bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA sequencing to clarify the taxonomical conundrum of the clinical coelomycetes
Authors: Valenzuela‐Lopez Nicomedes , Cano‐Lira José F. , Stchigel Alberto M. , Guarro Josep 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe taxonomy of the fungi that produce human infections and that develop asexual fruiting bodies in culture has become very complex. Recent molecular studies have produced dramatic changes in their classification. Currently, the coelomycetes traditionally included inSphaeropsidalesandMelanconialesare in fact distributed across at least three different classes of the Phylum Ascomycota. Approximately 1000 genera and 7000 species have been grouped in the classesDothideomycetes,LeotiomycetesandSordariomycetesand their proper identification can only be made by analysing their DNA sequences and comparing them with those corresponding to type strains available in the adequate databases. To facilitate this task for scientists and clinicians involved in the study of these complex, and every day more numerous taxa, we have updated the knowledge about the taxonomy of the commonest coelomycetes of clinical interest with the aim of improving their identification and antifungal treatment.
Performance of serum (1,3)‐ß‐d‐glucan screening for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies
Authors: Furfaro Elisa , Giacobbe Daniele Roberto , Del Bono Valerio , Signori Alessio , Guolo Fabio , Minetto Paola , Clavio Marino , Ballerini Filippo , Gobbi Marco , Viscoli Claudio , Mikulska Malgorzata 
Published: April 2018

SummaryWe report our experience with the use of (1,3)‐ß‐d‐glucan (BDG) screening for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies. The performance of BDG screening was assessed retrospectively in per patient and per sample analyses. Overall, 20 among 167 patients developed IA (12%). In the per patient analysis, BDG showed 60% sensitivity and 78% specificity when the criterion for positivity was the presence of at least one BDG value ≥80 pg/mL. For 2 consecutive positive results, sensitivity decreased to 40%, while specificity increased to 93% and was similar to that of a positive galactomannan (GM; 90%). The highest specificity (97%) was observed for combined positivity of at least one BDG and at least one GM. In the per sample analysis, the specificity of BDG was 100% in the best scenario, 96% in the median scenario and 89% in the worst scenario. BDG became positive before GM in 33% of IA patients with both markers positive (n = 12). Despite good specificity for 2 consecutive positive results, the BDG test offered unsatisfactory performance for the diagnosis of IA due to low sensitivity. The combination of BDG and GM showed the potential for increasing specificity.
Cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting with hypopigmented lesions: Report of two cases and review of literature
Authors: Mori Shoko , Adar Tony , Kazlouskaya Viktoryia , Alexander Jaime B. , Heilman Edward , Glick Sharon A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLangerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare group of disorders that results from the abnormal proliferation and accumulation of dendritic‐derived cells in various organs of the body, such as the skin and bones. Hypopigmented macules are a rare cutaneous presentation of Langerhans cell histiocytosis that may pose a diagnostic dilemma when no other findings of Langerhans cell histiocytosis are present at the time of examination. We present 2 cases of the hypopigmented variant of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, including a case with histopathologic features of regression, and a review of the literature. These cases highlight the importance of including Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the differential diagnosis of an infant with hypopigmented macules and papules.
Early postnatal growth and neurodevelopment in children born moderately preterm or small for gestational age at term: A systematic review
Authors: Taine Marion , Charles Marie‐Aline , Beltrand Jacques , Rozé Jean Christophe , Léger Juliane , Botton Jérémie , Heude Barbara 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundClinicians' interest in the long‐term effects of early postnatal growth (EPG) is growing. There is compelling evidence linking rapid EPG with later cardiovascular risk, but its neurodevelopmental benefits still remain hypothetical in individuals born moderately preterm (MP) or small for gestational at term (SGAT).MethodsThe objective was to perform a systematic review of the relationship between EPG before age 3 years and neurodevelopmental outcome for individuals born MP (32‐36 weeks' gestational age) or SGAT. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 3 independent investigators searched for articles published on this topic in the Web of Science, EMBASE and PubMed from database inception to July 1, 2017. A detailed quality scale was used to evaluate articles.ResultsWe selected 19 articles relying on 12 distinct study populations; 7 articles from 3 study populations were considered at moderate or high quality. The lack of standardisation of growth analysis methods prevented performing a meta‐analysis. Overall, EPG was positively associated with neurodevelopmental outcome, especially Intelligence Quotient (IQ) when available. In this relationship, the first 6 months of life might be a critical period. Analysis of the few articles investigating the shape of the relationships revealed a non‐linear association, with a plateau for IQ with higher weight gain, which suggests a possible ceiling effect.ConclusionsA positive association was generally found between EPG and neurodevelopmental outcome for individuals born MP or SGAT. Strategies for future epidemiological studies are suggested to improve the characterisation of this relationship.
