bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amotosalen and ultraviolet A light efficiently inactivate MERS‐coronavirus in human platelet concentrates
Authors: Hashem A. M. , Hassan A. M. , Tolah A. M. , Alsaadi M. A. , Abunada Q. , Damanhouri G. A. , El‐Kafrawy S. A. , Picard‐Maureau M. , Azhar E. I. , Hindawi S. I. 
Published: November 2019

SUMMARYObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of the INTERCEPT™ Blood System [amotosalen/ultraviolet A (UVA) light] to reduce the risk of Middle East respiratory syndrome‐Coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) transmission by human platelet concentrates.BackgroundSince 2012, more than 2425 MERS‐CoV human cases have been reported in 27 countries. The infection causes acute respiratory disease, which was responsible for 838 deaths in these countries, mainly in Saudi Arabia. Viral genomic RNA was detected in whole blood, serum and plasma of infected patients, raising concerns of the safety of blood supplies, especially in endemic areas.MethodsFour apheresis platelet units in 100% plasma were inoculated with a clinical MERS‐CoV isolate. Spiked units were then treated with amotosalen/UVA to inactivate MERS‐CoV. Infectious and genomic viral titres were quantified by plaque assay and quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Inactivated samples were successively passaged thrice on Vero E6 cells to exclude the presence of residual replication‐competent viral particles in inactivated platelets.ResultsComplete inactivation of MERS‐CoV in spiked platelet units was achieved by treatment with Amotosalen/UVA light with a mean log reduction of 4·48 ± 0·3. Passaging of the inactivated samples in Vero E6 showed no viral replication even after nine days of incubation and three passages. Viral genomic RNA titration in inactivated samples showed titres comparable to those in pre‐treatment samples.ConclusionAmotosalen and UVA light treatment of MERS‐CoV‐spiked platelet concentrates efficiently and completely inactivated MERS‐CoV infectivity (>4 logs), suggesting that such treatment could minimise the risk of transfusion‐related MERS‐CoV transmission.
Hybrid glycophorin and red blood cell antigen genotyping in Asian American type O blood donors with Mia phenotype
Authors: Lin Xin , Rubio Graciela , Patel Jigar , Banerjee Sukanta , Frame Tom , Billups Norkeshia , Yang Jiacheng 
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUNDThe GP.Mur glycophorin with Mia phenotype is relatively common and clinically significant in the Southeast Asian populations. The aim of this study is to genotype Mia‐positive Asian American type O blood donors. Red blood cell (RBC) minor antigens were also determined in the same cohort.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSAsian American blood donors of the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (Houston, TX) were screened using a typing reagent (NOVACLONE Anti‐Mia Monoclonal IgG Typing Reagent, Dominion Biologicals Ltd) from March 2016 to July 2018. Aliquots of Mia‐positive blood from type O donors were subjected to serologic confirmation using Mia‐ and/or Mur‐specific GAMA210 and 64D6 monoclonal antibodies, and two human antisera. Extracted genomic DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using GYP hybrid gene/allele‐specific primers followed by bidirectional Sanger sequencing. Zygosity for GYP*Mur and GYP*Bun was determined using TaqMan real‐time PCR assay. Phenotypes of 35 RBC antigens and three phenotypic variants were determined with use of an in vitro diagnostic test, PreciseType HEA Molecular BeadChip Test (Immucor).RESULTSBy screening 4600 blood donations in the Houston metropolitan area, 209 samples from 103 unique donors were identified to be Mia‐positive. By PCR and sequencing analysis, 97 of the 103 Mia‐positive donors carried hybrid genes GYP*Mur (89.7% including two homozygotes), GYP*Bun (6.2%), GYP*Vw (3.1%) and GYP*Hut (1.0%). Concordance between serology and DNA analysis was 98%, 99%, and 100% for the GAMA210, 64D6, and human antisera, respectively. Genotyping of RBC antigens showed that the Mia‐positive donors were predominantly associated M+ N‐ S‐ s+ (48.5%) and M+ N+ S‐ s+ (38.1%) phenotypes.CONCLUSIONSThe GP.Mur glycophorin is most prevalent in the Mia‐positive Asian American type O blood donors.
Pannexin 1 activation and inhibition is permeant‐selective
Authors: Nielsen Brian Skriver , Toft‐Bertelsen Trine Lisberg , Lolansen Sara Diana , Anderson Connor L. , Nielsen Morten Schak , Thompson Roger J. , MacAulay Nanna 
Published: November 2019

