bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retreatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C, subtype 1b and cirrhosis, who failed previous direct‐acting antiviral therapy including first‐ and second‐generation NS5A inhibitors with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir + sofosbuvir + ribavirin
Authors: Fedorchenko Sergii V. , Martynovych Tatiana , Klimenko Zhanna , Yanchenko Vitaliy , Solianyk Iryna 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe use of direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs) in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection results in sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of 95%‐97%, but 3%‐5% of patients experience virologic failure. We observed 17 patients infected with HCV subtype 1b who failed previous treatment with DAA, including 13 subjects (76.5%) with liver cirrhosis. Twelve subjects (70.6%) previously received NS5A inhibitors of the first generation (ledipasvir or daclatasvir) and five subjects (29.4%) – the second generation (velpatasvir). All patients were retreated with a combination of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir (3D) with sofosbuvir (SOF) and ribavirin (RBV). We compared SVR12 rates depending on fibrosis stage, presence of just single or double NS5A mutations (L31M/V/I and/or Y93H), and on the generation of previously used NS5A inhibitor. Observed SVR12 rates were as follows: 94.1% (16/17 patients) overall; 100% in patients without cirrhosis (n = 4) vs 92.3% in those with cirrhosis (n = 13); 100% with single L31M/V/I or Y93H mutation (n = 7) vs 88.9% with double mutations (n = 9); 100% in patients who previously failed first generation (n = 12) vs 80.0% in those failed second‐generation NS5A inhibitors (n = 5). Retreatment with 3D + 0SOF + RBV was highly effective and safe in patients with chronic HCV GT1b infection who failed previous use of NS5A inhibitors. Fibrosis stage, baseline presence of NS5A RAS mutations and the generation of previously used NS5A inhibitors may impact the probability of achieving SVR12, but statistical significance was not demonstrated in our small retrospective cohort. Further studies in a larger population are needed to confirm or not the predictive value of these baseline factors.
RNA testing for the diagnosis of acute hepatitis A during the 2017 outbreak in France
Authors: Tram Julie , Le Baccon‐Sollier Paul , Bolloré Karine , Ducos Jacques , Mondain Anne‐Marie , Pastor Patrick , Pageaux Georges‐Philippe , Makinson Alain , de Perre Philippe Van , Tuaillon Edouard 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDiagnostic of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is based on the detection of anti‐HAV IgM without testing for the pathogen itself. We evaluated the usefulness of HAV RNA testing for confirmation of acute hepatitis A and to provide indications about the level of HAV replication in HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative subjects during an unprecedented outbreak of HAV observed in France in 2017. HAV RNA was detected in 38 out of 41 (92.6%) subjects with a clinical diagnosis of acute hepatitis A, whereas nine cases tested positive for anti‐HAV IgM in whom the diagnosis of acute hepatitis A was not retained were found negative for HAV RNA. All subjects in the control group were also tested negative for HAV RNA. HAV viremia was correlated to ALT peak (r = .64; P < .0001). HIV‐infected patients have similar HAV RNA levels but were less likely to have prolonged international normalized ratio of prothrombin time when compared to the HIV‐uninfected group (P = .016), suggesting a less severe course of acute hepatitis. HAV RNA was detected in the serum of most of the patients with acute hepatitis A, indicating that the direct detection of HAV can be used to confirm hepatitis A in patients tested positive for anti‐HAV IgM antibodies. Nucleic acid tests should serve more broadly during the diagnosis workup of acute hepatitis A to improve the predictive values of HAV in vitro diagnostic tests and to confirm acute hepatitis A in patients tested positive with IgM with moderate or low S/CO values.
Protective role of mouse mast cell tryptase Mcpt6 in melanoma
Authors: Grujic Mirjana , Hellman Lars , Gustafson Ann‐Marie , Akula Srinivas , Melo Fabio Rabelo , Pejler Gunnar 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTryptase‐positive mast cells populate melanomas, but it is not known whether tryptase impacts on melanoma progression. Here we addressed this and show that melanoma growth is significantly higher in tryptase‐deficient (Mcpt6−/−) versus wild‐type mice. Histochemical analysis showed that mast cells were frequent in the tumor stroma of both wild‐type and Mcpt6−/− mice, and also revealed their presence within the tumor parenchyma. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that tryptase was taken up by the tumor cells. Further, tryptase‐positive granules were released from mast cells and were widely distributed within the tumor tissue, suggesting that tryptase could impact on the tumor microenvironment. Indeed, gene expression analysis showed that the absence of Mcpt6 caused decreased expression of numerous genes, including Cxcl9, Tgtp2, and Gbp10, while the expression of 5p‐miR3098 was enhanced. The levels of CXCL9 were lower in serum from Mcpt6−/− versus wild‐type mice. In further support of a functional impact of tryptase on melanoma, recombinant tryptase (Mcpt6) was taken up by cultured melanoma cells and caused reduced proliferation. Altogether, our results indicate a protective role of mast cell tryptase in melanoma growth.
