparum was significantly similar (49% and 42%, respectively), while in combination this protective efficacy was significantly increased to 72% (95% confidence interval = 67-76%). Children in the control group had an average of 1.3 clinical malaria episodes per child annually compared with 0.65 episodes or 0.78 episodes for those using treated mosquito nets and d/p, respectively. Children using both treated mosquito nets and d/p prophylaxis had an average of 0.37 episodes per child. The interventions significantly reduced spleen rates and increased hematocrit values, and reduced the duration of episodes of clinical malaria.
Simplified polymerase chain reaction detection of new world Leishmania in clinical specimens of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Authors: Belli A , Rodriguez B , Aviles H , Harris E
Published: May 2017

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of New World Leishmania from different types of clinical specimens has been further streamlined for field use by simplifying sample preparation and modifying published protocols. A multiplex PCR reaction was developed that allows simultaneous detection of the Leishmania genus and identification of the L. braziliensis complex. For typing isolates in culture, we found that simply boiling diluted cultured strains was sufficient preparation for the PCR. We have demonstrated that Leishmania parasites can be reliably detected from boiled dermal scrapings, instead of the more invasive skin biopsies often used as PCR specimens. The PCR of dermal scrapings yielded a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%, as compared with microscopic examination. In a study population, PCR was more sensitive than classic diagnostic techniques. The PCR detection of Leishmania in biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was investigated. Diluting crude extracts of skin biopsies was sufficient to eliminate sample inhibition yet maintain required sensitivity. Leishmania braziliensis was also detected by PCR in PBMCs of individuals with active cutaneous leishmaniasis. The simplifications described here significantly improve the feasibility of using the PCR in endemic countries as the primary method for detection and preliminary characterization of Leishmania in clinical specimens of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Vibrio cholerae isolates from a recent cholera outbreak in Senegal: comparison with isolates from Guinea-Bissau.
Authors: Aidara A , Koblavi S , Boye C S , Raphenon G , Gassama A , Grimont F , Grimont P A
Published: May 2017

A total of 127 strains of Vibrio cholerae (117 V. cholerae O1 and 10 nonagglutinating strains) isolated from a recent cholera outbreak in Senegal and four strains isolated in Guinea-Bissau (during the survey of a cholera epidemic that occurred 10 months before the Senegalese one) were analyzed. Strains were characterized by conventional methods (biochemical and serologic identification, susceptibility to antimicrobial agents), polymerase chain reaction for genes encoding cholera toxin (CtxA), zonula occludens toxin (Zot), and accessory cholera enterotoxin (Ace), and by ribotyping. Conventional methods showed that all strains of V. cholerae O1 belonged to serotype Ogawa, biotype El Tor and were resistant to the vibriostatic agent O129 (2,4-diamino 6,7-diisopropylpteridine phosphate), cotrimoxazole, and chloramphenicol; all strains were sensitive to tetracycline, a drug that has been extensively used in cholera therapy. Most of these V. cholerae O1 (112 strains from Senegal and four strains from Guinea-Bissau) had an intact core region (virulence cassette) and amplified a 564-basepair (bp) fragment of ctxA, a 1083-bp fragment of zot, and a 314-bp fragment of ace. Ribotyping of V. cholerae O1 strains after Bgl I restriction of total DNA revealed that ribotype B5a, which is the predominant ribotype of this seventh pandemic of cholera, was not isolated. Instead, a new ribotype was identified and designated B27 in our data bank. Since O1 isolates from Guinea-Bissau and Senegal have the same biotype, serotype, and ribotype and as the Guinea-Bissau outbreak that preceded the one in Senegal, this emerging ribotype probably came from Guinea-Bissau. Nonagglutinating strains exhibited no resistance to the O129 agent and to the tested antibiotics, they were all negative for virulence cassette, except for one strain with the ctxA and zot genes isolated from a patient with diarrhea, and there was a great variability of ribotypes among these strains. There was no difference between environmental O1 strains isolated from water and strains isolated from patients with cholera, suggesting that fecally contaminated water is an important reservoir for infection.
Post-marketing surveillance of prophylactic mefloquine (Lariam) use in pregnancy.
Authors: Vanhauwere B , Maradit H , Kerr L
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the teratogenic potential of mefloquine (Lariam) in pregnancy, based on the Roche International Spontaneous Reporting System. Lariam is an anti-malarial drug used both in prophylaxis and treatment of malaria. Teratogenic effects were observed in animals but data from humans are lacking. Women of childbearing potential are currently advised to take contraceptive precautions up to three months after the last dose. The study included 1,627 spontaneous reports of women exposed to Lariam before or during pregnancy, which were received by Roche worldwide since introduction on the market. The data were analyzed considering pregnancy and fetal outcome and type of congenital malformations. The birth prevalence of congenital malformations in women exposed to Lariam is estimated to be 4% and is not different from the prevalence observed in the general population. In addition, the congenital malformations observed with Lariam exposure do not show any specific pattern. The data from our study suggest that the teratogenicity, which was observed in animals at high doses, cannot be applied to humans.
Reactivation of Chagas' disease in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient leading to severe heart disease with a late positive direct microscopic examination of the blood.
Authors: Sartori A M , Lopes M H , Benvenuti L A , Caramelli B , di Pietro A , Nunes E V , Ramirez L P , Shikanai-Yasuda M A
Published: May 2017