Relation between respiratory activity and sperm parameters in boar spermatozoa cryopreserved with alpha‐tocopherol and selected by Sephadex
Authors: Satorre MM , Breininger E , Cetica PD , Córdoba M 
Published: April 2018

ContentsOur aim was to evaluate the effect of Sephadex filtration on respiratory activity of porcine spermatozoa and its relation with quality and functional sperm parameters. Samples were evaluated regarding oxygen uptake and sperm parameters: motility, plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, capacitation and acrosome reaction induction in vitro, plasma membrane functionality, determined by the hypo‐osmotic swelling test (HOST), and lipid peroxidation assessed by thiobarbituric acid assay. Sephadex filtration improved all routine quality parameters (motility, plasma and acrosome membrane integrity) and functional parameters (HOST, in vitro capacitation and true acrosome reaction levels) and produced a significant decrease in cryocapacitation and lipid peroxidation. Oxygen uptake increased in Sephadex samples (41 ± 7%) respect to single washing. Oxygen addition of carbonyl‐cyanide‐m‐chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) confirmed mitochondrial coupling in washed and Sephadex samples; showing an increase of 2.6 and 4.2 times for oxygen consumption in single washing and Sephadex ones, respectively. The increase in oxygen uptake with succinate addition with respect to basal oxygen uptake was significantly lower in Sephadex samples (63 ± 25%) than in the washed ones (183 ± 35%). Sephadex samples showed higher mitochondrial activity measured by oxygen consumption and improved quality and functional parameters. Our study recommends this protocol due to the fact that this filtration method removes dead or damaged spermatozoa allowing to obtain cryopreserved boar spermatozoa with optimized fertilizing capacity.
Red blood cell transfusion and outcomes in acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Wong Christopher C.Y. , Chow Wallace W.K. , Lau Jerrett K. , Chow Vincent , Ng Austin C.C. , Kritharides Leonard 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackground and objectiveBlood transfusion has been associated with adverse outcomes in certain conditions. This study investigates the prevalence and outcomes of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE).MethodsRetrospective study of consecutive patients from 2000 to 2012 admitted to a tertiary hospital with a primary diagnosis of acute PE. Transfusion status during the hospital admission was ascertained. Mortality was tracked from a state‐wide death database and analysed using multivariable modelling.ResultsA total of 73 patients (5% of all patients admitted with PE) received RBC transfusion during their admission. These patients were significantly older, had more co‐morbidities, worse haemodynamics, higher simplified pulmonary embolism severity index scores, and lower plasma sodium and haemoglobin (Hb) levels at admission. Unadjusted mortality for the transfused group was significantly higher at 30‐day (19% vs 4%, P < 0.001) and 6‐month (40% vs 10%, P < 0.001) follow‐up. Multivariable modelling showed RBC transfusion to be a significant independent predictor of mortality at 30‐day (odds ratio 3.06, 95% CI: 1.17–8.01, P = 0.02) and 6‐month (hazard ratio (HR) 1.97, 95% CI: 1.12–3.46, P = 0.02). Sensitivity analysis confirmed that transfused patients had higher mortality than non‐transfused patients in the subgroup of patients with Hb <100 g/L.ConclusionRBC transfusion in patients hospitalized with acute PE is rare and appears to be associated with increased risk of short‐ and long‐term mortality, independent of Hb level on admission. This finding underscores the need for future randomized controlled studies on the impact of RBC transfusion in the management of patients admitted with acute PE. [Correction added on 4 May 2018, after first online publication: the word ‘serum’ was changed to ‘plasma’ throughout the article where appropriate.]