Key points
The large‐pore channel pannexin 1 (Panx1) is expressed in many cell types and can open upon different, yet not fully established, stimuli.
Panx1 permeability is often inferred from channel permeability to fluorescent dyes, but it is currently unknown whether dye permeability translates to permeability to other molecules.
Cell shrinkage and C‐terminal cleavage led to a Panx1 open‐state with increased permeability to atomic ions (current), but did not alter ethidium uptake.
Panx1 inhibitors affected Panx1‐mediated ion conduction differently from ethidium permeability, and inhibitor efficiency towards a given molecule therefore cannot be extrapolated to its effects on the permeability of another.
We conclude that ethidium permeability does not reflect equal permeation of other molecules and thus is no measure of general Panx1 activity.
AbstractPannexin 1 (Panx1) is a large‐pore membrane channel connecting the extracellular milieu with the cell interior. While several activation regimes activate Panx1 in a variety of cell types, the selective permeability of an open Panx1 channel remains unresolved: does a given activation paradigm increase Panx1's permeability towards all permeants equally and does fluorescent dye flux serve as a proxy for biological permeation through an open channel? To explore permeant‐selectivity of Panx1 activation and inhibition, we employed Panx1‐expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes and HEK293T cells. We report that different mechanisms of activation of Panx1 differentially affected ethidium and atomic ion permeation. Most notably, C‐terminal truncation or cell shrinkage elevated Panx1‐mediated ion conductance, but had no effect on ethidium permeability. In contrast, extracellular pH changes predominantly affected ethidium permeability but not ionic conductance. High [K+]o did not increase the flux of either of the two permeants. Once open, Panx1 demonstrated preference for anionic permeants, such as Cl−, lactate and glutamate, while not supporting osmotic water flow. Panx1 inhibitors displayed enhanced potency towards Panx1‐mediated currents compared to that of ethidium uptake. We conclude that activation or inhibition of Panx1 display permeant‐selectivity and that permeation of ethidium does not necessarily reflect an equal permeation of smaller biological molecules and atomic ions.
Evaluation of Step-Counting Interventions Differing on Intensity Messages
Authors: Tudor-Locke Catrine , Schuna John M. , Swift Damon L. , Dragg Amber T. , Davis Allison B. , Martin Corby K. , Johnson William D. , Church Timothy S. 
Published: November 2019

Background: Step-counting interventions with discrepant intensity emphases may elicit different effects. Methods: A total of 120 sedentary/low-active, postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to one of the following 3 groups: (1) 10,000 steps per day (with no emphasis on walking intensity/speed/cadence; basic intervention, 49 completers), (2) 10,000 steps per day and at least 30 minutes in moderate intensity (ie, at a cadence of at least 100 steps per minute; enhanced intervention, 47 completers), or (3) a control group (19 completers). NL-1000-determined steps and active minutes (a device-specific indicator of time at moderate+ intensity) were collected as process variables during the 12-week intervention. Outcome variables included systolic and diastolic blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, fasting blood glucose and insulin, flow-mediated dilation, gait speed, and ActiGraph GT3X+-determined physical activity and sedentary behavior. Results: The “basic group” increased 5173 to 9602 steps per day and 9.2 to 30.2 active minutes per day. The “enhanced group” similarly increased 5061 to 10,508 steps per day and 8.7 to 38.8 active minutes per day. The only significant change over time for clinical variables was body mass index. Conclusions: Interventions that use simple step-counters can achieve elevated volume and intensity of daily physical activity, regardless of emphasis on intensity. Despite this, few clinical outcomes were apparent in this sample of postmenopausal women with generally normal or controlled hypertension.
Evaluating the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effects of Deposit Contracts With and Without Daily Feedback to Promote Physical Activity
Authors: Kerrigan Stephanie G. , Forman Evan M. , Patel Mitesh , Williams Dave , Zhang Fengqing , Crosby Ross D. , Butryn Meghan L. 
Published: November 2019