We report a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected man with chronic Chagas' disease who developed a congestive heart failure that could not be clinically controlled. Endomyocardial biopsy revealed severe myocarditis and the xenodiagnosis result was positive, but Trypanosoma cruzi by direct microscopic examination of the blood was found only four months after the symptoms had started. Treatment with benznidazole was effective in reducing parasitemia, stabilizing the clinical status, and controlling tissue damage related to the parasite. Although the finding of T. cruzi trypomastigotes by direct microscopic examination of the blood has been considered the mark of Chagas' reactivation in immunocompromised patients with chronic disease, in this case it was a late finding.
Bancroftian filariasis in Egypt: visualization of adult worms and subclinical lymphatic pathology by scrotal ultrasound.
Authors: Faris R , Hussain O , El Setouhy M , Ramzy R M , Weil G J
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study was to explore the value of scrotal ultrasound as a means of evaluating Bancroftian filariasis. Color Doppler ultrasound examinations were performed to look for subclinical hydroceles and motile adult filarial worms (dancing worms) in dilated lymphatics. Sixty-one male subjects from a filariasis-endemic area in Egypt were studied including 19 clinically normal microfilaria (MF) carriers (seven with dancing worms and eight with subclinical hydroceles), 13 MF-negative subjects with positive filarial antigen test results (three with dancing worms and seven with subclinical hydroceles), 22 exposed subjects with no MF and negative antigen test results (no dancing worms, four subclinical hydroceles), and seven subjects with clinical filariasis (no dancing worms, seven hydroceles). Thus, all men tested with clinical filariasis and most clinically normal subjects with either microfilaremia or filarial antigenemia had abnormal ultrasound examination results. Ultrasound findings often changed after therapy with diethylcarbamazine, with disappearance of dancing worms and development of new scrotal calcifications or hydroceles. This study confirms the value of scrotal ultrasound as a means of noninvasively visualizing adult filarial worms and assessing subclinical lymphatic damage in Bancroftian filariasis.
Longevity of naturally acquired antibody responses to the N- and C-terminal regions of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 1.
Authors: Soares I S , da Cunha M G , Silva M N , Souza J M , Del Portillo H A , Rodrigues M M
Published: May 2017

In an earlier study, we found that individuals with patent infection had significantly higher IgG antibody titers to the 19-kD C-terminal region of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1) than individuals treated for malaria 1-4 months earlier. These results suggested that the antibody levels decreased rapidly following treatment. The present study was designed to determine the persistence of antibody response to the N- and C-terminal regions of PvMSP1 after infection with P. vivax in individuals from the city of BÃ©lem in northern Brazil. Our results demonstrated that the vast majority of individuals had a significant decrease in antibody titers to the C-terminal region of PvMSP1 in a period of two months following treatment. Among responders to the C-terminal region, 44.4% became serologically negative and 44.4% had their antibody titers reduced by an average of 13-fold. Only 11.2% of the individuals had their antibody titers maintained or slightly increased during that period. A decrease in the antibody response to the recombinant protein representing the N-terminal region of PvMSP1 was also noted; however, it was not as dramatic. The rapid decrease in the antibody levels to the C-terminal region of PvMSP1 might contribute to the high risk of reinfection in these individuals.
Resistance to praziquantel: direct evidence from Schistosoma mansoni isolated from Egyptian villagers.
Authors: Ismail M , Botros S , Metwally A , William S , Farghally A , Tao L F , Day T A , Bennett J L
Published: May 2017

