bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C Screening in an Underserved U.S. Cohort of Reproductive Age Women
Authors: Kim Nicole J. , Holguin Daniel , Bush Dylan , Khalili Mandana 
Published: July 2019

The opioid epidemic has recently increased the rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among young women. We therefore aimed to characterize the cascade of HCV care in a cohort of underserved women of reproductive age. Medical records of 19,121 women between the ages of 15 and 44 years, receiving primary care in the San Francisco safety‐net health care system, were reviewed. Cohort characteristics were as follows: median age 33 years (interquartile range 26‐38), 18% white (12% black, 46% Latina, 22% Asian, 2% other race), 1.3% hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive, and 0.9% human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co‐infection. HCV antibody (HCVAb) testing occurred in 38.7% (n = 7,406), of whom 2.8% (n = 206) were HCVAb‐positive and 2.4% (n = 177) had a detectable HCV viral load. Of the 5% (n = 1,017) with a history of pregnancy, 61% (n = 615) had HCVAb testing (2.6% were positive). On multivariable analysis, HBsAg testing (odds ratio [OR] 8.25 [95% confidence interval (CI)] 6.80‐10.01]; P < 0.001), HIV infection (OR 5.98 [95% CI 1.86‐19.20]; P = 0.003), and log alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR 1.30 [95% CI 1.16‐1.45]; P < 0.001) were associated with HCV screening. Compared with whites, women of Latina (OR 0.45 [95% CI 0.37‐0.55]; P < 0.001) and Asian (OR 0.74 [95% CI 0.58‐0.94]; P = 0.01) race were less likely to receive HCV screening. Age (OR 1.80 per decade [95% CI 1.26‐2.57]; P = 0.001), white race (versus non‐white; OR 10.48 [95% CI 7.22‐15.21]; P < 0.001), HIV infection (OR 3.25 [95% CI 1.40‐7.55]; P = 0.006), and log ALT (OR 1.93 [95% CI 1.49‐2.49]; P < 0.001) were associated with HCVAb positivity. Conclusion: Most (>60%) underserved women of reproductive age were not tested for HCV. Moreover, women of Latina and Asian race were less likely to receive HCV screening. Given the known high HCV risk in the underserved population, targeted interventions, especially for racial minority women of reproductive age, are needed to enhance HCV screening in those at risk.
Beyond cost‐effectiveness: A five‐step framework for appraising the value of health technologies in Asia‐Pacific
Authors: Finkelstein Eric A. , Krishnan Anirudh , Doble Brett 
Published: July 2019

SummaryGiven resource constraints and the potential for increasingly high‐cost, cost‐effective medicines to become available, policymakers require strategies that go beyond cost‐effectiveness when making resource allocation decisions. This manuscript presents a five‐step framework that complements traditional health technology assessment (HTA) guidance documents that policymakers in Asia‐Pacific and elsewhere may consider when setting up HTA guidelines and/or evaluating whether or not to subsidize a medicine or other health innovations. The framework recommends that subsidy decisions be based on five criteria: the relative burden of the condition as compared with other conditions (step 1), comparative and cost‐effectiveness of the medicine (steps 2 and 3), the short‐term impact on the budget (step 4), and other considerations including patient and societal preferences (step 5). Our approach, which is a complement to traditional HTA guidance documents, is not prescriptive but provides an evidence‐based framework that HTA agencies in Asia‐Pacific can follow as they aim to deliver value‐based medicines to their constituents.
Type of health care workers and quality of antenatal and delivery care in communities of Myanmar: An experience‐ and vignette‐based study
Authors: Thida Thida , Liabsuetrakul Tippawan 
Published: July 2019

SummaryBackgroundUnderstanding who provides antenatal and delivery care services and the quality of care in communities with high maternal deaths is essential for planning the efficient utilization of a limited health care workforce.ObjectivesTo identify the types of health care workers for antenatal and delivery care in these communities, and assess the quality of care using vignettes of women with hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (HDP) and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) from the provider's perspectives in Myanmar.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in three townships of Myanmar during May to September 2016. Health assistants, lady health visitors, midwives, and auxiliary midwives rated the type of providers and quality of care based on four HDP vignettes and four PPH vignettes. The agreements of their assessments were analysed using prevalence‐adjusted bias‐adjusted kappa and Cramer's V coefficient.ResultsAlmost perfect agreement was found that midwives were the providers who provided and who should provide all routine antenatal and delivery care services. Less than 80% of the participants perceived good quality antenatal care (ANC) and delivery care for HDP and PPH, particularly in vignettes featuring cases of pre‐existing hypertension or PPH with history of hospitalization. More than 85% of the participants rated quality of care for managing complications as good. Variations of ratings among the providers ranged from small to medium (Cramer's V = .22‐.40).ConclusionMidwives were key providers of ANC and delivery care in the local communities in Myanmar, but the quality of ANC for women with HDP and PPH was poor and needs improvement.
