bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clostridioides difficile in outpatients: application of a diagnostic algorithm recommended by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Authors: Ignatius Ralf , Neuber Robert , Kietzmann Heike , Berg Christiane , Wenzel Thilo , Fuhrmann Jörg , Müller Michael 
Published: September 2019

This study aimed at evaluating in outpatients an algorithm for the laboratory diagnosis of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI), i.e., enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) detecting bacterial glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxin A/B, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of samples with discordant EIA results.
In total, 9802 examinations of stool samples by GDH and toxin EIAs performed in 7263 outpatients and 488 inpatients were analyzed retrospectively. Samples with discordant EIA results had been tested by a commercially available PCR assay detecting genes of the C. difficile-specific triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) and toxin B (tcdB).
Concordant EIA results (686 C. difficile-positive, 8121 negative) were observed for 8807 (89.8%; 95% CI, 89.2–90.4%) samples. Of 958 samples with discordant EIA results, 895 were analyzed using PCR and 580 of 854 GDH-positive/borderline, toxin-negative samples (67.9%; 95% CI, 64.7–71.0%) were positive for tpi and tcdB, while 274 samples (32.1%; 95% CI, 29.0–35.3%) were tcdB-negative. In contrast, 35 of 41 GDH-negative, toxin-positive/borderline samples (85.4%; 95% CI, 71.2–93.5%) were tcdB-negative. Still, 6 samples (14.6%; 95% CI, 6.5–28.8%) yielded positive PCR results for both genes.
In conclusion, around 90% of the samples were analyzed appropriately by only applying EIAs. Approximately one third of the PCR-analyzed samples were tcdB-negative; thus, patients most likely did not require CDI treatment.
Az antibiotikumrezisztencia változása cholangitisben. Klinikai tapasztalataink
Authors: Illés Dóra , Urbán Edit , Lázár Andrea , Nagy Kamilla , Ivány Emese , Kui Balázs , Lemes Klára , Tajti Máté , Czakó László 
Published: September 2019

Abstract: Introduction: Due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics (AB), more pathogens become multiresistant. One of the most severe sources of sepsis is cholangitis. To avoid fatal outcome, an effective AB policy plays a key role. Aim: To investigate the AB resistance of bacteria causing cholangitis and the efficacy of AB treatment. Patients and method: Microbiological tests of bile samples collected during cholangitis-indicated endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies were analysed at the First Department of Medicine, University of Szeged, in 2006 and in 2016. Results: 29 and 111 patients had bile sample collection in 2006 and in 2016, respectively. Of that, 22 (75%) and 106 (95%) were positive. Mean age: 61 ± 14 vs. 71 ± 14 years, no difference between men/women ratio. In 2006, 10 cases empirical AB (ciprofloxacine with metronidazole or imipenem) were used. In 9 cases (90%), the AB was adequate based on the microbiological results. In 2016, in 88 cases empirical AB was applied (ciprofloxacine and metronidazole, ceftriaxone with metronidazole or imipenem with metronidazole). In 29 cases, the empirical AB was ineffective. The efficacy of ciprofloxacine decreased to 64% in 2016. The profile of the most frequent cholangitis-causing pathogens (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae) was the same, but their resistency against ciprofloxacine increased. The rates of polymicrobal infections were 73% and 63%, respectively. Conclusion: The rates of positive bile samples were significantly higher in 2016. The profile of the most frequent pathogens was the same. The efficacy of the first-choice empirical AB ciprofloxacine decreased in 2016. The types of the most frequent cholangitis-causing bacteria are in line with the ones included in the Tokyo Guideline. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(36): 1437–1442.
A születési súlyok megoszlása 2011 és 2015 között és a percentilisértékek változása 1996 és 2015 között. A Tauffer-adatbázis feldolgozása
Authors: Zsirai László , Csákány M. György , Végh György , Tabák Gy. Ádám 
Published: September 2019