Recent evidence suggest that resistance to praziquantel (PZQ) may be developing. This would not be surprising in countries like Egypt where the drug has been used aggressively for more that 10 years. The classic phenotype of drug resistance is a significant increase in the 50% effective dose value of isolates retrieved from patients not responding to the drug. In a previous publication, we reported that such phenotypes have been isolated from humans infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Since the action of PZQ may be dependent upon the drug and host factors, most notably the immune system, we analyzed the quantitative effects of PZQ on single worms that differed in their response to PZQ when maintained in mice. Our hypothesis was that the in vitro action of the drug would correlate with it in vivo action. We confirmed this hypothesis and conclude that the in vitro action of the drug is related to its in vivo action. Knowing this relationship will assist in our ability to detect or survey for the PZQ resistant phenotype in human populations.
A simian model of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis.
Authors: Foley J E , Lerche N W , Dumler J S , Madigan J E
Published: May 2017

Following intravenous inoculation with horse blood-infected with the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) from a human fatality, two rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) exhibited pyrexia and lethargy on days 4-12 postinfection (PI). Hematology revealed neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia, with ehrlichial morulae in monocytes and neutrophils on days 4-12. Blood was polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive on days 4-12 and bone marrow was PCR-positive on day 11. There was a minor increase in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase on day 12 and serum interferon-gamma levels increased by day 18. Seroconversion occurred on day 20 PI to a titer of 100 by day 22. Western blot bands characteristic of HGE included 25-, 44-, 80-, 94-, 105-, and 125-kD bands. There was generalized lymphohistiocytic infiltration in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and other tissues. The liver had focal hepatocyte apoptosis. There was HGE DNA (by PCR) only in the spleen. Comparable findings were not observed in a monkey that received uninfected horse blood as a control. This animal model of human disease is important for further studies of HGE diagnosis, management, and pathogenesis.
Acceleration of viral replication and up-regulation of cytokine levels by antimalarials: implications in malaria-endemic areas.
Authors: Seth P , Mani H , Singh A K , Banaudha K K , Madhavan S , Sidhu G S , Gaddipati J P , Vogel S N , Maheshwari R K
Published: May 2017

Antimalarial drugs are widely used in malaria endemic areas, both for chemoprophylaxis and also empirically to treat patients presenting with fever. Previously, we have reported that chloroquine enhances the severity of Semliki forest virus (SFV) and encephalomyocarditis virus infection. The studies presented herein show that a broad spectrum of antimalarial drugs augmented the replication of SFV in mice, concomitant with greater tissue damage and up-regulation of mRNA levels of various inflammatory cytokine genes, including interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), II-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12p40, and interferon-gamma inducing factor. Furthermore, chloroquine enhances IL-1Ra production in RAW cells in vitro. Since IL-1Ra is known to be up-regulated in a number of viral infections, we propose that a further enhancement of its expression by antimalarials may be responsible for the increased severity of viral infection in our studies. Thus, the widespread use of antimalarials in malaria-endemic areas may predispose the population to viral infections. Further studies are in progress to delineate mechanism(s) involved in cytokine up-regulation and acceleration of viral replication.
Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori among Egyptian newborns and their mothers: a preliminary report.
Authors: Bassily S , Frenck R W , Mohareb E W , Wierzba T , Savarino S , Hall E , Kotkat A , Naficy A , Hyams K C , Clemens J
Published: May 2017

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common human bacterial infections in the world and children in the developing countries acquire H. pylori infection early in life. We prospectively evaluated the prevalence of serum antibodies to H. pylori in a cohort of pregnant women and their offspring. Mothers' sera were collected during the third trimester of pregnancy and sera from their offspring were collected when they were 7-9 months and 18 months of age. Pylori-Stat, a commercially available ELISA kit, was used to detect antibodies to H. pylori in the serum of the subjects tested. Sera from 169 mothers were available for testing and 88% of these samples were positive for anti-H. pylori IgG. Of the 169 children tested, 13% of the infants 7-9 months of age and 25% of the children 18 months of age had serologic evidence of H. pylori infection. These data indicate that infection with H. pylori is common in Egypt and acquisition of infection occurs at a very young age.
A longitudinal study of Bancroftian filariasis in the Nile Delta of Egypt: baseline data and one-year follow-up.
Authors: Weil G J , Ramzy R M , El Setouhy M , Kandil A M , Ahmed E S , Faris R
Published: May 2017

