bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomic-based identification of environmental and clinical Listeria monocytogenes strains associated with an abortion outbreak in beef heifers
Authors: Whitman Katherine , Bono James L. , Clawson Michael L. , Loy John D. , Bosilevac Joseph M. , Arthur Terrance M. , Ondrak Jeff D. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background In a beef cattle facility an outbreak of abortions occurred over a 36-day period and included two aborted fetuses and 21 post-abortion clinical cases sampled. There are numerous etiologies, including clinical listeriosis. At the species level, Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous in cattle production environments, including soil, feed, and occasionally water sources, and is a common enteric resident of cattle and other mammals. There are four genetically distinct lineages of L. monocytogenes (I-IV), with most lineage III and IV isolates obtained from ruminants. Definitive diagnosis of L. monocytogenes as a causative agent in disease outbreaks relies upon case identification, appropriate sample collection, and laboratory confirmation. Furthermore, clearly establishing a relationship between a pathogen source and clinical disease is difficult.Results Of the two fetal and 21 clinical case submissions, 19 were positive for L. monocytogenes. Subsequent culture for L. monocytogenes from water and silage sources identified both as potential origins of infection. Using whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, clinical, water and silage L. monocytogenes strains grouped into two of four lineages. All water and silage strains, plus 11 clinical strains placed in lineage III, with identical or nearly identical genomic sequences. The remaining eight clinical strains placed in lineage I, with seven having nearly identical sequences and one distinctly different.Conclusion Three genetically distinct strains within two lineages of L. monocytogenes caused the abortion outbreak. The etiology of abortion in 11 cases was directly linked to water and silage contamination from a lineage III L. monocytogenes strain. The source of infection for the remaining abortion cases with two different strains from lineage I is unknown. This is the first report of L. monocytogenes genomics being used as part of an outbreak investigation of cattle abortion.
Comparison of Cytokine Levels in the Aqueous Humor of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy and Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients
Authors: Zhou Huiying , Zhao Yinyu , Yuan Mingzhen , Chen Youxin 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background The concentrations of cytokines in the aqueous humor from neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) may vary. The study was conducted to compare various cytokine levels in the aqueous humor of eyes with PCV, nAMD and control.Methods The present case control study included 49 treatment-naïve eyes from 49 patients (PCV 24, nAMD 11, and cataract 14 eyes). Totally 34 angiogenic and inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humor were measured by Luminex bead-based multiplex array.Results The aqueous humor levels of IL-8 and IL-12p70 in the nAMD group were significantly higher than the PCV group (p=0.031, p=0.012, respectively). The levels of IL-8, IL-18, IL-21, IL-31, LIF, SDF1-α, FGF-basic, VEGF-A, and VEGF-D in the aqueous humor were significantly higher in the nAMD group and PCV group than the control (nAMD vs control, p=0.004, 0.002, 0.005, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.023, <0.0001, <0.0001, respectively, PCV vs control, p=0.031, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.026, <0.0001, <0.0001, respectively). In contrast, the levels of BDNF, HGF, IP-10, MCP-1, and IL-13 in the aqueous humor were significantly lower in the nAMD group and PCV group than control (nAMD vs control, p=<0.0001, <0.0001, 0.003, <0.0001, <0.0001, respectively, PCV vs control, p=<0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, respectively). There were significant correlations among nAMD group, PCV group and control group in aqueous humor levels of HGF, IP-10, MCP-1, IL-13, IL-31, LIF, SDF1-α, VEGF-A, VEGF-D by multivariate logistic analysis.Conclusions Various cytokines involved in inflammation and angiogenesis including HGF, IP-10, MCP-1, IL-13, IL-31, LIF, SDF1-α, VEGF-A and VEGF-D may contribute to the pathogenesis of nAMD and PCV. Measurement of IL-8 and IL-12p70 in the aqueous humor may help to differentiate nAMD and PCV.
Expressed demand for healthcare services in regional South Australia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Leach Matthew , Walsh Sandra , Muyambi Kuda , Gillam Marianne , Jones Martin 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

Accessibility and availability of health care services/providers is an increasing concern for many regional communities, particularly regional South Australia. However, in order to ascertain the health service/workforce requirements of this community, it is important to understand the health care needs of the population. Assessing the level of health service/provider utilisation within the region (i.e. expressed demand) can be useful in determining both health care need, and health service/workforce demand. This can be helpful for informing future health workforce and health services planning.