Effectiveness of tablet computers in spatial data collection and surveys in rural Tanzania
Authors: Mwita Emiliana J. , Pearson Amber L. , Zwickle Adam 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWorldwide, there is increasing application of tablet computers and other portable electronic devices in research. Effectiveness of these devices as data collection tools is widely appreciated, but several challenges exist when used in remote/rural settings. A household survey and spatial data collection were undertaken using tablet computers in rural Tanzania. Over 5 days in the study village of Naitolia, 12 enumerators visited 170 households completing 154 household surveys and 156 women's surveys while simultaneously collecting spatial data on wet/dry season water sources for 92 households using the tablets. Power supply, internet connectivity, and app faults were among the primary challenges that require attention to facilitate efficient use of tablets to collect data in remote areas. Lessons learnt include the importance of alternative energy (eg, solar energy) for charging, carrying hard copies of survey instruments as a backup, and ensuring that newly developed apps have been thoroughly field tested.
An information systems framework to improve the issuance of identity documents through enhanced data quality in the Republic of Angola
Authors: Mutudi Maria , Iyamu Tiko 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAn individual identity document (ID) is the most important identification method within a country, for both the government and the citizens. However, the physical addresses captured and stored in the ID systems and printed on individual IDs in the Republic of Angola are consistently inconsistent, duplicated, and incorrect. As a result, government service delivery, such as basic sanitation, health care, and security are often challenged and compromised. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop an information systems framework to improve the current system that is used to issue IDs in the country. In order to achieve this aim, semistructured interviews were used to collect qualitative data. The data were collected from a governmental institution, the Ministry of Homeland, and from the community of Luanda in Angola. The data collected were hermeneutically analysed through the lens of the duality of structure from a structuration theory perspective. Based on the analysis, factors of influence were revealed and interpreted, which resulted in the development of a framework. The framework is intended to, from an information and communication technology (ICT) perspective, enhance the quality of data and improve the accuracy of issued IDs in Angola.
MicroRNA‐33 and SIRT1 influence the coronary thrombus burden in hyperglycemic STEMI patients
Authors: D'Onofrio Nunzia , Sardu Celestino , Paolisso Pasquale , Minicucci Fabio , Gragnano Felice , Ferraraccio Franca , Panarese Iacopo , Scisciola Lucia , Mauro Ciro , Rizzo Maria Rosaria , Mansueto Gelsomina , Varavallo Federica , Brunitto Giuseppina , Caserta Rosanna , Tirino Virginia , Papaccio Gianpaolo , Barbieri Michelangela , Paolisso Giuseppe , Balestrieri Maria Luisa , Marfella Raffaele 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPrimary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is a pivotal treatment in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. However, in hyperglycemic‐STEMI patients, the incidence of death is still significant. Here, the involvement of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and miR33 on the pro‐inflammatory/pro‐coagulable state of the coronary thrombus was investigated. Moreover, 1‐year outcomes in hyperglycemic STEMI in patients subjected to thrombus aspiration before PPCI were evaluated. Results showed that hyperglycemic thrombi displayed higher size and increased miR33, reactive oxygen species, and pro‐inflammatory/pro‐coagulable markers. Conversely, the hyperglycemic thrombi showed a lower endothelial SIRT1 expression. Moreover, in vitro experiments on endothelial cells showed a causal effect of SIRT1 modulation on the pro‐inflammatory/pro‐coagulative state via hyperglycemia‐induced miR33 expression. Finally, SIRT1 expression negatively correlated with STEMI outcomes. These observations demonstrate the involvement of the miR33/SIRT1 pathway in the increased pro‐inflammatory and pro‐coagulable state of coronary thrombi in hyperglycemic STEMI patients.