We initiated a longitudinal study of Bancroftian filariasis to improve understanding of dynamics and risk factors for infection in villages near Cairo, Egypt. Baseline prevalence rates for microfilaremia and filarial antigenemia for 1,853 subjects more than 9 years of age were 7.7% and 11.2%, respectively. Microfilaria counts, antigen levels, and microfilaremia incidence over a 1-year period were all significantly lower in older people. These findings suggest that humans develop partial immunity to Wuchereria bancrofti over time. One-year incidence rates for microfilaremia and antigenemia were 1.8% and 3.1%, respectively. Filarial antigenemia, IgG4 antibody to recombinant antigen BmM14, and household infection were all significant risk factors for microfilaremia incidence. Microfilaria counts and parasite antigen levels were significantly reduced by diethylcarbamazine therapy, but many infected subjects refused treatment, and most treated people were still infected one year later. Incident infections approximately balanced infections lost to produce an apparent state of dynamic equilibrium.
Serologic responses of Korean soldiers serving in malaria-endemic areas during a recent outbreak of Plasmodium vivax.
Authors: Park C G , Chwae Y J , Kim J I , Lee J H , Hur G M , Jeon B H , Koh J S , Han J H , Lee S J , Park J W , Kaslow D C , Strickman D , Roh C S
Published: May 2017

Anti-Pv200 antibody levels were assessed in samples from endemic areas of Plasmodium vivax malaria in the Republic of Korea (ROK), using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Asymptomatic carriers of P. vivax were detected using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of blood samples. Anti-Pv200 antibody levels in 20 vivax malaria patients (optical density +/- standard deviation [OD +/- SD] values 1.85 +/- 0.29 of IgG isotype and 1.33 +/- 1.33 of IgM isotype) were markedly higher than those of uninfected, malaria-naive controls (0.08 +/- 0.16 of IgG isotype and 0.04 +/- 0.04 of IgM isotype). Antibody levels for 7 out of 8 soldiers with a recent malaria infection were sustained above the cut-off values for 4 months after successful treatment. Analysis of serum collected from 40 healthy, asymptomatic soldiers who had a P. vivax malaria attack within 3 months after our sampling, revealed 11 antibody-positive samples (27.5%), compared to 5 positive samples (12.5%) collected from a random selection of 40 soldiers. Among a larger pool of 1,713 soldiers who had served in high-risk areas for P. vivax transmission, 15% were antibody positive. Among 1,000 blood samples from asymptomatic soldiers who had served in the high-risk areas, 4 samples (0.4%) were parasite positive, as determined by nested PCR. Our results show that anti-Pv200 antibody levels can provide useful information in the late diagnosis of P. vivax malaria infection in a previously naive population and also in large seroepidemiologic studies. Furthermore, our results suggest that asymptomatic P. vivax carriers could be important in the current outbreak of malaria in Korea.
Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in amerindians from western Venezuela.
Authors: Chacin-Bonilla L , Sanchez-Chavez Y , Monsalve F , Estevez J
Published: May 2017

A survey of 447 Amerindians aged 1-69 years (mean age, 18.6 +/- 15.8 years) in 3 mountain and 1 lowland communities from Venezuela were studied to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, the environmental risk factors for the infection, and how the process of acculturation may affect the transmission rate. Serum samples were tested for immunoglobulin G antibodies by a commercial indirect hemagglutination test. The overall prevalence of infection was 49.7% (222 of 447) and ranged 38.2-62.4%. A higher antibody rate was found in the lowland setting as compared with those from the mountain area (P < 0.001). The geometric mean titer in the overall population was 280.3. No age-antibody association was detected in the mountain communities, although a gradual increase in positivity with increasing age (P < 0.01) was observed in the lowland setting, reaching a peak of 83.3% in the oldest group. The results suggest that transmission by infective cat feces may play a predominant role in the spread of infection in this population. This study demonstrates the environmental Toxoplasma infection pressure in this sylvatic population and how transmission rate is facilitated by environmental changes produced by acculturation.
The appearance of a second genotype of Japanese encephalitis virus in the Australasian region.
Authors: Pyke A T , Williams D T , Nisbet D J , van den Hurk A F , Taylor C T , Johansen C A , Macdonald J , Hall R A , Simmons R J , Mason R J , Lee J M , Ritchie S A , Smith G A , Mackenzie J S
Published: May 2017