Tiered Approach to Resilience Assessment
Authors: Linkov Igor , Fox‐Lent Cate , Read Laura , Allen Craig R. , Arnott James C. , Bellini Emanuele , Coaffee Jon , Florin Marie‐Valentine , Hatfield Kirk , Hyde Iain , Hynes William , Jovanovic Aleksandar , Kasperson Roger , Katzenberger John , Keys Patrick W. , Lambert James H. , Moss Richard , Murdoch Peter S. , Palma‐Oliveira Jose , Pulwarty Roger S. , Sands Dale , Thomas Edward A. , Tye Mari R. , Woods David 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRegulatory agencies have long adopted a three‐tier framework for risk assessment. We build on this structure to propose a tiered approach for resilience assessment that can be integrated into the existing regulatory processes. Comprehensive approaches to assessing resilience at appropriate and operational scales, reconciling analytical complexity as needed with stakeholder needs and resources available, and ultimately creating actionable recommendations to enhance resilience are still lacking. Our proposed framework consists of tiers by which analysts can select resilience assessment and decision support tools to inform associated management actions relative to the scope and urgency of the risk and the capacity of resource managers to improve system resilience. The resilience management framework proposed is not intended to supplant either risk management or the many existing efforts of resilience quantification method development, but instead provide a guide to selecting tools that are appropriate for the given analytic need. The goal of this tiered approach is to intentionally parallel the tiered approach used in regulatory contexts so that resilience assessment might be more easily and quickly integrated into existing structures and with existing policies.
Human Dose–Response Data for Francisella tularensis and a Dose‐ and Time‐Dependent Mathematical Model of Early‐Phase Fever Associated with Tularemia After Inhalation Exposure
Authors: McClellan Gene , Coleman Margaret , Crary David , Thurman Alec , Thran Brandolyn 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMilitary health risk assessors, medical planners, operational planners, and defense system developers require knowledge of human responses to doses of biothreat agents to support force health protection and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) defense missions. This article reviews extensive data from 118 human volunteers administered aerosols of the bacterial agent Francisella tularensis, strain Schu S4, which causes tularemia. The data set includes incidence of early‐phase febrile illness following administration of well‐characterized inhaled doses of F. tularensis. Supplemental data on human body temperature profiles over time available from de‐identified case reports is also presented. A unified, logically consistent model of early‐phase febrile illness is described as a lognormal dose–response function for febrile illness linked with a stochastic time profile of fever. Three parameters are estimated from the human data to describe the time profile: incubation period or onset time for fever; rise time of fever; and near‐maximum body temperature. Inhaled dose‐dependence and variability are characterized for each of the three parameters. These parameters enable a stochastic model for the response of an exposed population through incorporation of individual‐by‐individual variability by drawing random samples from the statistical distributions of these three parameters for each individual. This model provides risk assessors and medical decisionmakers reliable representations of the predicted health impacts of early‐phase febrile illness for as long as one week after aerosol exposures of human populations to F. tularensis.