Background: Despite interest in financial incentive programs, evidence regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of deposit contracts (ie, use of participants’ own money as a financial reward) for increasing physical activity (PA) is limited. Furthermore, evidence regarding the use of feedback within incentive programs is limited. Purpose: To evaluate: (1) the feasibility and acceptability of deposit contracts for increasing objectively measured PA and (2) the effects of deposit contracts with or without ongoing feedback on PA. Methods: Participants (n = 24) were exposed to 3 conditions (1) self-monitoring, (2) incentive, and (3) incentive with feedback in an ABACABAC design, with the order of incentive conditions counterbalanced across participants. Results: Effect sizes suggest that individuals had a modest increase in PA during the incentive conditions compared with self-monitoring. Presentation order moderated results, such that individuals exposed to incentives with feedback first performed more poorly across both incentive conditions. In addition, individuals often cited the deposit contract as a reason for not enrolling, and those who did participate reported inadequate acceptability of the incentives and feedback. Conclusions: Results suggest that while deposit contracts may engender modest increases in PA, this type of incentive may not be feasible or acceptable for promoting PA.
Effect of revealing authors’ conflicts of interests in peer review: randomized controlled trial
Authors: John Leslie K , Loewenstein George , Marder Andrew , Callaham Michael L 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Objective
To assess the effect of disclosing authors’ conflict of interest declarations to peer reviewers at a medical journal.

Design
Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Manuscript review process at the
Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Participants
Reviewers (n=838) who reviewed manuscripts submitted between 2 June 2014 and 23 January 2018 inclusive (n=1480 manuscripts).

Intervention
Reviewers were randomized to either receive (treatment) or not receive (control) authors’ full International Committee of Medical Journal Editors format conflict of interest disclosures before reviewing manuscripts. Reviewers rated the manuscripts as usual on eight quality ratings and were then surveyed to obtain “counterfactual scores”—that is, the scores they believed they would have given had they been assigned to the opposite arm—as well as attitudes toward conflicts of interest.

Main outcome measure
Overall quality score that reviewers assigned to the manuscript on submitting their review (1 to 5 scale). Secondary outcomes were scores the reviewers submitted for the seven more specific quality ratings and counterfactual scores elicited in the follow-up survey.

Results

Providing authors’ conflict of interest disclosures did not affect reviewers’ mean ratings of manuscript quality (M
control
=2.70 (SD 1.11) out of 5; M
treatment
=2.74 (1.13) out of 5; mean difference 0.04, 95% confidence interval –0.05 to 0.14), even for manuscripts with disclosed conflicts (M
control
= 2.85 (1.12) out of 5; M
treatment
=2.96 (1.16) out of 5; mean difference 0.11, –0.05 to 0.26). Similarly, no effect of the treatment was seen on any of the other seven quality ratings that the reviewers assigned. Reviewers acknowledged conflicts of interest as an important matter and believed that they could correct for them when they were disclosed. However, their counterfactual scores did not differ from actual scores (M
actual
=2.69; M
counterfactual
=2.67; difference in means 0.02, 0.01 to 0.02). When conflicts were reported, a comparison of different source types (for example, government, for-profit corporation) found no difference in effect.