In mid-January 2000, the reappearance of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus activity in the Australasian region was first demonstrated by the isolation of JE virus from 3 sentinel pigs on Badu Island in the Torres Strait. Further evidence of JE virus activity was revealed through the isolation of JE virus from Culex gelidus mosquitoes collected on Badu Island and the detection of specific JE virus neutralizing antibodies in 3 pigs from Saint Pauls community on Moa Island. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the premembrane and envelope genes were performed which showed that both the pig and mosquito JE virus isolates (TS00 and TS4152, respectively) clustered in genotype I, along with northern Thai, Cambodian, and Korean isolates. All previous Australasian JE virus isolates belong to genotype II, along with Malaysian and Indonesian isolates. Therefore, for the first time, the appearance and transmission of a second genotype of JE virus in the Australasian region has been demonstrated.
Early childhood diarrhea is associated with diminished cognitive function 4 to 7 years later in children in a northeast Brazilian shantytown.
Authors: Niehaus Mark D , Moore Sean R , Patrick Peter D , Derr Lori L , Lorntz Breyette , Lima Aldo A , Guerrant Richard L
Published: May 2017

Diarrhea is well recognized as a leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity in developing countries; however, possible long-term cognitive deficits from heavy diarrhea burdens in early childhood remain poorly defined. To assess the potential long-term impact of early childhood diarrhea (in the first 2 years of life) on cognitive function in later childhood, we studied the cognitive function of a cohort of children in an urban Brazilian shantytown with a high incidence of early childhood diarrhea. Forty-six children (age range, 6-10 years) with complete diarrhea surveillance during their first 2 years of life were given a battery of five cognitive tests. Test of Non-Verbal Intelligence-III (TONI) scores were inversely correlated with early childhood diarrhea (P = .01), even when controlling for maternal education, duration of breast-feeding, and early childhood helminthiasis (Ascaris or Trichuris). Furthermore, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III) Coding Tasks and WISC-III Digit Span (reverse and total) scores were also significantly lower in the 17 children with a history of early childhood persistent diarrhea (PD; P < .05), even when controlling for helminths and maternal education. No correlations were seen between diarrhea rates and Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning subtests or WISC-III Mazes. This report (with larger numbers of participants and new tests) confirms and substantially extends previous pilot studies, showing that long-term cognitive deficits are associated with early childhood diarrhea. These findings have important implications for the importance of interventions that may reduce early childhood diarrheal illnesses or their consequences.
Leptospirosis in Hawaii, 1974-1998: epidemiologic analysis of 353 laboratory-confirmed cases.
Authors: Katz Alan R , Ansdell Vernon E , Effler Paul V , Middleton Charles R , Sasaki David M
Published: May 2017

The epidemiologic characterization of leptospirosis in the United States has been limited by difficulties associated with both case detection and confirmation. In addition, leptospirosis was eliminated from the list of National Notifiable Diseases in 1995. From 1974 until the cessation of national surveillance, Hawaii consistently had the highest reported annual incidence rate in the United States. From 1974 through 1998, 752 leptospirosis cases were reported in the State of Hawaii. Of these, 353 had exposures within the state and were laboratory confirmed. The mean annual incidence rate was 1.29 per 100,000. Cases were predominately male. Rates were highest in rural areas. Occupational exposures diminished over time while recreational exposures increased. This series represents the first large U.S. leptospirosis surveillance report since 1979. With leptospirosis recently being identified as a re-emerging zoonosis, continued national surveillance and case reporting should be reconsidered.
Relationship between parasite density and fever risk in a community exposed to a low level of malaria transmission in Madagascar highlands.
Authors: Boisier P , Jambou R , Raharimalala L , Roux J
Published: May 2017