Abstract: Introduction and aim: We aimed to provide a current birth weight percentile table for singleton and twin pregnancies stratified by gestational week at delivery and sex using data from all live births in Hungary between 2011 and 2015. In addition, we examined temporal trends in average birth weights in singleton and twin pregnancies by sex in five-year periods between 1996 and 2015. Method: We calculated the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th centiles of birth weight for each gestational week by sex for singleton and twin pregnancies using compulsory collected obstetrical data (Tauffer Statistics) in Hungary in 2011–2015. Furthermore, we described changes in birth weights by gestational week between 5-year periods from 1996 to 2015. Results: We present birth weight centiles for live births in both tabular and graphical forms using data from 2011 to 2015. In general, live birth weights in gestational weeks 35–41 were lower in the period of 1996–2005 (the lowest in 1996–2000) and were higher in the period of 2006–2010 compared to the reference period of 2011–2015 (e.g., the average male newborn weighed 3249 g at gestational week 38 in 2011–2015, which is 34.3 [SE at 3.0] g less in 1996–2000, 11.5 [2.9] g less in 2001–2005, and 18.1 [2.9] g more in 2006–2010). Similar trends were not observed in birth weights of twin pregnancies in gestational weeks 35–38. Conclusion: Given the observed substantial change in birth weights during the past 20 years, renewal of the commonly used percentile tables is necessary. Birth weights increased from 1996 to 2010, mainly of mature newborns, followed by a stabilization or slight decrease in the later periods. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(36): 1426–1436.
A pajzsmirigygöbök genetikai vizsgálata újgenerációs szekvenáláson alapuló platformon kifejlesztett génpanel segítségével
Authors: Kocsis-Deák Barbara , Balla Bernadett , Árvai Kristóf , Tobiás Bálint , Győri Gabriella , Járay Balázs , Székely Eszter , Podani János , Kósa János , Lakatos Péter 
Published: September 2019

Abstract: Introduction: Twenty-five percent of fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples of thyroid nodules produce indeterminate cytological results. Genetic testing of nodules can contribute to accurate diagnosis. Aim: Developing the first gene panel in Europe utilizing the 23 most relevant thyroid oncogenes with 568 mutations. Method: Examination of the isolated DNA from biopsy samples by Ion Torrent new generation sequencing. Results: The validation of our method was performed on tumor tissue samples, in which 127 genetic variations were identified, yet unknown in thyroid tumors. AXIN1 was the most polymorphic gene, while BRAF c.1799T>A (V600E) was the most frequently identified mutation. We detected 36 clinically relevant variants, 75% of which have not been described in the literature. Six of our 8 cytologically malignant and 8 of our 14 indeterminate as well as 20 of our 28 cytologically benign samples were identified as containing pathologic variants in a driver gene (BRAF c.1799T>A, NRAS c.181C>A). Conclusion: We have developed a validated, reliable new generation sequencing-based method with high positive predictive value (89%) and sensitivity (79%), suitable for the early detection of malignant lesions in the thyroid. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(36): 1417–1425.
Fémelem-homeosztázis és oxidatív stressz patológiás folyamatokban
Authors: Szentmihályi Klára 
Published: September 2019

Abstract: The author briefly summarizes the relationship between oxidative stress and changes in metal ion metabolism in pathological processes. Essential metal ions such as Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se are essential in the living organisms, their metabolism and intracellular concentration are strictly regulated. Externally or intrinsically, altered metal ion metabolism can lead to metal ion accumulation or metal ion deficiency. Excess amounts of redox-active essential metals such as Fe, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni can induce free radicals under certain circumstances that cause inflammation, cell damage, and cancerous changes, although the molecular mechanism is still unclear in every detail. Changes in the metabolism of non-essential and non-variable valence metal ions also affect redox homeostasis. Despite the fact that each metal can react in a unique way and with different mechanisms, similar processes occur, where both metal deficiency and excessive metal induce oxidative stress. Antioxidant defense system is damaged, free radicals produced alter the redox balance, and redox homeostasis changed induces the production of cytokines and other transcription factors that affect the intracellular signaling pathways and affect the development of various diseases, including metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological diseases and cancer. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(36): 1407–1416.
End-to-End Safe Reinforcement Learning through Barrier Functions for Safety-Critical Continuous Control Tasks
Authors: Cheng Richard , Orosz Gábor , Murray Richard M. , Burdick Joel W. 
Published: September 2019

Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithms have found limited success beyond simulated applications, and one main reason is the absence of safety guarantees during the learning process. Real world systems would realistically fail or break before an optimal controller can be learned. To address this issue, we propose a controller architecture that combines (1) a model-free RL-based controller with (2) model-based controllers utilizing control barrier functions (CBFs) and (3) online learning of the unknown system dynamics, in order to ensure safety during learning. Our general framework leverages the success of RL algorithms to learn high-performance controllers, while the CBF-based controllers both guarantee safety and guide the learning process by constraining the set of explorable polices. We utilize Gaussian Processes (GPs) to model the system dynamics and its uncertainties.
Our novel controller synthesis algorithm, RL-CBF, guarantees safety with high probability during the learning process, regardless of the RL algorithm used, and demonstrates greater policy exploration efficiency. We test our algorithm on (1) control of an inverted pendulum and (2) autonomous carfollowing with wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and show that our algorithm attains much greater sample efficiency in learning than other state-of-the-art algorithms and maintains safety during the entire learning process.
Pattern-Based Approach to the Workflow Satisfiability Problem with User-Independent Constraints
Authors: Karapetyan Daniel , Parkes Andrew J. , Gutin Gregory , Gagarin Andrei 
Published: September 2019

The fixed parameter tractable (FPT) approach is a powerful tool in tackling computationally hard problems. In this paper, we link FPT results to classic artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to show how they complement each other. Specifically, we consider the workflow satisfiability problem (WSP) which asks whether there exists an assignment of authorised users to the steps in a workflow specification, subject to certain constraints on the assignment. It was shown by Cohen et al. (JAIR 2014) that WSP restricted to the class of user-independent constraints (UI), covering many practical cases, admits FPT algorithms, i.e. can be solved in time exponential only in the number of steps k and polynomial in the number of users n. Since usually k << n in WSP, such FPT algorithms are of great practical interest. We present a new interpretation of the FPT nature of the WSP with UI constraints giving a decomposition of the problem into two levels. Exploiting this two-level split, we develop a new FPT algorithm that is by many orders of magnitude faster than the previous state-of-the-art WSP algorithm and also has only polynomial-space complexity. We also introduce new pseudo-Boolean (PB) and Constraint Satisfaction (CSP) formulations of the WSP with UI constraints which efficiently exploit this new decomposition of the problem and raise the novel issue of how to use general-purpose solvers to tackle FPT problems in a fashion that meets FPT efficiency expectations. In our computational study, we investigate, for the first time, the phase transition (PT) properties of the WSP, under a model for generation of random instances. We show how PT studies can be extended, in a novel fashion, to support empirical evaluation of scaling of FPT algorithms.
A Literatura Infantojuvenil na aula de História
Authors: Rocha Liliana 
Published: September 2019

A relação entre a Literatura e a História é imemorial, mas só no último século o cruzamento entre as duas permitiu à História aceitar a Literatura enquanto testemunho para promover situações de aprendizagem nas aulas de História. A promoção da leitura nas escolas tem vindo a melhorar os resultados de literacia dos alunos, nomeadamente em termos de riqueza vocabular, de escrita, de oralidade, de criatividade e de imaginação. Nesta senda, o nosso estudo incidiu sobre a viabilidade da utilização da literatura infantojuvenil nas aulas de História, no terceiro ciclo do ensino básico, enquanto recurso didático para promover aprendizagens significativas e a compreensão contextualizada. Para concretizar a nossa intenção, recorremos à leitura de excertos do livro O Mistério das Catacumbas Romanas da autora Mafalda Moutinho, à técnica de inquérito por questionário e à produção de narrativas pelos alunos.
Properties of Some Commercial Honeys Available in Mexican Market: Effect of Overheating on Quality of the Packaged Honey
Authors: Mondragón-Cortez P.M. , Guatemala-Morales G.M. , Arriola-Guevara E. 
Published: September 2019