Photodynamic Therapy and the Biophysics of the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Sorrin Aaron J. , Kemal Ruhi Mustafa , Ferlic Nathaniel A. , Karimnia Vida , Polacheck William J. , Celli Jonathan P. , Huang Huang‐Chiao , Rizvi Imran 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTargeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) provides opportunities to modulate tumor physiology, enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents, impact immune response and overcome resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemistry‐based, nonthermal modality that produces reactive molecular species at the site of light activation and is in the clinic for nononcologic and oncologic applications. The unique mechanisms and exquisite spatiotemporal control inherent to PDT enable selective modulation or destruction of the TME and cancer cells. Mechanical stress plays an important role in tumor growth and survival, with increasing implications for therapy design and drug delivery, but remains understudied in the context of PDT and PDT‐based combinations. This review describes pharmacoengineering and bioengineering approaches in PDT to target cellular and noncellular components of the TME, as well as molecular targets on tumor and tumor‐associated cells. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of mechanical stress in the context of targeted PDT regimens, and combinations, for primary and metastatic tumors.
Evaluation of Datura stramonium and Nicandra physaloides as reservoirs of tomato severe rugose virus and whiteflies
Authors: Gorayeb Eduardo S. , Bello Vinicius H. , Cruciol Giovana Carolina D. , Watanabe Luís Fernando M. , Dovigo Leonardo H. , Sartori Maria Márcia P. , Pavan Marcelo A. , Krause-Sakate Renate 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) is the most important begomovirus transmitted and spread by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci in tomato crops in Brazil. Cultural practices are being adopted, along with insecticides, for controlling this virus. However, little is known about the importance of weeds in the pathosystem, which can contribute to the failure of these practices. This work aimed to evaluate the role of Datura stramonium and Nicandra physaloides as alternative hosts of ToSRV and verify the viral influence on the biological performance of Bemisia tabaci Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) cryptic species. N. physaloides was a better alternative host for ToSRV when combined with MEAM1 whiteflies, while D. stramonium was mostly a good host for whitefly reproduction. Viral infection improved MEAM1 performance on both host plants but affected MED performance negatively. These data suggest that both weeds can be of some importance for the pathosystem, and their control should be included in management programmes.
Non‐invasive functional exploration techniques for bivalves with applications to pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera
Authors: Le Moullac Gilles , Soyez Claude , Lyonnard Pierre , Chabrier Sébastien , Milhade Léo , Gueguen Yannick , Beliaeff Benoit 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNon‐invasive functional exploration techniques can provide information on different aspects of general organism functioning and, unlike lethal or invasive techniques, allow individual organisms to be monitored for as long as necessary. For bivalves, a fairly wide variety of methods and instrumental means exist allowing physiology to be assessed on‐line while keeping animals alive and intact. The current range of non‐invasive techniques for bivalves consists of systems for measuring metabolic flows and valve activity, which can be used on bivalve molluscs for as long as an individual animal's characteristics (e.g. size) make this technically feasible. In this paper, we present some of these non‐invasive techniques with applications for pearl oyster and list other potentially promising techniques. We also focus on a unique method we developed specifically for to record the pearl rotation characteristics within pearl oysters. This article presents the state of the art in non‐invasive functional exploration techniques. We hope that the information provided here will be useful to physiologists of bivalve marine molluscs through the tools and applications presented here or other future approaches based on them.
Bio‐mediated soil improvement: The way forward
Authors: Jiang Ning‐Jun , Tang Chao‐Sheng , Hata Toshiro , Courcelles Benoît , Dawoud Osama , Singh Devendra N. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBio‐mediated soil improvement involves the usage of microbes to improve soil engineering performance through a series of bio‐geochemical processes. In particular, Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP), a ubiquitous bio‐geochemical process that occurs in soil and results in permanent inorganic cementation between soil grains, has received the greatest research focus. While substantial progress has been made to develop MICP as a mainstream soil improvement technique, we still need to: (a) improve our understanding of the fundamental microbial, chemical and flow processes involved; (b) achieve multi‐functionality by coupling engineering performance enhancement with ecological, environmental and carbon footprint benefits; and (c) maintain ecological balance and environmental friendliness, avoid long‐term deterioration and lower the energy demand.