To establish a simple definition of a malaria attack based on blood parasite density and other explanatory covariates, a cohort study was conducted from 1993 to 1996 in the Madagascar highlands undergoing a low seasonal transmission of falciparum malaria. Using logistic regression, the explanatory variables found to be significantly related to the risk of fever are parasite density, age, season, and year. However, and in contrast with other studies, we found no evidence of a clear cutoff in parasite density values consistent with the concept of "pyrogenic threshold" despite a gradual increase of the risk of fever with increasing parasite density. Furthermore, the model evidenced an individual-dependent relationship at a given age. This point was in accordance with the immunological data recorded from the participants. The investigators conclude that the parasite density to distinguish malaria attacks from other causes of fever is not reliable in a context of low falciparum transmission.
The Effects of Medication Alerts on Prescriber Response in a Pediatric Hospital
Authors: Dexheimer Judith , Kirkendall Eric , Kouril Michal , Hagedorn Philip , Minich Thomas , Duan Leo , Mahdi Monifa , Szczesniak Rhonda , Spooner S. Andrew
Published: May 2017

Objective: More than 70% of hospitals in the United States have electronic health records (EHRs). Clinical decision support (CDS) presents clinicians with electronic alerts during the course of patient care; however, alert fatigue can influence a provider’s response to any EHR alert. The primary goal was to evaluate the effects of alert burden on user response to the alerts.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of medication alerts over a 24-month period (1/2013–12/2014) in a large pediatric academic medical center. The institutional review board approved this study. The primary outcome measure was alert salience, a measure of whether or not the prescriber took any corrective action on the order that generated an alert. We estimated the ideal number of alerts to maximize salience. Salience rates were examined for providers at each training level, by day of week, and time of day through logistic regressions.

Results: While salience never exceeded 38%, 49 alerts/day were associated with maximal salience in our dataset. The time of day an order was placed was associated with alert salience (maximal salience 2am). The day of the week was also associated with alert salience (maximal salience on Wednesday). Provider role did not have an impact on salience.

Conclusion: Alert burden plays a role in influencing provider response to medication alerts. An increased number of alerts a provider saw during a one-day period did not directly lead to decreased response to alerts. Given the multiple factors influencing the response to alerts, efforts focused solely on burden are not likely to be effective.

Citation: Dexheimer JW, Kirkendall ES, Kouril M, Hagedorn PA, Minich T, Duan LL, Mahdi M, Szczesniak R, Spooner SA. The effects of medication alerts on prescriber response in a pediatric hospital. Appl Clin Inform 2017; 8: 491–501 https://doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2016-10-RA-0168
POLÍTICAS DE ACESSO ABERTO PARA TRABALHOS CIENTÍFICOS: INTERESSE PÚBLICO E DIREITOS DE AUTOR
Authors: Ariente Eduardo Altomare
Published: May 2017