An Integrated Scenario Ensemble‐Based Framework for Hurricane Evacuation Modeling: Part 2—Hazard Modeling
Authors: Blanton Brian , Dresback Kendra , Colle Brian , Kolar Randy , Vergara Humberto , Hong Yang , Leonardo Nicholas , Davidson Rachel , Nozick Linda , Wachtendorf Tricia 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHurricane track and intensity can change rapidly in unexpected ways, thus making predictions of hurricanes and related hazards uncertain. This inherent uncertainty often translates into suboptimal decision‐making outcomes, such as unnecessary evacuation. Representing this uncertainty is thus critical in evacuation planning and related activities. We describe a physics‐based hazard modeling approach that (1) dynamically accounts for the physical interactions among hazard components and (2) captures hurricane evolution uncertainty using an ensemble method. This loosely coupled model system provides a framework for probabilistic water inundation and wind speed levels for a new, risk‐based approach to evacuation modeling, described in a companion article in this issue. It combines the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) meteorological model, the Coupled Routing and Excess STorage (CREST) hydrologic model, and the ADvanced CIRCulation (ADCIRC) storm surge, tide, and wind‐wave model to compute inundation levels and wind speeds for an ensemble of hurricane predictions. Perturbations to WRF's initial and boundary conditions and different model physics/parameterizations generate an ensemble of storm solutions, which are then used to drive the coupled hydrologic + hydrodynamic models. Hurricane Isabel (2003) is used as a case study to illustrate the ensemble‐based approach. The inundation, river runoff, and wind hazard results are strongly dependent on the accuracy of the mesoscale meteorological simulations, which improves with decreasing lead time to hurricane landfall. The ensemble envelope brackets the observed behavior while providing “best‐case” and “worst‐case” scenarios for the subsequent risk‐based evacuation model.
Correlate of burden and coping ability of caregivers of older adults with chronic illness in Nigeria
Authors: Faronbi Joel Olayiwola 
Published: April 2018

AimCaring for older adults with chronic illness is associated with enormous physical and psychological stress on the informal caregivers. This study assessed burden experienced by caregivers of older adults with chronic illness, explored coping strategies of caregivers in relation to identified chronic conditions and determined the influence of caregiver's burden, caregiver's characteristics and older adult's characteristics on their coping ability.MethodThis is a cross‐sectional, correlational study, and data were collected among 325 caregivers of older adults living with chronic illness in Osun State, Nigeria, using a checklist, Katz IADL, Zarit Burden Interview and Brief Cope Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.FindingsResults revealed that the age of the caregivers ranged between 19 and 70 years with a mean of 47.79 (±11.94). They were caring for older adults with heart diseases (47.7%), kidney diseases (8.0%), cancer (10.2%), gastrointestinal disorders (5.5%), stroke (18.5%), diabetes mellitus (10.2%) who had partial (60.9%) to total level of dependency (39.1%). Over 59% of caregivers experienced severe burden, which is associated with religion (p < 0.001). Coping strategies used include religion (7.37 ± 0.85), planning (6.70 ± 0.89), positive reframing (6.42 ± 1.01) and emotion‐focused coping (29.97 ± 3.30), which was the most used coping domain. Caregiver's burden was a predictor of emotion‐focused (β = −0.16), problem‐focused (β = −0.15), dysfunctional (β = −0.14) and the total coping score (β = −0.48). In addition, religion predicted emotion‐focused coping (β = 0.69).ConclusionThis study concluded that caregiving activities impose a severe burden on the caregivers. Religion was the most used, and coping ability is predicted by burden and religion. Therefore, healthcare providers should consider interventions to promote the use of effective coping skills.
Being in a bubble – Childbirth as a potential path towards becoming in health – Lived experiences of mothers during childbirth
Authors: Hemberg Jessica Anne Viveka , Kock Jeanette 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundChildbirth is often seen as an existentially important life event. However, few studies focus on the experience from the woman's perspective.The aim and research questionsThe aim of this study was to explore women's experiences of strength and health during childbirth through an ontological understanding. What enables women to experience strength and health during childbirth?Research design, participants and research contextA hermeneutical approach was used. The material consists of texts from interviews with eight women who have recently (a few days to some weeks) given birth. The texts were interpreted through latent content analysis.Ethical considerationsInformed consent was sought from the participants regarding participation in the study and the storage and handling of data for research purposes.FindingsThe overall theme was ‘Childbirth as a movement towards becoming in health’. The three main themes were as follows: ‘The self as a source of strength’, ‘The other as a source of strength in communion’ and ‘Alleviation of suffering as a source of strength’. Seven subthemes were also described.ConclusionChildbirth may be seen as a potential path towards becoming in health. The midwife has a central position in supporting women's experiences of health. Family‐centred care may enhance women's experiences of becoming in health during childbirth. Further research in this field should focus on revealing midwives’ perspectives on what gives women health in connection with childbirth.