Methods

The regional South Australia health (RESONATE) survey aimed to determine the expressed demand for health care services and the health workforce in a regional South Australian population. The study was open to adults living in regional South Australia and was promoted using a comprehensive multi-modal recruitment campaign. Data were collected between April 2017 and March 2018 using the consumer utilization, expectations and experiences of healthcare instrument, which was administered online and in print.

Results

3,926 adults completed the questionnaire. Participants reported using 47 different health care providers in the previous 12 months. Whilst almost all (92.9%) participants had seen a general practitioner in the past 12 months, yoga instructors, chiropractors, pharmacists and physiotherapists were visited most frequently. Services/treatments most frequently received/recommended by a conventional health care provider were prescribed medication (71.9%) and dental procedures (50.4%); and by a complementary medicine provider, massage (26.1%) and vitamin/mineral supplementation (23.0%). Proportionally fewer participants in more remote locations received conventional services/treatments, though a significantly greater proportion of those in more remote locations had received complementary medicine services/treatments (relative to inner regional areas).

Conclusions

The findings of the RESONATE survey point to a high level of expressed demand for conventional and complementary health care services among study participants. Examining the extent to which the health needs of this and other regional populations are met should be the focus of further research to better inform future health workforce/services planning.
Developing a composite outcome measure for frailty prevention trials – rationale, derivation and sample size comparison with other candidate measures
Authors: Witham Miles D. , Wason James , Dodds Richard M , Sayer Avan A 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Introduction

Frailty is the loss of ability to withstand a physiological stressor, and is associated with multiple adverse outcomes in older people. Trials to prevent or ameliorate frailty are in their infancy. A range of different outcome measures have been proposed, but current measures require either large sample sizes, long follow-up, or do not directly measure the construct of frailty.

Methods

We propose a composite outcome for frailty prevention trials, comprising progression to the frail state, death, or being too unwell to continue in a trial. To determine likely event rates, we used data from the English Longitudinal Study for Ageing, collected 4 years apart. We calculated transition rates between non-frail, prefrail, frail or loss to follow up due to death or illness. We used Markov state transition models to interpolate one- and two-year transition rates, and performed sample size calculations for a range of differences in transition rates using simple and composite outcomes.

Results

The frailty category was calculable for 4650 individuals at baseline (2226 non-frail, 1907 prefrail, 517 frail); at follow up, 1282 were non-frail, 1108 were prefrail, 318 were frail and 1936 had dropped out or were unable to complete all tests for frailty. Transition probabilities for those prefrail at baseline, measured at wave 4 were respectively 0.176, 0.286, 0.096 and 0.442 to non-frail, prefrail, frail and dead/dropped out. Interpolated transition probabilities were 0.159, 0.494, 0.113 and 0.234 at two years, and 0.108, 0.688, 0.087 and 0.117 at one year. Required sample sizes for a two-year outcome were between 1000 and 7200 for transition from prefrailty to frailty alone, 250 to 1600 for transition to the composite measure, and 75 to 350 using the composite measure with an ordinal logistic regression approach.

Conclusion

Use of a composite outcome for frailty trials offers reduced sample sizes and could ameliorate the effect of high loss to follow up inherent in such trials due to death and illness.
Development of a knowledge transfer support system for water treatment technology
Authors: Tamura S. , Kurihara S. , Ichikawa M. , Souna F. , Hoshina K. , Osanai S. , Tsutsumi Y. , Itoh M. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The water supply must be safe and sustainable. This requires a regulatory compliance, selection of an optimal water treatment process, timely response to water quality incidents as well as maintaining internal skills and knowledge among utility personnel to keep appropriate operational standards in the long run. Water supply services in Japan face various challenges, including a shrinking revenue base due to a declining population as well as a mass retirement of the baby-boomer generation. The Japan Water Research Center conducted questionnaire surveys and based on our findings developed the ‘knowledge transfer support system for water treatment technology’ for utilities to maintain internal skills and knowledge in the face of shrinking labour forces in the water sector. The system consists of three components: the database on water treatment technology, learning program on water treatment technology, and the assessment tool for knowledge transfer on water treatment technology.
Use of Antibiotic Loaded Biomaterials for the Management of Bone Prosthesis Infections: Rationale and Limits
Authors: Tschon M. , Sartori M. , Contartese D. , Giavaresi G. , Aldini N. Nicoli , Fini M. 
Published: August 2019