Segmentation of nearly isotropic overlapped tracks in photomicrographs using successive erosions as watershed markers
Authors: de Siqueira Alexandre Fioravante , Nakasuga Wagner Massayuki , Guedes Sandro , Ratschbacher Lothar 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionProcedures for measuring and counting tracks are time‐consuming and involve practical problems. The precision of automatic counting methods is not satisfactory yet; the major challenges are distinguishing tracks and material defects, identifying small tracks and defects of similar size, and detecting overlapping tracks.Materials and MethodsHere, we address the overlapping tracks issue using the algorithm Watershed Using Successive Erosions as Markers (WUSEM), which combines the watershed transform, morphological erosions and labeling to separate regions in photomicrographs. We tested this method in two data sets of diallyl phthalate (DAP) photomicrographs and compared the results when counting manually and using the classic watershed and H‐watershed transforms.ResultsThe mean automatic/manual efficiency counting ratio when using WUSEM in the test data sets is 0.97 ± 0.11.ConclusionWUSEM shows reliable results when used in photomicrographs presenting almost isotropic objects. Also, diameter and eccentricity criteria may be used to increase the reliability of this method.
Formulating Nonionic Detergents via the Integrated Free Energy Model
Authors: Boza Troncoso Americo , Acosta Edgar 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis work explores the optimum detergency conditions of alkyl ethoxylate (CXEOY) surfactants with the integrated free energy model (IFEM). IFEM is a molecular thermodynamic model that calculates the free energy of formation of oil‐swollen spherical micelles, with a core solubilization radius Ro, using surfactants from empty (oil‐free) micelles and oil molecules from a continuous oil phase. The described geometry allows for rapid calculations, using a personal laptop (3.4 GHz processor), where each solubilization energy profile (free energy vs. Ro curve) can be solved in 5 min or less. While previous work showed quantitative agreement between IFEM predictions and experimental solubilization of alkanes in CXEOY micelles, this work explores the possibility of using IFEM as a tool in surfactant selection. Experimental work has shown that detergency improved when operating near the phase inversion temperature (PIT) of the surfactant‐hexadecane system. The IFEM simulations in this work show, for the first time, that IFEM can be used to predict the PIT of surfactant‐oil systems, and that the surfactants selected via this method are consistent with the selection guided by experimental observations.
Simultaneous quantitative analysis of polyphenolic compounds in human plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Shafaei Armaghan , Croft Kevin , Hodgson Jonathan , Boyce Mary C. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA diet rich in polyphenolic compounds has recognized health benefits, and as such is routinely monitored as part of dietary intervention studies. A method for the simultaneous determination of 36 phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids, using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry is described here. The target analytes were quantified based on their specific mass spectral fragments using a selected reaction monitoring approach. A C18 column with embedded aromatic functionality ensured separation of all phenolic compounds studied which included several pairs of isomers. Sample preparation involved the use of β‐glucuronidase to release the phenolic compounds from their conjugated forms. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy was less than 7% for all phenolic compounds studied. Recoveries, where plasma was spiked with three different concentrations of the analytes, ranged from 95–115%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.23–3.89 and 1.15–7.79 nM, respectively. The method was successfully applied to real samples and the range reported for each phenolic compound, with the exception of hydroferulic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, methylgallate, and m‐coumaric acid, was at least an order of magnitude higher than the limit of quantification for the method.
On the impact of deep rolling at different temperatures on the near surface microstructure and residual stress state of steel AISI 304
Authors: Kongthep J. , Timmermann K. , Scholtes B. , Niendorf T. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe consequences of deep rolling at cryogenic temperature, room temperature and high temperature were investigated for steel X5CrNi18‐10 (AISI 304). Near surface microstructures, martensite content and residual stresses were analyzed. It is shown that, applying different deep rolling temperatures, the near surface states of the processed specimen are altered in a characteristic way. Particularly important is that different depth distributions of strain hardening, martensite volume fraction and residual stresses can be created.