Linear factor copula models and their properties
Authors: Krupskii Pavel , Genton Marc G. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe consider a special case of factor copula models with additive common factors and independent components. These models are flexible and parsimonious with O(d) parameters where d is the dimension. The linear structure allows one to obtain closed form expressions for some copulas and their extreme‐value limits. These copulas can be used to model data with strong tail dependencies, such as extreme data. We study the dependence properties of these linear factor copula models and derive the corresponding limiting extreme‐value copulas with a factor structure. We show how parameter estimates can be obtained for these copulas and apply one of these copulas to analyse a financial data set.
A nonconstraining templated powder grid for measurement of strain
Authors: Brodnik N. R. , Hsueh C.‐J. , Johnson M. T. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA method was developed and validated for mounting grid patterns with pitches on the order of tens to hundreds of micrometres onto specimens for the purposes of mechanical characterisation and fracture analysis. The method uses a low stiffness, low‐toughness photopolymer to create a textured pattern of pillars on the sample, and the spaces between these pillars are then filled in with an opaque powder to provide optical contrast. This type of grid is desirable both because of its relatively quick preparation time and because of its minimal influence on the mechanical properties of the sample. The method for mounting this powder‐based grid onto samples is discussed. Then, the accuracy of this new type of grid is validated against current state‐of‐the‐art epoxy‐mounted lithography grids as well as digitally fabricated sinusoidal grids using synthetic digital manipulation. Finally, the experimental performance of the powder‐based grid is assessed in both uniaxial tension on a poly(methyl methacrylate) specimen with a stress concentrator and fracture of stereolithographically printed photopolymer specimens. Synthetic testing shows that the powder grids are of comparable accuracy to lithography grids, but additional processing variability leads to strain errors of about 3% in powder grids compared with the 2.1% seen in lithography grids. In experiments, the powder‐based grids produce deformation patterns comparable with those expected from analytical results, and fracture toughness values for homogeneous stereolithographically printed specimens are uniform and consistent with expected values.
HLA‐DRB1*15:03 and HLA‐DRB1*11: useful predictive alleles for alloantibody production in thalassemia patients
Authors: Darvishi P. , Sharifi Z. , Azarkeivan A. , Akbari A. , Pourfathollah A. A. 
Published: April 2018

SUMMARYBackground and ObjectivesRecently, thalassemia has been introduced as a chronic disease. In spite of prolonging life in thalassemia patients, the quality of their life has not significantly improved. One of the challenges that makes their quality of life poor is alloimmunisation which causes several complications to patients by restricting their options. Some individuals are more susceptible to developing an alloantibody than others. They are categorised as responders and non‐responders. Determining responders before the first transfusion allows transfusion services to provide compatible blood and prevent alloimmunisation. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between HLA‐DRB1*15:03, HLA‐DRB1*11 and HLA‐DRB1*09:01 alleles and alloimmunisation in Iranian thalassemia patients.Materials and MethodsAntibody screening tests were performed by tube method, and HLA‐DRB1 genotyping was determined by Sequence‐Specific Primers (SSP‐PCR) in 59 alloimmunised and 205 non‐alloimmunised patients. HLA‐DRB1 allele frequencies were compared between alloantibody‐positive and ‐negative groups through the χ2 test.ResultsHLA‐DRB1*15:03 allele frequency was significantly different between groups (P = 0·000, odds ratio (OR) = 4·193). There was a correlation between HLA‐DRB1*11 and anti‐K (P = 0·000, OR = 6·643). There was no association between HLA‐DRB1*09:01 and alloimmunisation (P = 0·350).ConclusionsAccording to our results, detecting HLA‐DRB1*15:03 and HLA‐DRB1*11 alleles are useful in the pre‐transfusion test and could determine responder patients and improve transfusion safety.