Background: Honey is a natural product, but it can be adulterated or heat-treated, both of which damage the properties of the original product. This research was focused on the evaluation of quality parameters of some commercial honeys produced in México.
Methods: Fifteen samples of commercial honeys available in Mexican market were collected. Some physicochemical parameters were determined, including pH, moisture, water activity, electric conductivity, color, sugar content (fructose and glucose), and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) contents.
Results: The results showed that the physicochemical parameters were found within acceptable ranges according to international regulations, with exception of the HMF content in 8 out of 15 honey samples which presented an unacceptable value (>40 mg/kg). The HMF content of the samples ranged from 14.56 to 224.08 mg/kg. Also, all samples of commercial honeys were classified as dark honey according to the L* values determined less than 50 with range from 14.35 to 35.45.
Conclusion: Some commercial honeys from Guadalajara, Mexico had HMF levels above the acceptable limit because of overheating during the packaging process. All evaluated commercial honeys were classified as dark according to the L* values which could be due to formation of browning pigments, in particular HMF, during the overheating. The producers of packaged honey should be encouraged to establish more moderate thermal treatments in order to avoid adverse changes, which affect the quality of the product.
Evaluation of Class 1 and 2 Integrons and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Salmonella enterica Isolated from Diarrheal Food-Borne Outbreaks in Iran
Authors: Sayadnouri S.F. , Soltan Dallal M.M. , Akbarzadeh S. , Mazaheri Nezhad Fard R. 
Published: September 2019

Background: Salmonella spp. are major causes of food-borne disease and have been identified among many diarrheal outbreaks. The major aim of the current investigation was to evaluate the class 1 and 2 integrons and antibiotic resistance pattern in Salmonella enterica isolated from diarrheal food-borne outbreaks in Iran.
Methods: This study was carried out on 115 diarrheal feces samples obtained from food-borne outbreak in 2016 in Iran. Antimicrobial resistance patterns of 27 isolated S. enterica seovars and presence of class 1 and class 2 integrons in the serovars were investigated using conventional and molecular methods. Results were statistically analyzed using SPSS software v. 21 and Chi-Square test.
Results: Overall, 27 S. enterica were characterized as 14 S. Paratyphi C, 7 S. Enteritidis, 5 S. Paratyphi D, and 1 S. Paratyphi A serovars. Results of molecular assay showed that class 1 integron presented in all and class 2 integron in three strains. All isolates with class 2 integron genes were resistant to almost all the antimicrobials.
Conclusion: Most studied Salmonella strains from diarrheal food-borne outbreak of Iran in 2016 were multiple resistant to the highlighted antimicrobials. Knowledge about risk factor involving the salmonellosis and their control measures could help the national authorities to prevent the outbreaks. Further comprehensive studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to acquire more data about risk factors of multiple resistant Salmonella outbreaks in the country.
Comparison of Sexual Knowledge between Patients Prepared for Cardiac Surgery and Patients Prepared for Cardiac Rehabilitation in Iran
Authors: Heydarpour Behzad , Ezzati Parvin , Soroush Ali , Saeidi Mozhgan , Komasi Saeid 
Published: September 2019

Background: Although sexual death during intercourse occurs rarely in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), most such patients avoid it because they fear a dangerous event. Given the significance of awareness about this issue among patients with CVDs, we sought to compare sexual knowledge between 2 groups of patients prepared for cardiac surgery and patients prepared for cardiac rehabilitation (CR).
Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted between April and July 2016, recruited 157 patients with CVDs (107 candidates for surgery and 50 patients prepared for CR) in Imam Ali Hospital, in the Iranian city of Kermanshah. The cases, selected through entire counting according to our inclusion criteria, responded to a standard sexual knowledge inventory. Sexual knowledge and professionals responsible in providing sexual rehabilitation from the perspective of patients were compared using the independent t-test and the χ2 test.
Results: The participants’ mean age was 55.39±9.82 years (male: 58.6%). Overall, the 2 groups had poor sexual knowledge. Although the CR program started 57.85±13.92 days after surgery, the sexual knowledge of this group of patients was not significantly different from that of the patients prepared for surgery (P=0.904). This difference was not significant between the 2 genders (P=0.077). Finally, concerning the professionals responsible in providing sexual rehabilitation, the patients selected psychologists (P=0.006) and nurses (P=0.012) more frequently in the initial phase of CR program.
Conclusion: Sexual knowledge was poor in our CR patients at the outset of the program. Given the poor knowledge in these patients 2 months after surgery and the lack of significant difference in knowledge between these patients and those prepared for surgery, it is advisable that they be provided with the necessary information in this regard in this golden time before hospital discharge.
Harmfulness of tobacco thrips on medium-ripening hybrids of cabbage
Authors: Shulyak Nellie V. , Koroleva Svetlana V. 
Published: September 2019