Background:Periprosthetic joint infection still represents a challenging issue for the orthopedic community. In the United States approximately a million joint arthroplasties are performed each year, with infection rates ranging from 1 to 2%: revisions has significant implications on health care costs and appropriate resource management. The use of locally applied antibiotics as a prophylaxis measure or as a component of the therapeutic approach in primary or revision surgery is finalized at eliminating any microorganism and strengthening the effectiveness of systemic therapy.Objective:The present review of clinical and preclinical in vivo studies tried to identify advantages and limitations of the materials used in the clinical orthopedic practice and discuss developed biomaterials, innovative therapeutic approaches or strategies to release antibiotics in the infected environment.Methods:A systematic search was carried out by two independent observers in two databases (www.pubmed.com and www.scopus.com) in order to identify pre-clinical and clinical reports in the last 10 years.Results:71 papers were recognized eligible: 15 articles were clinical studies and 56 in vivo studies.Conclusion:Polymethylmethacrylate was the pioneer biomaterial used to manage infections after total joint replacement. Despite its widespread use, several issues still remain debated: the methods to combine materials and antibiotics, the choice of antibiotics, releasing kinetics and antibiotics efficacy. In the last years, the interest was directed towards the selection of different antibiotics, loaded in association with more than only one class and biomaterials with special focus on delivery systems as implant surface coatings, hydrogels, ceramics, micro-carriers, microspheres or nanoparticles.
Composition and Potential Health Benefits of Pomegranate: A Review
Authors: Vučić Vesna , Grabež Milkica , Trchounian Armen , Arsić Aleksandra 
Published: August 2019

Background::
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits are widely consumed and used as preventive
and therapeutic agents since ancient times. Pomegranate is a rich source of a variety of phytochemicals, which are
responsible for its strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential.

Objective::
The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge of chemical
structure and potential health benefits of pomegranate.

Method: :
A comprehensive search of available literature.

Results::
The review of the literature confirms that juice and extracts obtained from different parts of this plant,
including fruit peel, seeds, and leaves exert health benefits in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The antidiabetic,
antihypertensive, antimicrobial and anti-tumour effects of pomegranate fruit are of particular scientific and clinical
interest.

Conclusion::
Further investigations are required to clarify the mechanism of action of the bioactive ingredients
and to reveal full potential of pomegranate as both preventive and therapeutic agent.
Associations of CYP2A6 Gene Polymorphism with Smoking Status Among Jordanians: Gender-Related Differences
Authors: Hammad Hana M. , Imraish Amer , Azab Belal , Best Al M. , Khader Yousef S. , Zihlif Malek 
Published: August 2019

Background:
Cytochrome P450 2A6 enzyme (CYP2A6), an essential hepatic enzyme involved in the
metabolism of drugs, is responsible for a major metabolic pathway of nicotine. Variation in the activity of polymorphic
CYP2A6 alleles has been implicated in inter-individual differences in nicotine metabolism.

Aims:
The objective of the current study was to assess the association between the smoking status and the cytochrome
P450 2A6 enzyme (CYP2A6) genotype in Jordanians.

Methods:
In the current study, 218 (117 Male and 101 female) healthy unrelated Jordanian volunteers were recruited.
CYP2A6*1B, CYP2A6*4 and CYP2A6*9 were determined and correlated with subject smoking status.

Results:
*1A/*1A was the most common genetic polymorphism in the overall study population, with no significant
frequency differences between smokers and non-smokers. When the population was divided according to gender,
only male smokers showed a significant correlation between genotype and smoking status. Considering the
CYP2A6*9 genotype, the results showed differences in distribution between smokers and non-smokers, but only
women showed a significant association between CYP2A6*9 allele genotype and smoking status.

Conclusion:
The results of this study show that there is a significant association between CYP2A6*9 genotype and
smoking status. They also show that CYP2A6 genotype is significantly influenced by gender.
Development and Evaluation of Ropivacaine Loaded Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Microspheres with Low Burst Release
Authors: Zhao Xiqing , Gao Yue , Tang Xuemei , Lei Wei , Yang Yang , Yu Fanglin , Liu Yan , Yang Meiyan , Wang Yuli , Gong Wei , Li Zhiping , Gao ChunSheng , Mei Xingguo 
Published: August 2019

Background:
The local anesthetic drugs, especially ropivacaine, were considered favorable
analgesia for postoperative management because of their effective local pain relief and low adverse effects.
However, the short half-life and the resulting in bolus doses lead to the indistinctive improvement
of these drugs in postoperative pain relief. Therefore, the ropivacaine microspheres with sustained release
and low initial burst release were anticipated.