Effect of boron on microstructure and mechanical properties of eutectic aluminum‐silicon alloy modified with phosphorus
Authors: Wang S. , Liu Y. , Wu C.J. , Wang J.H. , Su X.P. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn order to understand the effect of boron on the microstructure and mechanical properties of eutectic aluminum‐silicon alloy modified with phosphorus, complex modification of eutectic aluminum‐silicon alloy by aluminum‐3phosphorus and aluminum‐3boron was conducted. The results show that the area fraction of primary α‐aluminum in eutectic aluminum‐silicon alloy modified with aluminum‐3phosphorus increased first and then decreased with increasing amounts of aluminum‐3boron. The area fraction and the size of primary silicon decreased rapidly first and then stabilized. The morphology of eutectic silicon transformed from needle‐like into fine short rods or granules after complex modification with aluminum‐3phosphorus and aluminum‐3boron. The ultimate tensile strength of the alloy modified with 0.4 wt.% aluminum‐3phosphorus and 0.2 wt.% aluminum‐3boron increased by 18 %, compared with that of the eutectic aluminum‐silicon alloy modified with aluminum‐3phosphorus, while the elongation decreased by 5 %. It was concluded that the comprehensive mechanical properties of eutectic aluminum‐silicon alloy were improved.
4′‐Bromo‐resveratrol, a dual Sirtuin‐1 and Sirtuin‐3 inhibitor, inhibits melanoma cell growth through mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming
Authors: George Jasmine , Nihal Minakshi , Singh Chandra K. , Ahmad Nihal 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSirtuin‐1 and ‐3 (SIRT1 and SIRT3) are important nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)‐dependent deacetylases known to regulate a variety of cellular functions. Studies have shown that SIRT1 and SIRT3 were overexpressed in human melanoma cells and tissues and their inhibition resulted in a significant antiproliferative response in human melanoma cells and antitumor response in a mouse xenograft model of melanoma. In this study, we determined the antiproliferative efficacy of a newly identified dual small molecule inhibitor of SIRT1 and SIRT3, 4′‐bromo‐resveratrol (4′‐BR), in human melanoma cell lines (G361, SK‐MEL‐28, and SK‐MEL‐2). Our data demonstrate that 4′‐BR treatment of melanoma cells resulted in (a) decrease in proliferation and clonogenic survival; (b) induction of apoptosis accompanied by a decrease in procaspase‐3, procaspase‐8, and increase in the cleavage of caspase‐3 and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP); (c) marked downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA); and (d) inhibition of melanoma cell migration. Further, 4′‐BR caused a G0/G1 phase arrest of melanoma cells that was accompanied by an increase in WAF‐1/P21 and decrease in Cyclin D1/Cyclin‐dependent kinase 6 protein levels. Furthermore, we found that 4′‐BR causes a decrease in lactate production, glucose uptake, and NAD+/NADH ratio. These responses were accompanied by downregulation in lactate dehydrogenase A and glucose transporter 1 in melanoma cells. Collectively, our data suggest that dual inhibition of SIRT1 and SIRT3 using 4′‐BR imparted antiproliferative effects in melanoma cells through a metabolic reprogramming and affecting the cell cycle and apoptosis signaling. Therefore, concomitant pharmacological inhibition of SIRT1 and SIRT3 needs further investigation for melanoma management.
Molecular autopsy and family screening in a young case of sudden cardiac death reveals an unusually severe case of FHL1 related hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gaertner‐Rommel Anna , Tiesmeier Jens , Jakob Thomas , Strickmann Bernd , Veit Gunter , Bachmann‐Mennenga Bernd , Paluszkiewicz Lech , Klingel Karin , Schulz Uwe , Laser Kai T. , Karger Bernd , Pfeiffer Heidi , Milting Hendrik 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic cardiomyopathy with a prevalence of about 1:200. It is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and interstitial fibrosis; HCM might lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD) especially in the young.Due to low autopsy frequencies of sudden unexplained deaths (SUD) the true prevalence of SCD and especially of HCM among SUD remains unclear. Even in cases of proven SCD genetic testing is not a routine procedure precluding appropriate risk stratification and counseling of relatives.MethodsHere we report a case of SCD in a 19‐year‐old investigated by combined forensic and molecular autopsy.ResultsDuring autopsy of the index‐patient HCM was detected. As no other possible cause of death could be uncovered by forensic autopsy the event was classified as SCD. Molecular autopsy identified two (probably) pathogenic genetic variants in FHL1 and MYBPC3. The MYBPC3 variant had an incomplete penetrance. The FHL1 variant was a de novo mutation. We detected reduced FHL1 mRNA levels and no FHL1 protein in muscle samples suggesting nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay and/or degradation of the truncated protein in the SCD victim revealing a plausible disease mechanism.ConclusionThe identification of the genetic cause of the SCD contributed to the rational counseling of the relatives and risk assessment within the family. Furthermore our study revealed evidences for the pathomechanism of FHL1 mutations.