Conclusions
Current ethical standards require disclosure of conflicts of interest for all scientific reports. As currently implemented, this practice had no effect on any quality ratings of real manuscripts being evaluated for publication by real peer reviewers.
Addressing inequalities in medical workforce distribution: evidence from a quasi-experimental study in Brazil
Authors: Maffioli Elisa Maria , Hernandes Rocha Thiago Augusto , Vivas Gabriel , Rosales Carlos , Staton Catherine , Nickenig Vissoci Joao Ricardo 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundBrazil faces huge health inequality challenges since not all municipalities have access to primary care physicians. The More Doctors Programme (MDP), which started in 2013, was born out of this recognition, providing more than 18 000 doctors in the first few years. However, the programme faced a restructuring at the end of 2018.MethodsWe construct a panel municipality-level data between 2008 and 2017 for 5570 municipalities in Brazil. We employ a difference-in-differences empirical approach, combined with propensity score matching, to study the impacts of the programme on hospitalisations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions and its costs. We explore heterogeneous impacts by age of the patients, type of admissions, and municipalities that were given priority.FindingsThe MDP reduced ambulatory admissions by 2.9 per cent (p value <0.10) and the costs by 3.7 per cent (p value <0.01) over the mean. The reduction was driven by infectious gastroenteritis, bacterial pneumonias, asthma, kidney and urinary infections, and pelvic inflammatory disease. The results held on the subsample of municipalities targeted by the programme. By comparing the benefits of the programme from the reduction in the costs of ambulatory admissions to the total financial costs of the MDP, the impacts allowed the government to save at least BRL 27.88 (US$ 6.9 million) between 2014 and 2017.ConclusionAddressing inequalities in the distribution of the medical workforce remains a global challenge. Our results inform the discussion on the current strategy adopted in Brazil to increase access to primary healthcare in underserved areas.
Variation in quality of acute stroke care by day and time of admission: prospective cohort study of weekday and weekend centralised hyperacute stroke unit care and non-centralised services
Authors: Melnychuk Mariya , Morris Stephen , Black Georgia , Ramsay Angus I G , Eng Jeannie , Rudd Anthony , Baim-Lance Abigail , Brown Martin M , Fulop Naomi J , Simister Robert 
Published: November 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate variations in quality of acute stroke care and outcomes by day and time of admission in London hyperacute stroke units compared with the rest of England.DesignProspective cohort study using anonymised patient-level data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme.SettingAcute stroke services in London hyperacute stroke units and the rest of England.Participants68 239 patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke admitted between January and December 2014.InterventionsHub-and-spoke model for care of suspected acute stroke patients in London with performance standards designed to deliver uniform access to high-quality hyperacute stroke unit care across the week.Main outcome measures16 indicators of quality of acute stroke care, mortality at 3 days after admission to the hospital, disability at the end of the inpatient spell, length of stay.ResultsThere was no variation in quality of care by day and time of admission to the hospital across the week in terms of stroke nursing assessment, brain scanning and thrombolysis in London hyperacute stroke units, nor was there variation in 3-day mortality or disability at hospital discharge (all p values>0.05). Other quality of care measures significantly varied by day and time of admission across the week in London (all p values<0.01). In the rest of England there was variation in all measures by day and time of admission across the week (all p values<0.01), except for mortality at 3 days (p value>0.05).ConclusionsThe London hyperacute stroke unit model achieved performance standards for ‘front door’ stroke care across the week. The same benefits were not achieved by other models of care in the rest of England. There was no weekend effect for mortality in London or the rest of the England. Other aspects of care were not constant across the week in London hyperacute stroke units, indicating some performance standards were perceived to be more important than others.
What does it take to provide clinical interventions with temporal consistency? A qualitative study of London hyperacute stroke units
Authors: Black Georgia B , Ramsay Angus I G , Baim-Lance Abigail , Eng Jeannie , Melnychuk Mariya , Xanthopoulou Penny , Brown Martin M , Morris Stephen , Rudd Anthony G , Simister Robert , Fulop Naomi J 
Published: November 2019

ObjectivesSeven-day working in hospitals is a current priority of international health research and policy. Previous research has shown variability in delivering evidence-based clinical interventions across different times of day and week. We aimed to identify factors influencing such variations in London hyperacute stroke units (HASUs).DesignInterview and observation study to explain patterns of variation in delivery and outcomes of care described in a quantitative partner paper (Melnychuket al).SettingEight HASUs in London.ParticipantsWe interviewed HASU staff (n=76), including doctors, nurses, therapists and administrators. We also conducted non-participant observations of delivery of care at different times of the day and week (n=45; ~102 hours). We analysed the data for thematic content relating to the ability of staff to provide evidence-based interventions consistently at different times of the day and week.ResultsStaff were able to deliver ‘front door’ interventions consistently by taking on additional responsibilities out of hours (eg, deciding eligibility for thrombolysis); creating continuities between day and night (through, eg, governance processes and staggering rotas); building trusting relationships with, eg, Radiology and Emergency Departments and staff prioritisation of ‘front door’ interventions. Variations by time of day resulted from reduced staffing in HASUs and elsewhere in hospitals in the evenings and at the weekend. Variations by day of week (eg, weekend effect) resulted from lack of therapy input and difficulties repatriating patients at weekends, and associated increases in pressure on Fridays and Mondays.ConclusionsEvidence-based service standards can facilitate 7-day working in acute stroke services. Standards should ensure that the capacity and capabilities required for ‘front door’ interventions are available 24/7, while other services, for example, therapies are available every day of the week. The impact of standards is influenced by interdependencies between HASUs, other hospital services and social services.
Impact of mobile applications on adherence to cancer treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Medeiros Kleyton Santos , Queiroz Janice França , Monteiro Michelly Nóbrega , Costa Weruska Alcoforado , Cobucci Ricardo Ney , Stransky Beatriz , Gonçalves Ana Katherine 
Published: November 2019