Methods:
Three methods including oil in water (O/W), water in oil in water (W/O/W), and solid in oil in
water (S/O/W) emulsion solvent evaporation method were used to optimize the ropivacaine loaded
PLGA microspheres. The microspheres were evaluated both in vitro and in rats. The in vitro-in vivo
correlation (IVIVC) was also investigated.

Results:
The microspheres prepared by O/W method showed more satisfactory properties and the microspheres
used for evaluation were prepared by O/W method. The particle size, drug loading, encapsulation
efficiency and burst release were 11.19±1.24 µm, 28.37±1.15%, 98.15±3.98%, and 10.96±5.37% for
microspheres with PLGA of 12 kDa, and 6.64±0.61 μm, 19.62±0.89%, 92.74±4.21%, and 18.42±5.12%
for microspheres with PLGA of 8 kDa, respectively. These microspheres were also injected into rats by
subcutaneous, intramuscular and intraperitoneal route, respectively. It was indicated that the detectable
concentration of ropivacaine could last for at least 20 days for both kinds of microspheres in spite of
injection routes. The low burst releases at 1 d were also manifested in rats and they were 6.62%, 6.99%,
6.48% for the microspheres with PLGA of 12 kDa, and 4.72%, 4.33%, 4.48% for the microspheres with
PLGA of 8 kDa by intraperitoneal, intramuscular and subcutaneous route, respectively. A linear relationship
between the in vitro release and the in vivo adsorption of ropivacaine from microspheres was also
established.

Conclusion:
The ropivacaine microspheres with sustained release and low burst release were acquired,
which indicated that the postoperative pain relief might last longer and the side effects might get lower.
Therefore, the ropivacaine microspheres prepared in this paper have great potential for clinical use.
HMPAO-SPECT Can Discriminate between Patients with Subjective Cognitive Complaints with and without Cognitive Deficits and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Rossini F. , Zauner H. , Bergmann J. , Kronbichler M. , Spindler I. , Golaszewski S. , Trinka E. , Staffen W. 
Published: August 2019

Background:Growing evidence suggests that pathological processes leading to Alzheimer’s disease occurs gradually and begins to develop decades before the earliest clinical symptoms occur. The use of biomarkers has been proposed to detect evidence of preclinical Alzheimer’s pathologic change in asymptomatic subjects. Subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) i.e. self-reported cognitive decline with normal cognition have been reported as an indicator of future cognitive decline, however, this condition is unspecific.Objective:In the present study we used the regional brain perfusion measured by HMPAO-SPECT as Biomarker of neurodegeneration to compare the regional brain perfusion of patient with subjective cognitive complaints with and without minimal cognitive dysfunction (SCC+ and SCC- respectively) in respect to patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Methods:We retrospectively examined 736 Patients who referred to our Memory Clinic because of suspected cognitive dysfunction. After exclusion of patients with overt dementia, automated, quantitatively assessed relative cerebral blood flow of 10 forebrain regions (thalamus, parietotemporal, medial temporal, posterior temporal, posterior cingulate gyrus, each region left hemispheric and right hemispheric) and neuropsychological assessment of 64 SCC (32 SCC+; 32 SCC-) and 28 MCI subjects were analysed.Results:The most relevant differences between groups in cognitive performance concerned verbal memory. Left hemispheric medial temporal region could significantly discriminate between all three groups, with a progressive decrease n perfusion from SCC towards MCI. Area under the curve of left medial temporal region showed a sensitivity of 0,61 and a specificity of 0,78 for discriminating MCI from SCC.Conclusion:Automated analysis of HMPAO-SPECT data of MCI and SCC+ patients showed significant perfusion differences in medial temporal region and impaired verbal memory, both of which are known features of Alzheimer’s disease. Perfusion patterns and verbal memory performance in SCC+ are more similar to MCI than SCC-.:Thus, SPECT analysis could distinguish those subjects whose perfusion pattern resembles that of an MCI from those who do not. In our opinion, this could identify two populations with a different risk of progression to AD, with SCC+ subjects needing further diagnostic examination and repeated follow-up.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate Content and Circulating Erythropoietin
Authors: Järemo Petter , Jejcic Alenka , Jelic Vesna , Shahnaz Tasmin , Behbahani Homira , Oweling Magnus , Winblad Bengt 
Published: August 2019

Background:
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) features the accumulation of β-amyloid in erythrocytes.
The subsequent red cell damage may well affect their oxygen-carrying capabilities. 2,3-
diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) binds to the hemoglobin thereby promoting oxygen release. It is theorized
that 2,3-DPG is reduced in AD and that the resulting hypoxia triggers erythropoietin (EPO) release.