On the applicability of Genocchi wavelet method for different kinds of fractional‐order differential equations with delay
Authors: Dehestani Haniye , Ordokhani Yadollah , Razzaghi Mohsen 
Published: July 2019

SummaryA novel collocation method based on Genocchi wavelet is presented for the numerical solution of fractional differential equations and time‐fractional partial differential equations with delay. In this work, to achieve the approximate solution with height accuracy, we employed the operational matrix of integer derivative and the pseudo‐operational matrix of fractional derivative in Caputo sense. Also, based on Genocchi function properties, we presented delay and pantograph operational matrices of Genocchi wavelet functions (GWFs). Due to operational and pseudo‐operational matrices, the equations under this study can be turned into nonlinear algebraic equations with the unknown GWF coefficients. For illustrating the upper bound of error for the proposed method, we estimate the error in the sense of Sobolev space. In addition, to demonstrate the efficacy of the pseudo‐operational matrix of fractional derivative, we investigate the upper bound of error for the mentioned matrix. Finally, the algorithm based on the proposed approach is implemented for some numerical experiments to confirm accuracy and applicability.
Haggling Highlanders: Marketplaces, Middlemen and Moral Economy in the Papua New Guinean Betel Nut Trade
Authors: Sharp Timothy L. M. 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTThe rise of competitive trade practices represents a significant development in Papua New Guinea's marketplaces. Overt competition and haggling, once conspicuous by their near absence, are now commonplace in the country's betel nut marketplaces, and increasingly visible in many of the large urban fresh food marketplaces. This has emerged with the rise of long‐distance and intermediary trading, and with increasing numbers of people dependent on trade for their livelihood. This paper explores moral economy, and the interactions and negotiations around price between lowland betel nut producers and highland wholesale traders as they occur in marketplaces and in rural production areas. It documents how the moral obligations that arise from trade itself, and entangled with self‐interest, tempers competition and fosters solidarity amongst traders, redirects competition onto their interactions with producers, and in doing so reinforces existing power asymmetries.
POU1F1 transcription factor promotes breast cancer metastasis via recruitment and polarization of macrophages
Authors: Seoane Samuel , Martinez‐Ordoñez Anxo , Eiro Noemi , Cabezas‐Sainz Pablo , Garcia‐Caballero Lucia , Gonzalez Luis O , Macia Manuel , Sanchez Laura , Vizoso Francisco , Perez‐Fernandez Roman 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCancer progression requires cells surrounding tumors be reeducated and activated to support tumor growth. Oncogenic signals from malignant cells directly influence stromal composition and activation, but the factors mediating this communication are still not well understood. We have previously shown that the transcription factor POU class 1 homeobox 1 (POU1F1), also known as Pit‐1, induces profound changes on neoplastic cell‐autonomous processes favoring metastasis in human breast cancer. Here we describe for the first time Pit‐1‐mediated paracrine actions on macrophages in the tumor microenvironment by using cell lines in vitro, zebrafish and mouse models in vivo, and samples from human breast cancer patients. Through the release of CXCL12, Pit‐1 in tumor cells was found to mediate the recruitment and polarization of macrophages into tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs). In turn, TAMs collaborated with tumor cells to increase tumor growth, angiogenesis, extravasation and metastasis to lung. Our data reveal a new mechanism of cooperation between tumor cells and macrophages favoring metastasis and poor clinical outcome in human breast cancer, which suggests that Pit‐1 and CXCL12 should be further studied as potential prognostic and therapeutic indicators. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.