IntroductionThe number of patients taking oral chemotherapy is increasing around the world. It is essential to maximise the adherence to oral chemotherapy to improve the overall survival and life expectancy of the patients. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile applications in improving the adherence to oral chemotherapy and adjuvant hormonal therapy in cancer survivors.Methods and analysisMEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, clinicaltrials.gov, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials will be searched for randomised or quasi-experimental studies published between January 2009 and July 2019. This systematic review and meta-analysis will include studies investigating the use of mobile applications by cancer survivors to aid adherence to oral chemotherapy and adjuvant hormonal therapy. Patient education, reminder tools, calendars, pillboxes and electronic reminders will not be evaluated. The primary outcome will be the improvement in adherence to anticancer drugs. The secondary outcomes will be an improvement in the overall survival and life expectancy, improved quality of life and control of cancer-related symptoms. Three independent reviewers will select the studies and extract data from the original publications. The risk-of-bias will be assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Data synthesis will be performed using the Review Manager software (RevMan V.5.2.3). To assess heterogeneity, we will compute the I2statistics. Additionally, a quantitative synthesis will be performed if the included studies are sufficiently homogenous.Ethics and disseminationThis study will be a review of the published data, and thus, ethical approval is not required. Findings of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018102172.
Does multidisciplinary videoconferencing between a head-and-neck cancer centre and its partner hospital add value to their patient care and decision-making? A mixed-method evaluation
Authors: van Huizen Lidia S , Dijkstra Pieter , Halmos Gyorgy B , van den Hoek Johanna G M , van der Laan Klaas T , Wijers Oda B , Ahaus Kees , de Visscher Jan G A M , Roodenburg Jan 
Published: November 2019

ObjectivesGiven the difficulties in diagnosing and treating head-and-neck cancer, care is centralised in the Netherlands in eight head-and-neck cancer centres and six satellite regional hospitals as preferred partners. A requirement is that all patients of the partner should be discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) with the head-and-neck centre as part of a Dutch health policy rule. In this mixed-method study, we evaluate the value that the video-conferenced MDT adds to the MDTs in the care pathway, quantitative regarding recommendations given and qualitative in terms of benefits for the teams and the patient.DesignA sequential mixed-method study.SettingOne oncology centre and its partner in the Northern part of the Netherlands.ParticipantsHead-and-neck cancer specialists presenting patient cases during video-conferenced MDT over a period of 6 months. Semistructured interviews held with six medical specialists, three from the centre and three from the partner.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPercentage of cases in which recommendations were given on diagnostic and/or therapeutic plans during video-conferenced MDT.ResultsIn eight of the 336 patient cases presented (2%), specialists offered recommendations to the collaborating team (three given from centre to partner and five from partner to centre). Recommendations mainly consisted of alternative diagnostic modalities or treatment plans for a specific patient. Interviews revealed that specialists perceive added value in discussing complex cases because the other team offered a fresh perspective by hearing the case ‘as new’. The teams recognise the importance of keeping their medical viewpoints aligned, but the requirement (that the partner should discuss all patients) was seen as outdated.ConclusionsThe added value of the video-conferenced MDT is small considering patient care, but the specialists recognised that it is important to keep their medical viewpoints aligned and that their patients benefit from the discussions on complex cases.