Methods & Objective:
To explore this theory, we analyzed red cell 2,3-DPG content and EPO in AD,
mild cognitive impairment, and the control group, subjective cognitive impairment.

Results:
We studied (i) 2,3-DPG in red cells, and (ii) circulating EPO in AD, and both markers were
unaffected by dementia. Disturbances of these oxygen-regulatory pathways do not appear to participate
in brain hypoxia in AD.
PEMANFAATAN DAERAH BEKAS ALIRAN LAHAR MERAPI SEBAGAI SUMBER BELAJAR IPA
Authors: Murdaningsih Hewi 
Published: August 2019

Letusan Gunung Merapi yang terjadi pada tahun 2010 menurut catatan sejarah tergolong letusan yang besar. Hal ini diindikasikan dari jumlah material vulkanik yang telah dilontarkannya ke luar perut gunung berupa campuran abu, batu, pasir dan kerikil. Jumlah material vulkanik yang dikeluarkan selama proses erupsi mencapai diperkirakan mencapai lebih dari 140 juta m3.
Faktor-faktor yang Mempengaruhi Kualitas Bakteriologis Air Bersih pada Sumur Gali
Authors: Purwanti Ika 
Published: August 2019

Air bersih sangat bermanfaat bagi kehidupan manusia antara lain untuk air minum, memasak, mandi, mencuci dan lain-lain. Air bersih merupakan air yang dapat digunakan untuk keperluan sehari-hari yang kualitasnya memenuhi syarat kesehatan dan dapat diminum apabila telah dimasak. Air yang sehat, yaitu air yang bebas dari organisme penyebab penyakit dan bahan kimia beracun. Syarat-syarat kualitas air bersih meliputi syarat bakteriologis, fisika, kimia, dan radioaktif. Syarat fisik meliputi bau, warna, suhu, kekeruhan, dan zat terlarut (TDS atau Total Dissolved Solid). Syarat kimia meliputi pH, kesadahan (CaCO3 ), nitrit, nitrat, amoniak, fluorida, sulfat, zat organik dan logam-logam seperti besi, zink, merkuri, timbal, dan lain-lain. Syarat bakteriologis meliputi total coliform dan coliform tinja. Syarat radioaktif meliputi aktivitas Alfa dan Beta.
Lansia Sehat dan Tetap Produktif
Authors: Rahayu Tutiek 
Published: August 2019

Peraturan Pemerintah No. 21/2014 menyatakan bahwa usia pensiunan Pegawai Negeri Sipil (PNS) diperpanjang 2 tahun dari usia 56 tahun menjadi 58 tahun. Oleh sebab itu, PNS yang sudah masuk kelompok lanjut usia (lansia) berusia di atas 55 tahun dan masih aktif bekerja harus sehat dan tetap produktif. Banyak orang yang sudah masuk kriteria usia lansia masih tetap aktif bekerja dan cukup produktif. Para PNS yang telah memasuki pensiun biasanya juga tidak langsung berhenti bekerja, tetapi masih aktif bekerja untuk pihak swasta atau wiraswasta sendiri. Banyak profesi yang mereka tekuni sebagai seorang wiraswasta, antara lain : peternak, petani, pedagang, bisnis di berbagai macam bidang. Bisnis yang mereka tekuni antara lain bisnis kuliner, bangunan, kerajinan dan masih banyak lagi berbagai macam profesi tadi menuntut kesehatan kondisi fisik dan kemampuan kognitif yang menandai untuk mendapatkan hasil yang optimal, sehingga bisa dilihat produktivitas para lansia tersebut. Menurut data dari Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) dalam M. Noerhadi (2014) perkembangan lansia di Indonesia mengalami kenaikan yang signifikan dari tahun ke tahun, hal ini bisa dilihat dari tabel berikut ini.