Coinfection of Mycobacterium malmoense and Mycobacterium chimaera in a kidney transplant recipient: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Maalouly Christian , Devresse Arnaud , Martin Anandi , Rodriguez‐Villalobos Hector , Kanaan Nada , Belkhir Leïla 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous organisms found in soil and water. Solid organ recipients are at increased risk of NTM infections due to impaired immunity. Although the NTM infections rate is low, it increases morbidity and the risk of mortality. Diagnosis is often delayed because of the lack of specific clinical symptoms and requires a high index of suspicion. Management may be challenging: long‐term treatment with risks of side effects and interactions with immunosuppressive regimen; reduction of immunosuppression; and risk of allograft rejection. Prognosis is widely variable. We report the first case of Mycobacterium malmoense chest infection with concomitant Mycobacterium chimaera urinary tract infection in a kidney transplant recipient. The evolution was marked by poor tolerance of the treatment with severe adverse events and disabled functional status.
Toxoplasma‐induced hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Sanchez‐Petitto Gabriela , Holtzman Noa G. , Bukhari Ali , Brown Matthew , Morales Megan K. , Koka Madhurima , Yared Jean A. , Dahiya Saurabh , Rapoport Aaron P. , Hardy Nancy M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a disorder of immune regulation, manifested by fever, pancytopenia, hyperferritiniemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and extensive hemophagocytosis involving the bone marrow and spleen. HLH can occur in adults with an underlying hematopoietic malignancy, or with systemic infections. HLH following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is unusual, and the diagnosis may be challenging particularly because the diagnostic criteria in the HLH‐2004 guidelines overlap with common post‐transplant complications such as engraftment syndrome, graft‐vs‐host disease, and infections. HLH is commonly triggered by viral, bacterial and, less commonly, parasitic infections. Following HSCT, patients with latent Toxoplasma infection may develop systemic disease secondary to reactivation, and rarely this may lead to a HLH physiology, with a very high mortality rate. Herein we describe the successful management of disseminated toxoplasmosis associated with life‐threatening HLH using tocilizumab and antimicrobial therapy.
Specialist sexual violence social work: Ensuring good practice
Authors: Leary Bridget , Hay Kathryn 
Published: January 2020

INTRODUCTION: This research sought to understand social workers’ perspectives on good practice in specialist sexual violence social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.METHODS: In 2018, five registered social workers engaged in semi-structured interviews focused on good practice social work in the field of sexual violence.FINDINGS: The use of therapeutic social work, along with an extensive skill set and knowledge base were identified as fundamental for sexual violence social work. Boundaries and the development of broad self-care practices were recognised as crucial components of good practice.CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study offers links between the field of sexual violence and social work practice, while also indicating the need for future research.
Food banks and food rescue organisations: Damned if they do; damned if they don’t
Authors: Wason Susan 
Published: January 2020

INTRODUCTION: Food banks, a charitable response to a politically driven crisis in Aotearoa New Zealand, have become institutionalised. They emerged in an ad hoc manner and, since the 1980s, have helped address the emergency food needs of those experiencing food poverty. Food Rescue organisations, a later creation, emerged in an organised and planned manner. They have helped to address the needs of those experiencing food poverty by increasing the quantity, and the amount of perishable food available for distribution.METHOD: This article draws on academic literature and research of the Dunedin/Otepoti newsprint media completed for a thesis in 2017 to provide background about how these organisations came to exist and the socio-political context that supports their existence.FINDINGS: The development of food banks in Dunedin/Ōtepoti reflected the global explanations for their rise; however, with the advent of KiwiHarvest the mechanisms for addressing food poverty are undergoing a paradigm shift.IMPLICATIONS: These new mechanisms have the potential to be more inclusive of those experiencing food poverty. Choice of food, involvement of recipients in the policy setting and the distribution of food, and fewer criteria are possible innovations. There are also opportunities for this new paradigm to extend and enhance the traditional role of food banks in conversations and actions that address social justice issues.
A survey of social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand about their professional use of social media
Authors: Stanfield Deb 
Published: January 2020

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this article is to report findings from a survey which provides an overall beginning picture of how Aotearoa New Zealand social workers operate in their social media landscape, and an account of their opinions and attitudes about the professional social work use of social media.METHODS: A self-administered internet survey which sits within the context of a mixed methods research design, gathered broad, shallow, mainly quantitative data (QUAN-qual) from 342 Aotearoa New Zealand social workers about their professional participation in social media. Using Likert-type scales and multiple-choice questions, information was sought about the social work experience (behaviour, opinions/attitudes) of using social media for professional reasons, including motivations, limitations and challenges.FINDINGS: Fewer than half of the respondents reported using social media for professional reasons, and there was reticence amongst participants about the professional value of social media. Concerns about privacy, security and ethical issues were presented as primary limitations to the use of social media by both users and non-users—however, non-users were more likely to be prevented by their employers from using social media and, on average, maintained a more neutral stance regarding their interest in using it.CONCLUSION: The analysis of findings from this survey offer insight into areas of potential development, leadership and research regarding social worker use of social media in this country.