RelevanceRecently, breeding work with cabbage is aimed at developing F1 hybrids, which provide the population with year-round production. The main requirements for hybrids: excellent presentation with appropriate taste, high yield stability, morphological uniformity, resistance to major diseases and tolerance to pests, as well as high keeping quality during storage. In recent years, tobacco thrips is a serious problem for cultivation of cabbage. Plant resistance to tobacco thrips is becoming increasingly relevant, at the moment in the conditions of Krasnodar region. Since tobacco thrips is the most dangerous pest in the south and quickly adapts to poisons, development of resistant hybrids should be considered the most effective way to control.Methods The purpose of breeding work is to identify highly productive cabbage hybrids with high tolerance to tobacco thrips. It was previously found that late-ripening hybrids are less affected. Therefore, in our studies, we evaluated the effect of growing terms of the same hybrids in different years of research and on their damage with Thrips tabaci Lindeman. The direction of this work is to evaluate hybrids of cabbage for leaf damage by tobacco thrips and to identify sustainable hybrid combinations and their parental forms. Studies were carried out in the central soil-climatic zone of the Krasnodar Territory. The object of research was medium-ripening hybrids of cabbage. ResultsThe degree of susceptibility of hybrids to tobacco thrips varied significantly during the three years of research, but there were distinguished lines that established themselves as the most stable: Yas25p, Ts139, Agrbh82, Pi 714, 272Br-22. Hybrid combinations with these lines showed the least loss of marketable yield and the minimum number of affected leaves in each year of the study. Of the zoned hybrids, the Revansh F1 hybrid shows a high tolerance. It was found that a later planting period significantly reduces the degree of thrips damage.
Mental health and its influencing factors among left-behind children in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Xiu , Li Mengjie , Guo Li , Zhu Yanna 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background With rapid development of China’s economy, there were over 68.7 million left-behind children (LBC) in China whose mental health has become a problem of public concern. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the status of mental health and its associated factors of LBC aged 3-16 years old in both rural and urban areas. Methods A total of 4187 children (aged 3-16), including 1471 LBC and 2716 non-left-behind children (NLBC), were recruited from 50 communities (22 in urban areas and 28 in rural areas) in Guangdong, China in August, 2014. The mental health problems were assessed using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results No statistically significant difference of SDQ subscales scores about difficulties were found between LBC and NLBC on the whole participants as well as in rural areas or in urban areas within the same age group after adjustments were made (all p>0.05). However, compared with NLBC in the same areas, urban LBC tended to have higher prosocial behaviours scores, while rural LBC had the lowest prosocial behaviours scores not only in the whole age group but also in different age subgroups (p<0.05). Besides, compared with urban LBC, rural LBC were not worse in SDQ subscales scores except for prosocial behaviour at 7-9 age group (p=0.003). Furthermore, longer duration of parental absence (β=-0.184 to -0.103) and lower communication frequency (β=0.085 to 0.121) were associated with less difficulties in both rural and urban LBC. Higher paternal educational level (β=-2.736 to -0.085) and longer duration of talk per-time (β=-0.183 to -0.113) were associated with less difficulties in rural LBC. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that in general, no difference of mental health problems were found between LBC and NLBC. The finding reinforce the importance of the stability of caregivers and the effective parent-child communication for Chinese rural LBC.