Resumo: O artigo pretende analisar algumas modalidades de políticas de Acesso Aberto praticadas em renomados centros de pesquisa e agências de fomento com vistas ao incremento da produção científica e à facilitação de consulta de material didático pela comunidade acadêmica e demais cidadãos. Sabemos que o regramento jurídico da propriedade intelectual não colabora com o acesso às publicações científicas. Algumas bases de dados e publicações acadêmicas têm preços proibitivos, mesmo que obtenham artigos de pesquisadores, trabalhos voluntários dos revisores e do corpo editorial sem custos. Além disso, quantidade expressiva dos investimentos em pesquisa tem como origem o Estado e as instituições de ensino. Desta forma, julgamos relevante consultar o modo pelo qual são regidas as políticas de divulgação do conhecimento, de acordo com informações contidas nas páginas oficiais de alguns renomados centros de pesquisa, situados em países ocidentais de diferentes tradições jurídicas. Do ponto de vista doutrinário, em nome da proteção dos direitos autorais, algumas vozes defendem o direito dos estudantes e pesquisadores, mesmo de instituições públicas, de postergar, ou mesmo recusar a divulgação de suas pesquisas nos repositórios das Universidades. Outros defendem que qualquer forma de imposição fere a liberdade acadêmica. Concluímos, após refletir sobre a natureza desses argumentos e ponderar sobre os conflitos entre direitos privados e interesses coletivos, que sem violar direitos de autor, pode sim haver políticas que incentivam, ou até obrigam, a depender do caso, o depósito de pesquisas em Acesso Aberto, em função dos direitos à cultura, educação, informação, publicidade, eficiência, promoção do desenvolvimento e inovação.
Regionalizing nonparametric models of precipitation amounts on different temporal scales
Authors: Mosthaf Tobias , Bárdossy András
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Parametric distribution functions are commonly used to model precipitation amounts corresponding to different durations. The precipitation amounts themselves are crucial for stochastic rainfall generators and weather generators. Nonparametric kernel density estimates (KDEs) offer a more flexible way to model precipitation amounts. As already stated in their name, these models do not exhibit parameters that can be easily regionalized to run rainfall generators at ungauged locations as well as at gauged locations. To overcome this deficiency, we present a new interpolation scheme for nonparametric models and evaluate it for different temporal resolutions ranging from hourly to monthly. During the evaluation, the nonparametric methods are compared to commonly used parametric models like the two-parameter gamma and the mixed-exponential distribution. As water volume is considered to be an essential parameter for applications like flood modeling, a Lorenz-curve-based criterion is also introduced. To add value to the estimation of data at sub-daily resolutions, we incorporated the plentiful daily measurements in the interpolation scheme, and this idea was evaluated. The study region is the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in the southwest of Germany with more than 500 rain gauges. The validation results show that the newly proposed nonparametric interpolation scheme provides reasonable results and that the incorporation of daily values in the regionalization of sub-daily models is very beneficial.
CONTENT PRESERVING WATERMARKING FOR MEDICAL IMAGES USING SHEARLET TRANSFORM AND SVD
Authors: Favorskaya M. N. , Savchina E. I.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Medical Image Watermarking (MIW) is a special field of a watermarking due to the requirements of the Digital Imaging and COmmunications in Medicine (DICOM) standard since 1993. All 20 parts of the DICOM standard are revised periodically. The main idea of the MIW is to embed various types of information including the doctor’s digital signature, fragile watermark, electronic patient record, and main watermark in a view of region of interest for the doctor into the host medical image. These four types of information are represented in different forms; some of them are encrypted according to the DICOM requirements. However, all types of information ought to be resulted into the generalized binary stream for embedding. The generalized binary stream may have a huge volume. Therefore, not all watermarking methods can be applied successfully. Recently, the digital shearlet transform had been introduced as a rigorous mathematical framework for the geometric representation of multi-dimensional data. Some modifications of the shearlet transform, particularly the non-subsampled shearlet transform, can be associated to a multi-resolution analysis that provides a fully shift-invariant, multi-scale, and multi-directional expansion. During experiments, a quality of the extracted watermarks under the JPEG compression and typical internet attacks was estimated using several metrics, including the peak signal to noise ratio, structural similarity index measure, and bit error rate.
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC TECHNIQUES FOR ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION OF CHANGES IN 2D AND 3D DATA: PLASTIC SURGERY APPLICATION
Authors: Knyaz V. A. , Zheltov S. Y. , Chibunichev A.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Accurate measurements of 3D scenes and change detection of spatial distributed data are of great importance in different areas of research and application. For more accurate data analysis it is useful to take into account the all available data from various sensors and sources. The common case is that the different kinds of data available in their own coordinate systems and it is needed to transform all data in common coordinate system. This can be provided by finding correspondence between features in data of different types and different sources. Photogrammetry provides structurally connected 2D and 3D data which gives valuable information about correspondence of 2D and 3D features. The approaches to 2D and 3D data fusion and analysis are proposed which are based on complex processing of 2D and 3D data for changes detection and visualization. The techniques for data fusion are developed. The results of applying the developed techniques are presented for plastic surgery application.
VISUAL ANALYSIS AND PROCESSING OF CLUSTERS STRUCTURES IN MULTIDIMENSIONAL DATASETS
Authors: Bondarev A. E.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. The article is devoted to problems of visual analysis of clusters structures for a multidimensional datasets. For visual analyzing an approach of elastic maps design [1,2] is applied. This approach is quite suitable for processing and visualizing of multidimensional datasets. To analyze clusters in original data volume the elastic maps are used as the methods of original data points mapping to enclosed manifolds having less dimensionality. Diminishing the elasticity parameters one can design map surface which approximates the multidimensional dataset in question much better. Then the points of dataset in question are projected to the map. The extension of designed map to a flat plane allows one to get an insight about the cluster structure of multidimensional dataset. The approach of elastic maps does not require any a priori information about data in question and does not depend on data nature, data origin, etc. Elastic maps are usually combined with PCA approach. Being presented in the space based on three first principal components the elastic maps provide quite good results. The article describes the results of elastic maps approach application to visual analysis of clusters for different multidimensional datasets including medical data.