Mortality in a cohort of US firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia: an update
Authors: Pinkerton Lynne , Bertke Stephen J , Yiin James , Dahm Matthew , Kubale Travis , Hales Thomas , Purdue Mark , Beaumont James J , Daniels Robert 
Published: January 2020

ObjectivesTo update the mortality experience of a previously studied cohort of 29 992 US urban career firefighters compared with the US general population and examine exposure-response relationships within the cohort.MethodsVital status was updated through 2016 adding 7 years of follow-up. Cohort mortality compared with the US population was evaluated via life table analyses. Full risk-sets, matched on attained age, race, birthdate and fire department were created and analysed using the Cox proportional hazards regression to examine exposure-response associations between select mortality outcomes and exposure surrogates (exposed-days, fire-runs and fire-hours). Models were adjusted for a potential bias from healthy worker survivor effects by including a categorical variable for employment duration.ResultsCompared with the US population, mortality from all cancers, mesothelioma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and cancers of the oesophagus, intestine, rectum, lung and kidney were modestly elevated. Positive exposure-response relationships were observed for deaths from lung cancer, leukaemia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).ConclusionsThis update confirms previous findings of excess mortality from all cancers and several site-specific cancers as well as positive exposure-response relations for lung cancer and leukaemia. New findings include excess NHL mortality compared with the general population and a positive exposure-response relationship for COPD. However, there was no evidence of an association between any quantitative exposure measure and NHL.
Factors associated with time to presentation for individuals with symptomatic uncomplicated genital gonorrhoea: a cross sectional cohort study of GToG trial participants
Authors: Ayinde Oluseyi , Tan Wei , Hepburn Trish , Ross Jonathan D C 
Published: January 2020

ObjectivesTo determine the variation in the time from onset of symptoms to clinical presentation (time to presentation [TTP]) in a cohort of sexual health attendees with symptomatic uncomplicated genital gonorrhoea and to identify factors associated with TTP.MethodsParticipants were recruited from 14 clinics across England into the ‘Gentamicin for the Treatment of Gonorrhoea (GToG)’ trial between October 2014 and November 2016. Multivariable analysis was performed using prospectively collected demographic, behavioural and clinical data in a subset of the GToG study cohort presenting with genital discharge and/or dysuria who tested positive forNeisseria gonorrhoeaeusing a nucleic acid amplification test. The results were expressed as geometric mean ratios (GMR) with 95% CI for time to presentation after onset of symptoms.Results316 participants (269 men and 47 women) with a median age of 27.6 years (IQR 23.0–34.8) were included. 194 (61%) were Caucasian, 29 (9%) Black African, 27 (9%) Asian and 66 (21%) of other ethnicities. Median TTP was 3 days for men (IQR 2–7) and 14 days for women (IQR 7–21). Participants reported genital discharge (297/316 [94%]), dysuria (251/316 [79%]), both genital discharge and dysuria (232/316 [73%]) and other concurrent symptoms 76/316 (24%) (e.g., rectal bleeding or genital itching). 45/316 (14%) participants reported sexual contact while symptomatic, of whom TTP was more than 7 days in 32/45 (71%). A longer TTP was associated with gender (female cf. male, GMR 2.34 [1.67 to 3.26]), no prior history of gonorrhoea (GMR 1.46 [1.15 to 1.86]), ‘regular’ or ‘ex-regular’ sexual relationship (regular cf. one off GMR 1.35 [1.05 to 1.72]); ex-regular cf. one off GMR 1.88 [1.12 to 3.14]), and being heterosexual (GMR 1.69 [1.31 to 2.19]).ConclusionSpecific demographic and behavioural factors are associated with a longer TTP in individuals with symptomatic genital gonorrhoea. Detailed knowledge of these factors can be used to prioritise and optimise gonorrhoea management and prevention.
Modeling Study of pH Distribution and Non-Equilibrium State of Water in Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Feng Zhange , Xie Yuanyuan , Han Qi 
Published: January 2020

pH distribution and non-equilibrium state of water in hydrogen evolution reaction are studied using continuum models. In the first model, we analyze the pH distribution in a rotating ring disk electrode system, where the hydrogen evolution occurs on the disk electrode. The model predicts a pH distribution comparable to the experimental data and the nonequilibrium state of water (cH*cOH>1.0 × 10−14) in a small portion of the diffusion layer (ca. 5 μm in thickness) adjacent to the bulk electrolyte under forced convection. The second model explores the pH distribution on an electrode with nanovoids in hydrogen evolution reaction in an acidic media. The value of cH*cOH shifts significantly when close to the electrode surface, e.g., ≤ 2 μm, indicating pH is not viable to assess its impact on an electrochemical reaction involving hydroxide ions. Modeling results also prove that, for an electrode with nanovoids, the concentration gradient of hydroxide between the plain field and the bottom of the nanovoid is minimal. Therefore it should not be the root cause for the differential kinetics of metal electrodeposition inside/outside the nanovoids.